Lincolnshire - Time With Family
Day 1:
I arrived early in London - the flight only took six hours rather than the normal seven. I was then able to fly through customs (thanks British passport) and onto the tube as I had an oyster card with credit from the last time I visited.
I got to Kings Cross station as I was taking a train to Peterborough in a few hours. It’s here they have the Harry Potter platform 9 and ¾. It was sad to see that since visiting a few years ago they have now for a shop and a paid line to take a pic.
I was then picked up from Peterborough by my aunt Marilyn who lives near Boston in Lincolnshire. I love coming to the UK as it’s a chance to meet up with my extended family. Growing up in NZ and travel being so expansive I never knew them growing up. So nice now I can hear about my ancestors and see where they lived.
Day 2:
I spent a nice day relaxing and catching up on sleep. I also tried to sort out fedex again. I had created a label online but now needed to sent them a form via email as I was in the UK and the iPad needed to be picked up in the USA. I ended up ringing them and they managed to arrange it at their end to pick it up.
Day 3:
We took a trip to Skegness (a familiar place if you have read the Adrian Mole books). Normal for an English seaside there is a pier with a boardwalk along with a lot of games, bingo and fish and arcade / bingo halls.
We started off by putting out feet in the water, unfortunately it was freezing! I had said when we headed towards the beach that I was amazed as almost no one was swimming! However, it was nice to say my feet have been in the North Sea. It was a nice day quitd warm with blue sky’s. We then had a traditional ice cream called a 99 (think Mr Whippy with a flake).
We then hit the many gift / £1 stores for a mini flag for Groot. Unfortunately except for a Megan and Harry flag I was unsuccessful. We then had some traditional fish and chips before heading home.
Day 4:
Another relaxing day I didn’t get up to much, however, this as much needed after my busy month in the USA.
Day 5:
Today we hobnobbed with the royalty, well at least visited where they have their Christmas dinner. We headed to Sandringham which was around an hour south of where my aunt and cousin live. I have to say when my aunt said we were going to visit that we could simply see the house and grounds. I was then quite excited to find out we would get a tour inside!
As you can see the grounds are so beautiful. Anyone is able to visit and there were a lot of people walking their dogs in the parks nearby (only assistance dogs are allowed in the grounds).
I was unable to take pictures inside and I can understand this as they do use the house. It was so very beautiful inside, the furniture, antiques and paintings were breathtaking. We saw where they have high tea before they dine for Christmas in the room beside. We also got to see a collection of old rifles before going into the purpose built ballroom (finished in the early 1900s).
We then took a look around the museum where I saw this amazing porcelain. My aunt and I joked that maybe this is where the queen does when she wants to have a clearout.
Being I was in England we had some tea and I had a scone with clotted cream and jam.
Finishing off the day we drove nearby to where the royals used to take the train when heading from London. They now stop at Kings Lynn nearby and the old station has been converted into a house. (They do, however, let you take pics in the afternoon).
Day six:
I headed into Boston today to have a look around and buy a few supplies for the next part of my trip. There was the annual fair on this week complete with amusement rides and carnival games. A lot of the shop owners didn’t like it because it did take over a lot of the square. However, the fair dates back to the 1100s so seems a shame to finish it now.
I do find the UK interesting, especially their overubundende of pond and charity shops. Almost every second store was either one of those.
I also found it strange that when looking for a dink everything had artificial sweeteners. I can understand having diet soda but it but almost all drinks now and it’s and it’s worse than when I visited two years ago. Apparently a sugar tax came into effect a month before I arrived and for some reason the manufacturers decided to simply change them. It would have been a far better idea to let people have a choice. I don’t drink a lot of sugary juice or soda but I would rather have sugar than the fake stuff.
Anyway I stocked up on a few things then had some tea and watched the world go by.
I also finally heard that my iPad had been picked up in NYC the only issue being that it would not arrive until Tuesday and I was heading to Scotland on Sunday. I am not worried through as I’m able to use the blogging app on my phone and at least I know it would be safe until I get back.
Day seven:
Today we went to see my grandmas house. It was so very strange to visit. Every time I have visited you could hear my grandmas dog race across the room to great you but this time there was scilence. Even stranger was to see things like her remote and diary beside the tv chair just like she was only in the other room.
I’m glad that my aunt and cousin have time to sort everything out. She was 94 when she passed away and it takes a while to sort everything out. As my aunt said it just goes to show that at the end of the day possessions are just not important.
My grandmother lived in a small rural village without many houses. Only over the past year or so land beside her had been bought up and terraced housing is popping up. She would not have enjoyed having so many neighbours so I am glad she didn’t have to live through that.
When we got back I re-packed my bag into a rucksack. I overpacked clothes before I had left and bought a bit of stuff in the USA. I’m leaving my suitcase at my aunt's house so only clothes and a few other essentials are coming with me. As I’ve noticed when travelling I tent to wear my clothes more than normal to cut down on laundry so I dont need that much.
In the evening I wanted the Eurovision Song Contest which was hilarious. Not as European as it could be as it includes countries like Israel and Australia. I have decided to start a petition to get NZ in! It seemed quite political with the UK receiving a small amount of votes but then again it was a pretty bad song. Israel won in the end so it’s going to be interesting for some of the countries heading to Jerusalem next year!
Comments
Post a Comment