Bruges

 Bright and early one May morning back in 2019, Amanda, Shannon and I were up and waiting for our coach to take us to Bruges - a day trip adventure!   

The journey was interminable, but we had food, sweets, books and knitting to take our minds off it, and it was so worth it when we got there.   What a beautiful city!

It was a fab, but very long, day and I feel that a mini break is needed the next time.

(Of course, I took loads more photos than these but in the intervening three years, my hard drive has died - with all the photos on it - and so these are the ones I've found on various social media posts.  If nothing else, then I need to go back to take the photos again!)

Wretham Lodge

One Sunday back in April 2019, Mum and I visited Wretham Lodge as part of the National Gardens' Scheme.  This takes place every year and thousands of privately owned gardens in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are opened up once or twice a year, for visitors to come and have a wander around, and usually have coffee and cake!   There is sometimes the opportunity to buy the odd plant too.  What's not to love?  The proceeds of these garden visits go to the NGS which divvies up the monies for various charities, but mainly for nursing and medical charities.

It was a beautiful spring morning but quite fresh so, cleverly, the organisers didn't provide coffee and cake themselves - normally this is done outside in the grounds somewhere - but had commandeered Wretham church where we could all sit indoors in the relative warmth, and, as an extra bonus, they'd even put on a book sale.  This had actually turned out to be the perfect day!

We're off to Wembley!

Back in April 2019, in a strange twist of events, my team (Brighton and Hove Albion) got to the FA Cup Semi Final.  I know, right!   However, we were NEVER going to get to the final as in the semi final we had Andy's team, Man City.   Having said all that, my excitement was never going to be dimmed that we'd got so far and I got to go to Wembley!

Obviously, it was a foregone conclusion, but what a buzz anyway!  Andy got us seats in Club Wembley and it was fabulous, I'm so spoilt!

What a day!   Brighton were never going to win, but what a buzz to be there!   

Waddesdon Manor

Back in April 2019, Andy and I had a weekend away to go to Wembley for the FA Cup semi final - as our teams were playing each other!   On the way down to meet Andy, I stopped off at Waddesdon Manor to visit the gardens, and was lucky enough to have a guided tour with the Head Gardener, which was magical and so informative while I was still studying for my qualification.

It was quite a cold day and quite windy up on the (man made) hills and mounds.  The bedding was spectacular and certainly provided some colour.

A wonderful garden to visit and looking back on this day has reminded me that I had always intended to go back in the summer to check out the seasonal planting.   I will put it on my to do list!

 

Daffodil Championships

 Back in 2019, when I was studying for my RHS Diploma, I was able to acquire RHS membership at student rates - a massive saving! - and was, therefore, able to join all sorts of horticultural groups, also at student rates.   Mum and I spent a good amount of time during these two years at various shows and gardens, including the Daffodil Championship at Barnham, just outside Norwich.

I must admit I had never seen so many different daffodil varieties and was surprised that they don't all come in yellow!

As well as daffodils, members displayed all sorts of weird and wonderful plants - this photo was supposed to show how huge the cactus was, by having Mum pose behind it, but I'm not sure the perspective works from this angle!

Tintern Abbey

 Andy moved job to Hinckley Point power station in Somerset in December 2018 and we've been exploring the local area ever since.   About that time, the toll charges were abolished on the bridges into Wales, so we've spent a LOT of time crossing the border since then too!

Not far over the border, we head along the Wye Valley to Tintern - and we've been known to venture even further to Monmouth all alongside the Wye.   A fabulous drive, with stunning scenery.