30 Nov 2014. <GB-ENG> Gloucester (Friar Tuck's), Glos —

The last sunset of autumn!

Another day in Gloucester. Suzie took advantage of it to wash and blow-dry her hair, and to do a little sewing to take up some trousers she bought recently.

Warren's just enjoying a lazy day!

Distance driven — today, 12 miles ( 20 km ); to date, 9,888 miles ( 15,914 km )

29 Nov 2014. <GB-ENG> Westonbirt, Tetbury (Arboretum), & Gloucester, Glos —

The day started foggy but clear. We decided to take a jaunt down to the Westonbirt National Arboretum. A pleasant drive, but Gertie had a little trouble climbing Frocester Hill on the way. But it was worth it — at the top is the Coaley Peak Viewpoint, with a magnificent view over the Cotswolds — the mist still lay across the lowlands, with trees poking their heads up from their morning blanket. Lots of people walking their dogs in the sunshine.

We went on to the Westonbirt National Arboretum, getting there at about 11am. The mist was still hanging around a little, and it was a beautiful day for photographs. It's a pity Pop Ham never got here — with his love of trees, he would have been in seventh heaven. The place was set up by Robert Holford in 1829, when explorers and travellers were scouring the world for new species of plant and animal life. The Arboretum comprises some 18,000 trees and shrubs, over an area of approximately 600 acres. It is now managed by the Forestry Commission. The Arboretum would be well worth joining with a year's membership for a local, as the trees have a different aspect at each time of the year. They have different maps and guides for each of the four seasons. The Autumn guide highlights those trees with spectacular autumn displays — the maples, the ashes, the oaks, and so on. We were only catching the very end of this — winter officially starts in a couple of days. Large evergreen plantings will presumably be a feature during the winter.

We walked the Silk Wood section of the Arboretum, meeting up with numerous dogs on the way. We then went into the cafeteria, Suzie for coffee, Warren for soup. We decided to go back to the van, only to find we had left the headlights on after our fog driving in the morning — flat battery.

A friendly RAC man (who happened to be a member at Westonbirt!) came to our aid within 30 minutes, and we were on our way back home, the drive being enough to fully recharge the battery.

Back for some bookwork in the room, then to the van for dinner, and then back to our room. Warren stayed down in the pub for a cider and to watch the Brits beat the Wallabies in their Rugby match. After he came upstairs, we had the sounds of a live group in the pub keeping us company for a couple of hours — Saturday night is party night!

Distance driven — today, 43 miles ( 69 km ); to date, 9,876 miles ( 15,894 km )

28 Nov 2014. <GB-ENG> Gloucester, Glos —

First a shop as Sainsbury's, then a quiet day in the room. Went in to the Cineworld at Gloucester Quays for the 4pm session of Paddington, a delightful kids' movie with enough in it to keep adults happy — especially those who had Paddington Bear in their childhood! The animation is brilliant, and the live actors are well suited to their parts. Nicole Kidman plays a magnificent villain (almost a reprise of her part in The Golden Compass). Peter Capaldi (the current Doctor Who) makes an appearance as a rather disreputable neighbour. The Brown family is perfectly cast, with Hugh Bonneville playing the father. One of the best aspects of the film was the laughter of the children in the audience — they were obviously loving it!

Went back to the van for dinner, then back to the room for the night. Watched Plácido Domingo's Gala Concert at the Royal Opera House (on BBC4). This concert was from 2012, where seven winners of the Operalia competition (founded by Domingo 20 years ago) joined him on stage for a delightful operatic feast!

Distance driven — today, nil ; to date, 9,833 miles ( 15,825 15,900 km )

27 Nov 2014. <GB-ENG> Gloucester (Friar Tuck's), Glos —

Not bad, not great outside. Susie decided to go into town — she gets a severe case of itchy feet, but also needs to top up her phone, and it's easier to do it actually in the O₂ shop!

But first, we got onto Tristan, Jessica and a sleepy Lilly via Skype — the 10-hour difference means 10am here is 8pm at home! Lovely to see and hear from them live for a change! Lilly is really growing up!

Then Suzie went off into town, while Warren stayed back and spent time indexing the blog.

Later on, back at the room, we called Richard, who told us that the engine is back in his hands, and he is happy with it. Looks like we might be coming towards the end of the saga!

Distance driven — today, 11 miles ( 18 km ); to date, 9,833 miles ( 15,825 km )

26 Nov 2014. <GB-ENG> Gloucester (Friar Tuck's), Glos —

Wet outside, so we decided to spend the day catching up on paperwork and blogging.

Warren's shiner is resolving, finally, and is not quite so spectacular as as it was earlier. (His eyebrows are just as evil as ever!)

Distance driven — today, nil ; to date, 9,833 miles ( 15,825 15,900 km )

25 Nov 2014. <GB-ENG> Gloucester, Glos —

Only a month to Christmas. But Christmas has been in the shops for at least a month already!

We decided to go in to Gloucester for another poke around. Went down to the old docks and Gloucester Quays to see what it looked like now the Victorian Christmas Market has been and gone. A lot quieter!

We were intrigued at how the old warehouses have been repurposed -- it reminded us a little of Snape Maltings (where the old malt works has been converted into an entertainment centre, prestige retail, and residential) -- here in Gloucester the old warehouses have been repurposed in much the same way.

It was beginning to rain, so at about 2:30 the Ham wimps decided to make their way back to the hotel!

Distance driven — today, nil ; to date, 9,812 miles ( 15,791 km )

24 Nov 2014. <GB-ENG> Gloucester (Friar Tuck's), Glos —

Locksmiths
there
to change the locks

Today we walked over to check out a place to do our laundry. The one we walked to is a full service, which we don't want this time - but the lady pointed us towards a coin-in-the-slot launderette, which we will probably visit tomorrow. We walked on to the Post Office, and to Tesco, before turning back to the hotel. We were talking about going into town to do a bit more exploring, but all our plans changed when we got back to the Orchard.

We tossed our stuff into
the van and buzzed off

The administrators were there again, and this time they weren't going to be turned away. The police were there, and it looked like it wasn't going to be "a misunderstanding" like last time! We went up to our room, and Warren used the internet to check out alternative hotels should the worst come to the worst.

After a while, Warren went down to the van to prepare our bread rolls for lunch, and on the way back did what he could to suss out what was happening. Apparently we would need to be out of the place by tonight. Luckily our payment for the next 10 days was still pending, so we weren't stuck financially. Came back to the room, and phoned Friar Tuck's Inn, a short walk down Bristol Road. They had a room, so Warren walked down to set things up. When he came back, the administrators informed him that we had to get out immediately — so, having somewhere to go, we did!

Our van has a new home!

Friar Tuck's is completely different. It's an old inn, with the pub section open 12.00-2.30pm on weekdays, then 5pm to 11pm — and longer on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The outside doors are locked outside these hours — you can let yourself out at any time, but you need to take your phone with you, to call the innkeepers to open up to let you in (if you can't raise them by knocking). As we were moving in, Phil (one of the regulars) was at the bar, and it looks like he and Warren might enjoy verbal sparring while we're here!

Distance driven — today, nil ; to date, 9,812 miles ( 15,791 km )