Jaunting off to Scotland by Bus

Friday 12th August - 2022

After two months in the UK, I have departed Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire about 80Kms northwest of London, for Scotland by Motorcoach, to join up with my C·I·E Tours 12-day Grand Tour of Scotland that will include the 2022 Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Our coach driver is Scottish & I am having trouble understanding his accent, God forbid. Thank heavens I am not driving, this freeway is like driving on Sydney's Southern distributor in peak hour. The traffic is moving at a snail's pace.

Thinking back to my last visit to Scotland, I have just calculated that it has been 51-years since I was last here, and now I have finally made back to Scotland, and by sheer coincidence I have entered Scotland at exactly the same place that I did all those years ago, via the M6 at Gretna Green.

The 'Welcome to Scotland' sign. Unfortunately the photo (above) is the pits because we were heading right into the afternoon sun & I did not have a choice.

My good run of luck with the weather has followed me to Scotland, the driver just informed us that the temperature today in Glasgow was 32°c.

There are real hills as l look out each side of the coach. The country side is much more greener up here the further we travel north. It is now 8:00pm and the sun is still up, however l can feel a little nip in the air that I haven’t felt since l arrived in the UK some 78-days ago.

Due to our Friday afternoon M6 Motorway delays, we will arrive into Glasgow about 90-minutes late. I'm spending the first night in the Z Hotel is right in heart of downtown Glasgow. And tomorrow I will join up my C·I·E Tour Group.

We have stopped to change drivers our pilot must be out of hours, I hope that our new pilot does not have such a strong Scottish accent.

I decided that I should take a photo out of the front window of the bus. As you can see the traffic is still horrendous, these Pommies need to build this M6 freeway with 6 lanes not 3 as you can see in the photo. This highway is exactly the same as it was in 1971 when I first drove up here in my VW Camper Van with Pam as my navigator.

I am having the time of my life, who ever would have thought that I could have so much fun with a future Miss World sitting right next to me, money can not by this sort of entertainment.

Thinking back to when l booked this trip way back in late May it really did not cost that much if my memory serves me correctly, As I said I thought it was very inexpensive & it was. Just £28 return or AUD$77.00. The only bargain that l have experienced so far with UK transport while I've been here.

Everyone told me that l should have flown to Glasgow, thank heavens I didn’t because I would have missed out on all this fun.

The journey continues, I am sure there will be more to come before arrive in Glasgow.

Warbo

2022 MotoGP British Grand Prix

Sunday 7th August - 2022

Another day in the life of your roving unpaid correspondent who is working under the pseudonym name of the 'Squire' from the Shire. You know I could really get to enjoy this holiday business. When I woke up this morning I thought to myself ‘how darn good is this’.

I definitely missed my calling first of all training to become a grease monkey in my teens & then later in my 20s becoming an International 'Trolly-Dolly' with Qantas Airways.

Aussie Jack Miller finished on the podium

with third place on his orange Ducati

When I was a hairy-arsed kid I had these delusional dreams that I wanted to become a wildlife photographer, sitting out there in the scrub for hours or weeks on end waiting for that one-in-a-million wildlife photo that would make me famous like Sir David Attenborough.

Didn’t happen, here I am sitting in my small B&B room in ancient Redbourn typing madly away for another story to join the rest of my many stories on Warbo’s 'Magical Mystery Tour' of the UK in the summer of 2022.

The good result for me is that I have enjoyed sharing my experiences & adventures with my friends from all over the world. The responses have all been in the positive, as yet I have not received one bad comment from anybody. Maybe you are all too polite to tell me to pull my head in & just shut up.

The MotoGP Grand Prix beasts snaking their way
around Beckett’s corner almost in front of me

My last email was written at 04:30 yesterday Sunday (7/8/22) with a certain wish list that I wanted to eventuate at yesterday’s MotoGP British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

My first request was that Jack Miller (our Aussie boy) would be competitive in the 20-lap MotoGP British Grand Prix & hold our flag up high for Australia. Jack qualified on the front grid in third fastest time, during an action packed, heart stopping race he actually led the race until his tyres started to go south & had to settle for 3rd place on the podium which I also wished for, & that also did happen.

My view looking north through the Grandstand towards Chapel corner

My Grandstand seat in the Beckett’s stand was sensational as you can see by the photo above. From my reserved seat in the stand I could not only see what was happening in front & to the sides of me on the track I could also see other parts of the race circuit in the distance so it was well worth the extra money I paid for the seat.

My other two interests in the Grand Prix was 21-year-old Remy Gardner, son of one our past great World Champions (Wayne Gardner) This is the first season he has stepped up to the big boys division & he will take some time before he hits his straps with the big fellas. However he has the right DNA to succeed at the top level.

Wayne Gardner used to live down Burraneer Bay where I live, another former 'Shire' boy. They are everywhere.

Remy Gardner, son of former Australian
1987 World Champion - Wayne Gardner  

My third interest was an Italian rider named Franco Morbidelli (Yamaha) he is a friend of a friend of mine back home in Sydney, the plan was to have my friend (Coil-Spring) that’s his nick-name. Coil-Spring was trying to get Franco to organise a visit to the pits for me. However that did not happen because all the stars did align correctly, unfortunately. Bugger.

Now I know you are all waiting with baited breath for me to give you my preferred class of motorcycle racing, between the Superbikes & MotoGP bikes, well here is my verdict. As you know I attended the British World Superbike Champions at Brands Hatch recently, keeping that in mind I will continue.

I did mention to you that I had fallen in love with the Brands Hatch Motor Racing Circuit, my words were 'Exquisite & Intimate' & not for one moment have I changed my mind about what I said on the 24th July ‘22.

Event winner, Italy's Francesco Bagnaia

I was definitely spoilt on that day at Brands Hatch, I consider Silverstone to be just too big with no personality & way too expensive for a battler like myself to watch motor racing.

Ticket price at Brands Hatch including entry & Grandstand seat on possibly the best corner of any motor racing circuit in the world (Paddock Hill Bend). UK£54 or AUD$94.00. Ticket price at Silverstone including entry & Grandstand seat. UK£188 or AUD$326.00.

Almost three times the price & believe you me the difference is definitely not worth it between the two categories for sure as long as my arse points to the ground.

When I spoke to various people yesterday about the race, they told me that MotoGP racing has completely lost the plot, & as you can witness in my photographs the stands are empty of spectators. At those prices why wouldn’t they be.

Note the mostly empty outer stand

As far as I am concerned it was a complete rip off. You may as well stay at home & watch the MotoGP British Grand Prix in the comfort of your lounge chair with a cool one in your hand & save yourself $366.00.

Apparently yesterday’s spectator crowd was 50% down on last year's event. Some of them even told me that they will be changing their allegiance over to the Superbikes. Something does not add up, does it?

You really could not tell the difference between the speeds of both categories, & my opinion is that the Superbikes sound much better & have more grunt, l like that word, don’t you?

There you have it. I am definitely a Superbike fan through & through. Tonight another trip to the West End to see ‘Phantom of the Opera’ at Her Majesty’s Theatre at Piccadilly Circus. Stay safe.

Cheers from the 'Squire'.

Warbo

Final placings for yesterday's MotoGP British Grand Prix are as follows.

1st. Francesco Bagnaia. Italy. Ducati.
2nd. Maverick Vinales. Spain. Aprilia.
3rd. Jack Miller. Australia. Ducati.

Of interest...

15th. Franco Morbidelli. Italy. Yamaha
18th. Remy Gardner. Australia. KTM Team

Thank Abba for the Music

Tuesday 2nd August - 2022

l'm back for my daily update & critique of last night’s Mamma Mia the Jukebox Musical. It's been playing in London since 1999 making it the eighth longest running show ever and seen by over 9-million people.

l know that you will ask me if the show was worthwhile to see, here is my answer; ‘An Irresistibly Enjoyment Hit’.

l found Mamma Mia to be a light, sometimes silly, romantic musical comedy that featured gorgeous scenery, a catchy soundtrack, magnificent costumes, with the message that sometimes you must take a chance & risk everything in order to achieve your dreams like many of us do in our lives without realising it.

The musical runs for 2 hours & 35 mins.

The show has a strong feminist message, looking around the Novello Theatre l would has at a guess the audience breakdown would definitely be 80%-20% in favour of the fairer sex.

The last three songs performed were: Mamma Mia - Dancing Queen - Waterloo, Mamma Mia used in the encore/finale was sung by the Company.

At the end the whole audience was on their feet (including me) dancing away.

My wrap up of Mamma Mia the musical was a couple of hours of pure, unadulterated escapism, guaranteed to have you dancing in the aisles which it accomplished.

Unfortunately l could only give it a rating of 8 out of 10. Tonight l am off to see Musical No. 3. ‘Anything Goes’ at the Bibican Theatre.

That then leaves me with another 8 shows before l hit the road to Glasgow for my 12-day tour of Scotland commencing on Saturday 13th August.

Before l sign off on this email l would like to give you the so called experts opinion on their view of the Best top 10 Musicals in the West End, l do not necessarily agree with them as you will notice by the shows that l will booked to see in the next week or so.

Here is their list in order and the dates that I will see the shows:

1. Lion King. (No).
2. Phantom of the Opera. 8 Aug
3. Tina. 31 July
3. Mamma Mia. 1 Aug
4. Back to the Future. 4 Aug
5. Pretty Women. 10 Aug
6. Mousetrap. 6 Aug
7. Mary Poppins. (No).
8. Anything Goes. 2 Aug
9. Wicked. (No).
10. Kinky Boots. 9 Aug
11. Cabaret. 3 Aug

*Bob Marley 5/8. I have chosen to see Bob Marley purely for the reggae music.

The Novello Theatre, by-the-way, was where in 1987, Barry Humphries, alias the gladdie-throwing Edna Everage, set new box office records with over 200 sold-out performances of Back with a Vengeance!

That’s all for now until tomorrow’s review of tonight’s performance of ‘Anything Goes’

Cheers from your roving critique living the dream in London’s West End.

Warbo

Classics on the Common

Wednesday 27th July - 2022

Before l even start to report on the Classics on the Common here in the very upmarket Harpenden UK, let me assure you that our very own Sylvanvale Pre-WWII Vintage Car Show that we present to the public of Sydney & the Sutherland Shire every year to raise much needed funds to support our preferred Charity, the Sylvanvale Foundation, is way up there.

(Above) 1938 Lagonda LG6. Designed by W.O. Bentley after he joined Lagonda as Technical Director after leaving the Bentley company he founded. Meadows 6cyl. 4453cc engine. Originally bodied as a saloon, rebuilt over 30 years by the late John Batt.

Rest assured we can hold our heads up very high, l am allowed to give you my expert opinion & advice on this subject because l do have the experience when it comes to commenting on car shows through out the world, because l have been there & done that.

In March this year I was also backed up by Mark 'Fletch' Fletcher from Classic Resto’s TV fame when he attended our show to do a show for his TV Series. During the Trophy presentations 'Fletch' made it known to every one in attendance that our Pre-WWII Vintage Car Show that the quality of Vintage vehicles that were on display on the bitumen in the Sutherland Shire Car Park in sleepy old Sutherland, NSW, is up there with the quality of the vehicles displayed at Pebble Beach in California, USA. 

(Above) Three Austin Sevens. When my Mum & Dad were married my Dad owned one of these pure 'Gems'. They drove to Bundanoon in Dad’s Austin Seven to spend their Honeymoon.

Fletch should know because he also has vast experience & knowledge to make that comment exactly the same as l do. Needless to say l was overwhelmed & so proud with his comments & opinion to say the least.

OK. Yesterday’s vast display of so called 'Classic' vehicles in the very, very upmarket ritzy Harpenden can not really be compared to our Pre-WWII Vintage car show that we present to the public in Sutherland, Sydney, purely on scale & size alone.

(Above) Photo of the hordes of people that visited the 'Classics on The Common' in Harpenden yesterday that were enjoying themselves wondering amongst the 1,400 Classic Vehicles that were on display.

Yesterday there were 1,400 vehicles on display covering many acres of grassy grounds in the massive Common here on St Albans Road in Harpenden, our display area on the bitumen in the Sutherland Car Park displays a tad over 100 Vintage vehicles, however to qualify to enter in our show all vehicles must have been built Pre the second World War, no exceptions, (1st September 1939) & this is what makes our show so unique, l believe.

l really had no idea what to expect before attending yesterday’s “Classics on the Common”. All that entrants needed to do was pay your entry fee of £17pounds (AUD$30.00) & rock up to exhibit your vehicle.

(Above) Now were talking. 1928-1929 Model A Ford Speedster.

Spectators entry fee a gold coin, I found it hard to believe that they did not charge an entry fee for the punter’s considering that the event is organised by the local Rotary Club of Harpenden, can you just imagine if they charged a nominal fee of five pounds how much they could have raised for charity, it would be mind boggling (that’s cheap) AUD$8.50. You can’t even buy a pint of beer here for that much money.

The scale of this presentation here is absolutely massive, (1,400 vehicles at $30 a vehicle = $42,000 plus spectator entry)? These vehicles spread out over acres & acres of ground, l was completely taken aback with the amount of spectators that attended this event. 

(Above) 1926 Sunbeam. Long 25hp. Tourer. One of only five remaining of this particular model. There are only two 'Landaulette' bodied cars that pre-date this car, (1) in Australia & (1) in New Zealand. 

This car is the oldest of the four left remaining 'Seat Tourers' cars that are known to exist located in Saffron Walden in Essex & (1) located in Germany. So very rare in the UK being one of only two cars known to exist.

Thousands upon thousands upon thousands of people & l am not exaggerating streamed through the acres of vehicles that were on display all day long from 11am-9pm, remembering that yesterday was a week day (Wednesday) l commented to one of the organisers “Doesn’t anybody work in this place” to which his answer to me was “This is Harpenden”.

l must admit that l was very disappointed with the lack of older vehicles, I would say out of the 1,400 vehicles on display there would have been no more than 50 vehicles that would have be built before 1940. I was expecting to see many more older vehicles on display, after all this is England.

(Above) Now for some real class & distinction. 1923 Model T Ford.

Rolls Royces & Bentleys a dime a dozen, Lamborghinis, Audis, Mercedes, VW, mini’s Vauxhalls, Morris minors, Ferrari’s, Morgans, MGs, Porsches by the dozen, Jaguars, Singers, Austin Healeys, MGBs by the truck load, McLarens, Nobles, Jensen Interceptors, Humbers, Hillman’s, Anglia’s, Cortina’s, Bug eye Sprite’s, Ford Consul’s, Sunbeam Tigers, Fiats, Peugeots, Renaults, Triumphs, Triumph Heralds by the ton, very few American cars, the list goes on & on & on after all there were 1,400 vehicles on display.

Absolutely nobody was dressed in Period dress, I suppose that was because the vehicles were not old enough, there was no music being played, no trophies, the food stalls were very ordinary. Our ten fresh food outlets in Sutherland were in a different league, you could actually have a decent choice, instead of Fish & chips, Hamburgers.

(Above) Don’t you just love this Morris Minor 1000. As a young motor mechanic in the '60s I cut my teeth on these wonderful vehicles, could not get enough of them. I really wish that I owned one of them today.

I went there yesterday expecting to learn new ideas to enhance our Pre WWII Vintage Car Show & actually came away with nothing, as a matter of fact we could teach the Poms about how to run a more interesting car show for the spectators.

l truly believe that at our Pre-WWII car show that we present to the public back home in Sydney is in a totally different class & much more interesting because of the unique vehicles that we present to the enthusiastic spectator.

Where can you go to see 100 plus Vintage Vehicles all pre 1939 on display with out all of these other makes & models only making up the numbers. Very unique indeed.

(Above) 1950 Healey Silverstone. Just 105 Silverstones were produced (1949-50), 51 'D Types' & 54 'E types'. All Silverstones utilised Riley running gear including a 2.4 twin cam OHV Pushrod engine with twin SU Carburettors, producing 104bhp at 4,500 rpm. Despite considerable track success the company discontinued Silverstone’s production in favour of the profitable Nash Healey and from 1952 the company the fabulous Austin Healy.

That’s my report from the 'Classics on the Common' from yesterday.

Hope that you enjoyed your Squire's roving report from the bowels of ancient Harpenden, where the poor are poor & the rich keep getting richer.

My next critique will probably be tomorrow. This evening I am heading off to see Simply Red the British Soul & Pop band from Manchester perform in an open air concert at Bedford Park in Bedford which is only a short train ride away from Harpenden.

Stay safe.

Cheers for now,

Warbo

Simply the Best

Sunday 31st July - 2022

Hello all,

Just letting you know that l am really ramping things up here in London for the final few weeks of my vacation here in the 'Old Dart'. I cannot afford to let the grass grow under my feet because before l know it l will be boarding the QF2 for Sydney on the 29th August.

As l had previously mentioned in one of my general emails, l managed to book 10 shows over a 10-day period. That means that l will not really have too many more free days until l leave for Scotland.

Last night I went to see 'Tina', the musical. l caught the Tube into Covent Garden, disembarked & walked around to the Aldwych Theatre which is only a short walk from the station.

On the short walk to the theatre l had completely forgotten how pleasant, dynamic, enjoyable & uplifting this area of London is, strolling past all the bars & eateries.

The last time l experienced this feeling was when l went to see 'Queen' the musical by Ben Elton at the Dominion Theatre in 2012, 10-years ago, while l was waiting for my flight to Ireland for my tour with C.I.E. Tours, they are the same company that l am using this year for my 12-day extravaganza to Scotland on the 13th August. Deja Vu.

For last night's performance l managed to jag a seat five rows from the stage, it makes things so much easier if you only want one seat exactly the same as jagging a seat on an aircraft at the last moment, this theatre is ornate & intimate just like me.

There are only 1,200 seats in this magnificent Edwardian Baroque style Theatre, it really makes you feel as though the cast were performing just for my own pleasure, that’s how good it is.

Adrienne Warren who played 'Tina' was superb, her rendition of 'Simply the Best' was nothing short of sensational. The costumes & sets & orchestra were magnificent.

What l have decided to do with all remaining shows is to rate each performance out of 10.

Last night's show 'Tina' l have given it 9 out of 10 with a star.

This evening l am off to see 'Mamma Mia' at the Novello Theatre which is just a stones throw from the Aldwych Theatre were l was last evening.

Guess what? l know this is getting boring, however it is now 68-days since l set foot in the UK, still have not worn my rain coat or raised the brolly. Hard to believe eh?

Stay safe, look after yourselves.

From the “Squire” reporting live from the West End in the UK.

PS: I believe that Paul Dainty just announced today that 'Tina' the musical is coming to Australia in 2023.

My conversion at Brands Hatch

Monday 25th July - 2022

The Bennett's British Superbike Round 5 event at Brands Hatch is the Mecca of motorcycle racing in the UK.

Where do I begin to tell you about this exhilarating motorcycle race that I witnessed yesterday of the British Superbike Championship here at Brands Hatch.

MotoGP is arguably the Super Bowl of motorcycle road racing, however I will not be able to give you my opinion on that until I attend the Monster Energy British Grand Prix MotoGP at Silverstone on August 7th.

The start of the second British World Superbike race on
Sunday afternoon on Brabham Straight.

In my wildest dreams I cannot possibly see how the MotoGP motorcycle races can be any better than what I saw yesterday, anyway I will give you my opinion in due course.

As I have mentioned previously I have never had the privilege to watch a live world class motorcycle race in my life, mainly because I really have not been interested & I am a born & bred car enthusiast.

Yesterday’s programme has our very own Jason O’Halloran
 on the front cover, McAMS No.22. Yamaha 1000cc beast.
Can you spot the Aussie Flag?

Previously, two-wheel racing never really rattled my cage of floated my boat.

That all ceased yesterday, talk about exciting to watch, I was on the edge of my grand stand seat watching these high powered 1000cc beasts, & I mean beasts, trying to be tamed by their world class riders around this magnificent Grand Prix Circuit: (2.433 mile long circuit) here at the world famous Brands Hatch track.

Definitely no room for the faint hearted. If you are interested have look at this YouTube clip for yourself of the race. 2022 Bennett’s BSB, Round 5, Brands Hatch (Race 2) on Sunday 24th July.

After what I watched yesterday I am now a World Superbike fan.

(Photo above) This is the view that I had from my Grandstand seat of Paddock Hill Bend, that the experts say has the reputation of being one of the best & fastest corners in world motor sport anywhere in the world. I took this photograph just after they dropped the green flag, this shows you (30) 1000cc machines hitting Paddock Bend at 160 mph or 257 kms.

This race was absolutely spectacular between an Australian Jason O’Halloran (from Wollongong, NSW) 43-years old No.22 & a Brit who is the current World Superbike Champion, Tarran Mackenzie (from Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire) 26-years old No.1. These two blokes are in the same team McAMS they both ride 1000cc Yamahas.

Saturday & Sunday they faced off against each other on three occasions, on Saturday (Jason O’Halloran won Saturday’s race), then on Sunday they were at it again hammer & tong, (Tarran Mackenzie won both races on Sunday) with the Aussie lad right up Mackenzie’s clacker on both occasions.

(Photo above) I met Gary from Scotland who sat next to me all day, he was a wealth of knowledge & helped me through out the day. As you can see by his t-shirt & hat he is a real die hard Suzuki fan. He prefers the World Superbikes over the MotoGP bikes. I love my newest t-shirt, a spark plug with wings!

Remembering that these two lads are in the same team, what I absolutely adored about it was that they are definitely not under any team instructions or orders from their team boss’s as to who wins the race, like what happens in the farcical F1 Grand Prix teams.

In their second race yesterday for 20-laps these daredevils threw every thing at each other at break neck speeds with the lead changing several times & finally the Brit knocked off our Aussie boy on the very last corner & clinched victory by 0.037 seconds, doesn’t come any closer than that.

(Photo above) In one of the many retail stalls that are scattered around certain sections of the outfield I took a liking to these three dramatic photographs. If I had the room in my suitcase I would loved to have purchased one or all of them.
(John Stanley come on down).

I’m sure if you were here with me at Brands Hatch yesterday watching these events unfold you would also be on the British Superbike Championships train.

These guys actually do pass each other, not like what you see in the procession of F1 & many tin-top car races where they more or less just follow the leader once somebody hits the lead.

I am already converted after spending just 1-day watching these world class motorcycle races, so it looks like I am off to see the MotoGP at Phillip Island this year. Now that is a first.

The large and enthusiastic crowd enjoying the racing
and Britain's current run of warm weather.

Another thing that I am very impressed with here at this exquisite, intimate, motor racing circuit is the famous names that they have given to the corners & straights around the circuit.

As follows: Brabham Straight (start-finish line), Paddock Hill Bend, Hailwoods Hill, Graham Hill Bend, Surtees, Hawthorn Hill, Hawthorns, Dingle Dell, Sheene Curve, Stirling, Clark Curve, to name a few.

Cheers from your roving correspondent from the insular peninsula in the “Shire”

Warbo

*You Tube clip below:
2022 Bennett’s BSB, Round 5, Brands Hatch (Race 2) on Sunday 24th July.

Roving around London

Thursday 30th June - 2022

Hello again from my rest day here in Harpenden.

I really do not know where to start my report today because of the huge day I had swanning around all my old haunts in downtown London yesterday.

Because of the threat of rain I decided to give my appearance on the Centre court at Wimbledon a miss yesterday, instead I decided to spend the day reminiscing of days gone bye when I used to frequent London on a monthly basis in a previous life.

Knowing that this will probably be my last swan song visiting the ‘Old Dart’ I spent most of the morning & afternoon walking around some of my favourite landmarks. 

My first port of call was to catch the Tube to the vibrant heart of London, Leicester Square which is almost slap bang in the West End. I wanted to check out all the Theatre Shows that are currently performing. It was wonderful to walk down Shaftesbury Ave towards Piccadilly Circus checking out all the famous shops & buildings. 

One of my favourite places to visit in Knightsbridge is Harrods. I absolutely loved the fresh food department of this magnificent store, yesterday I decided to see if it was still as good as it used to be previously.

Of course, I definitely was not disappointed, I will let you into a little secret about their fresh food department. The fascinating thing about their fresh food section is that you can purchase almost any type of fresh Cuisine from any where in the world, bar none.

Of course I decided to bite the bullet & hang the expense as you do when you are on holidays, especially when you are fortunate enough to be in the fresh food department of Harrods.

It was very hard for me to decide what l wanted to pig out on for lunch yesterday with such a large variety & selection to choose from. Seeing that l had not had the opportunity for over 5-weeks since departing Australia l decided to settle for one of my favourite meals. l settled on a Big Ben pie with mashie peas with mash potato & Rosella tomato sauce splashed all over everything, washed down with a caramel (double malt) milk shake, how does that grab you?

When I walked out of there l was completely satisfied.

Once I had satisfied my hunger pains it was time to move right along to Westminster Abbey, nearly all the Kings & Queens of England have been crowned in Westminster Abbey; it is also the burial place of many of England’s monarchs & some of the nation’s leading figures. (Photo below).

Not only that 'Big Ben' is only a stones throw away from the Abbey. I desperately wanted to check it out once again. After nearly five years under wraps, was Big Ben ready to chime again?

Six monarchs & 41 Prime Ministers have come & gone since Big Ben first struck its now familiar sound across Westminster. The refurbishment of the London landmark, which has seen costs already spiral to at least 80 million Pounds, or in real Aussie dollar value, that's $141 million.

The famous bell has been largely silent since 2017. Big Ben's time period. 1843 - May 1859. Standing 96mtrs tall.

As you can see by my photograph (at the very top), how magnificent does Big Ben looks after its refurbishment?

In one of my other photos you can see the London Eye which is a giant Ferris-wheel on the south Bank of the River Thames, also known as the Millennium Wheel, over the past few years it has also had a few other names, however as of mid - January 2015, is now called the Coca-Cola London Eye.

The structure is 443 feet tall or 135.03 metres. The London Eye was built between 1998-1999 & has proven to be one of London's most popular tourist attractions, if you like Ferris Wheels.

The building on the left hand side of the Hop-On, Hop-Off London Bus is the entrance to Westminster Abbey. In the middle of this photo the building with the Union Jack flying high is the Parliament House building.

Later in the afternoon it was now time to catch the Tube to South Kensington which is the closest station to the Royal Albert Hall where I needed to be by 19:30 to see Glady’s Knight & the Pips concert. (Midnight Train to Georgia).

Tomorrow night (Friday) I am back there to the Royal Albert Hall to see Frankie Valli & the 4 Seasons. Once I have seen Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons I will let you know all about both shows with my critique & expert opinion & how I rate them both, stay tuned.

Wish me luck on Sunday that I can jag a ticket to the British F1 Grand Prix from the Pommie Scalpers trackside at Silverstone.

I am feeling lucky, so I recon I can pull it off.

Cheers from your roving reporter here in London.

Warbo

St Marys Church in Redbourn

Wednesday 22nd June - 2022

Hello loyal followers,

The other day I mentioned to a few of you that I would be attending Church with my landlady, it came as quite a surprise to many of you & deep down I can understand why.

Some of you even mentioned that I must have ulterior motives. Never...

I could not pass up the opportunity to attend St Mary’s Church, this ancient Middle-Age Church right here in Redbourn, only a couple of kms down the road from my AirB&B.

St Mary’s Church dates from around 1110 AD & is thought to be built on the site of an earlier Saxon Church that pre-dates this time. The building you see today is a Grade 1 listed Church & the oldest parts are the aisle pillars on the North side of the building & the tower. It continues to be a place of worship & prayer.

When my English landlady asked me if I would like to accompany her to the Church service last Sunday I declined her offer at first (I thought that the ceiling may cave in) then after serious consideration I changed my mind & agreed to tag along with her.

(Photo above) Toward the completion of the service you can see my landlady Kate in the yellow jacket, taking her communion.

Where else on earth was the “Squire from the Shire” ever going to have this opportunity to attend such an auspicious occasion to attend a service in a Church that is only 912-years young.

As any good ‘Trolly-Dolly’ worth his salt would do, I offered my expert experience to help with the tea & coffee service afterwards. Little did they know that I have served tea & coffee all over the world at 37,000 ft in a piece aluminum tubing.

Sunday’s weather turned out to be absolutely magnificent, what I did not know was that on such beautiful days they conduct the service out doors in the meticulously maintained grounds of the Church.

(Photo above) In this photo you can see the table already set up before the congregation arrives.

For over 900-years people have come to this place to pray, to seek peace, to sense God’s presence, to sit, to think, to christen their children, to marry their spouse or lay a loved one to rest.

I must say that I was truly humbled by this sacred space as a stopping point on my journey in life on “Warbo’s Magical Mystery Tour” this year. And just in case you were wondering, yes, I did make a donation at the contactless donation point at the main door.

That my friends is all she wrote this time around. Stay tuned for the next “adventure before dementia”.

Stay safe & look after each other.

Cheers

Warbo

The Hollybush in Redbourn

Monday 20th June - 2022

Hello everyone from ancient Redbourn, in Hertfordshire, my home base for 3-months.

Have l got a story for you this afternoon. How often do you go out on a Sunday afternoon for a pint of larger & a roast lamb meal with veggies in a traditional 16th Century Country Pub that has been around since the early 1400s? That’s right... if you can believe it.

This afternoon I called into the local pub, ‘The Hollybush’ (photo below) when l walked into this lovely old pub l knew that l was walking back in history & here is my reason why.

Before I’ll ordered my baked dinner & a pint of Carlsberg lager, I needed to go to the little boys room to make room for more, if you know what I mean. 

As l attempted to enter the WC I took one look at the door & said to myself if l don’t duck down here l am going to belt my head on the door jam & that means blood, the height was no taller than 5ft high. (photo below) & read the notice above the door jam.

The height of the human race hundreds of years ago was so much smaller than todays race, that is why the door heights were built so much smaller.

I immediately went out to the bar & asked the bar man how old this pub is. He told me that ‘The Hollybush’ pub was built in the 1400s. Get your head around that if you can.

That pub has been serving customers more than 350-years before Captain Cook discovered Australia in 1770, l find it hard to believe for a “Trolly-Dolly” from the insular peninsular that had a protected child hood.

Once I recovered from that shock, l decided to order my Sunday Roast Lamb with the full Monty, Yorkshire pudding, chipolata sausage, Sage & onion stuffing, a minimum of three freshly cooked vegetables plus roasted parsnip and lashings of gravy… are you hungry yet? All washed down with a couple of pints of Carlsberg.

Needless to say I actually rolled out of that 650-year old pub as l am sure many other patrons have done so over many hundreds of years.

You may think that a pub meal in good old Sydney is expensive, well l am here to tell you it ain’t.

* Roast Lamb with all the trimmings. 15 pounds = AUD $26.50
* Dessert. 8 pounds = AUD $14.00
* 1 pint of Carlsberg beer. 7 pounds = AUD $12.50

Total in AUDs $53.00

Thank heavens that I am doing this trip on the cheap, can you imagine if l was traveling with a handbrake & a couple of nippers.

l couldn’t help myself & decided that yes, l am on holidays so l also decided to order a dessert. Homemade Apple Crumble, served with cream, ice cream & custard. (photo below). 

Ken’s “Magical Mystery Tour” continues tomorrow.

I am going to visit St. Mary’s church here in Redbourn, that was built in 1110, so you will have to wait until l put pen to paper to find out all about that little number.

That’s all she wrote for the time being.

Stay safe. Cheers from the ‘Squire from the Shire’.

Warbo