The rest of the visit.

One of my guilty pleasures is to tease the young and Alice’s boy friend was too tempting to miss.  I showed them the new decorations and up in the attic revealed our scabrous bath with an acid bath murder story thrown in.  Alice, of course, knew better.  I also told him we had a murderer’s signature in the visitor’s book.  Before too long my conscience smote me and I confessed that the first story was hokum but the second was true – although at the time the murderer stayed only he knew what he had done.  His step- mother was a friend and they both spent the night prior to scattering his father’s ashes on a nearby high point.

 

Although we had been promised rain the weather wasn’t bad so we set off for photogenic Luccombe and then Webber’s Post.  Not surprisingly Tom was sceptical when I pointed out the spot MTL and I had seen a Beast of Exmoor one winter Sunday afternoon.  Absolutely true – it slunk across the road in front of us and disappeared into the hedge.  It was puma like in shape with a long tail and of gingery hue.  On my life!

 
At Webber’s Post we parked the car and # 1 son led us on a pleasant stroll.  I enjoyed being out once more on the familiar rolling hills and Tom – who had never been west before seemed to enjoy it.  I was reminded that Alice is exactly the age I was when MTL and I had the wonderful time youth hostelling in the Lake District before it all went horribly wrong.  There is even a similar photo with Tom looking daffy in a hat borrowed from # 1 son.  Way back when, MTL and I found a similar hat on Honister Pass and there is a photo of MTL looking equally daffy wearing it.  I wish I could find it.
 

You’ll see on one of the photos a strange edifice with what looked like sun reflector panels which puzzled us – but I expect one of you will recognise what it is.  It is such a remote place to have sun reflector panels.

 To my delight it was decided to go to The Burning Stump – just one of its names of the Inn at Luxborough.  A rare treat because of the difficult drive and the parking.  The food is different and excellent as a rule.  It was very quiet – just one other table, so we sat in the bar.  I had prawns with home made mayonnaise and ciabatti.  I couldn’t help reminding my son of when he was a teenager and he and I toured Brittany where every night we had prawns and mayo and the special wine of the area –Muscadet.  He was a learner driver and I remember there were one or two heated debates in the car.

 All were happy with the food bur only Alice and I had puds: a mixture of sorbets for her and a heavenly rhubarb meringuey one for me.  I noted to my son we had been well looked after  - I was given finger bowls for my prawny fingers but he thought mine hostess  could have delayed the vacuuming until we had left.  There’s no pleasing some folk.

 

The rest of the visit passed in a pleasant blur and we were sad to see them leave the next morning.  Embracing Alice I couldn’t help wondering when I would see her again as she is off to do a year in the States as part of her American studies.  Incredibly I forgot to embrace # 1 son but ten minutes after his departure he was back for a forgotten jacket – and a double special hug.

 I’m lucky – the photos seemed to have published albeit in topsy turvy fashion.  I hope the dialogue makes it clear.