Of course, it was not that simple.
Getting to the airport a couple of hours before my flight, I wandered the shops for awhile, was tempted by some blu-ray and PS3 games, but decided if I were flying out I would behave and not purchase anything. The minutes ticked closer and I eagerly awaited the announcement that the plane would begin boarding.
8:35 came and went. After a few minutes the board was updated. "Delayed until 22:30. Gate will open at 21:30".
So I waited. Again I was tempted to go blu-ray shopping, but again I resisted.
21:30 came and went. 22:00 came and went. Eventually the board updated again.
"Delayed until 22:30. Gate will open at 17:00."
This struck me as a little odd.
I decided someone was playing silly buggers and went to the information desk to see if they had any information, and found a very large group of people demanding to know what was going on, so I decided I was probably in the right place, though feeling a little too well behaved for the situation at hand. We were advised to head down to baggage collection (not to collect our bags, which were locked in the plane). What they neglected to mention is that between us and baggage collection was passport control. Me and a few other non british or europeans looked despondantly at the "All Other Passports" line which stretched most of the warehouse sized room.
The British/EU people had a single small straight line to walk. They responded to this by yelling, grumbling how they weren't going to stand for this, and eventually, storming customs. In response to this they especially set up a special line for our cancelled flight, which I took advantage of. Down in baggage hall they loaded us to on buses and took us to various hotels around London. I ended up at the Thistle Hotel, which was quite flash indeed. After feeding us breakfast and lunch, and after Lexi very kindly coming to visit and bringing me a toothbrush and some deodorant, they bundled us back on a bus and took us to the aiport. This was about 4:30, and our flight was at 9:35 that evening.
This time I decided I darn well was going to buy myself something and got a couple of blu-rays in a 2 for 1 deal.
The flight was an hour late to take off but actually took off so I counted that as a win. Bangkok flight was on time to depart and was actually early to land. Customs was, much like my arrival into the UK, bafflingly easy. "Anything to declare?"
"Um, some tea."
"Is there fruit in it?"
"Um, maybe?"
"Ok, off you go!"
This strikes me as a slightly lax approach to customs, but perhaps I'm missing some of the hidden steps and anyway it got me out of the airport quickly so I'm not complaining.
Just outside customs was MY DAD!!!!! whom I hadn't seen in a while, and would have been more visibly excited if I wasn't nearly asleep from jet lag.
I had successfully made it out of the UK.
I was in Australia again.
But holiday wasn't over yet!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Travels in London - Days 22-24 The final three days
While waiting to be able to check in to our hostel in Earl's Court (the first hostel we stayed in when I got to London), we went and checked out the Natural History museum, something we had been trying to do ever since we first got to London, but were continually prevented by lack of time, or a fire alarm, or a second fire alarm, so it was with no small amount of tension that we entered the museum. They didn't immediately evacuate, so I assumed we were safe to proceed.
There were dinosaurs. They were awesome, and therefore they were dinosaurs that were awesome. Including a giant animatronic t-rex that frightened small children. There was also a giant blue whale but it was closed for cleaning. (Um. Ew.)
That evening we waited in the hostel for our friend Jana to arrive. Jana was a German exchange student I met back in year 12 but hadn't seen since, tho' Lexi had seen her a few times overseas (though only once in Germany, oddly enough). She was flying over to spend a couple of days with us before my return, and after a fun evening getting caught in delayed trains (something I can relate to), she finally tromped in at about 12:30. We celebrated by immediately falling asleep.
The next day we hopped on a bus and went out to Stonehenge!!! Stonehenge was awesome, all big and stone and hengey. Standing in the snow, clutching an audio guide to our ear, we slowly circled the monument, taking in all it's splendour and it-looks-smaller-in-real-lifeyness. As it turns out this is partially due to design, the way it is placed makes it appear to tower over you as you walk up the hill towards it, and was possibly used to add a sense of power to those who approached it (although the giant calculator and alien theories were there too).
The next day was my last planned day in London. We started out by finding a twinings shop for Jana so she could bring some goodies back to her family, then said our farewells as she headed out to her (hopefully not snowed in) flight back to Germany.
After that we went shopping! Our venue of choice was Foyles, the one time largest bookshop in the world. Naturally this was a very dangerous place for me to be, and I proved it by stocking up on books and graphic novels for the flight home.
After tea in a little cafe, we headed back through the steadily building snow to the hostel, got my bags, and went to the train station, where I said my goodbyes to Lexi. I owe her a huge debt for the organisation (and decision making skills) she did for my holiday, it was a great success and this was largely down to her planning.
From there it would be fairly straightforward. A flight to Bangkok, a short 6 hour stay in a hotel room, before catching a flight to Perth, getting me in the next morning...
There were dinosaurs. They were awesome, and therefore they were dinosaurs that were awesome. Including a giant animatronic t-rex that frightened small children. There was also a giant blue whale but it was closed for cleaning. (Um. Ew.)
That evening we waited in the hostel for our friend Jana to arrive. Jana was a German exchange student I met back in year 12 but hadn't seen since, tho' Lexi had seen her a few times overseas (though only once in Germany, oddly enough). She was flying over to spend a couple of days with us before my return, and after a fun evening getting caught in delayed trains (something I can relate to), she finally tromped in at about 12:30. We celebrated by immediately falling asleep.
The next day we hopped on a bus and went out to Stonehenge!!! Stonehenge was awesome, all big and stone and hengey. Standing in the snow, clutching an audio guide to our ear, we slowly circled the monument, taking in all it's splendour and it-looks-smaller-in-real-lifeyness. As it turns out this is partially due to design, the way it is placed makes it appear to tower over you as you walk up the hill towards it, and was possibly used to add a sense of power to those who approached it (although the giant calculator and alien theories were there too).
The next day was my last planned day in London. We started out by finding a twinings shop for Jana so she could bring some goodies back to her family, then said our farewells as she headed out to her (hopefully not snowed in) flight back to Germany.
After that we went shopping! Our venue of choice was Foyles, the one time largest bookshop in the world. Naturally this was a very dangerous place for me to be, and I proved it by stocking up on books and graphic novels for the flight home.
After tea in a little cafe, we headed back through the steadily building snow to the hostel, got my bags, and went to the train station, where I said my goodbyes to Lexi. I owe her a huge debt for the organisation (and decision making skills) she did for my holiday, it was a great success and this was largely down to her planning.
From there it would be fairly straightforward. A flight to Bangkok, a short 6 hour stay in a hotel room, before catching a flight to Perth, getting me in the next morning...
Travels in the UK - Days 19-21 - All you need is a large, weird looking Cathedral (Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!)
We got in to Liverpool shortly after lunch and, after checking in to our large (and as we found that evening, not sound proofed) hostel, went to check out the two Liverpudlian Cathedrals.
Liverpool has two giant 20th century cathedrals, and they are opposite as two giant 20th century cathedrals can be. The first we saw was the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King (say that three times fast backwards in Spanish with a lisp), and it was built and designed in the 1960's, which probably says as much about the look of the building as you need to know. It is large, circular, and honestly just a little bit weird. The inside is full of a set of chairs surrounding an alter, and around the walls were four confessionals, a number of little exhibits, and the stages of the cross. There's also a crypt, but if the church was anything to go by it probably had a disco ball in it, and in any case it was closed.
The second catherdral was the Cathedral Church of Christ in Liverpool, and looks much more like a Cathedral in the traditional sense. What makes it stand out is it. is. huge. All the other cathedrals I'd seen would probably fit comfortably inside it and you'd still have room to hold an actual service. There are bridges inside, for goodness sake! The fact that it's only the 5th largest Cathedral in the world frightens me a little. It also looks very old as only a cathedral can do, which is odd, because it's actually one of the youngest Cathedrals in the world, starting construction in 1904 but not finishing until 1978. So it's actually younger than the cool and funky Metropolitan Cathedral.
That evening we went and checked out the Tate gallery in Liverpool which was full of, well, art. Including a glass of water that had been turned into an oak tree. It's actually just a glass of water, but the artist had managed turn himself into a "git." However, the following story amuses me to no end, and says a lot about Australians.
The Oak Tree (as the glass of water is referred to), is by Michael Craig-Martin, and he has staunchly insisted it is an oak tree in every way, it just happens to look like a glass of water.
So, when he entered Australia, it was promptly quarantined and barred from entering the country, under laws that prohibit bringing plant matter into the country.
It wasn't allowed into the country until he explained that it was actually a glass of water.
It turns out that the version we saw wasn't the original oak tree, as I've just found it the original was bought by the National Gallery of Australia in 1977. But it's ok. The artist made a copy.
As in he filled up another glass of water.
This is one of the reasons I am a little disparaging of post modern art.
The next day we went to visit the Beatles Story, the world's only permanent Beatles exhibition apparently, (although I can't exactly recall a stampede of non permanent exhibitions either but there you go)
The Beatles fan that I am I enjoyed it greatly, most immediately because it got us out of the screaming rain and hail that had been battering us for half an hour before we got there, but after I dried out I enjoyed purely on its own merits. I may have gone a little mad in the gift shop.
After the exhibition we caught the train in Cambridge.
The next day we walked over to see some extended relatives of Lexi's, and they very kindly offered us lunch and a tour of the colleges that hadn't closed for the winter. The colleges are rather beautiful and in many ways it's a shame that studying there isn't really an option, but mostly they were just nice to look at.
The next morning we were on our way back to London.
Liverpool has two giant 20th century cathedrals, and they are opposite as two giant 20th century cathedrals can be. The first we saw was the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King (say that three times fast backwards in Spanish with a lisp), and it was built and designed in the 1960's, which probably says as much about the look of the building as you need to know. It is large, circular, and honestly just a little bit weird. The inside is full of a set of chairs surrounding an alter, and around the walls were four confessionals, a number of little exhibits, and the stages of the cross. There's also a crypt, but if the church was anything to go by it probably had a disco ball in it, and in any case it was closed.
The second catherdral was the Cathedral Church of Christ in Liverpool, and looks much more like a Cathedral in the traditional sense. What makes it stand out is it. is. huge. All the other cathedrals I'd seen would probably fit comfortably inside it and you'd still have room to hold an actual service. There are bridges inside, for goodness sake! The fact that it's only the 5th largest Cathedral in the world frightens me a little. It also looks very old as only a cathedral can do, which is odd, because it's actually one of the youngest Cathedrals in the world, starting construction in 1904 but not finishing until 1978. So it's actually younger than the cool and funky Metropolitan Cathedral.
That evening we went and checked out the Tate gallery in Liverpool which was full of, well, art. Including a glass of water that had been turned into an oak tree. It's actually just a glass of water, but the artist had managed turn himself into a "git." However, the following story amuses me to no end, and says a lot about Australians.
The Oak Tree (as the glass of water is referred to), is by Michael Craig-Martin, and he has staunchly insisted it is an oak tree in every way, it just happens to look like a glass of water.
So, when he entered Australia, it was promptly quarantined and barred from entering the country, under laws that prohibit bringing plant matter into the country.
It wasn't allowed into the country until he explained that it was actually a glass of water.
It turns out that the version we saw wasn't the original oak tree, as I've just found it the original was bought by the National Gallery of Australia in 1977. But it's ok. The artist made a copy.
As in he filled up another glass of water.
This is one of the reasons I am a little disparaging of post modern art.
The next day we went to visit the Beatles Story, the world's only permanent Beatles exhibition apparently, (although I can't exactly recall a stampede of non permanent exhibitions either but there you go)
The Beatles fan that I am I enjoyed it greatly, most immediately because it got us out of the screaming rain and hail that had been battering us for half an hour before we got there, but after I dried out I enjoyed purely on its own merits. I may have gone a little mad in the gift shop.
After the exhibition we caught the train in Cambridge.
The next day we walked over to see some extended relatives of Lexi's, and they very kindly offered us lunch and a tour of the colleges that hadn't closed for the winter. The colleges are rather beautiful and in many ways it's a shame that studying there isn't really an option, but mostly they were just nice to look at.
The next morning we were on our way back to London.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Travels in the UK – Days 16-18: Now With Updated Title. (Also: Edinburgh and York)
Edinburgh was a big place, and slippery as hell, though that probably had more to do with the snow than Edinburgh itself.
After settling in at the hostel, (which was HUGE) we ventured out into the cold and went to see Edinburgh Castle, which was about as different from Castle Caernarfon as you could get while still being a castle. For starters, it was massive, occupying a whole hill top, and full of its own buildings and towers that held a half dozen different exhibits, which also unfortunately meant that it was littered with large plastic “Did you know?” signs, which didn’t look like they were part of the original castle design (although you never know). So while it definitely had more to see, it felt more like a tourist spot than Castle Caernarfon did. But it was awesome nonetheless. We spent a good few hours wandering through the exhibits and walls until 1:00pm, when it was time to watch them fire the 1:00 gun, something they’d be doing for several hundred years to tell ships docked nearby what the time was so they could reset their chronometers.
The audience gathered as the soldier entered the courtyard, carrying a shell in his arm.
The audience tensed as he loaded the shell into the artillery cannon and prepared the mechanism.
The audience held its breath as the solider glanced at his watch and swung down the trigger.
The audience waited while nothing happened.
The audience started to snigger as the soldier frantically tried to unjam the gun before unloading the shell and headed back inside.
It turned out that the gun had frozen overnight and wouldn’t be able to fire, and of course it either fires on time or not at all, so there was no firing that day, which left me feeling sorry for the solider more than disappointed. So we went and had a cup of tea instead, which wasn’t a bit a spectacle but did have the advantage of being a cup of tea.
Lexi roasted a ham for dinner that evening which was a bit of a luxury.
The next day we headed out to Calton Hill which was, well it was a big hill, but it gave a fantastic view of the surrounding city, and looked rather wonderful covered in snow. Going up the hill was a bit tough in the snow, but quite doable.
Going down was a slow and treacherous descent of holding desperately onto railings and trying to find the less slippery patches of snow, and getting the vague feeling that Lexi was quietly rather amused by the whole thing, or at least would be if she wasn’t holding on for dear life herself.
That evening we popped down to the cinema to see “Sherlock Holmes” which turned out to be a rollicking good action film with everyone in top form.
We got into York late on Day 17 (30th of December for reference), and aside from a rather lengthy wrong turning got to our hotel without much issue. York. Is. Amazing. I’ve remarked before how old London felt. York feels older. The fact that it’s smaller probably contributes, but this kind of heightened the feeling of the weight of history of seeing yet another 800 year old building every time you turned a corner. Every block has at least something ancient on it, and the town is littered with small modest plaques saying things like “on this spot in 1292...”
What dominates the town is Yorkminster, a giant abbey that could probably give Westminster a run for it’s money, looking all the more imposing because there’s no other building in the town that even comes close to matching its size. We went to evening prayer, which was held in a small side chapel. Earlier in the day we went to the Castle Museum, and the National Rail Museum.
There isn’t actually a Castle in York anymore, so the assumption is that the museum is where the castle used to be. This is heightened by the fact that there isn’t really any mention of castles in the museum. There were some very good history sections, including one wall exhibits about the history of vacuum cleaners or funerals etc, which were actually very interesting because most museums I’ve been to seem to think that this kind of thing would be beneath them, which is a shame because I learnt more from these walls than any giant dinosaur skeleton. Not that dinosaurs are not awesome, you understand. They are.
The National Rail Museum turned me into a 5 year old, and I merrily wandered between the engines, marvelling and the size and feeling again the romance of train travel, torn between two thoughts, one half of me wishing I lived in an era when steam trains still ruled and I could become a train driver, and the other half reminding my first half that being a train driver was a downright terrible job.
There was also a Thomas shop, but they didn’t have the complete collection of Rev Awdry stories, so I didn’t bother buying anything from there.
After all the museums we headed out for a bar and grill dinner then back to the hotel, for it was now only a few hours to the new year. Shipping our champagne and orange juice (from a can, no less), we watched the clock tick down to midnight, shouted “hooray,” went outside to watch the fireworks for a bit and then went to bed.
This morning we are on the train to Liverpool, where I intend to find something to do with the Beatles.
Interlude: An Intimate Interview With 2009
1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Went overseas; stayed up for 48 hours; made a career change decision; MC'd a wedding, participated in a group photo shoot; had my email account hacked; the list goes on.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any resolutions this year, or at least I've forgotten them. Hopefully one of them wasn't "Improve my memory."
For 2010 I resolve to make something of my writing and do something with it, to always have a story to write and a project to work on. To clear up my finances and settle into part time work.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My cousin became a father, but they've in another state, so maybe not literally close.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My friend's poodle passed away, I've known the poodle as long as I've known them. Otherwise, fortunately no.
5. What countries did you visit?
England, Scotland, Wales.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
More writing.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 12th. Stepped down from being a Team Ldear, and took my first step towards my new work plans.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Realising what I wanted to do, and that it was more important than stability.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Taking as long as I did to realise the above.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
A few colds here and there, fortunately nothing worse.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
The ticket to the UK. Also a playstation 3.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
So many. The friend who has basically planned and executed my holiday. The friend who involves me in their creative projects and inspires me to work harder in my own. All the friends who have been there for me in one way or another.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
The men I know who tried to take advantage of the women I know.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Travel, and random splurging on treats for me.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Foreigner. The new TSO album. The Beatles. Going to the UK. The Alice Shoot. My new plans.
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Don't Stop Believin' by Journey (Glee version, and original)
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i) Happier or sadder? Happier!
ii) Thinner or fatter? Thinner!
iii) Richer or poorer? Poorer, but I've spent it better.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Writing, time with friends.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Random spending.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Went to Inverness Cathedral for a morning church service, then a quiet afternoon with presents, then fancy dinner out in the evening.
21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
I wouldn't feel confident to go as far as love. But possibly.
23. How many one-night stands?
None. How many next year? None. How many for ever? None.
24. What was your favourite TV program?
Castle was a late challenger, but I'd have to say Cowboy Bebop.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Not hate. But I have extreme dislike for the men in question 13.
26. What was the best book you read?
Nation by Terry Pratchett.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Beatles. Foreigner.
28. What did you want and get?
A wonderful holiday. A goal.
29. What did you want and not get?
As much saved as I'd like, writing opportunities.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
Sherlock Holmes was pretty darn good, but possibly Up as the favourite.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 25. I had friends over and we had pancakes. It was good.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
In the long run it was completely satisfying. I just kind of wish I had worked things out sooner.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
2008, back for one more year.
34. What kept you sane?
My friends, my iPod, my sense of purpose.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I didn't. Sorry.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Swine Flu. Not political but it was the ONLY issue I got stirred up about. Stupid panic.
37. Who did you miss?
My family, and in alphabetical order, Bec, Cat, Debbie, Jen, Jules, Lexi, Thomas.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Mostly it was the old friends that mattered most this year.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007:
You're only human. You can't do everything. But you can do a lot.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year
Don't stop believing, hold on to that feeling.;
Went overseas; stayed up for 48 hours; made a career change decision; MC'd a wedding, participated in a group photo shoot; had my email account hacked; the list goes on.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any resolutions this year, or at least I've forgotten them. Hopefully one of them wasn't "Improve my memory."
For 2010 I resolve to make something of my writing and do something with it, to always have a story to write and a project to work on. To clear up my finances and settle into part time work.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My cousin became a father, but they've in another state, so maybe not literally close.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My friend's poodle passed away, I've known the poodle as long as I've known them. Otherwise, fortunately no.
5. What countries did you visit?
England, Scotland, Wales.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
More writing.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 12th. Stepped down from being a Team Ldear, and took my first step towards my new work plans.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Realising what I wanted to do, and that it was more important than stability.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Taking as long as I did to realise the above.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
A few colds here and there, fortunately nothing worse.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
The ticket to the UK. Also a playstation 3.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
So many. The friend who has basically planned and executed my holiday. The friend who involves me in their creative projects and inspires me to work harder in my own. All the friends who have been there for me in one way or another.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
The men I know who tried to take advantage of the women I know.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Travel, and random splurging on treats for me.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Foreigner. The new TSO album. The Beatles. Going to the UK. The Alice Shoot. My new plans.
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Don't Stop Believin' by Journey (Glee version, and original)
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i) Happier or sadder? Happier!
ii) Thinner or fatter? Thinner!
iii) Richer or poorer? Poorer, but I've spent it better.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Writing, time with friends.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Random spending.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Went to Inverness Cathedral for a morning church service, then a quiet afternoon with presents, then fancy dinner out in the evening.
21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
I wouldn't feel confident to go as far as love. But possibly.
23. How many one-night stands?
None. How many next year? None. How many for ever? None.
24. What was your favourite TV program?
Castle was a late challenger, but I'd have to say Cowboy Bebop.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Not hate. But I have extreme dislike for the men in question 13.
26. What was the best book you read?
Nation by Terry Pratchett.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Beatles. Foreigner.
28. What did you want and get?
A wonderful holiday. A goal.
29. What did you want and not get?
As much saved as I'd like, writing opportunities.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
Sherlock Holmes was pretty darn good, but possibly Up as the favourite.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 25. I had friends over and we had pancakes. It was good.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
In the long run it was completely satisfying. I just kind of wish I had worked things out sooner.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
2008, back for one more year.
34. What kept you sane?
My friends, my iPod, my sense of purpose.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I didn't. Sorry.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Swine Flu. Not political but it was the ONLY issue I got stirred up about. Stupid panic.
37. Who did you miss?
My family, and in alphabetical order, Bec, Cat, Debbie, Jen, Jules, Lexi, Thomas.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Mostly it was the old friends that mattered most this year.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007:
You're only human. You can't do everything. But you can do a lot.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year
Don't stop believing, hold on to that feeling.;
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Travels in London - Days 13-15: Heading vaguely towards London.
Christmas was lovely. We went to the morning service at Inverness catherdral, then came back to the hostel to open presents. I got a bar of crispy chocolate from some friends of Lexi's, and Lexi gave me a small kit of space origami designs, which was awesome, but paled in comparison to the fact that she also bought me a FREAKING ROBOT!!!!!!
It's about the size of my thumb and it can't do more than walk around avoiding obstacles and following things, but it's mine, it's a robot, and it's my robot. Therefore it is awesome.
I got Lexi a copy of Maus (amazing graphic novel about the holocaust) and Nation (the first non-discworld novel from Terry Pratchett in a very long time). She was happy, so yay.
That evening we decided to treat ourselves and went out to the Royal Highland Hotel restaurant for a fancy dinner. So fancy, in fact, that the garlic bread did not taste or resemble garlic bread in any way shape or form. Now that IS fancy. For dinner I had venison, which as Lexi kindly pointed out meant I was basically eating Rudolph, and thanks to an unfortunately placed cherry tomato, it looked like they had given me the nose as well.
The next day was rather exciting for me, as we were heading out for a tour of Loch Ness. Loch Ness was two things. Amazing, and cold. Fortunately the boat had a heated indoor area so after taking photos of the mist rolling across the waters and ruined castles, we hid inside for the remainder of the trip. After going crazy in the gift shop, we headed back to the hostel, where I spent an hour or so updating photos and carefully drawing the Loch Ness Monster on one of them using MS paint for that authentic look.
Today we left early and trudged away through a strengthening snow storm to the train station for our early train to Edinburgh. We pushed on and made it on the train just in time to be told that the train had been cancelled and that we had to get off.
Over a few cups of tea we found out that there had been problems with the Edinburgh line overnight and all trains direct to Edinburgh had been cancelled. Fortunately we discovered that our tickets were good for going the long way round to Aberdeen so at 12:30 we hopped on the train and headed off. On the whole it wasn't that bad that the train had been cancelled, as it was packed to the brim when we had got on, and the Aberdeen train by contract was dead quiet so got to luxuriate in our first class seats and enjoy the view, the leg room, and the complimentary coffee. Life is good.
Then I decided to update my blog, so I opened my laptop, connected to the internet, and started typing. After some typing I had finished my blog, so I decided to end it abru-
It's about the size of my thumb and it can't do more than walk around avoiding obstacles and following things, but it's mine, it's a robot, and it's my robot. Therefore it is awesome.
I got Lexi a copy of Maus (amazing graphic novel about the holocaust) and Nation (the first non-discworld novel from Terry Pratchett in a very long time). She was happy, so yay.
That evening we decided to treat ourselves and went out to the Royal Highland Hotel restaurant for a fancy dinner. So fancy, in fact, that the garlic bread did not taste or resemble garlic bread in any way shape or form. Now that IS fancy. For dinner I had venison, which as Lexi kindly pointed out meant I was basically eating Rudolph, and thanks to an unfortunately placed cherry tomato, it looked like they had given me the nose as well.
The next day was rather exciting for me, as we were heading out for a tour of Loch Ness. Loch Ness was two things. Amazing, and cold. Fortunately the boat had a heated indoor area so after taking photos of the mist rolling across the waters and ruined castles, we hid inside for the remainder of the trip. After going crazy in the gift shop, we headed back to the hostel, where I spent an hour or so updating photos and carefully drawing the Loch Ness Monster on one of them using MS paint for that authentic look.
Today we left early and trudged away through a strengthening snow storm to the train station for our early train to Edinburgh. We pushed on and made it on the train just in time to be told that the train had been cancelled and that we had to get off.
Over a few cups of tea we found out that there had been problems with the Edinburgh line overnight and all trains direct to Edinburgh had been cancelled. Fortunately we discovered that our tickets were good for going the long way round to Aberdeen so at 12:30 we hopped on the train and headed off. On the whole it wasn't that bad that the train had been cancelled, as it was packed to the brim when we had got on, and the Aberdeen train by contract was dead quiet so got to luxuriate in our first class seats and enjoy the view, the leg room, and the complimentary coffee. Life is good.
Then I decided to update my blog, so I opened my laptop, connected to the internet, and started typing. After some typing I had finished my blog, so I decided to end it abru-
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Travels in London - Days 9-12: Still not in London
Our stay in Caernarfon started on slightly tenuous grounds when we couldn't find the bus. We eventually decided to take a taxi from Bangor (where the train got in) to Caernarfon, which set us back about 20 pounds, but had the major advantage of being a form of transport that was actually running.
We then ran into some further difficulty when the bus driver could not find the hostel. After driving us around the entire town twice (it's a small town), we eventually decided to get out and have a look ourselves, rather than tying up the taxi driver (and, indeed, his fare meter). After the help of a map and some locals, we tracked down the hostel on the other side of town.
Our difficulties were then somewhat magnified further when the owner of the Hostel couldn't find our booking, as it turned out he didn't get internet bookings for about 48 hours and we had only booked the day before. But it all worked out ok and he very kindly rearranged some visiting family so we could get a room on the 3rd floor. This would turn out to be the best place to stay yet. It was basically a very, very large house that the owners had converted into a hostel, and was run by Bob and his wife who were a charmingly friendly and eccentric couple.
Caernarfon was a wonderful place to stay, a seaside town that was quiet and had the added bonus of having a sodding great castle in it. We spent the first day taking it easy and taking various walks around town to try and find cafes that would do us an afternoon tea after the monstrously late hour of 3:00pm. We also took the opportunity to replenish some of our diminishing supplies.
The day after we went to visit the castle, which was simply magnificient. Built in the 1300s to crush those rebellious Welsh chaps, it was steeped in history and fallen masonry. Apparently Prince Charles was invested as the Prince of Wales in that very castle. Makes you think, dunnit.
The castle, combined with the small town feel, combined with the fact that people were conversing in Welsh in the streets made Caernarfon feel greatly different to London and Birmingham, but also very relaxing and peaceful.
The train from Caernarfon to Inverness, or should I say the five trains from Caernarfon to Inverness were the complete opposite of relaxing and peaceful, and proved to be the first time in the whole holiday that I was to feel stressed and frustrated.
Train 1 was fine.
Train 2 was also fine.
Train 3 was 45 minutes late, had no spare seats or luggage space, and stopped for 45 minutes about 10 minutes from our destination.
Train 4 was a 15 minute walk from one station to the next, and was 30 minutes late.
Train 5 was full of spare seats and luggage space, comfortable and clean, quiet and speedy, and more importantly WAS WAITING FOR OUR LATE ARRIVAL. Scot Rail is amazing that way.
We finally trooped into Inverness Youth Hostel (through 3 inch snow, yay!) at 10:00pm, when they'd just about given up hope of us turning up at all.
After a (long) sleep, we were off into Inverness, merrily wading through the thick snow down to the shopping complex to eat breakfast and do some shopping, including most importantly a small grown your own crystal christmas tree (it being Christmas Eve) which we set up back at the hostel.
We visited a Christingle (Carols and oranges, yes I know it's as strange as it sounds) service at Inverness Catherdral, but heavy snowfall talked us out of visiting the midnight mass, as we weren't entirely convinced we would be able to get home again.
That brings us to now. I would like to wish everyone reading a Merry Christmas, I hope your day is wonderful. I will update again in a few days, the next could of days are going to be quiet so not much to report, though we should hopefully be going on a cruise of Loch Ness on boxing day.
Until then.
We then ran into some further difficulty when the bus driver could not find the hostel. After driving us around the entire town twice (it's a small town), we eventually decided to get out and have a look ourselves, rather than tying up the taxi driver (and, indeed, his fare meter). After the help of a map and some locals, we tracked down the hostel on the other side of town.
Our difficulties were then somewhat magnified further when the owner of the Hostel couldn't find our booking, as it turned out he didn't get internet bookings for about 48 hours and we had only booked the day before. But it all worked out ok and he very kindly rearranged some visiting family so we could get a room on the 3rd floor. This would turn out to be the best place to stay yet. It was basically a very, very large house that the owners had converted into a hostel, and was run by Bob and his wife who were a charmingly friendly and eccentric couple.
Caernarfon was a wonderful place to stay, a seaside town that was quiet and had the added bonus of having a sodding great castle in it. We spent the first day taking it easy and taking various walks around town to try and find cafes that would do us an afternoon tea after the monstrously late hour of 3:00pm. We also took the opportunity to replenish some of our diminishing supplies.
The day after we went to visit the castle, which was simply magnificient. Built in the 1300s to crush those rebellious Welsh chaps, it was steeped in history and fallen masonry. Apparently Prince Charles was invested as the Prince of Wales in that very castle. Makes you think, dunnit.
The castle, combined with the small town feel, combined with the fact that people were conversing in Welsh in the streets made Caernarfon feel greatly different to London and Birmingham, but also very relaxing and peaceful.
The train from Caernarfon to Inverness, or should I say the five trains from Caernarfon to Inverness were the complete opposite of relaxing and peaceful, and proved to be the first time in the whole holiday that I was to feel stressed and frustrated.
Train 1 was fine.
Train 2 was also fine.
Train 3 was 45 minutes late, had no spare seats or luggage space, and stopped for 45 minutes about 10 minutes from our destination.
Train 4 was a 15 minute walk from one station to the next, and was 30 minutes late.
Train 5 was full of spare seats and luggage space, comfortable and clean, quiet and speedy, and more importantly WAS WAITING FOR OUR LATE ARRIVAL. Scot Rail is amazing that way.
We finally trooped into Inverness Youth Hostel (through 3 inch snow, yay!) at 10:00pm, when they'd just about given up hope of us turning up at all.
After a (long) sleep, we were off into Inverness, merrily wading through the thick snow down to the shopping complex to eat breakfast and do some shopping, including most importantly a small grown your own crystal christmas tree (it being Christmas Eve) which we set up back at the hostel.
We visited a Christingle (Carols and oranges, yes I know it's as strange as it sounds) service at Inverness Catherdral, but heavy snowfall talked us out of visiting the midnight mass, as we weren't entirely convinced we would be able to get home again.
That brings us to now. I would like to wish everyone reading a Merry Christmas, I hope your day is wonderful. I will update again in a few days, the next could of days are going to be quiet so not much to report, though we should hopefully be going on a cruise of Loch Ness on boxing day.
Until then.
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