West Ham vs Brighton (6-0) - Saturday 14 April

Late brekky at Amici's (cheap as chips Italian cafe which sells full breakfast for 5 pounds! The parma ham, mozarella and tomato panini was excellent) then train to Upton Park to cheer for West Ham in the Championship League against Brighton! 


Over 35000 of us mostly cheering for the Hammers and singing their song: 'I'm forever blowing bubbles' (listen to a recording from an old game on youtube for an idea of what it sounded like). They hadn't won at home for 6 games although they're 3rd and vying for promotion against Brighton who are 6th and hoping to make the playoffs. The Hammers score 3 goals in the first 10 minutes and we're singing I'm forever blowing bubbles and I'm now a West Ham  supporter so Mur and me are Hammers fans - Raiders for me too of course :).  They win 6 - nil, we all cheer and Sam Allardyce could be the next King of England! 
Home for a cheap curry and quiet night - thank heavens!
Love Lyn and Al xxx

First up, Dickens - then a late night in London - Friday 13 April

A visit to Charles Dickens’ birth house, then a drive to London where we return Big Bertha. Another London cab to the girls and boys place at Caledonian Road - how good are they, and cheap too? (maybe the strong Aussie dollar is making us feel richer than we should :) Al really loves these London black cabs (or 'hackney carriages'!)

This was all topped off with a wonderful dinner at Zilouf's with Suzie, Rachel, Johnno and all of us. Great food, drinking and talking until late. Into the cot at 3 am and then a much needed sleep in.

 

A cultural start with Dickens, followed by an enormous evening with old friends :)

Devon to Dorset - Thursday 12 April

Leaving the beauty and skinny roads of Devon behind us we drive Big Bertha through Dorset etc. to historic Portsmouth, the home of the Victory and birthplace of Charles Dickens. Walked around the historic docks and back to the George hotel - nice pub which Charles Dickens visited and we ate, drank and slept there too :)
The next day, spectacular Portsmouth views from the Spinnaker.
Love Al and Lyn xx

  

Salcombe to see Brodie and Win - Wednesday 11 April

We head to Salcombe another coastal town with a great harbour and estuary. It's a really sought after, picture postcard holiday destination with many homes in the million pounds plus category. I can't believe how  pretty and unspoiled the countryside is. We visit Lyn's former workmate Brodie and his 97 year old mum, Win, and spend the day chatting, site seeing and eating more hearty food!

A great day, seeing Brodie and Win and talking about local history was wonderful and we promise to come back in 2014 to celebrate Win's century.  Back to Hope Cove and zzzzz..... Last English breakfast for a while -  the sausage, bacon, egg, mushrooms, tomato and fried bread seem to go straight to the stomach. Weird eh?
Love Lyn and Al xx

Goodbye Wiltshire, Hello Hope Cove - Tuesday 10 April

Goodbye Wiltshire and goodbye to Kristy, Nikki, Alex and Andrew who train it back to London and work. To Hope Cove in Devon, a coastal village that looks like the one in Doc Martin. Thatched roof homes, the narrowest roads we've ever seen, kids swimming at the beach with their parents rugged up in jackets, scarves and beanies. The weather is fine but cool and the village is bewdiful. Another hearty meal and local ale. ........snore........
Love Lyn and Al xx

Easter! Sunday 8 April

A lovely slow day. Lynnie cooked a delicious baked dinner and we chillaxed around Worton. A walk in the countryside, down winding paths and past fields and old churches. Trip to the ‘Rose and Crown’ for a cleansing ale. To Bath tomorrow.

Love Al and Lyn xxx

Easter Sunday Bubbly!

Easter Sunday Lunch at Willow Tree Barn

The deck and stream at Willow Tree Barn

Worton 'Best Kept Village 2005'  :)

Bath and the Roman Baths - Monday 9 April

Now where were we when we last updated our blog?  Since Willow Tree Barn, we've done heaps of stuff so here goes: Monday 9 April, off to Bath to look through the magnificent Roman baths. How clever were those Roman planners? Spas, baths, ceremonial sites all in one big multi purpose site! Seriously though, the baths and the beautiful, historic City of Bath (a free 2 hour walking tour in the rain from a volunteer 'Mayor of Bath Honorary Guide') is magic.

Lyn + Al at the Roman Baths

Al at the Roman Baths