An Update from the Midlands of England.

24 July 2001

Tamworth (sans any country music)

England

We’ve been in England now for about 3 weeks. At first we went to Devon and Cornwall for a week then picked up Michelle’s Mum, Kathy and went to visit her Aunt in Portsmith. Then we all went to London for 4 days and now we are here with her cousin Margaret and her husband Richard.

Kathy will head to her fathers family reunion soon while we go to Europes biggest airshow. Then we all meet up for some touring before going to Paris for a week before Kathy flies home and we go on for our 10 weeks in mainland Europe.

England so far has blessed us with mainly fine, warm weather with only occassionally wet, cold spurts. After Africa, England is somewhat of a culture shock. It is very full with millions of people on a small island and this is also peak tourist time so there are plenty from overseas here too. The shops are full of people and goods and the food is great. Harrods was amazing in range, quality and price. Fortunately I only bought the Times and we had 3 coffees (AUS$24).

We also toured the Tower of London and checked out the Crown Jewels. Michelle rather fancies the 530 carat diamond we saw. Other attractions include the Changing of the Guard, Parliament, St Pauls, Big Ben and Madame Tousards. I also got some interesting offers in Kings Cross.

Devon and Cornwall were picture perfect countryside with black and white cows, sheep, hay, corn, barley and wheat. There were tall ships in Penzance and castles at Falmouth and Tingatel (where Arthur was born). We also checked out Stonehenge, Bath, Salisbury Cathederal and some chalk horses and even saw crop circles.

We’ve been camping and staying in Youth Hostels and with family here. Even camping can cost AUS$36 a night so family is most welcome. Fortunately, Kathys aunt Kathleen lives at Portsmouth and we were glad of a base to explore HMS Victory. They have preserved the ship which Nelson won the Battle of Trafalgar with in 1805. There was also the Royal Navy Museum and I went to the mind blowing Royal Air Force Museum and saw several WWII planes that are the last of their type left anywhere. We also caught up with the son of our new friends in South Africa who now lives in London.

Rather than run over the country we have decided to explore smaller portions better. This is helped on by the sheer density of sights including beautiful homes with fantastic gardens, castles, markets, Roman ruins etc and by the AUS$120 it takes to fill up the hire car.

We are all fit and well and trying to avoid sunburn while we enjoy the fantastic company, interesting accents and endless flowers which abound.

Regards Michelle and Andrew