In view of the poor weather forecast and Diva's mobility issue, the journey home was direct. The Yorkshire Sculpture Park will have to wait.
This blog will cease until the next journey in late June. See you then!
Diva's academic career career continues here: http://studentat60.blogspot.co.uk/
Friday 23 May 2014
Tuesday 20 May 2014
In which Diva is diagnosed with a sports injury
Well, no, she hasn't been playing actual sports. Obviously. But one of her legs has been getting increasingly painful, to the extent that walking is difficult and she can't sleep at nights. So, being sensible, it was off to the Norwich NHS drop-in centre, in spite of the medical phobia. Reception was pleasant and efficient and she was seen by a nurse after less than half an hour. And its the ligament!!! Only sports people get that, don't they? And Diva has to rest with her feet up as much as possible and 'not push herself'. But supermarkets are OK if she is driven there. Which must mean M&S and Boundary Mill and John Lewis are OK if she is driven there. So its not too restricting. But the regular walk in the morning has to stop for a while. And Tai Chi. Maybe Tai Chi caused it?
So then the day resumed with a visit to Fairhaven Garden. Diva was sensible and walked not much further than the first bench and then sat until TSH returned. He walked to the extreme end of the gardens to see the bluebells, which turned out to have already finished. At Horsey windpump Diva didn't get out of the car, as that is a really difficult manoeuvre when you can't bend your leg. TSH climbed all the way to the top of the windpump to admire the view of the Broads but unfortunately the sails had been removed for maintenance.
Last dinner tonight. Last breakfast tomorrow. Full English all round?
So then the day resumed with a visit to Fairhaven Garden. Diva was sensible and walked not much further than the first bench and then sat until TSH returned. He walked to the extreme end of the gardens to see the bluebells, which turned out to have already finished. At Horsey windpump Diva didn't get out of the car, as that is a really difficult manoeuvre when you can't bend your leg. TSH climbed all the way to the top of the windpump to admire the view of the Broads but unfortunately the sails had been removed for maintenance.
Last dinner tonight. Last breakfast tomorrow. Full English all round?
Monday 19 May 2014
Avocets and bankers
The day started with a visit toWelney Wetland Centre, which is linked with Martinmere in Lancashire through the Wetland Trust and the Wildfowl Trust. TSH and Diva saw avocets and their chicks, a moorhen feeding chicks and a small deer, which some local people said was very unusual. There was also a Little Egret.
The second visit was to Peckover House, a National Trust property in Wisbech. The interest here was that it was originally owned by a Quaker family who were trusted to hold people's money during the 1800s, when there were few regulations. This bank was prudently run and did not collapse as did many others in the 1860s. Since then it has been taken over by Barclays and whilst this latter bank also did not collapse in the recent crisis, the Quaker bankers might not approve of what has happened to their trustworthy enterprise.
TSH visited the gardens, which were pleasant but not special. Diva did not go to the gardens as she discovered there are two resident c**ts, about which she is extremely phobic.
The second visit was to Peckover House, a National Trust property in Wisbech. The interest here was that it was originally owned by a Quaker family who were trusted to hold people's money during the 1800s, when there were few regulations. This bank was prudently run and did not collapse as did many others in the 1860s. Since then it has been taken over by Barclays and whilst this latter bank also did not collapse in the recent crisis, the Quaker bankers might not approve of what has happened to their trustworthy enterprise.
TSH visited the gardens, which were pleasant but not special. Diva did not go to the gardens as she discovered there are two resident c**ts, about which she is extremely phobic.
Sunday 18 May 2014
A visit to a sitooterie
How many times can you send scrambled eggs back til they get them right? Well, the first attempt came without smoked salmon. The second was runny (Diva had asked for them well cooked). The third was runny and the waitress explained that this was 'because of the cream'. Diva does not like cream and cannot imagine why you would put it into scrambled eggs. 'This is the way scrambled eggs are cooked here. With cream' (said very firmly). 'Would it be possible for Chef to be asked to do them as scrambled eggs without additives?' The waitress looked doubtful and petrified at the thought of approaching Chef with such a request. Well it was possible, so Diva got excellent scrambled eggs and smoked salmon at the fourth attempt. But the toast was not buttered. She hates 'fine dining'and 'Chefs' and prefers real food.
The first National Trust stop was at Blickling, which is an opulent house with a pleasant garden walk. It had three catering outlets but only two were tested and found more than adequate. The sitooterie (yes, really, it is where you 'sit out') was tested and Diva's photo taken.
By the time of the visit to Felbrigg, it was hot and both were tired so it was just a quick visit to the interesting walled garden. No energy for the house. The drive is so bumpy that Diva dropped the satnav, which was fortunately OK.
A kamikaze pheasant nearly dirtied the front of the car. Holiday nearing its end and clothes running low.
The first National Trust stop was at Blickling, which is an opulent house with a pleasant garden walk. It had three catering outlets but only two were tested and found more than adequate. The sitooterie (yes, really, it is where you 'sit out') was tested and Diva's photo taken.
By the time of the visit to Felbrigg, it was hot and both were tired so it was just a quick visit to the interesting walled garden. No energy for the house. The drive is so bumpy that Diva dropped the satnav, which was fortunately OK.
A kamikaze pheasant nearly dirtied the front of the car. Holiday nearing its end and clothes running low.
Saturday 17 May 2014
Norwich
Today was spent in Norwich, starting at the Cathedral, where there is a pair of nesting peregrine falcons with four (?) chicks nesting high up on the tower. For those who are interested, this is the link for the Sheffield falcons, which Diva has been watching: http://efm.dept.shef.ac.uk/peregrine/ . She saw one of the chicks crawl out of the egg, assisted by a parent who helped to break the shell before eating it.
The cathedral also has some attractive modern stained glass and a highly polished bronze font.
Norwich is another very attractive Small Cathedral City, with history as well as modern shopping and facilities. The day did not start well because the Park and Ride does not run on Saturdays from the place planned (but it doesn't say so on the leaflets). So it was drive into the city very slowly in one lane of traffic, the other being reserved for the non-running buses.
Diva bought two new T shirts, which will help with warm weather wardrobe planning but not with wardrobe storage at the hotel.
The cathedral also has some attractive modern stained glass and a highly polished bronze font.
Norwich is another very attractive Small Cathedral City, with history as well as modern shopping and facilities. The day did not start well because the Park and Ride does not run on Saturdays from the place planned (but it doesn't say so on the leaflets). So it was drive into the city very slowly in one lane of traffic, the other being reserved for the non-running buses.
Diva bought two new T shirts, which will help with warm weather wardrobe planning but not with wardrobe storage at the hotel.
Friday 16 May 2014
A royal day
The Queen greeted TSH and Diva at the entrance to Sandringham and escorted them into the saloon, where sandwiches and tea were served. Afterwards, Charles walked with them to the nearby parish church. TSH was able to explain to him which trees were past their best and should be removed to leave space for others. And where he'd spotted a weed.
OK, so the first paragraph is fantasy. TSH and Diva queued and paid with everyone else and received no special treatment. But it was an excellent day out. The house and its museum had more interest than most because it directly related to people and events they were very familiar with. They saw the Queen Mother's chair - still in pride of place between the fire and the drinks table - and her 'racing buggy', so called because it was painted in her racing colours - not because she used it for racing. Some items on show in the house and museum were probably less than welcome gifts. An exhibition contained the information that the Royal Yacht Britannia once crossed the Antarctic Circle. Now TSH and Diva are intrepid cruisers (see this blog September 2013) and do not go on large ships. But they know that the area around the Antarctic has the worst storms on the planet. And they cannot imagine doing it in that yacht!!
The grounds are beautiful, with parkland, woodland and several planted areas - mostly shrubs. And could not be improved much in spite of TSH's ideas. The visit took the whole day and as a destination this is to be recommended.
Back at the hotel, there are still clothes hung on the front of the wardrobe and on the back of the bathroom door. And most of Diva's clothes for warm weather have now been worn. So only warmer clothes are left and the weather is getting hotter. But TSH has packed wisely and is fine.
OK, so the first paragraph is fantasy. TSH and Diva queued and paid with everyone else and received no special treatment. But it was an excellent day out. The house and its museum had more interest than most because it directly related to people and events they were very familiar with. They saw the Queen Mother's chair - still in pride of place between the fire and the drinks table - and her 'racing buggy', so called because it was painted in her racing colours - not because she used it for racing. Some items on show in the house and museum were probably less than welcome gifts. An exhibition contained the information that the Royal Yacht Britannia once crossed the Antarctic Circle. Now TSH and Diva are intrepid cruisers (see this blog September 2013) and do not go on large ships. But they know that the area around the Antarctic has the worst storms on the planet. And they cannot imagine doing it in that yacht!!
The grounds are beautiful, with parkland, woodland and several planted areas - mostly shrubs. And could not be improved much in spite of TSH's ideas. The visit took the whole day and as a destination this is to be recommended.
Back at the hotel, there are still clothes hung on the front of the wardrobe and on the back of the bathroom door. And most of Diva's clothes for warm weather have now been worn. So only warmer clothes are left and the weather is getting hotter. But TSH has packed wisely and is fine.
Thursday 15 May 2014
The weather is getting hotter
The food at the second hotel is at least as good as the first one - better in some respects because its more like normal food and less pretentious. The room still looks like a market stall but as things get dirty and go into plastic bags it will improve.
The first stop was at the North Norfolk railway (there's a theme going on here somehow) but this was very brief - just long enough for TSH to be given a private tour of the sheds and works. The main stop was at Sheringham Park - not Diva's favourite NT property because it positively encourages dogs and allows them off the lead in most areas. So the walk was not as anxiety-free as those round most NT properties. The estate was landscaped by Repton, although there have been many alterations since, including a spectacular display of rhododendrons. The house is still in private hands and not open to the public.
A very short stop in Cromer brought the outing to a close.
The first stop was at the North Norfolk railway (there's a theme going on here somehow) but this was very brief - just long enough for TSH to be given a private tour of the sheds and works. The main stop was at Sheringham Park - not Diva's favourite NT property because it positively encourages dogs and allows them off the lead in most areas. So the walk was not as anxiety-free as those round most NT properties. The estate was landscaped by Repton, although there have been many alterations since, including a spectacular display of rhododendrons. The house is still in private hands and not open to the public.
A very short stop in Cromer brought the outing to a close.
Wednesday 14 May 2014
Goodbye horses - hello golfers
En route to the second centre, the visit was to Bressingham, which has been described as 'eccentric'. Well, it is in that it is like nothing else, but all the better for that. There is a garden centre, a 'toy' steam railway for short pleasure trips, railway sheds containing full size steam engines and carriages which are part of the national collection, and a huge stunning garden, including the famous 'foggy bottom'. An enjoyable time for both.
The sat nav then suggested a route which included twists, turns and a lot of ungraded roads, which was demanding for the driver and both demanding and scary for the navigator. But the hotel was eventually safely located. The room, although adequate, is not as big as the last one and the storage is woefully inadequate for the amount of clothes and 'stuff' which travel with TSH and Diva. Some clothes are currently on the hook behind the bathroom door and some are draped over the wardrobe door, which some readers may know is not the usual style.
The sat nav then suggested a route which included twists, turns and a lot of ungraded roads, which was demanding for the driver and both demanding and scary for the navigator. But the hotel was eventually safely located. The room, although adequate, is not as big as the last one and the storage is woefully inadequate for the amount of clothes and 'stuff' which travel with TSH and Diva. Some clothes are currently on the hook behind the bathroom door and some are draped over the wardrobe door, which some readers may know is not the usual style.
Tuesday 13 May 2014
Last day before moving on
Short drive to Bury St Edmunds, which is a lovely town which surpassed expectations and is well worth a visit. A new build shopping centre blends into the older shopping centre, which leads down to the ruins of a massive abbey. The present day cathedral is nearby. The only bad bit was when two squirrels attacked Diva by running at her full pelt, turning aside only at the last moment.
Driving out of the town was exciting because of the large hail stones which put in an appearance, hammering down on the car and ricocheting back up from the road.
The next visit was to National Trust's Ickworth, which would be an excellent destination on a fine day because of the long walks round its parkland. The interior is interesting for its extensive 'below stairs' exhibits, explaining how the servants lived in the early part of the twentieth century. And the silver in the silver room certainly had the 'wow' factor'. Enormous serving platters and ornate bowls. But forget the walled garden which is a project not yet started. A walled field, really.
Diva is worried as the lights in one of the horse houses seemed to be on all night, with people coming and going. Is it ill? Or being psyched up for the races?
Driving out of the town was exciting because of the large hail stones which put in an appearance, hammering down on the car and ricocheting back up from the road.
The next visit was to National Trust's Ickworth, which would be an excellent destination on a fine day because of the long walks round its parkland. The interior is interesting for its extensive 'below stairs' exhibits, explaining how the servants lived in the early part of the twentieth century. And the silver in the silver room certainly had the 'wow' factor'. Enormous serving platters and ornate bowls. But forget the walled garden which is a project not yet started. A walled field, really.
Diva is worried as the lights in one of the horse houses seemed to be on all night, with people coming and going. Is it ill? Or being psyched up for the races?
Monday 12 May 2014
Disturbed night
01:30 and the fire alarm goes off. Diva gets dressed and gets handbag. TSH makes do with dressing gown and shoes. Open door. Go into corridor. Alarm stops. Join assembly of guests deciding what to do next. All women have handbags. Turns out someone has been smoking in their room, the smoke detector has gone off and resulted in a general alarm. Diva's heart beating so fast she can't sleep for a while. The terror is caused by the noise of the alarm, not the threat of fire. But that's what the alarm tone is designed to do.
Today was spent in Cambridge, using very efficient park and ride. Getting there was delayed by giving way to what seemed like several hundred horses (yes, an exaggeration) , which is the rule of the road in Newmarket. A morning walk round the colleges with a view of the river and then some retail therapy for Diva. No actual purchase, more of a planning session for an important wedding next summer. Meanwhile, TSH climbed 123 steps up the Great St Mary's tower.
The dining room at the hotel is so darki n places that it is difficult to read the menu. Diva admired the older man who stood up with the menu and took it under a bright light after he had asked them to make the lights brighter (dimmers were on) and they refused. Maybe the young want ambience and the old just want enough light to see by.
Today was spent in Cambridge, using very efficient park and ride. Getting there was delayed by giving way to what seemed like several hundred horses (yes, an exaggeration) , which is the rule of the road in Newmarket. A morning walk round the colleges with a view of the river and then some retail therapy for Diva. No actual purchase, more of a planning session for an important wedding next summer. Meanwhile, TSH climbed 123 steps up the Great St Mary's tower.
The dining room at the hotel is so darki n places that it is difficult to read the menu. Diva admired the older man who stood up with the menu and took it under a bright light after he had asked them to make the lights brighter (dimmers were on) and they refused. Maybe the young want ambience and the old just want enough light to see by.
Sunday 11 May 2014
A mixed day
The morning was spent at Beth Chatto's garden. She is a much admired garden designer who has written many books but achieved that position by hard work and experience rather than by formal training. The garden was started in the 1960s as a family garden which is now open to the public. She is now over 90, so probably has some help. The garden is beautifully laid out, with the attraction being the way different shapes and colours complement each other. The tea room provided an excellent light lunch - baguette with smoked salmon, cream cheese and cucumber for Diva and a jacket potato and coronation chicken for TSH. Tonight the restaurant is making a special lobster and crayfish risotto for Diva, as the standard one has cream, which she does not like.
On the way back, a brief call into Colchester, said to be England's oldest town. The signs indicated a car park which turned out to be badly located both for the shops and the abbey, so neither was appreciated. This is not really a 'destination' town.
A bit of context. The hotel overlooks a large Newmarket stables, so clearly visible from the bedroom window is a 2 storey set of horse Houses (boxes?). There are also 3 large round structures which seem to be used for indoor training. These latter are illuminated all night, presumably for security. At about 04:30 each morning, all the lights in the building are switched on and horses start looking out. Over the next half hour, figures appear and approach the horses. Tractors which are as noisy as aircraft sweep out the round structures. So far, Diva has not seen the next bit. Do the horses emerge and march off en masse? Or creep out to the training areas one at a time?
On the way back, a brief call into Colchester, said to be England's oldest town. The signs indicated a car park which turned out to be badly located both for the shops and the abbey, so neither was appreciated. This is not really a 'destination' town.
A bit of context. The hotel overlooks a large Newmarket stables, so clearly visible from the bedroom window is a 2 storey set of horse Houses (boxes?). There are also 3 large round structures which seem to be used for indoor training. These latter are illuminated all night, presumably for security. At about 04:30 each morning, all the lights in the building are switched on and horses start looking out. Over the next half hour, figures appear and approach the horses. Tractors which are as noisy as aircraft sweep out the round structures. So far, Diva has not seen the next bit. Do the horses emerge and march off en masse? Or creep out to the training areas one at a time?
Saturday 10 May 2014
Warm sunny day
Started off at Oxburgh, a rare National Trust property where the building was more interesting than the gardens. It was built to look like a castle, although the moat was always purely decorative. It contains a priest's hole which the young, small and agile are allowed to enter. TSH and Diva ruled themselves out of that one but TSH made the roof, using the steep stone slippery spiral staircase. There was also some embroidery done by Mary Queen of Scots and Bess of Hardwick, as well as many decorative wallpapers, some made of highly coloured embossed leather.
Gooderstone water gardens are very attractively laid out and would make a pleasant few hours out with interest at any time of the year. Pity the tea shop only did drinks and cakes, as sandwiches or soup was what was really wanted.
The final visit was to Swaffham. The market was just closing but the church was interesting - relatively plain and simple. It had a plaque to a man who was killed by a tiger in India 'whilst trying to save some natives'.
Gooderstone water gardens are very attractively laid out and would make a pleasant few hours out with interest at any time of the year. Pity the tea shop only did drinks and cakes, as sandwiches or soup was what was really wanted.
The final visit was to Swaffham. The market was just closing but the church was interesting - relatively plain and simple. It had a plaque to a man who was killed by a tiger in India 'whilst trying to save some natives'.
Friday 9 May 2014
Sunny all day
The whole day was spent at Anglesey Abbey, which is one of the National Trust's great gardens. It was developed by Lord Fairhaven, an American who bought the house unseen during the 1930s. He remodelled the gardens and they really are splendid and well worth a leisurely visit, as they extend over many acres. He is the same person who bought the land at Runnymede to give to the nation, so he was very rich indeed. Having seen the inside of his house and his art collection, TSH and Diva, who are minimalists at heart, thought 'more money than taste', but this is probably very cruel.
In the wild part of the garden, a pair of Reeve's pheasants was spotted. Diva was concerned when she read that there were also snakes, but none made an appearance today.
In the wild part of the garden, a pair of Reeve's pheasants was spotted. Diva was concerned when she read that there were also snakes, but none made an appearance today.
Thursday 8 May 2014
How long will it rain?
Sutton Hoo was the first call - its the site of a burial ground which includes a grave containing what is thought to be the body of a king from the 8th century, with his long boat and his weapons and a face mask. The workmanship is impressive for that time in England, although not as sophisticated as Greek or Egyptian articles from much earlier. But the mask and the boat burial are very unusual for this country. Most of the actual objects, which were only found in 1939, are in the British Museum but there are some excellent replicas in the visitor centre. This centre is very new and delivers a lot of information without it ever seeming overwhelming. TSH and Diva saw the burial mounds in the pouring rain but they made it round the guided walk.
The excavations were done by Basil Brown, who was invited to dig by the local land owner. There is a recording of his voice, in response to a challenge that his knowledge was not great enough for him to be trusted with what turned out to be an important task. He declared that he was well qualified, because at age 15 he had gained his school certificate in geography, astronomy and archaeology!!!
The rest of the day was a bit disappointing because of worsening weather and visits to Aldeburgh and Woodbridge were extremely brief. And the forecast is bad for the next few days.
TSH had a couple of disappointments on the first night. The portion sizes in the restaurant are extremely small. The starters were a couple of mini (very mini) beetroots with tiny pieces of breaded cheese. All tasty and artfully arranged but without sustenance for someone who had eaten only one large piece of chocolate and Guinness cake since his full English breakfast. And then he thought he had turn-down chocolate. Diva was a bit doubtful as the box on the pillow had 'Molton Brown' on it so there was a risk of it tasting a bit soapy. And it turned out to be 'temple soother'. TSH is not a believer in such products as 'temple soother' but Diva thought it smelled nice.
The excavations were done by Basil Brown, who was invited to dig by the local land owner. There is a recording of his voice, in response to a challenge that his knowledge was not great enough for him to be trusted with what turned out to be an important task. He declared that he was well qualified, because at age 15 he had gained his school certificate in geography, astronomy and archaeology!!!
The rest of the day was a bit disappointing because of worsening weather and visits to Aldeburgh and Woodbridge were extremely brief. And the forecast is bad for the next few days.
TSH had a couple of disappointments on the first night. The portion sizes in the restaurant are extremely small. The starters were a couple of mini (very mini) beetroots with tiny pieces of breaded cheese. All tasty and artfully arranged but without sustenance for someone who had eaten only one large piece of chocolate and Guinness cake since his full English breakfast. And then he thought he had turn-down chocolate. Diva was a bit doubtful as the box on the pillow had 'Molton Brown' on it so there was a risk of it tasting a bit soapy. And it turned out to be 'temple soother'. TSH is not a believer in such products as 'temple soother' but Diva thought it smelled nice.
Wednesday 7 May 2014
Travel south east
A full English breakfast in the local cafe set TSH and Diva up for the day. First stop Neme Valley railway where TSH photographed trains and was given a private tour of the workshop. Diva stayed in the cafe with tea.
Peterborough - first visit for both - is a very attractive small cathedral city. Modern shopping centre opening off medieval square but hidden behind old buildings - perfect way to keep shoppers in the old town. Cathedral very attractive - simple like York Minster, except with a painted (?) ceiling. Saw the tomb of Katherine of Aragon.
Leaving the cathedral area, a falcon was seen - interesting for those who are watching the progress of the Sheffield peregrines. Pigeons dispersed rapidly.
Room overlooks stables for race horses.
Packing was less successful than usual and Diva had to do some ironing on arrival!!
Peterborough - first visit for both - is a very attractive small cathedral city. Modern shopping centre opening off medieval square but hidden behind old buildings - perfect way to keep shoppers in the old town. Cathedral very attractive - simple like York Minster, except with a painted (?) ceiling. Saw the tomb of Katherine of Aragon.
Leaving the cathedral area, a falcon was seen - interesting for those who are watching the progress of the Sheffield peregrines. Pigeons dispersed rapidly.
Room overlooks stables for race horses.
Packing was less successful than usual and Diva had to do some ironing on arrival!!
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