Holiday.
Day 1: Monday. Couldn't set off from Leicester until about 4pm, due to commitments which couldn't be moved because certain public-sector beurocrats are particularly inflexible. I drove all the way because Gray wasn't feeling well. I don't recommend it. Arrived at the farm about 8.45, having made two false stops due to poorly-written instructions which made no reference to the blaringly obvious landmarks (such as the red sign that denoted the entry to the farm) and did appear to reference landmarks that were far more subtle (it said turn at the sudden bend, so we did, and we found a farm, but it was the wrong one. Grumble grumble.) Looked around the cottage, it was lovely. Investigated the cupboards to find that we had lots in terms of crockery and glassware, the only consumables were tea and coffee. Which neither of us drinks. Passed a Little Chef on the way in, and resolved to go there for breakfast in the morning.
Day 2: Tuesday. As previously decided, went to Little Chef for breakfast. Went to Exeter for the rest of the day. Found a second hand bookshop, where I was very restrained and only bought 5 books (read one during the remainder of the holiday and was sorely disappointed - but pleased I'd spent less than £2 on it!) Also found a cinema and watched Terminator 4, very much enjoyed. Loved how they got Arnie in again, with the aid of visual effects, thought it very appropriate that they got him in as he appeared in the first film. Fantastic and utterly not-forced incorporation of the two vital lines, "Come with me if you want to live" and "I'll be back". Found a little bead shop with a website which I apparently mis-remembered the address for because I can't find the damn thing again. Should've bought a selection of beads and buttons while I was there but missed the opportunity. Suitably disappointed about that.
Day 3: Wednesday. Found mum's wood - see here for more details. Absolutely perfect for her. While sitting on her bench I got to the point I nearly expected her to come walking around the corner. I like that the bench isn't on the way to anything, it isn't a means to an end, it is an end in itself. I also like that the wood itself is fucking difficult to find! Both of these things mean that if you're there, you're there very deliberately, this is not a place you're just passing through and you're not going to see her name by accident. Mum was not a showy person, she wouldn't want to be jumping out at you proclaiming her presence (as a wood very much on the beaten track or a bench on the trail around the wood would). Thousands and thousands of buttercups around. Afterward, went to Kents Cavern, Britain's oldest home, and thought about Adele a lot. See here for more details. The guide taking us around the caverns was very informal/familiar. I liked that, but it got a bit...tired. Very lovely place though. Could've done more walking around but my legs were knackered already from all the walking around Exeter yesterday. Bought rock for people at work. One person in particular requested a stick of rock so many times I nearly told her exactly where she could stick her rock...but didn't because she's a mini-manager. I suggested to her manager that she could instead. Humerous intent was understood. I got sunburned, on my chest and my head. Suddenly I understand why mum always wore those horrible big straw hats on holiday. I am resolved to putchase a similar hat for future holidays - but mine will be much cooler and not made of straw.
Day 4: Thursday. Went to The Castle, Bude in the morning. Turned out to not be a castle at all, but a manor house, particularly concerned with a few local heroes who are obviously under-recognised in history. Didn't take anything like as long as we'd expected it to to go around completely. Went to an owl sanctuary also in Cornwall in the afternoon, which was lovely. I love owls, I think they're fantastic. There was a dedicated bench there as well, more tragic than my mum's because it was dedicated to the memory of a 7 year old.
Day 5: Friday. Came home. Gray drove all the way even though I'd intended to take over half way, because I forgot to actually insist on it. He had previously expressed willingness to drive all the way home in the name of fairness because I drove all the way down.
All in all, I had a wonderful holiday, and it felt SO good to get away from work. Absolutely loved seeing mum's wood in particular, she would've loved that place.
Day 2: Tuesday. As previously decided, went to Little Chef for breakfast. Went to Exeter for the rest of the day. Found a second hand bookshop, where I was very restrained and only bought 5 books (read one during the remainder of the holiday and was sorely disappointed - but pleased I'd spent less than £2 on it!) Also found a cinema and watched Terminator 4, very much enjoyed. Loved how they got Arnie in again, with the aid of visual effects, thought it very appropriate that they got him in as he appeared in the first film. Fantastic and utterly not-forced incorporation of the two vital lines, "Come with me if you want to live" and "I'll be back". Found a little bead shop with a website which I apparently mis-remembered the address for because I can't find the damn thing again. Should've bought a selection of beads and buttons while I was there but missed the opportunity. Suitably disappointed about that.
Day 3: Wednesday. Found mum's wood - see here for more details. Absolutely perfect for her. While sitting on her bench I got to the point I nearly expected her to come walking around the corner. I like that the bench isn't on the way to anything, it isn't a means to an end, it is an end in itself. I also like that the wood itself is fucking difficult to find! Both of these things mean that if you're there, you're there very deliberately, this is not a place you're just passing through and you're not going to see her name by accident. Mum was not a showy person, she wouldn't want to be jumping out at you proclaiming her presence (as a wood very much on the beaten track or a bench on the trail around the wood would). Thousands and thousands of buttercups around. Afterward, went to Kents Cavern, Britain's oldest home, and thought about Adele a lot. See here for more details. The guide taking us around the caverns was very informal/familiar. I liked that, but it got a bit...tired. Very lovely place though. Could've done more walking around but my legs were knackered already from all the walking around Exeter yesterday. Bought rock for people at work. One person in particular requested a stick of rock so many times I nearly told her exactly where she could stick her rock...but didn't because she's a mini-manager. I suggested to her manager that she could instead. Humerous intent was understood. I got sunburned, on my chest and my head. Suddenly I understand why mum always wore those horrible big straw hats on holiday. I am resolved to putchase a similar hat for future holidays - but mine will be much cooler and not made of straw.
Day 4: Thursday. Went to The Castle, Bude in the morning. Turned out to not be a castle at all, but a manor house, particularly concerned with a few local heroes who are obviously under-recognised in history. Didn't take anything like as long as we'd expected it to to go around completely. Went to an owl sanctuary also in Cornwall in the afternoon, which was lovely. I love owls, I think they're fantastic. There was a dedicated bench there as well, more tragic than my mum's because it was dedicated to the memory of a 7 year old.
Day 5: Friday. Came home. Gray drove all the way even though I'd intended to take over half way, because I forgot to actually insist on it. He had previously expressed willingness to drive all the way home in the name of fairness because I drove all the way down.
All in all, I had a wonderful holiday, and it felt SO good to get away from work. Absolutely loved seeing mum's wood in particular, she would've loved that place.