Our day started with a trip to the Apothecary. I was helped by a delightful young man, who seemed to know what we were talking about, asked the right questions and I got what I wanted . Hopefully I will not disturb my friend as much tonight as last night.
We went to a fairly drab part of town to the former Stasi headquarters where there is now a museum about how they were formed, how pervasive were their operations, and how they fell apart quite quickly .
Tomorrow we leave very early to catch the 6.40 train to Munich . We will, be staying with friends of Noels for the night and getting to our hotel in Munich late on Wednesday.
I have struggled with language. Someone speaks to me in German and I reply without thinking in Italian. Wires crossed in my poor brain.
The standard size of a glass of wine is 200 ml here, 175 in UK. Compares to 125 in AUS!
My travelling companion continues to frustrate me with his oldNess, but this is outweighed by the companionship we have and the laughs we have . Did I mention we are now finishing off our red after dinner?
Monday, August 24, 2015
Sunday, August 23, 2015
Berlin day 4
Today has been another easy day due to the tour directors poor health. This morning we experienced, yet again , the excellent transport system in this city. It is Sunday, the trams and buses and trains all seem to move with the same frequency as during the week I.e. Every 10 minutes or better.
We went to a museum / memorial to the Resistance by the German people, both civilian and military, to the Nazi regime before and during Ww2. The displays led up to the failed attempt on Hitler life by von Stauffenberg. Visitors entered the building through an archway into a courtyard. It was very stark with only a life sized statue of a naked man, hands bound in front of him, eyes downcast, but resolute, determined, not cowed, and inspiring to look at.
The displays in each of 13 rooms were well laid out. It was easy to read just the main panel in each room, or you could supplement that with other articles and quotes from people involved.
We left feeling both fortunate that we have never had to make choices such as many Germans had to make, dismayed at the inhumanity perpetrated but with a sense of hope that ordinary people can do extraordinary things, usually at the cost of their lives.
Luckily there was a nice place for coffee over the road to unwind at. We walked from there through a tiny, tiny section of the Tiergarten for about a 30 minute stroll.
After a restful afternoon we visited the local church, Marienkirche., that is, St Marys. We arrived at 5.30 to find it was an Anglican church and had a service starting at 6 pm. We pottered around looking at the amazing organ and a very ornate pulpit and lots of paintings but not too many twiddly bits everywhere. Noel stayed for the service. It was quite traditional, thees and thous, not many peobple, booming organ drowning out everything, my military history teacher enjoyed it very much.
We went to a museum / memorial to the Resistance by the German people, both civilian and military, to the Nazi regime before and during Ww2. The displays led up to the failed attempt on Hitler life by von Stauffenberg. Visitors entered the building through an archway into a courtyard. It was very stark with only a life sized statue of a naked man, hands bound in front of him, eyes downcast, but resolute, determined, not cowed, and inspiring to look at.
The displays in each of 13 rooms were well laid out. It was easy to read just the main panel in each room, or you could supplement that with other articles and quotes from people involved.
We left feeling both fortunate that we have never had to make choices such as many Germans had to make, dismayed at the inhumanity perpetrated but with a sense of hope that ordinary people can do extraordinary things, usually at the cost of their lives.
Luckily there was a nice place for coffee over the road to unwind at. We walked from there through a tiny, tiny section of the Tiergarten for about a 30 minute stroll.
After a restful afternoon we visited the local church, Marienkirche., that is, St Marys. We arrived at 5.30 to find it was an Anglican church and had a service starting at 6 pm. We pottered around looking at the amazing organ and a very ornate pulpit and lots of paintings but not too many twiddly bits everywhere. Noel stayed for the service. It was quite traditional, thees and thous, not many peobple, booming organ drowning out everything, my military history teacher enjoyed it very much.
Saturday, August 22, 2015
Berlin day 3
Not well, want to go to bed, thus blog brief.
This morning we went by train to Potsdam and went on a hop on hop off bus trip of the town and the sites. The town was interesting, particularly for its 18th century architecture, or rather it's rebuilt 18th century architects. Not much was left after 1945. We got off at schloss Cecilia something . It was the location of the potsdam conference that divided up some of Europe in 1945. I sat on the ground in the shade taking photos of all the boats that went past, ranging from huge tour boats to an overweight man on his SUP while the german scholar who is also teaching me about military history, did a tour of the schloss.
This morning we went by train to Potsdam and went on a hop on hop off bus trip of the town and the sites. The town was interesting, particularly for its 18th century architecture, or rather it's rebuilt 18th century architects. Not much was left after 1945. We got off at schloss Cecilia something . It was the location of the potsdam conference that divided up some of Europe in 1945. I sat on the ground in the shade taking photos of all the boats that went past, ranging from huge tour boats to an overweight man on his SUP while the german scholar who is also teaching me about military history, did a tour of the schloss.
Friday, August 21, 2015
Berlin day 2
This morning we walked and trained to the main railway station of Berlin. We leave from this station next Tuesday at the crack of dawn for Munich and didnot want any suprises. It is an interesting modern building, but with all the usual noise , bustle and shops of a major railway station.
From there we took a bus to the main art gallery of old masters. Lots and lots of interesting paintings. The layout of the gallery was annoying. Small pokey rooms off other pokey rooms. Easy to miss a room and a 5 star painting.
We had lunch there, gathered our wits and set off again on another train to look at a part of the wall. We watched a 30 minute film about the history and then wandered around an area where you could see the outer wall, the inner wall and the 'death zone' in between. For us, the right mix of information, not too much sentimentality but still compassionate and moving.
Another train and walk to a coffee and wool shop, but their coffee machine was broken. Luckily over the road was an excellent deli like place which sold good coffee and a delicious piece of kuchen. The German scholar sat on a park bench studying his german book with his eyes closed while I browsed in the shop. Amongst other interesting wool they had some yak wool, some wool from English border leister sheep and some wool from the same supplier on the Shetland Islands as the wool I brought. I bought some cable needles with notches so the stitches do not slip off, but will the stitches come off easily when you want them to?
I have not been firing on all cylinders for a few days now and so this evening we took the easy option of going to a place around the corner we went to the other day. They do not have any red from Germany on their Weincarte , so we had a Spanish rioja and a french merlot. At least I persuaded the German scholar not to have a De Bortoli. Speaking of which , we have learnt an important word - trocken - dry as in wine.
From there we took a bus to the main art gallery of old masters. Lots and lots of interesting paintings. The layout of the gallery was annoying. Small pokey rooms off other pokey rooms. Easy to miss a room and a 5 star painting.
We had lunch there, gathered our wits and set off again on another train to look at a part of the wall. We watched a 30 minute film about the history and then wandered around an area where you could see the outer wall, the inner wall and the 'death zone' in between. For us, the right mix of information, not too much sentimentality but still compassionate and moving.
Another train and walk to a coffee and wool shop, but their coffee machine was broken. Luckily over the road was an excellent deli like place which sold good coffee and a delicious piece of kuchen. The German scholar sat on a park bench studying his german book with his eyes closed while I browsed in the shop. Amongst other interesting wool they had some yak wool, some wool from English border leister sheep and some wool from the same supplier on the Shetland Islands as the wool I brought. I bought some cable needles with notches so the stitches do not slip off, but will the stitches come off easily when you want them to?
I have not been firing on all cylinders for a few days now and so this evening we took the easy option of going to a place around the corner we went to the other day. They do not have any red from Germany on their Weincarte , so we had a Spanish rioja and a french merlot. At least I persuaded the German scholar not to have a De Bortoli. Speaking of which , we have learnt an important word - trocken - dry as in wine.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Berlin day 1
Today started slowly. We enjoyed breakfast and then went to buy a discount card for transport and activities. There were long queues, so we spent ages, longer than if we had stayed in the first queue , following scant directions to slmewhere else and waited jn another queue. We were told we had to validate it before we could use it. That meant , for us, getting onto the first tram that came along, putting our card into the machine, and getting off at the next
stop and walking back to where we started from.
An interjection. Bloggers instructions are now appearing to me in German. IF I tell my tablet to translate into English, I get a little box obscuring my typing asking if I want to add to the German translation, or some such thing. Very annoying. Hence more unfixed errors.
After our discard card was validated we then used it to get a reduction on a 2 hour city bus tour. It was an excellent introduction to the city. The commentary was provided, through a recording into our earphones, of 2 old codgers one from the west and one from the east providing info and reminiscing. We were impressed by the modern buildings in between old, or rebuilt 'old' , the large expanses of green parks or wide tree lined streets.
After lunch we came back to our hotel for a while, for the tour guide to get organised and come up with a rough plan for the next 4 days, and for the German scholar to look up some more useful words. We wandered off again to look at some things in our area , quite central, old East. We looked at a church, wandered along the river bank . There was a building site behind some barriers and on the barriers were pictures of an exhibition of the best photos from 125 years of national geographic photos. They were brilliant. We enjoyed them. Our destination was Nikolaiviertel, the site of the city medieval core which was razed in 1944 and rebuilt in the 80s by the GDR. Our book says it is touristy and a bit tacky but with some reasonable cafes serving authentic german food. The only shop i saw sold upmarket german dresses. It was not as touristy as we thought it might be, we found a cafe in a secluded courtyard with a lovely view of an old church, we had some nice wine , a glass of a different german reisling and a glass of silvaner, a dry white , we had some nice food, my friend the German scholar talked to the waiters in patchy German, and we finished off with apfelkuchen mit streusel. A lovely evening.
stop and walking back to where we started from.
An interjection. Bloggers instructions are now appearing to me in German. IF I tell my tablet to translate into English, I get a little box obscuring my typing asking if I want to add to the German translation, or some such thing. Very annoying. Hence more unfixed errors.
After our discard card was validated we then used it to get a reduction on a 2 hour city bus tour. It was an excellent introduction to the city. The commentary was provided, through a recording into our earphones, of 2 old codgers one from the west and one from the east providing info and reminiscing. We were impressed by the modern buildings in between old, or rebuilt 'old' , the large expanses of green parks or wide tree lined streets.
After lunch we came back to our hotel for a while, for the tour guide to get organised and come up with a rough plan for the next 4 days, and for the German scholar to look up some more useful words. We wandered off again to look at some things in our area , quite central, old East. We looked at a church, wandered along the river bank . There was a building site behind some barriers and on the barriers were pictures of an exhibition of the best photos from 125 years of national geographic photos. They were brilliant. We enjoyed them. Our destination was Nikolaiviertel, the site of the city medieval core which was razed in 1944 and rebuilt in the 80s by the GDR. Our book says it is touristy and a bit tacky but with some reasonable cafes serving authentic german food. The only shop i saw sold upmarket german dresses. It was not as touristy as we thought it might be, we found a cafe in a secluded courtyard with a lovely view of an old church, we had some nice wine , a glass of a different german reisling and a glass of silvaner, a dry white , we had some nice food, my friend the German scholar talked to the waiters in patchy German, and we finished off with apfelkuchen mit streusel. A lovely evening.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Arrived Berlin
Much waiting, 3 planes, a little anxiousness because the connections were tight and the B team checked me in and had to be reminded how to tag my bag for 2 transits and we and our bags, some what surprisingly, all arrived safely and timely at Berlin.
We are now sitting in a cafe around the corner from our hotel having dinner, including a delicious german reisling ( when in Rome. ..) .
We are now sitting in a cafe around the corner from our hotel having dinner, including a delicious german reisling ( when in Rome. ..) .
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
St Magnus Cathedral and the museum
We started our time here saying while the weather was good we would go to the outdoor sites and leave inside till later. Today is our last day here and it is overcast and raining and we have seen the outdoor sites. What good planning.
We watched an interesting short film on the life of Magnus. In the early 1100s this area was administered by Norway and local Earls. At one time the leadership was shared between 2 cousins , one of whom was Magnus. He was a peace loving Christian and was murdered by his cousin, who outsourced the dastardly deed to his cook. His remains were intered in a little chapel at the Brough of Birsay, where we visited a few days ago. Over several years miracles happened to people who visited this chapel and he became a saint and his nephew built, or rather started , this huge cathedral, far bigger than anything else this far north.
The cathedral lived up to its reputation. We had been there for a sercvice on Sunday but today we enjoyed wandering around looking at all the bits and pieces. My favourite was a beautiful marketry table with an illustrated Danish
bible on it.
The Museum in Kirkwall has a good reputation and we found out why. It helped us work out in our heads about who was where when in the neolithic, then bronze , then iron age. We skipped over the more recent stuff because we were running out of mental capacity. We had lunch at our favourite cafe and have pottered all afternoon, reading, sorting piles of stuff, buying a few postcards (not writing yet, so don't hold your breath) . The ex-sheep farmer sitting next to me as I type in between sips of Highland Park whiskey, is gloating because he has written and posted his postcards. He is doing his trick he practised in the UK last year. Buy a half pint of beer, feel very virtuous and then go back for a second half pint. He feels virtuous for longer than he feels dissolute.
We watched an interesting short film on the life of Magnus. In the early 1100s this area was administered by Norway and local Earls. At one time the leadership was shared between 2 cousins , one of whom was Magnus. He was a peace loving Christian and was murdered by his cousin, who outsourced the dastardly deed to his cook. His remains were intered in a little chapel at the Brough of Birsay, where we visited a few days ago. Over several years miracles happened to people who visited this chapel and he became a saint and his nephew built, or rather started , this huge cathedral, far bigger than anything else this far north.
The cathedral lived up to its reputation. We had been there for a sercvice on Sunday but today we enjoyed wandering around looking at all the bits and pieces. My favourite was a beautiful marketry table with an illustrated Danish
bible on it.
The Museum in Kirkwall has a good reputation and we found out why. It helped us work out in our heads about who was where when in the neolithic, then bronze , then iron age. We skipped over the more recent stuff because we were running out of mental capacity. We had lunch at our favourite cafe and have pottered all afternoon, reading, sorting piles of stuff, buying a few postcards (not writing yet, so don't hold your breath) . The ex-sheep farmer sitting next to me as I type in between sips of Highland Park whiskey, is gloating because he has written and posted his postcards. He is doing his trick he practised in the UK last year. Buy a half pint of beer, feel very virtuous and then go back for a second half pint. He feels virtuous for longer than he feels dissolute.
St Magnus side view in today's rain
A side door in the sun of a few days ago
Monday, August 17, 2015
Italian Chapel and Ness of Brodgar
Firstly I have to report that our little car no longer elicits grunts from its usual , well only, driver. Today was quite foggy when we left our hotel. Several times throughout the morning the driver was heard to say, reasonably politely, 'thank you' when reminded by one of the previously annoying loud beeps that he had left the lights on.
We went first to visit a building know as the Italian Chapel. During WW2, several hundred Italian pow s were stationed in the orkneys to work on the Churchill Barriers. These are concrete barriers linking several islands making Scapa Flow harder to get into by enemy submarines. Now they form convenient causeways between some of the islands. One Italian built a statue of St George slaying the dragon and then a UK officer and padre asked this guy, Dominic Chiocchetti, to build a chapel in his spare time. With the aid of other craftsmen, he built a chapel out of 2 Nissan huts, joined together. The inside is beautifully painted with frescoes, the walls are painted to look like bricks, the lanterns are made from bully beef tins, a facade on the front disguises the huts etc. It has a lovely feel to it.
We drove over several more barriers and small islands to get to South Ronaldsay. We drove to Hoxa Head to look at one of the entrances of Scapa Flow and have coffee at a cafe with a view. By the time we finished the fog was just starting to lift and we could just see the adjacent islands through the gloom. We had a quick potter in a cooperative craft shop in a nearby town and then drove back , bypassing Kirkwall, to the site of a major current excavation at the Ness of Brodgar.
This site is amazing. Discovered in 2003, it covers a huge area along a promontory , between the standing stones of Stenness and the ring of Brodgar which we had previously seen. The present excavation area is about 40 m by 40m. This is a very small part of the complex they have yet to unearth. In the current area are about 8 buildings dating from 3200 BC to 2300 BC. Some of the older ones were remade. One we were told about , lies on top of 3 levels of other structures. They do not think that any of the buildings were domestic dwellings. They are far too big and grand compared to other neolithic buildings. They have worked out that these buildings definitely pre date stonehenge .
After that we drove around the southern part of the island we are on, taking some pictures of Scapa Flow ( the fog had gone). Noel has read much military history about Scapa Flow and was interested. Our final stop was to look at the remains of a small 12th century chapel that would have been completely round.
We went first to visit a building know as the Italian Chapel. During WW2, several hundred Italian pow s were stationed in the orkneys to work on the Churchill Barriers. These are concrete barriers linking several islands making Scapa Flow harder to get into by enemy submarines. Now they form convenient causeways between some of the islands. One Italian built a statue of St George slaying the dragon and then a UK officer and padre asked this guy, Dominic Chiocchetti, to build a chapel in his spare time. With the aid of other craftsmen, he built a chapel out of 2 Nissan huts, joined together. The inside is beautifully painted with frescoes, the walls are painted to look like bricks, the lanterns are made from bully beef tins, a facade on the front disguises the huts etc. It has a lovely feel to it.
We drove over several more barriers and small islands to get to South Ronaldsay. We drove to Hoxa Head to look at one of the entrances of Scapa Flow and have coffee at a cafe with a view. By the time we finished the fog was just starting to lift and we could just see the adjacent islands through the gloom. We had a quick potter in a cooperative craft shop in a nearby town and then drove back , bypassing Kirkwall, to the site of a major current excavation at the Ness of Brodgar.
This site is amazing. Discovered in 2003, it covers a huge area along a promontory , between the standing stones of Stenness and the ring of Brodgar which we had previously seen. The present excavation area is about 40 m by 40m. This is a very small part of the complex they have yet to unearth. In the current area are about 8 buildings dating from 3200 BC to 2300 BC. Some of the older ones were remade. One we were told about , lies on top of 3 levels of other structures. They do not think that any of the buildings were domestic dwellings. They are far too big and grand compared to other neolithic buildings. They have worked out that these buildings definitely pre date stonehenge .
After that we drove around the southern part of the island we are on, taking some pictures of Scapa Flow ( the fog had gone). Noel has read much military history about Scapa Flow and was interested. Our final stop was to look at the remains of a small 12th century chapel that would have been completely round.
Italian Chapel
One of the Churchill Barriers
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Broch of Gurness Brough of Birsay
Firstly, last nights concert.
Fiddling , as in playing a violin in a folksey manner, is a large part of the shetland and orkneys culture. When we arrived here, we found out by accident of a concert of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra ( including, we found out later, 3 flutes, 2 accordions, 1 double bass , 1 cello, 1 percussionist) . Why not? In the shetlands we have foregone the opportunity to go to a dingy bar to hear poor quality, drunk, local fiddlers. Last night we walked to a new performance venue/ aquatic centre/ ??. The concert was excellent. The compere was from Aberdeen, we could hardly understand a word. We did however get the joke about a terrific sheep farmer who was outstanding in his field. There were items of the orchestra playing jigs and other Scottish tunes, a mezzo soprano and a tenor singing popular folk ish tunes and 3 different groups of young, mainly fiddler, musicians. At the end, they played auld lang syne. Everyone stood and sang. Apparently this is normal in Scotland ( maybe just northern islands?) after any concert. The conductor was a showman and used the fact that the audience could see his feet moving in time to the music, his knees and the way his kilt fell beautifully, swished and swayed, when he moved his rear end. All in aid of a neuro ward in Aberdeen infirmary. What are the odds of that?
Kirkwall is known for its large cathedral of st Magnus, built in the 1100s. We have yet to learn about its history, but today we went to a service in it. It was a bit incongruous to us - robed choristers, booming organ and modern songs. We enjoyed it nevertheless.
After a nice lunch which included crab quiche - there seems a lot of local crab on the menus, not too expensive - we set off for the Broch of Gurness. On the way we saw in a field adjacent to the road a man, his dog and some sheep. The ex sheepfarmer was pleased . A little later we were stopped by a truck blocking the road and it became clear that a farmer, his son, his dog and his wife were trying to move a mob of about 200 sheep along a laneway from one field to another on the other side of the road . They were having difficulties. After some grunts , the ex sheepfarmer told me how it should be done. This was definitely not what was happening .
The broch of gurness was interesting. It was a broch with the remains of a Pictish village built all around it, built about 2000 years ago. It became deserted but there is evidence later Vikings used it as a graveyard. It is really hard to get your head around who was here when, each island seems a bit different, different theories from archaeologists add confusion, a big jigsaw puzzle.
We then drove along more single lane roads to Birsay. Coffee and scone before driving to the edge of the causeway that links the mainland to a island. The causeway is only passable at low tide. On the island there is the remains of a Pictish village and a later Norse church and some housing. Reputedgy, St Magnus was buried there after he was killed.
There is also a lighthouse on the island, but it was almost 5 pm, the weather was closing in , so we gave the lighthouse a miss.
Fiddling , as in playing a violin in a folksey manner, is a large part of the shetland and orkneys culture. When we arrived here, we found out by accident of a concert of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra ( including, we found out later, 3 flutes, 2 accordions, 1 double bass , 1 cello, 1 percussionist) . Why not? In the shetlands we have foregone the opportunity to go to a dingy bar to hear poor quality, drunk, local fiddlers. Last night we walked to a new performance venue/ aquatic centre/ ??. The concert was excellent. The compere was from Aberdeen, we could hardly understand a word. We did however get the joke about a terrific sheep farmer who was outstanding in his field. There were items of the orchestra playing jigs and other Scottish tunes, a mezzo soprano and a tenor singing popular folk ish tunes and 3 different groups of young, mainly fiddler, musicians. At the end, they played auld lang syne. Everyone stood and sang. Apparently this is normal in Scotland ( maybe just northern islands?) after any concert. The conductor was a showman and used the fact that the audience could see his feet moving in time to the music, his knees and the way his kilt fell beautifully, swished and swayed, when he moved his rear end. All in aid of a neuro ward in Aberdeen infirmary. What are the odds of that?
Kirkwall is known for its large cathedral of st Magnus, built in the 1100s. We have yet to learn about its history, but today we went to a service in it. It was a bit incongruous to us - robed choristers, booming organ and modern songs. We enjoyed it nevertheless.
After a nice lunch which included crab quiche - there seems a lot of local crab on the menus, not too expensive - we set off for the Broch of Gurness. On the way we saw in a field adjacent to the road a man, his dog and some sheep. The ex sheepfarmer was pleased . A little later we were stopped by a truck blocking the road and it became clear that a farmer, his son, his dog and his wife were trying to move a mob of about 200 sheep along a laneway from one field to another on the other side of the road . They were having difficulties. After some grunts , the ex sheepfarmer told me how it should be done. This was definitely not what was happening .
The broch of gurness was interesting. It was a broch with the remains of a Pictish village built all around it, built about 2000 years ago. It became deserted but there is evidence later Vikings used it as a graveyard. It is really hard to get your head around who was here when, each island seems a bit different, different theories from archaeologists add confusion, a big jigsaw puzzle.
We then drove along more single lane roads to Birsay. Coffee and scone before driving to the edge of the causeway that links the mainland to a island. The causeway is only passable at low tide. On the island there is the remains of a Pictish village and a later Norse church and some housing. Reputedgy, St Magnus was buried there after he was killed.
There is also a lighthouse on the island, but it was almost 5 pm, the weather was closing in , so we gave the lighthouse a miss.
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Skara Brae
Today was the first day we have worn raincoats. Not bad after 11 days in this part of the world. We set off early to drive to Skara Brae and beat the crowds which we did.
Skara Brae is an uncovered neolithic stone village built about 3 100 BCE, before the pyramids and stonehenge. It consists of 9 houses and another building used as a workshop to produce pottery and tools etc. Before visiting the site, visitors can go into a recreated house, stand in it and look around, imagining lying on the stone beds, cooking over the fire, etc etc. The walls of the houses are sort of interconnecting and grass covered so visitors walk around looking down into the roofless houses. It was amazing . A guide told us of the drainage system that exists under the houses . They had very limited timber.
We went through the large home of the laird on whose land Skara Brae was found.
After lunch of a fruit scone, we set off again over the narrow roads with no shoulders and stone walls . We looked at another old kirk, once again with the pulpit in the middle on a side and with an upper gallery. The minister had a good view of most of his attending flock.
Then we visited a memorial to Lord Kitchener. Apparently after all his good achievements, he was in a ship on a friendly mission to Russia and the ship hit a mine and sank off this part of Orkney coast.
Back to Kirkwall for an early dinner before going to a concert of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra. The concert was terrific. More in tomorrow's post.
Skara Brae is an uncovered neolithic stone village built about 3 100 BCE, before the pyramids and stonehenge. It consists of 9 houses and another building used as a workshop to produce pottery and tools etc. Before visiting the site, visitors can go into a recreated house, stand in it and look around, imagining lying on the stone beds, cooking over the fire, etc etc. The walls of the houses are sort of interconnecting and grass covered so visitors walk around looking down into the roofless houses. It was amazing . A guide told us of the drainage system that exists under the houses . They had very limited timber.
We went through the large home of the laird on whose land Skara Brae was found.
After lunch of a fruit scone, we set off again over the narrow roads with no shoulders and stone walls . We looked at another old kirk, once again with the pulpit in the middle on a side and with an upper gallery. The minister had a good view of most of his attending flock.
Then we visited a memorial to Lord Kitchener. Apparently after all his good achievements, he was in a ship on a friendly mission to Russia and the ship hit a mine and sank off this part of Orkney coast.
Back to Kirkwall for an early dinner before going to a concert of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra. The concert was terrific. More in tomorrow's post.
Noel in the recreated house
A very similar house
Part of the 9 buildings
Friday, August 14, 2015
Some photos form previous days
Typical Shetland view
On the cliffs of Sumburgh Head
Some of the many different sorts of Shetland ponies on show.
The sheep were almost as big as the ponies.
Approaching Moussa Broch
Maeshowe, Ring of Brodgar
In Lerwick our car very quickly became named Ugly, not said with malice, it was not her fault. The car we have now is a Ford fiesta, not much liked by today's driver, not me. I think she will be called OSH ( oh shut up) said by driver on numerous occasions when a door was opened and a loud noise came or when backing, more bipping notes. When backing, Ugly had a nice picture of square boxes behind the car that noel had just mastered, but not this car.
Maeshowe is a large neolithic chamber 7m high accessed by a 10 m long by 1 m high tunnel. About 20 people including us listened for an hour to the guides description of how it was made, as much as archaeologists can work out, and all sorts of other interesting info, . Inside on the walls are lots of scratched in runic writing from some later norsemen ( they are not called Vikings here)
We drove to Stromness but unfortunately today's navigator directed the driver (still not me) down a narrow , mainly pedestrian street. This caused some angst, compounded by, a few minutes later, an oncoming driver going to fast. The driver was all for leaving this town. The navigator, however, quickly realised that food would be a bit hard to come by anywhere other than major towns, and she needed food, so we parked in a supermarkets car park on the edge of town, walked back into town and had lunch.
Next we stopped at the Ring of Brodgar., a henge, I. E a circle of stones. There were originally 60, now about 20 standing. The diameter of the circle is 100m. The area was covered with heather in flower. On the way back to Kirkwall we looked at the Stones of Stenness, the remains of another henge.
The countryside seems a little less harsh than the Shetlands. The houses are bigger, still brown, brown or grey, but more monotonous in shape than in the shetlands. There seem to be more cows here in the orkneys, sometimes in a mob of about 30 cows, there appear to be about 25 different colours or breeds. Motley groups. There seems more emphasis on wind power here.
There is a quiet bar attached to this hotel. For the second day in a row, we have tried a different whiskey. One must sample the local produce so as not to appear rude.
Ring of Brodgar
Maeshowe is a large neolithic chamber 7m high accessed by a 10 m long by 1 m high tunnel. About 20 people including us listened for an hour to the guides description of how it was made, as much as archaeologists can work out, and all sorts of other interesting info, . Inside on the walls are lots of scratched in runic writing from some later norsemen ( they are not called Vikings here)
We drove to Stromness but unfortunately today's navigator directed the driver (still not me) down a narrow , mainly pedestrian street. This caused some angst, compounded by, a few minutes later, an oncoming driver going to fast. The driver was all for leaving this town. The navigator, however, quickly realised that food would be a bit hard to come by anywhere other than major towns, and she needed food, so we parked in a supermarkets car park on the edge of town, walked back into town and had lunch.
Next we stopped at the Ring of Brodgar., a henge, I. E a circle of stones. There were originally 60, now about 20 standing. The diameter of the circle is 100m. The area was covered with heather in flower. On the way back to Kirkwall we looked at the Stones of Stenness, the remains of another henge.
The countryside seems a little less harsh than the Shetlands. The houses are bigger, still brown, brown or grey, but more monotonous in shape than in the shetlands. There seem to be more cows here in the orkneys, sometimes in a mob of about 30 cows, there appear to be about 25 different colours or breeds. Motley groups. There seems more emphasis on wind power here.
There is a quiet bar attached to this hotel. For the second day in a row, we have tried a different whiskey. One must sample the local produce so as not to appear rude.
Ring of Brodgar
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Arrived safely in Kirkwall
We went to the excellent museum in Lerwick this morning. It laid out the history of the shetlands very well. There was an old fishing boat that a group of 6 men would go off in for days at a time. It was just like an overgrown rowing boat with a bit of a sail, no protection from the elements. There was an interesting display of peat, how it was farmed etc. An old picture of a mother and her 4 children, her and the 3 eldest with large bags of peat on their back, rugged up in wooly clothes and bare feet made me appreciate the switch I flick if I want more warmth in my apartment.
The drive to Sumburgh airport, return of hire car, flight to kirkwall, collection of different hire car (on first impression not as good to drive as Ugly) all went well. We are staying at a big hotel with bar and restaurant. We had a local whiskey ( bit peaty i think, i preferred last year's one from Oban or the one i had in a d, b and b in Sydney that I visited in june) and then fish and chips in the bar.
The drive to Sumburgh airport, return of hire car, flight to kirkwall, collection of different hire car (on first impression not as good to drive as Ugly) all went well. We are staying at a big hotel with bar and restaurant. We had a local whiskey ( bit peaty i think, i preferred last year's one from Oban or the one i had in a d, b and b in Sydney that I visited in june) and then fish and chips in the bar.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Moussa
Today we went on the ferry to Moussa. Moussa has sheep, lots of birds, seals and a large Broch. Brochs are iron age stone towers scattered around the northern coast of Scotland and no where else in the world. The broch at Moussa is the largest. It is
43 foot high, walls at ground level 16 ft thick, then 2 concentric walls going up with a staircase between them. We walked to it, climbed up the perilously thin worn stone spiral stairs, looked at the view and came down again . Brochs are thought by some to be forts for defence, or symbols of a wealthy persons power. No one knows.
From the broch we wandered along the path around part of the island. We saw lots of different birds and a very large bull grey seal sitting on a rock haughtily surveying the frolicking seals around him. We had our picnic lunch sitting on a rock looking out to sea watching the birds swoop, skim across the water, take food into caves, presumably to their young , etc.
After the return ferry trip , we stopped at a village Cunningsburgh where there was an agricultural show . I think every man and his dog, except there do not appear to be many dogs, every many and woman and kid in the shetlands were there. Extra surprising because it is not the weekend. We walked straight to the sheep pens where we were very amazed to see sheep of all shades of orange. See previous post!
Huge sheep. Even my friend the ex sheepfarmer thought they were huge. We finally found the sign - Suffolk sheep. There were assorted other breeds including shetland sheep which were all small. We looked at some fleeces in a tent. My friend said very little other than a few grunts of annoyance that he was no longer in the industry. I thought that a Shetland pony was a Shetland pony but there are many different types.
All the knitted garments on display were very traditional. I was hoping to see some
modern garments using the tradition patterns and colours. This made me realise that
many of the women and men wandering around were wearing traditional jumpers.
Back in lerwick it was coffee and cake at a new place that serves good coffee. We visited the textile museum which we were hoping would have more historical stuff about wool processing in the days of the small crofters. But it didnot. There were some fine garments on display
43 foot high, walls at ground level 16 ft thick, then 2 concentric walls going up with a staircase between them. We walked to it, climbed up the perilously thin worn stone spiral stairs, looked at the view and came down again . Brochs are thought by some to be forts for defence, or symbols of a wealthy persons power. No one knows.
From the broch we wandered along the path around part of the island. We saw lots of different birds and a very large bull grey seal sitting on a rock haughtily surveying the frolicking seals around him. We had our picnic lunch sitting on a rock looking out to sea watching the birds swoop, skim across the water, take food into caves, presumably to their young , etc.
After the return ferry trip , we stopped at a village Cunningsburgh where there was an agricultural show . I think every man and his dog, except there do not appear to be many dogs, every many and woman and kid in the shetlands were there. Extra surprising because it is not the weekend. We walked straight to the sheep pens where we were very amazed to see sheep of all shades of orange. See previous post!
Huge sheep. Even my friend the ex sheepfarmer thought they were huge. We finally found the sign - Suffolk sheep. There were assorted other breeds including shetland sheep which were all small. We looked at some fleeces in a tent. My friend said very little other than a few grunts of annoyance that he was no longer in the industry. I thought that a Shetland pony was a Shetland pony but there are many different types.
All the knitted garments on display were very traditional. I was hoping to see some
modern garments using the tradition patterns and colours. This made me realise that
Back in lerwick it was coffee and cake at a new place that serves good coffee. We visited the textile museum which we were hoping would have more historical stuff about wool processing in the days of the small crofters. But it didnot. There were some fine garments on display
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Tuesday
Today we went, again south from Lerwick, to a crofters museum. We were the only people there and the attendant told us all about different things and how life was lived. There was a smelly peat fire going, several enclosed shetland beds, I. E. A 4 poster bed with sides of wood to keep in heat, very low doorways again to retain heat, stalls for cows ( horses and sheep left outside), fish drying in front of fire. We walked to a nearby small water mill.
Next we drove to a larger commercial mill, but it was really just a collection of old equipment etc.
We went to where the ferry to Moussa leaves from, waited around a bit and then read a sign to say the ferry was not going because of too much wind. We reckoned it was between 10 and 15 knots- hardly any wind for here in our limited experience. Plan B was to drive to where there is a spit of sandy land, referred to here as a tombola, linking the mainland with St Ninians island to have our picnic lunch watching the sand, grassy slopes, water, very peaceful.
We then drove north of lerwick for the first time. The countryside was different. Less sheep, less scattered housing, more large houses in clusters. Our destination was Lunna, now a few houses, but during Ww2, it was the original location of where the shetland bus operation worked from. Another good day.
Next we drove to a larger commercial mill, but it was really just a collection of old equipment etc.
We went to where the ferry to Moussa leaves from, waited around a bit and then read a sign to say the ferry was not going because of too much wind. We reckoned it was between 10 and 15 knots- hardly any wind for here in our limited experience. Plan B was to drive to where there is a spit of sandy land, referred to here as a tombola, linking the mainland with St Ninians island to have our picnic lunch watching the sand, grassy slopes, water, very peaceful.
We then drove north of lerwick for the first time. The countryside was different. Less sheep, less scattered housing, more large houses in clusters. Our destination was Lunna, now a few houses, but during Ww2, it was the original location of where the shetland bus operation worked from. Another good day.
Monday, August 10, 2015
Sumborough
This morning we drove south from Lerwick to Sumborough stopping several times to admire the views of rolling hills, near and distant small villages, isolated cottages, bodies of water, no trees, purple heather and yellow gorse and lots and lots of sheep. White ones, black ones, white ones with black faces. My friend in the background , the ex sheepfarmer, says "But no merinos".
First off was Jarlshof. This is a small patch of land, very near the airport, right on the edge of the water, which has the remains of buildings from 4 distinct time periods excavated. The first remains of small round houses were neolithic, 2500 to 1500 BCE Then there were remains from a bronze age settlement, around 800BCE. Next came some iron age houses. These guys left , no one was there for a bit, then new settlers came in the last century BCE or first century CE. These people constructed a massive stone broch of which about 2.5 m remains. Brochs are tall towers with 2 layers of outer walls. This one had a courtyard. In the 2nd and 3rd centuries, there appeared different structures called wheelhouses. We climbed down several steps into one. There were about 8 separate small rooms off a central area with a hearth in the middle. This was known to be inhabited in 800 CE. Next came the Vikings. We wandered around the stone remains of the base of a 9th century longhouse. There were remains of other associated buildings like a smithy, bathhouse and temple. In the late 13th century a different sort of farm house was built nearby. In the late 1500s a Scottish laird built his house here. The walls are still mostly standing, several storeys high. The audio guide we had was very informative and we thoroughly enjoyed wandering around the remains. It helped that it was quite warm and the sun was shining.
After lunch at the nearby pub we drove up to the Sumborough Headland. The girl at the entrance to the grounds said that they had not seen any puffins for a few days. We saw nesting fulmars but no puffins until we followed a family with 2 kids down the path to the car park.
We wandered around the lighthouse and were interested in a display about an experimental radar station which was able to warn the locals , during WW 2 about an approaching German raid .
We spent a while driving down single lane roads in search of a coffee on the way back to Lerwick. After buying a pattern for a scarf that I propose to knit in shetland 2 ply lace wool, we had an early dinner at a new cafe that was good, overlooking the water, over the road from Tesco.
Q
First off was Jarlshof. This is a small patch of land, very near the airport, right on the edge of the water, which has the remains of buildings from 4 distinct time periods excavated. The first remains of small round houses were neolithic, 2500 to 1500 BCE Then there were remains from a bronze age settlement, around 800BCE. Next came some iron age houses. These guys left , no one was there for a bit, then new settlers came in the last century BCE or first century CE. These people constructed a massive stone broch of which about 2.5 m remains. Brochs are tall towers with 2 layers of outer walls. This one had a courtyard. In the 2nd and 3rd centuries, there appeared different structures called wheelhouses. We climbed down several steps into one. There were about 8 separate small rooms off a central area with a hearth in the middle. This was known to be inhabited in 800 CE. Next came the Vikings. We wandered around the stone remains of the base of a 9th century longhouse. There were remains of other associated buildings like a smithy, bathhouse and temple. In the late 13th century a different sort of farm house was built nearby. In the late 1500s a Scottish laird built his house here. The walls are still mostly standing, several storeys high. The audio guide we had was very informative and we thoroughly enjoyed wandering around the remains. It helped that it was quite warm and the sun was shining.
After lunch at the nearby pub we drove up to the Sumborough Headland. The girl at the entrance to the grounds said that they had not seen any puffins for a few days. We saw nesting fulmars but no puffins until we followed a family with 2 kids down the path to the car park.
We wandered around the lighthouse and were interested in a display about an experimental radar station which was able to warn the locals , during WW 2 about an approaching German raid .
We spent a while driving down single lane roads in search of a coffee on the way back to Lerwick. After buying a pattern for a scarf that I propose to knit in shetland 2 ply lace wool, we had an early dinner at a new cafe that was good, overlooking the water, over the road from Tesco.
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Scalloway
After a very leisurely start we drove to Scalloway. It is a smaller town than Lerwick but a bit more colourful. Not all the houses are grey or brown. We wandered around and found the memorial to the Shetland bus. The Shetland bus was a Ww2 operation involving the movement of agents , refugees and supplies to and from Norway and the shetlands using norwegian fishing boats and crews.
As we were looking at this memorial 2 other people came up and we got talking. B was from St Andrews and C was from Oban. After we said we were going to have lunch, but the options were very limited, they invited us to join them for lunch where they were staying at a large marine research establishment nearby. We spent a very enjoyable few hours chatting to them over some lentil soup. Turned out C was doing her PhD, supervised partly by B , looking at the action of a particular micro algae that live all over the world that are eaten by shellfish , causing them no harm, but when humans eat the shellfish the story is different.
We had found out there was an agricultural show at a town further on which we had intended to go to after lunch but by the time we left C and B it was 3.30 so we went to the scalloway museum instead. There was an interesting display on the ways they have fished for different species of fish over the years and a lot of information about the shetland bus and some of the people involved. The operation was carried out in the winter months for the boats to have maximum chance to avoid detection, but the winter month have the worst weather.
As we were looking at this memorial 2 other people came up and we got talking. B was from St Andrews and C was from Oban. After we said we were going to have lunch, but the options were very limited, they invited us to join them for lunch where they were staying at a large marine research establishment nearby. We spent a very enjoyable few hours chatting to them over some lentil soup. Turned out C was doing her PhD, supervised partly by B , looking at the action of a particular micro algae that live all over the world that are eaten by shellfish , causing them no harm, but when humans eat the shellfish the story is different.
We had found out there was an agricultural show at a town further on which we had intended to go to after lunch but by the time we left C and B it was 3.30 so we went to the scalloway museum instead. There was an interesting display on the ways they have fished for different species of fish over the years and a lot of information about the shetland bus and some of the people involved. The operation was carried out in the winter months for the boats to have maximum chance to avoid detection, but the winter month have the worst weather.
Saturday, August 8, 2015
Safely in Shetlands
After a leisurely start, bus to airport, the required waiting, waiting at Glasgow airport, we arrived here earlier than scheduled at 2pm. Our car is a boxy, ugly looking Kia but quite spacious and seems new. We drove here to Lerwick , passing a field with about 6 Shetland ponies in a huddle. I had forgotten how little they are. Our lovely b and b is about 2 km out of the main centre. I am sitting up in bed staring straight out past a few houses to some water and hills the other side. It is 8.40 and still quite light. In the garden in the foreground there are 2 flagpoles. An Australian flag and a German flag are flying because of the Non Uk gueSt's.
In the afternoon we gathered a lot of brochures from the tourist bureau, found a coffee shop that did not shut until 6 and then found a hotel for dinner. It was very old fashioned and smelt a bit funny but the food was good.
Noel has reminded me that when we were dawdling our way thru the fancy perfumes, sunglasses, watches etc at Glasgow airport we were able to sample some Glenfindich. He does not like flying in planes that are long and skinny and we have done so a few times lately. Today's was smaller and seemed skinner. If he had stood up straight he would have touched the ceiling.
In the afternoon we gathered a lot of brochures from the tourist bureau, found a coffee shop that did not shut until 6 and then found a hotel for dinner. It was very old fashioned and smelt a bit funny but the food was good.
Noel has reminded me that when we were dawdling our way thru the fancy perfumes, sunglasses, watches etc at Glasgow airport we were able to sample some Glenfindich. He does not like flying in planes that are long and skinny and we have done so a few times lately. Today's was smaller and seemed skinner. If he had stood up straight he would have touched the ceiling.
More of Edinburgh
Noel and his daughter visited the decommissioned royal yacht Britannia moored in Leith , a 20 min bus ride from the centre of Edinburgh. It was interesting without being spectacular. Meanwhile I went for a brisk walk from our hotel in the centre of glasgow through some upmarket areas and some less so to Kelvingrove Museum again to look at the paintings.
We all met up at a dance venue in Edinburgh to watch the premier ( it is the first day of the festival) of a dance work created by Noel's daughters partner. It was about the inner turmoiled life of the dancer Najinsky with an older actor playing his old self and a younger dancer / actor playing his younger self. Noel and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
We all met up at a dance venue in Edinburgh to watch the premier ( it is the first day of the festival) of a dance work created by Noel's daughters partner. It was about the inner turmoiled life of the dancer Najinsky with an older actor playing his old self and a younger dancer / actor playing his younger self. Noel and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Friday, August 7, 2015
Huntarian museum and River Cruise
We spent time in the morning with Noel's daughter at the Huntarian Museum, situated in the lovely old Glasgow uni grounds. The museum started as the extensive collection of assorted things of Dr William Hunter, born in 1718, a noted anatomist and obstetrician. Hence lots of preserved bits of flesh in glass bottles. There was much more including an interesting display of the Roman occupation of Scotland.
After that we walked down to the Riverside Museum of Transport that we had visited last year . As an aside, goats cheese is prevalent on menus at a similar price to ordinary cheese. We went on a cruise of a section of the Clyde. It was interesting to learn of the history of some of the old buildings and the newer buildings. We saw the major shipyards, once the foremost in the world (according to the guide) , then fallen into disuse, and now being used again. We saw 1/4 of an aircraft carrier hull almost ready to move to the next stage of its construction.
We enjoyed a delicious meal and good conversation with N's daughter and her partner in the evening.
After that we walked down to the Riverside Museum of Transport that we had visited last year . As an aside, goats cheese is prevalent on menus at a similar price to ordinary cheese. We went on a cruise of a section of the Clyde. It was interesting to learn of the history of some of the old buildings and the newer buildings. We saw the major shipyards, once the foremost in the world (according to the guide) , then fallen into disuse, and now being used again. We saw 1/4 of an aircraft carrier hull almost ready to move to the next stage of its construction.
We enjoyed a delicious meal and good conversation with N's daughter and her partner in the evening.
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Edinburgh
After a leisurely start, we caught the train to Edinburgh. We wandered around a bit then took a tour on one of those hop on hop off buses but only hopped twice. It was a good overview of Edinburgh. Noel had never been before but I had spent 1 week there in 2010. After lunch in Newtown we walked up the hill, stopping to watch some pre festival street theatre, to St Giles Cathedral. We enjoyed wandering around it. Yesterday we happened upon an organ recital, today it was an excellent brass quintet performing in the cathedral.
I have a new camera which I did not spend enough time learning how to use before I came. It was annoying me today. Plenty of time for practise over the next few weeks. I am also very frustrated that when I transfer photos from my camera to my tablet, they end up in a jumbled order. I do not remember this being a problem a year ago. Changing technology and aging brains are not a good mix.
Noel and I have become accustomed to sometimes doing the puzzle in the australian on weekdays that has 10 multiple choice questions. We usually have to guess about 3/4 of the questions , those about modern popular music, modern tv sit coms, etc etc. Last week there was a question asking what was the name of a model of the solar system. We did not know , and as is usual, our guess was wrong. The answer is an orrery. Lo and behold, we came across one in the Kelvingrove Museum.
I have a new camera which I did not spend enough time learning how to use before I came. It was annoying me today. Plenty of time for practise over the next few weeks. I am also very frustrated that when I transfer photos from my camera to my tablet, they end up in a jumbled order. I do not remember this being a problem a year ago. Changing technology and aging brains are not a good mix.
Noel and I have become accustomed to sometimes doing the puzzle in the australian on weekdays that has 10 multiple choice questions. We usually have to guess about 3/4 of the questions , those about modern popular music, modern tv sit coms, etc etc. Last week there was a question asking what was the name of a model of the solar system. We did not know , and as is usual, our guess was wrong. The answer is an orrery. Lo and behold, we came across one in the Kelvingrove Museum.
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Arrived Glasgow safely and happily
Our trip went very smoothly. We even managed to not over eat or over drink by too much.
Unfortunately our room in Glasgow was not ready when we arrived at 9. 30. How dare they! We left our bags and set off in search of non- airline coffee. We stumbled upon a new group of shops and cafes built around a roofed central square. There was lots of wood, glass, old design features. It was very pleasant and the coffee was ok.
We went from there by subway to Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery. This is a big old Victorian building built purposely to house a collection of goods. We saw a small selection - we were fading fast. Noell was pleased to see a spitfire , an original from the then city of Glasgow squadron. We asked a wandering attendant about puffins. He directed us to a few different galleries and told us about a Dali painting. We were quite impressed by the power of the painting and never got to the puffins. There is a huge organ in an organ loft above the central area. We listened to a half hour recital while we had a sandwich, then came back here to our hotel.
Unfortunately our room in Glasgow was not ready when we arrived at 9. 30. How dare they! We left our bags and set off in search of non- airline coffee. We stumbled upon a new group of shops and cafes built around a roofed central square. There was lots of wood, glass, old design features. It was very pleasant and the coffee was ok.
We went from there by subway to Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery. This is a big old Victorian building built purposely to house a collection of goods. We saw a small selection - we were fading fast. Noell was pleased to see a spitfire , an original from the then city of Glasgow squadron. We asked a wandering attendant about puffins. He directed us to a few different galleries and told us about a Dali painting. We were quite impressed by the power of the painting and never got to the puffins. There is a huge organ in an organ loft above the central area. We listened to a half hour recital while we had a sandwich, then came back here to our hotel.
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Home safely
Yesterday evening I arrived home at 11 pm, 35 hours after I left my hotel in Bristol. I paid no attention to the time zones and when I should be sleeping to fit quickly back into routine here. I had an excellent sleep on the aeroplane but 5 hours later , in Canberra I could not sleep at all. Hopefully tonight.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Last day in Bristol
Very briefly because I am running out of free wifi time ...
Yesterday evening I went to evensong at the cathedral. The choir was the boys from from the choir school. Several were new. It showed. Several were old hands and it was good to watch and hear them enjoying themselves doing a good job of the 4 parts of the anthem.
Today I wandered around an upmarket area of Bristol - Clifton Hill, had coffee, looked in some dress shops but they were too upmarket and walked on the the Clifton Suspension Bridge over the Avon Gorge. Quite spectacular and a bit scary walking over it. I walked back into Bristol through an area of bush call Leigh Woods and along part of the Avon trail that goes along the Avon from Avonmouth to Bath.
Lunch at a pub with a nice view.
Soon I am going to meet John's brother- in- laws niece, then pack up then get some sleep before leaving this hotel at 3.30ish tomorrow morning to come home.
Yesterday evening I went to evensong at the cathedral. The choir was the boys from from the choir school. Several were new. It showed. Several were old hands and it was good to watch and hear them enjoying themselves doing a good job of the 4 parts of the anthem.
Today I wandered around an upmarket area of Bristol - Clifton Hill, had coffee, looked in some dress shops but they were too upmarket and walked on the the Clifton Suspension Bridge over the Avon Gorge. Quite spectacular and a bit scary walking over it. I walked back into Bristol through an area of bush call Leigh Woods and along part of the Avon trail that goes along the Avon from Avonmouth to Bath.
Lunch at a pub with a nice view.
Soon I am going to meet John's brother- in- laws niece, then pack up then get some sleep before leaving this hotel at 3.30ish tomorrow morning to come home.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Bristol
This morning I walked a long way around some of the waterways to the M Shed. I passed some nice waterfront terraces on quiet backwaters. M shed is a converted shed on the waterfront. As well as the displays inside there are all sorts of old boats, moored alongside, that you can visit on certain days. When we were in Bristol before Noel flew home we saw the fire fighting boat taking people for rides. As available is an old diesel tug which looked interesting.
Inside the M Shed there were 3 main rooms - Bristol places, Bristol People and Bristol life . There were lots of interesting things. Trouble is, a large group of 6 to 7 year old school children arrived. They were not silent! Time for coffee. All the kids had high visibilty vests on, as did all the accompanying adults. The same style of vests. Maybe it is a common practice, but I have never seen it before. Great for easy identification.
The museum had a biggish display about how Bristol was involved in the slave trade .
I then went on to a gallery called the Arnolfini. It was not very interesting to me - models of the redevelopment of Bristol, a series of interviews with people living in a high rise apartment and some other odd things.
I walked on to Bristol Cathedral. They have a cafe with tables in the gardens at the base of the tall walls of the cathedral. Very pleasant. I read about it, then wandered around after lunch. It started as an abbey in 1140 and was added to at odd times. In 1542 it became a cathedral.
I then went to an 18th century georgian House that was the home of a prominent merchant. It had lots of rooms all decorated in the style of the period.
I walked back through an old area of little quirky shops and through an old market building with lots of little stalls, mostly junk but some a bit different.
Inside the M Shed there were 3 main rooms - Bristol places, Bristol People and Bristol life . There were lots of interesting things. Trouble is, a large group of 6 to 7 year old school children arrived. They were not silent! Time for coffee. All the kids had high visibilty vests on, as did all the accompanying adults. The same style of vests. Maybe it is a common practice, but I have never seen it before. Great for easy identification.
The museum had a biggish display about how Bristol was involved in the slave trade .
I then went on to a gallery called the Arnolfini. It was not very interesting to me - models of the redevelopment of Bristol, a series of interviews with people living in a high rise apartment and some other odd things.
I walked on to Bristol Cathedral. They have a cafe with tables in the gardens at the base of the tall walls of the cathedral. Very pleasant. I read about it, then wandered around after lunch. It started as an abbey in 1140 and was added to at odd times. In 1542 it became a cathedral.
I then went to an 18th century georgian House that was the home of a prominent merchant. It had lots of rooms all decorated in the style of the period.
I walked back through an old area of little quirky shops and through an old market building with lots of little stalls, mostly junk but some a bit different.
Tuesday with my cousin
I went by train ( 2.5 hours) to Milton Keynes where my cousin John and his wife Dawn picked me up as arranged. We talked about everything and nothing for 5 hours till they took me back to the train station for me to reverse the journey back to Bristol. It was good to catch up.
We went to a modern English pub. This was an ordinary ish building, modern, with several outdoor spaces. Inside was one big irregular shaped space, but separated into bar, lounge, dining spaces that were separate but merged into each other. It was not a cafe or restaurant or bar , definitely an English pub feel. But why?
On the station waiting for my train home I was put off by a high speed through train hurtling through. After it went I saw the sign where the people like me waiting on the platform for a later train were warned about its imminent arrival. Several more came through. My instinct was to grab for something to hold onto, the air was quite disturbed and the noise deafening. There was a sign saying that the speed of the through trains could be up to 125mph. Dare say you get used to it.
On the train there are automatic toilets, like are appearing in some shopping places . Press a button to open the door, press a button to close the door, remember to press another button to lock the door etc etc This is accompanied by assorted verbal reminders as to what to do, which you tend to ignore , there are so many creating in to life 'mind the step', 'doors closing', 'floor 3' etc etc. Back to the point. In the loo , there was a voice telling me what not to put into the toilet. I heard 'unpaid bills' and started to listen. I was also told not to flush away my 'ex s sweater, hopes, and unwanted goldfish'. I did not like to leave my seat for too long but was very tempted to go out and start all over again to hear what else was on the list.
We went to a modern English pub. This was an ordinary ish building, modern, with several outdoor spaces. Inside was one big irregular shaped space, but separated into bar, lounge, dining spaces that were separate but merged into each other. It was not a cafe or restaurant or bar , definitely an English pub feel. But why?
On the station waiting for my train home I was put off by a high speed through train hurtling through. After it went I saw the sign where the people like me waiting on the platform for a later train were warned about its imminent arrival. Several more came through. My instinct was to grab for something to hold onto, the air was quite disturbed and the noise deafening. There was a sign saying that the speed of the through trains could be up to 125mph. Dare say you get used to it.
On the train there are automatic toilets, like are appearing in some shopping places . Press a button to open the door, press a button to close the door, remember to press another button to lock the door etc etc This is accompanied by assorted verbal reminders as to what to do, which you tend to ignore , there are so many creating in to life 'mind the step', 'doors closing', 'floor 3' etc etc. Back to the point. In the loo , there was a voice telling me what not to put into the toilet. I heard 'unpaid bills' and started to listen. I was also told not to flush away my 'ex s sweater, hopes, and unwanted goldfish'. I did not like to leave my seat for too long but was very tempted to go out and start all over again to hear what else was on the list.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Bristol
This morning I was disappointed to leave my nice b and b in St Ives. I was well looked after. Yesterday I asked if today i could have a cheese sandwich to take for lunch instead of my cooked breakfast. No problem. The train ride was uneventful and I arrived at the hotel at 2 .10.
I do not know what possessed me to book this hotel. I wondered why it was cheap when I booked, and the when I found out they were renovating the rooms I could have pulled out. I could not book in till 2.30 and they would not hold my luggage, I had to pay on the spot because my credit card was an overseas one or some peculiar reason or other, I had trouble with the internet , of course it was not free, and do not know if my payment has gone through twice, the iron and iron board I asked to borrow were really old and dodgy and as for the room... I was told that tomorrow the bed will be replaced.
I set off for a walk and found, within 200 m 2 modern deli / coffee places both of which have character and serve breakfast so I will not have to eat at the canteen like barn of a place that is next to reception. I tried the coffee at one and it is the best coffee I have had in the UK. I walked on through lots of the nice areas ( a few less nice areas I walked through I will be careful to avoid at night). The Avon that flows through Bristol has been split to make more waterways and they curve around and around making lots of water views. There is a real mix of old and new- old barges moored in front of modern apartment blocks, or new boats in front of derelict buildings. Lots of young people, bicycles, bicycle lanes on the roads, bright dark blue taxis, bright yellow barge like ferries. A nice vibe.
As compensation for the dodgy room I decided I could have a nice dinner where ever I wanted. I chose a floating barge. I had a good view of the passing water craft , an excellent meal, a nice dry rose made from grolleau grapes, but a very slightly off feeling the whole time. I guess the motion.
I do not know what possessed me to book this hotel. I wondered why it was cheap when I booked, and the when I found out they were renovating the rooms I could have pulled out. I could not book in till 2.30 and they would not hold my luggage, I had to pay on the spot because my credit card was an overseas one or some peculiar reason or other, I had trouble with the internet , of course it was not free, and do not know if my payment has gone through twice, the iron and iron board I asked to borrow were really old and dodgy and as for the room... I was told that tomorrow the bed will be replaced.
I set off for a walk and found, within 200 m 2 modern deli / coffee places both of which have character and serve breakfast so I will not have to eat at the canteen like barn of a place that is next to reception. I tried the coffee at one and it is the best coffee I have had in the UK. I walked on through lots of the nice areas ( a few less nice areas I walked through I will be careful to avoid at night). The Avon that flows through Bristol has been split to make more waterways and they curve around and around making lots of water views. There is a real mix of old and new- old barges moored in front of modern apartment blocks, or new boats in front of derelict buildings. Lots of young people, bicycles, bicycle lanes on the roads, bright dark blue taxis, bright yellow barge like ferries. A nice vibe.
As compensation for the dodgy room I decided I could have a nice dinner where ever I wanted. I chose a floating barge. I had a good view of the passing water craft , an excellent meal, a nice dry rose made from grolleau grapes, but a very slightly off feeling the whole time. I guess the motion.
Sunday walk to Lelant
On Sunday I set off on a short easy , 6 km one way walk to Lelant and then back, along another section of the SW Coastal Path. There were a few hilly sections but mostly it went along paths through the bush or sand dunes. There were no rocks, mud or large boulders to deal with. Lelant is SE of St Ives on the Hayle Estruary. It was a pretty, gentle walk with views of the water, cliffs, tidal sand flats, hang gliders distant coastline etc.
At Lelant I went into a little old church , St Uny. Tthe 11 th century church had been added to. It was clearly an active community, lots of kids activities, mothers groups etc Then I walked on to a pub for a drink. I sat down at a table and was surprised by a huge great done taking up several seats at the table on the other side of a partition to me. All the locals came in and greeted him as if he was a permanent fixture.
On the way back I stopped for lunch at a cafe and had nice pizza. I got talking to a couple from Bristol who were staying in the area. I walked with them back to St Ives and then pottered around with them for a bit.
At Lelant I went into a little old church , St Uny. Tthe 11 th century church had been added to. It was clearly an active community, lots of kids activities, mothers groups etc Then I walked on to a pub for a drink. I sat down at a table and was surprised by a huge great done taking up several seats at the table on the other side of a partition to me. All the locals came in and greeted him as if he was a permanent fixture.
On the way back I stopped for lunch at a cafe and had nice pizza. I got talking to a couple from Bristol who were staying in the area. I walked with them back to St Ives and then pottered around with them for a bit.
Saturday Art galleries in St Ives
On Saturday I went first to the Barbara Hepworth museum. I had never heard of her. It was interesting to read of her long and productive life and to see the influence of other modern artists on her work. I liked her sculptures . They were interesting shapes. She lived in St Ives for quite a while and there is a museum of her life and some of her works in the attached garden. She was commissioned to make a large sculpture that stands outside the United Nations building in New York. Despite spending 5 weeks there last year, I never went to the UN headquarters.
There is an outpost of the Tate in St Ives. Usually I read about a building and it's design first, but not this time. It seemed an odd arrangement of curved narrow galleries, open spaces, though if you went sequentially, the paintings made some sense. I read, while I was having coffee after looking at the paintings that the design of the building was based on an old boiler that was on the site and the narrow windy lanes of St ives. That made sense.
I ambled around for the rest of the day enjoying being on a holiday.
There is an outpost of the Tate in St Ives. Usually I read about a building and it's design first, but not this time. It seemed an odd arrangement of curved narrow galleries, open spaces, though if you went sequentially, the paintings made some sense. I read, while I was having coffee after looking at the paintings that the design of the building was based on an old boiler that was on the site and the narrow windy lanes of St ives. That made sense.
I ambled around for the rest of the day enjoying being on a holiday.
Friday, September 5, 2014
Friday. Walk to Lamorna
Today I set off by bus to Penzance expecting to have 5 minutes before leaving on another bus to Mousehole. The bus from mousehole came in, dropped his passengers, drove round to the outgoing side of the platform, looked at the motley assembled group and switched his sign to 'out of service' and drove off. There was great outrage from the locals. I thought, oh well, another is scheduled to come in half an hour. It did.
Mousehole is much smaller than St Ives, same grey stone with some timber and white paint cottages, narrow streets, houses opening directly onto the street into traffics way, twisted alleyways, brightly coloured boats in the harbour.
I set off as planned along the SW Coastal Path towards Lamorna. It was about 6 km of mostly easier walking than Wednesday. After about half an hour I realised I had not seen anyone else at much the same time as I came to a hilly down stretch of rocks to be dealt with. Not as big as boulders, but big enough not to be able to walk down like steps. Along came Rick from the USA. He was walking the whole coastal path. He was a great advocate of poles and showed me how he used them climbing up the bit I had just climbed down. More investigation needed.
I continued on and got to some most unpleasant bits . The path was very narrow and the edge of the side of the cliff very close. It was a long way down to the water. Obviously, I made it. I got to Lamorna Cove , did not like the look of the touristy cafe so went inland to the village, well, really just a pub, of Lamorna. Most of the people in the pub were locals. I had a delicious crab sandwich.
I decided that I would return to Mousehole via the minor road rather than the coast. Another option was to walk along the public footpath that was marked on my map. It was more direct but went through fields which may have cows in them. I was not keen on that possibility. Just as I was thinking of leaving, a lady and her Old English sheepdog came along and started talking to this other local about the best way to Mousehole. I joined them. It turned out she had been warned about some sections of the path that had been affected in a recent storm and may be too narrow for her and the dog. I agreed. Robert suggested to her the route across the fields. After a fair bit of chit chat, she and I and Lucy the dog set off across the fields and through some farms. We had to go through several fields with cows and I was very pleased I was not on my own. She was from a bit further north in Cornwall and grew up on a cow farm. She made some very funny, most peculiar 'shoo, go away' noises. She was doing about 200 miles of the SW Coastal Path as a fundraiser for a few charities. We decided that I could 'give ' her my section of her trip because she could not have safely done it with her dog. She was walking to Marazion for the night but was stopping at Mousehole for a few hours break and was met by 2 of her support team for encouragement and company. I met them too and we chatted till my bus came.
I have just been reading the official site of the SW Coastal Path and it puts the St Ives to Zennor walk in th challenging category , as in easy, moderate or challenging.
Mousehole is much smaller than St Ives, same grey stone with some timber and white paint cottages, narrow streets, houses opening directly onto the street into traffics way, twisted alleyways, brightly coloured boats in the harbour.
I set off as planned along the SW Coastal Path towards Lamorna. It was about 6 km of mostly easier walking than Wednesday. After about half an hour I realised I had not seen anyone else at much the same time as I came to a hilly down stretch of rocks to be dealt with. Not as big as boulders, but big enough not to be able to walk down like steps. Along came Rick from the USA. He was walking the whole coastal path. He was a great advocate of poles and showed me how he used them climbing up the bit I had just climbed down. More investigation needed.
I continued on and got to some most unpleasant bits . The path was very narrow and the edge of the side of the cliff very close. It was a long way down to the water. Obviously, I made it. I got to Lamorna Cove , did not like the look of the touristy cafe so went inland to the village, well, really just a pub, of Lamorna. Most of the people in the pub were locals. I had a delicious crab sandwich.
I decided that I would return to Mousehole via the minor road rather than the coast. Another option was to walk along the public footpath that was marked on my map. It was more direct but went through fields which may have cows in them. I was not keen on that possibility. Just as I was thinking of leaving, a lady and her Old English sheepdog came along and started talking to this other local about the best way to Mousehole. I joined them. It turned out she had been warned about some sections of the path that had been affected in a recent storm and may be too narrow for her and the dog. I agreed. Robert suggested to her the route across the fields. After a fair bit of chit chat, she and I and Lucy the dog set off across the fields and through some farms. We had to go through several fields with cows and I was very pleased I was not on my own. She was from a bit further north in Cornwall and grew up on a cow farm. She made some very funny, most peculiar 'shoo, go away' noises. She was doing about 200 miles of the SW Coastal Path as a fundraiser for a few charities. We decided that I could 'give ' her my section of her trip because she could not have safely done it with her dog. She was walking to Marazion for the night but was stopping at Mousehole for a few hours break and was met by 2 of her support team for encouragement and company. I met them too and we chatted till my bus came.
I have just been reading the official site of the SW Coastal Path and it puts the St Ives to Zennor walk in th challenging category , as in easy, moderate or challenging.
Thursday St Michaels Mount
Yesterday I caught a bus to Marazion and then, because it was high tide and the causeway was submerged, a boat to St Michaels Mount. This has been , over time, a monastery, a fortress, a port and a family home. Now administration is by the national trust. They have also found bronze age implements so there have been people for ages.
I climbed up the many steps and wandered through the rooms that were on display but was not particularly interested. The most interesting part was the tiny chapel. It had an interesting altar cloth and a cross above the altar that Jesus was not attached to but somehow set forward from. I peered over the parapets, as suggested , to look at the gardens below. These have apparently been designed to be seen from above as well as below. I wandered around these gardens and then caught another boat , wandered around Marazion, then came back by a different bus route. Different things to see.
I climbed up the many steps and wandered through the rooms that were on display but was not particularly interested. The most interesting part was the tiny chapel. It had an interesting altar cloth and a cross above the altar that Jesus was not attached to but somehow set forward from. I peered over the parapets, as suggested , to look at the gardens below. These have apparently been designed to be seen from above as well as below. I wandered around these gardens and then caught another boat , wandered around Marazion, then came back by a different bus route. Different things to see.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Wednesday walk St Ives to Zennor
I set off straight after breakfast to walk a small part of the SW Coastal Path. It was 11 km of up, down, up down, rocks, mud and I loved it. Amazing scenery, seals playing in the little coves way down below, other people to say hello to on the path. There was lots of yellow gorse and purple heather , all mixed together. There were negatives - there was a bush that looked like a prickly version of westringia and it seemed to grow everywhere I put a hand out for support on a steep up or down bit and where the path was very narrow it stuck out into the path and easily got through my thin trousers. I also find it harder than I used to scrabbling over big rocks, takes more time and energy .
I had not done any aerobic exercise for 4 weeks or so and decided early on I would push myself. Several people had said the walk would take 3 to 4 hours of walking for a fit person. I took 3 hours plus stops - to take photos, look at seals, drink etc. Zennor is a pretty little town with some houses, a church and a pub doing a roaring trade for the visitors, mostly who came by car, and a cafe. After a nice lunch - I learnt what homity pie is - I caught the bus back to St Ives.
In the evening I went to a restaurant near here that has the reputation of being the best beachside cafe in St Ives. Mostly restaurants are booked out, but I so far I have turned up at 5. 45 and got the last table each time. Wednesday was no exception. I had a lovely meal overlooking the harbour and a sailing race of 4 smallish boats. I had brill, another different fish. I was told after wards that Judi Dench dines there with her daughter and family every so often. Her daughter has a house at Zennor.
I had not done any aerobic exercise for 4 weeks or so and decided early on I would push myself. Several people had said the walk would take 3 to 4 hours of walking for a fit person. I took 3 hours plus stops - to take photos, look at seals, drink etc. Zennor is a pretty little town with some houses, a church and a pub doing a roaring trade for the visitors, mostly who came by car, and a cafe. After a nice lunch - I learnt what homity pie is - I caught the bus back to St Ives.
In the evening I went to a restaurant near here that has the reputation of being the best beachside cafe in St Ives. Mostly restaurants are booked out, but I so far I have turned up at 5. 45 and got the last table each time. Wednesday was no exception. I had a lovely meal overlooking the harbour and a sailing race of 4 smallish boats. I had brill, another different fish. I was told after wards that Judi Dench dines there with her daughter and family every so often. Her daughter has a house at Zennor.
St Ives Tuesday
Last Tuesday, after a slow start , I pottered rather aimlessly around the town. Very unusual for me. I bought a newspaper and sat on several different benches with different viewpoints of the boats and families playing in the sand. Before I knew it is was lunchtime. I had a delicious prawn salad from a takeaway place with tables next to one of the beaches. Then I tried another of the 'made in cornwall' icecreams because I did not want to give up my table. The afternoon was much the same as the morning.
St Ives is known for its beaches, scenic views , good light - lots of artists come and have come here- little windy roads, alleyways. It used to be a fishing, mainly pilchards, and mining - tin and copper - town. Now tourism is the main industry.
St Ives is known for its beaches, scenic views , good light - lots of artists come and have come here- little windy roads, alleyways. It used to be a fishing, mainly pilchards, and mining - tin and copper - town. Now tourism is the main industry.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Last Sunday in Bristol. A forgotten post.
Today we caught a bus from Bath to Bristol Airport. We chatted to a Bath resident on his way to Portugal.
When we arrived at Bristol airport, we range the proprietor of a b and b we had booked and she came and collectd our bags. We took the bus into Bristol and walked from the bus station through unremarkable business streets to an area called the floating harbour. This area was full of people . We had a brief but fun ferry ride along the river a short way to the SS Great Britain. We spent some time in the museum and on the boat. This ship was the largest iron hulled steam and sail vessel of its time, built in 1847 ??. It was designed and built by the famous engineer Brunel.
It made many trips bringing immigrants to Australia over a period of 30 years. Over its very long life it was modified several times. At one time it's engine was taken out to make way for cargo.
When we arrived at Bristol airport, we range the proprietor of a b and b we had booked and she came and collectd our bags. We took the bus into Bristol and walked from the bus station through unremarkable business streets to an area called the floating harbour. This area was full of people . We had a brief but fun ferry ride along the river a short way to the SS Great Britain. We spent some time in the museum and on the boat. This ship was the largest iron hulled steam and sail vessel of its time, built in 1847 ??. It was designed and built by the famous engineer Brunel.
It made many trips bringing immigrants to Australia over a period of 30 years. Over its very long life it was modified several times. At one time it's engine was taken out to make way for cargo.
Monday, September 1, 2014
St Ives
I have arrived in st Ives and Noel is in Abu Dhabi. My room is lovely but I have very limited wireless so maybe no blog for a while.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Saturday Bath Abbey
Yet again we were amazed by the size, craftsmanship, light, surfeit of volunteers, etc of another cathedral - Bath Abbey. We were also very impressed with a series of 35 images. Each image depicted an episode of Jesus life and consisted of 2 roughly A3 size elements, one calligraphy, usually a bible quote, beautifully illustrated and the other element an embroidery which matched the text in content and the calligraphy in colour. I could have spent half an hour looking carefully at each, instead I bought a book of the images and the creators notes. Noel did the same.
We talked to one of the volunteers for ages . He had spent time in Australia as a young man. We also talked to one of the clergy. He pointed out a series of new carved wooden angels above the choir stalls which were quirky and fun. The volunteer told us about a new memorial to Arthur Philip so after the cathedral we walked up the hill to see it, having lunch on the way. We walked back yet another way via the river.
Another great day. Noel is almost better, not so I.
We talked to one of the volunteers for ages . He had spent time in Australia as a young man. We also talked to one of the clergy. He pointed out a series of new carved wooden angels above the choir stalls which were quirky and fun. The volunteer told us about a new memorial to Arthur Philip so after the cathedral we walked up the hill to see it, having lunch on the way. We walked back yet another way via the river.
Another great day. Noel is almost better, not so I.
Friday, August 29, 2014
Friday Roman Baths in Bath
Today's highlight was our visit to the Roman Baths. We had not read much literature and did not realize that the complex included a temple and all sorts of interesting displays. It was a vast complex of several baths of different uses, the main hot water spring which had religious significance, remaining bits of the temple to the goddess Sulis Minerva , tomb stones, artifacts, engineering displays of how the huge stone blocks were manoeuvred etc etc. The local tribe , before the Romans arrived, believed their goddess Sulis had a connection with the thermal spring. The town, in Roman times, was called Aqua Sulis. It was another very rewarding experience.
In the afternoon we rested, shopped and checked Sundays bus. We wandered round the deserted streets after an early dinner, marvelling again at the attractive georgian architecture . There are hordes and hordes of people wondering around between about 10 and 6. Not always pleasant.
In the afternoon we rested, shopped and checked Sundays bus. We wandered round the deserted streets after an early dinner, marvelling again at the attractive georgian architecture . There are hordes and hordes of people wondering around between about 10 and 6. Not always pleasant.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Arrival in Bath
Noel woke this morning considerably imroved and I woke somewhat worse for wear. We got a taxi , cost £4, to the station rather than walk 200m and catch a bus at £ 1.50 each. A no brainer. I am learning to take taxis.
The train trip was uneventful and we arrived here in Bath in the early afternoon. Our very pleasant room looks over a cobbled courtyard with a tree in the middle. We had afternoon tea in one of the many 'traditional' tea rooms along with some of the other tourists. There were hordes wandering around the town. We wandered past the baths and abbey, very near us, and went up to look at a semi circular 'row' of large georgian townhouses. We wandered back, stopping in a pub for a drink. Tonight we had dinner in a nice pub on the other side of the cobbled courtyard.
The train trip was uneventful and we arrived here in Bath in the early afternoon. Our very pleasant room looks over a cobbled courtyard with a tree in the middle. We had afternoon tea in one of the many 'traditional' tea rooms along with some of the other tourists. There were hordes wandering around the town. We wandered past the baths and abbey, very near us, and went up to look at a semi circular 'row' of large georgian townhouses. We wandered back, stopping in a pub for a drink. Tonight we had dinner in a nice pub on the other side of the cobbled courtyard.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Resting in Truro on Wednesday
By the time we got back to our hotel yesterday Noel was feeling a bit seedy. He had a bad night, coughing and spluttering, so we decided to do as little as possible today. We had planned to go to Polperro but decided getting him better for Bath was more important. As it turned out he slept for most of the day, the only foray by him into the outside world was made to the nearby chemist and the cafe attached to the cathedral when the cleaners came. I had several wanders throughout the day and enjoyed the rest.
Tomorrow is another day.
Tomorrow is another day.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Magical Mystery Nostalgic Tour
This morning we went on a magical mystery nostalgia tour.
We left Truro sitting in the top left hand seats of a double decker bus heading toward Newquay. Driving down narrow country lanes this was sometimes an advantage , we could see over the hedges, but sometimes , particularly for me on the outside seat, it was sometimes scary. Sometimes the hedges intruded onto the road and grew over the road, over the top of norml cars, but not double deckers. A big branch would approach and the bus would drive straight through.
We had 30 minutes at Newquay in which I was shown from the cliff tops some of the beaches below by my Cornwall of 50 years ago tour guide. We then caught a bus heading for Padstow. We passed the airport and drove through St Morgan village, well known to my guide. We got off the bus at Morgan Porth. My tour guide used to swim there. We had cornish pasties sitting watching the many people enjoying the sandy beach. It was usually deserted 50 years ago. Not many English people ventured into the surf then. We went back to the bus stop to resume our magical mystery nostalgia tour . I had put a lot of effort into planning this outing and was most displeased when , after 1 hour of waiting for a bus that did not turn up, we had to rethink the plans. We decided to return to Newquay and so missed out on seeing where my tour guide lived for 2 1/2 years 50 years ago. We went on another bus to St Columb Major. Here the destination was The Red Lion. No prizes for guessing what this establishment is. Hint. My companion went there regularly after work with his crew. We walked up and down the unrenovated streets and felt as if we were still in the 60s. There were no icecreams to be found. The Red Lion still existed and served the same purpose. After sampling some wares, we got back on yet another bus and returned to Truro. Despite the change of plans and the hour and a half wait in the sun, it was overall a successful day.
I had skate wings for dinner - another fish
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We left Truro sitting in the top left hand seats of a double decker bus heading toward Newquay. Driving down narrow country lanes this was sometimes an advantage , we could see over the hedges, but sometimes , particularly for me on the outside seat, it was sometimes scary. Sometimes the hedges intruded onto the road and grew over the road, over the top of norml cars, but not double deckers. A big branch would approach and the bus would drive straight through.
We had 30 minutes at Newquay in which I was shown from the cliff tops some of the beaches below by my Cornwall of 50 years ago tour guide. We then caught a bus heading for Padstow. We passed the airport and drove through St Morgan village, well known to my guide. We got off the bus at Morgan Porth. My tour guide used to swim there. We had cornish pasties sitting watching the many people enjoying the sandy beach. It was usually deserted 50 years ago. Not many English people ventured into the surf then. We went back to the bus stop to resume our magical mystery nostalgia tour . I had put a lot of effort into planning this outing and was most displeased when , after 1 hour of waiting for a bus that did not turn up, we had to rethink the plans. We decided to return to Newquay and so missed out on seeing where my tour guide lived for 2 1/2 years 50 years ago. We went on another bus to St Columb Major. Here the destination was The Red Lion. No prizes for guessing what this establishment is. Hint. My companion went there regularly after work with his crew. We walked up and down the unrenovated streets and felt as if we were still in the 60s. There were no icecreams to be found. The Red Lion still existed and served the same purpose. After sampling some wares, we got back on yet another bus and returned to Truro. Despite the change of plans and the hour and a half wait in the sun, it was overall a successful day.
I had skate wings for dinner - another fish
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Monday, August 25, 2014
Arrival in Cornwall.
A day of mostly transport and exercises in patience. We are improving at getting ready quickly for an early departure, waiting patiently in queues and holding pens and tolerating airport food.
We arrived in Newquay to be greeted , as arranged , by a taxi driver to drive us to Truro. I am being corrupted by my nameless companion. Trouble is, I enjoyed paying money for half an hour in a comfy car with someone to carry my bag to avoid about 2 hours in several local buses. Our hotel is in the middle of the town and seems very pleasant. I went for a wander while my lazy companion showed his age for the first time in over 2 weeks and had a rest.
We had a very nice dinner at the hotel. Out the window I saw my first herring gull , an oversize seagull, according to my know - it - all companion . My desert included my second taste of clotted cream , quite delicious. Another case of corruption of my eating habits by my companion. Needless to say, he is sitting next to me as I write.
Talking about food, this trip I have discovered a taste for whisky ( based on the huge sample of 3), have tried and almost liked venison haggis, have enjoyed cod, haddock, sea bass and tonight gurnard and cullen skink , a soup containing smoked hddock and have enjoyed some different type of cheeses.
We arrived in Newquay to be greeted , as arranged , by a taxi driver to drive us to Truro. I am being corrupted by my nameless companion. Trouble is, I enjoyed paying money for half an hour in a comfy car with someone to carry my bag to avoid about 2 hours in several local buses. Our hotel is in the middle of the town and seems very pleasant. I went for a wander while my lazy companion showed his age for the first time in over 2 weeks and had a rest.
We had a very nice dinner at the hotel. Out the window I saw my first herring gull , an oversize seagull, according to my know - it - all companion . My desert included my second taste of clotted cream , quite delicious. Another case of corruption of my eating habits by my companion. Needless to say, he is sitting next to me as I write.
Talking about food, this trip I have discovered a taste for whisky ( based on the huge sample of 3), have tried and almost liked venison haggis, have enjoyed cod, haddock, sea bass and tonight gurnard and cullen skink , a soup containing smoked hddock and have enjoyed some different type of cheeses.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Loch Lomond
After a relaxed morning we met Noel's daughter and her partner as arranged. They had hired a car to fit 4 people and we first went to Luss on the NW shore of Loch Lomond for a delicious lunch , sitting outside, at a nice pub and a stroll around a rather touristy village.
Then we drove North along Loch Long to Ard-***** (fill in guttural unpronounceable sound) ( I cannot be bothered looking up Google maps the name) . We went for a walk along a forest path, saw some views, lush undergrowth and big trees.
On the next leg, we saw some deer in a field and drove along the eastern shore of Loch Long and then to Helensburgh where Noel's daughters partners parents were expecting us for afternoon tea. It was very good to meet them and we had pleasant time.
Then we drove North along Loch Long to Ard-***** (fill in guttural unpronounceable sound) ( I cannot be bothered looking up Google maps the name) . We went for a walk along a forest path, saw some views, lush undergrowth and big trees.
On the next leg, we saw some deer in a field and drove along the eastern shore of Loch Long and then to Helensburgh where Noel's daughters partners parents were expecting us for afternoon tea. It was very good to meet them and we had pleasant time.
Saturday in Glasgow
We caught a bus along the Clyde to the new Riverside Museum of Transport. It was awarded the European Museum of the year 2013. Very quickly we realised why. It was full of interesting things to see, read about, experience, from baby prams to giant locomotives.
Then we went by subway to the eastern side of Glasgow and walked to the Peoples Palace , a museum of Glasgow life in the poor East End over the past 100 years or so. We did not have enough time. We went , via our hotel, to the West End of Glasgow where we visited Noels daughter and her partner in their lovely terrace apartment. After afternoon tea we walked through the Glasgow uni campus to a nice restaurant for dinner, then we went to a nearby church for a performance of Puccini's one act opera Gianni Schicchi. Very enjoyable.
Then we went by subway to the eastern side of Glasgow and walked to the Peoples Palace , a museum of Glasgow life in the poor East End over the past 100 years or so. We did not have enough time. We went , via our hotel, to the West End of Glasgow where we visited Noels daughter and her partner in their lovely terrace apartment. After afternoon tea we walked through the Glasgow uni campus to a nice restaurant for dinner, then we went to a nearby church for a performance of Puccini's one act opera Gianni Schicchi. Very enjoyable.
Friday, August 22, 2014
Farewell Oban
Today was actually warm enough to only wear 1 jacket to the train station to catch the train to Glasgow, rather than 2 jackets like the previous 5 days.
Our hotel in Glasgow seems good. We paid a bit extra for an outward looking room and found that this entitled us to free drinks from our mini bar and access to the executive lounge.
We arrived at lunchtime and went to a famous tearoom designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh around the start of the 1900 s. We had a traditional afternoon tea with the works for lunch. We wandered around following a trail from the Lonely Planet guide book about old buildings in Glasgow, ending at the cathedral. It was grey and imposing on the outside , very gothicy, but ok on the inside. Not as appealing as Norwich, but still interesting. Most of the many stained glass windows were relatively new, made soon after ww2.
After our exertions we partook of the french wines in the executive lounge and soon after had our Sainsburys salads for dinner.
Our hotel in Glasgow seems good. We paid a bit extra for an outward looking room and found that this entitled us to free drinks from our mini bar and access to the executive lounge.
We arrived at lunchtime and went to a famous tearoom designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh around the start of the 1900 s. We had a traditional afternoon tea with the works for lunch. We wandered around following a trail from the Lonely Planet guide book about old buildings in Glasgow, ending at the cathedral. It was grey and imposing on the outside , very gothicy, but ok on the inside. Not as appealing as Norwich, but still interesting. Most of the many stained glass windows were relatively new, made soon after ww2.
After our exertions we partook of the french wines in the executive lounge and soon after had our Sainsburys salads for dinner.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Cullen skink
There is a prize for anyone who is
A. Reading this and
B. Knows , without the aid of wiki, what a cullen skink 8 is.
A. Reading this and
B. Knows , without the aid of wiki, what a cullen skink 8 is.
Kilmartin
Today we went by bus to Kilmartin. The trip took 1 hour through more beautiful heather covered hills, thick pine forests, windy roads, many lochs, some empty , some with many $ s worth of sail and motor craft.
I quote : Kilmartin Glen is home to internationally significant prehistoric and early historic sites and monuments, making it mainland Scotland most important archaeological landscape.
We got a map from the museum and set off through a cow paddock to the first of the sites, Glebe Cairn. This was the first of 4 in a row spaced o er a kilometre. They were large piles of stones beneath which were bronze age burial sites. We we able to climb down into 2. Later in the museum we saw some of the pottery items that were found in these cairns. We also saw several groups of standing stones. One was a circle (20 m diameter )of stones each about 1 m tall. This is considered to be the ceremonial heart of Kilmartin Glen 5000 years ago.
There were more interesting things but we had a bus to catch to return , so returned to the museum to read briefly about what we had not seen, then returned to Oban.
This afternoon's weather has been the best of the 6 days in this area. We leave tomorrow for Glasgow!
I quote : Kilmartin Glen is home to internationally significant prehistoric and early historic sites and monuments, making it mainland Scotland most important archaeological landscape.
We got a map from the museum and set off through a cow paddock to the first of the sites, Glebe Cairn. This was the first of 4 in a row spaced o er a kilometre. They were large piles of stones beneath which were bronze age burial sites. We we able to climb down into 2. Later in the museum we saw some of the pottery items that were found in these cairns. We also saw several groups of standing stones. One was a circle (20 m diameter )of stones each about 1 m tall. This is considered to be the ceremonial heart of Kilmartin Glen 5000 years ago.
There were more interesting things but we had a bus to catch to return , so returned to the museum to read briefly about what we had not seen, then returned to Oban.
This afternoon's weather has been the best of the 6 days in this area. We leave tomorrow for Glasgow!
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Wednesday in Oban
Noel and I separately are early risers. Today we distinguished ourselves by being late for 8.30 breakfast. We are on Holidays!
After breakfast we set off to look at the ruined castle , Dunollie, along the waterfront from our b and b. We discovered a house built in 1745 and added to with a bigger house in the 1800s. It has had a turbulent history as the seat of the chief of the Mac Dougall clan. The older house had some interesting displays about life at various times and some of the chiefs. We climbed up to the ruined castle and returned via a path through fields and woods to the back of Oban and then back here.
Later we walked into Oban town and up the steep hill behind to a structure known locally as McCoy's Folly or on the maps as a tower. It is a circular stone wall some 20 to 30 ft high and about 40 yards across with several rows of arches with nothing other than trees and grass in the middle.
We had some delicious mussels for dinner. They were small but tasty, soft and not at all chewy.
After breakfast we set off to look at the ruined castle , Dunollie, along the waterfront from our b and b. We discovered a house built in 1745 and added to with a bigger house in the 1800s. It has had a turbulent history as the seat of the chief of the Mac Dougall clan. The older house had some interesting displays about life at various times and some of the chiefs. We climbed up to the ruined castle and returned via a path through fields and woods to the back of Oban and then back here.
Later we walked into Oban town and up the steep hill behind to a structure known locally as McCoy's Folly or on the maps as a tower. It is a circular stone wall some 20 to 30 ft high and about 40 yards across with several rows of arches with nothing other than trees and grass in the middle.
We had some delicious mussels for dinner. They were small but tasty, soft and not at all chewy.
Iona
By Saturday evening the weather was getting worse. On Sunday we only ventured out to get food - at lunch (another friendly pub) and at dinner (a different friendlypub). It was blowing a gale with horizontal rain. No ferries were running and we were worried our plans for Monday would be compromised. Luckily the weather improved overnight.
Early Monday morning we caught a ferry from Oban to Craignure on the eastern side of Mull. From Craignure we caught a bus to Fionphort on the western side of Mull. From Fionphort we caught a ferry to Iona. Me being me had come prepared with ferry and bus timetables. There are only 3 a day buses on this route. We were amused at Craignure to watch a Danish schoolteacher talking to the bus driver. She had no idea of times or availability for her 34 students and 4 other teachers. The road across Mull was mostly only 1 lane wide . There were numerous designated 'passing places'
We dropped out overnight bags at our b and b and went to the abbey for a brief look, then food , then back for a longer linger. We were both interested in the historical significance to the origins of Christianity in this part of the world. The rugged coastal scenery, rocky heather covered hills , scattered small cottages and wandering sheep added to the allure of the place. It is easy to understand why many people have come here over the decades to think .
This morning we woke to blue skies and calmer seas. After breakfast Noel went off on a trip to the island of Staffa. The main attraction for him was Fingals cave. Pillar like rock forms forming the walls and the high ceiling gave the cave a cathedral like sense. The view from the highest point of the island of surrounding islands, the mainland and the sea was truly majestic. I stayed on Iona and moved from 1 nice seat with a view to another nice seat with a view for 3 hours. Very pleasant.
We reversed the ferry, bus, ferry route to get back to Oban but with a longer than expected wait for a late ferry to Oban
Early Monday morning we caught a ferry from Oban to Craignure on the eastern side of Mull. From Craignure we caught a bus to Fionphort on the western side of Mull. From Fionphort we caught a ferry to Iona. Me being me had come prepared with ferry and bus timetables. There are only 3 a day buses on this route. We were amused at Craignure to watch a Danish schoolteacher talking to the bus driver. She had no idea of times or availability for her 34 students and 4 other teachers. The road across Mull was mostly only 1 lane wide . There were numerous designated 'passing places'
We dropped out overnight bags at our b and b and went to the abbey for a brief look, then food , then back for a longer linger. We were both interested in the historical significance to the origins of Christianity in this part of the world. The rugged coastal scenery, rocky heather covered hills , scattered small cottages and wandering sheep added to the allure of the place. It is easy to understand why many people have come here over the decades to think .
This morning we woke to blue skies and calmer seas. After breakfast Noel went off on a trip to the island of Staffa. The main attraction for him was Fingals cave. Pillar like rock forms forming the walls and the high ceiling gave the cave a cathedral like sense. The view from the highest point of the island of surrounding islands, the mainland and the sea was truly majestic. I stayed on Iona and moved from 1 nice seat with a view to another nice seat with a view for 3 hours. Very pleasant.
We reversed the ferry, bus, ferry route to get back to Oban but with a longer than expected wait for a late ferry to Oban
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Arriving in Oban
Yesterday we left Norwich by train straight after breakfast, made our way by crowded tube and foot from Liverpool station to Euston Station in London and then got the train we had booked to King's Langley where a friend of Noel's met us. He and his wife are lovely people and, after lunch, took us to St Albans cathedral. It had a very interesting history. Now it is used for services for my different Christian groups. A lady had just finished a guided tour when we arrived. Pat asked her if she could show us around. Ok she said. An hour later she told us she had to go. She was fascinating.
In the evening we went to a nice pub for dinner. Early this morning Pat drove us to Luton airport, from where we caught a plane to Glasgow and then a train here to Oban. We chatted in the train to a lady from Liverpool whose mother was from Ireland and father from the outer Hebrides . We walked a kilometre along the waterfront to our b and b. We have a lovely view out over some water to different boats and some islands with hills, grass and not much else on them.
We have just had dinner in a place straight out of the 1950s. I enjoyed a scotch - the first since I was in Edinburgh in 2010 but the fish and chips were quite unremarkable. The waiter was from Bulgaria and interesting to talk to.
In the evening we went to a nice pub for dinner. Early this morning Pat drove us to Luton airport, from where we caught a plane to Glasgow and then a train here to Oban. We chatted in the train to a lady from Liverpool whose mother was from Ireland and father from the outer Hebrides . We walked a kilometre along the waterfront to our b and b. We have a lovely view out over some water to different boats and some islands with hills, grass and not much else on them.
We have just had dinner in a place straight out of the 1950s. I enjoyed a scotch - the first since I was in Edinburgh in 2010 but the fish and chips were quite unremarkable. The waiter was from Bulgaria and interesting to talk to.
Friday, August 15, 2014
Norwich Cathedral
The highlight for us yesterday was the cathedral. We spent quite a while wandering around inside. At one time we got talking to a volunteer who had a grand nephew at Duntroon. He pointed out to us a stained glass window depicting Anzacs. According to him the only one in England. He was a very chatty man and had been in the RAF. If Noel had commented on his past we would still be there.
The bishops chair is fairly plain but on the top of a quite a few stone steps. It is the only one in England facing the congregation. The altar cloths were both fairly plain, which was a bit of a surprise, specially coming after the wonderful one of Worcester Cathedral. That one was in the colours of the liturgical year and represented buildings and the river.
We had coffee and cake in the refectory - part of the new building attached to the old. We both felt the architecture was great and the space felt really good.
After the cathedral we walked to a tiny church , St Julians, where in 1370ish a lady went to spend the rest of her life in a smallish room. She became known as Julian of Norwich and was the first woman to write a book in English - about her visions from God.
After lunch Noel went to visit the museum in the castle and I spent an hour reading my book about the establishment of Iona.
We went to evensong in the cathedral - another special experience.
The bishops chair is fairly plain but on the top of a quite a few stone steps. It is the only one in England facing the congregation. The altar cloths were both fairly plain, which was a bit of a surprise, specially coming after the wonderful one of Worcester Cathedral. That one was in the colours of the liturgical year and represented buildings and the river.
We had coffee and cake in the refectory - part of the new building attached to the old. We both felt the architecture was great and the space felt really good.
After the cathedral we walked to a tiny church , St Julians, where in 1370ish a lady went to spend the rest of her life in a smallish room. She became known as Julian of Norwich and was the first woman to write a book in English - about her visions from God.
After lunch Noel went to visit the museum in the castle and I spent an hour reading my book about the establishment of Iona.
We went to evensong in the cathedral - another special experience.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Norwich and Winterton
The old part of Norwich is surrounded on 2 1/2 side by the River Wensum. Yesterday we walked around the riverside from our hotel to the cathedral. We saw a ruined old tower, old houses, swans, fisher people, big trees, good views of the cathedral. We wandered around the Cathedral close. 4 years ago a modern buliding linking the cathedral with some other old bits was opened. The way the new blends in with the old is impressive. You enter the cathedral from this new building. When we went in we were greeted by a volunteer whose job it was was to tell us about the new building - the hostery - it has an exhibition space, a choir practice room and a room for visiting school groups. We wandered around the magnificent old cloisters and looked at an exhibition of quilts. We left the inside of the cathedral for today .
We met as arranged the parents of a friend of Wendy's outside the cathedral. They took us to a nearby really old building for coffee in a picturesque old windy cobbled street. After working our way through our list of questions, and other chit chat, we left there and they took us to a village, Winterton on the coast East of Norwich. We had lunch at a lovely pub, then went for a walk through the village to the beach. We walked through some sand dunes and onto the fine sand, slightly brown by our standards. We walked towards the water and , near the waters edge , there was about 5 metres of sand with stones. Odd. A bit to the south there was a wind farm in the sea.
We walked through the sand dunes a circuitous way back to the car. On the edge of the sand dunes there was a sign to beware of adders sunning themselves on the paths amongst the dunes. Just as well I had not read this first.
We were driven back to Norwich after a companionable, very interesting day.
We met as arranged the parents of a friend of Wendy's outside the cathedral. They took us to a nearby really old building for coffee in a picturesque old windy cobbled street. After working our way through our list of questions, and other chit chat, we left there and they took us to a village, Winterton on the coast East of Norwich. We had lunch at a lovely pub, then went for a walk through the village to the beach. We walked through some sand dunes and onto the fine sand, slightly brown by our standards. We walked towards the water and , near the waters edge , there was about 5 metres of sand with stones. Odd. A bit to the south there was a wind farm in the sea.
We walked through the sand dunes a circuitous way back to the car. On the edge of the sand dunes there was a sign to beware of adders sunning themselves on the paths amongst the dunes. Just as well I had not read this first.
We were driven back to Norwich after a companionable, very interesting day.
Norfolk Broads
Today is Wednesday morning.
On monday we had an uneventful day. One of the other guests at the party drove us to the station and we caught a train, a crowded train and another slightly less crowded train and walked a short way to our hotel in Norwich. We pottered in the afternoon , found a dry cleaner and shoe repair shop and wandered around some of the old cobbled lanes. Dinner in the hotel was unremarkable.
Yesterday we had a lovely day on the Norfolk Broads.
After catching a train to Wroxham, we had breakfast overlooking boats, swans, houses and more boats of all sizes. We found the place where I had booked a boat for the day and were instructed in its use. Off we went upstream along the river Dare. There were not many boats and after 1 1/4 hours pulled easily into a public mooring at Coltishall near a pub , the Kings Head, where we had coffee. We had justified a little something with our coffee, they had nothing. Luckily the shop next door had local icecream. It would have been churlish of us not to sample a local delicacy. It was delicious.
We pottered back - in an electric boat it is impossible to do more than potter - to
Wroxham and went on downstream to Horning. There was a lot more traffic . It is still school holidays here. At the first place all the public moorings were taken and there were a lot of big boats double moored. Too congested for us. We went on 10 minutes to another place and Noel executed a very good reverse park in at 90 degree ably assisted by his deckhand. We shared some fish, chips, mushy peas and a fish pie at a nice pub, the Ferry Inn. We pottered back - more boats of all sizes, swans, ducks, interesting houses. It was a very enjoyable, relaxing day.
On monday we had an uneventful day. One of the other guests at the party drove us to the station and we caught a train, a crowded train and another slightly less crowded train and walked a short way to our hotel in Norwich. We pottered in the afternoon , found a dry cleaner and shoe repair shop and wandered around some of the old cobbled lanes. Dinner in the hotel was unremarkable.
Yesterday we had a lovely day on the Norfolk Broads.
After catching a train to Wroxham, we had breakfast overlooking boats, swans, houses and more boats of all sizes. We found the place where I had booked a boat for the day and were instructed in its use. Off we went upstream along the river Dare. There were not many boats and after 1 1/4 hours pulled easily into a public mooring at Coltishall near a pub , the Kings Head, where we had coffee. We had justified a little something with our coffee, they had nothing. Luckily the shop next door had local icecream. It would have been churlish of us not to sample a local delicacy. It was delicious.
We pottered back - in an electric boat it is impossible to do more than potter - to
Wroxham and went on downstream to Horning. There was a lot more traffic . It is still school holidays here. At the first place all the public moorings were taken and there were a lot of big boats double moored. Too congested for us. We went on 10 minutes to another place and Noel executed a very good reverse park in at 90 degree ably assisted by his deckhand. We shared some fish, chips, mushy peas and a fish pie at a nice pub, the Ferry Inn. We pottered back - more boats of all sizes, swans, ducks, interesting houses. It was a very enjoyable, relaxing day.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Celebration of the 40th wedding anniversary of friends.
Sunday was a very happy day. At breakfast we looked into the rain and English gloom but it was no damper on the day. There were 38 people here from many parts of the world and from different stages of their lives. We talked to many interesting people and ate good food most of the day in a charming location. It fined up by early afternoon.
Worcester
Yesterday we went to Worcester by foot, bus and train and returned after a long day by train and taxi (I am learning) . We wandered around - there was a festival on, many pedestrian malls, old buildings, people dressed in period costumes, bands etc We visited an old tutor house that had many original rooms and features. There were displays in various rooms showing how the house had been used
The highlight for us was Worcester Cathedral. It was a different design -2 transepts and seemed initially too long and skinny with a very high roof, but it was very impressive. Lots of interesting details all around. Nice cloisters. It was good to be able to appreciate the atmosphere of the space with someone who thought the same.
Very late lunch / early dinner was a simple pub meal in Great Malvern. Noel's beer, ' Village idot', was more successful than my rose
Friday, August 8, 2014
Great Malvern
We have French doors from our room opening onto a little balcony. With the curtains open we can see stars at night. I discovered this in the many wakeful minutes .
The Malvern Hills are a 9 mile ridge, heavily wooded with lots of walking tracks. There is a main trail along the ridge. Before breakfast we went for a walk from our hotel up to the ridge and back. There are great views .
After breakfast we caught a bus - quite unusual, most people who stay here have a car - into Great Malvern. The bus route gave us a good view of a cross section of the different levels of housing in the area - not just big old houses that used to be hotels where people came to 'take the waters' in Victoria times.
The highlight of the day was visiting the Malvern Priory. This was founded as a Benediction Priory in 1085. It was a monastery for over 450 years. It fell into disrepair and local people bought it for £20 in 1541. It has been the parish church since.
It is huge, but lovely and light inside because of many stained glass windows. The inside stone is mostly light. When we walked in there was a singer and a few musicians practising . We sat and listened and soaked up the atmosphere.
We wandered around the town for a while and caught the bus back. This was a tad interesting, but we made it.
The Malvern Hills are a 9 mile ridge, heavily wooded with lots of walking tracks. There is a main trail along the ridge. Before breakfast we went for a walk from our hotel up to the ridge and back. There are great views .
After breakfast we caught a bus - quite unusual, most people who stay here have a car - into Great Malvern. The bus route gave us a good view of a cross section of the different levels of housing in the area - not just big old houses that used to be hotels where people came to 'take the waters' in Victoria times.
The highlight of the day was visiting the Malvern Priory. This was founded as a Benediction Priory in 1085. It was a monastery for over 450 years. It fell into disrepair and local people bought it for £20 in 1541. It has been the parish church since.
It is huge, but lovely and light inside because of many stained glass windows. The inside stone is mostly light. When we walked in there was a singer and a few musicians practising . We sat and listened and soaked up the atmosphere.
We wandered around the town for a while and caught the bus back. This was a tad interesting, but we made it.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Arrived Malvern safely.
The trip here went very well. Should have, for the price. We overate. We drank well.
Nice view from our bedroom.
Nice view from our bedroom.
Friday, July 25, 2014
test of reduced photos
These are some photos of foggy Canberra this morning. I am making sure they go ok into this blog from my new tablet.
Seems to have worked.
I can add comments ok
Some colour.
Seems to have worked.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Test from new tablet
This is a test to make sure I have set this up properly.
Just over 3 weeks till I am off to the UK.
Just over 3 weeks till I am off to the UK.
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