23rd August '11

I know I haven't put a lot on lately but am struggling with what has turned out to be gall stones and I've been suffering so apologies. Having said that we haven't been out in the boat since the show so there's not been a lot to report.

We had a few days on Exmoor with Katie, Simon and their respective children which was nice. The journey there and back was interesting (when you take interesing to mean horrible, scary and we won't be doing THAT again in the van). We were camped in Doone Valley, and the scenery was amazing but the weather was not brilliant.
There was a stream running through the valley that Paddy took full advantage of!

Further up the valley it became quite isolated....

Katie, Simon, Jacob and Kera claim this land for Britain (didn't like to tell them - bless!)

Up this high and the land was suprisingly boggy - guess who hadn't put their walking boots in the van?

there's nothing like sitting around an open fire when you're out camping! Simon was not to be deterred by a little rain.... (actually quite a lot of rain AND it was quite cool for August!)

Jacob being sensible and taking shelter in the van with Granny! Checking to see exactly where we were.

This is the Church at Oare where Lorna Doone was married - I wasn't well enough to get there so John walked and took this for me - thank you xxxx

This is the plaque in the Church dedicated to RD Blackmoor - if any of you haven't read Lorna Doone SHAME on you - and get off to read it now..... questions will be asked later.

We are unable to plan what we are going to do over the next few months until we know what is happening with my operation - we had planned to go to Llangoglen in September but we shall see. In the meantime we have Steve and Pam coming at the weekend and so we will go off for a short cruise with them - can't wait to get out and about again.