Getting ready.

So far I have paid for my airfares and the Trafalgar tour. Lots of money. The next payment is due in May. July seems a long way away.
Have been checking out what COSMOS offer for tours in free time.En savoir plus
Upper Hutt

Getting things sorted. Only 2 weeks to go. Bit nervous, but excited. Collect my tickets and itinerary on Monday.
27 June 2016

Well, reality time. Ry and I went to the travel agency and collected the the TICKETS. It is really going to happen. Both Trafalgar and Cosmos tour papers all completed and Singapore and laterEn savoir plus
30 July 2016

Only 10 days to go. Trying to get your head around it! Tidying up a few bits and pieces and starting to put together what I need to take with me.
Lasr Week Before Take Off

Had a bit of a panic re Trafalgar tour as no gratuity paid and no pick up. Apparently they don't pick up as I am coming in one day early. Natasha has calmed me down and I am getting excited nervous.En savoir plus
Friday night

Wow, nearly on my way. Lovely friends have wished me well with lunch and little gifts. Kate sorted my packing so have been honed back, still full case. Rangimarie is all packed in hand luggage.
singapore at the hotel

After a dramatic start yesterday mostly induced by my not reading signs and understanding them) I have had a lovely nights sleep and feel reasonably refreshed. Guess at some stage in
I will need toEn savoir plus
Singapore

Some photos from yesterday
Boat Trip and Raffles

The statue is half lion half fish. Legend tells that a lion was seen on the shores and as this was originally a fishing village the too became the Merion. The very smart gentleman is at the entranceEn savoir plus
Cade special

These plants are also made from lego. I missed the spider, sorry Cade.
Night Safari

Collected from hotel at 6.15 and travelled out to the Safari Park. Very organised as things seem to be here. After a forty minute tram ride through five differing environments we got off to take aEn savoir plus
First Night London

Arrived after a 13 hour flight. Spent 20 minutes circling Heathrow. No lost luggage and straight through. Where is customs? Immigration guy was asking where I am going and said I will see more ofEn savoir plus
Kensington Park and gardens

Woke at 2.20am. Not such a good idea. Anyway, meant an early morning start. Met Marie and Neville (I think) at breakfast and found out that they are joining everyone on Saturday. Nice couple from Oz.En savoir plus
Hampton Court

What a beautiful place. Wandering through this place through gardens and made. Loved topiary Henry 8th
Oxford

This world famous city of learning was so busy with tourists and graduations. Found a lovely sandwich bar that a lovely cloister. Really a cool green oasis to sit and recollect images and sitesEn savoir plus
Heading to York

Going along motorway to get York. Director noted that it was unfortunate that the back road routes not used as we miss so much of rural England. There is a planned stop for stretch and refresh alongEn savoir plus
York

Going to Minster , markets and then let loose. Used by Romans as base for northern England. Vale of York is most fertile area in North,good water access. Romans here for 300 years, then withdrawn toEn savoir plus
off to Edinburgh.

Edinburgh today as a final destination. Stop off on the way at Hadrions wall. Northumberland after that. So onward and upward to Scotland. Hadrions wall - a bus shelter and footbridge! Wall builtEn savoir plus
Heading to Edinburgh ii

Photo of land around Hadrians Wall. We actually drive over where the wall was. This is a world Heritage site . Northumberland is largest national park in UK. Very like Scottish Highlands. Stopping atEn savoir plus
on the way to Edinburgh iii

Reason for flag. St Andrews patron saint of Scotland. Small army facing viking invaders. Last ditch battle next morning. As they knelt to pray to saint for quick death. Cloud in sky into shape ofEn savoir plus
York

This is such an ancient city. Going through the narrow streets and hearing some of the history of this early city. Went through the shambles and had lunch at a haunted pub,the Golden Hind. Photos ofEn savoir plus
Melrose Abbey

This ancient ruin was originally the site of Cisterian monks and was established in 1136. They believed in a very austere life dedicated to God. Life would have been very hard and prayer was a vitalEn savoir plus
Edinburgh Tour

Off to see the castle today. Three hour tour of city and lots of walking the day turned out very hot with a potential high of 30 degrees. The Castle is set on a volcanic plug at the highest pointEn savoir plus
Out of Edinburgh

Well, had written up info and forgot to save. Travelled out along waterfront and now raining Scottish mist! On into Fife? And crossed new bridge. Photo is of old one.
It is great to have history toldEn savoir plus
St Andrews

Been to see golf course in rain. No photo no visibility. Lovely township even in rain. Spent 30 minutes finding coffee and very tasty walnut and date scone. The houses are built of stone and are whatEn savoir plus