We set off early this morning to drive down to Cheltenham (about two hour's away) to visit Dot's daughter Julie. The drive wasn't too bad, especially as the weather seemed to improve with every mile!!
Chantelle, Julie's daughter, was awaiting the results of her GCSE exams and we were all delighted when she found that she had sufficient marks to enable her to take the three-year course at college she needs to be accepted into the Fire Service - we had never heard of such a course! Chantelle had done work experience with the Fire Service and is looking forward to becoming a fully fledged fire fighter.
Whilst Julie and Chantelle were at the school receiving her results, and having her computer repaired, Allan, Dot, Ron and I decided to have a train ride. Not any ordinary train though, a steam train which has been lovingly restored by enthusiasts. The train runs from Cheltenham Race Course, through several small towns, and takes approximately an hour to complete the circuit. It was a great experience - we had a compartment to ourselves and really enjoyed the leisurely pace. At the end of the first leg, we were able to get off the train and have a wander around the little station shop and also around an even older carriage containing artefacts from times gone by.
After having returned to Cheltenham Race Course, we drove on for a repeat visit to the Cotswold village of Bourton-on-Water, a place we had really enjoyed a few months ago. I felt very virtuous because, for a change, I didn't actually buy anything! Window shopped and browsed,yes, but I resisted the temptation to open my wallet.
We returned to Julie's house and had a cup of tea and a chat before heading for home in the evening.
Tomorrow we're going to Delamere Forest, not far from here. It holds special memories for Ron and I - we were last there when I was pregnant with Di; it had been snowing and we tramped through the trees and found a snowman - we improved on it, turning it into a policeman, complete with helmet! Obviously it won't have snowed this time (although the weather has been so un-summery that it wouldn't surprise us) but we hope it hasn't changed too much in the intervening 39 years!
