Debra Humphries
I was teaching in Oz and after 32 years I chose to quit to have fun and grow in other global ways. First stop London.Debudha
Travel Blog Posts
August 1st 2008
Oban is a delightful port town - the exit point for the islands of Mull, Iona, Barra, Jamieson - but because I couldn't get any accommodation on the islands (booked out for all the EU/UK holiday makers!) I didn't go there - will go later. Spent several days walking around and chatting with the locals and savouring the fresh seafood. Walked up the 167 steps to the picturesque romanesque 'tower' built by this wealthy bloke to his own memory - he employed stonemasons in the wintertime (at reduced rates) so that their families didn't starve, so he was at least trying to be philanthropic! It was never completed to the grand plan of a hotel, so it's known as a folley. Basically, I wanted to rest and relax here in the seaside ambience, eating fish n ... read more
Back on Terra Firma!
Published: July 26th 2008Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Stirlingshire » Stirling
July 22nd 2008
Well, that was a fabulous cruise - apart from the extravagant cost (I paid 4 times the amount the people in the cabin opposite me paid and they had an additional £150 upgrade!) - I found out that the cost is directly proportional to my ability to bargain and not to do it in a travel agent but on the net - I live and (hopefully) learn! So, flew into Edinburgh on Friday 4th at 7am, dumped my BLOODY heavy suitcase in the train lockup (£12!!!) and walked the Royal Mile and got the obligatory photo outside Edinburgh castle with the guard on duty (how they must be SO bored with that) and did the national Museum, had a soup and roll, collected the BLOODY heavy suitcase and headed via bus to the Ocean Terminal where ... read more
July 2nd 2008
Note: I screwed up uploading the photos - they're on the last entry! Doreen has been a gem - she is 73 yrs young, lives independently, still working part time, is a committee member at her local club and goes dancing every Saturday night! She has driven me all over The New Forrest (designated hunting grounds way back to King ) and pointed out beautiful places - Burley (where the annual Sweet Pea competition/exhibition was on - just amazing the size of the blooms and PERFUME en masse was stunning), Beaulie (ancient stone manor house in beautiful gardens/lawns acreage - home to the Motor Show collection of classic cars), Lyndhurst (lots of wild horses roaming over the grounds - all free to do so under law). Drove me to Bournemouth - went on the Bournemouth Eye ... read more
June 23rd 2008
Sunday - went down Fleet Street and passed a group of elderly men all dressed up in their respective defence uniforms - it was Normandy Invasion Rememberance Day and they were marching to the Cenotaph - complete with their own marching band in red coats and those BIG bearskin hats! It was a very solemn ceremony and then they marched on to 'disappear' into 10 Downing Street to be hosted for lunch - very moving as some of them were in wheel chairs, on walking sticks etc... and all of them were very focused and marched proudly - like riding a bike, you never forget. Moved on to Tate Britain where the REAL paintings are - bowled over again by the beauty and skill of the old time painters - give me Linnell over Constable any ... read more
June 14th 2008
Well a much easier week than last ' cause I've slowed down! Tuesday - visited Lambeth Garden Museum - a small delightful 17th century garden in a Cathedral setting - and walked the length of Hungerford to Lambeth Bridges observing the street theatre (some of it was excellent) on the south side past the London Eye, which I will 'do' later with Doreen and then to Westminster Cathedral (Catholic) for vespers sung by a single boy soprano (sublime) and was awed by the mosaic roof n walls currently being produced - if it ever gets finished it will rival St Pauls 'cause they WILL do the LOT! Wednesday - wandered along Oxford St, in and out of shops and noted the fantastic variety of clothing fashions n shoes (Oh, to be able to wear 5" high ... read more
June 8th 2008
Well - exhaustion and aching feet are the result of week one - overwhelmed with history and exquisite "stuff" - jewels, calligraphy, clothing, buildings, paintings, shows, monuments, people watching etc.... Thanks to everyone who emailed or blogged on to say hi and give me their precious support - really appreciated it. Homestay is disappointing - the word 'tolerate' seems to fit here - they of me - I think they are so use to students (read young and thoughtless) that they overlook the fact I'm 52 yrs old - the add said that there was a loungeroom with terrace attached - true but I am not invited to use it - in fact I haven't been 'allowed' past the front door entry which immediately enters the kitchen - no cooking allowed as the students wrecked the ... read more
May 30th 2008
A rather long (24hrs 15mins) but not too arduous flight with plenty of tasty food as well - that's got to be a bonus for airline cuisine! Pickup driver met me easily and the homestay is with a down to earth couple. The room is SMALL but heh, I only want to sleep there. Slept for only a few hours on the plane - the seat beside me was empty - a small luxury there. So I'm out and about - bought ticket to this evenings 'Spamalot' Monty Python production at the palace theatre 5.15pm and then to sleep! Tomorrow is the Big Red Bus tour of London - jump on, jump off - and a river cruise to boot. Trafalgar Square is teeming with tourists and I'm one of them. The National Portrait Gallery calls ... read more
May 24th 2008
Nearly packed - only 5 days to go and then it's London. Farewells were good but teary - after 32 years of togetherness with two of my favourite females a break of a few years is daunting. However, I have resigned my teaching position after 32 years and now I'm off to see how the others live and play.... read more
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