This morning, we went into Canterbury. I am really sorry that we didn't have more time to spend here, as it looks like a really lovely town. A real regret is that we didn't have time to look at the library (I know it's a temporary library, but I would have liked to have seen it). Unfortunately, the one-way system on the way out of Maidstone added quite a bit of unscheduled time to the morning, and we simply ran out of time today.
We left the car at a Park and Ride, and got a bus right into the centre of the town, and then walked through some of the streets for a little while.
Our main objective in Canterbury had been to see the Cathedral, and this did not disappoint. I had seen some photos on Flickr recently which showed how the restoration work is cleaning up the old stonework, and this work was evident as we approached the Cathedral.
I was interested to see Canterbury not just because of its age, but also for the story of Thomas A'Beckett of course.
We left Canterbury at about 2, and drove to Rye. More Malcolm Saville country here! We are staying at the famous Mermaid Inn, which was rebuilt in 1420 after the original twelfth century building was destroyed by fire. Elizabeth I stayed here. It's a truly marvellous building. My room overlooks Mermaid Street - I've put a couple of photos on Flickr. Funny to be sitting here in such an old room, using wi-fi!!
We had a lovely walk here this afternoon, around the old, cobbled streets. We went up to the tenth century church, which has a clock tower above the North door. Each quarter hour, the "quarter boys" strike the bell. I climbed the clock tower (braving ladders and a trap door) and was rewarded with a marvellous view over Rye and the surrounding area.
The walk back took us down Traders' Passage and back to Mermaid Street.
So - another great day. Apologies again to Canterbury Library.........maybe next time!!
Showing posts with label Malcolm Saville. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Malcolm Saville. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Shropshire - Lone Pine country
We left Wales on Tuesday and made the short drive to Clun in Shropshire, not far from the Welsh border. On the way, we made a slight detour into Hay-on-Wye, a small village which is known for its secondhand bookshops. And what a feast that was!!! We found a guide to the bookshops, and it lists 30!! Booklovers' heaven!
A very enjoyable couple of hours browsing. Of course, there is always the problem of transporting books in our luggage and excess baggage fees, but most of the shops will ship books anywhere for you and I found a few shops that I particularly liked which have their databases available on the web and offer online ordering :-) :-) :-)
From Hay-0n-Wye, it was only an hour to Clun. This is a lovely, quiet part of the country. It's attraction for me is the descriptions that I have read in Malcolm Saville's books of course. Staying in Clun meant that we could walk to the remains of Clun Castle (or HQ3!!) Not much is left; mainly the Castle Keep, and that is currently under scaffolding. But it was a nice walk, and the view from the hill is worth the effort.
On Wednesday, we went looking for Offa's Dyke - this was originally built about 1200 years ago to keep out the Welsh. We found a section of it, and an historic marker, in Knighton and walked along a little way (the full walk is over 100km!!)
Leaving Knighton, we headed for the Long Mynd, passing many familiar village names, such as Craven Arms, Ludlow and Church Stretton. We drove up and across the Long Mynd, with a few stops to walk around and just "soak up" the view, which is spectacular. I got some of it on video, and hope that this can do it justice; still photographs certainly couldn't - although, of course I took some of them too.
From the Long Mynd, we went across to the Stiperstones - just as the clouds started to come down. We got a sight of the Stiperstones, but not much of a look before they were hidden. Not the weather to try walking to them!
We came back through Bishop's Castle; another familiar village name!
A very enjoyable couple of hours browsing. Of course, there is always the problem of transporting books in our luggage and excess baggage fees, but most of the shops will ship books anywhere for you and I found a few shops that I particularly liked which have their databases available on the web and offer online ordering :-) :-) :-)
From Hay-0n-Wye, it was only an hour to Clun. This is a lovely, quiet part of the country. It's attraction for me is the descriptions that I have read in Malcolm Saville's books of course. Staying in Clun meant that we could walk to the remains of Clun Castle (or HQ3!!) Not much is left; mainly the Castle Keep, and that is currently under scaffolding. But it was a nice walk, and the view from the hill is worth the effort.
On Wednesday, we went looking for Offa's Dyke - this was originally built about 1200 years ago to keep out the Welsh. We found a section of it, and an historic marker, in Knighton and walked along a little way (the full walk is over 100km!!)
Leaving Knighton, we headed for the Long Mynd, passing many familiar village names, such as Craven Arms, Ludlow and Church Stretton. We drove up and across the Long Mynd, with a few stops to walk around and just "soak up" the view, which is spectacular. I got some of it on video, and hope that this can do it justice; still photographs certainly couldn't - although, of course I took some of them too.
From the Long Mynd, we went across to the Stiperstones - just as the clouds started to come down. We got a sight of the Stiperstones, but not much of a look before they were hidden. Not the weather to try walking to them!
We came back through Bishop's Castle; another familiar village name!
Monday, May 4, 2009
"Surreality"
Surreality - is there such a word? Because surreal is the word I find myself most often using when people ask me how I am feeling about this trip. Surreal because suddenly, after 38 years, I am finally going back to England. Although I identify myself without hesitation as an Australian, this trip will be something of a "back to roots" pilgrimage for me.
There are so many places that I want to see. This is reflected in the itinerary, some of which I know looks like a children's literature tour of England (the lake district country of Arthur Ransome and Beatrix Potter; Rye and Shropshire which are described so well in the works of Malcolm Saville; even the Hundred Acre Wood). But I am especially looking forward to the dearly remembered village of Borth in Wales, for which I was so homesick when we left.
Then there will be the visits and meetings with family, some of whom I don't remember (not having seen them since I was a baby), and others who have been to Australia, but a long time ago.
And so it seems surreal to me that in two weeks time we will actually be in London; there is a lot of work still to be done before that time, but it is very close now.
There are so many places that I want to see. This is reflected in the itinerary, some of which I know looks like a children's literature tour of England (the lake district country of Arthur Ransome and Beatrix Potter; Rye and Shropshire which are described so well in the works of Malcolm Saville; even the Hundred Acre Wood). But I am especially looking forward to the dearly remembered village of Borth in Wales, for which I was so homesick when we left.
Then there will be the visits and meetings with family, some of whom I don't remember (not having seen them since I was a baby), and others who have been to Australia, but a long time ago.
And so it seems surreal to me that in two weeks time we will actually be in London; there is a lot of work still to be done before that time, but it is very close now.
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