Blogs from Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom, Europe - page 4

The Cotswolds deserve their reputation. Everything you've heard about them is probably true, even the cliche's! Yes they are quintessentially English, they are post card picturesque, they are the playground for the well to do and the 'Champagne Charlies' from the cities, the are quaint, charming and really quite beguiling and yes every village does serve cream teas, pork pies, fish and chips, pasties (which they pronounce nothing like we don't!) and ice-creams but not all at once! From Chipping Campden via Stow on the Wold, Long Compton and Little Compton, Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter to Bourton on the Water Even the place names are enchanting! Apart from not being able to see over the hedgerows for half the journey the drive is delightful. We keep off the main arterial roads which means frequent 'disorientations' ... read more

Thought I'd write my first ever blog entry to get some practice. My flight leaves London Gatwick at 10am on Saturday 24th June. I am currently trying to work out what I need to take and what I actually have room for. This is quite tricky as I am flying to Delhi and then joining an organised tour with, I believe 9 other people catching a train north to Kalka at the start of the foothills where I transfer to a 'toy' train as they call them in India. This will take up to Shimla. This is a narrow gauge train taking some five hours. The 97km train trip passes through 103 tunnels, 18 stations and over 24 bridges. Fifty years in the making, this incredible feat of engineering was completed in 1897. Then after we ... read more

Geo: 51.8667, -2.24867Set alarm for 05:30 but we are both awake before then. I pop to 7/11 for coffees to accompany our croissants as we finalise our packing arrangements.Check-out about 06:30 and take a taxi to Suvarnabhumi. There had been an accident on the superhighway and traffic was moving slowly but at least it was still moving. We are still at the airport not much after 07:00 before our check-in desks have been announced. We settle down near the BA area and wait for the check-in to open.Drop off bags then go towards departure lounge. The place is full of Chinese travellers again who have little idea of queueing and manners ... they definitely need their own terminal !! Really long queues through security but once we reach immigration I dodge the crowds and pass through ... read more

Ive travelled long, Ive travelled wide Searching deep for peace inside We travelled together, I travelled alone Yet could not find that place called home....... Its been 38 years since I first went in search of something. At 18 years old I didnt know such deep concepts as 'home', for me it was adventure, culture, learning that called. Leaving home was, well not really a big deal. Untill now. My first trip was to NZ, via Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and somewhere that Ive forgotten now. Over the years Ive globe trotted here and there, and yes I guess on reflection not only was I exploring new environments, meeting new people, discovering new ways of being I was also discovering different aspects of myself. There would be places and people I felt really touched by, feeling that ... read more

Geo: 51.9301, -1.72382 So, yesterday we headed out to Blenheim Palace to look around. It was about a 25 minute drive. So far, I have not hit anything, including Stacy. Ha,ha. I did make one error though. A woman slowed so we could turn right from a side street. I was so intent on watching her that I just turned without looking to the right. A van was coming and he braked and honked at me as I pulled out in front of him. Whoops!!! We arrived at Blenheim Palace in one piece and went inside. This palace is the only palace that is owned by a private citizen. Actually, Winston Churchill was born here. His parents were visiting the 9th Duke of Marlborough at the palace when she went into labor. Winston Churchill is buried ... read more