Cousins Catchup 2025 – Knebworth House

It’s that time of year again – time to catch up with our recently discovered cousins and nephews. In fact, these get-togethers are turning into a regular (and very enjoyable) ‘gathering of the clans’. Gathering of the Clans! 2024 – Windsor2023 – Hatfield House2022 – Hampton Court2021- Kew Gardens2021 – Shuttleworth Collection This year, it …
Read More

Valentine’s Day (2025)

14th February Well actually, a TWO-day celebration, this year, as we headed for Buckingham and the White Hart Hotel for a romantic day and sleepover. 💑💑. It’s 10.30 and we’re off! But before all that, an opportunity to explore the town of Buckingham. We arrived just before 11.45 and although the town seemed quite quiet, …
Read More

EXCELlent!

Today, Chris A and I took the train from Northampton and headed for the Excel International Exhibition & Convention Centre in the Docklands for the F1 Exhibition. Actually, this was the very first time I’ve visited Excel! Getting there was easy by taking the Elizabeth Line and getting off at Customs House and then taking …
Read More

Greenwich and Beyond!

We travelled down to Greenwich today for our annual cultural day out, courtesy of The Old Croydonians’ Association – the ex-pupil association of my old School. Last year, in October, the OCA organised a behind the scenes at the Royal Opera House, and it was great day out. This time, we’re looking ‘beyond the obvious’ …
Read More

First Visit: Cromwell Museum

We drove over to Huntingdon today for our first visit to the Cromwell Museum. Neither of us could remember when we last visited Huntingdon, so we weren’t sure what to expect from the town. Parking was certainly challenging and it wasn’t helped by EVie’s Sat-Nav having a complete fit in mis-identifying the road that SHOULD …
Read More

Nottingham with Dennis and Sandra

Today was another of our cultural days out with Dennis and Sandra – this time it’s Nottingham. Since we first started doing these in 2017, we’ve built up quite a list – today will be our 16th ‘day out’ together! 👍😀 Doddington Hall (December 2023)International Bomber Command (September 2023)Southwell (March 2023)Chatsworth House (November 2022)Belvoir Castle …
Read More

Anniversary Break – London (Day 3)

Day 3 – Friday, December 15, 2023 Good Morning London! 😎. Here we are in London as part of our Wedding Anniversary celebration (yesterday) staying at the rather posh Tower Hotel. It’s day three – our final day! What you might have missed… Day 1 – Arrival at the Tower Hotel/Moulin Rouge/Indian Meal/Embankment Walk Day …
Read More

Anniversary Break – London (Day 1)

We headed for London today, as part of our Anniversary celebration (tomorrow). We’re in the capital for three days, taking in some shows and catching up with my brother and his family. Busy Busy!!! 😁👍. So, it was all aboard the 9.48 out of Kettering made much easier by neighbour, Valerie, acting as our taxi …
Read More

Doddington Hall with Dennis and Sandra

It’s another of our cultural days out with mates, Dennis & Sandra. We’ve built up quite a list over the years… International Bomber Command (September 2023)Southwell (March 2023)Chatsworth House (November 2022)Belvoir Castle (August 2022)Kedlestone Hall (May 2021)Hardwick Hall (August 2020)Castle Howard (December 2019)The Royal Armouries Museum (March 2019)Bolsover Castle (October 2018)Belton House (May 2018)York (February …
Read More

Return to Colchester – Day 2

Day 2 – Saturday, November 25th 7.20am: Morning all! Here we are in Colchester, feeling somewhat nostalgic, re-treading old ground from our working days in and around the area. 9.10am: It might be freezing cold outside, but at least it’s dry! And, after yesterday’s ‘going nowhere fast’ adventure, today, we’re doing everything on foot! On …
Read More

Return to Colchester – Day 1

We’re off to Colchester for a few days. Gosh! We haven’t visited here for quite a few years! 👍😁 Day 1 – Friday, November 24th (Arrival) We’re off! We set off just after 9.45 this morning, heading for the A14/M11. 11.10am: Our first planned stop along the way was Gridserve Charging Station in Great Notley. …
Read More

International Bomber Command Centre with Dennis and Sandra

Yes, it’s another of our cultural days out with Dennis and Sandra. Today, we headed for the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln. The International Bomber Command Centre is a memorial and a series of exhibits telling the story of RAF Bomber Command. Bomber Command suffered extensive losses of aircraft and crews during the Bombing …
Read More

London Bound!

Off to London today with David & Valerie to watch the ‘Beating Retreat’ performance or to give its official title: The Household Division Beating Retreat. We’ve never seen this event before and we’re looking forward to ‘a Military Musical Spectacular, on Horse Guards Parade, London‘. This event has evolved over the years and is now …
Read More

Family Get Together – Hatfield House

Saturday the 17th Time to meet up with our cousins (on Ann’s side) for another of our cultural days out! 👍😀. Afterwards, we’re heading back with Roger, Jane and Oliver for a sleepover. Today we met up at Hatfield House in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. Sadly, Chris and Kate couldn’t make it as Kate had injured her …
Read More

First Visit: The Chester House Estate

Off for a ‘day out’ (just the two of us) to the Chester House Estate in nearby Irchester, Wellingborough. Bought originally by North Northamptonshire Council in 2004 as Chester Farm. Re-branded and then re-opened in 2016 as Chester House Estate, it opens from 10-4 and is free to get in with free parking too! 😀👍 …
Read More