It is now 7.30pm in Los Angeles and we are waiting in the Air New Zealand lounge at the airport waiting to board our flight home.
Had a shower so feel ready to face 13 hours in a plane.
Check in went smoothly. The bus from the hotel dropped us right outside the check in desk and we only had to manage the cases for a few metres. Although it was only just after 6 pm, we were able to check in right away.
Suzanne has requested an upgrade but will not know if she has it until we get to the gate.
Off to have a snack while we wait.
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Sunday, April 22, 2012
Last day on holiday
Looked out the window on waking and found that it was foggy again!
We had breakfast at Starbucks again this morning then spent most of the morning packing and repacking for the flight home tonight. Managed to get everything packed into my bags, which hopefully will not be overweight!
We checked our bags in with the concierge then checked out of the hotel. We had asked about going to the Manhatten Village Mall, but the concierge said we should go to Westfield on Sepulveda Blvd. However, we decided that we would rather go to the other mall so got a cab. Unfortunately, the cab driver took us to a different mall which we didn't realise until after we had paid him and he had gone. Decided to make the most of it and spent a few hours there. Asked about a cover for David's tablet but were not able to get one. Suzanne found a Banana Republic shop and some nice clothes which were discounted.
We had a late lunch at Sammy's Woodfired Pizza and Grill which was very nice and quite reasonable in cost. They rang for a cab for us and went back to the hotel where we got a coffee and spent an hour or so in the lobby, waiting for the time for us to go to the airport. Suzanne has asked for an upgrade on this flight so hope she is able to get it. It is more comfortable in Premium Economy!!
Really looking forward to getting home. It has been a great holiday, have seen and done a lot, but home is really sounding good at the moment. Getting sick of packing and unpacking every couple of days.
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We had breakfast at Starbucks again this morning then spent most of the morning packing and repacking for the flight home tonight. Managed to get everything packed into my bags, which hopefully will not be overweight!
We checked our bags in with the concierge then checked out of the hotel. We had asked about going to the Manhatten Village Mall, but the concierge said we should go to Westfield on Sepulveda Blvd. However, we decided that we would rather go to the other mall so got a cab. Unfortunately, the cab driver took us to a different mall which we didn't realise until after we had paid him and he had gone. Decided to make the most of it and spent a few hours there. Asked about a cover for David's tablet but were not able to get one. Suzanne found a Banana Republic shop and some nice clothes which were discounted.
We had a late lunch at Sammy's Woodfired Pizza and Grill which was very nice and quite reasonable in cost. They rang for a cab for us and went back to the hotel where we got a coffee and spent an hour or so in the lobby, waiting for the time for us to go to the airport. Suzanne has asked for an upgrade on this flight so hope she is able to get it. It is more comfortable in Premium Economy!!
Really looking forward to getting home. It has been a great holiday, have seen and done a lot, but home is really sounding good at the moment. Getting sick of packing and unpacking every couple of days.
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Shopping in LA
Saturday
After breakfast at Starbucks, we took a bus to Santa Monica to "do" the shops. Santa Monica is a busy area with lots of shops that are quite up-market.
However, my priority was to find Michael's and Joann's - both craft shops. we found Joann's and did some great power shopping there. Saved a lot of money as well - $64. They had loads of stuff that was at least 40% off.
We walked down to Michael's and I found that they had some other stuff that was also well discounted. Saved a stack of cash there too!!!
Suzanne did some good shopping as well and by 4pm we needed to get back to the hotel to get the VIP tour of LA by night. We took a cab back to the hotel which cost $35. Pretty expensive but it was quite a long way.
We went on a tour of LA by night. It took us through the centre of LA, which was quite deserted, stopped at the Walt Disney Auditorium for a photo opportunity, then onto another freeway for Universal City. We ended up at Universal Studios which had just closed for the day. There is a shopping centre there that we had a chance to wander around.
Then back on the bus for a trip around Beverley Hills, Rodeo Drive, the Chinese Theatre etc. It was interesting seeing how the rich and famous live, shop and eat!
We got back to the hotel about 10pm and had a cup of tea then went to bed.
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After breakfast at Starbucks, we took a bus to Santa Monica to "do" the shops. Santa Monica is a busy area with lots of shops that are quite up-market.
However, my priority was to find Michael's and Joann's - both craft shops. we found Joann's and did some great power shopping there. Saved a lot of money as well - $64. They had loads of stuff that was at least 40% off.
We walked down to Michael's and I found that they had some other stuff that was also well discounted. Saved a stack of cash there too!!!
Suzanne did some good shopping as well and by 4pm we needed to get back to the hotel to get the VIP tour of LA by night. We took a cab back to the hotel which cost $35. Pretty expensive but it was quite a long way.
We went on a tour of LA by night. It took us through the centre of LA, which was quite deserted, stopped at the Walt Disney Auditorium for a photo opportunity, then onto another freeway for Universal City. We ended up at Universal Studios which had just closed for the day. There is a shopping centre there that we had a chance to wander around.
Then back on the bus for a trip around Beverley Hills, Rodeo Drive, the Chinese Theatre etc. It was interesting seeing how the rich and famous live, shop and eat!
We got back to the hotel about 10pm and had a cup of tea then went to bed.
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To Los Angeles
The flight to Los Angeles was about half an hour late leaving Heathrow, but once we got underway it was pretty smooth going. Cloudy across all of the UK but not at all bumpy.
We flew up over Iceland and Greenland then down across Canada and the USA. it was good to look out the window and see some scenery as we went. Ice flows in the sea then snow and ice on the northernmost parts of Canada.
As we moved south, the snow disappeared to be replaced by barren land and mountains. We came across Wyoming and Utah then down to California. When we were coming into LA we could see that there was a layer of fog over the airport which was reasonably thick. We landed safely and disembarked after sitting on the tarmac for about 20 minutes waiting to be towed in to the gate.
It took quite a while to get through Immigration, but finally were able to claim our baggage and find the shuttle to the hotel.
We arrived at the hotel about 8.30 pm and checked in. The room was on the second to top floor (14) and had a great view - over the parking lot for the airport! (or one of them anyway!) Apparently,LA Airport is about the third busiest in the world and has 11 runways, 9 of which are used regularly every day and all day.
After a brief unpack, we fell into bed as it had been a very long day with little sleep on the flight.
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We flew up over Iceland and Greenland then down across Canada and the USA. it was good to look out the window and see some scenery as we went. Ice flows in the sea then snow and ice on the northernmost parts of Canada.
As we moved south, the snow disappeared to be replaced by barren land and mountains. We came across Wyoming and Utah then down to California. When we were coming into LA we could see that there was a layer of fog over the airport which was reasonably thick. We landed safely and disembarked after sitting on the tarmac for about 20 minutes waiting to be towed in to the gate.
It took quite a while to get through Immigration, but finally were able to claim our baggage and find the shuttle to the hotel.
We arrived at the hotel about 8.30 pm and checked in. The room was on the second to top floor (14) and had a great view - over the parking lot for the airport! (or one of them anyway!) Apparently,LA Airport is about the third busiest in the world and has 11 runways, 9 of which are used regularly every day and all day.
After a brief unpack, we fell into bed as it had been a very long day with little sleep on the flight.
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Friday, April 20, 2012
Leaving London
Well, all packed up and waiting for Suzanne to find places for all the shoes she has bought and then we will hit the road to Heathrow!
It is a lovely sunny day today with just a little breeze - one of the nicest days since we have been here - have we heard this before?
It is a bit sad really as this is the last farewell to The Vicarage which has been like a home away from home whenever we have visited the UK since 1989. But good too as David and Carol will soon be making a new home in Birchington, Kent.
Later:
Arrived at Heathrow about 12.15 pm and David and carol dropped us off at the entrance to Terminal One. It was sad to say goodbye to them but it is only 9 months till they come to NZ for an extended holiday, so it will not be topo long before we see them again.
Have now passed through security at the airport. Just had a bite to eat in the lounge and settling in for a long wait till we board the plane.
It rained just as we were arriving at Heathrow but just as quickly it went off again - four seasons in one day again!!
England and Scotland have been great. We have had a good time here and have seen lots of people. There are some places I would like to go back to again - Lancaster for one. It is an historic town and it would be good to spend a bit more time there and have a good look around.
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It is a lovely sunny day today with just a little breeze - one of the nicest days since we have been here - have we heard this before?
It is a bit sad really as this is the last farewell to The Vicarage which has been like a home away from home whenever we have visited the UK since 1989. But good too as David and Carol will soon be making a new home in Birchington, Kent.
Later:
Arrived at Heathrow about 12.15 pm and David and carol dropped us off at the entrance to Terminal One. It was sad to say goodbye to them but it is only 9 months till they come to NZ for an extended holiday, so it will not be topo long before we see them again.
Have now passed through security at the airport. Just had a bite to eat in the lounge and settling in for a long wait till we board the plane.
It rained just as we were arriving at Heathrow but just as quickly it went off again - four seasons in one day again!!
England and Scotland have been great. We have had a good time here and have seen lots of people. There are some places I would like to go back to again - Lancaster for one. It is an historic town and it would be good to spend a bit more time there and have a good look around.
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Thursday, April 19, 2012
Leaving Scotland
Well, here we are at Edinburgh Airport waiting for the flight to Gatwick this afternoon. We had to have the car back at the Hertz rental place by 11.00 am so we were there in plenty of time. Filled the car with diesel just before we got to the airport - it has cost us about 100 pounds in total for the fuel and about 600 miles.
The trip from Stirling only took about 45 minutes and there was not a lot of traffic to hold us up.
We checked in the bags and they came to just under 23 kgs each, so there is not really much room for anything else! Security held onto Suzanne's hand luggage and went through it to find the bottle of HP sauce that she bought yesterday to take home. Needless to say, she has lost it now because it was more than 100mls.
Suzanne has found a pair of sunglasses to buy ready for LA which is forecast to be in the mid-20s for the weekend.
Only one more night and we will be starting on the journey home. The time has passed well - not too quickly, and we feel like it has been a good trip. Having the car was great as it allowed us to do what we wanted and to get around more easily. It was a great car too - plenty of room and very comfortable to ride in.
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The trip from Stirling only took about 45 minutes and there was not a lot of traffic to hold us up.
We checked in the bags and they came to just under 23 kgs each, so there is not really much room for anything else! Security held onto Suzanne's hand luggage and went through it to find the bottle of HP sauce that she bought yesterday to take home. Needless to say, she has lost it now because it was more than 100mls.
Suzanne has found a pair of sunglasses to buy ready for LA which is forecast to be in the mid-20s for the weekend.
Only one more night and we will be starting on the journey home. The time has passed well - not too quickly, and we feel like it has been a good trip. Having the car was great as it allowed us to do what we wanted and to get around more easily. It was a great car too - plenty of room and very comfortable to ride in.
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Stirling
We left Carlisle about 10 am on Tuesday and crossed the border at Gretna, stopping at the outlet village at Gretna for a bit of retail therapy.
Onward to Ochiltree about 12, continuing up the M6 (or the continuation of the M6) to Douglas then turned off towards Ayr. The road was a bit windy, but we eventually reached Cumnock and a few miles further on, Ochiltree.
Lucy and Donald welcomed us very warmly, along with Star! We had a nice lunch and a chat with them and saw one of the proposed plans for the house renovations. Although, as Lucy said, each time someone sees the plans, they have suggestions for what they should do with the house, so I think there are still some decisions to be made before things are finalised.
We set off again about 3 pm and managed to get through Glasgow with no problems and continued on to Stirling. We arrived at the hotel in Stirling, which was near the motorway, about 4.30pm. We found, on checking in, that breakfast was included in the cost, so that was a bonus, although the cost was more than the previous places we stayed at.
We found our way to Vicki and Ali's house about 5 and enjoyed catching up with the news, seeing Lukas and having a lovely meal before heading back to the hotel about 10.30pm.
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Onward to Ochiltree about 12, continuing up the M6 (or the continuation of the M6) to Douglas then turned off towards Ayr. The road was a bit windy, but we eventually reached Cumnock and a few miles further on, Ochiltree.
Lucy and Donald welcomed us very warmly, along with Star! We had a nice lunch and a chat with them and saw one of the proposed plans for the house renovations. Although, as Lucy said, each time someone sees the plans, they have suggestions for what they should do with the house, so I think there are still some decisions to be made before things are finalised.
We set off again about 3 pm and managed to get through Glasgow with no problems and continued on to Stirling. We arrived at the hotel in Stirling, which was near the motorway, about 4.30pm. We found, on checking in, that breakfast was included in the cost, so that was a bonus, although the cost was more than the previous places we stayed at.
We found our way to Vicki and Ali's house about 5 and enjoyed catching up with the news, seeing Lukas and having a lovely meal before heading back to the hotel about 10.30pm.
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Shopping again!
Today, Wednesday, we went into town in Stirling and spent a couple of hours in the Thistles Mall and walking around the city.
The shops are all similar to other shopping centres so you see mostly the same stuff in all of the shops you go into. Did manage to part with a bit of money (again), but not too much. Just hope things fit into the suitcase tomorrow!
Went back to the hotel for a rest before heading back to see Vicki and Ali for dinner again. Lukas managed a photo session before going to bed.
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The shops are all similar to other shopping centres so you see mostly the same stuff in all of the shops you go into. Did manage to part with a bit of money (again), but not too much. Just hope things fit into the suitcase tomorrow!
Went back to the hotel for a rest before heading back to see Vicki and Ali for dinner again. Lukas managed a photo session before going to bed.
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Monday, April 16, 2012
Carlisle
We left Lancaster about 10am and took the M6 to the Lakes District. The first stop was Kendal. We found a park near the main street and sat in a park to have our coffee before going up to walk down the main street.
Getting out of Kendal was quite easy - just followed the road north - however, when we got to the roundabout to turn toward Windermere, we had to take a diversion that took us back to where we had turned off to get to Kendal!!! Eventually we got back to the roundabout to get onto the road we needed to get to Windermere.
At Windermere, we went to Lakeland to have a look at the wonderful array of kitchen and cooking stuff. Bought a couple of things then went for a drive around the town. Lots of people visiting and walking by the lake and through the streets.
Went on to Ambleside and stopped at a garden centre for some lunch. Had a ginormous baked potato for lunch then had a look at the garden centre. Bought an azalea for Vicki and Ali then back into the car to go to Keswick. By this time it was getting cooler so did not stop at Keswick.
We arrived at Carlisle about 2.30 pm and again, the hotel was right near the motorway so was easy to find. We asked about getting into the city and also about a laundromat. The very nice man at reception said that he could put our washing through in the laundry for us. He also gave us very good directions for getting into The Lanes shopping centre.
We spent a couple of hours looking around the shopping centre and some shops in the town. Shops closed at 5.30 so we went back to the hotel and had a drink, then had dinner at the bar.
Another Poirot tonight so settled in for a quiet night of TV and a book!!
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Getting out of Kendal was quite easy - just followed the road north - however, when we got to the roundabout to turn toward Windermere, we had to take a diversion that took us back to where we had turned off to get to Kendal!!! Eventually we got back to the roundabout to get onto the road we needed to get to Windermere.
At Windermere, we went to Lakeland to have a look at the wonderful array of kitchen and cooking stuff. Bought a couple of things then went for a drive around the town. Lots of people visiting and walking by the lake and through the streets.
Went on to Ambleside and stopped at a garden centre for some lunch. Had a ginormous baked potato for lunch then had a look at the garden centre. Bought an azalea for Vicki and Ali then back into the car to go to Keswick. By this time it was getting cooler so did not stop at Keswick.
We arrived at Carlisle about 2.30 pm and again, the hotel was right near the motorway so was easy to find. We asked about getting into the city and also about a laundromat. The very nice man at reception said that he could put our washing through in the laundry for us. He also gave us very good directions for getting into The Lanes shopping centre.
We spent a couple of hours looking around the shopping centre and some shops in the town. Shops closed at 5.30 so we went back to the hotel and had a drink, then had dinner at the bar.
Another Poirot tonight so settled in for a quiet night of TV and a book!!
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Manchester - been and gone!
Friday 13th April - Shopping in Manchester
Suzanne went off to her conference this morning and I decided to wander off to the shops. Found a coffee shop that had free wifi and spent some time doing emails. Roger saw I was on-line so he skyped me and we spent about 30 minutes on the skype.
I went on to the Arndale Centre and spent much of the day wandering around looking at shops there and other shops in the central area of the city.
Went back to the hotel about 3.30pm for a rest.
Suzanne and I decided to go to a greek restaurant that I found on Princess St. It was very nice. we hopped on a free bus that took us to the Piccadilly Railway station then we walked back to the hotel.
Saturday 14th April
Suzanne went to the conference about 9 and I was picked up by Graeme, Hilda's son and he took me to Hilda's place in Oldham to spend the afternoon crafting. Hilda and George were really welcoming. Hilda and I went out to her little craft room - which was so well organised! - and spent a few hours making tags a la Tim Holtz and Hels Sheriden.
Graeme took me back to the hotel then Suzanne and I walked into town again to have another look in Debenhams and M&S. Found a nice little Italian restaurant and had a meal there.
Sunday 15th April
We left the hotel after having a good breakfast. The car had been parked in the parking building over the road and only cost 22 pounds for the three days. We headed off in the wrong direction but eventually worked that out - did a U turn - and found our way to the north of the city and to the M6.
We were heading to Lancaster which is only an hour or so away from Manchester. We had arranged to visit Beth and Alec at Freckleton and had directions to get there. We had to go through Preston and eventually found the road to Freckleton. Unfortunately, the directions we had printed off were not accurate and I had to ring Beth to find out where we needed to go. She sent Alec out to find us and he guided us to their house.
It was lovely to see Beth and Alec again. We had a cup of tea and a chat and examined Beth's lovely kitchen. Suzanne got some ideas for her new kitchen. Alec took us back to the M6 where we headed back towards Lancaster.
We were staying at the Holiday Inn at Lancaster which was just off the motorway - the easiest one to find so far. We got there about 2.30 pm and checked in. Had a cup of tea then decided to go into Lancaster. We also tried to find a laundromat and were not very successful! Still, we found a park and went for a wander around the central part of the city. Shops closed at 4 on Sunday so we walked around towards the castle and took a few pictures, then back to the car and to the hotel.
We had tea at the hotel then watched a Poirot murder on TV.
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Suzanne went off to her conference this morning and I decided to wander off to the shops. Found a coffee shop that had free wifi and spent some time doing emails. Roger saw I was on-line so he skyped me and we spent about 30 minutes on the skype.
I went on to the Arndale Centre and spent much of the day wandering around looking at shops there and other shops in the central area of the city.
Went back to the hotel about 3.30pm for a rest.
Suzanne and I decided to go to a greek restaurant that I found on Princess St. It was very nice. we hopped on a free bus that took us to the Piccadilly Railway station then we walked back to the hotel.
Saturday 14th April
Suzanne went to the conference about 9 and I was picked up by Graeme, Hilda's son and he took me to Hilda's place in Oldham to spend the afternoon crafting. Hilda and George were really welcoming. Hilda and I went out to her little craft room - which was so well organised! - and spent a few hours making tags a la Tim Holtz and Hels Sheriden.
Graeme took me back to the hotel then Suzanne and I walked into town again to have another look in Debenhams and M&S. Found a nice little Italian restaurant and had a meal there.
Sunday 15th April
We left the hotel after having a good breakfast. The car had been parked in the parking building over the road and only cost 22 pounds for the three days. We headed off in the wrong direction but eventually worked that out - did a U turn - and found our way to the north of the city and to the M6.
We were heading to Lancaster which is only an hour or so away from Manchester. We had arranged to visit Beth and Alec at Freckleton and had directions to get there. We had to go through Preston and eventually found the road to Freckleton. Unfortunately, the directions we had printed off were not accurate and I had to ring Beth to find out where we needed to go. She sent Alec out to find us and he guided us to their house.
It was lovely to see Beth and Alec again. We had a cup of tea and a chat and examined Beth's lovely kitchen. Suzanne got some ideas for her new kitchen. Alec took us back to the M6 where we headed back towards Lancaster.
We were staying at the Holiday Inn at Lancaster which was just off the motorway - the easiest one to find so far. We got there about 2.30 pm and checked in. Had a cup of tea then decided to go into Lancaster. We also tried to find a laundromat and were not very successful! Still, we found a park and went for a wander around the central part of the city. Shops closed at 4 on Sunday so we walked around towards the castle and took a few pictures, then back to the car and to the hotel.
We had tea at the hotel then watched a Poirot murder on TV.
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Friday, April 13, 2012
Manchester here we come
Yesterday, I travelled by train to Luton Airport where I met up with Suzanne and we got a rental car to travel to Manchester. We had to get a shuttle bus to the rental agency as it was a long way from the airport terminal - makes you appreciate the wonderful facilities we have at NZ airports, especially Christchurch!
The car we have is a Ford Kuga which looks a bit like a mini-4WD. It is a diesel vehicle and hardly used any fuel on the way to Manchester.
We found our way out of the airport complex easily and onto the M1. The roads are certainly a lot busier than at home and there were a few times that we were reduced to 40 mph because of breakdowns or some other obstruction.
We were headed for Swadlincote, which is where Roger's ancestors came from when they immigrated to NZ in 1841. I am sure that the town looks very different from what it did then!! It was raining when we arrived and we found our way to the town centre, which has been modernised into a pedestrian mall. There was an older building in the mall which was the town market building and had been built in 1861. Other buildings in the town looked like late 1800's and early 1900's.
We found our way out of the town and headed for the Wedgewood Visitors Centre at Stoke-on-Trent. We got there about 3.30pm and had a good look around the shop before deciding on some purchases. It would have been lovely to buy lots of china and crystal, but the biggest challenge would have been getting it back. Lovely to look at though!!
By 4.00pm we were back on the road to Manchester. The directions I had printed out before we left were pretty accurate and we managed to not get too lost in the centre of the city. Fortunately, the hotel is right next to a parking building and very close to the university where the Geography Conference is being held. We parked in the building at exactly 6.00 pm so we made reasonably good time with a few stops on the way.
After a meal at the hotel, we went for a walk to get our bearings. We met Tony Binns from NZ on the street near the university and he was quite excited to see Suzanne and Mum! We met him again at breakfast this morning and he said he has been telling lots of people about Suzanne!!!
Manchester is a very red brick building city with some quite tall buildings that would be 100 years old. I will take some pictures today and hopefully post them later on.
Now, off to the shops!!!
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The car we have is a Ford Kuga which looks a bit like a mini-4WD. It is a diesel vehicle and hardly used any fuel on the way to Manchester.
We found our way out of the airport complex easily and onto the M1. The roads are certainly a lot busier than at home and there were a few times that we were reduced to 40 mph because of breakdowns or some other obstruction.
We were headed for Swadlincote, which is where Roger's ancestors came from when they immigrated to NZ in 1841. I am sure that the town looks very different from what it did then!! It was raining when we arrived and we found our way to the town centre, which has been modernised into a pedestrian mall. There was an older building in the mall which was the town market building and had been built in 1861. Other buildings in the town looked like late 1800's and early 1900's.
We found our way out of the town and headed for the Wedgewood Visitors Centre at Stoke-on-Trent. We got there about 3.30pm and had a good look around the shop before deciding on some purchases. It would have been lovely to buy lots of china and crystal, but the biggest challenge would have been getting it back. Lovely to look at though!!
By 4.00pm we were back on the road to Manchester. The directions I had printed out before we left were pretty accurate and we managed to not get too lost in the centre of the city. Fortunately, the hotel is right next to a parking building and very close to the university where the Geography Conference is being held. We parked in the building at exactly 6.00 pm so we made reasonably good time with a few stops on the way.
After a meal at the hotel, we went for a walk to get our bearings. We met Tony Binns from NZ on the street near the university and he was quite excited to see Suzanne and Mum! We met him again at breakfast this morning and he said he has been telling lots of people about Suzanne!!!
Manchester is a very red brick building city with some quite tall buildings that would be 100 years old. I will take some pictures today and hopefully post them later on.
Now, off to the shops!!!
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Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Last Day in Croydon
The day dawned reasonably fine again today for our little jaunt to Lingfield, Surrey where I wanted to visit the Craft Barn, a very good craft shop that I have visited before and bought things on line from. Spent a profitable half hour browsing there before finalising some purchases.
Carol had done some googling for somewhere to have lunch and we went to a little pub called The Old House at Home, just down the road from Lingfield. It was an old place and had just been taken over by a new leaseholder. The food was good - had a beefburger that was huge.
We drove back to Croydon and had a cup of tea before dropping Suzanne to the train station so she could go and stay with her friend for the night before we head up to Manchester. She has had a fun time at the Vicarage watching the foxes devouring the left over food and the squirrel chasing all over the lawn trying to find the food it had buried. There was a robin hopping around, some crows nesting in the tree and the ever present pigeons cooing all the time!
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Carol had done some googling for somewhere to have lunch and we went to a little pub called The Old House at Home, just down the road from Lingfield. It was an old place and had just been taken over by a new leaseholder. The food was good - had a beefburger that was huge.
We drove back to Croydon and had a cup of tea before dropping Suzanne to the train station so she could go and stay with her friend for the night before we head up to Manchester. She has had a fun time at the Vicarage watching the foxes devouring the left over food and the squirrel chasing all over the lawn trying to find the food it had buried. There was a robin hopping around, some crows nesting in the tree and the ever present pigeons cooing all the time!
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Lunch in London
Suzanne and I went into London today to have lunch at Fifteen London. Fifteen is the restaurant set up by Jamie Oliver Foundation as a training restaurant for young people who want to develop a career in the food industry.
We took the train into Victoria then got the underground to Bloomsbury where I wanted to go to a stamp shop. Found some nice stamps and some cheap ink pads. Then we walked down towards Oxford Circus, looking at shops along the way. Took the underground to Old Street then walked along the road a bit till we found it.
Lunch was superb - had an entree of mozzarella and tomato salsa followed by a ragout for Suzanne and gnocchi for me. This was accompanied by wines selected by the sommelier (and very good choices they were too). We finished with desserts - sticky ginger cake with pumpkin ice cream for me and a chocolate brownie for Suzanne. We had port to finish off the meal.
After lunch, we staggered down to Regent St and visited several shops then back to Victoria to get then train back to East Croydon where we were picked up by David and Carol.
Lovely day out!
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We took the train into Victoria then got the underground to Bloomsbury where I wanted to go to a stamp shop. Found some nice stamps and some cheap ink pads. Then we walked down towards Oxford Circus, looking at shops along the way. Took the underground to Old Street then walked along the road a bit till we found it.
Lunch was superb - had an entree of mozzarella and tomato salsa followed by a ragout for Suzanne and gnocchi for me. This was accompanied by wines selected by the sommelier (and very good choices they were too). We finished with desserts - sticky ginger cake with pumpkin ice cream for me and a chocolate brownie for Suzanne. We had port to finish off the meal.
After lunch, we staggered down to Regent St and visited several shops then back to Victoria to get then train back to East Croydon where we were picked up by David and Carol.
Lovely day out!
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Monday, April 9, 2012
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday was a special day - it was David's farewell service at St George's, Shirley, so it was great to be there to share in the events of the day.
A large number of people came to the service at which there was a presentation made to David and Carol by the parish. After the service, drinks and nibbles with a special cake made by one of the ladies in the parish. It had a special candle on it which, when lit, sent out a column of sparks which seemed to go on and on! Challenging to try to cut the cake while it was erupting!
The rest of the day was spent mainly eating and resting! Easter eggs and chocolates in abundance!
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A large number of people came to the service at which there was a presentation made to David and Carol by the parish. After the service, drinks and nibbles with a special cake made by one of the ladies in the parish. It had a special candle on it which, when lit, sent out a column of sparks which seemed to go on and on! Challenging to try to cut the cake while it was erupting!
The rest of the day was spent mainly eating and resting! Easter eggs and chocolates in abundance!
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Arrived in London
The flight from Hong Kong left on time. Because it was quite cloudy, there was not much of a view from the window. I had new seating companions - Tash and Roger who were returning to the UK after doing some business in Hong Kong. He is a designer for a shoe design company and she was working with him. They were very good company and chatted away quite a bit.
The food was very good and very plentiful! We were served lunch about an hour out from Hong Kong, then a few hours later, snacks of sandwiches, cakes, scones and hot cross buns and a couple of hours before landing, another meal was served. I couldn't eat another full meal and just snacked on the cold chicken that was the entree.
I watched a couple of movies - The Descendents and The Muppet Movie which I thought was not as good as the original one. Started watching The Actor but got bored with it after half an hour! Listened a bit to my iPod as there were no decent books to listen to on the audio system on the plane.
We crossed over China and I guess Mongolia - vast expanses of desert - very brown and hilly with very few settlements to be seen. As we crossed over Russia and Europe it was cloudy and nothing could be seen.
We arrived at Heathrow about 15 minutes early and did not have to circle for too long! Suzanne and I braced ourselves for a very long wait at Immigration, but, to our surprise, there was not a long queue for the foreign nationals entry when we got there (after trekking what seemed like miles!) and there were three desks operating. So we got through there in about 5 minutes. By the time we reached the luggage carousel, the bags were on the belt and when we eventually realised that someone had started taking off the priority luggage, we claimed our bags and walked out through customs.
David and Carol were waiting for us and were greeted enthusiastically! Suz bought a top up for her phone, but I was not able to get a sim card that had pre-loaded data plan. We were in the car and heading to Croydon within about 45 minutes of landing. Very pleased!
It took about and hour to get to the vicarage where Tom was waiting. He had come down from Newcastle for the weekend. Had a very welcome sup of tea then went down to Tesco to get a few groceries and try to get a sim card there - but they didn't have any with data plans either, so will try somewhere else when we get a chance.
By the time we got back it was about 7pm and we had a meal that Carol and Tom had prepared earlier. After another cup of tea, it was time for bed. We managed to stay up till nearly 10 so bed was a very welcome sight after 36 hours of travelling!!
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The food was very good and very plentiful! We were served lunch about an hour out from Hong Kong, then a few hours later, snacks of sandwiches, cakes, scones and hot cross buns and a couple of hours before landing, another meal was served. I couldn't eat another full meal and just snacked on the cold chicken that was the entree.
I watched a couple of movies - The Descendents and The Muppet Movie which I thought was not as good as the original one. Started watching The Actor but got bored with it after half an hour! Listened a bit to my iPod as there were no decent books to listen to on the audio system on the plane.
We crossed over China and I guess Mongolia - vast expanses of desert - very brown and hilly with very few settlements to be seen. As we crossed over Russia and Europe it was cloudy and nothing could be seen.
We arrived at Heathrow about 15 minutes early and did not have to circle for too long! Suzanne and I braced ourselves for a very long wait at Immigration, but, to our surprise, there was not a long queue for the foreign nationals entry when we got there (after trekking what seemed like miles!) and there were three desks operating. So we got through there in about 5 minutes. By the time we reached the luggage carousel, the bags were on the belt and when we eventually realised that someone had started taking off the priority luggage, we claimed our bags and walked out through customs.
David and Carol were waiting for us and were greeted enthusiastically! Suz bought a top up for her phone, but I was not able to get a sim card that had pre-loaded data plan. We were in the car and heading to Croydon within about 45 minutes of landing. Very pleased!
It took about and hour to get to the vicarage where Tom was waiting. He had come down from Newcastle for the weekend. Had a very welcome sup of tea then went down to Tesco to get a few groceries and try to get a sim card there - but they didn't have any with data plans either, so will try somewhere else when we get a chance.
By the time we got back it was about 7pm and we had a meal that Carol and Tom had prepared earlier. After another cup of tea, it was time for bed. We managed to stay up till nearly 10 so bed was a very welcome sight after 36 hours of travelling!!
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Friday, April 6, 2012
Hong Kong
Well, we arrived in Hong Kong safely and ahead of schedule even though we left Auckland a little late.
The flight was very good - hardly any bumping and good food as usual with Air New Zealand. However, I was so tired by the time dinner came around that I ate the entree and the dessert and was asleep by the time the mains came out. Didn't need it anyway!!!
We managed to get a bit of sleep through the night.
This is the sunrise, about an hour out from Hong Kong. It was very cloudy coming into the city and the cloud is still hanging around. Not too hot in the terminal - thank goodness.
Got into the Thai Airways lounge and had a shower which was very refreshing.
Suzanne and I are now just waiting for the boarding call in about half an hour. 13 hours flying time and we will be in London! Long day!
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On the way!
Arrived in Auckland after the first leg of the long journey to the UK. David, Galye, Eilidh and Roger were there at the airport in Christchurch to say farewell!
The flight from Christchurch left about 10 past 8 this evening and we arrived in Auckland about 9.15pm. Good flight but a little bumpy just as we were getting closer to Auckland.
Off the plane quickly as we were sitting in the front row seats. Quick transfer to the international terminal as the bus arrived just as we came out the door. Straight through immigration with electronic passports and no waiting at security, although I did have to go through twice as I forgot that my phone was in my pocket!!
Arrived at the Koru lounge after buying some new headphones in duty free and checked in. The lady asked if I had a guest - Suzanne was a bit miffed!!!
Settled down for a wait of about another hour before boarding. The rugby is on and can see it in the distance - the Reds are playing the Brumbies.
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