Malmesbury

Posted on 2006/03/30 11:17:47 (March 2006).

[Monday 27th March]
Sadly Chie was not able to get quite as long a holiday as I did, so she was going to head back a few days ahead of me. Although her flight was Tuesday, she needed to head over to the South East the night before, so this meant today I was going to be waving her off.

In a slightly complicated arrangement, very typical of my family, the plan was for me and Chie to drive to Malmesbury together, where we'd then meet Dad and Janie who were returning from Romsey, and then we'd have lunch, I'd swap cars, and Chie would then continue on to Reading by herself.

Malmesbury turned out to be a very nice place indeed, and I wondered why I hadn't been there before. We had lunch at the Old Bell Hotel, which was all very nice, and then went for a quick wander to take a look at the abbey and some other old buildings. If you're ever passing junction 17 on the M4 and looking for "someplace nice" to stop off, then I heartily recommend Malmesbury.

So anyway, Chie and I said our goodbyes after lunch - not too bad this time, as I'd be back in Japan by Sunday, so I would be seeing her before the week was out. Me, Dad and Janie then motored on back to South Wales. In the evening I made a "rustic peasant" meal for everyone - Vera was keen to use up all the odds and ends in her cupboards, so I ended up making a red wine stew and some macaroni cheese. Not the best example I've ever made of either of these dishes, but OK I suppose.

Got to say John - I do enjoy your travelogues and photos. Splendid!! Here I am sitting in a soggy north-wales as I write (actually, on cue, the sun's just popped it's head out) and I doubt I could make the area seem as interesting as you manage! Hope Chie's journey wasn't too stressful without you.

Posted by Nigel at 2006/03/30 11:41:15.

Blimey - I hadn't expected to get a comment so quickly!

Thanks Nigel - I'm really glad you enjoy it!

It has been rather a big chunk of an update all in one go - I haven't had internet access properly for most of the last week, and probably won't get another chance after today until I'm back in Tokyo on Sunday...

Posted by John at 2006/03/30 24:00:02.

I miss all those places like "malmesbury", the little countryside villages in England... Now that you write about them I am having daydreams about Monmouth, the Narth, Cheshire countryside and so on...

Posted by Lox at 2006/03/31 01:31:12.

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