Europe Day 29 - the Windsor apartment

Sunday June 25

Happy Birthday, Jane!

Happy Birthday, Stephen!

The oldest and the youngest of James' siblings have a birthday on the same day.
Many happy returns of the day!

 

I can never get enough of walking around in the gardens. I think I didn't take enough photos there though. 

We went to the service at Christchurch Priory again. Afterwards we went to coffee time and met some of Kate and Dave's friends. All very nice. 

Kate had put a chicken in the oven before we left and it roasted while we were gone. 

We kept saying again and again how lucky we had been with the weather the whole time. What can be nicer then sitting outside and enjoying a sherry or ginger wine before lunch?

 

 

And pudding! I learned about the meringues Kate makes. I must try them sometime at home. But I will not have raspberries out of the garden yummy!

 

 

And soon we were on our way back to Windsor. You never know how long it will take you. Because of the traffic but we were lucky. Almost there. 

 

For the three nights James had booked an apartment for us online. First we thought that it was a tad on the expensive side but you would expect that in a town like Windsor. Later we discovered that the reservation had been quoted in Euros and not Pounds. Dealing with three different currencies can get confusing.
Parking was an issue so we went into the parkhouse around the corner until we were sorted out. 

 

33 Albany Street. The proprietor (or manager) was waiting for us. He told us that he had upgraded us because he had a last minute cancellation. We were now supposed to be on the first level. Come in the front door first door on the right is a livingroom (key for that). Second door on the right a bedroom (key for that). Straight ahead a large kitchen (don't really need it) and on the left underneath the stairs a bathroom. Bathroom? Really? Not even I could go in there without bending down (a lot). And how do you sit on the potty with your feet in the steps and your knees underneath your chin?

 

 

We were not happy. James asked to see "our original booked apartment" and it was much better. First story with a key into the livingroom and steps up into the loft with bathroom. The shower was excellent. 

 

 

 

 

I called out every time James was on his way up and down "mind your head" and soon he started to announce that himself. 

 

Location, location, location. It could not be more convenient close to the bottom of Peascod Street and walking to Jane's house. James relocated the rented car into Jane's driveway and all was well. 

We spent the rest of the day at Jane's house with Helen and William there too ... until we walked back to Albany Street. 

Happy Birthday, Jane. Nice that we could celebrate a little with you. 

Europe Day 28 - Christchurch

Saturday June 24

Everybody had a good night's sleep. Catherine, Olivia and Edward love being at their grandparents' house. 

Breakfast!

 

Jimmo (Kate & Dave's son) loves being an uncle and takes the three to the aquatic center for a swim. Dave drives Kate, James and me through the New Forest. We stop in a little village to walk around and have a cup of coffee. Kate is very disappointed that there are no wild ponies walking around in the village because they often do. 

 

 

But when we continue to drive we do see a lot and some quite close. 

 

 

 

Roads are so typical. Some are so narrow that you hope nobody comes towards you. Well, at some point somebody did and Dave had to drive backwards to a point when both could pass. 

In the first picture we came to a fork without any signs. Which way to go?

 

 

Back home Sarah did FaceTime with us. Catherine, Olivia and Edward were delighted and so was Caleb. We saw Colin on the move and Owen being Owen. Ah, technology is great (most of the time).

We all had lunch. Very happy that we could have it outside again. 

 

The children entertain themselves. Olivia has the reputation for hanging upside down in trees. I wonder whether that is right, ha-ha. 

 

 

Jo and Simon came to collect their children. They had had an adventure of their own this morning canoeing on the sea. It got quiet when they were gone. 

But we had plans. We walked the public footpath to Tesco over the bridge over the river Test because we needed something. 

 

 

 

Tesco is a major chain. I love to look around and see what is being done differently. Because of environmental concerns there are not any free plastic bags. 

 

From there we walk on to Jimmo's flat. James and I had never seen it so we all got invited for tea. 

 

 

His bachelor pad on the second floor is very nice. 

 

We walk back and relax. 

We had made reservations for 7 pm in a restaurant which used to be the old train station. It was very cute. 

Avon Causeway in Hurn 

 

For starters we had a baked Brie which was enjoyed by all. Very very nice. 

James' main course was pork medallions with a peppercorn sauce. He enjoyed it very much. You can eat the flowers too, the petals and not the thick part of them. 

 

I had free-range chicken with avocado salad which was very good. I thought the edible flowers were fun. 

 

We had a great time. David offered a night-cup at home and of course we had a lot to chat about. You can always reminisce about previous vacations together and family events. There had also been something strange happen at the next table in the restaurant which kept us guessing. 

Europe Day 27 - Row by Rows and Christchurch

Friday June 23

We are so lucky on this trip that we have nice summer weather. Too hot as the Germans and the English are saying but not really for us. And luckily it cools off in the nights with the windows open. And luckily so far no mosquitos either. 

Our B&B lady, I think her name was Margaret, had asked the day before what we would like for breakfast and when. She had shown us where our table would be and there also hung a menu. All very organized. James had a full English and since I am avoiding pork I had smoked salmon and scrambled egg. Very nice. Her husband Cyril brought it to the three tables and got everything right. Very nice people.

 

We left the house through the back to the carport which could be reached from the side alley. 

There were 4 places in the carport and we had been the first to arrive. The other two guest couples blocked us in but everybody was very nice and moved their cars. Soon we were on the road. 

We were on our way back to Christchurch and didn't really have an agenda. Since Wednesday had been the first day for Row by Row (see link) James was so nice to take me to two this day. 

The first was Purple Stitches in Basingstoke. It was in an industrial district (number 35) and quite difficult to find. But it was interesting. I am holding the sample.

 

The second one was even more difficult to find. Our GPS couldn't find the Quilters Dream in Andover. We had to ask somebody and when we put in "Picket Piece" the GPS knew. You have to go up some steps on the side of the building to the second story. The lady was very nice though and we had a good chat. 

Stonehenge

 

After that we continued to Christchurch but the GPS unfortunately directed us via Winchester and not Salisbury. We came to a traffic jam but were lucky to exit at the last minute. We had quickly decided to drive through the New Forest. We probably didn't save any time but it was very pleasant. 

We arrived at Kate and David's just in time to have a cup of tea before Kate had to go and get her grandchildren. They were spending the night. It was great fun to see them again too. 

 

David is the pastry maker in the family and the quiche was delicious.

Olivia had a cooking lesson in school today and brought her results: bread pudding. It also was very good. 

 

Kate didn't know that "pudding" (what dessert is called) was coming and had made a flan with raspberries from her garden. Ha-ha, we had two puddings. What a life!

Kate, Catherine, Olivia and I played a game of Chinese checkers. Much fun. 

 

The children went to bed. We chatted a little longer. And then ... night night.