Tintagel ~ 9 July 2002

This week we decided to go back to Devon to visit Aunt Bett and Arthur in Crediton and also look at a job in Wilmington at an old pub.

We took the long way round and stopped at Tintagel Castle and the old Tintagel Post Office. We were able to use our New Zealand Historic Places Trust card at the old post office [a thoughtful farewell gift from Ian's parents]

The old post office was a fourteenth century manor house and was used as a post office in the Victorian times. The wood reeked of history complimented by beautiful gardens.

We then walked down to Tintagel Castle. I wasn't totally sure what to expect. Not a lot of the castle was left and unfortunately it's a losing battle. The sea and weather is slowly chewing away at the castle bit by bit. There was enough castle left to get some idea of this fortress on this magnificent site. This part of the coast is so breath taking.

We stood on the banks which are covered in beautiful wild flowers watching the wild sea crashing against the cliffs. It reminded us a little of the West Coast in New Zealand, except you were against a back drop of an ancient castle.

The village of Tintagel have surrendered itself to tourism and has turned itself into the famed birthplace of King Arthur. The beauty of the coastline was more special to me than this connection.

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.