So much has happened since the last newsletter. We’ve had trips to London for Lion King & Westminster Abbey and area, luckily it was exactly one week before the terrible

attack at Westminster.

We went to the Royal Albert Hall for the Royal Marines Mountbatten Concert with Princess Anne in attendance but a very special treat was the fabulous Top Secret Drum

Corp from Switzerland, who have appeared at the Edinburgh Tattoo and last year at Windsor for the Queens Birthday.

We had our taster cruise with Fred Olsen from Southampton down to Falmouth and Boconnoc Flower Show next day.

Great fun was had for the 1940’s weekend at Gloucester & Warwick Steam Railway. Richard was Captain of the Home Guard, I was a land girl but quite a few dressed from ammunition workers, spivs, naval officers, land girls, stores officers, chairwoman of the WI & a Nora Batty. Of course the real enthusiasts take these events very seriously and their outfits were perfect recreations of the period. A great time was had by one and all especially on the Push Pull trolley like in the old films, surprising how quickly you can get up speed, next day we went to Bletchley Park.

Same week we went to Bristol to see Lord of the Dance and a mystery trip next day which was to Wales. It did seem a real mystery when our driver took the wrong route to our coffee stop but we learnt the new coach, which had only been delivered the day before horn works very well.

Blakes coaches who we use for all our trips except to Plymouth won Coach of the Year at the big Coach Show in Blackpool in May, I am sure we all agree an award well deserved.

We had Graham for our trip to Ireland and much to people at homes surprise we had quite good weather with 2 smooth crossings. It did rain but at night and when we were on the coach or inside, it was even dry for our scenic drive over the Wicklow Mountains. I think everyone enjoyed the variety of attractions & fun we had. Some of us had a go at cutting peat with the Irish Peat cutting Champion, Richard was in charge of ringing the bell on the land train around Kilkenny and taking the groups to Smithwicks Brewery & Jameson’s Whiskey.

Our club day trips included a visit to the Guide Dogs Breeding Centre, where the club donated £600 & I hope some might have seen the write up in the Mid Devon Advertiser.

We had a trip on the Flying Scotsman on a lovely very hot day last month as well as three trips to Bristol for shows and attractions as well as our first trip to the Mint in Wales and no they don't give free samples I had to buy the chocolate coin bags.

We are still working on our Cardiff Castle Medieval Banquet trip in October, so keep a lookout for it.

Best Wishes Carol & Richard