Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel Golf et Country Club Whitchurch

... further south to start the journey in the light of the advancing winter - but as a man once said, "Go big, or Go home!" (I make no judgement as to whether he was a wise man). Starting in Amsterdam is more memorable and allows me to pass through three more countries (Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg) for the sake of an additional day or two on the road.<br><br>The countdown is at 15 days and 21 hours...

... for a few days; thanks Steve. :-)<br><br>This week will consist mainly of waiting for my next vaccination and another set of goodbye drinks but the process of refining the contents of the pack is practically neverending. Tonight i started filling plastic baggies with spices and wondering idly whether or not they will get me arrested at customs... might have to reconsider the larder options.<br>

Well I am happy to report that despite postal strikes I have my passport back and a multiple entry visa stamp inside.<br>I was so relieved to have the passport back.I really do not like to be parted from it.<br>All I have to do now is get through the next 4 weeks at work.Oh well I am sure I will manage.<br>Bye for now.

... area, lawn tennis courts, a band stand and a cafe! We had a great time.<br><br>Here is a website with more information about Sefton Park:<br>http://www.visitliverpool.com/ site/sefton-park-p90321<br>

Well now the time has come to start preparing for the next trip away.<br>Yesterday was taken up with getting passport photos(why do they always look like mugshots?)<br>I had to have my picture taken twice.In the first set it looked like I was smiling and the guy taking the photos asked me to keep my lips together for the next lot.<br>Well I dont know about this.<br>Why cant passport photos have us looking happy.Surely we are not ...

... the lady at emirates phoned me back(nice) to see if all was well.Not reallyI need to phone the bank,my phone has no credit left on it and I can not top it up because my card has been blocked,and I really want this flight.After this date the cost of flights has jumped by over £200.<br>This is a lot of money to not have when you are planning a 4 month trip overseas.<br>Now get this,emirates tell me that this flight is practically sold out but ...

Afte a lazy start to the day we headed out to go see some locals of the New Forest starting first with the donkeys then the ponies, cows, pigs, squirrels, ducks and geese - oh and manybe some sheep too! <br><br>We headed up around Frogham, over the High Corner Inn to the pub at Fritham, the Walter Tyrrel and the Rufus stone, thru Beaulieu and back up ornamental drive before heading home to have dinner at the George! Great day not too rainy and very entertaining!<br>

... by the canal. Further up the canal we watched narrow baots coming through the Wharton lock and picked blackberries while we waited.<br>We visited Tattenhall market for some homemade goodies and stopped on the way home for creak tea at Tarporley! Great day.

... the tents was pretty miserable and getting to the toilet involved a sneaky dash into the pub across the road. We said our goodbyes to Phil's mum and headed off into the driving rain once again. I have to say, though, that the rain isn't half as bad as you think it would be when cycling. With lycra tights and a waterproof all is well. The mornings cycle has to be rated as one of the worst parts of the journey. Instead ...

... of what certain governments have whipped up to try and instil fear of this &#8220;new&#8221; risk as a justification for invading other countries. <br><br>When the rain set in we took cover in the Manchester Art Gallery for the last hour it was open, and I could have stayed there much longer. The kids section was great fun, and a temporary exhibit highlighting real stories of the fast declining standard of life in Zimbabwe under the rule of ...