Kaz & Phils Blog

Another bank holiday weekend and we just had to get away! So at stupid o'clock on Saturday morning we headed off west, great run in record time until we got to Jamaica Inn and the traffic ground to a halt. Nipped off for a coffee and still the jam was there so it took another hour to our exit to Sue & Reg's. Dropped off the saddle, (long story!), and had a reviving coffee with Sue. Made arrangements to meet later and then headed off to Truro. Lunch outside a bar in the sun was a bonus and then we headed off for retail therapy to make sure Phil is looking his best in Thassos.

Eventually we arrived at the Carglaze Travel Inn and were delighted to find we had been allocated a room with a view.

We met up with Sue & Reg in the evening starting with drinks in the sunshine and a great meal in the restaurant next door to us, lots of chat and catching up as we last saw them at Christmas.

Sunday morning soon came around and yes 'sunny Jim '  was alive and well in Cornwall!  Fresh air and exercise was the order of the day so the Lost Gardens of Heligan was our destination. We often drop in there for coffee but it was several years since we walked the gardens, at Christmas it was just so cold. The sun was still shining as we took the path down to the Jungle and Lost Valley, superb and some good photo opportunities. Around mid day we trudged uphill all the way to the productive gardens and Victorian pleasure ground by which time we were in need of a breather. After a bottle of water it was off to explore the rest of the garden. We were delighted at how the whole of Heligan has evolved over the years and although busy we never felt overwhelmed with other people on our heels.

After several hours we were just about done not to mention extremely hot, could this really be the Uk?  Mevagissey had a pirates weekend on raising funds for RNLI so we drove the short distance and parked up just outside. After a pasty on the quay we had a wander round finishing with a cold drink in the Sharksfin, a perfect spot for some people watching.

Sunday evening was lovely, a short walk across to the pub, drinks on the terrace drinking in the view of St Austell Bay followed by a very nice meal. All the fresh air caught up with us and it was an early night. Monday morning was a little cloudy as we packed up the car and headed to Padstow to stock up on pasties. Enjoyed a pleasant walk around and then all too soon it was time to head home. All the way back we kept saying just one more day would have been good...........

 As usual some pics

With the prospect of a nice long weekend we headed north to meet Al & Lyn at the Trafford centre for a little retail therapy.  Much to our dismay the lovely shoe shop was no more, a sigh of relief from Phil & Al but not for long as we soon found bargains in another  After a quick look round and a purchase or two it was time for a reviving drink.   We then headed off to the Village Inn in Bury and checked in. 

Our dear friends Joanne & Steve have had their world turned upside down with the sudden loss of their beautiful son Daniel and we so wanted to see them both and give them a big hug so made our way to Stockport to see them.  We spent some time sitting in the garden and having a chat.  Words are so inadequate.................

We spent a very nice evening in the Waterfold enjoying some good food before the early start to the day caught up with us all and we headed off for an early night.

Sunday morning after a very good breakfast we headed off to Windemere arriving in time for a much needed coffee sitting on the deck of a bar taking in the views.  After wandering around for a couple of hours it was back into the car and off to Ambleside for lunch.  We were sitting in a garden overlooking the lake with a beer when a quick shower hit us driving us inside for lunch.  The setting of the Wateredge Inn is amazing and we all felt it was somewhere on the list for a weekend break.  After lunch we moved on again to Coniston Water skirting the edge of the lake through some wonderful scenery and finally pulling off the road for ice creams in the most picturesque and quiet spot.  All too soon it was back to the motor way and back to Bury,

After a reviving shower we walked across to the Waterfold to meet some friends for a very nice meal and some good old chit chat.  All the fresh air, not to mention the odd glass of wine eventually caught up and it was time for bed.  Our sleep was rudely interrupted when the fire alarm went off around 3.30am as a result of some late night revellers!  Lyn & Al had not been so fortunate as us with at least some sleep as they had been bombarded with those same revellers banging doors, running up the corridors...........  Needless to say a complaint was lodged and followed up in the morning.  The hotel apologised and arranged a refund of the nights accommodation charges but that didn't give them their nights sleep back!

It was bleary eyed that we all emerged for a final breakfast and before we knew it saying goobye again!  Lyn & Al were Ipswich bound for speedway and we just had to stop off again at the Trafford Centre for a couple of hours  Our trip back was quick and all too soon it was a unpacking and loading the washing machine!

Took a few pics