Jaunty June
We made the most of the sunny weekends last month and started July in the same way. When we can travel and make impromptu day trips, we don't need too much encouragement to get out and about as much as possible.
Last month our National Trust membership meant we could drop into local venues and places of interest as often as we liked, even if just for a quick coffee and walk, when time allowed. A last-minute trip to Preston at the weekend provided the oppoutunity to explore some of the National Trust place we would normally miss, We drove from Surrey to Preston and back over the weekend, and on the way home stopped in at Calke Abbey, in Ticknall, Derbyshire.
Calke Abbey offers extensive walking and cycle routes, and is the perfect place to explore on foot with your dog. Entry is free to National Trust members but other car drivers will have to pay to enter. The driveway up to the house was a good mile drive and worth the detour we took from our journey home. Our favourite part was walking through the tunnel that connect the main house to the stable yard. A little spooky and a lot of fun, especially around Halloween and Christmas when the tunnels are decorated accordingly. As time was limited, we were unable to explore little more than the house and immediate grounds, while stopping for a coffee and lunch.
Another adventurous Sunday outing started in Surrey as a weekend drive for lunch, and ended up with us on a ferry heading towards the Isle of Wight. We left the car on the mainland and bought a daily bus ticket, which meant we could hop on and off as many times as we like. It has been over a decade since we last ventured over to the island, and this visit saw us land in Fishbourne before taking a bus down into Ryde, and on to Shanklin for a late lunch.
On the ferry home we mused at the thought of living on No Man's Fort, which is for sale after a complete refurbishment. The ferry passes close enough to make it a talking point but far enough away to remain a daydream. You can find the details for the fort on Rightmove.
As it was our anniversary at the start of the month, we booked a one-night stay at Q Square by Supercity Aparthotels. These are in a convenient location in Brighton, and we enjoy the freedom of our own cosy apartment so we can pop in and out as we please. A home from home when we stay there.
Making the most of our downtime usually involves a drive or a ride, and we explore as far as we can in the local and not-so-local areas around where we live. There are days when we just want to stay in bed, and leave the Out & About-ing to everyone else, but when the mood takes, and the budget won't break, it is always nice to look for new places to visit, or re-visit favourite stays.
As well as our National Trust membership. we have an annual pass to Port Lympne and Howlett's. A typical weekend starts with deciding where to brunch, and we explore from there. Getting out and about keeps us on the move, and makes that glass of wine, movie, and sofa night so much more rewarding.