Hands and knees at Dartmouth Castle

Ali and I aren't the biggest history lovers in the world, but we had both wanted to go to Dartmouth Castle so off we went. Slight wrong turning made us go via the English Riviera which was no bad thing, but thank goodness for iphone maps for finding us again. I've found the solution to my constant problem of getting lost, get a GPS! We decided to go there by car ferry which was great fun. The car ferry only takes 9 cars and is pulled across by a little boat that turns around mid way through the crossing and just leaves us floating for a bit. Yet another wrong turning (this was the theme for the day), and then we arrived at Dartmouth Castle. Small spiral staircases, big cannons and amazing views over the river Dart estuary. We decided to go to the gun tower but Ali has damaged her hip, so i volunteered to climb the tiny spiral staircase to take piccies. A good idea until it felt like caving and I popped out of the top on my hands and knees, not having a clue how I was going to get down again! A glorious day with winter sunshine and lots of wrong turnings. On the way home, we again went via Torquay (the second time for today) but didn't stop again because we couldn't find a fish and chip shop.

Tree trail without signs

Ali and I seem to struggle with lack of signs, it appears o be a theme but we decided to go for a walk at Haldon Forest, where we got our christmas tree. We followed the tree trail which had a severe lack of signs so most of the time we were guessing our way down steep hills, but we did enjoy singing christmas carols walking pass the christmas trees.

Hike to Plymouth Aquarium

I'm not sure who's bright idea it was to get the train to Plymouth instead off driving but we did. We went the wrong way as soon as we got out of the station, but then the gps found us and we navigated by iphone. It was downhill all the way which is always worrying, but there were no signs, we were walking on the sides of a 6 lane road, inhaling car fumes for 50 minutes before we found the aquarium. At this stage, we were bored and went for lunch instead but I fear we are turning into each other as we often have the same meals.

Inside the aquarium, it has my loves - starfish and turtles, the are fantastic to photograph. It was a day for surveys though, Ali got roaped into completing a huge survey on the train (which she later regretted), and then we had on on sharks in the aquarium (do we have suckers written on our heads).

On our way back uphill, passed the cars and fumes, it absolutely tipped down which really cheered me up.

Playing in the snow

Ali was feeling a bit snow deprived in Exeter so we went in search of some so we drove through the fog onto Dartmoor and to the Plume of Feathers for lunch (where I started my Gold D of E). We had intended on going on a hike, however, the start of the walk was an icerink and there was no way i was going to walk on it.

Ali was not disappointed on the snowfront, we walked to the Dartmoor Prison Museum and on the way stopped off in a park to play in the very deep snow where our feet sank in the snow up to our knees. Ali was in her eliment.

Dartmoor prison museum is the only museum as part of an active prison. It was really interesting to go through the escapes, punishments, clothing, the cells etc. And it grabbed Ali's attention for the whole time which was amazing seeing as it's a reading museum.

On the very slippery way back, I avoided ice like the plague while ali walked through all of the snow pushed up against the sides of the pavements :)

Annual trip to London

I look forward to our annual night out in London but this ears must be the most random. The evening started with Matthew polishing his shoes in the reception and people thinking he was the concierge and asking him things about the hotel. In addition, our foyer was taken over by lingerie models in a photoshoot, i kid you not.

Simon and I had one of those freaky experiences when Matthew asked for a pen, we both drew our pens at the same time and they were both Herbert Smith, freaky. I'm not sure why we are always the last to leave these events, but we usually are.

Dinner in Satsuma as usual where i tried avocado and kiwi juice, suprisingly nice. The evening went slightly downhill then though when we went to the Friendly society and i discovered the pull of simon's charm as he was preyed on for the rest of the evening. In the Village we didn't get frisked this time but we did have our annual wonder around to find GAY late as we can never find it. On the walk home, we found some great steps to sing sound of music but didn't realise the bus stop next door with a huge audience. A wine nightcap and then to bed, as the buses had just started in London again at 4:30am.

Last day of the noughties and first day of the teenies

What a decade! We celebrated New Year at the starting point of one of my biggest achievements, my Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition. At the age of 18, I had finished all elements of my Gold D of E and resigned myself to never finishing it because I'm not a natural hiker. But thanks to Rachael, Keith, Paula and Ruth, I started off on my gold expedition from the Plume of Feathers pub in Princetown, Dartmoor in the summer before my 26th birthday (the deadline for D of E).

Ali, Brigitte, Al and I had a lovely scenic drive through Dartmoor to the pub for lunch, and then someone (i.e. me) thought that it would be a good idea to walk to the view of the prison (only a 5 min walk). However, with the windchill, it must have been about minus 5 so we only got as far as the visitor centre next door to warm up :) We eventually got to the view, then quickly walked back to the warmth of the car. It was freezing!

Before midnight, Ali got her wish to play deal or no deal (i detest it), the proof is in the scores. 95k for Ali, I had 110 pounds! Scrabble, monopoly followed. I won scrabble at least. Then it was time for the 5 courses to commence. Mozarella, Tomato and basil stacks, followed by salmon, new potatoes and runner beans, followed by chocolate fondue and fruits, then cheese course, then coffee and after eights. Alas, we didn't get to the 4th course before midnight. At midnight we watched Big Ben, i did auld lang syne with mum and dad on the phone, then off we went to Bedfordshire.

The first day of the teenies was spent on the beach at Lyme Regis, after we spent an hour to find a car parking space. In the glorious sunshine, we walked along the cobb, along the seafront for a pub lunch and then back again. Lyme regis was heaving but it was still glorious.