Crediton ~ 25 June 2002

Explored Crediton today. We discovered by accident "Searle Street" [my family name]. Crediton is quite a nice town. Small narrow streets, houses close to the road. Considering how small Crediton is, it has a beautiful church. I'm not sure at what stage we will get tired of looking at churches. Ian observed how small the churches appear from the outside until you walk inside and this whole new world opens up before you. It felt very peaceful inside, most of the time we were the only ones there.

It is now official. We are leaving for Padstow on Thursday. - a small fishing village on the Cornish coats. We have both found work and accommodation there.

Exeter ~ 24 June 2002

Today we ventured into Exeter. Main reason - to look for work and to visit the Exeter Cathedral. My Grandmother [who died before I was born] use to sing in the choir at this beautiful Cathedral. It's very impressive from the outside with intricate designs and stonework. It's amazing how the Cathedral was speared in the Blitz of 1942. Many buildings were destroyed and only a small part of the Cathedral was damaged. I lit a candle inside for the memory of my Grandmother, Gwendoline Harry.

Another interesting thing about Exeter is that it's surrounded by a Roman wall. Exeter is one of England's oldest cities and was founded over 2000 years ago by the Romans.

We have a job lead - I'm feeling quite nervous and scared. I suppose once again it 's just the unknown that is frightening.

British Sunday ~ 23 June 2002

Sunday - A nice peaceful sleep in. Bett and Arthur took us out a traditional Sunday lunch at the "Waie Inn". Afterwards we had a little walk through the woods near Eggesford. The forest is a popular walking track with wild Foxgloves and little streams running through.

After a cup of tea at a near by garden centre Arthur gave us a tour of his area where he grew up - Coldridge. Arthur has a wide knowledge of the area which makes our trip much more interesting. Lovely narrow country lanes, with fields, hedges and white washed thatched cottages.

I rang home later that evening. Dad spoke to Aunty Bett and commented on how she sounded just like his own mother. Bett and Arthur are such a wonderful couple!

Aunt Bett in Devon ~ 22 June 2002

It was never our intention to stay and work in London. Both Ian and I had a desire to work in Devon, Cornwall or maybe the Lake District. Today we decided to take the bus to my Aunt's home in Devon and from there we will organize somewhere to live and work.

We caught the coach at Victoria Station 10 am this morning. It was a bit of rush and we ended up running with all our luggage just in time to catch the coach before it left. The reason we were late....The All Blacks were playing Ireland this morning!

We are on our way to Exeter, Devon where Aunt Bett and Uncle Arthur is meeting us. It's a good feeling leaving the busy city. It doesn't take long until you can see green pastures, cows and horses. The coach trip was going to take the 'scenic' route until they decided against it. Yesterday was the summer solstice and many would be coming back from Stonehenge. That was a bit of a disappointment. Even though the scenery was just as beautiful. We past Winsor Castle in the distance. It is a huge building, impressive even from a distance. It was a 4 1/2 hour trip from London to Exeter and we arrived at 2.15 pm.

It was lovely to finally meet Aunt Bett after all this time. [I had been writing to Aunt Bett from New Zealand since I was a child] She and Arthur are very hospitable. They live just out of Exeter in a small town called Crediton. We went for a small walk with Arthur to pick something up for tea. I have a lot of family history here. We walked past the house where my Great Grandparents use to live, I'm sure I will discover more family history as we stay a little longer. The Crediton Church dominates the town where Black Crows or Rooks play on the headstones. It's a very pretty and quaint little place.

After dinner Arthur took us out for a drive to see the beautiful surrounding countryside. It's the classic English country scenes you see in the movies or in books. Coleford is a small village with thatched white washed cottages, small narrow lanes boarded with hedges, rabbits and crows - absolutely beautiful and so quiet! I really like it here.

The Tate ~ 20 June 2002

Ventured out by myself this afternoon. I was desperate to visit the Tate Britain. Outside was a sculpture of Millais. I only had a limited time because I had to meet Ian at the National Gallery late that afternoon, so I went straight to the Pre-Raphaelites. [I have a deep passion for the art of the Pre-Raphaelites, especially Rossetti] The first painting I saw as I walked in was Rossetti's 'Proserpine'. It was just stunning. Rossetti, Millais, Burne-Jones, Waterhouse, all my heroes. In a way I was glad I was by myself because I know Ian wouldn't have felt the same appreciation as did I. Millais 'Ophelia' was stunning, but I felt Waterhouses' 'Lady of the Shallot' was hung to high to appreciate properly.


There was a great collection of William Blake. There was a drawing of the spirit that taught Blake to paint in his dreams - it put shivers down my spine.


Just to prove how small the world really is, I was on my way to meet Ian at the National Gallery and not only had he caught the exact same train as me, we both found each other in the same carriage!

Westminster Abbey ~ 19 June 2002

Finally spoke to Mum and Dad this morning. It was good to hear their voices.

This morning we visited Westminster Abbey. Here, past Kings and Queens are laid to rest, the Coronation chair, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Mary, Mary Queen of Scots are all here. It was quite a strange experience. Considering it's a place of religion and worship it was full of political vibes - more political than religious in a way.

In one corner of the Abbey there is a corner honoring many writers, poets, actors and musicians. Shakespeare, Chaucer and Handel, just to name a few. Handel's memorial was very life like, you could nearly feel the texture of his cloak and his eyes looking straight at you.

Walking along the cloister was extremely peaceful and calm. Ian felt the outside architecture of the Abbey was more impressive than inside. It cost us 6 pounds each as an entry fee, well worth the visit.

We then ventured to Oxford Street to look at some shops. I don't know if it was just the time we were there or if it's like that all the time, but it was a sea of bobbing heads. We then had a battle in the tube trying to get home, so many people, I had a little panic attack. When we got back to Turnham Green we had a little walk in the park, the smell of freshly mowed grass, seeing dogs being walked calmed the nerves. A few pints and a Thai meal in a corner pub was just what we needed.

The Natural History Museum ~ 18 June 2002

We had to do grown up things today. Easily we set up our own bank account. We now belong to Lloyd's of London. All we have to do now is make some money to put into our bank accounts.

We had an hour in the Natural History Museum, where we saw real dinosaur skeletons. We were welcomed by a huge Diplodocus in the entrance as we arrived. We had to battle a lot of children and families, like the National Gallery, this museum is also free of charge.

It was a very Victorian style museum with a lot of stuffed animals, which I didn't enjoy so much. We would of loved to seen Kasey's face when the T.Rex model moved and roared, it scared me! [Kasey is my nephew who would of been five years old at the time]

After our meeting with the banker we ventured into Camden Town. London's version of Cuba Street in Wellington, New Zealand. We came out of the underground and was hit with a collection of very colorful and interesting people. Camden is a market of interesting clothes, music, food and people.

I'm feeling a bit anxious tonight. I'm desperate to talk to Mum and Dad, especially Kasey.

National Gallery ~ 17 June 2002

Today we dedicated time to the National Gallery. Once again we were over whelmed. As soon as we walked in, Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' was the first painting that greeted us. As expected it was absolutely beautiful. Photographs and postcards can't do this image justice. The color, texture and depth is just beautiful.

Carrying on we saw Gainsborough, Turner, Constable, Goya, Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Degas. By the end of this visual feast we realised we weren't going to be mentally capable to take in the whole gallery.

We decided to cut straight to the Sainsbury Wing which included masters such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Uccello, Van Eyck, Botticelli, Raphael, Giotto and Durer. Ian's highlight was Leonardo's "The virgin of the rocks". He tried to explain how it made him feel, but he felt a bit speechless - I know I'm going to experience the same feelings when I see my first Rossetti.

We are going to come back to see the rest of the masterpieces another day. It was incredible that there was no entry fee to the gallery.

London sites ~ 16 June 2002

Today just blew us away! I didn't realise how close the major sights were together. The old and ancient architecture is stunning. Our first stop was Buckingham Palace. The flag was flying so I presume the Queen was home. The gates outside were just beautiful.

Piccadilly Circus was so much smaller than I imagined. Trafalgar Square with the National Gallery looking over the large lion statues and fountains is just so iconic. We then walked past Downing Street guarded by large gates and police wearing bullet proof jackets.

Around the corner Big Ben stuck us, absolutely fantastic. The Houses of Parliament are just amazing. Gothic style architecture looming over the Thames River was just so beautiful. And just as you thought you couldn't be amazed anymore we saw Westminster Abbey. We couldn't go inside being Sunday, but the outside just amazed us both.

Tomorrow we plan to visit the National Gallery and Westminster Abbey.

Jumping back onto the tube Antony then took us to the famous "Abbey Road". Both being avid Beatles fans it was a 'must do' on our things to see list. It looked just like the album cover and of course we had to do the photo. Outside Abbey Road Studios fans had written inscriptions all over the white concrete fence. I suppose every now and then they paint over the graffiti so all the fans can start all over again.

I think we have sorted our jet lag out now except we want to go to bed early which means we wake up early. Tomorrow we need to do grown up things and organise our bank accounts and find some work. I think I could play the tourist much much longer, but we had better get into reality as soon as possible. I'm quite anxious to ring Mum and Dad soon, just to let them know that everything is fine.

Ian's journal entry ~ 15 June 2002

Reluctantly we left our hotel at midday. We caught the tube back to Turnham Green station. Good transport service - quick and cheap and we have mostly got the hang of it already.

We arrived at George IV during the England vs Denmark football match [we arrived in the UK during the football world cup]. The pub was full of fanatical fans who cheer loudly when England scores (3-0 win).

Afterward we watch from Antony's upstairs room drunken revelry including a fight. British bobbies arrive in mass to break it up and restore order.

The Tower of London and Tower Bridge ~ 14 June 2002

Our first 'London Experience' was having a typical English breakfast at a cafe called the "Cat and Cucumber". Bacon, egg, chips, beans and bubble. I was amused to receive a ready poured mug of tea rather than our own teapot, but later found this was typical of 'greasy spoon' cafes.

We then made our way across the Tower Bridge. It is a beautiful structure, built in 1894, one of the many London icons. The Thames looked a bit murky and I couldn't help but wonder how many dead bodies had been pulled out of it.

Looking across the Thames I point out a lovely castle to Ian. He seems to think it is a replica of an old castle. Getting closer we realize the replica castle is actually the Tower of London. It is so old, beautiful, interesting, ghostly and grim I can't believe it has taken me so long to see this amazing place!

The arrival ~ 13th June 2002

We were half expecting to see Antony's face to meet us at the airport, but wasn't surprised when he wasn't there. [Antony is Ian's younger brother who had been living in the UK for about five years at the time] So we took on the challenge of the tube and passed very well. Antony met us at the other end and took us 'home'. Home for the next week is George IV pub in Chiswick where Antony works.

So far Ant has been the perfect host, showing us around his playground, feeding us and giving us some advice. Jet lag is a very strange feeling. A feeling beyond feeling tired. It hasn't taken us long to work the tube and we made our way to the "London Tower Bridge Hotel" in Tower Bridge Road. Two nights in a hotel, compliments of Nan and Da [my Grandparents]. Only one thing on my mind - sleep.

Leaving New Zealand ~ 12th June 2002

I have been waiting, dreading, expecting and dreaming of this day. This is the day Ian and I leave New Zealand for England. [At this stage in our life's we've been together for 6 years and have been engaged for 6 months]

We left Wellington Airport 11.30am, leaving mum, dad, Donald, Connor, Jillian and Andrew [Ian's family who live in Wellington] wishing us farewell. I feel strange emotions - no sadness or excitement. It is something I have to do, a duty to myself.

It was a smooth trip to Auckland then to Singapore. I think Ian tried to distract himself by playing in a very 'cheesy' game show at Singapore Airport.

After battling a woman with her inclining chair we arrived at Heathrow Airport at 6.00 am.