Sat 1st Aug
The nice weather…the heatwave…continues. I think they’re saying 40 days or so. Bus to EG. A bit of shopping in Sainsburys. Spoons for coffees, and where I gave some thought to my tax return.
I discussed with Mark the possibility of a meet up in Nottingham towards the end of August. Back to Frow. I water the garden every day and empty rubbish bins if necessary. I still had a Tusker in the fridge.
I had the house to myself as George was out all day. I went to the Club. I cooked sausages, vegs and rice for dinner.
Then bed…a simple day.
Sun 2nd Aug
I squeezed all my things into a small bag Mum had given me, and I caught the 09:35 bus to Brighton; I was there in plenty of time, as missing it meant at least a 2 hour wait until the next one. We reached Brighton at 11am and I got off at the Open Market where I lingered over a coffee.
Another sunny/hot day. I walked slowly to the seafront and lay on the pebbles to the left of the pier. But then I started to stress over not getting entry instructions to the hotel. I tried calling/texting…all to no avail. I walked back to the Open Market for another coffee and the use of Wi-Fi. Still nothing.
I headed to Avalon…up Edwards St…taking in the streets busy with Gay pride activities. I reached the hotel just before 3pm, and “‘ping’, the email arrived with entry codes etc. I was in no. 7 this time, with an upgraded room. The TV was simple to operate and there was a stand up fan and a double bed. The bathroom was tiny, but I could live with that.
I had a quick shower; called Mike and Paul, and went to meet them half way. We walked towards the seafront…the crowds were beginning to gather. There was a drag artist singing/performing. There were other areas cordoned off with live music being played.
We walked up Edward st, taking in the atmosphere of Gay Pride. We headed for the Hand in Hand pub and settled down to a few drinks. The bonus was a 3 piece band made up of a violin, double bass and electric guitar…and they were absolutely brilliant..I was very pleased that Mike and Paul were more than happy to stay on. We left after their break.
M & P went back to the house. I went to the Coop for sardines and cheesy nibbles to have as my dinner in my room. What a great day. And my room was very comfortable…excellent.
Mon 3rd Aug
I woke around 05:30 and took my time showering/packing begore leaving at 06:30. The bus stop was only 10 minutes walk away, and before 07:00 I was on the 5B to Optegra. As I was early I popped into Asda and bought a sour dough loaf and packet of sausages.
It was a short walk up the road, arriving after 07:30 and having a coffee. Of course I knew what to expect in terms of the process. 3 lots of drops, then the 10 minute operation. I sat in reception for a short time then went down the road for the bus.
After 11:00 I went into the Open Market to relax over a coffee. I let the first 270 go, and aimed for the 12:21. It was late…we didn’t leave until 12:45, but still arrived in Frow at 14:00; the driver made up nearly 15 minutes of lost time. I had my eyes shut nearly the whole way.
I went to my room for a lie down as my eye was hurting..I had a headache tablet. After half an hour I had a slow wander and ended up at the Club. Bob kindly got me a pair of dark glasses and reading specs. The dark glasses are perfect, but the reading ones are the wrong specification.
The eye discomfort disappeared. I cooked my dinner of sausages. I watched the news and went up to my room.
Tues 4th Aug
I went into EG. I didn’t do much. I was pleased that I could walk around either with one eye closed or the sunglasses and not experience any discomfort.
The weather wasn’t as hot/humid…sunny and comfortable.
That was that. Back to Frow and to the Club and another sausage dinner. Then up to my room to watch D in P and to sleep.
Wed 5th Aug
Similar routine. Enjoying the sour dough toast. I looked at a copy of last year’s tax return. Bus to EG; popped into Sainsburys before going to Spoons. I did some sightseeing…walked along Portland Rd and up Dunnings hilll ,to the bus stop.
Still very pleasant weather…although, there were literally a few drops of rain in the late afternoon.
I did some food prep before going to the Club. Then back for sausages for dinner. George was up in London all day. I did my usual, after the news I went to my room.
Thurs 6th Aug
The weather continues to be amazing. A bus ride into EG. I lay in the sun for 30 minutes at the Kings playing fields, before going to Spoons. I had a long phone chat with Mark.
I considered walking back to Frow, but easily convinced myself otherwise !! I left the house around 15:30 and took a scenic route to the Swan to meet Phil R. On the way, through Michael Hall and Freshfield Banks, I stopped at Jeff & Janet place st the cemetery for a quick chat. Had much fun with Phil, as usual.
Then straight back to the house and a sausage dinner. The same again..news followed by D in P in my room.
Fri 7th Aug
I caught the bus as far as Lidl. I bought basmati rice and peppers. Back into town via Kings playing fields, then to Spoons.
This time I did walk all the way back to Frow; I found myself getting a bit tired when I reached the Brambletye Crossing.
George had left for LGW/Toulouse/Bouzies.
I put a wash load of towels on, then went to the Club. Back at the house I cooked a portion of mince…followed by the usual nightly routine.
Sat 8th Aug
The towels were dry and as there was continuing hot sunshine, I put on another wash load before catching the bus into EG. After Spoons, and on the way back, I realised I’d forgotten a couple of things.
I relaxed a bit, then caught the bus into EG again; that was the first time I’d gone in twice.
The main purpose was to buy a cheap pair of reading glasses. Success…£2 from Poundland. Boots was much too expensive at around £20. And so, back to Frow.
More towels went on the drying lines. I went to the Club, then back to the house to relax and have my dinner.
Sun 9th Aug
The earliest bus into town was just before 09:00, but that’s okay as it ties in with supermarket opening times. I did some Lidl shopping then went for my cheap coffees.
I got off the bus in Ashurst Wood then walked down Maypole road to the Watkins’. It was nice to see Ian and Katherine and have a good chat. Gareth arrived with his family, and after a 2 minute chat I walked down Wall Hill back to Frow.
I called Alan but he was on his way to the Plumpton rock festival. Another lovely UK day in terms of weather. It’s been an incredible summer for sun and heat. At about 15:30 I was at the Club; there was the usual lively chatter.
That was it for the day…back to the house…mince, rice and vegs for dinner. TV news then to my room. A week on, I was still putting the patch over my eye when going to sleep.
Mon 10th Aug
I started working on my tax return.
I had a long chat with Mark, regarding travel plans. He confused me by saying there were no 500 buses to LGW on the bank holiday weekend. Alan confirmed that sometimes these schedules take a while to be posted online.
Alastair appeared just before 09:30 as I was leaving for town, luckily I was there to let him in to do the garden, because J hadn’t warned me. So, the living room needed vacuuming later…
And I came back to an open “general” rubbish bin…the reason being it was full of maggots at the bottom. I rinsed it with boiled water and tipped it all into the drain.
That was the day really…. Oh, I’d arranged to meet Cilla at the Club, so that was a fun catch up.
After that it was the same evening routine. Dinner, TV news, my room to watch D in P.
Tues 11th Aug
Same old, same old day. Into EG and back. The hot weather continues.
Usual routine.
Wed 12th Aug
Nothing new to report. The temperature is on the up. I popped into Sainsburys then Spoons, then back to Frow.
I continue to water the garden.
Usual daily routine.
Thurs 13th Aug
Elka arrived about 10:30 to do her house cleaning routine. I finished off my rax return. I somehow went from owing £1,224 down to £784…I was very happy, but couldn’t explain how that happened. I had some initial problems with inputting my bank details, but it seemed to work out in the end. Success.
Before 2pm I met up with Richard and Margaret at Chequers. We went on to the Swan and had a really good discussion about their forthcoming Kenya holiday. We discussed the Wasini, dolphin possibility. We decided it sounded too touristy, and the visit to the Slave cave wasn’t desirable. It was a lot to do in one day, and the focus switched to Diani.
So, an option now is a night at Diani on top of 3 days in the Mara. I was tasked with finding out if yellow fever certs were a requirement for Kenya, and getting a list of mid range Masai Mara lodges/camps. The planning is well under way..!!
They went back to Chequers and I went back to the house. Then the usual evening routine.
Fri 14th Aug
Normal routine. Bus into town. A bit of Sainsburys shopping…sausages for my next few meals. Spoons. Still a sunny/hot day. I’d put a small wash load on and hung it out before I went into town. It was dry when I got back.
I sat in the sun before going to the Club. I messaged Daniel about meeting for a drink. I didn’t hear anything until I’d already cooked and started eating my dinner, but felt that as I’d made the initial contact, I should pop over to Chequers. A good decision, and we had a good chat, and Jonny came along later.
So, overall I drank more beer than usual, but it was a different sort of evening, and good fun. Back at the house I just had to heat up the rest of the food…. I caught a bit of news then went upstairs.
Sat 15th Aug
A quiet morning again as I have the house to myself. I’ve started serious planning of people of people to see before I leave. So, Darren, Su, Jeff & Janet, Tom. Phil will have to drive up from Eastbourne.
I caught the bus into EG and did a little Lidl shopping; sour dough bread was the main thing. The Town centre was closed off for some live music, including a jazz band….in the High St and the covered arcade.
I called in on Bob at the Salvation Army charity shop and bought a little day backpack for £2, as my ‘Moshi’ bag is no longer fit for the purpose. Spoons of course.
I phoned Mum, only to be told she can’t make Saturday in town in Eastbourne to meet up with her sons, as she’s attending a lunchtime bbq. Changing days complicates things a little for me, so unfortunately I won’t see her until December. I’ll still see Alan and hope Mike will still make it.
And so, back to Frow. I spent a little time in the garden as the good weather continued, followed by a visit to the Club. I didn’t stay too long. The normal evening routine at the house.
Sun 16th Aug
I caught the first bus …10ish…into EG. At Spoons I got 2 emails…one from KQ and one from the Travel company…to say that my flight schedule had changed, and either I look for other alternatives or accept the change.
Well, the alternatives…either inconvenient flight times, or leaving from Heathrow…so I decided to accept the additional 6 hours stopover in Nairobi. Arriving at 09:00 in Dar made things more complicated for onward travel to Lindi. Either it won’t happen and I have to go into Dar, or it’s a later bus and I arrive Lindi in the evening. We’ll see…
I messaged Mark and he called later with his views/advice. He agreed that accepting the change was the only option. I then went to Armstrongs the off licence and bought the reduced bottles of Tusker to take to lunch at Jeff & Janet’s.
It was at the little house at the entrance to the cemetary at 2pm. J & J bought it a few years ago and have done an amazing job of renovating it. We had a brilliant time chatting and munching on nibbles. They love travelling too, and are about to take 2 couples out to S Africa for 2 weeks…incl Kruger.
I think I was there for about 5 hours, and managed to get back to J’s safely. I didn’t need to cook as I’d also had an onion & cheese bbqd sandwich. It wasn’t long before I went up to my room !
Mon 17th Aug
The weather was still okay, just not so hot.
EG beckoned on the bus. When I got back to Frow, I found George in the house and we had a catchup about his visit to Bouzies.
I spoke with Mum. That was it in terms of excitement for the day !! I went to the Club. I cooked sausages. I went up to my room.
Tues 18th Aug
George left early in the morning to go to Ireland. I caught the 10:35 bus as far as Uckfield to meet Phil B. After finding parking and having a little stroll around the town, we caught the Station pub at 12:00 opening time.
We had a good chat for nearly 3 hours, over a coffee then a lager. Phil couldn’t drink his, so I had 2 pints in a short space of time. I then caught the 500 back to Frow at 14:45.
After some food prep at the house, I went to the Club. I was tired so didn’t stay long. After my dinner of sausages and vegs whilst watching the News, I went up to my room for an episode of D in P.
Wed 19th Aug
I received a reply from Shadya on Tuesday with 2 itinerary options. I forwarded the email to Richard and sat in Spoons and looked up the Mara Ilora Retreats on the Internet. I tried some simple comparative calculations with what Shadya had sent, and reported my findings to Richard.
I also looked at the detail of the Health Ins that the Kenya govt will be implementing shortly. I spoke to Mark and will do in more detail next week, but it looks like the UK Travel Ins will cover the Kenya medical requirements.
Earlier I had bought pork chops (for a change) , and other bits. I also called into the Banking Hub…as it was NatWest day… and showed/queried the £22.15 fee that was charged to my credit card. It seems that because I bought my airticket in Euros, this was a currency exchange fee.
I went back to Frow. I had washed a couple of sweatshirts..one zipped..to pack to take down to Ebourne in preparation for when I come back in December. They were almost dry.
I bought some beers from the Coop. I did some food prep before going to the Club. I was back at the house a bit earlier than usual. I cooked 2 pork chops; watched the news; went up to my room.
Thurs 20th Aug
A simple day. In fact the days are getting simpler in the countdown to leaving on the 29th. I cleared the window sill in the kitchen so that Elke could clean the window on the inside.
I caught the 11:30 bus. I went to a couple of shops to check prices of sun tan and body lotion for my trip, as I’m running out of both. Then over to Spoons.
Back to Frow where there had been some morning light rain. Over to the Club for some good banter and a couple of beers. Back at the house I cooked one pork chop and one sausage, plus vegs.
That was it…and up to my room. Oh, in the morning I packed the bag to take to Eastbourne…2 x winter sweatshirts, 2 x shirts, one pair of socks, the metal water bottle ….. Ready for December.
Fri 21st Aug
A standard/routine day. Some rain. I walked out of Frow, heading south, to ensure that when I caught the 270 bus it was just after 09:30 ( the earliest I can use my bus pass ).
I stopped off in Haywards Heath and went into the NatWest bank to explain the background to my £22:15 account charge. Unfortunately they couldn’t do anything and was told I needed to phone the ‘enquiries’ number on the back of my credit card.
Luckily the return 270 bus was some 5 minutes late so I was quickly heading back. Actually, I went straight through to EG. Of course Spoons followed, then back to Frow.
I pottered around the house. I phoned the NatWest number and explained… The man was sympathetic and said he would phone back after some checks were done on my account. By the end of the day, no call had been received by me.
I then went to the Swan around 16:15. Half an hour later I was joined by Phil, and a little while after that, Fatima joined us. After another little while, we went into the pub as the breeze was a bit nippy. We had a great chat.
I went back to house and cooked and watched some news and went upstairs for an episode of D in P. I felt I had a successful day.
Sat 22nd Aug
Good journey; small delay due to a detour in Hailsham. I stopped in the Hampden Park ‘duka’ but no nibbles appealed.
Chatted at A & K’s; deposited my bag; had a coffee; had a chat; caught the midday bus into town. I was only a few minutes at the LoCo when Richard arrived. A few minutes later Margaret turned up.
We had a lot to discuss regarding their visit to Kenya. My ‘job’ is made easier by the fact they are so relaxed about it, and in no way demanding. We still need to fine tune the Mara and are awaiting a reply from Shadya.
I left them to go upstairs to Alan & Mike and company. I had well over an hour with them before catching the 15:45 bus back to Frow. The journey was longer than usual, at an hour and 45 minutes.
I handed over the £150 owing to Fabio by Richard for his last stay at the Chequers. Then I went to the Club for just one drink, before cooking a couple of pork chops for dinner and going up to my room.
A good day. Said goodbye in person to everyone, except Mum.
Sun 23rd Aug
The weather is nice again…sunny but not too hot. 10:00 bus to EG. A quick shop in Lidl for sour dough bread and olive oil.I walked to Spoons. I caught the 11:35 bus back to Frow. I had washed one long sleeve shirt in the morning and it was drying nicely.
George came back from Ireland after midday. I was in the garden for a very short time. I went to the Coop for some beers. At about 14:30 I was at the Club. Good fun chatting with everyone. Before 17:00 I left. I immediately cooked my last 2 pork chops with cauliflower and rice.
Once eaten, I went up to my room a bit earlier than usual as George was watching a film on TV.
Mon 24th Aug
Judith’s birthday. I sent a message. Alastair came to work on the garden. I went into EG and bought sausages from Sainsburys. I had coffees in Spoons. For my travels I bought suntan lotion, body lotion and shaving razors from Boots.
Meanwhile, back in Frow I went to the computer/phone shop to ask about virus cleaning messages and my internal memory problem..shortage.
I was told to ignore the phone cleaning messages, and I bought a memory card for inside the phone to transfer my gallery pics/videos. The guy did it for me; it took a while as it was about 58 GB equating to 847 items. I hope that’s my memory problem solved. I need to remember they are all on that card; but everything is still saved on Google docs.
I went to the house briefly, then on to the Club. I got a bit carried away and after 2 pints I had a double rum and ginger beer.
I felt fine. Cooked my sausages and cauliflower; watched a bit of news; went up to my room.
Tues 25th Aug
I was supposed to have my eyes checked at VE in EG. An accident just beyond Ashurst Wood meant no buses were going that way. I cancelled my 10:40 appointment and rescheduled for 16:30 on Wednesday.
I decided to walk to EG. It took about an hour, and I went straight to Spoons. I hung around town and walked around slowly, eventually getting to the railway station at 14:45. I met Mark off the train and we walked into town. He checked into the Travelodge while I waited for him in Spoons.
He had lunch; we had a drink; we had a good catch-up….it was really good to see him again after a year and a half. I caught the 17:30 bus back to Frow , and went to the Club briefly. Back at the house I cooked my sausages then went up to my room.
Wed 26th Aug
Gabriella’s Birthday. I had already loaded Monzo with over £500 and for her birthday I sent her 1,000Nzd, or about £440.
I caught the 09:30 into EG and while perusing in Poundland, Mark walked in. He was looking for a cap, and I was looking for a little container to put Sudocrem in for my travels; the full container that Mum gave me was too heavy for my rucksack.
We went to Spoons, and while Mark had a breakfast, I just had tea refills. A long time was spent there chatting away. Then I did my tourist guide bit. I showed him the museum, but we didn’t go in. Then the church, and this time we went in. What a magnificent church from the 11thC, and I had never been inside.
The olde worlde High street is quite impressive to visitors especially, and you notice more of it when showing someone around. Mark bought a cap from a charity shop and I treated us to a decent coffee. We were in the café for well over an hour.
Then back to Spoons for a beer, and Mark helped with completing my travel insurance application. I say helped, but he did it all apart from making the payment of £370…I could never have managed the online process. What a huge help and what a relief.
Mark went back to the Travelodge, and by 16:30 I was at VE for my eye test. All good; I was given the all clear. I got the bus back to Frow…had a drink at the Club…cooked dinner…went up to my room.
Thurs 27th Aug
I caught the 10:35 no. 500 to Eastbourne. Mark was already on it, having got on in EG. The weather was very pleasant, so the journey down was really good.
We got off at Cornfield and walked to the seafront. All the time chatting about the hotels, the bandstand, the pier, the pebbled beach. We went down Terminus road, admiring the newly repaved pedestrian centre.
We were on our first pint in LoCo when Alan walked in. 2 hours passed by very quickly. Mark and I caught the 15:45 back. I got off in Frow and he went on to EG.
I went to the Club then the house then dinner then to my room.
Fri 28th Aug
It had rained in the early hours…wow, what a novelty. In EG I bought a glasses case from a charity shop for £1, then met Mark in Spoons. After 45 minutes I accompanied him to the station for him to catch the train back to Scotland.
I went to the Post Office and bought 100Usd to cover my Tz visas…I would need 2 because of my total 107 days stay. I bought a second empty glasses case and 3 little plastic containers for liquidy items on my travels.
Back to Frow. I had washed a shirt in the morning and it was dry. It turned into a sunny day. I arranged what needed to be packed, and put a few small items up in the loft.
I popped up to the Swan to make use of my free pint of beer. I spoke to Ben and a few others before going to the Club. After the banter I said my goodbyes.
My dinner consiisted of courgette, yellow pepper, cauliflower, cucumber and rice….all things to clear my food items from the fridge.
I had a shower and packed and watched D in P in bed. The day was one of mixed emotions….nervousness, stress, and excitement.
Sat 29th Aug
I didn’t sleep well…probably 3 hours maximum. I got up before 4am so had plenty of time to finish packing, eat some bread, check on the progress of the 500. It was only 10 minutes late, and the 45 minutes to LGW got me there before 6am.
I was first in line for check in at 7pm. There followed teas and coffees. Customs and security were quick.Then it was a matter of being on my phone and waiting for the Gate. We left after 12:00…an hour late. I was flying Kenya Airways.
The food was tasty. The stewards were very attentive and had an excellent sense of humour. I got a very generous helping of gin in a paper cup; there was hardly enough space initially to add the tonic. I had a can of Tusker as well.
I didn’t watch any TV on the 8.5 hrs flight, and I probably dozed off a few times, but it didn’t feel like it. I drank lots of water. Of the 2 people sitting next to me, the wife was going diving off Zanzibar for 6 days, and the husband was going to do an 8 day climb of Kili.
The 11pm Kenya arrival time was fortuitous because I was able to watch extended highlights of the day’s premier league matches whilst drinking one pint of lager. A good end to a long day, but that only took me to about 01:30am.