This year we stayed at the Greetham Valley Golf Club which, as well as 2 and a half golf courses, is a hotel and conference centre in Rutland. I decided it was too far for me to drive, so went by train and was very kindly picked up at Peterborough by a couple who were going.
When we arrived we went to our rooms to unpack etc. The rooms were quite large and had a view over the lake and golf courses.
After a rest, I went down to the bar to join those who were there and have a pot of tea and catch up on the news. Others gradually joined us as they arrived, although some people didn’t arrive until quite late in the evening.
I got quite tired, so eventually went to order a meal from the bar as I needed to go and rest. The others then ordered from one of the staff who came to where we were sitting. They also set out a long table where we could eat and the others came to join me as their meals arrived.
I stayed for a while and then retired to rest and sleep.
After breakfast on Saturday morning most of us gathered near reception and organised ourselves to take cars to Stamford for a “Blue badge” guided walk. There were some problems with parking tickets at the car park – first in finding appropriate change between us and then because the ticket machines were playing up. We found our way to the Arts centre to meet up with our guide.
Apparently quite a lot of the town was built in Georgian times.
Not all of the buildings are from that era, of course.
The “great north road” runs through the town – what was the major route from London to the north (where does “the north” start?).
We then went down and walked a short way along the River Welland and the flooding was discussed.
We went passed what was one of the earliest public bath houses – apparently the water was changed once a week! I don’t think people really believed in baths in those days.
Near the bath house were three arches – all that is left of the original castle/fort in the town.
As Stamford was a wool town, there were lots of rich wool merchants at one time, so they built lots of alms houses, many of which remain. We were shown one quite attractive one where there was room for about 12 men (I think) and 2 women – to look after the men! As part of living there they had to go to the chapel to pray for the soul of the benefactor 5 (I think) times a day.
The guide was good and had quite a lot of interesting information, but she was rather quiet so I didn’t catch all she said, especially when there were other people or traffic around. I thought Stamford was a very pleasant town with character and I can see why one of our group is buying a house there. Wouldn’t much like to drive through some of the streets though.
After the tour, most (but not all) people went on to Burghley House where we started by having some lunch in the Orangery. I think we took up 3 tables with extra chairs on some. Some people then did a tour of the house, others went back to Stamford and I had a bit of a rest! Three of the others then joined me for a pot of tea back in the Orangery, before we went back to the hotel where there was time to rest before getting ready for the evening meal.
We met in the bar ready for the 7.30 meal and were shown to our own room. Instead of the usual long table we had 3 smaller ones, which for some reason meant that we had less interaction with everyone (and were perhaps quieter?). Maybe we should have swapped tables after each course?
I left a bit early (again!) so as to have a rest and sleep – not very successful.
On Sunday morning we saw most people at breakfast and some went off to do various things, whereas I got a lift to Peterborough station and the trains home. Many thanks, as always, to this year’s organisers, who did an excellent job.
Question of the year: what was the most fun thing have you done this year? I think that everyone I asked (and I am afraid I didn’t manage to get round to asking everyone) was able to tell me about something they had enjoyed doing during the year. Many of the things I was told led to some interesting stories – which was at least part of the purpose of asking the question.
I wasn’t sure that all of them were “fun” though. Doesn’t fun include laughter, at the least, and possibly a bit of risk or silliness or exhilaration or excitement as well? I was starting to think that we have forgotten how to have fun and can only watch it in children or grandchildren, but then I changed my mind and was sure that some of us do still know how to have fun (as well as enjoyment).
So which of these were really “fun” and which just enjoyable? Some of the suggestions were: watching tennis – in Birmingham; the French open; going to Greenwich for the day; taking the grandchildren crabbing for the first time and seeing even the 19 year old get excited; going to the Boomtown festival; walking behind a waterfall in the Brecon Beacons and getting soaked (with a daughter); going on a wine tasting trip to France and bringing back the results (fun for months to come?); going to Royal Ascot; white water rafting; a walking holiday – not especially for the walks but for the (fun) company.
Thanks for the other suggestions, too and I hope we all have a fun year. Different question next year – but who is organising the event?