Well so much to say. I have been very busy (and lazy) and haven't updated my blog in ages.
First comes first. Was very surprised by Mum and Bree's arrival. Didn't recognise them because they had haircuts and then I was just shocked. Unfortunately Nan had pulled her tendon behind her knee on the plane and came off on a wheel chair. We spent the first day in the hospital. Luckily her friends from the country came and got her a couple of days early and they have a very wheelchair friendly house. Only had two nights in London, but it was good to see her.
Once Nan had gone I played tour guide and took Mum and Bree to high tea at a fancy hotel in Picadilly, Buckingham Palace, and shopping at a massive rebel sport like shop which is super cheap and 7 levels. We all went a little mad! Then we saw a show (Billy Elliot). Was a great show and we had lots of fun getting around London in the 'london rush' as Bree calls it.
The next day was full of preparation for our wicked camper trip. Walked around my 'hood' and got tarps, lanterns, food, and most importantly booze! It is very cheap in the supermarkets here and mum and Bree were like kids in a candy store. You can buy two litres of cider for about $3.50, and vodka pre mix drinks are also dirt cheap.
Mum and Bree ended up with an Elvis van with 'im all shook up on the back', and Jayden and I with Bart Simpson 'i'm bart simpson who the hell are you?' Needless to say we didn't loose each other on the motor ways. Our first night was in York. We set up the vans, cooked some tea and started to drink the booze. Essential camping stuff. The next day we walked around the medieval town, went into the York minster cathedral (the head of the Church of England), tasted produce at the food and wine market, ate heaps of fudge because there was about 20 different flavours, and ate cornish pasties.
Next stop- Ullswater lake. Definitely worth the trip. Beautiful camping park right on the lake. People fishing and sailing very picturesque. We met a young guy Phil and his girlfriend from Preston who came and had some drinks with us on our first night. Phil has been backpacking around Australia, absolutely loved it and is planning to immigrate to Melbourne in a couple of years. The next day Phil let us ride in his kayaks. We all had a go (even mum), but we were all scared of falling in as even though it was a nice day the water would be bloody cold. Jayden loved it, and before you know had kayaked out of sight. We went on a 6 km hike that afternoon. A rocky path overlooking the lake. Lots of fun. At every hill we had to encourage mum to 'live a little'.
Took a cruise along the lake, explored little English towns and their pubs, and just took in the beautiful scenery. Definitely the prettiest part of England I have been to.
Once back in London 'Tucker Tours' recommenced. Oxford street (more shopping), and a bike tour along the Thames taking in all the quintessential London sights, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, St Pauls Cathedral, changing of the guard, The Globe theatre and Borough market for a tasty lunch. We headed home with sore bums but a smile on our faces. We just rolled around the Cricklewood today and Mum and Bree have booked in to a fancy hotel up the road for their last two nights. We are off to Paris on the euro star early tom morning, so I better go and pack my beret and bread stick. Will fill everyone in on our tales once we return.
xoxo
