Including stops in Staffordshire, Cornwall (Doc Martin town), Bath, Oxford, Windsor and the beautiful Henley on Thames

My home, my childhood, I was dying to show Kristi the England I knew so well and meet friends old and new, some as far back as my primary school.

Her reflection of this beautiful country was 7 days in Worcestershire nearly 10 years ago was not so great. The weather was not good, she found herself car sick at being on narrow roads sitting on the wrong side of the car and the 7 days were far from relaxing. It was time to make it up to her. Did this happen? Well she said a few times to her relatives and friends “I loved England” and to us “I could live here”. So I think the answer is a resounding YES ; )

You know when you have something planned but you are unsure on how things could go and the result ends up being much more in many areas than you could have expected? This was one of those trips.

Firstly in 23 days in England in April and May, we had 3, yes just 3 days of rain. The rest of the time was gorgeous, especially in our first week of arrival. I kept saying to my family that there is nowhere better than England when the sun is shining. Beautiful villages, rivers, and scenery. The trouble is the weather just doesn’t last, except for our three weeks.

Stafford

First stop from Harry Potter was Stafford to meet my Mum. It was probably about 4 years since seeing her and she had not seen her new Grandsons at all. We arrived late and somehow squeezed six of us into her small two bed. The boys and Lara were met with Easter eggs and toys.

• 

• 

• 

• 

We spent the weekend in Stafford and I was excited to show Kristi and Lara my home town, high school, college and where I first started work. It had changed, not so much for the better, but the weather was awesome for Easter weekend and we were able to get out and about. We took off to Cannock chase for a hike and the park for plenty of play time for the three kids.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Kristi was fascinated with two things from the get go. Firstly the British fascination for ice cream at any cost and anywhere. Lara totally agreed with this idea. Secondly the chimneys on the British house roofs, especially terrace houses I am not sure why but she thought they were fascinating, hence we had to have photos.

The kids enjoyed an Easter egg hunt in Mum’s garden and we enjoyed them being free to run around and explore.

And after China and our first bout of cold weather, it was great to see the sun again and get the boys and Lara out in the park.

I was also able to leave the boys and Lara with Mum for the evening after bedtime and take Kristi to a great English pub and meet my longtime friend from primary school and best mate, Nigel Peet. Nigel had just married Danny, a lovely girl and we had a blast for a few hours catching up on life. Can’t wait to meet them again in June. We must get a selfie next time!!

Stoke-on-Trent

Talking of longtime friends, it was time to leave Stafford and shift 40 minutes up the road to Stoke and stay with my longtime friend Mandy. Mandy and I had been Police officers together for almost 5 years and when we added it up it was almost 25 years ago. We were sworn in together and served the same station. The last time that I had seen her and Tina was in about 2003, way, way, way too long ago.

We had an absolute blast. It was just like we had seen each other yesterday. Tina, Mandy and Mandy’s Mum Pat, made Kristi and the kids so beautifully welcome in their gorgeous home and I cannot thank them all enough. We had space, comfort, awesome vegan food, a giant back yard to play in including resident squirrels. Kristi was in heaven and made to feel so welcome by my friends, they were an instant hit with her and the feeling was mutual. She didn’t want to leave. We had such a laugh every day.

We didn’t do too much and neither did we want to. Tina and Mandy joined us as part of our essential oil clan and held a class that Kristi took to about six of their friends and colleagues. We helped with snoring and a few aches and pains.

Mainly we just hungout and had lots of conversation about the past and the future.

One thing we did do in true British style was that we put the kids to bed, thanked Pat for looking after them and walked around the local pub to give Kristi a “pub” experience. It was one of our three bad weather days and pretty cold so we took coats and umbrellas and walked the few hundred yards to the pub. You don’t have to go much further to find a pint in the UK.

We were greeted with real fires roaring away and great warm British beer. Kristi got to know the girls more and we were literally the last ones out at around 11.30pm.

Now Mandy described her feeling towards me as a true bond and I feel the same. She is a very important part of my past and I will always be there for her. Now Kristi feels the same and so privileged to have met them and be part of their lives. Thank you guys for the amazing hospitality, laughs and great food, we love you xxx. Thank you to Pat for giving us such a laugh every day as well as 50 cups of tea, it felt like, and looking after the boys, they loved you too.

Cornwall via Stafford

My other long term, “always be there for them” friends, Ken and Jane live in Worcester, where I left the UK from. I have known them since 1993. We tried to stay with them but circumstances didn’t allow it. So I was thrilled when they said they would make it up to Stafford for Sunday lunch. We booked a table at the pub close to Mum’s and talked for almost three hours before they had to get back.

I love these guys too. They, like Mandy have been there in my thick and thin and always believed in me. They followed me to New Zealand where they spent nearly 8 years and probably had the best time of their lives. They are super social and it was fantastic to see them again. They have since said they will be coming to join us in London in July so we can’t wait.

Cornwall

Now, why Cornwall, apart from the fact that on days of sunshine there isn’t a more beautiful place to visit, we had a bigger reason. We are not TV addicts but once we watch something we sometimes get hooked. We both loved all of the seasons on the British TV series Doc Martin, played by Martin Clunes. It was filmed in the tiny Cornwall fishing village of Port Issac but renamed Port Wenn for the series.

It was just how we saw it on the TV (obviously) but so cute to see it. We saw the pub, Bert’s cafe, the school and of course the Doc’s surgery. We imagined where other places would have been such as the mad pharmacist and her love for the Doctor. All silly really but we had a great day.

• 

• 

• 

We walked past the surgery and up the hill on the far side of the village. What we found was a lovely cliff top walk of several miles to the next fishing village. We decided to make the most of it and let the kids burn off some energy. It was wonderful.

• 

• 

• 

The next day we decided to make the most of the weather and do an activity the had been recommended to us right on our hotel’s doorstep. We hired bicycles and rode 5.5 miles between Wadebridge and the lovely fishing village of Padstow along the Camel trail. The weather was awesome, the boys were secure and Lara had a ton of fun.

We spent about an hour on the trail, stopping to take photos. We arrived at Padstow and it was obviously busy, a long weekend in the UK, weather was awesome so the visitors were in force.

We took another cliff top walk (seeing a theme here?) Played about on the beach for half an hour and decided it was time for another UK tradition, especially in Cornwall……… a true cornish pastie.

• 

• 

• 

We were so blessed with the weather and I was thrilled that Kristi and Lara were enjoying the places I had picked for our quick tour.

Bath via Stonehenge

The girls had always wanted to see Stonehenge. This was an easy diversion between Cornwall and Bath. I was fortunate in an earlier life to have had a regional managers job looking after the South West of England and Wales so I had driven past Stonehenge a million times. It used to be a dirt car park where I would occasionally stop and have my lunch in the car. Everything was free. Today is somewhat different.

Today, it is a real tourist trap. Now, this is where culture meets reality. People will pay to see history, so will we. But when we arrived at a huge purpose-built visitors center and were asked to pay almost US$100 to see what in reality a bunch of stones to us, albeit one of the most famous in the world. Even we thought Ouch, are they really worth it? Thousands of people obviously thought they were.

As we stood by the entrance looking at the price list board we witnessed almost everyone look at the same thing and do exactly what we did. Ouch! How much? But then carry on.

Kristi remembered reading that the land around the stones was private land that the owners had granted permission for the public to walk over to see the stones. I then remembered the old English bylaw of public footpaths that allowed the public to walk across the land, they were originally used to join villages together. We decided as it was a mile walk to the stones, we could get close enough for what we wanted on the free path.

We were thrilled to see that the free path was only the other side of a wire fence from the $100 path and even they couldn’t go anywhere near touching the stones. We were thrilled.

Next stop, Bath in Somerset.

The city became a spa with the Latin name Aquae Sulis (“the waters of Sulis”) c. 60 AD when the Romans built baths and a temple in the valley of the River Avon, although hot springs were known even before then.

Bath Abbey was founded in the 7th century and became a religious center; the building was rebuilt in the 12th and 16th centuries. In the 17th century, claims were made for the curative properties of water from the springs, and Bath became popular as a spa town

We explored the city, famous for its historic resident, Jane Austen. Saw the Royal Crescent which blew Kristi away again with its dozens of chimneys, played in a huge park and strolled along the river and canal.

• 

• 

• 

Bath was a quick stop but I am so glad we fit it in and, again the weather was in our full favor.

Windsor

Next stop was a business meeting in a very affluent area outside of London and what we found was only 5 miles from Windsor. Kristi met a lovely lady, had a coffee and meeting, while Lara and I entertained the boys in a beautiful park around a huge lake.

What we completely forgot about was the birth of Harry and Meaghan’s baby boy the day before and what awaited us was the world media, parked everywhere outside the castle, waiting for a glimpse and the name of the new little guy. The atmosphere was electric.

English patriotism at its very highest! We were thrilled and excited and again the sun was shining for such a beautiful event. The castles glory dominates the center of this quintessential royal village. We enjoyed a picnic in the park outside of the castle and soaked up more of the atmosphere.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

I was very aware we were not a million miles away from my Aunt and Uncles and on confirming with google maps found out we were an hour away. We made sure they were in and took off to arrive just after lunch.

It was so good to see them both and probably about 15 years since I had seen them. They were an instant hit with the family and the boys loved playing in the garden and exploring.

They now live in a quaint village and as the weather was out we decided to take a stroll with the kids. We walked into the beautiful streamlined village, past the village green and turn into the village shop. “You kids want an ice cream?” Uncle Peter asked. Lara’s eyes lit up and Kristi smiled at that English fascination for ice cream. Of course I joined in too.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

We played Pooh Sticks at the bridges, played in the park, learned about my Uncle’s fabulous volunteer work for the upkeep of the village, from stream cleaning to Owl houses. We had a lovely time. After a couple of cups of English tea and biscuits we were on our way to our Hotel in Oxford.

Oxford

Second to last stop on our trip was Oxford. Obviously being one of the most famous university cities in the world it was steeped in history and little did Lara know it was the site of many Harry Potter scenes, of which Mommy had investigated and booked a couple of tours.

The day met us with pouring rain, it was unfortunate as today was mostly outside but we couldn’t complain at all, the weeks had been awesome in England and Wales.

First stop, Christ Church College for a pre-booked tour of the Great Hall, the inspiration behind the Great Dining Hall at Hogwarts. Treading in the footsteps of many a famous person, royalty, poets and even several Prime Ministers, we looked around certain parts of the college. The Great Hall was definitely where the dining room in Harry Potter came from. Also, who knew the inspiration for Alice in Wonderland came from this university? In a small stained window were pictures of Alice, The Mad Hatter, Knaves and the guy with a watch.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Lara and Kristi then went to visit the Oxford University library, said to have a copy of almost every book ever printed. The agreement is still in place today where the library gets a free copy of the first edition of every book published in England, Lara was in heaven. The Bodleian Library was the scene for the infirmary in Harry Potter and the Duke Humfrey’s portion of the library upstairs was the scene of the Hogwarts Library. Filming of the library scenes meant that the library was closed (I believe for 2 weeks) with which the studious Oxford Scholars were not impressed… But hey, any way to make a buck – Hollywood pays better than school fees.

• 

• 

Lara was in even more heaven because of the link to Harry Potter. The City was exploiting (my phrase) the tourist and even had dedicated HP shops. She went nuts with excitement, finally, she was getting the Harry Potter hoodie she had been craving and that Nana said she would buy her. It didn’t take her long to decide on a nice one and while we waited the boys did a bit of fancy dress rehearsal, magic style.

• 

• 

• 

Oxford was beautiful, even on a wet and dreary day. We would love to explore it more but it was time to move on for the day to our next destination.

Henley-on-Thames

Since meeting our wonderful new friends from Henley in Thailand we were excited to visit them in their permanent home in Henley on Thames. For those of you who don’t know Henley, it is situated on the River Thames about 45 minuted outside of London and is absolutely gorgeous. Renown for its rowing history and plays part to The Henley Royal Regatta every year.

Now since meeting Susannah, Ben and the kids in Thailand, they have become our new UK builders for our oil business and we could not be more thrilled to have found nicer partners. We instantly hit it off and we will definitely be back to support and visit on as much of a regular basis as we can.

The girls had an appointment or two in London for the day so this left the boys in charge of six kids. So what do we do two hours before a showing on their home that they are trying to sell? Get out the crafts box and tell the kids to go for it. They had fun and we managed to have the house looking spick and span for the showing.

We guys did a great job which turned into a long walk along the river, watching a local rugby game and playing soccer with the kids. Everyone was exhausted and had loads of fun. We even had a dance party.

• 

• 

• 

We spent the rest of the weekend just hanging out and seeing Henley, again the sun was out and it was so nice we packed a picnic and went down to the river.

We met friends of Ben and Susannah and were spoiled with an old fashioned brass band playing tunes for us in the bandstand. A trip on the river courtesy of their friend’s boat, an ice cream, and everyone was happy as…

• 

• 

We had such a lovely time in Henley we didn’t want to leave, but we had a date with Italy before meeting with Pam in Croatia.

England did me proud……the sun was out for most of the three weeks. Relatives and friends old and new made us so welcome it really made our trip so special. England is now well up there on Kristi’s best places list, maybe very close to the top. Certainly high enough to be excited about returning on June 29.

To see our extensive gallery of the UK, click here