Monday in England 1

Well here we are. Of course we've been here a few days now, but this is the first time I've really had time to Blog.
First the flight. As you can guess it was long. Flying Emirates meant that we had an extra stop in Melbourne. the 2 hours or so wasn't too bad but of course it added to the trip. actually we thought that the Airbus was going to be the bees knees but it turned out to be pretty ordinary really. Slightly slower than the 747, 800 max as opposed to 900kph and with strangely rocking seats that would have been really good with footrests. The food was good though. th much vaulted entertainment system with thousands of options would have been really useful for the Melbourne leg, but unfortunately they provided the wrong headsets, So dad had no entertainment (but fortunately brought a book to read) While P had a headset that really worked. Having been to so many airports that were huge and clean and uncluttered we were rather taken aback by being bussed to the terminal and the huge numbers of people trying to sleep on the floor at Dubai. It was straight back to the Bahrein of 1989. Surprising really with a HUGE tarmac area for runways. Good old Heathrow Terminal 3 offered yet another surprise. Having been in a "stack" over Southend for 20 mins we descended in a queue of planes and landed in a big crosswind. We then looked forward to the hours of waiting but no sooner had we found the Duty free, in a twinkling we were in the crowds being welcomed warmly by Nic and Katie! Then it was a lovely relaxing ride to Lee and tea on the lawn in splendid summer sunshine with everyone and Jemma. Charloote wasnt sure about Grandpop but is getting used to it. Then bro David and Jane appeared for tea. We had a great time of course but I certainly started to fade at 8pm I think. Well since that lovely Saturday the weather has been like the wewt winter we left in Auckland and my summer wardrobe seems very thin just now. Not that the weather (there's a flash of lightning and thunder right now) as it's been huge family contact. Teatime now. I shall be back

The day before lift-off!

Isn't it exciting. Weve been scurrying around doing all the last bits and pieces before we go. At last I managed to get everything in my bag. Hey its less than 20 kg but its hard to close! And we havent started buying the odd little thing yet.





Anyway after our outing on tuesday and here's the pic:
And today had the usual game of squash to make sure I dont sieze up in the plane. penny didnt go cos she had the KNEE appointment. Sounds like someone (hopefully the insurance) will have to spend money on it after the hols. The good bit is that it isn't too bad. pen will reveal all in due course.
Anyway We'll look forward to seeing you ALL soon.

Up to now plus an evening

Well what do you know. We went to the Oxfam Awards night just to meet up with other ex team members and look what our team won. 3rd Men's! Good going even if I did go over the top in trying to get half our team speed up. Even got a cert to prove it Viz:

Anway after that some of us went to an excellent Thai restaurant off Greenlane to celebrate which turned out great. Now we're home to find that although the Fishtank didn't sell at all, our old bed went for $126 ! However we have to actually get the money and get it off the premises before Fri am!!

Up to now

OK OK OK! I know we haven't been keeping this thing up to date. Just so much to do now I've retired! I shall have to rush off and have a cup of tea in a minute! Anyway you remember we went off to Matarangi a couple of wekends ago. had a lovely time of course but we both chickened out of swimming. Friday was probably our only chance but there was no sun. then tiny waves got up as well on the following days so we missed out. we went down on Thursday night this time cos I had to do a bit of work (Ha Ha) for Unitec on Monday. So anyway we swanned about and admired the beach and everything while we were again the only people on the 3 km beach. Actually we must have been the only no permanent residents there too. We abandoned any big walks and things just our usual beach walks. I suppose the most remarkable thing for Penny was that I've now resorted to seeing just how many km I can get out of a tank of petrol. Up to 14.2 km per litre but am seeking 600km (582 so far) out of the 42 litre tank. Penny thinks it's strange and goes to sleep there and back strangely it doesn't seem to add much more than 10 mins to the 2`1/2 hr trip.

Penny however is in the same position as me in carrying sports injuries. While mine is a simple calf/acilles strain from playing squash I know it's funny but the latest thing is playing sort of squash, ie continuous rallies with Penny's Oxfam support team! I stay on the court for an hour while the two ladies circulate 10 mins at a time. I work up a sweat anyway. Penny however survived both Oxfam trails And then completely blew everything dancing on our carpet and twisting her knee! That was on Shane's wedding day, so it's been hanging on some time. Now we're often seen at the Ascot hospital talking X Rays and MRI. I guess she will be getting her instructions (outcome of the tests the day before we go.) Whatever, neither of us are going to be running anywhere on our UK holiday WHICH STARTS FRIDAY. We have been keeping our excitement down to a manageable pitch but now, 3 days before Penny has PACKED. Let me remind you, that doesn't happen until H-3 hours, previously. House wise everything seems to be going well. Like some expedition, penny has been steadily cooking meals, see: and deep freezing them for young Tom the school boarder. Shane the ex permanent boarder has been replaced by young Tabatha, who moved in on Saturday. No not our cat Tabitha, but a young teacher, Here we are at teatime:She will be able to utilise the house and make sure Earl and Tabitha survive the holiday. I think she will enjoy our absence and be able to spread out and relax as a good part of our holiday is the School hols too. She even brings her own bed so its goodbye to the old Tattersfield which goes on the outcome of Trade-me auction this afternoon.

Anyway I still have to mow the lawn before we go but at least the Spa is working again after all this time. I actually found a couple of holes in the side caused by flexing when people get in. now Ive glued them I can never get Penny out, perhaps she gets stuck to the glue? anyway the heat treatment works wonders for the knee.

What else can I tell you all before I need to make tea and go to the shops? Hmmmm cant think of anything at the moment. Perhaps I'll add an attachment if my brain kicks into action.

Paula's Birthday transformation

Well it's a bit late to celebrate, but obviously Paula has had an amazing transformation on her Birthday according to her current blog. All the time I thought she looked a bit like this:-

Obviously my memory fades a bit! on the other hand it could be all the strange creatures around having an effect on her. Paula certainly has a way with Blogs that make us crumblies laugh with glee at the exploits of the Australian family Collecutt (and others) which make our days seem quite humdrum in comparison. Only a month to go though before our excitement commences and we again join the international Jetset, zooming around the globe in a new Airbus. (Do they have drivers and conductors I wonder? do we have to ring the bell when we want to get off at heathrow?) Can't wait to find out. So long as it's made by Aerospatiale and not British Leyland we should have a great trip!

29a

And here is the photo 26 years and one month after.

Just a little bit different eh. Taken by someone who wasn't around in '79.

Anniversary 29

We had a great weekend. Mind you our weekends start Friday so we can spread it out a bit. We forgot to take a photo of our celebration with just the two of us at Botany South Thai restaurant, but hey take our word for it we had a good time. After lunching out and having tea at various places over the weekend we also even got in some swimming at Newmarket, a bit of a change with 50 m and swept up changerooms compared with our local freebie. Anyway Roger was there and able to pass on speed hints. Who knows we may even have a new boarder. Waiting for confirmation as I write.

I just HAD to find some old photos to wind up the youth in the family, (Old gits indeed!) and there they are-

The lovely couple. Saturday morning at 11. Actually the registry office was right next door to the church, so we used the great door. When we went back to Whitehaven (before we went to Nic's wedding) we took an updated photo which I will find.

Then the cast of thousands!

Best man Steve looking very smart on my left. Then later all 8 of us had a great time dining at the very suave Roseneath hotel out in the sticks. here we are cutting the cake that you got bits of. I'm sorry and it was a shame, but there was no way we could have accommodated you kids for the wedding such as it was.

Then after that, off to the only nightclub in Egremont where my flatmate Big Phil (obvious at the back) was a part owner and DJ. After that, a lot of revelling back in our place at Beckermet and very early in the morning we left for our honeymoon in Wales. Probably dressed like this:-

As soon as we returned we got down to domestic things in our first house "ModQ". Hands up those who can remember why everyone called it that.

Having tea in the road outside. you can just see the shiny dome of the Advanced Gas Reactor through the trees. Remember how you nic and Paula used to wait outside the Windscale main gate for me to come out after work? we used to get real milk then from the farm next door.

Well it really does seem 29 years ago now although some of the things we will remember for ever. thank you Nicola and Paula and Jemma for making the years such a wonderful time for us.