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The Motherland & Beyond
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  • Начало поездки
    18 мая 2023 г.
    Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник

    The packing

    16 мая 2023 г., Новая Зеландия ⋅ 🌙 9 °C

    Lucky for me my daughter and my brother-in-law reminded me of the extras I need to take to the Motherland. I thought I should take beads and blankets to trade with the locals (new Free trade Agreement with UK & NZ), but no, it's Whittakers chocolates and maybe L&PЧитать далее

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник

    Packing has started

    16 мая 2023 г., Новая Зеландия ⋅ 🌙 9 °C

    I'm traveling light this trip, can't fit everything in my bag as I have to take "Mr Boofle" on this trip.

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник
    2
    1

    Australia stopover

    19 мая 2023 г., Австралия ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    I've arrived in Sydney, "Ostrailya" ( that's how the locals pronounce it) and as I'm here for 6 hrs, I booked myself into a private lounge just to sleep and get away from the noise of the main airport.
    Nice lounge and great food. By the way, the AirNZ flight over left a bit to be desired, tiny seats! And cleaniess???
    Having a light lunch at Sydney after a shower and a relaxing read.
    The weather in Sydney today is a sparkler!    Читать далее

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник

    Mr Boofle joins Graeme on his trip

    19 мая 2023 г., Австралия ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Just by chance, my best mate, Mr Boofle happened to be on the same flights and airport lounge. He accompanied me in 2013 to the Motherland.

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник

    London bound in 1 hour

    19 мая 2023 г., Австралия ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Mr Boofle and I will be on this jet from Sydney to London. I hope the seats are big enough or I might have to sit on Mr Boofles knee.

    Looks like the mechanic left his tool kit behind.

    The British Airways flight is full and Economy class puts a new meaning on packed like sardines. Food is good as is the Service and cleanliness. Seats are narrow and not comfortable and I have another 13 hrs of this.Читать далее

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник
    131

    Arrived in Helsinki

    20 мая 2023 г., Англия ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    I've arrived and what a nice flight on FinnAir. If the air hostesses are an example of Finnish women ( blonde, tanned, gorgeous), I'm in for a treat! But the biggest treat of all was Serena waiting for me at the airport, what a joy it is to have such a loving daughter. Serena arrived with a NZ flag, groceries and all, for my BnB.
    Helsinki,on first impressions, reminds me of Auckland, lots of volcanic rock, big areas of housing and a large rail station downtown. Today it's very warm, probably 20+c and the bluest of skies.
    My accommodation is also an impression of NZ. Built in 1936 in the art deco fashion and looks very similiar to my nephews and his partners (Matt & Rose) place in Upper Willis St. In fact I could swear it was the same architectural design inside in particular. It has the quaintess old lift. The owner, Pekka, came and met me and Serena, a older Finn and very hospitable.
    Serena has now left me to rest while she parties and then tomorrow, it's all go.    Читать далее

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник

    Helsinki and the countryside

    21 мая 2023 г., Финляндия ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    After sleeping 14hrs straight, I woke at 6.30am to a brilliant day. I had a wonderful breakfast ( supplied by Serena) and decided to go for wander around the neighbourhood. Many of the buildings in my area of Helsinki, Toolo, are built around the 1930's in the "Art Deco" form. Mostly apartment buildings and an upmarket area. I took time to walk around the local lake taking in the views. I then called into a local Cafe to sample delicious pastries and had a coffee. Sadly Finland is not known for its coffee compared with NZ.
    Serena came by the apartment at 9.30 and we planned the day starting with a walk to the seaside and partaking in a hot chocolate each, now Finland is known for its hot chocolates, yummy! After a walk around the seaside and a local park, we went to the train station to get a train to Espoo, then on a bus to meet some real live fair dinkum reindeer. That was a highlight as the reindeer park was magic. At the park, Serena and fed the reindeer lichen and then we went into a traditional Finnish tent (like a Yurt) with an open fire and drank tea and ate a traditional pastry.
    I bought a traditional drinking mug made of wood by the native Yasami people. This is the tribal people of Scandinavia that used to herd reindeer across the top of Sweden, Norway, and Finland.
    The day was full on with a walk around the lake to going out to the countryside to feed and watch real reindeer (in training for Christmas 2023).    Читать далее

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник
    1
    11

    Finnish Buildings

    21 мая 2023 г., Финляндия ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Attached are photos of my apartment and local Toolo buildings.

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник
    1

    Churches and Buildings of Helsinki

    22 мая 2023 г., Финляндия ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    There are many churches in Helsinki and Serena also took me to the Helsinki University Library, another architectural feat of the Finns.

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник
    1

    Helsinki & suburbs

    22 мая 2023 г., Финляндия ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    My jet lag is wearing off and I managed to sleep from 9.30pm to 4am. Serena came by at 9.20am and we decided to have a traditional Finnish breakfast(photograph attached) and then head for the Underground church, which was built in approx 1964 by carving out a huge rock face. The church is magnificent and a feat of engineering. Serena and I lit a candle at the church and sat quietly in the pews. This afternoon we met up with her NZ colleagues, had lunch and headed out to the suburbs to a park.
    What am I noticing g the difference between NZ and Finland?
    Finland does not have any litter in the streets. All plastic can be cashed in and recycling is big business.
    The Finns smoke like crazy and they do smoke inside buildings.
    The public transport is run on an honesty system. There is no tag on / tag off but heaven help you if you don't have a ticket, the fine is enormous (random inspections are done).
    Public transport is exceptional.
    Almost a totally cashless society.
    Food prices in supermarkets is less than NZ. Even at a convience store (eg: 4 Square equivalent), the prices are reasonable. We are being ripped off in NZ, and we cannot blame the wages as the Finns get paid far more.
    Alcohol is very expensive.
    Fat people are few and far between.
    Everything is taxed highly. GST is 14% on food and 24% on everything else.
    NZ and Finland have almost equivalent population size.
    Crime is very low.
    Lots of graffiti, which is surprising as they are an orderly nation.
    Greetings are short and sharp, with no small talk.
    By the way, Mr Boofle wouldn't get out bed this morning, too much good food and late nights!    Читать далее

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник

    Island Hopping - Suomenlinna

    23 мая 2023 г., Финляндия ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Helsinki Harbour has many islands and today Serena and I ferried out to Suomenlinna Island. It is an island that was heavily fortified by the Swedes fighting the against the Russians and a retreat for the King of Sweden. It also came under Russian control up to 1918 and after the Finnish Civil War returned to Finnish Control. Today the Island is a UNESCO world heritage site, a residential island to a select few, a minimum security prison and a Naval base.

    After our trip to the island we headed to see another church, St John's and the Helsinki Central fire station which are both magnificent.

    Tomorrow we are off to Tampere ( Spy museum visit) & Turku ( the old capital) all by train. It's going to be a full day with and early train and late home.    Читать далее

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник
    1

    Tampere & Turku

    24 мая 2023 г., Финляндия ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Today, Serena had me up very early(6.00am) to catch my tram to the Central railway statio to catch a attain to Tampere, a city north of Helsinki in the country. I duly met Serena at the Station, and we headed for our train, a comfortable commuter train. On the way, it gave me a chance to see the countryside and housing outside of the capital. Finland is very flat and the lots ( and lots) of trees, mainly birch trees. The housing is a mix of American barn style houses and the classic Russian dacha. Quite unusual.
    Tampere is renowned for the centre of ice hockey, something the Finns are very proud of with their biggest rival, Sweden. It's just like Rugby between Australia and NZ. Tampere is also the centre for a Spy museum , which was closed, sadly, as this was the main reason for the visit. However, we also went to a Museum devoted to the national cartoon character called "Moomin." Moomin is equivalent to our Dog in Footrot flats, but Moomin is a Hippo and has existed since 1945. The Finns go crazy over Moomin, and he is a great inspiration to children.
    Tampere had an unusual centre to its city with a hydro power dam running through it and a lake the size of Taupo on its border. Serena said , " This lake completely freezes over in Winter, and she and her friends walked on it out to a small island."

    So after a pleasant visit to Tampere, it was on the next train to Turku, a coastal city with a river port. Turku (west of Helsinki) is the old capital of Finland. It is an absolutely beautiful city with a busy river port and a large castle.
    Here, we walked along the river and caught the bus to the castle. A magnificent and nearly complete castle that has survived many wars. The buildings of Turku had a strong g Russian influence while the locals speak Swedish due to their strong connection with Sweden.
    Today, the heat has been at least 25c, and this was noticeable with the number of people sunbathing in the park around the castle. Also interesting was the lack of bikinis and swimwear while sunbathing. Obviously, the local tax puts such items out of the range of the locals to afford😉 ( camera shake prevented photos).
    Turku's river port was home to some amazing old sailing ships and modern craft. I was surprised as to what had survived the Civil war and the WW2 as Turku was the centre of both wars. Also, Turku, having existed for hundreds of years, had several fires and many of the oldest wooden buildings burnt to the ground. Overall, it was a beautiful city which I could have spent longer in.
    At the end of the day, we grabbed a burger from " Hesbuger," Finland's answer to Macca's, and so superior! Then we headed for our train back to Helsinki riding 1st class, and well deserved after 15km of walking.    Читать далее

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник
    1

    BEING FINNISH

    25 мая 2023 г., Gulf of Finland ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Thursday was a rest day for this intrepid traveler, so I stayed close to Helsinki and experienced life as a Finn.
    It started with a lazy morning drinking coffee, and then I went into the city to meet Serena and her NZ colleagues for lunch. We headed to a food hall on the water front where it was a gastronomic delight. Lunch was salmon soup, a true Finnish dish. I'm still licking my lips on this one. Then Serena and I went and looked at Finnish jewelry to buy something special for her to remember her time. After this, we promenaded along the Helsinki esplanade, an area of luxury shops and restaurants ( OMG, the wealth)
    In the late afternoon, I went with Serena to the area of Helsinki where she lives, Kontula. This district is as far out of Helsinki Central as Raumati is to Welington or Browns Bay is to Auckland Central, hence another comparison to Auckland in the vast area of Helsinki. It was clearly a lower socio- economic area, but the housing and street layout was very nice, and the streets felt safe. There were more immigrants in this area. Once at Serenas apartment, I met her flatmates from Quebec and Taiwan, and we sat around eating NZ lollies. Then Serena and I took a sauna. Nearly every apartment block has its own sauna. The smell of pine and the steam and the heat, approx 70c, was amazing. This was my first experience of a sauna and a luxury it was. I felt so refreshed afterward. Also, nearly apartment blocks have their own nuclear fallout shelters, which Serena showed me the large steel door entrance. It's a very real threat here with Mr P building up on the border, something we fail to appreciate in remote NZ.
    After a dinner at a local cafe with Serenas friends, I hopped on the metro train back to my apartment in the luxury area of Toolo. Now my trip back to Toolo was the first time I felt unsafe. After the metro ride, I had to wait for a tram and around the area were more drunks and prostitutes than I would see in Courtney Pl. Alcoholism in Finland is a major issue. The Govt controls all liquor outlets and prices but fails to control when it can be sold. You can get beer and wines and spirits at a bar at 8am or 8pm.
    I got home safely and then watched a tribute on Finnish TV to dear Tina Turner, one of the world's greatest singers, so sad her loss.    Читать далее

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник

    TALLINN - ESTONIA

    26 мая 2023 г., Эстония ⋅ 🌬 11 °C

    Four intrepid NZers, along with half the population of Helsinki, boarded the local inter islander ferry ( the size of a cruise ship) and headed to Tallinn, Estonia. We were one of at least 3 ships heading to Estonia for the day, Imagine Cooks Strait having 3 "cruise ship" size ferries heading each day Wellington to Picton.
    While us Kiwis headed for the sights of Tallinn, the Finns headed for the bars, got rolling drunk, and smoked endless weed then rolled back onto the ship at the end of the day loaded down (and I mean loaded as in trolley loads) with cheap Estonian booze (and I thought the Finns had some class about them.......sigh......).

    Tallinn is a city of two parts, and we headed for the old city preserved under a UNESCO world heritage order. Tallinn is simply magical and breathtaking. I was surprised that the Russians left it so intact.
    After dis-embarking, we started our day with an early lunch in a medieval cafe having Elk soup, wild game pie, and old world beer. The service was equally medieval with " busty wenches" serving us, oh arh, oh arh! It was so well done.
    We then headed for a Russian Orthodox church, which I couldn't take photos inside, but again, Serena and I lit a candle each to our past cats & the people of Ukraine.
    We then explored a number of shops selling Amber (Tallinn is the Baltic centre for Amber) and other lovely gifts.
    Later in the day, we went to a KGB Museum, a sobering experience. The building had been a KGB prison up until the 1980s. It had many artifacts and video interviews of dissidents that had survived the atrocities. I didn't take photos there,it was too upsetting. Sadly, all of this is happening again in Crimea and back in Russia.
    The cobbled streets, quaint buildings, and magnificent churches made for a day to remember. Estonia, stand strong against the Russian aggression. You have so much to offer the world.
    Now on board our ship with 90% drunk Finns and their trolley loads of booze....oh dear........every country has them..........    Читать далее

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник
    22

    Helsinki Life

    27 мая 2023 г., Финляндия ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    Today was another day to experience Helsinki after a day in Estonia. Serena and I met up with a NZ neighbours relation, Nick, who is also a NZer married to a Finn. To top it off, we met at a Kiwi owned cafe not far from Serenas apartment. The cafe is named "Stay Kind", and guess what? They made flat whites, yummy. I presented Nick with 2kg of NZ lollies sent by his sister. I also gave him two NZ calendars of Taranaki.
    After this, Serena and I had lunch at her apartment and then headed into the city to buy her special Finnish made jewelery for her graduation. I also took the opportunity to buy a bracelet for a good friend. We then promenaded by the waterfront and had dinner at one of many food stalls. I had traditional Finnish fish and veges and Serena a hot dog. After dinner, we headed for an ethnic festival where we drank a juice made of hibiscus flowers and realised how ethnically diverse Helsinki is. Again, you wouldn't believe it, a Finn who has been in NZ, now selling local Kombucha called Ohakune! At the festival, we met up with Serenas friends from Uni, also a mini UN of nationalities.
    PS: I've included photos of Serenas area and things local for interest of the readers like roads, trams, the underground, etc.    Читать далее

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник
    1123

    Helsinki Surprise

    28 мая 2023 г., Финляндия ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Today, my last full day in Helsinki was a surprise birthday present by Serena. Although my birthday was in March, Serena wanted to celebrate it in Helsinki so she took me to the Fazer Cocolste Co, a very large company in Finland producing a range of chocolate and food products on a grand scale. The company, still privately owned is 126 yrs old. We did a tour of the factory and were given a sample of their products. Like Whittakers in NZ, they are a cut above in the chocolate and food world.

    After the tour , we headed back to Serenas' apartment for a walk through the forest . Finns are big on Frizbee Golf, a new sport in the world. We watched a game and then continued on home for dinner. I fly out to London tomorrow.    Читать далее

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник

    Goodbye( Hey hey) Finland

    29 мая 2023 г., Финляндия ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Here I am leaving on another big iron bird for another country, Security at yhis airport is something else, but we are close to Russia, and that has an influence. I have now been through 3 sets of security, which two were after initial entry checks. This airport is enormous with a marathon walk to my gate, 60 gates, and still counting.

    Have I enjoyed Finland? , oh yes, I have.
    Finland is different. It's remote like NZ a d has a unique culture. I had a tour guide who immersed herself in that culture.
    Is it expensive? Well, yes, but no different to NZ, Is it unique? Very! I only touched the surface, but I had fun.

    Now to the Motherland!    Читать далее

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник
    1
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    You know when you are in London......

    29 мая 2023 г., Англия ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    You know when you're in London when you see...........( photos)........

    Hey Arfer, you seen anything of Graeme?

    I haven't Terrance, I haven't! Thought he might have called at the Safari club for a pint of Ruddles and to off-load some expired Immigration permits he had from 1986.

    Reason asking Arfer is that Delboy said Graeme wanted to rent the Reliant Robin.

    I hope Delboy charged him a pretty quid Terrance. He never can trust those Colonials to deliver it back in one piece.    Читать далее

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник
    1

    It's been a hard days night........

    30 мая 2023 г., Англия ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    ....and I've been sightseeing like a dog...........

    My first full day in London and I had to make a stop at Abbey Road Studios. While tours of the studio were not running, I did the famous walk across that crossing and visited the gift store.

    After checking out Abbey Road, I went to the Natural History museum. Whoever would have thought that such a museum of old bones, rocks, and skeletons would hold so much interest. I had to queue for 2 hrs to get in the door, and then it was a " bun fight" to get around inside. Altogether I spent 3 hrs there and could go back for more. I saw the oldest and largest complete skeleton of a dinosaur ever discovered, and that only occurred in 2014 in Argentina. It has only recently gone on display. It's called a Titanosaur. It's massive, and you wouldn't want that running through the Redwood bush in Tawa... NZ got a mention as to some very old rocks, etc, and I saw some of the worlds biggest uncut diamonds and jewels. The museum was just amazing. I was fascinated that Britain has so many mineral deposits that they are trying to mine for electric car batteries.

    Speaking of cars, I passed by the Lamborghini sales office, and they also sold Maseratis as a side line. Very nice!

    Those excertions filled my day, I forgot about crowds in London, the time on the underground and busses and those queues!    Читать далее

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник

    He works on the Thames Barrier!

    31 мая 2023 г., Англия ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Hello John, got a new motor? Hello John, got a new motor?
    He works on the Thames Barrier. He works on the Thames Barrier.
    Is there life in Peckham? Is there life in Peckham?
    ..........with apologies to Alexi Sayle ( 1980's muso) but that song of his fascinated me in the 1980's about the Thames Barrier and I never went to see it, so I finally made the pilgrimage. Yes, I know what you're thinking (has this lad got nothing better to do?) but it was worth the visit as the Barrier is one of the great modern wonders of the world. London flooded in the 1950's causing a lot of deaths and since the barrier has been in place, it has been activated 3 times, saving serious flooding. London is very low lying, and it's hard to imagine it flooding, but it has.
    While in Nth Greenwich, I took the opportunity to go on the Thames Gondola, that too was amazing.

    The area where the Gondola is, used to be a waste land in the 1980's and now there are endless luxury apartments and an international London airport which was created by a NZer who convinced the Brits there was room for an airport closer to London. I can remember the day he flew his prop plane onto the makeshift runway to prove his point.

    I took the opportunity to do a London river cruise back(while having G&T) from Greenwich, which is a fitting way to return from that part of London.

    Today has been a day for British engineering feats as I also visited the old Battersea Power station that has been restored into a hotel, shops and apartments along with a lift in one of the old chimney stacks. The power station in its time was the largest coal powered station in Europe, powering 20% of London. The station was decommissioned in 1983, and I can remember when they were contemplating knocking it down. However, a Malaysian group bought it and spent galzillions of dollars upgrading it, and what a great job. I had heard of the lift in the chimney, and that alone was an experience not to be missed, better by far than the London Eye (and no queues).
    The shopping centre represented the top end, so purchasing anything from the shops was slightly out of my league.

    Later in the day, I just had to stroll up Oxford Street in the maddening crowd. That was hard work.

    I do love the British sense of humour and it came out in the "graffiti " photo I took.

    After dinner, I walked around Kenningston Gardens and walked down a street housing a large number of embassies.

    The end of day walk was a perfect wind down to yet another exciting day in London.    Читать далее

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник
    1
    CAPT(retired) Jarlath Norman OBE2William Webb - EllisThe field where Rugby started3Re-inactment of Webb-Ellis picking up the ball and running2Headmasters office2The Squirrel Pub2Guy Fawkes home 1605Last of the Summer wineJarlath & Jenny's homeLetterboxes decorated for the coronation1

    Scrum down - Ball out

    1 июня 2023 г., Англия ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    I'm on hallowed ground, instructions are you look at OBS ( Old Big School) where it all happened and Webb- Ellis picked up the ball and ran. Yes folks I'm in Rugby where the Brits invented the game but of course we Colonials perfected it 😉.
    Rugby is a beautiful town dominated by the school. My friends Jarlath & Jenny Norman sent their son to Rugby school, a private ( or in the UK, public) school.
    The history of the school is interesting. In the 1800's the school pupils revolted and there was an armed stand off between pupils and the local militia.
    My friend, Jarlath , his father was head caretaker at the school and Jarlath as a child can remember helping his father mow the lawns.
    My Great Uncle, Billy Wallace, was one of the first All Blacks, and he played at Rugby. These were the days when they toured for 6 months and were greeted like hero's on their return.
    During my days in Rugby, we drove around the countryside and walked a lot. We saw Guy Fawkes house, built in 1605, where he planned his attack on Parliament. So Rugby has had them all, the good and the bad.
    My friend Jarlath is a retired Army Captain, Parachute regiment and last served in Afganistan. Jarlath and I also worked together in our later jobs and I had Jenny work in my team.
    Today, Sunday, we had a classic British pub lunch. It was delicious and not badly priced. I had a "warm beer" to wash down the Sunday roast. Afterwards we strolled back to Jarlath & Jenny's.
    Tomorrow, I'm off to Tamworth to meet Dave and Bev and then travel by car to Cheltenham.    Читать далее

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник
    Mr Boofle really took to his mode of transport
    Jarlath & JennyDave, Bev, Rob, Sally Wills and a common Colonial at the Tame Otter2British pub grub at its bestCoco1

    Cheltenham via Birmingham

    5 июня 2023 г., Англия ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Jarlath and Jenny dropped myself and "Mr Boofle" off at Rugby station after a great few days of reminicing and seeing Rugby and surrounds.
    Of course, the day I left Rugby, British Rail was having a few issues, and I had planned to meet my friends Dave and Bev in Tamworth and then head to Cheltenham by car. But never fear, the Motherland is criss crossed with rail and while the direct route to Tamworth was not running(overhead wires were down), I jumped on the train to Birmingham and then down to Tamworth. Met an interesting character on the train who said his cell phone wasn't working and he needed to get hold of his Governor as he was returning to prison; "Could I phone ahead for him and tell his Gov he was going to be late?" ( as with my new aquantaince, I was just out of minutes 😉)
    I arrived in Tamworth to be met by Dave and his brother in law Rob. We headed off to Robs house where I met up with Bev, Dave's wife and Sally, Rob wife and their son , Wills. Rob, Sally, and Wills had been in NZ earlier this year, and I had a drink with them on the Wellington waterfront. Dave and Bev, whom I first met in 1983 in the Motherland, had been to NZ and stayed with me in 2020 just after my accident. It was a great reunion. After sitting in the Tamworth sunshine in Rob and Sallys backyard sipping tea (a cracker of a day), we headed to the "Tame Otter," a local pub by the canal.
    After a traditional British pub lunch, we walked the canal seeing a number of " narrow boats" and interesting sites. These narrow boats are so interesting, and as with British Rail, canals also criss-cross the country and in past had acted as trading and shipping channels for the country. They are still in existence and functioning over 300 years later.
    So after a pleasant afternoon in Tamworth, Dave, Bev, myself and Coco, the spaniel, headed to Cheltenham. Oh, how I love Britain!    Читать далее

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  • Graeme DickinsonThe Motherland & BeyondПутешественник
    Ledbury
    Ledbury Market squarePint of mild Governor!Eastnore Deer park2Dave & BevEastnore CastleWorcester Cathedral13King Graeme of the Principality of TawaThe CloistersEnglish countryside at its best1Scones anyone?

    Three Counties in a Day

    6 июня 2023 г., Англия ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Tuesday, we set off to explore Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire. This was a lovely road trip, first arriving in Ledbury, a market town, where we strolled the main street and lunched in a pub dating back to the 16th century. I'm sure the beer was 16th century, warm and flat(as a flea's fart - a local saying).
    After lunch, we headed off to walk in a large estate, Eastnore Deer Park, admiring the countryside and taking in the view of a local Eastnore castle still in private hands. The countryside is almost manicured with perfectly straight trees that haven't been ravaged by winds and fields with plenty of colour and wildlife.
    Wednesday, we made the pilgrimage to Worcester city and the cathedral. A magnificent Roman town with reminents from AD600. We toured the great cathedral and wandered the docklands as Worcester was a port, now home to some luxury vessels and long boats.
    In the afternoon, I had fourty-winks, and then Bev and Coco (the dog) took me on a walk up a country lane in Hartpury. The afternoon was finished off by scones, clotted cream, and strawberry jam, oh to be an Englishman once again.    Читать далее

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