Hi everyone, how you doing?
It's been a couple of weeks of being out and about. Coach trips and a mini break with cousins. Along read, enjoy,
Mon. 18 May - the day trip before my epic trip tomorrow. Today, Bowood Estate in Wiltshire, my favourite type of trip. Great house, lovely grounds to lose myself in. Weather not looking good though!!
First stop a comfort break at Gordanos always busy. Then over the bridge with a gloomy Wales and Severn Bridge view in the distance.
Dave is our driver today and the coach isn't full but it's a Monday, so understandable. weathers ot good, damp and dull but with the right clothes on, never a problem.
Four and a half hours to mooch about but asked to have lunch beforehand as another party is visiting. So lunch it was and coffee.
Then my woodland walk began, my happy place alone surrounded by ginormous trees and bird song. Found the cascade and grotto and the temple which we'd been told about. Then told about another path that led to the back of the cascade of water - Wow.
The whole place despite dry dull weather is stunning. I remember from Who Do You Think You Are that Capability Brown who designed this magnificent house is related to a favourite celebrity icon of mine Davina Mccall.
I'm back up the [ath sat on a bench in £the back patio garden" of the house. Its so peaceful.
Time to go into the house and explore, only appeared to be 3 rooms to see, one of which led to a gift shop. This magnificent house is not part of the National Trust, but it should and could easily be. Its home to the King & Queen Camilla's friend Lady Lansdowne who has a signed photo from them on the King's coronation. Signed With Love Charles R and Camilla!!!
I liked this house had a nice feel about it not dark and stuffy like some but it is a lived in home. I left and trekked up a path past the children's play fortress, a very high log structure- our crazy boys would love it.
Found myself back at the Treehouse cafe, ordered tea and cake and nestled into a corner seat to crochet until hometime. Quite a few of our group came in to do the same. Im not a part of any of the groups they're in so am often, regularly sat alone.
We all agreed we had been so lucky with the dry weather and not cold either. Only rain was en route and at the services on the way back, so no problem.
And bonus for me the lovely driver dropped me off on the business park roundabout so saved me the added walk home. Nothing is ever to much trouble for this coach company - Uptons Coaches from Upton, Somerset. "There you go Julie " Much appreciated always.
Was back home jammies on by 7.30pm, feet up, cuppa and ready to recover for tomorrow!!!
(Photos on FB already)
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Tues 19 May 2026 8.30am
Half an hour to go. Flat sorted- always properly clean before I go away. Tia- cat , is sleeping on the radiator, I feel bad leaving her for her first time alone for more than a night since we lost her mate Bam in January. K & B are coming in to feed and cuddle her all week, B is my little cat whisperer so l know she's in safe hands.
Nerves kicking in this is a day trip plus some. Leaving at 9am is the norm just different route and lugging a case not a backpack.
I'm a moon lover and daily pull oracle cards today- 413= "newly forged connections, strengthen bonds" quite apt given that R is my late mums neice, cousins I've not seen for over a year. Never spent a week with her, so it will be lovely getting to really know each other not just the blood connection.
Right more loo visits and last cuddles with Tia, then going. !! Next stop London Victoria Coach Station.
Bus arrived on time driven my the jolly green giant a guy about 7ft tall dressed in the bright green Flix uniform. The guy l was sat next to was not a chatty bloke at all, l slept for the majority of the journey anyway. First brief stop at Bristol Bus station for more pick ups. Then onto London. Passed where my ancestors lived in Christchurch Street, Chelsea and Cheyne Row, always nice to see these places, as place l came from.
Victoria is as I remember it, although the people are mainly non-English and a lot of miserable faces. No one chats here they just sit with gloomy faces. It's not as terrifying as l thought it would be. Had a quick pit stop, loo, food and an hour to people watch.
As a major hub into London- England Victoria Coach Station is not inviting nor a good advert. The toilets are disgusting, many not working, the staff are rude, impatient and miserable.
Why are people who work with people not more welcoming and friendly?? It annoys the life out of me.
Left Victoria on time, not many on board but that changed when we picked up more at Stratford. Had a tour of the sights which l'd forgotten about Big Ben, raging murky River Thames, Millennium Wheel, Westminster. Which even from the confines of the coach seat was overwhelmingly busy with millions of people. Glad l was veiwing from the coach and not on the ground. Far too many people for me- it is 4.45pm so nearing rush hour but even so, it was heaving. People suited and booted and majority on phones as they streamed along the streets.
Whitechapel Road, Eastend its different here untidy, not so busy and bustling. Central City the hordes all stream at speed in one driection. Down this end of "town" there's a community feel, calmer. Its like working our way around a Monopoly board. Seat to myself which l prefer until Thetford.
I arrived in Norwich at 8.30pm- a lovely modern clean bus station, feels safe, its still sunny which helps. R&T meet and greet me and whisk me off to a lovely Italian restaurant for much-welcomed food and drink.
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Weds 20th May
Had a good sleep, in R& T cosy little cottage in the very quiet calm village Of Horning on the Norfolk Broads. I'd opened the curtains so l could wake naturally to the view of the trees swaying above the terrace. Up, quick shower so l could feel human again. Walked to the local shop with T to buy his paper, its nice that people still do that.
We went to Cromer today an old seaside town, with a lovely pier and the waft of fish and chips. So for lunch we stopped at Mary Janes cafe up a winding street, which had a queue to get in its that good. Lovely atmosphere, great food, big portions. Proper chippy chips too. In the afternoon we walked off the chips at Blickling a National Trust estate- my type of place. Formerly Anne Boleyns home- Stunning gardens, rhododendrons in a multitude of colours were amazing, the scents and colours just incredible- Nature really is very clever.
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Not writing too much about this break as it's a family visit not just me. So short and sweet daily chats.
Thurs 21st.May
Today l was treated to a show in Norwich - first R and l walked the banks of the river passed historical buildings and cobbled pathways. Listening to R stories about their family boating days which sounded fun. Into the city for more mooching around the cobbled streets before meeting T for lunch in M&S . Can highly recommend the Chicken and Basil sandwich it was yummy. Love basil and never thought to add it to a sandwich before.
Onto the show Miss Saigon a love story based on the vietnam was era, was a lovely show. The leading lady had a beautiful voice, the little boy who silently took part was amazing. And yes l cried!!
"Home" to a local riverside Indian restaurant for dinner- in a tucked-away windowless venue, strange venue to be honest but food was lovely and we had a good time.
Friday 22nd May
How is it nearly the end of my time away already? Today l have to say was a major highlight day for me. We stopped first at a windmill on the Broads for tea and cake. Quite a common sight here in parts of Norfolk.
Then the main event- a beach at Hoveton to see a colony of seals!! Oh my days was amazing could've stayed there all day. My usual thing if I'm at the sea and kind of a fun rule - if at the sea you have to have a paddle, it's the rules!! But not on this beach as the sea and the edge of it was and is home to a colony of wild seals. The males are huge. And apparently, according to the lovely gang of Seal Wardens (volunteers) are fast and can/ will attack if threatened as will the mothers. They were all so very close.
The wardens cordon off areas so onlookers can not get to close and often beckon people away - this is the seals beach not humans. I was fascinated. Just yesterday there had been 200+ laying on the beach!!
Of the 3706 in this colony 600 babies wont survive, which is sad but its natures way. The mums leave their babies once they are 3 weeks old. They are left to fend for themselves on the beach and in the sea. The same colony parents return to the same beach each year and tend to have their pups at the same time every year. Hiding up in the walled dunes, protected from high tides and storms. It was fascinating. I was very excited and loved every minute of our time here.
Weird fact observation alot of the places we've been to have started with HO- Horsey, Hoveton, Horning- Odd !!
Our afternoon walk was in Horsey House Estate gardens another woodland with a magnificent array of rhododendrons in every colour imaginable. The scents and sights were glorious. Lasting longer than those back home because they were shaded by the woods. On one little path we watched and were watched by a Muncjac deer who was wandering peacefully through the woods.
Our dinner tonight- my last supper was in the village restaurant on the waters edge a very busy hub of the area boats of all shapes and merandering along in the sunset.
Food was great the service was very slow, only one waitress for ages, a barman and a larger man who just ambled about!! Which was a shame as a Friday before bank holiday you'd have thought wouldve had their act together. The walk back to the cottage we had to use phone torches as there are no street lights here so makes for a dodgy walk home!!
Such a very peaceful calm area, no stress, just really relaxing.
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Saturday 23 May
Was awake at 4.50am for a wee, back to bed, until 06.06am up and prepped for 7.30am taxi back to Norwich for coach home - via London Victoria. Been a great visit, time with family, always feels like lve come home seeing those l grew up with.
Not long to wait in Norwich bus station, quite a few people milling about this time of morning. Chatted briefly to a lady at bus stop, who later on in the day was actually on my home coach back to Somerset, she was booked into my original seat as well- wierd!!
Left Norwich at 9am arrived back in the bustling streets of London at lunchtime and had 3 hours to wait for home bus so took myself off to the pub next to arrivals the Travellers Tavern - looked nice and l needed food and a place to sit and while away the time. Doing something like that on my own in London wouldve been unheard off a while ago. But l've done a few things lately with no anxiety attacks at all which is a major accomplishment for me.
The Travellers Tavern is a traditional London pub/ restaurant had a lovely friendly feel about it, staff were lovely, food and service good and l felt safe there as a lone female traveller.
My last hour or so was spent in the terminal of Victoria Coach Station departures at my alotted terminal with more miserable non English people.I love people watching seeing the different cultures, clothes, its great.
The lady l'd spoken to in Norwich appeared before we boarded so we chatted and couldnt believe we were on the same buses for both parts of the journey. She said she'd have come with me to the pub had she known. Bless her she was travelling all the way down to Devon!!
I was home, jammies, on, cuppa and feet up by 9pm with a very happy fur baby stuck to my lap. She even woke me in the night to check l was actually still there. Bless her. Think she missed me.
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After a couple of days resting, washing and settling back home l was off again, day trip time this time only up the road to Clevedon, Bristol.
Weds. 27 May
The trek up to the pick up point was hard work. Too hot. Had a bit of a wait for the coach but chatted to a fellow traveller who ended up as my seated companion and actully later in the day discovered she was my youngest daughters neighbour!! Small world this world!!
Coach was full and we had a new driver and assistant with us today. Still lovely friendly staff which lve come to expect from Uptons. Our first stop Clevedon beach- l say beach its the Bristol Channel on murky mud. The sea/ estuary is brown and dull and not inviting at all. But it was hot and sunny which is the main thing. A cooling sea breeze was welcomed.
We had just a couple of hours here so l opted for a pub lunch then a seat on the slope to the "beach" my feet already very sore. I toyed with the idea of walking along the pier which was high and fragile looking but l dont like edges and theres a charge to go on it of £7 so l opted out. I sat watching the murky waters coming in and a bunch of student boys messing about instead. Not alot else here at this end of town so a bit boring to be honest. Not feeling it today. 2pm pick up time so l hobbled upto the hill back on to the coach and off we went to Clevedon Court a lived in manor house built in 1310 by the Normans before the Tudors extended it. The current owners family have owned it for the past 300 years and still live upstairs. The walled garden was small but lovely. The lawns spongy and soft especially for my very sore feet.
I wandered up to the cafe/ shop and found a single chair over in the log store/ barn where l sat crocheting accompnaied by a cat !!
It was a lovely venue but l really wasnt into it today, feeling miserable and grumpy, too hot and in pain.!!
The drive home only took an hour and the lovely lady sat next to me, daughters neighbour gave me a very welcomed lift home, where l discovered the cause of my pain 2 huge blisters on the balls of my feet. Note to self do not wear sandals if walking alot in heat!!
And thats it until Monday. Hope you've enjoyed the read if you've made it this far. Thankyou for reading. Until next time.
Alot of photos have been posted on my FB page already.
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