Archive - Kaz & Phils Blog

A bank holiday weekend and a great excuse to get away with friends Lyn worked her magic and came up with a hotel in High Wycombe at a very sensible price - too good to turn down!! We stayed at the Uplands De Vere in High Wycombe. Reviews had warned us that this was a recently acquired de vere venue and it was in need of a refurb but really at the price we were willing to take the chance. It's set in extensive grounds and has a lovely old manor house which houses a bar, reception and conference rooms. The rooms are a later addition, at a guess around the 70's. They are a little outdated and ours was in the tower, strange layout with lots of wood and very large windows. No wardrobe but hanging space in the bathroom and should the blinds be up a very nice view from the toilet! However, they were comfortable enough.

We arrived around the same time as Lyn and Al who had already found a very nice pub for lunch, we sat outside in the sunshine while Lesley & Andrew were making their way down the M6. It was so nice we decided to book for the evening. Back at the hotel we settled into the lounge to take advantage of the complimentary coffee and biscuits. Lesley & Andrew arrived in time for a quick chat before we all departed to freshen up for the evening.

Suitably smartened up we headed off to the Polecat Inn courtesy of Lyn driving and a seven seater, where Phil decided the seat in the boot was perfect for him, in fact he wouldn't sit anywhere else all weekend! The meal was superb, all of us having something different and no one disappointed. The portions were large and very enjoyable washed down with a couple of drinks. Back at the hotel it was a nightcap or two in the bar before sleep was needed.

After a very good breakfast watching the rain we decided on a trip to Henley-On-Thames as it was only 8 miles away. We all piled into Lyn's car again, set the sat nav and a short time later found oursleve in Henley Turville!! Still it was very pretty with lanes as narrow as those in Cornwall. Setting the sat nav again we finally ended up in Henley On Thames just as the rain stopped. We spent a couple of hours wandering the tow path up to the weir and lock gate, cameras clicking merrily as this is such a pretty place. Suitably footsore and in need of alcohol we headed back to town and found a pub with a garden and as it was Weatherspoons very cheap too. Sat in the sun chatting all the while tucking into shared plates of greek dips and nachos not to mention the onion rings Finally we headed back to the car and a trip into Marlow. After Henley we were all a little disappointed in Marlow as it wasn't anywhere near as nice.

Back at the hotel it was time for coffee in the lounge while we decided what to do in the evening. Before long we were all heading off to freshen up. Al had found the address of a local brewers fayre so after a drink in the bar where Ben our very attentive barman had rustled up six comfortable chairs for us in the bay window we set off again, one wrong turn and a circuit of the town later we arrived at our destination. Another very nice meal and a drink and we were on our way back to the hotel bar so our driver could embibe a couple of well earned Baileys. We had all joked about the saga party who were staying but all to soon we were needing our beds too.

Woke up to a sunny morning and a final breakfast before we all parted for home. Phil and I stopped off in Windsor for a walk and a coffee and were home by lunch time as it was such a short drive for us. It was a really lovely weekend and in just three weeks or so we'll all be on our favourite island in the sunshine so no jumpers needed then