tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308636102012-02-16T07:47:21.302Zmrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.comBlogger11281100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-27456792960529062462012-01-26T11:59:00.000Z2012-02-09T12:01:31.225Z

After working all night I got about 4 hours sleep and then packed for our trip North to see the European Ice Skating Championships. We had intended to leave early and go walking - but by the time we had packed the car it was our usual late start. Spent the first night in Chesterfield Travelodge - had to drive around Chesterfield ringroad  to get to the Travelodge, so

Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06503725480825564032noreply@blogger.com0Motorpoint Arena, Broughton Ln, South Yorkshire, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S9 2DF, UK53.3998865 -1.418888653.390419 -1.4386296 53.409354 -1.3991476tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-90050940607173509152012-01-22T23:58:00.000Z2012-02-01T00:06:30.388Z

 Realised that our English Heritage membership expires at the end of February - so went up to Eltham Palace - which is fantastic - and I want to live there! Failing Eltham Palace wouldn't mind a six bedroom house with swimming pool that we saw on the way home - but at 2.25 million I think that is about as out of reach as Eltham Palace is.

Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06503725480825564032noreply@blogger.com0Eltham Palace, London Borough of Greenwich, London SE9, UK51.4469045 0.048338651.4444305 0.0434031 51.4493785 0.053274100000000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-77421315632022316602012-01-21T18:29:00.000Z2012-01-31T18:42:26.244Z

Second lot of Wedding Shopping - my dress and jacket.

Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06503725480825564032noreply@blogger.com0Rodmell Rd, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2, UK51.12421275782688 0.26367187550.80628725782688 -0.368042125 51.44213825782688 0.895385875tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-39414665560472949042012-01-18T17:11:00.000Z2012-01-31T18:28:47.256Z

Not only did he fall off his bike riding over an icy puddle on Saturday but he then whacked his head on a steel cabinet at work.

Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06503725480825564032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-82545476190160882912012-01-15T14:17:00.000Z2012-01-31T17:08:43.015Z

Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06503725480825564032noreply@blogger.com0Lower Rd, East Farleigh, Kent ME15, UK51.258208746709435 0.495586395263671951.25324024670944 0.48571589526367187 51.26317724670943 0.5054568952636719tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-83099221222985306212012-01-13T23:45:00.000Z2012-01-31T23:47:31.805Z

Picked Jill up from work and went back to Bluewater to look for shoes and a dress for the mother of the bride (that would be me) Failure on both counts - I tried on a few dresses but looked like a sack of potatoes in most of them - diet here we come. Jill treated me to dinner at Carluccio which was really nice.

Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06503725480825564032noreply@blogger.com0Bluewater Shopping Centre, 18 The East Village Bluewater Shopping Centre, Bluewater, Wintergarden, Greenhithe, Kent DA9 9SF, UK51.43913572425476 0.271739959716796951.434187224254764 0.26186945971679687 51.44408422425476 0.2816104597167969tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-6267720525691945502011-12-28T12:34:00.000Z2012-01-31T18:46:32.911Z

Jill came over and we drove up to Bluewater to look at wedding dresses. There was a queue of cars out of Bluewater reaching back to the A2 - and the car parks were heaving with cars driving around looking for places - kept on following the queue around to the back of the centre and followed one other car up to the top level where there were about 7 places in the first row of cars - result! We

Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06503725480825564032noreply@blogger.com0Bluewater Shopping Centre, 094 B, Bluewater, Upper Thames Walk, Greenhithe, Kent DA9 9SR, UK51.43870770476861 0.2699546813965003651.43375870476861 0.26008418139650036 51.443656704768614 0.27982518139650037tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-20910526729409649352011-11-28T07:48:00.000Z2011-11-28T07:48:00.079Z

After a little bit of an argy bargy at the car hire place, Rick picked up a black car and Rick, Mary and I set out for Dover Castle. Totally forgot it was half term week – and the place was heaving. They have also changed the queuing system for the underground tunnels  - so we had to wait for about an hour to get in. Luckily they thought it was worth it (either that or they were being polite!)

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-66193572751518689632011-11-20T09:52:00.001Z2011-11-20T10:20:21.537Z

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-62954453971503147802011-11-02T13:56:00.000Z2011-11-02T13:56:31.865Z

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-9324612792593630872011-11-02T13:55:00.000Z2011-11-02T13:55:55.116Z

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-46723218201768506562011-10-27T08:36:00.000+01:002011-11-23T23:24:07.607Z

Might have been better if we had been there to greet them as they stepped off the plane – but some idiot didn’t set the alarm properly – and we woke up half an hour before the plane was due to land. So much swearing and a fraught trip around the M25 to Gatwick – luckily by the time they had got through customs etc we were only about 15 minutes late. We went down to Brighton and went around the

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-30109509917464567602011-10-10T10:22:00.000+01:002011-11-20T10:24:14.633Z

The future Mr and Mrs Buckland.

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-34930811670151816292011-10-09T14:13:00.000+01:002011-11-14T14:17:04.313Z

The boy curled up in a heap of Mrs Drudge's unmentionables.

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-87950966725977993632011-10-08T13:55:00.000+01:002011-11-14T14:12:11.967Z

Was collected on the doorstep by Stuart for a lift up to Longfield to catch the train up to London - had to race over the footbridge as it took so long for the machine to print out the tickets. (Well, I didn't do much racing - but I watched Doug as he raced! When we got to Victoria there were no tube trains - so we had to walk all the way up to Seven Dials. There was a big

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-72073408628506659742011-10-01T13:47:00.000+01:002011-11-14T13:51:47.315Z

Two parcels in the post - one expected  .. a lovely box of underwear from the sale at Boux Avenue -  and one not! A prize from a  competition I don't remember entering.

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-67365248159907931512011-09-30T13:45:00.000+01:002011-11-14T13:46:44.245Z

Sun rising.

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-74972898784867039722011-09-15T13:13:00.000+01:002011-11-14T13:43:33.837Z

 It's good now that Jill has passed her driving test - as I got chauffeur (should that be chauffeuse?) driven to Leeds Castle. Minor blip in that we passed the turn off for the entrance, so went to the Park Gate Inn to turn round and stopped there for lunch. It is £18.50 entrance fee now!! This lasts for a year - but would be good to have a day entry too. Walking to the castle we saw a duck on

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-36884489669236779472011-09-15T13:08:00.000+01:002011-11-14T13:11:11.366Z

Too late for our cockerels - already been on the plate!

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-22228411008048419672011-09-10T20:35:00.000+01:002011-11-11T21:06:12.957Z

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-60309419488005542742011-08-27T23:25:00.000+01:002012-02-08T23:27:08.371Z

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com045, Gloucester GL1, UK51.86239386737922 -2.251682281494140651.85258836737922 -2.2714232814941404 51.87219936737922 -2.231941281494141tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-12270974400708146882011-08-26T13:38:00.000+01:002012-02-08T23:08:13.001Z

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com01 Albioncottage, The Docks, Gloucester, Gloucestershire GL1 2ER, UK51.86324193833866 -2.252540588378906251.85343643833866 -2.272281588378906 51.87304743833866 -2.2327995883789065tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-15606027980982063002011-08-17T20:21:00.000+01:002011-09-04T20:22:16.947+01:00

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-57842067949506564812011-08-09T20:11:00.000+01:002011-09-04T20:12:52.389+01:00

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-80426027822673104842011-08-09T11:52:00.000+01:002011-09-04T20:09:15.316+01:00

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-38243925597835047492011-08-07T18:48:00.000+01:002011-09-04T18:49:53.867+01:00

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-53077087838976575062011-08-06T12:35:00.001+01:002011-09-01T14:58:30.784+01:00

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-86200459799318447822011-05-23T10:53:00.000+01:002011-05-29T07:47:16.964+01:00

Very sunny day – but not too hot – so we set off for a beach further up the coast as Phil wanted to go swimming.   There are sculptures of birds on the roundabouts. The cycle paths are brilliant – and no hills! Went past the marshes – full of birds and horses. Cute little baby swans! Lots of flatness! We arrive at the seaside! Phil manfully strips off and

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-71986149552152140662011-05-22T20:06:00.000+01:002011-05-29T02:28:09.662+01:00

We slept  quite late – and the day was grey. Went to the Canvas Holidays tent to pick up some leaflets, and read the messages left by other holidaymakers – including one by a woman who had lost one of her false teeth in their caravan.  Decided to walk into St Valery to the market- cold to start with –but it warmed up on the way. St Valery  was busy and the sun had come out – we walked

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-5559418011930364572011-05-21T20:03:00.000+01:002011-05-29T02:24:12.662+01:00

On Friday night we had a lovely evening with Jill and Elaine – we watched The Apprentice, while Phil slaved on the allotment. We stayed up far too late,considering we had to be up at 03:15 – but managed to drag ourselves out of bed when the alarm went off. Got to Eurotunnel  without argument or incident – miracles do  happen – and they have installed a further piece of black magic which

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-60675005516790370102011-03-26T07:10:00.001Z2011-03-27T08:45:50.624+01:00

Jill came over and we cycled to Frittenden – no pictures – we were too busy pedalling! Good route out of Maidstone – and mostly down hill- some of it Very Down hill. Once there we watched Champs dance for a while – then I bamboozled her into going to a stepdance class – although she escaped halfway through to go and meet Karl. Stepdance was fun – although my feet must have grown since I last

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-67039448046336931592011-02-12T00:03:00.000Z2011-02-28T12:40:33.399Z

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-63995245034513638572011-02-06T23:52:00.002Z2011-06-20T08:42:34.454+01:00

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-46151496021722551392011-01-31T23:53:00.001Z2011-02-07T22:44:08.013Z

Views from the Travelodge window – see the Shard? There will be many more photos of the Shard. We walked through Covent Garden passing a bridge, which looked as if it might twist or bounce down to the pavement if you stepped in it. A plaque for my cousin! I have googled ‘the sara sara’ and have had no luck finding out what it was for. Phil bought some walking boots in one of

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-57275763058381099772011-01-30T14:29:00.001Z2011-02-06T20:00:31.378Z

Spent Saturday night at my best friends because I had drunk too much to drive home – but left early in the morning hoping to get an early start to drive up to London. Finally managed to prise Phil out of bed at 11 so we didn’t set out until after 12. Drove up to Blackheath and parked in a side street – then walked over to the heath. How about living in one of these houses! Got a train up to

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-60576392605241102052011-01-14T15:12:00.000Z2011-02-06T20:00:02.847Z

Jill and Karl left quite early, but Phil and I decided to stay Friday night and drive down on Saturday so I could go straight to work on Saturday night. (Sensible!?) We drove down to Robins Hood Bay to do a circular walk from the Cleveland Way. We marvelled over this wonderful sculpture! Laughed at this humorous sign! (They were shut) And wandered through the quaint streets. Then

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-8766530453925686302011-01-13T12:11:00.001Z2011-02-03T15:17:11.817Z

When I suggested going to Whitby, I was thinking of a gentle stroll around the town – but it was a beautiful day – and Phil parked the car in Sandsend and we walked along the beach to Whitby. Erosion in action! When we got to the town we climbed up to the top to the Whale’s jaw bone With Captain Cook overlooking the harbour. Phil found a bike shop, and I found some

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-67980536205866703952011-01-12T13:10:00.001Z2011-02-07T22:59:53.883Z

Phil wanted to test his legs against the North York Moors – so after watching him cycle off around the bend- Jill, Karl and I set out for Scarborough. We parked in a huge and empty car park at the top of the North Bay – after checking carefully that the parking was free. Jill checked out the play facilities which mainly consisted of green mats – it’s hard up North. We passed the now

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-19220962480840457602011-01-11T07:57:00.001Z2011-02-03T15:18:03.259Z

Jill wasn’t feeling well, so it was just the three of us who made the steep climb out of Staithes to head south on the Cleveland Way. After the initial mountaineering we were lulled by gentle slopes, and gentle mud.. with gusting winds and beautiful views out to sea. As we reached the top both the mud .. and the wind proved challenging! We started the descent into Fort

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-6316044289747970372011-01-10T12:52:00.001Z2011-02-03T15:18:26.103Z

We walked up the Cleveland Way to the highest point on the East coast –and then back down to a pub. It was a very steep climb out of Staithes – past some garden gnomes who had taken up climbing instead of fishing. The path then followed a road – which disappeared off the cliff.. Luckily the Cleveland way had been re-routed, as the original sign post was a bit close to the edge as well.

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-73211081894928135162011-01-09T11:25:00.001Z2011-02-03T15:18:52.585Z

We didn’t get up until late, and only set out at about midday. We went for a walk around Staithes – down to the harbour where I managed to get a mobile phone signal to call Jill and Karl to see if they were coming up – still no firm decision as Jill was still feeling ill and Karl not too good either. We went into a couple of Very Local shops – the sort that are slightly scruffy and look as if

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-42805578079443898692011-01-08T22:43:00.001Z2011-02-03T15:19:20.303Z

Phil and I took Jake back to Preston –and then across to Staithes to spend the week. We set out in the usual Drudgetime ( Phil said 0500 –we left at 1030) and had a really easy drive – went round by the M40 as the M25 was closed after the Dartford tunnel. We spent a stupid amount of money in Tesco near Preston stocking Jake up and buying stuff for the holiday, then left Jake in his unnaturally

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-29063171998833715042011-01-01T21:37:00.001Z2011-02-03T15:20:49.459Z

Not as satisfying to type as 2010 – but sure it will be a good year if it continues as it started! I caught the tube up to Highgate to pick up the car and move it before the traffic wardens were about – and Phil walked up to meet me in Waterlow Park. It was still a bit misty – but if you look very carefully to the middle right of the picture – you can just see the Shard. We wandered through

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-52796584020049241542010-12-30T22:38:00.003Z2011-01-04T22:07:32.934Z

Phil and I had tickets to go and see Wilko Johnson at the Hundred Club – and had planned to spend the day in London first – but because his cruel and unreasonable wife had made him take a job working for the Queen – he was working all the previous night – so Jill came up instead. I drove up – chickening out of the tiny car park at the Travelodge I carried on up to Highgate. Slight hiccup at the

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-74053337413775892972010-12-19T19:49:00.001Z2011-02-07T22:56:43.515Z

Manfully resisting temptation.

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-83140799667583686172010-12-18T19:35:00.001Z2011-02-07T22:58:38.303Z

The ice has come!

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-29714298422262345292010-12-14T00:09:00.002Z2011-02-07T22:48:10.903Z

And morning cat.

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-61665055443019444582010-12-11T00:05:00.001Z2011-02-07T22:44:47.811Z

Trying to make them without a pattern and I’m stuck!

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-61346731882158881522010-12-09T21:59:00.001Z2011-02-07T23:04:16.654Z

I am (again) in the middle of re-arranging the house – this time turning Jill’s old room into a craft/guest room –and wanted a double sofa bed to go in there. £179 in Ikea - £50 on Ebay – and a trip down memory lane to Colliers Wood to collect it- no contest! Dan came with me to heave the sofa into the car and we picked it up from a nice couple with a young baby. Colliers Wood was the first

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-52379857784071602392010-12-09T21:35:00.001Z2011-02-07T23:04:46.487Z

He’s not liking it much….

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-50154619223002212902010-08-23T16:47:00.001+01:002011-05-07T16:49:36.382+01:00

The title says it all!

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-66707310608015417112010-08-05T13:54:00.000+01:002012-01-10T17:52:51.167Z

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-78102269160598008002010-06-13T23:52:00.000+01:002011-03-06T23:19:16.389Z

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-15156483614525609792010-06-11T23:46:00.000+01:002011-03-06T22:49:02.191Z

Inside .. and out ..

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-80800461851598820372010-06-06T23:29:00.000+01:002011-03-06T22:30:45.745Z

I love it!

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-20488203133785365202010-06-05T23:23:00.000+01:002011-03-06T22:24:54.136Z

Cycling to work – Tovil en fete.

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-24105963098070866312010-06-04T23:16:00.000+01:002011-03-06T22:17:31.403Z

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-58053712619971087222010-05-30T00:52:00.002+01:002011-03-04T07:18:57.628Z

We checked out of the hotel – me with the hangover from hell. Although how that happened on one small glass of wine I really can’t tell! We walked through the European parliament area – and appreciated the statues that our taxes have paid for. I love this one. Glimpse of old Brussels through the skyscrapers. Glimpse of woman trying not to be sick. Older statues, and then into

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-1493954940242142052010-05-28T15:23:00.001+01:002011-02-28T23:58:04.313Z

Good view of Charles’ horse on the way out. Luckily we were going in the right direction Into Belgium – for some strange reason they call it Belgie. There’s foreigners for you. Who could resist Plopsaland? Well, every year we drive past the picturesque Belgian roundabout, down the picturesque Belgian street, And buy diesel opposite the picturesque restaurant, but we

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-91163488114961290452010-05-12T19:15:00.001+01:002011-02-07T22:45:41.448Z

We finally threw away the faithful orange juice bottle, and Phil reluctantly took the keys back. This park was right next to the apartment – evidently it is totally made out of chocolate. Or what passes for chocolate in the States. Pretty bridges! Oh – look – a battlefield – what a good place for a campsite. We drove a short distance into the Gettysburg battlefield –

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-36120854178393102292010-05-12T00:42:00.001+01:002011-01-18T19:01:36.009Z

…but after slogging around Williamsburg and finding that the friendly bike hire shop from our last visit had moved out of town, the next nearest was closed, and the bike hire at the very posh beauty salon cost very posh beauty salon prices – we decided to lounge next to the pool. Boredom rapidly set in, and we drove down to Yorktown. Where we spent a beautiful late

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-23100823822619770692010-05-11T17:32:00.001+01:002011-02-07T22:46:29.314Z

It was at some point today that I realised that although I had booked two nights at Hershey – we were flying home tomorrow. Ah, well – better remember today than tomorrow and miss the flight. We packed up and drove out to the cycle shop we had found closed yesterday – and hired bikes from the most miserable pair I have ever found in a shop. We rode down the parkway to Yorktown.

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-16970423293301735072010-05-10T21:49:00.000+01:002010-10-18T10:39:57.832+01:00

We started the day at the Capitol, with a guided tour by this jolly chap. I took a photograph of Boyd taking a photograph of me taking a photograph of Boyd taking … oh, you get the picture. Then had another wander around town Liz having a rest. The man sitting down is the one from the bookbinders who was so enthusiastic . To the King! To the museum!

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-754132191086445202010-05-09T17:32:00.001+01:002011-02-03T15:20:06.706Z

Phil found a hitch hiker. We all trooped into Williamsburg, past the flag which should still rightfully fly over the Colonies. We were treated to a ride in a carriage. This is a pomegranate bud – and flower! How cool is that! I want to go back to see them fruit. Went into the church –love the name Dudley Digges. After seeing the marching band

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-81585895655290034082010-05-08T21:24:00.001+01:002011-02-07T23:02:48.183Z

We met the horses in the morning – both felt very high up and unsteady! Phil and Boyd went for a walk up to the top of the hill, while I stayed with Liz and gossiped. The amazing cat who could drink from a tap. The legendary Farby Barbie. Home from home – lots of books and interesting things – I didn’t want to leave! A man who wants a porch

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-60874633919856578042010-05-06T23:16:00.000+01:002010-08-13T18:42:21.320+01:00

  Last glimpse of our apartment in Charleston.   And last sniff of the jasmine that perfumed our stay. I love this photograph – one of the best of the holiday! Then, we take to the road again – long and long - .. with interesting signs .. ..and beautiful rivers… ..and huge flags.. ..and familiar signs.. ..and massive flyovers.. ..and famous

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-61093607355472840252010-05-05T18:58:00.002+01:002011-02-07T23:01:25.198Z

Today we went tothe Charleston Museum, and then on to the Aiken-Rhett house.Here is our journey in pictures! This is the square in front of the apartment. The carriage rides – of which there are many. We walked through the market, and passed the ladies making sweetgrass baskets. I think they are more decorative than useful. Hymans seafood restaurant – didn’t get to eat

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-81503160621974152682010-05-04T23:05:00.000+01:002010-08-08T17:26:18.932+01:00

Woke up this morning and it was raining! Phil still ran the bridge – but I stayed inside and did Nothing – when he came back I was quite glad that I did! I went out and had a wander around the shops, then we met Rick and Mary in the evening for a meal at A W Shucks – where last time we visited I had a gorgeous peach cocktail.  Obviously by now I had forgotten what it was called, and what it

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-42861986782993520762010-05-03T15:05:00.001+01:002011-01-18T19:02:39.617Z

This was such a great day! Our lovely friend Rick picked us up and took us to meet his friend Scott – and we all went out in Scott’s boat. We headed out across the harbour and saw lottery win houses along the waterfront – and then across near to Fort Sumter. As we hit the open water the ride got a little bumpy and damp! As you can see! We rode over to

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-75258894639215725062010-05-02T21:30:00.000+01:002010-07-12T20:23:00.022+01:00

  The weather was a bit windy – but nothing like the Weather Channel was predicting. This was the interstate that we left Nashville on! We packed up to leave, and while putting the stuff in the car I met a rather scruffy cat,  sitting next to a soldier who was intending to catnap it and take it home to feed it up and look after it properly. Phil had remembered a  short cut through

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-27270693011811513212010-05-01T20:20:00.001+01:002010-06-02T23:51:15.562+01:00

Phil set out to be a lonely goatherd up in the mountains – while I chose to stay behind and sample the delights of Gatlinburg. I obviously didn’t have the car – so had to walk. In the last year Gatlinburg seems to have moved around 2 miles further down the road from Bluegreen – or maybe the road had swelled in the heat. It was very, very hot. I spurned the temptation of the salt and

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-37234449124088992392010-04-30T18:31:00.000+01:002010-06-01T22:55:36.275+01:00

We had a lazy morning and set out quite late. I had wanted to go to Cades Cove  since we first visited the Smokies – so we decided to go there and set out for a walk from there up to Gregory Bald.  We stopped at the visitor centre for a little light shopping and fact finding – then set off on the ONE WAY – DEAD END loop road through Cades Cove. Once you were on it – there was one escape road

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-5369206601031749652010-04-29T17:39:00.000+01:002010-05-19T01:11:07.630+01:00

Had to take a picture of the beautifully arranged toiletries.  We set out to go to Gatlinburg – and went round by Chattanooga as we were meeting one of my internet friends for lunch. Unfortunately this was not at the Jack Daniels distillery! We made a bit of a detour across the Atlantic and around the Pennines to wave to Manchester. Quite an interesting idea having the escape

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-69931765814401708562010-04-28T00:41:00.000+01:002010-05-18T00:43:47.893+01:00

  We set out this morning for Nashville (secretly does little dance of excitement)  Took a last look at Table Rock Lake and then headed cross country on the back roads.   I love the town names – as well as Yellville, we passed signs for Pocahontas,  Gassville, and the delightfully named Flippin. Small flags are not an option.   We thought this plane was coming in to land – then saw it

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-90761494864833336952010-04-27T14:55:00.000+01:002010-05-05T15:16:16.990+01:00

    The balcony at the apartment was surrounded in bug netting – which – considering the size of this bug – was a Good Thing. We decided to go back to Table Rock reservoir to ask the Park Rangers there if they knew of any proper walks.  I would not like to be in Branson if this dam ever breaks! Phil standing at the edge of the reservoir – this must have been a cliff edge as you can

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-40090961259631960542010-04-26T13:58:00.000+01:002010-05-05T14:00:39.059+01:00

We were staying at timeshare in Branson – and went through the obligatory ‘let us sell you more points’ interview – which was a pleasant chat with a man to begin with – we were then passed on to some patronising mean faced cow who spoke to us as if we were naughty children – we got up and walked out. Went on down to Branson Landing and watched the fountain display – delightfully cheesy – water

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-34818575141806924572010-04-25T04:45:00.000+01:002010-05-02T04:50:39.138+01:00

We had a lazy day – and eventually set out to explore the area.  We asked at reception if it was possible to walk down to the main town area – and also if there were any trails in the area. The concierge blanched at the idea that someone might want to walk into town – and obviously had no idea about walking anywhere at all.  So we set out into the unknown – we went to the Stonehill winery to

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-36943646266264457582010-04-24T03:27:00.001+01:002010-05-02T03:35:24.654+01:00

I had bought a phone from Walmart to use in America – and tried to set it up this morning. Wrestled open the box – and no phone – battery, plug etc were all there– so we had to find a Walmart to return it. Oklahoma was a lot more like England – we started to leave the flatness behind, and gradually there were more trees and hedges. The Romans were still building the roads, though. We

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-39167530053983180382010-04-23T01:47:00.000+01:002010-05-02T01:56:41.279+01:00

    Still more interesting weather lined up for us! Jake had snow in California! The hotel room looked out with an interior balcony – presumably to stop you being sucked from it by tornados. It was very windy outside though – the traffic lights were waving around nearly as much as the flags.  I had picked up a leaflet advertising the Panhandle Plains Museum, which purported to be 15

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-14577747922555146202010-04-22T16:07:00.002+01:002010-05-02T01:32:30.945+01:00

We awoke to the news of exciting weather on the TV – just where we were heading! We asked at the hotel reception if it was possible to walk down to the old town district – and were told it was better to drive. I asked what the parking was like – and the receptionist said that there was plenty of on street parking and a grudge. There followed a few minutes of two nations separated by a

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-24858717067047407282010-04-21T06:43:00.001+01:002010-05-02T01:02:20.627+01:00

Phil wanted to go and see some small walls nearby - Casa Grande. The carpark was great – with flowering cactii. The walls weren’t that small though! If you want to know the story of the people that lived there – then go and check out the above link. It was interesting – and even more interesting that this has stayed in one piece for so long. It was very windy.

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-14384717516470550542010-04-20T05:13:00.000+01:002010-04-30T05:27:02.948+01:00

Today was the day that Jake set out on his long walk. We managed to leave the hotel without being shaken from our beds by earthquakes, and without knowingly ingesting any carcinogens – although the fruit loops at breakfast stared back rather menacingly.  Naf El Centro? Is it that bad? Driving through the desert on the way to the border Jake was subjected to lots of advice on having

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-66983284660876139772010-04-19T04:46:00.000+01:002010-04-28T07:04:54.093+01:00

Today we travelled! We went out to the Tusayan museum first, which was in a replica of Indian Pueblo – complete with windows and heating!  There were lots of small walls, which for some reason I took no photos of. Nearby was a lookout tower, which was in the process of being renovated – a good thing as there were huge cracks in the walls. This didn’t stop Phil and Jake going up it – but I

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-91431550965311384602010-04-18T06:33:00.000+01:002010-04-22T06:43:04.722+01:00

Todays pictures speak for themselves! We drove into the park and Phil and Jake set off to walk down the Bright Angel Trail, while I wimped out and caught a bus along to the main visitor centre. There I found out that there was a ranger talk about 2 miles down the trail – so I walked down to listen to that. I have heard better! He was a bit of a waffler. I caught the bus down to Hermits rest, and

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-8951878848568892182010-04-17T17:53:00.000+01:002010-04-21T18:05:53.371+01:00

  A few  last glimpses of our rooms at Las Vegas – the shower had a seat and two shower heads – luxury!      Jake performing magic with glass bowl of flowers One of the lakes formed by dams on the Colorado Phil liked this hiking trail under the roadway Next few pictures are of the Hoover Dam and its wonderful art deco statues       

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-2890720263917311622010-04-16T16:18:00.000+01:002010-04-20T15:10:52.447+01:00

  The hotel was very close to the airport – although you couldn’t often hear the planes inside, they flew very low over the parking lot. Phil and I set out a little bit earlier than yesterday – this is the view from the hotel as we walked out – I should imagine that by the time we come again all this will have been built over. We went through the MGM again – and made a detour to see the

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-47313257305432001172010-04-15T15:46:00.000+01:002010-04-20T13:51:55.087+01:00

  This car was parked next to ours in the hotel carpark – cannot  really comment! We spent the morning shopping – for Jakes last few supplies and a Walmart shop – then lounged around back at the hotel for a while. We didn’t head out for the big city until after dark – it wasn’t a long walk – about 10 minutes to the MGM hotel.     Next photographs speak for themselves.    

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-31633732840573181362010-04-14T06:33:00.000+01:002010-04-18T06:41:19.835+01:00

  After checking out and putting on the suncream that we should have put on yesterday, we set out to spend the morning in the park. Trouble in Paradise – we found out that Disney were contracting out the building work on their hotels to firms which didn’t give health insurance etc etc – sounds just like home.      Possibly the duck was standing in for the parrot? This is the

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-88108559897041947542010-04-13T07:13:00.000+01:002010-04-17T16:29:04.608+01:00

I am on my holiday – and I don’t want the blog to start to feel like homework – so a lot of this will be pictures with captions!   We got up early as we had ‘magic morning’ entry on our tickets – and after a brief revisit to the domestic of last night – we set out to walk to the parks. The landscaping and flowers are stunning. Just inside the entrance to Disneyland was a garden with Mickey

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-65779572751259967922010-04-12T16:22:00.000+01:002010-04-16T16:26:22.359+01:00

We tried to outwit the jetlag by just keeping on going! The day started at 0530 when we got up – got the bus from the Travelodge to the terminal and checked in easily. Phil and Jake sat in the Wetherspoons while I wandered around the shops. We had to nag Phil into believing that it did actually take 15 minutes to get to the boarding gate – but eventually managed to drag him out of the pub and

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-40018330185029121922010-04-10T21:17:00.002+01:002011-02-07T23:05:56.737Z

One of those mornings when it was worth getting up – the birds were just starting to sing – beautiful.

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-16085440225450688592010-04-08T21:39:00.002+01:002011-05-07T14:16:16.640+01:00

We had a family dinner to wish Jake well on his long walk courtesy of Tesco Clubcard – at the Smith and Western pub in Tunbridge Wells. It was good! Picture of Mother looking wistfully at son who is completely ignoring her. Groaning table Groaning husband. Karl amazed at the cocktail of – oh, everything you really shouldn’t have but really, really want. Yes, I did have one!

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-62638923886589748642010-04-05T00:13:00.001+01:002011-02-07T23:03:44.458Z

Jake wanted a walk with Jill and Karl before he set out – so I tagged along as well. Dan gave us a lift to the Medway bridge, and we started out over the picturesque Medway. Again – this will be mostly pictures as there isn’t a lot to say about walking. View of the bridge from the North Downs. Some nice person had put out a sofa to sit on so you could look at the bridge.

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-26628670219435209512010-03-04T04:04:00.000Z2010-04-16T20:01:13.059+01:00

The dust on the stairs has now turned white while Phil plasters the hall walls.

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-9221386207396059312010-02-26T03:07:00.002Z2010-04-16T19:58:49.260+01:00

These socks were knitted for Grace - to her design which included red soles - quite a challenge!While we are on the subject of socks - I attacked the lone sock bag and gave up on this huge pile ever finding sole mates. (groan)But if anyone finds a lone sock which looks like one of these - I would welcome the news.

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-25079068259355726252010-02-07T20:47:00.007Z2010-04-16T19:52:51.958+01:00

Many months ago I booked a night for £9 in a Travelodge sale in London - then forgot all about it and booked overtime for that day. The reformed Champs also had a practice in the morning - so I finished work at 1400 and went to West Malling to collect Phil. The council at Sevenoaks have discouraged train travel by imaginatively putting one hour parking restrictions in the middle of the day in

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-78062712578854383572010-02-02T19:46:00.001Z2010-04-16T19:51:28.756+01:00

It had come to the stage when whenever we closed the front door, a little cloud of plaster fell down. Then we noticed that the ceiling over the stairs down to the basement appeared to be held up by willpower, and after holding up part of it with duck tape, we gave in and pulled the lot down.I was of course, using the 'royal we' - as Phil and Dan did all the hard work.The egg has nothing to do

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-35809722099656428012010-01-22T23:38:00.005Z2010-04-16T19:52:14.757+01:00

We set out on Friday to go up to Ely, for the triumphant return of the Seven Champions. As usual we dithered around most of the day and left far later than we intended - but too early to arrive at Neil and Sarah's house. We hit the M25 at just the wrong time on a Friday - so escaped to the back roads of Essex, which was interesting in the dark, without a map, and with a husband who has as much

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-8261474131984429402010-01-09T13:39:00.005Z2010-01-09T17:14:28.154Z

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30863610.post-45447554996025545342010-01-09T08:24:00.007Z2010-01-09T11:01:30.332Z

I was a conscientious little brat - what happened?

mrs drudgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07110166791138169902noreply@blogger.com0