What are you all up to

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  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 9,412
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    edited July 2018 #21812

    Not quite the Malverns, but we recently stopped at Rowley Farm CL near Leominster - lovely little site with fab views of the Welsh hills and a couple NT properties nearby (Berrington Hall is a10 minute drive) and gardens and a good pub in the village. Easy drive to the M5 at Worcester. Worth a look? smile

  • milliehull
    milliehull Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 4,863
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    edited July 2018 #21813

    That sounds a wonderful holiday Francis.  We had some great holidays on the IOW when our eldest 2 children were very small.  We had another holiday there when we had an MH and took our daughter, grand-daughter and bikes.  I hadn't realised it was such a hilly island until we were cycling round it! It's a lovely island.  I hope it hasn't changed too much.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited July 2018 #21814

    (I have posted about Bob before but could not find the thread. We have been away for 6 weeks and just after we wen't away Bob returned to his cottage from a six week period in a care home which he hated.)

    Went to see my friend Bob who is suffering with Parkinson's and effectively housebound. Two months ago I would have been able to take him out but not at present as he seems to have deteriorated greatly. I spent about 4.5hrs with him and we caught up some after our holidays. He was very tired but also very sharp minded. He kept falling asleep however and we would carry on the conversation were it left off 10 mins earlier. One of his carers called at about 12 O'clock to make him lunch etc but I told her not to bother as I would do that. She did a few jobs, had a natter and an early dart. She is very willing but like all carers is running round like a blue bottomed fly with no travel time between visits.

    I had called into Lidl on my way to Bob's and bought a couple of frittatas, some bistro salad, and some potato salad in creme fraiche. When Bob was having one of his dozes I whacked the frittatas in the oven for 12mins, quartered some small vine tomatoes from home and dished up a nice lunch. He managed to stay awake long enough to enjoy. 

    His name is down as a priority for a sheltered housing complex that looks nice but whether he will manage to get a place or not before he deteriorates more I have my worries. He has not given up the fight yet but if he does I doubt that he will last long. Very sad to see in somebody previously so active.
     
    Alan

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member, Member Moderator Posts: 2,487
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    edited July 2018 #21815

    I'm sure he values your care and friendship EasyT.  Hope he finds a suitable place very soon.

  • cariadon
    cariadon Forum Participant Posts: 861
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    edited July 2018 #21816

    So sorry to read this EasyT, a neighbour of ours has Parkinsons, and was doing quite well, until they changed his meds, then he was all over the place, finally got him stabilised, then he got diagnosed with skin cancer on his ear, and had to have it removed, again his Parkinsons is unstable again. It is a very cruel disease.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,405
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    edited July 2018 #21817

    Plenty of good suggestions for future visits, I'm filing them all away.😀

    Today is lovely, although a few showers are possible this afternoon, so perhaps a walk on the hills. Yesterday it did eventually dry up enough to venture out. We decided on a visit to the Firs, Elgar's birthplace and looked after by the National Trust. It is only 10 miles north of the Malvern site, but plenty of puddles to negotiate.

    I can thoroughly recommend a visit. The house itself is small but contains much memorabilia. The garden small but lovely, with himself on a bench. Alongside there is a new visitors centre / museum with info on Elgar, original scores, a film about his life and yesterday some 20 minute talks on his famous works. Outside the visitors centre there is a sound garden with things for kids to hit and make music.😂

    A very nice cafe as well, where we had a slice of courgette, thyme and lemon cake with a cup of Earl Grey.😋

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,405
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    edited July 2018 #21818

    Sorry to here about your friend ET. Hopefully they can improve things a bit with his meds. My Aunt, who still lives in her own house suffers, and went from very active to hardly going out. Fortunately, although it did not seem to be treated with any priority, they eventually sorted her meds and she is much more as she was before.

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,466
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    edited July 2018 #21819

    it must be a difficult time for you , but I expect Bob appreciates you being there with him .

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176
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    edited July 2018 #21820

    Steve. Elgar's birthplace is very interesting isn't it, a pretty Worcestershire house with a lot more to see inside and out. I think the Malverns and Worcester inspired a lot of his music, you can feel it in the air in some places!  smile

    Sorry about your pal EasyT, hope he finds a safer haven soon.

    Francis, pleased to hear you enjoyed Southlands and the IOW, we liked Southlands a lot, but we thought it was easier for caravanners. You timed it right with such good weather.

  • Francis
    Francis Club Member Posts: 2,070
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    edited July 2018 #21821

    Yes it was great Millie. I took my bike and done a bit of cycling but yes there were quite a few hills. I doubt the island has change too much since your last visit but is such a lovely place to be.

  • Goldie146
    Goldie146 Club Member Posts: 2,509
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    edited July 2018 #21822

    The change in the weather (we’ve had rain smile ) has an advantage (as well as hopefully making the grass grow) - 

    - we’ve got mushrooms! Yesterday my son filled his hat when he checked some stock, so today my husband went prepared with a shopping bag.  So it will be Mushroom Soup tonight !

     

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,170
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    edited July 2018 #21823

    Mushrooms Goldie exactly what happened in 1976 down Gloucestershire way.  Enjoy the soup.

    Although the weather wasn’t good and it was early morning Southwold was very busy.  Brought some Adnams beers 🍺 and down at the harbour fresh fish. 🐟.  Now back at home where the weather has started to brighten up.  

  • milliehull
    milliehull Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 4,863
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    edited July 2018 #21824

    So sorry to hear about your friend ET.  Parkinsons is such a cruel illness.  I am sure he felt better for your visit. It probably rejuvenated him more than you realise. I hope he gets somewhere suitable to live soon.

    I would love to visit Elgar's birthplace. I love the statue of him sitting on the bench. Isn't there some controversy about an original manuscript of his that appeared on Antiques Roadshow a few weeks ago?  

  • milliehull
    milliehull Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 4,863
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    edited July 2018 #21825

    Enjoy Cornwall DSB

  • ADD46
    ADD46 Forum Participant Posts: 437
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    edited July 2018 #21826

    Moulesy and Oneputt thank you for your suggestions. I will look them up tonight. It's been a busy day in work but we're going out for a meal tonight so at least there's no cooking to be done. 😊

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,405
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    edited July 2018 #21827

    Yes the birthplace was fascinating brue. I have always liked his music, we spent ages there and also attended  a talk on the Dream of Gerontius. Elgar certainly writes that this area and the hills contributed to his inspiration. I assume it is why despite moves away he kept comming back.

    Not seen about the controversy milliehull but I would think they would be very difficult to reproduce, the notation is so small and intricate. From his bench he is actually looking through a gap in the hedge at the Malvern range.

    Which is where we have been today. Car to British Camp car park, as it is no longer on the bus route. Then a circular walk up, over and round the hill fort. We could see many showers charging up the Severn Valley, but were only hit by one when we were under the tree canopy.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,405
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    edited July 2018 #21828

    You would not know it is school summer holidays here. The site is only about 40 / 50% full. Mainly with us of the older generation and middle aged couples. Very few children, even at the weekend. 

    I don't suppose it is that surprising. It probably wouldn't appear on many younger families radar, as a summer holiday destination. It does make it perfect though, if you want a relatively quiet  main CAMC site at this time of year.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176
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    edited July 2018 #21829

    Gosh that looks dry up there Steve! Have you topped up with Malvern Water yet, I wonder if the springs are running well after the dry weather? I was lucky as a child, I often got taken for a run around on the Malverns, happy days. smile

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,405
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    edited July 2018 #21830

    Not been to the spring itself yet brue, we will probably have a walk around there later in the week. However, the British Camp reservoir didn't look that bad. Down, but not that far, although it has probably taken quite a bit of run off in the last couple of days.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 8,329
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    edited July 2018 #21831

    Busy but enjoyable weekend. Friend who was coming Friday came Saturday instead answer we had the day together rather than just a couple of hours 😃. Sunday was wet and windy so catch up jobs and trip into town with lunch out 😉 felt jolly chilly after what we'd got used to!

    Showery this morning grey and breezy this and for noon so more catch up jobs but it was still humid at times. Garden looking sad andftrnoongain as wind is so drying.

    EasyT sorry to hear about your friend. I hope he gets suitable accommodation soon. Don't underestimate the value of your visit.

    KjellNN hope your daughters house situation can be concluded very soon and that your cancelled trip plans are not in vein. We're trying to sort some time away again but is dependant on others and their appointments 😔.

    Sounds like those who've been away have enjoyed themselves,  and similar with those who've stayed at home but for enjoyed substitute achieved.

  • RedKite
    RedKite Club Member Posts: 1,764
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    edited July 2018 #21832

    Great Photo Steve fond memories as it is my old home area a few years ago, the old bus 144 route used to be from Worcester to Malvern Wells terminus and the turning point is still there when we were there last year. There are some lovely walks on the hills and if you take the road through the Wyche Cutting and turn right this road will take you pass a big spring on your right and always folk filling up containers even Aquarolls also on this road you have the kettle sings restaurant/tea rooms with superb views over the local area. There is a good butcher in Hanley Swan village and a local shop/post office which sells small booklets on the history of the Blackmore Camp during the second world war very interesting my late mum used to date a American based at the camp.

    Enjoy the rest of your stay there. 

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,960
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    edited July 2018 #21833

    Busy weekend catching up with tasks, weather has been mixed. Had a fair amount of rain most of it overnight thankfully, some showers during the day on Sat/Sun, today has been much nicer and warmer again with sunny intervals and no rain. 

    Went into town today and dropped off OH's Passat at the dealership we are getting the Kuga from, pick up the new car on Thursday smile

    My car is having to go back to the garage where I had the A/C recharged as it appears to not be working properly, suspect a tiny leak as it did work fine for about a week or so after being done. Don't really want to be throwing money at it as its 8 years old (only 30,00 mls) thinking of changing it very soon so hope not an expensive fix.

    Couple of baskets of ironing waiting to be done so guess that's my night planned after we have had our evening meal frown

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,881
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    edited July 2018 #21834

    ADD - We stayed at Emblem Villa (No.1711). Not far from M5 and easy access to both Great Malvern and Upton-upon-Severn. Very good CL. Open all year as well.

    Lots of bits and pieces day today but it sure did pass quickly. Off tomorrow for a 3 nighter, then hope to get another 4 early next week.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2018 #21835

    We have had a lovely day with our friends who are both Barry born and bred and still live there,had an ice cream from Marco,s,

  • milliehull
    milliehull Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 4,863
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    edited July 2018 #21836

    The controversy isn't whether it is genuine Steve. Apparently it has been authenticated and is definitely genuine. The controversy is over ownership. His museum say it belongs to them and disappeared but the woman on Antiques Roadshow says it was given to her husband. It is worth a huge amount of money. I am sure it will be on the internet if you Google it.  

  • ADD46
    ADD46 Forum Participant Posts: 437
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    edited July 2018 #21837

    Thank you Wherenext. We're saving all your suggestions to sit down on Wednesday (day off) to have a planning meeting! 😄

  • HelenandTrevor
    HelenandTrevor Forum Participant Posts: 3,221
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    edited July 2018 #21838

    Just having a quick catch up, work today then we decided to treat ourselves to a meal out at our local pub, doesn't break the bank at £3.50 each! wink

    Glad you enjoyed you holiday Francis, it's surprising how many hills there are on the island.

    Sorry to hear about your friend EasyT , I'am sure your visit was very welcome.

    SteveL enjoyed reading about your days out, I also like the NT courgette,  lemon and Thyme cake smile

    ADD46 we've also stayed at Emblem Villa so can endorse Wherenext's suggestion, good luck with your planning. 

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 14,160
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    edited July 2018 #21839

    We like that one too, ADD46. But if you want the Malvern area try either The Willows, No1717 at Naunghton or Emblem Villa.No1711 at Earls Croome, both under Upton upon Severn.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 14,160
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    edited July 2018 #21840

    Walk along the Cotswold way today from Stanton, supposedly the most expensive village for houses in the Cotswold, up onto the ridge nearly to Broadway, and back via Burhill Iron age Hillfort, Bucklands and Laverton, out for nearly 4 hrs. Got caught in a shower as we were having lunch. 

    This is our last night at Pardon Hill before we head down to Greenacres CL at Bibury.

  • Goldie146
    Goldie146 Club Member Posts: 2,509
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    edited July 2018 #21841

    The rain won’t have made any long term difference yet, but it’s filled a spring fed field trough, and the grass is definitely greening up. 

    I made a huge pot of field mushroom soup yesterday, which OH loved (several helpings), but was too “mushroomy” for me. But it was free, organic and no food miles.

    This morning a reporter has been to talk to us about the weather, and our plans for winter forage. I think it may be on Farming Today on Radio 4 tomorrow.