Suffolk beckons...

The slight change of plans for the first week gives us an opportunity to go to Suffolk and spend time with our friend, Steve, in Haverhill.

Getting there is an experience and a shaky introduction to the railway system. We are within walking distance to the train station (thankfully, Sophie, loans us a smaller hiking backpack to condense our gear for a week) and catch a train to Bakerloo and then the underground tube to Oxford Circus, then another to Liverpool Station, where we catch an above-ground train to Ipswich, and then another to Bury St Edmond where we finally meet Steve - some four hours later.

Arriving by train into London, we are greeted by hundreds of brick dwellings and rows upon rows of chimneys (it reminds me of Coro St). The underground is now a hazy memory - everything happened so fast (so much so we felt like we were competing in the amazing race) - there was no time to stop and ponder. Quick, this way to catch this tube, hurry along this corridor, down this elevator - and keep to the right (so the 'speed bunnies' can run past you down the moving steps). We are relieved to get on each tube, although Max nearly doesn't make it onto one and is caught in the doors as he makes a leap to follow me. All aboard -no time to dilly-dally!

There's a certain romantiscm in the idea of traveling by train across the English countryside. The reality is that the train travels really fast and you get only a mere glimpse of other's lives. As we glide past green fields and villages, some big and some small, there is a small feeling of belonging, a knowing that our ancestors came from here, a feeling of being a part, however small, of the rich tapestry of history that is everywhere you look. It's somewhat comforting when we are so far from family and home.

And we are so lucky to have our friends here - our old friends and now some new friends - to welcome us into their homes.

I know that I said I would only write weekly and I would try not to bore you, but there is much to write about. (I am in writer's and photographer's heaven) So don't be surprised if at times the emails come thick and fast (I won't be offended if you delete any), depending on what we are doing. Each day is a new adventure and discovery, and there is much to share...  If your email comes with captions but no pics, just head to http://www.kiwis2go.com/ to see it all.

Suffolk pleasures and discoveries coming soon!