UK – Kate and Mike

Kaumana Caves in Hilo, Hawaii

Kate and I went on a little adventure in the Lava Tubes in Kaumana Caves park, just outside of Hilo. This is the first time I have ever really adventured into a cave with out a guide.

This was a guard chicken, guarding the caves. He was a bit cocky. I am pretty sure he was Irish. His name was McNuggets. To be honest he had good tastes … like Teriyaki.

A rather large entrance from one section to another.

We spent a couple of hours exploring the cave. There was stair case that descended down into the cave where it had previously collapsed. We explored both sides of the cave. The cave system was mostly easy going. There were many different types of formations. It was constantly dripping on us. Sometime the ceiling was 40 feet tall and times it was only a couple feet tall. I am guessing we went about a mile total. To the right, the cave looks to have been intentionally collapsed. We probably could have shimmied around and gotten past it, but this was our first time out spelunking and did not want to get in over our heads. To the left the cave comes to a skylight where you can climb out. We could have kept going, but again we had had enough for one day and decided to head back into town and get some lunch at the Hilo Burger Joint. We are considering doing some more spelunking in lava tubes. These lava tubes last had lava in them in the 1800s, which makes them relatively new. Some of the lava tubes on the islands are miles and miles long.

A narrow cave passage. You go first, I am too scared. Make sure there is nothing dangerous on the other side.

Kate posing in a large room. A lot of this cave was marked with graffiti.

Another part of the cave. An example of the type of what is left behind when the lava tube is eventually drained of lava.

Visiting Prince William at Buckingham Palace and Leaving Settle

We left Settle, UK a couple of days early than we originally planned because we received invitations to Buckingham place to meet Prince William. Although we knew about this over a year in advance, my invitation was not guaranteed. My invitation only came about a month ahead of time. We received the invitations because of Kate’s involvement in the Kennedy trust. The Kennedy trust is an organization setup by the British people after the death of President John F Kennedy. I feel lucky just to have gotten an invite as the were very limited spots.

Rainbow over the Carlisle Settle railway at the Settle Station on our way to leeds to get a rental car.

First about Max. Max went to the vet on Wednesday. He needed to get check up and a “fit to fly letter”. He passed with flying colors and did not need to get violated. He will need another fit to fly letter when arrive back in the States so can fly to Hawaii. While at the Vet in Settle we also picked up some “Milk Protein” capsules that are supposed to help keep him calm. It is supposed to work like a warm glass of milk. We also bought a scented spray (that is quite vile) to spray in his carrier. We tried both for our trip down to London, and boy does that spray stink. However it all seemed to work quite well he was very quiet on the trip down from London (5 hour car ride).

Getting Ready to go to Buckingham Palace.

We checked in the Novatel in Hammersmith, about 15-20 mins from the Palace. Kate got us upgraded because she told the front desk staff that we were going to the Palace to visit the Prince. The locals know that the palace is closed this time of year and it only open for invited guests. We got ready and put on our finest clothes to go meet the Prince.

Originally it was going to be the Queen and not prince William, but it seems as though the prince is taking over some of her work load. We set off to the Palace. There were strict rules about having our entry passes, and a special pass to allow the black Cab into the Palace yard. We saw a line of black cabs out front of the hotel and thought it would be easy. When we got there, they were all off duty and empty. We went to front desk to call a black cab an it was going to take 10 mins. 15 mins later the cab had not shown up but luckily we saw a random black cab driver pass by, so we took his cab and left the other one to wonder what happened to us. We were now a bit late, although if traffic cooperated we would still make it before the Prince arrived. The traffic did not cooperate. It is disheartening to see people walking faster than the cab. We eventually arrived in front of the palace, and they removed the barriers to let us on the road in front of the palace, and then to front gate. At the front gate (as far as most people can get) the Taxi driver was asked to leave the cab, and the cab was searched. They checked under the bonnet (hood), they searched the boot (trunk). They used mirrors to look under the car. We had to show ID and our special purple passes. It was quite thorough but very efficient. After we were all cleared we drove into the Palace, past the the Queen’s guards. We were dropped off at the front The entrance to Buckingham Palace entrance. There were lots of “attendents” to make sure we did not wonder off. We had to leave our phones and other accessories behind. The reception was in the Picture Gallery (part of the normal summer time tour). It has some very nice art work. All of the corridors were nicely decorated. We got to see parts of the palace that the public never gets to see.

The opposite photo that most people . Most people take the photo from the other side of the fence.

The reception was nice. The canapés and hor dourves were all unique and delicious. They also had real Champagne and it was free flowing. Sadly the prince had limited time and we did not actually get chat with him, but he walked right past us. He was getting escorted around the room. I have to say, I was quite impressed with him. I believe he will be good King. I think that he will continue to transform the Crown to be for the people of the United Kingdom. He is very humble, down to earth, and a big heart. I think he has a lot of his mom in him. He gave a nice speech on behalf of his grandma (his words not mine) and then took his leave to go home to be with Kate and the kids. His Kate, not mine. However, some reports suggest that Kate (my Kate) had one too many glasses of Champagne. This of course was not her first time having a bit too much

In the courtyard of Buckingham Palace, withe Palace's front doors behind us. — In the courtyard of Buckingham Palace, wit the Palace’s front doors behind us.

champagne at Buckingham Palace in the presence of royalty. She has also met the Queen. Just kidding about Kate having too much Champagne, but this was real, proper Champagne and it was quite nice and even the best of us could have easily gotten out of hand. There was no attempt at rationing it.

It was an experience of a lifetime. It was a bit overwhelming. There was a lot to take in. We are now in London at a nicely priced Air BnB place a couple of blocks from Kate’s parents. Max is doing fine, in his third new place this week. He seems to adapt quicker and quicker each time. He seems to figure it all out very quickly. We do wonder what his two brain cells (the left one and the right one) think about it all. Through it all he is the same old energetic, lovable Max, that still likes to get up at 4am regardless of where he is in the world.

The exit from the courtyard to the area in front of the palace that most people see.

Kate, Max and Mike after Buckingham Palace. Maybe I am the one that had too much Champagne.

Skipton

We recently visited the town of Skipton, UK. It is the largest major town in the area we are staying. In other words it is the closest McDonalds to us. It is about at $25 cab ride each way or about $10 round trip on the train. There are about eight or nine trains per day and about the same number of busses in each direction. Having good public transportation is a very odd thing for having grown up in the USA. Right now we are solely relying on it. We are about 2-3 mins from the bus stop and about 4-5 mins to train station. The station is part of the pretty famous, historic Settle to Carlisle rail, with Settle, UK being where we are located.

Settle Station Up (to Leeds) platform. Tuesday 18th December 2007 — Settle Station

And there is a bridge that connects the North and South bound platforms.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Settle Pedestrian Bridge

The Settle Carlisle Rail iwas an engineering marvel in its day including the Ribblehead viaduct locate in Ribblehead, UK.

While in Skipton is a very cute and quaint town. We walked around the Skipton castle. The wind is pretty strong in this part of the country and on top of the viaduct it has been known to stop steam locomotives.

https://youtu.be/P3da6__UB4A

We explored the Leeds to Liverpool Canal system that was very important like the Erie canal was in Central New York. The canal has many old features including a manually operated “draw bridge” that is manually operated by the passengers on the canal boats.

It was quite fascinating to watch many boats pass through the through the bridges. The “narrow boats” as they are called are able to be rented (hired) by the day or by the week for a vacation (holiday).

On a separate trip to Skipton we stayed overnight there, because there was no train back to settle after we had Dinner in Leeds. We decided to walk back from Skipton to Long Preston and then catch the bus back to Settle. It was a long day, and we got to Long Preston just before it really started to pour. It was a 14 mile walk across beautiful Yorkshire countryside. We wandered through a few very small towns along the way.

More photos from Settle – with an aside on Stiles

Here are some more photos from walking around Settle. Some are early in the morning. The field with the hay bales is right in front of where my grandma used to live. That field always had sheep in it when we would visit – and when we would come up at Easter school holidays would usually have pregnant sheep and lambs in it.

This is looking down on Settle from a hill at the edge of town.

These photos are from Gordale Scar and Malham – which is about 5 miles away.

The walks in this part of the world have lots of stiles. In fact – if you come to a stile – that’s the best evidence that you are still on a footpath and haven’t got lost. They come in all sorts of designs. The most common are stone steps that jut out from the dry stone wall. Sometimes now these also have a little gate on top – which didn’t used to be the case. But read on and you may be able to guess why this has been added …

But there are also wooden styles, kissing gates, narrow spaces you have to squeeze through, ladders that go over walls or fences

There are even special equivalents (build in holes in the walls) for sheep. these are often blocked up with loose stones if the farmer wants to keep the sheep in the field in questions.

However – for the first time in my life – I saw – from a distance – two sheep go over a human stile this week.

This is the stile in question

Here is a photo from a ways away showing one of the sheep in progress. It took the first sheep a few running attempts – but the second sheep went over pretty fast.

Settle flowerpot festival

Spot the flowerpot man climbing Castleberg

Arrived in Settle

We are now in Settle in North Yorkshire. There is beautiful countryside here really close by in each direction. Lots of walks we can do from the door. Max has some large picture windows to look out of and window sills to sit on. As we are here for almost 6 weeks – he also has a new scratching post and a parsley plant to love.

We are staying very close to where my grandma used to live. There are walks here that I have done all my life. Here are some photos from walking today.

This sign has been here for years and always makes me smile. It used to say “Dog Meadow Allotments. No Dogs allowed”. At least now I suppose they are allowed in on a lead/leash…

There are statues all over Settle at the moment made of flowerpots. I am not sure why – but some of them are really good. I’ll try and take some photos. This is one round the corner from where we are staying – but they are all over. People, animals, Dinosaurs.

Back in London

Max stayed at a very nice cattery while we were sailing round Greece – with a nice cat-lover called Jen. http://www.heathrow-cattery.co.uk/

I am not sure Jen had ever met a cat who liked to play as much as Maxie. She said that by the end of the first day he had already had a party with a scratching post with attached feathers – and his very spacious apartment looked like a down duvet had exploded. He had a view of her lovely garden from the end of his space – and we hope that lots of birds and squirrels came by to say hello while he was there.

Max was very happy to see us though on our return and come back to the cottage south of London.

Here were a couple of his favorite spots in the cottage

There was some beautiful Kent countryside just a few minutes walk from the cottage. These are from an early morning walk I took – a 3 mile loop.

We are off.

Yesterday we drove down to Newark, New Jersey. It was pretty uneventful. I sure do love those NJ drivers. We stopped at the New Jersey Welcome Center, and it was anything but welcoming. It was only open 7am – 4pm. They should take a few lessons from Moe’s on how to be more welcoming. Welcome to Moes!

We stayed at an “Extended Stay” near the airport. I all I have to say is that I am glad I will not have to stay there an extended amount of time. We went to dinner at a Caribbean Restaurant that we have tried a year or two ago – it was not as good as it was last time, but it was still nice.

Max did fine in the car ride on the way down. He was good. He was not happy about it.

Max was a little nervous about the hotel room, but he settled down. For a while he would not even eat his treats. Poor guy. Once we went to bed he settled down and eventually ended up snuggling with me for a little while we slept. He was purring the whole time. Eventually I had to disturb him because I was restless and needed to get up.

Max is not Cargo on United. We will pick up at HARC (Heathrow Animal Reception Center). He along with his paperwork will clear immigration and customs. He will be in his crate about 10 hours. They will let him out and clean up any messes he makes at HARC. We will get the car crop out luggage off at the hotel and then go pick him up at HARC.

We are getting ready to board our flight now.

Max Last Vet Appointment and off to the USDA in Albany

Max had his last visit to the vet on Wednesday to clear him for travel to the UK. Max was “injected, inspected, detected, infected, neglected and
Selected! … every single part of him, and they was leavin’ no part untouched!” to quote Arlo Guthrie’s famous thanksgiving song Alice’s Restaurant Massacree in five-part harmony. We have omitted the “twenty-seven 8 x 10 colored glossy pictures with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one“.

Here is the what we are referring to, if you have never heard the Alice’s Restaurant before.

Max lost a bit of his dignity when he had his temperature taken. Kate was surprised there isn’t a less invasive way to take a cat’s temperature.

Seriously – he got a clean bill of health – we got both of the different required health forms filled in by the vet and the European one has now been endorsed and sealed by the USDA, which required us to drive to Albany and back this morning. However, Max was able to stay home – the USDA vet just needed to see the paperwork. We thought the USDA needed to stamp and approve both health forms (the Appendix IV/European Health/Third country official vet form and the US Aphis 7001 form – but it turns out that the USDA no longer endorses/seals the Aphis form.

So now Max should be all set – next step is dropping him off at United Cargo at the crack of dawn Thursday morning.

Europe Itinerary

So here is our itinerary. It will be updated as we make changes and fill in the gaps. Mike and Kate – Itinerary

We are staying at pet friendly hotels, motels and airb&b houses while traveling with Max.

Our plan is to drive to Newark. Love Jersey – NOT! We will rent a car in Syracuse, drive down, and spend the night. This will give Max time to have every opportunity to use the bathroom, before his trip to the UK. We have to have Max to the airport a few hours before the flight. I will drop Max and Kate off to have him checked in as cargo, while I return the car.

We will fly direct to London. No upgrade. We are sitting in the back of the bus. Max will be taken automatically through customs and immigration. We will meet him at HARC, Heathrow Animal Reception Center and Emporium. Ok, I made up the Emporium part. We are a little nervous about fitting Max, his crate, and our luggage in our rental car in the UK. Hopefully it will work out. We will spend the night at an Airport hotel. We check into an Air B&B place in the South of London, that has more greenery than buildings and concrete. We are there for a week.

While in London we plan to visit family and get settled into our travel plans and take care of anything forgotten. I plan to get a UK SIM card, and switch between my American and UK phone. I am still working out that plan. Kate’s niece has a certain affection for Max. Max even got a Christmas present from her (a snowman on a string that he loved to pieces- literally). She has imagined “Taking two airplanes to Auntie Kate’s house to play with Max.” Those were her words. We absolutely need her to meet Max for real.

After a week there, we will drop Max off at a cattery, so that we can cruise around the Greek Islands. We have a direct flight to Athens. We were able to work out a ‘free’ upgrade on Aegean Airlines in one direction. Yippie. I love upgrades. It is not that great of an upgrade, but allows some small perks like not sitting next to anyone and getting on the plane first.

We will cruise around the Islands. Here is the Cruise Itinerary.

We come back to London for a few days. We then will head to Settle, UK . This will be a very productive time for Kate. I plan to quite a bit of hiking and exploring of the countryside. We will stay there until it is almost time to come back home. We will spend a few days in London with Kate’s parents before we leave.

Max will need to see a vet before he flies home. He needs a health certificate stating he is healthy enough to fly. We fly back to the States on Oct 20th. We are back in town for just under 6 days. We begin our journey to Hawaii on Oct 26th.

Hawaii will be the next post.