Snowdrops are here

Today we took a trip to the lovely quaint village of Malmesbury in Wiltshire as we had a parcel to deliver. The parcel was going into a container bound for Australia.

The weather was beautiful  lovely blue skies so we took a flask and sandwiches and Jack the dog and left home at 10am all the main rush traffic had gone from the M4 so we had a good run and had delivered the parcel by 11.15am. We then went back to the very lovely village and Abby grounds

Malmesbury Abby

The centre piece of the village

And Snowdrops everywhere.

A lovely trip out and a must go back to place next time with the motorhome

5 Days away at Warners Leisure Camp Hayling Island

Monday 2nd Feb 09 Bernard's Birthday at 9am  in a snowstorm we set off on a coach holiday to Warners Leisure Complex (Holiday  Camp)  at Hayling Island. The weather was pretty good until we got to the Newbury Services where the snow was quite thick but the motorways were kept quite clear and we arrived at the camp around 1.30. and there was no snow there at all quite surprising really as when I phoned home they had had quite a fall of snow but then that's no surprise as we always have our fair share of snow in the South Wales Valleys'.

Tuesday 3rd we woke to a good fall of snow and the coaches were unable to take us out on our planned day trips.

 

The view from our chalet

A view of our chalet its the one on the end.

After breakfast we went for a walk around the camp.

The marina

The lake

The wildlife around the camp was excellent but I couldn't catch them all

Wednesday 4th  the snow had all gone so we had a  trip to Chichester  which was very nice then back to the camp we used the swimming pool and sauna and steam room.

Thursday 5th we had a trip to Portsmouth which was also very nice.

There was entertainment all day if you wanted to join in a beautiful ballroom with dancing lessons,  indoor bowls but more for the professionals, a full gym, Pool room, and swimming pool Sauna & Steam room to name but a few of the daytime entertainments.

The evening evening entertainment was just superb dancers, singers, and comedians along with ballroom dancing.

Pam & Cliff our friends who we go on our trips with

Friday 6th time to pack up and leave. we were all on the coach for a 10am start. We got off on time no snow in Portsmouth had a good run up to Newbury where we hit the snow again but the motorways were clear enough. We stopped at the services for our drivers rest then on toward South Wales via the severn bridge which was closed due to ice on the gantry falling down onto the vehicles we were caught in a queue for an hour and was then diverted back down to the M5 and up through Gloucester and so we didn't arrive home until 5.30. so it was quite a long day but never the less we had a great time 

5 Days away in Dorset

Monday 12th Jan 2009 we set off for a 5 days away coach holiday in Sherborne  Dorset. with our friends Pam & Cliff. We arrived at the Sherborne Hotel at 2pm and was more than surprised at the hotel and rooms for the price we paid £89 per person for 5 days we were soon settled in and making the most of everything.The evening meal was very nice no entertainment so we had drinks and chats.

Tuesday was a day trip to Salisbury and a very enjoyable time in Wetherspoons.  Back to the hotel to get ready for the evening meal and entertainment at the hotel which was VERY GOOD.

Wednesday a day trip to Dorchester and the market. On the way we passed the Cerne Abbas Fertility giant I managed to take this photo through the coach window as we passed by.

Once in Dorchester  guess what we found a Wetherspoons they do a lovely coffee and of course we had our hip flasks with us.Then back to the hotel for our evening meal and entertainment. The evening meal was a carvery which was excellent the chef was in the dining room carving the meat beef and lamb and there was all the accompanying veg and sauces. The entertainment was very good as well.

Thursday was a day trip to Weymouth now today the weather changed to cold and windy  so we walked through the shops and down to the bridge and as you can see a Wetherspoons was on the cards.

 

 

 

 

 

So back to the hotel and a relaxing time before the evening meal and entertainment.

The evening meal was again excellent but the entertainment!!! only “Les Dawson” could describe it. He played and sang out of key we couldn’t stick it so retired to our room for drinks and our own chats which was much more entertaining.

Friday saw us on our way home stopping off at Burnam on Sea for lunch and guess where we stopped YES Whetherspoons.  We arrived home 4pm and a great 5 days was had by all.

17th Jan 09

Keira our baby grand daughter came to visit and decide our fridge was quite tasty. Here she is with Jack our dog.

She can walk quite a few steps on her own now

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

our

Christmas 2008/New Year 2009

We spent Christmas and New Year at home this year and it was a very quiet time (unlike Benidorm last year). We have spent the last six years away with our friends.

Christmas eve we went to Tracy's house for a buffet tea which was very nice then we came back home with my Mother she stayed with us until Sunday.

Our baby grand daughter Keira dressed the part

She is an absolute darling. Nearly 10 months old now.

Christmas morning we went back to Tracy's home to see what father Christmas had brought for the baby and Gareth & Katie such a lot of things they had.

Keira fell asleep waiting for her dinner

Back home we sorted our dinner out and  at 12oclock Bernard went to pick up Richard Lynda Christina and Luke and bring them over to us  We had a lovely dinner together. Didn't get any photos on Christmas day.  Should have though as the Children are growing up fast. Christina 16 and Luke 13.

Around 4.30 Bernard took them back home and we settled down to a quiet evening with the TV.

Boxing day Tracy Nigel Gareth Katie and Keira came to us for dinner.

Now we believe in starting them young

My first Newcastle Brown

We had a lovely dinner together  and Keira was awake for it as well.

New Years eve we went to our friends house to celebrate as we have spent many years with them.

New years day we picked my mother up and we went to Tracy's for dinner and very nice it was to. Had a relaxing  evening.

Just a few more photos of our baby as its hard to get the older ones Gareth 17 & Katie 13 on  camera.

She is quite good with this walker . Her dad in the background

It was so cold here today  the pump on the fish pond splashed up all these icicles

A Coach Holiday to Ostend December 2008

Monday 1st Dec 2008 we were up at the crack of dawn for our 5 day Turkey & Tinsel coach holiday to Ostend. The taxi picked us up 5.50am and took us to the services to pick up the main coach for the trip. We had a good run down to Dover and a very smooth crossing to Calais. Then on another hour and half we were in our Hotel the Admiral in the centre of Ostend and just around the corner from the beach.

Tuesday after breakfast we had a full day trip to Bruges

Some of the photos in Bruges

The horse and traps were quite spectacular 

Winter Wonderland and the Ice Rink and all the little Christmas market stalls in Bruges

No one skating

The canal system in Bruges

 

Wednesday 3rd Dec a trip into Sluis  in Holland and back to Blankenburge in Belgium

 

Wednesday night we walked around Ostends Winter Wonderland

Night views of the Ice rink

Thursday 4th Dec no coach trips today  we had free time in Ostend so we walked around the shops and Christmas markets and the usual market and a daytime look at the Ice rink again and actually got s pics of some skaters

We found a lovely restaurant  and had the local Mussels Cliff getting tucked in

As you can see by this photo Bernard had eggs and chips

Some Photos of the hotel

Pam & Cliff

And another good holiday was had by all

MERRY CHRISTMAS