Friday, November 14, 2008
All Blacks in Scotland
We are off up the M6 once again, this time called at the Lake district on our way. Glorious time to see this area , the autumn colours are every bit as spectacular to the ones in New England. We called on Ians parents in Glenridding and had a lovely lunch there. Ians dad is frail, and Pat is the most dedicated wife/nurse I know. We went onto Keswick for the night, and had a lovely time there walking round a beautiful lake, these walks always seem to have pubs enroute so a coffee and scone is very delicious!! hard walking Eh!! Then it was off to Scotland , through Glasgow in the dark and rain!! Liz an Stuart, showed us around Helensburgh and Loch Lomand and to Crinon. Rugged west coast. The Rugby was great, the skirl of the pipes, the brisk evening but it didnt rain!! and of course the ABs won, but I was cheering the scots along!! as they were unlucky not to score. Murrayfield is a great venue, so special to go to it. Liz and Stuart went to wonderful trouble to give us a true scottish experience, haggis and all!! Went to church where Leo was christened. Headed home Sunday, was going to move off the M6 but it rained all the way , so it was no sightseeing at all.
Birthday surprise!! 'Mind the gap'
Vern and Val planned the surprise as it was Graemes birthday too. had to be ready at 815am with walking shoes and something to wear in the evening?? So off we went and ended up at the railway station in Welshpool, enroute to Birmingham and London. it was a fantastic 3 days , We stayed at St James Park, not far from Euston station. Walked and walked all around those familiar places, grey days and rain!! On and Off the tube like regulars!! Went to 2 shows , I will Rock You, and Dirty Dancing, both spectacular and amazing dancing and singing. Visited madam Tussauds, and really enjoyed that, esp the older dignitaries. So well done.
Watched the Bledisloe Cup with our niece Kirsty and Andrew, so nice to be with them. Then late on Sunday we headed back to Euston and home , with all sorts of hicups with British rail connections. But duly arrived in time for work on Monday am. Thank you for all my birthday wishes, a very special time for me.
Watched the Bledisloe Cup with our niece Kirsty and Andrew, so nice to be with them. Then late on Sunday we headed back to Euston and home , with all sorts of hicups with British rail connections. But duly arrived in time for work on Monday am. Thank you for all my birthday wishes, a very special time for me.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Germany
Germany visit
We are getting champs, at booking parking, and getting to these huge city airports!! Our gate at Manchester was D51!! And there was ABCE as well. Frankfurt has 1400 international flights a day!! Certainly a little different to Blenheim
We had an amazing time with our wonderful friends, Sigi and Manfred, who we met in NZ with Trish and Barry, our Chch friends.
We zoomed down the motorway to their lovely home in a nearby city of Darmstadt.
The autumn colours were magnificent. They took us for a trip on a ferry on the Rhine, such a busy waterway, with cruise ships, tankers of all shapes and sizes. Continuous traffic of trains and cars on the banks of the river. . Not long and we were out of the city, and into a gorge, which was lined with steep vineyards, all golden leaves, amazing the walls and structures of these vines. All along the way are castles, built in the 12th and 13th century, standing majestic overlooking the river. All have been restored, some are private residences!! Others are hostels or hotels.
We had lunch in a fascinating place all very dark and intimate and historic, down a very narrow alley. Tried the local new unfermented wine and onion tart, a local delicacy. Then we went to another winery, all very different to Marlborough, and sat in the sun and view, for coffee.
We went by tram and train into central Frankfurt the next day, cobbled streets, busy modern city with all the ancient magnificent buildings intermingled. Amazing markets, oh!! The cheeses, veggies, meats, salamis etc, Great salesman!!
We so enjoyed the hospitality of Johanna and Wolfgang, also Trish and Barry’s friends. Magnificent home, delicious food and fun and laughter. How we wished we could speak the language!! But they all have a wonderful command of our language. We played golf on Saturday, glorious day, 25degrees. The course was unbelievable, bunkers, water everywhere!! It was girls against the boys?? Bugger!! the boys won, convincingly.
Sigi and Manfred have just bought a new home , so we were fortunate to be able to see it before they redecorate it, it will be lovely, when they put their stamp on it. They showed us all sorts of interesting places in their home city, and all too soon we had to depart , again down that busy autobahn. Arrived back to rain at Manchester Airport after a wonderful few days seeing and learning about Germany from Sigi and Manfred and their friends.
We are getting champs, at booking parking, and getting to these huge city airports!! Our gate at Manchester was D51!! And there was ABCE as well. Frankfurt has 1400 international flights a day!! Certainly a little different to Blenheim
We had an amazing time with our wonderful friends, Sigi and Manfred, who we met in NZ with Trish and Barry, our Chch friends.
We zoomed down the motorway to their lovely home in a nearby city of Darmstadt.
The autumn colours were magnificent. They took us for a trip on a ferry on the Rhine, such a busy waterway, with cruise ships, tankers of all shapes and sizes. Continuous traffic of trains and cars on the banks of the river. . Not long and we were out of the city, and into a gorge, which was lined with steep vineyards, all golden leaves, amazing the walls and structures of these vines. All along the way are castles, built in the 12th and 13th century, standing majestic overlooking the river. All have been restored, some are private residences!! Others are hostels or hotels.
We had lunch in a fascinating place all very dark and intimate and historic, down a very narrow alley. Tried the local new unfermented wine and onion tart, a local delicacy. Then we went to another winery, all very different to Marlborough, and sat in the sun and view, for coffee.
We went by tram and train into central Frankfurt the next day, cobbled streets, busy modern city with all the ancient magnificent buildings intermingled. Amazing markets, oh!! The cheeses, veggies, meats, salamis etc, Great salesman!!
We so enjoyed the hospitality of Johanna and Wolfgang, also Trish and Barry’s friends. Magnificent home, delicious food and fun and laughter. How we wished we could speak the language!! But they all have a wonderful command of our language. We played golf on Saturday, glorious day, 25degrees. The course was unbelievable, bunkers, water everywhere!! It was girls against the boys?? Bugger!! the boys won, convincingly.
Sigi and Manfred have just bought a new home , so we were fortunate to be able to see it before they redecorate it, it will be lovely, when they put their stamp on it. They showed us all sorts of interesting places in their home city, and all too soon we had to depart , again down that busy autobahn. Arrived back to rain at Manchester Airport after a wonderful few days seeing and learning about Germany from Sigi and Manfred and their friends.
Mystery tour
We boarded the bus 9am Friday, and proceeded to drive all round the surrounding district to pick up people. . 3 days , with interesting locals and no idea where we would end up, until we arrived at the pub at 5pm that night.
Nice to be in the bus above the hedges, and relaxing for Vern who usually does all the driving.
Had lunch at Skipton,which is on the edge of the Yorkshire dales,a market town, with markets most days.
The Yorkshire dales were lovely, autumn colours abound. We ended up in Washington, a city on the outskirts of Newcastle upon Tyne. We were pleased to visit here, as it was Ians home city a while back. So you see we covered a good few miles.
Next morning of again, not knowing where we were going. Heading north again through lovely country, to Jedburgh in Scotland, just across the border. It had a huge abbey, we enjoyed Mary Queen of Scots house, which told of her short torrid life.
Headed south again, and ended up at Gretna Green, didn't get remarried!! , very touristy place, then drove along beside Hadrians Wall, of Romans time, back to Washington. Next day to Carlisle, big city, cathedral and castle. Then it was down the motorway and home, made new friends and all for 125 pounds. Great value.
Nice to be in the bus above the hedges, and relaxing for Vern who usually does all the driving.
Had lunch at Skipton,which is on the edge of the Yorkshire dales,a market town, with markets most days.
The Yorkshire dales were lovely, autumn colours abound. We ended up in Washington, a city on the outskirts of Newcastle upon Tyne. We were pleased to visit here, as it was Ians home city a while back. So you see we covered a good few miles.
Next morning of again, not knowing where we were going. Heading north again through lovely country, to Jedburgh in Scotland, just across the border. It had a huge abbey, we enjoyed Mary Queen of Scots house, which told of her short torrid life.
Headed south again, and ended up at Gretna Green, didn't get remarried!! , very touristy place, then drove along beside Hadrians Wall, of Romans time, back to Washington. Next day to Carlisle, big city, cathedral and castle. Then it was down the motorway and home, made new friends and all for 125 pounds. Great value.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Sandersons converted barn in France
We enjoyed their hospitality, and their workmanship. Thank you Liz and Stuart. 
France
Rural France.
We were up and away on Ryan air from Birmingham to Poitiers last week to visit Liz and Stuart Sanderson, Kathy’s in-laws .This was a wonderful experience, 2 hrs drive from the airport, considerably a long way south of Paris. They have restored a 1700s barn into a delightful summer home. A 10 year dedicated retirement project, have a colourful productive garden, grow vegetables, we picked delicious raspberries. Beautiful countryside, French homes with all the shutters, looks as if no one is at home. They went to a lot of trouble to give us a French experience, wonderful market, phew! the cheese stall was huge, goodbye healthy heart diet!!. Fish!! Alive and dead, snails, I thought they tasted a bit like mushrooms in garlic sauce! The bread was delicious, no wrapping, just put it under your arm!! We were intrigued with the continual greeting in the market, 2 kisses for an acquaintance, 4, for a special friend or family. 6 and you are in trouble
Now we are back home, and into serious bulb planting, being done very slowly, because we had a feed of snails. What a shame we aren’t staying until spring to see the fruits of our labour.
We were up and away on Ryan air from Birmingham to Poitiers last week to visit Liz and Stuart Sanderson, Kathy’s in-laws .This was a wonderful experience, 2 hrs drive from the airport, considerably a long way south of Paris. They have restored a 1700s barn into a delightful summer home. A 10 year dedicated retirement project, have a colourful productive garden, grow vegetables, we picked delicious raspberries. Beautiful countryside, French homes with all the shutters, looks as if no one is at home. They went to a lot of trouble to give us a French experience, wonderful market, phew! the cheese stall was huge, goodbye healthy heart diet!!. Fish!! Alive and dead, snails, I thought they tasted a bit like mushrooms in garlic sauce! The bread was delicious, no wrapping, just put it under your arm!! We were intrigued with the continual greeting in the market, 2 kisses for an acquaintance, 4, for a special friend or family. 6 and you are in trouble
Now we are back home, and into serious bulb planting, being done very slowly, because we had a feed of snails. What a shame we aren’t staying until spring to see the fruits of our labour.
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