Some Pictures

Doug on the top of the Keep




Melanie on the Way to the Castle



Dover Castle

Halifax to Dover to Paris

We made it, after a sleepless night on the plqne to London, a long line for passport verification at Heathrow and a couple of trains we arrived in Dover, for our first night: We arrived around 1:30, had a nap and went to see Dover castle. The castle has a long history dating back to Roman times. It was a favoured home of Henry the VIII, and features a Roman Lighthouse and Norman Church. It was very impressive, we had to walk 20mins up a steep hill to get there.

The ride over to Calais was alright, Calais seened deserted. Once we arrived in Paris on the train we had some fun trying to get around got on the wrong train switched qnd eventuqlly made it. Would type more but am running out of time. Write again soon.

Halifax & Bubbles

This is the morning before we leave, thinking things over in my head, and I am increasingly anxious. We arrived in Halifax yesterday, catching a ride down with Melanie's cousin Natasha. We arrived around noon and spent the day walking around Halifax. The best part of the day was when Melanie and I, went to eat lunch. We went to eat at Bubbles Mansion, a restaurant run by Mike Smith who plays a character called Bubbles in a TV show called the Trailer Park Boys (for those who don't know). Anyway the restaurant had various outfits and things from the show, on top of that the food was really good. While we were there Bubbles was actually hanging out in the restaurant, so it was lucky we were there when we were. I didn't go say hello or anything, but it was cool to see him.

Today, we plan on getting a few last minute items and relaxing before we have to go to the airport. I think we have gotten everything, but will probably miss something. Luckily they do have stores in Europe so I am sure we will be alright. Next time I post I will be in Europe!!

Getting Closer

Well the time until departure is coming quick. We finally finished packing, and have moved our things from Charlottetown to my grandmothers basement in Kingsclear, NB on Sunday. It was a long, long day, moving everything. In the morning Melanie and I woke up sick from what we suspect were some bad re-heated fish and chips. We were both vomiting and trying to pack when we felt a little bit better, luckily by noon and the time Melanie's brother arrived, we felt much better. We left Charlottetown around four, drove to Rexton dropped a few things off had supper, and were off to my grandmothers. We didn't finish unloading the truck until 11:00 that night. So with the loading, unloading, being ill and packing we were tired. Needless to say we have had lots of sleep since.

I had a little scare this morning when I wrote to the B&B we are supposed to stay at on our first night, and they responded saying that they had no such reservation. I panicked, and than realized that I had written to confirm the wrong date. I wrote back and they confirmed for the correct date. Currently we are settling in to life for the week at Melanie's parents, and organizing the belongings we brought for a short stay once we return.

Not very exciting stuff.

So Busy...

Well just a few notes for those interested:

- I got my Camera back today after its unfortunate fall. Works like a charm.

- I was able to get Medical Insurance for Melanie and myself today from the co-operators, by far the best price and has all the important stuff covered

- I am really busy right now packing for the trip, it is really crazy right now. You wouldn't believe the amount of garbage a person accumulates after living only four years in the same place. The only thing I like about moving is having the chance to sort through things and get rid of it all.

- We booked our first four nights in Paris on the weekend. We got a really good price, and it is a private room with an en-suite. Hopefully we will be this lucky all the time.

- And lastly... We got our rail passes on Monday! We are now mobile and able to get around Europe. Can't wait to get on that first train!

So we have had lots of excitement and craziness to keep us busy, but we are moving forward which is the main thing. Write again soon.

First Nights Accomodation

Well, I made the first nights reservation today. I booked us in at the Clare House in Dover for the evening of the 29th. Hooray!! It was actually a bit of a rush when it was confirmed. Silly, I know but oh well. This is their website, a really quaint little place.

So Much Planning.... only 3 more weeks!!!

Well I am back, a personal note first off. As I mentioned in my last post way back in March, I was finishing classes and was looking forward to exams. Well they are over and exams went well, I studied way more than I had to. Knowing that these were the last few exams made me a bit nervous as I knew I had to pass or graduate at a later date. Don't get me wrong, I have never failed a class or come close to it, but for some reason I was extra nervous. Anyway, graduation is this Saturday, and the family is coming over for it. Its which is going to be fun, to bad the apartment will be half packed but that doesn't matter.

Back to the trip, part of the reason I have not been writing on the blog, is that I have been trying to plan the trip itself. It takes a fair bit of planning to be able to line up train times. For example, when we land in Heathrow we have to: Walk down to the "Heathrow Connect" train that will take us to Paddington Station, then we have to get on the Bakerloo subway line which will take us to Charring Cross station, where we can finally catch the train to Dover where we will stay for the night.

The connections and whatnot doesn't intimidate me, its making sure that we get to Charring Cross station on time so we can make it to Dover at a decent hour. We will only be there for the night and we want to have some time to see the cliffs, and catch dinner. The next day it’s up early, probably about 7:00 GMT (3:00 our time) for a "Full-English" breakfast, and off to catch the ferry to Calais and then off to Paris!