Tongues, Buns, and Lovely Lochs

When did I suddenly start wearing old lady's shoes? Well in the last 3 weeks actually. On a shopping day with my friend Jill we searched through dozens of loafers until I found a pair for about £25. 'Result!' I thought, until a few days later I saw an eighty year old woman wearing exactly the same pair. Worse was to come as I need to wear innersoles to make them fit. 'What have you done to your feet?' Graham chortled as he pointed to my offending appendages. I had inadvertently slipped my delicate tootsie underneath the innersole so it was poking out the top of the loafer like a dirty brown tongue. Very attractive indeed.  

And my buttocks have not been spared the aging process as I became a parody of the elderly Patsy in Ab Fab when my 'No VPL' undies swiveled their way to my ankles after a tense walk home from dinner in Wells. I felt they were a little loose, not due to my svelte snake hips I might add, but more due to the slippery fabric and lack of elastic. The walk back to Dickie involved repeated hitchings-up of the aforementioned undergarment until I got sick of it and merely grabbed the front section and let my buttocks swing, unencumbered by fabric, down the back of my thighs. As I stepped into Dickie I finally gave up and the undies fell to the floor in a a Patsy-esque heap. Much chortling ensued as Hugo grabbed them and whizzed around the van with them hanging from his mouth.

All this on the start of our trip to Scotland. Merriment should be the order of the day if it continues like this. After stopping off in Lancaster to visit friends Kath and Dave, who managed to cook us a great Thai meal followed by dairy free crumble while building an extension to their house, we've made our way up to the shores of Loch Lomond. The sun is shining and Graham is desperately trying to get the satellite to work so I can watch the final of Bake Off. Fingers crossed we'll get to see some British buns tonight - not like the ones dangling freely under my frock I hasten to add.

Scotland Here We Come

Various things have been conspiring against us in our quest to get away in Dickie again but it seems that we will be off some time next week. It won't be for as long as hoped but we should get a few weeks in. I'll be posting pics and, hopefully, amusing stories along the way. Och Aye the noo away we'll goooo!

Walking on Sunshine...NOT!

'Is that a chough or a crow wearing lipstick?' Mr Fluffy was never great at ornithology.

Day one was sunny and bright but it went downhill after that. Having walked 50 miles of the 150 mile South West Coast Path, the rain finally beat the two chaps and they called it a day at Coverack. As Donna and I drove down west through the thick mist and driving rain we wondered what sort of drowned rats would be awaiting us. The boots were off. Soggy socks draped over backpacks, hats drooping under the watery strain, and the wan smiles forced on their two faces told us all we needed to know. It was time to call it a day and wait for a more, shall we say, clement bit of weather to complete the trek.

For photos of the adventurers and a map of their walk click here. 

Driving Mr Dickie

'It's only a twenty minute walk to Mevagissey'. 

The warden on the desk at Heligan Wood campsite is in desperate need of a map and a watch. An hour after leaving the site we arrived at aforementioned town cursing the woman and dreading the uphill walk back to Dickie. 

Having just completed my first ever Dickie drive without Mr Fluffy I needed something more akin to a gin and tonic as opposed to a massive walk but I'm hoping my buttocks are the perter for it. We arrived unscathed apart from a rather distressed steering wheel which now has a permanent imprint of my sweaty palms. 

Gripping to excess

The geographically challenged warden was forgiven when we realised it was only a two minute walk to Heligan Gardens to see the Kneehigh production of Michael Morpurgo's 946. David's friend Lez Brotherston designed the show and suggested we come and see it. It was well worth the drive down. Kneehigh always put on a fab show and we were lucky enough to go the the cast party afterwards for a few small beverages. As we had only a teeny walk back to Dickie I could indulge in a red wine or two.

What a massive frock - with Lez and David - oh and Hugo

If anyone is interested in seeing a show or visiting the gardens at Heligan in Cornwall I can recommend a stay at Heligan Woods Campsite. Just be wary of their directions.

After a successful drive back to Boscastle the next morning we relaxed with Mr Fluffy on the kayaks. Much less stressful and we even caught our dinner.

What lovely feet I have

First Drive Fluffyless

The panic is starting to set in as I realise it's less than 24 hours before I take Dickie out on my own - well I have a friend with me but he is a Dickie novice. Yes Mr Fluffy has agreed that I can take the van down to Heligan to see the Michael Morgpurgo play, 946,for a night without him. 
I'm not a complete novice. I drove all the way to Hay On Wye recently and was fabulous until I had a virtual panic attack whilst driving across the Severn Bridge on the way back. The Fluffster's cries of 'Don't be daft woman!' and 'You're being ridiculous!' did NOT help at all. The steering wheel has only just recovered from the excessive sweat and tight grip that I subjected it to as I drove across the terrifying bridge. I can only imagine what I would be like if I had to be behind the wheel when crossing that hideous bridge on the outskirts of Honfleur.
Anyway there should be no horrendous bridge action on the way to Heligan tomorrow, only skinny roads and awful traffic. There will be reports of how I get on. Eeeeek.

Travels on Footie Not Dickie

After six months driving around in Dickie Graham felt the urge for a change of pace so he chose to undertake long walk. After a bit of research he decided to trot across the Two Moors Way - a mere 120 mile stroll. He roped in good friend Anthony to accompany him on the walk, and weirdly enough, they both seem to have enjoyed it. Or could it be that they enjoyed the break from us women for 8 days? 

It took them just over a week to complete their pootle from Wembury near Plymouth to the town of Lynmouth (famous for its flood which was very similar to Boscastle's) across Dartmoor and Exmoor. 

Graham has a Garmin record of their adventure including photos which can be seen by clicking on this link  Graham and Anthony's Lovely Adventure .

Oh Hay! On Wye

The carpark looked large and strangely inviting. We'd heard of this strange and wonderful place that allows motorhomers to park overnight and even sleep in their vans but we didn't really think it could be true! But yes it is true and how very forward thinking of the Hay on Wye council to allow people to stay and make the most of the local shops and restaurants.

And what a charming town it is with a good pub - The Blue Boar I think - a very good tapas restaurant and lots of interesting shops relating to books, clothes and antiques. I made the most of the shopping while Mr Fluffy took poor Hugo off for a 13 mile walk along Offers Dyke then the Wye Way. Hugo passed out on his return but was keen to go off on another ramble the next morning.

Mr F regaled me with tales of how lovely the walk had been, especially the standing stones he'd come across, but neglected to take any photos at all so the best I can do is Dickie in the carpark.

Thrilling 'Spot the Dickie' shot

On the way up we stayed at the Wells Holiday Park which is a lovely site within walking distance of town. We always stay here when we visit Graham's mum Betty. Hugo was not impressed when he met the cathedral cat outside the ASK restaurant. The ginger tom took great pleasure in sitting just out of Hugo's reach while playing the cello with a superior expression on its face.

Betty and Graham doing pizza at ASK

Mr Fluffy has now set off on a 100 mile walk across Dartmoor and Exmoor starting from Wembury and ending up at Lynmouth. I'm hoping he'll at least have a few pics from this trip - Dickieless though it will be.

Missing Dickie already - Wembury starting point