Day 3. 18/5/2016 Jodrell Bank Observatory

Day 3 Jodell Bank Observatory 18/5/2016

After a wonderful sleep-in and a relaxed breakfast Claire and Norman suggested a trip out to the radio telescope in Jodrell Bank.  Heading out we crossed the Manchester shipping canal and passed through a number of small quaint towns and villages. 

The historic Toll Bridge costing 12p to cross

 The visitor centre has a large number of interactive displays helping the visitor to understand how the facility is utilised.

Mobile display of the Solar System

Infrared Camera display - Maritta taking her own photo!

The telescope itself originally commenced operation in 1957 and was expected to operate for only 15 years. Since then it has been updated a number of times to expand its capabilities. Now it forms part of the UK large array as well as part if the international radio telescope array that utilize a number of telescopes across Europe, America and is also connected to the Parkes facility in Australia.

Finally managed to get a front view as each time we moved it moved....

Day 2 Warrington, England

Day 2:. 17/5/2016

Today we landed in Manchester arriving at 6.40 am local time. Transit through Manchester airport was painless unlike previous experiences with other UK airports.  TA14 owners and dear friends Claire and Norman were there to meet us and took us back to their home in Warrington approx 14 miles south west of Manchester for a couple of days.

 After unpacking and an early lunch Claire and Norman suggested a local tour and ended up taking us for a "quick tour" into North Wales.  Lovely greens vistas on the road to Ruthin Castle. 

One of many picturesque valleys in North Wales

Norman and Dale enjoy the view.......not sure about these two in the bushes!

 

 

The Castle itself, has its roots in medieval times and has been converted into a sprawling grand guest house and is surrounded by well maintained gardens complete with roaming Peacocks.  

Medieval Ruins of Ruthin Castle

Norman and Claire outside Ruthin Castle

Male peacock courting the female - she doesn't appear too interested !!

One of the peacocks in full display as their breeding season has already started

Afternoon tea for 3...really!!

Afternoon tea in the Peacock courtyard

Returning to Warrington by a scenic route through North Wales and then we hit the commuter traffic in Warrington to see the famous Town Hall Gates. These gates are reputed to have been built for Buckingham Castle but the architect got the dimensions wrong and had to find a new home for them.

Very grand gates at Warrington Town Hall

Day 1 Melbourne to Hong Kong

Not very exciting, left home about 9am and had a good run to the Airport, arriving  about 11am, plenty of time for our 2:30 flight (about 9 hours to HK).

Somewhere over Central Australia

Sunset near Darwin

Arrived Hong Kong about 9pm their time and have 3 hours to wait for the flight to Manchester so thought I would start boring you with our blog.