Typically, the morning of our departure the weather changed. Lovely blue skies with some wispy clouds. It was good not having an early flight and we had a very leisurely breakfast on the balcony before getting our things together. It had worked well just having a cabin bag each with Jet2 even if I was down to my last pair of pants (why are they called a pair when there is only one of them?).
As we sat there in the lovely weather, we decided that did want to come back next year. The trouble is we are not sure when we can fit it in. It gets too hot here in the summer and is a good break from the UK winter and so we may have to juggle a couple of things. Not that we would book until the fixtures for next season are out as this is the type of trip we can fit around.
We left the remains of our bottled water outside Glenn’s door as they still had another day here and after checking out, we walked down to the main drag and took a waiting taxi to the airport.
Not having any bags to check in meant we went straight to security. We had a minor hitch in that Karen’s boarding pass I had printed had a mark on its QR code and could not be read. I had to download another one onto my phone. Quite why I hadn’t already done that as a backup annoyed me.
We made our way to the lounge which was quite empty. It’s not up to London standards but pleasant enough but has the bonus of an outside patio. We got some glasses of bubbles and headed out there to enjoy the last of the sunshine. We ate some of the food on offer and I took a couple of rolls for the flight.
We had 2 aisles seats on this flight as again I had again refused to pay for seat selection. They were fine. The flight took off 45 minutes late due to late paperwork but more than made up for it with a tail wind on the way home. It only took less than 30 minutes from touchdown to being back in the car after getting the shuttle.
On the drive back Karen wanted to stop for some food and chose the Five Guys at the Mildenhall roundabout. It was £30 for 2 burgers and one lot of chips! It was as if I had paid 5 other guy’s bill.
And so, at home for Easter for a change. It also made a change that Karen was now not working for a couple of weeks (although she did get an offer from a Nursery that she declined).
This meant I could dedicate some time to sorting out the garden. I always feel that nature tries to claim the garden back during the winter and that I must wrestle back control. Why does grass always grow when you don’t want it but not where you do? Anyhow the beds, borders and lawns seem almost back to a point where I can keep on top of them.
We hosted the regular gathering of the Clare Elders and it was lovely to have Lynda back with us again and catch up with everyone.
Of course, there was some football. And what a match was the Old Farm Derby. The result was positive, the match itself not bad, but the atmosphere was electric both 20 minutes before kick off until 20 minutes after. The best it has been for years. The whole place was rocking.
I played some golf and it was good to play with Graham again after both being out of the country and missing each other for the first 3 months of the year. Then he arranged a fabulous night out for us in a private dining room at Caistor Hall where the food, service and company were all excellent. I may have had one glass of wine too many which meant it was just as well we had booked a taxi home.
We also had a tour of the Great Hospital in Norwich with tickets that Karen had got for me for Christmas. What a fascinating place with so much history. I never knew it was so big. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone.
Karen went to a painting class with one of her friends. Now she is the first to admit she has no artistic ability but she enjoyed trying something different even if she is not sure she will ever go again. She also had the first of her dental surgeries on the ‘deep pockets’ in her mouth. It wasn’t pleasant for her and we certainly need deep pockets to pay for the bills that these multiple sessions are incurring.
Then there is the ‘Book’. I have made some good progress on this so far this winter. I have learnt so much more about the battles that Dad’s company within the 6th Battalion of the Royal Norfolk’s had after their landing into Singapore in 1942. It was horrendous and there was far more to it than just landing and the capitulation happening than I knew. I’m still not sure my writing capability can do justice to the story but I am trying my very best. I also feel I have reached a natural half way point to the story at which Dad is taken as a POW and the letters between him and Mum end for obvious reasons. I am considering whether to split the book into Part 1 & 2, and get the first one published. I will take soundings and decide.
The saga with the blog website continues but hopefully nearing the end and launch of the new one is imminent.
And this brings us to Oslo. A trip booked as a Christmas present to take Karen’s brother Kevin on his first ever flight. We also got Neil a ticket as well for Christmas although he was less excited as ‘what’s the point of going anywhere cold?” despite never visiting Norway before.
