We went to Bournemouth and had a wonderful time. Totally different to what I’d been led to believe. Strongly recommended…
Friday: Our hotel overlooking the beach. We had a little cottage in the annexe to the right behind the spa (with the sloping roof)
My brother Patrick in Kabul sent this bouquet ready for our arrival
Our modest bed!
The forgiving five o-clock shadow
Saturday morning: these boots were made for walking…
To Hengistbury Head, east of Bournemouth
Climbing the Head, looking back to Bournemouuth. Are we in Cronulla or Avalon?
Cronulla, maybe
The ancient earth ramparts of Hengistbury, allegedly inhabited for 12.5k years – have we been around that long?
An ancient quarry on Hengistbury, now sea-filled
Mudeford Spit, at the far end of Hengistbury Head, spearing in towards the mainland
Cake
is what makes a wife happy after a long walk
Let’s take the land-train back to the cafe where the walk began
Christchurch side of H Head from the land-train
Saturday afternoon: time to relax in the heated pool – eat your heart out, Sydney 🙂
Getting in, sort of
Saturday evening at The Jetty in Christchurch, another of Lori’s fabulous suggestions
The view across to Mudeford Spit from the front of the restaurant
The finest lemon meringue I’ve ever tasted, with lemon sorbet and raspberries dans leur coulis… Anna plumps for the soufflet of passion-fruit
A little gesture from The Jetty
Poit, blurp, oink after the meal (only me, of course – how the hell have I lost 24 lbs since April 02?) And no, don’t be misled by the jacket and trousers, that’s a clean shirt…
Mudeford Flats at dusk. ‘Roightly is they called thart name.’
Sunday morning. Sandbanks chain ferry against a Ravilious sky
Sandbanks chain ferry again, looking into Poole Harbour – skies moody and atmospheric as Ravilious
The husband’s fate. Waiting for the music in Jazz’s cafe on Sunday lunch-time
What, not New Orleans jazz?
Er…nope
So that’s it folks – a selection from the hundreds of photos taken Friday-Sunday by well-wishers, our photographer Paul and ourselves. In due course I will try to put more of them up on a sharing platform like Picasia, so you can see the full Monty. For now, I’ll leave you with this last one. Soon I hope to look like this more consistently again – but less scrawny… keep your fingers crossed for me tomorrow and I hope to be back to annoy and provoke (and, of course, engage and charm 🙂 via the blog before too long. Lots of love to you all and THANKS AGAIN FOR THE OVERWHELMING LOVE AND SUPPORT WHICH SO MANY, MANY OF YOU’VE GIVEN ME.
In the hotel spa jacuzzi, feeling completely relaxed and ready for what’s to come…
Cronulla? Avalon? Sydney? I’m glad you’re remembering Godzone at such a blissful moment! Looking forward to more excoriating denunciation of the Cameroons. Thoughts and prayers from Sydney, mate, Tony xx
oftherightkidney 
Dear Bart,
Wonderful photos – looks like you had a lovely time.
I will be thinking of you tomorrow and look forward to being annoyed and provoked again – you do it so well.
All my love,
Gemma x
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Cronulla? Avalon? Sydney? I’m glad you’re remembering Godzone at such a blissful moment! Looking forward to more excoriating denunciation of the Cameroons. Thoughts and prayers from Sydney, mate, Tony xx
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