Red, and white: Phase 6 continued/ (rose is good, too!)

The Gascony flag is everywhere now 

Well - as The Seekers nearly sang: "The canicule is over!" and quite dramatically so! Also Ruth is mobile, and Greyrocks' exit is planned! Last Wednesday saw temperatures around 36 deg C in Dax and high humidity. Not the best conditions for sitting around in a hospital with a plaster cast - but - oh so welcome! We arrived - as we thought - early and didn't mind spending time jump-starting a guy's car so we could have his place! Then we saw that everyone with an out-patients' appointment in any department had the same arrival time and a queue-ticket regime was in force, so a bit of a wait! When called, by a coincidence we saw our guichet was that of the blessed Valerie, whose English had greatly assisted Bob during Ruth's stays. She sorted out our programme for the day but said we would have to pay full whack for it as there was a problem with the EHIC! Panic! But at least the health outcomes were encouraging!

 The x-ray showed total success, the mobility of the arm was deemed progressing but needing continuing physio, the sling-thing (which has been disastrous with big boobs) could be discarded, and as an afterthought the surgeon arranged the removal - with a chainsaw - of the cast on the leg and said the tendon would be OK simply from 7 weeks' immobility and walking could be gently resumed. The next check-up in another two months can be done by any orthopaedic (traumatology) surgeon we know, and flying is not a problem. 

Ouch!! Not R herself of course!

So - within 24 hours - we booked a flight and have since been refining the plan and slowly returning to something like normal to include a lot of physio and walking with one crutch! We have kept the wheelchair for the rest of the week - but without the dreaded extension, and we have used it a little, but the walking is progressing very fast and the physiotherapist (unpronounceable in French:- kinésithérapeute!) is happy. She is, however, getting serious with the shoulder, = - including use of the ventouse - and this has given some gyp - especially at night! Rather less painful was the flow of emails to and from Newcastle to resolve the EHIC confusions!

After stunning temperatures on Thursday we moved into several days of dramatic thunder and downpours somewhat cramping the new liberated style! So we went to an afternoon cinema showing. The place was heaving and parking a nightmare as numerous families had the same idea - but not for the same film! As a result we missed five minutes and entered the salle during a very dark bit. It was not until the lights came on at the end that we realised there was only one other person there! Greyrocks highly recommends this intelligent and nuanced film, which ends amongst the refugees in Calais. The weather was still bad when we emerged so we drove to an industrial estate to eat at an outlet of the Poivre Rouge chain and enjoyed a very good dinner! By Sunday afternoon the rain had stopped and we saw some sun along the riverside.

We have begun packing and planning for departure whilst the town is gearing up for a major cultural event! The red and white pennants fly from many lampposts, and parking/access notices relating to August 14th to 19th are being prominently displayed! Stalls throughout are selling red and white clothes and accessories. Local TV features full-on coverage of the Ferias in neighbouring places! Beam us up!

"Yesterday" and since

Over the past ten days summer arrived in Dax! Weather-wise it has been here a long time with the canicule, but with tourism! "That's rich!" you might say, coming from Greyrocks, but our complex has become very busy - with a lot of single women, and as we progress (slowly) around the town centre in the afternoon we see family groups clearly on holiday.

6000 or so turned out as extras for the Pier Hotel filming.

The up-side is that there are plenty of events.  On Sunday we ventured to the 8-screen multiplex for a VO performance  of "Yesterday". Not as cheap as our special deals in Montpellier, but accessible with the "fauteuil roulant", and not exactly crowded: there were seven of us! This was a very welcome break from day-to-day reality, and whilst not exactly highbrow (Richard Curtis screenplay) it is clever, skillfully executed to Danny Boyle standards and great fun! For Greyrocks a serious additional quality was the location work in Bob's old stomping ground of Gorleston, and parts of Suffolk. Click here for footage on how the location was selected and exploited.

Regular opportunities for evening diversions began in earnest as Ruth left hospital after the op. In many bars and restaurants there were table covers advertising the 33 free performances of live music that would be taking place all around town. Our first such was on a Monday in a bar well known now to Bob and near our accommodation. We got there early having already eaten but very willing to buy from the bar. We were, however,  encumbered by the wheelchair plus, so took up a position at the nearby fountain as the band set up. A few other folk had brought their own camping chairs. The band was
Lucky Pepper and the Santa Fellas. playing real 50s-style rock n roll, and they were very good! In time couples turned up to jive in the closed street, and some were brilliant - especially given their evident maturity! We, however, were rooted to our viewing spot, which suffered an invasion by a group of sour-faced single late middle-aged women intent on a seat where they wouldn't have to buy anything! We have discovered that Dax is a popular destination for that tribe!!

Dancing in the street -
50s style in more ways than one!

But hey! A few days ago we were out in town in the sun and came upon another session in the series. We were in fact drinking in the next door establishment, but would have had a front row position, but this was very early and we couldn't stay. The sound check was impressive! They were Bone Tee and the Slughunters, and we would be pleased to see a full set!

In terms of traditional culture our little quartier of 3 Pigeons was en fete last weekend with road closures and events under the market canopy. In particular on the Saturday evening there was a big feast at long tables followed by dancing to a keyboards/accordion duo. This dancing was equally enthusiastic but less to our taste, and our onlooking was brief!

And on the subject of "not to our taste" the town has started preparations for the big annual event: The Feria, which - however you try to whitewash it - is the ritual taunting and slaughter of bulls - Basque style!

Following yesterday's hospital visit we can now say that we will be safely out of Dax by the time that happens!

For reportage on the remaining two weeks that we are here come back to the blog!

Dax, Docs, Ducks (and occasionally some Dicks)

Here commenceth the saga of Greyrocks' disrupted summer of 2019!

Phase 1: "Urgence"

Ruth lay on the ground outside the chalet in shock and couldn't tolerate any attempts to get her up. Eventually we decided help would have to be summoned and three strong maintenance workers turned up. After a conference Ruth allowed the big one to hoist her onto a chair -and as he did so there was shooting pain in the leg. Bob put away the birthday breakfast and we pondered what to do! Camping Reception said the only option was the hospital in Dax, Where? It is the second largest town of Les Landes and Greyrocks is now familiar with many of its features! Fortunately Yvette is an easy vehicle for the mobility-challenged so with an overnight bag Ruth was bundled in and we drove the 50 km or so!

The hospital is huge and modern, and the staff very helpful. We got through the EHIC administrative hurdles and began the wait for medical attention. The screen listed numbers waiting, serious cases under treatment and likely waiting time, which stood at three and a half hours. (A figure that would be the dream of the average English A and E department!) Behind the much-used door we eventually discovered a spacious and remarkably calm area with proper rooms! The leg and shoulder were X-rayed and Ruth was told she would be admitted overnight and see the relevant surgeon in the morning. A temporary cast was fitted and the Achilles tendon named as the problem. We were conscious of the rural drive back and the barrier closure back at Contis, so Bob left Ruth on a wheelchair in a corridor and went back to pick up on breakfast! After a very, very long time Ruth was prepared and taken to another waiting area - but for beds! Not quite appreciating that it was just that she spent half an hour thinking this was her destiny for the night. It resembled an illustration from the Crimean War:- jam-packed, noisy and all personal possessions disappeared somewhere! But then there was relief as she was wheeled upstairs to the Orthopaedic ward!

Phase 2: "L'Anglaise Agée: Que faire?"
Ruth spent this and the next three nights in a double room, receiving almost entirely brilliant care, and having some strange encounters.
It was getting late, and soon after she was settled in and documented the second occupant arrived. Marie-Claire had a hip injury after being pulled over by a huge dog she was walking. Her husband visited regularly and treated Ruth to his appalling views on Brexit et al, and also to his tales of being a punk in London, and demonstration of his wide range of foul English language. On one occasion we discussed The Stranglers and this led him to play a selection from his portable device! The next occupant was another woman in her fifties with injuries from a fall whilst  washing the car! Her and her husband's accents were too strong for much communication, but when daughters visited we had a chat and one had recently left UK after years teaching English - including in Tunbridge Wells!
Bob was visiting regularly, but also now engaged in preparing for what was clearly going to be a long haul! He had one night in Dax but otherwise was going back and forth to Contis, and arranged to move us to a different chalet which was PMR adapted.

The idea that there might be an imminent operation receded, and it became more of an issue of where Ruth should go for further treatment. In theory we could "head for the border" and use our Spanish health cover, but we have no links on the mainland, and flying back to Fuerteventura was agreed to be out of the question, so across the days various tests were done and a return hospital date set for a serious operation on the shoulder. The problem was the complexity of the break to the top of the humerus, which necessitated fitting a prosthesis. This procedure is - we were told - a famous speciality of one of the surgeons! A doubt about whether the EHIC would cover this as part of the "emergency" was sorted - we hope - by a tedious call to Newcastle in the presence of the Social Services person, who was arranging nursling visits, and had some idea about charging policies. Bob also forged links with the English-speaking administrator - Valerie - downstairs, and we began to get a grip on how things would pan out, and the mountain of paperwork started to accumulate!
Ruth was impressed with the care and catering whilst there! The worst aspect - which mirrored the Chania hospital in 2015 - was the mental heath of fellow patients in what we assume to be the geriatric bit of the orthopaedic ward! In the middle of one night there were two very aged folk screaming continually in neighbouring rooms! On the lighter side Ruth had a bizarre conversation with staff in the ultrasound department, who wanted her opinion on the relative merits of Kate and Meghan Windsor, and on the name Archie! Wrong person to ask, but it's that or Brexit when you meet a Brit!

Phase 3: "Carry on Camping!"

The interior was more suitable for this week! 

Ruth was discharged on a Saturday, with a proper and very solid plaster cast, paperwork for nursing visits, prescriptions and an appointment for shoulder surgery in a couple of weeks' time. When we tried to pay we were told to settle at the next appointment, which was reassuring, and Bob had leased a wheelchair (with leg extension) which seemed OK for getting in and out of Yvette. We went for lunch at the Campanile and practised discussions about disabled access, then went back to the campsite to settle into the chalet we could have or a week.  By now it was not the deserted oasis Ruth had experienced! The chalet itself and its parking spot were very well equipped and convenient, but all surrounding units were occupied, with a popular weekend for the French, and German school holidays having started. Half of the week was sunny - if windy - but half was foul. We used the on-site restaurant several times, but it is over-lavish for its likely clientele and dishes on its short menu frequently not available. On a particularly wet day we met there the only Brits we spoke to in the entire Landes stay!
Otherwise - and including on one very hot day - we took the car down the road to the little settlement at Contis Plage for long lunches. Bob had been there during the solo period and liked the vibe:- young, relaxed and surfer-orientated. It suited us well, and between time there, visits by the nurse and other day-to-day stuff taking much longer than normal, time passed.

Phase 3: "God's Waiting Room" - but a blessing!

Greyrocks' current "chez nous"

With no idea of for how long we would be needing to visit the hospital it made sense to get accommodation in Dax itself. We have discovered this is not a problem in itself:- it is a major spa town with seventeen hot springs and - apparently - some nice mud! It also has historic features and a scenic riverside. so tourism - particularly by older French couples is well-established. We found an "apartment" at one of the spa complexes, but on checking in discovered it would be impossibly small with the wheelchair, and both shower and balcony inaccessible. Panic ensued - but the staff were magnificent. We looked at another - not much better, and then went through one of the place's connecting walkways to see a larger unit in their "sister" block. It was ideal - and they also honoured the price for the first two weeks. The longer we have stayed the better-suited it seems! The clientèle are either here for a cure or long stays, They are all French, generally charming (even those with dogs), quiet and - in stark contrast with that in Contis - pretty old and slow (although only Ruth is in a wheelchair). By the time the operation date came round we had used the hairdresser, the main restaurant with its rotating French menu, the Tunisian restaurant, and the traiteur making pizzas and good take-away meals on a rotation. We went out a few times for shopping, and Bob had regular walks and bike rides, although two days over the weekend were very wet! The "potted" leg  was giving no pain - just nuisance - so we looked forward to more mobility as part of the hospital stay.

Phase 4: Operation Bionic Woman in "(I) canee cool" conditions

Ruth checked in the afternoon before the operation, and Bob optimistically returned the wheelchair. This time she had a single room, which was spacious. but not ideal as the "canicule" was getting into full swing! The heatwave was particularly intense in France and a few days later records would be broken in the South East. As the map shows "our" bit has been spared - but it was still regularly above 33 degrees, which isn't fun when stuck in a hospital bed  with sling, drips and plaster cast, and no air-conditioning!

There isn't much to say about operation day. Thanks to a wonderful anaesthetic nurse Ruth drifted off and came round some hours later to see Bob patiently waiting. There was no shoulder pain overnight - but there was a "pain in the neck" as the same octogenarian patient was still around - in fact just opposite - and called out a series of women's names day and night. All doors were open to let in cool air from fans in the corridor. Not a restful recovery! The next day there was a panic about low blood pressure (yes, low!), and the following early hours went badly with a blip in the nursing standards, and Ruth in "a bit of a state". The worst news came when the surgeon confirmed he would see her a month later, and  a slightly modified plaster cast would stay on until then! So we left the hospital that day still using a wheelchair, another pile of papers and the need for a nurse's visit every other day to change the dressing and later remove the stitches.  The final procedure was to settle the bill, which took a silly amount of time, owing to a defective card machine. We move on!

Phase 5: Recovery and Looking Ahead - ongoing!

Faced with the news on the plaster and the appointment we got organised for four weeks more with the wheelchair, negotiated for Bob to do the daily anti-coagulant jabs, organised dressing change visits by the nurse on alternate days, asked reception staff to find a physiotherapist and verified that we could sty on in the accommodation. "Phew" on that one as it is perfect for the unusual circumstances in which Greyrocks finds itself! As we hunkered down we reviewed some of the domestic arrangements and pondered short excursions to fit in around appointments. Bob was getting a sense of the surroundings, and the heatwave is still now in full force, so a pleasant promenade is along the banks of the Adour where access is good through the renovated Splendid Hotel and a series of casual bars looks across the river and footbridge. Just beyond - but difficult with the chair - a picnic and sunbathing area has been created for the summer with a programme of activities. Last weekend we took a look - from a safe point - at the closing phase of a weekend of motorbikes and blues acts. A huge turnout, interesting gear, and a fair amount of noise! (In fact the town seems to be a bit of a magnet for niche motoring:- sitting with a drink we have seen minor convoys of both vintage sports cars and brightly painted 2CVs)

Our regular reader will be familiar with an obsession with finding duck in some of our usual haunts. No problem here! Les Landes as part of Gascony is riddled with duck . Our Sunday meal last week was a real treat - and in ideal weather. Ruth has enthused on Trip Advisor!

Weekdays are now structured round sessions with a very young physiotherapist who loves to speak English as well as patiently correcting Ruth's French. She has also been to Corralejo and studied in Spain. . The shoulder is becoming more flexible with her help, and she is also ploughing with us through the pile of financial paperwork, Slowly, slowly!

Oh - and to our French friends :- greetings for the 14th! Two and a half hours of TV coverage from the  Champs-Élysées etc takes your mind off a recovering shoulder op!

A bit of Anger in Angers and an unhappy Landing in Landes

Bayeux: D-Day 75!

We left Bristol on the Tuesday for Poole, where we stayed overnight with a leisurely afternoon and early fish-and-chips supper. We expected that the ferry next morning to Cherbourg would be quite quiet, given that extra crossings had been scheduled for a No-Deal Brexit, but in fact it became clear that this was far from the case, and we had a long wait for boarding during which we were passed by numerous vintage cars, and a few WW2 vehicles. In the lounge we sat next to a group of middle-aged Brits who were associated with at least one of the jeeps, and were crossing ahead of the D[Day commemorations, Most were dressed (and in the case of the women coiffured and made-up)  appropriately in US uniform. Some interesting eavesdropping there!

Angers - a fine city, nice when it's finished!

All we then had to do was spend the afternoon getting to Angers for a three-night stay, The southerly progress down the Cotentin peninsula was going well, but we then hit the East-West autoroute and the significance of dates dawned" The next day would be Ascension day, so for many this was the after-work escape from Paris for a four day "pont" The traffic got increasingly dense, culminating in a gross "bouchon" before the Porte d'Angers toll. It was so bad we began to wonder if we would make a deadline for Reception at the hotel, but once through it we got into the city quite easily only to discover serious roadworks right in front of said hotel, with no chance of even a brief stop!  We were directed to their idea of safe parking and struggled bag through the pavement closures to find that the "lift" was a vertical coffin with a mind of its own!  The,  manageress was called in response to our lack of enthusiasm, and she offered a move to another hotel. We declined and set off frazzled and hungry. The first ten minutes' walk found nothing open, but turning a corner we found the heart of the Old City and it was lively and interesting. We found a small Italian and took a call from booking.com resolving issues. Next day we found ourselves a room in the Ibis, and the rest of the stay was delightful!

The weather helped, as did the hotel having temporarily free easy parking outside and a bicycle rack inside the front door! We went for walks around many parts of the city - quiet with the bank holiday - and Bob did a ride along the river. It was good to be back in France and we were relaxed! We ate in a "street food" Thai, and a bizarre place where everything came in a jar! After checking out on the Saturday we drove to a point Bob had been to on the bike - where the Marne and Loire join. This was very pretty!


Next we spent the weekend - as we have for years - in Confolens with George and his household, but this time - unusually -  we had beautiful sunshine! Unfortunately G was suffering from back trouble. so we were largely based at his model home, where son Gregory and girlfriend were also resident for holiday and revision. We did show our "wedding" slide show, and on Sunday go as six to Angouleme for another Asian buffet.wok.grill! This one was particularly impressive!

Mind the Gap!

We had chosen the next place to give us a nearby beach, high quality accommodation on a 5* campsite and bike ride potential, whilst being en route to Toulouse. As we neared Contis Plage it was looking good, and we were made very welcome. There were not many punters about and the only drawbacks seemed to be a strong wind and the distance from a sizeable village! Oh - and a bit of a struggle to get up the two steps from ground to terrace with no handrail! Otherwise it looked like a good place for a week! We visited the deserted pool bar, inspected the restaurant, and got in some goodies from the little shop! Next morning we were preparing a birthday breakfast, and Ruth was laying the table on the terrace when she took one wrong step around it and tumbled to the rough ground below! Thus was Greyrocks' fate for the summer sealed!

Pre-Brexit GB Part 3: 'Goin down Bristle

A Week in Bristol: - Greyrocks' longest stay yet - and our first time as house-guests of the offspring and spouse! They even swapped bedrooms to accommodate the wrinklies! We tried to behave ourselves, but caused frustration by not having smartphones with which to navigate, and by our preference for the little community bus from the end of the street over the major routes.
We set the tone of being locationally challenged on the short journey from Bath to their home in BS5, by getting stuck in a long jam, and then trying to avoid the city centre and losing road signs! The "kids" were working at different points in our stay so we let ourselves in unloaded then dropped off at the local, where Ruth swallowed a piece of a back tooth along with the bar snacks!

Since we last used it there have been extensive improvements to Stapleton Road Station; a most bizarre set of ramps! All we had to do was go a few stops on the line and walk to a pub to meet J, C and the parents, but we set off incorrectly and walked for an age until Bob "refused"! We sent texts and Ruth went off alone. By the time she was spotted on the fourth side of a square he had been rescued! At least it wasn't raining! We had a very good fish dinner, and heard of Grant's plans for the coming week which involved cycling near the Loire. This was the first of a series of eating treats organised by Chloë, only one of which had to be revised to cut down on long walks!

Euro Election Day

Our daytime activities revolved around finishing off the summer preparation shopping, failing to get a blood test, succeeding (eventually) in getting International Driving permits, and some general wandering around the city centre, sometimes involving some fine real ale! We didn't get to Weston, Clevedon or beyond as had been originally planned, but we did use the little ferry and walk back to the M-Shed for a quick re-visit.



A special midweek treat arranged for us was to be the last customers for the "cheapish" lunch at Pasta Ripiena, which - having been lavishly reviewed by Jay Rayner in the Guardian requires some forethought. It did not disappoint - even if hard to find!

Whatever rocks your boat!

When we reached the Bank Holiday weekend we had more time with the daughter. We met her after work in a lovely waterside pub and then went for an Indian meal, which was to be followed by jazz in a long-established club, that turned out to be a bit earnest and we abandoned! On Saturday morning Ruth walked to local master butchers' for barbecue stuff and in search of lamb for the Sunday. In the latter she failed so we took the car to the supermarket and got caught up in the major disruption that was the Love Saves The Day 2 day festival. Completely inexplicable to Greyrocks, it looked like you had to be a white well-heeled student to be there,  but hey! The vast Tesco car park was the official drop-off point and was dominated by Portaloos and pre-drinkers! For the rest of the weekend we avoided the area,  visiting the garden centre and holding said barbecue to which Jack's Mum was invited! The weather was starting to look threatening, but the rain saved itself for the Sunday!

That's more like it!

Jack was working but we three did our own bit of "festival"  by walking down the road to the Sugar Loaf for their free gig - with plenty of real ale options! The pub had been lavishly decorated - inside and out, but was near-empty when we arrived. The stage was outside, but by the time the first act was due to start Plan B had to be enacted and all was moved inside due to heavy rain! We saw a really good singer-songwriter from Cardiff, and a couple of other acts, then the sun came out and the rest could be back outside and was very busy! We loved Millie and her band.

Ruth left early to start prepping, Jack returned from a busy day at "the ship" and we enjoyed a proper Sunday roast in a "jolly" state, waiting for Euro election results, and falling asleep in chairs!

With Jack needed for another busy day at work on the Bank Holiday Chloë and Bob went for a long ride towards Bath, then we were taken by her to buy some CBD oil in town, and onward to the centre of "Broadmead", where there was an outdoor Bordeaux wine fair!

The weather, however, was not reminiscent of the south of France. and whilst this was well-organised and theoretically appealing there were not many punters braving the cold wind! We each had a "flight" of three small tasters and cheered up! The sommelier who guided us was very interesting and we somehow ended up discreetly discussing Brexit! We two owned up to being en route to France next day!

Jack met us for the Early Bird dinner at The Cowshed, but scornfully eschewed the film we three were going to see! It was "Rocketman" - which even Elton-phobic Chloë enjoyed. It was raining buckets when we left the cinema, and it had to be an Uber back to the ranch. The following day we started our own "managed exit" from Britain!

Pre-Brexit GB Part 2: Roots and two cities

The next eight days took Greyrocks initially into "hostile" territory with time in East Anglia. As so many times before we were staying with Bob's "cousin" in Oulton Broad, Suffolk, who was very recently returned from a long stint in Malaysia.
He is always happy to go out to eat with us, and after a trouble-free journey from London, and in reasonably bright weather we went for a drink beside the water, and then - after a false start - for a very good meal in an empty pub.

Oulton Broad: -It wasn't this warm!

Wednesday was our day for spending time with the vestiges of Bob's Suffolk/Norfolk family. This involved a lunch at a beach-side establishment in Kessingland, followed by an attempted walk on  said beach - which didn't last too long in the fierce North Sea wind. Bob's cousin's son - who has Down's - took us to see his new home in Lowestoft. He has been waiting for a place in a suitable supported living environment for some time now.(His Mum is older than Bob!) He was delighted to show us round and we attached the Dr Who plaque we had brought as a gift to his door, and eventually sorted out his WiFi! We left feeling very optimistic and impressed by the staff, opportunities and other residents!

Another day was spent on the traditional trip to Great Yarmouth. Bob went on a serious bike ride round his old haunts whilst Ruth did some shopping. He came back with recommendations of two points of interest for us to visit. The Winter Gardens - part of the Wellington Pier - is at last to be restored, so is surrounded by fencing on which a thorough set of old promotional posters, press photographs and a historical account was displayed. Although fairly low-key it was fascinating and we only left because our parking time was elapsing. ('Shame two antisocial drivers had partially obstructed the offering! Ruth took photos and mentally composed a letter to the Council about non-enforcement, but life is too short!) The other was developments on the "spit" between river and sea. We have driven round it on every visit and seen dereliction and closed-off areas, Now, with Scroby Sands being one of the UK's offshore wind farms there are turbine parts waiting to be transported and assembled. Fascinating! Is this some sort of regeneration?

Back to the comfort zone!

The journey to Cambridge could be leisurely, but despite meticulous planning we failed on the ring road and ended up in a zone where every student was Chinese! Resolving the mistake we reached our chosen pub accommodation and realised it was an excellent choice for our three nights. It was motel-style single storey and on the Park and Ride bus route into the city. The only problem was that there was no restaurant service as they had no chef - did we know of one? They also gave us instructions for reaching a launderette, which was where we spent the afternoon!
Trip Advisor showed three eateries near our base and on the first night we used the gastro-pub, which was an extravagant pleasure!

'Did the sights - but no punting!

We had two full days for sightseeing, and some minor clothes shopping, but the first was tainted by rain. We looked for a pub in which to shelter, but the most obvious was a Wetherspoons, which we are now boycotting! It is, however, in the same building as an arts cinema, so that gave us an idea for other rainy spells! Saturday was a better day, but the city heaving! We seem to have hit a graduation day - so our traipsing round the obvious tourist targets was not a solitary experience! We ultimately took refuge in the cinema, and watched an engaging film - unimpaired by dialogue in Icelandic and Ukrainian!  
We had eaten the previous evening at a very good Wok/Grill/Buffet, so for this final evening we tried the standard pub menu across the road. We may have had to suffer the tail end of the FA Cup Final, but later a band turned up. which kept us very content till closing time!

Greyrocks enjoyed the little break in Cambridge and will be back, in spite of coming across a bus stop where busses don't stop (unpublished Limited Stop) and a Post Office with no post box!

Next stop would be Bath for two nights. Plenty of route options were offered by Messieurs Google and Michelin. We picked the worst involving the traffic delights of Milton Keynes and disrupted bit of motorway! By the time we had negotiated this, and Ruth had misdirected the joining of the M4 resulting a very tedious A4 passage through towns like Hungerford and Marlborough we were dreading locating the hotel, but it worked and we had chosen a cracker for our short stay! The Travelodge looks out onto  a large pond with swans, and - at least during our stay - free parking. We had hoped we would find somewhere still serving Sunday roast into the late afternoon, but didn't! The two nearest eateries were, however,.  both inviting and we ate very well at The Ring o' Bells and stayed for some of the live jazz.

Ruth had lived and worked in the area for years pre-Bob, so had some idea of the city's potential for a restful few days. We did a lot of walking - particularly along the river, and Bob cycled down the canal towpath, The weather was kind and we felt rested and ready for the crammed programme submitted to us by Chloë.

Normal service will resume .....and pre-Brexit Britain Part 1

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!

"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!

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