Day 26 Epilogue

New Years Day and it is a very sluggish morning for us. We met Jason at Westfield Shopping Centre Shepherd's Bush (the smaller Westfields). It only has 3 basement levels and 3 floors. The Vue cinema is upstairs with 17 cinemas. We decided to watch Hobbit Part 2 the movie did not start till 4.30pm. We bought the tickets from the ticket machines and chose VIP seats 2 pounds more but most of the cheaper seats were already sold. The movies here are more expensive than home a normal ticket would be about $22A.

We went to find some food. Being New Years Day everything was busy. So Jason new of a quieter food hall. So off we go there just happened to be 1 million kids there but we lined up for our food anyway. Jason got his food first a found a table. Sharon and I were next followed by Katie looking very angry. I thought she was angry from having to wait so long but it was some Indian guy behind her. He kept pushing into her personnel space and leaning over her and putting his hands on the bench. She told him to F off but did not make any difference. After she settled down Sharon & her went off shopping Jason and I went looking for a kindle again. There was no electronic stores so we just wasted time looking around. Back at the cinema Sharon & Katie waiting and in we go. Half an hour of adds, all seem to be about holiday destination not in England. No wonder the English are not aware of there own heritage. I guess we are no better everyone in Australia only seem to want to go to Bali. The movie finally starts 10 minutes in and I'm finding it hard to keep my eyes open. A few scenes I don't know how they got to that point so I guess I better buy this movie also. Katie loved it the only person not struggling to stay awake.

After the movie we went to a Witherspoons Pub which is a chain throughout England. Jason was not sure if we would like it or not. It is cheap food and beer. I said we will check it out and if we don't like it we will go elsewhere. The place was fine, found a table ordered food and drinks. Jason bought his own meal and I ordered Katie, Sharon's and mine. Katie had a glass of Merlot and chicken burger with chips, Sharon had coke and toasties and chips, I had a pint of Hobgobblin my most favorite beer and a vegie burger. It all came to 16.50 pounds about $32A dollars cheap. The beer was about $4.20A a pint. The food was OK but the beer was better. After this back to the apartment to start getting ready for leaving back to Perth the next day.

Thursday Morning
Here I am sitting on the sixth floor of our apartment the sun is streaming in and overlooking London. This is my third time here and possibly our last. There is more to see but a lot more world out there to explore. Jason still wants to stay longer and I do hope he finds a sponsor that will employ him. I wish him well. It  has been great spending the last 4 weeks with him and I am very proud of what he has accomplished in such a short time. If he does stay we will have to find some place in the world to catch up and explore.

I asked everyone what there one stand out event was off coarse there has been many but I was after just one stand out time. Katie's was Christmas day playing in the snow on top of the mountains, Jason's was King Ludwig II castles mainly because this king lived a fantasy life. Jason thinks he mind is always in a fantasy so thinks there is a connection with the king. Sharon's was simply spending time with Jason. Mine was Christmas dinner in the glass lift lobby on the 14th floor of our hotel with the seven off us laying on doonas or sitting on chairs drinking beer, wine & champagne and plenty of nibbles while looking out over Salzburg and the alps in the distance.

The bar was set last year with Greenland and Iceland something to strive for when we keep travelling. We have experienced many things on this holiday. Some places we visited again something I don't like to do but I did enjoy these areas again mainly because we found new things to explore. Sharon and I have learnt more about packing our backpacks and what to improve on in the future when we travel for a couple of years.

Thank you to everyone reading our blog there has been nearly 1300 views since our first post.

Happy New Year to everyone now its time for us to go back to work and save for our next adventure.

Day 25 London - Cotswolds

Up early for our last full day of experiencing England. New Years Day is just going to the movies and just resting. We have all had it could not do much else. Catch the tube to Manor House and walk to Jason's and pick up the car for another stressful day for Sharon. We arrived about 8.30am got in the car and drove 2 mins for our first stop at Sainbury's so Katie can get some cold and flu tablets she is suffering from more English diseases. Katie was amazed at the size of the supermarket. Couldn't find what she wanted and had to asked directions. Found the tablets then back to the car. Sharon did well to get us out of London. We were on our way to Oxfordshire and through the Cotswalds. Jason and I was looking at what we could do he had researched a few places and decided to look for old Roman Villa ruins and a stone circle before we end up at Stratford on Avon. Jason plotted the coarse to North Leigh and the Roman Villa. The GPS took us through small lanes covered in puddles and mud. You need to pull over at times to let other vehicles pass so after a bit of sliding in the mud we were back on track again. Pulled out on a main road right where we needed to turn off to the Villa. Followed the signs and parked on the edge of the road. There was railway works near the villa so had to walk through a muddy field and follow there bypass pathway. Came to a gate with a very wet sign with running ink pointing us to the direction of the Villa. There was no workers today being New Years Eve so no one to been seen. Followed the path over the railway bridge to private property signs and no villa. Disillusioned we head back over the bridge to the runny ink sign. Found another sign saying if you want to go to the villa ask one of the workers to guide you. Great but what if no one is around. Wandered off back up the original pathway to the car which we are not meant to be on. No one around so could not see a problem. Came across another running ink sign directing us down a laneway. Yay finally found the Villa.

The foundations have been excavated and in a small housed enclosure is the original mosaic floor built back in the 4th Century AD. It was locked but you could see through the dirty window. Well intact for its age. Had a wander around few photos and on to the next spot.

We put in our coordinates and head to the Rollright Stones and the Kings Men Stone Circle. The stones are on an unmarked road between two villages and we hope for the best. Arrive at the no name road and turn off. We found the right one few cars parked off the side of the road so here we are. We walk over the other side of the road to a view over Long Compton village and rolling hills and cows and some stone with a metal fence circling it.

Back across to the other side of the road and in to see the Stone Circle. The Kings Men Stone Circle is 4500 old and was a gathering place for Neolithic people.

Had a wander around went and had a look at the Whispering Knights Burial Chamber. It is a set of stones which the myth says are suppose to move down to the River every New Years Day.

Very appropriate being New Years Eve.

Back to the car and put in the coordinates of Stratford on Avon. It took us through the Village of Long Compton and we found a Pub there called the Red Lion. Decide to have lunch here it was about 12.30pm. Didn't want to leave it like yesterday and have the chance of not getting lunch. Quite a few car in the carpark and we enter the door saying Restaurant and Baa. Had a chuckle by this and went down the stairs to another fantastic pub. They were busy but found us a nice table out the back through a labyrinth of tables and rooms. Jason asked what real ales were on tap and the waitress mentioned Hooky which was produced about 5 miles away Ok 2 pints of that. Nice beer strong flavour went down well. We all ordered lunch mainly from the set course menu. Once again great meals. Went off to find another ale at the bar and chose one called Cotswolds. Smoother than the other one and slid down even better. While I was at the bar there were more people wanting tables but they were being turned away no more room. We arrived here just on time again. After lunch Jason & Katie decided to play in the playground and try the obstacle course. The timber was very wet and slippery. Just as well Katie is female she could of had a very painful experience.

So onto Stratford and a nice drive through the country before we reached our destination. It was getting dark again so tried to drive to a couple of tourist spots mainly Shakespeare's birth house. Jason kept saying to turn but the road always seem to be one way streets going in the wrong direction. Decided to find a car park but above ground this time. Didn't have to pay, some lady gave us a ticket with 2 hours left on it. Went for a walk down to the canals getting very cold and dark. We then went and had a look for Shakespeare's house.

Sharon & Katie was more interested in the Christmas shop. Time to go and back to London and return the very damaged muddy car. We were suppose to fill up the car so we would not pay the exorbitant Avis fuel price. Sharon was fixated on getting the car back so didn't take any notice of us saying we need to fill up the car. We pulled up to the return bay and the attendant asked if we filled up the car. Sharon says she was to stressed to do anything about it. He told us we will pay a lot for the fuel at this stage Sharon just wanted to get away from the car. Next we had to tell him about the damage to the fender he replys by saying I will have to get my manager. The manager rocks up looks at our receipt and says thats OK you have taken out the insurance so there will be no cost and these things happen. Into the office to fill out an indecent report and told us there was about $1100 A damage. We didn't mention the other knocks.

Back on the tube and Jason and I decide to try and get into the New Years Fireworks in London. It is now 7.15pm and Jason thinks it will be to late. Katie & Sharon go back to the apartment. We arrive at Embankment station to crowds of people. We are herded through the streets and Jason says the best spots will be gone. They set areas aside first in get the better viewing sites then they fence them off and open up a new area. Eventually no one else is allowed in. They were still letting people in when we arrived but Jason decided we would not be in a great viewing area so both disappointed we head back to the apartment. We have a few drinks and being on the 6th floor we could get a view over London. Every now and then there was fireworks going off at random times throughout the city. Come midnight there was fireworks everywhere you look. We could see the main ones in Central London so I watched between the TV and our window. Much to Jason's annoyance because I kept blocking his view of the TV. Well after midnight you could still see fireworks everywhere. Private fireworks in England is not illegal. Jason leaves to go back home and we go straight to bed we are all absolutely exhausted.

Day 24 London - Bath

We met up with Jason at Earl's Court Station later than we wanted but it's getting harder to get going in the morning. The four of us are getting very tired but still keen to push on. Got to Heathrow Terminal 5 to pick up our rental car. We had booked a Hyundai I30 but being late notice we where offered a choice of 2 others. One for our quoted price the other a Citreon DS5 Diesel with all the trimmings and GPS for another 10 pounds a day. Decide to take the Citreon. Next do you want to pay for the Fuel OK take that also. Do you want extra insurance 20 pounds a day. I tell him we have travel Insurance he said that's fine but you have to pay any damages upfront. I decide we will take that also. An extra driver was 10 pounds a day and Sharon was happy to do all the driving. So off we go with another $380 aussie dollars gone from the account. Jason telling me I got ripped off with all the upselling. He is probably right but still works out a lot cheaper than the 4 of us catching tourist buses to where we want to go. At least this way we have the freedom to go and do what we want with no time constraints. He wasn't convinced especially about the insurance.

We find our nice shinny car and we all pile in. Sharon & Jason in the front seats Katie and I in the back. First problem it is the most advanced car Sharon and I have ever seen. Everything electronic. Wheres the ignition there is none its a push start button. Where is the hand brake lever there is none its a push button on the console. Katie was a great help she knew where everything was. Wheres the boot lid where the mirror adjust because all the mirrors are folded in. Katie decided to get out of the car and show Sharon more things about the car. She slams the door into the car next door. First mark on the car. After about 15 mins in the car park we are off very slowly down the winding very tight car park and onto the motorway towards Stonehenge.

Its a very nice car. Opened all the sunroofs 3 of them and let in the light. It was a very wet gloomy day the worst we have had on our whole trip. After about an hour we stop for a break for breakfast. Porridge for Katie, Pancakes for Jason and toasted sandwich for Sharon. I didn't eat I had breakfast before we left. Finished off everything and through the rain back to the car. Sharon presses the button the dash lights up into reverse and we go no where. Jason & Katie are giving Sharon advise press the starter button again all the dash lights go off. Go through the process again the dash says disengage clutch. Sharon says that she has so she presses the starter button again the dash lights up. Jason & Katie says the car must be running I thought I'm very deaf or it is a very quiet car I can't hear anything. Puts it into reverse don't go anywhere. At this stage Sharon is getting flustered and Katie and Jason are still giving advise I stay quiet. Sharon finally puts her foot on the clutch and the car starts. Disengage clutch means put you foot on the clutch so it will disengage it from the gearbox. So off we go back on track to Stonehenge.

When Sharon and I were last at Stonehenge you came to a fork in the road one left the major motorway and one right that took you to the Stonehenge tickets and entrance. You walked under the road and up to Stonehenge. Lots of people but you could walk all the way around where there was less people around. They have now grassed over the road so access to Stonehenge is by the major motorway to a roundabout a couple of km away. We make our way to the car park buy our tickets at the recently opened tourist information centre. They now have a great audio and visual display in there exhibition room. Artifacts from the area and well worth seeing. It opens up outside to a mock display of one of the stones. It is set up so you can gauge how many people you would need to move one of the stones. You press a button pull on the rope and it points to how many men are required Both Jason and I need 100 men. Someone else tried it, didn't even register. Next you line up for a bus to take you to Stonehenge. It had been raining heavy with extremely cold winds when we arrived and decided to wait until it cleared. Everyone else had the same idea so masses of people now wanting to get on the bus.

Arrive at Stonehenge with lots of people around and walk on the new pathway. They are trying to control the numbers here over 1,000,000 people visit Stonehenge a year. So in the near future you will have to book well ahead to get to Stonehenge. I expect it will be controlled like Neuschwanstein Castle ( Disney Castle ) where you are allotted a set time and if you roll up without a booking you may or may not get in. By comparison Neuschwanstein Castle has 2,000,000 visitors a year. 

The pathway only goes a third of the way around now so no 360 degree view. That's why in the exhibition room you stand in the centre and get a 360 degree view on video of Stonehenge through the ages. Katie liked Stonehenge it one of those must see tourist traps, but we are glad to get on our way.

Jason had found some out of the way places and head off. Much nicer than being on motorways. Driving through rolling misty hills. Katie was enjoying this much better. We are heading to a village called Nunney. It has a castle ruin. We pass the turn off to Nunney and Jason finds us another way in through very tight fitting laneways. We find the ruins next to an extremely fast flowing muddy river.

Nunny Castle was built in 
"1370s by Sir John de la Mere, a local knight who was beginning to enjoy royal favour. Extensively modernised in the late 16th century, the castle was held for the King during the Civil War, but quickly fell to Parliamentarian cannon in 1645: not until Christmas Day 1910, however, did the gun-damaged portion of the wall finally collapse."  We all enjoyed walking around the moat and through the castle ruins.

We were going to look for a nice pub for lunch and Katie yells out I found one. Through the castles ruined window there was a view looking out to the local called Georges. We all agree to try it out. After a walk through an old church and cemetery we head for the George. Kitchen was closing in ten minutes but they let us in to a great meal and some ale. Lovely English pub and Katie is enjoying being away from all the tour groups and starting to realise how off the beaten track is far better. After lunch head off to more great scenery and end up in Bath. We headed up to the highest point to overlook the city.

Great view and after a while with the sun sinking at 3.30 in the afternoon decide to head into the city for a walk. Sharon was getting stressed out driving in the narrow streets , I don't blame her. We look for a parking lot and find an underground one and proceed to go down the very narrow driveways. Find a spot Sharon parks next to a pylon and I can't get out. Crawl over to the other side open up the door bang the door hits the next car mirror. This 20 pounds a day insurance is looking pretty good at this time.

We walk out of the carpark into almost dark it is now 4.00pm. Have a wander around town. It's to dark for photos. Lots of people around still shopping. Head back to the carpark after about an hour. Sharon has to back out to let me get in the car. All in and off we go to the very tight fitting exits. Sharon is getting worried about maneuvering through the exit ramp. Katie assures her there is plenty of room. CRUNCH Sharon hits the rear passenger fender on the exit pylon and wants to check out the damage. I say don't worry that's why we paid the extra insurance. Finally get out of the car park with a very nervous Sharon and follow the directions on the GPS. It sends us down a very narrow road with cars both sides of the road. It's a dead end road and no were to turn around. Sharon now is a mess and Katie says she will drive the car out so they swap seats and Katie is now at the wheel. She puts the car in reverse and the car goes forward over the kerb crunch there goes the front end of the car. Jason and I get out of the car to help guide Katie out of the very tight spot. She backs the car back between push bikes pot plants and cars. After a few attempts gets out by just missing a car by an inch. Back on track with Sharon in the drivers seat and head back to London. There is very little parking available throughout London and we are leaving the car outside Jason's were he has parking permits for visitors. Sharon does well getting through London traffic and requires a stiff drink by the time we are finished for the day. She finds a parking spot in Jason's street. The street is on a hill and has about a 15 degree incline. Sharon pulls in and needs to back up the incline a little to get the car properly parked. She has now had enough and gives up and refuses to back the car up. She insists I do it. I get in the drivers seat with about 2 feet in front of me before hitting the car in front. Go to grab the hand break to use to hold the vehicle in place while I reverse up. There is non off coarse only that stupid little electronic button on the console. I put the car in reverse try to go backwards up the hill the car goes forward. Much closer now to the car in front. What am I going to do. I know, I will leave the park brake on take up the clutch and release the brake. The car stalls and rolls forward. Now getting even closer to the car in front. I remember these cars should have hill start assist. Press the starter release the handbrake release the foot brake and the car stays great hillstart technology. Put the car in reverse hit the accelerator the hill start releases and the car goes forward again. Now I'm starting to shake. I can't give up no one else is going to do this. Just decide to give up on technology and just drive the old way ride the clutch up the hill. So up I go park the car and Jason says I missed the car in front by an inch. Sharon wanted me to hit the other car so she wouldn't be alone with her crushed fender.

Back to the tube and our apartment for another fun filled day of adventure.