What have the Romans ever done for us??

They built ruins! (You would think that they would have built propa buildings instead - lol). We visited Hadrians Wall and below is a picture of Simon and the Housestead ruins, which was a roman fort ontop of a hill (it was very windy and cold on top of that hill!).





Another Simon highlight was our visit to the Falkirk Wheel. It was pretty amazing


Today we're heading off for a day of driving around the Lakes District. We didn't plan it very well as it's a long w/end here and the Keswick show is on and basically it's even more hectic than normal.

We have experienced a lot of what we like to call English weather (or as Chris calls it In-Out weather) in the last couple of days, think Melbourne but more unpredictable.

It is funny where you end up when you tell the GPS not to use the motorway. Here is a link to one of the places we drove through yesterday http://www.visitcumbria.com/pen/hartside.htm

Scotland the Brave

Yesterday we arrived in Edinburgh and managed to find the two most important places, one being our hotel, and the other being the best baked potato place ever!!! Yep, we had baked potato for dinner and we'll probably have it for lunch again today (never can have too much potato!!)

We walked around the city a bit saw the castle, greyfriars bobby, walked the royal mile, checked out our seats for the tattoo tonight. The fringe festival is on too, and the atmosphere is fantastic. As much as I love London, Edinburgh is better. Even thought there are heaps of people here because of the fringe, it's still got a nicer feel to it.

Simon seems to be enjoying himself. He's concerned as it's currently raining, but it's supposed to be clearing tonight. We'll post more photos later, but we weren't organised this morning.

Driving.

On Thursday we hired a car and headed out to Windsor. Man that's a pretty place. We were just driving along a road and wham - right in front of us was an amazing view of Windsor Castle. Unfortunately we didn't get a photo as we couldn't stop, but it was an amazing view.

We then headed to Legoland

Cape Canaveral Lego style

Welcoming Giraffe - made from lego

Easter Island statues made of lego.

The view of Windsor Castle from Legoland.

Lego Lions

Lego-henge

Lego version of Canary Wharf - if you look closely you'll see a Dalek

Here's the Lego Dalek

Lego Abba

We have plenty more lego photos, but won't bore you with them all from here. From lego land we headed to Basingstoke for the night. We got a good deal and got to stay at the Hilton Basingstoke. We had a bit of a chuckle as the rooms aren't airconditioned, there was no bar fridge and you could open the windows. All very non-aussie really.

Yesterday we headed to Stonehenge. It's pretty cool, you drive over a hill and you can see it.

Interesting road sign - no we didn't see any tanks crossing - shame.

We got caught in traffic, and it was raining. The photo doesn't really show how bad it really was.

Tower of London, Big Ben

The weather in London during summer is supposed to be rain every other day. It has been nothing but sunshine and light pleasant breezes. Still it really helps when we are doing these walking around touristy things. There are signs everywhere telling people to carry water with them and not to get on the (non airconditioned) trains if they are feeling unwell. None of the buildings have verandas or awnings so apart from trees there isn't any shade.

Below are some photos from day 2 where we did the double decker bus tour.

Hyde Park - The Serpentine

Big Ben

London's Dragon - marks the boundary between London and Westminster.

My Favourite War Memorial for the Animals - They didn't have a choice!

Big Ben & Houses of Parliament

London Eye & National Portrait Gallery

St Paul's Cathedral

Day 3 we slacked off a bit and spent the day locally at Eltham Palace and walking the streets of Eltham. You're not allowed to take photos inside Eltham Palace so we didn't get many shots, but here's a couple.

Eltham Palace

View of London from Eltham Palace - photo does not do it justice!

Eltham Palace - the great hall.

Today we're hiring a car and heading out to Windsor. We'll let you know how that goes.

London Calling

After a great nights sleep two young (relatively) West Aussies set about on their adventure in the big city. With many oohs, aaahs and wows with the odd OMG thrown in.

We had planned to do the double decker bus thing, but we ended up going for a bit of a walk. We saw Trafalgar square, Buckingham palace (Liz was home but didn't wave), Hyde Park. Bloody DVA, they're fixing the Australian war memorial so it wasn't working :-( Did a little shopping on Oxford St. Caught the tube. And generally soaked up the atmosphere and enjoyed being a tourist. Had a London style Cornish pastie for lunch in a park. Forgot that they serve almost all drinks warm - not just the beer. Got a blister on my toe and it hurts.

Simon finds it interesting that there is very little air-conditioning, and that there are signs in the trains to tell people to drink water on hot days (Signed by the Mayor of London).

Today we're trekking back into London Proppa (as the locals call it), and becoming even more touristy - yep todays the double decker bus tour, and I know Simons going to do the oh it's Big Ben, oh it's houses of parliament, oh it's the London eye, wow there's the Thames etc.

Oh and for Garys information the airport laptop count was 1 apple, 3 dells and 4 HP's and 2 Sonys. (sometimes being married to a geek is just a little weird)

Monday Morning and it's looking fine.

Flight over was pretty good. Was nice to finally get off the plane. Only snag to the whole flight was once we'd landed, we had to sit in the place for about an hour as an Air Canada flight had stolen our terminal gate so we had to wait. Then once we got off the place we got a lovely bus tour of Heathrow as they bused us back to the gate where we should have got off. Apart from that no dramas.

Made it to Marks in good time, and then we headed out for a few beers with the locals before hitting the pillow. Man did we sleep well. Woke up at 6am local time, which we were pretty happy with. Weather is looking great. Marks currently giving Simon some local tips. Today I we're off to do the Double Decker bus tour.

Hmmmm

As I was busily scurrying around this morning to try and get everything done before we go, I got a phone call that sent my day into a spin. Someone I love very dearly was rushed to hospital. This shook my world and obviously the world of other loved ones. I won't be able to see them before we fly-out. I so dearly want to give them a hug and tell the I love them - but I can't. So I sit here writing this blog instead.

5 more sleeps

Yep, 5 more sleeps. Can you believe it? I can't. Where has this year gone?

No - we're not packed yet. Yes Lucy is booked into a lovely puppy dog holiday home. Are we organised - probably not, but I'm sure we'll get there.

No more days in the office for me. I have tomorrow off - Jojo is coming over for breakie and then she gets to watch while I clean :-) Then it's off to Darwin I go for 3 days, back home Friday and then it's off to the airport Saturday night and on a big plane to the UK. Woo Hoo!

Yes I'm very excited - not sure if Simon is - think he's just happier about having 8 weeks away from work.