Back to the grey!

 After our 'dash' away from the storm we finally cruised into Haugesund.

We passed numerous oil rigs  - size I'd daunting! It was a Sunday - why bring a cruise ship into a town on Sunday when everywhere is closed?! The Norwegians aren't worried as the get plenty of money from the oil. 

I had wanted to go to see some sculptures while we were here. It was cold and raining when we left the ship and the 7km walk didn't appeal! Luckily taxis were working on a Sunday! After some negotiating we made a deal for a round trip and tour lasting an hour - we actually needed to get rid of the Kroner we had left! 

The sculptures didn't disappoint!

These sculptures symbolise the shift from natural to fossil fuel. While two riders represent greed and a bleak future, the younger riders offer hope for ecological hope for the future!

A wander through the town followed and finally a coffee. The coffee shop was heaving, with passengers from the ship, and wasn't helped by the two workers having an argument about who was working the hardest - no, I don't know any Norwegian but I pretend to be a body language expert!!

The ship sailed from Haugesund late afternoon. 

Another day of doing the rounds of all the activities oonboard plus packing. Arrived in Southamton early morning.

Disembarked easily and were soon on our way back to Jake's. Stopped half way and had coffee with my niece.

We had a coup,e of days working in the garden. The onions and garlic I had planted before the cruise were growing well - luckily! Autumn sees the garden looking dead so there's plenty of leaf raking, dead heading and dead plant removal! There was enough material for a bonfire - slightly before 5th November!

A visit to a National Trust house, Charleston Park, Warwick, gave our gardening backs a rest. It was a beautiful Autumn day in lovely surroundings.

Members of the Lucy family have been living in the house since 12th century. Their history is interesting, with among other things, a visit from Queen Elizabeth 1.

The volunteers looking after the house were full of interesting stories about the place. Unfortunately the dining room was in a mess as there had been a leak. The old silk wallpaper was carefully taken down so that the damage could be repaired - it will be placed back again. There was damage to some of the timbers so we were unable to visit the upper rooms. 

We even had an early Christmas dinner complete with turkey, Christmas pud, crackers and paper hats!

Unfortunately my stay came to an end. We reflected on the laughs and all the fun we'd had - always sad to say goodbye but there's always next year!

Now in London. Arrived mid afternoon and after dropping off luggage set out to find where the theatre was - I was seeing MJ The Musical. Luckily it was an easy 10 minute walk from my hotel.

The show was fabulous and charted his life growing up so there were young versions of Michael. The show was dedicated to Quincy Jones.

5/11

I started the day on the underground travelling to Oxford Circus. I always like to walk down Oxford Street to see if it's retained the old memories I have of it. There's a definite change- fewer of the big name shops and people. Luckily the big Marks and Sparks is there and it's a great place for the with a bacon sarnie!! Looks like the Christmas lights have been put up but no Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square- it arrives in the first week of December. They are building the little wooden huts for a Christmas market so Trafalgar Square is looking rather messy. 

I always try to find the best route to the theatre that I'm going to in the daylight - don't want to be wandering down any strange alleys! My phone took me all over the place but I finally found the theatre and I have a straight forward path from my hotel! I headed back to Trafalgar Square for a visit to the National Gallery.

One of the paintings, by John Constable, was of Willy Lott's Cottage - a place I stayed at when at school, we were on a school trip!

So many famous art works are on display here that my feet were aching wandering through the different rooms. Was good to get back to the hotel to put my feet up!

Another trip to the theatre

This was a musical telling a version of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.The music, singing and movement was terrific.

With a late flight I have tried to keep busy. I had a wander along the Embankment. It was a  very grey misty scene! I had hoped to see a National Trust site - a Roman bath - Found the place easily but, contrary to their on line site, it was closed. I then had a little wander around Somerset House - very poor signage and information! The old building was nice and the were setting up an ice rink for the public - it opens in December. The Portrait Gallery was next on the list - it was very interesting with some great portraits but by the end my feet were killing me! I think I need new trainers!!

A cuppa was the order of the day - it's much colder today.

Will be heading out the the airport shortly so until the next time, Bye!

Still cruising!

 We entered the Arctic Circle today - 

my first time in this part of the world!

Romsdalsfjiord was quite stunning as the daylight appeared. We are docked at the very end of the  fjiord. The town was quiet, streets empty as we tied up. Unfortunately, it was quite cloudy, meaning we couldn't see where the gondola reached the top of the mountain. 

We left the ship and looked down into crystal clear waters. I had seen many jelly fish as we cruised in the fjiord, but now there were considerable numbers of sea urchins. A walk along the edge of the fjiord gave us interesting vistas. 

The sun broke through the cloud, and so we took our chance on the gondola. The views down to the fjiord were spectacular.  Unfortunately, we followed people's advice and clambered and scrambled, with John's helping hand, over rocks and mud to see the same view only higher up. Needn't have bothered, really. Same view only with bruised knees!

Another day at sea. There were fewer activities than usual, or so I thought. The consensus was that we weren't attending the  talk! Jake started to insist that we went to Line dancing - John and I were not keen! " I will go by myself then," she said. John and I looked at each other! This was really a sign for us to go with her!

Rather, reluctantly, we all took to the floor. The first dance got your heart racing! I didn't really help myself because I was laughing so much at my efforts. Jake seemed to pick it up quickly, John was ace at the lasso action, and any twirling made me dizzy! As much as we didn't want to go, I bet the next time Line Dancing is on the programme, we'll be  there!

Awake early today to see us 'glide' into Tromso. It was cloudy and cold - 9C. There are patches of snow on the mountains and quite a lot of activity on the water - fishing boats, a naval ship, as well as the ferries.

Getting ready to go ashore for the day was an effort - there were thermal long johns, thermal top, jumper, trousers, down jacket, hat scarf and gloves! I look like the Michelin man - for any who remember that advert! 

Shuttle buses took us from the ship into the town. We wandered into a glass shop and were luckily enough to be able to watch a couple making whisky glasses. Their English was impeccable, and they happily let us watch them while they talked us through the process.

The evening entertainment was an organ recital in the Artic Cathedral - very impressive! 

23/10

Beautiful day greeted us as we headed towards Alta. Could have been a disaster when the captain announced " Whales on the starboard side!" As you can imagine, most of the ship rushed to startboard! I did see a pod from my balcony!

The scenery is beautiful. Crystal clear water, sunny cold skies - fabulous sunrise today.

Once again, John and I were 'dragged' to line dancing! We really did try our best and managed to do the 'grape vine' steps. Luckily, no lasso today! 

Our cruise is being changed slightly following concerns about bad weather up here. We are leaving Alta at 2am instead of being here all day tomorrow! We docked about 1pm and, after lunch, took a shuttle bus into town. Frost was on the ground with many icy puddles. As the sun set at about 4:15 the cold soon crept in - 3C is rather parky!!! 

Instead of a siesta, we started a jigsaw - kept us quiet for an hour! 

We actually saw some of the 'Northern Lights - could only see it through the phone camera not the naked eye!

The seas have become wilder and we are experiencing  severe gale force winds. The deck have been closed off - don't want anyone being blown over! It was difficult to sleep with the wild rolling of the ship and the accompanying orchestra of clanging coat hangers!

Attended a  talk about Pop Art  - there is an interesting Art gallery on the ship. This afternoon, the talk is about Street Art.

Gave Line dancing a miss yesterday - the ship was  rocking and rolling too much! Went today - it was quite difficult as the ship was rolling again but we all managed to stay on our feet!

Made it to Norway!

 When was I last in England at this time of year i wondered? Brain cells kicking into gear, searched my brain data base and came up with October 1996! I had forgotten about damp misty days! 

Our trip down to Southampton was uneventful. It was a relatively easy process to board the ship and find our cabin. This ship is so much bigger than the last one I was on - wonder how often I will get lost! 

Jake and John are at one end of the ship and I'm at the opposite end! They are also 3 levels above me!

We did an exploration of the ship - 2 outdoor pools with a couple of hot tubs , an indoor pool with a couple of hot tubs, an art gallery, two theatres, the list goes on. 

We left around 5pm on a sunny afternoon. The captain had announced that at around sunset, we should have a good view of a comet, which was a once in 80,000 year event. We had drinks in the 'Crows Nest' bar just before sunset and then dashed onto the deck to look for the comet. We stood on deck, shivering, long after the appointed time but no luck for us. Maybe the clouds didn't help! One of the crew told me, next day, that they had photographed it! 

Our first full day at sea was glorious. The sun was shining and it was quite warm. We attended a couple of lectures - ' How fjiords are formed' and then an excellent one about 'Art Heists'. The evening entertainment was terrific - a trio singing Motown songs ( my favourite genre) then a dash to see Jay McGee ( formerly of the Rocking Berries). He was fabulously funny and I was laughing so much I had tears streaming down my face!

Yesterday, Saturday, was much cooler and very grey but that didn't stop us from. having a swim and hot (?) tub before breakfast. We started in the indoor pool and the went to the outdoor pool - mad fools!

After breakfast we attended another Art lecture this time it was about L S Lowry, the English artist - very interesting.

The rest if the day was spent playing cards resting and reading until it was time to get into our finery for the 'Black Tie' event. We all did our glittering best for Champagne with the Captain! By the end of the evening I, alongside numerous other females, had to take my shoes off and walk barefoot, my feet were aching so much.

I am writing this at 6am, our clocks have moved one hour ahead, and I can see land and twinkling lights as we head to our first port of call, which  is Andalsnes. This area is know as the mountaineering capital of Norway. We have glided into the Romsdalsfjiord. It's still dark as sunrise isn't until 8:30!

A grey rainy day!

 I had forgotten to mention that, not only were we gardening on Sunday but we also cleaned the hot tub! Part of my job was to clean the lid of mould and spiders! I did need help to get it back on the hot tub!

I think I've shrunk!

Yesterday, Monday, dawned grey, cold and rainy so we headed off to Upton House  (National Trust) near Banbury Oxfordshire. The house was built in 1695. It's last owner was Viscount Bearsted who inherited a large fortune from his father, the founder of the Shell oil company.

The Viscount was a major collector of art, mainly English and Continental old masters. The house is more like an art gallery than house. The unusual part about this house is that you can view the old masters at close quarters and not behind a barricade!

We then wandered around the gardens - the autumn colours were gorgeous,

These Cedar trees are 350 years old!

Not sure that my aching muscles from my gardening stint were helped by all the walking!

Doesn't matter how much exercise I'm doing it isn't helping my jet lag!

 

Off to England.

*Joy of Sydney to Singapore!

Luck was on my side - no one in the seat beside me! Definitely not a full flight!

Don't you hate watching a few movies, thinking hours have passed, only to look on the flight map to see that you hadn't even left Australia!

An announcement told us all that a couple, who met on this flight 5 years earlier had got engaged during lunch - round of applause from us all.

Just as you start to nod off imminent landing is announce!

All the talk about how wonderful Changi airport is doesn't come to fruition as Qantas are 'parked' in the 'rough end of town'!

*Joys of Singapore to London!

Not one, not two but three empty seats beside me! I managed to sleep across three seats after wrestling the seatbelt around myself  - didn't want to be a projectile if we hit turbulence!!

Somehow time passed and then the landing announcement was made. I put on the 'tail camera' to watch our decent. The wheels were down, we were lined up with the runway lights, just getting ready for touch down when straight  back into the air we went!! I think all our stomachs churned! The pilot gave his apology for the scare but said  the plane, which landed before us hadn't got off the runway quickly enough! It was pretty impressive at the way the A380 got back in the air - good pilot and air traffic control!

Finally on land I caught the train to Paddington and then onto Worcester. Luckily my taxi - Jake and John - were waiting for me!  I  needed a walk and, as luck would have it, Marks and Sparks was near.  A few items ended up in my basket!

I managed to stay awake until 8:30 pm! 4 hours later I was wide awake again - much like now! I was able to make a cuppa with the travel kettle etc. placed beside my bed. Eventually I fell asleep again!

Following breakfast I was set to work - prepping oranges for marmalade, filling bird feeders , down in the dirt setting onions and garlic - the slave driver did give me something to kneel on! I then went on to helping with clearing out dead plants!

The autumn colours are lovely but the garden was looking rather bedraggled so a clean up was necessary. It was a mild 13C - although I was wearing my puffer jacket. Morning coffee outside in the garden - most sane people would be inside! - was very pleasant. I always enjoy listening to the song birds here as a change from the  raucous Aussie birds.

 Checking the garden produce!

USA update.

 Time goes so quickly! My days are spent in various ways although a lot of it is in the water! The temperatures have been mid 30s and higher! Even the pool water, heated by the sun is 30C, but feels cool when you jump in! I'm usually in the pool 3- 4 times each day! I don't know how many times I've just changed back into dry clothes and they return from horse riding or soccer and there is a pleading,  "Please  nanna Lesley!" - not sure if bringing 3 swimsuits was enough!

I did show Ivy and Benny some of the exercises I had been doing at Aquarobics. One of them was 'cycling' on a noodle. It started well with us having races then Ivy and Benny adapted it to two on a noodle - more difficult. That wasn't enough for them it had to be 3 on a noodle with Ivy at the front, nanna Lesley in the middle and Benny at the back. We'd go we'll for a couple of metres until Benny decided to wrestle nanna Lesley off - needless to say I spend lots of my time underwater! Another one of their tricks is to grab my ankles and drag me under!

I have been to see Ivy at her horse riding lessons. She is so happy around huge horses but a little bug in the pool and she goes crazy! I'm brave around the horses when I'm with her! She is very impressive going over jumps.

 

We did head out to a different stable one Saturday and watched Cross Country USA Olympic trials. It was impressive to see them going over the jumps. 

I have spent a number of evening watching Benny training. He's greatly improved but I don't know how he trains in the heat. Lucky all the soccer training means he's not playing it at home and I'm no longer expected to be in goals. My shins are feeling pretty good this year!!! Benny does make me laugh although he tells me that I am the funniest person in the house! He says I make him laugh and that's good! 

Lauren and Justin are good, although Justin says he's not a farmer! He only has to check on the  chickens now and then! We saw a snake at Lauren's parents house - a red and yellow ringed young one, poisonous - Justin, Benny and I kept well away! Then Justin told me that he'd seen a black snake here but found out that it was a non- poisonous rat catcher! Unfortunately I now do not like turning on the hose as it's coiled and black!!!!

The Euro24 & Copa24 are on the TV at reasonable times so we have been watching that. The last England game was a nail biter. When extra time came on I had no faith so jumped in and straight out of the pool and in that time they scored!

Hope everyone is keeping well!

Now in the USA

 Good flight across to Dallas. Arrival into the USA is always interesting! The first people you meet are Border Control (BC) and my entry went like this:

BC (unsmiling, aggressive voice) Stand on the blue spot and look at the camera!"

BC: "Put the fingers of you right hand on the pad."

BC: (tone has risen) "Don't press so hard!" OMG I'm thinking!

BC : "Why are you here?"

LW: "Visiting family."

BC: "Where are you going."

LW: "Aiken."

BC: "Aiken, South Carolina."

BC: "Where?!"

LW: "South Carolina."  (I don't know who is more exasperated! Probably me on a 15 hour flight with only 4 hours sleep!)

BC: "What have you bought your family?"

LW: "Nothing!" 

BC: " Go!"  No welcome to USA!

Unfortunately I had close to 5 hours to wait before flying to Atlanta! All I really wanted was a cup of tea (never drink tea on a plane!) There were plenty of bars but I couldn't face them. Finally found my cuppa and eventually boarded the flight to Atlanta. I kept looking at my watch and when the pilot said we'd arrive at 11:55 pm my watch read 10:30 - the thought of flying for another hour and a half was not a joy. About 5 minutes later the pilot told the flight attendants to prepare for landing. My very tired mind suddenly realise that heading east we lost an hour! I finally got to my hotel about 1am - so glad to be able to get into bed!

Friday morning another airport! Luckily this flight was only an hour and it was to my final destination - Augusta! Justin met me there and we made the 40 minute drive to Aikin (Where?). It was about 34C, very hot. Rooster the dog was very antsy when I arrived and it took some time for him to 'recognise' me and stop the growling. He is such a big dog - very intimidating!

 

I quickly took over pool duty from their grandfather, who was now a wrinkled prune from being in so long worth Benny! I was happy to dive in and get some exercise after all the flights! Ivy was out at the stables helping out after her horse riding lessons.

They are both taller and have changed somewhat in appearance. It was like I'd seen them last weekend and not a year ago! They often say " Do you remember when we did ..... together" - remembering things from last year. 

There have been some new additions to the family in the form of 8 chickens. Ivy is mad on animals and is happy to have them around her! It appears that these chooks can fly further than expected as one flew up into a tree when Ivy took it out of the the house! She was distraught until Lauren managed to coax it down - disaster averted!

Saturday saw us heading to Benny's 5 aside tournament! Why they play football (Soccer) at this time of the year I have no idea! The sun was blazing and the temperature was 34C plus. It was so hot as to be unbearable or was it because I'd come from a cold Sydney? Justin is the coach. The games were staggered but they still played in the hottest part of the day. The opposing teams were all a year or two above them - there were no other teams competing in the under 8s! The team did a stirling job and even beat the last team. Benny has improved so much since I last saw him play. He was very good as goalie - one of his favourite positions. 

I have at least two or three sessions in the pool a day but with the temps in the 30s it's the only thing to do! 

Have to go as I feel enough swim coming on!