2025 June - UK to NZ

The UK holiday continues

Tuesday 3rd June we picked up a rental car in Carlisle again so we could do a round trip to Dumfries & Galloway in Scotland called the South West 300, because it's 300 miles long.

 One of the highlights was stumbling across a Rotary evening at the Selkirk Hotel in Kirkcudbright by chance and being made very welcome to join them for their dinner and meeting. Passed through, and visited places like Dumfries (memorable morning tea at the railway station), Rockcliffe, Kippford (magnum from Mr Whippy van), stayed at Star Hotel Twynholm, out of Kirkcudbright, drove out to Mull of Galloway Lighthouse, visited Logan Botanical Gardens, lunched at The Mariner, Drummore, stopped at rainy Port Patrick, Stayed 2 nights at Shaun & Linda's B&B in Stranraer, had an early bird dinner at Landos Italian Restaurant, went up the coast to Girvan which had lots of seaweed and the most monstrous jellyfish on the beach, then on to Ayr, population 50,000, had lunch (Len had Cullen Skink and an Irn Bru) at Tam O'Shanter Inn built in 1749, being the oldest Pub in the area.

Girvan's jellyfish

Glenwhan Gardens

Girvan pub humour

Mull of Galloway headland

Then on Saturday 7th it was back to Penrith to catch up with Livvy & Jordan who were coming for the night, before moving on again to Joan & Normans especially so that Len could do some walking with Mark which he really enjoys - a good catch-up time for the two of them.  

L,T,F,J&N in St.Bees

Faye popped over one day to catch up with her friend as well as with Joan. Some of the things we did: Lunch at The Melbreak with Harold & June, lunch at Zest with Joan & Norman, dinner at Wetherspoons, a catch-up with John & Ros at Janet & Johns, a trip to Workington, walks around St Bees and along the beach.

Then it was back to Faye & Pauls for 3 more nights before it was time to leave for home, staying in the Budget Ibis at Manchester Airport before we caught our flight, arriving back in Christchurch on Thursday 19th June.

Getting Heidi up and running again

It was great to be met at Christchurch airport by Helen & Bill with their second car for us to use for a few days in case Heidi wasn't immediately operational after coming out of storage. Fortunately Heidi leapt straight back to life although the water pump wasn't working and all our clothes were very very damp. We had wrongly thought that with the double glazing everything would have been fine but being all closed up the moisture we left from living in it had nowhere to go. Next time we'll need lots of Damprid or something similar and maybe park further north. Len managed to fix the water pump the next day (the dump valve had actuated due to low temperature) whilst it was a couple of days before I had the clothes washed and dried. It was catch-up time for phone calls, emails, shopping at Hornby for such things as warm pyjamas for us both and Crocs for Len.

We had a couple of nights at Weedon's NZMCA Park, then on the Saturday we picked up our friend, Sandy, to take her to Helen & Bills for morning tea. I found her spread-eagled on the floor where it seems she had been for about an hour, unable to get up and forgetting that she had a help button around her neck. Fortunately she hadn't any injuries and I managed to get her up with the help of one of the staff, none of whom are trained to do anything like that, even though all the people in the Retirement Village are elderly. You are expected to call for outside help. Sandy was still keen to go for morning tea so after getting her washed and dressed we made it to Helens about an hour later and had a lovely morning catching up. We returned the car, for which we were very grateful, and drove to the Woolston Club for the night enjoying a walk along the Heathcote River before a roast dinner at the Club, afterwards watching the Crusaders vs the Chiefs rugby match in Heidi.

Heathcote River

Out and about around Christchurch

Atop the "Gondola"

View of Littleton from "Gondola" 

Len had a Singapore Airlines voucher that we could use on the Christchurch Gondola Discovery Ride on Mount Cavendish. It was good to wander up and down the tracks and orientate ourselves with the widespread views from the walk and the Cafe where we had a coffee and a shared scone.

Our stop for the night was at Ralston's Rest POP where we could park behind the owner's house on his large grassy section where there was already a big bus and a caravan. Unfortunately Heidi got stuck when we drove down the back to fill up with water and no amount of wood or planks were any help in budging her. Nick, a policeman, who was our neighbour in the big bus called up his friend with a 4WD police wagon to tow us out but by then our battery was flat! Luckily Gary, the POP owner, had a battery charger so we could put it on charge overnight. We invited Nick in for a drink but it was a cold evening and he decided that it would be much more cosy in his bus. We were hit by a heat wave when we climbed in as he had a roaring fire going in his wood burner and we both tried to choose a spot to sit as far away from it as possible. It was certainly efficient but not something that I would ever feel comfortable with in a bus.

"I've learned my lesson, officer"

Our battery was all charged up by morning and nifty Nick pulled us out easily with the police vehicle which we were very grateful for. Luckily he can't have had too many crimes to attend to that day and luckily we knew he liked Guinness.

Once on the road again we played 9 holes of golf at the Lincoln course being too late in the day for Len to fit 18 in. The ground was very very muddy and it was a big job to clean the wheels on our golf trundlers with no hose available. Then it was back to Weedons, where we knew we wouldn't get stuck, for 3 more nights. Our battery was quite old so we decided it was time for it to be replaced with a new one the next day at Newlands Auto Electrical in Rolleston. 

Small & cosy with blankets supplied

From there we had an interesting experience by going to the The Laboratory, a Pub in Lincoln where we had drinks, a pizza, a very filling delicious chocolate brownie sundae and watched the movie "Chuck Chuck Baby" in their comfortable, boutique 15 seat theatre with just 2 others there. It was a great night with the quirky, airy rustic-chic setting and buzzing atmosphere in the character-filled Pub.

On Wednesday the 25th we played golf at Burnham, a flat open course with wide fairways and no bunkers that we could remember. Just 9 holes for me as I was still playing very badly and was tired from so many swings, but Len continued on to do 18 even though he was starting to feel unwell - the beginning of a flu with a very bad cough.

The next day, after doing the circuit around Christchurch on the tram which we have done before but was part of our Singapore Airlines voucher, we decided that South Brighton Holiday Park would be a good place to put down an anchor for the next 4 nights so Len could recuperate - a very friendly camp with hardly anyone else there, being winter, although there did seem to be some permanents far down the back of the camp. 

Nicely nestled

This area of Christchurch was hugely affected by the earthquake and liquefaction with many houses being irreparably damaged. I can see it becoming popular in the future however with the cheaper housing and its great beach location. Whilst there we did some walking along the beach as well as a walk around the estuary to the bridge and back along the beach to the camp. The highlight was our visit to the new Hot Pools at South Brighton - very good and very popular with 4 pools each being at a different temperature. And it was only $8 each - amazing.

The downside of the camp was the washing machine with our washing coming out looking dirtier than when I put it in and the oven - a very old one which took half an hour to get up to temperature before I could put my date and orange scones in and then seemed to totally lose heart by not being able to hold the temperature at all - it just seemed to get colder and colder. I had to try and finish them in my gas oven but because I couldn't wait for it to properly get up to temperature they ended up still a bit stodgy in the middle - a shame as it's normally a delicious recipe. A disaster all round though we still enjoyed the flavour.

Len's flu with a very productive cough was really taking hold so we did feel a bit guilty when we took the bus into Christchurch to visit the Quake Museum which was excellent - it really brings home to you just how terrifying it was for so many people, the videos being especially helpful with this. It was easy to spend a couple of hours there. Afterwards, before returning to the bus station, we had soup at The Apron Cafe over the road - we enjoyed the soup but the building was absolutely freezing and we did keep wondering why we had stayed. 

 

My bookclub book for the month had been sent to Helen so the next day, keeping as far away from Helen as possible in case I was getting Len's bug, I picked up the book and some yummy pumpkin soup from her. I traded some of my scones which Helen was kind enough to say were delicious and asked for the recipe! I'll make her some decent ones one day! Kaiapoi NZMCA Park seems to be a bit of a magnet for us and that's where we headed back to for more recuperation time for Len and ultimately for me also.

2025 May - Europe

Time is counting down as we fly over to the UK/Brittany on May 6th and we need to make sure that our mobile home is ready for storage with fresh food depleted, the fridge emptied, washing done, clothes sorted and Heidi ready for 7 weeks alone, in the open, at Weedons NZMCA Park.

Preparing to store Heidi and take off!

May 1st - It was raining all day again today and there was a lot of flooding around Christchurch with Akaroa being cut off so we stayed another night on the hard surface car park at New World catching up with indoor things and only really venturing out to the Laundromat, Hairdresser and for a First Table dinner at Saigon Sister all practically next door and all very good. The next day we had a lovely lunch with our friends Helen & Bill after picking up our old flatmate, Sandy, so she could join us. That night we accidentally ended up at the Papanui Club, which isn't in our NZMCA directory, instead of the RSA which we had planned but it was no problem and we were made to feel welcome.  As an aside it was free to stay here whereas we would have paid $30 at the RSA. The Papanui Club rooms are new and huge, the original building having been damaged in the earthquake, and it was buzzing. We were being picked up by Helen & Bill to go to see Ben Elton ($100 each) so we had a nice meal earlier at the club being surprised to be tapped on the shoulder by Lukas, a Rotary friend, who used to live in Whakatane but now lives in Christchurch - it's a small world and it was good to have a catch-up. I think Len enjoyed Ben Elton more than me - I found the first half funny but for me he could have stopped there as the second half seemed to go on and on and I found it hard to stay in the moment.

The big wash!

Over the weekend we did things like getting Heidi washed at CleanCo Truck Wash which left us $158 poorer but it was worth it, defrosting the fridge, boxing contents from the fridge for Helen & Bill, cleaning and packing. It was a relief to finally get Heidi parked in the storage end of the Park, be kindly picked up by H&B so we could stay at their house for the night and be delivered to the airport on Monday morning to catch our Singapore Airlines Flight to Manchester. Thank you H&B!

We chose our return flights to allow for 6 Hours in Changi Transit Hotel. Trish had a flare-up of COPD/Asthma/Cough on the plane, so started antibiotics and prednisone, as very breathless.

Catching up with UK Family

P,T,F&L in Penrith

Four nights at Fayes in Penrith, then we picked up a rental car in Carlisle and headed to St. Bees.

 

Jude

Isla, Tracy & Kaitlin

Four nights with Joan & Norman. Len met Kaitlin's son, Jude; his fifth great grandchild. Caught up with Elaine & John. Sunday Roast at Shepherds Arms with Joan & Norman. Walk around Loweswater and a little lunch in the very old, character-filled Kirkstile Inn, dinner with Mark & Family in Wetherspoons, walk around Buttermere.

Off to France

2 nights back at Faye & Pauls, then train from Penrith to Euston, London, tube to Victoria, train to Gatwick to fly to Rennes, Brittany. 2 Buses to get to Dinard for Home Exchange stay for 10 nights. Could use credit card on the bus from the airport but needed cash for local buses. Arrived at about 8.30pm and met by host's friend, Regine. No Wifi!! Perfect apartment up in the roof space right in the village and a few metres from the beach and fabulous coastal path - so scenic with blue sea, yachts, boats, little islands and lots of people. People swimming but water temp only 14 degrees. Watched Eurovision one night, hoping that the French girl, Louanne, would win but unfortunately it wasn't to be. 

View from appartment

There was a huge market just down the road - a nice egg plant dish from there for dinner with some huge pasta  thrown in by the vendor. With easy access to the GR34  trail we did walks to St Lunaire - 2.5 hrs with photo stops (bus back), St Malo (12 km and approx 3.5 hours having lots of steps  towards end) quirky Pubs, caught Red Ferry to St Malo also, hopped on the little scenic train through the walled city, walked around ramparts. 

Dinan Port

Dinard to St. Lunaire

Hired bikes to ride to Dinan, getting slightly lost a couple of times. Stopped in Pleurtuit for almond croissants after having difficulty finding a coffee shop. Lunch of galettes on the edge of the river at the port, below Dinan. Walked to top of Rue du Jerzual - pretty steep but so much character to admire in all the very old buildings. 

What goes down....

Bussed to Dinan next day so we would have more time there for exploring - visited the Castle, the Garden of The Little Devils, went on Le Petit Train through the city and enjoyed eating especially the the delicious croissants au almonds from our local patisserie and the ready made dinners at our local boulangerie, both a few steps away.

After catching the bus to St Lunaire we did the oh so picturesque walk along the coast to St Briac where we had the most superb vegetarian pizza with aubergine, artichoke etc at the lovely Restaurant Tchanquetas being served by a delightful waiter. Best pizza ever, rivalling one we had in France years and years ago. Did many walks around Dinard and found our evening drinks in our local bar, Le Skipper, interesting -  must have been a gay bar as many of the males were very "touchy-feely".

After 10 glorious days we had to catch 2 buses back to Rennes, which is just a small airport, to fly back to London. It was rather sad to leave.

London for a short interlude

We had a couple of nights in London as I was looking forward to catching up with my grandson, Jack, but sadly it ended up being just an Instagram chat as Jack was pretty sick with a flu, fever and cough and we thought meeting up would be a bit risky. The apartment we stayed in was a bit of a shock at first as we had to walk down narrow, steep outside steps to get into the basement where there were 3 tiny apartments. We had no windows, just a skylight and it seemed smaller than Heidi. However it was new and clean and had everything we needed apart from some space.

Ghostly spectres

The next day we walked to Madame Tussauds which was amazing and I loved it - so much better than I expected. We would have spent a couple of hours there. They now have a Taxi Cab tour called The Spirit of London taking you through life in London from the 1600's to the present day. Afterwards we had a delicious lunch in a cafe on the way to the British Museum where we spent another 2-3 hours - it was hard to pull Len away from their Egyptian section to see other exhibits! 

Taking ET home

So many treasures in one place!

After getting back to our "mousehole" we had a beer and pizzas at The Smugglers Inn, 2 doors away, quietly trying to give clues to the young people at our table who had entered the Pub Quiz and didn't seem to know much.

Back up North

Wednesday the 28th May we travelled back up to Faye & Pauls in Penrith where we blobbed out for a few days, watched The Salt Path movie at Rehged, walked up the big hill to the Beacon plus a few more local walks and enjoyed just being with Len's family and sitting in the garden on sunny days.

J,L,F,T&L in Penrith