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Packing my bag |
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Just about to head off to Sydney on Monday afternoon ready for my flight on Wednesday morning.
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Leaving Australia |
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Left on schedule and had a fantastic flight. Arrived at was greeted by Joy (18 yr old daughter or Pasteo Lee) and her cousin. We drove about 1 hour to Gunpo and stopped for tea on the way home - traditional Korean BBQ, sitting on the floor abd cooking the food |
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Gunpo, South Korea |
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Today I went into Seoul with Joy on the Subway to Seoul. I found an ATM and got some Korean cash and found a coffee shop. Normal Korean coffee is instant, so I was hanging out for a real one. Unfortunately when you make the best coffee in the world at |
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Day 3 |
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Today I started off the day by going to an indoor swimming pool taken by Jung-Guk and Myoung-Soon (mother and father (Lee) and (Ha). Great swim and interesting culture of change rooms. Today is Myoung-Soon's birthday and she is 44 - good age. I gave her some Australian Macadamias. Today is |
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Day 4 |
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Sad to go this morning. The Lee family have shown great hospitality. I wrote in Korean with the help of my book, a message of thanks for the hospitality and care. They have such a gentle spirit and a warm heart. Good flight to London. Met Nigel at the airport and |
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Day 5 |
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Woken up this morning by the children and was read a new version of Sleeping Beauty by Natalie. Nigel and I went for a drive to Richmond park - huge! Rang home while we were walking about watching rabbits and squirrels running about. Drove to Arundle castle and to the beach |
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Day 6 |
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Nigel off to work today and Virtudes to the REAL work at home. We walked Natalie to school and had a look around Putney. Found an ATM and had my first look at UK currency. Had a real coffee - at last! I was starting to dispair. Took a bus to |
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Day 7 |
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Went into London today with Virtudes to go to the natural history museum while Virtudes went to look at some textiles and porcelain collection in the museum next door. Just the building was enough for me - exquisitely made - so much detail as well as being huge. Wandered around and |
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Daty 8 |
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Caught a bus and went into the city, not really knowing where things were and found myself in one jaw dropping place after another - Hyde Park, Dianna memorial, Wellingto Arch, Piccadilly circus, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square, Green Park, St James Park, Buckingham Palace...... This was all walking! Caught the tube |
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Day 9 |
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After a slow morning I went into the city - heard about the attempted bombings today - all believed that a bus had been blown up closer to the city. Still went in anyway. Considering there are 3 million people moved on public transport each day .... you would have to |
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Day 10 |
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Travelled to Kew gardens yesterday. 300 acres of gardens and forrest. Kept the camera busy. Went on a shuttle around the park to get my bearings and went by myself. There is a glass exhibition here at present with some pieces for sale. One about fruit bowl size was £5000.
Went |
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Day 11 |
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Cricket watching and shopping day. We went to a few hardwares buying supplies for some of my chores here. Oil for an out door setting, stain for the decking and looking for a door knocker - keeping me busy. Had a few more of the Ball's friends around for tea this |
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Day 12 |
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Went into London this morning and went to Hillsong church. Made to feel very welcome by all the volunteers. Had a chat with a guy called Ben Birell who said he knew someone from Orange - Shelly Nash (a friend) - pretty amazing eh? (I bet you said in your head, |
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Day 13 |
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Went to Hampton court today which was the palace of Henry VIII amonst others - very informative. Took lots of photos. What can I say ? just fantastic.
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Day 14 |
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Travelled today to Belchamp Hall to do a 4WD course with Nigel. This was out in the sticks through many small villiages and extremely narrow lanes. Had an instructor who showed us how to take a $90,000 and go car bush bashing!
I will let the photos tell the story. Had a |
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Day 15 |
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My birthday today. After catching up with yesterdays entry I travelled into rainy London for some indoor sight seeing. I went to Westminster station and walked to the Thames, saw the London eye, saw a Chinese exhibition, bought some souveneers, visited the houses of parliment which had an exhibition of the |
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Day 16 |
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Had to stay home this morning while our cleaner did the chores. Hard life! Took the train to Waterloo and did the walk from there to London bridge, along the bank, over tower bridge and past london tower and around the full circuit. I walked to London bridge station and followed |
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Day 17 |
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Got up early today and went to Heathrow to jump on a plane to Glasgow. (only £30 return) After checking in, Nigel went off to his business appointment while I hopped on the city explorer bus and toured the place, getting off and on all day. The ticket is for 2 |
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Day 18 |
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Travelled by train to Edinburgh and did another bus tour of the city. I was amazed at Glasgow, but this is something else - the castle is just awesome. The old city is mindblowing. I hope the pictures do it justice. Sunday morning we are doing a tour of the castle.
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Day 19 |
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We walked from the hotel into Edinburg city and wound our way up the steep slopes to the castle entrance. We spent about four hours wandering around with an audio guide learning about each site. Got to be seen to be appreciated. Breathtaking! I spent a few minutes inside the chapel |
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Day 20 |
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Nigel back to work this morning and I am arranging a hotel for Paris on Friday. Work day for me today as well - oiling 6 chairs and a table, painting the first coat of the rear deck, washing, dishwasher, dryer..... see, a woman's work is never done! (that should cause |
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Day 21 |
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Visited Cardiff Castle today while Nigel had a businesss meeting. A different castle than Edinburgh - much smaller, but with a keep and a moat. The interior was incredibly ornate - the owner was as wealthy as Bill Gates back in his time, but now belongs to the people of Cardiff. |
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Day 22 |
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Did some more washing etc today (must make sure place is OK before the hired help comes in and make sure there is plenty of ironing to do) Checking out web for trip around England and Ireland. Also checking out Paris in relation to hotel. Took a bus trip in to |
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Day 23 |
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Cleaner came today - plenty of ironing - packed to go to Paris. Stayed at a hotel tonight - very early flight.
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Day 24 |
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Flew to Paris today after a few dramas. Nigel discovered he left his passport at home and had to make a mad dash to Putney and get it - we managed to meet up at the boarding gate, ...just. Then I left my wallet and the money changer and had a |
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Day 25 |
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We had to change hotels today. I couldn't get two days running. Unfortunately this wasted half the day. I went to the Louvre in the afternoon. Just too much to fit in to a whole week at least to do it justice. Mona, Venus, Sphinx, Mummy, crecian urns ... if none |
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Day 26 |
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We went into the Champs elysees this morning via our local markets and metro station - Garibaldi. I lined up with the locals for a french stick (still warm) and headed off to wander around for a bit. Had a pastery and long black and this little cafe in the street |
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Day 27 |
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Must be at about the half-way point now. Going up to Cardiff this afternoon to get the bike. Unfortunately for Nigel, he has to drive up and back 2 1/2 hours each way. Bummer really for him. I will follow him back. I can now plan out the rest of my |
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Day 28 |
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Bought the bike back from Cardiff last night (150 miles) in 2 hours with a short break - highway speeds here and the good roads let you fly along - we were sitting on just under 80mph. Got back about midnight. Today I paid the rego and it is all done. |
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Day 29 |
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Went for a little ride today (140M) to Arundel. Bikers road - on the weekends there are hundreds of bikes on it due to its lovely sweeping corners. Didn't go inside the castle (saving my £) and 2 hours wouldn't have done it justice. The town is beautiful so wandered around |
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Day 30 |
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Preparing for my bike trip today. Bought a tent (£24), sleeping bag (£7)and bed roll(£3), gave the bike a new oil filter and oil change (the bike's first service ever - 449miles). Went to the charity shop today just to get a duffle bag to put my gear in and picked |
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Day 31 |
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went for a ride today to Milton Keynes Museum of Rural life. All ES stuff - transport, household appliances, telecommunications, landscaping products - all stuff I teach. Interesting for me anyway, and good resource for school.
Have travelled about 500 miles now.
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Day 32 |
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Had a HUGE breakfast today. Nigel cooked nearly everything he had in the cupboard for a late breakfast. After stuffing ourselves, sat down with a coffee and watched NZvAUS in the rugby. Went into Grenwich village, park, observatory, pub and pie shop. Saw the under Thames tunnel, the cutty sark and |
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Day 33 |
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Went into Paddington Station this morning and met Joanna arriving from Heathrow. Had a lovely catchup and a reasonable coffee. Went for a stroll around the block, checked out this website and saw her off in a taxi. Went into town and attended Hillsong London again. Went to Picadilly, St Paul's, |
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Day 34 |
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Rode to Oxford today. Staying at Diamond CC park. Swimming pool, snooker table, bar etc - hard to take. Lovely university town, old building ...
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Day 35 |
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Stratford upon Avon today for two days. £5 a night.
Visited the National Mororcycle museum, back into town, saw bill's house and the beautiful locks of the Avon. Excellent weather.
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Day 36 |
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Travelled to Warick and did the castle - jousting, falconry, archery and lotts of people - too many. On th Coventry to the Transport museum and a quick look and then back to Stratford for the evening. Still good weather.
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Day 37 |
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Travelled to York today via Coventry Motor Museum again. Went on the simulator for the land world speed record. Pretty good. I tried to take some more scenic roads up to York, but got sick of going through all the small towns and traffick lights. It was also taking twice as |
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Day 38 |
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I was right, it rained and the tent leaks - not much, but enough to be annoying. Booked in to a backpackers today for £13 including a hot breakfast - and a bed in a dorm (with 11 other people.) Walked around the wall today and through the city - parked |
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Day 39 |
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Left York and travelled to Hutton Henry today and arrived at Vine Cottage at the Griffith residence. Had a good catch up with Glen and Sandra, comparing notes, as they are heading to Ireland the day after me. Went to the seaside and to Durham. Stunning Cathedral and quaint little town. |
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Day 41 |
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Big breakfast this morning after my budget chip buttie for tea. Went to pay for the B&B and they only deal in cash. Had to make a quick dash to Stranraer (6 miles) to go to the bank, as the ATMs here would not accept ant of my cards. A little |
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Day 40 |
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Left the Griffith's at about ten and headed for Hadrian's Wall. Rode along some great roads, saw some Roman ruins and had a great trip exept when I got here it started raining. Went to the nearest B&B. Into town in the rain to get some tea.
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Day 41 |
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Left for Northern Ireland. Travelled to Belfast
Stayed in Backpacker - Linen House
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Day 45 |
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Rode to Galway today - rain on and off. Hostel tonight is like a hotel. Even has a lift and electronic entry. Met a guy from Belfast hostel. Lots of drunk youths roaming about.
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Day 46 |
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Galway to Limerick. Traffic crazy in town. Spent ages trying to find a park and then travelled to Adare - small country town with thatched houses and a fantastic campsite. Set up my tent and made tea from food in the campsite left over from previous campers. All in date - |
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Day 47 |
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Left the Griffith's this morning and drove to county Kerry. Rode around the ring of Kerry - wet roads and heaps of disguarded recycled animal feed on the roads made for a ginger ride. Pretty scenery. Rode through Cork and stayed at a backpackers at Midlton. Getting tired of the heavy |
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Day 49 |
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Got on to the ferry at 8.30 and went to the truckers lounge and had some free coffe (yuck) and watched a movie. In Hollyhead, went through Snowdownia National Park - very grand. Got pulled over by the Police for a random breath test - he said mine was OK. Went |
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Day 50 |
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Left Bath this morning and travelled to Stone Henge. Looked from over the fence. If you pay, you get about 2 metres closer. When finished, I found a family of Iraqis getting their photos taken next to the bike. I tried to explain that the feature was over the road, but |
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Day 48 |
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Travelled to Dublin today. Followed the tour bus around for about half an hour to get my bearings. Went to Dun Laoghaire and found the hostel. Another Aussie run hostel. Went to the ferry terminal for a walk and to be sure to be sure, checked my departure times and was |
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Day 51 |
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Clean up day today - washing, sorting. Taking the bike back to Wales today - needs a clean really badly. Need to sort out weight and bag sizes etc. 30kg total.
Sun is shinning, washing is drying. Went for a spin to Richmond Park, washed the bike and then took off for |
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Day 52 |
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Written in London - packed my stuff today - must have bought too many presents and clothes from the charity shops. My bag weight limit coming over was 24kg and carry on 12kg. Going back it is 20kg and 10kg carry on. Odd. Will have to leave tent, sleeping bag, bed |
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Day 53 |
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Had a wander around Frankfurt this morning after a big breakfast. Walked along the Rhine and couldn'y help myself - took photos of bridges and an old crane. Just can't leave the engineering studies aside. Went through an old part of the city and saw buildings from the 1200s, cobblestone streets, |
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Day 54 |
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Seem to have lost some time while I slept - quickest day of my life - lost 8 hours. Found free internet so am catching up as I wait. Slow typing as the keyboard has shiny keys with English and Korean characters. Found some Korean money stashed in my wallet and |
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Day 55 |
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Arrived back at 7.45am - slept OK. Good flight, good food. Work tomorrow.
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