Finally the sun broke through the grey clouds that had hung over East Grinstead since we had arrived, (though I assume the two events are not connected) – it was a delight to be able to look out from the house windows and see the valley opposite and the skirt of Ashdown Forest. It was…

On Monday we had news that the local butcher to where we are staying was unable to take any new orders on Christmas birds! This left a question, where do we find our Christmas roast – so we went off afternoon hunting for another butcher, local veg, and a good place to explore with the…

Our new dwellings are right on the edge of 100-acre wood – or I should say Ashdown Forest, which is the inspiration for A. A. Milne’s famous tales. I was excited to explore, but the weather today has beaten us – and despite a brief walk around the edge of the forest, we will have…

David Pov: I squeezed in a few other jobs, which made the 24 hours and 15 minutes in Liskeard a worthwhile trip – then it was time to catch the 13:44 train to Paddington and a dash across to Victoria for the train to East Grinstead, where I would meet Annabel, who was being introduced…

David Pov: I write first today, as a customer had called me – they had been let down by one of their other suppliers – reluctantly I had agreed to return to Cornwall and hopefully resolve the issues. It meant after last night’s meal, an early start – Annabel dropped me off at Basingstoke station…

Sunday, last day in Oakhanger for a while, so we spent the morning doing odd jobs, finishing off decorations, a quick walk on the common before we all went to Woking for a catch up with Jolly, who we are looking after in February. A fun evening all round. Tomorrow, we head to our next…

A simple day today of putting up the Christmas decorations in the house we are staying at. Annabel got into full swing, and helped put the tree up. For me, it was a day of helping where possible, without getting under anybody’s feet. The evening we all sat and watch a weird new film called,…

A working morning, but for the afternoon, I had been invited around to see a friends house in the village – here he restores, builds and engineers traction engines, model railways, and cuts water wheels as reqiured! It’s not for me to share too much of a private house, but an enjoyable day. Our evening…

A simple day today, walking the lab, and working through various jobs. No real exploring, but we must earn our crust!

Leaving Burley in the morning, we headed to Lyndhurst for a look around the largest town in the New Forest. We had been warned about the one-way system in the town, and I was glad we visited in early December – summer months can surely see gridlock on the town streets and – indeed –…