Sent from my iPhone
Friday, July 1, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Bath - Monday
A very warm day wandering through the roman ruins and other sights of Bath. Things have changed since we were last here over twenty years ago, there are more modern displays within the ruins and some areas we previously visited are now closed.
Currently having a fab lunch at Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurant (so Gen can get the apron we couldn't get in London), a great place for lunch.
We have been having problems posting on our blog, the last couple of posts have vanished into the ether. Hope this one works.
One more day in Bath then the journey home begins.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Wells, Somerset
Having fun fighting the traffic on the M5 on our way to Bath, we stopped for a break in Wells.
An ancient town with a 16thC cathedral and Bishops Palace. Being a Saturday means market day so the place was busy, busy, busy.
Yummy market stall food for lunch, a few local veggies and fruit purchased for the week, and back into the traffic to get to Bath.
Glastonbury Festival on this weekend so the traffic was horrid.
We are in a little cottage about 10 minutes out of the city. Will be visiting some stately homes in the area and of course the Roman Baths in the city.
Cheers
Gen
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Checking out the waterways
Thursday
Today we did a bit of really local exploring and spent time wandering the riverside of the river Torridge at Bideford (our nearest town). Lots of fishing boats and smallish pleasure craft were sitting high & dry in the mud as the tide was out and there was no water to be seen.
We had dinner in our "local", The Black Horse, recommended by our landlady and well worth the visit.
Friday
Today we ventured further afield again and headed towards Plymouth to visit a stately home - Cotehele. Sadly when we got there the house was not open, (bugger!). But the gardens, the mill and the private quay were still worth seeing.
The photo shows John looking at a small 19th c river trader moored there, that plied the Tamar river down to Plymouth with local goods.
They have a working 18th c flour mill, powered by a waterwheel and still producing flour.
Tonight we pack up for tomorrow we move to another cottage just outside Bath.
Cheers
Gen
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Cornwall
In our wanderings today we visited Port Isaac, a typical Cornish fishing village that is also where Doc Martin (ABC) is filmed. The photo shows me outside the Doc's rooms.
It was a very cute little village, small fishing boats in the little bay, lots of eateries with local produce.
We also visited Padstow, which is where Rick Stein had his first restaurant. He now has 3 places here, a cafe where his original place was, a shop selling heaps of merchandise and now a rather large seafood restaurant on the actual waterfront.
Our original plan was to eat at Stein's but at £35 plus for a main course we decided to forego. We tried something a little less excessive and bought handmade traditional Cornish Pasties at the bakery and they we just perfect.
We also got in a bit of history at Launceston, walking thru the old Norman castle and keep.
Time for a rest!
Cheers
Gen
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Dartmouth
Monday
A quiet day as John obtained some help from the NHS for a crook knee. Thankfully there is a reciprocal health agreement between Aus and the UK which made things quite cheap!
Tuesday
Exploring quiet areas of Devon are made easier by the combination of a lousy road atlas and poor road signage, we ended up on all sorts of places.
Driving on some very narrow lanes with very high hedgerows preventing much of a forward view for oncoming traffic made for interesting times!
We drove through parts of Dartmoor and visited both Totnes and Dartmouth castles.
Lots of little villages, cottages with thatched roofs, traditional little pubs, but of course also heaps of tourists too!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Devon
Saturday
Picked up our hire car at Lewisham and drove through the London burbs. A nice car, a Golf, well suited to our trip.
Navigated our way out of town with some difficulty and then took a fairly direct route to Devon. Heavy traffic all the way and intermittent downpours for good measure.
Taw cottage at Great Torrington will be our home for the next week. Our cottage is an old stone farm building beautifully converted into a stylish home with a loft bedroom.
Our views are of lush green fields, hedgerows and lots of cows & sheep. There is a determined little garden hen that tries to get into the house anytime the door is open.
We are very grateful to our friends the Londoners for their hospitality. London wouldn't have been the same without them.
Sunday
Today we explored Exmoor and the north coast. Much better weather, mostly sunny, and lots of Sunday drivers.
The photo shows you some of the typical coastline we saw. Very rugged cliffs and small beaches.
To get down to the beach from Lynton, there is a very steep "cliff railway", a little cablecar that is powered by water.
Driving thru the narrow roads and lanes in these little villages is certainly an experience! But the sights have are quite spectacular.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)