Christmas 2011

Christmas morning. Up and about early, opened the presents, scrambled egg and smoked salmon for breakfast, admired the lack of Christmas tree and decorations that we couldn't be bothered to put up, loaded the bus with booze and headed West along the A14 towards Shropshire. Once past Birmingham and off the motorways the countryside becomes very attractive and, on a bright sunny morning, the high position on the road gave us great views. Much better sitting in a large leather armchair watching stunning scenery than having to put up with Noel's Christmas morning and all that cack on the telly!

A couple of hours later we arrived on top of Clee Hill and parked up ready for lunch. Oven was fired up, table laid, crackers pulled and the view admired before tucking into a mega Christmas dinner with all the trimmings! The wind picked up and rocked the bus a bit, but we were well fed , warm and cosy inside watching the mad fools walking their dogs across the hilltop.

Reluctantly we packed away and drove down the hill for a couple of miles to set up camp in Jenny's garden, joining the rest of the family for the remainder of Christmas day.

Boxing Day was a leisurely start, poodling off to Chertsey via Banbury. Arriving back at Chertsey avoiding all the delays on the motorways (thanks TomTom live), we set ip very quickly, testing the new levelling ramps and the screen covers, both of which are very effective. Just need to get a TV that will work from a bracket then we are set for the big exped in the summer to France!

Dinner  delivers itself at Chertsey

"Working at home"

Silver Screens folded down for daytime use

On the 27th we had a lazy breakfast and then caught the train to Twickenham for the big game. We aimed for the Webb Ellis as usual and bought a couple of pints, but the thieving barstewards charged us "Rugby prices" at over £3.70 a pint! They will be getting a strong note. Sticking two fingers up at the Webb Ellis, we sauntered around to the Barmy Arms, which had a much better atmnosphere and, in the warm weather, stood outside next to the river and enjoyed a couple of pints.

The less said about the big game the better. Twickenham was the usual dump, the Referee was a crook and we lost. Hurrumph. To cap it all, South West we-couldn't-run-a-piss-up-in-a-brewery Trains suffered all sorts of problems and it took us hours to get back to Chertsey. They'll be getting a strong note as well. Tossers!

The following day we decided to stay another night to see if was feasible for Debs to work "at home". I went for a long walk, got some shopping and she sat there tapping away all day. Yes - it worked.

Finally, on Thursday we headed for home.