oooo - aaargh

Is that how you spell it?
Good proper English brekfast to start the day today.  Followed by the open topped bus to the end of the world, or Land's End as you may know it.  No real point going there except for going there.

Next caught the bus to St Ives.  Both these buses btw tearing aound the narrow hedge lined lanes.  Great fun.

St Ives was beautiful.  A surf beach (sort of) and quieter beaches, pretty well up to Australian standards.  Lots of quaintness too which we don't do so well.

Went to Tate St Ives.  Such a disappontment after the Tate Britain which was amazing.

Bus back.  Lovely day, though not really Connor's cupof tea.  Highlight of the day for both of us - first genuine Cornish Pasty.

Salisbury,

Salisbury not as enticing as Winchester. Might be my fault as it was a bit of a rushed day. Most of the time on buses and trains rather than walking about. 

It is an hour from fareham. There is a bus that takes you to Stonehenge old Sarum and town from the rail station.

Stonehenge was atmospheric, a bit, but too much fuss is involved in getting to see it. If we had come the other way we would have had a good look driving down the road. 

Nice display of an Iron Age village but.

Old Sarum was good. Occupied by all civilisations of England. 

And has strange sheep.

Salisbury nice but not up to Winchester I didn't think. 

We are now in Penzance. Loving it, including the Cornish sense of humour

Going to lands end tomorrow hopefully. St michaels mount the next day.

The other pirate gave me none of the Sunday I bought.

Wonderful Winchester

Went to Winchester today.  Just loved it.  It is just so English and beautiful and quaint, but that's not all!

It is Alfred the Great's capital, and burial place.  My favourite Englisher and one of my heroes from history.  There is a staue of him and some city walks based on Alfred's Saxon Winchester. It has the oldest school, urban street etc etc

It is also associated with John, Henry iii and Edward, and Charles ii.  There are many remains of the medieval wall and even the great hall from the medieval palace survives.  It is impressive.

And includes a13th C Arthur's round table 

Charles ii built a palace there but never lived in it.

The remains of the bishop of winchester's palace are impressive, (as is his current residence).

There are remains of the roman wall, a magdalen refuge

A st John of the cross Hospital and pilgrims way

And many many picture postcard sights as you walk around the city centre and surrounds.

including the last residence of Jane Austin

Did I forget to mention the cathedral?  Pretty impressive.  Jane Austin's grave and St Swithin's relics among other things here.

I do like to be beside the sea side

But not so much in miserable drizzly weather.  Never mind.  We went to Portsmouth gunwhale quays and the historic docks yesterday and the Isle of Wight today.

Nelson and Trafalgar are pretty big around here.  So is Drake.  

The old docks are a tourist attraction with museums and ships etc.  We went on the Warrior which is the first steel hulled naval ship (interesting)

Then we went on the Victory which was part of Nelson's fleet (fantastic).  The recreations of the quarters and cabins and cells and medical things and everything was fascinating.

Then we went to the Mary Rose museum which was quite  dull after the similar but much better one in Stockholm.  And after walking around the Warrior and The Victory.

Today we went to the Isle of Wight hunting down a segway experience.  Bus to Fareham centre.  Bus to Portsmouth.  Ferry to Ryde on the Isle. 

Bus to St Helens. Walk down to the duver (see picture below) and across it to TactIsle adventures.  (did you see what they did there, did ya huh?)

Not doing segways for atleasr a couple of hours, by which time we have to go.

Nevermind.  The Isle of Wight is beautiful and quaint.  Up front on the double decker bus tearing around the hedgerowed country lanes was an exciting ride in itself.

Sad loss

JSadly the hat of awsomeness is no more.  I left it on the Southhampton train when we got off at Fareham.  I shall miss it.

We are now in Fareham, 2 miles from the seafront.  Feeling like we're in the midst of real englanders.  Surptisingly there are quite afew detached houses around here.  Though there is also one of thse groups of houses where many people have sad lives that end up on television.

On our full day in London, I got up early and went to the Tate Britain.  Finally got there and it was so worth it.  About five rooms of Turners, 

And some other stuff

I went back and got Connor and we went to the Tower.  On the way we went to the Borough market and saw some really good Aussie buskers who had played Glastonbury.  Went to the shard but didn't go up until another day when I can book online (and save ten pound).  The tower was crowded but the only queue I got stuck in was behind the obsessive compulsive in the gents handwashing queue.

There was a river of red poppies commemorating all the dead from WW1

After we met Bryan, Louise, the girls and Louise's mum for dinner. Terrific meal. Changed my mind about English fish and chips.

Had a bit of drama the next morning getting to train for Fareham.  Works on the metro line led to delays and we had a 30 minute wait for a train.  When it did come it was super crowded.  Difficult to get on and off with luggage.  When we arrived at our change station there was a little kid about 8 who wouldn't get out of the way of the doors.  I actually considered my options!

Went to fareham city centre and seafront today

And yes, Tasmanian students of philosophy, these beasts do exist

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Left beautiful warm Roma yesterday.  Now in chilly London.  I think it will warm up a bit.

Will never forget Pasquale at B&B Cappillani.  Those who were there will know what I mean.  Lovely last evening exceppt getting the table knocked and water spilled all over me at the restaurant.  BTW Connor had Wild Boar tagliatelle and I had ravioli with blue cheese and walnut sauce. 

 Saw a nicechurch or two on the last day as well. 

 We all went to Vatican the day before and saw an amazing site on the subway.  We all thought a small child had been trapped in the train door but it turned out to be a grown/teenager nabbed by security.  Making a hell of a racket.  Her friend abusing the security.  Didn't get a chance to ask her if she had Helen's purse.

London is chilly.  Had to get out the longs after we arrived.  Louise picked us up and dropped us at Clapham.  It is a huge thing to do in London so we are very grateful.  After a walk around we headed in to town.  Got off at Leicester Square and walked around.  First to Trafalgar Square then Leicester, then Picadilli, through China Town, up through Soho and back around.  

Connor didn't get to see the outside toilets, though it was 10.30 by the time we left.

He did get to see Nelson's Column, the bright lights of Picadilli Circus, Leicester Square, Lots of theatres, two transvestites, three sex shops and a male pole dancer.

Oh, and Jamie Oliver's pop up take away

Today I am off to the Tate Britain while he has an extra sleep, then we are going to the Tower and the Shard.

What have they done to my Roma Ma?

Rome is not what it used to be, even a year or two ago.  It is dirtier,grottier, and more unkempt.  But it is still beautiful, marvelous and glorious.

Our Hotel is not far from Termini in an area that is much seedier than it was last year, but still seems quite safe.  The hotel/B&B is run by a very eccentric character, who is nonetheless very helpful, considerate and knowledgable.  You will be pleased to know he keeps a very close eye on us and keeps us in line.  He sent me to my room the other night, and doesn't like Anne pouring her own milk on cereal.

Two days of sight seeing done.  Yesterday, Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Forum.  Went to Santa Maria Maggiore but service was on so we left and went back this morning.

Found a wonderful trattoria last night.  OK, it was recommended by our host.  OK we were in trouble if we didn't try it.

Great food, especially a fantastic dessert I had.  Service was so good I, (yes I) left a tip!!!

Today, Santa Maria Maggiore while waiting for Connor to get up.  Santa Maria Degli Angeli ed Martyri afterwards for a contrast.  

Then Santa Maria an Victoria (whatever) for its renaissance beauty.  

Then Spanish Steps, Villa Borghese, Piazza del Poppolo and a gentle stroll back to B&B Cappellini.

A definite highlight of the day and the trip.  Connor and I hired a couple of segways.  Great fun and a good way to see the most of Villa Borghese park.