Tears and Smiles

If you love motorsport or have an interest in historic cars or bikes, then the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu is a must visit place. From classic British cars, historic formula 1 cars, record breaking builds, on screen vehicles and a huge section of motorcycles. I spent over three hours in the museum alone & the ticket also includes admission to Palace House, the Abbey ruins, gardens and grounds too. You learn about the history of Beaulieu and the Montagu family and how the museum was first founded. 

Although I had the best time, I also found myself with tears rolling down my cheeks as I know how much my dad would have LOVED to visit this place. A friend told me that grief would raise it’s head at the most unexpected times, and this was one of them for me. I just wished he could have been there next to me. I know he would probably have told me more about each car, bike and engine than the museum had written on each of the plaques! This made me smile.

Onto a happier note and signs of Spring have been in abundance when we visited Winkworth Arboretum, Chartwell (former residence of Winston Churchill) and Frensham; an area of outstandingly beautiful heathland and woodland. A carpet of snowdrops, the bright yellow of daffodils and the splash of purple from the first crocus can’t help but make you stop and look. 

Our journey is taking us back through Surrey, Sussex and Kent as we head towards home once more. We are stopping along the way to explore the hills, countryside, forests and footpaths and are always grateful when the sunshine appears. Spring is coming!