Blue's visit [part 2 ]

On the 2nd of August, Blue returned from 13's home in Gloucester. I was to collect her from the railway station at 11.30pm, but I waited until everyone got off the train, and the platform was bare, apart from me and a railway employee. I texted 13 saying that she had not arrived, he texted back that she had been on the train. After an hour Blue arrived in a taxi from Preston, the train she'd been on had been delayed, and it missed the connection at Preston, apparently Preston is notorious for this. In fact I do remember having to collect friends of Sam's from Preston once, when they had missed their connection late at night.
Tuesday, the day was dull and wet, we had planned to go to the South Lakes Wildlife park, but as very little of it is undercover, we made alternate plans, and drove around Pendle, stopping to look at places connected to the Lancashire Witch story. (There are even little brown signs saying "Lancashire Witch Trail").
Wednesday we visited, Lakeside and Haverthwaite railway, so Blue could see a working British steam train, then onto Near Sawrey to visit Beatrix Potter's home, Hilltop, and the village. We had dinner in a pub that features in at least one of her stories, toured the house, gardens and village. we then went on to Hawkshead, which I wandered around whilst, Blue visited the Beatrix Potter gallery there. I found and excellent shop called Relish that sells all sorts pickles, chutneys, herbs, spices, etc. Blue bought a bottle of Hawkshead Beer to take back, as her family has a "Hawkshead" in it's past.
Thursday was a more laid back day, visiting Lancaster firstly, to visit Waterstones....of course! What else would we want to visit for...lol.
Then after some lunch we went to the market here in Morecambe. Blue bought gifts to take home with her. The evening was again restful as Blue had to pack, and as her train to the airport was early, we had an early night.
I had a holiday in Blue's company, without having to stay in a strange place over night, as many of the things we did, I probably wouldn't have done on my own, apart from visiting the bookshop and driving around Pendle.
There is a whole raft of things still to do, but we'll have to wait until Blue's next visit for those.

Blue's visit [part 1]

Blue landed in the UK on Friday 23rd of July, and arrived in Sunny Morecambe on 24th.
Most of the day we just spent relaxing, and she got to meet my "someone special", yes, he has a name, and she does know it. We had a relaxed day with a roast for tea.
Sunday, Blue and I went to have a belated birthday lunch, for me, at the Hest Bank Hotel, Oliver had come back from Manchester as well to join us. The rest of the day was spent relaxing, chatting and reading.
Monday I drove Blue up to Kirkby Stephen for her chauffeured motorcycle tour of the Dales. I'm so glad she didn't ask me to accompany her, the helmet would have scared me. we wandered around Kirkby Stephen when she returned, then drove home. After a Nice and Spicy for tea we watched Tv and chatted. At 11.30pm I went to Lancaster station to collect another friend, 13.
On the Tuesday we three went to the Falconry Centre near Skipton. The displays were amazing, I took the wrong camera, so didn't get any photos, but I did have a Barn Owl and a young Kestrel land on my hand. Whilst we were there a local Buzzard dropped in for a visit, apparently, it has figured out, if it comes close enough it will be rewarded for it's boldness. The young Kestrel was clearly ill at ease with it though.
Wednesday we explored locally, OK..we walked along the prom and looked at landmarks.
Thursday, I took Blue and 13 to St Patrick's Chapel, whilst I went to the doctor's, then we went into Lancaster, looked around, visited Waterstones, then just before 5pm I said goodbye to them as they both caught the train down to 13s home in Gloucester.

Catch up time

I suppose now...my summer break from work... is a good time to catch up on blogging?
I have a few weeks rough on the health front, and an extremely busy one this week.
My friend Blue is over from USA, and another friend, 13, came to stay on Monday evening, very late. I have driven further this week than I had in the previous 4 months! I do tend to walk when possible.I think Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday might be just as busy, so I should take this weekend to recharge my batteries, lol!
I'll blog more about the week's activities later.
I have catch ups on various other blogs to do as well. I have read 12 books since I last posted on BAA.