Another map

Posted on September 21, 2008 by steve

Here is a more high level map showing our rough idea for the first few years of our travels. Just a rough guide. The detail, and adjustments, will emerge as we approach each section.


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Lazy Day

Posted on September 21, 2008 by steve

Finally we’re having a day of rest – appropriately a Sunday.

On Friday we drove over to visit Helen’s sister Lois who lives in Stevenage. In the afternoon we paid a visit to the cemetery where their parents and brother rest and on the way back we went for a pleasant walk in the countryside. Lois cooked us homemade curry for dinner which was delicious. This was accompanied by a few bottles. We went to bed late.

Late Saturday morning we headed off to north London where we visited old friends of Helen: Johnny & Vannessa Tenn. Oldest son John met us there too. It was nice to catch up.

Back to Betty’s we had our final takeaway curry of the trip (you can guess we’ve missed this).

Today is a lazy one. I have to drop off the hire car in a minute and we’ll probably go for a walkabout later. The English summer is with us today albeit short and late. This evening we’re going out to celebrate Emily’s (niece) 20th birthday.

I had a play around with google maps this morning. I’ll put this on another part of the website soon but here is an rough idea of our first seasons sailing plans :


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Car/Pub Cricket

Posted on September 18, 2008 by steve

We had a wonderful stay in West Wittering with Sam’s godfather, Dick, his wife, Sarah, and their children Henry, Maria & Tom. It was also great meeting up with “The two Chrisses” from Sea Squared who I last saw in the Azores. They were part of the ARC fleet traveling from the Caribbean to the UK.

This morning we left West Wittering and went to Sidcup in Kent to meet Vicky & Ben for lunch. Vicky is Ben’s godmother. Vicky cooked a great curry and it was so good to catch up on the missed years.

We have been out of touch with Dick and Vicky for many years and we’ve vowed not the let this happen again.

After Vicky’s it was back to Chesham and Helen’s sister Betty. We need to relax as it’s been non-stop but not just yet. Sunday looks to be our “day off.”

Dick taught us a game called Pub Cricket which can be played while driving in the car. We tried this on our way to Sidcup. Helen won 6-4. For rules – here is a link : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pub_cricket.

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West Wittering

Posted on September 17, 2008 by steve

Monday night we went back to Helen’s brother Peter’s place for dinner – takeaway curry & Chinese. Good food, good company.

Yesterday we drove from Penzance to West Wittering. On the way we stopped off in Exeter to take a look at the Cathedral. The Cathedral is in very good order and free of grime. We took an hour tour which brought our attention to minutia we would not have found ourselves.

We reached West Wittering shortly after five in the evening. We’re staying with Sam’s godfather – the chap who gave me my first ever regular job. He has a couple of connected cottages which are really quaint. We’re staying here for a couple of nights. Lunchtime we’re meeting up with the two Chrisses who I last met in the Azores.

For now, more pics.

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Cornwall

Posted on September 15, 2008 by steve

The wedding on Saturday went very well. It took place in the Terrace Hotel in Bath. The summer finally arrived in Britain and the rains stayed away for a perfect day. Simon and Julie looked a great couple. The evening reception at Julie’s parents home went very well. As a result of demand on taxies we didn’t get back to our hotel until about 1:30am.

On Sunday we drove down to East Prawle in Devon to stay the evening with our friends Mo and Andy who run a B&B there. On the way we spent a couple of hours wandering around Totnes. That evening we went out for fish and chips by the coast in a pub. We also went to one of the two local pubs in East Prawle to round off the evening.

Today we have driven to Penzance to spend some time with Helen’s brother Pete. We’ve already spent an hour or two with him, his wife Dianne and his daughter Rachel. Right now we’re sorting our stuff out in Helen’s sisters Lois’s holiday home in Penzance. I have found an open wireless connection by practically hanging out of the attic window.

Soon we will be back at Pete’s to eat takeaway Chinese & Indian.

Tomorrow we’ve got a long drive to West Wittering, Kent. Not looking too forward to that.

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