Blogs from Newport, Wales, United Kingdom, Europe

British Tour – Highlights - Blog II The principle reason for visiting the UK was to travel to Newport, Wales to honour our friend’s late uncle who had been a Medical Doctor in Wales and who participated in the founding of a hospice in that area. Before the day of the plaque unveiling and while in the area we took the opportunity to visit Cardiff Castle and Tredegar house. Using the British Rail system, we travelled across the country to Norwich where we ended our stay in England. Once again, the principle reason for visiting the area was to visit with relatives; our friend’s sister, and one of my cousins. Our accommodation for our four day stay in the city was at the Maid’s Head Hotel, which has been in existence since the late 1200’s. Norwich ... read more

well, my dear readers, this is most certainly your lucky day. Not only shall I regale you with reports from two different trips, but from two different countries !!!!! I know, the excitement is so much, that your correspondent has had to resort to cider, while Cusco has had to go for a lie down just thinking about it - certainly a tough life being a spaniel. The first adventure in this blog, takes us from the relative safety of Dorset, to the wild, untamed land that is called Hampshire, home of Portsmouth but thankfully, we were situated in a campsite near Fordingbridge called Sandy Balls. Now, many people have accused your correspondent of being cruel at choosing such a campsite so soon after Cusco had been castrated, but as previously mentioned - certainly a tough ... read more

In the summer of 2010 I went on an adventure. With no available companions and very little funding I made a decision to set off alone from South Wales in order to, wander Normandy during the annual D-Day memorial services, spectate the awe of the world famous Le Mans 24hr endurance race and then to Southern France where I would bask in the glitz and glamour that is Monaco. Preparations began around May time, in my home town of Newport, South Wales. As a student at Coventry University on summer break, that would not conclude until early October, I had a lot of free time ahead. The idea of working for the entirety of the following three months was not an option. I had to think of things to do. I had landed a job for ... read more

Well, it’s been 3 weeks since I was meant to be on that flight to Toronto with Anne & Denise and I’ve got to say that I’ve been surprised at how well I’ve coped with the disappointment of not going. This was probably down to the fact that I had postponed my flight to the 15th July and again had a date to focus on and look forward to. As I couldn’t change the destination of my flight, the plan was to fly to Toronto, stay 1 night and get a flight the next day to Ottawa to meet up with the girls, just in time to experience the Rockies a few days later. Although I really wanted to see Niagara Falls & visit Montreal, I consoled myself with the fact that I would have the ... read more

With less than a week to go, I have faced many dilemmas. · Whether to start watching Big Brother knowing that I won’t be able to see the whole series. · Whether to have malaria tablets with possible side effects of psychotic/suicidal thoughts or a skin rash that’s sensitive to sunlight. · But more seriously I have had to make a decision on whether to actually fly out on Saturday. My preparations have been seriously hampered by being ill for the past month and even though it looked like I was getting better last week, I’ve had a set back and have made the sensible, but gut-wrenching decision not to fly to Toronto on Saturday with Anne & Denise. Although, I am hoping to join them in a few weeks, depending on my recovery and the ... read more