Allsorts

Late flight back to Luton and when we got back to Harpenden had a lovely surprise birthday cake made by Liz.

The following day we packed up again and drove up to Rushden to stay the night at Nick and Linda’s. We had a lovely meal in Wetherspoons then went to see Nicks brothers band perform.

The Ouse Valley Singles. It was a very entertaining night and last time we had seen them was in the mud in Wales! 

Charlie and Nick.

Back to Harpenden to watch The Ruby World Cup in-front of the fire.

Mike and Liz have taken on an allotment just across from their house. Beautiful sunny day but bloody freezing 🥶 

They have 6 of these plots. They are gong to plant potatoes onions and cut flowers.

Sunday-off to The Old School House in Upper Sundon where Jude cooked my favourite-roast. A great afternoon and evening. 

It’s getting cold.

Had a big walk from Harpenden across Nomansland Common to Sandridgebury for a sausage roll at the farm shop. It’s Monday and it was closed! What a disappointment. 

Tuesday-woke up to pack and get ready to hit the road again for New Milton. I turned funny and pulled a muscle by my shoulder blade. It was so painful and at one stage I thought I was having a heart attack! Got to the physio which was the same one who sorted David out years ago when he hurt his back. Hot and cold packs for me and painkillers.

Went via Christchurch to see Malcolm. Val was on The Isle of Mull seeing her brother who is very ill 😔

Arrived in New Milton for a few nights to stay with my 2nd cousin Clive and Janet. He has installed a stair lift which made it easier for our suitcase to go upstairs. 

Clive in his office.

Clive and Janet with their Motorhome. Glad to see them still enjoying life to the full. They are off to Spain for 3 months in December. 

The motorbike and handmade side car is going to Spain with them too. They are such characters! 



New Milton high Street where David got a new winter coat from a charity shop! It’s never been worn what a find. £25. Certainly need it as it’s getting very very cold now.

At the Needles Cafe in Barton-on-Sea. 

Had some evening entertainment from Clive.

Drove over to Val’s in Christchurch. Malcolm came home from work for lunch and Val put on a lovely spread. Lots of laughter and tears. Life is very unfair-Val has cancer of the womb and is waiting for an operation (19th Nov).

Packed up again and had a horrible wet drive to Bridport in Dorset to stay with David and Sheila.

Tizzy 💕

Ella watching the Ruby world Cup with David. Shame England lost.

Shopping with Sheila. 

All went for a walk down The Bay.

West Bay. Nice to see some sun.









David Briggs-best hairdresser ever.

Yep it’s Sunday again. Sheila makes a great roast.

Some of their family came to see us in the evening.



Washing!

Walked the Dogs down the bay. 

Getting in practice for when we house and dog sit for them in January when they go to Cyprus. We cannot believe how close to the edge the path is on these cliffs! 

Bye David & Sheila until next time. Off now back to Christchurch and New Milton.

On the way we stopped and looked at some Camper vans and Motorhomes. We think another Motorhome is the way to go when we come back next year.  



Cannot believe you can buy fireworks 🧨 in the shops here! How exciting.

Settled back in at Clive and Janet’s then had a long walk around Burley in The New Forest. The autumnal colours were amazing. 









Some New Forest ponies wondering around the village.

Haha these 2 better watch out standing outside the butchers!!







Lots of berries on the holly usually means a white Christmas-it feels cold enough already. So jealous of how hot it is at home. 

Had a coffee here.

Jude and Kath traveled down to Christchurch to see Val before her op so we all met up for a fish pie supper. Cheers Val. It’s a small world Kath is good friends with Lana who used to work with Mum. 

Later in the evening David and Malc played in the garden with the fireworks like little boys and put on a show for us. 

Me Kath Jude & Val.

Back at Clive and Janets I made dinner for them and couldn’t believe the old fashioned scales I had to use! 

Looked at lots more motorhomes.





Drove down to Mudeford Quay. 

Clive & Janet. They are such good company. 

In the evening C&J’s son Charles and wife Mandy came to meet us for the first time. It was like we had always known them. 



Next morning we packed up again to go back to Harpenden but first met Val and Malc at the very lovely Cliffhanger Cafe in Highcliffe for a delicious brunch.

Malc and Val 

Me and Val.

After breakfast we hit the road again and drove back to Harpenden. Not a pleasant drive!

Mike andLiz had invited friends over for lunch so I dug in to help. 

I met 2 lovely couples whom David hadn’t seen for 34 years!!! 

The next day we spent with Ali who walks her nieces dogs every day. 

The colours are stunning this time of year.

We picked up Ellie from Breachwood Green School and she wanted us to have matching colours. This is her favourite and I used to wear it all the time!!! YSL

Next day we drove over to Mick and Liz’s daughter’s (Emma) house in Leighton Buzzard to do some work. 

We got off all the loose render and re rendered.

Emma and David have recently had all new windows put in so David rendered where the door had been.



Unfortunately we didn’t finish the job but we will go back to finish it soon. We will add a piece of timber along the top then paint both walls a lovely textured white.



Filled a few bags of fallen leaves. I love jobs like that.

That evening we went over to Barton-Le-Clay to see David and Kara’s new kitchen it’s magnificent. Jessica and Jake are growing up quickly and are adorable.



We celebrated big David’s birthday with a fish and chip supper.

David with sister Katie-glamorous as always. Tomorrow we will be packing up again and heading for Speyton in Devon to visit Susan and Peter at Chapelthorne. We have told them to get a jobs list ready for us as we love keeping busy.