Home again

Hi all,
Well, we are finally home.
Had good last day in Singapore. Went over to Sentosa island on cable car. Awersome view though still hazy.
Was more humid and a bit unpleasant.
Found a better HUGE shopping mall, could have spent hours there but had to get back to hotel to pack and check out after showers.
Quick trip to airport, a hiccup checking in as booking missing but sorted finally.
Small world, met my ortho surgeon who I also know from work, with family in Qantas lounge!!!
Another squished flight in jumbo this time but luckily shorter. Slept for a while. Poor D a bit miserable with a head cold.
Ryan picked us up so we are home and I am using his iPad as our modem kaput. D will look at it later.
HAve to face unpacking and washing,
Back to reality.

Day 30. Singapore.

This is our 2nd full day in Singapore. We left UK on Tues/pm flight after Phil and Eileen kindly dropped us at Heathrow after a day of exploring Oxford.

We waited in Combined Qantas club lounge enjoying their food and drinks then on onto the plane, our first trip in A380. Big and when full, no less squished than any other flight. Aus Youth Commonwealth ten on board after success at Isle of Man so we were invaded by teenagers!!!
Slept ln and off for a few hours after meal then they served bfast which didn't seem right. Sort of watched 2 movies!!
Pleased to arrive in Singapore late evening, got to hotel by 7pm and headed down to bar for drink and snack meal.. ready for bed!!!

Slept in so went to bfast late then walked to Orchard Rd shopping district but HUGE shopping mall, TOO hard to find stores we would like to look in ;<0.

Bought hop on hop off bus ticket and headed to Marina. Very balmy. Went up to top of Marina Sands resort and had a snack up there. Amazing  36
Views!!!:-)  . Very hazy views as apparently bushfires in Indonesia.

Caught bus back to our area, after a tour of another district and walked back to hotel. Very pleased to fall into the pool. Drinks and nibblies in exec lounge then dinner in Rest with lots of Asian choices and wonderful table with garden and wzterfall views.
Neither slep well, delayed jet lag. Bfast then back out to catch bus into Chinatown, went to Tooth Relic Temple, very interesting Buddhist temple. Not overly enthused by Chinatown and shopping. Bus back to Main centre' quick lunch and then on to "wacky duck" amphibious vehicle for city tour and Harbour /river cruise, OK but had seen much of tour on bus!

Went to "Raffles Hotel" ,very expensive but felt the atmosphere, had coffee in cafe there a cab home as bus paaa had expired. Again, pool very welcome. Now in exec lounge as no wifi in room.
Late checkout tomorrow before fight home tomorrow night. Will probably go over to Sentosa tomorrow.
Goodnight.

Day 26. A day in the Cotswalds.

1st photo-Avon river, Stratford upon Avon,
2nd- Warwick Castle.

sadly  our 2nd last day in UK:<(
We headed north after bfast and first went to Warwick Castle which is a great looking castle but very commecialised and a good day out for families but very expensive just for a quick look so guys went off into town looking for good views of it whilst E& I looked at gift shop.

Next went to Stratford  upon Avon to Anne Hathaway's cottage, also very expensive and could see enough without going in to appease us!
Walked around town, saw Shakespeares birthplace and walked along river, very pretty, before lunch at "The Dirty Duck", a more substantial lunch than usual.

Back on the road to explore the villages of Stow-on Wold and Burford as well as Broadway Tower, a big folly in great condition but we didn't stay long as so windy up there. We have really been feeling the effects of ex Hurricane Katia with gale force winds but luckily no rain today.

Back to Oxford late arvo and we sorted our suitcases before walking down the road to look for dinner. Ended up at different Italian than last night and had a  nice meal. I had lobster Ravioli, yum!!
Had to believe its nearly all over and leave tomorrow. Leaving our suitcases in E&P/s room before going into town to explore.
Next 'blog will be from Singapore
Until then. Jill

Day 25. Maidstone-Oxford, Oxfordshire

Spent last night in Sandgate, at 'Ships Inn', just down hill from BD. Old pub with slightly disorganized proprietor who is in process of doing reno, or a relie is. Has renovated a couple of rooms for B&B. Our was a sea view suite which certainly lived up to its name! We were no more than 30 metres from Channel!! Had drink in old pub and a lovely dinner in new pub restaurant right on water front. I had Scallops on pea puree and Dover sole meuniere, yum!!

He cooked us best bfast we have had so far, regaled us with info on want to see and we went on our way up hill to.... Dixwell rd and there was ex BD. Now James court apts (17 of) but still very recognizable with no external changes at front except 2nd floor balcony, ?Sinkies room, sure not there before. Playing fields gone and rows of very tacky garages out the back. Now painted cream. Apts looked quite nice. A lady came out and asked if we were OK. Turned out she went to St Margarets, another school a bit before our time but remembers BD girls as rivals!! Her apt is the original kitchen, laundry rooms. Apparently school closed in early 70's and was converted soon after. We walked all around,remembering what rooms were what. I really expected it to be gone or unrecognizable!! Took a few photos but sorry this is the only I remembered to reduce so I could send it via email.

We went for a walk along the Leas, saw old church, went for a drive through town an out the other side. All decided it is a lovely seaside town and we could live there, especially in houses along the Leas!! :-)

Went on to Battle of Britain memorial at Capel de Ferme which pleased the guys and was very interesting.

Drove through Dover and on to White Cliffs, don't ever remember seeing them that close.

Then to Ramsgate and Margate but not very impressed by them.

To Canterbury, left car at park and ride and got bus into town. Went to Canterbury Cathedral and it was just amazing, so big, huge stain glass with does and such history. Couldn't go into Trinity Chapel or Quire as closed for special service.

From Canterbury went up M2 to Stood, Rochester and found Berber Rd and it was pouring by then!!! Rang door bell of number 13 and young man answered, had only owned house for 8 months and said people before them had only lived there a few years and was happy fo me take a couple of photos. I should have take them on phone or loe Res BUT it was raining and not thinking straight! : <(. Will have to show you them when we get home. Staying in Maidstone tonight before heading off to Oxford tomorrow and lunch with my cousins, Steve and Martin at restaurant outside Oxford. We only have 2 sleeps left till we fly out Tues :<(.

Back again Sunday night and sitting up in bed after Fab day:-) :-) :-)

Had good trip to Oxford, only misplaced once but found our way to Fishes pub/rest. E&P dropped us off. Steve, martin and Steph already there and Steph recognized us as i had sent a photo a few days before. It was so daunting to realize these strangers were my cousins but it wasn't long before they didn't feel like that!! We had a lovely lunch and we didn't know what to talk about next! I had taken some family photos on my Acer tab and they had some of Rob and Emmas (Martin and Stephs son) wedding 5 weeks ago. Martin and Steph had a 3 hour drive home so we reluctantly said goodbye after some photos and caught cab into Oxford. We still had so much to talk about!

Whilst we were at lunch, E and P had done our washing at Laundromat after checking into B&B AND carrying our cases up 2 flights of stairs!!!! True friends:-) :-)

Walked down road for Pizza at little but busy Italian place. D and I did manage pizza/after our lunch. Was funny, served by Aussie girls at lunch and dinner!! All in all in all, a wonderful day to add to our memories of this great holiday

Off to explore Cotswalds tomorrow.

1st photo-Jill cousins (and wife)
2nd- J in from of thatched cottage Little Hinksey, outside Oxford.
More tomorrow.

Day 24. Sat. Folkestone- Maidstone,Kent

1st photo-fitting in with the scenery at Folkestone Leas, near where J went to boarding school in '69-'71.
2nd- J in front of old school Brampton Down.

Now in Kent, my fathers birthplace and childhood home county.
Spent last night in Sandgate, at 'Ships Inn', just down hill from my old boarding school.
Old pub with slightly disorganized proprietor who is in process of doing reno, or a relie is. Has renovated a couple of rooms for B&B. Our was a sea view suite which certainly lived up to its name! We were no more than 30 metres from Channel!! Had drink in old pub and a lovely dinner in new pub restaurant right on water front. I had Scallops on pea puree and Dover sole meuniere, yum!!

He cooked us best bfast we have had so far, regaled us with info on want to see and we went on our way up hill to.... Dixwell rd and there was ex BD!!! Now James court apts (17 of) but still very recognizable with no external changes at front except 2nd floor balcony, sure not there before. Playing fields gone and rows of very tacky garages out the back. Now painted cream. Apts looked quite nice. A lady came out and asked if we were OK. Turned out she went to St Margarets, another school a bit before my sister Priscilla and I were there. She remembers BD girls as rivals!

We went for a walk along the Leas, saw old church, went for a drive through town an out the other side. All decided it is a lovely seaside town and we could live there, especially in houses along the Leas!! :-)

Went on to Battle of Britain memorial at Capel de Ferme which pleased the guys and was very interesting.

Drove through Dover and on to White Cliffs, don't ever remember seeing them that close.

Then to Ramsgate and Margate but not very impressed by them.

To Canterbury, left car at park and ride and got bus into town. Went to Canterbury Cathedral and it was just amazing, so big, huge stain glass with does and such history. Couldn't go into Trinity Chapel or Quire as closed for special service.

From Canterbury went up M2 to Strood, Rochester and found Berber Rd and it was pouring by then!!! This was the house my father grew up in,all houses in street much the same as then I would say, a bit depressing:<(.  Rang door bell of number 13 and young man answered, had only owned house for 8 months and said people before them had only lived there a few years and was happy for me take a couple of photos. I should have take them on phone or low res BUT it was raining and not thinking straight! : <(. Was weird to imagine D as child/ young man living there!! 
Staying in Maidstone tonight before heading off to Oxford tomorrow and lunch with my cousins Steve and Martin at restaurant outside Oxford.  Eileen and Phil will drop us off.
We only have 2 sleeps left till we fly out Tues :<(.

Day22. 8th. The Quies at Newquay- Stanwell House, Lymington

1st photo D in front of Sandgate Castle
2 nd- wild horse on side of road in "New Forest', Hampshire

Woke to very foggy, misty they call it here ,morning..
After bfast, guys carried cases down yet another set of stairs!

Stuck to main roads until after Exeter and drove  from Cornwall through through, Devon, Dorset and into Hampshire. Had a cuppa outside of Exeter and didn't stop again for ages as were looking for usual 'Services where there was usually a 'Costa' ', good coffee and at most a Cornish Pasty shop. Today our luck ran out and we ended up at a 'Little Chef' which we had so far avoided but we were pleasantly surprised and all happy with our lunch choices. Phil finally got to try Welsh Rare it which he says was OK but wouldn't rush to have one again.
We have nicknamed the boys Jonah (Phil)  and Jinxy (Dave)as every time they mention we are having a good run or the road looks good, we encounter traffic snarl or accident!!

Drove into Lymington, in Hampshire where Daves' fore fathers came from. His brother Peter was here a few weeks ago and found a headstone  supposedly belonging to a rel but couldn't read the inscription so we didn't bother looking.
We did however imagine rels walking on the cobbled streets and living in some of the very old cottages we walked past on our exploring.
Walked along coastal path,past marina and watched ferries to Isle of Wight . Boys WERE going to walk to point where they could see hopefully see Castle Hurst but it was further than expected! They left me sitting overlooking harbour when I wore out!! E stayed at hotel walking ot her forte.

This (very old)  boutique hotel in is in the main street. Parking in a different place and our rooms are up 2 flights of steps, some of them very old stone ones!!!
Room very eclectic art decor!

Walked down street to 'Ships Inn' pub and had nice meal and drinks. Haven't really had bad meal except I had some very dubious lamb in Edinburgh and Eileen a less than average burger  at a pub in London!:-(

Off to Folkestone tomorrow for me to do some reminicing as I went to boarding school there in 1968-70 there. Know old school closed but hopefully buildings still recognizable!!
Until tomorrow. Sorry no photos. Only took a couple in high Res, too big for blog.

Back again on Friday and now in Sandgate near Folkestone, Kent.
I couldn't post this yesterday as couldn't connect to wifi at Stan well House.

Went for a drive to Beaulieu where there is a big Abbey, gardens and motor museum but just wanted to get a look at house but traffic horrendous as multitudes arriving for 'Auto jumble', whatever that may be?!!? Actually, just looked that up and it is an international event where all sorts of motoring things are displayed, sold etc.
Didn't even get a proper look.

Back on the road and on our way through Hampshire, Sussex and into Kent.
Main roads without any of the benefits of services on M roads so didn't find the Cornish Pasty stalls we were looking for, just 'Costa OnThe Go' and very average pasties for lunch!

Found Sandgate after some very narrow 'hairy' roads. Very difficult to find a parking spot and pub looked average but turned out our rooms are rather nice, newly renovated. We have 'suite ' which has sea views and is right on ocean.

Dave and I went for a walk then got ready for dinner.
Ate down in restaurant here and had lovely meal. Others had steak which they said was superb and I had Scallops on pea puree with crispy ham then Dover sole meuniere, delicious:-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
Wadered along seafront before heading up here. Quite a balmy night with sea mists rolling in.

A day exploring Kent before a night at Maidstone. Only 4 sleeps.

Day 21. Wed 7th. Newquay, Cornwall

1st photo-view out to lighthouse,Lands end,
2nd- Fish and Chips at Rick Steins at Padstow.Yum!
3rd- very cold and windy at Lands End
4th- Rick Steins Seafood restaurant with statue of "Chalkie', his dog, now in dog heaven!

Woke to the sun trying hard to peep through heavy clouds, still windy! 
Got on the road and headed south to Lands End, truly at he end of the earth when I came to weather!!! Cold and blowing a gale. Not as many people there as  I expected but by the time we left they were pouring in. Lots of tacky exhibits extra to drag the unsuspecting tourist in!!
Went to Penzance,  parked in top of town and walked through and had a cuppa. Long way to harbour and wanted to get going. Weren't that impressed by town.

Headed back up the A30 and went into Padstow, saw park and ride but against MY better judgment, boys decided to wing in and drive through town....HUGE mistake!!!
Once committed, came across streets around harbour literally teeming with people. D Squeezed little car through a sea of people  who eventually parted, quite unconcerned for their well being and once we could escape the crowded narrow streets, headed straight for park-n-ride!!

Then faced a queue to get into Rick Steins sit down fish and chip shop, worth the wait. Would have liked to go to his Cafe but didn't find that and were all hungry by then!! Found his Seafood Restaurant but thats the one you have to book into months ahead!!

Walked through the crowds around harbour and then voted we getboutof there ASAP.So.... crowded, not pleasant. :<(

Headed back to Newquay on the very windy and hairraisingly narrow  coast road.

Pleased to be off the roads.
Walked into town for dinner, found nice modern Italian, La Luna and had nice meal and drinks.
Big drive tomorrow to Lymington, near Southampton. Dave family came from that area.