Florida

Tuesday 1 November 2005

Today we fixed up a change in flights because Miami is devastated by Hurricane Wilma and we have found out that a long lost school friend of Sandy's from Mount Pleasant days is within striking distance in North Carolina so we have changed our flight to out of Raleigh instead of out of Miami. John very kindly looked after us and ran us all over the place to get this done. John then took us to Okeefenokee (1 and 1/2 hrs) to take in the area with its "shaking land". It is a beautiful swamp area with acid water that mirrors everything, wonderful flaura and fauna and an original little homestead still in tact. This is where the Swanee River is which the notorious song is about. The shaking land are islands founded by seeds taking hold in peat that has come to the surface of the waterway. These are the largest fresh water swamps in USA. There were many lazy alligators, big and small, living a life of freedom and enjoying their habitat.Very knowledgable guides who obviously love the area gave us excellent train and boat tours and a red indian (Cherokee heritage) gave us a live specimen talk. We loved being with John and we ended this splendid day with a lovely supper at the Haileys which was prepared by Rose. We felt quite emotional about parting from these wonderful people.

Outside JohnJohn's Flat

Monday 31 October 2005

Up at 4am for a 5am start with Keith, Rosmarie, John, Patsy and Sandy in the Hailey's 4X4. Had a huge American Breakfast with pancakes at Cracker Barrel on our way to EPCOT centre near Orlando (a 21/2 hour trip). The EPCOT (Experimental Project fpr the Community of Tomorrow) is a Dream World type resort which concentrates on possibilities and vision for the Future. It was wonderful. There were amazing displays and interactive and non-interactive rides. We finished the day by enjoying a chinese meal together followed by the best fireworks display we have ever seen which happened over a huge artificial lake surrounded by International Pavilions. We left EPCOT close to 10pm and Keith was able to stay awake for the long drive home. We were all dog tired and fell into bed about 12:40am. What a great day!

At the EPCOT Centre

Sunday 30 October 2005

We left for Savannah, Georgia, at about 9.00am in John's Honda Civic and arrived downtown after a few minutes wandering around the outskirts! We took a city tour on a Gray Line TrolleyBus and were immediately spellbound by the interesting and varied history of the place. Established in 1733 as a British military output most of the buildings of the inner city are 18th and 19th century. It was another magic day.


Saturday 29 October 2005

Today was special. We had a wonderful real American slow cooked BBQ at Keith and Rose Hailey's beautiful home with many of their friends from the neighbourhood. We also met their three lovely daughters Megan, Elizabeth and Annemarie. Great food with ribs, chicken and steak cooked by Keith on his food fired self constructed BBQ and great company with lots of laughs. We loved listening to the Southern accents. This is a good place to be and we are pleased that we are here with John.

Elizabeth, Keith, Rose, Annemarie and Megan Hailey

Friday 28th October 2005

A crazy day! We arrived at JFK airport to find that both our air ticket and itinerary were incorrect (which both had different times on them) and in fact our plane for the first leg of our trip had already left without us and we were not even booked on it anyway! We were in fact only booked on the second leg of the journey from Washington to Jacksonville but we needed to get there. We were told that if we could get ourselves to LaGuardia airport and catch a wait listed flight we would be able to get to Washington in time to connect with the orginal second leg that still held our original booking.

We jumped into a Yellow Cab (our first American Cab ride) and he hit the road fast for us only to be caught in a huge traffic jam after 15 minutes. It was agony suffering the urgency of needing to get to LaGuardia in time to catch a flight and watching the cab metre tick over while standing still! Eventually, after a hefty cab fare, we reached the airport gate in time, only to be told that the plane was 100% full so we could not get on it anyway. We therefore missed our original connection in Washington as well. We waited four hours at the airport for the next flight and were given the last two seats and then had to wait on stand by in Washington for ages and caught the very last plane, the last two seats again, to get to Jacksonville at midnight!

Any other time it would not have mattered being stranded but this one time we were being met at the airport by JohnJohn. Anyway, JohnJohn took us home and we chatted until early hours. It is wonderful to see him again.

John Bousfield

New York

Thursday 27th October 2005

We went to the Battery and took the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It was all fabulous. We had American Chili at Wendy's. Tomorrow we are off to Florida!


Wednesday 26th October 2005

We walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, a bridge that has always fascinated Patsy. We spent many hours in Grand Central Park, a beautiful place. Ate in the Grand Central Station and admired what they have done to the place, the achitecture, construction and revamping are wonderful.

Brooklyn Bridge

Tuesday 25th October 2005

Spent most of the day in Times Square, 42nd Street, Park Avenue and Madison Square garden. This is such a vibrant city and we are really enjoying being here.


Monday 24 October 2005

Today we took the train from Penn Station to Princeton Junction to be met by Wendy, Ken Cunliffe's sister. She gave us a great tour of Princeton, the University and the surrounding area with a walk down a canal with all the different shades of fall leaves making a great display. Wendy gave us an excellent lunch in Princeton and we spent a relaxing evening with Wendy, Larry, her husband and Christopher (Topher), her son. What a tremendous family. We caught the late train back to NY getting home at 1.25am.

Wendy at Princeton
Princeton University
Autumn - canal at the Grigg
Wendy, Christopher and Larry Moretti

Sunday 23 October 2005

Went to the Empire State Building. The two hour queue was worth waiting in for the view with great visability. Dropped in to CBGBs to get some stickers and a T shirt for Tertia. Then another meal at a cheap but genuine, absolutely as mother makes it NY diner before bed.

Empire State Building

Empire State Building - looking Downtown (South)
Empire State Building - looking Uptown (North)

CBGB's on Bowery

Saturday 22 October 2005

A lazy day walking around Manhattan seeing the sights. Broadway, 42nd St, Hudson and East Rivers etc. followed by a little evening meal at the Asian Pub. Bought a seven day metro and bus ticket.


Friday 21 October 2005

Today we ate our breakfast sitting in Grand Central Park and then spent six hours in the Met. It has the most amazing collection of art through the ages and it will probably need another visit. A little meal in the "village" to top off a great day.


Thursday 20 October 2005

Took the Piccadilly line to Heathrow to catch a 7 hour flight to New York. Arrived at 4.00 pm and got to the Whitehouse Hotel at 6.00 pm - long queues at customs. We fell into bed at 9.00pm USA ESB time (2am in the morning for our systems).

The Whitehouse Hotel (our backpackers)

United Kingdom Part 3

Wednesday 19 October 2005

Sandy spent the afternoon doing the Lords Tour - very interesting. Patsy joined him in London for final drinks and a meal. Prior to that he had lunch with Kesavan Sandrsegaran, a former pupil. It was great meeting him after 21 years and he treated Sandy to a tremendous lunch at a little Thai place near Liverpool St Station.

The Pavillion at Lords

Tuesday 18 October 2005

Today Sandy and Patsy went to Hampton Court, the palace of royals from Tudor to Stuart times. Fascinating before a little meal in the West End and a late night coffee at 273 with Gill.

Patsy and Anne Boleyn at Hampton Court

Monday 17 October 2005

Patsy had a day at 273 Leahurst Rd watching a TV drama before joining Sandy, who had been walking all over London, and Gill for "The Mousetrap". We all really enjoyed it - good actors and the same murderer as we remember when we saw it in 1977 (25th year), now 2005 (53rd year) and the closing exhortation "Keep the secret of who dun it in your hearts".


Sunday 16 October 2005

Today we and Gill took in a series of piano pieces with a string quartet at the Blackheath Halls, Scubert, Schumann and Owen Leech, the latter being there to explain all about his piece, the other two sadly dead! Magnificent! Then onto spend a wonderful evening with Sandy and Di Steven taking in the National Gallery, with Sandy showing us an incredible painting by Holbein with a skull only visable when viewed from a very fine angle, a two pub crawl and a great Thai meal! We really hope we can reciprocate when they come to Australia.

Di and Sandy Steven

Saturday 15 October 2005

Patsy and Gill spent the day shopping at Fortnam and Mason's and elsewhere before taking in "Pride and Prejudice" in Islington. Sandy walked for miles around London taking in St Jame's Park, Streatham (old stomping ground - spent Christmas and New Year here with Adam and Tertia in 1980/1981) and Clapham Common. Then we all met at Gill's to eat the spoils from Fortnams!


Friday 14 October 2005

Sandy hit town, checked out Myrtles - no longer there- and took in the Imperial War Museum. Quite spectacular, with many interactive exhibits. Then Patsy and Gill joined him in London for "The Woman in White", not up to LLoyd-Webber's best, followed by a little snack nearby and a late trip home (2400 hrs).


Thursday 13 October 2005

Sandy went into town and got tickets for "The Woman in White" and "The Mousetrap" then another lazy day with a chicken meal with Gill.


Wednesday 12 October 2005

Sandy walked into London and then came home to hit Sainsbury's with Patsy to get ingredients for a Spag. Bol. which we had with Gill. A couple of drinks, a couple of laughs. A lazy day that we enjoyed.


Tuesday 11 October 2005

We took the Portsmouth train to Haselmere to have lunch and the afternoon with John and Liesel Evans at their beautiful house set on two acres of very well manicured lawn and garden. Once again it was great to catch up with news. John and Liesel are wonderful hosts.

John and Liesel Evans
Evans' Garden

Monday 10 October 2005

Today we took a trip back to our old stomping ground of West Drayton to see if we could exorcise some demons from when we taught at schools there. Ghastly memories came flooding back enhanced by the fact that pupils were coming out of school while we were there. The area if anything was more run down than we remember it. Then onto Patrick and Les Stirling for a wonderful time of recalling the past and catching up. A great evening was had by all.

Pat and Les Stirling

United Kingdom Part 2

Sunday 9 October 2005

Took the 1017 to Haywards Heath from Victoria to meet John and Leslie Langford. Much remembering over a salmon lunch! Then at 1700 off to meet up with Kim and John Franklin at Ardingly and to have a tour of the school with a 100+ step climb to the top of the bell tower for a stunning view of the school grounds (200 acres) and surrounding area. Spoke to Margaret Falconer (Charlie's wife) about Prince Edward old times. Home for a light supper with Gill at 2130.

John and Leslie Langford
John and Kym Franklin
Emmanual from Prince Edward Zimbabwe
Gill Nevins

Saturday 8 October 2005

From the Rice's we made our way to Hampstead to see Gary and Nathalie Vaughan-Smith and Gigi. A great lunch at their beautiful home before going to the West End to take in a movie, "Umbrella Man" and a show with John Hurt in it, a comedy called "Heroes".

Nathalie and Gigi Vaughan-Smith

Friday 7 October 2005

It was wonderful to meet up with Patsy's niece, Debbie Davis and her husband Scott for lunch at a little place near Monument. We had a great time together and we hope to meet up with them again, maybe in Australia. Sandy had climbed the 311 steps to the top, 200ft up. Impressive when it was built in 1671-1679 but dwarfed by some of the surrounding buildings now. Views of the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St Pauls and the Millenium wheel. Then onto the internet to catch up and to get photos on CD. After that a trip to Hampden to meet up with Ken and Di Rice at their great home for another night of remembering and updating news.

Debbie and Scott Davis

Ken and Di Rice
View from 1671 - 1679 Great Fire of London

Thursday 6 October 2005

A train trip to Battle was delayed but we arrived only half and hour late to visit and have a tour of the area and a great roast chicken lunch with June Evans. It was a tremendous day spent in rural SE England. A quiet evening spent at Hither green with Gill.

June Evans

Meridian Line at Hither Green

Wednesday 5 October 2005

Today we took a train to Crawley where we met Sandy Steven and were driven to East Grinstead to see Isabel Ayling. Once again time flew, we had such a good time, and we only had time to grab a take-away curry on the way home. Gill was out with friends.

Sandy Steven and Isabel Ayling

Tuesday 4 October 2005

A day spent contacting friends in the London area setting up dates to meet, a shopping trip to the local Sainsburys and cooking a Bacalhau a Bras! Another tremendous evening with Gill.


Monday 3 October 2005

Drove to Harlington and handed the car in then proceeded to Hither Green to meet up with Gill Nevins whom we had not seen for 9 years (Sandy) and 21 years (Patsy). Once again we talked into the small hours, remembering.


Sunday 2 October 2005

Today was magic. The Arton-Powells held a BBQ and Chris and Michelle Sherlock, Mike and Kate Purchase, Gary Vaughan-Smith and Pete and Jenni Whalley were there. We had much remembering and a lot of laughs after, in some cases, 24 years since we had seen them! The day went far too quickly and we were off to London to stop at a pub for the night.

Mike and Kate Purchase

Gary Vaughan-Smith

Peter and Jenny Whalley

Arton Powells and Sherlocks

Arton Powell Family

Saturday 1 October 2005

Another good long, comfortable sleep. Then we left David (he is an absolute Gem) behind to continue de-wallpapering and Keith (crowbar) Doreen (Mrs Ball - Ma Knack), Sandy (Rusty) and Patsy (Ma Rusty) went to the fields of Sherborne School to find past Prince edward pupil John Arton Powell who had brought his Thirds from Wellington school to have a match against Sherborne. We were standing on the side line watching and some asked John if that was his old school teacher and he replied promptly, " Yes. All four of them!" We had a good laugh. After the match the five of us went to a pub and reminisced. Sandy and Patsy followed John home to Wellington. We had a great curry evening and lots of laughter.

Yes, All Four of Them!

Friday 30 September 2005

A lovely lazy day, just what we needed. We were made so comfortable at the Balls and we were so well looked after, even though they are building and redecorating so have much to cope with. Really true friends as nothing seemed to be too much trouble for them to enjoy our company. We loved remembering and chatting with them and with Keith. Another lovely meal (roast pork - Doreens is a wizard at coping under what others might find as difficult circumstances) and a great evening chatting and drinking together into the early morning.

Keith Wells

Dave and Doreen Ball

Thursday 29 September 2005

Woke to a clear day. Drove to Exeter where we parked near the University and walked into town visiting all our old haunts from the times when we lived here. We went past Buller's statue and the Clock to the Cathedral and in the Catheral shop we saw a picture of Gordon Pike, an Exeter uni student Sandy has lost contact with. Sat on our usual park bench where we used to meet, visited the Northcot Theatre where Sandy was Shadbolt in The Yeoman in 1978. Popped into the Sports Centre, now quite changed. We then went to Dawlish, another haunt of the past, where we lived for a while (in our youth - sigh). We located our old flat "Highfields", now an old age home.
Patsy shopped for supplies and Sandy walked to the Dawlish Warren. Pushed on to the Balls in Holwell near Sherborne and had a wonderful evening wirh Dave, Doreen and Keith Wells.

Exeter Cathedral

Old Door of the Mawse

General Buller

Our Flat (1977 - 1978)

Wednesday 28 September 2005

Drove to Penzance and had a look at the famous little town but couldn't find any pirates. We went further to the very south western point, called Lands End. Quite interesting and rugged. The weather closed in which added to the atmosphere. We were in Cornwall so had a genuine cornish pasty for lunch. On our way to Exeter we turned off into Dart Moor. We found miles of deserted moors and it was strangely incredibly beautiful. We eventually came to a little stone village, Widdecombe, which seemed eerie and deserted. There was a note on the pub door, "Open at 7pm tonight". We drove back to the highway and found Parker's Farm camp site for £3 each. Set up the tent and then drove back again into the moors to Widdecombe. We saw pricks of light in the dark stone village and when we pushed the pub door open we found it to be alive inside with warm fires, gentle folk music, friendly people with thick Devonshire acsents. There was good hot food and good beer. When we left we saw the black shadowy outlines of the bell ringers in the old stone cathedral pulling the ropes and making the bells clang and echo loudly. We drove, the only car about, through wind and rain back to the highway and out snug little tent. What a magic, memorable day.


Tuesday 27 September 2005

Drove to Bath to investigate the ancient Roman Baths, something Sandy has always wanted to do. We found it splendid and fascinating. Made our way to Notely Arms near Taunton where past Prince Edward pupil, Russel Deary and his wife Jane run a great old fashioned pub. It was good to see that they are happy in their relatively new adventure. Met their son, Peter, a fine boy. Pushed on to Biddeford to visit Toni (Julie's sister) and Patrick Hamilton. They took us to a quaint and beautiful area where the tide can rise 26m. We all had fish and chips at their favourite pub which had a view of the warf. We ended up staying at a B and B which cost £62 (A$155) which was a bit out of our league! Never the less, it was a wonderful day.

Baths

Russell Deary

Toni and Patrick Hamilton

Widdecombe

Monday 26 September 2005

A great day. Sandy got up, took a couple of photos - bridge and tent and the Barley Mow and visited the little hamlet of Clifton Hampden to buy a paper and a couple of postcards. We drove to a Park and Ride at Redbridge and went into Oxford for the day. Wandered all over town, Magdalen College, Bodlean Library, the Meadows etc before meeting past St Andrew's pupil, Mark Grere, who treated us to a slap up lunch at The Quod in the High Street. It was really good catching up with him and remembering people and events back then. We always value the fact that these vibrant young people could be bothered with their old teachers! We moved on to marvel at Stone Henge, something Patsy has always wanted to see, and then found a camp site near Devizes and hit the Three Magpies pub for an evening beer. Here we met and made friends with a young American couple. Captain Gabriel Trexlor and Ella Lee.

Old Bridge at Clifton Hampden

The Barley Mow

Bodlean Library, Oxford

Mark Grere

Stonehenge