Deja Vu - Aha .........

We got to Highcliffe, just outside Christchurch (Dorset) in record time, leaving Evesham at around 8.20am, we only had one wee stop, which is also something of a record, especially as we were only forty minutes away from the sea at the time .......

Our first glimpse of the sea was absolutely glorious, the sun was shining, the sea was a deep, glistening blue and there was a bitter, winter bite in the air that made us glow and feel tangibly and palpably alive, what more could we have possibly wanted  .........

..... save for one of Darrell's most excellent almond mince pies and a hot chocolate from our flask ......

..... while sat sitting on a bench, embracing every single second, counting all our many, many blessings of a Hello Magazine type nature at the end of a wonderful year.

Then, it was off to Christchurch for book into our bargain Travel Lodge, the same as last year, sometimes we can be great creatures of habit.

Once unpacked and settled, well, it would have been rude not to have a little mooch round Christchurch ....... and, if you remember, last year our first night was a little compromised as the restaurant we'd booked our first evening at had closed down and was totally abandoned, without as much as a curtesy e-mail, so a Chinese takeaway was, in the end,  the order of the evening ........

...... however, it now seems that The Ship is in new hands and this year, it was meant to be, with a table for four duly booked for Monday night .........

...... where we have all agreed to try the speciality de la maison, "frickles", to wit deep fried pickles!!

What are we like, if not comestibly curious when  in foreign climes!

There was only one, very small regret during the day and that was Darrell being a little tight of pocket when he spotted and seriously perused this Mexican Evening Hosting Kit, it was only £2.50 but he ummed and ahhhed, as to whether we actually had anything to play the CDs that came with it on ......

....... it would/might have been nice to hold an end of year Mr D Tribute Night, but the CD's confused things.  Darrell said he'd do his research and go back if it indeed seemed a go-er. He didn't think there would a rush on such an unusual party item, but, just in case, he'd moved it up onto a higher shelf, should we return!

Two Posts for 27th December .........Thank You Sooooooo Much Seaside Karen

As we've only just arrived in Christchurch and are still finding our feet on yet another festive adventure, it would seem to be a very apt opportunity for us to share the whole plethora of presents Seaside Karen in briny Lytham St Annes bestowed upon us.

There was also a card featuring Lytham St Annes courageous and most splendid RNLI crew ......

...... it was .... emotional for sooooo many reasons, encompassing our love for the RNLI, Andy's and our charity of choice, the fact that we are jealous of anyone who lives by the sea, the yearning for us to do the same seems to get stronger with every passing year and the fact that Karen is an actual volunteer in a real life RNLI shop, our first port of call whenever we visit the sea and no doubt our trip to Christchurch will be no different as we're planning on visiting Poole, where the RNLI headquarters are.

As all the presents enclosed were RNLI related, I think, knowing us so well,  you'll quickly pick up on our palpable and tangible excitement as each package was opened and its contents revealed. 

Alice, being the only lady amongst us and strictly adhering to our "ladies first" house rule, took the very first "pick" to reveal a beautiful RNLI mug, which she's taking to Christchurch, because, quite simply, hotel mugs never feel quite right and are certainly not big enough! 

Eric went second, to unwrap a beautiful, furry fairy which, as our Christmas tree is bereft of any fairy wings, went right to the top for the next week or so and then Eric says, he'll find a new permanent place for her.

For Darrell there was a light house wind chime, again put on the Christmas tree for now, but then he might hang it on a tree in the garden to amuse our resident squirrels, Boris and Carrie.

For me, there was an RNLI tea-towel, always useful, but it's always a struggle to use ones as beautiful as this. I've packed it for Christchurch too, to dry Alice's matching mug, as there's never a tea-towel when you want one, especially when you're away from home!!!

And finally, for us all to share, a bag of Cadbury Snowballs, Karen's lightly dusted confectionary of festive choice, we are all truly, truly blessed.

We are sooooooooo lucky to have sooooooo many lovely friends, who know us sooooooooooo very well. What can I say, but thank you Seaside Karen so much. We'll wave to you from Hengisbury Head, sending you all our love on the tide and the wind, even if we suspect technically it might be in the wrong direction ........ 

Talking about friends by the sea, our lovely Pharmacy Michelle sent us a very beautiful Christmas present too, but we're leaving showing that to you until the very first day of 2026!!!! What re we like?

To Be Beside The Seaside, Beside The Sea

Fingers crossed when you read this, we'll hopefully be well on our merry way to Dorset, to be precise the town of Christchurch.  

After our our long felt want last year of finally being beside the seaside, beside the sea at Christmas time, it would have been rude, after having such a wonderful time, not to do it all over again.

What better way to continue the festivities and celebrations, without any of those "the party's over" bluesy, sort of a feelings you can often get betwixt Boxing Day and New Years Day?

Poor Eric and the ever fragrant one have barely had time to unpack from their American Adventure, but, knowing this trip was very much on the cards, they'd already packed their bags before they left for the US,  so this morning, after a cheeky check, it was simply a case of grab and go, such are Darrell's powers of organisation.

So by mid-day today, we'll be on the beach, a mug of steaming hot chocolate and one of Darrell's most excellent mince pies in hand .......

....... sat sitting on the beach or nearby bench, taking in great gulps of ozone, blowing out the cobwebs, working off the roast potatoes and stuffing, watching the waves break and no doubt looking for the ubiquitous holey stone or stone with a face on.  

What are we like, if not creatures of great habit!!!

Yes, Mr D, deja vu, pictures from last year ........ even mum needs a break from constantly being behind the camera all the time! 

Gloves Are Off, Pyjamas On ........ It's Boxing Day!

As we said yesterday, Christmas Day is a day you just want to last forever, but always seems to go much faster than any other day in the year, however, never let it be said that we didn't embrace it for all it's worth, not a second was lost, which is why you find us today, sofa bound, having a proper, Boxing Day Duvet Day where pyjamas and cosy socks are the days compulsory apparel.

After Darrell's magnificent Christmas lunch, he's also taking the day off as we're having a running buffet of Indian and Punjab cuisine, all the way from our beloved Shere Punjab Sweet Centre in Wolverhampton. We've got pakoras, samosas, bargees, tandoori chicken and various exotic kebabs, PLUS a huge box of Indian sweets, something sadly Evesham is totally bereft of.  

All we've got to do is either pop them into the air fryer for a few minutes.  We're all chipping in, so Darrell doesn't have to lift a finger after yesterdays marathon effort ........ once he's shown us how to use the air fryer!

Washing-up is also off piste today, as we'll be using the Dolly Parton partyware Eric and The Ever Fragrant One bought back from Dollar General at Darrell's great behest, we're having a truly "Holly Dolly Christmas". I think Darrell, once he actually held them in his hand, was a little reluctant to use them, but after bringing them half way across the world Eric insisted.

This afternoon we'll snuggle up to watch any one of the many Christmas DVDs we've been collecting, for no more than 10p a pop (our absolute budget) from various local charity shops.

However, there will be no traditional passing round of the Quality Street or Roses tins this year, we've finally boycotted them, the continually shrinking size of the containers, accompanied by rising prices, supremely lack lustre chocolate assortment and change in wrappings. You open the container and find it's already half empty, it's just not the same rummaging anymore, hence the far more exotic selection of Indian sweets!

Then, despite of all the lazing, it will be an early night ........ for tomorrow ........ we have another exciting festive adventure to focus on .......... we are sooooooooo blessed in a yuletide Hello Magazine type way!

But ....... before we go .....

..... a huge thank you to our lovely friend Paula in romantic and exotic Plymouth .......

..... for Eric's festive hedgehog, it's a marriage made in heaven .......

..... and shall henceforth be known as Benny, for reasons only beknownst to Eric!!!  Benny, we have been told, will be a hedgehog for all seasons and not just Christmas!

It's Christmas Morning AND ......... He's Been!!!

He's been, he's been, HE'S BEEN .......as if we could ever doubt that Santa would ever miss us out!

However, the greatest present we could ever have wished for was having Eric and the Ever Fragrant One back in our very ample family bosom! It was an emotional, as well as wondrously happy awakening for us all, bundling up together in bed as soon as we knew each of us was awake.

In Eric and Alice's absence, not wishing to cut things fine, Darrell and I wrote our traditional, joint, family letter to the old fella, knowing that they would ask for exactly the same thing, to wit:- something to eat, something to drink, something for the shower and an adventure or two to share in the year .......

So ..... there were Smarties and Pistachio Lindor for our eat, Barr Pineapple Soda and a bottle of Irish Cream Liqueur to drink and for the shower, Nivea Love Sunshine gel, as we'll, without hesitation, be missing any sort of proper sunshine in the coming winter months. As for adventure, who knows when we'll get that call to pack a suitcase ot two. If Eric and Alice had their say, it would definitely be a trip to Transylvania after hearing all the romantic tales about the beautiful homeland of our beloved neighbour Kata. As for Darrell and I, well, we'd be up for almost anything, but preferably nothing involving too high heights, no trekking up Kilimanjaro or Mount Snowdon .......???  

From our Number One Fan, Jan the Fan (no wins on our Advent scratch card unfortunately), there was a pair of stunning hair clips for Alice and Santa Potion kits for us boys, which we're saving for when our beloved niece and nephew come round for some full bodied fun and festive experimentation ........ and we're pretty sure, a very interesting New Year post or two.

It was all very emotional but wonderfully joyous at the same time.

Breakfast will be our traditional bacon sandwich with Bucks Fizz ...... and then later  Darrell's much anticipated Christmas Dinner, with every single festive "trimming" known to man, including dates wrapped in bacon an homage to our Spanish holiday this year. They'll be crackers to pull, a bargain box for just £2 from St Richards charity shop, with a few extra bits and pieces added out of sight of Eric and Alice.

Then, we'll all gather on the sofa for his lordship The King....... followed by a proper snorey, Christmas Day snooze .......... who could ask for anything more, except to do it all again, asking why does the day you never ever want to end, seem to be the shortest day of the year?

So again, a very Happy Happy, Merry Joyous Christmas and Feliz Navidad from us, we hope your day is/was as wonderful as ours.

ITS CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!!!

It's here, we're finally teetering on the very cusp of our very most favourite day of the year with Eric and the ever fragrant Alice back in the ever loving bosom of their family. 

All is calm, all is bright, well, perhaps not as calm as usual due to Eric and Alice's jubilant return from America, but everything that needs to be done is done, we can't do any more now ......

......except for the most important of all our family Christmas Eve traditions and that's to hang, a new, for this year, charity shop lantern (40p) complete with battery tealight (so as not to cause any unfortunate and unseasonal setting fire to any trees with a real candle) to remember all our beloved friends and family who won't be with us this year to share in all the festivities. 

Sadly, with each passing year there seems to be one less card to write, present under the tree or seat at our table ....... 

We'll put the lantern where we can all see it and we'll each find a few moments to remember happy Christmas's past ...... 

....... and then as we hang up our new, vintage, Goodwill stockings, all considered purchases from Nigel while on his US of A Adventure, we'll whisper "Happy Christmas" to them all ........ before hopping into bed, ready for the ensuing excitement of the BIG day itself. 

So, with this in mind, may we be the first to wish you A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS in true Homeland Style, in our best Wolverhampton Slade type accents!

All Checked Out And On Their Festive Way Home

Eric and the ever fragrant Alice have finally bid a very fond adieu and farewell to their apartment at The Meranova .....

It has served them well, more than well really, it's been a home away from home, they will never ever forget ......

..... expressing their fondest in a honest and full bodied review, with grateful thanks in the guest book.

Then, leaving their three very large, amply packed suitcases (praying that they were still within their luggage allowance) downstairs to collect later ........

....... they officially checked out, it was EMOTIONAL, in big, capital letters .......

..... to go for a final cheeky last drink at the marina ......

...... mindful of the local birdlife also attempting to cross the busy roads, just like them.

It was a quiet and reflective hour or so ........

....... before their beloved Helen collected them for Tampa Airport. Again it was a quiet and emotional ride, addresses, emails and telephone numbers were exchanged, with the promise of a room to stay and guided tours when Helen came to the UK as she hopefully expressed many times during their time with her.  She had learnt so much from them she said, especially that pudding was dessert and lorries were trucks!!

Once through check in and passport control, Alice kept an eye on their plane from the departure lounge as it prepared to board, dreading the long, night flight home, praying that she could get just a little sleep to while it away .......

..... but happy in the knowledge that when they eventually landed there would be a scene reminiscent of the start and end of Love Actually (our most favourite Christmas film of all) waiting for their festive return ....... happy days!

Because we've essentially run out of time (what with Christmas and all that), we haven't been able to post absolutely everything of an awe and wonder type nature  from Eric and Alice's American Adventure, so we thought, if it's OK with you, we'd pop the rest in, here and there, during January, a notoriously slow news time chez The Towers .......