Oldies On Tour

Monday 13th June

A quiet day just pottering around Hope Farm other than a trip to B&Q and a local farm shop to get a boneless leg of lamb.   Tomorrow is our last night, so with no after school activities, no climbing club, and no other visitors, it will be a family bar-b-q  and I’ll cook the boned lag of lamb, but first it has to be marinated overnight.   Oh dear, getting the right ingredients for the Marinade became a problem, we must have visited every supermarket in the area and even then Christine had to improvise.

Tuesday 14th June

Today we’re having a day out.    Christine and I had to go to a particular shop to get somethings for Sandy and Wendy and the nearest branch is in Cribbs Causeway.   I also needed to visit the Apple Store to get a replacement lead for my laptop,  curtesy of Truffle chewing through my old lead👹👹👹👹.   Hearing a trip to Cribbs Causeway was on, Jane jumped at the chance to come.   She didn’t know about this big shopping area fast off the M5 on the outskirts of Bristol.

Arriving around midday, naturally being with Jane we had to find a suitable place for a “big bit of naughty”; Cinnabon, Krispy Kreme, or Dunkin Donuts etc., etc.   Unfortunately  there was nothing of the kind so made do with second best, a place called Bakers + Coffee; very nice but didn’t quite hit the spot, “never mind” said Jane.   On our way up the mall she had spotted a “Millie’s Cookies” shop!!!   Now we have a plan, on the way out we stop there🤪

Christine and I achieved our reason for being there and Jane absorbed all the shops and filed them in her mind for another time.   Time was now marching on, so we headed out of the Mall, naturally stopping off for a bag of cookies from Millie’s!!

Originally we were going to take the scenic route back, over Brunel’s suspension bridge and through Ashton but we were later than planned so hit the M5 to get home quickly.

To cook our rather large “slab” of meat on a charcoal bar-b-q is a challenge for me as I only have gas bar-b-q’s at home: I needed time to get it going and up to speed before placing the meat on the heat.    The long and the short of it was this time and a bit of luck, I got it fairly right and to support my “claim”, not a crumb of the meat was left: no cold lamb sarnies tomorrow!!!!

After our meal, again accompanied but copious glasses of wine, we all had a great laugh trying to play Croquet.    It was now Mia’s bedtime so we cleared up and once Mia was in bed for the night we had our last game of Marjon 

Wednesday 15th June 

After packing up the final bits of the car and saying our goodbyes we headed to Portsmouth and on arrival in “Catherington” stopped at the “Farmers Inn” for our “last” pub lunch for some time.

This afternoon Christine had arranged with Jill to visit Dougie and as the car was full I stayed at their cottage, unfortunately being later in the day, Dougie wasn’t quite himself as he was very tired.

Next we headed off to Tom and Kathleen’s for dinner and was spoilt with an excellent roast lamb with all the trimmings dinner; thank you Kathleen.   After dinner Christine took Kathleen to visit Tom, currently in hospital; get well soon Tom.

Time to hot-foot it to the ferry terminal and as usual chose the wrong queue!   Every queue was moving apart from ours so eventually pulled into another and sailed through, then just waited until the appointed time when we were called forward.   Unfortunately we headed our lane and as we headed out was stoped by a customs spot-check.   We were asked the usual questions, asked to open the boot which was easy, just pushed a button.   The officer had a good look but being so packed, fortunately didn’t want us to unload, she was satisfied so I pushed the button again, the boot closed and we drove onto the ferry.

No messing tonight, we went straight to our cabin for a good nights sleep

Friday 10th June

This morning we are heading to Exeter to stay with our friends, Geoff and Rowena, and to avoid the Friday Exeter traffic and before children get out of school, it was suggested we should arrive no later than 1500hrs.

Exeter being just over an hour and a half away meant we could have a leisurely morning though we did have to clear our room and clean the bathroom as Jane had weekend guests staying in our room, most inconvenient; though from her prospective we are the perfect “flexible guests”!!!!

The morning started with the school run before the clean up began; fortunately it wasn’t too bad as we had only been in the room for a week or so, and with Dave away the house seemed strangely quiet.

Following a light lunch we hit the road around 1330hrs, perfect timing as long as there are no holdups on the M5 and we don’t get snarled up in the Exeter traffic.   Being June, we half expected the traffic to be fairly busy, with the M5 being the fastest and most direct route into Devon and Cornwall but to our surprise, what traffic there was, was fast moving.    Arriving on the outskirts of Exeter 15-minutes before our 1500hrs time, we “clocked” the traffic building, as did the Sat Nav and we were routed along vary curious route.   We went through industrial estates, housing estates, back roads etc., completely causing us to lose all sense of direction and by now Schools we’re discharging their pupils and the clock was ticking.    Eventually we arrived at the Exeter University Campus, ah yes, familiar territory, and just around the corner was our destination.   How on earth Sat Navs work routes out so quickly, never ceases to amaze me, but ours did and we arrived a little after the targeted time.

Meeting up with Geoff and Rowena is always a pleasure and though we had popped in en route from Plymouth early May, this time we will have long enough for a jolly good catch-up, and it started the minute we arrived over a cuppa.

The rest of the afternoon flew by and suddenly we relished we had a table booked at a local restaurant, so quickly sorted ourselves out and headed off on foot.

We were told it wasn’t very far, but; Google Maps said it was is a seventeen minute walk though It was up and down hills which suggested 17-minutes was rather “over optimistic” and particularly as my knee was giving me real “gip”.    Geoff was the advance party as he strides ahead to the restaurant we had booked;  apparently it gets extremely busy and if late for a booking, the table may well have gone to someone else.  I was in the rearguard, as I said my knee was playing me up.

The restaurant was called the “Conservatory”, (https://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/the-conservatory-restaurant_3454) and it prizes itself on Seasonal produce, used for creative dishes.  Inside there is a bright “cosy” dining room featuring a restored Tudor wall, protected behind clear panels.    The food was both interesting and good and service was with a smile.    To follow our three courses they had a drink on the menu that intrigued us called “Dead Mans Finger”; it turned out to be a spiced rum liqueur and though sweet, rather “moreish”.  

The prospect of the return “route-March” was far from appealing and taxi’s were talked about, well by me!!!, but having spoken to the restaurant about getting us one, we’re told it would be highly unlikely, and if they could get one, it would be over an hour’s wait 😢😢.    Following further discussion, Geoff suggested a “pit stop” at a pub en-route; well that changed everything and off we went.    A break with the “obligatory” pint was just the ticket at “The Imperial” an old hotel converted into a Weatherspoon’s pub and heaving with students from the university.

Back at home and by now time for bed.

Saturday 11th June

A leisurely morning including a stroll through their “enormous”, well cultivated garden followed by a short walk through their access lane at the rear, and across the road onto the university campus.   Here we sat in the sunshine admiring a beautiful pond complete with a large ornamental fountain, just passing the time of day and putting the world to rights, as one does!!!

Today was a big day in the Premiership rugby season; after 26-weeks of premiership action it is semifinals day and after a hard fought season the top four playing in the “knockout” round include Northampton Saints; “probably unexpected”.   Also today the second test against New Zealand is taking place and if that wasn’t enough, there is qualifying for the Azerbaijan (Baku) Grand Prix to “squeeze” in; my-my, what a busy afternoon!

Lunch was soon cleared away and we settled down for the “important” sport; first up was Saracens V Harlequins.   Geoff being an ardent Exeter Chiefs supporter, though neutral, made his choices who to root for and fortuitously they were the same as mine!!!, Harlequins in the first game and Northampton in the second.  These games being “knockout” and the winners make up the final at Twickenham next week, everything is to play for, “winner take all”, so two hard games.

Sarries V Quins: this was a tough game but unfortunately Quins couldn’t match Sarries on the day with the final score was 34 : 17, but a good game and unfortunately the right result.

Tigers V Saints: this was an interesting game on a couple of levels.   Firstly Leicester Tigers had led the championship table all season only losing 4-matches.  On the other hand my team, Northampton Saints, had struggled during the mid season so had to win every match and extract every single bonus point they could towards the end to claw their way into the last four.   They lost 10-matches along the way making the end of season matches, knife-edge games.

The final result was a travesty of justice, Saints came out of the blocks but unfortunately one of our wingers had three very easy chances to score but on each one he knocked the ball forward which let Tigers off the hook.   The result was a clear win for Tigers 27 : 14😢 still two exciting games to watch setting up an interesting final at Twickenham nest week, Tigers V Sarries.

Whilst the rugby was going on we kept a weather eye on the cricket scores.

Next up, qualifying for the Grand Prix, fortunately being on Sky Geoff could record it so nothing was lost.

After a long afternoon of sport and a hearty meal, we all headed off to bed.

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Sunday 12th June

We knew before we arrived that Geoff and Rowena had a prior engagement Sunday and we had to make ourselves scarce soon after breakfast, so no “Sunday lie-in”  for us today!!!  We were up and packed at a reasonable time followed by a breakfast to set us on our way.   We left, as planned mid morning after another wonderful weekend in Exeter, thank you both for making us so welcome and we hope we see you next time in Spain, as we said, September is a good time to come out, but you are welcome anytime that fits with your busy horticultural year!!!

Today our plan is to navigate the lanes and villages between Exeter and South Petherton.

We arrived in South Petherton at lunchtime so after parking, headed to for a “pint” at the Brewers Arms.    After the very friendly barman served us and we sat down, a couple of Sunday roast dinners wafted past us and after a quick glance between us, we ordered two Roast Beef Lunches.  We also got chatting to a few locals, quizzing them about the village etc.    Our luck was also in as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was on the TV above the door, win-win for us.     Though we were strangers, everybody made us feel welcome, none of those “what-are-you” doing here!,   Our first impressions on the previous visit were confirmed, this could be the place to live.

Back at Hope Farm we met Jane and Dave’s weekend House guests before they left then settled down to a couple of games of Mahjong before hitting the sack.

Monday 6th June

After the school run Christine and I resumed our tour of areas most likely to appeal to us to live, and to this end we headed due south, our destination was Lyme Regis.    Our plan was to head to Lyme Regis along the main roads and then slowly meander through the lanes and small villages to see what’s what, besides it will make a nice day out.

We hit the road around 1000hrs and arrived in Lyme Regis a couple of hours later; a pretty small seaside town on the Jurassic coast.   Lyme also has a remarkable history for such a small place (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyme_Regis), really worth a read.  Of course arriving at this small seaside town along with hordes of other “grockles”,  parking was impossible so drove through, turned and drove back, though managed to stop in the car park by the harbour for sufficient time for Christine to “pop” out of the car and take a picture.    Originally we planned a coffee break here, but that couldn’t happen so started to head back through the local highways and byways driving through numerous pretty villages until we arrived at one such village, “South Petherton”.   Firstly we could park the car and “for free” 😁😁, so had a wander around and was rather impressed.   South Petherton is in Somerset, located 5 miles east of Ilminster, and 5 miles north of Crewcerne, but more importantly, it is midway between Hope farm, and the south coast, satisfying both our needs!! 

This village was rather distinctive for the traditional hamston  (“Hamstone” is the name given to a honey-coloured building stone from Ham Hill in Somerset). construction of many of its buildings.  South Petherton was a market town, but these days is regarded as a village

We were very impressed by this well-catered-for village, enjoying the best of many worlds. The bustling high street boasts everything from an award-winning deli to a fishmonger, butcher, and a co-op supermarket . There is also the “Brewers Arms”, a 17th century coaching inn but most importantly, just on the outskirts, is the South Petherton Community Hospital 🤠😍.  So far so good!!!   Being lunchtime we thought a lunch at the Brewers Arms would be just the ticket, but no, it was closed; oh dear, first black-mark 😩😩 still we found a very nice tea room that had a fairly comprehensive menu for light lunches etc., so had to make do; surprisingly it was very nice, good food, good service and very friendly.   Chatting over lunch we decided this place was a definite possibility as a suitable place to live so after we’d eaten we popped over to the estate agents and looked in their window.  We couldn’t go further as we haven’t sold yet😢😢.    There was one place that could have been suitable but it was going to auction so apart from having a “butches” from outside, we could do no more.

During the rest of the trip back, every place we went through we benchmarked it to South Petherton, and nothing came up to its level.

Back at the ranch, we had a quite evening; Monday night Dave goes out climbing.

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Tuesday 7th June

Today was a rather important day as we were taking “Muse”to the stud farm in Devon.   Muse is Jane’s mare that has been “Sired” by a championship stallion and she is now close to “dropping” her foal and because Jane doesn’t have any suitable maternity stabling at present, Muse has been sent to the stud farm.    This foal will have a great deal of value, so it was important to give her the best surroundings in which to “do-the-business”.

We loaded the “very pregnant” Muse on the trailer, and also put Shone on as well to keep her calm during her journey to Devon.

Unfortunately the stud is in the middle of nowhere, somewhere on Exmoor up a very steep hill.    On an earlier visit Jane drove up the hill but today realised that with one very heavy pregnant horse, and one not so heavy, it would be a struggle for “Apollo” (the 4×4 Mercedes) to climb this hill which was also a very narrow lane.   If anybody came from the opposite direction and she had to stop on this hill, Apollo would have difficulty starting again.  After a ‘phone call to the stud and changing course, we eventually found the route that allowed us to arrive at the stud going down the hill!!!   

The owner of the stud has prepared a “maternity stable” for Muse, so we unloaded her.   Muse was in good company as there were several “mothers”, some with their foals and some just waiting!!

Back at home farm we unloaded a very disappointed Shone and had lunch. Poor Shone, who had traveled with Muse thought he had arrived at a show ground, but to his horror he was re-loaded for the return trip for nothing!!!

After dinner the four of us played a few games of Marjon.

Wednesday 8th June 

Today we had booked a second visit to Sandford Retirement Village specifically to view two, 2-bedroom ground floor flats with private gardens that were coming onto the market in the coming weeks.     We had also arranged to drive over to Peterborough for a stop-over with Holly and give Christine an evening with her grandson, Elton, returning the following day.

Our appointment at Sandford was for 1000hrs and we knew from our previous visit that their salespeople are punctual, not a Spanish 1000hrs!!!!    Unfortunately this morning Christine had a splitting headache and didn’t feel too good so took a covid test which fortunately was negative but she still felt very bad.   After much soul searching, she reluctantly contacted Holly and cancelled our visit; travelling for so many hours in the car for just one night was too much😢🤪.    

Jane and Dave’s mother accompanied us to Sandford, Jane to check it out for us!, and Dave’s mum to see if the village was suitable for her.

We duly arrived on time and visited the two apartments.   The first one didn’t appeal; the garden was small due to its funny shape and because of all the trees, the flat was dark and dingy.    The second one we visited was much better, slightly bigger garden and a much brighter interior, altogether a better prospect but naturally this was reflected in the price!!!

We were now left to our own devices and because all the covid restrictions had been lifted we were allowed to wander about and sit in the lounge and enjoy a cup of coffee whilst we “mulled” over the “pros” and “cons”.   As we had cancelled our Peterborough trip, the pressure was off, allowing us to spend time and chat to residents we met whilst wandering, about; all good stuff!

Following our comprehensive visit and Christine not feeling her usual self we headed straight home where we spent the rest of the day relaxing.

Thursday 9th June

This morning Christine was more her usual self, good news but naturally disappointed she hadn’t been able to see Elton.   This afternoon Dave is taking his mother back to Newmarket so an early lunch was called for and Christine volunteered to make it.

Soon after clearing up the dinner things, Dave and his Mum left and later at the appointed hour we headed to collect Mia from school.    Today wasn’t the usual school collection, no, today Mia was heading straight to a new Gymnastics club in Weston so it was a change of clothes in the car “en-route”.    Being her first time there, Jane wanted to be in plenty of time in case she couldn’t find the place as the address said it was in an industrial estate, which it was.        We waited patiently until the “boss” lady arrived and opened up whereupon Jane and Mia  left us to book in.     

The class is for an hour and rather than hang about, Jane wants to revisit where “Granny” (my mother) lived after I’d left home, but driving round and round the Shrubbery area I couldn’t for the life of me remember; well it has been over 50-years!!!!!   After failing to find it, we returned to the gymnastics club and watched the last 10-minutes of her class.

Having eaten a proper lunch, tonight we just snacked, and being Jane’s house, we snacked on all the good things, chocolate bars, ice cream and biscuits etc., etc.!!!!!

Tomorrow we head to Exeter to stay with Geoff and Rowena for a couple of nights

Friday 3rd June

This morning I completed and hung the outside “bunny” gate whilst Christine finished planting her garden, and this afternoon I jumped on the mower, again!!!    Jane, Teaguin and her Mother Jo, who arrived yesterday evening, all went to a show.   Teaguin was again riding Jet trying to get points towards entering a higher class.    Though we did our gardening duties, it was a relaxing day giving us time for our bones to heal after traipsing around the Bath and West Show all day yesterday. 

Dave arrived back from his climbing holiday this afternoon and brought his mother, Irene, back with him to do some property searches.   Meanwhile Christine set about preparing the evening meal for the 8-of us tonight!!! 

Saturday 4th June

Being bank holiday weekend we decided it would be prudent to stop around the house though Jane, Teaguin and Jo headed off at the crack of dawn to ride at another event.   They had an early time slot so we’re due back late morning whereupon it had been “decided by Jane” we would go out to lunch.   Now one would imagine going out to lunch would mean a roast, or an Italian or even a pizza, but no.   Our lunch venue today would be “Kaspa’s”, described on their website as “a chain of exciting new desert houses that offer the worlds favourite hot and cold desserts under one roof”: I rather feel there should be a health warning as well!!!!!

Once the girls returned and sorted out the horses then themselves, the eight of us headed to Weston in a three-car-convoy; why three cars? Well Jo and Teaguin were heading straight back to Essex, Christine and I had to go to Tesco and the Littlejohn’s were doing something else.   Strangely the multi-storey car park was virtually empty, being a bank holiday weekend I would have thought Weston would have been busy and when we walked into Kaspa’s, the place was empty; very strange, still we were spoilt for choice on where to sit.   Fortunately right at the back was one very big table the eight of us could get round.

After many deliberations and much pontificating over the menu, we finally decided our “lunch” and headed to the counter to order.

When everything arrived, there must have been in the region of 10,000 calories on the table; just good healthy stuff 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂.    The upshot was, we all indulged and cleaned up our plates, though no-one went for seconds!!!!!!! 

After our bumper intake of “naughties” and feeling “very fat”, we waddled out, back to the car park and said our goodbyes to Jo and Teaguin.

Tomorrow is the jubilee extravaganza on Lympsham’s village green and cricket ground, and we finally decided to take a picnic so we all headed off to Tesco.   Having bought “several” picnics worth of food, headed back to Hope Farm in time to watch the jubilee celebration’s  “party at Buckingham Palace”.

Sunday 5th June

What a shame, this morning is dull, overcast and rain is in the air and of all days when everyone is outside for jubilee picnics etc., we just didn’t need this; oh well, it is what it is and we are going to enjoy ourselves whatever the weather.

Today, whilst Jane was out riding Dave cooked us a full English and very good it was very too; only our second since being in England, gosh we are being good, we’ll fairly good!!!!   

The festivities were an all day affair so no rush.    After clearing up and sorting the horses we headed into the centre of the village, and much to Mia’s disgust having to sit in the boot with Oreo, the picnic and 5-fold up chairs, the six of us drove the 3-minute journey!!!

Having parked ourselves comfortably next to the roped-off cricket square, we set about enjoying ourselves.    Even though Jane and Dave had only been living in Lympsham it was surprising how many people they had got to know, mind you this is a very friendly, maybe old fashioned, village but nice.    The day was paid for by the council and happened thanks to the WI and many other volunteers who had put in a lot of effort.

There were the usual things going on including a mountains of food, meaning our panic to get a picnic together yesterday was unnecessary!!   The WI had also plated up cream teas, scone, jam and clotted cream, lovely🤪🤪🤪🤪

It is difficult to pick the highlights of the day but probably for the younger children it was the good old fashioned “punch-n-Judy” show, mind you the announcer had to issue a warning prior to the start saying this show is most probably “politically incorrect” and that it “contained violence”; whatever next, has society gone mad????   The other event with a lot of participation at all age levels was the “tug-of-war”.   The competition between team “A” and team “B” was ferocious, but the one that got everybody involved and excited was the “dads” V the “children”.   The first pull went to the children, the second to the dads but for the final nearly everyone joined in, there was a lot at stake and those not pulling were shouting encouragement that was probably heard in Weston.   Anyway force of numbers outweighed brute force and the children won.    The seed of competition was sown and there followed several pulls between dads only; very competitive I must say!!! 

At one point of the afternoon, the four of us played croquet, again very competitive between the “Pages” and the “Littlejohns”, but Christine and Dave decided that for this game Jane would revert to being a Page, fatal mistake, we wiped the floor with Christine and Dave😂😂

As predicted the rain came around 3.30pm which rather curtailed a very enjoyable day and people started to leave.    Thank you everybody in Lympsham who worked so hard to make a very enjoyable platinum jubilee celebration.

Back at home and having eaten for England, food was the last thing anybody needed and inspired by the “opening” sequence of the “Buck House Party”, we settled down to watch the two Paddington Bear films.    Though we’ve see them several times before, they never fail to give us all a chuckle.

Monday tomorrow so Dave is back at work and Mia is back to school, so a reasonably early night was had by all.