[Margaret Pilkington]

Well, I have just returned from a very sunny week in North Devon.
I took my dear Ma to Ilfracombe...well, it was Lee bay actually.
When Ma booked the break she was told that Lee Bay was just about 2 miles from Ilfracombe.
Silly old me said that on our 'free day' I would push her into Ilfracombe so that we could look at the shops and have lunch out.

We had a lovely trip down to Lee Bay, but I was a bit dismayed to find that the '2miles' was more like 6 miles....that the terrain was as hilly as hell, and that the lanes were narrow and a positive death trap to walk along. Motorists came round those blind bends like they had radar.

The hotel is set in beautiful grounds and we had a room that overlooked the garden....well, it was more like two rooms in one.
I had a single bed in front of french doors which led onto a balcony.....Ma's room was up three steps and her room was more like a conservatory.....half glass, lovely light and airy. She only got that room because it was close to the toilet, and I didn't want her falling either up or down the three steps in the middle of the night.

People seem to think that these holidays that I take with my Ma are a holiday for me too. And while I would hate for people to think that I don't enjoy her company.....(we always have a real good laugh) it is also damned hard work.

On this trip we went to Minehead....over the moors and up Porlock Hill.
For those who have never been up Porlock....I will tell you there are parts where the gradient is 25%...believe me that is steep.
On this occasion the coach just could not get up the hill. The driver was very apologetic and asked us all to get out and walk up the hill.
My Ma became visibly pale at this request.......and I began to sweat just thinking about it.
As it happened, the coach driver told Ma she could stay on the coach, but I got off and walked up the hill....and watched as mother gave a regal wave as she passed us all (I think her style was reminiscent of the Queen Mum).
Now these coach tours are full of the older generation and there were a couple of the passengers who looked as though they were going to need an ambulance, a couple of paramedics and an oxygen cylinder when they got to the top. There was much puffing and panting I can tell you.

We did do the trip to Ilfracombe, and we did manage to have lunch out...but it was quite a costly event......£30 in taxi fares, but Ma enjoyed it immensely.
The group of travellers on the coach were absolutely great.....it was just like a great big family outing.
Ma had the dining room in hysterics most nights, and people were vying to sit close to our table so that they could join in with the conversation...which was sometimes a bit ribald.
Once dinner was over Ma would retire to our room and either read or do puzzles. Several of the guests asked for her to come down into the lounge and entertain the assembled crowd...on only one night did we manage to persuade her....and we all had an uproarious time.

Well we have only been back a couple of days and already she is looking for another 'holiday'


I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post this, but I am sure the mods will move it if it isn't. Have a good read folks.
Bring back the blogs I say.