Bath

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Well after saying farewell to our friend Mary, Zoe and Bec we headed for Bath.

We found our cottage however the sat nag proved to be a godsend. The cottage is delightful - an old stable situated in the owners yard. Both owner and cottage are great. The only disappointment is that it is a little further out of Bath than we were lead to believe . Having said that, we quickly found our way to the park and ride and that is a very easy way ( and cheapest) to get into the city. We have spent the past two days using the hop on hop off bus and have walked miles to explore the beautiful architecture of Bath. The Roman baths were an eye opener - so much to see and it is difficult to understand just how old these buildings are.

Again being the summer holidays the crowds are thick but they have not worried us in the least, we have found it easy to find our way and any queues seem to move through quickly. We have also had the first day of rain since arriving in UK, however out came the trusty rainproof jackets and a good day was had.

The building above in order are the Abbey, the Roman Baths and the Royal Crescent - a very exclusive area to live. When the Royal Crescent was built, the Marlborough building was also built but its purpose was to serve as a windbreak for the crescent

Strolling through the city, Peter was left drooling when he saw a vintage guitar shop - beautiful instruments all Fender, Gibson, Gretsch - all the top line.

We finished today with  a cruise up the Avon river ( this is one of six Avon rivers in England) which was a nice way to end the day. it also gave a different perspective  of the Pultney Bridge ( which is modelled on the Rialto Bridge in Venice and has shops on top of it).

Tomorrow we hope to have a look at some surrounding country side - this is a beautiful part of the country.

                              

London, Cornwall, Wales

Peter was a little disappointed that we were not in London for the royal birth - he even made a trip to BUckingham Palace to check out arrangements.

Any way after enjoying ourselves we made our way to Cornwall using the British Rail system. Without any hassles we arrived in Cornwall - met by our friends. We then managed to pick up the car and found our way to our little cottage. I must admit our friends did assist us, I am not sure we would have found the right un named little lane if they did not know the district. We had packed our Tom Tom and it has proved to be invaluable in our. Drives around. Over here, all little places have their own postcode , so you just put in the code and it seems to find where you need to go - very clever .

Peter has been so good, he has insisted on driving ( lucky really as my reversing would not b a pretty on these little narrow roads). Anyway - Peter has don so well on little lanes, fast motorways and anything in between .

We spent a week in Cornwall, and our friends were amazed just how much of the country we saw. While it has been fairly crowded, the roads have still been manageable, and towns are not a long distance apart.

Our little cottage was at a small area called Ladock, and it was near our friends who live at St Agnes. We went down to LAnds End, and up as far as TIntadgel ( the home of King Arthur)

Other favourites were Fowey (pronounced Foy), Megavissey, Padstow, Truro and Falmouth.

We then went with our friend Mary to a little village in Wales Laugharn ( pronounced Larn) where Irene's god daughter is a vet. It is the home of Dylan Thomas ( pictures below is his writing room - green garage) and is a very pretty place. We stayed overnight in a B&B and the next morning went to Picton Castle as a frind of MArysbwas competing in a carriage event. there certainly was som money in horse and carriage. We had a lovely picnic lunch out of the back of the car - not quite Melb cup standard but great.  When Peter was introduced he noticed he had a polo shirt on ith a Bundanoon insignia, itnturned out he had been over in Australia last year. It was only a very quick ( and unexpected) trip to Wales but we would certainly go back again.

London,

Well we arrived in London feeling surprisingly good, however we think we made a good decision to fly premium economy. We very quickly found our way through customs and found our driver - off to our hotel .

Peter still smiling at Heathrow

We spent a week in London, then first two days were spent viewing courtesy of the hop on hop off bus, cruising the Thames and walking the streets. We managed to take the good weather  with us, and this meant that the many crowds sun baked whenever they could on any spare bit of grass they could find.

We also took a couple of day trips and saw Windsor Castle, Stonhenge, Oxford, Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and Dover.

Off on our next big trip

Leave Canberra Saturday 13 July for three months in UK ,Paris, Venice and then cruising back to Oz. we are so looking forward to it - it has been a bit of a challenge getting all the clothes I need into one medium size case (21kg).
Will try and post some news every now and then.

The Mac - Fahey Adventures

After a little planning (over the usual bottles of wine) a decision was made to "head north" - Cooktown was looking good for a start. The Mac-Faheys set off, deciding to head up through NSW. Our first stop was Corowa (where we were able to watch the footy at the RSL, and John could still get the black beer).

Next stop was Moree for a 'tub" in the hot springs, and a necessary appointment with an auto electrician for the Macs ( a little battery problem) - after this we then stopped at Nindigully (a free camp spot known by John. This turned out to be terrific, and John was in raptures once he got his camp fire going. The facilities at the pub were great - hopefully we will get back to this place again.

We then went to Roma (overnight stay) and then continued through Emerald and stayed the night at Clermont (which was not that salubrious). Then to Charters Towers for a couple of nights so we could have a good look around the area. Sue, John and Peter also managed to fit in a game of bowls and show off the Tuross uniform. (The Macs also had another call to an auto electrician - we now hope all the bugs have been eradicated).

The following night we stayed at a free camp - Archer Creek near Ravenshoe. It was then a nice drive to Cooktown. Wonderful to be able to wear shorts and T shirts. Everyone has enjoyed the week in Cooktown - and (while Irene has suffered the usual sandflie bites) Sue, John and Peter managed to go fishing for a morning - manged to catch a Mangrove Jack, a Bream and 6 Mudcrabs. It was also an opportunity to catch up with Al Gillette who was also visiting - a few quiet beers were enjoyed.

We have also had the odd game of bowls and enjoyed the easy going lifestyle of Cooktown with ease.

2010 - A new House.

Well, we have got a little behind in documenting the blog. We moved into our new house at the end of September 2010 (it seems so long ago) and we have to say that the house and Tuross Head are just wonderful. Peter has now recovered from his double knee replacement, has started to play bowls and we have both settled into our new town - probably a little too well some might say.

We decided that we could do with a trip away, so with our good neighbours the Fahey's - we have dusted off the van and set out for a trip up north to partake in some warmer weather for a while.

2010 - Adelaide and a new house.......

Most people know that we are currently living in Adelaide.....yes Irene is back to work for a few months and Peter is being the "house bitch". First three months were spent in North Adelaide in a two bedroom heritage cottage and now we are renting a lovely three bedroom house made known to us by Mary Lou Byrnes (and old school friend of Irene's). The house is great and having a pool outside the backdoor has been a godsend during the summer months.

As we had sold our house in Jerrabomberra, needed somewhere to live and we had not lived in Adelaide - the decsion was made. Arrangements are in place to build in Tuross Head on the South Coast of NSW. The process has started - old house has been demolished and now we have a big mud pool - due to all the recent rain on the Sth Coast. Our neighbours in Tuross Head John and Sue Fahey have been keeping us up to date with photos. Trust us - make the decsion to build and then it does not stop raining!

As the project goes on we will provide updates.....keep your fingers crossed the rain stops soon.