Europe 2016
While Craig was being (sucessfully) operated on in hospital, we visited this picturesque village and some swam at the lakeside. We enjoyed a lunch at the restaurant behind the hotel and walked some of the streets. A family from Sydney lived here for some years and published a book '
Europe 2016
Today we hired bikes in Annecy for a lakeside ride. All was well until after our lunch break at plage Joriot, with very few people around, when Craig came down a small bridge, braked and fell sideways onto his wrist. He was immediately in excruciating pain and unable to move.
Europe 2016
Jean Yves, the father of one of our Sydney friends, met us and took us around the markets in old Annecy, explaining the history of the area and recommending that we return via a 'hill' of some 1600metres height, from which we could see Mont Blanc and have
Europe 2016
Unbelievable agent incompetence left us with wrong logon code in Annecy, hence delay. Code problem finally solved by our 14 year old grandson (who else?). Before leaving the Windmill (the best rental we have ever had) we visited a family run farm cafe with shops and and a yurt cafe
Europe 2016
Michael arrived this morning, so while the Mackays went into London with Jacqui, we hired bikes and sauntered along the Grand Union Canal towpath to Bulbourne, where we had lunch and Will discovered a puncture. The 'bike rescue' team came out and fixed it. Mary managed to slide
Europe 2016
A rare opportunity--Michael excepting--all our close family together at Cliveden House near Windsor. Our daughters and children, Nieces Alex and Philippa, nephew David and their husbands/wife, their children and our sister-in-law Irene - 22 in total. There are 5 pics -- 2 of everyone, all the first
Europe 2016
The Windmill that I booked so long ago, is amazing--5 levels--every pic is a different level, starting at the top. There are 5 bedrooms , as many bathrooms and toilets and sleeps 9. The owner is quite particular about entering and leaving times as it takes a lot of
Europe 2016
The next day (actually today) we visited this NT property on our way back east to Maidenhead. Bought by the eccentric Charles Wade, using his parents' fortune, on 1919 on discharge from the army after WWI, it dates from 1485. He restored it and started the collection of over
Europe 2016
We managed two NT places on consecutive days. At Chedworth a lady dressed in Roman clothing of the day was weaving with wool that she had coloured herself using materials of the era. Apparently the Romans brought a special breed of large snails to eat, which survive to this day
Europe 2016
Winchcombe is another village constructed in this beautiful calcareous creamy stone, with great countryside to enhance it. Made great by the medieval wool trade, the subsequent trade decline, meant that the buildings remained without further development, such as Wesley House. We went on a long walk with a bad guide
Europe 2016
Passing from Prestwood to Winchcombe, visited again this very popular Cotswold village, with its picture postcard stream and houses. Would someone please tell the Camerons and Gilberts that we will be in Winchcombe, so any tips on restaurants and sites would be welcome!
Europe 2016
I often notice how many vapour trails are left by aircraft, around London. Even on a perfectly cloudless day, the sky can seem cloudy from so many such trails, with commercial planes from Heathrow, City airport, Luton, Stanstead and many small ones, at Dunstable.