Back in the UK

8 June

Arrived in Guangzhou (Canton) after an uneventful flight. Everything in Auckland worked perfectly, but after that we had increasing issues. The aircraft was a 787 and very comfortable in our area, but the inflight entertainment system kept freezing and/or resetting. The announcements in Chinglese were only partially decipherable and, while the plane was docked at an airbridge at Guangzhou, we then had to clamber down steep stairs to a bus to take us to another terminal. We had arranged for a wheel chair to reduce the strain on Gillian's knees, but there did not seem to any facility for that here. Apart from that the airport seems large and modern.

Weather here is low cloud and fog that does not allow a view halfway across the airport, but it not raining.

We found the airline lounge, but were fronted by a notice that “Air system is in for maintenance. We apologise for the uncomfortableness.” In other words hot and sticky. We did score showers which was nice.

So, on to London …

Another easy flight to London with announcement that were completely impossible to hear or understand. At Heathrow we were met with a wheelchair, but then found that the doors into the terminal were locked – someone manged to get them open, but then they had to be held open by each passenger for the next.

After picking up the rental car headed off around the M25 to Kent. Once again I was surprised how green and rural the countryside is so close to London. Once off the motorway it was into the quaint villages, hedgerows and incredibly narrow country lanes that define the Kentish landscape. Our hosts here, Peter & Margaret, live half a mile down a farm track off an old coach road that winds through the fields and woods for several miles – never more than 9' wide and often less. In fact it isn't unusual for the mirrors on both sides of the car to be brushing the hedges at the same time. With the high hedges, a narrow and winding road certainly keeps you awake as you expect to find a large tractor heading in the other direction around every corner. Backing up for hundreds of metres is not fun.

Peter & Margaret's charming Pope's Hall 'Cottage' cottage.

9 June -

GillieB here. We had a lovely sleep in Peter and Margaret's guest house ( I call it 'Le Petit Chateau de Culham' ) – lovely and quiet in the Kentish countryside.This is  gorgeous - not sure how to describe so best to look at the photo - we feel thoroughly spoiled.There is so much attention to the decorations and appointments, wooden flooring down stairs - carpet upstairs, tongue and groove cladding for the kitchen dining area etc.

After a leisurely breakfast of Margaret's home made bread and jam, Peter took us into his garden. He has a large range of vegies growing – in a fenced rabbit proof garden – several raised plots as well as a green house. We took note of a number of cultivation points with our own new garden in the making at Onemana in mind. A tour followed of the lovely garden followed -even a viewing of one of Peter's purpose built sheds – a good six meters of secret man territory – I was very spoilt to put a female foot inside. The grounds are truly lovely – as Stephen said much like a botanic garden. There are lots of birds and birdsong and the view from their front terrace across the fields to the distant Downs is stunning. The light changes as the day moves on and so do the colours of the countryside. Sitting talking with Peter after breakfast in the nice, warm sunshine was truly magic – birds / view = bliss.

Thereafter Peter took us on a tour of the local environs. Peter drove down narrow roads lined by hedgerows with wild flowers in their midst and trees that meet overhead making leafy green tunnels. First stop was Staplehurst to drop a note into Sue and Steve's about about some relishes as their housesitter was not at home . Thereafter we went down more entrancing roads – noticing some really old medieval houses as well as oast houses and even a windmill in good working order. It is very evident that houses along these roads and in the small villages we pass through as beautifully kept and maintained.

We visited a winery named Hush Heath and tasted some very nice wines – very light and easy on the palette. The estate is 400 acres and appears to crop wheat as well as apple treess for the cider they make.The young women who served us was very knowledgeable about the growth and production of their products and described the recent awards the winery has won. They supply the wine provided on the Orient Express!

On to Rolvenden to the Bull Inn for a lovely 'sandwich' lunch – Peter and I enjoyed a shrimp cocktail sandwich and Stephen a ham bagette. The steam train was not running but the Morgan Car Museum was open and the display of vintage Morgan cars, bikes, ambulance and even a vintage caravan was fascinating – as was the antique shop at the front of the museum. A trip down memory lane.

We are back at the Chateau Culham- Peter is mowing his 2 acres (ride on mower of course). We are out for dinner with Peter and Margaret this evening.