The regular reader might be wondering what happened in UK and beyond. Even by Greyrocks' sluggish standards it is a bit late to be picking up from 7th May on 17th June! The main excuse: a second fall on a celebration day and requiring the EHIC (whilst still in the EU!) The other was on our
wedding anniversary in 2015 in Crete and alcohol may have been a contributory factor. This one was on Ruth's birthday in France and was at 8.30 am so booze-free, but resulted in a torn Achilles tendon and much-fractured upper end of the humerus (not funny!) We are thus still in France {
Dax, 40). The full narrative will follow at the correct historical point in the blog! Picking up from the last post (and typing one-handed) Ruth will attempt to cover a phase per day before admission to hospital on 24th June!
Part 1: Friends and Essential Tasks in London!
We had not been expecting to still be in the EU when we got to Dover - but Phew we were! No real signs of impending disaster in the first twenty unimpeded minutes and then we hit the infrastructure for
"Operation Brock". For many miles on the M20 the fast lanes in both directions are sectioned off with heavy concrete to form HGV parking post-Brexit. Just the sight - along with rain showers - to set the tone for the visit of disgruntled ex-pats!
We stayed six nights in trendy Forest Hill with old friends who now often have guests through AirBnB. With both now fully retired we wanted to pad out the sensible tasks with some culture that they might also enjoy. On the first day we had a brief sunny and dry spell in which to enjoy the garden and let off steam with the like-minded. but then it clouded over and a run of foul weather started!
In the morning Greyrocks had to take Yvette for servicing and MOT testing in Bromley. The rain was dire: we waited but couldn't even make it to a bus-stop and had to call a cab to get us to the town centre for a few hours of lurking in shops and an eye test for Bob. We returned early by bus, and later went as a foursome to see our old friend Paul in his nursing home. He seemed pleased to see us, and we showed him the slide show from Chloë and Jack's Crete wedding. In due course - as last year - we returned to Forest Hill to cook for his wife's meal with us all. She is now vegan and what was
billed as an easy dish kept us busy for ages in preparation! A great sociable evening followed.
Thursday was designated as Balham loft visit day, and so it poured again! We dropped in on Pete next-door to see if he could join us for a drink later, but it would be too late for him, We got access to our belongings with some difficulty and assembled some things for the charity shops. putting other stuff for Chloë in the boot in the rain. Whilst enquiring in charity shops Ruth was spotted, and hailed by name, by Sophie, with whom we spent a lot of time during the children's schooldays, We had a very long update and reminisce:- particularly in the light of the untimely death of two boys from that era! She tried to identify a house in Streatham where the family of one still lives and on whom we had considered dropping in, but in vain and after doing the business we simply went for a drink in a trendy pub and for an early meal at Nandos!
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| "I had one of those!" |
"Culture"'s first manifestation was trip as two couple to the V&A museum to see the much-praised exhibition of the
life and work of Mary Quant. (We had a particularly good deal on entrance, details of which should not be revealed!) Magnificent! It is beautifully curated, and many of the exhibits were lent by members of the public, one being the friend of a visitor we met, There were quite a few "ladies of a certain age" walking round sharing stories of the fashion on display. Ruth having had no money and little interest at the time could not add much on that front, but her companion had been a make-up enthusiast and got very excited about that section! We had a few drinks in a nearby pub and then went for a very sound meal on the South Bank. Just the sort of day we were waiting for - and less rain!
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| The Barn, near Tunbridge Wells Station, |
The Tunbridge Wells area had been a bit neglected on Greyrocks' grand tours, so on the Saturday we went there by train and met our two old friends resident nearby, and another couple of mutual friends from Morden that we hadn't seen since we "emigrated". We had a long and very jolly lunch interrupted only by a hailstorm! Yes - in May! Later it was dry enough for the beer garden of a rural pub, before being returned to the station.
There were, by now, house guests in Forest Hill:- two couples from Brussels - each with a baby. They were attending a craft fair in town, We had a few chats with them, and one child took his first steps while staying! We four pondered how to spend Sunday and came up with a trip to the National Gallery, where there was a special exhibition of views of Parisian life by
Boilly. So - after a quick errand to butchers and supermarket and some advance preparation we took the train. The special exhibition was fascinating in its witty detail and historical context, and then we went largely separate ways pursuing works by favourite artists :- a risky exercise given many closures and the poor signage!
We found a pub for lunch, and then walked down to pass Downing Street and hurl abuse! We hit Parliament Square as an Extinction Rebellion rally - focused on mothers - was breaking up. All very civilised and lots of confident kids! Then we were shown the
new London Bridge Station on the way back, and hunkered down to produce the most traditional of Sunday roast dinners. Then on Monday morning we set off on Stage 2
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