Return on the Bounty

It seems that it has taken me 12 months to finally get people to go to the pub for a drink. Unfortunately it appears this is to ensure that I am shackled and deported back home. I thought I would show you the invite that went out from someone here:

"Those of you with a keen sense of history will recall that Captain James T. Cook first landed on the penal colony of Australia at Botany Bay and, not surprisingly, decided he did not like the look of it. Instead of following his instincts and returning home, he turned left and founded the first convict stockade at Parramatta. I am pleased to be able to inform you that it has been decided to reintroduce transportation and a certain felon has been found guilty of having an earring, supporting the wrong rugby team and complaining about warm, flat beer.

James Carey has been sentenced to be repatriated on the SS Big Bird leaving not from the Tower of London, but HM Detention Centre Heathrow on 21 December. As with the Dorset's most famous convicts, who hailed from a small hamlet east of Dorchester, the felon will leave by stage coach some time beforehand to ensure he does not make a claim of denial of sub-human rights. To make sure that he does not miss the boat, a celebratory farewell will take place at a local hostelry on Wednesday, 19 December. If it is your intention to come along and throw rotten eggs at this felon, can you please let me know."

Well – at least I will get a beer out of them!

30 Days

OK, so it seems some people have said that I am starting to sound like a ‘winging pom’ and it is time I headed home. As it is now only 30 days to go before we leave here are 30 things that I will miss about living here:

1. Weymouth Beach in the morning
2. Europe on your door step
3. The changing seasons
4. Waking up to the noise of cows mooing
5. An open fire at home
6. Spring and the splash of daffodils across the landscape
7. Going on a ramble
8. Pints of good English beer
9. Looking forward to each weekend with a new adventure
10. Supporting and guiding colleagues at work
11. Friendly road drivers
12. A good Cornish pasty
13. A traditional English pub
14. Watching the squirrel in our back garden
15. Morning mist over the fields
16. Having lunch while watching the fishing boats in Weymouth harbour
17. Watching the kids dress up for Halloween
18. History, from Windsor Castle to Stonehenge
19. Stunning walks along the Jurassic coast
20. The feeling that you could leave your door unlocked at night
21. Little Britain
22. Cheap flights (greenhouse gas vandal)
23. Being close to the beach
24. Adelaide said her school
25. A big back yard
26. Seeing the kids in scarf’s, woolly hats, gloves and coats in winter
27. No dangerous spiders, mosquitoes and flies
28. No traffic (despite what the locals think)
29. New friends
30. …………..

Bugger – cant think of any more – it is a pitty I don’t have 29 days to go….

Autumn

The flowers are dying, the berries and fruits are appearing, the leaves are changing colour and dropping. It must be autumn. One thing about living in England is you really do know and appreciate the seasons. The chill in the early morning air is crisp and clean and provides just a glimpse as to how cold it is going to get in Winter.

Unlike Australia with our many evergreen trees, the vegetation here knows that winter is just around the corner and the entire countryside begins to prepare for its three month hibernation. Even the hedgerows, that were once a flush of green reaching out across the narrow lanes, appear to have been defeated and retreat back to the edges.

Most noticeable is the beautiful yellows and oranges that splash across the landscape as the oak, ash, maple, blackthorn and guelder rose reveal their autumn hues. The woodlands become a mystical place as the sunlight streams in through the broken canopy and the grounds crunch under your feet in the fallen leaves. One of the oddest wildlife arrives hidden among these fallen leaves - the fungus. Weird and wonderful shapes and colours emerge in the strangest places.

Out the back our resident grey squirrel is busily collecting all manner of nuts and berries and burying them in the lawn for the winter ahead. I sat and watched her (I am guessing it was a her by the way she was so indecisive as to where she wanted to dig) busily run from the tree to the ground and back again for what seemed like hours.

As the days get shorter, getting up in the morning is getting that little bit harder. While it does mean that you get to see the sun rise and the beautiful streaks of colour in the early morning mist, it also means heading home from work in the dark.

The benefit of spending an entire year in a place is the opportunity of experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of all the seasons. Only a couple more weeks and even Autumn will be behind us as we march towards the end of the year and the chance of hopefully experiencing our first ever white Christmas. Something to look forward to.

Prague Promise Fulfilled

The following day we ventured up to Prague Castle, perched high on the hill overlooking the river and town below. The Castle is made up of your typical set of high walls, spires, grand arches, and over the top statues with a highly impressive St Vitus Cathedral in the centre. The original Church was founded by Prince Wenceslas (a.k.a. Good King). In 929 he was murdered by his envious and wicked younger brother – an extreme way to get a Christmas Carol sung about you.

Below the castle we walked over the Gothic stone bridge and past the old Town Bridge Tower where the Russians used listening devices directed on the streets to catch any conspirators. Today they would more likely hear the accent of a Japanese tourist bargaining for one of the many artist paintings of the city.

There were many museums and art galleries but with the kids in tow we decided to avoid these and spend out time wondering around the city streets. There was one museum that I am disappointed we couldn’t spend some time in – the ‘Sex Machines Museum’. Judging by the machine in the front foyer that involved a rotating thrusting array of objects I am not sure how I would have explained it all to the children.

As we headed back to the airport we passed out of the city and through the vast sea of panelak, Soviet-style concrete panel apartment blocks that ring the city on almost all sides. These rows and rows of identically architecturally uninspired buildings don’t exactly send you scrambling for your camera, but it is a reminder that all Cities have their less romantic side.

The end of another great trip, and I can gladly say that the people at work got it right. Prague is a lovely City and hopefully I know a bit more about Ms Czech than before - even if most of it I have forgotten as a result of the 25p beers!

Unfortunately it is to be our last weekend away. With the countdown starting to gather pace, it is time to spend what few weekends remain getting ready to come home.

But then again… may be we could squeeze one more trip in???

The Promise of Prague

I had heard the rumours that in the 1400’s the Bohemians made love in the street so with great excitement we booked a trip to Prague to see if anything had changed. I must admit to being a bit of a philistine before I left not knowing much about the City. Many people at work (well the 2 who had actually travelled outside the UK) told me that it was a beautiful place.

Like the rest of Europe, it seems to have spent much of its early history in continuous religious battle which was then replaced with a bit of German cleansing followed by a good dose of red army repression. Just like an amicable divorce, Ms Czechoslovakia took back her maiden name and became the Czech Republic leaving Mr Slovakia to go his own way.

It is amazing that in only a few short years, the onslaught of capitalism has made Prague a highly cosmopolitan place. While it has unfortunately got a reputation for English stag and hen nights it still retains its magical charm.

We stayed in a fantastic apartment just outside the old town. I think the kids were more impressed with the apartment than anything else at it had a kids play area. The Czech owners were extremely friendly and couldn’t do enough to help us. Even better was the pub next door. At 25 p a beer I was speaking Czech in no time. Czech food is not exactly diet food. Dinner at the pub consisted of a plate the size of the table with meat skewers and potatoes in a sauce made from what appeared to be 3500 cloves of garlic. Very nice but I am sure I am still smelling like an over ripe garlic.

Venturing into the old town (staré mêstro) you are confronted with a jig-saw of pastel facades and cobble stoned alley ways. The jumble of gothic, baroque and rococo architecture compete with each other for attention but somehow mange to meld together nicely. Many of these buildings are now filled with 10,000 Russian dolls, Bohemian crystal and puppets sprawling out of the tourist shops.

At the centre of the town is the old square which was the scene for many strange events including the worlds first public human dissection in front of a 1000 onlookers. While the macabre show may have changed there is still the 1000 tourists, all looking at the 500 year old astronomical clock that chimes away on the hour.

We spent the afternoon wandering around the old town then a quick stop at the large department store to pick up some winter gear – I think I forgot to mention that it was bloody COLD!!! With darkness arriving (despite it onlt being 4pm) it was time to head back and plan tomorrows adventure.

To be continued…….

50 Days

Doesnt time fly. Looked at the blog today I noted my countdown clock showed that we only have 50 days left before we leave. It only seems a few months ago when Illana called me in to her office and asked "You know how you always said you and Kathy wanted to work overseas. Well how would you like to go to England for a year?"

Little did I realise that in a short few months we would be living on the other side of the world.

Kathy has finished up her work this week. I have said this now gives her time to start getting organised for our end of year trip and prepare for leaving. For some reason she thinks it is time to go to the gym every day, watch day time TV and relax.

Any way, 50 days will become 5 in no time so start getting prepared everybody - the Careys are comin home!

ps: I know where you all live so you cant hide from us