Saturday 21st June 2025

Saturday 21^st June

SHE SAID:

I managed to see one more new to me orchid, on my final orchid hunt whilst here in England. I was very happy to see it.

Geoff & I continued on to Sue & Al’s place in Crowborough after the stop in Ashdown Forest. We were taking them out to lunch at The Middle House in Mayfield. We all had tasty meals, though I kept mine light as I was still recovering from yesterday’s dinner! It will be our final catch-up before we leave on Wednesday.

Back at Wakefield Court there was an informal gathering to “celebrate” the Summer Solstice, organised by Carol, the youngest "60-ish" resident. There were about 14 of the residents who went out into the garden & enjoyed wine, bubbles & nibbles. So, Geoff & I gatecrashed for about an hour, along with Mum, who was invited. It was a really warm evening & everyone seemed be enjoying themselves.

The Heath Fragrant Orchid, my final new one for the trip

The Lady & Monkey Orchids I saw in previous
trips out, in Kent

 The amazing looking Lizard Orchid, also from Kent

Summer Solstice party at Wakefield Court

Chocked full of flowers, the Pyramidal Orchid

HE SAID:

We both got a bit sweaty as we wandered around in the sun in Ashdown Forest looking for orchids. Luckily we found what Varena was looking for. At Sue and Al’s we enjoyed a champers before heading along to lunch at The Middle House. Lunch was fine, with the girls having a salad and Al and I having burgers. When I went to pay the already very overpriced bill (think $40 for a burger and chips) I queried the extra ten pounds “Service Charge”. I asked what it was, with the reply “It’s for the staff”. I then asked if it was an American thing, or aren’t the staff paid well? The waiter took the charge off. What a rip off! A Service Charge for nothing. No way!

Getting Jan out to the solstice do in the back yard made it 3 evenings in a row!

Friday 19th June 2025

 Friday 19^th June

SHE SAID:

Mum, Geoff & I went off to Alfriston, a village about 50 minutes away from Horsham. I had found a little National Trust place called the Alfriston Clergy House. It was the first place that the NT purchased in around 1890’s. It was a quaint little place, just like the village, which we walked around after the house.

In the evening I had my catch up with my old school friends. The original booking at La Pizzaetta Italian Restaurant was for 12, but during the week it dropped to 8, then only 5 of us actually made it to the restaurant! 

Geoff & Mum joined us for drinks at the Red Deer, then headed off to Ask for their dinner. I think we all had a good time.

Alfriston Clergy House

Drinks with Philippa. Elaine & Claire
at the Red Deer

Dinner with Julie, Diane, Claire & Elaine

HE SAID:

The day out was warm and interesting, with another unbelievably old place to walk around and wonder at. The evening went well, too. A couple of pints while we chatted with Varena’s school friends, then a tasty Italian meal. The recent proliferation of tipping culture is getting on my nerves here though. I was pestered about 4 times when trying to pay for dinner about including a tip. There was nothing wrong with any aspect of the meal. But that is just the basic minimum. Why are customers being fleeced for more? I didn’t tip.

Back at Wakefield Court I convinced Jan to have a Bailey’s out in the back yard as it was such a warm evening. I took out a couple of generous glasses of the stuff and found several other residents there already. Jan said that she never goes out there, so now we have shown her how easy and enjoyable it can be. Hopefully she’ll do it some more after we’ve returned to Australia.

Thursday 19th June 2025

Thursday 19^th June

SHE SAID:

Mum & I walked along the Arun River to the old St Mary’s Parish Church, in the Causeway. The Horsham Flower Festival started today. It has been running for over 60 years. I remember going when I was a kid, so it has been 45-50 years since I last went to it!

At 1.30pm we all went to South Lodge, the “poshest” hotel in the Horsham area, for afternoon tea or High Tea! It was a very fancy affair with a price tag to match, but Mum was happy to take us, it was lovely.

Mum & I started with a bubbles cocktail, then came the food. Sausage rolls, egg brioche, then ham & mustard sandwiches on spinach bread, cream cheese & cucumber sandwiches on tomato bread, & salmon blinis. Next was a selection of fruit & plain scones with strawberry jam & clotted cream, then some fancies to finish with tea & coffee.

We asked for “doggie bags”, which were boxes like little bags! Plenty of leftovers! We were so full after our feed.

The day finished with a glass of wine in the Wakefield Court garden. In 11 years, it is the first time Mum has sat out there; it was a beautiful warm evening! Great suggestion Geoff!

Flower festival at the old Parish Church

South Lodge for High Tea

HE SAID:

With flower shows not on my chores list I stayed in while Varena and Jan went for a look. The afternoon at South Lodge was good. We managed to squeeze the little Vauxhall into a carpark full of Bentleys, Audis, Mercedes, and Jaguars, then wander along to have our flash high tea. Everything was good, as expected.

As it was another warm evening I suggested that we head out the back and utilise the seats out in the shady, and fairly private, back garden. Surprisingly Jan agreed, so we enjoyed a tipple al fresco.

Wednesday 18th June 2025

Wednesday 18^th June

SHE SAID:

We had two outings today. Lunch was first, with John & Michael in Henfield, at John’s place, Red Oaks. The staff made an effort putting us in a nice lounge, linen on the table, wine glasses, the whole works. We were served a 3-course meal, which was good.

We finished up in the reception area lounge for a cuppa, chatting on till nearly 4pm.

Then, Geoff & I headed out around 6.15pm, to Siobhan & Dickie’s place, for drinks & nibbles. They live a couple of streets away from Mum’s, so we walked there. We had a chatty few hours with them & a friend of theirs who is moving to Australia in September & wanted to pick our brains.

 HE SAID:

Today was a busy one for me, sort of. With the second State of Origin match at 11am I ducked in to Horsham’s town centre to get a couple of small things, making sure that I was back, showered, and ready to go to John’s in time for the kick off. All good. Around noon the three of us drove over to Henfield for lunch with John and Michael. I was rather impressed with the food. There was a limited choice of courses, as expected, but the meals we all had were good. Quite a step up from what my dad was regularly offered at Bupa Calwell in Canberra.

After a couple of hours back at Jan’s Varena and I wandered down to Shiv and Dickie’s for a light supper. Their house and yard were quite impressive, with the back yard probably 40m long. The new caravan was also impressive, being a touch longer than ours, which seems extra large to most people we’ve mentioned it to. We enjoyed the company outside in the pleasant evening for a few hours.

Tuesday 17th June 2025

Tuesday 17^th June

SHE SAID:

Mum & I had another fruitless trip to the Bank. Then we headed out with Geoff to the Frog & Nightgown Inn & Tea Rooms, in Faygate, for lunch. It was a 15-minute drive from Horsham.

We chose to sit outside in the sun; they enjoyed fish n chips & I had a burger & chips. I couldn’t find anything online as to why it is called the Frog & Nightgown. I think it is a cool name!

HE SAID:

Varena is getting mucked around by the bank while trying to help Jan sort things out. It is very frustrating. 

Somehow Varena managed to get an electrician to attend just a day after calling. Well done. Jake is a regular here at Wakefield Court, he said, as someone randomly got him in once and then others just thought they'd also use him. It worked for us. Anyway, Jake went through exactly the same process that I had done, and was equally as exasperated at his failed outcome. He said that I had done everything right. But, being a qualified professional, he then thought of something that I couldn't do, which was to change the joining block for the electrical wires. This was the answer! A super-cheap 10-cent part was the cause. Annoying.

Our lunch outing was a nice time, enjoying the warmth, food, and limited country views. I even managed to try a couple of new beers.

Monday 16th June2025

Monday 16^th June

SHE SAID:

Mum & I headed to Hilliers Garden Centre for a look around, & a cuppa. Then we went into town for a couple of things.

We had an appointment in the afternoon, at the hospital, which went well. Otherwise, it was a quiet day.

Black-clad Morris Dancers Geoff saw at 
The Malt Shovel in Horsham

HE SAID:

I left Varena and Jan to do their morning garden centre thing and remained at the flat. The hospital visit in the afternoon will hopefully help Jan get some health-related answers.We’ll see. The doctor was running about half an hour late, which I guess is normal, but with paid parking everywhere I had to dart out and attend to the car. And lucky that I did, as there were about 4 minutes left on our voucher and an inspector doing his rounds of the carpark.

Sunday 15th June 2025

Sunday 15^th June

SHE SAID:

After a busy week we decided to stay in today. Geoff tried to fit a new light in Mum’s bathroom, but the new one wouldn’t work either. So, we are guessing it is wiring that is stuffed, so Mum will need an electrician.

We had an hour-long Teams video chat with Julian & Kiyoka; they seemed well.

I caught up with the Blog & continued with my photo sorting.

Photos from the Leonardslee trip in May

HE SAID:

Jan’s bathroom light above the mirror had died, so I did the obvious things, but to no avail. I checked the existing tube, then bought a new tube; no luck. Bought a new light body, tried the old and new tubes; no luck. So, without a multi-meter, and being in a block of oldies flats in a different country, I gave up and an electrician will be called. Bugger.

My sister Kathy, who is doing the England leg of the El Camino (well, that is what she is calling it) called me via Whatsapp as her Telstra roaming has buggered up. It was about 3:30pm when she called, and she said that she still has a 5 hour walk ahead of her to her accommodation, so she was a bit cranky, even as I was trying to help. The phone is a "security blanket" for her as a single female walking alone in the countryside, so I can see why she wants it fixed. I couldn't really help her at the time she called as I was in Aldi, doing some shopping, but I have since messaged her by Whatsapp for when she next gets wifi, about the 112 emergency number, perhaps I buy her more roaming credit, clearing the Telstra app cache, and also Google Offline Maps, even if it takes her off the Camino route, just to be safe.

Saturday 14th June 2025

Saturday 14^th June

SHE SAID:

With Geoff deposited at the station early again I returned to Wakefield Court for a leisurely cuppa & breakfast. Around 10am Mum & I headed for an orchid spot near Maidstone that I had been shown last month, to try & find the Lizard Orchid, a wonderfully odd-looking local species. We found 6 in total; I was very happy.

From here I had found a National Trust property that happened to be open this weekend; it is only open 2 weekends a month! It was called Stoneacre & was a new place for Mum; A small, pretty property in a lovely, lush garden.

Then I found a random pub called The Loose Chequers, which was in the village of Loose, for lunch. Mum recounted a story from her teenage years about a school friend who was sent to “Loose” when she became pregnant to be “hidden away” (this was in the 1950’s I think). I said that was funny, loose woman, sent to the village of Loose!

Stoneacre

The Loose Chequers
Lunch Filty Chips & Nachos

HE SAID:

With just 69 runs needed by South Africa I still made the 90 minute train journey to Lord’s. I had a ticket, and I had a rail pass, so why not? It was an enjoyable morning, with the SA fans being really noisy and cheering every run. The Aussie fans knew the result was almost certain to go against us but were still very pleased at the wickets we took. I made it back to Jan’s a bit after 3:30pm after walking back from the station, with Varena and Jan arriving about an hour later.

Friday 13th June 2025

Friday 13^th June

SHE SAID:

We woke to a lovely sunny & warm day; I was hopeful that the “Friday 13th curse” would pass us by… sadly it didn’t!

The story goes: Mum & I had a lovely day. We caught the bus to Worthing, which took a little over an hour. Enjoyed a morning cuppa on the pier, in the sun, then we walked into town, had a look around a few shops, & had a smoked salmon, poached eggs & hollandaise on brioche for lunch.

By the time we’d finished lunch & chatting it was time to head back to the bus stop. We arrived with about 10 minutes to spare. But 45 minutes later no bus had turned up. Everyone waiting was getting irritated, then another bus stopped & said there was an accident on the A24. Two of the expected buses had been stuck in the chaos then randomly cancelled! The wait time for the next bus was another 35-40 minutes. By this stage I was over it. I tried ringing a taxi to get us to the station; I tried 3 different companies, none answered, so we found out where the bus to the station left from & got that. I purchased 2 single tickets to Horsham for 30 pounds; we had 1 change at Ford to get us back to Horsham!

It was 6pm by the time we arrived back! Ho Hum!

Worthing Pier

Cricket Days

HE SAID:

It was another early start as I was dropped off at the station by Varena about 7:30 for my pilgrimage to Lord’s. It was just me and Percy today, and we had a good day, watching the Australian tail bat for two hours and boosting the score to defensible level. However, as the pitch had settled down so much that our tail-enders could look unruffled, that meant that the South African batsmen would also have it easy. The SA batsmen went as expected, losing just 2 wickets in 2 sessions, leaving just 69 runs to get tomorrow with 8 wickets in hand. Not how I wanted it to work out, but a good day at the home of cricket. I made it back to Horsham around 8:15pm and was met by my patient, lovely wife.

It was reported as the warmest day in the UK for the year so far, knocking on 30 degrees at the cricket.

 

Thursday 12th June 2024

Thursday 12^th June

SHE SAID:

Geoff & I were on the 7.30pm train for London Bridge & met up with Sue around 9am.

Sue & I went to Charing Cross whilst Geoff headed for Lord’s. We managed to walk ourselves “silly” around the sights of London. Sue is rarely a tourist so enjoyed the relaxed wandering. We ticked off the Thames, London Eye & Houses of Parliament, The Strand, Trafalgar Square, Horse Guards Parade, St James Park, Pall Mall, Buckingham Palace, Royal Courts of Justice, around Covent Garden & the theatre district, before collapsing at The Ivy Restaurant for bubbles at the bar, before lunch!

We enjoyed an almost 3 hour & 3 course lunch, which was excellent. We were so full. We headed again on foot back to Charing Cross. Sue caught her train for home & I went to Baker St to meet Geoff & Andrew after the cricket finished at Lords. 

I had a nice sit in Regents Park waiting for the end of the game. When we met up we had a short detour to Abbey Rd, so Andrew could get a photo crossing the famous pedestrian crossing from the cover of one of the Beatles albums. He was very chuffed at doing that!

He headed back to his hotel in Kensington & we headed back to Horsham, getting in after 9pm, knackered but both buzzing from our respective days out.

Us in London

Me, super excited at going to The Ivy for lunch

Icon signage!

Sue's workplace!
60 pounds for a peak-day return to London, including the tubes!
That's $120 for a day, horrendous!

Doing the walk...

HE SAID:

We took a taxi to the station this morning for our day in London. Varena had a very busy day, trying to wear her shoes out by the sounds of it, and I had another good day at Lord’s. By the end of play Australia were 8 down, meaning that 24 wickets had fallen in 2 day’s play. That is indicative of the pitch having some demons, but from what we saw, and what the commentators were saying, the pitch seemed ok.

Kathy left a bit before 4pm to get to Reading for her meet-up with a planner of her “El Camino” (England leg) walk. Anyway, Percy and I met Varena outside the ground a bit after 6, went to Abbey Road, then saw the Australian team boarding their bus, before wandering to St John’s Wood station for our return to Horsham. Another good, long, and tiring day.

Wednesday 11th June 2025

Wednesday 11^th June

SHE SAID:

Geoff was up at 5am, thinking it was 6am… he must be excited!

After dropping him off at the station around 7.20am I headed for Fairmile Bottom to hunt a white/pale form of the Bee Orchid. I was eventually successful, with the help of “my” local expert.

Back in Horsham for lunch, then a walk into town with Mum. She treated herself to a new kettle, as her old one was getting a bit dangerous with the handle coming away from the body. We also stopped in M&S for Mum’s favourite coffee shop; she loves a latte.

We were without Geoff for dinner, as he was in London having drinks & dinner with Kath & Andrew after the cricket, maybe drowning their sorrows as I think the Aussies aren’t doing too well! He messaged from the train for a 9.20pm pick-up at the station. He was full of the day’s play & being at Lord’s.

Supporter Geoff
Geoff & Steve

Andrew & the match
Steve, Geoff & Andrew, Kath & Geoff

HE SAID:

Before bed last night I triple checked my alarm; I didn’t want to miss my train, or miss any of the cricket on my first day at Lord’s. As it is light here around 4am, and the curtains in our suite are barely there, I woke up. I must have misread the clock as I was an hour early! Oh well. Varena dropped me at the station around 7:30, and knowing I had two options for trains I grabbed the first one that arrived and spent about 90 minutes getting to Victoria Station, then a Tube to Oxford Circus, and another tube to Baker Street. From there it was about a 15 minute walk to Lord’s, the home of cricket. I was well early, so contacted Kathy and Percy to co-ordinate our renezvous. Our friend Steve, who is Varena’s friend Sue’s cousin, joined us from Birmingham at our seats, just before play commenced. Kathy’s friend Paul, using the ticket originally meant for Kathy’s boyfriend, Jon, who couldn’t make it, joined us after lunch.

South Africa won the toss and sent Australia in to bat. We didn’t do that well, but SA also lost wickets when they batted in the afternoon. It was good just to be there!

After play we all headed to a pub near Baker St station for a noisy pint and a chat, before Steve headed off for a train back to Birmingham, Kathy and Paul for dinner near their digs, Percy to Kensington, and me to London Bridge and the above ground train to Horsham. I was knackered when I got back to Jan’s after Varena met me at the station, but very happy.

Tuesday 10th June 2025

Tuesday 10^th June

SHE SAID:

Siobhan came over for a cuppa & a chat. I have known her since college & she has offered to help out with transport for Mum if necessary. We enjoyed gluten-free shortbread & chocolate sponge from M&S, as Siobhan is Coeliac.

Around 2pm Geoff, Mum & I went to the Milk Churn in Rudgwick for their yummy cheese on toast; it was just as excellent as always. The Sussex Charmer Cheese is VERY good.

Orchids from our tour with Terry
Birds Nest Orchid

Man Orchid

Late Spider

Common Twayblade

Terry & me hard at it!
Common Spotted & Pyramidal

A strange vehicle seen at the petrol station

HE SAID:

Apparently I did the right thing when I bought M&S gluten-free shortbreads. They were really good, and one of Siobhan’s favourites. Before that I wandered off into town and got myself a haircut. I hate paying for it as Varena usually does it, and it is free! But as we don’t pack clippers when we travel I stumped up the 15 pounds, about $30, for the experience. Amusingly, the barber had little english and a strong accent, and after nodding at something he said I ended up with both my eyebrows and ears given a good going over. No harm done.

The cheese on toast was the usual tasty experience at the Milk Churn.