A Weekend Away

Last weekend (not the one that ended yesterday!) saw H and I off for a long weekend in Sidcup.  Now it might not immediately spring to mind when thinking of somewhere to spend a weekend, but there was method in our madness.

Do you remember last November we met these loons, friends, when they came up to visit?  The wheelchair photobombs everything!!

Well it was time to repay the visit.  I am sure the town was warned and was on high alert for our invasion!  Thankfully Mum and Dad get on with everyone so were happy to join us (& drive - thanks Dad).

The journey down was pretty uneventful, indeed we had a picnic on the way and it was lovely and warm.

H & I in the sunshine.

 Now, I could say that we had a weekend of high culture and didn't go into any pubs but I would be lying on at least one of the counts :-)

I did get up early on the Saturday and met a new friend in person.  C & I are in a carers group online and I really wanted to meet her.  Well, I couldn't go all the way there and not meet the one other person that I knew lived there.  I am so glad it worked out.  We had a real catch up and a fabulous hot choccie.

On the Saturday we went to Rochester.  Did you know that you can go into a pub and not drink alcohol???? (I sound such a lush..........), it was a cold day that day.

The only person in the group who I had not meant was D, the daughter of V & J.  Now, I have been friends with her on FB for ages but we'd not yet met.  When you see the photo below you may wonder why I was so looking forward to meeting her.  D loves SOUR sweets and I fell for the "would you like to try one?".  OMG.  The photo below is the white one - happily I don't have a photo of when I tried the green one.... you'd think I'd learn after the first time.

Still I think I've gotten my own back.

We had a lovely Greek night at P&D's on Saturday night but I was too busy to take many photos.

On Sunday we all split up and did various things.  Mum, Dad, P & I went to Chartwell, when we found it (don't ask).

Chartwell was the principal adult home of Sir Winston Churchill. Churchill and his wife Clementine bought the property, located two miles south of Westerham, Kent, England, in 1922. (taken from the web).  

P also told us that Churchill himself built a wall around the vegetable garden but never put in foundations.  The National Trust who own the building now have to decide whether to rebuild the wall for safety or keep the public away.........

I love the pumpkins hanging up in little nets. They were causing amusement and bewilderment of why they were hanging, but I just assumed that it was to stop the creepy crawlies eating them. 

I absolutely love the rose below.  I don't often go for white flowers but this one was so lovely catching the sun and any ideas what it might be called?

Churchill also ran out of money at the end of his lifetime so his friends paid for the upkeep of Chartwell so he could keep living there.  How fabulous was that?

We used the Travel Lodge in Sidcup and I couldn't have been happier.  A huge bedroom (single beds though :-( ) and our first wet room, boy did it make it easier for H.  We'll def be asking for one in future, when we travel.

Excuse the mess - I must remember to take a photo when we check in not just before we check out! Note the wheelie photobombing again............



PS The rose is called "Ice Cream"

and relax

Wow.  What a weekend.  I am knackered (apologies to anyone that word offends but I'm guessing if it does you won't be reading my blog - oh, apart from Mum......) :-)

It is Monday evening and boy am I tired.  I haven't stopped until now but it's been so worth it.  From hoovering the living room in my Pj's on Friday morning (think Freddie Mercury in the  "I Want to Break Free" video - though he does it better), to rushing out and about around Yorkshire and staying up late over a bottle or two of wine - it's been so much fun.  Indeed the next visit is already in the diary - let's just hope that P&D find their way home without too many detours!!!!!

We met P&D on holiday in Molyvos 3 years ago in our fav bar.  This bar brings together groups of people who just seem to gel - many a new friendship has been started in the bar/on the balcony and for the past 3 years, many of us arrange to go on holiday at the same time so we can meet up.

Can you imagine that P&D have never been to Yorkshire - eh?????  What's that all about.........

Friday afternoon found me baking a Victoria sponge cake covered in icing and Jelly Tots (any excuse to add sweets!).  Then Fish and Chips for tea, which P claims are much nicer than those down South.  A bottle or 2 of wine whilst discussing where to go over the weekend.

Saturday saw us going to Skipton, an hours drive away.  It is very pretty and I can't remember the last time I was there.  It was quite easy negotiating the streets with the wheelchair - well once we'd found a shop to buy an Allen Key to fix one of the foot plates back on - only we could break a wheelchair within days of getting it!!!!

The weather was warm but dry which is good enough for me.  We found many reminders of the Tour de France.  My favourite is the one below.

I do think that H looks complete with my handbag - suits you love!

H and P&D, visitors from Kent

Saturday night saw us sharing a lovely meal in Brighouse.

Mum and Dad

P & D

Lovely H

A real Sundae - not mine!

Who says chocolate doesn't make you happy?

Then on Sunday, whilst H recovered at home, P & D and myself went to Hebden Bridge (or Jenson Bridge as my phone renamed it).  I did a Geography project on HB when I was 15 and I doubt I have been back since - having to visit for the project put me right off.  I am so glad I had the excuse on Sunday.  What a lovely place to visit.  I think it has something for everyone.

We had a walk along the canal, visited a few shops, had a lovely hot chocolate and walked round a market.

Can you see why I took the photo of the canal boat below?  We were stood watching the boat use the lock when a little something caught my eye.

 How about now?

 On the canal side I found the bench that I'd love to own one day.  So cute.

 I wouldn't fancy pushing H up the hill below, though it would be kinda fun to let him go at the top...... whilst holding a camcorder.

 It's not often that you find somewhere selling "Foreign and British spirits", sadly this place is all shuttered up and for sale but the sign above the main door is from a time gone by.

In 2012 Hebden Bridge was flooded twice in 2 weeks.   The floods were higher than the top step in the photo below.

Monday morning brought a meet up in Brighouse, our first bus ride with the wheelie, a gorgeous hot chocolate and lunch in our local pub.

We can't wait for the next weekend - when we've rested up!!!!

Oh I do love to be beside the seaside

Oh I do love to be beside the sea,
Oh I do love to walk along the Prom, prom, prom
where the brass band plays diddle-om-pom-pom

My big dream is to live by the sea- FACT.  Thankfully H wouldn't mind too.  I think it's a long way away but you never know and you do need a dream.

Yesterday my friends G and C took me to Scarborough for my Birthday treat.  I was so excited when they told me - in fact I think I was actually speechless.  We agreed that I would not make any decisions about the day and would go with the flow and boy did we flow :-)

Do you remember we were in Scarborough in November (with Anni and my parents?).  Well the beach huts look even better in the sunshine.  

We had Pimms on the beach.

 We had Birthday cupcakes and candles.

We had a paddle.

I could watch the waves for hours.  We did have a paddle and some of us may have gone in deeper - not me I hasten to add as I am not mad!!

Scarborough has 2 different bays.  We started in the North Bay, which is more relaxed and less commercial than the South Bay.  The beach is long and sandy (until the tide comes right in).

We then walked along the cliff to the South Bay.  The South Bay was very busy, full of amusement arcades and fish shops (& tat shops).

At the seaside H and I have a competition we call the 2p challenge.  We each get £1 of 2p coins to put into the penny shove machines (not sure what the technical term is).  You have to put all of the £1 in the machine.  The winner is whoever wins the most (including prizes).  I introduced C and G to the 2p Challenge.  Not sure C was a fan - well until she won!!!!!

Can you spot C's "prize"?

C then convinced me to go on a big wheel (well a small version of a big wheel if you know what I mean).  Why did we go as it looked like a storm was coming in?  It was so windy at the top.  Not sure it was our brightest idea but at least C loved it, me not so much and G was having none of it!!!!!!  Still there were some good views at the top.

Do you see the the path going up the cliff in the photo below?  Years ago this was a cliff.  There was an old hotel at the top.  One day the cliff collapsed and took the hotel with it.  (More information  bbc news )

My Grandma lived in Scarborough so I have many happy memories of this place.  One thing I remembered was an old rock in the South Bay that looks like a house.  We couldn't see it when we were on the cliff top so assumed it had gone.  I was so happy to spot it on our walk back to the car.  There is some confusion as the original of this house but I like this story  Hairy Bob

We then came across this statue.  Walking up he looks normal sized but when you get closer you see him in all his glory.

Thank you ladies- you rock!!!

C and G - my friends. x

New York 4

Our last full day in New York and for the first time it is a little overcast and the forecast is rain.  Today we have planned to go to Top of the Rock and Central Park and nothing is going to stop us.

First stop is the Rockefeller Center (had to change the spelling to the American, since we were in NY but it took 2 attempts!!).  Now I have been here with my Mum in November a few years ago and I was impressed by the views over Central Park (albeit in Winter) so was eager to see it again.  I had to ask for the disabled entrance as I couldn't find a way in without steps but we got there.  This was the only time we got preferential treatment due to the wheelchair (except for flights) and it worked well.  We were directed to a sales desk on the same level as we were (I was a little jealous that everyone else had to go down a fabulous spiral staircase to get their tickets) and then directed to a private elevator to get to the next level.  On this level we had to go through metal detector's - erm, the one set up for wheelchairs needs to be a little wider - I don't THINK I damaged it!!!!!!!  Then into another elevator (no queues) and we were off.  I find the fast elevator a little off putting, but when you step out at the first stop and turn left you are immediately hit with views of Central Park.

Then onto the next level and views over the other side of the building (our hotel was just by the Empire State Building).

 I love the architecture of this building.

Do you see "Not the Empire State Building" hiding behind the MetLife building below?? I love that building, it's on my list of things to see next time we go to New York (Pretty please let there be a next time)

Then onto the top level - can you tell it was a little cold and windy?????  He's such a wuss.

but then it got to our hair so it was time to go!!!!

A quick hot chocolate break and on to Central Park.  I love that we were in the city for Spring and fabulous flowers.

A quick drink and onto Tiffany's for a new charm for my bracelet.  Now I love Tiffany's and have always wanted to visit here so I think I was a little tired and wasn't really bothered - Grrrrrrrrrr.  So you can imagine my happiness when I noticed that H was missing his bag.  Turns out he'd left it in the Gents in Central Park.  Now we think we know who took it (no it wasn't there when we got back) but there you go, such is life.  H should agree one thing though - he is a MUPPET (yes you H).

Anyway, by the time we'd gone back to check for his bag my hands were so painful from the wheelchair handles that I was not in a happy place- until we got back to the hotel and had a glass of wine or two in the bar.  Then the world suddenly seemed a little better :-)

On our last night we went to a fabulous bar/restaurant across the road from the hotel.  Now the only reason I chose it was it had a ramp and it was so close.  I was prepared to be disappointed after the bar of the first night but boy were we in for a surprise.  We ended up in Brendans and we were all more than happy.  You go in through a bar but then the room opens up into a fabulous restaurant.  We all enjoyed our meals and agreed we wished we'd tried it on the first night.

Can anyone tell me why none of us thought to go up the Empire State Building to see the city by night??  I blame tiredness as I have no other excuses.