Month: February 2023

The things you learn!

And off to Dublin to see the grandsons.. We booked our rail and ferry tickets and then discovered a rail strike was due the day we returned so we drove to Holyhead instead. Delayed on entry to Dublin port as another ship was in the berth we needed!

A trip into the city revealed this shopping centre. Loved the quotes in the toyshop window

South Street market. Delicious candied pecan nuts!

The Dublin Viking Tour. We did this a few years ago great fun. It takes you for a dip in the canal but pauses for you to don a lifejacket.

Whilst in Dublin we experienced our first Escape Room. Great fun and quite challenging. We also did a walking Murder Mystery and followed a set of clues around the city. Good for adults but the boys were less interested.

This is where we stayed. They did apologise for the absence of decaff tea! Here is a notice displayed in Reception. It reminds me of problems we encountered at Rosemundy.

Killiney Park provided wonderful views and tree climbing opportunities.

Mount Usher Garden is a must for keen gardeners

A rainbow on our return journey

Back in Gloucester the Folk had a Walls Ice Cream exhibition. Walls is the largest employer in the city and is very generous to charities like museums

Also at The Folk of Gloucester was the Steampunk Fair

Remember when we used matches. Englands Glory were made here at Morelands Factory. The factory is still here but used for other purposes now.

The Cathedral post box decorated for remembrance day

The Christmas tree arrives in the docks

Our Nicaraguan Volunteers Jairo & Tatiana meet the Mayor & Sheriff Joanne at the Christmas parade. The theme was Alice in Wonderland.

And of course we end the year with a sunset:

The Edward Elgar Cruise Ship off to Sharpness

We spent a rather nice day in Newent. We had a wine tasting at The Three Choirs Vineyard.

We bought a bottle of red £12 so not the sort of wine you drink every day! After the tasting we went next door to the garden centre for black coffee! Then once legal to drive we went into Newent itself.

The delightful games museum. Apparently you can play games every Wednesday evening.

Olympic gold for the rider and a statue for the horse.

Are you old enough to remember this?

And what a good idea!

And on the way back close to the Hereford & Gloucester Canal is this lovely sign

Gloucester Day, our very own Town Crier

A band and speeches

Another chance to dress up! Colonel Massey & Civil War troops.

Assembling the procession

The Mayor, Sherriff Joanne and on the right MP Richard Graham followed by Sue Smith & others of the Civic Trust:

This horseman upstaged everyone!

Weatherwise we picked the worst day of the year to hold our Macmillan Coffee Morning. It was cold, wet and blustery, but the Sheriff and husband David turned up to offer their support. I’m told they enjoyed a slice of my pizza for their lunch.

Brave souls enjoying the goodies and we had a roadside stall to catch passersby.

We raised £313.00 and hope to do better next year.

The Beatrix Potter shop is alongside the Cathedral but we had not visited before. It’s charming! Do go!

Waistcoat made by the WI:

The Folk of Gloucester is repainted and in earlier days. Bishop Hooper was burnt at the stake and there is a memorial to him close by.

A visit to what remains of the Herefordshire & Gloucester Canal at Over pronounced Ooooh ver! It’s very scenic.

Other parts of this canal are being restored by volunteers

Preparations underway at Frampton Country Fair:

Children love to ride Neddy and I ask for a donation from their parents!

It’s always a good day out & has such a variety of things to see & do

The book of condolence at Gloucester Museum

A fitting send off for Queen Elizabeth 11.

Queen Boadcea a Dunkirk “Little Ship” anchored at the National Waterways Museum, takes trips along the canal most days in summer.

More volunteers keeping the docks tidy

Coat of living increases. How much for fish & chips? I have to say they are cooked to order and delicious! And then another trip……. We like staying at Milestones campsite at Cromwell near Newark. Here’s one reason why

St Vincents Caythorpe. Following up some of Tony’s Judson family history in this village. These words of welcome made us smile.

Harvest Festival display being set up.

How could we miss a caravan & camping show at Lincoln. This took our fancy

An amazing vehicle I wanted to trade Henry in straight away but the pocket money didn’t run to that, instead we went to Skegness. Skeggy was where I spent my childhood holidays. You will note it is still “so bracing” which means you always need a coat! I think you can just make out the sea in the distance.

The clock tower still remains & I like the bendy lamp posts.

Looking at the photo on the right, it could be me sitting there, summer dress hand knitted cardigan & white Clarks sandals.