This shingle beach is in Portsmouth. It was a town I wanted to visit because of its prominence in literature - the home of Sherlock Holmes. And it's the site of a lot of maritime history. It was a tough visit, though. We got there late in the day. It was very hot, and our non-air conditioned hotel put us on their top floor facing the sun. And the window would only open 1 inch - I guess they wanted to keep people from leaping out of the window. In the morning, we found a large and nasty-looking bug in our daughter's bed. Shudder. But, hey, the beach was interesting.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
The Brighton Coast
We stayed in Brighton two nights and what an interesting place. It's on my list of places I want to see again someday. It was HOT when we were there. We stayed in a boutique hotel in one of the happiest neighborhoods in Brighton and would do it again. Great characters at the hotel, generous, kind, helpful, charming and fun! Can't believe all the niche shops that go on and on in Brighton.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Copper Scarecrow Thingy
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Roman Bath Yucky Green Water
My daughter posing in front of the bath under the open air, which they explain is why the water is green. The sunlight encourages aglae to grow. There are signs all over that say, "don't touch the water," and them most kids do. They also offer a free drink of the water at the end of the tour, and they warn you it will taste like metal - we passed. But Jane Austen fans know the importance of the Pump House and the alleged "healthy" qualities of the water.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Laundry Led Us to the Royal Crescent
The famous Royal Crescent in Bath - which we found by accident because we were looking for a place to do laundry. We found the Spruce Goose laundry facility, and my Dad parked the car just up the street - right in front of the homes. I like this picture because it shows some of the famous Bath stone in less-than-makeup-perfect shape. I wondered when we were there just how the stone was kept clean. Do they blast it? Use acid cleaners? I never did find out.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Off to Bath - the Old Mill Inn
This is the water wheel at the Old Mill Inn in Bath, England. A delightful place and the restaurant there was one of the best meals we had during our trip to England. We heard some story about how the wheel was going to turn the restaurant for a "revolving restaurant" attraction - but that since the river sometimes flows fast, the turning would have made diners nauseous. I don't know if that's true, but it is true that the wheel squeaks.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Hampton Court Maze
Here is the middle of the Hampton Court Maze, which is listed as the biggest, or oldest, in the world - I can't remember which. We let our daughter lead for part of the way, but she kept taking us in circles. It was fun. The maze was built as a place for contemplation. The big compass arrow swings around every once in a while to further confuse. This is the maze featured in the Jerome K. Jerome classic, "Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog)."
Labels:
Boise,
England,
Hampton Court Palace
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Covered Walkway at Hampton Court Palace
This is another feature in the massive palace gardens. My daughter ran though it several times, even though it was a hot day. When we visited England in May of this year, it was their hottest May since some time in the 1700s.
Labels:
Boise,
England,
Hampton Court Palace
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Hampton Court Palace - We Were Wowed
Walking into Hampton Court Place - near London. Lots of history here, and a lot of it ugly stuff - and examples of decadence and over-the-top-ness like I've never seen before. More info here. This is actually a modest entrance, I think, compared to the buildings, grounds, art, gardens, "royal rooms," and kitchens inside. There were several groups of uniformed school children, my daughter mixed in with one group while touring inside.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
In the Peacock Garden at Warwick Castle
My daughter wanted to get a picture close to one of the castle peacocks. First, she chased them around. Then, she figured out that if she just stayed still, they'd come close. There was also a show/display of birds of prey. They were well-trained and flew over the crowd many times, buzzing our hair.
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