Holiday Journal - The Last Few Days

[londonronnie]

It's another day for pottering... should I feel guilty that we're not doing more? Nah, I don't think so...

Into Minehead to spend a bit of time online, and to get JD's Mum a pressie. A jar of locally-produced honey, that'll do her down to the ground...

And oh! Was just talking to the owner of the cottage before we set off, and was telling her that we're going to Wetherspoon's so that I can get on the free Wi-Fi, and she's just informed me that she's getting Wi-Fi installed in the cottage next week! Ack! Why didn't we book up for a week later! Anyway, we'd already decided that we'd definitely stay here again, so that's a definite plus!

Back to Luxborough for a few pints, and the chance to say cheerio to the folks we've met from the local shoot over the past two weeks. Then it's home to pack and tidy up a bit... I hate this part of holidays...

We're booked in at the pub for our dinner tonight – we turn up early for a few pre-prandial drinkies and a bit of a chat with the landlord, who's become quite a good mate over the years (hardly surprising, eh?). The meal is absolutely gorgeous – rib eye steak for me, and stir fried scallops for 'imself.

There's a party of gentlemen farmers in for the shoot – what an absolute hoot they are! Most of them over 60, I'd guess, but wow – big drinkers, big eaters, and living life to the full. We have some brilliant crack with them, and it's only the knowledge that our alarm's set for 5.30 tomorrow morning that drags us away. I would have loved to have been partying with them 'til the early hours... As I've no doubt they will be...

So, Warwick tomorrow... Really looking forward to it, although I'm incredibly sad to be leaving here. It's strange how much it feels like home here...




Up at 6am - and there's snow! About three or four inches of it, which makes us change our plans to go over the top roads. We finish the packing and last bit of tidying up and get away at 7.30.

We've decided to leave the motorway at the first opportunity and drive most of the way to Warwick on smaller A roads. Whilst studying the the route I spot some names that seem strangely familiar - Lower Slaughter, Chipping Campden, not to mention Gretton not too far away... Of course they're familiar - I've just finished Larton, haven't I! Yes folks, the route that the OH has devised takes us right through the heart of Larton country. (But which village is actually Larton? There's a Barton nearby, but who knows...).

The sun comes up, and the most glorious day develops. And once we're off the motorway the countryside is absolutely stunning. All new territory for me - I've never explored Wiltshire or Gloucestershire before, and I'm very impressed with how beautiful the scenery is. Of course, once we get near Lower Slaughter I'm craning my neck hoping to spot evidence of a hunt taking place somewhere in the distance, but unfortunately I'm disappointed *g*. Nevertheless, I'm extremely chuffed to have actually visited Larton Country, so much so that I even told the OH all about it (and he didn't even laugh, bless 'im!).

We arrive in Warwick at midday, find our mate and his boat, dump our gear and tootle off to Wetherspoon's for a meal. We see a little bit of the town on the way, but the real sightseeing (with accompanying photos) is reserved for tomorrow. Watch this space...




We wake to a very chilly boat, a frozen solid canal - and an early morning phone call from our youngest daughter to let us know that she's broken her wrist! She slipped on some ice on her way home from a night out (she assures me that she wasn't the least bit drunk!) and ended up spending about six hours in Casualty. She's very tearful and fed up on the phone - she hasn't slept or eaten all night, and is only going to be at home for about two hours before she has to go back to the Fracture Clinic. What's more her boyfriend was spending the night with some friends, and she's been unable to contact him so she's feeling really down in the dumps, not to mention being in a lot of pain. Luckily our other daughter is going to go back to the hospital with her.

So, JD and I are feeling a bit helpless and wishing that we were at home, but there's absolutely nothing we can do about it.

Our mate Tim provides a lovely fry-up for brekkie, and then it's off on our tour of Warwick. (Tim's become quite an expert on the history of the place since he's been mooring the boat there, and is an excellent guide!). Some photos then -



The Rusty Nail - our home for the next two days - and her neighbours. Note the frozen canal!







The statue is of local boxer Randolph Turpin, who was World Middleweight Champion in the 1950s - and is mentioned by George Cowley, I believe, in a Pros ep, the name of which escapes me... All roads lead to Pros, as always... *g*

What a beautiful town Warwick is - it reminds me of a miniature York. We resolve to come back another time when the Rusty Nail is moored here and spend our time doing more exploring.




Nothing much to report today - another chilly day with a light dusting of snow, and the canal frozen again. We get away from Warwick at about 10, arrive back in Newcastle just after 2 having had a thankfully uneventful journey, and go to pick up daughter K to take her for a doctor's appointment. She's still in a lot of pain, poor love.

We get lots of lovely cuddles from Izzy when she gets home from Nursery - she's over the moon with her West Somerset Railway engine driver's cap! LOL

Then it's down to the grind - unpacking (washing can wait until tomorrow), opening post (Yay! Two more Chris Hunt books!), and general winding down. And a pizza for dinner, cos dieting can also wait until tomorrow. I'm pleased I told Slimming World that I wouldn't be back until next week... *g*

So that's that then - no more holidays now until September... and it's all systems go for the wedding in April!!


Thanks for bearing with me throughout my Holiday Journal. I've enjoyed writing it - I just hope it hasn't bored you all to tears!

Normal service will now be resumed...

Comments

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Oh, definitely not bored to tears - living vicariously! I want to be on holiday again now!

Warwick does look gorgeous - I've been to the castle, but don't remember wandering the town... Oh, and the canal boat (I'm so into the idea of flat-bottomed boats right now... *g*) and Larton! And snow and the tops and... I have been enjoying your holiday - thank you!

And poor daughter - sounds like she did exactly what I did a few years ago... On the bright side, she wasn't in America when it happened - it cost me hundreds of US dollars even with insurance out there - bleargh!

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Awww, thanks!

And eep! America's definitely not the place to have an accident, is it!

[lukadreaming.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a great holiday! *Sighs enviously*

We reckon Willersey, near Broadway, is Larton, right down to the duck pond in the main street *g*.

Your poor daughter! Hope the pain eases soon.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

A-ha! Finally, a name! *g* When's the tour...?

[lukadreaming.livejournal.com]

Soon as things calm down a bit here and you can get over for a weekend *g*.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Hee - you're quick, you're very quick! *g*

Hmmn - a treat for after marking, or something to keep me going post-barge, I wonder...? *vbg*

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I knew that someone had said years ago that they thought they knew which village it was, but I couldn't remember who it was! *g*

I was only a kick in the teeth away, wasn't I?

And thanks on K's behalf for the good wishes - she's back at the Fracture Clinic tomorrow...

[przed.livejournal.com]

Sounds like it was a brilliant holiday all round. (I haven't been to Warwick for eons, but really enjoyed it the last time I was there. And canal boating! Wow!)

Hope your daughter recovers well and soon.

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Warwick was wonderful - the OH had been there before, but I hadn't, so it was lovely to see what he's been raving about for all these years.

K will be in a cast for at least 4 weeks, she's been told, although she's hoping to be able to go back to work before that. Hopefully she won't need to be off for too long.

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear about your kidlet! I hope she's feeling better. I did enjoy more of your adventures. Thanks!

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Thanks and thanks! *g*

Pleased to hear that you enjoyed reading about my travels!

[caffyolay.livejournal.com]

Oh crikey, sorry to hear about K's wrist.

Glad you're home safe and sound and enjoyed your time in Warwick.

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Warwick was great. Have you ever been there?

K is still very sore, but hopefully that won't last too much longer.

[probodie.livejournal.com]

Awww poor old K there is nothing fun about a broken wrist. Hope she recovers quickly.

Hee I can just picture Izzy in her train drivers cap, bless her.

Bored??? Us??? Zzzzzzz...lol No I have loved reading your posts and looking at your pics.

How doable would the cottage be for a Pros-y type weekend do you think? Just thinking is all *g*

YAY SHE IS BACK!!! Missed you, matey xx

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Hope she recovers quickly.

Thanks, m'dear. She's been back for more x-rays and to see the consultant today, and has to go back again next Wednesday.

How doable would the cottage be for a Pros-y type weekend do you think?

Sadly not doable at all - there's only one bed! Although it is a king-size, so you could probably get four in, top to tail... *g*

[angel-ci5.livejournal.com]

I've really enjoyed reading about your lovely, relaxing holiday and the gorgeous pics!
Nice to have you back though!

Sorry to hear about your daughter's wrist, ouch!

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Cheers, matey!

[constant-muse.livejournal.com]

Frozen canal! good thing you weren't planning on going anywhere on the boat. Warwick looks magical, nice and quiet and atmospheric too, at this time of year.

Yay for your surprise Larton-country trip too!

Have really enjoyed your holiday journal, thank you.

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it would have been a bit difficult! *g* I can certainly recommend Warwick if you should ever think of taking your boat over that way.

The Larton trip was a lovely way to round off the holiday - I was amazed at how much the OH indulged me (and he enjoyed it too!)

Pleased that you enjoyed my blatherings! *g*