Monday, we met good friends for coffee in Castletown (where our last Isle of Man home was!), who kindly took us up to Douglas to catch the ferry to Liverpool. A little lumpy crossing, but not too bad. Where we were met by other friends and taken back to theirs in Widnes, for a light supper of soup and bread, after seeing our food and drink exploits last week!
Tuesday, we all took their dogs for a walk to Victoria park in Widnes, followed by lunch out at The Tavern (more food and drink!) and then back to theirs for a few more drinks!
Wednesday, we got the train from Widnes to York, after a quick change of plan following an email from the rail company cancelling our originally booked train, so we got a different train 20 mins earlier, so we could still make our connection in Manchester. Rog’s Dad kindly picked us up in York.
Thursday, Nic’s Dad retrieved the motorhome from storage, so we could finish packing it.
Both of us had our flu jabs, and finished the day off with dinner with Rog’s brother and family.
Friday morning, we set off on the road trip, driving down to Norfolk to see Rog’s old school friend. After two hours driving, we pulled into a service station to switch drivers and an engine warning light came on, so we stopped to read the manual, which said it was Ok to continue driving with that warning light on, easier said than done as the immobilizer would not disengage. Whilst Rog was still trying to start the motorhome, Nic spotted some Army chaps in large lorry, so decided to chance the “damsel in distress” look and ask them if they could help, when, all of a sudden, the motorhome started. Hurrah we were off again.
So, our luck with motor vehicles appears to be continuing (see earlier blogs on the Van saga).
We got down to Norfolk only slightly later than planned.
Saturday, we walked from the house to Reepham across the fields and along an old railway line, for lunch in the Station café and returned via Salle village.
Sunday, we drove to Cley on the north Norfolk coast, walked around the Salthouse and Cley marshes to a café for tea & cake, shock horror the people in front of us in the queue bought the last scones.
Back to the house for a homecooked roast chicken with all the trimmings, to cap off another wonderful weekend catching up with good friends (after far too long), filled with good food and plenty of drink (but not too much – no hangovers!).
Travurple 