ELTON FARM MAIZE MAZES

After Puzzlewood we headed onto Elton Farm Maize Mazes. It's absolutely a-maze-ing how these are made and too complicated for me to explain but if you're interested you can read about it here. This years theme was Witches and Wizards with three mazes; Castle Maze, Wicked Witches Maze and Black Cat Labyrinth. The kids had an awesome time seeking out the clues and finding the hidden objects amongst them and completed all three of them. Whilst they were being entertained in the small maze Dave and I enjoyed a freshly picked and cooked cob of sweetcorn. Absolutely delicious. A few more photos here. All in all a BRILLIANT day out.

PUZZLEWOOD IN THE FOREST OF DEAN

Puzzlewood is a magical forest in the beautiful Forest of Dean and was our first of many scheduled destinations over the coming weeks. We were taken through meandering pathways, eerie passageways over moss-covered rocks, finding hidden dead ends, weird rock formations, tangled vines and gorgeous untamed scenery. Apparently JRR Tolkien was a frequent visitor and many belief Puzzlewood was the inspiration for the fabled forests of Middle Earth in "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings." You can see a bit of footage here and photos here.

FOGHORN LEGHORN

You'll understand the title when you see this video. After lunch today we dragged the kids away from their schoolwork (as if) for an excursion and some exercise being a walk up Dovers Hill. Surprisingly the way up was whinge free, especially considering the size of the hill.






























Once at the very top we took a few moments to enjoy the view.

The kids befriended a little dog and watched him run down a badger hole and were concerned when he didn't come out and they could hear some growling going on. He, eventually, emerged safe and sound.

A comment was made about being thirsty. Dave was explaining what to do in the event of being stranded and needing water to go to a gully, etc. Jayden piped up and said "you can drink you own wee" to which we replied that he was in fact correct (ewwwww). He said "I seen it on tv. You can learn a lot from tv you know." Another classic out of the mouths of babes!

You'd think downhill (the way home) would be easier but someone got a bit tired so I added some resistance to my load whilst Sofie whinged the whole way down with a stitch. More photos of today here.

JAYDEN THE EXPLORER

It's Bank Holiday long weekend here this weekend and news reports are expecting big traffic problems on the roads so in light of this we've opted to stay home and continue our chilling. Each morning I usually come home from my morning walk to find Dave here doing this (like father, like son - hi Allan)
















This morning whilst on my walk I came across a car boot sale just before getting home so Dave and I headed back out again to grab us some bargains. We thought we fared really well with all of our purchases being either 50 pence or 1 pound for books, jigsaw puzzle, card game, homemade gooseberry jam and blackcurrent syrup and miniature plums.

The weather here can cover four seasons in one day. One minute it's sunny, the next it's raining and then freezing cold. Whilst waiting for the ground to dry up after a downpour Dave and I headed to the gym to kill some time.

It was then time for Jayden the Explorer to take Dad on an exploring expedition of the country side to see what they could find whilst Sister stayed home to do some more baking, this time cupcakes.















Jayden was excited with his treasure - some broken pottery in a stream, sheep's wool on the ground, old sandstone walls, and plum trees. More photos here.

A DAY IN GLOUCESTER

We're of the opinion that "Charles", (TomTom) as he is affectionately known, is worth his weight in gold. He gets us wherever we want to go with ease. Today, it was a trip to Gloucester. A shopping trip mainly but just to get out and about was lovely. Our purchases included some more usb's to backup photos, a weather resistant coat for both the children, some more books (we've all been reading heaps), a couple of cheap umbrellas, earrings for Sofie (she keeps losing them), and some goodies from the health food store for me :)

First stop, after gathering brochures from the tourist info, was a coffee stop where Dave had the biggest mug of coffee we've ever seen. The photos don't really do it justice. The kids were thrilled with their cupcakes and hot chocolate whilst I settled for the usual green tea.















After shopping in the mall we finished off the day with a play in the park. It was a nice change to be in the great outdoors after spending the past couple of days indoors.

RAINY DAYS

It's been raining for the past couple of days which has meant lots of lying around, in front of the fire, reading, sleeping, watching dvd's, etc. We're not complaining. This relaxing life is quite enjoyable. I asked Dave earlier today if he thought we could always live like this? Stress free and happy that is. We just need to work out how to get an income this way.

Yesterday, Sofie made some scones whilst I was having an afternoon nap. When I awoke she said "we made 11 scones and there's only 2 left." Obviously they were good!















Dave is still eating "weird and wonderful" as you would expect. Faggots being on this weeks menu.

Today in the Town Hall was a Food and Craft Fayre. Dave bought some beer which came in a two litre cordial type bottle. He chickened out on the 10% alcohol brew.

Dave's turn for an afternoon nap today whilst the kids and I are at the pub using the internet. Tomorrow we've planned a day out to Gloucester.

CADBURY WORLD

By Jayden

Cadbury World was faaannnnnntastic!

By Sofie

Today we drove North to Burmingham to visit Cadbury World. There were 14 different zones and most of them had holographic movies explaining the process of chocolate making. We had lots of free samples including marshmallows coated in warm, runny dairy milk chocolate. Mum and Dad gave us ten pound each to spend at the Cadbury World shop just before we left. Good times! We ate loads of chocolate.

Photos of Cadbury World here.

DOVER'S HILL WALK

This afternoon Dave and I locked up the children (left them watching a dvd) and headed out for our afternoon walk. Dave wanted to go up Dover's Hill since I had already done it and told him how breathtaking it was. The views over the surrounding countryside are spectacular as are the sights along the way up and also on the way down. Dave was amazed at the number and variety of berries. See the photos here. Colleen, didn't want you to feel left out so took some photos of the cattletick church, St Catharine's, for you just before going home.

NOW WE'RE COOKING

It occurred to me as I walked past the pub that perhaps they have wi-fi where I could upload photos and yay, they did so here I sit with my cuppa green tea in the coffee shoppe section of the pub waiting for the photos to upload in another window, watching the rain pouring down outside, and wondering what my 2 pm yoga class in the town hall will be like.

First couple of days photos here.

HOME SWEET HOME

After picking up our "Peugeot" we set off for "home" in the small town of Chipping Campden in The Cotswolds arriving at Carol Cottage just after lunchtime, just in time for a meal at the local pub (50 metres away) before they finished serving at 2.30 pm. It was then onto the local fruit and vege store, the butcher, and the general store to grab our supplies to set up for the next five weeks. We again opted to eat out that night at another hotel a little bit further down the road. Unfortunately, we don't have internet access at the cottage so have to go to the library, which only opens for a couple of hours a few days each week, and use their computers. So far, not having much luck uploading photos but will keep working on it because you simply have to see the beauty of this town. It is truly amazing and unlike anything we have ever seen before. The children have settled in nicely although complaining a couple of times that they are bored. Amazing how much they rely on modern technology to entertain themselves. We're working out activities and things to do for them but it will be a great lesson in learning what kids did before they had computers and such. Dave's loving all the reading, learning about old Britian, having his pint or two a day, and has ventured into some local smelly delicatessen cheese (called Smelly Bishop) which even he couldn't eat. And today has a game soup (venison, hare, pheasant) for lunch today. Me, I'm happy and in a rut (as Dave calls it) again rising for an early morning walk before the family and even the rest of the town wakes up. There's no life here until at least 8 am. I attended a holy communion service at St James' Church yesterday which was simply magnificent darling. I have to go now before I get kicked off as my session is ending in a couple of minutes. Will write again soon. Love to all.

BYE BYE LONDON

We're leaving London today and heading for Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds after firstly picking up our hire care from just next door. We've decided London was lovely to visit but also lovely to leave. Dave's not looking forward to the drive out of London itself. Hopefully weekend traffic is better than weekday! Not sure what the internet connection will be like at the cottage so we may be MIA for a while.

PILGRIMAGE

We decided on a slower day yesterday and so went down the road to Paddington to drop in on the Rio Tinto head office and say hello to Tom. After some phone calls to the head of security and confirmation of identity (London runs on security) I was allowed to take some pictures in the foyer.

Lunch was at the Pride of Paddington pub. (No - Rob and Mandy - this wasn't your house). Once again the beer was great (a bitter at room temperature).

After lunch we got our heads stuck into some books at Waterstone's which is Europe's largest bookstore spanning five levels. Shelley was particularly happy with her purchase of a book not available in Australia, F**k It, The Ultimate Spiritual Way. It'll be in the post and on the way to you shortly Trish.

For dinner we dined at Spaghetti House and were served mouthwatering Italian food.

GIRLS GO SHOPPING

Thursday night is late night shopping here in London and since we're staying just around the corner from Oxford Street, the heart of London shopping, Sofie and I hit the town after dinner leaving the boys at home, armed with the travel money card. Big mistake, big mistake, huge!

Sofie was decked out in an Oxford University hoodie, a pair of Gap jeans, and Converse sneakers plus an extra set of blue laces to funk them up even more.




















It was love at first sight with this rockin' guitar handbag and down filled, water repellent Gap vestie.

And yes, the hat was a purchase a couple of days ago, and hasn't been off my head since, and is saving me from doing my hair :)

Upon returning home Sofie said to Dave, "Daddy we've got good and bad news. The good news is we had a great time and got lots of stuff, the bad news is we blew the budget."

THE LOCAL PUB

Just across the road from our hotel is the pub. The Three Tuns is a typical English Pub with many suits frequenting after work as is the norm in the UK. Can only imagine what life was once like for you Mel xxxx.

Cheers!

We did an English dinner tonight. Me - Bangers, Mash, Peas & Gravy (Lincolnshire & Leek Veggie Sausages).

Dave - Fish, Chips & Peas.

We managed to polish off dessert too but were too busy tucking in and forgot to take photos so only caught the tail end of Sofie's Chocolate Fudge Cake and IceCream.

And Jayden's Chocolate IceCream.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM EXCURSION

Today was the first day back at school after the school holidays and coincidentally the children's first school excursion which happened to be to the Natural History Museum. Sofie has been working on her geography skills expertly navigating the tube system chopping and changing lines and working out which direction we need to head. After mapping our course we set off. Dave and the kids were in their element at the museum.















Whilst I was deep in thought about all the fascinating information.

The kids worked really well together as a team at the Investigate Centre.

Which is an interactive educational section.

After the museum we headed to Harrods, the largest department store in London. Myers and David Jones are tiny in comparison.

The kids and I are now back at the hotel resting our weary bodies, especially feet whilst Dave is at the local pub next door having a pint. Might go and join him shortly for an ale myself ;)

As usual more photos here.

THE TUBE RULES

Wow, what a day! At my request, first up this morning we caught the tube for the very first time to Wholefoods Market in Soho to stock up on some essentials in preparation for The Cotswalds.

We're seriously in love with the tube and wish Brisbane had something even remotely like it. After dropping the groceries off at home and a quick lunch we again caught the tube to The London Eye. Absolutely spectacular views over London.

We then sat on the grass for an ice-cream and to watch the world go by.

Before using the tube again to go and do the proud Australian thing and vote at Australia House. That one's for you Rob ;)

More of today's photos can be viewed here.