Wednesday July 11 Boston UK

Farewell to Auckland on a cold Monday morning.

We arrived in Boston last night after a good trip, the 14 hour stopover in Singapore giving us a chance for a welcome shower and a sleep. Our travel agent had organised for Ian to have assistance through the airports which proved to be very valuable. Although he is walking pretty good now, he is still quite slow and standing for too long is difficult as well, so we were scooted along at speed on electric buggies and given priority treatment, something I could get used to very easily!

Arriving at Heathrow we were met by a taxi and a 3 hour trip north to Boston, struggling very hard to keep our eyes open. The welcome mat was out at Steve and Kathy’s, and their new home that we have seen in the process of renovation over our last trips. Our jet lagged brains struggled to take it all in. The house is just fabulous and the grounds are getting landscaped at the moment, we feel very lucky to be able to stay here with them.

Had a great sleep overnight and soaked in the spa this morning to help the aches after the long hours of sitting in the plane. We popped down to Johnson’s with Steve to get some goodies for lunch. Have been here before and just love it, lots of good quality local produce and meats as well as a deli department full of traditional goodies. Caught up again with Julie, the deli lady who remembered us from previous visits. Then it was up to the storage yard to check out Ruakiwi, are picking her up tomorrow and taking her to get here MOT, which has run out. She looked great, weathered the winter with no issues and started like a dream. Feeling very excited.

Kathy and I had a good walk this afternoon through the local cemetery, just a short walk from home. Its full of really old trees and lots of decaying old graves dating from the early 1800’s. Sad to see them overgrown with ivy and many falling over and decaying. Spotted some dog like animals running through the trees and Kathy could tell me they were muntjac deer…really weird. Evidently they taste quite good!

And tonight we are watching England v Croatia in the semi-final of the world cup. There is real cup fever everywhere, English flags flying on cars and out of windows. It is going to be a great evening to be in England. 

A morning spa, the best way to get rid of jet lag!

Julie in Johnsons deli section

Steve flying the English flag!

 

Ruakiwi looking very small!