Birthday weekend sorted out

It's my lucky year this year.

Not only is my remission going to plan, but it's a significant birthday too, so there are several plans afoot to cope with such a momentous occasion.

While the main holiday is obviously to the States in June, we have been thinking about what to on my birthday weekend later in the year. It's at the beginning of the summer holidays, so foreign travel is out.

One idea we had was for a weekend in Canterbury (see the last entry). This is a great idea - until you realise why all the hotels in Kent are full that weekend. I thought it might be because people we on their way to the channel crossings, but it's worse than that. The Open Golf is being held near Sandwich - hotels for miles around have been fully booked for two years or more...

Ann suggested that we should go somewhere we have been before, but not been for a while.

So, next idea was to go to the Inn at Whitewell in the Trough of Bowland. It's only an hour or so away, but a fantastic spot and great for walking. We had a very nice stay there about ten years ago with the kids and some friends and one of the best meals we have ever had. But then again, we can go there virtually any weekend for a walk or a meal (subject to cost!).

Alternatively, there is the Acorn Inn at Evershot in Dorset. Another terrific place to stay with great rooms and excellent food.

Finally we decided to head off to Norwich. We had previously been to a very nice hotel (I'll link to it when we get back...) and have decided to return. There are some friends there that we want to see again that we haven't seen for years and there's some family stuff that we can look into while we are there.

No progress yet on the dog front but we are working on that. A trip to Crufts could be on the cards next week (Saturday is terrier etc day...). Lots of photo opportunities, plus lots of different dogs to see. Having never been before, it could be very interesting. We really do need to get another little friend.