Paris; the museums shops art galleries la Fayette (thought of Kay ) the Seine cruise and sunset behind the Eiffel Tower are all stored up in my memory and in Debbie's camera . Found Napoleon's dining room in the Louvre, very palatial . Weather continues to be hot and we have yet to find a coffee that we love. The only place I got a flat White was in Starbucks at Amsterdam railway station . It was good too. Decided to have Asian food for our last night on Paris . ...

There is evidence all round as John drove me through this pretty region of his homeland today, that Niewe Niedorp is indeed "gem Holland's kroon", the jewel in Holland's crown.The flatness of the country, though well known, is still a surprise given that 40 years ago travelling with Jane, we kept to the dutch cities with their crowded built up streets. The endless paddocks of colorful tulips, hyacinths and crocuses , acres and acres of them, testify to the color ...

So exciting to catch up with Jane Rogers for the day. We visited a lovely birthing unit at Lyndhurst with a garden overlooking the New Forest with free ranging ponies. Amazing sight. Then we went through the Southampton hospital where her office is as Midwifery consultant and met staff including the famous Sister Kay who featured in the first series of "One born every minute". There are 6000 births a year. It is a regional tertiary hospital with three male midwiv...

I have woken to this view of sunshine and the Dorset countryside from my upstairs window. Though it was foggy when I arrived yesterday at Court Farm Askerswell today is beautiful and I can't wait to get dressed and explore the village with Geoff and aunty Eileen. We plan to drive to Bridport for lunch and enjoy the south coast. Apparently the tv series Broadchurch was filmed here and the creator of the series lives locally . It will be a jam packed day of sightse...

Visiting Whanau (extended family for the non-Maori speaking readers) is always a highlight of any overseas trip. And so it has been with the Bryan family of Askerswell, Dorset. This beautiful village of around 100 population has been the home of the Bryans since Henry Bryan became rector there in the 1800s. The church is 500 years old as are many of the thatched and charming cottages in the village. As I walked along the lanes and circumvented the farmlands of A...