DAY 6- Worcester & The Cotswolds

We all went to bed after 10pm last night- a Miracle to get past 8pm!!! We sat in the kitchen and talked and had drinkies and more drinkies, while Matt served up 3 fantastic courses throughout the evening - lovely!

This morning we all read the Sunday papers then headed to the Cotswolds to the town of Broadway- picture postcard perfect with olde worlde charm and a beautiful blue still, sunny day to boot.

We walked thru the fields on a walkway- past horses that Danni and I would love, they were Huge boys and obviously used in the hunts as there were huge fields with jumps & fences all leading off. Would love to have ridden today!!!

We aimed to walk up to a castle but feeling very anorexic we decided to wander through a lovely lane, looked in an old church dating back to the 1600's, then wander back to a pub and have traditional fish n chips, hot meat pie and of course a lovely ale each! Such hardship!

Walked around the town and looked in shops afterwards, note the pic of the couple who had threir dogs all on little deck chairs on the grass ?? for everyone to come and take photos??!!

Later, we drove up to the castle and looked at the fantastic views then back to Worcester for a lie down and watched tv (the same property development shows with Sarah Beeny that we have at home).

A lovely day overall, we are all tired after the drinks and late night last night so nice to just gel. It has been so nice to be here with Matt and Michelle again - and now the charasmatic and charming Jack! and we have been looked after beautifully again.

To be out of London's manic bustle is actually nice too. We think that next time we would travel around the many beautiful counties and towns that England has to offer, as this is our 2nd trip to London and feel we have 'been there done that' in the big city. The pace out of London is a lot slower and more relaxed.

Tomorrow we head back to Birmingham then on the bus back to London for 2 nights before our coach tour for 16 days.

DAY5 London -> Worcester

We did our usual last night (crashed at 8 pm, party animals we are) and awake at 3am. What is it about that time?? The English girl who is doing her gap year at Southwell said she experienced the same thing when she arrived in NZ, waking at 3am every day- anyone know why that is??

We tidied up and had brekky in the hotel, then took our suitcases to their lock up room as we decided it was silly to lug two heavy suitcases to Worcester for 2 days. So much easier with just backpacks. Caught the ‘megabus’ bus for the princely sum of ₤ 5 in total up to Birmingham. Worth doing your research before you come.

We were laughing that it is so weird that I sat in Ngaruawahia and booked the bus seats we are now on for England- technology! We have seen lots of people showing the bus drivers their tickets on their i-phones as they do it all online on their phones.

We are an hour and a half into our 3 hour ride to Birmingham to see Matt and Michelle who we met in Fiji in 2006. Then back to Worcester where they live for a couple of nights. Will be so great to catch up.

And Leanne Baker who I did my nursing with and Jim her hubby have just txt’d to say they have arrived in London this morning after coming straight thru from NZ. Hats off to them- that is a wickedly long time to be up and travelling. We are all going to catch up for dinner on Monday as we are staying just a few minutes apart.

Later- had a good trip up to Birmingham- 3 hours. Satisfaction is riding along on the M1 listening to Dave Dobbyn. Matt and Jack picked us up and off to Birmingham- what a character Jack is at 17 months. A strong sense of humour shining thru straight away!

Picked up Michelle at home, then we went down to the river in Worcester and strolled along the riverbank- so like the Waikato river but nicer. Having an amazing cathedral added to the atmosphere, so we stopped for a pint in the sunshine then went thru the cathedral. Michelle said a part of Harry Potter was filmed here- can believe that no problems.

The pics today are of a wonky tudor building in Worcester on our walk and also one of a sweets shop- taken especially for Danni- looked far more yummy than the photo suggests!

Back to the house for a lovely sit in the kitchen with a few drinkies and sounds like an amazing dinner to follow- thai salmon I have been told- Matt is an amazing chef we remember from last time.

DAY 4- London

Well we lasted until 8pm last night before eyelids kept falling down on their own like we had been anaesthetised ! (the 2 beers probably didnt help) so we crashed and woke once at the usual 3am, but a really good sleep last night overall. Check out the photo of the view out of our bedroom window at dawn this morning- the rows of chimney pots are great! (Broke out in a sweat twice in the night it was so warm too!)

We got up and walked around to the hotel for the lovely breakfast and had a call from Dad and Danni which was great- long gone are the days when there was a huge lag on the line between the countries, which would see you talking over each other- it sounded like they were just down the road! Dad, you sounded like you would be happy to be here right now and we know Danni would too!!

Walked just up the road to Victoria coach station to suss it out for our bus ride to Birmingham tomorrow. Looks easy enough. It is really noticeable tho how many public service front people are either terribly disinterested or just plain rude- bus drivers, check out operators etc. Some seem very, very impatient with the general public and are quite arrogant to a lot of the customers- think they should change their jobs in this case- being in the hub of London with so many tourists!! Never mind, dont have to live with it.

We went to the imperial war museum this morning and decided to walk there. Doing this we have seen so much more of the back streets of London and we are happy to walk fairly long distances, just seeing the 'real London'. On the way we passed the Westminster Cathedral and went in. What a fantastic church it is- free to go into and at least on a par with St Pauls we both felt, which was about 20 pounds for us to enter. The cathedral reminded me of the huge ones in Istanbul, beautiful and elaborate. Managed to get photos again (no flash used!)

Spent a good couple of hours or more at the war museum after the cathedral, looking at displays on all the wars. Note the pic enclosed of Graeme standing next to a copy of the first atomic bomb 'little boy'- amazing something so small could cause such devastation.

Was a really good museum if not a stark reminder (we both left the halocaust display as the photos were so painful to look at). There was a lovely big park next door with huge old trees in it that we sat in afterwards in the sun.

We caught a bus back to Oxford St and wandered around with thousands of others, looking at the shops. Check out some of the shoes on sale in the pic today- wild!

Wanted the loo and after standing in a 15 min queue to get into a disgusting airless Mc Donalds one, I left and we went to a pub. Graeme felt he could buy a beer so I could use a clean loo (!) Such consideration lol!! But at the cost of $14 for a bottle of Sol, he said he will be getting whatever is on tap from now on!

We bused back to Victoria station as we were shattered again! still not quite over the jetlag/time change. Went to my beloved marks and spencers and bought a salad for me and 3 pizzas that came together for dinner-for him. Graeme has managed 1 1/2 of them on his own!! Not sure where he is putting it all??

A tidy up tonight and then off to stay with our friends Matt and Michelle in Worcester for a couple of days from tomorrow and to meet their new addition since our last visit- Jack, then back to London for a couple of nights.

DAY 3- London with a beer in hand!

Our first day in London- we were so dead tired but could only sleep for 3 hours at a time last night, despite the most incredibly comfy bed. You are right Cath- the room is small but the one we are staying in when we come back to London next week is apparently the biggest of the 4 apartments. It is very quiet too being at the top
(4th floor)

We walked a couple of mins round the corner to the hotel part that has the rooms (not apartments) and the brekky is included- a full english breakfast that is truly full - y.u.m.m.y, thick bacon, sausages, mushrooms, eggs, tomato, toast, cereal and fruit- Good find!! Set us up for the day and now at 5pm we have only had a biscuit all day cos we were full!!

We decided to try and use the buses this time as much as possible since we used the underground all the time last trip- and this way you see more. Jumped on and off 5 buses today - their public tranport is superb as you can get off and on for 1 pound, which makes it easy even if the bus isnt a direct one- there are always more that can get you to where you want to go.
Went past buckingham palace for a lookee and wandered thru the park with the deck chairs in- lovely old oak trees and sycamores- texted Sam and Mum (are you getting our txts Mum?).

We followed a map that had tourist places on, and then realised when we got across town that we should have been looking at the blue route numbers, not the red and we were in the wrong place haha!! No stress tho to get over to St Pauls cathedral- is that where Princess di's funeral was?? It was really good and even tho there was no photography I managed to get lots of pics (Gray just couldnt being himself to take any cos he Cannot do anything illegal!! - I only got told off once too)!

We climbed over 750 steps to get to the top of the dome as far as you could go and man are our calves telling us! Got jelly legs, so had to go recover with a iced chocolate (me) and a beer corona (Graeme)!

Then wandered around London- Cath the pic of the wellies is for you, we thought of you straight away. There was also a faux fur wellington 'muff'! cover that went over the top of any gummies that you would have loved!!

Made our way over the british musuem and went thru there again- great exhibits, really love the egyptian and greek rooms- see the photo of the "bloody old" (Graeme ) claw handled glasses from 100 AD.

Feeling a bit numb, we went to a sainsburys and got indian and naan bread to heat up for our tea and 2 large bottles of heineken (for 3 pounds- at half price it said) then back to our apartment- soooore feet but a great day where we saw heaps.

Sitting here with a beer and lovely dinner, free wi-fi internet, its pretty good!!

PS. we are answering your posts on the day you posted them!!

PPS. forgot to add that the first familiar face I see this morning outside Victoria station is David Bain! Knew he was over here after the trial and thought about going up and saying hi, but decided that it was a naff idea cos it would be awful to have strangers approach you and act like they know you well!!

DAY 2- THE REST OF IT!!

Phew- what a day and now we sit here on the other side of the world than all our nearest and dearest. Miss you all, family and friends already, but onwards and upwards!

We had a great, great flight this leg- modern updated plane with all the bells and whistles, so more comfy and we are in the zone so to speak now! The flight time flew and only watched 2 movies this time, "The proposal" with Sandra Bullock and "the Hangover", both very funny.

We both spent a few hours with eyes shut happily, if not sleeping then peeking out the window at Russia and Mongolia- vast vast plains of land. The secret too is not to look at your watch for as long as you can, I lasted 7 hours haha!

Funny for the day, Graeme opened his salad dressing for his salad and had a whoopsee and spilt it on his favourite F1 t-shirt- down the bottom right. So he squeezes into the miniscule toilet and takes it off and washes it best he can. He comes back out and I couldnt stop laughing (somewhat manically I notice, so maybe Im tired??) The water had run all over the top of the t shirt and he's now got it back on- look at the photo added- he was soaked!!!! Moral of the story- dont take your spare shirt out of your backpack lol!! I did offer him my spare t shirt that reads "define naughty"!

Having said all that, Graeme has discovered a new love- korean food, very spicy and lots of flavours. He had this stuff called bibimbab I think it was, lots of flavours with rice and chilli and seasame oil and some new veges we dont know!

We arrived at heathrow about 4 or 5 am NZ time and went thru the jungle of passages- thank god for the fast track express cards they gave us (become an E.U national and the line was even faster) then found the national express coach place where a fairly unhelpful lady and I got thru transport tickets- things have changed since 2007. Funny we were both speaking the same language but I could hardly understand her and vice versa!!

Anyhow got to the bus- really easy and the london one goes straight to victoria station for 5 pounds pp. Asked the driver if he would tell us where to get off and he cracked a big smile , hesitated and said "Yes of course madam" Duh, guess if did sound double ended!

45 mins to the station then spent the next half hour wandering around semi knowledably, Gray trying to get his bearings- be warned google maps arent always correct!! but it was just getting dark so wasnt too bad and we got there after walking in the complete wrong direction for a bit- asking a Bobby cop and then we finally got there- after being asked for directions by a polish man- blind leading the blind.

But no stress really. I dont know how we did it last time tho- new to it all and with a child and 3 suitcases?! Danni was obviously fantastic from memory.

The apartment is tiny by NZ standards, right up the top on the 4th floor (very steep stairs and no lift- was interesting to watch us lugging the bags I bet) but very clean and comtemporarily modern. Photos enclosed today- cya

DAY 2 - KOREA -> LONDON

We got to bed about midnight NZ time last night- after checking for emails from home and posting the blog for family. Feel like I have had my breath denied if I cant get access haha!! Pity it costs about $13 an hour, but hey thats the price it is and actually last time if was often alot more than that, but with having our own laptop and one now that is so small and lightweight, it is so easy.

The Hyatt regency hotel was great, really clean.Take a look at the photo of their glassed wine cellar- it is huge. Graeme would have loved to have sat in there with a bottle or two!
Rooms were great too- Bed VERY hard but strangely not uncomfortable and we slept until 3am (6am NZ time) but went back to sleep. Was SO great to lie flat and have showers. Dont know how those that go straight through do it for 24 + hours. Both our heads feel like they want to explode (well not quite that bad) but getting off and into the fresh air is great, coupled with a break in between- then we land nice and fresh not shattered. Maybe our heads feel the pressure more cos we are so brainy??!! haha

We went out for a walk around the hotel- vast areas of nothing out by the airport, but we werent near Incheon city to be fair and there is a shopping mall but shut before 10am. Think the develpoment all came about after the world cup soccer and the olympics. Wasnt anywhere near as humid or muggy as Malaysia was either, which was good.

Now taking advantage of the free internet access in their prestige class lounge, while we can before boarding for London in 1 1/2 hours, then 12 hour flight, bus to Victoria station maybe 40 mins and a few mins walk to the hotel!

Day 1 -Incheon, Seoul Korea

We are on a 777-200 plane on the first leg of our trip and had read a review last night on the Korean business class seats, where a guy on a long haul flight to Korea said that you got the old style bus. Seats and the only entertainment was a tv screen at the front of the cabin. Thought “hope not”!
Anyhow, get on board today and yes the seats are the old lazy-boy style but wethink that’s ok, they are softer than the newer lie flat ones, and OMG! There is only a miniscule tv screen at the front!**!!!*!!*!

Was thinking of having a little hyperventilation attack at the thought of 12 hours and no tv (What?? In business class we’re thinking?) but then discovered there were personal screens in the arms of our seats- phew! That reviewer must not have found his!!

Now relaxed and happy, we are fed a 5 course meal for lunch – how do people eat all that?? and watched the new star trek movie and night at the museum 2.
Korean definitely isn’t as up to date with technology like Malaysian airlines were in 2007 when we flew, but Im not complaining.
If you ask you get toothbrush/paste, comb, mouthwash, slippers, eye patches and my favourite- little cans of atomized water to spray on your face (just like in the movie ‘the castle’, where this amazed them on a trip to Bali!!) By the way, has anyone ever noticed how hairy your face looks under the lights in those airplane toilets??? Scary!

Walked down thru economy for a wander and see no personal tvs at all- bummer, but at least half the seats are empty so there’s heaps of room for people to spread out. Probably half the bus. class section is empty too I notice.
It was still daylight outside (12.30pm) but everyone is in the dark going to sleep. I gave Graeme fucidin cream to put up his nose (nurses will understand why!), so he gets me back by putting both his fingers up his nose at once- to at least the 2nd joints lol! Boys………

Landed 20 mins early at 8.50pm NZ time- loooong flight at the time, but kept reminding myself that Dad always soaks up the excitement of travel and never complains about the time spent in planes- so I wont either!

We were transferred to the Hyatt Regency hotel for the night (very nice) - given dinner, breakfast and lunch vouchers for tomorrow! We have gone back 3 hours here, so its 8pm Korean time but we are almost ready for bed!

First half of the plane long haul down! yay, the plane was SO hot in the cabin, you didnt have any air vents and in the end they turned it down to 22C ! No wonder we were feeling hot and headachy!! Tomorrow we are on a new style plane with the lie flat seats and movies we can control individually, games etc.

PS/ I open the internet in our room to post this blog and see that my favourite actor Patrick Swayze has lost his battle with pancreatic cancer- sob.....

We really are off now!

Day 1 Auckland->Seoul Korea

Hi everyone,
well the day is here at last! Well actually it kind of crept up on us in a hurry and now we are off! Having been so busy with the organistion of Sammys 21st, we werent focused on this trip so much, so a nice surprise to hear the alarm at 4.30 AM !! (Thanks Korean for changing the flight to leave 2 hours earlier !?@#!)

We decided to walk down our driveway in the pitch dark to wait for the shuttle as he rang and was running 10 mins late.
We looked so funny-it really was pitch black and the suitcases didnt particularly like the gravel all the way down, and they were so eager to go that they almost pushed you over going down the hill! was funny. I have a photo of Graeme leading the way- will post it later when I can!

We were very lucky to have the whole big transit van shuttle to ourselves at a cost the driver tells us,is half the price of hiring it exclusively- so that was a nice start. Very chatty guy and a quick trip up to the airport.

We werent so spoiled this time to walk past a huge queue at check in like last time- the economy queue was tiny too!!

Now in the koru club and had a great breakfast- Gray had 4 croissants with his eggs!!
He is now chomping at the bit "boarding in 5 mins Wee's, finish up" Yes Dad- Im off then and will post somewhere in Seoul hopefully in about 12-15 hours!!

Cya :-)

We're off (Almost)!

For those who we didnt have email addresses for:
please leave us comments anytime cos they are great to receive when you are so far away!!
Remember the blog works chronologically, so start from the bottom and work up- newest posts on the top.
Our itinerary is listed below.

To post a comment click on the blue "comments" icon under the days post.
Type your comments in the box provided then choose an identity.
If you dont have a google email account you can just click on 'anonymous' and remember to put your name at the end of the comment so we know who it is!

When we answer peoples posts, we will put it under the same days comments as you have posted on, so just click on 'comments' again to see any replies from us.

You can also click on the photos individually to blow them up (unless we end up condensing them if they take too long to upload overseas!).

Anyhow, Looking forward to hearing from everyone over the next 2 months- cya when we get back! Cya Denise & Graeme

The Europe Itinerary

• We fly out on the 15th sept to:
  
  London via Seoul Korea
  few days in London
  To Worcester (where the sauce is made) to see friends
  Back to London for 2 nights
  Do a 16 day Trafalgar coach tour of England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales
  Back to London for a night
  Fly to Genoa Italy to start a MSC Cruise of Spain, Portugal, Gibraltor
  End in Barcelona for a night
  Fly to Rhodes, Greece for 4 nights
  Fly to Madrid for 1 night en route to
  Casablanca Morocco where we do a 9 day Morocco tour with Insight tours
  Fly to Barcelona for 2 nights
  Start a MCS Cruise of the Med- Tuniscia, Malta, Italy, France
  Fly to Madrid for 4 nights
  Fly Madrid/Amsterdam to Seoul Korea overnight
  Fly Seoul- NZ arrive 16th Nov home again
  
  Phew!

The last counter went wonky, so trying again!

Free Counter

Butterflies

A few changes! Have posted some photos of our trip to Butterfly Creek in Auckland today- some great coloured butterfly's!

Countdown to the big Europe trip!

Hi everyone- Graeme thought it was time to start the countdown for our trip overseas! and we see now that it is only 38 days away! Eeeekkk. We are flat out getting our property all tidy and the outside ready for the party the week before we fly out. Wise or not?! (we will find out as the time comes close!)

We are having a "5 in 1" party to celebrate Sammys 21st, Graemes 46th, Danni's 13th birthdays plus a house warming and pre-europe party ALL rolled into one!

We will also send out an email just before we go overseas to remind people how to post on the blog once we hit the other side of the world- those comments last trip
2 1/2 years ago, came to be something we really looked forward to each day.

The itinerary for the trip is a bit manic- so much to see and you want to make the most of it! Even so it had to be pruned back country wise.
We fly out on the 15th sept to:

London via Seoul Korea
few days in London
To Worcester (where the sauce is made) to see friends
Back to London
Do a 16 day Trafalgar coach tour of England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales
Back to London for a night
Fly to Genoa Italy to start a MSC Cruise of Spain, Portugal, Gibraltor
End in Barcelona for a night
Fly to RHodes, Greece for 4 nights
Fly to Madrid for 1 night en route to
Casablanca Morocco where we do a 9 day Morocco tour with insight tours
Fly to Barcelona for 2 nights
Start a MCS Cruise of the Med- Tuniscia, Malta, Italy, France
Fly to Madrid for 4 nights
Fly Madrid/Amsterdam to Seoul Korea overnight
Fly Seoul- NZ arrive 16th Nov home again

Phew!