Ferry to France

Thursday, 30th April.

Yesterday, Wednesday 29th April, we visited Durdle Door on the south coast of Dorset, a short drive from our overnight stop in Wool.  Though sunny, the wind was bitter so we rugged up for the steep down hill walk, a bit hard on the old knees but well worth the effort.  

The climb back up the hill was a bit easier and we set off for a visit to nearby Tyneham Village but once again our plans were thwarted, this time by the army who had chosen today to practice their gunfire techniques and had closed the road into the village.  As we couldn't see any other way in, we continued on, disappointed.
A little detour into Hampshire took us to the home of Sue & Mike, a motorhoming couple we met in France last year and who had kindly offered us overnight space. 
A pub meal accompanied by a Doombar ot two and lots of chat, followed by a good night's sleep and we were ready for the new day.  An excellent cooked breakfast, more chat and we were on our way to Poole for our ferry departure.  The lovely sunshine we enjoyed this morning had disappeared  and was replaced by a few showers but we are currently about half way across the English Channel en route to France and the sky is now clear, the crossing is smooth and we're looking forward to the next few months of travelling with "Boris".

Dorset

Tuesday, 28th April.

We left Somerset yesterday, after a couple of stops in Bridgwater to purchase minor maintenance supplies for Boris and major fresh food supplies for us, driving south on the M5 towards Exeter, then east on the A3052 to Salcombe Regis for an overnight stop in the caravan park where we had stayed a couple of times on prevoius trips. The sun was trying valiantly  to shine but our plans to spend a couple of hours relaxing in the sunshine were thwarted by the bitterly cold wind and so we spent the time  indoors, catching up on some housework and homework.

After the usual morning ritual today, we headed into the beautiful county of Dorset and booked into a caravan park in the quaintly named town of Wool.  A visit to the nearby Tank Museum at Bovington was the main event of the day....a very, very impressive display of the many different types of tanks used in warfare.  We spent a few hours wandering through the museum before returning to the caravan park and later in the afternoon walked to the Black Bear Inn in the High Street for refreshments.  The locals were in shirt sleeves while we Antipodeans were rugged up in jackets and scarves to keep warm!

Somerset 3

Sunday, 26th April.

Boris finally returned to us on Saturday morning with a new gasket for a water leak on the thermostat housing, a new main crossmember replacing the old one which was rusted and new brake linings so is now ready for the road.  It was the waiting for parts to be delivered that took so long and which we found frustrating but we now have a sound vehicle for our travels.  We plan to take off in the morning for a few days in the south before boarding the ferry to France on Thursday.

Somerset 2

Boris is still in the garage awaiting a necessary part which should arrive late this arvo and we expect to collect him tomorrow.  We've been filling in the time by shopping for supplies, walking around the nearby Stearton Marshes, visiting the Plough Inn in Holford for a quick pint and there meeting two Brisbane couples touring the UK by car, and today visiting Taunton where we returned the hire car and were picked up by Mike M, who then drove to the small village of Waterrow through fabulous farming lands boasting green, rolling hills with fields of golden canola and dotted with fat sheep grazing on the lush grass with their children, some of whom were obviously recent arrivals.  An excellent light lunch accompanied by a pint or two was consumed in the sunshine at The Rock Inn in Waterrow...

a most pleasant way to while away a couple of lazy hours before the drive through more gorgeous scenery to the seaside village of Watchett where ice creams were bought and eaten.  The sun was still shining brightly but as the wind coming off the Bristol Channel was a bit too brisk for us to linger for too long it was time to end what was a lovely, lovely day! Oops!  I forgot to mention that prior to the drive to Taunton this morning, Mike kept the appointment made for him by Marion to have the stitches in his leg (the result of a skin cancer removal two weeks ago) taken out by Nurse Jane at the Nether Stowey Medical Centre.  All is good, it's healing nicely.

Somerset

After a thirteen hour flight from Singapore, plus waiting time at airports, we were happy to finally arrive  at Heathrow and were mighty pleased that we'd booked a hotel room for the night rather than drive down to Somerset immediately...we were shattered but the next morning were both much more refreshed, having had a good sleep, hot showers and a sunny though cool welcome to England.
Heading west on Saturday morning after collecting the hire car, we stopped at midday in Wiltshire to visit our young friends Jo & Simon and their children Alice & Alfie, spending a few happy hours in their company, which included a barbecue lunch on the deck in their back garden, before continuing our journey to Somerset for a reunion with old friends Marion & Mike.  Another delicious meal was demolished while catching up on the last 8 or 9 months'  events, then another good night's sleep before collecting Boris on Sunday morning.  He started first try which was very pleasing and today (Monday) went in for an MOT.  He has a couple of problems which require attention including front cross member rusted, and rear brakes, and should be ready for travel by Wednesday or Thursday.  

While we're waiting we will make the most of the lovely spring weather that is currently on offer as rain is predicted for the end of the week.

Singapore

We arrived safely in Singapore after quite a pleasant flight. We went to the Singapore stopover counter and they gave us vouchers and maps and tickets for free stuff. A bus came and took us to our hotel, the Royal, which is near Newton Circus. We were a bit worried when the concierge took us to a separate building but we were relieved and happy with our room on the top floor. It had a separate lounge and bedroom and also a kitchen and a spa out on our balcony. After a short nap we walked up to the shopping centre for noodles . The underground train was under the shops so we bought tickets (with the help of o Finnish chap) and went down to Clarke Quay where we had a beer by the river. We then used our free pass to take a bum boat ride up the river. Our timing was good as the sun was just setting and the lights were coming on. Very nice. Then another train ride to the hawker food market at Newton Circus for a snack and a Tiger beer before heading back to the hotel and bed. Singapore is really nice and we would like to have spent more time here. Maybe next time.

I am writing this at the airport waiting for our flight to London of 13 hours Yuck!

Waiting for a Plane at Perth Airport

5am. Very tired. Very happy about our overnight stay in Singapore!