LONDON AND THE NORTH

Driving from Henfold Lakes after, once again, an Ali bacon butty, we headed for Crowborough where we could catch a train to Paddington and stay with Brenton for a weekend in his work's mews house which worked out perfectly for us all.
This is a fabulous place in the heart of Paddington close to the station which gives you access to most areas of London, either by walking, underground or train. It also worked well because everyone we wished to meet up with could get to this point.
And so it happened and a fabulous evening was spent eating dinner and drinking wine with Brenton, Eddie and Charlene, Ian and Sarah Louise. Everyone contributed a dish or two and we ate heartily and caught up majorly on what was happening in everyone's lives.
This was only a weekend stop so exploring a bit of the Paddington area was a must and a walk around Hyde Park also - somewhere I have never actually been.
Alas the weekend ended too soon and after a pizza at Brenton's favourite Italian restaurant we caught the train back to Crowborough where we did manage to catch up with Gary's sister-in-law Sandra for an hour or so.......very special Sandra and thank you for taking the time to visit us, it was lovely catching up even for a short while.
From Crowborough we drive to Ludlow and after 2 days at Home Farm, washing and cleaning, we take Molly to Morans and say our farewells. After a few minor repairs she will be on her way to Southampton. Thankyou Roger, Scott and Andy for everything. We may be back to do it all again??!!!!!
And hey we are on our way back to Paddington again, fully laden with suitcases and backpacks etc this time but we are old hacks at this game, know all the short cuts etc this time round but you still have to allow for the Southern train debacle!!!! Our first train running late caused us to miss our connecting train in Newport which caused us to arrive in Paddington in the rush hour which is not much fun.....but we made it heaving a sigh of relief.
Next stop a pub somewhere close????......NO not close at all!!!! These young ones forget that as we age we slow down!!!!!!! After a brisk route march with Brenton to somewhere we are there and so is Sarah Louise. A friend has brought her canal boat down towards Paddington and we all celebrate the event. Next stop the boat, where we meet Rob her new boyfriend who is definitely a keeper. She is happy, we are all happy for her, her boat is absolutely great so we go and eat Indian together to celebrate this too.
It is so good to catch up with these young people - they are interesting, vibrant Londoners with their lives and the world ahead of them. We so enjoy these moments we are able to spend together but dislike the goodbyes.
To all of you take care - we will miss you but we will catch up again next time round.
Our new adventure starts in the morning. New York, New York is calling and we are on our way.