The UK Tour Begins.

My lovely niece Kimberly bought me some new posh Crocs, what a lovely girl.

She knows her uncle is a fashionista and loves his crocs!

On Friday Kimberley and myself drove over to Chipping Norton to meet up with Bryan who had wintered in Mojacar and became a good friend.

We went to a most fantastic pub called The Falkland Arms for lunch, there were also a lot of Triumph sports cars there, which was interesting as I had  TR6 from 1976 through to 1990 when I sold it in Australia.

This immaculate TR5 would be worth a fortune now.

A pimento red TR6 just like the one I had, with the Jag behind it. 

We had a good catch up with Brian, I will see him again later this year when once again he escapes the UK winter. 

The pub is in the village of Great Tew in Oxfordshire, well worth a visit if you are in the area. 

Saturday I was up early for the drive down to Mousehole in Cornwall.

It took me about six hours as I Had a couple of stops including this one on the outskirts of Bristol. 

The cabin is lovely and has a great view across the bay. 

I went for a walk into Mousehole which is only 5 minutes walk away.

There was some sort of surfboat race going on. 

Mousehole is stunning and was one of mine and Elaine's favourite spots in the UK or the world for that matter. 

 It is such an iconic English fishing village. 

The ferry from the Scilly Isles passed across the bay. 

I went for a walk down to the harbour again this morning, the new lifeboat was going on a shout. The old lifeboat station is opposite the entrance of where I am staying. It was home to the Penlee lifeboat which was one of the most famous lifeboats in the UK. Unfortunately it is famous because it was wrecked with the loss of all hands in December 1981, you can read about it here. 

The tide was well and truly out this morning. 

Its a bittersweet trip coming here as I have some fantastic memories of coming here numerous times including our honeymoon, but on my own its so difficult, and I did have a bit of a meltdown yesterday. 

Thankfully I feel a lot better today, it helped a lot to talk to one of my friends, but I do hate burdening people with my problems. I am forever grateful to that person who has helped me more than I care to remember. I wish there was some way to repay these lovely people who go out of their way to help me.

Tomorrow I will have a bit more of an explore around this lovely area of England.

Peace xx 

Back In The UK Visiting Graveyards!

Tuesday night I stopped for the night at Rouen. As it had been a long drive I ordered room service of Pizza and a bottle of red, lovely. 

Wednesday morning I was up early and had breakfast at a servo, cross ants and coffee! 

It was a short two and a half hour drive to Calais on virtually deserted roads. 

My shuttle had a one and a half hour delay delay because a car had broken down in one of the carriages and had taken a while to remove it.. It was quite hot, whilst I had a cool drink the dogs played in the pet pen.

Finally we boarded the train.

Nice fast crossing, I stayed with the dogs in the car. 

Last night it was my niece Hayleys birthday so a few family members went out to a local pub. It was a lovely night but I was shattered. 

Today I visited a few of my deceased relos with my sister Jackie.

First up was mum and dads grave, a new headstone is being made up which should be ready in a few weeks.

Then to another cemetery to visit my nan and grandads grave on my mothers side. they are also waiting for a new headstone. 

And finally nan and grandad on my dads side.

Peace xx

Trip Back To The UK Continued.

I was up early Monday morning, and enjoyed a lovely crap breakfast at the servo next to the hotel! 

Empty roads and lovely views as we approached the Pyrenees mountains. 

As we leave leave Spain, it starts to green up. 

By the time we drop down the other side into France its lush. 

I stopped for the night with some friends who are looking after a large 15th century huge house close to the village of Condom in south west France.

We met Dan and Esther exactly 3 years ago at Lake Maggiore in Italy. They are still travelling in a motorhome, but wintered in San Jose Spain. Whilst there they adopted a Spanish stray dog, a few weeks later she had 6 puppies!  They have kept 4 of the puppies and adopted out 2 of them. 

They are thinking of buying a larger motorhome so they can carry on travelling with the extra crew. 

The house is surrounded by beautiful sunflowers. 

Sammie and Bombo enjoyed playing with their new friends. 

I left them this morning (Tuesday) and drove for seven and a half hours to Rouen where I checked into an Ibis hotel and ordered room service of Pizza and a bottle of red.  

Its only a two and a half hour drive to Calais tomorrow, so all going well I should be in Milton Keynes late afternoon.

Peace xx

We're Off

Went and had a final drink down the Emerald Isle last night, said my farewells to Eva and Jay and was home for a reasonably early night.

Up bright and early this morning, checked the villa was ship shape and secure.

Loaded the final bits and pieces in the car and we were off. 

Fantastic weather for the drive, I was heading to Zaragoza which is about a 7 hour drive. 

They really know how to do big engineering jobs in Spain. 

The dogs were very comfy in the back. 

And I was very comfy in the front. 

Past Tueral airport which is a plane storage area in the middle of nowhere. 

They can store 225 planes out here, its a perfect environment, very low humidity and dry. 

The hotel I booked was on the outskirts of Zaragoza, it was a nice hotel but the view wasn't up to much. 

The room was clean so all good, I put the blanket on the bed for the boys. 

After I checked in I went for a short drive down to the centre of Zaragoza. I have been here before, it is a most beautiful city. 

The dogs dont do sightseeing and totally refused to check out the basilica. 

It is most impressive sitting on the banks of the river Ebro. 

Im going to have a nice bath, a glass of red and an early night.

Next stop, somewhere near Bordeaux.

Peace x