Saturday 31 October 2009
Sunday 25 October 2009
October 24th and 25th 2009 – A Weekend in the Lakes District
This weekend Michelle and I made our way on the 6.05am train from Euston to Oxenholme, Lakes District to spend the weekend with Jono and Becky before they took off home to New Zealand. It was a 5am alarm, a quick dress and off to Nottinghill tube staition for the 1st tube at 5.27am which took us to Edgeware road, then the Hammersmith and city line took us the rest of the journey to Euston. Michelle was sceptical about trusting the tube to be on time, but some gentle reassuring paved the way. In the end we had plenty of time when we got to Euston to print our tickets, get breakfast from a french pastry shop and board the train. The train trip was 3 hours and consisted of eating, sleeping and doing crosswords. Becky was waiting for us on the platform at Oxenholme and her parents car waiting in the carpark for our weekend adventures. Under recommendation from Becky we headed to Grisdale forest for some mountain biking. The skies were grey and a slight sprinkle of rain threatened to get heavier. However this did not phase us. Michelle and I decided to hire the bikes with full suspension so we could do the Northstar track which was for people with Mountain Biking ability. Becky decided not to bike and opted for a hot drink and read of her book in the warm cafe. After a short briefing we were off up the stoney tracks and along gravel roads. Michelle slowly gained confidence throughout the ride and by the end she was passing me! We were challenged by the narrow bridges and found speed helped to stay balanced as we went across
them. The rain poured down and taking photos was a quick snap stop to keep the camera dry and us warm. After some fun down hills we finished back at the bike park, about 1 ½ hours after start. Dripping wet we found Becky dry and snug reading in the cafe. Michelle and I ran back to the car for warm clothes and quickly got changed so we could have some hot food. Lunch and teas at the Park Cafe were delicious. After lunch we headed to Barrow and the Foxton family home for showers and rest. I watched rugby with Joe and michelle had a half an hour nap. Then off to Asda for alcohol and snacks for the evening and home for dinner and to see Jono. Becky had invited some friends over for leaving drinks, people started arriving at about 7.30pm, the door bell continued to ring every few minutes after that. Jono and I engrossed ourselves in the Rugby League, NZ v Australia and most of the english people moved to the dinning room for food and x-factor. The league finished at 20 points all much to my disappointment after it looked as though NZ was going to win. 11.30 rolled around fast and Michelle and I decided to call it a night after a long but fun day. 8.30am and it was time to get up already. Becky fixed us bacon, eggs, and english muffins for breakfast and we took off for a stroll to the Furness Abbey and through the surrounding bush/paths, about an
hour later we arrived at the house, played basketball for a while with Chris and Joe, packed up and for in the car for a look around the Lakes District and mainly Lake Windermere and the town of Windermere. After driving a while and having trouble finding a park we got one near the lake. It was about 1.40pm and time for more food so we stopped at the first cafe for lunch, toasted sandwiches, scones and coffee to warm our insides. Then back out in the cold and ducking between showers we looked around Windermere, buying fudge, a magnet and looking at the Peter Rabbit shop. Finishing at the pub to watch some football Manchester United v Liverpool (0-2) coincidently Sim and Liza were also watching the game across the room from us. Great spotting by Jono and very random as we didn’t know they were in the area. At 3.45 and about 10 minutes of the game left it was time to leave and find Kendall for our train home. It didn’t take us long to find the station, as we drove the boys listened to the football as the reception came in and out. We got to the station about 45 minutes early as it was closer than Becky expected. That was fine though we sat in the car and chatted before heading into the station to check our train was on time. It was delayed by about 10
minutes which again was fine as we were still able to get our connecting train the Manchester Piccidilly. The train from Oxenholme to Manchester was packed and we got separate seats, the train from Manchester to Euston was not so busy and we got a table seat so were able to do crosswords. The tube home was smooth and we got in about 9.30 for shepherd’s pie, a shower and bed. A wet but fabulous weekend .
Wednesday 21 October 2009
Scotland trip
“Aye!” It was time to see Scotland. A work funded trip meant Michelle and I were able to visit the home of haggis, kilts, bagpipes and golf! Another Friday night excursion from Heathrow T1, no need for passports this trip. We arrived in Edinburgh 10.30pm, and the first thing that struck us was how cold it was, a clear and very crisp night. We spent 10 minutes trying to demist the window of our rental in the car park. There was no traffic on the road as we skipped up to Dundee, the Forth Road Bridge was impressive. As we drove next to Perth (That’s not the Australian version) we noticed a large fire, which looked a bit out of place. As we carried on a lot of fire engines with ladders were coming in the opposite direction. As it turns out a recycling factory caught fire.
The students were well underway when we arrived in Dundee, with more than a few drunken bodies staggering down the street. It amazed us how the girls wearing nothing but tight fitting short skirts survived what must have been only 3 or 4 degrees Celsius night.
We were staying at the Best Western Motel in Dundee. The queens hotel, which had a few famous visitors including Winston Churchill. Reception was closed when we arrived but good old Ernie (a rather deaf Scottish porter came to the rescue, and managed to sort us out) I was pretty tired, and I would have gone to room 731, had not Michelle reminded me that that number was the code to get out of the car park the next morning.
Rose at 7.30 and the day was cold and fine. We tucked into a large cooked breakfast that would keep us going most of the day. We needed to walk the breakfast off so we rolled down into the centre of town, passed the main church and the main square where locals were setting up their market stalls for hopefully a busy morning’s trade. Michelle bought some fudge and I poked my head into a Jehovah’s Witness Gathering in the main city hall. After picking up a few pamphlets from the Jehovah’s Michelle and I walked down to the water front. The waterfront is still very much under development, but when finished it will be a real asset for Dundee. Admiring the harbour and the large bridges we took a few pictures. We strolled over to discovery point where the RRS Discovery was docked. This vessel was used by Captain Scott on expeditions to the Antarctic in 1901 (hence the name Scott base, I presume).
Back at the Hotel we picked up the car and headed to Dundee’s highest point to gain an overview of the city, it was very peaceful up there and we got great clear views up and down the harbour and of the city. We next headed 12 miles north of Dundee to Glamis Castle, holiday home to the Queen Mother and other royals. The tour was really interesting and rooms in the castle were bulging with history. After the tour we strolled round the grounds, which were very picturesque in autumn. Taking an alternative way buck to Dundee we went via Forfar and Arbroath. We stopped at Broughtyferry beach just before Dundee, we didn’t dream of going for a dip, even the locals weren’t that crazy. We walked round to the jetty and watched a young lad fish, I attempted a conversation but I think he was a bit freaked out by a couple of out of towners with strange accents.
We had to make the Rugby by 3pm so with help of MIchelles phone and less than helpful road works we eventually found the ground. Michelle was shocked by having to pay 8 quid to watch a game of Rugby, but it was definitely worth it as Dundee High (my future homeclub, maybe...) ran away 41-8 over the Watsonians. They had some big boys in both teams and the standard of rugby was very good. Having only nibbled on fudge since breakfast we tucked into some steak pies, sandwiches and Iron Bru at half time. I talked to a few of the lads over a few pints in the club rooms after the game, trying to sus out a few contacts for my potential move up. We drove over the Tay Bridge for a couple of pictures of the sunset.
Back to the Hotel we chilled out before heading into town for a curry at Jahanghir. The meal (hand on heart) was one of the best currys I have ever had. Next we sampled some of the local night life at the clubs. I felt very old, even Michelle got waved through not having to show I.D. with a wry smile from the bouncer. We only lasted till about midnight before heading back to the hotel for a hot chocolate and bed, we felt like a couple of Nana’s.
Hangover free the next day we crossed the bridge to Tayport and got a good early morning view back across the inlet to Dundee. Onwards to St Andrews - the home of golf, pulled up to the driving range and watched people who knew how to handle a golf club unlike me. I didn’t realise there were more than 1 course in St Andrews. The traditional course is known as the old course. We checked the old club house the 1st tee off and the 18th green. Then we were lucky enough to strike a free day at the British golf Museum so we decided to check it out, it was fascinating seeing how the game evolved from primitive clubs and balls to what it is today. Almost every shop in St Andrews sold some sort of golf equipment. There was also a university at St Andrews and some ruins.
Back on the road we cruised through the countryside passing through lots of small towns until we hit the A92 Motorway, then the bridge then Edinburgh. Apparently every day at 1pm they fire cannons from the castle, but we just missed it. We parked right under the castle then walked around the gardens passing the closing ceremony of some sort of running race sponsored by Mens health. Feeling a bit peckish we walked into a mall and picked up subway and a chocolate milkshake from Maccas. Then we popped into the information centre and sorted out accommodation options for New Years. Then we walked the Royal Mile from Scottish Parliament right up to the Castle. Edinburgh had a really good buzz about it, from the street performers playing the bagpipes to the small cobbled streets to the architecture. Can’t wait to go back! That’s pretty much all we had time for, we drove around the city for a bit then headed back out to the airport for our 6.45pm flight with BMI. Awesome weekend, looking forward to spending a lot of time exploring Scotland.
The students were well underway when we arrived in Dundee, with more than a few drunken bodies staggering down the street. It amazed us how the girls wearing nothing but tight fitting short skirts survived what must have been only 3 or 4 degrees Celsius night.
We were staying at the Best Western Motel in Dundee. The queens hotel, which had a few famous visitors including Winston Churchill. Reception was closed when we arrived but good old Ernie (a rather deaf Scottish porter came to the rescue, and managed to sort us out) I was pretty tired, and I would have gone to room 731, had not Michelle reminded me that that number was the code to get out of the car park the next morning.
Rose at 7.30 and the day was cold and fine. We tucked into a large cooked breakfast that would keep us going most of the day. We needed to walk the breakfast off so we rolled down into the centre of town, passed the main church and the main square where locals were setting up their market stalls for hopefully a busy morning’s trade. Michelle bought some fudge and I poked my head into a Jehovah’s Witness Gathering in the main city hall. After picking up a few pamphlets from the Jehovah’s Michelle and I walked down to the water front. The waterfront is still very much under development, but when finished it will be a real asset for Dundee. Admiring the harbour and the large bridges we took a few pictures. We strolled over to discovery point where the RRS Discovery was docked. This vessel was used by Captain Scott on expeditions to the Antarctic in 1901 (hence the name Scott base, I presume).
Back at the Hotel we picked up the car and headed to Dundee’s highest point to gain an overview of the city, it was very peaceful up there and we got great clear views up and down the harbour and of the city. We next headed 12 miles north of Dundee to Glamis Castle, holiday home to the Queen Mother and other royals. The tour was really interesting and rooms in the castle were bulging with history. After the tour we strolled round the grounds, which were very picturesque in autumn. Taking an alternative way buck to Dundee we went via Forfar and Arbroath. We stopped at Broughtyferry beach just before Dundee, we didn’t dream of going for a dip, even the locals weren’t that crazy. We walked round to the jetty and watched a young lad fish, I attempted a conversation but I think he was a bit freaked out by a couple of out of towners with strange accents.
We had to make the Rugby by 3pm so with help of MIchelles phone and less than helpful road works we eventually found the ground. Michelle was shocked by having to pay 8 quid to watch a game of Rugby, but it was definitely worth it as Dundee High (my future homeclub, maybe...) ran away 41-8 over the Watsonians. They had some big boys in both teams and the standard of rugby was very good. Having only nibbled on fudge since breakfast we tucked into some steak pies, sandwiches and Iron Bru at half time. I talked to a few of the lads over a few pints in the club rooms after the game, trying to sus out a few contacts for my potential move up. We drove over the Tay Bridge for a couple of pictures of the sunset.
Back to the Hotel we chilled out before heading into town for a curry at Jahanghir. The meal (hand on heart) was one of the best currys I have ever had. Next we sampled some of the local night life at the clubs. I felt very old, even Michelle got waved through not having to show I.D. with a wry smile from the bouncer. We only lasted till about midnight before heading back to the hotel for a hot chocolate and bed, we felt like a couple of Nana’s.
Hangover free the next day we crossed the bridge to Tayport and got a good early morning view back across the inlet to Dundee. Onwards to St Andrews - the home of golf, pulled up to the driving range and watched people who knew how to handle a golf club unlike me. I didn’t realise there were more than 1 course in St Andrews. The traditional course is known as the old course. We checked the old club house the 1st tee off and the 18th green. Then we were lucky enough to strike a free day at the British golf Museum so we decided to check it out, it was fascinating seeing how the game evolved from primitive clubs and balls to what it is today. Almost every shop in St Andrews sold some sort of golf equipment. There was also a university at St Andrews and some ruins.
Back on the road we cruised through the countryside passing through lots of small towns until we hit the A92 Motorway, then the bridge then Edinburgh. Apparently every day at 1pm they fire cannons from the castle, but we just missed it. We parked right under the castle then walked around the gardens passing the closing ceremony of some sort of running race sponsored by Mens health. Feeling a bit peckish we walked into a mall and picked up subway and a chocolate milkshake from Maccas. Then we popped into the information centre and sorted out accommodation options for New Years. Then we walked the Royal Mile from Scottish Parliament right up to the Castle. Edinburgh had a really good buzz about it, from the street performers playing the bagpipes to the small cobbled streets to the architecture. Can’t wait to go back! That’s pretty much all we had time for, we drove around the city for a bit then headed back out to the airport for our 6.45pm flight with BMI. Awesome weekend, looking forward to spending a lot of time exploring Scotland.
Golfing weekend
This weekend was all about getting out of London, hitting some golf balls and hanging with some mates. Saturday morning I caught a train to Coventry with Richie, Brett, Hayden, Calum, Mike and Ben. Despite our scraggy dress we were allowed to play two rounds of Golf Saturday afternoon and Sunday. There was healthy competition and plenty of banter. I hit a 107 day 1 (place = 4th) and 97 day 2 (place = 2nd). So I was happy that I showed some improvement. It was a nice course and there were plenty of tricky water and sand hazards. Saturday night we relaxed over a few beers and a really nice 3 course meal. The weather was good on Saturday and a bit drizzly on the Sunday. Nice to get back into playing some golf, I have already got Dad on the job bringing my clubs over from NZ.
Tower of London and the globe
With my time in London looking like it was fast slipping away I needed to make sure I visited some of the iconic must see things. So Michelle and I visited the tower of London, home to famous Kings and political prisoners. We were guided by the Yeomen Wardens “Beefeaters” and were shown the Bloody tower, traitors gate and the tower Church. We saw the Crown Jewels and the White Tower which had an exhibit on Henry the 8th. Also on that day I went out for Lunch with cousin Jen, who was heading back to NZ and watched NZ beat Pakistan (at Jens boyfriend Doug’s place at Barbican) in the semi final of the champions trophy. Sunday Michelle and I went to Shakespear’s globe Theatre and watched a play from the yard, a good experience, with some very funny moments. It took a while to get used to the Shakespearean language.
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