Weybridge.

Getting from Bordeaux to Weybridge via 3 trains in one day was a mission. The Eurostar was delayed which made for a close call to get across London to train to Weybridge. For the Eurostar, the assistance I had booked made it so easy to navigate through immigration, and the service and meal on the Eurostar was very good - tender slices of beef with vinergate potato salad and wine. I've got used to wine with lunch in France!

Once I popped up out of the channel tunnel I lost my data from supplier Orange. And after switching on roaming still no data. Once at St Pancras station I could get the station's WiFi - I love how Norton VPN pops up on my device's for security whenever I use public Wifi. The lovely David and Ranveer were also sending me screen shots of train timetables and advice. The queue for taxis was very long, and taxis were arriving in dribbles. Once In a taxi the driver gave it his best to get to Waterloo in time but I just missed my train. Oh boy, the schedule boards were vast and kept shuffling the lines. I thought I'll never make sense of it. Then a darling young man offered help and said he was going on the same line. He also pointed out that my ticket was an open one, escorted me to the right platform and lifted my bags onto the train. Then a young woman offered to lift my bags off the train at Weybridge. So I arrived at Weybridge with back intact, and David and Ranveer at the platform waiting to help. I felt a lot of gratitude for the many kindnesses. And bloody cold - minus 1!

David & Ranveer whisked me home for hot soup. What a lovely home - the alterations, decor and courtyard they have created are so tasteful! When I let on that it was my birthday they conjured up a wee celebratory cake! Too lovely!!!

My first day we had a browse of the charming town and the local church, and coffee and snack at a cafe. Turns out David and Ranveer also like sharsies so we had a modest snack so as not to spoil our late lunch at home.

That afternoon Ranveer made the most unusual cake - Chiffon cake - that gets suspended upside down to cool!

It's a cake full of air. Lighter and more moist than a sponge. It was sooo good. And the next day we experimented with dry pan frying it. Also sooo good!

Sunday was rain (funny, the lightest drivel you can imagine) so we head off to the outdoors. First stop Pyrford Lock that opened in 1653 and is the end of the longest man-made section of the Wey navigation, which is 20 miles.

I have been surprised and delighted with how leafy this area is. We had a lovely drive to Wisley gardens, which is a substantial, and they have mobility scooters to use. Yippee! It is vast and has marvelous sections and sculpture. David and Ranveer love the horse sculpture, as do I. They come often and because it is vast they pick off sections per visit.

Most amusing, shocking even, is the collection of oxalis! So pretty 😳😂

Last stop of the day was for coffee at at small roaster and a great chat with the owner about his trip to NZ to watch the Lions get beaten in Wellington - and how Dan Carter performed so well. Coffee and talk about AB wins - good for a kiwi gal's away-from-home soul.