Christine and Barry took several days driving around the countryside. I stayed home with John. On Saturday the 9th nice and early in the morning, Christine Barry and myself travelled to Heathrow to return their hire car. From Heathrow we took the train to London. It was a wet day typical English weather, I had organised to stay at Kurt’s place that night, the following evening I was to be staying with Chris and Barry.
We got to Paddington and found the Abbey court hotel where Chris and Barry were to be staying for the next four nights, we dumped our bags and set off. We all agreed a bus tour would be good, as it kept raining. Kurt rang and said he had double booked and had no room for me so I would have to go home that evening.
One week in four we ladies go through something that is not that pleasant, and it was my week. Feeling wet cold and in pain I persevered with the day but tried my best not to whine and spoil Christine and Barry’s. Most of the day was spent in queues in the rain either waiting to purchase a ticket or waiting to gain access to an attraction. On several occasions Barry stood in line with the rain, while Christine and I found a dry spot and waited for his return with our tickets. We were very appreciative.
The train trip back to Reading was very scary because the train was filled with drunk football fans returning to Wales. Police were every where on the station but only a few were on the train strolling through the cars. Most fans just sang and chatted, some were obnoxious. When I reached Reading I did have to walk through a rowdy bunch near the exit that yelled obscenities to the leaving passengers. Where were the police now! I wish I had a gun I could have got rid of a few vermin.
John was late picking me up from the station, but I was happy to get home and have a hot shower a pain killer and a drink.
Sunday 10th
The taxi took me to reading station then took John to the airport. I joined Christine and Barry for breakfast. The sun was shining with a promise of a beautiful day. We queued for Buckingham palace, watching many arrogant and rude people sneak into the line before us. We shuffled forward ever so slowly an hour later we were in the castle, but the crowds stayed making the viewing very difficult. It still was impressive despite the crush of people.
Onward to the London Eye again there were queues. We managed to get on before it become very overcast and started to rain. Not far from the London Eye was a bar so we all went and had a few drinks……. A while later we emerged the crowds had dispersed, and it was off to find a restaurant for dinner. It was late and the only place open was a chippy. Well we all had fish and chips cooked by a very flirty greek man, he kept suggesting to Barry that I should be left behind. The cheeky bloke didn’t even give us a discount. I stayed with Chris and Barry that night, it was a small room but clean. I opened the window as it was hot, the street lay below us and it was very noisy.
Monday 11th It was a long night with no air conditioning or breeze through the window it was so hot. This day we were to visit the British museum and Madame Tussauds wax museum, but we were not going to wait on the three hour queue for the wax museum. So we walked about London discoving some lovely little streets, and lots of pastry shops where Christine and I just had to stop and druel.
The Brittish museum was huge. I was feeling hot and lightheaded and had to get outside. In the early afternoon I thought it best to go home, maybe I was over tired as a feeling of nausea came over me every now and then. By the time I got home to Mortimer I was rather sick and went straight to bed, it was awful coming home to an empty house, no John and leaving my friends in London. Next morning I had a very sore and raspy throat and an aching body, so it was a day of moping about feeling sad and sorry for myself and missing everyone.
Monday, 25 August 2008
Thursday, 7 August 2008
Christine and Barry's visit.
Mortimer Tuesday the 29th I was up bright and early before the alarm went off, John and I had to meet Christine and Barry at the Heathrow hire car rentals, 1 car one. We were late despite the fact I tried to get his lordship organised, we left ten minutes later than intended and then got stuck in a traffic jam, the meeting time was to be 8 am we arrived at 8.33, I felt rather bad for Chris and Barry travelling from Australia and then having to wait, especially where they were waiting. It was directly under the flight path of landing planes, the huge plane bellies seemed within metres of our heads and the noise they made was horrendous. Poor Chris and Barry had to endure this every few minutes until we arrived, and the street was rather grotty, a real eyesore.
Back in Mortimer John had a cuppa with us all, and then left for work. It was now my responsibility to keep Chris and Barry awake and entertained. So I took them for a walk to the old roman ruins at Silchester. What a great idea, or so I thought. The walking trails to the ruins have overgrown somewhat since John and I walked them. So here we are Chris, Barry and me being snagged by blackberries and stung by nettles and gathering mud under our shoes from some recent rain. Barry asked if we had snakes in England? My reply was, “ no dangerous ones here, you do get the occasional grass snake, and they are harmless.” Just as I had finished the statement Barry had stopped abruptly, there lying before him was a rather big snake. The snake was dead but we girls don’t like the idea of any snakes being here. Later I found out they do have poisonous snakes called vipers in the UK. Lord only knows what type ours was, but we chose to think it was a grass snake. I do not think Barry was very concerned but Christine could have done without the snake and the cross country walk, let alone having to climb over wooden sty’s to get on the other side of fences.
Back in Mortimer John had a cuppa with us all, and then left for work. It was now my responsibility to keep Chris and Barry awake and entertained. So I took them for a walk to the old roman ruins at Silchester. What a great idea, or so I thought. The walking trails to the ruins have overgrown somewhat since John and I walked them. So here we are Chris, Barry and me being snagged by blackberries and stung by nettles and gathering mud under our shoes from some recent rain. Barry asked if we had snakes in England? My reply was, “ no dangerous ones here, you do get the occasional grass snake, and they are harmless.” Just as I had finished the statement Barry had stopped abruptly, there lying before him was a rather big snake. The snake was dead but we girls don’t like the idea of any snakes being here. Later I found out they do have poisonous snakes called vipers in the UK. Lord only knows what type ours was, but we chose to think it was a grass snake. I do not think Barry was very concerned but Christine could have done without the snake and the cross country walk, let alone having to climb over wooden sty’s to get on the other side of fences.
I managed to get us lost coming back from the ruins and relied on Barry’s sense of direction and observations from his lofty vantage point (rather tall is Barry) to get us home. It was great fun as we travelled through very rough tracks…… well maybe not for Christine, she did confess later it was not that bad, just a little long.
Wednesday morning the three amigo’s set off for Stonehenge leaving John to go to work. Having seen Stonehenge I sat in their car and read my book while they did the tourist stuff. From Stonehenge to Old Saram Ruins, The massive Iron Age hillfort of Old Sarum, next stop Salisbury. Planning only to have lunch there, we discovered that Salisbury has a magnificent Cathedral. Salisbury is unique amongst medieval English cathedrals, built within one century with no substantial later additions. The building itself is remarkable. Reading the translation of the Magna Carta was very entertaining we overstayed our parking time but luckily we did not receive a ticket. Next on the agenda was Woodhenge, then the White Horse. The Alton Barnes white horse looks out over Pewsey Vale towards the new Pewsey horse, and can be seen for many miles.
We were all a little thirsty and had taken a bottle of water with three plastic wine goblets from home. Some passing motorists were a little concerned when they saw Barry driving and drinking from a wine glass. It looked very convincing. I could not help but wonder if a police siren would be heard soon. Lastly we visited Donnington Castle at Newbury, The most impressive part of the castle, and indeed the only part now standing, was the gatehouse. Donnington is a three-storey rectangular building with two round towers that flank the entrance and rise another storey above the rest of the building. Unfortunately many people picnic there with their children, who run and climb over the ruins with no regard for its history, let alone the rubbish littered about.
Thursday morning Christine and Barry Set off for Bath and the Roman Baths, whilst I stayed home catching up on my ironing and house work. By 8.30 that night Chris and Barry were not home and I was getting a little concerned that they couldn’t operate the Tom Tom navigation system. A little later, just as I decided to put all dinners in the oven, in they bowled, full of merriment and tales to tell, backed up with great photo’s.
Friday, August 1st
Another day with Christine and Barry while John worked, Barry drove to Somerset the jewel of the southwest. We visited parish church of St John the Baptist at Glastonbury. This is where I learnt what the word antiquities meant …… I was asked by a kindly old gentleman if I was from the antiquities, showing my ignorance I replied proudly “no I am from Australia”. With a look of distain, “yes” the man replied. I just wanted to run away when Christine told me what it meant.
We walked the picturesque streets to Glastonbury Abbey. It was fantastic. Whilst walking the grounds, it started to rain. Christine as swiftly as a rabbit moved to seek shelter in the Abbots’ kitchen. We continued to wander investigating many of the magical and mystical shops, a spiritualist’s heaven.
Tor was our last stop, a site of many legends and myths. Barry drove us to the base of a rather steep hill and right on top sits the Tor. We watched people trogging up the hill, and watched them winding down . Tor is home to Gwyn ap Nudd, King of the Fairies, who make you feel “good and happy”. So up up up we went one step at a time. Two hundred and sixty three steps later we were on the top. Cows share this place their lovely green sloppy pats was every where, making it very difficult to walk around without stepping in it. The view of the surrounding country was beautiful but the wind and the poo made us retreat very quickly. We were feeling “good and happy” to be leaving the poo and wind, plus the experience of such a beautiful view. Much easier going down those torturous steps!
Back home to find John drinking champagne and snacking on the cheese platter he had prepared for us (nearly finished of course). To think that he would have been worrying about how late we were.
Saturday August 2nd
We awoke to English rain and so the canal walk was canned. The breakfast conference determined a drive to Gorring and Streatly to give Chris and Barry a quick tour of the area and a late morning tea over The Thames before onward to Oxford.
After a detour to find a typical country pub for lunch, only to have the selected local restricted due to a power failure, John remembered a pub in Woodstock that would be a lovely spot for us. Barry setting the Tom Tom without his glasses mistakenly programmed in Wooton, a pretty little place but the pub had closed the lunch bar. So, a quick adjustment to the Tom Tom and off to Woodstock.
Most establishments close for lunch after two and by now it was after three, however we found a little bakery with an outside courtyard. We wondered why most people were inside, as it now had become a lovely sunny afternoon. A small courtyard of two levels, two tables set in each, surrounded by plants, hanging pots and hedging. Down we sat and ordered our lunch. Drinks arrived and then it happened! A wasp started to hover about John, he was wildly swinging his arms to shoo it off. The wasp then tried to get into Johns drink, I told John if he upsets the wasp and it stung me I would be a very cranky girl. Another three wasps had joined they seemed to want either Christine’s or Johns drinks. I had asked one waitress to do some thing but she seemed unconcerned (not her problem) and continued to take the order of the newly arrived second table. The second waitress was a little more obliging she came armed with a fly swat, and with one expert swipe killed two wasps on the wing in one go (John was impressed). John had trapped one in his glass with a drinks coaster, it probably was sending out a distress signal for all its mates to come. And come they did (not in a swarm), one after another. Under any other circumstance we would have moved, but we were finding it amusing even though we were all scared of being stung. A beautiful elderly German lady, and I assume her daughter sitting at the next table, soon came under the same aerial attack when their food and drinks arrived. So the good Samaritan John….. the hero of the day went on wasp patrol for both tables. I could not stop laughing, he kept swatting away while they attempted to finish their afternoon tea. The elderly German lady asked if this was typical British behaviour, as she thought the British were suppose to be rather reserved and then immediately launched a surprise attack on the French (history does repeat itself). Calm was restored when John proudly announced that we were Aussies and not stuck up British bringing a large smile to the ladies face. We had a great laugh and a great lunch.
A short distance away is Blenheim Palace, a magnificent baroque palace set in glorious formal gardens housing some of the most spectacular portraits, tapestries and ceilings in Europe. The work in the ceilings were so elaborate and ornate, and again we ran out of time, as they were closing before we had even scratched the surface of our tour. We were all disappointed that we had not arrived earlier but we can’t cry over spilt milk. On our way home we had dinner at The Butt Inn after a short stop back in Streatly to see the Thames with evening sunshine and a walk in the mud. A great meal to end a special day.
Wednesday morning the three amigo’s set off for Stonehenge leaving John to go to work. Having seen Stonehenge I sat in their car and read my book while they did the tourist stuff. From Stonehenge to Old Saram Ruins, The massive Iron Age hillfort of Old Sarum, next stop Salisbury. Planning only to have lunch there, we discovered that Salisbury has a magnificent Cathedral. Salisbury is unique amongst medieval English cathedrals, built within one century with no substantial later additions. The building itself is remarkable. Reading the translation of the Magna Carta was very entertaining we overstayed our parking time but luckily we did not receive a ticket. Next on the agenda was Woodhenge, then the White Horse. The Alton Barnes white horse looks out over Pewsey Vale towards the new Pewsey horse, and can be seen for many miles.
We were all a little thirsty and had taken a bottle of water with three plastic wine goblets from home. Some passing motorists were a little concerned when they saw Barry driving and drinking from a wine glass. It looked very convincing. I could not help but wonder if a police siren would be heard soon. Lastly we visited Donnington Castle at Newbury, The most impressive part of the castle, and indeed the only part now standing, was the gatehouse. Donnington is a three-storey rectangular building with two round towers that flank the entrance and rise another storey above the rest of the building. Unfortunately many people picnic there with their children, who run and climb over the ruins with no regard for its history, let alone the rubbish littered about.
Thursday morning Christine and Barry Set off for Bath and the Roman Baths, whilst I stayed home catching up on my ironing and house work. By 8.30 that night Chris and Barry were not home and I was getting a little concerned that they couldn’t operate the Tom Tom navigation system. A little later, just as I decided to put all dinners in the oven, in they bowled, full of merriment and tales to tell, backed up with great photo’s.
Friday, August 1st
Another day with Christine and Barry while John worked, Barry drove to Somerset the jewel of the southwest. We visited parish church of St John the Baptist at Glastonbury. This is where I learnt what the word antiquities meant …… I was asked by a kindly old gentleman if I was from the antiquities, showing my ignorance I replied proudly “no I am from Australia”. With a look of distain, “yes” the man replied. I just wanted to run away when Christine told me what it meant.
We walked the picturesque streets to Glastonbury Abbey. It was fantastic. Whilst walking the grounds, it started to rain. Christine as swiftly as a rabbit moved to seek shelter in the Abbots’ kitchen. We continued to wander investigating many of the magical and mystical shops, a spiritualist’s heaven.
Tor was our last stop, a site of many legends and myths. Barry drove us to the base of a rather steep hill and right on top sits the Tor. We watched people trogging up the hill, and watched them winding down . Tor is home to Gwyn ap Nudd, King of the Fairies, who make you feel “good and happy”. So up up up we went one step at a time. Two hundred and sixty three steps later we were on the top. Cows share this place their lovely green sloppy pats was every where, making it very difficult to walk around without stepping in it. The view of the surrounding country was beautiful but the wind and the poo made us retreat very quickly. We were feeling “good and happy” to be leaving the poo and wind, plus the experience of such a beautiful view. Much easier going down those torturous steps!
Back home to find John drinking champagne and snacking on the cheese platter he had prepared for us (nearly finished of course). To think that he would have been worrying about how late we were.
Saturday August 2nd
We awoke to English rain and so the canal walk was canned. The breakfast conference determined a drive to Gorring and Streatly to give Chris and Barry a quick tour of the area and a late morning tea over The Thames before onward to Oxford.
After a detour to find a typical country pub for lunch, only to have the selected local restricted due to a power failure, John remembered a pub in Woodstock that would be a lovely spot for us. Barry setting the Tom Tom without his glasses mistakenly programmed in Wooton, a pretty little place but the pub had closed the lunch bar. So, a quick adjustment to the Tom Tom and off to Woodstock.
Most establishments close for lunch after two and by now it was after three, however we found a little bakery with an outside courtyard. We wondered why most people were inside, as it now had become a lovely sunny afternoon. A small courtyard of two levels, two tables set in each, surrounded by plants, hanging pots and hedging. Down we sat and ordered our lunch. Drinks arrived and then it happened! A wasp started to hover about John, he was wildly swinging his arms to shoo it off. The wasp then tried to get into Johns drink, I told John if he upsets the wasp and it stung me I would be a very cranky girl. Another three wasps had joined they seemed to want either Christine’s or Johns drinks. I had asked one waitress to do some thing but she seemed unconcerned (not her problem) and continued to take the order of the newly arrived second table. The second waitress was a little more obliging she came armed with a fly swat, and with one expert swipe killed two wasps on the wing in one go (John was impressed). John had trapped one in his glass with a drinks coaster, it probably was sending out a distress signal for all its mates to come. And come they did (not in a swarm), one after another. Under any other circumstance we would have moved, but we were finding it amusing even though we were all scared of being stung. A beautiful elderly German lady, and I assume her daughter sitting at the next table, soon came under the same aerial attack when their food and drinks arrived. So the good Samaritan John….. the hero of the day went on wasp patrol for both tables. I could not stop laughing, he kept swatting away while they attempted to finish their afternoon tea. The elderly German lady asked if this was typical British behaviour, as she thought the British were suppose to be rather reserved and then immediately launched a surprise attack on the French (history does repeat itself). Calm was restored when John proudly announced that we were Aussies and not stuck up British bringing a large smile to the ladies face. We had a great laugh and a great lunch.
A short distance away is Blenheim Palace, a magnificent baroque palace set in glorious formal gardens housing some of the most spectacular portraits, tapestries and ceilings in Europe. The work in the ceilings were so elaborate and ornate, and again we ran out of time, as they were closing before we had even scratched the surface of our tour. We were all disappointed that we had not arrived earlier but we can’t cry over spilt milk. On our way home we had dinner at The Butt Inn after a short stop back in Streatly to see the Thames with evening sunshine and a walk in the mud. A great meal to end a special day.
Sunday, 3 August 2008
House Hunting in Switzerland
Looking for a home in Switzerland we had only two days. John and I saw quite a few homes and found them to be either….. too small, too large, too smelly, not enough cupboards, or too remote. On the first day we were chaperoned by a lovely young lady Alison Cook, who works for the Swiss relocation group. She drove us to many homes and apartments and we only liked one property, an apartment in Morges. Central to everything, the problem with this place was, that the tenants will not be out by the time we arrive. We would have to find alternate living arrangements until it became available.
Alison left us in the afternoon to our own devices, our opportunity to soak in the sun and pretty cobbled streets of Morges. Walking down the main street closed to vehicles we heard polka music. Two men playing music and singing in the town square, it was drawing me closer with a reluctant John dragging behind. John thought the music rather ordinary and perhaps it was. It was something else that drew me there, a childhood memory, the feeling of really wanting to share this with my mum. German music was never my cup of tea but I insisted that John sit with me and listen because on that day I loved it, he set off to buy us a wine and on his return found a woman crying uncontrollably. My cry was happy and sad at the same time, my hanky was no longer useful and the tissues finished, I had to get reinforcements from John. The surrounding tables cast curious glances our way wondering what was wrong with me, laughing and crying at the same time. Not sure if I ran out of tears or I finally heard the real music, and to John’s relief I stopped.
We found a restaurant overlooking the lake and sat down to a scrumptious dinner, with poor John having to look and my huge red and puffy eyes from all the crying.
On our second day I awoke with swollen eyes John had found a suitable place in the country, however it ended up being a little too expensive for us. After getting back to England we found that we did get the apartment in Morges and Cardinal Health will provide short term accommodation until the tenants vacate. This was a big relief for both of us, because Morges is just beautiful however I may have to avoid the oompa pa music. Three minute walk to the lake, five minutes to the train station and shopping. The only draw back is that the large balcony overlooks the road. However it is not a terribly busy road. With a few well selected plants we could easily screen out the offending road. We are one storey up with double glazed windows, the bedrooms are on the far side, so it should not be a problem. Little did we know......
Alison left us in the afternoon to our own devices, our opportunity to soak in the sun and pretty cobbled streets of Morges. Walking down the main street closed to vehicles we heard polka music. Two men playing music and singing in the town square, it was drawing me closer with a reluctant John dragging behind. John thought the music rather ordinary and perhaps it was. It was something else that drew me there, a childhood memory, the feeling of really wanting to share this with my mum. German music was never my cup of tea but I insisted that John sit with me and listen because on that day I loved it, he set off to buy us a wine and on his return found a woman crying uncontrollably. My cry was happy and sad at the same time, my hanky was no longer useful and the tissues finished, I had to get reinforcements from John. The surrounding tables cast curious glances our way wondering what was wrong with me, laughing and crying at the same time. Not sure if I ran out of tears or I finally heard the real music, and to John’s relief I stopped.
We found a restaurant overlooking the lake and sat down to a scrumptious dinner, with poor John having to look and my huge red and puffy eyes from all the crying.
On our second day I awoke with swollen eyes John had found a suitable place in the country, however it ended up being a little too expensive for us. After getting back to England we found that we did get the apartment in Morges and Cardinal Health will provide short term accommodation until the tenants vacate. This was a big relief for both of us, because Morges is just beautiful however I may have to avoid the oompa pa music. Three minute walk to the lake, five minutes to the train station and shopping. The only draw back is that the large balcony overlooks the road. However it is not a terribly busy road. With a few well selected plants we could easily screen out the offending road. We are one storey up with double glazed windows, the bedrooms are on the far side, so it should not be a problem. Little did we know......
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