Spain for a week

Its a Tuesday so, if we're at home its a Tuesday walk (and several beers on the way) with Brian and John

A social week after Epsom, we caught up with Fiona and James and Jenny, dropping off Brian's old backpacking tent for Jenny to use at a festival. We had a Monday club, a Sunday club, a Tuesday walk and a coffee with Alex and Rob before she finishes work for good and they head to Scotland for a few weeks. Trips into Birmingham for climbing and to meet Abi to go round the museum of the jewellery quarter. This is a really interesting building, left exactly as it was when the owners in their early 80's just closed the door and left in 1981, assuming they would be able to sell as a going concern. Health and safety costs made changing it for them or anyone else prohibitive. 

It all starts with a train journey, catching the 8:06 from Alvechurch to Birmingham, breakfast and then on somewhere else. This one started from Beeston in Nottinghamshire and followed the River Trent and Attenborough Nature Reserve to Long Eaton, followed by the train home

We finally decided on what to do with the wall of nextdoor's extension that is one side of our patio. I would probably have painted, but Brian wouldn't let me, so we now have 3 mirrors and some fake foliage. We think it looks good.

On the way we passed a railway yard with lots of class 37 diesels parked up. It's always a feature of our walk as Brian and John are very keen on trains and old diesels in particular. For me, the class 37 holds a special attraction as, in the 1980's I got the contract to modify the cooling mechanism on them by adding an electric fan clutch with all the associated control gear. In those days there were 308 of them, so it was a big contract. The clutch design was all my own work, respecting British Rail specifications and I was delighted with the result, it saved fuel and improved engine efficiency. Before modification, occasionally some of the trains cooling system would freeze in wintry weather whilst they were going along before getting up to temperature, leading to extended downtime and very expensive repair. I've never been forgiven by Brian and John and my friend Tim for not keeping all the class 37 detailed drawings, of which I had them all but, at the time it was just another job (albeit a very nice job) and, after completion I moved on to other jobs and they were archived and, eventually destroyed

Brian finally went to see someone about his foot. He's had plantar fasciatis since going running shortly after our return in May. She messaged and gave him some exercises and it actually seems to be improving.

We had a very pleasant day out, an 8 mile walk...

On Tuesday we went to Spain for a week, first time in the summer for Brian. We wouldn't normally go at this time of year, far too hot, though we were fortunate to have missed the heat wave, but not only has my father had a stroke and TIA's leading to some confusion, but Elizabeth is also not well, and has lost a lot of weight. 

And a few of these, what's not to like?

We arrived in time for me to leap out of our car and into hers to go to the hospital in Benidorm for some more tests and a chat with the consultant. Hopefully she's made some progress, but it's all ongoing. 

The week was spent with the usual drinking and eating, we managed a trip to the Indian, to the fish restaurant in Calpe and for tapas as well as yummy home cooked food. We both did a few jobs along with using the pool and relaxing.

In the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham and, behind the black mini is the jewellery museum, a shop that was closed and left in its original condition, giving a unique insight into how jewellery was made in the early 20th century

Since returning home we've been back to the usual, pottering in the garden, climbing, Sunday club and going round to John's to feed Emma, and the new kitten, Tara, we heard about when we were in Epsom. He collected her on Tuesday and introduced them with a little uncertainty, three days later they seem to be getting on fine chasing, playing and even a bit of licking. She is an absolute sweetie.

Inside the museum. The shaft up high with wheels and belts on it was called the line shaft and the old  system of driving individual machines was to have a central motor, seen top left in this photo which turned the line shaft. At each machine, in this case polishers, a belt delivered the rotation by another belt. Don't think about health and safety and the ease of getting your hand and/or hair trapped in the rapidly spinning belt and pulley and also don't think about the noise generated by all those spinning belts and pulleys. It was a different era then and the reasons the factory couldn't be sold on as the modernisation costs would have been prohibitive

One of the benches where people made the jewellery. There are five round cutouts here, so five workers would have toiled away to make the products. The factory closed in about 1980 I think and all workers were laid off, but they all found work in other factories in the then bustling jewellery making area. Since becoming a museum some of the old workers have visited and been able to give valuable insight into how it ran, meaning the guides are really able to bring the place alive. They told us the man who used to work the right hand bench came in one day and looked under his bench to confirm it was his. He told them that he used to chew gum while working and used to stick old gum to the underside. He looked to see if it was still there and it is. Of course, we had to have a look to and, yes, it's still there!

In case you've ever wondered about the composition of 9 carat gold, here it is. 1 kilogram of 9 carat gold uses just 375 grams of gold, 100 grams of silver, 450 grams of copper and 75 grams of zinc. Keep that in your mind, you never know when it might come up in a pub quiz! More copper than gold!

Our first shot at decorating the outside wall in our garden, three mirrors, a wire metal tray and some plants (not real plants so no watering required when we're not here). We're thinking of planting a clematis in the bed and let it climb up the wall and fence but now is not the time to plant them, has to be done in the autumn

Off to Altea La Vella on the Costa Blanca in Spain to see Richard, Jackies dad and Elizabeth. Delightful place to go, there's their house and swimming pool and up there is part of the fantastic Bernia Ridge, something Jackie and I have traversed over, right on the skyline, in previous years. Not this time though, we needed to spend time with them both. If you go upstairs to the balcony you can see, not only can you still see the ridge, but also across the valley and to more mountains beyond 

Here's the view from the balcony. We've also been over the tops of most of those mountains too in the past. The pointy one on the left is Puig Campana and we climbed that and sat right on the summit looking back this way to see if we could make out the house - we couldn't!

There's Richard reading on his balcony with the Bernia ridge towering above. It is just a delightful place to be

We had a few of these

And a lot of these! No wonder I got told off at the doctors for my health check when I got back!

Dinner at the Buddha Castle Indian restaurant in their local village

And waiting for our seafood lunch at the fabulous beachside Andalusia restaurant in lovely Calpe, just down the road. We always look forward to the seafood here, it's by the harbour and goes from sea to table in no time, it's just amazing!  

Elizabeth and Jackie at the Andalusia restaurant. I didn't get a copy of the one of me and Richard that E took

Nighttime view from the balcony. You can see from the date stamp it's 21:53 at night and its a pleasant temperature and an amazing view to sip a drink and just chat

Jackie sitting in the upstairs day room looking through the patio doors to the view above

Jackie and Elizabeth discuss dinner. Elizabeth told me to delete this photo as she said she didn't like it of her and it made Jackie look fat (which. of course she isn't). What did I do? I ignored her!

Give us a smile Richard, I'm taking your photo!

We're back home now and, last night I took this photo in our back garden through our kitchen window, all lit up. Can you see Geraldine the giraffe lit up by a spotlight beautifully framed through the arch?

We went round to John's to see his new addition to his family. Meet Tara, isn't she just adorable? She's about two months old, is very inquisitive, has bundles of energy - and very sharp claws! She runs like a rocket!

Here's John's other cat, Emma (John has always named his cats after the Avengers detective TV series girls in the 1960's and 1970's. Emma was after Emma Peel, Steed's partner in the late 1960's series, who everyone dreamed about, Tara was after Tara King, his partner in the early 1970's). This was the day after they'd first met and Emma, herself only about 5 months old was sizing up this new addition to the house after having it to herself for 3 months. Today, third day together, we're looking after them as John is away until Sunday and they are now playing like they've always been together. Little Tara just bounds up to Emma and bounces her and they fall about playing with each other, it's really good to watch

Another photo from yesterday where John was combing Emma to distract her while Tara watches

Epsom & London - July

Saturday night at Mike & Ellas BBQ and here we are with Corinne, Ian and Helen

Monday we had breakfast with Corinne, after a lovely Sunday evening, before sending her away so we could head to Epsom. Despite it being a Monday morning and the M25 being involved it was a good journey. We arrived to be met by Linda from over the road who showed us in, checked we were ok with the alarm and the watering and was generally lovely. Straight off to Lidl and we were set for a few days. We've stayed here before, when Helen and Richard had a cat, Frodo, on her last legs when we cared for her. I probably commented then how weird it is to be in a house where there are pictures of you, as a bridesmaid, from when Sarah married John.

Martina & Bill were there too along with a dog they were looking after

Tuesday we went to Kew Gardens. Brian had never been, so it was on his list. I remember the giant lily pads from going as a child, perhaps 50 years ago. I also went regularly with a university boyfriend when he/we worked on a farm in Swanley, Kent. My main memory from then is the Princess of Wales Conservatory, opened by Princess Diana in 1987 right in the middle of my University time. These two houses were still as I remember them, as was the Palm House. Glad we went when we did as that is about to close for refurbishment. The weather was kind to us, not too warm and only wet when we had popped in for lunch. The glass houses were the main attraction for me as much of the rest of the gardens were trees with rather than all being formal laid out gardens.

There's Mike in the yellow top (haven't got a photo of Ella) dancing to YMCA next to Corinne with the shield on (something to do with the theme of the evening: Neon. Mike and Ella have a perfect party house, they throw many parties. This is the dance hall, he has flashing disco lights and a wall projector displaying pop videos to the music

Wednesday, a train into Waterloo from where we walked past the London Eye, over the Golden Jubilee Bridge, in to Covent Garden, via Trafalgar Square. A brunch stop here before carrying on to Tottenham Court Road and Outernet, the British Museum and a few minutes sit down in Russel Square park. From here to the Shaftesbury Theatre where we had tickets for Just for One Day, a musical based on the events of Band Aid and Live Aid 40 years ago. Thoroughly enjoyable, a little 'worthy' but made you laugh, made you cry, made you sing along. What more do you want from a musical? Came out buzzing, which is always a good sign before heading back south towards China Town. So many places to choose from. I think we made a good choice. Many reviews for many places complain about length of wait, not us, we had barely nibbled a prawn cracker before the meal was with us. Tube back to Waterloo, we'll we'd bought that sort of ticket so rude not to, and the train back to Epsom. We'd expected to get an Uber back from here but walking just seemed to be easier, after a full day out.

Down in Epsom at Helen and Richards house (see their photo at the top of the last blog). They are away in Africa at the moment and offered us their house while they are away. With top London sights a train or car drive away, what's not to like. Helen and Richard are Sarah's mum and dad, Jackie's long time friend and wife of John in the village, who died of cancer just over four years ago. It's very nice of them to offer use of their house, they are the nicest of people 

Thursday we thought we'd have a relaxing day, the forecast wasn't very good and we had walked almost 40,000 steps over the previous 2 days. We did have a more relaxed start to the day, but decided to take a walk over the Epsom Downs from the viewpoint, across the racecourse, to the Regiment of Trees, a memorial garden to soldiers from the First World War and the inspection of troops by Lord Kitchener. Helen said she has planted two trees for two of her Great Uncles. We wonder if one of them was Uncle Nobby, not someone we know, but a relation of Helen's whose war grave we found for her in Kanchanaburi in Thailand 13 years ago after he died in the war in the Pacific. We came back, later than planned after a long chat with an old guy on his daily 5 mile walk, to the Rubbing House. This is a pub, right on the racecourse where we had a well deserved pint and a light lunch. Another 11,000 steps, not such a rest day then!

Day 1 (Tuesday) we drove to Kew Gardens. I'd never been but always wanted to, Jackie's been many times in the past. For me it was the link to the age of exploration and Sir Joseph Banks, president of the Royal Society for 41 years. He, among other things accompanied Captain James Cook on his first great voyage visiting Brazil, Tahiti, New Zealand and Eastern Australia, returning with many plants, specimens and sketches, making Kew Gardens the worlds leading botanical garden. We followed their trip through NZ and Australia on our trip 12 years ago, visiting many of their landing sites

Friday had to be Hampton Court Palace, the last of Brian's list, on the hottest day. There were more school trips, on the last day of term, than I would have expected. We walked around the gardens, and the famous maze, before going into the Palace. We did manage to avoid most of the kids this way, and probably the worst of the heat. An amazing place, the Palace is beautiful, both inside with the paintings and tapestries and outside with the building and gardens. Another full day out before returning for fizz Friday.

Visiting the Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew, a place familiar to Jackie

Saturday we could have stayed, but thought we'd come back although it has taken longer than the journey down we were prepared for that. Proper rain meant no watering before we left, though strangely although we know it's rained at home too, the poor little black elder under the hawthorn tree is still looking limp and dehydrated. I know how it feels, we've come home for a rest!

Jackie wanted to visit the giant waterlily house, a place she remembered visiting many times as a child. I think I'm right in saying there are three types of rare lily's there, one of which was found some years ago through sheer perseverance from a rumour and long jungle treks to track it down

The Victorian palm house. It was open and we were able to visit the mature, huge tropical palms inside, but its shortly to be closed for four years for refurbishment. They want to make it 'carbon positive' as well as preserving the beautiful Victorian architecture

The treetop walk, a nice circular walk giving splendid views over the gardens and a good view from above

Kew Palace, retreat for George III and other monarchs. He was the one who went mad, as well as being instrumental in losing the America colonies, and he used this as a retreat during his worst periods

Wednesday and a train trip to Waterloo station in central London

Iconic view from Jubilee bridge over the Thames. London Eye on the left, Westminster bridge behind Jackie and the houses of parliament and Big Ben clock tower on the right

Trafalgar Square with Nelson on top of his column and four lions to guard him, with Big Ben clock tower in the distance

Inside the British Museum

And a selfie of the museum from outside, a beautiful building as well as an interesting museum

Inside the Shaftesbury Theatre waiting for our musical to start

What a great show it was, fabulous musicians, great acting and, of course, we knew all the music!

Chinatown for dinner. Crystal, we needed you to help us order, although I think we did pretty well, it was de
licious!

On the long down escalator to catch the tube at Tottenham Court Road station

And finally the train back to Epson from the impressive old Waterloo station

Thursday was our walk to the Regiment of Trees, starting at the Epsom Downs viewpoint. You can't really see it in this photo, but there were amazing views over London, including the arch over Wembley Stadium

Our six mile walk took us down and through Epsom racecourse, crossing the racetrack

And then out towards the Regiment of Trees first World War memorial

On the way posters told us about the areas importance as a training ground for troops in the first world war, before going to the front in Flanders in France. This view is of a camp for 8000 new recruits that was spread across this land during the 1914 to 18 war which occupied all these fields and Epsom racecourse

Lots of interesting information, including this one where a lookout post was made of a replica of a dead tree on the battlefield to allow troops to spy on enemy positions. The mock up was made, the dead tree sawm down overnight and replaced with the model with look out inside

The Regiment of Trees a memorial of many stone carved troops, commemorating the inspection of the troops by Lord Kitchener in January 1915. The men were raised at 04:30am and stood in this field to attention waiting for his arrival in freezing conditions. Lord Kitchener eventually arrived at 10:30 after one man had died from hypothermia with a number of others fainting and spending many hours in hospital 

The tree monument is a place for reflection to remember those who gave their lives. The branches are inscribed with poignant messages

Back across Epsom racecourse to the Rubbing House pub, the only pub in the country located inside a racecourse

Excellent beer and lunch while we enjoyed the afternoon sun. Googling when the next racing is on at Epsom we found that it was today, gates open at 4:30pm, followed by a concert by an Abba tribute band in the evening. It was 3:15pm then, better get a move on to avoid being locked in the pub inside the racecourse! That's why we could hear Abba music nearby (they were rehearsing) and the reason outside broadcast vans were parked nearby

Next day (Friday) was our visit to Hampton Court Palace, home to King Henry VIII and William III (William of Orange). It's a place I've wanted to go to since I was in Junior school and did a project on London and the Palace. The world famous maze, the oldest in the world, constructed in 1700 captured my imagination as a child. I've always wanted to do it, so of course we had to, along with thirty or so schoolchildren running through it screaming. It's only taken me about 60 years to fulfill this ambition!

This is in the centre of the maze, just to show we got there. And we found our way out again without using the emergency escape door!

The tiltyard where Henry VIII would joust on horseback

The fabulous palace reflected in the lake with the Diana fountain. The palace is huge with sections devoted to the Indian army stationed there in the first world war, the Tudors and the Georgians. It was Queen Victoria who opened the palace to the public after she made Buckingham Palace in central London the seat of monarchy

Its easy to get lost in here. We walked miles, many of it twice to try to see everything

The royal chapel. It didn't say, but I assume this must have been catholic originally but converted to protestant after Henry VIII's conversion to protestantism

Beautifully decorated rooms

One of William III's ante room with over 2000 pieces of arms on display, intended to demonstrate to any visiting dignitaries the power of the crown

The Privy Garden as laid out by William III and viewed from the best position here from one of his rooms. Only distinguished guests would have got this view

Another fabulous side garden with the banqueting hall beyond

This is part of the Great Vine (it's impossible to get it all in). It is the largest grape vine in the world, planted in 1768 for King George III by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, who was Chief Gardener at the palace at the time

The West Gate is the normal entrance, but it was undergoing some renovation work so we had to use another entrance/exit

We've had a lovely week staying in Epsom for the week, our thanks to Helen and Richard for the use of their house, we look forward to catching up with them when they are back