Big Boats n Little Boats

 

The Tall Ships Festival is an annual event at Gloucester Docks where many of the tall ships are maintained and refurbished.

By contrast the small but perfectly formed Saul Canal Festival followed with a model of the London Duck - Marilyn and I have been on the London and Toronto Ducks :)

Jean's Birthday Trip

Ever wondered what it's like inside Buck House? Sis's birthday proved the opportunity to find out and it is spectacular. Amazing ceilings picked out in white and gold, inlaid furniture of perfection and a cream tea on the lawn to finish - nearest we'll get to a Palace tea party ;)

A quick tour round the Surrey countryside culminating in a bevvy at a delightful country hostelry.

Then off on the ferry to Ypres where our grandfather worked and died in the service of the War Graves Commission.

Thanx Sue n Dave

Our very good friends, from back in Leicester days, Dave n Sue (and their friends Gary n Marguerite) moved to the delightful French coast near St Palais. Just got back from a brill short break, via La Rochelle. Sun, Sand, wine n french cuisine - it was hell :))

 

More pics

Profusion of Poppies

So many different kinds n colours the display in the garden this year has been magnificent

...matched both in colour and texture only by the homebrew :-P

Skinny Dip 2011 for Marie Curie Cancer Care

A Mexican wave, a jump in the air and Marilyn, I + 400 others just went for it off the Gower into the Atlantic and entered the Guinness book of records.

I know the term awesome is much over used these days but this was simply ... awesome :) It was colder dressed and out of the water waiting than it was once you were in - honest!

If you look closely you'll be lucky to see the back of me :))

Also see the National Trust video here and here.

It topped a great weekend in the Gower camping in the Rascal. 

Cranking up the Home Brewery :-p

After a very long lay-off The brewery is back in full production. The first batch of Woodfords Wherry was lip-smacking excellent n clear as a bell and @ around 30p pint you can't complain :)

York

It was a great weekend n the weather just held

Also found the abandon medieval village of Wharram Percy

before heading off to the amazing Castle Howard