Dad celebrated his 60th and retirement with a series of events:
Thursday 13th May – Retiring with a flourish, Dad presented his ‘History of Public Spending’ (spanning 38 years) to the Cabinet Secretary, some Treasury Knights and other very important people!
Wednesday 19th May – After twiddling his thumbs for two days (or more accurately, enjoying his freedom in the sunshine), Dad picked me up in his new car and we drove to ‘the farm’, near the Devon Somerset border. We’ve been going there on hols since I was 2 yrs old! Dad kept bringing us back to this spot as he was researching his ancestors. We found a five Watts gravestones in North Molton Church.
Friday 21st May – Dad’s friends started arriving and we had a delicious dinner at ‘The Royal Oak’ in Withypool. (Mich - please note I’ve started my dessert training in preparation for your dare!)
Saturday 22nd May – We did the ‘Doone’ walk. Dad’s friend George is the great grandson?? of the publisher of the classic book ‘Lorna Doone’, set in Doone Valley. I took a pic of him taking a pic of the remains of what is thought to be the Doone's hideout. We ended the walk at Oare church where, in the book, Lorna was shot at the Alter.
We stayed on the edge of the moor that night (note piccies taken from bathroom and bedroom windows). We ate at ‘The Poltimore Arms’, an old pub on top of the moor (Dad’s favorite). I think they put extra effort into the food – it was amazing! And we finished off the night with a very British rendition of ‘Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport’ (one of my dares to raise money for UNICEF). Download to watch. (21KB file)
(Mick - Sally wants to know if you’ll donate extra money for her 'hopping wallaby' impression :)
Sunday 23rd May – Dad opened his presents over a most marvelous candlelight champagne breakfast before we drove back to London, via The Rose and Crown in Langport on the Somerset levels. The pub has no bar. The locals apparently come in & help themselves to the barrels! Dad got into the spirit!
We had one last walk up Cadbury Castle on the way back - one of the possible locations of King Arthur & his knights of the round table (there was certainly a large castle here). We concluded the trip with one of Heath’s magically ‘whipped up’ meals - YUM!
I took lots of pics. View the main page here.
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