Cash's Holiday

Hello hello,….. Our 75min ferry trip from Calais to Dover was a pleasant experiance…..English speaking.
Dropped car off, sad in some ways, after two months….Euro lease system worked out really well….thanks for putting us on to that Chris. Covered 9,190 km.
Currently in London….weather is absolutely wonderful….staying with Jo Morrison, so good to catch up.
Going back to our arrival…Our first night in England was spent in Brighton….a brown pebble shoreline makes the beach, `the’ amusement pier jutting out in front of the main town area….the whole place oozing with character, our old hotel overlooked the sea and really set the scene.
Personally, I’m very excited to be here in the UK….just something about it….always been an attraction for me……the rows of little houses, quaint little shops….and there certainly are plenty of them around Brighton (only an hour from London). Saw a few sights that couldn’t help turn the head….lets just say Brighton attracts a colourful collection of people who have trouble deciding what gender pool they belong to.

Hi Dave here,
Last days in France have been cool weather, but it certainly is a lovely country. You do notice the difference in the culture between Italy and France. The French drive more orderly, predictably,slower speeds and they do park a fraction better.

Returned the Peugeot on the 21st at Calais Port. Dropped it at the door of the ferry terminal, ticket purchase just inside the door and through customs onto the ferry via a curtesy bus. SIMPLE!!
Arrived at Dover terminal and the curtesy phone for the hire car is hanging off the wall. We have no phone number for the hire company, and thus the fun begins. However we were saved by one of the service staff in the terminal. He could not do enough to help, a great guy. I must say, had it been France or Italy we may have taken some considerable time to sort it out with our language skills.
We arrive at the hire car office and they want to give us a smaller vehicle than we booked. Luggage would not fit, after some delay, sorted that, got a bigger car and on our way with great service and advice from our mate Brian. Big guy, smart mouthed and unusually nice guy. Following good advice on the route to take, (“don’t go the coast road, it will take you days”) we had an easy drive to Brighton.
A good day there and off to London to spend some time Jo. A little like being home with the familar friendly face around. Thanks Jo!!
Quite a few hours in Kew Gardens today and off to the north tomorrow. We are not going to tackle the city, leave it for another time! We are enjoy watching a bit of football. NZ tomorrow at 3 p.m. We will ensure we are at a set to watch.
Weather has been perfect since we left France. Lets hope it holds.
I am off for now, I will leave it to Gail to finish off.
Dave
Me again….Dave mentioned Kew gardens…..they are amaising, 120 hectares, in West London (three train stops from Jo’s flat) A botanists dream with the biggest collection of plant species in the world….it ranges from manicured lawns/gardens to wild woodlands…..glasshouses. Days, rather than hours, do it more justice.
Well this post was started yesterday and its now today….so will get this away before today becomes yesterday again……..is your head in a spin now. (:) G