Christmas is coming,
Andy's getting thinner (ha, ha).
Have you got all the stuff you'll need,
For your Christmas dinner?

What to buy your loved ones?
There's nothing like a good book.
So...click on this link, http://bit.ly/TMdIWF
And take a good long look.

If you'd like one then don't you be shy,
Go on, it's good, give it a try.
Leave me a message or send me a note,
I'll even sign what I have wrote.

I'll finish now, no please don't cheer,
Have a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

Now available in paperback (£9.99 ISBN 978-178035-444-6) direct from the publisher at http://bit.ly/TMdIWF or from The Idler, 37 High Street, Hadleigh, Ipswich IP7 5AF and available to order from any good bookshop or internet retailer.

The Diaries of Me...A Traveller tells the story of what happens when as an overweight 43 year old, I decided to sell my house, pack in a good job and head off on the adventure of a lifetime.

"It was the most amazing experience of my life. Travel broadens the mind and helps to reduce the waistline! If you have the opportunity to travel then grab it with both hands."

My diaries offer the reader a frank and open catalogue of what made me laugh and what made me sad, the highs and lows and the lasting memories of a momentous time in my life. Travel with me through Ecuador, The Galapagos Islands, Peru; The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, Chile, Easter Island, New Zealand and Australia.

How would I cope with any number of flying, crawling and biting insects not to mention unusual customs and cuisine? "As we unrolled our sleeping bags the first wave of 632  Mosquito Squadron made a sortie. We were frantically applying the repellent that the makers claim 'WILL STOP ALL INSECTS DEAD', but these little buggers had little gas masks, and could bite through cotton trousers and shirts such was their voracity and blood lust."

My Route

I hope you enjoy reading this book and I would welcome your comments and feedback.

The Diaries of Me...A Traveller is PUBLISHED

I am proud and pleased to announce that my book is now available to purchase in paperback, £9.99 plus the applicable postage from my publishers:- http://www.fast-print.net/bookshop/1145/the-diaries-of-me-a-traveller.

I hope that you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. 

King's Lynn, Norfolk...revisited.

I recently visited the West Norfolk town of King's Lynn, a town I have been to many times over the years in the course of my work. However, on this occasion in the company of my friend Jacqui, I actually looked upon it through different eyes (yep! I need glasses for reading nowadays).

Situated on the River Great Ouse I found a parking spot, probably illegally, close to the Custom House just off South Quay. This grand old building was opened as a merchants' exchange in 1685 to facilitate the trade that  existed as a result of King's Lynn being favourably positioned for European trade from the Baltic and other English coastal ports. Such was King's Lynn's prominence, the town was favoured by traders of the Hanseatic League. The ships of this group of German cities travelled in convoy for fear of piracy and traded fish, furs, timber, wax and pitch in exchange for wool, cloth and salt.

Fish drying on a frame at South Quay.

Don't fall in the River Great Ouse.

A naughty sailor!

Walking alongside the River Great Ouse we came to The Green Quay, part of South Quay and an area where fishermen would sell their catches. A metal display showed how the fish would be hung from frames to dry in the sun and wind. Fishing was maybe, obviously, an important industry for King's Lynn and Queen Elizabeth I granted 'free and uninterrupted use of the Fisher Fleet for ever and ever' to the fishermen of the town. Indeed even whaling took place from King's Lynn and the area of South Lynn on the River Nar became known as 'Blubber House Creek'. The 1771 Act of Parliament supported the industry with a bounty paid based on the weight of the catch and with the added bonus of being exempt of customs duty. Ships sailed to Greenland each March returning to South Lynn in July. Prosperity for the local economy was tempered by the smell of boiling blubber that hung over the area for weeks.

Captain George Vancouver

Perhaps King's Lynn's most famous resident was Captain George Vancouver born in the town in 1757. His main claim to fame was as the Captain of the expedition that mapped the Pacific Northwest of America and Canada and after whom the British Columbian island and the city were named. (No, not 'George'!). To commemorate their famous son, a statue sits on the Purfleet, a small quay in front of the Custom House.

Just off the South Quay are King and Queen Street and these narrow cobbled streets lead to the Tuesday Market Square and King's Lynn Minster respectively.Walking up the winding College Lane you come to Trinity Guildhall dating back to the 1420s and the former home of the Great Guild of merchants and whose membership included German residents in the town as befitted the Hanseatic connections with the town. Attached to this the Town Gaol House dating from 1784 with original cells is a popular visitor attraction.

These buildings lead onto Saturday Market Place and this area is dominated by King's Lynn Minster, formerly St. Margaret's Church, and which was founded in 1101. The Bishop of Norwich designated St. Margaret's as a Minster Church in 2011. The Minster is impressive both inside and out and has a magnificent High Altar backed by stained glass windows.

College Lane leading to Trinity Guildhall

Trinity Guildhall and Old Gaol House

King's Lynn Minster

King's Lynn Minster's High Altar

Lady Chapel in King's Lynn Minster

Once again I have been able to see another side to a town that over the years I have been to on a number of occasions without realising the depth of history and attractions that it has to see.

My Ipswich.

Merchants discuss a deal

Defending our shores!

Give us a beer!

In period costume

PADI Diving instructor!

It was a hard life as a sailor!

Sometimes in life we miss the things that are right under our noses. Last weekend Ipswich celebrated it's Maritime History with the annual festival centred on the waterfront.. We were blessed with marvellous weather, the hottest days of the year, and thousands upon thousands of visitors flocked to the event. Also to be found on the quayside was the Ipswich Beer Festival and this event organised by 'CAMRA' (Campaign for Real Ale) is in its 30th year and the 2nd on the waterfront in conjunction with the Maritime Festival.

It wasn't just the waterfront that was showcasing it's history but Ipswich as a whole. Town centre streets were transformed into street markets with all sorts of traders setting up stalls who together with entertainers served to create a wonderful atmosphere and spectacle.

Walking away from the waterfront towards the town centre I had completely forgotten what historical treasures 'My Ipswich' actually possesses. Just a stones throw from the quayside (well possibly if you were an Olympian) is the church of St. Peter's. Mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, people have worshipped on that spot for at least 900 years. Situated on the corner of College Street where another of Ipswich's historical sites is found, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey's Gateway, I had never in a lifetime of living in the town ever been inside it. True, I do visit The Thomas Wolsey  pub close by on St.Peter's Street most Friday evenings, but not St. Peter's Church so this was an opportunity to rectify this and inside I went.

As I entered the west doorway there was a display of hanging charters depicting Ipswich through the ages. These take you from the 7th century AD Anglo-Saxon town known as Gippeswick through to the present  modern day town. Just inside the doorway at this west end of the nave is found The Tournai Font, or to be precise the enormous square bowl  measuring 3 feet 8 inches and made of a carboniferous limestone, known as Tournai marble, quarried from the banks of the River Scheldt in Belgium. I was aware of the existence of this font but had absolutely no idea of its origins or historical significance. There are only believed to be ten Tournai marble fonts in England and two of them reside in St. Peter's Church. Nowadays the Church of St.Peter's is not used for religious ceremonies but is used as the home of the Ipswich Hospital Band with whom my cousins John and Anne are members.

St. Peter's Chuch

Ipswich Hanging Charter (Not literally!)

St. Peter's Street

Cardinal Thomas Wolsey

Walking up St. Peter's Street one of the oldest town centre streets and just past the aforementioned Public House of the same name you find a statue in memory of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey who died in 1530. Many of the buildings here are heritage listed and one can imagine the scene in bygone years when merchants would make their way from the docks to the centre and the Corn Exchange to sell their wares.

Carl Giles' 'Grandma'

Ancient House

Pargetting on the Ancient House

Town Hall on Cornhill

Ipswich Madonna and Child.

As I reached the town centre I came to an area recently renamed as Giles Circus in honour of the world famous cartoonist Carl Giles who lived and worked out of a small studio close by. A statue of one of his most endearing cartoon characters 'Grandma' sits at this junction. Straight on from here is the Corn Exchange and Cornhill where the Town Hall is situated, and to the right lies the Buttermarket, another of Ipswich's oldest streets and where I once worked whilst in the travel industry. Arguably Ipswich's most iconic building is found here the splendid Ancient House, once the hiding place for Bonnie Prince Charlie as he sought to avoid Oliver Cromwell's clutches. The exterior of the Ancient House is a fine example of English pargetting and is one of the most photographed buildings in East Anglia let alone Ipswich.

One of Ipswich's least known historical attractions is that of the statue of The Madonna and Child situated just off Westgate Street as you leave the town centre. This statue marks the spot where originally The Chapel of our Lady of Grace stood wherein a mahogany statue of The Madonna and Child was found. In medieval times this was visited by many pilgrims. In 1538 under the orders of King Henry VIII the chapel was closed and the statue taken to London to be burned. It is believed that it was rescued by sailors who took it to Nettuno, Italy where today an ancient statue of 'Our Lady of Graces' is to be found. The current statue was erected on its former site in 1989.

This was yet another of my home town's sites that I was vaguely aware of but, which I rather ashamedly admit   I really knew little about. It had been a very interesting afternoon and has made me more acutely aware of  what 'My Ipswich' has to offer not only to the visitor but to those of us born and bred in the town.

On the book publishing front I have agreed a publishing contract and hope that 'The Diaries of Me...A Traveller' will be available in print within the next two months. I will, you can be assured advise you of when and where you can purchase a copy...pretty please.

Doesn't time fly?

I can't believe that my last blog was posted on 3rd June! In the interim period I have been busy with trying to finalise the publication of my book and this process is more complex than one might think. I have a meeting set up with a prospective publisher after which I hope to be in a position to move ahead and see my efforts in print at long last. I am also exploring the possibility of putting it into an e.book format which will allow for a potential larger audience....that will make for maybe a dozen or more sales!!

I have also been pursuing new job prospects and once again this has been a laborious and frustrating task. I would like to return to a position within the Travel Industry but exactly what I am not sure. In the meantime my last employer contacted me and offered me my job back delivering and collecting electrical motors and pumps within the East Anglia and London area. I have agreed to return at this time for three days per week as I need the other days to complete my book publishing procedure. At least my old customers seem pleased to see me back although most are surprised that I returned from Australia in the first place!

Neptune Marina, Ipswich

The Olympic Torch at Neptune Quay

The Torch in Christchurch Park, Ipswich

Back on the home front and the start of the London Olympic Games are less than two weeks away. The Olympic Torch relay has been winding its way around the United Kingdom and I went to see its passage through Ipswich recently. It was estimated that 50,000 people went to see the 'Torch' whist passing through the town from its arrival by sailing barge at the Neptune Marina on Ipswich quayside through to an event in the beautiful Christchurch Park. I waited for my glimpse of 'history' at Neptune Quay before racing the torch entourage to catch a glimpse of proceedings in the park.

On the subject of the London Olympic Games my good friend George's daughter Rebecca has been selected to be one of the dancers performing at the Opening Ceremony. Secrecy is the name of the game in respect of what part she is actually taking in what promises to be a spectacular performance organised by the famous film director Danny Boyle, famous for the mega successful film 'Slumdog Millionaire'. The proud parents, George and Sally have been given tickets to view the dress rehearsal at the Olympic Stadium although not for the actual Opening Ceremony itself. Good luck Rebecca, I'll be looking out for you whether you are a 'sheep' or a 'rain cloud' or whatever!! I just pray for fine weather and a safe and excellent games for all.

Having completed the manuscript for 'The Diaries of Me....A Traveller', I am now preparing to start upon more of my travel memoirs including my time as an Overseas Holiday Representative on the lovely Greek island of Crete and my time as a Tour Manager. Who knows, perhaps a publisher out there might actually pay me to write these! After all, J.K. Rowling* the author of the blockbusting 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy went through many lean years before getting her break, and the immensely successful John Grisham self-published his first book  In the meantime I'll keep you posted on the progress with this book and hope that you will be interested enough to want to buy it and read it.

Take care all.

* Did you notice my 'deliberate mistake...J.K. Rowling of course was the author of the Harry Potter books. The Lord of the Rings was written by J.R.R. Tolkien. Now you will understand the importance of 'proof reading'! (Ha, ha).

What's Up?

What's Up? Well quite a bit since my last blog. The most significant being that I have finished my manuscript and the proof reading process is now under way. My sister Sandra, being a trained Librarian and clever thing to boot has volunteered (well, been conscripted would be more accurate) for this task.

Amongst her tasks will be to correct my grammar (no, not my mother's mother) rather wot I had writ and how I have wroten it! I could probably have got the job as a script writer for the comedy series 'Allo, Allo', that is, if I had been funny at all!

If any of use Microsoft Word for writing any documents, you may have seen the message, "Fragment, consider reversing"? My entire manuscript had that message! How annoying is that, especially when I don't have the grammatical skill to do so, or make sense in doing so.

That last sentence would therefore read, "In making sense to do so, the grammatical skill that I don't have is especially annoying"! Never mind, over to my expert. It is a bit like being back at school and waiting for the return of your homework and discovering it covered with 'red' pen alterations and the note, "Fragment, consider reversing". C+ "Must try harder"!!

The weather was beautiful for about a week, with clear blue skies and high temperatures. Allied to the long light nights at this time of the year, there are few places in the world better. The great pity is that it just doesn't last long enough and now we are back to daytime highs of 13c to 16c and the threat of heavy rain and strong, blustery winds.

At least I was able to spend a lovely few days with my dear friend Jacqui and my godson, Benjamin at their home on the Cambridgeshire/Lincolnshire border in the heart of The Fens. I was able to get on with the last bits of the manuscript in relative peace so thank you both for that.

We took advantage of the great weather and visited Wells next Sea, on the north Norfolk coast. This small fishing village was extremely busy on such a beautiful summer's day and we enjoyed one of the area's culinary specialities, a dressed Cromer crab. How delicious and fat free (well almost), the shell was a bit crunchy but you can't have everything can you!!

Benjamin

Jacqui

Floral fishing boat

Wells next Sea

Celebrations for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II are now well under way with an extra Bank Holiday this coming Tuesday. Up and down the UK various events are taking place including, street parties, parades, Beacon lightings and firework displays.

One of the biggest events will take place on the River Thames where a flotilla of craft will follow in the wake of the Royal Barge. Over a 1,000 vessels of all types and sizes will be involved sailing 4-abreast and covering a distance of 7 miles in  length. The UK weather, as I previously commented on, is rather inclement, to put it politely, but events and this maritime spectacular in particular will continue stoically as is the British way. (Mad dogs and etc., minus the midday sun bit).

Likewise, I together with other members of my family, gathered at my brother Pete's home for a joint Diamond Jubilee and birthday BBQ for my sister June. Undaunted by the cool wind and mainly grey skies we also stoically sat outside on the patio (minus patio heater, take note Pete!) and had a great afternoon.

Amber, Kat, Tim, June

The 'Pink' twins, Muriel &Sandra

June, Richard & Tia

Pete & Amber

A special message for Pete who refused to let the weather get to him and remained in a sleeveless shirt and shorts throughout. We all hope that the frost-bite clears up quickly bruv!

It is already nearly a month since I returned from the Southern Hemisphere and I am slowly adjusting to life back in the 'old dart'. With my manuscript now completed and the publishing process under-way, I thought it prudent to start looking for some gainful employment.

I have found a position that I am interested in back in the travel industry and am preparing an application. I hope that my previous experience and particular relevant knowledge pertinent to the position, may secure me an interview but I will have to wait and see.

I will keep you, my loyal reader, aware of progress with the book publication and with all things 'Fosky'.

Take care, keep safe and well done Ma'am on your Diamond Jubilee. 

Back in the...U..ssr (oops!)..UK.

I can't believe that I have been back home in England for a little over two weeks already. I should do considering the cool weather that we have been having until the last couple of days. It has been really hard to come to terms with being here and not in Australia where I had become part of the furniture, you know where people sit on you and rest their feet!

First weekend back and it was my big sister's birthday and we had a small gathering at her home to celebrate. My big brother, Pete and little sister, June were there together with our dear Aunt Muriel. The weather gods smiled on us and despite a chilly wind the sun shone for the most past and we were able to sit outside on the patio.

Most of the outstanding mail items were dealt with and filed (most in the round filing cabinet) and I half-heartedly scanned the jobs sections! Nothing much has changed whilst I've been away it would seem other than myself. I am now more determined than ever to get my book published and until it has been then I will not feel able to move on with the next phase of my life. It is close to completion thanks to the time I was able to put in whilst in Australia.

Last weekend it was my birthday and I enjoyed a great lunch at a local country pub with my family. Another year older...another year wiser? I would like to think so but only time will tell. I'm sure I will continue to make the same mistakes and decisions but I hope to be more aware of them as I make them!

Amber, Kat, June, Tia, Pete, Sandra

June, Sandra and Pete

Kat, June, Sandra, Tia, Pete & Amber

The Tuddenham Fountain Pub.

The good news is that I had managed to only add a pound and a half in weight whilst I was away, which considering the generosity of my friends at my many farewell parties was quite pleasing. That is now down to just half a pound after last nights 'weigh-in' so it is back to the hard work I guess.

Off now to see my lovely friend Jac and my godson, Benjamin for a long weekend where I can hopefully almost complete the book manuscript.

Anyone reading this who wants to give me a job that pays well and is not too difficult I would love to hear from you. In the meantime keep safe.

One last challenge before I go home.

Sinking feeling in March 2012.

You may remember this photograph from an earlier blog. It was my unsuccessful attempt to kayak on Lake Macquarie, when a combination of strong waves and rubbish balance resulted in me capsizing my kayak a number of times before I was forced to give up. This episode also caused the small cut on my foot that, it would seem, resulted in my attack of cellulitis and caused me much discomfort for the best part of the following few weeks.

Success

Even backwards into a yacht!

Man and kayak both dry.

Alan had invited me for one last opportunity to experience the thrill of kayaking on my penultimate day in Australia. The weather was bright and sunny but there was a cool breeze afoot. Fortunately, when I arrived at the lakeside at Valentine the water surface seemed relatively smooth. As I awaited Alan's arrival with the kayaks I watched various craft coming and going, including a couple of kayakers who seemed to effortlessly skim through the water.

Alan had bought a slightly wider and shorter kayak for me to use today, not to hold my bulk, (before you say it), but to give more stability in the water. With my life-jacket on and with Alan taking my camera (well I didn't want to chance it), I sat into the kayak and wriggled around to get the feel of the balance.

As I pushed off rather tentatively, and despite a few slight wobbles all seemed to be fine. Under Alan's tutorship I practised using the paddles to give extra balance and to turn left and right and to even go backwards. I was beginning to enjoy this and we went for a leisurely paddle around the many yachts and pleasure craft at moorings on this part of the lake.

We were out for about an hour and I thoroughly enjoyed myself and would like to thank Alan for the giving me the opportunity to exorcise, not so much a demon as a slight to my pride.

Alan the master griller.

Not a bad view from your deck Alan.

Afterwards we retired to Alan's for a last barbie, only my second here, and enjoyed a beer as we looked down to the lake in the distance. Thanks mate for your friendship and good humour and for taking me to see the Newcastle Jets and Knights...now I know what I'm missing!!

That evening there was one last meal as dear Glenda had invited me, Jonesy and Alan over for dinner. She showed me where she intended to 'train' the Triffid to grow in her garden and I look forward to seeing photos and reports on its progress. Better still, to seeing it for myself before too long elapses.

It was fitting somehow to be with these three friends on my last night and that is not to single them out for special mention above all of the people who had welcomed me to their homes and into their lives so willingly (and stupidly) over the past three months.

Peter and Neil

Me with Tom

I was to catch a train from Hamilton at 1230 for Sydney Central and my flight with Emirates at 6.45pm on Monday 07th May. Before I left I had to visit Jonesy's father, Peter, one more time. Peter has been sidelined since Christmas 2011, and is currently recovering at a nursing home in Newcastle. He is a lovely, intelligent and very witty man and I wish him the very best wishes for a comfortable and painless rehabilitation. With caring and loving family and friends beside him he will get all the support he needs. It was also nice to see Tom, a fellow patient who I saw on my visits to Peter and who has a wicked sense of humour. Tom keeps an eye on Peter in the family's absence which is a comfort I know.

Finally, I must record my most sincere thanks to my mate Jonesy. He has allowed me yet again to live in his house, coming and going as I please. He has introduced me to so many of his lovely friends and taken me here and there without any complaint. I have been allowed to use his office as my own, which has helped me no end to have almost completed my book.

But most of all he has been a loyal and true friend to me, listening to my ramblings and putting up with my jokes! It is little wonder that his friends, who are now my friends, value him so highly. Cheers Jonesy, you're one of a kind.