The Eagle Has Landed

Hi folks,

Here we are at the close of our first week in London so will give you an up-date of what we have done.

After leaving the kids including Harry behind at Auckland Airport which was hard under the circumstances, (Rhonda has just stopped crying now) including suffering the damage I sustained after falling off a small wall into a ditch at the Takapuna boat ramp area the night before while taking Harry for a walk in the dark which tore my shoulder quite badly. I honestly thought I had broken it, however, after seeking medical assistance the following day at the local chinese medical centre who gave me heaps of acupuncture until I almost passed out, so decided that I had to give it a chance to heal on its own.

I have to say it has been very painful and lifting bags etc has been bloody murder, however, we boarded our flight to LA and it was pleasant enough if you enjoy that sort of thing. We really wasted the next two days relaxing and that was ok but LA is LA. On the following morning, we were collected by a pick-up bus to be taken some 1 hours drive to meet up with the Luxbus luxury coach for our 5 hour trip to Las Vegas. As usual on such coaches they had a tour guide who was Russian and turned out to be an absolute scream with her descriptions of what to expect as we toured along. Some Americans who started being quite rude to her were soon eating out of her hand as she dished out some very funny chat to and at them.

We were just amazed at the desert country side which is just dry tussock or bare earth country for hundreds of miles. Not a sign of any animals of any kind. What a waste, if only water could be piped into the area it would be amazing cropping ground etc. Every so often we would pass a house stuck out in the middle of nowhere generally looking like a run down western set out of a movie. No sign of John Wayne or Roy Rogers however. All of a sudden out of nowhere there would appear a shopping mall and truck stop. The size of these shopping centres was amazing with every main name super store you could think of and some of them bigger than the new Albany centre. From what we could gather these serviced large areas and were there associated with mining for what product, nobody seemed to know.

We stopped at one place where we were warned by our Russian guide not to be taken in by all the tacky souvenirs they sold etc and gee was she right. I have never seen such a collection of glitzy junk in my life but still some people, mainly Americans had to buy while filling themselves up with huge pizzas and drinks. No wonder they are so overweight and I have sympathy for folks who had to share seating on the bus with them.

All of a sudden we were nearing Las Vegas and that too was a big surprise, as we imagined it would be a town in the desert mainly surrounding the casinos etc but it is a city spread out over this barren dry ground and god only knows how the locals live in these areas. The suburbs are like Kiwi high density layouts with no shade or pools to be seen. Great roads, 3 lane minimum up to 5 lanes each way giving rapid access to the city centre and on from there.

We were off loaded at the Luxor Hotel and Casino. This pyramid shaped structure plus an additional accommodation tower just throbbed 24 hours a day with gamblers and drinkers and those chasing the whores. From the moment of entry we were set upon by "sales people" offering deals on shows and blocks of land and timeshares. After settling in and making good use of the huge pool they had in use, one of three, we ate and then went "out on the town to see the amazing light and forecourt shows which each casino puts on". After one block which was huge and included the new construction of City Centre Building costing just a mere US$9 billion, we were knackered so caught the monorail back and that was the last we saw of the bright side of the city which has up to 8 million (I think this is correct) visitors a year from all round the world.

All night and all day long the gambling goes on at all levels of value. It is mind boggling but very phoney and to Rhonda and I it was a turn off. Getting old and stodgy I hear you say. We did book for and went to a live show of Chris Angel Mind Freak which I had been following on Sky kiwi TV however this too was a real let down as it was enjoined with one of the Cirqu du Soleil shows and failed to come up to the mark. Half of the crowd walked out before he was finished. A real pity as I had rated him one of the cleverest illusionists I had ever seen. Take a look at your TV and see if you agree. Though the next morning we did read reports that show was given a bagging on opening night in September. Wish we had read this before we went.

Rhonda's Comment: The best things about Las Vegas was driving in, seeing Elvis and flying out.

We flew out of Las Vegas from their busy, busy airport and the 1 hour plus flight to San Diego was good in that we could well see all this waste country from 29000 feet. For those who don't know San Diego it is a marine city with beautiful waterfronts and huge naval bases and layouts however for over 30 years the council has been arguing over what to do about a new airport. They must have been trained by kiwis as nothing has been done so hence the only runway is right in the city centre so jets are whistling in between buildings. So much for the old Hong Kong airport criticisms. This is amazing to see and listen to. The military come in on the same flight path but then swing away to an island where they have a landing area of their own. The problem is immense but as they have left the problem for so long there is no ground left for redevelopment so it all just sits bursting to the seams.

There are parts of this beautiful city which one could really enjoy living in like Coronado Island which is a dream and when you look back at the history of the area you will also appreciate what it has to offer along with fine waterways, Sea World, the worlds famous San Diego Zoo and now a whole new Wild Life park along with Mexican and Indian centers with all their culture and history.

We spent several hours on the USS Midway viewing and listening to pre-recorded commentary at designated stations which was most interesting and in some areas retired pilots or crew from Midway gave many talks on their role on board this magnificent vessel. The USS Midway was the largest aircraft carrier ever built for a long time and was eventually decommissioned and set along side the main waterfront as a tribute to the navy and aircrews who flew off her during WWII (and it should be noted it was on these decks that General MacArthur accepted the surrender of the Japanese military), Korean and Vietnam wars right up to the Gulf war. She is mind boggling and well worth a visit even if it is just to get a feeling for immense military power and strength.

Rhonda's Comments: The photo is of Ken in an Ejector Seat!!! Read into this as you will.

We could well have stayed there a couple more days but had booked a bus to take us back to LA. This turned out to be a smaller type luxury bus which we were the only passengers booked that day so had a great trip with a nice young fellow who knew his history and geography for the area so well. As you are following the coast there are huge tracts of land on both sides of the freeway owned either by the army (Fort Pendalton which is well known) on one side and the Marines and Seals bases and training areas on the other side. There are areas where growth of tomatoes and such vegetables are grown in huge fields as well, so all in all it is a very interesting trip.

Back into LA, same hotel for the night so we could repack ready for our flight to London the next day. After checking in at LA and being put through the 3rd degree re contents and weight of luggage and what we had in our clothes etc plus removal of shoes and being shouted at for not moving fast enough, my comments that the original settlers coming in to USA via New York's Ellis Island couldn't have been treated much worse, Rhonda's calming influence settled things down and we were then treated ok by a couple of staff who helped us through. Gee I hate that airport.

Rhonda's Comment: We left NZ with 5 bags no hassles, we left LA with 5 bags and we were nearly locked up - we might have had a bit more extra hand luggage!!!!!

Air New Zealand fly this sector to London using the new Boeing 777 aircraft which are ok but gee they really do squeeze the seat size even in the so called Premier Economy class which we were lucky to fly. Never mind, we got a bit of sleep and enjoyed a sunny arrival into London and again just walked through customs without a comment or question to be met by the old boat owner who after burying Rhonda in the back seat of his European sedan so she couldn't see or be heard(not bad thing really!!!) drove us out to the marina where "Somewhere" is berthed. Gee she is BIG and we kept going over her getting a feel for everything before the old owner left us to it to settle down and unpack the 7 suitcases and soft bags plus shopping bags we had bought with us.

The marina is large with approx 250 berths holding all sorts of boats and opens out onto the Thames after a very twisting causeway which winds around all the berths. The marina facilities are extensive but somewhat run down we feel and the staff at the marina office were quite negative until Rhonda gave them the suggestion that they would have been so much better to have at least welcomed us into their midst as we would be spending money to pay their wages etc. This got a fair response and they have improved I have to say.

The next day we were taken by the old owner to Staines our local shopping and main centre where we purchased a phone and bits to get the computer working etc. Even here we found the local Asians who run all the phone shops etc really prepared to have a go at ripping us off but due to our joint skills we sorted them out as well. Apparently they are known throughout this country for being the biggest rip off merchants in this field. It is good to be in communication though so the texts and emails have been flowing.

Day three saw Rhonda and I off to the BIG SMOKE> London Central first walking a mile to the bus then after busing for 10 mins another mile walk to the train to Waterloo then another big walk to the Underground for a trip to Oxford Circus arriving right at lunchtime. What a bloody madhouse with a million people heading in every which direction to get fed etc. We walked for another mile at least to get to our new HSBC bank for our appointment with an ever so gay Miles who really was so helpful and got us all sorted in about an hour so off we went to Selfridges 4th floor to have a lunch. No wonder people here are so slim with all the walking and the cost of food, however, we enjoyed our Curry.

Our trip home in reverse order to getting into town laden with packs and parcels was fine until we got off the last bus and after walking some 100 yards or so Rhonda asked me what I had done with the brief case containing my wallet, my camera, the phone and all the bank details including pass words etc etc. To say the s..... hit the fan is an understatement really and we were panic stricken. Didn't know the bus company, phone number or even had a phone to ring anybody and as it was almost 6pm the lack of people around amplified our disastrous situation. With Rhonda in tears, I turned around to pacify her and at the roundabout we had come from, here was a bus which in the gloom looked somewhat like the one we had got off. Well luck favours the brave as they say, so I set off at a full gallop (yeah I was running) waving my umbrella with Rhonda in hot pursuit and despite her feeling sick from an awful cold she has picked up, coupled with this performance of mine, we flagged the bus to a stop and was rewarded by a passenger coming to the door with the briefcase all in tact. To say we were lucky is a huge understatement and was like winning Lotto I guess as you will imagine the ramifications of being here at this marina with no money, no credit cards, no phone and no ability to contact anyone who could help.

We had tea and literally fell into bed exhausted awaiting the next day to be able to pick up Harry who had flown for the previous 24 hours to get to us. The old boat owner said he would pick us up at 11.00 am to go to Heathrow to get him, however, he had business meetings so at 1.30pm we were at the bus stop determined to transit the area between us and Heathrow to go and get our little mate when Ross, the old owner turned up at the bus stop and drove us to get "H."

A very joyful reunion was experienced after some hullabaloo at the Animal Collection Centre, (some of these people have no idea of customer service believe me) however we got back to the boat where he "H" had a million pees etc and then sniffed some clothes we had on our bed and promptly jumped up, settled onto his old blanket and went off to sleep so obviously he was home. Apparently he had not wet or messed in his box for the whole journey which is remarkable I think, but the vet at the airport said it is not uncommon really. I would have burst I am sure.

Well , if you think our drama re leaving the brief case on the bus wasn't enough, the next day we took Harry for a walk around the marina and Rhonda took her camera to get some pics to be able to include in bloggs etc. She also took a couple of bags of rubbish to the large disposal bin. After her run-in with the people at the office over their unwillingness to assist in anyway and she gave them a right telling off and got a form of apology I guess, we wandered about the marina looking at all the boats etc. Upon getting back to the boat she said have you seen the camera which of course meant, it is lost. After walking back to the marina office to be given a negative response, I wandered back via the dump bin area and thought, oh well, I may as well take a look and despite several black bags of smelly rubbish being dumped into the bin, there was her camera sitting right on top of the plastic bag she had thrown in. Gee I was elated at not being the idiot again so all ended well.

Rhonda's Comment: Ok I can all hear you saying we're even now.

Saturday dawned fine so it was decided that we should take "Somewhere" out onto the Thames through the lock near the entrance to the marina etc. Well, the water course is like a zig zag and with "Somewhere" being so large at 21 meters and at 45 tonnes is quite cumbersome so it is a case of using both the bow thruster and reverse gear to swing her around the tight curves. Thank goodness we had Ross and his wife on board to show us the ropes so to speak. Well, we went out onto the Thames and upriver to Staines and saw some of Englands most beautiful river side homes etc. With large white swans drifting by (these magnificent creatures all belong to the Queen so one must not touch them and they are herded from time to time by the royal swan shepherds to ensure they stay in the area from Windsor to Runnymeade). The return trip was great with yours truly in full control (well almost any how) and I made our way back into the marina (just catching the lock master just before he knocked off for the night) without incident and berthed smoothly much to all aboards surprise I think.

Rhonda's Comment: Ross was suitably impressed with Ken's boating skills but my line work was a bit rusty but room for improvement.

We look forward to our next outing in a few days however, the weather has turned to rubbish so that may slow us down. We are adapting well to living aboard really and Rhonda has done a great job of mastering the stove, washing machine and drier onboard so we are eating well and keeping clean and dry. We are awaiting our 15 tea chests etc to arrive later this week (fingers crossed) so we can get the rest of our stuff packed away and really settle in. The only problem will be I think is wheeling each tea chest down the marina finger to the boat on the supplied basket trolleys which cost a pound to free from their chains. This is about 50 meters so hope the weather is fine and the muscles can hold out ok.

Will add to this next week so wish you all well and offer our best regards from Jolly Old England.

.