UK –  31/10/16 – 13/11/16

Our 3 hour flight from Naples to Manchester went so quickly today. Once through passport control and customs we were met by Tina’s brother and partner Mike and Jo, who greeted us by holding a sign up saying Mr & Mrs Myers. Yep the same couple who had surprised us by turning up in the Maldives for our wedding. These 2 are hilarious with their surprises. It wasn’t long before we were at their home in Blackpool having a good old cup of the finest English tea. That night we went out to a restaurant where we met up with a dozen or so family and friends, in an “all you can eat buffet” for just over £10, what a bargain, with every kind of food you can think of, including curry, Chinese and carvery, delicious!

The following day, was a full on day shopping for warmer clothes as it was freezing in Blackpool – 14’c. We hadn’t been below 25’c for almost a year! Thermals bought, that night we were taken to a “Northen Soul” night. Music basically from the 1960s with its own dance style.  It was brilliant and not a single person under the age of 40, in fact the majority of people looked as though they were retired, and boy could they move, strutting their stuff on the dance floor. One especially reminded me of Frank Sinatra, complete with suit and trilby hat, he was up dancing to practically every song played.

Next day we were driven to the Lake District,  to Lake Windermere. Tina had been their before, but many years ago, I had never been there. Yep it was a brisk cold day, but the sun shone all the time we were there. This area of the UK is simply breathtaking, quaint little cottage with its magnificent lake. Never been there before but what a beauty.

on another day we were taken to yet another place we had not been to. It was Martin Mere, a bird sanctuary. A great place watching birds of every distinction fly in and out of the sanctuary from all over the world. As it was autumn in Britain the birds were in migration.

The next couple of days we sent time visiting Roy’s brother and kids in Otley and ………A great reunion and restful time with his nephews and nieces and their kids, whilst having the best of British Chinese takeaway. What a houseful. Also went out for a meal with Roy’s 2 older children in a country pub, very nice.

Then we were off to Manchester to meet Tina’ cousins for a few days and yep another meal out. Great having the opera unity to show ourselves off as Mr & Mrs Myers. Roy hadn’t me Tina’s family and vice versa. Then off to London for a couple of days. Whilst there we did the tourist thing of visiting the London Eye, Millennium Bridge, Big Ben and the houses of Parliament, Convent Garden, where we met up with Anthony, Leicester Square, (and the main event), we booked tickets to see Mama Mia the musical at a West end theatre, with a pre show meal included. What a trip the UK was, rushing around to see as many family and friends as we could in the short time we had.