Blogs from South Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe - page 7

Chatsworth - a slice of how the "other half" live - or at least how they did in Victorian times. This historic home is reputedly one of the best of those open to visit in England, and after viewing the many treasures inside and walking the grounds, it's not hard to see why. Little Cocky and Alexander enjoyed the hedge maze and animal farmyard the best, while the rest of us soaked up the fine art in the sumptuous house, and the beautiful gardens and grounds. You simply cannot grow gardens the same under Australian conditions. Compared to the gardens at home, everything in England appears to have an aura of softness about it, lush, verdant greenery that simply isn't repeated in Australia in the same way. It's a completely different type of garden atmosphere in ... read more

The thing I love about Europe is ... well, Europe itself, with its mixture of cultures and languages. For instance take the Italian town of Villabassa where I stayed in the Dolomites, which actually also has the (German) name of Niederdof - how confusing is that? Well, not very apparently to the locals. Most businesses advertise in both languages with hotels and cafes adding English to their menus. Reluctantly leaving those fantastic Dolomite Mountains it was back to Venice overnight and a Ryanair flight to Stanstead Airport (one of three international airports servicing London). Re Ryanair; I suggest that if you’re considering flying with these budget carriers, check out deals with the regular carriers (eg BA etc) first. Reason being that if you add up all the hidden extra costs, there appears to be not much ... read more

Susan: It's hard to sum up the last 7mths as I've experienced such a range of emotions. I said to Rob the other day that already looking back on it, it all seems a bit unreal, like I've been watching somebody else doing all this stuff. In one way time seems to have flown and I know that after being back home a few days it'll be like we've never been away and these 7mths will appear to have been just a blip on our horizons. Yet in another way it's like an age has passed since we were living the mundane, routine 9-5 life and we've really missed family and friends. Though we've managed to keep in pretty regular contact with them and they tell you all the big news, it's the day to day ... read more

This time tomorrow I'll (hopefully) be in the air, enjoying the in-flight entertainment & catering provided by Qatar Airways, and well on the way on leg one of the trip. I was asked if I was nervous or apprehensive about it all. Honest answer has to be no. I'm not nervous or apprehensive, there are little bugs that I think about but it's nothing that will stop me sleeping tonight (although I'll be keeping a notebook & pen at the side of the bed for the middle of the night wake-ups for things not to forget, just in case!). I was also asked if I was excited. I don't feel it at the moment. At the station tomorrow might be different, transferring at Doha different again, and by the time I arrive in Nairobi on Thursday ... read more

I'm writing this exactly three weeks before we are due to leave the familiar chilly climate of Sheffield. Just so you know, we are very excited! Lots of things are coming to an end now including jobs, gym contracts, car insurances etc and it seems a little strange realising how tied down/into things you actually are. FYI: companies do not like letting you out of said contracts early or for free! Anyway, jabs are done, flat is (almost) packed and we have 9 working days left. Wow...... read more