We arrived yesterday to celebrate our 54th wedding anniversary and have a couple of days R&R. The weather was good enough to sit out side at the hotel and relax in the hazy sunshine.
We ate in the restaurant – Mary had pork and I succumbed to the fish and chips, which was not quite as good as Danesfield House last week, but very acceptable.
Today, as it says at the top – what view?
We are back to Wuthering Heights! But Malcolm did have his full English!
The wind has howled, the rain has poured and we didn’t know quite what to do, except to carry on unwinding. The wind surfing folk and kite surfing folk, however, are loving it.
We had a quick drink in the bar then we got in the car and went to the car park that cost us over £20 last time; because we foolishly parked in the trailer zone! We paid £2.20 and parked in the right spot this time and watched the waves lash against the car park wall.
So quite a spectator afternoon at the sea side. Mary bought some wraps on the way back for a late light lunch and then after a little while chilling and writing the blog, it was time once more for dinner. The wind had not stopped all day. Dinner was really tasty – Mary had the duck platter and I had the chicken burger, followed by sorbet.
And that brought us to the end of this very short stay.
Tomorrow we head for home.
Thank you for reading. Comments as always very welcome M & M 🥂🌊
A much more comfortable night. We sat before bed and listened to the wind howling! And dawn brought rain and a bit of a dull and damp start to the day.
But breakfast was calling and Mary had avocado Benedict but without the poached eggs. I just had to have the full English again, also failing once more to stay away afterwards from the naughty shelf, as we called it, which contained mini muffins, croissants and other delights. And then we waited for the rain to stop. Eventually it did and we headed towards Poole and a car park we sat in last September and watched starlings alight on our wing mirrors and beg for food.
To our delight, and most of these pictures were taken by Mary, we saw not only starlings this time but Oyster Catchers and gulls various. We made a slight boo-boo paying (!) for the parking, in that we noticed the zone we parked in was a different number on the board from spaces as you entered. It wasn’t exactly rammed but on pushing “pay” on the phone (come back a man in a hut with a ticket machine!) we coughed up £19-50 to be where we were. Why? It was an area reserved for people with trailers as it was near to a launching jetty. There were only two other cars parked there. Having coughed up the dosh, we stayed put.
Indeed we stayed put for quite some time and watched gulls grabbing something from the water, then dropping it onto the rocks a couple of times and then eating whatever it was. We had never witnessed this before but isn’t google a wonderful thing.
“Gulls, particularly Herring and Kelp gulls, drop hard-shelled mollusks—primarily clams, mussels, whelks, and occasionally crabs—onto rocks, paved surfaces, or hard sand from high altitudes to break them open and eat the soft meat inside.”
You can see from above how crowded the trailer car park was. As the tide went out, we headed back towards the hotel but had one more look at the bay from Sandbanks. It was now a muddy inlet with para surfers way in the distance. When they came off their boards they were only ankle deep in water, rather than the normal waist height. The view from our room told the story.
And that folks just about wraps it up. Back to the fish and chips tonight for me and a mixed starter as a main for Mary. Smoked mackerel rillette and a mixed salad. And two very un Slimming World desserts. Never mind back to basics tomorrow.
The beignets for me and cheesecake for Mary.
Let’s hope the Lexus can haul us both up the hill tomorrow and home! Thanks for reading and joining us on our little break.
The only thing that marred yesterday, was my back deciding not to play ball during dinner. Why? I have no idea, but by golly it threw a real wobbler. I hobbled to bed, pain killers were administered and Mary was very concerned. Not only very concerned for my health but also worrying about the idea of having to drive me and the Lexus back home; this did not appeal. She does not like driving such a big car. If I so much as scratched my nose, my back protested, and my groans became almost one continuous whale. As the drama unfolded the hotel was renamed Wuthering Heights in my imagination.
My imagination and a bit of AI.
Thankfully the restorative powers of the Harbour Heights hotel bed kicked in, and by morning the agony was gone as quickly as it arrived. Unbelievable. Away to breakfast and a full English for me and pancakes and bacon for Mary; a discovery made in British Columbia!
The sun was shining, so we opted to head to Swanage via the Sandbanks ferry.
We parked up on the road and Mary got a ticket from the very non user friendly machine. Thank goodness we did, as not long after its acquisition, a traffic warden turned up with a lovely smile and a wave but a traffic warden non the less.
We traveled on to Kimmeridge Bay, through some beautiful, if not soggy countryside and many playful lambs.
You do have to pay to park here, but wonderfully there is a person in a hut collecting the money; in this case a charming lady , preventing my usual cry of, “What was wrong with someone in a hut with a ticket machine!” That I have often resorted to yelling of late.
Dinner once more did not disappoint. Mary had the gnocchi and I had a chicken burger. Good job next weekend will be an all Slimming World meal few days, as Mary is away.
We both had room for two decadent desserts. Mary had apple beignets with cinnamon ice cream and I had a chocolate salted caramel torte. And they definitely needed a proof reader for their menu.
Rather full and with a working back, it is too cloudy to see those planets in alignment they have talked about for days, so bed is calling.
Maybe not weather wise, we shall see, but certainly stay wise, as we settle in to our duel aspect room! And that view is just going to be so good for the eyes, whatever the weather.
The journey down was done largely in the rain, so not very pleasant. But the sun came out as we entered the hotel and the very polite chap checking us in thanked us for bringing it with us.
The sun bouncing off the water was just joyous. Two hours later and it was grey and raining again. Hey ho, we have booked for an early dinner and judging by the pretty crowded car park, we shall not be dining alone.
Should the weather improve we have our own private balcony, to watch the waves from.
Right let’s see what there is to eat; as it turned out we had some excellent food. We shared a starter – Focaccia, oils and olives. Then Mary had pork and I weakened and had fish and chips – which were almost the best I have ever had. And we finished, Mary with ice cream and myself with sorbet.
So end of day one!
Sleep well everyone. We shall. Thank you for reading M & M.
Long time no type folks! Standby! On the 28th of this month we are heading back to the Harbour Heights Hotel for a long weekend.
Despite the Lexus getting pranged in their car park last September, but both of us having suffered a cold bug from hell – we have decided we need a break and the desire to gaze once more at the sea has grabbed us both. That view over to Brownsea Island, is so good for the soul.
The food was delicious and the staff fairly amenable, except when they were rushed off their feet – hopefully as this is pretty much out of season, (mind you we thought September was!) the whole experience should be a bit calmer. All we need is the good weather, which last time by a little miracle we did manage to find.
So watch this space folks and let’s hope for a few giggles on the way – we need them right now that’s for sure.
For dinner last night I reverted to the chicken burger I had enjoyed on our first night on Saturday. I did also have the sorbet again; I am trying to be reasonably SW aware! Mary had some really delicious prawns and scallops and was very happy. This morning was a real surprise at breakfast, and I decided the chef had seen my whinge about half a mushroom yesterday because this morning there was a full one AND two sausages not the usual single one. Mary captured a beautiful rainbow on her mobile.
The only downside was, as we left the hotel, I noticed someone had grazed the front of the Lexus with a white vehicle. I’m sure the lovely Rod from round the corner will polish it out with his magic polish! The traffic was much lighter coming home, than it had been going on Saturday, and we only encountered one brief shower.
There is always something to see by the sea, there is always something to gaze at and just thank goodness that you are alive and your senses still function.
It has been a restful break and just glorious waking up to that view every morning! That we shall definitely miss.
Thanks for reading – comments most welcome as always, otherwise I think I am talking to the clouds! Take care M & M 🚙🛟⚓️🚢🛳️⛵️
We needn’t have worried about dinner, the restaurant last night was very quiet. Food fab, service impeccable! What a difference five hours can make!
I tucked into my John Dory and finished with sorbet again! And we headed upstairs to bed both very happy.
A strange thing happened at breakfast because the chef must have read my comment about half a mushroom yesterday. Why? Because blow me down this morning there was half a mushroom. It looked fine when it arrived but moving the tomato and dressing revealed indeed that it was only half a mushroom!!!! Mary had the pancakes that looked mouth watering.
We headed off towards Portland Bill, Mary having a short walk first along sandbanks beach.
We stopped at the Heights Hotel, where Mary had stayed during a singing trip, and we had a coffee in their little cafe, which had a great view but blow me down the food was delivered by a robot.
The lighthouse was pretty busy, so we opted for a quieter car park about a mile away but that’s when the fun really began!
The car park was NCP; you needed the ‘app’ to pay. I tried to download it but my password failed and when I tried to change it, my phone locked me out for an hour (!) because I was at a location it did not recognise. Technology!!!! Having been served by a robot, I am now locked out by my own phone, trying to download an NCP app, so I can pay them money! I did think about just leaving, we had been there for about fifteen minutes but there was an ominous CCTV camera covering the entrance/exit. Mary had to sort it out and get the app on her phone but needed to scan the QR code by the entrance – which didn’t work! You saw that coming didn’t you? She eventually spoke to a real person on her phone and sorted it out. Phew! But that all took so long it was now lunchtime; so we paid £3.95 to just to sit in a car park trying to work out how to pay to sit in the car park. Is it me? Back to the hotel just for a simple sandwich but again beautifully delivered by Bella.
So that’s it folks we leave you with a beautiful shot taken by Mary. Back home tomorrow and we shall be sorry to leave. Comments, as always, are very welcome.
It does look like we struck lucky with the weather and let’s be thankful for that. Take care and till the next time take lots of care.
We arrived round about Saturday lunch time; gutted by the fact we booked and paid before realising they had closed their Chinese restaurant – one of the main reasons for booking our return visit! We visited in May last year and that Chinese was superb, and when it said “closed” when I looked at it when booking, I simply thought it was out of opening hours – not shut down completely! Never mind the room is superb and the view to die for.
They have turned the Chinese into a function room and as Mary said they will be making more money out of that than a speciality restaurant. Anyway, lunch was a fish finger roll rather splendidly presented and we just gazed at the beautiful view.
We just relaxed in the room after lunch and toddled down for dinner at Seven fifteen. I had the chicken burger, followed by two scoops of sorbet, and we discovered a most delightful Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough in New Zealand.
A live pianist made the whole experience delightful, tinkling away on the ivories of a Bechestein, as the sun slowly set. The following morning breakfast was a delight and at least I got a whole mushroom with my full English, unlike the half I got in the last establishment!
The poached eggs were a delight. We headed off for Poole and Wareham, the initial wet morning passing quickly. We parked up and watched the world pass us by on strange river craft and ferries. Young starlings landed on our wing mirrors in the hope they would be fed.
We decided to stop for a light lunch, maybe just a sandwich, in Stoborough just south of Wareham. We were afforded a very stern welcome in The Kings Arms, the landlady letting us know in no uncertain terms unless we had booked then we had no chance of food. Yes we could just stay for a drink but only, “At that table!” We cut our losses and headed back to the hotel where a similar welcome awaited. Looking at the menu I explained we just wanted a snack. “We don’t do snacks on Sunday, it’s this menu only,” I was told sternly. I saw there was a choice of two courses or three – so decided cunningly on two courses a starter and a dessert! We both went for the duck pâté but then had the joy of waiting over forty five minutes for it to arrive.
Mary then had cheese and biscuits and I had a very naughty raspberry trifle, which did come a tad quicker. We both decided next time we were asked, “Any allergies?” We would both reply, “Yes, slow service.” Mary checked the bill and they had charged us an extra £21 for confusing at the beginning what we were choosing. So, a bit of a disastrous lunch and we will approach tonight’s dinner with extreme caution.
That has left us wondering why a rather splendid yacht needed so much communication devices on its roof? Thanks for reading M & M ⚓️🥂🛟🍽️
And there we nearly have it. Mary explored the vicinity yesterday afternoon; even exploring the little church, which I seem to remember we visited last time.
She also came upon a stag beetle and a mighty fine river view property.
Dinner, once more did not disappoint. I did have the halibut and Mary salivated over the duck and a smoked salmon starter; both meals were absolute perfection.
If you look closely at the picture of the salmon – how clever that the lemon to squeeze over your meal, has a cloth covering it so that the pips if they do escape, do not escape onto your salmon. Genius!
A wonderful two days and very relaxing with some exceptional meals and some delicious wines. Now back to Slimming World but not one moment was regretted.
And of course it would have been churlish to leave without another full English, wouldn’t it?
Thanks for reading – next stop will be a long weekend in Amsterdam in July! Join us for that if you can. Thanks for your comments. M & M 🥂🎉🎊🎈🎈🥂🍽️
I had the duck with beetroot and was really naughty and had Crêpes Suzette for dessert. Mary had scallops to start and then the halibut, which was so delicious I might try the halibut myself tonight.
Breakfast did not disappoint either. Absolutely no comparison in their full English to the McDonald Bath Spa Hotel; chalk and cheese or what? And this time a whole mushroom! 😂 Guess which is which?
A walk down to the harbour, had me pretty out of puff and then back to the limo, for a run out to Hayling Island, the rain holding off but again still quite windy.
The swans have seven cygnets in all. Mary went for a walk at a nature reserve on our return leg but unfortunately had her camera on the wrong setting so hopefully better snaps of her outing this afternoon, while I had another forty winks (It’s either an age thing, or my Mediterranean ancestral siesta habit coming to the for!) after putting this blog to bed.
Also our memory card download lead is playing up, so hopefully on our return home I will be able to capture all the pictures. I’ll leave you with a shot of the Prosecco and sponge that was all part of the package!
Last blog from chez Treen tomorrow folks. Thanks for reading and loving your comments. Take care – M & M our anniversary is tomorrow! 🥂🎉🎊🎶🎵🎶
We couldn’t resist their special offer on two nights dinner, bed and breakfast. So we travelled down today and as the room wasn’t ready forced ourselves into the bar for a sandwich!
The room is very comfortable and that sandwich immediately compensated for the half a mushroom I was served at the last hotel we stayed at in Bath! This allegedly was their idea of a full English. Lets see what tomorrow brings here.
Bedroom view.
Mary went for a rather blowy walk, while I unashamedly had forty winks.
We were too full after our sandwiches to enjoy the free Prosecco and cake on arrival but apparently we can indulge in that tomorrow! Dinner obviously in the hotel tonight and at least it looks like it isn’t going to rain.
Thanks for reading. Comments more than welcome. M & M ⚓️🛟🍺
There is an annual renewal fee to pay, so as we missed going to Switzerland, Mary taking a trip of her own, I thought I would publish a bit of news so far.
The dates on the pictures are wrong but these were taken this month (April) and everyone seems to have returned to the garden. The fox we saw last year, instantly recognised by her limping with an injured back leg – so it was good to know she had survived. Mary’s trip was a fall in the bedroom in early January badly damaging her femur; long story short and a new hip was installed and our trip to Switzerland cancelled.
She did finally recover sufficiently to go off to sing in St. Mary the Virgin church in Bottesford, Nottingham – which had a stunning interior. Zach and Safi are coming to stay for nearly a week at the end of April – they are both looking so grown up these days.
We had a lovely meal out for Mary’s birthday and we have another family get together planned for tomorrow at our favourite haunt The Phoenix Inn, in Hartley Wintney. I really must try and get a group photograph; it will feature Hannah (recovering well from her hip operation!) Dean, Laura and Nat and our good selves.
Have a great Easter 🐣 everyone! It was a busy night last night!
The trip back home was horrendous compared to going because of the rain and spray, especially on the motorways. Never mind the grandchildren had a warm welcome for us when we arrived. I have to report that Zach is almost as tall as me! Anyway, I thought you might like to see the programme for Sunday evening.
There was a really good turn out, probably at least an hundred appreciative listeners, and the acoustics in the church were wonderful. Our accommodation reminded of the time, way back on London’s Burning on location, when most of the cast had been put up in an hotel called The Haycock. After the first night and at our location the following morning I foolishly asked Richard Walsh (Sicknote was his character), “How was The Haycock?” His reply, “The hay is fine and it’s Mr. Walsh to you!” He must have been waiting all morning for someone to give him that feed line and muggins here was the man to do it!
Slightly soft – sorry!
Our Hay Loft was just to the left of the big house above.
A lovely weekend break. Thanks for reading M & M 🎶🎵🎶🌊🎹⛪️
Indeed we did have chicken last night but a chicken burger and chips; would I have been safer at home from a Slimming World point of view? Who knows?
Some interesting doors round these parts. I wasn’t quite sure what the dancing ladies meant outside one house. Perhaps it was a dance school? Why are you looking like that? There are two things about our accommodation I need to flag. Like many properties that we have rented in Greece, there are no egg cups, we have never understood why. Are boiled eggs no longer de rigueur? Or perhaps the simple answer is that the Hay Loft is owned by a Greek family. The other one is that there is one major snag for people of a certain age (yes me!) and it is that the bathroom is downstairs. This makes a nocturnal visit to the facilities mildly interesting, if not a tad dangerous, mainly because the stairs are quite steep.
I wandered down last night very carefully with torch in hand at about two in the morning, and you can just see there is a window on the right. It was very bright outside and at first I thought we had forgotten to turn the outside light off. On closer inspection I realised it was the light that comes on when movement is detected and sure enough there on the lawn was a fox, obviously having triggered it. Always carry a camera, a mantra I usually live by. But a tad tricky in your pajamas, albeit there are pockets in mine! This morning another squirrel was down by the river watching the fishermen and there are some stunning properties along this little road. And the squirrels locally do seem to have incredibly bushy tails.
It’s a very quaint village with too many hostelries to count, so how they have all survived goodness knows!
We might have explored the area a little deeper tomorrow but we must hasten home, as the grandchildren are arriving today and Laura is taking the morning off work until we hove into view!
The concert was superb and the sound achieved after just about two days rehearsal was divine.
And they catered for us afterwards with chicken stew, it was delicious. That’s it folks. Hope you enjoyed the long weekend!
Away then to Upton upon Severn, to hear Mary sing on Sunday evening in a local church. Malcolm is here by default, as Mary’s chum dear Mrs Keay, double booked herself with a trip to Spain. Upton upon Severn or Spain; let me think 🤔, there is a bit more to it than that but that explanation will suffice. So, here I am in the Hay Loft, an air B&B.
The journey luckily was done in fine weather and the day following the northern lights display.
The venue that has been chosen to eat group evening meals The Swan Hotel by sheer coincidence, is a mere 300 yards away. So, accidentally planned perfectly.
Last night was a most acceptable stew and much gossiping was had by many. The accommodation is right on the river and a few chums have been spotted.
A little R&R for Malcolm but a lot of singing for Mary, after a sung Evensong at the Sandhurst Chapel on Wednesday, that was pretty full on!
A complete day of rehearsals for Mary and I do believe we both have pre ordered chicken for dinner tonight. More tomorrow folks! M & M 🍗🍺🎶🎵🎶
Saturday evening and we both felt a bit blue, we were by the pool overlooking the sea, having our last meal in paradise.
I had the burger and these two beauties were just massive (just a few peas would have helped!) and Mary had beef in a clay pot, that was delicious.
We said a fond farewell to Nikolai and Tamara and he is hoping to become a professional photographer – we wished him good luck in that venture. Tamara we would see at breakfast, my god their hours are long and hard.
Sunday arrived and dawned stunningly of course! Mary had already packed one suitcase and we had shoe horned it into the Fiat on Saturday. Breakfast again was an emotional affair saying goodbye to Tamara and Jenny the Australian who seemed never to actually go home; sometimes on reception, sometimes helping out with breakfast.
Having tried to steer away from the cooked breakfast during the second week, I indulged in one last plateful, which didn’t disappoint.
I never did find out what happened if you pushed the nonsmoking button in the lift, instead of a floor button.
And that was that; we shoe horned the second suitcase into the Fiat, all this accomplished by dropping the two back seats down. We drove back through Nydri across the isthmus at Lefkada, and back to the mainland to Preveza and the airport. I have rarely been happier to hand back a hire car in my life!
Passenger assist left a lot to be desired, which was unfortunate because it started off really well. Mary explained she couldn’t stand for long periods but didn’t need a wheelchair and could manage the steps up to the plane, so didn’t need one of those lift trucks. All understood and we checked in quickly, sped through baggage control; although the lady did ask me to take my trouser belt off and then my hernia/colostomy bag support. I said no, which in hindsight I shouldn’t have done; I should have shown her my colostomy bag and then watched her face. Because I said no, I got pointed in the direction of a bloke who swabbed my bag and my shoes (went no where near my support) and then said all was good move on. We were then escorted into the waiting area that was rammed, not a seat to be had and the escort lady said goodbye and she would see us at the departure gate, when the time was right. So we were literally left standing.
Thank goodness after a wander round a couple (angels obviously) gave up their seats so we could sit down. A complete relief as we were quite early and we sat there for some time. True to her word our escort arrived back as we queued to go through the gate, and on board first we settled down to watch the take off. It was a tad late but another first for us was that the pilot never uttered a word before take off, during the flight or upon arrival.
Before the Prosecco disaster!
I ordered a wine and some shortbread and Mary a Prosecco and we both had ham and cheese toasties, all the sandwiches having gone! I needed the loo so when the woman next to Mary went, I decided I would make a move to, so I wouldn’t have to disturb her later. Wrong. I put all the drinks and food on my table, limboed underneath successfully but at the last minute it dropped. Wine gone, Prosecco almost gone, seat soaked, toasties disheveled. I went to the rear of the plane and got some serviettes from the stewardess and Mary mopped up the damage while I went forward to use the loo.
The rest of the flight passed peacefully. The passenger assist at Gatwick was fine, Mary in a wheelchair to the buggy (Yeah!) and room for Malcolm on board and what a long ride to passport control it was! He took us down to baggage reclaim and we made our own way to the car park and back home in the Lexus – what a joy!
Gatwick was grey and miserable but we had had such a great time it didn’t seem to matter. We hope you have too! Thanks for reading and stay dry. M & M 🇬🇷✈️🥂🥂🛬🇬🇧
The Greek Taverna was cheap and very uncrowded. But hey the food was ticketyboo.
Mary had chicken, I had Pastitsio and we shared a plate of mixed VEGETABLES! And yes there were chips, well it was our last night eating out in the village. And also who knew it wasn’t just cats that begged at the tables round these parts!
Mary looked at me and said, “Is yours hot?” I answered, “No lukewarm,” And we both said together, “Yeah, proper traditional Greek! Yes!” The chips were piping hot! We paid the bill drove back to the hotel and I realised, I hadn’t got my wallet. Must have been the shock of the cheapness – it came to €50 including wine and tips. So we drive back to the Taverna, there it was in a blue bag. The chap behind us had seen what happened and handed it in. Phew!
This morning, where these goodies at breakfast keep coming from goodness knows. I do know I should have always been blindfolded before entering the room!
I’m afraid as it was our last day, I was back on the scrambled eggs. But luckily the peanuts in chocolate (!) that had featured one morning were not present. After the eggs I had a Greek yoghurt and two naughty things and Mary once mor e had pancakes that looked delicious.
That’s almost as good as it get folks. Lunch was a shared chicken club sandwich – I’m sure you don’t need a photo of one of those. I swam again in the pool (yes!) and Mary had a snorkel in the sea, reporting it a bit bobby and not many fish. Some more shots including that new bag!
And we are still not quite sure what these are!
Dinner tonight in the hotel – set an alarm!!!!⏰ And shoe horn one suitcase tonight into the Fiat.
I may do tomorrow’s blog from home. 😩😩😩😩
Hope you enjoyed the two weeks? M & M 🪪🇬🇷🚙💨⏰🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧✈️
That must be such an unwoke expression, I could probably be put in jail! Last night in the hotel restaurant was really lovely, except it was a bit cool sat out and we did retreat under cover but still outside, towards the end of the meal.
I went for that beautiful Moussaka and Mary had the Bream and vegetables! We both had a complete indulgence to finish – the cheesecake and baklava combo. Such an amazing spot to eat.
It rained during the night but the day looked vaguely hopeful. So after breakfast we went straight to the hotel beach bar and for the first time I dipped my feet in the sea!
It at first looked liable to rain but then brightened up a treat, so we gunned the Fiat 500 back to Sivota. Amazingly popular again but the lovely waitress at the award winning restaurant said, “Welcome back!” Some of the choices on their menu did amuse me. And I guess it is the only place the Papa eats these! The restaurant is called 12 Gods taverna – hence those meatballs!
Also I’m not sure quite how else you would do chips! The feta and watermelon hit the spot and the green salad with Gruyères cheese. The cake dessert was on the house; such lovely people.
Mary did a little bit more shopping and bought a new bag from the same shop she got that dress in – must get a photo of both! So she was able to report to the lady how admired the dress had been. We wished the waiting staff “Kalo cheimónas” meaning good winter and he immediately said ‘Oh you are going home?”
Sivota is a lovely spot and we shall miss it. The restaurant closes on October 28th for the winter, so get there soon if you were thinking about it.
Tonight we dine in that really reasonably priced Taverna, that we haven’t tried. See you all tomorrow for our last day in this idyllic Greek hideaway.
Last night was a splendid meal, in that local Taverna. We had Taramasalata to start and then we both had the chicken souvlaki, joined by ‘ginger’ a wonderfully original name! Who did share a little of the feast, well you have to, don’t you?
The moon did come up but very late and looked glorious above the water, and that Sky app was once more engaged.
The day started a tad cloudy and we thought we would head for the actual town of Lefkada, and have a coffee overlooking the sailing boats. They were still tempting us at breakfast to some incredible ideas. Cheesecake?
Let me show you some other pictures while we travel there.
Which reminds me, we found a dead snake on the road just outside the hotel. Can anyone identify it?
As we drove along the weather began to take a turn for the worse and by the time we got to Lefkada, it was raining proper rain.
There seemed little point hanging about in such dire conditions so reluctantly we headed back to the hotel, as the lightening then started!
The weather forecast was incredibly inaccurate! Look at the words about when the rain will start, which I looked at, as the heavens opened.
Lunch was taken not surprisingly indoors. Mary having that wonderful feta and melon mix and I went for the Croque madame.
We sat on our balcony for a while and gradually the sun appeared and Mary was away for a snorkel. I sat and wrote the blog; tomorrow I shall swim again, right from the get go. Weather permitting!
Tonight we are eating in the hotel. Tomorrow once more – who knows! It’s in the hands of the gods.
Thanks for reading. M & M ☔️☔️🍰🍢🐱🐱 Please do feel free to comment.
As predicted we did eat in last night at the hotel. I had a salmon and basmati rice dish that was most acceptable, the flavours were superb and Mary had a beautiful pasta meal.
And as predicted we never did see that full moon. Lots of rain and a bit of lightening in the night but dawn arrived with the sun up and shining.
The hotel seems determined to trash any form of diet you might think of pursuing, because look what arrived laid out this morning! Tamara was back and reported a splendid wedding, her voice was horse from too much singing but like here the weather had been very changeable in Belgrade.
We wondered down to the little village and had a drink in a small Taverna, we have never frequented but looking at his prices (very good) we may well dine there before heading home on Sunday.
We strolled back and had lunch at the beach bar. Pizza again but the order was right first time! And Mary went for a paddle, reporting the water to be beautifully warm.
We have come to the conclusion it is the most idyllic of spots.
As I type Mary has gone for a snorkel and I am heading for the shower. Back to that same restaurant in the village tonight; it’s only fault was that one time had Mary ordered pistachio ice cream but what came was not quite pistachio as we know it Jim. The waiter even said it was British folks favourite flavour. The jury is still out.
Let me start with a few omissions from yesterday. On the road to those west coast views, we passed at one point a little section full of folk all selling honey and oil, from both sides of the road. How they all survive cheek by jowl, and make a living is exactly what we said last time we passed them six years ago. Each one greets you as an old friend as you drive along, in the hope your curiosity will encourage you to stop and examine their wares. Nearby we found the source of the honey, we can never remember seeing so many bee hives in one spot before.
The other intrigue of the day was a rather splendid looking gin palace that moored opposite the hotel. Eat your heart out Ian Southern. I loved the name and actually thought it should be renamed in honour of Slimming World, because of how much I have put down my throat in the last few days, to “Seven Syns.”
Google is such a fantastic thing, that within seconds I discovered who owned it and that it was worth $25 million; oh yes and of course you can hire it for a mere €300,000 a week. It takes 10 passengers and has 11 crew. I must commence the lottery upon my return to England and resume my day dreaming of what to do with the winnings; which now extends well beyond just owning a Ferrari.
And finally I have been intrigued by the cat’s eyes on the road in some places. They are positioned on the extreme right. I think the reason is so that you know where the right hand edge is and don’t plummet down a cliff or into the bushes. So being British, if you saw these in a confused state at night in the pitch black, you might think you had completely forgotten to drive on the right hand side of the road and think you were driving on the left. Then if you pulled over to put the cat’s eyes in the middle of the road where they should be – off down the cliff you would go! Just a thought and maybe a warning!
So back to the same Taverna as last night and Mary was immediately told her stuffed tomatoes had been reserved!
You can watch the sun go down and the moon come up. Tonight should be good as it is a harvest moon, although we have opted for dinner back at the hotel but the moon should be there, clouds permitting! We started with Taramasalata and I ordered sea bass, which they had!
Everyone was pleased and very full at the end but I had just enough room for a very cheeky yoghurt and honey. Shame this will be very off the to eat list back in Blighty!
Another iffy start to the day but at breakfast we caught a very quick glimpse of some dolphins in the bay, a first for us in Greece. We parked ourselves by the pool to await developments. We didn’t have to wait long for the rain to start.
And really dear reader that was about as exciting as it got. We shared a club chicken sandwich for lunch and afterwards I went eventually for another swim in the pool (chuffed doesn’t quite cover it!) as the clouds rolled in. The rain stopped for a while, but I suspect as we can hear distant thunder as I type this, we shall be eating in tonight and not seeing that full moon.
Still having fun with the SkyView lite app; finding Cancer the crab in the bedroom, and the sun next to a Hubble telescope on the way back from the Taverna. Thanks for reading and if you want to DPD an umbrella or two out to us, we would be very grateful! M & M 🛰️🪐🇬🇷🇬🇷☔️☔️🐬🐬🐬
We arrived back at the same Taverna for dinner last night and this time were greeted like old friends. We sat downstairs, the upstairs where we ate the night before is relatively new. We were soon joined by anxious chums looking to be fed!
Mary looked at the menu, salivated slightly and said, “Oh stuffed tomatoes!” I ordered Pastitsio and the young waiter disappeared, only to reappear quite quickly and announce that the stuffed tomatoes had all gone! A big disappointment, Mary looked downcast, but the Moussaka she then plumped for did not disappoint, nor did my Pastitsio.
We had it along with a Greek salad; as you can see neither dish was accompanied by anything. In England they always ask, “Would you like any vegetables with that?” Don’t they? Here, I think I said before, it is neither offered or seemingly thought about. But that’s tradition and you have to learn to slip back into it. The sardine clock on the wall amused me; that fish tail swung from side to side. We booked again for tonight as we left and the main man yelled out to the chef and reserved stuffed tomatoes for Mary this evening. Customer service at its finest!
So, Dawn arrived and despite the weather app, showing bright sunshine, the sky was pretty cloudy – so we took ourselves off in the Fiat 500 and headed towards Vasiliki and beyond. One of the best hire cars I have had in Greece is shown below, a beautiful Mercedes; compared with the tin can I am currently driving around in.
Looking at the picture I’m not quite sure how I shoe horn myself into that thing but with Mary’s help, somehow I do.
There were some beautiful views to be seen on the west coast, photographed by Mary, but even this late in the season, the roads seemed quite busy. But I say busy and then think of the M25 and you are right, it isn’t!
Back to Sivota for lunch, to yesterday’s restaurant to be greeted by the waitress who said, “Welcome back!” Time for my Kalamata moment – obviously I made an huge impression on the young lady yesterday! Mary asked for sardines. “I’m sorry the fisherman has not been for two days, we don’t have that.” Another sullen face! However, the thought of prawns brightened her up so that was ordered and I ordered chicken souvlaki. The waiter returned, “I’m sorry we don’t have any chicken souvlaki,” this time it was my turn for my face to drop. In the end I settled for lamb cutlets and again we shared a salad. As soon as the food arrived so did various interested parties!
We keep trying to have small lunches but it doesn’t seem to work out that way; the prawns were huge and the chops plentiful. At the hotel Mary went for another snorkel and I had a traditional Greek siesta; well, when in Rome.
Thanks for reading. All downhill to the stuffed tomatoes, methinks!
The day dawned a tad iffy and by the time we headed down for breakfast, mild panic had broken out because rain had started and staff were standing by to usher folk indoors to eat; there is an outside area for those hot balmy mornings. In fact it was but a really quick passing drizzle and normality was quickly restored.
I had my normal scrambled egg and baked beans; the problem here dear Slimming World chums is I have paid for it, so I am damn well going to eat it, aren’t I? And as you can see more extraordinary goodies were paraded before you!
It quickly turned into a by the pool day, keeping a watchful eye on the clouds. If you thought yesterday’s blog was short and boring, stick around. For lunch we ordered a Pizza, having resisted so far and decided to split one between two. We are heading back to the same Taverna tonight as last night, we enjoyed it so much. Did I say, the food was traditional Greek which was appealing but about half the price of eating in the hotel. So, a bit of a no brainer really.
Anyway we plumped for a pineapple (one of your five a day!) bacon and cheese affair. It arrived and first Mary took her slightly dirty plate back and then headed beck to cause the waiter more angst by telling him we were presented with something we hadn’t ordered. It wasn’t the right Pizza at all. The picture has the correct one but also two slices from the incorrect one on the plate. How could he have not noticed? We get the feeling he really doesn’t want to be there replacing Nikolai.
And the clouds gathered. Mary undaunted took to the sea and snorkeled. And we realised this is where most folk had gathered although a lot left to head back for Blighty today.
Mary has been taking some beautiful flower pictures and other interesting snaps.
So, that’s it. If tomorrow is just as exciting as today, I might skip a blog day, except hopefully the Taverna tonight might be interesting. Laura as I type is heading back from Switzerland. And I am heading for the shower; please no FaceTime calls – it’s not a pretty sight!
Thanks for reading – comments welcome – but put yer name at the end as a lot are anonymous! Or maybe you wanted it like that?
Another chilling day. i.e. We did bugger all again.
Another odd co-incidence is a singing chum of Mary’s Jane and her other half Steve are sailing around these parts. Last heard of in Sivota and before that in Meganisi! It’s a truly small world. Last night we dined at the hotel and did miss Nikolai and Tamara; funny how in such a short time you build up a rapport, that makes the whole meal thing a more enjoyable experience.
Mary had that beautiful sea bass and I had the equally beautiful Lamb Shank that Mary had so enjoyed; as you can see it just fell off the bone. The sky looked very ominous but nothing happened – phew! Mary very kindly donated one of her three huge (cough, cough) carrots to me, that you can see on her plate! Love is giving someone some of your veg. I began to play with an app, on my phone called SkyView Lite. And although no stars were visible, you can see from the screen shots what I was seeing. I played with it again back in the hotel room and ended up with the Hubble Telescope on the bedroom floor. I’m sure someone can explain this phenomenon but it’s a bit beyond my comprehension.
Breakfast did not disappoint and Mary went big time for the pancakes. The other stuff on offer again would make a Slimming World rep feel quite faint.
We decided to take a memory trip out to Geni, where we had stayed before on one of our visits. Of course we suddenly realised it was Saturday, so hardly crowded at all (cough, cough, encore) and much changed since our visit with handy little red posts all over the place to stop you parking randomly or almost anywhere in fact. A new car park that charged had been built and after a little drive round we decided not to stay. We headed back to the hotel via the supermarket and investigated the beach actually in the hamlet of Mikros Gialos itself; same result – packed! So we returned to the sanctuary of the very uncrowded hotel and parked our bums on our balcony and waited to see what the weather was going to do, as we had had a little rain while we were out and about.
It perked up enough to head for the beach bar and have lunch. We both had omelets, that were more than enough, having booked a table for dinner on the way back at another downtown Taverna for tonight. Mary then went for a swim in the sea and I had a splash about in the pool. So ended another day in paradise, apart from the evening meal, which at last was authentic Greek! Mary had gigantes, Greek baked giant beans and I had swordfish. We started with courgettes and a dip but they came looking like small fries! Like I said, you can never be sure what will arrive on the plate!
And as you can see at least my swordfish had a few greens with it.
Thank you for reading – thanks for your comments – more are as always are very welcome.
We ate in the village (more a hamlet to my eyes) last night in the taverna we had lunch in the day before. Mary had a prawn and pasta dish and I plumped for the veal.
You really never know quite what is coming and Mary’s looked exactly as we expected but mine was crying out for vegetables; they weren’t offered or even suggested. The meat was gorgeous but even just a carrot would have helped. It did rain a little while we were eating inside and we both imagined the folk dining at the hotel, once more bolting for cover. This restaurant had hats hanging up, almost as an art work in 2018, and on our last visit we saw there were four there but last night only three! I must get a new picture.
The forecast for today was a tad grim. We had a quiet night but awoke to a very soggy vista and rain. A shelf managed to collapse as Mary took a bag off it and broke a glass – this was to be as exciting as the day got! Friday 13th remember. The rain stopped, we went for breakfast; what a wonderful habit this is becoming. By the time we returned shelf back – glass sorted.
And having studied the weather forecast we decided to stay put on our room balcony afterwards and just see what developed. It didn’t take long for the thunder to rumble and the rain to move back in so we moved off the balcony back into the room as the view slowly disappeared.
This in the end turned out to be, I was going to say laziest, but we are on holiday for goodness sake! So, turned out to be our most chilled out day so far. The rain finally stopped and we wandered down to be pool side.
Lunchtime came and we stayed more or less put, just up one level – the picture on the right above.
Croque Madame – poached eggs were delicious.Thought this stone looked like a joint of ham
Mary had sea bass ceviche and I had the above. Exciting life isn’t it? That was that really. Mary finished a book in a day; I am a lousy reader and always have been. Mary went for a swim and I hope my colostomy bag support trunks will be dry by tomorrow, so I can have another dip myself.
We are eating poolside again tonight – and tomorrow’s events, well we shall see what occurs. You never know we might surprise ourselves and DO something!
So, Mary did buy something but in Sivota, after lunch. A rather charming cool, Greek looking dress. She wore it to dinner last night and walking past reception the lady said, “Oh what a pretty dress!” And as she arrived at the table dear Tamara said, “Oh your dress is lovely. Really very Greek style but so beautifully plain and simple.” Being complimented twice in five minutes brought out a rather large smile, as you can imagine.
Mary had that delicious Moussaka that I had the first night and I had the Sea Bass which was to die for and we finished with a shared Pavlova which was on the house, for being such regular customers. Tamara reported that the chef recognised Mary from his days in Kalamata, so once more she was highly flattered, as we only ever passed through there on our way to Agios Nikolao, on the mainland. And only once stayed overnight in an hotel. Nikolai and Tamara are away for five days to a wedding in Serbia – they were driving to Athens after service. We wished them good luck.
I meant to say we met a chap in the lift on Monday, departing suitcase in hand. “Yes, sorry to say going home, catching a boat in a while.” Not the way we have ever arrived or departed but then he continued, “So how long are you here for in the Greek idyllic setting?” “We only arrived yesterday, another two weeks.” His face plummeted as though he had been stabbed viscously through the heart. “I shouldn’t have asked that should I?”
Breakfast was, as always, a visual overload of choices to make your brain spin.
And we decided just to have a very lazy day. We spent the morning sitting by the pool. Then wandered down to the beach bar for lunch; eating a shared club sandwich that was ample.
We watched brave folk out in a pedalo, very similar to ones we had seen in Prague, the large picture and brown car, but a slight difference on a river compared to the sea, we decided.
Then back to the pool and a swim and that was our exhausting day. Tales have reached us of hail in the UK and we hear are promised another storm tomorrow night, if that is any consolation.
We are eating in the village tonight and tomorrow who knows?
We sat down to dinner but didn’t quite have the optimism that the staff seemed to have about dining al fresco by the pool.
We had only just ordered our main course and the heavens began to open. The lovely Serbian waiter Nikolai ran around like a thing possessed and moved glasses, wine and everyone inside. We were not quite inside but had to move again as the rain almost began to sideways! His faithful assistant Tamara, helped sort us all out and the restaurant became swiftly unset for breakfast! Whats larks pip! Mary had that lovely sea bream and I had the most exquisite chicken dish.
The rain lashed down outside and Nikolai emerged soaking wet muttering “They wouldn’t listen to me!” The night although there were many flashes of lightening passed incredibly quietly – and so to breakfast.
Overnight I had a message from Paul Faraday jnr, that they were on holiday in Lekada! Small world or what? And they had visited quite a few times as we have done.
We decided to take the Fiat for a drive to Vasiliki (Paul had just left here, yesterday!) and have a look round and then drive back for lunch in Sivota.
We stopped for a coffee in Vasiliki and then headed off for Sivota, after a nice lady let me sit down outside her restaurant as I explained Mary had popped into a shop, “A retail therapy!” She said clearly understanding my plight.
Sivota was exactly as we remembered and we sat down to two salads and some Taramasalata. I had the melon and feta, a really excellent combination.
With fish swimming right next to us and Mary being photo bombed by a boat!
Tonight’s meal was successfully taken out side but let’s start with that tomorrow; as it is now way past my bedtime!
We ate dinner indoors last night as the rain poured down but the Bream was delicious and the Tiramisu wonderful.
Mary thought she was not in the picture taken by our lovely Serbian waiter. And so to bed in trepidation but dear reader nothing happened – not one flash (lightening dear, lightening) was to be seen.
Breakfast was accompanied by some smoldering burning wood – to keep the wasps away apparently who had become a bit active our waitress said – she also is Serbian! But more photos of the layout to follow but mouth watering displays everywhere!
So you can see you could do some real damage to your Slimming World plan. What do I mean ‘could’?
Then with the rain having abated and the renewed storm threat (nine am) evaporated we headed off to Nydri to exchange the rather small Fiat 500 manual; two calls during dinner had said rock up to Avis in the main high street tomorrow and we will upgrade you. Exchanging a Fiat 500 manual for a Fiat 500 automatic, didn’t quite in my mind qualify for the words ‘upgrade’ but then I don’t hire out cars for a living! I had to pay obviously but the lady who did the exchange was absolutely charming and quite impressed by my smattering of Greek – at last a non Serbian. The vehicle is so much more modern and I can see the speedometer – always a bonus! But gosh so small!
We wandered down to the little village Mikros Galios, it’s a ten minute stroll and had lunch at a taverna.
Musing as we strolled at what creative imaginations some people have who name their boats. We shared a Greek salad and some Taramasalata, plus two beers some water and one ice cream and the bill was £19. Try buying that little lot for that price in Switzerland. Back to the hotel and watch the world go by time again and another swim for Mary.
The storm clouds are gathering again, and anther debate is being had about once more not laying the outside tables for dinner. A few years back the area they call the beach bar only had pop umbrellas now they are very sturdy sort bamboo/straw type affairs.
Tomorrow we shall gun the Fiat 500 off for a trip round the island.
Everyone seems to be battening down the hatches. When one phone pings a warning everyone gets it and it’s for heavy rain and thunderstorms. At least we won’t be bobbing about in a plane; which reading todays news it seems we were lucky to have taken said flight.
Last night we dined overlooking the sea, such warmth and tranquility. Mary had the Lamb Shank and I had the Moussaka, both as you can see recommended by the Sef himself, and both utterly delicious. My dessert was Baklava cheesecake, which sounded an interesting combo and boy was it ever, Mary opting for caramel ice cream.
The air conditioning in the room is both quiet and absolutely functional, so a peaceful night was had by all; we woke up slightly amazed that it was ten past eight! Breakfast did not disappoint and I shall take a picture of what’s on offer; they have really upped their game and the choices are plentiful. You do have to pay extras for eggs various but they still have scrambled eggs for free and it was all hot!
We spent a very lazy day not doing a lot but sitting in places various, watching the world go by. My lunch of a chicken burger, was “bonkersly” chip overloaded. No need for Angie to be on my shoulder, no way could I finish these but they were delicious.
Towards the end of the day Mary went for a dip in the pool and pronounced the water warm! We started speaking Greek (well we try!) to the barman but found out he is Serbian, so we have packed that in! The storm looks set to hit at midnight – will let you know how we got on but first dinner!
So the cuisine in the food gaff next to The Premier Inn, did leave a bit to be desired. As I was now officially on my holidays, I plumped for the steak and ale pie! Angie from Slimming World was perched firmly on my shoulders; little did I know she was to stay there until we boarded the plane. It looks ticketyboo, doesn’t it?
The chips were stone cold as were the vegetables; the only thing that was hot was the pie. I couldn’t be bothered complaining, they take it away and warm it up and spit on it, don’t they? So a few vegetables were eaten but the chips remained unconsumed. Well done Angie!
The extra time sleeping that I was so chuffed to think about, never really happened as we had one god almighty thunderstorm! It came and exploded at about one o’clock, it drifted away and then returned for a second bout! The alarm went off to two already awake people at 4 am but my one thought was that at least I had avoided driving from home to Gatwick in the eye of the storm.
Now in my humble opinion, it takes a lot of effort to ruin a cooked breakfast but My Lounge at Gatwick south terminal, did a fine job. It took me back to Truck Fest many years ago when Mary worked for TRL and breakfast at the hotel we stayed in was a disaster, in that it was a buffet but the so called, ‘hot plates’ just were not keeping the food warm at all. Fade to black and fade up and my meal this morning was exactly the same, even the baked beans were cold! Glad that Angie is staying in the UK!
So to the flight; an hour late taking off but the turbulence some hour or so in to the journey, would have cost you a few bob at Thorpe Park! And it has been an awful long time since I have seen a sick bag used in anger by another passenger, so dear reader that’s how bad it was! Anyway, we made it.
The hire car is a manual! And the pokiest hire car I have had for some considerable time. We hope to rectify that during next week; because otherwise I can see my self stamping on the brake – thinking it is the clutch – and standing the Lexus on its arse, when we get back to the UK. But let’s not get that far ahead!
Our balcony above has this wonderful view from the fab bedroom, and we shall be dining at one of those tables tonight by the pool and the sea.
I’m sure the hotel will get breakfast right in the morning – unless of course Angie had a whacky ride here hanging onto the wing!!!!!
Thanks for all your comments yesterday, keep them coming.
Last night we had an excellent dinner in the hotel and both had the pan seared stone bass, which was to die for! We shared a potion of whitebait as a starter, and the sun on the sea was spectacular.
After another superb breakfast, we sadly had to say goodbye to the Harbour Heights Hotel and headed for a place called Compton Acres, which is a large garden complex.
The gardens were beautiful and although we had lots of spaces to choose from to park, by the time we left it was a completely different story.
The weather was sunny and warm (how lucky have we been!) Yesterday was a wash out at home and my dear chum Mike, from round the corner, cautioned us to be careful of the Orca in our garden upon our return! 😂🤣 Yes, that much rain! As we left at least four people were fighting for our parking space; a victim of their own success?
So that’s that folks. A wonderful break and I would go back there at the drop of a hat, just for that view if nothing else. Funny how your eyes feel rested.
Who knew that deer liked Tulips? Well you do now.
Take care until the next time. Mary and Malcolm ⛴️🥢🥡🪷🌹🌺
With two sets of chums in the States right now, Poole may just seem a little pedestrian but life is what you make it! We had a superb Chinese meal in the hotel last night and Mary declared it, “Better than Rice, and better than Sandhurst!” Which are two of our favourite local eateries.
And after a hearty breakfast, we were off to the ferry at Sandbanks to Studland and Swanage. That’s not it in the picture, that is the Channel Islands Condor service. I had poached eggs, that if you remember the Hotel health and spa place in Essex could hardly remember having made for anyone. The waitress was delightful and when she saw me making my own toast in the toaster, told me to sit back down and she would bring it to the table. I sent a couple of pictures to my neighbour in Yateley who lives just at the back of us. He was unimpressed by the cloudy bright (remember that camera setting!) conditions as it was incredibly wet and soggy back home, indeed pouring with rain.
This was knoll beach, where folk were swimming, where the water temperature was posted as ten degrees! Some were going for a dip then rushing back into sauna huts – sensible folk.
I certainly didn’t need a coat and the King Harry’s rocks glistened in the sunshine. It was at this point I received an email from Mike my neighbour, saying he was now going to ignore me! Knoll beach is National Trust and even has a book shop!
We then headed for Swanage and a walk on the pier and a light lunch of a prawn sandwich, shared between the two of us.
A lot quieter than at the height of the Victorian season! Really very pleasant with so few people around; I’m guessing they might all rock up tomorrow for the bank holiday weekend.
That clock tower in the distance came from London Bridge in 1868 and was brought down as ballast! It’s an interesting story if you google it! Tonight is the Italian restaurant in the hotel and home tomorrow but as it is going to be sunny again, we may not rush returning to Treen Towers!
Thanks for reading, and thanks for your comments; there will be one more installment tomorrow.
We just needed a break and almost just stuck a pin in the map and plumped; not quite but it wasn’t far off the truth. So, our chosen spot was Poole and the Harbour Heights Hotel, just for two nights but a chance to look at the sea and relax. The journey down was fairly easy, when you are not in a rush or hurry they often are, aren’t they?
We arrived slightly ahead of the check in time of three o’clock but to our delight the room was ready. It has a very pleasant view and is fully equipped with tea and coffee making facilities. Sandwiches for lunch in a very pleasant dining room, again with a view and then a post lunch snooze for me and the crossword for Mary.
We headed towards Sandbanks and it seems no matter what the season, whatever the weather the kite surfing folk are always in the bay opposite Brownsea Island. (With recent publicity about water companies, that name now takes on a rather dubious meaning!)
That’s Brownsea Island Castle, bought by the National Trust and leased to John Lewis, for use as a corporate hotel only by their employees. We marveled at the houses along Sandbanks, there are some awesome gaffs there and I might go a tad wild on the Euro millions and Lotto on Saturday; wouldn’t it be wonderful to own one of those? However, down one of the side roads was someone who had obviously been waiting for a long time for his winning ticket to pop up!
A short walk finished off the excursion and tonight we are heading for a Chinese meal in the hotel restaurant. Bon appétit everyone! Whatever it is in Chinese.
Thanks for reading – more tomorrow. Mary and Malcolm 🥢🥡 🌊
Dinner on Wednesday evening was again back to the restaurant just across the street. I was going to have fish but the temptation of the duck was far too strong and Mathieu had a huge bowl of moules (mussels) that he didn’t know the restaurant did! So that was a revelation! He spotted two chaps noshing them on an adjoining table.
Come the dawn, we had a leisurely breakfast dans le maison de Mathieu.
Possibly the biggest baguette in the world! And then another adventure on the Metro to the place de la republique and time for a coffee and to watch the world go by.
We then strolled leisurely through an Arabic quarter and then into a Chinese district, heading towards a Thai restaurant for lunch. It was in an area that Mathieu grew up in and knew very well indeed.
Some amazing buildings and the odd window display that nearly spoilt my appetite! It reminded me of the, butchers where I grew up in Salford, where rabbits were hung happily outside the premises. It’s remarkable how sanitised we have become in the UK. We paused at yet another bar but this time for a pre lunch beer. The little restaurant was very quiet and you could hear yourself talk very easily; such a blessing that is not possible in many English restaurants these days – or is that just me?
I forgot to take a picture of the delicious Thai salad starter before I ate it. Sorry! But as unbelievable as it may seem I plumped once more for duck. At least I’m consistent, if also incredibly unadventurous! And that was that folks. My flight was at 18-05 and Mathieu very kindly drove me to the airport. There is no charge for dropping someone off at Charles de Gaulle – Gatwick and Heathrow please note! Why do we put up with being ripped off in this country?
We left Paris as the sun set and the flight was only delayed by thirty minutes, and at least this time I did have a window seat – paying £8 again to change it. Why? They do see me coming don’t they? We flew in over London and you can see Battersea Power station to the right of the bridge. Landing at a C gate meant a good old walk to the little shuttle train and by the time I got to passport control, I must have looked fairly old and knackered because a kind lady raised one of those ribbon partitions so I didn’t have to do that pointless zig-zagging. These are fine when there is a crowd to control but a tad stupid when there isn’t. So happily hobbling to the automated Heathrow pod parking, imagine my deflation as a sign and a load of barriers told me it wasn’t working. I had instead to go in search of bus stop number 28. Fantastic! I always love a happy ending, don’t you?
Thanks for reading – hope you enjoyed the trip! Malcolm 🇫🇷✈️🇬🇧🥖🍷
Left Heathrow just after one o’clock yesterday. I had paid £8 to change my seat from one in the middle of the row to one by the window. I was quite happy in the Hub going to Terminal 5. Not so happy when I realised 30F, the seat I had paid to sit in, had no blooming window!
Also despite having a wonderful selection of foods and drink in front of me in their little brochure non were served on board! So bang went my idea of a gin and tonic and wonderful Tom Kerridge sandwich! A double whammy!
Hey ho! Mathieu was there to collect me, after what seemed like a walking holiday of Terminal 2D at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Traffic was really bad heading back into town but we safely arrived and finally a gin was taken! We ate in the wonderful restaurant just opposite Mathieu’s lovely apartment.
After breakfast of croissants and coffee we headed for the Metro and the centre of Paris.
Arriving at Notre Dame via the flower market, we sat for a while watching the world go by and wondering why so many police confronted a driver in a parked Mercedes.
A short stroll brought us to a small cafe and the very nice maître d, decided we looked so friendly he would offer us all three courses on the menu of the day, instead of just a choice of two!
You can see above a huge starter of meats various, steak and frites (again!) and a very light chocolate dessert. Tonight I promise to eat something different! And that did for both of us frankly. Back to the apartment for a snooze!
The clock is on de la Conciergerie and was originally a prison. The weather was perfect – no rain -not too hot and not too cold! We have to leave tomorrow at three, a shame because ex LWT chums by sheer coincidence are arriving in Paris. Sarah from the locations office and David Fitzgerald are both rocking into town on Eurostar! Life just gets very odd sometimes! We could have all met up but alas it ain’t going to happen.
Back last night to the Restaurant des Remparts, we do like it and it is the closest in the rain! It didn’t disappoint. I had a vol au vent that was simply delicious and Mary some beautifully presented Gruyeres cheese and salad.
I think it was chicken and mushroom, it simply said ‘house vol au vent,’ and the vegetables were outstanding. Mary then chose a splendid ice cream concoction, and I plumped for the crème brûlée. Both of which rounded the evening off beautifully. We weren’t quite the last to leave!
I have mentioned before the Swiss preference to eat early, which applies not only to lunch but also to dinner. For lunch, they are normally in the restaurant by twelve o’clock and you would be hard pushed to find one open after two.
Breakfast was more of a success because I kept my eye on looking out for the waitress topping up the scrambled egg. Despite the fact that the contraption doesn’t seem to keep the food hot, if you pounce immediately she has replenished the compartments various, you are on to a winner.
The bacon, is not bacon as we know it Jim. It is that incredibly fatty type that has a bacon content of some 1%. And once the rind is removed, as recommended by Slimming World, it is hardly worth the effort of putting it on the plate.
Across the top of the mountain we went, to greet the troops at Laura’s flat in Romont. And the snow was certainly present up there and it had been snowing in Gruyeres as we left.
Zach was sporting his rather splendid illuminated baseball cap, that we bought him as a Christmas present and we admired, yet again, what skill Laura has as an artist.
Then off for lunch to one of our favourite Romont haunts, La Poularde restaurant. Incredibly quiet for a Saturday but we arrived at about one fifteen, probably after the main lunchtime rush! It does the most reasonably priced chicken in a basket and that is exactly what we all had. Really good value and tasty with it.
I did mean to take a group shot but failed miserably but did remember to take a shot of the car – it’s a Ford Focus. So there we are folks. Home tomorrow with Laura, probably leaving behind a snowy Switzerland in exchange for a wet Darby Green and a week of medical appointments to look forward to for both of us!
Hope you enjoyed the trip. Here’s to the next one! 🥂
Look after yourselves. Malcolm and Mary 🇨🇭 🚗💨 ✈️ 🇬🇧
Last night we went to the Restaurant des Remparts, an old haunt of ours in Gruyeres. I was still quite replete from the trout, so just had a ham omelette and Mary had a rosti, but it was quite large and did defeat her! I must start taking pictures again of the food! Bit late they cried, only one more day left. Anyway, the place looked stunningly very seasonal still.
I tried the scrambled egg, baked beans and tomato’s for breakfast but it was all lukewarm; so that option will be discounted tomorrow. If you can’t keep it hot then don’t bother serving it, is my take. What grumpy old man, where?
The view of the mountains was completely obscured so off to Bulle we went and had a very pleasant coffee, waiting for the gang to arrive.
We had lunch in a self service Chinese establishment that was so big, it felt like it should be in the States! Children were a reduced rate but not if they were a certain height! Work (or should that be wok?) that one out? So, of course our two tall grandchildren got classed as adults. It was £24 per head but eat as much as you liked, so in order to get my monies worth I’m afraid I did just that. I guess you could spend all afternoon in there and just graze. But the evening price went up to £42 per head! No way sunbeam.
Away to the exhibition and a fascinating look back at Swiss history it was. Exactly the right place for a very, very wet afternoon.
As you can see from my photo above, Gruyere really has not changed much and the fountain in the middle has obviously been there forever. Some of the exhibits were a little risqué especially the very odd group picture and the traditional (?) costume gave a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘give us a twirl, Anthea.’ (God that dates me!)
But on the whole educational as well as entertaining!
And that was that, another day came and it went. We have seen the horrendous flooding pictures from the UK, on social media. Amazingly although the TV in the room has finally gone HD, with goodness knows how many channels, it still has not got one English speaking feed. Not even BBC World or an annoying American outlet.
Stay dry if you can, and thank you for reading. Comments absolutely welcome and thank you to those who have – even anonymously! Just pop yer name on the end then we will know who it’s from.
Malcolm and Mary 🇨🇭🎄🚗💨🥢🥡 That promised picture of our red car tomorrow.
Last night we ventured into the new restaurant now almost part of the Hotel. You do get 10% off if you are a resident. It specializes in cheese fondue and raclette but also does other dishes on a fairly limited menu. Having had quite a late lunch we only needed a glass of wine and a dessert of some sort. Very pleasant surroundings and very pleasant staff.
Mary threw caution to the wind and had meringue and Gruyeres cream, I settled for two scoops of ice cream. As we ate the rain began to pour down, the wind began to blow, and there was one huge flash of lightening followed by a roll of very loud thunder. Thankfully a one off!
Dawn brought blue skies and the plan was for Laura and the grandchildren to come to us, open up their Christmas presents and then we were to head for lunch up the top of the nearby Moléson. The breakfast area of the hotel had changed quite a bit since our last visit. You may remember stories from the past of the intricacies of the egg boiling machine; well this is sadly a thing of the past.
The picture above is from 2019 (the one on the right today) and probably the staff had got fed up with cleaning it every time someone got over excited with the heating control and their egg cracked and made a real mess of the interior. Also, you are now no longer served personally with tea or coffee, you are pointed towards the Nespresso machine or the kettle, however hot scrambled egg, bacon and tomatoes are available from the self service area. Historically all the food had been cold apart from the boiled eggs. And there was a major change in the room in that that it now possesses a kettle for coffee or tea making. It never has had and, of course, Mary remembered this and we had brought our own little travel one out with us! Never mind we have a good supply of Yorkshire tea bags.
There was entertainment to be had in watching a helicopter moving huge portions of a tree, which we took to be one fallen down as a result of the high winds last night and blocking some important thoroughfare. Pure speculation on our part but we couldn’t think of any other reason a helicopter would be deployed for such a use.
We went for a stroll round the village, where Christmas carols were still playing on the public address system and the decorations had not yet come down. We paused for a coffee and waited for Laura to arrive.
By the time the gang made it, we decided to have lunch in Gruyeres (I had trout again!) and by the time that had finished, the trip up the mountain was aborted as the last cable car down would have left very little time for viewing. So we shall see what tomorrow brings weather wise; no point paying 35 Swiss francs each, if there isn’t a view, Laura quite rightly pointed out. So the gang went for another village stroll, while I sat outside the restaurant and watched humanity pass by. And in some ways it was as good as parking yourself outside Terminal 5 arrivals for a bit of quality time.
The place is pretty busy but I guess that there isn’t strictly a tourist season. This little Robin, that Mary spotted, like me also seemed happy to watch the world go by.
It does seem strange not to see it as a winter wonderland (see below) but I’m sure David Attenborough would tell me why it doesn’t look like it did in 2019, although that was February not January. Let’s keep an eye on the forecast!
The alarm going off at 4am was a tad intrusive. The amount of traffic on the roads at five o’clock in the morning still amazes me and I know I should get out more! Gatwick was fairly efficient, they seemed to have put families traveling together with passenger assist people, which causes reasonable queues through security and Mary wished she had not declined the offer of a wheelchair as we found ourselves standing for quite a time, which does cause her grief at the moment.
Anyway, lounge no.1 was a pleasant oasis away from the hullabaloo outside and a very nice man came to pick us up and transported us in a buggy to the departure gate, which was some distance. He imparted a fact that we never knew and that was that the landing fees were cheaper the further you were away from the terminal. As we were flying EasyJet, it suddenly made sense. Mary was transferred to a wheelchair at the gate and we sped past the queue waiting to board. At Geneva we were transported off the plane in the usual transportation device and sped through security to baggage reclaim; Mary once more in a wheelchair.
The hire car was efficiently obtained from Avis and for the first time we have a red one – picture tomorrow. The lady did offer me an electric one for the same price and I was tempted but I decided that the worry about availability of charging points in a foreign country was probably not the best place to have my first try out of such a vehicle.
For once the road from Geneva towards Romont contained no road works. Ever since we have graced Switzerland with our presence, there have always been road works along the dual carriageway leading out of town. Always.
We met up with Laura and Safi and Zach (joyous reunion) at her flat and went off in search of lunch. Finally finding a restaurant open (It was Wednesday – remember the old days of Wednesday afternoons in England?) near Gruyères, where we are staying and as we pulled up outside, irony of ironies we were faced with two electric car chargers!
All three adults had the trout and all the kids had the steak. The steak came on hot slabs, and was from the children’s menu!!! English restaurants please note! The lad on the right young Enzo, was being minded for the day by Laura, he is the son of a good chum of hers Nico. I should have taken pictures of the food, it was all beautifully presented. And no we didn’t try the snails in Absinthe, the drink was banned in France in 1915, when the wormwood used to make it was thought to cause hallucinations and madness. Absinthe was blamed for Van Gogh’s ear-lopping incident. It was invented in Switzerland in the canton of Neuchâtel and I guess if you have it with snails, you just go mad very slowly?
That’s all folks! Until tomorrow. Thank you for reading! Malcolm and Mary. 👍✈️🚗💨🇨🇭🇨🇭🇨🇭🇨🇭
We finished last night by saving the absolute best till last. We ordered chateaubriand for dinner and were totally rewarded by our last feast.
The meat was cooked to perfection and the bottle of red from Chile was divine. We had absolutely no room for dessert! It was an amazing meal; Mary declaring that indeed one of the best meals she had ever had. As I found and booked the hotel, you can imagine my relief!
Overnight rain and our last breakfast, where one more more thing finally dawned on me after four mornings! I know, it does take a while! There was no fruit to be seen, nor has there ever been. Most hotels offer a poached egg and indeed always at least a banana but not this one; an apple then? Nope. Sorry to bang on about this, but a health gaff that does not offer any fruit? My brain just hurt slightly when the penny dropped.
Anyway, there they all were in their white bath robes, ready to eat their healthy breakfasts! Fried eggs in oil or scrambled in butter. Is it me?
Above – a couple of Mary’s pictures that escaped. And we packed our bags and said bye bye to what was a very pleasant stay at the Lifehouse Spa and hotel. The food has certainly been exquisite. The Essex accents cracked us up occasionally and the eyelashes even more, and we won’t mention the Botox, but each to his own and thank god we are all different. The staff were all absolutely brilliant and all very polite. Our waitress last night looked about eighteen years old but had three children! We must be getting old.
We traveled back via that dreadful M25 but we turned off at Rickmansworth, even so it still took us four hours to get home! But never mind, we kept moving. Hope you have enjoyed the journey, do let us know. All comments welcome.
The same again – bright then cloudy, then drizzle.
Last nights dinner was a pork chop for Mary and rump steak for me. A strange absence of vegetables pervades the menu, but some broccoli did save the evening!
Mary had a salmon starter and I had the pear and blue cheese, both of which were delicious. A bottle of house red from Italy, grown by a New Zealander helped the meat digest beautifully and left us too full for dessert.
At breakfast, a disappointed client, ahead of me in the queue, asked for a poached egg and was declined. Still find this odd. A quick change into swimming trunks and costume and away to the pool. Mary swam and I swam; a big landmark for me and my colostomy bag and a sense of achievement did creep over me! This was probably my last post cancer operation, mental hurdle.
There is an upstairs lounge where you can relax and overlook the lake. The big draw back of the pool, we both agreed, is the noise level, even minus children (no kids under 16!) the adults managed to make enough noise to very quickly do your head in. If we had stayed all day, this would in no sense be a relaxing experience. A quick change, although you can dine in your toweling robe; and away to lunch for a prawn roll – back to where I came in on Monday and just as good!
Time for a last look at the sea at Walton-on-the-Naze. It looked a tad past its sell by date and very tired, but just so good to once more see the beach huts put to good family use and being so enjoyed.
The wildlife abounded and we are still discussing whether these cute little birds with the longish very pointed beaks are sandpipers; they certainly blended in with the pebbles. So just maybe the accurately named turnstone; thanks to our neighbour Colin! Which is of the sandpiper family. The one on the green post is a cormorant.
So, we prepare for our last dinner as the rain gently drizzles down. We could be in for a soggy journey home – time will tell.
Let me leave you until tomorrow with some of the ghastly puns some folk had named their huts with!
You have to laugh! It was good to see the sea, as always. And another pretty plant just outside the hotel upon our return, just as the drizzle started – timing! Happy days. We have had a great week.
Last night we both had the chicken for dinner plus a very acceptable bottle of Chardonnay, for less than the cost of those two glasses of rosé, the night before. Lesson learned, methinks!
Come the dawn, the sun shone brightly in through the duck proof patio window. So away to breakfast and not so many guests were dining in dressing gowns this morning, and we guessed that a few people were ready to go home. After finding out that poached eggs were not available – odd I felt for an establishment that was geared to well being and fitness? – we headed for Clacton-On-Sea, just to see what it looked like really and for no other reason.
The sand looked perfect and the sun sparkled on the water in between the wind farms, of which there were many. The actual centre, of kiss me quick hats and fun stalls and rides, was much smaller than I had anticipated but it was was buzzing with holiday makers and there were quite a few children in the water, playing happily.
We immediately sent word of Swiss Bay, to our Romont based grandchildren and Zach replied that Roger Federer should live in one of those houses. Beach huts abounded as they had in Frinton and it’s good to see that at least one dear old English tradition, is still alive and well.
Moving on to Kirkby-le-Soken and a hunt for Hamford Water National Nature Reserve, which Mary had stumbled upon and sounded really inviting. As we turned off the B1034, just before Walton-on-the-Naze, I suddenly felt like I was on a Greek road because not long along Island Lane, the tarmac stopped and the road ceased to exist. We bravely (foolishly?) slowly proceeded, with the sat nav, assuring us we were absolutely on course. We arrived at indeed a beautiful stretch of water, but not the grand car park and informative centre we had dreamt up in our minds but a widish bit of gravel next to an old World War Two pillbox, still steadfastly standing to repel any nasty left over Germans. One car unbelievably followed us and what must have been two locals emerged with their dog and headed for a picnic on the small jetty.
We were opposite Felixstowe and Mary wandered off a short way and after some research when we got back to the hotel we discovered she managed to unwittingly snap the Ever Given in dock. The Ever Given, if you remember was the container ship that managed to block the Suez Canal for sometime, a while back, part of the Evergreen line.
Lunch back at the hotel and I’m afraid Malcolm succumbed to a snooze (it is a holiday!) and Mary had a further wander round the extensive grounds before her massage in the health spa.
I’m sure I will see the swimming 🏊♂️ 🏊♂️ pool eventually but meanwhile thank you from both of us for reading. The rain did arrive this afternoon and who can tell what tomorrow may hold – don’t tell me more sunshine and showers! Mary arrived back in the room and once more was very relaxed but that’s why we are here isn’t it? Dinner beckons, so we must away.
Dinner last night was really good, but I might only have had one glass of rosé, had I realised they were charging £18 a glass!!!! It was very nice but……..The restaurant was pretty full, which took us by surprise but of course it was a bank holiday.
Anyway for Rob and Sue, pictures at last; I had the cod and Mary had the pea and mint Tortellini – both were delicious. The grounds are very splendid and there are ducks, rabbits and squirrels a plenty.
And the note on the patio door to the garden was certainly a first! This morning, breakfast was the usual fare (I must ask if poached eggs are available) and then away to see the sea at Frinton on Sea, the clue is in the title.
The sun did break through but then as lunchtime approached it clouded over once more.
Never mind, a Greek salad lured me into thinking I was sat in the noon day sun, with the sound of the Aegean Sea in the distance! And had we studied the card in the cutlery holder yesterday, we would have realised delicious it might be, but how expensive that humble rosé bloody well was!
Mary went off for a head and shoulder massage and came back looking very relaxed. I’m sure we will get to sample the swimming pool eventually but for the moment we are just happy to sit, read and nibble (cough, cough!) and hope the weather does improve. It has got slightly more windy, which is a bit of a worry. Never mind, if we spend the day by the indoor pool tomorrow, it can do what it likes.
All downhill again towards dinner tonight. We have two courses included in our deal, for every evening. Before we ordered, I had to ask last night to see the dessert 🍨 menu, so I could decide whether to have starter and main or main and dessert. I did have the main as above and sorbet for dessert. I always think sorbet is more Slimming World friendly; you see it is embedded in my DNA now! But I know what you are thinking, no reason we can’t pay for the other course – indeed if we change the wine, we could easily afford it!
Thanks for reading and we hope your last week in August is being kind. Some chums got hit by that IT traffic control glitch yesterday, trying to fly away and failing miserably; so their plans are being very unkind to them. That could have so been us trying to escape to Greece, in fact the way the Treen luck usually goes, we can’t believe it wasn’t! M & M 🍨🏊♂️🍽️ 🍷 Comments always welcome.
Well, we made it in roughly three hours. The M25 was the usual M25 and a lot of stop and starting but on the whole we kept moving; and it is a bank holiday. But boy there are a lot of muppets out there on the roads.
The room has a beautiful garden view and we are just by the lake. The Prosecco is soon to be opened and notice next to the bottle the air-con, is exactly the same as home!
We arrived in time for a late lunch and we both had prawn rolls. Sorry no pictures Rob & Sue, we ate them before I remembered!
Anyway, no rain is forecast and the staff all seem very friendly. So, a much fuller info piece tomorrow. Dinner is booked for 7-45pm, for all four nights.
Malcolm and Mary's ongoing blog 