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What a great weekend we've had. We took the
ferry over to France and drove through the countryside, staying in a
hotel on the Belgium border. Yes, the Belgian chocolates are all that
and we had some exquisite French red wine. The occasion was to
celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. Belgian chocolates, French wine
and a hotel room - need I say more...
We have so much to tell you, but I'll just touch on the stuff you may find interesting. November I had to fly home to Australia to complete my Settlement Visa. The night before I left for Oz, we spent it in Ottery St Marys being initiated into a strange and ancient, and terrifingly exhilarating tradition called Flaming Tar Barrels. Imagine a village square at night packed so tightly with people that you can't see your own shoes. Then imagine a large wooden barrel half filled with goose fat and set on fire. Then imagine this flaming barrel being rushed through the tightly packed crowd on the shoulders of some big, burly and slightly insane men. What a rush!! See my pics. I thought we were goners a few times, the barrel grazed by us several times. They carry the barrels on their shoulders until it disintegrates around them. A truly fabulous send off and something to rave about back home. A tradition that's been carried on for hundreds of years. Needless to say, they were having some challenges with insurance, which I find quite sad. It's definitely an activity that separates the thrill seekers from the cautious. So, I spent most of November in Oz and was back in England a month later. It was great to see family, including my new nephew, and friends, but felt odd being separated from Marno after living in each others pockets for a year. December saw us back together and the first thing we did (apart from the usual snogging, etc) was visit Windsor Castle. I honestly don't think I've ever been in the presence of so much opulence. The treasure room was mind blowing - artifacts, treasure won by conquests and gifts from ancient rulers, that you suddenly realise actually existed. While we were there we watched the changing of the guards. Christmas we spent with our cousins Sharon and Rebekah in Somerset. We were priviledged to experience a Meet in the village of Wiveliscombe - another old tradition - fox hunting. Huge horses, baying dogs and lots of locals gathered in the town square as a send off to the hunting party. Of course, they don't hunt live foxes (well, not legally, anyway). While in Somerset we enjoyed some very pleasant walks and strolled down an ancient sunken lane probably dating back to Roman times. New Years Eve - well, wait till you see the pics. We spent NYE with our friends Sam and Louise in Exmouth. Let me just say this, if you don't go fancy dress in Exmouth on NYE you'll be the odd one out. So, I dressed Marno as Priscilla Queen of the Dessert and I slapped on some green face paint a giant nose wort and witches hat. Needless to say Marno was propositioned countless times and shamelessly battered his long pink lashes at every opportunity. Then it was back to the Isle of Wight. I started fulltime work in January and Marno is working for the same mob. The building I'm working in has an interesting history. Secret tunnels have been found in the basement dating back to the medieval era. Curiously they connect to the Inn on the main drag. It's rumoured that the building is one of the most haunted in England. I've not seen anything, but then I'm a bit of a skeptic. Several staff members flatly refuse to go down to the basement. So saying, it's company policy to sign the board before going down there. We've been so spoilt by the weather - it's been very mild. Only one morning did we awake to find the surface of the water frozen around us. It was very satisfying to lob pebbles at it. Mild over Christmas, then snow in March. A new experience for us on the boat. I've got a few pics to show you too. Spring has been breaktakingly beautiful. Fields of sunshine yellow (rape seed), red poppies and blue linseed surround us on the island. Mum and dad arrive here on Monday and I'll meet them in Taunton to visit the Chelsea Flower Show in London. In July we plan to spend a week in France with them, staying in a quaint country cottage in Brittany. We also hope to catch up with Richard, Barb and Bailey in France in July too. Perhaps Germany for Oktoberfest. We're also looking forward to meeting up with Stuart and Tara again of Mange Tout, who are crossing the Atlantic as I write.
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