Our 3 day trip begins..............

Day one saw us heading for Devon and Cornwall. We had our itinerary worked out and our places to stay. Packed light and got on the road early. We found ourselves going through the New Forest and it was so beautiful. The trees so green after all the rain that summer. This Monday was sunny and warm though and just heavenly. (this is not my picture but I wanted to show the difference between how the forest is there to what we know here in Michigan) The ponies are allowed to wander where they want. People who do not want them in their gardens have cattle grids to keep them out. Otherwise they go where they choose. "Pony 'drifts' are held each year in the summer and autumn, when both commoners and agisters ride out across the open forest to round up the animals. Herding the animals together in a pound allows several jobs to be done at once with help at hand (such as tail clipping and veterinary checks). Any colts are taken off the forest before they can breed, as are ponies that are to be sold or kept on a holding through the winter." (from the official web site) This guy takes a long nap oblivious to the fact that traffic must got around him. This years babies just drift along and follow mum. They don't worry about traffic, they know it will stop. There are cows also that are left to fend for themselves during summer months also "common" law rights of any "commoners" who live within the forest. There are several breeds of deer too. The Fallow Deer, The Roe deer (we saw some) the Red Deer and Sika. The large herds of Fallow deer tend to stay in one area where they are fed. There are many miles of hiking trails and lots of lovely places to walk across common ground and brushland. The Oaks and Beech trees, the Gorse and Broome, Heather and ferns. Great nesting places for Partridge and Pheasant. Great hunting for Fox and Badger. Here is an amazing link to an article about the ways of the New Forest and about this year's round up. Next off to Corfe Castle.

Sunday at Cowdray..............

Sunday, the first Sunday in England we took a trip to Cowdray Castle/House ruins. It was their Tudor Festival. Liz had sent me a brochure before we began to make out plans. It seemed like a great idea that would interest most of us. Well, come to find out there were many Tudor festivals that weekend. We probably would have done better at Arundel Castle where they had jousting. As it turned out Cowdray was a nice afternoon it was not crowded and so very enjoyable. It a was leisurely stroll through beautiful ruins. What a beauty it must have been in its heyday. It was built around 1520 for a Tudor nobleman. Henry himself stayed there a few times. Even Queen Elizabeth 1 was there. The house was taken by fire in 1793. In modern times the ruins have been made safe and are a popular destination for tourists. Capability Brown changed the gardens into a park land and the grounds are still wonderful to stoll through. Most ruins strike the imagination but walking through and seeing people casually stroll by in Tudor garb really made it interesting. The re-enactors spoke as though they were back in the Tudor times, it was disconcerting at first but you got used to it. I spoke with a man who was showing woodwind instruments. Some hand made and beautiful. I learned about the reed inside of a reed flute and how it vibrated. Interesting. Then outside there was a booth with ladies working with herbs, that was fascinating, an interest of mine so I really enjoyed that. Jason went up to the tower looked off the roof, I started up there but saw a sign that said no entry and went back down. I was not going to go up again. By sunday me and steps were not getting along too well. I was beginning to cultivate the biggest blister I have ever seen on my body. Jason took this shot through the arrow slit, would have got Mark if he had a bow and arrow. Meanwhile I strolled through dreaming of how things once may have been, I love to do that. They have done a fine job of preservation on the ruins and I hope they last for many many years to come so that people can learn and appreciate our wonderful history. Monday would begin our 3 day trip through Devon and Cornwall.........

London day one.............

London.....city of my heart and of my youth. I love that place. I love the exuberance, the life, the diversity of cultures. People of all colours and nationalities, the shops, the cafe's where you can sit and watch the world go by. The History and for me the connection I feel to the past. I lived for a time between Wimbledon and Putney and spent many evenings walking around the city at night and through the night. Always a safe place in the 1960s. I have sat on the platform at Tower Bridge at 3am and felt no fear. I am not sure I am that naive any longer but it still seems to be a friendly city. I wanted my son to see the hustle and bustle so unlike Detroit or American cities. People lay in the parks dozing, courting, reading or eating lunch and just watching the people go by. There are street musicians and entertainers along the Embankment and around the theater district. There are painted walls with poems on them, artists at work........always something to see and do and as back in my day, it does not cost you a thing to wander and just look. We spent two days in London. Not enough time but we made the most of it. This day saw us at St Pauls. As always, no pictures of the inside but what a beautiful place built to the Glory of God. The taxi's are a bit different Then there are still the traditional ones of course. Then we have Big Ben..........look at that sky. Bodicea is right where I left her guarding the Embankment. We went into Westminster Abbey. Its changed a bit. I didn't realize that they could actually move things around. It was tough going with so many people around but what an awesome place. The English Throne is there. No longer holding the Stone of Scone because that was returned to Scotland. I guess we can borrow it though when its next needed. There are just so many great people buried there and memorials. Poets corner is also interesting but even though so many kings and queens lay there amongst the greatest of the land, the most impressive one is that of the unknown warrior. The Olympics were only just over, so I was able to get this picture right before they were gone forever We took a boat along the river to Greenwich...........very interesting. Again I was glad to see so many people just sitting in the parks enjoying the out of doors. The Cutty Sark, the last of the Clippers. They worked the tea trade and later wool from New Zealand or Australia. This one was the fastest and was retired somewhere around 1922? On the way back the river was pretty.The Shard from the river Dusk The Tower Bridge The Tower of London, how beautiful it is. How imposing. Traiters gate enters through the river but they have blocked up the outside entrance now and just the name remains. The inside is the same though and you can just imagine. Shudder......

1066........

The Battle of Hastings........actually the battle was fought outside of Hastings and was the last time that England ever saw a successful invasion. Who knows how that fight would have gone that day had King Harold not been hit by an arrow that killed him. Harold was in the north of the country having rushed north to meet an army of Vikings who were plotting an invasion also. The battle of Stamford Bridge was a success for King Harold 11 but he received warning of Williams invasion in the south. Once more his people had to force march to the south and meet William at the Battle of Seniac Hill. Harold, so the story goes was hit by an arrow into his eye, and so the Bayeux Tapestry will forever show him with the arrow protruding from his helmet. I wont go into the rest of the history here, its interesting enough but I don't need to rewrite it. Harold was a brave man and its a shame that he was killed as he was before we could see if he could have won. They say that Williams cavalry would have taken the day against the foot soldiers of Harold's army. Who knows. So we went to Battle to see the field and to pay respects to where the last English King was killed in battle. Everything changed after Hastings. Our language changed, our country changed. William built castles all over the country. Many still stand today. We went to the Abbey ruins at Battle and where there is a stone where it is believed that Harold was killed. The Abbey itself, even though in ruins is impressive. Walking along the outskirts one faces where the battlefield was, now calm and tranquil fields of wildflowers its a poignant spot. There are plenty of places to go inside and see what's left. The cloisters under the abbey still have amazing ceilings and there are dark places that are fun to wander through. Look out through arrow slits and imagine. The steps are worn from hundreds of years of use. Amazing. A quiet and tranquil exploration, what a fun thing to do for a day out. Especially if (like me) you love history. Just look at those blue sky's we were so fortunate with the weather. The small town of Battle is a pretty place to visit and I am glad we didn't miss it.

Chartwell..............

Chartwell was the home of Winston Churchill and his wife Clemantine. He bought and remodeled the home extensively. It became too expensive to run and so a consortium of investors/business men bought the home and allowed the Churchill's to remain there for life. Upon their death it was to revert to the National Trust and today is owned by them for posterity. Winston worked himself on the grounds ponds and walls, he also had a studio on the grounds that he enjoyed using for painting. Winston may have been a great statesman and orator but he was also very much a hands on person and enjoyed fiddling around and trying his hand at things. There are wonderful lawns, ponds, orchards and rose gardens there. The house is lovely despite its reputation for being "ponderous" I liked it anyway and could see that Winston could be happy there. Its said that Henry V111 stayed there during his courting days as Hever castle is close by and it would have been very handy for courting Anne. The above picture shows the red brick Victorian face of the building, although the house itself is much older than that. Jason sits beneath a tree waiting for our turn to go in. They only allow so many at a time and that's a good idea. Liz and Rodney relax on a bench also waiting. Above Liz, Rodney and Jason plan on rearranging things........other views of the gardens overlooking ponds and the side face of the house where once the great chimney was. Above the studio where he did his painting and the orchards outside. View from the balcony looking out over the English countryside and the grounds of Chartwell. Some of the lovely gardens, the rose gardens.......I will show some of the flowers in my garden blog. Enjoy Chartwell, its worth the visit if you get a chance. I see an older Winston here, content in his gardens and studio away from world affairs. Although I can just imagine the plots and plans that went on inside.

Day One....................

On our first day we went to breakfast at the Bluebird Cafe on the beach at Ferring. It was rather nice. We were still tired from our flight in but it was a lovely day to start the adventure. We began the day at Hever Castle the girlhood home of Ann Boleyn. The grounds were lovely and I suppose after all the rain that they had this summer everything was kept fresh and lovely. It was easy to imagine the ladies in their dresses swishing around the small hidden gardens or strolling along the lawns. Henry fell in love with Ann here and did his courting here. In my imagination I could almost see them. Some pictures that will never do it justice. As always pictures are not allowed inside. I understand why and so I usually buy a book. I like to do that because it gives me some history, maybe something I didn't know. It also helps to preserve these places for the future and I am all for that. Also for anyone who loves English history maybe think about joining the National Trust and English Heritage who do so much to keep our heritage intact. Too many of these wonderful places have gone to ruin, and even the ruins need to be taken care of and kept safe. Its a privilege to be able to go there, to places once private dwellings. Kept in trust by these families and handed down for generations. In modern times taxes have taken their toll so please help preserve our history. There was to be some jousting later but we could not stay, I could not resist this picture though.

I am back...............

Thank you for your patience. I got back Monday from my trip but have been exhausted. The good news was that I really didn't mind the flight. I don't believe I will ever "love" it but it may be more due to all the hassle of getting around, and waiting and waiting. We had an 8 hour lay over in Chicago on the way back. Why is it that the planes always sound like they are falling apart at the seams.? I had to think about what I wanted to do on my blogs and so I think I will divide up the 7 days on here and show some of the lovely places we went. I tried to find places I had not seen before but that would interest my son Jason. We sort of worked out the itinerary prior to arrival. My aunt Liz and Rodney put us up for 5 of the 7 days and the other two we spent with my cousin Mark. The best part of the trip was spending time with them. My son Jason bought the tickets and my family paid for most of the rest of the trip, the food and the lodgings. How fortunate we are to have such loving family. Liz and Rodney met us at Gatwick after an uneventful journey. Well, maybe not uneventful but not of interest here. We went to Maeka house first. Arrival at Marks....Beth,Jason and Me Liz, Beth,, Me, Mark, Binny and Rodney Then on to Liz and Rodney to freshen up before enjoying a walk on the beach and a drive around and Dinner at the Black Rabbit. It was great to once again see families who are able to include their dogs in their daily activities like eating in a pub or restaurant. I love that. My memory is beginning to fade and so I may not get things in order. That first day was a blur because we arrived around 1pm (close) We got the tour of the house because we have not seen their new house before. Its called "Dolphin Cottage" in Ferring in West Sussex. Last trip they were living in Wiltshire. Well ......Ferring is a small town and the houses look quite new. The beach could have held my attention for quite some time. So different from our Michigan beaches. It was all pebble but among the pebbles was wonderful sea weeds of many colours. This is a view of the path along the beach. Lots of people out walking.......Took me awhile to get this picture with no one in it. I just knew I could NOT take that stuff back so no point in too much investigation. There was a lovely place on the beach that we went to for breakfast. Everywhere we went to eat we saved any left overs for a fox that came to Liz house every evening. They have a special place for the food and its always gone next day. I had the fortune to have one visitor that made me feel I was home. Here he is.........