Buddy & Marg with Bob & Carol
Author: Marg Kennedy
Friday 17th August Melbourne Airport
Good night at Kathy’s. Dropped off at Tullamarine at 8.00am ready for flight. No worries getting stuff through security. Bought perfume, book and camera. Plane delayed by 30 min. Not to worry as we have one and a half hour wait in Sydney. Didn’t sleep well but OK. Very busy. Bought opal pendant, tie clip and scarf at airport for Judy, Mike and Bev. Everything going well. 25 hours to Binghamton. Long flight but fine. Last bit in a little plane – hot and bothered. Judy was there to meet us. Home to see Bev. She looks good but has failed a lot.
Saturday 18th August Binghamton USA
Up at 8.00 am due to Bud fiddling with his electronic stuff. Had a good sleep – had breakfast and chatted to Joanne, Judy’s sister who is caring for Bev. Got washing done and organised shopping for BBQ tea. Mike and Judy coming at 7.00pm with a peach cobbler and icecream. Had a nap in the afternoon. Good day – restful. Judy is a lot better but gets tired. Enjoyed the visit with Judy and Mike. Have Montreal sort of organized. Judy has booked us in NY – Wicked and Jersey Boys, Bed about 10.30pm.Sunday 19th August Binghamton
Got up and had breakfast. Bud has had eggs and bacon both mornings. Jennifer arrived yesterday for her shift with Bev. Bev loved her scarf and plate. She is pretty fragile – sleeps on and off all day. Packed again and off at 11.20am to fly to England. Binghamton, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Gatwick and Edinburgh. Will take about 15 hours. Late out of Philly due to a lighting problem on control panel. Had a few whiskies on plane at Philly – very nice. Bud joined in the drinking – quite cheery. Flew in a new Airbus from Charlotte. Good trip.
Monday 20th August Auchtertool Cloudy/sunny
Plane to Edinburgh 12.30pm. Met Bob & Carol at Edinburgh Airport and picked up the car and headed for our cottage. Really cosy. Margaret owner has everthing organized. Really clean. (Kaz says spotless.) Dinner at pub. Groceries etc at Kirkcaldy. Early night. Carol and Bob well – trip a great success but tired. Marg to bed 8.00pm
Tuesday 21st August Kirkcaldy Overcast/cool
Carol had a haircut. Bob, Bud and I wandered. Bought a Willy for Bud and waterproof for me. Off on Thistle route – around the seaside to St. Andrews. Had lunch at a dear little pub on the way. Bud passed cars at lights thinking they were parked. Went to St. Andrews Castle, Cathedral etc. Home and cooked tea. Watched TV.
Wednesday 22nd August The Maltings Sunny 23ºC
Bud hit the floor running at 6.45am. Didn’t read the clock properly) All up early. Bob not well – chest cold. Fog early and then a lovely day. Off to Loch Lomond for a cruise. Bloody terrible start – I missed the turn of before the Forth of Firth Bridge and so stuffed up about an hour of debacle – not happy Jan!!! Cruise great- really calm and really busy. Went to Luss – really pretty little village. Called in at Bollock Youth Hostel where we stayed in 1999. Home through Alexandria – Bud bought 3 shirts (Hells bells $60) but great shirts. Good trip home- Bud navigator. Went to Kircaldy and had a shop.- Parmigiana for tea. Great idea Bob! Bob got medicine in Alexandria – a little better. A really good day. Merlot great!
Thursday 23rd August Edinburg
h Sunny/ Warm 22ºC
Went into Edinburgh on the Park & Ride bus. Bob drove to park - £4.95 return. Dropped us at the Walter Scott Monument. Then got on the Hop on Hop off Bus – great around Edinburgh. New route around centre about our earth – joined in to Hollyrood House (Queen Mary of Scotts). Bob & Carol went up to the castle. Bud and I had a quiche lunch and then Bud went to send emails . I went shopping for McGregor’s, Elliott’s and Jamie. Very busy – Fringe Festival & Tattoo over this week. People everywhere – stalls, performances, food – the works. Much busier than last time. “A Beautiful Sunny Day". Amazing. Home by 3.45pm. Tea and drinks at the pub. A really good day for us all. Glen Nivet Whisky – Great!
Friday 24th August Maltings Cloudy then Sunny
8.30 start – good drive to Stirling. Buddy got petrol. All set for drive down tomorrow. Stirling Great Hall renovated (they were doing it up in 1997). Ceiling is really interesting. Went in on Park & Ride to Edinburgh. Walked to Boots Chemist – I have a cold. Feel OK but know it will get worse. Then up to the Castle via the stairs. Went to a little pub near the church – good tea.
Lined up 
at 7.30pm – started to move at 7.45. 9000 people attend the tattoo. We watched all the buses come down after they dropped off all the bands etc. Windy but OK. Tattoo was wonderful. Will tape it on New Years Eve. Really colourful and great entertainment. We all really enjoyed the experience. Went late 10.45 pm so we had to hurry back to the bus station. Caught the 11.15pm bus. Quick trip home.
Saturday 25th August Bank Holiday Weekend
Up early even after the late night. All packed and off by 9.00 am. Decided to give Holy Island a miss as we didn’t know the tomes for the causeway. Called in to Floors near Kelso. Really impressive. Drove on down to Durham – very busy – festival. Finally got a little self contained unit near a pub. Very comfortable but a bath – no shower. Not feeling too good – went to bed at 7.30pm. Bud also has the cold. Had a good night. A little better in the morning.
Sunday 26th August Driving down
Good trip across to Ambleside. Arrived early. Fern Cottage is great. Sally and Tom – very nice. Bedroom well appointed – little sitting room for us at the end of the bed. Drove round to Windermere and had a look round. Got stuff for our colds – doctors trip for Bob and I. We both have a chest infection. Had lunch at a little pub on our way to Beatrix Potter’s house. We went right around the lakes. Too many people so came home on the Ferry. Countryside is beautiful. Trees still green but lots of different greens. Lake Windermere is like a mirror. Home then tea at the Lakeside pub. A good day. Hope medicine kicks in soon – very bad headache
Tuesday 28th August Ambleside cloudy/sunny spots
Went on boat across to Bowness. Carol and I visited the Beatrix Potter exhibition – very realistic – like a diorama. All the animal are life size. Really great for kids. Lots of people touring around it. Had a look around Bowness – had lunch –yet another pub. Soup & roll – very tasty. Good trip back across the lake – a little bit cold. Boys & Carol went for a drink and a coffee. I went for a little rest. Cough is bad. All off for tea at the Lakeside Hotel. Food good – red wine excellent. Pretty expensive £7.95 – main meal £3.99 wine. Walked home – early to bed – watched some TV.
Wednesday 29th August To York
Up for a great breakfast with Tom. Bud got the car & parked in Ambleside YHA. We trundled our cases around and then headed off to York. Sunny spots – good travelling on A and B roads. Arrived on lunch. Queen Anne B&B a little tired and we are on the top floor. Pretty pokey rooms but OK. Wandered off to the wall. Bob and Carol got on York Tour buss to see the sights. Bud and I found the P.O. to post off postcards. York is very busy – school holidays still on. Lots of grandparents and kids. Still feeling shocking but have faith that the antibiotics will kick in soon. Bud has the cough now. We filled in time. Evensong at the Minster at 5.15pm Great Choral work. Tea at Hole in the wall.
Thursday 30th August York Sunny/cloudy 18ºC
A bright morning – sunny and warm. Off for the day in York. Wandered around. Had lunch at Little Shambles Tea House. Scone, jam & cream – lovely!! I am about Yorked out – our 3rd visit. Queue for Viking thing huge so we gave it a miss. Met Bob & Carol at 4.00pm. – wandered home via some little pubs. Bob & Carol saw people they knew on a Trafalgar Bus. Watched some TV. Packed up case. Good early night. Cold is improving.
Friday 31st August Off to Ludlow
An early start – about 3½ hour trip down tp Ludlow. Used the M1 as it is a really good access road to move down through England quickly. Not lots of traffic but enough. Had a cuppa on the M1 – Bud got petrol. Arrived Ludlow at 12,45. A dear little village (10,000 people) Flood affected. One house had bed suspended over the river. Must have been terrible. – some streets still blocked off. A market town. Food capital of England. Norman history – roads everywhere and Tudor buildings. Very pretty. Lunch at a sandwich shop. I had a really nice salad for a change. Came home to cottage – quaint but cosy. Cottage is back along the road. You enter through this gap and follow a little path up to a white gate. It has a typical cottage garden on about 3 levels. Very coy – 2 double beds –funny shower, separate formal dining room – how posh. Did the washing. Bought food for tea. Cooked tea tonight. Sausages, peas, carrots & potato – gravy. Lovely!!! Watched “As Good as it Gets” Very funny. Settled in well.
Saturday 1st September Overcast
Had a late start. Sandwiches for lunch. Went to Market in Castle Square. Lots of little stalls. Bought some comfy shoes. (Carol bought 2 pairs) Had a drive round area in the pm. Very pretty. Roast for tea. (Bob) Yummy!!!
Sunday 2nd September Sunny breaks 18ºC
Late day – good to have a rest. Had a sandwich for lunch including cold lamb. Off for a drive around the area. Checked out the Pound Pub – bit posh but a thatched roof. Watched some TV – The Queen – Helen Mirren – great. Cottage very comfortable but lots of spiders. They are squashed around the place. Very warm at night. Doonas too warm for this time of year.
Monday 3rd September Iron Bridge Cloudy/rainy
Had breakfast and headed off to Severn River Railway. Closed due to floods then on to Iron Bridge where Industrial revolution began. About 10 museums – we went to the Vic Cillage, The Tar Tunnel, Coalport China and the Tile museum. Nice travelling today – little back roads.
Tuesday 4th September Sunny – glorious 21ºC
Trip to Chester. On the way at 8.45am. Good drive up. Lots of roundabouts. Got a park at Forum Park – really close to town. Checked out info centre and were sent to Visitor’s Centre. Video and then Carol & Bob went on Hop on Hop off bus. Bud and I went to find phone card. Success at last. 3p to Aust per min. Had a really good look around. Great City – black and white – 2 layers of shops called the Row (first Mall ever) Had Cornish Pasties for lunch. – very enjoyable. Left at about 2.30pm and had a drink at Craven Hill Pub on the way home. Drinks in Beer garden at home at the cottage. 21ºC. Very pleasant. Early night. Off to Snowdonia tomorrow. Wednesday 5th September rain am / 21ºC coming home
Early start at 8.30am. OK here but weather looked a bit grim in Wales. Lovely drive – lots of little roads with trees meeting over the top. Made good time-3hrs – last part of thetrip really interesting – mountains high and shaley – no trees – lots of rocks. Arrived at Snowdonia Cog Railway at 11.15am. Got tickets, had some chips and waited for 12.00pm train. Rainy and cold but we are up high. Trip up Snowdonia great except the last bit in the mist. A great effort by the little train – very steep climb. 54 passengers. Lots of people walking up – amazing. Had lunch at Betswycoed and made good time home. Fish and chips for tea. Sat up in “beer garden” for drinks. Very pleasant. Another good day.
Thursday 6th September Ludlow Cloudy/ muggy
R & R day today – had a walk around town. Catch up on washing etc. Pack tonight. Bud organized phone (have to provide money before you can use phone card – off to bank at 7.45) Rang Bernie & Mary – they were well – no rain at all. A real worry. Jamie not answering. David not answering. Amazing!! Rang David & Ann – both well. Jamie still not answering. Washing done. Had a really good relaxing day –sunny spells. Carol & Bob went wandering. Bob offto the doctor again for fluid this time. Went to the Bull Ring for tea. Bob & Carol’s meal really late – stuff up with the computer. Home by 8.30 pm. Watched “The Bill”.
Friday 7th September Warwick Castle Stratford on Avon Stow on Wold
Early start – 8.30am. All ready to head south. Misty but muggy. Good trip to Warwick Castle- hardly any people – great to look around without hordes of kids. “Bowman’s” story really good – told the story of the Kingmaker Earl of Warwick and how to use a bow and arrow. On to Stratford – lunch at Patisserie- really nice. Saw Willy Shakespeare’s house again. Very busy. Watched a long boat go through the lock. Found a pub in Stow on Wold for night. – really old. We have a huge bedroom. Pretty old fashioned but comfy. Bud and I having a drink at 4.00pm. Overcast and cool but not raining. Good dinner – really hard bed.
Saturday 8th September Off to Devon
Left Stow on Wold at 9.30pm. Made good time down through Somerset and arrived at “The Willow” at 2.30pm. Cottage is great. Well appointed – good beds and excellent kitchen. Butter, bread and milk in the fridge. Anita is very friendly. Mark is nice. Cottage is set on the River Ax. Lovely little garden – BBQ area etc. Great setting. Unpacked – found Tesco and did the shopping –hamburger for tea. BBQ dirty so Carol cooked on the stove. Really nice. Watched a bit of TV. Tired again. This tourist stuff is certainly tiring!! Lots of cars use the bridge but we don’t hear them in the cottage. Double glazed windows.
Sunday 9th September Willows Devon Sunny 19ºC
Up late – good breakfast. Did some washing, Great day. Bob having a day at home – needs to move fluid on legs before London. Has had it since bus trip. 31 days on a bus perhaps to long!!! Really relaxing here. Comfy couch. Bud reading – he is much better now. Took a while to get over the cold. I am good too. Had a long course of antibiotics and now feel well. Sleeping well too. Ducks and cats are just outside the windows. Really friendly. Bud and I went to Seaton, Beer and Lyme Regis – very busy due to half day marathon. Very pretty – coast land home – drinks and roast again. Early night – got hot at night. Doonas too hot.
Monday 10th September Overcast then sunny 21ºC
Up at 8.00 pm. Washing done and off to Seaton Tramways. On the tram at 10.00am. Narrow colorful little tram. Great fun. Seaton to Colyton. ½ hour trip. Back to car – off to Beer. Caves of Beer – fascinating limestone –One hour tour – dear little lady – great sense of humour – Working from Normans till 1967. Limestone for churches, houses etc. Really interesting – very cold – drips on our hats. Lots of great information. Then on to Lyme Regis – pretty town – not really as busy as yesterday. Had lunch – pasty. Went for a wandered. Back to Axminster – Bud internet – Marg shopping – 2 T shirts the home. Sunny & warm. Drinks on the lawn then tea – sausages etc. A very pleasant day. Bob a lot better.
Tuesday 11th September Sunny Off to Penzance
Up Early – 8.15am on the way to Penzance. Road really good. Took middle road (Bob wanted low road but too long) Good drive down. Visited St. Ives – busy, busy, busy but a great spot. (worth visiting again) Then on to Penzance –hilly village – down to the sea. Had lunch (a pasty – not as good as Chester_ Carol and I went for a walk. Back in car and out to Land’s End – really windy – great views –Sunny. Had an ice cream and then came home –the low road. Took ages. Had a drink at the George Hotel (very ordinary). (Had a scratch tea because big mouth Marg (that’s me) suggested if we were late we had enough for tea.
Wednesday 12th September Willows / Sidmouth
Late rise today. Washing done. Off to Exmouth to explore. Pretty little roads, patchwork quilt effect in paddocks. Lovely trees – tunnels over roadway. Saw lots of thatches too. Some really old, others new. A number of pubs thatched. Off to Sidmouth – really quaint. Deck chairs on the path looking over the sea. Grey brigade out in full. Found some good gifts – we will come back on Friday. Went out to New Inn for tea. Really nice food. Award pub – presentation while we were there. Watched the Bill – early to bed again.
Thursday 13th September Willows Bridport
Haircut this morning 9.00am. Dry cut £12.50. Good job. Used the internet – sent as message to everyone. Shopped for tea – spaghetti Bol tonight. Lovely day – foggy early the 21ºC sunny and warm. Bud and I drove to Bridport – seaside town – little boats in the low tide. Had a quick lunch – drove home via Chewkebury – turned off to go to Ford Abbey – lovely old house & garden. Amazing fountain spurting into the air. Bud took some pretty pictures. Home by 2.45pm. Bud put “Crickey” on boys phone next door. Washing dry. Still lovely and sunny. Going for a pint at “The Lamb” at 4.00pm. Another good day.
Friday 14th September 16ºC - 19ºC Sidmouth
Later morning – off to Sidmouth for some presents for people back home. A lovely little village – colorful and bright. Cloudy day but warm – could have a little rain this evening. Had our final clotted creamtea in a little bakery café. We have really enjoyed these and love the way the cream is done. Home for afternoon. I had a little sleep. Off for a pint at The Lamb – not very clean – doggy smell. Moved back to the Axminster – good. Went for dinner at the “Old Inn” – beautiful contrary to Anita’s reference. Duck was superb. A really nice meal for everyone. Packed case – everything fits. A little rain at night.
Saturday 15th September Gatwick 18ºC - 19ºC
Dropped Carol & Bob at the Axminster railway station for their trip to London. Headed off at 8.30am for Gatwick. Had a very comprehensive map so very easy to find our way. Sunny, warm. A lovely day. Found the Travelodge without too much hassle. Went for lunch at a Toby Carvery – really nice. Went for a little drive towards Brighton but too busy. Weekends are just mad over here – everyone out and about – also a great day. Booked in and then reconnoitered to find where to drop off the car, OK =- easy. Dinner at the Carvery again – just beautiful – tender meat and loads of vegetables. Back for an early night. Last night in England.
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