Headed to the Southern Caravan Show!
As usual, I've been slow to update the blog. Mostly due to the flaky Internet connection of late - but more as we've spent the last several days cleaning the motorhome inside and out (a fairly daunting task with 2 little ones running amuck!). Today we head out for Newbury and to attend the Southern Caravan Show in hopes of finding a potential buyer. We're planning to meet up with Phil and Des (who we met in Spain) so should be fun no matter how it turns out.
We've been busy in the last two weeks. Some highlights (will have to add narrative and pics later - most of my pictures are still on the camera):
- Canterbury - We opted not to tour the Canterbury Cathedral and instead, spent a wonderful afternoon visiting the ruins of St. Augustine's Abbey, founded in 597 AD. Very cute little city, full of history and fun for a day trip.
Sophia at Saint Augustine's Abbey.
We moved out to a village called Winterslow. It was supposed to be a good touring base for Salisbury and Winchester. It would have been, had we had a car. The bus worked - just was a long haul each time we wanted to get out. And, it didn't run on Sundays. The spot was a Caravan Club Certified Location - for just 4.50 a night, we were permitted to park in a farmer's field! The surrounding landscape is spectacular and it was very quiet at night.
Thatch roofed house in Winslow.
- Salisbury - Originally visited just to get to Stonehenge. What a fantastic city. The cathedral is still walled in and sits among a very beautiful, park-like setting. We enjoyed a bit of the Saturday market while enroute to Winchester - lovely local products on hand... such as a rabbit pie; fresh trout (caught the night before); sausages... the fruit and veggies were quite wonderful and we enjoyed yummy plums and cherries on our outing. Love springtime!
- Stonehenge - Required visiting when in the UK. I was dubious - especially when I found out the bus 3 from Salisbury was a "tour" bus and would cost about 20 pounds for us. Well worth the outing - the landscape and the structure are quite stunning. Our bus also provided a commentary of the surrounding area, including pointing out the area of a landing strip used by the US to coordinate Normandy invasions. I haven't written the entry yet of our trip to Normandy (back in March) - suffice it to say, I am embarrassed that I didn't pay more attention in my history classes. For me, actually visiting these sites has helped me understand the level of coordination required between the various countries. We've now seen the beaches of Overlord Assualt in Normandy, with memorials, grave markers and tanks left as reminders to visitors. In the middle of a farmer's field, we saw the area in the UK utilized to coordinate the troops (from the top of a tour bus, granted). We've seen the living and working quarters of the troops that orgainized the massive rescue from Dunkirk from the secret war time tunnels at Dover Castle. While in Salisbury, we heard that troops were told not to damage the Salisbury Cathedral as they were using it as an aerial landmark. A very rich history lesson.
- Winchester - We took at day trip to Winchester. On the way out, the route was Salisbury -> Romsey -> Winchester. Romsey turned out to be a very cute town. Their tiny Saturday market was in full force, with the church bells ringing. We were there for only about 20-minutes between buses, but it's such a beautiful town, it bears a mention. Picked up some yummy chiabata bread for a snack and moved on. Winchester is quite beautiful - will have to write a separate entry, including pictures. We visited the Great Hall, where a replica of Arthur's Round Table hangs, as the cathedral was closed for a private event, we wandered over to the ruins of Wolvesey Castle and were awed by the beauty of the area. Passed by the house where Jane Austen lived her last days.
Ciao for now!
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