Anglesey

Our visit trip into Wales was up into the Anglesey area. The first place on our list was Penrhyn Castle.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/article-1356394971004/

This now National Trust property was built in the form of a Norman Castle in the 19th century by the Pennant Family who made their fortune from both the sugar and slate industries and was used as a hunting lodge to entertain the rich and gentry. It commands fantastic views across to Anglesey and up to Snowdonia and it was from the Keep that we got the best views. We took a guided tour through this area, which hasn't been restored, and up onto the roof especially for the views. The roof has been completely replaced, is a mass of lead flashing and must have cost a fortune. The rooms below were as interesting to see as the main areas on show. Much of it had been water damaged by the leaking roof, and it was interesting to see how it had been constructed. The rooms in the main area that had been restored showed just how decandant the wealthy were at the time. The rooms are ornate and lavishly decorated. Other parts of the property on show were the Victorian Kitchens, and a railway museum, as well as extensive grounds and gardens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next we drove across the Menai Suspension Bridge and onto the Isle of Anglesey. It is not a huge area so we decided to drive up side of the island, across the top with its views out on to the Irish Sea and back down the centre. We passed through several other towns too, including Beaumaris and Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch or Llanfair for short! We stopped here for the obligatory photo or two.

 

 

 

 

Anglesey is a very rural area with lots of farms. The grass is very green which indicates a good rainfall. Copper and slate have been main industries in the past and tours are available to view their history. There is also an RAF base of which we were only too aware of with low flying jets part of our entertainment all week.

 

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A bit of a stroll

 

Our first full day at Pen Y Ffrith saw us out for a walk. We had found some pamphlets showing us some of the walks in the area and so we decided to go and explore. Loaded up with lunch, warm clothes and jackets ( the weather here can be very changeable) we set off along the track that runs close to the reservoir. This Alwen Reservoir was built in 1905 and used as part of the local water supplies. The track we decided to walk links onto yet another reservoir Lyn- Brenig creating a circular track of 15km. It said 2-3 hours but by the time we stopped for photos, enjoyed our lunch and spent time in the visitor centre at Lyn-Brenig we were the best part of five hours. The track was well formed in most parts and mostly flat so it wasn't too arduous. In saying that we were very pleased to get back to our 'cottage'. There are lots of other walks in the area including some archeology ones, and more adventurous ones into the Snowdonian mountains but these will have to wait until next time.

http://www.llyn-brenig.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Pen Y Ffrith

Pen Y Ffrith was our home for the week in Northern Wales. I checked out the Welsh meaning and I think that 'end of the sheep road' best describes it. We just loved our time here. It was so quiet and although was remote were actually only nine miles from the nearest market town. The views out the windows were out to the reservoir and on to the 'fields' beyond. It was lovely to see sheep grazing outdoors and it was very easy to believe in parts that we could have been in NZ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A week as tour guide

Last Friday Jessica and I headed down to Luton airport to collect Doug from his flight from Rome. He had flown into Germany a ten days before and then had gone to Rome with his friend Paddy. He had had a good trip and was ready for the cooler temperatures in the UK. Most of his time in Rome had been at 37 degrees which is bordering on the uncomfortable.

 

This was Doug's first trip the the UK and he was keen to get a broad overview of just where his big sister lives. The cold wet Friday evening could be said to be typical UK weather!!!

 

Of course Saturday was the big outing to the Flying Proms so he got to see a real slice of patriotic British life. On Sunday we headed to the local pub, the Fox and Hounds for a tradional Sunday roast.

 

On Monday we (Jessica, Stephen, and I) headed back to Bletchley Park with Doug but not before stopping at the IKEA at Milton Keynes. After walking through what Doug felt was like being inside a shopping brochure/catalogue we stopped at their cafe for Swedish meatballs.

 

 

Tuesday we all headed over to Stratford Upon Avon. This is the home of William Shakespeare but it is also a very iconic looking town. Doug was especially taken with all the old buildings, with their old beams and often less than straight walls. A nightmare to someone out of Christchurch who has spent the last four to five years dealing with earthquake issues. We were lucky with the day here. It was fine but overcast and the crowds certainly weren't here which makes for a much more pleasant excursion. We enjoyed a yummy lunch at the Lazy Cow where we enjoyed delicious hamburgers and a beer. After wandering around more sights we found ourselves another bar for one more beer before we headed back here to Duston.

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday found us heading into London for the day. Jessica decided to drive in rather than taking the train, as she had recently found good parking for only £6.50 a day that also gave us quick access to the Underground. We did a lot of walking and saw many of the iconic London sights: Buckinhgham Palace, the Mall, Trafalger Square, Westminister, 10 Downing Street, The Borough Markets, The Tower and Tower Bridge, The Eye, and the Tate Modern Gallery. We stopped off at the Tate Modern to have a browse through some of the galleries before stopping for street food for lunch. Later in the afternoon we headed over to Leicester Square and Coventry Garden where we watched some impressive street theatre. We headed back on the Subway to Shepherd's Bush and the Westfield Mall (which looks like Riccarton on steroids!) Here we enjoyed a Malaysian meal before heading back to Duston. We deliberately waited until after 7:30pm before heading home to try and miss the worst of the commuter traffic.

 

 

 

 

Thursday was a bit of a rest day though we did drive across town to one of the two remaining shoe factories in Northampton. We were keen to look at their factory outlet shop for any bargains. The shoes are all handmade and aimed at the high end of the market. They are certainly beautiful shoes. http://www.barker-shoes.co.uk/

When Andrew got home from work we all headed down to Towcester. First stop was a local brewery that has recently set up in an old mill, and then we moved on to Jessica and Andrew's favourite Indian restaurant (from the days when they lived in Towcester). The Brewery had one beer called Motueka Hop as they had sourced the hops from Motueka NZ.

http://www.towcestermillbrewery.co.uk/

 

Friday we said goodbye to Jessica and Andrew as they headed off to Cornwall for the weekend. Stephen and Doug went over to Althorp (the ancestral home of Princess Diana) in he afternoon. It is only a ten minute drive from here and certainly an interesting place to visit.

Today we drove back down through Towcester to Stoke Bruerne. This is a picturesque village with the Grand Union canal taking centre stage. There are several locks here and lots of narrow boats. We enjoyed lunch in the Naviagation pub before doing a short walk up to the Blisworth tunnel. With the temperatures at 32 degrees it was almost too hot for being outside.

 

Doug starts his journey back to NZ tomorrow and we are taking him to the airport at Birmingham on our way to Wales. We are spending the week in Northen Wales in a remote cottage. You will be able to read all about our trip there next weekend.

 

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The Flying Proms

Saturday saw us all heading to Shuttleworth for the Flying Proms, an annual event about an hour's drive from here in Northampton. Jessica spent most of the day before preparing picnic food for all seven of us and we set off in plenty of time.

 

 

Once we secured our spot and enjoyed our picnic lunch, we headed off to look at the various exhibits and sites. The boys looked at the hangers/aviation museum and the girls went to walk around the Swiss Garden.

The Swiss Garden was created between1824 and 1832 by the wealthy baron Lord Ongley after doing 'his Grand tour'. Typically during this period these aristorcats returned with many ideas from afar for their gardens, each one trying to outdo the other. Hence the Swiss Cottage, the Indian Kiosk, the chapel, the fernery and grotto as well as lakes, bridges and many paths to walk. It was a lovely garden to explore and enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

The boys enjoyed looking at the collection of planes ranging in age from the Bristol Boxlite (1910) to the 'Perfect Spitfire'. Many of these planes performed in the skies for us.

Check the link to see their collection: http://www.shuttleworth.org/the-collection/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Late afternoon we enjoyed some light refreshments while watching the crowd. Some of the crowd go to such lengths to set up their 'patch' with flags, bunting, and elaborate table settings. We even had our NZ flag fluttering beside us.

 

 

 

At 6:30 the pre show entertainment started with Perfect Vintage singing mostly 1940s vintage songs. While we listened to this duo we enjoyed our second picnic for the day, a feast no less.

 

 

At 7pm the concert and airshow started with the music being performed by the National Symphony Orchestra. Some of the aircraft were the Muscle Biplane, a glider, a trio of spitfires, Gloster Gladiator and the Avro Triplane and Bristol Boxkite.

 

Next on the programme was the orchestra. Some of the programme included two vocalists doing such numbers such as Jerusalem, Rule Brittania and of course Land of Hope and Glory. The evening finale was Pomp and Circumstance to a grand fireworks display.

 

 

 

It was a wonderful event that we will remember for a long time.

 

 

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Chartwell

 

Chartwell is the family home of Winston Churchill. He purchased this property in 1924 till his death in 1965.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell/

 

 

The house is open for viewing and it is pretty much how it was when the Churchill family lived in it. The property reflects Sir Winston's love of the landscape and nature. He and his wife developed extensive gardens including a vegetable garden and orchard. A large collection of Churchill's paintings are also on display in his Studio.

 

 

 

 

 

We spent a good couple of hours wandering the grounds and looking through the house. The views across the Kent countryside from the house and grounds are reason enough for the visit.

 

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Sissinghurst

We have always wanted to visit Sissinghurt and this was one of the reasons why we went to Kent. Sissinghurst is one of England's most famous gardens and it was created in the 1930s by Vita Sackville-West the poet and writer, and her husband, a diplomat and writer Harold Nicolson. The garden has many rooms with the white room being the most well known. Unfortunately we chose the wettest day we have had in our entire trip and so our trip into the actual garden was very limited. We spent time in the tower (where Vida did her writing), the library, listened to a talk about the landgirls during the war, browsed the shop and had lunch in the restaurant before we got a short break in the torrential rain and thunder and lightning strikes.

 

 

 

 

As we were leaving the rain started to set in again so we were really pleased that we at least managed a short walk.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle-garden/

The story of Vida and Harold is also interesting and currently there is an exhibition set up telling their story. The link gives further information.

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