We set off from Surrey before 6 am about ten days ago to avoid the horrid traffic on the M25 - my nightmare road! The plan, although inconvenient, worked and we were in Southwold, Suffolk with the lovely Ant and Ben by about 9.30. We had a quick restorative cuppa then went for a gorgeous walk along the seafront, past all the lovely little beach huts and on to the pier. A great morning continued when we got back to Ant and Ben's and all worked together on their NZ trip plans. They are heading over at the end of January and have a nice 5 week odyssey travelling in both islands.
Time then to be off up to Suzi and Mike's in South Walsham, Norwich. We had an all too-quick three days with them, walking, talking, cooking together and trying to convince them to emigrate to NZ - didn't work! Hopefully they'll come out for a visit before the girls (11, 9 and 5) get too much older.
Next on the agenda was Wales for about a day and a half - a real whistle-stop visit. We wanted to go back to Hay-on-Wye, a lovely little spot known as the "town of books" just crammed full of the most interesting book shops we have ever seen. That took up most of a day, just browsing and wandering around - a very pretty little town with a ruined castle overlooking it and in a very picturesque area. We stayed the night at a B&B in Builth Wells, famous for its Monday nights! The Builth Wells Male Voice Choir rehearses every Monday night at the Greyhound pub. Seen it, done it, bought the CD! (Well, they were actually so impressed that we had come to them all the way from NZ that they GAVE us the CD). A lovely night of entertainment and a first for both of us - listening to a very professional and experienced Welsh Male Choir. Lovely men - friendly, welcoming, interested about NZ, delighted that we had enjoyed the music and very proud of what they do. And free to boot!
On to Bristol where we had arranged to stay with my aunt who is now 82. We hadn't seen each other for 41 years at which point I was 16. We had never managed to be in the same country all these years although her daughter and I had met quite a few times and are in touch (another good reason why I am a Facebook fan). We spent quite some time catching up on 41 years' worth of news, as you can imagine. We had time also to have an explore around with 2 local, enthusiastic and free tour guides! We had a good look at Bristol and took a great little river cruise - an excellent way to get a feel for what we think is a lovely city. It was amazing and we really didn't want to leave!
Now we are in Wantage, just outside Oxford, where we are staying with Claire, an old and very dear friend (she told me to put that in!) and an ex-colleague. Already met up with Stephen and Lou and their three children, babies when we last saw them and now gorgeous, mature, intelligent and thoroughly nice people. Tomorrow we meet up with Mandy, Gary and their children and the next day, the lovely Serge and Caroline - all lovely, old Oxford friends from 11 years ago. These people were the ones who made Oxford and living there so special for us - we often talk about the Oxford days and having the opportunity to remember those days now with our friends is fabulous.
So, it's people time now, rather than places. We are feeling rather 'placed' out (not to mention 'spaced out') and are beginning to look forward to coming home and staying in the same place for more than 5 days! Besides which, the weather is rapidly deteriorating now, we are wearing sweatshirts almost every day and the daffodils are up in Hagley Park (Christchurch). NZ beckons!
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