A day out with Sir Charles

Sir Charles ponders the consequence of disobeying a road sign

My son’s horseless carriage was available for a few days so I suggested to Sir Charles Westgarth that he might like to join Mrs Semper and myself in taking the air of Kent and Sussex.

Sir Charles’ 97th birthday approaches – the exact date being a matter of National Security – but he was still sprightly enough to wander around Maidstone and Rye and serve as arbitrator in the navigational disagreements among Mr and Mrs Semper.

He also had no problem demolishing a plate of Fish and Chips near Rye Harbour.

The sun was nearly seen on two occasions and we only had one light shower.  I think my letter of complaint to the Meteorological Office might be bearing fruit.  I hope my valet has pressed some T-shirts.

Sick but recovering in Ireland

Since coming back from Nigeria I have had a series of illnesses and infections with a couple of blessed remissions which enabled me to lead Sundays at the Lighthouse.

Now I have used our holiday in Co. Galway as a chance to seriously rest and recuperate.  It has taken a long time but now I feel things are improving.  Mark and Elaine have been great hosts.

The illnesses have stopped me blogging (or doing much else).  It has helped that the weather here has been fairly aweful – wet, cold and windy – so I have not been tempted to be more active.  Here is a picture of Susan on the Burren.

A better way to travel inter-city in Nigeria

Here is a new (and very good) way of travelling inter-city in Nigeria. Voyage stick to their schedules and have very well trained drivers and quality Chevrolet buses. I think they are 4wd. In any case, they are sturdy and comfortable and have air conditioning.

The prices are much cheaper than local airlines and they are much less hassle and more reliable to use. The premium over the inter-city taxis and so-called “luxury buses” is not so high and is well worth it for comfort, safety and reliability. You can only take one item of luggage since there is a relatively small boot and they are quite strict on this. My suitcase was fine though.

If you like Nollywood and “Super Story” movies then sit in the middle or back rows and you will be treated with one or two. I prefer the front seat with a much better view of Nigeria sailing past. The Air Con seems coldest there though and I even got a bit chilly.

The Maiduguri-Abuja run is excellent and there are a number of other routes covered already.

The Abuja office is tucked round the back of the block and the road is one way. Allow a few minutes to find it.

For much more on Nigeria check my travel blog on http://bature.wordpress.com.

Three Cunard Queens together in Southampton

Courtesy of Southern Evening Echo here is a picture of the three ships (from left to right QE2, QM2 and QV).
Click here to see BBC vid ofThree ‘Queen’ liners in Southampton

This aerial vid of QE2, QV and QM2 all together in the New Docks in Southampton gives an idea of the scale of these things.

Semper’s Granddad had a job managing security in the docks after retiring from the police well over 50 years ago. One perk was that he would take my brother and I into the docks and sometimes even on to the great transatlantic liners of that time. I remember the awesome size of the “Queens” (Mary and Elizabeth) in particular. Great buildings of steel higher than any then on land nearby. And corridors the length of the ships which were not quite horizontal so that the carpeted floor curved up to meet the ceiling in the distance.

The cruise business has breathed new life into this tradition of monumental ship building. How odd that the business of travel (by air, now) has been so separated from the pleasure of it (by ocean liner). Somehow neither is the same as real “voyaging” I believe.

Rhinos and green beer

Grandson Tommy’s fifth birthday so we are off to the excellent open air zoo at Lympne in Kent. Lots of Rhinos, Gorillas and many others. On the way back we stop at the Chiltern Hundreds Inn Maidstone for no better reason than it was the the first food pub we saw after leaving the M20. The bright green beer from Stonehenge Ales was a novelty but very pleasant. Food was fine (go for the mixed grill).