Ours arrive in Dartmouth....

Ours are enjoying some downtime in Dartmouth. This is very easy here as just being in our hotel is like living history. It was built in 1630 and has functioned as an Inn from soon after. We are holed up in the attic (do you think we would spend lots of money on this?) but it is gorgeous way up here inspite of fractious internet WiFi access. Just out the front door is the quay and ancient shops a lot dating from the 1500s and 1600s. We have done a short river cruise, seen Agatha Christies Summer House, the Military College and Dartmouth Castle along with Brunnel's redundant railway line (see Dad/Ross, I am putting attention to Teagan's history - Industrialisation). Dartmouth is gorgeous - I don't think we will leave here....does anyone have any spare one hundred pound notes to extend our time in this hotel???

Ours does Cornwall

Ours arrived in Cornwall on Friday with the rest of Great Britain like pilchards in a breakfast tin. One cruised (translate to struggled) up the train isle to politely "request" that the "pikes" (heard someone use this term to describe a seat taker - apologies if I have used the phrase inappropriately) from our allocated seats, then One proceeded to place her Mother, her daughter, two back packs a buggy and a stroller in that same space - need you ask anymore? I can assure you that Ours was actually very happy.

Our highlights were St Ives and walking the 5 mile length of Cornish Coast from our hostel in a valley near St Just to Land's End. Ours were exhausted at the end of it but Teagan was as proud of herself as possible for she had walked a very long way and scrambled over rocks, seen blue jelly fish and was in her underwear!

While Land's End was really tacky, Teagan and One enjoyed visiting a resored 200 year old farm which was a good reward before hitting the bus back to the hostel. Meanwhile the other part of Ours sat and enjoyed the view from Land's End (avoiding the view of the tourist attractions) and waited.

We did enjoy the open topped bus rides. Riding this bus service took us through the quaint towns and we truly got up close and personal to the villages (hmmm who can see into bedroom windows, or force a rather plush bus backwards via super narrow streets).

Now Ours are all asleep in a delightfull hotel built in 1630 in Dartmouth. Naturally, the floors slope and we have located an affordable room 5 floors up using a variety of stairways!). That will form a new blog post!

On "Foot"....

“Our” feet hurt...they ache but heck it is worth it...so, of course we don’t stop. On Wednesday we followed the Frommer’s “Paris in a day” foot tour. Okay, yes, we missed some bits because our map reading sometimes left a bit to be desired but we saw some spectacular sights (for us). Notre Dame was our highlight – even better because it was free and Audrey was resurrected from near death (trapped in the buggy wheel clinging to life)! We finished our tour with the Eiffel Tower and over a two hour walk back to the hotel. Note to myself...good work to have read up on the “warnings” as we were happily amused by one guy and his wedding ring trick- pick it up and claim he had found it, would we pay for it? And of course, the old “do you speak English?” trick....of course “Non, non”....And for dinner, it had to be a Cafe street meal – absolutely delectable. We were happy with our sore feet as a day of travel with no foot work would follow.

Ha ha ha...what no foot work. Who booked the tickets? One did. Ours had to walk over two hours with all luggage and asking in English, non English speakers how to find the ferry...yes, we went the wrong way but again, absolutely worth it. Roscoff is quaint and extremely picturesque (see I am using French).

Now we are on a 6 ½ hour ferry ride to Plymouth. One is working on the computer, part of Ours sleeps and the other does something important (I have to say that as she is my mother). Then it is a half hour walk to our guest house in Plymouth. Happily Audrey is keeping Teagan company in the buggy both of them are sound asleep and the rest of Ours wish we were too.

On Audrey in Paris...

Audrey has hit Paris.  Audrey travelled very well, she fitted in her seat and curled up with her Mum and slept from when told by the grown-ups until breakfast was served.  Audrey said that Grandma (Ours) and One (Teagan's Mum) got some sleep and geared up for a reovery day.... and the question is....did they relax and recover?

Of course NOT.  They got us lost first (over zealous with their map reading), but it was lots of fun looking around.  I then wanted to just look at things so I went in the buggy with Teagan and we got pushed around for 4 hours.  Ours has sore feet!  One does too.  Teagan and I feel good because we slept through all of the important stuff!

On Audrey...

Audrey is beautiful.  Audrey is gorgeous.  Audrey is a star.  These are the words of a 4 year old adorer.  Whoever, or whatever Audrey is, it does not change the fact that she is and has been loved within millimetres of maintaining an intact body.  Here One has attached a couple photos of Audrey in Doha and in her mission with Teagan packing an impossibly large and a "definately not coming with us" suitcase.

And for the other part of Ours (Grandma in case you are having trouble recalling my references) appears to have successfully arrived in Hong Kong and has been indulging in "lounge experience".

Now One must get ready to actually leave.  There have no crisis messages from Ours, hence my only impending crisis will be letting Teagan down gently about her passionately packed suitcase - it is NOT seeing the otherside of our Villa's door!!

Of preparations....as one must prepare to meander....

Meandering does not bring out an image of preparations, rather a quiet wander following "the whatever".  However, and I must put in a however, when your Mother and your four year old daughter accompany you in the peak of the tourist season, "One" (note: here I refer to me as One) must prepare.  As a side note; now, I also have time to prepare and I do so love to get "organised"...do you think there is a Yahoo group called the "Organisers" - if so maybe I should moderate.....


Firstly, One organises by planning a theme.  Ours (now I use the travelling team reference) is "the journey and the fun of getting there".  We shall travel predominantly by public transport and on foot a comfortable full length of the UK and travel as lightly as possible...anyone that knows my work travel style....it is light!


To orientate yourselves on Our journey, I have spent much time crafting this elaborate map....

I am wondering if preparations actually save time.  Obviously, it will save stress as through "google maps" and "slow travel", I can easily, via a photographic walking route, get a tired "Ours" from the Roissy OperaBus to our hotel on Rue Montgolfier; a total distance of 2.4 km on foot (I have decided not to use the Metro as we will see more on foot).  Now back to my point on time, it has taken me about 40 minutes to plot out how to get from the airport to the hotel following an all night flight.  No doubt, if nothing was planned, it would have taken less than 10 minutes to sort out at the airport!  Take your pick - to plan or not to plan.


On total planning, that I have really enjoyed.  The web is my friend (as is a credit card) for the intinerary.  I have perused Trip Advisor with alacrity, got the inside word on train travel via Seat61 and found that the booking site of preference for me is booking.com. 






















Gear, here we have my "bestest" friend, I LOVE GEAR.  My fully packed 50 L backpack is under filled and weighs in at 8.2 kg including its outer airline strapping.  Have I left items out, you ask (as clearly, I am carrying gear for Teagan too).  No, infact, I have lots of "tools", I answer.  Included in my kit bag is a range consisting of: incup water boiler, binoculars, medical kit, reading lights, lunchvwraps and box, camera, netbook, plate and utensils including the necessary milk frother for in room cappuccinos, Teagan toys and drawing gear.  And yes, no excrement of a man cow, it does all fit in easily and weigh 8.2 kg.  Teagan, naturally will be carrying a small backpack of her own at a total weight of 1.5 kg: clothes in a roll, toothbrush, and a small extra toy and I have a small shoulder bag. Clothing is minimal but not extremely so.  All in all, hopefully, we have room for some purchases and low weight so I can actually enjoy pushing Miss 4 yrs in the buggy 3 km from ferry to backpackers at 10pm at night in Plymouth!


So this is  our next meander.  A fairly windy course, gently travelled but well planned.  Ours is three generations one spending her kids inheritance via backpack and the other two getting break from the intense heat here in the sandpit and introducing a preschooler, who happens to love "a long time ago" (history) to some real prehistoric history and a good taste of the industrialisation period (we do have to see Brunel's bridge and his Daddy's tunnels).  All the best for your winter in NZ or heat in the Sandpit (noting that temperatures in the 30's will be cool to us).

Of the heat and our inside....

What does one do when it is 49 deg C?  Yes, indeed, we complain of the heat, yet, I am told, it is not "really" hot yet!

Teagan and I are spending our days inside.  Even the swimming pool is too hot.  The toddlers pool is warm like a bath and the adult lap pool is around 33 deg C.  Swimming is thus left until the early evening when there is not the baking heat that must be escaped.

All up, we are still having fun.  Friday night was camping night.  Teagan spend a good portion of the day preparing for the adventure (inside on the couch) and an extremely happy night for one four year old was endured by one back and neck pained mother.  And yes, we will be doing it again - apparently "every night".

On to some photos, I thought a still photo tour of the house might be interesting(downstairs only as my layout abilities are somewhat  marginal) .  Let's see how it goes....