Banana on tour...................
 

................................. Yes this will be The Flying Banana’s first proper tour after her recent visit to be fitted with a new coat of paint.
The main reason for the trip is to attend the Macmillan Nurses Charity car show which is being held at Clandon Hall near Guildford on Sunday.

But there will be a few other trips arranged. Friday will see us drive to Dartford in Kent to visit my lovely friends. Saturday will be shanks pony day. Train trip to meet up with my cousins in East London, then get the train to that very old village called Barkingside to visit a couple of friends in The New Fairlop Oak, aka Wetherspoons. I have no intention of returning to the flat. That was yesterday, I’m now living for today and the tomorrows.

Sunday sees us at the show. Monday is on hold at the moment, was supposed to be visiting my niece in her new home. But sadly her future father in law has unexpectedly passed away on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. So I might travel up and see my god daughter in a Earls Colne.
I do hope to attend the NLMG club house at the Botany Bay Cricket Club in North London on Monday evening.

Will be staying with Michael though. No doubt I’ll have a few beers with him.
I will also be visiting “my Val” in the cemetery in Totteridge. Not been there since Xmas last. Missed a couple of anniversaries that are special to us.

The plan is to leave home about 10am and head up the A38-M5-M4-Car Park-A1 and onto Totteridge.
So should you see what looks like the sun bombing along at Warp Factor Three don't forget to wave, toot or flash those soon to be restored headlights.

Washed and watered, just me that is. Starting mileage is 203,723.
I’ll keep the diary going as we have lots of listeners.

Got a wave from.........................
 

........................................ a forum member Nathancann in his Anthracite CDTi ZT on the A38.
Banana ran ever so sweet on the 254 run up to Michaels. The closer we got to London the hotter the outside temperature, reached 27.5 at one point.
Not much in the way of traffic, even the M25 was light.

Did see one nasty accident between 17 & 18 on the M4, was on the other side of the motorway. The tailbacks were nearly 5 miles long.
Saw a hunting pack of MG3’s, ok so they was on a transporter. But other than the ZT and a ZR I never saw any other MG Rovers.

Why do people leave to the last minute to pull out to overtake a slower vehicle. You can see the obstacles from a distance, I pull out well in advance and give them plenty of room before pulling back.
I had one idiot behind me who was either nodding off or texting on his phone. I could see his head bobbing up and down.
Couple of lorry drivers with their iPads resting on their steering wheels.

As we got closer to London a convoy of unmarked Police cars flew past with blues and two’s on. And another convoy of them heading towards Essex on the M25.

Still the main thing is we got here safe and sound. I’ve left Banana in the road as the drive way is so overgrown it’s hard to spot where it starts and where it ends.
Tea made, waiting for Michael to come home from work. Might see if he wants to “pop” along to the local watering hole.

Thanks for reading.

Enjoy all those trips Bob, I'm sure Banana will. :party:

Great stuff Bob, see you and the Banana Sunday mate ;)

Ok, I’ll endeavour to attend one weekend. Got a busy schedule over the next month or two but I’ll see what I can arrange.

Sure sign I’m back in London....................
 

......................................... the hay fever has kicked in big time or is it just the amount of pollution up here. Luckily I had brought my tablets and eye drops with me. So at least I have now stopped the sneezing and runny nose. Plus the eyes have stopped itching.

After Michael returned home from work yesterday, he works one day every two weeks in the City of London. He had not the best of journeys home on the tube. So I made him a cup of tea, then another one and then a third. I suggested a wander up to the Orange Tree up on the common. And that is where we eventually ended up. Had a few swift pints, had to get a bank loan out to pay the price of a pint in this neck of the woods.

Back to the house where Michael crema......................., cooked dinner. And we had a bottle of wine. Now the eyes were getting tired, so once we had cleared up it was fluffy clouds time for me.
Didn’t take a lot of rocking. The birds whistling in the trees or was it my bladder that woke me up this morning.

Off up to the shops a bit later, need to get some flowers to take over to my friends wife in Kent later today. Plus I want to see if I can get my favourite single malt in Waitrose, as the Waitrose in Saltash doesn’t stock it.
I managed to clear some of the weeds yesterday and got Banana onto the drive.

Thanks for reading and the kind comments.

The joys of the M25.....................
 

................................... never ceases to amaze me.
Left Michaels at 12.30 for the 45 minute drive to my mates house in Dartford via the A1 and M25. And it took nigh on two hours. The ski jump over the River Thames was clear but getting there was a slow and painful drive.

Between junction 23, where I joined, and junction 27 it was incredibly slow. The reason was an accident on the other side of the car park between a Junction 27 & 28. Perishing rubber neckers, just unfortunate accident where some poor soul possibly was injured or worse.
But once past it was a green light all the way to Dartford.
Obviously the tailback on the other side was just as bad as the one I had endured but there’s was for a reason, two lanes blocked off.

Once over the ski jump we take the second exit off and Bear left towards the hospital but turn right just before and go down the hill and across the Darenth valley.
Pulled up outside my mates house with two wheels up on the pavement as it is a very narrow road with cars parked either side, had I’d been staying the night then I could have pinched the LandRovers spot on the hard standing.

Soon inside with the flowers I had bought for Lisa along with a bottle of Mulberry gin for her. I gave John a special bottle of Irish Whiskey I had come across awhile ago plus I cad a 12 bottle case of Rattler cider for him.
Then I brought the box containing my entire model aircraft collection that I was giving their son John Louis. But first I had one other gift to give to my favourite dog, Sapphire, a box of doggie treats. John had told me on the phone which ones to buy for her.
Sapphire is a failed Police dog and a loveable German Shepherd. When I lived in Essex I used to look after her occasionally. Such a well mannered and lovely dog. She will be 7 in September.

You had to see John Louis face when I gave him the box. One of the rare occasions he was dumbstruck. There are a few very special model aircraft within the box. 2 Hawker Hurricanes signed by there two WW2 pilots. A Lancaster with the signatures of the entire crew who served on this particular aircraft. John Louis and his dad took the box upstairs to put them out on display. But there was a few of the models that had suffered damage over the years in my ownership that he could play with.

And John Louis had a surprise for me. A relative had bought him a model kit of a C130 Hercules plane. And this little boy wanted me to build it for him. He had saved the model for me since Easter. A privilege to build it. Luckily for me it was already painted and it was held together with screws so no paint or glue required. Just a spot of patience and a lot of swear words.

To be continued.................

Banana reached another landmark yesterday................
 

................................................. when she tripped over onto 204,000 miles.

The original plan whilst in Kent was to go out for a meal but John decided to put the bbq on. So whilst he got with that, Lisa made the salad, John Louis bounced around on his trampoline and I effed and blinded whilst build the model. How on earth the makers could expect a young child to build this let alone me. The instructions were a bit vague and the Allen bolts and nuts were fiddly. But having built so many models over the years I soon got into the groove of building.

John had put The a Rattler in the fridge and I allowed myself just one bottle as I had to drive back to Michaels, I could have stayed over but probably wouldn’t have woken up till Monday.
The bbq was on the go and the salad and new pots were ready.
It was lovely sitting out on the decking overlooking the Darenth Valley. Sitting under the huge umbrella my mind started to wander back to the happier days when we used to party out on this decking when my Val was still with us.

The memories came flooding back, Lisa gave me a nudge and handed me a tissue as she had noticed the memories rolling down my cheeks. She too said that she often sat here and her memories would roll down. This house was a Mum’s and before that her Grandmothers, so lots of memories of the good times.
We both had a wander down memory lane and only was interrupted by the cry of, “GRUBS UP”. There will always be memories.

The bbq was very enjoyable and the Rattler went down a treat. Sapphire is well behaved and does not beg for food. She had found a nice cool spot and was happy to snore. John Louis squirted his water pistol at her but she never moved. Not a care in the world.
The plates were washed up and put away. It was nearing John Louis bedtime and he said to me, “Uncle Bob, you don’t have to finish my model plane this evening you can do that the next time you come to visit us. I’ll get daddy to put it up on the shelf and wait for your return. And Uncle Bob Thank You very much for my model aircraft. I promise to look after them”. All that from a 6 year old, and more tears from me.

John Louis gave me a hug and a kiss before he went off to bed. Such a lovely and well mannered young man. Bless him.
Once Mum and Dad had said there good nights to there son we sat out on the decking and chatted. They both agreed that I looked very happy and relaxed now that I had a new home. They both said that they knew in their hearts that if I did not move from the flat then those stairs would eventually injure or kill me.
I had to admit that moving into the new house was the second happiest moment in my life, the first being our wedding back in 1993.

We sat and made future arrangements for them to come and visit me before the year is out. The aircraft building was put on hold. And I had another cup of tea before getting ready to leave. Lisa gave me a huge hug and kiss and said she would see me soon. I said that she was looking so well after what she has been through. Her battle with the Big C has had her coming out on the winning side.
John walked me up to Banana who sat there patiently waiting for the off. John said the paintwork looked fabulous.
Whilst we said our goodbyes Sapphire appeared and I gave her stroke, her fur was so cool in the evening sun. She went for a wee on next doors dustbin. Good girl!!!

With that I was leaving. The drive home was pleasant in the cool of the evening. The widow just slightly open just enough to let the right amount of breeze in. We was soon at South Mimms and down onto the A1. Left towards Arkley and right at the Gate pub. And into Totteridge lane. Didn’t bother putting Banana on the drive. Parked up up behind Michaels battered chariot. Indoors and straight to bed ‘cos I was so tired. Michael had already turned in but he had left all the lights on for me.

Slept right round to 6am this morning.
Up and showered. Clean clothes on. On the Tube today so Banana can have a rest.

Thanks for reading.

So there I was giving travel directions....................
 

...................................... to a party of Americans at Leytonstone station this afternoon. Not bad for a bloke living in Cornwall eh!. They were lost, well and truly lost. Still with some help from me plus showing them how the tube map works they were soon on there way back to there hotel in South London.

Both Michael and I set off together at 09.30 this morning, he was going to a transport bazaar in Chiswick and I was going to visit my cousins in Hackney East London. Last time I saw them was at there Mum’s funeral in January 2016. A few phone calls have kept us in touch. But I thought I would make the effort on this visit to go and see them. It riles me that over the years it has always been me that had to go and see them. The last time they visited the flat in Barkingside was my Val’s funeral in 2011.

Still I don’t expect to see them again for sometime. Chances of them coming down to Cornwall are highly unlikely. Still at least I made the effort. Left there place at about 3pm and headed to my next appointment in Barkingside. I had to change trains at Leytonstone hence my meeting with the Americans. They all said thank you for helping them out.

Soon on my way to meet up with my mate Bob, we have known one and other for almost 40 years. I got to the pub and he wasn’t there yet. So I ordered some food, not eaten since breakfast. Burger n chips in the Wetherspoons is cheap and cheerful. Filled a hole.
Then Bob turned up just time to buy the beer. Handy that. We sat and chatted over a pint or two, well three actually. But no more for me as I had a 2 hour tube train with no loos on any of the stations.

We said our goodbyes, again unless I come up to London we will not meet again. Bob does drive to Herefordshire to go on holiday but that’s it. We’ll keep in contact by letter. Again Bob does not have a mobile or a computer.
Whilst we was in the pub it rained. I had no coat or brolly. But when I left it had stopped. Started again when I got off the train at Totteridge But not bothered as it’s only a short walk home.

When I got to the house Michael was eating his dinner. We had a chat about our day. I got the full story about the delays that Michael had encountered on his trip. He said that he had not bought any books at the bazaar but looking on the table there seemed to be some books I’ve not seen before. Still, that’s down to him what he buys.

Now the day is coming to an end. I’ve got a early start tomorrow to get to the car show at Clandon Hall. According to Google it’s roughly a 2 hour run. I’ll need to get some Banana juice first.

Thanks for reading and the kind comments.

The rain is certainly different...................
 

.......................................... London compared to Cornwall.

Early start for me this morning, out of bed at 6am to get ready for the Macmillan Nurse Charity car show at Clandon Hall Park. Michael made a brief appearance on his way to the kitchen to get his tea. I drank mine and loaded Banana up with my camera gear. And it was raining.

Set off with our lights on towards the A1, sat nav was on. We had the postcode, and I checked it on Google maps. Sadly my sat nav didn’t agree with that. Anyway the M25 was quiet and the traffic running smooth. And the rain was getting heavier. Past Heathrow ok and onto the A3. Still the sat nav was working ok. Still raining.
I followed the sat nav directions and it announced I had arrived at my destination. Someone’s driveway, and with that it shut down. The sat nav’s attitude was “I’ve got you here, please do not ask me anymore”. Wonderful, and it was still raining.

But not one to give up I carried on. Got to a t junction and turned right, saw a sign for Clandon Hall and as went down the hill so Keith 24 and John drove towards me. So obviously I was going the wrong way.spun round at the bottom and tore back up the hill. And it was still raining.
After 3 or 4 U turns I finally found the show. Still raining but was easing. Keith and John were cleaning there cars, in the rain.
Banana parked up. And I started cleaning her, in the rain.

Soon the others pulled in and Peter, our leader, was soon getting the 16 cars into some sort of order. Only Rick and I were the only ZT’s. Outnumbered again, but we held our ground. And it was now drizzling. Lots of interest about my new home, lots of photo’s were shown. Meanwhile Cliff gave Banana the once over, he checked everywhere for the orange peel effect on the paint job. He looked at it from every conceivable angle. But just passed his careful eye.

The rain started to ease, and then that Yellow orb appeared in the sky. Went from being cold and damp to getting sunburnt.
You can read about the show on the Clandon Hall thread in the events page.
Banana was in her element, all the kids were out and sitting in the back. She had her show “Yellow” mats fitted. Her screen banner was on.

The show was good with a vast amount of various makes of cars. But we had the most cars on our stand with the Ford Granada’s coming in second. We bought our raffle tickets. The sun was beating down and before you knew it the raffle was being called and we was packing away.
We said our goodbyes, and I made arrangements with the New Owner of Redfive about the collection. Oh! Did I not mention he was at the show.

Found my way back onto the A3 then the nose to tail slow crawl on the M25 all around to the M40 then the traffic eased and Banana was able to lift up her skirts and Warp Factor 3 was achieved.
Parked up on the driveway just after 6pm.

Not sure what is happening tomorrow but Banana will get the water, oil checked and refuelled ready for our epic return journey to home via Dorset.


Thanks for reading.

Bob, you made me laugh AGAIN! Thank you. I gather it rained there...

Oh, and the satnav game - mine led me down a wet grass covered single track in Slovakia one time. That turned into a footpath with a dropoff to a small river/creek on the left and a cemetery on the right. In the dusk/dark. Alone. I tried to reverse, but the wheels spun. Finally managed to get turned around where there was a foot bridge. I was preparing to spend the night in the cemetery.

Cheers,
Glenn

If I can make one person laugh then my day has not been wasted

Oil and water checked.....................
 

......................................... along with the tyre pressures and the washer bottle topped up. Then recovered Banana from the overgrown garden and took her along to the Shell garage and topped up the tank. She is now already for our homeward trip tomorrow. The shop at the garage is a Waitrose so I was able to get a nice bunch of flowers for my Val.

Stopped off at the cemetery on my way back to the house. Missed out on a few insignificant anniversaries this year, but now I’m here I can make up for it. I had packed away in the car before leaving home a small pair of secateurs so that I could trim the flowers. There is always a watering can by the tap at the cemetery so no need to carry any extra water.
I walked down the remote path and turned right near the end, down the slope to where my Val lay.

Michael only ever comes here twice a year but when I’m here I like to tend the grave, Val’s Mum and Dad are here as well. Cleaned around the grave, cut the grass, threw away the remnants of the old flowers and plants. Trimmed the new flowers and spoke my words that I have been storing up in my head. Told Val about the New house. But I know she has already “seen” it. I often feel her presence within the house or smell her perfume.
Once I had said what I had to say then picking up the rubbish I made my way back. Rubbish in the bin and watering can topped up and put back by the tap.

Then back to Michaels to park Banana up.
We are off to my niece’s new flat today. Not expected till 15.30. So we are going to take a leisurely walk across Hampstead Heath, have a spot of lunch at Kenwood House then onto Laura’s flat.

Many thanks for reading and the kind comments.

Leisurely walk, ha! ha!.......................
 

........................................ every time I go for a leisurely walk across Hampstead zheath with Michael we get lost, and yesterday was no exception.
We got the tube up as far as Highgate then walked up to Hampstead Heath, done this walk loads of times so not bothered about the distance. I had my £5 paper sun hat on so my head was protected from the sun.

Onto the Heath we went, our destination was Kenwood House. Well worth a visit to the house and it’s free to get in. The cafe subsidies the house, well at there prices I would expect so.
We made it ok to the cafe. A Salmon and dill fish cake was £11.95, bowl of tomato and coriander soup £6.50, quiche and salad £13.50. Tin of Coke Cola £1.85 or a bottle of water 1.65.
We had two rounds of Ham sandwiches and two packets of crisps and that came to £13.50. And did not bother with a drink.

So then we set off for Hampstead except Michael was convinced that we just need to follow the path and bear left, we should have gone to the right but we did not know that at the time. Now I love walking, it’s never bothered me. Have walked many a mile when I lived up in Essex. Done a bit of walking in Cornwall.
But not having brought my walking boots just my leather shoes my feet were beginning to suffer after an hour, yes 1 hour of us getting lost. I started to get annoyed with Michael.

We finally stopped and asked a dog walker who said that we needed to retrace our steps back to the crossroads of paths and take the right hand path. Which we did. Still no sign of where we was. I finally stopped two young ladies who showed us on the map where we were and where we was going. We thanked them and continued and came off the Heath in front of the Freemasons Inn.
The first pint of Aspall’s cider never touched the sides.

The second pint was well needed as well. We sat outside and watched the world go by. And then Michael produced a map of the Heath.....................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU HAVE A MAP?
“Oh! Well! I wasn’t sure whether to produce it as you seemed to annoyed with me”.
ME ANNOYED? I just laughed and he joined in. A third pint was soon sitting in front of us.
The plan was now to walk back towards the Heath and bear right towards where Laura lived.

(Now Laura is not living at her flat as her boyfriends father unexpectedly passed away a week or so ago, so they have been living back at the parents house helping to sort out the various things that had to be done. Her future father in law had died on a cruise in the Caribbean. So the problems getting the body back. Her mother in law had flown back a few days ago. Ollie, Laura’s boyfriend, is not the best of people to have in crisis. So it has fallen on Laura’s shoulders to help.
Plus Laura has a part time job in the jewellery trade, so she has to cope with that as well).

So our plan was to meet Laura at the flat then go for a bite to eat and maybe a beer or two. Michael had to find Laura’s flat using a map, although he goes there every two weeks, he still needed the map as we was approaching from a different direction.
We arrived at the flat just as Laura did, she had come by cab. We went into the very small but light and airy flat.
Kettle on and I got the guided tour, Michael was left in charge of making the tea.
When we was alone in the bedroom, no no not like that, she burst into tears and she hugged me. She said that she was finding hard to cope, Ollie and his sister were useless at organising anything. After awhile she wiped the tears away.

I left her to get herself back together again. Michael had made the tea and had poured the tea out. We chatted whilst we waited for Laura.
She wanted to see the pictures of the new house and we chatted about that and a few other things.
Then time for us to go and find food and a beer.

To be continued.........

Well I never.....................
 

.................................... knew that Laura knew so many pubs.
We left the flat and ventured into the nearest pub. Aspall’s on draught, again. And Laura had a glass of red wine. We were not impressed with the pubs food menu so we left there and walked along to another pub, this time on the main road. Here the food menu was a bit more detailed. Laura went off to phone Ollie whilst Michael and zi ordered the Tapa’s and the Nacho’s as we was going to share. We got Laura another glass of wine, I stuck with the cider but Michael switched to the Estrelle, a lager type beer.

Laura came back and said that she might return to the family home later in the evening. So I said my piece, that Ollie was now the man of the house and that he should be sorting out the issues and not leaving everything to Laura. After all along with his sister they both run their own companies. This is life, you cope as best you can. Families need to work together.
Looking at Michael and Laura’s faces I was not sure I should have said all that, but it was how I felt about the issue.

Michael agreed with me and Laura threw her arms around me and gave me a big kiss and a hug. She totally agreed with me. And so the pub crawl commenced. We went to two other pubs before stopping off in the Washington in Belize Park where we had a steak meal. By now Michael was a bit tipsy, Laura was still drinking the red wine and I was still on the cider.
After a long chat she phoned Ollie and said that she was returning to the flat and not to the house. She explained that she needed a bit of time on her own.

I insisted that we walked Laura back to her flat before Michael and I returned to the station. Once back we said our goodbyes I walked up the street a bit so that Michael and Laura could have a few minutes together.
Laura ran up the street to me and gave me a hug and a kiss and thanked me for my speech. She did not want to let go, mainly because her hair was caught in my glasses. Oh! How we laughed.
She left us and went indoors.

And we found our way back to the station. Got on the train where Michael promptly fell asleep. I just sat there and reflected on the evening. Was feeling a bit tipsy myself. Once the tube emerged from the tunnel into the open air my mobile buzzed. A text from Laura thanking me for a lovely evening, signed off with loads of kisses.
I had to wake Michael as we approached Totteridge station.
We then wandered back to the house in the cool of the evening , and I still had my £5 paper hat on.

Cup of tea before bed, need to take my tablets. Then my head hit the pillow and I never stirred till 8am this morning.

Thanks for reading.

Homeward bound with a twist............
 

.................................................. not returning directly to Saltash but visiting Ian and Jan in Weymouth on my way home. Ian very kindly has got me a set of 4 hand made printed “Poppy” t shirts. Ian got them when he and Jan attended the Armed Forces day on behalf of Derek “Windrush”.
And I’ll be staying for a bite to eat with them, saves me worrying about cooking when I get home.

So the trip home will start roughly at 10am. A1-M25-M3-M27 and onto the A35 and onto the A354 into Weymouth. If I’m early then my annual visit to Portland Bill will be on the cards.

So should you see us don’t forget to toot, wave or flash those restored headlights.

Thanks for reading and the kind comments.

I’ll post up some photo’s on this thread and over on the Clandon Hall thread later today, or tomorrow.

We done a Jumbo jet.....................
 

............................................... of miles and she never missed a beat. 747 miles covered and she ran as sweet as always. We hit Warp Factor 3 and a bit on out trip home from Weymouth. Banana pulled like the proverbial train. Gave an Audi a run for her money. We even got a wave from the driver as we parted company near Exeter.

The trip from Michaels to Weymouth was pretty straightforward, usual holdups on the M25 but clean most of the way. Onto the M3 and again no hold ups. Stopped at Winchester services for a sarnie and a drink, plus a wee. Carried on towards Weymouth. I was running well early so I knew a visit to the Bill was on the cards. Traffic started to get heavy around the Wimborne area. But Banana was running ok except for the outside temperature sensor. It started to fluctuate a lot.

Once I was on the Tolpuddle by pass I stopped in a lay-by and phoned Matt. He said not to worry about the sensor, he would sort it next time he saw ole Yella.
Carried onto to Portland Bill. A mobile crane was travelling ever so slow on the way up with a line of cars following. But Banana took it all in her stride, the fan did cut in a few times but once we parted company with the crane all was ok again.
Parked up at The Bill and with camera in hand I walked towards the pillar on the Bill.

I always touch the pillar, my way of remembering when I used to go there with my Dad. I then took some photo’s of the flat calm sea. Wandered into the Lobster Pot for a bottle of water before returning to the car. I set the sat nav up for my trip to Ian n Jans.

To be continued, tired now.

Sorry about the break in transmission.......................
 

............................................. extremely tired after another long day.

The sat nav took me up a few side roads before I finally found the “Sprout” parked out side Ian and Jans home. Knocked on the door and Jan opened the door. I was greeted by a huge hug from her, I do like a hug. Think I might start collecting them as well. Anyway the old chap was sitting on his backside guarding “Ermintrude”, the cow hide rug.
We shook hands and then I was bundled out the door as we was going for tea at the HUB Community close by.

(The HUB Community is a local charity set by a ex-solider who came back from Afghanistan with post mental stress. He set the charity up off of his own back but got help from The Royal British Legion with a £20k Grant. They have a very nice clubhouse, a gym is being built, a shed with chairs and books to read and the raised gardens which Ian has helped to build.
Keep an eye out on the Social Section as Ian will post up a few events to help raise money for this worthwhile charity).

So we parked up, I went in with them in the “Sprout”, and into the the HUB where I got to meet the staff and Peter a veteran of the Second World War. Now aged 93, Peter served as a fighter pilot throughout the war.
We had “stolen” tea as none of us paid for it, Ian said later he would settle up the bill on Saturday. We sat and chatted and Ian took me on a guided tour of the compact but well laid out grounds.
Then it was time to go as they close up at 16.30. We was off out to dinner, thus saving Jan any cooking to do.

We went to a very remote, and completely out of the way pub called the fat Badger. Wow! Amazing views over Chesil beach and back towards Portland. We sat out on the veranda and ordered our food. Curry for Ian, Jan had an enormous burger in a bun and I went for the beef lasagna with a huge slice of garlic bread. Very tasty indeed.
It had been a long day for me and I was starting to feel tired, drove a lot of miles once again.

But back to the bungalow for a coffee. Ian and Jan gave me a guided tour of there home, my first ever visit. Ian has really done well inside and out. He approached the council about extending his garden down as far as the path. And the council said ok. So their garden is almost three times the size from the original plot.
Jan made the coffee and I was offered a Italian made cocoa biscuit. Mmmmm!!!! Yummy.
We sat and chatted but the time was creeping on. I still had a two hour drive to get home.
I said my goodbyes, oh! Another hug? Oh! Go on then, be rude not to. I collected my “Poppy” shirts from Ian. We shook hands.
Ian and Jan both said how lovely Banana looked with her new coat of paint.

And we was off, no need for the sat nav as I know my way home. I could go the pretty way up past Abbotsbury of the fast route on the A35. I opted for the fast route.
Once on the A35 at Dorchester we had company in the shape of an Audi A4. We kept up with them and on the occasional dual carriageway we got past. Warp Factor 3 and a bit at times. At one point we almost reached Warp Factor Actros. That surprised the Audi.
Soon onto the A30 where I dropped in behind the Audi, then onto the M5. I pulled out onto the motorway but the Audi remained on the slip road, then the Audi driver waved and gave me the thumbs up. I replied with a flash of lights and a resounding blast on the horn.

Onto the A38 and pulling like the proverbial train we took Haldon Hill by storm, well past Warp Factor 3. And she never missed a beat.
We settled back to 69.9mph all the way home.
Once past Marsh Mills then I knew it was only 20 minutes and I would be home.
Then the most welcoming sight loomed into view, the Tamar bridge. Oh! How I have missed you.
Remembering to turn left and not right at the mini roundabout I was soon home, my home. With Banana parked up in front of Redfive I gave out a sigh. Home, finally home.
Unloaded the car, just dumped everything in the lounge. Poured out a pint of Rattler and sat in the chair.

Made a few phone calls to let people know I was home ok. Spoke to Michael as well. Phoned Val and she said Allen would phone me back as he was out washing one of the cars. Sure enough Allen phoned me back, told me about what has been happening. I thanked him for looking after the house for me.
Had another drink then got myself up to bed. Out like a light till 7am this morning.

Now on the second lot of washing, most of everything is put away. Read the post, then get Redfive ready for us to go and get our shopping.
I’ll post up a few photo’s later on.

Next Trip? Well the next planned tour is up to the NEC in November but you never know we may just take another trip up North.

Many thanks for reading and the kind words. Means a lot to have so many friends who care.

I have to thank you again, Bob. My house here has been battling me since I got here this year with some unplanned items that needed fixing. So, new toilet in and have finally got to the root of the problem, it will be sorted out soon enough. So finally back to the planned work. Last year I did the kitchen - everything but the proverbial kitchen sink. NOW I even have the kitchen sink with hot and cold running water! I am starting to win a few battles.

And you, Bob, are an inspiration. Sorry, I don't mean to call you names, but there we are.

Cheers,
Glenn

If I lived closer I would come and help you. But all I can offer is words of encouragement. By the way that toilet seat looks a bit wonky, not being picky of course.
Maybe one day our paths will cross.

Words of encouragement gratefully received. The toilet seat - best be sober when I sit down!

Yes, maybe one day we'll be at LHR at the same time. :D

Cheers,
Glenn