7th SEPTEMBER 2013 BRIGHTON

Bexhill is having a fishing festival this week-end.  The weather has turned a bit cooler and windy.

Went to Brighton Pavilion very nice bachelor pad for George 1V. Had an oriental theme.

There was a food festival going on here at Brighton, very busy.

Brighton Pavilion

Brighton Pavilion

Dog playing piano at food festival

8th SEPTEMBER 2013 PORTSMOUTH

We have arrived at Portsmouth Ibis Hotel.  The room is small but comfy enough.  Went down to the Old Dock area had a look at Mary Rose King Henry V111 ship which was recovered in 1979 and all the artifacts. Also had a look through the Victory, they all must have been midgets, had to walk almost doubled over to avoid hitting head.  Also The HMS Warrior which Ted was most impressed with. They where all huge ships.

The Spinnaker

At The Old Dock Area

The Victory

 HMS Warrior

9th SEPTEMBER 2013 ISLE of WIGHT

Raining today and much cooler.  We visited Osborn House, Queen Victoria's summer Palace. Very impressive. The grounds went down to the water. Lovely gardens.

Osborn House

Gardens at Osborn House

Back of Osborn House

Osborn House Grounds

10th SEPTEMBER 2013 HIGHCLERE CASTLE

Spent my birthday at Highclere Castle (better known as Downton Abbey..tv series) Earl Canarvon V (George Herbert)  and Howard Carter discovered Tutankhamun's tomb . There was a very impressive Egyptian collection most of it replicates the originals being in the Egyptian museum. The castle had very large grounds attached to it.  When we arrived at 9.30am we were number 2 car when we came back at lunch time there must have been about 500 cars and several buses.  We are at the White Hart Inn in Andover to-night.  We decided to put all the things we needed for the night in a small bag and leave the rest of our things in the car, just as well, we had quite an adventure getting to our room, up stairs down narrow corridors to a nice little attic room.(I can imagine smugglers visiting here)
We had a very nice meal to finish off the day with. I had Fidget Pie ( pork with apple cider sauce) Ted had Turkey Pie, with custard tart and I had trifle sundae. Very nice finish to my birthday.

Highclere Castle

Highclere Castle grounds

Highclere Castle

11th SEPTEMBER 2013 WHITCHURCH

We went to Whitchurch to the silk mill to-day, was very interesting, they did all the spinning and weaving there but got the raw silk from China as the climate is to cold in England for silk worms.
Visited Stone Henge on our way to Exeter.

At the silk Mill Whitchurch

Stone Henge

12th SEPTEMBER 2013 PLYMOUTH

Went from Exeter to Plymouth to-day called in at Torquay on the way.
staying at Ibis Hotel Plymouth to-night, had lunch a Plymouth Hoe over looking the bay very nice

Torquay

Plymouth Hoe where we had lunch

Stone Henge

13th SEPTEMBER 2013 ON OUR WAY TO TRURO

Set off from Plymouth, visited St Mawes Castle and went on a very narrow and scary road to the little fishing village of St Mawes. Fantastic views!!! Then we went on to St Michael's Mount.  Very steep climb up to the chapel. (in the rain) A small boat took us the short distance out to St Michaels from the main land, you can walk out to St Michaels when the tide is out. We are staying at The Townhouse Rooms at Truro to-night, another very nice room. Raining to-day we also went to Land End was blowing a gale there.

St Mawes Castle

St Mawes village

St Michaels

St Michael's Mount

At Land End freezing!!!

14th SEPTEMBER 2013 PORT ISACC

Fine to-day, we set off for Port Isacc a very picturesque little village and of course of Doc Martin fame.


                    SOME FAMILIAR  SCENES FOR THE DOC MARTIN FANS

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 Doc Martin's surgery

Port Isacc

The restaurant

The school house

      Then we went on to Tintagel. Very steep climb to the Castle ruins

On our climb to the Castle ruins

View from the ruins

The Castle ruins

We went through some very picturesque country side, We are staying at The Travel Lodge at Portishead for the next 3 nights.

15th SEPTEMBER 2013 PORTISHEAD

We went into Bristol to-day across Clifton suspension bridge, very high  up!!  Then we got lost trying to find The SS Great Britain.  There was a half marathon going on so added to the confusion, so decided to go on to Bath.

Bath is a very pretty city, set in lovely scenery. The Roman Baths are very interesting.

The scenery has changed a little down here in Cornwell lovely rolling hills and very lush, just like you imagine English country side to be like.

Crossing the Clifton Bridge

Roman Baths

They had these all over Bath

The Abbey

16th SEPTEMBER 2013 BRISTOL

We went to investigate SS Great Britain and The Clifton Suspension Bridge, both the work of the great man Isambard Brunel. They where a sight to behold amazing!!!  The Clifton Suspension Bridge spans across The Avon gorge  75 metre's high was opened in 1864.

SS GREAT BRITAIN  built in 1843

SS GREAT BRITAIN

Clifton Suspension Bridge

Wild life in the park

17th SEPTEMBER 2013 BARNSDALE GARDENS

Have arrived at Barnsdale Gardens, huge suite and seem extensive grounds have'nt had time to look around yet. Raining to-day.

Barnsdale Gardens

Barnsdale Garden's grounds

18th SEPTEMBER 2013 BARNSDALE GARDENS (Rutland)

Went to a little village called Exton (family name), also to Oakham where there is a supermarket and shops.  There happen to be a market going on  so was able to get some fresh seafood and vegies.  Had a look through Oakham  Castle, which was really the village Hall where they use to hold their court cases( had a 2 cell prison) and conducted weddings and still do. Also have concerts and lectures.  When the Peers and Royalty visit they present a horse shoe which is attached to the walls upside down so the Devil can''t make a nest in the bottom. This tradition remains . The Hall is on the site of a medieval Castle.

Oakham town square

Oakham Castle

Horse shoes

more horse shoes

Living plant bird in park at Oakham

19th SEPTEMBER 2013 BARDSDALE GARDENS

We went to Samford to-day another little village near by.  It is very idyllic around here we are having a very relaxing time.

Samford park

Front view of Barnsdale Gardens

Barnsdale Gardens grounds more accommodation

Ted in the grounds of Barnsdale Gardens