Twickenham 20th August.
Wow, time is flying - we have been here in England for three weeks already, and there are only ten days left until we move on to France. Twelve weeks sounded like such a long time when we extended our flights, but a quarter of it has already gone!
This morning we arrived at Aunty Nellies and her partner Robs place. Their eldest son George was home, but the youngest one Sam left for Edinburgh that morning. It was a shame, but he is 17, and friends are far more important at that age. George was lovely, his friend arived not long after us, and they went out to the movies with Josh and Dillon in Kingston. Whilst they were at the movies, Dom and I went for a walk with Aunty Nellie. Well - we drove to Kingston and then we took a walk through Bushy Park. It was amazing park-wild deer roam free within the park. We were in the park for only a few moments when we saw some deer playing in the grass within a few meters of us. They had spots like bambi, and didnt have any antlers so i guess that they were just like bambi. We walked through dense ferns and came across more deer playing by the river. People who were having a picnic, fed one of the deer. My auntie Nellie was a little concerned at that, and said that there had been a few deer attacks recently. When they happen the only way that people can escape is to run into the water - i was pleased josh and dillon werent with us - they would have tried riding the deer or something silly like that!
As we neared our exit by the Liongate, we saw the Princess Diana Memorial - apparently it was a normal coloured statue a few months ago but was recently painted gold for the olympics. There were more deer, laying in herds under the trees. We left Bushy Park and entered Hampton Court via the lion gate. The rose gardens were pretty and there was a lovely fragrant smell throughout them. After the rose gardens we found an ice cream stall - two pounds $4 for a single scoop ice cream. It was a really hot day (30 deg)so the ice cream was worth every penny! We then walked across to the entrance of Hampton Court Palace. One of the things that stood out about the palace, was that it had loads and loads of chimneys, and they were really ornate chimneys. Henry VIII used to live in the palace, and probably didnt have central heating so they had loads of fires instead. Seated in the walls above the entrance were statues (just the heads) of Emperors Licinius and Nero). Nero was known for his massacres of christians- so i was surprised to see that there - he wasnt English, what was his head doing up there.
We walked along the Thames for a little bit, and then entered Home park, where we saw more deer again. Apparently Home Park was where Henry VIII used to go deer hunting. The grounds are massive, and like Bushy Park, they have protection as they are "Royal" Parks. We met up with Josh Dillon and George in Home Park. Josh's head hurt, and he kept having moments of dizziness so we all returned home.
We took Josh to the West Middlesex hospital. We timed it really well. He had been triaged by a nurse, assessed by a doctor, had his face x-rayed and had a CT scan of his head all within about 30 minutes of arriving. After his CT scan the waiting room flooded with people, so we had to wait 90 minutes to get the results. Thank fully the CT scan and X-ray showed no significant damage from the repeated kicks and blows to his head. Armed with more Tramadol, we went home knowing that once he heals there would be no lasting damage ! Phew, it is nice to continue onwards knowing that, and leaving the incident where it belongs - in savage Shrewbury.
For dinner tonight there was a combined effort, by Aunty Nellie and George. It produced yummy toad in the hole, George -bless him- had made enough for eveyone to have four sausages each! We relaxed and chatted at the table. Dillon and i disagreed (surprise surprise) about whether or not New Zealand has a class system. I said it doesnt, and told him that as he doesnt understand the class system in England he shouldnt comment - but he still did- wouldnt be Dillon if he didnt. I love that we live outside of the class system, as we arent impacted by its perceptions, and can therefore relate to almost anyone here. Twickenham has been great - tomorrow we move on to Cornwall via Stonehenge.
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