Down Southern England, UK - September 2010

Carrying on the trip around Britain, from the place we started in so many years ago to down south and our more recent life (Linda actually managed to visit literally every single place she has every lived in!!).

First off we stop for lunch at Kate and Paul's new country estate where we have a 'light banquet' (and the best crumble ever goes to Ben!). We leave just after the fish impressions begin.

Popped in for afternoon tea at Steve and Diane's but fail to get photo, sorry, forgot. Moving on we get to our last residence of Bentworth (see our old local the Star Pub) where we meet up with Fizzy and Keebo (the dogs), Matt, Sarah and Josh (not in photo had gone to bed) plus Mark and Jo. Photo is a bit fuzzy but so were we all - great evening, another banquet!

We then meet up with Kevin, Janet and Charlie plus Karin, Ian, Lauren and Brooke ....... for Sunday lunch and catch up - so good to see old friends again. They all have a roast, we, being full from our Saturday 'Vicar of Dibley Christmas' lunches yesterday don't.

Next we visit Fi and Geoff for the evening for a very good night and lots of news including a star appearance on the dog and bone by Jan. Leaving there we 'accidentally' pop into Bicester Village, an out of town posh shopping outlet, where Linda spends a significant amount of money (instead of steve for a change).

Next off to Hereford where we got married oh so long ago at Eastnor Castle. We spent a lovely evening at Hope Manor where Sir Chris, Dame Mandy, the boys and Bailey kept us entertained, if only we had been able to stay longer..

Quick pitstop to see the Federico family and in true Italian style the hospitality was as fabulous as always as was the food...all to soon though we had to move on and coss we needed more socialising, we headed off towards Londinium.

Lovely evening spent with our good friend and fellow diver, Rob, and Kate. Caught up on the old stories of past holidays in Indonesia and current news - all washed down with some good british beer and food.

Last day, we met up with Christina (Steve Pritchard, where were you?). Christina took us to the poshest place in Londinium. Steve, having jeans and kiwi t'shirt on felt right at home....not. Far too shorter a time was spent catching up with Chris before we had to leave again.

Finally, tube to Leicester Square where we met Viki for a final drink or two of the old bubbly (we like to finish the holiday as we started it!) before we head to Heathrow.

The last pictures are of old Wellington, after 3 flights back around the globe. You can see on the first Mount Kaukau TV mast on the top of the hill in the middle of the shot which is near our house. The last shot is a good panoramic of our wonderful windy Wellington, where we were actually very pleased to be back in (as steve calls it) Never Neverland!

North West England, UK - September 2010

After Tor we headed down to the North West, home of all football! Steve snapped some Formby photos of his teenage stamping ground. So a few pictures of pubs then... and spent a happy few days with his parents (updating their bathroom for them - he just can't stop with the DIY!). Took a brief rest to meet Phil and Trish. Linda did some serious shoe shopping with Kathleen, far more satisfying!

We also whizzed off to Chester to meet up with some very old friends Sue and Chris who live in Jersey but came up north to see us - great evening - we miss our Jersey visits!

After that we split up for a few days, Linda headed off to Stafford where she spent her troublesome teenage years and met up with old partner in crime Helen. Lovely day spent with handsome dog 'Mr Hector Percival' and oh so cute hubby Brian (have I got that the right way round???). Anyway to stop any confusion it's Hector in the photo!!!

Some quality time also spent by Linda with her da, in deep pusuit of the answer to Liverpools performance problems and dads obsession with 'ding dong' food! Time was all too short and we had to start our journey homeward far too soon.....

Off to Edinburgh Shopping, UK - September 2010

After 2 years in New Zealand it was time for a trip back to the mothership (or as we now call it 'the real world'). This first requires a hop and pint in Auckland Airport, then an overnight to Shanghai, then (via Londinium) 2 further flights later we arrive in Edinburgh Scotland.

We are in Edinburgh for the great scenery, fabulous shopping and of course our special friend Tor. Steve's priority is of course a real pub with real 'proper' beer and, well, frankly to then 'shop' for 2 days which he does in superb fashion and soon fills both his suitcase and stomach up.

Great couple of days getting over the jetlag, relaxing with good food and drink and catching up on all the goss.

Another Day In The Life Of - September 2010

It has been winter here in New Zealand and we have been getting on with refurbishing our house and staying out of the rain. It has been wet. Very wet. However, in the last week or two the sun has started to reappear and in true Wellington tradition goes from pants to fantastic. We've also had the house changes signed off (although DIY side unfinished) by the council. Bugger DIY then. So we thought another round of 'in the life of' may entertain.

Up early Saturday morning as we have shopping to do. House is looking bright and shinny in the sun. You can see the new post box I made this week. The old one decided that it had had enough rain and fell to pieces. This new one is hard wood (left over floor boards) so should last!. Off down the hill in the car, the CBD starts just off in the distance to the left. parked along the waterfront near Te Papa (Museum) and popped in their for some presents for people. Next off across the road which has some nice arty farty shops. Had a coffee in a art shop. Linda stocking up on things we don't needs.

Next moved the car (which I have tried to show in photos moving around) to the CBD as this is where Linda needs to get her hair cut. Popped under the Old Bank Archade to show Linda the old boat under the shop where you can still see the hull under the glass floor. Continuing, while Linda is in getting her hair done Steve wanders off and becomes a tourist. Watches the Old Bank Clock open (not seen this before as you have to actually look up). Wandered back to the car taking photos of some of the multitude of arty things that scatted the streets. As the car needs moving after 2 hours, popped back home for some beans on toast.

Back into town again to collect Linda who seems to have aquired more bags of things we don't need. Beer at St John's Bar as that is nice and sunny in late afternoon. Then had a short walk along the waterfront and our day is done.

Hope you enjoyed our day !