It's Bath time

Andrew, Beth and I have been walking the village lanes, spotting bunnies in the fields and a cat climbing the ancient roof of the farmhouse next to us.

We are taking things a bit slower, now we are out of the big city. We drove to a park and ride in Bath, and caught the bus into the city centre. My grandparents, who met during WWII, used to go to Bath, or did they have their honeymoon there? I can't remember, but that, along with the Jane Austen connection, means that I have always wanted to go.

We had just arrived at the Abbey, and were looking at the Pump Room and Roman Baths, when we saw a free walking tour, being conducted by Mr Knightley, so Joss and I joined them. I refrained from telling Mr Knightley that he is my favourite; Joss would not have appreciated that.

The city is, as you would imagine, very beautiful, and we learned a lot from Mr Knightley. They clearly get lots of Jane Austen fans who don't actually know much about her, though, as he kept asking whether we had read her books, or knew about her family. He and I also bonded over Great Expectations.

Trim St, the worst street in Bath, where poor Jane did end up for a while after her father died.

We walked up the hill to the Royal Crescent, which is far more spectacular than it looks here. I clearly need practice with the panorama.

There is a museum at No. 1, and we were able to see what the inside would have looked like, and how the household would have worked in the 18th century.

The weather has been extraordinary. It was drizzling when we drove away from the airport the day we arrived, but it has been sunny, and even hot, ever since. Today was over thirty!

Dibley

After a very bookish day yesterday, we did something television-related when we left London. We went to Dibley! It's really called Turville.

We have all watched the Vicar of Dibley many times over the years, and when Andrew discovered it was not far from London, we decided to go there first after picking up our car at Heathrow.

We drove down narrow roads which were like tunnels because of the trees, and came out into the sweetest village. Everything looked smaller than on TV, but it was definitely recognisable, and completely delightful.

 
After a delicious lunch at the village pub, we climbed a hill for the view. It was a steep climb, especially when one is full of venison pie and cider, so we were pretty pleased with ourselves.

 Bethany wasn't up for the challenge, however, and sat on a rock at the bottom of the hill, and wrote in her journal.

 

It was sad to say goodbye to London, but tonight we are staying at a farm on a hill, and tomorrow we go to Bath (back to bookish).

Harry Potter

The Harry Potter studio tour has family day written all over it. Admittedly, some of us are more committed fans than others (Andrew only found out which house he belongs to this morning, and Toby couldn't quite manage it), but if you leave the planning to me, you just have to take what you get. And, just in case you are interested, Joss is a Gryffindor, Beth and I are Hufflepuffs, and Andrew was sorted this morning into Ravenclaw. Now, if only Toby were Slytherin, we'd have all four houses represented. I'm not sure he has the required ambition....

It was pretty amazing. The studios where the films were made over ten years, are now an 'attraction'. Sets, props, effects, and butterbeer, which smells like butterscotch.

After several hours at the studio, we were driven to Oxford for a walking tour, focussing on the Harry Potter related places and people.

I do love Oxford. The Tolkien and Lewis connection would be enough to earn my affection, but it is so very beautiful, historical and bookish! The Radcliffe Camera (above) is part of the Bodleian Library. The bridge of sighs (Hertford Bridge) is just opposite.

This building is also part of the Bodleian Library. Libraries are the best.

Bookshops are also good.

Earlier this year my friend and colleague, Cynthia, discovered that there would be a Tolkien exhibition at the Bodleian, while we were here. Our tour guide suggested we go there before we had to return, but, sadly, we were there too late in the day. Perhaps it would have tipped me over; too much for one day.

Free

With most holidays it's hard to find the balance between having a relaxing and flexible break and seeing and doing all that you are interested in. The trouble when you travel so very far for a holiday, is that you want to fit as much in as possible. Today we left open, with no bookings or firm plans, so that we could all do whatever took our fancy.

This is the garden outside our bedroom window. Despite being in a very busy area, we woke to birdsong along with the plane and car noises.

After a leisurely breakfast, we walked down to Earl's Court station, and loaded up some Oyster cards. It is such a strange thing, to be a grown person who understands the language, but has no idea how regular things work! It's like being a child again.

A very helpful man at the station sorted us out, and then we were free to explore. Andrew and the kids went straight to Oxford and Regent Streets for shopping, and I stayed on the Tube by myself, to go on to the Bank of England, where I had some old notes to exchange.

The Royal Exchange over the road from the Bank of England

I'm sure I looked silly, wandering around with a smile on my face, but it was such a delicious feeling, to be exploring on my own.

I joined the others and went to a three storey shop full of M&Ms (!) and a sweet shop that I could smell from down the street. Joss, Toby and Bethany all bought sweets and clothes, but as those things are available at home, I left them to it.

I caught the Tube again, feeling so clever, and found the Wallace Collection. This was recommended by my friend Stephen, whose grandmother had suggested it to him years ago. I was so glad I went.

It was a building full of the most fascinating, beautiful, sometimes really old artwork, furniture and armour. I loved it all, but was especially fascinated by the armour and weapons.

By three, the shoppers were all shopped out, and I was keen to relax for a bit before going out to meet a friend (I have a friend who lives in London!), so Andrew went on a solo trip back to Buckingham Palace, to enjoy it without the crowds, and the kids and I caught the Tube home.

Jess used to work with me at Wagga City Library, and she very kindly met me after work for dinner. It was the loveliest evening. I meant to take photos of the food for my friend Sara, but I was too busy talking and forgot!

Step count: 25,396.

Fitting it all in

London is an awfully big, busy place. There are too many things that five people want to do and see, and not enough hours, or energy, to manage it. We are tiring ourselves out in the best way.

After a most restorative night's sleep, we were keen to get back into it and headed out to hop on and off the bus again. If the beautiful buildings weren't worth looking at, just the skill of the driver, weaving in and out of the traffic, would make it exciting.

We, along with thousands of other people, watched the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, then walked through St James's Park, down to the London Eye.

One of our party is not that keen on heights, so four of us went on the massive Ferris wheel. I don't think my Mum would like it.....

Joss was a bit scared, preferring not to look down, but I thought it serene, and the views were well worth it.

We went to St Paul's Cathedral, where you aren't able to take photos. Joss thinks it the best place she has ever been, and even Toby was impressed. We climbed all the way to the tippy top (and are feeling it in our legs this evening). We caught the Tube home, and were very pleased with ourselves for doing it.

It's strange being somewhere that is at once familiar and foreign. I am not a fan of asking for help, but it is necessary to be like a child when you don't know how things work. There are so very many tourists here, though, that at least we don't feel alone.

We go to bed this evening, having walked so far, seen so much, and loved it all.

The long, first day

Brum!

How I laughed when Bethany said she was looking forward to the plane! She was well and truly over it before we even reached Singapore, but everyone had at least some sleep during the second and longest leg. Towards the end, I had the feeling that we had always been on the plane, and always would be, but we enjoyed our movies, and it came to an end.

We were dropped at our digs, where we were way too early to check in, so we left our bags behind, gave everyone a pep talk to keep them going, and headed off.




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  We found cool houses and shops, told off a barista for thinking we were American, and hopped on an open-topped bus to see the sights.






• Joss was pretty thrilled to see real Van Gogh and Monet paintings at the art gallery. I confess that I don’t enjoy taking poor photographs of beautiful paintings. Somehow, I don’t mind an average photo of the beautiful ceiling.






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   I did start crying from happiness and a sense of history and beloved book settings coming to life. I’ll have to drink plenty of water the day we go to Thornfield (Haddon Hall has played Thornfield from Jane Eyre in three adaptations).





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  We were upgraded at our accommodation to a three bedroom, two bathroom apartment. It is huge, and gorgeous; we really love it. We are now all showered, just about to find something for dinner, and very much looking forward to bed.

Hello strangers

It has been nearly six months since I posted! I haven't defected to the lesser socials, there have been no great revelations made on Facebook or Instagram. I have just been living my life; working full-time, sharing a car with the almost independent daughter, driving the two more dependent children to many extra-curricular activities, running three card classes a month, with associated preparation, and reading. It isn't that I dislike blogging, or think it unimportant, I just haven't considered it more important that those things, or sleep.

When I left work yesterday, there was hugging. We don't usually hug when we part at the end of the working day, even on Friday afternoons, but this Friday was different. I am not returning for five weeks!

We are going on a trip of a lifetime, and by 'we' I mean all five of us. Joss will be off to uni next year, and perhaps we will never all live together again. So, we are off on a joint adventure, and I am planning to share it here. Facebook and Instagram will get something, too, but it won't be the same, it never is.

We fly out on Tuesday, to places that seem dreamlike; imaginary and magical. I know they are real; I have been there after all (Andrew's and my trip was ten years ago!), but I am a person who reads largely for setting and place, and the settings that really tug at my heart are in the U.K.

I was a very unpatriotic young person. Actually, I think patriotism tends to be ugly, so I am still not patriotic, but I no longer suffer from the grass is always greener mindset that is the enemy of contentment. I have come to terms with Australian summers, and there is so much to love about where we live.

Last week, I drove Bethany's friend back to her farm in Wantabadgery, around forty minutes away. It has become my favourite drive. It was late afternoon, and the sun was setting behind me, lighting the dry grass and trees a vibrant gold which contrasted with the deep blue-grey sky, threatening rain. We then drove into the rain, and on the way home, the sun was behind the hills, giving them a luminous pink glow.

So, while we will be travelling to places that move me deeply, I am happy to call this place home, at least until I am called to my true home, for good.