Wannabe Earl & Countess

Met up with (a very excitable) Stu and J this morning for a tour of the house and grounds at Highclere Castle, more commonly known for its setting for the very popular and much-loved Downton Abbey. J did well to book the early tickets, for the car park soon filled up with cars and coaches, full of similar-minded people, which meant that we got through/around it all without too much queuing and whatnot. All very cool and enjoyable. Especially when Stupot downloaded the theme-tune and skipped around the grounds....!

We then saw most of Hampshire as we pootled along the country roads in search of a pub that had been identified as a suitable place for lunch... We came off the A34 a junction too early apparently - but it was very very pretty countryside and rewarded with a delicious posh-pub lunch!

We parted ways again - as they headed South for the day to meet Ava and onwards to Pompey, while I wizzed up the A303/M3 to Surbiton to see Shona for the evening. Very pleasant and impromptu evening out at a bar in town with her and her new flat-mate, but mindful that I had a long drive the next morning, I was, very very sensible and just had the five cocktails! :-)