We enjoyed Christmas Day with Russell, Rachael & Christine. It was such a pleasant afternoon that we all went out into the garden and built our very fetching snowman.
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Wednesday 4th November
Today the weather forecast was promising so we headed for the coast, via Snainton where we had to drop off a parasol.
We had been told about Bempton Cliffs RSPB reserve and spent a couple of hours walking along the paths and enjoying the views of the sheer cliffs and the open sea.
Today the weather forecast was promising so we headed for the coast, via Snainton where we had to drop off a parasol.
We had been told about Bempton Cliffs RSPB reserve and spent a couple of hours walking along the paths and enjoying the views of the sheer cliffs and the open sea.
Monday, 2 November 2009
Monday 26th October
We travelled down to Colchester to deliver a mirror bought on Ebay. This afternoon we visited Frinton, a quiet, genteel seaside town and went for a walk along the promenade, past hundreds of beach huts. Along the sea front there are lots of very smart houses, many of them in the Art-Deco style. Unfortunately it was too dark to take photographs of them.
http://www.frinton.org/gallery/
Tuesday 27th October
Beth Chatto's garden was not far away and we spent several hours here. The autumn colours were stunning and there were very few visitors around.
http://www.bethchatto.co.uk/
This afternoon we drove to Clacton where we saw our first off-shore windfarm.
We walked through the busy arcades onto the pier and watched the fishermen at the far end.
Wednesday 28th October
We travelled down to Colchester to deliver a mirror bought on Ebay. This afternoon we visited Frinton, a quiet, genteel seaside town and went for a walk along the promenade, past hundreds of beach huts. Along the sea front there are lots of very smart houses, many of them in the Art-Deco style. Unfortunately it was too dark to take photographs of them.
http://www.frinton.org/gallery/
Tuesday 27th October
Beth Chatto's garden was not far away and we spent several hours here. The autumn colours were stunning and there were very few visitors around.
http://www.bethchatto.co.uk/
This afternoon we drove to Clacton where we saw our first off-shore windfarm.
We walked through the busy arcades onto the pier and watched the fishermen at the far end.
Wednesday 28th OctoberWe continued to London and took a tube down to the river and walked along the Embankment.
There was a lot of activity at low tide highlighting the poor state of the river beaches.
On our many visits here we have never seen the river level so low.
This evening we enjoyed dinner with Rachael and Mike in Islington.
There was a lot of activity at low tide highlighting the poor state of the river beaches.
On our many visits here we have never seen the river level so low.
This evening we enjoyed dinner with Rachael and Mike in Islington.Friday, 23 October 2009
Friday 23rd October
Today is our 33rd wedding anniversary so we decided to have a day out in Richmond. The castle is very impressive when looking up from the river.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server.php?show=nav.17243
We climbed to the top of the castle keep and saw stunning views of the town and surrounding countryside in all directions.
In one corner was a beautiful hidden garden full of spicy scents.
From the walls we could see this bridge crossing the River Swale surrounded by autumnal colour.
We walked down by the river and enjoyed this stretch in particular.
As we were looking at the waterfall we noticed big fish, possibly salmon, attempting to leap up it .
Today is our 33rd wedding anniversary so we decided to have a day out in Richmond. The castle is very impressive when looking up from the river.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server.php?show=nav.17243
We climbed to the top of the castle keep and saw stunning views of the town and surrounding countryside in all directions.
In one corner was a beautiful hidden garden full of spicy scents.
From the walls we could see this bridge crossing the River Swale surrounded by autumnal colour.
We walked down by the river and enjoyed this stretch in particular.
As we were looking at the waterfall we noticed big fish, possibly salmon, attempting to leap up it .
Monday, 5 October 2009
Saturday 3rd October
Eunice, Christine's mother, came to visit this weekend and we spent the afternoon at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.
http://www.armouries.org.uk/visit-us/leeds
We visited the galleries and were able to try on some of the armour. We were surprised how heavy it was but how easily we could move in it.
Sunday 20th September
As it was a lovely day, and we were in the area, we visited East Riddlesden Hall.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-eastriddlesdenhall/
We were impressed by the fact that there were no rope barriers and that there were knowledgeable guides in every room.
By the side of the house there is an extensive and well labelled herb garden.
As it was a lovely day, and we were in the area, we visited East Riddlesden Hall.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-eastriddlesdenhall/
We were impressed by the fact that there were no rope barriers and that there were knowledgeable guides in every room.
By the side of the house there is an extensive and well labelled herb garden.
Friday, 18 September 2009
Tuesday 15th September
As the weather forecast was good we decided to head for the Lake District, travelling straight across the A66 to Keswick. In the afternoon we strolled down by the edge of Derwent Water watching the boats and enjoying the scenery.
Later we returned to the lake to watch the lovely sunset create colours on the surrounding hills.
Wednesday 16th September
As the weather forecast was good we decided to head for the Lake District, travelling straight across the A66 to Keswick. In the afternoon we strolled down by the edge of Derwent Water watching the boats and enjoying the scenery.
Later we returned to the lake to watch the lovely sunset create colours on the surrounding hills.
Wednesday 16th SeptemberWe caught the early boat across the lake set off to climb Cat Bells, a favourite Wainwright walk. Here we are sitting just below the summit looking into the next valley.
On the return journey down the ridge we could see Derwent Water on the right and Bassenthwaite in the distance.
We sheltered here, on the lea of the ridge, to eat lunch.
Later in the afternoon, after visiting Bassenthwaite, we drove to Castlerigg Stone circle which is in a dramatic setting.
On the return journey down the ridge we could see Derwent Water on the right and Bassenthwaite in the distance.
We sheltered here, on the lea of the ridge, to eat lunch.
Later in the afternoon, after visiting Bassenthwaite, we drove to Castlerigg Stone circle which is in a dramatic setting.http://www.visitcumbria.com/kes/casstone.htm
Thursday 17th September
Thursday 17th SeptemberWe followed a lovely route down to Windemere to visit Blackwell House. This is a stunning Arts and Crafts building and we came here specially to see an exhibition of Whitefriars glass.
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
Wednesday 9th September
We decided to take advantage of a warm sunny day and make use of our English Heritage membership.
First we visited Rievaulx Abbey which looked stunning against the surrounding scenery.
We spent the afternoon at Helmsley Castle. It's a lovely place, more complete than we expected, and we learnt a lot about its dramatic history.
We decided to take advantage of a warm sunny day and make use of our English Heritage membership.
First we visited Rievaulx Abbey which looked stunning against the surrounding scenery.
We spent the afternoon at Helmsley Castle. It's a lovely place, more complete than we expected, and we learnt a lot about its dramatic history.
Saturday, 15 August 2009
Saturday 8th August
We were invited to a wedding in Kutus, now our home village in Kenya.
We drove through an important tea growing area as we travelled to the church.
We arrived early enough to be introduced to many more friends and relatives.
The church in the village is only partly built but the inside was decorated and draped for the ceremony.
We were invited to sit right at the front so that we had a good view.
When the wedding party arrived at the reception they were led in by the women and all were singing and danced around the central area so the 800 guests got a good view.
We were invited to a wedding in Kutus, now our home village in Kenya.
We drove through an important tea growing area as we travelled to the church.
We arrived early enough to be introduced to many more friends and relatives.
The church in the village is only partly built but the inside was decorated and draped for the ceremony.
We were invited to sit right at the front so that we had a good view.
When the wedding party arrived at the reception they were led in by the women and all were singing and danced around the central area so the 800 guests got a good view.
Early in the evening we drove back to Nairobi, passing paddy fields on either side, stretching as far as the eye could see.
Friday 7th August
This is our treat from Christine, an overnight visit to Treetops.
We drove north out of Nairobi into the Aberdare region and had to transfer to a minibus to enter the park.
We saw warthogs, deer and monkeys on our 20 minute drive into the national park. Treetops is a hotel built by the side of a waterhole and salt licks that attract wildlife from the surrounding forest.
We saw buffalo kicking up red dust as they galloped down the slope out of the forest. Some came in herds and some individually.
This lone male elephant spent over an hour at the waterhole and salt licks. We watched him from viewing platforms at the top and at ground level.
We saw waterbuck, Colobus monkeys, hyenas, a white tailed mongoose, gazelle and three more elephants.
This is our treat from Christine, an overnight visit to Treetops.
We drove north out of Nairobi into the Aberdare region and had to transfer to a minibus to enter the park.
We saw warthogs, deer and monkeys on our 20 minute drive into the national park. Treetops is a hotel built by the side of a waterhole and salt licks that attract wildlife from the surrounding forest.
We saw buffalo kicking up red dust as they galloped down the slope out of the forest. Some came in herds and some individually.
This lone male elephant spent over an hour at the waterhole and salt licks. We watched him from viewing platforms at the top and at ground level.
We saw waterbuck, Colobus monkeys, hyenas, a white tailed mongoose, gazelle and three more elephants.
Wednesday 5th August
Today we confirmed Karen Blixen Museum grounds as our choice of venue for the wedding reception.
http://www.museums.or.ke/content/blogcategory/13/19/
Today we confirmed Karen Blixen Museum grounds as our choice of venue for the wedding reception.
http://www.museums.or.ke/content/blogcategory/13/19/
Tuesday 4th August
This morning we visited the Kenya National Parks Animal Orphanage which cares for injured or abandoned wildlife that will eventually be released into the wild if possible.
We then walked through the semi wild area from which animals are finally released.
While Eunice and Alan played nine holes of golf at The Karen Country Club Glenys explored the Wetlands area at the centre of the grounds.
This morning we visited the Kenya National Parks Animal Orphanage which cares for injured or abandoned wildlife that will eventually be released into the wild if possible.
We then walked through the semi wild area from which animals are finally released.
While Eunice and Alan played nine holes of golf at The Karen Country Club Glenys explored the Wetlands area at the centre of the grounds.
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