The Final Day August 27

Well we did it.
I am lying in bed quite exhausted writing this. We walked 31k today the weather was perfect. The day started with a bit of a test a 2.5k walk up a 1:3 road it seemed endless but the goat gear worked and try as he might Barry was unable to overtake me,when it flattened out he of course strode past.

We crossed a moor and ....great excitement ....we saw the North Sea for the first time.

We then  plunged downward into a dark wood where we spent an hour and a half walking alongside a river. We had our lunch on the heather moor within sight of Whitby,it was a long way away but the day was crystal clear we could even see the well ventilated ruins of Whitby Abbey ( a feature in the original Dracula novel).

After ages on the moors we found ourselves on the coastal path on the way to ....yes....Robin Hood's Bay...our final destination. the sea below was like a millpond the sky was cloudless,the skylarks were doing their thing and the sheep were contentedly eating the luscious green grass. All was good.

We walked on and on and finally entered the outskirts of town at this point we came across two walkers whom we had last seen a couple of days ago they had finished and were relaxing on the path as they found the town too crowded. As we passed through the town I wa accosted by a woman who recognised me from three days prior she immediately congratulated us! It was like being a film star ( not).

Then from nowhere Barry's lovely wife Pam materialised,we were unsure whether she would be there so it was a great surprise. We went through the littleport town of Robin Hoods Bay which is quite cute until we reached the sea,we paddled in the North Sea,flung our pebble from St Bees into the sea and promptly retired to the pub where we sank a couple of beers signed the Coast to Coast Register and found our lodgings for the night.

Penultimate Day August 26

The Lion Inn is a rabbit warren of a place little room after little room all with customers eating and drinking it must have been built for Hobbits the ceilings were so low sometimes you had to crouch almost double to get through doorways, I had to revive Barry on a number of occasions as he kept smacking his head on the beams. The place was hopping as it was Bank Holiday Sunday. despite our rather short walk the day before we both felt a little tired and so spent the afternoon relaxing,I listened to the cricket and was surprised it was called off due to poor light.
The next morning the 26 was Bank Holiday Monday a longish day in front of us across the moors and down the Esk Dale a total of  approx 21k. We had a thoroughly enjoyable day the weather was perfect not a cloud in the sky and no wind with a temperature of about 23c. We walked across heather covered moors with the now ubiquitous grouse or are they partridge? Chortling away to each other. We had a mid morning break and within three and half hours we had reached a nice little pub in the village of  Glasedale. We met a couple of Aussie guys and after some chat I discovered one of them was a member of Kew Golf club (my course back in Melbourne) what a small world...after having lunch we meandered along the Esk river cut up through some woods across a meadow and hey presto there were our lodgings for the night Broom House Farm. Set in lush gardens with outdoor seating a guests lounge and lovely deep baths in the rooms we couldn't have asked for anything more to rest our aching bodies. We plan on walking to the village tonight to have dinner in the local village pub.

During a day's walk ones mental state goes through a gentle metamorphosis reflecting the physical well being of the body. Early on all systems are go with joints de- stiffened and feet tightly bound. We walk at a fairly rapid pace click clacking along for the first hour and a half. We generally have a 15 minute rest and munch on some cake or fruit. Refreshed we carry on in the same vein but after about 40 mins the legs are beginning to tire and ache and the sweat from the feet irritate the blisters which have been quiet until then. The next hour or so is ok but not so joyful as the early morning. The lunch break of 45 mins is well deserved and upon setting out the joints have to be loosened up again after two hours the aches and pains return with a little bit more vengefulness  and by the time we finish for the day I for one resemble a First World War soldier stumbling across No Mans Land. The relaxing bath or shower is a welcome relief and before long mental equilibrium is restored.

Days 13+14

Day 13 (August 24)

Well this is the big test day for me having read the notes I realise that there is a lot of climbing.

The notes say 'The traverse of the Northern Edge of the moors is reputedly one of the toughest stages of the day,pack plenty of food and water"

The forecast was for a torrential thunder storm and lightening.....it was with some trepidation therefore that I set out that morning...

We left Osmotherley,what a lovely name for a village!, and crossed meadows climbed over stone walls and nipped under barbed wire fences and realised we had likely taken a wrong turning,this was correct but after an hour or so we soon rejoined the C2C. The walk during mid morning was Robin Hood country, woodlands, slight undulations and easy underfoot my friend Little John read the map with alacrity. Unfortunately the fun ended as we left the woods and saw before us the North Yorkshire Moors. The sky was cloudy there was a slight drizzle but it was very humid.before setting out we wolfed down our cheese and chutney sandwiches which we had bought in Osmotherley.

Above us were some brave para gliders swooping along the escarpment. We girded our loins and set off up the very steep path making the top in a mere half an hour,the down was horrid very uneven small rocks but finally down to the bottom the up and up again.the views were fabulous we could see for miles across the vast expanse of purple heather,the sound of partridges adding to the effect the air was warm and the lazy buzz of honey bees gave the early afternoon a lazy idyllic feel.

We were so high up that we looked down on the the para gliders. The entire walk in the afternoon was slow and methodical as I attempted not to twist an ankle and to protect my knee,I was successful and my four large blisters that have been my constant companion for the past 4 days remained intact.

During one of our breathers halfway down one of the many hills we were amazed to have a 'fell runner" come dashing up the path wearing runners on his feet he literally leapt from rock to rock and before long had disappeared from sight,the guy was in his forties, the following day we saw him again coming in the opposite direction we reckoned he must have run to the sea and back.

The walk up and down the North York Moors was indeed a very testing walk and I felt extremely satisfied when I had completed it. I slept like a log that night and awoke quite refreshed. That evening Barry and I had dinner with friends of Barry's in the local pub it was an excellent meal rack of lamb for me and Venison for Little John!

We stayed in a farm B&B high up on the Moors and on awaking in the morning the mist was so thick we couldn't see five yards in front of us. The landlord gave us a lift to the drop off point and we set out for what promised to be an easy days walk.

Day 14 (August 25)

The route is from Clay Bank Top to Blakey Ridge. Our destination is The Lion Inn an isolated pub high on the Moors.

Name places are something that have amused me over the past fortnight ( is it really two weeks?) 2 spring to mind there was Cockermouth in the Lake District and Crackpot in the Yorkshire Dales..

Anyway the walk was through heather with many partridges and sheep around. The latter part of this 14k day was following the old railway line which had been built for the mines along  Farndale Moor.

On arriving at The Lion Inn we came across our two American friends Joe and Toni who admitted rather shamefaced that they had taken the bus the day before.

Both Barry and I quite understood as Toni had been struggling with an injured hip. Earlier in the day we had heard of a walker who had broken her ankle on the first day of the C2C so luck plays a big part.

Day 12. Richmond to Danby Wiske ( 22 August)

This stage is about 23k over flat route the scenery is pastoral and the terrain underfoot is a mix of paths,tracks,and country lanes. The initial part runs parallel to River Swale. The walk was easy and a good way to get back into it after our rest day in Richmond. When we got to Danby Wiske we decided to have a rewarding beer as our overnight accommodation was located some two miles further on along the road. Whilst sitting on the delightful village green with our two American friends Joe and Toni we fell into conversation with a mini bus driver who was awaiting the arrival of 11 ladies from the Ramblers Club. After a little bit chat, by the incomparably smooth Barry, he agreed to give us a lift up the road for a mile. Well when we boarded the bus all 11 grey headed ladies looked at us and before we could help ourselves
One of us said " I feel just like a suicide bomber who has gone to Paradise!!" A risky thing to say admittedly but it had the desired effect and much laughter ensued followed by a quiet soft Yorkshire voice saying " but I thought we had to be virgins!"

That evening we were both really tired so after having a pizza we retired for the night.

Day 13.  Danby Wiske to Osmotherley (August 23)


20k today. we stayed the night before in a farmhouse B&B the usual fantastic breakfast and we set off shortly after 9 am with our packed lunches secure in our backpacks.

The walking is largely over farmland flat but still very pleasant. Underfoot the going is excellent the last part is up hill through woodland with the Yorkshire Moors looming menacingly in the near distance,never seemingly to get any closer!


Just before reaching the village of Ingleby Cross we had to cross over a railway line and then an extremely busy and dangerous A19 it was the Friday of a Bank Holiday weekend so the traffic was fast and incessant, running across the road was one of those things you only try in a nightmare,anyway we both made it so as a reward we stopped at the pub at Ingleby Cross which is a couple of miles short of our final destination. There we bumped into Brian The Londoner who has been deserted by his Kiwi girl. He has given up due to very bad blisters,he says he will return and complete the walk next year. Whilst having the first of our three pints of beer the Paradise Ladies of The Ramblers Club turned up,they had tea and sandwiches and disappeared as mysteriously as they had arrived.

Osmotherley is a delightful village reminiscent of the ones featured on BBC murder mysteries..we stayed at The Three Tuns a delightful little pub on the village green I spend a couple of hours after my shower listening to Test Match Special on Radio 5. Most entertaining.

Thinking back on our days of walking I realise that I have made no real mention of the flora and fauna we have come across. The farming has differed from extensive sheep farms with the sheep types varying as the more easterly we walk.cows are both beef and dairy. Barry and Judy had regaled me with horror stories of ramblers and even a vet who had been trampled to death by ordinary cows,not bulls,but cows so it was with some trepidation I crossed those fields,the sheep I was informed were harmless...in terms of bird life we have seen buzzards in the Lake District and heard their curious whistling calls.we have seen lots of swallows,house martins and skylarks as well as robin redbreasts,chaffinches and the edible pigeon,grouse,partridge and pheasant.In fact whilst on the Yorkshire Dales we were very close to the grouse Moors and could hear the shotguns.

 Wild flowers are a characteristic of the C2C and they in turn attract many types of butterflies,bees and dragon flies. Heather,forget me nots,Dog rose,foxgloves, dog violets, the much hated Ragwort,cowslips,early purple Orchid and many more types of flowers and plant that I do not recognise abound along the footpaths.

At one stage in the Lake District Judy and I feasted on wild raspberries,mmm delicious. The Blackberries are gradually ripening by the day and are now almost ready to eat.

Today and yesterday we witnessed giant combine harvesters bringing in the harvest.

Day 11 & 12

Day 11

Keld Lodge is remote far up in the Yorkshire Dales at the confluence of The Coast to Coast route and The Penine Way. The next stop was Reeth a picturesque little town which originally served the lead mining industry,when this closed down Reeth reinvented itself as a tourist centre. I took the local bus and found our new digs at about noon The Kings Arms . That evening we met up with our fellow walkers,The Americans,The 6 Aussies,a lone Dutch lady,a teachers assistant from Leeds,the Kiwi and Brian the Londoner. We had a great evening making far too much noise with much laughter and excellent food.
I must say I don't think anyone loses weight on the C2C huge breakfasts of egg,bacon,sausage,tomato ,black pudding,fried bread are the order of the day. Lunch is generally a sandwich,and then a fairly generous dinner washed down with pints of beer and red wine.....a little different to The Camino which is a lighter breakfast ie a croissant and a coffee, a light lunch and then a cheapo pilgrim dinner with a carafe of local wine. The next day which was the 20th August I braved the elements and set out with Barry,it was meant to be a shortish (17k) walk on flat terrain and this proved the case. On the way we met a sheep dog that had lost its way but luckily a Dutch couple who are doing the walk with their own dog managed to persuade the stray to follow them and safely delivered it to a local sheep farmer,some of these sheep dogs are worth a couple of thousand pounds and we reckon this one must have fallen off the back of  a farmers ute.

We arrived in Richmond in mid afternoon and retired to our B&B which is located in the unlikely street of Maison Dieu. Apparently so named because the French had settled the town in the 11th century.Richmond still has a very spacious cobbled town square which gives the place an airy feel high on the hillside and dominated by the remains of its Norman castle. We have a rest day today.

We met Barry's uncle Ray who lives up the road for lunch where we went to a Community Pub it is the only one in Yorkshire it is owned by the villagers who bought it when it was going to be shut down the beer (strangely called "Leg Over") was quite delicious. The place we are staying is terrific and the lady owner most welcoming and cheerful.

Day 7- 10

I am writing this sitting in a pub sipping a pint of Black Sheep bitter the village is Reeth in The Yorkshire Dales in the heart of James Herriot country,it is quite beautiful countryside. Unfortunately my knee pulled all the muscles,sinews,and other body parts off the project and the left leg has gone on strike. On Day 7 after icing the knee I set out full of  energy only to find I literally couldn't walk so after making a couple of phone calls a taxi came and picked me up and drove me to our next stop which is Kirkby Stephens. According to the Aussie Physio I have a cartilage tear.
Whilst waiting for the taxi we came across the UK's smallest school a tiny one up one down stone building now a little museum. The photo below is of a family of swallows attending the Maths Class.

Luckily for me I was snug in my little pub room as the heavens opened and it bucket end down with rain all day. The others who of course didn't get a taxi ride walked through it,Judy said the Moors just went on and on and on... I felt fortunate but at the same time a little disappointed.


Day 8

Well this is the last day for Judy in fact she has finished and Peter is coming to pick her up.
My knee is still impossible so they have very kindly offered to drive me to Keld which is some 23k away. Barry set off on the company of the 2 Aussies whom he later said travel at the speed of light.

Peter arrived at ten and we went to the Saddle of Mutton for a cup of coffee and then stopped to catch the sight of a steam train whizzing past through Kirkby Stephens station. There was an eager 60 year old man keenly awaiting its passing with Nikon at the ready,he was quivering with excitement,alas, after it has zoomed past at quite a terrific speed his disappointment was palpable .... The steam engine
 was a Goods train engine and this was a Passenger train. I thought it was great and the smell of the smoke transported me back to my early school days.

We then stopped in a lovely little pub and had a traditional Sunday lunch of Roast Beef and homemade Yorkshire Pudding.we then drove to Keld Lodge in a tiny hamlet of Keld a most picturesque part of West Yorkshire,we passed over the Cumbrian border shortly before Keld.


Barry arrived shortly afterwards and said it had been exceptionally boggy and he had seen one guy plunge up to his upper thigh in mud.

The Keld Lodge is a splendid place and the only licensed premises in this tiny hamlet. We are in Yorkshire (just) and in the beginning of the Yorkshire Dales which is of course James Herriot country.The next day I took a local bus to Reeth and arrived there at about noon. We are staying at the Kings Arms which is located opposite the village Green. Reeth used to exist to support the local
lead mines but since they closed down tourism has taken over as the main supplier of employment.

Keld is the halfway mark of the Coast to Coast so only 150 k to go. It should be easier from now on as it will be flatter than the Lake District which  is difficult walking conditions especially if wet..so tomorrow I am going to try my hand,or knee, at the next leg which wil take us to Richmond where we have a scheduled Rest Day.

There are many people walking the Coast to Coast from all over the world so far we have met Americans,Dutch,Aussies, Kiwis, Canadians and lots of English from all over the country. Barry is a big hit and very popular due to his map reading skills and his apparent encyclopaedic knowledge of English history,easily recognisable he is hailed far and wide!!

Coast to Coast Day 6

Day 6
August 16
Nikki Birthday

We started the day in a leisurely fashion taking group photos with our American friends and Miles. We had an early side trip to a ruin The Shap Monastery and a pub lunch in Shap washed down with a couple of pints of Theakestones ( Miles is a bad influence). Oh yes whilst at the Monastery we met with the Americans who told us that Joe,a diminutive man reminiscent of Hiram Holiday,had been bitten by a cattle dog as they had walked through a farm yard it had drawn blood.He was unconcerned. We were impressed with the local media as as we entered Shap some 60 minutes the local newspaper had the headline "Dog Attack" beat that Murdoch we thought.

Miles left us after lunch to return to his car and we pressed on and on and on crossing the M6 and then as the sound of the traffic diminished we walked through some quite beautiful countryside lots of sheep but the scenery was England at its best low stone walls green grass where even the brown bits were green lovely river valleys and some interesting geological elements limestone pavements,historic elements .....the supposed burial place of Robin Hood and archeological interest...Stone Circles supposedly sacred Druid places.

We literally walked up dale and down dale and my knee told me so. At last after a total of 24 k we reached our destination for the night at about 5.45 pm a B&B just outside Orton where we enjoyed some convivial company a very tasty home made lasagne and a couple of glasses of red. One of our fellow guests was an Aussie Physio who advised me on various methods to reduce the knee pain and inflammation. God is indeed looking out for us I believe.

Coast to Coast Days 1-5

Well,my draft blog has disappeared so start again. Judy and Peter met me at Manchester airport,looking out of the window my heart sank as the plane banked across the countryside grey and wet....in fact it turned out sunny the next day which I spent buying last minute things like waterproof trousers etc.
Barry arrived by train in the afternoon and after attending a marvellous dinner party where we all ate far too much we went back to Judy's cottage which is delightfully positioned in the middle of their sheep farming acreage so green her garden is blooming a lovely place to live in the summer.
Anyway in the morning Peter kindly drove us all the way to St Bees to start the Coast to Coast walk the weather was horrible but as soon as we got to the coast it brightened up and after dipping our feet in the Irish Sea we set off....more to follow disaster humour pain and anguish ......see the next edition when I have more time...


Walk Day 1 contd

We stopped for lunch in a hedge and wolfed down some tasty home made sandwiches and Judy's fruit cake what a good idea that was full of energy we set off again and before long came across a truly idyllic scene...there on a village green a cricket match was in progress and after enquiry we learned it was the semi finals of the English Villages Cricket Tournament the winner of this particular match was to progress to the Final which is held at Lords. The home team of Cleator Moor looked in a strong position  with the opposition at 89 for 9. We subsequently learned they won so Judy is packing her fruit cake in anticipation of a day at Lords.

After a little more walking with the incomparable Barry and his trusty OS Maps around his neck we progressed to be faced with  a cairn called Dent. A rather modest little pimple I thought shifting effortlessly into my Goat Gear. Before long I started to feel mild twinges in my knees this soon increased and at the start of the descent I knew I was in trouble as every step became agony as if red hot nails were being driven into the side of my knees the only light relief was Judy falling over and sliding uncontrollably down the grassy three in one slope on her shiny water proof trousers. I am afraid I slowed every body up and we finally limped into the farm yard of Low Cock How Farm at about 5 pm. We had walked 24 k.

There we were greeted by a typical Cumbrian farmer the owner who regaled us with a most amusing set of stories about how a lot of people give up the coast to coast after one day! I knew how they felt as I morosely sipped my tea crouching in front of the cosy peat fire. We took a taxi into the local village and had dinner at the Shepherds Arms the food and red wine soon had me back in form and we got back to the farm and went to bed.

Day 2

The route is a 25 k today and I am extremely apprehensive. I could hardly walk down the stairs to breakfast as my knees were so sore,mmm.
After a breakfast which would have fed an entire rugby team we donned our back packs and set off. We were soon climbing up again but this time on rocks and uneven ground out came the sticks on we went up and up and then a gradual down and a steeper descent until we had lunch and watched a couple of shepherds trying to gather up their Herdys or mountain sheep with the aid of  five dogs much shouting and whistling and amazingly after what seemed like an age the sheep were all together and being driven down the hill.
As for us  the path just disappeared and we were struggling through boggy and very wet ground my sticks were being swallowed almost up to their handles, luckily my feet kept pretty dry walking was very slow and painful we reached a small settlement called Buttermere and had a most delicious cup of tea and thankfully caught the bus to the Scafell Hotel in Rosthwaite. What luxury awaited!

At this stage a big thank you to Judy and Barry who helped me enormously by changing the route, catching the bus, and helping carry my backpack on the last stage by the time I finished I looked like The Tinman from the Wizard of Oz trying not to use my knees.
The hotel was a delight the bed was comfy the bathroom was luxurious. We ate in the local pub and after a couple of reds I had a splendid sleep.

Day 3
I  decided to take the bus into Keswick to visit a couple of chemist shops to buy some anti inflammatory pills which I am not really allowed to take. I spent a great day chilling out and it was a hard decision but I successfully avoided visiting the well known Keswick Pencil Museum. the lady in the Tourist Centre informed me that back in the day there was a black market in graphite that used to be conducted in the pub next door. I took the bus to our next town which was Grasmere.

Grasmere and its little valley has been described by William Wordsworth ( who is incidentally buried there in the graveyard ) as "the fairest place on earth" and it was a picture. The Red Lion was comfortable it even had a pool! The town had a specialist shop which sold only jigsaw puzzles,amazing.

Day 4

The next morning I nervously I took an anti inflammatory pill after brekky and we set out. As things had been going badly upto then I half expected to start vomiting but this was not the case and although it was a bit of a battle I managed the whole day carefully creeping along like an old man. There were lots of up, lots of down, and very uneven surfaces. The views were breathtaking the weather cloudy warm and no rain. We had been joined by a friend of Judy called Richard who was a most amusing retired local solicitor he and Barry shot ahead and I was accompanied by a very friendly Londoner called Brian who together with his enormous Kiwi girlfriend are also doing the coast to coast so I expect we will see them again on the way. as usual Judy was very kind enquiring after my knee on a regular basis. As soon as we hit the flat I was away like a greyhound.....hopefully today will be the last of the very steep bits. We stayed the night in a comfortable guest house called The Moss House Guest House in Glenridding.

Richard informed us he knew of a great little pub The Travellers Rest so off we went spent an entertaining couple of hours sampling the local beer. We then met up with Richards wife Jen and another couple and had a rather disappointing meal in a very stylish restaurant the evening was lots of fun and we retired to bed at about ten.

Day 5

This is meant to be a long and arduous days walking  the weather forecast was for heavy rain so being sensible walkers we elected to take a ferry on Ullswater to avoid the predicted late afternoon downpour. We met up with a group of four Americans on the way a delightful lot with whom we could compare notes on the best possible route to Bampton a tiny hamlet almost on the edge of The Lake District. thankfully the terrain was flat the views stunning and the rain held off until we were snug in The Crown and Mitre where the accommodation was en suite and very comfortable. There is only a church and the pub in the village. On the walk we were able to see Scotland which is now quite close. We walked through moorland covered in purple heather with Ullswater Lake and as a back drop the fells. it was a great day and Once again Barry did a super job with his maps and even on one occasion we resorted to the compass. The telephone coverage in the Lake District is spasmodic so getting a signal for a GPS App is rare indeed. In the bar in the evening we met an Aussie girl who had gone over the top which is the route we were meant to take she showed us photos of pouring rain and descents that were almost vertical so we all agreed what a lucky escape we had had.
Imagine my surprise when I looked up from my pint and saw the familiar figure of Miles Speller coming into the bar. I had temporarily forgotten he was meeting us today. We had a jolly meal together and the plan is that Miles will join us for a few hours tomorrow.

Day 6

We had a latish start to our walk

Viborg Denmark

After a two and half hour drive through the Danish countryside I arrived at the Historic Inn that Hanne owns and runs. She greeted me in the deserted bar and after the usual kissing and hugging poured me a big frothy Danish pilsner,it tasted mighty good. Lunch was in the back near the kitchen and consisted of Frikadellar mmm tasty pork meatballs with new potatoes and red cabbage.
Then came the bit I had not been looking forward to .....listening to Frode, the guy can talk underwater,after two hours my head hurt so I excused myself and sneaked upstairs to my quaint little room and read my book. The pub is so historic it does not have WIFI. that evening I went to Charlotte's and Kurt's house and met her children Noah at three and Leve Isabella at nine months. I had a very pleasant time with them chatting away. Hanne and Frode came later and then kindly drove me back to the pub where I retired for the night, awaking at five in the morning to the sound of rain.
I spent the next day with Hanne in the morning walking through the historic centre of Viborg and its cathedral.lunch at the Inn very nice fresh fish and the arvo with Charlotte and her kiddies it was very pleasant with Kurt coming later and cooking a BBQ very succulent pork. Charlotte is a very accomplished young mum who has had a challenging start to her life.

Haderslev Denmark

I am about to zoom off in my little white mini to Viborg,what did I do in Haderslev? The weather was beautiful Haderslev is a town of 700 years cobbled streets tiny cottages in the centre. I caught up with Gunhild Dorte's aunt who is 98.5 years old she spoke great English Paid a surprise visit to some old friends of the family and visited churchyard to pay respects to my in laws. Finn and Tove with whom I stayed were in great form and looked after me very well they live in a bright well laid out house with some excellent art on the walls, Finn has a green thumb so his garden is flourishing lots of fresh veggies and flowers. I stayed for two days and had lots of laughs including accidentally eating Finn's breakfast this morning he was so polite he never said a word only watched a I polished off his fruit salad.

Bornholm! Bornholm!

So it is Sunday morning the day after the wedding. I am feeling surprisingly fresh. Luckily I was awake in time to say Cheerio to Birgitte and Martin. What a wedding it was fantastically organised and attended by about 80 guests. It was certainly a day to remember. At 2 we all boarded a coach to go to the church it was uncomfortably hot in full tuxedo regalia, so, into the cool of the pew. Some of the guests had not read the invite so cringed self consciously in blue three piece suits!

Kirstine was given away by her mother Lisbeth they looked like sisters as they walked down the aisle. After an incomprehensible service we returned to the school and into the gardens for the champagne reception the corks were slashed off the bottles with a russian cossack sword in memory of  Kirstine's Dad who favoured that form of bottle opening for champagne

The meal was cooked by one of Denmark's Master Chefs who lives on the island of Bornholm all the food was sourced from the island and the result was fresh tasty and light this was accompanied by some fine French wines. We had 17 speeches and afterwards the band struck up, the party stopped at 5am.
After helping to clean up I was taken to the airport by Lisbeth. I take this opportunity to thank her for a wonderful weekend which was all in all a beautiful and very happy occasion.

After training it to Hillerod I was met by my old friend Torben and within thirty minutes I was sipping a cold one on the verandah admiring the cliff top view of the sea. Lene and Metta were there,the latter is now a most amusing young lady with a wicked sense of humour,thinking back I don't think I had heard her speak before!

I had a great time at what is now the "celebs" summer destination in fact only a couple of weeks
prior the Crown Prince and Mary plus 4 kiddies had frolicked in the sea just below Torben and Lene's house so Royal Water's indeed. Lene and I went swimming and had great fun flinging a rubber ball
about skimming it across the flat sea I felt I was ten again the water was warm.I had a wonderful time
And after 24 hours I was sad to bid farewell.

This next bit was the the bit I was a apprehensive about the plan was a) return to airport b)pick up car c) meet Birgitte and Martin and pick up a suitcase in central Copenhagen d) drive three hours south to Haderslev. Sounds like a plan ..this is what happened......

Caught the train,changed trains caught the wrong one ended up in Central Station blast it! but opportunity knocks why didnt I think of this before so phoned Birgitte unable to contact her left a message,wanted to go to loo had to pay money but my money out of date crossed legs,getting annoyed now...tap on shoulder grinning Martin with suitcase,relief huge.caught train got in car arrived in Haderslev half an hour early ( that's what 140 k per hour can do) rented a mini what a super little car it is.

C2C - London July 30 to Bonholm August 2

Flying over London in the final approach the familiar skyline appeared to me to be unchanged over the past 4 years despite the Shard and the Olympics. The undercarriage clunks reassuringly as I take my last  look at the Thames glinting in the dawn sunlight.

I dread Heathrow with its low ceilings, poor lighting, and endless walkways. This time however it's  A Singapore Experience without queuing I glide effortlessly  through Passport Control flashing the red royal coat of arms, my two suitcases jauntily present themselves as I approach the baggage carousel and whoosh in a blink of an eye I am through Green Customs and instantly spot the tall familiar figure of My Friend Barry.

Within 25 minutes I am drinking a hot cup of strong English tea chatting to Pam and Barry in their cosy Teddington kitchen.

Although the sky is grey and there is a persistent London drizzle, shirtsleeves are the go. I accompany Barry The project manager down to The Paddocks Allotments to meet an architect and builder to discuss the rebuilding of burnt out tea room stables. This act of vandalism occurred seven years previously but such is the nature of local community democracy,historic buildings,and royal park administrators it is only now that the "can do"Lithuanian builders are on site with their mandatory hi viz vests and helmets and, incongruously,  flip flops on their feet.

There is much amusement at the expense of the heavily muscled builders as the architect relays the story of the breathless fifty year old allotment lady who insisted on them stripping off their tops for the photo shoot to appear in the allotment web newsletter.

I soon tire of talk of purlins and payment schedules and wander off to look at the abundance of veggies fruit and flowers growing in the beautifully cultivated English home county soil. It is so quiet as the Paddocks Allotments border the Bushy cricket club and the royal park beyond, we could be in the middle of the countryside.

 Returning to the site meeting I hear about the  issue du jour which is taxing the Lottie holders that of a gooseberry thief, apparently some immoral person or persons unknown have been stealing gooseberries from the plants stripping them of all the fruit.

Mmm much head shaking.the Lithuanians look non plussed.

Barry and I move onto Kingston town centre to buy a phone and SIM plus shoes for the forthcoming wedding. I was struck by the politeness of everybody and their helpfulness.

I succeeded in staying awake until 10.30 pm but  am wide awake at 3.30 am, oh well. At 9.30am Barry and I depart on our journey north. Pam is much relieved as she is creating a masterpiece of a wedding cake for a friend's wedding in 3 days time, she needs total concentration with no distractions.

 We drive up the North Circular past Hangar Lane which must be one of the least attractive areas of London it seems untouched since the last time I was there thirty years ago.

Driving up the A1 to Peterborough I am impressed by the discipline of the drivers and their courtesy to each other. Peterborough is a cathedral town and the final resting place of Henry VIII First wife, Catherine of Aragon. We meet Olive, Barry's Mum off the York train, and drive across the country to Norfolk where she lives in a little cottage set in a delightfully English cottage garden.

 However, an incident mars the day, weak with hunger we go to a pub that Barry knows which does great food but alas we arrive at 1405 and the triumphal barmaid informs us the kitchen closes at 1400 well it was a Michael Douglas moment as we hadn't eaten since breakfast luckily no pool cue in sight so grumbling like grumpy old men we set off in a spurt of gravel with Barry swearing he was going to write to the chairman of The Greene King brewery.

The next day we left at noon after a lovely time with Olive who is a most hospital and kind lady,Norfolk is a pretty county and boasts being the home and birthplace of Nelson and as I later discovered from my nephew Simon the home to Robert Walpole the first British PM. 

Barry and I have lunch within the curtilage of Heathrow in the Renaissance Hotel, the third Test is being televised and the Aussies are looking confident at 2 for 99.

The smiling face of the gorgeous Birgitte greeted me at Copenhagen Airport and we train into the centre where the place is humming in the warm night after a quick beer with Birgitte and Martin.

I sleep  well in my tiny cabin room at the Budget Hotel and after a terrific breakfast I am off to the Central Railway Station where it's Intelligence Test Time to buy a ticket. I pass! But can't say the same for a Danish couple in front of me who prodded every button on the machine with increasing frustration and with one last vicious double knuckle punch walked off swearing....

The 25 min flight to Bornholme is hot, the air con is out,my companion is a young motor cyclist who stuffs a huge motorbike helmet under the seat I wonder aloud if he is a nervous flyer he burst into laughter and we had a good chat it turns out he is a doctor at the local hospital.

Vivacious and tanned the lovely Lisbeth (the MOTB) is there to greet me with the MOTG.  Everyone is in a holiday mood, Bornholm is a holiday island, and the day is perfect no clouds no wind 25 c. Lisbeth takes the scenic tour along the coast pointing out the wedding church. 

All the wedding guests have been put up in a boarding school where of course the students are on holiday it is a stroke of genius as there is loads of space for the marquee,games of football,croquet and whatever else takes your fancy, Martin is soon planning 3 legged races,sack races egg and spoon and the recently introduced backward running 100 m sprint.

It is warm so we all decide to go to the beach for a swim a 5 min walk along a wooded path. Fresh is a good word to describe the Baltic water just what the doctor ordered after the sweaty flight.

The Rehearsal Dinner is a fantastic BBQ we all have a great time with lots of laughter,foolishly I am press ganged into a game of football I have to record this.....I scored a hat trick there is much talk of a future at Real Madrid. Simon arrived during the afternoon  it is great to see him as he is a wonderful raconteur and wit but he didn't score three goals.

After dinner the entire 75 guests walk down to the beach and under Lisbeth's tutelage we light Thai paper lanterns and in the light of the setting sun they float gently up  and across the sea to Sweden it is a wonderful sight.