Malmesbury Abbey Gardens 2

This is actually the home of the "Naked Gardeners" of TV fame.
There was a 'clothes optional' day on the Sunday of our weekend visit.
We visted on the Saturday!

As usual, I have lots of photos but had better stop here or you will all be nodding off.

See what I mean?

Malmesbury Abbey Gardens

This is the first glimpse you get of the Abbey Gardens

And then it just gets better...

And better...

And better...

Malmesbury 3

Apologies for the previous post where I duplicated a photo I had already posted!

We and our chums stayed at The Horse & Groom in Malmesbury which was excellent with very friendly staff, great rooms and well cooked and presented food. The beer was good too - just by the way.

While we were close, we took our friends to see the Caen Hill flight of locks on the Kennet & Avon canal. Unfortunately the flight was closed due some emergency repairs so there wasn't much boating activity although the flight itself was still as spectacular as ever.

Malmesbury 2

Some more photos of Malmesbury Abbey

Market Cross - were were in the pub (surprise, surprise!) when SWMBO was recruited by one of the waitresses to ring for the wedding previously mentioned.

Malmesbury Abbey

During our weekend in Malmesbury SWMBO was recruited to ring the bells for a wedding as the local band were a bit short of ringers.
We have no idea who these people are - but this is the bride and groom.

The bells were in a separate tower so one of the ringers was in the abbey porch with his mobile phone waiting to give the order to start.

Homeward

We travelled the reverse route (obviously!) and caught the train to Lausanne.

And then the train from Lausanne to Dijon.

We thought they had made some serious translation error at the Holiday Inn when they mentioned the pillow menu.

But here it is!

Rain!

Just after we got back from the island the heavens opened and everyone sheltered under the 'town hall' - naturally we sheltered under the awning of a bar!


We were then very glad of that awful road train!

San Giulio

This 'town hall' was going to prove very useful.

Bit of an arty photo?

Lake Orta

Relaxing evening shandy or two overlooking Lake Maggiore.

The next day we went to the village of Orta on Lake Orta. After parking in the coach park we took the road train down to the village. We all thought this train was pretty awful - but more of that to follow...

Isalnd of San Giulio.

On the island.

Back to Stresa

Our nice leisurely cruise back to Stresa.

Docking in Stresa.

Locarno

Lakeside gardens at Locarno.

Lots of boating activity on the lake.

This was our boat for the one and a half hour cruise back to Stresa.