Week 14 14th to 20th Jan

Monday 14th January – day 86

Last day at Tavistock, and the same feeling as when we left Helston, that we are leaving with too much still to see, so off to see as much as we can fit in today! Started with a trip down to Burgh Island, a small island divided from the mainland by tidal causeway. It is the setting for a famous Art Deco hotel set in the 1920’s time warp, when it frequently received visitors such as Noel Coward and the Windsors. We parked near the beach at Bigbury on Sea and made the short but bracing walk across, anticipating our elegant cuppa in this fashionable establishment, however when we got there we found that there was a notice saying that it was not open to the public! We did try to get to the reception to ask for a brochure but the front door was locked!! We were not even allowed into part of Pilchard Inn, the 14th century pub that also resides on the island, as it also was reserved for hotel residents only…….. well, I ask you, did that make us feel unwelcome (the answer is yes in case you are not sure!!) We walked to top for the views though (and to say that we did it!) and then left for Salcombe, our last Devonish coastal resort. It was another quaint narrow streeted fishing/holiday town, and after a (by now) very welcome cup of tea, we walked along the shingle edged harbour, and Helen made a very exciting find…. This still hinged complete scallop shell, along with several boarders! It’s colours glowed like burnished copper when wet, but alas it lost its lustre, and its limpety boarders, once dry, but is still quite a find as it is more or less complete.












Tuesday 15th January - day 87

Moving day today, so into Tavistock for a last look round before setting off for Bridport.
We were a little concerned as it had rained all night and there were storm and high wind warnings on the radio this morning. However it remained dry from the time we started to pack up, to the finish of our unpacking at the other end, HALLELUJAH and Praise the Lord! The only bit of excitement was driving up Bridport’s High Street twice, pulling the caravan, looking for a rather elusive left hand turn (or was it right – all depended on which approach the directions started from!!)
However we did find the little road up to Washingpool Farm shop, in the end. As we booked in I did begin to fear that both purse and waistline would suffer this week as the farm shop is absolutely bursting with a wondrous array of local, organic, and homemade goodies, first purchases - a pack of bacon and a white loaf, pass the ketchup……… say no more!!!
We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening settling in/blogging etc, but by 10pm, we were bursting to get out for some fresh sea air, so grabbing our anoracks we set off with a sense of anticipation, but were thwarted at the first hurdle, they had locked the farm shop gate entrance, we tried several other muddy and fruitless tracks, and sat in the car for a moment feeling deflated, but as we turned the car round in the farm yard preparing to sneak back with without looking too foolish, we found a road just behind where the caravans are parked, that took us out on to the road, in fits of giggles and pink cheeks we set off for West Bay, a marina/harbour just outside Bridport. We were so glad that we had persevered as the walk along the front and down into the harbour was fab - particularly bracing, the waves crashed right up to the barrier and the spray fairly flew across the path (and on several occasions over us) A little damp, but certainly invigorated we returned from our walk to sleep soundly.

Wednesday 16th January – day 88

Reasonable weather forecast brought out the boots (and over trousers just in case) and with Cicerone in hand we set off for Sidmouth. The plan was to catch a bus from Sidmouth to Budleigh Salterton and walk to the car from there. But you guessed it, we missed the bus (don’t say again!) so we drove onto Budleigh, to park up there. Fortunately we are now not only in the land of the 3G which gives us super fast internet access we are also back in the land of the regular bus network (though not cheap we found).
It took a while to get prepared as we were out of practice, but finally we left the town, and set off along the River Otter’s Wetland Nature Reserve. It took us inland for about 1km, where we crossed the bridge to walk back to the coastal path. The ground was muddy and slidy and the going was slow, but we made steady progress, lingering awhile though to watch a some feeding piglets on a cliff top pig farm.

We came to Ladram Bay, a beautiful spot that lies just before a 515 ft woodland ascent to the next cliff top just before 4pm and the sun was fading, I was a little concerned about finding ourselves walking through the dark woods close to the cliff edge, so after some discussion we decided to head for the road. The sensible decision we were sure, but the 4 extra miles mostly up hill also, before we dropped down into a twinkly Sidmouth, was a hard slog, and a fair bit of it walked in the dark. We made it though, but our faces were fair tingly with the cold, and we managed to steam the bus up somewhat on the return journey. But not enough however for us not to notice that we were being driven back through Otterton, the first village that we had come to, having come off the path, ah well!

Thursday 17th January – day 89

Surprisingly, the day is much more clement than forecast, so we head off to do a bit more of the coastal path around Lyme Regis. We planned a short circular walk, rather than run for buses, so parked in Ware, and headed off to find the path down to the undercliff walk, part of the Jurassic Heritage coastline. There was very little to see of the sea, and it was a bit of a jungle, but the verdant green fernery was pleasing to the eye, even if the squelchy path under foot made walking with any determination impossible. We walked a short distance towards Pinhay Bay, but felt that, as there was such poor visibility (it was now raining hard again) and the ground was too muddy, we turned and headed back for Lyme Regis via a beautiful open area called the Cobb (I think).
The path took us eventually down to the old harbour where Meryl Streep had stood as the French Lieutenants Woman in the 80’s film of the same name.
As we walked into town we could distinctly hear the chink of tea cups so we moved swiftly in their direction and found ourselves in a cosy warm tea shop eating toasted sandwiches and Welsh Rarebit, much need to prepare us for the walk up the very steep hill back out of Lyme and on to Ware.




Friday 18th January – day 90

Last day at Bridport, pleased that despite the persistent wind and rain, we have managed to get out and about more than anticipated, and today was no exception. Our first stop was to Weymouth, to remind ourselves of its charms, but apart from the harbour, we were to be disappointed. Unfortunately we lingered a little too long before we came to this conclusion and set off for lovely Lulworth Cove mid afternoon. The journey took us through some very picturesque villages in true Hardy country style.
The wind was again high as we walked up the little headland, to look down on the Cove, and the decision to leave Durdle Door for another day was quickly agreed!!

Saturday 19th January – day 91

Moved on today from Bridport to West Farm at Verwood, this is a well maintained and operated camp site. Hurray for a great laundry and drying area, and the shower and toilet block are warm, comfortable and will be a joy to make full use of!!! We are on a hard standing area close to all these amenities, so bonus all around! We are getting quite slick at setting up, it only takes an hour now from arrival.
On completion of the set up we left to have supper with Paul and Jean Arnold and their daughters Naomi and Zoe in Dorchester. This was a very welcome break from our own routines and we received a very warm welcome and a lovely evening meal!


Sunday 20th January – day 92

Decided on a lazy day today and therefore did not venture off the site until about 3.00pm, mostly to look for a pub that had good beer and an open log fire. Unfortunately the general temperature was about 12°C so a log fire seemed out of the question, certainly one could not be found during our walk around Wimbourne, the only real light at the end of a tunnel was the one lighting the Minster. So we left Wimbourne and headed for Cranbourne and found a pub serving Badger beer, Pickled Pheasant, which was more than adequate, as was the Stowford Press cider which were readily consumed.

Week 13 7th to 13th Jan

Monday 7th January – day 79

This morning we had to take the car to the Exway repair centre in Newton Abbot, in the hope that they will be more efficient than their counterparts in Barnstaple. To get there we had a truly atmospheric drive across Dartmoor as the weather was alternately stormy or sunny providing wonderful skies. We stopped for a while at Badgers Holt to view an ancient bridge across the Dart, which tumbled wildly over the stones because of recent rain fall.
Once there we swapped the Land Rover for a Skoda, so with go Faster stripes ablaze we set off for a recce of the English Riviera. It started well as Sheldon was very pretty, but we did not linger as we were under the misguided impression that Torbay was worth a visit…. wrong. We arrived in Torquay to everything we dislike, pretention and plastic, enormous boats and amusement arcades.
Fortunately there were few visitors or we would have run immediately but as we had the place more or less to ourselves, and the sun was shining a watery, wintry icy glow we walked around the harbour to check out the boats further. We drove on then to Brixham then via Stokeinteignhead. A very pretty sleepy village with a lovely pub which served excellent home made beef doorstops and Chris was reintroduced to Flowers IPA – happy bunny! Through Paignton without stopping, only so much a body can take and onto Brixham which had much more character. We stopped for a pint in a dubious hostelry to do our emailing – (the joy of having a mobile internet connection) as the signal is too weak at the camp site to pick up the internet. Home then to our cosy warm caravan for more fun with the PC diary!!!

Tuesday 8th January - day 80

We woke to a windy wintry day, no walking today as too soggy underfoot, so off to revisit Polperro as we had dashed past it before Christmas. We were not disappointed with our return visit. The howling wind and threatening cloud had kept all sensible people indoors, so we had the place to ourselves almost.
We were sheltered as we walked through the sleepy streets and were completely taken by surprise at the ferocity of the wind as we reached the harbour. It was hard to stay upright as we stood on the harbour wall, but it was worth it as the sights and sounds were spectacular. The wind really howled and whistled round the inlet, causing great slapping noises from the boats rigging, and the “Tubular Bells” sounds of rope on metal mast. We watched as waves crashed against the cliffs and were persuaded a way up the cliff path for a better view of the swirling and churning of the surf, fabulous, with the salt on our faces making our skin tingle and the wind in our hair (well one of us!) - it felt good to be alive.

Reluctantly we moved on to Looe to try and re-see it in the light. Other than a lovely stroll down the promenade and some fine views of the town from the pontoon, we have to say that it lacked the charm we had hoped to find from our previous night time visit, but we were glad to have spent on hour or so there. Home via a public house in Tavistock so that we could do our emailing.

Wednesday 9th January – day 81

Another dull but dry day today, off for a visit to the well recommended gardens and grounds at Cotehele. We were not to be disappointed that the House was closed, for the grounds more than made up for them.
We spent 3 hours happily wandering round formal gardens, down woodland walks, past Dovecotes and stewponds to the muddy Tamar Estuary, where we walked along the river bank to the water mill (a real Constable landscape) and back up to the car park. We spied our first snow drops, violets and primroses, and the promise of spring as the daffodil and crocus shoots were clearly visible.
We left there for a meal with Roger in Truro via a drink in Jamaica Inn. What a shock we had, seldom has a place so failed to live up to its romantic expectations. Daphne DuMaurier may be turning in her grave as rampant and tacky commercialism sat right next to the roaring open fire in the shape of one armed bandits (and several of them) we could not bring ourselves to sit in the room with the wide screen TV! So a swift ½ pint of rattler later we made a hasty retreat.
Roger, who came to stay with us for the weekend of Mike and Brian’s celebration, treated us right royally to a feast at a lovely restaurant called the Plume of Feathers in Mitchell. Prior to the meal we were given a personal and torchlit tour of his lovely garden and were introduced to his even lovelier baby goats, which one of us would happily have taken home! We gladly accepted an invitation to stop over rather than make the journey back late at night. We were very grateful for this, and were treated to a definitely alternative lifestyle, but we will leave Roger to explain that to you.

Thursday 10th January – day 82

We were supposed to be going straight back to caravan following our overnighter, but once purchases had been made we decided to return to Port Isaac as we were almost passing. We were still looking for our little something to remind us of the peninsular (as well as the lovely print given to us by Roger!) and had been most impressed by the pottery gallery there. On arrival we found that the gallery was closed, but undaunted we made a phone call and the potter was willing to open up for us. We took a lovely windswept walk a little way along the coastal path whilst we waited for the moment that we could return to the gallery, and were reminded of some of the beautiful

pathways that we had lost photos of back in November. We made our purchase and decided to move on to Boscastle to remind ourselves of its delights, and retake some photos there. We had a lovely late afternoon walk up to the lookout, and were treated to a watery sunset. We were home by 7pm ready for another session with the PC!

Friday 11th January – day 83

We think that it rained all night, and it was still pouring when we got up. Fortunately Newton Abbot phoned to say that the car was ready for collection so no decision about how to spend the day was necessary! Chris took a run over the moor for the car, and I stayed at base to catch up on necessary domestics (running out of knickers). Managed to finish naming and storing all photos as well so beginning to feel that we are catching up now!!
Chris returned with a sparkly as well as a mended car, we are indeed impressed with the Newton Abbot Exway Repair Centre, so we are now really beginning to feel that our breakages are behind us, and long may that continue.

Saturday 12th January – day 84

Brighter this morning, a little respite from the rain, which is lovely as we are meeting friends for lunch and a walk on Dartmoor today. Off to Tavistock first though for a look round the Farmers Market and the award winning Pannier Market. Well worth a visit – any day except Sunday and Monday! We were tempted to a rather fabulous looking Spelt loaf, sprouts and a yummy venison pie –that’s dinner for Sunday sorted. Off to Mary Tavy via Brentor a lovely church on a hill, no time to walk up to it today, but on to lunch with Liesel and Nick. (This is them on their boat last summer)
Lunch was a feast so we sat for a while as it settled, and by the time we were ready to step out on to Dartmoor it was drizzling. By the time we got from the house to the moor it was raining and by the time we got to our return point it was pouring. We looked like 4 drowned rats (that rustled) by the time we got back and we were only out 50 minutes!

We were treated to tea on return – part Lapsang Souchong part Earl Grey, a first for me and to be highly recommended. Thanks to Nick’s wi-fi we were able to check out sites for Dorset where we are off to next.
Home to dry out our wet weather gear!

Sunday 13th January – day 85

Guess what, another wet day, the clouds are dark grey, no pretence of a chance of sun today, the ground is so soggy under foot that it is not even worth wondering whether we might get out on the moors! So, off for a drive over atmospheric Dartmoor to see what Widecombe in the Moor has to offer. It is very pretty even in the rain, and the Old Village Inn won us over completely with its blazing log fires - in three rooms! It was toasty warm by the fire, but being intrepid explorers we set off for Buckfast Abbey,

and we were so glad we did. This Monastery was beautiful and peaceful, but also industrious as the monks who live there work the land, keep bees, brew mead and sell honey, and one monk created the most wonderful stained glass window I have ever seen, with a vibrant radiant Jesus, arms open wide, welcoming all who enter the prayer room.

It was lovely to sit there awhile in the peaceful atmosphere, but disappointment struck, as when in the end we went to the café for a cup of tea, we found that it had just closed! Rain finally stopped play, and we set off to return home back over the moors.

Week 12 31st Dec to 06th Jan

Happy New Year to all, welcome to 2008 and on with the journey!

Monday 31st December – day 72

Well here we are at New Year’s Eve, surprisingly rose later than intended to tea and bacon sandwiches. Then left for a walk up to the High Street, only got as far as Michael Thomas (butcher) and were invited into Jo and Stuart Wright house for tea and a view of the new kitchen. About 40 minutes later we set off again and reached the shops without further meetings or diversions. Made purchases as required and returned to Anne and Andy’s for a short rest, at 2.30pm off to St Mary’s Hall to decorate ready for tonight’s party. A team of willing helpers already there with more joining in to complete the works, everybody working almost without instruction and the decoration completed in record time.
Return again to Ann and Andy’s for supper prior to setting off for the night’s entertainment. Kick off is at 8.00pm and to the first house, Bill and Julie, at 9.00pm everybody moves complete with bottles to Steve and Hilary, then all on again still with bottles to Jill and Martin at 10.00, at 11.00 every body moves into St Mary’s Hall for the final fling and continue on till about 1.30am dancing the time away to the sounds of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Left the hall with Art Robb to return to Ann and Andy’s for coffee and whisky, sat round gas bagging until 3.00am when knock on the door revealed three visitors (Jo and Andy Pennel and Andy’s brother) they joined the party and we stayed at it till 5.00am, bed and sleep at last.

Tuesday 1st January - day 73

Back to St Mary’s Hall at 11.30 to remove all the decorations, found that it had started at 11.00, still a reasonable amount still to do o pitched in. After hall restored the cleaners moved off to Al and Sue for coffee and nibbles, more general chatting then off to see some of our ex neighbours that we did not see last night. Pete and Marleen, then Patrick and Frances (unfortunately they were not in) then down to Val and Rob.
Arranged to see Tim, (Helen’s son,) for a meal and a movie in Swindon. A light meal in Benny and Frankies then in the see the latest Will Smith movie, “I am Legend” great film with lots of scary bits.
Back to Ann and Andy’s and bed.

Wednesday 2nd January – day 74

Still staying at Anne and Andy’s, bed to comfy to leave too quickly!! But a day of visits planned. Started with lunch with Margaret and Alan at the Old Bell, should have phoned to check whether it would be open, alas it was not, so we moved on for a lovely meal at the newly refurbished pub ”the Potting Shed” at Crudwell now owned by the Rectory. Sat until 3pm, then into Cirencester for some shopping and Tim collecting. On return to Malmesbury Chris went to visit a sickly Jem and Helen took Tim for a swift half before they headed off to Kit and Clares at Little Somerford for a fabulous fellowship supper. It was so good to see Brian, Sue and David there, and we enjoyed a lovely catch up evening together. Thank you kit and Clare for the lovely evening and comfy bed!!

Thursday 3rd January – day 75

Spent the morning at Clare’s kitchen table catching up on e-admin, booking sites etc. Then left there for a quick visit to Shelagh for Helen and a return to Clare for Chris to retrieve coats left behind (think this is the only time we left something which is quite an achievement for us!!)
Helen had hairdresser’s appointment, so Chris went off to busy himself somewhere else!
Then on to Fred and Sarah’s to stay with them. As supper was cooking we snuck out for a quick drink with Paul, our lovely tenant who we are pleased to say is enjoying his stay in Malmesbury.
Back to Fred and Sarah’s for a FAB supper of venison, yum, and catch ups until bed time.

Friday 4th January – day 76

After coffee with Sarah, lunch with Fred and a trip to Cirencester in the hope of saying cheerio to Tim (but couldn’t see him) we set off for Exeter to stay with Carol and Gary. Travelled in torrential rain for most of the way and arrived at Exeter to find our way through Whipton barred by an earlier accident. We had to be guided home by Gary’s expert instructions! Another lovely supper, (we have been so well looked after by everyone it will be difficult to go back to self catering!!) and conversation that went on too late (!) we failed to make a larkish get up the next morning but no surprises there!!

Saturday 5th January – day 77

We left Carol and Gary mid morning to set off for Ilfracombe where our caravan had been convalescing. We were glad to be reunited with her, particularly as she looked so shiny and new, thank you Mullacot Caravan and Marine Centre for doing such a brilliant job.
The wind and rain were still doing their best to make travelling difficult but we made it safely to Tavistock where we had decided to treat ourselves to a stay on a proper site with heated showers and toilets (need to get back into camping gradually!)
As there is no food in the caravan yet we took ourselves off into lovely award winning Tavistock for a very acceptable meal at the curry house called Tarkis.

Sunday 6th January – day 78

Back on holiday!!!
It had stopped raining so spent the morning trying to find the bottom of the car boot before it goes in for its repair, but in the afternoon we decided to go up on to Dartmoor and get our walking boots wet again. When we parked the car we could see two Tors worthy of a walk up, but by the time we had zipped up our gaiters we could see neither of the peaks, so set off for a very boggy walk round the hill following a river that definitely looked at times like it was flowing up hill. We looked like drowned rats after just 45 minutes outside. This seems to be a regular introduction to Dartmoor. We made time to get to Morrisons to fill the larder again, so home for a choice of supper options.

Week 11 24th to 30th Dec

Welcome to week 11. We have uploaded Christmas and New year weeks whilst they are still freshish in the memory!! Will be adding the earlier weeks soon, so watch out!

Monday 24th December – day 65

Day of preparation for tomorrow for some of us, and a day of reinstalling the PC for Chris!!
Al and Vic set off for London, we go on to the wrinkly’s (Ma and Pa) for supper then on to Midnight Mass, before returning to Al and Vic’s for bed.

Tuesday 25th December - day 66

A truly wrinkly Christmas, no kids rummaging loudly through their stockings, a quiet get up, and down to Ma and Pa’s for elevenses. We decided to have the “salmon stuffed with avocado cream cheese and lemon” for our lunch, rather than as our starter later, so lunched, then there was a lot of sitting round and nattering, until it was nearly time for the Queens speech. As Chris and I are not yet old enough to understand the Queens speech we set off for a magical misty walk by the river towards Brungly.

Home then, to finish the final preparations for dinner …….. and more nattering ………................ too much nattering in fact as it delayed supper until 7pm, by which time father was in fear that he would not be getting any Christmas dinner. Our reward for serving a perfectly cooked chicken….............Ivanhoe (1950’s version no less) - need I say more.

Wednesday 26th December – day 67

Being joined by the kids today, unfortunately Tim can only stay for the day, as… fortunately he secured employment at Tesco’s last week, which is not much short of a miracle, but essential as he needs to earn a lot of money to join a team going to Argentina with Latin Link,

but Hannah is staying on for a few days which is lovely.
They arrived just before 10am, and we opened our presents before joining the wrinks.
Al and Vic also made excellent progress back up from London and were able to join us around 2pm, much earlier than had been hoped for.
As this was the moment when all would be together, as if by magic, Father Christmas appeared as he does every year, but always just as father leaves the room, we are beginning to wonder if there is a link there, especially as they both seem to be having the same difficulties getting off the floor!!!

Al and Vic left to sleep off their early start, and after Tim had consumed vast quantities of Granby’s meat and potato pie, he also left to pick up Dad from Banbury so that they could both get to work the next day, ah for them.

Thursday 27th December – day 68

Today is our family’s official feast day, so best frocks on and prepare for fun and games. Al and Vic were hosting this so Hannah and I went out for a lovely coffee. On return, our job was to make encouraging noises, sport our most helpful facial expressions, and make bruscettas. The wrinks arrived early afternoon, and by 4pm we were sitting down to a feast of bacon stuffed with chicken livers.
Before we were allowed to have the next course - Salmon and Cod Wellington, we had to sing for our supper, well whistle actually, on little tuneless whistles that have been around too long probably, and we had to work together to create a recognisable carol. If there has ever been any doubt before that I belong to a house of chiefs without any Indians it was during that game. Everyone had an instruction that no-one else would follow; if they all had just listened to me we would have got it right straight away!!!!!!
We were rewarded however, with a truly fabulous chocolate sachertorte.
Then just when we were ready to slope off to the settee it was time for ……GAMES.
First Al had set up a racing game using wind up race horses. The races were close run for all except mothers which just went round in circles. Eventually the overall winner had to be the horse that kept going the longest, as none of them could keep going in a straight line for long.
We then had a competition to see who could make the most convincing looking penguins and polar bears using coloured balls, pipe cleaners and Tescos best templates and glue. We had to work in pairs, and mine was by far and away the best, but Chris lost us the first prize because he would not finish after the whistle blew, shame on him!!

Friday 28th December – day 69

A day of departures, Hannah returns to Manchester and Al and Vic set off for Buxton. The three girls attempt a coffee before Hannah (and ALL her bags) get on the train, but the business of making the right travel arrangements makes it somewhat of a hectic affair!!
As Al and Vic are preparing for their journey, we load up our goods and chattels and leave Green Drive for the Orchard, to stay with Ma and Pa for a couple more days. The last few large meals are starting to settle in places where they should not, so Chris and I set off for a route march around Clitheroe Castle. Two minutes down the road and the heavens open, we foolishly carried on regardless, and by the time we had reached the castle we were utterly soaked, and the plod back was squelchy indeed;
although atmospheric, as the wind was up and driving the rain horizontally around us, as well as the homey smells of coal and wood smoke from home fires, increasing our eagerness for home comforts.

Saturday 29th December – day 70

We were determined to get out into the fresh air today, but the weather forecast was doubtful, a running theme by now! But again we set off resolutely, for Barrowford, to walk along the Leeds/Liverpool Canal. We started well with a lovely homemade soup at the Pendle Heritage Centre (picture taken from the web as too wet to take a photo!!) and finished well with a lovely warming brandy/beer at the Assheton Arms in Downham, but the walk in the middle (which lasted over 2 hours) was very wet, cold and did not always reward with stunning views, although the walk along the towpath and back up the steep windy back lanes was worth the effort. And as you can imagine we did not meet too many people on our walk.

Sunday 30th December – day 71

We left the wrinks (to recover we think!) at midday to travel down to Malmesbury for the New Year celebrations. The journey was lengthy, because of queues, but also possibly because we found ourselves on the toll road by mistake, but we arrived at Anne and Andy’s by 6pm. This gave us just enough time to unpack, wash and set off across the road with our hosts to Jill and Martins for supper. We were joined also by Di & Ian and Sue & Al, and we had a lovely evening catching up with friends.

Week 10 17th to 23rd Dec

Monday 17th December – day 58
Last week Moi returned from Abim and she is to join us in Ambleside today, after a weekend up

in Scotland. We decided to do, hopefully, the final bits of Christmas shopping in Kendal, until it was time to pick her up at the railway station. Back to the flat after the pick up, for a lovely cup of tea by the fire, and watch the sun go down over Loughrigg from our sitting room window.

Tuesday 18th December - day 59

Woke to a brilliant, clear bright and crisp morning, and a walk was planned!! With the sun on our backs we set off for Clappersgate, up Loughrigg, over the fell and then down to Elterwater, where we stopped for a while to enjoy a well earned pint (or two) at the Britannia Arms before catching the bus back to Ambleside and into the Golden Rule for a final pint, before (carrying Moi) home for supper and a little whiskey! .

Wednesday 19th December – day 60

Off to Keswick today, on another beautifully crisp, clear day, the frost is really making its presence felt, so much need to wrap up warmly before venturing out for the walk. Parked up at Grange and walked along Derwentwater towards Keswick. The scenes were breathtaking with the frost making everything a real winter wonderland. The walk was punctuated with Moi taking photographs of the ice and frost for her friends back in Africa, and showing Helen the finer points of photography. Eventually we returned to the car and back into Keswick and The Dog and Gun (and yes a pint or two to restored the inner beings).

Thursday 20th December – day 61

Hannah joined us today so we all enjoyed a lazy morning until it was time to pick her up from the station at Oxenholme. After the pick up we went to Lakeland Plastics for tea and cakes. After which we spent a silly ½ hour checking out all of Lakelands amazing array of domestic must haves, and Chris was tempted by some tea pot doilies, designed to put round the spout to catch tea drips, but we restrained him!

Friday 21st December – day 62
So sad to leave the flat today it has been quite magical up here again, but we must press on to Clitheroe and Christmas. But still managed to end our lovely holiday with Lunch at Lucy’s for all four of us.
Drove down to Clitheroe and dropped the girls, Moi and Hannah, at Clitheroe Station for their onward journeys to Oxford and Manchester respectively. Then we moved on to Ali and Vic to stay for a few days.

Saturday 22nd December – day 63

Completed all our Christmas preparations, wrapping presents and card writing all while Ali and Vic were out shopping. Then as evening approached we made ourselves ready to visit the old converted cinema in Clitheroe to see a band called the Swing Commanders. We managed to get
there early, a very neat trick for us, and got a good table midway between band and bar. Not quite sure if the organisers had got themselves properly sorted out, as they ran out of draft beer and the alternatives were few. Unfortunately the wine available was a little rough; thank heavens we managed to bring in our own bottle, but opening it was a covert operation as “take your own” was banned as Helen found out when she went innocently to the bar to ask for an empty glass. However the band was excellent and very enthusiastic and got all of us up and dancing at various times. Supporting the band was a dance troupe that gave some exhibition dances of the era, jive, swing, walking and jitterbug, but what was really amazing the average age must have been about 65, hurrah for them.

Sunday 23rd December – day 64

Chris’s birthday today, but only a trip to Manchester planned, no shopping but lunching with Hannah and her boyfriend Steve, so parked up in suburbia and caught the tram into Manchester Piccadilly, a very easy way into town and thoroughly recommended. We met up with Hannah and Steve at that now old favourite - Wagamama’s, and a really nice lunch of Japanese fresh/fast food. Hannah was heavily laden as she was going on to Malmesbury, but they still had shopping to do and Steve’s arms were growing longer by the minute. After Lunch we left Hannah and Steve, and went for an explore of the local Manchester area, where we found another large Ferris Wheel (in the style of the London Eye) lit up in white and ultra violet. We watched this for a while and then returned to the tram stop in Piccadilly to start our return journey to Clitheroe and Ali and Vic.