Solent Hotel And Spa Whiteley

... the infamous round table with all the knights names and apparently a pic of King Henry?? I need to check that one and update this entry.

Pete made it without an issue and it was a lovely day for driving as well. I looked around the shops and had lunch in the Cathedral shop and of course took some pictures and read about some of the history or Wincester!

... Michael's Church to help us sort and pack the boxes. You are all stars...

We can't wait to start seeing the smiling faces of people receiving your shoeboxes and we promise to keep you up to date with where we are, who we meet and the reaction your gifts receive.

Check back on Monday when the Trussell team will reach Bulgaria and start distributing your shoeboxes to men, women and children living in poverty...

Booked flight today - Guatemala on Feb 22nd 2010. So to mark the occasion I thought I'd start my travel diary today as well.

Two months to go - and a lot of list-making, planning, shopping, getting vaccinated, freaking out, and bouncing with excitement to do!

... time, but since I needed one or two more warm things for China, I headed to Oxford St and did a lot more window shopping than actual buying. In the evening I boarded a train for Petersfield, in Hampshire, in southern England, and was enthusiastically greeted by good friend Zoe. She has just bought a house with boyfriend Hugh, and it was exciting to see it, meet their new chickens, and catch up on the past few months since the last time I saw them in Aus. On Friday (yesterday), Zoe was ...

... to our other blog please let me know or alternatively you can search for shunny81 and this is the name of it. There are a few to read but it will take away the boredom on a Friday afternoon.

Hope your all well and the weather is not to bad. Just think of us when its raining having to take shelter of the 35 degree heat.

All the best

Nigel

Bournemouth has a very funny layout.. the two main streets of the town go up both sides of the hills that lead down to the park and eventually to the famous Pier.

I was a bit down in the dumps this day.. I think because I was watching all the families and couples having some fun. It was mid term break so there were heaps of kids around and the entrance to the Pier was packed with amusements and ...

After being with my uncle for a couple of weeks I headed to the New Forest to stay with friends of mum and dads for a while. They live in a beautiful part of the county, surrounded by a National Forest. Its full of wild horses, pigs, cows and donkeys. They just walk around the forest, across roads etc. So its a bit dangerous.. well i think so anyway.

I went for lots of bike rides through the forest, some in the forest itself and some along the ...

... people coming from London to take in the sea air and take to the water, ie the spas! Jane Austen apparently stayed in Southampton for a time as well.

The last night with the Smiths and we had a bit of a party night, I bought Indian... the music was put on and we were dancing and Olly was playing with his guitar and the dogs!

We checked out early from the hotel and picked up Kitty-Ella from the cattery and headed back to Pete and Sue's. Today was a very special day as it was the day that Pete got to lose his freedom, or so he said. After living together for 15 years, Pete and Sue have decided to tie the knot and we were there to be the witnesses and for support. We all got changed into our best clobber and headed off nervously to the registry office. Andre and I waited in the room ...

Today - and this week in general - were great! I took a short day trip by train today to visit Windsor Castle, the oldest constantly inhabited castle in Europe. It is an impressive place. Like any of the other homes of the royal family, it was overflowing with tourists. The castle itself sits high on a hill overlooking the river Thames with the town of Windsor built - literally - around the castle. I spent several hours exploring the castle and grounds ...