Heading Home

Well all good things come to an end. Singapore went by very quickly, we had a late breakfast and then headed down to Orchard Rd for some of the usual, from there we went to Bugis St for more of the same, the recovery program included a Singapore Sling at the Raffles Hotel one drink for the price of four great value considering the surroundings. After all that we went back to our Motel for a quick shower before heading to the Airport to wander around for six hours and do some more, you guessed it shopping. This could be Jamie's last shopping trip before Xmas. any way this is more or less our last blog. It has been fun trying to keep everyone up to date and we thank our loyal followers.

Thanks to all who assisted and gave advice during our trips and to those we met in our travels for their pleasant company.

All the best.

JJJI

Hampshire to Singapore

Another catch up blog, we have been so busy sightseeing and revisiting the places from Jill's childhood, that by the time we get back to Christine's & Michael's have a couple of drinks before tea, then enjoy more of Christine's wonder full cooking, the blog seems to have fallen behind.

But here we go the story so far.

Tuesday the 22nd.

We decided not to go to far afield and first up we went for a stroll around to Jill's old house which was about a kilometre from C&M's with all the time Jill gushing about how wonderful the area was.

We arrived home from there and drove through to Petersfield Lake and took a stroll around there, then it was off to the Red Lion Hotel, a traditional thatched roof English Country Hotel where we dined on some roast beef and Yorkshire pudding and other fine meals.

We left the Red Lion and it was time for the boys revenge, as M&C took us to the B&O store which is the equivalent to Bunnings. Once inside the boys systematically went down each aisle and compared price and quality of each product. But alas we could of spent whole days in there and the girls would still have the edge in retail hours spent. From there we went to a local lookout and enjoyed an ice cream in the lovely English Sunshine as we enjoyed the view of Portsmouth and surrounding area.

After this grueling schedule it was time to go home for evening drinks and some fine food.

Wednesday the 23rd.

We got up a bit earlier as this was our last day and we still had a busy agenda.
After breakfast we set of for Chichester where we had a canal boat ride booked.
We boarded the boat at 10.30 am and enjoyed a lovely morning cruising down the canal.

The Canal was opened in 1822 and was able to take ships up to 100 tons it serviced Portsmouth Harbour and surrounding areas. The canal fell into disrepair after the advent of Steam Trains. It is currently maintained by the Chichester Canal Preservation Society who also run the canal boat rides. They do a great job maintaining a important part of England's History.

After the boat ride we stayed in in Chichester for some more retail adventures then it was of to the Chichester Cathedral for lunch. From there we went back to C&M's to tidy up our last minute packing, we watched England scrape into the next round of World Cup.

Our cab arrived at 5.00 pm to take us to Heathrow Airport.

This was a sad moment for Jill as it was time to say goodbye to her family. It was sad for the rest of us as well, because we had all enjoyed our stay with Christine Michael Sue & Barbara and it was unanimously agreed that it was the icing on the cake of a great holiday. We also thank Christine & Michael for taking us into their home and for being such wonderful hosts.

We arrived at Heathrow around 6.10 checked in for our flight which departed 10.10 pm Wednesday, once through immigration we wandered around the busy airport, trying to expend some energy before the long flight.

We arrived in Singapore at 6.20 Thursday evening it was not a bad flight as we all slept for around 5 hours. We arrived at the Furama Hotel about 7.30, checked into our upgraded executive rooms ( We also were given a 4.00 pm Checkout Bonus ) freshened up then went out for our evening meal at an Italian Restaurant on Clark Quay.

More Singapore to Follow.


JJJI

Portsmouth

Ahoy me hearties, well we had a lovely day out at the Portsmouth historic docklands. At least 6 hours is needed to cover the site which includes Nelsons Victory, the Warrior the first steel hulled warship the Mary Rose which is currently undergoing refurbishment also a boat trip around the Solent including the naval dockyards was included. The day also included some shopping in the outlet stores of Portsmouth and for the boys a trip up the Millennium Spinnaker for some splendid views of the area. Back home for dinner and good company and chat. Another great day and another late night. PS weather warm and sunny!

Hampshire

Sunday the 20th June.

Total bliss, we all had a nice sleep in to around 8 am, the first one in three weeks.
We sat around chatting and had a leisurely breakfast, no one was in a hurry to get moving as we had decided to have a quiet day and just take in a few local sights, rather than going to Portsmouth Harbour on what would be a busy day ( Fathers Day in UK ). So when we finally got moving around 11 am then ventured out to Butser Hill which is in the south downs and the highest point of land for some distance, we had wonderful views to the coast and around the district. We then went to do some grocery shopping for tea, then on to Stansted House which is a stately mansion on the border of West Sussex and Hampshire. It is staffed by volunteers that show you life as it was in the time of the gentry. What everyone found particularly interesting was that all the servants working gear was still laid out and explained by the Volunteers, so you got a real idea of life as it was. They had a copy of an old Census which showed five family members and 25 servants in attendance not a bad ratio, our kids have not even got it that good.

We then returned home for afternoon tea ( Gill was presented with a lovely birthday cake ) We sat around and had a few drinks with Sue and Barbara ( the mothers ) and then met M & C neighbour's Wendy & Stephen who were very entertaining.

It was then time for tea another lovely meal prepared by Christine & Michael we all feel very spoiled.

Catch up Blog

Sorry to fall so far behind in our blog, we were unable to get Internet in Cardiff and on the Saturday we did not reach Christine's & Michael's until 9.00 pm. The story so far.
Friday we set of to catch the Ferry to Rosslare which was about an 1 hour drive but we still had to get up early and be on the bus by 7.00 a.m. We sat on the ferry for about 4 hours and it was a very smooth ride then we were back on the bus again and we drove to a quaint little woodcarvers place who made the Welsh Love Spoons this stop was only supposed to be for 40 minutes but everyone bought a love spoon so we ended up there for at least 2 hours. So then we did not arrive in Cardiff until 5.30 then we had a tour dinner which was great. This meant everyone got to have one last meal together and exchange email addresses.

Saturday we set of from Cardiff first stop Cardiff Castle, we had an interesting tour around this castle which was originally built by the Romans in 55 AD then rebuilt in 1091 by the Normans the Castle was refashioned in the 18Th Century by the richest man in Britain the Marquess of Bute.Together with William Burgess the Architect they fashioned some of the most ornate decorations and rooms we have seen. The castle was handed over to the Cardiff council by the family in 1947. The current Marquess of Bute retired formula one racing driver Johnny Dumfries, is down to his last 60 million, poor man.

After Cardiff we headed of to the city of Bath, we took a tour through the Roman baths which was quite congested with other tourists, we then had some lunch, strolled through the city streets, then got on the bus and headed to Salisbury.

Salisbury Cathedral is a 13th Century Cathedral which houses one of the four surviving copies of the Magna Carta it is also the town were it was decided to adopt the Gregorian Calender which resulted in the population losing 11 days of the year 1752. Think of the mayhem that would of caused ( recall the Millennium Bug ).

We then took of to Stonehenge, which was also quite busy as we arrived two days out from the Summer Solstice so all the hippies and wacko's were gathering to converse with the ancient spirits. We did the obligatory lap around the monument, took the required amount of photos and re boarded the bus for the last stage of our journey to London.

It was a bit sad arriving back at the Hilton Olympia were our trip started as we had met some wonderful people on this tour as well.

But all good things come to an end, we said our last goodbye's and caught a cab to Waterloo station and caught the train to Petersfield to meet up with Christine & Michael.

Arrived at Petersfield train station were Christine & Michael where waiting to take us back to their place. Upon arrival there at 9.00 pm, we met the mothers Barbara & Sue then Christine prepared a wonderful meal, we sat up chatting till midnight then rolled into bed for a good nights sleep.

Will get the Blog up to date tomorrow as it is quite late and some sleep is required,


JJJI

The Irish Stud Farm ( Not Jamie & Ian )

Hi Everyone,

Well must tell you about our Irish night in Dublin. It was fantastic great entertainment for two hours with wonderful dancers and musicians they had everyone jumping out of their seats. Great fun by all.

Today we set of late at 8.30 that is a lay in for us. We headed down south to the Kildare to the Irish National Stud farm what a beautiful place and it is one of Ireland's most prestigious stud farms which can even boast one or two Melbourne Cup winners. The day was perfect weather to walk around the farm which had beautiful gardens and we learned a lot about horse breeding. E.g 45,000 euros for a good stud to have a go. The boys eyes lit up thinking they could pay for there trip after one night.
After that we went further south to Kilkenny for lunch and of course the girls checked out the shops again and a nice walk in the park. Then back on the bus and headed toward Waterford to get there on time for the presentation at the new development at The Waterford Crystal (which wasn't really finished because the girls toilets didn't have toilet doors on!!! much to Jill and Jenny's disgust!!)) Jill Jenny and Jamie did not stay for the tour as it was stinking of chemicals and it was hot and stuffy and the presentation was forced on to you and it was razzle dazzle which did not endear anyone. So guess what off to the shops and Jenny found a nice trinket for herself.

Tonight we just headed to a Italian Cafe for a meal with another member of our tour group and we sat chatted with a few wines because tomorrow we have to get up at 5.15 a.m. to leave at 7.00 a.m. to catch the ferry to Cardiff (Wales!!!) Jenny is not looking forward to a 4 hour ride on the ferry!!! Praying for smooth seas everyone else is giving her hell!!! Oh by the way Jill only had 3 sleeps today!!! (jenny one sleep)

Molly Malone

Dublin is a lively city we had an interesting bus tour with commentary provided by Adele.
We arrived on a good day as it was Bloom Day in Dublin, this is the day where followers of the great Irish writer James Joyce celebrate his great novel Ulysses by dressing up as characters from that novel.

The tour also took in Phoenix Park, this park covers 1760 hectares in the city centre, the Pope took Mass there and 1 million Christians attended.

We then went on to Glendalough which is 1000 year old Monastic retreat, the stones looked like they were drawn from the earth, it was a very eerie place with 600 year old tombstones, a stunningly beautiful place.

From there we returned to the city to amuse ourselves before going out for our Irish Music evening. We wandered around the city looking in book stores and music stores which proliferate the city. It is a very arty place.

Tomorrow we head to Waterford which could be interesting seeing as the Crystal factory is now closed and the hotel we were booked into has closed as well, we are booked into another Hotel, if the driver can find it we will all be well pleased.