Sunday, 14 July, 2024. Stage 5 of our journey is underway, for our Land Rover, Poki, and there is much happening in the U.K.

Poki.

Poki left Felixstowe on the Maersk IDANIA on 6th July and is currently in Rotterdam. Transshipping to the Maersk BATAM takes place here. As seems to always be the case, a delay has occurred. The departure from Rotterdam should have been on 15 July, but this is now scheduled for 23rd July. On checking various marine websites, it appears the BATAM is being held up passing through the Panama Canal. Delays have been happening for months now, due to low water levels in the canal. Poki is scheduled to arrive in Cartagena on 8th August, instead of on the 1st. So, a whole week later.

Other travel arrangements

We are booked to fly from the U.K. to Bogota on 28th July. I have booked us a hotel there for 3 nights, which should give us sufficient time to visit the main sights. On 31st July we fly to Cartagena, where I have also booked us 3 night’s accommodation, in the old city. We have had contact with the shipping agent in Cartagena, who will handle all the arrival formalities. Once we have established our bearings in Cartagena, we will visit the agent and move closer to the port.

UK events

It is a busy and exciting time in the U.K. at the moment. The election took place on 4th July and we now have a change of government. Labour won a huge majority, but with one of the lowest turnouts ever, after the Conservative Party had been in office for three terms. It will remain to be seen if their promises and new policies bring improvement. I fear the enthusiasm for Labour might not last very long, but we shall see. Problems are severe and there isn’t the tax revenue to put everything right.

Sports wise there is HUGE excitement as England has reached the final of the UEAFA 2024 Cup, or the “Euros”, and play Spain in Berlin this evening. It is 58 years since England last won a cup, at the 1966 World Cup Finals. The place has gone slightly crazy with celebrations and calls for the Prime Minister to declare a public holiday, when (should) England win.

Of much more interest to me is the Wimbledon Men’s Final this afternoon. It will be a repeat of last year, with the upcoming young lion, Carlos Alcaraz, playing the world’s best ever player, Novak Djokovic, my favourite . This year’s 2 weeks of Wimbledon has been cold and very rainy. Fortunately the two main courts are covered, so proceedings have not been held up too badly. Yesterday’s Ladies and  both Men’s and Ladies Doubles Finals were all great championship games.

Social events

These have mainly been focused on my son, Tim’s, 50th birthday. Last weekend we had a lovely family gathering over a long weekend at Centre Parcs, Longleat in Wiltshire. My other son James and family had come over from California. Unfortunately, the weather was very miserable and wet.

However, a very enjoyable weekend still ensued. During the day in the huge Aquatic Centre, together with indoor and outdoor sporting activities, such as roller skating, badminton and tennis. Evenings were fun filled with much laughter.

On our way to Longleat we had stopped en route for lunch and catch up with friends John and Fantu at a country pub, the Crown Inn in Cholderton. 

On the return journey we met Bill and Penny, daughter in law, Sarah’s, parents at Stourhead House, a National Trust property, with a good cafe and beautiful grounds

On a walk around the gardens, in the rain, we came across a children’s play area. This was obviously installed for the school summer holiday. Being wet it was deserted. We took advantage of the facilities and played, badminton, table tennis, archery and climbing on hay bales. 5 year old, Siena, helped by grandfather, Bill, shot a bulls eye in archery at her first attempt. 

This weekend, on Saturday, Tim treated himself to a Spitfire flight from Biggin Hill Airport. As part of the package he was able to bring along some supporters to watch and to have a tour of the hangars. We joined four of his friends for what proved to be a fascinating visit. As well as several Spitfires the hangars also contained two Hurricanes, a Messerschmitt and all sorts of recovered engines and Second World War memorabilia. As there were duel controls, Tim was able to fly the Spitfire, also doing a roll over his house. The pilot, Dan, did take over for this, though.

15th July

Due to the tennis and football, another day has passed before I could complete this blog. I will just report that neither the tennis or the football went well. Alcaraz won the tennis and England lost 2 : 1 to Spain. Enough said. 

Our next blog will probably be written when we set foot in South America.

• Footnote. England also lost the rugby test too….Oh dear, never mind…:) DB.

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