Kim has arranged a special treat for us along with some stop offs on the way by Deb. Our instruction was neat casual in attire - stretches our dress code !! In the car by 9 including Cassie
so made for a friendly trip . Our first stop is in Warwick at a national trust site called Charlecote Park. It is Easter Monday to day or if in the UK just a plain ol Bank Holiday and Mummy's actual birthday today @ 88 years, as such everyone is out and about - they must have been told that we are in town as no shortage of people - also holding an Easter egg hunt so ankle biters everywhere. Played a game of croquet on their green, Deb won much to Kim's chagrin. After a wander through the home and outbuildings which are all very nice but just an outhouse when compared to say Blenheim Palace. That is a good segway to our next tick off the list item - Warwick Castle. it seems that almost everyone in England had decided to converge on said castle! the locals are also happy for you to come but not firstly handing over your hard earned - all 50 quid! and yes it would be no doubt wrath it but is a place that demands your attention for a complete day. All we were looking for was a quick captain cook. After a degree of difficulty (which was high) we managed to get into the souvenir shop but no closer . So a glimpse was as best we could do but hey there is now a tick beside Warwick Castle.

Now for the main prize - we head to Birmingham as we are to be the guests of a business associate of Kim's in their corporate box at the Birmingham City v Blackburn Rovers football match. A special treat hosted by really fanatical fans. A bonus for Kim as the rovers are his side and he did his best to be on his best behaviour as they were up 4 zip by half time! Imagine this, we are sitting behind glass watching the game with tea cups in hand. At all football games in this country one is not able to sit in a seat with an ale in ones hand so the way the corporates get around this is pour your tipple into a tea cup! Guess what the Birmingham City team are called - The Blues. Seems that they are well named as they went down poorly, I did think I say Mick Malthouse on the sidelines at one stage. It was also the first football game that Cassie has attended - said only attended as it was in a corporate box! Still to see a total of 6 goals scored ( 4 to 2) was all in all a fantastic experience and much appreciated by John and myself.

Next part of the road trip was to stop into a freehouse called The Boat Inn which happens to be located right on a busy section of a canal boating area. It is we'll know as near by you have to travel through the longest tunnel in the UK some 3 miles long. Dinner and more of the flat warm bitter that masquerades as beer and our first game of cards. A similar system seems to work over here as well - the boy drives there and the girl drive back !!

All in all a great day in the midlands - thanks to the gang.