Ann Hyde : Road trip

....and oh did it rain- and rain and rain and rain!!! (you get the idea it RAINED). We had been so luck up til this with the weather, so we really couldn't complain. In fact it came down so much I couldn't take photos of our location! Such a disappointment. Our Hotel was the Moorhill House Hotel at Burley in the New Forest. Although I didn't take a photo of the shop, there is one that had been there for many years, it has now changed to a place making solid oak and pine kitchen fitments, but has kept the old name of John Willies - years ago it had been a Saddlers (there was a very sad story regarding the family that ran it many years ago, but I'll go into that in the future at some point - we do intend to return here after all).

I did get a pic of the bar at the Hotel, where we had our evening meal (and yes William was there with us too).

and a sketch

I have to say that this hotel was lovely - in fact we hope to go back one day...it is definitely on our Return to List.

So, what to do when it is pouring with rain and the wind is getting up - well, we took to the car and travelled to Southampton and surrounding area. That way we could each take turns going into shops. I took the opportunity too of sketching in the car - what better occupation on a wet day...

we also met up with old friends for lunch in a pub, we got there early so I sketched - Again!

here's a photo of it...(any local readers of this should probably recognise this place)...

and on one of the wooden beams is a proverb :

in case you have trouble reading it, the proverb is:

"The church is near but the road is icy. The pub is far away but I will walk carefully"

(although what that exactly means I'm not sure...may be it's make sure you stay upright and get to the pub for the drink you need after the trauma of trying to get there in the first place!!!)

That just left our journey home, via Weymouth - and how lovely the weather improved for us: