Jo Herrings Adventures

Today I took the Life in the UK test to secure all my paperwork for my 'Indefinite Leave to Remain'. This visa will mean after 5.5 years of living in England I will be allowed to stay for ever....and allegable for my UK Passport in a year, or a year after I return from travelling to show my commitment to the country again. Its been something I have always wanted and this is really very exciting. I really enjoyed the experience of learning about the country I love to call my second home. Like that it was a republic for 11 years in the mid 1600's under Lord Cromwell. That Children under 16 can't work in a chippy, kitchen or use heavy machinery or chemicals (no kids obviously help on farms!). And women <30 only got the right to vote in 1928 with the right to vote to those 30+ only passed in 1918. I am so pleased my real home in NZ was the pioneers of the suffragette movement. Hats off Kate Sheppard! The test took me a mere 10minutes to complete. I was lucky to ...

Israel is unlike any country I have ever been to before. It is the centre of religion and Politics - and I'm not exaggerating this point - for the axis of Judaism, Christianity and Muslims (referred to locally as Arabs) it really is the hot spot for humanity since before year 1 AD.  As such I have broken this into a few posts for your leisure Relaxation, Food, Transport & Security; Post 2  People Post 3 Religion & Sights . As a preface to this post it should be said I went during Holy week known by us as Easter Week preceding the Easter Weekend. This meant many of the sites were closed to contain crowds and to ensure the peace was maintained while pilgrims from around the world decended on the Holy Land. I would not recommend this as the best time to visit. Relaxation Tel Aviv Beach looking to Old Jaffa This is not a theme many people I know would relate to the hot bed of Israel but as I arrived in the city of Tel Aviv I was assured that winding down is...

Israel and the Palestinian Territories would be nothing without the people that call it home.  The first of whom I met was Roy. He was the wonderful host of his 1month old hostel. He is well travelled, speaks several languages and is a delightful dope. Whom I think, has got himself into more than he bargained. Working 24 hour days as host, hotelier, handyman, cook and bottlewasher. Roy is Jewish and made us all feel at home with his laid back attitude and his willingness to share the significance of upcoming events of his religion. Answering questions about his city and his country with politeness (I was so worried about my dress that when I walked out of the hostel I felt like a Mormon amongst the uber cool TA's!). If you are going to Tel Aviv make sure you pop and  see him . He would welcome you warmly and always has room - I ended up on the couch at his flat after I called in unexpectedly! Say you know me.  Maureen inside Christ Church, Jerusalem Maureen was...

With Religion it brings the sights of Israel. Further to my Holy Land Posts this focuses on the Sights and Religions I encountered during Holy Week 2011. Nazareth  My first pilgrimage was to the city of Nazareth which is the home of Mary and where Joseph had his carpentry and Mary drunk from the well. So the sights I sought out were Mary's Well at the top end of the old town where it is said that Gabriel came to Mary and spoke to her. Now the sight has graffiti and no water so I guess its lost its drawing power.  Just meters away is the Eastern Orthodox Church where it is believed that the Annunciation took place. Everyone was huddled around a water fountain from the 3CE with their Evian bottles so it must be the drawcard these days. I fancied a cheeky wine next door as I watched an end of term party crack on in the village discotech which polluted the village square.  The final destination in Nazareth was the Church of the Annunciation. Built in the 1900's this ultra ...

I arrived home from Israel at 10pm so the thought of Dawn Service at 5am on the other side of London with 2 night buses to get there was not appealing. Alas the service on Whitehall at 8am was definitely on the cards.    I woke at 6:30am as dawn sun streamed into the neighbouring houses (yes I live in a north facing house in the Northern Hemisphere!) . Dashing down to get the tube at 7:00 to meet René at Westminster for 7:30. The recommended time for arrival by the NZ High Commission to ensure you see the action. As I waited on René to join me my friend Jo Brough arrived and we had a brief catch up. René and I secured standing positions opposite the Cenetaph with the Press being forced in front of us for much of the service. We clearly in the spot for the photos.   Shortly before the service commensed my dear school friend Andrew Barnett came to join us and told us he had achieved a "lying down photo" with the Prime Minster of NZ at the Dawn Service at Hyde Park. So famou...

Its not very often you get to see a Live TV screening but to see Graham Norton AGAIN I knew I was being spoilt. My dear school friend Andrew Barnett offered me tickets and with seating to a minimum we rushed to attend. I was able to bring along my workmate Paul Fance and unfortunately due to mistiming Holly P missed out...this meant Andrew's workmate was able to join us.  Andrew had arranged to offer his services for the Red chair. The story telling chair on the hit show. Andrews story was about his lying down adventures around the world and his recent efforts with His Right Honourable John Keys, which was mentioned in the ANZAC post.  This meant we secured seats in front of the band....but who were we to see. Unfortunately Andrew missed his chance on the chair beaten by a young man who had a Vicar come to his house to bury his hamster. With incense, local parishioners and a hamster pulled out of the bin to attend! The line up for the night was no less ...

Its 4.45am and I'm awake. Evan had left the house at 4am and was now outside the Big Ben awaiting the group to join him. 5 minutes later I had a message from Andrew from Embankment with a similar enthusiasm. I can't imagine what either were/will be like on their own wedding day!  René not wanting to leave his alarm clock to be responsible had crashed at the Stepney Sheraton. So up showered and out the door we went to meet them at 6.15am on the north side of The Mall.  I must confess - had these three boys all had each others numbers they would have had me camping out over night. Alas I kept that enthusiasm to my mild management. The early morning start seems to have proved just as fruitful. Evan and Andrew could be found by some nice American Campers and in front of a television camera, creating a small nook off the thoroughfare and perfect for our baby reveler Desmond and Mum Amanda when they arrived shortly after 8am. This positioned us about half way down The ...