We have the house, will sign the forms on friday and the car. It's a Renualt expression 1.6 2001 model
eleven days and we are set :)
Monday, July 31, 2006
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Men In Tights
We tried again today to get the most out of the hire car before we return it this week, and may have to go a little while without a car. So, after breakfast we jumped in the car, but with nowhere in particular in mind. We eventually decided to head north, and hit the A1(M) with Eve at the wheel and me with my nose buried in the Lonely Planet guide to Britain.
We pulled up first at Petersborough, which is a largish town not to far vaguely northwest of Cambridge. The guide book said it had a Cathedral and shopping. We'll, until my first paycheck we're not too keen on the shopping, but the cathedral was worth a look. Besides, it's nice just to wander around the towns in this part of thw world.
By coincidence, we arrived just in time for the morning service at 10:30. I felt decidedly out of place in my AC/DC T-shirt, but nobody seemed to mind (around here Sunday best still means something). Luckily for us, the London Chamber Choir was visiting and led the service, which was wonderful. For those of us who like that kind of thing, England seems to be a good place to spend some time.
We had to bail out a bit early as we didn't pay for enough parking. So, no pictures of the inside. Suffice to say that Petersborough cathedral is /enormous/ (it took 120 years to build the thing). It's also very old, dating from 1116.
Here is a photo we took of the western facade. It's big.
From here we drove further north west to Nottingham. This is the Nottingham of Robin Hood, Men in Tights fame. It's a big city now, but the tourism still seems to centre around the quite probably fictional tale.
The city is dominated by the hill/cliff upon which sat Nottingham castle. The castle was demolished centruies ago, and replaced with a mansion that was built in the 17th century.
As we arrived into town, we saw this couple on a heavily customised moped. Not sure what is going on there...
But our first stop (once we managed to park the car) was the Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem, which claims to be the oldest inn in Britain. It is set into the sandstone that the castle sat on, and indeed some of the rooms are carved into the rock. See the pictures to get an idea.
Apparantly, the crusaders used to stop here for a drink and a rest before heading off to Jerusalem - hence the name.
It was a great spot to stop for a drink and some lunch. Highly recommended. Also recommended is the local cask conditioned ale named "Olde Trip". Also, try a pint of "Cursed Galleon" if you ever get anywhere near here.
There is a museum next door called the Brewhouse Yard Museum. It's got some great stuff from the WWII period and earlier (I particularly liked the war posters encouraging women to come to the factories, entreating people to keep their gas masks handy, and one great one asking people to join the crusade against wasting bread), and some artificial caves that were used for air raid shelters. It's difficult to imagine what it must have been like here during the war.
Next stop was the castle grounds themselves, and the mansion which now contains an art gallery and museum. It has a pretty good view (see below) and it must have been fairly easy to spot the marauders coming. The museum had exhibits on the "Sherwood Foresters" infantry regiment (which has a distinguished history over many wars, up to the present), and on the history of Nottingham. Here are a few photos from the grounds and from the top.
The topiary on horseback is called Sir Bloomsalot. Droll.
These here are topiary versions of Robin and Marion.
It was getting late so we started heading for home. But before we headed back to Cambridge we thought we'd pop up to Sherwood Forest (the real one) just to take a photo.
It's quite a ways from Nottingham. If Marion visited Robin in the night, she had a *very* fast horse. It seems that most of the forest is gone though, and there was no sign of the Merry Men. We eventually found the Sherwood Pine forest (a pine plantation), which we thought was close enough. It's nothing particularly special, but it was good to visit such a famous place. So we took a photo and headed home.
We pulled up first at Petersborough, which is a largish town not to far vaguely northwest of Cambridge. The guide book said it had a Cathedral and shopping. We'll, until my first paycheck we're not too keen on the shopping, but the cathedral was worth a look. Besides, it's nice just to wander around the towns in this part of thw world.
By coincidence, we arrived just in time for the morning service at 10:30. I felt decidedly out of place in my AC/DC T-shirt, but nobody seemed to mind (around here Sunday best still means something). Luckily for us, the London Chamber Choir was visiting and led the service, which was wonderful. For those of us who like that kind of thing, England seems to be a good place to spend some time.
We had to bail out a bit early as we didn't pay for enough parking. So, no pictures of the inside. Suffice to say that Petersborough cathedral is /enormous/ (it took 120 years to build the thing). It's also very old, dating from 1116.
Here is a photo we took of the western facade. It's big.
From here we drove further north west to Nottingham. This is the Nottingham of Robin Hood, Men in Tights fame. It's a big city now, but the tourism still seems to centre around the quite probably fictional tale.
The city is dominated by the hill/cliff upon which sat Nottingham castle. The castle was demolished centruies ago, and replaced with a mansion that was built in the 17th century.
As we arrived into town, we saw this couple on a heavily customised moped. Not sure what is going on there...
But our first stop (once we managed to park the car) was the Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem, which claims to be the oldest inn in Britain. It is set into the sandstone that the castle sat on, and indeed some of the rooms are carved into the rock. See the pictures to get an idea.
Apparantly, the crusaders used to stop here for a drink and a rest before heading off to Jerusalem - hence the name.
It was a great spot to stop for a drink and some lunch. Highly recommended. Also recommended is the local cask conditioned ale named "Olde Trip". Also, try a pint of "Cursed Galleon" if you ever get anywhere near here.
There is a museum next door called the Brewhouse Yard Museum. It's got some great stuff from the WWII period and earlier (I particularly liked the war posters encouraging women to come to the factories, entreating people to keep their gas masks handy, and one great one asking people to join the crusade against wasting bread), and some artificial caves that were used for air raid shelters. It's difficult to imagine what it must have been like here during the war.
Next stop was the castle grounds themselves, and the mansion which now contains an art gallery and museum. It has a pretty good view (see below) and it must have been fairly easy to spot the marauders coming. The museum had exhibits on the "Sherwood Foresters" infantry regiment (which has a distinguished history over many wars, up to the present), and on the history of Nottingham. Here are a few photos from the grounds and from the top.
The topiary on horseback is called Sir Bloomsalot. Droll.
These here are topiary versions of Robin and Marion.
It was getting late so we started heading for home. But before we headed back to Cambridge we thought we'd pop up to Sherwood Forest (the real one) just to take a photo.
It's quite a ways from Nottingham. If Marion visited Robin in the night, she had a *very* fast horse. It seems that most of the forest is gone though, and there was no sign of the Merry Men. We eventually found the Sherwood Pine forest (a pine plantation), which we thought was close enough. It's nothing particularly special, but it was good to visit such a famous place. So we took a photo and headed home.
More Shakespeare
Yes that's right we did the tourist thing. We still have the hire car so we thought we would get out there. We don't have our tent, because of weight restrictions on the plane, so it was only day trips. So our first stop was Warwick which has a medieval castle, hospital etc. The castle, though expensive to get in (17 pounds each), is a whole day of entertainment. It has guys on horses charging at each other and guys with swords. There were rooms with the orignal contents in it and archers outside doing demos. Anyway check out the pics (the people in the shots are mostly wax).
The castle
Guy on horse
The library
The next stop was Shakespeare's birth place at Stratford upon Avon. I must admit after the crowds (British do not have enough days in the year to need deodourant so I believe they are unware of such products) the smell was phenomenal, I enjoyed the ice cream shop much more that the house. But the true delight came when I discovered the best shop I have ever seen, it was called the Nut Cracker. I am sure you all can guess what type of shop it is, yes the best christmas shop in the world. Ben was even willing to go in and shop, not only this but he has promised we can go back in December.
Anyway again check out the pics
Shakespeare's Birthplace
Christmas shop
Also the cutest organ in Warwick castle
The castle
Guy on horse
The library
The next stop was Shakespeare's birth place at Stratford upon Avon. I must admit after the crowds (British do not have enough days in the year to need deodourant so I believe they are unware of such products) the smell was phenomenal, I enjoyed the ice cream shop much more that the house. But the true delight came when I discovered the best shop I have ever seen, it was called the Nut Cracker. I am sure you all can guess what type of shop it is, yes the best christmas shop in the world. Ben was even willing to go in and shop, not only this but he has promised we can go back in December.
Anyway again check out the pics
Shakespeare's Birthplace
Christmas shop
Also the cutest organ in Warwick castle
Around About Way
Ok after spending a week on this crazy people's roads, I think I can see why some consider the English quite bizzare. Round abouts are a small obsession of this place and they don't make much sense. We even came across a double round about, you might can this works, well we don't no either and we survived it.
They have round abouts on freeways where one is doing about 120 and they start with two or three lanes, may go down to two in the middle and come out with just one lane on the other side.
there is bush in the middle, which does not allow a view through to the other side and of course the signs are somewhere on the exit. So you could be flying around the thing for some time before you manage to exit the correct one. I think I have already written to some about the inner city round abouts that take up three blocks and have about eight exits. So what is the point of this maddness, to keep life exciting, to challenge drives with quickness of sight to read the signs and slight of hand to move the car across lanes that stopped existing a mile back. I will keep you posted if I figure it out.
They have round abouts on freeways where one is doing about 120 and they start with two or three lanes, may go down to two in the middle and come out with just one lane on the other side.
there is bush in the middle, which does not allow a view through to the other side and of course the signs are somewhere on the exit. So you could be flying around the thing for some time before you manage to exit the correct one. I think I have already written to some about the inner city round abouts that take up three blocks and have about eight exits. So what is the point of this maddness, to keep life exciting, to challenge drives with quickness of sight to read the signs and slight of hand to move the car across lanes that stopped existing a mile back. I will keep you posted if I figure it out.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Get thee to a nunnery
What a lovely night to be rather than not be, yes we have been shakespeared. In the garden of the Kings College no less. It was a beautiful night and we were allowed to take a picnic. I went to the market place in Cambridge square and collected some bread, cheese and chocolate.
The performance was wonderful with Hamlet (the actor being on the stage almost all the time) not slipping once. The costumes and gestures made it a a very stirring event. The tickets were 12 pounds and they have many other plays going on at each college Monday to Saturday so we may get to report on another. I would say that it was almost as good as the Midsummers night in Botanic Gardens, Sydney
The performance was wonderful with Hamlet (the actor being on the stage almost all the time) not slipping once. The costumes and gestures made it a a very stirring event. The tickets were 12 pounds and they have many other plays going on at each college Monday to Saturday so we may get to report on another. I would say that it was almost as good as the Midsummers night in Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
NEW BIKE
Yes its true, the new bike has arrived and it is lovely. it will now be refered to as Shiny. This will be obvious on viewing the picture, it is blue and silver with a silver matching helmet :)
Pub Report
Greetings Good People
Now I know I promised to post a picture of our local to Bernard and others but we don't have a local as such at the moment. If we get the new place in Kingston then we may call either the Hoops in Greater Eversden or the Willow in Bourn our local. The Hoops is a 450 year old pub, so a younge`n with oak floors and real ale. The willow as yet is a bit of an unknown as I have only driven past it so far. But it does look good and also serves real ale. Now for the beer beginners real usually refers to (here) beer in a barrel, so don't expect it to be to cold or bubbly. But this is no reason to discount them as undrinkable and that is also what I will report on in luu of a report of the local, for now. Now the few beers I have tried I have enjoyed a lot, I have found that the beer without chill or bubble is supported very well with the flavour. If those that attended the party cast their mind back to the fruity beer in the pastic you might get the idea or either think of the smell of a beligum beer in the flavour instead.
The beer here is offen darker brown to golden and offen has a fruity or spicey finish.
I have tried Abbott which is one of the fruity time beers, both in favor and smell. its quite smooth though has a spicy finish
Old Speckled Hen (had before) which is light and quick to drink and offen served cold as it comes in a bottle.
London Pride is a fresh clean golden beer
Black Sheep special is a dark brew with quite a hoppy favor
Hardys and Hansons Mild is a real great malty drink
And IPA which Ben can't remember to discribe but will go on record as saying it is very tasty, I remember it having a bitter finish but quite clean and not really fruity, sort of hoppy.
Here is one pub we have had a drink in, orignally called the Eagle and Child was first open to the public in 1667
Now I know I promised to post a picture of our local to Bernard and others but we don't have a local as such at the moment. If we get the new place in Kingston then we may call either the Hoops in Greater Eversden or the Willow in Bourn our local. The Hoops is a 450 year old pub, so a younge`n with oak floors and real ale. The willow as yet is a bit of an unknown as I have only driven past it so far. But it does look good and also serves real ale. Now for the beer beginners real usually refers to (here) beer in a barrel, so don't expect it to be to cold or bubbly. But this is no reason to discount them as undrinkable and that is also what I will report on in luu of a report of the local, for now. Now the few beers I have tried I have enjoyed a lot, I have found that the beer without chill or bubble is supported very well with the flavour. If those that attended the party cast their mind back to the fruity beer in the pastic you might get the idea or either think of the smell of a beligum beer in the flavour instead.
The beer here is offen darker brown to golden and offen has a fruity or spicey finish.
I have tried Abbott which is one of the fruity time beers, both in favor and smell. its quite smooth though has a spicy finish
Old Speckled Hen (had before) which is light and quick to drink and offen served cold as it comes in a bottle.
London Pride is a fresh clean golden beer
Black Sheep special is a dark brew with quite a hoppy favor
Hardys and Hansons Mild is a real great malty drink
And IPA which Ben can't remember to discribe but will go on record as saying it is very tasty, I remember it having a bitter finish but quite clean and not really fruity, sort of hoppy.
Here is one pub we have had a drink in, orignally called the Eagle and Child was first open to the public in 1667
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Fifth day
We are kicking ass over here. We had a big day yestersday. I was set the task of finding a house a car and do the washing. Now out of these one would not think that the washing was that interesting but it was the most adventureous thing on the list as it turns out.
First I spent about two or three hours searching for a house with little success and then got any offer to see a place at 1pm. All car sale places appear to be in birmingham so we are going to drive down there on Saturday and the washing well, there are three places in Cambridge and they are all hidden. One I went for was somewhere on a round about that went on for about three blocks with about eight roads leading off it. Needless to say it took five goes around the place to find it and a sixth go to find a place to park. That was about 4.30pm and we finally got back with the bikes at about 6.30 to collect the washing.
So for the exciting stuff Ben had a great first day at work and the new work mates took him for a pint at lunch so he is set. Now for the picture of the possible new place, we are still waitng ofr the credit check
It has a cute english garden with roses in the front and an apple tree in the back. Its a two bedroom place with heated floors (not that you need it at the moment, I'm in danger of getting a tan here)
First I spent about two or three hours searching for a house with little success and then got any offer to see a place at 1pm. All car sale places appear to be in birmingham so we are going to drive down there on Saturday and the washing well, there are three places in Cambridge and they are all hidden. One I went for was somewhere on a round about that went on for about three blocks with about eight roads leading off it. Needless to say it took five goes around the place to find it and a sixth go to find a place to park. That was about 4.30pm and we finally got back with the bikes at about 6.30 to collect the washing.
So for the exciting stuff Ben had a great first day at work and the new work mates took him for a pint at lunch so he is set. Now for the picture of the possible new place, we are still waitng ofr the credit check
It has a cute english garden with roses in the front and an apple tree in the back. Its a two bedroom place with heated floors (not that you need it at the moment, I'm in danger of getting a tan here)
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Biking
This morning we decided to challenge ourselves with a bit of a ride. It is 14k one way and we did the round trip and so are feeling pleased with ourselves (ok I feel pleased Ben thinks its just ok).
Here is a pic from the top of Chapel Hill leading towards Barrington. This is only the second hill we have seen in Cambrdigeshire, and so from the looks of it, there may not be any others - this is a flat part of the world.
And here is me on the courtesy bike the shope lent me while we wait for our new bikes to be assembled.
Here is a pic from the top of Chapel Hill leading towards Barrington. This is only the second hill we have seen in Cambrdigeshire, and so from the looks of it, there may not be any others - this is a flat part of the world.
And here is me on the courtesy bike the shope lent me while we wait for our new bikes to be assembled.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Hello there
i decided to included some pictures around the place since the last post was not terrible exciting. the first picture is one of five designs found in the footpath around cambridge.
the second is of the market square on friday morning with all the pretty stalls, i am standing in front of the lollie stall of course :)
the last is a picture of one of the beautiful waterways that you can take a paddle on.
i decided to included some pictures around the place since the last post was not terrible exciting. the first picture is one of five designs found in the footpath around cambridge.
the second is of the market square on friday morning with all the pretty stalls, i am standing in front of the lollie stall of course :)
the last is a picture of one of the beautiful waterways that you can take a paddle on.
Out Riding
Greetings All
Well after a long and argumentative time shopping for bikes we finally found a place willing to sell us bikes but give us hire for free until the new bikes were ready. the next step of course was to see if we could ride all the way to barringtion. by the time we set out it was 2pm and to cut a long story short we didn't make it. came back at 4.30 as it was starting to thunder and i was much slower that ben, he was a blur off into the distances as i tried to peddle as fast as i could. but all hope is not long we will be trying again tomorrow :)
Well after a long and argumentative time shopping for bikes we finally found a place willing to sell us bikes but give us hire for free until the new bikes were ready. the next step of course was to see if we could ride all the way to barringtion. by the time we set out it was 2pm and to cut a long story short we didn't make it. came back at 4.30 as it was starting to thunder and i was much slower that ben, he was a blur off into the distances as i tried to peddle as fast as i could. but all hope is not long we will be trying again tomorrow :)
hello from the other side
Greetings All
wow, it is so amazing over here and with one day we have done so much. first the place is quiet different. the light is softer here as i may have mentioned to a few during the longer light hours here but the first first that hits you is the smell. it is beautiful with all the england gardens which are in flower. the sky is not a real blue here at the moment either even though it is a clear day. the roads are very thin also and so driving is hazardous for your health. the speed is not posted they just have national speeds depending on the grade of road.
on the first day we got woke up on the plane at 4am uk time with breakfast then met at airport an 7.30. we were then taken to the new office and met all the new work mates. we then when to hotel, out again to collect hire car though on the way we collected new phones as well. we then drove around all the little villages we are think of finding a place in. we finished the first day with dinner at the hotel and went to sleep at 9pm uk time so i think we survived without jet lag :)
wow, it is so amazing over here and with one day we have done so much. first the place is quiet different. the light is softer here as i may have mentioned to a few during the longer light hours here but the first first that hits you is the smell. it is beautiful with all the england gardens which are in flower. the sky is not a real blue here at the moment either even though it is a clear day. the roads are very thin also and so driving is hazardous for your health. the speed is not posted they just have national speeds depending on the grade of road.
on the first day we got woke up on the plane at 4am uk time with breakfast then met at airport an 7.30. we were then taken to the new office and met all the new work mates. we then when to hotel, out again to collect hire car though on the way we collected new phones as well. we then drove around all the little villages we are think of finding a place in. we finished the first day with dinner at the hotel and went to sleep at 9pm uk time so i think we survived without jet lag :)
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
where we have been
Greetings people
We are back from the snow and though there was not much in the way of the white stuff and the village and accomodation was less than the eve expectations B, L and I had an excellent skiing adventure, check the pics out.
Monday, July 10, 2006
panic
yes it is panic as we have little time left until we leave this fair country for colder places, namely UK. we will be developing this site however once we have settled. :P
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