Over the last couple of days we have discussed with Marilyn and Jim where we might go on our last day in England. With the weather so lovely it was a toss-up between the Royal Horticultural Society Garden, Wisley, at Woking and National Trust Property, Cliveden, at Taplow. In the end it was decided that we should head to Cliveden as it would involve less travelling time. So, when Jim returned from his appointment with the dentist, we headed off along the M40 turning off at Wooburn Green towards Maidenhead and Taplow. Cliveden has extensive gardens overlooking the River Thames. In the early part of the 20th century it was the home of Waldorf and Nancy Astor who hosted lavish parties for London’s rich and famous. In the early 60s it was rather infamously associated with ... read more

This morning we headed down to Reading to catch up with Janet and Phil who are currently staying in an apartment there. Reading is a very picturesque town with the Thames River, the Kennett River and the Kennett and Avon Canal running around and/or through it. We went out to lunch with Janet and Phil to a very nice restaurant on the canal. After lunch we enjoyed a stroll around Reading where Janet and Phil were able to share the local knowledge that they have acquired over the last week or so that they have been in town. We headed back to London at about 4.30pm as we had told Marilyn that we would be home for tea by 7.00pm. It was just as well that we allowed as much time as we did for the ... read more

With a heatwave being forecast for the weekend, we headed away from the coast today hoping to avoid the crowds. We drove north to Wimborne Minster and then took the B3078 towards Cranborne. At Moor Crichel we took once again to the lanes and motored through Gussage All Saints, Wimborne St Giles and Boveridge on our way to Sixpenny Handley for morning tea. Jim seems to know all of the best eating places within a 30 mile radius!! After morning tea we drove on to Tollard Royal where King John had his hunting lodge and used to go hunting on Cranborne Chase. From Tollard Royal we continued on the B3081 to Win Green where we enjoyed breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. In fact, Jim and Marilyn could not remember enjoying better views from this viewpoint ... read more

We had an early start this morning so that we could catch the ferry over to the Isle of Wight from Lymington. We were aiming to catch the 10.45am ferry so wanted to arrive in Lymington by about 10.15am. We pulled up at the ferry terminal closer to 10.25am and with no booking we were told to join queue 5 and we would be fitted on the 10.45am ferry if possible. When loading started we inched our way forward to the head of queue 5 and it was looking like we were going to be first on the 11.45am ferry when all of a sudden they decided they could fit one more car on. Yay, we made the 10.45am crossing! On our arrival at Yarmouth we turned left towards Newport. Just short of Newport we took ... read more

Not much done today apart from washing, ironing and re-packing ready to head off down to Poole tomorrow. We ventured down to Stalybridge after the last load of washing was on the line so that Bernie could have the No. 2 comb run over his head and chin again. That should keep him looking neat and tidy until we arrive home?! We took Kath and Albert out to dinner at Bowerfield Spice, their local Indian restaurant. We enjoyed a very nice meal before walking back up the road for a last game of cards. After a dreadful run of luck in Spain I had a marked change of fortune and won everything tonight! My money jar was very low, but now has almost as much in it as when we arrived. Unfortunately Bernie’s money jar is ... read more