My usual base is Forest Row… and it’s all about being with my friends…oh, and completing my annual tax return. And Judith very kindly put me up again. With Elka being knocked off her bike at the end of May, I’ve been able to be useful and help out a lot around the house. I went most days to the Village Club to meet friends. Initially I also met up with friends at the Swan during Happy hour between 4 & 6.
I collected my bike from East Grinstead, which apart from being covered in cobwebs and having a flat tyre, was in good condition..!!
In early June I went down to Eastbourne for 10 days. On Tues 6th June I met up with 2 members of the pubbing/disco ‘gang’ from over 40 years ago….Diana and Ann…for 3 hours over lunch. A fun catch-up.
Weekend of 18th was the Forest Row festival. Packed with people and good fun, until it rained heavily on Sunday afternoon.
Monday 19th I went to Eastbourne for my birthday and stayed at Mum’s for 2 nights. She prepared a tasty salads and cold meats dinner for the family. A good excuse for us all to get together.
June 27th I caught the bus to Brighton at a cost of £2; that’s the Govt initiative to get more people onto public transport. Met Sienna at Churchill Square. Walked to Hove after some shopping, and to Palmeira Sq where she lives with John. We made homemade pasta..tagliatelle type. First time for me…quite hard work. When John came back from work we went to the Hove Club for a few drinks. Back at the house, more drinks consumed before, during and after dinner.
28th..late morning I walked with Sienna to the shops. I bought myself a new pair of M&S jeans. We then walked up the seafront beyond the pier. Quite interesting looking at the changes/ developments along the beach. We parted company near Brighton hospital and I walked into Kemptown and over to Paul’s house. Bro Mike was also there. And after a nice soup lunch they accompanied me down to the Steine where I caught the bus back to Forest Row…again, at a cost of only £2.
Mon July 3rd…London…had lunch with the Smut Crew Sheila, Terry and Dawn. Nice catch-up.
Tues 11th. I cycled to Horsted Keynes to meet an old school friend…Paul Fairbairn. Good weather; good cycle and a nice lunch at the Green Man. It took over an hour to get there via Sharpthorne, but as I was early I stopped off at the Bluebell Railway station at Horsted Keynes. I followed a more direct route back and it only took me about half an hour.
Apart from that, it was a matter of cycle rides to East Grinstead, one to Hartfield, and meeting up with friends in Forest Row. Was invited to a delicious dinner at Jonny’s up at Springhill. The month of June was the hottest June on record, but the weather was deteriorating slightly by the middle of July. Excellent weather overall for my return to England.
I prepared for my departure to Germany to see Tor. I was booked on a late night Flix coach from Victoria coach station on the 18th. Stopped off in Clapham Junction on the way up and spent a few hours in the pub with Chantal.