What has exceeded your expectations

[DenisetheMenace]

On the back of another thread, what has exceeded your expectations.

If I may, I’ll kick off with The Lost Gardens of Heligan, St. Fagans Museum, Tokyo, Michelangelo’s David, Tintagel and Porthminster Beach Cafe in St. Ives.

Ah, Polridmouth Bay/Gribben Head! DuMaurier country.

Hello 👋 @marriednotdead

Mamma Mia The Party.
Best night out ever.

Having children close in age. Everyone told me it would be so hard and I still get looks of horror when I say what the age gap is. It was ridiculously easy, they’ve always adored each other, keep each other occupied, play with the same toys, the experience of 2 close in age massively exceeded my expectations.

My teenager. I expected worse.

Most recent relationship.

Kruger Park safari (day trip), even though it was full of cars.

Having a daughter who idolises me (I only ever wanted boys), going to Capri, agree with whoever said Greatest Showman, Cotswolds, chocolate mint ice cream @ Windsor Palace.

@theluckiest

Schitts Creek.

We watched the first few episodes a while ago and just didn't get it.

Over lockdown, we tried again. Oh. It's just brilliant.

Agree!!!

How my DS(11-12) has handkerchief the last year, and the speed and skill with which he does his twice weekly LFTs.

Yangshuo in China. We stopped there for 2 nights on a very crowded itinerary. I wish we'd had longer and I'd love to go back. Absolutely breathtaking scenery and so much to do!

A cheap & cheerful holiday with the DC at a basic Eurocamp in Toulon. The chalet itself was tiny but sufficient for the very little time we spent in it. Again, loads to do, beautiful beaches in walking distance and an excellent pizza van right outside. We never cooked, despite planning to go self-catering.

• from my 18.56 post “handkerchief” = “handled”.

Glencoe.

Sicily
Iceland, Golden Circle Tour
Seville
Venice
Verona
Lake Orta, Italy
Croatia
Montenegro
The British Museum
Houses of Parliament tour

@BlowDryRat I think maybe my expectations of Yangshuo were too high but I was slightly disappointed- still enjoyed it but it wasn’t quite as spectacular as I was expecting. And like most everywhere we went in China, way more touristy than I was expecting.

Line of Duty

Oh my it’s absolutely brilliant tv

Glencoe is amazing.. Went on mine and dh's first trip away...
Failed to consider my dodgy bladder.

We sat on the grass watching deer a hand away for a couple of hours. Perfect peace.
I decided I had to have a wee behind the car wheel.

And 2 bloody cars went past!!

Venice it’s mystical and eerie at night you feel like you have stepped back in time

Phi Phi Island but this was 25 years ago absolutely beautiful never been anywhere that touches it. Was just beach huts then

North Norfolk amazing beaches lovely walks

Climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge was just fantastic

Scuba diving in Cuba (after a 15 minute lesson ) a different world

My Range Rover Sport. I'd never wanted one and openly disparaged them as being gas-guzzling, ego cars. But dear God, I absolutely love it so much. It's soooooo luxurious and comfortable and it just glides along like the road is made of velvet. I just press a button and it basically parks itself, press another button and everything adjusts perfectly to my specific driving requirements. Love it ❤️

Hearing the last post being played at the Menin Gate. All those names around you and the silence... then that mournful sound.

I agree about lanzarote. we went for a cheap week away and hired a car. What a beautiful island

Belfast, went for a work meeting and was utterly blown away. It’s just beautiful

@BobBobBobbin ah that's a shame! We stayed just outside the town proper and didn't go in at all. The brief glimpse I caught of it did look very touristy so I'm glad we didn't. We did a bamboo raft trip down the Li, then headed off to the Gold Caves. I loved swimming in a cave! Our guide arranged everything and it was just brilliant.

The weather in Buxton today. Blue sky and sun- and so nice to be able to go a bit further from home.

My garden. When we moved in it was a grotty, muddy, north facing slope of dog shit without a back fence that I just shut the back door on for a year and ignored. 4 years later now and we've just finished the last bit of decking, we've done it on a shoe string - poor DH has nearly killed himself terracing it by hand as no access for machinery but it's bloody lovely and we've even made the most of the shady bit. Not bad considering it's a crappy council house!

Vienna for Christmas markets. It was the first trip me and DD took abroad after her dad and I split (we never went abroad as a family) and more her choice than mine.

It was absolutely magical, clean, friendly, beautiful, atmospheric, lovely people.

Yorkshire...another post divorce holiday. I'd wanted to go for years but XH point blank refused. Absolutely fell in love with the place, and the Bronte Parsonage was something else. We went while Bramwell's bicentenary celebrations were going on and I swear his room was haunted. I tend to believe in the woo anyway, but after that experience I was, and remain totally convinced.

The Detectorists

Friend was raving about it for years before I watched it. Caught the first episode of the third series, then binge watched the first two series before the next episode. Three or 4 years later, I still say it’s my favourite tv show ever.

Parthenonon here as well, villa borghese too..

Salzburg.. And a villa with water features just outside it..

Peace and dove that does sound fabulous..