A series of unlikely outcomes

Sunday 26th July

Well what a day…

Met Sarah, Pa and Isabel off train at Farringdon and walked them to Premier Inn – unfortunately living in such a pokey flat means we cannot accommodate more than one or two people so putting them up there for the night.

Opened my present from girls and son in laws – a Safari Stetson and some natural sun and insect protection products for our Safari.

Then the logistics – timed by me to perfection I must say – for my celebration day began – jumped on a 15 bus at city Thameslink – arrived just as we did – walked from Charing Cross for a lovely lunch at Brummus where Joe and Emily were already waiting.

After Brummus we strolled to Charing Cross then tube to Waterloo for 1435 to Southampton Parkway – Champagne flowed..

We were picked up by a taxi and taken to Port Hamble where we sat outside in the sun at Banana Wharf,

Then at about 5 we donned life jackets for the rib transfer to the Hut on the IoW..

It was windy and choppy and at the Hut we were hoping for a dinghy transfer so after failing to get in contact on phone – no answer – we headed to Yarmouth – it was pretty windy so no chance of lightering off to Dinghy’s. Alistair our pilot said that there are shuttle landrovers at Yarmouth (for when lightering isn’t possible) that will take us the 2 miles and sure enough:

And so to the Hut – a bit boujy nowadays but Sunday nights are a tad more gentle … with families maybe – a phenomenal setting and meal …

The meal was amazing and a lovely time was had by all and then we wandered back for transfer and the white knuckle ride back across the solent …

The journey back was exhilarating. We were picked up by a taxi I’d arranged and then after an hour or so dropped Em and Joe off in Surbs then Sarah, Pa and Isabel at the Premier Inn by about half past midnight.

What a day – was lovely to have the girls and 2 oo 3 partners with me (poor Ali back in Canada) and of course Carla – who supplied many lols. I loved it and what a way to celebrate retirement.