Portsmouth & Cornwall

Thursday 19th June

To the historic British Navy port of Portsmouth this morning. The place drips in 'old salts', from buildings to docks to pubs to modern day hardened seamen. You can just feel this was a place of thieves, smugglers and pirates (Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh used this port - they were all three!). This was one of the areas where men would come looking for work on the docks, only to find themselves knocked out and kidnapped as crew for long and dangerous voyages. It was the area where the absolute might of the British Navy ruled the known world for many many years. Amazing place.

 

The thing that stands out in the dock area is of course the HMS Victory. Although in permanent dry dock, she remains as serving battleship of the British Navy, as she has done since she was launched in 1737. They still assign her a Commander, who has to oversight her safety, provisions and maintenance. We toured all of her decks. The attention to detail in her restoration is incredible. To think 850 men were on board at the battle of Trafalgar, all guns blazing, with the French battle ships within 100 yards is simply unbelievable. We stood on the exact spot Lord Horatio Nelson received his fatal injury (the same spot another of his officers had been cut in half by a cannon ball 30 minutes earlier!) Horatio.....there's a name you don't hear anymore?????

 

You know, when you die at sea you are usually thrown overboard, Nelsons last words were "take me home" and so they did. However, it was not going to be a quick trip, so, what to do with the body? Put it in a barrel cover it with brandy and top up with wine. Later to be known as surgical spirit. On their arrival back to the ol' dart, the body was of course removed and placed into a casket, and as brandy was so expensive it was divided amongst the crew and they toasted their commander!

Talk about being in a pickle!

Anyway, we then went and had a drink at the 'Spice Island Inn' which was the same pub Lord Nelson had his last drink (on land) at, before he boarded the HMS Victory and went to battle. Beautiful sunny day, just magic.

 

 

We then headed for Stonehenge to find some accommodation....easier said than done. You see, the summer solstice is tomorrow, and they expect 35,000 freaky lunatics will attend the fields around Stonehenge to celebrate the Pagonistic rituals surrounding the big stones....doesn't help us finding a room! However, after a couple of pubs, we found a beautiful one, the 'Stonehenge Inn & Carvery'. Close to the stones, Great food and Very nice...but expensive - 90 quid for the night. Can't have everything?

Friday 20th June

Off to Stonehenge and one of the man made wonders of the world. Dirty big rocks,dragged a long long way. Then they appear to have done a Lego thing with those dirty big rocks...which have fallen down a bit since, and some have been stolen, presumably to be dragged away somewhere else? Hmmmm I guess they are very big rocks.....

 

 

But hey! Then we went and found the very big white horse carved into the hillside at Westbury...now this was impressive. No, it wasn't prehistoric...Only done about 300 years ago. No, it wasn't a mystery....They originally did a stick figure thing that looked like Gumby. No, it wasn't rated highly by archeologists....to keep it white, they have now concreted it and painted it white. No, it isn't unique...there are about ten of em all over the country. But it's a big white horse! Who doesn't like white horses?

 

 

We travelled through Devon across Dartmoor where we saw some wild horses and lots of sheep. The stone bridge at Postbridge and then down into Cornwell.

 

 

It is absolutely breathtaking scenery throughout the Cornish area. Such a pretty place. We stumbled upon the best B & B at Lostwitheil. The bloke who runs it, Brian, is a champ. Did I mention it is only 30 metres from a great little pub called the Earl of Chatham? Wonderful place!!!

Saturday 21st June

Great sleep in, and after a lovely barely, we were off to Fowey (pronounced Foy). It is a quaint little town at the mouth of the Fowey River. But with an amazing history. Once full of smugglers and pirates, it was attacked by the French and the entire town was burnt to the ground. But continued to be one of the richest towns in Europe and a major seaport. In the Second World War, the town hosted thousands of American soldiers, who eventually left from Fowey on what was to be D Day. Those Americans went to Omaha Beach. Again, the sun was shining as we caught a ferry across to Polruan where Daphne du maurier lived whilst writing some of her books, we then went for a walk around the coast. Beautiful!

 

 

Then onto Charlestown and Mevagissey quaint little fishing villages, the weather was brilliant so there were lots of people about, swimming, eating and drinking all after work and school. Greg and I shared a proper Cornish pastie pork,apple and cider yummmm!

 

We started to head back to Lostwitheil and dropped into to their local castle Restormel for a look see.

The end of another day, tired, hungry and with a distinct thirst, time to hit the Earl of Chatham.

Enough for one blog we will bring you more on our last day in Cornwall soon!

Yours in travel

Cathngreg. Traa!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Royal Ascot

We awoke to a glorious day, rain had been predicted but out in the back garden a different story was unfolding.

We had breakfast with the other guests, an English couple and a Dutch couple travelling together, they too were off to Ascot today.

We thought we'd do the sneaky thing and follow them in the car, however our attempt was thwarted when they turned into a petrol station! Bugger! oh well, we'll have to find our own way, and after a few goes round the maze of country roads we lucked upon the right one and found our way into car park 8 in the middle of the race course, on 'The Heath' as they refer to it. Apparently Queen Anne found the Heath whilst riding one day from Windsor Castle, and thought it would be an ideal place for peasants to lose their money for the next 250 years!

Car park picnics were being set up, some VERY elaborate. You know, 2 or three top of the range, Range Rovers with fete type marquees, trestle tables with damask tablecloths, fine china and stem wear, or Rolls Royces reversed together with their enormous boots overflowing with all sorts of goodies.......in the car park! Regardless of your type of picnic, every table was adorned with vases of flowers. The women, sitting in their fold up chairs, sipping champagne with their hair in curlers. Quite the sight! The money there was very very old.....

We started the long walk to the grandstand, this place is enormous. They expected a crowd of 100,000 today, and that was if it rained. The sun was out and it was 25 degrees- beautiful! So we crossed onto the hallowed track and then made ourselves at home....

 

The Royal procession dutifully waited for us to cross, acknowledging our presence with a wave. Then the Queen, Prince Charles, Phil the Duke, Camilla the Horse, Humpty Dumpty and all the Kings men made their way to their seats. We would have had a beer with them, but we were lunching with Queen Anne and had some punting to do.....

 

The carriages after dropping Queenie off

 

Some of the young girls with their hats

Lunch in the 'Queen Ann Restaurent' was very flash. Waiters and waitresses were beside themselves at the thought of waiting upon us. The fact that Lord Someoneflash was sitting at the next table may have helped?

As for the punting, we have something in common with the Queen. She didn't have a win and nor did we! We did get close......apparently doesn't count for much over here either!

By the way, our admission allowed us 'Grandstand Admission'. 98% of staff didn't know that existed. You see, the worlds biggest grand stand only allows for top hat and tails....and about twenty blokes ONLY in suits as 'Grandstand Admission'. We were making up the very much minority of the stand. But we rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous and I'm sure they walked away bemused.....

Without doubt, the highlight of the day was the very last thing. After the last race, seemingly the entire 100,000 mingle around the bandstand. The Royal Military band strikes up the English favourite songs such as 'We'll meet again', 'Jerusalem', 'Rule Brittania', 'Hey Jude', ' I'm forever blowing bubbles' and the classic 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. To hear the Poms sing these, over and over, was fantastic. But the top hats mixed happily with the plebs and vice versa. Just shows, no matter what class, after a day at the races, everyone gets just as smashed...Sensational!

Homeward to Tinkers Furze. A couple of beers and wines from the 'off licence' (bottle shop) on the way. Australia goes down to the Dutch in the soccer (oops, football) and we crashed. What a great day!

Stay tuned, more coming on the last couple of days,

 

Cathngreg

 

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England at last!

We'll that was a reasonably easy travel experience.

We left Sydney pretty much on time and I'm very happy to report that qantas business class is very comfortable. We were in the bubble of the 747 Longreach - Lord Howe Island.

 

The change over in Tokyo was good. The business lounge is very well equiped and whilst we did not eat or drink we did have showers and a massage each.

The final leg of our flight was with British airways, not as comfortable as qantas , there are more bus class seats so more crowded, it is better than cattle class. We still managed to sleep.

So after arriving at heathrow, we went in search of our car rental. As Avis and hertz are the only companies in the terminal we took a little while to locate europcar and Alamo. It's a pretty efficient service once you know what to do. We were able to pick out the care from a group of about 20, all the same price. The bags all fit and we are off!

We didn't have far to travel but it was peak hour so the going was a bit slow, we only had to turn around and backtrack once! We were headed into London instead of south. Not to worry we sorted it out and corrected ourselves. It eventually took us about 50 mins to get to Fleet, then another 30 to find our accommodation. There is a lot to be said for NOT booking ahead if you can, you don't have to find anything!

Our room at Tinkers Furze is lovely, it's a double room with ensuite (claw footed bath) upstairs in a quaint house that has been the family home for over 60 years, the proprietor lives next door.

We got our generous sized bags upstairs and went out in search of some light sustenance. The Prince Arthur pub fit the bill perfectly, 2 pints of ale and a light meal of baked potato covered in chilli concarne for Greg and ham and eggs for me. Then it was back to our room to collapse.

We awoke to our English breakfast with 6 different homemade conserves and marmalades, Greg tried everyone! Along with pork sausage, bacon eggs tomatoes and mushrooms yumm! Proper tea too!

Our host is an extremely interesting lady who is well travelled and talkative, her stature reminds me a bit of my dad's mum. The property has a beautiful garden that is teaming with birds, she's a bit of a bird lover with feeders and boxes everywhere, quite pleasant to look out on over breakfast. We saw magpies that are sharks supporters as they have a shines blue back. Pigeons, wrens, sparrows, 6 different tits, and possibly a woodpecker.

After breakfast , we waddled out to the car and set off for Windsor castle. We got waylaid on the way by Royal Ascot, wow you should see the hats and outfits all lined up to get in. I will post photos of our race day later. We had a stop at Runnymede, the birthplace of democracy and something to do with the Magna Carta. Will find out more.

We made it to Windsor and wandered around the township of Eton ( a real Hogwarts moment) across the river before venturing around the castle. The queen is in residence at the moment because ascot is down the road, so she'll be there all week. We did pass a police escorted procession on route to ascot, don't know who but I think...............

 

 

 

 

We were directed down the road to the "long walk" which is near the queens private entrance. No cars allowed, this did not stop Greg though, nor did anyone else! We worked out our error and turned the car around and set off for Dover, a considerable distance away.

 

The white cliffs look spectacular on approach and as we drove around town, we found our way up to Dover Castle. One of the more impressive castles in England! We were thwarted from going into the main tower due to some pesky filming of some movie. We were unable to force any information about who was there and what the movie is, security was extreme and all were uncharacteristically tight lipped! Whoever it was, was onsite though so a close encounter was expected, however unrealised, now I'm determined to find out more.

We explored the medieval tunnels below, this castle has been a strategic fortress in repelling would be conquerers from before napoleon up till WWII.

We left Dover and started our return trip along the coast, to Brighton. We did not realise it is a university town, more modern than the likes of Eton or Oxford. We bought fish and chip and ate it walking along the shore and the famous Brighton pier?

 

Then it was back in the car for the drive home, it was just sunset and about 9.45pm and we had a fair way to drive. We ended up getting home at 11pm...a huge day.

So that's the end of the first couple of days in our travels and as I write this it's just turned 7am by the chimes of the grandfather clock downstairs and we must prepare for Royal Ascot, I'm off to frock up and get in the pimms, catch you all soon.

 

Go the blues!

Yours in racing

Cathngreg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The countdown begins

Having just woken up on the Monday morning of a long weekend, I am sitting in bed thinking about our upcoming trip

Yep, Greg and I are off again, and yes I can hear you all saying to yourselves, are those two ever at home?

We'll, if I had my way, and the money to back me, the answer would be...Rarely! And you know you all feel the same.

So, with some $$$$s saved from my redundancy, we are off to the United Kingdom and Ireland, and for those that know us well, you will be thinking that sounds a bit too standard? Where's the twist, the off the main tourist route? Well, we will be hiring a car and travelling as far north into Scotland that is manageable and practical for us. We will venture into the lands of tiny horses and puffins, you know the little bird on the books! We are headed as far north as the Orkney and Shetland Islands!

We will be attending 'Royal Ascot', rubbing shoulders with the hoi polloi, and maybe catching a glimpse of the Queen, Prince Charles and his wife (the one that looks like the horses running at Ascot). If I come across Prince Harry, I will be sure to point him in the direction of our Kelly, she did say she likes an accent.

Anyway, I have my frock ready with a brand new hat, handmade by 'Sassy' of Sydney, shoes and a 'KK' hand bag for the occasion. Greg will be appropriately suited up for the day.... I will have to find him a boutonnière on the day, but that's a task I'm up for.

Ascot is only 2 days after we arrive, and from here we will head out and follow the lay of the land in the south of England up to and into Wales. Then onto a ferry to the Emerald Isle Ireland, where we might just get to the Irish Derby for a week of oysters and Guinness! Just as well my frock and hat are black and white...

From Ireland we hope to get to the 'Aran Islands', then back to England to continue our circumnavigation. Scotland and Nessie await, north up to the Shetland and Orkney Islands, then back down the east of Scotland and England, and into old London Town.

We have 8 weeks in which to do and see as much as we feel comfortable doing, not too much planned. Stop where we want, drink when we want, eat whatever we want!! We don't mind driving long distances (remembering no matter where you are in the UK and Ireland, you are no further than 72 miles from a coast!!) we are Aussies after all! Gregs beer economy will get a good work out, and there will be photos galore, and maybe a 'little' shopping.

So follow us if you will and we will try to deliver some glorious sights, some tips if you are heading this way, some humor and hopefully a lot of fun.

Stay tuned

Your self appointed travel bloggers

Cath n Greg

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