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The Motherland & Beyond

May - June 2023
I off to see Serena in Finland and then off to the Motherland. Read more
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  • TravelerThe Motherland & Beyond
    Day 41

    Great Britz (& the Pretenders)

    June 27, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    My final hours have come around, and I'm reflecting on my trip to Finland and the UK. What made my trip was my friends. These are the true Brits who have welcomed me into their homes and make the great in Great Britian.
    Catching up with Jarlath and Jenny, these two I worked with, and they have served their King and country in the most difficult ( and sometimes dangerous) way. I was proud to have worked alongside them. Thank you for all those great times and sharing of stories. I salute you both CAPT Norman OBE & Mrs Norman.
    Dave & Bev Zeal, who both served as teachers and school principals, producing our future leaders (thank God they never had Boris in their classes, or on reflection, perhaps they should have) and business people. I met Dave and Bev in the 1980s, sharing many a BBQ and a pint or three at Shere( the Queen!). Mr & Mrs Zeal, you have done Britian proud.
    Alan Mason & Shirley Swan, engaged for 39 yrs ( can't rush a special moment) who have devoted themselves to sailing and yachting and are now bringing on a new crop of sailors, one of them 87 yrs old. You deserve " special mention" in despatches for your yachting skills and knot tying lessons you gave me ( along with trying to line me up with Sophie.......sigh.....). I met Alan & Shirley in 1986 in Greece, and the friendship has been continuous and close.
    Gavin and Glenys, who are the great Pretenders in Gomshall, but their presence is real( no one checked their immigration papers!). These two take on every new situation with gusto, and their presence in the Motherland helps make Britian all that much greater. Gavin & Glenys, my NZ pals have very much included me in their family, and I'm so grateful for this.
    Then there is my gorgeous daughter, Serena, who is no pretender, but a true beauty who has made friends in so many countries and the very reason I came North. Serena made Finland her home for 6 mths and has also been to the Motherland on 2 occasions so Serena can call herself a Brit for the moment. I love you, Serena, and thank you for making this trip possible.
    I shall miss all my friends in the Britian but we will meet again, sometime soon...........( now has anyone seen my passport, can you check under the beds............🙃.)    Read more

  • TravelerThe Motherland & Beyond
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    Day 40

    LONDON CALLING - DO YOU RECIEVE?

    June 26, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    I just couldn't resist another day in London, so the Knights and I got up early and headed in by train to London for a day of being tourists.
    It was a day to wander around so Lucy & Issac could get a feel for London and for us all to attend the theater that evening to see "Austentious."
    Arriving in to Waterloo, we headed for the Thames and walked to Westminister Bridge and took in the view of the House of Commons, Big Ben (very accurate clock😉)and then onto Westminister Abbey(the queues!). We then wandered our way up to Buckingham Palace(shame they built so close to the road😆) to be in time for "the Changing of the Guard" which was spectacular with the Royal Hussars on horseback. Onwards to St James Park(my favourite park) and then to the Horseguards parade where we were privileged to see the Royal Hussars again. We then headed to "The Mall" ( the Mall had no shops😒) and visited the memorial to Sir Keith Park. Then we headed for Knightsbridge but on the way got waylaid at Fortnum & Masons and I had to show the Knights my old haunts( Rowleys, Three Crowns, The Shirt Shop) in Jermyn St, most posh ' chaps.
    On our way to Knightsbridge, we stumbled across a delightful free house (as pubs are called) and had a spot of lunch, awfully nice(as one says in London). Couldn't resist going to Berkerley Square to view a few car show rooms.
    Then, a quick jaunt across Hyde Park and in Harrods! OMG! only fools and horses would part with their money in Harrods! The price of everything was ridiculous. Who pays $1,000 for a pair of running shoes? and $180 for one pair of socks? Still, it was worth a look, especially the food hall where white Asparagus was a mere $20 a head, Gordon Bennet!( as Delboy would say).
    At this point, we all went our separate ways until we met up for the theatre in the early evening, just off Leicester Square.
    We saw Austentious, which was a comedy about Jane Austen. The actors did the whole play impromptu, and it was so clever. A good way to end our London day out.
    On collecting the car, we spotted a fox in the carpark and another crossing the road. Sadly, foxes are ostricused here as they are seen as pests. However, they are beautiful looking animals, and I have now seen one in the flesh.
    Tomorrow, I head to Heathrow to fly to the Colonies and back to reality. There is a saying, " One who grows tired of London grows tired of life." However, I would say; "one who grows tired of the Motherland, grows tired of life." In my mind, Britian is still great, and England will always be "the Motherland." Long may we have a connection to Great Britian!    Read more

  • TravelerThe Motherland & Beyond
    Day 39

    VILLAGE WALKS

    June 25, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Today, Sunday, I decided to walk to the next village from Gomshall, called Abinger Hammer, all of 1.2km away. I had tea and cake at the Abinger Tearooms and read the Sunday Telegraph. Coincidently, I had tea at the same tearooms in 1985. Jolly, nice it was. Abinger Hammer is known for a quaint clock tower.
    Today has been "rather close," as they say in Britian, with the temperature reaching 29c. This must be global warming, I hear you say. Nope, it ain't! These temperatures in an English summer were occurring in the 1980s when I lived here. History also shows Britian experienced very high temperatures in Roman times.
    Walking in the Surrey Hills and between villages is so enjoyable and easy. These villages were created in a time of limited transport, so close proximity of villages and dwellings were important for contact and trading.    Read more

  • TravelerThe Motherland & Beyond
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    Day 38

    The Gomshall Whisky Assoc meeting

    June 24, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    A trip to see Gavin and Glenys would not be complete without a Whisky tasting session. As you may know, Gavin and I have started a Whisky still in NZ, and we bought some of our brew to England to partake in a " blind tasting." G& G invited their neighbour over, who is quite famous in the UK( more later) along with their British friends from Woking.. We had nibbles, etc, and then got down to the serious business of Whisky. Matt said a special Gallic ode for the proceedings and then judging began. To Gavin and I surprise, one of our brews won the competition .
    Their neighbour, Adam, is a local, and he is a landscape architect and does work for the Royal family. He regaled stories of his interactions with the family and the work he had done.
    Over the last few days, we have visited Abinger Hatch, Dorking, Peaslake, Godalming, and my ⁹favourite village, Shere. We walked the Pilgrims Way to Shere. The Pilfrims Way to a path stretching from Canterbury cathedral to Gloucester. The weather has been a real treat.    Read more

  • TravelerThe Motherland & Beyond
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    Day 36

    OH LORD, WONT YOU BUY ME A MERCEDES BENZ

    June 22, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Today just had to be another car day, didn't it, and this Colonial boy went to Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands, Weybridge in Surrey. Being me, I couldn't resist a chance to go out on a race track and find out how good a Mercedes-Benz is.
    Driving a Mercedes-Benz AMG V8 at break-neck speed is phenomenal. I had an instructor with me, and not only did he get me to put the car through its paces, he put me through my paces as well. Learning to control a car at speed is amazing, and then experiencing aqua planing and simulated black ice and controlling it was difficult.
    Mercedes World is also a museum and research centre . I saw a Mercedes-Benz that were one off or out of reach of most NZers.
    After Mercedes World, I took Gavin & Glenys around Weybridge, where I lived in the 1980s for 4 years. Weybridge has changed little, still has a beautiful cricket green and choice shops. After our short tour, we went to Pyrford Lock for lunch at the Badger pub.
    We finished up the day at Dorking looking at antique & curio shops before arriving back in Gomshall for a well-earned G&T on the terrace. Another brilliant hot day in the land of hope & glory.    Read more

  • TravelerThe Motherland & Beyond
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    Day 34

    Gomshall Gomshall - all aboard!

    June 20, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Sadly, I had to leave Mersea Island and say goodbye to my friends, Alan & Shirley. We will meet again someday somewhere, don't know when..........look after yourselves.
    I had a very smooth trip into Waterloo, and there saw sights I hadn't seen since my days in the 80s. Top hats and tails are still the standard of dress for the races, and aplenty there were in Waterloo along with women's hats of all shapes and sizes. Tally ho ol' chaps!
    I got lunch at Waterloo and chatted briefly to a lady who thought NZ was paradise. Now I'm on board the train to Gomshall via Guilford.
    Arrived at Gomshall to be greeted by Gavin and Glenys. It was super to see them. The cottage is just beautiful, built around 200 yrs ago, and British to the core.
    Tonight, we dined at the new refurbished "Gomshall Mill" and had a great meal and classy French wine.
    Home now to relax for the evening..

    Wednesday in Gomshall and Gavin had me assembling garden furniture and helping out in the garden. We took some time out to lunch at Abinger Hatch pub, where to my delight, I had trout for lunch. We also took the opportunity to visit the local farm shop where I bought some unusual tomatoes and some delightful pickle.
    In the afternoon, Gavin went out to get more garden furniture, and I went for a short stroll in Gomshall. To my amazement , I came across an elderly couple who owned a 1932 3 wheeler Morgan V2. Being me, I got talking to them. They told me they had done 300,000 miles in their three wheeler, having driven it through Russia, Europe, and the UK. What a delight to see an absolute classic. They also owned a 1929 Morgan Racer that they raced at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
    On my return from my walk, Glenys was looking after a friend's 3-year-old daughter, and we were watching trout in the stream at the back of the cottage. I managed to net a native lobster, which also habitat the stream.    Read more

  • TravelerThe Motherland & Beyond
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    Day 30

    Locked in at Heybridge

    June 16, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    So what does one do at sea in the Motherland? Yachting, of course ol'boy!
    Friday night was race night and race we did. While the Admirals Cup Regatta was canceled( lack of crew and entries), Alan & Shirley still race every Friday. I was still cabin boy and learning, so 2 extra crew came on board. I wasn't much use the whole race as I was feeling like "feeding the fish" (so to speak)but managed to hold it together.
    We came 8th in our handicap and after the race, it was down to the club for a bit of nosh and a warm beer.
    The next day, it was up early and on the yacht at 9 am, ready for the flotilla (14 yachts) to invade Heybridge basin for a weekend of food and singing and drink and ........
    The day started off a little cool, but I soon warmed up on reaching Heybridge after seeing a single lady with her own craft. Alan said she was from the "Romford Navy" 😉.
    On our way to Heybridge, we passed Radio Caroline, the 1960s pirate radio ship, to which a great film was made starring Bill Nighy.
    Sailing in these waters requires great skill as there are some shallows, and you need to know the channels so you don't get the keel stuck. These are signaled by "witheys" that are sticks in the water, signaling the shallows.
    Nearby Heybridge, it was regatta weekend for this local yacht club, and we saw spectacular vessels in full sail. Yachting is a very exhilarating sport. Heybridge basin has a lock in which to enter so we could moor on the canal banks by "rafting up." We entered the lock from the sea enmass, about 6 yachts at a time. The Lock Master ( a profession in the UK) then closes the lock, and the water fills from the canal or, depending on the tide, drains to raise or lower the vessels. Again, massive skill required along with a number of fenders, after all, can't allow the Gin to be shaken ol' chap.
    Once through the lock we moored up by rafting and then Shirley gave me a lecture on etiquette on how to get ashore by crossing other yachts(never cross at the rear, might see a Romford gal rearranging her sails).
    So the fun began with a night of BBQs, singing by Alan Mason of the Three Flats and Sharp group, world famous in Europe, and food for this Navy. Alan is an accomplished musician of 60 years, and he sure demonstrated this on Saturday night.
    The evening came to an end, and we crawled on board our yachts to be gently rocked to sleep.
    The next day, after a hearty breakfast, we prepared to leave. Again, the skill required as we filled with water, packed away goods, unleashed our rafting, and entered
    the lock according to tides. I soon learned to fend off, rope up, and other naval terms that left me confused and bewildered at times. At least I wasn't "keeled hauled" by the Captains wife for failing to clean the deck, oh arrrgh!
    We arrived shore side at Mersea around 3pm, and it was off to the club for one last drink.
    Yachting is a very cooperative exercise. Everyone looks out for each other and supports those who need that little extra (tot of rum). It really is a great show of humanity.
    I went from Cabin Boy to First Mate after learning my Port & Starboard, fending off, Knott tying, trimming, grinding, and endless jokes about Essex girls.
    This part of my trip will stay in my mind forever😉.    Read more

  • TravelerThe Motherland & Beyond
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    Day 30

    Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

    June 16, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    I have now been on Mersea Island for about 4 days, and it is a stunning place with approx 7,000 residents and about 3 pubs, a small shopping area, and loads of yachts. It is an island of wealth, and the cars and yachts reflect that. It is also an island that connected the mainland by a tidial causeway, which has been greatly improved since I was last here in 2013.
    You can cycle around the island, to which I did on an electric bike, very nice it was (just dont drink the local beer and then cycle......).
    My friends Allan and Shirley live for their yachting, and it was all hands on deck when I arrived as Allan teaches new yachties in handling dinghies up to 4m in length. Allan took me out on the support boat to assist in spotting. One lady who is learning is 87 yrs old, an example to all of us, and you're never too late to learn. After 2 hrs on the sea, I was exhausted.
    The next day, we had to go out to "Dura," their main yacht, and prepare for the Friday racing and our planned weekend excursion up to Heybridge basin and lock, close Maldon We were to take part in 3 days of racing for the Admirals Cup. However, A & S could not get enough crew, so it's a Friday night effort in a weekly competition.
    Preparing a yacht is a huge task, l didn't realise the work that goes into this. I had often helped my friend Mike G on his 16-foot fishing launch, and that was hard work, but yachts are on a different scale. We will be short crewed for the Heybridge trip, but this "cabin boy" will have to learn quickly and multi task😉.
    There are two yacht clubs on the island, and A & S belong to "Dabchicks."
    Mersea has some interesting homes and scenes, sunsets like I would expect in the tropics, and beautiful sandy beaches. The heat is something else as well, phew!
    However, it is still British in every sense with beach huts, shops selling buckets and spades, warm beer at the pub, and a lovely local butcher. There is also a thriving oyster and mussel farming business and local fish mongers, British in every sense. Of course, there is endless industry dealing with yachts, launches, and small boats.
    So, today I'm off at 5pm to go out to Dura on the rigid hull inflatable and do at least 2 hours racing finishing up at the yacht club for a bit of nosh and a warm beer, oh arrh!    Read more

  • TravelerThe Motherland & Beyond
    3
    Day 26

    Off to the seaside

    June 12, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Today, Mr. Boofle and I left Hartpury to head for Mersea Island. Last night, we ( Zeals & Graeme)had a beautiful meal at an italian restaurant ( run by a geniune Italian family) on the Gloscester docklands.
    It was sad to leave Hartpury and my good friends, Dave and Bev, and their dog, Coco. Dave and Bev have been my friends since 1983, and since my return to the Colonies, we have met up four times with Dave and Bev coming to NZ and I thrice to England since 1986. I was treated to an exceptional stay at Dave and Bevs, meeting their friends and touring the local area. Gloucestershire is a beautiful part of the Motherland. The history alone left me breathless.
    Now I'm heading on British Rail to Colchester, where I will meet Allan and Shirley, more long-term friends from the 1980s. They will then take me to Mersea Is, a British island connected to the Motherland by a tidial causeway.
    Traveling by rail is a real treat. Britian is fortunate to be well catered by public transport that is convenient and reasonably fast. I'm glad I haven't hired a car as I can sit back and relax.    Read more

  • TravelerThe Motherland & Beyond
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    Day 23

    Down the country lane.......

    June 9, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    What is more exciting than going to the Morgan factory? Driving a Morgan down a country lane also walking a country lane with my new BFF, Coco.
    Bev took me to their local church and to see the Tithe barn opposite the church. Located in the church grounds was a very ancient bee hive or Bee house to house hives.
    M.y good friends arranged for me to meet their good friends, Martin & Vanessa of Rosetree Cottage, and head out in their 1998 Morgan, I was in heaven.
    The next day, we headed for the Forest of Dean, where we .trekked through a Royal forest that Henry VIII once hunted in, and probably King Charles hunted for Camilla in, or was that lusted after............
    Saturday evening, we all headed for Tewskesbury to hear Dave's Choir, Cotswold Male Voice choir, world famous! Before the concert, we toured Tewkesbury having an ale in a 14th century pub still serving beers in barrels.
    Today, even more cars. Dave took me to Highnam Court, a stately home owned by a friend. There were classic cars on show that would be exstinct or never seen in NZ.
    These experiences really make England such a great place to visit. Within a 10 mile radius of my friends house and village, there is more history and experiences than we can ever imagine in NZ.    Read more

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