Aug
We visited Seaford with Deb and stayed with Chris & Lynne early in August. They took us out to the nearby Rathfinny wine estate, a large and spectacular vineyard, and although the weather wasn’t great, we did enjoy a lovely meal with a few bottles of local bubbly. The following day Sue bought a couple of artworks (Mechanoid Totem, Surreal No. 4 by Stefan Mucha, and an AI, along with a glass work called Henge by Fiona Christian), and in the evening we saw some music in town.
Our (Deb, the Whittenburys, Paul & Lorraine, and Sue and I) first festival in a while was one that has been running for many years, Fairport Convention at Cropredy. It is a small event with a single stage where we saw a variety of acts (Nile Rodgers & Chic, Toyah & Robert Fripp, Wilson & Wakeman, Merry Hell, 10cc, Fisherman’s Friends, Stawbs (their last gig), Richie Owens & the Farm Bureau, Easy Star All-Stars, Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri, The Joshua Burnell Band, Fairport Convention, Gilbert O’Sullivan, The Young’uns, Solstice, Beans on Toast, Morganway, Richard Digance). Most of the audience were of a certain vintage and the music was not really to our taste – not sure we would return.
Straight afterwards the gang went on a camping at Brig’s Farm in Dorset, at a site with minimal facilities in a lovely part of the world. Whilst there we visited Seatown, Lyme Regis, and River Cottage HQ and the weather was glorious throughout it all.
At the end of the month, we flew to Stockholm and visited Marc, Heather and Elises in their wonderful new house. Situated on a large island near a lovely lake, with a woodland walk around to a fabulous café.
It was crayfish season, so we had plenty of them with a variety of other Swedish delicacies. One evening we ate out at the home of Sue’s boss, Jonas, and his partner.
During our stay we also visited the ABBA the museum, took a ‘under the bridges of Stockholm’ boat tour (don’t bother with this one), and the Swedish royal palace.
Due to an UK air traffic control failure our flight was cancelled whilst we were in the lounge waiting to board. Luckily, we could stay the night with Marc & Heather, and we managed to find a replacement flight for the next day that went via Oslo.
Sept
The month started when Howard and Anne hosted an evening for the neighbours, in their garden on newly installed decking. It was lovely, convivial, and warm evening together.
The following day Howard & Anne, Deb, Sue, and I we walked into Dorking to visit Pippfest, a small music event held in town. Again, the sun had his hat on and the had a jolly time.
Whilst Sue was off on a girly weekend, I visited the Surrey Hills Wood Fair where Paul and Lorraine were showing their woodland crafts in the scorching sunshine.
Each year Open House in London allows visitors to see a different side to various places in the capital. This year we went with Jamie (and briefly Deb too) and saw a community garden (Walworth Garden Farm), a rebuilt church (St Paul’s in Lorrimore Square), and a Grand Design house (15 and a half Consort Road). Also stopped at a local brewery (Orbit Beers) for refreshments and had dinner at Peckham Cellars.
My main gift to Sue for her 60th birthday was a holiday to London and Paris, and it started in London where had Thursday night at the spectacular St Pancras Hotel with lunch at the Midland Grand Dining Rooms. That evening we explored a place we had never been to before in London, Little Venice.
Friday morning, we took the Eurostar train to Paris and checked into our quaint room at the Monsieur Aristide Hotel in Montmartre. We took a sunset boat ride along the river and saw many of the tourist sights such as the Eifel Tower and Notre Dame as we cruised up and down the Seine with champagne in hand.
Saturday, we took an excursion out to visit Versailles. There were thousands of people and even though the place is massive, it still felt a bit of a crush in places. Looking at the lavishness of the palace and grounds, it was not a surprise the populous revolted. On our way back to the hotel we got caught up in the rugby world cup frenzy, with crowds of Irish and South-African supporters on the Metro and in bars.
On Sunday we wondered around the Montmartre district, and visited Saint-Jean church, Le Mur Des Je T’aime (I love You wall), Place du Tertre (where the artists are), the Sacre Coeur Basilica, Clos Montmartre Vinyard, au Lapin Agile, Dalida’s bust, le Passe-Muraille, came down via the Funiculaire.
Before we left on Monday, we followed an ‘Emily in Paris’ on-line tour (her apartment, the office she works at and some gardens).
