6th December - The Groves Annual Party

For the last few years we have held a big party at home with a theme which requires some form of dressing up. All of our friends are very willing to go the extra mile to make it happen and as a result we always have a great time.
The numbers were a bit ime for a various reasons but we still had a great time with twelve of us enjoying a Wild West Night. The party took place in Diamond Lil's Saloon bar which nestle's in the back corners of the house

Diamond Lil in all her glory 

What with Nachos, pork ribs  and beans and many other delicacies  and of course large quantities of the Red and White stuff. So here are just a couple of photos and the rest can be seen as per following link.http://noelgroves.phanfare.com/6755542

So saddle on up and enjoy the ride!!

Tuesday 11th November- A day out in London

Our plan for the day was to take the train to Waterloo and then the bus to Towr of London to see the poppies. Anyway we made it to Weybridge Station only to find the tickets that were purchased online did not work for the very simple reason that I has used the wrong date, Great start Groves..

We arrived at Waterloo and found the right bus but due to the heavy traffic a journey which should have taken 40 minutes tool almost double and so we arrived to late for the planned service. However there were still plenty of people around and we are able to get some good photos of the poppies.

The Poppies at the Tower of London

After that back to the bus and on to Soho where we planned to eat at the Tokyo restaurant where you can get good Japanese food at a reasonable price and typical Japan style, no tipping!.

WE then did some wandering around town and slowly headed to the Waterloo Imax where we were due to see film called 'Interstellar'  which was supposed to be very good. Anyway I poked my credit card in the machine only to find that it would not find our tickets and so after complaining at the ticket desk only to find I had booked it at the Natural History Museum Imax Cinema, how that happened I do not know anyway we were now to late to get to Kensington and so just took the train home. Great booking clerk Mr Groves... will watch in future as I reckon it was the computers
fault and not mine.

This is out of date Order- 16th to the 26th September-SPAIN

If I could find out how to insert in this Blog and item which is older than the rest I would but so far no luck.
I just realised that I failed to include in this Blog our annual visit to Moraira in Spain where six of us get together for a week, or more, of wine chat and laughter and eating and all of which we do well.
On the 16th four of us flow down to Alicante where we stayed the night and then drove North to Moraira where we had a wonderful time as per usual checking out the new and old local restaurants and bars We had a really lovely time as per usual and this time we also took a trip in the the country to a town called Muro du Alcoy which is up in the hills. We had a nice Hotel and found a good restaurant and so ate well

The gangs all here

On the way back to Alicante we stayed in a golfing Hotel near the airport where we had a small two bedroom suite including cooking facilities. So en route to the Hotel we stopped in Carrfour and purchased ham and cheese w and some wine and so we were able to have a dinner in the aprtment before flying back to the UK the next day.

This is an abbreviated report as quite frankly I cannot fully remember in detail what we did on a daily basis and next time I shall remember to do this when I am there.

Sunday 2nd November 2014- Back home

Well the traffic was not to bad for a Sunday although on the M27 near Southampton there had been a bad accident which caused the rubber necker' s to take a look and slow us down as well.

On the M3 and due to the delay we decided to stop in a service station and cheated and tasted a Burger king burger for only the second time this year and it it tasted pretty good. The M3 was pretty slow as usual but we arrived home in the late afternoon and put the caravan to bed and went inside for a nice hot shower.

This has been a great almost three weeks and its a shame the weather could not have been better in Looe, but you cannot guarantee the weather anyway, but we still had a great time and we would repeat the journey some time in the future. However we know fancy a trip up the East Coast of the UK at the end of next year, but lets wait and see how we do.

Saturday 1st November 2014- Shopping and sightseeing

Would you believe it, the water pump had started working again and so for us to shell out plus £ 140.00 for a new pump for the next night only did not seem worth it although we will change it for next year. We went to the caravan agents who sold the pump and decided that it was a different shape and size and may not fit, it can wait as mentioned earlier.

We had a choice of going either West or East along the coast but decided to to go to the West and went out through Bridport where there was a very large and interesting street market taking place and it looked great and we made a mental note to return. We continued along the roads nearest to the coast via Charmouth and on to Lyme Regis where found a car park and had a good walk round this very attractive town which is on a steep hill and therefore not so good for my knees. We found a little coffee shop and tried the home made cake and then on to the sea front where the fish and chips were selling well. This is very nice town to visit and well worth a return trip.

We continued down the coast for a while and then slowly headed back to the caravan site where it had started raining a bit. Never mind we are warm and dry tucked up in our van.

And so to bed after another nice dinner.
Its strange I though I took some photos around Lyme Regis but cannot seem to locate them for some reason..

Anyway we leave for Weybridge tomorrow morning

Friday 31st October- Off we go again

To do the journey from Looe to Weybridge whilst towing makes for a long day on these roads and so we had planned to stop of en route in an area we did not know very well.

Anyway, we got up and would you believe it the sun was shining on a beautiful morning so do we stay or do we go. that is the question, but we decided to do what we had planned or it would muck up some other arrangements.

So we left the site around 0930 and went down the narrow lane praying that a ten ton delivery truck was not on its way and we made it safely back to the main road. Our route took us back to Plymouth, this time paying to cross the Tamar bridge, and then to Exeter and on to Honiton and finally arriving mid afternoon in our last site of the trip called Bingham Grange Touring Park which is is near the town of Bridport. See link Bingham Grange Touring Park

This site is quite large and also an Adults Only site and has a restaurant and bar, neither iof which we tried, and also the main Loo block had been closed as they were closing the site on the Monday. That's a shame because the other shower block was not so good. We set up in our usual efficient manner and headed down town for a little shopping on Lidl which was packed with shoppers.

We also had a minor problem with the water pump, Noels fault, which partly flooded the van, thank heavens not to much. The water pump stopped working and so a little time was spent trying to find a new one bet when you have poor mobile signal, we were in the middle of the countryside, it does make it difficult. After a lot of hassle we did find a place that sold them but we decided as it was Friday night traffic to forget till tomorrow morning.

So we had a nice dinner as usual of the pasties we had bought in Looe with baked beans, boy don't we eat well.

Then to bed after watching a film

Thursday 30th October- Time to leave the Hotel

We had a nice English breakfast in the Hotel and at about 10.30 Jennifer cam to meet me and we went off in search of excitement???. However we did  a walk around Looe  and bought some fish in the market and also some pasty for our next as we had decided that to stay on in this area with no views and and mist all the time makes no sense.

So we went back to the site and started packing up and notified the site owner of our intention to leave and also had to contact the next site to see if we could arrive early and there was no problem.
We had also realised that our original booking for the next site would mean we would be getting home on a Monday afternoon which is no good due to the bloody car parking in the road and so to arrive back on a Sunday would be much better.

We had a very nice dinner of fish and pasta and a bottle of wine and the evening was quite enjoyable and thank heavens for the very efficient caravan heating system.

Again no photos 

Wednesday 29th October 2014- Still very misty

The mist again this morning was very bad and it became clear that a game of golf was out of the question whilst one of our colleagues who had intended to play golf had been suffering overnight and was in no fit state to go out. 

To go touring was a bit pointless so I phoned Jennifer and the three of us ent back to the caravan for a cup of coffee and biscuits as neither of them had been in a caravan before. Needless to say they were quite impressed and enjoyed the experience.

We headed back to the Hotel and had a sandwich in the bar and then decided an easy afternoon was on the cards whilst Jennifer went of to visit Lanhydrock House which she enjoyed very much as you did not have to be outside in the mist rain.

The chaps met in the bar for pre dinner drinks and then a pint down-town and on to another restaurant which we had not tried before and would most likely not try again. The food was OK but not the menu which had promised a large choice of fish on their website but ver little available when we were there.

This time we all agreed on an early night whilst one of the group was leaving at 0730 to catch an early train.

Tuesday 29th October 2014 - Getting ready for the Biggles reunion

The weather was poor again but nevertheless we went for another drive and visited several new areas but quite frankly you could not see to much and what with the mist meant that you got wet pretty  much wherever you went.

We had a snack lunch and later in the afternoon Jennifer dropped me off at the Hannafore Point Hotel where the lads were meeting up for two nights of fun and chat and golf for some. We  had a great evening in Looe and went to one of our favourite restaurant called the Trawlers Quay which was quite busy. We chatted to a group on the next table for a while and then we went back to tone of the local pubs where this group joined us again. Unfortunately they were celebrating the end of the letting season and were not in a good state, particularly the three women, whom the taxi refused to take.

As it was a one way street we had to walk about 200 yards where we could get a taxi back to the Hotel for a quick nightcap. A loveley day really apart from the weather.

Monday 27th October- Where's everything gone

When we awoke it sounded like rain but no heavy and so looking outside of the van we could not see across the field due to the very dense fog and what we tough was r ain was in fact the damp mist dripping of the caravan. Oh dear we did not expect this.

So after breakfast we decided to go on a trip to see if the weather was better elsewhere and although the  mist was not so dense inland its was thick enough to keep down road speeds. 

Anyway we went in the direction of Lostwithial and then on to Bodmin where we had a quick snack lunch  and then took a slow drive back to the caravan site . We did not take any photos as the weather was poor. Oh well lets hope tomorrow is better.

Sunday 26th October 2014- En route to Looe in Cornwall

It was a bit cloudy when we awoke after an early morning birdsong which was great to listen to but no really at 0630. However we had a light breakfast and finished the last bits of packing and were on our way at about 0930 and headed back to the A 30 and turned west until we reached the A 386 which took us though Tavistock and on to Plymouth. 

Navigating Plymouth outskirts was fine and then off in the general direction of Looe and crossing the Tamar Bridge which is free going Westbound. The roads were not busy and finally we came off the main road and the roads got less wide as we got closer to Looe. The entrance to the caravan site where we had booked to stay was down a very narrow one way street but we got though that Ok and then found the rest of the road was also very narrow and there is no way that two caravans and sometime two car can pass. A slightly worrying time but we got to the site which was really very nice. The sun was shining and we parked and within the hour consuming our first cup of tea. 

The site was called Polborder House Caravan Park and its a place we would certainly return to, see link Polborder House Caravan Park

We had a nice evening and TV reception was good and we were looking forward to the next day so we could explore the area.

Saturday 25th October - A day relaxing

As we are due to move on to Cornwall tomorrow we decided to have an easy day around the site. The only real activity was Noel going down to the local fuel station for Diesel for the Land Cruiser. The fuel station however was quite packed as we realised it was a school holiday period and so the roads were quite busy as well.

The weather was not to bad today, not very warm but warm enough for this time of year. We carried out the usual caravan prior  movement checks of tyre pressures, check torque on the wheel nuts etc 
and then later in the day we tried using the two plate gas cooker outside but as we had not used it for a long time we had forgotten that it has limitations and so that's the last time we will do this. The plan was to use it as a sort of grill but the grill plate had holes in it which meant the gravy from the meat and sausages ran everywhere, Oh well back to the other one.

So the dinner went of well with a further half an hour cleaning the gas cooker ready for transit and then an evening of watching TV or a film, I cant remember. But looking forward to a good nights sleep.

24th October- Meeting up with Noels sister and husband

Noel's sister and husband live in Salcombe but we had decided to meet midway and enjoy each others company as e don't see them to often. We had agreed to meeting a very interesting place called The House of Marbles in Bovey Tracey. Its also a factory where they make glass ornaments and so apart from seeing all the colours you can marbles in there was a glass blowing demonstration which was also very good.

We spend almost two hours and then slightly North to a pub that Peter knew called The Cleave  where we had some really good food and its a place we would certainly try again. The Landlord and staff were a great bunch and made you feel most welcome. See link The Cleave Public House in Lustleigh

During lunch their was a bit of an upset as an older guy, apparently around 70 seemed to faint and there was some panic for a while until the ambulance arrived which seemed to take ages as we were quite some distance from the main town. Anyway we finished our lunch and continued in the bar for a while and then went back to Bovey Tracey whwre we went to a local cafe for a cup of tea followed very shortly by another Devon cream tea which was excellent.

Peter and Annette left us about 4.30 pm and we headed back to the caravan for a nice evening in

22nd October- Time to move on to Devon

Lucky it was not raining in the morning and so we were able to rap up the caravan and pack away the new dry awning and we headed off towards our next caravan site ina place called Drewsteinghton which is another Adults only site.
Woodland Springs Caravan Park

This w as very different to last site and a bit more of a car park style but well laid out and the loo's and showers were also very good. You were parked  closer together and there was also quite a few vans  that presumably were used as weekend retreats as they were empty. We had a quiet evening and watched some TV and went to bed to the sound of the owls.

The following morning the weather was not so great but we had breakfast and went for a drive through Dartmoor and stopping in a nice town called Tavistock where we wandered around the old town and market place and found a cafe serving what turned out to be n excellent pasty.

 We then continued our drive up to Oakhampton where we stopped to do some washing in the local washateria.

Then back to the site for a an nice evening snack .

Tuesday 21st October- A tour of North Somerset

The weather was not too bad this morning and so we had planned a longer trip around North Devon which took back up to Minehead and going West along the coast  through Exmoor and all the way to Barnstable which looks like a big city. We like smaller towns and so decided not to stop. 

Ilfracoombe Harbour

Watching over the Harbour

We then followed the coast road along to Woolacombe and then Ilfracombe  and finally on to Combe Martin and then we had promised ourselves a last Devon Afternoon tea but a couple of places were closed and so back to Lynmouth and the cafe we had been to before where we enjoyed a nice tea.

From there we headed back toward Waterrow via Exoore and stopped in a lovely town called Dulvertown which really was a great place surrounded by superb countryside. WE did some shopping and then continued through the country and back to the caravan site.

We both agreed that this upper part of Somerset is much nicer than the lower part near Taunton and we would certainly return to this area again.

An evening of light food and TV and so to bed.

WE have both slept extremely well in the caravan as it is well insulated and warm what with the central heating system and all mod cons. We are very happy with this caravan.

Monday 20th October 2014- A quiet day and a little shopping

We decided to have a quiet day around the caravan site today as the last few days had been quite busy particularly as Jennifer had been with a bunch friends to the Isle of Wight for a few days whilst Noel had been in Boulogne with some fiends overnight and so one week later a little rest was due..

So we did some shopping in the local town called Witherow (Withy for short) and enjoyed the day and planning a day on on Tuesday.

Sunday 19th October - Lunch with the family

The wind had died down a but in the late morning and we were able to place the very wet awning in a farm building for a day where it could dry off. The site owners were very helpful and this makes a lot of difference to your stay.

Noel sorted out the poles and pegs and had a general tidy round and at about midday Joanne , Tim and Katherine arrived and so we gave them a walk around the site after obtaining owners permission as this is an ADULT ONLY SITE and so n kids allowed.

Following a nice walk we headed down the main road for about three hundred yards to the local pub called The Rock Inn. see link
The Rock Inn Waterrow

we had a really excellent lunch and at a reasonable price and so most enjoyable. The family came back for afternoon tea then they headed home to Shepperton. We had a quiet evening reading and listening to music

Saturday 18th October- A day out on the Minhead to Bishops Lydeard with a few stops

The weather was not to bad as we picked up Janne , Tim and Katherine and headed down to Minehead to get to board the West Somerset Railway which is a privately owned Railway fully staffed by volunteers. see link below
Link to the West Somerset Railway Site

We arrived at the station on time and waited for the train to be ready and then in a cloud of smoke we departed with about nine stops en route to Bishops Lydeard. We got off the train at a place called Watchet and walked through the small town to the port and then back through the town for lunch in a little cafe. We all had a good lunch and then back to the train which wandered through the countryside and finally arrived at Bishops, for short. There is actually not to much to do in Bishops and so we waited a short while and jumped on the train going back and we arrived in Minehead and then off back to the house in Dunster for the evening.

Watchet Harbour

A really lovely day out and we were all tired and so we left early to get back to the caravan by which time it-had started raining and at times it was quite heavy.
By the time we got back to the caravan the wind blowing was blowing quite a gale as this was the leftover from the bad weather that badly hit the East Coast of the USA and and had drifted over the Atlantic and we were in its way. By about 11 pm as we  were thinking of going to bed the wind seemed to be getting worse and the awning was now in trouble and so eventually we gave in and went outside in the rain and strong wind and pulled the awning down and stuffed it in to the Land Cruiser and the poles underneath.
Oh well that's another job for tomorrow

Friday-17th October -Dunster, Katherine and a day out touring

We left the site around 10.00 and headed through the lovely countryside for about 45 minutes and  eventually arrived in the attractive village of Dunster. A cup of coffee and a breaif walk round and then we were off to do a coastal tour.

So from Dunster we drove via Minehead and up the famous Porlock Hill and on to Lynton and Lynmouth which was famous many years ago when the river flooded the old town of Lynmouth.

We visited the town museum which was full of photos and black and white video of the major damage caused . We had a nice lunch in the little cafe just down from the small port.

A small video of the area

Then a nice drive back and collecting fish and chips for supper and then we got home around 8.30 pm and a quiet evening watching the television.

Thursday 16th October 2014 Caravan trip to the West Country

We had talked about doing more caravanning in the Uk but somehow we never seem to get around to doing it as perhaps so much else to do. Joanne and Tim and Katherine were going to be in  in their country retreat in Dunster, North Somerset whilst Noel was due to meet some ex business colleagues in Looe in Cornwall for a couple of days and so it seemed like a good idea and combine the trip.

We had collected the caravan a couple of days back and so had spent some time preparing and cleaning the van again and so on 16th October we departed around the M25 and on to the M 3 in the direction initially of Taunton. We had a good journey without any problems until we reached a small village on the outskirts of Taunton where there had been a serious accident and the result was being delayed for about 90 minutes.

However we finally cleared the traffic jam and arrived at out Caravan site at Waterrow Touring Park at about 3.30 pm.The site was quite empty with about ten caravans and its a lovely site.

We chose our location and within one hour everything was done on the set up and the first cup of tea. We then decided to put up the small porch awning and that was completed soon afterwards except we would later regret having erected it.  We had brought food with us for the first night and tucked in and enjoyed the silence of the park. see link.
http://www.waterrowpark.co.uk/

This site is in a lovely setting and the loo's and shower block was very good and its certainly a place we would visit again.

Katherine 's garden party on 23rd August 2014

Te celebrate the birth of Katherine we decided that showers plan of holding what they call a 'baby shower' at her own home might make it a little crowded and so it was decided to hold the function in our garden.

So with many of Joanne s friends from work etc and also a number of other babies we were able to hold a party for about 24 people on a lovely summers day and thank heavens the weather was kind.

So with a bit of help from many people we had a lovely day with good food and sufficient plonk to keep everybody happy. Almost as good as having a Christening party.

Many photos were taken and follow the link for all the photo on our Phanfare Blog
http://noelgroves.phanfare.com/6616387_7656289

Katherine Louise Denovan-Smith arrives on 1st August 2014

We after waiting almost a couple of weeks,along came our new Grandchild in 1st August 2014 arriving just about breakfast time to a very tired but happy mother.

She is quite beautiful, but then again, every grandparent says that.  So that was the best Birthday present that Jennifer has had in a long while. So the rest of that day was wandering in a sort of dream-world and wondering how she might grow up.

So the happy grandparent opened a nice bottle of plonk to celebrate

So where have you been?

Well, you might well ask, what happened after the last Blog posting whilst you where still in France.
Well the rest of the stay in Normandy was great,we had the best weather ever and spent our time with the usual relaxing, shopping locally and down town Lisieaux and generally having a really great time. We were able to use the swimming pool quite a lot due to the excellent weather.
Howver all things must come to an end and we have to head home on the 4th July as our daughter Joanne and her husband Tim are expecting their first baby on 18th July and we want to be there at that time for obvious reasons.
 So we packed up and drove up to Calais and headed home to get ready for the Birth.

Sunday 8th June 2014- What a nice weather day

Well the sun shone and we went for a swim in the lovely warm pool which as said many times before is in a great setting. The salmon and prawns were really excellent and then we watched the Formula One from Canada which was a good race and so disappointed for Williams and Massa who pranged it on the very last lap.

We had another caravan arrive to us today and it was by chance the same couple from Yorkshire that parked next to us last year when we were on a different site, however he was obviously rather tired as he rushed on to the site and nearly ripped the roof of the caravan on a tree which came of second best, brilliant and must remember not to do that. After the F1 we watched the ongoing saga of the long series called Fargo which seems to through wide balls just as you think you know what is to happen.

Well after all the excitement of the last few days we can settle in to our normal routine when being here of swimming, sunbathing, sheltering from the rain, go shopping and eating and the occasional glass of wine. So there will not be any further blogs until we do something which merits reporting.

Am typing this Blog on Monday night after cooking two pork chops on our gas burner we purchased in New Zealand and together with some veggies we had a nice dinner whilst the thunder rolled around and with the occasional heavy downpour of rain. Damn has just reported that the loo needs emptying so must now go out in the rain and empty it and top up the tanks, however that is better than needing the loo in the night and having to make a walk in the dark and rain. Thank heavens for a caravan against camping….

Saturday 7th June 2014- A day of rest

Well we were pretty tired on Saturday after an early morning and long day standing in the sun for some hours but as mentioned yesterday well worth the effort and its always good to remember the past.

We did a little shopping downtown in the wonderful fresh fish shop and also some food for Monday when the shops close. We chose some fresh salmon and some large prawns for Sunday night and set aside a nice bottle of white wine to have a nice night. However on Saturday we were a little tired but cooked up a sausage casserole which went down so well and was a very nice choice for the evening.

We watched a little TV before an early night but we did spend some time watching the F1 Grand prix qualifying from Montreal thanks to our new satellite equipment and now looking forward to the race tomorrow afternoon as Canada usually produces a good race.

And so to bed.

6th June- D-Day visit to Normandy American Cemetary for the memorial service

04.30!!! Bloody hell what again. Anyway we rushed around for showers and a light breakfast before meeting the others in the car park for a drive in Gilles car to Caen. The party consisted of Jen and me, Gilles and Marie who work on the site and Gerhard a nice german chap who lives near Cologne.
We arrived at the centralised parking at around 06.30 where you go to pick up the coach to be taken to Colleville sur mer together with a police escort as many of the roads were closed for the day. We then had to go through a small security check by showing the letters of invitation and also passports before joining a queue for the coach. We left Caen around 07.45 and with blue flashing lights from the police outriders we eventually joined the traffic jam near the Cemetery. Finally we got to the car park and the place was really humming with so many people waiting holding their invitations etc. Here we lost Gerhard after he went to the Loo and we gave up looking but then he turned up the other side of the body and electronic search before entering the cemetery. If you have never been here its really worth a visit being placed next to one of the landing beaches and with about 10000 graves.
We were able to find seats in the shade of a tree, as against sitting in the direct hot son for an hour and a half however this means we could not see the stage directly but on a large screen with a loudspeaker nearby and so the photos of the stage were taken using their large screen, not the best reproduction but the best we could do under the circamstances

This photo says it all

The service started a little later than planned, but hey this is France, and it was most moving with both Francois Hollande and Barack Obama both making excellent speeches except the English translation used on the big screens got screwed up ans stopped whilst Hollande continued only then for it to wizz through and missing a considerable chunk, but hey as mentioned this is France.
Following the service we had to wait for the coaches to take us back to Caen when we informed that would not start until at least 14.00, what!!! and why?? as it now 12.45, did they not expect that people would want to go back to Caen immediately or shortly after. So along with many others we waited in the Car park and at 13.30 one coach turned up with the driver on the phone having an argument with somebody it looked like, and several policeman asking him to move or stop, depending which policeman you looked at so Gilles wandered over and started chatting to the driver only to find the driver had just been told he was going to Caen and not where he was planned to go and so Gilles waived us over and we were on the first coach back to Caen, brilliant.
Arriving back in Caen we collected the car only to find with so many roads closed that we could not find a way out of town and all the policement we stopped and asked did not know either as they been brought in from all over the country and so we spoke to police from Clermont Ferrand, Bordeaux and other places but finally we found one who came from Honfleur and he thought he knew how we could leave for Liseaux without going on the motorway and he was right. We dropped off Marie at her home which is a large farm on the outskirts of Moyaux and had tea with her mum before heading back to site.
We were both dead tired and went to the creperie on site and Gilles and Ingrid and Gerhard and finally William who also works on the site joined us for a drink. .
And so we had a really memorable
day.
 

Thursday 5th June- Weather improved and so awning up

The weather was much better this morning and so we put up the awning and really got organised during the morning following by a late lunch and then some shopping in the afternoon.
We learnt that the arrangements had been made for us to attend the memorial ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville sur mer tomorrow and something about a very early morning?.
We met up with some of the campers whilst our neighbours with three not so noisy kids broke all the rules by putting up a washing line with loads of washing, not nice.
BBQ tonight with cumberland sausage and some really excellent rib eye steaks from Costco and washed down with a very nice bottle of Medoc of which we only planned to have two small glasses each but it was so good we broke the rules. Oh well if you cant break the rules at our age then when can you do it.
We watched a couple programmes on TV and were able to to watch the end of a drama series we had been watching for the past couple of weeks and we wanted to see the ending and as I have not come to grips with the recording by our new free to air piece of equipment. So we had a later night than we had planned but most enjoyable.
Oh boy a  really early morning again coming up.

Wednesday 4th June- Rain and sun

The overnight rain was severe and much stronger than expected and lasted until late morning and so putting up the awning was not an option.
So we went shoping to the fish shop in Courmeilles and something for lunch and came back and enjoyed not having to do anything and then for lunch followed by a couple of hours of zizzing, very necessary after a number of hectic days. Suddenly the sun came out and the sky cleared but the wind came up and so to strong to put up and awning. So to fill in the time Noel tried to come to grips with the caravan electronic control panel which handles heating of all types, the straight on/off to the advanced planning for the next ten years to come on and off at a set time then change at nights to a different temperature. Only time will tell if its right as last night we both felt a little to warm.
Prior to coming away, in a mad splash Noel purchased a satellite system to take with us on the caravan, not to watch the F1 motor racing or even the world cup but just to watch the weather forecast!!I doubt it.
We have watched people for years setting up systems for hours on end and even the german nuclear security guy who is here again this year said yesterday when he chatted it took him four days to get a signal. So Noel had purchased a system for Sat twits and lo and behold after a certain amount of trepidation we started to set it up, Jennifer set an alarm for after one hour not to do it anymore but b.... hell in ten minutes we had a signal and watching antique show, or whatever its called. amazing.
Dinner tonight was fast fried white fish who name escapes us with rice and petis pois and a glass or two of Chardonnay, most enjoyable particularly as all the clouds have gone and the wind disappeared which augers well for the rest of the week. Looking forward to the 6th D-Day celebrations, details to follow.
And so to bed... 

Tuesday 3rd June- Oh how we both hate early morning.

O4.15, Buzz, Buzz, Buzz, Buzz –oh shut up…it’s time to get up love. You make the tea whilst I shave and then go and start getting the caravan ready for departure. Take off locks, engage rollers and connect up to car and at 05.05 we are ready to leave for Portsmouth, perhaps a little earlier than we thought we would make it.
We arrived at Portsmouth Car Ferry terminal just about 0615 and already there was a queue for the  check in desks and including a large amount of second world military vehicles and people, mostly men, dressed in second world war uniforms, it felt quite strange really. It was pouring with rain as we inched towards the check in desk and the American vehicle in front of us packed up and we really could not go forward or back. Just what you need when you’re half a sleep. So Jennifer walked to the check in desk and did her bit and I thought that perhaps we might get by if we are really careful which we did with about an inch to spare each side of the van. So we made it to the next queue. It turned out why there was a large line of vehicles not moving as there was a big booking discrepancy for about 50 ex WW2 vehicles.
We got on board about 0800 for a 0815 departure and of course we left about 30 minutes late so not to bad really. Even though perhaps we boarded after the cars I had forgotten that this ferry puts all the cars in an upper area and that caravans and trucks etc are on the lowest deck which means we are one of the first to get off when we arrive.
We had tried to book reserved seating but it was a full ferry with the many army uniforms laying around and sleeping all over the place. We had therefore booked a cabin and hit the sack for about 3.5 hour’s before surfacing in time for a light sandwich lunch before arrival.
We departed Caen ferry terminal around 15.30 and took the quiet roads to the caravan site in Courmeilles and upon arrival we met a group of caravanners that we have met last year and so it was like being at a second home. We had a reserved site and it looked fine but we did not want to move around too much and so got set up and so by 18.00 the first cup of tea sitting outside in the warm sunny weather.
We had arranged dinner in the Chateau and there were about ten dinners only which is about as much you can seat there and also for Ingrid (the site owner) to cook for. A nice starter of avocado and prawns with salad, followed by Lamb with garlic and fresh veggies, cheese and then desert which Jen could manage partly, take those strawberries back for tomorrow’s breakfast. A very nice dinner and now back the van around 10.30 pm with a slight mist or rain in the air but we were both dead tired.

Off to France tomorrow

Well after almost five weeks at home sorting out any number of problems from leaking chimney and glass roof and the fish feeder had packed up and the roof of the BBQ near to collapse so its time to get away for a well earned Holiday.
We shall be in Normandy for a while and have been lucky to have been invited by the local Mayor via our friendly camps site owner to attend one the formal events of the 70th year anniversary of D-Day. We are not sure what this will entail but we look forward.
So watch this space for regular updates.

Saturday 26th April 2014- Packing and leaving

We spent a short while getting everything packed up and left the Hotel late morning to go to pick up the bus to Narita which left at 11.40 and arrived about an hour and 20 minutes later. The shuttle bus to the Hilton was no due for another half an hour as it’s the quiet time of day so we sat and enjoyed an iced coffee whilst sitting in the sun watching the various tour groups arrive and board buses

We had planned to go swimming in the pool in the afternoon but we both felt a rest would do us better which we subsequently enjoyed before enjoying the buffet dinner in the Hotel.

Well that’s it pretty much for this BLOG, We have had a really great time on this long trip of four months, perhaps too long, and are very much looking forward to getting home tomorrow and see the family.

We have enjoyed Japan immensely and have been able to see it in all its glory and also the areas which are not so good but we both enjoy the culture that is al around you. From the kimono dressed ladies on the train and bus, to the young who wear almost anything to elder folk wearing formal Japanese suits. The Shrines and Palaces are fascinating and there is high respect for the Emperor. The streets are very safe and always clean, no rubbish here, and the driving standards are high whilst cars are always clean. The train system copes with huge amounts of people in a short amount of time whilst at ten to eleven PM the trains are at their most crowded.

Tomorrow we check out and take the shuttle bus to the terminal and board our Virgin flight back to London and with a dinner date with our close family.

Next holiday is France at end of May so see you then

Friday 25th April- A very nice evening with friends

The morning was spent catching up on some last minute shopping and so we took the bus to Shinjuku Station and went and purchased our tickets for the Limo bus to Narita on Saturday late morning. It is the start of what Japanese call ‘Golden Week’ staring next week and many people leave town and so we wanted to ensure we were not hanging around waiting for a bus. So 8400 yen later we have our bus tickets and then walked back to our Hotel about a mile and half away stopping in various shops to pick up some last minute presents.

The afternoon was spend getting organised and then at around 5pm we left to go to a Japanese Restaurant which is situated in the ground of Tokyo Tower. This a beautiful building called Tokyo Shiba Tofuya-Ukai with lots of little paths and fountains and ponds and many shrubs and trees, what a lovely garden it was.

We had dinner with one of Noels ex colleagues and his wife and had a lovely evening reminiscing and also talking about their children who had moved around Asia quite a bit over the last fifteen years and also our life in retirement. A truly nice evening.

We caught the crowded Metro (underground) back to Shinjuku but unfortunately missed the last bus and so we took a taxi back to the Hotel.

Thursday 24th April 2014- Back to Tokyo

Breakfast as usual and all the staff came to say goodbye and have a chat, lovely really, and then we loaded up the car and headed South on the Expressways but knowing that we should not arrive to early at the Hotel as earliest check in is 14.00 hrs. and so we stopped a couple of a times for a coffee’s and the a snack and then continued in to Tokyo with its heightened Police presents as MR Obama is in town. When American presidents hit Tokyo they tend to close the Shuto Expressway which is the only way to get around Tokyo, it’s a road ion stilts which is like a spider’s web over this large town and avoids the hundreds of thousands of traffic lights. There are no roundabouts in Japan only traffic lights.

Following the Satnav it took us perfectly to the Hotel where we could check in and also arrange for our left luggage (Camping Equipment) to go to Narita by Yamato Baggage Service and await our collection at near the check in desk, brilliant service.

We then took the car back to Nissan and Shinjuku station again following the Satnav it it worked perfectly and breathed a huge sigh of relief that we gave it back in good order. The underground system in tokyo is exclelnt but can be very confusing for the first time user including locals.

You work it out!

We averaged around 62 mpg over our travels which we think is quite good.

From there we cashed the remains of our Travellers Cheques and then headed over to Roppongi for our planned treat at Tony Roma’s Rib and Steak joint and had an excellent if not filling meal.

Tokyo fashions are quite different with girls wearing short skirts or short shorts and/or fluffy short dresses whilst the men either wear their ‘Salaryman’ regulation suit whilst have taken up the winkle picker shoes again.

We then returned to the Hotel via the underground and then the local bus with Noel blogging and arranging a taxi for our return next Sunday whilst Jennifer catching up the washing.

Tomorrow is our last full day in Tokyo and we have odd jobs to do and then go to dinner with an ex business colleague of Noel’s.

We are now both looking forward to seeing the family and catching up with friends

Wednesday 23rd April 2014- Nikko and Lake Chuzenji

A light breakfast and the weather had improved somewhat since the previous day and Jennifer was feeling so much better, thank heavens. My complaints about the attempted charging us for breakfast when it was included in the rate seems to have some effect as suddenly everybody came to offer assistance and chat with their best English

On leaving our local town we stopped to have the hire car washed which took a little explaining but anyway was accomplished and so much cleaner all for Yen 1000 or £ 5.50, can’t get that in UK.

We took all the slow non motorway roads to Nikko and it is not an attractive town in anyway in fact it looks a little run down with many shops and factories closed which surprises us a little. We spotted lots of Gaijin (Foreigners) walking the streets and most walking in the direction of the Shrines and also the big Palace where the Emperor stayed during the Second World War. We decided we have seen enough shrines and Palaces during the past few weeks and carried on up the hill to Lake Chusenji which we last visited 28 years ago when living in Japan and had an appalling drive to get there as it was a public holiday. To get up to the lake which is in an extinct Volcano takes over 26 S bends up and a further 28 coming down and so you are continually turning left and right.

There were very few people around the lake and many of the shops were closed and also most of the Hotels which only open up during the main tourist season which probably starts in the next week. We stopped in the Old and New Parts of Nikko to find a restaurant but failed and then came across a chain called Coco’s where we enjoyed some Italian Pasta set mean including soup and desert all for £ 8.00 each, wow we know how to live.

Then back to the Hotel where we stripped of and went in the pool for about an hour and a half including the Hot Tub. There was also an Onsen but you really need to be with someone as they are not mixed and so both of us would have been by ourselves sitting in Hot water so a joint Hot tub was the next best thing.

Following a good lunch we then had a glass of wine and bread and cheese for a early evening snack and then spent the rest of the evening listening to our Ipods and Noel to Radio 2.

Tuesday 22nd April- A little cloudy here

The Hotel is situated by the gorge and it’s a nice view from the room. It comes equipped with the usual electronic toilet with dials and switches to heat the seat or give you a quick burst of water up the backside when you least expect it, but hey this is Japan.

We had breakfast in the Hotel this morning, perhaps the best free breakfast we have had except they have charged me for it and so a little effort is required to resolve the problem via the booking agents but hey this is Japan!

We left the Hotel and headed North at around 10.00 and drove up the smaller roads and avoided the expressway and went through quite a few towns which looked like they were dead as very few people seen and many of the buildings in disrepair which surprised us a little. Prior to leaving the local area we had been to the local pharmacy for pills and had a funny experience trying to explain Jennifer’s stomach problem, the little old lady serving us was rubbing her tummy and then trying to indicate many sorts of stomach problems but eventually we got the stuff we have tried before. We also visited the local supermarket and purchased some ham to go in the croissants we still have from Costco.

The hydroelectric scheme up in this area is not only important for the local community but also supplies water. It is still early up in this area and most of the trees are still greyish from the winter and only a few cherry trees are out.

We stopped at a wayside parking area for a coffee and found a local who had visited London and wanted to practise his English but he was also very useful in giving us some English maps which we had not seen elsewhere. Later for lunch we pulled up at the side of the lake and enjoyed the view, shame it’s rather grey today.

Our journey back to the Hotel was easy and no traffic really and we stopped back in the supermarket for some evening food of salad and chicken in a sweet chili sauce and Noel tested to Chablis whilst Jennifer tested the bottled water.

We watched a rather amazing TV show which is clearly based on England’s got talent and some of the acts were quite outrageous and some rather stupid but then the rest of the evening was spent in the Hotel lounge using the wifi connection for blogging and emails etc.

Monday 21st April 2014- Gosh its raining

The weather has changed and it rained overnight whilst Jennifer was still suffering from a stomach bug and so we had a slow start. We left Maebashi around 10.15 and took the expressway East and then North up to Nikko where it was also raining.

The journey up would have been nice as you could partly see the mountains and we also passed quite a lot of very old cherry trees which were flowering but were also losing their petals due to the rain. The Satnav took us very close to the Hotel, in fact we coiuld see it and its quite large but then it said turn left and we could not see a tradition road turning left and so continued on. The satnav then told us to drive North and East and then South back to where we were and asked us to turn right and again we could not see a traditional turning but then we saw a small road just a little bit wider than the car and 40 yards down the road a level crossing and this was it. Anyway we got there far too early for a 1500 check in and so we had a challenging few minutes as none of the reception staff could speak English but they just kept pointing to the 15.00 on the check in counter and so we took the hint and took off to find somewhere to park until the doors opened. We finished of the Sushi from Costco and also both enjoyed another apple turnover, boy they are good.

The rain was coming down quite hard and we also visited a very large supermarket for some milk but also to look at what else they sold for our next couple of days. We arrived back at the Hotel and they were all sweetens and smiles and a lady at the front door to offer help so clearly if you arrive outside of the chosen times you’re in trouble.

The room is overlooking a fast running stream in a valley with trees coming down the hillside and in the sun it would be quite beautiful but in the rain and mist, its not the best, however on the other side of the Hotel you would get a nice view of the railway, road houses and some hills in the mist.

After a couple of hours R & R we walked around the Hotel to check out the swimming pool etc. and then back to the room for cheese and bread and some Malbec for our tea or dinner. Jennifer’s stomach is not up to anything else at the moment and so we both hope overnight will cure her problem.

Its due to stop raining overnight and Wednesday is forecast to be fine along with the rest of the week.

Sunday 20th April 2014- En route to Nikko

We left Matsumoto and decided to take the small roads rather than the expressways as this makes it a more enjoyable journey for both of us. Perhaps it me be a little difficult map reading but Jennifer seems to have mastered the Japanese maps and is able to recognise the Hiragana signs. We went through several tunnels and then started going downhill as there was a sign that we were at 1080 metres and then the road went down and more down and the air temperature rose from 4C to 12c and eventually after a couple of coffee and loo stops we found a place to stop and eat our sandwiches overlooking a gorge.

After lunch we put on the Satnav to help guide us to Costco in Maebashi and it took longer to get there as the roads were really very busy indeed compared to where we have been but then again we are only about 80 miles from central Tokyo.

We arrived at Costco and the car park was absolutely solid with cars and so we followed a guy with a full shopping trolley back to his car and waited for him to load up and leave and then we parked. The place inside was like Regent Street on the last Saturday before Christmas and it was almost impossible to move in the aisles and the locals were lining up by the tens to taste the samples being offered as you walked around. We purchased some sushi and salad for tonight and some croissants for the next few days to make a change from muesli and banana and also a couple of bottle of wine. The Malbec here was even cheaper than last time we bought it at a ridiculously low price. As we stood by the cheese counter a Japanese lady asked our opinion of a particular cheese we had also purchased and then she bought some as well.

Back to the car and cars were fighting four our parking space as we left and then on in to Maebashi where we found the Hotel and checked in and decided to have quiet time tonight and enjoy our sushi and salad and glass of Malbec and perhaps finish of with an apple turnover, such is the hard life of travelling.

Tomorrow we head of to Nikko which we hope the weather will nice as at the moment we have had it a little overcast, not cold or really warm but it is due to change we understand.

Saturday 19th April 2014- Matsumoto is a great place to visit.

WE LIKE THIS PLACE…

But first, the Hotel in which we are staying is an older Hotel but has big rooms and a usable bathroom. The Hotel in Toyama had no room to even leave your toothbrush and toothpaste in let alone a bathroom bag kit.

Anyway, after our usual Muesli and banana breakfast and of course the usual cuppa, we walked down to the oldest castle in Japan and purchased our entry tickets and we were early which was very handy. The Castle Keep has extremely steep and short stairs and so Jennifer did the walk alone and entered the building within a minute or so of us arriving. Two minutes later hundreds of Japanese kids and tour groups descended on the place and there was a queue of about hundred yards long which has developed in minutes.
All the Cherry trees are out at the moment and it makes this little town look really nice. We have been lucky with the Cherry trees as we were just in time for Tokyo, on time for all the other places we have visited so how about that for luck.

We then walked down to the middle of town and on to the train station where we discovered you get a bus ticket for the day on three routes around town and so we did some of the routes. For lunch we visited the same place as we went yesterday, but somehow the service was rubbish and they messed up our and our neighbour’s food orders, most unusual.

We did a little more walking and then went back to the Hotel around 16.00 to do some planning about our route tomorrow and have a little rest before heading out in the dark for a photo shoot. In the Hotel there is a little café where tried their apple cake and a coffee before venturing out back to the castle and around the town to take some night photos. Some came out well and others did not, but that’s the name of the game.

Then back to the Hotel around 20.15 to load the photos and do this Blog. Tomorrow we leave en-route to Nikko and will stay overnight in a place called Maebashi where the only claim to fame is seen to be a large Costco store where we shall make a few purchases. We plan to stay on the regular roads and ignore the expressways as its much more interesting.