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In 1977 we hired our first narrowboat from Anglo Welsh at Market Harborough.From that moment our destiny was set. In 2006 we finally purchased our own brand new 57' narrowboat which we named 'Free Spirit'. Our aim is to travel the length and breadth of all the navigable rivers and canals of the UK. This will be our story as it unfolds.

Saturday 10 December 2011

Turkey and Tinsel

Firstly I must just clarify that the picture I thought I had put on of Norma on my last post, was actually my Dad!!! Somehow I selected the wrong photo and didn't check to see if it was correct.

Now to the Turkey and Tinsel trip.

The journey down to Eastbourne was pretty straight forward. The Hotel appeared very pleasant and surprise, surprise we managed to get a room with a view. On all the other trips we have been on somehow we always got the room that overlooked the rubbish bins, car park or building yard.

Thursday's very dismal day.


One of the friendly neighbours on our balcony
 After unpacking we went off to see what the pubs were like in the area and just a few yards down the road was a pub selling real ale for £2 a pint. That's us sorted for the next few nights!! Dinner was served at 6.30pm. It all looked lovely on the menu but when we were served the food it was a disaster!!! Cold hard potatoes, carrots and sweetcorn for veg and steak and kidney pie for the meat dish. Breakfast was no better. A full English breakfast had been laid on but every thing was luke warm. Even the toast was only browned on one side. As the days went on the meals got worse. On the 'So Called Christmas Day' we had the Turkey warmed up in gravy, carrots and soggy sprouts and roast potatoes that had been left in the oven far to long. I could go on and on but needless to say we have never stayed in a Hotel that has served up such appalling food!!


Christmas Dinner. We made the best of a what was a poor meal.


To continue with our stay:- Tuesday was a 'do our own thing' day Ian and I went of to my step mums flat to sort a few more things out and to get it ready for selling. Then off to town for a bit of retail therapy. Wednesday all of our party went of to the South Downs while Ian and I went back to Sunrise nursing home to visit Norma on her birthday. We didn't have a brilliant visit as her condition has deteriorated a bit and all she wanted to do was sleep. We did manage to keep her awake when her birthday cake arrived and all the staff came to her room to sing Happy Birthday. We left her late afternoon and caught the bus back to our Hotel where we had to endure another diabolical meal. Thursday was the mystery trip. The weather was awful which was such a shame as we ended up in Rye. What a lovely little village. There was plenty of cobbled side alleys taking us to some excellent antique shops.


A Guillotine lock
 We only had a couple of hours here as the majority vote on the coach was to return to the hotel so that they could prepare for the fancy dress that evening. Now that really was well worth waiting for. The theme was the letter'S' I leave you with some of the great costumes that was on show. Oh and by the way, Ian won the prize for best costume.



Me as Santa's Scrubber

Ian as A Sooty Sweep


In the centre- Dennis as Jimmy Saville, then going round the table from the left is Heather as another Scrubber, Dave as a scarecrow, Mike as a Sixties sex symbol, Ian as the sweep, Margaret as another Scrubber, Sid as Sherlock Holmes, Joyce as a Squaw and May as a Silver screen Goddess.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\


Arthur and Hazel as Mr and Mrs Santa. Me ,Margaret and Heather as the Scrubbers


Sherlock, Scarecrow and Silver Screen Goddess



Sixties Sex symbol and Sweep


Ian with his champagne prize.


1 comment:

Jo Lodge said...

Looks like you had a fantastic time. I love the costumes. xxxx

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