Ireland

We arrived in Shannon (Ireland) late and everyone who asked us where we were staying responded with, "Oh Mary's...she will look after you!" She did and boy can she talk..............yes even more than me. Our first day in Ireland we went through Cork (not a sign anywhere with the name "Shea" and just as well as Cork was a 'dump' and we were glad we weren't staying there!) and stayed at Youghal on the coast. We went to mass at a 12th Century church before heading on towards Dublin. On the way we visited Blarney Castle and kissed the Blarney stone....................well Murray did, I just attempted to, screamed and threw a paddy and refused to...............honest me. We met the Walkers from Oamaru who are over here visiting Maree who teaches in London.

After that we travelled around the coast towards Dublin stopping at several spots including this one overlooking a magnificent golf course. There is no doubt that Ireland is very green.

We arrived in Dublin early but at our hotel late after our GPS let us down for the first time. Dublin is a maze of new roads not yet recognised.

Next day we visited with Sister Anne. What a treat!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is wonderful. Living in a prime spot, massive private grounds belonging to the Camelite nuns. She took us to meet them for a chat. What an amazing experience as they were behind the bars and have only just started talking on certain days and in certain places. Sister Anne joined us, busing into the centre of Dublin and showing us to our hotel. It ended up an amazing place. In the heart of the night life, Irish pubs, entertainment and shopping. We had a ball.

When she left us after setting us up to visit all the top spots, we went to enjoy a pint in the famous Temple Bar. That night Arlington's pub was the place for a theatre restaurant night. A night of Irish dancers and a band, amazing!!!

Next day we went on the Tour bus around the city. Hop on hop off for 24 hours. We walked through Trinity and even lay in the park by the famous cricket field.

We met up with Stephen Neill and he took us to an amazing seafood restaurant along the coastal road out of Dublin. It was newly opened and a culinary experience. Stephen is just what we expected, a fine young man. He then drove us to our hotel near the airport as we had an early morning flight.

PARIS HERE WE COME!

London fun in the sun!

With just three days before we left London we made the most of sight seeing. Murray braved the local barber and got a #4. Josh and his friends will be impressed as they have yet to see a white man in there. Regent Park, Harrods sale, lunch with Josh with a thousand close friends!!! then out for a meal at an African restaurant. A true experience, eating with our fingers, coffee beans roasted in front of us and popcorn for dessert. Next day we met Josh and Anna in Piccadilly for tea and then went to a comedy show. We ended up being the main attraction. I have been so restrained avoiding the shops but that might be because we got yet another fine. (this time me! and for speeding) Our flight awaits us and then the land of the Leprechaun's. Exciting... Our European tour begins.........

Can you believe it, Murray with Amy!!!! He now knows another famous person.

Ka keti ano our friends.

Mansion overtaken by aliens! (New Zealanders)

Mutiny at Bearwood College...

Beating the English at both Cricket and rubgy on the same day surely entitles one to 'take over' the Mansion by replacing The Royal Standard with the New Zealand flag................. it took a fair while to get it down again, but no eviction notices, was taken in good humour.

A longer London visit.....for 1 of us!

Katrina only has a week and a bit to go........I have been finished for two weeks. Josh and Anna are off to the Greek Islands and then hiring a boat with a dozen friends to tour in the Mediterranean. So we moved into their flat for the weekend with an aim of exploring a bit more of the lovely London......it really is way up on the picture I had in my mind.

We began with a stroll in Hyde Park, as you must do. This was not quite the beginning of our time in London as we had spent 6hrs in the car finding our way from one prospective buyer to the next. The 1st cheeky fella offered a 100 quid.......we did get it sold to the 2nd guy, have his deposit and will deliver as soon as Katrina finishes school ......watch this space.

A lovely evening in the sun so this became our dinner spot, after an hour at a Hyde Park outdoor concert. Wished we had bought our picnic and drinks like the other thousands seem to know to do.

Knightsbridge is a different world, this Lamborghini was tempting. Harrods nearby, a place to stay far away from.

The Royal Mile leads from here to the Palace.

We joined the throngs for the Change of the Guard.

No sign of Lizzie.

There are some stunning spots, don't get sick of walking around a bend and finding Westminster, Big Ben etc.

or arriving upon Trafalgar Square or the war memorials, especially the NZ tribute...........very clever use of "stars of the Southern skies".

This loop was filled with Street actors........hopefully this is as close as we get to the law. He also reminds us of 'Chris Hogue'..............agree?

So what would a man do if his wife had driven off to work on a sunny Monday morning??? I did need to stay a couple of days to sort the Egyptian visa.........

A Test with some character, 5 centuries. 5th day is always cheap tickets at gate and sit anywhere in the ground.

I spent a couple of hours in behind Monty,the crowd loves him!

Very civilised cricket this, still allowed to bring in a bottle or too.........so a picnic in the Nursery Field, a wee drink and a snooze in the sun made up for some slow cricket.

A river cruise to Greenwich set up a fantastic day for a lone traveller! Below is the only thatched roof allowed in London since that fire a year or two back. Shakespeare's spot of course.

Fancy bridge, one of what seems like dozens on the Thames. Don't know why this needs to open as the one hundred metres on does not.......

One of the oldest pubs, 'The Mayflower'..............nearby is the origin of "Dutch Courage", a lovely story which must be told but too long for now.

Black Friars.

WARNING: You are entering dangerous ground! I loved Greenwich. I have heard of people going off to sleep during peoples 'holiday snaps' presentations. This could happen to YOU. DANGER ahead!

Christopher Wren has been in action in these parts. He designed the magnificent upper Octagonal room at the top of the Royal Astronomers house as well as the buildings in front of the Queens House.

Clocks galore in this Museum, this is 24hr clock at entrance.

The red ball, which is dropped daily at 1pm. Viewed through the Meridian.

and I was there to see it raised.......and what's more.....I saw it fall. Ships at see can view this to set their clocks by.

AND this is the photo of the tour! How a lone traveller portrays being in the east and west.......yes I'm straddling the meridian!

and I found a friend in my picnic ground........

Trip to Wembley did not reach the same heights.

London Museum had a couple of great displays re the Fire and Medieval times.

So there are some cheap days in London to be had....on your own, with a working wife who stole the credit card..........not really true.

Home to get news two of our 4 fines have been waived!!!!!!

All beer and skittles.

Specialist British bus drivers must be in short supply. I'm not eligible to drive 16 seaters at home but some how a combination of age and an International drivers licence allow me to be set loose on these roads.........no matter how narrow, how many round-a-bouts and traffic density which is unbelievable, I'm the man.....three long trips in the last 10days. We have survived.
Day 1 of the cricket tour took us to Shebbear in North Devon, we had a quick 25 over game and off to the beach, beside this wonderful ground. Thatched roof, sea views........Then off to John's local for beer and skittles. Skittle alley was a hit with boys and me alike. Apparently very common in this part of the world for many years. Simple and fun.Another fine pavillion, facilities, hospitality and grounds at Kings, Taunton where we got a real lesson in cricket....it did allow us to get home early.The Southdowns D of Ed was just prior to this. Colleague, Lydia was on this trip too and she had a 500 pack. I checked out her blog and so have flooged her description to go with a couple of photos. Not all complimentary.

"My last couple of days of 'school' went well. I was on the bronze DoE trip to the South Downs with Giles, & Murray the kiwi OAG (old-aged gappie!). We had a lovely time; the weather was perfect, sunny & hot. The kids route just happened to take them past a pub, so Murray & I felt obliged to stake it out, obviously just to stop them going in! We managed to sneak down a midday shandy in the sunshine...

The South Downs is nice gently rolling countryside. It doesn't quite have the same wilderness factor as Dartmoor, but it is still very pretty. We came across some very friendly cows, in a field next to a 12th century church which you can just see in the background. The campsite we stayed in was lovely as well."

A famous Vicar here has just been the focus of celebrations, he changed to RC and became Cardinal of GB.

Nothing is too remote. The kids were told to walk into villages for directions if they got lost.
Slindon was the village near our camping ground and of course cricket was a focus here too.


Distinctive style again, throughout the village.

We did have scholars on this trip too, very self-sufficient.

Josh, Jacqui and family visit.

Josh came out to spend time with Katrina ,while I was toughing it, in the extremes of Dartmoor, Devon. Credit card has revealed a fine tour of Wokingham. Sunday turned into a grand day, we'd promised Josh a round on the famous Bearwood Lakes but had to settle again for our closer neighbour Bearwood Golf Club. Katrina matching the beauty of the course.

Josh seems to be pointing to his sox, this is before the attire discussion!
What a lovely couple. And a lovely family! Jacqui and Geoff visited us again, we had a neat time at 'The Poacher', including taking in the final of Euro 2008.

James, briefly showing the natural and the effect of straighteners.
The very lovely Anita . Named after Katrina's Mum.
The ever smiling Christie.

They are a neat family, we really enjoyed our times catching up with them all.