London Trip

Yoeman of the Guard Hampton Court Palace

Ancient Yew Trees Hampton Court Palace

Entering a Thames Lock

London Routemaster Bus

Trip
My friend Dorothy and I had a great time in London, thankfully it was dry and sunny but a cold wind especially in the Thames area was rather chilling .
We where out all day finding our way around London on foot and on the bus. Last time we where in the city we used the Underground and really saw little of the place. So this time we decided to stay up top and explore every street and alley way. We soon found Trafalgar Square and the National Art Gallery. I am always blown a way by famous paintings, I could have stayed for hours but we had to limit our time. A bonus for me was, I stood next to William Hurt the actor for a few minutes appraising a painting, don’t ask me which one, I was to overcome to notice and he smiled at me. He is exactly the same as he is on screen hansom and charming, absolutely awesome
We took the river boat up to Hampton Court and spent the day looking around the palace and gardens. It was a long journey in which we negotiated two locks and it was interesting to see all the different communities along the river. Richmond was almost a resort with riverside restaurants , beautiful homes with manicured lawns rolling down to the waters edge. Some wonderful buildings and some quite surreal tower blocks, with apartments available at millionaire prices, another world.. I now know where many famous celebrities live. We sailed along gently, enjoying the views and sipping wine, what a great way to travel. Hampton Court was amazing and we met King Henry V111 and Kathryn Parr who where getting married that day.
It was to late to attempt the maze, as the ride home was the last on the river that day. We got back much faster than we went, the boat was a veteran of the Dunkirk Evacuation a wall full of memorabilia told her story, a solid old boat but with a new engine she ran well.
London`s West End is alive and kicking after 5pm we seem to gyrate towards that area each day it was an exciting place. We obtained discounted tickets for `Priscilla Queen of the Desert` from one of the Ticket booths and was delighted to find we had superb seats. It’s a brilliant show, a funny unique show with great music and songs with lots of audience participation, I was hoarse the day after from singing and shouting.
http://www.priscillathemusical.com/
　
. Greenwich was good except the Cutty Sark the ship was under wraps being renovated but the National Maritime Museum and the Queens House where very interesting. I didn`t fancy the climb up the grassy mound to see the Greenwich clock as the amount of walking we where doing was very tiring Also we where on the river where the wind was exceptionally keen, so we had a fish and chips dinner in a cosy café down in the town..
The Victoria and Albert Museum was delightful we could have spent all day there but again time was against us . I did manage to buy some designer jewellery that is very different to anything I have seen before, very special. Also found huge book shops where I bought four poetry books that I hadn’t seen up north, so that pleased me. We had an hour in the British Library a fabulous building, masses of books, I could have happily spent the day there. We took sightseeing bus rides, got lost often, but with the city map found our way home again exhausted. We eventually became more familiar with the bus routes and the city landmarks. It was a great week and I feel we will do it again, its really exciting to be surrounded by so much history, I think London is a terrific city.

Easter

The New Breightmet Health Centre & Library

What a great start to Easter, snow and gales, when will it ever stop. In Perth WA they have declared a National Disaster after hailstones the size of bricks rained down on the city for about 5minutes damaging building and caused chaos on the freeway, most cars written off beyond repair. And my friends in New Zealand had a Cyclone that damaged buildings and flooded the town. So I recon` we have had it mild compared to them. Weekend before Easter I drove up to Harrogate to visit Stu and Co, it was a sunny day cold and windy but a nice bright day. I always enjoy the drive over Lothersdale and down into Skipton. We had an excellent lunch at The Union, Stue`s favourite local Pub, then we did a bit of shopping. I spent some time with them all, it was a good visit.
http://www.kfcc.co.uk/theunion
It was my brother`s birthday on the 28th Palm Sunday. I hope he liked his Birthday card, I wrote him a poem ! Hope you had a wonderful Birthday Bill.
In 2009 we had a huge new Health Centre built just five minutes walk away from where I live. The idea is to decentralise most of the services that are based at the General Hospital miles out of town. Also housed in the building is our local Library. Most libraries contain a public Computer Suite and each week hold sessions for PC beginners but there are never enough advisers. So as I have a few hours a week to spare and miss teaching, I have applied to be a volunteer adviser. I was asked to complete a comprehensive form and obtain two referees, if accepted I will have to wait for police clearance. Fingers crossed X
Oh how I hate these long weekends, its pointless going anywhere because traffic is bad,the roads are still full of pot holes and you can`t find a parking space or a decent cup of tea anywhere. I don’t feel up to a picnic in this weather. I have actually read six books in the past week. Its ages since I have read anything apart from what I download on the Computer. For years I visited local libraries looking for new exciting reading but gave up as they never had what I was looking for or I had read them all. The public libraries in Perth WA are brilliant,they carry so many more books than in the UK. We have a book table at the WI but our ladies do not read my kind of books,thrillers mainly, or they get snapped up the minute they are out on display. Charity Shops are a good source for books and I have friends who pass them on to me, so I always have one to hand. I have just enjoyed reading "To Kill a Mocking Bird" by Harper Lee.The book had been sitting on my bookshelf for years and I never fancied reading it ,but I am glad now that I did. I do on occasions buy books and every one barr my poetry books get circulated otherwise my shelves would be overflowing. I was amazed to learn that poetry and some literature had been removed from some libraries in Bolton, as not required reading. No poetry books, how sad. I was asked to do a Poetry Review on the Australian Poet Banjo Patterson for Write Out Loud`s monthly online Ezine “Features“. Its called Binalong Time. I love Banjo`s poetry it is full of humour and just brilliant, check him out .
http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/features.php?year=2010&month=4&tag

Getting ready now for my trip to London, we have been promised a heat wave this weekend, oh boy what should I wear!
　
　
　
　

March 20th

This Heron is a regualr visitor to my neighbours, they have Kio Carp in the garden,covered by mesh.


My cold has gone, but I still feeling a little “Off”. It hasn’t stopped me though,spent the most of one day fixing my friends computer that was so full of photos and work it was nearly at a stand still. I have explained about defragmentation and cleaning the disk regularly but she is unable to do this.! Anyway it took me a long time to clean it up but she fed me and we caught up on all our news. I was busy on the Internet all Monday arranging a weeks break in London. My friend and I intend to see the sights and go to a couple of West End Shows . It’s an expensive trip but what the heck.
On Saturday 20th March Bolton came to a stand still because there where two apposing Political Factions holding an open meeting in the town centre . Shops where closed and barricaded and residents were advised to keep away. Two thousand people for The English National League and United Against Fascism came into our town centre from all corners of the UK, people who hate each other and many intent on creating violence, it was a disgrace. The Government said they could not stop this as it was not a March as such , but a Meeting where by the Marchers where being escorted in an orderly fashion by the police to their meeting points ,which was facing each other in the town square. It was so ridiculous and predictable that violence would happen.
My son was on this police line and they did a sterling job of keeping them separated.
There was some arrests and some injuries but thankfully it did pass over without any serious casualties. These demonstrations’ are happening all over the UK, it’s a worry, the country is in a mess. We will be voting for a new government on the 4th June and I have no idea who to support.

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/5074006.Thousands_face_off_in_rally/

Spring Carpet

This is my favourite Picture

A carpet of Snowdrops

A sailors resting place

St James Church Belingham Worcestershire

Well both Computers have now found good homes so I am happy, it makes me feel so righteous after I have recycled stuff. The weather has been sunny and warm so it was a joy to work in the garden again. I managed to prune all my bushes, some quite heavily but then I was a wee bit concerned because we where threatened with frost, but thankfully they look ok and some buds are evident . The bulbs are not doing well, I only have three daffodils showing colour and many many green shoots that I fear will not. The snowdrops are very brave, they have been out even under the snow, I suppose that’s why they are called Snowdrops. On the 6th of March I drove down to Worcestershire to visit with my brother and sister in-law and catch upmy niece and her girls. I enjoyed the drive down even though I was reduced to driving 50miles per hour 50% of the way,due to road works, but I didn’t mind, it was quite calming as apposed to frantic. The weather continued sunny and warm all weekend much warmer than home . Sunday I went swimming and then had the Sauna and Jacuzzi all to myself, really felt special and I have never been as clean for ages. There where quite a few visiters dropping by over the weekend so there was plenty going on. On the Monday mt brother and I took a long long walk around Pershore. It was good to spend time with him, I don’t think we have talked as much in years and even though he had a heavy cold and I feel sure he was feeling rough, he soldiered on. But that’s what he is good at, soldiering, having been in the Army until he retired. It was good to see their girls again too,it`s amazing how fast they grow up these days.
After my swim and relaxation we took me to see the bulb display at a local church yard A Spring Carpet of Snowdrops and Croci, it was breathtaking ,up north everything is so behind because of the cold winds.

Go see more photos:-

Spring Carpet

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=198705&id=577402844&l=5c3bf20d9b

Pershore

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=198727&id=577402844&l=752709ac67

During the week I attended a local gig “Eclectricity” run by my friend Scott, a good mixture of poetry and music, featuring HoneyFeet a Manchester Jazz group., I couldn’t help but dance around to their music, it`s so foot tapping brilliant yet mellow and addictive. Loved it. By Friday I was starting the mother of all colds it really took my by surprise I can`t remember when I last had a cold so bad. Four days in bed , medicated to oblivion, coughing and sneezing almost continually . It was soooooo good when I stopped coughing. Unfortunately I missed out on the WI Spring Council Meeting at Southport .I was looking forward to hearing Sandi Torsvig speak, plus it`s an occasion when you meet up with friends from all the WI`s in the North. Today I had my hair cut, took a short brisk walk until it started to rain. I felt so sad at the state of the gardens there is just no colour at all. Spring has not yet sprung in Bolton!

My Birthday

The Hydrangea bush on the front

The back garden

Hi everyone, don’t we soon get back into the usual routine. Lunches out and Gym three times a week. I have missed the gym, its surprising how unfit one can get after a couple of months of relaxation, still I feel we need that too as a balance. The sales are still on and I managed to find some real bargains, that always gives me a lift. It has tried to snow on a couple of occasions but thankfully never got established. One morning when it had been snowing all night I had a dental appointment at 0915hrs and decided to walk because of the state of the roads, no gritters had been. I went out looking like an someone on an Everest Expedition. But I was warm dry and felt real secure underfoot, in my walking boots. Looked a little out of place sitting in the dentists chair though. Went to the movies to see `Avatar` a brilliant film, especially seen in 3D, it was nearly 3hours long but worth it. Valentines Day was spent in Harrogate with Stuart and Sara, Sam was working but I did get to see him. It was my birthday and Stuart cooked us a special meal. I received lots of cards, presents and phone calls, especially from Cathi Amy and Ben, Leonard and Mona in the USA and Pam in Cornwall rang. During the week I had a birthday lunch with the girls, everyone really made my birthday very special. Bought a new Dell Laptop running Windows 7 as a birthday treat and will pass the old one to someone in need of a laptop. I also have my old Desk Top Computer working on Window XP, its 7years old and still in good order. But nobody wants Windows XP, but I will not give up, eventually find some one who wants it.
Went to a lunch at the Local Technical College with 45 members of the W.I. Prepared and cooked by the Catering Students, the food and service was excellent.
Dorothy and I have booked a holiday with the PTG tours again, we will be seeing Portugal via Train and Boat, it’s our third Rail Enthusiasts Tour, we just love riding around on vintage locomotives, many with steam, in renovated antique carriages.
On Sunday we had deep snow but it had gone by evening and I was able to get to the Howcroft my first Poetry Gig there since October. I wasn`t disappointed we had a full house and a brilliant night ,so much laughter and good poetry.
Check out Darren`s, Review of the evening. he has a unique way with words and I think he is brilliant.
http://writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=9029

Back to Normal

Chilling out in Perth Zoo 40 degrees

It s good to go away, but there is no place like home. The first priority was to reset the digital TVs & Recorders as during November the UK went digital and all TVs had to be reset to enable them receive all channels. One fear I did have on my return though was, had I remembered correctly the numbers for the house alarm! Yes I did, so it goes to show that my memory still good. The mail as always, was waiting for me but there was nothing unexpected and as all my bills are covered by direct debit anyway I have no worries about them. The snow has almost gone and the rain is here, I don’t mind it will wash the slush away and it will be safe to walk out again. I have had a fair number of lazy days since I got back it has taken me much longer to recover from the journey. I didn’t realise until the tenth day when I started feeling better, how tired I had been. Fortunately Andrew had filled my cupboards and fridge with food so I didn`t have to go out shopping.. Another priority was to get someone in to clean the gutters on the roof, full of moss and leaves, causing the rain to cascade down the walls at a terrific rate on to the garage roof which due to the pressure of water had started to leak. The guy came next day and in the rain climbed onto my roof and sorted it within the hour. I am keeping an eye on the garage roof situation as the guy feels that it will not leak anymore . Brill. Checked out the boys were all well and learn that Sam has also passed his driving test,great news.. spoke to Cathi Amy and Ben. Ben passed his driving test, Hurrah. Answered a few Christmas letters and generally settled in to my usual routine.
On the 24th I attended the first poetry Gig in 2010 at Middleton, it was a brilliant evening really enjoyed the session .Performed three poems, two favourites and a new one about the Australian Summer . Then I got to grips with downloading all my photos 400 of them that took ages but I am glad to say they are well worth the effort. Already been out to lunch twice to catch up with my friends to find out what I have missed over the holidays. A sad note though, a dear friend of many years, Brian Jones died in his sleep. RIP Brian.

Back home to Ice & Snow

Mapua Beach NZ

Quinns Rock Beach Perth

More photos http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=186393&id=577402844&l=db0e7949e5

A belated New Years Greeting to everyone. May 2010 bring joy and happiness into our lives and stability to the world`s stage. You guess it , I have been away for the past two months in the sunny southern hemisphere. Australia and New Zealand, have saved me from most of the extreme cold weather, ice and snow the UK has experienced in many years. It was 40 degrees and rising when I left Perth, after spending Christmas and New Year holiday with my daughter and grandchildren,so it did feel good to breath in the cold wet air for a time but the snow and ice I can do without.
I had a wonderful trip the best yet, more expensive because of the financial world crisis but well worth the extra. Having been to Perth many times before there are no surprises, only the increase in people and traffic is obvious every time. The sunshine is a bonus but can be a big problem if not treated with respect. Slip Slop Slap every time you leave the house and keep out of the midday sun. I am not a beach person don’t surf or swim in the ocean any more, again too many dangers. But the coastal scenery is fantastic, I loved to go down in the late afternoon find some shade to read or take a walk in the surf . I find the heat quite a problem but Cathi had installed aircon which is much more efficient than the ceiling fans and it kept the heat down especially throughout the night. So it was a very comfortable stay. It was good to spend time with the family over the holidays get to know the children once again as they are adults now and developing as fine individuals. Cathi has much to be proud of I am so happy and proud to have had the opportunity to establish myself again in their lives. Its hard when loved ones live thousands of miles away, keeping that bridge strong. They emigrated in March 96 so I have visited them many times, and every time has been different.
I took a break before Christmas and flew over to New Zealand to stay with friends who have a winter home there. I stayed with them in 2006 in Nelson but this year they moved to a fabulous home that backs on to the beach at Mapua. At high tide the sea was virtually up to the back gate, a wonderful location. New Zealand is so different to Australia, its green and lush beautiful gardens filled with roses and colourful flowers plus sunshine, to the dry dusty hot environment that`s Western Australia. Its very like England at its best around 1950`s style. We had a exciting time, spent a few days in Able Tasman National Reserve based at Pohara in Golden Bay. Took the boat out and sailed around the coast from Kaiteriteri discovering secret coves and beautiful beaches Dug for cockles and mussels in the sand at Marahau, walked the walk across rope bridges and experienced so much in such a short time, it was wonderful. Thanks Ann Derek and Guy you made it happen..

http://www.motuekaisite.co.nz/