Still in the UK

We're (hopefully) having a fair bit of work done on our Leigh on Sea house very soon so we'll be here for a while yet. We're still planning to be in Nerja again for a while this year though.

After our exploration of the coast between Liverpool and Blackpool, we decided to continue along the Scottish coast around North Berwick and Edinburgh, spending a fair bit of time in the city itself. Quite by chance we ended up being right next to the King's Rolls as he and Camilla disembarked to open the Scottish parliament. We wondered why the soldiers were carrying sub machine guns... Details in our coastal tour tab.

We returned home to have the pleasure of looking after our granddaughter for a few days after which our yearly family BBQ turned into a BIG Birthday celebration with food, drink, work and present supplied by our daughters. Wonderful - although thankfully the cake didn't have a candle for each year (Sue and I are the same age bar two weeks). That would have been a major fire hazard in the drought ridden South East.

Anyway, on getting up the next day, despite a slightly muzzy head, I felt so much younger....

I write this in the caravan as we grab a few days away near Eastbourne, relaxing, walking the cliffs and seeing friends.

Is this the last Caravan trip of 2026? Think so. 😔

Goodness - We're halfway through 2026

How is it possible that its June already? Where have we been?

After our usual early months in Nerja, which this year coincided with the Easter processions again, back in the UK, we managed to meet up with a few of the Iceland Group (we travelled there together in 2014) for a really enjoyable few days in the historic town of Wallingford. It was great to see each other again and we used the local bus service to spend time in Henley on Thames and Oxford.

From the Turf pub in Oxford...

It so happens that while we were here, the band Police Dog Hogan were performing at a local venue. For Guardian readers, a key member is Tim Dowling and it was great to actually see him perform in the flesh after reading his amusing column on Saturdays... A good time was had by all.

We must mention our local Leigh on Sea Sea Shanty Festival which is always a must-see when we're in the UK home.

In preparation for journeys across the channel, we've registered the 'van so that it has a registration number, document and 'plate - which should make border crossings out of the EU a heck of a lot easier. The back of the 'van's looking very full though.

As I write this, we're 'doing' part of the UK coast again, this time between Blackpool and Liverpool. It's here if you're desperate for something to read.

What will we do next?