Seventeen hours on a plane, \240non stop, is a rather a long time! Don’t think I want to do that too often. I slept most of the way so it actually went quite quickly.

Coffee at Costa this morning at 11am. Quick trip to Morrisons to buy lunch stuff then the afternoon in the sun at Kaths place. Met Coco and jasper hugged Chris.

So Funny, Chris couldn’t get the windscreen wipers to turn off!

June 4

We went to the ballet with Matt and Alice, The Dark Crystal. I thoroughly enjoyed it, Chris fell asleep! We had lunch at la Goccia, courtesy of Matt and Alice, which was delicious. Alice and I spent time in Glossier, a make up shop with a difference, you can sample and try then order with a person wandering around with an iPad, then go to a counter and your order comes out in a paper bag ready to go. Bought a dress at Bash in Covent Garden, most gorgeous material that is soft and flowy. On the way back to the station we stopped at Fortnum and Mason and I was able to get some more Countess Grey tea, yum! We met Milo, he is such a lovely boy.

Writing a journal is great, if you have something to write about!

Yesterday we had drinks at the Peter Boat with Mim, Elly, Kath, Simon, Becky, Sarah, Guy, Josh, Jacob, Ben and Varisa. Lovely night just sitting by the seaside.

We are in Cornwall, arrived on Thursday, today is Monday.

Today we went to have lunch at Perrinporth because we were on the way to St Ives and the traffic jam was horrid!

Yesterday we went to St Michaels Mount, so amazing, built by the same Monks that built Mont San Michelle.

We drive to Tara today but stopped at Tintagel castle for a visit. Very wet and rain coats were the call for the day as the wind would have destroyed an umbrella!

Matt, Alice, Milo and Henry packed up and left yesterday late afternoon so Chris and I spent the last night on our own. Still in our single beds!

Packed up this morning and went to Tintagel castle. A little disappointed, just small left over ruins on a rugged coast, it was hard to imagine it as the ruins were only about 1ft high, Hadleigh castle is better. I suppose it doesn’t have the same mystic legends.

We are now at The Bower Inn in Bridgewater, we haven’t been into the town yet, but doesn’t look particularly awe inspiring.

Stayed at the Bower Inn last night, had dinner and breakfast there, not bad, old country pub built in the 17 century.

Driving to Leominster today, stopping at Weston Super Mare, a seaside village in north Somerset for a mosey around. Then stayed with Tara for a night.

We saw the Paul McCartney photo exhibition, it was interesting as it was his own photos from when they first became famous. Henry Cohen very kindly bought the tickets for us but he couldn’t join us due to illness.

Amsterdam, arrived easily, customs was a pain, one person on to see over two plane loads of people. Such a quick flight though, about 45 minutes.

Amsterdam today. Chris spent the morning at the Rjiks museum while I explored a fresh food market. I had breakfast and lunch at bagels and beans, mango yoghurt for breakfast and a bagel with cream cheese whipped with honey and walnuts, yum!

Today I caught the train by myself into Oxford Circus where I met Matt and we had lunch before going to the Liberty store. I was blown away by the building itself, so amazing. Loved the experience!! I bought some small squares for Sue Fisher, a hanky and some material to make myself a dress. Then caught the train to Walthamstow to have dinner at Matt and Alice’s house. We had raklette then chocolate covered strawberries. I am now on the train home, Matt dropped me off to Stratford where I caught the train to Westham where I caught the National rail to Chalkwell.

We went with Jacob, Sarah and Grandad to a sunflower farm today, was lovely!

We left Grand Parade early to go to Walthamstow for brunch with Alice, Matt, Holly, Tom, Issy and Henry. Hung around Matt and Alice’s for a bit then drove to St Albans to meet Robyn and Jane. They came with Bea and Amelie. We had scones there then explored the cathedral.