Blog based on Diary entries and photos taken during the trip to UK, Europe and USA throughout January to July, 1978.
Click on any image to get a higher-resolution version.
Initially (Mar-2025), this will just be photos (unannotated), but I plan to add the daily detail (recorded in my diary) of what we did each day. This changed in Feb-2026 to finishing the diary records first (completed 14-Feb), then adding the rest of the photos.
Saturday, 31-Dec-77, the day before our departure.
Sunday, 1-Jan-78, we depart via Bombay for London, arriving on Monday, 2-Jan-78 at 07:15.
We stayed at Stanley House Hotel in Belgravia SW1, did a little sightseeing while we recovdered from jetlag, and organised a bank account, etc.
Tuesday, 3-Jan-78: bought all-day tube ticket, did some shopping, visited Hamleys, ULCC (University of London Computing Centre, where I had a desk and received work mail).
Wednesday, 4-Jan-78: went to bank; lunch in park; put deposit on campervan @ Hammersmith; contacted Bill Davie; Graeme lost his hat on the tube (I seem to remember it was a "beanie").
Thursday, 5-Jan-78: got season tickets to Dept of Environment (now called English Heritage), and National Trust; went to game shop (possibly the one where we bought Kingmaker, etc).
Friday, 6-Jan-78: rang Gwen (Helen's mum); (3pm) inspected van - good condition!
Saturday, 7-Jan-78: shopping for boots, etc; discovered Beatties (does anyone remember what Beatties was?).
Sunday, 8-Jan-78: (09:30) moved to Foreign Missions Club, Aberdeen Park, Highbury; (11:00) went to church @ Baptist church nearby; afternoon tea at Masareis' (18:30) Alex went to church @ Baptist church with John Masarei.
Monday, 9-Jan-78: joined AA, etc; (4pm) picked up van.
Tuesday, 10-Jan-78: visited Hampstead Heath; (10am) model engineers exhibition; (4:45pm) Ian to Dr Bennett (orthodontist).
Wednesday, 11-Jan-78: rang Bob McMath; (8:45) drove to Brighton; visited Bob Young @ Sussex University; visited Grace & Bob Mountford @ Bexhill; snowed on way there and on way back.
Thursday, 12-Jan-78: got case from Heathrow (unaccompanied baggage).
Friday, 13-Jan-78: picked up American Express card; visited Harrods, etc, Selfridges; visited London Transport Lost Property Office, Baker Street; Madame Tussauds; (8pm) Alex took devotions @ FMC.
Saturday, 14-Jan-78: moved to Bill Davie's house, 13 Lemsford Village, Welwyn Garden City; met Don & Pam; went shopping with Bill.
Sunday, 15-Jan-78: took Alex Davie to rugby @ Hemel Hempstead; met Chris & Maggie, Edna (& Steve); (2:15pm) took Bill to Heathrow for his flight to Boston.
Monday, 16-Jan-78: rang Roz Reid; (9:15-1:30) tour of ALS factory; visited Luton.
Tuesday, 17-Jan-78: snow had fallen overnight; (12:30) to London: bank, ULCC (5 minutes), RAC; (3:30pm) Ian to Dr Bennett.
Wednesday, 18-Jan-78: much fog; visited Hertford (castle).
Thursday, 19-Jan-78: more snow.
Friday, 20-Jan-78: visited St Alban's Cathedral; visited Verulamium.
Saturday, 21-Jan-78: went to Woburn Abbey & game reserve.
Sunday, 22-Jan-78: (11am) church @ St John the Evangelist (Lemsford).
Monday, 23-Jan-78: South Kensington Science Museum. (7:30pm) Will Davie table tennis.
Tuesday, 24-Jan-78: visited Cambridge & Ely. (7:30pm) dinner @ Maggie's (roast goose) - met Chris Fawkes.
Wednesday, 25-Jan-78: visted Bletchley Park, Whipsnade, Berkhamsted (castle). Tea out @ Wing On with Will & Alex Davie.
Thursday, 26-Jan-78: (11am) Ian to Dr Bennett; Alex visited ULCC & London Library.
Friday, 27-Jan-78: visited Oxford.
Saturday, 28-Jan-78: bought car radio/cassette player.
Sunday, 29-Jan-78: (10:30am) church @ Digswell Methodist.
Monday, 30-Jan-78: (9:15-11:30am) Alex discussions with ALS.
Tuesday, 31-Jan-78: visited Colchester.
Wednesday, 1-Feb-78: Alex visited ULCC (20 mins), children to Science Museum; (2:45pm) Hans Anderson @ Palladium.
Thursday, 2-Feb-78: (10am-12:30) Alex visited N Alvey @ Rothamsted, Harpenden.
Friday, 3-Feb-78: (12:15) at Maureen Page's.
Saturday, 4-Feb-78: (9:40am) picked up Bill Davie @ Heathrow (BA510); (3pm) left for Bexhill; arrived at 7pm; now staying at Vine Cottage, Bexhill.
Sunday, 5-Feb-78: (11am) Beulah Baptist church; visited Hastings; (6:30pm) Beulah Baptist church, Bexhill.
Monday, 6-Feb-78: visited Eastbourne (Consuma Supermarket); visited Pevensey Castle.
Tuesday, 7-Feb-78: visited Hastings (Building Society); visited Bodiam Castle; (8:15pm) Beulah Baptist Bible study.
Wednesday, 8-Feb-78: went to London (drove to Blackheath); Alex visited ULCC (90mins) & American Express; Helen & boys visited Toy Museum.
Thursday, 9-Feb-78: snowed all day; haircuts for Ian, Timmy, Helen & Alex.
Views of Vine Cottage in the snow.
Friday, 10-Feb-78: (10am) TV arrived.
Saturday, 11-Feb-78: Helen sick; visited Battle (field where the battle took place and the Abbey gatehouse).
Sunday, 12-Feb-78: (10am) drove to London (FMC - 70 miles, 125 mins); (3pm) Planetarium; (6:30pm) All Souls church, Langham Place. Stayed at Foreign Missions Club for 2 nights (with Gwen for 2nd night).
Monday, 13-Feb-78: (9:30am) met Gwen @ Victoria air terminal; visited Westminster Hall, Jewel Tower.
Tuesday, 14-Feb-78: Alex visited ULCC & American Express; National History Museum; returned to Bexhill.
Wednesday, 15-Feb-78: visited Hastings (Hastings Embroidery - tapestry).
Thursday, 16-Feb-78: 1 inch snow overnight (see Vine Cottage in the snow); visited Eastbourne, Beachy Head.
Friday, 17-Feb-78: more snow overnight; (10am-3:30pm) Alex to Sussex University (Bob Young, Janet Pickles).
Saturday, 18-Feb-78: visited Canterbury, Sedlescombe, Chilham, Crowhurst.
Sunday, 19-Feb-78: (11am) Beulah Baptist church; (3:30pm) Leslie Applegate @ Beulah; tea with Mountfords.
Monday, 20-Feb-78: visited Battle, Herstmonceux.
Tuesday, 21-Feb-78: stayed home; visited Hastings, Ashburnham; (8:15pm) Beulah Baptist Bible study.
Wednesday, 22-Feb-78: warm change; Alex went to London by train: visited ULCC, London Museum, Science Reference Library.
Thursday, 23-Feb-78: visited Lewes, Brighton (Pavilion), Wilmington, Litlington, Alfriston, etc.
Friday, 24-Feb-78: (pm) visited Bodiam Castle, Rye, Dover.
Saturday, 25-Feb-78: worked out boys' pocket money balances (pounds): I 11.39, T 4.64, G 6.95.
Sunday, 26-Feb-78: (11am) Beulah Baptist church; visited Rye, Camber Castle.
Monday, 27-Feb-78: went to Washeteria; visisted Alfriston.
Tuesday, 28-Feb-78: went to Rye, Winchelsea, Romney, Hythe, Lympne, Folkstone, Dover (Castle), Deal, Walmer, Sandwich, Richborough, Canterbury; (8:15pm) Beulah Baptist Bible study.
Wednesday, 1-Mar-78: visited White Horse near Alfriston; (5pm) tea @ Mountfords.
Thursday, 2-Mar-78: front seat of van repaired; (3pm) visted Leslie Applegate.
Friday, 3-Mar-78: (8:30am) to London with Grace; visited Geological Museum, Imperial College Library (Alex met Alan Moysten); Albert Memorial, Peter Pan statue, Lords Cricket Ground, ULCC, Imperial War Museum.
Saturday, 4-Mar-78: pay & cancel Rediffusion TV; spent afternoon on beach (looked for dinosaur footprints).
Sunday, 5-Mar-78: (11am) Beulah Baptist church; found Iguanadon dinosaur footprints on beach; visited Eastbourne.
Monday, 6-Mar-78: visited Bayham Abbey, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Lullingstone Villa, Eynsford (Castle), Chartwell (closed), Chiddingstone; at Eynsford: Mabel - silk farm; Arthur Mee's House on the Hill.
Tuesday, 7-Mar-78: van serviced; fixed downstairs toilet; visited Hastings caves.
Wednesday, 8-Mar-78: visited Canterbury, University of Kent, Richborough (closed).
Thursday, 9-Mar-78: went to London; visited Tower of London, American Express, Greyhound; (3pm) Ian to Dr Bennett, 53 Portland Place.
Friday, 10-Mar-78: got gas bottle for van.
Saturday, 11-Mar-78: shopping @ Hastings.
Sunday, 12-Mar-78: (11am) Beulah Baptist church; visited Battle Abbey.
Monday, 13-Mar-78: cold, windy, rainy. Just as well we have several hot water bottles (antique stoneware variety) to warm our beds before we sleep!.
Tuesday, 14-Mar-78: Tim's birthday; cold, windy & rainy; went to Deal Castle, Walmer Castle, Dover Painted House.
Wednesday, 15-Mar-78: Alex visited University of Sussex, CAD78 Exhibition @ Brighton; shopping in Hastings.
Thursday, 16-Mar-78: went to London by train; Alex visited ULCC, all visisted Museum of London, St Paul's Cathedral, London Brass Rubbing Centre, London Experience.
Friday, 17-Mar-78: tea with Mountfords.
Saturday, 18-Mar-78: saw dinosaur footprints; visited Chartwell, Tonbridge Castle.
Sunday, 19-Mar-78: (11am) Beulah Baptist church; went to Batemans (Kipling), Burwash.
Monday, 20-Mar-78: (2:45pm) Helen & Gwen hair appointments; (5:25pm) Dr Reid with Graeme.
Tuesday, 21-Mar-78: (8:13am) to London by train; visited Ideal Home Exhibition, Commonwealth Institute, Kensington Palace, Albert Memorial.
Wednesday, 22-Mar-78: Helen's birthday; (1:15pm) took Mountfords to Brighton Engineerium. Tim improvised to dress up as a Roman soldier.
Thursday, 23-Mar-78: visited Knole, Ightham Mote; shopping in Sevenoaks.
Friday, 24-Mar-78: gardening; (6:30) "Storm Boy" movie on TV.
Saturday, 25-Mar-78: visited Sheffield Park, Bluebell Railway.
Sunday, 26-Mar-78: (11am) Beulah Baptist church; visited Mountfords; gardening; (8pm) "Love Story" movie on TV; (10:30pm) "The Graduate" movie on TV.
Monday, 27-Mar-78: washing @ Washeteria; visited Alfriston Clergy House, Beachy Head.
Tuesday, 28-Mar-78: (9:55am-6:20pm) went with Jacquie & Doris to Leeds Castle (Maidstone); Vine Cottage was burgled while we were away.
Wednesday, 29-Mar-78: (9:25am) Graeme to doctor.
Thursday, 30-Mar-78: went to London; visited American Express for Holiday Inn vouchers; (3:15pm) Ian to Dr Bennett. Gwen checking her itinerary. Stayed @ FMC tonight.
USA. The next batch is from our month-long trip to the USA (from England), with Gwen separately taking a tour of Ireland.
Friday, 31-Mar-78: TWA flight #703 to New York (JFK); took taxi on arrival through New York City to our Holiday Inn hotel in Jersey City.
Saturday, 1-Apr-78: took subway to Greyhound terminal; taxi to Battery Park; boat to Statue of Liberty; went to top of World Trade Centre Twin Towers (107 storeys); walked through Chinatown; took subway to Greyhound terminal. took Greyhound bus via NJ Turnpike & Baltimore to Washington (236 miles). Stayed at Holiday Inn in Washington.
Washington:
Sunday, 2-Apr-78: walked to Greyhound terminal; (11:15am) New York Avenue Presbyterian church (Peter Marshall's church); saw White House, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, Capitol, Smithsonian Institute, FBI HQ, etc; a bus stopped and gave us a lift as we walked back to our hotel.
Monday, 3-Apr-78: took Greyhound bus overnight to St Louis via Maryland, Allegheny Mountains, Pittsburgh (Pa), Wheeling (W.Va), Columbus (Ohio), Indianapolis, Illinois, Missouri (849 miles); arrived in St Louis at 5:30am Tues.
Tuesday, 4-Apr-78: (9am) Alex @ Educom conference (financing computing). Stayed at St Louis Hotel for 3 nights.
Wednesday, 5-Apr-78: visited St Louis zoo; [Edunet conference Alex skipped].
Thursday, 6-Apr-78: Alex @ Siguccs conference; tea @ Shanghai Inn.
Friday, 7-Apr-78: Siguccs conference concluded; went up St Louis Arch; (5:45pm) took Greyhound bus overnight via Kansas City (Missouri), Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming.
Saturday, 8-Apr-78: continued on Greyhound bus overnight to Denver, Cheyenne; (4pm) arrived Cheyenne (959 miles). Stayed at Holiday Inn.
Sunday, 9-Apr-78: snowing in Cheyenne; took Greyhound bus overnight via Laramie, Rawlins, Rock Springs (Wyoming), Salt Lake City (Utah), Wendover, Reno (Nevada), Sacramento, San Francisco (California) (1207 miles).
San Francisco.
Monday, 10-Apr-78: (11:45am) arrived in San Francisco; hired car (Opel - GMC); drove round Daly City (beach), San Francisco, Muir Woods (redwoods), Sausalito. Stayed at Holiday Inn, Belmont, San Francisco.
Tuesday, 11-Apr-78: Timmy sick; drove to Santa Cruz Mountains, Saratoga, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto (Stanford University); walked round San Francisco (Bank of America building, Cable Car, Fisherman's Wharf); took BART to and from Concord; took Greyhound bus overnight to Los Angeles (397 miles).
Los Angeles.
Wednesday, 12-Apr-78: hired car (Datsun B210); all day at Disneyland (10:15am-5:45pm). Stayed at Holiday Inn, Buena Park (I think), Los Angeles for 2 nights.
Thursday, 13-Apr-78: visited Universal Studios; drove car down Sunset Boulevard, Coldwater Canyon, Mulholland Drive (Beverley Hills).
Friday, 14-Apr-78: (8:40am) took Greyhound bus via San Bernadino, Barstow (Ca), Kingman (Arizona), Williams, Flagstaff (520 miles). Stayed at Holiday Inn, Flagstaff for 2 nights.
Saturday, 15-Apr-78: hired car (GMC Vega station wagon); visited Grand Canyon.
Sunday, 16-Apr-78: (9:20am) took Greyhound bus to Albuquerque (New Mexico) (313 miles) - arrived 4pm. Stayed at Hilton Hotel, Albuquerque for 3 nights.
Monday, 17-Apr-78: took bus to Coronado Centre and back; Alex @ VIM-28 conference started.
Tuesday, 18-Apr-78: Graeme sick; Alex @ VIM-28 conference all day; walked ~10 miles in search of groceries.
Wednesday, 19-Apr-78: VIM-28 conference finished; took bus to Embank Heights and back; (7:10pm) took Greyhound bus overnight to Denver (444 miles).
Thursday, 20-Apr-78: (5:15am) arrive Denver (tried to get some breakfast at the Greyhoud terminal: lady said "what is your need?"; hired car (Pontiac Grand Prix); used Australian cheque ($A222.77) at American Express to buy $US250 travellers cheques; drove to Buffalo Bill's grave, Dillon, Estes Park (in the Rockies); Timmy & Ian got gastric illness (Tim vomitted in car). Stayed at Holiday Inn, Estes Park.
Friday, 21-Apr-78: drove into Rocky Mountain National Park; then to Boulder; Alex visited Dennis Snell & Tom Boardman @ University of Colorado Computing Centre; family watched gophers in grounds; drove to Denver; Alex attended part of baseball game @ Mile High Stadium. Stayed at Holiday Inn, Denver Sports Centre.
Saturday, 22-Apr-78: (1:45pm) took Greyhound bus overnight via Cheyenne (nearly missed connection), Nebraska, Omaha, Sioux City (Iowa), Minneapolis (944 miles).
Minneapolis.
Sunday, 23-Apr-78: (3:10pm) arrived Minneapolis airport. Stayed at Holiday Inn, Minneapolis Airport.
Monday, 24-Apr-78: (8:45am) Alex visited Control Data (Paul Dickson); lunch with family with Tony Wilson @ Control Data (we had decided to treat ourselves to a big breakfast, so this was overkill!; (8:30pm) took Greyhound bus overnight via Wisconsin, Chicago (Illinois), Toledo, Cleveland (Ohio), Erie (Pa) to Buffalo (NY) (933 miles).
Tuesday, 25-Apr-78: (9:10pm) arrived Buffalo. Stayed at Holiday Inn, Buffalo for 2 nights.
Wednesday, 26-Apr-78: hired car (Chevrolet Malibu); drove to Niagara Falls, visited Canadian side, back to Fort Niagara, Fatima Shrine.
Thursday, 27-Apr-78: (9:30am) took Greyhound bus to Syracuse, Scenectady, Albany (NY) to Boston (Mass) (469 miles); (7:30pm) arrived in Boston. Stayed at Park Plaza Hotel for 2 nights.
Boston.
Friday, 28-Apr-78: hired car (Chrysler Plymouth); (9am) Alex visited Digital Equipment (Bob Trocci) @ Maynard; (1:45pm) Alex visited Digital Equipment (Alan Titcomb) @ Marlborough; rest of family were shown round Boston by Bob Trocci's secretary.
Saturday, 29-Apr-78: drove to Harvard, MIT, Cape Ann (Beverly, Manchester, Gloucester, Rockport); had swim in indoor pool. Stayed at Holiday Inn, Woburn.
Sunday, 30-Apr-78: (11am) Tremont Temple Baptist church; visited Faneuil Hall & Market, Science Museum. (19:45) fly TWA flight #754 from Boston to London, arriving 06:45 on 1-May.
Back in England.
Monday, 1-May-78: saw Westminster Cathedral. Stayed at FMC for 2 nights.
Tuesday, 2-May-78: Alex visited ULCC; (2pm) Ian to Dr Bennett.
Wednesday, 3-May-78: Ian birthday; Alex visited ULCC; (2:48pm) train to Bexhill; tea @ Mountfords. Stayed at Vine Cottage henceforth.
Thursday, 4-May-78: beautiful day! afternoon tea with Leslie Applegate.
Friday, 5-May-78: Gwen went with Grace to Harvey's; Mountfords came to tea; had slide show.
Saturday, 6-May-78: visit from Anita Lockwood; (pm) went to Hastings shopping.
Sunday, 7-May-78: (11am) Beulah Baptist church; visited Hastings Castle.
First Tour of UK (with Gwen).
Monday, 8-May-78: (10:30am) left on campervan tour with Gwen; visited Arundel Castle, Chichester Cathedral. Henceforth, staying in campervan at various camping grounds. Stayed at Hedge End.
Tuesday, 9-May-78: visited Porchester Castle, Netley Abbey; (2:30pm) Alex visited Kate Phillips & Dave Hickman, Southampton University Library; (3:30pm) Alex visited Prof David Barron, University of Southampton Computer Science; saw Taunton's Grammar School, 162 Millbrook Road, etc. Stayed at Ashurst, New Forest.
Wednesday, 10-May-78: visited Rufus Stone, Lyndhurst, Beaulieu (motor museum, etc), Buckler's Hard, Lepe, 162 Millbrook Road (back & front), Crusader House, Southampton Common, Foundry Lane School. Stayed at Ashhurst, New Forest.
Thursday, 11-May-78: went to Romsey, Salisbury (Cathedral & Old Sarum), Stonehenge, Woodhenge, Winchester, Watership Down country. Stayed at Laleham, Staines.
Friday, 12-May-78: went to Wembley (Eurocomp finished yesterday!!); did washing; went to St James Square, London (Brass rubbing?); went to Welwyn Garden City. Stayed at Bill Davie's house.
Saturday, 13-May-78: left for the North, as far as Stratford-upon-Avon. Stayed at Tiddington, Stratford-upon-Avon.
Sunday, 14-May-78: drove to Coventry; (10:30am) service @ Cathedral; drove to Birmingham (Harborne); visited John & Brenda Fletcher (Vi Wiseman's brother); drove to Derby. Stayed at Derby.
Monday, 15-May-78: went to Cotgrave (Notts), visited Mavis Gibson; to Nottingham (bought battery, Gaz refill); to Newstead Abbey, Selston (visited Wren Hall, where I spoent my 1st 7 years - Mrs Melvin & Dr Kesari); to Bagthorpe (my first primary school), Alfreton, Matlock, Darley Dale (my old boarding school, Stancliffe Hall), Chesterfield. Stayed at Barnsley South.
Tuesday, 16-May-78: went to York (Minster, Clifford's Tower); went to darlington (visited Sam & John Lambell?, Pat Stevenson's father+brother); went to Durham, Consett. Stayed at Consett.
Wednesday, 17-May-78: went to Hadrian's Wall - Corbridge (Corstopitum), Chester's Fort; to Scottish border, Jedburgh (car alternator fixed by RAC - "the dio' was awa'"); to Edinburgh. Stayed at Edinburgh.
Thursday, 18-May-78: family went to Edinburgh Castle; (12) Alex met Peter Williams, ERCC (a/Director, Regional; Dr Thomas was Director); (1pm) Alex met Prof Sidney Michaelson, Edinburgh University Computer Science; drove to Queensferry (Forth Bridge), Perth (Scone Palace), etc; (7:45pm) arrived Lumphanen. Stayed 3 nights in Bill Davie's cottage near Lumphanen.
Friday, 19-May-78: (am) fishing in burn; (pm) went to Aberdeen (visited Mrs Davie, Bill's mother).
Saturday, 20-May-78: visited Crathes Castle, Drum Castle; shopping in Abredeen; saw Cullerlie Circle, Barmekin of Echt (hill fort), Balblair Circle; (after tea) fishing in River Dee (but we were warned off - apparently private fishing rights).
Sunday, 21-May-78: (12:30) left Lumphanen; visited Craigivar Castle, Culsh Earth House; went to Ballater, Inverness (via Grampians); visited Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle. Stayed at Invermoriston.
Monday, 22-May-78: went to Invergarry, Loch Oich, Loch Lochy, Loch Eil, Loch Linnhe, Loch Leven, Glencoe, Loch Lubnaig, Callander (Dr Finlay's Casebook), Stirling, Glasgow; (4:30pm) Alex met Neil Combe, Strathclyde University; to Largs. Stayed at Largs.
Tuesday, 23-May-78: (10:30am) visited George & Grace Brown (Alex's great-uncle); went to Irvine, Kilmarnock, Sanquhar, Dumfries, Brampton (& Crosby). Stayed at Brsmpton.
Wednesday, 24-May-78: visited Lanercost Priory & Hadrian's Wall; went to Carlisle, Penrith, Ullswater, Ambleside, Coniston, Lake Windermere, Windermere; took M6 to Manchester. Stayed at Stockport.
Thursday, 25-May-78: visited Edward I Welsh castles - Flint, Ruddlan, Conwy, Beaumaris (Anglesea), Caernarfon. Stayed at Caernarfon.
End of First Tour of UK.
Friday, 26-May-78: drove straight to Bexhill (via Snowdonia, Llangollen, Whitchurch, Newcastle-under-Lyme, M6, M1, Watford, Staines, Hampton Court, Reigate, A22 (354 miles). Now back at Vine Cottage.
Saturday, 27-May-78: bought new tyre for van; did washing; cleaned van.
Sunday, 28-May-78: (11am) Beulah Baptist church; drove to London. camped at West Drayton for 2 nights.
Monday, 29-May-78: took Gwen to Heathrow; (10:25am) Gwen flew to Perth Qantas QF008; visited Victoria & Albert Museum; (2pm) saw "Star Wars" movie @ Slough.
Tuesday, 30-May-78: (10:15am) Ian to Dr Bennett; picked up maps, spares kit, travellors cheques, "green card" insurance; returned to Bexhill (Vine Cottage for 2 nights).
Wednesday, 31-May-78: (8am) van serviced; (2:30pm) Johnstones visited (relatives of Mountfords); listened to Adrienne's tape about Amblin Beach Mission; haircuts.
Europe.
Thursday, 1-Jun-78: (10:30am) left for Ramsgate; (2pm) ferry Ramsgate to Calais; looked round Calais. Camped at St Omer for 2 nights.
Friday, 2-Jun-78: slept in; visited St Omer, Dunkerque, beach; thunderstorm at night.
Saturday, 3-Jun-78: drove to Amiens (visited Cathedral); drove to Paris. Camped at Mainsons Lafitte for 3 nights.
Sunday, 4-Jun-78: visited Versailles (Les Grands Eaux!); drove round Paris (Place de Bastille, Seine, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Ponts eg Alex III, Place de la Concorde, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe); had tea at Bob McMath's place.
Monday, 5-Jun-78: took train into Paris (St Lazarre station), then used Metro; went up Eiffel Tower; had lunch in street cafe; visited Louvre (Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo); visited Notre Dame.
Tuesday, 6-Jun-78: picked up Bob's AA book; drove to Chartres (visited Cathedral); drove to Orleans. Camped at Orleans.
Wednesday, 7-Jun-78: saw Orleans (Jean d'Arc statue); went to Beaugency, Blois, Chenonceau, Amboise. Camped at Blere. (both e's have accute accents).
Thursday, 8-Jun-78: drove to Chenonceau, Loches (Chateau, church, Keep), Valencay, St Florent, Bourges. Camped at Bourges.
Friday, 9-Jun-78: visited Bourges Cathedral; did washing; drove to Nevers, Autun (Temple of Janus, Roman amphitheatre, Cathedral); drove to Chenon. Camped at Tournus.
Saturday, 10-Jun-78: drove to Macon, Taize (visited Taize Community briefly); drove to Bourg-en-Bresse, Jura Mountains, Nantua. Camped next the lake near Nantua.
Sunday, 11-Jun-78: drove to Oyonnex (via Alex), Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, (around Lac Leman); went back into France. Camped at Thenon.
Monday, 12-Jun-78: went to Geneva; (3:30pm) Alex visited Eric McIntosh @ CERN. Camped at Lausanne.
Tuesday, 13-Jun-78: boys went for a swim (ha! ha!) in Lake Geneva; dropped into HQ of the Ligue Pour la Lecture de la Bible (met Claire-Lise de Benoit) (Jeff Noble); drove to Huemoz (L'Abri community); to Villars via Les Mosses Pass to Thunnersee through Vaudois Alps. Camped at Interlaken.
Wednesday, 14-Jun-78: saw Lauterbrunnen Falls & Trummelbach Falls & Grindenwald (under the lee of Eiger Mountain); drove through Brienz, Brunig Pass. Camped at Lucerne.
Thursday, 15-Jun-78: drove round Lake Lucerne, Axenstrasse, Altdorf, Andermatt; then via Oberalp Pass to Disentis, Chur along Rhine; then to Vaduz. Camped near Vaduz.
Friday, 16-Jun-78: drove to Rhine Falls via Feldkirch (Austria), St Gallen; drove through Schaffhausen, Singen (Germany), Bodersee (Lake Constance) to Oy. Camped near Fussen.
Saturday, 17-Jun-78: drove to royal castles (near Fussen - Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau), Oberammergau, Linderhof Castle, Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Munich. camped at Munich.
I seem to recall that we ducked into Austria and through Innsbruck to get to Munich, but I have no record of that.
Sunday, 18-Jun-78: wandered around Munich; drove to Augsburg, Ulm (Cathedral), past Stuttgart, through Pforzheim to Black Forest. Camped at Bad Herrenalb.
Monday, 19-Jun-78: drove to Eberstein Castle, Baden Baden; visited Schwetzingen Castle gardens, Heidelberg (Castle & Philosophers' Walk); visited Worms (Luther monument, city gate); drove to Mainz. Camped at Mainz for 2 nights.
Tuesday, 20-Jun-78: visited Gutenberg Museum, Mainz Cathedral; drove on R bank of Rhine to Rudesheim, Lorelei, Koblenz; then on L bank to Bonn, Koln.
Wednesday, 21-Jun-78: visited Koln Cathedral, Mosaic, Dwarves Fountain; drove through Ruhr; had slight accident on roundabout near Arnhem; then to Utrecht and Amsterdam. Camped near Amnsterdam.
Thursday, 22-Jun-78: went to Alsmeer Flower Market; visted central Amsterdam (House of Mr Tripp's Coachman); went to American Express to use Australian cheque ($172) to get $US80 travellers cheques + 223.20 guilders cash (= 400 guilders altogether); went to Rolvendam, Edam, Zuider Zee dyke, Bergen-aan-Zee. Camped at Alkmaar.
Friday, 23-Jun-78: saw cheese market in Alkmaar; drove to The Hague via Haarlem; saw Maduradam miniature village, Westbrockpark, Peace Palace; stopped briefly at Delft; drove through Rotterdam (past Euromast). Camped near Breda.
Saturday, 24-Jun-78: drove past Antwerp (Belgium) to Brussels; saw Grand Place, Mannequin Pis, Atomium; drove to Ghent ("The Mystic Lamb" Altar Piece by J van Eyck, & castle); drove past Bruges to Calais; (9pm) took ferry to Ramsgate. Camped at St Nicholas at Wade.
Back in UK
Sunday, 25-Jun-78: visited Reculver, Canterbury (Cathedral & St Augustine's Abbey); drove to Sissinghurst (castle & gardens); returned to Vine Cottage. (6:30pm) Beulah Baptist church.
Monday, 26-Jun-78: did laundry; boys hair cut.
Tuesday, 27-Jun-78: Alex went to London; returned AA spares, picked up ULCC mail, Australia House papers, check into Australian Forwarding Agency.
Wednesday, 28-Jun-78: van serviced; afternoon tea @ Mountfords.
Thursday, 29-Jun-78: pocket money balances (pounds): I 7.96, T 0.87, G 4.80.
Second Period of Touring in UK.
Friday, 30-Jun-78: started tour of West Country; visited Fishbourne Roman Palace at Chichester; visited HMS Victory at Portsmouth; drove through Southampton. Camped at Brockenhurst.
Saturday, 1-Jul-78: went to Lymington (saw Needles on Isle of Wight); drove to Christchurch, Bournemouth, Poole (crossed on ferry), Studland; visited Corfe Castle; visited Post Green (Christian community) near Lytchett Minster; drove to Tolpuddle, saw Hardy's cottage; drove to Dorchester, Bridport. Camped near Lyme Regis.
Sunday, 2-Jul-78: drove to Exeter (Cathedral & Morris Dancers); drove to New Abbott (cake for Ollis), Dartmoor (Widecombe, Buckland); drove to Totnes (Castle), Dartmouth (Castle), Paignton (Torbay). Camped at Buckfastleigh.
Monday, 3-Jul-78: saw Buckfastleigh Abbey; drove to Plymouth (Hoe, Old Eddystone Lighthouse); drove to Looe, Polperro, Restmorel Castle, Truro, Falmouth, Marazion (St Michael's Mount), Penzance. Camped at St Buryan.
Tuesday, 4-Jul-78: went to Land's End; saw Tregiffian Burial Chamber, Merry Maidens Stone Circle, Mousehole (scraped side of van), Penzance; saw Chysauster Ancient Village; went to Tintagel (Post Office & Castle); went to Boscastle, Westward Ho!, Bideford, Barnstaple. Camped at Barnstaple.
Wednesday, 5-Jul-78: drove through Lynmouth, Minehead, Dunster (castle), Williton, Taunton, Glastonbury, Wells (Cathedral), Cheddar (Gorge), Bath (Abbey, Roman baths). Camped at Bath for 2 nights.
Thursday, 6-Jul-78: (1.01pm) Ian & Alex to London by train; (3pm) Ian @ Dr Bennett; (7:30pm) Bible Week meeting with Pete.
Friday, 7-Jul-78: drove to Bristol; got van fridge fixed (in Bristol); (2pm) Alex met Rupert Stanley, SWALCAP, Bristol University; saw Suspension Bridge; drove to Westbury (white horse), Wans Dyke, Avebury (stone circle & avenue), Silbury Hill, West Kennett Long Barrow. Camped near Cirencester.
Saturday, 8-Jul-78: saw Parish Church @ Cirencester; drove through Cotswolds (Stow-on-the-Wold), Cheltenham, Gloucester (Cathedral; brass rubbing), Ross-on-Wye, Goodrich Castle, Monmouth (Wales), Tintern Abbey. Camped near Chepstow.
Sunday, 9-Jul-78: (11am) Chepstow Baptist church; saw Chepstow Castle, Cardiff (outside of castle); visited Caerphilly Castle; drove to Abergaveny, Brecon (Beacons), Carmarthen. Camped near Pembroke.
Monday, 10-Jul-78: drove past Carew Castle & Cross; visited Pembroke Castle; drove to Haverfordwest, St David's (visited Cathedral & Bishop's Palace), Whitesands Bay; drove to Fishguard, Cardigan. Camped near Llangranog.
Tuesday, 11-Jul-78: went to Cwmtudu & boys fished; drove through Aberystwyth, Newport, Montgomery (Offa's Dyke) near Welshpool; drove to Shrewsbury, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent; took M6 to Blackpool, Lancaster, Bolton-le-Sands. Camped near Lancaster.
Wednesday, 12-Jul-78: maybe Alex visited Lancaster University Library (Dr J Andrews & Peter Burnett); drove through Lake District (Windermere, Thirlmere, Derwent (Keswick), Bassenthwaite, Maryport, Sillloth; visited John & Lucy Brown (Alex's great-uncle); drove through Carlisle, Gretna Green. Camped at Echelfechan.
Thursday, 13-Jul-78: drove through Lockerbie, Kilmarnock, Largs; visited Isle of Cumbrae (Community of Celebration); visited George & Grace Brown; drove through Irvine, etc to Yirvan, Ballandrae. Camped at Cairnryan for 2 nights.
Friday, 14-Jul-78: (8am) took ferry to Larne, then train to Ballycarry; visited Alex's aunt Essie Rutherford, cousins Jim (& Maureen), George, Albert (& Elizabeth & Ruth); (8pm) took ferry back to Cairnryan.
Saturday, 15-Jul-78: drove via Newton Stewart, Gatehouse of Fleet (Carsluith & Cardoness Castles); drove to Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie; visited Sweetheart Abbey; drove to Dumfries, Ruthwell (Cross & Savings Bank - Mr Reid), Annan, Penrith, Pooley Bridge. Camped on Ullswater.
Sunday, 16-Jul-78: drove to Penrith, Kirkby Lonsdale (Ruskin's View, Devil's Bridge), Skipton; visited Cow & Calf Rock @ Ilkley; drove to Leeds, M1, Worksop, Lincoln (Cathedral, Castle); (6:30pm) Newgate Evangelical church (AoG) in Lincoln. Camped near Tattershall.
Monday, 17-Jul-78: visited Tattershall Castle; drove to Sleaford, Peterborough (Cathedral), Wisbech, Kings Lynn (St Mary's); visited Castle Rising; drove to Fakenham, Blakeney, Cley-next-the-Sea, Sheringham, Cromer, Happisburgh; visited Aunty May's holiday cottage at 9 Golden Beach Road, Happisburgh. Camped at Potter Heigham.
Tuesday, 18-Jul-78: (10:30am-3:30pm) hired launch on the Norfolk Broads; sailed on Thurne & Bure rivers, St Benedict's Abbey, Ranworth Broad (St Helen's church), Horning; drove via Wroxham (Roy's owned everything) to Norwich (Cathedral), then Colchester. visited Sue & Darryl Smith (Jeremy, David, Andrew, Sarah), and Les & Maggie Smith. Camped at Darryl & Sue Smith's place in Colchester.
Wednesday, 19-Jul-78: visited Colchester castle museum; drove to Cambridge (bought sweat shirts); drove via St Neots to Welwyn Garden City. Stayed at Bill Davie's house, Lemsford for 3 nights.
Thursday, 20-Jul-78: did washing; Alex visited ALS; visited St John's, Digswell; polished van.
Friday, 21-Jul-78: went to Oxford; (2pm) Alex met Mervyn Williams; (3pm) Bob Hopgood.
End of Touring; now basically packing up.
Saturday, 22-Jul-78: left for Bexhill, via London; picked up crates; got quotes on van; looked briefly at Westminster Abbey; visited Scotney Castle gardens on way home; looked at Battle church brasses. Stayed at Vine Cottage again.
Sunday, 23-Jul-78: (11am) Beulah Baptist church; packed tea chest; (6:30pm) Beulah Baptist church (Alex only); (8pm) Leslie Applegate came for supper.
Monday, 24-Jul-78: continued packing; shopping in Hastings; Alex had a haircut & beard trim.
Tuesday, 25-Jul-78: finished packing; afternoon on Bexhill Front; visited Hastings (slide); Mountfords came for tea (saw slides).
Wednesday, 26-Jul-78: (12:00) left Bexhill; delivered Tea Chest, fixed payment on Tea Chest; picked up mail @ ULCC; visited Hampton Court & Windsor. Stayed at FMC for 4 nights.
Thursday, 27-Jul-78: sold van (28211 miles odo reading, 1,700 pounds); closed Halifax Savings account; (3:15pm) Ian @ Dr Bennett; hired car (Vauxhall Cavalier).
Friday, 28-Jul-78: went to London; Helen & boys to London Zoo; (10:30am) Alex to ICL Stevenage (Gordon Scarrott); closed NSW account - transferred all funds to Australia; Alex to National Computing Centre (Avril Inglis); National & General Insurance Co - discharge form; Viewdata - visit aborted; Alex to ULCC to pick up mail & leave redirection address; Hodder: Mary Stewart's "The Last Enchantment", May-79.
Saturday, 29-Jul-78: (am) shopping; (12:30) Brass Rubbing @ St John's church; visited Mrs Wiseman @ Barking.
Sunday, 30-Jul-78: lunch @ Bill Davie's with Bill & Peggy; transferred to Holiday Inn, Heathrow.
Monday, 31-Jul-78: (10:25) flight QF008 via Bombay; saw movies on flight: "Other Side of the Mountain, Part II", "Sea Gypsy"; (12:30am) stopped at Bombay (4.5 hrs time difference) where we all got frisked.
Tuesday, 1-Aug-78: (~13:00) arrived at Perth Airport and went home.
Alex Reid
28-Mar-25/14-Feb-26
