Apr 12, 2010 - First day as an ozzie tourist

First day as an ozzie tourist was tiring and still quite surreal. It is quite odd to see the things I have only seen in pictures. Photos-the woodlands are just down the road from where I am staying, the houses are what this village consists of (the streets and houses are probably the most surreal thing so far), and the church is on the same street that I am staying on. Actually, the church freaked me out a little bit, I didn't like being in it. Don't know whether that is because I don't believe in the God and Jesus story, or because I have...

Apr 11, 2010 - journey to the UK

Hi all, my journey from Perth to London was not without dramas, but all an all, it was a good trip. Got delayed for 2 hours in Dubai and then I was held at the UK border by immigration for about an hour and a half before being accepted into the country. Am now safe and sound at my cousin's place about 2 hours out of London, a picturesque village with open fields, thatched-rooved houses and even the old red English telephone boxes. I'm gonna hang out here for a couple of weeks before heading up to Scotland. It is quite cold but at least the...

Feb 7, 2010 - Norfolk

I’m staying with the Atherton family and they are such a neat family. They laugh more than I can type and they are a very happy family. The girls are very close and both very sweet. They even made a sign for my room that stated “Marla’s Room” It was the sweetest thing! They kids were really good. It took some convincing and some work but they got there. On the day that we left it was snowing but sunny. Just like the kids sad and cold to see us go, but they were all so thankful and happy about the past three days and the joy we had shared....

Sep 4, 2008 - Relatives in the UK

We flew from Buffalo to JFK Airport & then on to Heathrow in the UK. We then caught a bus from London to Norwich where Dale's relatives drove us to their home. We received a very warm welcome from John & Mary. They made us very comfortable in their lovely new home & we particularly loved their spacious sun room. While in Norwich we went to see the musical play, "The Witches of Eastwick" starring Marti Pellow. We also enjoyed a visit from John & Mary's family. We also had a great supper with cousins Mike & Carol. One day, Mary & John took...

Jul 10, 2006 - Ghost town Norwich

Up bright and early again to catch the cheap tickets to Norwich. Only £5 each way! By 8:00am we were on our way in a virtually empty train. I can see why the tickets were reduced. The train definitely wasn't mucking around either. We must have hit speeds close to 130km/h as we sped through the sultry mid-summer Essex countryside. Halfway through the journey a small family got on the train and promptly went to the toilet ... together ... for 50 minutes. Hmmmm, were they all having a really long shit one after the other or do you think they...

Aug 4, 2005 - tapas, daisies, green men and Mother Julian

Today we visited Norwich (pronounced Nor-ick). Norwich Cathedral is Norman. Standing inside it is like being in an upside down ship. In the 14th century, a gale blew for 10 days and caused the spire to fall and destroy the quire. The spire was rebuilt in the original design but the quire was built in the "new" perpendicular gothic style. It has 12 butresses, conviently adorned with the 12 apostles. The Cathedral hosts the largest collection of green men in any Cathedral in the UK. I've photographed a boss of a green man. To try to find...

Jul 27, 2005 - Arrived!

It is raining and gray but cooler here thank god. We have travelled over 20 hours to make a six hour trip. what head case planned this anyway? But all was smooth, the drive to Maryland, the flight to Iceland, connection over to London and the transport to Edgware. The kids are seasoned travellers it is clear. They watched the movies (Fried Green Tomatoes and old re-runs of Mad About You) and slept and ate their airplane food. Even Alex, though he gave non-stop commentary (In the sky, see the bird, in the sky see the stars) for a...

Jul 26, 2005 - Back At Work.......

The first day back at work is upon me.As I expected nothing has changed apart from being moved to a new shift.... The memories of Africa are being slowly leached from my brain and replaced by work related thoughts but at least the prospect of saving money for the next adventure makes the return a little easier.... At least I'm freaking a few people out by showing them the worms in my foot.I've had them now for 2 months and have taken a few more doses of treatment but they still linger on.Oh well always wanted a pet but I was more inclined...

Jul 6, 2005 - The Journey Ends......

Well the adventure has ended.Arriving back in Norwich to a lovely rainy summers day.34 weeks have passed since I caught the bus to the airport to commence the trip.In a way its good to be back in the first world but I'll certainly miss the sights,sounds and smells of the Africa.Well maybe not all the smells... How will I adapt back to life here after the experiences of the past 8 1/2 months? Who knows but I'm sure I'll ease my way back into my old life of doing not a lot and lounging about drinking coffe and wine.Of course the Ashes series...

Jun 22, 2005 - Days 9-11

So, Norfolk was absolutely beautiful. None of us wanted to leave when it came time to today. We stayed in the village of Castle Acre, and my room was in a little bed and breakfast called the Willow Cottage Tea Room. I had scones and tea for breakfast every morning and slept with a garden outside my lace-curtained window. I haven't slept as well as I did these past two days since I've been in London. It was so nice to get out of Soho for a bit, though being right in the heart of the city does have its definite perks. I felt for the first...

Oct 17, 2004 - Norwich, Norfolk

I am in Norwich today. Norwich was for a very long time the "Second City" of Great Britain, and was quite a wealthy town until the collapse of the wool trade, and the Industrial Revolution in general. Set on the River Yar, it was bombed quite a bit during WWII because of the manufacturing in the aqrea - miraculously the Cathedral was untouched. Many Poles expatriots were located here, and I saw a marker commemorating how they "defended Norwich" as well as fought to free Poland in that conflict. A lot of them stayed. Interesting town. I am...

Oct 15, 2004 - Reason for Going.....

With only a few days left in the civilisation that is Norwich before I depart for foreign shores once again and with a stonking hangover from the going away beers last night,(was great to see all of you who turned up thanks for all the beers and the hangover),I thought I'd at least make a start on my web diary thingy bob which I've been telling the unfortunate amongst you who've been cornered by me over the last few weeks.... Firstly,when I said I've this great plan to do a web diary with photos of my trip I'm not sure how many of you...