England

After a week holiday in Switzerland, we were on our way to Oxford. We were working at a hotel called Lambert Arms in the countryside, close to Lewknor. Fortunately we are only started to work in 2 days time, which gave us a little time to look around London first and do the touristy things. We first went to Buckingham Palace to see the change of the guard. I cant believe how motionless those guys stood.. they moved for nothing.. as if they are tin soldiers, arranged and left there till the hand comes and move them again.

Buckingham Palace

"Guard behind bars"

Horsemen close to Buckingham Palace

We then ventured to the "moving" things like the London Eye. It is a gigantic 135m tall Ferris wheel on the banks of the River Thames. The London Eye is also the most popular paid tourist attraction in the UK. 3.5milllion people a year visits this Ferris wheel! We also had to take a look at the Clock Tower with the largest bell (over 13 tons), called the Big Ben. The present House of Parliament is a Gothic masterpiece and was constructed between 1840 and 1888.

London Eye

The Big Ben

We took a train to Oxford and a bus to Lewknor. The last 2km we saw no-one and we walked till we came to The Lambert Arms hotel. This was our home for the next 8 weeks. It was such a cozy hotel, especially when fleeing from the cold. When we entered we were welcomed by many friendly faces, as if they were waiting for us. We were anxious to hear what we will be doing for the next 8 weeks. It turned out Karla would be on reception and I would be the barman! This was a little stressful, as I know nothing about alcohol, nevertheless pouring them! I really did not know there is so much to learn to be able to manage a bar! Fortunately I had the most amazing regulars, mostly Scottish.

The Lambert Arms

THE BAR

The people organizing the work for us took us for a ride. They got many things wrong, but the worst was that they said all meals included. It wasn't. We only got one meal a day, if you are working! So we ended up sharing our meals. We were stranded in the country side and going shopping was not that easy. Second problem was not having a fridge or oven to preserve or prepare food. So we bought and lived off sweets, chocolates, chips,cookies and pies! We warmed our pies on the heater in our room and we put our clothes under the mattress of our bed to take out the wrinkles. Improvise!

Shopping in Oxford

Pies on our "stove"

We took every chance we got to travel England. We loved Oxford and Cambridge. They were more vibrant than the smaller cities, but not as busy as London. You can hear yourself think without someone interrupting you, while there is advice always close at hand.

Cambridge

"Cam-bridge"

One of the highlights of our trip was Warwick castle. Here you could actually see how they had lived and get an interesting History lesson. We went together with our two friends, Martin from the UK and Lydia, another South African friend we met. When we approached the entrance I asked if we can get discount if we go in as a family? They enjoyed the humor and let us go in for half price!

"Our Family"

Warwick Castle

They are serious when they say no pictures

Trying on some armor

We made friends with a pastor in a small town close by. He borrowed us bicycles and this became our favorite mode of travel! On our first day of cycling we were driving down a narrow road, when suddenly a car drove into Karla's bicycle handles. Karla was unharmed, but the poor old people felt so bad and I said we will forgive them if we can take a picture of them! So if this is your parents, they are good people!

Cycling the country side

"The Culprits"

Our 8 weeks flew by and we were getting ready for our trip to Scotland. There was still a lot to see, but we felt it was time to move on! Some times having options are more complicated than having none.


"Simplicity is the most difficult thing to secure in this world; it is the last limit of experience and the last effort of genius." George Sand