Darts and Janelle in the UK

July 15-28, 2007

Even though it had been 14 months since I'd seen Dad and 10 months since I'd seen Janelle, it felt like I'd seen them only a week or so ago.

We cured any jetlag with a hearty home cooked roast dinner and a big sleep then set off north to York. AFter spending a few hours wandering around, Fi had already declared she'd like to live there. It had a very nice, old, Englishy but happening and stylish feel about it. As well as plenty of history. The minster was a highlight, as was the walk around the town wall and Big Ian's Pub Quiz. We came last (as expected) but our team name was "At Least We've Got The Ashes!"

We spent a couple of days driving around the scenic Yorkshire Dales, stopping for as many walks as Dad could handle. (We did our best to wear him out) One thing he couldn't stop being amazed about was the green grass. Theakstons Black Sheep Brewery offered a very convenient distraction. And James Herriots old vet practice, TV studio and house, now converted into an interesting veterinary museum was very enjoyable (luckily, I passed the 'are you fit enough to be a vet' test!)

We visited the Lake District where we did more walks, more driving and more tasting of local food and beverages. We nearly killed our 1.2L hire car by trying to drive it up a 25% incline with a heavy load. Got a nice burning smell from the clutch!

The scenery up here was amazing, which meant stopping regularly for photos. Fi and Janelle both became pretty handy at out the window snaps from the moving car.

The weather hadn't been too bad thus far, mostly overcast but with sunny spells. But at the end of this week, Englands long run of floods began. We had to drive through some aweful conditions. But it all cleared 30 minutes from Felsted. (We really are blessed with the best of the English weather in East Anglia) Just as well because we had a cricket match to play!

Dad had brought his whites hopeing to get a game, but I knew we wouldn't be short for this weekend. Fortunately, the opposition were one man down. Dad was stoked. Even after standing in the field as the rain clouds rolled in sending down a chilling, steady drizzle. Welcome to English cricket Dad!

He also got a bat, celebrated as if he'd scored a ton, after getting a single run on the board. He went on to make 7 runs that he never would have dreamed makeing before, and avoided facing any of my 'potentially lethal' deliveries.

After a few days chilling around Felsted, a dinner at Jamie Oliver's parents' pub, a day visit to Cambridge and helping Fi and I pack up our house, we went into London for a few days. We did all the touristy things, got on a big red open top bus, wen down the Thames on a boat, wen for a ride on the London Eye and bought Mum a promised gift from Harrods. After all that we'd finally worn Dad out and it was time for him to go.

Janelle was off to Ireland for 10 days, while Fi and I spent a day at the Ben and Jerry's Icecream Festival - all you can eat icecream! We had our first, albiet brief, taste of proper English summer weather. I worked a solid week in Tiddington near Oxford while Fi was homebody for a week.

Then our 6 months of hardcore travelling, unemployment and homelessness was about to begin!