Today is the day we are so excited about. Very dear friends of mine, Ian and Paul, have invited us out to their place in their village of Vernham Dean. In true Ian fashion, he has provided us with a travel schedule, telling us which train to get and what time we will be returned to the station to come home again. It does certainly make our morning easy as we simply just need to follow instructions.

Not having to rise too early we decide to make our way towards Waterloo station early and grab some breakfast down there. Both Matthew and I are the same type of travellers. Always opting to be at the transport quite early, so it’s nice to be travelling with someone who is the exact same as me.
We find somewhere to have a bite to eat and a coffee before finding out where we might need to go for tickets and our platform. The coffee shop staff smile when I respond to their question ‘how are you’ is met with “I’m exceptional thanks for asking”.
It’s not long before we need to head to the platform and find a seat. The announcement tells us that due to a shortage of drivers the train will terminate the stop after ours. Phew! We settle in for the journey and crack open the lollies and roadies we’d purchased at the station.

The train trip is only just over an hour, and it’s always interesting to watch the changing landscape when you travel from city to regional areas. So many very typically English settings in buildings, farmland and factories. Just like I have seen on the tv and movies over many years.
We watch as the many passengers come and go and it’s not before we are off the train at Andover and Paul is waiting for us, waving his arms about so we can’t miss him. I run and hug him as Matthew is close behind. It’s always so nice to connect my worlds together. I know that I have beautiful friends and family that will always accept anyone I introduce them to no matter what.
I take the front seat and Paul and I begin to natter away, while Matthew can’t get a word in edgewise. We take the winding roads to Vernham Dean and greeted by a busy Ian. He is putting the finishing touches on our Sunday roast, so the three of us sit in the lounge room as Paul pours us a glass of Moët each.
Ian and Paul have 3 gorgeous dogs, 2 of which I became familiar with on my last visit to them. But since I was there, they’d gotten another puppy called Stanley, to add to the furry family of Henry and George. Now Stanley is nuts, but type spaniel and puppy behaviour. The other boys just slowly make their way around the house.

We sit by the fire, and before long Ian surfaces out of the kitchen to have a sit and chat for a bit, before once again excusing himself to get lunch on the table.

I remember my last visit being treated to high tea, that Paul loved to do. There is always the ‘right’ tea set or dining set. It’s always hilarious to watch the banter between them when they are debating crockery. Paul has already announced to us his unhappiness that Ian had selected an inappropriate option for cutlery. I personally didn’t see a problem with it, but Paul certainly has an eye for detail.

Time spent with these guys is always precious. I get my chance to congratulate Ian on being recognised at the 2020 British LGBT Awards for Outstanding Contribution to LGBT+ Life. His work as the CEO of the Terrence Higgins Trust (a British charity that campaigns o and provides serves relating to HIV). It is alway brilliant to see good work and good people recognised.
Sadly out time together is way too short, but just enough for Matthew to get their seal of approval. Not that there was ever any doubt. We kiss and hug good bye, before making our way back to the station. It always feeds my soul to be in the company of the special people in my world. So to share this time with Ian, Paul and Matthew was very special indeed.

Our journey on the train is relatively uneventful, but was very busy. We got a couple of seats in the vestibule and as the drinks cart came through we opted for another roadie. It’s very cool to see that the trains still have mobile snacks being sold.
We jump off at the station, and while we were deciding what to do for dinner, there was a nearby pub which we sat and unpacked our day. Matthew had really enjoyed meeting the boys and before long we decide to head back home and order in for the night. We settle in with some food and Bohemian Rhapsody plays o the TV. We need an early night as our tattoo appointments are booked in for 11am tomorrow morning. We need to be well rested.