Stonehenge and around Arras in Photos Monday 30th May

 Elissa at Stonehenge

 Mary, our trusty GPS

Arras

Elissa in Flanders

Menin Gate at Ieper

Hot Chocs in Ieper

A Marzipan frog from Belgium

 Tyne Cot Cemetery

 Australian War Memorial

Eating a Baguette

Northern France Friday 27th May

hello, we are now in a smallish town in france called arras, the weather is no better than the UK, hardly anyone speaks english, but we are doing the best we can with mums limited french and pointing at the things we want. I was really afraid of the train to get to france but it was over before i knew it. looking forward to Paris in a few days. But the french countryside is not as bad as i thought, as it is exiting to not beable to read signs and dqd almost having panic attacks because he has to drive on the other side of the road. and it is fun to say little words in frech such qs hello and goodbye, but i have had my fair share of wierd looks when i talk to them or just werid looks when i walk by, i must look suss or something. anyway the trip has been amazing so far and i cant believe we have so such more to go!
Elissa xoxx

After catching a number of trains from Bath we have arrived in Northern France in a town called Arras. The Eurostar Train took 1 hour from London to Calais. There were soldiers from the army waiting at the station with machine guns. Welcome to France!! Once we got used to drving on the wrong side of the road and the wrong side of the car we have been able to explore the area. Yesterday we drove to Southern Belgium and looked at some of the WW1 battlefield sites and cemeteries. The weather has been a bit cold, windy and rainy but we have not let that stop us exploring! The town of Ieper was very beautiful and the people very friendly. They get lots of tourists so their English was quite good. Elissa bought some Belgian chocolates and marzipan. Yum!! We are unable to download photos today so will put some on when we can.
Rhonda and Barry.

Cardiff and Bath Monday 23rd May

The last few days have been busy exploring. We went into Cardiff and looked around the Castle and the Cathedral.

Cardiff Castle

All the rugby supporters were in the city before the club final game between Leinester and Northhampton. The game didn't start until 5.00pm but they were all in the pubs at 10.00am drinking beer (with ice!!). It got so crowded that we decided to have lunch somewhere else so we went to a little place called Barry on the outskirts of Cardiff. It was much quieter there!! The next day we went back into Cardiff and looked around the Waterfront. It was blowing a gale! We then drove to Bath were we checked into our hotel and had a walk around. Bath is such a georgeous city. It is so old being an old Roman town. W have looked around the Roman Baths in the centre of town and at the lovely Cathedral.

Roman Baths

We also looked at the sets of buildings built in a circular design: The Circus and the Royal Crescent. Yesterday the brass band was playing in the park in the bandstand. The percussionist even had a set of timpani! There are so many little streets and laneways to explore. Elissa has had fun looking at all the small shops.

A Sunday Band Concert

Rhonda, Barry and Elissa xoxo

The Past Few Days: Friday 20th May

We have had a busy few days driving and sightseeing across the UK. We started in york where we explored the York Minster Cathedral. It is very hard to get our heads around a building that's so old. How they built such a huge building so many hundreds of years ago is amazing. The little back lanes and shops reminded us of Harry Potter!

A magnet Elissa found!!

We then drove to Edinburgh. Elissa wanted to stop at the border so we took this photo!

Elissa at the Border

Edinburgh is a beautiful city. There is some amazing architecture. We had time to explore the Castle and see the Scottish Crown Jewels. It was very cold and windy and it did rain but we were able to keep ourselves dry dashing in and out of the buildings. There are lots of churches which appear in amongst the roads and buildings. We were very tired by the end of the day from walking but it was worth taking the time to look.

York Minster Cathedral

Edinburgh Castle

Yesterday we drove to Chester. It is an old city like York but smaller in size. We explored the Cathedral today and looked at the Old City Walls as well as some Roman Ruins. Today we have arrived in Cardiff. Traffic was very busy coming in but I guess it was 5.00 on a Friday afternoon. There is a Rugby grand final on tomorrow and the hotel in packed with people going to the game. Could be a loud night when one of the team wins! We are exploring Cardiff tomorrow.

Chester Cathedral

Rhonda and Elissa xoxx

Now my bit.
The driving is quite easy here in the UK. They seem to understand the rules and everything is good. The money is not as easy but we are still in budget(surprise surprise)
You could see the change in country side as soon as we went into Scotland.
I would like to spend more time in York. The music books were really cheap but too heavy, even to post.
Now in Wales then next to \bath. After that we start the next leg, Europe!
See you soon,
Barry

Cambridge to York Monday 16th May

Today we set off to York, but had many pitstops on the way. After breakfast we had a look around in Cambridge, the weather was bad there but they had this weird food stuff and I tried this pink yoghurt/musli thing.

Then we went to Nottingham so mum could look at some big tree, but it was fun walking around in the woods. I would have hugged the tree but there was a barrier and there were all these poles holding it up, so dad and I had to opt for a photo near the tree.

they also had a couple of vintage shops around, mum and I had a little look around and I got some cute things, who can turn down a £1 hello kitty necklace? And now we have arrived in York, going to find some nice place for dinner and chill till tomorrow.
Elissa xoxx

After having a look at Cambridge this morning we made our way through the midlands towards York via Nottingham. The motorways here are very quick but it was nice to get off the main roads and drive on the roads between the towns and villages. The English countryside is as you imagine - green fields, lots of black faced sheep, flat with little villages of two storey brick houses lining the streets. I like the country laneways that people take to get from more main roads across to little villages through farmers fields. Couldn't come this way without stopping to look at Nottingham and Sherwood Forest! The forest is only small now but could still imagine Robin Hood (in tights) riding through the forest. Arrived in York later today and had a quick look around. It is a very pretty city but we will explore more tomorrow before driving to Edinburgh. We have named our GPS 'Mary'. This because she is 'practically perfect in every way' in helping us find our way around!

Cambridge



The Major Oak in Sherwood Forest

Rhonda

Well, all hail the GPS. I am sure we would still be trying to find our way out of the car hire place in London. I still need my co-pilot(Rhonda) and we don't get lost (mostly).
I found a great sign here in York, will take a photo tomorrow. It said,'no bad clarinet players allowed' real funny to the music type.
As we get further north the more I can not understand what they are saying. How am I going to be in countries where they don't speak English. Boy am I in trouble.
I will write soon,
Barry

Last days in London Sunday 15th May

Yesterday Elissa and I went on a shopping spree at Oxford St. We spent lots of money and bought lots of clothes, accessories, makeup and shoes. A good time was had by all. While we were there Barry went to the British Museum and had a good look around. The weather has been very good to us while we have been in London. An average of 18-20 degress and sunny.

Elissa found a shop that sells lots of DOCs. More than we have at home.

Today we left London, picked up a car at Heathrow and drove up to Cambridge. On the way we stopped at Colchester which is one of the oldest areas of England. We looked at the Colchester Castle. We then made our way to Cambridge. Doing well navigating thanks to the GPS in the car. Much easier to get around!! We will explore Cambridge tomorrow before heading up to York for the night. The weather is starting to change  - a bit colder and a few drops of rain.

Colchester Castle

Rhonda and Elissa xoxx

Looking Around - Friday 13th May

Today we went to Greenwich to see the Royal Observatory and the 'line where time begins'. It was very busy with lots of school children from other countries on camp exploring the sights. We read all about the creation of the idea of longitude and establishing common idea of time. After that we split up. Elissa and Barry went to Abbey Road to see the famous Beatles crossing and Rhonda went to see the Doctor Who Experience (can't come all the way to London and not see this exhibition!). More shopping, this time Rhonda's choice! Dinner at a Greek Restaurant and then rest after a busy day!

Rhonda and Elissa xoxx

London town is very interesting. Lots of history and people. Had a great night out with ex student Scott Wilson from that other school I used to teach at!

Today the girls will shop and I will go to the British Museum.

Tomorrow we pick up the car and start the next leg of our trip.

Barry

London Sights Thursday 12th May

We have been very busy for the past couple of days looking at the sights of London. We have explored the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Knightsbridge and the Tower of London. Elissa enjoyed talking to the Beefeaters at the Tower and managed to sneak in a "good job" to the Grenadier Guard as he was marching up and down outside the Crown Jewels building.

Also spent some time shopping at Portobello Road and Camden. Elissa had great fun today at Camden looking at the punk, emo type, vintage clothes. I have never seen so many shops selling so much of that style. If you think Elissa loves Brunswick St, she was in heaven in Camden. We are having great fun using the Underground. It is quite easy to use and the station is only around the corner from our hotel in Paddington. We still have lots of places we want to see so will be busy over the next few days before we leave London to explore the countryside.

Elissa, Barry and Rhonda

Tuesday 10th May - arriving in London

Just arrived right off the plane at Heathrow airport and are exhausted. Thought we would do a small update to say we have arrived safely in England. We are looking forward to tomorrow in the day time so we can have a look around.
Barry, Rhonda, Elissa
xoxx

Singapore Monday 9th May

We arrived in Singapore last night after an 8 hour flight. Lots of movies, games and music listened to on the journey. When we got to the hotel Elissa and I went for an explore. We had the visit the historic Raffles Hotel. Everywhere we went there were shopping centres and open til 10.00 on a Sunday night! Elissa was excited because she found a store called Topshop which she is looking forward to visiting in England - imagine an English 'Sportsgirl'. She also found a couple of Starbucks and had to buy a drink.
Today we have been exploring the city. There are many fine examples of old British architecture and culture especially near our hotel. There are also some very unusual buildings! We also found Chinatown where Elissa has been buying lots of 'cute stuff'. I think our first package to be sent home won't be far away! This afternoon Elissa and I are going to explore Orchard Road and Barry is going to rest at the hotel. He can only do so much shopping and walking. Hotel pool looks great - might even go for a swim this afternoon.
Rhonda

Well we arrived and very hot. I am even in shorts. Got through all the airport stuff with no problems. Hotel really nice. Looking forward to London. Elissa says hi xoxx

Barry

The beginning!

We had a relaxing trip to the airport and it was good idea to stay the night before. All good so far!
We would like to thank Sheray for setting up this blog.
Barry.

The bus ride to the airport took FOREVER, but it was totally worth it staying over night near the airport. I already miss all my friends and make sure you guys give us some love and comment :D hopefully when we get to singapore I will be able to find cute hello kitty stuff to bring back. Bring on the flight to singapore.
Elissa xoxx

Looking forward to getting underway and starting our trip. Hope you enjoy reading about our holiday.
Rhonda.