Brighton

I'm still in bed (at 10.00am!!!) after a weekend away. I'm really tired, so decided to stay in bed to catch up with blogs and emails and to write this. A real indulgence.

On Thursday we set off in the motorhome to go to Brighton, where Number Two son lives. Although we'd seen him just a couple of weeks ago, it was for a really short time and we wanted to spend longer with him. We were staying at a campsite near Brighton Marina, which was really convenient. We drove for four hours in the pouring rain, and it didn't stop all evening.

On Friday we woke up to sunshine, hooray, and walked down to the marina, where we got the Volks Railway along the sea front to the pier.

From August 2009

This was the first public electric railway in the world and was opened on 4th August 1883.

From August 2009

From August 2009

These are the Victorian arches built along the seafront to provide a covered walkway. If you click on the lower picture you can see the beautiful decorative iron work.

After coffee on the seafront

From August 2009

and as you can see it clouded over at this point) we wandered around a bit and then met up with Alexander for lunch, in a restaurant called Fishy Fishy which is in the Lanes. By then the sun had reappeared and we were able to eat outside. Unfortunately, I was struck with a panic attack just as we were finishing our main course, so we didn't stay for pudding or coffee. I tried to walk it off, but it just wasn't going to happen, so we took a a taxi back to our motorhome. After a bit of a rest I felt better and we spent a happy hour or so playing cards before Alexander needed to go and get ready for his DJ work that evening.

On Saturday we got going really early to pack up the motorhome so that we could get a parking space on the front. Then Christopher and I split up to have a wander around the shops (Christopher wanted to treat himself to a leisurely breakfast, I just wanted to wander). I took the opportunity to take some photographs of Brighton Pavilion.

From August 2009

The Pavilion was built for George IV, when he was still Prince Regent, between 1815 and 1823. It's an amazing piece of architecture, though since it was not built very well needs constant maintenance.

From August 2009

From August 2009

From August 2009

From August 2009

From August 2009

From August 2009

From August 2009

As you can see, it was turning into an absolute scorcher, a perfect day for taking photographs though.

Alexander again joined us for lunch, though this time we had a picnic lunch back at our motorhome. Since it was really hot by that time, and the van was quite cool, we stayed inside. it was a shame not to be able to sit on the beach, though it was very crowded, but there was no shade at all. Afterwards, we played Uno (as you can tell, we're all keen on card and board games) before parting. It was lovely to spend a decent amount of time with Alexander.

After we left Brighton we drove to Reigate, where we used to live, and spent the night with a friend. On Sunday Christopher went running with the old running club, then we set off home, arriving in plenty of time to unpack the van. Mind you, by the time we'd done that, sorted things out and watered the garden, I was truly exhausted. I had a light supper and was in bed by 9.00 o'clock!

Another busy weekend

Last weekend we payed a visit to our family back in Surrey and Sussex. It was my father-in-law's 83rd birthday, so we started there, driving up in the motorhome on Friday, cooking dinner at his bungalow and sleeping on his driveway (inside the motorhome of course!) overnight. Oliver, Number One Son, was able to join us which was great. It was so good to see him after a gap of a couple of months.

On Saturday we got going pretty early so that we could collect Oliver and get down to Brighton early in order to get a parking spot by the sea front. All went to plan and we were set up by about half past ten. After a stroll along the sea front and coffee/tea in a sea front cafe we met up with Alexander, Number Two Son, and his partner John, and then took fish and chips back to the motorhome for lunch. Again, it was wonderful to see Alexander again after far too long a gap. In the afternoon we played crazy golf, which was good fun.

Christopher playing crazy golf

My two lovely sons walking along Brighton beach - no sand, just pebbles

Brighton pier - and a rather stormy looking sky

The waves were pretty fierce because it was so blustery

We were so lucky with the weather. Rain had been forecast, but it held off until we were travelling home. It was blustery and a bit cloudy some of the time, but dry and reasonably warm. I was so pleased for the many groups that had taken coach trips for the day.

We dropped Oliver off on the way home, as he was working that night, and then went to visit some old friends. After that we drove to my sister-in-law's house where we stayed the night - this time inside the house, as her drive is on rather a slope and I didn't fancy sliding gently out of bed during the night!

On Sunday Christopher went for a run with his old running group. It was great having the motorhome with us as I was able to have a rest on the bed while he was out running.

And finally, we drove home - in the rain.

Another action packed weekend visit.

Book Barn

This unpromising building houses a veritable Aladdin's Cave for booklovers. It's about six miles away from us and claims to be the largest used books warehouse in Europe. The first time we visited Wells it was in the city centre, but has since moved to larger premises. There are two warehouses, one full of books yet to be sorted or for which there is no space. It's very well laid out, with a guide showing you where to find the different categories of books. There's also a coffee shop and computer access to their online catalogue. The third photograph shows about a quarter of the warehouse!

Needless to say Christopher and I had a wonderful time browsing and choosing. I could have brought home many more books than I finally chose. The prices are considerably cheaper than new, but not stupidly cheap. Christopher bought a book on garden plants and a 'biography' of Dame Hilda Bracket, whom some of you might remember as half of a comic double act called Hinge and Bracket. I bought an autobiography of Rabbi Lionel Blue, a novel by Mary Wesley, another autobiography of Michael Crawford and an encyclopaedia of embroidery stitches. Books for all occasions.

Tewkesbury trip Day 3

This morning we cleared everything away and readied the van for the trip home. Then we had time to sit in the sunshine, Christopher reading the newspaper and me doing some stitching (this weekend I've been working on one of the blocks for An Angel's Story). We had planned on visiting a place called Owlpen Manor on the way home, which didn't open until lunchtime, so we were able to relax before setting off.

Owlpen Manor is set in a beautiful remote valley, down a very steep and narrow lane. That was a bit of fun driving for Christopher in our campervan! The house has three distinct parts, each built in a different century.

Owlpen Manor

The part on the right was built in the fifteenth century, the middle in the sixteenth and the part on the left in the early seventeenth century. It is still lived in by a family who open it up to the viewing public a couple of times a week - many owners of such ancient houses need to do this in order to raise the revenue needed for the upkeep, and to put aside to cover death duties. The enormous amount of death duties payable on a house like this has meant that many families have had to sell their family home

From Tewkesbury trip

This gate leads from the house to their private church, which you can see behind the house in the first photograph. In the past, people from the village would have walked the mile or so to worship in this church, but now it is rarely used.

The view of the valley from the front door

This is such a wonderfully English scene. At this point it was pouring with rain and getting pretty chilly, but nothing was going to stop these two ladies from enjoying their afternoon tea. Luckily, they were protected from the worst of the rain by the trees.

From Tewkesbury trip

After our visit we got home at about 5 o'clock, and immediately unpacked the van and sorted things out. Rosie was pleased to see us.

Today we need to spend a few minutes cleaning the van up (and removing yet more glass that was shaken clear by the drive home) and getting it ready for our next trip.


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Tewkesbury trip Day 2

Early morning on the campsite

On Saturday morning we walked into the town again. Christopher had spotted a quilt exhibition being held in a local church hall. Like a complete chump I completely forgot to take any photographs! There were some lovely quilts, traditional and modern, and how I wish I was as creative as some of those ladies. Such clever ideas. I can follow someone else's pattern, and even interpret it in my own way, but I just can't come up with original ideas. Luckily, there wasn't much fabric to buy, so I was able to resist temptation. But I did buy a book called Omiyage: Handmade Gifts from Fabric in the Japanese Tradition. It's full of beautiful small gifts many of which I shall certainly be trying out. I'd love to find a source of japanese style fabric to buy, but may have to settle for what I've got.

After a short walk I was pretty tired, so headed back to the van for a rest. In the afternoon we met up with our friends and went for a boat trip.

Our friend Val buying an ice cream just before our boat trip

From Tewkesbury trip

From Tewkesbury trip

After the boat trip we had a quick look around the abbey.

From Tewkesbury trip

From Tewkesbury trip

From Tewkesbury trip

After early evening drinks we went our separate ways for supper. Ours was a pretty scratch affair as Christopher had forgotten to buy any potatoes and the mixed salad bag he'd bought was slimy and horrible! So we ended up with ham sandwiches! Hey ho. In the evening we played a couple of games.

I know I'm going to enjoy using our campervan a great deal.

Tewkesbury Day 1

We set off at about 10.30 yesterday morning, and it took us about an hour and half's steady drive to get to the site, which is set right next to Tewkesbury Abbey, just a few minute's walk from the town centre. The first job was to fill the water tank, park the van and level it. The next job was to make a cup of tea and sit in the shade to enjoy it and plan the rest of the day.

After lunch we went into the town for a walk round and I took some of these photographs - I haven't a clue why the captions haven't appeared on some of them, nor why there is a blank space in the middle. It was another very hot day and after a while I left Christopher to continue exploring and headed back to the van for a rest. I was amazed to be able to get on to the internet, I don't know where the signal is coming from, but if I sit really close to the window I'm getting a very weak signal. In the evening we went out with our friends for a meal and then headed back to our vans, they were intending to read and we planned to plan a game before bed. Then - disaster struck! Christopher put the kettle on to make a cup of tea, but hadn't put the main lights on and didn't realise that the glass cover for the hob was still down. A short while later there was a huge explosion of glass. Luckily neither of us was at all hurt, and apart from a bit of damage to one of the carpets nothing else seemed to be damaged, but you can imagine how far that glass flew. It took us the best part of an hour to clear it all up. By that time I was whacked and went straight to bed, where I slept surprising well.

HUGE excitement!

The next brick in our plan has slotted into place. We've moved to a wonderful house in a lovely part of the UK and now we've achieved our next goal - a campervan, or some of you might call it a motorhome. We've always wanted one, but had to wait until we had somewhere to park it, and now we have. It will mean that we can get away for short breaks much more frequently, and for cheaper longer holidays too. During the rest of this year we hope to take several breaks, both short and long, in the UK, but next year we can feel the rest of Europe calling.

I've been buying bits and pieces for several weeks now, since we first placed the order, and have had fun today stowing them away. I can't wait to get away and try it out, though it's going to be a bit daunting first time, trying to remember everything we were told.

It's difficult to get a really good picture on our drive, but these pictures show Christopher reversing in yesterday - not bad for a first effort.

From June 2009

From June 2009

From June 2009

From June 2009