We headed off towards Topsham and we had a reasonable distance to go. We decided not to try to see much as we wanted to get there at a reasonable time. We got lost through a few places as usual and arrived in Topsham around 2.15.
Sheila, Owen's cousin, was working till 5.30 but Ted made us most welcome and after getting settled we went walking. It was a great walk and we would never have seen much of Topsham if we had gone through it on our own. It is a lovely village or town as it has a town hall. It is very old like most of England. Some cobbled streets. It is a very desirable area to live in and hard to get into. We went to see where Sheila worked and then she met us at the pub after work. It was so pleasant and just lovely weather. Ted has lived here on and off most of his life and was very knowledgable. It is so much better not having to concentrate on where you are going and just being led.
Next day Sheila had to work again in the afternoon so we went to a rather large farm shop etc to have a look and spend. Then we dropped Sheila off and Ted took us to Exeter Catheral. Another WOW and it was free this week and also had displays from schools and it was wonderful and there was so much to see there. We then went driving around down the coast a bit. It was a lovely day, weather near perfect. A cornish pastie for lunch at Dawlish and off again to Torquay. A lovely afternoon and saw lots we wouldn't have seen.
Saturday saw us head off to Dartmoor and the moors but unfortunately the weather was not good and we did not see a lot even though we drove lots. We went to Castle Drogo and from then on it rained quite heavily and we couldn't see it at it's best and both Ted and Sheila were very disappointed. We stopped at the House of Marbles which has been converted to a shop with lots of goodies, marbles being one of them, and watched a guy make a colourful glass plate. That was interesting.
After that we headed for Exmouth and again the rain made it hard to see it well. We then went for Fish and Chips and home for an early evening. It's still raining. Would love to send some your way.
Well better get off now. Hopefully we will get something fixed with our computer soon.
We are both well but tired.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Tuesday- Thursday 4th June
We left Ken & Beryl's after a nice time and went to Arundel Castle. It is owned by an important family and they live in one wing of it and then open the rest but do let their visitors stay over. It had beautiful rooms, furniture and architecture. We really enjoyed it. We went for a walk through the town and had some lunch. Then headed off towards Portsmouth.
Arrived there to try and find somewhere to stay and ended up joining another library so we could use the internet. Found somewhere and when we arrived found we were up on the 3rd floor at the very top of a place with 4 levels. Breakfast was in the basement.
We went off to the shops the following morning to get mobile internet and ended up also with an english pre paid phone. We went to the docks to find the entry guarded by two policemen with machine guns. A bit offputting. We saw the Victory, the Mary Rose and the Warrior ships, had a cruise on the harbour to see all the naval ships in dock and surrounds, and also went to a few different museums. We arrived 10.20 and left at 4.30 and still didn't see everything. But a most enjoyable day.
Arrived there to try and find somewhere to stay and ended up joining another library so we could use the internet. Found somewhere and when we arrived found we were up on the 3rd floor at the very top of a place with 4 levels. Breakfast was in the basement.
We went off to the shops the following morning to get mobile internet and ended up also with an english pre paid phone. We went to the docks to find the entry guarded by two policemen with machine guns. A bit offputting. We saw the Victory, the Mary Rose and the Warrior ships, had a cruise on the harbour to see all the naval ships in dock and surrounds, and also went to a few different museums. We arrived 10.20 and left at 4.30 and still didn't see everything. But a most enjoyable day.
Sunday/Monday - Seaford
Arrived at Ken & Beryl's for lunch. We had never met them before but they made us feel welcome. We had some lunch and then they took us out. We visited Ken's boat and had a drive around Newhaven and to Beachy Head. We had driven close to it on the way but unless you know about these places you end up missing them. The cliffs are being eroded away very quickly and they have lots of pics of where it was when.
Unfortunately it is also known for suicides and later that night a man, wife and child were found. Very sad story.
After a lovely roast dinner we went for a drive into Brighton so show us where to go the following day and to have a look whilst not so busy. It is such along beach and all along lots of accomodation. The carnival was going on the pier and it was bustling.
Next day we went to Brighton to see the Royal Pavillion. WOW what a place. Extravagant, mindblowing and beautiful furniture, walls everything.
We also went north to the Bluebells railway and managed to get there in time for the last train ride. That was nice. As per ususal got lost on the way back and didn't arrive until 5.30. They must have thought we weren't coming back
Unfortunately it is also known for suicides and later that night a man, wife and child were found. Very sad story.
After a lovely roast dinner we went for a drive into Brighton so show us where to go the following day and to have a look whilst not so busy. It is such along beach and all along lots of accomodation. The carnival was going on the pier and it was bustling.
Next day we went to Brighton to see the Royal Pavillion. WOW what a place. Extravagant, mindblowing and beautiful furniture, walls everything.
We also went north to the Bluebells railway and managed to get there in time for the last train ride. That was nice. As per ususal got lost on the way back and didn't arrive until 5.30. They must have thought we weren't coming back
Saturday 30th -31st May
It's d-day and also Stewart's birthday. Hope you had a good one Stew.
Well sorry we have been off air for a week. We hadn't managed to buy some mobile internet and where we were staying we didn't have any either. We finally purchased one on Thursday but now we computer problems so we haven't been able to blog.
Well we have been to Dover and seen the white cliffs, lots of ferries to France and the Euro Star train and station.
We found a tourist shop in Dover (not by following signs though) and their computer was down so they gave us some information on b and b' as we were determined to get one before we began our day. There was nothing in Dover as it was very busy.
We went to Dover Castle and the Secret War Tunnels. Spent at least 3 hours there. It was interesting to see the war tunnels that were used and then the castle and it's surrounds. Unfortunately the Keep was not open but there was still plenty to see. It was starting to get warm.
We left there and travelled down through a few places but I haven't got the map with me. We went through Rye, and Winchelsea and Pett to find our out of the way b&b at Fairlight. It was a lovely home with a great sea view although there was a nuclear power station in the view and a wind farm. The people were extremely friendly and made you feel very much at home. Our room wasn't huge but the ensuite was. We went out for dinner to an old pub and it was a bit of a disappointment. Problems with my meal being given to some one else etc.
Something funny though, I asked if they could do a lemon, lime and bitters and she said yes. Well I got the lemon and lime ok but the bitters was beer, so in effect I had a shandy with lime. It tasted reasonable though and it was also a pint. Huge glass!!
The next day we went to Winchelsea as we had been told we missed the village it'self and it had a lovel church. We were glad we did go it was a lovely little place. On to Hastings which was extremely crowded as it was half term so lots of families etc. We parked somewhere in the shopping area and walked to the beach front. It was nice and there was lots going on. It had lots of entertainment for everyone. There was a castle there but we opted to go to Battle where the Battle of Hastings was in 1066.
Totally different scene. Lovely little town with the abbey, battlements, etc. What was great was an audio guide which comes in the price and you go at your own pace. We spent a couple of hours there and then walked up the main street. We decided to find the library so that we could get the directions for Owen's cousin Ken at Seaford as we would be going there in a couple of days. Problem is you have to temporarily join the library to use it.
We then went back to Rye to have a bit more of a look and then find a pub or somewhere to eat before returning to the b&b.
We have managed to email the kids so if anyone wants to know info you could ring them.
Well sorry we have been off air for a week. We hadn't managed to buy some mobile internet and where we were staying we didn't have any either. We finally purchased one on Thursday but now we computer problems so we haven't been able to blog.
Well we have been to Dover and seen the white cliffs, lots of ferries to France and the Euro Star train and station.
We found a tourist shop in Dover (not by following signs though) and their computer was down so they gave us some information on b and b' as we were determined to get one before we began our day. There was nothing in Dover as it was very busy.
We went to Dover Castle and the Secret War Tunnels. Spent at least 3 hours there. It was interesting to see the war tunnels that were used and then the castle and it's surrounds. Unfortunately the Keep was not open but there was still plenty to see. It was starting to get warm.
We left there and travelled down through a few places but I haven't got the map with me. We went through Rye, and Winchelsea and Pett to find our out of the way b&b at Fairlight. It was a lovely home with a great sea view although there was a nuclear power station in the view and a wind farm. The people were extremely friendly and made you feel very much at home. Our room wasn't huge but the ensuite was. We went out for dinner to an old pub and it was a bit of a disappointment. Problems with my meal being given to some one else etc.
Something funny though, I asked if they could do a lemon, lime and bitters and she said yes. Well I got the lemon and lime ok but the bitters was beer, so in effect I had a shandy with lime. It tasted reasonable though and it was also a pint. Huge glass!!
The next day we went to Winchelsea as we had been told we missed the village it'self and it had a lovel church. We were glad we did go it was a lovely little place. On to Hastings which was extremely crowded as it was half term so lots of families etc. We parked somewhere in the shopping area and walked to the beach front. It was nice and there was lots going on. It had lots of entertainment for everyone. There was a castle there but we opted to go to Battle where the Battle of Hastings was in 1066.
Totally different scene. Lovely little town with the abbey, battlements, etc. What was great was an audio guide which comes in the price and you go at your own pace. We spent a couple of hours there and then walked up the main street. We decided to find the library so that we could get the directions for Owen's cousin Ken at Seaford as we would be going there in a couple of days. Problem is you have to temporarily join the library to use it.
We then went back to Rye to have a bit more of a look and then find a pub or somewhere to eat before returning to the b&b.
We have managed to email the kids so if anyone wants to know info you could ring them.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday 29th May
After another good night's sleep we headed off around 9.20. We decided to visit a castle, a castle with a moat and Winston Churchill's estate.
We got to Hever castle to find the grounds don't open till 10.30 and the castle not till 12o'clock. So we decided to go to Chartwell, churchill's place.
That didn't open till 11 but by this time we decided to wait.
I think we could settle in that house quite comfortably. Lovely place, lovely views, heaps of books and quite homely with lovely grounds. Couldn't take inside pics.
From there we decided to go north to find Rochester and Chatham to look at the dock areas. Passed where the Eurostar train leaves from to go to Paris. Also found a pub with an all day carvery for 3pound 50p per person. Great value.
Found the Royal Navy Historic Dockyards. Again another huge place. It must have been quite a hive of activity in it's hay day. This week is a half break for the schools and so there were pirate things happening and lots of kids. We wished we had got there earlier as we still had to find somewhere for overnight.
After giving up on trying to find a tourist place, and getting into peak traffic again, we stumbled onto a hotel (modern) and had to pay whatever price. By this stage we didn't care we just needed somewhere to put our heads.
The rooms are quite warm and they don't have air con just a pedestal fan and I slept with no sheet or anything over me. It is also very warm this morning so will be glad to get out to the fresh air.
We got to Hever castle to find the grounds don't open till 10.30 and the castle not till 12o'clock. So we decided to go to Chartwell, churchill's place.
That didn't open till 11 but by this time we decided to wait.
I think we could settle in that house quite comfortably. Lovely place, lovely views, heaps of books and quite homely with lovely grounds. Couldn't take inside pics.
From there we decided to go north to find Rochester and Chatham to look at the dock areas. Passed where the Eurostar train leaves from to go to Paris. Also found a pub with an all day carvery for 3pound 50p per person. Great value.
Found the Royal Navy Historic Dockyards. Again another huge place. It must have been quite a hive of activity in it's hay day. This week is a half break for the schools and so there were pirate things happening and lots of kids. We wished we had got there earlier as we still had to find somewhere for overnight.
After giving up on trying to find a tourist place, and getting into peak traffic again, we stumbled onto a hotel (modern) and had to pay whatever price. By this stage we didn't care we just needed somewhere to put our heads.
The rooms are quite warm and they don't have air con just a pedestal fan and I slept with no sheet or anything over me. It is also very warm this morning so will be glad to get out to the fresh air.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
