This is the “all good things come to an end” bit, where I return to the UK. This time, though, I had a cabin on the boat. Just as well, as it was the last weekend of the school holidays and the whole boat seemed to have been taken over by couples each with 2 kids under ten – the cabin was a peaceful sanctuary !
The journey from Thouars to Le Havre was routine with plenty of time to spare. The only downside was that the catering at the ferry terminal was closed – again ! No bloody coffee – somebody is really missing a trick there. Weather deteriorated drastically crossing the Channel, but Portsmouth was still pretty at night – all lit up like.
Ferry was late as well, so it was well after midnight when I arrived at my old Uni friends Pete and Val Hunnisett, newly moved to Bexhill. Nice house with fantastic fittings to a very high standard. Makes my place look really scruffy ! Pete has not been at all well but now has hair, so the chemo has done its trick and he’s truly on the mend. Beautiful and sunny next day, to such an extent we had a LONG walk along the seafront, followed by a leisurely lunch at the De La Warr Pavilion.
Both Pete and Val are well into archery, so we popped up to their practice site for a while. Pete says he is OK on his stance, but needs to get his strength back now – time enough mate.
Next day, it was a long all day meander back to the Forest of Dean, via Eastbourne, Beachy Head and ( my favourite road) the A272, then Marlborough and over the Downs to Gloucester. Ages since I’ve driven that way, so really quite a pleasure. Not unexpectedly, mega-blowy at Beachy Head ( good for clearing a muzzy brain!). Then it started raining – welcome back !
All in all a good finish to a busy 2 weeks – when’s the next holiday ??????