It was all go this morning, we all had to be up early and ready to leave the house by 10am. Its Mum really, I think she deserves to have a lie in each morning but none of that today!
Richard had sent me detailed instructions with a step by step guide from our doorstep to the exact arrival point we had agreed on.
So no trouble was anticipated. Of course we knew better as we were now locals and we had Mum guiding me from the back of the car. She does really well but sometimes we make a few a errors though we all know that they have changed all the roads since she last went that way.
(We did go through the drawer of maps and booklets Mum has and found most of them were now collectors items)
Not to worry, Newbury we are on our way. Sun shinning, a beautiful 21deg being registered outside by our fancy car indicator and the roads not too busy.
Motorway driving is great way to get somewhere but its not the way to see the country side.
It all seems to flash by too quickly at 80 + mph (said I would get the hang of it).Managed the slip roads until the turn off for Newbury which came and went before I had the chance to get in the right lane. Beatrice just got caught off guard at that moment as she was studying the map. So here we were past our turn off and on the way to London!
No, we were going to be alright as the next exit was really the one we we had been looking for so we felt quite smug that we were doing OK. Mum had been unable to help as she had adjusted her cushion and had been having a (oooh I must have dozed off) moment.
On the A35 and follow the signs into downtown Newbury.
Richard had sent me detailed instructions with a step by step guide from our doorstep to the exact arrival point we had agreed on.
So no trouble was anticipated. Of course we knew better as we were now locals and we had Mum guiding me from the back of the car. She does really well but sometimes we make a few a errors though we all know that they have changed all the roads since she last went that way.
(We did go through the drawer of maps and booklets Mum has and found most of them were now collectors items)
Not to worry, Newbury we are on our way. Sun shinning, a beautiful 21deg being registered outside by our fancy car indicator and the roads not too busy.
Motorway driving is great way to get somewhere but its not the way to see the country side.
It all seems to flash by too quickly at 80 + mph (said I would get the hang of it).Managed the slip roads until the turn off for Newbury which came and went before I had the chance to get in the right lane. Beatrice just got caught off guard at that moment as she was studying the map. So here we were past our turn off and on the way to London!
No, we were going to be alright as the next exit was really the one we we had been looking for so we felt quite smug that we were doing OK. Mum had been unable to help as she had adjusted her cushion and had been having a (oooh I must have dozed off) moment.
On the A35 and follow the signs into downtown Newbury.
What a history this place has! Right now it was back to the directions, feeling quite confident in their accuracy we pressed ahead.Just as we passed the turn off I was advised that was the road.On until we could do an about turn . There it was, the car park we were looking for, or so we thought as it was meant to be a multi storey one. No, this was just an open space but on asking a local, it had the right name it had just not developed into a multistory. How we were we to know they had named two car parks the same, or almost the same. We made a decision it was good enough for us! No disabled spots, never mind, we did OK. Out with Mums chariot and off to stand at the entrance to keep an eye out for Richard, who was 15 minutes away. Sun really beaming down now and Mum was getting her quoter of vitamin D.
I was gazing off into the blue when there eas a hoy!across the from cross the road, surprise, Michael and Marian, glad to see they found are car park, so we must be in the right one! Kisses and hugs all round, we all look the same except Marian had grown her hair as was looking very stylish.
Now for Richard
Mad called to say they were at the Northbrook Multistorey, we of course were at the Northbrook place car park, directions given they set off to find us.
All together at last! More kisses and hugs. Johnnie looking really great.
Decisions decisions as we set off down the Newbury shopping mall to find aplace for lunch.
The eight of us invaded a suitable looking place which could accommodate us all and we could enter with the chairs.
After lunch a very pleasant walk down to the Kennet canal/ Avon river to see the narrow boats.
(Click the link and read all about it.) It would be great to take a narrow boat and travel the canal.
Marion managed to high jack a passer by to take our group photo so we gathered together to mark the occasion.
Time for goodbyes and are journey home. We managed to find our way into Newbury and so traced our way back successfully.
A stop off at the Lyndhurst Tea Gardens for a welcome break and a pot of tea. The drive through the New Forest was as spectacular as usual. Thought again of Keith & Kate as this was where they stayed in their caravan on their last visit.
Arrived home exhausted, ready for a bit of TV and a good nights sleep. And so to bed.
Have to be up early tomorrow morning to get the housework done and be ready for Sue's visit.
1 comment:
How nice is that family photo?! Is so nice to see you all, even if it is virtual.
Don't let Grandma throw away those old maps. I have a bit of a thing for maps at the moment - especially old ones. If they are heading for the bin, pop them in an envelope and send them my way?
Are you going to call me one day? Or send a postcard? How do i know these people aren't impostors of you both making a fake blog to throw me off the scent?
x
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