beautiful bath and other bits of the west country

Did I tell you we have friends who have moved to Bath to open a B& B? Last weekend we visited and from the minute we got there, literally, we were on the move. We had a whirlwind tour of that part of the west country in 4 days! our favourites were Bradford on Avon and Wells with numerous little villages thrown in for good measure. Tetbury was very pretty but the rain was unrelenting so no snaps, oh but there was champagne in a lovely hotel the Hare and Hounds nearby. Will go back next time to visit all the antique shops. Oh and Laycock where Cranford was filmed........ was just like a, well.....like a film set really. Except a coach load of American's had just arrived so it was impossible to get a great picture. Fantastic short break with some very generous people. they will make excellent hosts.

Back at chez nous we are in the grip of exam angst here in the small town......life in general for youngest is not going too well so I am doing lots of positive speak, cooking up a storm of comfort food(Jamie's steak and cheese pie was a massive hit, try it if you haven't yet).

Good news was all my tests came back good and apart from the recurring 'lose weight and exercise more' , the Dr's mantra, all good. Just need to sort the teen out.......oh if it were only that easy.

how will she manage down under.........

Saturday night we went to London to stay with good friends. A veritable feast was laid on by L as always and we had a very lovely evening, consuming lots of delicious wine and cheese (always my favourite part-don't tell the doctor) until we wore ourselves out chatting and retired to bed.

My mobile starts its merry tune waking me from my alcoholic slumber......its youngest child, near hysterical . There's been a power cut, street lights and all and she can't see a thing. What should she do? As I am 40 miles away and not in a fit state to drive I cannot rush to her aid, as is my first instinct. Instead I direct her to a candle then on to the matches under the sink..all the time praying that whoever used them last actually put them back. Her panic is rising now, I think it's worse now she has a little bit of light. (not helped I think by the fact she was watching something unpleasant when the lights went.)

I stay on the phone while she gets to her bedroom and gets in bed. I try and calm her, whilst Herb is muttering about how she is 17 etc etc!

She is in bed and I reluctantly say goodnight......I settle down with my phone in my hand just in case.

Next day she is quite traumatised and got a friend to stay on the phone for over an hour providing company in the darkness.

What, I want to know is, how will she manage when she's on the other side of the world ?.......