Wednesday 9th - Brockenhurst

Set out for Dorchester, to visit Michael Bryant at his new town house arriving at 11.00. Unfortunately he had overslept & we couldn't wake him or get through on the phone. After talking to neighbours we asked the Police to help & they managed to rouse him. We all went off for lunch & left him at about 2.30 to move on to stay with Wiggy & Nicky at Coln Roger. Nicky told us all about his visit to Mt Athos, a male only area of monasteries in north eastern Greece.


Thursday 10th July - Coln Rogers

Wiggy took us out to see a National Trust Roman Villa site at Chedworth, which has very beautiful mosaic floors, now preserved in a fine new building. We had an excellent lunch at a village shop in Sherborne, nearby. She also took us to see Sophia & Harry’s beautifully refurbished cottages in the nearby hamlet. Sophia dropped in to say hello. She looked well & happy.

Friday 11th July - Coln Rogers

We set off via Burford on our way to visit Sandra & Duncan. In Burford we explored the most unusual church & found a thong for Gareth’s Akubra hat which we bought him last year. On the way we found Hook Norton Brewery which has an excellent museum of brewing artefacts & still brews a range of beers. We also visited Deddington Castle a large earthworks the site of a motte & bailey castle & Minster Lovell Hall a ruined, mediaeval country castle.

We arrived in Chearsley at about 5pm & found Duncan waiting for Sandra & Seona. Had a great meal in the Bell with them & all were in good spirits.