Summer sojourn 2019

Departure day. We woke to heavy rain but shortly before we left, at 10am, the weather brightened and a rainbow appeared.  No problems on the journey and after a short break at a Costa on the motorway we arrived in Portsmouth. Ferry boarded and we departed at 2.45 and arrived in Ouistreham at 9.15. We checked into our hotel close by the ferry at 10pm and were soon off to sleep.

A wet day for our last day here. The morning was taken up by a shop at Tesco’s for supplies to bring home. There was a break in the weather after lunch so we were able to get the shopping sorted out and packed in the boot. Boot is jam packed full! Then suitcase packed and as much as possible put in the car ready for departure tomorrow. We went round to Steve’s, after he had picked up Lauren and Josh, to say goodbye. We didn’t stay long, I can’t bear saying goodbye and usually collapse in tears as I did. ,

Steve picked me up at 9.30 and we along with Lauren and Josh set of for Stonar school near Bath. Paul, Steve’s friend from Uni, was there with  wife Jo and daughters. The elder one, Pippa16 years old, was riding there in a one day event. We stopped off at a farm shop on the way to pick up supplies for lunch. I was so pleased to see pigs there leading an outdoor life.  We arrived at Stonar and as the weather forecast was not good, it was still raining a bit, Steve had brought me a pair of his wellies. Now if I tell you that Steve takes a size 12 and I take a size 6 they didn’t exactly fit despite wearing 2 pairs of thick socks! Still better than paddling around the muddy ground in my trainers. We located Paul and family just returning from the dressage arena as Pippa had just finished her test. Thankfully the rain had stopped as we had an hour or so to wait before Pippa did her show jumping. Lunch was eaten, coffee drunk and lots of chat in the interim. We watched Pippa and P...

Up and away at 8.15, early for us! After dropping N off in the town centre I went and parked the car in the Bishops Palace farm field and walked alongside the moat back into town and the town hall. Several people were busy setting up their stalls but we were well prepared after yesterday. There were a lot of people selling vintage clothing. One couple, next to us, had a lot of clothing and hats. Chatting to them we discovered that the lady was from NZ originally. Soon people started arriving, there was a lot of interest in N’s vinyl and no interest in my china! I had 3 pocket watches that had been in a drawer since mum died. I had left them with Steve and he was due to bring them in. One chap who appeared rather dodgy to me asked if I had any watches and I said I would have later, he promised to return. There happened to be, though, a young couple next to us selling old watches and pocket watches and he said he’d be happy to look at them and give me his opinion. I had a lot more faith...

Tomorrow we are trying to sell some “stuff” at a vintage fair here in the town hall in Wells. I have a beautiful tea service that was mum’s, it has been in a box since she died and I really have no use for it. I’m not bothered about getting a lot for it but would just like it to go somewhere where it will be appreciated. I also have a lot of Crown Devon ware that I have collected over the years and now feel it is time to be moved on. N has his collection of vinyl so we shall see how it goes. We were able to set up our stall this afternoon, much better than having to be there early tomorrow morning and do it in a rush. Went round to Steve’s to spend an hour or so with Lauren and Josh before returning “home”.

After an excellent breakfast we said goodbye to Tamworth and set off on the last stage of our journey back to Wells. Traffic round Birmingham was challenging and I coined a new phrase, “scary roundabout” ! When the sat nav says leave at the fifth exit panic tries to set in! Five lanes of traffic, traffic lights and it seems everyone else knows where they are going and exactly how they are going to get there. I managed to keep my cool and with some help from my navigator managed to get off at the correct exit. Eventually we left all that behind and drove to Leamington Span and thence through the Cotswolds to Cirencester stopping first for a wander round Moreton in the Marsh and then in a layby for remains of yesterday’s sandwich. We sure know how to live it up!! Not too impressed with M in the M, very touristy and expensive. Last stage then via Bath and back to our cottage at the Wells touring park after calling in Tesco for some supplies. “Home” again, sigh of relief to be in one pl...