Farewell England

I am writing this as we fly over France on the way to our second phase  - “The Italian Job” – and it is time for a reflection on our last month in England. It has been a big success for us both and this is largely due to our family and friends who looked after us so well and showed us around their local areas. After all, this is what this trip is about, an in-depth look at a few areas with locals rather than flitting around as many tourist attractions as possible. So, in chronological order here is the roll of thank yous to date:

•  Gail and Janos for collecting us from Heathrow, showing us around Berkshire and then around Cornwall. And helping us stay in two very grand houses.
• Charissa, for allowing us to take over your flat for our various trips to London.
• Ron and Seb and Emma for taking us out and giving us the low-down on expat life in the South.
• Tim and Linda (and Reggie) for looking after us so well and showing us Hampshire and the wonderful English Public Footpaths.
• Fiona and Andy for being so interesting and entertaining us.
• And to Lynn who made a huge effort to meet up and remind us how a good friendship lasts, even after a 17-year gap!

For all that we packed into our month here, there is a huge amount left to see and do. But I don’t feel at all disappointed as, at this stage, we really expect to be back in the new year to continue our English explorations. Until then here are a few last thoughts:

Trees and countryside: though England (at least the South) is full, there is still a lot of countryside. Trees and hedges and fields everywhere. Admittedly everything is incredibly green at this time of year, but there is a real contrast to New Zealand where a lot of the countryside is just rough open pasture with wire fences and little public access. And the only large swathes of trees are planted forests of ugly pines. You have to get away from the farmland to the more inaccessible areas to see the real beauty of the country in the National Parks. A bit harsh perhaps, but it was a pleasant surprise to see so much green here.

Noise: no surprises here! Mainly around London where the sheer volume of people and traffic is a shock when you first arrive. Even walking around the beautiful gardens of Wisley deep in the Surrey countryside there was a constant loud roar from the nearby A3. Scenic but not serene.

Shopping: though we exercised unheard-of restraint (as our bags are at their limit: if we buy something we have to throw something else out!), it isn’t surprising that the choice is generally so much greater and the prices so much lower than New Zealand.

Our last night in England was somehow very appropriate. Andy and Fiona took us down to a local pub in Kingston-upon-Thames, the Grey Horse, for a pint of Naked Lady and to listen to Jon Bird’s Big Band – a 17-piece jazz band, mainly made up of horns/trombones/saxs of musicians out of orchestras having some fun. The band and the audience of about 20 filled the room. And to cap the night off Vicki saw her first fox as we walked home!