December dodgems

5th December 2016

Splashing about in Stretton

 

 

Despite attempts at a full babe meet for a well-earned spa day, we had to blow kisses and hugs to Helen M and Lynn, but we still ended up with a good turn out.

 

Events at Stretton Manor made for an interesting day.  Charlotte’s attempts at early morning mud surfing did not go to plan and underlines her driving directions about why we really shouldn’t use the lane ‘not for nervous drivers’.  Why the wealthiest milkman in the west had to pull into the exact spot where her land rover halted is a once-in-a-30 year mystery. Damaged pockets, but thankfully no one hurt … not at this end of the day, anyway.

Having taken the safe route,  Alison, Maggie and Helen J were chilled out ready for a relaxing day.  Whilst warming up over coffee we soon got down to important things such as:

Induckting our spa babe…

 

before turning our thoughts to problematic neighbours: Alison’s neighbourly cow showing signs of bullish behaviour, possible frosting over of relations with (aforesaid) man at top o’hill and Wayne and Waynetta’s ability to swear in iambic pentameter. With conversations over wedding fights, topless gardeners and nightclub kittens, we soon retired ‘next door’ for a little less steaminess.

 

Unwrapping a real present

 

Whilst Charlotte set off to sort out lunch, the rest of us slipped into

something more comfortable

 

Babes in de tub…

 

..where we floated about discussing the global economy. Fact: the new £5 note is not acceptable to banks after it has been through the tumble dryer. We also discussed a lot of other important world issues, such as how to get free flights to Madiera, behaviour on naturist beaches and the best home computer systems, but that bit didn’t take long to decide that we really didn’t know what we were talking about.  An hour and a half later, sporting our new eau-de-chlorine..

 

Wrinkly babes, all bubbled out

 

A good cue for Jo and Pam to arrive.

 

 

Obviously lunch time….

 

The tree is up, random generator presents given and Danish breakfast for all:  Christmas is reinstated at Gell.  No more bah, humbug! However, this isn’t enough to entice those embracing the third age….but freebie cookery days, plus a free pasta meal and a London show might have done the trick once upon a time.

 

After a luscious lunch of vegetable soup, spicy vegetable rolls and pates, (thank you Charlotte) it was time to inspect the estate.

 

Hurry up.. it’s playtime.

 

Leaving the warmth behind

 

Waggy teacher fingers work… well, on one dog anyway

 

 

Ready, steady, go…..Maggie.. don’t just stand there… go!

 

Enjoying the cooler December air, we learned a little bit about land clearance (get Ian to do it) environmental protections and inspections, deer problems and the desire to have as much energy as the dogs! And, if one goes down to the woods today, one may discover squishy mud, a stream and Charlotte’s second home

 

 

Or, Pam’s perfect pulley-van..

 

 

Aww.. love is on the log….

 

We rounded off a superb day with yet more treats.... tea and rum-drenched mince pies.  It was lovely to see Ian, but his Santa audition did not go as well as planned and he has discovered that it is a basic requirement to go down the chimney; not fall off the roof.. perhaps he needs to take a little advice from these fellas

 

The wise ones looking on… ho! Ho! Ho!

 

So with a bit of present exchanging, we all thanked Charlotte for a super day and wished her a rather large G&T on her train journey to London.