HYTHE, SOUTHAMPTON – 15th to 21st

This entry is a bit late; I make no apologies, we’ve just been having too good a time of it! Let’s face it; we’ve not had a day off since the beginning of September! Come on then, all together; Awwwww!

As such, this blog will be short and to the point in an effort to catch up.

Left Looe on a rainy morning and drove to Southampton. Then it was out to dinner with Anna and Shane. As usual we had a great time. I even got a chance to have a decent drink, He! He!

Sunday we took the ‘kids’ (Shane and Anna) to Bath for the day. We gave them a visit to the Roman Baths and Therma Spa as an early Christmas present. They, like us were blown away by the experience. Also, like ourselves they like experiences over material things and see them as much more valuable.

They have a gorgeous puppy named Randall. In a word; He’s nuts!!! He loves people and took to us straight away. Rain or shine he likes (and demands) his daily walks and we were privileged to go with him for his daily walks in the New Forest. He is obsessed with sticks and thinks nothing of carrying a stick twice his size home and then spending hours in the garden demolishing it!

Anna had to work as she couldn’t get the time of work (as a bed manager in Lymington) but Shane was off sick so was able to take us around.

We spent a day in Beaulieu, home of the Motor Museum. This houses the largest collection of cars imaginable.

The grounds and Manor are exceptionally well preserved and well worth a visit if in the area.

The weather was atrocious for most of our stay but we just got on with it. After all, I did want Julie to experience a winter Christmas. And she is doing so, even if it is rain and not snow. There’s not much sign of snow at the moment. Damn!

Took a day to visit Salisbury and had a look round Salisbury Cathedral.

I lived and worked there for 2 years, my job being assisting with the setting up of a home for mentally disadvantaged children.

I managed to find the unit and it’s still open so I guess I must have done a reasonable job 30 years ago.

We also made a trip to Stonehenge. Now that is an ‘under-whelming experience if ever there was one. But, as I explained to Julie, when in the area one must visit Stonehenge. Really, it’s just a few heavy rocks!

Being the 21^st of December, the winter solstice, the druids were in their caravans nearby preparing for ‘the end of the world’ no doubt. Seriously though, the arrangement of the stones is an interesting sight.

Hythe is a pretty town with a really nice harbour and marina.

As is Lymington. We went there for a drive and to do our last minute Christmas shopping.

All in all, it was a great week and it was fabulous to see Julie with her son. As for any mother, (and parent for that matter) the importance is undeniable. It was one of the highlights and very precious to be able to spent this time with family.

Shane and Anna were perfect hosts and our stay was by far superior to all our time recently spent in hotels.

I was delightful to be able to have a family dinner with family again and it was with great sadness that we departed on Friday morning to go to Eastbourne to pick up our grand-daughter and take her to London for a special Christmas treat.

More of that in the next blog!