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David, Amanda, Nathan in Cranbrook
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Ewan, Tom and Jeremy in Cambridge
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Our 70th birthday road trip visits took place
between 3rd March and 2nd April. We had 13 meals out, including five on
consecutive days. Mostly, we stayed overnight with our relatives, which gave us
more time to spend with them. It was lovely to catch up with everyone’s news
after such a long time.
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Stuart, Joseph, Kathy, Helen, Ben in Lichfield
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Kathy and Ruth in Dronfield Woodhouse
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We were delighted with the news in March that Western
Australia had relaxed many of its Covid restrictions for triple vaccinated
visitors. It was time to check our paperwork. We’d already renewed our
passports and our driving licences. Thank goodness we could do this online. The
frustration experienced in fulfilling the Passport Office’s requirements for a
photograph were nothing compared to the wait of six months or more for those who
had to submit paper requests. Next task was to apply for the correct Australian
visa. Once again, this was done easily online and our visas were issued within
a day or two of our application.
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Ritchie, Kathy, Catherine, Jeremy in Pontefract
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Alice, Juliette, Anna, Daniel, Jamie, Jeremy in York
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We were about to book flights to Perth, but put this on hold
when Jeremy began to experience chest pains. So far, preliminary tests (blood
and an ECG) have been negative. Further tests have been arranged for later this
month. We’ll keep you posted.
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Martha, Jeremy, Eileen, Gavin, Kathy in Cleadon
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Patrick, Sylvie, Michelle, Sam, Kathy, Jeremy in Hertford
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We met up with most of our relatives in the Isle of Man towards
the end of our road trip. We also arranged to scatter my Mum’s ashes. Jeremy
tipped the ashes into the Irish Sea at the same place where my Dad’s ashes had
been scattered. My sisters and I threw flowers and I read a poem and a
blessing. Meanwhile, the sun shone and the breeze was light, perfect weather
for such a beautiful place. Rest in peace Mum and Dad.
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Miki, Isaac, Abigail, Pat, Kathy, Jeremy. Stonehouse, Gloucestershire
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Sara, Pat, Jeremy, Kathy. Isle of Man
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The next day Jeremy and I were up early to catch the ferry
from Douglas to Heysham in Lancashire. We were starting our holiday by driving
up to Scotland. The first night was spent at Inverardran House, a pleasant and
welcoming B&B close to Crianlarich in the Highlands. Red squirrels played
outside the window at breakfast time.
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Jeremy, Kathy, Keith, Gaynor. Isle of Man
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Pherick, Charlie, Lochlann, Morgan, Trina and Jeremy, Isle of Man
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Soon we were on our way to Oban followed by a ferry crossing
to Mull and a half hour drive to Tobermory. We enjoyed catching up with our
lovely neighbours. Em, Ben and the girls arrived within the week. We had a
great time together walking, eating in and out, tidying the garden, hunting for
Easter eggs and egg rolling.
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Red squirrels at Inverardran Guest House. Scotland
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Pony trekking at Killiechronan. Mull
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Now we are back home in Suffolk. Jeremy is restoring a yacht
tender/dinghy which we hope to use on the river soon.
We are looking forward to our first sail this
season on Sea Rose. If the weather is kind to us, this will be with the family
on my birthday. We are truly blessed.
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Speinne climbed. Mull
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Ellie, Jeremy and Sophie. Mull
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