A Holiday We'll Never Forget

 

They say when you hear of a death or something equally shocking you will always remember exactly where you were and what you were doing.  

I was wallpapering my shop walls when I heard on the radio that Diana, Princess of Wales had died, I was sorting through a delivery in the upstairs stockroom of the Scope charity shop when the Twin Towers went down ... and when the news broke that our beloved Queen had died we were sat waiting for our evening meal to be brought to the table before going into the show lounge to watch ' A Tribute to Queen' ... the group not her Majesty.

Of course, the show was cancelled, and all entertainment stopped for the evening.  The staff all changed into black dresses and suits and the huge screens all over the hotel showed the news until the last guest departed for their rooms.  We sat quietly drinking our wine, both deep in thought at times and reminiscing at others.

Such a sad end to what was a lovely holiday.

Each day had started with a lovely breakfast.

We had a game or two of giant chess in the gardens, then puzzles in the lounge.  Alan enjoyed the swimming pool and steam room every day over in the Spa, and I got lots of reading done.  We took part in some of the quizzes in the afternoons and generally relaxed and enjoyed ourselves.

We went out to an Antiques Centre one day and Alan enjoyed a cream scone, oh he does enjoy a good cream scone. 😄

I decided on something more tangible than a cake, although I did enjoy a coffee while he chomped away.  I bought this lovely butter knife and three 1930's Solian-ware Soho Pottery plates as my treat for the day.

The rest of my holiday 'souvenirs'.

Half used toiletries, excess sachets and napkins ... and an apple and a banana that we took one day for a snack and never got around to eating.  The VIP cards and the stars were left on our table each night to show that we had the VIP package and get us a drink of our choosing from the bar free of charge.  On the last night with the sad news of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II we drank our bottle of wine to toast her life but decided that any extra drink would just be too much.  Instead, they are souvenirs of a lovely holiday ... but one that will always be tinged with loss.

RIP Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II   

🌹 ♥ 🌹

Sue xx

The House by the Dyke, Chirk Castle

We got back a couple of hours ago from a mini break to the biggest cottage we've ever stayed in.  We rattled round like two Petit Poi's in a broad bean pod. 

It was beautifully furnished and very National Trust.

Not altogether me if I'm honest, although we did enjoy the break.

Alan watched the Six Nations rugby matches and I read my book (a whole book), did some of my coursework and cooked.  We both washed up each day and tidied before we left.

Although this was the only bedroom out of the three that were there that we used, the other two stayed untouched and immaculate.

As an ex-holiday home cleaner myself I know the thrill this gives you when you step in the door with your cleaning supples and find some rooms unused, all the things back in their rightful place and the bins emptied and fires swept out.

Due to high winds and bad weather the whole of the castle and it's grounds was closed to the public on Friday and Saturday so we had the place to ourselves.  Made us feel slightly posh going home to a grand castle on the hill with a long sweeping driveway … although we did have to take care that no other cars followed us in!!

  On Friday we went to Wrexham … never again, least said soonest forgotten … lets just say the cleanest place to eat was Greggs!!  And then on Saturday we went to another National Trust property Erddig, a stately home with just the servants quarters open at this time of year, no matter … that's the bit I like best anyway.  Unfortunately it too closed after we had been there an hour due to the high winds.  There was just time to grab a coffee and set off back to our not so little cottage.

On Sunday we finally got to see around the part of the castle, although again due to it really being out of season only a small part of it was open.  Another coffee and cake was consumed and we had a good look around the gift shops and second hand book shop before we walked around the gardens and finally down the incline and back to our cottage.

My only souvenirs of the holiday are a wooden vegetable brush ... I have looked everywhere for a wooden one at a reasonable price to replace the one that fell apart last year … and a little bamboo teaspoon that is supposed to be a single use compostable replacement for plastic cutlery.  But things are only single use if you only use them once, I'll use this again and again and then finally as a plant marker … until it biodegrades.

Simple souvenirs of our last holiday together … the caravan park re-opens on Friday  🙂

Sue xx

Holiday to Sark

Where do you go when you want a simple holiday, a step back in time, with nature on your doorstep, peace and quiet everywhere you go and not too many people to bump into.

We chose Sark.

We were lucky with the weather.  Sunshine and wildflowers along the lanes in October, amazing.

Rather a lot of coffee and cake was consumed ... shhh don't tell Suky!!

Walking across La Coupee on a blustery but lovely warm, sunny day gave us spectacular views, the sort that genuinely makes you say 'Wow'.

We left our cycles on the main island side and walked around for the day.  After not being on a bicycle for over 35 years I had great trouble admiring views and keeping in a straight line on unmade up roads and muddy paths.

Having a delicious lunch on Little Sark once we had crosse La Coupee.  Just a simple salad but served on freshly baked French bread ... proper French bread.

Then with the skies darkening, we set off to walk back and retrieve the bikes.

We spent our days walking, cycling and eating.  Exploring the island and meeting some of its 660 inhabitants ... but not many of them, it's a quiet place with lots of elderly folks that keep themselves to themselves in houses dotted few and far between. We spent time chatting to the different day-trippers that came over each day on the two passenger ferries when we bumped into them in the cafe or pub.  And just generally relaxing.

We got this close to a genuine Olympic gold medal on Friday night when the main Island Hall opens for a big Fish and Chip supper for islanders and visitors to enjoy.

Then after a week of rest and relaxation, we headed home via Guernsey.  Stopping off for a spot of lunch before catching our flight back to Southampton Airport.  It was a lot of travelling, but we both drive so it helps with long journeys.  

Now we are all home as we have just picked up Ginger and the dogs from the local kennels, where they have holidayed for the last ten days.  They all smell very 'doggy' ... yuk!!

The house is in chaos with wet washing everywhere,  our heating system needs water letting into it and the guys that have erected the scaffolding around the house in our absence have rather inconsiderately put one of the scaffolding uprights right in front of the boiler door ... so we can't open it to re-charge the system.  The hot water will run out soon as that is also losing heat, so it's home to all the usual problems.  The building work on the exterior of the house starts anytime now so it's back to the peace and quiet of Van Life for me.

I supervised the last lot of building work while Alan worked away,  so this time it's my turn to escape the mess and chaos ... phew.   :-)

Sue xx

So I Went to Amsterdam

While all the posts were self-publishing over last weekend I was many miles away in Amsterdam.  We booked the break before things changed.  Before trust was lost and my heart ached ... so I went.

  We travelled light, just small backpacks with a change of clothes or two and small toiletries saved from other hotel visits and ideal for taking through airport security.  And by using my favourite trick of wearing and taking all my oldest underwear and socks, all the dregs of small face creams, toothpastes and an old facecloth I was able to jettison much of what I took, helping me to feel like I was shedding an old used skin ... piece by worn out piece.

 I came back even lighter than I went away, but just as confused.

We bought one souvenir, a small clog with Forget Me Not seeds in it for my Mum.  Well I couldn't go to Holland and not buy a clog now could I. 

The rest of the time we rode in boats, we walked the streets until our feet ached soaking up the atmosphere, we sampled the foods ...

... we played 'spot the windmill'.

And marvelled at cute houses.

Then it was time to come home.  Schiphol Airport was a complete contrast to the mess, mayhem and chaos of Manchester airport.  Happy, smiley faces on all the staff, plants and trees growing everywhere and healthy snacks to be had at many places.

We arrived early and sat and read and then people watched for a while before boarding our flight home.

The only souvenirs from the holiday are a couple of single use plastic bottles that won't be single use for me, and the earphones from the boat tours we went on that we were told we could keep if we wanted to ... happily they fit my tablet.

It was nice to get away ... but it's even nicer to be home here at the Van.   Although I like the idea of travel, I think I have to accept that I don't like the reality, and that this perhaps final trip abroad was done with such a heavy heart makes me unbelievably sad.   My passport will now lie gathering dust, useful as proof of ID when needed but not much use for anything else!

Sue xx