And as Nick sets off to the West Country

[Snoopy]

heading into what is probably the worst weather seen so far this summer we wish him Bon Voyage and plan our responses to his inevitable tales of woe 










Actually I 'spect he is still trying to round up his family and will be here shortly to complain of "faffing".

[Uncle Mort]

Poor Nick and family. Not the best of weather to say the least.

Still, should get some good stories out of it. 

[Nick]

Let the faffing commence! 

[Snoopy]

Predicted 

[Nick]

Inevitable. Mrs Nick is ironing. 

I have to fix the Boy's bike (in the rain) 

No one has packed yet, including me. 

[Snoopy]

And check in is from 3pm onwards I assume. Journey time has to be 4 hours plus.
You hope to visit the Lions at Longleat on route. That tour takes about two hours at least, if you miss out the house, riverboat trip etc.

Have you booked an overnight anywhere en route? 

[Nick]

We are not due at Center (sic) Parcs (sic) till Friday,. We are off to stay in Winchester with my big sister till then.

OK?

[Snoopy]

Oh well ~ just a five hour drive to Winchester then ~ give my love to King Alfred as you pass him.



I used to cycle out there from Southampton regularly as a boy, just to gaze at his statue, visit the Cathedral and pedal home again. I hate what they have done in the name of progress to the surrounding area.
Ruined the fishing 

[Nick]

Mrs Nick is now "looking for things" (and is still in her pyjamas) 

I intend to take them to Avebury en route from Winchester to Longleat

[Uncle Mort]

Oh well I'm sure your big sister knows not to expect you to be on time. 

[Nick]

Oh yes, we have visited before 

[Snoopy]

Is Mrs Nick aware how bad the M25 and M3 are going to be from 5pm onwards?

[Nick]

M40/A34

I am utterly relaxed about our departure time as the later we get to my sister's the better as far as I am concerned.(She enjoys talking about illness)

I am going to hear all about her hysterectomy 

[Snoopy]

M40/A34 is no better.
In fact A34 through Newbury is the stuff of nightmares for me as I used to commute Southampton - Basingstoke. Then it became Enfield - Southampton every weekend. After that it was Ipswich - Gillingham (Dorset ~ close to Longleat) every other weekend for two and a half years. Trust me when I say I know those roads as well as JOM.

[Nick]

At the present rate of progress we shall be leaving at midnight, so I care not. She wants me to mow the lawn now