Easter in North Wales

The forecast was bleak as seven kiwis squeezed themselves, some clothes and some provisions (more drinks than food) into the rental car.


Problem 1: No seatbelts in the back seat. OK, not exactly no seatbelts, just nowhere to make them click. Fortunately the 3 boys thought this could be easily fixed by switching the two back seats round. As the girls huddled round to ward off the cold the boys quickly found they could remove the two seats. They were not so quick however, to re-fit them on the opposite sides of the car! In fact, after 15 minutes watching them fiddle around with no success, Sharyn and I took over with Karen providing an extra pair of eyes. In a little under 2 minutes the first seat was slammed into position. The boys were just being too gentle. After our demonstration we offered them a chance to regain a little pride and gave them a go fitting the second one. The second attempt was little better than the first so much more quickly they were thrown out of the car to let the pros finish the job!

So, with that little challenge overcome it was time to repack the car.

First stop -Warwick Castle. A quick decision was made that it wasn't worth £18.50 for a quick look round. Instead we settled on takeaway drinks and wandered along one side of the castle wall. Second stop was in Shrewsbury for a little shopping (hats & gloves) and lunch. Final stop before reaching our destination - Pwliheli for more provisions. It was great to finally reach Nefyn and extract ourselves and all our luggage from the car. We were welcomed by our lovely Welsh hostess with the following words, "You girls will find your way around in here" (the kitchen). We quickly discovered that the fee we paid for linen did not include towels and that there were no tea towels or other dish washing implements in the kitchen. Our Welsh hostess was quite shocked and surprised by our disorganised state (I had brought my own towel). With the last minute changes to numbers only 6 beds had been made up. So, she returned next door to the house to fetch some extra linen. Andrew jokingly asked the girls if we had brought our pot mitt. Said hostess soon returned with towels, tea towels and much to our entertainment a pot mitt!


Despite the chilly temperature and gale force winds we wrapped orselves up and headed for the beach. It is always nice to return to the coast, even if the beach is stoney and its minus 5 degrees taking into account the wind chill factor. We walked along to the far end of the beach and then came back along a path overlooking the beach. It was super windy, we were in fact blown up the hill. So windy that my hat blew off and disappeared into a paddock with horses. The two Marks jumped the barbed wire fence to search for it. As it was getting dark and our tummies were rumbling we had to call the search off. The leaders of the pack, Karen and Andrew had disappeared into the distance unaware of the dilemma. An executive decision was made for the remaining 5 to head to the pub. On the walk down to the beach there was a discussion about dinner. All the girls had unintentionally left the house with no money - boys shout! Surprisingly we didn't find Karen and Andrew propping up the bar. Just as the two Mark's were being sent on a search of a different kind Karen and Andrew strolled in. We enjoyed lovely meals at the Nanhoran pub. Unfortunately they were out of Pavlova for dessert but I can highly recommend the Hot Chocolate with Baileys!

Caernarfon Castle

As you can imagine it takes a while for 7 people to get up and organised in the morning. In fact, I reckon longer than 30 Tawa kids and a bunch of teachers! The main event on Saturday was horse-riding in Snowdonia National Park. Unfortunately our stop in Caernarfon was only long enough for shopping (a new hat for me, postcards etc) and hot drinks. It was a nice drive through the countryside to reach our horse-riding destination. As I don't actually remember the last time I was on a horse I was slightly nervous about our afternoons adventure. By and large this was unnecessary as due to my size (and probably the level of experience I declared on the form signing my life away) I was introduced to Maisey. A somewhat impatient horse, she was chosen to lead the group. This meant on our two hour walk I was led the whole way by one of the guides. No opportunity to really test whether or not my hold on the reins had any control over the horse. In sight of home there was one wee incident. Karen's horse Carla and Maisey had a wee scuffle. Apparently giving each other a boot. I contemplated how I could dismount, landing on my feet of course, which seemed all the more challenging with a girl holding the reins. My second instinct kicked in which paid off. Hold on for dear life! It must have been quite a site for the others behind me.

Stomach pains had set in while on horse back. So en route home I had a lie down in the back of the car while the rest of the party enjoyed dinner in Porthmadog.

Fun on Easter Sunday morning. An egg hunt was laid and there was plenty of chocolate to share around (thanks Sharyn, Karen and Rachel!). These cute finger puppets came with the M&S mini eggs. Aren't they adorable?

You can't really say you've visited Wales unless you see a castle. So on Sunday it was back in the car and off to Conwy. The picture below of Mark G, Karen, Sharyn and Rach was taken in some wee village along the way.

Finding lunch on Easter Sunday with 2 big football games on was easier said than done. Eventually our party which had swelled to 11 (we met up with 4 of Andrew's friends) settled on overtaking the back half of a pub in Conwy. After lunch we happily paid £4.50, much more reasonable than Warwick, to explore the castle in cool, drizzly conditions.

A quick look at the Knights shop across the road from the castle turned into a delve into our family histories. A guy kindly plugged our surnames into his computer which duly spat out details about our past. What our names meant, where our families were from, family mottos, crests and how many convict relatives were sent to Australia. The guy couldn't answer my question about how the Calvert's got to NZ!

The long drive home had to be broken up with a stop somewhere. I was happy when we decided on Portmeirion, pictured above and below, which was designed and built by architect Clough Williams-Ellis. He wanted to show how a beautiful natural environment could be developed and enhanced by thoughtful planning. Many of the materials were recycled from other architectural work he was undertaking.

Hwyl fawr from Wales!

Oxford, Stratford-upon Avon etc

Since the trip to Portsmouth I have had another fun-filled weekend with Sharyn, Mark and Mark. I hired a car for the second time as it is quite a slow journey across country on the X5 bus from Cambridge to Oxford. Much quicker to drive down the M11, around the M25 and then head northwest on the M40. I find that each time I drive I figure out what a few more of the road signs mean!

The purpose of the trip to Oxford was to see my cousin Mel play rugby in the varsity game against archrivals Cambridge. Oxford got off to a flyer and were 12-0 at half time. Only two yellow cards in the first half. One player each team. The ref went mental in the second half and awarded another two or three yellow cards. Who would have thought that the girls wouldn't play by the rules? Maybe it was how high the ref was wearing her shorts that really made her uncomfortable and she had to take it out on someone! Somehow Cambridge scored 13 unanswered points in the second half. With about a minute of injury time on the clock Oxford were awarded a pentaly right in front of the posts. The crowd collectively held their breath, followed by Cambridge supporters cheers as the ball went wide. Disappointment for the Oxford supporters who couldn't quite believe it was all over.

After the game we found the Sportsview B&B and checked into our family room. I was nicknamed baby and then entrusted with the key for our room. With an "8 weeks to fab abs" book from Mens Health we entertained ourselves until dinner. This was so hilarious that I couldn't hold a camera still enough to take any still or video footage. I swear the ab workout was more from laughing at the boys poor form and technique. As an ex-gymnast I felt well qualified to judge this. Only one injury resulted from a collapsed handstand. I was fine but the Mark who tried to catch me was left scarred for life.

On Sunday we took a drive in the countryside. Our first destination was Stratford-upon-Avon. After some laps around the town we found our way to Anne Hathaway's cottage in Shottery (pictured below). There was much deliberation but eventually we forked out a few pounds and viewed the garden and toured the cottage.

The roof was in the process of being re-thatched so the front part of the house was looking less than picturesque obscured by scaffolding. Below is a fetching picture of Mark M posing with one of the less obscure/thought-provoking/offensive statues in the garden.

After lunch and just missing the start of the walking tour in Stratford we hopped back in the car and headed towards home. We stopped off at a little village Stow-on-the-Wold, well known in the Cotswolds for its Art galleries, gifts and crafts. Unfortunately, not as much can be said for the scones that we sampled for afternoon tea. Served cold and dry, not how Dad makes them and not how I like them!

Until the next adventure (Wales at Easter), that's all from me.

Portsmouth

My first trip to the English seaside. As luck would have it the sun was out and it was a warm winter day with temperatures in the mid teens! So hot in fact I wasn't far off getting sunburnt.

Portsmouth is renowned for its Royal Navy history. I had a fabulous day exploring the Historic Dockyard with Sharyn, Mark and Mark. The picture below was taken on board HMS Warrior otherwise known as 'The Black Snake' due to the 65m long armoured box that protected her guns and machinery.

It is amazing to think that over 150 to 200 years ago people designed and built ships of this size. The rigging is very impressive but what you see is a mere portion of what was actually required to sail the ship.

At lunchtime we enjoyed a cruise on the harbour. This took us past the Navy's modern warships - frigates, destroyers etc. There is a good collection in varying states of repair. The one below has been pawned off at bargain price to a South American country - Chile or Brazil - I think.

After lunch we explored the HMS Victory, the world's oldest commissioned warship. It was on board the HMS Victory that Lord Nelson died during the Battle of Trafalgar. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures as this was when my camera began its temperamental power tantrum.

There are many more things we could have looked at and done in Portsmouth but time did not allow. We purchased tickets which are valid for 12 months so may return to look around some of the sights we missed.

All in all a great day in the sun (in England in February)!

Summer Sun

What better way to finish 2007 than a surprise visit to the southern hemisphere. As it was Dad's 60th birthday I thought it fitting I use my return airfare to join in the celebrations. Who else could be trusted to make a decent cake? Don't bother counting the candles - there aren't 60 because this was actually brother-in-law Brad's cake on Christmas Day.

I had a great month in NZ catching up with family and friends. Just to prove that dad really is over the hill, and some, we made him walk most of the Queen Charlotte Track in the Marlborough Sounds. Also threw in a day kayaking for extra measure. Just to add to the challenge he got to kayak with mum. Sadly, this did not provide quite as many fireworks as predicted by whanau members.

This is the view at Punga Cove. Day one involved a water taxi from Picton to Furneaux Lodge. Would you believe it hailed on the way out. From there we walked for three hours in the rain to Punga Cove. A relatively easy walk made more challenging by the weather, plenty of mud for slipping and sliding.

Uncle John and Brad surveying the action at Portage. This was our second stop. The hardest and longest day of the track from Punga Cove to Portage. By the end of the day, dad - and the rest of us too, were most definitely over the hill(s). Remember, I've been living in England and can't remember the last time I saw a decent hill!

Time to trade in our walking shoes for a paddle. With uneven numbers there had been much speculation, some would even say debate, about who should partner whom. Being my assertive self I made sure I nabbed myself a great partner in cousin Sophie. We might not be the fastest to run up the hills but we sure can get a kayak moving.

The final day was again a longish walk from Portage to Anakiwa. Everyone was thrilled to make it to the Blistered Foot for a well earned drink before returning to Picton.

This trip was the highlight of my month at home. I am now safely back in Cambridge, working hard to earn money for the adventures in store in 2008.

For those who are wondering, baby Stella arrived safely on 11 December.

Brilliant Break in Belfast

Some would say November is not a good time for travelling and sightseeing in the northern hemisphere. I disagree! Just back from five days in Belfast. Despite it being grey, wet and coldish every day Karen, Rachel and I had a fabulous time. We made the most of the daylight hours available and then rewarded our efforts with a drink or two at a pub.

On Saturday we found our way around the city and scoped out what there was to see and do. This is a picture of the continental market in front of City Hall. In the background you can see the whale. Sorry, I mean the wheel. It's just the way the Irish pronounce it had both Rachel and I searching for a whale. As darkness descended we found our way to the Crown Liquor Saloon - a very ornately tiled watering hole. We'd planned on just the one. However, some Scottish blokes we bumped into shouted us a few rounds and then invited us to their friends 40th that they were in town for that evening. After dinner Rachel and Karen put in an appearance. I was in need of sleep after our early start to get to the airport.

On Sunday morning we headed out for undoubtedly the coldest 'Hop on - Hop off' bus tour I have done this year! After previous experiences (mostly with Mum) I went prepared with scarf, gloves and woolly hat. Oh, and my camera too. We enjoyed live tour guides whose commentary we understood most of the time. The tour took us to Stormont (Parliament Buildings). It was deserted and unlike all other tourist destinations I have visited it was not at all difficult to take photo's without random strangers walking through. In case you're wondering that is my friend Rachel in the picture below. I have it on good authority that Stormont is much more impressive than the White House.

Other sites of interest included the wall murals on Shankill ...

and Falls Roads.

Having survived the cold it was time to seek out the next pub on the list of places we should visit in Belfast. It was a difficult decision. We sat by the river, near Waterfront Hall and next to 'The thing with the ring' or 'Nula with the Hula' while we deliberated.

On the shortlist was McHughs. Eventually chosen as it was closest (like a 5 minute walk, if that) to our current location and advertised live music on Sunday afternoon. Shortly after making ourselves comfortable at a table, Guiness in hand, the acoustic two-piece band launched into a Crowded House number. I wonder if they spotted the patriotic attire of my friends? A few drinks later, following a chat with one of the musicians we had our second invitation in two days. Both Paul and Iggy were playing gigs later that evening. As Iggy's gig was at the pub around the corner from our B&B we said we would pop in later on. So, on the way home after dinner we did just that.

On Monday the weather was still not smiling on us. It was another earlyish start to pick up a rental car. After a slight disagreement over whether we had paid for it online and a trip to the nearest internet cafe to print out a receipt we boarded the little Nissan Note. Where I come from the word receipt is used when you have PAID for something. We couldn't believe the rental guy had the cheek to suggest we print out our bank statement to show it had been paid for. As we had made the booking less than 48 hours ago, on Saturday afternoon, this was ridiculous. Everyone knows it takes UK banks an age to process transactions, minimum 3 business days before they are likely to appear on any statement. Needless to say, Karen the banker and I, got our way eventually.

First stop was the CS Lewis statue we had heard about on the bus tour. Our combined navigational skills took us directly to the site and the biggest challenge was to find a park.

Then we headed north out of the city on the Coastal Causeway route. We had our second stop just north of the city at Carrickfergus Castle. Then we continued on up the coast. Next stop was lunch at Ballycastle. I was keen to see the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Unfortunately we were a few weeks to late to actually be able to cross it as it is removed over the winter due to safetly issues pertaining to high winds. Still worth the stop and will be easy to find next time.


Around 3pm we reached our main destination - the Giants Causeway. A World Heritage Site with endless photographic potential. A shame my camera was low on batteries. We made the most of the remaining hour or so of daylight snapping away. The first place we had been in our travels we it was more of a challenge not to have a random stranger in the picture. However, not impossible.

Again, lack of light cut short our exploring. This is a place with plenty of potential for walking too! What could we do but visit the pub - the Causeway Hotel was closest. Ordering drinks, Guniess again, at the bar we got chatting to a couple of guys. Again, I think perhaps we were noticed by the patriotic clothing of my companions. But then again, there was only one other couple in sight. Turned out these blokes were Kiwi. Turns out one of them is the drummer for Op Shop. They were on their way to Dubai where the band is playing at the Kiwi Ball after the 7's this weekend. They were totally unaware that Crowded House were playing in Belfast the following evening. After experiencing such hospitality from people over recent days it was our turn to reciprocate and Rachel promptly suggested they try and get tickets. After an exchange of numbers we hit the road. Only one quick stop on the inland route home - at Ballybogey. I will leave it to your imagination the type of photos that we took here.

On Tuesday we had arranged for one of Rachel's friends and her fiance (a Northern Irish local) to take us to the heartland. We piled into the back of their tiny rental car and buckled up for the ride. We did a lap around Loch Neagh stopping at a cemetary to view one mighty old Celtic cross. Then it was off to Tommy's family farm for lunch. His parents have a newish house which is one of eight or nine in the lane. All belonging to other family members - aunts, uncles, sons, daughters etc. After lunch we borrowed gumboots and went for a walk through the moss. Lots of fun with Suzy the dog.

It was a bit of a race to get back to Belfast for dinner before the concert but we made it. Had a brilliant time at Crowded House. The kiwi blokes we met on Monday got in with free tickets and we stood with them and also Paul, one of the musicians we met at the pub on Sunday. Rachel got pretty close to Neil Finn, maybe three rows back. We settled on being about 5 metres from the stage and not jam packed in.

As you can tell we had a busy five days. But we didn't fly home til late afternoon on Wednesday so had time to visit Belfast Castle on the northern outskirts of the city. There were conferences, meetings and a wedding on so most rooms were out of bounds. With no other tourists there we had the information centre to ourselves and then enjoyed a selection of scones with cream and preserve in the basement cafe.

Here ends the detailed account of my most recent trip. The last planned for 2007. Til next time good night from Belfast.

Countdown

The last month has primarily been taken up with work. Partly to pay for the last trip and partly to pay for the next. In case you are wondering, that is in a fortnight. Off to see Crowded House in Belfast! Counting down - can't wait.

There has been one trip to London - the weekend of the World Cup final. Had a great night out with Rachel and Karen in a pub in Fulham. Annoyed plenty of Poms and made friends with the few South Africans there. Can't say I was sorry to see England lose.

The week after my return from Italy was half term break - which meant no work. I helped out at a Children's Holiday programme a couple of mornings which was fun and kept me away from the shops.

Next I ventured to Oxford for cousin Mel's flatwarming. That was lots of fun and great to catch up with a few Kiwi acquaintances. I must warn you though. If you are planning to attend a party dominated by the calibre of students that universities such as Oxford or Cambridge accept - be prepared! You will no doubt meet some people who live in a very strange world. Some who very much like the sound of their own voice, talk for the sake of talking, whether they make sense or not. I suppose "sense" is a subjective thing.

Last weekend we had Cleo's 3rd birthday. Had lots of fun the night before making jelly. There was a sea theme. So layer one of the jelly in glasses was a deep bluish colour. It took 4 brains - 3 with science degrees to come up with a plan of how to suspend wee plastic fish in the jelly. After some trial and error dried spaghetti was used to thread clothes pegs which held the fishies at the right height. Ingenious! A few hours later and layer two of jelly was ready to be added - a nice greeny blue. They went down a treat. As did the three layer sponge cake with blue icing and a starfish.

Now the countdown is on. And I don't mean to Christmas. Sophie is about 36 weeks pregnant. Baby expected in early December. Each afternoon I get home from work and don't find Sophie and Cleo here I start scouting round the house. Often the TV is left on, sometimes there are toys strewn across the floor and half eaten food on the kitchen table. Is this a sign of a hurried departure, I wonder? Well, no not so far. But maybe one day soon it will be. I'll keep you posted.

Sightseeing in Rome...

Inside the Colosseum

Outside the Colosseum

Sun's out in Rome. so are the tourists at the Colosseum!

Trevi Fountain - great place to enjoy Gelato, YUM!

Inside the Pantheon.

Pantheon Sun Spot

Deceptive on the outside - The Pantheon.

Early Sunday morning at St Peters, Vatican City, before the crowds arrive!

Had a fabulous time in Italy catching up with Ro and John (my aunt and uncle). Met them for the last few nights of the walking tour they were guiding. After my experience of school trips it was interesting to observe how a group of adults behave on a trip. Funny, not much changes as people age! There are always people who don't listen, ask too many questions, tell inappropriate jokes, get lost or stuck in the toilet.

Four nights meant barely a taste, more like a lick, of Italy. I did have time to sample authentic Italian pasta, pizza and red wine. Will have to plan another trip to see more of the country and sample more of the food. Don't think it will be too hard to persuade a friend or two to accompany me!