Back from the UK
Sorry - very slack!
Well France was great - we had brilliant weather the first 3 days, then a bit showery the 4th and on the 5th we were glad to be heading abck to the UK (altho the weather wasn't much better there either).
The fast ferry ride over from Dover was good - had beautiful weather across there and got to Montrueil-sur-mer around 4... Apparently it where Les Mes was written and it is a gorgeous little town with nice old buildings and cobbled streets and an old city wall that you can walk along. Had the most delicious dinner that night at the restaurant across from the hotel - we were all completely full after the 3-course meal and amused ourselves (and the waiters) by playing some games at the table. The next day we went to a nearby chocolate factory and then onto the seaside at Le Touquet where we sat on the beach a while, then strolled along the streets. Only had a nibble for dinner as we were still digesting the previous night's meal! :) On Saturday we did a little tourist drive thru the country-side and ended up at Le Berck for a beach picnic and a laze-about. Went back through Rue (Unesco listed).
On Sunday we took it easy as it was our last day in Montrueil... we did a long drive to Boulogne - going through a number of little villages including Hesdin and Fressin - at Fressin we did a tour of a 16th century chateau - owned by the Crequy family - it was all in ruins but it was a beautiful setting. We also went to Avincourt - where a big battle between the french and english occurred 25 Oct 1415 (that date is stamped into my brain from the museum we went to) - spent about 2hrs at the museum giving details about the battle etc and that had cardboard cutouts of fighting men all through the village - was pretty funny. We got to Bolougne about 5 - the hotel was nowhere near as nice as our previous one - but it was in the centre of the new town so it was easy enough to make our way around without having to drive. So monday we walked up to the old town, walked along the city wall and then shopped in the new town after a very yummy lunch. On our departure day we went up the coast towards Calais... we got out for a bit of a walk at a lighthouse which had some old WWII bunkers nearby - and we all got compltely drenched by the rain - that then lasted the rest of the day. After Uncle Guy had stocked up on his wine we managed to get an earlier ferry (3pm) to make our way back to Dover, then the 2hr drive back to Great Missenden.
I was going to try and catch a matinae on the Wednesday in London but not too much was on - so just went up for the evening to meet up with Carmel again - we had some more coconut mohitos! I stayed the night at her place in East Croydon, then met up with Kristin and Tom the following day for lunch at Las Iguanas (South American restaurant on the river bank). After lunch Kristin and I went for a little boat ride down the Thames to Grenwich which was very nice. The guy doing the commentary was pretty funny. Then it was time to head back to Great Missenden for my last night in England. Just had a pretty quiet evening with Auntie Christine and Uncle Greg and mum - played some cards, watched some tv, finished packing and went to bed.
Our flight was 11.50am on Friday. We got to fly on the upper deck of one of the new A380s - it was only 5 weeks old or something. Apparently they have 2inches more leg room - width and length ways - can definitely tell (even a shorty like me)! Altho mum's TV didnt work most of the way - luckily she is a good sleeper! They had problems with a few of the TVs - they gae mum $75 to spend on in-flight duty free which was good. Only had 1.5hr stopover in Singapore which went very quickly, then back on the plane - normal old aircraft. Seemed to take a long time but we both managed to sleep a fair bit. Arrived ~8pm. Dad decided he could record the football and pick us up (he got someone else to drop us off)... Now it is 1pm Sunday and I am ready for bed. :) Going over to my new house-sit place later on the afternoon and then work tomorrow - urgh!
Hope everyone is happy and well :)
Speak soon!
(Have put up more pictures on facebook - can use the link from my last post)