JR's Retirement

Lode Water Mill

2012-02-11T15:00:00.001Z

This is Lode Water Mill in the grounds of Anglesey Abbey.

They had quite a lot of eager visitors - some just eager to get out of the cold, I think?

The mill was in full working order grinding flour.

As a special treat next time- some video!

Back to Anglesey Abbey...

2012-02-07T11:34:00.003Z

More of the colourful winter garden.

Aha! some snowdrops!

Very spectacular stand of trees.

We interrupt this blog....

2012-02-05T16:51:00.001Z

Here are some photos taken from the St.Mary's church tower this morning.

A bit more down to earth.

Man and dog - not great quality as taken with the camera phone and them 'zoomed in' quite a bit.

Very good though!

Anglesey Abbey winter garden

2012-02-02T15:55:00.002Z

Here's the spectacular winter garden at Anglesey Abbey as promised.
There were quite a lot of visitors around but I managed to get some good photos by being patient!

Anglesey Abbey snowdrops

2012-01-31T14:46:00.002Z

On Sunday we went to Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire for their snowdrop festival.
The snowdrops weren't really at their best, but as you will see later, we saw the best winter garden we have ever seen!
Here's the house and surrounding buildings.

Childwickbury history book

2012-01-27T10:22:00.001Z

If you're interested in learning more about Childwickbury, I can thoroughly recommend this book by one of our Museum Friends, Christine Aitken.
Christine actually lived on the estate - so she knows what she's talking about!
The book tells the story of the estate from Medieval times to the present day.
If you want further details, please email me using the link on the right.
It's a fascinating read.

Childwickbury green

2012-01-24T12:21:00.001Z

Some rather nice estate houses

The well on the green

Childwickbury estate church

2012-01-21T10:29:00.002Z

Childwickbury is a large private estate to the north of St.Albans which sits between the A5 and the A6.
This is St,Mary's church on the estate.

Underground burial vault.

Inscription on top of the vault - click to enlarge photo

Cold outside - Warm inside

2012-01-16T15:16:00.001Z

How often does Poppy have to move just to keep in the small shaft of winter sunshine in our lounge?

St.Albans - Samuel Ryder Trail 3

2012-01-12T09:47:00.001Z

This was Samuel's first city centre office for Ryders Seeds. It was in the gabled bit on the right above a hatter's shop.

The first head office next to The White Hart. The original building was replaced in 1911. You can see the carved reliefs of sowers and reapers.

Now The Comfort Hotel.

The Exhibition Hall - an Art Deco building opened in 1931.

Now Cafe Rouge.

St.Albans - Samuel Ryder Trail 2

2012-01-09T10:47:00.001Z

This is the Independent Chapel where Samuel was an important member of the congregation and was elected one of the elders.

Here's where Sam and his brother James set up a herbal business. This was one of the first Heath & Heather shops through whom the first sponsorship of professional golf tournaments started. In 1968 the brand became part of Holland & Barrett,

St.Albans - Samuel Ryder Trail 1

2012-01-06T16:15:00.002Z

Although Samuel Ryder is best remembered as the founder of the Ryder Cup, he was also one of St.Albans’ most notable citizens as a successful businessman, churchman and local politician.
This is the Old Meeting House, which is a former chapel which Samuel Ryder rented as his seed warehouse.

This is the Independent Chapel Sunday School where Samuel was appointed superintendent of the Sunday School supervising 18 teachers and 310 pupils.

New Year's Day in St.Albans

2012-01-02T11:15:00.001Z

A flowering cherry(?) tree!

Wimereux to Les Attaques

2012-01-01T15:25:00.001Z

(HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!)

Lunch before returning home was at Restaurant de la Gare at Les Attaques where we are always assured of an excellent meal.
The restaurant is run by Stephane and Angelina Melchior who provide cuisine traditionelle et artisanale.

We had been advised by previous visitors to take a look in the cemetery opposite the restaurant where there are a large number of "reserved" graves which we presume are currently empty.

Even a rack for the watering cans!

Wimereux

2011-12-29T11:39:00.001Z

A few weekends ago we made our annual trip to Wimereux in France with our good friends Michael and Penny. A good chance for some Christmas shopping and a nice stay at Hotel du Centre with a warm welcome and excellent food (and wine!).

Needless to say, there was one hopeful stowaway.

Wimereux promenade - not as cold as previous years, but still pretty bracing.

Happy Christmas

2011-12-24T11:08:00.001Z

Thank you to everyone for following the blog throughout 2011.

Merry Christmas and a very Happy 2012!

Only one more sleep to go...or perhaps six for Poppy?

Quick - just in time for Christmas!

2011-12-20T20:28:00.002Z

http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/link/m3/Product,Product.aspx?artnr=34-6723

What do you think?

St.Saviour's Christmas Tree Festival

2011-12-20T09:42:00.000Z

Visited St.Saviour's Church in St.Albans on Sunday to see their Christmas Tree Festival.
Very good it was too - there were 93 trees!

The next generation

2011-12-15T16:14:00.000Z

Oh dear, if he doesn't buck his ideas up he'll be delivering newspapers for the rest of his life?

Rochester outing 4

2011-12-12T10:16:00.001Z

Nice view with the cathedral in the foreground and the castle in the background.

We finished with an organ recital by Roger Sayer. We were able to see what was going on via the screen which had been set up especially for us, with a video camera on the keyboards and foot pedals.

Roger Sayer kindly joined us afterwards for questions. You can see the screen better in this photo.

Rochester outing 3

2011-12-08T10:10:00.000Z

Our tour was due to end at noon in the High Street - how's that for timing?
And right outside a pub too!

Rochester Cathedral crypt during our second guided tour of the day.

Nice photo do you think?

Rochester outing 2

2011-12-05T09:46:00.000Z

Here's Rochester's Norman castle

They were getting ready for a re-enactment weekend.

Views from the castle of the River Medway.

Museum outing to Rochester

2011-12-01T22:48:00.000Z

A little while ago SWMBO and I arranged an outing for the Friends of Redbourn Museum, to Rochester.
We had a very good trip round the M25 and arrived at exactly our scheduled time, had refreshments at the visitor centre, then we split into three groups and had walking tours of the city.
Our guide was this very enthusiastic "Lady in Red".

Heston Blumenthal's Waitrose Mince Pies

2011-11-26T19:59:00.000Z

If you wonder why the pies don't smell of Christmas Trees and taste of Christmas as promised, it's because you haven't read the instructions properly and you will later discover the sachet of pine sugar in the box where you have left it.
Oh well, I suppose I now have twice as much "Christmas Taste" for the next batch of pies we get!

Ocado - didn't you read my mushroom post?

2011-11-24T14:42:00.000Z

Had an Ocado delivery last night and was tempted by their Mumbai Spice Banquet Box (Yes, being lazy). Unfortunately they chose to substitute this with their Punjabi Thali which contains Mushroom Rice! I would normally pick out the bits of mushroom but this contained mushroom paste which made that a little difficult. So, no rice for me. I could easily have cooked some but as the box came with two naan breads, I decided I didn't really need rice. The Mumbai box is apparently available even now, so I don't know what happened.
The 'couldn't deliver an alternative' section was quite unbelievable. I ordered Hovis white sliced bread and they reckoned they didn't have any other white (sliced?) bread to replace it with. I ordered double cream and they had no alternative - what about single cream or a second long-life double cream which I had ordered and received anyway?
Needless to say (you know me) they have received an email and I will let you know what their response is.

Shaggy Parasol mushrooms - or are they?

2011-11-21T14:50:00.000Z

These mushrooms suddenly sprouted (as they do) in our garden.
They were very spectacular, and the flat version in the bottom photo was the size of a small dinner plate.
SWMBO got the books out and identified it as a Shaggy Parasol which was confirmed(?) when it bruised orange/red when cut.
The book advised trying a small amount (which must be cooked) first, so I fried up a couple of pieces and stood by the phone "999 ready" as she tried it.
All was fine and she will probably have a larger amount this evening.
Unlike me, SWMBO likes and can eat mushrooms.
If I even have a button mushroom, there are dire consequences involving toilet roll...
Nuff said!

River Weaver 2

2011-11-19T15:06:00.000Z

Huge salt works near Northwich with lorries endlessly entering and leaving the site - possibly 24 hours a day?

Back at the lift to travel back up to the Trent & Mersey canal

River Weaver

2011-11-17T14:59:00.000Z

Being released on to the River Weaver

Waiting to enter Hunt's Lock No.2

Ramblers rambling over Hunt's Lock

Leaving Hunt's Lock and heading for Winsford

Anderton Lift 3

2011-11-15T09:20:00.002Z

Man taking photo of man taking photo as he goes up, and we go down.

Caisson going up on hydraulic ram.

Down at River Weaver level.

We have booked our passage back up for tomorrow.

Anderton Lift 2

2011-11-11T09:47:00.000Z

We were confused when viewing the lift from 'the top' as it appeared that both of the caissons (tanks) were in the 'up' position which wasn't how we thought it worked.
In fact, the bit you can see from the top is the connecting channel to the lift itself - see below.

Here we are crossing the connecting channel.

And into the lift itself.

Anderton Lift 1

2011-11-09T11:09:00.000Z

You may remember some time ago that we went past the Anderton Boat Lift when we were last on narrowboat Stella?
We said we were hoping to travel on it next time - well. we've done it!
Here's the lift before the first 'trip' of the day.

Here are the first two boats of the day having come up from the River Weaver to the Trent & Mersey Canal.

First one out.

Second one out - now it's our turn to go down.

Gazania

2011-11-06T22:49:00.000Z

This is our Gazania, still flowering on Guy Fawkes Night (Day).

Pidley-cum-Fenton

2011-11-03T19:48:00.001Z

Hopefully posts will now return to what I call "normal" following Mum's funeral.
Things have to return to normal sometime.
A couple of months ago we visited our friends in Cambridgeshire and went to a flower festival at All Saints' Church in Pidley-cum-Fenton.
A really good effort by a fairly small church.

Naughty WH Smith

2011-10-31T14:38:00.001Z

Is this encouraging divorce?
Had enough of that marriage? Buy some new pages and start again.
Only joking - I think...

Unfair Sainsbury's

2011-10-22T12:16:00.000+01:00

No wonder they got caught - how are they going to get away if they're skinless and boneless?

R.I.P. Mum

2011-10-19T15:22:00.001+01:00

Mum died last week.
As a tribute, our Strelitzia decided to flower for the first time.
We bought 5 seeds when we were in Madeira - in the market at Funchal.
The stallholder explained in sign language that they flower after 9 years.
Two seeds germinated. One plant lasted about 5 years - and this is the other!
The seeds were sown in 2002 - there you go...

R.I.P. Mum

29th September 1924 - 8th October 2011

Ship canal, Anderton, Hadar

2011-10-17T15:56:00.002+01:00

Manchester Ship Canal - quite a walk from our canal!

A glimpse of the Anderton Lift to the River Weaver which we hope to travel on next time.

The famous Hadar of blogging fame - with Marmite on the Buckby can.

Lymm & Grappenhall

2011-10-14T15:51:00.000+01:00

Unusual carving found while walking around Lymm reservoir.

While we were then moored at Grappenhall, we walked to the Parr Arms...

...and the Rams Head.

House near the two pubs - not bad eh?

Lymm

2011-10-10T15:46:00.002+01:00

We arrived at Lymm around lunchtime but found it such a pleasant spot that we stayed until the following day.

Stream from the reservoir in the village centre.

Market Cross.

Stella is the first moored boat on the left.

Escape from the Rochdale Nine

2011-10-07T15:43:00.002+01:00

This is as we left the bottom lock - these poor souls had the ascent to come!

Start of the Bridgewater Canal

Rochdale Nine

2011-10-04T15:40:00.001+01:00

This is where the canal suddenly dives under Manchester city centre and we begin to descend the dreadful Rochdale Nine locks.

It's like taking your boat through an underground car park.

All the water levels were completely wrong and working the locks was a nightmare. Some of the way there was no towpath at all so that involved crew being deposited right at the lock entrance from the bow of the boat. We were very lucky to be paired up with an old working boat called Larch which helped enormously by tying ropes to the lock gates and pulling them open against the flow of water.

All sorts of things...

2011-10-01T15:34:00.001+01:00

Viaduct

Aqueduct (why is it not an aquaduct?)

I think SWMBO said this was a Speckled Wood

Nice duck house in the middle of Manchester

Post No. 500

2011-09-29T15:30:00.000+01:00

Hello Readers!
This is blog post 500
Just one photo to celebrate!

Heron, Mill, Bosley Locks

2011-09-26T09:20:00.000+01:00

The title says it all really!
Here's a nice heron...
Well, I don't know he/she is a nice heron - but it's a nice photo?

Goyt Mill at Marple

Waiting to go down the Bosley Flight

This is where SWMBO had to give up with the lower paddle gear as every one was incredibly stiff. I had to take over locking while SWMBO steered. Yes, they were really stiff. Since then we have bought a long throw windlass to make life a bit easier.

Little Moreton Hall 2

2011-09-23T10:45:00.000+01:00

Little Moreton Hall

2011-09-20T09:46:00.000+01:00

We moored up and walked about a mile to the National Trust's Little Moreton Hall.
Blimey, it's wonky!
We had a very interesting guided tour and then headed back to the boat for lunch.

Back aboard Stella - The Cheshire Ring

2011-09-18T10:09:00.001+01:00

Thanks to Mary for pointing out that the photos hadn't posted on this blog entry.
Hopefully they will post now? Blogger is being a bit erratic again at the moment...

Waiting our turn at the Harecastle Tunnel.
We only had to wait 15 minutes which is very good.

Hall Green lock with its strange long narrow entrance.

End of the weekend

2011-09-14T10:46:00.000+01:00

At the end of their weekend away the girls went to Allington Lock on the River Medway where there was quite a bit of activity.

Museum of Kent Life

2011-09-12T15:06:00.000+01:00

The next day the girls went to the Museum of Kent Life -
where they found out all about hops and hop picking!

Leeds Catle 2

2011-09-09T10:18:00.000+01:00

Lots of nice photos here!

They've even got a dog collar museum.

Did I mention the nice photos?

Leeds Castle

2011-09-06T10:32:00.000+01:00

A few weeks ago, SWMBO and some chums from work went to Kent for the weekend.
I found them a good deal at the Maidstone Village Hotel and they had a great time.
They went to Leeds Castle on the Saturday.

Batteries from Sainsburys

2011-09-03T11:37:00.001+01:00

Recently I bought a pack of four PP3 batteries from Sainsburys.

On the back was this rather alarming sticker.

I contacted Sainsburys and mentioned that this might be a bit dangerous as although 99% of us know not to put batteries in a microwave oven, there's always the 'odd' person who might not.

Sainsburys advised me that the sticker is used for high value items which is usually food, and in any case there is a warning on the pack which says not to put batteries in a microwave oven. I couldn't find the warning - and no, it's not under the sticker in tiny print either.

Basically they told me to go away.

Unusual visitor

2011-09-01T15:42:00.000+01:00

One evening recently after SWMBO had gone out to bellringing I thought I heard a noise from the lounge. Thinking she had come back for something I went down to see her and discovered a different type of bird.
Here it is sitting inside the patio doors on the carpet, wondering what had happened.

Poppy then appeared and gave its tail a very gentle tap before backing off.

I let the bird (sparrowhawk?) out and resumed what I was doing on the computer. About half an hour later when I returned to the lounge I found what the bird had chased in!

Malmesbury Abbey Gardens 2

2011-08-28T16:28:00.002+01:00

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

2011-08-26T22:47:00.000+01:00

This is the first glimpse you get of the Abbey Gardens

And then it just gets better...

And better...

Malmesbury 3

2011-08-24T15:54:00.000+01:00

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

2011-08-22T14:43:00.000+01:00

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

2011-08-20T15:30:00.001+01:00

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

2011-08-18T15:24:00.002+01:00

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!

2011-08-16T15:20:00.001+01:00

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

2011-08-14T15:17:00.000+01:00

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

Bit of an arty photo?

Lake Orta

2011-08-12T15:12:00.000+01:00

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

2011-08-10T15:06:00.002+01:00

Our nice leisurely cruise back to Stresa.

Docking in Stresa.

Locarno

2011-08-08T15:03:00.001+01:00

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.

Trip to Locarno

2011-08-05T15:01:00.000+01:00

We went to Locarno on the narrow guage Centovalli railway.

It was very hot - so we had a long lunch in the cafe on the far right of the photo.

Villa Taranto - more spectacular!

2011-08-03T15:22:00.000+01:00

Here's a few photos to round off our trip to Villa Taranto - what a place!

Return boat trip

Amazing lillies

2011-08-01T13:47:00.000+01:00

Just had to give a whole post to these lillies.
Unfortunately I don't think they would be as good in England - even if they could survive.
Might be worth a try though?

Villa Taranto

2011-07-30T09:59:00.000+01:00

On one of our free days we took a boat right across the lake to Villa Taranto with its spectacular gardens.

Stained glass window inside a small chapel.

Gardens on Isola Bella

2011-07-28T15:53:00.000+01:00

I don't really need to comment. Monty Don said it all when he visited! Spectacular.

Isola Bella

2011-07-26T11:13:00.000+01:00

On Isola Bella - everywhere you turn, there's another photo opportunity!

Lunch!

Isola Madre

2011-07-23T11:05:00.002+01:00

Trip by boat to Isola Madre

The villa - no photography allowed inside, although many people seemed to be ignoring that!

This tree was toppled during high winds several years ago but has been re-planted and seems to be recovering

Leaving Isola Madre

Alpine gardens

2011-07-21T09:06:00.000+01:00

We stopped at the middle station of the cable car on our return journey and went to the alpine gardens which were very interesting, good value, and had some marvellous views.

Mount Mottarone chapel

2011-07-18T10:47:00.000+01:00

This is the chapel on Mount Mottarone. As you will have seen, there are some amazing views from here.

Very modern paintings (click to enlarge)

Mount Mottarone

2011-07-15T14:34:00.001+01:00

We did the usual tourist thing of taking the cable car up to Mount Mottarone. We went early (for us!) in the morning when it wasn't too misty.

My obligatory photo of the cable car coming the other way!

View from the top.

At the hotel

2011-07-13T11:52:00.000+01:00

The swimming pool which SWMBO enjoyed

View of the lake from the swimming pool area

Isola Bella

Local inhabitant

Lausanne to Stresa

2011-07-11T11:02:00.000+01:00

TGV from Lausanne to Stresa

Stresa station

The Grand Hotel Bristol which although quite large, proved to be a very friendly place where we had a thoroughly enjoyable stay

Our first night at Lake Maggiore

Lausanne

2011-07-09T15:49:00.001+01:00

Dijon Station where we boarded the train to Lausanne in Switzerland

Lake Geneva at Lausanne

Impressive paddle steamer "La Suisse"

Dijon Old Town

2011-07-07T15:45:00.000+01:00

Some photos of the old town luckily untouched by the tram works.

Dijon - outward

2011-07-05T20:53:00.000+01:00

Our overnight stop was at Dijon in the excellent Mercure hotel.
The city centre is in turmoil at present due to the building of a new tram system.
One nice touch is that the barriers you can see are all in magenta which is apparently the colour scheme for the new trams.
This is the view from our hotel room.

SWMBO was dismayed to see a reminder of work at the hotel as Menarini are a company that she deals with - and they were having a meeting at the hotel

Then, when we went to walk into the town, the building next door housed offices of Abbott who are another company she deals with!

Paris - Gare du Nord

2011-07-03T11:58:00.000+01:00

Just back from 10 days at Lake Maggiore in Italy.
243 photos taken - oh dear. Digital cameras have a lot to answer for!
This could take some posting, but I will try to keep it interesting - and short(ish).
We started off by Eurostar from St.Pancras to Paris.
Being only 20 minutes from St.Pancras and just having to change platforms essentially makes for a very simple journey.
Gare du Nord is a great station unless you are travelling back from there by Eurostar. More of that later.

Rose Society Gardens

2011-06-30T11:56:00.001+01:00

The Rose Society Gardens in St.Albans opened a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed some sunshine.
The mayor of St.Albans was there too!

On the roof

2011-06-27T11:52:00.001+01:00

Views from St.Mary's Church tower in Redbourn

Boxmoor Canal Festival

2011-06-24T11:49:00.001+01:00

Recent festival at Boxmoor in aid of the Wendover Arm Trust

Harrogate sights

2011-06-21T11:45:00.000+01:00

Harrogate Brasserie interior

2011-06-20T09:23:00.000+01:00

Here's the inside of the brasserie

Live music too!

Interesting bar area

I think SWMBO was trying to make me jealous?

Harrogate Brasserie

2011-06-17T11:39:00.000+01:00

SWMBO has recently been to a conference in Harrogate and was lucky enough to book in at the Harrogate Brasserie which she said was excellent.

What about this for a bedroom?

Huge bathroom as well.

Chinnor Railway Diesels

2011-06-11T10:30:00.002+01:00

Diesel going nowhere today

This is the train which was going to Bledlow Bridge Halt - and back!

We saw up to five red kites at any one time

You may need to click on the photo to enlarge it!

What a good half a day out - recommended by JR

Chinnor Railway 2

2011-06-09T10:13:00.001+01:00

Behind the steam train - in the guards van

Inside the guards van

Looking out of the back of the guards van as we approach the station

Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway

2011-06-06T09:25:00.003+01:00

A couple of weekends ago we went to the
Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway

At the moment it only runs from Chinnor Station to Thame Junction but an extension is planned to Princes Risborough when the old line is restored.

It's all run by volunteers and a very enthusistic lot they are too. Firstly we had a ride in a guards van behind the steam train shown above, then we rode a diesel to the end of the line before visiting the signal box.

Rhodedendron and Allium

2011-06-03T09:54:00.001+01:00

More 'posts from the garden'

Views from the top

2011-05-31T09:51:00.001+01:00

Looking down on Market Place and on to St.Peter's Street and St.Peter's church in the distance

St.Albans Cathedral - looking in to the sun unfortunately

The Peahen junction

Christopher Place shopping centre

Up St.Albans clock tower

2011-05-27T10:19:00.000+01:00

Here's the bell in the clock tower - I don't think it has been rung for some time!

At the top - you can see the door to the roof on the right

This is the 'guide' on the roof showing what you can see in each direction - very well done

St.Albans Clock Tower

2011-05-24T10:04:00.000+01:00

Recently St.Albans clock tower reopened after a 'spruce up'. I've never climbed the tower so we went along to see what had been done. It's all very smart now with very good information boards.

Here's the clock itself. Even this seems to have been cleaned up.

No nice old pennies like on Big Ben's pendulum - just a collection of old washers to ensure it keeps the correct time.

More of the clock mechanism.

Peonies

2011-05-22T10:01:00.000+01:00

Couple of nice peonies in the garden

Caravans and Motorhomes

2011-05-18T16:11:00.000+01:00

SWMBO made a very valid observation the other day..."Why are caravans and motorhomes always (usually?) white?"

Yes, surely if they were green for example, they would blend in to the scenery and avoid impacting on beauty spots so much. There's nothing worse than seeing a campsite on a hillside with rows and rows of white caravans. Paint them green!

A Dover church

2011-05-17T10:39:00.000+01:00

Here's a couple of nice photos of a derelict church in Dover town.
The church was bombed during the war and the ruins left as a memorial.
I particularly liked the way this doorway had been 'bricked up'.

Dover Castle - final post

2011-05-16T10:20:00.001+01:00

I have been contacted by Britain's National Tourism Agency asking if I would like to include a link to their web page about Dover Castle?
"Good idea", I said... Clickety Click here it is!
As I've said many times, I must include more links.

Anglo-Saxon church, St.Mary in Castro (St.Mary in the Castle), and Roman lighthouse - The Pharos

Inside the church - obviously!

We also visited the secret wartime tunnels but no photography was allowed. As I'm being watched by the National Tourism Agency, I'd better not reproduce any of the official photographs here! Anyway, go and have a look yourselves.

Inside Dover Castle

2011-05-14T11:38:00.001+01:00

Apparently the displays inside the castle are greatly improved since SWMBO was last there.

The great dining hall.

Even some 'actors' doing their best to bring the castle to life.

Dover town and port

2011-05-11T10:37:00.000+01:00

Views from the castle grounds.

Dover Castle

2011-05-09T14:01:00.001+01:00

We trudged up the HUGE hill to the castle and spent a couple of hours happily wandering around. SWMBO hadn't been there for years.

The only downside was, as we realised afterwards, that we were given pensioner rates at the admission desk - they didn't feel they needed to ask obviously!

Mind you, after the climb up that hill, we probably did look like we hadn't got many more years left.

This is inside the wartime lookout post.