Trips Involving Friends
​Assorted times away with assorted folk!
We go with friends on their Honeymoon!:
Extract from Chapter 33 of 'Our Lives' Book
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Our good friends Hazel Shaw and Bill Winter decided to marry.​ Hazel had been a friend since before we ourselves were married .
She had married Tony Shaw with whom Marjorie first went out, many moons ago.
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Hazel was godmother to Susan and we were godparents to her youngest, Hilary.
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It was Hazel who we played cards with all those years ago, and now she persuaded us to try Bridge which is a fascinating Card Game with some basic resemblances to Whist and Solo, but with skill levels similar to Chess.
We attended Bridge Lessons for a couple of years. They were run by Bill Winter who had been a Lancashire player for some years and whose knowledge of the game was epic!
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Bill asked me if I would organise his Stag Night, so we ended up with our Andrew driving us to Chorley.
Here we had a rather nice Indian meal then watched Bernard Wrigley, the Bolton Bullfrog, at the Little Theatre. The girls had their own night out.
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Anyway, back to the script. Hazel and Bill decided to get married at Kendal Registry Office so that they could go on to the Waterside Hotel in Ambleside for a few days on their honeymoon.
They asked us if we would like to be their witness' at the Registrars and also spend a night or two at the Hotel with them. We did this as well as videoing the Wedding for them.
The next day we guided them to Hodge Close Quarries near Coniston, followed by a walk to the Three Shires Pub at Little Langdale.
Here Bill was caught with a Blond in his hand. Hazel forgave him as it was a Cumberland Blond, the local beer.
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Bizarrely this wasn't the only time we joined friends on honeymoon! But that's another story!
Cyprus with Roger & Mary:
Extract from Chapter 35 of 'Our Lives' Book- An eventful start.
One holiday with Roger and Mary took us to the Island of Cyprus. Here we stayed at a nice hotel, but I cannot recall where. It may have been on the outskirts of Limassol.
We hired a car and headed along the coastal road towards Larnaca.
Here, I was pulled over on to a cliff top car parking area, by police, who tried to convince me that I had been speeding.
I had to hand over my Passport and Driving Licence and they were making a meal of my details when a saloon car flashed past at break neck speed.
Simultaneously the Police received a radio message that there had been a big burglary and a fast car was heading their way.
They started revving up, to take up pursuit, but I was hanging on to their door handle. I needed my paperwork back.
They virtually threw it out of the window and screeched off. And that was the end of that story.
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Later that day we visited Nicosia which is on the divide between the part of Cyprus that is Greek and the part of Cyprus that claims to be Turkish.
From the top floor of a large Marks & Spencer type building we had excellent views across the border.
A walk through town showed us how each road that was partly in each territory was barricaded and barb wired off. The United Nations Blue Berets were patrolling the area. I believe that our Penny, when with the TA, patrolled here at some point.
The Island was full of ancient remains, in contrast to the new McDonalds. (Always a good bet when looking for a clean toilet and a cheap snack!!)​
Kefalonia with Roger & Mary:
Extract from Chapter 23 of 'Our Lives' Book
Marjorie and I holidayed with Roger and Mary Taylor more than once.
They had stayed in Kefolonia before. Our base was a third floor apartment with a balcony with views, in the pleasant seaside resort of Poros.
Marjorie and I holidayed with Roger and Mary Taylor more than once.
They had stayed in Kefolonia before. Our base was a third floor apartment with a balcony with views, in the pleasant seaside resort of Poros.
We climbed the hill behind and spent a day travelling along the coast to the small town of Sami.
From here we joined a boat excursion to the Island of Ithaca where we took a trip up the mountain to the Katharon Monastery on the summit.
According to Roger the island of Kefalonia was associated with Captain Corelli and his Mandolin. So now you know!!.
This is a relatively easy, though not well known, route. It starts at Arnside, then circles Morecombe Bay, to Carnforth and Grange over Sands.
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Later, it travels up the Eastern side of Coniston Lake before hopping over to the Duddon Valley, then Eskdale, before finishing at Ravenglass with its iconic narrow-gauge railway and the historic Muncaster Castle, with its Bird of Prey Centre, one of Britain's greatest collections of rhododendrons and Roman Remains.
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If you don't do the Furness Way, you should still visit Ravenglass.
The Furness Way with Roger & Mary:
A little known long distance walk ending in a sea-side village with loads of history
Roger and Mary also accompanied Marjorie and myself on a South Lakes long distance walk called the Furness Way.
​Each month, leaders guide graded walks. Usually 6-9 miles.
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A Coach collects you near your home, makes a breakfast stop, then drives to the venue- usually Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Lancashire or Derbyshire.
After the walk there is time for a drink before being driven home.
In late 2025 the club lost their stalwart leader of many years, Derek Helm.
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He will be sorely missed by his wife Val and family, and by all those members who benefited from his cheerful organizational skills.
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Lots more trips involving friends on the extra menu of buttons above!
Blackpool Victoria Walking Club
Monthly walks with new friends and old
Roger and Mary were also members of Victoria Walking Club of which Marjorie and I were already members.​
Relatively new friends from Blackpool Victoria Walking Club