Blogs from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe

6 months ago we sat on a train leaving behind the people we love, our jobs and all the anxiety that went into planning and saving for our trip. That feeling of letting go of everything, the feeling of . . . "THIS IS IT!!. . it's just us and our backpacks!!" . . . will stay with me forever. We have gone from the depths of Mumbai in a room with no windows, things crawling across the bed and the beauty of India that is "organized chaos" to a Penthouse apartment over looking Sydney with all that westernized culture has to offer. The journey from Mumbai to Sydney has been humbling, a journey with highs and lows and one that taught us a lot about the world, ourselves and each other. We have been lucky ... read more

Glyn and I started planning the USA trip this week. The flights are booked and I am so excited that I could pop. We will start the trip by visiting Tim and Stacey in Tacoma, They already have much planned including Snoqualmie Falls, Mt. Rainier, Tacoma stuff as well as a bit of Seattle. And Stacey will be making homemade icecream and cakes. Stacey and Tim made our wedding cake and it was awesome, so I look forward to more cakes.They are also planning a party in our honour, so we are very chuffed! One thing I've always wanted to do since seeing 'Return of the Jedi' is visit the Great Redwood forests, so we shall do this and also fulfill another childhood dreams of driving through a redwood - one of those already with a ... read more

Alton Towers and Surrounding Area by Benjamin Cox Description My family went here in 2008. The area is very neat being in the Moors. There are lots of hills and small back roads. The area has beautiful countryside with lots of things to do whether you want to be active with walks or bike rides, shopping, theme park, etc. Where we stayed We stayed at Crowtrees Farm Bed and Breakfast. Its a nice little farm in the countryside. Breakfast is taken to order. We enjoyed staying here. "Crowtrees is a working farm offering Bed and Breakfast accommodation in the Staffordshire Moorlands. The 200 year old farmhouse has views across the picturesque Churnet Valley. We have sheep and depending upon the time of year there maybe lambs to see. Come and meet the goats, Billy and Bobby." ... read more

Hi, Well I hope we all know where we are going just in case here is a link to a map & map with directions http://www.holidayextras.co.uk/theme-parks/alton-towers/directions.html I will import info from face book on here - assuming my technology skills can cope with that! Hope you like the idea of getting to know who you will be having fun with at Alton Towers So far its looking like this: Friday night The Aussie contingent will be: Michael & Lynn Jackson, Denise & Ireland Hall. UK mob - Steph,Andrew & Evie; Jane, Ben and Anna; Eddy& Karen Solbrandt; Sarah,Paul,Amelia & Frank; Sue,Dermot,Annaleese & Jorden; Jo, Mark,Rose & James Saturday night: The Aussie contingent again (its a long way to come for just one night) UK mob - Jane, Ben and Anna; Sarah,Paul,Amelia & Frank; Paula,Alex& Joe; Sue,Dermot,Annaleese ... read more

If you want to see the rest of the photos from the party go on to and click on the leaving party Albulm ... read more