Excellent adventures in travel
Thursday afternoon was spent at Osborne House, Victoria & Albert’s cozy family home. (Ahem.) After becoming Empress of India, the Queen became fascinated by all things Indian. Some scenes from Victoria and Abdul, with Judi Dench as Herself, were recently filmed here. The Durbar Room is over the top, even by Victorian … Read more
Friday we went a’castling. Carisbrooke Castle was first constructed in the 12th century (held by a powerful Lady, Isabella de Fortibus) and was repeatedly re-fortified to protect England’s coast against that perennial enemy, the evil French. The Great Hall mansion was added in Elizabeth 1’s reign; Charles 1 was imprisoned here before losing his head. … Read more
Tuesday was transfer day, driving south from Broadway to Portsmouth. The harbor fortifications date back to Henry VII (c. 1500), built as part of England’s endless wars against the French. Portsmouth’s ancient/modern cathedral has bits from every century since its 12th century beginnings, making for some pleasing but rather odd juxtapositions. We caught the ferry … Read more
Monday’s ramble round the Guitings* (Power, Temple & Woods) brought lots of variety – along with the usual mud and sheep. *What’s in a name? “Guiting comes from the Saxon getinge meaning rushing which presumably refers to the Windrush, then a considerable river.” First through Guiting Woods, now owned by a property magnate who’s restoring … Read more
Yesterday we hopped the local bus to Chipping Camden, then trekked back to Broadway along the Cotswold Way. Lots of slogging through dreary, mucky fields, with no views since clouds hugged the ridges. I traveled back in time, imagining myself as a villein, taking the long road home after working out my service to the … Read more