Category: Holidays (Page 11 of 14)

Cumbria 28.9.20

29 September 2020 / admin

Northern Rock R&ER 28.9.20

There are other attractions in the Lake District – today we head along the main road through the Northern end of the Lakes – the hills are beautifully lit making it a very pleasant drive. Our first destination is Ravenglass as we shall be travelling on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. However the station at the far end of the line is Dalegarth (not Eskdale).

The railway opened in 1875 and was the first narrow gauge public railway carrying passengers from 1876. Formally it became preserved in 1959 when a preservation society took ownership part funded by the Wakefield family, local landowners who remain involved). The line runs for seven miles and the journey takes 40 minutes.

Northern Rock in action 28.9.20

Northern Rock provided the motive power. Northern Rock was built in 1976 a 2-6-2 and is painted in Highland Railway livery (apparently known as Muscat Green). It is the newest of the locomotives operating on the railway.

To return to our base means taking to the hills again and this time we visit the Hardknott and Wrynose Passes. Some years ago I took a Previa over this route – in excellent weather and today it is slightly damp for the TT but it is a lot easier with a smaller vehicle. Given the way the roads run it is impossible to do one without the other but I find Hardknott harder – there are some very interesting twists and turns on the climb. As I am concentrating on the opportunity to enjoy the scenery is a little limited. However apparently it is the last time Jackie is going over these two passes.

In the evening we go to 1863 a restaurant in Pooley Bridge which is at the northern end of Ullswater. Parking was a little difficult for some reason and sometimes when things get disjointed by a little thing like parking then it is more difficult to concentrate on the meal. As I recall this was the least liked dining destination – but others may feel completely different – perhaps we were tired after the earlier exertions.

Cumbria 27.9.20

28 September 2020 / admin

Aira Waterfall Ullswater 27.9.20

There are (of course) more reasons for visiting the Lake District apart from the excellent food which is available. So today we seek to combine some of these. Our first destination is the Aira Waterfall on the edge of Ullswater. We wander up and over the bridge and back down the other side – not the sunniest day possible.

The Struggle 27.9.20 Copyright J Whitbread

One of my personal reasons for visiting the area is to take the TT over some of the “challenging” passes which exist. So heading south from Ullswater we head up and over the Kirkstone Pass – a gradient of 1 in 4 reaching an altitude of 1489ft. It is a major A road (unlike some of the other passes we will be seeing) and is therefore relatively easy. Heading towards our intended destination we descend into Ambleside using the “Struggle”. In all honesty doing it all southbound is probably too easy – but it happens to fit our journey today. This is definitely one of the less scary passes to cover.

Drunken Duck Menu 27.9.20 Copyright J Whitbread

Our dining destination is not quite as fancy as yesterday as we are heading to the Drunken Duck at Barngates, Ambleside. As with most of dining destinations this can be recommended – after the driving this morning a decent lunch is most welcome. Being a Sunday we naturally have the Sunday roast.

And once back at the lodge there is a nice hot tub to use.

Cumbria 26.9.20

27 September 2020 / admin

Castlerigg Stone Circle 26.9.20

Given the time of year to find that it is a little grey and potentially damp this morning is no surprise. However our first visit this morning is Castlerigg Stone Circle which Wikipedia reports as having been erected in about 3200BC with around 40 stones making the circle. The reasons for construction and subsequent uses are unknown but given the size of the boulders no doubt a lot of manual labour was involved.

The stones were scheduled under an Act of 1882 and the site was the first to have a formal agreement between landowner and the State who became responsible for the stones but not the land and that duty has since been passed to English Heritage as the appropriate authority.

Our route is then south along the western edge of Thirlmere, rather than the main road with our destination being Forest Side Hotel in Grasmere where we enjoy an excellent lunch. We must return here one day.

Taster Forest Side 26.9.20 Copyright J M Whitbread

Grasmere is famous for many things including gingerbread so Jackie joins a not short queue (despite the rain). We are later able to decide that neither of us is actually that keen on gingerbread.

Cumbria 25.9.20

26 September 2020 / admin

Lodge Penrith 25.9.20 copyright J Whitbread

Late 2020 and most of the year has been lost to covid. At the moment the restrictions are limited and we have a week booked (Friday to Friday) at hot tub equipped caravan near Penrith with the intention of spending the week sampling some of the culinary and physical delights of the Lake District. Penrith is a little further from the area we usually visit – but we have never really been to the Northern end of the Lakes so this will be a little different.

The lodge is not available until 4pm and with past experience of the M6 we set off in plenty of time – indeed for once the traffic is not as difficult as it might have been – although I rather think we used the M6 Toll road to avoid some of the worst of the traffic which can occur.

So it is hardly a surprise when we arrive at the check in point (in the pub) well over an hour ahead of the magic opening time. Obviously in such circumstances we all hope for early access – but inevitably with the extra cleaning now mandated it is only a few minutes early that we are allowed to roll in.

View from Lodge 25.9.20 Copyright J Whitbread

This is a very nice upmarket establishment with peacocks wandering around between the lodges.

In the evening we dined at Allium at Askham Hall. The food was excellent but the sommelier seemed to think that trying to get Jackie to drink a reisling wine was a good idea and thereafter it did not go so well. There are things she does not like and that is one of them as she complains they all smell of petrol. As I am driving I am not drinking very much!

Kent 17.7.20

18 July 2020 / admin / 0 Comments

Battle Abbey School 17-7-20

Battle

After a quiet day visiting Hythe for afternoon tea on 16 July we drive to Battle today to visit the site of the Battle of Hastings of 1066. I am not sure if I covered it two or three times in History lessons when growing up but it seemed to be where history commenced as far as the curriculum was concerned in those days so it has been deeply embedded in my memory. The story was recorded in the Bayeux Tapestry which we eventually get to see in 2025 when cruising on the Seine river.

Battle Abbey was constructed on the orders of William I following his victory and was suppressed by Henry VIII during the dissolution of the monasteries. It became a school in 1922 which it remains.

Mounted Knight Battle 17-7-20

There is a marked path around the edge of the battlefield which is adorned by a selection of wooden carved figures depicting some of the possible participants in the events of 1066.

Another fighting fellow Battle 17-7-20

A difficult day for both sides. The English were tired having marched from another battle in the North and so were at a disadvantage. The numbers involved were unknown and the English may have been undone by following the invaders when retreating and allowing a counter charge to break the lines. The numbers involved in the Battle are not known. Inevitably an arrow in the King’s eye was decisive and the Normans conquered. leading to William the Bastard becoming William the Conqueror.

Battle Abbey ruins 17-7-20

Battle Abbey itself was a Benedictine monastery and it derived from the Normans being instructed to undertake penance by Pope Alexander II in recognition of the many killings caused by the invasion and battles. It was finished in 1094 and consecrated during the reign of William II.

Plaque to mark altar site Battle 17-7-20

The high altar stood on the spot where Harold died and again my inability to take a decent photograph is the only comment I can make.

Abbey Brickwork 17-7-20

Some dating exercises indicate that much of the structure which remains is later building work – but whenever it was done the brickwork was some decent work as can be seen.

Saturday 18 July 2020

Time for the return journey which proved to be confusing for one of us. Heading north from Romney towards the M20 motorway the signs helpfully indicate the distance to the Channel Tunnel as well as to centres of habitation. Every time we pass one Jackie helpfully points out that we are getting closer to the Tunnel , as well as everywhere else, (not that we have any intention of going there) and she seems concerned that we are going in completely the wrong direction if we are getting closer to France. Nothing that I can say disabuses her of this conviction until we reach the motorway and there are no longer distances to the Channel Tunnel being shown as it is all behind us now.

Kent 15.7.20

17 July 2020 / admin / 0 Comments

Sissinghurst Castle 15-7-20

Sissinghurst

Today we aim to do something a little different. We go to Sissinghurst to visit the Castle and gardens. The gardens were the creation of Vita Sackville-West working with her husband Harold Nicholson between 1930 and 1962 and her death at which point it was donated to the National Trust. The current building was never a “castle” in the technical term – the name was adopted when it was a camp for French prisoners during the Seven Years’ War. The tower was part of the Elizabethan manor but much of that was demolished so it is not the size it once was. However the Nicholson family occupied quite separate parts of the buildings which remain.

Sissiinghurst 15-7-20

The gardens are the main draw of course and we roam around in what turned into an increasingly grey, dull day.

Double Camomile 15-7-20

There are many gardens separated by hedges and trees to provide some different and contrasting areas and the colours will depend on the time of the visit and what is in flower at the time.

Colour Sissinghurst 15-7-20

Some of the photos do not do a lot of justice to the hard work that it took to convert a poorly maintained location into the current well kept spaces and on a brighter day it may look very different.

House and colour Sissinghurst 15–7-20

At sometimes the camera can get close enough to look at the fine details

Up Close Sissinghurst 15-7-20

There are many separate gardens split up by hedges and paths and we may have missed some of them as there seems to be so much. This will give an idea of how the gardens are laid out:

Many gardens Sissinghurst 15-7-20

Some are more formal, others less so. Visitors first came here at the end of the Thirties, paying a shilling for entrance. It is somewhat more these days

Final Assortment Sissinghurst 15-7-20

16 July 2020

On the day following our trip to Sissinghurst we made a much shorter journey to Hythe and the Imperial Hotel which is adjacent to the English Channel. On the land side of the hotel there is a large garden and there this summer they are serving afternoon tea with everyone well separated. it was a little slow initially as no-one actually seemed to know what they were doing but it soon clicked into place and we rather liked the experience. Several years later we returned to stay for a couple of nights and can report an excellent dinner and breakfasts in the hotel plus a visit to the Hide and Fox (by taxi) for an excellent meal. The latter now holds two Michelin stars and well worthy of it.

Kent 14.7.20

16 July 2020 / admin / 0 Comments

Hercules RHDR 14-7-20

Running alongside the holiday camp is the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway which as the headboard shows is back in action post covid and although there are restrictions on sharing accommodation we are once again able to enjoy a ride behind a steam locomotive.

Hercules and driver RHDR 14-7-20

Whilst it does not look like it I can confirm that two people can fit in that cab – some years ago I spent a day with some others enjoying a driving experience – well shovelling coal and looking out at crossings – I left the water to the expert as I have no wish to damage a boiler and I preferred things to be safe as these locos are not cheap.

Dungeness Nuclear Power Station 14-7-20

The end of the line is not Dymchurch but Dungeness of course, but somehow Romney, Hythe and Dungeness simply does not sound as nice as Dymchurch!

Dungeness 14-7-20

In normal operation at Dungeness the service stops at the station and the progresses around the run round loop to return to the northern part of the line. However unusually the loco runs around and sets back on to the other end of the coaching stock. I am not sure why this method of operation was being used – but it may be that some track needed fettling before being returned to passenger service as it is on loose shingle which could well have suffered through lack of use.

Northern Chief RHDR 14-7-20

On our return journey we cross the other service headed by Northern Chief and it is clear that the world is steadily recovering to life after months in lockdown. However as I know now writing this somewhat later it is going to be a long slog before things really get closer to normal.

Normally when I write about a railway I feel i should write some summary – but it would be out of date and would be unfair. It was pleasing that once again a railway – not a heritage line because it is now serving the public exactly the same as it has always done. It will be 100 in 2027 (opening on 16 July 1927) and I hope that they are planning a massive celebration – the “Smallest Public Railway in the World”.

We went to the Pilot Inn Dungeness in the evening for dinner. Dungeness is a different world – the pebbles, the feeling that it is somewhere detached, remote and somehow separate from the rest of Kent being on the far side of the Romney Marsh. Otherworldly in some strange way.

Kent 12-13.7.20

14 July 2020 / admin / 0 Comments

Beef Fordwich Arms 12 July 2020 copyright J M Whitbread

Sunday 12 June 2020

This was a beautifully warm day and we headed through the Kent countryside to a superb lunch at the Fordwich Arms, Fordwich. We had a superb lunch adjacent to the river and were well looked after by the staff and it was wonderful being able to enjoy fresh air dining on the terrace in some lovely surroundings. Once back a sleep is a high priority.

Chimpanzee Port Lympne 13-7-20

Monday 13 June 2020

We head to Port Lympne this morning. Once again the sun is shining and we take our walk through the zoo quite steadily – it covers over 100 acres and we are unable to cover the full extent of it. Trying to obtain decent photos through the caging is beyond me so I apologise for the quality of the accompanying photos.

Meercat Port Lympne 13-7-20

Somewhat easier to capture was this meercat – which was not being compared to anything but was keeping a key eye on events and the people watching it from what I can see.

Distant animals Port Lympne 13-7-20

Identification of some of the more distant animals is always a challenge and I cannot now remember what these were.

Rhinoceroses Port Lympne 13-7-20

However I feel I can assert these are a pair of rhinos wandering around a very distant field. I need to a higher power zoom lens I rather think.

Folkestone / Canterbury 10&11.7.20

12 July 2020 / admin

Folkestone Harbour Station 10-7-20

Since our return from Cuba in February the world had changed. This trip had been built around a planned wedding – which was deferred until 2021 – but suddenly the restrictions were being unwound and we were able to head to Kent in the belief that something other than our own four walls might surround us.

Rocksalt restaurant 10-7-20

On the Friday evening we dined and stayed at Rocksalt in Folkestone, visiting once again the Harbour station; the last time we were able to leave it by VSOE – something no longer possible. The restaurant has a stunning location and view. It majors on seafood for obvious reasons.

Canterbury Cathedral 11-7-20

We have some time to kill on the Saturday before our caravan will be available and spend it in Canterbury. The Cathedral normally has a pretty stiff charge for entry but they are testing their new covid-style restrictions and are providing free entry at the time of our visit – so it was an absolute steal at that price!

Canterbury Cathedral on 11-7-20

The huge building is obviously nearly empty and the seating has been reduced to ensure that visitors maintain the requisite distances which were being promulgated as life saving., all long before the requirement for vaccines was imposed on everyone. In retrospect it all seems a strange way to carry on.

We also visited Canterbury Goods Shed which despite the background seemed pretty busy as I remember – and well worth visiting again at some point when back in the area.

Our destination is Romney Sands and we cross the RH&DR as we enter the park – use of the line will be made later in the week during our peregrinations around south east Kent.

Cuba 18.2.20 onwards

22 February 2020 / admin

Sopping towel 18-2-20

We are now in a holiday complex in Varadero, Northern Cuba. This is a spit of land and there are a string of hotels all along the length of this piece of the coast. We were dropped yesterday and it seemed in retrospect that the tour manager was particularly keen to get going back to Havana. We arrived just after lunchtime as I recall but as were after the appointed hour the restaurant had closed and there was nothing available for some hours – which is always wearing. I seem to remember there was something unattractive on a barbecue – but hardly looked edible.

In fairness the restaurant when it was open in the evening was actually not that bad but it was worth getting in early to ensure that first choice did not run out before eating.

Less attractive was the failure of the air conditioning unit initially spewing significant amounts of water and this was followed by the emergence of innumerable bugs which had no doubt been jamming the innards of the equipment for some considerable period – particularly as they ran around the room.

I attempted to obtain some recognition of the problem by the front desk who suddenly denied speaking English, having any spare rooms and no contacts to whom to refer the problem as they were all off duty. Despite having common branding with other hotels we had passed they were unable to contact them to obtain a spare room or arrange any form of relocation. This left an almighty bad taste in the mouth and various bites on various bits of anatomies. However it had to be grinned and born (or something like that).

On a more positive note there was a specialist restaurant within the complex – Japanese if my memory serves correctly – which did deliver a better meal so this did improve matters.

Having had a largely enjoyable holiday and been well treated these last few days were a total let down. At the time we could not work out why – but I suspect the hotel company was just unable to stay on top of maintenance and the facilities were lacking to ensure they could be sustained long term. It meant we were actually keen to get on the plane home which is often not the case.

A slight disclaimer, this has been written over 6 years after the journey concerned so is very much based around the photographs taken on the day.