The Journey Home

After a fantastic Thai dinner with Lisa we headed back to watch the soccer and Manchester get hammered by Barcelona. We stayed up for a while but not too late as we have to be up at 5.00am to take the car back and catch our flight.

Sunday we left the UK a little sad to be leaving but really ready to head home at the same time. The flight to Munich was only 1.5hrs and we had a spare seat between us which gave us a bit more room. We had a hour or so wait in Munich airport so duty free shopping for some new sunnies. Back on the plane for the 12 hour flight to Singapore. Again we managed to score a spare seat between us which gave us a bit more room. The service and food on the flight was excellent but still it was a long hall.

Monday we arrived in Singapore about 6.30am and it is warm and humid and felt great after the last few cold days in the UK. We managed to get into our room straight away instead of the usual 2.00pm checkin which was so good after such a long flight. I was stuffed and spent the day in the room with room service but Noel went out to get a new kite and supplies for the old one.

Tuesday after breakfast we headed out and caught the SIA bus to Orchard Road. Noel looked for books and I bought some 3/4 pants. Even though it's the Singapore Sale I just can't be bothered shopping. I must have jet lag!

After lunch we headed to the Singapore Flyer to the Fish Spa. We both did the fish treatment which is really weird. It feels like tiny shock waves on your legs and tickles on the underneath. The fish loved Noels feet and they just swarmed them. We started on the small fish tank and then moved on to the bigger fish which was even more weird. After the fish treatment Noel had massage and I had a pedicure.

We went to Glutton Bay for dinner which was hawker style food on the river front recommended to us by Jen. We had kweo teow and roti chani which was very nice. After dinner we decided it was such a nice night we would walk along the river back to the hotel which was about a 30 minute walk.

Wednesday we woke at 10 so we quickly got ready and headed to Universal Studios. We started on the Madagascar River ride which was ok, the animals looked really good. We then headed for Jurassic Park. After waiting about 45 minutes we did the river rapids ride. This was really good and lucky we got the ponchos as I would have got soaked. As it was my hair was drenched. We decided to go again and this time we did the singles Riders line and this only took 5 minutes to get on, wished we had seen this the first time.

We decided to have some lunch and then we went on the Revenge of Mummy roller coaster. This was fantastic, it is mostly in the dark so you don't know what is coming up. I must admit I was a bit scarred but in the end it was a great ride.

The rain had started and and thunder storm had moved in so our excuse we didn't do the Battle Star Galactica Roller coasters was they had to shut down because of the storm.

We headed back to the hotel to pack and shower before our 6pm checkout. We went out for dinner along the river and got back in time to be picked up at 8pm for the airport and the final leg of our journey and home to Tyrus and Hudson who we have missed so much.

The flight took off about 45 minutes late due to technical difficulties, enough to be towed back to the gate and call out the engineer but we still took off. This seemed a short flight, only 6.5hours but long enough. We both didn't sleep but we arrived in Adelaide about 8.15am to a bright and sunny day, It's good to be home.

This is the final blog entry for our French Adventure 2011.

Wales to Manchester

Yesterday we had a nice leisurely morning and we had a lovely lunch with Jean and Bob before setting off for Manchester. Jean and Bob have been wonderful hosts and we can't thank them enough for the last 4 days it has been wonderful. We hit the road after 2pm and it was a quick and easy drive. We got to Lisa's no problem and are introduced to the charismatic Ben, the Labrador.

Ben is a great dog and it is great to play with a big dog again. He seems to like us and keeps bringing us toys to throw for him. Makes me really miss the dogs, 5 days to go.

We headed to Celia's for a wonderful roast dinner and of course to finally meet my cousin. We had a wonderful evening, Jack was also there who is a great kid. Lisa took me to see where my parents used to live which is not far away.

Back to Lisa's after dinner and a bit more of a play with Ben before bed.

Today will be a lazy day, Noel and I went into Manchester to the Roman Fort after lunch at the Ox Pub. We then headed into the Arndale shopping centre which makes the one at home look tiny in comparison.

We headed back to Lisa's, stopped at Tesco's on the way to get some vacum bags and then sorted out the suitcases which are very full.

We will head to the pub tonight down the road to watch the big soccer final between Manchester and Barcelona which should be good, let's hope Manchester win or it will be a very sad town to be in.

We have to be up early tomorrow to take the car back and catch our flight to Singapore, the first leg of the journey home back to the boys.

Wales Day 4

Today I had a quick breakfast then went to the local hairdresser for a much needed haircut.  Feeling like a new woman I was ready for the day ahead.

We headed to Liverpool but not unfortunately on the ferry across the Mersey as today there is a cruise ship in so the ferry isn't running.  Instead we went under the Mersey on the underground.

We first went to the Cavern Club which opened its doors to the public in January 1957, and now stands as ‘the most famous club in the world’.   This title is due to the role played by the club in the Beatles’ rise to fame although the story does not end there. The list of past performers such as The Kinks, Queen, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Hendrix, The Who, Oasis, Travis and Arctic Monkeys to name but a few.

We then headed to the gallery's and museums as the weather was cold and windy. We went to the Tate Gallery and the Maritime Museum which are at the Albert Dock.  We stopped for lunch at the dock and enjoyed some very yummy hamburgers.

The weather seems to have gotten colder and windyer but we battle on and visit the Metropolitan Cathedral which is nick named Paddy's Spaceship.  This Cathedral does just look like a spaceship and the inside is like no other church you have ever been in. It really is a impressive building but it has had much trouble over the years with upkeep due to the design.

We stopped at the museum on the way back to the train just to get some relief from the cold wind and then headed back to Wales on the underground.

We took Jean and Bob out for dinner to thank them for a great few days to a great Indian restaurant in Wrexham called the Anise and the vindaloo was really good and hot.

Off to Manchester tomorrow to see Celia, Lisa and Jon.

Wales Day 3

Today we slept in until after 9.00am so we had a later start. First we headed to Erddig House which is part of the National Trust so we finally used Lesley and Stewart's cards and got in somewhere for free.  The estate is amazing, you start at the estate buildings with the saw mill, cart sheds, stable and tack room. You also see vintage cars, bikes and motorbikes.  You enter through the laundry and kitchen which originally where separate in case of fire.

The dining room, state bedroom and nursery are very well preserved and decorated, the house even has its own chapel.  The servants quarters are quite generous and there is an amazing record of all the staff who ever worked at the estate. The Yorke's who owned the estate had high regard for their servants. They have photos and descriptions of them all.  You get to see the butlers pantry and all the below rooms of the house.  The staff looking after the place are great, very knowlegable and friendly.

The estate also has a walled garden and is one of the most important surviving 18th century gardens in Britain. It has rare fruit trees, a canal, pond and national Ivy collection.  We also stopped here for lunch in the cafe. It is a unique family home and was voted Britain's best historic house by the UKTV history series Britain's Best.

We left Erddig House and headed for the Gwybodaeth i awristiaid area to see the Pantcysyllte Aqueduct which was built by Thomas Telford. It is 1037 foot long and 127 foot high and has been in operation since 1805. This was great and we walked across this massive aqueduct over to the other side over the Dee river.

We then headed to Llangollen where we stopped for a drink at the Corn Mill pub which is on the river and you can sit outside on the deck on the river which is very tranquil and picturesque. The mill began grinding corn in the 13th century. We went for a stroll around town then walked up to the Llangollen canal for a ice-cream.

After Llangollen we headed to the Chirk Tunnel which is 421 metres long and very dark.  This was spooky but really good if you like damp dark tunnels. On the other side is another aqueduct which when you walk over it you cross the border into England. We decided to walk back though the tunnel and this time a canal boat was going through so for half the trip it wasn't as dark but when it passed you could see nothing and needed the handrail to walk along the path.

On the way back to Jean and Bob's we stopped at on of the local Rossett pubs the Golden Grove which was built in the 13th century. It is a great pub with great atmosphere and architecture. We are actully staying in Rossett which is just on the outskirts of Wrexham.

Another great day, today we got back about 7.30pm so not as late as last night for a  yummy lasagna dinner.

Wales Day 2

Today we set off for Anglesey and the Caernarfon Castle which begun in 1283 and is one of the most striking buildings of the Middle Ages. It is just one of a group of imposing and majestic castles in North Wales. This is the largest of the in sheer scale and nobility and remains in a start of some completeness.

It was fantastic, Noel and I loved it.  You are able to explore just about every part of the castle unlike the ones in France. All the towers are accessible and you can walk along the walls and the corridors of many of the levels.  This is also the castle where Charles was investitured as the Prince of Wales.

We headed to the oldest pub in Wales The Black Boy for lunch and then headed to Anglesey Island. What a stunning place, a beautiful island with amazing coast line, moors, countryside and majestic views.  We went to Newbury beach and walked to the lighthouse on Llynandyn which was just so picture postcard. We then walked through the Red Squirrel Forrest back to the car but unfortunately we didn't see any squirrels.

Next stop Hollyhead which is another amazing lighthouse and again picture postcard.  It is 400 steps down a very step hill to get to the lighthouse but we only went half way so we could see the birds nesting. Here there is thousand of birds nest and feed.  There were thousands on the water feeding, it was an amazing sight.  We also got to see the rare Puffin |Birds nesting on the cliff side.

We drove back via Sonwdonia which is the highest mountain in Wales and stopped for dinner in Bews y  Coed. We had dinner at the Royal Oak Hotel which is in a picturesque part of the island next to a river and had fish and chips.  We had ern't them today with all the climbing of turret stairs and the big walk to the lighthouse.  We got home after 10 and it was only just getting dark.  Good nights sleep ahead.

Bath to Wrexham, Wales

Another cloudy day which is ok as we are on the road to Wales today.  After ANOTHER full English breakfast we packed up the car and started our journey. We started off on the motorway until lunch time then decided to take the scenic route.

We stopped at Stafford Castle on the way which unfortunately was closed but it was good to get out of the car and stretch the legs walking around the outside.  It is only small as far a castles go and it look like the have recently done some restoration work on it.

We hit the road again and before long we where in Wales and at Jean and Bobs. They are just as I remember them from their visit to Australia. Their home is lovely and the back yard makes ours look small. Our room is large and of course upstairs. I get a gym work out every time I carry my suitcase upstairs. Lucky I only have Big Bertha's little sister with me. (Big Bertha is my big blue suitcase I take to Asia)

We headed for Chester before dinner which as a lot of Roman history and we walked along the Medieval wall which follow the original Roman walls.  We also saw the Roman garden and amphitheatre which is the largest in Brittan. The wall took us to the River Dee and we walked along that for a while.

We stopped at a 700 year old pub called the Falcon for a beer and cider. This is a wonderful old pub, the floors slope and the old wooden beams are amazing. A note for Stewart.....apparently this is somewhere you haven't been. lol.

We headed back to Wales to Jean and Bobs for a wonderful home cooked curry dinner.

Special Entry From Noel

Having fun, saw some tanks and stuff... wish Mark was here.