Punting in 'Cam' and tranquil 'Thames'

The first time I did Punting was at Oxford, which was when I went there with friends for the first time. We then hired the boat and decided to sail our self. Seeing others doing in ease we thought it’s going to be a kid’s game and we are going to enjoy in water. Me, Abi, Rahul, Ansar and Sunil were quite confident that we are going to manage this well. Started the sail with Five men in the boat and two doing the sail at a time, one talking care of the Photography part.. The beginning part of the river is smooth and the sail too went well. We had to take a full circle through the river and then join the bit heavy part of the river which we need to sail through to reach our finishing part. When the boat reached the rough part of the river we started realizing that it is not going to be easy and taking the boat back in time without having to loose more pounds is not very likely. When those motor boats pass near, the waves takes our small boat tangling and we totally loosing control The sail was nice, with lot of sweat and fun. We managed to reach back just exactly in time and was great fun.

Long time since then, I had been Oxford two three times but never bothered to do punting again. I use to go more to Cambridge in weekends some of my close friends where studying there, use to walk around and such but never had done punting in Cambridge too. I had a feeling that the Punting in Cam River will be more interesting than that of Oxford, though I didn’t do any. Anyways, it’s hard to compare. After my wife joined me here in UK, we had been to Cambridge when a friend was going home for good. It was in winter and then itself we had decided to come back again in Summer. Indeed Cambridge is just awesome in summer and a putting time in Cam River cannot be missed.

We joined the Punt now done by an expert in it and us happily sitting and relaxing. It was last Sunday – 14 June and was the fun day at Kings Collage. The student were really having good fun playing with their boats in the river, jumping to water, pushing others and totally a very loud and lively college fun time. There was a small accident to Zemi’s finger when another boat came and hit ours hitting hard on her fingers. Hope it will just ease of. In boat among us there were few students from Hong Kong, Germany a family from Easter Europe and all were just enjoying it very well. The kid in the boat sailing past us gave me a biscuit in hurry I kept it in my pocket later to get my mobile with custard cream on it. We took some nice pictures and one of the first video for my Video blog was shot while in the boat. It is about the need to verify the information we see from videos in public video sharing sites.

We had had a heavy lunch that day with Nasweeph, later after the punting he joined us back again. We did some cycling together then went for a tea at the Italian restaurant near by. The potato chips with herbs and some spices is something I can keep in mind for sometime, it was very nice. Sitting outside with hot cup of tea and useful discussion we spend above an hour there later to drive back home by 9.30.

All well and good. Prayers

In Summer Travel 2009

The weather reports forecasting an awesome and bit long summer this year. Few more places in list to visit before traveling back home. An extreme theme park was one we were looking for. A detailed London tour and may be Lake District if time allows. These is the plan for UK and if time permits, wish for few European cities later on as well.

I had been to Alton Towers before and is a great fan of Nemesis, oblivion and such high intensity rides. This time along with my wife who is quiet very enthusiastic about such rides, and myself thinking giving her the scariest moments possible and enjoying it together, set to Thorpe Park. I had not been there before, rides are just amazing as that of Alton towers, but Alton towers got a very nice campus which Thorpe park cant really compete for. Anyways we are not there to see the scenery but only for the adrenalin moments. We started with a bit less intense ride and then immediately went for Colossus which was awesome. Had good time again with Nemesis, SAW; surprising with unexpected twists and yeah we managed to do about 7-8 by the end of the day which I think is quiet fine.

Prior to the Thorpe park visit, there was a long weekend which we sadly had to spend lazily at home due to the swine flu outbreak news that was the May bank holiday weekend. The revelations came then not do such a blunder again!!

The second Bank holiday weekend in May though we had plans for Lake Districts which is quiet bit of travel. As Fithil was not able to join us for that we cancelled that plan and set to London for a detailed trip staying there all three days.
Staying with Fithil and family, the three day trip just made what we needed. The slow, steady and detailed travel and seeing London. Zemi wanted more time in London tube, as its first for her cause of our travel mostly in car.

The first day we managed with Westminster, Canary Wharf, London Eye, London Bridge, Tower Bridge and places around to return home late. Next day more happening with London Sea Life, Buckingham palace, Oxford Circus, again Westminster area this time with Fithil and Family. Next day solely devoted to Greenwich and shopping in Harrods. We did spend lot time in Greenwich. All three days the weather was just awesome and had a wonderful trip. The Arabian food from the Knightsbridge gave a good treat, and then shopping in Harrods for kids back home in India. Meeting friends and cousin sister at East Ham. The third day night about 10.30 we returned from Fithil’s home after 3 days of wonderful hospitality, rushing to St Pancras and then to Bedford on National Rail. Our small beautiful VW Polo was waiting us at the rail station and a small drive to beautiful Odell Close for a tight tired sleep hoping to wake early for office tomorrow. Thank God All went Well. Alhamdulillah.

Hoping for more and more trips to be done this summer, before returning India this August.

Updating the Blogs with relevant pics pending. But will be done Soon 

Prayers