Well we got back from Germany in one piece, had a day off then picked up our Avis hire car then off to the West. The weather has not been cooperative at all, cold and damp. Evidence you say well cope this! Yes, that is the Uffington White horse, visible from about twenty meters. The most sensible place to be is somewhere warm and dry.

It took a little while, but we found somewhere.
Had some nice pigeon breast for Lunch. We have been sticking to the side roads most of the time just to soak up the scenery. The distances travelled are really quite short, but then the daylight is also in short supply as well.

Much to Gil's annoyance we didn't spend much time in Oxford. It was too cold and damp to spend much time on foot. Oh, bye the way If anyone hears me complain about roundabouts back home they have my permission to give me a good kicking. We have encountered roundabouts nesting in roundabouts, with traffic lights in them. I'm not sure who is responsible for the Oxford ring road, but the parliamentary forces will never find their way in. Mind you, the Royalists will never find their way out either.

Berlin! Our very nice Hotel was just down the street from Check Point Charlie right in the center of the city. There is still a lot of building going on as old buildings destroyed during the war are rebuilt. There is even a plan to rebuild the old Hohenzolleren palace, the remains of which were destroyed by the Communists in the 50s it is due to be finished in 2015. The statue! Guess who?

Very cold, ice on the ground and patches of snow here and there.

Ahh, Paris! Grubby, smelly, and full of dog turds on the streets. At least there was Les Invilades. Rae was very taken with the suites of armour, and the new de Gaul display. The city itself is very expensive, and in the public areas you very quickly learn to answer 'non' when asked if you speak English. There are what seems like hundreds of femals of indeterminate eastern european origin who approach anyone who looks English wanting you to read their sad tale on the grubby bit of paper. The French seem very security consious at the moment, police and armed troops at most sites. Sirens at all hours, as Alphonse rushes down to the patiserie to get their dinner. One of the first things that struck me was the difference between the security announcements. Britain; Any unattended baggage may be removed and possibly destroyed! France; Any unattended baggage will be destroyed! Germany; Unattended baggage? What unattended baggage? The Gypsies stole it!

We have been out of touch for a while so our posts are a bit out of step. York (Yorvik) was brilliant. The city walls are a bit dodgy, and the mout could do with a clean up. Very chilly but dry.

After York we returned to London for a couple of days and then off the Paris and Berlin.

Vercovicium

Those of you who are avid film goers may recognise this tree! It is the "Oak tree in Sherwood forest" that Kevin Costner and friend were sitting in during the opening scenes of Robin Hood prince of thieves. In reality it is a Sycamore tree very near Housesteads on the Wall. The Joke is not lost on the locals.

Ediburgh

Well we made it to Edingurgh safely, the hotel is excellent. The day after our arrival we went down to Holyrood palace, and then up to the Castle. As we crossed the car park it started to snow! Here is Rae almost beside herself with excitment, you can make out the snow flakes on her jacket and of course one landed on the camera lens. Very cold, but we had a great time.

We have been busy over the last few days. We have visited the British museum, and much more interestingly the Museum of London. The big surprise for me was the samll size of the Battersea sheild. Yesterday we went down to Greenwich. I'll posty a photo later.