THE JOURNEY BEGINS

Hi Everybody,
I hope this first post finds you all well.
As promised a few photos from our South Africa trip in February. Loads to see and do but the animals are the stars.

I might include a few more in future posts if we are not in a very photogenic place.

This trip takes us first to Blenheim Palace which we have never visited. Absolutely superb building with fantastic grounds. Only downside is the modern insistence on placing contemporary 'installations' in (here anyway) Georgian rooms. Who wants to see plastic crabs piled on the carpet of a Georgian interior: or a pile of stools rising up to an ornate ceiling. I'm afraid I just don't get it.

Nothing better than a UK break when the sun shines.

Listening to the Churchill wartime oratory was particularly spine tingling and you can't help being thankful that Ed Milliband was not PM in those days. Try doing the 'fight them on the beaches' speech in Milliband speak. Makes you shudder. (Other contemporary politicians are available for ridicule.)

So, on to Brighton. A fun city with lots of attractions. Loved the Royal Pavillion and the eclectic museum. Great street corner locals still abound even though the days of 1 pub per 30 people have long gone. Prices though are at least £1 per pint more than Manchester. An added bonus at the weekend was the Jaguar rally which was right up my street.

Next will see us across the Channel in a couple of rural locations. More next week - wifi permitting.

Cheers

J&P