first stop - Queniborough

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Well after much hard work on the computer and about 400 emails later, house redecorated and throughly spring-cleaned, we finally boarded our flight out of Perth in Western Australia to our stopover location to England in Hong Kong. Having previously been allowed thru Checkin at the airport with up to 32 kg on all previous long distance flights, we had been more careful and packed to only 27 kg to be on the safe side, but still acquired a fee of $110 each for being 2 kg overweight - it just gets sillier. A long flight but acceptable as we had booked an aisle seat and a window seat, leaving a gap inbetween which worked - we got a spare seat between us for extra comfort. Arrived in Hong Kong tired and crumpled and caught taxi to hotel - comfortable and good location. Caught the SkyRail to Tnom Ping and despite my heart being in my mouth really enjoyed the fantastic view. So much smog though! Got back to hotel and had a bit of a walk round local area and then had a meal - back to hotel for a decent sleep. Same problem with baggage at airport with being "overweight" but this time charged for being 2 kg over 23 kg!! AARRGH!



Landed at Heathrow and caught bus to Leicester after first being told Mike must renew his UK passport to be able to stay in England! Wonderful to see my sister Shirley again who kindly picked us up at the bus station in Leicester and took us to our first swappers' house in Queniborough, about five miles north of Leicester. Weather cool but sunny and a welcome change from the heat we had left behind in Perth. Mick and Val had arranged for their friends Sue and Rick to meet us at the house and show us necessary stuff. Queniborough lovely little village with a street of thatched cottages and three pubs! Mike unable to walk far as he had managed to wreck his knee during our garden revamp in Perth. Did local things including Grantham, Newarke and also the Workhouse at Nottingham - very forbidding building and so cold inside - couldn't help imagining the poor wretches who had been incarcerated there in the past. Went down to Coventry Transport museum which was really great and then on to Baddesley Manor nearby - have joined National Trust as there are so many places to visit.Drove up to the Peak District for a couple of days and stayed at huge gothic hotel in Buxton. Went to see Chatsworth House - very impressive - then we drove on to Matlock Bath - brilliant scenery and so many historical places once again eg Arkwright's

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Photos

Queniborough house
garden just beginning to show daffodils and spring flowers, being 3 April

view from back garden
lovely view of fields from lounge room