Hi everyone, apologies for not posting in so long. Been a bit disillusioned to be honest. Tried to blog in another way to gain a bigger audience but not sure how to do it and the help l asked for is still pending!!
Tried to make this page pay a little pocket money but apparently my content isn't good enough!! Then l've asked for help in other areas again, it hasn't come to anything!!
Anyway, enough doom and gloom, onto travel blog catch ups been on a few trips which you may have seen pictures of already on my FB page. So here's the chat to go with. Enjoy.....
Mon. 15th June 2026
Picked up after my trek and pit stop already at Almondsbury Garden Centre before heading off to today's venue Lacock Village and Abbey in Wiltshire.
The now usual sleepless night before my day out and about. Woken by the cat at 5am!! Trek to pick up point where a lot of ladies were waiting to board coaches to Snowdonia and the Lake District for their holidays.
Having arrived early l sat for half hour chatting to the ladies before they left and my coach appeared. The suns hot but there's a cooling weloming breeze.
First stop for coffee and a wee was the Almonsbury garden centre we've been here before. I opted to shop for Christmas presents!! Yes l know its abit early but l have a lot of Grandbabies to buy for!!
An hour later and we arrived in the beautiful Wiltshire village of Lacock, which apparently has featured in a variety of films and dramas- including Pride and Prejudice - my favourite, and Downton Abbey not a series I ever go into.
The village itself is very quaint and silent. Has craft shops one l went into a tiny corridor of silver jewellery, straw plaited ornaments, ironmongery, wooden and woollen goods to buy. According to the shopkeeper he was one of 11 people who craft and run this little shop; all live in the village. He also told be alittle about life in the village. No one is allowed double glazing, sky dishes nor aerials on show.
Some of the locals also had things for sale outside their homes with honesty boxes. Arla is saving money to buy something; she is a young girl selling unwanted/ preloved toys and books. I bought one for M and gladly popped my cash through their letter box. Honesty boxes were everywhere, reliant on people to be just that - honest.
After lunch l strolled into the quaint village that appears to be stuck in a time warp. I sat on a village bench to chat to a fellow tourist from Chippenham.
Then l entered the abbey grounds. Another silent, beautiful environment. Swallows flitting everywhere, trees swaying in the breeze. The interior of the abbey in places was creepy, with some hidden corners that make you wonder what their purpose was!!
3pm time to wander the wooded gardens before going back to the local pub for the last hour. The architecture of the abbey is lovely with some ornate chimneys. The wooded glade surrounded by dry stone walls on one side and iron fencing into a huge lush meadow bordered at the edge by more trees. There was an array of paths that led to an array of endings but realising l was running out of time l walked back to a hidden flower garden and sat for a few moments. The scents were lovely and floral the colours of the flowers were subtle shades. Around a bend towards the exit l stood and watched squirrels playing and gathering food. They stopped still to disguise themselves amongst the undergrowth and trees. After exiting the abbey and its beautiful grounds l ventured into a local pub, the Red Lion for a pint of amber ale before finding my way back to the coach park, where l was joined by JJ, the Yorkshire guy from a previous trip, he's a great character. We sat and chatted and laughed as more and more women from our group came to talk to him!! He had quite a harem going on!!
Back on the coach, our journey came to a halt on the motorway where we had to sit for ages. Everyone had produced food and snacks as our final drop off was severely delayed.
My long trek home was hard, legs ached and l began to struggle to keep walking, aware that l was, in fact, wobbling and walking as if drunk!!
I wasnt - just very weary. Finally got in and in my jammies by 7.30pm. Was a good day and l really feel like "l belong" to the coach trip community with regular faces and people l chat too. Makes a difference when you live alone, although going on a Monday throws the rest of the week out of kilter!! Joys of being retired means it doesn't matter.!!
......................................................................................................................................................................
Thurs 9th July 2026
Apologies if some of you may have read little snippets of this on another platform.
Todays jaunt l'm really excited about is to St Michael's Mount, Marazion, Cornwall. Left at 8am trek to pick up point met S and R whom lve travelled with before and another regular whose name l dnont yet know. First stop was Strawberry Fields a farmers' market with animals near Launceston. Goats and long-horn cattle mooch about in the fields close by. Could've spent a fortune in there. Their wares are abundant and very tempting, but being sensible just grabbed a freshly baked huge iced bun and coffee and sat outside with S chatting. Think we'll stick together for the day which is great company for each of us.
The sun's blazing already from the very misty start we had back home. I've bought a hat and a cover up with me and a walking pole, wearing trainers, so covered all options, hoping some sea breeze will take the edge of the heat. Next stop Marazion at 12.40.
Lets chat abit about clothing and attire for a 65-year-old. On most trips fellow travellers wear white, navy, paisley and beige!! I wear vibrant colours, cycle shorts and floaty vest tops with bare arms. Am l dressing to young? I am not a conservative type of person in any shape or form. I like colour, having spent 20+ years in black, navy and grey. I like jewellery and tattoos and if you have tattoos l think and feel they have to be on show; otherwise whats the point of having them. Should l be toning things down to follow the trend and "normal" attire of someone my age, or just be me doing and wearing what makes me happy??
I'm not including much chat about this trip on here as I've already posted bits. Other than to say that l spent the day helping others and going along with what they wanted to do. I didn't get up to the main castle and church. I helped an old boy B as he struggled with the whole environment- cobbled harbour, steep stone steps up and down to the boats across to the island. This trip really was not geared up for people with mobility issues and who were disabled. Being who I am l felt compelled to help B with a guiding arm for him to lean on. It was hard work but allowed him to join in a bit.
I fully intend to go back at some point to have another go at getting to the top of the mount. Maybe on my first class train trip that I want to do to Penzance, maybe l should stop over so l have time to go back to Marazion.
.......................................................................................................................................................................
Tues 14th July 2026
New Moon, New trip and a new driver James- a returning popular one apparently. Familiar faces makes this trip comfortable and enjoyable. We've come back down to Devon/ Cornwall.
Mount Edgcumbe bcountry park and house built in 1547 damaged in the Plymouth blitz, restoredb 1941-1964 when the owners died in 1965 si they saw their hardowrk done. No heirs, eventually one was found but a womanising gambler. 1988 2 local councils took over to open it as it is now. So colours etc are relatively modern. It was never actually lived in as a home which is a shaame as its rooms are lovely. I particularly like the tower rooms one for the men one for the ladies. The colour pallette and wall paper was pretty too.
I escaped the tour chat and found a loo and cafe courtyard but had bought lunch in the service station enroute down, so l went for a wander down the steep garden lawn towards the sea, found the orangery, folly formal gardens and the sea. Sat under trees writing this. Not so hot today and the breeze is welcomed. Love the sound of tthe wind in the trees sounds like waves.
Where l sat over looked naval buildings and a large ferry which entered the estuary enroute to dock in Plymouth l think.
The journey down was a lovely patchwork of golden fields edged with forrest green hedgrows a sure sign of mid summer.
We're only here until our usual 4.30 home time, so with 2 hours left l ventured back up the steep lawns in the blazing sun, back to the cafe for an ice cream, then a cuppa with JJ. And as always theres a robin whose come to say hello.
.......................................................................................................................................................................
Tues 28th July 2026
Waterperry Gardens, Oxfordshire
Took 3 hours to get here in a coach that was air-conditioned cold. Now sat in one of the gated gardens, dripping with swear. Its seriously hot here.
The dried golden meadows some of which are overgrown, are beautiful. The silent space peace garden in particular was lovely. There are random statues dotted everywhere. This was originally a horticultural school for girls back in the day. There's a butterfly trail for kids to follow. The Truth trail to the river is adorned with plaques with words of wisdom l found 12. And the red obelisk with wise words written in English and Arabic. The gardens, meadows and Yew Henge are vast and peaceful. The silent peace garden was scented with lavender whilst another gated garden was highly scented with small white roses- beautiful and fragrant. The whole place is a treat for the senses.
Last hour - bought a bottle of water as I'm now headachy from the immense heat. Sat under a tree, with an ice cream and cold water crocheting. Reflecting on the day. Been good, lots of walking but in the heat its very tiring. I will relish a shower when l get home after a sleep in the air-conditioned coach the coolness will be welcomed.
The only downside to these trips is the trek home, which can be a struggle, but whilst its the school holidays a more relaxed route has been found with people about so I cut through a park. Drop all my bags inside my front door and head straight into the shower....bliss.
Thats it, a long read and catch up for the month of July 2026. How are we starting August already!!
Anyway enjoy, and comment if you'd like to. Thankyou for reading.
