Tuesday AGM continues in Berlin.

We make breakfast which is surprisingly good. Luckily the sun came out , although chilly we needed coats. We set off on a good walk with the Lorenz’s heading for the Brandenburg Gate. Loving the architecture and stunning buildings. We stop for photos and a quick libation, coffee water and the boys opt for mint tea which was served with honey. We move on to the nearby Holocaust memorial, we over hear a guide explaining after they started painting the memorial stone blocks it was abruptly halted when they discovered the paint was manufactured by a chemical company called Faber who under the Nazis had produced Zyklon B a cyanide based pesticide. This product was notoriously used by Nazi Germany during the Holocaust to murder approximately 1.1 million (of the 6 million) people in the gas chambers installed at Auschwitz- Birkenau, Majdanek and other extermination camps. Very moving experience. We quietly move on toward to the hotel. Carol and I notice a rather splendid glass building with a fabulous rooftop restaurant called the India Club and think how fabulous it would be to go there for dinner! The four of us then strolled back to the hotel to get ready for the AGM & Supper. A super quick shower and change. 40 winks for Mr C. The Boys go off to their meeting, us girls meet in the bar and have a catch up. After the meeting finishes and the Company representatives have finished their presentations we all head a short walk to wards our surprise destination. We seem to be heading back in the same direction as this mornings walk and sure enough arrive at the India Club also housing the China Club. A lift and three flights of stairs takes us to a fabulous glass reception room over looking the Brandenburg gate and several well known rooftops. A champagne reception greets us followed by dinner of the highest standard. A tagliatelle starter followed by Seabass and to finish a fabulous strudel. All accompanied by delicious Italian wines. Feeling tired we shared a taxi back to the hotel with the Lorenzos. Bed by 12.30.

Brandenburg Gate
Holocaust Memorial

WEDNESDAY….

Arrived late to breakfast but the coffee is so welcome. Bright and sunny today looks like 14c. The lovely Jason & Pip from Peter Graham wines organise a boat ride for anyone wanting to see the city by river. We meet in reception at noon and walk the short 20 min walk past the train station to the river. On the boat are given a radio to listen to commentary. I sit behind the rather gorgeous young Jamie Goose who is showing his tanned legs in shorts. Made my day (must have a little feel of those later I think to myself) someone hands me a small beer and off we go along the Spree on the sunny side which is very pleasant. So much building going on in Berlin, but we pass amazing architecture and stunning buildings both old and new, mostly rebuilt after the war and most replicated. It’s a an hours cruise and we are soon back on land. The Lorenz’s join us for a snack by the river in the sun. We all go for soup, beer and wine. On the way back to the hotel we take a detour to Check Point Charlie. An Iconic little hut in the middle of the road depicting East from West. Crowded with tourist we don’t stay long and make our way back to the hotel for a shower and change. All reconvene in the bar eagerly waiting our surprise for the evening. To my delight and that of other members the Yarmouth gang have dressed in Bavarian costume looking absolutely splendid outshining us all. We are taken by coach to our secret destination. We head west! Is it the Zoo no. Eager beaver Carole Lorenzo was right it is a spiegel tent. We enter gingerly wondering what fate awaits us. We are greeted by hosts carrying drinks and canopies while we all chatter amongst ourselves. Suddenly a very striking tall blonde glamorous leggy person enters the room. She must have been 6ft 5 and only the sight of her Adams Apple gave her away. She wandered around intruding herself as the hostess. Whilst an attractive saxophonist played in the background we were eagerly awaiting our fate. We were then called into the main tent. Typically circular, mirrored, with tables of four. It’s looked beautiful. Our hostess introduced the sax player back and a very attractive young lady singer with legs to die for with great red stilettos and between them entertained us through our starter of Roasted Scallops with red chicory, wild herbs, grapefruit, hazelnut vinegrette & orange hummus. Between this and the main course we were entertained by a talented cappella quintette. Main course consisted of Fillet of Simmental beef with tarragon potato cake, wild herbs & seasonal vegetables. Then we had a spectacular performance by a magician whose name escapes me. He did various tricks including lifting a table with no obvious help then called up a romantic couple – Ian Scot and the gorgeous Gemma, played a watch trick had us all in stitches more from Ian‘s embarrassment than the actual trick itself. Onto another trick everyone in the audience was asked try and keep their hands together whilst the power of suggestion was making them keep them apart. Those are hands went close together were chosen to go on with another trick where the hands were joined together and then were told to try and get them apart which they couldn’t. He then called three of these people on stage – Elizabeth , Dawn and Anton where he hypnotised them to hold up their arms and then proceeded make them sleep and do silly things.. Anton was then asked to be a mathematician. Somehow he managed to pull off the trick where Anton had done a very tricky calculation but still not sure how it was done but it was great fun and no harm was done. The magician did a few more tricks on people in the audience which completely baffled us all. Our hostess came back on stage and introduced the Last act which was a completely mad couple of guys one on guitar and one on double base – I thought for a moment they were going to be country and western which I hate but they ended up being totally mad rock ‘n’ roll guys and got the whole, party dancing, singing and ended up playing funny games with Jason and Pip which highly entertained everybody ? In the end we were all in the floor gyrating and clapping. The presentation of Pratt of the Year trophy went to Mel Pywell who won the coverted trophy because she can’t tell stork from butter ( loo paper from sanitary bags in her case) . Lorenzo did a quick recap on how the trophy came about. How a certain person stole the cricket ball from the end of the Cricketers bar on the Oriana, the 1997 AGM. Our son James was purser in food & beverage on the ship at the time & the captain was not impressed. A Fabulous evening over too soon. Our coach arrived, the trip back to the hotel seemed much quicker than the outward journey and a few nightcaps were sunk in the hotel bar until the early hours.

THURSDAY

Most of the crew go home today so Roger and I have a lie in, missed breakfast again but I did a bit of blogging, then packed our cases, literally just in time remembered to pay the Ribs staff wages then headed out for brunch. We are meeting my family again for early supper at a restaurant called Thüring Stuben in their neighbourhood in Berlin- Pankow area. Anita tells me it’s an hours walk or so from our hotel through great little areas so we take her advice. We sauntered through an area called Kollwitzplatz and visited the farmers market. We meet up with the family for a most enjoyable real German meal in a lovely local restaurant decorated with stag heads, cuckoo clocks, hedgehogs and other antiques. Sadly time to say goodbye we taxi back to the hotel. A night cap then back to our room for 10.00 pm.

Once again a memorable trip. Our thanks to Craig our CEO and the suppliers to the trade. Home feeling refreshed Friday PM.

ONE YEAR ON…. What happened to retirement?

Where has the last twelve months gone? It’s been quite a year with one thing and another. Hubby and I invested in a little holiday pad on the Norfolk coast. Our oldest granddaughter graduated as a nurse. Youngest granddaughter discovered life without a boyfriend is much more fun… two trips to New York to see the Yankee kids one very great pleasure our gorgeous grandson loving school life but the second trip soon after just the saddest trip as we lost our dear friend Michael our daughter in laws father. A huge unexpected loss to all the family. On a brighter note my baby sister became a grannie to rather gorgeous twin girls. Roger’s golf is still not improving……. But his cooking is……I’m now working as Clinic co- ordinator at our daughter’s new clinic in the centre of Norwich.

Norwich Inns 2024 BERLIN

Our annual well arranged AGM Buying group trip. Roger and I book for a few extra days as my niece Anita and her family are based in Berlin and we would love to visit & catch up with her and her family. We leave home on Sunday at 7am, the drive to Stanstead was quick and uneventful. Speedily through security which we needn’t have paid for as airport was quiet, overtaken by the young DeAths who were making major purchases in the sports shop – no doubt also doing a last minute purchase of lederhosen . Arrival at Berlin airport was worth all the stress of travelling for the first time ever ‘hand luggage’ (only never again ) as we speedily exited the airport to be met by my lovely niece Anita who insisted on taking my very small case and escorted us to the train. This train direct to our hotel cost an extortionate €3.80 each. A great trip and Anita was a brilliant tour guide explaining all through the journey the different areas and traditions of Germany. Anita’s hubby is a German national named Axel who was born and raised in East Berlin so brought up with communism. A short walk from the train to the hotel, dumped the luggage and rushed off to find a tram stop as we are going to Anita’s neighbourhood to meet up with Axel and the boys. Anita found this direct tram on her Google app and before long we were off to her neighbourhood. 20 mins or so and a short walk we arrived at the restaurant we were to meet the rest of the family. Hubby Axel, sons Ben 14 & Joe 12. Sadly Ben has a cold and stays at home. After a super dinner at a German pizzeria we walk to Anita’s house for delicious dessert of Tiramisu loveling prepared by Ben the previous day. Anita and Axel purchased an apartment at what they thought was a huge gamble years ago but is now in a bustling wealthy area. Such a great investment. We leave the boys as they have school tomorrow. Anita and Axel walk us to the subway and we take the train back to the centre . We walk around the historic Alexanderplatz showing The Festival of Light. We are lucky enough to catch the last night of this annual event. It was wonderful sight. Axel is a wonderful guide and an extremely interesting guy. We take loads of photos and walk for what seems like miles as it’s now 9 pm and we have been up since 5.30 . We stroll around, have some gluhvien, walk further and eventually the guys escort us to our hotel. We bid fair well agreeing to meet later in the week. A quick coffee and negroni in the hotel bar and bed at 11.15pm having recorded 16000 steps. My feet are not happy.

Monday

We wake at around 7am, read the news on our phones have milkless tea in the room so yuck black tea? Must bring some milk up tonight. We relax and do not hurry but before we know it we have missed breakfast. While I’m showering Roger pops downstairs and bribes two coffees for us to take our vitamins with! We decide on a hop on hop off bus. A great idea as we both just want to get our bearings. This bus stops almost outside our hotel, we purchase tickets from the hotel concierge who I feel looks like a the main character in a book I recently read called Gentleman in Moscow. After a while we decide to drop off at the East side gallery. An area of the wall which has been really colourfully decorated by various artists. It’s bitterly cold and I’m in need of more coffee so we pick up the next bus. After a couple more stops, so much building work going on in Berlin, we alight the bus once again at Alexandrapltz and walk to a little restaurant area we noted the night before. It’s now noon and I’m starving. We find a typical German restaurant and order light lunch – well I did, Roger ordered Pork Hock, I swear it was a big as his head, served with boiled potatoes, mushy peas and boiled cabbage. I had freshly pickled herrings with yoghurt, gherkins, capers, boiled potatoes and salad. It was simply the most delicious meal ever all washed down with a couple of Bavarian beers. Weary after lunch we saunter back to the hotel trying to stay awake a bit longer as it’s now around 3/4 pm. A little glass of wine to wake me up in the cosy hotel bar and before you know it the advance party arrived to check in and one by one joined us in the bar. A great catch up. Everytime we were about to leave and retire to our room somebody else arrived for catch up and not wanting to appear rude we continued to enjoy a few more alcoholic calories! We did eventually retire slightly hurt at 22.30 Roger immediately fell asleep while I caught up on this blog…

Wednesday PM.

A very quick shower and change for our next surprise. We meet at 6.30 in reception. I’m amazed the others have beaten me all looking very glam and ready for action! I have persuaded Mr C to wear shorts and shirt as we are told it’s casual this evening and it is hot and balmy at 29c still. We catch the coaches and set off across the city. Unexpectedly we leave the city for the countryside. On route the guide tells us not to be alarmed at smell of burning, this turns out to be the rice fields either side of the road on fire. This is done after the rice is harvested. We pass through what seems like miles of countryside and smoky roads. Eventually 25 mins later we stop at the side of a field. Only one small uninhabited cottage and a few trees line the road. We are led along a short unmade muddy path (I marvel at Mrs Urry able to walk in her beautiful Jimmy Choo’s)…. Most of us are in trainers or in my case flip flops. We arrive at a little river quay heading with small wooden boats tied up alongside which we board. We are all puzzled… all aboard these boats 60 of us and we are taken along what looks a bit like the norfolk broads. The sun is setting , I’m worrried about mozzies as this is very marshy looking. Poor Mr C with his bare legs is an invite for all creatures that bite. We wonder where ever are we going. Then the narrow river opens up onto a lake and I realise we are on the Albufera…meaning lagoon in Valencian. All the boats travel across the lake. We watch the amazing sunset. We see cormorants and flamingos, jumping fish and various other creatures. Dusk approaches and I can see twinkling lights in the far distance but it seems a long way off. Not a life jacket in sight. Then we take a turn and one boat by one we enter another little stream. It’s very narrow & bullrushes whisk past us clipping the side of the boat and brushing in our faces. By now it’s dark and the lead boat stops abruptly leaving the other boats to catch up. When we are all in earshot. The guy steering our boat, we later discover is our host ElTancat de L’Albufera does a little explanation on how the Albufera occurred…… he then tells us his family own most of the land and he wants to welcome us to his modest little home to meet his children and dog. It’s pitch black now. We travel on slowly what seems to be ages and arrive at a small quay heading with pretty lights. As we alight we are greeted by smart young servers with trays of wine. Hurray!!! Across the grass path is the most wonderful sight. A garden full of twinkling lights, a large wooden table full of tapas, meats cheese, olives, almonds, bread & olive oils . Musicians are playing accompanied by a very attractive flamingo dancer. Our host also runs a cookery school for paella and tells us we can help cook this traditional style in his ‘humble house’ which turns out to be huge and quite a famous farmhouse. As we walk from the garden to the house “Ashwellthorpe” George notices two chickens roosting up above us in the trees. We then watch the owner prepare the paella in a giant paella pan assisted by Peter Johns who is chosen to be the chef of the night while we are given a history lesson on the area and cookery styles. Our glasses are refilled generously and the evening is going really well. When the paella is ready we take our seats in the magnificent dining room which has been set our for supper. Paella is served followed by a delicious orange dessert. The musicians move inside and the tempo is livened up. “Gypsy Kings Style”. After dinner Craig our CEO thanks our host and his staff, along with the Molson Coors team who sponsored the yacht race and the wine growers who have travelled to present their wines for us to try. Craig announces the winners of the yacht race. First is Tim’s team & our team captained by Nick De’Ath is second to our amazement . Tim does a little speech and thanks Craig for all his amazing work for the group along with our two trustees Anton and Nick. Now a little merry I embarrass myself with a little jig on the dance floor with the lovely Jason from Peter Graham wines and the whole thing gets very cheerful indeed. Ian Scot wins the Pratt of The Week trophy for the second time. We all dance the night away and before long it’s sadly time to catch the coach back to the hotel. The coach has travelled round the Albufera to meet us along dirt tracks. Thankfully we don’t have to return by boat. The return journey isn’t plain sailing as our coach which is the lead coach gets stuck in mud at the side of a dyke. On my side of the coach I can feel it sinking! Very worrying. But of course we had all had far too much to drink to worry and the chaps start the singing off with “Hit The Road Jack”, “Long and Winding Road” and carry on with Elvis numbers and other popular songs. Eventually the driver gets out of trouble and we get to the main road. Back at the hotel we are sad to see the Doggystyle bar is closed up along with the hotel bar. No other bars are open along the front so we give up and return to our room to hit the hay. Macca and Lynn host a drunken soirée in their room which rumour has it went on all night with Craig asleep in bed,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albufera_Natural_Park

Wednesday Morning. The AGM day. 28c.

We misread the itinerary. It says breakfast at 7am. So we set the alarm for 6.15 to allow time for Roger to S, S & S. Macca has reiterated that time is of the essence as the day is full on but when Roger arrives back at our room at 7.45 having been only one of two members at breakfast we realised 7am was the starting time of the hotel restaurant service for breakfast! The meeting wasn’t starting until til 9.30. Partners are to meet the boys from their meeting for our first surprise outing of the day. Anyway I’m ready early so take my breakfast and am joined by Dawn Urry. We decide to stroll along the seafront and grab a coffee on the way to meet the boys. Sue Johns joins up with us and we try and find the venue we are told is at the end of the seafront. This is proving difficult not only for us but for Ian Scott who parades up and down the seafront in what seems to be a bit of a haze having missed the start of the meeting…. I had remarked the day before we hadn’t seen Ian all day Tuesday even at supper time, we just assumed he had had a late night and had been sleeping in. We discovered the poor chap had over done the clubbing , tripped over and damaged his face, lost his wallet and phone and spent the night at the police station! Aptly now named Faceoff! We eventually find the boys meeting venue thanks to the Find Friends app and join them for coffee and our first little jolly which is called Boat shoes & Suncream. We see all the fabulous yachts in the harbour and are delighted when we are called to a safety briefing and realise we are going on the high seas. Several partners drop out but as I love water and the skippers for each yacht seemed rather yum I was very excited. We are all split into teams of 7 on eight boats each with our own skipper and are told we are going to race each other. Roger and I are in the first boat named Alpha with our skipper being Fernado an athletic bronzed looking chap around 45 ish with blond locks. Then I discover I am the lone femail on the boat along with Nick DeAth, Stuart from Coors, Philip Cutter & Andy from PG Wines. I have no idea how to sail and don’t know one end of the boat from the other. I only know port is on the left as I was taught to pass the port to the left! Nick has sailed a bit and so has Roger but not to be able to man the boat as we are told we have to. We are all given jobs except me thank God. I am wishing I had stayed on shore when I see the rough sea and wind. As the Genoa sail was raised our boat tipped to the side and I decide to grab a life jacket. The boys each had a beer, I joined for one but needed to keep my hands firmly on the bars….. we had the largest boat which the captain said he hadn’t sailed on before but didn’t seem at all worried until about 1/2 mile out of the harbour the rope snapped on the sail due to the high wind as the boat tipped to one side. I thought we had had it and think I made a slight screaming sound… this was completely ingnored of course by everyone who were trying to keep us upright…. Fenando radioed for help and the team organisers and race judges were soon along side to assist with the temporary repair. As soon as we set sail again the rope went again and again. Eventually it held and the delayed race started. We speed at the rate of knots with me still holding on for dear life, by now I didn’t care what I looked like and I can assure you readers I was not a pretty sight with my dress tucked in my knickers so it didn’t blow over my head…Just as we were to round the first obstacle which our skipper took very closely another boat got blown into us & there was a loud crash. Fenando was not happy… the race was then abandoned. A few beers on the way back to port, I was relieved when we turned the corner and the wind appeared to drop. Imagine my dismay when we pulled along side the other boats only to see everyone on wine, G nTs and so on. Nothing like that offered to me, maybe I would have been a little more chilled with a sedative of vino! Some of the boys asked the skipper if they could go out again as we were booked until 5 pm so a few swapped boats, ours I thought was staying in port so I refilled my wine and sat down to relax. Until the boat moved away and I discovered to my horror we were the boat going back out. Fortunately the wind had dropped and the sea was relatively calm around the coast and I relaxed and ate the fabulous picnic provided by the organisers. Fernado points out part of the large white swing bridge which can cross the port and was used for a formula one race a while back. Also the port was built for the Americas cup which it has hosted twice.

5.30 we return to the hotel for a quick clean and change ready for the evening surprise. Meeting in the hotel reception at 6.30 on the dot,

Another Norwich Inns EXTRAVAGANZA

October 2023.

Our Buying Groups AGM. It’s always a fun packed few days and as we are the oldest couple now left in the group Roger & I will go a day early and acclimatise! It’s a 6.45am flight out of Stanstead on Monday morning so we will stay overnight at a hotel in Stanstead airport on Sunday. We are staying on for a few days too as we want to explore the fabulous city. Craig our CEO has issued our itinerary well in advance but I still have packed enough for two weeks…. Well you never know.

Monday morning the alarm goes off at 3.30. Neither of us slept well and were both wide awake. We decide to dress and get off to the airport check in. Stanstead is lovely and quiet at 4am. We are through security & immigration in super quick time and head for breakfast. Not being fans of Mr Wetherspoons we head for Bogetta our favourite little spot close to the loos. Scrambled eggs and smoked salmon with a bottle of prosecco are pretty good at this time of the morning particularly if you are a nervous flyer. Flight was on time, we watched couple of episodes of a strange drama called Child which passed the time really quickly and before we knew it we were on the ground – the temperature was 19c at 9.50 am. Almost first off the plane and quickly through passport control, collect our luggage and out to the taxi rank. One of the smoothest runs ever. We arrive at our hotel Las Arenas sharing a taxi with Carla & Steve Smith. We are luckier than most as our room is ready. In need of a walk we venture along the beach front and stumble across the other delegates who’s rooms are not ready who have already downed their first two beers. Later we sample the local tapas. OMG they were so good. Back to the hotel to unpack & freshen up , Roger decides on a little nap. Three hours later we walk along the front again and revisit the same restaurant for our main supper of the day. A lovely chat with Nick & Briony DeAth we then retire for the night. 23.00.

Tuesday – 23c 9.30 – breakfast we plonk ourselves down with Nick & Bri again , they have been for a pre breakfast run. I decide on a small no carb breakfast. Coffee was delicious and I’m a happy bunny to see most of the sun beds by the various pools vacant. My annoying tickly cough is back and I’m worried about annoyingly people so want to avoid the crowds. We try our luck on the Cama Balinesa sun beds which are reserved for suite guests only. The delightful young pool boy who clearly hasn’t much to do is happy to take the tip Roger hands him and we have the choice of six. I then learn we have our own pool waiter so think I better order something to drink. Well it’s 11 am but it’s wine o’clock somewhere as they say, so a few glasses of bubbles, olives nuts arrive. Lovely pool water cool but we have a fabulous swim or two and the day passes far too quickly. We return to the room to shower, my hair needs washing so we quickly refresh and retire to the sun beds on our large balcony. Tonight is our Gala dinner. We must meet in reception suitably dressed and wait for our coach. Everyone arrives looking splendid. To Macca our secretary’s relief the main party who were on the 3 pm flight out of Stanstead arrive at the hotel with just enough time to refresh. A quick drink in the bar we all catch up with fellow guests until the coach arrives. It’s dark when we leave, we drive away from the beach towards the old town. A short walk as the coach cannot make the turn, we arrive at a doorway…. we all take turns in the lift and some rather energetic souls walk up nine flights of stairs to our first stop of the night – a fabulous rooftop bar. We are greeted with Moet & Chandon and marvel at the views of this beautiful city, sorry my photos do not do it justice. After an hour of chit chat and catch up we take two flights down to another level to the Ateneo restaurant where we enjoy a tasty supper with wonderful wines. It is very warm , thankfully the large windows are open onto a small balcony . I am able to take more photos of the wonderful views below. We are entertained throughout supper by a trio of sax, guitar & base. The evening is over far too soon & we head back to the coach to return to the hotel. The evening carries on into the small hours with a visit to the bar opposite to the hotel called Doggystyle! Here I realise to my surprise the quiet new young lad in the group was indeed little George from The Kings Head, Ashwellthorpe, Ian’s nephew who I bought fertile chickens eggs from back in the day when I was keeping chicks all grown up and unrecognisable. Roger & I leave with the other sensible crew and collapse in bed around 1 am. Needless to say others mostly the single travellers go bar crawling along the seafront, well that’s the rumour.

The bar Radisson Blu Stanstead.
Our terrace Hotel Las Arenas
Arrival at the rooftop bar.

I’ve been a little quiet of late! September 2023

Roger & I had a wonderful weeks holiday in Portugal earlier in the month.

We were guests of our daughter, Joolia, son in law Gary and our grand daughters Aspen & Logan. Logan accompanied by her fella Jack. We had a family time share in Vilamoura for 35 years so all the kids have happy memories and wanted to return for various reasons. Gary found an amazing villa close to our old one but rather more plush. It’s was indeed worth over 3 million – according to the agent we met. I could recall all the details of the week and when my granddaughter Aspen asked why I wasn’t blogging the trip I said,”darling I would be embarrassed to publish it !” Need I say more. Including almost missing a flight, losing a granddaughter for two days, Roger slipping in the shower and slicing his head open, an epic Gary style BBQ, a daughter that stayed out all night partying and then caught covid…….. to name a few……It was fabulous though & we got to catch up with our dear friends Rita & David Turnbull who now live in Portugal.

All Aboard- Home time

I was woken by a symphony of screeching seagulls at 5.45! We had been talking about the small number of seagulls around due to bird flu deaths. Not this morning, the whole of Cornwalls seagulls descend on my window sill. Up & showered, packed and raring to go. Janet having cleared the fridge & the boys having a last minute throw out of booze bottles & rubbish. We trundle past the Ship with our luggage to wait for our taxi! Janet has booked a large taxi so imagine our despair at a small Citroen arriving! The rotund red faced driver did not worry he got all five of us in including, six suitcases , five ruck sacks , three shopping bags and an alcohol carrier! It was a bit of a squash!!! Giggling we arrive intact at Penzance station. Early for the train we sit outside the in the sunshine and Olly buys us coffee. People watching is fascinating. A group of young ladies wearing all sorts of strange attire including a pink tutu another in full tyrolean costume! Dear Janet has booked us in first class & our seats are at the front of the train with our own middle aged jolly trolly dolly serving complimentary drinks & snacks. We pass fabulous scenery, golf courses, fields of sheep, garden centres, beautiful homes, farms, barns & outbuildings, estuaries with beautiful boats. At Plymouth the trolly dolly loaded bar service!!! Oh no!! Over bridges, rows after rows of terrace houses. At Plymouth two police officers join the train! They announce they have passive drug dogs on board, Nothing to worry about they say unless you are nicking someone’s luggage or haven’t got a ticket we laugh!! We follow the coastline to Teignmouth. Now we leave the water & go inland , Richard falls asleep and starts snoring! Olly does some homework ready for his next show laughing at himself… Janet’s reading a smouldering book. After Roger’s brush with a stroke I make him get up & walk about and stretch! The train is speeding along & we all remark how smooth and comfy the ride is unlike the bumpy Norwich/Liverpool St train! We eat our sandwiches which I prepared last night with all the fridge leftovers, these saved the day as there wasn’t any decent food on any of the trains because its the weekend we are told. Considering the raucous week we have had the trip on this leg of the journey is fairly quiet. Me updating my blog, Olly rehearsing jokes on passengers, Richard & Roger dozing & Janet feeding everyone as usual. Until there’s a call from George who has lost two of Janets chickens. They have escaped into the next door neighbour’s garden and causing havoc. Janet explains at length how George should catch them to the amusement of the rest of the carriage. We get to Paddington, change for the Liverpool Street Norwich train only to find the Elizabeth line closed again. Circle line to Liverpool street then find there is no direct train to Norwich!! We have to take the Chelmsford train and bus from Ingatestone to Marks Tay, a really naff trip on a crowded bus, then pick up the Norwich train – we have to carry our heavy cases over the track bridge not great for my poorly knee or Richards poor toe. Eventually we find seats, can’t be bothered to find our first class carriage and plonk down in cattle class, Roger opens the gin and we consume a bottle between us. Janet magics up some nuts & biscuits which she offers around the whole carriage bless her. We arrive at Norwich Thorpe giggling and promising to catch up again soon, we make Ricahrd promise to invite us all round to see his remodelled house and go to seek out our 5 person taxi Olly has ordered. Only one small one turns up so we insist the guys take it and Roger & I wait for the next one. We bump into Paul an old customer of the Ribs and have a chat still waiting for the now non existent taxi to arrive. Eventually dear Olly returns in his limo and pick us up. As we all need provisions we all go to Aldi and whizz round for urgent supplies. This is like a carry on film! Trying to load the back of Olly’s van with shopping amongst his many props including cases of make up, vicars outfits, cowboy clothing, Green cross men and his schools road safety props to name but a few – it’s hilarious and life changing! On exiting Aldi car park we see there is now a camera to catch the naughty drivers that turn right when it’s clearly only turn left! A stupid Cow as Olly calls her tried to cross the road in front of us with her phone glued to her ear only to get a mouthful from Olly Day no less! So good to get home after another epic trip. Thank you Janet for organising things so well and to Olly & Richard for being such great company and silly sods. Cheers guys.

They tried to arrest Olly on the train!
Luggage & Janet squashed in the child seat!
The train line runs along the sea at Dawlish.

TGIF

Bright & sunny this morning. We watch two demented sailors trying to get their small boat out of the bay very funny. Olly has had a bad night and has a headache. We all have breakfast & decide to do separate things today. Janet goes off shopping in Penzance. Richard & Olly go off to Penlee Gallery in Penzance. http://www.penleehouse.org.uk. Roger opts to stay with me as I want to pack up and walk around Mousehole as its a dry day. We have a great walk then drop into the ship for a half & a snack! All arrive home around the same time. After a cuppa we try a nap but the seagulls squeaking do not allow. Change & ready for supper we have a few g & t’s as don’t want to leave any. We are booked into The Old Coastguard for supper so take a leisurely walk up in good time for our 8.15 table. Supper was delicious, Janet & I had roast cauliflower starter, I had delicious John Dory, Janet & Roger had Hake they said was outstanding. Richard & Olly had Roast rump which smelled divine. Pudding looked as delicious but I abstained. Roger ordered some crusted port for the boys but disappointingly it was full of sediment. It’s was a jolly walk back down the hill to Lamorna our digs.

My little John Dory

Hangover Thursday

We all lay in this morning. Eventually I get up and cook bacon & eggs for the team. Except Janet who prefers her oats! We decide on another bus ride. This time we take the Mousehole bus into Penzance then take the Lands End Coastal Cruiser. First in the queue we take the upper deck at the front. Superb views. The countryside is so pretty. We have a very young bus driver who navigates corners of very narrow windy country lanes. In places the passing places are non existent but the bus seems to have preference so many cars and tractors have to back up to let us pass. We pass many little stone cottages with pretty gardens in very remotes spots, some selling flowers at their gates. Fields of cows laying down – is more train coming?? The sun is still shining and we pass the Logan Rock Hotel. Down a very steep hill the bus brakes squeaking we have a 10 minute stop at the Porthcurno Telegraph museum. In the 19th century Porthcurno was connected to the rest of the world by submarine cables. Strange to only have a 10 minutes stop before the next bus arrives an hour later. We decide to stay on board preferring to search the internet for history. Roger manages a photo from the back of the bus. Lots of young Japanese tourists on this trip.We get to Lands End the boys get off the bus to take photos whilst the rest of us enjoy the lovely sarnies that Richard has prepared for us along with Janet’s homemade very healthy flap jacks. Not much to see at Lands End and costly to just take a photo so on we go passing the Radjel Inn. We look up the word Radjel as I’ve never heard of it. A pile of rocks in which a fox makes a lair or seeks refuge – a Fox Fortress. The d is silent. On we go towards St Ives. This bus goes right around the foot of England. We pass several ruins of tin mines. Roger spots a Red Kite and a Buzzard. We call at many other picturesque coastal bays & villages. Very enjoyable day. We arrive back in Penzance bus station and all stretch our limbs having been sitting for several hours. Olly says we remind him of Dixon of Dock Green…How does a policewoman part her hair? Then he re-enacts Dixon with “Evening all” – we all fall about laughing including all the others at the bus terminal!. Back home we all freshen up with a strong g n t and we head out again for the Mousehole bus. We are to dine in the Turks Head in Penzance which Olly & Janet highly recommend. A very good waitress entertains us along with 5 bottles of wine!! We call a taxi home as poor Olly has terrible hiccups. We finish the evening watching a program about star gazi pie which features Mousehole and shows our accommodation in the background.

Porthcurno Telegraph Museum
Roger & Olly Lands End
Olly trying to cure hiccups!

Wipeout Wednesday

We watch swimmers in the bay – mad hatters. We are expecting another wet day today. Winds are predicted of 70 mph so we decide not to go too far today. Janet is going to catch a bus to have coffee with her friend Sharon in Newlyn. Olly has friends visiting us here at the house. Faye a dancer at Potters resort and her hubby Tom a teacher from Gorleston are touring the area in their camper. Olly is making scones for the occasion. In between swearing at Richard who we found is not only unable to pour wine in glasses without spilling it, Richard has opened every jigger of milk in the fridge and managed to lay one down so it leaks over everything. Richard dresses in pink today. He is to visit two female clients who live in Mousehole. Faye & Tom arrive and Olly produces fabulous warm scones, clotted cream and raspberry jam. The old question of cream or jam first rears its head and an amusing few stories are exchanged about life on the stage… Richard returns from his clients meeting with a smile on his face. Janet returns from Newlyn. At 1 o’clock Olly says he fancies a half of Guinness, he says this again at 1.15 and again at 1.30. Eventually Richard & Roger take him to the Ship opposite. It’s pouring with rain but Janet & I decide on a walk around Mousehole and look at all the little gift shops and deli’s. We don’t spend long at this pass time and Janet having found me a lime for my g & t’s says “f*** it let’s go and have a drink”. We return home and I make myself a large one, Janet has a glass of wine…. We have a good old chat and the time flies. The rain stops and the sun comes out. No sign of the boys and their quick half. It’s now 4 o’clock and I’m thinking the Ship will be getting tables ready for supper, surely they will get thrown out. 5 o’clock comes and goes, then a photo arrives from Olly saying he has been kidnapped !!! They all walk in the door at 5.45 having been not only to the Ship but to the Old Coastguard and the British Legion and Roger has introduced the boys to Guinness laced with Port!!! Richard tells us he is smitten with Lisa from the Mousehole gift shop who they met in the Legion. Olly tells us about Dave the sailor who serviced lighthouses for Trinity House who they chatted to in The Ship who’s father came from Bungay! Richard confesses to us that he dropped his phone in the loo in the Ship loo so I make him take the cover off and sanitise it. Janet has finished her first bottle of wine and I feel extremely merry having poured my own strong gins. All gets a bit silly again, Olly still can’t work the Sonos system so we have to play the house music which is crap. After supper of another fridge banquet and some fabulous local ham from Vivien Olds butchers we settle down to watch a silly film called Operation Fortune with Hugh Grant. Everyone struggles to keep awake (Roger falls asleep in a chair) so we have no idea of the plot! Bed by 9.30!