FRANCE TO ENGLAND JULY 2015

VISIT TO THE UK

On July 16th we set out to drive to Scotland via Calais, Dover, Deal and Oxford. Fortunately I checked my mobile phone just before leaving as the ferry company sent a text redirecting us to Dunkirk.

First a photo of the ruin to record final condition before leaving!

The reason for the diversion was a strike in Calais. "This IS France" said the ticket agent at Dunkirk.

Nice smooth crossing.

The white cliffs of Dover. Always make an impact.

DRIVING IN GB

May as well get this bitch over early.

Tourists get no advice on speed limits when they arrive in Great Britain. I've heard people say "It's the responsibility for drivers to know the rules". I think this is a load of rubbish. Surely, in order to protect their citizens against foreigners who are unfamiliar with the rules, it's in the country's best interest to inform new arrivals. A simple bit of paper with the speed restrictions handed out at Port of entry would be a great help.

There is a small sign at the top of the hill out of Dover which was obscured by bushes and easy to miss while you are concentrating on adapting to driving on the left. After that, nothing, and you are into it. Warning signs with a camera on them but no idea how fast you are allowed to go.

Got another one while on the subject.

I don't like the Etiquette for lane used on British motorways. In Australia you can overtake or undertake so the logic is to sit in the middle of three lane motorways and drive at the speed limit plus a bit. That way you can put the car in cruise control and drive almost unhindered to where you want to go. Anyone overtaking you is, in fact, breaking the law and lane changing, which always comes with an element of risk, is avoided.

UK driving is nerve wracking. Vehicles constantly changing lanes with much braking and accelerating, which are inherently uneconomical.

OK, got that over now on with the story!

Sally, the new grandmother in earlier post was raised on this farm a few klms outside Dover on the way to Deal.

The Swingate Pub next to the farm. Took my life in my hands to get this shot as the traffic was almost continuous and passed within inches!

We stay at Rosabel's (Cathy's school friend) house in this street. The power lines are unusual.

The house with the grey front belongs to Warwick and Louise who also own a place in Guemene. they have been trying for a long time to sell it which has to some extent been frustrated by the development next door. The development is almost complete and the new units are selling for more than W & L are asking so hopefully they should have some luck. They have made their living buying old properties and doing them up but got caught in the Global Financial Crisis.

The house looks out to this.

Cathy and Rosabel on the pier.

Drinks in the nearby pub garden with Warwick and Louise.

Spotted this vintage Austin on way to Oxford. Dad used to own one of these.

Bar-B-Que at Kirsty's house with Cathys sister Elsie. Kirsty is her daughter.

Kirsty with Dilly, her boyfriend, who did the cooking.

Kirsty is Development Manager for Barry Callebaut. Most people have never heard of the company but they control something like 70% of the worlds cocoa production which goes to making chocolate. The sacks come with the beans and make a very good cat playground.

This is a red kyte. The bird was introduced from Russia by Paul Getty, the billionaire business man, several years ago and there are now many breeding pairs in the Oxfordshire area. Throw a chop down on the lawn and one will swoop down and pick it up even with people around. Perhaps there were too many people the day we were there so this is the best shot I could get.