Normanton Church

Barnsdale Hall

Our 'digs' - yes, both floors!

Chris, Gill's husband, Gill and Ann

Rutland Water

Sunset over Rutland Water

An Easy Part of the Trail!

A Welcome Rest Stop!

Rutland Water

I was so surprised to find that I was able to post this picture that I didn't follow it up with a description! Somewhat after the fact, I'll now do just that...

Rutland is the smallest county in England, but Rutland Water is the largest man-made body of water in Europe. Rutland is located in the Midlands and happens to border on the county of my birth, Leicestershire. During my UK travels, I visited my three cousins, Ann, Gill and Judith, who still live either in Leicester itself, or in the nearby village of Stoughton. We cousins enjoyed several different outings together, often including a meal in a local pub! Ann and I managed more than a brief outing, spending a week very close to Rutland Water, at picturesque Barnsdale Hall. We were blessed with beautiful weather, so were able to get out biking several times, and in the course of our pedalling, managed to make it most of the way around Rutland Water (25 miles, some on the level and some more challenging...) and back again. The scenery was quite spectacular and it was amazing to think that many feet beneath the water lay buildings, trees, farmland and even a church, forever submerged when the land was flooded to create the reservoir which came to be known as Rutland Water, officially opened in 1976... Normanton church, located at the edge of Rutland Water, is actually only partially submerged, and houses a museum, unfortunately not open during the winter months. The church itself, however, made a very pleasant rest-stop along the way, where we were able to bask in the unexpected, but most welcome, winter sunshine....

My Carvynick Experience in Cornwall.....

Since arriving here at Carvynick I have been keeping on the move, thanks to the 'Western Greyhound' buses - a 'Ride Cornwall' ticket in one hand and my camera in the other. (For my North American readers, who may well be thinking large, long-distance motor coach style bus, travelling in comfort, think instead small, school-bus type transportation, of size appropriate for travelling along narrow, winding, one-track country lanes, flanked by stone walls, topped with high hedges of brambles....) These sturdy vehicles definitely take a person off the beaten track, along the road less travelled. I know I have visited places, in the last few days, that I never would have seen, had I been travelling by car. In addition, I have been entertained by the conversations and comments of fellow-passengers. The scenery has been spectacular, with great vistas of golden sands or surf flying high in the air as it pounds on the rocks, flocks of sheep grazing in impossibly green fields - and we all know why those fields are so green! (lots of rain) - as well as getting up close and personal with wind turbines - and we all know why they do so well here! (lots of wind). My travels have taken me to Penzance and Land's End (in the rain and fog) Porthleven (in a gale) the cathedral city of Truro (in brilliant sunshine) Marazion (where I was able to view St. Michael's Mount from all angles atop my double-decker bus) Newquay (where the surfers were out in full force and where I wondered whether I would make it up off the beach before being cut off by the tide...) plus villages, hamlets, coves and harbours too numerous to mention - but captured on my camera! These excursions tend to be quite lengthy, even though the distance from one place to another, as the crow flies, may be quite short. I always keep my eye on the signposts and often notice that, after driving some time, we are actually farther away from our destination than we were when we set off.... but we always do get there , eventually. 'Taking the scenic route' is certainly the order of the day!
The Carvynick part of my Cornish experience refers to the place where I am currently hanging my hat. The views from the windows of my Carvynick cottage are spectacular and the surroundings are quiet and peaceful. - all of which make for a very pleasant place to stay. My daily walk into the village of Summercourt to catch the bus - about 20 minutes, depending upon whether I am heading to the bus for Newquay or Truro - takes me up a quiet country lane, then along the main road for a short distance, into the village itself. From there, the bus meanders its way along to my destination of choice, where I then change to a different bus - or a train- and so the day's adventure unfolds....
Most of the time, the buses leave and arrive at their detination on time, but yesterday the bus from Helston, Porthleven and Marazion was held up along the way - a van parked in such a way that the bus couldn't get through until the driver returned, a tractor insisting on pushing its way through, even though the bus had right of way etc., etc. - to the point that we arrived late in Penzance and I missed my connection for St. Ives. Added to that, Plan B, taking the train, was a non-starter, as the train had been cancelled. I shall try again, by a different route, tomorrow - and 'as I am going to St. Ives', I shall definitely be keeping a sharp eye open for that 'man with seven wives' - plus sacks, cats and kits.! (If you can't remember just how the riddle goes... Google it!)
Then, once I return to Carvynick, it will be time to pack up, ready to head out on Saturday - to Plymouth, for an overnighter, then on to Bristol and Chipping Sodbury. The countdown is definitely on - I fly to Toronto a week tomorrow...

Where Does the Time Go??

When I checked just now, I couldn't believe how many days had past since last I posted some news here! Put it down to the fact that I have been so busy, crisscrossing the country and having a wonderful time visiting friends, many of whom I haven't seen for quite awhile. Of course as I mentioned earlier, my time in Tenerife with Di and John was really special - thanks so much, both of you, for introducing me to the Canary Islands and for making it such an enjoyable visit!

After the four-hour flight back from sunny Tenerife, it was a bit of a shock to be greeted by the gloomy dusk and fog at the tailend of a short November day in England, but in no time at all, I was enjoying a warm welcome from Sarah, and her son John, in Fittleworth, Sussex - a short train ride down the line from Gatwick Airport. Sarah and I first met on another train some 43 years ago, when we were both travelling out west from Montreal. (We had both travelled over from England to Canada on the 'Empress of Canada', but hadn't bumped into each other on board ship!) It turned out we were two of the few who were making for Vancouver... We both taught for a couple of years in the same area and for a while shared an apartment in New Westminster, BC. Needless to say, we shared many memories during my overnight visit to Fittleworth and Petworth - the 'Raffle Capital', according to Sarah! - where the sun shone and we enjoyed a lovely wander around, culminating in a tasty pub lunch in front of a blazing log fire! Thanks so much, Sarah, for a great time - and for arranging for all that warmth!!

From Fittleworth it was back to Leicester, from whence I had departed so hastily when presented with that Tenerife 'carpe diem' opportunity, to Holly Cottage, in the nearby village of Stoughton, home of cousins Ann and Judith, where another warm welcome awaited..... Over the years, Holly Cottage has proved to be a relaxing retreat for recharging batteries.......primarily min, but also those of netbook, camera and cell phone! Thanks, Ann, for all the running around - picking me up and dropping me off, both early and late - and for all those tasty home-cooked meals! All much appreciated!!

Wednesday, last week, another 'carpe diem' opportunity presented itself and thanks to being picked up and dropped off at Yate station , by sister-in-law, Judy , she and I managed a visit to The Heathers nursing home, as well as a quick bite to eat, plus I was reunited with the larger of my two bags, which J had been keeping for me - and all that was accomplished in under two hours! Thanks very much, Judy, for making yourself so available!

This quick turnaround in Chipping Sodbury/Yate enabled me to get the train to Bath, in time to take advantage of that 'carpe diem' opportunity, which came in the form of a last minute ticket to hear the Nash Ensemble play in the Assembly Rooms in Bath. This concert was part of a series for the annual Bath Mozart Feastival - but Mozart wasn't being played!! Nevertheless, it was a memorable experience, shared with Stella and two friends of hers (who already had tickets) from Shrivenham. We had previously arranged that I would visit Stella for Wednesday and Thursday, then she came up with the suggestion that I try for a ticket for the concert......and despite the fact that it was officially sold out, I was successful the morning of the event! I spent a most enjoyable couple of days with Stella - she and I go back to teaching days in Cumnor, near Oxford before I went to Canada! - and I was even able to share in a pub lunch with Stella, her daughter, Jo and husband, Ian. .. There's also a possibility that Stella and I will manage a trip over to visit her son, Phil (one of my Godsons) and family, in early December. Many thanks, Stella for a wonderful visit and for running me over to Yvonne's. (Do hope our trip to visit Phil, Sharon and Findlay works out!)

Jaunt - but Brief - in Tenerife!

Hola, from Tenerife! My last evening here, but have managed to pack a lot in to a short time.... I flew down here on Sunday, almost on the spur of the moment, at the kind invitation of friends, Di and John. (Di and I taught together, many moons ago, the year before I headed off to Canada.) D and J, who have been down here since the beginning of the month, sent me a text at the end of last week, inviting me to join them here this week - a real 'carpe diem' opportunity! - so here I have been, in the Canary Islands, some 700 miles south of southern Spain, soaking up warmth and sunshine, for the last few days......
Yesterday we took a drive up into the centre of the island, to El Teide, an extinct volcano. It turned out to be the perfect day for such an adventure, as the weather was unusually clear at that high altitude and the sun shone the whole time. There are some amazing rock formations surrounding the crater - I'll TRY to post some pictures!
Just tried, and once again received the same message - only difference being that this time it is in Spanish!!

Same Old Message...so NO Pictures!

Tried, yet again, to post some pictures, but once again without success...
Still in Yate/Chipping Sodbury today, but later tomorrow expect to take the train up to Leicester, where I shall be spending a few days with cousins Ann and Judith, at Holly Cottage, in the village of Stoughton. Ann and I have some planning to do re: a few days away together somewhere and also hope to do some biking, if the weather co-operates..... I may also take a little jaunt on my own, to catch some late fall sunshine, but nothing settled yet....

Still Unsuccessful....

...but I shall keep trying to post pictures, as well as text.

Just back from a very enjoyable visit to Callington, Cornwall, where cousin Mags and husband, Alan - plus their two feline friends - now live. I travelled down by train to Plymouth, where I was to change to the train for Liskeard. This train had come down from Londonand before it even arrived, there were warning signs that it was full, with passengers standing... No kidding!! Those hopefuls who had been waiting on the platform in Plymouth, were 'shoe-horned' on to the train; thankfully, the train drew up with an access door right opposite where I was standing, so I was one of the first to get on. I immediately stationed myself, plus suitcase. right by the door, with a grab-bar to hand, so that I wouldn't have to fight my way to the door when I reached my destination.... I was glad the journey to Liskeard wasn't longer than half an hour - and being so close to the door, I wasindeed able to exit without problem...

Alan was there to pick me up - Mags was on a day-trip to Exeter with the WI - It was a beatiful drive from Liskeard to Callington, in the late afternoon sunshine, but unfortunately, that was the only day when the sun shone. The rest of the weekend was misty, blustery and drizzly. On Saturday, though, we did venture out in the car to Whitchurch, where we enjoyed an excellent pub lunch, then continued on to Tavistock. There we browsed around the covered market,after which time the drizzle had let up sufficiently for some picture-taking along by the River Tavy.

Although outdoor activities were somewhat curtailed by the inclement weather, it did mean that we had time to browse through old photo albums and re-live some of the highlights of the past! All in all, another very pleasant interlude, punctuated by some delicious meals - that roast pork dinner you served on Sunday, Mags, won't soon be forgotten!! Many thanks to you both for a most enjoyable time - and to Cassie and Sadie for the entertainment they provided. (I hope I shall be able to post pictures, one of these days.....)

Home Away From Home....

England's Guest House, Yate - one of several B & Bs I've frequented

Just thought I would see whether I might be able to post just one picture and - lo and behold! - I was successful!! Now the thing will be to try to re-post the pictures that Irefused to be posted for the last few days so......... stay tuned!

Where ARE Those Pictures???

I think we're all asking the same question - that is, if we're not asking what the following error means: 'Memcache value is null for FormRestoration'. Anyway, the bottom line is that, as of the last few days, there is some kind of problem with posting pictures. I have read several messages, on a blogger forum, and everyone is equally frustrated with what's happening, but no-one has yet come up with a solution! All this to let you know that there is definitely a problem, but there is nothing that I know to do to fix the problem... Any one out there, reading this, have any suggestions??

Once a Teacher...Times Four!

On a beautiful, sunny, Tuesday morning, four former teachers converged on Basingstoke, Hampshire. They travelled, by train, from Camberwell (London) Gillingham (Dorset) and Witley (Surrey). This quartet of pedagogues had served their time at Portsmouth College of Education in the 1960s and had come together to have fun, to reminisce .... and to have more fun! As the fearless four were taking a stroll together, amongst the trees adorned in their fall colours, what should they come upon, but some outdoor exercise equipment.... In no time at all, they were trying out the various pieces of equipment, deciding which body parts would benefit most from each exercise!
,,

Maggie, Jane, Brenda

After our stroll in the park, plus an exploration of Basingstoke itself, we were ready for ' quelquechose a manger'. ..and thanks to Brenda's gourmet card for 'Cafe Rouge', we were able to dine for half price!
Bravo, Brenda - et merci beaucoup!!

Jane, Maggie, Brenda

Bon appetit, tout le monde!!


After our day out together in Basingstoke, Brenda and Maggie headed off in the direction of Waterloo and Jane and I returned to Gillingham (Dorset). The next day she drove me to nearby Shaftesbury. In spite of showers both before and after, the sun shone for a quick look at picturesque Gold Hill, with its cobbled street and quaint cottages, as well as the panoramic view of the countryside beyond.

Gold Hill

Countryside beyond..

Malcolm and Jane

Many thanks for a most enjoyable stay at Pike House!

A Day - or Two - at the Seaside...

Last Thursday saw me on my way down to the seaside town of Sidmouth, Devon. I had been invited by Ffiona, a friend from Caversham Primary School days. In fact, her mother, Maretta, taught me when the family first moved to the area, when I was 7 years-old! Ffiona and I used to go to Brownies together, at Highmoor Hall, and have remained in touch, to a greater or lesser degree, ever since....

Somewhat cloudy for our walk around Sidmouth - but no rain.

How about this for biking terrain??

Ffiona - with the Sidmouth sands and cliffs in the background.

'Eglantine', Ffiona's 1820s 'Holiday Home'.

Many thanks for a very pleasant interlude, Ffiona. It was fun sitting there , wracking our brains to try to remember names of our former classmate and teachers from so long ago - and we'll dfinitely make sure that another 25 years doesn't go by before we get together again!!

On Friday morning, Ffiona drove me to nearby Budleigh Salterton, a lovely Devon seaside town I had visited several times in the late '60s, when Cousin Mags' husband, Alan managed the Barclay's Bank on the High Street, across from 'The Feathers'.

Entering Budleigh Salterton, via the one-lane, cross-country road from Sidmouth.

Apparently there was a beaver at work in Budleigh Salterton - a Canadian connection??

Barclay's Bank, High Street, Budleigh Salterton - with spacious, two-storey flat above, where Mags and Alan lived for a while...

..and 'The Feathers' opposite (undergoing a bit of a facelift?)

Methinks Totty's has been around for awhile!

Looking forward to my visit with you, next weekend, in Callington, Cornwall, Mags and Alan!

Cambridge and Ely

Last weekend, I enjoyed a lovely visit to Cambridge and nearby Ely. When I stepped off the train I was met by my dear friend, Ruth, from schooldays at The Abbey, then we rode on the bus into Cambridge town centre, where we enjoyed coffee with Ruth's sister, Chris. From there we went on to meet Ruth's daughter, Briony, who has just begun a course in Cambridge. It was lovely to see both Chris and Briony again!

Saturday was the Apple Festival in Ely and it was a beautiful day for wandering around, enjoying the sights and tasting apples in various forms. With Vancouver Island, and specifically Sidney-by-the-Sea, having several times been the gathering place of town criers for their world championships, I was of course keen to chat with Ely's town crier, to see whether, perchance, she had been one of those town criers who had travelled to our fair town of Sidney-by-the-Sea...
Here I am, with Avril Hayter-Smith, Official Town Crier to the City of Ely - who offered to let me hold her bell for the picture!

Here are several of the musicians.....

..who could be heard playing their ancient instruments.

Ely's 'Eel Pie'!

Ruth and Bern and I enjoyed several delicious meals together, during the course of the weekend.
Here Bern is about to 'attack' a generous serving of Eton Mess!!

Ruth and Bern
Many thanks to you both for yet another memorable and enjoyable visit! You have certainly retired to a beautiful spot...

Alpine Views Around Haute Nendaz and Elsewhere...

Pedalling Beside Lake Geneva (Lac Leman)

We had our sights set on le Chateau de Chillon, made famous by Lord Byron when he wrote his poem'The Prisoner of Chillon'.

We rented bikes at la Gare de Montreux, then we were on our way - but with several stops for photo ops!

Here we are at le Chateau de Chillon!

An imposing sight from all angles...

Pedalling in the other direction from Montreux, still beside the lake, but heading towards Vevey, first we encountered this fork...

..and then Charlie Chaplin!