are you local?

Sunday morning I set off with my mum for the long drive up to Norwich. But first we had to stop for fuel. Being the attentive daughter I am I prepared to deliver the fuel to the car but mum decided to do this herself which was fine until she had finished. As she removed the nozzle from the tank she must have given it another squeeze. Yes you guessed it she splashed diesel down the front of the long skirt I was wearing. I thought I had managed to jump out of the way but no. It wasn't really until later that I realised the extent of the damage. Even hanging my skirt in the en suite bathroom couldn't hide the fumes. Each time we opened the door of our twin room the stink of diesel hit us smack in the face.

This meant that I drove hoe on Monday wearing the pink chiffon skirt I had worn for the wedding, not my casual beige skirt as I had intended.

The drive up didn't take as long as it could have done, primarily becasue after an hour and half of travelling at about 60mph (why did we have to be in the middle lane !!!!) we stopped at what I have been told are the most expensive Services in the UK, whether that is so I don't know. Fro there I took over the driving as mother's leg was hurting. so now we could go at a more comfortable speed, 70mph until I was sure I was not only used to the car but that mother was comfortable with me driving and began to relax. Soon I was making good time keeping to around 80mph. I was enjoying the freedom of driving a car that I knew I could accelerate easily to over take whenever I wanted to, no need to get stuck behind slow traffic simply because I was afraid of trying to pull ou and pass them with faster cars coming up on the outside. I could keep up with anyone. I was the Lady of the road for those few hours. (my version of king of the road).

The hotel was lovely (only about 20 rooms) , the groom was very nervous until the bride arrived. The bride was beautiful in a gorgeous gold lace dress. The food whilst nothing spectacular was good. The bestman (groom's sister) gave a very funny (humourous not odd) speech. I won the raffle prize for our table, the glass vase containing single red rose complete with jeweled pin. (But I left it behind on Monday). The dancing was energetic for me as I rarely dance, I was glowing so much that must have been at least 1lb of my weight although it felt like 1stone.

Next morning we all met for english breakfast in the main dining room before setting off in convoy to have a tour of the happy couple's new home. Huh I guess the groom is not used to leading a convoy especially along mile after tortuous mile of country lanes and staggered junctions. He set off at such a pace with others in hot pursuit that the car behind me couldn't keep up. Plus the bride and one other car had been left behind. I tried to keep far enough behind the car ahead of me that I could keep track of where they went whilst keeping the car behind me just about in my mirror. This was managed until we crossed one A road too many. The car behind lost sight of us and was not to be seen for the last few miles. I couldn't hang back and wait for him as I would have been lost too so I caught up with the others. Once at our destination I mentioned that we had lost our friend. Not to worry too much as they phoned for directions.

The house and garden are perfect as were our host and hostess. Can you believe that just before we left we discovered that among us were a family who live less than a mile from me and I drive past their house everyday. Yet I had to drive 458 (round trip) to meet them.