Family time

 Thursday 

11 July 

Day 11

86 to go

The day started quietly but didn’t end that way, with Chell finally joining us in the evening. We had planned to do a walk, but as the family was available today, we had to do a bit of a jiggle around. We were on the road heading for Instow once again, this time we were able to catch up with Sharon and John and check out their new home that has been built in the backyard of their old home. 

We sat chatting for a while, catching up on the latest news, before we made our way to the next relly stop, my cousin Paul and his partner Liz and their very cute schnauzer, Bertie. We enjoyed some time in the warm sitting room, that has a beautiful view out onto their garden. Again we sat around chatting before moving on once again, but not before checking out their motorhome. 

Our final quick stop was Aunty Ruth, to drop off the copies of photos I took earlier this week. We had a quick chat and then we were off once again.

Being after lunch, we stopped at Tesco for a food shop and then trundled back to the cottage for 2pm. With lunch done and dusted, we took it easier for the next couple of hours. Paul and I did a walk around the village, to stretch our legs and when we returned Dad suggested we do a drive out to Beckland Farm, dad’s birth place. 

The drive was once again down many country lanes. At times, I could have reached out and touched the hedges on both sides. The farm is now a huge affair, with the stench of cows wafting on the air. We got out took some photos of significant buildings, got some strange looks by a few workers and then moved on. 

Our final stop was Shipload Bay, this is a place I remember from my childhood, as I visited when I was nine. The rock formation distinctly curving away from the cliff. You can’t get to the ‘beach’ anymore, as land slips have seen the paths disappear. Dad says this was his local beach as a kid and the family would walk the 3 mile from Beckland to get there. 

Chell messaged to say he’d arrived, so we returned to the cottage to settle him in. Mum and I organised dinner, while the rest sat in the lounge catching up and watching Wimbledon. After eating dinner, we went to the Legion, which happens to be behind our cottage. We enjoyed an evening of playing darts and pool, before returning to the cottage ready to call it a night.