England

On Saturday, we spent most of tour time engaged in one of our favorite pastimes: strolling through central London’s colorful and ever-popular royal parks. It was a perfect April day: sunny, not too hot, with riotous blooms everywhere. Prepare for some serious garden porn. We began the day with a tube ride to the Embankment … Read more

On Friday morning, we bussed our way north to visit Kenwood House, a grand “great house” built in the 17th century at the top of Hampstead Heath . Our journey took a little over an hour, starting with the #17 bus to Archway Station, where we transferred to the #210 bus for the Compton Street … Read more

On April 16, we escaped the USA craziness to spend a few days visiting friends in England, followed by a chug through the Chunnel to enjoy springtime in Paris. The budget battles and US government shutdown affecting TSA workers was still underway when we left, and (like several other airports) DIA claimed to have a … Read more

Sunday morning, Alison and Kim headed back to Norfolk to prepare for another working week, and we drove to Broadway for one final walk before our flight home the following day. The hills around Broadway. are alive with ramblers. The area is criss-crossed by four “Ways” (long distance cross-country paths) and dozens of local connectors. … Read more

Saturday dawned comparatively bright, perfect for a long ramble in the English countryside. With Alison and Kim, we walked the Windrush Valley from Fullbrook to Widford, Swinbrook to Asthall, then back to Burford. This favorite ramble passes through cultivated fields, a woodland, quiet country lanes, quaint villages, muddy riverside trails and more Mitford/Fettiplace history. This … Read more