Saturday May 28 Romsey 2 days to go to India!

I had a good walk around Tadburn Meadows, and we went to an Indian Restaurant in Romsey. We all enjoyed it. Ros and I prepared the packing and arrangements to leave tomorrow for India. Things are not straight forward as Monday is a Bank Holiday, and transport everywhere is snarled up.

Thanks for checking in!!

Friday May 27 Romsey 3 days till the flight to India

This day was too ordinary to blog about...lol!! No pics!! Still dealing with allergic reactions to pollens here, so runny nose etc. Lovely walks to Tadburn Meadows. Ros, Rog and I had lunch downtown, and we walk everywhere of course!Thanks for checking in.

Thursday May 26 Romsey: 4 days till the flight to India

Thanks for checking in, but today was an ordinary day. Rog and I met Ros for lunch, and we had a small bite at a tearoom, and stopped for groceries and walked home. Mostly Rog and Ros walk in Romsey. Parking can be crazy, but it is a lovely place to walk, and they exercise. In the afternoon, Rog and I took the dog for a walk to town and back. Ros came back from work at 6, and we had supper. We watched the whole UK TV debate about whether the UK should stay in the EU or leave. Interesting for Canadians, as many of the issues especially about immigration, are the same as ours.Have a great evening! Sorry no pics!!

Wednesday May 25 Romsey

Early start as Rob had to catch the train to Ulverston. After breakfast, we drove Rob to Winchester and he caught various trains until he arrived at Ulverston about 4:30 PM. Rog and I went for a walk to town to pick up groceries, and returned home. About 3:30 PM Rog and I left for ASDA to pick up malaria tabs for me, as I leave for India on Monday. On our return, we took Homer for a long walk around Romsey to see a park. There are so many streams that go above surface or below ground in Romsey, and give the town such charm. Ros arrived home after 6, and I face timed my friend, Johnny. We all had supper, and headed for bed. Thanks for checking in. Sorry no pics today!!

Tuesday May 24 Romsey to Hordle, ( New Forest)

Rog, Rob, Ros, Homey ( the Schnauzer ) and I left in Rog's fancy Nissan Qashqai car.( luxury) at 11 AM. We arrived at Tim's place ( Ros's eldest son) and had tea and cake. Soon after, we drove to the New Forest, which has many wild horses roaming freely. A pleasant walk on the green downs, with Olly ( Tim's son) was enjoyed by all. Olly rode his bike down a green slope, and repeated it several times, it was so much fun. He is a lovely child. Soon after we drove back to Tim's lovely cottage, and had snacks and drinks. Supper was served about 4:30 PM and it was lovely. I was still feeling grim, but after a drink perked up a bit!!lol!! Martha got home at 6, and Pam, Martha's mom joined us. A lovely day was had by all. Tim has a wonderful home, and we sat in his conservatory some of the time, and also on the outside garden furniture. It was late by the time we got home, so we all headed for bed. Thanks for checking in!!

 Above: Ros in her Indian shawl

 Above: Olly

 Above: Olly and Tim

 Below : Olly on his two wheeler

 Below : mini Shetland pony at the New Forest

Monday 23 May Romsey

We all left by car for Exbury Gardens at about 10 AM, arriving about 10:30 AM. Entrance fees were pretty steep, but the whole experience was fantastic. Weather was perfect for a change. We walked around the enormous gardens, and saw a fair portion of them, but they are so extensive that it would have taken all day to see everything. I love flowers, and was very impressed with these gardens, originally owned by Lionel de Rothschild . He bough the estate in 1919. The gardens are a special micro climate suited to rhododendrons. During the war the estate was taken over by the admiralty to revictual and resupply ships in world war 2. Apparently these gardens are one of the finest woodland gardens in the UK. You can decide what you think from the pics. There is a mini railway around the gardens, and we took it. However, for me, the most spectacular sights were to wander around, looking at the rockeries, ponds ( one had huge fish ) etc. We walked along the sea edge for some of the time in our long walk. As a Canadian, you really appreciate flowers like this as we can't grow flowers like this. The trees were quite amazing too, and Rothschild had brought in exotic trees from other parts of the world. ( see pics). It was such a lovely experience for us to share with each other and Homer, the Schnauzer , who loved the walk. Colours are spectacular as you can see.

Above: the big flowers are rhododendrons

 Above: many exotic trees

 Above: Rob and Ros

 Above: fish in one of the many ponds

 Above: red maple leaves

 Below: Wisteria

 Below: close up Wisteria

 Below: monkey puzzle tree...from Africa I think

Pink Rhododendrons

 Above: this pic is my best ever!!

 Above:Beaulieu river

The mini train around Exbury Gardens

Sunday May 22 Romsey: Rob arrives

We slept in. Great to be in the UK, but I am still struggling with my cold. In the afternoon, we drove to Winchester to pick up Rob from the train station. He came down from Ulverston so that all three of us could be together. We had lots of visiting as Rob has not been here since November. After tea, we visited and had a salmon supper, and headed for bed. Thanks for checking in, and sorry no pics! It was raining again, most of the day.

Saturday May 21 Dublin to Heathrow to Romsey

Deb and I took the bus to the airport through a long tunnel. Once there I said goodbye and thanks, and took the flight to London Heathrow. After a long wait for a coach, I eventually got to Winchester, and Ros and Rog picked me up in the rain. I still had my bad cold! After tea, we went out to dinner at Prezzo's, and Italian joint for supper, and then bed, as I was so tired, and unwell. No pics today, sorry, and thanks for checking in.

Friday May 20 Dublin fair city, where girls are so pretty!! ( Do you know that song?)

A slow day to start, as I am still recovering from my chest cold, and full of aches and pains after climbing mountains, but make no mistake, it was totally worth climbing them!! After visiting and having breakfast, Deb and I left the apartment at 12:30 PM to sight see. We went to the Dublin General Post Office and checked out damage from the battle fought at the height of the 1916 Easter Rising. Further walking took us up Moore street on the continuation of the battle field. We then decided to go to church. Instead of a service, we had a small Guiness at the church. The deconsecrated church is a wonderful ancient church that has been converted to a pub , cafe, and restaurant. Soon after we walked to Dublin Castle. We visited the Chester Beatty Library, the castle grounds, and the length of Dame street. The Chester Beatty Library is the greatest collection of oriental manuscripts, and the best privately owned library in the world. The current exhibition is called Lapis and Gold, and is a collection of original manuscripts of the Qu'ran from the 14 and 15 centuries. Detail is fantastic, and we used magnifying glasses to check out the artistry. From there we had a coffee, and took off to Christ Church Cathedral ( Anglican), where Strongbow, the leader of the Anglo Normans who captured Dublin in 1170 is buried. A trip to the crypt was great, and we saw a mummified cat and mouse, found in an organ pipe. There were many church treasures on view. The church was beautiful, with stain glass windows. I learned that G.F. Handel lived in Dublin, ( which was the cultural centre for Europe at the time )

 Above: Dublin Spire know fondly as the prick

 Above: James Joyce Stature, known by locals as the dick with the stick.

 Above: The Church: bar, cafe, and the circular structure is a lift leading to the restaurant on the upper levels of the church. This area is the choir stalls.

 Above: the church still has a great organ...upper level visible

 Above: half a pint of Guiness....was very nice

 Above: Deb with her half pint! Note the wall memorials

 Above: the river Liffey, theriver in Dublin, so make a wish as you go over the bridge!

 Above: Dublin Castle and below too

 Below: Mummified cat and mouse in the cathedral crypt

 Below: Christ Church cathedral

 Below: stained glass windows everywhere

 Below : a view of the cathedral

for a while, and the first performance of the Messiah happened on 13 April 1742 around the corner from Christ Church Cathedral. Deb and I went to a pub, but tried unsuccessfully to have a drink, but left without it. We took a taxi to Juniors restaurant where we had a lovely meal. Deb had prawns and I had hake. Bruschetta starter and pecorino cheese...hmm. The day is done...we came home to blog, and tickle the ivories, and chat. Thanks for checking in!!
Below : pic of the prick, see first photo

Thursday 19 May Scotland to Ireland

4:25 AM UP, left 5:25 AM by bus, two busses for the airport. Made it, and caught the flight to Dublin. No issues, and I caught the bus into town as per the instructions of Deb. Deb Monks is my friend from Zim days. We haven't seen each other for 46 years! Lots of catching up to do!! I stayed in her lovely airy, bright apartment, in the centre of Dublin, and we visited. Then we left to see the city. We got on a bus and went to College Green, on Dame street. We nipped into the bank ( see pic) which fortuitously is now converted into a wonderful pub!! A trip down the road took us to Trinity College, ( University) - Ireland's leading university. On the way we saw the Bank of Ireland building, and went into the Geology department and I have a pic of a great extinct Irish elk ( fossilized) We did a student tour of the campus with a student in his 18th century undergrad gown. The highlight was a trip to see the Book of Kells in a museum. The book of Kells is ninth century vellum manuscripts done by monks, and highly decorative. We went to the Long Gallery, which is the original Trinity College Library. Books are arranged in size order, and, as the pics show, it is quite an amazing experience to see this. Porterhouse Central was our next stop, to sit and have a craft beer in this pub! Soon after we walked to the National Gallery, close by to see a free presentation of 10 original Leonardo da Vinci sketches. No photographs were allowed of course. It was quite impressive to see his works, and the explanations of the sketches. From there we went past the Dail ( which is the parliament building ) and had early bird supper at Hugo's an upscale restaurant. It was wonderful! Then we walked to the National concert Hall to take in a concert of oscar winning movie music scores. It was a great program conducted by John Wilson, an English conductor. Wonderful light uplifting music!! After that we caught the bus home, and called it a night. Thanks for checking in! Enjoy the pics.

 Above: the Bank!! Converted to a pub!! Beautiful building

 Above: Trinity College bell tower

 Above: Trinity College campus

 Above and below: Long Gallery of ancient books in the Trinity College Library

 Above: Deb and I

 Above: Shelbourne Hotel....famous Dublin landmark

 Above: Waterford crystal chandelier at the concert hall , and the outside of the hall below

 Above: the Elk, fossilized

 Above: Geology building

 Above: sculpture....you put your own interpretation on it!! The outer world breaks down, and inner world reconstructs?

 Above: Ladders in every compartment of the library . Don't FALL!!

 Below: Irish humour!! Gents toilet!!  lol

 Below: sculpture: The kiss