United Kingdom Archives - Page 3 of 29

Electric Vehicles Festival

Posted on May 28, 2024 by SteveAugust 19, 2024

28th May 2024

On a particularly rainy day, I joined a group of Polestar 2 electric vehicle owners for the Electric Vehicles Festival at Stanford Hall. We met at the M6 service station to capture a photo of our vehicles charging before embarking on a convoy to the event.

However, upon our arrival, we were met with disappointment. The Stanford Hall event had been cancelled due to heavy flooding along the River Avon. Despite the organizer’s attempts to stop people from attending, many had already made the trip. With no mobile phone reception, it was difficult to communicate the cancellation.

Despite the unfortunate circumstances, we decided to make the best of the situation. We lined up for a group photo in front of the flooded Stanford Hall and then headed to the nearby Motor Museum for a tour and lunch. While I returned home, many of the other Polestar owners continued their day exploring the area.

The organizers have rescheduled the Electric Car Festival for September 8th, but unfortunately, I will be unable to attend due to prior commitments.

Outer Hebrides – Sizergh and Tebay

Posted on May 6, 2024 by SteveJune 21, 2024

6th May 2024

Rosemary and I were off to the Outer Hebrides in the campervan, and were going away for over three weeks.

We set off from home at 9.15, driving up the M40 and across Birmingham. Decided not to go on the M6Toll because the M6 appeared free flowing. That was correct. The journey was stress free to start with, few cars on the road and no trucks as it was a Bank Holiday. After Birmingham, the traffic increased, and driving was still mainly fast, but a little more concentration required. We started off in sunshine, but the further North we went the cloudier it became.

We stopped off at the National Trust house of Sizergh. We ate our pasties in the outside garden area at the NT reception. Here we viewed the house. Very castle like and quite austere in parts. The initial feeling was the house was a bit dark, claustrophobic and not nice. But at the top of the house, we found a lovely medieval-looking dining room with a balcony.

After the house, we walked around the surrounding gardens. These were excellent. Stump garden with the stumps being overgrown with plants. A lovely rocky hollow with plants and trees. An excellent pond (Mirror Pond) with ducklings and Moorhens. No baby Moorhens yet. For those with more time, there are long walks around the enormous grounds.

We managed the house and garden before the rain set in. Back at the reception area and restaurant we drank a cup of tea, supplemented with a Magnum (me) and a cake (R). Back to Morrison for the last 30-minute drive to Tebay.

Parked at Tebay in the rain. Sat in the van and drunk a couple of beers waiting for the rain to finish. The sun came out a little and we walked up to the service station café. The shop and café were not busy at this time, (after 7.00). I had lasagne, while R had cottage pie. OK, but not something to write home about. Back at the campsite we read the papers and I wrote up the draft of the blog.

Despite being close to the M6, the campsite is quite quiet from vehicle noise. More noise from the birds and rookery. Quite a few large mobile homes and a few campers set up for the night. The loo block looked reasonable clean, but fairly basic. Unusually, if you showered, you had to press a button outside the shower to start the water flow. Naturally R, minus glasses, initially pressed the wrong button, so starting the shower in an empty cubicle.

Tomorrow hopefully we will set off quite early and make a few stops on route to Oban.

On one negative side, the exhaust pipe from the diesel heater was broken. It still protrudes from the underside of the van. I was anticipating using the diesel heater, as we do not have electricity at all the campsites. It was broken because R thought it was Morrison’s sink wastewater pipe and pulled it down hard. She pulled and broke it, wondering why it was in a different place, and why it was not extending out. Damn will have to get it fixed before Download, can’t have me and Selina getting cold overnight.

[Footnote: Much later, back at home, It turns out the broken pipe was the air intake to the heater. There is another pipe in the centre of the van, out of reach of prying hands, which is the exhaust. So, Selina and I will be comfortably warm, which proved true when we used it later again at Download.]

Track

Edmund Gonville Society

Posted on May 2, 2024 by SteveMay 2, 2024

18th April 2024

Our first outing this year in Campervan Morrison was to Cambridge. I am excluding the visit to the local VW car meet which takes place once a month on a Sunday morning at the Akeman Inn.

The reason for visiting Cambridge was for a Saturday lunch appointment at Gonville and Caius for the Edmund Gonville Society Lunch. This does make for some strange packing, taking a suit and smart rags in the van is Not The Done Thing.

We arrived on the Thursday, entering the site as the gates opened for new arrivals. Parked the van, set up the awning, and headed into Cambridge for an appointment with the Caius Archivist, James. Rosemary had acquired a Caius Scratch Fours rowing cup on Ebay, which included the name of the Caian EA Wilson, the explorer who had died with Scott in Antarctica. We wanted to give it to the college.

We arrived at Caius and met James who first showed us the Caius flag which had been take to Antarctica on the Terra Nova expedition by Wilson for use as a sledge pennant. Embroidered by, or at least at her request, his mother. It is displayed in wall mounted oak box on the wall next to the Senior Members dining table. It has always been there in all my years at college, but this was the first time I had seen it.

We next visited the library where the archivist showed us various artefacts, paintings & photos concerning Edward Adrian Wilson, including his obituary in the Caian. R described him as heartbreakingly handsome in a photo taking of him in 1894. James had also found some records of my own time in Cambridge, my matriculation record, my attendance record and my Tripos record (luckily nothing incriminating; he knew my wife was with me).

Next day, Friday, we visited the Cambridge University Library for an exhibition of crime novels “Murder by the Book”. Many of the books on display were first editions, as they should be, because the library is one of the six UK legal deposit libraries. Rosemary was amazed at the number of crime books on display which she had read, and she coo-ed over the dustcovers, Agatha Christie’s typewriter and the typescript for Curtain. Who wrote the first detective novel? Edgar Allan Poe, you say? No, no, no, go, to the exhibition! It was The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix, published 1862/1863.

Leaving the library, we headed to Harvey Court where now there is a public coffee shop in what was once the JCR. So us two oldies sat there drinking our coffees amongst the young students.

Afterwards, we headed back to Cambridge passing through Kings College (free entry to us, as I flashed my Camcard). We marvelled at the masses of cowslips growing in the wild portion of Kings College.

Stopped off for a beer and lunch at The Pint Shop, famed for serving lots of different Craft Beers. I plumbed for a dark stout, while Rosemary dithered so was presented with five different beers to try. She selected a beer that, she thought, most closed matched Adnams Ghost Ship. Good Scotch eggs.

We then headed on down to the Lensfield road and the Scot Polar Museum. R was a little disappointed in that there were no paintings by Wilson on display. She was sure the last time we were there, during an alumni event, possible in the last millennium, that these had been on display. From here went back to the campsite.

Saturday was the day of the Caius meal. So duly smartly dressed, we headed for the bus, and walked the last distance to college. We were shown the way through the college by a student from Newcastle. She had been here the previous year. After registration and a coffee, we went and listened to a talk on AI, AI being the topic we all must hear about.

Before lunch in hall, we had a reception drink. At the meal, R and I were seated on the top table, I was sitting opposite the Master, Pippa. Spent most of the time speaking to someone older than me, who still lives in Cambridge so had walked over from his home near Parkers Piece.

I did eventually speak with Pippa and heard about how they were going to decarbonize with air source heat pumps. Ground source deemed not possible because they don’t have the ground area, and the heat extracted from the boreholes needs to be replaced. Also heard about the area the other side of Rose Crescent they had purchased. They planned to keep the retail, but convert the upper floors to student accommodation.

The lunch time meal was nice, but nowhere near the standards of the November Commemoration Feast.

After our meal, we headed over to the Zoology Department where we found some volunteers and avid Naturalists were running various sessions encouraging the public to take an interest in Natural History. There were some weird ideas on display, including wellness surveys based around growing plants from specific seeds, which the project/survey provided. There was a display of amber, picked up on the beaches of Norfolk and Suffolk.

Sunday, we caught the bus, very crowded, into Cambridge and went for Sunday lunch at the Millworks. Not booked, but they could give us a table at 12, so long as we were out by 1.30. While were were there it was getting busier all the time. Food was good and we did eat a Sunday lunch, I opted for the Pork Belly, R a spring veg risotto.

Weekend in Norfolk

Posted on April 13, 2024 by SteveAugust 19, 2024

13th April 2024

We headed to Norfolk for a weekend with my stepmother Anne, Lizzie, and her husband. The weather was excellent, as was the food. Lizzie was going to work at Martham Ferry Day Boat Hire, so she took us both there. She was cleaning and checking the boats as they returned. We had coffee at their new coffee shop and then went for a walk. We headed toward the next boat hire and then inland. Along the way, we passed a farm where seven cats were sitting on the road. In another field, we spotted twenty swans resting in the grass.

When we returned to the boat hire, Lizzie was waiting for us, and we headed back to Norwich in her new Tesla.

The next day, we took a walk around Eaton Park, where the miniature train was taking people on a ride around the park. That evening we left for home. We had charged our Polestar courtsey of the Lizzie’s Telsa charger

Charlecote Park

Posted on March 12, 2024 by SteveApril 5, 2024

12th March 2024

Deciding to risk the ominous forecast weather, our destination for this Tuesday was the NT’s Charlecote Park, in Warwickshire. Departing amidst a downpour, the journey along the M40 proved challenging, with waterlogged roads and poor visibility. However, as we neared our destination, the weather forecast showed its accuracy, the rain ceased, and we arrived at the park under cloudy skies, but importantly no rain. Rosemary, ever sceptical, brought her jacket, while Steve opted to leave his in the car—both wagering on the fickle forecast. Boarding the National Trust passenger vehicle to the house, we heeded the driver’s warning of muddy paths. Recent winter rains had left their mark, with the River Avon flooding the grounds, giving the box hedges a wash.

Charlecote Park stands as a testament to centuries of history, its roots extending back to the Tudor era. Built in the 16th century, the original house was constructed by Sir Thomas Lucy, a prominent figure in Warwickshire society. The Lucy family’s influence and wealth were reflected in the grandeur of Charlecote, which evolved over the centuries through various renovations and expansions.

Throughout its history, Charlecote House has played host to various notable figures, including Queen Elizabeth I, who visited the estate during her reign. The house witnessed periods of prosperity and decline, surviving the ravages of time and the challenges of changing fortunes.

Inside the house, our time was well-spent. Engaging with the National Trust volunteers, we learned about the history behind the grand Pietre Dure table in the hall—a masterpiece of intricately veneered stone, a testament to the wealth of its original owner who, in today’s currency, would have paid a staggering £17 million for it. It was bought at auction by the Victorian George Hammond Lucy, who is said to have outbid the king for it.

We also learned a little of the history. One notable episode in Charlecote’s history involves a young William Shakespeare, who, according to local legend, found himself in trouble with Sir Thomas Lucy for poaching deer on the estate. This purported incident is thought to have inspired Shakespeare’s later satirical depiction of Sir Thomas Lucy in his plays as Justice Shallow.

Exploring further, we found the Dining Room undergoing repairs, a casualty of water damage from a leaking roof. Despite this, the highlight remained the serving buffet, albeit a challenge for Rosemary to navigate due to her & its relative heights.

The library, complete with countless books, piqued our interest, yet we couldn’t help but notice the absence of river-facing windows— a curious feature of the Victorian extension. Surely, the original house, with its Capability Brown-designed landscape, must have embraced the riverside view In the 18th century?

Charlecote underwent significant renovations under the ownership of Mary Elizabeth Lucy, Welsh wife of George Hammond Lucy, who worked tirelessly to restore and enhance the estate. The addition of Victorian extensions, including the library and billiard room, added to the house’s architectural splendour while preserving its historic charm. She obviously didn’t like looking at the river or, perhaps, its potential flooding capabilities.

In the Billiard Room, Japanese artefacts caught our attention, rumoured to be earthquake detectors—an intriguing blend of function and ornamentation.

We moved on to the Drawing Room, a space tailored for relaxation.

After the house tour, we indulged in a hearty lunch at the café, where a predominantly vegan menu awaited—a nod, perhaps, to changing dietary preferences, or simplicity for the limited number of visitors in winter.

Strolling through the gardens, we marvelled at the resident deer, stags and does leisurely occupying the estate. A visit to the kitchens, laundry, and brewery offered insights into daily life on the estate in centuries past. We were told the estate was open last Christmas. We made a mental note.

The MAD Museum, Stratford-Upon-Avon

Posted on March 5, 2024 by SteveMarch 10, 2024

5th March 2024

We travelled to Stratford-Upon-Avon, parked in the P&R, and took the bus into the centre. This was our first time to Stratford since 1982. The company I worked for back in those days, Altergo Software, used to hold its Christmas party in the Hilton Hotel there. The hotel is now a Crowne Plaza. We had two Christmas parties there. The first time, Rosemary and I went to see a Shakespeare play. Most of which I missed because I fell asleep. The second time was in 1982. That was the last Altergo Christmas party because in March 1983 they had run out of money, and we were not paid that month. Did they pay for the Christmas party? During both visits we never saw anything of Stratford, other than the brief visit and sleep in the Royal Shakespeare Company theatre.

So, 41+ years later we decided to visit again, and not drive past on our way to somewhere else. What had changed? Well, there was nothing much to compare, only the hotel and the theatre. No idea what had changed in the theatre, I can’t remember much about it. The hotel looked the same, outside and in. It even still had the gas fired, coal effect fire in the foyer. Yes one of the Altergo employees, thought it was a real fire and had used a poker to enhance the blaze. Yes, there was one small change, a glass screen to stop unprovoked poking and no pokers to be seen.

The MAD Museum

Today we started off at the MAD museum, the museum of Mechanical Art and Design. A small museum above the shops, entry is up some stairs.

As the name suggests, the MAD Museum showcases a collection of kinetic art, automata, and robotics from around the world. These exhibits are not just for looking at; they are designed to be interacted with, making the museum a fun and engaging experience for visitors of all ages.

The museum features more than 60 exhibits, including:

Rolling ball machines
Automata (moving machines)
Robots
Witty design pieces
Mind-blowing intricate moving contraptions

Many of the displays were interactive, so an excellent place to take the children. Unfortunately, there was a large group there when we entered. Thankfully their happy chatter disappeared and they left us in peace. We had even delayed visiting, ensuring we were not going there during the school holidays.

The video below, shows most of the exhibits that were working and on display.

Dirty Duck for lunch

We left the museum after nearly two hours and headed for lunch. Rosemary had elected to visit the Dirty Duck, a famous 18th Century pub, formerly known as the Black Swan and apparently popular with actors. Well, it did have an actor’s bar. We ate lunch there and I sampled a pint of Greene King Ale. The pub was not crowded, the food turned up quickly. It was Ok, but not particularly memorable.

After lunch we walked along the river, listening to the buskers in the background. Paid a quick visit to the hotel to see what had changed in 41+ years. Then it was into town and a look around the shops. Plenty of charity shops and odd curiosity shops. There was a Cat Cafe which took Rosemary’s fancy. It had a cat in the window. Thankfully, it was closed on Tuesdays.

Back at the bus stop we waited for the bus. Not a particularly frequent bus service, so quite a long wait, but R managed to dash into a nearby charity shop to emerge with four books from a series she loves.

Snowdrops at Swyncombe and Greys Court

Posted on February 5, 2024 by SteveMarch 10, 2024

5th February 2024

We decided on an earlier trip this week. Monday, weatherwise, seemed a better day than Tuesday. This trip was looking for Snowdrops, and I had been given a recommendation to visit St Botolph’s Church, Swyncombe. This came about during a chat with a fellow Kingswood gun club member on Sunday. She had visited St Botolph’s Church on Saturday, and mentioned the Snowdrops were gorgeous. On a Saturday and Sunday, the church volunteers were selling tea and cakes. We visited on Monday, so missed out on the victuals. Amazingly there were several people at the church viewing the Snowdrops. It is a lovely small, Norman church in a remote area of Oxfordshire on the Ridgeway and Chiltern Way footpaths. We looked around and photographed.

National Trust Greys Court

Next, we headed on to the National Trust house of Greys Court, renowned for its Wisteria and Bluebells. Here we had an early lunch, the seemingly standard winter menu of all National Trust house at this time of year. Both Rosemary and I ate the Vegan spiced bean pot, made not vegan by a slab of butter in my case.

We had a walk through the house, which had been in use up to a few years before. It is still maintained in a state such that you could think of living in the premises. You would need quite a lot of money to keep the place warm, lack of double glazing and large drafty rooms.

The gardens are not at their best at this time of year. There will be a visit for the Bluebells and Wisteria later in the year. There were though a couple of patches of Snowdrops, not as expansive as St Botolph’s Church, , Swyncombe. There is a maze, easy to navigate because you can plan your route, no tall hedges to restrict the view. Rosemary and I walked around it, unlike one chap who cheated!

Before we left, we paid another visit to the cafe for coffee and a cake, as well as the mandatory visit to the secondhand book shop.

National Trust Basildon Park

Posted on January 30, 2024 by SteveApril 22, 2025

30th January 2024

Another trip out. This time it was to Basildon Park (yes, the writing paper was named after it). Built in the 1700s with newly acquired wealth, Basildon Park has weathered many storms. By World War II, it had fallen into disrepair. The grounds became a prison camp, and sadly, American soldiers damaged parts of the house. Fires, water damage, and neglect took their toll. Yet, the house persevered. In 1952, when a woman with a keen eye saw its potential and embarked on a revival mission, eventually gifting it to the National Trust in 1978.

We joined a short, guided tour of the house which was the only way to view inside. Perhaps this is in the winter only.

After the tour, we enjoyed a light lunch. The winter menu offered a few hot options, perfect for a chilly day. Next, we explored the gardens and woods, marvelling at a magnificent Holm Oak tree. Dog owners will be thrilled with the 400 acres of space to roam, and there’s even a designated dog-friendly area in the house restaurant for those who really must bring their furry friend along.

The park boasts two restaurants: one by the house and another near the entrance, where you’ll also find the National Trust shop. Interestingly, Basildon Park is one of the few National Trust sites where you don’t have to exit through the shop (bonus points!). While the second restaurant was closed for the winter, the one by the house was open and ready to serve hungry visitors.

National Trust Hanbury Hall

Posted on January 28, 2024 by SteveJanuary 28, 2024

24th January 2024

Our scheduled Tuesday excursion was postponed to Wednesday due to inclement weather, characterized by persistent drizzle. Fortunately, Wednesday brought overcast skies but remained dry, prompting our visit to Hanbury Hall, a National Trust property located near Droitwich. Prior to this visit, we had not explored this estate. Google Maps directed us via by motorways before navigating single-track roads leading to the estate. This last part was scary, necessitating one reversal for an oncoming truck. Luckily, the sparse traffic alleviated any significant inconvenience. It is worth noting that alternative routes, such as a cross-country path from Stratford-Upon-Avon, offer a better approach. This is the way we left Hanbury Hall.

Hanbury Hall, constructed of brick, presents an impressive facade while exhibiting a disordered aspect from its rear vantage point. Within the estate grounds, two adjacent cafes cater for visitors. Additionally, during the summer months, it looked as though a mobile trailer would offer refreshments such as ice cream and coffee.

Originally there were formal gardens, but these were later transformed into Capability Brown style parklands. Now, those original formal gardens have been faithfully recreated by the NT and complement the relaxed later gardens, with orangery, orchards, and walled garden. The estate also still encompasses expansive parkland, offering many walks. The reconstruction of the original gardens was helped by a painting commissioned by the original owner, Thomas Vernon. The painting prominently features Vernon himself overlooking the estate from a high point. It could be thought of as an “18th-century photoshop” creation, because there is no miniature hill overlooking the estate

Within the main hall, a striking staircase adorned with wall murals by the English painter Sir James Thornhill commands attention. Paintings in other rooms, have concealed symbolism; for instance, a portrait featuring a greyhound flanked by two young brothers carries historical significance. The two boys are dressed as girls, but cannon balls and a military hat hint at their masculinity. Painting the two boys as girls, could also perhaps help thwart kidnap attempts. A greyhound denotes that the heir to the estate is present in the painting. Notably, in the case of Hanbury Hall, this symbolism proved prescient – both brothers ultimately assumed ownership of the estate, following the premature demise of the elder sibling without heirs.

Exploring the outdoor environs, we walked around the formal gardens before venturing into the expansive parkland. While we arrived slightly ahead of the full bloom of snowdrops, their imminent shoots promised a picturesque sight upon subsequent visits. The estate’s diligent gardeners were observed preparing the grounds for the forthcoming spring season. A magnificent orchard looked as though it will be a mass of bloom in spring. Among the architectural features, the 18th-century Orangery stands out, housing lemon and orange trees, with many likely to be relocated outdoors during the warmer months.

The primary cafe had a somewhat limited menu comprising sandwiches, jacket potatoes plus a few vegetarian options, with my personal selection being red dal.

Anticipating a broader array of offerings on the menus, a return visit is certainly warranted also to more fully appreciate the splendour of Hanbury Hall, particularly amidst the lush backdrop of trees, formal gardens, and orchards.

National Trust – Baddesley Clinton

Posted on January 17, 2024 by SteveJanuary 17, 2024

16th January 2024

Our regular Tuesday adventures resumed after a short break, and what a crisp, sunny, yet undeniably cold, day it was! The journey up the M40 was smooth, leading us to a pleasantly bustling car park at Baddesley Clinton, an imposing moated manor nestled in the Warwickshire countryside.

Stepping through the grand entrance, we were immediately drawn to the house itself, a captivating blend of Tudor and Elizabethan architecture with a rich history. Despite the valiant efforts of the National Trust volunteers, who were adorned in layers to combat the barely double-digit room temperatures, the house retained a distinct chill, a poignant reminder of its turbulent past. One volunteer said one of their number was wearing a heated gilet. Sensible type, we thought.

The knowledgeable room guides, ever eager to share their insights, expertly navigated us through the maze of chambers and corridors. Among the treasures, the priest hole captivated our imagination. Hidden behind a bookshelf, its intricate construction, crafted by one Nicholas Owen, spoke volumes of the Catholic refuge Baddesley Clinton offered during a period of religious persecution. Owen was described on an information board as “the renowned” builder & designer of priest holes. Presumably, that was a posthumous accolade?! He was canonised in 1970. One of the priests, Father John Gerard, who sheltered there, led a highly adventurous life. He was one of few people who escaped from the Tower of London and later wrote “The Autobiography of a Hunted Priest”. But was he sheltered at Baddesley? R needs to read the autobiography.

After venturing through the historical tapestry of the house, we craved warmth and sustenance! Two steaming vegetable and bean chillies later, we felt suitably fortified for further exploration. The bookshop beckoned, and while R searched, I found a science fiction section, adding to my enormous collection of To Be Read books.

Finally, before bidding farewell to Baddesley Clinton, I couldn’t resist capturing the house’s reflection in the moat. The stark contrast between the frozen waters on the north side and the ice-free surface on the south was a curious reflection of the house itself – a microcosm of history’s uneven flow, where secrets lie hidden beneath a seemingly placid surface?

Baddesley Clinton offered more than just a pleasant excursion; it was a journey through time, a glimpse into the resilience of faith and the ingenuity of those who sought solace in its walls.