Blogs from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe - page 2

Thursday August 21,2014 Awoke in Portsmouth with blue skies and some sun but the weather was playing tricks with everybody. I went downstairs and greeted everyone around 8:45 am. I had a nice breakfast then I walked back upstairs to change. After breakfast and "english" tea, we all went outside because it was very beautiful. I went to watch Philippa and Jeremy play tennis against Hermione and Jim, in the end the parents beat the "youngsters"! Great Rallies! Good game played by all! Around 10:35 am, I went with Jeremy to pick up a cousin of Philippa and a 2nd cousin once removed for Hermione & I. Jane Watkeys comes from Swansea, Wales and she is a retired doctor! It was great to see and catch up with all of her news! Later on, we set ... read more

August 6,2013 London and Portsmouth United Kingdom Arrived Heathrow Airport in London England around 9:45 am .....UK time. Sally met me and we got something to eat while still at the airport. At 10:07...we were on our way to Portsmouth. Sally drove us around the M25 towards Hampshire....Portsmouth where my aunt Philippa and uncle Jeremy live. The journey took us just under two hours and we were both relieved when the both of us got out of the car. I looked at my watch and it read.....11:35 am. A long trip for Sally to drive all that way and I am grateful! The two of us walked through the gate and were greeted by my aunt Philippa and two dogs. Shaka....all black Labrador and Scallywags....a mix terrier and Air dale who was bigger. It was going ... read more

Getting an early start on Friday, well 9.30am is pretty good for us; we pointed Georgie in the direction of St Michaels Mount….. Woolly says – Another one for my I Spy book, I was very excited until we arrived and could just make out the mount but with no possible means of getting there, I would have swum but Jo voted against this – no idea why!!!!! Ian was all for it and wanted me to take rocks for ballast!!! We re-programmed the two squawking females and set off to find Pendennis Castle, another one for my book. One hour later we gave up, the castle seems to have disappeared, neither of the females could find it neither could Jo even using maps and looking eagerly for brown signs, a bit of a mystery. Taking ... read more

With just over two weeks to go until I leave Southsea, I'm starting to wonder when the sunshine will ever reappear! Days on end of overcast skies have brought with them sleet and snow and temperatures remain barely over freezing. My preparations in the mean time continue afoot and these have included a trial ride up to Woodlow Farm in Herefordshire where I have lived for the past year whilst working as a Flying Instructor. My Thorn Nomad expedition bike seems to be holding up well, coping with both the enormous combined weight of rider and equipment. I hasten to add that I am now a trim 12 stone 8 ibs instead of the 14 Stone 3 ibs bloater I was whilst teaching flying! No dodgy remarks there please! My route from Portsmouth to Frome Hill ... read more

Bags are packed. Double checked I have everything. Finally time to say goodbye to the family who I won’t see for 3 weeks. My 4 year old hyperactive twins were shouting "Take me with you...I want to climb a mountain" My 18 year old daughter was "Yeah whatever, see you when you get back" as she was busy fixing her headphones to her ears. My lovely wife (and me too) were a bit emotional - but probably for different reasons. For me, the excitement and trepidation of the journey I was embarking on, and that I would miss the family whilst away, And for my wife the thought of having to manage 2 mini tornadoes single handily for the next 3 weeks.... read more