Wednesday 27th to Saturday 30th November
We had a really lovely trip to Southampton to see my brother Julian and his family. Mum and Dave went too and we all stayed in the Premier Inn West, like we did when we went to Darren and Lauren’s wedding way back in April.
On Thursday morning Daniel’s girlfriend Dee very kindly took us to Hythe and we had a rather chilly walk round the marina village and the actual village centre. The views across the Rivers Test and Itchen are interesting here with all manner of shipping traffic to see from large container ships to small sailing boats to ferries large and small. The weather could have been better as it was really dull with a cold wind but we enjoyed it (see photos).
We had a look round the marina as well, obviously it was full of yoghurt pots! The apartments there, although very attractively situated, are pretty pricey to buy and to rent. After briefly looking round the shops in the village centre we returned to the marina and went in The Boathouse Bar which was very nice and not as extortionately expensive as one may expect. Here we were joined by Julian and Abby.
Later on we visited Darren for a cup of tea and were treated to his daughter Ellie’s violin playing when she came out of school, bless! Even later on we met Daniel at Goodie’s Fish and Chip shop for some really excellent fish and chips.
Dee chauffeured us about again on Friday, this time we went to Southampton where we had to sample the bratwurst on the sausage stall in the German Christmas Market, very nice! After this we all retired to The Standing Order for a drink and a natter. Friday evening we all met up again this time at The Anchor in Eling and had a very good meal.
All in all a very pleasant few days, it was so nice to see everyone.
Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December
Yesterday we returned from Southampton. The journey was ok except for one chap kicking off on the train because, after someone had asked him to move because he was sitting in their reserved seat, he later was told there were no reserved seats and came back to have a go at them. Actually there were reserved seats because we reserved ours but we sat elsewhere when we found a girl asleep in ours when we got on anyway! It was a bit of a free for all.
Also for some reason by the time we got to Bristol Temple Meads the train was running 20 mins late. Then by the time they had fixed a faulty door it was running 35 mins late! When we eventually got back to Gloucester we popped into Tesco’s in the bus station for milk and bread then fell in the Robert Raike’s before we went back to the boat.
This morning we went to Argos as soon as they opened to get there before the rush. We had to replace our electric kettle which gave up the ghost just before we went to Southampton. After this we went to Sainsbury’s. On the way there we were treated to the sight of tall ship Kaskelot leaving Nielsen’s dry dock and travelling down the canal (see photos). We thought we had missed this because it was supposed to go yesterday morning.
Lunchtime we went to the appropriately named Tall Ships pub to watch the football. Tomorrow we are doing more exciting things which involve going to the chandlery and the electrical wholesaler down Bristol Rd!
