Travel Diary and Musings

Bower Birds

2012-02-02T06:38:00.001Z

We seem to have a few Bower Birds in the garden. Hopefully one of them will build a bower ...

For a video of them doing their thing click here.

Decisions, Decisions ... Time To Pay ... Today

2012-01-30T23:03:00.007Z

After much cud-chewing, hourly ear-bashing and finger-sore webbing, it's time to cough up the clams and choose an airline. I don't want you to think we're creatures of habit; mindless lemmings following a Disney migratory route to greener pastures where we engage in tribal ritual or mystic, predawn Masonic mumbo jumbo. No. No. No. Yes, we are choosing JAL - again ...

Korean Air came very close, but got the silver. After a great deal of Seoul searching we decided to to pay the extra small bucket of clams and continue to pander to our indulgent egos. So we're Tokyo bound in mid May - fingers crossed ...

English Summer Oz Style

2012-01-16T01:09:00.002Z

What a strange summer - wet,windy and the odd sunny day. No. Not the UK. I'm talking about The Bay this year. Walking is a pleasant pastime in these temperate conditions - what a joy not to be fried to a crisp!

Our friends at The Bakehouse cafe are always a reliable source of coffee and cakes so that a brisk walk to town has both excellent estuarine views and the promise of tasty refreshment. The excuse is acceptable - it keeps us fit ...

Where? What? Who? When?

2012-01-14T23:26:00.003Z

Those are good questions which the planning committee are trying to resolve. It's not really a question of dosh or self-imposed time lines; cultural tastes seldom are.

Japan will be part of the jolly; Shikoku being the main area of interest to start with. A couple of nights in Tokyo and then the shinkansen down to Okayama followed by JR trains to Takamatsu and beyond. Swanning around the island for a week and then the reverse trip back to Tokyo and then, up-and-away on to Europe.

Europe probably means stopping in Paris for a few days and then taking a week or two to rail around Normandy, Picardy and Nord pas de Calais, taking a squiz at some of the many historic sites and galleries; cafes and patisseries are without number, so that we will have to exercise great constraint is we are to travel at all. The list of places, so far, includes: Caen and Bayeux, Rouen, Amiens, Laon or Lille; with day trips from Paris to the obvious Big V. Note: we will not be visiting any War Graves.

The Eurostar from Paris or Lille to London seems to be a good idea until you consider that the Olympics are in London this year. We may try to fly to a northern airport even if it means going to Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris to fly to the UK and avoid London.

Sheffield seems to beckon again for all the good reasons of last and other years. That depends upon the availability of an apartment; that we will find out about a month before we leave ...

When to leave ... May?

Coming back? The reverse flights are the favoured option, but the there may be a desire to visit Korea on the way ...

Summer? Nah, It Must Be Autumn.

2012-01-11T23:07:00.001Z

Just to let you know that the summer here in Oz is really a late Oz autumn replay. Cold, wind, rain and the odd day of sunshine al la a British summer. To be honest, I like it! The over-sold, blistering summer normally touted for these shores is only good for producing Lobsters; that's over cooked tourists who have the desire to sear their flesh to get that reptilian molt effect which is so flattering.

Long may it remain so ....

Mower Mania!

2011-12-28T01:33:00.002Z

One of the annoying things about living in Ozerland is the mania for mowing grass, lawn is too grand a notion. The act of mowing isn't the problem. Its the obsession with motor mowers and the chronic desire to cut the grass down to the roots. This activity must be done at some ungodly hour in the morning; probably due to a the misconception that the sun may rise to levels that sear the flesh down to the bone before 9am. The manic activity is not confined to those of retirement age who have noting better to do with their time. Better still if the mower is supercharged with designer, mega decibel exhaust and go-fast stripes.

I was woken this morning by some half-wit next door and, had I possessed the necessary equipment, would have been delighted to hasten her passage across the Styx and payed Charon handsomely.

It was a comfort to find out that a I was not the only crusty to object to such a rude incursion into my territory ...

2011-12-23T23:51:00.000Z

Travel Videos - Done And Dusted

2011-12-12T23:30:00.001Z

That really is a wrap. So drop into my Youtube site if you want to spend hours seeing what we've seen ...

Hope you enjoy what you see

Loading Up For The Season

2011-12-11T00:39:00.001Z

Tis the time to

Deck the roofs with boughs of razor wire,
Reindeer traps and Claymore mines.
Tis the season for Santa hunting,
Rudolf pie and mulled red wine.
Fa la la la la, la la la la,

Happy hunting campers!

Cut, Cut, Cut and It's A Wrap ... Nearly ...

2011-12-08T22:09:00.000Z

After a mammoth series of editing session I've come to the end of my tether ... sorry, that's tapes. Time to leave the computer to chew away for hours digesting the finished footage into DVDs. I don't have blue teeth and don't expect to change my dentition for some time ...

Horsetrailier wise all is same of the same ... except ... the summer goblins have gone on strike. Cold, windy and much downward trending water seems to dominate the meteorological soothsaying. It must be the new carbon tax ...

It'll soon be That Time again. Time to take the Humbug pills and board up the chimney; time to reflect of the behavior of the herd; time to say at home, doors bolted and curtains drawn. Need I say more?

Weeds, Wet and Windy

2011-11-26T23:40:00.001Z

Back at the kennel the weeds are rife and the weather, on-again, off-again, rain and wind. Not to worry the 'fridge is full and there's plenty of film to edit.

Local fauna are a delight as usual; there is nothing as rowdy as Oz birds at daybreak. The lizards are up and about when the sun decides to show its more radiant face. Mr Blue Tongue came out to greet us which frightened the daylights out of the Memsahib. This especially since our friend down the road found a four foot python slithering its way around the wood-fire chimney pipe in her kitchen. The snake went on to the work bench top in the kitchen before the stalwarts from the local zoo turned up to remove the beast. Because the animals are territorial they only took it down the road to a small pond where they thought it had come from. The best part of the story was that the zoo stalwarts told our friend to, "Grab it by the tail and drag it outside". No chance!

Here is Mr Blue Tongue:

Back To The Colonies

2011-11-09T02:57:00.000Z

After two splendid rest days in Narita we find ourselves back in the Colonies again - for a short while. We were greeted by a massive thunderstorm which meant that today was the wettest we've seen for six months ...

So time has come to ... set up all that needs to be set up so that life can go one as before ... that also includes:

Making the next set of travel plans and bookings ...

now where will that be?

Millers' Dale and Turkey Dinner

2011-10-31T12:26:00.000Z

An afternoon walking and looking for fossils at an old quarry in Millers' Dale. The massive lime kilns added some interest; their size alone testament to industrial activity of the area - up to 1944. Remnants of the railway station still remain. The Victorians certainly didn't have any belief in OH&S or Green Industry.

Back at the cottage we feasted on a roast turkey dinner followed my mince pies; an early Christmas dinner with friends. Excellent ...

Mill Pond, Meadows, Streams and Cottage Teas

2011-10-24T10:14:00.001+01:00

After a very dull start to the day the weather cleared and, despite a cool wind, provided just the right condition for a walk in North Lees Estate. Transport, as per, was the trusty 272 to Hathersage - don't you love regular public transport ...

After a more than ample lunch, we took a leisurely walk past the Mill Pond and on to a walled field. The field was surrounded by small woods. We sat against the wall and under the Oak and Birch trees. Such an peaceful setting always leads to the discussion of all manner of problems and this time was no exception. The world sorted, we returned to the Mill Pond, where we met the boys who, after a couple of hours working sheep, decided to demonstrate their diving and swimming ability ...

"Stand back they're going to shake themselves!"

Aquatics done, we walks across the Warren, site of an Romano-British settlement (not excavated yet ...), and down the tracks leading back to the cottage.

Tea, cake and conversation finished an excellent afternoon. Simple ...

Drawn Into The Gallery ... Again.

2011-10-22T10:17:00.000+01:00

What a delight to be able to jump on a bus and attend a Life Drawing session at the Millennium Gallery every Friday. Tim Rose directed the session.

Lunch was at the New Deli in Tottley - no, it wasn't an Indian cafe no matter how punny it sounds.

Public transport is excellent in Sheffield - that adds to the pleasure of being here.

Lincoln By Train - Again

2011-10-20T10:42:00.001+01:00

A few days in Lincolnshire were our last visit to the home county for another year. Say what you like, the presence of the university students has brought the breath of activity to the place. We now look at the city with different eyes to those of our youth. Lincoln is an excellent old city just as pleasant and interesting as any you would find in France.

Weather wise, we were treated to clear blue skies and bitter cold winds - Lincolnshire Autumn.

Rake and Tor in Derbyshire

2011-10-16T23:16:00.001+01:00

After a dull start to the day we ventured out on the 272 to Hathersage. The walk across the fields to the cottage was delightful. After an excellent lunch, we went to Dirtlow Rake. I know that sounds like a character in Pilgim's Progress or one of the Bronte girls novels, but it's an historic mining area. The Romans use the workings which were still in use during the Medieval period. The area adjacent to workings of the rake or vein is important because of the flora.

On to Mam Tor. This provided a spectacular view of Edale and Hope Valley; no howling gale this time ..

Back to the cottage for tea and trifle - yes, trifle. The Boys were quick to find the biscuits in my pocket - what's new?

A splendid, sunny afternoon wandering in lovely countryside - that's why we're here folks ...

Journey's End Or Beginning?

2011-10-14T10:26:00.001+01:00

Just over two weeks before we board the Big Silver Bird again to be transported to the Colonies. The prospect of packing our stuff into the Big Yellow locker for another 6 months looms, but we'll ignore that for another week or so. There are still a few thing to do and see ... it'll never end.

Churches, Cathedral and Family History

2011-10-10T20:25:00.008+01:00

What a week! What a beautiful farming landscape! We were fortunate to experience excellent, if cool, weather. The cold wind picked up later in the week so that we we reminded of our youthful excursions into the countryside where we complained of the Lazy Winds - they blow through you and not around you! Open fields allow excellent vistas, but the wind can be a cold companion.

Lincoln cathedral was as magnificent as ever. My childhood was spent under it's shadow and within the range of the bells' peel. No matter how many time we visit the cathedral, we always find the building a splendid place to be. A place of stillness and quiet.

From Horncastle we took the Roman road to Caistor - ‘Venta Icenorum’ (Market Place of the Iceni). This town is one of the key villages that are part of family history. The new Art Centre and Heritage Centre provided a tasty lunch. St Peter and Paul's church was open and proved to be well worth the visit.

The farmhouse which was the grandparents' home was also located - even the Yews and the gate evident in old photographs still stand.

We also visited the churches at: Hemingby, Goulceby, Digby and Rowston.

Some excellent pub lunches and dinners made sure we were well victualed - one of the delights of being in England.

Less pleasant - the road traffic ... Luck was with us: we avoided a fatal accident by no more than 2 minutes. The accident was near Digby; a 19 year old man was killed and his girlfriend badly injured. Such events certainly focus the mind ...

Can't Get Too Much Of Lincolnshire

2011-10-04T10:05:00.000+01:00

We're off to Big Sky County again - just a week of poking about and wandering. There are so many places of interest and the countryside is always interesting no matter what the time of year.

On the black side: the reputation of the farming community is not exactly pristine. The incidence of migrant and illegal worker exploitation seems to be on the rise. Boston has earned the reputation of being the centre of unrest; a protest against the use of immigrant workers has been organised. An interesting social and political situation when you consider the reasons and origins of some of The Great Imperialist's Founding Fathers. Boston has also become one of the centres for the manufacture of Moon Shine Vodka - it's the Poles you might say ...

As a friend said recently, "History isn't action at a given time. It's a continuum of human activity, We're living it."

Pass the bottle Grzegorz ...

Drawing On Old Haunts

2011-09-30T18:40:00.001+01:00

Happily the Millennium Gallery has begun the Friday life drawing sessions again. That allowed me to meet up with Tim Rose and have a pleasant time daubing. I always apologize to the model after the session - my efforts are often so Baconesque that any likeness is hard to discern.

The journey to the gallery was made less mundane because some activity on London Road had produced a notable police presence. Sadly, the activity seems to be the possible murder of a young man - drugs and gang involvement seems to be likely. What a civilised place we live in ...

The Indian Summer persists - delightful!

Indian Summer - Walking In The Peak Park

2011-09-29T20:28:00.004+01:00

What a week! We've come back to a week of splendid, sunny weather.

Thursday was a beautiful, sunny, almost windless day. Being creatures of habit, we caught the 272 to Castleton and dismounted at Fox House pub. A swift half and we set off along the paths that took us along the base of Burbage Edge towards Burbage Bridge.

Crossing the road we started the slow climb to Stanage Edge where we stopped for a quick snack. The view, though grand, was marred by the haze caused by the inversion. Wandering along Stanage Edge took us to the Pack-horse Track down to The Plantation. Walking down the track and through the trees brought us to the car park where we had an expresso from the little coffee van owned by Val and Nick.

Suitably caffeinated, we walk on towards and down Birley Lane. The highland cows and their calfs standing at the cattle grid payed us little attention, as did the massive bull sating his thirst at a little stream at the side of the lane. We passed our friends' cottages and turned along the track through the fields. Passing the near derelict cottage next to the stream took us past Sir Hugh's Brookfield Manor and on, over the hilled fields, to Hathersage Village.

The deli-cafe provided an excellent pot of tea and cakes which recharged our energies. A short wait and we were re-mounted on the 272 back to Sheffield.

A day out to remember ... about twelve km ignoring the ups and downs ...

Back To Nest No. 2

2011-09-25T16:31:00.002+01:00

After a long day, spent mainly waiting for various forms of transport, we are now, unpacked and back at our Sheffield flat. All the travel arrangements worked perfectly (touch wood or iron if your Italian). Ferry, flight, hotel, coach and a couple of taxis got us home in scheduled time. All the food along the way was excellent - what more could a vagabond want?

Stay tuned for some more detailed reports ... it's time for a kip ...

Ferrara Cathedral and Castle

2011-09-22T13:23:00.000+01:00

We took the train to Farrara and had an interesting journey. The train stopped a few kilometers from Ferrara for about half and hour. The reason? "crazy man" was sleeping on the track! The police can and removed the sleeping idiot. You have to admit that is an unusual reason for a delay ...

The cathedral is magnificant and probably the most trompe l'oeil ed interior we've seen. The facade is quite fantastic - romanesque gone mad plus.

The castle is simply gigantic! That's all I can say that makes any sense ..

No loonies on the track going back to Venice so the train arrived on time. Quite a long day for the aged legs; about 11 hours in all.

Hot, Over-Touristed, Rubbish Art, But Still A Great Place

2011-09-12T14:44:00.000+01:00

We've done even more artificating. It's not any surprise that most of the exhibits are, to be generous, rubbish dressed up as art. Conceptual Art is all very well if you're doing a knowledge college project, but it does wear away any patience you may have had when you enterect the sacred portals of the "Exhibition". We've given up reading the expositions on the intellectual, moral, political, economic, religious, scientific, culinary, Play Doh shaping, finger painting, non-polluting, renewable, recylcable and boring intentions of the artist ...

The Bien is far from what its title implies: Illuminating ...

Venice is just a very special place to be ...

Ho Hum, Moan, Moan It's The Biennale!

2011-09-08T14:50:00.002+01:00

We've spent two days trawling round the major venues of this year Venice B. Yes, you've guessed right, another exhibition of someone's C .. R .. A .. P. Thank God for the Italian Pavilion at the Arsenale - as per, it had a majority of good "Art". At least this year there was a pleasing lack of placarded, unintelligible, artists' drivel. Mind you, the Conceptual Art Camp still dominates so that we were left wondering what the piles of junk were supposed to mean ...

Interestingly, Anthony Gormley and partner seemed to follow us through the Giardini exhibition with the same lightening speed ... maybe we aren't the only ones to be other than wowed by what was on offer.

Good food and a diet of various "foreign" TV news in English round off the day.

Venice In The Sun And Rain

2011-09-05T12:25:00.001+01:00

All the travel arrangements went like clockwork, only much faster ... The flight arrived 20 mins early which allowed us to catch an earlier ferry, which in turn allowed us to hit dreamland by midnight. A total of 11 hours travelling; this included a 5 hour wait at EMA.

Sunday was spent getting set up at the appartment and buying tickets for the vaporetto and Biennale. A hot day with far too many tour groups.

We managed to visit three of the art events. The Ukrainian exhibit was excellent. The idea, size and location of the huge installation, which uses 3640000 wooden eggs, is a great example of what an installation should be.

An exhibition of Franny Bacon's drawings was also worth the effort.

Monday seems to be blighted with rain, Sue's upset stomach and loads of Chinese tourist groups. We hope their pockets are emptied before they leave ... Monday is also a day when many of the exhibitions are closed.

Let's Hope The Transport Runs ...

2011-09-03T09:07:00.001+01:00

We're all packed and ready to go off to Venice - again. Fingers and other extremities are cross. Taxi to the station, National Express coach to EMA, Ryan Air to Venice Marco Polo airport and ferry to Venice Arsenale. It's exciting, but we still hold our breath ...

Goodbye Mr Flint

2011-09-03T09:01:00.000+01:00

A sad yesterday, but it comes to us all. Mr Flint, our dear, sheep chasing, football chewing and biscuit munching friend, came to the end of his 20 year romp.

Goodbye Mr Flint.

On The Doorstep - History

2011-08-30T21:28:00.002+01:00

We decided to spend a day wandering in an area near Sheffield, Rotherham and Worksop. There are so many places of historical importance to visit, we restricted ourselves to five during the the afternoon.

Roche Abbey is a English Heritage site. It was closed when we got there. Fortunately the path around the site still allowed us to appreciated the place. The abbey must have looked splendid in its day, situated as it is, in the valley at the base of a limestone cliff.

On to Tickhill for a coffee and cake. St Mary's church in Tickhill dates from the 12th C. The present building dates from late 14th and early 15 C. We were surprised by the size of the church.

At Blyth we bought some lunch at the PO. St Mary and Martin's church was locked. I managed to find the verger and, after a long chat about the history of the place, she gave us the key. The building is an amazing example of a Norman Benedicine Priory dating from 1088. Uncle Henry didn't destroy the place because part of the building, the south aisle, was used as the parish church. The remains of a 15th C fresco, Norman arches and the 15th C rood screen are some of the more important features.

Our visit to Worksop Priory was blighted because the place was closed. A huge building with some modern additions. We'll have to visit again to see the 15th C shrine and chapel. The town traffic directions are so bad, we ended up in a Tesco's car park! Eventually we found our way out of the town ,,,

More Norman delights at St Peter's church in Thorpe Salvin rounded off the day. The main part of the church dates from 1130. The chained bible was bought in 1641; I was surprised to see the bible just placed on a shelf with a loose glass cover. The font came from Normandy in the 12th C.

The ruins of Thorpe Hall is visible from the church, but we couldn't find a way to visit it.

Back to Sheffield in time for the rush hour; an excellent afternoon which emphasised the depth of our culture and it's history.

Well, Well, Well And Not So Well

2011-08-28T10:55:00.001+01:00

A typical sunny day with showers added to the beautiful, Derbyshire countryside. We 272ed to Hathersage where our tour of three village well dressings got off to a damp start.

Wormhill is a delightful, truly rural, village where we had excellent tea and cake before visiting the well dressing and church.

Foolow village looks like a calander picture. First impression is that there are some well healed in-comers taking care of the buildings. The village even has a duck pond which isn't filled with discarded shopping trollies. The little church is plain, but delightful; it dates from only about 1880.

Eyam, the plague village, made our final destination of the day. Two well dressings and a brass band; sadly out of tune and timing, but the large procession made up for that.

The drive around, to and from these villages took us through some of the loveliest of Derbyshire countryside. Bright purple heather, green fields, woods and forest, stone walls and cottages, all set in limestone, deep-rolling dales which are topped by grit-stone edges and moors. That alone was worth the effort of venturing out in the rain.

Back at The Cottage poor Mr Flint looked sadder than ever. He's reached a ripe old age and his health is failing. A sad counterpoint to the enjoyable day with good mates ... that's life Freddy Boy ...

A Formula 1 journey back to Sheffield, in what must have been a supercharged 272, got us home before the evening rain set in.

The Chicken Gets It's Revenge ...

2011-08-22T19:22:00.000+01:00

I enjoyed the chicken salad, but the salmonella wasn't supposed to be part of the meal ... enough said ...

Touring The Fens Looking For Ancestors

2011-08-21T20:27:00.000+01:00

Another bright, sunny day was cause to saddle up the pony and travel some of the many small lanes that crisscross the fens. Sunday sees less traffic so that the open vistas of Lincolnshire are more easily seen as you weave your way from village to village.

We stopped at Langtoft to look at the church of St Michael All Angels which was open. A surprisingly large building holding a brightly lit space almost free of stained glass. Building dates from the 13 C.

We reached Crowland in time for lunch and a quick half at a local hostelry. The Abbey is a monolithic building. The ruins of the old monastic buildings, that are attached to the what was the naive and aisles, were demolished in the mid 16 C. It was in the early 8 C that a religious community was started here. Interestingly, the original settlement was, in the 8 C, on a island in the fens.

Peterborough Cathedral beckoned. After a frustrating drive round-about roundabouts, we got there. What a building! Founded in the Anglo-Saxon period and rebuilt in the 12 C, this magnificent Norman building is an startling example of such architecture. Arches upon arches, colourful ceilings, fan vaulting and the last resting place of Katherine of Aragon; what else could you ask for?

Back to the ranch via some very interesting byways. A good day in glorious sunshine ...

All Hail to the Bishop of Bardney

2011-08-20T20:49:00.000+01:00

In brilliant sunshine we passed through the village of Great Hale, stopping when we saw the large, church of St John the Baptist. The church predates the Norman conquest by 100 years. It was an abbey church in the mid 14 C. The clear glass windows allow the interior to be bright and the size of the building reflects it's previous history.

Two Quiet Villages on a Sunny, Lincolnshire Day

2011-08-20T20:44:00.000+01:00

St Peter and Paul's church at Osbournby turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The building seems much larger than expected when you enter. The lack of stained glass means that the church is bright and feels airy. Some of the pews have Medieval carved ends. The village is a quiet place, reflecting it's Georgian rural architecture.

St Andrew's Scredington church at Scredington looks like it has been given a KKK hat! The church interior is bright, if plain. A truly rural village - no flash mobbing here - that England ...

Nottinghamshire Gems

2011-08-18T21:17:00.002+01:00

A excellent drive around three villages in Nottinghamshire took us to three delightful churches.

Our Lady of Egmanton church which was restored by Ninian Comper in the late 19 C. The rood screen took our breath away. Decoration of the organ is equally stunning. The church is a gem. We had a pleasant conversation with several vicars who had just finished their meeting and then with the incumbent's wife.

Next, we visited Laxton which is one of the few places where traditional rotation farm practices are used. The church of St Michael the Archangel is an imposing building sited on a small hill. We were fortunate enough to arrive at the same time as the cleaner - otherwise it would have been locked. The village is part of the Royal Estate; the driving force which results in well kept buildings in keeping with a Georgian village atmosphere. The Dovecote Inn proved to be a very pleasant place to have an excellent beer and over-sized plowman's lunch.

Just down the road is Carlton on Trent. The church was open because the warden was at work. We had an long conversation with her about the state of the world, family problems and the price of tea inn China. St Mary's church is in excellent condition - it's Victorian. Plain, but pleasant and worth a visit.

We were tempted to buy a Lottery ticket; finding three open churches in a row ...

Time for dinner ...

Taddington Moor and Ashford in the Water

2011-08-17T19:48:00.001+01:00

We had a beautiful, sunny afternoon spent in the Taddington - Ashford area. The main reason for going to this area was to try and find a chambered tomb on Taddington Moor. The only success we had was a libation ant the Waterloo pub. Walking some of the public footpaths across the fields was a bonus because the views of the green and pleasant were excellent.

Ashford in the Water is a picturesque village; the sort you'd expect to see on a calendar. The village is complete with a pack horse bridge over a small river with trout. We visited Holy Trinity church and then a cafe for refreshments.

So ended a pleasant day out ...

Mam Tor and Edale

2011-08-16T18:25:00.008+01:00

A delightful drive down the Edale valley and up to the start of a walk to the top of Mam Tor (1700 ft) took us to the windiest spot you could imagine to site your home. The Bronze/Iron Age people must have though otherwise since there are indications of about 100 dwellings at the top. Mam Tor Hill Fort is reasonably large, but very difficult to make out.

The views of the surrounding countryside are spectacular, which makes the effort of slogging up the Tor worthwhile.

We met a couple of very interesting Chinese journalist students on the way down. Their comments on the recent looting riots were interesting, "Not what you would expect in England. Very Worrying."

We drove down the spectacular Winnants Pass and stopped at The Woodbine Cafe in Hope for a top-up. The name of the cafe amused us given all the anti-smoking activities and advertising. Maybe there is a Park Drive Cafe as well ...

Arbor Low, Nine Ladies, Wind, Sun and Heather

2011-08-16T10:24:00.005+01:00

Blustery weather didn't prevent us venturing into darkest Derbyshire. First stop was Arbor Low stone circle. We only had an AA road map which meant - we got lost. Yes, it is possible because there are so many small roads which are not on the map, which you have to use. We tried the satnav in the car - no good unless you want to end up in a farmyard - which eventually did! We were convinced we were within a couple of miles of the stone circle and, fortunately, spotted someone and asked the way. "Just go down the road, about a mile, over the hill and you'll see a brown sign on your left. Can't miss it!" We'd just turned around, on the same road, so that we could ask the chap!

About a mile down the road, we turned off into a farmyard which also acts are the National Trust car park. The sun shone on the best of the scenery you could expect in the White Peak - limestone, rolling hills covered in grazed, grass covered fields bounded by dry stone walls. The views from Arbor Low and the adjacent barrow are magnificent. The stone circle and henge is impressive in extent and the location obviously geographically important. No doubt in the Bronze age the views would have been totally different given that mixed forest would have been the dominant vegetation.

We returned to getting lost with the intention of finding the Nine Ladies, another stone circle. By cunning use of common sense - spotting a load of cars and a bus parked along the side of the road next to a public footpath - we found the circle which is on Stanton Moor. The moor was covered in a dense carpet of bonny, blooming heather, with interspersed the odd bright yellow gorse, so that the walk to the circle was worth the effort alone; fantastic views and amazing colours. The circle is a bit disappointing.

The drive back to Sheffield took us down some spectacular, winding and often steep, hilly minor roads. Sometimes getting lost has great benefits ...

Higger Tor and Frog's Mouth

2011-08-15T09:27:00.002+01:00

A blustery day with some light rain didn't stop us taking a pleasant walk in the Dark Peak. Our usual transport, the 272, dropped us off at Fox House pub. We walked through Longshaw Estate until we found a suitable, ant-free spot to have lunch. The woods here have large, active ants' nests which are both interesting and not the sort of thing you want to sit near. Wandering on, we made our way back to the cafe at Longshaw where the National Trust Rangers forced us to eat tea and cake.

We walk to Frog's Mouth and followed the tracks up to Higger Tor. One of the pleasures along the way being the sound of the beck which, while not in flood, still managed a symphony of water music which was accompanied by the light, blustery wind. The views of the surrounding, purple-red, heather covered moors were spectacular. The light rain and billowing clouds added an air of mystery which leads people to think of the moors as wild, isolated places untouched and primordial. Not so. Sheffield is but a short 10 miles away from Higger Tor and the whole landscape has been modifiedby human activity stretching back to well before the Bronze Age.

Hope valley spread out before us so that we could just make out Mam Tor in the distance; atop which are the remains of a very large Bronze-Iron Age hill fort which enclosed up to 100 dwellings; the only blemish on the scene being the cement factory - as has been the case for as long as I have been visiting the area. Human industry spanning 3-4 thousand years in the same valley!

We walked down to Surprise View car park which allowed us to catch the 272 back to Sheffield. A delightful, if wind blown, day out.

Road Was Rail

2011-08-11T16:39:00.001+01:00

A damp day saw us visiting the Monsal Trail in Derbyshire. The trail is a decommissioned Victorian rail line which is now a walking and cycling track. The book shop and cafe at Hassop was our starting point which allowed us to charge our batteries with toasted bacon butties and tea before we set out in the rain. We walk for about two hours and passed through one of the tunnels where we reached Monsal Dale viaduct. The views of the surrounding country, as we walked the track, were worth the effort even though rain got a little too enthusiastic at times.

Back at the cafe we enjoyed some passable cake and tea before heading back to Hathersage, from which, the trusty 272 and 97 took us safely home. We were happy that the rain had damped the expected looting and riots that were seen the previous night in part of Sheffield.

Raising A Full Head Of Steam

2011-08-07T12:23:00.003+01:00

A damp start to the day. Misty hills and light, intermittent drizzle and a shy sun daring to peep through cloud now an again didn't bode well for our trip to Cromford. We got slightly lost. Later explained as taking a scenic route to the Cromford Steam Rally, which wasn't at Cromford anyway.

The rally was huge both in extent and attendance numbers. By midday the had weather cleared to a typical summer's day. We were delighted by the atmosphere and bustling enthusiasm. The smell of coal smoke wafted through a traditional fairground where steam powered fair organs filled the air with vigorous music. Ice creams, Cornish pasties, fish and chips, cakes, bacon butties, sandwiches, hot dogs, baked potatoes, tea and beer; all the basic traditional fare.

I'd a yearning for a toasted bacon and egg bap cooked on a shovel on the grate of a fire box. Unfortunately, OH&S and Risk Management prevents that sort of nostalgia. "E lad, them were t'days." Said the cloth-capped, soot-blackened driver, "We daren't do such, else we'd be in't muck up't eyeballs." Hence, our retreat into the Cromford Conservation Society tent for a more refined tea, cakes and butties served on clean paper plates and cups.

The number of exhibits was beyond anything I'd expected. Steam tractors, lorries and rollers. Motorcycles, cars and military vehicles. Static steam engines. We wandered for several hours. During the afternoon a short, but exhilarating fly-past by a Spitfire and a Hurricane rounded off my day. A delightful day out and a dip into the pool of engineering history.

Bakewell Show But No Tart

2011-08-05T11:43:00.001+01:00

Thursday's weather was not what we expected. Clouds were so low in Derbyshire that the whole area would have been an ideal location for some spooky, Victorian, Gothic drama worthy of the Bronte sisters. We would have been forgiven for expecting to see folk enacting the "Heathcliff Moment" since we started the day at our friends, mist shrouded cottage. The cottage is a short distance across the valley from North Lees Hall.

Mr Flint welcomed us with some unexpected vigor and the boys, as always, bustled and pawed for tasty treats; these I had forgotten to pocket - much to their disappointment.

After parking the car at the Peak Park Offices, everywhere else was packed, we went to our friends favourited cafe for morning tea-cum-early lunch. To me, there is nothing like an English traditional cafe to raise the spirit when the weather is damp and the hills are shrouded in mist. Bacon and mushroom butties, toasted tea cakes or a Full English and tea, munched while sitting in a warm, old fashioned cottage and chatting to good company; who needs an iPad and 3G?

The Bakewell Show was packed with people and stalls. We wandered for about 4 hours with a couple of breaks for refreshments.

Back at the cottage we stopped for another recharge before we went back to Sheffield. Another great day out, "Doin' now't that matters."

MMM Gloucester and Worcester Cathedrals

2011-07-31T19:31:00.000+01:00

Driving back from Devon to Sheffield, via M this and that, we decided to stop at two remarkable places and thus give ourselves a break from loonies towing caravans, smart arses who think that driving faster than the speed limit is clever and convoys of lorries.

Gloucester Cathedral is one of the most stunning Norman cathedrals you could imagine. When you enter the body of the building the space seems almost too huge to be real. The stained glass is terrific and the NE and Lady Chapels have to be seen to be believed. One of the most uplifting of all the cathedrals we've seen. Fortunately the building was spared the excesses of Uncle Harry. Recent restoration work on the outside of the Nave shows that today's masons are every bit as skilled as those in history. The cloister is exceptional and its enclosed garden a place of tranquility; a place which, were you alone in it, would almost imposes meditation.

It's most unfortunate that most people who visit the place are only interested in the Harry Potter association - bah humbug!

The general area around the cathedral is lovely - if you like well preserved and maintained historic buildings. A great place to visit.

Worcester Cathedral was our next stop. Unfortunately the whole of the nave was filled with hundreds of seats in preparation for a music extravaganza; this detracted from, what would have been, a splendid and impressive space. The cloister is lovely with a pleasant enclosed garden. Something about the building was less spectacular than we had expected - maybe we were still enraptured by Gloucester Cathedral. At least there was no reference to the Potter mania.

The journey bored on and on. We arrived in Sheffield and gave thanks for a safe trip; motorways are the best way to cover distance, but I can't see why anyone would enjoy driving in the mad-dash, risk-taking traffic which is unavoidable. Caravans - I've had my fill ...

Summer Blue Skies - Packed Beaches and Massed Parking

2011-07-26T19:41:00.000+01:00

Today was a brilliant example of an English summer day. The hoards were out with everything, including their kitchen sinks. Beaches were packed and parking was like the storage yard at a car manufactures. We stopped at a delightful pub in the village of Georgeham where a Czechoslovakian bar woman said she expected to be very busy once the "lobsters" returned for their evenings entertainment. Yes folks, it was a day for frying the kids and baking as much naked white flesh as possible; it's a national mania ...

St George's church at Georgeham is very picturesque; building was begun in the13th C. The village is noted in the Doomesday Book of 1087 and there may have been a church on the site in Saxon and Early Norman times.

The day finished with a visit to the NHS Clinic in Braughton so that I could get some antiBs.

A very pleasant day ...

Devon Hills, Churches And Getting Lost ...

2011-07-25T20:18:00.001+01:00

Monday. The rain seems to be off for the day; coughs and colds just keep on working.

The first stop was Pilton near Barnstaple. St Mary's church was originally a Priory Church established in the 11th Century as an out reach of Malmesbury Abbey. The Elizabethan tombs are well worth a squiz, as are small number of restored panels of the 14th C rood screen which show the original paintings of Saints.

Lunch at South Molton.

On to Satterleigh where tiny 15C St Peter's church stands in countryside. The intimate interior is complete with medieval door and wooden bell-cote, limewashed walls and panelled oak roof. The drive along winding, narrow lanes was a delight in itself, but it was a bit disconcerting when the lane took us into the main yard of a farm. The church stands in a field/graveyard adjacent to the farmhouse - phew ...

More winding lanes and another, what seemed to be, farmyard cum green with a church at one side. St John the Evangelist at Warkleigh is an interesting 15 C church in an idylic setting. The six bell peal has two bells dating from 1553. The record of incumbents dates from 1276. The weather at this point was just delightful. The setting of the church is equally delightful.

More winding roads and a near complete lack of location eventually got us onto a major road back to Braughton. The local supermarket supplied dinner. We were exhausted - the colds got the better of us, again ... time for some pills and an early night.

M M M - What A Drive To Ciderland

2011-07-23T20:12:00.002+01:00

A lovely sunny day for a dive - maybe, if you like multi-lane traffic, tail-to-tail and travelling at 70 mph plus. Mix in a more than a few tail wagging, caravaners with no intention of driving at the required 50 mph and you have hours of boring travel. We left home at 9am and got to the shack at about 5pm. M1, M42, M5 plus an alphabet mixture of other roads.

We stopped at Tewkesbury and went to a wedding at the Abbey. A magnificent building! Magnificent organs! One of the best examples of Norman columns and arches you can see. Good glass and painted ceilings with decorated bosses - beautiful in all respects. The music for the wedding powered from the organ filling the space with the deep resonance which both lifts the spirits and vibrates the innards - a truly spiritually moving experience ...

The shack turned out to be a typical traditional 50's cottage; really a sub-divided part of what may have been a small hotel. Well finished, comfortable and spotlessly clean. Unpacked, we wandered to the nearest pharmacy for yet more cough and cold juice - I'm still barking like the proverbial back dog.

The kitchen was soon put into action and we gave several Thanks for a safe journey and virtually collapsed into our dinner. We Stayed at Bloomfield House where the owners, Keith and Tricia, made us very welcome.

Even On Holiday

2011-07-22T08:53:00.001+01:00

What a week! Coughing, sneezing and generally feeling like a limp rag. Not the sort of week anyone wants when they are on "holiday". Trouble is bugs don't have "holidays". The weather has been wet so that staying indoors would have been the most sensible choice anyway - I leave getting soaked to hardier fellows. Pills, potions and nostrums seem to have worked their magic and we will be able to trek south-west to Devon and Cornwall as planned. G knows how we will fit in all the people who expect us to visit - family, university folk, arty-farty folk and the odd itinerant we've met along life's highway.

Hopefully we'll pick up the car, pack and get away early - not too early - tomorrow. The question is, "Do we stop to visit folk along the way." If we do, it's going to be a very long journey ...

Coughs, Sneezes And Rain

2011-07-19T10:52:00.001+01:00

After a sun-filled week in Lincolnshire we have returned to a rain-filled Sheffield. Close conversation with friends who were hot-foot from Majorca seems to have resulted in coughs and sneezes. Infection travels fast and fresh by Easyjet!

We spent a day, on and off between showers, at the cottage in Hathersage where we looked after Old Mr Flint. This didn't improve my barking. Boots - The Chemist - provided an elixir which has given me the expectation of relief so that I will de-bark in the near future.

All the news - what little there is - concerns the phone tapping exploits of the Murdoch Clan. The whole affair is set to expand and engulf several of the Great and Good who are putting on their best "Who? Me?" interview face. What a bunch of crooks they are - and we elect some of them ...

I think I'll spend the day daubing and drinking good coffee ...

Lincolnshire, The Big Sky County

2011-07-14T10:15:00.023+01:00

Time to visit old haunts in Lincolnshire. A pleasant 90 min drive got us to the motel at Sleaford where we set up camp for this week. I can recommend the Citroen Cleo; the cruise control really makes driving a breeze. Mind you, we couldn't get the satnav to work even after doing the unthinkable - reading the manual. The benefit being? Not listening to an Yank voice telling us we were where we already knew we were.

The Bishop's Eye

We drove to Lincoln on Monday and spent the day at the beautiful cathedral - yes, the whole day. So much to see and always worth hours of wandering and wondering - I've been doing this for over 45 years! We spent a couple of hours on a tour of the roof structure. Amaizing! Some of the massive oak beams are over 900 years old. One couple, who were on the tour, live in Jervis Bay - small world ain't it? They couldn't grasp the wealth and depth of hisory of the cathedral or the city and it's past social and industrial impact on English, and even world, history. Why would they ...

Lunch and afternoon tea at the cloister cafe were very enjoyable. We didn't stay for the organ recital which was scheduled for the evening.

We spent Tuesday morning visiting several lovely villages and a long, enjoyable afternoon with friends at a pub. The lunch was good and the beer excellent ...

Wednesday called for several expeditions into the darkest interior which provided several ancient churches, beautiful cottages, expansive views of hedge-rowed fields with ripening crops and the unexpected keep or manor house. Sadly, most of the churches are locked due to theft and damage. Lead roofs are a prime target. We are disgusted with this situation in England when we consider that we can wander around Japan and find temples are open and undamaged - even the plants in pots outside houses stay intact, as do the vending machines on street corners. What uncouth jobs we English are ... It's probably the Roman, Viking, Saxon and Norman Blood. All to do with having a history of invasion, pillage and football.

We visited South Kyme and came across a gem. On first view the St Mary and All Saints church seems unremarkable, but it dates from at least 1196 when it was an Augustinian priory. The church today consists of the south aisle and part of the nave of the former priory.

In the adjacent field stands Kyme Tower. This stone keep is all that remains of the medieval castle, which was built between 1310 and 1381, by Sir Gilbert de Umfraville. The tower sits upon a mound and is surrounded by a moat, which still survives as an earthwork. There is evidence of other embanked earthwork structures within the moated enclosure. To the east of the keep are fishponds and other features of medieval of post-medieval date. The 18th century Manor House stand nearby. The fields are begging for a resistivity survey ... a project for the future?

You can make out some of the underlying structures in the sat photos.

Thursday became a sorte to Wickenby airfield and the flight plan involved several stalls which resulted in forced landings into unknown fields far and wide.

Bloxholm village has an small church hidden away from the road which was probably built by the fok who lived at the, now semi-derelict, manor house. passing through Ashby de la Launde, Scopwick, Blankney, Metheringham, Nocton, Potterhanworth, Bardney, Kingthorpe, Langton by Wragby and Holton cum Becking, we arrived at Wickenby. Don't you just love the village names? Saxon, Norman, Dane; do we really know where we come from ...

Wickenby airfield was busy with civilian activity and the flying club's CFI couldn't have been more helpful. One stalwart threw a Zlin 242 into an expert display of aerobatics. Well worth the visit; I've flown out of this field some years ago when most of the pilots were crew at RAF Scampton (of 617 fame). I think "Time Team" had one of their digs at the airfield.

We visited Wickenby church which, we were told, had had its lead from the roof stolen FIVE times! The suggestion to tile the roof has been vetoed by English Heritage, hence, tar-felt has been used to keep the weather out; so much for common sense conservation.

The church at Holton cum Becking was open. We stopped and ended up having a long chat to a Kiwi who was busy cleaning the place. Small world again ... This church has been robbed so many time that the most historically important objects have been confined to archival storage.

Friday saw us wandering the back roads around Sleaford again; so many lanes and by-ways, villages with their churches, pubs and old buildings. Late in the evening we drove back to Sheffield. An excellent week!

Porter Brook Painting Day

2011-07-09T19:37:00.001+01:00

Rebecca Roche organized one of her full day drawing/painting days this Saturday at Porter Brook Studios. She had arranged an excellent model and lunch - she cooked the food as well: excellent goats' cheese flan, quiche, phyllo pastry parcels, salad and other munchies. The people who attended were very sociable with lots of intelligent conversation during the breaks. I had a great time. The model turned out to be a geologist so we had plenty to talk about and one of the other attendees is a lecturer in architecture which made for more interesting conversation. My painting was ... don't go there ...

Sue had a Zumba morning and a reading afternoon.

The Jacket Returns

2011-07-09T19:21:00.000+01:00

As promised, the linen jacket was delivered to me yesterday. JAL had it cleaned in Tokyo, flew it to Heathrow and posted to Sheffield - as they said they would do. I can now dress like a vicar as I go about my perambulations. All I need to round off the image is a nice Montecristi Panama which can be doffed when I bless the unwashed masses.

A Quick Visit To Dronfield

2011-07-05T17:36:00.002+01:00

The 44 took us to Dronfield in less than 30 mins; the blessing of not having to drive is always a pleasure. We'd visited Dronfield before, which immediately gave us the location of a decent cafe.

A long conversation, with one of the natives, covered most aspects of visiting Oz and touring with a Winningbagle. (Don't you love Mrs Malaprop?) The absence of a rail system is Oz, a la "The Continent", always comes as a surprise to non-Ozers; unlike the use of the phrase, "The Continent", which seems to be an lasting idiom of our Brit language when referring to our kin in the EU. We Brits seem to have completely forgotten, if current generations ever knew, the provenance of our genes ...

The church of St John The Baptist, which dates from at least the early 12th century, stands near the centre of the village. We were surprised at its size - for a village church. An imposing building which is well worth a visit.

Returning to Sheffield on the 44 brought the afternoon's sortie to a convenient close. This is the advantage of living in England; at a whim, you can use the public transport system to visit far, and, as in the case, near.

The Sound Of A Merlin

2011-06-30T11:43:00.000+01:00

Brilliant sunshine made it compulsory to take a trip into Derbyshire to visit Old Mr Flint an his boys.

Walking from the village to the cottage took us past a new-build cottage which has been in the build stage for about four years. Fortunately, the owner and two of the builders were about and I had the cheek to ask to look around the place. The cottage has been designed by a well a well known architect and is in keeping with the traditional Derbyshire style, but it is a modern interpretation of that style. The site is in the Peak Park which means that the building regulations have dominated the building process ... as always. The design of the living area is open plan with an exposed roof structure consisting of wooden spars tensioned by stainless steel rods. The whole effect is like a mixture of ships rigging, urt and crooked barn. It looks excellent. No doubt some will think the building is inappropriate for the area ... we loved it.

We had a very enjoyable time at the cottage, with a pig-out afternoon tea and great conversation with our friend. The boys munched their biscuits, chased balls and generally made me run up and down the fellside.

At the farm Bill set the boys to working some sheep while we waited for the arrival of a Spitfire which had been book for a fly-over. The local squire, Sir Hugh, was having a do at Brookfield Manor in order to raise money in support of the Brit troops overseas. The aircraft flew down the valley. What a fantastic sight! If you've never seen one of these aircraft and heard the sound of the engine ... what can I say? A couple of wing-overs and it was gone; no doubt back to Coningsby where the BB Memorial Flight is kept.

We caught the 272 back to Sheffield, the driver of which was obviously in training for some sort of rally ... you could not have driven a car any faster ... quite exhilarating!

Conisborough - A Day In The Sun

2011-06-28T10:57:00.007+01:00

Conisborough is one of those ancient villages which have a history which is lost in the mists of time. Conyngsburgh ( King's Borough ) was a settlement at the time of the Roman Occupation. The village's late 20th century history is one of poverty, unemployment and social disintegration due to both economic and political events - the Miners' Strikes during Herr Thatcher's Reich being the most indelibly written. Today's impression is more optimistic. Two important historic building are sited in the centre of the village. These were the reason for our trip.

Conisborough Castle is probably the finest example of a Norman Keep to be found in the UK. The grounds and have some remains of moats and walls, but the Keep is outstanding. The facilities provided by English Heritage are disappointing. Views of the surrounding countryside from the top of the Keep are worth the climb; there is a spectacular viaduct across the valley a mile away.

The church of St Peter stands right at the centre of the village and has done so since at least 740 AD. The earliest known building dates from pre-Saxon times. The condition of the present church is excellent; you can see the various stages of construction. In particular the Norman Chancel wall is impressive if only because of its age. A small Romano-British carving in the wall of the early 14th century porch and some medieval glass in a window in the south wall of the chancel are worthy of note.

It is interesting to reflect that the Commander of the Roman York Garrison, Flavius Valerius Aurilius Canstantimus, became Emperor Constantine of Rome whilst still at York in 324 AD; Conisborough is in York Shire (Yorkshire) and no more than a day's march from York. Remembering Constantine's Christian Decree suggests that Christianity has been active at this church for well nigh over 1600 years! I posit that, had Constantine had made his decree whilst he was still in York, that the Roman Catholic Church might have traded under a quite different label.

I think "The Holy Yorkshire Catholic Church" has a certain ring to it. The whimsical idea that all priests should have to be expert cricketers is even more tempting. Gone are the Amice, Alb, Cincture, Maniple, Stole, Chasuble, Cope, Dalmatic, Surplice and Biretta, to be replaced by gleeming whites, wicket keeper's pads and cloves and a County Team Cap. Add the the rest of the God Botherer's dressed in freshly laundered miner's work togs, complete with hat and lamp, and you have a spectacle which would touch the heart of the most hard bitten, iPod prodding heathen. Tis all in jest, take not offence dear reader ...

A pub lunch at the "Cromwell" was, to be generous, edible. Maybe the horse had died of natural causes, the chips had had a previous life as oil swabs in an engine sump and the peas were as only processed peas can be. The puff pastry crowning the "pie", don't ask, was actually "well puffed" and the culinary high point of the whole lamentable fare. "E lad, tha shud be greetful it's now't wer near as bad as whot the pit canteen dishes up." Would there were still a pit to provide work ...

A train back to Sheffield, visit to the supermarket and the day is done.

Sunny Hatherage

2011-06-27T20:01:00.002+01:00

A great day of sunshine. We took advantage of the 272 for an enjoyable day out in Hathersage and Stanage. Sitting in a cottage garden, surrounded by myriad birds twittering and green leafed trees swaying in the breeze, and chatting with friends, is about as good as it gets. Add a Ploughman's Lunch and that gilts the whatever cake your scoffing.

Stanage Edge was, as always on a sunny day, busy with climbers and walkers, which meant loads of cars parked along the road - what a bunch of mean pocketed drivers they are; they'll spend hundreds of pounds on gear and object to paying a couple of quid to park in the car park provided by the Peak Park Authority.

The sunshine caused the usual mass migration of Cretacea Britani onto the streets, parks and shopping centres. The amount of white blubber, often tattooed with tribal symbols of dubious provenance, is breathtaking. This mass display is symptomatic of the animal which spends most of its time sheltering in caves it calls houses and flats. The Japanese Whaling Organisations have for years been trying to obtain permission to carry out scientific research, but the short-term nature and unpredictable of sunshine in the animals habitat has, so far prevented this. The most interesting feature of these tribal animals is that they turn a bright pink or ever red by the time the sun sets. Pink or red blubber is not a sight that you want to see as you make your way home after a day in the country ...

More Painting At Porter Brook

2011-06-25T19:47:00.002+01:00

A busy day started at 10 am. Loaded with materials and a heavy French Box easel, I caught the bus into town and arrived at the Porter Brook Studios for a full day of painting. The easel seemed like a good idea until my arms were stretch a further three inches. Tim Rose had one of his life painting session which also included a delightful lunch at the Fusion Cafe. I had a good mag with a young women who is an art teacher at Rotherham College; she is an interesting and pleasant person with a great sense of humor. That's one of the good reasons for going to these painting sessions - meeting interesting people ...

Walking back to the bus, I had the sense to drop into a store and buy a luggage trolley - no more lugging the easel ... arms back to their usual simian proportions.

I also came across a free arty magazine - "Now Then" - which is specific to Sheffield, and which turned out to be an interesting read if you like a bit of contentious opinion.

Back at the flat all was in order ...

An Arty Sheffield Day

2011-06-24T19:50:00.001+01:00

Public transport is a real blessing when you live in a busy, traffic congested city. No parking problems, but the prospect of transporting art materials on a bus is too embarrassing for some - not me. The Millennium Gallery's Friday life classes are great if you like to daub. I do and paid my six quid for the privilege. The event was, as ever, well attended and the model professional, non-nattering and well lit. A excellent outing ...

A visit to the current free exhibition of John Martin's work at the gallery rounded off the visit. To my mind the conservators seem to have lost the point of having a show - you have to have enough light to see the work!

Time to check the emails ... what did I find? The Brick Lane Gallery London wanted to know if I wanted to exhibit some of my daubings ... er (a moments reflect), yes ... so we'll have to see what happens next ...

Buxom Buxton ... Just a Day Out

2011-06-22T17:09:00.002+01:00

We were out-and-about today visiting a friend's hide-away in Stoney Middleton. Since we had a car, we decided to visit Buxton and see what it had to offer on a damp afternoon.

We went via Baslow, where we visited the local church, only to gate-crash the vicars 25th anniversary pray-in. The vicar's wife seemed a bit confused when I suggested that he had an eternity to redeem his sins, he too was somewhat bemused when I said I was surprised that his wife had confided in me that he was thinking about changing his job. He saw the jest of it, else I suppose would have been damed to the eternal fires which warm these Satanic Mills. I can't help myself sometimes ...

Charlie's Cafe and Bistro provided reasonable coffee and a slice of excellent Victoria Sandwich to make the church stop even more worthwhile.

Buxton in the damp has some merit by way of Victorian architecture, but we wandered little and decided to head for Stanage to catch up with some friends who run a coffee van in the car parking area which is frequented by walkers and climbers. The same friend who have the hide-away in Stoney M.

Back at the ranch ... time for lashings of Italian food and a visit from yet other folk ...

Back In Our Own Backyard

2011-06-19T19:49:00.002+01:00

A faultless hand-over at the flat, cupboards filled from Sainsbury's and a couple of goodish night's sleep and we feel as if we're "back home again". On the day we moved in, our friends from Hathersage came over for tea, which meant we had a few hours of magging, oiled with lashings of tea and sustenance.

Friday dawned and we spent the morning nesting ... moving furniture, unpacking and cleaning. I caught the bus to town and went to the life drawing session at the gallery. Tim Rose was the artist/tutor for the afternoon, which gave us time to catch up on each of our last few months events.

Yesterday, we strolled down to the Rude Shipyard which is an "alternative" vegetarian cafe about 20 mins walk away. Reasonable coffee and excellent chocolate cake rewarded the effort and made it essential to walk back home again. We met the owner, who had lived in Melbourne for three years, married an Ozer and then returned to Sheffield. The other person a working at the cafe is a linguist, who is midway through her Master's and who I met last year at life drawing and portrait sessions. Small world ain't it ...

Today saw us visiting Tideswell and Litton villages to look at the well dressings. The gardens of some cottages are a delight to see - as only English gardens can be. This arduous activity naturally involved consuming a goodly amount of food which was proffered by the several church and social groups at each village. Two bacon butties, and four slices of home-made cake, washed down by several cups of English rosy filled the gaps, before we drove back to the cottage. There, the young dogs were their usual boisterous selves and Mr Flint, showing the reserve of an old pensioned warrior, managed a sniff and raised paw in greeting. The cottage and its garden was, as always, a haven of peace, filled with numerous species of birds including woodpeckers.

That ends a wonderful day in Derbyshire ... what a privilege it is!

What Day Is It?

2011-06-15T09:42:00.003+01:00

All went to plan and we arrived on time at Heathrow. The hopper took us to the hotel where we had, what can only be described as, an average dinner. The Butterfly Chicken could, for all intent and purpose, have been made of very stiff cardboard doused in some BBQ sauce ... "Welcome to the UK". Breakfast came after a on-off sort of sleep ... as you'd expect after the flight and other travel. The breakfast was good; as was the coffee - must be the influence of the Middle European staff. Hopper hopped us to the bus station where we had the pleasure of talking to a falconer who's bird is used to keep the flying rats out of the bus station building. I was a bit odd seeing a hawk sitting on one of the roof beams.

The National Express service to Sheffield was excellent ... as per. In Sheffield I got the hotels mixed up so that we tried to check-in the wrong place; same chain wrong address. All else was fine. M&S supplied some lovely salads, fruit and other munchies for dinner so that we were able to collapse again into a time-coma.

Travel may broaden the mind, but it sure tires it at the same time!

Wet Day and Airports

2011-06-13T02:48:00.004+01:00

We were up at 5.30am and on the train to Narita airport by 6.50am. Not our best time of the day, but the snooze on the Skyliner made up for some of the damp, early morning feeling. The JAL representative at the airport were fantastic about the "Jacket Saga" - it will be cleaned, again, here in Tokyo, and the flown to London where the JAL office will courier it to me in Sheffield. Could anyone complain at such service?

We checked in fast and that gave us hours to have breakfast before going through security and customs. Now it is just a few hour to departure, so we will haunt the duty free shops and by nothing ... as per ...

Fingers crossed, we will be in London this afternoon at about 4pm - always a bit odd having a the same hours over again!

Last night was a bit also a bit odd - two slight tremours and we were on the ninth floor. Everything seemed normal when we looked out of the windows, so we pretended were shaken, but not stirred. A new experience for all that ...

Yoyogi and Boo Hoo

2011-06-12T10:20:00.009+01:00

Our last day wandering around Tokyo. We took the metro to Shibuya and were swamped by people surging everywhere. A tsunami of humanity determined to enjoy their Sunday. Shops, cafes, restaurants, stations, even the loos, where packed. We had a delicious lunch which was heaving with vegetables and noodles and then pressed on to Yoyogi Park. The map and some directions from a helpful guy selling roasted nuts promptly got us lost ... what's new? The main landmark we were looking for was the NHK Broadcasting Centre - once we found this we were OK. Once past the centre and we were at the park along with loads of other people!

What you have to imagine is groups of people, some young, some wishing they were judging by their cloths, who have a common interest. Each group does their thing which means you can wander from group to group and be entertained for free and for as long as they hold your attention. Jugglers, percussionists, ukulele players, double rope skippers, mimers.

Our favorite was a comedy drama group who where excellent. Their tricks, costume, props, mime and overall presentation held us for their complete performance of at least 30 minutes.

We walked back to Shibuya station and got the Yamonote line back to Ueno. Our last coffee at Doutor and a quick shop for dinner marked the end of our last day wandering Tokyo. Once the washing machine has finished its magic we'll pack our things ready for an early start for the train trip to Narita airport tomorrow morning.

It may seem a bit odd, but we like the madness of Tokyo where calm, quietness is always a couple street away.

A wet day ... who cares!

2011-06-11T13:12:00.004+01:00

Pouring rain drove us to the refuge of the Doutor cafe. The cherry sauce topped cheese cake was recommended to help waterproof the two itinerant Gaikoku-jin who seem to be haunting the cafe every day. The rain abated enough to prevent a second helping, which meant a short stroll to Ueno station to get the Ginza and the Toei Asakusa to Ota-ku. The rain had resumed a profound downward intent when we exited the metro station. We were bound for Ikegami Honmonji temple complex, but the map and lack of any visible signs to the place, lead to a short "Lost in Space" feeling. The absence of a Class M-3 Model B9, General Utility Non-Theorizing Environmental Control Robot didn't help, so we asked a policeman at the koban for directions. I had the distinct impression he kept calling me Will Robinson. Instructions were now clear and we set off, in the rain, towards the temple.

After about one kilometer the stomach warning lights started to flash which caused an emergency divert to the nearest fuel supply depot. Unfortunately the only one in this remote part of the Tokyo Galaxy was run by a settlement of Scottish space travelers - the McDonalds. Language was still a problem since their auto-translation computer was malfunctioning. Try as I may, Japanese in a broad Glaswegian accent, reduced me to sign language and mime. The whatever-it-was in a bun was sufficient to allow us continue on our way to the temple. Fortunately the rain had stopped and was replaced buy a sort of foggy-cum-misty atmosphere.

We found the temple complex which looked good in the 100% humidity. As with all complexes it's nearly always the smaller temples which have the better feeling and gardens.

Walking back to the metro station was a simple - we put our inbuilt inertial navigation system into reverse. On the way we noticed a large garden which was mainly fruit trees and azalea bushes. This would look spectacular in the spring, but today it looked lush, green and very damp.

The Toei matter transporter projected us to the Asakusa portal which, buy some sort of miracle, opened at the door of a Doutor cafe! What puzzles us is the technology used to effect matter transport involves the use of hundreds of stairways; up and down, up and down ... we suspect the engineers would have them sideways were it possible. Thank Newton it isn't!

Tired as we were, it was still necessary to shop for dinner and breakfast. Home at last, dinner prepared, we settled down to watch some excellent TV coverage of the tsunami recovery programme. Despite the coverage being Japanese, the film and diagrammes were sufficient to leave us very impressed with the effort and general attitude to recovery - it is amazing ...

Time has come to wrestle with the duvet ..

Just Love The Speed!

2011-06-09T13:05:00.001+01:00

Time to leave Kyoto. We started the journey by getting on the wrong subway train and ended up going away from the JR station. Not to worry, we just got off at the next stop, crossed the platform and we were off again. A leisurely coffee and onto the shinkansen. The two and a half hour journey brought us to Tokyo at speeds touching 250 km/h - brilliant!

The Yamanote line was packed, so that having luggage proved to be a bit of a struggle, but we were soon back at Ueno and the Weekly Mansion Hotel. Up on the ninth floor we were glad of a long cool drink followed by a cuppa - it's great having a kitchenette ...

Shopping and a sustaining - that's right, it begins with c - meant we we're settled in again.

I couldn't resist a quick walk around the corner to visit the ukulele showroom ... mmm ... "How much is that one?"

Up and Atom

2011-06-08T14:20:00.003+01:00

An early start and we were on the Shinkansen to Hiroshima. I have to say that travelling on these trains is a total pleasure - fast, clean and on-time ... always!

Our first visit was the Memorial Cathedral for World Peace - optimism in concrete. A pleasant modern edifice .

Walking a bit further, via the 7 Eleven store along the way to buy some lunch, brought us to the beautiful Shukkeien garden. This garden is a favourite for wedding photos and we were fortunate to see two brides in the most magnificent traditional kimonos. The garden was begun in 1620, but was fried in 1945. Restoration was complete in 1964. Sitting in the sunshine, while eating our lunch in this lovely garden, which is a stones throw from Little Boy's ground zero, was a sobering experience. In the time it took for us to swallow a morsel the town was destroyed - one of those moments in history which, in a flash, destroy the past and, looking around the city now, create an unimaginable future. We wondered if the bride, in her beautiful kimono, ever considered what had happened to her kin in that moment or, full of young optimism, she was too busy to consider such a negative time. We, in our complacent way, enjoyed our fresh vegetables and noodles ...

We walked a little further to the re-built Hiroshima Castle, but didn't explore its grounds. An interesting monument which somehow had no interest for us.

A few blocks later, via the vast underground part of a shopping centre, took us to the Atomic Bomb Dome. This remnant of the building has a strange quality as it stands like a lepper among the fresh modern buildings. The trees around the remains do give a sense of re-birth; we supposed from some of their placement that they hadn't been planted by design and, judging from their size, they were probably 65 years old - the idea may be wrong, but it put a little positivity on an otherwise bleak memorial. For those who have the dubious pleasure of being old enough to have lived in bombed towns and cities the stark skeleton of the A-Bomb Dome brings memories which are far from pleasant.

We caught the Shinkansen back to Kyoto and had a furious six minutes to change trains at Shin Osaka. All was as it should be in Kyoto; coffee and cake, supermarket full of food and clean, freshly laundered sheets to rest weary limbs in - makes us think ...

Zen Gardens

2011-06-07T12:33:00.002+01:00

Another rain-free day in Kyoto. We made good use of the JR rail passes and visited some beautiful temples and the associated gardens. Where to begin?

The many temples in the Tofukuji complex would occupy any visitor for days.

We visited Tofukuji, the main temple first. The several walled gardens associated and separate buildings feature moss, gravel and rock. Each of these "Zen" gardens has a particular story and all have a delightfully calming quality. In the grounds of the complex there are gardens which feature beautiful example of mass planting of Japanese Maple; the fine, bright green leaves seem to glow against the sky and beneath the branches you feel as though you are waking under delicate parasols. With the ground covered with moss the whole effect is enthralling. Most pleasant is the lack of noise, other than wind and birds and this no more than 300 metres from the JR rail line - amazing!

We walked on to Komyoin Temple not knowing anything about the place. We were truly blown away but the serenity and beauty of this "minor" temple. The buildings were an excellent example of Japanese simplicity; some would say, "Stark"- we say, "Calm, clean and uncluttered." The "Zen" garden and its setting of Azalea and Japanese Maple is complete with a small waterfall. Sounds were wind, birds and water - sublime! This temple is a real gem which we hope stays of the tourist track ...

Lunch beckoned ... On the way we were side tracked by Reiunin with its garden. This garden was rebuilt in 1970 and is an excellent example of its type. Another quiet oasis.

We took the JR train to Uji where we had a short walk to Byodoin Temple. The main hall was build just before the Norman invasion of England - we find that very thought provoking! We got there just before four bus-loads of school kids invaded the place - phew ...

We had intended to walk to several other sites, but the route we took included two bridges which were closed due to the river being in flood. The volume of water was both impressive and unnerving especially when we saw the boats that were used for tourist trips.

Back to the JR station and Kyoto. A visit to the cafe, a subway trip and the supermarket rounded off the day; a short seven hour tromp with little or no steps, but we're still tired ...

It's a Tall Tori

2011-06-06T13:07:00.003+01:00

A beautiful sunny day in Kyoto and we were on the train by 11 am - duly coffee fill with a touch of banana brioche. Minutes later we arrived at JR Inari station bound for Fushimi-Inari-Taisha which is a huge, and I do mean huge, shrine complex that spans a whole mountain side. We walked up the tracks which go under thousands of tori and wind their way up the mountain. There are a few stopping places which have a traditional cafe-cum-shop, but we plodded on over hundreds of steps - "Good for the calf muscles," we kept reminding ourselves. It was very hot, so we stopped about midway up the mountain and had a cold drink form one of the cafe-shops. Plodding on got us to the start of what seemed to be a circular route to the top of the mountain and back.That's when common sense and a need for lunch kicked in. Going down the same hundreds of steps seemed to be more painful on tired legs, but we stumbled downwards until we got to a fork in the tori covered path. Taking a different route took us up again! However, after a few hundreds more "ups", we were relieved to come to what was the second way down. The shrine complex is really worth the effort. The surrounding forest is lush and the bird song, wind and occasional water running makes for a delightful atmosphere. The confining avenues of tori make it feel almost as though you are travelling underground in a mystical tunnel. All of the tori have inscriptions which, if you can read Japanese, would add to the other-worldly nature of the place. The individual shrines at places along the paths are a place for ancestor worship specific to a particular family. The most dominant idol at all of the shrines is the fox. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of fox statuettes. Amusing and yet spooky.

A quickish walk took us to the local shopping street where we were able to get some well deserved lunch. Sue insisted on cold noodles - she's become addicted to the things ...

Back to the JR train for a quick hop to Tofukuji temple complex. We arrived just in time for the entries for the day to close ...

We returned to the JR station and Kyoto. A short day - only six hours plodding - followed by the essential coffee and apple pie, subway trip and food shopping. We recommend the "Cafe du Monde" at JR Kyoto station even though the cafe is a US franchise; it's convenient at the end of a rail trip.

Our aching legs ...

Himeij That

2011-06-05T12:25:00.001+01:00

We started the day relatively early, 9.30 am, and took the subway to Kyoto station; coffee next - naturally. We caught the 10.49 am Hikari Shinkansen to Himeji; a short 45 minute ride. The 15 min walk to the Castle took us down Himeij's main, tree lined boulevard which, as expected, gave us the opportunity get an early lunch at the 8th floor of a posh department store. Delicious cold udon noodles and tempura.

Himeji Castle is a world cultural heritage site and the restoration of it is an on-going project. The main tower is undergoing a complete make-over and the technology being used to cocoon the building is, of its self, amazing - another babushka construction. We visited all the parts of the castle that were open and, in so doing, climbed up and down more steep, wooded stairs than we had bargained for - in stockinged feet because all the floors are the traditional, bare boards. For all that, the place was well worth a visit - especially if you consider that its present form was, more or less, finished during the reign of Elizabeth the First.

Next to the castle is Koko-En gardens which meant that we had the very pleasant experience of wandering through twelve different garden types. Water features with the inevitable koi, wooden buildings, and manicured lawns, bushes and tree were a delight to see; the weather sunny and the sound of a gentle wind and water splashing - what more could we have wanted? A cool drink which rapidly turned into green tea ice cream ...

We wandered back to the Himeji station and caught the shinkansen back to Kyoto. Another subway ride and we were able to drop into the supermarket to get some fresh veggies for dinner.

What a day - all nine hours of wandering ...

Central Kyoto ... JR Station Building and Temples of Mammon

2011-06-04T11:25:00.001+01:00

A beautiful day in Kyoto meant that the dogs would be barking by dinner time. A subway took us to JR Central where we booked Shinkansen tickets for Himeji. We passed a illy coffee shop so had to try their drop which proved to be an excellent espresso drawn, or should that be expressed, from a genuine Italian espresso machine - so much for my comment yesterday ...

Looking for the Kyoto Culture Office took us to the 9th floor of the Isetan store which is part of the JR building complex - and I mean complex. That done we entered the Temple of Mammon - even for a non-shop-a-holic it was mind blowing.

Having become google-eyed at the goodies on offer we decided to make for the more spiritual temples which are a couple of blocks from the JR building. Sad to say, we had the disgusting dis-pleasure of standing next to three beer swilling Ozers while we waited for a green man to light our way. Loud mouthed Neanderthals who suffered from verbal diarrhea which informed those around that they supported various footy and aussie rules teams. What excellent ambassadors. What excellence our education system produces.

Nishi Hongwanji temple has been around since 1173. It's very big and, unfortunately we couldn't visit the large garden behind the two main buildings.

A couple of blocks away, Higashi Honganji temple is equally as large.

Both of these temples have one of their main buildings inside a temporary building which we supposed was there while restoration work was being carried out. These babushka buildings were impressive in themselves.

Wandering back to the JR building so that we could get the subway back to the hotel took us, inevitably, to a cafe for afternoon tea and cake.

Back "home" it was time to rest after six and a-half hours of wandering.

Smooth and Fast

2011-06-03T12:34:00.001+01:00

The Hikari shinkansen left Tokyo on time and arrived in Kyoto on time two and three-quarter hours later. What a way to travel - fast trains are really brilliant! Shinkansen, TGV, ES Italia, ICE, AVE, Eurostar - we don't care, so long as they are fast and run on time. Hint to Oz - it's about time ...

We took the subway and checked-in at the Palace Side Hotel and, as expected, the room was excellent. As per usual it was time to find some reviving black fluid.

The little coffee shop just down the road is one of those places you don't expect to find these days - not a franchise, but owner run and selling all manner of coffee beans from a wide geographical provenance. Not a bad drop and drip brewed - we've not come across anywhere in all our trips to Japan where they use the Italian pot (mocca macchinette) even for on-the-spot brewing of a single cup. Also, espresso machines are less than common in cafes.

The next port-of-call was a supermarket to fill our food cupboards for the next few days. That done we went for what proved to be a longer stroll that intended. Old limbs exhausted, we returned to the hotel for a delicious dinner.

Now it's time to plan tomorrows exploits ...

Wet, Wet and ... Wet

2011-06-02T11:30:00.004+01:00

A warm and rainy day in Tokyo. What do you do? It's either stay inside some large museum or shopping centre or, our preference, get wet and a decent coffee.

The metro took us to Akihabara to see what computers were on offer. If we tried to count them in the huge shop we went in we'd still be there! I was interested in the alternatives to the viral Apple product that I've dismissed as a fashion item. Onkyo and Acer produce great alternative "pads" which have USB ports and very good performance. Both products feel solid and run W7 - as opposed to Android or the Apple OS. Familiarity breeds less frustration ... Problem. Are these products sold in the UK or Australia? We'll see ...

After a delicious lunch of sliced beef and very fresh veggies we took the metro to Ueno so see what was being shown at the various galleries. Nothing to our taste. Ignoring the rain, we walked to Singenji Temple (Iriya Kishimoji). That done it, seemed appropriate to recharge our energies. We took the metro back to Ueno and the safety of our most visited coffee shop on Asakusa Dori. The rain still poured ...

We wandered about Asakusa back streets with the intention of going to the supermarket. This was excellent because we "discovered" a beautiful temple complete with koi and a bridge over an artificial stream. According to the local "you are here" map there are loads of temples in this area - most look like residences which I suppose are also theological colleges.

The best discovery and most surprising, was a Kiwaya ukulele shop which has existed since 1919. Apparently the uke is quite a favorite and has been for years.

If you wander the Asakusa back streets two things make braving the rain worthwhile. The quiet atmosphere and old buildings nestled between modern high-rise shops and apartments.

Back at the ranch, dinner called ... stir-fried, fresh veggies, tofu and sashimi (tuna) ...

Then it'll be time to pack for the trip to Kyoto.

Metros, Markets and Moaning Metatarsus

2011-06-01T11:02:00.005+01:00

First project of the day was to try and get my water-stained linen jacket dry cleaned. The dry cleaning shop is just around the corner. Off I went full of can-do only to be brought up sharp by a total inability to understand the shop assistant - why should she speak English? The hotel manager kindly took me by the hand and we went back to the cleaners where he negotiated the deal. Apparently, the shop assistant was worried that I didn't understand that the cleaning may not remove the stain.

A very pleasant day was spent re-acquainting ourselves with Tokyo. We made straight for the coffee shop to get the tramping molecules charged and then it was off to Ueno JR station to exchange our rail ticket vouchers for the JR passes. Two delightful and very helpful young women tended to our desires so that we were now in possession of our JR passes and booked shinkansen tickets for the journeys to and from Kyoto.

Time to plunder the local markets in Ueno ... if buying a couple of trinkets is classed as plunder, which I doubt. A plate of tempura and cold noodles followed, which revived us from such strenuous activity and we were able to travel on the metro to Tokyo central. We congratulated ourselves on not getting lost in the stations labyrinthine bowels and found our way outside to marvel at the old station building restoration project currently in progress - it will look stunning when it's finished.

A brisk march around the local area was followed by a metro back to Ueno where were sought out a refreshing coffee. The coffee shop is just across the street from a huge electronics store which gave me the excuse to check out the iPad 2 - no usb port; no good to me then ...

Back at the ranch for a wee rest and then it was time to visit the supermarket. On the way to Temple Nosh we were side tracked by a visit to two temples.

Higashi-Honganji is a small temple almost next to the hotel - hence the hotel's name. Just down the road from Higashi-Honganji there is another temple which was first built in ca. 1250 - I couldn't get the name of the place because a monk was shutting the main gate for the evening ... tomorrow I'll ...

Temple Nosh provided an abundance of scoffables - we're going to have ginger chicken with stir-fried veggies and noodles. Afters will be some sort of bready, cinnamon thing which looks delicious. "Is the stuff radioactive ?" I hear you ask. Who cares ...

Up, Up and Away

2011-06-01T00:09:00.003+01:00

After a very short night's sleep we checked in at KS Sydney at 5.37 am. The plane took off on time and the flight was excellent - JAL always are. The train to Ueno and a quick walk brought us to the hotel at 7.30 pm. That allowed a dash to the supermarket for some goodies for dinner - the sashimi was delicious. That's when we discovered that my case was soaked ... inside!

What sort of complete idiot leaves luggage out in the pouring rain while it is being loaded onto a plane? Easy answer - an Australian loader. It is hard to understand that a country that boasts as much as Oz does, can, with ever regular habit, stuff up nearly every basic aspect of any activity we try to do. "She'll be right mate" - I don't think so mate! OK, I know I'm a retread Pom - whinging at the whingable. Moving on ...

The appartment hotel Weekly Mansion Higashi-Ueno is fine. We're on the 9th floor and the lift works. A very comfortable little flatlet. The main surprise this morning is a cockerel doing its thing in someone's place down the street - it's Tokyo don't forget.

What will we do today? Who knows ...

Come Fly With Me, Come Fly ...

2011-05-29T02:42:00.002+01:00

No yet. It's time to move out to the hotel and then get on the bus to Sydney. Then, if the volcanoes don't get us, we jet off to glowing Tokyo. I've checked-in and, fingers crossed, we've got the seats we prefer; last two at the back of the plane. If we're offered a free upgrade we'll take it - always do ...

Packing was a snip ... after re-packing several times my case weights a monster 15 kilos ... maybe I don't need some of the cloths ...

It always surprises me that the carry-on bag is both full and heavy ... camera and all the electrical do-dads and their chargers ... remember when travel didn't require a private nuclear plant to power all the gadgets? We've even got a toothbrush that tells you when to stop brushing and you can listen to the radio while you brush - you have to have amalgam fillings for the reception to be enough to Zumba for the prescribed two minutes. Clean teeth and tight abs all in one session ... the marvels of modern technology ... whatever next ...

Tardis Time

2011-05-24T01:01:00.003+01:00

Most people we know have the horrors when you mention packing for a trip. Cases and cases of clothes are humped from car, to bus, to tube, to train, to aircraft, up stairs, down stairs and, finally, into My Lady's chamber.

We have a practiced procedure. If the stuff doesn't fit in a medium size case with a total weight less than 22 kilos - forget it!

We know a person (notice the carefully PC'd use of person) who insists on taking at least 10 pairs of shoes and sufficient cloths to match; "You never know if you will be invited to a wedding, bar mitzvah, funeral or some other social even". Two, or more, gigantic pieces of luggage result. These are, of course, never toted by said person and, amusingly enough, the complaints about the cost of excess baggage is one, if not the prime, feature which dominates their post-trip ramblings.

At one airport someone got to the check-in and, finding that their luggage was way over allowance, they opened their luggage and proceeded to don as much clothing as they could. The Michelin Effect was very funny, especially so when the luggage was still over weight.

Well ... we're all different ...

Tickets Please ...

2011-05-21T01:49:00.003+01:00

Now we know where Bilton Central is located I chained my self to the computer for two hours doing a "Mix and Match" with airlines, buses, ferries and train and hotels, in order to come up with a workable set, which got us to and from Venice in September. Firstly, there don't seem to be any "cheap" air tickets only "moderately cheap" ones. Persistence rewarded effort so that I did get a set of tickets and bookings that should, everything crossed, do the job. Rhyair, National Express , Premier Inn and Alilaguna - again!

Option Three ... A Sensible Choice

2011-05-21T01:33:00.002+01:00

After a phone call to Blighty HQ our friendly Property Manager gave us the choice of option three; S8, 2B, GFA, B, K, L/D with ORP plus CC, W&E. Who could refuse? Note there is no G, which is a blessing. Also, no worries about stray farm animals and leaking rooves or roofs ...

The snaps seem to underline the choice; so we have somewhere to rest our aged and weary heads in Sheffield.

Phew ... Somewhere To Sleep At Last

2011-05-19T13:50:00.000+01:00

At last we have somewhere to hang our hat and spend time in England.

We were a little disappointed with some of the choices but, beggars are seldom choosers. We decided that a roof of some sort was an essential due to the possibility of rain which guided our choice to option two ... maybe option three is better even if it is a little more expensive ...

Option 2

Option 1

Tickets, Tickets, But No Home - As Yet

2011-04-30T00:03:00.001+01:00

We got our JAL tickets and the Japan Rail Pass voucher by parting with a barrow load of dosh. The tickets had gone up in price due to tax increases - should have paid for them when we booked; a point to remember ...

All that remains, that is important, is to get somewhere to live while we're in England. Fingers crossed the property manager in Sheffield will come up with something soon ...

Here in the colonies, we watch the Royal Wedding; the BBC just can't be beaten when it come to grand telecasts. Say what you like, the event was a lift to the general doom-and-gloom of every day death and destruction. Some folk just seem to be niggards when it come to "royalty"; presidents cost heaps to elect and add yet another level to the insanity that passes for political hierarchy. Nuff said ...

Venice In September ... It's Becoming A Habit

2011-04-20T03:34:00.001+01:00

We have been fortunate to book another stay in Venice at our favorite apartment for most of September. The art-fest is on this year so we'll have plenty to moan about ... again!

"No news" is said to be "good news" and we're hoping that's the case in respect of a flat in Sheffield. I suppose it's a good idea to check that the tent is still OK ...

Japan is looking OK so far as our trip is concerned ... hashi crossed ...

Sadly The Oak Has Fallen ...

2011-04-08T07:43:00.004+01:00

Sadly, our favorite hotel in Tokyo has closed its doors. It seems that personal and financial conditions which have resulted from the earthquake and tidal wave have had a really bad impact on the people who ran the hotel. They had to let the lease go - for the time being ...

We've booked another hotel which is just around the corner http://www.travellerspoint.com/accommodation/17271-Weekly-Mansion-Higashi-Ueno/ which is a little more up-market. Fingers crossed, we will enjoy the added luxury.

It still astounds us how the Oz local react to the words: "radiation" and "nuclear", while they seem to forget about "tsunami", "earthquake", "homeless" and all that they imply to the Japanese people in the immediate area of the current disaster. Everyone thinks we are totally bonkers wanting to go this year ... we are ...

Hooked On News ...

2011-04-07T00:21:00.000+01:00

As you'd expect there is virtually no decent reporting by the media in Oz about the events in Japan. I've been watch in http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/ which seems to give plenty of information and explanation of events.

We'll be visiting Venice again - just love the place, so why not? At the moment we have nowhere to stay in the UK, which is the same situation as last year. Property managers don't know what properties will be available for renting until someone gives one months notice which means we won't know until the end of April at best. We dusted off the tent just in case ...

Hope Springs ... Two More Months

2011-04-03T05:12:00.002+01:00

The Japanese have to be commended for their persistence and ingenuity. I suppose it comes from their recent history (two A-bombs and a complete flattening by our gallant lads). The death toll is expected to reach 28K and God knows how many homeless have to be housed and their lives completely restarted. It's completely beyond proper comprehension for those of us fortunate enough to have all we could want.

We're still hoping to travel as planned. All flights are reported as normal at the moment so we're getting kitted up for the excursion with the latest from D&G - that's Disposal and General.

Labours Love Lost ...

2011-03-26T23:20:00.000Z

We've endured another election. This time it was for the NSW Government. Mind you, I don't want to give the impression that having the vote is not worthwhile or important. No. It's all the circus performances before the election that needs to be endured. Labour is out and a coalition of Liberal and National Party will rule the roost. We'll see what that portends ...

Eat Your Spinach

2011-03-25T00:50:00.001Z

The radioactive spinach that was threatening the world turns out to be that which was grown in a research centre and was never on the market ...

"The ministry says the radioactive cesium was detected on Thursday in a leafy vegetable taken from a field in Edogawa ward on Wednesday. The vegetable is called Komatsuna, or Japanese mustard spinach. The radioactive level was 890 becquerels per kilogram, exceeding the legal limit of 500.

The vegetable was grown at a research center, and is not being sold on the market."

Still ... Don't drink the water if you are under 12 months old ...

Radiantly Healthy

2011-03-23T23:55:00.004Z

We're still hoping it will be OK to go to Japan ... it's not the radiation, but more a question of hotel rooms being taken by the poor souls from the tsunami towns. Flights to/from Tokyo seem to be more-or-less normal, but shuttle services from Narita airport to the city are sometime stopped due to power saving measures.

The very poor reporting on TV and the comics (sorry, that's newspapers to the less discerning) about the radiation problems shows that a headline is much more important than actual fact and explanations. Maybe it is true that, despite most of the population having at least ten years of "education", the general public are too dim to understand real data and its meaning even if said data is interpreted in a simple way by known experts. Sadly, the experts are as guilty as the journalists. We watched an expert from the ANU, a fellow we've know for over 20 years, spouting the most blatant propaganda vis-a-vis Global Warming. It seems that, like the Cheshire Cat, words mean what the sprooker whats then to mean and to the Devil with unbiased logic. Disagreement is tantamount to treason ... (For further entertainment in this vein and a Oscar winning performance of hubris, I recommend the current production, "The Mad Monk", at the local theater in Canberra.)

Back to radiating ...

I think this diagramme, which came from the Japanese government, is useful to explain some aspects of absorbed dosage.

Unfortunately, it's a bit more complicated if you ask, "dosage of what?" Gamma, X-ray, Beta, Alpha, Neutron radiation? Hence, the use of the Sievert which is a unit of "Equivalent Dose" - Alpha weights 20 times the others. Which part of the body? Hence, the "Effective Dose" - eg: gonads weighted 20 times skin. How long was the exposure? Hence, the "per year" factor.

This page (http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A2922671) seems to do a reasonable job of explaining some of the complications. There are difficulties over unit of measurement and their interrelationships - Rem, Rontgen, Gray, Sievert, Becquerel, Currie, just for starters.

The fact that some of the foods in the area are radioactive comes as no surprise - they ALL are. Trouble comes when there is no comparison with what the "normal" levels were before the earthquake and tsunami. Maybe the foods were not measured before the event - I don't know at this stage. The same comment applies to the drinking water - everywhere (which includes Australian sources of water).

The average nuclear radiation from a person is reported as, something like, 400 microSv per year. You might as well suggest that it is dangerous to go to a football match where you would be surrounded by all those people next to you and all radiating nasties and giving you cancer ... what bollicks!

Interestingly, radon levels have always posed a problem and, not least, in the UK. The building methods in the UK include the wide use of Breeze Blocks which are made, in part, of the ash from conventional power stations. These release radon. The heath authorities in the UK commissioned a detailed study which measured the levels radon in homes in England and Wales. Not surprisingly, the results showed that people living in geographical areas where granite rock predominates were subject to greatest exposure to radon - Cornwall 700% higher than Norfolk. This is a natural phenomena ...

Unfortunately, we don't seem to be able to face up to the simple fact that our civilization is electricity based and we will, inevitably, need nukes to power our iPads ...

Comprehending Disaster

2011-03-14T22:36:00.002Z

The Japanese earthquakes and tsunami disaster seemed to be beyond my comprehension until I visualized the whole of Batemans Bay, Batehaven and Sunshine Bay being wiped out while we were sat at the cafe.

All the anti-nuclear voices seem to be more concerned for, what they imagine to be, more worthy lives than the tens of thousands that have been killed by this and other natural phenomena which, daily, wreak havoc across our world. I, for one, am pro-nuclear power. If this design for a MOX reactor - note: NOT the ancillary, essential cooling systems - can withstand a category 9 quake and a monster tsunami, I say, build some Pebble Bed units - not near the beach though. Water has the pleasing property of being able to be pumped along pipes.

I got an email from Tokyo pals who are shaken and not stirred. The "system" sprang into action - as per plan. Lest we forget, Tokyo was flattened by Allied (US) bombing - far worse than London; more akin to Dresden - and the resilience of the people re-built what we see today. Remember Kobe 1995? Nothing keeps a well organised society down for long ...

So far, the silliest of the comments made by TV reporters went something like, "This is the worst nuclear disaster the Japan has had to face". I wonder if he had ever heard of Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Maybe he thought that "Little Boy" and "Fat Man" were just manga characters. Back in 1945 the Allied "success" created something like a minimum of 250,000 dead and hundreds of thousands of radiation casualties - a tad worse than the Chernobyl episode even though some 350,000 people were re-settled.

We'll wait and see how things are in a couple of weeks and the make a final decision which way to fly to Europe.

Donations to the Red Cross Japan Appeal here.

Quaking At The Thought ...

2011-03-11T22:07:00.002Z

We were glued to the news reports about the earthquake in Japan. Last week it was Christchurch. If we were as paranoid as most the dope-heads down here in Lala Land, we'd be convinced that the Deities have it in for us. After all, we've been to those places several times and are planning another excursion soon. It's not so. Just the usual bit of plate-shifting that puts the whole of mankind (oops, that's a pejorative, sexist noun) in their place. No doubt the Hand Wringing, Anti-Nuclear Brigade will have a field day.

What should we do about the pending trip? We'll sit on our collective hands for a week or two. No flight tickets have been bought yet, so that we'll have a think about alternatives. Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok spring to mind as stop-off locations. It would mean we couldn't fly JAL which would not please the Memsahib ...

Transit Hotels

2011-03-08T22:37:00.001Z

We have somewhere to rest our weary heads in Sydney on the way out and London when we arrive after 13 hrs of flying time - plus 3 hours before departure and 1 hour after landing - hopefully on time (fingers and anything else that helps crossed).

Using the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" rule, we will be staying at the same hotels we have used over several years.

The Airport Sydney International and The Comfort Hotel Heathrow - nothing flash, convenient and good value.

JAL Just Can't Be Bettered

2011-02-20T02:37:00.002Z

We've book our flight to the UK via Japan as per usual ... JAL gets our vote every time. The hotels in Tokyo (The Oak; hopefully room 417)and Kyoto (The Palace Side) have confirmed our booking so that we know we have somewhere to rest our weary heads. Even more exciting, is the prospect of having a small kitchen in Kyoto. We already know where there are two excellent supermarkets, around the corner from the hotel, so the taste buds are drooling at the prospect. We have yet to book our JR pass so that we can shinkansen ourselves senseless to, from and around Kyoto.

Nothing booked in the UK means crossed bits-and-pieces until our friend, and property manager, finds an appropriate apartment somewhere in Sheffield - yes, back to Knife, Fork and Spoon Ville. Our friends, who live in the Peak Distric Park, are storing our tent so if all else fails ...

Other plans afoot: Venice (of course) and a list of possibly places as long as my arm - that's the list not the places ...

We'll have some time in Devon and Cornwall this time - family have moved there - and several visits to Lincoln and its shire.

That's all for now ... it's the Life of Riley and no mistake. (Who was Riley anyway ...)

Time For A Sydney Trip

2011-02-11T23:14:00.003Z

It's that time of year again so I've knocked up a portrait to take to Sydney for a comp. I doubt if it will be sellected, but you have etc etc etc ... It's made from aluminium strips held in place on an an aluminium mesh by beeswax.

We've been experiencing some not-so-typical summer weather in the last few weeks so that the usual pooh-poohing of English weather by Ozers seems unwarranted. Rain seems to be the norm with intermittently blazingly hot days. Still, we have peace and tranquility, which is a blessing when you consider what is the daily round of most of our comrades in other parts of our world.

It's the w/e so we are hoping that the tourists come to town and empty their pockets ...

Hot, Cold, Hot, Cold, Wind, Torrential Rain, Cold ... What To Wear?

2011-02-06T22:52:00.000Z

After the last few days I'd be astounded if it didn't snow! What weather? Changeable! For those of you who have an idyllic vision of Oz sun and surf, I take great delight in disabusing you of such myths. I've been through my whole, though limited, wardrobe in one day - even Wellington boots! Not that I'd want to be in Qland - poor souls. Mind you I've been an Ozer for long enough to know floods and cyclones are a yearly event; some devastating like this year. Building on floodplains, beaches and estuaries is nothing new. Similarly, taking no regard for the weather, when pitching the tribal tent, seems to be the nature of human migration to far-off climes.

Today I'll brace myself for the rain-sun-wind and go for a stroll in the bush - fingers crossed in the hope a tree doesn't fall on my head!

Hot But Not Cyclonic

2011-02-01T11:58:00.001Z

It's been a tad warm today 41 C - about 105 F in old money. Well, it makes a change from the snow and ice we experience in Sheffield last year. I can't really make up my mind which is more uncomfortable - cold or hot. I must admit that I really dislike temperatures over 24 C.

I'm glad we don't have the prospect of cat 4 cyclone tonight. Spare a thought for the poor souls in Qland. Yep, I'll stick with the heat thanks!

Hot, Hot and Getting Hotter

2011-01-31T08:55:00.003Z

The day in the Bay turned out to be a scorcher. No, we didn't go to the beach and get lobsterised like the tourists. Stalwart that we are, we still managed to enjoy coffee and cake at the cafe without recourse to air conditioning during transit.

Travel wise, I spent a few hours - yes, hours - trying various combinations of places, flights and airlines only to finish up dizzy and totally confused. The confusion didn't cloud my understanding of the standard of service you could expect from Air China; the fares are cheap and the service, so far as I can understand from passengers reviews, even cheaper. Comments like: poor maintenance, broken IFE, bad food, crappy, smelly, rude, unhelpful and filthy toilets, seem to be the most favoured by passenger - even business class passengers!. All of which means, despite the low $1700 ticket value, we will NOT travelling with Air China even though stop-overs in Beijing and Seoul seem to be a tempting excursion. JAL seem to be beckoning again ...

The answer? Caraway - what else?

Heat At last ... Phew, Who Needs It?

2011-01-30T22:55:00.001Z

Summer has come for a couple of days; it's sun, sun and sun - just like the travel posters. That is fine, so long as you are not working outside. Yes, you are quite correct: I don't have the sense to follow that advice. On a cool day I decided to re-paint the deck; verandah to some, although it doesn't have a roof so really ... That was fine until Phoebe decided to show up. The paint dried quite quickly which was a blessing so all's well that ...

I came across this sick crossword clue this morning while sitting on the deck, watching the birds and munching a bowl of fibre and yogurt:

" Seed in empty garage?"

answer ... ?

And The Levy Was Dry ...

2011-01-28T23:50:00.001Z

I know it's "levee" in the song, but the flood of anger about the other one has almost drowned my optimism in a sea disbelief. The tide certainly has turned on the outpouring of generosity that has been trumpeted as typical of the Oz character. The Premier of NSW have come up with the most inane of reasons why Sydney dwellers shouldn't be levied - sometimes the stupidity of politicians exceeds expectations ...

I calculated that what I'll be paying is not even enough for a meal in a cheap restaurant, two tickets to the movies, a decent haircut, ... I could go on for pages; certainly not enough to affect our travel plans. I have always said, "If you pay lots of tax you must be lucky enough to have lots of income." The levy is, after all, just another tax and I know of no other way to finance a socially responsible government. I have just read this: "With taxes you buy civilization" - how true ..

Travel-wise we have had a deluge of ideas, but it seems likely we'll fly to/from London via Tokyo again. We'll probably have two weeks in Japan both ways - earthquakes and volcanic activity permitting. One thing that we'll avoid is the ice and snow in the UK ... there was enough last year for our aged bones ...

And They're Off ... Now, Now Don't Get Excited

2011-01-28T02:48:00.002Z

If you fancy an economic flight to Europe via Japan, JAL are offering return tickets at less than $1400 - max time from departure to arrival back where you started is 2 months. It's a bargain, but no good for us - more research required ...

Mean time at the manor ... I've spent all morning painting the decking. Not what I'd call a culturally exciting experience, but the domestics you get these days are just not up to doing anything remotely technical - it required use of a paint brush, roller and ladder; far too complicated ...

A Cuckoo Idea?

2011-01-26T02:12:00.003Z

The Australian birds are always a wonder - usually bright coloured and loud voiced. We've been serenaded by a cuckoo for a few days. You have to feel sorry for the cuckooed birds that spend all waking hours feeding their not-so-little lodger ...

A squawking cuckoo leads me on to what seems to be a yearly event - the debate about a new flag for Australia. Since it is Australia Day I thought I'd suggest an appropriate design.

If Assies insist in acting like them why not ... the main disadvantage will be having to change the gun laws so we can all go around like Ms Palin et al ...

Orsetrailier Day Mate - Fair Dinky Clobber!

2011-01-26T00:48:00.000Z

G'day mate. Owdya Be? It's Orsetrailier Day mate; a day for mates, mate-ship and mating at a matey barbie with your mates at a mates place with their mates being matey. That's the matey Orstrailian Way mate. A day to burn the traditional Orstralian National Dish mate. Snags and steak mate. Washed down with a couple of six-packs of beer mate. No worries mate! No veggies mate. No wog food mate. Mate it's just Ossie tucker mate. It's the Ozzie Way mate.

Don't forget to drink and drive mate - it's tradition mate!