Crumpets and Scones

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I've made it to London in one piece, taking the Eurostair train through the Chunnel underneath the ocean and into England on Monday evening.

It was a bit of a let down to be honest. I had myself so excited about going in an underwater train (that's the reason I didn't fly in the first place) and wasn't really aware that I'd just be in a dark tunnel for 15 minutes and emerge in another country!

Even so, it was nice to see a kiwi face waiting for me when I got out of Customs.

I'm staying with Dominic Storey - a fellow kiwi, good friend and driver from back home who is living up here in Milton Keynes competing in single seaters this year.

This place is great. Not only is it motorsport central (Brendon Hartley is just downstairs, and there are six other Formula 3, Formula Renault and Renault World Series drivers within the vacinity) but everything is within close reach - Sainsbury's supermarket below, gym across the road, mall and foodcourt on the other side.

This is where I'd love to live if in 2010 our plans come to fruition.

My first impressions of England (well, the second really, but I can't remember much of 1996) were brief, as Dom and I travelled to Wales on Tuesday evening and he was testing in British F3 at Pembrey on Wednesday - a circuit which once apparently held high profile European events, but has facilities that would be outclassed by the club circuits back in NZ.



When we made it back to the UK, Dom and I spent today at the gym and then took the train into London this evening, where we tucked into a Sushi Train for dinner and were treated to a really nice evening at New Zealand House.

We were invited by the New Zealand High Commission and the New Zealand Embassy to their 18th floor Penthouse, right above Buckingham Palace, in close view of Big Ben and not far from the big ferris wheel either!

This gave us both a chance to do a bit of casual networking with ex-pat kiwi business people at the New Zealand Society Members Evening, where kiwi Comedian Raybon Kan was also on hand to provide some comic relief during the evening.

The evening itself was typically kiwi - wines and beer from our home land, as was the nibbles and snacks as well. They even had K-Bars and Minties brought over especially to make everyone feel at home!

Dom and I threw in five quid to a raffle the Society had going and of the 100 people there and the four prize packs up for grabs, my numbers were drawn for two of them, so I now have a few bottles of classy wine and quality coffee beans to give to the family back home when I return!

Dom and I are off to Donington at the crack of dawn tomorrow where he will be racing this weekend, and we'll be back at base on Sunday evening.

Take care!

Jono

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Photos

Off for some Training
in Milton Keynes.

New Zealand House
The Penthouse awaits!

Good Times
London from a birds-eye view.

Comments

[craigo]

hay dude.
keen on coffee beans,you just missed amuri she was in london last week. safe travels.say hi to london for me.

[rebecca]

related
Hi Jono, Iam a distant relative of yours - living in England for past 21 years but born in NZ! Great to see you doing so well in your motor racing career, my partner (a motor sport enthusiast) often checks out your wedsite. My family all live down on the South Coast near Brighton should you feel the urge to head this way. Enjoy the UK. Rebecca. (daughter of Aurther K).