England

Well we've just finished our 11 day tour through Wales, Scotland and the North English countryside, on a Bus full of the not quite dead yet. (We were the youngest by about, I say 120 yrs but Lisa says more like 35 yrs ) It was great all things considered, sure the smell of old people was strong and the Grim Reaper was following the bus, especially after I brought the flu along for the 11 days and in true Aussie nature was happy to share it. They called us 'the kids' which fairly illustrates the age gap.

So today we had the British Postal Service experience, which was a Nightmare. These people are theives! However we gave into their ridiculous demands ( the lesson learnt today was a 'Bargain' ceases to be a 'Bargain' once you factor in the ridiculous cost of posting said 'Bargain' back to Australia, because you have no more room to fit any more 'Bargains' into your suitcase). We made our way back to wash clothes and get ready for the 6 am trip to Paris... We have been very lucky to have been put up by Lisa's Vey Nice Aunty Mary with the Wicked Laugh. Here's Lisa:

As Flem said, we had a great day at Mare's house doing nothing - sleeping in, washing clothes, playing around on the computer, napping, sorting out our huge amount of 'bargains'. We needed to have a cruizy day coz the last few weeks have been so hectic. It's been absolutely brilliant - 400 odd photos (many of which are awful but hey, we're a baker and a teacher, not a photographer!).

Tomorrow is going to be an amazing day. We have to get up at 5 and leave the house by about 5:15 to make it easily to St Pancras station by 6. Then we go through customs and check in for the Channel Tunnel train (the Eurostar) and leave at 7. We should be in Paris around 9:30 and then we have the whole day to check out this city before jumping back on the Eurostar at 9:15 that night, arrive back at 11:30 and then make our way home to Mary's. A long day. We want to see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, many patisseries and sample the Toulouse sausage (which certain Port Douglas tourists from France have sworn by).

Instead of putting photos in this entry, we decided to add a whole stack to our photo gallery. Go and check them out. Now!

Next time we speak will be in Ireland, to be sure!

hey all! good tosee you are all checking our blog. Hope u find it interesting

On second day of tour. Saw stone henge yesterday. Smaller than u think.
flem has a cold. He never gets sick so its a real bummer.

will try to find an internet cafe today ... and a chemist ... so we can saymore and attach some photos.

Love u all.

Had an absolutely gorgeous day today. The sun was shining...SHINING! Phlegm even walked around with just a tshirt and jeans. I was still rugged up like the Michelin Man but I did contemplate taking off the jacket a few times. Remarkable. Going to be even better over the next few days. Noice.

The Tower of London was fantastic! Our tour guide was decked out in the official uniform of the Yeoman Wardens (peasant guard of old) and he said that the families of all the yeoman wardens live in the outer wall rooms of the Tower. That would be amazing ... altho very scary at night. If ever there were haunted places, this would be one of them.

Went into the Tower Bridge and down to the engine rooms. Watched as the bridge was raised to let the tall ships thru. Was great.

I enjoyed the London Eye but Phlegm thought it was a huge waste of money. The views were great and it really showed how close everything is in London city. (Doesn't always feel like this when ur hoofing it).

The TATE modern art gallery was interesting. The Picasso paintings were intriguing and there were some cool audiovisual displays. On the whole tho, I think a lot of the 'art' side of it was wasted on me. I kept thinking, "You know, I could paint that..."

It was really cool to go near the Globe theatre. Felt like breaking out into a Shakespearian sililoquoy. (At least I think that's how you spell it).

Plan for today - London Zoo, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, a comic shop for Phlegm, 10 Downing St ... and maybe Hampton Court Palace. We'll see if our poor feet are up to it.

Today was a very cool day. LOVE the Tube! Bought an Oyster Card to travel at discount on buses and underground trains - feel like a local now. Sweet.

Had a fantastic time walking around London - saw Piccadilly Circus and got some cool photos. Went to Charing Cross Road, which is a street full of bookstores. Very cool.

I found the muffin man....
He was hanging out in Covent Garden and goes by the name of Phlegm when he's off duty.

We also had to stop and pause for a minute's silence to pay our respects to the dustbins in a particular London suburb. Very tragic circumstances. Click on the photos to get more details of these unhappy tidings.

BIG day planned for tomorrow. Keep you posted.