The Last week or so!!

Where do I start . . . Our last post was a little over a week ago. 

After the Sunday at the cricket we continued to stay with Maddie and Kevan, spending time relaxing after a fairly full couple of weeks. 

Puppy-sitting Chilli was a great distraction and a great incentive to get out early each day for a long walk. 

The Brent Park golf course was the ideal location on most mornings. This area was also a popular backdrop for film production units too. And with the weather being very kind to us, it became our local pub on many afternoons. 

Whilst with Maddie we viewed some houses that they were interested in. One we thought may have met their criteria by the photos was very disappointing. So the search goes on!

We left Maddie and Kevan’s on Thursday to take up puppy duties at James’ place whilst they were in Manchester. Our daily walks with Leelou gave us a chance to explore the backstreets and parks around Chiswick. Chiswick House was the standout. 

Tuesday evening was our last in London, Maddie was returning from the Greek Islands so we all met in Ealing-Broadway for some drinks and a meal. A lovely evening but sad saying goodbye to Maddie and Kevan. 

Beer garden Ealing-Broadway 

Sunday at Lords

Up and around at a reasonable hour. James text as to whether we were still up to chancing our luck with tickets for the Lord’s Test cricket at the gate. Nothing ventured nothing gained!

Navigated the transport system to get to the ground - thank heavens for Google Maps which makes the whole process so easy. Even for an early Sunday morning the buses and the train were still realatively full. 

Things weren’t looking too good early as the rain set in and we couldn’t get tickets at the gate. 

Desperados!

But, after hanging around the streets for and hour or so,  we were able to get two tickets at a reasonable price. 

The morning session didn’t go well for the Aussies. The game came to life later in the afternoon when a few Aussie wickets went down and the game was on!

The artist just down in front of us continued on regardless of the happenings in the middle. 

Well worth the effort. The Aussies hung on by the skin of their teeth. A few Brits thought they could smell a victory - but alas, not to be! The game was declared a draw with three balls to go!  

And shortly after, the rain came down!

A bit of chaos getting home. Many of the trains we needed were closed for maintenance!  

Later joined Helene, Maddie, Kevan and his dad at the pub. 

London

Oops, missed a day! 

Today we delivered our van to the  storage depot where it will stay for the next six months or so. The rain didn’t help us in our efforts to do the final checks that are needed. 

James met us in the early afternoon, we loaded his car with all our traveling luggage and he drove us to Maddie’s and Kevan’s house. 

We hurriedly dusted ourselves off, changed our garbs and headed to the train to meet the kids in Covent Garden for a belated 70th birthday celebration. 

The surprise was that they had organised tickets to the musical The Book of Mormon - a very special present and a very special show. Totally enjoyed the whole evening. 

Before the show we met up and had some tapas and a wine. 

There is always something about central London in the evening. Of a day it is just another dirty noisy city, but at night it seems to sparkle - especially after it rains!

With the crowds spilling out of the theatres and restaurants, the place comes to life again. 

A most enjoyable night after a pretty hectic day!

It’s been a while!

After four weeks in London with James and Maddie, we finally hit the road - and the weather had made a dramatic turnaround! 

Beautiful rose display at Scotney Castle. 

The day in Kent, with magnificent blue skies and the lush green of the “garden of England”, was just the start in our new home that we could have wished. 

The view across the High Weald in Kent. 

Our plan was to travel to Dover for the night readying ourselves for an early departure for France tomorrow. 

As it was such a beautiful day we  took the scenic route to Dover, visiting Scotney Castle and Sissinghurst Castle, both with beautiful gardens. 

We were glad we were traveling in an anticlockwise direction on the M25 for in the other side there seemed to be hours of traffic delays! 

Scotney Castle, the home of the Hussey family, and the ruined medieval moated castle. Very picturesque with its lavish gardens. Very interesting as to how brutal they have been in cutting back the century old rhododendrons - all because they were ruining the views! 

After this we drove onto Sissinghurst Castle - not really a Castle but called Chateau Sissinghurst by the 3000 French prisoners in the 17the century! Another round of exquisite gardens - created by Vita Sackville -West - just a visual delight.

We finally arrived in Dover where were spent the night along with other vans waiting for their schedule ferry trip. 

Sunday in Kent

Woke early and was greeted by a happy dog wanting to play - will have to get use to this! With daylight saving in the UK the light is streaming in the window at around 4.30 am. 

Chilli - ready for the games to begin!

Today was “decision day” so a little apprehension and excitement at the same time. Took Chilli for an early morning walk before James picked us up after 9.30 am. 

We were off to Canterbury to checkout one of the other motorhome options before making our final decision. 

Being a little peckish we called into The Artichoke in Chartham for a typical English Sunday lunch. 

The Artichoke, a few have visited this pub over the years!

Surprised when we were held up at a level-train crossing which was manned by a crossing operator, who had to descend from the signal box beside the tracks to open the gates. 

The Artichoke, 700 years old, was a dog friendly pub making Chilli and Leelou the centre of attention. 

James and Leelou at The Artichoke. 

After lunch, with strategies in place, we arrived at the motorhome dealership to check out the van of interest. To cut a long story short - we had found our new European home! Decision made - happy and relieved little campers!

Chilli in front of our new home. 

We returned to London, shared a celebratory drink at James’s after which we ventured out for another meal with doggies in tow. 

We later were dropped off at Maddie’s place for a well earned sleep. 

Quite a big few days. 

Friday in London

Great sleep considering it was our first after the long haul from Oz. 

Took things easily during the morning and early afternoon we moved from James’ unit to Maddie’s where we took up house-sitting duties for the following week. 

Chilli looking resplendent after a session at her beauty salon!

Maddie took us through the care routine for Chilli (poodle) and when Kevan came home from work he thought it might be a good idea to go for a “sneaky beer” at the pub. The Kings Arms, another old English pub dating back to 1642. The local beer was very pleasant too! 

Returned home for aome delicious lasagna before retiring to bed - another relatively late night. 

Sunny London

London arrival was on schedule. James greeted us at Heathrow - with coffees - to collect our travel weary bodies and luggage. 

Helene, James and Leelou at Heathrow this morning. 

The Qantas experience was what we had hoped for. The quality of their staff was outstanding with help from the very start in Hobart when requesting seat changes - and this continued right through to London. Food was of a high standard, as far as airline food goes! The entertainment infrastructure was a little dated as were the seats. But overall, very happy with the flight. 

Feeling pretty good we arrived at James’ unit where we spent the rest of the afternoon while James  went to his meeting in Cambridge - and puppy-sitting a loveable Leelou. 

Later in the afternoon we had a very pleasant surprise visit from Maddie and Chilli. She actually caught us taking a much needed nap.

Maddie with the other girls Chilli and Leelou. 

Later Kevan joined us in a champagne before heading out for a meal. 

Later we returned to the unit, with James arriving back from Cambridge shortly after. It was getting on past 11 pm - not bad for a couple of flight weary folk. Off to bed by 11.30 pm. 

R.I.P. Bob Hawke - you did us all proud.