"Pottering in Beatrix Country"

The Lakes district in Cumbria is an absolute delight. Our resort (exchange with Trendwest, Australia) is just a hop, skip and jump away from Peter Rabbit's home at Hilltop farm in Hawkshead, Windermere. We have explored the home and hang-out's of Miss Potter and friends, gazed in wonder at the breat-taking beauty of the Lakes District, driven over end-less miles of narrow country lanes, with their miles of stone walls.

A special day was when we found Levens Village and nearby Levens Hall, built in the 1500's and now the world's most famous topiary garden. When we get our own internet connection again (next week in Malta) we will post some photos.

The weather has been terrific - mid 20's and warm right through the night also. Today we are in Kendall, having a quiet day, relaxing before a big day in the car tomorrow when we go through to Stirling in Scotland where we will overnight in a motel and cruise back Thursday.

We are enjoying England VERY much and each country has had an aspect to enjoy, but here we feel it is special for it's beauty, history and kinship.

Feel the Serenity

EARTH has not anything to show more fair:
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by
A sight so touching in its majesty:
This City now doth like a garment wear

This sonnet was one I "had to learn" in 10th grade English. Little did I realise then that one day in 2008 I'd be walking around the other great William's home town and thinking how appropriate those words are for this most beautiful spot on God's earth.

We spent the morning walking around the entire town of Stratford-Upon-Avon. We had just got used to gazing upon 600 year old little cottages when we discovered that there is another part called "the old town." Good grief. We spent an hour or so ambling alongside the Avon River, watching swans glide along and the occasional river barge, long and slender, quietly motor by. We watched, fascinated by the lock system. It seems that the way it works is by the husband (skipper) sends the wife (deck-hand) up to strain and sweat, winding the lock gates open and shut. It is accompanied by lots of directions from him below while he puffs on his pipe! I love it! I said to one such straining lady, "I must get a photo of a woman working while I get the rare chance." To which she replied in her majesty's finest english, "'Ere, why don't you stand a bit closer to the edge and say that!"

The pics of the old church alongside the river are where Bill Shakespeare's remains are buried - Holy Trinity. Then I took the bridge pic because I don't often see a 600 year old one. I like the pics of the old houses, 'cause I wanted Nick Burns to see what happens to your building lines when you knock off at lunch time and have a pint or two. Blimey! I'll never use a spirit-level again.

We were worn out from walking and so in the afternoon we went for a drive in the Warwickshire countryside. Down lanes and over little bridges, always having to pull over to let another car past, that's how narrow they are. We kept happening upon little villages with a few little crooked houses, a pub and the inevitable village parish church. the pic of Judy and I together is outside a little pub where we stopped for a break.

We skipped lunch today because of all our gadding about, so we're looking forward to having traditional English "fish and chips" for din dins.

Tomorrow we'll load up our suitcases and set off for Cumbria and our lakeside timeshare place that we'll call home for next week. It's just down the road from Village Levens and Levens Hall, apparently famous for its topiary. We'll be sure to post some pics from there.

Ye Olde (and Molde) Vicar & Wife in England

An early rise in Paris and the arduous haul from our little apartment to Charles de Gaulle airport, on to Heathrow, passing over Normandy and the white cliffs of Dover (I didn't realise that they are only a stones throw apart... my old speedboat could make it across in less than 30 min), onto a bus for the 75 minute ride to Oxford, home of the world's oldest university. We got to get better aquainted with it than we anticipated, as the photo shows a forlorn Jude leaning against the Uni wall while I try to rustle up a taxi to take us to our rental car place.

We thought Oxford was pretty cute until we cruised into our home for the next two days, Stratford-Upon-Avon. It is drop-dead gorgeous. We had thought that we had seen the smallest hotel on earth in Paris. We were wrong!!! We squeezed into our little 2nd story room in an ancient building on Arden Street (Mary Arden was Shakespeare's old mum - see photo with Jude outside) but it's right in the centre of town and just a few yards from Bill's birthplace (see photo - his is the one with all the flowers). Only 500 years old.

We wandered around taking snaps of the beautiful little buildings and shops, some not much bigger than a kid's cubby house. Yet they are ancient. When I saw some of the sloping beams etc, I felt better about my building work back home.

Tomorrow we'll wander about town and go to the Avon River. It's warm today but the locals said it was cold, windy and wet just a few days ago. We had to use the AC in the car! In England! Must be no cricket on....

Under the Parisian Sun

Summer came to Paris today, in the form of 30 degrees - nice. We left the jumpers at home and completed our final obligatory touristy thing - visited the Louvre. After an hour or so in the Italian Paintings, wondering what all the fuss is about (the Mona Lisa) - enjoying Da Vinci and friends, we had had enough of madding crowds and the demonic oppressiveness of the place. It IS impressive, I guess I just prefer David Hadley's stuff.

We decided to escape to the outer areas of the city and try to find where the Parisians go. We got off the metro at no-name places and lunched on the river, walked through some gardens and felt like we discovered the romance of Paris. The flowers, the boats, the river, the cafes, the bicycles, french bread, leafy trees, berets and all the Parisian smokers (the no-smoking message hasn't reached here yet).

The most difficult thing for Aussies to adjust to is the "invasion of your personal space." Tables in cafes are within inches of each other and you touch elbows with a stranger as you eat. It's a case of "you go ahead and I'll take a bite after you." Or, "is that your croissant or mine?"

So, we're off to "old blighty" tomorrow to catch up with Charles and Camilla. After lunch at Windsor we train to Oxford, pick up a hire car and stay for 2 nights at Stratford-Upon-Avon. Hope the weather's good.

On Top of the World, or "Mr Bean goes to Paris..."

We slept poorly... but the upside was an early start to avoid the lines at the Eiffel Tower. It worked... half an hour and we were standing on the next level below the summit and enjoying what countless thousands have done. The view over all of Paris is breath-taking and the photos don't do justice to the experience of gazing over some of the most ancient and historical real estate on the planet.

On this trip, we decided to NOT do cities, with this one exception. We're glad we made it. Having said that, we're also glad that we will leave on Thursday morning. The crowds are enormous, as American families make the most of Summer break. The costs of things is also a factor - I'll never complain about paying $4 for my morning latte at GJ's again, after paying $14 for two regular coffees.

We have been surprised at how helpful locals have been and thought that the comments we had heard must have been wrong. All that changed when the waiter at our restaurant tonight set out to prove it all true. (An exception).

A good night's sleep will be welcome. These poor old knees have done some milage today... the steps at Montmartre are numerous to say the least. Knowing Spanish helps with understanding and we find it hard not to answer in it. A natural reaction I guess. Au Revoir and hasta tomorrow (now where's "Teddy?")

In Paris.....!!!

We have arrived in Paris, mid day Monday and we're either already intoxicated by this lovely city, or dizzy with travel and lack of sleep. Perhaps all three!!

Our hotel is a delightful little boutique establishment quite near the centre and on the Metro route. It is the tiniest hotel room we've ever seen... a king-size bed with about half a metre of space around it plus and ensuite. But it's very chic and newly renovated, modern and clean. The lady at the front desk took pity on us and allowed us an early check in and then took the time to sit with us and explain all the sights and how to use the metro. Very kind.... merci Jesus!

We've had a quick nap to overcome to sleep deprivation and we're off to explore. (Think I'll leave my All Blacks jumper in the suitcase here)

"Later..." We posted the pics after the walk (obviously) and no one can prepare you for how massive the Arc is. The "Champs" was fun and walking around in the sun at 9:30pm is a bit weird. Judy insisted on having her photo taken with our "cute" waiter.

.."where the deer and the antelope play..."

Home on the range... yes, to our utter amazement, the deer and the antelope DO still play on the Colorado range and in great abundance. Today, as we drove the four hours to Denver from Alamosa, we passed through many small American towns. they are SO, SO like they appear on TV shows or western movies.

We stopped half-way to visit Pat and heather's daughter Jamie and her family. They live in a very small tow called Buena Vista, and it is indeed a "good view" of the amazing Rockies, with 6 mountains higher than 14,000 feet in sight from their back deck. Grazing in the streets and chomping on hedges, lawns and trees are the free-ranging deer and antelope. Yesterday we saw Elk, but didn't manage a snap.

The view while driving is spectacular and one can almost anticipate seeing a brown or black bear on the hills any moment. Unfortunately we didn't, but they are also abundant. I could breathe this clear, cool mountain air forever. I wish I could bottle it.

And so, down the hillside and into Denver - big city!! We stay overnight and then to Paris, France where they report the temperature at 22oC max. Brrrr.

We will miss Patrick and Heather and our farewell at the hotel today was emotional. we have so much enjoyed each other's company and we are amazed at how similar our spiritual journal and aspirations are. We have been encouraged by one another and our friendship is deeper than ever. They promise to visit Brisbane, but we'll see..... Last night we had a great leaders meeting at their home and the Lord's presence was heavy and strong while I shared. we prayed for them all and for Pat and Heather. Everyone wept.

Next report from Paris. Au revoir

Rocky Mountain HIGH-ER

Today we climbed to 10,850 feet over the San Juan Mountain Range. It seems strange to see sights that for years in Western movies have made them so familiar. The landscape could be from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. We travel through many Small American towns… Alamosa, Monte Vista, del Norte… they are just as imagined. Many quaint houses, tree-lined streets, cowboys wandering across the road. Then in the country-side we pass the red barns, grazing horses of all breeds, including the famous Appalossa.

We saw a group of elk today, antlers held high sniffing the breeze. There are plenty of deer, squirrels and chipmunks. At night we hear the coyotes howling and Pat tells me that they never go walking at night without their handgun… this is America!!

At the summit we stopped and strandled the brass plate that depicts the great divide, the centre-line through the USA. From that line all the water runs either east or west.

The photos show some of today’s scenery, as well as the mobile home of our friends Noelene and JB. It is an amazing piece of machinery… it has a full-size shower, good size double bedroom and all the things that open and close. They tow their small Suzuki car behind and then a trailer behind that!! Then there’s the saddle – I went into a store called the Big R. Inside all the cowboy supplies you can imagine. The store is frequented by the Amish community near here.

Rocky Mountain High

Sunday morning we took the service in River of Life Church, Alamosa. A great service – preached on being “Eagle Christians,” a topic they can relate to as eagles continuously circle above the mountain peaks all around.

The town of Alamosa is set inside the US’s highest mountain valley – the San Luis Valley which is bordered on the west by the Rocky Mountains and on the east by the cordillera San Juan. The air is thin and we get easily puffed with exertion. The air is also very pure and nice to breath.

Wildlife abounds and at night we listen to the coyotes and owls and today in the Sangre de Cristo mountains we kept a sharp lookout for bears, but alas saw none. We did see a dear and although we were assured that there are buffalo around there, we failed to catch a glimpse.

The photos show us trekking up through the mountains to a waterfall. The water is freezing and much against Judy’s protestations we paddled through it when there were no stepping stones… brrrrr. Another pic shows us outside a 100 year old hut for the pony express riders.

Once up the mountains we could look back down on the incredibly flat plains of the valley where our friends Patrick and Heather live and minister. Tonight we plan a walk in the dark countryside of Pat Heather’s 10 acre spread and as usual Pat will pack his handgun in case of coyotes, owls or other local inhabitants. According to him, most locals carry a handgun – hmmmm…..

Saw some Appaloosa horses today Jules and although we haven’t seen any yet, they tell us there are plenty of authentic cowpokes in town. Maybe tomorrow we’ll mosy on down to the saloon and see them.