Later in the day Bob went back on the bike to get the car (ghastly price), and also received a message that the gig on Friday had been cancelled. So we abandoned plans for Dorset, and decided to stay a little longer in sunny Brighton. We met Chloe in the evening, and again the next day, when a large party of her house-mates, their Lithuanian friends, and parents assembled at The Fortune of War on the prom. Chloe tried to take us to eat at a Jamie Oliver-run place, but it was very full, so we went to a nice little Italian instead. Nor would there be room at the inn for Friday night, so we agreed to an offer to stay at a discretionary rate at the Holiday Inn, where both Charlie, and James’ partner work. So, on Ruth’s birthday there was Eggs Benedict at our hotel, then check-out and an interesting check-in at Holiday Inn. The receptionist asked if we were James’ parents – and wondering if the cheap deal would only apply if we were we sort of grunted – which was fine until she wanted to discuss the finer points of James’ home of Jersey! We were saved by the boyfriend himself, and it was a very nice room with a real bath! 
We then cycled out to the Marina and met Chloe. During a drink at the Wetherspoons we saw Johnny of Corralejo and boat fame working away from one of the pontoons, so we went to see him and his boat – a fine vessel that will make its way to Fuerteventura in due course. Then we went to the Cafe Rouge for a lovely long lunch, and Chloe rode Ruth’s bike back to town while she took the bus!
Next day we were told that we couldn’t have a second night at the Holiday Inn, so we joined Chloe and friends at the house for a BBQ :- a real student job with folks only drinking their own booze, few seats and various drunken cavorting – some involving the paddling pool! We slept in a vacant bed and sloped out in the morning leaving a note!
Now we had five days with no fixed plans, so we decided to head for the Kennet and Avon Canal. The rain started soon after we left Brighton, but we managed to look at the canal at some vantage points near Pusey, and then went in search of a Sunday lunch in Devizes (Home of Wadworths 6X). That failed, as did the pub accommodation hunt, so we ended up at the Travelodge, which was a pretty good choice. We even managed a towpath bike ride out to pub for supper. On the second day – which was good in parts – we went to see the famous Caen Hill flight of 19 locks, which was restored through the 70’s and 80’s – in part through Ruth’s fund-raising efforts. It is now part of the thriving holiday run along the canal, and we lunched whilst watching (and helping) craft through.
The weather prospects, however, were bad, and we needed to find a place that would be interesting even on the rain; so next day we went to Bristol:- booked in to a cheapish hotel in Clifton. On cue, it rained all of the way there, and torrentially so in the city itself. We tucked Yvette away and did tourist things and shopping. The city is barely recognisable from when Ruth worked in St Philips in 1978/80, and we enjoyed the market, and the Commercial Rooms, and the water front. After two nights we went back to Bath and Bob cycled from there to Bradford-on-Avon on the towpath whilst Ruth drove there. The weather was very dodgy, but stayed dry for him. R even went to see the old home of the first husband! After meeting up we went for a drink at one of the two very attractive canal-side pubs, and had fun with the Dick and Jane-themed menus and notices. Then we drove to the Gloucester Travelodge, and spent the night there, with some shopping (almost fully stocked by now) at just-opened stores in the quay area.
Friday was for sight-seeing! We had a drive round R’s ancestral area of Dursley/ Berkeley, the Forest of Dean (in honour of one of our heroes – playwright Dennis Potter) - and on to Symond’s Yat, which we treated fairly cursorily as we did not have the 3 sterling for the car park. What we did see was impressive, and the RSPB were out in force because of the peregrine falcons.
It was a bit of a trek over to Lowestoft, and the weather held – just! We were to stay – as last year – at Britten House. After booking two nights we received an email to say there had been a mistake whereby the Monday was not available. They offered Sunday night in their special Mozart suite – with Monday at a neighbouring Band;B. The suite was luxurious – with a huge separate lounge, roll-top bath, four-poster bed and a sea view.
We met Rose, Ray and Paul for dinner beside Oulton Broad. No18 was a perfectly acceptable alternative for the second night. We spent the day in Great Yarmouth, although the cycling was not too pleasant in the bitter wind. We were pleased to see that the Snails ride – very popular in Chloe’s youth – is still there, and we also went to see Auntie Kathy's grave - now with plaque.
Before setting off South again we went to see the drastic works being done to cousin Ricky’s house. He was off-shore, but has bbviously been very busy, and is going to be an amazing home when finished.
Neil and Maggie once again put us up for three nights in Forest Hill, South London. We made good progress down the A12 and had time to visit IKEA at Lakeside. A disaster! We picked up the only wok that could not be put through the till, so after the traditional long queue we walked out almost empty-handed and fuming! But the sun was shining and we were soon on N and M’s terrace drinking white wine and putting the world to rights. Wednesday was Landlords Day! We visited the two properties and had some drinks with Pete and Baz – in part to discuss some jobs that they will be doing for us; and Thursday was Uptown Day. We took the train to London Bridge and in glorious sunshine visited Borough Market and some South Bank watering holes, before returning on a slow and crowded bus.
A strange thing happened that afternoon! We were near Charing Cross station when Bob's eyes met those of Jane T - who used to live in our street in Balham, and whose children went to Chloe's primary school. We had a good old chat in a card shop.As last year we enjoyed a dinner with Neil, Maggie, Paul and Cheryl, and next day went down to see Josiane and Alastair in Rotherfield. They have been having some very bad times of late with health, bereavements and related business in France, relentless work, and now the second of two car problems caused by difficult neighbours. We stayed for dinner and overnight, but plans for country walks were thwarted by a flare-up of Bob's gout. Next day we went for a pub lunch with them, and then headed over to Hampshire.
The rationale for the whole British tour at this time was to be at the Diamond Wedding (60 years) of Ruth's parents. This took place at the now traditional home for family events - Uplands Hotel. We had decided the easiest option was for us to stay the nights before and after at the hotel. On Saturday it was quite crowded there, and we didn't need a meal. Next day there were 21 of us for lunch This was the happy couple, three daughters with partners, five grandchildren - two with partners, four great-grandsons under 7, and Mary and Iris, who had been bridesmaid and matron-of-honour respectively in 1950. We had picked Chloe up from a local station. We raced back in to the meal (our own space in the conservatory) just in time, with her journey having been seriously disrupted by the London-Brighton bike race. As well as the original photograph album, and trinkets brought by Mary, there was even a congratulatory card from Lizzie Windsor! (Alerted to the event by Ruth's sister Penny!)
After the "do" we stayed on and enjoyed the sunshine. Later in the evening we realised they had closed the whole building and we were the only people there. A "Shining" time, and we weren't even sure we would get breakfast! We did, and then drove back to Brighton for a cheap night at the Preston Park Travelodge. We met up with Chloe and Charlie for a pre-theatre dinner, and then the three of us went to see Spamalot on tour at the Theatre Royal. Seated in the Gods (or the Ashtray) we had a great time
Our last day was very hot again. We did some last-minute stocking up in Ashford, then took the 6 pm ferry back to Dunkerque. Yvette had done us proud with 869 UK miles.