Tuesday 31 July 2018
The weather had cleared and had stayed fine, so next on the list was Winchester. I have been there in '78 or '79, but couldn't remember much of it and back then we didn't take so many photographs either, because a roll of film was not cheap and we were very careful not to take too many pictures. When we arrived and walked through the main street I remembered one particular corner. That was all! ;-)
When we first visited Winchester it was with our very small, postal delivery van, which Frank had rebuilt and fitted out as a primitive camper. We travelled with two small children and just before Winchester we had a little accident, which meant that we had to walk around town while the car was being repaired. I don't think we ever made it to the cathedral, because I can't remember having seen it.
This time we walked around town and discovered many beautiful, out-of-the-way spots, even around the cathedral.
We discovered a nice looking pub, and had a real English lunch: cooked ham with fried egg on top, with a side of fries and green salad.
Near the cathedral I found geocache as well. Actually, I didn't have to find it, because it was a virtual cache, for which you generally don't have to do much. An actual cache near it we didn't find.
By the time we reached the museum, where we wanted to have a look at the famous round table from the legend King Arthur and the knights of the round table our parking time had nearly expired, so we left it. We also failed to visit the guildhall I realised later, but still, we had a great day out.
On the way back we were really, really thirsty and passed The Bird in Hand, so, of course we had to stop a little while.
 |
| The only bit of Winchester that I could remember |
 |
| The guildhall |
 |
| Lunch at the Crown & Anchor |
 |
| the pub |
 |
| Archaeological remains of Roman times (foundations of old chapels) |
 |
| Winchester Cathedral |
 |
| Winchester Cathedral |
 |
| Just some peculiar fruit that I want to look up |
 |
| Winchester Cathedral |
 |
| Winchester Cathedral |
 |
| Museum |
 |
| A kite flier in the air |
#1982 - Luminous Motion (Hampshire) (virtual cache)
In The Bird in Hand
 |
Trying a different beer every day,
just like Wim (must run in the family!) ;-) |
Wednesday 1 August 2018
Wednesday morning is walking morning with the walking group, although nobody turned up today! ;-)
We were at Rowlands Castle just before 9:30, but didn't see anybody that we knew. A few would be away, we knew that, but all of them probably ended up going away. Didn't matter, we knew where to go and walked on or own. Luckily it was a lot cooler today as well, so it made for a real pleasant walk. And as the blackberries here were growing in the sunny spaces I snacked on them all the way to the The Pavilion Tearoom and back. :-) I am planning on going back next week and take a container to pick them and bring them home.
As we were on our own today we had plenty of time to look around. After we had our well-earned coffee and cake we visited the Dutch garden, the chapel, the arboretum, walked past the children's railway, the Stansted Farmshop and so to the Maze. We walked the maze (not very successful I may add ;-)) and played mini golf. After that we walked the 45 minutes back to the car.
At home we had lunch and caught up with some computer work. We also have to prepare for tomorrow as we are going to take the car ferry to the Isle of Wight where we will spend a few days and stay the night.
See you then.
 |
| Entrance to Stansted park |
 |
| Birds, attracted by our cake |
 |
| The Dutch Garden |
 |
| At the back of the chapel |
 |
| arboretum |
 |
| children's railway |
 |
| Wim attempting mini-golf |
 |
| Stansted House |
