19th August (cloudy and warm) 0 km

Began the day slowly after drinking too much the night before. I had been very tired when I turned in, even though it was only 9.30 pm. Anyway I was glad to wake up with nothing more than the first stirrings of a headache. Took a Nurofen to reduce the chances. Sat writing up the blog, answering messages and talking to the kids, well, Brody, Georgina and Kate. They all seem well, which is a relief being so far away.

Meanwhile, Duncan was cooking up a storm in the kitchen and it wasn’t long before we were getting stuck into bacon, eggs, sausages and toast…..yummy. The conversation was flowing and we were deciding what to do today. Eventually, a walk through Apley Park was voted on. Into Duncan’s Audi for a quick trip. The park and manor house have been at that spot for centuries along with the adjacent park.

Some of the carved tree trunks in Apley Woods - interesting one on the left......any guesses?

Back to town and to a cocktail bar. Julia and I are struggling somewhat to keep up in the drinking stakes. Julia had a latte, one of the fancy flavoured gins that are the height of fashion here, and a Baileys coffee, whilst I had a pint of lager and a Traditional, Bourbon, orange and something else, served in a hickory smoked glass… We can’t get over the new trends with drinking that have appeared since we were here in 2016. Cocktail Bars are everywhere serving drinks at an average price of seven pounds fifty. The other phenomenon which seems to have gripped the UK is Gin. All kinds of gin with different flavoured tonics. Once the pastime of bored suburban housewives or those with a blue rinse, now the youngsters have jumped on board and taken it to new heights.

Duncan’s mum and dad, Joy and Lester joined us for drinks and it was nice to spend time chatting about their life in South Africa and the trials and tribulations that accompanied it. We have no idea, living where we do, what life must be like for them on a daily basis. They have money, but still had to lock themselves inside their cars or houses, just to feel safe. Hence, when a work opportunity arose eighteen years ago in England, they took it.

Duncan's audi - note the cool little feature when you open the door!

Finished the day with a walk to the local Indian Curry House. Very friendly and humourous owner and staff. We were once again joined by Joy and Lester and the conversation flowed again. Anything from travel to the Royals. Wandered home around 8.30pm and after a tea in the lounge and another chat we all called it a night, to be prepared for an early getaway.