UK 2024
Hughenden Manor
Disraeli's pithy comments still adorn the walls and there was one by Gladstone I hadn't spotted before. The gardens were still good as was the cafe. TBC
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UK 2024
Greys Court
Now more restored and with lovely gardens, near Henley on Thames, this NT place is well worth a visit. Interestingly for me, it was bought by Heinrich Brunner, in 1926, who was the technical partner who started the company with humble soda ash production,that became the giant ICI. The
UK 2024
Wendover
Following a lovely country walk with them, we thoroughly enjoyed a dinner, cooked by Jenny, with our friends Chris and Jennifer. Chris's brother and wife, Mike and Vicky, also joined us fore us all to reminisce and discuss new experiences. Our favourite Inn-The Red Dragon, had been
UK 2024
Woodham
We visited our niece Philippa and family -Nick and boys Sam and Mathew and walked part of the Basingstoke canal after lunch at a pub. We were seated in a tiny cabin like the ones at English seaside resorts that were erected for Covid conditions to separate groups. Alongside the
UK 2024
Croxley Green
A visit overnight to Rilla and Shirlaw. Rilla has published a booklet of songs for children as well as Christmas 'Camels', in addition to her existing works of Love Came down and a train song based on environmentalism- all featured on a 'page' on this blog.
UK 2024
Knepps Wilding
The first thing to say is that we were very fortunate to be hosted by friends Ann and John in Ashtead. We enjoyed their company, garden and the ancient common at the back. I was also able to meet my cousin Keith and Australian wife Petrea there and enjoy a
Cruise
Disembarkation
Up at 5.00am ,final pack, hugs from room stewards, level 7 World Cafe for breakfast, down to deck one for final sign off and exit onto coach, drive to Venice Stationne Maritimma to be reunited with main luggage then taxi to Best Western hotel Tatiana by 10.00am to
Cruise
Venice
The ship schedule meant we could only access Venice about 4.00pm after a ferry ride from ship at Fusinia (cruises not allowed in Venice anymore-should never have allowed it in the first place). It was hot and we were 'unguided' and as I'd left
Cruise
Split and Krja
A longish (1.25 hrs) coach ride out of Splits town to the (Dolomite?) hills. The limestone geology leads to a lot of underwater streams as it does in Provence and elsewhere and thence to waterfalls and pools of opalescent blue. The Krja national park is just such a valley
Cruise
Concert
To entertain departing passengers and honour the crew there was a Beatles concert in the theatre tonight. The pic is of senior catering and housekeeping staff plus captain. He has a sense of humour, for a Swede, when asked who was really controlling the ship, he said there was an
Cruise
Dubrovnik
There's also my previous post on Dubrovnic from 10 years ago. A bright orange ferry or 'tendered' brought us from the ship to the port in the morning and a guide led us on a tour of a monastery, museum and churches, some of which were
Cruise
Kotor
A place I'd never heard of before, though I knew there was a Montenegro somewhere. It has a coat of arms. Like Dubrovnic, it's a small, totally walled, coastal town between the Ionian sea and mountains, of only 20,000 people in the centre area and