UK Holiday
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Dick & Bess UK Holiday |
Lambourne and Home
Around Woolhampton
Exmoor
Dunster | Porlock | Lynmouth | Gorse & Heather | Panoramic | Exmoor Ponies | Other pictures
Beachy Head and Worthing
We have no pictures here because we did not have a digital camera on our coach trip.
Coming home from the Lake District via Little Morton Hall.
Lake District. Kendal pencils museum, Hadrian's Wall and a drive around Crummock and Buttermere.
Kendal Pencil Museum | Hadrian's Wall | Other Pictures
Lake District. The world's best topiary garden.
Lake District. Pam and Meg took a 12 mile walk around Ullswater while the rest went to Carlysle castle and cathedral. Needless to say, the camera preferred Ullswater.
Lake District. The miniature steam train ride to Boot.
Lake District. Lots of driving, including the beautiful village of Hawkeshead.
First day in the Lake District.
Around Aldermaston and Silchester, an ancient roman walled city a few miles from Tom and Pam's home.
Today we took a day outing to Waddesdon Manor, one of the many Rothschild homes.
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Waddesdon Manor
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In Training
Wisley Gardens
The Cotswolds
Cheddar and Wooky Hole Caves
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Cheddar
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Wooky Hole
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Originally we wanted to go west to Cheddar, but rather went east because of the weather. We did more than 200 miles today, visiting Canterbury and Dover. Most of the morning was spent in the cathedral and grounds, after which we had lunch at a quaint restaurant in a building dated 1500AD. Then we strolled through the High Street (every town has one) and through the medieval gate to a lovely garden along the river.
After leaving Canterbury we detoured through Dover. Unfortunately the "road" to the white cliffs was closed as it was after 6pm. However, we go some nice views of Dover castle, and then found a picnic and fishing spot where we could at least get some view of the cliffs.
After that it was a long drive home and to bed.
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Cantebury Cathedral
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Canal Walk
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Dover
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Today we went to Windsor. As we arrived, we saw the end of the Changing of the Guard ceremony, with the old guard just leaving the palace grounds. We decided not to enter the palace itself, but just enjoy the town. There we saw both the shortest street in Britain (at 51') and what must be the local version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, now serving as a tea room.
We then took a short boat trip on the Thames, before having a light lunch. On our way back we followed back roads through villages along the river (e.g. Cookham, Bourne End and Wycombe) before heading home.
The weather in the evening was very pleasant as the wind had died down, and we sat out on the patio and had another braai.
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Windsor
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Today we took it easy in the morning, and then went to The Vyne, a manor house now run by the National Trust, a few miles from Woolhampton. We got 2 pictures in the garden, but were not allowed to take any inside.
PicturesWe went with Pam, Megan and a friend down to Cornwall, where the two girls went to an Open University day. It was a long trip, and it rained all day.
A bit rainy today. We took a leasurely drive up to the picturesque town of Henley-on-Thames, site of the well known Henley Regatta, which takes place next week. We had lunch at the Angel pub on the river bank, and then wandered along the river. On the way back we came across some troups of Morris dancers. Morris dancing is a traditional dance type associated with spring. One of the troupes even came from the USA.
Unfortunately Tom had not replaced the camera battery which had been removed to be charged, so had to buy a disposable camera for today's pictures. Although not of the best quality, they still provide a flavour of the day.
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Henley
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Morris Dancers
Dick was feeling the effects of the cold that he brought with him, so decided to take it easy. Meanwhile, Tom and Pam took Bess along over the Severn Bridge into the south eastern part of Wales.
Our first stop was in the town of Chepstow, where we went through the ruined Chepstow castle. Regular plays are presented in the grounds at night. (The notice says that they are only cancelled in the event of a hurricane, so bring warm and waterproof clothes.)
Then we drove a few miles to Tintern Abbey, one of the spectacular ruins left by Henry VIII's destruction of the monastories.
Next was Symonds Yat, a little village on the River Wye. In fact, it is split into Eastern and Western parts by the river, and the only way between them (apart from a long drive along very narrow roads) is via a hand pulled ferry. There we took a boat ride on the river before going up to the Rock for a spectacular view of the Wye valley. The Wye and Severn rivers both rise at the same place in the hills, before wandering their separate ways down to the coast, where they meet again in the estuary.
Finally we drove throught the Forest of Dean back to the Severn Bridge and on home.
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Chepstow and Castle
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Tintern Abbey
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Symonds Yat
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Other pictures
Today we packed a light lunch and headed out Wiltshire, to the ancient stone circles at Avebury, where we had a cup of tea, and then wandered around the stones for a while. There were many sheep lying about, and they totally ignored us as we walked among them.
On the way, though we stopped at Silbury Hill, the largest man made mound of earth. (more info)
Since the summer solstice occurs this weekend, the druids (and those who are looking for a show) are starting to arrive, pitching tents or parking caravans. (Some really have a sense of humour, with a few very funny bumber stickers, like "My other car is a broom" and "I brake suddenly for fairies, elves, etc., that only I can see."
On the way back we saw the Cherhill white horse, and then went via Devises, a town on the Kennet and Avon canal, which has a flight of locks for barges to climb the hill. We did not actually see the locks as it was getting late, and one cannot park close to them.
Landed at Heathrow around 6am and cleared customs fairly quickly. Tom met us and we immediately headed west to the sprawling metropolis of Woolhampton.
Most of the day was spent chatting, but later in the afternoon Norman and Betty took us for a drive to Kintbury, where we hoped to take a trip in a horse drawn barge on the canal. Unfortunately the horses work European hours, so had already packed it in for the day.
In the evening we had a braai, and John and Valerie Brookes joined us. Pam had already roped Dick in to help with her current project.
We'll be arriving in the UK on SAA 220 at around 6 in the morning on 17 June, 2004