Bath ~ 10 September 2002

We left London at 10 am. We were pleased with ourselves in our ability to leave the city without too much hassle. We drove on the main highway for an hour or so before we got bored of the scenery. We took a left and ended up in Wiltshire. We passed Silbury Hill. It took us by great surprise. It's so obviously man made ~ it rises abruptly from the surrounding fields. Being one of the largest artificial hills in Europe, constructed in around 2500 BC ~ it's purpose being a mystery.

Carrying on until we reached Bath. Bath is a very beautiful city. Very cultured with many artistic and theatrical events happening around you. When you are in Bath the 'must' is of course the "Roman Baths". We were quite taken with it all. The baths give off a very cleansing, relaxed atmosphere, holding hands with history and tradition. A very spiritual place. The displays and models gave you the feeling of the splendor this place once held for the people. Very interesting and enjoyable. once again you could spend a few days here exploring all the sites.

We had to carry on home ~ driving through Glastonbury. We were intrigued with the Glastonbury Abbey and the tor, things yet to explored on another day.

British Museum ~ 9 September 2002

We spent the night back at the George IV pub with Antony, same old faces. Ant wasn't motivated to do any site seeing with us, so we decided to got to the British Museum.

The museum contains a vast collection of antiquities from all around the world. We only had the stamina to explore the ancient Egypt, Roman and Greek section of the museum. There was just so much to take in. There was a splendid collection of Egyptian mummies, statues and sculptures. Beautiful Greek statues, the Rosetta Stone....just too much....we exhausted ourselves! We will have to go back to the the Celtic/Roman displays and the famous "Reading Room" another day.

The weather was terrible ~ down pours of rain and very cold. We warmed ourselves up with our favorite Thai Green curry at the "Old Pack Horse" pub back in Chiswick.

Dartmoor ~ 8 September 2002

We have taken three days off work to go up to London to see Antony [Ian's brother] who is flying to New York on September 11th for a pilgrimage. Wanting to take the scenic route we drove through Dartmoor.

Dartmoor is a wild beautiful place with bleak daunting tors, very relaxed sheep and lovely wild ponies who are very friendly. The ponies are mostly interested in food than anything else, but would put up with a scratch behind the ears for a nibble. The day we visited was a lovely warm sunny autumn day with the pink heather in full bloom, but I can imagine this place wild, mist sodden, bleak, and isolated on an aerie winters day. I would love to spend a few days here one day.

Arthur Conan Doyle's thriller "The hound of the Baskervilles" was set here on Dartmoor. A lot of history makes it's presence known ~ prehistoric remains, sites where bronze age huts can be found, a fascinating place.

We then carried onto Salisbury. Salisbury Cathedral was an awe inspiring site as we drove into the city. It was built in 1220-1258. I love looking at the Constable painting compared with he modern photograph.

Being a Sunday, services were being held. We were treated by the organ playing ~ we wanted to clap and shout an encore as it finished, it was just amazing.

Stonehenge will have to wait another day. You could spend days around this area, but we were expected in London by tonight.

Bodmin & Wenford Railway ~ Lanhydrock ~ 28 August 2002

We returned to Bodmin today to visit the Bodmin Railway. Mum and Dad had mentioned how they had seen a TV programme back home set in Bodmin and a scene which stood out was the Bodmin Station. They said they could imagine me standing on the platform, so I had to see it for myself.

They have tried to keep the station in period by displaying piles of old suitcases stacked on trolleys and hanging baskets of flowers. It was rather pretty.

We took a ride on the steam train which took us to Bodmin Parkway. We sat in a 1930s style coach with personal compartments that could sit 4-6 people. We got off at Bodmin Parkway and walked to Lanhydrock house.

Lanhydrock has a magnificent entrance and grounds. The formal gardens were lovely and peaceful. We feel very special when we present our New Zealand Historic Places Trust card to the National Trust. The staff are always so pleasant and pleased to see us.

The house was huge. Unlike previous estates we have visited, we were free to walk around on our own rather than taking a guided tour which can become rather boring at times.

The best thing inside the house was the many kitchens, pantries and food preparation areas. The kitchen had a huge spit which was used to cook large joints of meat.

The National Trust houses stand out from the privately owned homes. The displays are very

professional and interesting. A wonderful visit!

Bodmin Jail ~ 27 August 2002

Today we visited Bodmin Jail. Our first encounter was driving up towards the menacing stone building and entrance way. A huge, mainly empty and decaying shell of a once hell for many prisoners.

We stood on the site where many prisoners were hung for insignificant crimes. We could even see where the rope had made a groove in the wooden beam up above.

Inside it was dark, damp and smelly. You could feel what an awful and terrifying place it once would have been.

King Arthur's Stone ~ 21 August 2002

Today we visited "King Arthur's Stone" at Camlann ~ Slaughter Bridge, Camelford. This is a 6th century inscribed stone that marks the legendary site where Arthur and Mordred met for the battle which ended both lives and the end of the fellowship of the round table in Ad 537.

There also was a Saxon battle here. Tennyson visited here in 1848 and was inspired to write the "Idylls of the King".

Boscastle ~ 14 August 2002

Today we drove up to Boscastle. We arrived early before many of the tourists arrived. We enjoyed a cup of coffee in the village before we set off on a six mile walk which took us along the coastal path ~ giving us fantastic views of Boscastle Harbour and Pentargon inlet.

We crossed inland along farms until we got to St Juliot's Church. It was here where Thomas Hardy met his first wife, Emma Gifford while supervising the restoration of the church. Here, he was inspired to write "A pair of blue eyes". Emma encouraged Hardy to leave his profession as an architect and turn to writing full time.

We had our picnic lunch here before travelling back to Boscastle through Valency Valley. This was an unspoilt valley owned by the National Trust. We returned to Boscastle tired but very full filled. Cornwall is very beautiful.

Screech Owl Sanctuary ~ 6th August 2002

This afternoon we went to the "Screech" Owl Sanctuary. "Screech" being the owners sir name! It was a wonderful visit. We saw owls small as kittens and as big as dogs. Such amazing and fascinating creatures. Very intelligent with a 'knowing' look about them ~ powerful and rather magical!

We were allowed to stroke their breast feathers and every now and then one would try to escape, displaying their long powerful wing span. You could feel the force of their wings on your face. One of the owls reminded me of Toad grumpy face [my cat I left back home in New Zealand] with huge round yellow/orange eyes glaring at me.