Bag Packed, Ready to go
It has been 8 years since we were in Europe i.e. Amsterdam, Paris , Le Mans, Croatia
27 years since we graced the shores of London and Toulouse
I think the continent is crying out for a visit from Moi
Unfortunately, this time without my usual constant companion
But lucky me, I've got Trishie on this adventure
At least for the beginning and the end of the trip
Arrived... no stress, at the airport
Delivered in great style by dear Brett Sutherland, my personal chauffeur for the morning
Thanks Brett
Sailed through the checkout
Champagne and nibbles in the lounge before take off
A leisurely stroll to the plane ✈️
On board, ready to goSitting in my little pod waiting for the next drink
Thought to myself...Like the Fake Tan...why don't I travel Business more often?
We spent many years at the right end of the plane
Sorry...turning left on embarking for the uninitiated 😀😀😀
Then we developed the "let's save in the airfare...use the excess, on food and wine" travel
Use the Koru Club facilities and travel cattle
Then came the sadly...no Koru Club. Cheap fare, buy your own bubbles and a quick sandwich
Flight was short...doesn't matter
Well there's been a change
Well at least for this 5 weeks
And I love it
Impatiently waiting for my next glass of bubbles with some nibbles and lunch
6 hours in
I have woken up
Mouth a bit dry
Snoring perhaps but who cares
I am alone in my pod
Lunch was excellent
Really first class
Managed to knock back some Sav Blanc
They are not stingy on this flight
It is still daylight but they have lowered the blinds so it feels like night
Only 7.30
Time for my first movie
The Trip
Funnily enough I nearly went to see it just a couple of days ago glad I didn't
Saved myself $10
Oh I have got a routine
Trishie and I am lubricating our noses apparently good for you
And Every could of hours take the jet lag tablet
Good to have something to do. Loving the movie
I'm glad I've eaten or I would be getting very peckish
Looking at all that beautiful food
So we are 8 hours into the flight, I am nearly at the end of the movie
The power has disappeared no movie no lights
Can't move the chairs. The lady next to me is stuck in her seat. Not a problem yet
Mean while Trish's chair is in bed mode so it's lie down or nothing
At least I am sitting up
So thank god for iPads kindles
At least I can write read, listen to music, a story or play solitaire
Excellent for me
In fact as I write on my Spotify is Passion for Paris
Back to the kindle and Gabriel Allon
The power eventually came back on and we could adjust our seats so we could eat our last meal
So we are in Hk Airport
With the distance to the Gate
Of course it was the furthest away
After we had supped our beverages
I have a Moët. Trishie on the coffee
Just what the doctor ordered
Trishie went out and the kind Lady told us there was another lounge just down by our gate
So 25 minutes later we reached the lounge and gate
Bonus! All that exercise No DVT for us
Back on board Had a little freshen up
On the water now for me More caffeine for Trish
First thing I am going to do is watch the end of the movie The Trip
Which was what I was thoroughly enjoying when the power went off
Can't face any food
I can't bear to count up the number of wines I have had over the last 16 hours
Thank God I am match fit
24 hours ago I was picked up from Home and there's about another 6-7 hours left in this plane
I think I am the only one awake. Even the man just behind me has put his Sudoku down and has nodded off
So this is an older plane
Slightly older technology
One of those screens that won't respond quickly to touch
A little frustrating
But it least the power worked
Started to watch a movie that I had seen the trailer for at the Rialto...
Lady Macbeth,
Don't know if it's me or maybe it doesn't relate to Plane watching
Too hard
But as luck would have it, I do have something to watch on the iPad
What would I do without them, my little electronic friends
Had some chicken soup for supper with a bread roll
Just what the doctor ordered
I see there is the usual eggs for breakfast
But also Dim Sim
Yumo, looking forward to that
Might just get some sleep before breakfast
Let's see
Well I did get some sleep
But before I nodded off, I did something tricky with my earring and my earphones
To cut a long story short
Took off the earphones to go to the Loo
When I returned, discovered no earring in the ear
Oh no thought I was going to the be the victim of the earring thief which normally lives in my house
There are 2 missing one earnings in my lounge. Never to be found. Even had Tania looking for them
Luckily with the aid of the attendant and a coat hanger Hooray
I've got it Phew that was a relief.
So we are just flying over St Petersburg and we have 2.40 hours to go
Breakfast coming soon
We meet again in 3 weeks
Another benefit of this flight was the use of the arrival lounge
Showered and even though it was only 6am in U.K.
It was Drinks time in NZ
Thought it would be churlish not to partake of a final Moët, courtesy of the airline
Knocked in the door.
No answer
I rang her and told her I was standing outside her front
I looked in the window it didn't look like Annie's place...tres ordiinare
Mmmm wonder if I have the right address
Looked it up on my phone
And just as I realised I should be at 18 I heard a shout and there she was...
Silly me
Greeted by the two lovely little dogs Lulu and Rosie
Got settled in, and after coffee and catch-up chat
Off to walk the dogs in Battersea Park
It started to pour with rain
So off to the Pub across the road for lunch and a wine
The weather cleared so the dogs got a walk
Gorgeous park
On our return has to have a wee nap in front of the Telly
On awakening, a wee whisky, light dinner more wine
Obviously have to keep the intake up
Telly and bed
Tomorrow off to the country
Just climbed into bed
We are down in the country. Staying at Yew Tree Cottage in Scanes
Close to Haywards Heath
Pretty As a picture
Annie and I are staying with the lovely Merry Clare
Annie and John brought Dale and I here in the 80s
Still looks the same, so fabulously English
These are wonderful women
We all talk so well...Hardly time to draw breath
Of course I made fridge magnets for both of them with memories of previous fun together
So far a big hit
I have just slipped into this English Life it's like I never left
Loving it
It's never an early start for the girls
Boiled eggs from the Farm shop for breakfast
So so good
Somehow we managed to have quite a bit of luggage
Its only a weekend!!!
Girls packed into the car as well
Then off to Brighton we drove. “The Gran Drive” the ladies called it
Sunday drive for me
What had started off as a lovely sunny morning
Turned into a miserable old day
So the Tour de Brighton
Which was supposed to consist of wandering around the lanes
Possibly into the Pavilion
NO
Just a drive around
All my photos taken from the car
Not bad considering
On the way there we were accompanied by hundred of Bikes 🚴
All shapes and sizes
Thought it was unusual
The we found that Sunday
Was "The Brighton Burn Out" Ride with the Rockers
All looked a little old I reckon and very sedate
Bikes everywhere could barely get a shot of the Brighton icons for bikes in the way
Nevertheless at least I can say I have visited Brighton
The Regency style, typical of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, is characterized by pale
stuccoed exteriors with Classical-style mouldings and bay windows
Such a pleasure to drive around
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| Not just Dover, with The White Cliffs |
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| Even a Windmill... that was unexpected |
The chicken went into the oven, for a lovely late lunch
To begin, a nice fizzy G&T while the chicken cooked
The Aroma of Roast chicken 🍗 Mmmmmm
Of course some wine and then a nod off in front of the fire and telly
As I seem to be waking and staying awake from 4.30, I tend to be a little weary
after the luncheon wine 🍷
As it turns out it doesn't matter as we haven't got anything else to do in a hurry
Very relaxed
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| My Country Bedroom complete with my Electronic Friends |
Monday,
A fond farewell to Merry Clare and back On The road again
Well it seems that I haven't brought enough warmish clothes
A trip to M&S as soon as we got back, was next on the agenda
Cheap and cheerful clothes
2 tops and a pair of tidy track pants
That was a good idea whilst here we picked up some food from the food hall
To take to Anna, Annie's daughter when we arrived home
Guess what...we had some more wine, ate lovely food
Chatted away
Home
Nod off as per usual
Decided to break the non sleeping cycle and took a sleeping tablet
Slept to 8am... I don't count the middle of the night loo stops
Feel like a new person
Tuesday
So great excitement
Off to the Vic and Al Museum
Pink Floyd exhibition
We loved it
Then off to The Prince Albert, a local, for a quick lunch with Anna and her friend Sam
Such fun,
Of course we had wine...just a little though
No sign of Prince William, who according to The Press has been dropping him off and picking him
Quite a few photographers though
She brought them home and I was able to give them their presents
They loved that
Always a nice feeling
So far I think my gifts have worked
Then for a change, we are meeting Anthony Limbrick for a drink at a Pub called The Phean in Chelsea It has a nice garden but a bit parky, so we sat indoors
Had a great catch up
It's Just over the Albert bridge
So pretty coming home
A light salad dinner, a wee wine
Watched Doctor Foster then to bed
So so busy
Wednesday
Needed a quick visit to the Doc
Nothing worth reporting by the way
Annie's favourite GP
Situated in Harley Street...Lovely man
His wife is also his receptionist and Annie knows them well
So glad I am well insured
Only £150!
Got lazy and went to Annies hairdresser, rather than wash it myself
Local in Battersea
Once again lovely man
Nice "blow job"...40 quid
Turns out my debit card works well, ha ha
Merry Clare had arrived and was waiting for us with
A beautiful Fish Pie for lunch
And just a crisp white to accompany it
Needed just a little nod off after lunch
All this food and drink
But needed to be alert as...The highlight today, was going to An American in Paris
In The Dominion Theatre in Tottenham Court Rd
As it turned out it was an excellent Tour de London in our Uber
Between our place and the theatre
Well almost adjacent
Time for a Wee wine 🍷 before the show
It was brilliant
The best ever production
My word what they can do with the aid of technology
Took advantage of pre booking the return home Uber
Driver drove like a bat out of hell through those skinny streets
Still very busy at 10.30
He also had the Tubby Seigo snotty snort
Oh only 3 stars *** for him
In fact I won't rate him
Home to a wee red wine 🍷 some yummy chicken liver Pate
God help my liver. It is taking a beating 💗
Annie and Merry Clare blew up the airbed for Merry Clare to sleep on
Tomorrow, new adventure... off to Reading
Thursday
I was fortunate to be invited to go to lunch, with Annie and Merry Clare in Fulham
It was a group of women, who had all lived in Hong Kong in the 70s and 80s
Now all living back in London
10 including me, Mainly English but an Australian and the guest of honour Val Penlington
A New Zealander...Who was in town
Good opportunity for a get together
Turns out I had met Val and her husband Ross, who both practiced Law and were both prominent in Hong Kong, though Gilbert Rodway
Some of you will have met Gilbert, he came to stay with us a couple of times
Katie and Dan remember
Lana you will remember him, Pete Burt I think, you will never forget him
That wonderful dinner at No 5 way back when !
Terry, you will know the story, Tony Preston came up, from Wellington for that dinner
John Pare had set them onto Dale, they were here fishing in Taupo
And he told them to contact Dale
At that time John was at Y&R and they were interested in having a part of Campaign
Unfortunately the business deal didn't go through , but luckily for us it was the beginning of a wonderful friendship for us with John and Annie and a lot of their friends
It was one of the funniest nights we have ever had
Gilbert and Christopher, so terribly British and of course Tony in fine form
Gilbert was a Barrister in Hong Kong
and was enormously entertaining
Christoper was a banker in Hong Kong, came from excellent stock
When they all came back to live in London, he would take the ladies to Ascot.
Through his connections, they got into the Royal enclosure,
A limousine was ordered, lots of champagne I presume
If my memory serves me well, they all got quite pissy eyed and he was always alert and worried that they would embarrass him.
Can't have been too bad though, they were invited again and again
He was such a snob but fabulous and we all loved him
Sadly he died a couple of years ago so I won't see him again
Sorry I have digressed,
Anyway we Ubered over to Fulham
Lunch was interesting and fun
I left them to it and Ubered to Paddington Station to go to Reading
My cousin Tim met me at the station and off to Wyfold Farm his lovely property just outside Reading
Tim's Mum Margaret, was married to John Jones, my first cousin
They came to stay with us in NZ early 90s
Unfortunately John died, about 10 years ago
He was an excellent communicator though and had embraced the computer
We would Skype and email particularly when there was rugby on
ABs playing Wales of course
Margaret, now well in her 80s is a bit frail though
So lovely to see her.
Oh and there was a parcel for me from Another arm of the Family
Stuart and Louise Innes-Davies, they are Clockmakers
They live in North Wales and unfortunately I didn't have time to visit them
Meanwhile they sent me this Magnificent Clock. It is on the wall in my kitchen
The Welsh Dragon
What a wonderful surprise and gift
Oh the aroma
Some jam and clotted cream Yum
We ate late as we were waiting for Tim's son Blake to arrive home from Italy
Blake is 18 just finished school and having a gap year
He is so lovely to his Grandma, she is getting a little forgetful
A bit of repetition but still sharp and funny with the lovely Welsh accent
Unfortunately Tim's wife Robyn died 2 years ago, just a few months before Dale, only in her 50s, leaving behind 2 teenage kids, Blake and his elder sister Tabitha
Tough for them all
Vanessa stayed on and has been looking after the family ever since
I could do with a Vanessa, shes a gem
And if you were wondering, of course we had wine,
I slept for over 6 hours, so unusual for me
Must be the Country air
You know you're in the Country when you see Muntjac and a horse in the paddock
Not supposed to be there of course, an intruder
From the distance i thought it was a lone sheep or goat
When I mentioned it to Vanessa, and showed her the photo, She put me right
Great name, sound very African
Below these animals are gorgeous pieces
specially commissioned
Tim's Dad, John Jones, is my first cousin on my Dad's side of the family
Dad was the only boy in a family of 4, his sister Bessie was Johns Mum
As Dad was a late starter in procreating, I am closer in age to my second cousins than their parents
There a serendipity occasion in 1967
Dale and I had just arrived in London
He decided we should go into town
Have a wander around the Monopoly Board, so to speak
So we were looking in the window of a shop in Regent street and we were approached by a Welsh Woman
Have you just arrived from New Zealand, she asked
Yes
Are you Gillian and Dale?
Yes
Well your cousin John is standing there across the road
I am Margaret his wife
In amazement, we looked across the road and there was a gentleman with 2 kids in tow
Margaret recognised Dale from our wedding photos
and little movie,
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| On the boat to the UK |
Of course being a girl, I looked different,
blonde streaked short hair
As against the dark hair up in curls, in the wedding photo
Dale of course looked the same
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| The Dark haired Bride and Groom |
John thought she was mad and told her not approach us but she's a determined woman
We couldn't believe it
They were down from Wales for the Day
And we just happened to be in that very spot
Meant to be
Vanessa said she was told by her Mum, if you stood in the corner of Regent Street and Oxford, you would always meet someone you know
Correct 😀😀😀
So now you have had the history lesson
Hope not too boring
Back to the present
Friday was a Trip to Henley on Thames
Blake, (Tim's son, just home from a wee trip to Italy with school friends)
Margaret, Tim and I piled into the car and off we went
Went to my first Church
High Anglican St Mary The Virgin
Very pretty
I paid my respects
The kneeling pads for the congregation have been embroidered especially. very beautiful
What a gorgeous town, we wandered around
Tim and I walked down to the Weir and were lucky enough to see people coming into the lock, including a rabble of rowers obviously in a team building Trip
Fantastic food
Henley...so pretty
I am so pleased to meet them all
Had a delightful dinner
Family portrait
Very changeable the weather...but we managed to dodge showers
En route we went past the house featured in Howard's End
George Harrison's gate
Through the country lanes
We arrived at a little county Pub called The Seven Stars
Apparently the Breweries are closing down small pubs around the area
This one has been kept going by the locals
Bit like Trust Pubs in NZ
Very tasty though
Washed down with a house Pinot Grigio
We then drove on to Oxford Proper
Tims daughter Tabitha, has just graduated from there and started her job working for Dyson. 3000 working there amazing
Tabitha was at Mansfield College, so of course I took photos
The Oxford Castle,
A couple of British Icons telephone box and Post Office
And flowers, flowers and more flowers. I love them, Art for Sale
It must be Sunday
The days are slipping by
Sunday was the designated day to go to Windsor with Gary and Wendy Blake
They picked me up around 11 and off we went
Gary was desperate that we went to try and catch a glimpse of a George Clooney's house in Sonning, we walked along the tow path
They are great camouflage
Hiding from us oh well I guess they get sick of The Rubber Neckers
But through Google we did get an aerial shot of the property.
Nice
We did get observe another lock negotiation.
Gary insisted taking a shot of me, striding along as if I was the Prime Minister herself
The Bull Inn, apparently lots of the Church's visitors, are people walking past to get to the Pub
G&T goes down well at 11.30
In their bright Red costumes
Would you believe in this big tourist town
When you park
They only accept coins
No txt and park credit cards or that great London Park Mobile
After finding enough coins for the parking we took a stroll 🚶
Over the bridge, gorgeous river, swans, people
We were heading to Gilbeys, "renowned" for being a venue during
Wendy and Gary's courting days many many years ago
They did provide an excellent Sunday Roast Pork Belly and we had pudding as well
With a little wine of course, to wash it down
Then we had to hurry as we were booked in for the last tour of Windsor Castle
Gates close at 4 on the dot
We got in and then meandered through the Castle
As it turned out it was very appropriate, as the next day
Tim took Margaret and I to see Victoria and Abdul
Some of the scenes were set in the Castle
Felt right at home
I think poor Tim, was the youngest by far, with me, a close second
Worth it though it was an excellent film
Coincidentally, we managed to get a shot on the way into the Castle featuring 4 Muslim women in front of Old Queen Vic set in bronze, Gary tool one of Queen Vic and Moi
you are not allowed to take photos inside the castle BUT
we did
Beautiful ceilings and Intricate stunning Dolls Houses made for Royal Children many decades ago
Lucky them
We managed to get the Guards going off duty
They look so grand
Dale and I went there in 1967, I don't think we could afford to actually go into the Castle in those days
It was just wander around and take a few shots
Home to the Blake household for coffee and cake
A wander around their garden, setting sun just peeking through the tree
Gorgeous
Someone up there liked us
Home...fall asleep in front of telly
Just a quiet day on Monday
Off to the movies in Henley
Victoria and Abdul
En route we passed through Hambleden
Gorgeous quaint village
Church No3
Another St Mary The Virgin
It is Harvest festival and they had brought in the sheaves
Judi Dench. A superb performance
Home, dinner, some, wine ,
fall asleep in front of the Telly Again!
After several jam packed days in the Country
It was time to depart back to London
But first I had another adventure
Wendy Waillin is a cousin of mine living in Sweden with her husband Per
I only knew she existed about 6 years ago
As luck would have it they are in U.K. At the same time as me, what's more
We planned a manoeuvre, almost military like, to meet
There was a window of opportunity
They are on a Coach Trip all around the the middle of UK and were going to be in Oxford for a couple of hours
Oxford is only 25 minutes by train from Reading
So Tim and I worked out a plan
Bye bye Wyfold Farm. A Fabulous Place to visit
Walked over to the Bus Station
There was a lady madly texting
"Wendy" I called yes it was her
It was so wonderful to meet
Of course we went to the Pub the Wig and Pen
Little bubbly for moi, Bacardi and Coke for Wendy and a nice pint of Guinness for Per and "bobs worth of chips"
I think for him, it was like that tennis analogy
His head just swinging from one to the other
We managed to get over an hour together
How special is that?
I walked back to the bus with them,
Decided while I was here what about a wee lunch
The Red Lion looked good
Salt and a Pepper squid and chips
Plus a little wine of course
Vanessa was waiting for me with my bags
So into the London cab and back to Annie
Quiet night, of course slept in front of telly
Wednesday
I got to meet Annie's gorgeous grandchildren
Jean Jacques , Jean Luc, who were staying with their Grandma
Such lovely little boys
Fiona was away at a Spa in Austria
Wonder if it's the same one Michael McIntyre went to Mary 😀😀😀
And Sam and Evie the twins
Delicious
Had a drink at Anna's, got to meet Barty her husband
Nice bottle of bubbly
That's the ticket
Need to keep the intake up, otherwise what would my liver do
Tomorrow I am off to France
Paree here I come. Watch out 😀😀😀
So departure day
Bag packed easily, not too much shopping
Merry Clare arrived
The dogs not too worried about my impending departure
Paree here I come
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| All around the world Window Washers |
The Orient Express in Fact
Get on the ferry
Pick up the train again then...a gentle journey to Gay Paree
Now fastie fastie train
Got on at St Pancras
All quite simple
Once we went through the Chunnel
Zoomed past everything...very fast
A light lunch, cheeky white wine
Very bloody civilised
Took the first class option
What a good idea
When you get to see the motorway.
Hundreds of trucks carrying cargo
One very couple of seconds
Arrived in Paree, cab was easy
Not the drivers fault
Just the traffic
Room good... plenty of room
Good choice
So I wandered out onto the street
Very buzzy
Probably not the best choice but OK
Back to the Hotel
Bordeaux then Marmande
I was staying just around the corner from Dave and Anne Hurley , who were wandering their way home after 3 months Canal Boating
So we met for coffee
Once again, nobody cared about the ticket
I climbed on and realized most people had food
Whoops big mistake. No catering in this first class trip
Oh well won't hurt me
BUT I realized that in my bag was some toffee waffles
That Annie and I had bought in Waitrose
We had never heard of them
Well we have now
Yummo
Perfect. No wine though
Marmande - Katie and Vern - Here I come
