UK Holiday 2018
Last walk into Gt Missenden
The weather has finally come good and we walked (and Louis rode) to 'Cafe Twit'in Gt Missenden, through the fields and Angling woods, with the bluebells.
UK Holiday 2018
UK Holiday 2018
Louis at the pool
Louis has weekly lessons in a pool in a private house nearby. He was very confident in the water. Very important for visiting us in Sydney--so near the water. Another boy who swims there, is the son of a clarinet and sax teacher -Andree Baudet, in Prestwood, whose clarinet
UK Holiday 2018
Departure
As Friday draws closer so does our departure at 12.30pm on that day, so it is time to thank all those family and friends that we have met during our 9 weeks here, some of whom hosted us--Sally and Robin, Myra and Trevor and Ginny and Robert--thanks
UK Holiday 2018
Ann and John at Hughenden
Friends Ann and John drove up from Ashtead to meet us at Hughenden. Somehow we didn't get any pictures of them. They did however,get one of me in a gown of some high order of state in the 'dressing up' room. I felt that it
UK Holiday 2018
Hinton Ampner
This afternoon, on leaving Rowledge, we drove to an NT property called Hinton Ampner, home of the 8th Earl of Sherborne, art collector who died unmarried and with no heirs. The house had been in the family for over 400 years but Ralph Dutton died unmarried and without heirs (or
UK Holiday 2018
Rowledge and Winkworth Arboretum
Rowledge is the village where friends Ginny and Robert reside. They have a great garden and Ginny pulled a newt from their pond to show me. Mary was desperate to see bluebells so we went to Winkworth Arboretum, where there were field after field of them. We had an evening
UK Holiday 2018
Mike and Vicky
We met with friends Mike and Vicky at The Old Swan at Lees near Great Missenden for a meal and to catch up on three years of events. They are seen here autographing a card for one of their fans back in Sydney.
Malta 2018
Golden Bay
A number 225 bus (photo)took us across the island to the only sandy beaches on Malta- and very popular they are too, but no comparison for Cronulla. Quite a long set of steps down as well. We didn't swim but walked in the hills behind for views
Malta 2018
Gozo
A coach took us to a northern ferry terminal where we crossed (only 20 mins) to the island of Gozo. In spite of a population of maybe 30,000, the island has not just one cathedral, but two Basilicas--a grade up from cathedral and rare in church architecture. They
Malta 2018
Marsaxlokk and St George Day scouts in Valletta
We took the buses via Valletta to the pretty fishing village of Marsaxlokk. What they don't tell you, is that , like Kurnell in Sydney, it's hemmed in by, not an oil refinery but a power station and the container port terminal! It was market day, so
Malta 2018
Ancient Temples and Casa Rocco in Valletta
A taxi took us to the site of the oldest authenticated temple site in the world (over 5000 years old) where there was also a brilliant 4D audiovisual projection. From there to Valletta where we had lunch in a cafe we had been to before, which served really good meals
Malta 2018
M'dina--the medieval walled city
On a hill near the centre of Malta stands a perfectly preserved 17th C creamy sandstone walled city/fort--stunning in its perfection-it may be unique. The many narrow and clean streets still have private residents living in the houses and the very few buildings that have been turned