23rd May to 12th Aug 08
Haaaappppy! UK p l e a s u r e amongst honorable friends and deep, loving family.
Two trips to London to visit Paul and T taking in, on the first excursion, memorable visits to the Orange Tree, Alexander Palace (Ice Rink), and a Polish oriented Fish and Chip diner at the Southern end of Finchley High Street for healthy portions of both that the skaters deserved much more than the spectators! And, on the second excursion, leisurely visits to a High Street pub, Tesco’s and The Flat for a post beer, home grown, sleep inducing curry.
A visit to Portsmouth over a wet, windy and then sunny weekend for special time with Rachel
A Rach and Stu chaperoned introduction to the Wii Fit at a unique dinner evening presented by Mark and Hanna at their house in the Old Town.
Four meetings with Solicitors and FA’s between Drakes Way and The Holiday Inn
A Stroud exploration day kicked off with a visit to the Noahs Ark ‘avant garde’ bike shop, thereafter taking in such Stroud hotspots as the Greyhound and Subway topped off with a walk over Birdlip Hill all in the effervescent company of Rach and Stu
Numerous bike ride Monday evenings scouring the remainder of pub life in and around Swindon under the amicable guidance of Dave P
Salad starter? You bet! Mother Son and Daughter in cascade just leave enough room for a maincourse and still manage to squeeze in a sweet on a wet Saturday night at the Grove
A family day at Lydiard on what must have been the most glorious day during my whole stay there.. good food, good fun, family and sun.
A barbeque evening, followed by a thumping rugby morning at a little cottage near Cirencester courtesy of the Good Family.
Two further evenings of walk talk and beer with one half of the Good family including on one occaision, former employer staff of the newer generation.
One of those evenings was followed with an impromptu trip to Portsmouth for lunchtime beer, fish and chips in the C air.
A value beer night out culminating in dinner at The Rendezvous courtesy of a former employer with Richard P
Fun hours aided and abetted by the patient and resourceful Mr John Lane rebuilding the software on my computer after the hard disk failed
A barbeque evening in the garden of Eastern with our woollens, wine, a happy daughter and her man
A duck watching, wine drinking and pizza consuming evening at the abode of the ever friendly couple, Claire and Nathan
Numerous squash games with Stu, Mark and Richard B marked indelibly by my improving game and disapproving knee(s)
A memorable evening visit to Mr Bull’s residence, complemented sumptuously by a quality dinner at the nearby Butchers Arms at Sheepscombe, with a relaxed, harmonious and frequently humorous following day at a country auction and a shop tour of Cheltenham that took in a future toy shop!
Gardening, comprising principally of lawn care in Beckhampton and Eastern Gardens
Bicycle rides to Coate and beyond in relatively successful attempts to satisfy an inner desire for Mountain Bike exposure with Stu
A pleasurable re connection with Ian ‘Bud’ Badham exploring lap top capabilites and pub dimensions
Meals, wine evenings, walks into town and life, washing machine and slow cooker discussions with my dear Mother
A simply idyllic visit to the picturesque county of Suffolk and it’s seaside towns at the hands of the inimitable Richard B and his dear wife Vicky with Ellouise and Charles representing the new generation
A country bus ride to Bath to take in Sarah’s perception of the city and cast a discerning eye over her posh shared abode..cooo!
Three visits to Molly who redefines the term mentally agile!
Numerous brolly donning jaunts to local establishments such as Rudi’s, The Grove and The Merlin to make liquid quality comparisons at the bequest of an endlessly energetic daughter
A musically fluid evening courtesy of the Vic and a band that ‘covered’ the 70’s and 80’s the star of which had to be the drummer who beat a rythm around the whole room on everything from beer pumps to spirit bottles..Stu decides to take guitar lessons..did you Stu?
A birthday carvery Sunday lunch… Smiley photos, beer and Yorkshire puddings hit the right spots
Chippenham travellers arriving casually at the weekends to do ‘tea’ with, on one occaision a joyous neice bearing news of forthcoming marine travel
A final evening of beer and curry enjoyed by a family oriented trio who have no reluctance in eating and drinking for pleasure!
Down The Road 