Kaz & Phils Blog

This time last year we made our first trip to Bury and liked it so much we have been since just for the shopping!

Our like minded Zante friends had organised another get together so as it was a bank holiday weekend we were able to join them. We drove up early on Saturday morning and met Lyn and Al at the Trafford Centre where Lyn and I indulged ourseleves in the shoe shops As I said to Phil my new shoes were definitely a case of buy one, get one free! Easy to justify two pairs of shoes if you need to  We eventually tore ourselves away from the shops and retreated to a bar where we met up with Joanne who had been doing a little retail therapy herself. Later in the afternoon we checked into the Village Inn and just chilled. In the evening we went out for a meal which was very nice and then we were wilting having been up at 5.30 so an early night was in order.

Sunday morning we decided to explore Bury and spent an hour or so sheltering from the rain in the shopping centre. At lunch time we headed back to the hotel to met up with everyone else for a very nice afternoon of food, chat and the odd drink!  By the time everyone had headed for home we had been in the bar for over eight hours so I guess the management will frogive us for moving all the tables and chairs to accommodate our rather large party as their till must have clocked up several pounds

It was so nice to see some familiar faces and to meet some new ones. There was a lot of chit chat about our favourite island and when people were going or should I say how many sleeps left to departure day!

After a good nights sleep we were up and packed for the trip back but not before a last breakfast with Lyn and Al. The trip home was swift and traffic jam free so we were back in Southampton at lunch time. It was rain most of the way back but the sun was out at home so we have been sitting in the garden, or should I say I have been observing Phil doing some gardening
Here are a few pics from a truly relaxing weekend

Looking back over my blog it does seem we are creatures of habit and having given it a bit of thought I make no apology for that. We do have our favourite places and as a weekend break out of the UK Caen is hard to beat as its so accessible from where we live so not all weekend is spent travelling giving us time to enjoy the cruise across the water and loads of time in France.

So we left Portsmouth on a grey Friday morning half an hour early as their weren't too many people and vehicles to load. Great views of the Victory, Warrior and the Spinnaker tower on the way out. We settled in a cosy corner of the bar and read for much of the way over taking time out for a drink and some lunch. On arrival in Caen we headed off to the supermarket to stock up on wine and goodies for the summer and within in an hour the car was garaged for the weekend and we were sitting outside le Grillon in the sun with a beer - perfect.

Friday evening we strolled up the Vageaux quarter and L'embroche for a truly excellent meal followed by the sheer novelty of sitting outside a bar late at night with a coffee and not shivering!

Saturday morning we were up bright and early and set off to do a little shopping and sightseeing in Caen city centre. It was a gorgeous hot day so we were more than happy to sit in the sun enjoying lunch with a glass of wine. Unfortunately I underestimated just how hot it was and ended up with a pink nose and a t-shirt tan. In the evening we returned to L'embroche and another great evening.

Sunday morning came round all too soon and after a walk round the market buying our fruit and veg for the coming week it was time to get back in the car and head out of town. We stopped at Sword Beach, had coffee and then took a long walk making the most of the sunshine. It is here that we feel close to my Mum who loved this area so much, we spent a few minutes having a 'little chat' with her and remembering the great times we had all spent together. We miss her every day but our little trips to this part of france are our way of remembering her enjoying life to the full and giving us all a laugh a long the way.

We opted for lunch in France rather than dinner on the ferry so walked up into Riva Bella and found a great restuarant and sat outside on the terrace people watching and enjoying our meal washed down, of course, with a glass of wine.

All too soon it was time to board the ferry back to Portsmouth, no sun set as it was cloudy but a smooth crossing arriving back bang on schedule at 22:30 tired but happy and of course with a few photos

By bye Portsmouth

Hello Caen

Our taxi!

Sword beach, what a lovely way to spend an hour just walking along the shore