Bodiam, Battle, and Rye

Today was our first day trip. We went south to Bodiam Castle, Battle Abbey, and the city of Rye. Bodiam is a 14th-century moated castle. It is a beautiful castle in a beautiful setting but has little historical significance. Battle Abbey is built on the site of the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and has major historical significance. Rye was one of the Cinque Ports along the south-east coast of England that has escaped modernization. Everything for sale there is half the price of stuff in London. Kevin and Tessa Santiago are visiting the Ringers and came along on the trip. Maren, Gavin, and the boys spent the day at Hampton Court. The weather was great: just a few misty showers and some sunshine. We have been very blessed with good weather.

Mom and me at Bodiam --
we found some delicious blackberries growing along the moat

Kris is looking very lonely at this traditional spot at Battle Abbey
where we have taken family photos in the past

The two of us standing at the old gate at the bottom of Rye

The two of us on Mermaid Street in Rye

Kris on a street called The Mint

That's all for now -- I'm going to bed.

OXO

D.

A Bouquet For Anna On Her Natal Anniversary

This bouquet of flowers is for you on your birthday Anna dear. We love you and wish you were here to receive a big sloppy kiss from all who love you dearly.

I remember with great fondness the time we spent together in London tracking down Vermeers from Kenwood House in Hampstead to the Queen's Gallery in Westminster. I still head straight for the Vermeers when I'm in London and when I see them I remember our outings.

You are a most satisfactory daughter and make me very happy.

Happy Birthday.

OXO

Dad

Museum Day

Today, after class and breakfast, we set off on the Central Line for St. Paul's and the Museum of London. It is undergoing extensive work and only the top half is open so we missed seeing the Lord Mayor's coach, but it was a nice visit anyway. We went back to St. Paul's Cathedral so the Youngs could go in since it was closed on the day of their planned visit. We lunched at Pret again and then tubed back to Holborn Station for the British Museum. The Elgin Marbles are as wonderful as ever. We caught a bus from there to Oxford Circus and Hamley's toy store. I think Finn enjoyed it, but I really think he likes the bus rides on the top of the double deckers best. Gavin and I brought Finn home so he could play in the Diana Playground with Emma Barton. Kris and Maren are having a look in H&M and other such places and will be home soon.

The peeps at the Museum of London on a cool, but
lovely day in September

The same peeps in front of St. Paul's Cathedral

Kris keeping a watchful vigil over Harry David

Finn is happiest when he is watching for double deckers,
taxis, and bendy buses (long buses that bend in the middle) --
the front window of Pret a Manger across from St. Paul's

The view of the eaters seen back through the glass

Central Line to Holborn

Coming out of the bowels of the earth on the escalators at Holborn Station

A visit to the Brit . . .

to see the Elgin Marbles

The Youngs in front of the Elgin Marbles in the British Museum

Finn with a possible acquisition at Hamleys

Tomorrow the Youngs are off to Hampton Court and we are going to Bodiam Castle, Battle Abbey, and the City of Rye.

OXO

D.

West-End Death March

Today after class and breakfast, we did the West-End Death March. We started in Kensington Gardens, saw the palace, the sunken garden, the flower walk, the Albert Memorial, the Diana Fountain, Harrods, Buckingham Palace, and St. James's Park. The Youngs went into Westminster Abbey while I dozed outside. Maren wanted to go in the Banqueting House, but it was closed for a private function. We crossed to the Horse Guards and continued up to Trafalgar Square and the local Pret for lunch. We did a "highlights" tour of the National Gallery and finished at Leicester Square and Picadilly Circus. We caught a #94 bus and Finn had a ride on the upper level all the way back to the Palace Court stop. Who knows what tomorrow holds? I believe that the Youngs will be out on their own, but we will keep you posted.

The Youngs at the "Alberet Meorial"

The Diana Memorial Fountain

Pelicans on the bridge at St. James's Park

Maren and Gavin contemplating the wonders to be found in Harrods --
a Feragamo trinket for young Feragamo (as Uncle likes to call Finn)?

They've been up to London to visit the queen -- sad she wasn't having visitors today

Westminster Palace with the clock tower standing tall

Lunch at Pret a Manger: their sandwiches
really are far more delicious than anyone else's

Finn and Pop Pop on top of the #94 bus --
his mama's favorite spot when she was his age

Lower Regent's Street from the top/front of the bus

Hamley's toy store on Regent's Street

Oxford Circus

That's all for now.

OXO

D.

For Lizzy, With Love

We saw this sign in Ambleside and thought of our Lizzy who is often bizzy.

OXO

G&P

North Trip Part II

It just struck me that this post will appear on the blog before part one, so go down and read part one first, then come back and read part two.

We walked the coast from Boggle Hole to Robin's Hoods Bay and then drove to Whitby. Whitby is where Dracula washed ashore -- "poor Lucy." We walked down the 199 steps from the church yard to the Old Town in Whitby. We explored a bit and ate fish and chips before heading across the North Yorkshire Moors to the Lake District. Our first stop in the Lake District was Grasmere. We spent the night in a great hostel above Windermere and passed the next day visiting Beatrix Potter's Hilltop House, taking a boat cruise on Lake Windermere, exploring Bowness, and looking around Ambleside. We switched hostels and stayed in Hawkshead in a place with another nice view of Esthwaite Water.

On the last day we went south to some church history sites. We stopped in Downham where Heber C. Kimball had great success in the 1837 Mission. We visited the Preston Temple, and saw some church sites in Preston.

The Ringers at Boggle Hole with Robin Hood's Bay in the distance

Robin Hood's Bay from the shore near Boggle Hole

The crew at the one flat spot in Robin Hood's Bay

David and Kris with Whitby Abbey in the background

Whitby from the Abbey

The directorate above Whitby

Kris and Maren bumping Harry down the 199 steps at Whitby

Whitby Old Town

Old ship sailing from Whitby - perhaps the one that brought Dracula

Grasmere's famous gingerbread

Kris worshiping at the local branch of the Church of the Keens in Grasmere

Grammy and Pop Pop with Finn in Grasmere

The view from our room at Windermere

The village of Troutbeck near our hostel

Kris getting the true story of Beatrix Potter from one of the staff at Hilltop House

Ready to cruise Lake Windermere from Ambleside

The crew enjoying the cruise on Lake Windermere -- Finn did enjoy it,
he just didn't want to pose for a photo

Dickie with camera ever at the ready

The Langdale Pikes from Lake Windermere

The church at Ambleside after the cruise

Wandering the streets of Ambleside

The crew at the Bridge House in Ambleside

Back at the docks waiting for time to board the coach -
Finn feeds the ducks et al.

Gavin's fantastic shot of the Langdale Pikes as dusk closes in

Ready to board the coach

The view of Esthwaite Water from our hostel window

The Youngs at the church yard in Downham


St. Wilfrid Street lodgings where the first missionaries
stayed in Preston and encountered the forces of evil

The crew at the bridge over the River Ribble in Preston
where the first baptisms in Britain took place in July 1837

From Preston we headed back to London where we are back to a normal routine. Class begins tomorrow so, like it or not, it is time to get serious.

OXO

D.