Ils sont fous, ces Thompson! THEY are crazy! Look how they overload me: there’s even a ‘travel cot’ in there for the baby! 

You’re not overloaded! There’s still lots of space – and anyway, we haven’t finished yet – there’s no sherry, no sausages, no bacon ….

Ah mais non! Ca, c’est trop! That’s too much! I think we must bring Harry next time. But then, if Harry come here, where will he stand?:

Il n’y a pas de place, voyons – there is no space, is there?

We’ll find a way, don’t worry.

I worry about getting you two home with all this and your sherry and your sausages ….

Diary, Sally!

Oh yes, excusez-moi. Well, before leaving Oakleigh Court (Close!) (Monday 15th) M’sieur went out to take pictures of Rachel’s purpose-built office in the garden –

And Rachel at work:

Now, I remember this garden swing / seat! I assembled it one soggy Sunday in Whitefield when Rachel hadn’t got any other man around! This time Sean did the honours while we were in Huddersfield two days ago – and he didn’t even get wet!

(2025 – This photo has disappeared and can’t be found anywhere!)

Then we got on the road at about 11.30 for the journey south through England. Relatively easy, trouble-free travelling, to arrive in Mudeford at Martyn & Jasmine’s just before 6pm. How’s this for a view from your upstairs lounge window?

Before dinner we all went for a walk along the beach:

The beach just below the house.

It was only a short walk, but I was limping before we got back, so it’s just as well that I have an appointment with the Chiropractor in the morning.

Dinner was that excellent French classic, Coq Au Vin, “to make us feel at home”. Very good, too; thank you.

Tuesday 16th: While I went to get prodded and pummelled and have needles stuck in my bum (acupuncture), Carol and Jasmine walked and climbed up to Highcliffe Castle:

Jasmine at Highcliffe Castle.

Once reunited we went and bought some more stuff for Sally to carry home!

!*#~@^!*!

Just a planter for herbs from B & Q and the other stuff from the supermarket. Then guess where we had lunch? At the Garden Centre, of course!

And finally we got going at 3.10pm for the 90 miles back to Surbiton and Porton Court. Carol Jnr was still at work and Philip is away on a canal trip, but Christine let us in and helped THEM carry a ridiculous amount of that STUFF into the flat – ridiculous for one night, that is; I hope they leave some of it behind …

Don’t be silly! Carol arrived soon after us and produced a nice Bolognaise supper – “evermore thanks, the exchequer of the poor” (as the Bard said). There was also some stuff in bottles, provided by Philip, some of which we were encouraged (say it quietly or Little Car might have another hissy fit) to take away with us!