Arbour in a Storm

The latest addition to our garden - thanks to a rare discount and over 60's day @ B&Q :

Illuminating Blackpool

T'was the 'annual'trip with Sis to Blackpool. Despite pre weather forecasts of hell n high water the weather was fine all week. The new illuminations were fairly spectacular, including some music driven street lighting and illuminated trams.

 

 

BUT ... The town was heaving as it was half term which must be why most of the big shows closed the week before?? Foodie pubs had no food! and half the trams had been laid off !*! Still the digs were good as was the local pub. Finally found a last show by 'Dancing Queen' and it was a stormer. Started a bit light but then they rocked the roof outa Grease and had dancin in the aisle to Abba.

Cap d'Agde

Marilyn's birthday treat. Following in the footsteps of Kate Mosse's Labyrinth we based ourselves on the queyside in Agde and toured Bezier and Carcassonne. The weather held fair, affordable integrated public transport worked well and the beaches were excellent. Carcassonne and it's fortress are as magnificent as they are stunning.

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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 :))

 

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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