I'm back

from my trip to the UK at last.

Before I forget - Happy Halloween! This is a photo of the pumpkin I carved at Mum and Dads before we left. The neighbour next door kindly gave it to me to do for D. Cute eh?

We stayed on a week extra in England because my father became ill while we were there. Not good at all, but he's doing a bit better now. So our holiday plans were changed and we didn't do some of the things we wanted to do, travel around more and meet up with friends etc. Here are just a few photos of some of the things we did do.
 
We went up to London on the train and underground. D loved the train rides!

We visited a couple of the museums in London which D really enjoyed (me too!). This is at the Science museum, where they have a lot of space exhibits:

and the massive blue whale at the Natural History Museum (my lovely niece L came along with us here), I always remembered this from going there as a child:

Blue whale

Outside the Natural History Museum, fabulous building

Decorative roof of the Nat Hist Museum

 Also enjoyed a day Legoland in Windsor with my lovely niece L again:

Mini London

Lego Buzz

Captain D at the helm

And at nearby Cliveden, a National Trust property:

Huge fountain at Cliveden House

D in the hedge maze at Cliveden, is this the way?

My parents sponsored one of the yew trees for this maze, which is a recreation of an original design from 1894 for the original owner of Cliveden Lord Astor.

D had a great time (as did everyone) going down the big slide they had at the south side of the house. This is in place while they work on fixing up the steps and stonework.

 We stayed with my sister in Bristol, and explored some of the Harbourside area. Went to 'M shed' which is a local museum and was great.

 This ship was outside and we went for a look around it:

A replica of Matthew, the original sailed to America in 1497

My sister and I went out the theatre to the Old Vic to see Dickens - Great Expectations. It was great. Lovely old theatre.

And of course we met up with lots of family and had a nice party on my sister's birthday. The weather was good then, so we could sit outside in the sun.


Now I'm back home with a bump, and have hit the ground running. Lots going on here with pigs going to the butcher and gardening, as well as all the other normal 'stuff'. Not had much time for reading any blogs or posting, hope to free up some time soon.

At last.... some photos of England

My parents' back garden after a heavy snow fall.



Oh the excitement of the first ever snow man!




Just about to go up on the London Eye.Big Ben and Houses of Parliament viewed from the London Eye.

Off home today

Well we are heading off home today, stopping en route in Hong Kong. Looking forward to getting away to some warmer climes, although it has been very pretty with all the snow.
Will post some photos of our trip when we get back.
Oh and Happy New Year!

Belated Season's Greetings

Well our Xmas came and went here in the Northern Hemisphere - thanks to my sister for having us and all the lovely food. We were treated to a steam train ride on Xmas eve. D loved it. We had the traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings, carols playing in the background, a pretty Xmas tree in the corner and presents galore. No snow, but it was cold and very icy outside.

Unfortunately we came down with the "dreaded lurgee" and G was in quarantine Xmas day, I joined him on Boxing day. Not the greatest. All 3 of us are still suffering with colds as I write.

We are now up in Norwich, Norfolk. Many thanks to our dear friends P & V who are kindly letting us reside in their house while they are away for a few days. Today is a rest day, so nothing planned apart from a toddle down to the town later to get a few supplies. It is cold, about 3 degs C, but no snow or frost. Hoping to get out further north for a trip tomorrow.

The cold UK weather continues

We had a family party on the weekend at a local hall. It had snowed a fair bit a couple of nights beforehand.

So while the adults stayed inside in the warmth chatting, eating and drinking, the children ventured outside to play in the snow.

We've been up in Banbury (north of Oxford) for a couple of nights, and it has been pretty chilly, a lot of frost and ice and no sign of the sun today.

It's expected to be a white Christmas yippee!

Snow!

It's very cold over here in the UK. We're up in London at the moment and had snow today! It hasn't settled, but later in the week we are expected to get a reasonable amount (in the SE anyway) - see this link.

Took a bus trip to Regents St to the big toy store Hamley's today. Dylan had a great time.

Summer in NZ is a distant memory!

Yikes, where have I been?

Time has disappeared into a black hole recently and I've been neglecting my regular posts..........sorry folks! That's because we are in the Northern Hemisphere for a bit, spending time with my family over the festive period and tripping around England for a few weeks.

Currently we're on the south coast near Portsmouth. It's cold and frosty, snow is predicted for Friday and it's dark at 4pm which makes us feel very tired!

We're enjoying ourselves but missing home hugely. Dylan is having a great time, very excited by it all.

Will see if I can post some photos soon.