And to think that the English sent their criminals to settle a place with sandy beaches, warm weather and an abundance of space. Choosing to remain behind, they endure 6 hour winter days, temperatures that never climb about 10C and at present are below 5C in the day and freezing or negative at night. Which group of people are the lucky ones? During winter, as with our last stay here, it does beg the question of why anyone lives here. But saying that, we left 35C days and the same could be said there.
I have just had a look at the Met Office website; www.metoffice.gov.uk and snow is now being forecast as a certainty in the South East on Thursday evening and into Friday. The South East is essentially London, the Home Counties and down toward the Channel. Falls of 10-15cm and more in higher hillier areas with major distruption to transport predicted. Fortunately, or not (if you ask Hannah & Ryan), we are in the South West, as far south as you can almost be in Great Britain and so may avoid the worst of it. Our days have been overcast and occasionally wet early on, then clearing to be sunny by lunchtime and cloudy in the later afternoon. The sun is rising at around 8.15am and setting by 4pm which makes fitting in outings and daylight activities a bit tricky.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Castles & Coves
Slept in today as I think the body was expecting the sun to wake us like at home. Not so. The sky gradually produced the colours of dawn around 7.45am. Had a late breakfast and saddled up to drive down to the village. Continued on to the Dartmouth Castle at the mouth of the Dart River. First constructed on the site during the 1380's and upgraded during the reign of monarch Henry VIII, it is quite small. Apparently a French or Spanish warship was able to sneak past the Castle one night (not surprising given the 7 hrs of winter sunlight) and so a chain was then suspended across the Dart River to stop any future invaders. The cannons, were faced out to sea and could fire up to a 4inch shell. As recently as WWII it was thought the Nazis may invade England at locations like Dartmouth so the Castle saw service as a coastal defence location.
Dartmouth is also famous as the final leaping off point for the Mayflower (the first boatload of free settlers) which then sailed to present day USA. The Mayflower was accompanied by another boat which promptly began leaking off Lands End, Cornwall and returned to land. The Bayards Cove in Dartmouth was the departure point for the Mayflower.
We walked all through the main part of Dartmouth village with many many pubs and restaurants along with a multitude of boutique clothing and home decorating stores. Some buildings are almost 400 years old and still standing.
After lunch, we drove down to Blackpool Sands beach. During summer this apparently has a lifesaver on duty and rents all manner of water sports equipment. Not today it didn't as it was 8C and sands in the name is a slight exaggeration with small 1cm pebbles across the entire surface. Still very pretty and a lovely restaurant and coffee house on the shoreline. Today was the first day in 3 since arriving that we have seen the Sun and blue sky. It you stay for long enough out of the wind, the 10.5C we got up to was quite warm.
Dartmouth is also famous as the final leaping off point for the Mayflower (the first boatload of free settlers) which then sailed to present day USA. The Mayflower was accompanied by another boat which promptly began leaking off Lands End, Cornwall and returned to land. The Bayards Cove in Dartmouth was the departure point for the Mayflower.
We walked all through the main part of Dartmouth village with many many pubs and restaurants along with a multitude of boutique clothing and home decorating stores. Some buildings are almost 400 years old and still standing.
After lunch, we drove down to Blackpool Sands beach. During summer this apparently has a lifesaver on duty and rents all manner of water sports equipment. Not today it didn't as it was 8C and sands in the name is a slight exaggeration with small 1cm pebbles across the entire surface. Still very pretty and a lovely restaurant and coffee house on the shoreline. Today was the first day in 3 since arriving that we have seen the Sun and blue sky. It you stay for long enough out of the wind, the 10.5C we got up to was quite warm.
Devon-not the meat, the County!
Up early, with the body still adjusting to the time difference. Down for a big all you can eat buffet breakfast at Hounslow Travelodge. Yummy! Our travellers survival instincts kicked in automatically with Angela and I taking 4 mini-muffins to stash in our backpacks for morning tea later! Ha.
Drove off on the A30, crossed the M25 and headed north west to Windsor. Stopped there and walked around the base of the famous Castle. The guards could not answer Ryan's question of "is the Queen here today" as we could not see the top of the flagpole and see whether the union flag or royal standard was flying. The fog was a real pea-souper that is famous over here and it stayed with us the whole day. Very trying driving conditions as a result. Headed further west from Windsor, following the Thames to Henley-on-Thames (think famous rowing location) and then to Reading (again on the Thames). Continued driving out into Wiltshire and eventually through the mist on the next hill appeared a famous set of rocks. Quite spooky until you realise that you are at Stonehenge! Parked the car and got out into the freezing cold air again. The temps were 3.5C and it was about midday. These lumps of rock were thought to be brought from the south of Wales (some 380km) 4500 years ago, and the largest weighs 45 tonnes.
Drove on from there to Wilton, had lunch and then continued on the backroads to the M5 and down to Exeter. Although we have lived here, it is still the strangest thing to see the sun setting and the temp drop further, but the clock in the car reads 3.50pm. Fortunately the motorway was well lit and after bypassing Exeter, turned off to Dartmouth and travelled the final 25 miles to the Coast.
The house is really very comfortable. 5 bedrooms, brand new kitchen, backing onto farmland and views down valley to Dartmouth township. All centrally heated (thanks goodness)!
Drove off on the A30, crossed the M25 and headed north west to Windsor. Stopped there and walked around the base of the famous Castle. The guards could not answer Ryan's question of "is the Queen here today" as we could not see the top of the flagpole and see whether the union flag or royal standard was flying. The fog was a real pea-souper that is famous over here and it stayed with us the whole day. Very trying driving conditions as a result. Headed further west from Windsor, following the Thames to Henley-on-Thames (think famous rowing location) and then to Reading (again on the Thames). Continued driving out into Wiltshire and eventually through the mist on the next hill appeared a famous set of rocks. Quite spooky until you realise that you are at Stonehenge! Parked the car and got out into the freezing cold air again. The temps were 3.5C and it was about midday. These lumps of rock were thought to be brought from the south of Wales (some 380km) 4500 years ago, and the largest weighs 45 tonnes.
Drove on from there to Wilton, had lunch and then continued on the backroads to the M5 and down to Exeter. Although we have lived here, it is still the strangest thing to see the sun setting and the temp drop further, but the clock in the car reads 3.50pm. Fortunately the motorway was well lit and after bypassing Exeter, turned off to Dartmouth and travelled the final 25 miles to the Coast.
The house is really very comfortable. 5 bedrooms, brand new kitchen, backing onto farmland and views down valley to Dartmouth township. All centrally heated (thanks goodness)!
Ol' Blighty
Immigration was tense at Heathrow. As I remember from last time, even the staff struggle with the mother tongue! One guy had failed to fill out an all important arrival card and was given a dressing down and told to go away. At the counter next to ours, a guy was telling a story about his company that imported TVs to Britain and he was there just checking up on things. On the other side a chap was trying to enter England without a return flight booked (big no no over here). The immigration person said "for a start I am not impressed by that" in her Eastern European accent. "Lets get you to stand aside while we think about that".
Through we went and waited for our bags. Out to the main arrivals hall and to the transport information counter. "Can you tell us whether each terminal at Heathrow has a business car park?" She had no clue whether they did or not. This was important as our Dartmouth Exchangers had indicated they parked their motor vehicle in Terminal 3 business car parking but during their last call said they were now flying to Australia from Terminal 4. There are 5 independent and quite separated airport terminals at Heathrow. It is the busiest airport on the planet with a plane landing every 65 to 80 seconds.
Well after taking a transit bus to Terminal 1-3 business parking and not finding the car we went back by bus to Terminal 1, free underground train to Terminal 4 and then another bus to Terminal 4 business parking and found the car. Drove along the A30 from the parking to the Parkway and left into Bath Road and there like a beacon, was Houslow Travelodge. Very simple room with Double bed and double sofa bed, shower, toilet and telly. Sorted love! Time 8.45pm London time. Travelling time from house to hotel-30 hours!
Through we went and waited for our bags. Out to the main arrivals hall and to the transport information counter. "Can you tell us whether each terminal at Heathrow has a business car park?" She had no clue whether they did or not. This was important as our Dartmouth Exchangers had indicated they parked their motor vehicle in Terminal 3 business car parking but during their last call said they were now flying to Australia from Terminal 4. There are 5 independent and quite separated airport terminals at Heathrow. It is the busiest airport on the planet with a plane landing every 65 to 80 seconds.
Well after taking a transit bus to Terminal 1-3 business parking and not finding the car we went back by bus to Terminal 1, free underground train to Terminal 4 and then another bus to Terminal 4 business parking and found the car. Drove along the A30 from the parking to the Parkway and left into Bath Road and there like a beacon, was Houslow Travelodge. Very simple room with Double bed and double sofa bed, shower, toilet and telly. Sorted love! Time 8.45pm London time. Travelling time from house to hotel-30 hours!
I'm taking a Trip, 10000 miles away
Arrived at the airport at 12.45am after the cabbie almost crashed the car. Checked through immigration with bags weighing 19kg and 20.5kg. Well done there!
First leg was 6500km to Singapore which was to take 7hrs 30 mins (almost 3hrs 45mins was still over Australia). The kids slept for half the leg to Sing. Very smooth landing and lots of yummy food aboard. We were sitting in the second row of Economy and I must say the seats were very very comfortable. Each had a TV screen on the back so managed to fit in a couple of movies between some short naps. 30 minute refueling transit.
Back on board for another 6100km to Dubai in the UAE. Food pretty much the same; kids slept for 6 of the 7 hrs this leg-thanks Phenergen! Flew over Aden (near Straits of Hormuz-Persian Gulf) and landed in Dubai, again very very smoothly. The airport is enormous, like at least 5x Brisbane international. Saw the famous coastal skyline with skyscrapers everywhere. The Burj Tower apparently almost 900 metres high is very distinct indeed. 30 minute refueling transit.
Took off into the Persian Gulf for the final 5850km to London Heathrow. Hugged coast of Saudi Arabia, up over Kuwait and flew whole length of Iraq, passing over Fallujah, Najaf and Baghdad. Crossed border into Turkey, over Ankara and Istanbul, Black Sea, Romania, Hungary, Czech & Slovak Republics, Germany, France, Netherlands and finally across the English Channel. What a trip! Kids were fantastic considering the distance and somewhat cramped conditions.
First leg was 6500km to Singapore which was to take 7hrs 30 mins (almost 3hrs 45mins was still over Australia). The kids slept for half the leg to Sing. Very smooth landing and lots of yummy food aboard. We were sitting in the second row of Economy and I must say the seats were very very comfortable. Each had a TV screen on the back so managed to fit in a couple of movies between some short naps. 30 minute refueling transit.
Back on board for another 6100km to Dubai in the UAE. Food pretty much the same; kids slept for 6 of the 7 hrs this leg-thanks Phenergen! Flew over Aden (near Straits of Hormuz-Persian Gulf) and landed in Dubai, again very very smoothly. The airport is enormous, like at least 5x Brisbane international. Saw the famous coastal skyline with skyscrapers everywhere. The Burj Tower apparently almost 900 metres high is very distinct indeed. 30 minute refueling transit.
Took off into the Persian Gulf for the final 5850km to London Heathrow. Hugged coast of Saudi Arabia, up over Kuwait and flew whole length of Iraq, passing over Fallujah, Najaf and Baghdad. Crossed border into Turkey, over Ankara and Istanbul, Black Sea, Romania, Hungary, Czech & Slovak Republics, Germany, France, Netherlands and finally across the English Channel. What a trip! Kids were fantastic considering the distance and somewhat cramped conditions.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Zero Days to go
Well we spent last night busy as usual. Had haircuts at home; washed clothes, vacuumed again and mopped the bedrooms and bathroom. Finally made it to bed with eyes hanging out at 11.50pm. Slept until 3.15am and another quick kip until 4.55am. Decided to get up and have breakfast. Put clothes in dryer and put a bolt into pool fence, made up all our beds with fresh linen.
Big day ahead with one of our debit cards deciding to play up. Have to also pick up barrel for Xmas raffle draw from Gaythorne RSL; book taxi for 11.45pm; pick up cakes for Hannah and Ryan to say goodbye and school; sign our tax returns; etc etc. Hannah's Christmas concert tonight at School. Nearly there, thanks goodness!!
Big day ahead with one of our debit cards deciding to play up. Have to also pick up barrel for Xmas raffle draw from Gaythorne RSL; book taxi for 11.45pm; pick up cakes for Hannah and Ryan to say goodbye and school; sign our tax returns; etc etc. Hannah's Christmas concert tonight at School. Nearly there, thanks goodness!!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
28 days
Only 28 days to go now. Have finished painting, finally. Going to clean the 4th bedroom downstairs this weekend and close it until we leave. Irish swappers move into Majorca Isle at Maroochydore in 13 days. Organised the hire car pick up from Gibraltar or actually La Linea in Spain for January 1, 2010. Have obtained International Driving Permit from RACQ.
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