A SUMMER OF VISITORS

Days are getting shorter, nights are getting longer as someone once sang, so time to reflect on family and friends who visited us over the Spring/Summer this year. Not only did the cherry blossoms arrive in April but so did Grandad and Nana, just in time to take up childminding duties whilst Don Legsy flitted off to New Orleans and New York, plus a bit of extra sightseeing.

We had a couple of days to orientate before my departure and so we got out to enjoy some English sunshine and a spot of aviation history - it should be noted that Grandad not only served in the RAAF for over 30 years (clearly where my disciplined approach to life has come from) but is also one of the country's leading historic aviation artists (a talent that seems to have bypassed me), and England is the motherlode of aviation museums. Our first museum was at RAF Hendon, where the old folks were like kids in a lolly shop as they marvelled at the (admittedly) magnificent array of flying machines that date back to pre-WWI and then at the cost of a coffee in the museum canteen!

Afterwards, it was only a hop-step-jump from there to reach Harrow-On-The-Hill for a lovely afternoon tea in the shadows of the world famous skool, built in 1615.

The following day it was on the Tube to take in one of London's iconic markets - Portobello Road. As usual it was packed but the sights were as varied as usual and we snacked next to the "blue door" and the bookstore made famous in the movie Notting Hill - most appropriate given Grandad's nickname happens to be "Blue".

After presenting them with the 'London's Hidden Walks Vol 2' (Travel Tip: there's 3 in the series and all are excellent for the London visitor) and a couple of Oyster Cards, I bid them farewell for a fortnight. London is one of the great cities to see and to get around in, and having a Tube station literally around the corner makes everywhere accessible, if you're mobile. And so it was that after seeing the kids off to skool they set off each day and hit the tourist walking trails.

Grandad's and Aimee's birthdays are only 3 days apart and so it was a sumptuous celebration at our local Italian bistro Paolo's. Regrettably, Grandad didn't share his present but he did manage to roll a few down to the future saviour of Oz crikit!!!

There was also a much anticipated trip to the Shuttleworth Museum in Befordshire to see (weather permitting) the finest collection of vintage flying aircraft in the world go through their paces. Needless to say, it apparently poured rain all day causing the cancellation of flying, but allowed Grandad to impart some of his model building skills to the grandchildren.

Two relics - the 1912 Blackburn Monoplane (the one on the right!) is the oldest flying British plane in the world

Just like Grandad taught me

Upon my return they boarded a tour bus for a tour of Cornwall and Dorset. Once back we got back on the aviation trail, this time out to the De Havilland museum on a cold and wet day. Old folks don't let the damp get in the way of a good time and sure enough, there were enough Mosquitos and Vampires there to keep any flyboy (or flygirl) happy, as well as the chance to exchange a yarn or two with like minded enthusiasts working on restorations. The good news here is that the coffee was free!

Have you noticed that older folk love gardens? Well what a treat we had in store at the magnificent Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. There are over 14,000 trees here in what is arguably the finest botanical garden in the world, renowned for its magnificent glasshouses, the Pagoda, Kew Palace, and the Old Lions (magnificent old trees dating back to 1762), and we spend a fantastic day strolling around the grounds (Traveller Tip: It's my first visit there also and I've been so impressed as to have gone back several times and even joined the Friends Of Kew, and it doesn't matter when you go because it's brilliant in every season, and it is as spectacular as the famous buildings of central London; essential viewing really).

On the treetop skywalk

The Pagoda

An Old Lion - american black locust tree planted in 1762

It's called a Monkey Puzzle grandad

Kew Palace built 1630

Extraordinary water lilies

African cycad planted in 1775 - the oldest pot plant in the world

This Australian spear lily has been here for 66 years....

...and this is only the 4th time it's ever flowered!

The Lion Of England - part of the Coat Of Arms since 1603

We ventured west of London and popped into the village of Harefield where we discovered a beautiful war cemetery dedicated to Australian soldiers who had died in the village. The local tuberculosis sanitarium had been converted into a field hospital for Australians wounded in the Great War and, especially given the time of year, it was a very moving site, more so to see the numbers who had died within days of the war's end and at such a tender age. The village itself, along with numerous others around the UK and Europe, honour the ANZAC contribution each year and streets were lined with Australian flags....sorry, just a moment of sorrowful pride there.

Harefield Parish Church

On to more pleasant things and we headed into the beautiful Thameside village of Marlow, officially recognised as the best kept village in Buckinghamshire and the birthplace of the Paralympics. After taking in the river view we pop into the Burgers Artisan Bakery for tea and scones...scrumptious.

Don't worry about the waistline Nan

Don Legsy's quest continues!!

Mmmmm....mmmmm

For their final Sunday in England, it was time to do something extra special for Grandad and Nan. The Goring Hotel, in the shadows of Buckingham Palace is the preferred haven of royalty (Kate used the hotel as her 'base' for her wedding to Prince Bill) and provider of high tea par excellence. And so we put on our finery and headed in, where we were treated regally and dined sumptuously, a treat for all of us  and we can happily vouch for the hotel's lofty reputation (Tourist Tip: it's no 'walk up', so book at least two months in advance).

"Bottomless" delights

Me and my Dad

The dynasty

Time was running out, but enough for a couple more surprises. after dropping the kids at school early, we headed up the M6 for 2.5 hours past Birmingham to Cosforth, the home of the British Experimental Aircraft Muesum. When the oldest person in the car worked out where we were headed he could barely control his excitement, for this is the home of some seriously zany aeroplanes, and most importantly, one of only two TSR2 fighters in existence. This is a pet hobby of Grandad's, so he can tell you all about it if you ever meet him. Over 5 hours on the road is well worth it, for it ticks a 'never seen before' box for Grandad, whilst Nan and I could see some humour in many displays. Bob Hawke was obviously inspired by Cosforth when he made his ill-timed statement in 1989 that compared airline pilots to bus or train drivers!!

A Neptune out of water

The infamous TSR2

Fair dinkum, it's no wonder they lost!

Don't try this pose at home kids

Vulcan - awesome delta wing

This is a life size plastic Airfix kit model of a Spitfire

Departure day, but wait, we head into Chelsea for the crowning glory, a surprise visit to the Royal Chelsea Flower Show, the holy grail of flower shows. Tickets are like hens' teeth but we managed to get 4 (daily numbers are restricted and the general public only get access for 1.5 days and you need to book as early as possible. If you haven't booked for 2016 then you've probably missed out). It is stupendous, so much colour, such brilliant arrangements, and some that are totally off the rails - come in Thailand! The Australian outdoor garden representatives are from Wagga Wagga (Don Legsy's birthplace), so we compare a few notes on important local landmarks!

Famous red coats of the Cheleas Pensioners

How over the top is this!

Stunning flowering bansai

'Candy' - 8 metre high sculpture featuring 4,000 hand painted tulips

With the 2015 Plant Of The Year Winner...

Viburnum Plicatum - Kilamanjaro Sunrise

Garden statue - Mad Hatter hot cast bronze only $19,000...

.....or the Goose is a snip at a mere $37,000!!!

Sadly and too soon, this trip was all over for Grandad and Nan as they headed home after more than 5 weeks with us. We'd been able to show them places and experiences they hadn't had on previous visits (and also new experiences for us), and they got to see how Aimee and Liam have adjusted to life as Poms (like ducks to water if you were wondering). It's a mighty long way over here, especially for those well and truly on the sunset side of 50, and it's been great. There is so much to see and do in this beautiful little country - maybe next year Grandad and Nan????