The Wonders of Warwickshire

The day was really warming up when we arrived at Charlcote Gardens. After a whisk around the house we had lunch and a nap next to The River Severn. Stratford On Avon was absolutely chocka and was in the grip of dragon-boat races. After an icecream we joined the throng snapping Shakespeare's frontdoor etc.. before slipping South again to Hidcote and the fantastic 'room' gardens there. After supper outside, we settled down to a film. 

Wye Not Lugg?

With a weather guarantee of sunny days, we booked in to Lucksall for a 4 day weekend, picking up an open canoe on the way. After a practice paddle on Friday afternoon, Simo and Claud joined us. Wanting to 'do' the upstream section of The Wye, we struggled to find a put-in North of Hereford. After an unofficial launch, we spent Saturday cruising South all day. We saw a snake swimming the river! On Sunday we explored the River Lugg from Hereford back to it's confluence with The Wye. We had seen two kingfishers within a few 100m and more wildlife all the way down. A fantastic, fun trip, involving pushing through trees, walking over gravel beds and travelling through near pristine habitat. Maybe our best paddle adventure yet. Official action photos by "I think you'll find I'm right" Simpson.

RIAT

Birthday Tattoo

After opening presents and a morning call to Hannah in Wamberal, I set off for a lovely birthday treat at work: My lovely employers had paid for me to spend today and my whole weekend at the Royal International Air Tattoo in Fairford. I saw a lot of 'planes. In the evening I had lovely supper with my lovely wife.

25th Wedding Anniversary

To celebrate this milestone we had one of the best meals of our lives at No.5 in Winchcombe http://www.5northstreetrestaurant.co.uk/. You only get to your Silver Wedding Anniversary once so we went for it, ordering the 7 course gourmet banquet, which we almost managed. There were so many highlights it would be rude to pick one. After 3 hours of banqueting our chauffer arrived to take us back to reality.

A Fyne Day Out

Two days away from our 25th Wedding Anniversary we went back to Fyne Court, scene of our wedding reception to see if we had changed at all. It turned out we had just got sillier and a bit more decrepit.

On a lovely walk around the area we did all of the things we hadn't got time for in 1986, like climbing trees and having tea and cake in the shop. 

 Then it was back to the pool to cheer up again! Thanks Simo and Claud for a Fyne weekend. 

Pool SUPers

When there's no surf, we like to make use of the facilities closer to home. After an incident in the making of the below video the camera revealed itself as cheap imported NoPro rubbish consigned to the surfing dustbin. 

Reverend Charles

It was great to catch up with Charles and Claire on the day of Charle's ordination at the Cathedral. Nibbles at the rectory in Withington on a balmy summer day followed.

Matt and Jess's Wedding

With Luke departing early for his lads week in Newquay, we readied ourselves for the third Blakeman wedding in as many years. On another beautiful day, we walked the final stretch to the service high on the hill at St Bartholomews, with the reception following at fabulous Dumbleton Hall.

Claire's Birthday

A bright, blue-sky day arrived as ordered, so after tea in bed, a call from Hannah in Oz and a leisurely breakfast in the garden, we set off for the jewellers of Cheltenham Spa. With a pause for lunch at Monsieur Blanc's, after only 5 hours, Claire decided on the 'right' ring and returned home triumphant. Hardly anyone believed the text we sent hinting at wing-walking as the 'surprise'. A lovely birthday.