A YEAR IN ENGLAND
In and around Deeping Saint James, United Kingdom
In November 2004 I set out for Britain to have a go at being a carer for a few months but ended up doing it for a year. I wanted to see my 19 year-old son Craig who was on his Gap Year, get to know my family and maybe earn a few pounds. I was also looking forward to spending Christmas and New Year with the family and the idea of earning double pay on public holidays was a bonus.
My first assignment was a 92-year old lady in the charming village of Otford in Kent - stone-deaf and badly crippled with osteoporosis, with a twisted spine and chin on her chest. The highlight of her day, apart from mealtimes, was being pushed through the village in a wheelchair.
Having been warned that caring can be lonely, I made sure that I had enough to do. Being an avid walker and explorer, I spent my two-hour breaks exploring the paths and history of the area and this led to me having articles published on these places back home.
One day, crossing a golf course along a bridle path, I was thinking about foxes when suddenly one crossed my path and then sauntered along next to the hedgerow. And that’s not all. Lo and behold, the following morning I was sitting eating breakfast when a fox passed the picture window and then walked to the bottom of the garden. The subject of fox (and deer) hunting was a major item in the news at that time, reminding me of Capetonians and the tahr issue.
Another assignment was in the village of Aldeburgh, a holiday resort on the Jo-Lo bum of the map of England. I was excited by the prospect of seeing the sea again.
“Don’t be”, warned my sister, “it’s grey, like the sky!”
Walking to the seafront on my first afternoon break I saw that she was right - blinking a few times I tried to see distinguish the horizon. And as for the beach – shingle, otherwise known as pebbles.
Christmas Day is the one day of the year when I would rather be in England. The Brits really go overboard at Christmas, some even going into huge debt. But it’s the child-size gnomes, multi-coloured fairy lights around windows and doorways, life-size Santas climbing into upstairs windows or riding along rooftops, nativity scenes adorning gardens that made me laugh aloud. Las Vegas aint got nothing on Britain at Christmas time - it’s the height of kitsch!
Visit www.consultuscare.com or contact Gaeleen Kotze on 072 8644 369 or gk@consultuscare.co.za
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler Karen Watkins
-
1
Cycling in the Fertile Fens
An abbreviated write-up published in Weekend Argus Travel 2006 by Karen Watkins
“It’s... Continue reading »
-
2
Hiking with straw plaits, sheep dip and Domesday
An excert published from the Weekend Argus Travel supplement by Karen Watkins
In March 2005 the British Daily Mail newspaper published an art... Continue reading »
-
3
Millenium Dome and Canary Wharf
In March 2005 I visited some of London’s latest tourist attractions with my mum before taking her to see Phantom... Continue reading »
-
4
Princess Diana's Memorial, London
In March 2005 I visited some of London’s latest tourist attractions with my mum before taking her to see Phantom of the Opera for her birthday. Continue reading »
-
5
London Eye, closed, thank goodness!
In March 2005 I visited some of London’s latest tourist attractions with my mum before taking her to see Phantom of the Opera for her birthday. Continue reading »
-
6
Will they win the most beautiful village in Kent award
Published in the Weekend Argus Travel supplement on 11/12June 2005, by Karen Watkins
Exploring London is exciting, but after a few days I was... Continue reading »
-
7
-
8
Newgrange
I met Maeri while climbing Mount Mulanji in Malawi and we remained in touch. The Irish Tourism board had done such... Continue reading »
-
9
High Crosses of Clonmacnoise
An edited write up from an article "12 things in 12 days by public transport, out of season" by Karen Watkins
Continue reading »
-
10
More than Aran sweaters
From an article on Southern Ireland by Karen Watkins
Galway Town and trying to go to the north, but it was Sunday and no buses. So I went up... Continue reading »
-
11
Doolin, place of music, Guiness, hiking and song
The prehistoric landscape of the Burren has giant rock formations from the megalithic era. I stayed at Aille River in Doolin, the best place... Continue reading »
-
12
Capestorm rain jacket attracts cows
This is an abbreviated version of an article entitled "12 things in 12 days by public transport out of season" by Karen Watkins
The woman in... Continue reading »
-
13
Kissing the germs on the Blarney Stone
An excert from an article entitled "12 things to see in 12 days, by public transport, out of season" by Karen WatkinsContinue reading »
-
14
Cycling the Gap of Dunloe
For more than an hour we had been puffing and slogging up a gravel road. Our goal was the Gap of Dunloe on the outskirt... Continue reading »
-
15
Rock of Cashel
An excert from an article entitled "12 things to see in 12 days, by public transport, out of season", by Karen Watkins.... Continue reading »
-
16
All castled out in Kilkenny
This is an excert from an article entitled 'Twelve things to see in twelve days, by public transport, out of season", b... Continue reading »
-
17
Inter-hostel hiking in the lake District
Published in Saturday Star on May 19.
Puffing and panting to the top of England, examining the inside of a cloud, the strange call of a bansh... Continue reading »
-
18
Hiking with Craig in Hope Cove
Sheltered under Bolt Tail lies the remote, unspoilt fishing village of Hope Cove, one of the best-kept secrets of south... Continue reading »
-
19
-
20
-
21
-
22
-
23
Cycling with jet lag and airport sleep
After a week visiting the family in England it was time to make my way to Ireland on my second sponsored trip. The idea... Continue reading »
-
24
Still living with the past in Belfast
It’s not only the number plates that are different in Northern Ireland.
Passing throu... Continue reading »
-
25
Another Great Wall (London)Derry
Another difficult hotel to find. When we did find the place, a complicated parking manoeuvre (for Nils, who failed his... Continue reading »
-
26
Antrim Coast road A2
This was the day I’d been looking forward to - a rope bridge and the Giant’s Causeway, but the A2 Causeway Coastal Rout... Continue reading »
-
27
Giant's Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway is another place where travel writers haven’t described the location well enough for me (and other... Continue reading »
-
28
Hiking Glenveagh National Park
Because our itinerary came late and was in two parts because of NITB and Southern Ireland Tourist Board, plus the tail... Continue reading »
-
29
After being thrown out of Harvey's Point hotel
Driving through Donegal Town, past the cloud covered Pullans and Ballyshannon, no wonder we arrived late at the Clarion... Continue reading »
-
30
Flying business class has spoilt me forever
Early next morning we drove to the airport, returned the car and checked onto our flight after arguing that we were boo... Continue reading »
Would you like to comment or ask a question?