What happened to February? Not a lot, really. The weather remained very variable with only occasional days suitable for eating outdoors and although the grass is growing, there was no chance to cut it as the garden is more like a marsh than a lawn; final (we hope) visits were paid to hip and nose consultants and Carol continued to feed the hens at the Maison Bleue. Late in the month Pam and Trevor arrived to start house hunting and we we able to offer them breakfast on their first morning and next day we enjoyed lunch at the Gite they are renting for the next few months. Then Nick and Carolyn returned after their three and a half month absence and we prepared a meal for their first evening after travelling – and handed over responsibility for the hens. Oh, and Carol fell off her bike! It didn’t seem too serious at first, but after a week of ribs getting worse rather than better we went to see the doctor. As expected, he diagnosed bruised or maybe even cracked ribs for which there is no treatment other than time. We hoped the discomfort wouldn’t affect travelling and subsequent activities too much.   Here’s Harry:

Ja, hallo! I’ve been stood outside ‘Sunejo’ for a long time now, doing nothing except one trip to Carcassonne, and trying to set up a relationship with Lady Lucy, that new car, but she doesn’t say much, so I just watch traffic. However, things began to happen mid-month; I got taken to the big supermarket at Laroque D’Holmes and filled up with diesel. HE checked oil and tyres  and topped up the screen wash; then on Thursday Feb 20th SHE made up the bed and HE re-organised my garage. That day was quite fine and I think THEY had lunch on the terrace. There was a bit of a sunset, but nothing special:

Not like this one from earlier in the month:

More STUFF was brought out on Friday morning, when the weather had turned grey and drizzly, with a north wind which was stinging and cold, and finally, at about  12.30, which is late even for THEM, we got on the road, leaving Sunejo in the care of Lady Lucy; – and Nick and Carolyn.

Why ‘Lady’ Lucy?

Because she’s posh and doesn’t talk to me – not like Sally, who was cheeky but fun.

Hmmm ….

There were no snow-capped Pyrenees in sight to wave to or photograph – it was probably actually snowing up there – and the first stop was the Motorhome place in Pamiers; when Carol pulled the bike cover out of the shed THEY found the mice had nibbled it – one tear just got worse even before we’d gone very far, so we made a little detour to get a new one. After that, and a lunch break at the first toll station, it was brm-brm to the ‘usual’ service area just south of Limoges, arriving about 8.30 and THEY had a pre-cooked meal of duck legs in orange sauce. We did stop once on the way and a robin was perched in the bushes, watching the car park:

Another late start on Saturday, and a long pause at J.37, not just for fuel, but for HER to buy some trainers, then onwards through the rain and the wind. No photos – the weather wasn’t helpful and THEY’ve photo’d most of the rivers and so on before. Finding the preferred route through Rouen without either going through the city centre, or following the long signed detour to the west, was a relief, so we parked at Bosc Mesnil services at about 7.45. not a favourite area, but it’s there in the right place.

Next morning THEY heard the shipping forecast; warnings of gales in all areas except Dover, Wight and Portland! Phew! We paused at Baie de Somme, as usual, and took the opportunity to charge the computer while checking e-mails. THEY let me get very short of fuel, but got to the supermarket near J. 31 just in time (not the same motorway as J. 37 near Limoges!) At Calais THEY had a quick lunch on the quayside and then we boarded the ferry. I was parked right at the front in the open air, which was good for a quick exit at Dover, but I got several showerings of salty water from the waves during the crossing. Could have done without that!

What is it about coffee these days? Even on the ferry that big firm with the high cost a coffee has taken over! I never know what to ask for, and none of it is worth the price. I asked for a small latte – it was huge; I got Carol an espresso – it was about a thimble-full! I should have settled for the Cognac on its own!

The choppiness of the crossing – the least smooth we’ve had for some time, but it wasn’t a problem – is best seen on this picture of the waves as we came in to Dover harbour:

After Dover we made good progress to the M25 and stopped at the services after the Dartford crossing.

We do like French food, but Steak and Ale Pie and Fish n Chips went down very well!

At least you two weren’t running on empty!

Nor were you!

Nearly ….. After that, we went on to the Caravan Club site at Welwyn Garden City, arriving just in time for the (theoretical) deadline of 8pm.

Monday 24th Feb: Water jobs in the morning before getting on the road and taking a wrong turning, so getting to the M1 by a cross-country route took longer than it should have, then the journey North was very slow, with long sections of road works and 50mph speed limits. But we got to Huddersfield in time for THEM to enjoy a meal with the family at their new home in Linthwaite. Later, we moved to the Manse in Golcar so that I could be parked round the back and get electricity from the garage.

 The removal from Golgar to Linthwaite – across the valley – was ongoing. Most of the big furniture had already been moved, but there was a lot of packing and transporting still to do. For the next two days it seemed best that we could help by taking the Grandchildren, S & N, out for the day. Meals in Harry were a treat and on day 1 we visited Castle Hill:

An impressive site with lots of space and splendid views:

Any doubts about the efficacy of the treatment to my hip should have been dispelled when I dealt with these steps:

and that after driving Harry for most of four days without once needing to lift my right leg manually to get it to move from the gas to the brake (which I was doing before!). I even did some running around one day, chasing the children round the Chapel car park for a few minutes. So it is obviously greatly improved, but some days it  feels ‘heavy’ and a bit sore, so it’s not perfect! And in any case, the consultant says I should still avoid long walks, which is a bit of a pity.

We called at the garden centre on the way back, where N showed promise, again, as a photographer; how’s this for a four year old? –

Not the fish! – the age of the child who took the photo!

Day 2 found us at Greenhead Park, a huge area with many attractions, of which the tower with its rope walk approach and slide off was the favourite:

On Thursday (27th) Carol, Chris and I (and Harry) had a complete change of scene and activity. Before leaving home we’d heard the sad news that my Cousin Norman had died, aged 92. Norman and Marjorie had been part of my life forever and were regular visitors to various homes, including Garth View. So I was pleased to be nearby at the time of the funeral, which was in Leeds. The ceremony was wonderfully presented by the family themselves, with moving tributes from Chris (Norman’s son) and Paul (Grandson) and Louise (Granddaughter) while Martin (Grandson) introduced and led the service. It was good to see the family again, together with David (Sparkes) and Dottie, and we enjoyed tea and cake at Dyneley House where Norman lived for the last six years.

The next days – right through to Sunday morning – were spent clearing and cleaning the Manse and ferrying everything to Linthwaite. Harry was very useful –

Ho! Danke schön.

Non – c’est nous! You are French again, you know.

Wirklich? Ich hatte vergessen ….

Very useful, carrying stuff from one house to the other, some of which was too big to go into Chris & Michelle’s little car.

That’s Harry outside the new home – the one with the fence. From the back of the house, which can be accessed down this ginnel:

[A bit of architectural history; these terraces were originally back to back houses. Built on a steep hill the back house, with no road access, comprised the lower ground floor and the back part of the ground floor; the front house, opening on to the road, had the front of the ground floor and the whole of the first floor. Most of them have now been combined into single houses, but nos. 726 and 732 are still separate homes, hence the arrow to 726 above the ginnel, seen on the photo.]

….. there’s a splendid view across the valley to Golgar, seen both from the house’s windows and the little garden, from where the ground drops steeply to the river and the canal:

The large, many-windowed building in the centre of the photo is Golgar Baptist Chapel, with the Manse hidden behind it:

Carol worked stoically on the cleaning (she’s come away with a nasty cough, but the ribs seem better!) and the job was finally completed (I think) at about midday on Sunday, when Harry and the little Jazz took the final items, including the vacuum cleaners, round (not ‘across’!) to Linthwaite, after the family had taken a last look through the Manse to say goodbye to it, quite a ‘wrench’ for all of them, but we wish them well and feel they’ll soon settle into the new home.

We unloaded those final items then left for a special Pub Lunch at the Bulls Head (further up the hill!)

After that we said goodbye on the carpark and followed ‘Snooper’s directions to join the M1 near Sheffield. Harry?

That was dreadful! Not so much the cross-country route to the motorway, but the weather, the traffic and the road works from then on. We had plenty of time – in theory – to get to Welwyn, but once again we arrived on the last minute.  

Next morning – here’s a surprise – we were up at 6.30 and road ready, without breakfast, but having done water jobs, soon after 8.30. The reason was that we both had appointments at Specsavers in Welwyn with Carol first at 9. (We’ve been told that even if we have to pay everything, specs are still less expensive in the UK than in France.) We both need new ones and we expect them to be ready on our next return from Yorkshire in a few weeks’ time.

After that, we had time on our hands and looked for a full English breakfast. First we tried Tesco’s but we were disappointed as the café was one of those pretentious coffee places where the choice bewilders me and none of it is what I want. But we did some shopping and meanwhile Harry got a complete hand wash (for £20!) and he now looks brighter and whiter than since he joined us in 2010!

Ja! Wunderschön! Merveilleux! Brilbrile!

Coo – Esperanto as well! He must be happy.  We went on to South Mimms where we did get that breakfast. Yummies!

Was ist denn dass? What sort of language is that?

Me-talk. We still had time to spare, so we sat over coffee (in Harry) and did a puzzle. Then we came on to Chrys and Jan’s in Potters Bar. We had a lovely roast chicken dinner and today, apart from Carol getting her hair cut, we’ve just ‘chilled out’.

Here are some pictures to finish:

N looks out on the view after scrambled egg in Harry at the foot of Castle Hill:

Grandad doing what Grandads do:

And two key players in the narrative; Carol and Harry:

‘Key player’? Schlüsselspieler? Clé joueur? I don’t get it ……