tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68373735241126027712024-03-14T00:58:37.241-07:00Porridge in NorwichEast Anglia adventures - living in a suburban terraced house.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-43174306835591239722008-09-05T23:18:00.000-07:002008-09-05T23:22:02.161-07:00Welcome to Cooks' FriendsIf you came here from Crosby and Susanne's travel tales - Welcome!<br /><br />You have to go a little further down the page to find stories and pictures about <a href="http://porridgeinnorwich.blogspot.com/2008/08/trip-number-four-final-one.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Trip</span></a>.<br /><br />It is written in four stages, and because this is a blog you will find the last one first.<br /><br />Enjoy.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-28962654100055954282008-09-03T09:11:00.000-07:002008-09-03T09:18:44.874-07:00Moving AgainOur contracts at INTO UEA in Norwich are almost finished. Time to move on to greener pastures.<br /><br />Well, no. It doesn't get any greener than this "green and pleasant land". So we are going to the desert.<br /><br />We have deserts in Australia ... but not many people venture into them.<br /><br />We are going to the desert in Saudi Arabia. We have jobs in Riyadh, the capital, in the middle.<br /><br />The worst of the hot weather in Riyadh has passed now. We spoke to someone in Saudi today who told us cheerfully that the daytime temperatures are <span style="font-style: italic;">down</span> to 44 degrees, and nights are about 34 degrees.<br /><br />So the living must be pretty fantastic.<br /><br />My new blog is called <a href="http://howdisaudi.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Howdi Saudi</span></span></a>.<br /><br />See you there!Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-65426088834798822702008-08-13T09:06:00.000-07:002008-08-17T04:59:21.937-07:00The dreaded European Wasp<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5234037776257795874"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SKMJoFrSRyI/AAAAAAAAHaM/KexkBsj80zI/s400/800px-European_wasp_white_bg02.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br />Brits often express to us that they fell great trepidation at the thought of living in a country like Oz where there are so many things that can bite or sting - even kill - you. The UK is a very tame country by comparison.<br /><br />Well, there is an occasional adder (snake!). The other day a British kid actually got bitten on the toe by one - much to everyone's surprise, got on the National news, caused quite a kerfuffle!<br /><br />In Australia we have heard of this European wasp, and it is feared - but mostly because it comes from outside Australia and is capable of damaging our fragile environment like all other introduced species.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Doing the dance</span></span><br /><br />The other day I saw one of our esteemed administrators at the university doing a strange little dance as he came rushing out of his office. Apparently there have been quite a few stray wasps in the offices lately, probably encouraged by the warm weather and the presence of jam sandwiches and sweet drinks on peoples' desks ...<br /><br />Well, this poor fellow experienced a wasp with a desire to meet him eyeball to eyeball, getting in behind his specs! A very good reason to dance about a bit. He wasn't stung.<br /><br />Peter and I were talking about this, and saying that although we had heard the sting of the wasp can be very unpleasant, possibly dangerous?, we had never known personally of anyone who had suffered it.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Funny little balls</span></span><br /><br />With classes being mostly finished, and the teachers' room being full of teachers wanting turns on the very few available computers, it was suggested that some of us may choose to work from home where we have our own computers.<br /><br />Thus today Peter and I were at home and, noticing sunshine outside - the first we've seen in a week or more - I decided to take advantage of it and wash the sheets and hang them outside in the sunshine. What a luxury - we hardly ever even unlock the gate that gives us access to our tiny yard and washing line.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5234039080829774370"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SKMK0Ble6iI/AAAAAAAAHas/pzUGxq3ShMQ/s400/100_1004.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />As I picked my way through the longish wet grass in my pink fluffy slippers, I noticed a few of these strange little balls. I thought at first that the neighbours' kids (not that our neighbours seem to have any kids) had lost their marbles or something. On closer inspection I determined that they were fruit, like some tiny plums.<br /><br />We have a plum tree in our garden - ?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5234039163413424002"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SKMK41O9Z4I/AAAAAAAAHa4/AbGZKqNy-Dw/s400/100_1006.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />Well apparently that tree in the back right-hand corner is some kind of fruit tree. Nothing there now, though, just a few dried-up ones, and the few bird-pecked ones on the ground. Nothing to eat here, folks.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Curiosity killed the ...</span></span><br /><br />I mentioned it to Peter who, curious as ever - especially when it comes to back gardens - went out to take a look. He found one, and picked it up ... much to the consternation of a wasp who - being disturbed in the middle of a meal - jumped out and stung him on the finger!<br /><br />Well - what to do?<br /><br />At that precise moment the gas and electricity metre man rang the doorbell, so after inviting him in we thought - here's a Brit, he'll know what to do. Nope.<br /><br />I suggested ice, and supplied an ice cube to apply to the spot. We live over the road from a doctors' surgery, so Peter nipped across there for some further advice.<br /><br />The reception staff at the surgery were most eager to help, but had no idea of what one should do in this situation. The nurse took Peter's blood pressure, which they found to be alarmingly high. Peter pointed out that bites and stings in Australia can be a life-and-death situation, so, besides the distress of being in considerable pain, he was naturally going to feel somewhat stressed overall.<br /><br />His finger was swelling and getting stiff, and his armpit was sore. The doctor gave him a prescription for some antihistamines and steroids, and strict instructions to ring 999 if he started to have swelling in his lips or throat or had difficulty breathing.<br /><br />So - that's what you do!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Important Information!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Our friends </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://britishjob.blogspot.com/2007/08/out-and-about-on-august-bank-holiday_29.html">Crosby and Susanne</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> wrote to us after reading this post, with some important information about wasp stings ...</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">We have just read your blog on wasps and thought you might need a little scaring!!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">A friend of ours has been bitten, stung, whatever on 3 separate occasions. The first time he had a relatively mild reaction.. not as bad as Peter, 2nd time was probably a bit worse than Peter, but the 3rd time was actually life threatening.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> He had been stung, and had not enjoyed it, but was basically of the mind that last time he survived so he would also ignore this one too. Besides they were having guests for dinner and he was cooking.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Not a good idea. We were out for the day when we got a phone call. His wife was rushing him to the hospital as he was struggling to breathe and getting worse. To cut a long story short he did survive.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Later his wife told us that they had been reprimanded for not calling an ambulance as it might have been too late. We were praying for him. He now has to carry a "pen" with him at all times in case of another bite as next time might be too late.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">So the moral of this story is don't be complacent as the poison can sometimes be cumulative.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">Organic Wasp trap<br /></span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> Fill a bucket with water add a couple tablespoons of detergent and either put it near their food source or supply your own ... we have used meat attached to the handle of the bucket. The wasps sit on water to eat or digest or wash or something. Normally they alight on the "skin" of the water, but the detergent breaks this skin and they drown.</span>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-65975401734251007352008-08-02T09:23:00.000-07:002008-09-05T23:52:11.627-07:00The trip - number four, the final oneNote:<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span>To read Susanne and Crosby's spin on the trip you can click <a href="http://porridgeinnorwich.blogspot.com/2008/07/cooks-tales.html">here</a>.<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />The Island Town of Lindau</span></span><br /><br />Our last trip was to Lindau - a town built on an island in Lake Constance, which is partly in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.<br /><br />I was now in the full grips of the 'flu, and would have loved to have stayed in bed ... but we had had to pay for this optional trip at the beginning of the tour because of low numbers. So I sat around in a beautiful park while the others explored the small town with its various tourist attractions.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Endless beautiful scenery</span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228870040651950898"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJCtmSW96zI/AAAAAAAAHOM/hM9DqlmLEWM/s400/IMG_5459.JPG" /></a><br /><br />One way and another, we saw lots of Alpine scenery.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228870075614527346"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJCtoUmsf3I/AAAAAAAAHOU/cQ87yVsQAPY/s400/IMG_5477.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />Knowing how boring motorway travel can be, our driver took us through a lot of smaller streets through the villages.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Time to go</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228741022081194466"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA4QaupmeI/AAAAAAAAHHo/FBEKR99gQ9Q/s400/IMG_5168.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />Finally it was time for the long drive back to the ferry. To avoid too long a trip - and possibly missing the ferry - on the Sunday, we drove closer to Calais, and stayed in a motel in Brussels rather than the Liege hotel.<br /><br />It was on the outskirts of town, in the industrial area. And there was obviously no rule about not smoking in the rooms. After dinner in the squeezy overcrowded restaurant where the fat greasy chef handled our food with chubby fingers in full view of the diners ... and then a night of coughing into my tiny smokey pillow ...<br /><br />it was good to get back on the ferry the next day and head home!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228740946095665506"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA4L_qScWI/AAAAAAAAHHY/UZu6TMXqbR8/s400/IMG_5486.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />Shearing was once again very efficient, shunting passengers and baggage onto appropriate feeder buses with the minimum of fuss. However, a few kilometres down the road we came up against one of the other buses by the side of the road, broken down. A few of the passengers got off and joined our bus.<br /><br />We had spoken to the driver, asking if when we got to Norwich he could drop us off just out of town near our place - no detour required - to save us paying six quid for a taxi to bring us back to the same spot. He gave us a very gruff, unfriendly reply.<br /><br />However, at the end of the day, after several unscheduled detours delivering people from the broken-down bus close to their homes, he was quite happy to do as we asked when the time came.<br /><br />And we happily trundled our little red and blue cases down the road to our Victorian terrace ...<br /><br />There, just inside the door, a pile of letters<br /><br />including Peter's <a href="http://porridgeinnorwich.blogspot.com/2008/07/swansea-what-in-wales.html">application for a British drivers licence</a>, returned, AGAIN!<br /><br />It was nice to be back in our own bed ... even if we did have to go to work the next morning.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-6195277733241086672008-08-02T03:48:00.000-07:002008-08-02T09:22:28.452-07:00The trip - Number 3<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A day off</span></span><br /><br />We spent a lot of time on the bus, and the bus driver (for one) needed a break. So from Wednesday lunchtime until Thursday lunchtime we were free to wander the local area.<br /><br />There wasn't much to see in the village of Lechaschau, so we took a little walk to the next town of<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reutte</span></span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228751300112344994"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJBBmrYO56I/AAAAAAAAHKM/cTeEq5n4f_k/s400/IMG_5297.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />After the mostly red-brick terraced houses of the UK, everything here is much cleaner and brighter. The houses are generally not only painted, but ornately decorated.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228751336459370242"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJBBoyyCfwI/AAAAAAAAHKU/0q1AZFHImF8/s400/IMG_5301.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />Not just here in Reutte, but pretty well everywhere we went. And not just important and special touristy buildings, but almost all of the buildings are decorated, often quite extravagantly.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228751431434225890"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJBBuUlzyOI/AAAAAAAAHKk/oI23XjSWjNg/s400/IMG_5310.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />There are churches everywhere, and frequently with the 'funny-hat' thing on top. The gold ball under the cross at the top traditionally contains the town plans ... the idea being that in the event of an avalanche and the town being buried this part will stick up above the snow and guide rescuers to find survivors.<br /><br />In fact, preparation for avalanches is paramount in these parts. The roads we travelled along went through innumerable tunnels, most of them 'avalanche tunnels' built over the road up against the mountains to keep the roads open in the case of an avalanche. There were also 'avalanche gates' like leaning-over fences on the steeper mountainsides along the road.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5229875343119054146"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJQ_6l4vdUI/AAAAAAAAHZU/DKwRq33Sm_g/s400/roof%20crop.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br />We were also very curious about the little hooks and rails we saw on many roofs. Apparently when it snows they want to keep the snow ON the roof, to a depth of about 18 inches, because it's an excellent insulator.<br /><br />So there were other interesting things around Reutte, like these four sun-dial type clocks on the wall. Fortunately it was a sunny day.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228752321494247538"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJBCiIUp6HI/AAAAAAAAHNM/8nNDQUXhwH4/s800/sunclock%20crop.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br />There were some over sized flowerpots,<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228751536072761218"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJBB0aZlH4I/AAAAAAAAHK4/MiBAh0zYRcQ/s400/IMG_5327.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />and some other interesting statues.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228751491498724434"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJBBx0WTTFI/AAAAAAAAHKw/KEA4f7Zo_w8/s400/IMG_5320.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />Apparently the Austrians are very religious, more than 80% being Catholic, and in the first few years of their working life they are encouraged to sign a covenant with the church where a portion of their wages will be garnished automatically for the rest of their lives - so the churches are generally not short of funds!<br /><br />There are crucifixes (and crosses too) everywhere, on street corners with a little roof to protect them in the weather, all sorts of places. So we were a little puzzled by <span style="font-style: italic;">thi</span>s one on one of the street corners in Reutte.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228710586489105682"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJAck1UB7RI/AAAAAAAAHFk/ZMRMJTGwpGU/s800/bored%20jesus%203.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Locked away in his own little glass window, still bruised and bleeding and sitting on his cross, with a palm tree beside him ... I don't know. Sad? definitely. Bored maybe? Fed up of being portrayed on the cross when everyone knows he is alive?<br /><br />So then we went to visit<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Oberammergau</span></span><br /><br />This is one of those incredibly picturesque touristy places. It's famous for the Passion Play that is put on there every ten years, using only local actors. It's a very big deal, and all the local men start growing their hair a year before the play - the next one is in 2010, and tickets are now on sale. In 1633 the people of Oberammergau promised to do this if God would save their town from the ravages of the plague at that time. The following year the stage was erected over the fresh graves of the plague victims, and the tradition lives on today.<br /><br />Anyway, it's a beautiful place.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228751814291715474"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJBCEm2JdZI/AAAAAAAAHLw/BddZh2SFexg/s400/IMG_5373.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The compulsory flower decorations are even gaudier than in other towns,<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228751954948770450"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJBCMy1ZypI/AAAAAAAAHMQ/N1Fks6amHGc/s400/IMG_5393.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />and the house frescoes are even more elaborate.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228869981785601394"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJCti3EItXI/AAAAAAAAHN8/mXzaAH_UrMg/s400/IMG_5443.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228872298019193586"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJCvprtQgvI/AAAAAAAAHO4/JRXvkMOyEAM/s400/oberamagau%20pc%202.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br />Not all of them are religious, like Little Red Riding Hood depicted on this kindergarten.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228872396708672450"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJCvvbWqc8I/AAAAAAAAHPA/jOd_zfxpPRQ/s400/oberamagau%20pc%201.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br />And, of course there was a church, with an ornate graveyard<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228752114471680402"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJBCWFGoOZI/AAAAAAAAHMs/JCai3AkR4WQ/s400/IMG_5402.JPG" /></a><br /><br />and the inevitable amazing decorations inside.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228752151454403522"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJBCYO3_y8I/AAAAAAAAHM0/XOO2bGx86f4/s400/IMG_5403.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228752190341107042"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJBCafvTzWI/AAAAAAAAHM8/cz8vy6c1tq0/s400/IMG_5408.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />Then there were all the little tourist shops, like the Christmas Shop.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228751878816502610"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJBCIXODk1I/AAAAAAAAHMA/0MicnT7w9aI/s288/IMG_5389.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228751918768605506"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJBCKsDYSUI/AAAAAAAAHMI/LlEOaT0LaQg/s288/IMG_5392.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Crosby and Susanne were sorely tempted by the Cuckoo Clocks.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228751720886910050"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJBB_K4tPGI/AAAAAAAAHLg/oVhST8oTGoE/s400/IMG_5367.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Then there was this shop with an incredible range of wicked ice creams for a remarkably cheap price!<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228872579589886882"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJCv6Eo8U6I/AAAAAAAAHPU/En16Lp9ys-E/s400/ice%20cream%20choices%202.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228751845489021138"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJBCGbEKkNI/AAAAAAAAHL4/f82zk906PDc/s400/IMG_5376.JPG" /></a></div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-80762325004737797472008-08-02T02:30:00.000-07:002008-08-02T03:23:43.047-07:00The trip - continued<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Into Italy</span></span><br /><br />We were quite surprised and excited to learn that we would also be visiting Italy. The purpose of the trip was in fact to take us to a shop belonging to a friend of Paul, our bus driver, where we would be encouraged to buy liquor and Italian leather handbags ... whatever! We can be hard nosed about not buying stuff!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228870009128496242"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJCtkc7MLHI/AAAAAAAAHOE/5SBdnQMC8CY/s400/IMG_5454.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />We enjoyed a lot of delightful scenery on our way through the Austrian Alps and into the Italian Alps into the delightful little village of Vipiteno.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228741458144471586"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA4pzMPKiI/AAAAAAAAHIw/u5Zf1DITGgE/s800/IMG_5253.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />The place was chock-ful of tourists, although - unlike places like Prague - we heard very little English being spoken around us.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228741421279192114"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA4np23pDI/AAAAAAAAHIo/No1NK263sFA/s400/IMG_5250.JPG" /></a><br /><br />As we expected, we were not in the least tempted by the booze or the bags - they were not very special prices at all - so we wandered around the tiny streets between the mountains.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228741492841649314"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA4r0csFKI/AAAAAAAAHI8/koYEQORTS-k/s400/IMG_5258.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />we found a nice little cafe<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228741508854277538"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA4swGZZaI/AAAAAAAAHJE/YDa6Mq4At-Q/s400/IMG_5260.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />and had a genuine Italian Cappuccino.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Reflective Lake</span><br /><br />There is this lake, where on a good day you can take one of those photos with such clear reflections it's hard to know which way up to hold it.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228752224497861858"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJBCce-6hOI/AAAAAAAAHNE/HsFcEuJlppw/s400/IMG_5422.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />Despite the bus driver visiting it with us three times, we never did catch it at a reflective moment. Nevertheless, it's a beautiful spot.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Innsbruk, capital of Austria</span><br /><br />Bet you didn't know that - we didn't! So after Vipiteno, we dropped into Innsbruk. We had lunch at a MacDonald's - haven't done that for a while! At this stage Crosby had caught Peter's cold/'flu and wasn't feeling too flash.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5229862718111667986"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJQ0buEa1xI/AAAAAAAAHZM/9FjP6piGL2k/s400/IMG_5261.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />Another church - a cathedral - and more spectacular marble and painting.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5229862687749056786"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJQ0Z89aKRI/AAAAAAAAHZE/f99eAACmfjY/s800/IMG_5263.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Linderhof Castle</span></span><br /><br />The second castle we visited, known as the "wedding Cake", the palace at Linderhof is where Ludwig actually chose to live.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228741577268735586"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA4wu9rLmI/AAAAAAAAHJU/1AiztO9c424/s400/IMG_5269.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />It's not that big, and lavishly decorated inside, and again, not that old. In fact it's all very sad for so many reasons. The throne room that never had an audience, the dining room for him alone, the exquisite paintings and sculptures, all just for Ludwig himself.<br /><br />Again we couldn't take photos inside, but the grounds were beautiful too.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228741766065814114"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA47uSZ-mI/AAAAAAAAHJs/KEq1lEr1kIk/s800/IMG_5283.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />Statues, and fountains - including one that periodically shoots 30 feet into the air - and beautiful gardens.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228741626885531330"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA4znzPZsI/AAAAAAAAHJc/LhshC5BO9bg/s400/IMG_5276.JPG" /></a><br /><br />There were beautiful walkways overgrown with vines,<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228741887325800322"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA5CyBCh4I/AAAAAAAAHKE/vEpz1JYFf2A/s400/IMG_5292.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />and statues of horses with serious sinus problems.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228741697275867890"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA43uBmsvI/AAAAAAAAHJk/-o6CNlakCK4/s400/IMG_5281.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />We climbed the hill to the man-made grotto, all set up with lights and water to watch operas - by himself.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228741805399590194"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA4-A0TxTI/AAAAAAAAHJ0/o3Edvplh-fw/s800/IMG_5286.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />That's water running down those steps. The man certainly had an eye for beauty and a sense of fun, but in the end they all thought he was mad and it seems very sad.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228741842169799714"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA5AJzApCI/AAAAAAAAHJ8/9xl3-FoVw8A/s400/IMG_5290.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Another Installment</span></span><br /><br />Time to move on to another post.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-37118539023302705002008-07-31T06:28:00.000-07:002008-08-17T02:03:40.322-07:00All over Europe<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >The Trip</span><br /><br />We thought we were going to Bavaria to see some castles ... so we were a bit surprised to find that we were staying in Austria, and visiting castles in Bavaria (Germany), but also dropping into Italy, and spending a couple of nights in Belgium!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Catching the right bus</span><br /><br />We were a little worried about catching the bus at the right time and place - we even did a practice run the week before to make sure we knew where to go. But then, what could go wrong - it's not like we'd get on the wrong bus or something. Would we?<br /><br />The taxi got us there a little earlier than we planned, and we stood around outside John Lewis with a number of other people with suitcases, waiting for our 'feeder bus' to join our tour.<br /><br />A "Shearings" bus turned up, and the bus driver came over and approached the passengers.<br /><br />"Shearings?" he asked.<br /><br />"Yes," we replied.<br /><br />"What name?" he queried, looking at his list.<br /><br />"Wickham," we answered.<br /><br />"Okayyyy ..." he said, piling our bags into the bus. "But only 'Mrs Wickham' is listed ..." and, when we looked a little concerned, "but that's okay. Hop on."<br /><br />After we had been on the bus for a few minutes, a lady got on claiming to be a "Mrs Wickham", and the smiling driver waved her on too, without even a glance at us.<br /><br />We began to feel worried. He hadn't even looked at our tickets. Realising the bus was about to leave - a few minutes earlier than <span style="font-style: italic;">our</span> expected departure time - Peter got off the bus and approached the driver, who was loading the last bags into the back.<br /><br />"We are going to <span style="font-style: italic;">Dover</span>, aren't we?"<br /><br />"Dover? No! This bus goes to Eastbourne." (Not that there was any indication of that on the outside of the bus!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228740907088577186"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA4JuWRgqI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/D5KHwSMvrpA/s288/IMG_5487.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />We pulled our bags off the bus and stood around a few more minutes until a much bigger Shearings bus arrived ... nope, not our bus either. And then another bus rolled up and the driver said, "Mr and Mrs Wickham?"<br /><br />"Going to Dover?" we asked. Oh yes! Not that he looked at our tickets, even then.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Dover</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228710213104971490"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJAcPGWULuI/AAAAAAAAHEM/byGhbrDx7GM/s400/100_0976.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />The ferry terminal at Dover was all new to us - I was glad that we weren't trying to drive a car across to France, because it looked pretty complicated. Shearings have their system all worked out, and we were shunted onto the right bus with our baggage all handled out of sight. The bus went onto the ferry, and we climbed off - being careful to take note of the colour and number of the stairs nearest our bus.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228710664177194322"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJAcpWuUFVI/AAAAAAAAHGA/rsSn1Jujgxs/s400/ferry%20on%20deck.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br />We met up with our friends - <a href="http://britishjob.blogspot.com/2007/08/out-and-about-on-august-bank-holiday_29.html">Crosby and Susanne</a> - at the ferry terminal, and soon we were all enjoying the brisk winds on the outside deck.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228740978877297826"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA4N5yCdKI/AAAAAAAAHYg/Srp6zFsFMs8/s400/IMG_5160.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />This part of the deck was a little more sheltered - but it was the designated smokers' area.<br />So we watched the white cliffs drift away, and I tried to come to grips with "panning" using my new camera!<br /><br />We wanted to find a similar deck at the front to watch Calais appear, but there wasn't one.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228710642705613106"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJAcoGvFwTI/AAAAAAAAHF0/bD8YCHcJygY/s400/calais%20from%20ferry.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br />In fact our first view of France was really from the starboard side. The trip was an hour and a half, but we seemed to run along the coast of for about half an hour.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >France and Belgium</span><br /><br />We felt quite excited about being in a new country ... but it didn't really look different, other than driving on the wrong side of the road.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228710181412666754"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJAcNQSR_YI/AAAAAAAAHEE/6W7JACmnkww/s800/bus%20rain.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br />And, of course, it was raining - could just as easily have been the UK!<br /><br />We slipped from France into Belgium - no fanfare, not even a border sign. We were headed for Liege, in Belgium, for the first night.<br /><br />It was Saturday, and they had told us on the news some million or so Brits were leaving the shores one way or another over the weekend. The traffic on the continental motorways was all jammed up, and we didn't reach our hotel in Liege until nearly 10pm. A long day on the roads!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Liege, Belgium</span><br /><br />Our stay in Liege was nothing to write home about. The hotel was the Ramada - had recently changed its name.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228710254792534082"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJAcRhpZ6EI/AAAAAAAAHEU/gKoDFplVnXM/s400/100_0987.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />This was the view from our sixth floor window. In the foreground is the old burnt-out convent chapel - the hotel is built in/on an old convent which is really evident only in the beautiful dining room in the old cloisters.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">E</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >uropean facilities</span><br /><br />The most interesting parts of the long drive were maybe the periodic "comfort stops". All of the motorway services have facilities provided by the same company or department. So a trip to the toilet cost us each 50 Euro cents - that's one Aussie dollar!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228710613782318034"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJAcma_PS9I/AAAAAAAAHFs/KB1ZT-0bVu8/s288/toilet%20ticket%202.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br />But you get one of these nifty vouchers, which you can spend in any of their shops or restaurants! We had to make sure we used them all up before we left the continent ... which, of course, meant spending <span style="font-style: italic;">more</span> money.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >On into Austria<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228710441624986466"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJAccZpu42I/AAAAAAAAHE8/uC7s4E7Xoug/s288/border.jpg" /></a></span><br /></div><br />That blue sign with the stars is the only indication of a border crossing these days.<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><br />On Sunday we travelled on into Austria. Our driver / tour guide was talkative and interesting, telling us about all sorts of things. He pointed out that the trucks have to be off the road for twenty four hours from 11pm on Saturday night, and indeed we could see hundreds of trucks parked off-road all along the way. Despite that, the traffic was heavy - aggravated by areas of roadworks - and we ended up being stuck in traffic again for a couple of hours.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228871989287720418"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJCvXtl8FeI/AAAAAAAAHOc/m8lcd7XHgYY/s400/lech%20valley.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br />In the evening we were relieved to arrive in the village of Lechaschau, near the town of Reutte, in the valley of the river Lech. This would be our base for the next five days. We were to stay in the Goldene Rose Hotel.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228872085960992338"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJCvdVupJlI/AAAAAAAAHOk/P3IUMP3Ofys/s400/goldene%20rose%20pc.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br />It was really quite a pleasant spot. The food was pretty basic - but not as bad as English food! Our room was bright and clean, with a view of the mountains.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228710280815339698"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJAcTCluaLI/AAAAAAAAHEc/wk2CVF00qKM/s288/100_0988.JPG" /></a><br /><br />A view that changes every day.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228710528736455218"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJAcheKuajI/AAAAAAAAHFU/N62if8N1VIg/s288/100_0999.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228710557229836386"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJAcjIUE6GI/AAAAAAAAHFc/W3RutcMuTww/s288/100_1001.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />Mind you, you'd be hard pressed NOT to have mountain views from your window in Lechaschau!<br /><br />Our room was spacious and comfortable - we hadn't been very impressed with our room in the Ramada in Liege, supposedly 5 star! One of the things that bothered us in Liege was the tiny pillows on the beds. Not only were they thin, but they were small, like half a pillow each.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228710685899930002"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJAcqnpauZI/AAAAAAAAHGI/30bk477-tS4/s400/pillows.jpg" /></a><br /><br />In Lechaschau the maid liked to arrange the doonas and pillows slightly differently each day. But those yellow pillows with the pointy ears and the crunk in the middle are cloud soft - no substance to them whatsoever. But we did get a little scatter-cushion each for good measure.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228710496925772706"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJAcfnqd66I/AAAAAAAAHFM/5IRgnZAGzUQ/s400/100_0996.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />Obviously some sort of 'continental' thing we don't really 'get'.<br /><br />(Peter was still not feeling well at this stage, having come down with the 'flu a few days before we left ... I managed to come down with it on the Thursday.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >It's all about the castles</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228872496641441794"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJCv1PofgAI/AAAAAAAAHPI/oVhkZ4pcfzw/s400/castle%20postcard%20bigger.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Neuschwanstein Castle</span><br /><br /></div>By the way, I didn't take this picture (it's off a postcard), it's impossible to take a picture from this angle without a hot-air balloon or something.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Our trip was called </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"Fairytale Castles of Bavaria"</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">. The bus had 42 seats, but there were only 20 of us doing the tour - we were very relieved that they hadn't cancelled, that would have been messy and frustrating. The trip included 3 castle visits, and two other optional visits.The optional ones required extra payments, but with the group being so small we were quite pressured to take part otherwise they would be cancelled.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The first castle, Neuschwanstein, is "<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">the ultimate fairy-tale castle</span>".<br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228741060351065026"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA4SpS5e8I/AAAAAAAAHHw/wxpZWdaFNzA/s400/IMG_5176.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />As we arrived in the village, we could see the castle up on the hill in the distance (left). We had several choices to get up there: walk, ride most of the way in a horse-cart, or travel in a packed bus halfway to where we could get some excellent photos. We decided on the bus going up, and the horse coming back down.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228710326596598034"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJAcVtI0-RI/AAAAAAAAHEk/kj-gfh6PRQ0/s400/bridge%20castle%20.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br />Getting a good photo of the castle meant stepping out onto this tiny bridge across the gorge - a prospect which some tourists found quite daunting.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228741104767803010"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA4VOwrHoI/AAAAAAAAHH4/l7jg92WGfiA/s400/IMG_5188.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />Looking at the castle from the bridge - we then had to walk to it from there.<br /><br />We could not take photos inside the castle, but we could take photos through the windows. This is looking back at the bridge from the castle.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228741285746369202"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA4fw9U4rI/AAAAAAAAHIQ/-xiV_fTB7h8/s800/IMG_5215.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />Quite spectacular scenery. Our bus driver warned us that for some reason some people had difficulty gaining admission with their ticket. You have to put the ticket in, wait a moment until the light turns green, then pull out the ticket and walk through.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228741227243269570"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA4cXBGbcI/AAAAAAAAHII/2If-kQSkJ7o/s400/IMG_5206.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Crowds gathered around the ticket admission machine</span><br /></div><br />Unfortunately these warnings made some of our more elderly group members even more nervous, and sure enough several of them just froze at the moment when the light turned green and stood there until it was red and they were stuck.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228741154043205266"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA4YGU2FpI/AAAAAAAAHIA/uFqVy3xasrU/s400/IMG_5193.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />Here's another view from one of the castle windows. Down there is the car park where we started, just to the left of the other (yellow) castle.<br /><br />The castle was delightful inside. "Mad" King Ludwig built it but barely got to live in in. In fact parts of it have never been finished as he was found mysteriously drowned - along with his psychiatrist - in the lake. The castle is not that old, being built in the late nineteenth century, and so everything was still very bright and fresh-looking.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >The church in the meadow</span><br /><br />After our tour of the castle and a ride back down the hill in a pony-trap, the bus tour took us to see the Wieskirche, Germany's best-known pilgrimage church.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228741318565341650"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA4hrN-qdI/AAAAAAAAHIY/a1Tsd-4gBYk/s400/IMG_5239.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />Our bus driver told us we would go "Wow!" as soon as we opened the door, and as this was the first church we had seen in the area he was 100% right.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228710398728727666"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJAcZ52d7HI/AAAAAAAAHE0/b43Db4mFpFA/s800/church%202.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br />I have absolutely no chance of giving even a fair idea of the splendour of this place; maybe when I get my movie pictures edited I can give some idea.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AUSTRIA/photo#5228741376679021122"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SJA4lDtXCkI/AAAAAAAAHIg/lBxXeDtEeps/s400/IMG_5243.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />All white and gold, with natural lighting, and paintings on every wall and ceiling area, not to mention the statues and marble columns. It was, of course, full of tourists - and children ... but even they could not distract from the awesomeness.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >More later</span><br /><br />So I'm going to publish this first section, and continue with a new post ...Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-15215155277169139092008-07-30T23:44:00.000-07:002008-09-05T23:48:13.441-07:00Cooks' Tales<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">It's interesting to put it all together, so here is Susanne and Crosby's 'spin' on The Trip.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">After picking up our coach and meeting P&R, we were loaded onto the cross -Channel Ferry. The ferry is mind-bogglingly huge!! There were dozens of semis (HGVs over here) and tourist buses and caravans and just ordinary cars. Once the bus was loaded we had to get out and could wander almost anywhere. We found a nice fresh air place and guess what? I did not get sea-sick! I was very pleased with myself. C did point out that it was almost impossible to get sea sick as the crossing was so smooth, but I could feel it lurking at the edges. We had to buy food for tea (dinner, supper, whatever) as there was no meal provided that night and we would not get there 'til late. We watched the White Cliffs (sort of green and grubby) disappear and the French coast appear, there was a call to load and we were all back on the bus which was unloaded (took a bit longer than it sounds). And there we were driving (on the wrong side of the road) through France and then into Belgium. Now we can say we've been to France and Belgium. (Or at least through them).</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> The hotel we stayed at was nothing special. Clean and neat, yes. Soap and towels supplied etc., TV yes, but was supposed to be 4 stars and according to the paper on the wall 200 euros a night. No Way!</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Breakfast was interesting: buffet style, we were offered a choice of croissants, rolls, variety of sliced meats and cheeses and hard boiled eggs(cold). Also fruit and cereals. On our way out, P discovered that there were also some hot foods offered..bad timing Peter.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Back to the bus, and a rather long and sort of boring trip for the whole day. We had toilet stops, morning and afternoon tea stops and lunch. The scenery was the same all the way. Paul the driver did say it was the edge of the Black Forest. So I watched carefully for witches and dwarves and talking animals and gingerbread houses, but I did not see a single one. We met several holdups, road works, and assorted incidents, just to make the journey so much longer. We arrived much later than planned, had dinner (nice) and collapsed into bed. </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> The view from our room was superb! Beautiful mountains, with green meadows on the lower slopes and grey stone higher up, dark green pines and lovely chalet style houses decorated with flowers. Every morning it looked different. P&R had different mountains and different buildings from their window.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> A very similar breakfast to the other, though this place also had raw eggs you could cook yourself. I tried something different every day. The cheeses were nice, some of the breads were yummy and there was real butter as well as marge. Some of the meats were nice and some mmm...Fruit was pretty ordinary...I think in Australia we have been spoilt for fresh fruit and vege.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Mon: We left for our first castle at 9:30 and drove through fairytale scenery....wow... tall mountains.. chalets covered with flowers, hanging baskets and window boxes.... cows with bells around their necks....neat little fields with some golden crop waiting to be harvested..... and absolutely no rubbish; unbelievable!!! Little shrines in the most obscure spots (Austria is a Catholic country).....so lovely.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Now for Neuschwanstein. Another slice of fairy-tale life. The castle is set in a fairytale landscape and looks like something that Cinderella or the Sleeping Beauty would inhabit. Stunning!! Our bus parked at the foot and we caught a mini bus up to Mary's Bridge. This is no bridge for height-fearers! [Crosby: needless to stay I didn't go right into the middle!] Suspended over a chasm with a raging torrent (well, maybe a bit smaller than a torrent), the view was out of this world. On one side the mountains sloping to the river and on the other a stunning view of Neuschwanstein, set in its mountain eyrie..photos please!! I took lots of photos, but when C checked them he said we wanted the castle and not my foot (how did that happen?) so he had to brave the bridge and take some himself. We walked the rest of the way to the castle, to face the dreaded entrance. Paul had warned us about this nerve-wracking system, possibly designed to eliminate the weaker members of the human race. First one had to wait for one's group number to come up...we were 433!!.. then one lined up at the gate and waited for the green light for your group. Then you had to slip your ticket in the slot, pull it out at the right moment and then walk through the turnstile or lose your turn for ever, or at least until some official, with an exasperated sigh, let you through. With such intelligent people as C&P&R (I hope you are reading this P&R) I had no trouble getting through, though a couple of ladies on our tour had to be rescued.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Inside the castle itself was mind-boggling! You need to get out your thesaurases and find words to fill in here!! The whole castle was painted with themes from Wagners Operas. Seems King Ludwig was very keen on Wagner. All the walls and ceilings were covered with murals, sounds rather boring, doesn't it? "The walls were covered with murals", but it was absolutely stunning, beautiful colours, exquisite carvings and gold leaf everywhere. Each room more overwhelming than the last!! Our guide mentioned that Ludwig had been "committed" and taken to Munich, as he had spent all his money and some of his rellies' money on these castles. He never lived in this one. Later Ludwig and his physiciatrist were found drowned in a Lake. There is a mystery about this as Ludwig was a very tall and strong, healthy man who was an excellent swimmer...Our tour guide spoke very good English, and at the end of the tour when we thanked her, I complimented her on her English, guess what.. she had spent a year in Australia, near Coff's Harbour!! So we had a nice little chat, before leaving the castle and heading inevitably to the shop. If I have ever complained about prices in English tourist shops I take it back!! For ruinous prices, nothing matched this shop. We were almost tempted to take photos of the price tags (couldn't afford anything else).</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Now down to the small village, where our bus had been left. We could walk down, take the mini bus down or catch a horse drawn vehicle. So of course we caught the horse transport. Once in the village we found a nice spot to sit and eat and watch things go by. Very restful.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Now back on the bus and off to the Church in the Meadow. It really was in a meadow. We wandered off to the church, expecting just another church. Forget "just another church". This church was, well, stunning, (I think I am overworking this word). So light and airy with gold paint and beautiful pictures on the wall. It is hard to conjure up the atmosphere of such a light, colourful, spacious church.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Next morning on to Vipiteno, Italy. We thought that we would end up in some Italiano somthing or other. Not so. It was a very Austrian/Bavarian village. This is because (as Paul explained it) the village is still part of Tirol, only Italian Tirol. The language seemed to be German. We went off to explore and found the tourist info place where I tried out my limited German (very limited) and found some one who spoke English. She suggested the church and the old room in the Rathaus [Crosby: not very complimentary; it's pronounced 'rat-house'] (council chambers) and yes we made all the obvious jokes about the two names. The old church was fascinating, we crept around so as not to disturb the people in there who were praying. More old paintings on the wall. I also caused a slight muddle with my German, there were so many people in the church, that I asked someone if it was a Mass going on as we had no desire to tramp rudely through a service. He misunderstood me (not hard) thinking that I wanted to attend a Mass and very kindly showed me the list of Mass times posted outside. Very thoughtful.. what could I say except "Dankeschon". But at least we knew that there was no service going on. Throughout our whole trip we found people very friendly and helpful like this (even if total understanding was lacking).</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> We found the Rathaus and the old room, where we saw an old heater tiled all over and originally wood burning which used to be common in old chalets, but no longer in use. Sadly, we could not read any of the signs around as they were all in German.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Leaving the Rathaus we met up with P&R and pointed them in the direction of the places we'd seen and they pointed us in the direction of the cafe that sold nice hot- chocolates. We didn't make the cafe as we were side-tracked by a shop selling the most beautiful embroidery, but the prices... so high and the lady so insistent that I almost felt threatened thereby making me reluctant to buy. C would not buy a pair of braces embroided all-over with flowers.[Too expensive for slingshots!] We also saw our first eidelweiss, funny looking flower, rather spiky to look at but a soft creamy colour and it felt like an Australian Flannel flower. Back to the bus... </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> We went to Innsbruck, in Austria. The bus was parked in the official Bus Park and we wended our way into town..not far...., past lots of shops etc. until we came to the Plaza where the Golden Roof was. It seems some king or Duke or some body had heard a rumour that he was poor. This so incensed him that he built a golden roof...actually tiles covered with gold leaf. The roof shone and sparkled as we admired it. Looked like it had just been polished, then we set off to look at the Cathedral. C by this time was feeling quite crook, with a high temp.[Crosby: thank you, Peter!] The 4 of us admired the Cathedral though poor C spent most of his time sitting in a pew "admiring". He had hoped to take the ski lift to the top of a local mountain, but that was becoming increasingly out of the question. </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> We found some little old narrow lanes, and wandered through them, looking at all the lovely and expensive souvenirs, then off to the museum, far too expensive ,[Crosby: I don't think they would have sold it anyway] and R was starting to feel a bit tired. In case you are wondering we could not take C straight back to the bus as it was locked until a certain time. By now it was getting close to bus opening time so we started to wend our way (slowly) back to the bus.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Back to the hotel, C dosed up with panadol, crawled into bed and slept for the rest of the afternoon and night. By now R was feeling better and P still a bit crook, so abandoning our husbands to nap time R& I set off to find a supermarket, to buy water. On the way we crossed a bridge with the beautiful water that was so common in this area. It was a soft milky sort of bluey-green, and tumbled charmingly in its gentle, shallow way, over rocks and it looked so picturesque. The sort of place you could take the kiddies to paddle. We found it hard to believe, as Paul told us later, that on one tour the river had flooded so wildly that the bridge was covered and the tour bus could not get out.By the way, if you are wondering, we found a supermarket (an Aldi under another name) and bought some water and returned to the hotel, all with barely a bungle. Mind you, crossing the road was interesting as all the cars were on the wrong side.!!</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Wed, off to Linderhoff Castle, another creation of Ludwig. Now this castle was where Ludwig ended up living. This is also known as "The Wedding Cake". Again we were booked to enter the Castle at a set time, so we had time to wander the grounds and see THE Fountain. It rose every 15 min (I think) so we got to watch it several times. Then it was time to line-up for our entry. We had to go through in a group, as we were counted. P (of course) was missing, and C (of course) was allowing some ladies ahead of him, but they weren't in our tour!! He was nearly counted out. But we all made it . This castle was white outside and all Rocco style with lots of gold. Each room was a different colour. One room which was yellow had silver leaf trim. This was a small "cosy" palace . In the dining room was a table which had some kind of set-up which was lowered through the floor to the kitchen to be set or cleared and the next course set. This saved Ludwig from having to see the servants. He lived alone here in all this splendour, and rarely saw any other human. So sad.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> After our tour of the castle was over, we headed off to see the grotto. Ludwig also had this built. It looks like a large cave, but is set up for the performances of... guess who... yes, Wagner's works. So lavish, so expensive, the very first place in Bavaria to have electricity. There are coloured lights shining on the water, and a stage and all this for a one man audience as no-body ever came here except Ludwig ... He must have been a very lonely man.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> On to the Moorish tea house. This you could not enter, merely looked-at through the doorway which was glassed off. The whole of the inside was covered with tiny tiles, in all sorts of patterns, quite fascinating. Time to wander back to the bus.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Thurs. The morning was free, C & P were feeling better so we set off to wander around Reutte, the nearby town. It was inevitably beautiful and clean. We saw lots of old buildings with murals on their external walls. Lots of lovely window boxes, filled with bright colourful flowers. Not a lot of actual flower gardens. Most of the gardens are window boxes. These "Gardens" are taken inside during the Winter, with their heavy snowfalls, [Crosby: must get cool in there] and renewed next Summer. We found the Tourist Info, with some pamphlets in English (yea!!), a 2nd hand shop, with lovely Austrian clothes, nothing fitted. Again C refused some lovely embroided braces...I don't know why.... I can just see him wearing them to work....well, maybe not. I wonder if I can convey to you the atmosphere of this town: Lovely 2-3 storey chalets, with fascinating pictures, colourful flowers everywhere, no litter, not many cars..we just strolled along gazing at the sights... it seemed very gentle.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Now, back to business. Lunch at the hotel, then off to Ettal Abbey and Oberammergau. The Abbey was again spectacular. Light and airy and full of gold leaf. This was founded in 1330...a bit before my time. [Crosby: only a bi!]</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> The small village of Oberammergau was threatened by the plague and they asked God to deliver them, and promised to perform the "Passion Play" if they survived. They survived, and they kept their promise. This was in 1633 and has been performed every 10 years since. The next one being 2010. The first stage was built over the graves of plague victims. </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> The stage we saw was enormous, and there were people in there working. We wandered through the rest of the village, which of course, was lovely and clean. We were enchanted by the cuckoo-clocks and the exquisite wood carvings, but finally decided against any thing...the cost... I know... I know, this is a tourist place, perhaps they cater only for wealthy Americans.... There was also a Christmas shop, full of nice Christmassy things. A nice selection of Nativity sets. Then we found the icecream shop...that we </span><i style="font-family: arial;">could</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> afford..and very nice too. Again, some nice little streets/lanes and another spectacular church and some very dressy headstones, then we set off to find our bus.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> On the way home we stopped at a lovely lake, the water was so blue and clear, this was used for swimming and boating and in winter it freezes and is used for skating. It really was so post-cardish (new word): blue lake so clear you could see the bottom, surrounded by steep mountains covered with pines, and later on of course, with snow.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Back to hotel, with a quiz after dinner. The four of us were one team...nearly all the questions were English, but Paul assured us their was one Australian question. At the end we had to ask him which one was it. The question? How many stomachs does a cow have? Huh? Australian? Oh well, we came third anyway, what else would you expect? Now, here's one question that we got correct..(we're pretty good). Who was the last prisoner in the Tower of London? Can you answer that one eh? [Crosby: I've got to put the answer in or you'd never know. It was Rudolph Hess. I wouldn't know, but my observant wife read it while she was there not so long ago!]</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Fri. C and P were feeling better and it was R's turn to feel crook,but like the other two on their worst days, she stayed the course.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> We were off to Lake Constance and the island of Lindau. Instead of the motorway, Paul took us around some "back" roads, the scenery was again spectactular, what else could I say. We stopped at a small cafe/pub thingie, for morning tea. The dining room had a tree in it . . . why not ...and the ceiling was decorated with all the old-time farming implements, such as a plough and the wooden stakes they used to dry hay on... outside was a tiny shrine like a miniature church...room for only two people at a time.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Now for the island. The bus had to park on the mainland and we walked across a long bridge. We found a pizza cafe for lunch, where the bloke who served spoke Italian and German and English. To us it seemed interesting that an Italian man should work in a German-speaking town and be able to talk to Australian tourists.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> P & R went off to the park and C & I explored to Island. Lovely old churches, old houses and a harbour, where we watched the docking of the ferries that took people around the lake. Back to the park, met P & R and took a stroll around before it was time to return to the bus.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Early departure, for the long (very long) trip to our motel that night. We ate in the restaurant of that motel. We were not too impressed by the enormous and very friendly dog that strolled among the diners, his tail occasionally sweeping over someone's food.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Next day, back to the ferry and home to England.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Our feeder bus stopped to help another of their buses which broke down. This was fine, except that as a consequence we were dropped off at an obscure bus stop in Cambridge, and being Sunday the last bus had gone. So my poor little toes had to walk about 2 miles to the middle of Cambridge to find that...(thankfully) there was still one bus left to our village.. or at least within walking distance.... about another mile or two. Thanks to my husband's strong arms (he took the baggage) I limped home on one very swollen foot.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Was it worth it??? you betcha !!!</span>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-779877355151508602008-07-10T12:54:00.000-07:002008-07-10T13:48:01.796-07:00Swansea? What, in Wales??No, no ... we are not going to Swansea (in Wales). But it must be a pretty important place, because it's where they send stuff.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >The Drivers Licence Debacle</span><br /><br />When we first arrived in the UK, in Sheffield, last August, we lived in a house joined onto the police station. So, during the course of a friendly conversation, we asked the local police about drivers' licences, and whether us Aussies are allowed to drive here, and for how long, and how to get UK licences ...<br /><br />And the nice policemen didn't know the answer, so he went away and researched it for us, and he still couldn't find out. It seemed that he could find out about every nationality except Australians. Even New Zealanders got a mention, but not Aussies.<br /><br />We figured it must be something to do with the cricket.<br /><br />The best he could come up with - phone the DVLA in Swansea. What? In Wales?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5221482013666612882"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SHZuOhGwlpI/AAAAAAAAHCg/1JPxC0I6DYE/s400/100_0843.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Nearly a year later and now we really do need to get our UK licences before 12 months is up</span>.<br /><br />So Peter went on-line to try to find out what we have to do. What the police in Sheffield said is true - everyone is mentioned except Aussies.<br /><br />Europeans - driving on the other side of the road, not knowing the language ... can just swap their licence for a UK one. Commonwealth countries - again an easy swap.<br /><br />Students from anywhere (even China) can get a UK licence after just six months here.<br /><br />But Aussies seem to be in the "any others" category.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">So we can:</span><br /><br />drive on our foreign licences up to a year ... and then get a provisional licence, and eventually take the written test. But if we let it go over the year, then we have to take the practical test as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Aaaaaaaaah!</span> I have to take a <span style="font-weight: bold;">driving test</span> and I have to parallel park - ? I guess I'll just catch buses.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5221481992191776386"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SHZuNRGwloI/AAAAAAAAHCY/YF8gaD19ExM/s800/100_0941.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />Peter decided to lead the way. He got on with filling in the form on the internet, and then he had to print it out and sign it.<br /><br />They wanted a photo - like a passport photo - and it had to be signed on the back BY SOMEONE WHO HAS KNOWN US IN THE UK FOR MORE THAN 2 YEARS! ... and all this has to be done before the 12 months is up!<br /><br />Ok, so we found a teacher who has also worked in Istanbul, and was willing to say she knew us there two years ago.<br /><br />So then Peter paid his 50 pounds for a provisional licence. And then they said "<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">send us your passport</span>". To Swansea (in Wales).<br /><br />Nope. No way! He spat the dummy. We have learnt over the last few years that you don't let your passport out of your sight. Not even in England. This is the country where people leave files of secret documents on the train, and laptops full of secret information get stolen, and people find a CD of private information next to a roundabout ... not a secure environment!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Local DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency)</span></span><br /><br />Then we discovered there is a <span style="font-style: italic;">local</span> one of these, not only in Swansea! Peter hopped in the car and headed down there between lessons.<br /><br />Of course it wasn't anywhere near where they said it was on the map on the Internet, it had moved. But he eventually found it after a long walk, and the people were most helpful and efficient.<br /><br />No, you don't have to get a provisional licence.<br />No, you don't have to take the written test.<br />No, you don't need a photo signed by someone who's known you for two years.<br />No, you don't even need to send you passport to Swansea (in Wales), just show it as ID.<br /><br />And she even arranged to have the 50 pounds he'd paid on the provisional licence transfered to getting a new licence instead.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The only thing is that they take away your Australian licence, and send it back to Australia!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >All's well that ends well.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span>So the other day Peter got one of those brown envelopes that come from government departments. He opened it up, and there were all his licence forms that he'd filled in at the local DVLA, sent back to him.<br /><br />Oh no! At first it looked like they wanted his passport after all. But after we'd pawed through it , it looked like the problem was the 50 pounds. They sent it back. And wanted him to send another 50 pounds.<br /><br />So he's still waiting for his new licence.<br /><br />But I've got mine!!! I'm licenced to drive in the UK!! (Do you think that's wise? They've never even seen me park!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5221482043731383970"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SHZuQRGwlqI/AAAAAAAAHCo/jLPBaZ5rZg8/s400/IMG_5068.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"></span>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-72717840753562160172008-05-24T06:07:00.001-07:002008-06-13T07:58:54.072-07:00The best time to be hereAll those cute little sayings, and bits of sayings spring (!) to mind - and I have no idea where any of them come from really.<br /><br />Like: "<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Oh to be in England now that April's here</span> ..." or is it now that Spring is here?<br /><br />And <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"April showers bring May flowers ..."</span> Well, that one seems to be quite true.<br /><br />Today is a bit of a <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">red letter</span> day.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5203929912257821586"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SDgSrwAoO5I/AAAAAAAAFNw/ptbHdsIwhnY/s400/100_0944.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br />I am observing an old Australian tradition - I have hung washing <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">outside on the washing line</span>!<br /><br />That was when I came to stop and look at all those May flowers. Our yard is a bit of a mess, all jungley and overgrown with weeds ...<br /><br />but they are such pretty little weeds.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5203929744754096978"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SDgSiAAoO1I/AAAAAAAAFNM/g7hvogUfgBE/s288/100_0953.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5203929770523900770"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SDgSjgAoO2I/AAAAAAAAFNU/jJIrZEBpznQ/s288/100_0951.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5203929852128279426"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SDgSoQAoO4I/AAAAAAAAFNo/8H5xS4Rx3Oo/s288/100_0947.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5203929822063508338"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SDgSmgAoO3I/AAAAAAAAFNc/_FWjmGekGwo/s288/100_0949.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Being a good Oz, Peter headed off down the street to find our car and wash it - no outside taps and hoses here, just a good old bucket and sponge.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5203929959502461858"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SDgSugAoO6I/AAAAAAAAFN4/vQmkvWddKqU/s400/100_0942.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br /><br />And then he did the British thing - off with the shirt and out catching some rays.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5203929658854751026"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SDgSdAAoOzI/AAAAAAAAFM8/b3nJ7fkEdjY/s800/100_0958.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">(Hee hee! He doesn't even know I took this one!)<br /></span></span><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5203944455017085874"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SDgf6QAoO7I/AAAAAAAAFV4/rXx2wdPnSPU/s400/IMG_5139.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">The whole area certainly looks a lot nicer now that the trees have (many-coloured) leaves. This is the more ostentatious end of Unthank Road - all big houses with extensive gardens and no one needs to park in the street!<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5203944502261726146"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SDgf9AAoO8I/AAAAAAAAFWA/dPvsXqXQZFc/s400/IMG_5133.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br />Our tight little corner is much nicer too now that the trees are all leafy.</span><br /></span>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-61464464544149747132008-05-10T08:38:00.000-07:002008-06-13T08:02:57.903-07:00Cheltenham and the Romantic RoadWhen we first tried to book a B&B in Cheltenham, everywhere we phoned was full. But then we chanced upon<br /><a href="http://www.badgertowers.co.uk/"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Badger Towers</span></span></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.badgertowers.co.uk/images/photos/image1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.badgertowers.co.uk/images/photos/image1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It had previously been called Beechworth Lawn Hotel, and then the owners discovered they couldn't use the term 'hotel' unless they had a bar. But they didn't want to be just Beechworth Lawn, sounds like a park or something.<br /><br />Anyway, as you can see, it is a splendid house - one of many such houses in the beautiful town of Cheltenham.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881596136169794"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IRwV2IUI/AAAAAAAAE64/PkEihXGoEzs/s400/Image028.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />This is a caricature of Peter, a retired university teacher, who runs Badger Towers. He is a most gracious host, eager to please and keen to chat and get to know his guests.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881252538785922"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8H9wV2III/AAAAAAAAE5U/AXpxyIZB-LQ/s400/Image007.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />The food - full English breakfast in the morning - was excellent, and the rooms were bright and pleasant, and charmingly decorated - such as this colourful moulding around the ceiling.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881742165057954"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IaQV2IaI/AAAAAAAAE7o/voMrhnZoP5o/s400/Image031.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />And everywhere there were all sorts of badgery things!<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881222474014834"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8H8AV2IHI/AAAAAAAAE5M/pDzXHI4jtrY/s400/Image006.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881269718655122"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8H-wV2IJI/AAAAAAAAE5c/VtrW1_AVOeM/s400/Image009.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">The Romantic Road</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.the-cotswolds.org/top/english/seeanddo/romanticroad/images/RomanticMap.gif"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.the-cotswolds.org/top/english/seeanddo/romanticroad/images/RomanticMap.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We heard of the '<a href="http://www.the-cotswolds.org/top/english/seeanddo/romanticroad/index.html"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Romantic Road</span></a>' when we were teaching English lessons at the Uni. There is a book that describes two routes out of Cheltenham winding through the Cotswolds villages taking the minor roads and lanes. If you buy the book (available apparently on the Internet or from Tourist Information) it presumably has maps and pictures. We didn't get around to doing that, so we only had a printout of the instructions (with comments and poems) from the <a href="http://www.visitcheltenham.info/Content.aspx?Urn=162">free Internet version. </a><br /><br />Even so we thought it would be worth giving it a try. We only got ourselves lost a couple of times when we couldn't find signposts or features specifically described in the book. There are two routes: "A Road for Today" is a circuit that goes to the north and east out of Cheltenham; and "A Road for Tomorrow" goes east and south. There are lots of villages where you can stop and get out and explore on foot, or you can just keep driving.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">The Pumphouse</span></span><br /><br />This is where the Road for Today starts.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881488761987330"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8ILgV2IQI/AAAAAAAAE6Y/91TCwN_wPDE/s400/100_0928.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br />Cheltenham is really called Cheltenham Spa, and (like the city of Bath) has hot springs, and this is where the rich and famous used to come for their baths. The day we called by there was a postcard collectors' fair going on inside.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881875309044210"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IiAV2IfI/AAAAAAAAE8Q/PZ9ujqR7E0Q/s400/IMG_5104.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br />Then we left Cheltenham and headed out into the beautiful country side. Spring was bursting out everywhere, and the weather was the warmest so far.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881815179502050"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IegV2IeI/AAAAAAAAE8I/QEUCVRQ984E/s400/IMG_5102.JPG" /></a><br /><br />And there were places where we could get out and frolic along the public footpaths.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Villages</span></span><br /><br />In the UK, it's very 'trendy' these days to move out of town and live in a village. There are three or four villages around the outskirts of Norwich where the with-it people reside. They go there, apparently, for the peace and quiet, or something like that. The villagers in the Cotswolds must abide by strict rules to keep the place picturesque and tourist-appealing.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196882180251722354"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IzwV2InI/AAAAAAAAE9U/HbRwINPgox4/s400/IMG_5131.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br />As we've discovered before, picturesque doesn't always mean comfortable. Some of the villages with their tiny streets were jam-packed with cars, worse parking problems than here in the city.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881720690221458"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IZAV2IZI/AAAAAAAAE7g/zEg37qmanNU/s400/Image025.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />And no supermarkets. People who live there really need to have a car to get to work and shop in the more civilized places.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881557481464098"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IPgV2ISI/AAAAAAAAE6o/fFOKIeOKknE/s400/100_0929.JPG" /></a><br /><br />How 'bout this wisteria vine, though, ay?<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196882145891983970"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IxwV2ImI/AAAAAAAAE9M/G8LDMkAG4Yw/s400/IMG_5126.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br />And blossoms everywhere, falling like snow in the sunshine. Oh to be in England ... and here we are!<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881918258717186"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IkgV2IgI/AAAAAAAAE8Y/1qmqXUO4_Bs/s400/IMG_5105.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br />So at this little old church in the village of ... oh bother, I forget ... ther church has some interesting gargoyles. Some of them are the usual demons and animals<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196882094352376402"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IuwV2IlI/AAAAAAAAE9E/IGNnNKQ4wzY/s288/IMG_5125.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196882047107736130"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IsAV2IkI/AAAAAAAAE88/HjN5KvJP_PY/s288/IMG_5124.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196882017042965042"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IqQV2IjI/AAAAAAAAE80/0PQnn9M_xp8/s288/IMG_5123.JPG" /></a><br /><br />But others have more human faces, obviously local personalities in various degrees of distress.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881982683226658"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IoQV2IiI/AAAAAAAAE8s/1OXI0y2br9o/s288/IMG_5120.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881956913422866"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8ImwV2IhI/AAAAAAAAE8g/f9dwV4Q9frE/s288/IMG_5118.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881772229829074"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IcAV2IdI/AAAAAAAAE8A/5V9KNeV1GoY/s288/100_0905.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Out and about around Cheltenham<br /></span></span><br />We went to church with my friends from 40 years ago in Devon.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881505941856530"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IMgV2IRI/AAAAAAAAE6g/i6Uxq3rwVWM/s288/100_0923.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br />David Mardon lived two doors away from us in the vicarage at <a href="http://torquaytalkie.blogspot.com/2007/12/great-little-town-cullompton.html">Cullompton</a>, where his father, Noreen's husband, was the vicar.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881673445581170"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IWQV2IXI/AAAAAAAAE7Q/nLxusvuMQdM/s400/Image011.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />Trinity Church in Cheltenham looks like a regular CofE from the outside, but inside there was not a hint of the traditional.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881454402248946"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IJgV2IPI/AAAAAAAAE6Q/32TEmWadscI/s400/100_0919.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br />The weather was threatening<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881699215384962"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IXwV2IYI/AAAAAAAAE7Y/BWgeHNb8p-8/s400/Image012.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />and we'd seen plenty of 'the road' and the villages, so we wandered through the town.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881312668328098"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IBQV2IKI/AAAAAAAAE5k/gHAiYuMbMQg/s400/100_0913.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br />And a very pleasant place it is too.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5198797805033972418"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SCXXDywhYsI/AAAAAAAAFAM/Sf3sMzEEZo8/s400/100_0911.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br />One or two rather odd pieces of art work, like this one.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5198797749199397554"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SCXXAiwhYrI/AAAAAAAAFAE/3exlmHIgCaQ/s400/100_0909.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br />The minotaur and the hare ... we walked around and around it a few times before we noticed this on the ground.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881411452575954"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IHAV2INI/AAAAAAAAE6A/wsAgCmUOExU/s400/Image019.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />Then it got just too wet, so we wandered into the Regent Arcade, and took a look at the Wishing Fish Clock ... I think that was what it was called.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881385682772162"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IFgV2IMI/AAAAAAAAE50/UB9G4h1kakE/s400/100_0916.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br />At the half-hour (and presumably on the hour too) it played music and the fish blew bubbles all over the place.<br /><br />The movement of the clock seemed to be governed by these orange balls<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881420042510562"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IHgV2IOI/AAAAAAAAE6I/2GdC78xJCx8/s400/clock%20crop.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />Which dropped into the wheel, turned around and came out along another tube. The sun seems to be the hour 'hand' and the other hand points to the minutes of course.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881364207935666"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IEQV2ILI/AAAAAAAAE5s/TUNG2q7i18k/s400/100_0910.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br />Then there was the inevitable problem of where to find dinner on a wet Sunday evening. Most places in England still close on Sunday - earlier than usual, if not all day. We were reduced once again to pub food.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881574661333298"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IQgV2ITI/AAAAAAAAE6w/CnFZppkZvEQ/s400/100_0930.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br />Not wanting to risk one of their tough-meat meals, Peter went for a big hot dog thing. Wow! That IS big.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Back Home again</span></span><br /><br />Despite the odd shower, the weather was warm, and getting warmer. By the time we got back to Norfolk the outdoors thermometer built into our car was telling us it was 23 degree - positively summery.<br /><br />Many of the fields we passed were bright,<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"> bright</span> yellow - so bright that it almost hurt to look at them.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881647675777378"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8IUwV2IWI/AAAAAAAAE7I/HHjIdJD7n0M/s400/100_0939.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br />Noreen told us it was rapeseed flowers - I guess she would know. And it's not as easy as you'd expect to get a decent photo of it!Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-4305820647864072692008-05-06T12:12:00.000-07:002008-05-06T12:25:56.607-07:00A bit of a kafuffleJust before going to Cheltenham for the long weekend, I discovered that some of the people I knew in Cullompton way back in the 60s are now living in Cheltenham.<br /><br />So we called in to see elderly Noreen Mardon, widow of the late Jack Mardon who was the vicar of st Andrew's in Cullompton 40 years ago.<br /><br />While we were lunching with her in her tiny basement flat, she noticed rather a lot of policemen had gathered in the street just outside. So we went out for a bit of a gawk and to find out what was going on.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196881205294145634"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SB8H7AV2IGI/AAAAAAAAE5E/caSrElxN4wA/s400/Image011.jpg" /></a><br /><br />It was Saturday afternoon, wasn't it? And a very important football match was about to be played - and the police were ready for trouble-makers. We counted 31 constables there at one time. The local team (Cheltenham) were about to be relegated if they didn't win this particular match.<br /><br />There were several police dogs on short leashes, and they were excitable, barking and snapping - although they were mostly interested in each other, and in a man who tried to walk past with a kid on his shoulders. We asked the friendly bobbies what the dogs were trained to do. "Bite people," they replied.<br /><br />Apparently the important game was in fact won, and everyone went home happy - except the other team which wasn't from around there ...Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-85185006885390103602008-05-02T22:33:00.000-07:002008-06-13T08:04:33.688-07:00Eye GroupWhen teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), the best times are had with classes that are multi-cultural.<br /><br />My main class at INTO UEA is "Foundation Group 'I'", and we have a lot of fun together. Not only are they a multi-cultural group, but they are all intelligent and creative. So meet the gang, or at least some of them.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196021795223117890"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SBv6SwV2IEI/AAAAAAAAE38/Uuy1BtfqZjQ/s400/100_0886.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br />These are my boys - and yes, they are all boys. Bryan (bottom right) is one of the many Chinese students who are reluctant to get a hair cut in the UK! Next to him is Andrew, from Colombia, and behind them are Kyrie (left) and Wilfred (right) both from China.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196021730798608418"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SBv6PAV2ICI/AAAAAAAAE3s/mF3InzAz-Os/s400/100_0883.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br />Here are my sweet Chinese girls - Leeco and Crystal<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196021700733837330"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SBv6NQV2IBI/AAAAAAAAE3k/RS8RfPtuQNM/s400/100_0879.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br />and Kico and Cecilia. Who could resist those eager little faces?<br /><br />And then there are my African girls<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196021769453314098"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SBv6RQV2IDI/AAAAAAAAE30/2oTkvEHJZrA/s400/100_0884.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br />Enoma - from my birth-country, Nigeria - and Amaraiah from Zambia. As you can see, they are both full of fun.<br /><br />When we took this photo there were several students absent - Pauline (from China), Victoria (from Hong Kong), and Ecem (from Turkey).<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5196021825287888978"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SBv6UgV2IFI/AAAAAAAAE4E/8mEGkLHdgIc/s400/100_0887.JPG" /></a></p><br /><br />It's a good mix, and lessons are never boring.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-82138385087674766592008-04-26T05:01:00.000-07:002008-06-13T08:06:18.479-07:00Norwich LanesOur Oz friends who work near Cambridge, <a href="http://britishjob.blogspot.com/2007/08/out-and-about-on-august-bank-holiday_29.html">Susanne and Crosby</a>, were here for the weekend, so we thought it was about time we wandered through the famous Norwich Lanes. When you have an old city with narrow little streets, rather than knocking all the old buildings down so you can drive cars through there, you make them a feature as they are.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5193433132534472514"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SBLH6wV2H0I/AAAAAAAAE0Q/x_xb4tkHjnY/s400/Image020.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />This is Elm Hill, and not strictly speaking one of The Lanes - you can, in fact, drive a car down this street ... although the cobblestones are the roughest I have ever seen. The tourist blurb says that there are more Tudor houses in Elm Hill than in the whole of London. I guess there really aren't many Tudor houses in London!<br /><br />This street is really short, and just around on the left before the church<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5193433355872772018"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SBLIHwV2H7I/AAAAAAAAE1I/-05qaoqRFNo/s400/Image023.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />would be the old village green with the pump still there - but locked down now. (We used to use one of these when we lived at Little Tom's Cottage in the '60s.)<br /><br />The church at the end of the street is very much part of the scenery in Norwich. There are / were 52 churches - one for every week of the year, only a few of them still operate as churches. There were also 365 pubs ...<br /><br />The really amazing Tudor house was not in Elm Hill at all, but in <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Tombland</span>.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">We actually went to the tourist information office to find out why it's called that. Apparently, back in the day, it meant a wide open place - like a market place - and it still has wider pavements than in other parts of Norwich.</span><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5193433025160290066"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SBLH0gV2HxI/AAAAAAAAEz4/gFtJ8-Z9dZc/s800/Image013.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />Amazing, init?<br /><br />We went through into the courtyard and had a look at the back, too.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5193432965030747890"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SBLHxAV2HvI/AAAAAAAAEzo/22XRlfAUUx4/s800/Image005.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />Everything was so delightfully crooked and curvy.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">A Time to Dance</span></span><br /><br />We must have missed the memo, because we still don't know what was really going on, but everywhere in the narrow lanes, tinkling there way between the bustling crowds of tourists, there were Morris Men - and women. At various places there were dances.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5193433458951987170"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SBLINwV2H-I/AAAAAAAAE1g/EE8FuQ8VGVQ/s400/Image033.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />There were several teams of the traditional white-hanky-wavers.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5193433196958981986"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SBLH-gV2H2I/AAAAAAAAE0g/yq_bwyyAo0k/s400/Image043.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />And there were some less traditional mixed teams.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5193433544851333122"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SBLISwV2IAI/AAAAAAAAE1w/gWew7K6VJlE/s400/Image050.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />Then there was a parade of all the teams through the lanes.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5193433231318720370"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SBLIAgV2H3I/AAAAAAAAE0o/VqLIV9KcD7A/s400/Image049.jpg" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5193433261383491458"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SBLICQV2H4I/AAAAAAAAE0w/8Z3NRSpzS8s/s400/Image052.jpg" /></a><br /><br />There was even a crocodile man who seemed to be getting people ...<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5193433291448262546"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SBLIEAV2H5I/AAAAAAAAE04/NZLqvOwbEmI/s400/Image053.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />We all forgot our cameras - all of these pics were grabbed on my little Nokia phone.<br /><br />The rest of the weekend was totally English: wet and drizzly ... but we there was always lots to talk about.<br /><br />Hey! Maybe that's why the Brits are such great conversationalists ...Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-71668959581625635322008-03-23T13:12:00.000-07:002008-06-13T08:12:21.376-07:00Anyone for Holidays?At "INTO University of East Anglia" the staff do not get holidays just because the students do. On days like Good Friday, of course, the place is all locked up, but for the rest of the Spring Break, while the students are off, the staff are still expected to show up and ... well, work. Find something to do - marking, preparation, whatever. Of course "INTO" doesn't actually provide desks, and certainly not computers, for each staff member, so when there are no classes we are all thrown together in the inadequate office where the kettle sits on the floor because we can't spare the desk-top space for it.<br /><br />However, we do get holidays. We have to apply for them, and if we don't use up our allowance in the year they evaporate. With the two of us wanting our holidays at the same time, and being considerate sorts - not wanting to cause too much disruption as they seem to be unable to find 'cover' teachers when someone is away sick (or on holiday) - we opted to take holidays at least mostly while the students are on break. And we figured it would be better to do our driving and return home before the Easter Madness on the roads started.<br /><br />It seemed like a good plan. Unfortunately we didn't really believe to what extent the whole of the UK tourism business closes down over winter, and refuses to open until April, regardless of the weather. Even when Easter is early. Every castle, museum, even gardens, and (of course) public toilets ... all locked and barred.<br /><br />For the week before our break, gale force winds caused havoc across the UK, but that all passed before we set off. The weather was fine and mostly sunny. Spring has definitely arrived in England.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:130%;" >Heartbeat country</span><br /><br />I have always enjoyed the TV program "Heartbeat", which has been on TV in the UK and Australia for years and years. It's hard to say why it's so appealing - the music, the characters, the scenery - but it always had a familiar homely feel to me. (Whereas Coronation Street does nothing for me!)<br /><br />Heartbeat is set in a small (imaginary) village called Aidensfield on the Yorkshire moors near <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Whitby</span></span>. Actually the real place, where they do the filming and stuff, is called Goathland.<br /><br />More importantly than that, my mother was born in Whitby. So we decided to visit there first.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181012189278542642"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-anIs7qmzI/AAAAAAAAEp8/vhldO6Oqo-s/s400/100_0742.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />This was our first sight of Whitby, from 'Blue Bank' car park, a windy spot up on the moors not too far from Goathland.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Streets with two names</span></span><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181012464156449810"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-anYs7qnBI/AAAAAAAAErw/4InB5ViRDG8/s400/100_0787.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />We had booked a B&B in Hudson street - a nice wide street, with parking on both sides (unusual in the UK!). A friend pointed out to us that although this was in fact Hudson Street<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181012446976580610"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-anXs7qnAI/AAAAAAAAEro/qrETDcV6b2M/s288/100_0786.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />(there's the name)<br /><br />the other side of the street is called Abbey Terrace.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181012429796711410"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-anWs7qm_I/AAAAAAAAErg/oATqQd2kEZU/s288/100_0783.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />When the streets were being built, some Irish men were responsible for building them and were paid according to the number of completed streets ... clever little Irishmen, ay?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Whitby - a village with two sides</span></span><br /><br />Whitby is a fishing village.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181012412616842210"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-anVs7qm-I/AAAAAAAAErY/61sJn6POawA/s400/100_0772.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />The fishing can't be too bad, because we found we were eating fish from Whitby when we were in Scotland.<br /><br />The River Esk divides the village in two.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181017523627925026"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-ar_M7qniI/AAAAAAAAEv8/xvvJh6apEWM/s400/IMG_4915.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />On that side, on the hilltop stark against the sky, are the ruins a of the old Priory, and St Anne's church.<br /><br />There's the river mouth<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181012279472855922"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-anN87qm3I/AAAAAAAAEqc/aFK-IZABmiw/s400/100_0750.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />and the "Swing Bridge" that swings open like a door to let the boats up the river.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181012386847038418"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-anUM7qm9I/AAAAAAAAErQ/sRjcLIFLuYM/s400/100_0768.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />On this side of the river there are sandy beaches going all the way up to the village of Sandsend.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181017502153088530"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-ar987qnhI/AAAAAAAAEv0/FjJ9p_HyGj0/s400/IMG_4907.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />Although Whitby is on the East coast of England, it actually faces north. We went across to the East side of the river to have a look at St Anne's church.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181012331012463522"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-anQ87qm6I/AAAAAAAAEq4/-gsU43WEJbA/s400/100_0760.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />It's (apparently) one of those churches with box pews, and wealthy people would pay to have the best seats ... but anyway we were too late in the day and couldn't go in. The churchyard was full of these incredibly old-looking graves. But a lot of them are not that old, just incredibly weathered on this wind-swept promontory.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181012348192332722"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-anR87qm7I/AAAAAAAAErA/xNMW8Vx1XMo/s400/100_0761.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />The abbey ruins were also closed to tourists. But without getting close we could see that it was a magnificent building in its time - inhabited now by pigeons grateful for the shelter.<br /><br />We were feeling the effects of the cold wind, and of course the public toilet was also closed.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181012365372201922"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-anS87qm8I/AAAAAAAAErI/TWCWZLvQaAg/s400/100_0764.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />So we scrambled down the 99 steps to the East side of Whitby town. This street has fairly modern buildings - apparently this is where my Great-Grandfather's cobbler shop used to be. Most of the other streets on this side are narrow, cobbled, some of them mere snickets (small lanes) and a great little touristy precinct now. I guess Great-Grandpa's shop got cleared away to make a road wide enough for cars.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181017454908448226"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-ar7M7qneI/AAAAAAAAEvc/VadLeZgVelE/s400/IMG_4901.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />Back on the West side, looking down Hudson Street / Abbey Terrace you can see the Abbey ruins high on the other side of the estuary.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">On up to Scootland</span></span><br /><br />We've been practising saying it right - "Scootland" and "snoow".<br /><br />After years in the real Perth, in Western Australia, we decided to spend a few days in the fake Perth in central Scotland.<br /><br />We paid a couple of quid to go under the river Tyne.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181012472746384418"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-anZM7qnCI/AAAAAAAAEr4/BnPqDXP8pjw/s288/100_0794.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />And then scooted across the border into Scotland.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181012481336319026"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-anZs7qnDI/AAAAAAAAEsA/Tpd6S8Ij__g/s400/100_0799.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />Yep, that's the border. No fanfare.<br /><br />We skirted around the bottom of Edinburgh - just another city, not what we had come to see - and then we had to pay another toll to get across the Firth of Forth (at the narrow bit).<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181012494221220930"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-anac7qnEI/AAAAAAAAEsI/cgUPX92Zsc8/s400/100_0802.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">The Fake Perth</span></span><br /><br />Nice little city, on the River Tay.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181012528580959330"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-ancc7qnGI/AAAAAAAAEsY/FQCYjjhdyAA/s400/Image004.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />We went for a little walk, and found some cute little sculptures by the river. I particularly liked this one<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181012511401090130"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-anbc7qnFI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/pEdqz4o5Aj0/s288/Image001.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />of a duck diving through the water, all done in metal.<br /><br />We stayed in a splendid little B&B called Kinnaird House.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181017360419167650"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-ar1s7qnaI/AAAAAAAAEu4/v6t1kpXjmVY/s400/Image000.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />It was right on the south part of the city ring road, overlooking a park called the South Inch. (There is another park at the other end of town called the "North Inch".)<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181017570872565330"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-asB87qnlI/AAAAAAAAEwU/KgoJmiwrN_c/s400/IMG_4992.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />We had a lovely room, and most of the time we were the only guests - seeing as it wasn't April or Easter yet and Scotland was still closed. If you are looking for a B&B in Perth, I recommend this place. All the nice little touches made it very special. Like a little tartan covered cardboard box on the bedside table containing two welcome choccies - replaced every day we were there. Everything was bright and clean and fresh and well thought out. There was no parking out the front, but they have a large garage in a back lane way where they make space for about four cars.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">The Scootish 'Ighlands</span></span><br /><br />From Perth it was easy to drive up into the Scottish Highlands, and it was certainly beautiful - as least that wasn't closed.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181012554350763138"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-and87qnII/AAAAAAAAEso/Dqp5db4DaX0/s400/100_0844.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />The weather was fine and beautiful, although there was snow on the mountains.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181012567235665042"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-anes7qnJI/AAAAAAAAEsw/CvuRIyatqZ0/s400/100_0838.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />I was a bit surprised by how brown and dead everything looked. We had just left England in the full bloom of spring - daffodils and crocuses brightening the road verges and trees just bursting into blossom. Here the white of the snow contrasted with the varying browns of dead heather and dead bracken, varying to the dark green of evergreen forests and the slight purple haze of deciduous twigs.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181017596642369122"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-asDc7qnmI/AAAAAAAAEwc/J5FyWpcBr5s/s400/IMG_4993.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><br />Great picnic spots - as long as we stayed in the car - beautiful scenery.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">The Fish Ladder at Pitlochry</span></span><br /><br />This was one thing we had been keen to see - and fish don't pay any attention to calendars, do they?<br /><br />Pitlochry has one of many hydro-electric stations in Scotland. The problem is that when the salmon swim upstream to spawn Wham! they run into this whacking great dam.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181012597300436146"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-angc7qnLI/AAAAAAAAEtA/3q5lqSbQxqc/s400/100_0856.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />That down there is where the fish come from, and I'm standing up here on the dam. Over there to the right you can see the beginning of the fish ladder - a series of (34, I think) pools for the fish to work their way up.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181012584415534242"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-anfs7qnKI/AAAAAAAAEs4/9jGdjYdJCbE/s400/100_0847.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />Now here you can see more of the ladder. They come up on the left, round the bend, and continue on up. Where that bigger pool is, there's an observation room where you can go in and watch them go by. Only, right now ... it's still closed for the winter.<br /><br />We were wondering how the fish make it up that ladder, how they know to jump over those cement dividers. The water in the pools is all swirly and dangerous-looking - there are signs everywhere about danger of drowning so don't fall in! Then we realised there is a pipe at the <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">bottom</span> joining the pools to one another and the water is rushing through and the fish swim up against it. 3 or 4 of the pools are "rest pools" with less swirling, but we couldn't tell which ones.<br /><br />And there weren't any fish anyway - because they don't start running till April. They DO know about the calendar! And they keep running all the way till September or something.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">The View - the Queen's View</span></span><br /><br />So then we went to see the view from "Queen's View".<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181017253044985170"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-arvc7qnVI/AAAAAAAAEuQ/W3lWr8JMO7E/s400/IMG_5061.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />Well, obviously we had to go and see this one. It was named for Queen Victoria - who found that a little surprising when she finally went to see it, long after it was so named.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181017270224854370"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-arwc7qnWI/AAAAAAAAEuY/G6qx6DTeQLs/s400/IMG_5065.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />So, yeah, it was pretty speccy, and we even stopped and had soup and home-made cake in the visitors centre.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Do you know what a Crannog is?</span></span><br /><br />I discovered one place that was open - the "<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Scottish Crannog Centre</span>". So we had to go and see that.<br /><br />Apparently someone found an interesting pile of logs and mud at the bottom of this lake, and reconstructed life on the lake some 2 500 years ago. The mud had preserved everything so perfectly they were able to make all sorts of presumptions about like back then!<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181017231570148674"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-aruM7qnUI/AAAAAAAAEuI/lNNaNXpJCUk/s400/IMG_5057.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />And there it is, a reconstructed Scottish Crannog.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181017158555704594"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-arp87qnRI/AAAAAAAAEtw/WZw7c7wQuR8/s400/IMG_5045.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><br />We tread carefully across the slippery logs and into the bracken-lined crannog.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181017180030541090"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-arrM7qnSI/AAAAAAAAEt4/Mw_LdBwfLTo/s400/IMG_5048.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />For some reason they hadn't lit the fire - they reckon they do usually. We sat on animal skins on wooden benches as the wind gradually picked up outside and blew through the woven walls. It was interesting, if a little fanciful, and the inevitable American tourist in the group had to have her say over everything that she didn't know - including not having ever heard of bracken fern before.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181017210095312178"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-ars87qnTI/AAAAAAAAEuA/sfzn1KO3xeY/s400/IMG_5052.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />We were very glad to come back outside and move around a bit. Then young Marike showed us a few things about how to survive in the stone age - necessary skills like how to make a hole in a stone. She tried to show us how to make fire, but all she got was a little smoke and a few sparks. And there were some machines set up so we could have a go with a primitive lathe.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181017124195966210"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-arn87qnQI/AAAAAAAAEto/c6-RSA06Qak/s400/IMG_5042.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />The weather had turned, a few flakes of snow fell and we were glad to climb back into our warm car and leave the beautiful lake and the crannog.<br /><br />With everything else still closed there wasn't much else to do except take a few walks.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181017437728579026"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-ar6M7qndI/AAAAAAAAEvU/Hnd7AXxTOHA/s400/Image027.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />This gentle ramble is called "Lady Mary's Walk".<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181017557987663426"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-asBM7qnkI/AAAAAAAAEwM/-3wuAgogqAo/s400/IMG_4981.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />Time to say G'bye to Perth and head back to England.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">The Lake District</span></span><br /><br />Spectacular mountains and lakes in England's north-west. But, not surprisingly, it was not that special after the Scottish highlands.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181017094131195106"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-armM7qnOI/AAAAAAAAEtY/qVe1rUPVAbI/s400/IMG_5038.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />Windermere town was swarming with tourists, although the town was not really ready for them.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181017051181522130"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-arjs7qnNI/AAAAAAAAEtQ/wTYc6LLx7Ps/s400/IMG_5074.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />The village was still in the throes of major roadworks to get ready for the throngs in summer.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Home again home again ...</span></span><br /><br />We woke up to wind and rain - the fine weather was gone. The British motorways are amazing - we were able to go almost all the way home on the M6. The traffic was quite heavy, lots of lorries (that's what they call trucks here) , three lanes of traffic through the rain and spray ... and yet no hold-ups at all.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/WhitbyAndScotland/photo#5181278185193119378"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R-eZDs7qnpI/AAAAAAAAEyA/HUH339b3Bdo/s400/100_0877.JPG.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><br />Home to a White Easter. Where did Spring go, and all the bunnies and stuff??Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-67283684309795611122008-03-02T02:48:00.000-08:002008-03-24T13:39:46.816-07:00Daily RoutinesWe are slowly getting the hang of how things are done in Britain, and specifically Norwich. It's amazing the little everyday things that you take for granted.<br /><br />Some things are to do with living in a different climate.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5172090628997495570"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/ruth.wickham/R8b1Bi-FuxI/AAAAAAAAEmM/KRqpiAyffY4/s400/Image009.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Even on a fine-looking clear morning there may still be thick ice to scrape off the car before you go anywhere.<br /><br />Then there is our <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">job</span></span> at the University of East Anglia.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5172090650472332066"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R8b1Cy-FuyI/AAAAAAAAEmU/kpaM5akg1dE/s400/Image014.jpg" /></a><br /><br />With jobs we have held elsewhere we have been free to do anything - even go home or go shopping - at times when we weren't teaching. In this job we have to stay "at the office" between classes. Nevertheless this room is office for more than 30 teachers, but there are only 15 desks and 5 computers. They call it hotdesking, but we call it not putting true value on your teachers.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5172090667652201266"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R8b1Dy-FuzI/AAAAAAAAEmc/QcFlMxrYwwU/s400/Image017.jpg" /></a><br /><br />This is outside the teachers' room - no great views here - do you notice the bunnies?<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5172090607522659074"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/ruth.wickham/R8b1AS-FuwI/AAAAAAAAEmE/KKmOC1TCFhE/s400/Image007.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We still find it funny to have them hopping about everywhere at the University.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >The Secret Garden</span><br /><br />At least we have weekends off. Last weekend we opened up a Norwich Visitor Map, to find somewhere to go and see. A place called "Plantation Garden" was recommended.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >"A wonderfully restored idiosyncratic Victorian town garden including a gothic fountain, a rustic bridge, an Italianate terrace, an amazing "medieval" wall and hundreds of architectural details fashionable in the mid 19th century."</span><br /><br />Well that might be worth seeing.<br /><br />It was a little hard to find, hidden between the Catholic Cathedral and the Beeches Hotel.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5172090856630762418"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R8b1Oy-Fu7I/AAAAAAAAEnc/Ky3kOKCn0_k/s400/Image036.jpg" /></a><br /><br />It seemed to be in a bit of a hole. We had been wondering recently where all the flint-stones came from for the magnificent old buildings around town - well this is one place. Flint and lime were mined here, and then the whole thing kinda fell in I gather.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5172090779321351042"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/ruth.wickham/R8b1KS-Fu4I/AAAAAAAAEnE/A-TpBatSdRM/s400/Image026.jpg" /></a><br /><br />All these amazing walls and stuff were made from oddments from a brick factory.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5172090753551547250"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R8b1Iy-Fu3I/AAAAAAAAEm8/qDGATn6UOi4/s400/Image028.jpg" /></a><br /><br />It's a bit like when someone at a beach resort decides to cover their house with collected shells - interesting for the first few hours and then it's all just a bit much.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5172090689127037762"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R8b1FC-Fu0I/AAAAAAAAEmk/TApdwpHg7sY/s400/Image020.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We found the gothic fountain, with a massive goldfish swimming around.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5172090869515664322"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/ruth.wickham/R8b1Pi-Fu8I/AAAAAAAAEnk/Zn200qqSxz8/s400/Image037.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We had fond memories of PlaySchool and looking through the arched window.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5172090727781743458"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/ruth.wickham/R8b1HS-Fu2I/AAAAAAAAEm0/rb5jHdsid_c/s400/Image025.jpg" /></a><br /><br />There were so many of these bits scattered around.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5172090805091154834"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R8b1Ly-Fu5I/AAAAAAAAEnM/lEEvd8PFvJA/s400/Image031.jpg" /></a><br /><br />If this had been China there would have been no moss growing on that knob, everyone would have been convinced it was lucky to rub it.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5172090835155925922"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/ruth.wickham/R8b1Ni-Fu6I/AAAAAAAAEnU/qHU_oA7zI-c/s400/Image038.jpg" /></a><br /><br />This sign near the garden entrance was a bit of a puzzle.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5172090706306906962"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R8b1GC-Fu1I/AAAAAAAAEms/bYL1d2DruAQ/s400/Image023.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We saw one little frog - actually, I think it's a toad! - hopping around the gravel by the fountain. Actually, there were at least two, so maybe in Spring there'll be lots.<br /><br />What can I say. At two pound a pop ... well there was an honour box ... maybe you can save your money now that you've seen this.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-53272126268049572162008-02-08T23:55:00.000-08:002008-02-09T00:54:20.295-08:00A Shonky Company?<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Or just a lesson in not buying things over the Internet?</span><br /><br />Firstly let me say that our new bed and mattress is just wonderful, we are perfectly happy with it.<br /><br />However, we did not receive what we <span style="font-style: italic;">thought</span> we were buying.<br /><br />We bought, over the Internet, a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sandringham bed set</span> from <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Solution</span>s. We researched as much as we could - not being able to see and bounce on bed to check it out - where, and how, and from what materials, and by whom it was made. The only information we could find was that the warehouse nestled in the countryside in Sandringham near to Sandringham Palace ... it all sounded very British, local even, and we imagined the local Oompa Loompas hard at work hand-tufting our new mattress.<br /><br />So when it arrived with a totally different brand name and a "<span style="font-weight: bold;">made in China</span>" label, and "S<span style="font-style: italic;">andringham bed set</span>" written in biro on the packaging ... we felt a little let down.<br /><br />At first we thought maybe they had actually delivered the wrong mattress to our address. But after a number of phone conversations we have been reassured that it was all quite intentional. That is what they call the Sandringham', apparently. No mention on their site of the fact that they merely import and rename cheap Chinese mattresses. The label says "Club Orthopedic", not the "Sandringham1000" we were expecting. Amongst other things, the Chinese mattress has only 960 springs, not the 1000 the imaginary Sandringham has.<br /><br />We are not at all impressed with their lack of integrity.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-56814156272832727892008-02-04T13:01:00.000-08:002008-03-24T13:40:36.697-07:00So now we know!We KNOW why they have such squidgy little beds ... it's because of the squidgy little stairs!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Wow</span> that was hard work! There were quite a few moments when logic said: This can't be done. This <span style="font-style: italic;">shouldn't</span> be attempted. Turn back <span style="font-style: italic;">now</span>!<br /><br />But by then the 5' mattress with full orthopedic support and pillow-top was thoroughly wedged in the stairwell, jammed between the stairs and the ceiling. So we struggled on. I shoved and grunted, and Peter pulled and groaned.<br /><br />We had to actually b-e-n-d it a bit to get it through the doorway at the bottom and into the stairwell, and then another bit of a b-e-n-d to get it through the bedroom doorway. We thought maybe we could back out and put it through a window - but there are no windows that open more than a crack. (I guess in a fire we'd be smashing windows and jumping out - they are not actually double-glazed as far as I can tell.)<br /><br />And then, as we dropped it onto the bed - which had arrived flat-pack and Peter had painstakingly screwed together following the wordless instruction pictures - we noticed the label. A very nice mattress, but not the one we ordered.<br /><br />If they show up with the right mattress, they can jolly well get it up and this one down by themselves - don't want to do that again for a long time. I guess we'll have to not only stay in Norwich, but in this house ...Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-54622352829096819102008-02-03T06:58:00.000-08:002008-03-24T13:42:03.654-07:00Touristing around NorfolkWe weren't sure what there is to see in Norfolk. Someone suggested the north coast, places like Cromer and Sheringham. Looking on the map there are lots of red touristy symbols around there, so we thought we might take a look.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5162767916932730098"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/ruth.wickham/R6XWESKPDPI/AAAAAAAAEj0/FHBW-HQ0ANA/s400/100_0714.JPG" /></a><br /><br />It wasn't difficult to find a parking spot, and yes, we did 'pay and display' ... though I'm not entirely sure why.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5162767972767304978"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R6XWHiKPDRI/AAAAAAAAEj8/QK_xfFD_4sI/s400/100_0717.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Ah, <span style="font-style: italic;">there</span>'s a sandy beach. Not exactly the wildness we were expecting - that must be further along the coast out of the town.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5162767946997501186"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/ruth.wickham/R6XWGCKPDQI/AAAAAAAAEj4/m8lpm_sY7Rk/s400/100_0718.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I'll bet this place is humming in the summer!<br /><br />We were so <span style="font-style: italic;">so</span> cold, and as usual we needed to find a toilet. We wandered around the small township of Sheringham, and were pleasantly surprised to find that their public toilets (unlike most of these little towns') weren't locked.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5164878266510981810"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/ruth.wickham/R61Vay-FurI/AAAAAAAAEko/SHQYr7T1myY/s400/Sherringham%20Sun%203%20Feb%2008%20sm.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Around midday a few more people started to appear on the streets, and some of the shops opened up. We found a little shop and had a cappuccino.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5162768028601879842"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R6XWKyKPDSI/AAAAAAAAEkA/wn6IizAyc9o/s400/100_0723.JPG" /></a><br /><br />And then we got out of the wind in this charming little shop. What amazing stuff this chap sells. Great place to go for that little something different.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5164878287985818306"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R61VcC-FusI/AAAAAAAAEkw/kDzdGqbrwMo/s400/IMG_4885%20sm.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Then we tried to drive along the coast and see these great beaches. But all we could see was fields with the sea beyond - there seemed to be no way to get nearer.<br /><br />We were hungry, and needing the toilet again. Someone had told us that there is an old Roman Village at Caister-on-Sea, so we went there. They didn't tell us it's a ruins with barely a metre of wall still standing. And the toilets in Caister were locked and barred, and there didn't seem to be any eating places open at all.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Filby</span><br /><br />We drove back towards Norwich, and came across a little place called Filby. Couple of houses and a pub, and a road-works traffic light that made us sit still long enough to turn off the engine. That was when we noticed a sign offering a pub lunch ... and pubs have toilets too.<br /><br />We ordered a meal each - Peter had pork and I had turkey. They served up a <span style="font-style: italic;">huge</span> plate - like a large serving dish - absolutely loaded, but rather lacking in colour! There was the (off-white) meat, and (off-white) stewed cabbage, (off-white) lumps of cauliflower, a couple of (pale brown) roast potatoes, a (pale brown) yorkshire pudding filled with (light brown) gravy, a few cubes of (pale yellow) swede, and some ORANGE slices of carrot.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5162768075846520114"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R6XWNiKPDTI/AAAAAAAAEkE/8i9dCh_RU6c/s400/100_0724.JPG" /></a><br /><br />English food, ay! Not something to write home about. There are so many amazing cooking programmes on TV here, same as Autralia, and yet these chaps can't be bothered to chuck on a sprig of parsley or something to add a bit of visual appeal.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-25529776275245113132008-02-02T09:37:00.000-08:002008-03-24T13:43:19.544-07:00Squidgy little British bedsSomehow the feeling of being small and cramped pervades every area of life.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5162324637653077090"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R6RC6CKPDGI/AAAAAAAAEgQ/f5EhjMlOQmQ/s400/100_0693.JPG" /></a><br /><br />This is a double bed. Yeah, right! It's four foot wide. They do admit it's a 'small double', but in Australia it would be a 'King Single'.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5162324714962488482"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/ruth.wickham/R6RC-iKPDKI/AAAAAAAAEg0/JfsBFBMVQv4/s400/100_0708.JPG" /></a><br /><br />This is our sofa. It's low, and hard, and converts into a bed.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5162324732142357682"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/ruth.wickham/R6RC_iKPDLI/AAAAAAAAEg8/BtBm24K7EdE/s400/100_0711.JPG" /></a><br /><br />This is the bed upstairs - under the doona (they call it a duvet) is one of those sofas like the one downstairs, only they have stuck a cheap sprung mattress on it because that thin futon mattress thingy really is hard. But it is all only 4'6 wide.<br /><br />In Australia almost no one uses 4'6 wide 'double' beds any more. Most people have a 'Queensize', which is 5' wide. Quite a lot of people have 6' wide Kingsize beds.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5162324547458763810"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R6RC0yKPDCI/AAAAAAAAEfw/1jAOQJgLLGQ/s400/IMG_4643.JPG" /></a><br /><br />We bought this lovely "sleigh bed" in Torquay and were very sad that we couldn't fit it into the car to bring it here. In Australia people commonly have 6x4 car trailers that you can carry all sorts of stuff around in. Some people here have trailers, but they are tiny little box things.<br /><br />So, now that we have reached our first pay day, we are getting a new bed. One with a headboard and a tailboard. A British 'Kingsize', Aussie 'Queensize'.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5162441452173593826"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/ruth.wickham/R6StJiKPDOI/AAAAAAAAEi8/Vyp75TNRitg/s400/Image004.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Everything has to be dragged up these steep, tight stairs, of course, no matter how big the bedroom actually is.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-74375765383355621622008-02-02T02:45:00.000-08:002008-03-24T13:46:04.985-07:00February Snow<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5162324663422880882"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/ruth.wickham/R6RC7iKPDHI/AAAAAAAAEgY/yjLEiJuFRn4/s400/Image000.jpg" /></a><br /><br />It was the even-more-than-usual number of emergency vehicle sirens we kept hearing in the busy street outside our little terraced house that made us peek outside and realise it was snowing. Just the other day everyone was commenting on how the mild weather had brought the daffodils out in flower a month or two early, and the grassy street verges are bursting with crocuses in bloom. And now it decides to snow.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5162324598998371394"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R6RC3yKPDEI/AAAAAAAAEgA/aqSytabvb40/s400/car%20snow%20street%20sm.JPG" /></a><br /><br />It snowed for quite a while, but not all night. We had to do a bit of scraping before we could go out in our car this morning - good thing it's a Saturday.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5162324624768175186"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/ruth.wickham/R6RC5SKPDFI/AAAAAAAAEgI/SqW8I4K2-uk/s400/street%20snow%20sm.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Unfortunately that's no longer snow on the pavement. It has turned to hard, slippery ice - and I'm not much good at walking on ice!<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5162324762207128770"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/ruth.wickham/R6RDBSKPDMI/AAAAAAAAEhE/zn_9T489h7o/s400/100_0701.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">You can tell he's not a Brit, because he's out photographing snow!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5162324689192684674"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R6RC9CKPDII/AAAAAAAAEgg/jyW3yCiqoeI/s400/100_0695.JPG" /></a><br /><br />And the funny thing was that at first he headed out the door like any good Oz, in bare feet - not for long, though.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5162435374794869970"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R6SnnyKPDNI/AAAAAAAAEiw/nDnlTzSq_ns/s400/ruth%20house%20sm.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I was out the back too, in my pink fluffy slippers. Our tiny back yard is all snowy, but the sun is beating on our house ... if only there was a little warmth in it.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5162324706372553874"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R6RC-CKPDJI/AAAAAAAAEgs/c2ztvOiIXfI/s400/100_0699.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The kitchen window looks out onto the 'conservatory'. It has no windows, but at least the roof is perspex. The other night it was windy and a tile clattered off the roof right through the conservatory roof. But we still have our little windowsill garden of pot plants.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-83440963964585217292008-01-18T23:16:00.000-08:002008-03-24T13:47:18.440-07:00Norwich Castle<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5157054086182900994"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R5GJXj5olQI/AAAAAAAAEd4/Hd5DR_tj_qk/s400/100_0674.JPG" /></a><br /><br />So, what do you think?<br /><br />That's what we thought too - that's not a proper castle! What were they thinking ...?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">But wait! There's <span style="font-size:180%;">more</span>!</span></span><br /><br />First we had to make some decisions about what to pay to go inside.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5157054099067802898"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R5GJYT5olRI/AAAAAAAAEeA/YivDnwKX4ss/s400/Image011.jpg" /></a><br /><br />There are zones! We decided that - interesting as it might be - we had not come to see the art gallery. So we chose the castle and history zone, and then we opted for a guided tour of the battlements and the dungeon.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Just like the Tardis</span></span><br /><br />The inside almost seems bigger than the outside - and certainly a whole lot more interesting. The outside facade was built in the Victorian era, but the inside is still very old.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5157054120542639394"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R5GJZj5olSI/AAAAAAAAEeI/Sbz6E8-c7fs/s400/Image017.jpg" /></a><br /><br />There are lots of displays of different kinds, puzzles and games for kids (big and small), and models, and electronic displays and reconstructions. We found it very interesting.<br /><br />There were guides who gave an interesting tour - for no extra cost - and as well as the dummies (above), there were various people walking around in period dress.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5157054210736952674"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/ruth.wickham/R5GJez5olWI/AAAAAAAAEeo/IROJ4KtNVH8/s288/Image033.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Battlements</span></span><br /><br />The battlements tour costs a little extra, and it's truly freezing cold up there at this time of year!<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5157054142017475890"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/ruth.wickham/R5GJaz5olTI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/4HEklKv_HLU/s400/100_0685.JPG" /></a><br /><br />But the views, of course, were brilliant, and as we walked around each of the four sides of the castle keep we were told stories relating to buildings and landmarks we could see and the history of the castle over the centuries.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Dungeons</span></span><br /><br />For hundreds of years the castle became a prison. For a little extra again we did a tour of the dungeons below the section of castle outside the keep.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5157054189262116178"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R5GJdj5olVI/AAAAAAAAEeg/h75VVBQSBiA/s400/Image034.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Obviously not a good place to take photos ... this was a dunking chair. There were a number of death masks - molds made from the dead faces of hanged criminals hundreds of years ago. Some of them had interesting stories to tell.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Great Hall</span></span><br /><br />In the main keep one of the displays was a model of the castle in its early days. I stuck my phone up to the window of the doll's house sized model and took a photo of the feasting going on inside.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5157054236506756466"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R5GJgT5olXI/AAAAAAAAEew/Yjl7BvtLuU4/s400/Image042.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The "Borrowers" (remember the old books??) would have fun in a place like that.<br /><br />But all in all it is an interesting place, well worth a visit.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-17915853263765644412008-01-18T21:29:00.000-08:002008-01-18T23:11:06.034-08:00Concrete and Rabbits<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Working at UEA</span><br /><br />We are working at the University of East Anglia, in Norwich, teaching English for Academic Purposes to International students who are hoping to do university courses. We actually work for a company called INTO, which operates at three universities - here, Exeter, and Newcastle. Some of our students are preparing to start a degree course, others are wanting to enter the second year of a degree course, and others have completed a degree in their own country and want to do a masters degree here - in English.<br /><br />The student newspaper is called <span style="font-weight: bold;">Concrete</span>. Its <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> hard to see why:<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5157053957333882002"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/ruth.wickham/R5GJQD5olJI/AAAAAAAAEdA/zfDErgCP75M/s400/Image011.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5157054017463424210"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R5GJTj5olNI/AAAAAAAAEdg/IBoo-XDlrUc/s400/Image009.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5157054038938260706"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/ruth.wickham/R5GJUz5olOI/AAAAAAAAEdo/BvBITbMBUwY/s400/Image010.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Its not the prettiest piece of architectural design we have ever seen. Although they obviously have tried to go for interesting shapes ...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5157053970218783906"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/ruth.wickham/R5GJQz5olKI/AAAAAAAAEdI/QpJwNOMTK1Q/s400/Image012.jpg" /></a><br /><br />... its probably more the overwhelming greyness of the concrete that gives it a touch of 'grim'.<br /><br />Clearly this is a bad time of year to get an impression of the place. There are sections that will obviously be delightful in sunny weather ...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5157054004578522306"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/ruth.wickham/R5GJSz5olMI/AAAAAAAAEdY/-mZGzBjMc_k/s400/Image008.jpg" /></a><br /><br />... when everything has dried out a little and the plants have recovered. There are lots of trees, which will soften the view when they have leaves again,<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5157054069003031794"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R5GJWj5olPI/AAAAAAAAEdw/_0xSa1rOK4Q/s400/Image013.jpg" /></a><br /><br />and the grass will be more green and less muddy and trampled.<br /><br />At the heart of the campus there is a central courtyard with (cement) steps all around, and a (cement) water feature that presently has no water, and several shops and cafes. When the weather is kind enough for it to be filled with some of the 13 000 students sitting around on the steps - instead of rushing past all huddled against the rain and wind - I'm sure it will be much prettier.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Broad</span></span>. You may have heard of the Norfolk Broads - they are of course waterways by another name. The university has its very own broad, a man-made one.<br /><br />If you slush your way across the muddy grass to the broad and look back at the university, it <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">is</span> very attractive. This, of course, is where all the shots are taken from for the brochures - and, oddly enough, I haven't taken any pictures of that side. So if you go <a href="http://www1.uea.ac.uk/cm/home/courses">here</a>, for instance, you can see photos that look very different from the ones above.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What about the Wabbits?</span></span><br /><br />The Students Union also has a publication, it's called <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Rabbit"</span></span>.<br /><br />There are rabbits all over the place - anywhere that there is grass - hopping about (digging holes), nibbling grass, quite unconcerned about the 13 000 pairs of feet tromping by.<br /><br />I haven't got any pics of them - well, you <span style="font-style: italic;">know</span> what a rabbit looks like, and they don't look much on a photo, and they are not stupid enough to let me get <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> close to them to take a really good picture.<br /><br />Squirrels too. They know that if they are on the other side of the tree trunk I can't get to them, and I feel a bit daft chasing them round and round ...<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Work and Chaos</span></span><br /><br />Funny how the two are linked, isn't it? If everything went swimmingly, it wouldn't be any fun - where's the adventure in that?<br /><br />Talking of swimmingly ... there was a flood in the Arts building (the centre for our admin until the new 'INTO' building is finished) just before term started. It wasn't the rain (it's a multi-storey concrete building), but a burst radiator in one of the upper floors. What got wet? Well, amongst other things: our contracts, the teachers' induction handbooks - things that would have been extremely useful to us at this time.<br /><br />So we muddle our way along, discovering important information by the stumble method. People seem to be endlessly saying, "Oh, haven't you got a .... yet?" "Haven't you done your ... yet?"<br /><br />Oh yes, I know, it will get easier ...Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-86382454474646864602008-01-06T11:31:00.000-08:002008-01-06T11:41:12.680-08:00Wintery WeatherWe've passed the shortest day - and they really are short - and the longest night. But, as Susanne kept warning us: as the days begin to lengthen so the cold begins to strengthen. Apparently the coldest weather is yet to come.<br /><br />We have a brilliant (brand new) boiler in our little terraced house, and indoors stays toastie warm.<br /><br />This morning I looked outside - lovely sunshine! What a pretty day. We headed down the pavement to our car, and we noticed that <span style="font-style: italic;">some</span> cars were coated with thick ice. And some weren't.<br /><br />We were chuckling about that, until we got to ours ... thick rime of ice all over. Very pretty of course. The front windscreen squirter did the job on the front windscreen, but Peter had to use his fingernails on the back window (poor dear, I helped him to warm up his hands after).<br /><br />Guess we had better invest in a can of that "de-icer" stuff that other people have.<br /><br />Still waiting for some proper snow, though. Stephanie tells us they've had snow in Istanbul - not like last year. We had some snow here the other day. Just teeny tiny little white balls floating down, only a few. Not like flakes, like minuscule bits of polystyrene. Gone after a few minutes.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837373524112602771.post-41751137460577252352008-01-04T01:37:00.000-08:002008-01-05T00:53:57.219-08:00Norwich New YearOn Sunday we wandered into the city centre looking for a church, specifically Norwich Central Baptist Church - after our good experience with Upton Vale Baptist in Torquay.<br /><br />Being December 30th, congregational numbers were considerably down on normal, but they are definitely a cheerful, friendly lot. We noticed a sign-up sheet for a New Year's Day walk followed by home-made soup!) and figured this would be a good way to meet people, and even see a little of Norwich.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5151381147349455874"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/ruth.wickham/R31h3D5olAI/AAAAAAAAEas/FohClp2KssQ/s400/100_0664.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The walkers were obviously a very august group - we fitted right in there. "Going for walks" is a very English activity, and one gets all kitted up in good strong mud-proof boots, and many people like to carry two poles - I was offered a pair (maybe I was looking a bit lame) but I noticed none of this group were using them, although we have seen many walkers heading across fields on public footpaths dragging on their double poles.<br /><br />Graham, our esteemed leader explained the route across the marshes - not too muddy at present - and along the way stopped to point out various landmarks and great houses, explaining their history and which local family had lived there over the centuries.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5151381203184030754"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/ruth.wickham/R31h6T5olCI/AAAAAAAAEa8/WcHTEMcJN-g/s400/Image010.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The Brits are amazing like that, how they know and own their lords and ladies and all their business.<br /><br />Graham explained that at some point we would see a mare, with swans on it. Even the rest of the group looked at each other with puzzled expressions.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5151381228953834546"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/ruth.wickham/R31h7z5olDI/AAAAAAAAEbE/K2yj-0LohNM/s400/Image008.jpg" /></a><br /><br />There were quite a few different kinds of gate to pass through across the fields. This one is a "kissing gate" - you push the gate, go around the end of it, then push it back the other way and walk through. There was a sign that said "Don't feed the horses" - unfortunately the horses couldn't read it and really wanted to be fed. Black-and-whitey here was <span style="font-style: italic;">in</span> the kissing gate, and had to be physically pushed out of the way so we could get through.<br /><br />We saw a lot more horses along the way, and walked along the river and past this pond ... with swans on it.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5151381250428671042"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/ruth.wickham/R31h9D5olEI/AAAAAAAAEbM/6_zfWeMIBvg/s400/Image015.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The chaps called it a "mere", and Graham pronounced it "mare", and there <span style="font-style: italic;">were</span> swans on it!<br /><br />Finally we all headed back to Graham's place for a delicious soupy lunch and some great conversation.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/AbroadInNorwich/photo#5151381276198474834"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/ruth.wickham/R31h-j5olFI/AAAAAAAAEbU/WpS3ACS7T7o/s400/Image019.jpg" /></a>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0