We arrived back in Edinburgh on Monday afternoon and went straight to Mimi’s Bakehouse for tea and scones with Heather Williams and her Mom Sherryl. Old Witbank friends, of Mom’s so loads of laughter and remember whens and some seriously good tea and scones. Thanks Heather and Sherryl for a fab afternoon.

Sadly all good things must come to an end. We had a final short stop to say good bye to Gerry, before heading home for the repack. Managed to get a decently discounted upgrade on our seats, so could check all the luggage in to the hold. We had a last walk around the area and headed back into the airport in our awesome Mitsubishi escape ….a fantastic vehicle. Smooth handover and our flight was on times. Yay universe!

We landed at Heathrow just before 2pm, sailed through luggage collection and were on our way to Crawley in A Vauxhall suv. I am not so enamored of this one, but it gets us from A-B in comfort. We checked i to the most beautiful Windfalls Boutique Hotel. Warm and friendly meeting from Margarita our host. Very elegant rooms, with bedding that has to be experienced to be believed. Never have I ever, slept on such a comfy bed so enveloped in a featherlike, super soft down duvet and pillows,

Mom had a challenge with the higher grade deluxe shower and needed help, I was nowhere to be seen, luckily Mom only went as far as my room in her bath towel to find help. Margarita heard the damsel in distress or as we say in distowel….and went to sort the shower put. A tough challenge😇. We have use of the open areas and on site parking, and breakfasts are cooked to order. Exceptional place.

Dinner was an invitation to the home of the van Greunens. Anne is the sister of Dad’s best friend Ed Hunter. What a wonderful catch up and reunion and so comforting to hear how well though of and loved my Dad was. Anne prepare a 3 course meal fit for royalty. Pleased to say I tucked in and did it justice…..the most delicious tuna mouse to start with, followed by lasagne and then a super moist choc cake. Home cooked with love..the best meals ever.

We had such a good time and were getting sad that we would be saying good bye when Anne-said….wish you could come again for dinner tomorrow night. As you know, I never turn down an offer of a meal, especcially when the company is great and the food is superb. We agreed it would be a do over. Yayness…lucky us. We were even given biscotti and cookies for our padkos.

After a sublime sleep in our luxurious beds..,we tootled off to Chartwell to seee Churchill’s home. It is a remarkable place….and I am sure I can feel the big guy around. Beautifully maintained with his books and paintings. A great days outing. Improved by the knowledge that dinner would be home cooked.

Once again Anne put on a generous spread of chicken, potato bake and salad. Followed by the most divine pecan pie. Anne and Errol it was so wonderful to spend time with you and thank you being such hospitable hosts.

outd