Oliver of Otterburn in the Land of Smiles

You will know from my last report that I am in Siem Reap, Cambodia
visiting the ancient temples of Angkor. But there is something more
modern for which Cambodia has a reputation. It is the Land of Smiles,
and for a visiting sheep like me it is easy to see why. Cambodians are
charming people, they greet visitors with a smile and they smile a lot
in their ordinary every day activities.

Just to show you, we go to a little travel shop in Siem Reap and you
can see the gently smiling Salom holding me. Salom works in the travel
shop with her friend Samoun. On the second day that we go to visit the
temples Salom comes along in the tuk-tuk. Salom is best friends with
Kai who guided us on the first day. So, how lucky can you be? A simple
sheep like me with two pretty girls as guides.

Well, you can get even luckier. When we pull up at the temple of Ta
Prohm there seems to be an endless supply of smiling pretty girls.
Firstly Sarein gives me a cuddle along with her friend Saron in the
cute hat, and of course, they are smiling. Both Sarein and Saron sell
mementos to the many tourists who visit the temples. Then I become the
most popular sheep in Cambodia when all the selling ladies gather
around big-smiling Kai for a picture. It is a hard life for the
selling ladies. There are many, many of them at all the favourite
temples, so it is hard for any of them to make a really good living.
But that does not stop them enjoying each others company through the
day. They are always having a little laugh, a little joke.

The rest of the day becomes a bit of a blur. We have a marvellous ride
out to the beautiful red sandstone temple of Banteay Srei and we see
at least three temples but the problem is Kai and Salom. They have
been best friends since early childhood, they say that they are BFF -
best friends forever. They find such joy in each other that a day in
their company is a day filled with laughs and good fun. So, I really
don’t remember much about the temples.

Oliver of Otterburn in Cambodia

Well, this is a bit different. I have spent much of the year
travelling the vast distances of Australia. Now, just before I am due
to head back home for a chilly Christmas here I am in Cambodia. I am
here with my usual travelling companion Ray, and we are going to visit
the awesome Angkor temples that draw thousands of visitors each year
from all over the world. We are also to meet a couple of gorgeous
young ladies that are friends of Ray’s son Lee.

But, I have to say, it is hot. For a woolly sheep like me it is fairly
hard going. In fact there are no sheep in Cambodia because it is so
hot. However I am not daunted. As everyone knows, mad sheep and
Englishmen go out in the midday sun. Now that the rainy season is over
the sun shines warmly out of a blue sky every day and the countryside
is beautifully green.

So, one day we set off to visit the wondrous temples of Angkor, the
architectural and religious extravaganza of the ancient Khmer empire
of Cambodia. There are many, many temples and they cover a sizeable
area, so it is necessary to choose. For transport we go by tuk-tuk, a
marvellous little open carriage pulled by a motor-cycle. Our driver is
Dany, very skilled in weaving in and out of the traffic. It is a very
pleasant way to drive with the cooling breeze blowing through my
fleece.

Our first stop is the village of Sra Srang right by ancient Buddhist
monastery of Banteay Kdei and here we met two lovely ladies - Kai,
looking very pretty with her bright smile, her dark hair and her white
top - and her mother, Kong. Kong was forced to battle for survival
during the terrible regime of the Khmer Rouge when up to two million
Cambodians died and everyone else was forced to eat anything that
could be found, just to maintain life. She does not like to remember
those times. She has brought up two children after being deserted by
her husband. Every day she gets up before dawn to prepare food for a
stall where villagers come for breakfast. What a remarkable lady!

In the village we see a lot of young children. Two of the cute little
people are so worried by my strange looks that they will not touch me,
so Ray has to hold me for a photo.

With Kai for our guide we were then off to see some of the wonders of
the temples of Angkor. It is difficult for a simple sheep like me to
find the words to describe a visit to Angkor. They are ancient, they
were hidden in jungle for centuries. They are monuments to both
Buddhist and Hindu religions. The variety of style of building is
astonishing. Everywhere there are beautiful carvings describing the
events of so long ago. So, no more words - if you want to experience
this truly remarkable area you will just have to get on your four feet
and go.

Zoe"s Maritime Adventure Part 2

I toured the bustling port of Halifax and they put me to work on the docks. See the huge loader I rode on. And look at the Burns statue I discovered- made me feel right at home. I also relaxed in my new friend Tony’s hot tub.
Next it was Chester- the nicest natural harbour and dozens of sail boats. I toured the Zoe Valle Library and put my hoof print in their guest book. David said he would love to have a cottage near Chester and I could come visit and we could sail together.

Zoe"s Maritime Adventure Part 1

Dear Sue
I have returned from the most amazing exploration of the east coast of Canada. I had no idea this country is so large.
I’ve been to Northern New Brunswick, the capital Fredericton on the St John’s river. I dropped by UNB and it’s beautiful hillside campus. I even went to the Lord Beaverbrook art gallery. Just when I was ready to graze off we would go.
Next it was Prince Edward Island and my oh my I was reminded of Ireland and the hills back home.
I met the greeters at the old Court House, ate salad while Tricia and David got all messy eating lobsters- the things some people will put in their stomachs! Then we were off to foggy Peggy’s Cove a UN Heritage Site.

Lance the Piper in Washington DC

Dear Sue,

We have had lots of fun with Lance the Piper here in DC. Our friends Kerry and Gideon sent Lance to us from North Carolina and now we are ready to send him on again. Our daughter, Ella, has really enjoyed taking Lance with us and talking with him (she's even been teaching him a few words in Chinese since she started at her Chinese immersion school in September!).

Thanks for sharing him with us!
Sarah, Dean and Ella Harris

Last day in Arran

So, after two exhausting days we had some retail therapy, shorter walks and cycle rides.

I must say that our cottage was wonderful, very relaxing and snug.

You can see that i teamed up with a Scottish sheep-she seemed very familiar to me, reminded me of my Mum, very strong and solid and smelt and felt good to nuzzle into. Baaahhhh, it has been a lovely week up here and now our time is up to return back to Chester-le-Street.

I overheard Gill saying it was time to return to school on Monday. It has certainly been a busy and exciting time doing all this travelling - I feel worn out!!

I wonder what else The Hermitage Academy has instore for me? I shall certainly keep you all posted!

Love

Hermie

xx

Hermie on the Isle of Arran

Hermie lands on the Isle of Arran

Well folks I made it back home safely. I may look a bit worse for wear and my horns are very wobbly and fragile, but i'm ready for my next adventure!

I think I heard the school's October half term is coming up soon and Gill and her husband Barry are heading up to the Isle of Arran and taking me with them! How lucky am !!

I'm getting to be quite a seasoned traveller.

More news soon

Love Hermie xxx

High ropes and mountain biking

From here we travelled inland to the resort of Segries where we enjoyed a two day descent down the Ardeche river and then high ropes and mountain biking with a final session in the pool.

I decided no more water for me so stayed at the helm of the canoes to get a birds eye view of everything. It had certainly been quite an ordeal!

You can see the teachers provided me with liquid refreshments to keep my temperature down

and I even tried smoking-talk about leading me astray!! Yak, it smelt disgusting and it was highly dangerous as my wooly coat nearly caught fire!

This was certainly a high cry from my home pastures in Northumberland.

Homeward bound, as I know I have another exciting journey

soon.

Hermie goes on a water sports residential

A week after my adventures in India I was whisked off with The Hermitage Academy students for a water sports residential to the twin campsites of Mimosa and Segries in the South of France.

A group of 32 students and five teachers made the long journey by coach to enjoy a range of watersports activities, such as pico sailing, catamarans, windsurfing, kayaking, snorkelling and banana boats in Mimosa on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

My only worry was that I wasn't sure if I could swim and also my wooly coat may get so heavy with the water I may sink! H-E-L-P!*!*!

The weather was red hot and the students were really enjoying the outdoor life. Compared to the summer weather in Chester-le-Street this felt like heaven- it was a fantastic opportunity for all involved!

You will see that I managed to hitch a ride on the banana boat and just about survived this experience. I was

strapped into the lifejacket.

However, my coat was drenched through and the red from my horns ran into my coat, giving me a sunkissed look! Oh dear, Sue I'm so sorry my horns became loose and fell off into the sand.

My new friends dried me off and looked after me, as i was in a state of shock! My horns were attached again but they are very wobbly.