tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86291480799679922962024-03-12T22:48:27.760+00:00(Get Your) Legs Down Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comBlogger359125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-12779618717203350402022-03-19T15:13:00.000+00:002022-03-21T13:17:28.741+00:00London February 2022<p align="center"><strong>Crystal Palace CAMC | 5 nights | Pitch 42 | 60.2 miles @ 26.6 mpg</strong></p> <p align="justify">Rosie’s last tow to ‘the Palace’ wasn’t an easy one. Roadworks on the A27 and on the A23 through Coulsdon made for a headache inducing journey that took around 35 minutes longer than usual. Despite said skull ache I reversed Patsy onto the pitch getting her square but slightly overlapping the peg. I might have got away with it but decided to have another go, eventually deploying the motor mover when the whole manoeuvre went tits up and the faint but unmistakeable smell of eau de clutch started emanating from under Rosie’s bonnet. Having set up the basics I headed back down the hill to collect Sandra from Streatham Common station. On returning tea, biscuits and paracetamol were consumed before a much needed and restorative nap.</p> <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1CbMt3oC5waLvqJKTosHYX-lJeFbYaYP1"><img width="358" height="203" title="20220212_104627" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220212_104627" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1kfvjxAHYNHbxrjmPQjlLo1KXbJurxB4H" border="0"></a> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1WLHICLdbQ26HXW28IF_cMtJSIuPa-HzM"><img width="358" height="203" title="20220212_151230" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220212_151230" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1zlK3lbk2D9RS238TfAwIDsJlu6llNy6R" border="0"></a></p><p>We headed south on the first night to see Hairspray in Bromley. I’d heard of it but needed Google to brush up on the story prior. We took the car rather than a couple of buses to save mucking about. Very enjoyable and took me back to my days follow spotting for local amateur dramatic groups in and around Cambridge. A relatively modern theatre with plenty of leg room too.</p> <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1fE53S1o66AsSu3nsiCV-LlYsBm97JOTz"><img width="350" height="200" title="20220212_193021" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220212_193021" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13TVM2LnrotnBsOV0QvwBxIFlbkUmzgS8" border="0"></a> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1kRbf4DBXm56tirpEcWXmo-EMij-IP4bn"><img width="350" height="200" title="20220212_193025" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220212_193025" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=16GBbM5xB-9j1Zw6Vt92KkSKHL-1K2a_F" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1CWYNThkZgUsH0dR_WjUN9McEOK4gEJJ0"><img width="350" height="200" title="20220212_205504" style="margin: 15px auto 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220212_205504" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jhD4u47idqvWGpDTL49hR0nLGZrURjKu" border="0"></a></p> <p>Sunday lunch was at Westow House in the Crystal Palace triangle followed by a snooze back at Patsy as the rain arrived. </p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_wNWT_f-5aKvEnJQ25VdTcPMI4Og3Ug-"><img width="358" height="203" title="20220213_114815" style="margin: 0px auto 15px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220213_114815" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1UyEL8x5tyQmVK8R48hL8Tj4OsAltNF5k" border="0"></a></p> <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1uxbH2ATjVJrlHNPLumigS9u4cvlsmGa2"><img width="358" height="203" title="20220213_122053" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220213_122053" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1CMQf-A_TAeY6Br9MqVAUf8JLoZ8o27qc" border="0"></a><p>Saturday (Sunday) Night Fever. A different production to the one I saw in the West End some 25 years ago and in some ways better, having the ‘Bee Gee’s on stage, suitably attired in 70’s garb singing some of the numbers. Superb.</p> <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12u0w7Umay8M_9_rD3cRGu9BBZtU0av4n"><img width="358" height="203" title="20220213_175146" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220213_175146" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1R-zdiX8lS1rH9n-jXKbuEOHaB-JOFfR-" border="0"></a> <ul><li>Public transport used: Bus 227 to Crystal Palace triangle, Bus 122 back to site, Buses 363, 59 & 3. Capped at £4.65</li></ul><p>Monday and accompanying Sandra to Euston for her journey home meant I was just a short bus ride away from Camden – always an enjoyable mooch.</p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1nOvqkhOSSr5ySGhqL8guyS7tqg6wydi1"><img width="358" height="203" title="20220214_111126" style="margin: 0px auto 15px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220214_111126" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QQy3x6pQp-CaRNKm7jGW-XMzsg7XJjNd" border="0"></a></p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1E0SwFNf1lID8nYp7uOs5WppcuhHwkK2b"><img width="358" height="203" title="20220214_112942" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220214_112942" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1U-5oUPYAeYUu_-UhDZMvszJVpXj9rAGw" border="0"></a><p>A short walk, but an even shorter bus ride brought me to St Pancras Gardens then under the tracks and across the water to Granary Square and the redevelopment behind Kings Cross railway station.</p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1xGH3yg7ox3XH2Fe665HGwZxI-UFJxlqI"><img width="358" height="203" title="20220214_122311" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220214_122311" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_JD-evu_EeoWpalSs3DvCuO8bcHN9csK" border="0"></a> <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1y5fUQ1Ti61H-EgjQeyxL90NcFnHx9Zb3"><img width="358" height="203" title="20220214_123417" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220214_123417" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1fz8m9v_xDfRpKsM1FY_TxpVGokyKkWA3" border="0"></a><p>Aching feet thanks to new boots being run in coupled with the arrival of rain suggested that sightseeing was over for the day. I headed for the tube and thence a pint in one of my favourite London Boozers, The Lyric.</p><p>Rain was promised and duly delivered on Wednesday but not wanting to waste precious time staying in the ‘van a cultural day of museum mooching was planned. First up was Tate Britain:<a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Q2hS03DA9F_S4FOxPdmHorBxT9wwu3ei"><img width="446" height="205" title="20220215_112448" style="margin: 15px auto 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220215_112448" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HCFQb8y-NmNY2dJTLLdVCyYMnxF_jNIf" border="0"></a></p><p><img width="358" height="203" title="20220215_112045" style="margin: 15px auto 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220215_112045" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1k0BSI8Jl3h1jl2Pc48gd4n-ojUU_4RLo" border="0"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=155MgZw2FJdt-BeCFIoWa03YKqXTRL5DA"><img width="358" height="203" title="20220215_111127" style="margin: 15px auto 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220215_111127" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1n6-vIbCpkH8pFqxs5NL-4R0NQMEMYMAW" border="0"></a></p><p>Two buses later – and with an unusually long wait for the second at Trafalgar Square - was Kensington and the Design Museum:<br> </p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1SvE_hFFyAw38BDMV74_qNhwEtVBG2Ila"><img width="358" height="203" title="20220215_131908" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220215_131908" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18XXjNEKxYnhP7dCTH4nP8niMpJq0E4Lk" border="0"></a></p><p> <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13gVyxQdJFOo0bZeP1PLG9hcXA8jsTKkJ"><img width="358" height="203" title="20220215_132010" style="margin: 15px auto 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220215_132010" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=15dfuKLr6I_rUCsmnbLHfK7lzMxOR8wGa" border="0"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1uIZNzfywHhAEs1GzGkIhyHLvEEa6gpGY"><img width="358" height="203" title="20220215_132126" style="margin: 15px auto 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220215_132126" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1nlzln9x2x5nBcK-7BRbW-qka3PTKxPXJ" border="0"></a></a></p><p align="justify">First item on the agenda Wednesday was to head to reception to amend my booking. The announcement of not one but two weather warnings for high winds and rain meant that departing Sunday as planned was out of the question. Friday was looking dodgy too but there remained a window on Saturday morning where the winds near and on the coast would be safe enough to tow in.</p><p>Sightseeing wise Victoria Embankment Gardens were first, a pleasant little oasis:</p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1hee87PVTB8Cq6xnuL1072WyoDtn2rlkw"><img width="358" height="203" title="20220216_110308" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220216_110308" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Nfq7BaHDn7s7bE0yHsIJlwtl8Yc_soDu" border="0"></a><p>A short walk away was the Savoy Chapel nestled by the hotel. The first church in Britain to have electric lights it is, unusually aligned north/south rather than the usual east/west. </p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1AJqK93ncK8jf7Xlm1k16bGYK4B_vgzDt"><img width="315" height="179" title="20220216_112700" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220216_112700" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=16P_OMeZmKS7X4ssrlRDlDMJNP_P3kbYb" border="0"></a> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1xo8Go2U2N-YATq2YsplWR2BYTV_tTXg8"><img width="315" height="179" title="20220216_113247" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220216_113247" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1xLtM9RPaTE3j0zcuPqUPlqFR1prTBXBN" border="0"></a></p><p>A pleasant saunter through some quiet back streets brought me to the London Silver Vaults, off Chancery Lane. Down two flights of stairs, past a security guard there are 30 or so vaults with thick iron doors where dealers display their wares. Said to be the largest collection of antique silver in the world there were some stunning items, some quite garish, as well as the more usual trinkets, cutlery and so on. Photography was strictly prohibited and with security cameras everywhere I wasn’t about to risk a sneaky photo or two. Originally a safe deposit store since 1876, the vaults opened as shops in 1953. Well worth a look, even if you don’t intend to purchase.</p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1R-i5V_eVWse67YbSMt_2EjdotapWQWr0"><img width="145" height="254" title="20220216_120012" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220216_120012" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MQyyLH6vZzenmuyU-W_Yq8uYP_9mCeB3" border="0"></a> <p align="justify">On the way to my next stop I was stopped by a young Japanese lady who complemented me on my attire, even going so far as to say I’d made her day! She asked if I was an artist. Ahem. I concluded very quickly that the term p!$$ artist might not translate as intended so simply said no. Very nice of her to make the effort though.</p><p align="justify">Ironically my next destination was a er pub. A friend of a friend had recommended it, calling it one of London’s hidden gems, located in an alley way just off Hatton Garden. And so it proved. What a delightful little boozer it was and the pint of porter was superb. It was even warm enough to sit outside although it looked very cosy inside too.</p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GKf29jUYR6w_83hWHfPmOwk72WyOeXtN"><img width="117" height="205" title="20220216_121514" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220216_121514" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1NN7m3odWTXsdHI1xROljJKZP2dS1xwPt" border="0"></a> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1N0XD3MzKwZbZB1gBkRQpoCYqixc5e46A"><img width="117" height="205" title="20220216_121529" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220216_121529" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=16PDyY8bQDOjbsMYv-SJ6XolvMJZStS-o" border="0"></a></p><p>The rain arrived again so I decided it was time to return for a cosy afternoon in Patsy. Vague notions of starting this blog post were soon halted when, on hitting the power button, my laptop had a wobbly and threw up an error, steadfastly refusing to boot up.</p><p align="justify">Thursday morning and after an early morning cuppa I checked the laptop again and it started just fine – or so I thought. The trackpad was working fine but the keyboard was completely inoperative. I shut it off and returned to bed with a cuppa to to check the weather.</p><p align="justify">The forecast was not good – the window on Saturday when I planned to go home had all but closed. Friday and Sunday were still out. Reluctantly I decided it was time to go. I set about breaking camp, trudging up to reception as soon as they opened to get a refund on my remaining nights.</p><p align="justify">The journey back home went well, the roadworks at Coulsdon not proving as obstructive as for the journey up five days before. It got noticeably windier as we got closer to the south coast but not dangerously so and Patsy was back in her resting place before lunchtime.</p><p align="justify">And that was Rosie’s last tow – with Patsy and I anyway. I had decided after Christmas that the time had come to change and friend, caravanner and motor dealer Simon offered to help source another car. That car arrived whilst I was away and I collected it the following Monday – a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe – a car popular amongst caravanners for it’s weight and power. I’ve had a test tow with it – just up the A27 for a bit - and the increase in power was obvious. In just under a week ( at the time of typing) I embark on my next trip where Hetty (that’s the new car) will be put through her paces.</p><p align="justify">Rosie has been a fab tow car. It’s no secret that I wasn’t keen when we first bought her. But she proved to be extremely comfortable, practical and very reliable. She’s taken us to many parts of Britain, across to Ireland and France and has helped make many memories. </p><p align="justify">Cheers Rosie, thanks for everything.</p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1cjg46JVa3aUH_itkRpCnc0D_3wVzlrsf"><img width="358" height="203" title="20220217_122932" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220217_122932" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MTsah9vZ56RRCrgLbmksYmjlHM6i1ZhZ" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HW-ed5f0mNA84v8NnDUcE718vzD76UEK"><img width="358" height="203" title="IMG-20220227-WA0000" style="margin: 15px auto 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="IMG-20220227-WA0000" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ZqBQUJ95Kuc9VcuRu1sYOi56WYpbVghL" border="0"></a></p><p><br> </p><p><br></p> <p align="left"><br></p> <p align="left"><br></p> <p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p> <p><br></p> <p><br></p> <p align="left"><br></p> <p><br></p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1IKBaoasMdomGAqAqlBgVL5fmslfFmfdU"><br></a></p>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-73098770939085107982022-02-26T15:20:00.000+00:002022-02-26T15:20:50.768+00:00Christmas 2021 Getaway<p align="center"><strong>Stop 1 | Cambridge CAMC | 5 nights | Pitch 56 | 128miles @ 25mpg</strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1C_S_ZM8NJGggIoXD4sHgEHq6bExrf4k_"><img title="20211217_103344" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211217_103344" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tNQsN2j7atv-M0xsUbg4OCbOOYGtncxs" width="252" height="144" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1JWfbITD9STEF75HMJLZuc959Sl0PVLRN"><img title="20211217_135733" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211217_135733" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1lW7lkd86nPkd-w-O_Tm_VlYvfOG0ihaL" width="252" height="144" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1hbNDwjA9Gb19lL4NlgPgkxq73LOEuZFr"><img title="20211217_211923" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211217_211923" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1__-_CqQzASj8kTOSWLDSq8xz80hG5cOE" width="252" height="144" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1saRs7MXXuSwEGmzKlBTbvsaGOzC7xfVd"><img title="20211217_181452" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211217_181452" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1m7TRlxx2a7rT_EpZcntnf8jvu5sKVwAi" width="423" height="240" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18QEukpXtGUq9fBP6EJv4yUIqdK6UiWHn"><img title="20211218_111439" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211218_111439" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ulOCqdSlsu4qczUvUUISk-xMAhZUMNcT" width="136" height="240" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1wJnlq8ahBoLGmp2CQwJk0jN0UGtV13ce"><img title="20211219_195858" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211219_195858" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1T6BHb83_WFnBzeU-xvWUtPaG55br6tHo" width="136" height="240" /></a></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>Ickworth National Trust</strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18OQfwLTpS1uQzllB1aavS2zqbbnoKe6Q"><img title="20211220_113336" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211220_113336" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12Lf6E1gJxf2O3LBaxqLgq7POiSeAjsUL" width="354" height="201" /></a></strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1YY0woJvOtTuxBm7_g-Ke3zYvoSmrli44"><img title="20211220_104628" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211220_104628" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=182CiL5waOmEj3Vmg8gEzU2Da_65RTBTZ" width="354" height="201" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-enw65c0fqcrVLIxiOBk2MVNULIVdigf"><img title="20211220_110414" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211220_110414" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Fm_NnJdrTO-22zVEyH5rn4xqMeLDGWiX" width="354" height="201" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1NXGs51EnjZiBs4zcyiHdekpe2_6kqfK3"><img title="20211220_110705" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211220_110705" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1aQ-1WnYWWaYMuSAOiwYlQ56keVFwWW51" width="354" height="201" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tewsNrEyfRYHcl6X9QF-gBc8r9xHVFjN"><img title="20211220_110858" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211220_110858" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QGJS-MlUxZnccsuqcF9GOJkhUDskvVJc" width="354" height="201" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1AoEWhe4oBo6e0RqeehQxgS5NWHDl8fE2"><img title="20211220_110916" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211220_110916" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1u8yeGeejVjuiDcgTByIwfmapkjFTHUuF" width="354" height="201" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1BLIhaqLN1Fu67bqbzc1cCvnHG3bsT3kS"><img title="20211220_114225" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211220_114225" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18XyLooVQ734Q4xA6PXtfGe1-cYAi6dqR" width="354" height="201" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Z2v-lMstjbKhXCyHWW5Oqi_sOf1WqrpF"><img title="20211220_122119" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211220_122119" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1PInmaB2oIsdwYS06iSu1bHNbgF-DeRZK" width="354" height="201" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1bOE5_kq-JRAueivNrf4kzR3eD4ZsAJUP"><img title="20211220_120747" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211220_120747" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1XmcWLPTnLDB5BE370N5oHwcclyIOc4uP" width="354" height="201" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1UDa-p1P720vnXPKpK4GJagHHj2186q7q"><img title="20211220_114441" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211220_114441" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12t_k8QQ43M_rQ7hQIHBP6GVbK06u4WRY" width="354" height="201" /></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>Stop 2 | Fields End Water nr Doddington, Cambs | 7 nights | 38.2miles @ 24.7mpg</strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1nl0h7S02SAX7uHnfXsvphVK4gKE3-wWs"><img title="20211222_131040" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211222_131040" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1fZ23Ir1eHRPcPvQ_2rkC4SfZaWcbGdfR" width="254" height="145" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1AWId_JIgyGatFg2AEorPo5rw6KdoZMn7"><img title="20211222_131043" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211222_131043" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1WLcsC4s82iKUKPRZqxOdFx-yVmTe6bFf" width="254" height="145" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Cp8SDGObgc-c8sOAxoTQ3rnhTVZQV-t6"><img title="20211222_152822" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211222_152822" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1kgLXl1dQHI2492O348ThF6HX7VnzCRY_" width="254" height="145" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=19qsGOBtDRDSRTK5hLPNFQg5n2Lx6yEw8"><img title="20211222_153805" style="margin: 5px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211222_153805" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HCsq0Cf7mUs4Rd6UWIDDqigCrhzf-dyw" width="254" height="145" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1J_KsV7wWoZ24DMAfRb71aOoWC63otiQt"><img title="20211224_113804" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211224_113804" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1IV1l5RtFm76ZRI-WoT1xi218mvKDIebl" width="254" height="145" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1r4nwqPb2p4o9Tx9H2siwLL25mbq5q5Tn"><img title="20211225_152354" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211225_152354" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_XuJPLgGJC5nN-RJSbJU6JTfBBeWTdbJ" width="254" height="145" /></a></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>Kings Lynn & Denver Sluice</strong></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18myJ_jDIlwQ79MxSIyxDvPA1FhlbmBjy"><img title="20211227_112113" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211227_112113" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1hBJc2mAz41caZhfKj614AaN4QN9ShNyS" width="354" height="201" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1A_m-7tNNMbHrbPccAdy6g21hSzCI1yi9"><img title="20211227_113756" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211227_113756" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jtjuKPYpN-C1fAbRE3iMa9HdlxzG1Vim" width="354" height="201" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1RlYoxobVBExy-JY3vFJg2arWlGPwW8_m"><img title="20211227_115332" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211227_115332" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1T7zaAUsWiJ9JyTL6Kbr3gEi91xQZVNsZ" width="354" height="201" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Xtu-GzDoqdrwmWCHvMKY0t8lfNFkay_i"><img title="20211227_120821" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211227_120821" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1oJMqQlgVUrF9DJUEcXSHkFA_3s4XDAod" width="354" height="201" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1FiE-mvvdmM_9xq4OJ_GXLuDat27TZc4p"><img title="20211227_123205" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211227_123205" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Ovn_kWW8cQ_fDBlk__4Xsq2_jFTbknco" width="354" height="201" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-aYGHbeDtpEtY9uqpMPbc0gDex4cDmTh"><img title="20211227_142329" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211227_142329" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1dgwgSkQCuUGsrUQqWVXZLVlNYamlw301" width="354" height="201" /></a></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>Flag Fen</strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MHpYhbqRmGLETDj0tVwLmWs6gQuV5cVg"><img title="20211228_124339" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211228_124339" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Fkj8NU1bZWLUCT3lryZrFLUz4KCYuxD0" width="354" height="201" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1zhh3aoRZe6wJlReZFlMN-CwIOtEBi9_x"><img title="20211228_125437" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211228_125437" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12oP2aXonamuYTuYf8D8ctv3F8gwtOii_" width="354" height="201" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1fCzNiFu7VQXEbyy79eFwzKWz435CBrnT"><img title="20211228_125729" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211228_125729" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1DLxxRVBrpKjlN4SFOBXNl2L2KH_MbQq-" width="354" height="201" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=19wYAsZOeadw7A0uC-fkJ7zcKFZbYw7eW"><img title="20211228_130907" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211228_130907" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1JJ8pey_P3wY36qnBFpELyRiRSCnbI1Q-" width="354" height="201" /></a></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>Peterborough Cathedral</strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ihChlfnro0zlrgoJgW2VC2rUANIl7I5D"><img title="20211228_144450" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211228_144450" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-mobPbcXR7yGfs44RUOaJ7kg7y4ptcwE" width="354" height="201" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1nPiPYznTIH2bePd-ARuANDJBnbWzjGKm"><img title="20211228_144845" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211228_144845" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-rRrTWgeDuGWtirwfMOVQyYzvBAl8O9o" width="354" height="201" /></a></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>Stop 3 | Andy’s driveway, Colchester | 4 nights | 84.7 miles at 22.4 mpg</strong></p> <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Pb7WrMIaQyEl73qSjf6O-ObDA1bIVUU7"><img title="20211229_161618" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 31px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211229_161618" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QyDdlQMV3a52Tsg-waeyESOPVXZcSx1f" width="244" align="left" height="139" /></a> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tbv9xmVV0ifch4MwYpA95B6qc9A8cU12"><img title="20211229_162816" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211229_162816" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13r5DvK7fU2KBRLEjSBHQ0wGZW3kS9cjc" width="244" align="left" height="139" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1M9woi7IdxMv22JUuXelpllrA8VBQvHDX"><img title="20211229_173604" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211229_173604" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1OrmopeMH_LCnyDQD0B42euRvQFFlse8H" width="244" align="left" height="139" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <strong> <p align="center"> <br /></p> <p align="center">Frinton-on-Sea</p> <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1IEZicIkW-IZ7gX2LekXpTH2Ea4wjPnuF"><img title="20211230_123034" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 29px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211230_123034" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1qZen5rYdjoqQMe9mulmy_tuu0c8DTMmT" width="358" align="left" height="203" /></a> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Y8N1i9rzqgkPeB2sCf2PVGZZTGLrmbcW"><img title="20211230_124918" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211230_124918" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1g3aRBdg3_Ux3VN6fk4zL12KfkNH403TO" width="358" height="203" /></a></p> <p align="center">Clacton</p> <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1w6z0ZxCkOmpwk-1LhXZYv1XP0s4qdoxg"><img title="20211231_124600" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 29px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211231_124600" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HWcFjscHws6MZ4js63UOsj_VxVfjFGAe" width="358" align="left" height="203" /></a> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1UHi-zLoFp4dxm_YRhBz3D4VUVPqq7LL9"><img title="20211231_124936" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211231_124936" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1IWhbqcGk-2AOHuofQ_1DIA8Z3RSk7lYj" width="358" align="left" height="203" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> </strong><strong> <p align="center"> <br /></p> <p align="center">New Years Eve</p> </strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1c27Q2fuDL250jBZQFat57PNojFj6OREN"><img title="20211231_181349" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 27px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211231_181349" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1XWzR0OCEgW8vx3-PHXdIV5X3YzgBTWoQ" width="244" align="left" height="139" /></a> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1eFX0adX8y0NpTgO1AE5UFH9fDNArCQKp"><img title="20211231_181557" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211231_181557" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1DCldqz2wm8aNYzXfwj9p6Yob2-yjD4Wn" width="244" align="left" height="139" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1DBL0_JtGL0lz6hTO1KNP0zti3Vo01eL_"><img title="20211231_184145" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="20211231_184145" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1mnNg2G65V6FS6amm2rfA1-mrpKM9Zw1h" width="244" align="left" height="139" /></a></p>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-37316344937229037872022-01-13T11:07:00.000+00:002022-01-13T11:07:05.873+00:00Product Review | Mobile Internet Solution from Solwise<p align="justify">Blimey, it’s been a while since I’ve done one of these! Many thanks to Solwise for once again sending over some kit, not only for review but also to help me solve a problem that has come more apparent over the last year or so - namely on-site WiFi.</p><p align="justify">You may recall that I reviewed the <a href="https://getyourlegsdown.blogspot.com/2017/04/product-review-solwise-wifi-booster-kit.html" target="_blank">Solwise Mobile WiFi</a> kit back in 2017 - and have been using that on almost every caravan trip since. I’ve often stayed on CAMC sites and happily bought their annual pass for their WiFi offering on site. Yes it had it’s restrictions but by and large it allowed me to do what I wanted - namely keeping in touch on social media and uploading photos and blog posts. If I needed to upload a video or download some TV I’d do it overnight in order to minimise the impact to other users on site.</p><p align="justify">However in the last year I have found that it has become frequently unusable. Despite getting a good signal through the WiFi aerial, photo’s were taking an age to upload and even keeping in touch on social media became problematic. I initially put this down to being in more rural locations in the summer where the signal to the site was understandably not as good as somewhere more urban. That and sites being so busy with seemingly everyone taking up caravanning. However on a visit to Crystal Palace in October - a site in which the signal has normally been very good - I finally admitted defeat - even getting a refund for my recently renewed annual subscription.</p><p align="justify">At times I was able to use my phone - activating the hotspot feature when needed - but quite often a decent signal could only be obtained outside the ‘van and once inside, at night and with the blinds down, I was effectively offline.</p><p align="justify">Getting online via a mobile signal - rather than relying on site WiFi - seemed to be the way to go - and the only option on many CL’s and CS’s. So, Solwise stepped in again and I have been using their kit over the winter break having initially tried it out at home. Here it is:</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1edtAOEz45R9bUfdH9094mI87OIiMooVf"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211215_110337" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20211215_110337" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1lFbDrDpxN7tKsXyprGjP2YNrNcEBCXyy" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">The kit comprises of the antenna or ‘Puck’ which sits outside of your unit, and the router which sits inside and distributes it’s own WiFi signal to your devices in much the same was as the original Solwise WiFi kit did. However this time it’s using a mobile signal rather than picking up any available WiFi on site.</p><p align="justify">First up, the antenna:</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1SxVpbi--FMF6ky301-pwnVHKyXm4YFTp"><img width="354" height="201" title="20220109_121219" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220109_121219" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1aFjF5ugdxsEsocdebQKF5Bf6rEzo33Bl" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Various different mounting options are available: spigot, pole, magnetic, surface and wall. Spigot mount requires a hole to be drilled in your unit with the cables fed directly in. The neatest and ideal for a permanent installation. It is supplied with 2m of cable but it is is possible to purchase a 5m extension.</p><p align="justify">Next, the router:</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1iVNEIxMI9Be8VuFydV031Fr7sXHZZCir"><img width="354" height="201" title="20220109_121035" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20220109_121035" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1v9Yj2R9Bn3zJ7P4FqpB87E_ZGnIxxBCb" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">A compact unit that houses the SIM card from your chosen network provider. Powered by the included mains adaptor (not pictured) but a 12v adaptor is also available for those going off-grid. It can be used alone with the supplied mobile antennae or connected to an external antenna as I was doing. A WiFi antenna transmits the signal and there are two ethernet ports as well. It can accommodate standard, micro and nano SIM’s thanks to the supplied adaptors.</p><p align="justify"><strong><u>Set Up</u></strong></p><p align="justify">My first thought was to use the magnetic mount option for the puck and feed the wires in through the dinette window as I have always done, not considering that Patsy’s roof was aluminium! However the puck stayed in place just resting on the roof and was brought in whilst travelling.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gd3zZqs7g-9YPjOTvqELIb8e1Xx8e70B"><img width="236" height="236" title="20211222_131609" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20211222_131609" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1KDH7vWQNur3TaGKwdxlF1oq61qN30A7O" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">The two antenna cables are plugged into the router - they’re standard SMA connectors, the SIM card was inserted and the router was switched on.</p><p align="justify">The default SSID and password of the router is printed on the underside and the first thing to do is to fire up your laptop/tablet/phone and connect to it.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tw5AgLCuoa_ZEUvSFpqs28SDrOuHXdvn"><img width="354" height="201" title="Inked20220109_145523_LI" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Inked20220109_145523_LI" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1qleObynlIPopTIGAp5DxlN4o5wM32mWI" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Next, open a browser and log into the router using the IP address and password printed on the top.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1bc2v2ATeErvxFp3LRx6UqrdWCreL4KDh"><img width="354" height="201" title="Inked20220109_145512_LI" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Inked20220109_145512_LI" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-yzrC5NOPGRtiBmbF9_1W5Y5nimel-sQ" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Here you are prompted to change the default password - for obvious security reasons - and you can also change the SSID and password of the router. If you do this - and it is wise to - you will then need to search for and connect using the new SSID and password. If your SIM has already been activated you are then ready to go. Even I found the process simple enough and it’s no harder than connecting a new device to your router at home. it was very straightforward to do.</p><p align="justify"><strong><u>Performance</u></strong></p><p align="justify">First we need to talk about networks. All claim to be marvellous, have the best coverage etc, however real world use often says otherwise. For many years I have been with 3, more recently using Smarty who piggyback 3. It’s served me well enough and I like that there is no contract and you can change plans according to expected usage. A key thing for me was being able to have an additional SIM that you can effectively turn on and off by halting recurring payments. I can load up the additional SIM prior to a trip based on exceptional usage. There are plenty of other options out there of course but I didn’t want to be paying for data when I wasn't using it.</p><p align="justify">Initial performance of the new kit at home wasn’t mind blowing. It would only match download and upload speeds obtained by my phone and to be honest I was a little disappointed. However I live in an area with a strong signal and it’s probably no surprise that a phone backed by billions of pounds of investment performed at least as well compared to a much more niche product.</p><p align="justify">My trip away in the caravan involved three stops - on the outskirts of the city of Cambridge, in the rural Cambridgeshire Fens, and also just outside Colchester in Essex.</p><p align="justify">The kit matched the download performance of my phone in Cambridge but easily exceeded it at the other two locations - sometimes by as much as a factor of three. The site in the Fens was very rural and I’ve always struggled with a decent signal on what was my third stop - namely my Cousin’s driveway. I was able to stream content from iPlayer, ITV Hub, YouTube and Amazon without any buffering. The contrast was more stark at night when the signal always seems to degrade, particularly once the blinds in the ‘van are closed. The key thing here is that the receiving bit is outside and the signal is not hampered by the walls of your unit, whatever they may be made of. Whilst a phone may employ all sorts of tech to boost the signal, sometimes simple physics and location gets in the way.</p><p align="justify"><strong><u>Conclusion</u></strong></p><p align="justify">It ain’t cheap - you are looking at 60 quid for the antenna and 140 quid for the router. There is the option of using the router on it’s own with it’s supplied antennae, but for me - as with the WiFi kit - its having the antennae outside your unit that makes the difference. The more rural the site and/or the weaker the mobile signal and this will come into it’s own even more. As someone who is looking to spend more time on CL’s this year - not least because of cost - I feel sure this kit will prove it’s worth even more. I will be looking to install it permanently, saving yet more time when setting up on site and possibly even carrying an additional SIM card to swap with the Smarty one when if and when the need arises. I just need to take the plunge and utilise the Black & Decker and a tube of sealant!</p><p align="justify">Products supplied by Solwise, 17 Priory Tec Park, Saxon Way, Hessle, HU13 9PB, 01462 672872.</p><p align="justify">The puck: <a title="https://www.solwise.co.uk/a-puck-2" href="https://www.solwise.co.uk/a-puck-2">https://www.solwise.co.uk/a-puck-2</a></p><p align="justify">The router: <a title="https://www.solwise.co.uk/4g-routers-rut240.html" href="https://www.solwise.co.uk/4g-routers-rut240.html">https://www.solwise.co.uk/4g-routers-rut240.html</a></p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"></p>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-34231948624487093012021-12-31T10:22:00.000+00:002021-12-31T10:22:26.639+00:00October 2021 Half-Term Getaway<p align="center"><strong>Stop 1 | The Old Oaks Glastonbury</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1D6AT-LDG6xAgRYv1vBPJYF8QkWaZT8fm"><img width="254" height="145" title="20211021_181347" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211021_181347" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ZuHmRJbL6Ro5sN2FhHyiG5ueqPJmEh7_" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1E0G7SvokatTU-gSnju72t3RgsNUPofeV"><img width="254" height="145" title="20211022_095959" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211022_095959" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ggnZ_XuxA0uV4fK7cgg3Sz3MKy7xYDXu" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gNI_3lQV8PvAFBKTPXLulOrTnkKaqCDY"><img width="254" height="145" title="20211023_094928" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211023_094928" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1mNjDP296gDLC-wLF7H73Z0HuAC61jjPv" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Glastonbury</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1eXgXGiN6FHrr1yc7Xshwle4rk-PVlnR5"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211022_124141" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211022_124141" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=17D_U8ZZ7TmPSWeoQeQF_O3t8_ZHriTFv" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gLGkSzfi7l_3P25l94gaYfbfEpN9NhJx"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211022_125057" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211022_125057" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Oo2q4_pNtZUnWA8e14ZUxdnlJY4zXaTW" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Pguf8N1AcnhYM2y1SUvzxUacNpBP5jeo"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211022_133919" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211022_133919" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1pDOtgN-ushP8kjjNIQWP5FV98DnCXmPo" border="0"></a></strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1K7fwb2vJYf_Eero6VnGGUMZA5NZt1Rbt"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211022_111014" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211022_111014" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1LBHz5CjbxGcSkp8FKe4dCyvT2rlwN0-4" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong>Bishops Palace, Wells</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1LaBi4vldnihos7bW2Rum7-2LfwQaH8ac"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211023_105850" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211023_105850" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Sbgg9JeAhjb9E8jmZzXFWJW5FlXyKBIn" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1o7XavDjnuvHan6leL_LN8iYO6s3CFVuz"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211023_113342" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211023_113342" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QDW7porhzf5Tvh1vnwEdo3ppcvPRNonO" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1n6BUh3jl9N2Y6WOJp_dR-i9CU6-oZiVk"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211023_115015" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211023_115015" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1uA1y_C9EvxCSCbMwst_l_VzL2LIuxR1D" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1wp1dkAHCY884QHOJgK1w688QuXjxO3Cs"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211023_120044" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211023_120044" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1U7jHp8cz34ViZ96WHZY1z-e4oifwrE6-" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=10bLllug8p-Y6jKE3A26T5tdp-OFTabOg"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211023_120058" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211023_120058" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1a75R_GlrHecEEsAGEP_Akgo_uBuV0qo_" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1pAplj5g-5vMYyfClEga6jWU5lntcZtsR"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211023_121846" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211023_121846" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=16feLtYVk2nuSmDBOnzyyAKDp5WGJwk86" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Montacute House</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1RkIBBfr6MJl14ynsFgvImCMZqPfAYAmF"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211023_151751" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211023_151751" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=16_OSfCCATENLevpyjGxBMU5l02nTnFck" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1q7zdegfjYp8DE61QLo2qb_Y7ww3GZ2pm"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211023_152232" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211023_152232" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1L-FHqEBgV_SqjzMRs9QQ2fkmx96i043d" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HLFLejS6QNbvkAyhdzY_IaFffli2hhpB"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211023_152537" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211023_152537" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18k8QTS0zHuiUx4TQeCPjHT3VO_dK3bg7" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1N2JRhv6P6BdPyWtvX-w4drkrvCDRsZx9"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211023_152340" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211023_152340" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=17_F51G4taQpAh0RwR5R8Jlo9azEz8xOs" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ZCra2mlqL20mKsDTV9kYKzp731mH7L0e"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211023_143922" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211023_143922" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1WEW4Ck2KZOHktFch3NF9jeJ7Mg15DwzE" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1axiNt_77yHSNbQi5Vq_oT-GWvGR7_-oP"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211023_144325" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211023_144325" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1h1Yn3TebCxwoPqPlfQnZjvFeCJm3fDfq" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1FRJGBY9BOiWfazb35c3DJnVoNsDtwDQg"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211023_143624" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211023_143624" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12vkYQaoX0HZEka6YfhvBmh3-z_EOYqD-" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=10XuXfSVEVV9GG2nZ8WQHVqLOvpx-jhWM"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211023_152609" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211023_152609" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1n7eP8qcnQXDz1qEcuvqBqsxr6JgnPLpx" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>East Somerset Railway</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1TE9fAnMHEkgX6sdsd4CnIGIXz8heEEBk"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211024_121621" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211024_121621" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1FZuPy0LvxA4myO7PVq3zRwotioUrqIbG" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jyIeF_QSnrS75UaoLxOeGz4Hg2RtZ566"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211024_121712" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211024_121712" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1RgBFCeNj2VzzcScla382UFuWTeBxZ4bt" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1y-Kb4Qs8kst-PA7XomnEUGSlNJQzeijY"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211024_124406" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211024_124406" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1CZFqTvDSm8tOzpDH4n9C1EZFnaAiSfa0" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1y-XMvyHy9ci5P2Ni-c6vRnZUxbzxENno"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211024_133146" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211024_133146" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1c27eqHHL61e4ZZVB6F06EnM8rm30sMda" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Stop 2 | Crystal Palace | 60 miles @ 25mpg | Pitch 42</strong></p><p align="center"><strong>National Maritime Museum</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1l8rTnH5EriIEUZvqj6K2brKfiGS_vO0M"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211026_121655" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211026_121655" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Etozjr_jdZ5Ij4XPm89AX3hFPTPZgiYe" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GH1_EK8jpdEcVKwpNg76PWK6gw3F4MHr"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211026_115308" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211026_115308" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tARhlgA5rmjp8-1JJGBE5SiKCKLYKSL4" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1pvWWZvyKU4sRY8B_x1OSbUvTEq6e5hG5"><img width="354" height="202" title="20211026_122613" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211026_122613" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jzMCurKdhbDJ1j-RydRq2EhoMShHvuSa" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=15H-WKDc6-Im7ThEp_oPGwcjTLpWItxYV"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211026_131100" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211026_131100" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Lddniz5XZJHgGBvyyV49VtbcZYQE-iaV" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Emirates Cable Car</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1JLEh8_ZSs6CCW2m-9HTMnD3Z3OA2l0qb"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211026_140255" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211026_140255" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=16GWyGaZ4Cxnxa_gdotAGJr6BRTqHitlB" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1X-qZR4TAlGN-Hn-sWm6FFOTUtoJ5Eu26"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211026_142215" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211026_142215" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Xyekia5ztsxqQeIKPVy7LMV8Y3IpxhNk" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ekV_SyK-vauPXotOGONOpphcFYHIW-0s"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211026_142326_001" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211026_142326_001" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1iiU-WJIAhc_X8u6y3ywfNBS-U2CjU0md" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1IzAEdiaZwSPu0ZcAaJfsw4h3P4nhcDc-"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211026_142524" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211026_142524" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1FIJFPXrPNbETMqNT8zsdg82Z7vWMPqLx" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Hyde Park | Belgravia</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1WIVPbVOJHH7td_aSdPBNskl_eiLh809h"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211027_142810" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211027_142810" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1rXyPAsimcl2oDKdmEQjDOStaCWQsWNhz" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1U9fAHff6fAFO6FPj4bTgooYfZfCyqTtC"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211027_143216" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211027_143216" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1M5KpXnEeB_gQz_LFRFRStaPbSa3ea2KZ" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=148w9TGO7t87FoPnnts9eMaOBC_ZAJ7zr"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211027_161539" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211027_161539" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GrSuyCKEJ0oMmqHGVdxQ9C9LQR6SGDf8" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1BXtk4sYcFL88i-Knoe3zOBMP87wC1bhB"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211027_164952" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211027_164952" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1S67FzXFFl4KOW75jeEPjriTnQI2kmamX" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Mayfair | Covent Garden</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MSHvHYgiAIiI9s_eOvEIno-8znLBdPpG"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211028_145731" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211028_145731" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tn0jbPDCq8apRlzpAx8V_NcVLAfWsYSn" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=17n0rcclTU0tTfyiTpXNhX-6DslyHVvKu"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211028_150128" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211028_150128" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1LfIqznuIbPknKQf8oXTojUbgC70LYeHe" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1AwLGt3dI11Ind7vyWE4mW8mqqmNStUFe"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211028_155057" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211028_155057" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1FytG446mECvFZHjZTGjLVMyOCL9_Kgzc" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1a7ccDINLHbB5iQPajo3SLRKkOB1zVZQf"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211028_173200" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211028_173200" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1y4RbxpHv2SrtZUd1NKrPyYUlhxiHhQl8" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1f2IkXMuL4qhT2uj7vC-p5qkl3IjQ2JH-"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211028_172836" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211028_172836" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1rf9YnuGKURmwflMtv2hydcTY6c-NfBGQ" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1kIXKNKF0C0E2PKwWGumeJhgoz_gbtcPx"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211028_172920" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211028_172920" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1U7_hwoDT903IMyCmhpm8W3naC26OnCQZ" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1b94AMbxa9S1ZaqnhsvGIkszAu4p6Lryz"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211028_172326" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211028_172326" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tVNdXUGGXangPadrC86Eb0-EDU_BZ0W0" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1kjnvCB4hFZybAoVzqWqykf-4NLIRBtKg"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211028_172437" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211028_172437" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=19_7KaIIqwsR4kHUsWy0P7FyAbHAonL7H" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>The Horniman Museum</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1sT3Wp0TfJg9wtWdpJHMmNkyxYaamNFx8"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211029_150130" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211029_150130" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Ie_gA4x0NVwlytgcRUn1LysQrDQeCogI" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1cmUAk-m8z5eemd_5occQT8S6O9Hyp4Sg"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211029_143328" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211029_143328" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1E2OtfVblLCpbSbDGd2K73h2SI4PbWrQK" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1py1Ec3KyFwIXBBAIaQxoMG2gKJnLwtQG"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211029_135512" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211029_135512" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1wb2gGSBh-XnjMlfuyX2uoL-Ex3G6peTw" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1c8c6wYDgz-JqvD27zEF_lNU-MfTImLkT"><img width="354" height="201" title="20211029_142318" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20211029_142318" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_PqQtnku29-I80bg4-vf4vDf1XwkZV9d" border="0"></a><br></strong></p><p align="center"></p>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-14396714607113333722021-09-01T10:04:00.000+01:002021-09-01T10:04:16.831+01:00The Summer of ‘21<p align="center"><strong>Stop 1 | Gayton Farm CS, Cambridgeshire | 137.7 miles @ 29mpg (A/C) | 6 nights @ £20/night</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1cx7B_t9rwHmzbxKq5FWp1nwG0BuIB8RX"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210719_142357" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210719_142357" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14aCC6LQrqLZLZ5z7E8S_CsVFCM4nsktv" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ewoha0PqMaOeC2FrFuk--vBNM709wOKD"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210720_203726" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210720_203726" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Od4uF_DTi5-NrDiFWZmZmqWnIkNGlOF4" border="0"></a></strong></p><blockquote><p align="center"><strong>The Bridge at Clayhithe</strong></p></blockquote><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=153V7KLV249SOYASqRM5WX6Ou243ybegZ"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210719_182619" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210719_182619" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HXUshMepdlRsAOlQjCBmR4hxpvOO20Md" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1AWiM3kj8-LwQzzWdjpzL2dciM2hbdRZa"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210719_182624" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210719_182624" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1BReoBjQajR6EGdpkcad05pjCbQQcuLim" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><br></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Stop 2 | Stamford CAMC, Lincolnshire | Pitch 12 | 52.1 miles @ 23.7 mpg | 6 nights @ £15.70/night</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=16fBhLzeo9pmBFnLpPkn42VQmLYnACx4I"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210725_164825" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210725_164825" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gJYFHBwApcHU7OOsSjN8qsjzDqmkthS5" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1zzNAAJ4zVINuUf0WMQ_Wb3NER5d0OaBf"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210727_155829" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210727_155829" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jA553vMfoNCNB7XX-RcNOM7Ill7HcoNd" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Rutland Water</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Z0iYqxmiQcicdguZ6OjT3rncxSlvg87C"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210726_113417" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210726_113417" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1dswVO7htrASQU12KGLBsx2bbMf885eK1" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1rLrG3wsgj7FTsLktySiDR1lse7exubQV"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210726_113721" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210726_113721" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gQwuN1cJ0Cw7lgQO7xTWitwujJsK3eLy" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1UjTMUDOJeyi5427JNMt_2hZdTh9_s-U1"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210726_114401" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210726_114401" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1EmgSRHVOi9_PLOTqONrzvYBxJ4ddpo2g" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1NI3OemlfgizKYuzJQWBEg6VAkR-VYi6y"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210726_122843" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210726_122843" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Z9tm1mY2CUiHR5fqXf6cu-saMvXCXjOl" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Fineshade Woods</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1uxvJyZD3c9zE341WpJ0WkAsk9yybwhSd"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210725_163301" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210725_163301" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_PhRhXh6SZp0g3KsU-jZd42Flvyc4mT_" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1CxoWMVzHTFSg50o1qveDMOmwoPPraBDT"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210725_163621" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210725_163621" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14HtxrNd37nlLmCQERFEraGclNmChW4Im" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1dDbOziunve14FTRcwrldwcM8supaKW0o"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210728_144516" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210728_144516" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QNRyKDNUmjsnemSfmM-_q_7BsbrgeNwi" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=177uAcDxJ7wBZfgjNSTJNeBIRhrA3RhdE"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210728_150229" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210728_150229" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1cxOCjJsCsabrWnSaLVztzlAcTZlQ0jSO" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Stamford</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jecqRHsHy5pnQeLYRTM_q0sGzoeuVubS"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210729_094011" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210729_094011" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14NqlkDF1HNXhzjI5WGMPbFd5cZ5QUIqg" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1hqIwQvdMBxFagkT5WyKTyrBtAOdO0zQX"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210729_101133" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210729_101133" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1yHYsYan5SrUUUyxgfCtz7F424l0kuB39" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1sGGdmmOzLwQ5kilk8zuNYD7pLBNTIYY5"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210729_103523" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210729_103523" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18_9cdMjpmaoBYplkgePhOHaxIb3BLNvm" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Jtl5_mWwg9wmjiOM3aWTcWVWOVBErJj8"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210729_105802" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210729_105802" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1hYgKLtoRaoUy5_z-EGs_pCLSCkuqtDhj" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Stop 3 | Topley Head Farm CL, nr Buxton | 123.1 miles @ 27.3 mpg | 7 nights @ £15/night</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1LWjyEXg8TxNKxCxFR8OQUHUfAVvrAD3-"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210801_171950" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210801_171950" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1OJnxE3JGNP0coJxyXcpVQmb6wqPW_lSY" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1TOoh-Ehzfc-5JDS4wtgr0hR4ah3oxEQI"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210803_195427" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210803_195427" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1g0f52FCAPfApHN0F9ZIPEIOtB53Mf00B" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1vu5Wm22XRJ7uKIuK2f8-WGzPf5r8kj16"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210803_130821" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210803_130821" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-sITrdlnUthM_O7WE9UN5PIDfx47WlS5" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Qmt36etlaV3jfiBgRbvWKiFYSDjmhPb-"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210803_195532" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210803_195532" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1dloLkHnuc9_SH0veekyi1IwwO_ehomqt" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Monsal Viaduct</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1xg1c9PL6kdUycmIc-hQyH5QvD68uc4hd"><img width="731" height="413" title="20210731_155530" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210731_155530" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1psO_94-K_R0tKzh9VXiH4zyc5DUa94Cz" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Peak Rail - Rowsley South to Matlock | Lotus Meet</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QJrHFvpS_YEbxVm3xG3iVcfEZ98P98L0"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210801_122328" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210801_122328" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=19_6eJ8Yl3TqFQh3S_gNy20nt28t2lQ19" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Ep-j2T7mhRKEbIr69c2w66uNrZRrx8bD"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210801_122621" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210801_122621" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1nkc00UQpp516adfzwrADlvkhEHkx4zCN" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=155XqGKoV_zXwP902-XCNayPNqQtpexNN"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210801_122057" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210801_122057" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MQ7EMc-6xvwiZVsKU1oXyukgVzwwBDHT" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1XVC6PcGgdA9zE-3nqyLzLx76arxTzQj1"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210801_132113" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210801_132113" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1kQ585CDeeL1ps6K1N4xaKimbrB1Yko8y" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MmBoKJ1G_PFBQDwDZ5kM63Ry6Abk2osy"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210801_134620" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210801_134620" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1nCpLpVfCYoEjRd20qkN1nYQ-U4icwfEN" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=101LXKYmTXeErel3F239A9voY3JviifaZ"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210801_134731" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210801_134731" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1KAbfDX72706uiQ7q3sD0hRnpQJ8lcOYi" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1BfMKGMLKd377GpV7UlV-1OXzTX4XIljw"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210801_134815" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210801_134815" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=16Y3NCNGNcxYSHt5NUMva88AmgwNDfRfw" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1G0umk3ZM8nWtDo3Mk29O5ZImbSPFDzVv"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210801_135253" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210801_135253" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1r0MlB5IcZwdFVb36k6-x8oXfu2YXnHjJ" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Buxton</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1V9K9Tz-nDEIM8x7TlgOl4m6TXavEc-SR"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210802_145124" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210802_145124" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1YjCSFAs7J9Q7PLnX1oSWAvblXe7kZX5g" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1B0xxHR4Up1INjbqikoij9kAdmUhGs_lA"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210802_145903" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210802_145903" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=158z-kZGqe6IgDENXNXfJRqPW20cMx6VE" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1b6VpSc3GSkwEgJG8Gc3s6JhcXbSAkpoi"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210802_144811" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210802_144811" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1doK3smuTItJrzkW3v2JIQBMlx7RMMOut" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=11WQJuPwZqg2xff9gYVdxr2zwvym430N4"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210802_152238" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210802_152238" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1DpIPHR-E8ohR0qlO_U9zDkhlqdAkImTO" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Bakewell</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1CCWr119V4nMUmAN8g3WsR5jufeGJIGrE"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210806_103149" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210806_103149" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Vuf0yhWh5cf3fq_y6O7KH_VMV6bj2Vo2" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1rNfdkO-UaNRavFATbw65lhhYxLBAMJk0"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210806_103313" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210806_103313" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GUIk9jiMtRCQWo9ridwEzvOkkscgS8ME" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12TQVE5mvTyRuhOpYWCJzG76h_2PdV6zQ"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210806_104151" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210806_104151" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1oDGNJMRkOgfZSUMBZzXY3p7sylJ9dT1W" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1h5dSp1-qc73qVLRlu7zyxMHXtT0_YbME"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210806_103512" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210806_103512" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1acXqpeHIcJ4xcMXsPJBaeswAT-9ez1yA" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Stop 4 | Meathop CAMC | 117 miles @ 29.1mpg | Pitch 81 | 7 nights </strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=17W_b0bJKg63UbZnze9Qi72cwpAr57nSG"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210807_170733" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210807_170733" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1FOtmcEd18GMuchKsMCGnKrYekaGWXaGi" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Usrwco8LEk00yhteL0rP3YRItSfu4VCR"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210807_153405" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210807_153405" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1KlzuQTEHJB4lWqsTBb4shoN38RYqu6Fl" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1miA9ftBaBPGAUfXrxocJGVJFQQ1_0y-s"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210807_155008" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210807_155008" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1nAZOHI9pfLZrg3flFFWA0LhEEcXpg9Wh" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1DQl4EOb2HXBmWf7tqgtD69ue4g9c-Wws"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210807_154237" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210807_154237" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tM_W9nHgKHDA535UhtQdRpfvZrYMXTlf" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Cartmel</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1oriSr9aQzqnE_puNMExf0nGHHGP-0rbf"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210808_142100" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210808_142100" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1SU35LTdgv0vG8WN-JYbtZsEUviJQBrB4" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1yFxfyEwas06fDjHtgN2ncYisbDlmGqB6"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210808_141935" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210808_141935" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1U9tslirZ0R14YdzmvQuxK7v7U21or9CX" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1XartGY2R068ALmYNhC_zxw1-T_x_uV_Q"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210808_144636" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210808_144636" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14OcEoT00VgWPnm2k8uFIZLh-_e_La1MS" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1sanGVNhaJXkN4WRo58zya6rZYQc2rVxL"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210808_145120" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210808_145120" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Xx2dcerV41aGLHZpdq3L9x_mxcvmAJCm" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>50th Birthday</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1fmYz39NuDqpxehVyDPrBw8xaGl54E5An"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210809_084138 (2)" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210809_084138 (2)" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=17Su78qJ4OURf_gjuZ_i2JAtcPxFPRges" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1vxrALA32yN_pmeTNJe7Kjd-6MSxYEQgI"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210809_084930 (2)" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210809_084930 (2)" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ymEsNEw7eV0XW_XgiNrtfO1IBz8YdYzw" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Bardsea</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1m3lpfgTAa5sEMDMDtblHXrpmxB0yVmw_"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210809_124924" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210809_124924" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_y_lT4qD0ofKquKn077IRQ3y8c0c5dJM" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1CJgwMN-W_dSxXqJu474pNX4rMxveev4E"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210809_125327" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210809_125327" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=19ExtYA4iV7J8Rabft_Lae61XQRqrKOx9" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Roa Island</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1u2IrTxAddO_UBQi1FkAvxuughEo5WvmO"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210809_131928" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210809_131928" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ZRxpfkD0mWx0OA5fTQBDkAmTzVng9fVs" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=170qKQWN06fHGn6dqYRTRJJG-LUcuXkd0"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210809_132340" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210809_132340" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1OSCrSbTy13BHWfXubTDsZX6ayqk69j5k" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Walney island</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jWKpAkGavtHQNFMFCFx_PUSI_H03FOWr"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210809_150655" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210809_150655" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1qvmgx_tuz3Y8KROzcXatKYzMn19SmFnq" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1pWnKVXwKLK9QMXNXV9FVBWyaxeS4mEej"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210809_150627" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210809_150627" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jmqqHCAwH52x-jg7Wq0k3srf_tiuF2xr" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Kirby Lonsdale & Ruskin’s View</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ii9xH7czyxOE7IU0jobwDW4pWdclZ9iQ"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210810_140137" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210810_140137" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GMTExQEZWqls-Od-BzXij6fBKd6bCqgQ" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HeR60sCbIaHhY7NzsBdsa5mxHzJtWA6F"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210810_135605" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210810_135605" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Msd6qoMJpoNDQKFhNkYORFOu8IprWyWu" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18bao1iJN-R77Uv6YbOuTQK2uSlPUD_-9"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210810_135112" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210810_135112" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1aBOQJ80pAEKwXG0Hf3RPm7yy5Xnho7Iz" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tJq7pHip8Z_bkqfFbK_Auob9qbEOluZ1"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210810_140115" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210810_140115" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QhirCIeu_s6f3ZDp7c9CPxRzvI7AYTOp" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway & boat trip to Ambleside</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1hOn-1reYecj9ZAS7V61QZh_cTZ3WD06Y"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210811_092813" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210811_092813" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gXHe-nRr2Uey2GuExTa-0xLMjprGrYU3" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1JHdQZXk_RwN4kK3Z1dhFvm-jFv13gc0B"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210811_091253" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210811_091253" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1h5j6MBbx6WHbOdE9jF1Xv5OAuiYfXyGG" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1fVfOeN0ByAmet2sIILdsaB1nSCM1Vk1i"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210811_101318" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210811_101318" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1q-mFa6Tuy5aUmjMXW0hUvamsoNibJF0c" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1JPXN6tnJJ3q6DQH8NwOu_DlWRDQfrE4b"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210811_100251" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210811_100251" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QBRS-MtmX2VuFjxiUm_hRBmX9MwEFP5n" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gcetpoxHhgVFHAeBG3KwynYDk-pWVyyC"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210811_114006" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210811_114006" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1sxZy0GXtV8JiQKtxNy3Fi9nPFxXOj95I" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tXcxFHNBmb8MK-zYiJ6qjfu3SfecQz2Q"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210811_133556" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210811_133556" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1KS_8e2xuF5ve7YBz5XWlWgBqLxzeUqY4" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Coniston</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Cib6O-quU3dLdW5oB5Eq7FZA8FHUl0gF"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210812_122854" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210812_122854" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1UPxEqpvNYsWGRXxWrhLiyyLaEhn-0IHe" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1xn0kpkmXqXj2c0I5gIgDjhyVAZXF3mVz"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210812_111817" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210812_111817" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=10KhzJFGmPoYCwS187UaPfyAsgjbjMlsp" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=10C8fYcPYSehTHgy4Hm4Zx2h0DEUgOOKh"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210812_134934" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210812_134934" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1EYBOzANBGG7DBNqakWDsfCQTqUUeTO2j" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1BJv3apCltc81mgpHk_blSWa06a2-AUWn"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210812_135129" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210812_135129" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1IS7q4PXGNOq8gpRhQGIT_IiEOzFJaMUu" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Hawkshead</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=16wZx8aq_9SzuEtnjsa3HLeT0WC5oWyIy"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210812_155037" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210812_155037" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1qRsNiLPtVspV3Obe5F_raZc7f3s8TE4v" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ngVOQqQv7Zp5dUVEZ8zzmGyZIZIt6ANH"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210812_154958" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210812_154958" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1nBtLjLhcC_Dn3eSNQ7AyyLFa9SdK6oaa" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1z0rvfQqYjVH5mxXpHoLbIi2DYLt4j_Xy"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210812_161445" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210812_161445" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1iFJPILjcLZ_eK2Tq83LzWBVnAZ5McgqP" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1KfuNGRIWKVOGPf3GRux6yHvp1IhisiLH"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210812_155317" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210812_155317" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1PQvoM2OMRhPG5NwNge5o0_iemdIbzNny" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Grange-over-Sands</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=11wzCSgzVWe1RdZ8RwSJqFbSFkgqkv_-A"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210807_202957" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210807_202957" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tW-Q-4gavud1ECrzayWkFMSz2YGAOmuj" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1TurUxCGUYTPaJ49oFqvWeLEEM8d-0m9H"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210813_115446" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210813_115446" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1g7sf9xUx1bo6-F94ljCl7Lmsx-hpcz-5" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1aIHyzIUfolciUt076NMKS401w1a2NaHP"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210813_123721" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210813_123721" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1uIC-u0Z_pd01KkQ-Kc2qvnhWUCuYNkP_" border="0"></a></strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1NEIsuN-xuj3Xaao71PwzUsa0wiCiwkmR"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210807_201437" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210807_201437" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12eQZKQoL2rxGApj_T6_hvVr9IconM-O3" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong>Stop 5 | Wirral Country Park CAMC | 8 nights | 115 miles @ 29.7 mpg | Pitch 86</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1CpGVJspGTc1PPXyxZBkvIiGtCHrpHL5c"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210814_142238" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210814_142238" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Ci389_m2DH-cQovqIc1EjKhH_WRrLrxs" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1k-DaqHnNObc4QDHJ0eAEgHiegc4TSPdf"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210815_192917" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210815_192917" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1x4yuB_y6qsh3qSlrqFQCWQpVunvTNDkd" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Southport</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jFKpICQYHBLNTa9Ay-b9AxyuKJ5mAu6h"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210816_112814" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210816_112814" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=143_gZNWPEZgcFOpkQ1pX1vXE2ghribAz" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13T_eR4LcZb2NHvYa68v-iwE4bDxkbbb5"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210816_115125 (2)" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210816_115125 (2)" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1INx506ESGCvgB_tCzfpkLjEMUHCJZQI9" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tyYw_JF0LH2twF7TUgrgffQwGBTN-Ehe"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210816_130034" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210816_130034" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_69y59CKEPseg1fjwIpvfTO8_75dEMiU" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_kHdRUR-a5X5qQbjgrAHG3XNw5sG0hoU"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210816_141334" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210816_141334" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1raDAifdSMX5wqA-JAPsHcS-ZFFQ9qZVP" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1snyAZhu8J3JnTtXCHysqO1eFo7anmI59"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210816_145454" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210816_145454" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1xYnDUL2PBVJlAqqn62waj-78xOCjmTL7" border="0"></a></strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Sw7TDEEwfxfV1BoHm1_7I-5UTvfzEEoW"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210816_112952" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210816_112952" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1VkOtPxnTB4fRRT5POut58420mB2nQVzB" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong>Liverpool</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1wowHiSck3dX8Nb16Ql_k6veuQ7irHEG8"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210818_113354" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210818_113354" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QeOGdS60IlhYXNP6MRlZgQCSY3mobZTV" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Anm3zZIcyeacGuRwmlh8pfeISM7CZSYy"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210818_114306" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210818_114306" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_-auVs6bZRr3kkFYbzNryh4JGz78wfmO" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1OIjZmURQJkc4BuWF6MfMSx6ZnWsk_2kr"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210818_130027" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210818_130027" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1iUaoH7F9ReoqgekAfjEVA1nAzIViz6JB" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1kshMHImWuj_Pi_sl9_ZrRsHk6u0wv0_h"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210818_132639" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210818_132639" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13RzU_r3eZPnPXiRHUTuT82a3WXORepf4" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Anderton Boat Lift & River Cruise</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1yFcUcsonUYFMmv4F5s2CiTrClP7m4oMW"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210819_093344" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210819_093344" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=19C4lU5cfbgx3t6iokMjuiVSxWP3FDnan" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Mc7DhhzXBOsWw_LQSFBwNkvyF72ZYJfE"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210819_093429" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210819_093429" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12x2zVuB6qYW4N5xhet0dma4UyA7dRziU" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HOnATUFA-LoHQpWxXXwYnzr5HY4nIpR-"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210819_100108" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210819_100108" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1vPN0T9EkBED_Vjd9HcQAaNZUODnIv-FD" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=163dkIs6QF0_QseOysg9Vt6ichT7fqrNE"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210819_110303" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210819_110303" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1LrEqjI3YPzTc2960YCOyUrHZ5_z-g5ab" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Scarborough, Nile Rogers & Chic</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=15-qTeuqsuHEBmUsq1rxV-F8enYjCENrF"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210820_090907" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210820_090907" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Krqj0AfQuvMrnivV2Xt4ApjKbi3vEmqZ" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1aBP_DougI_55RdOCKRdH5ESFAAiwShul"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210820_110746" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210820_110746" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1P00UkUfXjPpq0VHoGKyR0feaEJhS1ItC" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=19CUhhf4b_BmiBoyw4fTndrIAR9hPKguq"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210820_123722" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210820_123722" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1dXtzbP_mJNRbGkhKkGuDUW9jcZnOYhAf" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-qQVXQ_d75weVNutoqvZDQtsy12imevG"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210820_175450" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210820_175450" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_WRbeUGr6OkGLdSghGGknN_tiNJx8L4d" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1KE1fYOLnHlJonh73BrVf4Wu0KD776aG4"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210820_191534" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210820_191534" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13R9BjAPLCaRIoXvpBi3RDht9CHHGpiBI" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1hgCq50wmGvd0geF9i5tRrkoy_kYDCQi-"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210820_202503" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210820_202503" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1K6ObbYWRUO0J3JaP3uBhfaiQ9jxtyL9a" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1N6a8r-U4d8YAf504EGWZoPhNULcT3NcA"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210820_211202" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210820_211202" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1sLF_oGo_tpqcFXwFjYrrruizqMhUos__" border="0"></a></strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1pZch_vZsHeBTNme4t3Ui9bUOrybiwT2s"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210820_220848" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210820_220848" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1dvzD0-4wIhDcDBhYaZqzJyVlzeXSszjY" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><strong>Stop 6 | Somers Wood, Meriden, Warwickshire | 2 nights | 106 miles @ 27.8 mpg | Pitch 14 </strong></p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1EwosflsWwNTC2ya1P_Vk8zZuwgIQB5Cb"><img width="354" height="201" title="236332042_194128229372503_7391812144247511773_n" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="236332042_194128229372503_7391812144247511773_n" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1W-vDq-WJd7kWTPfwZfkmEabgdbxlJfQC" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1n5rtKS3ZkbTFpxeKP_h1QzvHE2HWQMSi"><img width="354" height="201" title="239602893_194125586039434_4650236567585354801_n" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="239602893_194125586039434_4650236567585354801_n" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=17imybu58iZysvDtL1f3OviOM6NpRyLnz" border="0"></a></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Home - 177 miles @ 29.3 mpg. </strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Total nights: 35</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><strong>Total miles covered: 1388</strong></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Total towing miles: 829</strong></p><p align="center"><strong><br></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><br></strong></p><p align="center"><br></p><p align="center"><br></p><p align="center"><strong><br></strong></p><p align="center"></p>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-31673554525297175282021-06-04T18:26:00.000+01:002021-06-04T18:26:51.120+01:00London Spring 2021 | The Jigsaw Project | Part 5<p align="justify"><strong>Wednesday 2nd June</strong></p><p align="justify">Today was a designated day off from the project as I’d booked a train to go and see my cousin up in Colchester, with Jan recovering from a recent operation. An easy 1 hour or so run from Liverpool Street station but, consulting the locations I’d plotted on Google Maps, there were two to the east that were sort of on the way, that I could knock off without too much deviation and still make my intended train if I left early enough. On to the Transport for London website to look at amended route. </p><p align="justify">Ensuring I had my mask this time I left Patsy soon after 9am, taking bus No. 363 for the hour or so trundle to Elephant & Castle. From there it was a 10 minute walk to my first port of call; Borough Road.</p><p align="justify">The Duke of York sits at No.47 on the corner of Southwark Bridge Road, just by the railway bridge. Originally The Goose & Firkin it was once part of the Firkin pub chain - set up in 1979 by David Bruce who bought run down pubs from the major breweries, and reintroduced the almost forgotten practice of brewing beer on the premises. The chain grew rapidly but was sold in 1988, eleven years later ending up in the hands of Bass who stopped brewing on site. Currently owned by Kent brewer Shepherd Neame.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1pzUMsGbwG8PoLbh6aXStoQV1hJUHYrlS"><img width="354" height="181" title="20210221_091604" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210221_091604" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ZK3Jib9QdPatK-lYRahpuHJKmbBT7Hak" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1dEL2QNNhkrqCv2zxe_n7dJDtnGJRmwEr"><img width="386" height="181" title="20210602_100910" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210602_100910" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1iWCLYaOL-fxiSqwfaocwG9j4P2KlLWxN" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">The UK Bus Checker app promised a bus within a few minutes and so it proved, the 344 taking me across London Bridge to Monument station where I boarded the tube to Aldgate East. It was just one stop and really not that far but it was getting warm and was conscious of the time - that’s my excuse anyway.</p><p align="justify">With the exit on Leman Street it was only a short walk to the next location; No.70. Originally the Garrick and renamed sometime prior to 1983, there has been a pub here since around 1831. The licence was revoked in 2010 following a drugs bust. It appears to have been taken over and renamed The Oliver Conquest in the same year and continues under that name today. Sadly it was impossible to get a better picture even with the phone’s wide angle lens. Possibly a return visit.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=187FRG0G8Qkjdz2cs_rtpFkOeebs5rx0m"><img width="314" height="236" title="20210215_153745" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210215_153745" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=19zo_dCaSi_OVKPnmm7ftgC6FZO-5DTzW" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12uNUaZlmLlh6Fs1CK_zdKEZ83AMBhcQL"><img width="438" height="236" title="20210602_104320" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 11px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210602_104320" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Q5c461_2zTg7GZBASpJShhPRnHjikC39" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Then it was back to the Underground for the ride to Liverpool Street. I was later than planned but there were plenty of trains and got on the 11:18 Greater Anglia service heading to Clacton. I’d seen a lot online about their new trains but this was clearly one of the older ones. No air-con and hot, stuffy and pretty uncomfortable. I was glad to get to Colchester and get in the air conditioned comfort of Andy’s car.</p><p align="justify">Well a very pleasant afternoon was had, much chin-wagging and a BBQ washed down with a couple of Timothy Taylor Landlord ales, specially procured by Andy. Both his girls came to visit too - I’d seen neither for nearly a year. All in all it was a fantastic visit.</p><p align="justify">I’d debated to myself what time to leave - on the one hand I didn’t want to get back to Patsy too late - on the other I wondered how busy rush hour would be in London once I got to Liverpool Street. Having decided on the 5:15pm train I was back at the station in good time and the 5:00pm one was at the platform so I boarded that. A completely different kettle of fish entirely from the first, this was sleek, modern, cool and very comfortable. I was also faster, getting in to Liverpool Street just 50 minutes later.</p><p align="justify">I could have got a bus from here to Brixton but journey time was looking like an hour, and with another 30 minutes or so thereafter back to the site, I just didn’t fancy it so instead opted for the tube.</p><p align="justify">The first leg, to Bank was ok, where I changed lines - this train was rammed and, given how things are just now a little uncomfortable. Fortunately, the vast majority of people were complying with the rules and had masked up.</p><p align="justify">Thankfully the train emptied considerably at the next stop and was relatively quiet all the way to Stockwell where I changed for Brixton, finally boarding the good old No.3 again for the last leg of the journey back to site. Patsy had hit 27 degrees and the fridge was struggling a little - luckily there’s not much left in it. </p><p align="justify">Some nibbles, procured in the usual Sainsbury’s Local, went down well and the eyelids became heavy soon after. I called it a night a little earlier than usual but it had been a cracking day all around.</p><ul><li><div align="justify">For the record; public transport journeys taken (excluding train to Colchester): Bus 363 to Elephant & Castle, Bus 344 to Monument, Underground to Aldgate East, Underground to Liverpool Street, Underground to Brixton (3 trains) Bus 3 to Crystal Palace. Total cost capped at £7.40</div></li></ul><p align="justify"><strong>Thursday 3rd June</strong></p><p align="justify">The day started a little overcast but the forecast looked pretty good and by the time I came to leave for the bus was pondering the wisdom of donning leather jeans and waistcoat for the day - but decided to anyway, getting the usual odd looks through the site. I can’t understand it - I’d left my coat off. Standards.</p><p align="justify">The project was very much on the home straight now with with just seven addresses left to visit, the majority being centred around the jewellery area in Old and New Bond Street. First on the list though was one I’d originally mis-plotted on the map and so headed, via Brixton of course on the No.3, on the No.59 again, alighting on Kingsway near Holborn Station. </p><p align="justify">207 High Holborn was once occupied by Shapland. A Grade II Listed building, at one time a tobacconist but by 1849 a pawnbroker, the name Shapland first appearing around 1891. The name remained until the early eighties when it became a branch of Goldsmiths. Most recently occupied by Cards Galore it is currently empty.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-jwi0-iQcN9xKPMEH7UgJ3NPtRko4kxo"><img width="242" height="285" title="20210301_154146" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210301_154146" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-LuTq-ZvNJgVr7uPaZNoamovHPj011OS" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1EJ2sRs6m2g7ai9_s9wvqhGT8TCoOLfN6"><img width="362" height="285" title="20210603_103013" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210603_103013" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1X41TiWqd9E0FEWwBB45raAGNnu6OBpDS" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">There followed a walk down Shaftesbury Avenue and into Soho. Google Maps predicted 14 minutes, my legs said 18. Running roughly East to west I was able once again, vampire like, to keep in the shade of the buildings for the most part. Soho was busy with delivery vehicles but not much else to be honest - nothing like it is usually. </p><p align="justify">83-85 Wardour Street used to be the Roundhouse. The current building dates from 1892 and it was the Round House from 1862, renamed from the Blue Cross which appears to have been established around 1756. Popular at one time as a blues and skiffle club, it had certainly lost the Round House name by 2013. It currently houses Soho Residence, a ‘premier bar, club and lounge space’. The Roundhouse name can still be seen on the corner.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GrPlrfgNm8qcsuv8FgVXIMGOKYXzIgyc"><img width="254" height="220" title="20210221_091710" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210221_091710" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gXUILZJV2b6nL0RGHuwz6o0z0TqN_p3B" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1qNUkcDVfetYuHo84Sl9CIdaKyhxzczbr"><img width="288" height="220" title="20210603_105328" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 121px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210603_105328" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Z3mDsAJHAFxI-meO-VKUllzkW2l8T6cO" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Continuing west along Brewer Street brought me to where Old & New Bond Street meet and directly opposite was my next port of call. </p><p align="justify">25 Old Bond Street and another Grade II listed building. Carrington & Co. jewellers and silversmiths were established in 1873, however all references point to them being at 130 Regent Street. I can’t as yet find definitive connection to them at Old Bond Street, however it seems likely it was the same company. Carrington received several Royal warrants and were later bought out by Collingwood. Collingwood appears to have closed in 2004 and the premises has been occupied by Tiffany & Co since at least 2001.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=19NFeyE1cM_QdRxF4hzPwfFUrIyHAoAl9"><img width="354" height="217" title="20210221_091559" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210221_091559" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12XlVHGDniB4WC-CqXd8kqq3t1lbA5jB6" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=15Tkdjd2rmYxFhZjxP8lNU7qikFgsqW5N"><img width="352" height="217" title="20210603_110544" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 17px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210603_110544" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1b9kVY1Ye72rg9RcyWHDjaBR1djdrf7Zf" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">There were certainly more people about here, a queue to get into Hermes stretching around the corner. I eyed some artwork in the street as hefty - if not necessarily fit - security guards - present by most of the shops - eyed me warily. Clearly I didn’t like look a potential customer.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Aa9cYURUiEd-YWay_aPtPTWLDEgQ9sPJ"><img width="502" height="285" title="20210603_110919" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210603_110919" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1M7u1NQwz_NJWuFVQm8yD5ehm8hN86x-i" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1uy0YBvzd-eGYDGkkFOnWFGteHslFQHJo"><img width="197" height="285" title="20210603_110935" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210603_110935" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1c8Im7RQxLPjMHMkOOz07fruEzE7MynLU" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">At 11 New Bond Street used to be Philip Antrobus. Established in 1815 who were commissioned by Prince Philip to design the Queens’ engagement ring, along with a bracelet containing diamonds from his mothers’ tiara. The company was acquired by <a href="https://www.pragnell.co.uk/">Pragnell</a> at some point and the unit has been occupied by Blanc Pain since 2014. It is possible that Philip Antrobus descended from the Antrobus family in Congleton. Now occupied by Blanc Pain.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1k5BhgNhePYorzZW7h21oQAJyLT7fBivn"><img width="295" height="236" title="20210215_153728" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210215_153728" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Jtv-ueAFk_tiUNyWu86SUWPO1F57nVFK" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1yYbBpAy0ufDEz8FqRGGscfeKUI0WuM36"><img width="330" height="236" title="20210603_110826" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 101px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210603_110826" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=10WHaB1cclaMv4rz7micjkgK6UqiFPAQ1" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Further up at No. 26 another name had disappeared. This one was difficult to pin down exactly but Tessiers looks to be have been established around the early to mid 1800’s. Moved to nearby Burlington Arcade at some point but have since disappeared. Most recently occupied by Lucie Campbell who closed in March 2019, Savills agents reported in December 2019 that luxury retailer Faure le Page would be taking over the property although as you see it still appears to be empty. Again, apologies for the skewed image, taken with the wide angle lens leaning against a DHL van which was parked directly in front!</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12-OmBK0PeFIUII_Yvl2dsI6C84NdRMrA"><img width="254" height="261" title="20210215_153708" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210215_153708" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Ufe6T333JdLavlfbH2Xx3sbIEzjKXYwO" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1VgKLQOxKHZtrqL7rVzSKggnTekl1neVB"><img width="353" height="261" title="20210603_111156" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 120px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210603_111156" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Kuv5XuV7iyz7mCMCLLVAy9Jbov7ttW9n" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">The Bond Street Kiosk at 34/35 New Bond Street appeared to occupy a spot directly in front of Sotheby’s auction house. Sparse information on this one however a Private Limited Company was incorporated in 1971 and a stock photo shows it still there in 1991. The company was dissolved in 1996. It has some claim to fame, being shown in the 1983 James Bond Film Octopussy - Roger Moore can be seen standing outside with a magazine.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1eS1vtAssQBkTJR6VBPp_AFbJz36b67XH"><img width="177" height="285" title="20210301_154142" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210301_154142" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18U2A8HjwLD6VCkEANSKBrQdz6jFsMyxZ" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tAJVmPvSr44McjRTHaDKPrNWzr01Kjcl"><img width="466" height="285" title="20210603_111319" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 90px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210603_111319" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_2xkV4HYMfmlSlJqy6_29gcU8hbfODNY" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">And so, on to the very last one on my list and it was perhaps appropriate that it was a pub. A slight reverse ferret and right turn brought me past the aforementioned Hermes store and into Bruton Street. At No.5 stands the Coach & Horses, one of the quaintest buildings I’ve seen on this trip. </p><p align="justify">Thought to be one of the first properties to be built in Bruton Street and first licensed in 1738. Rebuilt in 1933 in mock Tudor style and features caricatures of 19th century politicians and clerics on it’s walls. A Youngers pub at the time of the photo and until at least 2007, it is now under the Greene King banner.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QIYci_BIHJRzo7bBbqSkH_CDmCxuQM39"><img width="287" height="285" title="20210221_091618" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210221_091618" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GVQCLxI-ZPIJhjvr_3cIoBAo7o8XNLIB" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12qm3O_3m8dAoJbzYv7Ib3zPVbdi02tFc"><img width="162" height="285" title="20210603_111627" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210603_111627" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-hFYsO2rNsaTFL6S-gaQKeaTqCkFtDVm" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_vvqE_qBSWsh-jKIMzQzqpTFKQMg_wdh"><img width="300" height="285" title="20210603_111623" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210603_111623" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1TBAeXZ3aH6EoSlBcOkrekFVKm-Zay7O9" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">A celebratory pint would have been in order but it was a little too early for me and more importantly for them too, as they were shut.</p><p align="justify">Instead I took a slow walk back down Old Bond Street and along to Piccadilly, down Haymarket and past Trafalgar Square to Whitehall. I could have got on a bus almost straight away here but the Red Lion was very much open and the temptation was too much. I downed my first draught pint of the trip outside watching the world go by before boarding the bus back to the site, crossing the Thames at Lambeth Bridge, for a late but much enjoyed bacon and Stilton baguette. The usual nap, blog writing, dinner and telly followed. </p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1mRrnXK5hBeEFvYf_XA05qdpW4Ix4BgOh"><img width="126" height="214" title="20210603_120530" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210603_120530" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1UuKgkS4GQY4U_J6vrdifSmlCPslAcjnW" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13n3PQAb3YwSEXmK5MDojkId9wl-9Dsmh"><img width="161" height="214" title="20210603_120651" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210603_120651" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ylfX-kalnGEW5rVuflEOo2kP3DiiC9Mf" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1CfJ6PqDdkuOct9WEOZCR_l2r0ZID323o"><img width="376" height="214" title="20210603_125749" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210603_125749" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-k6KdGwmd4tyG37lAYIk4qWujjocpMO7" border="0"></a></p><ul><li><div align="justify">For the record: Public transport used: Bus 3 to Brixton, Bus 59 to Holborn, Bus 3 to Crystal Place. Total Cost £3.10.</div></li></ul><p align="justify">I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed this. From doing the jigsaw that I remember as a kid back in the late 70’s/early 80’s, to all the research done during the winter lockdown, to finally getting to visit all the places featured on the jigsaw. To follow will be a new montage, recreating the original image, once I sort the appropriate software.</p><p align="justify">In all I did 22 bus journeys and 8 separate underground trips. Cost for the week: £31.25, capped on several days through the TFL Oyster system. </p><p align="justify">Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read this this series of blog posts. I do hope you have enjoyed reading them as much as I have putting them together. It’s took me to parts of London that I haven’t been to for years, sometimes back to when I was a kid visiting with my parents, which was longer ago than I care to remember. </p><p align="justify">Cheers</p><p align="justify">Rich.<br></p><p align="justify"></p>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-52788171605694495322021-06-03T19:37:00.000+01:002021-06-03T19:37:28.726+01:00London Spring 2021 | The Jigsaw Project | Part 4<p align="justify"><strong>Tuesday 1st June</strong></p><p align="justify">A very productive day project wise. For those just joining and wondering about the title, a look at Parts 1,2 & 3 should help, along with <a href="https://thebloggerinblack.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">THIS</a> blog post on my non-caravanning blog which might just help explain what an earth I’m on about for the next few minutes.</p><p align="justify">Once again the early morning cuppa coaxed the grey matter into life as I consulted Google Maps to determine my starting point for the day. I had no target as such, nor much of a plan but with so many in Central London close together I would trudge for as long as the knee and heat would allow.</p><p align="justify">The usual No. 3 took me to Brixton, changing to the No. 59 which would cross the Thames via Waterloo Bridge, depositing me on Aldwych for a short walk up and across Kingsway to Portsmouth Street, just south of Lincolns Inn Field which, along with Temple to the South is London’s historic - and current - legal quarter.</p><p align="justify">The Old Curiosity Shop, on a quiet street away from the hustle and bustle, sits defiantly amongst modern characterless developments thanks to its’ listed status. Built in the 16th century and surviving the Great Fire it was originally a dairy, later a bookstore and now a swanky shoe shop. Development around was in full swing so another that will need a return visit in due course.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-DudI4ED6kq47NuXrpuEh7BX843vOKbi"><img width="255" height="236" title="20210215_153715" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210215_153715" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1P-F8FC-YLx_1flIQ-IuhXN44wAsUfTfX" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ovZo9_Vr-IoXlfPH_JxD_VJhN4Nvmqbe"><img width="312" height="236" title="20210601_104640" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 160px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210601_104640" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1USJoSOsie_JLNa-gp5-UbWxKuR53R-Yr" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Back across Kingsway and towards the centre I spotted this, once The infamous Blitz Club. Not on the list but worth a snap.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1eC6frDLcLgZDoYw1F4BMDi0fyZVzZvM_"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210601_105407" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210601_105407" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1csTacEmbnqJUWFZypDQlPm3wfsNnfMGf" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1o9mxGiQ3ZTlhNYEXiLMB9wbcOLjyAUmW"><img width="204" height="201" title="20210601_105415" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 115px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210601_105415" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Zxss4seMdqQ7uXAOv6DMrXx38kM5NdFJ" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">At 22 Great Queen Street used to be L. Cornelissen. ‘Artists colourmen’ said to have been founded by a Belgian lithographer, initially at Drury Lane and reportedly moving to Great Queen Street in 1855, it’s home until 1977 when it closed following the death of the last of the Cornelissen’s. The name re-emerged at 105 Great Russell Street in 1979, where it continues to this day. The most recent occupants were Estate Agents but as you can see, the unit is now empty. Please forgive the photo but thanks to a delivery vehicle being directly in front, the phones’ wide angle lens was deployed.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12K8O2FsLbkTQbvs9iPD-rNPy39TEJmt6"><img width="102" height="285" title="20210301_163857" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 90px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210301_163857" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gLme-xxdmHV_LlsKYEZMreGtOM7Dzh_-" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GrtvvBT_j_dPl5dT50JQmqGruP6ukI_O"><img width="349" height="285" title="20210601_105607" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 160px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210601_105607" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18dzWX_nE-Mjwc0zED7Ws4A0yTMtg1bQa" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Close by was Drury Lane, at the southern end of which was No.68, once home to Brodie & Middleton; theatrical and scenic supplies and, given their location in Theatreland, certainly in the right place. Moving from Long Acre in 1981 and from 1999 they shared the premises with canvas supplier Russell & Chapple and moved to Store Street in 2015 where business continues today under the Russell & Chapple name. An office of some sort behind the frosted glass and there has clearly been much redevelopment since the original photo was taken,</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1CYcOYsD8LRHfbOqWyLd_kir9oRTzjn5H"><img width="354" height="151" title="20210301_154231" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210301_154231" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1vh8x_lHj4oD8KgEvLKQBZ5Oh6XzdjC3w" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=19Rvq2mU4U0yFUdyycS47zxF-L47a_307"><img width="244" height="151" title="_DSC0331" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 79px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0331" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1zB_AiADoMcH8EvEcmw8EUvuEb3qwaGaz" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">One street across from Drury Lane was Catherine Street and a chance to bag two more addresses. At No.29 was the Nell of Old Drury pub. First licensed in 1835, rebuilt in 1883 and renamed in 1965 after Nell Gwynne, mistress of King Charles II, although it’s also reported that there has been a pub on the site since at least 1660. A tunnel running between the pub and the Theatre Royal opposite was reportedly used by the King to visit Nell. Lots of original features remain. I love the bow window.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1e3mwl_mPr6KRhn8qnZ6DkNkoTCgDSeVa"><img width="322" height="236" title="20210221_091707" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210221_091707" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12bEXDREu8WtY7Sy9McYprpXISmwfRSY5" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1SaLa3KbQFh1w2TqT8NBysgeiZGmWJlUE"><img width="337" height="236" title="_DSC0332" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0332" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1WGOjZjYRj-wo2V3JpusUG_xcL-naypDM" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">A few doors along at No. 23 is The Opera Tavern. A Blue Plaque gives the date as since 1879 but records indicate there has been a pub here since the 1791, initially the Yorkshire Grey, then the Sheridan Knowles, back when it was still Brydges Street. The name change to The Opera Tavern appears to have occurred in 1861. The name remains but became a tapas bar and restaurant in around 2011. I much prefer the original facade.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1kjBZRCRZs27ATd8DJOUgBEEo82Wazcq5"><img width="316" height="236" title="20210221_091658" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210221_091658" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1PhFAwMdK4a2oyu29p6XoO93Ws-DdXBBE" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1NQbVsZdV96PChc85gQWzgzYHYBT_tf5t"><img width="351" height="236" title="_DSC0333" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0333" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1IHkW0xbXpv-DPLYJiPlcAuHDtANY0Tgn" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Next it was a trudge north up Drury Lane past the Travelodge where I stayed in London for my 40th just a few, ahem, years ago. Not the most comfortable of walks - previously I’d been heading roughly west to east, keeping to the shady side like a vampire wary of the sun. No matter, the destination was worth it - 53 New Oxford Street has been home to the business of James Smith & Sons for nearly 200 years, providing the capitals’ populace with umbrellas, walking sticks, seat sticks and associated accessories. Much unchanged as you can see. Fabulous.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1j4JuR0dn0N4PYnM5KqnTKfvQ4vezhyFA"><img width="354" height="128" title="20210215_153702" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210215_153702" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QtGPO0ta8B3SVH5w-4m-qwv_ZtMyw1hE" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GptOa4mgnYQdNyb8aq7ttXeMIx65f3js"><img width="392" height="128" title="_DSC0343" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0343" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1xncWsC-E12uU4lCqWzX7yZcUrndlyvEr" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">A trudge back south and just off Seven Dials was Neal Street. at No. 33. Ellen Kelly barrow makers were established in Ireland in 1830, the family coming over to England at the time of the potato famine. Likely at Neal Street from 1900-1982, the company, whose customers were mainly market traders', branched out in the 60’s hiring out to the film industry. <a href="http://www.keeleyhire.co.uk/about_us.php">Keely Hire</a> exists today in Hertfordshire as a supplier of props to the film, television and events sector. Research in the winter revealed the premises to be occupied by a jean store but the current tenants dispense face coverings and sanitiser. Most definitely a sign of the times.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=11TjnWhG_1SrjsEy1n0sdRpZhVFeovMCL"><img width="314" height="236" title="20210301_154109" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210301_154109" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=16i1w_RZ2g9K6za5gAP7J28PmVH0mtm7k" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Nw-agcdb3cXGUnDPclIpXldMrBOfIIFc"><img width="267" height="236" title="_DSC0344" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 138px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0344" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18EIIRIQoFBrJPeLO3kmxB_KQFn3LHIku" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">A short walk across the other side of Seven Dials was Earlham Street and its’ worth mentioning that this part of London, whilst not exactly quiet, was far from busy and much more pleasant to walk around than usual. No dodging of camera wielding tourists - or should I say OTHER camera wielding tourists….</p><p align="justify">No. 14 was home, in the original pic, to F.W Collins & Sons. Ironmongers established in 1835 and owned by the Collins family for seven generations. The shop closed in 2008 and was occupied since 2009 by The Vintage Showroom - specialists in vintage clothing and accessories. They even named their in house clothing line F. W. Collins in honour of the previous occupants but this branch closed recently. Grade II listed. Again the necessary wide angle lens on the mobile has skewed the image a bit.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ukhH_hYhOwIZVvxeaDkUK7U36n_QysOL"><img width="234" height="285" title="20210301_154128" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 87px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210301_154128" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1n_yFNP0npvJxfsWMgruXZ9BuaoaDEzh4" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1pED6qgltK88-XZzUJmrRDtCafZYH0Y1K"><img width="252" height="285" title="_DSC0345" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 117px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0345" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1XeOr6IBrb3vZQpKo5qRDAZqdgQP6xF5m" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">From the relative quiet of Seven Dials and on to the traffic choked Charing Cross Road, once home - and still is to a degree - a plethora of book sellers, but first was a former tobacconists - G. Smith & Sons at No.74. Established in 1869, they offered a walk in humidor for cigar fans and and numerous blends of loose tobacco and snuff too. It seems to have finally closed in 2011. Now occupied by waistcoat, tie and jewellery specialists <a href="http://www.andytuly.co.uk/">Andy & Tuly</a>. Some nice cufflinks in the window and nice to see the original name still visible.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1FLs1RQvi4p73DcjVLk6WVfLF8Rh-Xl07"><img width="254" height="279" title="20210221_091643" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210221_091643" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1eXRtYckktTZPbK562Z8FSv8srPSYbvXu" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1pJENMzxx_sczF-vboHzEKAIfTMddQjbV"><img width="283" height="279" title="20210601_114948" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 107px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210601_114948" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1rTXlwVsNZyLEVBZYLlkbZKk1nJ3LN-KO" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">No 70, at the time of the photo was home to M.B. Newman. Online research reveals the business there in 1967 but more recently Cards Galore occupied the premises, which is now empty.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1FyWRBQdSuYlwkq6ZD9gTwZmApp7MmCyq"><img width="354" height="231" title="20210221_091704" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210221_091704" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1sMvvvtCfoa6t6PpjXP5573LEmV88vYGC" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1FIvCIYrZSKPEzu2YD296dFDK5YHd2MhH"><img width="346" height="231" title="_DSC0348" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0348" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HwjfpEslZzDAmRuQZXaKn01EsDSRvR6X" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">There used to be another bookshop at 48A - E. Joseph. At Charing Cross Road from around 1900, It became Quinto bookshop in 1983 until 2010 when they moved further up and since 2020 now operate solely online. Patisserie Valerie currently occupy the unit.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=15mDFQglblA6nOc2ivtltNa7tV29Asj5K"><img width="354" height="221" title="20210301_154116" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210301_154116" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13IWDXPWehQiWulab4U9qt83aHSF2eVPV" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=19oLJlSwani5MRK6ue0KAgwR2jzwFAcFW"><img width="331" height="221" title="_DSC0349" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0349" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Z2v7rw8B4X-X-CV0WU0Bd4hk-sbdA8Rn" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">It was proving to be a very fruitful day and was rapidly approaching lunchtime, however there was one more to knock off before delving into the backpack. A stroll through St Martins’ Court and across St Martin’s Lane brought me to Bedfordbury, at No. 26 which was a barbers. No, I didn’t need a haircut - that’s largely DIY these days - but another business featured on the jigsaw which, although it may well have changed hands, was still operating over 40 years later. Originally Peter’s Gents Hairdressers - although apparently no-one called Peter has ever ran it - but since the eighties was run by younger family members and known as George the Barber. </p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GD2Nt3wuclrJbteb9K5fBpAYzdgGOWYM"><img width="206" height="285" title="20210221_091608" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 135px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210221_091608" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1KIMi_qPvpKVTeQznkICdYEGgRKloxEN1" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1iRogkMd0OT6yMlG8v3JfvL2V_Jk0JADu"><img width="210" height="285" title="_DSC0350" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 108px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0350" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1lp5embmtYtXY6azuHKT25pvPr340FzM3" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Lunch - home cooked gammon baguette and a banana for the record - was wolfed down in the shade overlooking Trafalgar Square after a visit to the facilities there. 20p to pee and contactless was accepted at the barrier - except it wasn’t working and I had no cash. Said pee turned out to be free after being let in by the attendant.</p><p align="justify">A very short diversion from Whitehall and the start of the No.3 back to site was 10 Northumberland Street and the Sherlock Holmes pub. A pub since 1846 and rebuilt in 1883, it was called The Northumberland Arms until 1957 when, then owners Whitbread recreated Holmes’ sitting room at 221b Baker Street with items rescued from the Holmes exhibition, part of the 1951 Festival of Britain. The sitting room can still be viewed through glass from the upstairs dining room.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1cViMXuBYrkoNpqqWl_d25QXyImeUnaVX"><img width="354" height="162" title="20210301_154131" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210301_154131" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HwJOwdQIqUL4DACOAm9tnWXDGzvZl_FJ" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14e4TGUvcnb7I7EhO7u1erKcWFF8Kvyf0"><img width="373" height="162" title="20210601_122752" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210601_122752" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1dAid06evfZTmOrhKEut1crPNNVoJ4nrl" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">And that was it for the day. Back to the site on the good old No.3, hopping off at Brixton for beer and nibbles. As per, a beer in the recliner and the eventual unbuckling of boots and peeling off of the leather trews preceded a nap before getting to work on Part 3, dinner and TV following soon after. Having Just finished Series 4 of the excellent French cop drama Spiral, I’m currently mid way through ‘The Killing’, billed as the original Scandi-noir. At twenty episodes it’s a slow burner but definitely engrossing. No, I can’t understand French or Danish - English is a struggle after a few - but they’ve certainly been worth watching.</p><p align="justify">Part 5 coming soon…</p><ul><li><div align="justify">For the record, public transport used: Bus 3 to Brixton, Bus 59 to Aldwych, Bus 3 to Crystal Palace. Total cost (uncapped): £3.10.</div></li></ul><p align="justify"></p>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-53367153344385925612021-06-02T06:51:00.000+01:002021-06-04T10:54:59.875+01:00London Spring 2021 | The Jigsaw Project | Part 3<p align="justify"><strong>Monday May 31st</strong></p><p align="justify">It had turned chilly overnight again so the Caravan & Motorhome Club’s leccy meter was sent spinning a little faster for a few minutes as I came too, necked a cuppa and eventually peered outside. A thin fog had descended overnight and it looked a bit murky out. Even so I doubted it would be around long, a thought backed up by the weather forecast which predicted the mercury - or non hazardous equivalent - hitting the low twenties later.</p><p align="justify">As expected, by the time I emerged from the ‘van the sun was out, although there was a pleasant breeze to be had as I walked along to the bus stop to begin the days exploring. So pleasant in fact that I decided to walk back to the ‘van and make the same trip again a few moments later, having retrieved the face mask I’d er, deliberately left hanging up by the door. Tit.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1fLexLfCmyThNKRhoXkuy3HVGe88lFdxu"><img width="254" height="251" title="20210531_102202" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20210531_102202" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1AeuqDYWfUe4wKCqEM3fCF1RC9bWEA9Vm" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Talking about face coverings - whilst most comply with the current rules, a bit of a pain though they are, there have been one or two on public transport here who have not being wearing them. Yes, some are exempt and the reasons for them being so are not always visible but there seemed a certain defiance - more so in the young - well, younger than me anyway, which doesn't narrow it down much these days. </p><p align="justify">Anyway, it was the No. 3 bus as per usual that had the undoubted privilege of conveying the Blogger in Black first, changing at Brixton again, this time to the the No. 2 which deposited me just west of Trafalgar Square by Pall Mall. Today’s area was Mayfair and around and the stench of money grew appreciably stronger as I made my way to my first destination; Jermyn Street.</p><p align="justify">Better known for traditional - and expensive -gents outfitters; think stiff collar shirts, made to measure suits and handmade shirts. I like clothes as you know but they were all a bit well, staid and nothing piqued my interest, even before being put off by the price tag. Anyway, my first port of call was a shop which sold cheese. </p><p align="justify">Paxton & Whitfield have been at 93 Jermyn Street since 1896, the business itself being formed by Stephen Cullum in 1742 when he started a market stall. Harry Paxton and Charles Whitfield joined the company in 1790. Royal warrants include Queen Victoria, the current Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles. The <a href="https://www.paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk/our-heritage" target="_blank">‘Our Heritage’</a> section on their website is worth a look. I love traditional shop fronts with well dressed windows and this looked every bit as impressive as the original photo featured on the jigsaw - as usual shown on the left.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=16MNG2ijC3NdNnsf2jmTDXQxk_yz7-qMN"><img width="354" height="226" title="20210303_160929" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210303_160929" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1SyYLjc_xpCMAugwk0KqUWu0mriY8Iwtr" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1fdj5oLzs6kvYHWD_SIzzAKk_eZudJH7O"><img width="354" height="224" title="_DSC0307" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0307" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1P5q_ZkQOjfTKY0sChDUwP85vMvf2GDow" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">A few doors along was Floris; perfumers to the well heeled gent since 1730. The Spanish mahogany cabinets and glasswork, purchased at The Great Exhibition in 1852 are still in the shop today. Notable customers from the past include Florence Nightingale, Sir Winston Churchill, Ian Fleming and Marilyn Monroe. Again, I love that they’ve kept the traditional look. I could have done with stocking up but doubted they sold Brut….</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14cvXEmaSDjjsJ-7nR_GXYt__aBVA8SJQ"><img width="354" height="262" title="20210215_153649" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210215_153649" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1xq5twzQB9qA2vTocYx7sHTN_x5YiRtQi" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1c1flQXVE8ERt6VsSvd9fcXCKVAO785NI"><img width="359" height="262" title="_DSC0309" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0309" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1K_RGEYpetRTCA1AvB_3JLbWihW0U65cM" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">A trudge to the end brought me to St James Street and further down at No. 3 just across from St James Palace was another traditional business that had stood the test of time. Originally a coffee merchant, George Berry joined the company in 1803 and by 1810 it was his name above the door. It was the turn of the century before the company began to focus exclusively on wine. Hugh Rudd joined the company in 1920 and in 1940 a limited company was formed with the name that remains to this day. For a more in depth look at the history, do have a look at the <a href="https://www.bbr.com/about/history">About</a> section on their website. I love a nice glass or two of red although doubted they had anything in my price range. As it happens they were closed which was probably just as well as I may have been tempted.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1NpYr2n_eGABcTH9R3rWQgRhcvqVqkCOl"><img width="303" height="224" title="20210301_154119" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210301_154119" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1lO4yDu3ZUfBi2LVNS3LaQANRANRPAtWU" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ko9ya4FxY9PF4-HM0DyfcStsNITFNce1"><img width="462" height="224" title="_DSC0310" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0310" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1uFrsgVZdweqXaEW3McH6X66VcmUTxB-h" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">A reverse ferret up St James Street and a walk along a Piccadilly brought me to Curzon Street, now very much in Mayfair. Roller’s, Bentley’s and Ferrari’s were a common sight and your Chelsea tractors were ten a penny.</p><p align="justify">G. F. Trumper at No.9 - gents barbers and perfumers - have been coiffuring and odourising the Mayfair set and beyond since 1875. As you can see the front was partially obscured by roadworks, so a return visit will be called for at some point, to reproduce the original photo.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=16weG_27lsICSdm-hZQZHsLcrljRauC2G"><img width="320" height="236" title="20210221_091635" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 53px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210221_091635" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1v03naQRYfopmCVlPNWqQUKi8g3pkyuCP" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1wI_Vpvdk_93XiQUACZhH3roMlI8_x2f8"><img width="348" height="236" title="_DSC0315" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0315" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1sIsc4sVKYRzPdp-yKi4WKQTm08pE_HE6" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Next up was Mount Street - a little further north and a pleasant walk - it was fairly quiet it has to be said - past Berkeley Square. There were no Nightingales singing - a complaint stating such has been put to Visit London - but a measure of the affluence of the area can be seen across the other side. </p><p align="justify">At the risk of alienating the Clarkson brigade I’m afraid such machines do little for me but I'm yet to discover if the old adage that inversely equates men’s motors to manhood rings true. Another sort of ahem, ‘research’ entirely..</p><p align="justify">I’m not adverse to the burble and throb of a big ‘V’ but, seeing and hearing an ageing Roller purr elegantly out of a side road before I could position my camera was such a delightful sound. I could see myself pulling up on to site in one, a lottery win notwithstanding.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jSrnlrIEAgqJBXBNwq0yzBKp6JzqFbJz"><img width="320" height="214" title="_DSC0316" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 53px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0316" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1IXpe8QmEoHM32jfIGWLNRG4pKhmTrOSa" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_T-yU73SUo-gp89AbWjgSmhB1oA-9ESg"><img width="320" height="214" title="_DSC0319" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0319" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1XEN9FzswjMWU0Vg1b2A-B00s3AGUVvyw" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Right, 117 Mount Street was once home to R. Allen and Co; High class butchers since 1830 and here from around 1880. The business was bought out in 2006 and closed in 2015 after falling into administration, the shops’ many fans taking to social media to blame the landlords for skyrocketing rents. In it’s place is a luxury deli from the Italian <a href="https://www.pasticceriamarchesi.com/en.html">Marchesi</a> group. Thankfully, being listed, the wonderful façade remains.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=11KStN5QYt_j2-p7B0QC0uo1HsoaWIGc-"><img width="348" height="236" title="20210215_153733" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210215_153733" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MD1__pwlK37VtcqK4dExX1pXe2CEltRM" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1oOLg0ACytVUXVAm-kHxG9odn3yUpgOLJ"><img width="350" height="236" title="_DSC0321" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0321" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1pz9Lyai76veBZsaHwBHfn7OYTVpAO7cQ" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">And so on to the next, roughly in the direction of Oxford Street, and this is the only address of which I’m not 100% certain. John Walker, a watch and clock maker was established in 1830. Apparently the firm was located at 1 South Molton Street in 1906 and moved to 64 South Molton Street in 1981, where a repair and restoration service continues on the first floor today. An email, when I did my online research back in the winter, sadly remains unanswered. </p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1I3fy5iW4xSuxcW5rfccU6Tz8FDOe8KaN"><img width="303" height="224" title="20210215_153741" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210215_153741" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1B3UMSuI5eS75IRcxcYcaPOLVc9nPu8S9" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1AwWLeaRTmbMT-HRy-UvAEN0D8djlMYAY"><img width="300" height="224" title="_DSC0323" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0323" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1niEJWi92Sy4asFB5ECSGHafHQCsNRux-" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HC3eT1kgxPjE9tgLq_zCYCCbqLGJFWUq"><img width="147" height="224" title="_DSC0324" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0324" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1RiqU9fIw_7EL6aC1OeO7s-iTKVSVAUAd" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Having bagged six already I contemplated calling it a day, but a look at the addresses plotted on Google Maps revealed that Wigmore Street was a short walk away, so I set off, crossing a relatively quiet Oxford Street and heading up Marylebone Lane.</p><p align="justify">At 62 was the only Cock & Lion. First licenced in the late 1700’s as the Lyon & Cock at 25 Wigmore Street and rebuilt in 1880. Presumably the street was renumbered at some point. Having not brought a packed lunch I was sorely tempted but all the outside seating was taken. My Nan had a coat like the lady in the original picture.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1LqVhznhsbmj1gJRf70HL_lhIuqUaJ7eW"><img width="299" height="236" title="20210221_091615" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210221_091615" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Eg6kEkZZvAGIZ4beu1DWkyq5JtQv4UTl" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1fADs1FXMrpF0P9SRfULhT6Ub535PTgfN"><img width="324" height="236" title="20210531_124201" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210531_124201" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jSEV7ey0ER2ixst0tiTB2yGp2w2cCue7" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Having consulted Google Maps and the Transport for London website, there was more one more address easily reachable. On entering George Street I remembered being here before with pals for a stop on the way to something that vaguely resembled football at Queens Park Rangers, Loftus Road. Not the place I was after but handily adjacent to a Tesco metro where I procured a sarnie that was wolfed down in short order.</p><p align="justify">At No. 89 used to be the Worcester Arms, Established around 1839 at No. 42 and renumbered to 89, the pub finally closed in 2002. Occupied now by an Italian seafood place who’s waiters eyed my camera wielding warily.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18vCJpu_J90FU3f1k03bXfcUwnoU2szy_"><img width="354" height="120" title="20210301_154125" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210301_154125" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1WyAHEfpY_ON4ZMkRbDgVoeLnopqHU2bH" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ThSchm-IIPAGDmgL4CEEAWRb0iMJ2iml"><img width="334" height="120" title="_DSC0329" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0329" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_HazFqONhoChlbvZ4lembtxJGtNfwrzU" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">And that was it for the day. A reverse ferret to Baker Street and the No 2, the stop for which was just across the road, took me via Marble Arch and Victoria, to Brixton where I was able to hop off and grab a couple of beers and some cheese before boarding the usual No. 3 back to the site. There's a consistently busy Sainsburys Local by Brixton Underground station but a short walk further up is another, just a few yards from the bus stop. Much quieter, the staff are amongst the most friendly and helpful I have ever encountered in a supermarket chain. Good on ‘em.</p><p align="justify">Back at site, a cold beer in the recliner by the ‘van preceded the unbuckling of the winklepickers and peeling off of the leathers. There may well have been a second before I retired to Patsy for a welcome nap, prior to a livening cuppa bashing one out - a blog post that is.</p><p align="justify">Thanks once again for reading, Part 4 to come soon, and a very fruitful if somewhat sweaty trudge around Central London for #thejigsawproject.</p><ul><li><div align="justify">For the record; journeys made: Bus 3 to Brixton, Bus 159 to Pall Mall, Bus 2 to Brixton, Bus 3 to Crystal Palace. Total cost: £4.65.</div></li></ul><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"></p>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-79784973770582643212021-05-31T19:12:00.000+01:002021-05-31T19:16:37.746+01:00London Spring 2021 | The Jigsaw Project | Part 2<p align="justify"><strong>Sunday 30th May</strong></p><p align="justify">For those that missed or managed to avoid Part 1, you can find out the reason for this trip and the blog title on my sister blog A Load of Nonsense <a href="https://thebloggerinblack.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-jigsaw-project.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. A huge thank you to those that read it and for your kind comments.</p><p align="justify">I woke to an overcast morning and in fact the temperature had dropped sufficiently overnight to warrant the deployment of the cute little 2 bar electric fire to warm things up whilst I lay, with a cuppa contemplating the day ahead. With a whole week to complete my project I initially thought about having a day ‘off’. Patsy could certainly do with some more attention lavished on her but breakfast and a nuclear strength coffee saw me booted - and yes even coated - and at the bus stop by 9:30am. Ok - the coat wasn’t necessary but neither was it too warm for one, the sun still yet to put in an appearance. Standards….</p><p align="justify">First port of call was Islington, a straightforward journey on the good old No.3 to Brixton, then the tube, changing at Victoria to Angel, the first two addresses on the list being only a few minutes walk away in the quaint Camden Passage, just off the main drag.</p><p align="justify">No. 41 Was once occupied by Gordon Gridley antiques - established in the early seventies by an English teacher who turned his passion for antiques into a second income, eventually opening the shop. Said to be the oldest antiques shop in the Passage, Posh Totty Designs have occupied the unit since 2017.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=17RbiTNgE3jaliVqolv9a4Oo6UNp_CUjY"><img width="250" height="285" title="20210221_091647" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210221_091647" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HZb_Ui1kZhHOcIKmfWBXdWzc0ZQSKuxm" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1VfVT3rQF5fXhE72s2ONKww0JdFTXwR7I"><img width="401" height="285" title="_DSC0284" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0284" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1agllmx66skBHo6rnVVxrh6MqRoS2p14V" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">No. 2 is home to the Camden Head pub and has been since 1849. Such was the er, narrowness of said passage, ahem, I was unable to capture the image as featured on the jigsaw with the DSLR, or even with my phones’ wide angle lens. Looks very similar to back then though.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1kdyA4sZx2oBpYNgDRXXol6_9YCn1CI8s"><img width="186" height="285" title="20210211_162804" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210211_162804" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1BCrP34j3t-ZZjfTa-T7RRIYhiGFXYKTT" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1505MLjgrk87sLsOlZ_3xmONBzpaDVlqL"><img width="358" height="285" title="20210530_103853" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 101px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210530_103853" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=16Y1EmCRzesT9AyUgE61rLG3QdJ5XJbM1" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Next up was a butchers, just a 10 minute’s or so walk away and just south of Angel Station. 399 St John Street was occupied by J.R Wall & Co when the original photo was taken and now by Turner & George, the building’s listed status means the white tiling indicating the name of the original owner (bland) remains.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GuBm6dLrHeT8Kjr_2QKQUmI4oBNOIL3d"><img width="186" height="285" title="20210301_154113" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210301_154113" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ye5ZC_PFra4cfs3FgIGg1zl4BGJ5U2f_" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1f_6ZTGFRbwo_6FmdQ1jIYk5kTnCH-ILV"><img width="339" height="285" title="_DSC0287" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 99px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0287" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_XFZl72bc4sxSGHHc-v8UVM6s1xkN7mZ" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">My next destination should have been a simple bus ride away - however blue and white police tape fluttering and a rather mangled looking police van at a junction by the tube station meant a trudge further down St John Street, turning right by an eerily quiet Smithfield Market and the old Port of London Authority building.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HTlWITcS47uC-VMaAzT-HAxWaESSTzOd"><img width="354" height="160" title="20210530_111411" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20210530_111411" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1xp20ilwYVB77LSFxyUrlXima69FixsyL" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">A left turn brought me on to Farringdon Street, getting a good look at the Holborn Viaduct, supporting the A40, built in the 1860’s.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1kKldP_4Pku17J4RTGN_69FWDfIyekQA_"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0291" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0291" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1H4wCnEvGp5r_VeYRxgwRYIGSBygNMyKQ" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14PiAoKLJKYZDRnRD9Tc5vAoJtH_tGqW5"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0293" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0293" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1wc56Tw_pmlpA86HAyISeFKqtHTilHVfz" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">The junction of Farringdon Street and Fleet Street is Ludgate Circus and was the next address to be ticked off the list. 12 Ludgate Circus was the home of a pub since 1870, once the The King Lud pub, renamed Old King Lud and latterly Hogshead before closing in 2005. Now occupied by a fast food chain.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13y7n1PsLMPyFB_GLrH8ewZOZtnubqrZD"><img width="335" height="236" title="20210301_154135" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 69px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210301_154135" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14amrETFt2SKLUcxWyBaGYMPk3GVTXj7F" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ZMCEzUVg0TVyfqzDmIVFHV8jwMeQYLsB"><img width="253" height="236" title="_DSC0295" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 58px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0295" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=114glFMCnvA2iMzxMyqpMIkdyJXkR51D7" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">I had achieved my target of four and could have easily hopped on a bus to cross the Thames and eventually home but there were three more that were within the capabilities of my knee, so I set off down the infamous Fleet Street noting how quiet everywhere had been so far. There was evidence of how important Fleet Street had once been to the British newspaper industry and I wondered how the many pubs were now coping without thirsty journalists to keep refuelled between - or during - assignments.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Qn4DcXxjHkN-gLCYI6bFcKJhh1mW2-Td"><img width="190" height="285" title="_DSC0296" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 152px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0296" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=16nWtOqhwcvnUzK2KWj1S9EWJ9GyjjnR0" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1NtFJnUxkfxwBSLRrSaqWEQD5hmY6dj_R"><img width="190" height="285" title="_DSC0299" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 102px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0299" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13UHfZjBXBHj4wvedx1UH9UXRLiUbSTqZ" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Anyway, back to the matter in hand. 145 Fleet Street is home to Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese and there has been a pub here since 1538. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Dickens and P.G. Wodehouse are said to have visited. The death of it’s resident African Grey Parrot by the name of Polly made international news in 1926.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1zIrIjY9JuGbUO_WuAkMZ3GNDwqjhcFWo"><img width="354" height="228" title="20210301_154139" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210301_154139" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1UPfPlGLYrHjxQue-qHhXmc9ERAmt0_Rw" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1SqSKOO3_JqHu-g0FeDhY3hmK3scqcjf9"><img width="298" height="228" title="_DSC0298" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0298" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1nP1e3_AXWCcEUlnw83shsfdT-Rcx6wZh" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Fleet Street becomes The Strand, where I found what used to be the Wig and Pen club - frequented as the name suggests by journo’s and lawyers. It is said to be one of the few buildings in the area to survive the Great Fire of London in 1666, however it wasn’t so lucky in 2018 when it was hit by a London bus. The club closed in 2003 and is now the home of a Thai restaurant.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1cwciDyMWFsXXpj_xXhSiY_6p_rH6TjLu"><img width="334" height="200" title="20210221_091639" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210221_091639" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13g2tLb8_BvZ1CflGVTKLwdbNSDYNIg0x" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QkLgQq55bWL8IyXWn8zO-EosazmyzVM3"><img width="354" height="200" title="_DSC0302" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0302" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=15r01gbDCcA13MIoAGxuR30VG9TjWuc0v" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Further on still, was The George on The Strand; still very much a pub today.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1yrxWG-FwPYhx-r_gZkx82ZhGasgvoJgo"><img width="254" height="213" title="20210221_091631" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210221_091631" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1stzvOM2pusAiEkZEAJ15wa-hDRh2z10w" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=17Fft1KzOB_C0s0sLFYPupbUNdQpLpH_E"><img width="264" height="213" title="_DSC0303" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0303" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1iThprYxURe8MPSokuzzYtGCWZZ5N34_D" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1e5ZoXwAsRYEnvo1FYv_JhIqEGkFm_4e9"><img width="156" height="213" title="20210530_113751" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210530_113751" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1UBwuYCUessFnSQapcT6a7d3FtbpS79I9" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">St Clements Dane church splits the Strand in half by Aldwych and I grabbed a pew behind it to wolf down a packed lunch, looking over to the Royal Courts of justice opposite The George. The sun had burnt through now and it was nice and shady. There was very little pedestrian or vehicle traffic and it was a pleasant place to sit.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jFommJHIfSkQ38wgej_6FkHJ5F6D9fvR"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210530_113719" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210530_113719" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1CTGc8I6ddnxHQ2c3CqTo4eCXZCtSjR-9" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1OLiH2na7ezJ1M-UHwviOXusUPusOqVqp"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210530_114019" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210530_114019" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ySiwdVWHFZrTLoJZZWXnTadaVH9u_lL6" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">The No.59 bus took me across to Waterloo Bridge and on to Brixton, ‘supplies’ being procured at the Sainsbury’s Local, the staff at which are amongst the most polite, friendly and helpful I’ve come across. The usual No. 3 took me back to the site for a beer in the recliner and a most welcome nap before dinner. The site was still full, one pitch at least being occupied by those who were to attract the attention of the wardens several times, not least for having visitors on site, general rowdiness and rubbish strewn everywhere. Draw your own conclusions, I’m saying nowt else.</p><p align="justify">A night in front of the TV followed - it may have come to your attention that I’m yet to indulge in my more usual ‘research’ but I’m waiting until after the long weekend when things are quieter. A beer in nice pub garden in the sun will go down a treat.</p><p align="justify">Right, that’s it for Day 2, now 12 premises visited of the 42 and I’m happy with my progress far. The remaining ones are much closer together in Central London and the next few days will hopefully make further significant dents in that list.</p><p align="justify">Until Part 3…</p><ul><li><div align="justify">Public transport journeys made: Bus 3 to Brixton, Underground to Angel, changing to the Northern line at Victoria, Bus 59 from The Strand to Brixton, Bus 3 to Crystal Palace. Total cost capped at £5.60</div></li></ul><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"></p>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-16206129229410134042021-05-30T17:58:00.000+01:002021-05-30T18:28:05.966+01:00London Spring 2021 | The Jigsaw Project |Part 1<p align="justify"><strong><font size="2">Crystal Palace | 28th May to 4th June | 60 miles @ 28mpg | Pitch 33</font></strong></p><p align="justify"><strong><font size="2">Friday 28th May</font></strong></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">Time for Patsy’s second outing of the year - if you don’t count her little sojourn to the service centre in the winter to get her little problem with damp sorted - and it’s to the club site adjacent the mighty erection that is the Crystal Palace transmitter, for what is my 11th visit to this oh so handy but sadly under threat site.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">With term finishing on the Thursday I’d booked to go away on the Friday and it had been in the calendar for a while - ever since the club announced an extension to the site’s lease last year in fact. So when my my manager announced a month ago that we were required to attend an INSET day on said Friday he was politely appraised of the situation - the short two word reply I decided would be better kept to myself. As it happens it wasn’t an issue. Just as well.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">With arrivals not permitted until 1pm there was no rush but even so, I did regret not hauling the majority of the gear down to the car until the morning. I’ve never got the hang of travelling light but given my sartorial er ‘bent’ it’s not really an option. One has standards to keep up though I suspected that given the weather forecast the two long leather coats selected for the trip might well be redundant.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">Such was my uncharacteristic organisation I even had time to call in to get newly MOT’d Rosie a spruce up on the way to the storage yard. These days I’m happy to hand over some folding, the racquet of CBA swatting away any thoughts of doing it myself mostly.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">Pre flight checks were executed surprisingly efficiently - no air needed in the tyres and Patsy’s nuts were suitably tight. I hitched up ahead of schedule and even sat for a bit, not wanting to risk arriving early. Even Rosie seemed to look pleased at the prospect of hauling lardy Patsy through the pot holed South London roads, perhaps conscious of the fact that I’ve spent a bit of time on Auto Trader recently. I’m not looking to change just yet but it’s worth seeing what’s out there and for how much. Her annual mileage has dropped considerably as I don’t use her for work and pretty much all journeys are with Patsy attached, but at 141,000 miles she’s in the autumn of her years.</font></p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1LYZ17x1WAEDH4n9EVvf3LjKQBcEMrIh5"><font size="2"><img width="254" height="200" title="E2d5PXuWUAEZkrZ" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="E2d5PXuWUAEZkrZ" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jU00c8FEplZ3KhRnbAjNYFBZeDMH-07l" border="0"></font></a></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">The journey itself was as expected. There was the inevitable stamp on the brake pedal and launch skywards of the middle finger accompanied by the usual expletives but this time not at the mini roundabout by the site entrance but as I joined the A23 outside Brighton, a Peugeot pulling out then accelerating with all the pace of an arthritic tortoise. </font></p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1PUH_fZTPYiwbO0HIzd-8XToRJPyrI989"><font size="2"><img width="254" height="163" title="vlcsnap-2021-05-29-18h08m42s037" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="vlcsnap-2021-05-29-18h08m42s037" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Nc4lQ3ta4LA0sreSnxUXNuqufejYVOpz" border="0"></font></a></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">Once inside the M25, 3rd gear predictably became a distant memory. It’s how it is and was not much worse than usual, things improving somewhat after the Purley Way. I pulled up on site just shy of of two hours after leaving storage being allocated Pitch 33 which, if memory serves, is one which neither of the two Patsy’s had graced with their presence on previous visits. It’s never cheap here, particularly during the half-term holidays but I’d bought some Club vouchers last year when the offer was on and they made a big dent in the bill.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">I made a half-arsed attempt at reversing, getting the old girl thereabouts then finished things off with the motor mover, the battery seemingly having kept kept replenished by the solar panel. An 80watt folding job that I’d bought from a colleague with vague ideas about going off-grid at some point, it was heavy and unwieldy in it’s original form so I separated the two panels and used just one, it sitting snugly in the front window whilst in storage.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">Set up was completed reasonably swiftly - after nine years touring with nearly three alone I’m starting to get the hang of it. I sat down in the recliner with a beer and a sandwich five minutes earlier than hoped, at 1:55pm, announcing to social media world with the usual photo, that legs were down.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="2"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1wWHvj-WAu-ayQsqq4Ht7jHSPdrEa-7E3"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210528_135420" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210528_135420" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GdtuLWGaVhysSdcNzVh4Q1ZKEoDcNXkf" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1qhHThrPnFuT6KTo9d1UN16gf6SnLkpm7"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210528_190318" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210528_190318" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1xyGoMyKHFzu4ROrDRacqqpIIKpfvanJU" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1zyvzJbaD7oFmZk9aA1zXnj7AaW-OjxBb"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210528_190230" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210528_190230" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1yh6spTo9vRBTHlqjI2en9JnN0sVZBSUY" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14WBBA-FQUe2M-ePBtf74uoaQZ5Rvmz88"><img width="354" height="201" title="20210528_155719" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210528_155719" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ZgDOg4aO3Bkh0efHN7If2REEjQTIW_ay" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">The beer and sarnie preceded a nap then, somewhat refreshed I set about cleaning Patsy’s windows. No dedicated cleaner here, just a branded multi-surface household polish and a microfibre cloth and they came up great. That just left most of the bodywork - I’d done the back, front and lockers whilst away at my local site, Brighton on the previous bank holiday, but the rest would have to wait. My belly was informing me that dinner was the next item on the agenda.</font></p><p align="justify"><strong><font size="2">Saturday 29th May</font></strong></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">A reasonable night’s sleep, partially fuelled by London Pride but I was still awake early. No matter, it was a pleasant morning and I enjoyed the relative lie in with a cuppa and a good book.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">11am and breakfasted, showered and tarted up in the usual shirt, tie, waistcoat and leather trews, it was time to head into ‘town’ for the whole point of this trip - and the blog title.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">Briefly, during the latest lockdown I did a jigsaw which I recalled my parents having when I was kid, entitled Pubs & Shops of London. Having completed said jigsaw I set about finding out more about the businesses featured, curious as to how many more still existed some 40 years on. If you’ve not yet face-palmed and clicked or tapped away you can see my blog post </font><a href="https://thebloggerinblack.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-jigsaw-project.html" target="_blank"><font size="2">HERE.</font></a></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">My plan is to photograph each one as it is now and recreate the montage of the original jigsaw - 42 addresses in total - and so set off, DSLR and packed lunch in back pack to make a start. </font></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">Having originally considered sticking to buses only I soon changed my mind and hopped off the No. 3 bus to join the Tube at Brixton, changing at Victoria and onwards to Sloane Square, my plan being to knock off the places in West London.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">Well, best laid plans and all that - except that had I bothered to check - you know like a seasoned traveller would have done - the Circle and District lines were on the blink - announced by the nice lady who also seems to reside in the cupboard under the stairs on the buses. I emerged, fillings loosened, at Victoria to get on a bus.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">Herds of elephants have been appearing in Chelsea - made from the Lantana plant and to highlight the coexistence between man and animal - pretty topical if you think about the recent pandemic. There are 100 in total and I managed to ’capture’ a few. Find out more </font><a href="https://www.theresident.co.uk/london-culture-events/herd-of-elephants-in-chelsea-highlights-coexistence-animals-people/" target="_blank"><font size="2">HERE</font></a></p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1o_ZwAFHaXD5ojAgtDZ7R0QtZwMEV5Juy"><font size="2"><img width="791" height="447" title="20210529_123330" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210529_123330" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1j8jKTyqOP9E9fa915Ao7Xh3ph4zZCB-H" border="0"></font></a></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">Anyway, back to the matter in hand. First up was 138 Kings Road, Chelsea, once The Markham Arms and now a bank but being Listed, many of the original features remain. Then and now:</font></p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1LdW_SveDAk-3kmeC9Uq-6x1G4UA-Urtf"><font size="2"><img width="354" height="198" title="20210215_153655" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210215_153655" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1kCL9TFU9bOxfRn6Ok0lKaBkqvKaDunhl" border="0"></font></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1RmI6KDO7Kh7tAqxLWPP7GZjxVOLXcGua"><font size="2"><img width="354" height="198" title="_DSC0275" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0275" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1eNVP5mtSPVIhqgIu4Smz-rWksWAyNPlt" border="0"></font></a></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">A short walk that felt longer thanks to bunion crushing winklepickers - how I suffer for my vanity - brought me to the Fulham Road and The Kings Arms. It may surprise you to learn that I didn’t use the excuse of research to stop for a pint. Whilst we can now ‘go in’, I’m not sure visiting multiple busy premises is a good idea just now. Shame about the scaffolding but no matter. Two down, forty to go.</font></p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1u-Af3u49AY08g7groGs9xXWgJrl7aZhU"><font size="2"><img width="354" height="116" title="20210301_154227" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210301_154227" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1wX68jSUmSsjZh3y2Z0iy8lxxPn5QpL_O" border="0"></font></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1KBG9QXcIB4hZq-g3N-fj_-JVZOBwH43P"><font size="2"><img width="254" height="116" title="_DSC0276" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 80px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0276" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1j7oFy6BSI1zHOEQaacYA1A4Le7-4xqUl" border="0"></font></a></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">More pavement pounding brought to Sillwood Terrace and The Anglesea Arms, very much still alive and kicking I was sorely tempted by a pint here but it was rammed anyway.</font></p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1rkSHtkKB1XlQ9sjICLqu9hmufw_2dUE_"><font size="2"><img width="354" height="111" title="20210301_154235" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210301_154235" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1v-k8MNOC25mGk4yZbpuHx64y7S7GH4Ez" border="0"></font></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1T2YPKtk58qmi3InHDrh8JkJ-UXSoGiFn"><font size="2"><img width="354" height="111" title="_DSC0277" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0277" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1NtbD2OksBXY7mS3MfwBvE3pR-ZWan5pI" border="0"></font></a><font size="2">, </font></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">Back to the Fulham Road and on a bus to Knightsbridge, passing Harrods on the way, then a short walk around the corner to Paxtons Head, still a pub.</font></p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1TWa8Tvsi1QChmD7GMZe0eDkFxxdeO00v"><font size="2"><img width="304" height="236" title="20210301_154105" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 75px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210301_154105" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HnbSOPRGP5NtcDAM7F_2-FKPYVmEmH84" border="0"></font></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1V6jWr47pA4AOEhHMo_Rbi3OWIRb-SwRG"><font size="2"><img width="319" height="236" title="_DSC0279" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0279" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1qoehpgAWLl4IuXHoApPBBI3aCcrxc7GM" border="0"></font></a></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">An entrance to Hyde Park was just across the road and my fifth and final location was the other side. I took lunch overlooking the Serpentine feeling considerably overdressed - though not overly concerned by such - and reluctantly thankful that I’d eschewed wearing a longer leather coat. Standards I know but there’s vanity and not looking a complete douche bag, never mind melting. The skies were clear and it was a fabulous day.</font></p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1kNOa0xhqyEGRzFByJSsXJ6RmK-GODQX4"><font size="2"><img width="766" height="218" title="20210529_135041" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20210529_135041" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1LrhgVCMJtiRTRLklWTVLyu5AKVykNNt0" border="0"></font></a></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">Across from Hyde Park and behind Hyde Park Place was Connaught Street and the premises of a business that departed around 2006; Somers and Kirby, possibly a butchers but now occupied by a dentist. </font></p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1K6vm8XJBZXB4UYZSVCXV0B7PVpD1Uq3T"><font size="2"><img width="354" height="129" title="20210301_154222" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20210301_154222" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1wC1uYMpFOMjcfC5BaJxmnuMGOt_Bs5I9" border="0"></font></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HUb44UVOMG3pNnoH66NqcANHjE43prJb"><font size="2"><img width="354" height="129" title="_DSC0282" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0282" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ug-K1HHh5OG9x67EA8JidcE456HSe6Dm" border="0"></font></a></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">And that was it for the day. Aching feet managed to propel me back to Hyde Park Place for the bus to Victoria, swapping to the Tube for the ride to Brixton, pausing for supplies before boarding the trusty No. 3 for the ride back to the site and a much needed beer in the recliner before dinner and TV.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">A good day - these were probably the most widely spaced and I was chuffed to have made a dent in the list. It did feel surreal visiting places on a jigsaw I must say.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">More to come, soon. If you’ve got this far, thanks for reading.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="2">For the record: Public Transport journeys made: Bus 3 to Brixton, Tube to Victoria, Bus 11 to Kings Road, Bus 414 from Fulham Road to Knightsbridge, Bus 148 from Hyde Park Place to Victoria, Tube to Brixton, Bus 3 to Crystal Palace. Total cost (capped) £7.40.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="2"><br></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="2"><br></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="2"><br></font></p><strong><p align="justify"></p></strong>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-19970642863100037602021-05-02T11:21:00.000+01:002021-05-02T12:13:06.077+01:00Guest Blog Post - Easter 2021<p align="justify">After two failed attempts to get the planned Easter trip underway, in the run up to the weekend and will they/won’t they allow travel; a Plan B was formulated. So, in accordance with the rules re social bubbles and allowing travel from 29 May, Plan B was on. We decamped to the caravan on the drive staycation mode for 9 days of R&R, changes of scenery a plenty and expeditions around the Cheshire countryside. Richard made good time as the roads were clear and duly arrived early that afternoon. After settling in and a rest, as the weather was so kind, we would eschew cooking and head to Parkgate on the Wirral for some of their famous fish and chips. As you will see from the photos, the views were spectacular and a pleasant stroll up and down the front made for a particularly good start to the trip.<p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1S7cLH49Hwh3SW-GA08sA4G_PLbCVf_G-"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0002" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0002" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1cKy-q1EVD3M0JymoTmRP39YsClL2F2gV" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1POhQcTqLtrHcL9ihXsAx9msG_DNZ4M8o"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0005" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0005" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1B52-oCaKhk4ENoQ0VUo2rbj-0cD4Wp1l" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">As we are both members of the National Trust, we have found this invaluable during COVID, making the most of being able to visit the gardens and parks most of the time. We like visiting the houses too but will make return trips when allowed to see them again. We had planned several days out at such places, equally, they were well set up for mobility scooter access, which as most of you know I am temporarily having to use post foot surgery. Fortunately, Rosie had been given a clear out before making the trip North as boot space was at a premium to take the mobility scooter. It proved to be worth every penny as we got to see almost everything we had planned, some real laugh out loud funny moments too but more of that later..<p align="justify">Tuesday arrived and we awoke to clear blue skies, sun and rather warm. A leisurely breakfast and we were soon on the road to the first NT visit, <a href="https://www.tattonpark.org.uk/home.aspx" target="_blank">Tatton Park</a>, near Knutsford. Owned by the Egerton family until handed over to the NT it a massive area with huge swathes of parkland with deer, formal gardens, a working farm with children’s petting zoo, a couple of lakes and finally the old stables and stable yard converted into a refreshment, shop, and toilet facilities area. We started off by doing the tour of the formal gardens, seeing many examples of apple trees, trained to perfection and the Victorian greenhouses up against the wall with the greatest sunshine on them, all restored and maintained to an extremely high standard. <p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1c0cYrmUVTgOJ3K8NvYxGukTVLZeK4vrE"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0012" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0012" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14V-7fj6BB9-4CrX-8JAipNWkOID3Dryj" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1wfbrDdyzNsiG73lbGq_Od7qWObQXwwKJ"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0011" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0011" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MQYrivOj8rLjhmDmqscTlD3QCkULqM1X" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">All of which was totally accessible, and we were taken to an easy entrance to go into the formal gardens and join the well laid and thought-out one-way system which we were to encounter at each of our visits. Whilst working our way down to an unusual monument in the far distance, we encountered a Japanese Garden. Closed now but you could take photos in the entranceway. On the return leg of this part of the visit, we decided to take a detour, hmm, hindsight is 20:20. I imagine you can guess what happened next! I think we found out that a shopmobility scooter is particularly good but off-roading is not its forte! Thankfully, I did not get too stuck and a bit of shoving and pushing we got through. <p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14_tbdWNj_KlD7PpIXQVBT4z8c0ukC1kQ"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0019" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0019" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1EH07ZKSyXX8zCQpofPmesxCUS6JbFaLK" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1vW77iSCRA4fSOQJwlWyBJ986Qc4oEdX9"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0035" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0035" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1V85cPnkL2mtxkL7vvaSSeiaoNvLe9fjC" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18becR3ntjR38niofOnHLFdRcvn5ecpca"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0042" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0042" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1b0cRJShxXpktfz67eXqX6SZi0EgXrJR6" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1NHDKOn0JIlHdefvHT3toM0Ew_hwr55Kk"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0043" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0043" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_b52CXZkpCq246TrtyRi0TSR3WhPoYq1" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">A scrumptious al fresco lunch of sausage baps, coffee and cake in the sunny stable yard was next. We then decided to do some exploring of the wider parkland, the visitor information centre being helpful as to what was accessible and what was not. It was a gorgeous, warm, and sunny afternoon, plenty of people about but all felt very safe. We stuck to the main driveways and made our way down to the two lakes, a not inconsiderable distance so a real trial to see how far the battery would last – it did very well this time.. The only downside was a person in an SUV who was obviously way too important to slow down for people and scaring the life out of Richard and I by shooting past me. I do not think she had seen me at all. We then made our way back to the car park, it was so lovely and warm, ice creams, 99’s with raspberry sauce were the order of the day before we started to make our way back to base. Richard had even managed to get the start of a suntan. We ended the trip by a quick drive down Knutsford High street, it was not worth parking up as, although there are some lovely shops, pubs etc, none were open still. A quiet evening watching TV, catching up ended a very pleasant day.<p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1kf2P8grXhLfmarHSQh-djcx0ckG9rTyc"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0046" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0046" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1K3dFTzfueF042yZnyDAMH-ABIG07EAhy" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=15KGSI6C8rhbbS6H7R-TnRrCkUEH5u9TM"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0061" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0061" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1bMUe5jv62nE8bQ31p_o-q_Szbd9ybTie" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1RgKFy10BANuuC2lXFhGAfmD2MmcU6b2e"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0064" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0064" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1JtxAYet1TYrgw4Uwr5RONd1UBRFYlCrY" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13ODMMDodjjDRRXTvBix_mT67KEZA-3GN"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0045" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0045" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Gmjye3x2NhYDfGK6L7PUgiAcEGHb3jJE" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Wednesday was the day for <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/speke-hall-garden-and-estate" target="_blank">Speke Hall NT</a> right by Liverpool John Lennon’s Airport. A place I had never visited as well as Richard. A quite different building as it is Tudor and predominantly faced in wood in a black and white style. There was a typical Cheshire farmhouse on the way to the main house itself. Another excellent one-way system was in place and the usual old stables and barns refreshments and toilet facilities in place. We had opted to go in the afternoon, which was a good idea as seating was not as plentiful as at Tatton Park. We walked around the gardens and the wider land of the estate. We managed to find a path which takes you up to the end of the runway at the airport, but no planes were flying. As a bit of fun, we decided to follow the children’s Easter Trail and found a pathway with some unusual sculptures and photos. Of course, someone had to sit in the oversized chair and have his photo taken, shame I did not have any bunny ears!! Only one little blip on the access was a sharp lip on a little metal plank across some damp ground. I managed to stand up on one foot whilst we pulled it onto the plank. We rounded off the trip with the usual coffee and slice of most delicious Victorian Sponge sat outside in the glorious sunshine.<p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=163Xt8Wx5AMgZ-F3WdS_MvVIE7EYeleHs"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0081" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0081" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1SmY7BIZttu9MeiBZsOstKDuGesc9frPd" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1rDBCEHs7lSrS5gQRVvEU3Q0ZK94ZgTCB"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0075" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0075" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1q19ZUi7hbnYt7xLKpDxEQ92aOuqNa_Ky" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1uCFyzXMMPUZNZEsBZnhpTNbcnLlbawM2"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0089" style="margin: 10px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0089" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=11Fig-tVEEgRZ2tiOyIfjT8YBemSLen91" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tyxx7dk1VTE0pnWZYnq2O7U4PQS99KA4"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0088" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0088" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1aUutpC5jgEroapGF0lCzAj-GjqIE1Ol9" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tfhqPiuvn_zHjXIFg2FjaKb-hIsz8rAd"><img width="190" height="285" title="_DSC0104" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0104" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12R2iMWZeZwPEIOvfr9jopfu02wW6tQcF" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=145obn9stPVi91rStYGcRSY-smm4-YwB9"><img width="190" height="285" title="_DSC0107" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 81px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0107" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GZWb_s4wfbS0mdjIRjtMfTTT31mrq3nG" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1DVdWmnukSaBSgZ70SRGBFs23sqE7z2j5"><img width="190" height="285" title="_DSC0108" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 87px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0108" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1TTXM1rSGK-nFEEoJ2DF9fQ7BrMRBWLd7" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">On the way back we made a short detour to visit <a href="https://www.visitcheshire.com/explore/frodsham-p33691" target="_blank">Frodsham</a> and its very wide main street – there are some incredibly old buildings here and plenty of information boards and blue plaques made for some good photo opportunities.<p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1NW7DQbe2eAmYOrMClMV-7MVYPcEPBovD"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0119" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0119" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1lo1mPr_3DWi7QSpEqyVk83xE5PdXBjaB" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1RUJa--u48UbJ3hily8rGDj4OxjCIDRFA"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0120" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0120" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=138VozESgjMfcNdXPNOI31DbDVpI8QGf6" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1aoEmd_P0u9JTCWeRUKnXegopMixQfcFk"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0122" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0122" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MkUaF-808GPES4BQmSfhLRDc-3I5872y" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">In normal times, there is a weekly street market, something which has run in various guises for many hundreds of years. I have, coincidentally this morning, learnt that it is now back in operation. Plenty of farm stalls and Cheshire cheese abound. It is also one end of the Sandstone Trail, the other end being in Whitchurch, Shropshire. We then made for base, another superbly cooked evening meal by Chef Easy and a relaxing evening rounded off another good day.<p align="justify">It is now Thursday, how quickly the time is flying by.<b> </b>We awoke to a much colder and cloudier day but thankfully no rain was forecast, and this proved to be the case.<p align="justify">However, we had a return visit to make first, given that in December it had been pouring down so outside walking was called off. We made for Port Sunlight, the plan was to take the photos of the village and the monuments as it was dry. <p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gVGsDNSqMKPfxsIx736kpiSbOf87uhE9"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0134" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0134" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1WocQyySGUsOBFhDQdBGL7PnZr-td7vCM" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1e0TPYzcenIRhHiiZoSetSD2ZjmcO4y-P"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0138" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0138" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1IVquwv9Sb0e-E8I-JXwym6efZdHkR8a9" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1vtVA0tUGgmrn1ltYu_QqtfJ4OlYEZ9Tp"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0147" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0147" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ZIxbOhS5xOFJvH9RythPFluZOrNFU9Ed" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Jzk86glodXoXcYrmT26gUFR-HS8H_xeJ"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0151" style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0151" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Xjia8-WrIUoUer7Mjr29WHl-t0d3FcF3" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1PmWzlDlpKZL21Wka6wLP9jhBdSjYFQz4"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0135" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0135" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1PW5gWk_dpL5SQegIYAER-tifKMTy_Kk5" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1wDl59_W6_RtnwxggfBpbXSTyNsxtFCW-"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0136" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0136" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1DU5XLijg5ik4RB44ym5Nd2XU-UJO8-HR" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">This was accomplished in a short time, so we then made for another part of the River Mersey at New Ferry. It was a place I had visited some years ago, so changes to road layouts made it a little difficult to find but we managed. The place has memories for me as my maternal grandmother and father had rooms in one of the houses straight after they married. My grandfather was a policeman, so this was a familiar set up of the time. We sat by the river and drank our coffees and watched a ship go past and a boat, which we honestly thought was on the verge of sinking! It turned out to be a type of dredger.<p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1UN1AJOAUYFbc8GW7Hm2N9aycOtNANDwU"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0152" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0152" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1VUdQE_s-3vccRBYczIH3gAg87KmLwsSs" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Mz_mNWj2wnNlUI8wS2js5-Qi9OIXIZWA"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0154" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0154" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1z2uvykHDIdewFNCGIqdu47JL6rNtkQ6E" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1lAQNZB2oz-Z1EefiUCxZu5YWDdp1Q1l8"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0158" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0158" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1449TAgr4T4liUhGwyt7XKBgQcIWdZTYk" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey" target="_blank">Dunham Massey NT</a> was the location of choice for today, near Altrincham. Again, another place I had not visited.<b> </b>A Georgian house this time and its simplicity was in stark contrast to the Tudor house the previous day. As before, the trip was split into two sections, a tour of the formal gardens and a short walk in the parkland which has deer. We decided to have a coffee first to warm up, sitting on a scooter can be very cold indeed. The daffodils were in huge swathes all over the area and the tulips were starting to open so, although there was no sun, the colourful display with the trees in blossom was beautiful to see. The guides were extremely helpful advising us of where to avoid, one little stone bridge over a watercourse, easily avoided. There was a huge pond, as opposed to a natural lake and what looked like a mill race. As we neared the end of our visit, on the way back to the car, we found the mill which it was for. It looked like it was workable but seemed like a missed opportunity to make flour to sell. Perhaps just the current situation. A brief sojurn into the parkland yielded a couple of photos of a very brave male deer with resplendent antlers but it was too cold to venture far so we made back to the car.<p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=17TZSEWKbjQ9S6sl9UVt3k-WPY2tZcD4-"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0187" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0187" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tGXc6SieVstjG-S4me3ZT9x26QgX8_i6" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Wrcy3fYJ0IBTpCoF-uGOmmb0947HSfEY"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0185" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 80px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0185" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Uu9lhmlJ7HFpzuWc3AHSB3t13Z3eYw86" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1V7DGN4yk6KINCmm1ojW2BNbu3QIxWL-g"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0198" style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0198" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=15SBSj2VFAufTV3AXBIRzAw-rkdmD9gGN" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1qR_70mq10x620BiZP1ZT6zZ1-FUOj4vZ"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0213" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 80px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0213" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1XTTvwqE70TrtV7aspuGwGwnnRFb16BcA" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1h727-kSR1OkanjNPsxhDS-Fq5Pqll_VF"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0173" style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0173" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Nx-UJ6IN-Adi9SyXP8B9XYLNPJyhvqo5" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13VNkKiDqjej1eurVb_7frUBG7zo2fb4m"><img width="254" height="169" title="_DSC0204" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0204" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1st70zBls_9kjGq7RkYBd0KkyjRNxzWp-" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1pzNSQs9cqGHCI_bGGLN6vURSbPd84hnb"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0175" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0175" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1bOLMB5So7m1nTHTOIs5j1x2b18L5Xqjh" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Friday, by contrast, was yet another beautiful day, clear blue skies, warm and sunny. The morning was spent chilling at the van, I had a secret plan underway, so it was a case of making sure we stayed in the van until just after lunch. I had arranged to meet a couple of friends for a walk round part of the river and see a few sights. Fortunately, the rules had changed so meeting outside was allowed and we all had camping seats to sit on in the lovely weather. Richard did not know anything of this, so it was a pleasant surprise, and an incredibly happy and convivial afternoon and early evening was spent in each other’s company. We had opted to cook pizzas back at base which are easily cooked and eaten outside. It certainly made for a difference experience eating pizza on the side driveway in the sunshine but oh so nice to be able to meet other people safely at last. As per usual, several ales were consumed, all in the name of research of course!! Some of which will, no doubt, make an appearance in the Ale Archive.<p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1d76L5jfqhVsLeGUQYtW8xTmU3lA_CVCS"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0222" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0222" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1j2cO9NYnZ77fCZxTp39dJu9RuxjYWGWP" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1nq3OOnuerzPGTb8ba19b2jkY1J9Hvo8S"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0223" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0223" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=103_j3zGIZLbr7csprd9t4yCBGj8OQo9T" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1p95NEhC6cLIzF0aaFQsEizihblwQNIMm"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0228" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0228" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1OUTlhHyov2jwnFQZAEW8SxdA6-gU6zCv" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Saturday was yet another fabulous day weather-wise, Richard now had quite the suntan! We were due to make a brief visit to New Brighton, having been there before, to meet up with one of my friends. It was quite breezy by the coast, but the arrival of cappuccinos and brownies certainly helped. My love of coffee/tea and cake is well known! After a pleasant chat, we then moved on to drive round the top end of the Wirral Peninsula visiting Hoylake and West Kirby. <a href="https://www.visitwirral.com/things-to-do/west-kirby-marine-lake-p172361" target="_blank">The Marine Lake</a> at West Kirby is particularly noteworthy, especially if you have not seen it before as it can look like people are walking on water, (they are not). Totally accessible to all but not recommended to walk round or wheelchairs if the tide is completely in. Toilets and refreshments are available here and a supermarket just off the front. All in all, another great day and tired but happy we made for base.<p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=100-0ZDxI5KRLdbkzmCYCeMnzQb8pJtiE"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0237" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0237" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QFppADVZ-yYy-FjEL31VmUooAlcbu46E" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=10bAYE7B161YXuIfXb0ZabO0ykz2RI8uT"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0243" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0243" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1d3AhstslUq3J5Yvc_dj__8t8nFaluuXe" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1269g8clZi-Xg0DKXTlPLLa68744_YSEM"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0245" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0245" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MdaWWRc4Mcg5o7MLVJnqrWSONY7asy1f" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Sunday loomed and we had ordered in a lovely roast beef Sunday lunch – this from a local pub who have started doing deliveries during lock down – it was a fabulous meal and something I would do again. Portions were such that we left dessert for later – a lip smacking caramel apple pie and custard! It was another lovely afternoon, so we decided to visit <a href="https://www.forestryengland.uk/delamere-forest" target="_blank">Delamere Forest</a> for a walk round the lake – again totally accessible to wheelchairs, that route being about 2.5 miles long, so a fully charged battery is a must!! Since I last visited, admittedly several years ago now, there is a brand-new visitor centre with all the necessary facilities, a good car park, fee payable on departure. The only thing which was missing were some signs and it took a bit of searching but we were soon on the route. The lake dates to prehistoric times following the end of the last ice age. It is home to huge flocks of geese and other birds and, of course, lots of plants and trees. We enjoyed our stroll round the lake, pausing every now and then for photos and a break. We got to within a ¼ mile of the car park and a quick look at the battery meter and it was on orange and flickering – to say I was worried was an understatement. The route is mainly flat but there are several rises near the start/finish of the route. I turned back the power to hopefully conserve it but all too quickly it turned to red and then started flickering – oh no!! Richard was an absolute hero, he took over pushing me to help with the power, we finally made it back to the car, somewhat later than planned but we did it!! Thank you, Richard. After all that exertion and with Richards imminent departure the following day, an early night and an episode of Line of Duty beckoned.<p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ONwZnQF5GITWhwKQgiqFCTWnZ4jYAbpl"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0251" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0251" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1De6Gu0IMCfUD6xfVgKUwUowuSuV71uGO" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1oNSTyHul-h1kIjoA5-Y93OjSCKmdfyAj"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0259" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0259" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1d6MzPcsgcZ9-k0-Faoqb45qnlT07z3J_" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1It3a8ZfvSH3FxTDtfrtWFxFPC9M66bBN"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0261" style="margin: 10px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0261" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Y4SbSUi-8Xhcav03Mw1-DV5GVvhYWWxY" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=19D9-pDYW5TGvYGQpYrfws2S0D7U1wXlx"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0270" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0270" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1W5n7YwYxQODQXNKyrNx0I7Ov-Pvarm98" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Monday – Today was the day for doing last minute shopping at Costco. Time to stock up and refuel Rosie. As Richard was due to depart Tuesday morning, we had a quieter day, sorting things out and packing up.<p align="justify">Tuesday. Day of departure. A prompt breakfast, making a packed lunch for Richard on the way home. Then a quick coffee and it was time to say goodbye. A lovely holiday was had. And here’s to the next one!Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-7007833547422393562021-02-08T16:15:00.000+00:002021-02-08T16:40:28.444+00:00December 2020<p align="justify"><font size="3">A three stop trip, the first of which did not involve Patsy at all but a long run up to the north-west, staying with my friend Sandra in a flat owned by a friend of hers. I broke the 260 mile journey just once, stopping at Oxford services just long enough to refuel on coffee and chocolate. Not the most healthy but the combination of caffeine and sugar seems to work well on long drives.</font></p><p align="center"><font size="4">Stop 1 | Chester | 10th-14th December</font><p align="justify"><font size="4"><font size="4">Parkgate | 11th December</font></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">Parkgate provided a great coffee stop on our brief run out, with lovely views across the River Dee to North Wales.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ObRpVsvH4Sz4rwsykSg0tZigEG-wNFEW"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201211_111814" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201211_111814" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ZfAsB8iFjZw7Q8WbTogccsW038psnwC7" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1JVBsyP4r_J0m0q0Sm-k8AuieHJ8vB0va"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201211_111823" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201211_111823" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gWBUoUXV9fKuQHgwc13YqW_yHUH0DX8A" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4">Chester | 11th December</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1mrgcgZGtfnEYwQLfV445njmHpUhxY34u"><img width="254" height="145" title="20201211_145831" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201211_145831" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ZmHH2sq835vbUeUm7nyAGH3Tl5J-koWf" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1RFJE_kz32e7rGODHxnkW6nejqwkOkyCO"><img width="254" height="145" title="20201211_151851" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201211_151851" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1fI9UxwiR_oaIS-gbQqvDjuw0QgAq5_aM" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1KVRAXDiazwcV72YloAYW4R4AIvp_0nMd"><img width="254" height="145" title="20201211_152415" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201211_152415" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1fLhoGmaGlDiAKFZcvjVy0C6ZjWzZ2h3v" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">The city centre was spookily quiet when we walked around - necessary in the current Covid climate but still somewhat sad to see, if that makes sense. At least no drunken idiots making a nuisance of themselves though.</font> </p><p align="justify"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1r6isy4h_up9zehek6cPWSdMg9Hl7ry6v"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201211_195201" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201211_195201" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1t-X-trre2GjQpd_EqvT5IidVHYOBX6AQ" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1AlIxmrDbCbYn9zT_k1sORg7RWo0Up4R5"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201211_200414" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201211_200414" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1dgcx26UlYLdmv6KdVY34X0W_l9KJzhwF" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1uo9AkpFnfQD9T5KpLjPfUF4FxEE11u9W"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201211_200618" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201211_200618" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1bbdseEa8WDvXWtpRoqUm9WrjN_Dx65Fh" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gbrH1wGFDCM_tBiDiguVE92eUps8SDue"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201211_200648" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201211_200648" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1hNpz9Dxt86FMUipu6C9wAIiwEoNWp5tv" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4">Llangollen, Horseshoe Pass, Ruthin, St Asaph and Rhyl | 12th December</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">We were rewarded with a lovely cold but crisp and sunny day for our drive into North Wales. As expected the Llangollen heritage railway was not running but it was a pleasant stop nonetheless. Some Welsh themed goodies were procured at a lovely little deli including some ales which you will fine in <a href="https://realalearchive.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Ale Archive</a>. Our decision to take an early coffee and snack break proved opportune as our intended stop - the Ponderosa Café on the Horseshoe Pass - was closed. Lunch was taken in Ruthin before heading towards the coast, stopping to capture the beauty of the cathedral at St Asaph.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1A0upENPScDvNC3KZIkno5uPV78XP7Zxk"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201212_102734" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201212_102734" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=11sPqbEJFJA5wDbLVLfP9zB0S3PvFZf1C" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1g_wLtsGme64f8BrWqNf_1-wDj8Nq9z4a"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201212_111810" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201212_111810" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1x-wwzRXdmTmt3zfF00YwY60_wuPUfGiZ" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1L-L9aySNf0qIMSEuholo_iTvH_iynXtC"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201212_113838" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201212_113838" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1wzul9rc2jmVVvo_CXcm7MBjSM23CYdpr" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1pZCfc2ECaU-OqSz7ba_V8vwKKHpLhY_C"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201212_113903" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201212_113903" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HAkrQ3Zcd3AmtaZBix9iN9Nr0qWkU5XF" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1kwVc5qB8rCW3NrRH7xOluNy3V82TqhAf"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201212_121259" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201212_121259" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1qHyWrUR6qxgbylhLVataeRSbqKDgq_Ld" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14mD8x8_0mhk08uoZP054YTdZ605-tp4H"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201212_121954" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201212_121954" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1SgIQMErcUmhuoTulLrY699Vjuqa0pvAw" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=15OUh5rwo1KRhiJxIl8Yh6pYb67rSdYVc"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201212_131551" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201212_131551" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1H6yeyl8o784zd-BzzsD7BMNYiASPmGOS" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ZO4epiLIbIGU5tm90C7ED9FL4ymKeepK"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201212_131747" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201212_131747" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1SteL0XCtvvZtjeFj7GEsRBwZM0hr_1zD" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4">Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight | 13th December</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4"><font size="3">The village of Port Sunlight was on my list to do during my ill-fated trip to the north-west, planned for last March. However it most certainly wasn’t the weather to mooch about outside so our reserve came into play. Pre-booking was required, but entry was free and was well worth a couple of hours of our time. It would be easy to spend longer here and I thoroughly recommend it. Check out their website </font><a href="https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/lady-lever-art-gallery" target="_blank"><font size="3">HERE.</font></a></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1J-0uLC_TdecQ2avQOEcd5Ft9d6dh9HVa"><img width="254" height="145" title="20201213_125843" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201213_125843" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1orAy0JPuyT9ODDUnO1pBGPc97tVc_exu" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1mRD5JNW8sjcact3q6uONOhhSe6FOlqD-"><img width="254" height="145" title="20201213_120803" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201213_120803" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1YQVRVbZ1mdAQKL9RxiRRbtubms-DJPxP" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=17qhO6euzeXXqhhPo17olBJXShMZVFE8a"><img width="254" height="145" title="20201213_121204" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201213_121204" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13lHaBR_mtouhyctQLK0ffuDBZgovCUBW" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1hUC3NVYXxislm_0mwZ0q7edSosINq0yB"><img width="254" height="145" title="20201213_121032" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201213_121032" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1R4TUaTH7JSDsmgLqpSuLOZAwGv4Hzhii" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=11rAV26x30-CK_lyyXp8gukBqBQEuqkvl"><img width="254" height="145" title="20201213_123623" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201213_123623" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1v-AE6pjj4zIKOY7Q9rIWbQTGyK84T0a1" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1O203jSAUaIto8EFKwK-Rc7rK7dyQdFE4"><img width="254" height="145" title="20201213_123943" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201213_123943" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Gzenhx9c5nInBKK51OImr9TDoG9IoxRC" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">Then it was a silly o’clock start to head back down to the south coast, first to the flat to drop off some items and pick up the contents of my fridge, before heading to the storage yard to pick up Patsy and return back up the M23.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4">Stop 2 | Henley-on-Thames |14th-18th December | 96 miles @ 28mpg | Pitch 35</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1voZzMwED05C6dMHQs32Fn_3UvEE8bxrr"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201218_104550" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20201218_104550" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1vy_mvbXJ-U8qIZygTzhG9tCt9ZA5rOfl" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">Finally got around to doing the <a href="https://www.treasuretrails.co.uk/things-to-do/oxfordshire/henley-on-thames" target="_blank">Henley Treasure Trail</a> that I bought prior to my trip here in 2019.. As usual it was a circular route, starting and finishing at the train station car park, taking us into the town centre, up beyond the market square and back down to and along by the water. I’ve done several of these as you may recall and once again it was very interesting and informative. I generally find them more rewarding than wandering aimlessly.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4">Henley-on-Thames & Marsh Lock</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QTSnRMU3PxcGiRQbD5KoDg0GRxIu8-Rr"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201215_122444" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201215_122444" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1LhtiB_wss4ez5xR0pOmEwzA3ArtosS9C" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1lslM0b1-NIz7NmFUW4Qm-RES85Te77wX"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201215_115642" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201215_115642" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1yc3XHP0BgoBUqbSm_jrxfauqys94KpX8" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1UP_5TTf0jpmkmQJ5cjibSTycs47bq1gS"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201215_153522" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201215_153522" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_rj5wPxB3Lhq-YWiv3vaJow9t1ZjEjMj" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ALPOcLtbWBBjc4S2CXGFiPQ0OpttA759"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201215_154141" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201215_154141" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=180UJGiKuXxTdUHE21vtcBZEpECXmx8wr" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4">Marlow - Town & Lock</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1AbTTpQ-aShWYaOW2aWuG5D9qMc83U5Yk"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201216_113336" align="left" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201216_113336" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=15MgY0dHhQnbz8K-yI_YNTrBZujHQSCB4" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=19i1JmjXFmaxxsbP624adDvGANg2i6-bL"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201216_115333" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201216_115333" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1YyfadpOMyR59PCikJMfJpsWme02ZzXag" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4">Cliveden National Trust</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">The weather took a turn for the worse as we approached Cliveden so did nothing more than stop for a nice lunch in the café before heading back to the site for a lazy afternoon in Patsy. On my list for a return visit though.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12eBtqcrWQFt8fCg2sVhf0tsN9fVLW8AX"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201216_125407" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201216_125407" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=11Cp2iRMEUSTE957qs5ct-Tibh2y40vZX" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1vnMRqWWONTJj7J51DEx_piJ3lPfQ7lAX"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201216_125634" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201216_125634" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1UXgtHXjHXn9xsRtT3J0LHAXZ6e_HZ82h" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4">Basildon Park National Trust</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">The journey to Basildon park was dominated by speculation on the imminent announcement by the government about each areas’ Tier status. Any increase would have meant termination of the trip and a return home. However the news came through, as we ate our packed lunch on arrival, that the Tier categorisation on our home, current and next localities would remain the same for the time being. The trip could continue.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=19GCWdjuZx66npJ41KxMZrLpBwPhMnJ7b"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201217_123919" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201217_123919" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1zKsmiU1IXcyg7p03_xiXf58EAdOQCJpy" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1899uf5Adih8iL46i62AfLOj4iwmPhVsM"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201217_124225" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201217_124225" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1pA_fUtYoZGUJdtokzgjlVHKsapCssmBx" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1TnKr1gJD4XJ_i9IQ5HBjR63_3NSB8Xll"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201217_130000" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201217_130000" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1zOn3Mg9rqpGkOG3zBbSKcn1zGPKootJp" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1oWA8yamVmksjl9LoyWWpFONBSv6ZjFBF"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201217_130345" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201217_130345" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1grlz8fqw5WMYF5BxMuHU2QtY-6e10zrK" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4">Hurley Lock & Village</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1n90dlwgDmefQLm1JcT-kmFY9JWGSgSvh"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201217_141941" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201217_141941" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Vu8oHkfpCZ7EZSopSpAakKbcmb-BYL_7" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1boTqQgXZbKj7SD_lGfSjJMyZiS-rILRd"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201217_142312" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201217_142312" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GT-LSvrrVicJAX83AAuJB1cxhBFoGWF_" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1yKbPybzKzl6J9CIaBfDK8qzMQEVwQEzz"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201217_143308" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201217_143308" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MyaCA5dKLBEfSHA9K8WSwtd7w8vo1TEn" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1bjjWxzJJeXfo1FJYrf686MJZ2RqU2k_b"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201217_150016" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201217_150016" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1RXxmg7Pr6GY_goOAiRKwVfjwBrj5gu3h" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="center"><font size="4">Stop 3 | Cambridge | 18th-24th December | 101 miles @ 28.4 mpg | Pitch 15 | </font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">A leisurely pack up and departure from Henley thanks to arrivals at Cambridge Cherry Hinton club site not permitted until after 1pm. A short hold up on the M25 - how unusual - but the journey was otherwise trouble free. There was time for a quick nap before my appointment to dispense some more A+ at the blood donation centre at Addenbrookes hospital. In the evening we met a friend for a socially distanced meal at a pub in the neighbouring village of Fulbourn.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4">Kings College Chapel and around</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">I would never normally attempt to drive into the city, never mind park, the combination of traffic, eye watering parking charges and a comprehensive park and ride network make it nonsensical. However, showers were promised and in the current climate we didn’t relish the prospect of a ride on a likely busy bus. Our decision was vindicated, there being no queue for the central car park and the sun had come out by the time we emerged from the car park and through the Grand Arcade shopping centre for the short walk across the market square. </font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">I can’t recall having even been inside the Chapel, despite having lived locally for 30 years. Pre-booking was essential as per usual at the moment,and not free. The famous ‘Carols from Kings’ had already been recorded a week prior, without a congregation this time of course. Visits can be booked <a href="https://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/chapel/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ae3lE-K0_0jqXhiEUKnMV56DeMUlRjS6"><img width="162" height="285" title="20201219_110724" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201219_110724" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1TaJHjsyLFAOY51YeJtepmEl66BtgSFXx" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1CngVLNhSUl5fORq1xuhPebL2VGiIxHrW"><img width="162" height="285" title="20201219_112256" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201219_112256" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1PBn2gr4rfYatV98vRzMeNZQpr43jEyK6" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1cGzK8hlGsdniYmZ_UPz230ybtDU3zACQ"><img width="162" height="285" title="20201219_115442" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201219_115442" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1i8sdzXvLdJQm4sHCHTCBeUkmFcwQ2bI5" border="0"></a></font><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1wQe7twf8u8dT1N-oxiaQIQrO3H9u9K2W"><img width="162" height="285" title="20201219_115539" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201219_115539" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1BbZr7VCSNuvw78Thmxco46WQgNgf04cV" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1wTPKoHmiXILmpkoo8yhNGypyTqrKjTym"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201219_111601" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201219_111601" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14VBSlbq3c6hu6kF2C7R6sU0dAQDIzvNt" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HJEArBbNPTNRuG3LphPytyRdex4aLnBQ"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201219_115018" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201219_115018" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Hi9JDXAL-EB7BXw4d692dWzA8491Ra3T" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Gpk3kDW0wwmObJE9SEvYJ5rxhckOeZ69"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201219_114950" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201219_114950" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1j8KCe9tGbfVf4FnC7AEWchYXPlfxkzgn" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1rOdFfbh2e3wLQxBZzl4VjHITGIo8EvNe"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201219_111623" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201219_111623" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1sqUy3RdBBxJj9BrDstFZdPAS97xkHTCl" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4">Cambridge University Botanic Garden</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4"><font size="3">With Sandra due to depart late afternoon we wanted to make the most of what time remained. The forecast proved accurate so I quickly booked tickets for the botanical gardens. I remembered from my previous visit three years ago with Trev that there was some on-street parking just a few minutes away, however this time, being Sunday it was free! It’s just a short drive from the site and easily accessible via bus too.</font><br></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1U6iAM53rS3BBn6MKPUf6y7qkxbljLDN4"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201220_112512" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201220_112512" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=150zLmbyTe52y_qn92wj5XWAIItsfzXJT" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1fVOniNVqi_bO1b6ggAw8nVhQmoJ74zXL"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201220_113812" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201220_113812" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1TfW3UFe-0mva70SL_oHYon2YUwioBvyo" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1X0iNZKDzfTi1WMYQIGbTlpPm66drhunM"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201220_121742" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201220_121742" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1JBYCSUf8KOxP9qKDjvCGPssRP8L56aUi" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gVVD7LZHIuBMYhowMqSFDI1vLHzPMiew"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201220_114119" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201220_114119" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1bhP7sxX7Ba2hGwDSSFMB2MGHU95eJozj" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4">The Fitzwilliam Museum</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">Again I eschewed the park and ride option and drove into town in plenty of time in the hope of nabbing a parking space nearby the museum. I need not have worried - there were spaces everywhere, even directly opposite I took the opportunity to go and juice up Rosie for the run home just before New Year. </font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">The reason for the empty spaces came clear when I entered the details in the parking app. Jeez! However in the current climate I was happy to pay for the convenience and at least entry to the museum was free. </font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">I’m sure I would have visited on a kid, probably on a school trip, and was probably bored witless. however this time it was fab, the first floor with the paintings being particularly appealing. My two hour visit - governed by the duration allowed in the parking space - was nowhere near long enough to do it justice. Check out their website <a href="https://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. <br></font></p><p align="justify"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1EoUtC2v7CAHd-y-V8Nl-U8NH94EQAgRR"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201222_115327" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201222_115327" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14iDsONyv1IwCQzbkpPXGTvi0NJJfs-sM" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Wufo1N7KVV_MB8JuBszNw1MQY9o_Kwj7"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201222_111837" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201222_111837" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Ex-edmmEJekOSNTYv-5PaF-SLkpRpEL2" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1SaBE-xhU6KdZAkdYCgNLbeFvICPEqnJI"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201222_111911" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201222_111911" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HvuwholUc9cFOi8KSRX49_xST6KzWJ8R" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=122n-Mrtdrd0zr-6N3sdp40U5F-ORHkvo"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201222_110848" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201222_110848" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ZNZHmrli8PO5Gxc4lzi4tPZjtfqmgDeY" border="0"></a><br></font></p><font size="4"><p align="justify"><font size="3">That afternoon, no sooner had I stirred from a nap and read that the club would be closing all sites on the 26th December, there came a knock at the door from a very apologetic warden explaining same. Wondering what the club knew that we didn’t, it wasn’t long before changes to the Tier system were announced and I would have had to go home anyway.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">In the end, as many will know, I decided to leave on Christmas Eve - the forecast for both Christmas Day and Boxing Day looked a bit ropey - especially from a towing point of view. I was able to meet a friend for a couple more meals though, which was good.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">The journey home was excellent, getting away from Cambridge in good time and feeling very smug with my swift and efficient packing up. It wasn’t until I’d deposited Patsy in her spot in the storage yard, got home and made a cuppa that I realised I hadn’t emptied the toilet cassette before leaving site! So back I went, armed with latex gloves, plenty of cloths and some spray cleaner. Thankfully spillage was minimal and the contents were dealt with back home.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">Given what was to follow - and that I didn’t go away in October - I’m really glad I was able to make this trip. Patsy’s next outing will be to the service centre at some point</font> <font size="3">to have a small but significant patch of damp dealt with. Liberal application of duct tape seemed to help on the trip but for now she’s sitting with a roof cover to hopefully prevent any further water ingress and increasingly expensive damage. I’m bracing myself for the bill as it is.</font></p><p align="justify"><font size="3">Thanks for reading and, until next time - whenever that may be - stay safe and well.</font> </p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p></font>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-19384817791879945342020-12-12T18:03:00.001+00:002020-12-12T18:03:05.100+00:00A Day Out | Nymans<p align="justify">Ok, this is nearly two months late and it’s not as though I’ve not had the time but…anyway, a bit of waffle and some photos to document my day out, exploring yet more of my adopted home county of Sussex.</p><p align="justify">Nymans - under the stewardship of the National Trust - is located in the village of Handcross, just off the A23, approximately 35 minutes drive from the Brighton Caravan & Motorhome Club site or about 20 minutes from the Gatwick one.</p><p align="justify">Pre-booking was strongly recommended so they could limit visitor numbers and ensure social distancing could be safely observed. It was busier than I expected but certainly not uncomfortable. The house itself was closed - not unusual in these strange times we live in, but it gives a good excuse to go back. The various retail outlets - café, plant centre and second hand bookshop were open but I was unable to have a mooch, having dropped my mask somewhere on route after checking in at the entrance. Numpty.</p><p align="justify">It being mid October I was looking forward to some lovely displays of autumn colours and was certainly not disappointed as you will see. I’ve called this a day out but was only there a couple of hours in truth. Add in the house though - when open again - lunch, which you could bring as a picnic; there are plenty of benches to sit on, and a more leisurely pace and it could easily be a day out. One which I would certainly recommend too.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1OliAGhAXKp_QrRj1-PBxu8NbA4ZLbIYt"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201019_103353" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 22px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201019_103353" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1eUF8PNZh7UHDaC0po0mRBwhcwunxWxC2" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1hD4rSRcwUUgfD4EJZUfjS4nYobeP8MTg"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201019_103703" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 45px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201019_103703" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1JTtsUhfk07N5F5oD59UI_yGZv6ht27m7" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12dFHnHuuv1Dl2TqvnfhOhAtIhF9i0dc9"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201019_103928" style="margin: 22px 0px 0px 22px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201019_103928" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1agf16xYmiwZw6w7KiP_NZC3BFy8VWhy2" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gKG3XXzsAH4JYLBt-SMip7WTJkJdxJcf"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201019_104748" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 45px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201019_104748" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1iOJRGrC9yz1fxQ-Ps8pyt7padTSFYxaa" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1xezgcmX5XgnZ2iLfU_9XGTS0pJCwd9t3"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201019_105150" style="margin: 22px 0px 0px 22px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201019_105150" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1c5YLW4MDTJcxdf4vOLl-gz37n0RDoLo1" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=16VdcjbsNVkTVGW0oFNpuHlhZRFYj7sdm"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201019_110213" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 45px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201019_110213" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jQY_kx09qmuKVo0Djm5RFh4FWkDoVj3G" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1LB3evHaCWaDYZyhdaCNN8q5rbATbWRZB"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201019_110416" style="margin: 22px 0px 0px 22px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201019_110416" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1DlozA_haLp9wHwqAlBEytUDcNA9M_7sv" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1J0H60HMK2zpHITQCK87s7xsU2H-iGYMG"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201019_111114" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 45px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201019_111114" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MySy87BobX_OYDeQ7cSXfCwRfKLXiR_z" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1VOVpaE1ixDBUeg2Ht9AdGbEPiBrCuLL6"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201019_111617" style="margin: 22px 0px 0px 22px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201019_111617" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1wdWoXnT7IA-JdsKB7n2xMb69AQEC5rbt" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1L-Nbrr1R1y0kcQXtfRrBaJeQnUqK8Igb"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201019_112410" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 45px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201019_112410" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1lHcg0VGJJP_TtJBqwWvwTOESYxHlxU2i" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1z8rfO2PRpWnbj5TmP3q2OZnIkL8IVk3K"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201019_112535" style="margin: 22px 0px 0px 22px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201019_112535" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ijrEclEUzmhNTzKNxEmXEensDh_vznR5" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1XpXynDnq6mZtWSlCeplJN-13DwY_78Qa"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201019_113449" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 45px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201019_113449" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1YV5AJOLm6KsulVCW5ApLMGWjNWCiIVk8" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans" target="_blank">National Trust Nymans</a></p>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-6471248081909957972020-11-08T14:52:00.000+00:002020-11-08T14:52:48.311+00:00A Day Out | Spa Valley Railway<p align="justify">After the Saturday at <a href="https://getyourlegsdown.blogspot.com/2020/10/a-day-out-leonardslee-lakes-gardens.html" target="_blank">Leonardslee</a>, Sunday saw us head into to Kent for another heritage railway trip on the Spa Valley Railway at Tunbridge Wells.</p><p align="justify">Booking ahead was strongly encouraged - like so many attractions at the moment - and like the <a href="https://getyourlegsdown.blogspot.com/2020/10/a-day-out-kent-east-sussex-railway.html" target="_blank">Kent & East Sussex Railway</a> the other week, only return trips between stations at either end of the line were offered.</p><p align="justify">Platform space was limited and with social distancing restrictions in place there was little opportunity to nose around but we did get to see these old darlings:</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1kY5nKvU0shKhpaxfU_oxIzr7jQNzXg50"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201011_115054" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201011_115054" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1S17P3h-PqU3CVaRNN38eyQuhrgFCOfOS" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Z7hupjwfR7_8xtfvhWD47hZT9k6V7CWv"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201011_115119" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201011_115119" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1IjA2l4VUnzB9D2Alnk3kZZvsYZvKvovG" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ZAQ1vCxcIclwXQzf8lnvNZCxLZsUWTIn"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201011_115253" style="margin: 30px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201011_115253" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14RdMJdX-_C51XQZt_8ZGPqSkeHTw8uEd" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-pY9Gmu8Q-PziXfAjqVelXGu7JIHpbd-"><img width="354" height="202" title="20201011_115914" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201011_115914" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18cUHO5Cqyqg_c8p-qmS5j0oYWWDFW1Ao" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">We took a compartment which we would have exclusive use of and also meant that face coverings could be removed once seated. Not cheap at £40 for the two of us but a better deal for a family or bubble as the compartments could seat up to six.</p><p align="justify">As mentioned there was no opportunity to get off at the intervening stations of High Rocks or Groombridge, running straight through some picturesque countryside to Eridge back in East Sussex. It’s worth noting that Eridge is on the national rail network and is served by Southern. In normal times combined tickets and deals are available.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1fCqby8gFJE5qg3EgvQn27l1qldIb0tC3"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201011_121127" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201011_121127" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1uq6xQUnaDjHuS6iACUoDriA8wwd-PEXR" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1wdiRZQUcQkblTuR3I6uwjvz-8gOjsfrl"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201011_121159" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201011_121159" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1oSVKgVr8-DQVGgq9l2zg0Q_RG9u--n-1" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1W-2bikY1G2O5LgP3PBoxg1pRqUMCd8ab"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201011_122000" style="margin: 30px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201011_122000" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1AD-JXm6laokhJWVTRKo8BEVOrdWD-aq9" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1TBEnWE7ZMq6ic_Ac0ciwB7kNwezmi0G3"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201011_131344" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201011_131344" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1LTSpQW-aI70gQL_e0U7BYlD5bhSlzDKM" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Whilst our outward journey was diesel hauled by Class 20 D188, which I wasn’t able to get a photo, our return from Eridge would be by steam with a loco rather unjustly named ‘Ugly’. Ok, she may not fit the traditional profile of some of the grand old locos of the past but is still a fine piece of lovingly preserved engineering.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1J12cUwGRDhCXPlnEon5ZjhUQG0cMrWev"><img width="739" height="326" title="20201011_122948" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20201011_122948" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QimXAxg9vuPHusS2Su7YYInoeMQGOr4c" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Back at Tunbridge we went for a stroll around the Pantiles - it was quite busy in places - certainly busier than I felt entirely comfortable with in the circumstances, but still very pleasant nonetheless.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=11o0XBi-Z9uf-I0vmU0IBv7ID2JfriFyB"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201011_133229" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201011_133229" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1DiR95V-x2XMpP_cE4UEsdVSQRElLwiAX" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1H6pd4mPHAIJyaPTuPy-9gD2Ny2E00f1y"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201011_133329" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201011_133329" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=11rUMahjafwK2pmM4YTb_94BzFaP4hgyV" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Parking was available nearby and their website was very helpful in pointing out options as well as detailing bus and train services. I’m very much looking forward to going back when services return to normal.</p><p align="justify"><a href="http://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk">www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk</a></p><p align="justify"></p>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-18067145918156799062020-10-21T17:14:00.001+01:002020-10-21T17:14:54.846+01:00A Day Out | Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens<p align="justify">Once again I eschewed a weekend on the sofa to get out and about in my adopted home county of Sussex, not least as I was once again joined by a friend staying for the weekend.</p><p align="justify">Leonardslee sits a few miles south-east of Horsham over the border in West Sussex. I say over the border, whilst the county is divided administratively many locals still refer to it as simply Sussex. It was also just a short run from Southwater, where Patsy was first dropped off for her annual wallet busting service.</p><p align="justify">Leonardslee only re-opened in 2019 after being closed for 10 years, the new owners carrying out a thorough restoration of the gardens as well as adding a vineyard.</p><p align="justify">Arriving around lunchtime we elected to eat our packed lunch in the car to save carrying a bag around - this turned out to be opportune as I later discovered on flipping through the website that no outside food or drink was allowed. A little mean perhaps although like many things at the moment I’m not sure how it’s enforced. Picnic baskets could of course be purchased from the café.</p><p align="justify">In the main we followed the prescribed walk around the gardens, which is indicated as mobility scooter accessible but not suitable for wheelchairs due to some steep slopes. Mobility scooters can be hired and a buggy shuttle service runs most days giving those with limited mobility access to the lower gardens and lakes.</p><p align="justify">Whilst the sun remained largely shy the autumn colours were certainly impressive and it was a thoroughly enjoyable couple of hours. Right, enough of the inane waffle - to the photos:</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1IQN9fYmlb_3WO6SjbDqbdC_PdNoTa6-Y"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201010_133816" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201010_133816" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1rCiYJHIkXt4oWP58lESJszR0WmU9dBKU" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1it2l4tU4qh2fdG4cJze0DRc7bez62Zl_"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201010_135105" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201010_135105" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1SaJfn9Le1Msa5TbOM0ajFZz3NxNg7iuo" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1v_Vq9QeWb0mvrwxitYMo3x_h80jmDWYU"><img width="162" height="285" title="20201010_133032" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201010_133032" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_joNoiFtSoLuKjBEmMbT3eh-EKI7yy5l" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ctbReZDtyJhLWVJBEXmEHYY0ra99HFLl"><img width="162" height="285" title="20201010_133447" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 39px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201010_133447" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1wx9GkXPc0prH3_BZVNIVQPkxBVCEv0xy" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1sHEr_WwkEiDn8N9YhcL2gJARkuiKgpGW"><img width="162" height="285" title="20201010_134252" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 39px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201010_134252" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1NV-dBfezQPuAIBQvr5ZNv_ZL5lfJHQl8" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MZ6dNF0XDR7MAEFi6OjeHwXfYHiYfxZq"><img width="162" height="285" title="20201010_142812" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 39px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201010_142812" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1u6Qwpwip70FJACRoL7rXLl-Z4ehEERAq" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ozEbjT8cRw8-jag639ooVSG_RzI0BVhS"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201010_135629" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201010_135629" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1bHVd4mfU-xDOe_BrIra7eqAjuE-4yeSq" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_sSLBNzOcEKxUY_xhiHDgwnufuTY7U8e"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201010_140947" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201010_140947" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=11ng50U3pB2KJvflBsrScE88Jib7C7V74" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1k_hHeb5pOP_WmFrigpvwSvtVmPzBUQpb"><img width="162" height="285" title="20201010_133626" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201010_133626" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1hJkCdKsQ0Uf27A1fDYX-SMY3arhg_bmX" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13lYYH4LhJ5DIBwFut7KxFuh0q1-eLAcM"><img width="162" height="285" title="20201010_140125" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 38px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201010_140125" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1NSegXvEsVzI7S9LaTKybbp866EBHj7aJ" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Xg2xtZb-e0XHCyFZdwAW2rWszpxne5Pe"><img width="162" height="285" title="20201010_142457" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 38px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201010_142457" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1V_a4sxvS83eeAHieQZ4TkjUotngNZhiw" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1smRNP0dqCXN0uT31UUepAbs6NRp5H7zm"><img width="162" height="285" title="20201010_151138" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 38px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201010_151138" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1hpj0K8cdYAak9XRcJ_qgjosEJGJcNQ8d" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1abJElqzSSrI4CBMEKUyrMXcrJirCdZIq"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201010_142603" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201010_142603" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=156U8RUQyFBqDSQGJVTGRB1C_N-qntotS" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1bUgpCa6MM2y12GEl63za5u0xaqpo2v7C"><img width="354" height="201" title="20201010_143924" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20201010_143924" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-Ft62K_-BTY4F1UGF4B2-PqLfiFrpIer" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">We finished our walk with a restorative cuppa in the courtyard of the Clocktower Café. A Pot of Tea for two turned out to be two paper cups with hot water and a teabag but it was refreshing at least.</p><p align="justify">As with many places at the moment, pre-booking is strongly advised - <a href="http://www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk">www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk</a> </p><p align="justify"> </p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"></p>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-7799963269610758932020-10-03T17:12:00.000+01:002020-10-13T04:41:22.117+01:00A Day Out | Kent & East Sussex Railway<p align="justify">Following on from Saturday’s visit to Arundel Castle - see previous <a href="https://getyourlegsdown.blogspot.com/2020/09/a-day-out-arundel-castle.html" target="_blank">blog post</a> - Sunday saw us heading east into neighbouring Kent to indulge our love of heritage railways and we were rewarded for the cross country drive with some cracking weather too.</p><p align="justify">Like many attractions in these strange times, normal services are curtailed with just return trips from Tenterden to Bodiam on offer, the intervening stations of Rolvenden, Wittersham Road & Northiam being closed to visitors.</p><p align="justify">We arrived at Tenterden in plenty of time - time enough for a coffee, a visit to the adjacent <a href="https://olddairybrewery.com/" target="_blank">Old Dairy</a> brewery for some research samples and a packed lunch in the picnic area. </p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1KA3_pHo9zuTmEj0VjFZzst4CPhBmWP4W"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200920_113201" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 23px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200920_113201" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1lm-cXGZMhZhOiCT3dCanAtRngib3wQn0" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1VkEGu6OiKMkv6ycu8w334IDuUMw0ERr9"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200920_113113" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 45px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200920_113113" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1vruXMb6skmp8hd63FhZD0fVOAwz7Vp-9" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Soon after we heard the train approaching, watching as it trundled up the steep hill and into the station. Whilst steam traction was planned some operational issues meant we were to have diesel haulage for our trip - no complaints from us, many will know I’m a fan of old diesel locos, but the volunteer who told us was expecting some grumbles from the steam aficionados.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ZUKnGtDWEfa0F2I8VL9RqFRciVYuPnLE"><img width="288" height="164" title="20200920_123210" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 23px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200920_123210" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1T96EJSsG6Jy9yOnfKgy4NyJJBc3wPrqW" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1z8ZD4fgjAhqTgAvHxgKpDWyNhx3g_VJb"><img width="153" height="164" title="20200920_124138" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 14px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200920_124138" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1K-UFECb7RW3bazzataJDrMD9n4mEkcqE" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1CEA12ALs8srYddeEPJzeauf-ZSXZ9OND"><img width="288" height="164" title="20200920_123246" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 14px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200920_123246" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gwE7xwxQhDnbCE_l3J8mdCYPOAmy1ZvX" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">The team had certainly got to grips with the new Covid secure guidelines and every other table in the carriage was kept clear - things were very well organise, face coverings were of course required.</p><p align="justify">The 45 minute run through the Weald to the terminus at Bodiam was a delight, showcasing some of the best countryside Kent and East Sussex has to offer.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1RF8dDY-H5TBHjfnt3PMGbw-nFVJE-Lg5"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200920_124735" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 23px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200920_124735" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1KgyTwjDWHkKlfcGvoMIZUkdwRulqQBSF" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1k9csRviC-AicFM5PsqDV4yLbWQORblOq"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200920_131652" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 45px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200920_131652" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=10qmpIqM9iz2m_mPgB5MDoOEknaFev9_p" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1X4DLF_-aP54xGzpgiKUs-zdDxZLbPMMH"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200920_134913" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 23px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200920_134913" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1eprC7souhYi1jD9SAGn-xOUzNcUbjnog" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=10RSZdhY6gJgaUjotYk2sv8e1BfwfAqMu"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200920_140229" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 45px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200920_140229" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1aFJwhEd13W3tTFqGN38BmukLWNDK7aiD" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14lR4iPlbthiTDanOdYx2oa4mTpBbULIp"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200920_131626" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 23px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200920_131626" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1mO6qQ-7tGTVse3cdXQnqc0r40kSolA0k" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Cl6wY1CoY0TUv1MRePL0QEknkn75RvX6"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200920_141231" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 45px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200920_141231" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1SLnx9cBNitK9LzYjIQCcdvL61qm17azk" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Bodiam castle is a walk or short bus ride away and normally combined tickets can be bought, however our wait at Bodiam station was just 20 minutes so the castle would have to wait. Enough time for a restorative coffee and shortbread whilst enjoying the views though.</p><p align="justify">Back at Tenterden we headed south for the short trip to the delightful town of Rye on the coast. The nice weather had clearly brought people out but it was a little too busy for comfort in current circumstances so we headed down to Rye Harbour for dinner in the <a href="https://www.williamtheconqueror.co.uk/" target="_blank">William the Conqueror</a> before a trundle back along the coast. Another great day out and hopefully more to come.</p><p align="justify">Links:</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://kesr.org.uk/" target="_blank">Kent & East Sussex Railway</a></p><p align="justify"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiam-castle" target="_blank">Bodiam Castle</a></p><p align="justify"></p>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-54984609942568953822020-09-26T17:35:00.000+01:002020-09-26T17:35:45.871+01:00A Day Out - Arundel Castle<p align="justify">My weekends during term time usually involve a lot of time on the sofa, but a visit of a friend last weekend provided the impetus to get out and about and see more of the attractions in my adopted home county of Sussex.</p><p align="justify">With part baked baguettes cooked and filled with tasty home cooked gammon we pointed Rosie west and along the miserable excuse for a road that is the A27. It features heavily on the local traffic reports and even on a Saturday it didn’t disappoint as we slowed to a crawl approaching Worthing, barely getting out of 3rd gear - apart from down in to 2nd from thereon in!</p><p align="justify">Arundel itself - a lovely little Sussex town - was quite busy, a little busier than was comfortable in current circumstances if I’m honest, helped no doubt by the monthly farmers market. A parking space was easily found though and the Ring Go app proved handy in the absence of cash. We perused the farmers market for a while, procuring some grog - sorry, research samples - from the <a href="http://www.riversidebreweryltd.co.uk/" target="_blank">Riverside brewery</a> based in nearby Upper Beeding before grabbing coffee and consuming lunch in the sunshine overlooking the fast flowing River Arun.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=185U0lCJ6x67xbcyv85mceqOs2XpvLP9r"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200919_123249" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200919_123249" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1NQsHEcKZsrpxxB44eiCEVJy4r3KaiNPK" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gEwtGnAY_mkzOicepqxJWrXtcPYZIQKY"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200919_130854" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200919_130854" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=166IfQtsDab4tjPx8MSLAEvtxJObB4jpP" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Pre-booking was essential - as is often the case at the moment and some areas were off limits - compensated for by a sizeable reduction on the entrance fee. Sadly the Keep was one of those areas which would have afforded a nice view of the surrounding countryside but no matter, the visit was still enjoyable and in these strange times it was great just to get out and about and do something ‘normal’.</p><p align="justify">First up was the castle itself, face coverings were mandatory inside of course but there were plenty of guides around to assist and impart their considerable knowledge of the castles’ history as well as it’s occupants. My personal favourite was the library - a lovely calming setting in which to relax with a good book in front of a roaring fire. And a glass of something suitable to accompany, obviously.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1onrTEzXUMRiZope8JzZxasAV8JDmee2H"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200919_134654" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200919_134654" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tQhM8-B3KXpTMY8VlK7ViRa80i1Qk9ny" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18nfjznU84pVRyBzE1m6hI6E1PU_QW7k2"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200919_135542" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200919_135542" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Duo8GLWPqXdgNL_NyjbzpN-anWuj5Yay" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QvjzogaQ0L1ClU48eqqAVaxWMgwcx_1B"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200919_135841" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200919_135841" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1z15XOh7O7RWfnLNMvnlbcnARbZ63_rCn" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1WyyU5zT3qAh6X2yklB8TfQIxC18jKbHm"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200919_135916" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200919_135916" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1AYpGXCLYTqlE5NhFDYWCXJwYe29RIr8S" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18h9qoNmDEYl-w16hTFWJEWU8P0vHKQWy"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200919_140230" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200919_140230" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=11e1Gh5HtEpRyqgWzrY2o7M3QHEnP4JBB" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1RoDLj5H1-SUB07CPKk3RY5cMPQ9aK2PM"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200919_141005" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200919_141005" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1LLbCazg-phZY-nJAf6hKE4dbLhEo9pfd" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Back outside the delightful formal gardens gave a great view of Arundel Cathedral and the walk back to the entrance via the ponds afforded plenty of opportunities for lens clicking - or phone button pressing in this case.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1kz5D2favyK4I9uvxXK3WoQ-a9z6G_PnL"><img width="162" height="285" title="20200919_142158" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200919_142158" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=19i0x8VG65SKwdVqtdA4IZC_TG0HZOHz2" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1g-1OwX-ugUUW7oaiY0iqX4GHCFPQvriu"><img width="162" height="285" title="20200919_142351" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200919_142351" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1aPawlvpmZLOROOqpG8MDbVNB2C70xzzl" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1TRnJ9JKGMMp1F6nPe7cJ1kxUJ6ITWWdh"><img width="162" height="285" title="20200919_143621" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200919_143621" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1BLYstvDpEsw11ljkO8KhFGlZk518aocz" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=17-lnwHX5AObNstFT6u12AKVzpH85ZhXN"><img width="162" height="285" title="20200919_142320" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200919_142320" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_8aszk3e7GPCatvWgoz_N1zins_nGg-K" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1JivTdFW32PcmvzjvWp5dDZx2bA_nacmI"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200919_142507" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200919_142507" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1e2v8wUv4uMUxq0IxiX46ffnbA4Qsu_SD" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1u3nVwHxbUuEL2vCpx9DCbybQg7tmCGgO"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200919_142037" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200919_142037" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13Wo4-g7RY_R5ctzZBMryGM3m5Idj8Stx" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MAqgu0A0U5VmfP1n8PTWQFVYfToVYeDd"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200919_151308" style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200919_151308" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1v5apc-QhjlfIrkX1dDG8u5-IQtvawysJ" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1uHD7Kvw_iFYoTNEUGkbCU_3V5hogKqBb"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200919_152317" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200919_152317" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1O_QIMnIK5mLmgdy3rUQGjE0zz3mSCoPm" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">We took the seafront road back, passing through Worthing, Lancing, Shoreham and a very busy Brighton, to sunny Saltdean and rounded off a superb day with a delicious steak meal cooked back home in Legs Down HQ.</p><p align="justify"></p>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-30878477502543834752020-08-21T14:55:00.000+01:002020-09-27T14:55:26.900+01:00The Great Escape | Summer 2020<p align="center"><font size="4">Stop 1 | Brighton | 4th-11th July | 10 miles | Pitch 82</font></p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1C_jgroh8eHaXho2zJtiOdWSMqwfS4t1i"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200704_092946" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200704_092946" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1zz1qTduT8bQTQFQnLB41cZLb9RAMtouB" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1PxmEZyilkdFjBCAjUr4egADj-AwQlfMj"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200705_170819" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200705_170819" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Gn9m_eEhY_HJPLxtpJGuf2_jfS9oWoQO" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1mKv1eiDFUgx89sU8bOIvPDnr7UQOhVqh"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200705_170835" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 8px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200705_170835" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=19HFS-2oW6sm9p5qh_0oU_dgyzGRsQemv" border="0"></a></p><p align="left"><font size="4">Devils Dyke</font></p><p align="left"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1AKCAMpqcT9swiWh8JfI9NGhJPOMhuDGn"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0454" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0454" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1LAe_P7haPY_rrEgBZUFzLbJBbAVvEuTt" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GsBF6hJ6_i0CtDSrWROCNm1CiHMylqsx"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0458" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0458" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1UhX1xDmzWZvPoxjsA8MaLzaViCzn_Rip" border="0"></a><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0460" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0460" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14Y8xmC8_gDdsiksaYL7R2rd3Mbq0O9fM" border="0"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QGGhqtExTPixkqAMGOHD8lrY2RgJLntU"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0465" style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0465" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1KQAJlDKws1AT-rdGWzuDUMqc1wIV8oNw" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1l-26aC--lUhaTYry83HcerOKdfM0_uNO"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0471" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0471" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1zhaSGKfBVCsT8nJP9txFqZU7onwAM2iz" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1FRwwT3OgDkzCuymBZi35ZT_sozEng8jX"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0474" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0474" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=19Fo61EFB-KURoqHuZs6Y7eH_pbmJFl49" border="0"></a></p><p align="left"><font size="4">Seaford Head & Birling Gap</font></p><p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1XD8ekJtr55Y44hNwVCidZ4ZDURoP0mR8"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0480" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0480" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1yaWyiQK_1R8V2VIINbQOyv0nTwpjRNwm" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1cje1rcLqsEf0KU0HaTnAk6q5AXhjxnhK"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0485" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0485" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1c-wBBMLdCeI6SILI06K2GfRndNAYpf3r" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jmLGdfaJyEm9wvsCW15xEIiMdnID9mw1"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0491" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0491" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Rw3VUh-7Jr7Nrzeogqv6zXdtaT8S1Ch5" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1qAIrKhNQk_HjjciubI-wHIUFp9sE1QNG"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0496" style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0496" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13wzf_6S7rFwvU6FJzZsepshDFnPzWa4s" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1rOHeAZGjCugpER7Wc9fO3j1CbBi399SU"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0497" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0497" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1sow8RDz1HKitSs3MdEw4IMzuIvPnmPnT" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-8ALc9WlAID-OUsKamxQLM9Fkj_LnvSb"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0501" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0501" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QYwJVh9zEr_QuKQab3g36SpWDqLiFoQH" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1FC1xM3_MbOcq5LwW3ezBZr206XjUoiw1"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0507" style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0507" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1xBtRYKVqdhVTgyCk_MzhKdFDr3yqud19" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1beo0wFyE6I6e5RaHkZdjbQiHa4Rt4mBJ"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0503" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0503" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1U1Axq1xlsIB_Ob8a5Wuv5znDfpuvsPtm" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1aNc73OrHhRzDYwvOCOF6mmd_MhdcZEon"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0505" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0505" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1XzE7p8U4ED2L0YWsv4GpSlx99z0IbXeO" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="left"><font size="4">Lewes</font></p><p align="center"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-GSj3-jaoQmEV2BqrqNo8O1bnRrV5Bdo"><font size="4"><img width="162" height="285" title="20200709_115501" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200709_115501" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1VFqx1cYu4vC0Bs2H0keg9KXuEvkx7Vis" border="0"></font></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1p3ClTC-Yza4t-ei-oBG_ulZs-gO8pQ4T"><font size="4"><img width="162" height="285" title="20200709_122033" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200709_122033" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ih_UmRfaZJ6bmXeXteh-_WSK5njBfowh" border="0"></font></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MY-rGQRCW9IGFuDCEN_QGB6_F6z-1d6a"><font size="4"><img width="162" height="285" title="20200709_122156" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200709_122156" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Vg4Bc-4li4klnv3NViFI6jwREErYvZTp" border="0"></font></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=10S8qIEy-j72YkfD4JuD_x4qSVoL6ZGXm"><font size="4"><img width="162" height="285" title="20200709_122615" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200709_122615" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1h9YUMbLc6zHIgrB8DJ4ej8ajmfEU3Lh7" border="0"></font></a></p><p align="center"><font size="4">Stop 2 | Somers Wood | 11th-21st July | 173 miles @ 24.6mpg | Pitch 29</font></p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1w1iITORKnTfkZ5DrJyxvyqaTKAvL4pfa"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200711_161222" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200711_161222" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1fXpMGlQ0vsXTtUZqCugm1hw7E8g5PBhI" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1BkRgyNA3B-QA8rzQe-K_8mzZDbO86Zs5"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200712_085438" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200712_085438" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1O-odxJ-rB94JhCrIJUOeMxJZ5zI4-SLG" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13qM9jhSjeUZdF1b2LxlOLBYma054ncVo"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200718_111429" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200718_111429" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1UntSPFAS_BXRvC9Q5nOg9Y0xdjXCr6AT" border="0"></a></p><p><font size="4">Kenilworth & Hatton Locks</font></p><p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1T-b2gFIayAKqczIVhmwxNKZB-o4x9mWJ"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0513" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0513" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1S2xfGCbbJOxmDfc4GT0ZbbHQvTHuPYd6" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gHbh4GFrvCKw7u641-O4YBLfXAZfmhhS"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0517" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0517" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14DUeVu2aYMh455jtcerqiNn3gj4gIwig" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1cAv8kAVq8OgIstMGWbm3AmMcq5527yIk"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0523" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0523" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1r1zFZyh_ta80a-hLaA3Mhlhn9QEkR1g3" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1JufsLYkT7spXFnEevoaLaQQKSwah0VO3"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0524" style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0524" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=10oezNhgNAU-b7kwpqUx0ldTgQh7GDWi6" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1K9oG2qz0xWR9qth6Qzm0zcrAIG8bOw7H"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0525" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0525" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1AqDe7EpDyR4fKufwvt3cFBB8WkDie0zB" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1xfS991i73WGudp1dyjcA8OWaOavIleQy"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0530" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0530" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1aQ_YZExePa8T5mzFwPc4D84kGavEf8wL" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="left"><font size="4">Stratford-upon-Avon</font></p><p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12bVC8KKe0xd_N5heqmCwU4_MdmEctKXc"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200714_121923" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200714_121923" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1p6eqUvERi5pp-xezSQwSu8UEdiaTTaSt" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HR0m7IuKDsDzcYdXe0RF5tZCWieg3liY"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200714_122312" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200714_122312" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1m6bVzVM3qR6W_BGPFNwD_U-oe5BAlQxD" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1YGhnEsoenUf4QaIqy_TQtb2xJWZ6FlQC"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200714_122441" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200714_122441" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HGEN_yGlLwKQU0Djr0sq3jQQYEXr1QgS" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1M_F1iu9tRMMKI72gUBR5jV9TOPtYjk67"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200714_131622" style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200714_131622" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1N6kRso1dFrm8VFJMtfqYcK2WHuAIktNy" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1fDcJ9pat4ZbSW51KE3UGJyiUgDfUDV7J"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200714_134110" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200714_134110" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1L0aZAfdjKD5VDSo8LGn-GECCMCsGJbph" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ndJ2QEsS1_XKjQnwBz9_FRLYGgusV07R"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200714_134450" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200714_134450" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1O3_0KziPvqcKmpsaYmndKC3_9TYqzwDi" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="left"><font size="4">Leamington Spa</font></p><p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1W8HMb-IZsI1RJlNvyfa37kddnU9UFZ7o"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200716_112048" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200716_112048" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1NoDvZvzyYQ1qmycl-bJktrRpdHEt0zB8" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1qUKykIpznRX2_MwyLk-oxYmO0uWWgqBl"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200716_113236" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200716_113236" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1kqNQRVD4_GkgXs-kcEbwgP5SJ9heYava" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MD-3hpCXBGQIopZk6GIAkD6IH2zmyfaQ"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200716_113622" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200716_113622" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1WoBoLUKyWH3NTBUyL2ka9z8iBgX6ZQ25" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GYInd5TnOVVR281GegzWi_VJNfLLXq6p"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200716_120639" style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200716_120639" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Xv-Uy4Hk6WYza5PvaXanxpGIXfBPMjoa" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1JixEywa2-FQ5Zvr51eyVOvp9cIkULR0R"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200716_123011" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200716_123011" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1WBAfXYSp-vD3BGs2qNpJPmPWsgFDDZRZ" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1soZx48yzikcG-Gmj3S8n6R6WXIvNZ-Hy"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200716_134136" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200716_134136" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1P0atiWdoCkwLrLEY-2yyJsQw_hqHgDDi" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="left"><font size="4">British Motor Museum</font></p><p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1dDijqb9R3jaGG5ebClQA5aTTTerCeVip"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200717_094927" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200717_094927" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MTi9NgWCTeY68qINqQ31jyAuy56Vt1C_" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1l8_FyXcg43ijQkYxgRwCeeySKdypZs1V"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200717_100932" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200717_100932" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1TVTeyAO5r2Y1P3FcMVJMSODmCHw0OeS-" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1PRfsbo6gcR6Mxk8vkctMDU5AMiujBXcZ"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200717_101707" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200717_101707" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MUG8PP20EDPFbvddTMQcRRTrExbgMHUQ" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1qJO2r7oRBW71Sb8Y4bSn3eXQ5dehk-fN"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200717_112534" style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200717_112534" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1sd8rDyS0RD1QTFvsT68qxcrOu4_AxR3r" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ihJJPPMs-CD8WNHhvgywfa9oALptRAhY"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200717_112613" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200717_112613" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1whcZ6FcSEMZOiHaO-Qbbna04zvcWE8P1" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1uTcu3WkA2N8FVJZgMFb0kXLsrdtn_nv4"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200717_115948" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200717_115948" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=15W3IIs1WYJeXJoueVpUqEPj0UyV75KIt" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="center"><font size="4">Stop 3 | Mansell Farm | 21st-25th July | 33(26) miles @ 25.5mpg | Pitch 2</font></p><p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_atqE1c6nHTkhFW7DwzM7lCHBCdHLFqS"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200721_125843" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200721_125843" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1xx5V9GaxfhvKt8z7BzhiOwbXJgyc8JAh" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=15XpJaQnuEK0rFKazMNgcTl6yz2tirfhB"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200721_155248" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200721_155248" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13lA30NlA_XfyQihV012ir13laREekqMm" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Hk2wv9cE_IuLGJdpNDyIpNvXklPD6Z0P"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200721_155351" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200721_155351" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1qkZIZH4gKiwL5mlTQgEvkOMqbMvxsP3L" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1DG-8EtNug782w_b1C40srqcw7xxTFLB2"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200721_165722" style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200721_165722" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-ZXgkq4BmAyUcX4i5nh38mngxKNo-tnx" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1qZ9wjUTPMylpgwAgVtnt88eikYTyFQEv"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200724_191045" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200724_191045" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Dv4MfpqZ9v88zJWzNSRb4-_Is8tqmy0f" border="0"></a></font><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1icC3ZGQZSs3fxJOGyckClQod1b2gggDd"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200723_194106" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200723_194106" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-DiW4aDMtU3BedJp4EnVEbFzHNYLGH5g" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><font size="4">Stop 4 | Bourton-on-the-Water | 25th-29th July | 23 miles @ 21.6mpg | Pitch 30</font></p><p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1z-UjizWNy2JBiOAdnRKBdTrZ8INVy-u6"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200725_130300" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200725_130300" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1JcwQ4IR-ysNNNoEdTsnqsvDzoenv1zBW" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1r8BqLY4SDRwVXiv6jwazpmki1WKdwn8c"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200725_130307" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200725_130307" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ANyWw8g4Ab02dURMvsWRIM8aOnTFxjy5" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1qEBkAR0_5knFF1IthQwbZclgwPOzRdVA"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200725_210745" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200725_210745" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=11w-j0gsONxW-VrrGVJRvg8h0SPfSZMVW" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1zMyrhH6Djwo4QT_XydDO-sO79VwoedTs"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200726_112816" style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200726_112816" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1sd9Yn6jJFJpmzunXPsUzsfaVEXT0Hefo" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ES9vJ796cujeo-0XeOVKyiIO4Cq9VOIg"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200726_113229" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200726_113229" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1nl8NKEvw5FQCIkfYTvzDrO_nTix-VCq_" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14Y5S5QtDRYSmguShspAgGpRU0RdXIpaZ"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200726_113928" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200726_113928" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ReZr3LOrqcPoWBjTApAbUXJOm0sbGo9f" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="center"><font size="4">Stop 5 | Marlbrook Farm | 29th July-3rd August | 41 miles @ 27.8mpg | Pitch N2</font></p><p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1cz-Ul2D5-rO5SuS3_RV5t3kacc-R5hFv"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200729_124803" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200729_124803" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1nsKrAwy3hiUknMLXEwQhQdYamxJZsAZt" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Q0K5H5xWxu6wNcJm6FZGboGxlWEdFOB6"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200801_084955" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200801_084955" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1iT7lQV8Z9V9Qpcz2Lo1nj0d8zDoS6t04" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1FGhl7o-8SPDO9cPDkVnljF6DqOeS_nQ6"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200801_123919" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200801_123919" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1IsDvjC_udfvw6SNe2c2s0mix76--wOVF" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="left"><font size="4">Malvern | Priory Park</font></p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1TPf5ZAcLlZ5x9i6vbftliEMWqp6EmFfj"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200731_093300" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200731_093300" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1SUVaQ63hdg2mL1B8hABlrr6qu-sNlU9I" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1EXTlK923HDj42DMVrX8qV_eHx9u3J8U6"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200731_094628" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200731_094628" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=10O_nZbJwilFkJocgEvU3PNLqmh8CD8j3" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HUzd7kdmJQ2iaaNMC7LiBBvC9CVwqnF0"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200731_101308" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200731_101308" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=16_DMPBJupkcBOkBvD4A6eYNVI5pH5bDp" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=17xHbWoJy9bDHBUwYVLNzcPqjB-vlWnj8"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200731_101954" style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200731_101954" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1nnaRLVkIxnYFRy9nWLNOoHu-_6ZIH7oN" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13AKDkyucfH5w6n5WpcY-NeRZrSnfNzcy"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200731_102043" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200731_102043" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ox08WS6d-nkbLpqpptwYrVVpA8KhdcG6" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1lUoZKtBpwUsPOMLo00VW2-sR2MyUF0oP"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200731_102241" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200731_102241" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Y5NMhInWHDs5FEwYjI8UlFiAYsNWj8rZ" border="0"></a></p><p><font size="4">Castlemorton Common</font></p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1cpfmVkkBudrTPZ1kHXZkhG5mcbpseyMO"><font size="4"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200801_124334" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200801_124334" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14imzQA37BuYaKNUJTJH0LjtfO7PM5dfW" border="0"></font></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1dFTN5W5THymjcnZKbf5jXra6sUpfw8YV"><font size="4"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200801_131130" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200801_131130" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jS3rITU3OtG0tTPxm1vaepinZ9Mlpig3" border="0"></font></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1BDV3s_a73fWPNBT6zSpALmlKK8ZQsMtV"><font size="4"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200801_132127" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200801_132127" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1bsPdZvbRPjkGKBNDB5NWAJwybUjlVxsd" border="0"></font></a></p><p><font size="4">Upton-upon-Severn</font></p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1uCZ3eoaOS_vSuobhzm2WEixiOJR-4S34"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200802_152818" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200802_152818" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1sp2elI7PTKkRABspgABfprglamoOUDlE" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1N3BTFKuafmQxYAa8uR2hNkdTKfus-oUP"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200802_152938" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200802_152938" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Qu7iZfJlKaBjskZ-mzU4tPaqc9QOjqCN" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1UVuYQsWvtVNl6BqIjvtIeDrSeMk96u8K"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200802_153136" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200802_153136" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1et4exUMqroP9kSxQqMEmmtmYuH93_fyO" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><font size="4">Stop 6 | Broadway | 3rd-12th August | 30 miles @ 27.3mpg | Pitch 117</font></p><p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13fiT97jc9b_vBTgTCYmyJ5iWhxqNeC_j"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200803_153237" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200803_153237" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1xHKNl8usl_m51oOeLxEPpKCiD_kwIceT" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1fGkO3WssZgCqmP-XIA-Kshg3fPIOkyEn"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0555" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0555" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1clhfitqeg7nnRzs_AuWagMrPa-h_zTGd" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12DRxnRuIx2hf_qig-GgU7cjSvOId6-fB"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200807_204929" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200807_204929" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1E09TKxD_UTlAdh6au6nbnGjvWGjo5cP2" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-Ai43BrOdGJ31zYIWzIxhEGvlBCDce-4"><img width="254" height="140" title="_DSC0559" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0559" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_IFxpioGHK3pjNeY_wagswUV2uE6UFzG" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1RXVm7rYm8j0aCIOJRseEUhh8XqxRN3Bn"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0551" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0551" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1e895l__EuLsINXlFoogAImEO7n9-n4l4" border="0"></a></font><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ABy6nY5D0W446iq6a6Z0dr7hf1mG94Gy"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200809_114316" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200809_114316" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1XDLoYH9rlAQxR9Y8SPXLMBgaNq03udhU" border="0"></a></p><p align="center"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1PmHefiTu2BDGeOcI_p1r2tuv_rFArkKQ"><img width="254" height="192" title="received_340750566940088" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="received_340750566940088" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=10-TdkNxjSHYSjJxXzX8ce914f4IqlMBz" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1hLt7GsQ57HX3D-E_rICC42H2STOLadoL"><img width="254" height="192" title="received_901971046990408" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="received_901971046990408" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1IQ864ggmQzkvoKa1kmvoYx3ASiuQ1594" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1iQPh6xxkchV4MNePgT8yd1rrI_lvFxSS"><img width="254" height="192" title="received_2701630570072827" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="received_2701630570072827" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1bXVLbwPPbQYuu_Wx7_Cj5T7IJ3A3vBfm" border="0"></a></p><p align="left"><font size="4">Broadway Tower</font></p><p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Rg7glNJc2DhiXSrgJl8z4roSRaYchCkO"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200804_095602" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200804_095602" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1eUcKlDL1tj5ME41UxNIT6FC_0AdN9Iof" border="0"></a></font><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1t9O3J4JqFC9ISXIeik2u9VJ6LV409npu"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200811_112652" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200811_112652" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1I00uX8-SyViyNoqgIksPox7Xj5bGR-jN" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GUqUd1kc40ZxJavvlQWpOMS71xnhznds"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200804_095707" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200804_095707" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1z94uu-Yn1az-J0_0RbiwL-POVeyEoYDz" border="0"></a></p><p align="left"><font size="4">Bidford-upon-Avon & Alcester</font></p><p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1N-ki6sfi-L9ahI699Ee1y_AkCqh4FFFu"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200804_105927" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200804_105927" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Enq2mWRJG_TJQa7xKW_j52h6uPG9sqrR" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1se57roYXQ_ftqvCpNP-F-4rL4ng8BG8K"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200804_111054" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200804_111054" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1S-pLY4m9WYechOf2pBJy7RwPZ0pKd4CG" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1n0RuFGyDU0q7qyMmd5WPe8BI_dPM20YZ"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200804_111430" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200804_111430" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12C7sbvhBYJl6Kc0P2kbbOFI8nX0V1Fk-" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HDLDo5Whj7vUrGDZE8xbKe6VPVsiZ9ll"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200804_125057" style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200804_125057" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1PwgXD0X-WF-eL0HmoOSLFBz-DNUa0qsv" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1UmshD4e2lHIISFZmtDveXkeaVFexeIyj"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200804_133031" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200804_133031" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1YLav3SkS8xdd9zsFCo02wBVnTBuBoJJx" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1FBOsYAQUVbJNNXxg7GGgHzJT6WzsmLAU"><img width="254" height="145" title="20200804_133137" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200804_133137" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1uYZiskeg57DcYy_TrZU--46OHcLaii6X" border="0"></a></font></p><p align="center"><font size="4"><br></font></p>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-25243379837525121572020-04-10T15:07:00.001+01:002020-09-27T15:08:08.513+01:00Q & A | Part 4<p align="justify">The final part of the series and moving away from caravanning and travel but still some subjects close to my heart. Here we go, let the inane waffle commence:</p><p align="justify"><strong>Your favourite ale, considering all the research you must have done by now, or are you still looking?</strong></p><blockquote><p align="justify">Second part first, I’m always looking! There are now well over 600 beers in the <a href="https://realalearchive.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ale Archive</a> that I’ve sampled at least a pint or 500ml bottle of, over the years. Thanks to caravanning I’ve been able to try beers from other parts of the country that just wouldn’t make it down to my part of the world, be that local seasonal brews, where limited quantities are made or ones deemed not commercially successful nationwide. Very few - less than half a dozen - I’d never try again and I’ve been fortunate to come across some superb ales. </p><p align="justify">I generally although not exclusively, prefer darker bitters but, ever since trying a pint of Camerons Castle Eden in Robin Hood’s Bay in 2007, having drank lager for around twenty years, I’ve tried all sorts. I like stouts and porters too and sometimes a golden ale works for me, particularly in warmer weather.</p><p align="justify">Right, to my favourite. Or favourites. I’m going to preform a minor cop out and pick two because I enjoy them both equally: Fullers’ London Pride and Timothy Taylors’ Bolt Maker. A pint of Pride, in a Fullers pub where it’s likely been expertly kept does it for me every time. A pint of Bolt Maker in a Taylor’s pub in Ripon was one of the best I’ve ever had. But as I said, I’ll keep looking!</p></blockquote><p align="justify"><strong>Was Trev part of the school bus team, also did he enjoy real ale or the contents of your wine ‘cellar’?</strong></p><blockquote><p align="justify">Yes, in fact Trev joined the college about three weeks before I did. It was only ever meant to be a stop gap before we headed off in to Europe for our long trip with Patsy. The house wouldn’t sell though and cash was running dry. I’d been applying for numerous jobs with no joy but one of our then neighbours was Transport Manager. It’s not what you know etc. Anyway, Trev moved away from driving regularly but joined the Security team adhoc and that’s how he first got involved in the college Open Days. His skills at coaxing drivers of huge 4 x 4’s into the tightest of spaces in order to cram in as many as possible were legendary. Later he moved to become Caretaker at the Nursery & Pre-Prep school but spent the last year working adhoc for various departments. He was due to re-join Transport as a regular driver in September 2018 for his last year before retirement.</p><p align="justify">Trev returned to real ale at the same time I did. He much preferred it in a pub though and rarely drank at home at all, the odd nightcap notwithstanding. When caravanning, if he were to drink in the van, it was usually white wine. He loved red but in later years it didn’t agree with him.</p></blockquote><p align="justify"><strong>If you were invisible for a day…</strong></p><blockquote><p align="justify">Ooh, the possibilities! However, keeping it clean, I’d like to roam the corridors of power and listen to just how our political masters come up with some of the decisions that they do. More personally I would like to have been on on some of the meetings at the school that have had direct implications for me, Transport and the wider college community. I suspect though that it wouldn’t be long before I blew my cover with shrieks of exasperation and dis-belief!</p></blockquote><p align="justify"><strong>If you had created the Teletubbies, what would you have named them all?</strong></p><blockquote><p align="justify">Ha ha, that may appear a real way out question for some. However Trev and I shared a childish fondness for them ever since his days as a cabbie in Cambridge. He’d go in very early on Sunday mornings for the juicy airport runs, along with some of the others, and they’d normally be back in the office around seven am. Someone was despatched to McDonalds, bad coffee was poured and cigarettes were lit. The telly in the drivers room was on as per and gradually a bunch of cabbies in Cambridge joined the army of toddlers and late night clubbers watching the antics of Tinky Winky, Dipsy, La-La and Po each week. Daft? Yeah but why not.</p><p align="justify">At the companys’ Christmas party several of them had got together and presented Trev with a Dipsy back-pack - the green one, to take on our upcoming trip across to the States and on to Fiji, New Zealand and Oz. Photographic evidence would be required and of course we were always up for challenge:</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-q7tSMABMM1sfydiQPDAzM8txWSD8mYu"><img width="236" height="236" title="1999 - 299" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="1999 - 299" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=17ODLj0BwTL5SXzxIo8t3XiTDgs2KEuF8" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1PAf6WhwxJna0B0bmZz7fDrUEZNn4qvwZ"><img width="236" height="236" title="1999 - 125" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="1999 - 125" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Co5zQw4PI3bRJOqAHLU3rJaUGmwR2l_8" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=10LzLeKBSaFF7ae-IS-NjqPNpcj6A6LWL"><img width="236" height="236" title="1999 - 041" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="1999 - 041" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1vTP7QNq7pF_1BDXs474Cta-8zVZGtKKz" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Dipsy although now 24 years old, still accompanies me on all my trips, as he has since we started caravanning. Weird? Yes, but harmless.</p><p align="justify">So getting to the point, names. Given my er, sartorial bent, this wasn’t hard: Leathery, Gothly, Rubbery and Hunky. You can probably guess what I’d have them wearing and I doubt it would be suitable for children's TV…</p></blockquote><p align="justify"><strong>Best show you have seen and why?</strong></p><blockquote><p align="justify">Another toughie. I love theatre, both musical and plays - although they have to be comedy for me. Those who read my travel blog posts will know that I’ve been taking the caravan up to London quite regularly since Trev died and I’ve made a point of going to the theatre too.</p><p align="justify">As I said I enjoy plays too so I’m going to pick one from each category - first up: Musicals.</p><p align="justify">Bat out of Hell was one of the most awesome shows I’ve seen, the energy and emotion gave me goose bumps - the questioner knows how much I enjoyed it as we saw it together. However the one that JUST trumps it for me was Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Yeah, I know, such a cliché, a gay man liking a show about drag queens but it was full of the music I love, the story was quite touching at times and the set was the most stunning I have ever seen. It was a 40th birthday treat too</p><p align="justify">Of the plays, the two I’ve seen most recently were superb - The Sacred Crow and The Play That Goes Wrong. The latter just gets the title though - pin sharp script and the most exquisitely timed slapstick made for genuine laugh out loud comedy. Superb.</p></blockquote><p align="justify"><strong>If you were to walk in the steps of a woman for a day, what would you do/change in the world?</strong></p><blockquote><p align="justify">Whoa! Right, well I wouldn't do it in high heels for a start if my experiences with Cuban heeled winklepickers are anything to go by. Jeez, torture for the feet. I’d do my level best to remove the expectation that I should wear them - be it in the boardroom, or at dinner or anywhere else. However I would take a pair with me and use them to poke in the eye any stuffed shirt that requires it for his peers, secretary or P.A and that applies just as much if said ‘stuffed shirt’ is a woman. I wouldn’t ban them - just remove the ridiculous expectation that they are somehow part of the ‘uniform’.</p><p align="justify">I’d applaud any woman - and indeed any man - who has pushed for equality, but I’d also shout down those who, although perhaps believing they’re doing good, end up alienating themselves thanks to personal agendas.</p><p align="justify">Changing back, as a gay man I have watched largely from the side-lines as others have thought for equality - marriage, work and pension rights to name but three, often putting their livelihoods and sometimes their lives at risk, particularly back in the dark days. But I cringe at those that, by outrageous behaviour and self promotion have alienated us from Joe public and there are those amongst the campaigners for womanhood who are doing exactly the same I believe.</p></blockquote><p align="justify"><font color="#000000"><strong>What is the best memory of a moment when Trev was alive?</strong></font></p><blockquote><p align="justify">There was another question, very similar, that would have elicited the same answer so I’m going with the first one to come in.</p><p align="justify">This was ultimately quite easy. We shared many, many happy times of course in our near 30 year relationship - obviously our Civil Partnership - later Marriage - just over 14 years ago is pretty high up.</p><p align="justify">However, I’ve chosen an occasion whose significance didn’t become important until the following day:</p><p align="justify">31st July 2018, Essex. After a great day out exploring Colchester we went out for a superb meal at the Layer Fox pub south of Colchester then, headed out to the Abberton reservoir just a few miles a way and watched as the sun went down. It was a lovely warm night and later we sat outside the caravan for a while before adjourning for a small nightcap before lights out. Simple pleasures but they’re often the best. Thankfully I had no idea then what was to follow in the morning but that time, just standing together, looking over the reservoir I will forever treasure.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1iUEzh54z-4kfP1eV59GEmWGqo8LJNpqo"><img width="715" height="215" title="20180731_203805" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20180731_203805" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-Jp6qqAZYFr6V2l82JI1as2JutF9Jkix" border="0"></a></p></blockquote><p align="justify"><strong>What does success mean and look like for you?</strong></p><blockquote><p align="justify">Happiness, or at the very least contentment. What brings either those is where we as humans vary. It’s never been about money for me. Some deem a well paying job and the goodies that that brings, success - or at least a component of it. I’ve never sought such things so never strived to work to get them. I was lucky to share a large portion of my life with a wonderful man who made me happy and content and we got what was for us, the perfect work/income/life balance. I’m pretty much doing the same now although of course on my own. I don’t decry the go-getters, far from it - we need people like that to build up businesses and employ people like me. Someone who sets up a company from scratch and grow it I admire a lot, it’s tough out there. I don’t admire the relentless pursuit of money by the super rich, earned often on the aching backs of others though.</p></blockquote><p align="justify">Right, that is it. Thank you to everyone that posed questions. You got me thinking - not something that comes naturally, but if you’ve slowed my brain turning to much during our confinement, then it’s been well worth it.</p><p align="justify">Thanks too for reading if you’ve made it this far! Until, next time,</p><p align="justify">Beers & Cheers</p><p align="justify">Rich</p><blockquote><p align="justify"><br></p></blockquote><blockquote><p align="justify"></p></blockquote>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-38695452045493500922020-04-06T15:10:00.000+01:002020-09-27T15:11:04.999+01:00Q & A | Part 3<p align="justify">In this part we carry on talking caravanning then move on a bit to more general travel related questions. Lets go:</p><p align="justify"><strong>What part of the country would you like to take Patsy that you haven't visited before?</strong></p><blockquote><p align="justify">There’s lots of places in the UK that I would like to go to, or explore more deeply. My planned trip to the north-west for the schools’ Easter break would have done just that, stopping first again at the lovely Somers Wood in Warwickshire before heading up to the Wirral club site. We have actually stayed there once, just overnight, after getting off the ferry from Belfast at Liverpool. Whilst we had a day in Liverpool on a previous trip some years ago it’s an area we’ve largely unexplored. Lots of things were on the list including Port Sunlight, a walk along the Wirral Way and a run into Wales for the Llangollen heritage railway. Next stop was Englethwaite club site up near Carlisle. I was planning on doing the Settle/Carlisle railway and some of the pretty towns and villages that run along the line to Newcastle, amongst other things. Then it would have been down to Bolton Abbey - another new site for me. </p><p align="justify">I’ll get there, eventually.</p></blockquote><p align="justify"><strong>I would like to know more about your experience of travelling through the night/leaving early morning to avoid traffic. Would you recommend it and did you find it easy to park up and wait for sites to open?</strong></p><blockquote><p align="justify">We have done this twice, three times if you count our trip to France when much of the overnight was on the ferry.</p><p align="justify">The first was to the Cardiff municipal site in 2012 at the start of our three month around Britain trip and only our second time out. We’d planned to leave at midnight but storms and high winds delayed our departure somewhat. That and breaking the jockey wheel handle when hitching up! Our thinking was - as novices - the roads would be quieter and we wouldn’t be in anyone's’ way. We took a break somewhere on the M4 and again at Magor services, just the other side of the bridge into Wales. The idea was to complete morning ablutions and bed down for a bit of a kip, but with neither of us being able to sleep we were back on the road in less than an hour, hoping to chance our luck at the site. Fortunately there was a large empty car park by the entrance and we waited until the Warden appeared. She took pity on us and very kindly let us on. We set up - in the rain - shared a bottle of wine and went to bed for a few hours.</p><p align="justify">Just over a year later we did the same for a trip down to Cornwall, near Lands End. The site had indicated a lay-by which we could pull into and wait, and to give them a call when there. This we did, somewhere around 9am and, it not being school holidays yet there was plenty of room. They let us pitch early. We did so, once again in the rain.</p><p align="justify">When we went to France we got the overnight ferry, departing Newhaven - which is just a few miles from us - at 11:30pm. We arrived in Dieppe at 5:30am I think and, it being Sunday too, the roads were lovely and quiet, perfect for my first experience of towing abroad. We got to our first site around 9am and they were very welcoming. There were no restrictions on arrival or departure time and we promptly set up, you've guessed it, in the rain! </p><p align="justify">In terms of leaving sites early, it depends when and where. Crystal Palace is always one I like to get away from early to avoid the traffic. I pack up as much as possible the night before leaving the essentials until the morning, trying to be as quiet as possible. </p></blockquote><p align="justify"><strong>When and why did you start up that awesome resource Site Arrivals?</strong></p><blockquote><p align="justify">Aww, thanks Rog. The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd_vdAsuLxg&list=PLRNe_2G80ZNvUP-ckoQRiZVQpyKJ9nPX-" target="_blank">Site Arrival</a> videos were Trev’s idea. He thought it a useful resource for caravanners and motorhomers and as no one else had done it then, a gap in the market as it were. We tried to do it on the cheap as per usual but eventually invested in a proper dashcam in the summer of 2016, our first proper arrival video being Cirencester club site.</p><p align="justify">Trev already had a YouTube channel on which he’d posted bits and bobs from his phone but the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwd3tcqhxJaXqSq9qnSzeoA" target="_blank">Legs Down</a> channel was launched in November 2016. Initially and for a while we would record the commentary ‘live’ as we were heading to a site, but as I got the hang of Windows Movie Maker - a superb program for beginners by the way - I learnt to add commentary and edit footage. I now use Corel VideoStudio - one of the rare occasions I’ve actually paid for software - which allows me to add in snapshots of road signs etc. It’s constantly nagging me to upgrade but my laptop struggles as it is and in any case it does all I need, for now.</p><p align="justify">A good half of the videos now use footage sent in by others, for which I am extremely grateful. It has helped the library grow to nearly 140 videos and whilst I continue to visit new sites and folks continue to send in their dashcam footage it will grow further. It’s fair to say they're hardly blockbusters, but if they help one person then it’s worth it in my book.</p></blockquote><p align="justify"><strong>If you could go anywhere in the world in a leisure vehicle, where would you go and why?</strong></p><blockquote><p align="justify">New Zealand, without a doubt. I’ve been fortunate to visit a couple of times and on one occasion - 1999 if memory serves, Trev and I spent six weeks touring both islands in a rent-a-wreck which, thanks to the strength of the pound against the Kiwi dollar, cost us just eight quid a day. An ex NZ Postal Service Toyota Corolla with the rear seats removed and a flat bed laid to give plenty of luggage space.</p><p align="justify">We started and finished in Auckland, first heading north to the very tip, then south, crossing the Cook Strait from Wellington to Picton in the South Island, eventually down as far as the Fjords in the south west, staying in Motels along the way. It was fabulous, we had the time of our lives, skinny dipping - well I did - in beautiful lakes, dolphins swimming alongside a boat off Kaikoura, seeing the Fox Glacier, motels with swimming pools fed by hot water from thermal springs, even riding a horse. I’d do all that again and more in a motorhome, living the outdoor life, rekindling old memories and making new ones.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=17ovZQbhx_-YDQDVUnI3MHgLhAscBOFPd"><img width="234" height="154" title="1999 - 083" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="1999 - 083" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1aP1pPCxufcW5-KhWSVgEPvbp2_sIIb49" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Bhzw9N5vxTcVlnhUrERRSznzUAPNu3gv" target="_blank"><img width="234" height="154" title="1999 - 128" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="1999 - 128" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1wywK8vmRXdyDoWMhUcYik_IqI8YUik8P" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1KR2dYQKRciDQe7AwK9RacqKqxhVF_7XN" target="_blank"><img width="234" height="154" title="1999 - 142" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="1999 - 142" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1INiCZwcSL6VA7NYlM02tykPHKJ1WCMBF" border="0"></a></p></blockquote><p align="justify"><strong>If money wasn’t an object, what would be your number one holiday/trip/experience/destination to embark on? No caravans allowed!</strong></p><blockquote><p align="justify">Right, I’m going to assume that if money were no object, then neither would time, which makes the question a little easier to answer. I would travel the world. I’d take first class flights, cruises and travel the world’s famous railways - the Orient Express comes to mind as does the one up through the Rockies, along with the Indian-Pacific from Sydney to Perth traversing the Blue Mountains and the mighty Nullabor Plain. I’d take harbourside apartments, quaint little condo’s with roof terraces and beach side shacks. I’d wander the streets of the worlds cities, read a book on a sandy beach under the shade of a Palm overlooking beautiful blue waters. Some places I’d employ guides, others I’d amble alone. And I’d mercilessly bombard you all with blogs along the way!</p></blockquote><p align="justify">And we’ve reached the end of Part 3. I thought that would be it but there’s plenty more questions to go. I hope you enjoying reading these as much as I have writing them.</p><p align="justify">Until Part 4, Cheers & Beers</p><p align="justify">Rich</p><p align="justify"><br></p><blockquote><p align="justify"></p></blockquote>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-24631705852324336202020-04-04T12:10:00.000+01:002020-04-04T12:49:11.856+01:00Q & A | Part 2<p align="justify">Thanks everyone for your kind words about Part 1. I hope that it entertained you or at least kept your mind off this blimmin virus and occupied for a few minutes! The caravanning questions continue here below:<p align="justify"><b>How did you arrive at the name Patsy for your caravan?</b><blockquote><p align="justify">When we first picked her up in March 2012, we had some friends around that evening for a few drinks in her and she was jokingly called the Pikey van, however it was soon decided that that was not really appropriate and likely to cause offence. Many of our previous cars had had names though so we wanted to come up with something. Patsy 1 was a Coachman Pastiche and we were looking for something that would work with that and Patsy the Pastiche had a nice ring to it.</p></blockquote><blockquote><p align="justify">Our second and current van was a VIP, so Vera was briefly considered but we decided to stick with the original name and as someone pointed out that worked too - Very Important Patsy! <p align="justify">On another level the name works too as she shares many of the traits of her TV namesake from Absolutely Fabulous, the most obvious one being that she’s often full of booze!<p align="justify">Will there be a Patsy 3? Who knows? Hopefully P2 will be around for a long time to come yet.</p></blockquote><p align="justify"><b>Had you not been swayed by the quality of Coachman back when you bought Patsy 1, what’s the closest model or brand you and Trev would have considered - then or when you were changing to Patsy 2, and why?</b></p><blockquote><p align="justify">Back in December 2011, 4 months before we bought Patsy 1, we had a day visiting lots of dealers in the area with our friends who mentioned Coachman's’ quality - as newbies they all seemed the same to us.<p align="justify">In March 2012 when we finally made a decision to go out and purchase we visited five dealers I think before landing at Roundstone Caravans in South Water, West Sussex. By now we had settled on a layout - two berth, end washroom and they had three in our price range - two Coachman's and an Abbey. Remembering what our friend said, we narrowed it down to those, then plumped for what was to become Patsy 1 as she had a motor mover already fitted. For the record she was a 2004 460/2 Pastiche.<p align="justify">When we decided to change and get the layout that, in truth we should have gone for to start with - side dinette - we did look at a Sterling as we really wanted to buy from Roundstone again. However we sat tight and scoured the listings until we came across Patsy 2 - a 2007 520/4 VIP - at Marquis near Hailsham in East Sussex.</p></blockquote><p align="justify"><strong>And the perfect layout?</strong><blockquote><p align="justify">The perfect layout for me is the one I have now - side dinette and rear washroom. A big ‘van for one person But I’ve found in the last 18 months I can fill that space easily. I’m not the tidiest person and although I’ve slimmed things down a lot I still don’t travel light.<p align="justify">Having said that, a fixed French bed layout could work too - something we never considered as a couple as, both being beer drinkers there would be the inevitable nocturnal visits and one would end up clambering over the other - me having to do the clambering no doubt. The likely compromise in living area space would put me off though - at the moment. Making up the bed is a small price to pay and, there being just me, I can leave one side made up as a bed if I’m feeling lazy. I’ve tried this a few times but it does give the feeling of being in a bedsit.<p align="justify">One layout that did get us thinking was fixed rear singles, with the washroom at the back, and we looked at a few of those on our last visit to the NEC, probably at least three years ago. With most though, the lounge space had been compromised but one that did stand out was an Adria something or other. Beautifully finished but with a price tag of £30k a new one was never a contender and would have necessitated a change in tow car in any case.<p align="justify">Following the launch of the Bailey Phoenix in the Summer of 2018, we seriously considered taking up their offer of a loan ‘van. It would have give us an opportunity to try out the fixed singles arrangement to see if it would work for us. That wasn't to be of course and it’s not a layout I would consider now, as a solo caravanner.</p></blockquote><p align="justify"><strong>If you could change one thing about Patsy, what would it be and why? If you change to a different layout, what would you choose and why?</strong><blockquote><p align="justify">Whilst it’s rude to discuss a woman's’ weight I am afraid we must because it would be just that. She’s heavy - although solid - for her size and at the M.T.P.L.M we’re looking at about a 93% ratio with car. Rosie is no longer in her youth in car terms with her mileage into six figures and at times she does feel underpowered these days. <p align="justify">Patsy IS a bit lighter though now. A few years ago we took out the fourth bed - the fold down bunk over the dinette - most of which now resides behind my sofa. Whilst I decided to put the microwave back in, the pull out canopy - quite a considerable weight - has now gone. I tow with the Aquarolls, Waste Master, mains cable, locks and clamps etc in the car and this helps to keep the nose weight thereabouts too.<p align="justify">As for layouts, when the time comes to change Patsy - and I hope that’s not for a long long while yet, along with the fixed bed mentioned above, something smaller and lighter would be considered as that may mean I can keep Rosie a little longer if she doesn't have to work as hard. I suspect I would miss the build quality of the old girl though.</p></blockquote><p align="justify"><strong>Tell us Patsy’s best bits.</strong><blockquote><p align="justify">Ironically, her solidity, which of course impacts on her weight as I was just moaning about! Sure things have worked loose and parts have been replaced but at twelve years old she’s allowed a bit of leeway, particularly given the mileage she does. The finish is good, the seating - the old fashioned sprung type - remains supportive, yet comfortable. Inside she is a proper home from home, the colour of the décor and furnishings giving a lovely warm cosy feeling on chilly nights.<p align="justify">Although just another white box, she still looks mighty fine in my eyes, even more so when polished up, despite a few ‘war wounds’ that have been inflicted on her by us over the years, not least when trying to retract the pull out canopy on my own for the first time. I swore loudly. A lot! <p align="justify">Moreover, she has helped make so many great memories of our time together and that is perhaps her best bit.</p></blockquote><p align="justify">And that’s it for Part 2! In Part 3 there’s some very interesting questions on travel generally, as well as ale and of course Trev.<p align="justify">Cheers<p align="justify">Rich<blockquote><p align="justify"><br></p></blockquote><blockquote><p align="justify"></p></blockquote>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-12782448149527075452020-04-03T15:15:00.001+01:002020-09-27T15:15:40.894+01:00Q & A | Part 1<p align="justify">Firstly, thank you to everyone that took the time to read my <a href="https://thebloggerinblack.blogspot.com/2020/03/when-will-i-see-you-again-diary-of.html" target="_blank">previous blog post</a>. Not my usual tone I know but it was important to me to try and accurately convey how I felt at the time. However, on to more light hearted matters.</p><p align="justify">Thank you again to everyone that came with some great questions. They really got me thinking - a rare and sometimes hazardous occupation given the state of my brain cells just recently. I’ve roughly collated them in to caravanning and non - and in some sort of vaguely sensible order too. So, here we go with Part 1:</p><p align="justify"><strong>What made you start caravanning?</strong></p><blockquote><p align="justify">In 2011 we holidayed in Spain at an apartment own by friends of friends. We got talking - well Trev did - and enquired how they ended up where they were. When the decided to sell up and retire, they knew they wanted to move to Spain but wasn’t sure where. They hitched up and toured for several months trying out different places until they settled on somewhere they felt they could call home. We’d had vague notions of ‘doing’ Europe and perhaps eventually retiring to Spain too. This started us thinking. </p></blockquote><blockquote><p align="justify">Back in the UK that winter we got talking to two friends who were long time caravanners - the only two caravanners we knew at the time - and had a nose around their van. Not knowing anything about caravanning we were really impressed with all the creature comforts and what a home from home it was. </p><p align="justify">Our job at the time was parcel delivery - we both detested it, it was only ever meant to be a stop gap - and the company were making things harder and harder. The straw that broke the camels back came early January 2012 and we packed it in. We had a holiday already booked to Gran Canaria and decided that we would use our time there to make a decision, which we did. It was to sell up, downsize our home, buy a caravan and go travelling - for a year or may be more. </p></blockquote><p align="justify"><strong>What was your first caravanning trip you and Trev went on and did the first setting up go smoothly or was there the ‘set up tiff’?</strong></p><blockquote><p align="justify">Our first trip was in March 2012 to the Crystal Palace club site - a relatively short, if not quick, trundle up the A23. Our friends mentioned above were already going, so we could follow without worrying about the route and they would be on hand to help with any teething troubles. I had already had a practice setting up the utilities on the drive anyway and the weekend prior they’d helped Trev with loading the inside of the caravan correctly.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ouCP1kmjuCTQBGcJkcs4HDUhKR1av3sR"><img width="313" height="236" title="Nonsense! (4)" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Nonsense! (4)" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1a8qoS488aN9IJlbuh1WWgFLnEr4b9xs7" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Set up went fine until it came to the dreaded awning. There had been an awning supplied with the ‘van which the previous owners had left - a little porch thing. I was all for not bothering but Trev insisted - after all, pretty much everyone one else on site had one, so why not? It didn't go well - there were no instructions, not that either of us would have ready them initially anyway - and after many crossed words it ended up back in the bag, and was not used for several months after.</p></blockquote><p align="justify"><strong>When you and Trev went out in Patsy did you have your own favoured jobs when setting up?</strong></p><blockquote><p align="justify">Yes, I did the outside and he did the inside. If I’d completed the outside jobs quickly I’d be inside drumming my fingers waiting for him to get the kettle on! He’d often replenish the water though once set up, the only thing that seemed to be exclusively ‘my’ job was the bog! Didn't bother me though and the arrangement worked well. The various awnings though - when we had them - were always a joint effort.</p></blockquote><p align="justify"><strong>Favourite site and why?</strong></p><blockquote><p align="justify">A favourite site is very subjective as we look for different things - in the middle of nowhere, close to attractions, on site amenities etc. A strong contender was the Old Hartley club site, overlooking St Marys’ Lighthouse and Whitley Bay, with the added bonus of a great pub not two minutes walk away. However I would have to concur with the questioner on this one and that’s the Berwick-on-Tweed club site. We’d left Warwickshire in snow and had a long drive up the A1. When we finally arrived it was several degrees warmer and the sun was out. The site was easy to get to and the views were stunning, looking out over the harbour and across the the town. </p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13OHys4xzeMcd-49QKgBahoBTspRjJ5xj"><img width="354" height="201" title="20180319_181302[10]" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="20180319_181302[10]" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tfSCfNEHDsj2vAAj_7sjnDZqtUqQkBJf" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Facilities were the usual club standard and there was plenty to do in the area. We drove up to North Berwick along the coast, down to Holy Island, to Wooler and Etal and Ford. We got the train to Edinburgh and enjoyed walking around Berwick itself too, particularly around the walls surrounding the town. A fabulous stay and one I hope to repeat at some point.</p></blockquote><p align="justify"><strong>What is your absolute favourite number 1 thing about caravanning?</strong></p><blockquote><p align="justify">Seeing so much more of this great country of ours, something we would have never done otherwise. Start up costs aside, it makes places more accessible, being able to stay for longer in our little home from home, surrounded by creature comforts and not tied to meal times. I wished we had done it a long while ago but have certainly made the most of it since.</p></blockquote><p align="justify"><strong>What single caravan item do you regret wasting money on the most?</strong></p><blockquote><p align="justify">Fortunately, neither of us were one for stuff or gadgets, so this was quite easy: the pump-up awning.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1I9fZ-B_fgFRoMy-uQS3YB_cw5xKAkaER"><img width="354" height="236" title="DSC_0032[3]" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="DSC_0032[3]" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1a2wF4S3oRc9OJYncIfyMdEjSrbeENbYF" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">At the time, for a bit, we thought it was good but was extremely heavy and prone to condensation. With the purchase of Patsy 2 and the greater indoor space she gave us we found that it was no longer necessary and more of a hindrance. It was replaced with the pull out canopy which was undoubtedly one of the best caravanning items we bought.</p></blockquote><p align="justify"><strong>While away in the ‘van do you cook? If you do, what type of meals do you prepare?</strong></p><blockquote><p align="justify">Short answer is no. I normally bring the results of my batch cooking at home with me and buy or bring sides like frozen chips, jacket potatoes and veg. On longer trips I’ll intersperse these with ready meals or a meal out with friends if they are nearby. Sometimes I’ll buy something like a gammon joint and roast or boil it for a meal and then keep the rest for sandwiches. </p><p align="justify">However on a recent trip a friend was staying nearby and cooked two delicious meals in the ‘van, both from scratch, and made it look very easy indeed. Cooking has never been my thing - although eating certainly is - Trev did all the cooking by choice and I was more than happy for him to do so.</p></blockquote><p align="justify">Right, that’s it for Part 1 folks, I hope you enjoyed it. In Part 2 we’ll cover Patsy, other forms of travel, real ale - sorry, research - and a bit about our life too. Until then…..</p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><strong><br></strong></p><blockquote><p align="justify"><br></p></blockquote><p align="justify"><br></p><blockquote><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p></blockquote><p align="justify"></p>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-17475475715016784422020-03-14T15:18:00.000+00:002020-09-27T15:32:27.613+01:00London | February 2020 | Part 5<p align="justify"><strong><u>Friday 21st February</u></strong></p><p align="justify">With the knee getting some relative rest on Thursday I was looking forward to getting out and about again, my destination being Richmond. I’d copied a suggested walk from a travel guide A DK Eyewitness guide if memory serves - and this was on my reserve list for my previous visit to Crystal Palace back in October.</p><p align="justify">The most straightforward route according to the <a href="https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/" target="_blank">Transport for London Route Planner</a> was a train from Crystal Palace to Clapham Junction, changing for Richmond station, the starting point of the walk. The beauty of the London Transport system was that, rather than buying tickets I could just tap my debit card registered to my Oyster account and still get the benefit of daily fare capping. It would make a change from multiple bus journey’s and be considerably quicker too. Nursing my knee - and not wanting to muddy newly polished boots - I eschewed the walk through Crystal Palace park to the station, instead hopping on a bus that would take me at least half the way, leaving just a short walk down Anerley Hill before throwing myself at the mercy of Southern for the first leg to Clapham Junction.</p><p align="justify">Richmond Green was the first point of note after crossing the road from the station, the impressive red bricked <a href="https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre/" target="_blank">Richmond Theatre</a> overlooking. As you will see from the photo’s it was overcast and still windy but at least dry as I made my way around the edge of the green and towards the towpath besides the Thames. </p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=17euwl7FrOzx0_tbAT70QLaqNO7ZFeTUr" target="_blank"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0281" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0281" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gc685eRC143KDLVjhiRdhBbW52wulEW5" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1eVve6iSQq7bOmtzVkJIRvJtFwBfmgbK0" target="_blank"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0284" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 83px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0284" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1hJXb34c3CNZ_kON9w5_GYtqGyZHUFPjQ" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1x37ZglSdFMmE8uMsKnqqZrJht-tFzF_2" target="_blank"><img width="796" height="140" title="_DSC0290" style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0290" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Sugf75kRoLXddO0U80fm2Op1-yM9S9ch" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Richmond gets it’s name from Henry, victor in the War of the Roses as he named it after the town in Yorkshire where he held an earldom. Clearly a wealthy suburb for the most part with a plethora of huge 4 x 4’s, utilised no doubt to drop off the little darlings at some Prep School probably 200 yards away, I had actually been here before. Back in May the annual Army v Navy rugby match took place at nearby Twickenham. The Army won comfortably, much to the delight of my friend, a former Para and Falklands and Northern Ireland veteran. Necessary celebrations continued in a pub just off the green and it’s fair to say recollection of the area was a little er, hazy.</p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HNamTfb_qp7EdQLLm2poTSWhcKmhh28_"><img width="285" height="190" title="_DSC0294" align="left" style="margin: 0px 15px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0294" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1xxRYdvHNGf0AfZGeZYnqpzUHnVXzc-cE" border="0"></a>Anyway, back to the present. The route took me down a side street with an attractive parade of cosy looking whitewashed houses, the view being improved further thanks to the sign for a pub at the end. It was still too early though, even for me.<p align="justify">I emerged at the Thames just by Twickenham bridge and turned right, following the tow path as it bordered to the right first Old Deer Park and then further on, Kew Gardens. The Thames was high, muddy and running fast. Not particularly alluring but there were plenty of rowers out practicing, a diminutive cox barking orders from the front.</p><p align="justify">On the opposite bank could be seen first Isleworth, once a small village but now very much a suburb and dormitory of London. Further on, nestled in Syon Park was Syon House and beyond, some modern waterside apartments at Brentford, near where the Grand Union Canal joins the Thames.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18vbuAb5oapQnyBeozCbHftZgGExWx1uW" target="_blank"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0318" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0318" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=11p0N9licuoHOKrqUOre9ujgcV0Yjon76" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1RQiVBH_n4QAV5sH6hDoegD50ei13h9Qc" target="_blank"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0340" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0340" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1icAe31UsFuq_-fyluoTMkPiaT50UgUCp" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1SObolboRdZYZChFa0MPQOq_iump1h3kY" target="_blank"><img width="254" height="170" title="_DSC0352" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0352" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=19zVUqjqxk7rFg1Z16R8p352bG0jOiYYU" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">The area may be a very agreeable place to live if pockets are deep enough but being on one of the flightpaths to Heathrow, not particularly tranquil. Jets were constantly arriving from the east but did at least provide some photo opportunities.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1iKvPpV2ebApILaHyAnI6Z38PPvXtkqOG" target="_blank"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0309" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0309" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=177GxYKBSVONIsFoahinSihgxDbIGNWoc" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1VtSJFEAM1yZK5AFirnsX4VjjpJyqMgKO" target="_blank"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0321" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 83px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0321" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14saZpIvZmxLqtOlXS8UWCce8tS3yD3Sc" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">The tow path, once solid, had become increasingly muddy and any hope of keeping the boots clean were forgotten as I turned inwards at Kew bridge. Kew Gardens would have been the obvious next port of call but the knee was beginning to grumble as was the belly so I decided instead to head for the station of the same name, pondering some pub grub but settling instead for a sarnie from a Tesco Metro on the way. </p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1VPda57p4DuFpBlac8b5Lp5pkcQnhiLX5" target="_blank"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0343" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0343" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ck818vDcwYCbSLR5FoPicuRS59P37FMf" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1DVRf1TfE4Sa0Ycv3miHBen5laamlH0f8" target="_blank"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0350" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 83px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0350" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1RLNkhjP8jj6ilWFzVpbkBuhtTeUK55Hj" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Next to Kew Gardens station however was <a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/HOU/6756/tap-on-the-line-kew" target="_blank">The Tap on the Line</a>, a smart looking Fullers boozer with a garden out front. Thankfully the garden was quite sheltered from the wind as the pub was packed with diners. I took my pint of ESB outside and watched the world go by whilst deciding on my route back to the site. The pint was superb as always - I’ve found that with Fullers’ pubs you can generally guarantee two things - they ain’t cheap and that the beer is superbly kept. Both were true again today.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1iehq_euxZvmQlScD3K2iUJpqZYN_5BYu" target="_blank"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0355" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0355" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1CTs7qOzfNRhftoktAu55t3lvyg-1gxc2" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1BJv5o3PSIBlDwM5aoZYE7IRlaDwMZGlW" target="_blank"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0361" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 83px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0361" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=17h6jbUKXjU7mtsEIxJYTYlPdtSUPnzpw" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Kew Gardens was on a branch of the District Line, which would take me to Victoria, changing for Brixton, where I procured some supplies in the Sainsbury's before getting the number 3 bus back to the site for, first a snooze then a nice cosy evening in.</p><p align="justify"><strong><u>Saturday 22nd February</u></strong></p><p align="justify">Awake early as per usual but I don’t fight it, happy to lie in bed with a cuppa, swapping between the current novel and the pad to catch up on what’s going on in Twitter land and also to get some ideas on what to do on my last full day. The weather forecast would obviously influence that to some degree but not to the extent that I imagined. The high winds were coming back and a glance at the forecast for Sunday - my intended day of departure - indicated a change of plans were necessary. Very high winds were predicted on the South coast - 70mph plus - and there was no way I was towing in that. Monday was little better so I made the decision to head home. Disappointing of course but a very sensible one and after a swift pack up I was on the road soon after 10am. As expected the Purley Way was getting busy but certainly not as bad as could be. It was clearly getting windier as I headed south but Patsy stood her ground, even on the exposed sections of the A27 where, as I’ve said previously, the cross winds can be quite severe. Back at the storage yard, the battery had recovered sufficiently to motor move her ladyship into her resting place. Rosie manged 28 mpg on the journey home which, given the prevailing conditions - mainly head winds - I was satisfied with.</p><p align="justify">And that was the end of my 10th visit to the Crystal Palace Caravan & Motorhome Club site, where our caravanning adventures started eight years ago. Find the blog posts of that trip HERE.Quite possibly the last too but it had been a real good one, made all the better by the company of friends.</p><p align="justify">As I type this it’s just a week to go now until my next trip where I’ll be heading to the North West - coronavirus related guidelines permitting of course. It’s an area of Britain I’ve yet to explore much, so very much looking forward to that. Until then, thanks as always for reading.</p><p align="justify">Cheers & Beers</p><p align="justify">Rich</p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"><br></p><p align="justify"></p>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-47429892950233909332020-03-08T15:20:00.000+00:002020-09-27T15:32:28.036+01:00London | February 2020 | Part 4<p align="justify"><strong><u>Wednesday 19th February</u></strong></p><p align="justify">After an early breakfast - well early for some, we’re talking 9am here - we set off again in the direction of Greenwich. There were a variety of ways we could get there but in the end I settled for the <a href="https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/122/" target="_blank">Number 122</a> bus, the stop for which was handily placed just around the corner from the site. This took us to to Lewisham where we changed to the <a href="https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/180/" target="_blank">Number 180</a> which took us to Greenwich. It made a welcome change from the usual <a href="https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/3/" target="_blank">Number 3</a> and, once again getting seats on the top deck we were at least able to see a different part of town. It was at this point dry, if a little chilly and certainly breezy as we got off outside the Naval College.</p><p align="justify">Sandra:</p><blockquote><p align="justify"><em>Wednesday, my day of departure arrived but not until late afternoon. We were booked to see <a href="https://www.rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory" target="_blank">Greenwich Museum and Observatory</a>. A mixture of buses and we duly arrived. Obviously, with a keen eye on the clock, we knew it would need a repeat visit to do it all justice, probably a couple of days to see it all. It was a cold and mizzle day, but we warmed ourselves up with a lovely strong coffee in the undercroft of part of the historic Naval college. We then ambled up to the Observatory and had a good look round, we soon ditched the audio guides we had been given and preferred to use our eyes and read. It was interesting to think how it must have looked when it was first was built and the view was almost predominantly grasslands. </em></p></blockquote><p align="justify">The walk up to the observatory took us through the grounds of the Maritime Museum, but that would sadly have to wait another day. It was nice to see the daffodils out though and even in the increasing mizzle there were some stunning views from outside the observatory. In fact I was taken with the whole area and Greenwich as a whole is on the list for a return visit.<p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1T-m0MIbVgqfRaAsswTxUDETFAhnAUjo5"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0225" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0225" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1OYOMk83p1_4WK8hQp6CtiVVWAF6lxsqM" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-jm9ZObwTQWatNYgmiY7--z4gropb1SE"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0233" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 16px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0233" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1YSmq01B1kD8oUNdNej8f0w7f95l5s92N" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1H17ME6EKMEfN5ZaVlUY3sVmYBojfu9TA"><img width="354" height="235" title="_DSC0231" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0231" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=19Ij8XlHBs1xKxihjP6AUB9SjfIHzmHPa" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1RGISqVrmuO-URTT1ScXyGwicMuglI46w"><img width="354" height="236" title="_DSC0261" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 16px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0261" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12SnmCnscD5QT0HKiyS5_uSFhdzkOGAL1" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify">Sandra:</p><blockquote><p align="justify"><em>There was an amazing museum style room of all types of clocks and maritime navigation equipment including speaking clocks, GPS and some beautiful crafted brass instruments. The detail and adornments, which were not strictly necessary, were fascinating to see. Of course, there was the compulsory photos of standing astride the meridian line, the only other time I have done that is abroad. A couple of spots of souvenir shopping completed the visit. We then adjourned to the on-site café, which being half term was exceedingly busy and rather on the small side. However, we were fortunate enough to get a table and welcomed a great bowl of lentil and carrot soup, plus crusty sourdough bread and a sandwich for another very nice meal.</em><p align="justify"><em><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1WCtb35xeSApgHIb7SQvRcVpYezl2xdsG"><img width="234" height="156" title="_DSC0241" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0241" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1mzOfCZ3oA_fuVhTYzOi4c-GMapwaK7CN" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1UFCCkaT0dul05y6N_qt1bfbzn4RMpiEt"><img width="233" height="156" title="_DSC0268" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0268" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12MHjTeup9MALUOnsH6Kj4ngBY4aXYoVF" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tI9COxP7sWCkxyE0cuL4vgC-woMa2uen"><img width="233" height="156" title="_DSC0275" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0275" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=11H9XfLpei83kwZptsbEfDXto2cnQrVac" border="0"></a></em></p><p align="justify"><em><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1kpuohvzLCYK4fuNaMnkizbIPiTBwDv5A"><img width="158" height="236" title="_DSC0245" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0245" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QFW4xwINOeHnEVKzDgPIn2wjpuja2ARz" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1w_1RCRu1vqhhhmL8PFx3WKKqIixwPO11"><img width="158" height="236" title="_DSC0263" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 28px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0263" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jF-ujWk8SU5rxDqidkwgPTnoR19EuoAd" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Z_RSTcdqaYFAAXD_CtReC4qRmdpml6ET"><img width="158" height="236" title="_DSC0248" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 28px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0248" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1V5RUHF4DM-zcNj1UJ0-0FwaGdtLLhLzE" border="0"></a></em><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MDvQpCELypygtsvebm8tN8IdJITGVbtW"><img width="158" height="236" title="_DSC0260" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 28px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0260" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1FAxrckZvUdaX7M-_fNle5r8voaEHF0R7" border="0"></a></p><p align="justify"><em>Sadly, it was time to start thinking about getting back to site and collecting my things and getting me to the station in time. We had one more treat in store and that was taking the <a href="https://www.thamesclippers.com/" target="_blank">Thames Clipper</a> boat taxi from the pier back to Westminster bridge. It was overcast and raining but still possible to see sights from a different perspective. Landing at Westminster pier rather than the planned London Eye side saved us quite a walk and by now both of us were feeling the effects of the past few days.</em></p></blockquote><p align="justify">Yes, the weather did take the edge off what was, in every other respect, an enjoyable journey taking in a number of London's’ iconic landmarks. Definitely one to repeat in better weather but it served it’s purpose and gave us an alternative route back to the site, hopping on the Number 3 again near Parliament Square.<blockquote><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ZDWS_BsLqOxOLeg34hYUpCl5dgRppWTH"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200219_130946" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200219_130946" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1H_mWpKBZCUTE3v8Gv__qjgNYjNUhrPFs" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1YDV5ZHWGeSTWgPRYipXpmvvETtS52g0s"><img width="354" height="201" title="20200219_131159" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 12px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200219_131159" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_jNNuuKbrXKGv7l6SXA313kudHTflKNp" border="0"></a></p></blockquote><p align="justify">Sandra: <blockquote><p align="justify"><a name="_GoBack"></a><p align="justify"><em>Another bus journey and we were then ready to go to the station. We said our goodbyes until the next time and an uneventful, for once, journey back home. A very happy few days was had which were just the tonic after some pretty awful weather.</em></p></blockquote><p align="justify">I must admit to feeling a bit low as I drove back from dropping Sandra off at Streatham Common station for her journey home. The sign of having such a good time and sharing experiences with others I guess. However, that evening I was to have company again, in the shape of Rob who had got a pass for the evening - his words not mine - and we had a wander up to the Crystal Palace ‘triangle’ indulging in some ‘research’ at a number of hostelries and a good chinwag about all things caravanning and more. <a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/CRO/11632/postal-order-upper-norwood" target="_blank">The Postal Order</a> - a Wetherspoon’s - had the benefit of our custom for a second round, hardly surprising at less that two quid a pint. An enjoyable evening and just the tonic.<p align="justify"><strong><u>Thursday 20th February</u></strong><p align="justify">With rain promised for most of the day - and duly delivered, I planned and executed a perfect winter caravan day, cosy warm, radio, reading and one or two naps. Whilst I like to get out and about as much as possible, the rest would do the knee good and I really didn’t fancy trudging about in the rain. Yes, I know there’s no such thing as inclement weather, only unsuitable clothing - or something like that, but I like unsuitable clothing. Although I suppose leather does keep the rain off. Unlike many I don’t possess any suitable ‘outdoor gear’ and have no intention of changing that.<p align="justify">I would be heading out again though, for the third show of the week, and the weather duly obliged with the rain stopping mid afternoon. Duly tarted up I headed back into town on the dear old Number 3 again, getting off at it’s terminus in Whitehall near Horse Guards Parade. When we first came to London in the caravan, some eight years ago, the route used to finish at Oxford Circus. Then it was shortened to Trafalgar Square. A consequence of traffic, extended journey times and working hours for drivers I would imagine.<p align="justify">Anyway, the first port of call was the <a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/WLD/15971/red-lion-london" target="_blank">The Red Lion</a>, a busy Fullers pub full of a mix of tie-less suits - many no doubt from the nearby government departments - and tourists. I was about the only one wearing a tie. For once I eschewed the London Pride, opting instead for the ESB which was excellent.<p align="justify">Thirst temporarily sated I walked up to Trafalgar Square then in the rough direction of Covent Garden, procuring a sarnie for tea, then partaking of round two in a nice little boozer called the <a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/WLD/16274/lemon-tree-london" target="_blank">Lemon Tree</a>, managing to grab a rare seat in the window to watch the world go by over a very fruity plum Porter. <p align="justify">It was still a bit too early to go to the theatre so I returned, for what was to be for the final time this trip, to the <a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/WLD/16487/lyric-london" target="_blank">Lyric</a> - a favourite as I’ve said before - before heading to the Apollo in Shaftsbury Avenue.<p align="justify"><a href="https://www.everybodystalkingaboutjamie.co.uk/" target="_blank">Everybody’s Talking About Jamie</a> was the show in question and what fun it was. Unashamedly camp and full of foot tapping songs it tells the story of a teenager called, funnily enough Jamie, who’s ambition was to be a er, drag queen. There was the sombre, tender moments of course as is de riguer in a musical but ultimately a feel good show that was uplifting, entertaining and funny too.<p align="justify">Thank you for reading, Part 5 - the final part, coming soon.<p align="justify"><br><p align="justify">Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629148079967992296.post-24247478572135925022020-03-04T15:25:00.000+00:002020-09-27T15:32:28.298+01:00London | February 2020 | Part 3<p align="justify"><strong><u>Tuesday 18th February</u></strong></p><p align="justify">Another exciting day ahead and the weather, at least initially played it’s part. Our starting point at Lambeth Bridge meant another ride on the dear old Number 3 bus, making it’s steady progress through the likes of Gipsy Hill, Herne Hill and Brixton. </p><p align="justify">Today was a significant day sartorially - not often you’ll come across that in a caravanning blog - as I donned my old ‘Matrix’ coat for the first time in a number of years. It’s quite fitted so has not been an option up until recently. Clearly, the er, real ale, merlot and cheese and biscuits diet has been paying off. Bar my first long leather coat - which I’ve had for over twenty years - all are second-hand, having been procured from eBay. They garments’ relative unpopularity meaning there were some real bargains to be had.</p><p align="justify">With the roadworks still in place on Crystal Palace Parade - the same roadworks that were there on my last visit in October - the nearest stop to the site heading into town was still suspended. To save our legs we jumped on a bus to take us in the opposite direction, crossing the road and joining the Number 3 at it’s starting point. Thanks to Transport for London’s pricing structure this didn’t cost us any extra - always a result in my book!</p><p align="justify">Sandra recalls:</p><blockquote><p align="justify"><em>Tuesday morning was much better weather wise, and this was the day booked for the London Eye, something I had never done before. We duly arrived in London and spotted a lovely independent coffee shop right on the river, both of us remarking how similar position wise it was to the one we had visited last year in York. I was both excited and slightly nervous at the thought. I need not have worried as the late morning sun and relatively clear skies made for some amazing views and was a memory that will stay with me for a long time.</em> <p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1AiXU8nj7C922CYqTz70SeB2f7vz3FBpb"><img width="350" height="199" title="20200218_111202" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200218_111202" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Wky8r9h3IKfH3Ou28M9jgQFs9dyFj65m" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tnBstnWsgjgps1V7Tx5LkmHC0AoKSKmx"><img width="349" height="198" title="20200218_120721" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200218_120721" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1eyVd3MdW5TchfZZa6jOLCuPZ3eZu-QQ-" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1n9zXLllH_pOVFQPrzuFNdnZQfwNRa9J9"><img width="349" height="198" title="20200218_121236" style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200218_121236" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GPp4Pxd69ExY-AuYDH_sKv4dirbDJvT8" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1iEGf3UG4Ui-VZLaUg92BTZTSiDENozcj"><img width="349" height="198" title="20200218_121039" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200218_121039" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=199hzwKvKIPZrrNqyV0AK_dB1_VNWHrrR" border="0"></a></p></blockquote><p align="justify">Some may recall that I did this a number of years ago with Trev but was delighted to have the opportunity to do it again, in it’s 20th year of operation. As before visibility was pretty good although this time I left the DSLR at home.<p align="justify">We’d considered continuing our walk along the South Bank, as I did <a href="https://getyourlegsdown.blogspot.com/2019/03/london-part-3.html" target="_blank">last year</a>, but the clouds were darkening, the wind was getting up and, being by the Thames it was pretty chilly too. We decided to turn tail, hopping on a number 453 bus at Westminster Bridge before transferring to the tube at Oxford Circus.<p align="justify">Sandra: <blockquote><p align="justify"><em>We then made our way over to Notting Hill, another area I had not visited before. The Portobello Road made for an interesting stroll down, looking at some of the more genuine antique shops and avoiding the sadly, multiplying tourist tat shops which are springing up.</em> <p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1OsJ9v_IZrAXwarf8382aD5ZyX8DEXtOI"><img width="349" height="233" title="_DSC0003" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0003" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_rNRsmIHvf3Cmx5mWBkhlf9vO6jHIdQV" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18bCi2t5dYUgxE8_y1PRbuaqChjSKORPl"><img width="349" height="233" title="_DSC0010" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="_DSC0010" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HRLMJViIuQSt5n-meRC_SftuIAjRVrXn" border="0"></a></p></blockquote><blockquote><p align="justify"><em>The weather was starting to turn inclement and we had spotted what looked like a good place for lunch - the </em><a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/WLD/16401/prince-albert-notting-hill" target="_blank"><em>Prince Albert</em></a><em>. We were to be very pleased that we did, both from the food and drink perspective but equally as the sky had turned very dark and it was pouring down. We both had chicken and leek pies with mashed potato – they were delicious, home made and of a sensible portion size. We followed this with treacle sponge and a chocolate brownie. Replete, noticing the weather was improving, we made our way towards the second theatre show, via Covent Gardens. A nice meander around there and listening to a very good busking quartet passed time very well. We had time for a drink in another pub right by the theatre and passed a little while watching the bike lane road crossing to the side of the pub. There were, what seemed like hundreds of them coming through in packs and as they pulled up at their traffic lights, it was amusing to see them jockeying for start position and racing across the road. They just kept on coming. Of course, there were the few who decided red lights did not apply to them and weaved in and out of traffic in close your eye moments.</em></p></blockquote><p align="justify">The classical quartet, in the undercover area were very accomplished and, for a novice when it comes to anything other than funk or disco, easy on the ear too. Whilst we could have stopped for a drink here - no doubt for the price of a small mortgage - we headed instead first to the <a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/WLD/16276/nell-gwynne-london" target="_blank">Nell Gwynne</a>, one of my favourite London boozers, just off the Strand and roughly in the direction of the theatre. It was quite noisy, a group clearly having been engaged in ‘research’ for some time. We decided to move on and, once having located exactly where the theatre was, took refuge from the returning rain in <a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/WLD/16046/wellington-london" target="_blank">The Wellington</a>, on the corner of the Strand and Aldwych. Whilst London Pride is one of my all time favourite beers, so is Timothy Taylors’ Landlord and clearly it’s journey down from Yorkshire had done it no harm at all.<p align="justify">Sandra:<blockquote><p align="justify"><em>As on Monday night, we had taken our baguettes with us fully intending to repeat the previous night and eat them in the theatre before the show started. Unfortunately, the security guards at the entrance were not impressed and refused to let us take them in, citing theatre policy regarding food. It was, by now, starting to drizzle again and we opted to quickly eat our sandwiches in the fire escape doorway of the theatre along from the entrance. It was certainly novel and caused much humour on both our parts!</em></p></blockquote><blockquote><p align="justify"><em>The show we had booked to see was the ‘Play that goes Wrong’. I had heard good things about it and there are now several touring shows all around the country. Another very full theatre, even though not first night. We were again treated to a show of a very high standard and it caused much laughter once more. A steady ride home on the bus completed another fabulous day.</em><p align="justify"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1BQO7mlOxgiaBA100G9BX5wNn5JS0AtpV"><img width="349" height="198" title="20200218_185756" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200218_185756" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1S5xRKnhhHtRqOhDCaM7kTYYcCfIJ8tIy" border="0"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1RmGkKLiyjLJ5vIRTlYrtFu2y5p93VXcM"><img width="349" height="198" title="20200218_190728" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20200218_190728" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=16zN20NNtzqRj7K_ps8mRM6Z51WpS0lOm" border="0"></a></p></blockquote><p align="justify">This was truly hilarious, again proper laugh out loud comedy. A different beast to the Upstart Crow so I’m not going to compare but the timing was spot on with the visual gags and slapstick executed to perfection. There was no small amount of proper acting too, the cast playing their roles as aspiring actors in an amateur dramatic production superbly, the frustration and desperation slowly increasing as disaster envelopes them, with hilarious consequences. The same company present ‘A Comedy about a Bank Robbery’ which I saw in October and there is now another - ‘Magic Goes Wrong’ - which, if anything like the other two, will be well worth a watch.<p align="justify">Our journey back was across Waterloo Bridge this time, taking the 59 bus from Aldwych and swapping to the 3 as routes converged near the Imperial War Museum. A welcome drink back at Patsy as she returned to habitable temperature brought an end to another enjoyable day.<p align="justify">There’s more - eventually! Part 4 out soon. Thanks as always for reading,<p align="justify">Cheers & Beers<p align="justify">Rich<blockquote><p align="justify"><br></p></blockquote><p align="justify"><br><p align="justify"></p>Richard Easyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862034472804171430noreply@blogger.com