Day 6

Monday May 30, 2022

Today was a day of travel again. I can't remember whether I mentioned that James had gone (either Saturday or Sunday) up town to Windsor & Eton Central Station and bought train tickets to Bournemouth. He also got a printout of the timetable. We were supposed to start at 10:05 am but our connection in Slough was only 3 minutes and James was worried that this might be tight not knowing to which platform we had to hurry.

We were ready in good time so decided to go early and see whether we could take an earlier train. We only had one suitcase to drag up this time and were in good timing. Time to say good-bye to Jane. See you in a week. The train just arrived, we got in and were on our way. I tried to take a photo of the castle but was not successful from the moving train. If you know the area you know where it is in this picture. But ... not good. I find it always exciting being on the train and seeing it ... coming or going.

About 6 minutes to Slough. Ha-ha, we didn't know that the connection was on the same platform but on the other side. It would have been no problem. Again we caught an earlier train. No long wait but enough time to discover this special waiting room. Very special wall paper. So unexpected.

About 25 minutes to Reading. We had now accumulated about an 1hour. Our next train left at 10:52 am. We had a good walk-about. The train was quite fancy with WiFi. People around us were very friendly and chatty. Punctual at 12:13 pm we arrived in Bournemouth and David waited to pick us up. 

Lunch time, discussion about our arrangements for tomorrow, family chat. At 2:30 Kate suggested though a walk at the beach. We had not been to this beach before and of course it was interesting and fun. Their son Jim came too. He works for the school system and they have spring break right now. 

A surprising number of people was there and some even in the ocean. Children digging in the sand. Some of the huts were open and fun to look into while walking past. Those huts have incredible value, some as much as a little house for us in the US. 

Jim pointed out the goats on the slopes which are the living lawn mowers. 

A part of the path went through lots of these yellow blooming bushes. So pretty.

That walk was just great and what we needed. So much sitting today.

Back at the house we worked on arrangements for our vacation again. Tomorrow Kate, David, James and I are flying to Ireland for a week. All sounded so simple in the beginning. They booked the flight to Dublin and back for the 4 of us at a very reasonable price with Ryan Air. Unfortunately since then there were stumbling blocks several times. 

James and I were supposed to find the house to rent which turned out a bit more difficult too. All airbnb seemed to be already taken. Finally we got lucky and are looking forward to it. Realizing that we can't use our smart phone GPS in Ireland without wifi I take photos of the route description because we can look at the photos while driving. Ha-ha, there is always a plan B. 

Then it was dinner time. David had cooked a most delicious meal on the grill for 8.

Their daughter Jo with her girls Catherine and Olivia had come to visit with us. It was so nice to see all. We had lively talks and a lot of fun.

We even did a little bit of facetime with William because he had just texted to me.

This is the "original" Tuffy and I sent the photo to Caleb.

When they needed to leave we had to see them off. Catherine had just received her drivers license and was driving home.

 Ah, I hope this beautiful sky is a good omen for tomorrow.