holiday

Trials,Tribulations and Happy Moments in my busy life

Wednesday, 30 September 2015

Camping a Long Way from Home!

Hi folks,
last weekend we went to this lovely site only about seven miles away tn Rainhan, Kent.


Small CL with the basics but as we are all self sufficient so all was fine, arrived Friday afternoon in glorious sunshine which lasted all weekend.


The added attraction were the horses and the views across the river.


Saturday morning we awoke to a lot of dew and rather cold outside but we had our heating on so we were cosy and warm in our little van.


Above the site was a Orchard so we had a lovely walk in the sunshine before coffee with the river in the background. The pathway was on the "Saxon Shore Way" as you can see, other walkers were using it.


Looking around the Orchard with Apples just right for the picking but as it was private we left well alone.


Further on we attempted to get to the river but came to a dead end, something to investigate next time we go.


Looking across you can see the two towers by the Dockside Outlet with new flats being built in front.


Back on site Norman and Jean had arranges a coffee break for Macmillan Charity which raised about £55. Loads of sponges were bought out by Jean and lovely they were too. My diet went out the window that weekend.


After coffee Chris ( up the ladder) inspected Colin's Solar Panel whilst John our Chairman doing what he does best, sitting in a chair, ( we he is the Chairman).


At lunchtime we were too full to eat so we all took it easy, as you do.  Later the ladies set up the tables for "Afternoon Cream Tea" organised by our hosts Tony and Gloria. This is one of the table decorations by the ladies. There was a sense of one up-man-ship with the table decorations by the ladies, all in good fun I might add.


This on that a candle even though it was mid afternoon with the sun shining down. Leave them alone, they all had fun. The Cream Tea was so good that some of us had a "light" dinner.

Thanks to Gloria and Tony for putting on a fantastic spread.

We then after Sunday morning coffee and left over cake from Saturday, we made tracks for home, Thanks for looking Mike and Sue

Tuesday, 29 September 2015

Batemans

Just a few more from this lovely place as the sun tried it's best to shine.



The rose garden looking towards the Mill House.


Autumn on it's way.



 The Mill has been converted to a Turbine along side the Original Water Wheel.


Inside the driving cog wheels.


Demonstration grinding wheel.


Alongside the original.


Back in the garden the sun was in and out.


So after taking a last Rose in the Garden we set off for home before the rain started again.
Thanks for looking, Mike and Sue

Monday, 28 September 2015

Batemans, a Brief Glimpse

Just a few on our trip back from the Isle of Wight. We stopped off at this National Trust House which is famous as Rudyard Kipling lived there. It was raining as we arrived but cleared up soon after.



Into the formal Gardens.



Into the Orchard.





Stopped for a bite to eat in the cafe and noticed the two inscriptions.





A few more around the gardens.
Thanks for looking, Mike

Tuesday, 22 September 2015

Back Across the Solent

Hi folks,
holiday nearly at an end but not quite, we had another adventure on our way home. More about that next time.

We got and earlier ferry back which gave us a bit more time in the day. Leaving Fishbourne at 8 am


Passing out original 8.30 coming in to dock.


The clouds were gathering but I stayed on deck snapping away.


This was a new ferry the St. Clare with her shiny new paintwork.


The sea was flat calm.


Then passed the 9am ferry and the Hovercraft going in our direction a lot faster.


We rounded the Fort and entered Southsea.


Back to the mainland and our final trip home with another stop on the way.

Thanks for looking and I hope you enjoyed our holiday as much as we did. Mike and Sue

Monday, 21 September 2015

Last Post from Carisbrooke

Hi again folks,
last look at the gardens and a few I sneaked inside.


A few for Stephen who was here just before this marvelous statue was unveiled a year ago.


It shows " The Warrior"  General Jack Seeley 1868-1947.
He was a Liberal MP and lead one of the last cavalry charges at the battle of Morevil Wood on his horse Warrior in March 1918.
Seeley was a great friend of Sir Winston Churchill and was the only cabinet minister to go to the front line in 1914


 More information here   http://www.warriorwarhorse.com/jack-seely.asp


Ornate ironwork on the gate that enters the garden.



Another Donkey who;s name eludes me, waiting for his go on the wheel to please the visitors.


A visit inside the Museum and a model of the Castle,


The Chamber Organ, the oldest in England built in 1602 and is still in working order. It was presented to Princess Beatrice in 1937 on her 80th Birthday.


Reproduction of Elizabethan Bed with original panels in Charles 1 bedroom.


Looking out as he would have done at the Shell Keep.  


The Carisbrook Falcon, a gun that could fire shot three quarters of a mile. Made in fifteen forty nine to protect the Castle from the French.


Lastly a lone Mushroom showing that Autumn is not to far away.