This week end has been a busy one, at 6.30am on Saturday we were up and getting ready for a trip down south. The day did not get off to a very good start as the road leading to the motorway was blocked and we had to turn around and back track till we found an alternative route....grrrr!!
Being a Saturday morning, the traffic was not too bad and by about 10.45am we were at Lakeside in Essex. Its a big mall just before you hit the Dartford Crossing. We stopped at Bella Italia for breakfast (a rather spicy frittata for me!) and coffee, then had a look around the shops. I found a lovely parka in Primark which I just couldn't leave behind. After a couple of hours, which was a welcome break from the car, we were on our way again to my parents house in South London.
When we got to Penge, there was nowhere to park - what a surprise - NOT!! We ended up in the next road which was not great as we had a bedside table for mum, which Paul had to carry all the way to their house. I don't think parking in Penge will ever improve no matter what new initiatives they introduce.
It was great to see mum and dad, especially as I had to cancel my trip last month. As some of you will know dad has been in and out of hospital all summer and not been in the best of health. Its been a worrying time, so you can imagine my delight to see dad looking well and much more like his old self. Still frail, but he's up and about and I cannot tell you the change in him since the last time I saw him at the end of June. We had a lovely few hours with them, Paul did some gardening for them and we chatted with dad. In the evening Paul and I went out and got a Chinese takeaway which was delicious and cheaper than what we buy at home. Not everything is more expensive down south! I was so sad when it was time to leave, saying goodbye almost breaks my heart 😢
As we aren't able to stay with mum and dad at the moment, I had booked us into a Holiday Inn express near Dunstable, a half way point home which meant we didn't have to do that long journey in one go! The hotel was nice but we found the staff very unwelcoming, how disappointing. I think HIE could do way better. Breakfast in the morning was good, and there was a nice selection. It amazes me though to see how people pile their plates up as if they are worried the food will run out! It was pretty chaotic and not really enough seating!
On the way home we stopped at MK1 for coffee and a tootle around Primark. A great place to stop if you are driving along the A5. Our final stop for the week end was Whilton Locks garden centre where I got another book (I couldn't resist) and a lovely new diary for planning next years adventures. We definitely prefer coming home via the A5 more things to look at and places to stop. A tiring week end but a really nice one.
No comments:
Post a Comment