@travellingwiththeateam

Andy woke early as per usual and headed out for a run on a familiar route around Oxford finishing at our old address on St Bernard’s Road.

Later in the morning we walked around the colourful houses of Jericho.

After sorting out our travel vaccinations, which involved a cocktail of injections, sadly none as enjoyable as the alcohol version, we left Oxford for Wallington, Surrey for an evening with our old friends Tim & Jules.

As it was a Friday afternoon, a journey that should take 1hr 30mins took almost 3hrs as we battled the multiple traffic jams on the M25.

Thankfully the evening was a very enjoyable one, with great food, IPA’s and vino.

Despite Michelle’s cold, which has been the first illness of the trip, she was able to enjoy the evening and keep hidden her oversized box of tissues!!

Today marked the end of our northern tour as we said goodbye to Melbourne and drove the 95 miles south back to our starting point, Oxford.

Before we got into the car we had an enjoyable walk around the pretty market town that gave its name to the much larger Australian city.

On our return to Oxford, Michelle went to say hi to our old neighbour Sherin on St Bernards Road, whilst Andy went to Trailfinders to check the final arrangements for the overseas leg. This was the last walk with Coco which we will both greatly miss.

We then headed out to our friends Penny and Mike to drop off Coco before we depart on Thursday to Australia. Before saying goodbye, we went to Thame for dinner at The Black Horse.

After a really enjoyable meal (despite the ever louder voices from the Xmas parties nearby), we said our final goodbyes to our favourite cocker spaniel, the perennial pup, Coco.

After a great nights sleep at Harpur’s Hotel, Andy departed early for his morning run followed by a dog walk around the picturesque Melbourne.

The morning walk around the Melbourne estate was a mix of ice cold temperatures and bright sunshine.

After a relaxing morning we headed to pick up our daughter Amelia from Loughborough and spend some quality time together. We finished the day taking her to Peters, her favourite pizza venue in town.

Celebrating with the girls and a pint of IPA before the pizzas arrive. Coco was also paying attention waiting for the food to land!

Amelia said her goodbyes to Coco before we head back to Oxford and our four legged friend moves to live with Mike & Penny whilst we are away travelling.

We left Ad & Sarah’s house early this morning, but not before taking a photo on their imposing doorstep.

From there we drove across Birmingham and on to the pretty market town of Melbourne in Derbyshire. We are staying here for 2 days whilst we see our daughter who is studying at Loughborough Uni.

We picked up Amelia and headed into Loughborough and lunch at Public.

After an enjoyable afternoon in Loughborough checking out Amelia’s house for her 2nd year, we returned to Melbourne and I went out for my daily 10k run to keep those Strava kudos comments coming through!

Amelia had a more relaxing afternoon cuddling Coco.

The day finished on a high, dinner with my two favourite girls.

Today was a day for saying hello & goodbye to family and friends.

The morning started with Andy saying goodbye to his youngest brother Ian.

After a further goodbye to Andy’s mum & dad, we headed south down the M6 to Holmes Chapel and met up with old friends Durwin & Amanda. We first met Durwin at Uni in Liverpool almost 35yrs ago and he’s remained a good friend ever since.

After a couple of hours of chat over lunch and hearing about Amanda and Durwin’s recent trip to Barbados, we said our goodbyes and got back in the car and continued our journey down the M6 to Birmingham.

On arrival in Harbourne we were greeted by this man, Adam another old friend from Uni days and who is looking to start a new career as a Bernard Manning impersonator!

Thankfully Adam’s kids are more grown up, and Milla & Christie greeted Coco like their own.

Dinner was nearby in Ad & Sarah’s fab pub, The Plough in Harbourne were we feasted on pizza and vino.

The pub was all decorated by Sarah and looks amazing.

We had a fab evening and loved catching up with the Johnson clan who over the years have been our regular summer holiday buddies.

Snow fell overnight so after a lie in, this morning was spent inside enjoying the comfort of Andy’s mum & dad’s house.

The afternoon was set aside for an early Xmas party at Sue’s house in Ladybridge with 12 of the family sitting down for a traditional festive feed, followed by party games.

We had a really enjoyable afternoon, as ever the food was amazing, and all left feeling properly full thanks to Sue, the hostess with the mostest!

Will miss next year, but plan to be back for Xmas 2025.

Penultimate days stay with Andy’s mum & dad before we start our final drive south. We plan to ‘detour’ via Crewe and Birmingham to see old friends, before popping over to Loughborough to see our daughter at Uni for 2 days, then arriving back to our home city of Oxford.

Today Michelle, Marian and Andy’s cousin Sue are starting the prep for the early Xmas party on Sunday evening. There will be no half measures, with the full 4 course Xmas meal (cheese course to finish) plus a bevy of sweets and chocolates to make sure it feels properly like Xmas day!

Before all that we have Andy’s eldest nephew Thomas’s 21st birthday party at the local cricket club in Lostock. There will be c. 75-80 in attendance and the full spread of ‘youngsters’ along with family & friends. Should be fab night and a proper celebration with some fine tunes courtesy of Thomas’s dj mix he’s prepared!

Before that Andy & Coco ventured out into the wilds of the Over Hulton country park.

Arrived at the venue and Andy grabbed a photo with the bday boy, Thomas.

Grabbed a few photos over the evening with family & friends. Good night all in all.

An early morning run for Andy in the cold today, maintaining his daily routine come rain, shine or snow!

We all then headed to Rivington, a woodland area north west of Bolton, for a leisurely walk to the old barn.

Andy’s mum & dad went first to set the pace!

No walk is complete without a stop off at Rivington Barn for the obligatory coffee and cake (well for Michelle and Andy!).

The walk back saw the return of the November sunshine.

Early evening we went over to Michelle’s sister Deborah and husband, another Andy, in Royton and enjoyed a Thai takeaway. Andy’s first Just Eat order.

Coco joined us too and made friends with Charlie a springer spaniel.

We returned to Over Hulton late evening and compared smiling techniques for the camera with James and Marian.

Today was a return back to Bolton to see family & friends in order to celebrate a number of birthdays & and early Xmas party.

Before returning to Bolton we took a short detour via the pretty town of Ramsbottom.

After a coffee and cake in Ramsbottom we headed to The Jumbles, a country park in Bradshaw on the outskirts of Bolton.

Coco was in her element and along with the November sunshine it made for an enjoyable hour or so walk skirting around the nearby reservoir.

Sadly it’s our last week with Coco before we drop her off at our friends, Mike & Penny, who will be looking after her whilst we are in Oz & SE Asia. In preparation we had her cut and she’s now sporting the following new look below.

We are staying at Andy’s parents house with James and Marian, where the Christmas decorations are now in full effect.

After an enjoyable night at the local Italian restaurant and a few too many shots when we got back to Phil & Kate’s apartment, we started our walk around Leeds a little later in the morning.

First stop was a place I know well from work, the beautiful Victoria Quarter.

We moved on to the architecturally stunning Corn Exchange, which houses a great range of independent stores with a real emphasis to all things Leeds.

We then moved on to the Leeds Liverpool Canal and came across some interesting signs and graffiti.

We finished the day with a visit to a local Indian restaurant Nawaab. Fantastic food and great service where Phil & Kate are regulars and know all the staff by name!