There and Back

There had been entertainment and a dance at the hotel. We could hear it from our room, but it wasn't troubling and quietened down after eleven. It was a our last night in the hotel and we slept well.

The Gorse Fox got up first, made the tea, and then got things underway with respect to packing up. By the time we were ready to go down for breakfast, he had already taken one load down to the car. Breakfast itself was the usual sumptuous choice and impeccable service. We had decided that we would eat well then grab some dinner when we got closer to home, and not bother in between.

Once we had finished the packing and loaded the car we checked out and headed out onto the Queen's highway. Our first port of call would be Exmouth, where the Silver Vixen had lived for a while as a child. We headed west over Peak Hill. The rain of the last few days had left debris all over the lanes and at one point we were confronted with a section of road that was completely flooded. As we approached a car came in the opposite direction. The Gorse Fox pulled over to allow him through and to assess the depth of the water. Content that it was not too deep, we moved forward and emerged unscathed at the far end.

Exmouth was much bigger than the Silver Vixen had remembered it. We found the road on which she had lived. This area has clearly been completely redeveloped and is now a marina surrounded by up-market apartments and homes. Not what she remembers at all.

There was no real reason to stay, so we plugged the home address into the SatNav and followed the nice lady's instructions as she led us back up to the A30 and then eastwards along the A35, A31, and A27 towards home.

We stopped off in Chichester for Sunday lunch/dinner. We had planned to go to "Cote Brasserie", but they had a 45-minute wait for a table. We wandered down South Street to "Trents". We got a table immediately but still had a bit of await for the food, but it was tasty, and it was just what we needed. Sated, we would not need to eat again today. We returned to the car and drove the last few miles home.

Cousteau-cub was in, editing some photos on her computer. She had been out earlier with Ellie. Pistol Pete had brought Ellie over and she and Cousteau-cub had gone to the cinema to see "Frozen 2". It was Ellie's first time in a cinema and she clearly loved the experience. (We did manage to have a video-call with her later in the afternoon).

As ever, it was nice to be home, but we had enjoyed a super few days away and we would certainly return to that hotel in the future.