2008 UK Trip Report

Janet and I had planned to go to the UK to do a bit of private business – but (after booking our plane tickets) – we decided it was too much hassle – but went through with the trip rather than give up our tickets.

Saturday, 16^th February, 2008 – A leisurely exit from Singapore Jetstar to Hong Kong departing 15:45 – arriving 19:25 all on-timegot to the boy's place an hour or so later, JL was there but Tyke was on a trip

Sunday, 17^th February, 2008 – Up leisurely (again) – down to IFC Check-in – there was good old Ralphie time for a coffee and a chat then out to Chek Lap Kok 13:30 Oasis HK Airlines to Gatwick – arriving same day at 18:50 – easy. we had spare seats between us Now began what I thought would be the most difficult bit of our whole trip we had to meet up with Brian & Vonnie in The Chaser (pub/restaurant) in Shipbourne at 20:30 – because (England!!) last orders were at 21:00.

Firstly – Hire a car – had done the booking on-line (as it turns out – not a good thing to do. web-page was a company called Fourmotion offering a car for 144 quid for 9 days instructions told us to follow signs for Europcar. we did and got the car no problem – AND – amazingly found The Chaser pub at 20:32!! Brian & Vonnie in attendance – nice meal, good to see them again.

When we handed the car back in 9 days later bill was 224.00 Pounds including 27.19 pound charge by Fourmotion (only an agent) to make the booking.. moral deal with the big boys – not agents!!

Followed Brian & Vonnie back to their house at Kingshill and basically straight to bed.

Monday, 18^th February, 2008 – Up with the lark and off to (firstly Marks & Sparks in Woking to see if they had boots for Jane – No!!) then to Maureen & Geoff in Bracknell for a couple of hours chitty-chatting, (thanks Maureen for the rolls etc.. just what was needed), then Geoff gave us a great route to Cheltenham and recommended a trip to the Outlet Malls in Swindon (old locomotive (railway) sheds) couldn't find Christchurch Road initially – but did find the station – and Inga directed us from there – easy. Into the “new” apartment and a meet with Ben.. looking good! Straight out to Strada restaurant – just a short walk away – nice area of Cheltenham.

Tuesday, 19^th February, 2008 – Slept overnight on the sofa-bed in the lounge – very comfortable!! – Ben had student things to do – so Inga, Janet and I went off to check out the Outlet Malls in Swindon very impressive - BUBSY’s therapy.

Wednesday, 20^th February, 2008 – Ben still being a student – so we three again went out – this time for Janet to see Oxford – first fill-up with petrol (at Burford) – couldn't find the lever to undo the bonnet/fuel cap. Good snoop around the colleges etc Cold day – but lots of walking – fish and chips in a very nookie pub (The White Horse) near Blackwells Bookshop.

Thursday, 21^st February, 2008 – Still in Cheltenham – Janet went to therapy at Primark buying lots of things for her kiddie-winks, Ben, Inga and I met her for lunch at the Slug & Lettuce pub – nice and warm – Janet left a shopping bag there and had to quickly return to retrieve it did Ben cook that night..?? Indian very good!!

Just before our departure.....

Friday, 22^nd February, 2008 - Drove to Britsy & Gary in their new rented house/cottage (very nice). Inga went as well in her car – started after us – and arrived before us because we missed the turn-off for Aisholt – and just about got to Minehead before we realised our mistake – almost 40 additional miles!!

Never mind – it was lovely country!! This is the view from B&G's cottage..

Whilst this shows the main house with B&G's cottage at far left of the building - second chimney..

Japanese-like mood-picture...

Drinks in pub in Taunton then...

... to Sanctuary for dinner

mix-up with Taxis.. there were 5 of us and usual size couldn't take us all..

During the couple of days with Brittsy & Gary – we “played” with the GPS Tom-Tom thingy... which gets you from A to B when driving – Brilliant thing!! Wal used one in Austria – see later... On a couple of occasions they beeped to say “too fast – speed trap coming up” - and saved fines – I have to get one..... but don't have a car!!

Saturday, 23^rd February, 2008 –

All 5 of us lunch at Taunton pub place where B&G had their reception

Then off to supermarket shopping - frightening... because.. he's going to cook us a fish dinner.... – clever boy!!.

First though... lets get some Frexinet shampop inside us.... so we can relax..... around a nice warm fire...

Gary's a busy boy... Fire-watch, Host... and cook!!..

A lovely fish supper - well done Gary!!

Sini - black cat.... no fish!!

Replete......

Frightening......

Sunday, 24^th February, 2008 - off out to Dunster village....

me taking a piccie of Gary taking a piccie of..... is that right??

then to Sunday lunch at nookie little village we'd been to before then – light food in at home for dinner.

When did Inga leave??? guess – during this day....

Monday, 25^th February, 2008 – Leave Brittsy & Gary for a bit of tourism at...

Stonehenge – got the automated guide thingy amazing 60% of the stones have been carted away and used elsewhere over the years - freezing cold, back in the warm car – off to Brian & Vonnie's

Tuesday, 26^th February, 2008 – Janet trying on Vonnie's Wedding hats, this is one of about 10... - then packing and off early to Gatwick airport. handed the car back in, saw Janet through check-in/Security etc.. then made a bad decision plenty of time to get back to Brian & Vonnie's – so waited an hour – for National Express bus to Victoria – lots of traffic – took hours!! Got to West Malling around 21:00, missed Brian at the car park – eventually got “home” - what a mess-up!!

Wednesday, 27^th February, 2008 – Me up late, and a quiet day in the house, until the workers got home

Thursday, 28^th February, 2008 – Another quiet day in the house – did we go out to The White Horse near Maidstone this night – great place!!??

Friday, 29^th February, 2008 – Brian took the day off – lots of packing SeaFrance were on strike – and we'd been advised to get to Dover early in order to switch ferries. crappy evening – windy, lots of rain – got to Dover around 22:00 – easy switch onto Norfolk Ferry to Dunkirk – very stormy night – but the crossing was as peaceful as you'd wish. Driving through the night – still lashing it down, then in the cool light of day – after Munich – sleet, hail, thunder, lightening, snow and....... a Tornado!!

About 100 big mature fir trees – on both sides of the autobahn were snapped off about 20 feet up their trunks – some of them crashing down across the road crazy.. before and after this – 100 miles of traffic jams on the other side of the route – must not get caught in that – next Saturday!! Found Schochenhof easily, Wal arrived about an hour after we did. snooped around Kirchberg - Very little snow – didn't get skis or passes.

Saturday, 1^st March, 2008 – Kirchberg – still no additional snow – more expected Wednesday. – had dinner in the Pfeffermuhle.

Sunday, 2nd March, 2008 – drove to Kitzbuhel and then Pass Thurn

Monday, 3rd March, 2008 – checking out snow conditions - About time we had a look at the slopes – went and got skis etc.. and off up the Fleckalmbahn – a couple of easy runs on fair snow – then lunch at Steinberkogel and Wal ski'd down but Brian and I didn't like the look of the snow and chickened out – dinner at Brandseitstube (Andy's place – could walk there from Schochenhoff – through mud/fields etc..).

Tuesday, 4th March, 2008 – Because the slopes were so naf - we drove to Saltzburg this day – tourists – tea/coffee in the Sacher Hotel – home of Sacher Torte, very “fine”

Wednesday, 5th March, 2008 – Ski'd a bit – there had been snow overnight and it continued through today.

Thursday, 6th March, 2008 – Great ski – lovely weather – great snow – morning drinks at Pengelstein – apres ski drinks and dinner at Andy's place

Friday, 7th March, 2008 – A “quick ski” - then decided to go home early trying to avoid 100 mile long queues (we did!!) etc.. got to Brian & Vonnie's at around 02:00AM

Saturday, ^8th March, 2008 – B&V at leisure

Sunday, 9^th March, 2008 – Lunch with B&V, Tabs/James/Poppy/ and Tilley in restaurant somewhere..

Monday, 10^th March, 2008 – B&V at leisure

Tuesday, 11^th March, 2008 – Leave Brian & Vonnie's at 13:00, by train to Victoria and Gatwick Express to the airport – 5 hours early, plane full, but on-time

Wednesday, 12^th March, 2008 – into HK on-time (15:40) – 3 hours to wait for JetStar plane – into Singapore on time around mid-night.

Costs/Expenses in Pounds:

Sub-Total. 1,947.17 (my portion of the “divying-up with Brian & Wal was 550.00 Pounds)

Sub-Total. 139.85

Sub-Total. 451.00

Sub-Total. 100.00

Total = 2,438.02

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