exbury

Dinner is very disappointing. Not to worry, it's partly because I'm not very hungry.

After breakfast we drive to Exbury Gardens. They are huge!

My impression is, it's a woodland garden. Not flower beds but flowering trees and shrubs. Rhododendrons, azaleas, well, those are the only names I know. Plus lots of non flowering trees.

We have a special soft spot for rhododendrons. On our first visit to England, just married, it was always, it's a bit early for rhododendrons... This time, we get it right:-)

We walk round exbury. It's enormous. We big as Kings park, i guess. But with lots of separate sections. We walk maybe six km, it seems more. Enjoying it all.

One section is the river walk, on the edge of the Beaulieu River. It's a tidal estuary with space for some rather large boats. With a dog or two splashing in the shallow edge.

There are families walking round. Not a great place for kids, we think, yesterday's animals would be better.

The gardens are very popular. We pass a snack bar and a cafe, we pass, the queues are too long. We're tired. Driving home seems to be a good idea.

We think we can find lunch on the way home. Not as easy as we hoped.

We pass by... Beaulieu. It's a national motor museum. I catch a glimpse of a large showroom full of shiny cars. Neither of us is interested in stopping.

A bit later, Deb spots and pulls in to Daisy's farm cafe. it's delightful. A garden centre and cafe.

We each have a cheese scone... I call it a plough boys lunch. Like a ploughman's, cheese, chutney, butter, pickle but cheese scone instead of bread.

Followed by a shared Victoria sponge. with butter cream filling.

Today is Saturday, so Deb uses web and phone to book for dinner near home. Then... to home.

The Inn carpark is full, again. We park nearby then come out later to move the car, back into the more secure hotel carpark.

Dinner at the Snakehandler. Chips are very ordinary. Deb's burger is good. My fish pie had been, I suspect, heated then reheated. Okay, I'm still not hungry after the scone. And it's food. Disappointing though.

Those with delicate sensibilities should stop reading here.

My case was packed in a hurry. Today, i finally find a fresh shirt. I celebrate by wearing clean shirt, socks and underpants. Except for today's walk in the Gardens. Why wear a clean shirt when I'll just be walking? in the open.

Now I have a week worn shirt which will definitely be washed. If we have a laundry in the next hotel...

Deb's favourite garden so far :-)

End of day. Phew.

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Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper
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If everyone is thinking the same way, then someone is not thinking.