Food Fair

Sulgrave Manor was the site for a food fair, over two days. Dozens of marquees for boutique products were erected around the grounds. The organisers were expecting a couple of thousand visitors - they would have been disappointed in the numbers. Nevertheless, all very pleasant, in the warm British summer sunshine. (Particularly the local ale with 5.2% alcohol content!)

National Herb Centre

Not far away from Sulgrave is Banbury. Not far away from Banbury is the National Herb Centre. This slideshow is dedicated to Jennifer, Margaret and Sue, who would have stayed in this fragrant garden and nursery for hours, delighting in its treasures.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Shakespeare's home town, Stratford-on-Avon, has the Royal Shakespeare Company presenting his plays. A stunningly designed performance by the RSC, with a memorable black Bottom.

Stately home and safari park

A drive through the delightful Stow, Milton Keynes, Buckingham, and Woburn - the stately home of the Duke of Bedford. Remnants of the obscene wealth of the old aristocracy. He also has a safari park, doanchano.

London - Day 2

We foolishly started our day by walking along the tow path to the Staines rail station (instead of taking a taxi) and so we used up our day's walking energy quota. Sunday arrangements (eg track works) plagued us all day. Nevertheless we were able to see and do quite a lot in one day.

On arrival at London Waterloo Station we went on the London Eye - a huge ferris wheel that never stops. Then,as yesterday, we got aboard the roofless "Big Bus". Buckingham Palace was just about to have a changing of the guard and the hordes of tourists convinced us to stay on the bus. Off on another river cruise, this time to Greenwich, where we explored the old Naval College with buildings designed by Christopher Wren - the chapel (Greek style) and Painted Room were particularly impressive. Lunch at the market finishing with Crepe Suzette. Pity about the Cutty Sark that recently was damaged by fire.

A slog back to the station to find that trains were cancelled that day. So the alternative Docklands Light Rail (DLR) back to Bank station, a taste of the underground interchange that is throughout London, and we surfaced near the Bank of England. Another slog (we were both exhausted by this time!) to get back on the Big Bus, and we finished the day seeing the famous sights of the West End, and Marble Arch, Green Park, Hyde Park, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and the incredibly busy shopping of Oxford Street and Regent Street(remember it was Sunday, and 6pm). Here's the photos of Day 2.

London - Day 1

Despite the light rain and threatening skies, we decided to "do" London. Well, as best we could in a day. Minicab to Staines station, to watch the beautiful people going the other way to Ascot, excellent express train to london Waterloo. Big Bus to St Paul's Cathedral, then through the City to the Tower of London; a superb commentary / performance by a Beefeater teaching us all a little bit of history; out past the Traitor's Gate to catch a cruise back up the Thames to Westminster. Stand in awe on the Victoria Embankment looking at the Houses of Parliament and listening to Big Ben strike 4pm. A black cab back to London Waterloo to catch the return train to Staines with a minute to spare.

Sulgrave to Staines

Changing our itinerary plans somewhat, to fit into the medical needs of D, we caught a National Bus from Banbury to Heathrow Central (40 minutes late). Glad we didn't have to catch a flight. W's sister (Jackie) and husband (Eric) met us and we caught a local bus back to within a couple of km from their splendid house right on the Thames. We walked there by the tow path.




D thought that picking up a prescription from the local pharmacy would be a cinch, BUT this was the NHS. It eventuated that he had to go to the Accident and Emergency section of St Peter's Hospital (20 mins away) to be essentially admitted for no less than 4 hours, before they eventually agreed to the script. Long story. Don't ask me to tell you about it, otherwise I will !

Jackie and Eric provide lovely hospitality.

UK - Sulgrave Manor

We were an hour late at Heathrow, so it was great to find Wendy waiting for us. We were whisked away 90 minutes north to Sulgrave, 10 minutes from Banbury, and introduced to the Manor, the home of George Washington's ancestors. Here's a link to the Sulgrave Manor website.

Dubai

Hot (35 degrees) and dusty - Dubai is not a very pleasant place to visit at this time of the year. Nevertheless, we were able to see a little of it, from air conditioned vehicles. The development is amazing. So much wealth! Yet there are many poor workers here from neighbouring countries.


At least were were able to rest well, before the last flight leg to London (Wednesday afternoon).

Dining on the Dubai Creek cruise.

D wearing an interesting hat - the world's only 7 star hotel.
An indoor ski field in the heat of Dubai.
There's a lot of wealth in Dubai.
Eating at a Lebanese restaurant. B is about to chomp into a whole capsicum.

Will post more soon - but in the meantime:

A day in KL

We watched an electrical storm at dawn from our super lux rooms. D had a swim and B explored. We opted for an (expensive) buffet breakfast, which was delightful, with some of the best coffee we've ever tasted.

An altercation with the tour franchise operators - so we went it alone and travelled into KL Central by a super fast express train, which takes just under 30 minutes. In the oppressive heat and humidity, we waited for a mythical hop-on hop-off bus and eventually decided to taxi it to an incredible Bird Park - "the world's biggest walk in aviary". The verdant jungle all around with hornbills and parrots and flamingos, (and even emus) reminded us that we were in the tropics. We crossed the road and explored an orchid centre, hundreds of thousands of exotic blooms.

Here are samples of heaps of photos available in a slide show by clicking here.







Overcome by the heat we sat in the cool breeze watching the tourists and locals, and decided to hire a taxi for 3 hours for 100 RM. The driver showed us the main sights of KL, and she was obviouslyu proud of her city. We went to the top of the KL tower to see the spectacular views.

We returned to the hotel in the afternoon, and after a swim / shower, went into the airport "Food Garden" and experienced the delights of Malaysian cuisine. We finished with a coconut, cut to allow two straws into the coconut "milk" which is really coconut tasting water.

I am furiously posting this at 8pm, before going back to the room for a snooze with a wakeup call at 10.45pm, so that we can get the 0055 flight to Dubai, flying Emirates. Staying in a hotel at the airport certainly has its advantages!

Adelaide to KL

Thanks to Marie and Ray for dropping us off at the airport.

The flight with MAS went smoothly, although there were several children who weren't properly controlled (Grrr says D). The majority of passengers seemed to be members of the Albanian Social Club, and they spent a lot of time socialising with each other. The seats were comfortable, we were both able to grab aisle seats with a free seat beside us. I'm puzzled why we couldn't nominate our seating preferences at check in. The flight was about 7/8 full.

We both wore our special stockings to avoid DVT, and tried to walk around as much as possible. But we kept on bumping into Albanians. The entertainment systems are remarkable these days with movies, music, games etc on demand. B doesn't like "anything in my ears" including headsets over her ears, so she denied herself the inflight entertainment, preferring to read.

2015 At KL - a splendid airport some 45 minutes car ride from the city, we booked into the hotel at the airport. This was a great relief, as we didn't have to change money or catch a cab, or work out transfers. The Pan Pacific is 5 star and super lux!

Sign on an escalator Beijing Airport

Seen at Beijing Airport. Thought it appropriate for our trip. (But we are not going to Beijing airport!)

Itinerary

Saturday. 14^th June 2008 Adelaide --> Kuala Lumpur

Malaysian Airlines, Flight 138, departs 1500, arrives 2100, flight time 7h30m.

Hotel Pan Pacific, Sepang Klia (booked for 2 nights).

Sunday 15^th June 2008 Kula Lumpur. Hotel Pan Pacific Sepang Klia (booked for 2 nights).

Monday 16th June 2008 Kuala Lumpur --> Dubai

Emirates Airlines, Flight 352. departs 0055, arrives 0350, flight time 6h55m.

Hotel Le Meridien Fairway (booked 2 nights).

Tuesday 17^th June 2008 Dubai. Hotel Le Meridien Fairway (booked 2 nights).

Wednesday 18^th June 2008 Dubai --> London Heathrow

Emirates Airlines, Flight 3, departs 1415, arrives 1840, flight time 7h25m. Met at the airport by Wendy, or her sister Jackie. 2 hour car trip to Sulgrave. Arrive about 11pm.

Thursday 19^th June 2008

Friday 20^th June 2008

Saturday 21^st June 2008

Sunday 22^nd June 2008 ? Sulgrave to London, (by train) staying with Wendy’s sister (2 nights)

Monday 23^rd June 2008 ? London sightseeing

Tuesday 24^th June 2008 ? London to Sulgrave

Wednesday 25^th June 2008

Thursday 26^th June 2008 1pm Royal Shakespeare Company, Midsummer Night’s Dream

Friday 27^th June 2008

Saturday 28^th June 2008 Sulgrave Food Show (whole weekend)

Sunday 29^th June 2008 ? Sulgrave to Edinburgh (by train or bus) (2nights)

Monday 30^th June 2008 ? Edinburgh sightseeing

Tuesday 1^st July 2008 ? Edinburgh to Sulgrave

Wednesday 2^nd July 2008 Beatrice’s birthday!

Thursday 3^rd July 2008 ? Car trip to Wales (3 nights)

Friday 4^th July 2008 ? Wales

Saturday 5^th July 2008 ? Wales

Sunday 6^th July 2008 ? Wales to Sulgrave

Monday 7^th July 2008

Tuesday 8^th July 2008 London (Heathrow) --> Singapore, British Airways, Flight 011, departs 2125 (terminal 4) flight time 12h 50m

Wednesday 9^th July 2008 Arrives Singapore 1715. Albert Court-A Far East Hotel (2 nights)

Thursday 10^th July 2008– Singapore. Albert Court-A Far East Hotel (2 nights)

Friday 11^th July 2008 Singapore -->Perth

Qantas, Flight 72, depart 0905, arrive 1410, flight time 5h5m

Saturday 12^th July 2008 – Perth

Sunday 13^th July 2008 Perth --> Adelaide

Qantas Flight 590, depart 0620, arrive 1035, flight time 2 hours.

Sorry! This last flight was actually finalised as leaving 2pm arriving 5pm. Apologies to Marie and Ray who wanted to surprise us by meeting us at the airport ....