What are you all up to
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Before setting off this morning we received a text from the cottage owner saying that the previous occupants had gone home a night early so we could pitch up anytime in the afternoon. Nice of them but we'd more or less made plans that would get us there by 4pm. However the weather interfered with the plans by chucking it down with thunder rolls. We had hoped to call in at Dorothy Clive Gardens on the A51 about 10 miles south of Nantwich but realised that the gardens would be waterlogged and flowers overcome by the rain.
In the end we stopped off at Bridgemere Garden Centre, a large complex just north of the other gardens, for a comfort stop and lunch. We eventually made it to the cottage at about 3.30. Seems fine, owners live on site, on a quiet back road but not far from anywhere. Well presented, clean and good enough for us lot.
OH wanted to share the driving so that was what we did. She's mainly driven on Motorways to date but a lot of todays was on A roads. It's important to us that we both drive it mainly for future use if I'm unable to do it for whatever reason.
@RedKite - Have you been to Lac de Bannac, a few miles west of Villefranche-de-Rouergue? It's a circular walk. We went years ago and seem to remember seeing Purple Herons and Night Herons and Kingfishers. Just a thought for your spare day.
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@Takethedogalong I will PM you with the details, just the sort of site that would suit you. Perhaps tomorrow you will be some of that much needed rain, but pleased that you had a good day out at Brodsworth. It has been a while since we were last there so must get back again to see the changes.
Have a safe tow down to Glencoe, @Freddy55 shame about the rain you have been having on Skye, as there is much to see there. Hope it is better at your next site, but I think you might need the Skin so Soft there especially if the wind drops. Has the trouble with your foot gone, I sure hope so?
That looks a lovely cake, @richardandros and a well kept surprise too it would appear. Well done Ros! Good to read that you have missed the thunderstorms up until now.
Shame about the rain forcing you to change your plans @Wherenext but pleased that you found an alternative stopping off point and that the cottage is grand.
@DEBSC thankfully the handsome chap, and his fellow companions, are at a about a mile from our site, but after being on a CL with both Peacocks and Guinea Fowl earlier I think we would soon not notice the crowing.
We had quite heavy rain through the night but it had stopped by the time we rose but it was rather misty to start with. The day warmed up and became rather clammy, then we had another short but heavy shower this afternoon, just as I was heading out for my walk, but it soon passed over, and now we have a rather cloudy sky. Drove into Hexham for diesel and with the intention of doing our weekly shop, but the roads and car parks were heaving so we headed out and round to Corbridge where we got a walk along by the Tyne and into town. Will try again on Monday to refuel!
The 1674 bridge, replacing the original 1235 bridge, destroyed in 1296 by William Wallace, which gives the town its name, and is the only bridg over the R.Tyne to survive the 1771 flood.
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GGreat Listen on radio4 on your farm this morning @Goldie146 .
Must get going, this is supposed to be a read only over breakfast!
Fabulous morningʻ here, hopefully it bodes well for a lovely family day here.
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Have a lovely day @Bakers2 , and @nelliethehooker , without wishing to sound ungrateful about the cake - I think Mr Sainsbury had something to do with it😉 - was really good, though!
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Arrived here (Glencoe) yesterday after an easy drive. The area out of Kyle Of Lochalsh heading along the A87 was simply stunning. It would have been very easy to stop and take pics at every turn, not easy towing a caravan and when you’re with two other couples, ah well. Lots of persistent rain overnight and quite misty this morning.
Hiya @nelliethehooker . Yes, I’ve noticed an increase in the midge count. Up until now I’ve only had a few bites, so not as bad as I’d feared. Still a bit a of a struggle to walk any distance, so very limiting, the swelling has gone though.
Off into Fort William shortly, for some provisions. Tomorrow the plan is to take the train from Fort William to Mallaig, supposed to be very good. That said, the forecast for the next couple of days isn’t great. Tuesday we move down to Keswick, gonna be a long drive🙁
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We managed to use a few Trax Sites in our early years😀 Hexham, Wetherby, Market Rasen, Fakenham, plus other Racecourses like Wincanton, Exeter. Sometimes the facilities were a bit on the not so swish side, but back in the 80’s touring was very different. But what they lacked in tarmac, posh tiling and underfloor heating they made up for in space, walks and ambience. Some of course were on the Club network.
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Hi everyone. Sorry.... haven't posted much this week - it's been chaotic here... but I have been reading.... Thanks for the wonderful photos too.
Happy Father's Day, by the way, to all who are celebrating....
@Freddy55 - next time you go to Skye, it may be worth the extra trip across to Lewis with Harris.... really worth a visit. We're hoping to get over mid-August, but we don't take the caravan (the sites tend to be 'a bit basic' for us 😀😀... we're hiring a cottage.... Ruth'sxhouse is quite small to accommodate us as well... Ruth (our eldest daughter), son-in-law Wayne and grandson Euan, live on Lewis. They 'took the plunge' a few years ago and really enjoy the lifestyle..... this last few years they have, sadly lost both of their dogs, but have now decided to get another one..... Welcome to "Stanley"... 🤣🤣
David
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@DSB 🤩🤩🤩 what a gorgeous pup. Looks like a Fox Red Labrador? @Goldie146 thats a very beautiful cow as well. Show stance, facing the judge👏
Lovely photos and stories from those out and about. @nelliethehooker if you have a rainy day, can highly recommend Vindolanda and The Sill, we love Vindolanda. Cafe is very nice as well. Had a cottage a few years ago actually on the Vallum about half a kilometre from The Sill. I bet it looks sad looking at Sycamore Gap if you drive past. Hoping those two fools get what they deserve shortly.
. @Wherenext enjoy your cottage. If you want a nice garden to visit, can recommend Bourton House Garden, just outside Moreton in Marsh. Absolutely stunning, it’s got a few steps, but plenty to see without climbing these. Cafe is nice. It’s not huge, but some of the best planting I have ever seen. Think it might be HHA, it was when we visited.
Still no rain here, and it’s very warm, although not into the realms of Red Kite’s area🥵😱 I am pottering in garden at Mum’s at the moment, hoping to go home to a dip in our pool.
Border at Bourton.
White borders, with semi bored male😂Dreaming of his next bike ride. Note the gravel @Wherenext not sure if this is ok for MIL?
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@DSB - what a gorgeous doggy - I suspect I see someone who's going to be spoilt rotten😁
@Goldie146 - how did the TB testing go - you haven't said (I think) - I hope you got some good news at last?????
@Francis - where are we……..
And here's one of Ros and Meg (just) about to set off on our walk.
The little dog on the left had a wonderful time paddling / swimming in the river and came back absolutely covered in mud. Bet they loved putting him back in the car🙄
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we got back early this afternoon from A nice weekend at Ayr Craigie Gardens club site weather not great but we just relaxed. Easy half hour tow home today bit of a pain when we got home as we live at the tip of a cul de sac and I can normally turn the van at the top and reverse it in to our drive but today one of the neighbours had parked at the turning point so had to use the mover to get the van in the drive not such a hassle but just takes longer. Not away now until our summer trip to Norfolk in a few weeks as we are hosting a family gathering next weekend as eldest Gdaughter is due to arrive from New Zealand for a visit haven’t saw her for 9 years she was only 13 last time we saw her son DIL and other Gdaughter have been back numerous times over the years but not the eldest one so will be nice to see her. Then the van is due in for its service at the end of the month and we are going to a classic car show too so no free time to get away again now until July. @DSB love the new dog.
@richardandros is that Kingsear? May be wrong certainly looks familiar
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After the drive of yesterday and it being a weekend we decided to stay local today and visited Charlecote Park NT, less than a mile from the cottage. You can just see the ladies in red and pink. The gateway in. Lovely seeing Swallows nesting underneath the arch.
Shame that the gardens were closed due to repairs following Spring storms still ongoing. A bit tardy on NTs behalf bearing in mind season now in full swing and storms not recent. The entrance to the gardens. Always like a Thatched building.
A woman on a mission!
Must admit that she thinks she can do more than she can. She walked down the drive on the way in but accepted a ride in the buggy that NT provide on the way back to the Car Park.
Thanks for the suggestion @Takethedogalong. Might be another semi bored male. The paths at Charlecote are stone clippings. She managed them but did use the grass where possible. We'll have to see how her stamina holds up, maybe out tomorrow then a lunch on Tuesday, something like that, it's her holiday after all. We'll probably take in Packwood as she really likes Tapestries and maybe a stroll along the river in Stratford if she fancies it. This is her today for those who haven't had the fortune of meeting her. She's the one without the dog and recorder!!
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@Wherenext Glad you have had a good day out yes did notice the difference between statue and your MIL ha ha. We have stayed on the site at Lac de Bannac and I have done part the way around the lake but not a full walk ok for me but OH not his thing really with birds plus it could be very hot again 34/35C phew too hot but today a nice cool 21C after the thunderstorms overnight and this morning but not much rain but we have missed the severe storms of last Friday some places had hail size of tennis balls glad we did not have them here, enjoy the rest of your holiday.
Our friends OH was due to have his Carpal Tunnel operation last Thursday and he was on the trolley ready and the doctor checked him over again and found his heart beat was down to 40 not good so rushed to Cardiology dept and a quick check and found he will need a pacemaker fitted so back there again on 24th June for 3 nights in hospital so not a happy chap as he has had nothing to do with hospitals or illnesses for 45 years and that was a hernia operation when living in South Africa hence he will have to wait now for the hand operation until a bit later and our friend said he is very quiet at the moment not wanting to talk about anything so he must be in shock.
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@RedKite the recipe OH used for the Welsh Tea Loaf, or Bara Brith, is the one in the link below. She makes it with half measures and cooks it in the airfrier, although it obviously is normally cooked in a fan oven. Hope that it turn out ok for you should you try it.
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@Wherenext, that looks very familiar. That’s a fair walk from the car park to the house, so MIL did well. I like her pink outfit and know she’s a lady of well chosen clothes. I also love seeing the swallows nesting under the gatehouse and always make a beeline to see how they are doing each year. It’s surprising that few people even look up to notice them. That garden was open a couple of months ago as I walked around there. Are you staying in Hampton Lucy. The Packwood white roses will be out now all along the hedges a beautiful sight that I love at this time of year. They have a very large second hand NT book shop there, well worth a visit. We had a nice afternoon at our daughters celebrating our granddaughters 21st. Her sister had spent the evening before blowing up balloons for a lovely display. The cake was beautiful as well. We didn’t stay too late, her friends were there with their little ones, we left at the balloon fight 😊 for a quieter evening at home.3
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@nelliethehooker many thanks for the recipe I will have a go at it this week.
Great photos folks.
Now down to 17C at 10.20pm our time so a cooler night thankfully.
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Hope it turns out OK @RedKite
Grand photos @Freddy55 it looks as if you, or your friends are on the same pitch we were on, again!! Hope the weather picks up for your train journey to Mallaig. That is a heck of a tow down to Kewsick, it would take us about 3 or 4 days to do that!
Looks as if you had a lovely day out @Wherenext with the weather being fine for you. Enjoy the rest of your stay.
It was a duller day today but we had only one short shower late in the afternoon. We drove down to The Wall and stopped off at Heavenfield, where Oswald defeated King Cadwallon of Gwynedd, in AD 634, for a short walk and then visited St Oswald's Church, a medieval church which replaced the wooden Saxon church.
Then we drove on to view Chesters Roman Fort, museum and Bath House, below.
The Garrison Block
Some of the exhibitions in the museum.
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@Francis - wrong🤔!!
A couple of clues - the Dimbleby's use to have a holiday home there (and may still do for all I know!) and across the river is the former summer home of the world's most prolific crime writer😁
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Lovely photos @Wherenext. I love the photos of your MIL. She looks very stylish in her pink outfit (and also very determined 😂) I hope the weather this week won't be too hot for her. Great photos also @nelliethehooker. Such an interesting part of the world. I was particularly interested to see St Oswalds Church as we had his arm in the bejewelled casket at Peterborough Cathedral for many years. Unfortunately it disappeared during The Reformation. I am glad you enjoyed your grand-daughter's 21st @DEBSC. I hope this week goes well for you. Is this the last one? I hope the christening went well @Bakers2 and that you all had a good day. What an absolutely adorable pup @DSB You must be looking forward to seeing him and spoiling him rotten! (and the grandson as well)
We had a lovely Father's Day afternoon yesterday as our local family came round to help OH celebrate. There was a very short shower of rain (it hardly made the pavements wet) but it soon stopped so we were able to sit out in the garden having drinks and cake. So lovely to see them all. Youngest son rang from N Ireland during the afternoon. Grand-daughter from NI is doing her Gold DofE this week. She caught the ferry to go across to The Lake District early this morning. I just hope they don't get heat stroke as the weather forecast looks like getting hotter as the week goes on.
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We had a lovely family day with the christening. We must have caught 2 drops of @milliehull's shower. If anything it was on the very warm to silly hot side.
It was all a but touch and go until Wednesday as himself developed chickenpox! But by Wednesday all scabbed, he was still his happy smiling self, and the vicar happy to take a calculated risk as he'd been in church the 2 Sundays before - the hatching period. She had warned those vunerable in the congregation. We had one absence, an extremely long standing family friend, her mum and DIL's granny met in the war and remained firm friends down the generations, As she's once again undergoing cancer treatment and sensibly decided it was unwise to join us.
It was a lovely service, our 'sermon' was the Father's Day episode of Bluey. The vicar has just discovered Bluey, as have I 🤣. It's brilliant, relevant to all aspects of life, and made in Oz. Despite her son being 15, she's watched the whole series, I haven't. Sadly, it was her sons parents' open day, so she shot off after the service and was unable to join us.
We had lovely nibbles, almost canapés!, thank you Wendy, with the congregation before heading to Granny's for food, garden play and catch ups. All the children were very well behaved.
Talking of rain apparently there was a short shower in son's village on Saturday but DIL uncle who lives in the village but the other side of the A1 had none. Neither did we a few miles north. All very localised.
OOpen Gardens in our village appears to have been a great success on Saturday, I didn't join in, prep work required 😉, not to mention my foot didnt need the walking 🥲. I saw a neighbour this morning who opened her garden again this time and she had 207 visitors to her garden. Tonight those who opened their gardens are doing a tour of the open gardens to see what they missed. There was a huge plant stall, I resisted..…, some lovely classic cars outside The Bell, tea/coffee/cake I resisted those too 🫣, a quilt and craft display, a garden in a seed tray for the children and the newly formed heritage society put on a display and all the graves along the path were researched and had information on them about who they contained. I missed that too 🥲.
GGlad You enjoyed your granddaughters 21st @DEBSC and hope all goes well this week.
GGreat photos from all, @wherenext I so admire your MIL, long may she continue.
Making the most of the calm here today, we only have decorators in 😉🫣. Full on week here. Papworth tomorrow, shouldn't have any workmen 🤞. Wednesday units start to go in, Thursday dog groom, my last foot treatment garden help, delayed from.end of last month and I assume more unit fitting... Friday OH to be at PCH for 0830, a time he rarely sees 🫣🫣 for the oral op that should have been included in his January operation! We'll have you back in 3 weeks they said 😡. Dog being boarded out to son thursday evening as I assume unit fitting will still be happening and the plumber and electrician are due back to finish off sockets and pipe runs. Anyone want to swop?
The decorators have just finished, so should be ready for the final push later in the week 😀
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I wasn’t far away lol I know where you are now. Been to Agatha Christie’s house a few times lovely area your are making me jealous lol we were actually going to go there this summer but decided to hold off until next year when the Hillhead club site should be open again after it’s revamp
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@Bakers2 Pleased to hear you had a good day yesterday and that grandson no 2 has no ill effects from the chicken pox. Has grandson no 1 already had it or is that joy still to come? Our 5 year old great grandson caught chicken pox just before half term and apart from a couple of ichy uncomfortable days was fine. I told grand-daughter about the ointment the pharmacist recomnended when I had shingles and it worked a treat. Just for the record contrary to popular opinion you cannot catch shingles from someone who has chicken pox.
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@milliehull grandson number o1 had the jab once eligible. Available from 9 months, I think only privately. Grandson number 2 will be 9 months this coming weekend. I think they jinxed it by discussing booking an appointment when he hit the magic date! I believe it's rife in their village.
My brother and I have never had it. They closed our primary school. We were of the generation that mixed if some had 'childhood ailments'. I hope we've both got our own immunity. Both of us had children that had it, mine years apart! He looked after his grandchildren even when they had it.
Yes apparently you can't get shingles from chicken pox but you can the way round. Apparently Granny got something from.the chemist. I suggested oatmeal baths. Both seem to have worked.
It was to be parents only holding little one, but folks made their own minds up. Despite trying hard not to when he put his arms out to me I couldn't refuse.....
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@Bakers2 I have never heard of a jab against chicken pox and neither has grand-daughter been offered it. She is of the opinion that if it is offered grab it so would definitely have had gt grandson inoculated If available. Oh well all over and done with now. Yes it is rife at the moment. Most of gt grandson's class were off with it a few weeks ago.
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Friday was not a good day. It was our scheduled 60 day TB test. More cows showed positive with the skin test so have to go. None of the previous 49 cows that have failed the skin test, and then been slaughtered have shown up as TB in the post mortems. Nobody knows what it is. Two of the nine had blood tests this morning and are going to a government animal lab tomorrow for further investigation. And slaughter.
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Oh I'm so sorry to read this @Goldie146 🥲
I do hope they can find out why you're having positive skin results, but the PM doesn't find TB. It's certainly no comfort at all.....
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I am so sorry to read this @Goldie146 I do hope they can find the root cause very soon. Tragic for you.
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