Well in fact we are back in Trinidad but to keep a sense of order I'll post this and hopefully another quite shortly. (no promises of tomorrow this time!)
September started slowly but then roared off!
We had a great time in Leicester with Pauline, my sister and George my brother-in-law and their two dogs; Little Nell, a Whippet cross Bedlington lurcher and Dolly, a Border terrier. They have a little 2up-2down cottage next door to the house that they use as their guest room and we were able to stay there – out of their way most of the time but also able to join in for the odd cup of coffee, trip to the pub and eve some meals. We didn’t do a great deal but spent some lovely hours catching up with her 3 daughters, 2 grandchildren, one son-on-law and 4 visiting dogs!! Not all at once although on one day there were 6 dogs there!!!
My daughter, Sarah, also came down from Lincoln for a visit with her dog too but on that day only Nellie and Dolly were there!! Unfortunately Sarah has been having trouble with her car so we spent a bit of time running around trying to sort (without much success) her out.
We also popped over to France for a holiday (it’s very stressful not doing much!). We had met David and Beverley on Tumbalong whilst we were all anchored in the Rio Guardiana in 2012/13 and had kept in touch since then, largely through Facebook. When they saw that we were in the UK at a time when they were at home, we were invited to visit them. They had bought a large old farmhouse about hour and a quarter from Limoges before they had started off sailing in 2012 and split their time between sailing – now in the Mediterranean - and renovating the house. |
We were able to get flights to Limoges from East Midlands Airport only about 40 minutes away from Leicester and flew over for5 days. We were made really welcome both by D & B and the local Franco-Brit community there – wonderful. It was in a lovely area and was a great property although I think it would have been too much work for us! |
Whilst there we were also able to visit another coupe we had become friends with up the Rio Guardiana – Geoff and Tina.
They had also bought a place in France - roughly 30 minutes from D & B - and were also busy up-dating that.
They had also bought a place in France - roughly 30 minutes from D & B - and were also busy up-dating that.
Back from France, I spent a day with Sarah at the Fun Dog Show Day held at the Dog Rescue Centre where she works near Boston in Lincolnshire.
2 days later we moved down to Exeter; travelling via Milton Keynes to see Peter & Gwen, my brother and his wife, again and say cheerio for a while. They gave us a lovely lunch before we set off again in the afternoon.
In Exeter, it was great to see Chris’s brother and wife, Bill &Jane, again before we left and we also caught up with Chris’s other brother Andrew and his partner and the six of us went out for a lovely meal together. Our shed came in handy again as all the bits we had accumulated over the last few months were able to go in there.
(Sorry no pics AGAIN!!)
I was also able to visit my son Rob in Bristol for a couple of nights – it was meant to be quite a quiet couple of evenings as he was working but somehow …….
In Exeter, it was great to see Chris’s brother and wife, Bill &Jane, again before we left and we also caught up with Chris’s other brother Andrew and his partner and the six of us went out for a lovely meal together. Our shed came in handy again as all the bits we had accumulated over the last few months were able to go in there.
(Sorry no pics AGAIN!!)
I was also able to visit my son Rob in Bristol for a couple of nights – it was meant to be quite a quiet couple of evenings as he was working but somehow …….
We are now at our last port of call – back where we started our rounds in Beaulieu. It is good to be able to spend some time with Stephen &Carol (and Millie!) as they were away for most of the time we were there previously. They had very kindly offered to look after our car while we were away if we wanted and as it hasb done us such good service we are leaving it there. Thanks again S & C!!
We are flying out on Thursday and with autumn here – lovely colours on the trees but at the moment very wet – and with winter on the way, it seems like the right time to go!