Home, home on the range ...

Yep, yep, yep ... I'm back in Clownsville.

Maab is still not talking to me (for leaving her for so long), but Merlin is all over me. Kisses and cuddles galore. He hasn't forgotten any word commands and has me laughing already ... and has me nearly retrained to be at his beck and call.

I'm pretty sure my cat carers swept the floor before I came home as I am not ankle deep in fur, but car hairs are EVERYWHERE! Fifteen weeks of unfettered cat play has coated EVERYTHING in hair. I have to wash everything in sight tomorrow.

Ah, the joys of being a cat lover ...

I had a very unwelcome "Welcome Home" present with a scrub turkey deciding to start making a nest today. In one day it has already denuded a number of garden beds of mulch and has started mounding it up at my front steps. Yep, I can't ignore it even if I want to. And so it begins ...

Just unpacking now and getting through a mountain of mail. I didn't wake up until 5pm today but have managed to get through a number of chores.

Hong Kong airport

After a very restless ten hours on a plane and am now at Hong Kong airport. Arrived at 5pm Hong Kong time and flight leaves just before midnight. I've just woken up from a nap in the lounge area as I have a nearly seven hour layover. There are quite a few quiet areas with private reclined seating for weary travellers.

One thing I didn't allow for in this journey was HK spending money at the airport here. Don't really want to cash out $10 so will wait for the flight to fill up on food and wine.

Throughout the airport there is free wifi, so just doing a bit of surfing before I head to the departure gate and read for a while.

Heading home

I am travelling all day tomorrow - apart from hours of waiting time at the airport in the evening - so don't think I will be able to post again.

I'll see everyone back in Australia in a few days.

Cambridge

Headed into Cambridge yesterday and couldn't believe that a small herd of cattle were grazing on the river bank right in the heart of the town. When I queried it I was told there is a historical right of grazing for cattle.

After a pub lunch I had a lovely punt along the River Cam. I didn't do any punting, but paid 15GBP to be punted on a mini tour taking in the various colleges that back onto the river. Luckily the weather cleared while I was on the water (typical British weather with rain coming and going). The air was a bit brisk, so I made use of one of the supplied rugs.

Had a good look around the main art gallery before the punt. Not too many big ticket items there.

Oh, on my way into Cambridge I stopped in at the local church where there was a quilt exhibition by the local quilters. Nothing too much out of the box there either, mainly quite traditional. But as I was walking up to the church door, I spotted a fox not even 20 metres away.

The other bit of wildlife I have seen was a dead fawn on the side of the road when I went out for a walk the day before. Haven't seen a live deer yet, but have seen zillions of bunny rabbits.

Have to go now and sort out what I what to mail back as I fly out in two sleeps time and want to do an antique/quaint village trek tomorrow.

Chocolate boxes

Just a quick update to show you some buildings from the nearby village, Saffron Waldon. More later ...

Happy flying, Jimmy

Please take a moment to send my step-brother, Jimmy, a few thoughts of light and love to help him on his way. He is without pain now, but will be missed.

I will remember his lust for life, his can-do attitude, his big heart, and his sincerity ... and his bad (and sometimes good) jokes.

His time here may have been too short, but he packed in quite a bit of living and adventure with parachuting, flying, boating, fishing, and just generally having a good time. He loved his immediate family and my thoughts are with them at the moment.

My main sorrow is that he didn't last until my return next week and that I didn't get to chat with him on the phone or farewell him.

On my way shortly to Cambridge

So, okay, the attitude implant didn't work, and now I have only a week before I depart the UK for home and I am decidedly in the glass-half-empty mode.

I probably won't post much during this last week as I expect to be pretty much pre-occupied.

An English Gothic nightmare?

(Spacey atmospheric song I love, "Space Lord" by Monster Magnet, featured in the Tallegeda Nights movie)



Can't say much on this forum because of privacy constraints, but let's just say that my day didn't get much better after the slingshot activity in the afternoon.

With maybe a big dose of paranoia and melodrama, I think last night was my most creepiest experience throughout my entire journey and/or the closest I have got to feeling that I was in deep and imminent personal danger. Of course it might be attributable to an overactive imagination, or maybe hearing or watching too many Gothic horror stories, but I was definitely weirded out by a number of things.

Not least was staying somewhere that had bars, and an additional lock, on the bedroom window (but nothing like that on any other windows that I could see), a lockable and soundproof bedroom, and a motion activated sensor in the bedroom which even activated in the very dark room when I moved around in bed during the night ...

Plus there were other things that put me on high alert but mentioning them here would be a matter of interpretation and could be seen as defamatory. The above are concrete facts that can't be disputed.

Let's just say that I didn't sleep well and my adrenaline was running high all night.

I had to really fight my (maybe unrealistic?) sense of panic to remain there until morning and first thing in the morning (waaaaay before my usual wake up time) I made up an excuse to not stay a second night and got the hell out of there.

Hours later in York, with a strong coffee at breakfast, I still felt weirded out. I even had a wine at 11am (never done that before) and was still creeped out. And it is now 6.30pm and that feeling remains.

Or maybe I got it all wrong and they were perfectly normal and nice people and I have now behaved in a very ungracious manner?

Any thoughts?

PS without a word of a lie, I plucked my eyebrows two nights ago and made sure that no grey ones remained (I'm giving away girlie secrets now) - but today I have quite a few grey ones again. Maybe it is true that after a fright your hair can turn grey overnight?

Lucky to be here

Don't know what would have happened earlier today if a group of four idiots had better aim with a powerful slingshot. I was sitting in the main park in the heart of York, when something thudded into the growth around me. Had a look and couldn't see where anything would have fallen from. Then noticed a couple of pimple faced f*ckwits over a stone wall in the grounds of the church next door. One upstart even waved at me (in a smarmy way) as I stared him down. And then I saw him urging his mate (who was out of sight) back. I thought they might be about to apologise, but they didn't, so I then ignored them and tried to enjoy the park.

Then something big and heavy (like a good sized rock or unripe apple etc) went whizzing past at high velocity, inches from my face, and thudded into the bush beyond me. At the speed it was going, and the sound it made indicating it wasn't something minor, it could have easily have resulted in a lasting and/or deadly outcome had I moved forward and inch or two at that moment or if they were better shots.

Bastards! They were actually aiming at my head and I could hear them making admiring noises to each other about how close it came! That's how close they were to me and how much force the object had at such close quarters.

I was sooooo angry that I ran to the wall they had disappeared behind and yelled that they could be done for attempted assault. And quickly had to explain to passers-by what happened so they didn't think I was a loony yelling at a blank wall ...

Then I tried to find a way into the church yard and when I came back they were leaping over the stone wall into the park where I had been.

So I whipped out my camera and tried to get a piccie of at least one, but they all scattered amongst the bushes and down different pathways. As it was an large overgrown area, in mottled shade, it was impossible for me to see which way they went.

Yeah, yeah, I know it probably wasn't the smartest thing to do in the wake of the riots etc and in the interest of personal safety, but I WAS VERY ANGRY and pissed off at what could have been the result if it had hit me - or anyone else in the vicinity for that matter. Lots of little kids and older people enjoying the park.

I reported them to the park dude, but nothing will happen, even IF they catch them. No-one wanted my contact details or any details so there is no-one to identify them etc or any official report lodged.

Scares the shit out of me to think what would have happened if it had made contact.

Onto last Servas host now in Leeds.

York! What a place!

The USA should rename New York, as they really can't improve on the old York. Maybe it should be called "Nearly as good, but not quite, Newish York".

Again, another case of gorgeousness overload and of not being able to walk 100 metres - if that - without getting out the camera. If my camera battery lasted longer, I wouldn't need to turn it off at all.

My day starts with a walk along the River Ouse from the youth hostel into town. As I get closer to the city, I pass canal boats, rowing races, and other boaty things.

I access the city via steps that form part of the old ramparts that still wall part of the city. And lo and behold, at what use to be an ancient toll building on the bridge to collect venue for access into York via the bridge, it is now a lovely cafe that caters to my every need for a substantial brunch. I sit in the window box that overhangs the River Ouse and look out through lead light windows as I eat my bacon and eggs.

But, being the cat lover that I am, the highlight for me is the York Cat trail. And York also has not one, but two, cat specialty stores. Can you believe it?

The cat trail takes you around a good size piece of old York and provides a wonderful overview of the city.

Cat statues on buildings evidentally go back to the times of plague in an attempt to frighten mice and rats away from homes etc. And more lately, maybe pidgeons ... (DUDE, wrong way! To your left! Look left!) OK, this is clearly a duplicate of the previous statue, but think "context, context, context" and it HAS been tilted somewhat.

But the more modern cat statues date back to about 1920 when Sir Stephen Aitcheson placed two on a building he owned.

Then later in 1979 a local architect, Tom Adams, who since 1950 has used a black cat as his logo, decided to use them as a 3d logo on buildings he designed. A sculptor was commissioned to create different cats for different buildings. Jonathon Newdick (what an unfortunate name) is the sculptor and a new cat has recently been added to the trail at the second cat shop.

Gotta love this one. The cat on the left is smaller as the house it is on is actually numbered "1/2" and the building on the right with the bigger cat is numbered "1". (This isn't the first case where I have encountered a building numbered as a half ... only in the UK)

What a great marketing idea for a city, as I spent at least two hours going through York looking up particular buildings (and businesses) to find the cats. Also in the pamphlets promoting the cat trail, marketing opportunities abounds ... hmmm ... could Townsville set up a similar thing with ... um ... what? ... maybe, crocodiles? Considering our basketball team name and mascot and all??

(Look carefully for the black blobby on the red roof) But back to the marketing idea, shhhhh ... don't tell anyone until I get back and pitch the idea to Townsville Enterprise. In the meantime, artworker friends, you may want to start working on your crocodile concept designs ...

Then I take in the National Trust Treasury House and really enjoy the story of the eccentric owner and his grand vision of things back around the turn of the century. This dude donated the property to the National Trust providing they did not change anything - and he even nailed studs into the floor to delinineate where each item of furniture had to remain.

And Chris and Leigh, another thing that you would have enjoyed here in York. I found myself in the midst of a major bicycle race.

Whilst you may have enjoyed the race, I could only curse as the barriers and spectators ruined most of my piccies ...

And look - even a bike cafe!

While on the cat trail, I encounter the Quilt Museum but it is shut on the day I am there. What I really like is the vegie and herb garden they have developed on the footpath and the open invitation to anyone to pick the produce. They also have a beautiful, serene garden in the grounds that they keep open even when the museum is shut. But it gets better again as York has a craft trail through the streets of York - which I didn't get to do.

Bad pun alert: On my back to the hostel, I found this handy lane.

Inspiration for Led Zep? Gateway to nowhere?

Confused bee can't tell the difference between fabric and the real thing ...

Possibly the real McCoy with a ghost selling tickets?

Another bit of history. This is the Burton Stone which was on the outer city limits and during the plague in 1600(ish). Villagers would leave money (de-germed with vinegar) in a rock hole to pay for any food etc that might be left there to feed the quarantined villagers.

Here are some random piccies of York:

View from the top of the previous city wall.

The first of the lasts

I have to keep telling myself that having less than two weeks before I am back in Brownsville is a bit like thinking the glass is half empty. Here I am thinking that my journey is all but over, but for many people, they would be looking at the start of their ten day holiday with anticipation.

But this is the first of the many "lasts" here in UK. I've just checked into the York Youth Hostel and this is my last youth hostel stay.

The day after tomorrow I head to Leeds for my last Servas stay.

Then two days after that is my last accommodation location in UK. Can't wait to be in a self contained cottage for a whole week and not have to move on every two days.

My last journey will be returning the hire car to Gatwick Airport and then getting the train and subway back to Heathrow to fly out on 31 August.

(One piccie for Chris) Part of my lunch at a quiet little pub on my way to touristy Ambleside in the Lakes District.

Shakespeare in the Lakes District

Just got back from a wonderful outdoor performance of 'As you like it' on the shores of Lake Windermere. The weather was a bit gloomy and rainy before we left and all the way driving there. But within minutes of arriving, the rain stopped and we were treated to a dazzling sunset over the lake as the clouds cleared.

The Shakespeare production was sharp and tight, with a very sparse set design that actually worked well. Cast of eight doubled up in a number of roles and had to do some very quick costume changes, including one very well orchestrated change on stage.

All the actors sang fantastically and played a variety of instruments.

So, throw that entertainment within with a stunning location in the Lakes District, and it makes for a very enjoyable night.

Had a drive through the peninsula at the bottom of the lakes today and encountered all sorts of wildlife.

This is right near an ancient village site that had very overgrown hut circle remains (not in this piccie). Also located a burial chamber nearby, and a stone circle not far away from the previous photo.

Heading to a hostel for tomorrow night, right on the lake. After that, I think two nights maybe in the York region?

Ironbridge

Love this little village.

But moving on to a very remote place further north, called Slaidburn in the morning.

More later

Burned Birmingham

I can't believe what went on in the UK over the last week. I was well out of it in the wilds of Wales, but am in Birmingham now and have seen the remains of the damage first hand.

Went to a stunningly beautiful 1901 (art deco) pub last night for a wine with my host and idiots had tried to burn it down, smashed stained glass windows, and generally trashed the place.

This pub is only a five minute walk from where I am and clearly visible from the window (the red brick building on the left, and the phone box is just in front of it to the right). Mindless idiots!

It has been tidied up a lot (plywood on the windows etc) and is open for business, but there was only about six of us in there - think other locals were worried it might happen again.

Funnily enough, I pulled into the car park of the pub yesterday to use the public phone and hadn't noticed the exterior damage, thinking that where I stopped was too far out of town to be involved in the riots.

Today caught a bus into town and it drove past many, many stores that had been damaged and looted. Couldn't take a piccie of that as the bus windows were too graffitied ... but here are some piccies of my day in town the following day before I left Birmingham.

This is part of the beautiful canal system in the heart of the city.

And this is a narrow boat that is a cafe, and I had an excellent coffee in there.

Some images are beyond words - providing you can read the slogan on the left of the piccie and notice the creature on top of the garden bit. Funnily enough this is right next to the Art Gallery (home to the Pre-Raphaelites).

Thought this composition was amusing. The dude was setting up on top of a double decker bus for an outdoor radio broadcast. Highlights of the event were a vintage car show; a speech from the mayor; and a welcome to the Manchester United soccer team.

It's all about me ...

Yesterday the Townsville Bulletin had the story about threatening bush fires in my street, and now there is the sentencing story about the criminal who stole my purse from my hospital room in the aftermath of my operation last year.

What I don't see in the article is the criminal being ordered to restitute me for the cash stolen and the costs incurred to replace everything. Will have to email the detective who caught him to find out what the go is.

Close call? I hope so!

WTF! Bushfires threaten homes - in my street! Townsville Bulletin article

Pictures better than words ...

Driving towards the hostel:

The hostel and some of the nearby area:

Around the Cardigan Coast (Mid west Wales):