June 1st
After a very long sleep and a quick breakfast, we raced the two miles to the Gertsey train station for the 9:10 am trip to London. We immediatey found an internet café to bring this blog site more current. After that we decided to store Georg’s knapsack containing the laptop (very heavy) at the station. Although we took the subway often and were able to sit, it really took a load off his back (pun). We saw many of the must-see sights like the Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, London Tower, etc. but decided not to pay admission charges to any of them. We will see a lot of churches and such that we do not have to pay the equivalent of $15. - $20. Cdn./each. The subway is a wonderful method of transportation. One thing quite scary was that there was a bit of a gang-style beating in Trafalgar Square with lots of police chasing. This was the first time we had seen the dark side of London.
We returned home around 7 pm (after a bit of a mixup with the train transfers) and we had a couple of gin and tonics and steak for dinner. Listened to the England-Brazil soccer game on our radio and went to bed quite early.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Friday, June 1, 2007
May 31st
May 31st
Surprised to wake up to a nice day as we had heard that the weather was to be awful for the next couple of days. This made for a nice 20-mile train trip from our Gertsey campground into the centre of London. Met a couple of helpful individuals who gave us advice on what we should see and do on our first day in London. We went on the famous London “Eye”, which is a king-size ferris wheel 400 feet high that takes 40 mins. to go around. Quite scary for me because of my fear of heights. We continued walking and taking in all the obvious sights like Big Ben, Lady Di’s memorial garden, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abby, etc. We will go back again tomorrow to see the other big “draws”, but are both of the opinion that “cities are cities no matter where” and we enjoy smaller places. Our opinion of London is that it is a very sophisticated city with polite people and appears to be very orderly. Must say, would not want to attempt driving and that is of course why we took the train and used the underground. Stopped into a very old pub and had a couple of pints. When we got home after nearly eight hours of non-stop walking, we enjoyed a shower, dinner and a well-earned rest.
Surprised to wake up to a nice day as we had heard that the weather was to be awful for the next couple of days. This made for a nice 20-mile train trip from our Gertsey campground into the centre of London. Met a couple of helpful individuals who gave us advice on what we should see and do on our first day in London. We went on the famous London “Eye”, which is a king-size ferris wheel 400 feet high that takes 40 mins. to go around. Quite scary for me because of my fear of heights. We continued walking and taking in all the obvious sights like Big Ben, Lady Di’s memorial garden, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abby, etc. We will go back again tomorrow to see the other big “draws”, but are both of the opinion that “cities are cities no matter where” and we enjoy smaller places. Our opinion of London is that it is a very sophisticated city with polite people and appears to be very orderly. Must say, would not want to attempt driving and that is of course why we took the train and used the underground. Stopped into a very old pub and had a couple of pints. When we got home after nearly eight hours of non-stop walking, we enjoyed a shower, dinner and a well-earned rest.
May 30th
May 30th
After eating eggs bennie and fresh strawberries, we cleaned up our belongings. Georg, with the help of our English neighbours, managed to fix the leak in our sink water pump and tighten the fan belt. Needless to say, he also brought along tools and gadgets to fix things. It rained horribly last evening, but again we stayed toasty warm and dry. We are sleeping very comfortably. Picked up groceries at a large grocery chain store. One thing for sure – we are eating well.
The drive was a bit hectic today trying to navigate the smaller roads via the computer program because of detours and changes since the program was designed. Instead, we got on the main five-lane highway into London. A little scary, slow because of congestion and rain, but we managed to get to our “caravan club” location in Chertsey about 20 miles outside London. We are having some pretty nice dinners. Tonight, wild Alaskan salmon, stir fry and rice. Settled in for our usual reading, cards and bed by 10. We will be up early to catch train into central London tomorrow.
Some early observations of England are that the women especially are quite heavy , sloppy and are either very young and or single mothers. We also notice that there is more garbage and dog shit on the streets, less pride of home ownership and that more people seem to smoke. Interesting how much more healthy, slim and active the people are in Holland especially (possibly because there are so many bicycles).
After eating eggs bennie and fresh strawberries, we cleaned up our belongings. Georg, with the help of our English neighbours, managed to fix the leak in our sink water pump and tighten the fan belt. Needless to say, he also brought along tools and gadgets to fix things. It rained horribly last evening, but again we stayed toasty warm and dry. We are sleeping very comfortably. Picked up groceries at a large grocery chain store. One thing for sure – we are eating well.
The drive was a bit hectic today trying to navigate the smaller roads via the computer program because of detours and changes since the program was designed. Instead, we got on the main five-lane highway into London. A little scary, slow because of congestion and rain, but we managed to get to our “caravan club” location in Chertsey about 20 miles outside London. We are having some pretty nice dinners. Tonight, wild Alaskan salmon, stir fry and rice. Settled in for our usual reading, cards and bed by 10. We will be up early to catch train into central London tomorrow.
Some early observations of England are that the women especially are quite heavy , sloppy and are either very young and or single mothers. We also notice that there is more garbage and dog shit on the streets, less pride of home ownership and that more people seem to smoke. Interesting how much more healthy, slim and active the people are in Holland especially (possibly because there are so many bicycles).
May 29th
May 29th
We spent a more sunny day today walking historic Canterbury for almost seven hours visiting a museum and the oldest church in England. Had a lovely lunch at the Strata restaurant recommended by a lady who picked us up at the bus stop, purchased a used electric radio and reading material in a “Charity” shop , visited a golf course nearby and walked back to our VW home for a macaroni and cheese and salad dinner and more cribbage. We will be heading 90 kms to London tomorrow (7.5 million people!!!). We are sitting in our van with the heater on comfortably listening to the rain while we are both reading and will head to bed around 9:30. We are usually awake by 6 am.
We spent a more sunny day today walking historic Canterbury for almost seven hours visiting a museum and the oldest church in England. Had a lovely lunch at the Strata restaurant recommended by a lady who picked us up at the bus stop, purchased a used electric radio and reading material in a “Charity” shop , visited a golf course nearby and walked back to our VW home for a macaroni and cheese and salad dinner and more cribbage. We will be heading 90 kms to London tomorrow (7.5 million people!!!). We are sitting in our van with the heater on comfortably listening to the rain while we are both reading and will head to bed around 9:30. We are usually awake by 6 am.
May 28th
May 28th
To day we began early towards Canterbury on very small back roads. Georg is loving the program he received from John and Steph and would not be able to navigate our route as well without it. We noticed a high pitched squeal from the engine. Georg took a look and deduced that either the loose fan belt is the culprit or the water pump. For now, we sprayed WD40 on the belt and will look at the belt tension later. We arrived in a campground that we were able to purchase a temporary L20 Overseas Membership for the Camping and Caravanning Club of UK. This is about $10 Cdn/night savings on the cost of approx. $35 Cdn/night . We paid between $10 - $20 Cdn/night in Belgium and Holland. So far, the facilities in all the campsites are perfect for us. We plug into electricity, showers are hot, and everything is clean and orderly.
We saw a bit of Canterbury and attended a beautiful service in the Canterbury Cathedral listening to an angelic choir. The cathedral was built in the 500’s and completed in the 1500’s and is massive. Looking forward to exploring it more tomorrow. We exited to a downpour of rain and proceeded to use our ponchos to walk back to the campsite. They worked perfectly. Georg thought of everything for our trip. When we returned for dinner, I remembered that there was an electric heater left from the previous owners of our VW. Well, now we really were in heaven listening to the BBC, enjoying a glass of wine before dinner and toasty and warm inside our van. What more could we want.
To day we began early towards Canterbury on very small back roads. Georg is loving the program he received from John and Steph and would not be able to navigate our route as well without it. We noticed a high pitched squeal from the engine. Georg took a look and deduced that either the loose fan belt is the culprit or the water pump. For now, we sprayed WD40 on the belt and will look at the belt tension later. We arrived in a campground that we were able to purchase a temporary L20 Overseas Membership for the Camping and Caravanning Club of UK. This is about $10 Cdn/night savings on the cost of approx. $35 Cdn/night . We paid between $10 - $20 Cdn/night in Belgium and Holland. So far, the facilities in all the campsites are perfect for us. We plug into electricity, showers are hot, and everything is clean and orderly.
We saw a bit of Canterbury and attended a beautiful service in the Canterbury Cathedral listening to an angelic choir. The cathedral was built in the 500’s and completed in the 1500’s and is massive. Looking forward to exploring it more tomorrow. We exited to a downpour of rain and proceeded to use our ponchos to walk back to the campsite. They worked perfectly. Georg thought of everything for our trip. When we returned for dinner, I remembered that there was an electric heater left from the previous owners of our VW. Well, now we really were in heaven listening to the BBC, enjoying a glass of wine before dinner and toasty and warm inside our van. What more could we want.
May 27th
May 27th
This morning after having French toast, fresh strawberries, juice and coffee, we left Ypres and drove to the largest war memorial in Europe, (Tyne Cot), as well as the Canadian and German memorials in the area. The memorial sights and the magnitude of war dead in this region alone, (500,000), is mind- numbing. What a senseless waste of life. We received a couple of Canadian pins from a Winnipegger that we met. We continued through the last of Belgium, then into France, and took the ferry from Calais to Dover; passing through three countries today. The cost for the 90 min. trip across the English Channel was $120 E (which works out to approx. $180.Cdn). The “Chunnel” was not a consideration because of cost. I chose to stay warm and dry during the crossing while Georg was on deck taking pictures. Noticing that at mid-point both coastlines were clearly visible, he quipped, “ What stopped the Germans when they were so close ?”
Now the fun begins driving on the wrong side of the road, (English say “right side”), as well as our driver’s seat being opposite. So far, I have hit the curb once and almost had Georg broad-sided . Sure enough, we have had great weather on the continent and now first day in England and it is raining, windy and cold in contrast to the 35 degree weather Britain had in April. Everyone is quite tanned. Georg noticed that everyone is quite a bit bigger that in Holland. Bike riding over here is not as prevelant, probably the hills and very narrow roads are contributing factors. We were planning to drive to Canterbury, but because of the “driving training” and the weather conditions, found a campground straight away. Washed clothes in a machine instead of washing by hand.
This morning after having French toast, fresh strawberries, juice and coffee, we left Ypres and drove to the largest war memorial in Europe, (Tyne Cot), as well as the Canadian and German memorials in the area. The memorial sights and the magnitude of war dead in this region alone, (500,000), is mind- numbing. What a senseless waste of life. We received a couple of Canadian pins from a Winnipegger that we met. We continued through the last of Belgium, then into France, and took the ferry from Calais to Dover; passing through three countries today. The cost for the 90 min. trip across the English Channel was $120 E (which works out to approx. $180.Cdn). The “Chunnel” was not a consideration because of cost. I chose to stay warm and dry during the crossing while Georg was on deck taking pictures. Noticing that at mid-point both coastlines were clearly visible, he quipped, “ What stopped the Germans when they were so close ?”
Now the fun begins driving on the wrong side of the road, (English say “right side”), as well as our driver’s seat being opposite. So far, I have hit the curb once and almost had Georg broad-sided . Sure enough, we have had great weather on the continent and now first day in England and it is raining, windy and cold in contrast to the 35 degree weather Britain had in April. Everyone is quite tanned. Georg noticed that everyone is quite a bit bigger that in Holland. Bike riding over here is not as prevelant, probably the hills and very narrow roads are contributing factors. We were planning to drive to Canterbury, but because of the “driving training” and the weather conditions, found a campground straight away. Washed clothes in a machine instead of washing by hand.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
May 25th
We left the beautiful city of Brugge and drove the backroads to Ypres. We visited Lepers in 1972 and all the war memorials in the Flanders area of Belgium. Ypres was totally destroyed during WWI and rebuilt immediately afterwards exactly as it was before the War. We walked around for awhile as our campground was quite close. So far the camping sights have been great with hot showers, amenities to wash clothes and dishes, etc. and cost approx. $20/night. We are very comfortable in our van. We have not had a problem with the power to the fridge and water pump since it was fixed and the motor is purring (sure hope it continues). We play cards pretty well every evening and get together with some of the other campers, but generally we are staying to ourselves.
We got up today (May 26th) and went into the centre of Ypres for the Saturday market where they sell everything from socks to fresh fish. We love the food in Europe and enjoy all the great cheeses, meats, wines and beers and fresh fruit and vegetables. We brought back our groceries for a wonderful lunch and returned to town so that George could see the War Museum. I just walked around and enjoyed all the wonderful sights and sounds. Tomorrow we will see a couple of the larger grave sights and then to Calais, France to catch the boat to Dover.
The microsoft program that we received from the Murphy's is fantastic and is helping us get around so much better than any map. Also, the weather is still cooperating.
We left the beautiful city of Brugge and drove the backroads to Ypres. We visited Lepers in 1972 and all the war memorials in the Flanders area of Belgium. Ypres was totally destroyed during WWI and rebuilt immediately afterwards exactly as it was before the War. We walked around for awhile as our campground was quite close. So far the camping sights have been great with hot showers, amenities to wash clothes and dishes, etc. and cost approx. $20/night. We are very comfortable in our van. We have not had a problem with the power to the fridge and water pump since it was fixed and the motor is purring (sure hope it continues). We play cards pretty well every evening and get together with some of the other campers, but generally we are staying to ourselves.
We got up today (May 26th) and went into the centre of Ypres for the Saturday market where they sell everything from socks to fresh fish. We love the food in Europe and enjoy all the great cheeses, meats, wines and beers and fresh fruit and vegetables. We brought back our groceries for a wonderful lunch and returned to town so that George could see the War Museum. I just walked around and enjoyed all the wonderful sights and sounds. Tomorrow we will see a couple of the larger grave sights and then to Calais, France to catch the boat to Dover.
The microsoft program that we received from the Murphy's is fantastic and is helping us get around so much better than any map. Also, the weather is still cooperating.
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