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Posts archive for: July, 2009
  • Marwell July 09

    Well it wasn't raining when we left home which was an improvement on an earlier attempt to visit Marwell with Pat & Tony. That day we ended up enjoying a very nice lunch at the golf club instead! So it was with grey skies and armed with our cameras we set off arriving just after the park opened. A leisurely walk starting at the penguins up to the Cheetah, Giraffe and on to Cafe Graze for a reviving cup of coffee on the terrace looking out across the valley field. All very peaceful but the animals had deciced to wander off! We did manage to capture a few pics of the zebra. We wandered down to the tigers but they had decided to stay indoors so we weren't able to capture good pics through the glass as several grubby fingers had been there before us! Then on down to the meerkats who were having fun fighting with each other. A quick look at Marwell Hall pointing out where my office is and then a walk through to gardens to the tropical house. The gibbons were next on the list but they were huddled together and no takin photo calls. Lunch was next on the agenda and we did manage to eat at encounter village but it was a race again a shower to finish our food and coffee. After chatting to the wallaby and cookaburrows we thought it would be good to see the tamarins but they too were having a nap. Making our way back down past the Rhinos, we popped in to see the pygmy hippos and then on to the gift shop. Well you have to do a little retail therapy! At this point the rain came down so it was time to leave.

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    On the way back the car just happened to find its way into the Otter car park so we found ourselves enjoying a drink listening to Roger on the piano. We had seen him perform at another local pub several times so knew we were in for a really good laugh. A fun day out despite the typical english weather and a bit of a busmans holiday for me:DD

  • A homecoming, a get together and a birthday treat

    On Tuesday 14 July I waited at Heathrow like an excited child waiting for my brother and sister in law to exit arrivals.  They are here for a two month holiday which is just brilliant

    Having settled in and recovered from the long flight it was time to get out on Friday evening  to meet some other friends who are over from Queensland also.  We met up in the Otter for an evening full of chat and a few drinks.  Suddenly it was last orders and time to wend out way home.

         Viv & Hils Photobucket      Phil, Ray, John & Brian  Viv & Hils Marjorie, Viv and Hils Ray
    Early Saturday morning we were up and on the road to Stilton to meet up with Lyn & Al.  We arrived at the Cheese just ahead of Lyn & Al.  Taking advantage of the lovely weather we opted for lunch on the deck and a lzy afternoon soaking up the sun.   In the evening we headed off to the Bell for a pre dinner drink in the courtyard.  Suitably refreshed it was back to the cheese for dinner. Lyn & Al had arranged for a bottle of bubbly to be waiting at our table which was most welcome!  The menu is just so tempting its difficult to make a choice but in the end we managed it.  Goats cheese for me baked and dressed with balsamic & salad, very yummy followed by fillets of sea bream with a hint of piri which was just amazing.  Phil opted for scallops and not a word from him until the dish was empty......... he opted for Marlin steak cooked to perfection as his main.  Lyn went for the brie followed by lobster beautifully presented and which soon disappeared leaving her with a smile on her face all evening  Al had his favourite mushrooms a la creme specially created for him by Carlos and a rump steak the size of which made our eyes pop!  He made a good attemp but half went home with him for a sandwich on Sunday!!    Dessert though tempting was just a step too far so we retired to the bar for coffee and drinks.  All to soon it was time to waddle off to bed.   However, as it was past midnight and I was born at 3 minutes past I just had to open my cards and pressies 

    Somehow we managed to do justice to the wonderful breakfast Carlos serves up, bacon and sausages so tasty and perfect poached eggs.  Al & Lyn popped in for coffee but all too soon it was time for hugs as we headed off back down the A1 and home.

    A perfect weekend and definitely no more food needed but we will curl up with a bottle of birthday wine later on

    Birthday girlThe BellThe Bell courtyardAl, me and PhilAl, Phil & LynPhil

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