60 Not Out

Well half way through the calibrations n still on my feet – just :)

All started @ Julie’s family gathering in Guilsborough for the first public announcement. 

Onto The firms Christmas do and last farewell drinks. Everyone scrubbed up well :)

Sis arrived Monday, unfortunately Marion had just flown out to complete a contract in Armenia – you can’t always time these things. Were sitting under freezing snow atm and just hoping she will manage to get back for Christmas :-/ 

 

I was whisked off to the Metrop for the day itself, well two days actually, of precision timed events and surprises along the way. Took in a festive Covent Garden then off for the most amazing Thames cruise + lunch on the Bateau, it was magnificent – just the best! 

  

Carols in Trafalgar Square then off on a manic taxi drive to My Old Dutch Pancake House which hosted the surprise entrance of Alx – pancakes of all sizes all round :-p 

The evening was spent in the company of War Horses – truly unbelievable. Within minutes of appearing the horses took on personalities of their own and the show stealer was a goose on a wheel, honest, if you get a chance if it goes on tour go and see it.

After breckie in the park (St James) the war theme continued with a trip round the War Cabinet rooms. A real insight and a place we had never visited before. 

Then the Duck. M and I had experienced the one in Toronto but never managed to get on the London one. A 70 year old solid mass (no, not me) built to carry troops onto the beeches still starting first time driven both through the London traffic and into the Thames (via the MI6 slipway).

Couldn’t leave without the annual trip to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Gently strolling through main street when a passer bye said ‘strange who you meet here’ cousin Judith all the way down from Nuneaton, together with daughter Alx, what a surprise. The heavens opened so had to duck into the German beer tent and down some hot mulled wine :-p

Were due to travel north today back up to Carlisle via Fox’s Covert but got snowed in! So a day recharging the batteries before the eventual great trek north for Christmas, trip back to Tewks for Kathryn n Waynes weddy then onto Chelt for the New Years bash.

It’s hectic (but exciting) being a retired pensioner. What is it they always said – how did I ever have time to work!

5-4-3-2-1

It's started, the big count down :-/ Finished work Friday, loadsa good byes followed by a bash at D-fly Cheltenham. The big day is Wednesday but, hey, been done outa my bus pass. The Gvt have brought in a new formula n I don't qualify 'till Sept 2011 - how unfair is that!

Another Westonburt Autumn

   
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Marilyn Gains Her Wings

Click here to take a flight :)

A belated christmas pressie was cashed in on the bank holiday - a flight in a Tiger Moth from Coombe Abbas arodrome near Shaftsbury. Beautiful blue skies as M took to the air in full Biggles outfit.

Then followed by a 60's evening @ the camp site.

Tolpuddle 2010

Seems to grow each year, with a refreshing number of young people there this year. Has been a nostalgia trip previously but takes on a new meaning in the current political/economic climate. Maybe trades unionists will take to the streets again in support of their rights and their members living standards. Unity is, indeed, still strength!

Unison, with their marching drummers, rivaled the RMT, and their brass band, for the largest contingents in the traditional Sunday march through Tolpuddle. Many were the TU banners.

New Forest

Had a triffic weekend in and around the New Forest. Exbury Gardens are well worth a visit.

including a trip on a real scale model steam railway with a most entertaining guard :)

Followed by a v long walk along a v shingle beach to a remarkable fort. Erected by Henry VIII and restored as a sea defence during the world wars.

Along the way, on the landward side of the chesil beach were a number of people partaking in a cross between wind surfing and para gliding. The speeds they reached were amazing as was the hight they achieved once leaving the surface - to twist and turn before landing again on the water.

The fort, once you reached it, was well worth the visit. Including a trip to the little tea shop for a well earned cuppa :-p At one point the fort seems so close to the Isle of Wight you feel you could almost touch it - well at least swim to it, had you not had a cup of tea n a v large slice of cake :)

Torbay

Had to travel to Torquay so we decided to make a weekend of it. Well impressed.