It was a cold night and still chilly this morning. Isobel still wanted to go to the beach, so after breakfast we headed off down the hill. We didn't stay too long, but Isobel doesn't seem to mind the cold, as least for a while she doesn't

We booked up to have a similar break next year at the same sort of time, but next time she won't miss any school. Booking early meant that she got a Sparky Chef toy!

Isobel walks up the hill back to the camp ahead of me.

We came back to the van for lunch and then went off to the park centre where we played on the mini golf.

Then we went inside where Isobel was just about the height to be allowed on the indoor play area.

Then she managed to drink nearly a whole bottle of J2O!

We spent a while on the slot machines and have some winning tickets to exchange for prizes when the shop is open. It was raining quite hard on the way back to the van but it is nice and cosy in here. Isobel wanted us to get the fold up bed out, so we did! Darren didn't pull it out last night as the sofa was long and wide enough for him to manage on there.

We reported the fact we couldn't light the cooker and the man came in while we were out. He has left a lighter now so I will cook tonight. We were going to boo for Isobel to go in the water walkers this evening, but they are broken, so she has a place to go in the blow up boats tomorrow. The sun has come out again so we may go over and get the prizes later.

Having trouble with the internet so the photos are not in the right order! This morning I managed to get a doctors appointment, he was very good and quite concerned about the size of the swelling in my neck. I have a weeks worth of 'horse pills' and wants to see me again next Tuesday to make sure it has gone down. Anya drove up with Isobel so that she and I could have our break at the caravan. When they arrived we had lunch at the Teasmaid and then came to the caravan. When Anya went home we made our way to the beach. This was a bit later on  but they are not as I took them.

Darren came in after work, we couldn't get the cooker going so ordered a take away which took almost an hour to arrive! Lsobel was pleased that Uncle Darren came to stay tonight.

A couple more shots from the beach.

Yesterday The Walsh's came over to say hello and their children and Lee's had great fun in the pool.

Then Lee drove us to Westport, a small town near the river. Very warm and humid day, but a nice drive, the car is cool! We walked through the town towards the river.

The girls, Patty, Rebecca and Kate went for a 'quick look' in a clothes shop. Here are Mark and Lee patiently waiting to go to lunch!

We had lunch at a Mexican restaurant called Bartaco. It was by the water, but busy, so we ate inside.

The family stood by the river on the way back to the car.

Not long after we got home the car came to collect me to take me to the airport. The traffic was bad, and I had been meaning to take a picture of a plant/weed that is smothering all the trees over there. I tried to take a few, this one is the least blurred, I will look it up one day!

Arrived in York this afternoon, a trouble free flight and train ride, and Tina and Darren met me at York. Took me to the shop to get some supplies on the way home as off with Isobel tomorrow. My neck is quite swollen, but not bothering me too much providing I keep taking the pills. Tina cancelled a couple of hospital appointments for this week that came when I was away, I will try and get an appointment at the docs in the morning, but don't go holding your breath! Won't be in bed late, didn't sleep that much on the plane.

Just a short post today, I have to pack and get ready for the trip home. We went to Mamma Rosa's for a meal yesterday evening, which was l lovely last dinner together. I am going to add a couple of the top of the mountain photos that Rebecca sent to me yesterday.

It really was amazing to see the clouds lifting away. Then a couple of the dinner shots as I have a camera again now!

Next post back in Blighty!!

The family went out on errands, leaving me to my restful, lazy day! When they came back they came running in with an 'early Christmas present', a camera no less! Now charged up and the first pics of Mark who has kept me company and entertained this afternoon while the two of us were out by the pool.

Plus one of him landing in the water (Lee was checking something behind) and a shot of the pool.

Now I will put in a couple of shots of when we were up in the clouds that Patty sent me. These were when they were beginning to lift.

We are off out for dinner this evening and I may even where the dress!

I think I have worked out how to transfer photos the family have sent me, I will try a couple from the Aquarium and see how it goes!

Hey, can work things out occasionally! I am having a quiet day,  slept late and have been reading and relaxing. Enjoying the book that Patty recommended to me. I will try some more picture transferring a bit later.

Will make a brief entry but we haven't been in long and I feel shattered! This morning we all got packed up and then went into Gatlingburg for breakfast. Then back to the hotel to finish off the packing and then leave all the luggage there for a while and took the trolley down to the town again to visit the Aquarium. We had about an hour there and saw some great sharks and rays, and sea dragons which I particularly liked. We were fascinated by the African penguins, living in a warm climate, it showed them clambering over sand castles and between the holiday makers on the beach. One of them seemed to have two babies as well, I am sure they usually only lay one egg as if is difficult enough to bring them up in the ice and snow. We then walked back up into the town and caught a trolley for the last time back to the hotel. We had been told that bears are active in the area and hungry, so not to leave food in the cars or lying about. Patty and I really hoped we would at least see one, but sadly we didn't. The rest of the family were not so keen. The nearest we came was seeing a pile of bear poop on the way to Grotto Falls!
We drove to Pigeon Fort to find a place to have lunch, we passed so many that it was difficult to make a choice, we ended up at an Outback Steakhouse. I really don't learn, I ordered a salad as the servings are so big here and it was enormous! I obviously should have ordered the side salad which would probably be about the size of a salad serving in England. We then had a fun 'off road' experience with Mark directing us to a petrol station before we got to the airport. When we found it there were just tow pumps and it was self service (unusual over here) and they were like 70's pumps! Lee even had to leave his credit card inside while he filled up. that was a fun experience to end the trip.
The plane was on time and the journey good, we got this end on time and the traffic wasn't too bad which rounded things off nicely. It has been a brilliant trip despite itchy rashes, dodgy knees and ankles, breathlessness, and now I think I have a swollen gland in my neck which is pretty painful! But as I say, it was absolutely great, once in a lifetime for me I should think, and my decrepit state didn't spoil things too much for the family.