so long and thanks for the lobsters

So its back to the land of the long white cloud, and the feeling that nothing has happened and the trip was a dream. But back to the beauty of Spring in the south island, and the vibrant green of grass growing at such a rate that we have decided to buy a new lawnmower. Ah one with a drink holder, so important in the summer!
Since returning we have had a number of adventures, today was a great example. I travelled to Christchurch to pick up Lady Minnie, and to see Lady Verouka at the same time. Lady Minnie had a interview with a view to a change of career, and Lady V and Master Pottleswaith and I wandered the streets of the city which has been called the most British of Cities outside of Christchurch. We passed Rangi Ruru, a private school for girls, and took in the beautiful presbyterian church, (wooden) on the way. Ah to see that young ladies are still being taught in bastions of the past is heart warming. We then made our way to the exibition of Ron Muche (sp) a sculpture who works in plastic//hair/ and uses these to amazing use, in that the sculpures are lifelike to the zeneith. The first to be seen is a 1/4 sized model of his father (in death) amazing, the body hair, the colour of the features, are just right for someone dead. He manages to bring a authintisity to the thing which is a little scary....one expects them to move or breath at any moment. We then had coffee and dropped Lady Verouka at her work place. We then proceded to muck around for some time and then we went to the cinema and watched Made in Dagnanam. A film set in the 1969-70 in London at the Ford factory. Amazing to see how recently woman were seen as second class citizens, and how hard it was for them to voice their opinions. A good film, although we still have a long way to go with womas rights, as we seem to have dropped the baton along the way, disinfranchised men, and stuffed up our children. Anyway a good night our, especiallly with the curry to follow, although the resultant indergestion is leaving somthing to be desired.
It is nearly 2am and I feel sleep ariving.......tomorrow is another day, and a road trip back home is looming,
Aduew.........

Bats and the descendents of the Keith Clan

Its not well known that Bats have a special place in England. Seen at dusk (sometimes) they generally mess around squeaking and defaecating. When we were in Kirdford, Sussex we heard the story of the local church renovations. These repairs and changes are allowed but must accomodate the local Bats. These poor creatures seem to have a forlorn life flitting around the country side looking for somewhere to live. It appears it must be a church. No doubt you have heard all about bats in belfreys - in Kirdford it is Bats in churches. The rule is, if you are going to renovate you must leave holes for Bats. Any new structure you build or renovate must allow this pooh machines in. Tough on the congregation that comes to church in raincoat, sporting an umbrella. Bat pooh is uniquely acidic so chews through the toughest macintosh. Church is struggle with a more or less continuous rain of faecal material. Make sure you don't tell the local authorities about the bats in your shed!

Another useful fact about bats. The recent Ignoble awards featured the habits of bored bats. Apparently it involves fellatio. Professor, Sir Hamish Parkinson of Glasgow University was awarded an Ignoble for his gratuitous research into the rather sordid habits of adult bats. He demonstrated the actual physical techniques at the award ceremony using hand puppets. Buckets were handed out for vomiting.

Edinburgh is a special place. Burgh is an old word for castle so it appears the place was originally Edwins Castle. Edwin sadly has long since died and probably wouldn't recognise the place anyway. We walked to the castle from Waverly station having dropped the car off at Newcraigdribble and taken a 10 min train ride. Lady McHoots was very brave although her ankle is giving her gyp. Despite the rain we enjoyed the castle and even heard the gun salute at 1 pm. Lady McH managed to find a toilet to clean herself up after the rather loud explosion.

We visited (in no particular order), St Margarets Chapel (12 th century), A large gun, Lang stairs, Crown jewels, prison for prisoners of war, Scottish war memorial and Mary Queen of Scots chambers where she gave birth to James VI of Scotland (also James I of England), We were captivated by it all.

Also got close to the Stone of Destiny - British monarchs sit on this when crowned. Scottish crown jewels are much older than the more famous German stuff owned by Liz and co.

While Lady M visited the royal mile and more specifically the Hub. I visited Greyfriars Bobby. This was s story told to me by Mum and Dad when very young and I enjoyed finding the place. In an old graveyard in front of Greyfriars Kirk is the grave of Old Jock (the owner) and Bobby. Outside the gates and further down the street is the famous statue. A nice moment for me.

Dickson clan - from what we have read is a sub clan of the Keiths. Richard Keith (at some stage) named himself son of Dick and hence the name was formed. The clan operated around East Lothian (where we are) and around the Border districts. There was quite a lot of rat bags amongst them and their main claim to fame seems to be stealing neighbours sheep. One little point that Grandma and Grandad would have enjoyed. One William Dickson born in 1960 in Brittany (France) had a Scottish Mother related to the Lauries of Maxwellton in Dumfreisshire. You may know the song:

Maxwellton Braes are bonny
For early fa's the dew
And twas there that Annie Laurie
Gave me her promise true.

They would have enjoyed that.

Scotland, Wasps, and Sunny Days

Hello my little haggises......Its I all the way from bonny scotland, and what a trip it was to get here. We left from Keswick and the motor camp we were staying in, (a working farm) and visited Margaret and had a cup of coffee with her. (thats Johns twin sister) We fell in love with wee Bessie, a very cute miniture Harris, who thought we were pretty special. Then onto the motorway, Sir McHaggis had decided to miss the main highway, and this led to miles and miles of nerve wracking driving, with the roads not much wider than his broad beam. We did see a number of great and wonderful things such as the beginning of the river Tweed. that was a small puddle in the middle of the paddock. The sheep are extremely white, due to all the rain that falls, they stay very clean and bright. Any way after hours of small screams, sighs, and extremely good instructions Mc Hag as I call him for short decided a pub lunch was in order, ufortunately there were no villages close, and the best I could do at short notice was a Welcome break, which is a service area where we enjoyed the famous scottish meal of cod an chips and chicken and chips. Then on to Inneswick, which is were Thurston Park is. Thurston Park is huge and very nice, in the distance you have a wonderful view of a cement works, which is very helpful as one can tell which way the wind is blowing by the plume of steam coming out of the stack!!!!. We were very tired, and went to bed about 7.30 last night, to wake at 8am this morning.
Sir McHag jumped out of bed to be faced with the most horrid of little beasties, the scottish wasp.  I saved the day by waiting a moment until the thing landed on the blind, at which I jerked it so fast the wasp was wraped around the blind and squashed. Wonderful, I do wonder what the neighbours thought to see McHag framed in the window, with not a lot on!!!!  Breakfast was bacon butties, and then after a steaming shower in the complex, we were on our way to Dunbar, a wee fishing village on the north sea. It is very famous for its castle, not much of which is left standing, and its harbours, one of which is still a working herring harbour. Mary queen of scotts and Agnas the Black also lived there. (in the castle) they are very proud of John Muir! and we are as well casuse we have so much to thank him for.After a pub lunch of scampi and chips we decided to drive close to Edinburgh to see if we could find a convenient park and drive. These are places were for 50p you can park your vehicle and then catch either the bus or the train to the c ity. Our sonar managed to drive us thru the middle of Edinburgh, up the main street, thru Holyrode park and past Holyrode Castle, and up the main street. (all the while we were screaming no no, but it would not listen to us.) We then drove back to the park and drive, and drove in, so Hag could read the instruction, so tomorrow we could do just that,that is park and drive. Three quarter of an hour later I was still waiting, as Hag's eyes glazed over and he got so confused that we were still not sure what to do. It was fine if you were a invalid as there were plenty of instructions such as keeping away from trains, not rolling to close to the edge of the station, etc. Any way on our way back we stopped at the famous town of somthing, carnt remember the name will add tomorrow. Anyway its a market town, and we wandered past Tescoes and into the town, found a bookshop with a tea shop behind it and stopped for a cup of tea. Back to the van, where Hag began to watch Robin Hood whilst I snoozed. We are enjoying a beer and cider at the camp grounds pub before tea. It has internet, so it is good to catch up. Hope all is going well in good old NZ. we read in a local paper that one Scottish person had survived the Christchurch earthquake.....ha ha..... Tomorrow it is suppose to be very very wet, cold and windy, so we are planning on going into Edinburgh and doing somthing. (inside) Then on Sat it is off to Whitby....Our time is going really fast. Still have heaps of shopping to do!!! Lots of love Lady McHoots.

Confusion

Lady W was a bit tired when she wrote the last blog. If it doesn't make too much sense thats because several subjects are discussed simultaneously and in no particular order. However suffice to say we have had a lovely time and enjoyed catching up with old friends. Have now seen three Cathedrals, Salisbury (magnificent), Winchester (v. nice) and Chichester (lovely mix of old and young). Salisbury was beautiful in the late afternoon sun and a service was just finishing. Heard the huge pipe organ in full throttle. Chichester had lots of interesting stuff - Gustav Holst was buried there for example. Also a famous poem by Philip Larkin inspired by a particular tomb. We also visited the church in Bosham (pronounced Bossam) which features in the Bayeaux tapestry. King Harold prayed there before being beaten by the Normans. Part of it is Saxon from 1050 odd. Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire are lovely places.

I'm afraid to say Lady W didn't like Florence much. She has decided there are three types of people at airports, annoying, nasty and bitches. Annoying represents the whole human race, while nasty is anyone in the airport and bitches involves anyone in front of us in a queue.

More tomorrow.

Dad

The biggest catch up.

Hello from the Valley of St John's of the Vale..... we have at last found internet, and I will catch you all up on our goings on in the past few days. Wednesday we flew from Florence to Zurich, and then Zurich to London, picking up a rental car at Heathrow, and drove to Shrewsbury. We stayed at a little hotel, which was tucked in the back streets and nice and quiet. That evening we wandered the streets and had a little look at the town, there are some very old parts, and we enjoyed the old pub which was called the Post Office which had been a pub since the 1600's. Next morning, we left the hotel, and after a bit, of shopping we drove out of town to a place called Battle. Now this was where Bob Hotspur* and Henry the 4th had a bit of a to-do and it was a very famous battle which neither neil or I had heard of. A little further on (from the hillock we stood on to view the battle ground reputedly planted in peas at the time of the battle) we found a visitors centre and the most amazing farm shop, fresh meat, veg,goodies, and cheese as well as a cafe, where we had lunch. The centre was full of things like chain mail which was the first time I had actually picked it up (its heavy) arrows, and lots of info, 2,000 people were killed and buried under the abby church at battle. The church was amazing, with tiled floors, and beautiful carvings, and an old gentleman who showed us all the treasures. He was at least 80 and was so passionate about his church, it was a real find. We then arrived at Andy and Nicks about 4.30 and got to know Andy a little, he is a train driver in Wales on the narrow gaged steam rail, and we met sam and James, their sons. Nick cooked us a delicious tea, and the next morning, we set off in the Van. ..... Bertha.
We drove to Godalming, and picked up Pilla and Mike and headed to the new forest, a beautiful drive
* tottnam hotspurs fooot ball team are named after him, and white heart was his emblem, which is why the ground is named this.,and we arrived at the camp ground after dark. It was like fort know with  barriers and the need to swipe cards etc. anyway we sorted our selves out then drove off for a pub tea. The next day Mike who was in charge of places to go, set us off in the direction of Salisbury Cathedral, via lymington which is a seaside town of real beauty, where the ferry sets off for the Isle of Wright. we enjoyed the sunny weather, and then drove to Salisbury where we wandered around the cathedral, which is stunning. We then drove back to the camp ground which was on the edge of a pond, where hundreds of canadian geese landed early in the morning, making a noise like the second coming. Sunday we wandered back via Winchester where we feasted on cornish pasties, and just enjoyed talking, of which a lot was done over the weekend. After a quick bath at Pilla's and some washing it was off to Kirdford to rekindle our friendship with Ian and Jan. We had an awesome time with them as well, its amazing that after so many years we can begin again where we left off. Yesterday (Monday) we went to a roman villa, which had a number of wonderful moasiac and lots of information. Underfloor heating, summer dining rooms with fountains and a outside dip pool. Then it was off to Bosham, another seaside village, which is on the edge of an esturgy, full of swans, the village sits bang on the edge of the estury, and at high tide, the water floods the road in front of them. Each day at least one car has to be towed out of the water, and as we ate lunch we watched a young Man rescue his. After that we cruised to Chichester and wandered around the cathedral, then back to Kirdford and time to chill out.This morning we had breakfast then set off up the motorway to Cumbera. Here we are in the rain, eating tea, Arthur  is fixing a curtain I was a little over enthusastic with, and we are going to sit and read, its all rather cosy. Tomorrow we are off to Edinbrough, so will blog when we can.....beginning to get a little homesick, especially as there are lots of cows etc around here and strong smell of cow shit....love you all Lady Fotheringgayephipps.

Wednesday/Thursday in Florence and out of Florence.

Yet another day in Florence, I found the domo, and wandered around inside for a while, which was great,and big, but latter this evening Buck and I found two little churches just tucked away in the side streets of Florence, one in which an organ recital was being held. After two glasses of red wine dad was a little wobble and fell of the pavement, not hurt at all but annoyed that the pavement moved.!!!!! I had a singapore sling, and olives that were the size of plums. Ah bliss, we are eating in room tonight as we have to get up early and fly back to the UK, then train to Shrewsbury Biscuit to pick up the van, which will then be driven to surry on Friday. We will find a computer cafe to chat to people. We are enjoying your comments....love Buck and Hadie.

Wednesday in Florence.

sue waiting for wedding to start.owen,issac,faith,mike and pilla, thats neal in the background.

fully grown pigs, 2.000.00 pounds each.

found this piggy around the corner.....

Day two in Florence

Dear little possums, day two in florence was hot, so hot, and so many smelly people, I did do a bit of shopping, which was fun, and found lots of little places that the local tourists dont go. The fruit shops have the most amazing selection of fruit and stuff.... like corgette flowers hazelnuts and other things which I couldnt decide what it was. Here are some photos of stuff.

The day of the wedding.

The day of the wedding.

We left the strange hotel  which we had taken about 50 minutes to book into the night before and began our drive to the wedding. It didn’t take us very long at all, in fact we were 2 and a half hours early, even with loads of traffic, and checking out the wedding venue, We went into Petworth for a coffee, and had a wander around the local bookshop, then settled down to coffee only to be surrounded by morris dancers, which we really enjoyed watching, as it bought back many memories of bells, sticks and men waving handerchiefs around. On arrival at the wedding venue which was an old barn, set up for civil ceremonies I fell in love with two little pigmy pigs, which were the same colour as Gussie, and had a cool price tag of 2,000.00 pounds each, not much pig per pound. The service was unusual, there was a marriage celebrant and a local register, but it was a nice service, with an awesome story about dinosaurs being read. We had a wonderful day, I had met some of Pillas family and friends before, and it was good to catch up again. The wedding breakfast was like a picnic, with baskets of ham, keeeeesh, salad, pickles and bread. Then the speeches, Mikes was great, he mentioned us, and showed the dress we had given Faith when she was born. We then had icecream, and after that a cream tea (scone,jam,cream) and then dinner were huge backed potatoes with either coronation chicken, beef, tuna, or baked beans. It was a great day, full of food and good times, and the weather was perfect.

Sunday morning, we walked thru Godalming main street, and visited the pepperpot, and parked in the same car park as we had when we had three little children to deal with, we wandered past the church, and the graveyard, and then drove to overbrook and down cattershall lane, which we walked to school. After dropping off a couple of bags to Pilla and Mike, we sped into heathrow airport and after a few hassles found the avis drop off, only to find, that the car was not registered, there was no details of us ever renting it at all, which all goes to show that the guy at Ashford International was a burk!!!!!!! After completely confusing avis, we were bussed to the terminal to find that the airline we were booked on were non existant, they had changed their names but it gave us a few moments worry. My metal work in my leg set off the thing at the control gate so I had to be patted down!!! It is the only airport we have found that to have happened in. On to the plane, although it was an international flight it was more like an internal new Zealand . We then had to sit for 20minutes while we waited for a space to take off. Gggrh, which made us late into Zurich, which ment we had to hot foot it to the next gate, into a smaller plane, and off to Florence. Think our flight was the last of the day, and customs couldn’t have cared if we had carried a dead body into the place, we wandered out to find a que of all the people on the plane waiting for one of the four taxis in Florence to pick them up, it took nearly an hour for us to get one, needless to say tempers were a little frayed. We arrived at the hotel, hot tired and dusty, to find we were only to get a bit hotter, as the air conditioning in the hotel room wasn’t working, and so we had after unpacking, packing up again and moving to another room, needless to say last night, I did not like Florence.

Today however I think I might like it. I was tired but wandered off to the statue of david, after which I got completely lost whilst looking for the domo, dear readers do not dispare, I enjoyed myself wandering the narrow lanes of the city which are just so tiny and beautiful....more later.

Farewell to Paris

Notre Dame de Paris was on my bucket list so we set off without breakfast to fit it in prior to the Eurostar ride to England. Lady Worplesdon had the bright idea of going one more stop on the Metro to get closer to the famous cathedral. Unfortunately, while it deposited us on the Ile de Cite it put us on the wrong end - but of course we didn't know that. We arrived at the Palais de Justice - not a bad shack, Paris style. Tricolour fluttering in the breeze all  over the place and a lovely sunny morning. Breakfast was partaken at the gates of the Palais de Justice so a great view. We had two eggs, toast and coffee and refreshed set off for Quasimodo's lair. Her ladyship fired up the Tom Tom. It immediately blew a fuse, we now realise, prompted by the fact that we were walking but it was set up for driving. Ile de Cite is basically a one- way system so while we could merrily walk any way we liked the TomTom wanted us to go in the opposite direction.  We walked the entire island!

Readers, I regret Lady Worplesdon complained somewhat. Starting off with low mutterings and building to language many of the local sailors blushed at, we finally arrived at the cathedral. Her ladyship needed a comfort stop and fortunately there was outdoor ablutions. Unfortunately there was also a long queue. The hour was saved by my intrepid actions in finding a welcoming cafe (complete with rest rooms). While I settled down to a coffee her ladyship navigated a spiral staircase to the basement. Puffing gently she appeared some time later demanding 50 c for admission to the "pissour". Fearing for the health of the locals I prevailed on the barman to provide some coins. Civilisation being restored we passed through the km long queues for the tower and entered the cathedral.

The first impression is of darkness. Some of the cathedral was built in 1240 so 800 years of prayer and worship. Quite a magnificent place. Lady W said the sense of history was quite palpable and I agree. Despite the multitudes chatting, laughing and taking photos Notre Dame is in the true sense, awesome. I even got to hear the organ - 5 keyboards, 14,000 pipes and 130 stops. I have to confess this was by listening to a CD, however I now know that after Vespers on sunday night, each week ,there is a free organ recital. Next time!

Leaving the cathedral, we headed for the Metro but were diverted by signs to the underground Crypt on the square in front of Notre Dame. Under the square are archeological diggings from a time before Paris was called, well, Paris! This was the time of the Romans and of the Gauls (and Asterix). Some 17 centuries of life in that place. Walls, wells, cobbled streets, wharves and arched walkways. We were touched by many of the simple things - a seat next to a bathing area for example. In one area the Romans had designed under floor heating for a building, with running water. How many of us have underfloor heating?

Finally, the taxi ride to Gare du Nord. It didn't take long and the taxi driver was less than impressed with my 100 Euro note, in fact he refused it. Settling the issue with a Visa card we hauled our bags into Gare du Nord.  Its an interesting fact that in the Northern Hemisphere luggage increases in weight despite Newton',s first law. Lady W's bag(s) for example have mysteriously expanded and now require three sessions at the gym in order to lift them. Will have to speak to Stephen Hawking about the physics involved.

The Eurostar is situated upstairs. It requires dragging personal possessions up an escalator, proceeding through two sets of customs (France and UK) and then,when called to the train, dragging them down a travellator and onto the train. Eurostar is great with a small carry on bag, somewhat more challenging with multiple bags. However we did it, and after a short tiff between Lady W and a number of Chinese people finally got to our seats. It should take about 2 hours to Kent from Paris. In our case we stopped in Northern France for a while. The pursor explained the train was lacking electricity - seems reasonable. Under the English channel took 20 min and suddenly you are in England. Ashford International is quite a friendly place. Customs officials chattered, asked where Wanganui was and wanted to know about the Earthquake. Proceeding to the arrival area we couldn't find Avis or any other rental car desk. Finally I spotted a young man in a red Avis jacket. There is no desk, they just turn up in the car and hang around waiting for the customer to find them. When I approached him he very deliberately looked at his watch and explained he was about to leave. He had that particular insolence you find in the UK and this rather fired me up. We had a rather testy few minutes in conversation before Lady W came over, pulling on her gloves. Not for long though as she had abandoned our bags and this worried the security people somewhat. Finally we drove off towards Surrey, passing the turnoff to Canterbury, Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Gatwick, Heathrow, arriving on the outskirts of Guildford. The Tomtom then took us in a number of concentric circles, up and down the A3 before we finally arrived at the Holiday Inn. In a breathtaking example of sheer ineptitude, it took 45 minutes to check in. The computers don't seem to work, the Visa thing printed off the days receipts instead of just one and the staff spent long minutes staring at screens in a puzzled way. Lady W went to sleep on a sofa. We arrived though and after a week of wonderful French food had a beer, fish and chips (Lady W) and steak pie and peas (self).

Wedding at Petworth today.

Hon Threepwood.

Last night in Paris

Today I has a really frustrating time, the door to our room locked and wouldnt let me in, I had been out for a walk to have chocolate and cousant, and came back to that, it took four people three hours to finally fix it.....Sacre blure!  Any way I enjoyed myself by just wnadering and went to see another art museum, one earnest delacrox, who liked to paint tigers, he was living out of Paris and was asked to paint the roof of sant germaine church, so found a small flat (their words) near by, the house was beautiful, very french with big windows, and the back door led to his studio, which was huge too. Any way after pursuing a tiger or two i went back to the hotel, and slept, which was just as well, as at 8 we left for the resturant where we were to meet carla carlo and franko, italian family who do business at nzll. The tom tom has been loaded with the european map, and was a little help, but we arrived on time, the resturant was fablouse, we were treated to a seafood meal to end all meals, franko speeks no english, but I had him won over in a short time, he kept calling me bella (beautiful) may be because he had a little drink or two. Our meal consisted of pate de foi gra, thought of Julia Child it is the most b eautiful thing I have ever eaten, it is silky and delicate, rich and just really sexy. OUr main was three huge platters of every sea food you could imagine, from oysters, to winkles, to crabs and shrimp, and cray fish, we were given impliments to eat with that you could see at the dentist, the sight of Jeeves trying to wrinkle out a winkle with his winkle picker was a sight to be seen, we got back about one oclock, although Paris was still buzzing, we slept...This morning we are packing, off to see Notre Dame, and then on the train to the UK.....our next post will be from there.   much love Hilda dn Burt

RER and Metro

It seems most of Paris wants to go to the Exhibition centre. That particular spot is somewhere out in the country side not far from Charles de Gaulle airport. It takes anywhere from 30min to 2 hours to make the journey depending on the number of stops (can be up to 12), the number of people, whether the French train system is actually working and terrorists. The latter group of people can be quite useful at times. Yesterday I went from St Germain des Pres metro to St Michel (Notre Dame). This is only two stops and has the advantage of then being a straight line to Parc des Expositions. Useful because if one can find a seat the journey is then reasonably comfortable. If not, the journey descends to hell.  Well St Michel was really quite empty, the carriages were quarter full and I found a seat easily. Might have been something to do with the bomb scare the previous night (which I knew nothing about). A few years ago St Michel was attacked and 7 people died so I guess the Parisians remember that. In any event I spent the next few stops in comfort until we arrived at Gare du Nord. All of Paris decided to use that station to get on the various trains. A great mass of people surged on to the carriage and filled every nook and cranny including personal space. Of course no one makes eye contact or talks. This great mass of humanity then spent the next 30 min collectively sweating, sniffing, scratching and no doubt farting.

I found for example myself facing at very close quarters the crotch of a potbellied Indian seikh. His personal body odour was a cross between a three day old beef curry and something Iggy had spend the last ten minutes pushing out his bowel.  On the seikhs right was two Chinese or Korean gentlement. Deprived of a direct line of sight to hawk and spit their flem they made do with trying to get it out the window. A pity really as the window was jammed approx 1 cm open. I can report that only 4 out of 5 attempts were successful.
On my left a couple expressed their undyeing love to each other in English. It was 20 nauseating minutes of Mills and Boon drooling and the only thing that stopped actual intercourse was a lack of pelvic thrusting space.

A great relief when we reach the Parc des Expositions - I'm taking a taxi today.

Gengelphus.

Up close and personal with vincent

Yesterday I was up close and personal with vincent and his mates at the museum d'orsy, which use to be a train station but was rebuilt int the museum. It contain lotsof art, statues, and stuff, lots of other people wanted to see the same bits I did, like whistlers mother, who was out doing the washing at the time, waterlillies at gerverny, which was having a greenfly attack at the moment, and a couple of the statues were in the shower. It was facinating, then I wandered b ack to the hotel the long way, just watching people and pearing into windows of houses, and generally being quiet nosy. Pompoms are in for this winter here, everything is covered in them including gloves, jelwery, and clothes, so get making them. Last night we dined at a italian resturant, as we just wanted somthing easy, best pizza an wonderful wine....Back to talk to varous peopel on skpe, so funny to see Flynn check out the back of the computer to see if we were there. Now its 5 in the morning, and I am about to go back to bed until breakfast, today I have plans to explore close to here, and then find another church I havent been into, then back to hotel for nanna nap and dinner with people tonight.....love you all.

What a day.

Good morning world, after a busy day yesterday, I slept like a baby after a bottle of wine, to prove it I dribbled a little. I spent the morning having hot chocolate at a little cafe and reading my book, then wandering aroung the church ST Germaine which is old, big and very dark, with lots of little chapels around the back of the alter. Met Saint Antonio, Saint Therese of Listeux, and my old friend Notre dame de lourds. Lit a candle and then wandered back to the hotel for a wee snooze before being picked up and driven 78 km out to Monet village. The speed limit on the motorway is 130 my sort of speed, although it is a little nerve wracking on the wrong side of the road. The french villages are beautiful, and the one that Mr M house is in is so nicely rural, saw some french pigs, which look as though they have run full tilt into a brick wall, their noses are all squashed. The geese in the firelds remind me very much of Elvis, and every house has a well stocked vege garden. Monet house is awesome, the colours of the rooms, blue, yellow, and blue/white, are striking, even the clock in the blue room is painted blue and white. Its a comfortable house, you could live their very easily without feeling too posh. The view from the upstairs rooms are amazing, and look out onto the more formal garden. Instead of talking about it I will show you, actually its the one at the top of the page.It is The stream and the japanese bridge which is famous as are the waterlillies are across the road, here is a picture.

not bad ah, for an amature. One more to really give you an example of the flowers.after we left the gardens, we drove thru some beautiful villages instead of going on the motor way. I have a question...what is this...the person who can tell me gets a special present.

what is it.

This castle originally built in the 12th centry and the other bit much later was were Himmel was two days before D day, he was visiting family and didnt know that Hittler wanted him back in Germany, and that the Allies were to attack 2days later, facinating. Of course much of the war was fought around this area, which is very forested, between there and Paris. Lots of signs of deer and pigs along the high way, obviously they wander into the road all the time. It was a great day, and one I will treasure for a long time. missing you all xxx Vierge and Vernon

The darkness of the night

No little blue pills were taken last night, and it was a disturbing one at that. We were called by the power company in newzealand to tell us that the final reading of sarah and toms account would not happen due to the eathquake.....that was at 11.20....then at 2 we woke again, and the toilet  bloc ked, not one to be disturbed by such unnatural occurances, I took one wire coat hanger and managed to fix it....ah the no 8 wire trick helps here.....nothing seems to work in parisian hotels, the tv is stuck on one channel, the safe refuses to open and give up its contents, the lights work only if they feel like it and the bed has a ridge down the middle which if one falls into is like climbing  mt everest to get out of....still no gosts of time past have yet dared to wander our room, if they do they will have servere injuries due to the mess......our love Jack and Rose.

tis night

tis night and we are to bed going,,,having dined on carnard and salmon, along with a bit of pate.
we were going to look at the trifle tower in the dark, but after a beer and a glass of wine each that did not sound like a good idea, especially as the trifle tower was only ever built as a temporary construction. If it fell down whilst i was anywhere near, and I obtained bruises and bumps from said falling down, the french would just shrug their shoulders and say well it was only a temporary construction after all.......luck there are no earthquakes here....fondest love murtle.

Funeral Notice

At three pm this afternoon in Paris, Mrs Pomeroy died and went to heaven. She wants you to know that heaven is just across the road from the wee hotel we are staying in. It is infact the Laduree, founded in 1862, and was the first tea house in Paris to admit women. She died after wafting in off the street, and being enveloped in all things cake and coffee. There were funeral tones as cake was revently eaten and tea or coffee sipped. Angels glided around the cafe, (a large one for Paris) delivering delights to those lucky enough to be admitted. One could not but be impressed by the food of paradise, multi layed cake, served on lamoge tableware, with silver knives and forks. Deciding to go out on a cloud of chocolate,walnut and mousse cake, she sipped white coffee, with three fruits flavour. This was the equivilant of white tea,(as opposed to green) and was clear, with wonderful fruit flavours, (she could have added the odd sugar cube or two, but decided not too!) Its kick was equavillent to those of the same mule that carried Jesus into Jersulum, all those years ago.(not many people know just how grumpy that thing was) Mrs Pomeroy was laid to rest in her hotel room where she snoozed until Frank arrived back from the fair, and made quite a lot of noise trying to get the rooms safe open. Of course she had set the number for it and it wasnt opening at all and still isnt. Frank is in a flunk and has been sent for a cooling and restorative shower, just before she hit him with a shoe like impliment having quite destroyed the feeling of calm in the room. We are dining alone tonight, which is great because Mrs P has a sore ankle, having once again walked for miles. I think that tomorrow will be just as exciting, as I have a date with Mr Monet,who I believe can do a pretty good drawing, having been given colouring books from an early age......love to alll Frank and Mrs P.

Earnest being Earnest.

Ah my little poisons, as you can see

we have had an interesting morning at the musee de clune. Its full churchie things, just the thing for a priesty person to look at. Drooled over the brass ware, and the icons, this is the chapel for the place, once a family chapel, and Earnest is looking thru the haleograph, which is a hole thru wich the priest could take the service with out being seen, I suppose he could sit in his jamies, eating his toast, and do the whole thing without anyone being an the wiser. this afternoon Earnest has toddled off we hope to the fair, but if I get an email from some other european country I will know he got on the wrong train. I have begun my retail therapy, with teeshirts for the grandies, fresh from the posh parts of Paris. I am loving looking for little things for special people. My next adventure is to a wee paper shop, which sells journals etc..bliss. Love you all talk latr. Ematrude.

French Police and their bloody loud boopers!

Ah my little cherries, it is four in the morning, Paris is sleeping, but I am awake, after eight hours of sleep, helped by a small blue pill. It is wonderful to wake up to great news like Sarah and Tom's new flat..looking forward to drinks in the courtyard, and Mick who is now entertaining STARS...what great things our kids are up tooo. Meanwhile as many french people are buried today in a day of morning, after a chill wind wipped thru the metro, We had a wonderful french experience of dining last night. We found a small cafe, small being the operative word..2 stags could fit 3 of these in to it and have room to swing a cat. Anyway we had a motzorella and tomatoe salad, and then being the romantic old couple we are, a three cheese fondue. did i mention that we also had a couple of kiri royals, being champagne and blackcurrant? It was a simple meal but wonderful, with the owner of the cafe wandering into the road to hassle people to come and eat. The place was full always a good sign. Neil and I lurched back to the hotel, I manage to only damage one Parisan on the way, when I lumbered into an open door, which rocketed back on a mans leg, we walked a little faster, as Neil says as the screams of pain from the gentleman getting quieter as we walked. Shouldnt have doors on the pavement like that. What would health and safety have to say. We did have a snog on the streets of paris, everyone was doing it, didnt like to be the only ones not ah. Well my cherries we are going to try and sleep a little longer, there is no coffee making facilities in our room...so will have to wait till petit dejeuner...keep up the dialogue....lots of love from mabel and cecil.

Arthurs burble

Little bit of jet lag from "She who must be ....". We took the Metro to the Champs Elysee not the Place de la Concorde. I could tell the ankle must be starting to give gyp when I led "She" down the wrong metro tunnel. We ended up on the travelator that stopped working and we walked for rather a long way. I cunningly avoided the death glares but I regret to announce the deaths of several hundred Parisiennes.

St Germain du Pres is in the Latin quarter or left bank - close to the river Seine and lots of famous things. The Tom tom is not working, so thats a bit annoying. We are about to go on-line and check it out. Quite a lot of things don't work in Paris. The TV in our hotel room for example is stuck on channel 20. Would be fascinating no doubt except channel 20 is more or less a blank screen. I suspect this is still more interesting than many European channels.

Our latest quest is to find a little restaurant and have a glass of french wine. Last time we were in this part of Paris (many years ago) I waved away a red rose seller. Have no fear about me making the same mistake. If that same person comes along tonight I will purchase 2 doz red roses.

Cheers,

Lord Ickenham

Now that we are awake

Back to the plane, after getting settled and wining the war with the seat to make it into a bed, Arthur and I took a little blue tablet, and got a reasonable amount of sleep. Although there was lots of turbulance, snoring, lets hear it for the man four rows back who took the award for the most determined snorer, and the crew requesting a doctor for someone seriously ill.....anyway we departed the plane, and were out of  CDG airport before we knew, into a taxi and off to our hotel, which is just around the corner from the one we stayed in many years ago. Our room was not ready it being 8 in the morning, so we departed to pastures new. The metro is pretty easy to get around on, and we arrived at the plastic de concord easily. Coffee, and breakfast followed, but not before Neil nearly died looking down the road, where a bus tried to run him down. (Its not like the movies, there are cars up and down.) We arrived  back at the hotel, hot, tired and after a rather death defying bath, in which I got stuck, and had visions of me b eing shipped back home in a bath, I escaped. We did attend Mass at the local church, so thought we did well. After a sleep, we headed to the river and crossed over to the Louve, bloody big, and wandered around the ground. Then cause my ankle was giving me gyp we came back to the hotel to rest before finding a wee resturant to have dinner at.
The weather is awesome, rain, sun, no snow, and warm.  Going to let Arthur have a wee burble now. Much love to all Ethel.

The fun continues and squeeky wet things

Hello earthlings. Boardered our plane to Paris, it was hughest, an airbus 380, it has three entrances, one for firstclass suites, one for business and one for the plebs. Arthur and I had decided to have half a blue tablet together.....will telll the rest later just been overcome with jet lag.....

Singapore Airport....truly the place to be.

Hello fellow critters, I am sitting in the first class business lounge, (Barry has a card to let us all in) after a 10hr flight to Singapore. The flight was fine, not many people in business, very comfortable, and my ankle didnt swell. Watched a couple of good movies, watched Australia below us, and then indonesia, arrived here and immediately had a shower...and what a shower, it had multiple spray thingies which took some coming to terms with. Neil and I then left Barry in the lounge and we went to explore the airport. It has a wonderful butterfly area, which would have been great if it were daylight, still saw some butterflies in the gloom, and neil nearly had a finger taken off by a plant that eats things....he already has had an emergeny with a paper cut in the plane...blood everywhere. The food on the plane was awesome, best Ive had for a long time, 4 courses for dinner with icecream to finish. Anyway we are just hanging about waiting for the time to board, which seems to be hours away, especially as I forgot to reset my watch. We are planning on sleeping for as much of the next part of the trip as possible...so I may resort to half a little blue tablet.
Anyhooo,,,, I am pleased Flynn enjoyed the party, hope you and Kevin did too. Keep thinking im in Chch as the building is swaying, as planes come in and I think it is a earthquake. Did you feel the one in the north island today.    Well all mylittle honeys,,,,,I will go and have another coffee, and then maybe another...all our love      William and Mary.

Christchurch Airport

Had a wonderful meal last night with Chris, Alice, Dan,Sarah and Tom, and of course Neil, then off to the hotel SO, which rocked and rolled all night with aftershocks, although I did sleep well, cause I dribbled!!
Prior to this we had a little melt down, when Neil decided he had to many clothes, and wanted to repack, so I did too. At the end of that Neil didnt discard anything, and I did.....My one bag weighed exactly 20kg, plenty of room to bring things back. Any way a pile of pork ribs helped the gumps, and a good sleep. After lots of farewells, and one of my darling kids needing windscreen wipers for his eyes we toddled into the airport and did all the official things. We are now chilling while we wait for our boarding call. The loos in the lounge are so awesome, like from the 1920s, even a dressingtable to sit at and do your hair. Still carnt believe that we are off overseas. Hope everyones weekend goes really well......

Ten o'clock and we are all packed.

WE ARE PACKED:.....Yes we are, and I am off to bed. Have been googling intersting things in Paris to do while neil is at work and I have found a museum of the history of middle ages (not meopasual age) the middle ages when people wore sack cloth and ashes, which I am keen to check out, also a rather awesome chocolate shop....and heaps more. I keep thinking somthing is missing.......what have I forgotten to pack.
Looking forward to the awards Thu evening, but not looking forward to the stay in Chch...must pack clean pj incase I find myself evacuated on the street.  This feels very unreal...love all..

What is wrong with me

I have packed all the clothes I am going to take with me in a pack and save shopping bag.....there must be somthing missing.... but what????
Oh another note I have just finished writing a story for my darling little grandchildren.....it is now being illustrated by the one and only TD Watson a renound artist residing in Christchurch, but originally from the Wellington area.   Some of his work can be viewed at his web site  Tfor Tom.. Especially like his eco tagging, and in co operation with him am at this moment mixing mud with other products to make a eco tagging pain.     more later......think the clog dancers are back tooo....

What to Pack......

Just found a website that tell me what to pack for a long trip, half the things I dont own, gaffa tape? please who needs that. It must be an american I guess. I am planning to put the bits and pieces on my bed and then either add or take away what I dont need. I hope it will be take away....I will colour co ordinate  black and white with flashes of colour....do I need chopsticks, compas and whistle?
Check out the hotel we hope to stay at in London....Cherry Court....very cute......now where are my 3pairs of socks and long lightweight underwear?????

The Big Trip

Dearest Friends,
Now that Jeeves has begun to sort out our itinerary, I thought I would give it to you so you
can slather with jealousy.
Friday 10th of September we leave for our favourite hotel in Chch, where after a good sleep, we leave on Saturday 11th of November, on Singapore Airlines to Singapore.....then on to Paris.
We arrive Paris on the 13th, and stay there until the afternoon of the 17th, at 3.30 where we board the Euro Star and travel to the UK, where we pick up a rental car, and drive to Chiddingfold, where we stay the night. the 18th of Sep we attend a wedding at 12.30 and hopefully imbibe much sparkly wine. Sunday we fly to Florence, where we will stay till the 22nd of September, when we fly back to the UK, stay a night in London, and then take a train to Shrewsburry to collect the van on the 24th of Sep. after picking up van we then pick up Mike and Pilla and drive to the New Forrest for the weekend. On Sunday the 26th we drive back to Godalming drop off Pilla and Mike and then drive to a field in Kirdford where we will stay until the Tuesday, when we will toddle off to the Lake district and then on to Bonny Scotland, from the 2nd to the 5th we havent any idea what we are going to do. On the 6th we drop off the van and take a train to London, from where Sue will fly out to NZ on the Saturday, and Neil will fly to Florence. I arrive in NZ at 10.20 on Monday the 11th, and then drive to Alex on either the 12th or 13th, to have fun with Greer and Payton......Neil flies back arriving at 1020 on Sunday the 17 but will fly into Queeenstown to see the girls too. here endeth the first lesson.

Trip of the year.