We have just got home after a two day sojourn to Shropshire. On the way we called in to the NEC Birmingham (my first ever visit to this massive exhibition centre) and I had lots of fun exploring the hundreds of caravans on show. (They are very glitzy these days with all mod cons – showers, microwaves, etc.) I was in and out of them until my knees gave way from stepping up and stepping down. We then drove on to our county house hotel in the little market town of Shifnal.
We chose this hotel as it is close to RAF Cosford where my daughter is currently stationed. It was a bit like Fawlty Towers although we grew quite fond of the place by the time we left. Our room was quite spooky, dark wood panelling, fireplace, creaky floorboards, big draughty sash windows. It was the first time I had seen a Corby trouser press in many a year. I thought I would take a luxurious bath in the huge bathroom tub but there was no hot water. The manager was very apologetic and blamed Storm Doris. Dinner that evening was a quiet affair, we were the only people in the restaurant! Service was excellent though. Breakfast was an impressive buffet, Paul almost managed to flood the entire show when the orange juice dispenser fell apart in his hands. Pietr, our waiter, was also very confused when I enquired how big the haddock was for breakfast.
On Saturday we met Kat and took a tour of the RAF Museum. The collection of aircraft is housed in two massive hangars and is certainly very impressive. Paul was like a kid in a sweet shop. It was very moving reading the stories of airmen from World War I and II. There was a letter from a pilot to his parents asking them to send him some spare underwear. Two weeks later he was shot down and killed.
I joined Kat in a Red Arrows simulator, I had a moment of terror when the doors closed on us but in actual fact it was no different to being rattled around on the number 55 bus to Swindon. The G-force was minimal.
I will leave you with a photo of me embarrassing my daughter by trying on her ice hockey kit.
You don't act like a grown-up mum. (That's nice in my opinion and I like you for it).
ReplyDeleteHa-ha, thank you. I hope I never grow up!
DeleteThose NEC shows can be very busy, worse than the sales - you should have borrowed Kat's ice hockey kit before you went ! Did you buy a camper?
ReplyDeleteNo, I've decided campers are too small and 'dog' might prefer a more luxurious caravan.
DeleteI also thought of that Sue, that you're a "fun mum"! Mother and daughter, both beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Maria x
Thanks Maria. I do my best but there are times when I'm no fun at all!
DeleteI had to Google where Shifnal is in Shropshire. I like Shropshire very much and sometimes fantasize that we might live there in a cute little cottage in Little Stretten. I prefer Campers to caravans because they have more room inside - thee ones with the beds that fold out at each end anyway. Tony's like a bull in a china shop in a caravan - knocks out the lights and bumps his head on the cupboards when he stands up and over goes the table too !
ReplyDeleteThe caravans that I like have a separate bedroom so you don't have to keep making up the bed. But Paul is not convinced he wants to tow a caravan. A cottage in Little Stretten sounds idyllic but you would miss that Australian sunshine Helsie.
DeleteMy people retired to a small village north of Shrewsbury, from Sussex. Beautiful countryside.
ReplyDeleteIt's not an area I'm very familiar with but there are some very pretty villages.
DeleteWith 40 yrs of UK driving my husband has always hated the Tuggers - caravans and Luggers - campervans on the road infront of him. He could not bring himself to owning one. I think that we missed out and would have loved to drive around US of A in one of those Winnebagos for a year.
ReplyDeleteWe all hate them when we're stuck behind them on the road. I just don't fancy trying to park a camper van in Sainsbury's car park to do the shopping.
DeleteLike sensible shoes and getting old, camper vans and caravans. Having one of these would cancel out my first comment. Stick to romantic B&Bs and no responsibilities.
ReplyDeleteAfter my Fawlty Towers hotel experience I think a glitzy caravan would be more fun. But I admit there were a lot of 'old' people in sensible shoes at the show.
DeleteJust read this am that Kat will have to 'Parade' wearing trousers and not a skirt as part of her uniform. Whatever next! How times they are a changing from my day.
ReplyDeleteI read that too. Kat wore trousers for her passing out parade and looked really smart but I think women should be able to choose whether they want to wear skirts or not.
DeleteSounds like a nice weekend Sue.
ReplyDeleteCan we blame Storm Doris for everything?
Didn't pay the bill on time? Blame Storm Doris.
TV reception faltering? Blame Storm Doris.
Trump's head explodes through over-tweeting? Yeah - blame Storm Doris.
Paul thinks it's a good idea to blame Storm Doris for everything - saves him from taking the blame when things go wrong.
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