End of 2007

Well this is the last blog for 2007 in 6 hours time we are off to the airport flying to Benidorm at 7am 25/12/07

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Mon & Brec Breach

The Mon & Brec Canal breach at Gilwern

Today we went to Abergavenny shopping and on the way home we stopped off at Gilwern where the Mon & Brec canal had a breach in November this year Photos here.

Weekend in Cheltenham

Friday 30th Nov

We left home around 11am for Cheltenham to spend the weekend with my cousin in Cheltenham. Its the Victoria Street Market festival in Worcester and we usually go every year.

We did the scenic route up through the Forest of Dean the weather was quite nice but most of the leaves have gone from the trees now. We arrived at 1pm. had a cuppa and a catch up on news although there wasn't much as we spent last weekend together in Bath. When Geoff came home from work we had our evening meal and a few drinks before bed.

Saturday 1st Dec

After a good cooked breakfast we went off to Worcester. We managed to get a space in the car park which was quite good. It was very crowded as usual but the atmosphere was good all the stalls through the streets and lots going on (forgot my camera again). We got back to Cheltenham around 3.30 and we had a lovely milky coffee with tia maria nice to.

We had a nice evening meal and a few drinks and the X factor.

Sunday 2nd

Had to leave Cheltenham early this morning 9.30am as Bernard's sister and brother in law was

celebrating their Golden Wedding anniversary and we were going to a hotel for lunch so we were home by 11am so it was bath and change and go of to their house where we were all meeting up.

the meal was planned for 2.30 which was very nice then back to their house for an evening buffet. Every thing was very nice and a good weekend was had.

HAPPY 50th Gwyneth & Cyril

A weekend in Bath

The caravan site
All photos taken with my mobile phone as I left my camera at home

The caravan Site
The river and weir Bath

The river Bath Centre

Bath Shopping centre

Friday 23/11/07

We loaded up the motor home and headed off over the Severn Bridge to Bath

Newton Park Caravan Site this was a Caravan Club Rally with the Gwent Centre.

We arrived there by 1.30pm. soon set up and had a cuppa and a sandwich then off for a walk around the site while we waited for my cousin Drena and hubby Geoff to arrive from Cheltenham.

Geoff managed to finish work early so they were on site by 3.30pm so another cuppa and a good natter and catch up on news.

I cooked the evening meal and a few drinks and it was time for bed.

Saturday 24/11/07

I did us a good cooked breakfast the we went off into Bath but it was spoilt by the cold. We managed to get some shopping done but headed back to the site earlier than normal because of the cold. We had some nice hot sandwiches and lovely coffee and brandy just to warm us up.

Drena and Geoff cooked the evening meal and a few drinks and X Factor saw a lovely evening and so to bed.

Sunday 25/11/07

After breakfast we went for a walk then back for coffee and mince pies and it was time to pack up and make our way back home. So it was goodbye to the cousin until next weekend when we are going to Cheltenham and stay with them for the Victorian Weekend in Worcestershire. We have been going to the /Victorian festival for the last 3 years but more about that next weekend.

So another lovely weekend

A week in Somerset and Devon

We have just spent a week in the west country in our new Ace motor home. First stop was just outside Taunton where we spent 3 night at an excellent site. the facilities were first class and the views and walks were great.

Then we went on down to a site at Newton Abbot Nr Paignton where we spent 2 nights This was a very nice site as well.We spent a day at Paignton and went to visit our friends Ann and John. We met them on a trip to Spain about 5 years ago and have kept in touch with each other ever since

We moved on back up to Burnham on Sea for our last 2 night which we booked in the Caravan Club Site there were some nice walks around there we walked the sand dunes to the sea on the Wednesday and Thursday

The 8 days we were away we had some lovely weather no rain at all amazing for November but we enjoyed it.

Happy Halloween

Just to wish every one a HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Sad news

Mon 22 to Sun 28th Oct 07
Some sad news my cousin died over the weekend at just 59 years old he had only been ill for 6 weeks. His mother and my mother are sisters. Quite sad when you have to bury your son.

Tuesday
We cleaned up mothers porch and layed some new cushion floor there so it all looks very nice now. She is due home later this evening around 8.30pm.
Problems on the plane they took off from Alicanti airport and half hour into the flight the engine caught fire the plane dropped its fuel and headed back to Alicanti airport. They were very lucky but had to wait for a new plane to be sent from Gatwick. They arrived back at 7.15am Wed.
Wednesday
Mother rather shattered after her ordeal but I took her over to see her sister. The funeral is Friday.
Thursday
Had to take the RV to the garage at Chepstow today as we have got a knock when we start up the engine. They found the problem and it will be sorted out some time next week as this is a new vehicle but they have said its not a problem.
Friday
Funeral today not very pleasant.
Sat & Sun
Not a lot doing this weekend the weather is quite bad rain and cold but we have booked up a site for a weeks holiday next Friday.

Whats happened this week

Monday 15th to Sunday 21st October 2007

This week we have been doing some decorating to mother's porch while she is away in Benidorm. As we didn't go up every day we were able to leave things without cleaning up each time which made things much easier

Tuesday Swimming first thing then we went to have our flu jabs and in the afternoon we had torrential rain which carried on right through the night so it was indoors time.

Wednesday woke up to a nice bright sunny day so much different to yesterday. A bit more painting done.

Friday Another beautiful day and time to take the RV out for the weekend this weekend was North Nibley Nr Stroud a lovely CL site overlooking the Severn Estuary and the Severn Crossing very nice we have been to this site several times. We arrived around 3.30pm. my cousin arrived at 4.45pm.

A beautiful sunset.

Saturday morning mist

Saturday afternoon we walked to the obelisk (see top of picture) and walked right up to the top and took this photo of the caravan site from the top of the obelisk

Walking to the top Geoff and Jack in the lead

Sunday Morning in the Apple orchard the farmer said we could help our selves to the apples so we had a nice bag of cooking apples

Jack enjoying the sunshine

We arrived home at 2.30 emptied and cleaned the RV then took it back down to the farm until next week when we will be going out again

Away for the Weekend

Friday 12th Oct 07

Went swimming 9 to 10am came home had a cuppa got ready and went to get the RV brought it outside home loaded our things in and off we went to the forest of Dean a lovely Caravan Club CL we are regulars there we have been going for some 15years we like the peace and tranquility of it. The site is adjacent to many Forest walks.

We arrived at 12.45pm settled it and waited for my cousin to arrive they come from Cheltenham so this site is sort of half way each. They arrived about 5pm with their caravan once they were settled in we had a nice meal together and a few drinks catching up on all the news. And so to bed in this new and strange RV

Sat 13th Oct 07

not a good night things are so different to the caravan and Jack the dog didn't settle at all I was out in the field with him at 3am Oh never mind things will get better.

After breakfast we went for a walk to Mallards Pike Lake

We got back to the site and had a bit of lunch then me and my cousin and the dogs went for a nice long walk in the Forest close to the site

After a nice meal together and a few drinks we watched the World Cup Rugby of TV the cousin was pleased because England Won we differ over the rugby as we are WELSH.

And so to bed

Sun 14th Oct 07

A much better night settled down quite well even Jack slept all night after breakfast I took Jack into the forest for a walk.

When we got back we went to pay our site fees then packed up our RV said our farewells to my cousin until next week and made our way home. On arrival we emptied out the RV then took it back to the farm where we keep it on TAC.

Nice quiet week.

Mon 8th Oct 07
Had to got to the doctors this morning to have a blood test to check on these new statins I am taking. Back home quick sandwich for lunch and up to the hospital for Bernards appointment.

Tue 9th Oct 07
This morning mothers is flying to Benidorm for 2 weeks she is going with the dancing club there's about 40 of them going so I picked her up at 10am then went to pick her sister up and took them to a pick up point where there was a coach to take them to the airport.
We sorted some more things out that we need to go into the RV.

Wed 10th Oct 07
Went swimming this morning when I got back we had a trip to Makro this is a very large super store sells everything there went to have a look at the 12volt TV's but it was a 10in screen and to small so no good

Thurs 11th Oct 07
Went swimming this morning when I got back we went to the RV to put all our things in ready for the off tomorrow after swimming.
Gareth & Katie came for dinner after school today

Quiet Weekend

Sat 6th Oct 2007

Today we stayed at home as my cousin was coming down from Cheltenham with their friends who are interested in buying our caravan. They arrived about 1.15pm so after a cuppa and a bite to eat we showed them the caravan they fell for it straight away and the deal was done.
They left for home around 3.30.
Richard and Lynda (son & Daughter in law) came over next to have a look around the RV we showed them around it and they were well impressed we had a drink with them and they went off and we had a quiet even watching the x factor.

Sun 7th Oct 2007
Today after we sorted things out we went down to Mendip caravans in Newport where we bought the RV to buy two nice new folding chairs as the ones we had in the caravan didn't fold so they would be too bulky to carry.
Bernard watched the Rugby and I prepared dinner after the rugby finished Bern went up to collect my mother we had dinner together and I took her back home.
Now watching the X factor

Picking up the New RV

Thursday 4th Oct 2007
We picked up our new Motor Home from Mendip Caravans in Newport we had to be there by 10am for the handover which took approx 1 hour to show us how everything works.
When we got it back home I picked up my mother and brought her down to have a look she thought it was wonderful. We put some things into it which we had taken from the boat and from the caravan. Still got a lot of stuff to go to the charity shop.
Friday 5th Oct 2007
Went swimming first thing then took mother shopping then we got the RV from the compound and did a bit of work on it like a fire extinguisher and loading the usual things into it ready for the off.
We have booked a weekend away next Friday to Sun 12th to 13th Oct in the Forest of Dean one of our regular haunts we have been going there for some 20 years. We are friends with the owners of the site and the walks and views are wonderful.

Airport Pickup

Today we picked up Richard son and Lynda daughter in law from Cardiff Wales Airport after their holiday in Grease.
I made a curry and they all come back for a meal
They took Ellie the yorkshire terrier and ZAK the big german shepard back home with them. Jack is now left on his home so perhaps he will miss them tonight.

Quiet Weekend

Well we had a weekend sorting out the things from the caravan and what we brought home from the boat and what we needed to go back into the motor home the charity shop can have the rest. Then it was cleaning inside the caravan and washing and polishing the outside of the caravan it looks great now. Monday I went swimming then shopping and today Tuesday I had to go and have screening on my eyes since I have been diagnosed with diabetes every year you have to have a diabetic review which includes this screening which is taking photos of the back of your eyes to check every thing is OK.
We have had a phone call from Mendip Caravans the Motor Home will be ready to be picked up on Thursday morning. Couldn't pick it up tomorrow Wednesday as Richard and Lynda are returning from Grease and we are picking them up from Cardiff Airport around 3pm
Zak and Ellie will go back home tomorrow so Jack will be on his own again

28th Sept 07

Went swimming this morning when I got back the post had arrived and the Insurance for the motor home had come so we went down to Mendip Caravans with the insurance so they can tax it ready for the 1st Oct. While I was there I took some photos

Back home we started emptying our caravan as we have some one interested in it what a task all the boat stuff now all the caravan stuff good job we got a big house. Sorting boat and caravan stuff to now put into motor home and the charity shop can have the rest.

25th 26th 27th Sept 07

Tuesday 25th Sept 07
Today we were up and on the road by 8am on our way to Whilton Marina to sign the boat over and pick up the cheque. We arrived by 11am and all paperwork done and cheque handed over by 11.15 saw us on our way back home. We had torrential rain on our way back when we were on the M5. arrived back home and went to the bank to deposit the cheque. we were back at home by 4.15pm
Tonight early hours 1.30am we are taking Lynda & Richard Son and daughter in law to Cardiff airport they are going to Greece for a week and we are looking after their two dogs Ellie a Yorkshire Terrier and Zak a German Shepard. This done we got into bed around 3.30am.

Wednesday 26th Sept 07
No swimming this morning got up to late. Went to Mendip Caravan Centre this morning to only LOOK at motor homes and ended up buying one got a beautiful ACE Firenze motorhome just 6 months old with all the extras like Awning. reversing camera, 12volt microwave, and walnut trim beautiful so put a deposit on it and it will be registered on 1st Oct so we will have it some time next week

Thursday 27th Sept 07
Swimming today then took mother shopping had a call from the Hosp to go and collect a prescription for Bern then mother came down for dinner after that we had a quiet evening and so to bed

Sunday 23rd & Monday 24th Sept 07

Sunday 23rd Sept 07
Quiet day today pottered around finding places for all the stuff we brought from the boat, Mother came down for dinner and we had a quiet evening.

Monday 24th Sept 07
Went swimming in the morning and a general clean up around the house rest of the day

Friday 21st Sat 22nd Sept.07

Friday 21 Sept 07

Today is our grand daughter Katie's Birthday she is 12.

Happy birthday Katie

Today saw us cleaning the boat Bern & Cliff washed and polished the outside and touched up all the paintwork while Pam and myself gave the inside a good clean. Then it was showers at the marina block and we were picked up by Bill Pam's nephew at 5.30 and taken to his home where we met up with Yvonne Bill's wife and Morse the German Shepard puppy. We had drinks and then went off to a rather large hotel for a very nice meal then back to Bill's home for more drinks then we were taken back to the boat where we had a nice cup of coffee then bed.

Saturday 22nd Sept 07

After breakfast we packed all our belongings and Bill came to pick us up at 9.45 to take us back to Barton Turns to pick up our car we loaded up his car and headed for BT

We arrived back home by 3.30pm.

The Last Cruise on Madasa-Soles

The new Waterfront pub at Barton Turns Marina

Monday 17th Sept 07

Left home for Barton Turns Marina for the last cruise on our narrowboat Madasa-Soles. We are taking it to Whilton Marina to be sold. It is with regret but health wise we need to do it. Bernard had a stroke 2 years ago although he made a full recovery he gets his bad days and the journey from home to the moorings take at least two and a half hours up the M5 then M42 and A38. and we are finding it quite taxing.

2pm we left the marina had a good run up through Fradley all 7 locks were with us then onto the coventry canal through the swing bridge and moored at the Plough Inn bridge 84 at 5.45.

Tuesday 18th Sept 07

Left the plough moorings at 8.30 and on to the two Glascote locks where we were held up for an hour and a half once we got going we reached the top of the Atherstone flight by 5pm we moored at the top and had a nice fish and chip supper from the local chippy.

13 locks today.

Atherstone Locks

Atherstone Top Lock

Wednesday 19th Sept 07

Left Atherstone top at 8.30 carried onto Hawkesbury Jctn

The engine house at Hawkesbury Jctn

Through the stop Lock and onto the North Oxford canal and stopped at the Tesco Mooring bridge 58 Rugby at 5.30.

Thursday 20th September 07

Left Rugby bridge 58 at 8.30am

Carried on down the North Oxford canal to Braunston through the 6 broad locks which we shared with two very nice gentlemen on Nb Ken and Taffy(the dog) on through the braunston tunnell

We turned right at the junction of the Grand Union canal towards Whilton and down 7 more broad lock which we shared with 3 lads who just didn't have a clue or was that convenient on their part

We arrived at Whilton Marina at 4.30pm