UK news 26 March 2003

It is rather closer than we wish, with Birmingham already involved in treating casualties. Yesterday two injured British troops were flown to Selly Oak hospital, just a few miles from here. So perhaps 'in the theatre of war' - Birmingham is 'exit stage left'…

Less than an hour away, south of here is Fairford American air force base, where the huge American B52 bombers are based & filled with their massive arsenal of bombs each day. Chris's brother Ray lives at Kempsford, next to the base, where he has in the past been employed to fly his falcon(s) to clear the runway of birds before the planes take off. We've not heard of any NZ involvement in the war yet, but have seen Australian troops and military dolphins on TV.

The British people are reeling from the multiple friendly fire incidents. Details of more of these incidents are coming through. Particularly sad as three soldiers from Staffordshire near here were announced killed on tonight's news. What we are hearing is that UK troops will be doing most of the fighting in the cities, as they are experienced with the urban warfare of fighting the IRA in Ireland. The war is on the TV 24 hours per day, which I'm watching more than I should…

Best to think of the nice things, which surround us. Another glorious early spring day today. Target 15 degrees, with clear skies. I can now see why the British love spring so much, there is so much colour and life in the hedges and trees that have been barren for the many months of winter. We arrived at a good time of year - got to experience the last few frosts of winter and can now see spring emerging. Soon, the forests will be carpeted with bluebells, a most wonderful sight - I am promised romantic walks!

Went and explored the inner city a few days ago. I've been looking for some 'Eastenders' style markets, but instead found huge indoor markets in the old 'Bull ring' area of town. This area, which has been a market since the middle ages/12th century - when Birmingham was granted a Royal Charter. When we visited the old market 5 years ago, we giggled when we saw a sign for 'soiled knickers' - their term for factory seconds. The whole Bull Ring area has been demolished and a new shopping centre is currently being built. The new indoor market opened a couple of years ago, and the whole complex opens this September. This is the largest retail construction project in the whole of Europe at £500 million. It is absolutely massive, is going to employ about 8000 people, including in Selfridges and Debenhams, as well as over 130 shops and restaurants including Next, Gap, Benetton, Zara, Faith and Pizza Hut. Perhaps I can get a job as a street hawker?! http://www.virtualbrum.co.uk/bullring03.htm

In the 'new' markets I saw all sorts of seafood, meat and veg for sale. Was amazed to see some wood pigeons and hares strung up on a butchers hook. Some of the seafood was quite weird looking, amazing how species can be so different in another part of the world. Even the normal supermarket is surprising with its international variety of goods. Produce from all over Europe, South Africa and even Thailand. Sadly none of the kiwifruit were grown in New Zealand. The only NZ things I have seen are Lindaur wine at $22 per bottle, Anchor butter which is curiously labelled 'free range', and absolutely nothing else!

It's been a fun week here, with the annual 'red nose day' - raising funds for charities. There have been some wonderful spoof programmes on TV, including one with Lenny Henry playing Michael Jackson & with Rowan Atkinson playing the TV interviewer. Dawn French & Jennifer Saunders did a clever spoof on Harry Potter. Robbie Williams did an eye opening naked appearance!

Yesterday I chauffeured Chris to a meeting at Dorridge, a very small town (perhaps the same size as Tirau) South West of Birmingham. Nearby Knowle is full of antique shops, including Bonham's auction house. That will be worth another visit. While Chris was in her meeting, I explored the nearby canal and the 'Knowle locks', an ancient but still operating set of canal locks - where the boats go up or down hill by going through successive tanks than fill up or empty of water. I can see why canal boating is a very slow process, taking days to go relatively short distances. But it must be a wonderful way of seeing the countryside. We hope to take a canal trip with friends Lynda & Dave in August. More info http://www.virtualbrum.co.uk/knowle.htm

Birmingham is a city of incredible history. Solihull has signs of occupation 10,000 years ago! We're going to a lecture about such icons as HP sauce and Birds Custard. I visited the Jewellery Quarter last week - I hadn't realised that Birmingham was such a centre for Jewellery manufacture over the last few hundreds of years. 100 years ago there were 20,000 people employed. It really was a major industry here. There's a lovely little museum dedicated to the fountain pen nib, which was invented here, along with the steam engine and gas lighting, oxygen was 'discovered' here by Joseph Priestley (who was then run out of town & his house burnt down, as he was too radical!). George Cadbury began making chocolate in Birmingham in 1824. At that time chocolate was considered an aphrodisiac and therefore not suitable for a lady's diet! Charles Dickens, Arthur Conan Doyle and J R R Tolkien all lived in Birmingham. http://www.virtualbrum.co.uk/facts.htm

Our new car has been a bit of a pain. We weren't supplied the 'master key', so it cost $300 to get another one. Plus the alarm kept on going off, so $200 to repair that. The radio doesn't go, as it has to be 'code unlocked' for $55 - that can wait until finances recover!

We quietly celebrated Chris's birthday yesterday, it's birthdays and Christmas that make us feel so very far away from NZ family and friends. Niece Christina has her engagement party in two weeks time, which is also sister Judy's birthday. Also coming up are brother Robert's and Dad George's birthdays. It will be wonderful to be here, and to celebrate birthdays with them, after so many missed over the years.

On Saturday of Easter weekend we're off to see a show at the Hippodrome, the story of Carmen as told by a group of Flamenco dancers and one Andalusian horse. Then off to see the show War of the Worlds in Swindon. Visits to London & Redhill are planned soon.

Lots to see and do, but with petrol costing a whopping $2.25 per litre we're having to watch the pennies until Geoff starts earning…

Hello - Chris here. Geoff has done a magnificent job of telling our news, so I don't have much more. My birthday was a lovely day and even my workmates bought a HUGE bunch of flowers and sang 'happy birthday' in the office - it was a lovely surprise.

Dad has been unwell. We got the doctor to come and see him, and organised a 'nebuliser' from Boots chemist for £143! Dad says it helps so cost is no matter. Claire told me he was on his 'immobiliser' the other night, which I thought was funny. Almost all the nurses at work tell me they are working on 'health prevention' (should be promotion!). We put a few pictures on the walls at the weekend, so the place is looking more like us. I am going to buy some large white pottery sheet that I have seen at a Solihull shop, to remind me of home! (when I get paid).