Sunday, July 08, 2012


Cup cakes with jelly babies.


We always think of my niece Chris as Action Girl.  She has always been an enthusiastic climber, hiker, and runner - lives in Chamonix and is married to a mountain guide.  She also has a first-class brain - apart from the odd blonde moment which I think she inherits from her aunt.

 Having just returned from climbing with her husband in America; Yosemite, Oregon and the Grand Canyon were mentioned, we were delighted to hear she was walking with Paula - an old climbing friend - through Somerset and would pop in for a cuppa.

 When, would be decided nearer the time and Chris gave me her UK mobile number.  Unfortunately Chris - suffering from jet lag - no wonder - gave me an old defunct number. I had visions of her lying in a ditch until I finally heard from her.  She and Paula had been to Glastonbury and thence to Watchet where they found an excellent B&B.  They liked Watchet and had dinner at The Star - liked it so much they booked dinner for the following evening.
 
After a hearty breakfast they walked along the coast to Minehead and loved the harbour – fascinated to see the cottages with sandbags at the ready and flood boards at the door.  They had refused the offer of lunch as the hearty breakfast was more than they are used to, but by the time they had wandered past the shops and up the hill they were more than ready for gallons of tea and water, lashings of strawberries and cream and cupcakes with jelly babies.

 I really enjoyed catching up with Chris and getting to know Paula – in fact I was so caught up I forgot my duties as a hostess and suddenly realised Chris was refilling the kettle for more tea.  We watched a bit of tennis - with the sound off, and carried on chatting.  There was some hilarious confusion as Christine’s husband is called Paul and Chris calls Pauline Paul.  All too soon it was time for them to leave.  They planned to walk part of the way to Watchet and then get the steam train.  The next day they were off to Derbyshire where Paula lives, then Hartlepool where Christine’s mother and sister live and back on Monday to Chamonix.  Life in the fast lane in my bookJ

 Chris has taught me how to text, Murray is in the Championship Finals this afternoon and Daphne expected on Tuesday.  How much excitement can one gel have?

Photos below


12 comments:

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Such brave women---to Hike and Walk and go all over the place like two younguns'....lol!
Delightful pictures, Pat....And what fun to see them both...!

angryparsnip said...

Busy Busy Busy...
How lovely that they were able to stop/walk by.
I love the tradition walking in the UK and all the paths you have crossing the country.

cheers, parsnip

GYPSYWOMAN said...

always love your stories, pat - you've such a full life, dear lady! ;)

Pat said...

Naomi: from my advanced age they ae young'uns:)
I dont think it would occur to them to feel nervous hiking in Britain. Rock climbing is another story. It used to scare the hell out of me.

Parsnip: I was feeling a bit down as MTL was a bit unwell. But they really cheered me up and MTL's day in bed did him a power of good.
Yes I should be using those paths more often.

Gypsy: I love it when there is something cheery to write about.

Granny Annie said...

I have a cousin who is a world class daredevil. She amazes all of us with her escapades and her visits raise our spirits. Now, I want to see those cupcakes with jelly babies. Are jelly babies like gummy bears or jelly beans?

The Unbearable Banishment said...

Have you been to the Grand Canyon, Pat? It's other worldly. Like being on a beautiful, scorched planet.

I am so sad that Murray lost. And I'm not even British! And I don't follow tennis!

Pat said...

Granny Annie: sadly they have all gone. Like gummy bears - not the sort of thing I usually eat - but couldn't resist.

UB: I regret not. New York, New England, San Francisco and Hawaii is all.
Sweeet of you to care about Murray but he has improved each year, is only 25 and has shown he has heart.

Nea said...

...but Marray won in the men's doubles :)

I used to love Jelly Babies, but I'm not sure if I could manage them with cup cakes.

Hope YTL is feeling better soon, and that the sand bags worked!

Mage said...

You have been having just too much fun lately. Family, teas, Bath, Even Murray tho he lost. Texting? You are far ahead of me. It's just so much fun to stop in and see all that you have been doing. :)

LL Cool Joe said...

What lovely ladies they look too, full of happiness and fun. I'm glad you had an opportunity to see them and have a cuppa tea. Did you get the Hob Nobs out? :D

Pat said...

Nea: yes it jut was a day's feeling a bit unwell. All OK now.

Pat said...

Mage: and the fun continues. I'm just going to go and have a lie down:)

Joey: they were a joy. Hobb nobs are more MTL but Daphne's brought us scrumptious Belgian bicuits.