Oldies On Tour

Tuesday 7th December

OK, Exeter here we come.  We are staying with Geoff and Rowena, a couple we met watching rugby, England V Scotland at Cloggy’s bar in Falmouth Harbour, (Antigua).  We shared a table right in front of the TV, and after the game had lunch together.  Jane was with us at the time and the 5-of us hit it off so well that we met up a couple of times during our stays.   Unfortunately due to covid we haven’t seen them but kept corresponding during the past couple of years, so we are really looking forward to catching up.

Satalite Navigation says it will take a little under 3-hrs, traffic permitting, but we have to stop en-route to visit a retirement village, Grove Place near Romsey, Hampshire; we are un-decided as to where our future lies so have started to investigate all options.

As we approached Grove Place we couldn’t help but be impressed by the long entrance drive and security gate system, and then by the magnificent old building straight in front of us.

This beautiful Grade 1 listed building, built in the 16th century is the “social centre” and the “administrative block” for Grove Place.  The amenities include a full size snooker table in a beautiful oak panelled room, a restaurant in similar surroundings, a bar, numerous lounges and reading rooms and in another building, there is a swimming pool, gym and a small general store; everything is open to all the village residents and their guests.   All the residences, ie apartments or bungalows, are away from the main building; and though the buildings are of a different era, they blend in sympathetically.  Inside they are modern and designed for folk in later life.  All this is within 27-acres of formal gardens and fields, and I have to say we were mightily impressed though mentally, we don’t feel we’re not ready yet.

We now headed to Exeter, fortunately it wasn’t raining for a change and there were times, albeit short, when the sun popped out.   Our run down was un-eventful, traffic was reasonable and we made good time, then bang, we hit Exeter.   Prior to getting to the outskirts we sent a message saying we had 20-miles to go so should be there in about 25-minutes, “wrong!!”, the traffic in Exeter was as bad as it has been everywhere, fortunately Geoff realised I hadn’t a clue as to how long it would take and made his own calculation; he was right!!!

Arriving at their home, it was as if we hadn’t been apart for the past two years or more, we hit it off just as it was when we were in Antigua.     We chatted, laughed, had a meal, put the world to rights and suddenly realised it was nearing midnight, oops, past everyones bedtime.

Wednesday 8th December

Next day after a late breakfast, we had a tour of their one and a half acre garden; cultivated with numerous fruit trees of every variety known to man, a vegetable plot that would probably produce sufficient produce to feed the entire royal family for the year, and several formal flower beds for good measure, not to mention the lawns; ouch, it takes Geoff 4-hours to mow them all!!!

Following our tour of the “market  garden!!!!!”,  we walked down into the town and en-route strolled through several old alleyways and narrow streets passing the 15th century pub,  “The Ship Inn”, one of Exeter’s oldest, and ”where Sir Francis Drake” apparently partook of a few ales or more!!! eventually arriving at Cathedral square where we enjoyed our own’ couple of pints of local Devonian beer in a marquee set up as part of the Christmas market.   The square was bustling with students from the university as well as locals and there was a good atmosphere all around.  Next was a visit to Exeter Cathedral.

Exeter Cathedral doesn’t necessarily “pop” up as one most well known, but it is certainly impressive.  It was originally started in 1050 but due to wars and some checkered history, it was finally opened in 1400.   There are many points of interest regarding this building but notably, because it doesn’t have a centre tower, it is mostly known for having the longest, uninterrupted medieval vaulted ceiling in the world, about 96-meters long (315ft).  It was magnificent, and how they constructed such a high vaulted ceiling when technology as we know it hadn’t been invented, unbelievable, what an achievement.  It was well worth a visit.

The best of the day was coming to an end so headed back up the hill to Geoff and Rowena’s home for a late lunch.   This “light” lunch was a spread for the “5,000” and again we ate far too much.  Time just passed and soon it was dinner, I know when we looked at the clocks several hours had passed, but it only seemed like 10-minutes ago we’d finished lunch!!!!  This was how engrossed we were in conversation.

Thursday 9th December 

The following morning, alas we had to say our goodbyes but  said we’d return and they agreed they would visit us in Spain🤞🤞 this can happen.  We left mid-morning and headed straight back to Portsmouth, tonight we are dining out with Tom and Kathleen as they were unable to join us for the festivities in Crick the previous weekend.

Back in our temporary home, again we re-arranged the contents of our cases.  We have one big case and two carry-on’s and if we plan it right, we don’t need to take the “big ‘un” out of the car whilst visiting.

With this exercise completed we collected Tom and Kathleen and headed to the “The George” at Finchdean, a   A pub restaurant for a meal.  We were quite surprised how empty this very popular place was, but as there was a choir practicing in the conservatory, talking at table was difficult; perhaps the word had got out and folk kept a away!!!!!

After a pleasant evening we repatriated Tom and Kathleen to their abode and headed back to our temporary home for a good nights sleep as we have another hectic weekend approaching. 

Friday 10th December 

Another driving day today, and looking out of the window, the weather looks a lot better so that should be good.

Our first port of call was to visit Dougie and Jill, a very old and dear friend of Christine.  Douglas was the “man” who brought back Christine’s sailing confidence many years ago, though I find it hard to think she ever had any time in her life when there was any lack of confidence!!!  Poor Douglas, 93-yrs old, fell down the stairs breaking his hip, not a very clever thing to do at this age.   He is back home now but has to take things very easy, and with Jill also in advancing years, they have very wisely put a lift into their house.  During the 2-yrs plus since we last met up, poor Dougie’s hearing has also deteriorated and it was easier to write questions down.   Not withstanding everything it was great to visit them and catch-up with their news.

Eventually we headed to Chelmsford where we have been invited to Lee and Sarah’s wedding, the wedding that is being held a year late;  well they did actually get married last year but this is the second part, wedding breakfast etc.

The good news is we can stop off at Oakham Bites for our customary bacon baguette, again!!! We never seem to tire of them and it is of course lunchtime!!!  But first we have to register our car registration and pay some money into the Dartford Crossing website as this is our route to Essex.   You can’t pay at the booths, they have been removed; it is all about number plate recognition cameras and a fine if not paid within 24-hrs of using the crossing.   Anyway after a few aborted attempts, I managed to deposit some money and register our registration number, 🤞🤞🤞🤞 it works!!!

As usual we thoroughly enjoyed our double Bacon Baguette and rejoined the M25 and headed to the crossing.  Traffic was reasonable and progress was good until we caught the back of the queue for the crossing.  Heading North we filter through the original 2-tunnels, always a slow process.  Heading South is much easier and faster over the Queen Elizabeth Bridge.  

We eventually arrived at the Travel Lodge in Chelmsford, our bed for the night.   Christine wasn’t happy I’d booked it as she had heard bad things about them but upon arrival things didn’t seem quite so bad; perhaps she was thinking of the Holiday Inn Express!!!

We ventured out to eat later and after wandering about looking at various restaurants we settled upon an Italian where we had a very nice evening, returning back to the hotel at a reasonable time.  Tomorrow could be a long day and evening!!!!

Monday 6th December

We woke to awful weather, rain, and the clouds were so low it looked like fog, still after breakfast it may well improve, ever optimistic!!!!

Heading down to breakfast we bumped into Adrian and was rather taken by surprise as it was his morning off.  When questioned his reply was simple, short staffed.   Who would want to be a hotel manager these days???  I asked who his boss was; “Ross Ferguson” was his reply, I then asked for his e-mail address so I could record our thanks, and to complement Adrian to his boss for his hard work and attention to detail.    During breakfast, Adrian produced the e-mail address.

After breakfast it was time for the big “settle-up”, fortunately the function had already been taken care of when booked: this morning was about our rooms and the extras!!!  When presented with the account; firstly we were stunned into silence, followed by a nervous laughter, then nonplussed as this bore no relationship whatsoever to our expectations.    Fortunately I trawled back through the various e-mails I had exchanged with the Olivia (Conference and Events centre) and found the original booking and the agreed room rate, not only that, I had forgotten it showed an additional 20% discount!!!!    After the receptionist looked at my e-mail she had a job on her hands!  Whilst all this was happening a rather smartly dressed chap walked behind the reception desk and looked at me and said “good morning”, I immediately replied, “good morning are you by any chance Ross” and he looked at me somewhat worried and I could see his brain working, was I from head office or something!!!

I explained about our weekend and how diligent Adrian had been and that as a company they should reward such people well or they will be poached!  Anyway after some chit-chat he asked whether there was a problem with my account, “yes” I replied and showed him the e-mail, at this point his jaw dropped but had no answer so showed the receptionist how to credit us around £250.   Sometimes it pays to hold onto out-of-date correspondence!!!

Once everything was sorted and we had left our rooms etc., the weather was still appalling and our plan was to head to Foxton Locks for coffee before heading to East Midlands Airport to drop Jane off: What actually happened was a coffee at East Midlands Service Station followed by dropping Jane off early at the airport and heading South.  We made reasonably good time under very “trying” conditions but decided to stop off at the Bicester Village Shopping Outlet to pick something up as it was on our way.   What a shame, every car park was completely full, and this was a Monday!!!!!  The decision was quickly taken and we continued back to Portsmouth.

Tonight we were invited to Tom and Kathleen’s (Christine’s middle sister) for dinner and later headed back to our temporary home for a good night’s sleep after a very enjoyable few days.

Sunday 5th December

Today is actually Christine’s birthday and though last night was the celebration, it doesn’t end here.  Today we have arranged to meet up with Holly and most importantly Elton and have an afternoon tea with all the trimmings.  To enhance  Christine’s day, Jersey Jane  was also joining us.

Following last night, the arrangements for breakfast were quite simple,  just get there and surprisingly most did, and even more surprisingly, everybody was chirpy, obviously I hadn’t done my hosting bit as well as I should 👹👹 ; That’s everybody except my late night drinking partner, half a bottle of Soberano and 0300hrs was too much.   Practice makes perfect Lee!!!!!

It was rather nice as most people weren’t in any hurry and though the breakfast restaurant had closed, we were left alone to continue socialising, and this gave us the opportunity to share out the huge pile of cheese we still had, left over from last night.   Some guests probably left with a fortnights cheese in their bags!!!

Having had a late full English, lunch was by-passed as we looked forward to our afternoon tea at the Talbot Hotel in Oundle.   The Talbot hotel is a grade 1 listed building from the 1500’s and known then as either the  “Talbret or Tabard”, no one can be sure which.   Much of the timber-framed building has been incorporated into the current building when the façade was built in 1626.    This was a fitting place for Christine to meet up with her Grandson again.

With excitement bubbling the three of us left in plenty of time to get to Oundle, and as things turned out with the weather and traffic etc., it was a good decision.   We were gobsmacked by the amount of Sunday traffic; oh dear, all these issues are certainly helping us make our decision on whether to stay in Spain or not!!!!!

The high point of today so far was, not only arriving with a couple of minutes to spare “but” finding a car parking spot directly opposite the hotel entrance.

On entering this oldie-worldly building we were certainly impressed, and after trying a couple of tables in the restaurant we finished in a lounge area, with a huge dining table where we could spread out and Elton would be able crawl about safely; he is not quite walking yet.

Once Holly with Elton had arrived the five of us settled down to a superb traditional afternoon tea accompanied with Champagne whilst Christine was enjoying her grandson.   Though we were fortunate to meet up with Elton when he was 6-months old earlier in the summer on Andrew’s boat, it was a long time in a baby’s life, and there were some very big changes.  He had gone from being a baby, to a crawling, bubbly, inquisitive, chattering, smiley little boy, a big moment for us all.

The afternoon soon passed by and we had to go our separate ways, but we did make arrangements to meet up before we left U.K.   At this point we must thank Jane, as she kindly treated us all to the splendid afternoon tea.

Back at the Holiday Inn and very satisfied with the afternoon tea and food was the last thing on our mind, so the 3-of us headed up to our room where Jane and I enjoyed a Soberano or two, Christine went on to the hard stuff, “a cup of tea”;  this was followed by an early night, it had been an enjoyable but hectic weekend

Saturday 4th December

After yesterdays trouble with traffic, rain, fog etc, this morning was about taking it easy; a late breakfast and a potter to a local location for a coffee and a mooch about.  Christine and Karon had decided a walk along the canal towpath was the answer, but after a few short yards she believed me when I said, “it’s too muddy to walk without your boots”, the penny then dropped whilst Jane and I watched on and felt very “smug”😂😂.  We then headed to “Darlington’s” a small quaint and cosy tea rooms establishment in the “Heart Of The Shires Shopping Village”, a set of converted farm buildings renovated into an area of “niche” expensive shops; well worth a visit.  

Heading back to the hotel we suddenly realised it would be a long time ‘till dinner is served so popped into the “Wheatsheaf” in Crick, a lovely old pub but modernised inside 🥵.  The four of us shared a rather scrumptious platter of various starters, and a couple of good real ale 😍😍; just right for the occasion: then back to the hotel.

The “program” for Christine’s party was: welcome drink upon arrival at 1830 hrs and dinner served at 1730hrs, however that didn’t quite go to plan, the party was in full swing by 1600hrs for the majority, just the stragglers missed out!!!

I was very apprehensive as to how everything would work out having done the booking and made all the arrangements on line from Spain with who I thought was the contact at the Holiday Inn, in Crick.  This apprehension was further raised when we had booked into the hotel on the Friday as their Computer system wasn’t functioning at all well.   It was now I realised the person who I thought was a member of the Holiday Inn staff, in fact wasn’t, she was from the “events and conference centre”; probably very obvious but there was no clue given to tell me this; when I rang the hotel direct it turns out I was put through to a central place!

On our return from the pub I  met up with Adrian, the person I was told would look after us during the evening and when he took me into our function room; what a pleasant surprise, the tables were laid out as requested, he confirmed our meal menus and the correct quantity of booze ordered 🥳🥳🥳 and the 25 place settings for family and guests; my anxiety level dropped immediately, I could now relax.   It transpired Adrian was in fact the manager, and he was not only a very efficient, he was also a very nice chap from Eastern Europe.   Marian then “volunteered!!!” to set up a a scrolling picture collection of Christine over the years, many, many thanks Marian, though I fear Christine wasn’t too happy!!!!  Also many many thanks to Leisha for producing such a magnificent birthday cake, again.  I also want to thank Monica and David, our friends with feet both camps, Spain and U.K. who kindly took the pictures on the night.  Where would I be without such good [useful!!!!!!] friends.  Anyway Adrian provided a suitable and a magnificent cake stand to display this masterpiece.

After getting into more suitable clothing we went downstairs to join the guests who were already well ahead partying, and by 1830hrs, with everybody present we headed to our function room, collecting some bubbly on the way in.

Tonight wasn’t a surprise party for Christine and therefore she put her “twopenneth” in and we decided that with the issues over the past two years, we wouldn’t have music etc., we would spread the dinner out over the evening and enjoy catching up with family and friends.

Our starters arrived on time and to the correct person as ordered and after a suitable interlude, the main course.  The wine was flowing very well and the 3-tables were all laughing and enjoying themselves.   Two years was a long time not being able to catch up with friends and family but most importantly the grand children.

Desert was followed by a cheeseboard, accompanied by several bottles of Port.  This cheeseboard was the like-of-which none of us had ever seen before.  I had ordered 1-per table, in fact one would have been more than enough for everybody, the vast majority of it went back to the kitchen, still we can share it out tomorrow!!!   Then the “piece de resistance” arrived with firework candles shooting up from the cake; Christine was unable to blow them out!!!!

The evening just flew by, suddenly it was midnight and several called it a day and and left but most carried on ‘till about 0200hrs leaving just Lee and myself to drink a bottle of Soberano; we left the room at 0300hrs, unfortunately there was a couple of fingers left in the bottom, never mind “must do better” next time!!!!

The format worked well and by the time the evening had eventually ended, everybody knew everybody.  What we don’t know tonight was how many, if any, will actually have a clear head in the morning!!!!

Footnote:  During the function we only saw Adrian attend to us.  He served and cleared everything as we went, he was attentive, helpful, courteous, efficient, polite and worked his socks off as the hotel was short of staff, but thanks to Adrian, the service was seamless.   Thank you very much Adrian, tomorrow I will write to your boss and tell him.

Tuesday 30th November

Following the “full English” and basic shopping in an empty store also on the direct route, we headed to our isolation address just praying we would receive the PCR test kits and the results by the Friday morning; a tight timescale but hopefully achievable.  We were very confident of the results as we had been very careful prior to leaving Spain and whilst travelling.

The rest of Tuesday was taken up by domestic chores and sorting the car out, nothing else happening: day 1-of isolation.  We went to bed crossing everything that our PCR tests arrived next day.

Wednesday 1st December

Day 2 of isolation and we paced about waiting for the tests to arrive. We had a text from the courier giving us a time spread of an hour around midday so clock watching was added to pacing about!!!!

About 1300hrs the door bell rang and upon opening, “Bingo”, our test kits were here.   We quickly set about reading all the instructions, “very carefully” as we couldn’t afford to do anything to prevent them being accepted.  After checking and double checking Christine went first, poking the stick down her throat and up her nose and apart from nearly vomiting and sneezing, succeeded to do the requisite number of turns with the swizzle stick and get it into the pipette.   I then followed suit, similar suffering to Christine, before we carefully placed the swabs into the correct pipettes, then the correct pipettes into the correct plastic bag and into the correct posting box.  Each test kit had its identity bar code on each item so swapping either part about was a no-no.  Once all packaged up we headed to Morrisons where they had a “priority posting” letterbox.   Once this was accomplished we headed back to isolation and crossed everything we could to get the negative results back by early Friday morning.  We were also keeping up with the progress of our packages, the first little success was when it confirmed it had been collected from Morrisons, 👏👏👏.   So now we were back to “just” pacing the room!!!!

Thursday 2nd December 

Day 3 of isolation and some carpet is beginning to show some wear, must pace in a different room!!!! But the good news this morning on our tracking app was that our packages had arrived at the laboratory over night.  We were over the moon, so far so good.   It was now finger-biting time waiting for the results.

With too much time on our hands we started to question ourselves; example, had we swivelled the extended cotton buds enough to get sufficient “stuff” to carry out the tests.   Had we not been as cautious as we thought we had, maybe not and we were tested positive etc., etc., etc.  we couldn’t settle, we kept checking the results app for an answer, but alas, none available.   We were in a friends house, couldn’t do anything, couldn’t go anywhere, couldn’t invite friends in, we were going doll-ally and then around 2000hrs I received the e mail I was expecting, a negative result, wonderful.   Unfortunately this then set the hairs running about Christine’s, why hadn’t she had a result, what had happened, had she not carried the swabbing instructions to the letter, oh dear and there was nothing on the tracking app.🥵🥵🥵

After a sleepless night, scanning her ‘phone continually we emerged from the bedroom to make breakfast discussing what the chance was of being caught if we just went anyway.   As breakfast drew to a close and our course of action decided, Christine received her email, Negative test, wonderful, we could head to Crick without any worries.     I have to say we were very impressed with the service.

With the car packed we headed off.  Our first stop was at “Oakham Bites”, one of our normal “pit stops” when in this part of the world, they do the most amazing an fresh bacon baguettes, this place has won many awards and is always busy; a must stop at place!!!!!

Being Friday we expected heavy traffic on the M 25, especially around Heathrow but wrong, there was heavy traffic everywhere, Friday afternoon now must be a bank holiday!!   We crawled around the M 25, bumper-to-bumper and eventually got onto the M 1, expecting this to be quieter after all it was still around lunch time, but no, just as busy.  At this rate we won’t get to East Midlands airport in time to collect Jane, her flight from Jersey arrives at 1600hrs. We plodded on, stop start and when we got going, we hit road works, slowing us even more.  The good news, if there was any good news, was Jane’s flight hadn’t left Jersey due to fog!  At least this gave us a chance!!!

As we approached Crick we received a text from Jane informing us she was about to board so this gave us a short window of time to stop off at the hotel, book in and more importantly get the bags out of the car.

Back in the car half an hour later it rained, goodness it rained and that with the traffic, the speed reduced even more and as we eventually approached the junction for East Midlands, all the roads shown on Waze Satalite navigation were red, standstill traffic and we were within a couple of miles from the airport, but gridlock so Waze took us down every narrow country lane, we’ll off the beaten track and though the rain had eased, it became foggy👹👹👹👹 what a journey!!!  Anyway we eventually arrived at the airport from the opposite direction and drove through the “quick drop off” lane where Christine was out of the car and I said I would drive round and meet them back at the same place.   Blow me down, there was a barrier and it was down so I couldn’t get out of this lane, still I thought this would just rise as number plate recognition would realise I had only been in the lane for no more than 2-minutes, but it didn’t!!!!    Of course being in a left hooker, I had to get out and walk around to find out what was going on.  By this time there were a couple of cars behind and I was looking for the help button when one of the car drivers came up and asked me to get on with it.   I said I was looking for the help button only to be told I couldn’t get out without paying £5; bloody hell, I wasn’t in the lane for more than 2-minutes!!    There were three of these pay stations but only one working!!  By now there was a queue behind and I was told it cost them £1 per minute after 5-minutes and they were nearing their 5-minutes, panic!!!   I tried every credit card I had, both sides, both ways all rejected.  The others were tearing their hair out and one in a “bit-of-a-rage” tried all my cards, he couldn’t make them work either.  Now I was checking Al my cash, plenty of euros, short on Stirling, anyway I scrabbled about and cobbled to get her £5 in loose change, by now horns were Tooting, fists were being shaken and one kind driver took all my change and said, “get in the car, and get ready, I’ll feed the machine.  She didn’t want to watch me have to go round the car after, too long!!!   Anyway, I was in the car in time as the barrier went up, phew!!!   They should have put a sign up telling us entry into the “quick drop off lane” costs £5.  

Oh dear, I had told Christine I would be back, no chance!!!   I found a spot to park and rang her; thankfully she had her ‘phone with her and we arranged pickup at the petrol station.

Returning to Crick was easy, no rain, no fog and more importantly, clear roads, well for us going South; northbound was still clogged-up.

Back at the Holiday Inn at Crick we collected Karon and headed to an excellent Indian restaurant on the canal at Stoke Bruerne, where we could at last relax.   Tomorrow is a big day, Christine’s 75th Birthday bash.