One must be flexible

Due to Christ College not having the hall and chapel open today we had to change tack. Oxford has way too many fine looking buildings resulting in way too many photos taken.
We began the day with a great breakfast at the guest house then off to St Mary's Church. A great building with amazing stained glass windows and a climb able tower. There is a warning about the 120 odd steps but it fails to explain how tight and narrow the staircase is, but the view is well worth the effort.
Next was the Natural History Museum and Pitt Rivers another amazing building and some great exhibits. After a spot of lunch we wandered round and decided to visit the Ashmolean.
Here we viewed some amazing 17th Century embroidery -wondering get if any of the pieces will make an appearance on the tour....
We then checked out the Pre Raphealite paintings before being asked to leave as it was closing time! 2 squirrel were spot on the way home!
Tomorrow looks like

Never take the last door..

It has been an epic lot of hours! On the whole good flights, great choices of films and the heated towel at the start is beyond great. No one (Cheryl) thought to warn me about toilets in Dubai..... FYI never use the last cubicle as it tends to have a local toilet....
Not sure why but scored free meal vouchers at Dubai from Emirates had McDonald's and they had date pies boy do they need to be rolled out internationally.
Over packing was again a problem and we may have the wrong wardrobe - landed to 25 degrees eck....best it cools off to justify the packed options!
We are in Oxford our room is small but nice and it is big nap time.

Leg 1

Things appeared like plan b may have had to be implemented this morning when there was extreme rain at home but thankfully planes fly in the rain and Auckland was basking in 19 hot sunny degrees so all was well. Just waiting to board flight 2 for the day then we will have to 2 big ones to go. Trip is off to a great start!

We're Back

Yes we are back, 16 days to go....
This trip once again sees us in London but we are being brave and heading to Oxford as well and then joining a tour in Edinburgh checking out 17th Century embroidered Caskets - small boxes not coffins!
This trip may be suffering from over organization as we booked in March...
We have daily objectives....
We have pre booked lots of stuff....
We are going to post the days objectives so readers can see if we achieve what we hope to each day....
And just like last time we are off to the ballet tonight only it's in New Plymouth this time!

Ninja Packing

We are the worlds best packers our bags weigh (without using scales to get this weight) 22.9, 23.2 and a carry on of 7 exactly! There were a lot of clothes sacrificed to achieve this but at least we did not have to repack at airport - we were prepared to pay for excess but did not have too!

Celebrity encounter mark 2

Tonight I went to see Glasvegas and on my way in to the venue I spotted them so went over told them I had travelled from New Zealand, they gave me a hug and kiss and I got my picture taken with them. At the end of the show they mentioned folks had travelled a long way (they got confused and said Australia but I know it was me they were talking about). Awesome show and an awesome way to complete the London experience. Pic to follow but can't get it from cell.

Mind the gap

Today was our last day to sightsee in London. We had a leisurely start to the day and went out to Chelsea so we could do the Cheyne Walk and see Dante Rossetti's house. The guide book took us on the scenic tour which would have been fine but it was really cold this morning so we really just wanted to get there! We took some photos and went home via the Chelsea Physic Garden which was just open for the weekend for a Christmas Fair. Would be a lovely garden in the summer but a bit bare in the Winter.
Had to do the London Eye today so went directly there and we queued for a while which was quite nice to have a break. The sun came out just as we started so the photo opportunities were a bit limited but it was a really cool experience to see London up so high. On to the British Museum for some last minute shopping and then to the Tate for a last checking out of the paintings. There was a huge crowd in today so it was a whistle stop tour just to check out our faves!! As it was our third visit in as many days we had the route down pat. It was quite a sad moment to realise this was the last time we would see these paintings but made us realise how glad we were that we came for the exhibition. Got home and Maree is all excited as she is off to a concert of one of her favourite bands Glasvegas.