From:   mrsbsrooma11 | Sent: 12/11/2006 9:12 p.m. |
| Our Man in London London's Hyde Park was the memorial site for New Zealand's contributions towards mother Britain's wars around the globe. Tv3 featured the item on Sunday evening, 12 November and our cousin Bryan (Buck) Taylor was a guest at the event in London. Ka pai, Bryan. http://www.tv3.co.nz/default.aspx?tabid=112&articleID=15469
Tonight, for the first time, the entire contingent got together. Sitting around a few tables at the Palmerston North RSA provided a great opportunity for the serving personnel to talk with the 32 veterans travelling to London with us. Go the All Blacks! The contingent was all a buzz this morning with news the ABs started their tour on a high note. Speaking of high notes, some of the group ended up on stage and in front of the microphone at the hotel in Penang! The veterans showed off a few of their moves on the dance floor after trying out some of the local cuisine just a few metres down the road from the hotel. We have now arrived in Bahrain – and our body clocks have taken a bit of a hammering - this is our third time zone in as many days. A lot of us in the contingent have never been to Bahrain, so the plan is to relax for a while, as the heat of the midday sun is to hot to handle, and then go exploring. After travelling over land and sea we have finally arrived in London! The trip was long, but worthwhile. The flight from Bahrain took us over Crete, the place where the oldest veteran of the contingent served 65 years ago. Closer to our destination Dave Dobbyn went to the front of the plane with his guitar and sung 'Loyal'. The line ‘history’s here and now’ never rung so true. The remains of a grey, cloudy day greeted us at Brize Norton, an RAF Station just out of London, where we gathered up our luggage before making our way to what will be our homes for the next few days. Tuesday November 7th After a bit of sleep we awoke to another cold morning, winter having finally settled on England. A double-decker bus tour was the order of the day. The contingent is made up of many young Service people and, for many of them, Operation Union Jack is their first trip overseas. The bus tour was a chance for them to get some fresh air and take in the many sights around this famous city. Buckingham Palace, St Peter’s Cathedral, Fleet St, the Tower of London and the street where Madonna lives, were all on the agenda. Our first day in London came to a close with a Powhiri at New Zealand House, where we the New Zealand Defence Force and in particular our Maori Culture group were welcomed to London by Ngati Ranana. The haka were resounding and the melody sweet – the perfect way to start our London journey In London the veterans have been continuing their tour of the city. This morning they visited Winston Churchill’s war rooms. The visit took them through the underground bunker not far from Downing St, where the former Prime Minister and his advisors ran their WWII campaign Thursday November 9th It was also the only opportunity this weekend to have a close up look at the 16 bronze standards that make up the New Zealand memorial. The veterans continued with their London education … today’s sightseeing trip took them to the Imperial War Museum. Everyone is tired but looking forward to getting out on to the famous park just down the road from Buckingham Palace and doing their stuff!! Guy Fawkes is an English Celebration - I didn't forget to do the October birthdays, the month went too quickly. Val, happy birthday for 4th November. Mari and Jack have returned from a holiday along with family Jo-Ann and Mike. Jack loves to send out torture photos of the seafood he loves to eat. I simply react in a non-positive manner when pictures of prawns, etc arrive via email. they could send the real thing ... I would be in my element. Melbourne Cup features in the lives of Mari and jack and they have family to luncheon to celebrate. I joined the Magnetos Scooter mob on a 210km return to Wattle Bay on Sunday with a lunch break at Waiuku. Kingi's moved home for a holiday: he was not a passenger in the plane that was landed heroically in Kumeu on Saturday. The weekend documentary, "Kiwis Can Fly' featured both 485 and the 486 squadron of which Uncle Ike was a member. I hope others had the opportunity to view the programme. Shirley, from work, is to loan me the book Tempest Pilot. If any of Uncle Ike's family have any memorabilia about 486 squadron, would you consider copying anything relevant to that which may relate to her Dad, F/O Steedman? 11 November 2006 Margret |
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