Were your ears burning Hi ho you two - we had a really exciting meeting in Horsham today and Janet did the driving whilst me, Briony and Vicky whinged and moaned and put the world to rights. We wondered if you were coming back to live in bricks and mortar or are you travelling onwards for ever??
Catherine
Houses Went and checked on the houses today - they are coming along well. Some of them even have bricks! Although the 'boating lake' is still full of water so we won't be buying down that end. XXX
Nice to meet you at Benderlock Hi jackie and Trevor,
It was really nice to have you as lovely, friendly neighbours for a fortnight at Benerlock. We hope you continue to enjoy the rest of your adventure as much as you have so far. Future destinations look really great and we hope you enjoy every single day of them. Don't forget to get in touch when you are on the way south!
Cheers Alan and Carol
Where do I start! Hi Jackie and Trevor, Some people haven't a clue what's out there and FREE, do they? It's also amazing how many people just want to stay at home! I'm still very envious - you make it all sound so interesting. You didn't climb Blencathra (Saddleback) then? I think I told you that it was the highest fell Trevor's dad and I climbed on our honeymoon, whilst staying at the Wool Pack Hotel in Keswick (now gone). It was November 1962 and we walked through the snow at the summit. It was easy to pick such a pretty name for our new bungalow in Twyning, near Tewkesbury! I meant to tell you that on the shores of Lake Windermere is a plaque dedicated to William (Bill) Shakespeare. I was and still am a friend of his lovely Swiss wife Marie-Louise and they used to live on the river Avon at Twyning, in Twyning Park. In the early 1970's he was killed practising for the attempt on breaking his own world speedboat record, which was to be on the following day. I first heard about it on the main BBC TV news. The boat flipped over - his body never being found. Locals there would know where the memorial is. Bill had Shakespears boatyard in Tewkesbury where he built the boats and one was even featured in a James Bond film!! Trevor will remember the family and we often see them (Marie-Louise having married her second husband Don). She and Bill had three daughters and a son (William!)a hairdresser. I had a brilliant time with my three NZ lady friends, visiting Cardiff Castle, Warwick Castle, Stratford-upon-Avon and Bourton-on-the-Water etc. They told me to tell you (and Stuart!) that you're VERY welcome to visit them in their different homes and towns in the North Island! Anyway, will go now before you fall asleep! Have a beer for me tonight! I think your blogs are brilliant and very professionally done. Well done. Mum/Val xx
Wow! All I can say is i'm so very jelous of the two of you!
It looks like your having an amazing time and having lots of adventures.
I'm very much enjoying reading your blog.
I hope Jackie had a wonderful birthday too :)
All our love Lisa and Rob xxx
Envious I am! Yep - very! Thanks for your wonderful updates. It all takes time I'm sure. Most Brits don't know what they're missing in this wonderful country of ours! -And there's still Scotland, Wales and Ireland later....!
Last Saturday I let the house in Gorsley for a year to the lady that Shaun went off to work for and it's up to her now to get him to finish the last few jobs! It was a big decision and I'm only getting £800 pcm, but it now gives me time to get rid of more stuff without travelling! If she stays longer, I've warned her it'll be at least £900 next year, and probably more! Shaun said the huge barn-like place she rents at the moment is £1,400 pcm. I'm now concentrating on getting the bedrooms ready for my three Kiwi ladies 22nd - 26th April and cooking a couple of meals to freeze. We'll be going to Cardiff Castle, Cotswold villages and probably Bath. Thinking of you all the time. Love, Mum/Val xx Take care.
Glad all is well Hi both, glad all is well and you are enjoying your hard won freedom. Many people say when they are retired ' I don't know how I ever found time to go to work'. It's certainly true for me, seems like for you too. Just had Sue and Mev here for a week. Great time. Ironbridge/Bridgenorth/Telford area is very interesting, I agree. Hope you can be in the Ely/Cambridge area in July so we can meet up. Looking forward to the next installment already. Stu and Lynne
Wow, it all seems so exciting! I can't quite believe you guys are on your way already!! The van looks massive! Glad you've enjoyed your first week. I shall look forward to reading more and more about your adventure!! Lisa xxx
Jo Fleming
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Wish you were here?
Sounds like a dream come true. Let's catch up for a drink sometime. x