Back from sunny Madeira, a lovely holiday!

Here I am back from sunny Madeira, sorry it took a little while before I managed to start this log, we have been home for nearly 5 days. But didn't get back till after midnight on the 27th, exactly a week later. We had a super holiday, although we were both a bit apprehensive as to what my time share would be like; not having gone before. But need not have worried Carlos a very nice taxi man came to fetch us, and soon deposited us at the Regency Club. A journey that took less than half and hour, there are so many tunnels and new free ways built since we last came. It should be known as the tunnel island Also it seems thousands of new homes are sprawling up the hillsides. They greeted us very well, gave us the key to the studio flat and left us to get on with it. We are/were on the third floor, in a very nice oddly shaped hotel room, with the usual furniture: bed, table chairs, etc plus a sofa bed and dining table 2 chairs a very nice and spacious bathroom and a kitchenette with

everything needed in it. There also was a balcony overlooking the creche of the Savoy Hotel which towered above us. It was often filled with babies and toddlers, so it made up a little for not having a sea view like this. However we saw lots of wonderful views. We went on a day tour of the north-west of the island to Porto Moniz on the rugged north side via Riviera Brave, same side as Funchal where we stopped for coffee and saw lots of people and kids enjoying the beach, well if you could call it that!
I loved these two little girls playing ball.

We then went up to the mountains to cross over to the Paul da Sera, the highest plateau of the island, once the main crater of the volcano. We stopped for spectacular views like these all along the road were masses of agapanthus' growing wild, blue and white when I thought of my two
single ones back on my patio well words fail me.

Another really great photo I took of the cloud misting over the mountains. Am quite pleased with this one. Soon we went on arriving over Porto Moniz we had lunch there and afterwards had some time to photograph the spectacular waves breaking and sea spray as you can see it was quite spectacular and never the same; actually I missed some really wild ones.

Another day we went to visit Maria and Jose in Porta da Cruz, on the north side again we had lunch with them and spent the afternoon visiting their little house way up the mountain side. It was spic and span and kept just like my mother's home. They invited us to stay with them, but that was a bit too much I think. We went there and back by bus which took us along memory lane all sorts of places we used to visit with my mother. And it only cost 3.10€ per person one way. But the journey was 1 1/2 hours! it was great.

Another time we went to the market in Funchal, John wanted to see the fish market. I found I couldn't cope with these poor creatures all lining the wet counters dead. It was too much carnage for me thee was even a tray with only eyeballs, that did it for me.

these last ones are espada fish who live so deep in the ocean that they have never even brought one up alive. They are fished at night with little fishing boats with a lantern in the stern.

So I went off to the flower part and the fruit and veg area and bought 3 orchid roots, a lovely pink one, a yellow one and a red one. Optimistically thinking I could grow them back home. In sunny Madeira anything is possible. But back here I wonder if it is possible.

On our last day but one we went up to Monte in the cable car; its a lovely village/small town overlooking Funchal bay. Some people even go back on the toboggans. Two chaps with boater hats will propel you down the mountainside in a basket on wooden runners. Although tempted we both had done it so opted out and
went back by cable. Well that is it, we had a lovely time, visited two super museums, one a photography museum, a must for any one interested in photographs and history. It was started by the family Vicente 5 generations of them who took all the worthies of Madeira. There are lovely albums to browse through and a good display of cameras and photographic equipment. The other museum was all about the history and development Of Madeira. Up shot is: I won't sell my time share and certainly we will go back as soon as we are able. The Jellies were eagerly awaiting us everyday. and no Nellie did not go white with worry in the meantime!!!

So this is goodbye and so long, speak to you soon

Shaun's Adventure on the River Wey July 2007

Shaun came to stay with us for a couple of nights on the 30th by himself as Caitlin was away on a boating trip with some school friends. She was gone for a week and so we had Shaun staying with us. It was great as Grandpa John decided that he should teach Shaun to drive a narrow boat. In order to do this he rented one for the day on the 30th. And we asked June and Paul Luck to come along as well as I wasn't really prepared to do the locks, not being very good at that etc. June and I did the food while the men did the driving.
The Jellies of course came as well.
Shaun took a few photos in the beginning with my camera, he is quite good at it as these will show: at first some other friends said they'd like to come as well, but there was no room on the boat! then some decided to go their way

this is a brilliant pix, well done Shaun I think I will nominate you as official blog photographer, look at this one

At first Shaun was a bit apprehensive 'cause he worried about the boat overturning. But we all assured him that a metal narrow boat could not do this. And pretty soon he was more at home especially after John and Paul showed him the ropes. Here are Skipper 1 and Skipper 2, soon Shaun was so good at it that John and Paul could take a coffee break although he found it a bit hairy especially when the riverbanks came too close!

Here is the skipper and his crewJed being Jed was in on things from the beginning.We all had a good time having coffee and all the lovely food brought along. John had ordered 2 plates of Hector's overlarge chips with his home made mayonnaise yum yum.

All too soon it was time to turn around and make back to the boathouse as we had to be there by 5.30 pm But before that there was the lock to be negotiated, and lo and behold a lock-pixy to help with this hard work.

When we finally got back there was a small flotilla of friends to wave us farewell. A super time on the river on a sunny summers day was enjoyed by all.

A big thank to Grandpa John and his crew

oh yes a sad thing this little fella was found inside my Kirby when the Kirby man came to maintain my machine; unfortunately he had not survived. How he got there the Lord only knows, I don't remember hoovering him up.

Phee I will now sign off and go to sunny Madeira for a week

More Birthday celebrations, but don't hold your breath

This may take a while, am very busy at the moment upgrading the Wey Valley Workshop, one of my tri-annual (if such a word exists) jobs. Every time a new term rolls around or is about to there is upgrading to be done. And as usual it takes longer than I think. Also all sorts of mysterious things seem to happen. However I was able finally put some new items in, and also more photographs. I love putting in animated clip art and am afraid that it may be a bit over the top at times.However this post is about the continued birthday celebrations. John had told me we would go off somewhere the next weekend after my birthday, and that the Jellies had to go into kennels again. I was quite unhappy about this until I realised that Nellie just loved the place and everyone there. Jed, as his usual laid back person probably took it in his stride. I was also told that I couldn't take an overnight bag, everything had to go into my handbag. I am getting ever so good at minimalist luggage. Off we went by train to London first class at that; and then a taxi from Waterloo. By this time I had some suspicions, thinking that perhaps Fred would be there. We arrived at Rules one of our favourite restaurants. Were taken upstairs to a private room with on the door.And when the door opened there were about 13 people all singing happily SURPRISE: my sister Maryse and David, Paul and Shaun, unfortunately Caitlin and Fiona were unable to come as Caitlin was going off on her boat trip, Fred was there as I had thought grinning all over his face, you know what he is like. Friends like the Lucks, Mary Mac. Sally and Eric; even John's son Philip whom I was very pleased to see. And of course Michael was away working, and sadly Rita was still feeling unwell. but we all had lots of this to drink and a wonderful meal. There were speeches laughter and lots of talk and the afternoon slipped away. Before I could it all in it was all over, but not before we were given a a tour of Rules; and we were told that the room we were in was where Edward VII used to entertain Lily Langtry and others. It had the advantage that he could enter through a secret entrance without having to go through the main dining rooms. Quite useful that I should think. Here is a rogues? gallery:

All my good friends and family where there what a celebration.

After that John took me to my favourite hotel The Goring, the one with almost life size sheep, there was one in our room plus a bottle of champagne on ice which we really couldn't face that evening. So we had it next day for lunch but before and after a lovely breakfast, not too heavy there was roast beef on the menu we went for a walk in St. James Park, in walking distance from the hotel. It was a lovely day and there were hundreds of people about mainly Japanese I think, they were all awaiting the changing of the guard and we watched the guards marching in their splendid uniforms. After a wonderful lunch which was lubricated with the champagne and ended with a birthday candle on my dessert we caught the train back to Godalming, dashed home to change in our walking and dog proof clothes went to collect the Jellies from their 'holiday home'

They of course were overjoyed to see us and to go for a walk even though it was after 4 pm.

What a wonderful celebration John gave me the 'sweetie'. And as a surprise this was awaiting on the patio. What a a weekend.