We decided we were over due a few day’s relaxation so decided to pop to Wellington’s for a few days. We were having problems with our hot water, so a place with a shower was a bonus.
The weather was amazing, warm, sunny and no wind. We arrived and out of 60ish pitches there were only 3 of us which meant it was lovely and quiet. However the site were having new showers fitted, so our plan of a hot shower didn’t work the first night. After a wash in our very small sink and a quick chat with the manager the next day, we managed a hot shower on day two, which was a relief.
We spent time relaxing, walking in the woods and around the lake. We even managed some star gazing as the nights were so clear. Another amazing few day, Wellingtons never lets us down.
After some subtle nudging by my lovely husband about the fact that I had gone to Belfast without him a few years ago, I caved and booked a few days away together. We got up early and arrived at Gatwick to fly to the Emerald Isle on a half empty plane. We landed equally early and headed to the hotel to drop off our bags. Luckily the room was ready so we deposited our bags and wandered off to find an open top bus tour. Having forgotten it was Sunday we were too early so had a sneaky Greggs.
After catching the bus we took the tour around the city learning what there was to see and do and the history of a city with a very diverse history.
After getting off the right bus and on the wrong bus we headed to the Botanical gardens and the Ulster museum.
Day two we left early to visit the Titanic museum, Belfast city hall, a bit of shopping and of course Irish Stew. We obviously also had some Irish whiskey and Guinness!
Day three saw another early morning as we took a coach tour to the giants causeway. We stopped at Carrickfergus and Dublin’s castles, and the famous dark hedges. It was at the Hedges Hotel we tried some poitin which for a drink made of potato skins that is 45% proof, was actually yummy. The causeway was a long walk along the cliffs, but very interesting and stunning. We managed to miss the worst of the rain which was a blessing.
Our last day saw us battling with a very rainy day and a long wait for our plane home. So we did what any self respecting adults do, we slept in, played crazy golf and went bowling. Followed by tea and cake. All in all a varied and enjoyable few days away. Yes, he kicked my butt at golf and I returned the favour with bowling!
My wonderful husband treated me to a great weekend in London. The hotel room on the south bank had stunning views from the 15th floor (although the lift made some interesting noises). The room was lovely, with all the mod cons, including mood lighting it took us a while to figure out.
First day was a visit to the Albert Hall to watch OVO cirque de solet. It was magical with more than a few heart stopping moments, it really was a treat. After a meal on the river bank we retired to the hotel. Day 2 saw us in the Houses of Parliament and Lords. Fascinating place with lots of history and tradition that I didn’t know about. We were struck by the lack of statues of Elizabeth, considering everyone else had one!
That evening we wandered along the river to Battersea Powerstation. The shopping is lovely if you have had a recent lottery win, but the way they have converted the building and how it is lit at night is very impressive. Disappointed by the lack of inflatable pigs though. We were tempted to do the glass chimney lift, but after looking at the online images, this was a no no. We did have a nice meal in one of the street food stalls in the old arches. All in all a very full and varied weekend, but enjoyable.
Well we have travelled all over the UK but never stayed in Kent, so we popped to a place near Jez’s sister in Meopham to watch the children in the Remembrance parade and visit Leeds Castle.
What should have been a simple few days turn out to be a bit more varied than expected. Firstly the parade was lovely, except…. The Salvation Army band was not necessarily playing the music to the hymns we were asked to sing, and the veteran story was not necessarily appropriate for the very young audience. The tuba player was doing her own thing and we found out that children, maybe don’t need to hear about mass loss of limbs and how paraplegics can have babies! We did have a lovely curry with Susie and Luke x
The next day was off to Leeds Castle. However this was shut so they could set up for Christmas, so we ended up paying full price to see the grounds. Leeds Castle is supposed to be the most beautiful castle in England, but the jury is out about that, however the maze and grotto were good. To make up for our lack of castle input, we visited Hever Castle , this is small but very pretty, so we were happy we had visited.
The weekend ended with a very windy country road heavy journey home, so lots experienced but not a lot of relaxation.
Well, 2025 has turned out to be a whirlwind, so what better way to unwind than a trip to sunny Ibiza.
We arrived in the sun, however this was quickly followed by a tropical storm, lashing rain and wind and the obligatory sideways palm trees and lightning. However that cleared to leave us with 5 fabulous hot sunny days.
Lots of lounging on the balcony with beautiful sea views, the hotel room was right on the prom overlooking the beach. There was music all day, which surprisingly wasn’t annoying, and was people watching heaven ( especially for Jez and the female fashion statements) second day we took a trip to Ibiza old town to soak up some culture. After climbing all the way to the top of the hill to find the cathedral was closed, we stopped and had lunch in a quaint tavern we overlooking Ikea. And of course you can’t visit Ibiza without popping to Cafe Mambo, we had to visit during the day due to it being flipping expensive at night, but you can still appreciate the vibe and how beautiful it really would be at sunset. And finally you can’t go to Ibiza without going clubbing. It was the final weekend of the season so Jez chose Es Paradis to be treated to our amazing dance moves. We visited the Irish bar first to lubricate our joints to allow us to rekindled our dancing youth. Good thing too, as 4 drinks in the club cost us €75! We had a great time, the younger clientele were not sure what to make of us, but we raved with the best of them! We had a great few days relaxing in the sun, and wandered in beautiful traditional architecture. What more can you ask for.
We set off for a family weekend to celebrate Toby pass out at HMS Raleigh. We rented a lovely house with a beautiful view, hot tub and an unnatural amount of spiders. Lots of family time, games and a great day out watching Toby’s pass out parade. Very proud, and relaxing time with those we love.
Sneaky weekend away with Gary and Yvette to Brighton. After arriving quite late after work, we were treated to a home cooked spag bol, which was much appreciated. Next day was wonder round Brighton, quick meal out, then a visit to Brighton sailing club. We were warmly welcomed with some fine Cornish whiskey and the Brightonian liquor Taaka. Great night with friends and booze, and thankfully no hangover in the morning!
My super awesome wife had the idea back in March to book grandstand seats at Eastbourne air show as I do love a plane. We’d had a conversation about getting there and we decided that we should take the train on the day to save issues with parking and hopefully reduce our stress.
That was until three days before when she received an email saying how a hotel was looking forward to seeing us. Previous April had booked and paid for a room near the seafront and not told her!
We therefore changed to the car and drove the night before. It was a wonderful room (with a kitchen! That we took full advantage of) and just after arriving we went for a walk to get our bearings. It was a short trip to the seafront and we wandered along to the pier and back past a number of market stalls.
Just in time to see the red arrows perform. Which was an extra bonus as they would be there tomorrow as well.
After a nights sleep we slowly roused and went down to get our seats to find a bit of land behind the grandstand where the tents for the display teams where. Loads of guys in Red and Blue hovering around a tent weren’t the red arrows pilots and ground crew because they were obviously based in Bournemouth, where the planes were. So I decided to go and look at one of these.
Had a tour and a sit inside and when we came out I thought I’ll go and speak to a red arrow (who else would it be??) only to find them gone..
After a quick chat with the Only Navy crew there we took our seats and were entertained by a plethora of aircraft, from Hurricanes, Spitfires and a Lancaster to the Typhoon and finally Red Arrows. I was speechless at the end.
There was a three month break between excursions as the business of life had been ramped up by a number of factors. Toby starting his Naval basic training being one such factor.
So, we took Hildegard off to Roundhill campsite in the New Forest. We gave this campsite a very good dose of sitting in not least of which was the pitch we chose was right on the edge of the site as far away from civilisation as we needed.
There was much reading and crosswords and card games and not much else.
However there was a baby donkey which we were obliged to locate and photograph.
All in, it was a lovely short break that both April and I needed.
April and I decided on a short break on the North Devon coast would be in order to apply the brakes to what had been quite a busy year so far.
Ideas above her station?
Stayed in the “Commodore Hotel” which was a nice and clean room with a veranda overlooking the bay
Commodore Hotel
We had a wander along their beach, a purely sand beach with its fair share of drift wood. It was a bit chilly (well it is March) and windy but the coats did well. It is on the river Torridge and the views were beautiful. Wish I could say the same for the locals who all seemed a bit scratchy and insular. Not one person seemed welcoming, not a single nod or alright.
Had a meal in a local pub, which felt like a “local pub for local people”. IYKYK. The food was good and it had a stunning view as the sun set.
Had a bit of a rude awakening the next morning as we had decided to not have breakfast and our room phone rang to inform us we were late for it.
We decided to have a look at a local town called Bideford and were surprised with a character from our pasts.
From Bideford we also explored Appledore on the other side of the river.
Appledore
I guess this gets quite touristy in the summer months. It’s looks to be setup for many people to fight over the small beach and enjoy the souvenir shop. Not much else going for it except for what appeared to be a wealth of grumpy people. Similar to the other side of the river.
All that aside we’ve ticked this off as a prospective place to move to.
