Reflections

Bazflyers have given a big-tick to Iceland and hopefully one day would like to drop by again to explore more of the country's fascinating landscape. However, it is now time to leave, head to Glasgow and then drive further south to the relative familiarity of Kate and Bill's cottage nescelled in the tranquility of Everthorpe in Yorkshire.

We first visited the UK in 1979 and at the time remarked on how familiar the English countryside seemed which on reflection might have been expected. Our post war upbringing in New Zealand was filled with strong connections to what was often referred to as 'the old country'. Our nation's early settlement and a stoic adherence to all things English meant post war New Zealand was in many ways even more British than the United Kingdom.

Our school text books, images on calendars, biscuit tins, comics and bed-time stories, all were directly uplifted from the UK. Then there were the aunties and uncles who had not migrated and still lived in England or Scotland. Their mailings were frequently accompanied by various magazines and pictures. Not to mention the aged fleet of British motor vehicles that populated our roads.

New Zealand's umbilical cord is still attached to the UK and testimony to this is no better underlined than the witness accorded to Prince Harry's current visit down-under. Perhaps in time the cord of birth will wether to the point where the 'old country' is no longer relevant to life in New Zealand. However, for as long as a Kiwi can visit the UK and feel a certain affinity, there will likely remain a subliminal attachment. Not such a bad thing....we think! Here are some English countryside photos taken around Everthorpe.....