tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12774629542632633322024-03-27T11:06:26.202+00:00My Adventures 3A walking blog.
Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comBlogger240125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-62030300727686829162024-03-24T11:59:00.051+00:002024-03-27T11:05:52.344+00:00Weekend in Windsor,Berkshire 23rd to 24th March 24<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">On Saturday the 23<sup>rd</sup> March 2024 Mel and I drove
just over an hour to spend the weekend in Windsor in Berkshire.</p><p style="text-align: center;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">We drove to our B&B at Top Twenty Bed and Breakfast
above a Café. We parked up booked in at 9am had some breakfast and walked the
25 minute walk into town.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We popped into a few shops on the way.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ59ydr-HimkZYcPjoOYtPF8rSoza32_jFjHjWhS5N1JrwI3S6L_UTtdhFCRJ-kgvlhMKO0_kJu37tv1u57WPst1PRBoASithecsJfIIW2l8rtTbNvdfOSOIsgCyp-IKSgoz3-5UVk4tGJxJcsdf-g1DR7EJOLebMrDXzkaYlDK3_bj8P7pWxyevIcBuDx/s3897/20240323_102735.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3897" data-original-width="2923" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ59ydr-HimkZYcPjoOYtPF8rSoza32_jFjHjWhS5N1JrwI3S6L_UTtdhFCRJ-kgvlhMKO0_kJu37tv1u57WPst1PRBoASithecsJfIIW2l8rtTbNvdfOSOIsgCyp-IKSgoz3-5UVk4tGJxJcsdf-g1DR7EJOLebMrDXzkaYlDK3_bj8P7pWxyevIcBuDx/w480-h640/20240323_102735.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Windlesora is first mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. (The settlement had an earlier name but this is unknown.) The name originates from old English Windles-ore or winch by the riverside. By 1110, meetings of the Great Council, which had previously taken place at Windlesora, were noted as taking place at the castle, referred to as New Windsor.By the late 12th century the settlement at Windelsora had been renamed Old Windsor.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We look about the shops here waiting for 1100 hours to see the Changing of the guard at Windsor Castle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="535" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S_JtkDtxZn8" width="645" youtube-src-id="S_JtkDtxZn8"></iframe></div><p style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Windsor
Castle Guard<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="margin: 4.5pt 0cm 7.5pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">1st Battalion Welsh Guards</span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Musical
Support:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="margin: 4.5pt 0cm 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Pipes of No. 12 Company Irish Guards<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div style="text-align: center;">A reporter from Dubai News wanted to do an interview with me, I assume about The Princess of Wales news about her having cancer. I declined their request. We look about the shops and side streets some more, waiting for the guards to leave Windsor Castle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="534" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CJ1BoZxYW9Y" width="644" youtube-src-id="CJ1BoZxYW9Y"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">The early history of the site is unknown, although it was almost certainly settled some years before 1070 when William the Conqueror had a timber motte-and-bailey castle constructed. The focus of royal interest at that time was not the castle, however, but a small riverside settlement about 3 miles (4.8 km) downstream, possibly established from the 7th century. From about the 8th century, high status people as well as the royalty began visiting the site. From the 11th century the site's link with King Edward the Confessor is documented. In the later medieval period, royal use of the site increased, probably because it offered good access to woodlands and opportunities for hunting – a sport which also developed military skills.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Lwbs2zKFb9X2byn_Qf1iByIh8tGJ9H9u41CSSTpj3q8k1nxkq3CA2z8pBDeBfCQRi-gnihYCYfXBgpXUaPZA3aKB9e50pqBAoOb50yb45WwU338FsNLy5aXojL8kO3GZ8XL-oxwKOlVBuTESznJOgsYNXlXExS64TZI9VOZodvBA1ZY4Uh1paZH61jnh/s3933/20240323_112244.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3933" data-original-width="2664" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Lwbs2zKFb9X2byn_Qf1iByIh8tGJ9H9u41CSSTpj3q8k1nxkq3CA2z8pBDeBfCQRi-gnihYCYfXBgpXUaPZA3aKB9e50pqBAoOb50yb45WwU338FsNLy5aXojL8kO3GZ8XL-oxwKOlVBuTESznJOgsYNXlXExS64TZI9VOZodvBA1ZY4Uh1paZH61jnh/w434-h640/20240323_112244.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtjLmNoQd8ROkR161NohZ6Gi-bcMmqUHBtk4zD6sdAKQT0XIo7AuTfKUdJqADpDjt5S0vMB99ts7RkbqBGaK6915-TUPPeVMacEtbVEkCpQdqNifV5P7h-dYR4jh9CkM0Z1eRe_k43FywX952WwcLSSYkBo1togZIdo2cIrg67CCCPvRUrOo9lyCXHgij/s3868/20240323_112249.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2901" data-original-width="3868" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtjLmNoQd8ROkR161NohZ6Gi-bcMmqUHBtk4zD6sdAKQT0XIo7AuTfKUdJqADpDjt5S0vMB99ts7RkbqBGaK6915-TUPPeVMacEtbVEkCpQdqNifV5P7h-dYR4jh9CkM0Z1eRe_k43FywX952WwcLSSYkBo1togZIdo2cIrg67CCCPvRUrOo9lyCXHgij/w640-h480/20240323_112249.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWjpftvIH-K9FCDHvuv3jSsVQp18U1J3xrinTOY9DxBt_4yjDSGb2Q68dwJ0n8FGyQ2XRF-UXSuzsIA1icqt1Tdo98uMQwF3wrwkzRrEaE6g_LlNCMlJGHx2TE5WGc8_aN74sZWrXQwyEQ_3Z3giAKwP54aoO9I0C2315Eh2943i19fSKcwpKFBk1FwZw/s3768/20240323_112252.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2906" data-original-width="3768" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWjpftvIH-K9FCDHvuv3jSsVQp18U1J3xrinTOY9DxBt_4yjDSGb2Q68dwJ0n8FGyQ2XRF-UXSuzsIA1icqt1Tdo98uMQwF3wrwkzRrEaE6g_LlNCMlJGHx2TE5WGc8_aN74sZWrXQwyEQ_3Z3giAKwP54aoO9I0C2315Eh2943i19fSKcwpKFBk1FwZw/w640-h494/20240323_112252.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After the Changing of the guards had finished we walked around the back streets and shops some more.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYxWdkVbhQfHRNcE3PxXFwJP6b1QNiPTnAAice30JaIpPIwJ8jyDDSKOs1G7V4X5glxDdEfcZYBRtleCWmhkN1bL5L6cRn485Tp_ZCsJ4UrHWK5O7HCPG5wTUEhIF7haUINdyyokWxPk-tRv5uQYMvNNioF2O8EBh4jUN5KWhhyyhtAaCd9UBO84-8ZFI/s3866/20240323_112349.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3866" data-original-width="2899" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYxWdkVbhQfHRNcE3PxXFwJP6b1QNiPTnAAice30JaIpPIwJ8jyDDSKOs1G7V4X5glxDdEfcZYBRtleCWmhkN1bL5L6cRn485Tp_ZCsJ4UrHWK5O7HCPG5wTUEhIF7haUINdyyokWxPk-tRv5uQYMvNNioF2O8EBh4jUN5KWhhyyhtAaCd9UBO84-8ZFI/w480-h640/20240323_112349.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3952" data-original-width="2964" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICA30f0v2qis58tHiFNhbJY6cfVRiwFMis3zNAiin0To2sZWdyvYG1DLL-NvOM6nfRHhXle5yIVzwJUKmBs9AevL2frWVIN1ZjgILDjt3YTIyIHCiZcRI0ycTdeaAyGh9zsrPIonSXVm_s-UHXu7ehZSvNo4wYvXegBTW865iLgI4uano_sTCp0UG3pjW/w480-h640/20240323_112637.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwA_yF5GCLRAiutygq9BWFwerJLoRjxyJcxaWGBzigZsIZCvM_v0GzPohTTW61-ZurWfSVj5s-R9B4y23tbb2b_RE2Xn1ehpz0T-EG-EoLdWKDPXbCuBbhwh7SWjRg5v1f0uVdJWdhop04PAtol6THuQ2mW9iPzZyu5uXSXfhtIqm5Bg2RWC8CwIqP13D4/s3934/20240323_112644.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3934" data-original-width="2950" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwA_yF5GCLRAiutygq9BWFwerJLoRjxyJcxaWGBzigZsIZCvM_v0GzPohTTW61-ZurWfSVj5s-R9B4y23tbb2b_RE2Xn1ehpz0T-EG-EoLdWKDPXbCuBbhwh7SWjRg5v1f0uVdJWdhop04PAtol6THuQ2mW9iPzZyu5uXSXfhtIqm5Bg2RWC8CwIqP13D4/w480-h640/20240323_112644.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_H5S222hBBeGFN5Zg4h3h7Q3hKoKQP10tFNTYpmMNixcsv0-Zw08liXfz31PkqC1niLdN0g9RJPMdCjQwA2xj3qIyZuIk2-ljUhS77uVjeClQoaRbgw6fqE9VFKqrTlE83BBhy9-JeqAqiUN-Qelwa81mXNPKttdvUcVikNoJ1JluTo6cPG6dyPavnfGN/s4000/20240323_113309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_H5S222hBBeGFN5Zg4h3h7Q3hKoKQP10tFNTYpmMNixcsv0-Zw08liXfz31PkqC1niLdN0g9RJPMdCjQwA2xj3qIyZuIk2-ljUhS77uVjeClQoaRbgw6fqE9VFKqrTlE83BBhy9-JeqAqiUN-Qelwa81mXNPKttdvUcVikNoJ1JluTo6cPG6dyPavnfGN/w640-h480/20240323_113309.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We made our way down to the River Thames to the river cruises and the huge amount of swans here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqm_26cIn6jUWMs-fFpEPRKabXU84hCAmsPDoWMhqPPRe7ratfxfd1EgSXgJrb-YBlZRr2J6-hECr8UCyy9paUGsVgGg66U4Kl139Ue0i4Sg8XZ9qfsfV-ykxmbjkxQg2xjkfjYKGmrBTMSLTsmwdF8YZ6lEoeCGvebrLnVbuHJsD1G9HxHMKM2yDkYNeQ/s3809/20240323_113905.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2857" data-original-width="3809" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqm_26cIn6jUWMs-fFpEPRKabXU84hCAmsPDoWMhqPPRe7ratfxfd1EgSXgJrb-YBlZRr2J6-hECr8UCyy9paUGsVgGg66U4Kl139Ue0i4Sg8XZ9qfsfV-ykxmbjkxQg2xjkfjYKGmrBTMSLTsmwdF8YZ6lEoeCGvebrLnVbuHJsD1G9HxHMKM2yDkYNeQ/w640-h480/20240323_113905.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilztwQoVuSVXjAbFO1H6yXQKUI4eFsGTbxBfFlc_ypi-hSUxvv13XodqIeptYG5Nf0otlB_RdJ1seAzrq_PVMPxSo_umaJLgi_HisBNB4JEpVZ_aUZFdWdxwbr1w1wtHwoHS2dVg7G_JZSkJh4-jlJ3qGkJxlwg_6PgZ_XJf811tHKdwos0GpDMDfc2AI9/s3805/20240323_113922.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2854" data-original-width="3805" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilztwQoVuSVXjAbFO1H6yXQKUI4eFsGTbxBfFlc_ypi-hSUxvv13XodqIeptYG5Nf0otlB_RdJ1seAzrq_PVMPxSo_umaJLgi_HisBNB4JEpVZ_aUZFdWdxwbr1w1wtHwoHS2dVg7G_JZSkJh4-jlJ3qGkJxlwg_6PgZ_XJf811tHKdwos0GpDMDfc2AI9/w640-h480/20240323_113922.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back into town and walk into the Windsor Royal Station was one of two terminal stations serving the town of Windsor, Berkshire, England. Although a small part is still a railway station, most of the station building has been converted into a tourist-oriented shopping centre, called Windsor Royal Shopping It is situated on Thames Street, almost immediately opposite Castle Hill, the main public entrance to Windsor Castle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QYrIsm-CG6zKYNRF7_vFx0qQ8_rSCETDncUhS5y1-cFJpXVxzoaehHVTg2tpamifczxmKWKpyMalfwYCK1arxsR6SJJv9XyWFZXYJj_pHXGSot5NUyVvnBbQu5VVcVti0gv3tvY9sZMuBASVx-NeZgP5TdJpeBO5nDfrBEhOaeFLqbWHUXhRelSHeTGS/s3841/20240323_120210.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2881" data-original-width="3841" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QYrIsm-CG6zKYNRF7_vFx0qQ8_rSCETDncUhS5y1-cFJpXVxzoaehHVTg2tpamifczxmKWKpyMalfwYCK1arxsR6SJJv9XyWFZXYJj_pHXGSot5NUyVvnBbQu5VVcVti0gv3tvY9sZMuBASVx-NeZgP5TdJpeBO5nDfrBEhOaeFLqbWHUXhRelSHeTGS/w640-h480/20240323_120210.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We decide we have time for a cream tea at café de Royals before our 1300 hours time slot for the castle tour. Not the best Cream Tea I’ve ever had but was okay.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebQ-CLAGwz2GrJmY0QOPGU4KvqdmVxhRZcYgs6CqEsqLBlCxDVp0IobubPAHALg2b2PMr-YIG8jJHrxFoJpLXLcs-pEu6mWP4OEovbCmgaBy3WhWlyL2vB8VIkHHhWsmoV4X1wDqyjp0sVM7omjltAPq8fkrcZf30HF9O4mNo6TmMnrbTq9TFVmNiHRP-/s4000/20240323_122712.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2602" data-original-width="4000" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebQ-CLAGwz2GrJmY0QOPGU4KvqdmVxhRZcYgs6CqEsqLBlCxDVp0IobubPAHALg2b2PMr-YIG8jJHrxFoJpLXLcs-pEu6mWP4OEovbCmgaBy3WhWlyL2vB8VIkHHhWsmoV4X1wDqyjp0sVM7omjltAPq8fkrcZf30HF9O4mNo6TmMnrbTq9TFVmNiHRP-/w640-h416/20240323_122712.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk over to the Windsor Castle entrance and as I had purchased the tickets online the day before, not only did I save £3 per ticket but we bypass the queue for tickets and walk straight in once pass the airport type security.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VCrWvJp4Nh-WDx7rMYFq7SZIrkQXdavvIHZZKhAJWSmlO7aapggb4CL0IIIEWxaps5KjpWSWo3szFPzk0rjqywB_gjPAIHGaI0QOAyeUcq43qJ2fg_5-DKYAUjxFW7ncotJOkOmihBAACXC_06LTSkUJf2QhWSFtxkiDiaEl-70PmGUKYIFZ8-EborMX/s3842/20240323_125130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2882" data-original-width="3842" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VCrWvJp4Nh-WDx7rMYFq7SZIrkQXdavvIHZZKhAJWSmlO7aapggb4CL0IIIEWxaps5KjpWSWo3szFPzk0rjqywB_gjPAIHGaI0QOAyeUcq43qJ2fg_5-DKYAUjxFW7ncotJOkOmihBAACXC_06LTSkUJf2QhWSFtxkiDiaEl-70PmGUKYIFZ8-EborMX/w640-h480/20240323_125130.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have been to Windsor twice before, but a first for Mel. But I had never been into the castle so I was looking forward to this.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Rt21IXpgrpDAUlHkwgY0MJOHO5QIE7dSHNDh2tvOBLUffSo6Zo_cw0iuJnD-mmA9_nKUYe0fdP6x-T5g-JSqAk0eIdPZanoQPe0PM_nVFa6aYU1RSkxEnij2Uo7lI0vlAoATLiEnZ2VPHFURi_-7Tje4968wGbCOYVfkik5cco8P4p9k8sWYwVPSuj0D/s3903/20240323_125133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Rt21IXpgrpDAUlHkwgY0MJOHO5QIE7dSHNDh2tvOBLUffSo6Zo_cw0iuJnD-mmA9_nKUYe0fdP6x-T5g-JSqAk0eIdPZanoQPe0PM_nVFa6aYU1RSkxEnij2Uo7lI0vlAoATLiEnZ2VPHFURi_-7Tje4968wGbCOYVfkik5cco8P4p9k8sWYwVPSuj0D/s3903/20240323_125133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2928" data-original-width="3903" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Rt21IXpgrpDAUlHkwgY0MJOHO5QIE7dSHNDh2tvOBLUffSo6Zo_cw0iuJnD-mmA9_nKUYe0fdP6x-T5g-JSqAk0eIdPZanoQPe0PM_nVFa6aYU1RSkxEnij2Uo7lI0vlAoATLiEnZ2VPHFURi_-7Tje4968wGbCOYVfkik5cco8P4p9k8sWYwVPSuj0D/w640-h480/20240323_125133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it has been the home of 40 monarchs and is one of the official residences of His Majesty The King.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Windsor Castle is open to visitors throughout the year, five days a week, from Thursday to Monday. We recommend allowing 2.5 to 3 hours to see everything.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtZpPzGPpzTp9D6VMM2JZXnTO_fpxhM4mHhU1T2K-JlJRbWHceYLd3UwOP53Rt2ks9juJf9F-Rq0NXkao6sODrQjodmdpf0by2U7rikM354tJ3TKoiOLu6f60ht_xpK1GLmjvEqypQ0Sw1xvYMEm6s57V7cdeYPJ42OLA8cF2T7KrcAE0l54lgqFBNzKj/s3648/20240323_125223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtZpPzGPpzTp9D6VMM2JZXnTO_fpxhM4mHhU1T2K-JlJRbWHceYLd3UwOP53Rt2ks9juJf9F-Rq0NXkao6sODrQjodmdpf0by2U7rikM354tJ3TKoiOLu6f60ht_xpK1GLmjvEqypQ0Sw1xvYMEm6s57V7cdeYPJ42OLA8cF2T7KrcAE0l54lgqFBNzKj/w480-h640/20240323_125223.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The original castle was built in the 11th century, after the Norman invasion of England by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I (who reigned 1100–1135), it has been used by the reigning monarch and is the longest-occupied palace in Europe. The castle's lavish early 19th-century state apartments were described by the art historian Hugh Roberts as "a superb and unrivalled sequence of rooms widely regarded as the finest and most complete expression of later Georgian taste". Inside the castle walls is the 15th-century St George's Chapel, considered by the historian John Martin Robinson to be "one of the supreme achievements of English Perpendicular Gothic" design.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqNoyCGSTLFA8BTWV3BM_e8SDZ2mxCSeaUdQyuESHlxtRnbxPlaY3RngIwouQVwn36t9PsToYUyqE204C8hAgWlP0uZ7MoNjPg-QAC2cQO93bNrcdGA59NgmfA4RTYUCrSxoFRg-cZMfAO_AeMbLuynKrMWxXvhr9K5CyorBHMUNb6p9xKshai2ERSPXg/s3907/20240323_125247.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3907" data-original-width="2930" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqNoyCGSTLFA8BTWV3BM_e8SDZ2mxCSeaUdQyuESHlxtRnbxPlaY3RngIwouQVwn36t9PsToYUyqE204C8hAgWlP0uZ7MoNjPg-QAC2cQO93bNrcdGA59NgmfA4RTYUCrSxoFRg-cZMfAO_AeMbLuynKrMWxXvhr9K5CyorBHMUNb6p9xKshai2ERSPXg/w480-h640/20240323_125247.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Originally designed to project Norman dominance around the outskirts of London and oversee a strategically important part of the River Thames, Windsor Castle was built as a motte-and-bailey, with three wards surrounding a central mound. Gradually replaced with stone fortifications, the castle withstood a prolonged siege during the First Barons' War at the start of the 13th century. Henry III built a luxurious royal palace within the castle during the middle of the century, and Edward III went further, rebuilding the palace to make an even grander set of buildings in what would become "the most expensive secular building project of the entire Middle Ages in England "Edward's core design lasted through the Tudor period, during which Henry VIII and Elizabeth I made increasing use of the castle as a royal court and centre for diplomatic entertainment.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi774CDG8o6vNe4Ef6Mf6mNW6uIMLc3R4lO5v702vE5vcgjgXn-YtRdYl6JmGQWm3MretyMYxBCbTiP9eoTpf3DCWl_6Q5DMOrujoQPdXvl8ejykn09X6sNAjhzfM2zS0RY15nUWsTB3N_3qIkdnlAQ_HzuEZ8wOikPKXapOwGtPl36soW5E6o_Aht7QFRT/s4000/20240323_125337.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi774CDG8o6vNe4Ef6Mf6mNW6uIMLc3R4lO5v702vE5vcgjgXn-YtRdYl6JmGQWm3MretyMYxBCbTiP9eoTpf3DCWl_6Q5DMOrujoQPdXvl8ejykn09X6sNAjhzfM2zS0RY15nUWsTB3N_3qIkdnlAQ_HzuEZ8wOikPKXapOwGtPl36soW5E6o_Aht7QFRT/w640-h480/20240323_125337.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The skies darkened and we were pelted with hailstones for a few minutes before it stopped as quick as it started.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVoh0DpI7YbF42GDdyds_NX5dN4bXGylFVT0ZakPxpjTNWeEMIPjW9LMEuL1VmnIK5vBoi47f47oWtUJovC-QBaNuQxRsu5VGmEtjbcd257TZ5PEGEz3DXAPDNZIDNg54NOd_PBVuk8KxB1vfXftqIWfPlfdp43kVypS757XfDR-J-Z8ZubI6yteG-yE-/s4000/20240323_125349.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVoh0DpI7YbF42GDdyds_NX5dN4bXGylFVT0ZakPxpjTNWeEMIPjW9LMEuL1VmnIK5vBoi47f47oWtUJovC-QBaNuQxRsu5VGmEtjbcd257TZ5PEGEz3DXAPDNZIDNg54NOd_PBVuk8KxB1vfXftqIWfPlfdp43kVypS757XfDR-J-Z8ZubI6yteG-yE-/w640-h480/20240323_125349.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Windsor Castle survived the tumultuous period of the English Civil War, when it was used as a military headquarters by Parliamentary forces and a prison for Charles I. At the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Charles II rebuilt much of Windsor Castle with the help of the architect Hugh May, creating a set of extravagant Baroque interiors. After a period of neglect during the 18th century, George III and George IV renovated and rebuilt Charles II's palace at colossal expense, producing the current design of the state apartments, full of Rococo, Gothic and Baroque furnishings. Queen Victoria made a few minor changes to the castle, which became the centre for royal entertainment for much of her reign. During the First World War, the historic estate inspired the naming of the royal House of Windsor. In the reign of George VI, it was used as a refuge by the royal family during the Luftwaffe bombing campaigns of the Second World War. An extensive restoration of several state rooms took place after the castle survived a fire in 1992. It is a popular tourist attraction, a venue for hosting state visits, and was the main residence of Elizabeth II from 2011 to 2022.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3O_67DJi36QlrRl6l8Djfdyq1wwbiG3uo6KtbwK915wKIprFEfoGtAuWzVRzW-VTgROTJD9OeX31K-pEPWk44xvRHr6tuvqD0TMNjycJPjQPlP1eDo7IOt5hJHEQam8y8nZE7Sh6FpPDxGBKpCsam6f0-iez8LpVVtKpoSpzSupp0heJj59VQSQvrg8iv/s3392/20240323_125407.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3392" data-original-width="2544" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3O_67DJi36QlrRl6l8Djfdyq1wwbiG3uo6KtbwK915wKIprFEfoGtAuWzVRzW-VTgROTJD9OeX31K-pEPWk44xvRHr6tuvqD0TMNjycJPjQPlP1eDo7IOt5hJHEQam8y8nZE7Sh6FpPDxGBKpCsam6f0-iez8LpVVtKpoSpzSupp0heJj59VQSQvrg8iv/w480-h640/20240323_125407.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk around to enter the State Rooms. Sadly Photography is not allowed inside the Castle.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPTjkzSla6S7N5F0qa43u_TbA_JA8z3XCh4z8CIUqhqtycatspbcJuoBVMKJAQL44a7pSa5Mmcq2V1OhHu9JQmDf_NXMLzlO9aIm8pcHYFWAP1kBMgKsoYBzf9gxrxfSlvHOs9AkVgYW2CocsTqdrI6Xgi6ut7whVCXKD4FIbklWv7q08Ms_0h47wjsK8/s3859/20240323_125449.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3859" data-original-width="2894" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPTjkzSla6S7N5F0qa43u_TbA_JA8z3XCh4z8CIUqhqtycatspbcJuoBVMKJAQL44a7pSa5Mmcq2V1OhHu9JQmDf_NXMLzlO9aIm8pcHYFWAP1kBMgKsoYBzf9gxrxfSlvHOs9AkVgYW2CocsTqdrI6Xgi6ut7whVCXKD4FIbklWv7q08Ms_0h47wjsK8/w480-h640/20240323_125449.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The State Apartments form the major part of the Upper Ward and lie along the north side of the quadrangle. The modern building follows the medieval foundations laid down by Edward III, with the ground floor comprising service chambers and cellars, and the much grander first floor forming the main part of the palace. On the first floor, the layout of the western end of the State Apartments is primarily the work of architect Hugh May, whereas the structure on the eastern side represents Jeffry Wyatville's plans.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBLN6E88nfvxpmXx8UCI9kkpZsXM1IjTgX7ZMrLv27Bf9OL95Cdx2p4c75K6DdPtfWAv5AhIAcg9InwuhrfqUX2eovPp_LJ2UrSBD7Gnj31tobMy5EwHFSGk5YmkmC3pBW1dOIIORAWP1Xyyr4cZJ6XwrHFOJtbKNw8OpgTqhcGR8Nzogu8S8TiNvOd4Z/s4000/20240323_125523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBLN6E88nfvxpmXx8UCI9kkpZsXM1IjTgX7ZMrLv27Bf9OL95Cdx2p4c75K6DdPtfWAv5AhIAcg9InwuhrfqUX2eovPp_LJ2UrSBD7Gnj31tobMy5EwHFSGk5YmkmC3pBW1dOIIORAWP1Xyyr4cZJ6XwrHFOJtbKNw8OpgTqhcGR8Nzogu8S8TiNvOd4Z/w480-h640/20240323_125523.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The interior of the State Apartments was mostly designed by Wyatville in the early 19th century. Wyatville intended each room to illustrate a particular architectural style and to display the matching furnishings and fine arts of the period. With some alterations over the years, this concept continues to dominate the apartments. Different rooms follow the Classical, Gothic and Rococo styles, together with an element of Jacobethan in place. ]Many of the rooms on the eastern end of the castle had to be restored following the 1992 fire, using "equivalent restoration" methods – the rooms were restored so as to appear similar to their original appearance, but using modern materials and concealing modern structural improvements. These rooms were also partially redesigned at the same time to more closely match modern tastes. Art historian Hugh Roberts has praised the State Apartments as "a superb and unrivalled sequence of rooms widely regarded as the finest and most complete expression of later Georgian taste."Others, such as architect Robin Nicolson and critic Hugh Pearman, have described them as "bland" and "distinctly dull.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6Q5nFlM7srBWWFau8C6Cte5HFh20kO9Plt7LJcjk-GhN9ZoGij-xjjYhdUuGK7oNsrw4TTHaMPndJpv9YpxVU74ZKR_YVD7EIkaSxATx1ANoyqiO2q4bheenhQM9YvjjhHMIDyDyNFySXLf5yQ8ZDCdzatEKxOk8RaNEJYOW-ZmczvYBzG8GHKRODHzia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="270" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6Q5nFlM7srBWWFau8C6Cte5HFh20kO9Plt7LJcjk-GhN9ZoGij-xjjYhdUuGK7oNsrw4TTHaMPndJpv9YpxVU74ZKR_YVD7EIkaSxATx1ANoyqiO2q4bheenhQM9YvjjhHMIDyDyNFySXLf5yQ8ZDCdzatEKxOk8RaNEJYOW-ZmczvYBzG8GHKRODHzia=w429-h640" width="429" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Crimson Drawing Room in 2007, following the 1992 fire and subsequent remodelling</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wyatville's most famous work are those rooms designed in a Rococo style. These rooms take the fluid, playful aspects of this mid-18th century artistic movement, including many original pieces of Louis XV style, but project them on a "vastly inflated" scale. Investigations after the 1992 fire have shown though that many Rococo features of the modern castle, originally thought to have been 18th century fittings transferred from Carlton House or France, are in fact 19th century imitations in plasterwork and wood, designed to blend with original elements. The Grand Reception Room is the most prominent of these Rococo designs, 100 feet (30 m) long and 40 feet (12 m) tall and occupying the site of Edward III's great hallthis room, restored after the fire, includes a huge French Rococo ceiling, characterised by Ian Constantinides, the lead restorer, as possessing a "coarseness of form and crudeness of hand ... completely overshadowed by the sheer spectacular effect when you are at a distance".The room is set off by a set of restored Gobelins French tapestries. Although decorated with less gold leaf than in the 1820s, the result remains "one of the greatest set-pieces of Regency decoration". The White, Green and Crimson Drawing Rooms include a total of 62 trophies: carved, gilded wooden panels illustrating weapons and the spoils of war, many with Masonic meanings. Restored or replaced after the fire, these trophies are famous for their "vitality, precision and three-dimensional quality", and were originally brought from Carlton House in 1826, some being originally imported from France and others carved by Edward Wyatt. The soft furnishings of these rooms, although luxurious, are more modest than the 1820s originals, both on the grounds of modern taste and cost.Wyatville's design retains three rooms originally built by May in the 17th century in partnership with the painter Antonio Verrio and carver Grinling Gibbons. The Queen's Presence Chamber, the Queen's Audience Chamber and the King's Dining Room are designed in a Baroque, Franco-Italian style, characterised by "gilded interiors enriched with florid murals", first introduced to England between 1648 and 1650 at Wilton House.Verrio's paintings are "drenched in medievalist allusion" and classical images. These rooms were intended to show an innovative English "baroque fusion" of the hitherto separate arts of architecture, painting and carving.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMnUyzx03GTw6Qgb_RqHngxNta5F5ePamf8rA-ZHljj5dCAYyNg2eHnu--2z3ScOPRUIbJTEjbmpGe3yzDMWvWZ2AXWykCXDK874WFqx3irI7lbE35kO7PVgehh6XGtIQStOS9FQZwd7h0w2H98uNLI-LByAPwknyLs7HSKtSIAZV5w_B-sNHBD04_98AO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="270" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMnUyzx03GTw6Qgb_RqHngxNta5F5ePamf8rA-ZHljj5dCAYyNg2eHnu--2z3ScOPRUIbJTEjbmpGe3yzDMWvWZ2AXWykCXDK874WFqx3irI7lbE35kO7PVgehh6XGtIQStOS9FQZwd7h0w2H98uNLI-LByAPwknyLs7HSKtSIAZV5w_B-sNHBD04_98AO=w440-h640" width="440" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A presentation drawing for the new Private Chapel, showing a Gothic design by Giles Downes</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A handful of rooms in the modern State Apartments reflect either 18th century or Victorian Gothic design. The State Dining Room, for example, whose current design originates from the 1850s but which was badly damaged during the 1992 fire, is restored to its appearance in the 1920s, before the removal of some of the gilded features on the pilasters.Anthony Salvin's Grand Staircase is also of mid-Victorian design in the Gothic style, rising to a double-height hall lit by an older 18th century Gothic vaulted lantern tower called the Grand Vestibule, designed by James Wyatt and executed by Francis Bernasconi. The staircase has been criticised by historian John Robinson as being a distinctly inferior design to the earlier staircases built on the same site by both Wyatt and May.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some parts of the State Apartments were completely destroyed in the 1992 fire and this area was rebuilt in a style called "Downesian Gothic", named after the architect, Giles Downes.The style comprises "the rather stripped, cool and systematic coherence of modernism sewn into a reinterpretation of the Gothic tradition". Downes argues that the style avoids "florid decoration", emphasising an organic, flowing Gothic structure. Three new rooms were built or remodelled by Downes at Windsor. Downes' new hammer-beam roof of St George's Hall is the largest green-oak structure built since the Middle Ages, and is decorated with brightly coloured shields celebrating the heraldic element of the Order of the Garter; the design attempts to create an illusion of additional height through the gothic woodwork along the ceiling. The Lantern Lobby used to welcome guests features flowing oak columns forming a vaulted ceiling, imitating an arum lily and is where the pre-fire chapel built for Queen Victoria was located. The new Private Chapel is relatively intimate, only able to fit thirty worshippers, but combines architectural elements of the St George's Hall roof with the Lantern Lobby and the stepped arch structure of the Henry VIII chapel vaulting at Hampton Court.The result is an "extraordinary, continuous and closely moulded net of tracery", complementing the new stained glass windows commemorating the fire, designed by Joseph Nuttgen,as based on an idea of Prince Philip's. The Great Kitchen, with its newly exposed 14th-century roof lantern sitting alongside Wyatville's fireplaces, chimneys and Gothic tables, is also a product of the reconstruction after the fire.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The ground floor of the State Apartments retains various famous medieval features. The 14th-century Great Undercroft still survives, some 193 feet (59 m) long by 31 feet (9.4 m) wide, divided into 13 bays. At the time of the 1992 fire, the Undercroft had been divided into smaller rooms; the area is now opened up to form a single space in an effort to echo the undercrofts at Fountains and Rievaulx Abbeys, although the floor remains artificially raised for convenience of use.The "beautifully vaulted" 14th-century Larderie passage runs alongside the Kitchen Courtyard and is decorated with carved royal roses, marking its construction by Edward III.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykCL_GO0rrvGix75WAZmxtuzmycIRQBXGpCS57PIzpV03j-2C8v4rNMGwqBMRyHLuz9daf9LAMoyrK84f7a0F68B9TxFjhxCIW4Qclu8-QSXpFwsHMPzixweraJkesUqI3x-2BOUc5MTc-lzxvcNBnLKb48t7gkHE3TKV5h0sPor0JQy8Kxa05Kmh4kWI/s4000/20240323_125539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykCL_GO0rrvGix75WAZmxtuzmycIRQBXGpCS57PIzpV03j-2C8v4rNMGwqBMRyHLuz9daf9LAMoyrK84f7a0F68B9TxFjhxCIW4Qclu8-QSXpFwsHMPzixweraJkesUqI3x-2BOUc5MTc-lzxvcNBnLKb48t7gkHE3TKV5h0sPor0JQy8Kxa05Kmh4kWI/w480-h640/20240323_125539.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaQI4Cd1DGmOoHnFJAdtPwBJeN137j5ozTpRjyOD9BmGAD0Ai-Ipo5UEJrjeG725w8byIqDCZ_MIo-lyhpideZXNMi8pGz3kW666byTaddF84xQumjnBktFoL9P0azxreQODq11qhIliz6-Ox4SpP2t99YvRi3xqxuSeNCm-FZaYrfObMxRvqx2uMLW_F/w640-h480/20240323_130209.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKOCjIfvQWBjv6BUIHyKfXkdXtoHY9I_3O6LU1DENvjr8Uynw5DlZYIBdPL4PDs-zxPTDWkIUMDOmExGaI7BS6AEBicMZAyaREcsh5Hk38PBdIzLAvHINDbLkjeyFXWh927YUYqQhyphenhyphenkoXbE-56tC82zKg7gQ7gBWE0LmF6CqITVetnEUDv3fGZBWjuua3/s4000/20240323_130409.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKOCjIfvQWBjv6BUIHyKfXkdXtoHY9I_3O6LU1DENvjr8Uynw5DlZYIBdPL4PDs-zxPTDWkIUMDOmExGaI7BS6AEBicMZAyaREcsh5Hk38PBdIzLAvHINDbLkjeyFXWh927YUYqQhyphenhyphenkoXbE-56tC82zKg7gQ7gBWE0LmF6CqITVetnEUDv3fGZBWjuua3/w640-h480/20240323_130409.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Inside we got to see a locket that holds the bullet that killed Napoleon!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsrFJhAZGKumMU4CgO7oE7JkUvQv87p75QsWksswGFKNEayJ-Se33zH4PT5DcnMgeleIada1QsHfaCvWZU-nNG5VbNXq3HmSihiG2GmtJX6myE9dv43eLPnrTZqAocjRuUHdQmv4GGtLv9TME_xuBPhwcmQlR9omBLMwrAUAI9rXMxL7xJ0yOD0YaOBYX/s3864/20240323_130455.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2898" data-original-width="3864" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsrFJhAZGKumMU4CgO7oE7JkUvQv87p75QsWksswGFKNEayJ-Se33zH4PT5DcnMgeleIada1QsHfaCvWZU-nNG5VbNXq3HmSihiG2GmtJX6myE9dv43eLPnrTZqAocjRuUHdQmv4GGtLv9TME_xuBPhwcmQlR9omBLMwrAUAI9rXMxL7xJ0yOD0YaOBYX/w640-h480/20240323_130455.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWuQoHc9WQ9aRoHTSpi3RgyE4iELAw2AP1hANrKXd7mSoAp_yTXeNrY-jVq5OjiEZq_T-1u0Ei6HVXp9SYrnZxuwfvWXG-4H4yYV09hasc9ZLeEG_1EUKkxKMiWnic6DngEVn6PXS9cBRUspUdXBCGp1uKnb0xafQKs0CILlvsBbt6Nyz6rp1yUdr-CRK/s4000/20240323_130501.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrox9Tt3H40QQ-xAEHa-4iY_Hx1eFIlBHbzoow4P3hcvSp2Ok7KSZtq13wVBxEtm5Ue3_hlZGxxq0eFI6wFMACRzs_uT_1bhXKPr_AkpzOgubP3LVRjPopfEuHEyyYHve6kYX9EDdkM8TOr9agtRyQOa7SgJOmErFylfqw5ATE8KLBaolXz42UKgiwsbc/w640-h480/20240323_130629.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVp-SJJbzmiS8vMzSdxRxaUlxICcqfP31q00Z_LfFqMUSrH5fBxhZu8rdq16aiEWP1CfaazRTVyfqmXguHLIQC7HkE_fb7AmxXOPsYKlB5LcyVA6dg7RXtpI297Cy3dxnnMdxP7sIqT9meusSh3Ef0GhJIxkccsHPEBiLY4Jjrr9e8QEtcnUkVYReKzImS/s3648/20240323_130650.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVp-SJJbzmiS8vMzSdxRxaUlxICcqfP31q00Z_LfFqMUSrH5fBxhZu8rdq16aiEWP1CfaazRTVyfqmXguHLIQC7HkE_fb7AmxXOPsYKlB5LcyVA6dg7RXtpI297Cy3dxnnMdxP7sIqT9meusSh3Ef0GhJIxkccsHPEBiLY4Jjrr9e8QEtcnUkVYReKzImS/w480-h640/20240323_130650.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IpfYk1hDKoLbjlwlfg6xnFloT7_w2VITuXxF_-c2UxryvVnp6gMzQQf0ZM21Ftu7hdEe4oPFAmv3d3qwDC3O5_GUM-wMf8J6yYj0pMqdkzoBO2mWrnj_AFYsdHZbczVQjuud3kh_cI8qG6jzUykOWod28ZTOvvWPsb5aWYkDfFvwP0sNCqAAApEGPhiY/s3861/20240323_130702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2896" data-original-width="3861" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IpfYk1hDKoLbjlwlfg6xnFloT7_w2VITuXxF_-c2UxryvVnp6gMzQQf0ZM21Ftu7hdEe4oPFAmv3d3qwDC3O5_GUM-wMf8J6yYj0pMqdkzoBO2mWrnj_AFYsdHZbczVQjuud3kh_cI8qG6jzUykOWod28ZTOvvWPsb5aWYkDfFvwP0sNCqAAApEGPhiY/w640-h480/20240323_130702.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EykE5YN84GrEecJmzCDN0xGgwYoE98yFMrbxAY9EtK1XXZBdIOfPTHfi7noRjfCbBsaaY5m4z7fNLxQ9FRV25ZlaCHKsBhtY2fjoh-C1AfmhPZtoMxScuvS1QPniKKdSAsVkcDkmdRP49gXy9JHDxgfWxW02FMH7FjPwCz0brDfyXX5HwDL8PSQMyvzb/s3839/20240323_135706.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2879" data-original-width="3839" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EykE5YN84GrEecJmzCDN0xGgwYoE98yFMrbxAY9EtK1XXZBdIOfPTHfi7noRjfCbBsaaY5m4z7fNLxQ9FRV25ZlaCHKsBhtY2fjoh-C1AfmhPZtoMxScuvS1QPniKKdSAsVkcDkmdRP49gXy9JHDxgfWxW02FMH7FjPwCz0brDfyXX5HwDL8PSQMyvzb/w640-h480/20240323_135706.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Lower Ward lies below and to the west of the Round Tower, reached through the Norman Gate. Originally largely of medieval design, most of the Lower Ward was renovated or reconstructed during the mid-Victorian period by Anthony Salvin and Edward Blore, to form a "consistently Gothic composition".The Lower Ward holds St George's Chapel and most of the buildings associated with the Order of the Garter.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the north side of the Lower Ward is St George's Chapel. This huge building is the spiritual home of the Order of the Knights of the Garter and dates from the late 15th and early 16th century, designed in the Perpendicular Gothic style. The ornate wooden choir stalls are of 15th century design, having been restored and extended by Henry Emlyn at the end of the 18th century, and are decorated with a unique set of brass plates showing the arms of the Knights of the Garter over the last six centuries. On the west side, the chapel has a grand Victorian door and staircase, used on ceremonial occasions.The east stained glass window is Victorian, and the oriel window to the north side of it was built by Henry VIII for Catherine of Aragon. The vault in front of the altar houses the remains of Henry VIII, Jane Seymour and Charles I, with Edward IV buried nearby. The chapel is considered by historian John Robinson to be "one of the supreme achievements of English Perpendicular Gothic" design.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgASsDAsDNVpm2J1NDsU6qHpc5ln6DlxhrJER2orF_R43gy2rE-8-3obaMBhF9ccLtmabTtZA5DiPM4RC8FpIoX_U7RfBBMleEpSJ0w7GEFL6gZCeIPCnm-hpFrj-azg6UdK1Of_wbVcnsWZI37uCHokyMWnl3MHk6vZVQBPZvP7dREjkOK4UsBfTFwbF9x" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="270" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgASsDAsDNVpm2J1NDsU6qHpc5ln6DlxhrJER2orF_R43gy2rE-8-3obaMBhF9ccLtmabTtZA5DiPM4RC8FpIoX_U7RfBBMleEpSJ0w7GEFL6gZCeIPCnm-hpFrj-azg6UdK1Of_wbVcnsWZI37uCHokyMWnl3MHk6vZVQBPZvP7dREjkOK4UsBfTFwbF9x=w530-h640" width="530" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Horseshoe Cloister, built in 1480 and reconstructed in the 19th century</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the east end of St George's Chapel is the Lady Chapel, originally built by Henry III in the 13th century and converted into the Albert Memorial Chapel between 1863 and 1873 by George Gilbert Scott.Built to commemorate the life of Prince Albert, the ornate chapel features lavish decoration and works in marble, glass mosaic and bronze by Henri de Triqueti, Susan Durant, Alfred Gilbert and Antonio Salviati. The east door of the chapel, covered in ornamental ironwork, is the original door from 1246.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFhiyzmgkQD7OfALsRn3E3myUlAjFKYg1BzL23GPRp79D5DS9lkB-8DcmeQm3vVg-pXZ5ui0qcLd37R3cI5q5YzvfnEmysbgI4CkuRBCn8P6ikWKrc1HFE3Wzyg5adbUSceLC9TdisWIQ0Vg4ey8I09XFazq4YpaF3FPQDftnWxNm7gIF4jzm3YCZhfXe/s3739/20240323_135708.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2804" data-original-width="3739" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFhiyzmgkQD7OfALsRn3E3myUlAjFKYg1BzL23GPRp79D5DS9lkB-8DcmeQm3vVg-pXZ5ui0qcLd37R3cI5q5YzvfnEmysbgI4CkuRBCn8P6ikWKrc1HFE3Wzyg5adbUSceLC9TdisWIQ0Vg4ey8I09XFazq4YpaF3FPQDftnWxNm7gIF4jzm3YCZhfXe/w640-h480/20240323_135708.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the west end of the Lower Ward is the Horseshoe Cloister, originally built in 1480, near to the chapel to house its clergy. It houses the vicars-choral, or lay clerks of the chapel. This curved brick and timber building is said to have been designed to resemble the shape of a fetlock, one of the badges used by Edward IV. George Gilbert Scott heavily restored the building in 1871 and little of the original structure remains. Other ranges originally built by Edward III sit alongside the Horseshoe, featuring stone perpendicular tracery. As of 2011, they are used as offices, a library and as the houses for the Dean and Canons.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Behind the Horseshoe Cloister is the Curfew Tower, one of the oldest surviving parts of the Lower Ward and dating from the 13th century. The interior of the tower contains a former dungeon, and the remnants of a sally port, a secret exit for the occupants in a time of siege. The upper storey contains the castle bells placed there in 1478, and the castle clock of 1689. The French-style conical roof is a 19th-century attempt by Anthony Salvin to remodel the tower in the fashion of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc's recreation of Carcassonne.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYVGu5NEVevnhAVl38tJIBJIpooQFRRblMM-k7ORoqsChSKoaC1cBwZemh0HQr4DVEwtewye6mPPWFyYhBgfIIxIJJ7gOrlPTNdZHTzJyTMo9OngNWm_ujh-zgY93S9iJN5BGH0kwe_M2g6dHyoiIYPA49WyqG9Jjv6xNpeJgU-nAkn54bdbRmvN7BO1H/s3761/20240323_135712.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2821" data-original-width="3761" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYVGu5NEVevnhAVl38tJIBJIpooQFRRblMM-k7ORoqsChSKoaC1cBwZemh0HQr4DVEwtewye6mPPWFyYhBgfIIxIJJ7gOrlPTNdZHTzJyTMo9OngNWm_ujh-zgY93S9iJN5BGH0kwe_M2g6dHyoiIYPA49WyqG9Jjv6xNpeJgU-nAkn54bdbRmvN7BO1H/w640-h480/20240323_135712.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk inside St Georges Chapel and look at the amazing architecture and walk by the final resting place of our late Queen Elizabeth II as well as Prince Phillip. In fact there are many royals buried here including King Henry VIII.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdGzcrw0W_HZTl1gulOcaN7Vm2ukEWtm3y38vW8CSdyV0vWR-fZkSNDKJPLX5VEmCpN2LE7GMJ111lMDDrBI75u8yhuxJbAtfdjCQs3OhBmvPEKVNUfyrpBMqyFuAKlFaZvUUa85tXYsfrkdyUbBBEYzdYsLPHSLCzR9Yx4add48hv19G-B4R27lrCFhE/s3920/20240323_135837.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2940" data-original-width="3920" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdGzcrw0W_HZTl1gulOcaN7Vm2ukEWtm3y38vW8CSdyV0vWR-fZkSNDKJPLX5VEmCpN2LE7GMJ111lMDDrBI75u8yhuxJbAtfdjCQs3OhBmvPEKVNUfyrpBMqyFuAKlFaZvUUa85tXYsfrkdyUbBBEYzdYsLPHSLCzR9Yx4add48hv19G-B4R27lrCFhE/w640-h480/20240323_135837.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">St George's Chapel was founded in the 14th century by King Edward III and extensively enlarged in the late 15th century. It is located in the Lower Ward of the castle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The castle has belonged to the monarchy for almost 1,000 years. So, the chapel has been the scene of many royal services, weddings and burials – in the 19th century, St George's Chapel and the nearby Frogmore Gardens superseded Westminster Abbey as the chosen burial place for the British royal family. The running of the chapel is the responsibility of the dean and Canons of Windsor who make up the College of Saint George. They are assisted by a clerk, verger and other staff. The Society of the Friends of St George's and Descendants of the Knights of the Garter, a registered charity, was established in 1931 to assist the college in maintaining the chapel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEqXQtZGevVUYMzIUqJzNwbnAx-eeKcU6F1yWlaWHZvQbjLu2NSPuxH2uC7ih84J67Gdl3HVQfsz0PlZhXif8jT7axB9iRykLkCSaL4w8yS5IEB6sq0usfwgTBhFtt-oSqHoJaxsjw7ZwaN68du9BMg_Vi2NwMRJ4dQKXl3l0g8zE2YE2ZyH04y56PV-4/s3902/20240323_142036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2926" data-original-width="3902" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEqXQtZGevVUYMzIUqJzNwbnAx-eeKcU6F1yWlaWHZvQbjLu2NSPuxH2uC7ih84J67Gdl3HVQfsz0PlZhXif8jT7axB9iRykLkCSaL4w8yS5IEB6sq0usfwgTBhFtt-oSqHoJaxsjw7ZwaN68du9BMg_Vi2NwMRJ4dQKXl3l0g8zE2YE2ZyH04y56PV-4/w640-h480/20240323_142036.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The chapel has been the site of many royal funerals and interments. People interred in the Chapel include:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Altar</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· George Plantagenet, Duke of Bedford, on 22 March 1479; son of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Mary of York, in 1482; daughter of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Edward IV, King of England, in 1483</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Henry VI, King of England, in 1484 (reburial from Chertsey Abbey)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· The coffins of two unidentified children suggested to be the Princes in the Tower (Edward V, King of England and Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York); sons of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Elizabeth Woodville, Queen of England, on 12 June 1492; wife of Edward IV</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Princess Louise of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, in 1832; niece of Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Edward VII, King of the United Kingdom and Emperor of India, on 20 May 1910 (originally interred in the Royal Vault).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Alexandra of Denmark, Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India, on 28 November 1925 (originally interred in the Royal Vault); wife of Edward VII.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Quire</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Jane Seymour, Queen of England, in 1537; third wife of Henry VIII</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Henry VIII, King of England and Ireland, in 1547</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Charles I, King of England, Scotland and Ireland, in 1649</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Stillborn son of Anne, Queen of Great Britain and Prince George of Denmark, in 1698.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Royal Vault</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Princess Amelia of the United Kingdom, in 1810; daughter of George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Princess Augusta of Great Britain, Duchess of Brunswick-Lünenburg, in 1813; daughter of Frederick, Prince of Wales and Augusta of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Princess Charlotte of Wales, in 1817; daughter of George IV and Caroline of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Stillborn son of Princess Charlotte of Wales and Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, in 1817.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen of the United Kingdom and Hanover, in 1818; wife of George III,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Stillborn daughter of Ernest Augustus, King of Hanover and Frederica of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, in 1818</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· George III, King of the United Kingdom and Hanover, in 1820.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, in 1820; father of Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Prince Alfred of Great Britain, in 1820 (reburial); son of George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Prince Octavius of Great Britain, in 1820 (reburial); son of George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Princess Elizabeth of Clarence, in 1821; daughter of William IV and Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany, in 1827; son of George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· George IV, King of the United Kingdom and Hanover, in 1830.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· William IV, King of the United Kingdom and Hanover, in 1837.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Princess Augusta Sophia of the United Kingdom, in 1840; daughter of George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, Queen of the United Kingdom and Hanover, in 1849; wife of William IV.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· George V, the last King of Hanover, in 1878; grandson of George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Baroness Victoria von Pawel-Rammingen, in 1881; daughter of Princess Frederica of Hanover and Alphons, Baron von Pawel-Rammingen.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge, Duchess of Teck, in 1897; daughter of Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge and Princess Augusta of Hesse-Kassel, mother of Mary of Teck.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Francis, Duke of Teck, in 1900; father of Mary of Teck.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Princess Frederica of Hanover, Baroness von Pawel-Rammingen, in 1926; daughter of George V, King of Hanover, and Marie of Saxe-Altenburg.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, in 1930 (reburial); son of George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Princess Augusta of Hesse-Kassel, Duchess of Cambridge, in 1930 (reburial); wife of Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Near West Door</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· George V, King of the United Kingdom and Emperor of India, in 1936 (originally interred in the Royal Vault).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Mary of Teck, Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India, in 1953; wife of George V.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">King George VI Memorial Chapel</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">George VI, King of the United Kingdom, Emperor of India and Head of the Commonwealth, on 26 March 1969 (originally interred in the Royal Vault on 15 February 1952, and moved to the chapel following its construction).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, in 2002; daughter of George VI and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (ashes buried here following cremation in Slough).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Elizabeth (née Bowes-Lyon), Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India, in 2002; wife of George V.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 2022 (originally interred in the Royal Vault in 2021 and moved to the chapel upon his wife's death); husband of Elizabeth II.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom and Head of the Commonwealth, in 2022.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Albert Memorial Chapel</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, in 1884 (originally interred in the Royal Vault); son of Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale, in 1892 (originally interred in the Royal Vault); son of Edward VII and Alexandra of Denmark.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Gloucester Vault</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh, in 1805; son of Frederick, Prince of Wales and Augusta of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Maria (née Walpole), Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh, in 1807; wife of Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh, in 1834; son of Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh and Maria Walpole.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Princess Sophia of Gloucester, in 1844; daughter of Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh and Maria Walpole.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">· Princess Mary of the United Kingdom, Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh, in 1857; daughter of George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fBavFy8JPrOBAAf-4fzfsYXh7vKYqPHgty8TH_iIx4o4BERRd4HbjiL823AkCIPncKNgLJKdncUoEPaNd2AdlnvE9mOLWM4xLtmKb_WxUKoAsbrQ4wUvXO-NQ45TohTBF7OKqml0uy5y4icE-Ako4C0c5gEZZpRD6q5gsClL-mWjB9fAGHKAAxcN_oWz/s3978/20240323_142059.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fBavFy8JPrOBAAf-4fzfsYXh7vKYqPHgty8TH_iIx4o4BERRd4HbjiL823AkCIPncKNgLJKdncUoEPaNd2AdlnvE9mOLWM4xLtmKb_WxUKoAsbrQ4wUvXO-NQ45TohTBF7OKqml0uy5y4icE-Ako4C0c5gEZZpRD6q5gsClL-mWjB9fAGHKAAxcN_oWz/s3978/20240323_142059.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2984" data-original-width="3978" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fBavFy8JPrOBAAf-4fzfsYXh7vKYqPHgty8TH_iIx4o4BERRd4HbjiL823AkCIPncKNgLJKdncUoEPaNd2AdlnvE9mOLWM4xLtmKb_WxUKoAsbrQ4wUvXO-NQ45TohTBF7OKqml0uy5y4icE-Ako4C0c5gEZZpRD6q5gsClL-mWjB9fAGHKAAxcN_oWz/w640-h480/20240323_142059.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the Castle and head back into town passing the Soldiers Statue.At the corner with Park Street is a beautiful statue of a soldier to commemorate the death of several of the Irish Guards that went to Afghanistan but did not come back with the fellow soldiers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Windsor statue crafted by a paratrooper with materials salvaged from the Iraq war.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qrpz9pFJxe6DuC6k0DW3NfC29HhTk3mdK5aZs66et6QNhi3KYoNYAePmXMO1LzrLfEmGhlhEeJ81xQpJSfiMFVN66qYiibysusa3U_Vm1q9T3p_gF5i7PRkbfc8xhhyl6MpoDMTIBjsw5sD9CsJKerN4Hyg2kpoELphQaYczj5HXQQH0EDbkegbkiVna/s4000/20240323_143055.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qrpz9pFJxe6DuC6k0DW3NfC29HhTk3mdK5aZs66et6QNhi3KYoNYAePmXMO1LzrLfEmGhlhEeJ81xQpJSfiMFVN66qYiibysusa3U_Vm1q9T3p_gF5i7PRkbfc8xhhyl6MpoDMTIBjsw5sD9CsJKerN4Hyg2kpoELphQaYczj5HXQQH0EDbkegbkiVna/w480-h640/20240323_143055.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on and onto the Long Walk and view back to the Castle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJ-IZpQXii_Xu4KcNIpJ4vwRVdFAFJM_VTXNEH7hg7wFRlgfEd962zGmAFmG6AFUpkhniM_nWQKvjXBJriu4WcD6B7qXZVPmVuOoahSshRt3TYynkjK40tOzn6BT8oHURz_VyMCSW28hqlhVTdy0WtVh4Fl1aOhbgfMsqluMslNiacVEnO016rNNvIV3s/s3905/20240323_143352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2929" data-original-width="3905" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJ-IZpQXii_Xu4KcNIpJ4vwRVdFAFJM_VTXNEH7hg7wFRlgfEd962zGmAFmG6AFUpkhniM_nWQKvjXBJriu4WcD6B7qXZVPmVuOoahSshRt3TYynkjK40tOzn6BT8oHURz_VyMCSW28hqlhVTdy0WtVh4Fl1aOhbgfMsqluMslNiacVEnO016rNNvIV3s/w640-h480/20240323_143352.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Created by King Charles II in 1682-85, this tree-lined avenue stretches almost 2.5 miles down to the ancient fortress of Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The initial work included the buying up of land to connect Windsor Castle to Windsor Great Park and the purchase of 1,864 young Elm trees.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the highest point, standing over the iconic view, is the famous Copper Horse statue depicting King George III. It was erected in 1831 to commemorate the King’s significant contribution to Windsor Great Park.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWC8MpACuoAL5oOdXdYZXIkh_OMJEb820RicJ66cXpN469ol57ZysTqZ088jAgGWljnma1J18S6NUpCk6mPhhxT4Y6R8MtxXFn0CcoOXRI7S3-g035_Ud3mL2EDCUrttSk2QyZi07-qb4kQ6HkoacgclpELKVGvhJOBiexqcVDny_UsyAGJFMQsl15w0GJ/s3554/20240323_143834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2666" data-original-width="3554" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWC8MpACuoAL5oOdXdYZXIkh_OMJEb820RicJ66cXpN469ol57ZysTqZ088jAgGWljnma1J18S6NUpCk6mPhhxT4Y6R8MtxXFn0CcoOXRI7S3-g035_Ud3mL2EDCUrttSk2QyZi07-qb4kQ6HkoacgclpELKVGvhJOBiexqcVDny_UsyAGJFMQsl15w0GJ/w640-h480/20240323_143834.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk into Town passing the Coldstream Guards Barracks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNh0qferqt-89MXm1azVdrMPECcu4KKPOB_Tbm5IFahGsXO1p0JADVUK5za6P0Rx2DC3b6KH7io9MrrQhD6I_48J-8SlBdnCB2TuzAYSUXFnr1D6QJX8AIyhs94N79ilH6EV0m2ATitF8-5Pu5pwX1V3R3kVKl7_WL9lwcmRhtu9mM-zHWn6b2TCG-UkxO/s4000/20240323_144414.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNh0qferqt-89MXm1azVdrMPECcu4KKPOB_Tbm5IFahGsXO1p0JADVUK5za6P0Rx2DC3b6KH7io9MrrQhD6I_48J-8SlBdnCB2TuzAYSUXFnr1D6QJX8AIyhs94N79ilH6EV0m2ATitF8-5Pu5pwX1V3R3kVKl7_WL9lwcmRhtu9mM-zHWn6b2TCG-UkxO/w640-h480/20240323_144414.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Coldstream Guards is the oldest continuously serving regular regiment in the British Army. As part of the Household Division, one of its principal roles is the protection of the monarchy; due to this, it often participates in state ceremonial occasions. The Regiment has consistently provided formations on deployments around the world and has fought in the majority of the major conflicts in which the British Army has been engaged.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Regiment has been in continuous service and has never been amalgamated. It was formed in 1650 as 'Monck's Regiment of Foot' and was then renamed 'The Lord General's Regiment of Foot Guards' after the Restoration in 1660. With Monck's death in 1670 it was again renamed 'The Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards' after the location in Scotland from which it marched to help restore the monarchy in 1660. Its name was again changed to the 'Coldstream Guards' in 1855 and this is still its present title. Today, the Regiment consists of: Regimental Headquarters, a single battalion (the 1st Battalion), an independent incremental company (Number 7 Company, maintaining the customs and traditions, as well as carrying the Colours of 2nd Battalion), a Regimental Band, a reserve company (Number 17 Company) and individuals at training establishments and other extra regimental employment.</div></div><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back to the B&B for a short rest before going back out later.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After our nap we catch the bus back into town and pop into The Corner Ale & Cider House for dinner and to watch the friendly between England and Brazil ( we lost 1 nil!). Great selection of beer and ciders probably 20 plus taps.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRQE35ZmqezqiVQxwWLO2WVLLlmheu0Ark_RrcjTHAUe4ds5k4e6p7c2DdQU9VyC5dpE-1lh6wgUOkXhcuuns8pDrZGP12J9muZZHwemRVEMmMMsSpREl5Vt8e59ge9ExB8mBtY6NFQ7Pgp5gr0P61wZuykjLdOhqkGLtMiB0jp9_eFopMTn_QXuFb_WY/s4000/20240323_182211.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRQE35ZmqezqiVQxwWLO2WVLLlmheu0Ark_RrcjTHAUe4ds5k4e6p7c2DdQU9VyC5dpE-1lh6wgUOkXhcuuns8pDrZGP12J9muZZHwemRVEMmMMsSpREl5Vt8e59ge9ExB8mBtY6NFQ7Pgp5gr0P61wZuykjLdOhqkGLtMiB0jp9_eFopMTn_QXuFb_WY/w480-h640/20240323_182211.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7X1FlnxhH4HbCEs8YYzvaNibF42KopKKjpARxDCAnfwkE7djx2SFVFHpNMoYDBIknmoTfBGRbwnxSvuIsaAmt_EexF4Urq5l6QNBmimwKFSCV6MK2zPeCXApLw39k2Q0tPB1UQrlGfjDSJkm45nUjErYWSTEQWBGoAEsgu_WV88Nx6nMFs7dwgwnz5BQ/s3955/20240323_184003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3955" data-original-width="2585" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7X1FlnxhH4HbCEs8YYzvaNibF42KopKKjpARxDCAnfwkE7djx2SFVFHpNMoYDBIknmoTfBGRbwnxSvuIsaAmt_EexF4Urq5l6QNBmimwKFSCV6MK2zPeCXApLw39k2Q0tPB1UQrlGfjDSJkm45nUjErYWSTEQWBGoAEsgu_WV88Nx6nMFs7dwgwnz5BQ/w418-h640/20240323_184003.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WdTbtRZ6MC4-OE93b9C_eIYbm5T5D5mPDHCMgEqaerAOPW7ltud5ZpMvaiKeqP3wFzo84MB5PHkBCfBWMVDoYioV210enxReXwBYJaIsDR_xdnlzHjWS96M_Pz9ztXMWEldhoC1u-LXemlh4Bs9CmBbyAyKMbk0AWQDJXDmaBcVOjzbKTirQlzXSH98R/s4000/20240323_184229.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WdTbtRZ6MC4-OE93b9C_eIYbm5T5D5mPDHCMgEqaerAOPW7ltud5ZpMvaiKeqP3wFzo84MB5PHkBCfBWMVDoYioV210enxReXwBYJaIsDR_xdnlzHjWS96M_Pz9ztXMWEldhoC1u-LXemlh4Bs9CmBbyAyKMbk0AWQDJXDmaBcVOjzbKTirQlzXSH98R/w640-h480/20240323_184229.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CDif1HylRcUfrIMygM5AQ4SfWZ0efhr0c945smO4_JJiRyyE-hoj1AwaVpP-EmbaQaeIfVngFaC9Tu1OnruklOUcR6YKLK3WJyKxF7JMR7NP12P7CyhZsrV3dD7jle01TrqdP11IYeFFzlpVivgvpv3ZfYYNisaJNvOo7IvkUrCoyebhM4lQUTU8V7xU/s4000/20240323_185416.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CDif1HylRcUfrIMygM5AQ4SfWZ0efhr0c945smO4_JJiRyyE-hoj1AwaVpP-EmbaQaeIfVngFaC9Tu1OnruklOUcR6YKLK3WJyKxF7JMR7NP12P7CyhZsrV3dD7jle01TrqdP11IYeFFzlpVivgvpv3ZfYYNisaJNvOo7IvkUrCoyebhM4lQUTU8V7xU/w480-h640/20240323_185416.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It started to get really busy and packed in there so we walked on to find the breweries here in Windsor.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We eventually find the Two Flints Brewery and they were showing the game too, so I sampled a few beers while we watched the rest of the match.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJCs1pwOgQvU3_B9hOMzwGjg5DZFBROkGpRtFXSEWuVWztGp0oUgnbx_c3FvP1XayZ0utw527hhQP96GV-e1wEg87FT_VzzPLvnW5mI-T5YDi6wS-CjsBjcvzILUAG1Gir7Tj_SBdJN2GMrMxw0pXtrceXqPaYfebdmTBfszkSfmZh8RCr7fvfk4pWN48/s4000/20240323_201653.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJCs1pwOgQvU3_B9hOMzwGjg5DZFBROkGpRtFXSEWuVWztGp0oUgnbx_c3FvP1XayZ0utw527hhQP96GV-e1wEg87FT_VzzPLvnW5mI-T5YDi6wS-CjsBjcvzILUAG1Gir7Tj_SBdJN2GMrMxw0pXtrceXqPaYfebdmTBfszkSfmZh8RCr7fvfk4pWN48/w640-h480/20240323_201653.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNp8VdHFnLTVQ2rQBf5EAeRCXkt5uOyzEWYo40KlMvBRJhLOVhHZtz7QZexRP4qTENkvAxo1QyKtNiXmOiHQfCRtqOjckZbyWaBXlcCjm9VsBsOoF55IvfPn_AzA2LEytZ7Omkih-IUfxK2ufuAOj_Wxv3dw2xPLRz3_5jqDvaXXk-QpUCbSSBMWt2hl2/s4000/20240323_201930.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNp8VdHFnLTVQ2rQBf5EAeRCXkt5uOyzEWYo40KlMvBRJhLOVhHZtz7QZexRP4qTENkvAxo1QyKtNiXmOiHQfCRtqOjckZbyWaBXlcCjm9VsBsOoF55IvfPn_AzA2LEytZ7Omkih-IUfxK2ufuAOj_Wxv3dw2xPLRz3_5jqDvaXXk-QpUCbSSBMWt2hl2/w640-h480/20240323_201930.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbfOIskorCJN51s5qqcbhM9Bleq9FHwNy32gdj9wal4A2FjT7WPxxtmldLRPsa3pYd8ZxZU6exgB1ouzng2Uh6TQ9TnlbJWuz5aRZcNEaKvFG75WcmHYcrGC_J8E8p8aAF1onIpRkD1xZONZP0PXer8PPi5XJVpU2eKTY-4y9IjTJ92BYtamWJ9qZeUbP/s4000/20240323_203032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbfOIskorCJN51s5qqcbhM9Bleq9FHwNy32gdj9wal4A2FjT7WPxxtmldLRPsa3pYd8ZxZU6exgB1ouzng2Uh6TQ9TnlbJWuz5aRZcNEaKvFG75WcmHYcrGC_J8E8p8aAF1onIpRkD1xZONZP0PXer8PPi5XJVpU2eKTY-4y9IjTJ92BYtamWJ9qZeUbP/w480-h640/20240323_203032.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then we walked in next door to the Indie Rabble Brewery and tried some more beer here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dQwLN6XSjLXE-Eiq8lr3jl7JfVrfB7HyxQGkzbtxwOW3822nE3nc_uxYmcaZPQKKBBoIqKL1E4t_dItFxPbdaE81EphUQ4Yehd0BVAZHHDFu3jYA_uFeORCbZxkPCG68HkgQrmcRpftypVuMQjYg-dup1yf9FFIsLvPtHnOIzQQpUZlNRiqBjnxiH6av/s4000/20240323_210226.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dQwLN6XSjLXE-Eiq8lr3jl7JfVrfB7HyxQGkzbtxwOW3822nE3nc_uxYmcaZPQKKBBoIqKL1E4t_dItFxPbdaE81EphUQ4Yehd0BVAZHHDFu3jYA_uFeORCbZxkPCG68HkgQrmcRpftypVuMQjYg-dup1yf9FFIsLvPtHnOIzQQpUZlNRiqBjnxiH6av/w640-h480/20240323_210226.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNffjYPF2DzndL4XWwqu6W17pACOYY2UnPCcWB2zKUTViwnjksMB2kTp9gtcsJHPPQ-sVXnAl6JW5Ifqu1Zs_qyUGv8amlafr5HK7QMO4_5ExpZdGMOyzBLeusFgxNtXyTNtvVojvmHx55TtTDYFy4HONZj-v8c6vqAH2gsgxkX0lDt5MYlBraf-5CGjVv/s3815/20240323_210802.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2861" data-original-width="3815" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNffjYPF2DzndL4XWwqu6W17pACOYY2UnPCcWB2zKUTViwnjksMB2kTp9gtcsJHPPQ-sVXnAl6JW5Ifqu1Zs_qyUGv8amlafr5HK7QMO4_5ExpZdGMOyzBLeusFgxNtXyTNtvVojvmHx55TtTDYFy4HONZj-v8c6vqAH2gsgxkX0lDt5MYlBraf-5CGjVv/w640-h480/20240323_210802.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8p_wEtQBYJ0wIVUk2qf2Yfe5msXOeL6ZMAP_F7YSZol7E1RAGRX3UHYBFiOIKHrE9pwwjIBQOC1x7qo3Sgl4tl6lpuvZPOqdm-jdybNxF0bGb-hBiMK6oEJ40e9gMkgWWCecQufk3LkM5GytpACLiBwk4oSLVOg3mPrc4DWq6gSuW3toHXVadiXrNu4e/s4000/20240323_211339.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8p_wEtQBYJ0wIVUk2qf2Yfe5msXOeL6ZMAP_F7YSZol7E1RAGRX3UHYBFiOIKHrE9pwwjIBQOC1x7qo3Sgl4tl6lpuvZPOqdm-jdybNxF0bGb-hBiMK6oEJ40e9gMkgWWCecQufk3LkM5GytpACLiBwk4oSLVOg3mPrc4DWq6gSuW3toHXVadiXrNu4e/w640-h480/20240323_211339.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We left and walked back into town to try and catch a bus back to the B&B.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pass the Diamon Jubilee Fountain. Installed in 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, the impressive Diamond Jubilee Fountain can be found in Goswells Park in Windsor.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Fountain was inspired by the crown jewels and features 60 different water jets. There are also lights which make it a magical site at night. There is a garden area around the fountain where you can sit and admire the fountain.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzpSabdwdOXlovm74O7U3_sOjqQh4L-zm5FlZHW1-iR3sKwGDDBZOlpI3zcdkzR1xaQFP0a-joVIIhMD98QGmLjDQwXzZlcHCV5pwA4ikfzgzzWJacCLsJ4w_5rqafqtkT78acg8_KCrnReYYUr_0f3jFVcKxZDEt0_NNUtT7bj2BlTLcmpI7oq8J4kCV/s4000/20240323_213903.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzpSabdwdOXlovm74O7U3_sOjqQh4L-zm5FlZHW1-iR3sKwGDDBZOlpI3zcdkzR1xaQFP0a-joVIIhMD98QGmLjDQwXzZlcHCV5pwA4ikfzgzzWJacCLsJ4w_5rqafqtkT78acg8_KCrnReYYUr_0f3jFVcKxZDEt0_NNUtT7bj2BlTLcmpI7oq8J4kCV/w640-h480/20240323_213903.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdb-qsXGEWnINWKk68zsrXQ2f28VTpeL_OSKe2E6dy7DFvKWPTgEeA2NYeZYnk53_s1xIar6mQnHEdQiyPYvXWlYFWN-lQw_7qjqBEWRgvim-8NRBqzA-MtEDFTnhNBLGGbUtMTFWwH4OqvnxQlrWV5oZBnKSo0I0eP6Ll_GLZrUpXSgcr1YVreLCH8xss/s3750/20240323_213942.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3750" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdb-qsXGEWnINWKk68zsrXQ2f28VTpeL_OSKe2E6dy7DFvKWPTgEeA2NYeZYnk53_s1xIar6mQnHEdQiyPYvXWlYFWN-lQw_7qjqBEWRgvim-8NRBqzA-MtEDFTnhNBLGGbUtMTFWwH4OqvnxQlrWV5oZBnKSo0I0eP6Ll_GLZrUpXSgcr1YVreLCH8xss/w512-h640/20240323_213942.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-hkCtDSn61lD1R__x4m3gvVND_TI8dYstfc1Cew_CAHEQ9vaiqTYyNnMIG6tjREA8l50hC-O5OEkKsoB_hyphenhyphenFRXLI6bzxHvfz5DHgr-rVeSEliffMTby7OeO556TpzbmfdiGGvhp_A5KS-8klmGxQAicYbaW7icowRNLvNw_2WZHIBhMae7gei_DgJ_lO/s4000/20240323_214428.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-hkCtDSn61lD1R__x4m3gvVND_TI8dYstfc1Cew_CAHEQ9vaiqTYyNnMIG6tjREA8l50hC-O5OEkKsoB_hyphenhyphenFRXLI6bzxHvfz5DHgr-rVeSEliffMTby7OeO556TpzbmfdiGGvhp_A5KS-8klmGxQAicYbaW7icowRNLvNw_2WZHIBhMae7gei_DgJ_lO/w640-h480/20240323_214428.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back pass the castle and onto the Crooked House of Windsor.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhlKjqdLyAJunE_CM2qjDvZYERtA2RqyS4k8SJb2QjJFq948DDBe7wRqsiLMmOc4djEDXsxolA9X8kt7LAFsaq6ksPFCwLXctl7xYmwnU8MZVqaX7YoqHY2m0lD5TKoqEmcAj6zFjLJzbc73N1KK-98eTBpkS21_NjDjUQq4Kr8vaKwyyo1DtC_9gYCoA/s4000/20240323_214512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhlKjqdLyAJunE_CM2qjDvZYERtA2RqyS4k8SJb2QjJFq948DDBe7wRqsiLMmOc4djEDXsxolA9X8kt7LAFsaq6ksPFCwLXctl7xYmwnU8MZVqaX7YoqHY2m0lD5TKoqEmcAj6zFjLJzbc73N1KK-98eTBpkS21_NjDjUQq4Kr8vaKwyyo1DtC_9gYCoA/w480-h640/20240323_214512.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Crooked House of Windsor, this quaint structure has a history that involves legal drama, royal mistresses, and even a rumoured secret passage into Windsor Castle…</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The history of The Crooked House of Windsor begins in 1592, with the construction of ‘Market Cross House’ on the edge of Windsor’s market square. For almost 100 years, it lived a rather uneventful (and probably rather less wonky) existence, until 1687, when the council ordered the building to be torn down in order to make room for the neighbouring Guildhall. What followed next was some primetime seventeenth-century legal drama over land rights, in which the council was rebuked for destroying Market Cross House, and ordered to rebuild it just the way it was.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Whatever the case, that casual lean has given the house a certain notoriety despite the fast-changing cycle of business that have called it home. The Crooked House of Windsor has been a butcher’s shop, a brewery, and an antique shop, and been through plenty of paint jobs in that time, too. For a time, it was known as the oldest tea house in England, but it’s currently serving as the London outpost of upmarket jewellery retailer Jersey Pearl. Rather apt, since this house is a treasure itself!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Perhaps the most fascinating thing about The Crooked House of Windsor can be found in the basement. Rumour has it that a secret passage connects the building with Windsor Castle – allegedly one that let Charles II sneak out to meet his mistress, Nell Gwynn. (The sly dog also reportedly used one of the UK’s oldest pubs for the same purpose!) Though some believe the passage was actually used to transport goods from the market to the Windsor Castle kitchens, the romantic in me would prefer to believe in the forbidden love story.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">All that history doesn’t come cheap, though; when The Crooked House of Windsor last went on sale in 2015, the asking price was a cool £1.5 million</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #212529; font-family: Verdana, "sans-serif";"> </span></p><div style="text-align: center;">There isn’t a bus due for ages so we walk the 25 minute walk back to the B&B and have a good nights sleep before awaking the next day for breakfast downstairs in the café and then we drive home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A great weekend away!</div></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-8446092669636841142024-03-14T18:43:00.081+00:002024-03-18T13:52:40.327+00:00The Thames Path: Staines to Windsor 14th March 2024<p>GPX File <a href="https://www.haroldstreet.org.uk/routes/download/?walk=6349" target="_blank">Here</a>.</p><p style="text-align: center;">On Thursday the 14th March 2024 I drove the hour and a half to Staines on Thames and found free street parking on Richmond Road TW18 2BY. I parked up pulled on my boots and walked back down to where I left off last time almost a year ago!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">i<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMNNgBy555x3XIa5JUnj6NNUQ_QbiNaCTMAszUJ1u4y9wOswcgwyJq1XE9n8Xwmk8kEeNV989OyFkQYrloTTpPtZ1ywUtMsdF6-WZWE6I9vCpSdYTKVuhU1w-E0PBm17RTWAislYreKVas4XLwXAQZqe6KvDMIKGbyA4miMFxmoPZ1Q-jIH8f5G46xU1d/s3788/20240314_083655.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2841" data-original-width="3788" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMNNgBy555x3XIa5JUnj6NNUQ_QbiNaCTMAszUJ1u4y9wOswcgwyJq1XE9n8Xwmk8kEeNV989OyFkQYrloTTpPtZ1ywUtMsdF6-WZWE6I9vCpSdYTKVuhU1w-E0PBm17RTWAislYreKVas4XLwXAQZqe6KvDMIKGbyA4miMFxmoPZ1Q-jIH8f5G46xU1d/w640-h480/20240314_083655.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I join the riverside and walk under the railway bridge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pIMhj5r3rcbjkrweNIjHUehO8mW_gBQ-VbI5inx02BfIMKYHPKZF4qsKLYUD3csTIGARackqbGFcf3P3bX_UfTajslMW8ZldrWDGVyT-tu9gDjMCK18169zoP3V98yHvGkhE9_JKLpLpZHaJul5xAq62o1ULyR8hQPYotlqxAldoc4yJAvRao_XtN1ks/s3804/20240314_084020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3804" data-original-width="2853" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pIMhj5r3rcbjkrweNIjHUehO8mW_gBQ-VbI5inx02BfIMKYHPKZF4qsKLYUD3csTIGARackqbGFcf3P3bX_UfTajslMW8ZldrWDGVyT-tu9gDjMCK18169zoP3V98yHvGkhE9_JKLpLpZHaJul5xAq62o1ULyR8hQPYotlqxAldoc4yJAvRao_XtN1ks/w480-h640/20240314_084020.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I pass the statue of the Swan Master statue moved here in 2014.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Royal Swan Upping plays an important role in the conservation of the mute swan and involves The King’s Swan Warden collecting data, assessing the health of young cygnets and examining them for any injuries. Cygnets are extremely vulnerable at this early stage in their development and Swan Upping affords an opportunity to help both adults and cygnets that might otherwise go untreated.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Royal Swan Uppers, who wear the scarlet uniform of His Majesty The King, travel in traditional rowing skiffs together with Swan Uppers from the Vintners’ and Dyers’ livery companies. Many schools are invited to meet the Swan Uppers on their journey up river. The children involved may have the opportunity to view cygnets at close quarters and ask questions about swans, the boats used and The King’s ownership of mute swans. The participation of school children is a positive element of Swan Upping and their enthusiasm for wildlife is always to be encouraged.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivXSCGUsbAbBxtP7SW9tldHKysRRoasZGnbiFBl2ezaAKfjemlnYcSyOpPa57FMW_shfyVkv5yPJdcwIZWMtxK2v3SS1SZuFu3JJjgXGU-OEZfihrrmI8QP566AxjU3ekeIPuLkzVOHuFkYJhyphenhyphend1eysq63JiBlCueabFqg8oFuQ0jUZmMVEJgzl2g_9ar/s3737/20240314_084141.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3737" data-original-width="2803" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivXSCGUsbAbBxtP7SW9tldHKysRRoasZGnbiFBl2ezaAKfjemlnYcSyOpPa57FMW_shfyVkv5yPJdcwIZWMtxK2v3SS1SZuFu3JJjgXGU-OEZfihrrmI8QP566AxjU3ekeIPuLkzVOHuFkYJhyphenhyphend1eysq63JiBlCueabFqg8oFuQ0jUZmMVEJgzl2g_9ar/w480-h640/20240314_084141.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Almost immediately pass the Swan Master is the London Stone.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">London Stone is the name given to a number of boundary stones that stand beside the rivers Thames and Medway, which formerly marked the limits of jurisdiction (riparian water rights) of the City of London.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiM7Hp3eTYGpbaRbYxwAZE6zKFXKv1QIEGjnEv9OpPdwvgMeVd_fRCob5gPNAB4d_hykQe1GB8MLliVA4e42xsF0AoK9HT_xkFc7jkNvLgLF3pXF2n1LN9Iwm38PrmnYtnkmq8IJYCn1yS3IH4nXvXEbolFuaF4L09qU9QXf1m4cFJMi2WXA_7bBJ25tNV/s3894/20240314_084148.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2596" data-original-width="3894" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiM7Hp3eTYGpbaRbYxwAZE6zKFXKv1QIEGjnEv9OpPdwvgMeVd_fRCob5gPNAB4d_hykQe1GB8MLliVA4e42xsF0AoK9HT_xkFc7jkNvLgLF3pXF2n1LN9Iwm38PrmnYtnkmq8IJYCn1yS3IH4nXvXEbolFuaF4L09qU9QXf1m4cFJMi2WXA_7bBJ25tNV/w640-h426/20240314_084148.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Until 1350, the English Crown held the right to fish the rivers of England and charged duties on those people it licensed to fish. In 1197 King Richard I, in need of money to finance his involvement in the Third Crusade, sold the rights over the lower reaches of the River Thames to the City of London. Marker stones were erected to indicate the limit of the City's rights.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In Victorian times, the Lord Mayor would come in procession by water and touch the Staines stone with a sword to re-affirm the City's rights.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Control of the river passed from the City to the Thames Conservancy, and then below Teddington to the Port of London Authority and above it to Thames Water Authority and finally the Environment Agency.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In medieval times before the canalisation of the Thames, Staines, was the highest point at which the high tide was perceivable for a few minutes every semi-diurnal tide (twice a day), adding some millimetres to the water depth compared to more upstream parishes. This London Stone marked the upstream limit of the City's rights. The official role of a Corporation of London stone of 1285 beside Staines Bridge was set out with a grant of associated privileges in a charter of Edward I. Its use by the river is indicated by the indentations (on the right-hand face in the photo), caused by tow ropes of horse-drawn boats rubbing against the stone.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1986 the stone was moved to the Old Town Hall Arts Centre, Market Square and a replica was placed in the Pleasure Ground.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 2004 the original was moved to Spelthorne Museum, Spelthorne Library, Friends Walk/Thames Street.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDblxYq0Jm-Lc5epwiln_7CdL7o1pEtm_3rIfB4rbHe-uvUeKnkfYkwn-LsixvaipJsrwrFvj87IoAhaAMxVRPrY4HFwAYK84rtKMUux2LCRheVn1Su5576-seEhPVRnmwmfEXRKUJyseUYDLVK9-PpTw3QXDkZLs9lrjSbreA01V7sGzZb6mXHduv8kAc/s3820/20240314_084342.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2865" data-original-width="3820" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDblxYq0Jm-Lc5epwiln_7CdL7o1pEtm_3rIfB4rbHe-uvUeKnkfYkwn-LsixvaipJsrwrFvj87IoAhaAMxVRPrY4HFwAYK84rtKMUux2LCRheVn1Su5576-seEhPVRnmwmfEXRKUJyseUYDLVK9-PpTw3QXDkZLs9lrjSbreA01V7sGzZb6mXHduv8kAc/w640-h480/20240314_084342.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk on crossing Staines Bridge to the South Bank.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97W_sSmpw57gamfC_kVuvMKj3RjPSpbslQ38CY-904r0YL3bzK_wPxwWX23fcb_PhxxSAFpRqcJQopq2_z8N5ZfH9PL0fXHhBqHm_KVU3KytisnNTDPnruYOIOvy19SVSzj1Z4FeZlMGNcXVX2eSm0wMKbA6pHJGpxR_yQEwBkLjreWgjIIwwmfx3uU2k/s3811/20240314_084648.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2858" data-original-width="3811" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97W_sSmpw57gamfC_kVuvMKj3RjPSpbslQ38CY-904r0YL3bzK_wPxwWX23fcb_PhxxSAFpRqcJQopq2_z8N5ZfH9PL0fXHhBqHm_KVU3KytisnNTDPnruYOIOvy19SVSzj1Z4FeZlMGNcXVX2eSm0wMKbA6pHJGpxR_yQEwBkLjreWgjIIwwmfx3uU2k/w640-h480/20240314_084648.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The fifth and present Staines Bridge with three arches in white granite, was designed by Sir John and George Rennie. Construction started in 1827, and it was opened in 1832, by King William IV and Queen Adelaide. This bridge crosses the Thames on the reach between Penton Hook Lock and Bell Weir Lock, and is close to and upstream of the main mouth of the River Colne, a tributary. The crossing carries the Thames Path across the river. Tolls were abolished in 1871. The City of London ‘city limits ’Coal tax markers are still in place on today’s bridge, which is Grade 11 listed. In the town Clarence Street was constructed at the same time, and many buildings remain to this day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6AqczpIbrs1SNZb3nMZRcM7O4EeeO0azs10tZSmQtPmDzc0jeAoORqRpOq-hY50QfV8XEzLSlJCl1oza-eN7ooI8-dFzPniZAU91Ut4edcl88B0d8AURpYUmSKWqfsUP14ygs2rr4VkopOcxIU2N-nsf7mb3m2rd0a_a3nHTcmbozXwnUES-PE-859n4/s3912/20240314_084954.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2934" data-original-width="3912" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6AqczpIbrs1SNZb3nMZRcM7O4EeeO0azs10tZSmQtPmDzc0jeAoORqRpOq-hY50QfV8XEzLSlJCl1oza-eN7ooI8-dFzPniZAU91Ut4edcl88B0d8AURpYUmSKWqfsUP14ygs2rr4VkopOcxIU2N-nsf7mb3m2rd0a_a3nHTcmbozXwnUES-PE-859n4/w640-h480/20240314_084954.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Across the river is Holm Island. With a modern building that hides Hollyhock Island which until the 1930's had a small house called 'The Nest' alleged to be a hideaway for King Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qVlLLSl4rQDN5XJHQb5wCjEpWcQPS4gNPtab3H8qir14pZA_1vCpLETKkRtYqqH6CdtVMdF73OMueplUWHGjqfQHV9RKwIORIv5YaWmzKSt4ZohsvuobPIy5zOKSfm3Lh-r_4b1mA2dVyFmihTV61kZeusq4g6wAWt6o1Cwt7gCAM-DMVytfBm7ICpqo/s4000/20240314_085329.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qVlLLSl4rQDN5XJHQb5wCjEpWcQPS4gNPtab3H8qir14pZA_1vCpLETKkRtYqqH6CdtVMdF73OMueplUWHGjqfQHV9RKwIORIv5YaWmzKSt4ZohsvuobPIy5zOKSfm3Lh-r_4b1mA2dVyFmihTV61kZeusq4g6wAWt6o1Cwt7gCAM-DMVytfBm7ICpqo/w640-h480/20240314_085329.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk along the South Bank admiring the expensive looking riverside properties.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5NPq0OgKM1ehA2gFiDYGdunor3J_Q2g98JUV_GxIvGgPuhzVdPmmHvjfP1DoCex28ObAqc_tJl7iJjjNztqvHQZAjWRrumz8cd_aLfXwvfC2ygjGwZoNKYXzgM1gUeTC8HMqhtVGt39fXt0cunmZL-uQwRthBVSv8Ihw6631vkwvlS8NXYv2rB91aSrf/s4000/20240314_085508.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5NPq0OgKM1ehA2gFiDYGdunor3J_Q2g98JUV_GxIvGgPuhzVdPmmHvjfP1DoCex28ObAqc_tJl7iJjjNztqvHQZAjWRrumz8cd_aLfXwvfC2ygjGwZoNKYXzgM1gUeTC8HMqhtVGt39fXt0cunmZL-uQwRthBVSv8Ihw6631vkwvlS8NXYv2rB91aSrf/w640-h480/20240314_085508.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPk46uXiGxr0zCmdUPbd8xheG9b4gVHmv-tBlKCw4ubrK3GzVUdP5PC9m9Tq6KcDHVRqd2uqnBpAbVHXUDS2Dy0458-BZP4MZ-wnzAM9dTXj6mOsGUmKsuDQzvv12zdx_wguc5jlSVtLs5yNXjQAdseJh7bLZmoT1923nT1FlehReRnyVKFcvXpDgmTKs/s4000/20240314_085607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPk46uXiGxr0zCmdUPbd8xheG9b4gVHmv-tBlKCw4ubrK3GzVUdP5PC9m9Tq6KcDHVRqd2uqnBpAbVHXUDS2Dy0458-BZP4MZ-wnzAM9dTXj6mOsGUmKsuDQzvv12zdx_wguc5jlSVtLs5yNXjQAdseJh7bLZmoT1923nT1FlehReRnyVKFcvXpDgmTKs/w640-h480/20240314_085607.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOG-LCgYkciE7ZkySFYAkPFqYhXzJXOc1xJO0d45EzuFz-ilSHZxuw4w8R9C5FDn3JNzVSLo6JuM-bUgAGHTDSYMnfGCEhKsrl43PRMWRduflTC0iVfhTBnJ2VOolnlJsNCeQAwRjPLv4rEHgm2-aslUWoglX7kh7Z-BCk8o9rEk_8iJGXfCHQYYUVytf/s4000/20240314_090134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOG-LCgYkciE7ZkySFYAkPFqYhXzJXOc1xJO0d45EzuFz-ilSHZxuw4w8R9C5FDn3JNzVSLo6JuM-bUgAGHTDSYMnfGCEhKsrl43PRMWRduflTC0iVfhTBnJ2VOolnlJsNCeQAwRjPLv4rEHgm2-aslUWoglX7kh7Z-BCk8o9rEk_8iJGXfCHQYYUVytf/w640-h480/20240314_090134.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk so far and the path is blocked by a damaged bridge. I tried to see if there was a way to gain access to the bridge, but it was impossible. So sadly I had to backtrack almost as far as Staines Bridge. I find a way through a retail park and out onto The Causeway.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOe25adi6jhRMuUFeve77UlFIZmQ_JEapSecIYIvd9a6a8Cg9R1A0dTqRWiwZq7uX01WTo-_iNS_7mwbBfcLug0DwGtKnKqCMEqMOXp-hjvRQeMU3uMvJ363fvtSLMMPqr2ua6MuE2qEGk8bFBMF0Wegt3dAr_SH93iJHeVwKEoSqFcPfQ707ScGyrMVdT/s3935/20240314_092225.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2951" data-original-width="3935" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOe25adi6jhRMuUFeve77UlFIZmQ_JEapSecIYIvd9a6a8Cg9R1A0dTqRWiwZq7uX01WTo-_iNS_7mwbBfcLug0DwGtKnKqCMEqMOXp-hjvRQeMU3uMvJ363fvtSLMMPqr2ua6MuE2qEGk8bFBMF0Wegt3dAr_SH93iJHeVwKEoSqFcPfQ707ScGyrMVdT/w640-h480/20240314_092225.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk under the M25 bridge and turn right to re-join the river.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyiaDmfWuBcKwRyqFzoa1noouk9dJ1oCDCqLk7oL6hUOsWzU6WqFnc4OfelcMP0NQ8I0-oGVUfnaZwUdL1_M_Y-93hOc7FnsNXAMS5DuMwFu8ABK1wZ-L_DELYCpsEG9434PB-vsjaGBbpZbK2cNbRH3_T0gydHrnDdBSEDpYIgDJejAlBeYXi7hSQj7C/s3905/20240314_092604.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2929" data-original-width="3905" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyiaDmfWuBcKwRyqFzoa1noouk9dJ1oCDCqLk7oL6hUOsWzU6WqFnc4OfelcMP0NQ8I0-oGVUfnaZwUdL1_M_Y-93hOc7FnsNXAMS5DuMwFu8ABK1wZ-L_DELYCpsEG9434PB-vsjaGBbpZbK2cNbRH3_T0gydHrnDdBSEDpYIgDJejAlBeYXi7hSQj7C/w640-h480/20240314_092604.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmn9t4dZhaGnP0KWjcBw2oBtMZrclEQQ_sL2Jdzjd9f2GBbYetZc7DdKxp4NDBV37VQEgCLrYY2-VMebeGNSs4qKQ38AZ5GIMtReqMcNpWQOrUQ3Ziz59CGnmLCJNECit74VyDzdgzLDyO_pGe8ii_fEkwPqAcOTvhu9ZrPeoRXFqTaoLqITlZ-MeLa6k/s4000/20240314_092633.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmn9t4dZhaGnP0KWjcBw2oBtMZrclEQQ_sL2Jdzjd9f2GBbYetZc7DdKxp4NDBV37VQEgCLrYY2-VMebeGNSs4qKQ38AZ5GIMtReqMcNpWQOrUQ3Ziz59CGnmLCJNECit74VyDzdgzLDyO_pGe8ii_fEkwPqAcOTvhu9ZrPeoRXFqTaoLqITlZ-MeLa6k/w640-h480/20240314_092633.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I pass the Runnymede Hotel and continue my way along the river.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyxgAZG0QcX4rsBxr6fK34Ep3d-TqmzfUQuHvFH4jPyLZ9rKH53b-CX3qWQKwNkuim_HPShaoDGiShZ85NovYH2Idj6QKIHOr-xLLEFFF_ipNFg0GNW5mU7uHpn6ohOtcz9p4ucglx-t1FSX7zDVpd12f101egTSdtMHUQOCx8M63gTs1RaK9YCV1-lpQ/s4000/20240314_092729.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyxgAZG0QcX4rsBxr6fK34Ep3d-TqmzfUQuHvFH4jPyLZ9rKH53b-CX3qWQKwNkuim_HPShaoDGiShZ85NovYH2Idj6QKIHOr-xLLEFFF_ipNFg0GNW5mU7uHpn6ohOtcz9p4ucglx-t1FSX7zDVpd12f101egTSdtMHUQOCx8M63gTs1RaK9YCV1-lpQ/w640-h480/20240314_092729.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk pass Bell Weir Lock.Bell Weir Lock is a lock on the River Thames in England by the right bank, Runnymede which is a water meadow associated with Egham of importance for the constitutional Magna Carta. It is upstream of the terrace of a hotel and the a bridge designed by Edwin Lutyens who designed an ornamental park gate house along the reach. The bridge has been widened and carries the M25 and A30 road across the river in a single span. The lock was first built by the Thames Navigation Commission in 1817; it has one weir which is upstream. The lock is the eighth lowest of forty-five on the river and is named after the founder of the forerunner of the adjoining hotel who took charge of the lock and weir on its construction.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgiacmO72wCRMArAsulZj2iM6Mvvd2siHROfc0UGa4HsFOioq10MninzJs8jzkyGoNto0IPz53xzpYhqFx7zVpqkHAdnAYD9NMDbWUsG1_gGTYQd7PmRKa90tI8fBJJUvdbQfjtzdTZ0ZC3dqd0h6wRwveNDlv8-sI7PJf4537A4n7_MNcyC9vviosl-a/s3762/20240314_092825.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2822" data-original-width="3762" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgiacmO72wCRMArAsulZj2iM6Mvvd2siHROfc0UGa4HsFOioq10MninzJs8jzkyGoNto0IPz53xzpYhqFx7zVpqkHAdnAYD9NMDbWUsG1_gGTYQd7PmRKa90tI8fBJJUvdbQfjtzdTZ0ZC3dqd0h6wRwveNDlv8-sI7PJf4537A4n7_MNcyC9vviosl-a/w640-h480/20240314_092825.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A proposed location for a pound lock (impounded water as opposed to a flash lock) in 1811 was across the next bend upstream. The lock and embankments were built at its present site in the winter of 1817–1818. It was known as Egham Lock, but took its name from Charles "Charlie" Bell who founded in the 18th century an inn by the site, The Anglers Retreat, which he continued to operate when entrusted with keeping the lock and weir. The weir collapsed under weight of ice in 1827, so too the lock in 1866. Lock and weir were rebuilt in 1867. The lock had to be rebuilt in stone in 1877. A new weir was completed in 1904.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjiCe17DWGMs6wZpmzPLV9wSpqgatoT8AFXzu_htUsf_4brFQtBUVLq3XMZZdGNb3yDHs5b9zl6kSl9NVwetR2FF0LfUhzhPjaHtVYZOpNvQktrExpFbJrhl7QzdaWdJTg9sba-JxiP63FQ1SZNbVA6LpW5Z0vgmkIbgs6SUIetDYhJ1nRzah87747ebg/s3851/20240314_093024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2888" data-original-width="3851" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjiCe17DWGMs6wZpmzPLV9wSpqgatoT8AFXzu_htUsf_4brFQtBUVLq3XMZZdGNb3yDHs5b9zl6kSl9NVwetR2FF0LfUhzhPjaHtVYZOpNvQktrExpFbJrhl7QzdaWdJTg9sba-JxiP63FQ1SZNbVA6LpW5Z0vgmkIbgs6SUIetDYhJ1nRzah87747ebg/w640-h480/20240314_093024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Across the river is the Hythe End river water extraction facility. This was built in 1910 to supply water from the River Thames to its works in Ashford Common via the Staines Aqueduct and feeds the King George VI Reservoir.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYA_Gv-bA9B8uili_zwl6RLAb_N7Ha1M6-ciNwJJ1fKfUk0FR0sIyZ8Z6TMqhb1SLQWuTnwcys_HMqDnrN7IdnupBIOT8XFKeBNwo8oXXDY7-m8OrxZ9EumfeCjUlkB_mu8sY8hOU2G180A4N3XBdFBVyKFSoDtrJRsYIODjYDvoTM09qL9M3yJJSxkbxI/s3796/20240314_093040.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2847" data-original-width="3796" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYA_Gv-bA9B8uili_zwl6RLAb_N7Ha1M6-ciNwJJ1fKfUk0FR0sIyZ8Z6TMqhb1SLQWuTnwcys_HMqDnrN7IdnupBIOT8XFKeBNwo8oXXDY7-m8OrxZ9EumfeCjUlkB_mu8sY8hOU2G180A4N3XBdFBVyKFSoDtrJRsYIODjYDvoTM09qL9M3yJJSxkbxI/w640-h480/20240314_093040.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuqRtGJbroEXjgkLIj0PstIj0ZazFNE8xCk98lfiv_Z1z2jOi6SzZoTyvx1x7euLWKdobsksK3mPcnO8K6nPcbctTdQ6OyaJAfMXhyphenhyphensM8hVOyDn_jT8-auQjlPZt3C4YGNHI5lu4KgpndNcPz3nSXpGZuFVnzpuseNqc0WmZkJvNgI1PNr7eZ5OXgZK-d/s3874/20240314_093110.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2906" data-original-width="3874" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuqRtGJbroEXjgkLIj0PstIj0ZazFNE8xCk98lfiv_Z1z2jOi6SzZoTyvx1x7euLWKdobsksK3mPcnO8K6nPcbctTdQ6OyaJAfMXhyphenhyphensM8hVOyDn_jT8-auQjlPZt3C4YGNHI5lu4KgpndNcPz3nSXpGZuFVnzpuseNqc0WmZkJvNgI1PNr7eZ5OXgZK-d/w640-h480/20240314_093110.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: center;">The Hythe End river water extraction facility (1910)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eDGSLB6taNZuoMz8VWm1k3wl3vNul7crCdmxGKdUNqARqOYoEi-DTgwvv1v-7ETHngF9aDX10H60ihRvUBHwlCZgoMXbPNl62CxYPxZCaY9nr6q2kumpZhOcXtDuPS6bSaUrBjkR62wWCDoYozTCJR7tEbjVkbKzi7EQ-c_6Bg1EDS1EWNc8LL-BYERs/s4000/20240314_093409.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eDGSLB6taNZuoMz8VWm1k3wl3vNul7crCdmxGKdUNqARqOYoEi-DTgwvv1v-7ETHngF9aDX10H60ihRvUBHwlCZgoMXbPNl62CxYPxZCaY9nr6q2kumpZhOcXtDuPS6bSaUrBjkR62wWCDoYozTCJR7tEbjVkbKzi7EQ-c_6Bg1EDS1EWNc8LL-BYERs/w640-h480/20240314_093409.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTurYUGfz74sAnH6UP9vzEwF_dQIsL6fBXHaHzmNu1tvAjQ3S5H4E3GzaST3gMtsp08UuycI2-BKRp9APXvECJKd_4Hm79L6t07ZlVTalzH5WknAVP5xmI41OOxl26lIYpzvDoOtBsYU2Fatsa16bxlhZCI1IeGXXhBUnbOCcmSZ9fwXZEqEHiBCLVV5zS/s4000/20240314_093429.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTurYUGfz74sAnH6UP9vzEwF_dQIsL6fBXHaHzmNu1tvAjQ3S5H4E3GzaST3gMtsp08UuycI2-BKRp9APXvECJKd_4Hm79L6t07ZlVTalzH5WknAVP5xmI41OOxl26lIYpzvDoOtBsYU2Fatsa16bxlhZCI1IeGXXhBUnbOCcmSZ9fwXZEqEHiBCLVV5zS/w640-h480/20240314_093429.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk on passing the Runnymede Boatyard.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiU-oL-nwHvsW8hGSY6euzSkRyEw2Znf5yod1cPw1UuxWE4wTvVjgT8CzmMFD6nzd9QOIg6x-ARRSTdS89WfuWYsPD1vp9f0m6D25zZOk1U-_tebBwlQa6_MTBEgtN7vUI6spdvBD6gMtWjKOi2XS6mkfUMKE7xwfox0VkSpKPUSA-VSgIf2j8xlXbqZ6j/s4000/20240314_093436.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiU-oL-nwHvsW8hGSY6euzSkRyEw2Znf5yod1cPw1UuxWE4wTvVjgT8CzmMFD6nzd9QOIg6x-ARRSTdS89WfuWYsPD1vp9f0m6D25zZOk1U-_tebBwlQa6_MTBEgtN7vUI6spdvBD6gMtWjKOi2XS6mkfUMKE7xwfox0VkSpKPUSA-VSgIf2j8xlXbqZ6j/w640-h480/20240314_093436.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQW_Gq62zHOBFOemIGkD-ocppLkdkOoSoOX-n5GUjFabJpROOWVVLzpnjg7IeFSoKfoWz0ZGYk4HB9D5zQbA8HsqfIPCQsVLd2IIWopxz-eFWeifRrmfaUCNeW78TQ7pDQ2QV34T5Dm0cXBB3yqgKyjWPlWTBeCaZLptMrrhIXWRoQgsBCboJkYP6OvD5r/s3717/20240314_093711.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2788" data-original-width="3717" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQW_Gq62zHOBFOemIGkD-ocppLkdkOoSoOX-n5GUjFabJpROOWVVLzpnjg7IeFSoKfoWz0ZGYk4HB9D5zQbA8HsqfIPCQsVLd2IIWopxz-eFWeifRrmfaUCNeW78TQ7pDQ2QV34T5Dm0cXBB3yqgKyjWPlWTBeCaZLptMrrhIXWRoQgsBCboJkYP6OvD5r/w640-h480/20240314_093711.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQv73onNmm-8ceQYEGLz9T6UAkPEeHYhNJwBEIL_tpM-Tz1hcWeyEBT9Hsgveac1K6440QR7KW455lOx3T6c8yNjIFCUlh8VCuzowIo_r8Rl5-zpYso0nTl29wbxNKV2d9dbot4-8_zMeMK0Tdpsbb9LQ8KKyqVl_xcrkoHAHliCtSyb3iECe3mwmLVuv/s3732/20240314_093752.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2799" data-original-width="3732" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQv73onNmm-8ceQYEGLz9T6UAkPEeHYhNJwBEIL_tpM-Tz1hcWeyEBT9Hsgveac1K6440QR7KW455lOx3T6c8yNjIFCUlh8VCuzowIo_r8Rl5-zpYso0nTl29wbxNKV2d9dbot4-8_zMeMK0Tdpsbb9LQ8KKyqVl_xcrkoHAHliCtSyb3iECe3mwmLVuv/w640-h480/20240314_093752.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09E7H_jXlQXxQrFkHsQVBo87imucplb-sik0wGMW8NPxM7c2cBvirz-xyXn2pq8SUyv8ayYN0lh5IDw_jmQwHZt8eyWdiPFlPyVg7mic3is_kZ6yDH8-d5vDzv1C8ZjbRU0liYI8_N9F3W6DVyVClzOFMwSjjHpxcsPfTGBMFQt8DJlBJ47699uJGBmRW/s4000/20240314_093903.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09E7H_jXlQXxQrFkHsQVBo87imucplb-sik0wGMW8NPxM7c2cBvirz-xyXn2pq8SUyv8ayYN0lh5IDw_jmQwHZt8eyWdiPFlPyVg7mic3is_kZ6yDH8-d5vDzv1C8ZjbRU0liYI8_N9F3W6DVyVClzOFMwSjjHpxcsPfTGBMFQt8DJlBJ47699uJGBmRW/w640-h480/20240314_093903.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRhBnZbc6ney6acwmPi3VYNxado06piS3x5wStdnyHLx12Mk5vnzGgvJFt1OEa0-9HJ0gy5UoapPX6d33uQRfG3Nga6Es1SwKniNkOjhcaGxru6zE_g9ovOLZgcztDzpJ3snwzLAhiEBOyHlqe7FcwWXM2zjqjGP88pjOGJeIhLAHHd_SiO1dupYTT72j/s3853/20240314_094005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2890" data-original-width="3853" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRhBnZbc6ney6acwmPi3VYNxado06piS3x5wStdnyHLx12Mk5vnzGgvJFt1OEa0-9HJ0gy5UoapPX6d33uQRfG3Nga6Es1SwKniNkOjhcaGxru6zE_g9ovOLZgcztDzpJ3snwzLAhiEBOyHlqe7FcwWXM2zjqjGP88pjOGJeIhLAHHd_SiO1dupYTT72j/w640-h480/20240314_094005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_Zr_4tpR3HlM2uloFcECFlYe_AyaD47iIjc9A4hjHWecE6jifZJOzdNz4BSW3NGoq1XYkYYP0LkVXETKt6oWsITN5H47rigO-JMDURWIcGMFsaUKm6v1nebSVVZiQX-4m6p8Jq1fWDTaF5oP7_ZTEopxWHCOulztIJaG-5dFQJ2OTxVE6T1gYyKs2wE3/s4000/20240314_094009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_Zr_4tpR3HlM2uloFcECFlYe_AyaD47iIjc9A4hjHWecE6jifZJOzdNz4BSW3NGoq1XYkYYP0LkVXETKt6oWsITN5H47rigO-JMDURWIcGMFsaUKm6v1nebSVVZiQX-4m6p8Jq1fWDTaF5oP7_ZTEopxWHCOulztIJaG-5dFQJ2OTxVE6T1gYyKs2wE3/w640-h480/20240314_094009.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I pass the Wraysbury Skiff and Punting Club as I follow the path.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1W4qlrXHdkk7ioJbgO3twDNzJ4_GVbu1dMZjYP7orfHGVjQ8SyIhFJ-B0AsQe5Ol1899xBKMfbVc5vqa3ICn8JSNpk3oQn-KAWajzi65G_nV5BSlqYLHr7bRqBk6e__MXWeaSJLYcih1MB4mxygGh3OSU-ZgCprjj5YqLICaQWggoXhNIbBUMbdj2h_Ta/s4000/20240314_094039.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1W4qlrXHdkk7ioJbgO3twDNzJ4_GVbu1dMZjYP7orfHGVjQ8SyIhFJ-B0AsQe5Ol1899xBKMfbVc5vqa3ICn8JSNpk3oQn-KAWajzi65G_nV5BSlqYLHr7bRqBk6e__MXWeaSJLYcih1MB4mxygGh3OSU-ZgCprjj5YqLICaQWggoXhNIbBUMbdj2h_Ta/w640-h480/20240314_094039.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD-QKZ0i4qwVx9K7jbYuu5oiQ_7HNnCj8VxQMs6TcKFMgpwluEQKQB0FEkEPUNZYhNgEYC2rgG_U3GWYzr8uaI0NGP8zI7tgbkHv_Zx710DhD3isKEVH8dLvBDZ1JFTKzH5-iOyE4jfN7ra5bszhNCsmAZYEBpIupEQ7RTjv7oUi_kYLn_uYT4K2TMX1M/s3934/20240314_094053.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2950" data-original-width="3934" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD-QKZ0i4qwVx9K7jbYuu5oiQ_7HNnCj8VxQMs6TcKFMgpwluEQKQB0FEkEPUNZYhNgEYC2rgG_U3GWYzr8uaI0NGP8zI7tgbkHv_Zx710DhD3isKEVH8dLvBDZ1JFTKzH5-iOyE4jfN7ra5bszhNCsmAZYEBpIupEQ7RTjv7oUi_kYLn_uYT4K2TMX1M/w640-h480/20240314_094053.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are lots of Mistletoe in the trees here.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj795BV65E9q13kWMubFNj_D13S-RA9vx3b4-6kxSGyg3mjShTvaONCggAfrQfaJUmLxzIHdhXFRkIoEave_CqQOpw0HJk1MsdOY_3Yb_e9ITtsrYVeUkSavnRMO9vqYyFWLi-XSSxsorVPptuD9b8972n1gJz7xVjSQh4Lk17XNMNcgtk4BphgyLQKZuxw/s4000/20240314_094125.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj795BV65E9q13kWMubFNj_D13S-RA9vx3b4-6kxSGyg3mjShTvaONCggAfrQfaJUmLxzIHdhXFRkIoEave_CqQOpw0HJk1MsdOY_3Yb_e9ITtsrYVeUkSavnRMO9vqYyFWLi-XSSxsorVPptuD9b8972n1gJz7xVjSQh4Lk17XNMNcgtk4BphgyLQKZuxw/w480-h640/20240314_094125.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mistletoe</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DlgVFvdrUhcF_Zz_45MvUg8-tQ3pIrPek2kd9Rv6x0bTp4Zp21wvWlFHc9DF7OnA9aaz9eM8FsC4xb27bYaubJouB1rD6L4TZV768KjHyoMcs0aP-cVvB-LPviKBpcXDvhkjBDd3_Auej3j9ud2qBVhGSzw3WZtf0cOV12MP_jRcW7R9cuuGFgjO_SXz/s3721/20240314_094213.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3721" data-original-width="2790" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DlgVFvdrUhcF_Zz_45MvUg8-tQ3pIrPek2kd9Rv6x0bTp4Zp21wvWlFHc9DF7OnA9aaz9eM8FsC4xb27bYaubJouB1rD6L4TZV768KjHyoMcs0aP-cVvB-LPviKBpcXDvhkjBDd3_Auej3j9ud2qBVhGSzw3WZtf0cOV12MP_jRcW7R9cuuGFgjO_SXz/w480-h640/20240314_094213.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I pass a pair of Egyptian Geese and their youngsters with Dad keeping lookout from a bench.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixySmmSCdTvYelYmvpkhz3KAA9617bYVhayxSInYO8WwPa8bDV85TjilADSYzu5v8BA4owckVh_fRQiucHKXXAkfXyl8Op8oeGduSIV4fimVidOv_MMfs8-Eo2NDDyUmpIHgihghzboggmzPiKdz-_xIktlDD5eNQ9BeA7haU3EoEpPOAFzkCV56XHQf_L/s4000/20240314_094221.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixySmmSCdTvYelYmvpkhz3KAA9617bYVhayxSInYO8WwPa8bDV85TjilADSYzu5v8BA4owckVh_fRQiucHKXXAkfXyl8Op8oeGduSIV4fimVidOv_MMfs8-Eo2NDDyUmpIHgihghzboggmzPiKdz-_xIktlDD5eNQ9BeA7haU3EoEpPOAFzkCV56XHQf_L/w640-h480/20240314_094221.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqsjW9xx49aX90GuStO3bGvbgjNblTcc0Drl8QB2x5SsJoJdvAmBh9rx5pIj4IXxXm8R_mukK9Dao7fQtfsvdQ7wpi_eIcCSZCkrC9aUn-D-TYzqDjoZXycWog2NXZzmTLmczParfs7_U4mWL081XDjaDjgG0bay50cuiama3Ipsb4GNJTDYfecfgz93H/s3864/20240314_094647.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2898" data-original-width="3864" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqsjW9xx49aX90GuStO3bGvbgjNblTcc0Drl8QB2x5SsJoJdvAmBh9rx5pIj4IXxXm8R_mukK9Dao7fQtfsvdQ7wpi_eIcCSZCkrC9aUn-D-TYzqDjoZXycWog2NXZzmTLmczParfs7_U4mWL081XDjaDjgG0bay50cuiama3Ipsb4GNJTDYfecfgz93H/w640-h480/20240314_094647.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I reach the Runnymeade Pleasure Ground.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjra2ZLJlPldcfvjYijGdWlxxl04virAmBnOIqo77wQw8tGl84DS5PtPOdew44JsnF_W1S0qPpIWadcmCQupGid4vBPHiUYsf3E1n2V4xyZ-ug4xFtxXpZIezpe5AgS7wHS2tLSkdeJXN6zP5a6NF5R6hJWH1HJrIXjGIsdQZfyba08z_jORCp2aCzJ1a6P/s3818/20240314_094727.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3818" data-original-width="2863" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjra2ZLJlPldcfvjYijGdWlxxl04virAmBnOIqo77wQw8tGl84DS5PtPOdew44JsnF_W1S0qPpIWadcmCQupGid4vBPHiUYsf3E1n2V4xyZ-ug4xFtxXpZIezpe5AgS7wHS2tLSkdeJXN6zP5a6NF5R6hJWH1HJrIXjGIsdQZfyba08z_jORCp2aCzJ1a6P/w480-h640/20240314_094727.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A statue of Queen Elizabeth II was unveiled at Runnymede as part of the Magna Carta 800 year celebrations on the 14th June 2015 attended by the Queen herself and the Parliament Speaker Rt Hon John Bercow MP.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqnhEuaEBuxJe_WZEhI2mDhlBW38ESxregyr8rf_HoLhFR6uJnLdoaUAU6Md-myFYTe6tFq20EfHtEY2PVZotpcwwODbHkrUxYTGkTJ5t69Z-3YFSrOeyOJYODOktlCjlFmV9ouzu1TMLrp1VMQsNzxeTBfFlASHJp_jbSGPfIQWa0ws1UyHCglxL0rno/s4000/20240314_094733.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqnhEuaEBuxJe_WZEhI2mDhlBW38ESxregyr8rf_HoLhFR6uJnLdoaUAU6Md-myFYTe6tFq20EfHtEY2PVZotpcwwODbHkrUxYTGkTJ5t69Z-3YFSrOeyOJYODOktlCjlFmV9ouzu1TMLrp1VMQsNzxeTBfFlASHJp_jbSGPfIQWa0ws1UyHCglxL0rno/w640-h480/20240314_094733.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not the best statue of our late Queen I've seen!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrlXwTtkk31hQ7geNPqnr9d-4wXr-yFIjDRrvDbnL0PCtbbr3i-MTp8cVcDTESB8BOq4fTtgSOJK6aRTQei0Eopx7X2CkIkPHd4WXpZb7cm-VmcU3lGCp7jb8DdOFW2sixLnUeFXbiwtJ8VuFbaOV951AU9SPeegZommh_EAvppTEqRIWxf9bdGizeiuy/s4000/20240314_094811.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrlXwTtkk31hQ7geNPqnr9d-4wXr-yFIjDRrvDbnL0PCtbbr3i-MTp8cVcDTESB8BOq4fTtgSOJK6aRTQei0Eopx7X2CkIkPHd4WXpZb7cm-VmcU3lGCp7jb8DdOFW2sixLnUeFXbiwtJ8VuFbaOV951AU9SPeegZommh_EAvppTEqRIWxf9bdGizeiuy/w480-h640/20240314_094811.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCsMk9gtaADr4GRV24_dy6ZgWWIlHhVo5Khq3dR2Weslr75DkN04VJU1yHvCfMwgasDtoAiLacSgCSTvm8P6g1ZamV5L9Ku49XMsyEkJT2_hLVGpFkKSx1zHbg3swqXjYEJPIqJ3l5mcUrpv004_EsjySvK8a5wRhyPP_U-oXj4hBCFqM-cF4DpD7i8PH/s4000/20240314_094914.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCsMk9gtaADr4GRV24_dy6ZgWWIlHhVo5Khq3dR2Weslr75DkN04VJU1yHvCfMwgasDtoAiLacSgCSTvm8P6g1ZamV5L9Ku49XMsyEkJT2_hLVGpFkKSx1zHbg3swqXjYEJPIqJ3l5mcUrpv004_EsjySvK8a5wRhyPP_U-oXj4hBCFqM-cF4DpD7i8PH/w640-h480/20240314_094914.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I follow on the path, trying to find out where the Magna Carta Monument is off to my left somewhere off the path as I didn't want to miss this!</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70uaf5XIX0BPBpKFBTNrhY3EBLruVZY9QhJMzIVtecMQRGiBsSllzRMF84BX_LsriPAUZG-qmfN14IyXZWbuVftoNaxReqvwQH_gWsGZp1v_acHhlQacDN1qQl-elEB_VacGXwgPI9hbtCgA7cmz7py1yEXuHYHndkf9C57arqnzdP53pZR6Xcshutfrb/s3890/20240314_094929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2918" data-original-width="3890" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70uaf5XIX0BPBpKFBTNrhY3EBLruVZY9QhJMzIVtecMQRGiBsSllzRMF84BX_LsriPAUZG-qmfN14IyXZWbuVftoNaxReqvwQH_gWsGZp1v_acHhlQacDN1qQl-elEB_VacGXwgPI9hbtCgA7cmz7py1yEXuHYHndkf9C57arqnzdP53pZR6Xcshutfrb/w640-h480/20240314_094929.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTgji2951cHp2__VcDH_7zf9j-fb60Q0YnLBKGfgHXUBZ-air2aeF8MlCUmxX_Z64mYzNIferyA2Q-0tN-wrcOzFZaJBXZC2_ME3y4u_MTnFewgS43zbhi3kkJHoboi7t6ozKNYp0qadrloDYtQlC3UCFIbGbnqhHz3yvcCJLwYafOi_KjUnP3KDqqFpq/s4000/20240314_094958.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTgji2951cHp2__VcDH_7zf9j-fb60Q0YnLBKGfgHXUBZ-air2aeF8MlCUmxX_Z64mYzNIferyA2Q-0tN-wrcOzFZaJBXZC2_ME3y4u_MTnFewgS43zbhi3kkJHoboi7t6ozKNYp0qadrloDYtQlC3UCFIbGbnqhHz3yvcCJLwYafOi_KjUnP3KDqqFpq/w640-h480/20240314_094958.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7o082EfqD0BPClg6HsCVpdg4Ab6otEg6F2nTmg_SJNIDfEP0nla0n5ck3s1O_vnuPVyfRgsiqt1n5K3Q4KvX6d2PYK3byQ_j4zl9A5LvT5OMAnyHu8TsxEKWVaWhiwMVRj2t3ivwVq7d0zmmjilAwcaqou9PHrQ8wUYx1KucMDHStK-k4parxPeROERor/s4000/20240314_095639.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7o082EfqD0BPClg6HsCVpdg4Ab6otEg6F2nTmg_SJNIDfEP0nla0n5ck3s1O_vnuPVyfRgsiqt1n5K3Q4KvX6d2PYK3byQ_j4zl9A5LvT5OMAnyHu8TsxEKWVaWhiwMVRj2t3ivwVq7d0zmmjilAwcaqou9PHrQ8wUYx1KucMDHStK-k4parxPeROERor/w640-h480/20240314_095639.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the far bank is the ruins of Ankerwcke's Priory.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahVhELfBYIAurPWDSbvNFmad1ZIJ8CDbxMMF5tqW-A7aguH27CpfIBhrwDz1CsT6v4R4tFdqz5DGL_ON22y-ED87J0DG3Kr0YXAN593sI39hfSXhi-Mljh-elBlFLE-O2x8W4or9ZlB0nMlNvljBzbIn8P7wpsiwoqGtzPCvGCb6pkVS3IZL8_JG6nrzF/s3794/20240314_095644.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2846" data-original-width="3794" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahVhELfBYIAurPWDSbvNFmad1ZIJ8CDbxMMF5tqW-A7aguH27CpfIBhrwDz1CsT6v4R4tFdqz5DGL_ON22y-ED87J0DG3Kr0YXAN593sI39hfSXhi-Mljh-elBlFLE-O2x8W4or9ZlB0nMlNvljBzbIn8P7wpsiwoqGtzPCvGCb6pkVS3IZL8_JG6nrzF/w640-h480/20240314_095644.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ankerwycke Priory was a priory of Benedictine nuns in Buckinghamshire. It was established around 1160 and dissolved in 1536. Excavations were carried out at the priory in 2022.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzwMHkcLN1mXdXodq-iExi66WDA0_ly7qpcqJaY-f5xRxNKUSiW5yZEIuywKOx8SD1YhO0uUCVrj4u9Ry4nnXy45qg5uniz-MpMkybPZCTz6dWBC8Ch91au_FcwFHLwiKyFvmCMOJHSPM-ooA9yPMfhYM9w-LnJv90tOrAmq1yfzKU8Xx4dm17GuFJzek/s3899/20240314_095735.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2925" data-original-width="3899" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzwMHkcLN1mXdXodq-iExi66WDA0_ly7qpcqJaY-f5xRxNKUSiW5yZEIuywKOx8SD1YhO0uUCVrj4u9Ry4nnXy45qg5uniz-MpMkybPZCTz6dWBC8Ch91au_FcwFHLwiKyFvmCMOJHSPM-ooA9yPMfhYM9w-LnJv90tOrAmq1yfzKU8Xx4dm17GuFJzek/w640-h480/20240314_095735.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On my far left up on top of the hill is the Runnymede Air Forces Memorial.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede commemorates by name over 20,000 men and women of the air forces, who were lost in the Second World War during operations from bases in the United Kingdom and North and Western Europe, and who have no known graves. They served in Bomber, Fighter, Coastal, Transport, Flying Training and Maintenance Commands, and came from all parts of the Commonwealth. Some were from countries in continental Europe which had been overrun but whose airmen continued to fight in the ranks of the Royal Air Force.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The memorial was designed by Sir Edward Maufe with sculpture by Vernon Hill. The engraved glass and painted ceilings were designed by John Hutton and the poem engraved on the gallery window was written by Paul H Scott. The Memorial was unveiled by The Queen on 17 October 1953.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADnNcdlEpQEzEZ5Cl5g8Ozbdvco2ucCKFM64Nq1z1CbuTRHy_VoPnZBAlyzD5tauS_SedH2e-fmmaOrh9XkqXew6wbxyLC3KVg3zzJs60MdoCLn5ZVenj6-57lEGPKupjApr3ClOz_4SIQu0Vm5rMSKleU39nJlQrqxwPwVDhwrKzXLZlL2T1kVbhs0t5/s3837/20240314_100636.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2878" data-original-width="3837" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADnNcdlEpQEzEZ5Cl5g8Ozbdvco2ucCKFM64Nq1z1CbuTRHy_VoPnZBAlyzD5tauS_SedH2e-fmmaOrh9XkqXew6wbxyLC3KVg3zzJs60MdoCLn5ZVenj6-57lEGPKupjApr3ClOz_4SIQu0Vm5rMSKleU39nJlQrqxwPwVDhwrKzXLZlL2T1kVbhs0t5/w640-h480/20240314_100636.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I leave the riverbank crossing the road I make my way across a waterlogged field to see the Magna Carta Memorial.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavc5nkuFDHUNNxbEbfTvxk7N17b9wU0sFdlAkmN7PdYpjE5BFpynWImL65pAqA3yPVXXecotviTGBtcHYeoAh8g9HSmI00UA9L3YoyoOIiBrp2Z9KkxHtGL1doHRpwqQXs3ZloZd1b8m2OebLD-xs1cXTeKcXUZZtY7F9F-R-mfUAgTHprPPM8RdX30RL/s3990/20240314_100714.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="3990" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavc5nkuFDHUNNxbEbfTvxk7N17b9wU0sFdlAkmN7PdYpjE5BFpynWImL65pAqA3yPVXXecotviTGBtcHYeoAh8g9HSmI00UA9L3YoyoOIiBrp2Z9KkxHtGL1doHRpwqQXs3ZloZd1b8m2OebLD-xs1cXTeKcXUZZtY7F9F-R-mfUAgTHprPPM8RdX30RL/w640-h480/20240314_100714.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Runnymede’s most famous role in history is as the site of the sealing of the Magna Carta, the ‘Great Charter of Freedoms’.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sealed in 1215 by King John, the Magna Carta aimed to bring England’s sovereigns under the rule of law and was the foundation for the country’s legal system.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42wxfpPfEWEFh_lTz9bxYQJOZAdDFWrsznTrh3dEg4ER3GHaS4hTWfgdcp-L0FSoVYpjeBO0tLCOO8ZRqA7yen6o07Hma3bIs3IO_SqhDn_YUhba1yARYjHsBmw_u9yQ2rbUynxGgbI2UtwuCKkk3i6H2ay7UK9zkrBxjFGpQzJ-q8o-AVheg6cw-3Jru/s4000/20240314_100723.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42wxfpPfEWEFh_lTz9bxYQJOZAdDFWrsznTrh3dEg4ER3GHaS4hTWfgdcp-L0FSoVYpjeBO0tLCOO8ZRqA7yen6o07Hma3bIs3IO_SqhDn_YUhba1yARYjHsBmw_u9yQ2rbUynxGgbI2UtwuCKkk3i6H2ay7UK9zkrBxjFGpQzJ-q8o-AVheg6cw-3Jru/w640-h480/20240314_100723.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBjO-5ilAsX0HC5hS2TxOSO1iz9Mwx52y7L3T0dAEOoLf2inWQlJTa6nwLUzJ8X2a_jfHQNg-DO6a6JvMkqgIk5ZyPVc-mizwxJ_ukaQgSqae5TmKMnnz29GbLodLijTGl55u-n0KbHjPdS4Ut4JWfr-DcKkmHCN1dqUPrD7wDmt7Ul5UJHholRthfJ0q/s4000/20240314_100738.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBjO-5ilAsX0HC5hS2TxOSO1iz9Mwx52y7L3T0dAEOoLf2inWQlJTa6nwLUzJ8X2a_jfHQNg-DO6a6JvMkqgIk5ZyPVc-mizwxJ_ukaQgSqae5TmKMnnz29GbLodLijTGl55u-n0KbHjPdS4Ut4JWfr-DcKkmHCN1dqUPrD7wDmt7Ul5UJHholRthfJ0q/w480-h640/20240314_100738.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1215, England was in political turmoil. King John had become hugely unpopular, thanks to a feud with the Church, a reputation for cruelty and connivance, and a costly ongoing war with France that led to him raising taxes for his Barons, the country’s major landowners. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">An alliance of rebel Barons had tried for years to curb John's cruelty. In early 1215 they took control of London, leaving the King no choice but to negotiate in order to avoid civil war. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On 15 June 1215, King John met the Barons at Runnymede and finally signed – or, more accurately, put his seal to – the Magna Carta. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGA94JRDngG1hz4vuxU_rYZ-94bVjp1cwW-3pzfu3waKhQcMNGBOKqcgjk-JqV6e_JKU93DsDKVA7jo9NqJjToKyQKcjHyWuc_toOGd_0VQZFjUE6VoxuzUxUdn37RvmGwAzmWIC2OryRPENXZfm1QL8apAAc5HMxhPeTwtt5QoavaRlZPeeE0elbZE1l/s4000/20240314_100742.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGA94JRDngG1hz4vuxU_rYZ-94bVjp1cwW-3pzfu3waKhQcMNGBOKqcgjk-JqV6e_JKU93DsDKVA7jo9NqJjToKyQKcjHyWuc_toOGd_0VQZFjUE6VoxuzUxUdn37RvmGwAzmWIC2OryRPENXZfm1QL8apAAc5HMxhPeTwtt5QoavaRlZPeeE0elbZE1l/w480-h640/20240314_100742.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Magna Carta required England’s sovereigns to obey the law, just as their subjects must.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A total of 63 clauses protected the freedom of the Church, prevented the king from levying taxes without discussion and ensured legal protection – at least for some – against an otherwise tyrannical ruler.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The most famous and important of these clauses enshrined the right of ‘free men’ to justice and a fair trial. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Although ‘free men’ at this time only referred to powerful landowners like the Barons, and members of trade guilds, this passage has acquired symbolic significance over the years.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today, it is one of three original clauses of the Magna Carta that are still preserved in British law. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjd7U-6Dl9kFAc1U75gce7ObnsaikVRHA8Zks8PJTFQpF-bFazZsW1M_Y3jZAuF4gYISLwn8BcHOn-EGRsiCAgMV21JYtRwE9OD2TEAiTsSv1V8Ev7N7xEfd9wJX_nrSSaDoCnpB_5dGX26zZhTODEJ6iQMu3521olt4HuLT02HuF5Y7dw7qSP8TnMVbjr/s4000/20240314_100832.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjd7U-6Dl9kFAc1U75gce7ObnsaikVRHA8Zks8PJTFQpF-bFazZsW1M_Y3jZAuF4gYISLwn8BcHOn-EGRsiCAgMV21JYtRwE9OD2TEAiTsSv1V8Ev7N7xEfd9wJX_nrSSaDoCnpB_5dGX26zZhTODEJ6iQMu3521olt4HuLT02HuF5Y7dw7qSP8TnMVbjr/w640-h480/20240314_100832.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">By the end of May the King had retreated to his fortress at Windsor Castle, so the Barons rode out to meet him, setting up camp on the north side of the River Thames at Staines. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We know from 13th century sources that the field of Runnymede had been used for outdoor council meetings since ancient times.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was also halfway between the two camps, and was bounded by the Thames to the north and Cooper’s Hill to the south, making a surprise attack unlikely. </div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWm38yHcps0MRROI4D2dHBAnAzW2Mk1IiVGcyHPrB61NAmKxKw-I7Q-Zw1_UuLP7MLEwDFgCcwdJTAYLXhyphenhyphen7X13N3gHJ7Kln2rgT_74R7h93LChKG5nm8SkYrQeebYMHytio74KV4oRtf5zMEN3nzcWZYto4sIQTJE_HMZlmUkqfZabxjseBlIQNLpO2P/s3851/20240314_101313.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3851" data-original-width="2888" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWm38yHcps0MRROI4D2dHBAnAzW2Mk1IiVGcyHPrB61NAmKxKw-I7Q-Zw1_UuLP7MLEwDFgCcwdJTAYLXhyphenhyphen7X13N3gHJ7Kln2rgT_74R7h93LChKG5nm8SkYrQeebYMHytio74KV4oRtf5zMEN3nzcWZYto4sIQTJE_HMZlmUkqfZabxjseBlIQNLpO2P/w480-h640/20240314_101313.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I make my way back out from the Magna Carta Memorial, negotiate a waterlogged field again to see the JFK memorial next door. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCVfyAjmrMlvA52gn5b5mQKSnyG81Ff052D7zYfUn1wRrDOuLQgjagtTm4S-FUHLc931p6QVIJmsgU0FGYKIJ1ySIAyt0jlXM_d7lbjpWote2c4emS9Yl683QX8BYZAa01N5s4mrjg4CPHiGenWgl3LP8v2OycoMtbnSJBIVQCO6KoxRSB8rKic9Ef_7u/s3959/20240314_101604.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2970" data-original-width="3959" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCVfyAjmrMlvA52gn5b5mQKSnyG81Ff052D7zYfUn1wRrDOuLQgjagtTm4S-FUHLc931p6QVIJmsgU0FGYKIJ1ySIAyt0jlXM_d7lbjpWote2c4emS9Yl683QX8BYZAa01N5s4mrjg4CPHiGenWgl3LP8v2OycoMtbnSJBIVQCO6KoxRSB8rKic9Ef_7u/w640-h480/20240314_101604.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Runnymede's symbolic significance in the story of democracy meant that it was chosen as the site of UK's memorial to President John F. Kennedy following his assassination. On 14 May 1965, Her Majesty was joined by President Kennedy’s widow, Jackie, and their two children to inaugurate the memorial. During her speech, The Queen formally bequeathed the acre of land on which the Portland stone cupola is set to the United States.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlW_goCH9S2f3w6AYfTafu7zqoCxnP67tRFNKEvW2G2oP9I92T81wzGWD12-8RbULXxb4oECkHhU775nDr12zwShfBmvH8s3fqp4sx6PHLCmRpQQUlkFeK9VtAP3lCRa0nbteDGbFDJXVEhWlAqJVn-6MX_oQbhXqIygkMjsZwedUaSZoLTiNSyGyLYsk/s4000/20240314_102450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlW_goCH9S2f3w6AYfTafu7zqoCxnP67tRFNKEvW2G2oP9I92T81wzGWD12-8RbULXxb4oECkHhU775nDr12zwShfBmvH8s3fqp4sx6PHLCmRpQQUlkFeK9VtAP3lCRa0nbteDGbFDJXVEhWlAqJVn-6MX_oQbhXqIygkMjsZwedUaSZoLTiNSyGyLYsk/w640-h480/20240314_102450.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Back down into the waterlogged field I make my way across to firmer ground to see The Jurors at Runnymede.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZL7oDU-mqN5mhxEp5uTYrqEvy85_pL0QNwmvJE00Cj_q1de8r5sNh0HklOPd0AwIc83vlWPzqNUF0SpsvDUOaUA05MFVn4ECR1GlUsNAl5fukgSHzmGsZLtPV53LV0G6TRYeFkQwc7ZR0BKC4pgi-weoxYv2Q7qAfu8WK_-SEhsXCkehdx73diUGkpifc/s3679/20240314_102456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3679" data-original-width="2759" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZL7oDU-mqN5mhxEp5uTYrqEvy85_pL0QNwmvJE00Cj_q1de8r5sNh0HklOPd0AwIc83vlWPzqNUF0SpsvDUOaUA05MFVn4ECR1GlUsNAl5fukgSHzmGsZLtPV53LV0G6TRYeFkQwc7ZR0BKC4pgi-weoxYv2Q7qAfu8WK_-SEhsXCkehdx73diUGkpifc/w480-h640/20240314_102456.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Twelve intricately worked bronze chairs stand together on the ancient meadow at Runnymede, created by artist Hew Locke to examine the changing and ongoing significance of Magna Carta. The Jurors is not a memorial, but an invitation to sit down and reflect upon the histories depicted in the artwork.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Each bronze chair incorporates a main image on the front and back, representing key moments in the struggle for freedom around the world, and is embellished with flowers, keys and other significant symbols. The artist has coloured and polished some areas, as well as adding slashes and gouges to the surfaces. The result is a rich layering of imagery, marks and textures.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you’re visiting The Jurors, <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/runnymede-and-ankerwycke/the-jurors---audio-tour">listen to the audio guide</a> presented by National Trust curator, Rowena Willard-Wright with the artist, Hew Locke, and discover the inspiration behind the artwork.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/runnymede-and-ankerwycke/the-jurors---audio-tour">Listen here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQRpCyECJbbNRAW88njnW5qnN6j4hqOzqH-sFBS8aFfAc4t_02R60WR3npXIMZ8Ga5ZSVKe5u6vw_ZYX3noaMyfyOkrMqtgNWrXIpxo_5BPzIgtdH5twj3fLvTZ1q4RMfYtdOdQbJp5CTmwKBz7o9SBU3b1-unFHMpDH41b7kFDVeOy3_wXknMSu_bwQZ/s3507/20240314_102502.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2630" data-original-width="3507" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQRpCyECJbbNRAW88njnW5qnN6j4hqOzqH-sFBS8aFfAc4t_02R60WR3npXIMZ8Ga5ZSVKe5u6vw_ZYX3noaMyfyOkrMqtgNWrXIpxo_5BPzIgtdH5twj3fLvTZ1q4RMfYtdOdQbJp5CTmwKBz7o9SBU3b1-unFHMpDH41b7kFDVeOy3_wXknMSu_bwQZ/w640-h480/20240314_102502.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zl1f8MaNg1dgNVPgflazrjXOH-yeiVc0ArZuLkDBM4klDqI-vYzoteE33dR5OFCzAoMsJAPtAAu9Gy6HV1_d5VGQTdzG3-Ho-jzrcmqw13mGTDco2q-raV4Acx7DqSUGg8zc_JJond8WyQz8S-unWBDF4Kq-4K3jnRIa_vINrifTbwrjbkrsiZSiFJXh/s4000/20240314_102522.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zl1f8MaNg1dgNVPgflazrjXOH-yeiVc0ArZuLkDBM4klDqI-vYzoteE33dR5OFCzAoMsJAPtAAu9Gy6HV1_d5VGQTdzG3-Ho-jzrcmqw13mGTDco2q-raV4Acx7DqSUGg8zc_JJond8WyQz8S-unWBDF4Kq-4K3jnRIa_vINrifTbwrjbkrsiZSiFJXh/w480-h640/20240314_102522.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJFPsKwlgrkJ3HqLApNW8x-MNUPSM8vTtdmly8ykptdrs3MT-gqkiMlt8h0PfGoswCIAB3sC2aLKrbXIB5YSPhyphenhyphen9lfeacQoqloRSYm8lXgiGU_IavGQEceIuPnVOp6v8wTUPDZ6tEnWtKliFTEQqK9_PVW4kSAaktYrrvkCOiV7faFdkZ_YHDoiX5HMj_/s3897/20240314_102619.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2923" data-original-width="3897" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJFPsKwlgrkJ3HqLApNW8x-MNUPSM8vTtdmly8ykptdrs3MT-gqkiMlt8h0PfGoswCIAB3sC2aLKrbXIB5YSPhyphenhyphen9lfeacQoqloRSYm8lXgiGU_IavGQEceIuPnVOp6v8wTUPDZ6tEnWtKliFTEQqK9_PVW4kSAaktYrrvkCOiV7faFdkZ_YHDoiX5HMj_/w640-h480/20240314_102619.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I pass some willow sculptures as I approach the NT tearoom at Runnymede.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69qSB25vIvNWW0j_-NByLZfMu4FzSLDNnhyphenhyphenkkC3MmeCGqN1oT3hc9Ao5J4mmfb1nossPqNCVAdV6NajsesHKYDeRGm-zxAdUzl7yhUa80bA4F7yuKYew26pZnWXBrqkXgsBunsVvOHu-t-HfPgyPIpifVgl6FpRDaEbNVzUnUj7NY_62tqd_VuF8JPFFe/s3555/20240314_102709.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2666" data-original-width="3555" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69qSB25vIvNWW0j_-NByLZfMu4FzSLDNnhyphenhyphenkkC3MmeCGqN1oT3hc9Ao5J4mmfb1nossPqNCVAdV6NajsesHKYDeRGm-zxAdUzl7yhUa80bA4F7yuKYew26pZnWXBrqkXgsBunsVvOHu-t-HfPgyPIpifVgl6FpRDaEbNVzUnUj7NY_62tqd_VuF8JPFFe/w640-h480/20240314_102709.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I see a set of willow sculptures called Haymaking. The scene comprises 19 separate pieces of sculpture made from willow and includes picnickers, field workers, gleaners, a haystack and even a full-sized horse.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPkVetbDGRlT0jHI2MfGdED9hywZGso8WDV6SWCnCcOB1tRrMJwt_HVjRjyVa0bmOaqCrdNi61sdIECj0NC_XWjHgZhl28-TagVPkrZIYSB4aN4koVvxfFPxGfHvcWvFwqGz90NQ218-8zazToDMPOQReAf33MwyUPQZTH4wNV8wJKxD_pZwGyBDWhWyq/s4000/20240314_102843.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPkVetbDGRlT0jHI2MfGdED9hywZGso8WDV6SWCnCcOB1tRrMJwt_HVjRjyVa0bmOaqCrdNi61sdIECj0NC_XWjHgZhl28-TagVPkrZIYSB4aN4koVvxfFPxGfHvcWvFwqGz90NQ218-8zazToDMPOQReAf33MwyUPQZTH4wNV8wJKxD_pZwGyBDWhWyq/w640-h480/20240314_102843.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I cross the road by the NT tearoom and re-join the Thames Path along the riverside again.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0DVK9eNi9i3xfyzKllR88Jk2i4VvrUnktbf_dGr7mXev1v0G74tOijBkPQ4mtXvBSEmkzI1I6-HGmxsLFIG__5mVNFNnxnoRyUIGs9ZvHKvo4BehkZsPIOmWxMuQ5cD7CP4xHAouNf0fFb45EX5raRWsUMNF3klzMiBz4UaCRqwOe0QscMFcAA5K4mVp/s4000/20240314_102953.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0DVK9eNi9i3xfyzKllR88Jk2i4VvrUnktbf_dGr7mXev1v0G74tOijBkPQ4mtXvBSEmkzI1I6-HGmxsLFIG__5mVNFNnxnoRyUIGs9ZvHKvo4BehkZsPIOmWxMuQ5cD7CP4xHAouNf0fFb45EX5raRWsUMNF3klzMiBz4UaCRqwOe0QscMFcAA5K4mVp/w640-h480/20240314_102953.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39e6m9VP1Ew_k5nodDLDSMrYbokcC7b3DE7_uIhfs50_4ooj5aXrBPdp71bLNLPRdpV2k020qLkdtabYWk-5wDIDH6260KzVjTIgblrrcR0ri8nZCsEPx71DFtxvuVZReD3v6DLsn7ZjxMRG85jB66KRsb_dyY2CWSwMKJpeaGLQW9dxgMC_sIOB7TZla/s3882/20240314_102955.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2911" data-original-width="3882" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39e6m9VP1Ew_k5nodDLDSMrYbokcC7b3DE7_uIhfs50_4ooj5aXrBPdp71bLNLPRdpV2k020qLkdtabYWk-5wDIDH6260KzVjTIgblrrcR0ri8nZCsEPx71DFtxvuVZReD3v6DLsn7ZjxMRG85jB66KRsb_dyY2CWSwMKJpeaGLQW9dxgMC_sIOB7TZla/w640-h480/20240314_102955.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfSagPU1tP3FwfcXYgtML7kLglc6UmNqm9SzreaI0TYwtKru813Fz_LrmD-tMhrEUonidlcJ48lktjOCNgzQ7wspZm4Dd1aMzynIFfU2UJW7Ho0bOXhrS28rqsbIzGmGElbbfUpYZBcQWzk9y0H1SqOWnT1UIO8NhDxcb2RoprqkRVsUT_EtSgpLNLTsH/s3814/20240314_103205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2860" data-original-width="3814" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfSagPU1tP3FwfcXYgtML7kLglc6UmNqm9SzreaI0TYwtKru813Fz_LrmD-tMhrEUonidlcJ48lktjOCNgzQ7wspZm4Dd1aMzynIFfU2UJW7Ho0bOXhrS28rqsbIzGmGElbbfUpYZBcQWzk9y0H1SqOWnT1UIO8NhDxcb2RoprqkRVsUT_EtSgpLNLTsH/w640-h480/20240314_103205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The path now takes me into Old Windsor.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnxO5akn8mmpN1CBGZfcIxWKLdZFL5ssyuOYv2CQwxtTOn0pYdxhTAhXeRE_fifWMUTYlRe7ghhIgPkpJhd22YQzDLvBk0y_AN62YNjs3TpNw2jiSjxkZX24oirr_W6eVYAgFBtViHaGWLmFVq_WX5CPKao7PWk7CurOhXJwHehxGASoLeAeLiK14wXOa/s4000/20240314_103658.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnxO5akn8mmpN1CBGZfcIxWKLdZFL5ssyuOYv2CQwxtTOn0pYdxhTAhXeRE_fifWMUTYlRe7ghhIgPkpJhd22YQzDLvBk0y_AN62YNjs3TpNw2jiSjxkZX24oirr_W6eVYAgFBtViHaGWLmFVq_WX5CPKao7PWk7CurOhXJwHehxGASoLeAeLiK14wXOa/w640-h480/20240314_103658.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHUjco4p6fXXuu2FVxMSH8mfJUSpz5qcoD_aRqJS60W2RcwEXfO7yaH28M1_ZHl291C0wTL75959lusKj_4uLgg7Fsg-4vO1Jr6vU-SHYNhJlfeLWcZZ9yAKCMLp89xbn4Oyxkvdss98xaNi7w3lTsa9P2HKqeVrpUgZfImv-KAc_smzFb3GUmLVRC4Zf/s4000/20240314_103703.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHUjco4p6fXXuu2FVxMSH8mfJUSpz5qcoD_aRqJS60W2RcwEXfO7yaH28M1_ZHl291C0wTL75959lusKj_4uLgg7Fsg-4vO1Jr6vU-SHYNhJlfeLWcZZ9yAKCMLp89xbn4Oyxkvdss98xaNi7w3lTsa9P2HKqeVrpUgZfImv-KAc_smzFb3GUmLVRC4Zf/w640-h480/20240314_103703.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The name originates from old English Windles-ore, Windlesora, or winch by the riverside.The village was originally called Windsor, until the (now larger) town of "New" Windsor, 3 miles (5 km) from the village, and grew up next to Windsor Castle, assumed the name. Windsor is first mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhah43OyrI029CkE06pvD9LuiHjKBA1sMN2WHIDExK7sLbHWYR5LkMgOUPBuboAhJk6oAcOSZlwGirzArSrBE4jL1UkpjoE_8X4s1u2oPS_cwl7vVuhDckq5urtilr5xnpHdK4JhC_KcldSaclE89ID1yur5zQCGluKAr_dkAZWbIeQeU4zKskc0ccznxuA/s3781/20240314_103724.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2836" data-original-width="3781" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhah43OyrI029CkE06pvD9LuiHjKBA1sMN2WHIDExK7sLbHWYR5LkMgOUPBuboAhJk6oAcOSZlwGirzArSrBE4jL1UkpjoE_8X4s1u2oPS_cwl7vVuhDckq5urtilr5xnpHdK4JhC_KcldSaclE89ID1yur5zQCGluKAr_dkAZWbIeQeU4zKskc0ccznxuA/w640-h480/20240314_103724.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Old Windsor was once the site of an important palace of the Saxon Kings. The settlement is documented as a defended royal manor in Edward the Confessor's time, but archaeological evidence suggests royal connections had existed since at least the 9th century. The Saxon royal site was excavated between 1953 and 1958, and the finds are at Reading Museum. Edward gave the manor to the Abbot of Westminster in 1066, but it was soon taken back into royal possession by William the Conqueror.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xkCQl2Wk7tlEvjuMKDuBC9Vyor1qcYjMoU7lOJIVKaq8GofEZ_f60oWOL0qdV-Znz1sXHYjpj41JrVOc-zMnIwPomxvnFl83sK0WweNdEGkOgzwuoeWofhcefzd9uw_Fp_ZjXQBcpNDbFWOxygHmc7M_cdvo-n5Y62vejghLrQW6tTE-50kGCq4KlBol/s3876/20240314_104243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2907" data-original-width="3876" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xkCQl2Wk7tlEvjuMKDuBC9Vyor1qcYjMoU7lOJIVKaq8GofEZ_f60oWOL0qdV-Znz1sXHYjpj41JrVOc-zMnIwPomxvnFl83sK0WweNdEGkOgzwuoeWofhcefzd9uw_Fp_ZjXQBcpNDbFWOxygHmc7M_cdvo-n5Y62vejghLrQW6tTE-50kGCq4KlBol/w640-h480/20240314_104243.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Old Windsor was popular with the monarch because of its convenient location; near to the River Thames for transport and Windsor Forest for hunting. Old Windsor was also an early minster location and market, probably associated with a lock, and important riverside mill complex. The Saxon palace was eventually superseded by the Norman Windsor Castle, at 'New' Windsor. The palace, however, became a popular royal hunting lodge while Windsor Castle was still a fortress rather than a comfortable residence.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7UsNTm-Pzhp_TUpBEIXt3Pf_-T8HREzaJkr2dnaVCuwvs5QEmmGwrCkhyphenhyphenWNqEHaS_IpuBCtFz3rZ2vtSOOhk1Hrh6zig7So4lEnvRUPdCAfE7zXeJ4Ak_G0pGUMNPwMrHlxAdotjgElXpPYgzqIc31P7H0xvfsXoJ8wKswLsK07-vVf_4b7hGLNSVu2C/s4000/20240314_104920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7UsNTm-Pzhp_TUpBEIXt3Pf_-T8HREzaJkr2dnaVCuwvs5QEmmGwrCkhyphenhyphenWNqEHaS_IpuBCtFz3rZ2vtSOOhk1Hrh6zig7So4lEnvRUPdCAfE7zXeJ4Ak_G0pGUMNPwMrHlxAdotjgElXpPYgzqIc31P7H0xvfsXoJ8wKswLsK07-vVf_4b7hGLNSVu2C/w640-h480/20240314_104920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Old Windsor is, or has been, the home of several famous people, including:Sir Elton John, who lives at Woodside on the edge of the Great Park.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Actress Geraldine McEwan, who was born in Old Windsor.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmskltuYDpbf6Ud9xt2btAe57x2aBrmwmraJoQd1pYAluY0cLd3xNn7I7dEGVClSqDmtNLjYNUImC_eG8GsHc3kuaE9Zkgx5bSvceKP3ySWydabiA0tNls-rpek6wvrYHfMAvlQOT_JxxVxjLt0FT360nXIQPaNUW67rCFIaFSFYyelnxvPeOo5gIlLiF0/s3748/20240314_105657.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2811" data-original-width="3748" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmskltuYDpbf6Ud9xt2btAe57x2aBrmwmraJoQd1pYAluY0cLd3xNn7I7dEGVClSqDmtNLjYNUImC_eG8GsHc3kuaE9Zkgx5bSvceKP3ySWydabiA0tNls-rpek6wvrYHfMAvlQOT_JxxVxjLt0FT360nXIQPaNUW67rCFIaFSFYyelnxvPeOo5gIlLiF0/w640-h480/20240314_105657.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6h04uc5q45SxhWuc-kjHQFzTotfNNqkNGu70XYdi8cnd5EKYO0zEvI74G1mvWkSAITVMxk7guKKbr98j6YqYEN7xthABzIDOIle6V9QMugXcfnhdePw-q1fRFP1UzDfw0Gk5Lg2aP0JB7gqF3JcFq30w88_fLC-uOfRy9LBmkQ2vuE10a9hxUFErhESA/s4000/20240314_105659.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6h04uc5q45SxhWuc-kjHQFzTotfNNqkNGu70XYdi8cnd5EKYO0zEvI74G1mvWkSAITVMxk7guKKbr98j6YqYEN7xthABzIDOIle6V9QMugXcfnhdePw-q1fRFP1UzDfw0Gk5Lg2aP0JB7gqF3JcFq30w88_fLC-uOfRy9LBmkQ2vuE10a9hxUFErhESA/w640-h480/20240314_105659.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiJVPQq3x-RVekJwDdvnmaCfAmErMFJKAJ9CoBFWw1m2G2a1dL1G1-pJrm3uZru7UlMdhtGPIsy0jiRJ9yzBM34gFUAE6rCmfp_2qTcyvRjoHX8sWeZqIH8TFKCtdZ0DDHT7piJIpI5cc-lIIAQ2NZKDfPr8pH30QE-GYLGY5VEqC-pvFJyPT4MQO63xM/s3829/20240314_105823.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2871" data-original-width="3829" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiJVPQq3x-RVekJwDdvnmaCfAmErMFJKAJ9CoBFWw1m2G2a1dL1G1-pJrm3uZru7UlMdhtGPIsy0jiRJ9yzBM34gFUAE6rCmfp_2qTcyvRjoHX8sWeZqIH8TFKCtdZ0DDHT7piJIpI5cc-lIIAQ2NZKDfPr8pH30QE-GYLGY5VEqC-pvFJyPT4MQO63xM/w640-h480/20240314_105823.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I reach the Old Windsor Lock.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl37xYusVWyhQ-NHyH0iFCOM8Ol78NVnNi-joyC-qipU98EW0gFq9SMPnuh0UiHj_nJ3JWxb_bYrYuNAJN6m_FZGkwsSYEqUHGVhyn4-o9rs4C4JyVwwXay72Ejh88ZNQV1Wik4KbjIOr9vj7QWHIjJ_XV6wpnTAv2hpVGjR6buFA-6WZvWwGF3ocsszfP/s3889/20240314_105831.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2917" data-original-width="3889" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl37xYusVWyhQ-NHyH0iFCOM8Ol78NVnNi-joyC-qipU98EW0gFq9SMPnuh0UiHj_nJ3JWxb_bYrYuNAJN6m_FZGkwsSYEqUHGVhyn4-o9rs4C4JyVwwXay72Ejh88ZNQV1Wik4KbjIOr9vj7QWHIjJ_XV6wpnTAv2hpVGjR6buFA-6WZvWwGF3ocsszfP/w640-h480/20240314_105831.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The old name for the site of the lock was "Top of Caps" and the first suggestion for a lock at "Capps" was in 1770.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1822 the lock cut and lock were built by the Thames Navigation Commissioners, considerably shortening the navigation and towpath. Instead of a weir, a less formal obstruction, eel bucks, "Newman's Bucks", retained water around two islets above the cut. The islets measured in the 1890s 0.59 acres (0.24 ha) and 1.4 1.4 acres (0.57 ha). The smaller, downstream one, is Lion Island. The first lock keeper was dismissed after demeanours which included digging through the bank of the lock cut and thereby causing the collapse of the new lock cut bridge. The weir was constructed in 1836. In 1868 there was discussion of removing the lock, but instead it was extended with a tumbling bay added. In 1871 the lock cut bridge was rebuilt with the right reserved to lay sewage pipes across it. The island has the sanitation works for Windsor. The lock was rebuilt in 1957.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3JgeuaBRIqwvl_UQq1kY-B1OczOOIm7ONbtB1OnOkweGEeJVKIYLliK6WCzuPg3Djed6ZnUvL-PmnUbr-9htPLmFAt2i0KE4PlJ6IbFazys4zMJ8bTm7LL_b-kgR5pKfc3Xm_ZqxgUMmnpzmwmVoMs_iow5mpabwPu5_N9QeSftJxoJEY2Da-b-tuO-w/s3773/20240314_110037.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2830" data-original-width="3773" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3JgeuaBRIqwvl_UQq1kY-B1OczOOIm7ONbtB1OnOkweGEeJVKIYLliK6WCzuPg3Djed6ZnUvL-PmnUbr-9htPLmFAt2i0KE4PlJ6IbFazys4zMJ8bTm7LL_b-kgR5pKfc3Xm_ZqxgUMmnpzmwmVoMs_iow5mpabwPu5_N9QeSftJxoJEY2Da-b-tuO-w/w640-h480/20240314_110037.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The weather has turned for the worse now and started to rain lightly, so I reluctantly put on my coat.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCPj5DmkQXtMkNEBzM7KA-0qOCnhL52t5IE4eSAwqjcJmxEt-TeLoTV0TNMqc0J-U3VsKsPrQMwS3eRe0-21P0bkB1aEFP02_reCsZeQpvbG_MObdLdsv0K4vTWGTC5YgyPtZsh7C4OB20VqvKg6b0MmSu9leLBPdOT_z75ToLfnbtadCRN3y2i7t8jTy/s3927/20240314_111113.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2945" data-original-width="3927" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCPj5DmkQXtMkNEBzM7KA-0qOCnhL52t5IE4eSAwqjcJmxEt-TeLoTV0TNMqc0J-U3VsKsPrQMwS3eRe0-21P0bkB1aEFP02_reCsZeQpvbG_MObdLdsv0K4vTWGTC5YgyPtZsh7C4OB20VqvKg6b0MmSu9leLBPdOT_z75ToLfnbtadCRN3y2i7t8jTy/w640-h480/20240314_111113.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I pass the weir that is just after the lock and I walk on.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Passing Friday Island after Man Friday, so called because it resembles a footprint.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZ0RV_sKyrJhHBxziGap_vZO9AtSmFOml7jh4shqRwwz6pMKrzZpcO7AoJc430NWi5Lio-y-WwpZI1CihdlcI2GlZ6Y4p3AG8Rc1UuIecoKNQBBFZczwabW5SNjwq3d25i9kXBkawOtMFz0EyyMWibGdAJTDPH-okWvYy7lRF-W4ixmQGVYBEM3ngYwWv/s4000/20240314_111610.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZ0RV_sKyrJhHBxziGap_vZO9AtSmFOml7jh4shqRwwz6pMKrzZpcO7AoJc430NWi5Lio-y-WwpZI1CihdlcI2GlZ6Y4p3AG8Rc1UuIecoKNQBBFZczwabW5SNjwq3d25i9kXBkawOtMFz0EyyMWibGdAJTDPH-okWvYy7lRF-W4ixmQGVYBEM3ngYwWv/w640-h480/20240314_111610.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKWcKPS7eLvJx40K2rI6qZ6sIWH8jjBllKQDsyJNFDLDIqcdSlG4oRGzHqk2n5hUQpnYiq9TsAzJvfLYurJusLv7cRbfLAKTgkRedsa88YVRfeoxauCuphAPoEAXSECSWTAchyiDeXFAYlyhaid9TRcjgnfIQsh9im7dWj4Bq0hve6HxYuFnb7yDH_92Z/s3865/20240314_111800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2898" data-original-width="3865" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKWcKPS7eLvJx40K2rI6qZ6sIWH8jjBllKQDsyJNFDLDIqcdSlG4oRGzHqk2n5hUQpnYiq9TsAzJvfLYurJusLv7cRbfLAKTgkRedsa88YVRfeoxauCuphAPoEAXSECSWTAchyiDeXFAYlyhaid9TRcjgnfIQsh9im7dWj4Bq0hve6HxYuFnb7yDH_92Z/w640-h480/20240314_111800.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I reach Albert Bridge after quite a bit of walking, where I cross again because this side of the river becomes Crown Property and part of the Windsor Castle Estate.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Albert Bridge is a road bridge in England running north–south and carrying the B3021 between Datchet and Old Windsor. It crosses the River Thames on the reach between Old Windsor Lock and Romney Lock. It was rebuilt in brick in 1927 to replace a cast-iron bridge built in 1850–51.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Albert and Victoria Bridges in Datchet were built to replace the old Datchet Bridge as part of the rerouting of the Datchet to Windsor roads following the expansion of the grounds of Windsor Castle. Prince Albert is said to have had a part in the design The original bridge was built of cast iron and opened in 1851. In 1914 a large hole appeared in the bridge, but it was not until 1927 that the various authorities had agreed on its replacement and built it. The Thames Path crosses the bridge re-joining the original towpath on the Windsor side south of Home Park, the towpath access in Home Park, Windsor having been lost due to the Windsor Castle Act 1848.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wwG4Qx2j_BwinVyUA3jURp8ei_1dWdA47loA4OoUl1P_h1sQCREt0nglgGa5IWH3oLEGrCDuYyErFfP-gABckwC3rBkU_b4gBUV9e-eFZ0xJDwvtRa2LVTSFT8ggx9nZA5Tx58UcE0m4akDKgU4HUOE7e2dey1F_mDRigiUcsr8PFHianP8KMc6iCXCc/s4000/20240314_111920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wwG4Qx2j_BwinVyUA3jURp8ei_1dWdA47loA4OoUl1P_h1sQCREt0nglgGa5IWH3oLEGrCDuYyErFfP-gABckwC3rBkU_b4gBUV9e-eFZ0xJDwvtRa2LVTSFT8ggx9nZA5Tx58UcE0m4akDKgU4HUOE7e2dey1F_mDRigiUcsr8PFHianP8KMc6iCXCc/w640-h480/20240314_111920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As I cross Albert Bridge I can see down to an impressive gatehouse, I'd be happy with this as my main residence!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsXu9hfKqlV2yhIGFJgxmV870egU85Mv7utDEvI4Joh3-Ea6-jUKP5761EaGsy4nBjeLvRXL_YZ0o49o-y_v6ai1FyU3iV99VxydpNZTdlIlzfphr1x-mpFS_FIGVpYHvUUh61eBWkViVoAf_fYvlr8xZ1mOma-lvQpgpD6P835Qz76933_DjEcCnTQDp/s3895/20240314_111922.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2921" data-original-width="3895" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsXu9hfKqlV2yhIGFJgxmV870egU85Mv7utDEvI4Joh3-Ea6-jUKP5761EaGsy4nBjeLvRXL_YZ0o49o-y_v6ai1FyU3iV99VxydpNZTdlIlzfphr1x-mpFS_FIGVpYHvUUh61eBWkViVoAf_fYvlr8xZ1mOma-lvQpgpD6P835Qz76933_DjEcCnTQDp/w640-h480/20240314_111922.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXuDveb3AOCpmfrDULTqRkPBis76Silr4S6wzA4Xg9QVeA-FMSFKhDHkVJRBYnZ44F6jO1dMCiohhSVfQ1FWGrIZoQ4dN74GQTGnPZJoO2y1H1bbB_iltc8fjSuEDhT4e-pUmQLYuT1RfuZwjenpEhs94zWb0VR4IlXTusHYdJP3GsegOtdAF0d_ZDbqN/s4000/20240314_112006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXuDveb3AOCpmfrDULTqRkPBis76Silr4S6wzA4Xg9QVeA-FMSFKhDHkVJRBYnZ44F6jO1dMCiohhSVfQ1FWGrIZoQ4dN74GQTGnPZJoO2y1H1bbB_iltc8fjSuEDhT4e-pUmQLYuT1RfuZwjenpEhs94zWb0VR4IlXTusHYdJP3GsegOtdAF0d_ZDbqN/w640-h480/20240314_112006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A Horse and Carriage drives by in the grounds below, I was hoping it maybe some Royals but it appears not.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6erb0dPg41e2hQpMNMbdfSJKynMc0j3ZOeZDVNdM0G2dCWgZOxw1YpzhFZvHTbgqGvcxbKDBzEoibX0rWz9GeMIh8-PlRG0dXM7SaXBJDO2a_VgIqtQAijuC9n_mMU8-kVpJ2Hq49kZpuqjfG06VAfC2MohHEAAiKlPMv9t7VRCw-FESRLThCJcfLOCG/s4000/20240314_112311.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6erb0dPg41e2hQpMNMbdfSJKynMc0j3ZOeZDVNdM0G2dCWgZOxw1YpzhFZvHTbgqGvcxbKDBzEoibX0rWz9GeMIh8-PlRG0dXM7SaXBJDO2a_VgIqtQAijuC9n_mMU8-kVpJ2Hq49kZpuqjfG06VAfC2MohHEAAiKlPMv9t7VRCw-FESRLThCJcfLOCG/w640-h480/20240314_112311.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The path now takes me beneath Albert Bridge and I walk on.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vO144piFwMgReLYpQwyqIiCgg2eE2SNwiIzRvrzG7y4PFoDRy85cKSKD0ZPRYOCG3lvO3T-9_I_M5VRKv1Y6d-Vj5Ienje4gGmslF9Ghf6Y_4Pa2_w4KyqrgucdaqZhbff58eh06M5SlPVUHnZM4YfklNFR53gM6FYCKtTZoXbXrJU9xiMgdoavxwI3s/s3845/20240314_112355.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2884" data-original-width="3845" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vO144piFwMgReLYpQwyqIiCgg2eE2SNwiIzRvrzG7y4PFoDRy85cKSKD0ZPRYOCG3lvO3T-9_I_M5VRKv1Y6d-Vj5Ienje4gGmslF9Ghf6Y_4Pa2_w4KyqrgucdaqZhbff58eh06M5SlPVUHnZM4YfklNFR53gM6FYCKtTZoXbXrJU9xiMgdoavxwI3s/w640-h210/20240314_112355.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After a while the path heads away from the river and to a road that leads me into Datchet.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZMQot6rUYL-eentv4KCLOzmIY1UTIsoaXjH4SPcMqBfQbfyZ3x8F-d7kGnHQNw6zuE-7LesF6eZm7thhNmy4XYymD-hBux8lZKNMelzNbbSkvbshawHCIJwuhzCdNN1WLEbI_tp3iK0cwzmBYsa66JzMsPplTRO9RZEsO8etL4YbQGkFYzxZebvc0aha/s3697/20240314_113938.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3697" data-original-width="2773" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZMQot6rUYL-eentv4KCLOzmIY1UTIsoaXjH4SPcMqBfQbfyZ3x8F-d7kGnHQNw6zuE-7LesF6eZm7thhNmy4XYymD-hBux8lZKNMelzNbbSkvbshawHCIJwuhzCdNN1WLEbI_tp3iK0cwzmBYsa66JzMsPplTRO9RZEsO8etL4YbQGkFYzxZebvc0aha/w480-h640/20240314_113938.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The name "Datchet" is thought to be Celtic in origin, and the last part may be related to cet ("wood"). In the Domesday Book it is called "Daceta".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Datchet is first mentioned between 990 and 994, when Æthelred made small grants of land here. In the Domesday Book, in 1066 the lords were the brothers Saewulf and Siward. In 1086 the lord and tenant-in-chief was Giles, brother of Ansculf, also referred to as Giles de Pinkney. In 1150, the church already existed in Datchet, and the Pinkney family sold it to the abbey of St Albans. The Abbot became rector as impropriator of the parish and had the right to appoint vicars. There was a ferry at Datchet Ferry which provided a shorter route from London to Windsor Castle and was frequently used by royalty.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTExFUlu12CjNyFbzuRedzT-Ya3XPsmjtzTxjIUz5tXf92AiXGejiWoxSrWrFjWvomZYVYeBKIpB1-L2NPAonTNK25kQXkeJf3jLxhyphenhyphenn1Q2cuDTZxJqgbE6gBc2UNMkyskfrjlMEGMd2fYavkh30NhLFcohm_7K5s0igI7gZArxzUFcOz4gH6T0-dsfCw/s3927/20240314_114516.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2945" data-original-width="3927" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTExFUlu12CjNyFbzuRedzT-Ya3XPsmjtzTxjIUz5tXf92AiXGejiWoxSrWrFjWvomZYVYeBKIpB1-L2NPAonTNK25kQXkeJf3jLxhyphenhyphenn1Q2cuDTZxJqgbE6gBc2UNMkyskfrjlMEGMd2fYavkh30NhLFcohm_7K5s0igI7gZArxzUFcOz4gH6T0-dsfCw/w640-h480/20240314_114516.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnM6Bv6vycA13IJMwiT0CrV_2mllOBOSZ_8Z2LfqYvf_ucXYRPbwfofrUX2-vy7lwKeK8hFnkn9zOa2bw_PYbVslSrAsHXbwG0NfaRHcw2A6Rf1924X_rNuK8OY3DzkX2jp5Qkkg7CZjoF48E1nXzC4PIiwimxSFHwMOumARw8YANEtzKw7SJkJZPCLB0Z/s4000/20240314_114842.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnM6Bv6vycA13IJMwiT0CrV_2mllOBOSZ_8Z2LfqYvf_ucXYRPbwfofrUX2-vy7lwKeK8hFnkn9zOa2bw_PYbVslSrAsHXbwG0NfaRHcw2A6Rf1924X_rNuK8OY3DzkX2jp5Qkkg7CZjoF48E1nXzC4PIiwimxSFHwMOumARw8YANEtzKw7SJkJZPCLB0Z/w640-h480/20240314_114842.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvs1W2i0vg_nl0WyzdPUvgGPqg4bqWHvualDzaGdVXCk7TtXNmIbcLqDRZBb0UsZocYywzpoLr028snj6y4C0rmFuAmFzOPU9PCrMwcUxUT4Z6vMekcxccWrBgML8WN9w3bf6g4rJ8R_wBlUcQuIRsUhtgylwhRwImTVZsKetymx8qpCkcZT7yKztbKW1q/s3803/20240314_115136.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2852" data-original-width="3803" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvs1W2i0vg_nl0WyzdPUvgGPqg4bqWHvualDzaGdVXCk7TtXNmIbcLqDRZBb0UsZocYywzpoLr028snj6y4C0rmFuAmFzOPU9PCrMwcUxUT4Z6vMekcxccWrBgML8WN9w3bf6g4rJ8R_wBlUcQuIRsUhtgylwhRwImTVZsKetymx8qpCkcZT7yKztbKW1q/w640-h480/20240314_115136.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The path briefly meets the Thames again before I have to continue along the road.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Eventually a path leads me through a muddy and waterlogged way back to the Thames.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKZcUzkI5Mm0jEbHs9ZlNt89GdFa_3OcbpNMgAdwfpUnUb48e_WTrvuuFKWh_IPpYd21NDDmnfX_PS4E_MFyIQSgV08E9GwxlCwkMuurGxVZHqqj_RPWUJ22CfBKUy5mKjZqjttMR-xjyHvVXVZ3VuXBftUHBaBrPw3208yeOTzn-QhOGqk64D47EB95i/s4000/20240314_115141.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKZcUzkI5Mm0jEbHs9ZlNt89GdFa_3OcbpNMgAdwfpUnUb48e_WTrvuuFKWh_IPpYd21NDDmnfX_PS4E_MFyIQSgV08E9GwxlCwkMuurGxVZHqqj_RPWUJ22CfBKUy5mKjZqjttMR-xjyHvVXVZ3VuXBftUHBaBrPw3208yeOTzn-QhOGqk64D47EB95i/w640-h480/20240314_115141.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Across the river and can see the grounds of Windsor Castle again.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY02AcDbwOVGX3dbBH9h5jaSxQO6lgudCe7pVAp_uZkrLPN-pGLrWTYHCP_wqsf39seyHmUkeomzBniq1MeN0E_pGUvl5nVN_jMixl7s2D4CG3QwoWsOFxOX4c5wlpnP2kiawy2d7c-ZBRvnKC_CSB4Kdre33_5O6ZkwYVPub_TaegXwSkbW0pidSkLdgL/s3922/20240314_115424.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2942" data-original-width="3922" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY02AcDbwOVGX3dbBH9h5jaSxQO6lgudCe7pVAp_uZkrLPN-pGLrWTYHCP_wqsf39seyHmUkeomzBniq1MeN0E_pGUvl5nVN_jMixl7s2D4CG3QwoWsOFxOX4c5wlpnP2kiawy2d7c-ZBRvnKC_CSB4Kdre33_5O6ZkwYVPub_TaegXwSkbW0pidSkLdgL/w640-h480/20240314_115424.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here I get my first view of Windsor Castle in the distance.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgSX-7IWNBPxIEn1OMNvHy_7k4owbUz6LGOZLq-12hJygZCPKibEOucDhqjP-wCYAsS9Q72aV0GXSS-8jLAJx0S9FQxEM5DRTkTce5SRehkhdIOoqE7RmnaKdRoWDVuBQqY8PRWwGe1kUp5CaOXk5g2H4SEpXX49Un0UF_gxcfP57ZOkVKQeA0XOg_-vf/s3967/20240314_115705.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2975" data-original-width="3967" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgSX-7IWNBPxIEn1OMNvHy_7k4owbUz6LGOZLq-12hJygZCPKibEOucDhqjP-wCYAsS9Q72aV0GXSS-8jLAJx0S9FQxEM5DRTkTce5SRehkhdIOoqE7RmnaKdRoWDVuBQqY8PRWwGe1kUp5CaOXk5g2H4SEpXX49Un0UF_gxcfP57ZOkVKQeA0XOg_-vf/w640-h480/20240314_115705.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2X5wRxsvC4Xlp7p2PqWMoJp4J_eLDyB49OGC_jxHQdKRCTqneKg5Ml8B6yn287JBghOaWIbkqjOXvwS5z6BXrF70qBHk54pnm7vJA0Uj5uuq8IK2RnVaDc7ezE8M60pB0yFiVH3OZ4H7Gi8gNM09tA1PRhNHgOHECSZh1-Y1-ba471-TMTLbAoDX2EyN/s4000/20240314_120057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2X5wRxsvC4Xlp7p2PqWMoJp4J_eLDyB49OGC_jxHQdKRCTqneKg5Ml8B6yn287JBghOaWIbkqjOXvwS5z6BXrF70qBHk54pnm7vJA0Uj5uuq8IK2RnVaDc7ezE8M60pB0yFiVH3OZ4H7Gi8gNM09tA1PRhNHgOHECSZh1-Y1-ba471-TMTLbAoDX2EyN/w640-h480/20240314_120057.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I cross Victoria Bridge to head into Windsor.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhIgmTt9UnJIymZlM7Bp-7NmMnULXwpQd9hA7-H5en0PqIInwlCEoaH5ypJLInuqkqAH2gFkMMZWTAEDHwoim88rWxFYD-JpNkGON91tPU4zEnct5kEHRED5ApgY_9mtGCoJ_QT0JgINh_QydzUjWh-ABnmx5xexixLealL2f_u8X36t2fD37nI8mBnDK/s3322/20240314_120102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3322" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhIgmTt9UnJIymZlM7Bp-7NmMnULXwpQd9hA7-H5en0PqIInwlCEoaH5ypJLInuqkqAH2gFkMMZWTAEDHwoim88rWxFYD-JpNkGON91tPU4zEnct5kEHRED5ApgY_9mtGCoJ_QT0JgINh_QydzUjWh-ABnmx5xexixLealL2f_u8X36t2fD37nI8mBnDK/w640-h578/20240314_120102.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqulBi2z1Bul_IjGwSPhuL6jeyRT3wyTewxW2WLKypRjK9Kv5txa1b2Lc8ICsilg15a6RaOtRpVbi34sYDuapLQyNERldSuiD1jZqQo9DQcMNJejIYoezC2Vkc9y33vA8A8Vx36WDC51nxbQIiV4UwQsfkQvTKRs5uthWyH1VLDYc5XaIRekIGgrsuHPr9/s3757/20240314_120124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2818" data-original-width="3757" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqulBi2z1Bul_IjGwSPhuL6jeyRT3wyTewxW2WLKypRjK9Kv5txa1b2Lc8ICsilg15a6RaOtRpVbi34sYDuapLQyNERldSuiD1jZqQo9DQcMNJejIYoezC2Vkc9y33vA8A8Vx36WDC51nxbQIiV4UwQsfkQvTKRs5uthWyH1VLDYc5XaIRekIGgrsuHPr9/w640-h480/20240314_120124.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFnFss6ug2rXMxnEKGCdNHQ9K84IvH70h1Xkd5WVQm5Cn-p4mziAypd_IGy2fDWuH60EBCqvgAMEs5YSSy9PVB917nznP0csz9DaSZ-Ly6GriHPbhHF_Im7ljiZ8WRAE8rIBYzbcP3Gh0nzE2U1nkCVGSgs655Ht4qX5AJLHQNIqDbG0QAAYv-V5AbLAM/s4000/20240314_120900.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFnFss6ug2rXMxnEKGCdNHQ9K84IvH70h1Xkd5WVQm5Cn-p4mziAypd_IGy2fDWuH60EBCqvgAMEs5YSSy9PVB917nznP0csz9DaSZ-Ly6GriHPbhHF_Im7ljiZ8WRAE8rIBYzbcP3Gh0nzE2U1nkCVGSgs655Ht4qX5AJLHQNIqDbG0QAAYv-V5AbLAM/w640-h480/20240314_120900.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk into Home Park to continue along the path.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijv5zyAhMIaAbkRKc-yUkfZXp0csexv4nVd8lgLmhEu4KJbtw3ua_xiv-P4c_SavBvNUuwP5xdmY3R2YaekzGYCNQKtaO01w34dP7bPblRwP06NDIxHaWVNfUzKMHRv5u-a_XmpWb9ZjhTsBPGNozCrrYsvhdSeTXxewC5mE6CDCDteBJdD2VpOOwaOaSC/s4000/20240314_121021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijv5zyAhMIaAbkRKc-yUkfZXp0csexv4nVd8lgLmhEu4KJbtw3ua_xiv-P4c_SavBvNUuwP5xdmY3R2YaekzGYCNQKtaO01w34dP7bPblRwP06NDIxHaWVNfUzKMHRv5u-a_XmpWb9ZjhTsBPGNozCrrYsvhdSeTXxewC5mE6CDCDteBJdD2VpOOwaOaSC/w640-h480/20240314_121021.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShBXkAivc7Z7Mes4j6etXAES4P0bv-7jB8q9Wxv179GKcj0VAh2LgFhNb3Leyd8ASHARiQN5ZldRsEVIOuTPTViIdZsPmOiYniNylw4KKNU9PIZrCPuHmUSr6Y-vdpP1tKjT62VwQY2faHCrw0gj6cSrOQhsAKxErIFyNpHzn8n0vNTxeDr5PKAgnXWOF/s4000/20240314_121257.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShBXkAivc7Z7Mes4j6etXAES4P0bv-7jB8q9Wxv179GKcj0VAh2LgFhNb3Leyd8ASHARiQN5ZldRsEVIOuTPTViIdZsPmOiYniNylw4KKNU9PIZrCPuHmUSr6Y-vdpP1tKjT62VwQY2faHCrw0gj6cSrOQhsAKxErIFyNpHzn8n0vNTxeDr5PKAgnXWOF/w480-h640/20240314_121257.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The path however is flooded beneath the railway bridge and I'm forced to walk through the park to Windsor instead. The water was just too deep!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvO6vcLn_ilU8lS4Sw0RZ482KY_RWChwq2-4nX24Cy3OVzM14V4ktgMCBORFzF669kQohrbil24P2dp2_QNNBbk9wD0ezVWBqt4AcRWsXok6j-XTUuClLn6QN1yCBJKlNMkjVD1YOD-EqoVpOa7wBh_XDKzHMPPcFtuk7yJGAveh4HlQsnyFeZoL0MRp0/s3859/20240314_122822.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2894" data-original-width="3859" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvO6vcLn_ilU8lS4Sw0RZ482KY_RWChwq2-4nX24Cy3OVzM14V4ktgMCBORFzF669kQohrbil24P2dp2_QNNBbk9wD0ezVWBqt4AcRWsXok6j-XTUuClLn6QN1yCBJKlNMkjVD1YOD-EqoVpOa7wBh_XDKzHMPPcFtuk7yJGAveh4HlQsnyFeZoL0MRp0/w640-h480/20240314_122822.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">I arrive in Windsor passing the Windsor and Eton Railway Station and walk towards the Castle passing the King George V Memorial Fountain.</div></span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs38edWv6tYn0cSKS4aVff40Fdi5tfUNW0drO0Qi3tg99t_DHqAHnbrXvyqHtTeCE8O32pLg9azbcWfSoOY9n1uCBvrkxxGEvoA7QCNY5KeJ_x54Hd2wqRJPHH_GoDi2Fx_7ccoAOqcBsClSK7G2A2LRiy-2po2CJMVpC_nRg0q3vcLqKXuSBHi38S5uVc/s3942/20240314_122829.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2702" data-original-width="3942" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs38edWv6tYn0cSKS4aVff40Fdi5tfUNW0drO0Qi3tg99t_DHqAHnbrXvyqHtTeCE8O32pLg9azbcWfSoOY9n1uCBvrkxxGEvoA7QCNY5KeJ_x54Hd2wqRJPHH_GoDi2Fx_7ccoAOqcBsClSK7G2A2LRiy-2po2CJMVpC_nRg0q3vcLqKXuSBHi38S5uVc/w640-h438/20240314_122829.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">King George V Memorial commemorates the first monarch of the House of Windsor. The memorial fountain was executed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, R.A. It was paid for by public subscription, mainly locally, but funds also came from Windsor, Ontario in Canada. George V (1865-1936) founded the House of Windsor in 1917, replacing the previous name of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, due to the anti-German sentiment prevalent during the First World War (1914-18). The memorial stands on land presented by Viscount Wakefield, near the site where three Windsor men were martyred for their faith on 28 July 1543 – Henry Filmer, Anthony Pierson and Robert Testwood.King George VI, second son of the King, unveiled the fountain on 23 April 1937.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCyT1SubDJ-1qQfpzuXRIr8ntk62Ovcks-mOxwTca8czHvaOsxoOSTtuXfJrFcBBk_yvDZtgK3qaj59X33oNAxomoxiNION3Hk81UgFFDjCrlN1astnQYUGN9XkFPb94KnygasMC3RHJ2v-EQIMPzSK3oAxT67ZPQk4YhqiKBGN3BdxseCSQHS-48hWiM/s4000/20240314_122849.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCyT1SubDJ-1qQfpzuXRIr8ntk62Ovcks-mOxwTca8czHvaOsxoOSTtuXfJrFcBBk_yvDZtgK3qaj59X33oNAxomoxiNION3Hk81UgFFDjCrlN1astnQYUGN9XkFPb94KnygasMC3RHJ2v-EQIMPzSK3oAxT67ZPQk4YhqiKBGN3BdxseCSQHS-48hWiM/w640-h480/20240314_122849.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk by the impressive Windsor Castle.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Windsor Castle is a royal residence at Windsor in the English county of Berkshire. It is strongly associated with the English and succeeding British royal family, and embodies almost a millennium of architectural history.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAw3mqYgCfcxfpKJRInRTfMEN71hUmug19ropgXoXvW9i43MMkvOROK2D6pqQtlkR8noh4geGiCjLQyAVYkbxbuwNyZWidCGGRdME_Gzs1G6CLES_DrJ5C8SDf_QK_GFfRvnvq0dv_Tro9UxX0Cb3hjOVB6VrtRIq1tXUvGpKehjqq6XRRNWEOVr6gO-r/s3765/20240314_123046.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2824" data-original-width="3765" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAw3mqYgCfcxfpKJRInRTfMEN71hUmug19ropgXoXvW9i43MMkvOROK2D6pqQtlkR8noh4geGiCjLQyAVYkbxbuwNyZWidCGGRdME_Gzs1G6CLES_DrJ5C8SDf_QK_GFfRvnvq0dv_Tro9UxX0Cb3hjOVB6VrtRIq1tXUvGpKehjqq6XRRNWEOVr6gO-r/w640-h480/20240314_123046.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1izOeWoTw9qaVc8nrWX7N4BzGxb0NGWf0WSgwHH-iQGyPKb5YHI2rPihbkZVKUg_mKl0BZSzKauxo592jr__0OutKa5LA3iIF8i9_hPv2idZ2QbhkMR6SEBErbm7zhI0lvslJpLcC-uGN17F9oEmuIQHf35lCgCGOl8z5uBvhLiirr5I8zJ_wJkHEvEID/s3973/20240314_123259.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2980" data-original-width="3973" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1izOeWoTw9qaVc8nrWX7N4BzGxb0NGWf0WSgwHH-iQGyPKb5YHI2rPihbkZVKUg_mKl0BZSzKauxo592jr__0OutKa5LA3iIF8i9_hPv2idZ2QbhkMR6SEBErbm7zhI0lvslJpLcC-uGN17F9oEmuIQHf35lCgCGOl8z5uBvhLiirr5I8zJ_wJkHEvEID/w640-h480/20240314_123259.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The original castle was built in the 11th century, after the Norman invasion of England by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I (who reigned 1100–1135), it has been used by the reigning monarch and is the longest-occupied palace in Europe. The castle's lavish early 19th-century state apartments were described by the art historian Hugh Roberts as "a superb and unrivalled sequence of rooms widely regarded as the finest and most complete expression of later Georgian taste". Inside the castle walls is the 15th-century St George's Chapel, considered by the historian John Martin Robinson to be "one of the supreme achievements of English Perpendicular Gothic" design.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJC_zfxViHU1440CWWwrEGNX-Kq3WnXyDVNYEZb865b5FpJuE8wsGgoUySqzcfVKbVqy8poYMQsMu5K_-jI39PueoiTguV_dLEO_gBYB1L2_cmlALLG7OOysxDtLvpbcZedcEE9vjre8kmHWF37vK5deNo0d9ZABvcWyozRnVZxxwvNU5r1PeBKgx-tgB/s4000/20240314_123412.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJC_zfxViHU1440CWWwrEGNX-Kq3WnXyDVNYEZb865b5FpJuE8wsGgoUySqzcfVKbVqy8poYMQsMu5K_-jI39PueoiTguV_dLEO_gBYB1L2_cmlALLG7OOysxDtLvpbcZedcEE9vjre8kmHWF37vK5deNo0d9ZABvcWyozRnVZxxwvNU5r1PeBKgx-tgB/w640-h480/20240314_123412.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Originally designed to project Norman dominance around the outskirts of London and oversee a strategically important part of the River Thames, Windsor Castle was built as a motte-and-bailey, with three wards surrounding a central mound. Gradually replaced with stone fortifications, the castle withstood a prolonged siege during the First Barons' War at the start of the 13th century. Henry III built a luxurious royal palace within the castle during the middle of the century, and Edward III went further, rebuilding the palace to make an even grander set of buildings in what would become "the most expensive secular building project of the entire Middle Ages in England". Edward's core design lasted through the Tudor period, during which Henry VIII and Elizabeth I made increasing use of the castle as a royal court and centre for diplomatic entertainment.</div></div><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSE0dOibQD6uzBwsIfU4YyAEAKY-K5JacNqzisbPtmFIRD4VI69uQpX_itQRQ3Et74cxtzUdwipwx-TnFtauxl5hJM3tkl8GIf6nTwzAd7r53uqgAnUF6cb3inf6z4e_qja3KCkkAmmj6So5_hEE_u9xF_XVzjP7UzjAW0SbatrH8OJ92jnQZ4o3rCkOv/s3788/20240314_123438.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2841" data-original-width="3788" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSE0dOibQD6uzBwsIfU4YyAEAKY-K5JacNqzisbPtmFIRD4VI69uQpX_itQRQ3Et74cxtzUdwipwx-TnFtauxl5hJM3tkl8GIf6nTwzAd7r53uqgAnUF6cb3inf6z4e_qja3KCkkAmmj6So5_hEE_u9xF_XVzjP7UzjAW0SbatrH8OJ92jnQZ4o3rCkOv/w640-h480/20240314_123438.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Windsor Castle survived the tumultuous period of the English Civil War, when it was used as a military headquarters by Parliamentary forces and a prison for Charles I. At the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Charles II rebuilt much of Windsor Castle with the help of the architect Hugh May, creating a set of extravagant Baroque interiors. After a period of neglect during the 18th century, George III and George IV renovated and rebuilt Charles II's palace at colossal expense, producing the current design of the state apartments, full of Rococo, Gothic and Baroque furnishings. Queen Victoria made a few minor changes to the castle, which became the centre for royal entertainment for much of her reign. During the First World War, the historic estate inspired the naming of the royal House of Windsor. In the reign of George VI, it was used as a refuge by the royal family during the Luftwaffe bombing campaigns of the Second World War. An extensive restoration of several state rooms took place after the castle survived a fire in 1992. It is a popular tourist attraction, a venue for hosting state visits, and was the main residence of Queen Elizabeth II from 2011 to 2022.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiB2e-TEKNml0IVPGBM8gsoeaFlD4qrVUcrPpiO7M51xfDN2QyvdE9AU_gYv1ylrB-nmWNLdS73W_sJ5JTkIjtN1B0vMgV0xvYNqf4Wrag5hri4PRzKcKo1ag2kFJfQJjiBikTrWoEy68BVQ7qAMuzj8FmJc7LY0Jg1NYAbNTcrQu-gXxCoUOl0f3SuC2f/s3489/20240314_123456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3489" data-original-width="2947" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiB2e-TEKNml0IVPGBM8gsoeaFlD4qrVUcrPpiO7M51xfDN2QyvdE9AU_gYv1ylrB-nmWNLdS73W_sJ5JTkIjtN1B0vMgV0xvYNqf4Wrag5hri4PRzKcKo1ag2kFJfQJjiBikTrWoEy68BVQ7qAMuzj8FmJc7LY0Jg1NYAbNTcrQu-gXxCoUOl0f3SuC2f/w540-h640/20240314_123456.jpg" width="540" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7cle9p64aeAvO_um7fcvR9IbRUSsaJ7g9lkYozOT8Z5hXAAOGS8hFxlekfZZ5djyacnVxzIjfeYiuf5k5h2AGbITqlVOYMe4JIQx4lxHeoTj3etYk13WYf8838oGkCPbIP_6HDy-GX5xbQkMMvq_Uck1CE_RJQukQ2D0VPbyu-bCCEVcWN3kJLGpsYUV/s3765/20240314_123519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2824" data-original-width="3765" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7cle9p64aeAvO_um7fcvR9IbRUSsaJ7g9lkYozOT8Z5hXAAOGS8hFxlekfZZ5djyacnVxzIjfeYiuf5k5h2AGbITqlVOYMe4JIQx4lxHeoTj3etYk13WYf8838oGkCPbIP_6HDy-GX5xbQkMMvq_Uck1CE_RJQukQ2D0VPbyu-bCCEVcWN3kJLGpsYUV/w640-h480/20240314_123519.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24xaga0Q0rK1JH1_5XA_8wDamAMAvUFhaKlpva5HczRzldhqAUimXfsA8-Vb9jaoR6RuD7U0o5-2ZjHyvGVVr6mkIfeRByycX3id4vJI5GuBFNslAX9up3aarBHmqSM8obymjnMCrYSqeutCfyHMi8c1zBFjcfTRuqnIcIli5fe8pKfUQSxNz2nLcv6e7/s3811/20240314_123555.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3811" data-original-width="2858" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24xaga0Q0rK1JH1_5XA_8wDamAMAvUFhaKlpva5HczRzldhqAUimXfsA8-Vb9jaoR6RuD7U0o5-2ZjHyvGVVr6mkIfeRByycX3id4vJI5GuBFNslAX9up3aarBHmqSM8obymjnMCrYSqeutCfyHMi8c1zBFjcfTRuqnIcIli5fe8pKfUQSxNz2nLcv6e7/w480-h640/20240314_123555.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I stopped in the Carpenters Arms for a debrief drink after my walk.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDK-dFNZyqC7aXDbZNculZ6Wuv6Pf6MYfQg8l-srg-_6UCpmPlW6EPo60F_2KAhYZpJlPuk_hyphenhyphenTgtC7ZduF-gPblHfc5JABSoHSmDPrgDhrIIgvmXU6kW4NyWmQwXGPs_lPgdno4ksKr-N5Uv32LYQa0vOyDUbFR6xdxJzkM72qMNnPxSoM5UHHd-8TovP/s3915/20240314_123833.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3915" data-original-width="2936" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDK-dFNZyqC7aXDbZNculZ6Wuv6Pf6MYfQg8l-srg-_6UCpmPlW6EPo60F_2KAhYZpJlPuk_hyphenhyphenTgtC7ZduF-gPblHfc5JABSoHSmDPrgDhrIIgvmXU6kW4NyWmQwXGPs_lPgdno4ksKr-N5Uv32LYQa0vOyDUbFR6xdxJzkM72qMNnPxSoM5UHHd-8TovP/w480-h640/20240314_123833.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I then walked back to Windsor and Eton Railway station to catch the train back to Staines. Another great walk!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2rdXlcEjNFRXyOz7cCLJ5kbzto0pDQ56X3n_fRdlLU6A6wu_zi0dRPiPyFgFVuLT1hmpKC7nbnDmPqrHlilxP46x9a14uSs-DZSGl8Dlq_-zvfG5r-KrD4zmvPrzqaEiUJof5yHVJC4b0TelO3c-SjnuBByjbyIsxzVqo2Y6NLvYYl0qjrbjNAb2Vrwl/s1590/Screenshot%202024-03-16%20104845.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="1590" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2rdXlcEjNFRXyOz7cCLJ5kbzto0pDQ56X3n_fRdlLU6A6wu_zi0dRPiPyFgFVuLT1hmpKC7nbnDmPqrHlilxP46x9a14uSs-DZSGl8Dlq_-zvfG5r-KrD4zmvPrzqaEiUJof5yHVJC4b0TelO3c-SjnuBByjbyIsxzVqo2Y6NLvYYl0qjrbjNAb2Vrwl/w640-h306/Screenshot%202024-03-16%20104845.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-37624921493290181142024-03-04T15:34:00.079+00:002024-03-09T11:05:30.695+00:00Wye Valley weekend 2nd to 4th March 2024<p style="text-align: center;">On Saturday the 2nd March 2024 Mel and I drove down to Chepstow just over the border into Wales. It was just under a three hour drive and we arrived to a very wet and cold day.</p><p style="text-align: center;">We parked up in the free car park of our Beaufort Hotel at just gone Eleven Am.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I popped into reception to check it was okay to park up before we checked in. It was a yes with a even better come back in an hour and we hopefully can get you checked in early!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQ4Mvzv5K0JWFIexCBVFcaZm8SJ1GKohIy69Dvkz8KimtGK88iUdV6Oojwdi59AJQ40rVEnNVE-vWiUHXJrsUlbDX_hJvxOVKWAfqzouuMu5IM7Joh2euUoLGdw83sNs-M4IBnJXYNmE9VjUNrt97yPDd6BtKbkF6WkqC39gnwusWEhEmj_6jv2MPu_S_/s3927/20240302_111610~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2945" data-original-width="3927" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQ4Mvzv5K0JWFIexCBVFcaZm8SJ1GKohIy69Dvkz8KimtGK88iUdV6Oojwdi59AJQ40rVEnNVE-vWiUHXJrsUlbDX_hJvxOVKWAfqzouuMu5IM7Joh2euUoLGdw83sNs-M4IBnJXYNmE9VjUNrt97yPDd6BtKbkF6WkqC39gnwusWEhEmj_6jv2MPu_S_/w640-h480/20240302_111610~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLM56vSVVNIb-iOzMHzbbEZrfz99DoMiw60vBIxRffuZWgyAw9o1dj_lM8XVCIcjX9bIx0yx5QPz5vmYLdq2ObaXo-DrDJMymY-guszCWx-lT4ukWZMqOm0R6d3NoUdhRsHgcLBkTrRLRY59a_oLUXMmg9p2wUEugylEQ3tPsb_N-zBiygXHLAYJClovQh/s3849/20240302_111631~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2887" data-original-width="3849" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLM56vSVVNIb-iOzMHzbbEZrfz99DoMiw60vBIxRffuZWgyAw9o1dj_lM8XVCIcjX9bIx0yx5QPz5vmYLdq2ObaXo-DrDJMymY-guszCWx-lT4ukWZMqOm0R6d3NoUdhRsHgcLBkTrRLRY59a_oLUXMmg9p2wUEugylEQ3tPsb_N-zBiygXHLAYJClovQh/w640-h480/20240302_111631~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We head across the road to the Ugly Mug Café for some breakfast as we were starving by now!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpUibAxcg-aQQ7MvUJ6KhPkukUoVNmD8djRcHQkU2mubmOLK6GLkZ9E8uHbYK2gXcDx1SR905mbXiZi3A3BQ8Dd0dxyRYD_UnS294GXhZJJm4VA8y7HWzWrv5Rnl_jwWxJmVNoQkm9p7h8zc0TgkMZ8lOuJBnXRddFNrKCOUtfFLvejdkSiB1DdfZlT53/s3736/20240302_114816~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3736" data-original-width="2802" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpUibAxcg-aQQ7MvUJ6KhPkukUoVNmD8djRcHQkU2mubmOLK6GLkZ9E8uHbYK2gXcDx1SR905mbXiZi3A3BQ8Dd0dxyRYD_UnS294GXhZJJm4VA8y7HWzWrv5Rnl_jwWxJmVNoQkm9p7h8zc0TgkMZ8lOuJBnXRddFNrKCOUtfFLvejdkSiB1DdfZlT53/w480-h640/20240302_114816~2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We had a quick look about the local shops before heading back to the hotel and we were checked in at Twelve, a good three hours early.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2ONsgJp4mUmaIRKVuH8vWFPpRG21NDXK9D4W0dyg1Oq91asjs_XjVtF-z8xOhHnB750t6Gl-B9pmdiyCGPYpkDxfY258oYf4FaoAEqo3ogvTWtRdBJZvnUUxmKTa65rf2sY6shDLginayuUZAsW2vRV1KOYWc1Mia0qBXY6VhucpsTEhu2ahM_OgnLYy/s4000/20240302_121157~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2ONsgJp4mUmaIRKVuH8vWFPpRG21NDXK9D4W0dyg1Oq91asjs_XjVtF-z8xOhHnB750t6Gl-B9pmdiyCGPYpkDxfY258oYf4FaoAEqo3ogvTWtRdBJZvnUUxmKTa65rf2sY6shDLginayuUZAsW2vRV1KOYWc1Mia0qBXY6VhucpsTEhu2ahM_OgnLYy/w640-h480/20240302_121157~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Beaufort Hotel in Chepstow, Wales is located at the southeast corner of Beaufort Square in the town centre. It was designated a Grade II listed building in 1975. It was established in the 16th century as a coaching inn; it claims to be the oldest continuously trading hotel in south Wales. Historically the hotel has served as an auction house.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHVeZXEmoawpsJVmb1pZ6z-fODZ6Ivb2axaVyC38P2oanhvUYbShzjbbdUW2ArlJVtaQzSah-Pr_Q1XqffpYB4mZsPQKzE94h6yTZnyUIEPuOyumyJ87ms46hyi1d8jBx4VNhfojrv4eGDEAYGoow8-i5HfdX_fRl9T6WNJtYkMQR2w5Zg4DW9inEXzvw/s4000/20240302_121205~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHVeZXEmoawpsJVmb1pZ6z-fODZ6Ivb2axaVyC38P2oanhvUYbShzjbbdUW2ArlJVtaQzSah-Pr_Q1XqffpYB4mZsPQKzE94h6yTZnyUIEPuOyumyJ87ms46hyi1d8jBx4VNhfojrv4eGDEAYGoow8-i5HfdX_fRl9T6WNJtYkMQR2w5Zg4DW9inEXzvw/w640-h480/20240302_121205~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After we settled into our hotel room, we decided to walk down to see the Castle.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKhZHf2parZSrFiuM8Cyd7PsLwx0cIKzsNyBWWU5t_eJhyphenhyphenZf7ZSe7xb3VCXKNlwKYXr728v33r0FhplOgrOdDLXK5cFjPYXSpejYj95P1gD_w65ajUeQOwN2ajvsHWy1UX4mN81ajXEdAe2cshrTQbi0CaCbsEUstQAReVTGGBaSITU0HqcGsFGUWOQ9i/s4000/20240302_123337~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKhZHf2parZSrFiuM8Cyd7PsLwx0cIKzsNyBWWU5t_eJhyphenhyphenZf7ZSe7xb3VCXKNlwKYXr728v33r0FhplOgrOdDLXK5cFjPYXSpejYj95P1gD_w65ajUeQOwN2ajvsHWy1UX4mN81ajXEdAe2cshrTQbi0CaCbsEUstQAReVTGGBaSITU0HqcGsFGUWOQ9i/w640-h480/20240302_123337~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The name Chepstow derives from the Old English ceap/chepe stowe, meaning market place or trading centre. The word "stow" usually denotes a place of special significance, and the root chep is the same as that in other placenames such as Chipping Sodbury and Cheapside. The name is first recorded in 1307, but may have been used by the English in earlier centuries. However, the name used by the Normans for the castle and lordship was Striguil (in various spellings, such as Estrighoiel), probably derived from a Welsh word ystraigyl, meaning a bend in the river. The Welsh name Cas-gwent refers to the "castle of Gwent". The name Gwent itself derives from the Roman settlement Venta Silurum or 'Market of the Silures', now named Caerwent, 5 miles (8 km) west of Chepstow, which had been the Romano-British commercial centre of south-east Wales.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rmFirupccTzo32_rAvcyNsppMn_G5sduFUy6uu37sibGaNsnod4A-724-WRb89ssLNjFrkhTtilBisRezsiRndelhyphenhyphenkgqOjJVftxvoXiG-SVIxC5fPU6aYv7fOKvGMDa50fadm0tFqvpsgzfNoe6TDIlZ6zGxgOxhdcpm0aH_N__j2OTrPntoi-3-zfJ/s4000/20240302_123439~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rmFirupccTzo32_rAvcyNsppMn_G5sduFUy6uu37sibGaNsnod4A-724-WRb89ssLNjFrkhTtilBisRezsiRndelhyphenhyphenkgqOjJVftxvoXiG-SVIxC5fPU6aYv7fOKvGMDa50fadm0tFqvpsgzfNoe6TDIlZ6zGxgOxhdcpm0aH_N__j2OTrPntoi-3-zfJ/w480-h640/20240302_123439~2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pass Cromwell House on Bridge Street. Probably C16 origin with later remodelling. Name reflects claim that Oliver Cromwell slept in the house after taking Chepstow in 1648.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig06O5cwc6xkTuBNKoGvn0UdSaIz51If7wkKDg0RlA0_qfnHlw3AOt9fjm4d9zwBwMMgHfYVkGcdrCRkzIL1Vx5Y8sVlRm0vGOORJaFbhOqwEQ8VczSR8NEsbrPHoi4qY3Vx7gqU2Z3ecWVMbz1yVvA2oi45ayL1LT-YlaopKyW7lb92IK59doDF09rI3r/s3724/20240302_123624~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2793" data-original-width="3724" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig06O5cwc6xkTuBNKoGvn0UdSaIz51If7wkKDg0RlA0_qfnHlw3AOt9fjm4d9zwBwMMgHfYVkGcdrCRkzIL1Vx5Y8sVlRm0vGOORJaFbhOqwEQ8VczSR8NEsbrPHoi4qY3Vx7gqU2Z3ecWVMbz1yVvA2oi45ayL1LT-YlaopKyW7lb92IK59doDF09rI3r/w640-h480/20240302_123624~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chepstow Castle (Welsh: Castell Cas-gwent) at Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales is the oldest surviving post-Roman stone fortification in Britain. Located above cliffs on the River Wye, construction began in 1067 under the instruction of the Norman Lord William FitzOsbern. Originally known as Striguil, it was the southernmost of a chain of castles built in the Welsh Marches, and with its attached lordship took the name of the adjoining market town in about the 14th century.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the 12th century the castle was used in the conquest of Gwent, the first independent Welsh kingdom to be conquered by the Normans. It was subsequently held by two of the most powerful Anglo-Norman magnates of medieval England, William Marshal and Richard de Clare. However, by the 16th century its military importance had waned and parts of its structure were converted into domestic ranges. Although re-garrisoned during and after the English Civil War, by the 1700s it had fallen into decay. With the later growth of tourism, the castle became a popular visitor destination.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6yyS5PlekaWD09EYW9pIacLG593EYR5CLDsFpXal9k3b-Ur3oa9ajAPpjvNnL3y_9UExQexgEWgT9KJ0XkayPIllWdnFeLAFzULMFpNo1oX9SeL_8yqApcyld32P5TSjklD9sQ3NRo318CLrVRehUn5Z9qApn822Al9FseAbJsUFC4ZwKXyMZKW5uEHy/s3849/20240302_123946~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2887" data-original-width="3849" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6yyS5PlekaWD09EYW9pIacLG593EYR5CLDsFpXal9k3b-Ur3oa9ajAPpjvNnL3y_9UExQexgEWgT9KJ0XkayPIllWdnFeLAFzULMFpNo1oX9SeL_8yqApcyld32P5TSjklD9sQ3NRo318CLrVRehUn5Z9qApn822Al9FseAbJsUFC4ZwKXyMZKW5uEHy/w640-h480/20240302_123946~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on pass the Castle in the wet cold rain, to be honest it is hard to enjoy the beauty of this place in such weather!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzgFRNR-_oGlb4_SfSIlwR4E9tqRuTWkPsPG3YRhaCFr6NB1IUw7g8VmPSyQn_djrNEVTIIVuElx8OJ6nejK9nxfILBJohEmia5RVmdW82cXfrEGCw7uqd35Mah1vHwDWt0PZKJ_8ZLpirDWrFyLcSrxjlSvECV3olY-onCfMvRdUaj4Yb_xk4DkeqtvS/s3728/20240302_124029~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2796" data-original-width="3728" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzgFRNR-_oGlb4_SfSIlwR4E9tqRuTWkPsPG3YRhaCFr6NB1IUw7g8VmPSyQn_djrNEVTIIVuElx8OJ6nejK9nxfILBJohEmia5RVmdW82cXfrEGCw7uqd35Mah1vHwDWt0PZKJ_8ZLpirDWrFyLcSrxjlSvECV3olY-onCfMvRdUaj4Yb_xk4DkeqtvS/w640-h480/20240302_124029~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We cross the Chepstow Bridge (Old Wye Bridge) with views back across to the castle.</div></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECr_LFDBILQYItYRgBZosdPywNUEF9XU0qAYo_qhMkJmCuIQ7iQyaeFKIK6yKz5TgqgA0_OmasrD0br250lEIoihX_tMubSrdidVeKO4TFyVyrlmQe2k9FGf0ik7FsnZPrTiWtiQRxO_ZRDXyPc9lp0nnv-6TQj8fP7s72ikzyPAj2IbM_q-IjDauDois/s4000/20240302_124107~2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECr_LFDBILQYItYRgBZosdPywNUEF9XU0qAYo_qhMkJmCuIQ7iQyaeFKIK6yKz5TgqgA0_OmasrD0br250lEIoihX_tMubSrdidVeKO4TFyVyrlmQe2k9FGf0ik7FsnZPrTiWtiQRxO_ZRDXyPc9lp0nnv-6TQj8fP7s72ikzyPAj2IbM_q-IjDauDois/w640-h480/20240302_124107~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The border, Wales to the Right and England to the Left.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chepstow Bridge is the World's largest iron arch road bridge from the first 50 years (1780-1830) of iron and steel construction. The bridge was first opened on the 24th July 1816, and is an architectural marvel and feat of engineering that has stood the test of time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbBRN3IXheftr8r1OXX1l10UNV4xNaMS7wyW809c530GtsKbyawy0SUyPxT7QltPLq-GLrssY8AuC8j9h_f17qgmJvxBB07fQOSNuxyYFRn2SAs4JkeaZWR653PJMLZ_sz4U_Vg_1RLyN5d1TnLm_J-nn8lvkh_Q0xTNjQcKab-8flsAgEf2QwxVx1cPR/s4000/20240302_124207~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbBRN3IXheftr8r1OXX1l10UNV4xNaMS7wyW809c530GtsKbyawy0SUyPxT7QltPLq-GLrssY8AuC8j9h_f17qgmJvxBB07fQOSNuxyYFRn2SAs4JkeaZWR653PJMLZ_sz4U_Vg_1RLyN5d1TnLm_J-nn8lvkh_Q0xTNjQcKab-8flsAgEf2QwxVx1cPR/w640-h480/20240302_124207~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back and jump in the car to go and see Monmouth.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mEOJBSu0KxKsRX-4KSbZEZ1KZ-Xi96cjimPYmxCmJCWDYypOH93iB4xuX4evdwZb7n8m52jduKs0d8t0c9APfb0W5HGZnoidSD9ZKcQRSbGmIkIHpdROdooPUf7t0gFqtcKVQw77FAHv3e3vPFt4O5B1k9LW9ZsgQWvqEhIG5Q7wOyxf6_ubmfKnJl7G/s1600/IMG-20240302-WA0003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mEOJBSu0KxKsRX-4KSbZEZ1KZ-Xi96cjimPYmxCmJCWDYypOH93iB4xuX4evdwZb7n8m52jduKs0d8t0c9APfb0W5HGZnoidSD9ZKcQRSbGmIkIHpdROdooPUf7t0gFqtcKVQw77FAHv3e3vPFt4O5B1k9LW9ZsgQWvqEhIG5Q7wOyxf6_ubmfKnJl7G/w640-h480/IMG-20240302-WA0003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We really wasn't expecting snow when we left home this morning!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhYkTugXvT_5xZfFhMmVfL2VZTfvsJk9Y9g-ptFqrfeoaKKLohOFWl11R822lq2XK3efsCrAiwQs9K3xnP9pVX2n33eHuXKij5dFbtD2TaovVhaDd0LWU_0MYrb5FiMIbV35d07INeYpBNW1WHMJacX5Fgi3sUKlCmOI_6PqKrANAMm6KT_X3v_-OCSwv/s1502/IMG-20240302-WA0004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1502" data-original-width="844" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhYkTugXvT_5xZfFhMmVfL2VZTfvsJk9Y9g-ptFqrfeoaKKLohOFWl11R822lq2XK3efsCrAiwQs9K3xnP9pVX2n33eHuXKij5dFbtD2TaovVhaDd0LWU_0MYrb5FiMIbV35d07INeYpBNW1WHMJacX5Fgi3sUKlCmOI_6PqKrANAMm6KT_X3v_-OCSwv/w360-h640/IMG-20240302-WA0004.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLDe4haoBEPbguZzLh3NlFGucwR6kfLegRmjZsCZa1o8_DnFWYnB0UsywktyqKDxN9jbBgmNTXRN36Ze08ytR2wyQqOZv1O84cNAPcDCDUqaYpnKnlNAwcDQZvkmR0Gernb9ndT1cQTPfHbT7QAvedb9LiW6ioGsTjCnZ-GVnrWFY6T-DpOrJS8YXGe-M/s1420/IMG-20240302-WA0005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1420" data-original-width="798" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLDe4haoBEPbguZzLh3NlFGucwR6kfLegRmjZsCZa1o8_DnFWYnB0UsywktyqKDxN9jbBgmNTXRN36Ze08ytR2wyQqOZv1O84cNAPcDCDUqaYpnKnlNAwcDQZvkmR0Gernb9ndT1cQTPfHbT7QAvedb9LiW6ioGsTjCnZ-GVnrWFY6T-DpOrJS8YXGe-M/w360-h640/IMG-20240302-WA0005.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We made our way slowly through the snow covered lanes towards Monmouth.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTegv4IkRzbsxKwsZrwUn9KGy-DkohQ8yFPPAItkaKo2MjcCpEHQnkE22ybKuzgCsxmVjAr2V6JQUBRrVixFw42LtSnm3r3jhSUKkVv1jekYLW7XvtzT7d1xXuaPG9mDtdRsP-wDZ67FInMW_2nPn3ICdG_HsS41GkuS-ksHOephSqJX8TuaLiRmk4B9t/s1598/IMG-20240302-WA0006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1598" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTegv4IkRzbsxKwsZrwUn9KGy-DkohQ8yFPPAItkaKo2MjcCpEHQnkE22ybKuzgCsxmVjAr2V6JQUBRrVixFw42LtSnm3r3jhSUKkVv1jekYLW7XvtzT7d1xXuaPG9mDtdRsP-wDZ67FInMW_2nPn3ICdG_HsS41GkuS-ksHOephSqJX8TuaLiRmk4B9t/w640-h360/IMG-20240302-WA0006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We arrive in Monmouth, and yep still raining!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsTCknX2tYQBejQF1gFxOA6wKmON21P0SZoj0nm1GFq9ImJejXg9pCNmSW-TP1hDHcvUyzhDthqamq_GqjBWhv1Xx9-18ezllSa2iCBSFS6pE9Finz-WqrRyDK3P3MGYNq1ORgHOURjKiWk3eKhVbOcMxu2N4UfHPmc8ujzYV5pH8932sZeo_9rBTBzBm/s4000/20240302_134232~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsTCknX2tYQBejQF1gFxOA6wKmON21P0SZoj0nm1GFq9ImJejXg9pCNmSW-TP1hDHcvUyzhDthqamq_GqjBWhv1Xx9-18ezllSa2iCBSFS6pE9Finz-WqrRyDK3P3MGYNq1ORgHOURjKiWk3eKhVbOcMxu2N4UfHPmc8ujzYV5pH8932sZeo_9rBTBzBm/w640-h480/20240302_134232~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Monmouth, Welsh: Trefynwy; meaning "town on the Monnow") is a market town and community in Monmouthshire, Wales, situated on where the River Monnow joins the River Wye, two miles (three kilometres) from the Wales–England border. Monmouth was the county town of historic Monmouthshire.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9D0e70eO-6PtgaG0ZJjUZudHt0n1iHCxleI-_HUd0dk48bR0c7EoZpdNeiyugDBZJcxBYaB9xGZ7A2CjQc9bo5Yem3YiAv3qCh05w1udGE8DAJUJpltoxu9uxgws5284TMZB8EZcaBX2xHHh5koHzqjzWCelgN5UiInab1Yu7OzoI7c3HFy0YrkINrw6/s3661/20240302_134234~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2746" data-original-width="3661" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9D0e70eO-6PtgaG0ZJjUZudHt0n1iHCxleI-_HUd0dk48bR0c7EoZpdNeiyugDBZJcxBYaB9xGZ7A2CjQc9bo5Yem3YiAv3qCh05w1udGE8DAJUJpltoxu9uxgws5284TMZB8EZcaBX2xHHh5koHzqjzWCelgN5UiInab1Yu7OzoI7c3HFy0YrkINrw6/w640-h480/20240302_134234~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The name Monmouth is an English contraction of 'Monnow-mouth'. The Welsh name for the river, Mynwy, which may originally have meant "fast-flowing", was anglicised as Monnow. The town was originally known in Welsh as Abermynwy ("mouth of the Monnow"), replaced by Trefynwy ("Monnow town" – the initial m of Mynwy mutating in Welsh to f, pronounced /v/) by the 1600s.</div></div><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoh3hrFCIS2ttsVxvVxSAHSkrT8KY7tMt0A2Hdtnr_BU_E0xP0BeiIKcxWf0DC7-g44OgwYRRrrxGTziA0MTTxiZP-R4ve_Bsl6APr7tzMeAQJaVE_k3Lgqt-JW6uwkXYffqyFuc1jEuHTMEFonmpOfklgkh8oFROS_NJumB61sG4LYnT9rel3PI9u8jg/s4000/20240302_134459.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoh3hrFCIS2ttsVxvVxSAHSkrT8KY7tMt0A2Hdtnr_BU_E0xP0BeiIKcxWf0DC7-g44OgwYRRrrxGTziA0MTTxiZP-R4ve_Bsl6APr7tzMeAQJaVE_k3Lgqt-JW6uwkXYffqyFuc1jEuHTMEFonmpOfklgkh8oFROS_NJumB61sG4LYnT9rel3PI9u8jg/w640-h480/20240302_134459.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pass the Shire Hall with a small market beneath. The Shire Hall, Monmouth, Wales, is a prominent building on Agincourt Square in the town centre. It was built in 1724, and was formerly the centre for the Assize Courts and Quarter Sessions for Monmouthshire. The building was also used as a market place. In 1839–40, the court was the location of the trial of the Chartist leader John Frost and others for high treason for their part in the Newport Rising.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The building is attributed to Philip Fisher (1702-1776). Fisher is not a well-documented architect, and Cadw notes that the Shire Hall is his only recorded building. The hall was extended by Thomas Hopper and Edward Haycock Sr. in the middle of the 19th century. Cadw describes the building as a “exceptionally fine example of provincial Baroque”. It is a Grade I listed building.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The current building was erected in 1724, and is at least the fourth building on the site. It had earlier been the site of an Elizabethan court built in 1536, which in turn was replaced in 1571 by a timber-framed construction. The timbers from the original building were used in the construction of the Shire Hall, which provided an open trading area on the ground floor with rooms above. The building, described in Buildings of Wales as "a mighty affair", was designed by a little-known architect, Philip Fisher (d. 1776) of Bristol at a cost of £1,700. The Courts of Assize were transferred to the building in 1725, with the court room itself located on the first floor above the open arches which were used as a market area. The clock in the pediment was made by Richard Watkins in 1765.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The building was extended and remodelled by Thomas Hopper and Edward Haycock Sr. in 1828.</div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">A memorial statue to the aviation pioneer Charles Rolls stands in front of the Shire Hall.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Nn9E_cHRgQmbOveuRpF7hFCVnPHBpTHPfUGQzZbFlQ3PsMKLDUAC_untdo7VziBoMTPaYMyakebyE99FppKvT3ez6lsWaQ-dx2dNOKtZRXQDb1sg7Pm3pMI1DC5nPPxGgHVudoI8FnTPOEJgpdVhqJrJSO1-JvwS3FND2MXVy6INYN0amisXQI9vtkRt/s4000/20240302_134659~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Nn9E_cHRgQmbOveuRpF7hFCVnPHBpTHPfUGQzZbFlQ3PsMKLDUAC_untdo7VziBoMTPaYMyakebyE99FppKvT3ez6lsWaQ-dx2dNOKtZRXQDb1sg7Pm3pMI1DC5nPPxGgHVudoI8FnTPOEJgpdVhqJrJSO1-JvwS3FND2MXVy6INYN0amisXQI9vtkRt/w640-h480/20240302_134659~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pass the Savoy Theatre on Church Street.The building in which the theatre is housed was constructed on the foundations of the earlier Bell Inn, in Monmouth's historic town centre. Originally known as the Assembly Rooms, the theatre was first granted an entertainment licence in 1832. It was refurbished as the Theatre Royal in 1850 under J. F. Rogers, and later became the town's Corn Exchange. It was briefly a roller skating rink, belonging to the White Swan Hotel, at the end of the 19th century, before reopening in 1910 as Monmouth's first cinema, the "Living Picture Palace and Rinkeries". In 1912, it was renamed the Palace, in later years the Scala and then the Regent.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1927 the building was bought by the Albany Ward theatre group, gutted and reopened on 5 March 1928 as "The New Picture House". This showed the first "talking pictures" in the town in 1930. It closed as a cinema in the 1960s, later reopening as a bingo hall and again closing in 1983, before reopening for a time to show historic magic lantern slides. It has operated continuously as a cinema since the 1990s. In 1989 Cadw designated the theatre a Grade II* listed building, the listing record describing it as “a rare and little altered example of a small cinema from the inter-War period in Wales”.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3_GhU2FDE8HV6pwK6ahWfyRclh2ZFLKWHASaptxj9-dxOtkJwTjy_0TzAWzS8NLj5YRmgolhMewG5dE1DCn654xelM3R56F_moNGHiaI2zbsAbZn4S0st8SsGfIujXolRnofjDgztX54ULhsWihtwzQIQr28ZdHCIzgSBdX4fA5Qg8GvILHNRrroE4_V/s4000/20240302_134906~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3_GhU2FDE8HV6pwK6ahWfyRclh2ZFLKWHASaptxj9-dxOtkJwTjy_0TzAWzS8NLj5YRmgolhMewG5dE1DCn654xelM3R56F_moNGHiaI2zbsAbZn4S0st8SsGfIujXolRnofjDgztX54ULhsWihtwzQIQr28ZdHCIzgSBdX4fA5Qg8GvILHNRrroE4_V/w640-h480/20240302_134906~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Walking back through the town we walk on down to the River Monnow and the Monnow Bridge.</div></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7PFsmvAfpmyCf-Ix4X3zrXhcAe7An3WL4ob8GmYa_NauSM06X3uW21KdIhMTi6pH3y-XwHKNj-EvMLEkjh6ze2OfKLWN_UIJg979BfywpU-kyYFyNiHTPzB5ddwjE2KIz3fos4Fi7aTQMTKUp5kzn1NelpnRGPAlVN1Xi_Cn9ZOTcYVlUdLAPYczDHa2/s3835/20240302_143246~2.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7PFsmvAfpmyCf-Ix4X3zrXhcAe7An3WL4ob8GmYa_NauSM06X3uW21KdIhMTi6pH3y-XwHKNj-EvMLEkjh6ze2OfKLWN_UIJg979BfywpU-kyYFyNiHTPzB5ddwjE2KIz3fos4Fi7aTQMTKUp5kzn1NelpnRGPAlVN1Xi_Cn9ZOTcYVlUdLAPYczDHa2/w640-h480/20240302_143246~2.jpg" /></a>Monnow Bridge is the only remaining mediaeval fortified river bridge in Great Britain with its gate tower still standing in place.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A picturesque stone construction with three archways over the River Monnow, Monnow Bridge can be dated back to 1272, while the tower was built later sometime between 1297 and 1315. Today, pedestrians can walk along Monnow Bridge although the tower is not open to the public.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IVVS8Qi0mtyHRiPhMfDAoJ26UMJnrxjph8DliI41oKwMYOWo872YdCVcDVZG-Wg-94OoJM5QZ2e16XbdSv4YS29fWdBm7hxIWI8ldW4lX4M5W06SHopMQnHAhFUDCTTXMTQAmi9IWJG3veT_ViB1ZMWijhkGW3L3zJ6RR55yMG1xEJLTPibZUzTWpPPI/s3775/20240302_143324~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2831" data-original-width="3775" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IVVS8Qi0mtyHRiPhMfDAoJ26UMJnrxjph8DliI41oKwMYOWo872YdCVcDVZG-Wg-94OoJM5QZ2e16XbdSv4YS29fWdBm7hxIWI8ldW4lX4M5W06SHopMQnHAhFUDCTTXMTQAmi9IWJG3veT_ViB1ZMWijhkGW3L3zJ6RR55yMG1xEJLTPibZUzTWpPPI/w640-h480/20240302_143324~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Monmouth was a significant Roman settlement, the site of Blestium border fort and a centre for ironwork. While the Romans may have built a bridge over the River Wye it was not until the Norman invasion that the Monnow had a permanent crossing. Norman lord William FitzOsbern built a castle nearby where the rivers met around 1070.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the 12th century a wooden bridge was constructed – discovered during archaeological work in the 1980s – from trees cut down between 1123 and 1169. This bridge was possibly damaged during the 1233 Battle of Monmouth between supporters Henry II and Richard Marshal, Earl of Pembroke. Although the specific site of the battle is debated among historians.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Monnow’s stone bridge was completed around the late 13th century in a period of increased bridge-building as international trade began to flourish. The gatehouse atop the bridge, known as Monnow Gate, was constructed shortly after the bridge in the late 13th or early 14th century. The gatehouse was the result of a medieval tax or ‘murage’ raised by Edward I to provide funds to fortify Monmouth for his nephew, Henry of Lancaster.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The arch gate formed part of the city walls and as such was built with machicolations: defensive balconies with open floors that allowed defenders to drop stones on attackers. The gate’s second purpose was to collect tolls from those going to market.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBglK4A9HS_9pNzHbx4ePp6LrbTiDJN4JnZ6cB71FoBwEFUR72gQfaixO0CGeKtu4lfmyUz02Nt2dVxi2HEz_PsjeSahyphenhyphen-1alByNgjGD8iKbvK1fz5IwhDa_hsFVNRGFWBxjMhwhdqIZgBf6h0sVyUxkLeDXJGWKQaZLu3Yn_OLikg1CUTP6BMjYqHF2zi/s4000/20240302_143343~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBglK4A9HS_9pNzHbx4ePp6LrbTiDJN4JnZ6cB71FoBwEFUR72gQfaixO0CGeKtu4lfmyUz02Nt2dVxi2HEz_PsjeSahyphenhyphen-1alByNgjGD8iKbvK1fz5IwhDa_hsFVNRGFWBxjMhwhdqIZgBf6h0sVyUxkLeDXJGWKQaZLu3Yn_OLikg1CUTP6BMjYqHF2zi/w640-h480/20240302_143343~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">During the English Civil War the town changes hands between the Royalists and Parliamentarian forces and by 1705 the bridge and gatehouse were in need of repair. The building turned into a dwelling while retaining its commercial role in monitoring trade. By the 19th century, the gatehouse had been abandoned and has remained largely unchanged since 1832 when the gatehouse roof was reconstructed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWddcIviDfbdwFN9La4XHBHiDjRcNcfk2g2cm5kBK7zWADTltcrASXdhTwfp0EGapCgJk-kYo9pO4-KO7mKIF9Z_68M-tlBDdKmVqH5MVXfgMpOa2D5VNsuDp2PAktb0N7A8Sqa_LlS9A53K-uWbujc4sruN3vuS0c7EvYg9aKVL6c9-y-u77d17p0SfGw/s4000/20240302_143348~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWddcIviDfbdwFN9La4XHBHiDjRcNcfk2g2cm5kBK7zWADTltcrASXdhTwfp0EGapCgJk-kYo9pO4-KO7mKIF9Z_68M-tlBDdKmVqH5MVXfgMpOa2D5VNsuDp2PAktb0N7A8Sqa_LlS9A53K-uWbujc4sruN3vuS0c7EvYg9aKVL6c9-y-u77d17p0SfGw/w480-h640/20240302_143348~2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBk0cs7kT55Xp_vCE6Yy-3ldf22-vIbn0oZvq1eEk1_p5zgsqLZ5e5FgAJ1-ZjHJbdmJabCUIc_me_AeIdIFJFGxESE_2rAFm4tlZXhgKOHlFfj7GAzrrePvMOCoJf-iydRJBGQmgMbZJ9v-lqbH4AZ2EXtWLt9btXDJ8CJS0YExjOahkdZDKlbavtNf0M/s3479/20240302_143432~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3479" data-original-width="2609" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBk0cs7kT55Xp_vCE6Yy-3ldf22-vIbn0oZvq1eEk1_p5zgsqLZ5e5FgAJ1-ZjHJbdmJabCUIc_me_AeIdIFJFGxESE_2rAFm4tlZXhgKOHlFfj7GAzrrePvMOCoJf-iydRJBGQmgMbZJ9v-lqbH4AZ2EXtWLt9btXDJ8CJS0YExjOahkdZDKlbavtNf0M/w480-h640/20240302_143432~2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGF-T3WvVtczxozl7j59Qf1sLipVnYAcZ15jYO1CdDnRJ0Wpx-mHD6WwPj3mDUu0Tv4_ofXsRLYZmYNkPP_PDPDxoNLFoQiDFA1k4czZHHb3f_vzsWah2cjX4k_Un_mdAOaSWRIpX_evxx9Zxnriksd_CIEb9GCGOMTG_lfnsPSklUhSzp_2cXYcd8C99/s3869/20240302_143447~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2996" data-original-width="3869" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGF-T3WvVtczxozl7j59Qf1sLipVnYAcZ15jYO1CdDnRJ0Wpx-mHD6WwPj3mDUu0Tv4_ofXsRLYZmYNkPP_PDPDxoNLFoQiDFA1k4czZHHb3f_vzsWah2cjX4k_Un_mdAOaSWRIpX_evxx9Zxnriksd_CIEb9GCGOMTG_lfnsPSklUhSzp_2cXYcd8C99/w640-h496/20240302_143447~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just on the other side of the bridge is the Monmouth Millennium Mosaic.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSfRy5myPt4DxLJ1KphaFhSyJprdS3JMRR-MUMtp90dVB1Rrk9tdY94cxCNyFfVmE-RSfQqyo1RCpba2ic8rT7_CdjVEJ0LppJy9hItsEdS-Qh1uawGUKQOIxIWjJ95lK8teqHszAajeBaq6QPO_D_BzEtflKymsN6bWkAPiVCkKYkE1_fR0shI6akTuT/s4000/20240302_143545~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSfRy5myPt4DxLJ1KphaFhSyJprdS3JMRR-MUMtp90dVB1Rrk9tdY94cxCNyFfVmE-RSfQqyo1RCpba2ic8rT7_CdjVEJ0LppJy9hItsEdS-Qh1uawGUKQOIxIWjJ95lK8teqHszAajeBaq6QPO_D_BzEtflKymsN6bWkAPiVCkKYkE1_fR0shI6akTuT/w640-h480/20240302_143545~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A wheel commemorating the history of Monmouth. Each segment depicts a memorable moment in time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9P0QTaIaPtcz4u_KCCkiyY4Fwf8l9S7fB5wDRTmiq44mqwYGsIneNFKC67nGoV4-pazeIMGKJ-CJwK2drboet9ttVIdbxts6bwwdplt20qDug-_MmWyGCtQtY6OhPF99I1UgHk70strukQ7EKw6y1jPiNph3UiAaKDjXxqEFWT9Yk_C2o8i-AQiaOlF6/s3874/20240302_143622~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3874" data-original-width="2906" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9P0QTaIaPtcz4u_KCCkiyY4Fwf8l9S7fB5wDRTmiq44mqwYGsIneNFKC67nGoV4-pazeIMGKJ-CJwK2drboet9ttVIdbxts6bwwdplt20qDug-_MmWyGCtQtY6OhPF99I1UgHk70strukQ7EKw6y1jPiNph3UiAaKDjXxqEFWT9Yk_C2o8i-AQiaOlF6/w480-h640/20240302_143622~2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just pass the <span style="text-align: center;">Monmouth Millennium Mosaic is the Monmouth Cross.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The Cross is situated in St Thomas' Square, Overmonnow, Monmouth, Wales, in the middle of a roundabout opposite the Church of St Thomas the Martyr and the western end of the Monnow Bridge. Originally mediaeval, and also known as Overmonnow Cross, the cross was reconstructed in 1888 and has been classed as a Grade II listed structure since 15 August 1974.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some nineteenth century sources suggest that the original cross was in existence before 1039. St Thomas' Square was thought to have been a market place before Monnow Bridge linked Overmonnow to the rest of the town, and the cross may have been used for preaching at market times. On 1 April 1764, an 18-year-old woman was condemned at Monmouth assizes to be burned to death for poisoning her mistress. The sentence was carried out close to the Cross.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgbhJjj-nMyUJixSB8Stxp-gPbOVjwW7UguR5_yxyOu90hZMNyEJQnt-TLkwoEc1z9ZX-LgbYttV-qjQGLYi5sNzpFgx-s64j7pauvCLI2Jlm98_RK2rU3Ca_MYrCmkZEnMhSZmJRtGcdyxsZm7nMiXRAynKqqJ1LXtWieHRzvp_AZFa36iPzUW6mHH7K/s3695/20240302_143720~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3695" data-original-width="2771" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgbhJjj-nMyUJixSB8Stxp-gPbOVjwW7UguR5_yxyOu90hZMNyEJQnt-TLkwoEc1z9ZX-LgbYttV-qjQGLYi5sNzpFgx-s64j7pauvCLI2Jlm98_RK2rU3Ca_MYrCmkZEnMhSZmJRtGcdyxsZm7nMiXRAynKqqJ1LXtWieHRzvp_AZFa36iPzUW6mHH7K/w480-h640/20240302_143720~2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back over the bridge and head back towards the car. We have missed the Castle, forgetting there was one here! We drive back to the hotel. Mel goes for s nap, so I decide to walk up to the micropub here in Chepstow for a few.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQQlMtCAdvax5GC_WVbQvTCHA5nxIegZNRDuYyYskzoLta4rRNGlxlT-uFZCcOpU5rBIwQ3jPKPHUvXOSa7Di7YC2YkvsgIN5gfHI3TzDGtcr9XzWNkYq7qHl_uKoRT-TgL0DCtef0IQRRwOUXzeyA0I7jqc7xQFUPzLnhvaoQuxcD9dJaZ9Gv9MEsWrN/s3807/20240302_171118~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2855" data-original-width="3807" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQQlMtCAdvax5GC_WVbQvTCHA5nxIegZNRDuYyYskzoLta4rRNGlxlT-uFZCcOpU5rBIwQ3jPKPHUvXOSa7Di7YC2YkvsgIN5gfHI3TzDGtcr9XzWNkYq7qHl_uKoRT-TgL0DCtef0IQRRwOUXzeyA0I7jqc7xQFUPzLnhvaoQuxcD9dJaZ9Gv9MEsWrN/w640-h480/20240302_171118~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After the Norman conquest of England and parts of south Wales, Chepstow developed as an important port and trading centre within the Marcher Lordship of Striguil. In 1270 the lordship came under the control of Roger Bigod, 5th Earl of Norfolk, after the death of his uncle. Bigod undertook a substantial building programme within and around Chepstow, including, at the Castle, a new range of buildings for accommodation for himself and his family, and a massive new defensive tower (now known as "Marten's Tower"); and also, a few miles to the north, the rebuilding of Tintern Abbey. He was also responsible for the building of the Port Wall, usually dated at 1274–78, and the Town Gate; and, in 1294, for granting to his close associate, John ap Adam of Sedbury, the right to hold a regular market at Chepstow. The Port Wall and Town Gate together ensured that only those paying tolls to the lord could attend the market; and had the additional purpose of keeping out undesirable elements, including the occasionally hostile Welsh people living in the countryside to the west of the town.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Town Gate building is square in plan, with battlements on top, and originally could be blocked with a portcullis, no longer extant. It is hemmed in by buildings on all sides, including, to the east, the Gate House and, to the west, the George Hotel. On the western side of the Gate are two worn and illegible heraldic angels, probably dating from a rebuilding of the gate by Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester, in 1524. The Earl was responsible for granting a charter to the town, which was described at the time as "fallen into great ruin, indigence and decay", and allowed the town's bailiffs to use the room above the archway as a prison. The Gate was recorded as the "New Gate" in 1687, suggesting that an earlier gateway may have existed in the area.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0GNRpOVrJMJ0B6JFJXjrd3say5IGi-9S9TIP6G-JnbxCNvUDVYjsXdvu3LIWm3S41y-ZquHrFDGurhEWG-f_vgFulRnVlKs0W9b3o-DPqfn7KtRI255RaSIrs7Ay3M9exvk2XhzJncnuSQT-u13j7bpNLZdgsmqfDVq5BMqlQvFSoZmQu0w4YsRMJc1x/s3874/20240302_171232~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2906" data-original-width="3874" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0GNRpOVrJMJ0B6JFJXjrd3say5IGi-9S9TIP6G-JnbxCNvUDVYjsXdvu3LIWm3S41y-ZquHrFDGurhEWG-f_vgFulRnVlKs0W9b3o-DPqfn7KtRI255RaSIrs7Ay3M9exvk2XhzJncnuSQT-u13j7bpNLZdgsmqfDVq5BMqlQvFSoZmQu0w4YsRMJc1x/w640-h480/20240302_171232~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tolls were collected at the Gate on animals and goods taken into the market place, and by people who bought livestock at the town's fairs. In 1648, the Gate was the scene of a skirmish between the town's Royalist defenders and troops led by Oliver Cromwell, who gained entry to the town and besieged and won the Castle. In 1756, country people and colliers from the nearby Forest of Dean raided the town, and had to be driven off by guns mounted on the Town Gate and on the Wye Bridge. Tolls continued to be collected until the death of the last "Keeper of the Gate" in 1874.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Gate was part of the properties of the Dukes of Beaufort after they inherited the lordship. In 1899, the 9th Duke put the building up for sale but, at the auction, C.W. Whalley, the Chairman of the Town Council, persuaded his representatives that the building be donated to the town. A plaque attached to the building records the Town Council's thanks to the Duke. The tiled pedestrian pathway on the southern side of the arch was cut through the Gate House and opened in 1928. The room over the archway was used in later centuries as a storeroom, workshop and office, before becoming the first home of the town's museum in 1949. A full restoration of the building took place in 1985–86, when an internal doorway apparently dating to the thirteenth century was discovered. A plaque to mark the building's restoration, designed and decorated by local artist Keith Underwood in the style of the eroded coats of arms to either side of it, was unveiled in March 1986 by the 11th Duke of Beaufort.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Town Gate was given Grade I Listed Building status on 12 June 1950. Road access through the single carriageway arch is controlled by traffic lights in three directions: east, north and west.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRe3uU1KSkky4h1dwrGIy3FgYmynz89qSZj47aSb6C15XNYbja2DTMknuxYh3KE2soUSBye8fDV2i5Wm4AhnQtNCUWkfd6CHrrEmmrkG4HJJYH8PrDpVYvKo7K7C3dtazoGXYb5gQS0HWBhyphenhyphenT7yk7kyX1ZbIsmylZ2z3Dcqgkp-zCxHA40uypPfuM9y8s/s3000/20240302_171238~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2952" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRe3uU1KSkky4h1dwrGIy3FgYmynz89qSZj47aSb6C15XNYbja2DTMknuxYh3KE2soUSBye8fDV2i5Wm4AhnQtNCUWkfd6CHrrEmmrkG4HJJYH8PrDpVYvKo7K7C3dtazoGXYb5gQS0HWBhyphenhyphenT7yk7kyX1ZbIsmylZ2z3Dcqgkp-zCxHA40uypPfuM9y8s/w630-h640/20240302_171238~2.jpg" width="630" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I pop into the Queens Head micropub and it is very busy! A great selection of beers and ciders on tap here!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16C_pQedVjv2Nu0HGR9IEFYBcCBXf0CbogMs5PzLp70qNCG7W6l6AywbU04vX6QoMfzaEHFKwgDGxmfGBkEo4-bk_XYcfGrVoC4QFPJkL_H5vfWx_8rriE9hVAtDZPv8wbQNBJ96QxKfbOEyRGEqzw-29rduS0bqfCCSG2zT7aFiE9_5otUMvQ2qbRB3Q/s4000/20240302_171458~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16C_pQedVjv2Nu0HGR9IEFYBcCBXf0CbogMs5PzLp70qNCG7W6l6AywbU04vX6QoMfzaEHFKwgDGxmfGBkEo4-bk_XYcfGrVoC4QFPJkL_H5vfWx_8rriE9hVAtDZPv8wbQNBJ96QxKfbOEyRGEqzw-29rduS0bqfCCSG2zT7aFiE9_5otUMvQ2qbRB3Q/w640-h480/20240302_171458~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I start with a flight first. Murmelt a German Pilsner from Welsh brewery Mumbles Brewery, Digital Leash a American IPA from the Irish Heaney Brewery and a Iron Brew Sour from Scottish Vault City Brewery.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtqLts1bTZUfzb2gKsg54gxGLLPqlBvX-QXsxBPEKPdVF7ciWWRSdk-EFJib-TgOyhZ1fcArCJrYpGaLVo90KWkQAxOtNmSZijXCerIU9TjYza3yLA3kgNYXj-Hxn063cbUvNmLSKaa5aO9OtJRHxmmkmxmyoQk-I3riFBI46iKvWL9asGb6vqJSViq31/s4000/20240302_171911~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtqLts1bTZUfzb2gKsg54gxGLLPqlBvX-QXsxBPEKPdVF7ciWWRSdk-EFJib-TgOyhZ1fcArCJrYpGaLVo90KWkQAxOtNmSZijXCerIU9TjYza3yLA3kgNYXj-Hxn063cbUvNmLSKaa5aO9OtJRHxmmkmxmyoQk-I3riFBI46iKvWL9asGb6vqJSViq31/w640-h480/20240302_171911~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDThvxVQHUgmLDoknuOCgYuBPKR4IgruvhZW9O_QY5TjbOFFMNrVjrtqHFIlTxOwEAPklW4RyWnbfOi9dgQMdGNDbL9gtpMANdH3NuQxSh6NzDrjSiG1WhnBeO5S1rzDGf4XhVnhc_i_1x-dHkSFd6nNU2XBSwUU8GjMg3r_ogxpIsIBqfBOsj1VIF_o3/s4000/20240302_172026~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDThvxVQHUgmLDoknuOCgYuBPKR4IgruvhZW9O_QY5TjbOFFMNrVjrtqHFIlTxOwEAPklW4RyWnbfOi9dgQMdGNDbL9gtpMANdH3NuQxSh6NzDrjSiG1WhnBeO5S1rzDGf4XhVnhc_i_1x-dHkSFd6nNU2XBSwUU8GjMg3r_ogxpIsIBqfBOsj1VIF_o3/w640-h480/20240302_172026~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I then followed this up with another Welsh beer ( a American Pale Ale), Twti Ffrwti from the Trefforest Brewery from Pontypridd.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmq-cjWGsmhpxAvOHxmIVHK_CUeFhY3td8WRc8flocciWqzPVm7H-AeHpIaehiTU4VUS1n2kdtGRO9zIbg3jWpth8xaLmGCIe9ityamCk2WfP1-2nuooOWewlkdlUejKflm9bKHW_H2E-lLWebEa86DrGMifDaAO0ejCW9R4wOhUGPfOBxM8LnFECaKuY/s4000/20240302_173558~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmq-cjWGsmhpxAvOHxmIVHK_CUeFhY3td8WRc8flocciWqzPVm7H-AeHpIaehiTU4VUS1n2kdtGRO9zIbg3jWpth8xaLmGCIe9ityamCk2WfP1-2nuooOWewlkdlUejKflm9bKHW_H2E-lLWebEa86DrGMifDaAO0ejCW9R4wOhUGPfOBxM8LnFECaKuY/w480-h640/20240302_173558~2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I head back to the Hotel and take a shower and slip over on the bath mat banging my back on the side of the bath. Not sure if it was just a stupid accident and if it was down to the beer!! ha ha!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We head out later for a drink and dinner at the Wetherspoons "The Bell Hangar". Not great but then Wetherspoons dinners rarely are!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6itG77Go184BfdVj4S_gzTo4kk5wGFS-qB5-VTlyHF_boemVEfojDtwZ3ZBemlsn03yr7kTJ0xiZn0-hLoWRMu71_11T4RcCrBOoMs-Y9U9YTFyMC-6Q90AUhYmkYP55ZSn2dKX7daEaqs7pwMKKc9wK7TMPoiDHHhyphenhyphencjghtGtVcKBIRHY6gD7p8_5gB5/s3674/20240303_101718~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2755" data-original-width="3674" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6itG77Go184BfdVj4S_gzTo4kk5wGFS-qB5-VTlyHF_boemVEfojDtwZ3ZBemlsn03yr7kTJ0xiZn0-hLoWRMu71_11T4RcCrBOoMs-Y9U9YTFyMC-6Q90AUhYmkYP55ZSn2dKX7daEaqs7pwMKKc9wK7TMPoiDHHhyphenhyphencjghtGtVcKBIRHY6gD7p8_5gB5/w640-h480/20240303_101718~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b>SUNDAY 3rd MARCH 2024</b></u></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBDiO-jC861jYxdyjFUqs9v8NQAq_zOfY_TlnhDuT1dd9On_USuQ8zoPMiySJkOlAEhy04DUlZpCnHS5gtC5Sq6H5SsrYfSC35KfXsF4seu4yuEt7SjIy1XX3Qfmwc3ZJC2cFFhseZyqxPQmegQm8XwLx9-Rh3I3Kt3g3ZQs2IPTczv5_hSELtf3StoO4/s4000/20240303_101725~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBDiO-jC861jYxdyjFUqs9v8NQAq_zOfY_TlnhDuT1dd9On_USuQ8zoPMiySJkOlAEhy04DUlZpCnHS5gtC5Sq6H5SsrYfSC35KfXsF4seu4yuEt7SjIy1XX3Qfmwc3ZJC2cFFhseZyqxPQmegQm8XwLx9-Rh3I3Kt3g3ZQs2IPTczv5_hSELtf3StoO4/w640-h480/20240303_101725~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We drive to Symonds Yat and park down by the river.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The River Wye is still in full flood and is a ugly brown muddy colour.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTLd4T4OXnMXptBtvEdHrWCxcnOBBmssa9YOsQJuqgk5bStY7LyhT6jNMS3HCvqE0asX9d6XdPL1GDNxyuj1Ln3g22a1K9EBzMFKWHDozR2xBdMudAdja1Cr71zk_BMbd6qo8oDD4fU78JSxR5mMgiagJ6K5-q0g9fMPfIM3-Jh5RzOsa9Pvq1ToLFnzr/s3648/20240303_101739~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTLd4T4OXnMXptBtvEdHrWCxcnOBBmssa9YOsQJuqgk5bStY7LyhT6jNMS3HCvqE0asX9d6XdPL1GDNxyuj1Ln3g22a1K9EBzMFKWHDozR2xBdMudAdja1Cr71zk_BMbd6qo8oDD4fU78JSxR5mMgiagJ6K5-q0g9fMPfIM3-Jh5RzOsa9Pvq1ToLFnzr/w480-h640/20240303_101739~2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk up and up the steep climb to the top of the hill to show Mel the view from Symomds Yat Rock viewpoint. I had visited here with my neighbour back in October 2020 Blog <a href=" https://myadventures3.blogspot.com/2020/10/symonds-yat-wye-valley-walk-19th.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXepLPVD88WXO-WcudETVL0GKGcLvpOgtx3VWK31QCTtjqL0g3grjhbfQu9X3YPHoQ9-_jdxgYVhJBg6Amj8iOf-m3g2Nkul1xzX04Cj1xyJPyI9bVl9OEDasL3_ibRc56Uma7hznOyRlKThOm-AVCno19urEx4B1wHAf6c8X1tImNrSZBEi1loXOvEhg-/s4000/20240303_104139~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXepLPVD88WXO-WcudETVL0GKGcLvpOgtx3VWK31QCTtjqL0g3grjhbfQu9X3YPHoQ9-_jdxgYVhJBg6Amj8iOf-m3g2Nkul1xzX04Cj1xyJPyI9bVl9OEDasL3_ibRc56Uma7hznOyRlKThOm-AVCno19urEx4B1wHAf6c8X1tImNrSZBEi1loXOvEhg-/w640-h480/20240303_104139~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We cross over the road by means of a little wooden bridge and onto the rock.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5u1ADF2RWoMjPSW9mIkDrP7DeQxy6X_gUo8hwLLC7R6voBYBBJv4yJ-bBbpcxsVXjoHwLWcxB8NxO9MiXMz3l-VhGFkV5kQBw1pe6jAYZkr39MdI1QFXPFYqGTpw20aO-C9Qluh1_SQXYiMQpicjRwXTkFPHfPlM_L0RTtlZa7exeLWOSDVQD8Jq_lS0/s3878/20240303_104142~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2909" data-original-width="3878" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5u1ADF2RWoMjPSW9mIkDrP7DeQxy6X_gUo8hwLLC7R6voBYBBJv4yJ-bBbpcxsVXjoHwLWcxB8NxO9MiXMz3l-VhGFkV5kQBw1pe6jAYZkr39MdI1QFXPFYqGTpw20aO-C9Qluh1_SQXYiMQpicjRwXTkFPHfPlM_L0RTtlZa7exeLWOSDVQD8Jq_lS0/w640-h480/20240303_104142~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Symonds Yat Rock overlooks a spectacular gorge through which the River Wye snakes. This rock is a good viewpoint from which to watch raptors: a pair of peregrine falcons that nest annually within sight of the rock can be watched through telescopes set up by the RSPB. Buzzards, goshawks and hobbies are also regularly seen and it is sometimes possible to see migrant raptors such as ospreys and European honey buzzards. Nearby cliffs are the nesting place of Peregrine Falcons that soar above the valley of the River Wye 120m below. It is also the site of an Iron Age hill fort and the film location used for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgRvz8-Y2cb2vFzt6FE4NZ6bcN1hBgnVoFQpz0kJ4biUIkpXJhmPSgPFibB27_OiR7vq89k8g9v438y5jKMTE62hRB5IS6CXcn_E7JM2EmGnB-_L7uysZRuUH8idzCxPfUMYD9r7-ZHVTMnvLwttTrPHZZW2SXQJZ1UkxBV4pOY5l4GhoGE56S77hQ3UZ/s3906/20240303_104258~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2930" data-original-width="3906" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgRvz8-Y2cb2vFzt6FE4NZ6bcN1hBgnVoFQpz0kJ4biUIkpXJhmPSgPFibB27_OiR7vq89k8g9v438y5jKMTE62hRB5IS6CXcn_E7JM2EmGnB-_L7uysZRuUH8idzCxPfUMYD9r7-ZHVTMnvLwttTrPHZZW2SXQJZ1UkxBV4pOY5l4GhoGE56S77hQ3UZ/w640-h480/20240303_104258~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Symonds Yat Rock was used as a location for some episodes of Series 5 of the BBC television drama Merlin.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihm4zRxJTsZ-CBpmeMsjkzFmuRvXhyUvTNF3r3q1QEcLOK3mp-Z5n_NFhk6oDe3XDsSIXPgfFwB05BDrPte9NuKkGbcbakhTQ2QlvLosFEWsIiXOMxvvgcO3Oi0QLPJV4alQ-ZjF7xfjueg4BMEJDBxQy3U_-J9DJSepctpEiz1E4B7QmlQ2PCBer1pv3K/s3782/20240303_104304~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2836" data-original-width="3782" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihm4zRxJTsZ-CBpmeMsjkzFmuRvXhyUvTNF3r3q1QEcLOK3mp-Z5n_NFhk6oDe3XDsSIXPgfFwB05BDrPte9NuKkGbcbakhTQ2QlvLosFEWsIiXOMxvvgcO3Oi0QLPJV4alQ-ZjF7xfjueg4BMEJDBxQy3U_-J9DJSepctpEiz1E4B7QmlQ2PCBer1pv3K/w640-h480/20240303_104304~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The views across the Gorge are just amazing!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-xmjtSW3MC0Xj1CYedHoAxHqBAEb6I2rNDeaayKlastxkUknNigIjgRSdHzklcVCj77fmPYwCoPTkr1OmhgGXLXl45SwsydJljodSwl9xOaC9ZkJGbw6yMkLstABBOfdewnb-JXBS1zil1g1nNVu9hDrrZDPWfPwfRcrDI1npI8Py1boiub_UnD21VsS/s3648/20240303_104349~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-xmjtSW3MC0Xj1CYedHoAxHqBAEb6I2rNDeaayKlastxkUknNigIjgRSdHzklcVCj77fmPYwCoPTkr1OmhgGXLXl45SwsydJljodSwl9xOaC9ZkJGbw6yMkLstABBOfdewnb-JXBS1zil1g1nNVu9hDrrZDPWfPwfRcrDI1npI8Py1boiub_UnD21VsS/w640-h480/20240303_104349~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Archaeologists have uncovered bones from hyenas, sabre-toothed cats and a mammoth in and around the caves of the valley and human habitation can be traced back to 12,000 years ago with findings of their tools and clothes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the Iron Age the forts on the Great Doward and Yat Rock provided secure, defensible settlements for the local residents. During Roman times these forts became focal points in the region and the importance of the iron here and in the Forest of Dean made this a valuable prize for the conquerors. Offa's Dyke, built in the 8th century to separate England and Wales, runs close to Symonds Yat.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIBqQjewfpSkHKqg3q9CZa2PzoPGzQTIsjjnMDSUx34m4MAk9Pn9f2YauLyAdtoDL_TZQ4FvfJVnwJ1yJbv9eNxveJn2-np6HtqpAdZLoBo4CNMCMDRCuhtvCH59UPXR1WGyID3RJ5wxaNj3jej98FiSBHX58rN1cLZnx68MJatN89VjFIilOPTnQnkx_/s3338/20240303_104442~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2504" data-original-width="3338" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIBqQjewfpSkHKqg3q9CZa2PzoPGzQTIsjjnMDSUx34m4MAk9Pn9f2YauLyAdtoDL_TZQ4FvfJVnwJ1yJbv9eNxveJn2-np6HtqpAdZLoBo4CNMCMDRCuhtvCH59UPXR1WGyID3RJ5wxaNj3jej98FiSBHX58rN1cLZnx68MJatN89VjFIilOPTnQnkx_/w640-h480/20240303_104442~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXcozN-zBg3W_hytOFO_i9gzbF7KLQYUNR92w3S8VdVtnn1B8o3C57TlxxCvBHFE3wVoBjB2mYNnSQ_X0MLXx5KgcHRDr8XFq5SJMH5v6CmsIEd3EORIKtnkkkYyNBJpttWFQbMM845PdoCZ6fFh-vkkuMxN04b4z08KSPNx8sGOnPpbVu1yCWoreQ6Qq/s4682/20240303_104530~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2598" data-original-width="4682" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXcozN-zBg3W_hytOFO_i9gzbF7KLQYUNR92w3S8VdVtnn1B8o3C57TlxxCvBHFE3wVoBjB2mYNnSQ_X0MLXx5KgcHRDr8XFq5SJMH5v6CmsIEd3EORIKtnkkkYyNBJpttWFQbMM845PdoCZ6fFh-vkkuMxN04b4z08KSPNx8sGOnPpbVu1yCWoreQ6Qq/w640-h356/20240303_104530~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The first recorded use of Symonds Yat in connection with the area is in a Patent Roll of 1256, where the place appears as Symundesyate and Symondesyate. This may contain the Old English personal name Sigemund or a very early surname deriving from it. Yat represents the Old English word geat (pronounced "yat"), meaning 'gate' and describing the gorge. Although a popular local belief, it is not true that the addition of Symonds was made in the 17th century in reference to Robert Symonds of Sugwas and Evesfield, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1685, who was indeed a member of the family who owned the lands from Wormelow near Hereford to the border regions in which surround the Yat. The area is also shown as Symons Yate on maps in 1665, Symons Yat in 1717 and Symmonds Gate in 1830.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Old Court Hotel in Symonds Yat (West), which was built in the 16th century,was the ancestral home of the Gwillim family and was home to John Graves Simcoe, who was governor and one of the founding fathers of Upper Canada.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ljzdQiSwZxpqxnCpHNpAc9qh07aGuaX0eTt6BAOtdhj9wyePjOFp5Rppi9VtLszAEYAnTtTPpacI_RJ31TtzcEasp5WNlZt2UGYA_GrxfjeD-W4xxctLhdP6Co1UGdZlbJ1szf6jAvSrA5DQr4a6vjRLMA75CnJFHk9TPGQusvROpzwEjoOrFpxMms7c/s4000/20240303_112007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ljzdQiSwZxpqxnCpHNpAc9qh07aGuaX0eTt6BAOtdhj9wyePjOFp5Rppi9VtLszAEYAnTtTPpacI_RJ31TtzcEasp5WNlZt2UGYA_GrxfjeD-W4xxctLhdP6Co1UGdZlbJ1szf6jAvSrA5DQr4a6vjRLMA75CnJFHk9TPGQusvROpzwEjoOrFpxMms7c/w640-h480/20240303_112007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Yat Gorge was mined for iron ore and remains of a smelting works are located down stream of the Symonds Yat Rapids. The ironworks at New Weir date from the 1590s and were operated by the White family until 1753, when George White leased the site to John Partridge, an ironmonger from Ross on Wye. Partridge combined the ironworks at New Weir with his forge at Lydbrook which smelted pig iron from his furnace at Bishopswood. The works closed when the lease ran out in 1798 and the adjacent weir and lock buildings were demolished and the lock filled in 1814.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDan7iQFnW2gLqmfjJ9wgYnNFUN2LZvsfyYFyvJrrJJsg4AzeBYGr_dqBRTObce0xs4J7Bxm8vE3M04bYRYYlcXxKb3AybpVaEQoA4Y8JGXZeupBymMke2KyvrHDH81wm8Oe4YPwqF9P_fYDOhW7lQB0HJGxx3r5-F35wCteVJH2QUJA5bKfFLP9pUOFIL/s3812/20240303_112055.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3812" data-original-width="2859" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDan7iQFnW2gLqmfjJ9wgYnNFUN2LZvsfyYFyvJrrJJsg4AzeBYGr_dqBRTObce0xs4J7Bxm8vE3M04bYRYYlcXxKb3AybpVaEQoA4Y8JGXZeupBymMke2KyvrHDH81wm8Oe4YPwqF9P_fYDOhW7lQB0HJGxx3r5-F35wCteVJH2QUJA5bKfFLP9pUOFIL/w480-h640/20240303_112055.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnCU1Hu87u9mv4lqPg2DlbkWIEYudmX-bVuODXhW9GNWKSr_JZ6wnBkzQtYsOFruEuOiZNmzaEiJ4HVdiZK95rfQ-XOkdaPgadEnv285VcKAhWIoHEwUkelebzECGhAjXeBZ5hyphenhyphenVG6XXKEHRXEjDfQNKj9HfGM1VFuUa9BKWnvBEUKJ_YmIWQJZD66nSj/s3849/20240303_112134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2886" data-original-width="3849" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnCU1Hu87u9mv4lqPg2DlbkWIEYudmX-bVuODXhW9GNWKSr_JZ6wnBkzQtYsOFruEuOiZNmzaEiJ4HVdiZK95rfQ-XOkdaPgadEnv285VcKAhWIoHEwUkelebzECGhAjXeBZ5hyphenhyphenVG6XXKEHRXEjDfQNKj9HfGM1VFuUa9BKWnvBEUKJ_YmIWQJZD66nSj/w640-h211/20240303_112134.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibP38-bf-aTY84iuyFjslGED0YS3jesb6LCrqwghatcXXj4fybVvxXSOC1T8bKxOmIOXS0Edihzg9PtODDph7ORlbRFWH6Ywv4NkwJMFyFZKV0RGw63zC-YH-dfYInMLQLvwrJ5y9M7-oiwKyjxaAuwcrgMMN1hBP5F2RKVGGP8_ojjm0SHx-wjrRzrFP7/s3853/20240303_112143.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2890" data-original-width="3853" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibP38-bf-aTY84iuyFjslGED0YS3jesb6LCrqwghatcXXj4fybVvxXSOC1T8bKxOmIOXS0Edihzg9PtODDph7ORlbRFWH6Ywv4NkwJMFyFZKV0RGw63zC-YH-dfYInMLQLvwrJ5y9M7-oiwKyjxaAuwcrgMMN1hBP5F2RKVGGP8_ojjm0SHx-wjrRzrFP7/w640-h480/20240303_112143.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkN399FDBKTjXEJIRaeuN_aV4Ip7ESsxITny1wMmrcH350FX5CT7P4LyejJ8YqTzv3JFXriP1jkpXPRR1Qnv7-K7R5wzI_uBbK7uVqu2UowvIdNTGy9oJ0Vn278_fkRkmK8t4CPYUiiOhUBUZCfAUg2AM76I0DZbxpZgAQwRC4VhzO1QtGT5p1LStUMoP/s4000/20240303_113049.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkN399FDBKTjXEJIRaeuN_aV4Ip7ESsxITny1wMmrcH350FX5CT7P4LyejJ8YqTzv3JFXriP1jkpXPRR1Qnv7-K7R5wzI_uBbK7uVqu2UowvIdNTGy9oJ0Vn278_fkRkmK8t4CPYUiiOhUBUZCfAUg2AM76I0DZbxpZgAQwRC4VhzO1QtGT5p1LStUMoP/w640-h480/20240303_113049.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We make our way back down the hill. Back down the bottom we see the Saracen Head Inn on our right and we walk pass here and the Hand ferry here wasn't operating probably due to the river being in flood.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The ferry at Symonds Yat has always played a huge part in the life here. In 1800 there were 25 hand ferries between Ross and Chepstow just like those outside Ye Old Ferrie Inn and the Saracen's Head today. They were introduced in Roman times to link the forts of the Doward and the Yat and have served military, civilian, tourist and horse traffic over the years.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfUUm4cDJWEOvjsHvi5yadA7586mHamHIJv0SmbDOszT3Y9AjZi655cqipkSNwTeyyROsYmnsvN4Kw6QTJyKme7gkSLK24kg6hJQ1i2CldSzGOhiB9I-VCJqVD-uiHyRfh_76j1NOTpReyrk0yCZP3P9UiiC9Ol0aU8QTUN62atcYDm1WBhu3L2Eq9rTy/s3664/20240303_114233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2748" data-original-width="3664" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfUUm4cDJWEOvjsHvi5yadA7586mHamHIJv0SmbDOszT3Y9AjZi655cqipkSNwTeyyROsYmnsvN4Kw6QTJyKme7gkSLK24kg6hJQ1i2CldSzGOhiB9I-VCJqVD-uiHyRfh_76j1NOTpReyrk0yCZP3P9UiiC9Ol0aU8QTUN62atcYDm1WBhu3L2Eq9rTy/w640-h480/20240303_114233.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hUIWbv2mUkE7KVjweShmFOXhrB7MYpWGV2J866OQNII2M_kKPUYSeuJVfWOwWXnn79-z_TxJpa1KCTsMarc5BNoVpmy3-_PvYhPGrLpW8BAGoQofxIdEwVaJuAdrFdtC08LzGqTDJvIJ_kdKU6A-L9WMYG-J93HqtIR3wS7Ma1bbqMAjaz-eFShPgSGF/s3764/20240303_114359.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2823" data-original-width="3764" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hUIWbv2mUkE7KVjweShmFOXhrB7MYpWGV2J866OQNII2M_kKPUYSeuJVfWOwWXnn79-z_TxJpa1KCTsMarc5BNoVpmy3-_PvYhPGrLpW8BAGoQofxIdEwVaJuAdrFdtC08LzGqTDJvIJ_kdKU6A-L9WMYG-J93HqtIR3wS7Ma1bbqMAjaz-eFShPgSGF/w640-h480/20240303_114359.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We sit on a bench by the river in the sun, such a contrast compared to yesterdays weather! We watch a man getting a river cruise boat ready. I walk over in hope there may be a cruise operating today. But as I thought due to river conditions there isn't!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdl5mgth66JM_Avokyng9YlASAEaOgELjQRHrbIBq7ebwOyEhI_YzK-puz-GUw9wo3U89wOWoB-d3WBH9af_Jo4e9EVdofkmknbpwQll24XXAXhBU39xHLU7HV7PBnxqB2LywGpdmiLHblzppx66N-Qh8vb8LZaM0Qmg74XHBzHdjEaqZS2rxh9vQfxJ5N/s4000/20240303_120027.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdl5mgth66JM_Avokyng9YlASAEaOgELjQRHrbIBq7ebwOyEhI_YzK-puz-GUw9wo3U89wOWoB-d3WBH9af_Jo4e9EVdofkmknbpwQll24XXAXhBU39xHLU7HV7PBnxqB2LywGpdmiLHblzppx66N-Qh8vb8LZaM0Qmg74XHBzHdjEaqZS2rxh9vQfxJ5N/w640-h480/20240303_120027.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk along the road with views across to Symonds Yat on the far bank.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SguDq28yJy5yTdh6UiN-9wCh6m3zm8e3nq-kCSxcf4WxH0-f_bokL1eAdhkyOElmY_qLrHAg2Co-VySMa9PZ3c7WVbk06ljiU08lr0jfpx5JP-FfhJbO2vRWmg64O2jVNqp_YHBtPVQG9wxnTL064QnvOyspWmStJ6T2YNsaqrIkP5Sv2Bu5U5UAG8zy/s3824/20240303_120600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2868" data-original-width="3824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SguDq28yJy5yTdh6UiN-9wCh6m3zm8e3nq-kCSxcf4WxH0-f_bokL1eAdhkyOElmY_qLrHAg2Co-VySMa9PZ3c7WVbk06ljiU08lr0jfpx5JP-FfhJbO2vRWmg64O2jVNqp_YHBtPVQG9wxnTL064QnvOyspWmStJ6T2YNsaqrIkP5Sv2Bu5U5UAG8zy/w640-h480/20240303_120600.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk only so far before realising there are no footpaths up this way, so we walk back and follow the river in the opposite direction.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsL5Mtd_eNbl7KoFfmndIz1vhkZrBnQlKWU_ui1ixmgm7iuWzzW5RI1WHRWbHkGkyYfBVm7RY3FS3HZVBmZr714fK3EHU3tU9MQZZDgBECE0v7A53DohXUHlBvpnlDw0QC4ASmq0-IVDpCSLDXaCf3gcFcfM7VNtDxbxYmvPnim69jW9kfwJ4q-2f5ii-6/s4000/20240303_121611.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsL5Mtd_eNbl7KoFfmndIz1vhkZrBnQlKWU_ui1ixmgm7iuWzzW5RI1WHRWbHkGkyYfBVm7RY3FS3HZVBmZr714fK3EHU3tU9MQZZDgBECE0v7A53DohXUHlBvpnlDw0QC4ASmq0-IVDpCSLDXaCf3gcFcfM7VNtDxbxYmvPnim69jW9kfwJ4q-2f5ii-6/w640-h480/20240303_121611.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9sqDVE46qIinQ_oCcAUptDuaiJp58Y1TWS12v0VPwphuqB80Nl6BGRBVNk1hWICA18AhJGx8GWEdikzQcs2M2mPgIquip1k9l52JFOzKUmA4RYO8jU8USwURADyuj7nkbtgOCvQa1vuuwfouRLwm8CueDPI5pH8BIPX6mdLy2oe0c6B0sOCLGL_PKpd9/s3772/20240303_121819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2829" data-original-width="3772" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9sqDVE46qIinQ_oCcAUptDuaiJp58Y1TWS12v0VPwphuqB80Nl6BGRBVNk1hWICA18AhJGx8GWEdikzQcs2M2mPgIquip1k9l52JFOzKUmA4RYO8jU8USwURADyuj7nkbtgOCvQa1vuuwfouRLwm8CueDPI5pH8BIPX6mdLy2oe0c6B0sOCLGL_PKpd9/w640-h480/20240303_121819.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pass the pub and hand ferry again and walk on along the River Wye.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEi0tOcVnM-MhyphenhyphenJVZ3_8X1jIYFtvk3m7nuGdBJxXY45uuS-hbDk0reLJ6B9vaGvDJzDH_MjbEtuvXXTuhWRi5EjVU8qhLk7TMn2tuV1v-sGdNQNIY1gXxnWcslOmWjHcg1b_TEzWjMVBX4FcAMwWtDJ4aQQBouB_61f8t2aBcK5Qh9hCowrOU2DiVp87U/s3669/20240303_122255.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2751" data-original-width="3669" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEi0tOcVnM-MhyphenhyphenJVZ3_8X1jIYFtvk3m7nuGdBJxXY45uuS-hbDk0reLJ6B9vaGvDJzDH_MjbEtuvXXTuhWRi5EjVU8qhLk7TMn2tuV1v-sGdNQNIY1gXxnWcslOmWjHcg1b_TEzWjMVBX4FcAMwWtDJ4aQQBouB_61f8t2aBcK5Qh9hCowrOU2DiVp87U/w640-h480/20240303_122255.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"> The river really was very angry in full flood!</span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ogIQnziBtE" width="651" youtube-src-id="7ogIQnziBtE"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">Symonds Yat Rapids are a grade 2 man-made feature at Symonds Yat used by canoeists and kayakers for whitewater training and playboating.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOU1Lh0ZlXE8SgLSCKVPK05HG_SWr5EkhFO3eerMMzFK5rFKvC4iNVDF5ostwkh3yrma0JQnNRc9cFngHzcX9E1XNqqdTowPno3Zd76WVuTsPQGEJ51QjECFUYhSbCOSHLcZQCvQf8nfEbpGwCg3L5X5sqfaRb5mepia7wOzUbzGkVu3LlUIlZtH6pNzd/s4000/20240303_124409.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOU1Lh0ZlXE8SgLSCKVPK05HG_SWr5EkhFO3eerMMzFK5rFKvC4iNVDF5ostwkh3yrma0JQnNRc9cFngHzcX9E1XNqqdTowPno3Zd76WVuTsPQGEJ51QjECFUYhSbCOSHLcZQCvQf8nfEbpGwCg3L5X5sqfaRb5mepia7wOzUbzGkVu3LlUIlZtH6pNzd/w640-h480/20240303_124409.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We make it to the Rope Bridge at Biblins.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uPEaYotJeEMXkHNLuIeGhv_Y_XWyTJR0dH1opZ9NnOVhAuFneCBetCfGCQoXFC51ofDuqW8K86lO9BKhgy5CjHUbqU90dGPrSWuYCbNt-Hlloxp-dt_CUeGNrh-O6nEy5Q5WOQLnNKBWom4lBLwaPeuCin98qGCiR0LrLvE_jDea4S8Wz4w5u4Y6UQ__/s3594/20240303_125226.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2695" data-original-width="3594" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uPEaYotJeEMXkHNLuIeGhv_Y_XWyTJR0dH1opZ9NnOVhAuFneCBetCfGCQoXFC51ofDuqW8K86lO9BKhgy5CjHUbqU90dGPrSWuYCbNt-Hlloxp-dt_CUeGNrh-O6nEy5Q5WOQLnNKBWom4lBLwaPeuCin98qGCiR0LrLvE_jDea4S8Wz4w5u4Y6UQ__/w640-h480/20240303_125226.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A suspension bridge was built over the river by the Forestry Commission using local oak timbers in 1957. Linking Symonds Yat (East) to the Biblins camp site, the bridge was fully refurbished in 1997 and rotten timbers and the two support towers were replaced. Although it is designed to take up to 30 people, it has signs requesting that no more than 6 cross at a time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoMIwG3aK1Azu4H1WkbqklAxWt6_8uO_umQiF2g7olKLpac4MmsYSQQtYGuOh72rY-o7yK6NtRM0wxiCwJP99Bye3ZRgM77vz2hIYY-XxhZJEjG8Pfp3goCFaFhzih16Px28LLQspSU8acTOnVSyhwrE5aGVbVaYFmchklWHIv_Jtr-IvrjzU0goFv9qE/s4000/20240303_125453.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoMIwG3aK1Azu4H1WkbqklAxWt6_8uO_umQiF2g7olKLpac4MmsYSQQtYGuOh72rY-o7yK6NtRM0wxiCwJP99Bye3ZRgM77vz2hIYY-XxhZJEjG8Pfp3goCFaFhzih16Px28LLQspSU8acTOnVSyhwrE5aGVbVaYFmchklWHIv_Jtr-IvrjzU0goFv9qE/w640-h480/20240303_125453.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rbZBh7xU3h7QqzNTJESgNCrdK2pQmOq07Ie1PkoubZsANTC4Bz4IJTdPgO8wbbYFWVvRLNUiO1u50G47dyozCEVld2dZIbdGOIy5JPfxaIFFeYLhDY0u4rckzHyQw27WG2NQBRxsGtEBbDJrq161KehMH-yulCP0BAw1i6gDKj18yWvWxeIYWIKlSyis/s4000/20240303_125529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rbZBh7xU3h7QqzNTJESgNCrdK2pQmOq07Ie1PkoubZsANTC4Bz4IJTdPgO8wbbYFWVvRLNUiO1u50G47dyozCEVld2dZIbdGOIy5JPfxaIFFeYLhDY0u4rckzHyQw27WG2NQBRxsGtEBbDJrq161KehMH-yulCP0BAw1i6gDKj18yWvWxeIYWIKlSyis/w640-h480/20240303_125529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOAVoNGZMEkjO68tS1WL4TkYudkAvi1iklKZ4i1D_gDNAbEwIYU73IXj1jhqTvuLucMKQ097sw3sV25E4UoIegVbvs62_Gwj94eCmoL7zsYfoys8gWu6vulmwkL2AmvwOTTR_CbM-FiFRwKNEOL68QVlDUIhZIm0BHYlkX9MT8qgHfJC5dT2XnNGs7LUN/s3648/20240303_125536.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOAVoNGZMEkjO68tS1WL4TkYudkAvi1iklKZ4i1D_gDNAbEwIYU73IXj1jhqTvuLucMKQ097sw3sV25E4UoIegVbvs62_Gwj94eCmoL7zsYfoys8gWu6vulmwkL2AmvwOTTR_CbM-FiFRwKNEOL68QVlDUIhZIm0BHYlkX9MT8qgHfJC5dT2XnNGs7LUN/w640-h480/20240303_125536.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMwxXtQfV9l_8s3iWvXs-TP10G0GozQaaEfDthT4jLIvvS1Z0lB8RnreE3LdjPV0iM2xpzwoNAOfrkb7mSt_6ZoC8pXbMqB6SvsrqeByr3otM5TG28XAKPQmRnDESCRG_68GxIQl_g3WsWq3YQ5TELRqtniCO9elE587wlcJBWDyRhOpcLybYxmOgiPLC/s3648/20240303_125604.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMwxXtQfV9l_8s3iWvXs-TP10G0GozQaaEfDthT4jLIvvS1Z0lB8RnreE3LdjPV0iM2xpzwoNAOfrkb7mSt_6ZoC8pXbMqB6SvsrqeByr3otM5TG28XAKPQmRnDESCRG_68GxIQl_g3WsWq3YQ5TELRqtniCO9elE587wlcJBWDyRhOpcLybYxmOgiPLC/w640-h480/20240303_125604.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip56EelK8X61zY0ETK4z1Kxv1o4UZTlEE5IBMgY1hWQ8v7psKQrUC95ab0hcGFxqbjDxBlK83t8tX04mAnYhDdT1X0jRSngKitXu8uXMDNzbuGujIELrZYtzUyTtiRONOaaMyXNSjlioK9UpwAVvUzImqekWWOct6lv7k7fUcY2C0LRyrGNBEBimiv2iL9/s4000/20240303_125626.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip56EelK8X61zY0ETK4z1Kxv1o4UZTlEE5IBMgY1hWQ8v7psKQrUC95ab0hcGFxqbjDxBlK83t8tX04mAnYhDdT1X0jRSngKitXu8uXMDNzbuGujIELrZYtzUyTtiRONOaaMyXNSjlioK9UpwAVvUzImqekWWOct6lv7k7fUcY2C0LRyrGNBEBimiv2iL9/w640-h480/20240303_125626.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Once over we are by <a href="https://www.biblins.org.uk/">Biblins Youth Campsite</a> on the Welsh side of the River.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Biblins Campsite provides a back-to-basics experience for children, young people and community groups. Nestled in the Wye Valley, the 18 acre site hugs the river and is surrounded by ancient woodlands. Whether you plan a social group camp or educational school visit, Biblins offers one of the finest locations for outdoor learning in the country.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNK2DCXpXx5_HDzcIHgNPq1W_iPI5ysSw_C1vkYjNczUlBwZarr2B_q_fd947CMkNGHQY8alItxf7s4TDuq7SACHRZelOmW-FakQA5iVQeCfHv5areQbADONQFqnp6IUMTDnZ5prXd4B6IIw55M8RNk8HH-rStHgaN0L9chVv8LTA3g1V93ul8b2LnKnu-/s3917/20240303_125807.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2938" data-original-width="3917" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNK2DCXpXx5_HDzcIHgNPq1W_iPI5ysSw_C1vkYjNczUlBwZarr2B_q_fd947CMkNGHQY8alItxf7s4TDuq7SACHRZelOmW-FakQA5iVQeCfHv5areQbADONQFqnp6IUMTDnZ5prXd4B6IIw55M8RNk8HH-rStHgaN0L9chVv8LTA3g1V93ul8b2LnKnu-/w640-h480/20240303_125807.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We cross back over and walk back the way we came and back to the car.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlHXUMY1O4G0TgJAHkv7f7K2xIky11xCIGtbxsp6Mznz3CTtruJhHB8i4rf7auJI6783mHXDc266MC_VW4QjzVvAeoNyVEPkKUzs2u1RIbh-FKaUOhs1BM9TBuzV8Rk9yzCE3D1gKdkspHq244EAE3sVuZ1Cm7U8aoYmqsOe3bn3VnlFfDm1JZGmCM3Aa/s3870/20240303_132738.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2902" data-original-width="3870" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlHXUMY1O4G0TgJAHkv7f7K2xIky11xCIGtbxsp6Mznz3CTtruJhHB8i4rf7auJI6783mHXDc266MC_VW4QjzVvAeoNyVEPkKUzs2u1RIbh-FKaUOhs1BM9TBuzV8Rk9yzCE3D1gKdkspHq244EAE3sVuZ1Cm7U8aoYmqsOe3bn3VnlFfDm1JZGmCM3Aa/w640-h480/20240303_132738.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We drive on to visit Tintern Abbey before we return to Chepstow.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9inB3yh4uTrXBuO4YF5pPANJR7ZYhVH0jbk0gcnZ0KTbEuJMvycFTKagGqqhIiZIPlu8UMGx0ZaUhlV7Qwq4JUBp-gqXCeoqEvcBSnjkJyqp0_uueCH0xQCZ9qI5WaSsiI0o_AkI61vBC6_7U7eFfdS-BvW2bvQmxrfSikWX5uqek-Byw8FxCsZpqd1Y8/s4000/20240303_141817.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9inB3yh4uTrXBuO4YF5pPANJR7ZYhVH0jbk0gcnZ0KTbEuJMvycFTKagGqqhIiZIPlu8UMGx0ZaUhlV7Qwq4JUBp-gqXCeoqEvcBSnjkJyqp0_uueCH0xQCZ9qI5WaSsiI0o_AkI61vBC6_7U7eFfdS-BvW2bvQmxrfSikWX5uqek-Byw8FxCsZpqd1Y8/w640-h480/20240303_141817.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We arrive in Tintern and park up in the Abbey car park.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7S2CseIUOo5ya3n-XBZ-9DFlPdgDClCJVu9eXZbJP4PTPKewXHoCqdQPY0jHLoLDGbWGMDrZXoBKciD2NVCaBADnwDY70QKgJe0G9PILsS1GFldbUw1tRNhg4B35B0zWeXDzRrTOwiiE8WpewxPliyCk9Zr34_VTdwMn_PiWEu8rmSB82xjAwei05S0X/s4000/20240303_141825.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7S2CseIUOo5ya3n-XBZ-9DFlPdgDClCJVu9eXZbJP4PTPKewXHoCqdQPY0jHLoLDGbWGMDrZXoBKciD2NVCaBADnwDY70QKgJe0G9PILsS1GFldbUw1tRNhg4B35B0zWeXDzRrTOwiiE8WpewxPliyCk9Zr34_VTdwMn_PiWEu8rmSB82xjAwei05S0X/w640-h480/20240303_141825.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on pass the Abbey. Couldn't see much point in paying to enter, we could see enough from outside!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIFYwiyZx5dHImAUeYXiBIW94oHNNOGGSqnyIKYtaevEoMjOMW0zbGkwhgJ2bwlecTt2_k2a9siUaH9gOMNw-Cg7R6sPxC_Z6h1JqbxOel4_JpdKNoZOtVxGUAIaq_enFom71_GanyE3cOcY0UxcxP2JzSYTklmmqc90FKF0vZ81OtNEtuaVuzf5454rF/s4000/20240303_142238.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIFYwiyZx5dHImAUeYXiBIW94oHNNOGGSqnyIKYtaevEoMjOMW0zbGkwhgJ2bwlecTt2_k2a9siUaH9gOMNw-Cg7R6sPxC_Z6h1JqbxOel4_JpdKNoZOtVxGUAIaq_enFom71_GanyE3cOcY0UxcxP2JzSYTklmmqc90FKF0vZ81OtNEtuaVuzf5454rF/w640-h480/20240303_142238.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tintern Abbey (Welsh: Abaty Tyndyrn pronunciation) was founded on 9 May 1131 by Walter de Clare, Lord of Chepstow. It is situated adjacent to the village of Tintern in Monmouthshire, on the Welsh bank of the River Wye, which at this location forms the border between Monmouthshire in Wales and Gloucestershire in England. It was the first Cistercian foundation in Wales, and only the second in Britain (after Waverley Abbey).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQHc3x80mQUAPYr9YAYkB31d5vWx9IfhaeK1tP6fmoq-DO6DCLinoQUjhtsRnnqIr1IusNUIoA1xwrJSC3eWKMtdyo55kdziX4Xlwej9AeMKSw-Z9GOHU6WjjR2q3J0XCqtZxBlNu0pg7dGyvnpghEY5H4PKn2iuXA-xVZcW6FaGOAmil80ZWW3zYqWuR/s4000/20240303_142322.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQHc3x80mQUAPYr9YAYkB31d5vWx9IfhaeK1tP6fmoq-DO6DCLinoQUjhtsRnnqIr1IusNUIoA1xwrJSC3eWKMtdyo55kdziX4Xlwej9AeMKSw-Z9GOHU6WjjR2q3J0XCqtZxBlNu0pg7dGyvnpghEY5H4PKn2iuXA-xVZcW6FaGOAmil80ZWW3zYqWuR/w640-h480/20240303_142322.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The abbey fell into ruin after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century. Its remains have been celebrated in poetry and painting from the 18th century onwards.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtmEP48iGvcsOE3ihjykLGox4WrG4sDr4PEivGldv5QZOba9C9ujpnjptDKD89S_YO3th4cm2aY124zwGGACi9buFD0n_au1FJmMHDIBD4zfC3kIx8J3ECfqdRsxSlbNAZ7tc7Rwj1f77Lgk6F5h8ubmiHE4YXJYFtP6qkMFQts6RpJt40_ujiPY6zUG_/s4000/20240303_142412.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtmEP48iGvcsOE3ihjykLGox4WrG4sDr4PEivGldv5QZOba9C9ujpnjptDKD89S_YO3th4cm2aY124zwGGACi9buFD0n_au1FJmMHDIBD4zfC3kIx8J3ECfqdRsxSlbNAZ7tc7Rwj1f77Lgk6F5h8ubmiHE4YXJYFtP6qkMFQts6RpJt40_ujiPY6zUG_/w640-h480/20240303_142412.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The Cistercian Order was founded in 1098 at the abbey of Cîteaux. A breakaway faction of the Benedictines, the Cistercians sought to re-establish observance of the Rule of Saint Benedict. Considered the strictest of the monastic orders, they laid down requirements for the construction of their abbeys, stipulating that "none of our houses is to be built in cities, in castles or villages; but in places remote from the conversation of men. Let there be no towers of stone for bells, nor of wood of an immoderate height, which are unsuited to the simplicity of the order". The Cistercians also developed an approach to the Benedictine requirement for a dual commitment to pray and work that saw the evolving of a dual community, the monks and the lay brothers, illiterate workers who contributed to the life of the abbey and to the worship of God through manual labour.[ The order proved exceptionally successful and by 1151, five hundred Cistercian houses had been founded in Europe. The Carta Caritatis (Charter of Love) laid out their basic principles, of obedience, poverty, chastity, silence, prayer, and work. With this austere way of life, the Cistercians were one of the most successful orders in the 12th and 13th centuries. The lands of the Abbey were divided into agricultural units or granges, on which local people worked and provided services such as smithies to the Abbey.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKiW-IcOgFM3zztxis794__gkTHmatKtLx5HmrNtBide848O8adj4KQSz_iKCqFrU65LDauMFVoLFORWVhtfFM0Mm2GbkyTs9FMeh7xV80V8Q71e-zndrH8llWBOtkOt4AG2cioHKxOnBGRozo0VkUmF1UoIW9yZvXY8upPvFu-bfCNQ93z1vzMLppObI/s3916/20240303_142418.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3916" data-original-width="2937" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKiW-IcOgFM3zztxis794__gkTHmatKtLx5HmrNtBide848O8adj4KQSz_iKCqFrU65LDauMFVoLFORWVhtfFM0Mm2GbkyTs9FMeh7xV80V8Q71e-zndrH8llWBOtkOt4AG2cioHKxOnBGRozo0VkUmF1UoIW9yZvXY8upPvFu-bfCNQ93z1vzMLppObI/w480-h640/20240303_142418.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">William Giffard, Bishop of Winchester introduced the first colony of Cistercian monks to England at Waverley, Surrey, in 1128. His first cousin, Walter de Clare, of the powerful family of Clare, established the second Cistercian house in Britain, and the first in Wales, at Tintern in 1131. The Tintern monks came from a daughter house of Cîteaux, L'Aumône Abbey, in the diocese of Chartres in France. In time, Tintern established two daughter houses, Kingswood in Gloucestershire (1139) and Tintern Parva, west of Wexford in southeast Ireland (1203).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQ3uMXelcTHW_jrqxwt8XB5XvZDwvNZmX-YxOYb_db_DC4vnK1FNR11uNG5Rto-grHmO-vycqdGFpmDvBv-l0ZN2SRsK7kTghqMv_DIs-UlN6YA_owAo1wp665ZW20J5rFhY-lPCYV5OTMBviE8A6HhHk-5JO4uTL6oayfn2nel3HSLDFdxz9NMRqbkx7/s4000/20240303_142445.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQ3uMXelcTHW_jrqxwt8XB5XvZDwvNZmX-YxOYb_db_DC4vnK1FNR11uNG5Rto-grHmO-vycqdGFpmDvBv-l0ZN2SRsK7kTghqMv_DIs-UlN6YA_owAo1wp665ZW20J5rFhY-lPCYV5OTMBviE8A6HhHk-5JO4uTL6oayfn2nel3HSLDFdxz9NMRqbkx7/w640-h480/20240303_142445.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The present-day remains of Tintern are a mixture of building works covering a 400-year period between 1131 and 1536. Very little of the first buildings still survives today; a few sections of walling are incorporated into later buildings and the two recessed cupboards for books on the east of the cloisters are from this period. The church of that time was smaller than the present building, and slightly to the north.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGoGmFutlaWYl5ucZ6zPUU-OMKRJ8k5LR00KFtP32OB669kzP5mIDvQtjqfb2WAWnS3x57xDEodLYByXYkrjhUa9JE007tA9RqbdQ-ahTlCq7qz5MnmcUXie-9sMDxQVMvUtpBr4gOYBV5iQZJnSys40xX7pGmn03-J-LBrUv1Kbi4G5DxOT9WI2R6bZ8F/s4000/20240303_142555.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGoGmFutlaWYl5ucZ6zPUU-OMKRJ8k5LR00KFtP32OB669kzP5mIDvQtjqfb2WAWnS3x57xDEodLYByXYkrjhUa9JE007tA9RqbdQ-ahTlCq7qz5MnmcUXie-9sMDxQVMvUtpBr4gOYBV5iQZJnSys40xX7pGmn03-J-LBrUv1Kbi4G5DxOT9WI2R6bZ8F/w640-h480/20240303_142555.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We stop at The Filling Station Café for a Cream Tea, sitting outside in the sunshine.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnfyKBTGLETz-UnmUu-jKu2rQ5GJQtxSE7n1-wI1rKNvn22pXpd_LUD39OY-AdWi2gIWvy4dcmG_Oc7oQPzwCyt1qZKyGMrkhNfQFF-gnrKgicqdWj9YpEuzFDF_iLrFAeqbzHSp0c5enF1xnNZU977a98Gw8lplgif072fPd0JE19x0hky9hk-2CWl5I/s4000/20240303_143629.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnfyKBTGLETz-UnmUu-jKu2rQ5GJQtxSE7n1-wI1rKNvn22pXpd_LUD39OY-AdWi2gIWvy4dcmG_Oc7oQPzwCyt1qZKyGMrkhNfQFF-gnrKgicqdWj9YpEuzFDF_iLrFAeqbzHSp0c5enF1xnNZU977a98Gw8lplgif072fPd0JE19x0hky9hk-2CWl5I/w640-h480/20240303_143629.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on to visit the Abbey Mill in Tintern.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkgL1Txcke46F599t4qYRZtd-jtg6zMU8Ajfo2VG5buZGd5WsHBch7Q6QZaLjRzMr7uX4w7rZv3VKUMFZQbjt7sdskxGptD5UMEQp9T5lVzTwMB7VSJOUaAnktcfZSjkWokX2qaEnT_LftXa8VAHtS6EWhedCVSVTUrLZSltXMezpmaNpXyxLZoePxUwj/s4000/20240303_145311.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkgL1Txcke46F599t4qYRZtd-jtg6zMU8Ajfo2VG5buZGd5WsHBch7Q6QZaLjRzMr7uX4w7rZv3VKUMFZQbjt7sdskxGptD5UMEQp9T5lVzTwMB7VSJOUaAnktcfZSjkWokX2qaEnT_LftXa8VAHtS6EWhedCVSVTUrLZSltXMezpmaNpXyxLZoePxUwj/w640-h480/20240303_145311.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Abbey Mill is an award winning family business that has been trading in Tintern village since 1936. Our well-established and independent craft and shopping complex is currently run by the 3rd and 4th generations of the Rastall family. The Mill is set amidst breathtaking scenery in the heart of the Wye Valley on the banks of the River Wye and offers a relaxed setting for your enjoyment. Include Abbey Mill in your Tour of Wales itinerary, along with its historic buildings and recently renovated turning Old Water Wheel. The site includes many of the original mill buildings of Tintern Abbey, which was founded in 1131. Also see the waterfall and the remains of the Tudor dockyard, which is now filled with trout and watched over by our own dragon!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRAFVXpFjO_sjO3SBEqZAfUMZ39vI29-mlH43MjHmgxP3gzaj70T0FYRabH0DpH2tTtadFqsDX5DrlbRj0kEUo2mYTsr-h5So3XSbBrQdcK3kWU47jN5pG4K7smp6G55fJhmQwq7y8Pw-6R5GSLKISKOEBjDhyphenhyphenAjfAey5SLVw7l4873Ce3oSIy-2toelF/s4000/20240303_145315.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRAFVXpFjO_sjO3SBEqZAfUMZ39vI29-mlH43MjHmgxP3gzaj70T0FYRabH0DpH2tTtadFqsDX5DrlbRj0kEUo2mYTsr-h5So3XSbBrQdcK3kWU47jN5pG4K7smp6G55fJhmQwq7y8Pw-6R5GSLKISKOEBjDhyphenhyphenAjfAey5SLVw7l4873Ce3oSIy-2toelF/w640-h480/20240303_145315.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We have a stroll around the interesting shops here.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IwG8ANxTv-B7GIgllVRsT3qKEhkTV49Yik8sNWYpHg_jbjB1QcD64htuFlPK7upYdyoyC9VZPJu9Q2a4GQf8EOHx6WM0OiJlqkugxI50wfoH7SO7BcPKh6Z8Y32WnJp8YgK9iEPE9ZTnuF3v9aP6YZxByEv5DQULPah-h_cTwNLba_LZi_TMPn-R7_so/s4000/20240303_150857.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IwG8ANxTv-B7GIgllVRsT3qKEhkTV49Yik8sNWYpHg_jbjB1QcD64htuFlPK7upYdyoyC9VZPJu9Q2a4GQf8EOHx6WM0OiJlqkugxI50wfoH7SO7BcPKh6Z8Y32WnJp8YgK9iEPE9ZTnuF3v9aP6YZxByEv5DQULPah-h_cTwNLba_LZi_TMPn-R7_so/w640-h480/20240303_150857.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc75fwd7DgNGiSGVGyXHWI5saPOrk3f8aBndLLuQPtNwhJHMb128t51nIDQ51MnDqEYlPjECEu9YxS2MSgJPc7116pni2_veM4x89nS05nEcX0MiqzO4raeK7ySS4qWN4gvlngDNDMuuZOvdHi6SwKpsalalxIfxVHCOIa8bziBC7J9KsegryJ6_mGU_cj/s4000/20240303_151003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc75fwd7DgNGiSGVGyXHWI5saPOrk3f8aBndLLuQPtNwhJHMb128t51nIDQ51MnDqEYlPjECEu9YxS2MSgJPc7116pni2_veM4x89nS05nEcX0MiqzO4raeK7ySS4qWN4gvlngDNDMuuZOvdHi6SwKpsalalxIfxVHCOIa8bziBC7J9KsegryJ6_mGU_cj/w640-h480/20240303_151003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Jo9Y9vZDv9JWX8oEumLQKXSnuc7GJIy7CZOq8lUtk-7DATt56iLGi8pqqnD_DwwV5nAkxJ2a3Fh0-7Eq53Q3TMalovn2P25kc6kvHS0hw-iHI3U0UBY2ry5WZyGUomjWckZchoKHMJDdipyv3jPRBAbsm27dZtRToif0-naWUOhJ4jGtkdZyBrhCp3zG/s4000/20240303_151449.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Jo9Y9vZDv9JWX8oEumLQKXSnuc7GJIy7CZOq8lUtk-7DATt56iLGi8pqqnD_DwwV5nAkxJ2a3Fh0-7Eq53Q3TMalovn2P25kc6kvHS0hw-iHI3U0UBY2ry5WZyGUomjWckZchoKHMJDdipyv3jPRBAbsm27dZtRToif0-naWUOhJ4jGtkdZyBrhCp3zG/w640-h480/20240303_151449.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mill Race.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_3tde9wp5pJS5q6TCHTg1wjuUuS2ImZDqznZWcTQGf7ykLaymVKvayC3hc6Ka869B6zWh9_U9gSs1We5Bi9f3YOvJuAU85pcrFChUKV6_czE183dXdV2NnvvWfvf1epy49Rrry17H568_PIAmAulYN6VZ7vi71jD7R0xUGfsjSEr7UDpOzvVQgqG9wYa/s4000/20240303_151854.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_3tde9wp5pJS5q6TCHTg1wjuUuS2ImZDqznZWcTQGf7ykLaymVKvayC3hc6Ka869B6zWh9_U9gSs1We5Bi9f3YOvJuAU85pcrFChUKV6_czE183dXdV2NnvvWfvf1epy49Rrry17H568_PIAmAulYN6VZ7vi71jD7R0xUGfsjSEr7UDpOzvVQgqG9wYa/w640-h480/20240303_151854.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the Abbey Mill and walk across the Old Wireworks Tramway Bridge that spans the Wye.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmz2AKG3TXopKYp2Nugaa5BqNfdlQOPoLmL60phhBo4OUX86WFeDWIb84p3GsCXDzF6cYdPJ7R8A336YWQw-AgVqW7PLLZcXWuzoiYJYV1bQ2A_ScwrknaIQJicgVhgm7vXXYYVmYiGRegJ8d7rnhjleocBd_oqL2f1FUi-w4mh3H44B_ZxsFKNV3rmPz/s4000/20240303_151954.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2722" data-original-width="4000" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmz2AKG3TXopKYp2Nugaa5BqNfdlQOPoLmL60phhBo4OUX86WFeDWIb84p3GsCXDzF6cYdPJ7R8A336YWQw-AgVqW7PLLZcXWuzoiYJYV1bQ2A_ScwrknaIQJicgVhgm7vXXYYVmYiGRegJ8d7rnhjleocBd_oqL2f1FUi-w4mh3H44B_ZxsFKNV3rmPz/w640-h436/20240303_151954.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Built in 1876 to provide a rail link to the Lower Wireworks site, the Wireworks Bridge is a visible reminder of Tintern’s industrial past. Despite being hardly used originally (as it was built at the tail end of the industrial period), hundreds of people now cross the bridge every day to visit Tintern or explore the wooded slopes of the Wye Valley. If the bridge seems familiar, it’s because it featured in Netflix’s hit ‘Sex Education’ series.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkTIdVjNoHQvqUAv8XFj-pn7LR8MZkDY87CKEB79rUzyuo51S7VQ7L6FScLXbBkY7iWgNBYLYnnYAcaMz1CTod13NEmcFwEX0YfSDXImjAb2Nk-snLdb4MwHLo8WmayFdHCNtuZBrol3As4N9NpM8SXTz844x6Vl_bWinOUMQMDW7FaP9H15lGI9keN-R/s3849/20240303_152023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2887" data-original-width="3849" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkTIdVjNoHQvqUAv8XFj-pn7LR8MZkDY87CKEB79rUzyuo51S7VQ7L6FScLXbBkY7iWgNBYLYnnYAcaMz1CTod13NEmcFwEX0YfSDXImjAb2Nk-snLdb4MwHLo8WmayFdHCNtuZBrol3As4N9NpM8SXTz844x6Vl_bWinOUMQMDW7FaP9H15lGI9keN-R/w640-h480/20240303_152023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBhDRIBrCBhLaLcXTzgQgus7vyVqWvRiVufc2lRDbM5ILVHinadq-L8BrtsCZwATR78jgT31pQ3pzgMCeMoX2OYufFFDM87hOcs45FtAjlqCLJXs9IYDWG0glFu8SpqM0ScN2N4Tchm0O1S9GDYlIcfyYPtThSIBt91n0JtGsR3qp9xUYLMJhWafEuvgI/s4000/20240303_152123.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBhDRIBrCBhLaLcXTzgQgus7vyVqWvRiVufc2lRDbM5ILVHinadq-L8BrtsCZwATR78jgT31pQ3pzgMCeMoX2OYufFFDM87hOcs45FtAjlqCLJXs9IYDWG0glFu8SpqM0ScN2N4Tchm0O1S9GDYlIcfyYPtThSIBt91n0JtGsR3qp9xUYLMJhWafEuvgI/w640-h480/20240303_152123.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View over the River Wye to Tintern Abbey.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrIQX2tx3R39j0vSmSly3bCi4kJLRIa67lirBmy_B_zUPZ4flAB_30h-LUbjFIvycflUbzkGAG-H1bb-3C0rfO7zznfHlgoWYZjKcGQmeKTcqxhGNF4FEyxoi2nwhzT555sp6AoYjbg0S_aETDHQo3fu2ZzQh-PHs0hj9C5dbtreDWhl0wGvUGRn1UH6V/s3871/20240303_152209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2903" data-original-width="3871" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrIQX2tx3R39j0vSmSly3bCi4kJLRIa67lirBmy_B_zUPZ4flAB_30h-LUbjFIvycflUbzkGAG-H1bb-3C0rfO7zznfHlgoWYZjKcGQmeKTcqxhGNF4FEyxoi2nwhzT555sp6AoYjbg0S_aETDHQo3fu2ZzQh-PHs0hj9C5dbtreDWhl0wGvUGRn1UH6V/w640-h480/20240303_152209.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back along the river back to the car.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnNf3hUpU1cU_niDw0ktK5dz84qNG8Wbbi_i9cK2m0-Q7WG3zFL8GA2jGHQFfjL_pLeykPpiTE_HnLuWedOtLfT_3PHNYKlBRkrD8rYgK1EVgZh709X_4uNQ1nUy5jC6jxGWV3mf7kEvz4iOQXZgFNdMBckEth4Xj5uoZGRycXYGlu8VuMV7YuRKw2inb/s3873/20240303_152846.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2905" data-original-width="3873" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnNf3hUpU1cU_niDw0ktK5dz84qNG8Wbbi_i9cK2m0-Q7WG3zFL8GA2jGHQFfjL_pLeykPpiTE_HnLuWedOtLfT_3PHNYKlBRkrD8rYgK1EVgZh709X_4uNQ1nUy5jC6jxGWV3mf7kEvz4iOQXZgFNdMBckEth4Xj5uoZGRycXYGlu8VuMV7YuRKw2inb/w640-h480/20240303_152846.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We drive back to the hotel in Chepstow for a nap, before heading out later for dinner.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKJ9Y7l3DzU87o85OWB9CTeJMqt1kFoaRVfKDFtp6hPwxnjU6A3jY92s-7a1ldfeP4TeBARKUmtXrzrmkx94h4n129dBYkxc-XiFEP1cKNRjt154oX1UOL6GwbzSeV9UHfkOBCriuxpIgqMj6_jCe0rYZm_pNdp2N7pbs2TCjsjcRH-T85ODZYeqJTYMv/s4000/20240303_192804~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKJ9Y7l3DzU87o85OWB9CTeJMqt1kFoaRVfKDFtp6hPwxnjU6A3jY92s-7a1ldfeP4TeBARKUmtXrzrmkx94h4n129dBYkxc-XiFEP1cKNRjt154oX1UOL6GwbzSeV9UHfkOBCriuxpIgqMj6_jCe0rYZm_pNdp2N7pbs2TCjsjcRH-T85ODZYeqJTYMv/w480-h640/20240303_192804~2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We have dinner in the Pontio Lounge. Very nice place! I had the Beef Brisket Chilli and Mel had the burger.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWlculKIUylBLmqSCMmy8sXxsjYs402GrmCV5EhmjAzq2JQKUMIb0DXHIvsHGAAJXf9td8gHruRLL3YA6Vnsu5-VHO7q0NuFzJN23l0IytwL5R0y5sOIhhJESWUrs861mGPUZaoGF_d0-KNAqpx7hRAZmNPcr59CTOdOT7NYuW-YgIj7XuPuiUBDHLoe6/s2924/20240303_192804~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2761" data-original-width="2924" height="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWlculKIUylBLmqSCMmy8sXxsjYs402GrmCV5EhmjAzq2JQKUMIb0DXHIvsHGAAJXf9td8gHruRLL3YA6Vnsu5-VHO7q0NuFzJN23l0IytwL5R0y5sOIhhJESWUrs861mGPUZaoGF_d0-KNAqpx7hRAZmNPcr59CTOdOT7NYuW-YgIj7XuPuiUBDHLoe6/w640-h604/20240303_192804~3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnssQyPzM3KxwVzN4iG6YzkKie3X3EbbouPom13oCuQ_4YZ_2CcZH-6afXCIHsuhtCtBgUL8VkAUCYxnxptlw4CoSNYGBWalyPEP779kvEogLN9tooYBgU8ZMldLXgTl-hwfAKfytKKNTzVX0tqj6hnw453mVE0ajMftFWLxuMG4JweDfPdFFmXD1bid1c/s4000/20240303_195611~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnssQyPzM3KxwVzN4iG6YzkKie3X3EbbouPom13oCuQ_4YZ_2CcZH-6afXCIHsuhtCtBgUL8VkAUCYxnxptlw4CoSNYGBWalyPEP779kvEogLN9tooYBgU8ZMldLXgTl-hwfAKfytKKNTzVX0tqj6hnw453mVE0ajMftFWLxuMG4JweDfPdFFmXD1bid1c/w480-h640/20240303_195611~2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4EodvJxXOVrcLTszLkcJ04hBnG-6k-N-lw_FfQmSjqB0kdOgvXEvXUL1hXOCY6jYciTyXAmqk5tEF7mE_VrdpHu1zRlr-PuK2PjQk58wRd86_9eslRqrQ2IJkV3-J6ifNr3Elc5E24Px_0-5Ap_EAxteDp8WiN5DDI63PJnPHYcDgH5lA3crm2zp4VyT/s1080/5e0d09ef-4929-4e79-9f12-5dfaf0214b47.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4EodvJxXOVrcLTszLkcJ04hBnG-6k-N-lw_FfQmSjqB0kdOgvXEvXUL1hXOCY6jYciTyXAmqk5tEF7mE_VrdpHu1zRlr-PuK2PjQk58wRd86_9eslRqrQ2IJkV3-J6ifNr3Elc5E24Px_0-5Ap_EAxteDp8WiN5DDI63PJnPHYcDgH5lA3crm2zp4VyT/w480-h640/5e0d09ef-4929-4e79-9f12-5dfaf0214b47.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We then decide to walk back to see the Castle lit up at night and without the rain!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBrbATpJMYdsdgDprNmgjfs7fZUaof9NXOgFVHpa8OUstSRE1KxfOv209ChrkzXWuPMsl2YzuKzbcrpJ7CXqpcN2pQQD_u6_ZOPcv6od-jAk89Pre0z39uXmj91QRHXTOTF9TQ-XceJDMcmLyUAglAHWE36-eCwNJGbSlm5Hwhh6NmNBOx0_Q95yL-Ipy/s3252/20240303_202553.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2271" data-original-width="3252" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBrbATpJMYdsdgDprNmgjfs7fZUaof9NXOgFVHpa8OUstSRE1KxfOv209ChrkzXWuPMsl2YzuKzbcrpJ7CXqpcN2pQQD_u6_ZOPcv6od-jAk89Pre0z39uXmj91QRHXTOTF9TQ-XceJDMcmLyUAglAHWE36-eCwNJGbSlm5Hwhh6NmNBOx0_Q95yL-Ipy/w640-h446/20240303_202553.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9JJ_h468-8GDU8WcdaKSBsZIoBeTK24Xa_INcFblubMsSE4wJyCym4_azELCVUNIlLW9nNSJdQ_nUSEmKh0k5hEu5vqsH5247s84aaa6B2TebPtUCCT3VW410NZp1U9lndFcMU7fd_7eRdY_9X9w5IYagCewgemDon0jhC6t8fS69LLQwhiPiaCTr_Yx/s3926/20240303_202632.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="3926" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9JJ_h468-8GDU8WcdaKSBsZIoBeTK24Xa_INcFblubMsSE4wJyCym4_azELCVUNIlLW9nNSJdQ_nUSEmKh0k5hEu5vqsH5247s84aaa6B2TebPtUCCT3VW410NZp1U9lndFcMU7fd_7eRdY_9X9w5IYagCewgemDon0jhC6t8fS69LLQwhiPiaCTr_Yx/w640-h480/20240303_202632.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsu3gZaYeMuA_TZcJhO4GTrv5-M4f0ip3WQF-tSitgkTPFbRFzi_pYrMDCZ9t5YUzIh8FJcO3RCvQhSi5tNg6fsutttiemWHmVWAPLYXAgmwVZxEY9kqQT3OZWZVFzaV0bFolm7deat3f2EU5d491errfcCCxE4_RJWpnOUZcHEm6H9qp4l4DUgh7MfLsN/s3903/20240303_203211.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2928" data-original-width="3903" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsu3gZaYeMuA_TZcJhO4GTrv5-M4f0ip3WQF-tSitgkTPFbRFzi_pYrMDCZ9t5YUzIh8FJcO3RCvQhSi5tNg6fsutttiemWHmVWAPLYXAgmwVZxEY9kqQT3OZWZVFzaV0bFolm7deat3f2EU5d491errfcCCxE4_RJWpnOUZcHEm6H9qp4l4DUgh7MfLsN/w640-h480/20240303_203211.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We return to the hotel. The next day we have a last look around Chepstow and the shops before the drive home. A great weekend in the gorgeous Wye Valley!</div></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-5311196397659164892024-02-16T18:59:00.101+00:002024-02-17T13:54:56.550+00:00Sissinghurst to Cranbrook Kent Circular walk. 16th February 2024<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">GPX file <a href="https://www.haroldstreet.org.uk/routes/download/?walk=6323" target="_blank">here</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On Friday the 16th February 2024 Ian and I drove just over and hour to Sissinghurst in Kent. We parked roadside on Common Road and walked up to The Street in Sissinghurst.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNqI3a9wKDe2GHT_C8C3tW4Qa2ceQPXfizVJbXDp2UKIOBhGr5oEapfJ5yKcODgqsafprds1VJo8Y_ZLk5NHSq_PdkoBlLPb20hA8aekNt3uRwQv8AQV9d_JnT2WPlQaa_Dm9VekA-4q8d7WSgwOvXiSJCeNk5W6PJORu7BLujmAsuDGGyt72BbPcAPt1/s4000/20240216_092246.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNqI3a9wKDe2GHT_C8C3tW4Qa2ceQPXfizVJbXDp2UKIOBhGr5oEapfJ5yKcODgqsafprds1VJo8Y_ZLk5NHSq_PdkoBlLPb20hA8aekNt3uRwQv8AQV9d_JnT2WPlQaa_Dm9VekA-4q8d7WSgwOvXiSJCeNk5W6PJORu7BLujmAsuDGGyt72BbPcAPt1/w640-h480/20240216_092246.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sissinghurst's history is similar to that of nearby Cranbrook. Iron Age working tools have been found and the village was for centuries a meeting and resting place for people travelling towards the south coast.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The village of Sissinghurst grew up along an old drovers’ route. It was known as Mylkehouse or Milk House Street until 1851 when it was renamed after the local Sissinghurst Castle to shake off its reputation for cockfighting, outrage and robbery!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3nexj1nf9ngIIukLpQbdqEtai7CGPKVarOojIMTQK9qqI2Y7TWCKOHhClJiNMChhcypp3ItKPytwoILQVsfygQBGxXfrSp9uW1V4X3-vLL6pPuWI2HdRcMKbeNEsSt4jGdJEdSw0S_JHSVfqE-vylEHGIBYyVPppTFqXoX2bKLEansasjjEiycPK5Rov/s4000/20240216_092348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3nexj1nf9ngIIukLpQbdqEtai7CGPKVarOojIMTQK9qqI2Y7TWCKOHhClJiNMChhcypp3ItKPytwoILQVsfygQBGxXfrSp9uW1V4X3-vLL6pPuWI2HdRcMKbeNEsSt4jGdJEdSw0S_JHSVfqE-vylEHGIBYyVPppTFqXoX2bKLEansasjjEiycPK5Rov/w640-h480/20240216_092348.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Originally called Milkhouse Street (also referred to as Mylkehouse), Sissinghurst changed its name in the 1850s, possibly to avoid association with the smuggling and cockfighting activities of the Hawkhurst Gang.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">An infamous group, the "Holkhourst Genge", terrorised the surrounding area between 1735 and 1749. They were the most notorious of the Kent gangs, and were feared all along the south coast of England. At Poole in Dorset, where they had launched an armed attack on the customs house (to take back a consignment of tea that had been confiscated), several were hanged including Thomas Kingsmill, one of the gang's leaders.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcFxJwcQSH3IB0yVDtcBL3dvW_46748l3-vA_Or9juvoHJg8QQ2QqJL_ux_QCPg4_RT1xP7OvmiSKBpTCB4mZQsow4kqBRwGquU7LLjosSw4lIf-BSPLmv0W5KZg2pwEUEtaHWft98AZWNVbv3OYIIVGKTr4Y0hqJscD6mzbdbRrntfmB8myU9TCanU4R/s4000/20240216_092504.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcFxJwcQSH3IB0yVDtcBL3dvW_46748l3-vA_Or9juvoHJg8QQ2QqJL_ux_QCPg4_RT1xP7OvmiSKBpTCB4mZQsow4kqBRwGquU7LLjosSw4lIf-BSPLmv0W5KZg2pwEUEtaHWft98AZWNVbv3OYIIVGKTr4Y0hqJscD6mzbdbRrntfmB8myU9TCanU4R/w640-h480/20240216_092504.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walked up to Trinity Church Sissinghurst. In 1838 Admiral King, his sister and her daughter finance the building of Trinity Church at a cost of £1900 and the ecclesiastical parish is formed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZopVQ29y2TJ36zNPbkE8SAMM_D3m_lfjOIKOXUUuYdTldDrl0GT65vWwYle1Jh1lP1YZYiIwP5H6BH4awLKAvVTmy1g1cxe5QydgaqLTc1PbLsI6ab54R_ZCSW6XL-QkvfcrDScDN-LyBjwBvoqwdyAXd-VlVm1hkXn8_ogByWgbBWcyeF5etUYfV6F5/s4000/20240216_093048.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZopVQ29y2TJ36zNPbkE8SAMM_D3m_lfjOIKOXUUuYdTldDrl0GT65vWwYle1Jh1lP1YZYiIwP5H6BH4awLKAvVTmy1g1cxe5QydgaqLTc1PbLsI6ab54R_ZCSW6XL-QkvfcrDScDN-LyBjwBvoqwdyAXd-VlVm1hkXn8_ogByWgbBWcyeF5etUYfV6F5/w640-h480/20240216_093048.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back and take Chapel Lane and turn right onto a footpath here that runs parallel to Sissinghurst Road.</div></div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiuno4sdJeyKF4vNUTpcNUvQvy5JMaXJqRKtPDdTFSh0DCeP9CTZD9RmG9BPf5WjHQ_oRjjuDNean8VnWyzoTrqADAwghfrdZlHmWUU-FU1k21-EBHCUSBvvsHWbMR5Eoo1KNvYQAqU0s1tV1ElxFFQMvJ-7NNPkSUk44uMxYIOyb68JPc__TJh9r11LS/s4000/20240216_093148.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiuno4sdJeyKF4vNUTpcNUvQvy5JMaXJqRKtPDdTFSh0DCeP9CTZD9RmG9BPf5WjHQ_oRjjuDNean8VnWyzoTrqADAwghfrdZlHmWUU-FU1k21-EBHCUSBvvsHWbMR5Eoo1KNvYQAqU0s1tV1ElxFFQMvJ-7NNPkSUk44uMxYIOyb68JPc__TJh9r11LS/w640-h480/20240216_093148.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Q3UL12MwP7rmlKYIpsBrzLOYA2_sHTzK1V_ECxJ8mVTvPT8kyVq8L2oZuIYazCKJg_SJQKVYihIHCXtkLNRaldMe2DVAsjApiYkGxRE-3jXvB0ctW7CjXvR35KwrsEIhyphenhyphenCcJpBL0VcT54EUv0cDa73WjYshx0rKP7llBkLXbyxclRm-YwbGCS7FG31Xv/s4000/20240216_093529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Q3UL12MwP7rmlKYIpsBrzLOYA2_sHTzK1V_ECxJ8mVTvPT8kyVq8L2oZuIYazCKJg_SJQKVYihIHCXtkLNRaldMe2DVAsjApiYkGxRE-3jXvB0ctW7CjXvR35KwrsEIhyphenhyphenCcJpBL0VcT54EUv0cDa73WjYshx0rKP7llBkLXbyxclRm-YwbGCS7FG31Xv/w640-h480/20240216_093529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here we discover the first mud of the day, that only gets worst as the day goes by.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmck_gt2BOwHkwgHWxzdueYb1XwlAcX-iYuuqXIkezT2v-Gyj1znWPwLX802pFit4UQdZEDlu98kC4VJz-Dy2wXQyAT6cpdH4ZeHWDmqNfZmgBY2sBYpGNqJcjQq3ZHVKuzxeoXW7vuQ5XltnG6DGcNCBj_XIfrktqXIOzI97c-NcKiOtbbNFcWcnFfdv/s3670/20240216_093642.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3670" data-original-width="2753" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmck_gt2BOwHkwgHWxzdueYb1XwlAcX-iYuuqXIkezT2v-Gyj1znWPwLX802pFit4UQdZEDlu98kC4VJz-Dy2wXQyAT6cpdH4ZeHWDmqNfZmgBY2sBYpGNqJcjQq3ZHVKuzxeoXW7vuQ5XltnG6DGcNCBj_XIfrktqXIOzI97c-NcKiOtbbNFcWcnFfdv/w480-h640/20240216_093642.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We drop down to cross the Buckhurst Farm Road and climb back up the other side.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WnI2ZDeINg3xGIFNYt6CY3NzmlzhvUT3iMm5JqvxrwACY-QTGN7UdZf8AMVpfe-02tdAA38olSBFykaXgrlCb1p65sygczvLk52Br8VSXAWr6naetL4SkKxp0lhl1Wex8vh3ZQFHaJX-C7JgBUKlPKfJSDi9o9OJgHy2LY6E9Ve5rJgb6GzBEVCxV2N9/s3785/20240216_093745.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2839" data-original-width="3785" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WnI2ZDeINg3xGIFNYt6CY3NzmlzhvUT3iMm5JqvxrwACY-QTGN7UdZf8AMVpfe-02tdAA38olSBFykaXgrlCb1p65sygczvLk52Br8VSXAWr6naetL4SkKxp0lhl1Wex8vh3ZQFHaJX-C7JgBUKlPKfJSDi9o9OJgHy2LY6E9Ve5rJgb6GzBEVCxV2N9/w640-h480/20240216_093745.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We continue on across the field down to a waterlogged and muddy gate and into a wooded area of Buckhurst Farm.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9NKneSOR77BlbDwUFCAwnv0l7FKRCA0q-XoxiBsl0QYKo7qBTY6tbasgrmmuUHGZ7m0iTgjH21-AdUe4b_YuNEOMwLWVEYIcanKJNfth6BShBxUflZBrMGNw0yjSJFVUlI7hcL1Yh1-LMU53Uwb8Oh5qmx-xLLUtOYAeG6scanHxP4ujHVGLyyeUkxcg/s4000/20240216_094032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9NKneSOR77BlbDwUFCAwnv0l7FKRCA0q-XoxiBsl0QYKo7qBTY6tbasgrmmuUHGZ7m0iTgjH21-AdUe4b_YuNEOMwLWVEYIcanKJNfth6BShBxUflZBrMGNw0yjSJFVUlI7hcL1Yh1-LMU53Uwb8Oh5qmx-xLLUtOYAeG6scanHxP4ujHVGLyyeUkxcg/w480-h640/20240216_094032.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We exit out of the woods by Oak Hill Manor and continue along a track.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOC-3asd-KS1nhz2feiSk9fFLf3EpYQ_Wbh_9qJRlva6zKylpESyr9C7pL4ptwPvAxTdjM4BwBXw6queTZ1vvULQLc5NMz6Ls4MaZFG5OGjuzST23uWkNnRSKAsTg6x-0ji0-q_fJqeSBRrJR2LQLVzvHopTfxT__IR9Q7tk3-538IIAOEXYrzHR26pqM/s4000/20240216_094554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOC-3asd-KS1nhz2feiSk9fFLf3EpYQ_Wbh_9qJRlva6zKylpESyr9C7pL4ptwPvAxTdjM4BwBXw6queTZ1vvULQLc5NMz6Ls4MaZFG5OGjuzST23uWkNnRSKAsTg6x-0ji0-q_fJqeSBRrJR2LQLVzvHopTfxT__IR9Q7tk3-538IIAOEXYrzHR26pqM/w640-h480/20240216_094554.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oak Hill Manor has ornamental gardens and grounds laid out around a neo-Georgian mansion designed by Charles Geddes Clarkson Hyslop (1899-1988) in 1938 and set within extensive 18th-century parkland and woods.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdn4pMpYX7I4bK5gx0ltmn7BQ1sMbNv6vFED3piDVoktprEMIO6iX57oFqqvNEyIoWqx9rDjIR9cf79T2Ij0zhwnOVFK7Rf07YhcwTl6uaYF_7keiA7cn4gOWXQ0NrjPJwoV9sQY1Dh059fokUVAbgQl5vF5yw8Yy92TXOxArHQWNtTtkKqE4w2vs8q7qo/s4000/20240216_095011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdn4pMpYX7I4bK5gx0ltmn7BQ1sMbNv6vFED3piDVoktprEMIO6iX57oFqqvNEyIoWqx9rDjIR9cf79T2Ij0zhwnOVFK7Rf07YhcwTl6uaYF_7keiA7cn4gOWXQ0NrjPJwoV9sQY1Dh059fokUVAbgQl5vF5yw8Yy92TXOxArHQWNtTtkKqE4w2vs8q7qo/w640-h480/20240216_095011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We continue along the track, nice to be mud free for a while. As w walk we can see the windmill in Cranbrook in the distance.</div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We then leave the track onto a path on our left that leads downhill into another waterlogged mudfest.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghODeAVQPc1SpKIBk9fHtqkKXv62N_tWSsiMU0cUOVRWlw74PdrlDOoTJ3NEIMJjjS2974miK9RmeUbQ6ldkp64An7lLcJR96-4cqcccFeaYzDojLnoLpkGKUxhuXRxSo6cT5vxPrCURfeTyPyiBrSOQrHtC5aq-FJZoQyhnfktRLMg966dnur3hBVppXZ/s4000/20240216_100411.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghODeAVQPc1SpKIBk9fHtqkKXv62N_tWSsiMU0cUOVRWlw74PdrlDOoTJ3NEIMJjjS2974miK9RmeUbQ6ldkp64An7lLcJR96-4cqcccFeaYzDojLnoLpkGKUxhuXRxSo6cT5vxPrCURfeTyPyiBrSOQrHtC5aq-FJZoQyhnfktRLMg966dnur3hBVppXZ/w640-h480/20240216_100411.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBLMXRC11VCb92HtpnvMypaA2fJ5aL6ucFPL-ENsYphelQfw5G1RPOhtMlSoyLMb14HtQZk-Le8GnHqkU8cEx5tpyyHNZgTRJFp6ZO0gxEoDKiqRbo4tT2gxmYzljXKDBXy7IlEcIk97zVj5Nuqfc8FnAeTc21mn5zxKmtfhRkD5RJ0pPD6A6WYEva6Ey/s2944/20240216_100423.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBLMXRC11VCb92HtpnvMypaA2fJ5aL6ucFPL-ENsYphelQfw5G1RPOhtMlSoyLMb14HtQZk-Le8GnHqkU8cEx5tpyyHNZgTRJFp6ZO0gxEoDKiqRbo4tT2gxmYzljXKDBXy7IlEcIk97zVj5Nuqfc8FnAeTc21mn5zxKmtfhRkD5RJ0pPD6A6WYEva6Ey/w480-h640/20240216_100423.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We cross a bridge over the Crane Brook follow the path down to Golford Road.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJreXxrir9biJyeHt80wJgQg7tOi-JjRCOWFqNDuZ4-sKDaNAoBpCPEmuHI-KXZJlxCx_ZzdCfMubt25gEpue6ksK7hB1H0CZG9Gv5tGKXmM9x3uU-4PTBNHuW_hhevI7eJTQwdl8842BvCedQAlRlVXs5d5aSt9cXg06RlcQszSZaugjsFBifl0VexllE/s4000/20240216_101203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJreXxrir9biJyeHt80wJgQg7tOi-JjRCOWFqNDuZ4-sKDaNAoBpCPEmuHI-KXZJlxCx_ZzdCfMubt25gEpue6ksK7hB1H0CZG9Gv5tGKXmM9x3uU-4PTBNHuW_hhevI7eJTQwdl8842BvCedQAlRlVXs5d5aSt9cXg06RlcQszSZaugjsFBifl0VexllE/w640-h480/20240216_101203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We follow the road towards Cranbrook.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhXLEZrmlpnUzWDJIzs91tBmew9Qt5G9Ya6TFmZZsRr_HDFDaE-WfoTLydcX6ftVYfaafCGg9Kjr5aCmk-Yfn7xVVvn3RPTu_2A1j-01I2XboPiPiJWizS7iVXvtTNEa2tAfuEO31IzFdW6GpOJARxa0F9RhZIYXZD8kA3pX7CcILwS-buszYSr22ArQZ/s3721/20240216_101303.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2790" data-original-width="3721" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhXLEZrmlpnUzWDJIzs91tBmew9Qt5G9Ya6TFmZZsRr_HDFDaE-WfoTLydcX6ftVYfaafCGg9Kjr5aCmk-Yfn7xVVvn3RPTu_2A1j-01I2XboPiPiJWizS7iVXvtTNEa2tAfuEO31IzFdW6GpOJARxa0F9RhZIYXZD8kA3pX7CcILwS-buszYSr22ArQZ/w640-h480/20240216_101303.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The place name Cranbrook derives from Old English cran bric, meaning Crane Marsh, marshy ground frequented by cranes (although more probably herons). Spelling of the place name has evolved over the centuries from Cranebroca (c. 1100); by 1226 it was recorded as Cranebroc, then Cranebrok. By 1610 the name had become Cranbrooke, which evolved into the current spelling.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEJXp5Oo0eAooT2hGHz66t3Tkl15AEh6zEElBs7xgeKi8q9z2c-fgsxJ5098T27OhJMF2o4qlQjAuLpbqR81vBE4tSQOAm-5Q8ViR1twlplqS2mZr7EhgbOshLQXFS4ANv_erhhkrrGplgqUOY1tHrOfeUpDAxrCtMPCVVb8AJjxWt-bovokkUNk2lESe/s3762/20240216_101431.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3762" data-original-width="2821" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEJXp5Oo0eAooT2hGHz66t3Tkl15AEh6zEElBs7xgeKi8q9z2c-fgsxJ5098T27OhJMF2o4qlQjAuLpbqR81vBE4tSQOAm-5Q8ViR1twlplqS2mZr7EhgbOshLQXFS4ANv_erhhkrrGplgqUOY1tHrOfeUpDAxrCtMPCVVb8AJjxWt-bovokkUNk2lESe/w480-h640/20240216_101431.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is evidence of early activity here in the Roman period at the former Little Farningham Farm where a substantial iron working site was investigated in the 1950s. In 2000 the site was the subject of a Kent Archaeological Society fieldwork project to establish the extent of the site and the line of the Roman road from Rochester to Bodiam, which was published in 2001. The site had earlier produced a number of clay tiles bearing the mark of the Roman Fleet, or Classis Brittanica who may have been overseeing the work.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSEv6NLaOd2ox2YXjkfEySHXIEJ-iMjJN5zYAYt9N5buhFAmZcn1-bc8Wf78DNLqZPzIQb4ZLZx6wEdsSAD7lArNyhieRT5J5QiheAaC6_plyUYL_TLwBCMxUFUcK-xdU-nj7EXWvL6dfiO5siuqtdKpd_g2YHoOjLkwmt-eZVwkIiy_JSxFSfR3EftUg/s4000/20240216_101516.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSEv6NLaOd2ox2YXjkfEySHXIEJ-iMjJN5zYAYt9N5buhFAmZcn1-bc8Wf78DNLqZPzIQb4ZLZx6wEdsSAD7lArNyhieRT5J5QiheAaC6_plyUYL_TLwBCMxUFUcK-xdU-nj7EXWvL6dfiO5siuqtdKpd_g2YHoOjLkwmt-eZVwkIiy_JSxFSfR3EftUg/w640-h480/20240216_101516.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Edward III brought over Flemish weavers to develop the Wealden cloth industry using wool from Romney Marsh; Cranbrook became the centre of this as it had local supplies of fuller's earth and plenty of streams that could be dammed to drive the fulling mills. Iron-making was carried on at Bedgebury on the River Teise, an industry which dates back to Roman times. The tributaries of the River Beult around Cranbrook powered 17 watermills at one time. In 1290 the town received a charter from Archbishop Peckham, allowing it to hold a market in the High Street.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLt7umquOUoorlG0VcLZUQu7fP3ZxJ9AjE0UVGvoRRpWkKroEMtuqOfRcRmM_8snUOu7o_WLrYiUOEihv7NaIfMrdlMDue_uTYivbAfCP711FiBHAVcn1SZOCwq1V1rpR4DvRRMWTPeV8jvX2TEfVwWG4Nkao3_F8s_X8hwLfasdo3MNsQt_ftoWYzGC1/s4000/20240216_101602.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLt7umquOUoorlG0VcLZUQu7fP3ZxJ9AjE0UVGvoRRpWkKroEMtuqOfRcRmM_8snUOu7o_WLrYiUOEihv7NaIfMrdlMDue_uTYivbAfCP711FiBHAVcn1SZOCwq1V1rpR4DvRRMWTPeV8jvX2TEfVwWG4Nkao3_F8s_X8hwLfasdo3MNsQt_ftoWYzGC1/w640-h480/20240216_101602.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Golford Road becomes Bakers Cross an here is a old Telephone box repurposed as a library.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlJPRPqZdmQfzp6qLWQAx5y4Z5sUVKkKo0saCnz0Q4kVepTpGmXKb0vyCKTlEIMbvtG2j9-5LX3658KcbdVp9g9CRUiTSxLJ96oSxFFx4grv50g5kIiJqPNM0WVMHOsPPrFMNOMvD1VOX8OHj240uC1hnRYXazx96xtqf6b1nj8h6VCgXP5JnhWiG2Tmg/s4000/20240216_101637.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlJPRPqZdmQfzp6qLWQAx5y4Z5sUVKkKo0saCnz0Q4kVepTpGmXKb0vyCKTlEIMbvtG2j9-5LX3658KcbdVp9g9CRUiTSxLJ96oSxFFx4grv50g5kIiJqPNM0WVMHOsPPrFMNOMvD1VOX8OHj240uC1hnRYXazx96xtqf6b1nj8h6VCgXP5JnhWiG2Tmg/w480-h640/20240216_101637.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Baker's Cross on the eastern edge of the town is linked to John Baker, Chancellor of the Exchequer under Queen Mary, a Catholic. Legend holds that he was riding on his way to Cranbrook in order to have two local Protestants executed, when he turned back after the news reached him that Queen Mary was dead. Different versions of the legend have it that he heard the parish church bells ringing, or that he was met by a messenger. The place where this happened was, in the words of biographer and historian Arthur Irwin Dasent, "at a place where three roads meet, known to this day as Baker's Cross".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Popular legend also has it that Baker was killed at Baker's Cross; although in fact he died in his house in London.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ib5GbpRumUg0OKKV7JbkDY1-ZBWUnUbpqvir0K94-cL2N3dDT8L2qTe-xROGuFFx_daIkFZeeBmk1QTq8lbu-h2ObksnFnoWHQM7ec0PA2GPyZvgpjrUKFv7JIIGD9NDiCXrGRQy5fu0vLbMhr2FaZpiyPChKomGDsBo8PRO9agwKwmTz4b2GaC26QbJ/s4000/20240216_101910.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ib5GbpRumUg0OKKV7JbkDY1-ZBWUnUbpqvir0K94-cL2N3dDT8L2qTe-xROGuFFx_daIkFZeeBmk1QTq8lbu-h2ObksnFnoWHQM7ec0PA2GPyZvgpjrUKFv7JIIGD9NDiCXrGRQy5fu0vLbMhr2FaZpiyPChKomGDsBo8PRO9agwKwmTz4b2GaC26QbJ/w640-h480/20240216_101910.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bakers Cross now becomes The Hill and we walk up the pretty road and village.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">We reach the Union Windmill in Cranbrook. England’s tallest working smock mill.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bqyr-pRydtLHgVpHv9U_0cb4_JTQ6NgVLgHxQYhfjMF8cVXTrGuWU4FIK5JfUQ0B9O-KYOlXwv_18nvvHryPPd-oDVKkE3LbWeVz9l5Ws5-TfJUXKjpPxPxX6QLFWGPg3q7w1GGcIk9cn_HD7l2p94nisKNdQRjSqHkQLR3AnXEnJiMhLR-LNpiq6qtn/s3834/20240216_102002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3834" data-original-width="2876" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bqyr-pRydtLHgVpHv9U_0cb4_JTQ6NgVLgHxQYhfjMF8cVXTrGuWU4FIK5JfUQ0B9O-KYOlXwv_18nvvHryPPd-oDVKkE3LbWeVz9l5Ws5-TfJUXKjpPxPxX6QLFWGPg3q7w1GGcIk9cn_HD7l2p94nisKNdQRjSqHkQLR3AnXEnJiMhLR-LNpiq6qtn/w480-h640/20240216_102002.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Union Mill was built in 1814 by Cranbrook millwright James Humphrey for Mary Dobell and was initially worked by her son Henry. Mrs Dobell was declared bankrupt in 1819 and the mill was taken over by a union of her creditors, and thus gained its name. The mill was sold to John and George Russell in 1832, remaining in the Russell family for five generations until it was purchased by Kent County Council in 1957 after the retirement of the last miller.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisd_2qNFlAykozoCe7X121RzeqylPHdCWvk3GrkB7TlpYvBBYhoGzVGkGm-mrXv68EHVdUGLzQ3D291bGK6V3pAWjLetEyXn0ky1U1aZFsxh1m4JXJ6uFnKGK61NTpkqkZj5CnKuKiadzjl3vjOsF1qg0Xnt_RajTg_DiyRRYTyF4rytwAkorZfZaX5YOj/s4000/20240216_102024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisd_2qNFlAykozoCe7X121RzeqylPHdCWvk3GrkB7TlpYvBBYhoGzVGkGm-mrXv68EHVdUGLzQ3D291bGK6V3pAWjLetEyXn0ky1U1aZFsxh1m4JXJ6uFnKGK61NTpkqkZj5CnKuKiadzjl3vjOsF1qg0Xnt_RajTg_DiyRRYTyF4rytwAkorZfZaX5YOj/w480-h640/20240216_102024.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Restoration commenced on 18 June 1958 and was completed in 1960, costing a total of £6,000. Rex Wailes presided over the official reopening of the mill. In 1994 the fantail was blown off during a storm, damaging the sails as it fell and landing on a parked car. In November 2010, the mill was repainted by a team from WallWalkers, who abseiled down the mill to access the smock, as an alternative to using scaffolding to surround the mill whilst the work was undertaken.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmiohJ7wPToKKxFDzNJKjlwieGe6R1FL8bRLINXkEcpNqzOF7wzjzO2mQMXWHYv2ToI-330oIQ_ryde9kedHHVk_fYPKCwLQQR_0NFpU3lTMEJ1I5Bcn8e_2jF4rmzzNExRvmDVXxk-R7mdlUKjGR7EE21Vrw1YLVbw_PEBRnoGWmul9msE7Ul7wbM3gB/s4000/20240216_102039.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmiohJ7wPToKKxFDzNJKjlwieGe6R1FL8bRLINXkEcpNqzOF7wzjzO2mQMXWHYv2ToI-330oIQ_ryde9kedHHVk_fYPKCwLQQR_0NFpU3lTMEJ1I5Bcn8e_2jF4rmzzNExRvmDVXxk-R7mdlUKjGR7EE21Vrw1YLVbw_PEBRnoGWmul9msE7Ul7wbM3gB/w480-h640/20240216_102039.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The mill is seven storeys tall, with a three-storey smock on a four-storey brick base, which consist of basement, ground, first and second floors. It cost £3,500 to build in 1814. The overall height to the cap roof is 72 feet (21.95 m).</div></div><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkfLpZxKTVKN1yY1h27GSEq9qqGHoEUHsWR14g9URW_Tt_Xr0BvkqnHJJEmOc6RufdzRx5-hhqM74CfNofdCnHEz8byxmY8aOimTGwNKBK1B-sOSocm5jw4QDwl0_-1ypDFNQWa8NK4poLP8yCM7aMd85M1rgFJ6WSj4HX3Ow9oy3ZlwvumMA-N-G1s6V/s3822/20240216_102046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2662" data-original-width="3822" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkfLpZxKTVKN1yY1h27GSEq9qqGHoEUHsWR14g9URW_Tt_Xr0BvkqnHJJEmOc6RufdzRx5-hhqM74CfNofdCnHEz8byxmY8aOimTGwNKBK1B-sOSocm5jw4QDwl0_-1ypDFNQWa8NK4poLP8yCM7aMd85M1rgFJ6WSj4HX3Ow9oy3ZlwvumMA-N-G1s6V/w640-h446/20240216_102046.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OXohdoZ3KCby5RBMBg3NsgKpi-4UlhJ_7pbv9e1Y8sEGNpJGZTPQI0K9WfIV160lE3rbjyL384i9avKDmlvXczTTzzE0rE5npqdihah85T3YiCntcJD1AaeegIp7I1nHXcIbFLG0c-dw9U-Bcxpzcd_Xx0FXV8GdAEciho5tHVo1YC-46KDDFQJrK5hG/s4000/20240216_102105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OXohdoZ3KCby5RBMBg3NsgKpi-4UlhJ_7pbv9e1Y8sEGNpJGZTPQI0K9WfIV160lE3rbjyL384i9avKDmlvXczTTzzE0rE5npqdihah85T3YiCntcJD1AaeegIp7I1nHXcIbFLG0c-dw9U-Bcxpzcd_Xx0FXV8GdAEciho5tHVo1YC-46KDDFQJrK5hG/w480-h640/20240216_102105.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKiD9lKUPV5BOezOQk_U74Q8WdsPzN2fpfbJgJ32x2MsXc8Q587ORyp8-wbX-A1y9ac61dVwGGQijMC0Gd8QN64choz17VUGl_j6r_yJnSPKmSWJFZF8xV9iMw2ayNfI20dMo20IMSNNDUWUdw9CSvXt8u5nmr28GebuvRFonr3szuZ1wBRFzarcgydKW/s2944/20240216_102111.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKiD9lKUPV5BOezOQk_U74Q8WdsPzN2fpfbJgJ32x2MsXc8Q587ORyp8-wbX-A1y9ac61dVwGGQijMC0Gd8QN64choz17VUGl_j6r_yJnSPKmSWJFZF8xV9iMw2ayNfI20dMo20IMSNNDUWUdw9CSvXt8u5nmr28GebuvRFonr3szuZ1wBRFzarcgydKW/w480-h640/20240216_102111.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We on along The Hill towards the village centre.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xYB7ldTqpy-_pW2Q6RimVXplFnuz32ftaHZUMtV5WKzItKHO5ly9BO4XRRtQh280qgOdwSENIv_QKwJ_Nkk2V1OvF5HVHWPVot0PMpp01nJWK-2CxEVo4OjYbrX9mCnRFtyTkAYn9GAyu_PtHrJxsj5ZHHC5letOjQ2wJZNLwuV40wV4uVMlUaPezn6a/s3851/20240216_102239.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2889" data-original-width="3851" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xYB7ldTqpy-_pW2Q6RimVXplFnuz32ftaHZUMtV5WKzItKHO5ly9BO4XRRtQh280qgOdwSENIv_QKwJ_Nkk2V1OvF5HVHWPVot0PMpp01nJWK-2CxEVo4OjYbrX9mCnRFtyTkAYn9GAyu_PtHrJxsj5ZHHC5letOjQ2wJZNLwuV40wV4uVMlUaPezn6a/w640-h480/20240216_102239.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqK1X_nmxRW-6SW0Ex1oqwbW1yTOuI8E-Z7II1JgN5nAkZmT8sRb36TiRbYG4xvegHF3LhubA5hbUjxbOeAXVJvdmPjKZIE4XyC2OSa78dQpwPFP-p9JnA0QyXSs9kKeu3gPNIy2mpk-3hHvdoJeSKq_-iOU_uyO_mG6ilp4wlI9MT_ZEImOY_3aexMwi/s3787/20240216_102246.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2840" data-original-width="3787" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqK1X_nmxRW-6SW0Ex1oqwbW1yTOuI8E-Z7II1JgN5nAkZmT8sRb36TiRbYG4xvegHF3LhubA5hbUjxbOeAXVJvdmPjKZIE4XyC2OSa78dQpwPFP-p9JnA0QyXSs9kKeu3gPNIy2mpk-3hHvdoJeSKq_-iOU_uyO_mG6ilp4wlI9MT_ZEImOY_3aexMwi/w640-h480/20240216_102246.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD498Ye5_CtPZeLNR15odXZkVTKa-k1hSk_p-G5WjW4iSCMxKq-2z_erWAxkXr1F6Gr3Ll_OMn0peIxiRXBcp8g4KAxGXht6kg-HOnxTjY1fC3gIDkXbvUCkvzWbi1zzkYQ73-NsZBdXt-aVa9v1zS8WsCyMdZ_rLxLB5sJrQViuHpoOTUdalVuILxxPKm/s4000/20240216_102412.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD498Ye5_CtPZeLNR15odXZkVTKa-k1hSk_p-G5WjW4iSCMxKq-2z_erWAxkXr1F6Gr3Ll_OMn0peIxiRXBcp8g4KAxGXht6kg-HOnxTjY1fC3gIDkXbvUCkvzWbi1zzkYQ73-NsZBdXt-aVa9v1zS8WsCyMdZ_rLxLB5sJrQViuHpoOTUdalVuILxxPKm/w640-h480/20240216_102412.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfiHqyKeNdlQUnWlpTXUXTW-CafI-6QChpoZEhqsZhwtbIMqUhIlygbgGr_r6kh_0Xy2l499mkmiotB77In7g3hszJTM3YUSXakH_LONSF6G36ooKmzodS53BR9m3F1vj_xzYjqFl-Aqmrn0XcvHh0JyPffyzHfmf-gkaovahXwtfqiski8bFc7r5awCq/s4000/20240216_102443.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfiHqyKeNdlQUnWlpTXUXTW-CafI-6QChpoZEhqsZhwtbIMqUhIlygbgGr_r6kh_0Xy2l499mkmiotB77In7g3hszJTM3YUSXakH_LONSF6G36ooKmzodS53BR9m3F1vj_xzYjqFl-Aqmrn0XcvHh0JyPffyzHfmf-gkaovahXwtfqiski8bFc7r5awCq/w300-h400/20240216_102443.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the hill and onto Stone Street and its shops and tearooms.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllDbRN-P7VtyDJGZfdTfebi8AzVZXuBY-EogElJA_3Zdsmbph_t-FjP2Lqx8v93jIYZ6XxcqBFD5enb_6MgZi1g981NOGZ_z5RhFtS4vnOc1Y3yXXQmD8s1q4JuykQLdr5EsU9_KFh4Fflsq524TmYTL_-5HkoFaYFXjRWRy6Iq8uu2gh-ABHAq83-xt7/s3863/20240216_102545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2897" data-original-width="3863" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllDbRN-P7VtyDJGZfdTfebi8AzVZXuBY-EogElJA_3Zdsmbph_t-FjP2Lqx8v93jIYZ6XxcqBFD5enb_6MgZi1g981NOGZ_z5RhFtS4vnOc1Y3yXXQmD8s1q4JuykQLdr5EsU9_KFh4Fflsq524TmYTL_-5HkoFaYFXjRWRy6Iq8uu2gh-ABHAq83-xt7/w640-h480/20240216_102545.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQE__a1BFfS9NWtsWogiAEOcYRAumFHM0s-kvOOX-0ToXIyrR_VeqzDQYthDx9eM9aHNoYnD1f4DT4omFUqHLwqV8jjkf4t3AHihYlzELPM-TqvlgfmllIf0YLi9hxY8ceWQ6oxIwV2NSEGutet6eg1BtvwhFbSaevELxlnNKu2E-4_fq5uXkddX1lEuq/s4000/20240216_102710.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQE__a1BFfS9NWtsWogiAEOcYRAumFHM0s-kvOOX-0ToXIyrR_VeqzDQYthDx9eM9aHNoYnD1f4DT4omFUqHLwqV8jjkf4t3AHihYlzELPM-TqvlgfmllIf0YLi9hxY8ceWQ6oxIwV2NSEGutet6eg1BtvwhFbSaevELxlnNKu2E-4_fq5uXkddX1lEuq/w480-h640/20240216_102710.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A look back to Union Windmill.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsomm1ujj9sHVvbTWy2e9VFXDsoyLUZtqNp2P_xJnc8q0H7f-yAPtv2Ur5eI7cebuLk0c74RPrbkeQWpnh5sV-QhvQ8xZ8tuCOqZy-5-SVaR_O_uKLAmMRFFNdlhZ9H4cUwy7YZXhAACB60eauDTpTUrDYKYlCjXPK5g19Tu5kukV9yOkijnkiM-rxtCYv/s3730/20240216_102836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3730" data-original-width="2798" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsomm1ujj9sHVvbTWy2e9VFXDsoyLUZtqNp2P_xJnc8q0H7f-yAPtv2Ur5eI7cebuLk0c74RPrbkeQWpnh5sV-QhvQ8xZ8tuCOqZy-5-SVaR_O_uKLAmMRFFNdlhZ9H4cUwy7YZXhAACB60eauDTpTUrDYKYlCjXPK5g19Tu5kukV9yOkijnkiM-rxtCYv/w480-h640/20240216_102836.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the corner of Stone Street and High Street, St Dunstan's Church is nestled back away from the High Street hustle and bustle.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUt5EnYxqwV0mhFXN2sTE6Dd_idIJlLTtuaxxnZMnd5WwGuaAXTm7GEnXGXX7veoTlTWaqh7vwt3TjjUL5qMcYnfkTF5iJm_VullThiSB2HhPyRqecb9L_7fY01JoxUzeU6Vhjk3AgNx6L9lE5KUGVoZoX6DxnTzRcBHg7V52BUI34TkO3T4VLAQSP0H4/s4000/20240216_102854.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUt5EnYxqwV0mhFXN2sTE6Dd_idIJlLTtuaxxnZMnd5WwGuaAXTm7GEnXGXX7veoTlTWaqh7vwt3TjjUL5qMcYnfkTF5iJm_VullThiSB2HhPyRqecb9L_7fY01JoxUzeU6Vhjk3AgNx6L9lE5KUGVoZoX6DxnTzRcBHg7V52BUI34TkO3T4VLAQSP0H4/w480-h640/20240216_102854.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">St Dunstan's Church, also known as the Cathedral of the Weald, in Cranbrook, dates to the late 13th century. It is now Grade I listed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Bao1aTohHYPCG9d4yalS0Ilp-Zwx1dLUTiiwo9HmCMShYT35rbWgOBHO7383RddQCqX1cUaXMJwRuDjTdcBQJFvqB7Atf4WKkj4zvS7zToJ0xzVOlDSckKWmKWkkURrgK7MCHX5vkfunxI9BuNNH-VnHkv2GDHphytYIyyuo1JdNg-ZuikL2vvsErsZ7/s4000/20240216_102926.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Bao1aTohHYPCG9d4yalS0Ilp-Zwx1dLUTiiwo9HmCMShYT35rbWgOBHO7383RddQCqX1cUaXMJwRuDjTdcBQJFvqB7Atf4WKkj4zvS7zToJ0xzVOlDSckKWmKWkkURrgK7MCHX5vkfunxI9BuNNH-VnHkv2GDHphytYIyyuo1JdNg-ZuikL2vvsErsZ7/w640-h480/20240216_102926.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Its 74 feet-high tower, completed in 1425, has a wooden figure of Father Time and his scythe on the south face. It also contains the prototype for the Big Ben clock in London. Work started in the late 13th century, the chancel arch and porch are a century later, the nave and tower were added after 1500, and William Slater and Ewan Christian restored the building in 1863. It is administered by the Weald Deanery, part of the Archdeaconry of Maidstone, which is in turn one of three archdeaconries in the Diocese of Canterbury.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha033-e3DJy3Krl-P748T4-JhyIIZgHngecrREQzZqcxXoQW-RWMJgQovjYXtAbMWYoK-G0Y2K2PKK1r081HC7Vc-WeSRF2TUOa76dZyPchazFRn6vKVnFBs6ii1jIOU4kwk19ceBihrLRBRhwFXAe-GCjnfnjqOiu95u3Z1B1y0Gq2cSvJxQU7aCYde9N/s3427/20240216_103024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3427" data-original-width="2570" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha033-e3DJy3Krl-P748T4-JhyIIZgHngecrREQzZqcxXoQW-RWMJgQovjYXtAbMWYoK-G0Y2K2PKK1r081HC7Vc-WeSRF2TUOa76dZyPchazFRn6vKVnFBs6ii1jIOU4kwk19ceBihrLRBRhwFXAe-GCjnfnjqOiu95u3Z1B1y0Gq2cSvJxQU7aCYde9N/w480-h640/20240216_103024.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Snowdrops were abundant today and there were plenty here in the churchyard amongst the daffodils.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNx5_eaTddabWA6UWGNsVCH4S3P3rWmgZHq6uBSnX7fPaA-xukvbbFwgwTWl7Cq2I2bnkUUY3EmYA_TXI_45ip5jC7D4xNb7kdAxSgoVEuw2GJYBHBGRhB_NyLsfKQzpKSVWpCi2PpnyUfvW3IMUiVIYERtb23Hu-CzEcD_YWkDYn9Mtmt289__M9JcMa/s3832/20240216_103120.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3832" data-original-width="2874" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNx5_eaTddabWA6UWGNsVCH4S3P3rWmgZHq6uBSnX7fPaA-xukvbbFwgwTWl7Cq2I2bnkUUY3EmYA_TXI_45ip5jC7D4xNb7kdAxSgoVEuw2GJYBHBGRhB_NyLsfKQzpKSVWpCi2PpnyUfvW3IMUiVIYERtb23Hu-CzEcD_YWkDYn9Mtmt289__M9JcMa/w480-h640/20240216_103120.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEq5IfZrpntNtpz58JmiD69snLwbaeCvFRw4sDH-dpIVRmPeOlhc76SPr5_vz1ZnaNSkkdFB9OkrKilElcESxbtoCCshbtpj49CMB1d0g1Slk7EHwMNEt7FRrg0_RMogZ3RhRX96cWI5yCVBQ6kdqrIHTfE9i8ITRkieiI1yj45Vesn2XDKLGCGVMofqK/s3834/20240216_103236.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3834" data-original-width="2875" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEq5IfZrpntNtpz58JmiD69snLwbaeCvFRw4sDH-dpIVRmPeOlhc76SPr5_vz1ZnaNSkkdFB9OkrKilElcESxbtoCCshbtpj49CMB1d0g1Slk7EHwMNEt7FRrg0_RMogZ3RhRX96cWI5yCVBQ6kdqrIHTfE9i8ITRkieiI1yj45Vesn2XDKLGCGVMofqK/w480-h640/20240216_103236.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sadly the church was locked and we make our way back down to the High Street.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGnZcxpNaHu6G_MXRP95SOQbD6TUNoNlAHGz2pJ-99JHhQOMThDO6vmggCFzGsPgJ_Av-uN0lYjUH4dJpkrfahA288mQd0bRYGp6PkAfkFiE29f1yhyphenhyphencUVZJ73qJw0PTyDGcRWwVz1O2rEfKEK3sqATUEj4HE-jPTBxZlyNbmfavrv_NG3LSaXLr0CY6e/s3964/20240216_103339.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2973" data-original-width="3964" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGnZcxpNaHu6G_MXRP95SOQbD6TUNoNlAHGz2pJ-99JHhQOMThDO6vmggCFzGsPgJ_Av-uN0lYjUH4dJpkrfahA288mQd0bRYGp6PkAfkFiE29f1yhyphenhyphencUVZJ73qJw0PTyDGcRWwVz1O2rEfKEK3sqATUEj4HE-jPTBxZlyNbmfavrv_NG3LSaXLr0CY6e/w640-h480/20240216_103339.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmozt7eAjVQvR29NCZ_RD5K8O37H9bxmf9uAvZtGswk9r6fcct-5uDTkmM-JZdclo38q5OPzNcwOYCZEEZRkFAoXJRcuesXM2rDsb5rgZFDV2w8fiDbXT58oWotcWZ7RbHik1KYBrmbhabmsH6Aixo-a4VX2-3w90cgZKHEwK_44q6YrzON3t_YEZ6I93/s3818/20240216_103430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2863" data-original-width="3818" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmozt7eAjVQvR29NCZ_RD5K8O37H9bxmf9uAvZtGswk9r6fcct-5uDTkmM-JZdclo38q5OPzNcwOYCZEEZRkFAoXJRcuesXM2rDsb5rgZFDV2w8fiDbXT58oWotcWZ7RbHik1KYBrmbhabmsH6Aixo-a4VX2-3w90cgZKHEwK_44q6YrzON3t_YEZ6I93/w640-h480/20240216_103430.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">To the left here is the Vestry Hall. Previously the George Inn, a late medieval hall where Queen Elizabeth I was received. Then old Fire Station was below.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKB1d5xNLenHDhX3fOgFG36SqaX-qE05fHDe6KnzImVx_44epiH2iPTYq6GToRMT5ck0dFqbPEVgc3rwwWFFpUUJ614OI4IpS73P2B98hdowdR9FV4gx3IIbz2YBgjoygzEFE4XDQqCpuIAhHlU0MrngaVp-_lMwyvsjOU8EI2g34L2T9EGLeOxUSpC-lC/s3755/20240216_103525.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="3755" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKB1d5xNLenHDhX3fOgFG36SqaX-qE05fHDe6KnzImVx_44epiH2iPTYq6GToRMT5ck0dFqbPEVgc3rwwWFFpUUJ614OI4IpS73P2B98hdowdR9FV4gx3IIbz2YBgjoygzEFE4XDQqCpuIAhHlU0MrngaVp-_lMwyvsjOU8EI2g34L2T9EGLeOxUSpC-lC/w640-h480/20240216_103525.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk up hill along the High Street.</div></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5R0LXU9ucxI5GWjl_mHDPoGQwBBJzJxYWr9nwM-wPwV7k-OxRMtHxPYTtBX0qv0jPwViFii87Y6BVJcIqJJlDklm-jGWeMzeOhbgy1KBOmcUMSFZQR6B1nlVQase5cJIQb5W6SC8hLkows0bX9NXQxK_BsqZqqYzpdRJ_-mPhxkFCuZeR6wZyGQSr7kQ/s3859/20240216_104411.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3859" data-original-width="2894" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5R0LXU9ucxI5GWjl_mHDPoGQwBBJzJxYWr9nwM-wPwV7k-OxRMtHxPYTtBX0qv0jPwViFii87Y6BVJcIqJJlDklm-jGWeMzeOhbgy1KBOmcUMSFZQR6B1nlVQase5cJIQb5W6SC8hLkows0bX9NXQxK_BsqZqqYzpdRJ_-mPhxkFCuZeR6wZyGQSr7kQ/w480-h640/20240216_104411.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A old Victorian Postbox.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQOu__JVqxbH01f-Qw4f4uEC56HUKie6_r7AHxGW-XjSypGzOisVRr1n6sNrydT-ZcavHetcCmofYZeUW2jmL72UHnegxgvpu1Zn7mX3aoQgrtnYmrL6AmtoluRag1M-AVDQe_6iRsoKQrv0vCc32jdGHwYhtDij5pX4_XrjCsoRVT8yPH8EJDmuD_Q9G/s4000/20240216_104827.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQOu__JVqxbH01f-Qw4f4uEC56HUKie6_r7AHxGW-XjSypGzOisVRr1n6sNrydT-ZcavHetcCmofYZeUW2jmL72UHnegxgvpu1Zn7mX3aoQgrtnYmrL6AmtoluRag1M-AVDQe_6iRsoKQrv0vCc32jdGHwYhtDij5pX4_XrjCsoRVT8yPH8EJDmuD_Q9G/w640-h480/20240216_104827.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We turn right onto a footpath ;pass some houses, cross Angley Road and into Angley Wood on the High Weald Landscape Trail.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5c8pr6ABNZPj0s7Xog2xV6w0Eynrqxo-Rsf2dc74PCQclZ7HswXhe5vDC3FPvtzoUVYMyK5D0fjR8861WzU3Ugw8cidgi2D7mS3EXuLhSxJ5peNElYVVotnRq_ThLWbwic3MsZaZAoP4Yzu7dxJyi6Vl9MH5-rEXT7HyY2LcIKTt-Q14ISnk40gC6M-nO/s4000/20240216_105219.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5c8pr6ABNZPj0s7Xog2xV6w0Eynrqxo-Rsf2dc74PCQclZ7HswXhe5vDC3FPvtzoUVYMyK5D0fjR8861WzU3Ugw8cidgi2D7mS3EXuLhSxJ5peNElYVVotnRq_ThLWbwic3MsZaZAoP4Yzu7dxJyi6Vl9MH5-rEXT7HyY2LcIKTt-Q14ISnk40gC6M-nO/w640-h480/20240216_105219.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXh2q4MUeHv1JmTXBeRy1L2m-eIQq0vho5C1Fu0okpBzogCbQ3Z9-J7rWdHpQMALG6zaTjn-TzW5TYw4MdgCavClfXDQHJr4xNjOUbvG-HQXzHp4xMwRB2QhpQLoaai2mG37sOR8oRCgHKIHwcdGevRkpb9Xu5T48yFIrRPn5xd9UIkM2nFzWkH2Pafss/s4000/20240216_105554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXh2q4MUeHv1JmTXBeRy1L2m-eIQq0vho5C1Fu0okpBzogCbQ3Z9-J7rWdHpQMALG6zaTjn-TzW5TYw4MdgCavClfXDQHJr4xNjOUbvG-HQXzHp4xMwRB2QhpQLoaai2mG37sOR8oRCgHKIHwcdGevRkpb9Xu5T48yFIrRPn5xd9UIkM2nFzWkH2Pafss/w640-h480/20240216_105554.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmflelucFp044GiPDON1TlUqR0JKISNfOTc1aFQue2rYf877s1G2FlGT7npvyc4sNcw9EJBT7s7EHHsTuTEzYwDpPNViscBW76l4ygEy9fG8RVq8rRcu4dgLhwNrD3hwpOS2t9fvr-JuEiL62q6pqOwS3rfKRhlDxENrQUo4XFatkFMH9lDz8N5OterIC/s4000/20240216_105711.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmflelucFp044GiPDON1TlUqR0JKISNfOTc1aFQue2rYf877s1G2FlGT7npvyc4sNcw9EJBT7s7EHHsTuTEzYwDpPNViscBW76l4ygEy9fG8RVq8rRcu4dgLhwNrD3hwpOS2t9fvr-JuEiL62q6pqOwS3rfKRhlDxENrQUo4XFatkFMH9lDz8N5OterIC/w640-h480/20240216_105711.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We follow the track through Angley Woods.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZrC40_3aQLv1puzFty5NHARoeZWJh25prIMl5UwUuZTWjBnk1UuGp1YFqjDVmJn2DapqHvFG0qsSp8wxVvwoZXQWuY-gN8C_zkZaNLmnTZIvLd-Qs4qXvj4quHEq2y4_82y4BQ3ygxS-lqhj2r3Y7uyIrEPUc-nQLCEj8Vgp6j9ki9Xxjy96JBku9IKO/s3648/20240216_105718.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZrC40_3aQLv1puzFty5NHARoeZWJh25prIMl5UwUuZTWjBnk1UuGp1YFqjDVmJn2DapqHvFG0qsSp8wxVvwoZXQWuY-gN8C_zkZaNLmnTZIvLd-Qs4qXvj4quHEq2y4_82y4BQ3ygxS-lqhj2r3Y7uyIrEPUc-nQLCEj8Vgp6j9ki9Xxjy96JBku9IKO/w640-h480/20240216_105718.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULEW6I0lE4nEpR_CnnJXGq7fa3gwUXyEKJyaQhAq-dp4BvO6MS_tRzEdGLTwgpjztbzwsmZn9ikm14jX9bKGwO7JtI6ubuk-dJKEBP0aEqYdJzH4-DWfoJbfwF0ao2uLvqkvM2YXEQhKsdSmZsaFG4Epx79MEkkGRiplkIoHkU9b8uCJrwfMH5puVbblU/s4000/20240216_105828.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULEW6I0lE4nEpR_CnnJXGq7fa3gwUXyEKJyaQhAq-dp4BvO6MS_tRzEdGLTwgpjztbzwsmZn9ikm14jX9bKGwO7JtI6ubuk-dJKEBP0aEqYdJzH4-DWfoJbfwF0ao2uLvqkvM2YXEQhKsdSmZsaFG4Epx79MEkkGRiplkIoHkU9b8uCJrwfMH5puVbblU/w640-h480/20240216_105828.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now we reach the part of the woods that is clearly used for logging and the path become a mud fest where heavy machinery has been used.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGWuvQW7hll6qrVd3uVWAH8K0x3BhqZBxIoISAovd1rV8ggddRDa0mh48s5TtxUkAXcXJZ5NKEPBIXN66ruA3v2DyS6RB2CBdL91l16Q1QxtcPiNn00qHLi_fFD6AexOx0aSzBIch23JLOiKwFSfpnSSUpeD31fwkNmSLPI77QLo22YVR2nyVwGK0gPuk/s4000/20240216_105913.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGWuvQW7hll6qrVd3uVWAH8K0x3BhqZBxIoISAovd1rV8ggddRDa0mh48s5TtxUkAXcXJZ5NKEPBIXN66ruA3v2DyS6RB2CBdL91l16Q1QxtcPiNn00qHLi_fFD6AexOx0aSzBIch23JLOiKwFSfpnSSUpeD31fwkNmSLPI77QLo22YVR2nyVwGK0gPuk/w640-h480/20240216_105913.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrxbSC0K6FeRmp-Y5tcb6Aedp4THfDByEzLmIGw36xwMs_TqOL_43O6GcLg3YMfwue3XXy3Tr10DcOu4thFCFi18UqxGqtf4aI8TBsfAgZRlSFGcSeHPY79yTAn_UrSbFHn0q3mMoRLWT1qkrIp7WvecDBk5ffi1GyeYCvIaOxga3qEzqHtY7C5NMONiW/s4000/20240216_110959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrxbSC0K6FeRmp-Y5tcb6Aedp4THfDByEzLmIGw36xwMs_TqOL_43O6GcLg3YMfwue3XXy3Tr10DcOu4thFCFi18UqxGqtf4aI8TBsfAgZRlSFGcSeHPY79yTAn_UrSbFHn0q3mMoRLWT1qkrIp7WvecDBk5ffi1GyeYCvIaOxga3qEzqHtY7C5NMONiW/w640-h480/20240216_110959.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the High Weald Landscape trail and follow paths through Burnt Bank Wood and its very muddy and slippery paths.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6GpH3sFkEDgGxYly8L3JqHTperj7ShMsR5OHmlj7Lzn-7esV11aDyHM-A8vgFachnUctsoavsGIamFRCskk_mO8hHx29j7mRYoWzejat1vb3P_HrUbffLUObyq1-rIfUfXY9-Wn3qPTLLghZTnnh76TAjexvbV18iLKCR-taFRLRFZxiXVXYtUw29hVf/s3877/20240216_111217.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3877" data-original-width="2908" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6GpH3sFkEDgGxYly8L3JqHTperj7ShMsR5OHmlj7Lzn-7esV11aDyHM-A8vgFachnUctsoavsGIamFRCskk_mO8hHx29j7mRYoWzejat1vb3P_HrUbffLUObyq1-rIfUfXY9-Wn3qPTLLghZTnnh76TAjexvbV18iLKCR-taFRLRFZxiXVXYtUw29hVf/w480-h640/20240216_111217.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here in the woods I see some firecrests, but more likely goldcrest's. Damn wish I had my binoculars to be sure!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTc9is_R7J922RkZUTBcimOVGVoXYdy0zdUfk5d0B1YASr_ML2GpIFnQWlPK5HwDnLA7dKHAOcBv1zB19ad00JKWnwipuwNnEYxTZHJkL3q5ZqWYDP1UKq0eyMqLK0d3x9GCt32ki5YzFPje9uAXVxvQ4y6dkwp4APVHOLYB9W8uGmwJWgkU8e2qgRZkDS/s4000/20240216_112948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTc9is_R7J922RkZUTBcimOVGVoXYdy0zdUfk5d0B1YASr_ML2GpIFnQWlPK5HwDnLA7dKHAOcBv1zB19ad00JKWnwipuwNnEYxTZHJkL3q5ZqWYDP1UKq0eyMqLK0d3x9GCt32ki5YzFPje9uAXVxvQ4y6dkwp4APVHOLYB9W8uGmwJWgkU8e2qgRZkDS/w640-h480/20240216_112948.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We head downhill on a muddy path, at one point I stepped into a deep section that almost reached the top of my boot!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UfVav1hzIShrP4cOjVZ70uxOtsM5kmIDARcer9CqvjWklbAYkC6n0zM1ejIP2SWES6n_dd0ZdIdvHhyphenhyphena9BR0qhByTVn8ofOk8SNgv7yfyIv_5ALbDbIAyunJRRVgpe3CI2jUFHgkzVr4akmRZFKBJKE7uCDsMkfSutJiG5EjRSdE3-Cd9ggiK12KavOr/s4000/20240216_113157.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UfVav1hzIShrP4cOjVZ70uxOtsM5kmIDARcer9CqvjWklbAYkC6n0zM1ejIP2SWES6n_dd0ZdIdvHhyphenhyphena9BR0qhByTVn8ofOk8SNgv7yfyIv_5ALbDbIAyunJRRVgpe3CI2jUFHgkzVr4akmRZFKBJKE7uCDsMkfSutJiG5EjRSdE3-Cd9ggiK12KavOr/w640-h480/20240216_113157.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is now Gravel Pit Wood.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ebQNP_QmESHGUb3vI1yf_T47_wgPDH0rRcxmFYLJpJ-6pke6LaQRqMeo0iRlqxKX98UUJWrwTCXbixrUyuIkoL74mWpMOxnDsmo4SPaN96EosawGhxm2wWouR7wdt36slimiKF-_fv8SZ7m0LWBjsi_4xRafwmwoQJNqEOveV7w0-mxqsShLxLX_JDuS/s4000/20240216_113207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ebQNP_QmESHGUb3vI1yf_T47_wgPDH0rRcxmFYLJpJ-6pke6LaQRqMeo0iRlqxKX98UUJWrwTCXbixrUyuIkoL74mWpMOxnDsmo4SPaN96EosawGhxm2wWouR7wdt36slimiKF-_fv8SZ7m0LWBjsi_4xRafwmwoQJNqEOveV7w0-mxqsShLxLX_JDuS/w480-h640/20240216_113207.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlOOwrP7jYlRjCp3qGLDyI9IHOFKQS8bsmlps0P7qek91Noig-WWCmZLM2C60yUjUTEbA_wyUDKBPxQpNPIGg4G3tNxRnbTKBhoQ8JWedNKcm_LXzvcNRkyfM9FlkI_rFNJPk4GzJ872Fk3l_sJvE3MY-82uux58IUOdl0cY_kwdsaLKoSPrWif8EZrJy/s4000/20240216_113419.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlOOwrP7jYlRjCp3qGLDyI9IHOFKQS8bsmlps0P7qek91Noig-WWCmZLM2C60yUjUTEbA_wyUDKBPxQpNPIGg4G3tNxRnbTKBhoQ8JWedNKcm_LXzvcNRkyfM9FlkI_rFNJPk4GzJ872Fk3l_sJvE3MY-82uux58IUOdl0cY_kwdsaLKoSPrWif8EZrJy/w640-h480/20240216_113419.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1S8p0gR-PHawi6HK2_J5Njvv18m0-bIb6P0RB-TCVswNJ2RTOjIzamCLu1adzi0TdGKsFVdAdVezTTUvk5d-a4pNAG_GWp9MTCPHx8YNotKyRt2oieYBMm9R6UIPHrIatsxbPBoFf4ylu45YGC-fAquwpeys5BlfRjNkSkbBKs8LBIJlo1sNMF3qz68X/s4000/20240216_113656.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1S8p0gR-PHawi6HK2_J5Njvv18m0-bIb6P0RB-TCVswNJ2RTOjIzamCLu1adzi0TdGKsFVdAdVezTTUvk5d-a4pNAG_GWp9MTCPHx8YNotKyRt2oieYBMm9R6UIPHrIatsxbPBoFf4ylu45YGC-fAquwpeys5BlfRjNkSkbBKs8LBIJlo1sNMF3qz68X/w640-h480/20240216_113656.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We cross a stream at the bottom and into a seriously muddy and waterlogged paths.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5dbi83ULF7bcM6cKiIgNzqXxmt6e_UtL5tKWsxwCbvSPrLQ6UTXTlU0R_K9XJw7c-BODvDIUV3lIAjStc5eS80RH_QT_h6FvDuPeErNqynJNV08eoCd9W6XqdOT6UPE7tDjYd8hgQSD32io_lp85b5Y-FNbLanApQVsqBu3rhY1EsKy5ZWaxec6RClRY/s4000/20240216_113902.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5dbi83ULF7bcM6cKiIgNzqXxmt6e_UtL5tKWsxwCbvSPrLQ6UTXTlU0R_K9XJw7c-BODvDIUV3lIAjStc5eS80RH_QT_h6FvDuPeErNqynJNV08eoCd9W6XqdOT6UPE7tDjYd8hgQSD32io_lp85b5Y-FNbLanApQVsqBu3rhY1EsKy5ZWaxec6RClRY/w480-h640/20240216_113902.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We hung onto the fence as we tried our best to stay of out the oozy mud.</div></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB04QkzJFwwm4vWxjrJxK4ataKDqn-ZX40azvKw2Ax40SUIVT8m7g8EQGY9IFVIFanHkwBRAyimxOkAftn7zSJNVtECoHP9VCpSVIFVFv_tYhaHTb2GzuJbcshChsdvmhJwIb6MTAtSOteNGU74bQjeqYJUm35NirsgD0EHbRIZLWvA00KooKXmSN06jCZ/s4000/20240216_114510.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB04QkzJFwwm4vWxjrJxK4ataKDqn-ZX40azvKw2Ax40SUIVT8m7g8EQGY9IFVIFanHkwBRAyimxOkAftn7zSJNVtECoHP9VCpSVIFVFv_tYhaHTb2GzuJbcshChsdvmhJwIb6MTAtSOteNGU74bQjeqYJUm35NirsgD0EHbRIZLWvA00KooKXmSN06jCZ/w480-h640/20240216_114510.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Snowdrops in the woods.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfZL8WS3xpYeRsqKgt_AqAKBEWH8_MOl1jLgNPkdNXc4ZZs1A4dyPJajRc-yayJKkUAfTUFErJh829MvIUPw__vs4wdBqRkYwbEGv4UgOhJlff_h7XUxJZ4-r8kgddH8ByBif2IeSfiGM57E2PDr6i-XIGUC_3w0l6nNFIhy1Ar9Jqw9aGhmm37-96ZvE/s3820/20240216_114629.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2865" data-original-width="3820" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfZL8WS3xpYeRsqKgt_AqAKBEWH8_MOl1jLgNPkdNXc4ZZs1A4dyPJajRc-yayJKkUAfTUFErJh829MvIUPw__vs4wdBqRkYwbEGv4UgOhJlff_h7XUxJZ4-r8kgddH8ByBif2IeSfiGM57E2PDr6i-XIGUC_3w0l6nNFIhy1Ar9Jqw9aGhmm37-96ZvE/w640-h480/20240216_114629.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the woods and follow track up pass Dog Kennels Farm.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">We then walk out and along a busy A262 road. Care is needed to be taken here,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdW_DMOE7NKszllM5XOP4QM8D_acPNQbzQOAnBhu_xBP6080AgPS1v97VxL2sOlrVjad6jGmrVHRaYN0WdxJLAkAK85JIJjpV3DQEZibMV2qIVA8ZoWTXJlUUobhNw58cIWdRrO1JdtnCRsuKXmRdLGqli0_-e7pWt8vicUC8ow8s014SHAL9g4b-REeh/s4000/20240216_120124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdW_DMOE7NKszllM5XOP4QM8D_acPNQbzQOAnBhu_xBP6080AgPS1v97VxL2sOlrVjad6jGmrVHRaYN0WdxJLAkAK85JIJjpV3DQEZibMV2qIVA8ZoWTXJlUUobhNw58cIWdRrO1JdtnCRsuKXmRdLGqli0_-e7pWt8vicUC8ow8s014SHAL9g4b-REeh/w640-h480/20240216_120124.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We turn left onto Friezley Lane and here is another Victorian Post-box!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Up a footpath on our right and then down onto a wooden footway.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhse8XrKPI8Y74gr71Gm6SdVhZ2HQ5AuS_AKG5W2DzRaPmFMEMH1nBcOAXfBt9k6lpauhVPve72it20prSlhTuL-EbBbVEApsFucx-8VjWzh6iKzIjlDLMw-rmQGztn-WCshHHJ2vMPBr5MtL8WNp7dUhcHqxYBmthSeFyIjcZ5fET5C3Bpx87ERyJLQlzL/s4000/20240216_120644.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhse8XrKPI8Y74gr71Gm6SdVhZ2HQ5AuS_AKG5W2DzRaPmFMEMH1nBcOAXfBt9k6lpauhVPve72it20prSlhTuL-EbBbVEApsFucx-8VjWzh6iKzIjlDLMw-rmQGztn-WCshHHJ2vMPBr5MtL8WNp7dUhcHqxYBmthSeFyIjcZ5fET5C3Bpx87ERyJLQlzL/w640-h480/20240216_120644.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As I walk along the walkway a male Pheasant jumps to life, flying upwards screaming.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvRuoCFVYk8sRi8l6mquO4IjATSPsbfY0Sq9H7Hi7rNbFAiFsNt_m2R5m0JAKW9gESBuP57BrfY5v5T3N2tswdIjLM1SWSF3vMo2X9YvuEFENog8jJdBF7ClhoOn6aZTyC0R8V6QmNqoPW3XzCGOnIqC7nIq3YRy4o2cyUZizji5d3d-_M_d2D0XflT9F/s3893/20240216_120729.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3893" data-original-width="2920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvRuoCFVYk8sRi8l6mquO4IjATSPsbfY0Sq9H7Hi7rNbFAiFsNt_m2R5m0JAKW9gESBuP57BrfY5v5T3N2tswdIjLM1SWSF3vMo2X9YvuEFENog8jJdBF7ClhoOn6aZTyC0R8V6QmNqoPW3XzCGOnIqC7nIq3YRy4o2cyUZizji5d3d-_M_d2D0XflT9F/w480-h640/20240216_120729.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Passing more snowdrops down by a stream we climb a muddy slippery slope up onto Friezley Woods.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzqHlTzVo6JOkV8DT-eVLaNIEcpyuGSBnAF7X17fuYPqQbP0FiG-MfUBAUIdoGpckGh051FcILxzYQPRFgvQ5L32pqTo41eXp-QoLuQVYLb5Uh3WwJJafAJhAzTyw4Bx1Q03FdAAVZxNkJ1IP-9vOzOJ5bBNjxXLD6QKrKncaMQslKDvMhFXjTm994sai/s4000/20240216_123049.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzqHlTzVo6JOkV8DT-eVLaNIEcpyuGSBnAF7X17fuYPqQbP0FiG-MfUBAUIdoGpckGh051FcILxzYQPRFgvQ5L32pqTo41eXp-QoLuQVYLb5Uh3WwJJafAJhAzTyw4Bx1Q03FdAAVZxNkJ1IP-9vOzOJ5bBNjxXLD6QKrKncaMQslKDvMhFXjTm994sai/w480-h640/20240216_123049.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then we pass through Hilly Wood to a steep and long continuous climb upwards, suns warm now and with the climb, I slip off my fleece.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRV8TSQMJdOmcIZF5CqBWdX3TX9EzmUUhhN7RE4a0mTnADDpjw7uGI9SamPdfZo8wtt836Bx3IH4FxYfzXoXD7jJRHhaneOwb1BRcFFrFHBgFQcpLkXyZgeeU0Os00xoOgjktvudhXq9DAGZ2WpmRuwyKkC0WenTCKHmvJJ3pJBEvpWZoGXxhTnJEdp1t/s4000/20240216_123327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRV8TSQMJdOmcIZF5CqBWdX3TX9EzmUUhhN7RE4a0mTnADDpjw7uGI9SamPdfZo8wtt836Bx3IH4FxYfzXoXD7jJRHhaneOwb1BRcFFrFHBgFQcpLkXyZgeeU0Os00xoOgjktvudhXq9DAGZ2WpmRuwyKkC0WenTCKHmvJJ3pJBEvpWZoGXxhTnJEdp1t/w480-h640/20240216_123327.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk out onto Starvenden Lane and stop to say hello to some horses that wasn't interested in moving.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRv7x5vTV3dS1VhOuwJr_vImzZDAgB_X_ppHqDeK6VLJjrRbqueg-4YtwZSevOhS98IgZIeCyjwyPVwn_Ok-HZNcLdklwPx_oxZe-J2Ln4Y3bVCzumy61mWFlabt8bJYHMRIXAKJ3F-TJh0eyoV8lnZJAnUhrPODMAvA4q52ACTxk-vUpNMOqc3mA5Ia4A/s4000/20240216_123850.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRv7x5vTV3dS1VhOuwJr_vImzZDAgB_X_ppHqDeK6VLJjrRbqueg-4YtwZSevOhS98IgZIeCyjwyPVwn_Ok-HZNcLdklwPx_oxZe-J2Ln4Y3bVCzumy61mWFlabt8bJYHMRIXAKJ3F-TJh0eyoV8lnZJAnUhrPODMAvA4q52ACTxk-vUpNMOqc3mA5Ia4A/w640-h480/20240216_123850.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9Xyu20xJNEouVvHFCpH8_UufWqCcfQ5zsqJF_-PaXqte10C_Nnik1hdqZwQEqra6xKmfZu9pI27aoVbSXhcR5OMO8JqQ9qWEmPO7agRgfcjGDsr0Nnj8CBHPgtvDtdjbBEUXo9vZOzg404p_qA1XDNFDGI4Livev8ZSgn7FOcNW3eWvv4dog_uWeLH42/s3277/20240216_124056.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2458" data-original-width="3277" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9Xyu20xJNEouVvHFCpH8_UufWqCcfQ5zsqJF_-PaXqte10C_Nnik1hdqZwQEqra6xKmfZu9pI27aoVbSXhcR5OMO8JqQ9qWEmPO7agRgfcjGDsr0Nnj8CBHPgtvDtdjbBEUXo9vZOzg404p_qA1XDNFDGI4Livev8ZSgn7FOcNW3eWvv4dog_uWeLH42/w640-h480/20240216_124056.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A little further along some ponies did wander over to greet us.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCDQ-dzrAn4mKgqwXsLxbKtLLBnSthAOiBC_iIqtZzkZ7_4vrYWKvDivfea6uudL4lyxfD3HM9isi-3q6E1gaPYBVlTBqGOsu-4iXKthxPxMTdfoV_hpSyEcQyfegAMZaDikDEKK4UeOKqULGPJzjkOxdMIiC9APKd5CNNG2ZjqTh4rbBDcVzC6WBelzx/s4000/20240216_124214.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCDQ-dzrAn4mKgqwXsLxbKtLLBnSthAOiBC_iIqtZzkZ7_4vrYWKvDivfea6uudL4lyxfD3HM9isi-3q6E1gaPYBVlTBqGOsu-4iXKthxPxMTdfoV_hpSyEcQyfegAMZaDikDEKK4UeOKqULGPJzjkOxdMIiC9APKd5CNNG2ZjqTh4rbBDcVzC6WBelzx/w640-h480/20240216_124214.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwgWuiznVcbLO7XIYrj0rO5MKzVHy8X7UpDrSkIAKh9Fx8o5aigVqYRg6TMEY8LUZ4QbVIrwV0pjJFF2CnQTPZJ74zC3UZF25LTTSfvZmEDE3UcdZH8ApSbkUYLq5dQz5VZBwxn7iIcEGHjlPDWTwPdT-QwlxyHrPZH-fusPMenOdeuP43qFb80Qx71XH/s3794/20240216_124218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2845" data-original-width="3794" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwgWuiznVcbLO7XIYrj0rO5MKzVHy8X7UpDrSkIAKh9Fx8o5aigVqYRg6TMEY8LUZ4QbVIrwV0pjJFF2CnQTPZJ74zC3UZF25LTTSfvZmEDE3UcdZH8ApSbkUYLq5dQz5VZBwxn7iIcEGHjlPDWTwPdT-QwlxyHrPZH-fusPMenOdeuP43qFb80Qx71XH/w640-h480/20240216_124218.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3P1eGEzZ415qot5Y3qf4jnBKqkRvWRrmBiIq87vw0vqr32kh1lkxN4_a1GevNlfnQduMwf9hJzW3OJRIeQIPrkbt7newxMQs3is1btJIy0UyBQ6D_RCOMi4nkkrL-ztblJDS3ipYGNYdEFosJK1DdkFvVLODeIzWfJL23GKSvtwcH3uklZVMZlaEo-sp/s4000/20240216_124245.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3P1eGEzZ415qot5Y3qf4jnBKqkRvWRrmBiIq87vw0vqr32kh1lkxN4_a1GevNlfnQduMwf9hJzW3OJRIeQIPrkbt7newxMQs3is1btJIy0UyBQ6D_RCOMi4nkkrL-ztblJDS3ipYGNYdEFosJK1DdkFvVLODeIzWfJL23GKSvtwcH3uklZVMZlaEo-sp/w640-h480/20240216_124245.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We eventually walk out onto the busy A229 and walk up a short way before turning left onto Spongs Lane.</div></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83HuBSpUlnjxLZ9aS3VF_DWtIzWID4J9V-Dj0ww3ei-T3_rPrn52iXum0aqICyuX8GeiLONAa4N4M25p_c7kQ0QJV8-IDG2VpJESQuDGkTZCctu7_rZYdWznOVmv6Z26xBLHaVIE2o4OMe6gZFEgWcynvUboVCf6T1PCBb8UaQFh3WUr_NyERoA0WKQ5n/s4000/20240216_125645.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83HuBSpUlnjxLZ9aS3VF_DWtIzWID4J9V-Dj0ww3ei-T3_rPrn52iXum0aqICyuX8GeiLONAa4N4M25p_c7kQ0QJV8-IDG2VpJESQuDGkTZCctu7_rZYdWznOVmv6Z26xBLHaVIE2o4OMe6gZFEgWcynvUboVCf6T1PCBb8UaQFh3WUr_NyERoA0WKQ5n/w640-h480/20240216_125645.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spongs Lane</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We walk out onto Frittenden Road, another busy road with no pavement or verge. More care needed here,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEABnT2QAXX3aqvpCI-u2qxmrMO3Bg9L_sIFm7pB01uh2uvaxsqSc77qIeAP8NAQY-wLOh5Winjgf6KWzTFzROkWfCswCAlznMs9psklZXk_ujsrs-jV0Vy1qu0ph7pM2LJBOB5Ll-A-1_PA2fdHNw7UXIVai2zck13mfvncMRAArw9eKgUSPUBCzjaDHh/s3822/20240216_130833.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2867" data-original-width="3822" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEABnT2QAXX3aqvpCI-u2qxmrMO3Bg9L_sIFm7pB01uh2uvaxsqSc77qIeAP8NAQY-wLOh5Winjgf6KWzTFzROkWfCswCAlznMs9psklZXk_ujsrs-jV0Vy1qu0ph7pM2LJBOB5Ll-A-1_PA2fdHNw7UXIVai2zck13mfvncMRAArw9eKgUSPUBCzjaDHh/w640-h480/20240216_130833.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After a bit of road walking it is nice to be off the road and walking down pass the Race Horse House.</div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We follow this for a while and this eventually leads us onto the grounds of Sissinghurst Castle grounds.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyw1tkEgaVaeJM3Lh6cT7jKTZ2zPWkcVtQpUIpbylF1yFi70d2YdeQqkFYbeXxFK4Y8d4IIlHf7oYrEMS7NZsseS_InpPxYQEvLTc5z1Trm7_cf-FurhJF8xS-MPB04dQ-vbr6Iz7C9nrPFVn43cvaqG4odZ6LhmYmbySecsbCsH5bPzlU1Zn2OTxTaadj/s4000/20240216_132723.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyw1tkEgaVaeJM3Lh6cT7jKTZ2zPWkcVtQpUIpbylF1yFi70d2YdeQqkFYbeXxFK4Y8d4IIlHf7oYrEMS7NZsseS_InpPxYQEvLTc5z1Trm7_cf-FurhJF8xS-MPB04dQ-vbr6Iz7C9nrPFVn43cvaqG4odZ6LhmYmbySecsbCsH5bPzlU1Zn2OTxTaadj/w640-h480/20240216_132723.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I use my NT Membership for free access and Ian pays £13 and we enter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVv5wnki0UuuUC1ctXF1ZaizG-9EXBtbo8UjdAeAtNokkhfqheeksHOKDt1ZB3tmUG6EjEsZXwmA-66gdhr2mxYGKTab9ySfDx9W3q_Ays54T8-DQ-cT-Pa_vmvWRhorMotVfpDr7sRlB78OXL_QVz8QLY7dktKdU66R47GWdKDzIUBI6CL_yN6Wvp0VP/s3914/20240216_132731.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2935" data-original-width="3914" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVv5wnki0UuuUC1ctXF1ZaizG-9EXBtbo8UjdAeAtNokkhfqheeksHOKDt1ZB3tmUG6EjEsZXwmA-66gdhr2mxYGKTab9ySfDx9W3q_Ays54T8-DQ-cT-Pa_vmvWRhorMotVfpDr7sRlB78OXL_QVz8QLY7dktKdU66R47GWdKDzIUBI6CL_yN6Wvp0VP/w640-h480/20240216_132731.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sissinghurst Castle Garden, at Sissinghurst in the Weald of Kent in England, was created by Vita Sackville-West, poet and writer, and her husband Harold Nicolson, author and diplomat. It is among the most famous gardens in England and is designated Grade I on Historic England's register of historic parks and gardens. It was bought by Sackville-West in 1930, and over the next thirty years, working with, and later succeeded by, a series of notable head gardeners, she and Nicolson transformed a farmstead of "squalor and slovenly disorder" into one of the world's most influential gardens. Following Sackville-West's death in 1962, the estate was donated to the National Trust. It was ranked 42nd on the list of the Trust's most-visited sites in the 2021–2022 season, with over 150,000 visitors.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbVflbhgbbbxAo9Q-rs-OKyalHIiCiBce20Hai2i7_yxi-Zse5kqEyyT_SH1zLfp1P_6dazy0yXOwVduwhiB3Xw-eYds0CbNRR53AaleDZEh2YdC-vaWuPOsI5nYJg6sCgXuLxd80oBg4SaIanYYX8fOLM4e3hR2M0ijLpGYamfyqPRdgQvlIbrRynCIB/s4000/20240216_135115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbVflbhgbbbxAo9Q-rs-OKyalHIiCiBce20Hai2i7_yxi-Zse5kqEyyT_SH1zLfp1P_6dazy0yXOwVduwhiB3Xw-eYds0CbNRR53AaleDZEh2YdC-vaWuPOsI5nYJg6sCgXuLxd80oBg4SaIanYYX8fOLM4e3hR2M0ijLpGYamfyqPRdgQvlIbrRynCIB/w640-h480/20240216_135115.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The gardens contain an internationally respected plant collection, particularly the assemblage of old garden roses. The writer Anne Scott-James considered the roses at Sissinghurst to be "one of the finest collections in the world". A number of plants propagated in the gardens bear names related to people connected with Sissinghurst or the name of the garden itself. The garden design is based on axial walks that open onto enclosed gardens, termed "garden rooms", one of the earliest examples of this gardening style. Among the individual "garden rooms", the White Garden has been particularly influential, with the horticulturalist Tony Lord describing it as "the most ambitious of its time, the most entrancing of its type."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoR4qK560uL9qXJ3mkNUJae8Av99VrmpAoLhUVFaB9cz14kqQVo_qHoS6R_-12FqM8iehjHTvBmkd1Fq5fDfubiYBVvaMJwEHbZ9nUVC7EonTaid7MtBpckC5CRTxDYUKpJXzkp3y9K024u0P1vWvv1QgxBnI4r7NLW5Jx_qukYyexHzMwZc5gG1E-mrN_/s4000/20240216_135123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoR4qK560uL9qXJ3mkNUJae8Av99VrmpAoLhUVFaB9cz14kqQVo_qHoS6R_-12FqM8iehjHTvBmkd1Fq5fDfubiYBVvaMJwEHbZ9nUVC7EonTaid7MtBpckC5CRTxDYUKpJXzkp3y9K024u0P1vWvv1QgxBnI4r7NLW5Jx_qukYyexHzMwZc5gG1E-mrN_/w480-h640/20240216_135123.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The site of Sissinghurst is ancient and has been occupied since at least the Middle Ages. The present-day buildings began as a house built in the 1530s by Sir John Baker. In 1554 Sir John's daughter Cecily married Thomas Sackville, 1st Earl of Dorset, an ancestor of Vita Sackville-West. By the 18th century the Baker's fortunes had waned, and the house, renamed Sissinghurst Castle, was leased to the government to act as a prisoner-of-war camp during the Seven Years' War. The prisoners caused great damage and by the 19th century much of Sir Richard's house had been demolished. In the mid-19th century, the remaining buildings were in use as a workhouse, and by the 20th century Sissinghurst had declined to the status of a farmstead. In 1928 the castle was advertised for sale but remained unsold for two years.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5Spug1fiRcuVKfe0VdA08EIvmi7uz0GQwMzmBdCFejI62uwrxMv_sxuOs_GLd65e-sEYSuXK-BSOLTyMKsRBcBLCDvU4YIsPgUTt8hdKuOkRPQ-yQ7pkNI7uWP31DiLoctZJFDp2SRE4fke8F7TTrqWFFHGuyAcCgg49fY-sz0jB374U5OiXRMA0PPsT/s3719/20240216_135137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3719" data-original-width="2790" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5Spug1fiRcuVKfe0VdA08EIvmi7uz0GQwMzmBdCFejI62uwrxMv_sxuOs_GLd65e-sEYSuXK-BSOLTyMKsRBcBLCDvU4YIsPgUTt8hdKuOkRPQ-yQ7pkNI7uWP31DiLoctZJFDp2SRE4fke8F7TTrqWFFHGuyAcCgg49fY-sz0jB374U5OiXRMA0PPsT/w480-h640/20240216_135137.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sackville-West was born in 1892 at Knole, the ancestral home of the Sackvilles. But for her sex, Sackville-West would have inherited Knole on the death of her father in 1928. Instead, following primogeniture, the house and the title passed to her uncle, a loss she felt deeply. In 1930, after she and Nicolson became concerned that their home Long Barn was threatened by development, Sackville-West bought Sissinghurst Castle. On purchasing Sissinghurst, Sackville-West and Nicolson inherited little more than some oak and nut trees, a quince, and a single old rose. Sackville-West planted the noisette rose 'Madame Alfred Carrière' on the south face of the South Cottage even before the deeds to the property had been signed. Nicolson was largely responsible for planning the garden design, while Sackville-West undertook the planting. Over the next thirty years, working with her head gardeners, she cultivated some two hundred varieties of roses and large numbers of other flowers and shrubs. Decades after Sackville-West and Nicolson created "a garden where none was", Sissinghurst remains a major influence on horticultural thought and practice.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbo8i5qSOu0Zh5HV7Go4HrUl9Y9L4G8FjjwtjfupLbHCZBRioRTUMKOLsoj6c1netT2FmLJGFlO_Rm3usogViCAvCbXKl-Kcp4KD7hpPcEw3wOH8NhE3lsesW0DXadD4bxGpAiHmWldtsiILw9nucFd0tMIlHYdSeo83n41-RurcRt3ubNwT3PHyTFaj2c/s4000/20240216_135257.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbo8i5qSOu0Zh5HV7Go4HrUl9Y9L4G8FjjwtjfupLbHCZBRioRTUMKOLsoj6c1netT2FmLJGFlO_Rm3usogViCAvCbXKl-Kcp4KD7hpPcEw3wOH8NhE3lsesW0DXadD4bxGpAiHmWldtsiILw9nucFd0tMIlHYdSeo83n41-RurcRt3ubNwT3PHyTFaj2c/w480-h640/20240216_135257.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sackvilles-West Writing Room in the Tower.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We climb the many, many steps to the top of the tower to see the fantastic views.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVH_ml9arSf4-o0saztVPcBfXmksI0f8IcseOAGn6b61DrFflK7CpwnT2_JSAgPrtasPlM_WKrmhAVZV_CosCYAeY32oFmpJfZIVXo1CKgop_G5Y-TTIknKBPIedniNTv1r-UgcdKesNvIlr0C-qppL7FIeCJeG_jKJBfvIK5akiRbPHgfxpdbmghk9PGr/s4000/20240216_135411.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVH_ml9arSf4-o0saztVPcBfXmksI0f8IcseOAGn6b61DrFflK7CpwnT2_JSAgPrtasPlM_WKrmhAVZV_CosCYAeY32oFmpJfZIVXo1CKgop_G5Y-TTIknKBPIedniNTv1r-UgcdKesNvIlr0C-qppL7FIeCJeG_jKJBfvIK5akiRbPHgfxpdbmghk9PGr/w640-h480/20240216_135411.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Tower is of brick and was the entrance to the cour d'honneur of the 1560s rebuilding. Of four storeys, it has recessed staircase turrets to each side, creating what the architectural historian Mark Girouard described as an "extraordinarily slender and elegant" appearance. The courtyard was open on the tower side, its three facades containing seven classical doorways. Girouard notes Horace Walpole's observation of 1752, "perfect and very beautiful". Such an arrangement of a three-sided courtyard with a prominent gatehouse set some way in front became popular from Elizabethan times, similar examples being Rushton Hall and the original Lanhydrock.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLRbJdR8vVqYeC5pkVdhF20y2tJebpwgmd-NR3Z7LUQeD3qoq4UKNQukMKPufvHsxPK0_oGxG_ROAn-4gpOSsau19EFE_feTH1HHOc7TjeLeKP2daQY9nlk8EuXljUJhYlkXMn9nFSawT9XqTnrEYoZRROongy96ofzQr8YwCv6T2nFL07Wqh7t6SRmhV/s3888/20240216_135414.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2916" data-original-width="3888" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLRbJdR8vVqYeC5pkVdhF20y2tJebpwgmd-NR3Z7LUQeD3qoq4UKNQukMKPufvHsxPK0_oGxG_ROAn-4gpOSsau19EFE_feTH1HHOc7TjeLeKP2daQY9nlk8EuXljUJhYlkXMn9nFSawT9XqTnrEYoZRROongy96ofzQr8YwCv6T2nFL07Wqh7t6SRmhV/w640-h480/20240216_135414.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Tower was Sackville-West's sanctum; her study was out of bounds to all but her dogs and a small number of guests by invitation. Her writing room is maintained largely as it was at the time of her death. Nigel Nicolson records his discovery in the Tower of his mother's manuscript describing her affair with Violet Trefusis. This went on to form the basis of his book Portrait of a Marriage. The clock, below the Tower parapet, was installed in 1949. A plaque is affixed to the arch of the Tower;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sissinghurst_Castle_Garden#cite_note-FOOTNOTENicolson2008b30-154">[</a> the words were chosen by Harold Nicolson: "Here lived V. Sackville-West who made this garden". Nigel Nicolson always felt that the memorial failed to acknowledge his father's contribution. The Tower has a Grade I listing.</div></div><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwwhyD-oqqwYMaMVJm7S_fqYiWv-dejUBTkq4ftPheCcmbDXnHrkIA0h-b5aEBmpmX6ocjntixiRheT1nIzUWLikF8Zz2SP-fRvbQqaklM9-tPf3VuipyWY-sdTdwzS4sYn4YtzNkbW1F5ffIjNj0ypMt7uWdYeISwEWceJfF624kD3h2P9ob3pAkoSsz/s4000/20240216_135426.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwwhyD-oqqwYMaMVJm7S_fqYiWv-dejUBTkq4ftPheCcmbDXnHrkIA0h-b5aEBmpmX6ocjntixiRheT1nIzUWLikF8Zz2SP-fRvbQqaklM9-tPf3VuipyWY-sdTdwzS4sYn4YtzNkbW1F5ffIjNj0ypMt7uWdYeISwEWceJfF624kD3h2P9ob3pAkoSsz/w640-h480/20240216_135426.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View down to the South Cottage.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPh5kY_u47bar5fcQgQqr7nxGHiI9_R5eHG8zztzAQUaakcB_VVtwOWGQ3d6ds1vf2fU9Z3HzIFh1ZfY0312OdKGZYB3jJwrbQ9PLxtOrZhd-p68BwQDRSD_2DntM4o4HZtcWElEE6roATii2To3oNP0jOsvPHOuuob6fR4HNdqGzCGhf38_5IVJuj8C1/s3802/20240216_135429.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2852" data-original-width="3802" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPh5kY_u47bar5fcQgQqr7nxGHiI9_R5eHG8zztzAQUaakcB_VVtwOWGQ3d6ds1vf2fU9Z3HzIFh1ZfY0312OdKGZYB3jJwrbQ9PLxtOrZhd-p68BwQDRSD_2DntM4o4HZtcWElEE6roATii2To3oNP0jOsvPHOuuob6fR4HNdqGzCGhf38_5IVJuj8C1/w640-h480/20240216_135429.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkLfKxOcCzj0uQkBDt5sXssiOjYdPYCdgiiwl4rVe6mWtu8kAX7btG1ofrBHKPPqOdHJtKPzSeBzeS3W5hSq9nfDRY376Fry14Z_72dm0UxjMeU0v4Qy0GcLv367EJY6OTniyTwT4jHzmSf1gfcWtiOwWJzGjykA0Vw0OXq1WHFO-G-zlbs5YrdIZ-tCK/s4000/20240216_135443.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkLfKxOcCzj0uQkBDt5sXssiOjYdPYCdgiiwl4rVe6mWtu8kAX7btG1ofrBHKPPqOdHJtKPzSeBzeS3W5hSq9nfDRY376Fry14Z_72dm0UxjMeU0v4Qy0GcLv367EJY6OTniyTwT4jHzmSf1gfcWtiOwWJzGjykA0Vw0OXq1WHFO-G-zlbs5YrdIZ-tCK/w480-h640/20240216_135443.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJMmg4qrgaeoL5ytMKaCvgnYLnh5jH7BK2v_LRW4yg8MziC1DA24n9NiqmiEriI7USmHhllgAiybb8S6WScBUeVzFFMu24IUgPH39TI9LwH1ztp4jmEN1NskaM2YWUAK3nINZH9pNhk792-hA0bFt6gmlTnxdDR6YWBstxlxiQgsCiECaOyWElLJneYcD/s3648/20240216_135512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJMmg4qrgaeoL5ytMKaCvgnYLnh5jH7BK2v_LRW4yg8MziC1DA24n9NiqmiEriI7USmHhllgAiybb8S6WScBUeVzFFMu24IUgPH39TI9LwH1ztp4jmEN1NskaM2YWUAK3nINZH9pNhk792-hA0bFt6gmlTnxdDR6YWBstxlxiQgsCiECaOyWElLJneYcD/w640-h480/20240216_135512.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0BoNpIsWdqw1PiTd2ElGuYWX4hXUtY_gaDUU8KAkaAUJjSIwmDFKoz8GvUCWdTNiiZ2-vc_mU6OuOQcJLdxQU-uTraodSuWw6Hpb7zD4ldHAXSzonbHH1zKec1uydrnedR5djhQX9ynqQjyH7NtwNQrkTEBsloxbyB8YpOOSyK9tIl7bFg8hpKgntDcT/s3753/20240216_135602.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2814" data-original-width="3753" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0BoNpIsWdqw1PiTd2ElGuYWX4hXUtY_gaDUU8KAkaAUJjSIwmDFKoz8GvUCWdTNiiZ2-vc_mU6OuOQcJLdxQU-uTraodSuWw6Hpb7zD4ldHAXSzonbHH1zKec1uydrnedR5djhQX9ynqQjyH7NtwNQrkTEBsloxbyB8YpOOSyK9tIl7bFg8hpKgntDcT/w640-h480/20240216_135602.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View to Priest's House.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMWVglg2i5wml1JiJ_s1zVy2Oi0O-j35kguWvU383RXhzvufZCL_UAdsY7l-8wEL4TMxVnb6qzn_iFCfwyB8ndtLiMNq2aD6onwYT8_JdP0tukvm7F4Iftw5UwQPXj4iu18KRhIKQiTGZE3lRHTund66GCUlYG5k8M0m9thEKsPVBH9tqUVI_EQSG_e8s/s4000/20240216_135620.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMWVglg2i5wml1JiJ_s1zVy2Oi0O-j35kguWvU383RXhzvufZCL_UAdsY7l-8wEL4TMxVnb6qzn_iFCfwyB8ndtLiMNq2aD6onwYT8_JdP0tukvm7F4Iftw5UwQPXj4iu18KRhIKQiTGZE3lRHTund66GCUlYG5k8M0m9thEKsPVBH9tqUVI_EQSG_e8s/w640-h480/20240216_135620.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Cottage</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1kvkVI0QYt8LshM7jHXQKH7dzA7dXVylNdcWfOMcp7ayAFNdWoyJvzt3eN1e0VuUIdHzEbIwiePEPTG6IS7RgUCmNMBIi96eNSkCg6UnuETwJ2qJHVw6jj2bAsW2oyqehu_Pp0W9sD4DGC2u0sdYO3IAGscETfIeUlnviExnApzK-n3BO3cqL8QDBn8j/s3783/20240216_140100.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2837" data-original-width="3783" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1kvkVI0QYt8LshM7jHXQKH7dzA7dXVylNdcWfOMcp7ayAFNdWoyJvzt3eN1e0VuUIdHzEbIwiePEPTG6IS7RgUCmNMBIi96eNSkCg6UnuETwJ2qJHVw6jj2bAsW2oyqehu_Pp0W9sD4DGC2u0sdYO3IAGscETfIeUlnviExnApzK-n3BO3cqL8QDBn8j/w640-h480/20240216_140100.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWkeBqUGbC1Q_PuSkxpM57isbkmsHZaYKIEnY_zx2eOOXJk15VI3HRm7ICiMAGdXUK0Z9ML9XEMhZziaSHYcy11Dhesv-hs4ABcl7SqCQY3cwhmS9WFaqg0nvxiXDLVc4N27wykytrY29rTYDIuLrwXC5YwVa36-5YGs-PPfmBc3vAzpB9Kkssw9uYnKT/s4000/20240216_140114.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWkeBqUGbC1Q_PuSkxpM57isbkmsHZaYKIEnY_zx2eOOXJk15VI3HRm7ICiMAGdXUK0Z9ML9XEMhZziaSHYcy11Dhesv-hs4ABcl7SqCQY3cwhmS9WFaqg0nvxiXDLVc4N27wykytrY29rTYDIuLrwXC5YwVa36-5YGs-PPfmBc3vAzpB9Kkssw9uYnKT/w640-h480/20240216_140114.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the tower and have a walk about the gardens.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6gvFLX0T16RZBlO9MzyxyRNn_v31KQ6jBU6jGs7ey8NSEjcZFsbTZiiMl3-Q_POBrqkdDdwFSOtA8YeVSDZTyrhkaoP9Nmdw6OCIJybNkrNXBxFsAZY41-yskt84J78Zdw7t9V36WXvDb0MBUHuhqsuPl7hedkbKy_G-tFHBb8Y4MK3MnrZ7pYwyruQZ/s3853/20240216_140200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2890" data-original-width="3853" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6gvFLX0T16RZBlO9MzyxyRNn_v31KQ6jBU6jGs7ey8NSEjcZFsbTZiiMl3-Q_POBrqkdDdwFSOtA8YeVSDZTyrhkaoP9Nmdw6OCIJybNkrNXBxFsAZY41-yskt84J78Zdw7t9V36WXvDb0MBUHuhqsuPl7hedkbKy_G-tFHBb8Y4MK3MnrZ7pYwyruQZ/w640-h480/20240216_140200.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0JSxVLYFRV7_sdp8L9897IeaGzicwvNf0ik5zLdFzaEbktn_fEpgsCoW3-wpJHWMhb1awgXUMDT-mAbdFE_fDDV6M-tDtRua0RzDFpyibyhABZBhcaVBbxhZFnN-bDHL655hnUm11rUKgFsNgLMA1SHHZD7yMIRXPNqNQlP83nicABX9XjZgFqiRLbgQ/s3855/20240216_140230.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2891" data-original-width="3855" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0JSxVLYFRV7_sdp8L9897IeaGzicwvNf0ik5zLdFzaEbktn_fEpgsCoW3-wpJHWMhb1awgXUMDT-mAbdFE_fDDV6M-tDtRua0RzDFpyibyhABZBhcaVBbxhZFnN-bDHL655hnUm11rUKgFsNgLMA1SHHZD7yMIRXPNqNQlP83nicABX9XjZgFqiRLbgQ/w640-h480/20240216_140230.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This building formed the southeast corner of the courtyard enclosure buildings. It was restored by Beale & Son, builders from Tunbridge Wells, and provided the pair with separate bedrooms, a shared sitting room, and Nicolson's writing room. His diary entry for 20 April 1933 records: "My new wing has been done. The sitting room is lovely, My bedroom, W.C. and bathroom are divine". Of two storeys in red brick, with an extension dating from the 1930s, South Cottage has a Grade II* listing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6xLoDoPeHNUhD5daC-SeaAIOGPzBVhQ0Vz9XSD2PM2vyKjBVOTXz7CkHUa-mljATpp3ve_lvEVMr_2yCpXLLTX-5oGQksmQzIn07ex1e3HntwX7zh2ZgHkrs3BvukcJB8mk85Hb7T2gO-si3jPf_oANrzfdlbCXWlabWOCsVQgFj_fJjIYS3B4QZl5VK/s4000/20240216_140252.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6xLoDoPeHNUhD5daC-SeaAIOGPzBVhQ0Vz9XSD2PM2vyKjBVOTXz7CkHUa-mljATpp3ve_lvEVMr_2yCpXLLTX-5oGQksmQzIn07ex1e3HntwX7zh2ZgHkrs3BvukcJB8mk85Hb7T2gO-si3jPf_oANrzfdlbCXWlabWOCsVQgFj_fJjIYS3B4QZl5VK/w640-h480/20240216_140252.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg760wN0QPYjmeTmCk8iuEEFYATcokAsz1wp2oIwp0RnFVL_dpGltB8Jo_SSSyKtXZJaBnMIdFb2vjNM3X3V0qhYdY_1YPx-v_btwhAfWt7u2KRo727BLUxTXhyg2_PPc1N-oe9dqEOmCFlk8jVdBW2rMrNhcR_KUZNGpUSAyUW8KX9J8-0VZG34o0cmzQV/s3802/20240216_140352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2852" data-original-width="3802" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg760wN0QPYjmeTmCk8iuEEFYATcokAsz1wp2oIwp0RnFVL_dpGltB8Jo_SSSyKtXZJaBnMIdFb2vjNM3X3V0qhYdY_1YPx-v_btwhAfWt7u2KRo727BLUxTXhyg2_PPc1N-oe9dqEOmCFlk8jVdBW2rMrNhcR_KUZNGpUSAyUW8KX9J8-0VZG34o0cmzQV/w640-h480/20240216_140352.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the cottage garden, it is alive with a sea of blue crocus's.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBb56XN701gVG0Cb9ArOYcOeHJYZJZ6q2dHhCiLYnqoXR814gDJb3QJOvJ7QH6oZapgZcCJsyGCujHsWi6hw2w4YhTH4j2k-HirNNojT7u_AblKm5WhBoiGll76EyEKqTspqh_G7-7rlJxLaj068veutso0DXupOTin3KY5mnex72VwiKqtDCjlYE-SAY/s4000/20240216_140422.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBb56XN701gVG0Cb9ArOYcOeHJYZJZ6q2dHhCiLYnqoXR814gDJb3QJOvJ7QH6oZapgZcCJsyGCujHsWi6hw2w4YhTH4j2k-HirNNojT7u_AblKm5WhBoiGll76EyEKqTspqh_G7-7rlJxLaj068veutso0DXupOTin3KY5mnex72VwiKqtDCjlYE-SAY/w640-h480/20240216_140422.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklvGSghCe3ZU58i6g_lLFnlkRWxTpH1pCmedYNZGPxjOCpYNih3KrE4i10IyKsJDZ5ts1e9K5C3IBwQ-hUfkPHVEbsoqTaVc1roJvofEpUeXoeOMcZE-AmnwIaH4X0UuYWCZPozPlaeg1Ak27z7yZ7D24tYzbY5Gy3G8BfsL2KKJ6GwGx4gtdmHPIUzH_/s3735/20240216_140456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2801" data-original-width="3735" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklvGSghCe3ZU58i6g_lLFnlkRWxTpH1pCmedYNZGPxjOCpYNih3KrE4i10IyKsJDZ5ts1e9K5C3IBwQ-hUfkPHVEbsoqTaVc1roJvofEpUeXoeOMcZE-AmnwIaH4X0UuYWCZPozPlaeg1Ak27z7yZ7D24tYzbY5Gy3G8BfsL2KKJ6GwGx4gtdmHPIUzH_/w640-h480/20240216_140456.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We along the Lime Walk, bet this nice in the summer months!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoRPaYfv7AbmIOqRwsLoLAzHvkBNHwBUDKx-V-aWEvGaNF5VSRW807_NjjTVZj5l2UGUt1wNt1IbtNVeI05KkQj3fB2j4EPGfdRblJwFoF67KeKcjJNOgEWkqQQq_KUCVCb3OFG34gY_5BKmdl0-zqnQduSZDf3RKZ5tl4g9OEJjLat0bxrN5pa47gJY2/s3730/20240216_140742.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2798" data-original-width="3730" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoRPaYfv7AbmIOqRwsLoLAzHvkBNHwBUDKx-V-aWEvGaNF5VSRW807_NjjTVZj5l2UGUt1wNt1IbtNVeI05KkQj3fB2j4EPGfdRblJwFoF67KeKcjJNOgEWkqQQq_KUCVCb3OFG34gY_5BKmdl0-zqnQduSZDf3RKZ5tl4g9OEJjLat0bxrN5pa47gJY2/w640-h480/20240216_140742.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3jbsveeEtWAcE13fUhIr27Z82awvL5gbVMj6ZLOu42MaSuyX_Qz9_6-Kyp_b1A6EMJBSnWtkhqMVXvVq48sDPjPT9BV0VaoPPjKaVyvyKzReWA82xiu9zXG0fdrbHP81j17tFE106ig9yEfWFw2wJW9bMU-uVeCStt-kOMC3s0wvYBwUG_4DqhKupdVp/s4000/20240216_140906.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3jbsveeEtWAcE13fUhIr27Z82awvL5gbVMj6ZLOu42MaSuyX_Qz9_6-Kyp_b1A6EMJBSnWtkhqMVXvVq48sDPjPT9BV0VaoPPjKaVyvyKzReWA82xiu9zXG0fdrbHP81j17tFE106ig9yEfWFw2wJW9bMU-uVeCStt-kOMC3s0wvYBwUG_4DqhKupdVp/w640-h480/20240216_140906.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A early flowering Camelia.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BXMv-uXCmGtIrmTV3qoDzsImuCU0RtFYH1Ok93gBh92jFgNKzPWAiqLMauOY9HV1vJ9NYRv58fUrGQh_j2JAJxHLb6rnpDj80DzmGAXZT-PeHfjLdvRg3EDiYtcGXcZkTHvMz4hP4stPZuRedyThXD5sg6Eqf0SliwofG7p4Blv3tV180zVr59bXU7xD/s4000/20240216_141254.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BXMv-uXCmGtIrmTV3qoDzsImuCU0RtFYH1Ok93gBh92jFgNKzPWAiqLMauOY9HV1vJ9NYRv58fUrGQh_j2JAJxHLb6rnpDj80DzmGAXZT-PeHfjLdvRg3EDiYtcGXcZkTHvMz4hP4stPZuRedyThXD5sg6Eqf0SliwofG7p4Blv3tV180zVr59bXU7xD/w480-h640/20240216_141254.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk around to the priest's House with the well in front.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlf7lqxtMlF5XJ3b7WCaYzM77_wc2mxjDS5kpfFB3k_-RciXB9mRQItimSbfwUJiT_7hJ3QAaGNoBuA7WCcDzDoefQqDsQ59af5bbuImiscmJag48YW86WGP_R97ouDV5jVb4tWSN_O7e71S1BuHQfIwR8LeJ6KyqCjC55Fwv6EQgRxOFIwyeJFYaL-xS/s4000/20240216_141352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlf7lqxtMlF5XJ3b7WCaYzM77_wc2mxjDS5kpfFB3k_-RciXB9mRQItimSbfwUJiT_7hJ3QAaGNoBuA7WCcDzDoefQqDsQ59af5bbuImiscmJag48YW86WGP_R97ouDV5jVb4tWSN_O7e71S1BuHQfIwR8LeJ6KyqCjC55Fwv6EQgRxOFIwyeJFYaL-xS/w640-h480/20240216_141352.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The architectural historian John Newman suggests that this building was a "viewing pavilion or lodge". Its name derives from the tradition that it was used to house a Catholic priest, the Baker family having been Catholic adherents. Sackville-West and Nicolson converted the cottage to provide accommodation for their sons, and the family kitchen and dining room. Of red brick and two storeys, Historic England suggests that the building may originally have been attached to Sir Richard Baker's 1560s house but Newman disagrees.</div></div><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11.2px; text-wrap: nowrap;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_98oS8MAIiU49kAxesKF_B7ZIWrbl5KWnYHP4n3tJtRJDbPO7plAVV3RW8_mVK1S7kS37JLLgIVKMQw6aZIgz8RVmUtML9Ly-N2EhQnJ0Xcy2rs60NmPOuMP1Lxa-5hTIdslDZUPoRO-mn8ZV8dZnbK2CHtvHHwpco4_fK4rg-fFI5oomV4r52vLalOR/s4000/20240216_141904.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_98oS8MAIiU49kAxesKF_B7ZIWrbl5KWnYHP4n3tJtRJDbPO7plAVV3RW8_mVK1S7kS37JLLgIVKMQw6aZIgz8RVmUtML9Ly-N2EhQnJ0Xcy2rs60NmPOuMP1Lxa-5hTIdslDZUPoRO-mn8ZV8dZnbK2CHtvHHwpco4_fK4rg-fFI5oomV4r52vLalOR/w640-h480/20240216_141904.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIN8CNRd3tH8gvqC7Iqcy62ZGhnqASdVNcREGPawYg0CVVgytZ1m-xDwb0zYjjC1Kt9ADlBWpLjy3zwJ9SCTVZOuQFik9p6X2Rzurp9F41gHANIfLcz6J6Boby3T3qx_BImKkcqw60olTZapuRobzOlJyvNlB6tpZ0ZRzKsQJ1j-JEzQz9xOpBmYfxRPEK/s4000/20240216_142745.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIN8CNRd3tH8gvqC7Iqcy62ZGhnqASdVNcREGPawYg0CVVgytZ1m-xDwb0zYjjC1Kt9ADlBWpLjy3zwJ9SCTVZOuQFik9p6X2Rzurp9F41gHANIfLcz6J6Boby3T3qx_BImKkcqw60olTZapuRobzOlJyvNlB6tpZ0ZRzKsQJ1j-JEzQz9xOpBmYfxRPEK/w480-h640/20240216_142745.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhOgAVpCQD97oeEhYdBRSqMIhteR6Glr6kPwV19MWEz2uDeMGA-Te5TIFcmrV53u8Uc50iiTUwguRoGTGa9MP1DyHamCp2UIFXKT0Qm6stXUKMwnxw258B_uLcdqjU_QbXCaKLyZqtPdBAXzcYbsRTpJR7HjBBqtGF2_rnnO6G92PhFiMIJNLWEb7betj/s4000/20240216_142749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhOgAVpCQD97oeEhYdBRSqMIhteR6Glr6kPwV19MWEz2uDeMGA-Te5TIFcmrV53u8Uc50iiTUwguRoGTGa9MP1DyHamCp2UIFXKT0Qm6stXUKMwnxw258B_uLcdqjU_QbXCaKLyZqtPdBAXzcYbsRTpJR7HjBBqtGF2_rnnO6G92PhFiMIJNLWEb7betj/w480-h640/20240216_142749.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We leave the grounds to make our way back to Sissinghurst, walking along the road called Sissinghurst Castle.<br /></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6Tr7hfuy6FOnw3jqMWM4BVuVIsdXV1I3YqcBmK4vTysZLaUaDkERTKrrAZFeZbmcZK8X5v4M4g3tob8KQzdFRANQxUobq7lUohQZAjDNcLXSSC-CZaX4a3CUspL0iI2eP8MU26EFiDyDOvze3hHBQwZ8FmgT4YdmUE-tVDShnTODNk3FT2wTPlOFuBhH/s4000/20240216_143524.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6Tr7hfuy6FOnw3jqMWM4BVuVIsdXV1I3YqcBmK4vTysZLaUaDkERTKrrAZFeZbmcZK8X5v4M4g3tob8KQzdFRANQxUobq7lUohQZAjDNcLXSSC-CZaX4a3CUspL0iI2eP8MU26EFiDyDOvze3hHBQwZ8FmgT4YdmUE-tVDShnTODNk3FT2wTPlOFuBhH/w480-h640/20240216_143524.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This gate/Stile is an interesting idea.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoFh-U32WVlx13-UzOeOdWw1ISJU94LjjhAVYzbi3NhGczLF7FHk6paE_uBz56-_LISKgzCZGu4fKfS_-LlhJPQUCZq0D2TFxhwzfbtiUh6DcbIUz3EM06D_t0fZN-Z-59CZaaaJSfjT1-93Ur2ruQzszDwgA6tH-OacfV_bgyGlh7aeZ-dboe4rRcLeC/s3709/20240216_143533.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3709" data-original-width="2782" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoFh-U32WVlx13-UzOeOdWw1ISJU94LjjhAVYzbi3NhGczLF7FHk6paE_uBz56-_LISKgzCZGu4fKfS_-LlhJPQUCZq0D2TFxhwzfbtiUh6DcbIUz3EM06D_t0fZN-Z-59CZaaaJSfjT1-93Ur2ruQzszDwgA6tH-OacfV_bgyGlh7aeZ-dboe4rRcLeC/w480-h640/20240216_143533.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk along Sissinghurst Road back pass Trinity Church and the Milkwood pub.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88LhXeXTq716bqcwfyTwDFPbcl6MiQVWYlQThmvAAwR_udMcmOmdRx-lf16B_M1kHu1Gz5cZOR59yy5aH2ttdRa4YHLmW54qhdDsDTk6DBs3H7elnOloRjoQ4IufbhXukdw8K3DOsNX45OKiWqNTyjxNb6SgB9Y2zqjH2mG0lEiZhmv3KBOIQO-vdtdq5/s3800/20240216_145645.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2850" data-original-width="3800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88LhXeXTq716bqcwfyTwDFPbcl6MiQVWYlQThmvAAwR_udMcmOmdRx-lf16B_M1kHu1Gz5cZOR59yy5aH2ttdRa4YHLmW54qhdDsDTk6DBs3H7elnOloRjoQ4IufbhXukdw8K3DOsNX45OKiWqNTyjxNb6SgB9Y2zqjH2mG0lEiZhmv3KBOIQO-vdtdq5/w640-h480/20240216_145645.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Tg0gfMbolro9hh1aU7oE8MKqn5OWIh9rVhYtv6MYfYA8w6OpKckNzUeWM2rY4rMX9pLZx-1e_4LXL301rKK8YG-IXhkkUMsHLGCm0bBWAWhoS1P1FkaX-BntAxnEZ_SOpnUaevSUjNFIeZaMKcy68mPjRNZdsvc6MsgWNVFkgCxIo5avRNN_32EBED1r/s3216/20240216_145732.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2980" data-original-width="3216" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Tg0gfMbolro9hh1aU7oE8MKqn5OWIh9rVhYtv6MYfYA8w6OpKckNzUeWM2rY4rMX9pLZx-1e_4LXL301rKK8YG-IXhkkUMsHLGCm0bBWAWhoS1P1FkaX-BntAxnEZ_SOpnUaevSUjNFIeZaMKcy68mPjRNZdsvc6MsgWNVFkgCxIo5avRNN_32EBED1r/w640-h594/20240216_145732.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We turn right back onto Common Road and back to the car. A nice but muddy 10.2 miles!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaq-gXzPwKNcK93bRJkxMH8k0FfRFne6xyYnCM98pWnSv2elkNDQT9j6JqSENOfs0EUYtMq5bocrPpWNwx1OcetD2W-TJwiKRY7S8_t9taArBc1n6hVkZdtPDgIK0LDcGYye3KB84fa54sMRvzsbugSebVUXbavhutBJmzDcCYCLxErEi03jtymsdXG_Zd/s1333/Screenshot%202024-02-17%20104036.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="1333" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaq-gXzPwKNcK93bRJkxMH8k0FfRFne6xyYnCM98pWnSv2elkNDQT9j6JqSENOfs0EUYtMq5bocrPpWNwx1OcetD2W-TJwiKRY7S8_t9taArBc1n6hVkZdtPDgIK0LDcGYye3KB84fa54sMRvzsbugSebVUXbavhutBJmzDcCYCLxErEi03jtymsdXG_Zd/w640-h366/Screenshot%202024-02-17%20104036.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-15210552804972635802024-01-31T16:20:00.033+00:002024-02-04T16:03:56.918+00:00Rochford and Blackbox Brewery Essex walk. 31.01.24<p style="text-align: left;">GPX File Here </p><p style="text-align: center;">On Wednesday the 31st January 2024 Dan and I caught the train to Rochford Train Station ,Rochford, Essex. Well it was more of an excuse to visit the Blackbox Brewery later. Hence this was a very uninspiring walk to say the least!</p><p style="text-align: center;">We left the station and walked up West Street.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmnpTpusRWhD2NLCjwqCEQLS7nfA73NqTCvcGC_j5ZzPdrnlQ8OLOONDcPHV6r4d14jexpAEA9YuPrDEL3qB5umt9oKQvm91Jk6q2VcI9mJx1dKRURTG1Soff_dVuSDXLttkyH34LJDtHTAVT3LS0xjD6MJbPO7E9DfwQRVGKrHQ3FBJEoNSIVqmdr4PR/s4000/20240131_093659.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmnpTpusRWhD2NLCjwqCEQLS7nfA73NqTCvcGC_j5ZzPdrnlQ8OLOONDcPHV6r4d14jexpAEA9YuPrDEL3qB5umt9oKQvm91Jk6q2VcI9mJx1dKRURTG1Soff_dVuSDXLttkyH34LJDtHTAVT3LS0xjD6MJbPO7E9DfwQRVGKrHQ3FBJEoNSIVqmdr4PR/w640-h480/20240131_093659.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The town is the main settlement in the Rochford district, and takes its name from Rochefort, Old English for "Ford of the Hunting Dogs". The town runs into suburban developments in the parishes of Ashingdon and Hawkwell. Kings Hill, in Rochford, was notable for containing the Lawless Court up until the 19th century.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnGG8N6CKrWN9Z5slJ7oC_rBPQC5gkP1g120aCingDESjHCtl974RAuKNzwsTmVEUqGzNks42ThAOpHahxWS3gFOtFLmCRjRqUlq4OAHBvYdRlb60OMaexs3JhKiURccelY440u0kwRV3CSu_jyRcmJJDyLCzxTnUmggy8ySXaB6diqCI_s2BkrDbxjrc/s4000/20240131_093727.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnGG8N6CKrWN9Z5slJ7oC_rBPQC5gkP1g120aCingDESjHCtl974RAuKNzwsTmVEUqGzNks42ThAOpHahxWS3gFOtFLmCRjRqUlq4OAHBvYdRlb60OMaexs3JhKiURccelY440u0kwRV3CSu_jyRcmJJDyLCzxTnUmggy8ySXaB6diqCI_s2BkrDbxjrc/w640-h480/20240131_093727.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1837 James Banyard (14 November 1800 – 1863) a reformed drunk and Wesleyan preacher and William Bridges (1802–1874) took a lease on the old workhouse at Rochford, which became the first chapel of the Peculiar People, a name taken from Deuteronomy 14:2 and 1 Peter 2:9. The Peculiar People practised a lively form of worship bound by the literal interpretation of the King James Bible, banning both frivolity and medicine. During the two World Wars some were conscientious objectors, believing that war is contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Peculiar People are nowadays known as the Union of Evangelical Churches.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvVKF3q1s9btQBxjSBMG1FcBvMNeO_Y0WAZJRJd5m8Vky-y-yICF10j_51ggus1MwYIe5mLhIZQzkT24dzM4VUV7YxycRV8Z0pbi1A0SuVMemESbfon1urEEnKh2ECi0niTH69WQZDUOarTnrOSqopUe-R9qJFNvaoBojdiTfB6smu3co3Pj1SPNWqJvg/s3745/20240131_093918.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3745" data-original-width="2809" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvVKF3q1s9btQBxjSBMG1FcBvMNeO_Y0WAZJRJd5m8Vky-y-yICF10j_51ggus1MwYIe5mLhIZQzkT24dzM4VUV7YxycRV8Z0pbi1A0SuVMemESbfon1urEEnKh2ECi0niTH69WQZDUOarTnrOSqopUe-R9qJFNvaoBojdiTfB6smu3co3Pj1SPNWqJvg/w480-h640/20240131_093918.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A superb replica in the Market Place at Rochford, Essex.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Markings: "DONATED BY ADRIAN CHAPMAN 2002".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Manufacturer: It was made by local structural engineer Adrian Chapman, when the town square was reinstated in 2002. He produced the wooden patterns based upon a photograph of the original pump, which was removed in 1902, and had the castings made by the Rayne Foundry in Braintree.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBL7eYUM5T3VdHZWssy8YPWXdLfy8oCbQUBniZBtqnKxMelKVNVASZTbwzYERNAMisMgYmOAFE8CYQpsbdd4R-T9sqbIXIad_mXfrZvNQ7fenZOIihShqp87V3QaYqJmZHgISVeaq5cGxYij9EecUk4FT-gm1-T8Fgs89m3Al8rFlqvCaGt7eWkTa7HZa/s4000/20240131_094242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBL7eYUM5T3VdHZWssy8YPWXdLfy8oCbQUBniZBtqnKxMelKVNVASZTbwzYERNAMisMgYmOAFE8CYQpsbdd4R-T9sqbIXIad_mXfrZvNQ7fenZOIihShqp87V3QaYqJmZHgISVeaq5cGxYij9EecUk4FT-gm1-T8Fgs89m3Al8rFlqvCaGt7eWkTa7HZa/w640-h480/20240131_094242.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We turn right onto South Street and up to the roundabout junction with Southend Road, where there is the Rochford Village sign.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNbETSS__U_xIrhKg5zK2uOu7TENAKE1cGqdT-LwJcwhwzzZb36_lMFSjTrAun8gBZ5fCgS1yEUnXkEz6S7-hf6bc7Yyhdw6md2HW27X5tyjs8YXpfR6K1lSP7hUqZn-9043LXfUhhaXcqJsA2ZGdYm4hjkN2wOmsYDfnB_INBI2ENxaHG69ICldLbVDa/s4000/20240131_094423.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNbETSS__U_xIrhKg5zK2uOu7TENAKE1cGqdT-LwJcwhwzzZb36_lMFSjTrAun8gBZ5fCgS1yEUnXkEz6S7-hf6bc7Yyhdw6md2HW27X5tyjs8YXpfR6K1lSP7hUqZn-9043LXfUhhaXcqJsA2ZGdYm4hjkN2wOmsYDfnB_INBI2ENxaHG69ICldLbVDa/w480-h640/20240131_094423.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The new sign has been manufactured by Alpha Signs, of Saffron Walden, and is set in a 15ft oak post sited here in 2004<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Noto Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Noto Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsDD9XbMc2VbOXESICFhbGGVtNdQOB7C5DUFBYXxW-I8DYyOjKs-jvaQJ9Qra7VkscG4dl2jevUONVm2nlhWsP-hDhzYRoaqLXuLjs_Ulzg7b3OpofWcAKOOTtctTxkUC0_mDT1DeCNk7doTkFE_TI-wQvQ2cVRfVT8BqTGBkDIu2Is_qsrikOyHWlZGi/s4000/20240131_094611.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsDD9XbMc2VbOXESICFhbGGVtNdQOB7C5DUFBYXxW-I8DYyOjKs-jvaQJ9Qra7VkscG4dl2jevUONVm2nlhWsP-hDhzYRoaqLXuLjs_Ulzg7b3OpofWcAKOOTtctTxkUC0_mDT1DeCNk7doTkFE_TI-wQvQ2cVRfVT8BqTGBkDIu2Is_qsrikOyHWlZGi/w640-h480/20240131_094611.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just by the Horse and Groom Pub on Southend Road we take a footpath beside the River Roach.</div></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIiy-agllAn7s7B3fTEZ8_jCez7jhI_VIazv3LL6BRvqFtgFCdnZMu533nIuf7OVHzp2evPN5aqSDxwJp4rw6QVSJIeEgBLxZohqCKDl7OGByRn7jIFxramYkGZaPC4X7iQtPtp-WLhbCTkNDNyZZLQEWYCGCccAT3hsmIBLM7VcXgKKCSE704uVXYCtz/s4000/20240131_094905.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIiy-agllAn7s7B3fTEZ8_jCez7jhI_VIazv3LL6BRvqFtgFCdnZMu533nIuf7OVHzp2evPN5aqSDxwJp4rw6QVSJIeEgBLxZohqCKDl7OGByRn7jIFxramYkGZaPC4X7iQtPtp-WLhbCTkNDNyZZLQEWYCGCccAT3hsmIBLM7VcXgKKCSE704uVXYCtz/w640-h480/20240131_094905.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A random Elephant in garden beside the river.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF2fLR7cOBhrp80Jj74uwdHnWG-hp9Zv4EjDeK3nAp6JpDPXrgGy84tYUJYIU6tdjfWt59l_3IcfLsBOjicpTTJ7WmOJ1_YRBlZd9HqXg_N7WwIuw5BAAGukum1ve9UTbNb_-fASBNu4RTOsxlCG3xK5Yb3EN-Ra8BHtrx7F7IpW1-ug2LXeZqwIbSjQY/s4000/20240131_094948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF2fLR7cOBhrp80Jj74uwdHnWG-hp9Zv4EjDeK3nAp6JpDPXrgGy84tYUJYIU6tdjfWt59l_3IcfLsBOjicpTTJ7WmOJ1_YRBlZd9HqXg_N7WwIuw5BAAGukum1ve9UTbNb_-fASBNu4RTOsxlCG3xK5Yb3EN-Ra8BHtrx7F7IpW1-ug2LXeZqwIbSjQY/w640-h480/20240131_094948.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The River Roach is a river that flows entirely through Essex. It is one of four main streams that originate in the Rayleigh Hills to the west, and flow east. They then flow towards the centre of the Rochford Basin, a circular feature which may have been caused by an asteroid impact in the Late Oligocene or Early Miocene periods. To the east of Rochford, the river becomes tidal, and is governed by the Crouch Harbour Authority. It joins the River Crouch between Wallasea Island and Foulness Island. To the west of Rochford, there is some doubt as to which of the four streams is officially the Roach.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMLhMsVcz5qHIds6rAQwTdah93PhXZtq-TNkU71JNbk1KBjkMabt9UNu8L3wxRrnKxb-XZqIPoTfpxU3z0PyK80dxI5OFVaD41KcHxA8PtAoONlq8qNeXkSWtemKsIhX5rMQGfEs0EZvOD9iEzYGCvgupNPRYduGq0Iu9e45aeRyr66F4odzYfoO2JC85/s3907/20240131_100147.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2931" data-original-width="3907" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMLhMsVcz5qHIds6rAQwTdah93PhXZtq-TNkU71JNbk1KBjkMabt9UNu8L3wxRrnKxb-XZqIPoTfpxU3z0PyK80dxI5OFVaD41KcHxA8PtAoONlq8qNeXkSWtemKsIhX5rMQGfEs0EZvOD9iEzYGCvgupNPRYduGq0Iu9e45aeRyr66F4odzYfoO2JC85/w640-h480/20240131_100147.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stambridge Mills in the distance.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">At Stambridge, there was a tidal mill from at least the 1500s, although few details are known until it was rebuilt in 1809. A pound was filled by the incoming tide, and was released to drive a water wheel as the tide fell. On spring tides, this gave around 7 hours of operation, which gradually decreased as the tides reduced, and at neap tides, the operation of the mill was entirely dependent on the flow from the upper river. Rankins, the millers, objected to plans by the Great Eastern Railway to build a dam and reservoirs in Rochford, as it would damage their operation, but a single reservoir was authorised in 1904.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The river channels are designated as "heavily modified" from their natural state by the Environment Agency, who measure the water quality. This is moderate for most of the tributaries, and the chemical status has improved since 2013. Charles Darwin's HMS Beagle was moored on the river from 1850 as a Coast Guard watch ship. It was sold for breaking, but an archaeological survey concluded in 2008 that much of it still remains buried beneath the mud near Paglesham. The Paglesham Reach is also significant for its native oysters.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kwoL3lNC9mDG5UyAZm_DfGMmC4BOD9Z88sA5kmvKneZYX0PIr0o-W9TGNu4KnYI9_bpEKxqvLFrYfIS3AX2O8wVuYyPtBryZRikiqNmgsXW2-BZyZfLijEH6VDUVMbdZag98WVC3gMuC3X8OFWzgwiTEjdQRishMfCFuls7WKP3Z20S4DImGZDMiyW_B/s4000/20240131_101501.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kwoL3lNC9mDG5UyAZm_DfGMmC4BOD9Z88sA5kmvKneZYX0PIr0o-W9TGNu4KnYI9_bpEKxqvLFrYfIS3AX2O8wVuYyPtBryZRikiqNmgsXW2-BZyZfLijEH6VDUVMbdZag98WVC3gMuC3X8OFWzgwiTEjdQRishMfCFuls7WKP3Z20S4DImGZDMiyW_B/w640-h480/20240131_101501.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We divert off the river along a path that takes us through then delightful Purdleys Industrial Estate and then out onto Sutton Road. ( I did say at the beginning that this wasn't going to be a spectacular walk!).</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJ2kwmUC5DIIkHA6bqiA52NUfDxyTDLKWKEinAwoT7O-nCEYixK29NV49WSQU92blE7WzNpDvUnw1k3lJQtnLzYAHMs7ieycpG8tAZeo9xs_T91cYud_pQEjfSiJnxoNegWYsaGaWt79VpKycZeEB7wKoN0MWvuPXAytyLy2wLqBRdQ2KWJjmPC3Daqgq/s3688/20240131_102129.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2766" data-original-width="3688" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJ2kwmUC5DIIkHA6bqiA52NUfDxyTDLKWKEinAwoT7O-nCEYixK29NV49WSQU92blE7WzNpDvUnw1k3lJQtnLzYAHMs7ieycpG8tAZeo9xs_T91cYud_pQEjfSiJnxoNegWYsaGaWt79VpKycZeEB7wKoN0MWvuPXAytyLy2wLqBRdQ2KWJjmPC3Daqgq/w640-h480/20240131_102129.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the end of Sutton Road we turn left pass the Anne Boleyn pub onto Southend Road.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Built in 1901, the pub is rumoured to be haunted as Anne Boleyn was from this area. Situated on the main road into Rochford town, opposite Southend Airport, the pub is easy to find. A Greene King Hungry Horse pub .</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgG8ZyIQspOu-l2TWmD1JUu31oHb0yTykcKCMYyI2D2xtpiLHdRTjBwgm07NBY_Tjv-NxxCLQOxcbvjFdKfQB-c7TQvDIq88XKAetjB3Rwiuw59LFXtKTypbLBhtXud27elMlFiOZBgswxblzY1Nr77ObREHjsHuBN8XjQjOP70Nr4TvYa54VtNHwA7u6/s3686/20240131_102541.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2764" data-original-width="3686" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgG8ZyIQspOu-l2TWmD1JUu31oHb0yTykcKCMYyI2D2xtpiLHdRTjBwgm07NBY_Tjv-NxxCLQOxcbvjFdKfQB-c7TQvDIq88XKAetjB3Rwiuw59LFXtKTypbLBhtXud27elMlFiOZBgswxblzY1Nr77ObREHjsHuBN8XjQjOP70Nr4TvYa54VtNHwA7u6/w640-h480/20240131_102541.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on along pass Southend Airport and its control tower.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The site opened as a military airfield for the Royal Flying Corps in 1916. It was used during World War One for training airmen and to attempt to intercept German raids on London. In 1919 the airfield was decommissioned and the site reverted to farmland. It reopened in 1935 as a civil airport. In 1939 the airport was once more used as a military airfield, known as RAF Rochford, mainly for fighter units of various nationalities. It was used by 11 Group of the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain: this group was the most heavily engaged in that battle. The airfield was still grass surfaced, and was equipped with a mixture of Bellman and Blister aircraft hangars. The airfield was protected by three Pickett Hamilton forts, (a special type of retractable pillbox) one of which survived in 1989 In 1944 it was also for armament practice and as a barrage balloon centre. After World War Two, it was again a civil airport. In 1955-1956 two hard runways were added. In 1995 there was a major programme of refurbishment at the airport, some airport buildings were demolished, and others renovated. In the early years of the 21st century there are plans to expand the airport.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Plenty of boring road walking, no commercial flights took off here while we walked by just light aircraft. Not a busy airport by any means, maybe busier on certain days?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk along Eastwoodbury Crescent and Lane, St Lawrence Way right onto Nestuda Way and then onto Eastwoodbury Lane to the church.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKvtJy7YgslFms1E4beAP87TL0gmMJWNafiWDrTpwedMccTmmTGRr9zy4fuiGJNs5VjvEErPwrM_O8RXroPJpfNrn6DVlmA-qh-wgUAe4HPIWDrp6Y2BsluTIDfVZ7bNjbJz9tfy_07ugV_bat7W8baZX6dom-LCq9reyorQIB7lX-bVNM8X6wAloeOkF/s4000/20240131_111106.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKvtJy7YgslFms1E4beAP87TL0gmMJWNafiWDrTpwedMccTmmTGRr9zy4fuiGJNs5VjvEErPwrM_O8RXroPJpfNrn6DVlmA-qh-wgUAe4HPIWDrp6Y2BsluTIDfVZ7bNjbJz9tfy_07ugV_bat7W8baZX6dom-LCq9reyorQIB7lX-bVNM8X6wAloeOkF/w640-h480/20240131_111106.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">St Laurence and All Saints is a Grade I listed medieval church in the parish of Eastwood, Essex, England, near to Southend-on-Sea. Its location adjacent to the perimeter of London Southend Airport has led to the church being threatened by proposals to expand the airport.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church has been described as "one of the finest and most important small medieval churches in South Essex, and of exceptional architectural, archaeological and historical significance". Notable features include the complex plan form and development, Norman font and doors with original fittings and the medieval woodwork including a priest's room. The site is also of "considerable, possibly exceptional, archaeological significance".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKl5mUSVNyz4l1vIW703DEkzGNOEIxTaH8GezPF4NGyc1Rz65SiYih94nYIP2vkQC4_5tHrZtSsh2KYoE9ihXcmzwm72VSO0T3ax6NabJp1bnyCy1RGhmgiIQjn3sAX6F5jwo7at2UeRJfA6Agz45AOhLxOzkMsEhVp04gAUOCUD1Edn956DoAAaqMki7/s4000/20240131_111141.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKl5mUSVNyz4l1vIW703DEkzGNOEIxTaH8GezPF4NGyc1Rz65SiYih94nYIP2vkQC4_5tHrZtSsh2KYoE9ihXcmzwm72VSO0T3ax6NabJp1bnyCy1RGhmgiIQjn3sAX6F5jwo7at2UeRJfA6Agz45AOhLxOzkMsEhVp04gAUOCUD1Edn956DoAAaqMki7/w640-h480/20240131_111141.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The first known record of the church is in 1100 A.D. when Robert Fitz Suen (Robert d'Essex) gave the chapels of Eastwood, Sutton and Prittlewell to the Prior of Prittlewell. It is evident that there was a church at Eastwood before that date; this was probably the present Norman nave with a small apsidal chancel. The antiquity of the site is borne out by the presence of a sarsen stone built into the walls. There are claims that this is the remains from when the site was used for pagan worship.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The early development of the church is still not completely understood. The nave is 12th-century in origin, with Norman window openings in the north wall. The south aisle was added in the 13th century and the north aisle in the 14th. The chancel is 13th-century, with a 14th-century roof. The nave roof is 15th-century.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The brick south porch was added in the 16th century. There were extensive works within the church in the 1870s when it was thoroughly restored by William White, including new seating. The broach spire was restored in the late 20th century.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixU5DC3bAJ9xQCWG6T7ABGnkTyVo8YoMLFuX2C8cQFkC2PsEOi_mDOBz1gpZJCtBWHgmD-2UheTa-6t7uosZZ8ZBb9Q4Sd1UNvkK4NHjjFyGXTfHatsUUgAz-cM5nDhmQZPBLKFBiB0qkfmcnk5FwQ7c0YbYx8jqafg3A-lAqh7k_vinHS5DT2aQO4TaAt/s3868/20240131_111256.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2901" data-original-width="3868" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixU5DC3bAJ9xQCWG6T7ABGnkTyVo8YoMLFuX2C8cQFkC2PsEOi_mDOBz1gpZJCtBWHgmD-2UheTa-6t7uosZZ8ZBb9Q4Sd1UNvkK4NHjjFyGXTfHatsUUgAz-cM5nDhmQZPBLKFBiB0qkfmcnk5FwQ7c0YbYx8jqafg3A-lAqh7k_vinHS5DT2aQO4TaAt/w640-h480/20240131_111256.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church stands within a large churchyard containing monuments including chest tombs dating back to the 18th century, with 20th-century extensions to the north containing several war graves. The churchyard is a pleasant area of trees, grass and wild flowers, carefully managed for its wildlife value.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church was popular with gypsies and other members of the travelling community who used it for christenings, marriages and funerals. The so-called "King of the Gypsies", Louis Boswell, was buried at Eastwood church in 1835. In the Burial Register he is described as a "Traveller aged 42" – "This man known as the King of the Gypsies was interred in the presence of a vast concourse of spectators".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bweKu6QKWiTUmyb8kmN4ivuyjqQJPB5goSqbgQMrP0LpbKz-uzow4DbSV4tAkwOR8p7aaP9WGIMORHXJSQkDSxtOGgqLw6reOCJ5LembHWicUZoYsBaLoIRz6Tu5Sj-bAhYDx1mJxKId6HgkLiUSxhrQA_qh3iwIO9GadVDY6e0Kjt5kN2_YV7Kluh3S/s4000/20240131_111442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bweKu6QKWiTUmyb8kmN4ivuyjqQJPB5goSqbgQMrP0LpbKz-uzow4DbSV4tAkwOR8p7aaP9WGIMORHXJSQkDSxtOGgqLw6reOCJ5LembHWicUZoYsBaLoIRz6Tu5Sj-bAhYDx1mJxKId6HgkLiUSxhrQA_qh3iwIO9GadVDY6e0Kjt5kN2_YV7Kluh3S/w640-h480/20240131_111442.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on and take Aviation Way onto an industrial estate where we walk onto Blackbox Brewery and its taproom.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70a4peEOdT7xvZ3qsjixw36sbibzlsXrxQi7Wg8ObSkVbEDjXrFQa_t9bgVNvvP78NCulkrLVwQNjrdVL6k0JhpHZsnHHeT43ZBB_fF25wZ9XKIGQPLPNUtAYt5_M_KyCkqBbcWkNT-RWIZacocQf7Ab9lv7Bg5lfXwgyZXXo8Mb9sI2qI8tgvo8vlpF8/s3837/20240131_112854.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3837" data-original-width="2374" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70a4peEOdT7xvZ3qsjixw36sbibzlsXrxQi7Wg8ObSkVbEDjXrFQa_t9bgVNvvP78NCulkrLVwQNjrdVL6k0JhpHZsnHHeT43ZBB_fF25wZ9XKIGQPLPNUtAYt5_M_KyCkqBbcWkNT-RWIZacocQf7Ab9lv7Bg5lfXwgyZXXo8Mb9sI2qI8tgvo8vlpF8/w396-h640/20240131_112854.jpg" width="396" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">An aviation-themed brewery launched at the start of the year and even opened its own a craft beer and ale taproom in September 2022.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjbAP7175_tuW702vEff8l6L2Ly2Hji1J8AW8a-ueUeEz_MJNvlMk31_AUQZ4_93Xv6IuTXoADa_768eIQrNKnW544jXb5KYl-1FBkMRRyBEr4GSGZ9awjCISVRVHXjCw6x963C5COOoiIjfQtqDSxpWBN3VB3cnu4vb_sol5e83PSxsFHjgqj2VmnCQe/s4000/20240131_113118.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjbAP7175_tuW702vEff8l6L2Ly2Hji1J8AW8a-ueUeEz_MJNvlMk31_AUQZ4_93Xv6IuTXoADa_768eIQrNKnW544jXb5KYl-1FBkMRRyBEr4GSGZ9awjCISVRVHXjCw6x963C5COOoiIjfQtqDSxpWBN3VB3cnu4vb_sol5e83PSxsFHjgqj2VmnCQe/w640-h480/20240131_113118.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We arrive before the 12 o'clock opening time but they come out and invite us in, seems a very friendly taproom and a good community.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3DJkhyphenhyphenGxNJ99TejDGp5fvOY6aD7TyWBblsa2-U0dlmQtPo9OPO5bsgxtHaHwvELEDR-CnI54LnQPhHzwTeVEWPMFsVs4T52gHQASUCB_Haaa8llYoEDEjihR8_Jg4bObNlSCSTZwqf5GdNSJOkkRz21wAY7l0rydZ064a_bDxX_i-DhCs7lwRLwdj8XC/s4000/20240131_113309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3DJkhyphenhyphenGxNJ99TejDGp5fvOY6aD7TyWBblsa2-U0dlmQtPo9OPO5bsgxtHaHwvELEDR-CnI54LnQPhHzwTeVEWPMFsVs4T52gHQASUCB_Haaa8llYoEDEjihR8_Jg4bObNlSCSTZwqf5GdNSJOkkRz21wAY7l0rydZ064a_bDxX_i-DhCs7lwRLwdj8XC/w480-h640/20240131_113309.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We drink our way through the selection. Cloud Cover NEIPA, Ground Speed APA, Lost Luggage ESB, Mild High Club Mild, a taster of Vocation Aoraki Imperial DIPA and finishing with a yummy local brewed Thinking Juice cider.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9KceZDY7WyMhnm29XWZZZpZZIOGUHPjyLFtG-UKA1h0xpLNJpBNJk1M1gra6CEQf8PIsclWBlfuLl2klomxux1cFpw6C9xE3Alu1N95Rau106y5meV9mX2FZK21olx4_p1diBHRVRYuXdtvY2987UP_KqwHsjTqM_LX9ekOSLXVLkgQ-qOwF4mw7U_sR/s4000/20240131_115947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9KceZDY7WyMhnm29XWZZZpZZIOGUHPjyLFtG-UKA1h0xpLNJpBNJk1M1gra6CEQf8PIsclWBlfuLl2klomxux1cFpw6C9xE3Alu1N95Rau106y5meV9mX2FZK21olx4_p1diBHRVRYuXdtvY2987UP_KqwHsjTqM_LX9ekOSLXVLkgQ-qOwF4mw7U_sR/w480-h640/20240131_115947.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the brewery and walk on through the estate, trying to find the path we need. We walk down a path that leads nowhere except to a field of horses that ran up to greet us.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jZ5y0fahd63tC3xw_6-Os-THVoEIHoGo_GCOLeOKYimKNgiTNNtfBp_SjTpuDbVPrTfxtjFi9oGaMfe4XbbFx8CLZYWvZDB49Z0SSl7eFzYSDb-cx3pHggD03M_1JhE7_58gFrRht9mli2ARiq3zqkiRm3POlQ5Vp3bUBMDadUehOcjzr90FxY6YzKlK/s4000/20240131_135201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jZ5y0fahd63tC3xw_6-Os-THVoEIHoGo_GCOLeOKYimKNgiTNNtfBp_SjTpuDbVPrTfxtjFi9oGaMfe4XbbFx8CLZYWvZDB49Z0SSl7eFzYSDb-cx3pHggD03M_1JhE7_58gFrRht9mli2ARiq3zqkiRm3POlQ5Vp3bUBMDadUehOcjzr90FxY6YzKlK/w480-h640/20240131_135201.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcal_GmcuWVsGpbGxfTPD1eHYexKgLMKWQxmJtyzg5PzFw59GfpgtxCL6o8nqoEOoHGNtdNN9Ds-gmTkMQ7aj1IGPMdIteKFs7nK6T81p2mjkO_EoukpykRzgdxTibU23t4ywZC5I_M4VpdY5koJGivJheJNjYuB_bKoSFfPQzsA0pByL277i1KQ2bE5uE/s1600/IMG-20240131-WA0011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcal_GmcuWVsGpbGxfTPD1eHYexKgLMKWQxmJtyzg5PzFw59GfpgtxCL6o8nqoEOoHGNtdNN9Ds-gmTkMQ7aj1IGPMdIteKFs7nK6T81p2mjkO_EoukpykRzgdxTibU23t4ywZC5I_M4VpdY5koJGivJheJNjYuB_bKoSFfPQzsA0pByL277i1KQ2bE5uE/w360-h640/IMG-20240131-WA0011.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We head back pass the brewery, and a member of bar staff looked bemused that we were still walking about after we'd left a while back. We walk on back out onto Aviation Way and onto Cherry Orchard Way. Maybe it was bad navigation or I was just too pissed but anyway we end up with more road walking.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQuJrJW56N2MViAGK1v_t5CkJdSRzwXheaV_fWYd13nS_iLyUu9X2SEiXpUmiIgMNhaRPXp0PdSWXq-TKhFJo112RNODubVj9cUYkeOt_RWxMgvqsUKjL_3MhGD6mPD03YwMHYfGJn_ijrtzt6BAmkH4Eqwj60CqqFdvcSbjqMWHfmq2kNsaTCxJXLouL/s4000/20240131_141818.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQuJrJW56N2MViAGK1v_t5CkJdSRzwXheaV_fWYd13nS_iLyUu9X2SEiXpUmiIgMNhaRPXp0PdSWXq-TKhFJo112RNODubVj9cUYkeOt_RWxMgvqsUKjL_3MhGD6mPD03YwMHYfGJn_ijrtzt6BAmkH4Eqwj60CqqFdvcSbjqMWHfmq2kNsaTCxJXLouL/w640-h480/20240131_141818.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk off Hall Road and up to Rochford Hall by the golf course.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwuqSRVx5ON5L9BbJS4o4xTVSE0I2iUm-e2N5NsRKr56HDgJCRInnC4p11w7px-9JchAw4MuAO8APwgmZjDLpvT7RwG0-fdAYZ09Vsl7pVT9nK0USVH2OpmXJfLBd-AhG6eVh2B1OazE2GhnC_0dUHXql-67EGFuBjADJoDYZVnFAxv4O3IsWSCJg_OiY/s3667/20240131_143815.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2750" data-original-width="3667" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwuqSRVx5ON5L9BbJS4o4xTVSE0I2iUm-e2N5NsRKr56HDgJCRInnC4p11w7px-9JchAw4MuAO8APwgmZjDLpvT7RwG0-fdAYZ09Vsl7pVT9nK0USVH2OpmXJfLBd-AhG6eVh2B1OazE2GhnC_0dUHXql-67EGFuBjADJoDYZVnFAxv4O3IsWSCJg_OiY/w640-h480/20240131_143815.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rochford Hall is a manor in Rochford, Essex, England. During the reign of King Henry VIII, it belonged to Thomas Boleyn, who was then Viscount Rochford, and it was the marital home of his daughter Mary Boleyn, sister of Anne Boleyn, and Mary's second husband, Sir William Stafford. It is now privately owned by Rochford Hundred Golf Club where it acts as the clubhouse and is a Grade I listed building.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The manor was originally built in 1216, which is the date carved into an old joist, and some of the arched doorways are original. In its 16th century form Rochford Hall comprised a sprawling turreted manor with a moat and great hall.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rochford Hall belonged to Sir Thomas Boleyn, father of Anne, as part of his rich inheritance from his mother Margaret Butler. Sir Thomas was created Viscount Rochford in 1525 and Earl of Wiltshire and Ormonde 1529 and his title derived from his ownership of Rochford Hall. Following the second marriage of Anne's elder sister Mary to William Stafford in 1534, Rochford Hall was given to the couple as their principal residence. In 1550 the Rochford estate was sold to Richard, Lord Rich.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">By the late 17th Century Rochford Hall was owned by the Child Family of Wanstead House, Essex, later Earl Tylney. It then descended with the Wanstead Estate to James Tylney-Long, his daughter Catherine Tylney-Long and via the Long-Wellesley Family to Henry Wellesley, 1st Earl Cowley. He sold it to a local gentleman farmer in 1867.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rochford Hall was usually let, on long leases, or used by the Steward of the Rochford or greater Essex Estates of the Tylney-Long family.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There have been many additions and alterations to the manor over the centuries, not least a catastrophic fire in 1791. The 20-foot-high (6.1 m) stained glass replica window in the main hall consists of three coats-of-arms of previous owners including the crest of Anne Boleyn.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzivp-Wl-IwRmlcyKhgLkf0IVCgDYn9rplFRQdj-YAOpLbNGt6UfzzwYcyUiBb1HrQzvmW3vZeAdYfx5pRHqUXo6H13Dd7YiGzeBFPE7QM1AtD4UoqtejOG5xGJJwfxFiR5JnPED6mzyNjWz4xu3JR_MMiD82VlDQINfRdUksIWK8U65wyQDrp6k9qZ-_/s3834/20240131_143829.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2875" data-original-width="3834" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzivp-Wl-IwRmlcyKhgLkf0IVCgDYn9rplFRQdj-YAOpLbNGt6UfzzwYcyUiBb1HrQzvmW3vZeAdYfx5pRHqUXo6H13Dd7YiGzeBFPE7QM1AtD4UoqtejOG5xGJJwfxFiR5JnPED6mzyNjWz4xu3JR_MMiD82VlDQINfRdUksIWK8U65wyQDrp6k9qZ-_/w640-h480/20240131_143829.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rochford Hall.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">In 1777, the owner of Rochford Hall decided to dissuade travellers from this natural approach to Rochford running past his front door, so he built Hall Road slightly away from his property and included a bridge across the Roach tributary. This road would later become a Turnpike or toll road.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDWegZhdEwLCG1kAvPm1XfA85cK0432USenBEsDt4lEimcT8WZs03657YnOsBLe264UiXRer5R051qptf0GaS_iOMXGKcW6uUOJV_rPULhOk_c-XHXhq1fEB-YBj-q_pjItrMTwpLeXrqD7PH4h3vyOBDtLLiLx0QpL_Q0DcQAjK1WmjawleynNjslz87/s4000/20240131_143833.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDWegZhdEwLCG1kAvPm1XfA85cK0432USenBEsDt4lEimcT8WZs03657YnOsBLe264UiXRer5R051qptf0GaS_iOMXGKcW6uUOJV_rPULhOk_c-XHXhq1fEB-YBj-q_pjItrMTwpLeXrqD7PH4h3vyOBDtLLiLx0QpL_Q0DcQAjK1WmjawleynNjslz87/w640-h480/20240131_143833.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk pass St Andrews Church here by the golf course an Rochford Hall.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">St Andrew’s church building has its origins in the 13th and 14th centuries, although the list of incumbents lets us know that people were worshipping God on this site much earlier than this. Take a while to look inside at the stained-glass windows and the inscriptions on the tombs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The 15th/16th century tower is a fine example of Tudor brickwork, featuring interspersed Reigate stone to give a diaper pattern. The tower is built from 15th century brick that came from Rochford brickworks and was built by Thomas Boteler, Earl of Ormond, the maternal great grandfather of Anne Boleyn. Although Sir Richard Rich would later claim the tower’s construction, and indeed may have contributed to its completion in some way, the Ormond coat of arms above the west entrance seems to settle this dispute. To the north is the vestry, a late 16th century brick addition.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Edward Calamy would join the church in the 1630’s and soon caught malaria as a result of living in this area. He would preach all his sermons while sitting at his desk as he became dizzy if he stood up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1862 the interior of the church was restored, by replacing the old pews, raising the ceiling and removing the gallery. The Reverend Benjamin Cotton became rector in 1861, staying for over fifty years and oversaw many of these changes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2Qp-beWFhLTJM4baEH1B6sg9NE0s6T4f6sVTSam1PXRxXKItgGw86kvIsdZgCfNbN5eaHKksktFvtIjyicVziJUTJ369Y2Vo_qWOLujlLKFRDXIHRJmjIjeovXmdD7VV5hzGhUHSo_HWyJy-m3dRaiCWTtJXc_RtTzeCG8lAScGMnjstjO7xpBkgfxw8/s3779/20240131_144748.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2834" data-original-width="3779" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2Qp-beWFhLTJM4baEH1B6sg9NE0s6T4f6sVTSam1PXRxXKItgGw86kvIsdZgCfNbN5eaHKksktFvtIjyicVziJUTJ369Y2Vo_qWOLujlLKFRDXIHRJmjIjeovXmdD7VV5hzGhUHSo_HWyJy-m3dRaiCWTtJXc_RtTzeCG8lAScGMnjstjO7xpBkgfxw8/w640-h480/20240131_144748.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Benton, the local farmer and historian, recorded in 1882 that smugglers secretly used the church tower to store gin, tea and other goods brought from France and a cavity below the pulpit was called the magazine!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Rochford parish memorial to local victims of the Great War of 1914-18 was moved to its present location in the tower in 2005. In the porch, wooden boards list the name of every Rochford resident who served in the war. The Great War caused difficulty for faith groups, especially when conscription became law. The Peculiar People wrestled with this topic – was it right for men to bear arms against each other? Some took on work of national importance, which meant that they could help the war effort without actually fighting, others became conscientious objectors and of this group many would serve hard labour in Dartmoor Jail. The conditions there were hard, food was consistently bad, and anyone caught looking out of his cell window during the day was punished with three days of a bread and water diet.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today, the church is possibly unique in now being completely surrounded by a golf course.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back onto Hall Lane and back to the Train Station for the journey home. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just under eight and a half mile walk and plenty of beer!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUzeWK44SSIBJ2OZTHBBWf6ityNOr9c9J78_fjjD9kkJMqdfH5h_HrkZfZDJvVgGZnWudYneMsC__o9jIbzFCsIeArpVxeKB98__ACaoB5W8iupQBZMQbch36sGJ6kE9wwtbdBkOh04Fx51BHUmGaVi85-D4QqPQgPckx7wUMiKK9Nag1Bm65rJaC9T0F/s1301/Screenshot%202024-02-04%20140551.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="1301" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUzeWK44SSIBJ2OZTHBBWf6ityNOr9c9J78_fjjD9kkJMqdfH5h_HrkZfZDJvVgGZnWudYneMsC__o9jIbzFCsIeArpVxeKB98__ACaoB5W8iupQBZMQbch36sGJ6kE9wwtbdBkOh04Fx51BHUmGaVi85-D4QqPQgPckx7wUMiKK9Nag1Bm65rJaC9T0F/w640-h356/Screenshot%202024-02-04%20140551.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-59146395859640600972024-01-18T22:24:00.205+00:002024-01-21T19:50:16.932+00:00Barcelona and Monserrat trip 15th to 18th January 2024<div class="separator"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On 14th January 2024 Mel and I caught the Elizabeth Line to Heathrow Terminal 5 and checked in online and printed our boarding passes. This is the first time we have flown in 30 years and a lot has changed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We then made our way by tube and bus to our hotel, Ibis Budget Heathrow on Bath Road. Rooms nice and quiet considering we are on the flight path from Heathrow, Food however was horrid and barely edible, wish we'd known there were takeaways just up the road.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRs1wILpNHMbHZJVdUEpe0oaPUP9HAhnVZIImOwKNIqPr2XR6z3MIt-8rUPy-IkHFClqC0iSBk9G9FkYd4WIZFvW7VlEjz5fAFNfNR6BB7Ygka3nY9WbBngUt59w9Vapq7GU-b8FfTIbZI4xhc73BvqCbObUBX-suQcBsFLb8G5w9hQDYMLQ7b9Y8rqdB/s4000/20240114_161615.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRs1wILpNHMbHZJVdUEpe0oaPUP9HAhnVZIImOwKNIqPr2XR6z3MIt-8rUPy-IkHFClqC0iSBk9G9FkYd4WIZFvW7VlEjz5fAFNfNR6BB7Ygka3nY9WbBngUt59w9Vapq7GU-b8FfTIbZI4xhc73BvqCbObUBX-suQcBsFLb8G5w9hQDYMLQ7b9Y8rqdB/w480-h640/20240114_161615.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Day One : 15th January 2024</u></b></div></b></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">I couldn't sleep for some reason and only managed 2 hours sleep. We we up early to catch the N9 bus outside to the airport for 4am.</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">Here everything was closed apart from the Pret a Manger where we grab a coffee. The security doesn't open until 0430 am!</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BHeKH24I4BenCVTGSwwCZy6VJCA8TQuIoiHR-Od0F6BUH2KCFjju9sj4zetRVK7riuR6odqBp1kTJGUdkUctgNtAJWeRKhYzMDQXxJys3lmLh2t4WHVCvYvwP5SiY8OTFkKOmjNJIbXzGT1uuBTiD9rI7elVD1jNq-ypbl-oGBBb_msD_v_LKhe0mCaX/s4000/20240115_071044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BHeKH24I4BenCVTGSwwCZy6VJCA8TQuIoiHR-Od0F6BUH2KCFjju9sj4zetRVK7riuR6odqBp1kTJGUdkUctgNtAJWeRKhYzMDQXxJys3lmLh2t4WHVCvYvwP5SiY8OTFkKOmjNJIbXzGT1uuBTiD9rI7elVD1jNq-ypbl-oGBBb_msD_v_LKhe0mCaX/w640-h480/20240115_071044.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We made our way through security and then take the transit to the Boarding gate. The plane takes off on time at 6am and is almost empty!</div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2wFNln1ic2IpiNOsT8XGriYDd5PjJnKKlcbNOJIPE9Z1WyFJVemqV_4sizhlz6nnFl6Xy_QRDLxrAjNmoBCnttdnsGdS0SGKV164vi6IY6M72ZkNaZcLeR3X0L9KfO-n8S422GPA4WEHIZQRGE2Db7horpEmftx7i5mVxYFdlZreSuxZ0pLlMvqgXI0F/s4000/20240115_072034.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2wFNln1ic2IpiNOsT8XGriYDd5PjJnKKlcbNOJIPE9Z1WyFJVemqV_4sizhlz6nnFl6Xy_QRDLxrAjNmoBCnttdnsGdS0SGKV164vi6IY6M72ZkNaZcLeR3X0L9KfO-n8S422GPA4WEHIZQRGE2Db7horpEmftx7i5mVxYFdlZreSuxZ0pLlMvqgXI0F/w640-h480/20240115_072034.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying over the Pyrenees mountains.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUCtaW6fBKwlFmYbLEe_0u9oaRmUiol_WCY1VHFCxyiwhUgcnyg3zurfbLjh0VZgAQzfEVtk5pGbUICcS0ofyvVg-4qbZYPrs8wZGpNKNGlip_EC4rxSM5yuN1irBrJlzMy0lGLEEonQdaCDwNxJLmHqCSNFSG04IKOW0aY4hh-7osSqRJkFE9y46_4Bd/s4000/20240115_072457.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUCtaW6fBKwlFmYbLEe_0u9oaRmUiol_WCY1VHFCxyiwhUgcnyg3zurfbLjh0VZgAQzfEVtk5pGbUICcS0ofyvVg-4qbZYPrs8wZGpNKNGlip_EC4rxSM5yuN1irBrJlzMy0lGLEEonQdaCDwNxJLmHqCSNFSG04IKOW0aY4hh-7osSqRJkFE9y46_4Bd/w640-h480/20240115_072457.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After about 1 hour and 45 minutes we are descending over Barcelona and down into El Prat Airport.</div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZZFH1Wllc5egO-D3Q6C-43SZNQVS91axgzb0egiia_6eRb2Rn_l5yvsPIznLESTSdIqFZu03Irb-RfmJrT2B_tGZWw02pokGW5gGsGekg4hcTbfjN0U1A0Aw2phe_0F4Wv-35T2vpEa50o4-L0sx2Wvhw96Uyre0ry4PeD4dfithwJ3PifUAYigMRUgf/s4000/20240115_073149.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZZFH1Wllc5egO-D3Q6C-43SZNQVS91axgzb0egiia_6eRb2Rn_l5yvsPIznLESTSdIqFZu03Irb-RfmJrT2B_tGZWw02pokGW5gGsGekg4hcTbfjN0U1A0Aw2phe_0F4Wv-35T2vpEa50o4-L0sx2Wvhw96Uyre0ry4PeD4dfithwJ3PifUAYigMRUgf/w640-h480/20240115_073149.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We land in Barcelona and once outside I still haven't had a call from my pre-arranged taxi. Several calls later I managed to make contact and he arrives half hour late blaming it on bad traffic. We travel 25 minutes and arrive at our hotel in Carrer de <span style="text-align: center;">Escudellers the Hotel Barcelona House. We drop our cases here and make our way out onto La Rambla.</span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKMUyizdIkoUYgetBoHc1pBlLVKCKkQyicRqY8ELYKPaFR4dbNwamvkjvT5sX1Psevs-uzzs-iE17Y_5sEhnQowDN_bo-bJGveg94bmC8RaP1l3eXQ-M-ynaPDs-_62SRLbDwDex6BYciryD-ipdxQHRXRtcT1aWg0mrpku3sNuykUjRDaq2jt_UAcL7T7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKMUyizdIkoUYgetBoHc1pBlLVKCKkQyicRqY8ELYKPaFR4dbNwamvkjvT5sX1Psevs-uzzs-iE17Y_5sEhnQowDN_bo-bJGveg94bmC8RaP1l3eXQ-M-ynaPDs-_62SRLbDwDex6BYciryD-ipdxQHRXRtcT1aWg0mrpku3sNuykUjRDaq2jt_UAcL7T7=w626-h470" width="626" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">La Rambla is considered the most well known street in central Barcelona. A tree-lined pedestrian street, it stretches for 3⁄4 mile connecting the Plaça de Catalunya in its center with the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell. La Rambla forms the boundary between the neighbourhoods of the Barri Gòtic to the east and the El Raval to the west.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">La Rambla can be crowded, especially during the height of the tourist season. It hosts a combination of eateries, shops, markets, and cultural institutions.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Spanish poet Federico García Lorca once said that La Rambla was "the only street in the world which I wish would never end."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We make our way to the end of La Rambla where it meets <span style="text-align: left;">Plaça de Catalunya.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The plaza occupies an area of about 50,000 square metres. It is especially known for its fountains and statues, its proximity to some of Barcelona's most popular attractions, and the flocks of pigeons that gather in the centre. The square played a significant part in the Spanish Civil War, in particular as a site of key events of the May Days.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here we board a <a href="https://www.hop-on-hop-off-bus.com/barcelona/barcelona-bus-turistic-hop-on-hop-off-tour_14002?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnrOtBhDIARIsAFsSe51ymRbz4iw8fuIwDvH3A2MP0ccjWr8_u_xLLWpMyEkLy7Jkb56GMW8aAm-qEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Barcelona Bus Turistic: Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour.</a> It runs two routes Red and Blue. We board the Blue route and it sets off.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzc4lpMtTeVrcXPwd-3MZt8j6OIz-m4nYYl_GWROKi3wQcSHXHZpEudHDgcFIhJWMlmAsXhP1X6N_SbnGhgkGCOadU4vxRVXv71lGux3RoSoTKvmvhZbWuX44VBTtTNB20mX8BZHIIlXhtdxiAszwCHqiZYxTezwbgNuqxKxP6gS4daWqLGpH4kLefqKg/s4000/20240115_102550.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzc4lpMtTeVrcXPwd-3MZt8j6OIz-m4nYYl_GWROKi3wQcSHXHZpEudHDgcFIhJWMlmAsXhP1X6N_SbnGhgkGCOadU4vxRVXv71lGux3RoSoTKvmvhZbWuX44VBTtTNB20mX8BZHIIlXhtdxiAszwCHqiZYxTezwbgNuqxKxP6gS4daWqLGpH4kLefqKg/w640-h480/20240115_102550.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The bus travels along Pg.de. Grácias and passes Casa Battló on our left.</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTI8zVx3R7xfy-3FoEWM3Kll2qH-NeEf7RDdeNikz4p5go8Oii66CnHA39TiNEnty4dGHG_um4aOEAy-Giu724rum-fQ2Uif0DY2iizMyhu-NBVryKvA1xCb54uAk_y7F4h1Oyn59Bp59PznJAe5Oz0HqtdH-9qCu8-RLGWu03Za5BYLmZiXutTF56TDal/s3639/20240115_104912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2729" data-original-width="3639" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTI8zVx3R7xfy-3FoEWM3Kll2qH-NeEf7RDdeNikz4p5go8Oii66CnHA39TiNEnty4dGHG_um4aOEAy-Giu724rum-fQ2Uif0DY2iizMyhu-NBVryKvA1xCb54uAk_y7F4h1Oyn59Bp59PznJAe5Oz0HqtdH-9qCu8-RLGWu03Za5BYLmZiXutTF56TDal/w640-h480/20240115_104912.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">An unmatched architectural treasure in a city defined by its otherworldly Modernista buildings, Unesco-listed Casa Batlló is undoubtedly one of Antoni Gaudí’s great jewels.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Created between 1904 and 1906 for the wealthy Batlló family, the once-private home on glamorous Passeig de Gràcia combines a shimmering tile-covered facade, bone-evoking stone columns, a dragon-back-shaped rooftop and undulating marine-world forms with revolutionary advances in both light and architecture. This is Gaudí at his whimsical, nature-inspired peak.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As you gaze at the building’s swirling shapes, delicate trencadís (smashed-up tilework) and curving design (Gaudí avoided straight lines as nature doesn’t have any), the whole place feels almost alive. For many people, the legend of Sant Jordi (Saint George – the patron saint of Catalonia) and the Dragon runs through the entire structure, and you’ll certainly feel this up on the unmissable rooftop.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPu3B9NHJI4UMFwUoocnmQtnvpRfSVeMtaHnRWuaQE4_X3dz-8DU1IPtdEZPsDZYOZM-PFq-sXWmBqnOCeuXQPiq52p3xaX8JN-5e2FyvHbYkEsK_vZKbdhw-pETOc-6r9V6mWTyPkLtZ3GUUbYzP5a5BEvSR2cEqNCpPkAPtFh5gtHhcoMiIHnAUR5nL/w480-h640/20240115_104919.jpg" width="480" /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;">Unlike Gaudí’s neighboring, also-spectacular La Pedrera (Casa Milà), which was originally conceived as apartments and offices, Casa Batlló was a custom-designed residential home from the beginning and most of the privately owned building is now open to visitors.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9CSjzg6WsOQWn2c8qAkrDA5rb3IgTYfQroA30yfWFmVWjnnuzr_f6LTUZ7iAoi1X-IryrMtZuiJCrcEKalJ396oPmhfI1TrT2QZBJffpRjloSaTKgiGNSodUt_InK_eCm7ASZCDeqc0a2cR64yCqrY-_SxVcwbmd40WUak_va2ARQpooqCmLRaCxBaOl/s3697/20240115_104933.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2773" data-original-width="3697" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9CSjzg6WsOQWn2c8qAkrDA5rb3IgTYfQroA30yfWFmVWjnnuzr_f6LTUZ7iAoi1X-IryrMtZuiJCrcEKalJ396oPmhfI1TrT2QZBJffpRjloSaTKgiGNSodUt_InK_eCm7ASZCDeqc0a2cR64yCqrY-_SxVcwbmd40WUak_va2ARQpooqCmLRaCxBaOl/w640-h480/20240115_104933.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Next door to the left is Casa Amatller,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Casa Amatller is a building in the Modernisme style in Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain, designed by renowned Catalan architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch. Along with Casa Batlló and Casa Lleó-Morera, it makes up the three most important buildings in Barcelona's famous Illa de la Discòrdia ("Block of Discord"), noted for its unique, contrasting modern buildings.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The building was originally constructed in 1875, then redesigned as a residence for wealthy chocolatier and archaeological enthusiast Antoni Amatller between 1898 and 1900. After his death in 1910, it remained the home of Amatller's daughter until her death in 1960. The continuous ownership by the Amatller family meant that the house's interior of 1900 has remained largely preserved intact to the present day. It now serves as a historic house museum, café, and the Amatller Institute for Hispanic Art, a scholarly study centre. The house is regularly open for scheduled tours.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGB_AEID-kdvqdiOn8D6egbsde_-aVGkqfJPQVH8wplbAsVmnvJsGt3MKLVnnaX7nnipKJ3vCzS3lOP9A1qPpKPBIRHCUL7MuDvaFS0jV_4jSGEaXZMCBIxgwleM7FDc-HLIdF7jIVAy3pTWzJIUT1OetDeEgCNgKybM1Rj5poDlx73JR8-D02ex5HrzF/s3722/20240115_105051.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2792" data-original-width="3722" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGB_AEID-kdvqdiOn8D6egbsde_-aVGkqfJPQVH8wplbAsVmnvJsGt3MKLVnnaX7nnipKJ3vCzS3lOP9A1qPpKPBIRHCUL7MuDvaFS0jV_4jSGEaXZMCBIxgwleM7FDc-HLIdF7jIVAy3pTWzJIUT1OetDeEgCNgKybM1Rj5poDlx73JR8-D02ex5HrzF/w640-h480/20240115_105051.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The bus continues along its route and we eventually arrive at <span style="text-align: left;">Plaça d'Espanya.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;">It is one of Barcelona's most important squares, built on the occasion of the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition, held at the foot of Montjuïc, in the Sants-Montjuïc district.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO501Zd-gcEw1BOAx27Q5gNoTu5AJgYcfHm9hNv3I0-rmRGCNGViKpibFe3XdSfCpwKcK4OlmOCqimrsL5XRgctC6mcHKtO4HieKLAW4LPoiG2edXqaWLOqUSgEQ2jyvqTEFG6syaf0Z2jTu0btevb0Ek3L15NtlivgRcZLsXyGoplADH_rCYaSA4RjYPV/s3899/20240115_111539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2924" data-original-width="3899" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO501Zd-gcEw1BOAx27Q5gNoTu5AJgYcfHm9hNv3I0-rmRGCNGViKpibFe3XdSfCpwKcK4OlmOCqimrsL5XRgctC6mcHKtO4HieKLAW4LPoiG2edXqaWLOqUSgEQ2jyvqTEFG6syaf0Z2jTu0btevb0Ek3L15NtlivgRcZLsXyGoplADH_rCYaSA4RjYPV/w640-h480/20240115_111539.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the city's biggest squares, it is the junction of several major thoroughfares The fountain at the centre of the square was designed by Josep Maria Jujol, a collaborator of Antoni Gaudí, while Miquel Blay designed the statues. The buildings were designed by Nicolau Maria Rubió i Tudurí.</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuZbK9TIBCS9ZXev2a_hTtYcbAoLUuAnhRXD6WL-vEudoZl0gjeh-Deg54dfqIzjEslpAFFwcJwyNPfQ-CZc-pWnFkZ9gt7m1PVPNSJvWH80MlrD9ZXSlSmBMVzfE5X5gWR35OQT2P8YI6pq1Hlzg-6MgmAHe-vsCP8hVEu_CCBn2dseAlMOeh5ukE3XH/s3806/20240115_111606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2854" data-original-width="3806" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuZbK9TIBCS9ZXev2a_hTtYcbAoLUuAnhRXD6WL-vEudoZl0gjeh-Deg54dfqIzjEslpAFFwcJwyNPfQ-CZc-pWnFkZ9gt7m1PVPNSJvWH80MlrD9ZXSlSmBMVzfE5X5gWR35OQT2P8YI6pq1Hlzg-6MgmAHe-vsCP8hVEu_CCBn2dseAlMOeh5ukE3XH/w640-h480/20240115_111606.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Venetian Towers is the popular name for a pair of towers. There is one tower on either side of the street.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The towers are 47m high, they were modelled on the campanile of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;">They were originally envisaged in Léon Jaussely's city expansion plan of 1907, and designed by architect Ramon Reventós [ca] and built in the period 1927 to 1929, as part of the redevelopment of the area for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition. Reventós was also involved in a number of other projects featured in the exhibition, such as the Greek Theatre (Teatre Grec), the Spanish Village (Poble Espanyol) and the buildings of the Montjuïc Funicular on the nearby hill of Montjuïc.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They serve an ornamental function, to mark the entrance to the exhibition district, now known as Fira de Barcelona, and the start of the grand avenue leading up to the Palau Nacional on Montjuïc, which houses the National Art Museum of Catalonia.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYrI7k7OdTd9CnwFko6poWG8hCMeUAID0d1RnSOvuvD_1B-3bqXsf5Wg5H7NjG9jDZpr-g_BzugB10JTc_HuL6sgL6MP5AEh7YrIRDsgQMvCcFp_aMgLodR92HQN8ecNEJSX5w0ZLVEufyDEwP4PSvVCqtTECfJ-pWP-HKS7lbUxPhFPB4WzAb5yN72KV/s4000/20240115_111614.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYrI7k7OdTd9CnwFko6poWG8hCMeUAID0d1RnSOvuvD_1B-3bqXsf5Wg5H7NjG9jDZpr-g_BzugB10JTc_HuL6sgL6MP5AEh7YrIRDsgQMvCcFp_aMgLodR92HQN8ecNEJSX5w0ZLVEufyDEwP4PSvVCqtTECfJ-pWP-HKS7lbUxPhFPB4WzAb5yN72KV/s4000/20240115_111614.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYrI7k7OdTd9CnwFko6poWG8hCMeUAID0d1RnSOvuvD_1B-3bqXsf5Wg5H7NjG9jDZpr-g_BzugB10JTc_HuL6sgL6MP5AEh7YrIRDsgQMvCcFp_aMgLodR92HQN8ecNEJSX5w0ZLVEufyDEwP4PSvVCqtTECfJ-pWP-HKS7lbUxPhFPB4WzAb5yN72KV/w640-h480/20240115_111614.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the background is the Arenas de Barcelona, a bullring - It was built in 1900 in the Moorish Revival style and has been converted into a shopping centre.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkKFOrR8cbDqe9r9PeV83CBSNCetLxvhuMTFcCGEa-2kCJ1Di3aahw08C7l4gGao5ZuQO5hJsv04yQ3RhGGqoyZQ4-DOIckNrsqiHYdUjM3_3_6F21wds97Vaa6WzLNRivK7LitAsRbkryO8Z3fx4Pu6-9FFXGj9uwFarqRwYsZNt8mfp8CLFcGvquqQa/s3881/20240115_111833.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2911" data-original-width="3881" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkKFOrR8cbDqe9r9PeV83CBSNCetLxvhuMTFcCGEa-2kCJ1Di3aahw08C7l4gGao5ZuQO5hJsv04yQ3RhGGqoyZQ4-DOIckNrsqiHYdUjM3_3_6F21wds97Vaa6WzLNRivK7LitAsRbkryO8Z3fx4Pu6-9FFXGj9uwFarqRwYsZNt8mfp8CLFcGvquqQa/w640-h480/20240115_111833.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The bus makes its way uphill to Muntjuic Park.</div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzg5K_3B_iEAEI2milfqEw-cOaMR87XIHtnLoZIFr5Pvxdu7TEflKcrPCCqpw5hivIQLk1hXVprVFPuUhncm6_kAr9r1wEr-biZCsaySCX7DWGNsQLVpWMzj_lv1g_B8JPZ0bA9xlS0BAWdRNCG56kjM4yJ_6zOWdmP5q2gPy_eJLUu7rSGg9fw7O6lVSx/s4000/20240115_111949.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzg5K_3B_iEAEI2milfqEw-cOaMR87XIHtnLoZIFr5Pvxdu7TEflKcrPCCqpw5hivIQLk1hXVprVFPuUhncm6_kAr9r1wEr-biZCsaySCX7DWGNsQLVpWMzj_lv1g_B8JPZ0bA9xlS0BAWdRNCG56kjM4yJ_6zOWdmP5q2gPy_eJLUu7rSGg9fw7O6lVSx/w640-h480/20240115_111949.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvig-mc7pVyr8uTAAn68CXvErDa-2tlZmmVFs8kQgWX60PhFFLyvnj_CI0cA8A5qLPFnhaJpfJ8_FeE8-1_J1ZOeGxVdkQ7XDoTaSuu1VN2WM7ABSJztERnjXWx__npVfvTtymLBPmdHjj1HCXv3kw4uYzxA4D9N2r6hY-6T2pmMmmPTZoFTMMpOZu7TW/s3689/20240115_112052.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2767" data-original-width="3689" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvig-mc7pVyr8uTAAn68CXvErDa-2tlZmmVFs8kQgWX60PhFFLyvnj_CI0cA8A5qLPFnhaJpfJ8_FeE8-1_J1ZOeGxVdkQ7XDoTaSuu1VN2WM7ABSJztERnjXWx__npVfvTtymLBPmdHjj1HCXv3kw4uYzxA4D9N2r6hY-6T2pmMmmPTZoFTMMpOZu7TW/w640-h480/20240115_112052.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We alight the bus next to the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfYMRTG2lLQPevNJpFPBzronVhKbwvoLtU6mtad_VwcorHKTxcHCX-rtSuw0Uoz18dZxpZyI9IlTRH6-ePeAz5jJ-evBv_1YPWe9xcxeH-fM8AMR3XFKjDvpJVWTPplG8Q2juRfuzl6yPs-cCCkwa2I79iR6VNzIjTyHQ-OcOX3QuJoalmBWiWBSELPap/s4000/20240115_112444.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfYMRTG2lLQPevNJpFPBzronVhKbwvoLtU6mtad_VwcorHKTxcHCX-rtSuw0Uoz18dZxpZyI9IlTRH6-ePeAz5jJ-evBv_1YPWe9xcxeH-fM8AMR3XFKjDvpJVWTPplG8Q2juRfuzl6yPs-cCCkwa2I79iR6VNzIjTyHQ-OcOX3QuJoalmBWiWBSELPap/w640-h480/20240115_112444.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Museu Nacional takes visitors on an uninterrupted journey through a thousand years of Catalan art, from the 10th to the 20th centuries. The itinerary focuses on religious heritage in particular and how it has adapted over the centuries. You'll find original apses from Romanesque churches, religious carvings, Gothic altarpieces and the decorative sumptuousness of the baroque period. A series of works divided into four major permanent collections: Romanesque and Gothic art, Renaissance and Baroque art, Modern art, photography, drawings, prints and posters and the Catalan Numismatic Department.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRI98PfZ60WIzDZutP3Ox8GvKn3LpCbThWXLfpkgEbXdMUtKi6b3uA1Fh15n8Twz5_7K7P786H13a1WJAr5_0sQm_qyf5jEB3mM9ljeWftMYaZfB7T_IxV9DHUWqYPStXQNF3H6nesZtUMUw-b9E_jrZAckrXyY1RJQ02fp2Lw66AhVgqu3-oeL-dI5X0R/s3888/20240115_112629.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2916" data-original-width="3888" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRI98PfZ60WIzDZutP3Ox8GvKn3LpCbThWXLfpkgEbXdMUtKi6b3uA1Fh15n8Twz5_7K7P786H13a1WJAr5_0sQm_qyf5jEB3mM9ljeWftMYaZfB7T_IxV9DHUWqYPStXQNF3H6nesZtUMUw-b9E_jrZAckrXyY1RJQ02fp2Lw66AhVgqu3-oeL-dI5X0R/w640-h480/20240115_112629.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From up high here we have amazing views back down over Plaça d'Espanya and beyond.</div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lGUj4rXbDXfEGu2MVpYZC1QWx2kr5O7JuF9IvVnJRSPd53NEF7PZNKjtiiApwb3G7q9TpW7i1Rh7Z7oaDWicMA6QrN3PYPCPYMsS_P7pkL_rB6HD4MEy5EYBqURTzdOAQxfqWtzdkMs76FgEJt44maKMjQRFGkralcc1V3GlP7DFbJhvNzF8DgdzZ41U/s3452/20240115_112639.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2589" data-original-width="3452" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lGUj4rXbDXfEGu2MVpYZC1QWx2kr5O7JuF9IvVnJRSPd53NEF7PZNKjtiiApwb3G7q9TpW7i1Rh7Z7oaDWicMA6QrN3PYPCPYMsS_P7pkL_rB6HD4MEy5EYBqURTzdOAQxfqWtzdkMs76FgEJt44maKMjQRFGkralcc1V3GlP7DFbJhvNzF8DgdzZ41U/w640-h480/20240115_112639.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Montjuïc Hill has borne witness to, and been the focus of key events that have shaped its personality. The first such event was the 1929 International Exhibition held in Barcelona which fostered the development of the zone. More recently, the 1992 Olympic Games brought about major renewal.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquOO7Q7KV23KbZhU0dxoQPx64vmBEQ49omN1YTZTHjt8ijfupXO7Vubi4FfslJMaDdTk5WYftv7-wX4PL7jmSYQnZSyiE12umXdNzkOk3swLY8D2En5Cn7jvu0X7p_de7QzdMCGqIs6ImuVbkUcfOTzUwvRJNOghI2zOsHFS0VEsn3SO41kZ4SkeIeg99/s3492/20240115_112711.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2619" data-original-width="3492" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquOO7Q7KV23KbZhU0dxoQPx64vmBEQ49omN1YTZTHjt8ijfupXO7Vubi4FfslJMaDdTk5WYftv7-wX4PL7jmSYQnZSyiE12umXdNzkOk3swLY8D2En5Cn7jvu0X7p_de7QzdMCGqIs6ImuVbkUcfOTzUwvRJNOghI2zOsHFS0VEsn3SO41kZ4SkeIeg99/w640-h480/20240115_112711.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3n2rF4PL8Pv6zKpRK4Mc4ZdSs7vWviJwzzGK2AQl2oCXL5UbbxGYxhA9UxaHzXdttqyP6Wkrlxi7Lc2i7hsB1XpJBcAiibokW3gZgWfrPgLshDrN1-_VusdFPqRGz-vig_O2k6KncUgvMsoS1moR8QiQwzqsmLLcmKocAFxN3T8XTODaEmg9scs1mjQ-n/s3970/20240115_112724.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2978" data-original-width="3970" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3n2rF4PL8Pv6zKpRK4Mc4ZdSs7vWviJwzzGK2AQl2oCXL5UbbxGYxhA9UxaHzXdttqyP6Wkrlxi7Lc2i7hsB1XpJBcAiibokW3gZgWfrPgLshDrN1-_VusdFPqRGz-vig_O2k6KncUgvMsoS1moR8QiQwzqsmLLcmKocAFxN3T8XTODaEmg9scs1mjQ-n/w640-h480/20240115_112724.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Montjuïc is also home to museums, such as the Fundació Miró, the Museu d'Arqueologia, the Museu Etnològic i de Cultures del Món and the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya-MNAC. The latter, which is housed in the Palau Nacional, the centrepiece of the 1929 exhibition, invites us to discover 1,000 years of Catalan art. The Pavelló Mies van der Rohe, which was the German pavilion at the event, is a superb example of Bauhaus architecture. The former Casaramona textile factory, a modernista landmark by Puig i Cadafalch, is now home to CaixaForum, a cultural centre which hosts temporary exhibitions. The Magic Fountain and the Poble Espanyol, with its "artisans' village", are other places of interest in Barcelona which are a must-see.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYmSYBNfPBjehZB3KxyyFh-4CiJyT5MjnmGu80UCk60kguiOXQHFcZFaUMo-n0a4KP33_bJ0TMpkiKepdRNrGRjHnNu0M6OV_qjgDfqUmyL24DNuonZid7iIVkbM71Wum0JRg-NFOeckmEzfLk-lHV_ZJ8bUzec1L_3PWEnNe_wAVQzs-MhX0NIWQiqp1/s4000/20240115_112735.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYmSYBNfPBjehZB3KxyyFh-4CiJyT5MjnmGu80UCk60kguiOXQHFcZFaUMo-n0a4KP33_bJ0TMpkiKepdRNrGRjHnNu0M6OV_qjgDfqUmyL24DNuonZid7iIVkbM71Wum0JRg-NFOeckmEzfLk-lHV_ZJ8bUzec1L_3PWEnNe_wAVQzs-MhX0NIWQiqp1/w640-h480/20240115_112735.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EGkYcOusxzv9Oa7Ix-6CEZZPn9vmSFYTgPHevjfvJNYis4Letp_daQigiHMhcJtvpwCb_9IlaU7yJ7D2nNFNUg7cdQ_nY07AWWw3uBpsXN3UT0OCl2SAFpBnP4aw9INELUN7o_-WI2r2vJZ3qnvMZ7cGSY0_MKOMvhncQNwAW9ePuQPSajGl2QEebmoQ/s4000/20240115_112827.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EGkYcOusxzv9Oa7Ix-6CEZZPn9vmSFYTgPHevjfvJNYis4Letp_daQigiHMhcJtvpwCb_9IlaU7yJ7D2nNFNUg7cdQ_nY07AWWw3uBpsXN3UT0OCl2SAFpBnP4aw9INELUN7o_-WI2r2vJZ3qnvMZ7cGSY0_MKOMvhncQNwAW9ePuQPSajGl2QEebmoQ/w640-h480/20240115_112827.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHmpzaRn5VEuuj9sgfhFFJ0Q2ZWCJkJBQ2opSWqJeOhU64aVM8D1_rVgDOyl1mnfgt-0vqUwVwV_NTow6pPJq5fvlyVm67LQcZFKk-04hBCyQpbHkTry5s93MxqEeyG92m4VCyQg2__W272IbQ3ztggdpD6AeRvYgQHgrpsTN11nu80RgVvtFSW7Rqbv7/s3940/20240115_113117.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2955" data-original-width="3940" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHmpzaRn5VEuuj9sgfhFFJ0Q2ZWCJkJBQ2opSWqJeOhU64aVM8D1_rVgDOyl1mnfgt-0vqUwVwV_NTow6pPJq5fvlyVm67LQcZFKk-04hBCyQpbHkTry5s93MxqEeyG92m4VCyQg2__W272IbQ3ztggdpD6AeRvYgQHgrpsTN11nu80RgVvtFSW7Rqbv7/w640-h480/20240115_113117.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View across to Sagrada Famailia which we will be visiting later.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-K0t6Q1S6qMeSU3CV60dnwIMj81B2QZD4tSzncxZ9u0WPJuwbJq_bAOK1y0Vm3VVc2F49JLnMTpOXJNqXlmb2eezcVQhiPcHHpPnjtkh2TMAu0Vo79NbZXcMqS851LrF7_AP982byWRD2ndZabGURQi03M3VOL6K0o6Zj346STF5rSw_rE2SDPXjm4uq/s3876/20240115_113123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2907" data-original-width="3876" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-K0t6Q1S6qMeSU3CV60dnwIMj81B2QZD4tSzncxZ9u0WPJuwbJq_bAOK1y0Vm3VVc2F49JLnMTpOXJNqXlmb2eezcVQhiPcHHpPnjtkh2TMAu0Vo79NbZXcMqS851LrF7_AP982byWRD2ndZabGURQi03M3VOL6K0o6Zj346STF5rSw_rE2SDPXjm4uq/w400-h300/20240115_113123.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk further up the hill to the site of the 1992 Olympic Park.</div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin81SxUyFjZWV4aIzb3f-IdHtxeC355w4AdqcegtVNUhlBp5-O-NKJnW0SShU8idOkyHGvHUn2vDC_ix2tESAQ3EIxD9AapLz7hJ2J6UmCq1y_JPvtaMrLaVpThcUnhNhitjhGy2P521eLSQNLdO_KTOpDLMoAOAgWrjXBBxeHUJjT0tw1EOGAmQZ_jO9M/s4000/20240115_113748.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin81SxUyFjZWV4aIzb3f-IdHtxeC355w4AdqcegtVNUhlBp5-O-NKJnW0SShU8idOkyHGvHUn2vDC_ix2tESAQ3EIxD9AapLz7hJ2J6UmCq1y_JPvtaMrLaVpThcUnhNhitjhGy2P521eLSQNLdO_KTOpDLMoAOAgWrjXBBxeHUJjT0tw1EOGAmQZ_jO9M/w480-h640/20240115_113748.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Barcelona Olympic Park features much of the venues and structures where the 1992 Olympic Games were held. Most notably, the Barcelona Olympic Stadium, the Telecomunications Tower and the Palau Sant Jordi. It's part of the attractions found at Montjuic mountain.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kUBYUdRa7ev3eFrEVY2qtrzPT_sSE4XAHtuJ9TzHZNdLOpZAQjBWIZtoGvmYrs0q7pZ7NulNUL30muzJW2Rb4RQb4FqacRr4L5g_J55flmAMs0X6vh5cspMKG3QcbAkhqbwrxBfsC5zP8FwEPT8gZHPIjEJKrtpnjemz8pcuizwtpSvStaMOSKphEmvm/s3687/20240115_113954.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3687" data-original-width="2537" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kUBYUdRa7ev3eFrEVY2qtrzPT_sSE4XAHtuJ9TzHZNdLOpZAQjBWIZtoGvmYrs0q7pZ7NulNUL30muzJW2Rb4RQb4FqacRr4L5g_J55flmAMs0X6vh5cspMKG3QcbAkhqbwrxBfsC5zP8FwEPT8gZHPIjEJKrtpnjemz8pcuizwtpSvStaMOSKphEmvm/w440-h640/20240115_113954.jpg" width="440" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Olympic Bell is next to Montjuic Olympic Stadium, behind the Palau Nacionale. It was cast in bronze for the XXV Olympic Games of 1992. The word "pace" is written in different languages on its edge. The Olympic rings are engraved on both sides as well as some commemorative sentences.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The bell rings twice a day, at noon and at 7 o'clock in the afternoon. It was made in Germany, and its transfer was sponsored by Lufthansa.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4NDDlqAyZuWgGxRjNdaiPxkE-XXgEd6pP9fOHvfg5gWfYsdslXM_OGB2SucyDzk6Iss-Abmpj9Ig3sDom8Ao44Sm8M2RYzvull_dm1eGW0v7-cw7LLOm1q7PtSbi8qVsqcAnIzp0FzBnkRHgb0zeJ4RtQPnYsZLXXRjGFbG_KdWmz8u3s09XIAVC8D29/s3932/20240115_114124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2949" data-original-width="3932" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4NDDlqAyZuWgGxRjNdaiPxkE-XXgEd6pP9fOHvfg5gWfYsdslXM_OGB2SucyDzk6Iss-Abmpj9Ig3sDom8Ao44Sm8M2RYzvull_dm1eGW0v7-cw7LLOm1q7PtSbi8qVsqcAnIzp0FzBnkRHgb0zeJ4RtQPnYsZLXXRjGFbG_KdWmz8u3s09XIAVC8D29/w640-h480/20240115_114124.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys formerly known as the Estadi de Montjuïc and Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc) is a stadium in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Originally built in 1927 for the 1929 International Exposition in the city (and Barcelona's failed bid for the 1936 Summer Olympics, which were awarded to Berlin), it was renovated in 1989 to be the main stadium for the 1992 Summer Olympics and 1992 Summer Paralympics. It is the home stadium of FC Barcelona for the 2023–24 season due to the renovation of their regular ground, Camp Nou.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With its current capacity of 54,367 seats (67,007 during the 1992 Olympics), is the sixth-largest stadium in Spain and the second largest in Catalonia.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The stadium is located in the Anella Olímpica, in Montjuïc, a large hill to the southwest of the city that overlooks the harbour.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some of the most famous acts to perform in the Olympic Stadium are: The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, U2, Madonna, Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Tina Turner and Coldplay, to name a few.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixR52H4qGvyWEEMwy2Z_vP8FsxwAthGUIOxU10cuHfKvfqIYl2cSMI3sXrmIPY2Rf-cvRTJ-5rIt6b5Fge9g0Dm7PdatBM9xa7NBMU4rzvvfLDsnNitkmQDaseCPqrpfNuUiESEALSiCgzFTMofcaR7z-54uE_U3YQHxrJbz6PqXnPb8-RZQyActqUBy5U/s3614/20240115_114127.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixR52H4qGvyWEEMwy2Z_vP8FsxwAthGUIOxU10cuHfKvfqIYl2cSMI3sXrmIPY2Rf-cvRTJ-5rIt6b5Fge9g0Dm7PdatBM9xa7NBMU4rzvvfLDsnNitkmQDaseCPqrpfNuUiESEALSiCgzFTMofcaR7z-54uE_U3YQHxrJbz6PqXnPb8-RZQyActqUBy5U/s3614/20240115_114127.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2711" data-original-width="3614" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixR52H4qGvyWEEMwy2Z_vP8FsxwAthGUIOxU10cuHfKvfqIYl2cSMI3sXrmIPY2Rf-cvRTJ-5rIt6b5Fge9g0Dm7PdatBM9xa7NBMU4rzvvfLDsnNitkmQDaseCPqrpfNuUiESEALSiCgzFTMofcaR7z-54uE_U3YQHxrJbz6PqXnPb8-RZQyActqUBy5U/w640-h480/20240115_114127.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Montjuïc Communications Tower , popularly known as Torre Calatrava and Torre Telefónica, is a telecommunication tower in the Montjuïc neighbourhood of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was designed by Santiago Calatrava, with construction taking place from 1989 to 1992. The white tower was built for Telefónica to transmit television coverage of the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona. The 136-metre (446 ft) tower is located in the Olympic park and represents an athlete holding the Olympic Flame.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The base is covered with trencadís, Gaudí's mosaic technique created from broken tile shards.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFu8tMzzyd8oPRttAi1JKiSy83iMoeFt0e5Fsupxn6yyFeXNVi23C78HXi41TYRc8MMfeJNa1D2-OOeImcS0GePVcxwCe17MPJzr2x7qLiKp12VaJU2hf-5piy_VQ9BSppEx1odiOmoRkgFVLgvv3UX_2Z8jolpXrgn4wiRvc1eHpEMsxHWsCnJINjbUkA/s3777/20240115_114320.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="3777" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFu8tMzzyd8oPRttAi1JKiSy83iMoeFt0e5Fsupxn6yyFeXNVi23C78HXi41TYRc8MMfeJNa1D2-OOeImcS0GePVcxwCe17MPJzr2x7qLiKp12VaJU2hf-5piy_VQ9BSppEx1odiOmoRkgFVLgvv3UX_2Z8jolpXrgn4wiRvc1eHpEMsxHWsCnJINjbUkA/w640-h480/20240115_114320.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Because of the tower's orientation, it works also as a giant sundial, which uses the Europa Square to indicate the hour.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Usg6cNjrheDbB0rl_dLDMO_0-kkycoSPObbplLBCEZA1Xz0HqYk2SlaJopW_fWIrz2HDUYu3r8Nm9gDiVkBxNYMGG9JsGz4rRHt8Y0LZLEE35mCBtpbuHihftWdO4oMob-nQv1jmWk39zwfhpSriy14uoy9WCvyE7hlfTZFfYBtOZQdoUboe1ZrARZIQ/s3683/20240115_114327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3683" data-original-width="2763" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Usg6cNjrheDbB0rl_dLDMO_0-kkycoSPObbplLBCEZA1Xz0HqYk2SlaJopW_fWIrz2HDUYu3r8Nm9gDiVkBxNYMGG9JsGz4rRHt8Y0LZLEE35mCBtpbuHihftWdO4oMob-nQv1jmWk39zwfhpSriy14uoy9WCvyE7hlfTZFfYBtOZQdoUboe1ZrARZIQ/w480-h640/20240115_114327.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back to the <span style="text-align: center;">Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya where we reboard the bus to continue our journey.</span></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRP2bxt10nCQMbJDjuF8n1ieE6yuqLA-Us6-CcYzE3Hz0lDKi7WIWxEf9B3e58GKNNdo8IEGKH1fepR_Fq3GJ8A2rGxH65rpZ0SMvIJnTXi9pXHM0HLSJgU1sCsRDtJnwD78QtiHDClWXr4IiEpI5_Yx1S_KfhxTHNWh1-cYXHPWtNCUFTpJsYWsSQnZR/s3882/20240115_120634.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2912" data-original-width="3882" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRP2bxt10nCQMbJDjuF8n1ieE6yuqLA-Us6-CcYzE3Hz0lDKi7WIWxEf9B3e58GKNNdo8IEGKH1fepR_Fq3GJ8A2rGxH65rpZ0SMvIJnTXi9pXHM0HLSJgU1sCsRDtJnwD78QtiHDClWXr4IiEpI5_Yx1S_KfhxTHNWh1-cYXHPWtNCUFTpJsYWsSQnZR/w640-h480/20240115_120634.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The bus starts to wind its way down to sea level and pass the cruise terminal.</div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjy9LmFPqtgieJuaY9ZNh65hHuKbp7UcjvQvvs-f4q1sxDuch-zB52LOPIF16zB45y5Jky_UM7XlUMSlFV5qJcsHiSwJsMKKOlTVhyXRq97eUnhDHB-NVU-69SALJowS9wCKfa2pFhh-aUIFz4f5ky3qF0hSULPHdC4mRQlOGFqylgfXJm4ywBd3dDRNLU/s3774/20240115_120701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2830" data-original-width="3774" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjy9LmFPqtgieJuaY9ZNh65hHuKbp7UcjvQvvs-f4q1sxDuch-zB52LOPIF16zB45y5Jky_UM7XlUMSlFV5qJcsHiSwJsMKKOlTVhyXRq97eUnhDHB-NVU-69SALJowS9wCKfa2pFhh-aUIFz4f5ky3qF0hSULPHdC4mRQlOGFqylgfXJm4ywBd3dDRNLU/w640-h480/20240115_120701.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighYj7RHPkKTn3Z-iaJWEt8tZZsn5ytbOadWqDVNG0LY73WWw__58KznRL9KdWfCuZcQiUGhj-M_4YbfIAZlajLMOPb18URTL1sLZoU_dwAd7Diz2I6T5JXD0Ha9bWYldst4LSa-78vTKlGjtQ8yQWfNKRD3ZD1GhSAMKD-hd76cTcZpvA1jssoCkhG5-K/s3693/20240115_120952.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2430" data-original-width="3693" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighYj7RHPkKTn3Z-iaJWEt8tZZsn5ytbOadWqDVNG0LY73WWw__58KznRL9KdWfCuZcQiUGhj-M_4YbfIAZlajLMOPb18URTL1sLZoU_dwAd7Diz2I6T5JXD0Ha9bWYldst4LSa-78vTKlGjtQ8yQWfNKRD3ZD1GhSAMKD-hd76cTcZpvA1jssoCkhG5-K/w640-h422/20240115_120952.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The bus travels along the seafront and then turns into the World Trade Centre.</div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwmYwH2uOLYE1PeOFx5oJ0Lfz5e2rEBU6gDezAvhRymGAqpyHs-s4IAc_iWkofk46WCvMfSf0owClvfLmB9mVSXAJPgRiGsaFPBArX2_nC64Yl3jAq8rC2p33mxcJZinfsMelZ5TvH6aUaqgIZ1MnCLVmigFR3hUgxnFZ5W32pj_YwPXhKEQEk4QeZ3cO/s4000/20240115_121053.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwmYwH2uOLYE1PeOFx5oJ0Lfz5e2rEBU6gDezAvhRymGAqpyHs-s4IAc_iWkofk46WCvMfSf0owClvfLmB9mVSXAJPgRiGsaFPBArX2_nC64Yl3jAq8rC2p33mxcJZinfsMelZ5TvH6aUaqgIZ1MnCLVmigFR3hUgxnFZ5W32pj_YwPXhKEQEk4QeZ3cO/w480-h640/20240115_121053.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pass the Port Cable Car – Jaume I Tower, this takes the cable car up to the castle on top of Muntjuic Hill. Mel isnt a fan of cable cars so we give this a miss.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTlHuwnoIX7d6OE5dYUV8lv2j4zeiD1mu6cD_H7RwkafUEIrcb__97OWOVhfiaFbnVajuxAhewG6l03CptiiAnro47UWguvpnxtbeOrliOG62tpkEEwEgkRKzLhrZIBWpInvgCCI32jeOCgRQHKoPtMi0hTO5oXbhSm0PAbjDepu3GC17Lk62_lv1ab7Z/s3393/20240115_121915.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3393" data-original-width="2545" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTlHuwnoIX7d6OE5dYUV8lv2j4zeiD1mu6cD_H7RwkafUEIrcb__97OWOVhfiaFbnVajuxAhewG6l03CptiiAnro47UWguvpnxtbeOrliOG62tpkEEwEgkRKzLhrZIBWpInvgCCI32jeOCgRQHKoPtMi0hTO5oXbhSm0PAbjDepu3GC17Lk62_lv1ab7Z/w480-h640/20240115_121915.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The bus now passes the Columbus Column at the end of La Rambla.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;">The Columbus Monument is a 60 m (197 ft) tall monument to Christopher Columbus at the lower end of La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was constructed for the Exposición Universal de Barcelona (1888) in honour of Columbus' first voyage to the Americas. The monument serves as a reminder that Christopher Columbus reported to Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand V in Barcelona after his first trip to the new continent.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the very top of the monument stands a 7.2 m (24 ft) tall bronze statue atop a 40 m (131 ft) tall Corinthian column. The statue was sculpted by Rafael Atché and is said to depict Columbus pointing towards the New World with his right hand, while holding a scroll in the left. The statue points south-southeast (a more southerly direction than the adjacent Rambla Del Mar and almost a perfect extension of the direction of La Rambla, Barcelona) and in effect is pointing at a point somewhere near the city of Constantine, Algeria. To point at Genoa in northern Italy the statue would have to face east-northeast and point up the coastline. It is more likely that the statue is situated in the current way simply to have Columbus point out to sea underscoring his achievements in naval exploration. The statue is atop a socle, on which the word "Tierra" (land) is inscribed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0l9maResviY84FJyqZP44JreLdtf2S1g0Ab4d7UK8nWsOso6ELR0YQT6orrqWjwnX8cxpQqiZyR9TEC960g7GNoj2Z_IfjJZEtsAUrH-rqzykhsC2JdHByV9zKrYF3vzFhZoUJ2kpPQjvEUoU-9iEgMZ9YWpe5LRVdehX1utaBODcNxcl6D1m697kyz3u/s3778/20240115_122512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2600" data-original-width="3778" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0l9maResviY84FJyqZP44JreLdtf2S1g0Ab4d7UK8nWsOso6ELR0YQT6orrqWjwnX8cxpQqiZyR9TEC960g7GNoj2Z_IfjJZEtsAUrH-rqzykhsC2JdHByV9zKrYF3vzFhZoUJ2kpPQjvEUoU-9iEgMZ9YWpe5LRVdehX1utaBODcNxcl6D1m697kyz3u/w640-h440/20240115_122512.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The bus passes Port Vell before taking us back to Placá de Catalunya.</div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTWjMHM6aH_JJDrT0FNZ-mZOTjHXP9t0cpIxEUopqUHAoKw-JinU4Qj0TumDf78q4rKA_FZvijwoWFMBDmPXe5yFP3vjINVTbJYBmW_69vIPyyt3BhlJz8DD62qW_33C53pp5C1R_ZZR8mtpWarf5YZyPuiySi3o8FvXcKz6TDmkArWG4cYWaR4v4HuE0/s4000/20240115_122605.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTWjMHM6aH_JJDrT0FNZ-mZOTjHXP9t0cpIxEUopqUHAoKw-JinU4Qj0TumDf78q4rKA_FZvijwoWFMBDmPXe5yFP3vjINVTbJYBmW_69vIPyyt3BhlJz8DD62qW_33C53pp5C1R_ZZR8mtpWarf5YZyPuiySi3o8FvXcKz6TDmkArWG4cYWaR4v4HuE0/w640-h480/20240115_122605.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back down La Rambla a little way and turn into Carrer Dels Tallers.</div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQ5FSmL9BLJB7mSQhSyc7VJy74Hteoi5YUBQaXTm5M71DoeSs5BGEsWMVrqTP0yVGd2ukEL-d8ONAzBTzwFRvCh1dJxKT22vjSPYtNk4DqLFGTyFgWIqUxA7SOkh3cwoI1I5FUQT0I5ITMIoVGENHqXuMkfnko0HpdZWZl3K4S1vwa3jhAvNlCtUNEUzg/s3861/20240115_132332.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3861" data-original-width="2895" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQ5FSmL9BLJB7mSQhSyc7VJy74Hteoi5YUBQaXTm5M71DoeSs5BGEsWMVrqTP0yVGd2ukEL-d8ONAzBTzwFRvCh1dJxKT22vjSPYtNk4DqLFGTyFgWIqUxA7SOkh3cwoI1I5FUQT0I5ITMIoVGENHqXuMkfnko0HpdZWZl3K4S1vwa3jhAvNlCtUNEUzg/w480-h640/20240115_132332.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A quick slice of pizza each, not great but it filled a hole.</div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJP76AIAul46hOPhCYFasjOx7upAQ7pHT7nU0fwUNE1zPbWCns5MOBwF5pVsU2MJi4jvC6qa4ci_AKIVX8Wvr_mJfdauVa2bCWm-W8g142fCvUL-5FzfFeBbvV8-dmq6fNQch6juid5CP2148y4Oxoz6rKzqW2z_5ANGiUsO7OL2V09OPIWjui2rNkWxwk/s3735/20240115_132423.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3735" data-original-width="2801" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJP76AIAul46hOPhCYFasjOx7upAQ7pHT7nU0fwUNE1zPbWCns5MOBwF5pVsU2MJi4jvC6qa4ci_AKIVX8Wvr_mJfdauVa2bCWm-W8g142fCvUL-5FzfFeBbvV8-dmq6fNQch6juid5CP2148y4Oxoz6rKzqW2z_5ANGiUsO7OL2V09OPIWjui2rNkWxwk/w480-h640/20240115_132423.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back to Placá de Catalunya and board the bus on the Red Route this time.</div></span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpoVMORa5W-h_YS_DxPzl-nIXNw3nIQXui8TYtzSNtLUIwLhdNhXGuNr7DJ77XYHREABdzg6wGjIGV0MU87PC0cgfGRCrx0x2gC5wv5JirMxB70fo_8tyCdnnguiMLQpORy0ufT4HYtvYVBqgloZ3D1vmBH-2ZjtaOicCd3SiT8sfzqqJzx_jlYyXMMl6/s3688/20240115_140440.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3688" data-original-width="2766" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpoVMORa5W-h_YS_DxPzl-nIXNw3nIQXui8TYtzSNtLUIwLhdNhXGuNr7DJ77XYHREABdzg6wGjIGV0MU87PC0cgfGRCrx0x2gC5wv5JirMxB70fo_8tyCdnnguiMLQpORy0ufT4HYtvYVBqgloZ3D1vmBH-2ZjtaOicCd3SiT8sfzqqJzx_jlYyXMMl6/w480-h640/20240115_140440.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The bus goes past Casa Battló again and just pass there is La Pedrera-Casa Milà.</div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSStRwqXRQRK4cHwQSJhhKpiiTfgV3h-wOiWNEJDhHEh9f_c9nxYhfywT53Cj4pcGXuu5fE6W_hzfh127G963kWYdsM8q6dYdPFapdfushKoK9WyYquwsXPxB8MZplrIiuuBDGvDZWUqGxI6uPmQPFbk2zVEZBbsAGNgFtfzgEMlLfvMZSryWWaxYYeOtF/s3873/20240115_140845.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2905" data-original-width="3873" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSStRwqXRQRK4cHwQSJhhKpiiTfgV3h-wOiWNEJDhHEh9f_c9nxYhfywT53Cj4pcGXuu5fE6W_hzfh127G963kWYdsM8q6dYdPFapdfushKoK9WyYquwsXPxB8MZplrIiuuBDGvDZWUqGxI6uPmQPFbk2zVEZBbsAGNgFtfzgEMlLfvMZSryWWaxYYeOtF/w640-h480/20240115_140845.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Casa Milà popularly known as La Pedrera ( "the stone quarry") in reference to its unconventional rough-hewn appearance, is a Modernista building in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was the last private residence designed by architect Antoni Gaudí and was built between 1906 and 1912.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The building was commissioned in 1906 by Pere Milà [ca; es] and his wife Roser Segimon [ca]. At the time, it was controversial because of its undulating stone facade, twisting wrought iron balconies, and design by Josep Maria Jujol. Several structural innovations include a self-supporting stone façade, and a free-plan floor, underground garage and the spectacular terrace on the roof.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1984, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Since 2013 it has been the headquarters of the Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera, which manages visits to the building, exhibitions and other cultural and educational activities at Casa Milà.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The bus continues and we get off by the amazing and a must see in Barcelona the Sagrada Familia.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58yuucKqtyngpxFQVtjjmpCRHjpP3WCAAQA4cZkEB8Rs_nUyhEHCiZU4COu8nrMMYDYgK5VAwEGBE32m6cQN-Vobkz58r1g6UoPVYaj0mc8dKfo3t_ta-YCgw8pCHxFc26OhPu9Evo10bmyp6f-Iy8tDlj7Ua1Vw14-aRyCi02FyMj6YxuaXe3TRpjTNm/s4000/20240115_141752.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58yuucKqtyngpxFQVtjjmpCRHjpP3WCAAQA4cZkEB8Rs_nUyhEHCiZU4COu8nrMMYDYgK5VAwEGBE32m6cQN-Vobkz58r1g6UoPVYaj0mc8dKfo3t_ta-YCgw8pCHxFc26OhPu9Evo10bmyp6f-Iy8tDlj7Ua1Vw14-aRyCi02FyMj6YxuaXe3TRpjTNm/w480-h640/20240115_141752.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We stood outside for ages trying to book tickets online as this is the only way, but the website was rejecting it. I asked at a tourist booth opposite and they were able to book for me! So we had to wait a while for out entrance time. But so happy to be able to go in. Would be kicking myself if I missed out on this!</div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj169yz4rBk6wgL4esz2MSDQ0_7OSVAFiH9iabJbj09JkC16lWC7dWKyViVKs4l7kMlkaAwRNLVxym55WSb0PW_9w_eCt9EjjcFLqNvz1acgT6XjDy33Arg5NnsuJ2aHCsu3ZhWm0aw1Wi74PScNfwBY_60iYNIk2fWewO56bVpOysSmczjSqyTjThKCzff/s4000/20240115_141913.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj169yz4rBk6wgL4esz2MSDQ0_7OSVAFiH9iabJbj09JkC16lWC7dWKyViVKs4l7kMlkaAwRNLVxym55WSb0PW_9w_eCt9EjjcFLqNvz1acgT6XjDy33Arg5NnsuJ2aHCsu3ZhWm0aw1Wi74PScNfwBY_60iYNIk2fWewO56bVpOysSmczjSqyTjThKCzff/w480-h640/20240115_141913.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, otherwise known as Sagrada Família, is a church under construction in the Eixample district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It is the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world. Designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926), his work on Sagrada Família is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On 7 November 2010, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the church and proclaimed it a minor basilica.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tvAtmns5N2Vc8zdWET9e1IB64lPUxXmh5oeNoaypBmgzQ8g7aYUUhzY_MUpsLo_FodSMALgXBlCpJbU7ehGBbJNl3Bi8_4ZqD7n1AoiMYAsnlRcaI6VeSZh0EZPpLuIKR15G5BHEPwBSyh1NzCAV__XeDRez3FUW-DV_71fXocL660MNvSPwwG2MJuvZ/s4000/20240115_144303.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tvAtmns5N2Vc8zdWET9e1IB64lPUxXmh5oeNoaypBmgzQ8g7aYUUhzY_MUpsLo_FodSMALgXBlCpJbU7ehGBbJNl3Bi8_4ZqD7n1AoiMYAsnlRcaI6VeSZh0EZPpLuIKR15G5BHEPwBSyh1NzCAV__XeDRez3FUW-DV_71fXocL660MNvSPwwG2MJuvZ/w640-h480/20240115_144303.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On 19 March 1882, construction of the Sagrada Família began under architect Francisco de Paula del Villar. In 1883, when Villar resigned, Gaudí took over as chief architect, transforming the project with his architectural and engineering style, combining Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. Gaudí devoted the remainder of his life to the project, and he is buried in the church's crypt. At the time of his death in 1926, less than a quarter of the project was complete.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDJssBQ-ONg7dy8S1sRLI24WlHXxAWDEUu7tAYrKDEywoPgYQW6fXMlLnK3J34YbeBg0WWzsXGxkrHKjQlTH8qvOgxEdI4_xACUm3WT4UIIRAHs9t6AUrHga5SnDNlCAVP5ItqLfd4sFeNjkYJrGVu9irR7qW4xitxVLLo4aklACj17gcDMOp5g6VT0UL/s4000/20240115_144327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDJssBQ-ONg7dy8S1sRLI24WlHXxAWDEUu7tAYrKDEywoPgYQW6fXMlLnK3J34YbeBg0WWzsXGxkrHKjQlTH8qvOgxEdI4_xACUm3WT4UIIRAHs9t6AUrHga5SnDNlCAVP5ItqLfd4sFeNjkYJrGVu9irR7qW4xitxVLLo4aklACj17gcDMOp5g6VT0UL/w640-h480/20240115_144327.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Relying solely on private donations, the Sagrada Família's construction progressed slowly and was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War. In July 1936, anarchists from the FAI set fire to the crypt and broke their way into the workshop, partially destroying Gaudí's original plans. In 1939, Francesc de Paula Quintana took over site management, which was able to go on due to the material that was saved from Gaudí's workshop and that was reconstructed from published plans and photographs. Construction resumed to intermittent progress in the 1950s. Advancements in technologies such as computer-aided design and computerised numerical control (CNC) have since enabled faster progress and construction passed the midpoint in 2010. However, some of the project's greatest challenges remain, including the construction of five more spires, each symbolising an important Biblical figure in the New Testament. It was anticipated that the building would be completed by 2026, the centenary of Gaudí's death, but this has now been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some aspects of it may only be finished by 2040.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit__eR8jD8CGSIb9ZP5KZzNeLC9UdBaxJd4DwAaKtDBB44gznVKeJPdIL_AfboeUS1M4Msw-B17mLcLRIccA7Af0yDnmnXtwPvsWnolnLcDG9yyT75MveFwyBqV9mOYmUobvp04xQoHkL5ciFxTHcDf3IKl3a2kgdDHxzHkRVuJoI5BrbbVGSoO6nTCp-j/s4000/20240115_144334.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit__eR8jD8CGSIb9ZP5KZzNeLC9UdBaxJd4DwAaKtDBB44gznVKeJPdIL_AfboeUS1M4Msw-B17mLcLRIccA7Af0yDnmnXtwPvsWnolnLcDG9yyT75MveFwyBqV9mOYmUobvp04xQoHkL5ciFxTHcDf3IKl3a2kgdDHxzHkRVuJoI5BrbbVGSoO6nTCp-j/w480-h640/20240115_144334.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Describing the Sagrada Família, art critic Rainer Zerbst said "it is probably impossible to find a church building anything like it in the entire history of art", and Paul Goldberger describes it as "the most extraordinary personal interpretation of Gothic architecture since the Middle Ages". The basilica is not the cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Barcelona, as that title belongs to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia (Barcelona Cathedral).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcXms8HCnZc8XXkEphKq0N1HJgbtmW-26MhyOXfQ3ZC4e0JPzVqwfNnINnSzSmhKNvveCLF2sbNEuTWVw75sXME4npjxwJmOXUfpmoMMPtOrfxVE5UPHelQ2uPoWwXbtlk9sGuqf_QVYRlQS3w9Jjvm-bLaXsw5EaVLiNAn1KR4n1jOQWmflMjUK_kMrw/s3648/20240115_144521.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcXms8HCnZc8XXkEphKq0N1HJgbtmW-26MhyOXfQ3ZC4e0JPzVqwfNnINnSzSmhKNvveCLF2sbNEuTWVw75sXME4npjxwJmOXUfpmoMMPtOrfxVE5UPHelQ2uPoWwXbtlk9sGuqf_QVYRlQS3w9Jjvm-bLaXsw5EaVLiNAn1KR4n1jOQWmflMjUK_kMrw/w480-h640/20240115_144521.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Passion façade was built according to the design that Gaudi created in 1917. The construction began in 1954, and the steeples, built over the elliptical plan, were finished in 1976. It is especially striking for its spare, gaunt, tormented characters, including emaciated figures of Christ being scourged at the pillar; and Christ on the Cross. These controversial designs are the work of Josep Maria Subirachs.<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">The Sagrada Família was inspired by a bookseller, José María Bocabella [es], founder of Asociación Espiritual de Devotos de San José (Spiritual Association of Devotees of St. Joseph). After a visit to the Vatican in 1872, Bocabella returned from Italy with the intention of building a church inspired by the basilica at Loreto. The apse crypt of the church, funded by donations, was begun 19 March 1882, on the festival of St. Joseph, to the design of the architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, whose plan was for a Gothic revival church of a standard form. The apse crypt was completed before Villar's resignation on 18 March 1883, when Antoni Gaudí assumed responsibility for its design, which he changed radically. Gaudi began work on the church in 1883 but was not appointed Architect Director until 1884.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaEzDWgq4ZmHTcJLcllbyvrV9rjoApBmLH6cCK2D2sL2A58Qsrph9ck-_SQaM6RxUxT53yU6K3ZLSlT6qitQ-l7tuPmr6oOc4ahxcLcS0-v3ToldHMZhj0OqGyy8m6WrWiTxhJWVZQDJL9YjzuzLLNRA-JJB7ZT_1H0R-mXIqiqZqCzgfmbhlXfO0496V/s3629/20240115_145621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3629" data-original-width="2740" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaEzDWgq4ZmHTcJLcllbyvrV9rjoApBmLH6cCK2D2sL2A58Qsrph9ck-_SQaM6RxUxT53yU6K3ZLSlT6qitQ-l7tuPmr6oOc4ahxcLcS0-v3ToldHMZhj0OqGyy8m6WrWiTxhJWVZQDJL9YjzuzLLNRA-JJB7ZT_1H0R-mXIqiqZqCzgfmbhlXfO0496V/w484-h640/20240115_145621.jpg" width="484" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the subject of the extremely long construction period, Gaudí is said to have remarked: "My client is not in a hurry." When Gaudí died in 1926, the basilica was between 15 and 25 percent complete. After Gaudí's death, work continued under the direction of his main disciple Domènec Sugrañes i Gras until interrupted by the Spanish Civil War in 1936. Parts of the unfinished basilica and Gaudí's models and workshop were destroyed during the war. The present design is based on reconstructed versions of the plans that were burned in a fire as well as on modern adaptations. Since 1940, the architects Francesc Quintana, Isidre Puig Boada, Lluís Bonet i Garí and Francesc Cardoner have carried on the work. The illumination was designed by Carles Buïgas. The director until 2012 was the son of Lluís Bonet, Jordi Bonet i Armengol. Armengol began introducing computers into the design and construction process in the 1980s.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBclKki6zFMiS422iVykb5jEmrf6f2nTHlyxyHthHyNIGr3inRnE7CDV5lh4EIuBDT23q5IsFEE2i8NlOBoc-crKURc4Ekbt7hOzRtAF-Nm_M3x7Gck9_TzYbVKx-gkZEEtIRRifGBn_rQbCnnFZjNzkLqlANBbaFblhQ-vHT9aT9triMhv6-9fNKxThi/s3768/20240115_150442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3768" data-original-width="2826" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBclKki6zFMiS422iVykb5jEmrf6f2nTHlyxyHthHyNIGr3inRnE7CDV5lh4EIuBDT23q5IsFEE2i8NlOBoc-crKURc4Ekbt7hOzRtAF-Nm_M3x7Gck9_TzYbVKx-gkZEEtIRRifGBn_rQbCnnFZjNzkLqlANBbaFblhQ-vHT9aT9triMhv6-9fNKxThi/w480-h640/20240115_150442.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The central nave vaulting was completed in 2000 and the main tasks since then have been the construction of the transept vaults and apse. In 2002, the Sagrada Família Schools building was relocated from the eastern corner of the site to the southern corner, and began housing an exhibition. The school was originally designed by Gaudí in 1909 for the children of the construction workers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As of 2006, work concentrated on the crossing and supporting structure for the main steeple of Jesus Christ as well as the southern enclosure of the central nave, which will become the Glory façade. Computer-aided design technology has allowed stone to be shaped off-site by a CNC milling machine, whereas in the 20th century the stone was carved by hand. In 2008, some renowned Catalan architects advocated halting construction to respect Gaudí's original designs, which, although they were not exhaustive and were partially destroyed, have been partially reconstructed in recent years.</div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wRDauttfT__iHsHC60_WWT-1tTkQ-SPKvUeg8ArNu5L0Qnbus-50IQYHGIM2AVM1Coz3YtPfkwMY7yvaPn7Z29Za0iId-ULYdYvNdN8ULGwjaQah7r5gBKQCiI9jeu9XEeb7QmbyYP7mpE4W_rlVSbzZsxvKMTsjabz5b-udH0QxKHtFSTqKEIKKPLYc/s4000/20240115_150453.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wRDauttfT__iHsHC60_WWT-1tTkQ-SPKvUeg8ArNu5L0Qnbus-50IQYHGIM2AVM1Coz3YtPfkwMY7yvaPn7Z29Za0iId-ULYdYvNdN8ULGwjaQah7r5gBKQCiI9jeu9XEeb7QmbyYP7mpE4W_rlVSbzZsxvKMTsjabz5b-udH0QxKHtFSTqKEIKKPLYc/w480-h640/20240115_150453.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church is designed to have three grand façades: the Nativity façade to the east, the Passion façade to the west, and the Glory façade to the south (incomplete).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Nativity façade was built before work was interrupted in 1935 and bears the most direct Gaudí influence.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Passion façade was built according to the design that Gaudi created in 1917. The construction began in 1954, and the steeples, built over the elliptical plan, were finished in 1976. It is especially striking for its spare, gaunt, tormented characters, including emaciated figures of Christ being scourged at the pillar; and Christ on the Cross. These controversial designs are the work of Josep Maria Subirachs.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Glory façade, on which construction began in 2002, will be the largest and most monumental of the three and will represent one's ascension to God. It will also depict various scenes such as Hell, Purgatory, and will include elements such as the seven deadly sins and the seven heavenly virtues.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3Ejt4fJPHoEEr-SNWB6XSorM7l0F3ffk9EiwgPw27VGpr_3gx8aUC_RflfBHHcBKgL9W-9QpgA67-WJeXkc_S574UI1Wr5PmwolBHtfu9yGfHPoHydcnNoiJFJdAreaWkXDr35KfwrF8fzbOCg7SfX6I4VyIhGfLiok_yp7Bvb7HqXLSPoG7GXQLb4lG/s3813/20240115_152045.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3Ejt4fJPHoEEr-SNWB6XSorM7l0F3ffk9EiwgPw27VGpr_3gx8aUC_RflfBHHcBKgL9W-9QpgA67-WJeXkc_S574UI1Wr5PmwolBHtfu9yGfHPoHydcnNoiJFJdAreaWkXDr35KfwrF8fzbOCg7SfX6I4VyIhGfLiok_yp7Bvb7HqXLSPoG7GXQLb4lG/s3813/20240115_152045.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3813" data-original-width="2860" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3Ejt4fJPHoEEr-SNWB6XSorM7l0F3ffk9EiwgPw27VGpr_3gx8aUC_RflfBHHcBKgL9W-9QpgA67-WJeXkc_S574UI1Wr5PmwolBHtfu9yGfHPoHydcnNoiJFJdAreaWkXDr35KfwrF8fzbOCg7SfX6I4VyIhGfLiok_yp7Bvb7HqXLSPoG7GXQLb4lG/w480-h640/20240115_152045.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8GczYhK_y6QNLnKeScrAiIr-Y2UdSgN0xTVCm8Kky1DWIL9UXabjTv_epwVfUFAtzfJADFy1li-Lhse5ZRocjGp6fDD4oYc_gMhAIRm6L2ITp9f9PYwFuOGPAe4PkVhrGV2p5kjOOyf4ZRVvEgDkPmTTEGrlqFTLauuFr892nm4JStdWr-EmgsK0ebPI/s4000/20240115_152235.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8GczYhK_y6QNLnKeScrAiIr-Y2UdSgN0xTVCm8Kky1DWIL9UXabjTv_epwVfUFAtzfJADFy1li-Lhse5ZRocjGp6fDD4oYc_gMhAIRm6L2ITp9f9PYwFuOGPAe4PkVhrGV2p5kjOOyf4ZRVvEgDkPmTTEGrlqFTLauuFr892nm4JStdWr-EmgsK0ebPI/w480-h640/20240115_152235.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church plan is that of a Latin cross with five aisles. The central nave vaults reach forty-five metres (148 feet) while the side nave vaults reach thirty metres (98 feet). The transept has three aisles. The columns are on a 7.5 metres (25 ft) grid. However, the columns of the apse, resting on del Villar's foundation, do not adhere to the grid, requiring a section of columns of the ambulatory to transition to the grid thus creating a horseshoe pattern to the layout of those columns. The crossing rests on the four central columns of porphyry supporting a great hyperboloid surrounded by two rings of twelve hyperboloids (currently under construction). The central vault reaches sixty metres (200 ft). The apse is capped by a hyperboloid vault reaching seventy-five metres (246 ft). Gaudí intended that a visitor standing at the main entrance be able to see the vaults of the nave, crossing, and apse, thus the graduated increase in vault loft.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are gaps in the floor of the apse, providing a view down into the crypt below.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiTDslTL1tqc5JHSc6ejb0CVfdf_JqUYARdPe5dFq6GiWwOlumRXQm5MXvC4IOZ0MplGPFfF8BbFP77aEEh-QgRdhIN-88vDRsNtOcmbCFTiJbtjetJ51cbdGT1_Q4ZrcRyiVDci51pvmxwtTZ98k6CB7lzWL-CjAKF7TNo7sSzC0Xv2uXTrhcd5gg42n/s4000/20240115_152317.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiTDslTL1tqc5JHSc6ejb0CVfdf_JqUYARdPe5dFq6GiWwOlumRXQm5MXvC4IOZ0MplGPFfF8BbFP77aEEh-QgRdhIN-88vDRsNtOcmbCFTiJbtjetJ51cbdGT1_Q4ZrcRyiVDci51pvmxwtTZ98k6CB7lzWL-CjAKF7TNo7sSzC0Xv2uXTrhcd5gg42n/w640-h480/20240115_152317.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The columns of the interior are a unique Gaudí design. Besides branching to support their load, their ever-changing surfaces are the result of the intersection of various geometric forms. The simplest example is that of a square base evolving into an octagon as the column rises, then a sixteen-sided form, and eventually to a circle. This effect is the result of a three-dimensional intersection of helicoidal columns (for example a square cross-section column twisting clockwise and a similar one twisting counter clockwise).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LoR_xyW2mn0wgTL2mloPDgjH_FS-lhKRClVuNsWtwN8kYFwe8fnXdVF0uR9cJxNfd4RNhAMLE0GoenI56qvXzCjXh1paguJ1NyYLND9BiJtqBRdPWB9XHhy7d2-4T6AvvzG8ag9qML8wZ7crDXM6s04oMssCOad9316pBnrNIsTtrkMNjvYWIkm2pN-3/s4000/20240115_152341.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LoR_xyW2mn0wgTL2mloPDgjH_FS-lhKRClVuNsWtwN8kYFwe8fnXdVF0uR9cJxNfd4RNhAMLE0GoenI56qvXzCjXh1paguJ1NyYLND9BiJtqBRdPWB9XHhy7d2-4T6AvvzG8ag9qML8wZ7crDXM6s04oMssCOad9316pBnrNIsTtrkMNjvYWIkm2pN-3/w640-h480/20240115_152341.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Detail of the ceiling in the nave. Gaudí designed the columns to resemble trees and branches.</div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMBizgYwI8CqLaIRGl_BIumTAUW0-xqvFmyfU9m4dbrjXDmepaal1kfxzC744AQt_C8WQxftyputyVzSv8ivNDaNQRc6C9TWQHyQIW7fpXl7zvD3X2Xul49OLnqKkM6gBSeG9PLOZILSC6xWwUJErrd0KvMIfVTdJxeqNBLzt-MDpNRIUZyx0XYR6n1Z4/s3842/20240115_152433.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3842" data-original-width="2881" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMBizgYwI8CqLaIRGl_BIumTAUW0-xqvFmyfU9m4dbrjXDmepaal1kfxzC744AQt_C8WQxftyputyVzSv8ivNDaNQRc6C9TWQHyQIW7fpXl7zvD3X2Xul49OLnqKkM6gBSeG9PLOZILSC6xWwUJErrd0KvMIfVTdJxeqNBLzt-MDpNRIUZyx0XYR6n1Z4/w480-h640/20240115_152433.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Essentially none of the interior surfaces are flat; the ornamentation is comprehensive and rich, consisting in large part of abstract shapes which combine smooth curves and jagged points. Even detail-level work such as the iron railings for balconies and stairways are full of curvaceous elaboration.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdL2NmEVzSHP97MA0MfWaPwJvgOJnRaVJ6AQV72Nv9C45Zn0Ll-3bDZlpKuZogNESgYQOTBdhV-QAnXKiaQ0u3GyR8q1d-m7JAxCnnZF_NKz5oxNUsFm6HJ-bD8z2ldogEs1clL0GRm-1cnI3Is1Aw16Onnwft7KLkYvJ8TCAlvulWLogw3wEOABCFCtlM/s3885/20240115_152501.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3885" data-original-width="2914" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdL2NmEVzSHP97MA0MfWaPwJvgOJnRaVJ6AQV72Nv9C45Zn0Ll-3bDZlpKuZogNESgYQOTBdhV-QAnXKiaQ0u3GyR8q1d-m7JAxCnnZF_NKz5oxNUsFm6HJ-bD8z2ldogEs1clL0GRm-1cnI3Is1Aw16Onnwft7KLkYvJ8TCAlvulWLogw3wEOABCFCtlM/w480-h640/20240115_152501.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXgFFwO4yCyCk9zbYpXXqBG0KCx2pZNqWMfFNTK-7s2jspQAaWUwAiSNNszrIW9mmilDcyrH7LA5N_w2LqMxUmqb0k0t24Ydv5dhWdHPEoyijB5BSSbmhjS-i3DZpdLAxuoYMplhX-9MY0guVRM8emmZD1mQJOS3k_nbVWc2ppI0KCZtdaHm71fLqxHmO/s3875/20240115_152627.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3875" data-original-width="2906" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXgFFwO4yCyCk9zbYpXXqBG0KCx2pZNqWMfFNTK-7s2jspQAaWUwAiSNNszrIW9mmilDcyrH7LA5N_w2LqMxUmqb0k0t24Ydv5dhWdHPEoyijB5BSSbmhjS-i3DZpdLAxuoYMplhX-9MY0guVRM8emmZD1mQJOS3k_nbVWc2ppI0KCZtdaHm71fLqxHmO/w480-h640/20240115_152627.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzquLHEmT5zDfcv6cFCytDYObyWhn2AwuNi1KiZucT8CzZ8o7SaPDmxMZUtAsvRr0eQcSzV5hgTU8UuNVZdUCoFZs1ADCxLQRQxhHIoxPRzwpIJ680WyWU7Kb_lHKhqc1fXIsCXaJlyiij4kn_bIcfCSLqjOWTOHbID515wWSaW65j1bjXxzYAuVVAENVu/s4000/20240115_152736.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzquLHEmT5zDfcv6cFCytDYObyWhn2AwuNi1KiZucT8CzZ8o7SaPDmxMZUtAsvRr0eQcSzV5hgTU8UuNVZdUCoFZs1ADCxLQRQxhHIoxPRzwpIJ680WyWU7Kb_lHKhqc1fXIsCXaJlyiij4kn_bIcfCSLqjOWTOHbID515wWSaW65j1bjXxzYAuVVAENVu/w480-h640/20240115_152736.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFLA24wBsl3enTbYWmo5SpIibi16cX8wfCO2qGLtyQqr9jN5N3OaI_RBJ4POQWUpDyI0iy9TJPn8Z0LRzhmtZeSW4-xLnq5Wr4H4NTz8tWvH_3zpUD5ipSb-CmYj76RHfSCm5J1VnCyBmiVKyJhb59G8tcOaNQnhfADXzIMRobkPv6OpIbwSHtxEJnpcx/s4000/20240115_152801.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFLA24wBsl3enTbYWmo5SpIibi16cX8wfCO2qGLtyQqr9jN5N3OaI_RBJ4POQWUpDyI0iy9TJPn8Z0LRzhmtZeSW4-xLnq5Wr4H4NTz8tWvH_3zpUD5ipSb-CmYj76RHfSCm5J1VnCyBmiVKyJhb59G8tcOaNQnhfADXzIMRobkPv6OpIbwSHtxEJnpcx/w480-h640/20240115_152801.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-ljV3anl8AAlRFUsI9uKK6J12Nlh9FwG7MU1umlVoUWdSqGG-Bsh67JLr524du47dOyJhuMXAYIu7s2fE7WZ1lh5RkbIlzaDJ0cQD6mNW2-eQiOxhR_3Jc4ZhvsUoEjIHNrCDxCJqvk8ZyjB6tzhtywcWgPIGqsa94JzIkAmY3brIR_s8eF5dk_SHHL0/s4000/20240115_153211.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-ljV3anl8AAlRFUsI9uKK6J12Nlh9FwG7MU1umlVoUWdSqGG-Bsh67JLr524du47dOyJhuMXAYIu7s2fE7WZ1lh5RkbIlzaDJ0cQD6mNW2-eQiOxhR_3Jc4ZhvsUoEjIHNrCDxCJqvk8ZyjB6tzhtywcWgPIGqsa94JzIkAmY3brIR_s8eF5dk_SHHL0/w480-h640/20240115_153211.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3zoZtjhcYQzaVlC4r7ihThCWXdpGva0MdGAtlZhxxow3uX4ZgGkzxJl8rQ2mFesPo19KCKxxnKiCooQXN2mmZk47OGT6Df44K2mlEDzmlDdRMURCYanJzCXu26ASATvtarvY9g89UmYHSNeiQXbqZxvqC2BwYdDjRJiK6349egp42_fHGur8BBdYm-C9/s4000/20240115_153223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3zoZtjhcYQzaVlC4r7ihThCWXdpGva0MdGAtlZhxxow3uX4ZgGkzxJl8rQ2mFesPo19KCKxxnKiCooQXN2mmZk47OGT6Df44K2mlEDzmlDdRMURCYanJzCXu26ASATvtarvY9g89UmYHSNeiQXbqZxvqC2BwYdDjRJiK6349egp42_fHGur8BBdYm-C9/w480-h640/20240115_153223.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the Sagrada Famailia and board the bus which then takes us through the Gracia District pass the stop for Guell Park which we will visit on the 17th and then pass Nou Camp. We did plan to get off here but it is little more than a building site as its rebuilt and Barcelona FC are playing at the Olympic Stadium.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">We get off at Placá de Catalunya and we walk back to the hotel to book in and have a nap.</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEguxnZDLqptVHDsWsR5pKlb-BJU5yqGLUOW4ipKkadVUrE47IgilFQEKG3ZUjjzkic8q4LGpKxh6jVxNmmAkfMeQGuFDUvMWRAAxMgbcNxn1oE-0Ztvzhi2EMAbUV_bqT0Q69n7GFnRPNvllffemxl7LwZ1a2u2ozB3q57SFg2S9MD09kmLd3-b0o2F69/s4000/20240115_203911.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEguxnZDLqptVHDsWsR5pKlb-BJU5yqGLUOW4ipKkadVUrE47IgilFQEKG3ZUjjzkic8q4LGpKxh6jVxNmmAkfMeQGuFDUvMWRAAxMgbcNxn1oE-0Ztvzhi2EMAbUV_bqT0Q69n7GFnRPNvllffemxl7LwZ1a2u2ozB3q57SFg2S9MD09kmLd3-b0o2F69/w480-h640/20240115_203911.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After our nap we go for a walk about to look where to eat for dinner. We have a wander around the Gothic Quarter.</div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutggvH57WPuFuI2iDH2j9yObh9M-Iyni5ZIsFjSRe_Ll-dfX5lBMr4uNEs4OiRv3YTLi374i4u8-77Q5ll2XcDqlL2UlNiySgK5eqlFLHa2olSI2KoJUzJCt04CrRoDxmG0f3c5vhu95EO78gFFaUTa_GkvCJ2dFOgwnKvtVXcBRcK88lC5T_3yxlDq49/s3819/20240115_204209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3819" data-original-width="2864" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutggvH57WPuFuI2iDH2j9yObh9M-Iyni5ZIsFjSRe_Ll-dfX5lBMr4uNEs4OiRv3YTLi374i4u8-77Q5ll2XcDqlL2UlNiySgK5eqlFLHa2olSI2KoJUzJCt04CrRoDxmG0f3c5vhu95EO78gFFaUTa_GkvCJ2dFOgwnKvtVXcBRcK88lC5T_3yxlDq49/w480-h640/20240115_204209.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We end up down by the Rambla Del Mar and the Marina, no restaurants here catch our eye.</div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0Y8Afo_K3s_5EgFwNAlMAQaTZ0eXjxQkwE9mSYfEn8lyWH_FT2Xk94cJDnNKdvWRffrpFFl9_d1-E3fYjxFs-1SXPYGyG78ridNJtR-hr2vEu-8ehO7VMCZqCiFUFk88ko8v-m63xEfLl66m9kDdg1iM3Vsp2CA16JYtodYRRF55saR1Rp1OxZipQNha/s3851/20240115_205220.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2889" data-original-width="3851" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0Y8Afo_K3s_5EgFwNAlMAQaTZ0eXjxQkwE9mSYfEn8lyWH_FT2Xk94cJDnNKdvWRffrpFFl9_d1-E3fYjxFs-1SXPYGyG78ridNJtR-hr2vEu-8ehO7VMCZqCiFUFk88ko8v-m63xEfLl66m9kDdg1iM3Vsp2CA16JYtodYRRF55saR1Rp1OxZipQNha/w640-h480/20240115_205220.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWuJj-ROGJ42Y_d2nuknAABBK0i0fs48kjul5yIIyMp4GfNw70l7UORBRM5VaYEejeXmkvesU3LT_Oyv_YwKg8l9THkos-dVVtDyyrBFxIEcOHhGu7cCb1z9YcFEYRgABM4UZrnQ5PDYJCEsXZb2bEo2NWHb6ZuhrxsUmG304570v3hSg9xgd83tbnXUq/s4000/20240115_205542.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWuJj-ROGJ42Y_d2nuknAABBK0i0fs48kjul5yIIyMp4GfNw70l7UORBRM5VaYEejeXmkvesU3LT_Oyv_YwKg8l9THkos-dVVtDyyrBFxIEcOHhGu7cCb1z9YcFEYRgABM4UZrnQ5PDYJCEsXZb2bEo2NWHb6ZuhrxsUmG304570v3hSg9xgd83tbnXUq/w640-h480/20240115_205542.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qtqccTY9P465_CiPrg5lUHVe0aCEyMN4uA4Wt9_QZ0jR8xAjzrCYdgk9WI1ep-kYrvSHEOGn2YP0bTmH_Mra0TqI4784SthZiaRzUZvdp_byfFcgKmvSRs8TkG08PVlTAiyUq-No0jUPXZKJmcFEbaCJM8zcevGHsIbU2aTP7AjeY1VpZ4z_RC39TUCS/s3648/20240115_205909.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qtqccTY9P465_CiPrg5lUHVe0aCEyMN4uA4Wt9_QZ0jR8xAjzrCYdgk9WI1ep-kYrvSHEOGn2YP0bTmH_Mra0TqI4784SthZiaRzUZvdp_byfFcgKmvSRs8TkG08PVlTAiyUq-No0jUPXZKJmcFEbaCJM8zcevGHsIbU2aTP7AjeY1VpZ4z_RC39TUCS/w640-h480/20240115_205909.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHF5fFOEBx_VlbeXn6KSInEyAAzW0joR8FV-fHrBra2i5o94FrydPA0ll4iCHiVPXQPEI430HNIm8H8w8bvvc_gZ_zK0yNIHsPjdQGzcbgj87AUx0mr25C3DGwp__1YJTsUURYfRdPwxOv5FW1rP31DvS2EUftXHOcJpDTxsBHRm0SaRxuV4QP2ueZw9z/s4000/20240115_210036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHF5fFOEBx_VlbeXn6KSInEyAAzW0joR8FV-fHrBra2i5o94FrydPA0ll4iCHiVPXQPEI430HNIm8H8w8bvvc_gZ_zK0yNIHsPjdQGzcbgj87AUx0mr25C3DGwp__1YJTsUURYfRdPwxOv5FW1rP31DvS2EUftXHOcJpDTxsBHRm0SaRxuV4QP2ueZw9z/w640-h480/20240115_210036.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9oi0_MYt8VJL2uqrvJ_tzGxvhp4FhtNyN56MoCBwSI7qOVcsELapbaSak_Fi8jsMP6CDKf0SUCBLIZbaVLQ8HyhKcV7XXY5rU1AVrh9m2AnxclrVK-tj59G6INo3XnOk-N7x7mA1ES-iw7d949EkAJiZTJIXM0XYI9xVR3kcA6NyuMXwAbiSUuFL1cXz/s4000/20240115_210647.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9oi0_MYt8VJL2uqrvJ_tzGxvhp4FhtNyN56MoCBwSI7qOVcsELapbaSak_Fi8jsMP6CDKf0SUCBLIZbaVLQ8HyhKcV7XXY5rU1AVrh9m2AnxclrVK-tj59G6INo3XnOk-N7x7mA1ES-iw7d949EkAJiZTJIXM0XYI9xVR3kcA6NyuMXwAbiSUuFL1cXz/w640-h480/20240115_210647.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We head back up La Rambla and end up in McDonalds as we just needed to eat. Such a different menu to what we have back home.</div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDo0f3Hp0oug7348PqDYBV7qto-iqhu8TthijI45ZtfEJ-CJ3gbQY2tn4-TvjT1HnOmakv91fMNAZNqUDv4iCwl3qjPM6g65qDmg2EapRd2C8ONYTrQE4Pkux3U3dnBVvhntRL167si2DEHVBYNUCSQh_oqgYxiSu9oeQ-JCwgAsMQq215UvATeEIxnWpS/s3742/20240115_212505.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2807" data-original-width="3742" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDo0f3Hp0oug7348PqDYBV7qto-iqhu8TthijI45ZtfEJ-CJ3gbQY2tn4-TvjT1HnOmakv91fMNAZNqUDv4iCwl3qjPM6g65qDmg2EapRd2C8ONYTrQE4Pkux3U3dnBVvhntRL167si2DEHVBYNUCSQh_oqgYxiSu9oeQ-JCwgAsMQq215UvATeEIxnWpS/w640-h480/20240115_212505.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We wander along La Rambla and venture off down Carrer de la Boqueria as I wanted to see El Pont de Bisbe. As we were walking up Carrer de la Boquiria when I was aware of a young male watching us. He whistled to get the attention of someone else. Obviously, he was eyeing us up to rob us. We walked back, and he followed. We ducked into a shop, he waited.He laughed when he knew we were aware of him. We made our back onto Las Ramblas, still he followed through the busy thoroughfare.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He was on his phone, assuming to get back up. We eventually managed to lose him, but it was very scary and don't wanna go out after dark here now. Barcelona is a scary place after dark.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not too proud to say this did really shake me up!</div><div><br /></div><u><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b>Day Two : 16th January 2024</b></u></div></u><div><div style="text-align: center;">We were up early and had breakfast in the hotel, a nice selection of cold and hot meats, Continental and Cereals available.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We then catch the metro from Drassanes Station to Placá d Espanyol where we catch the train to Monseratt,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipn0O7jKftLF686TdZJzTr0gRW5x4n_LYKuWnh82LbAXNN5dGeIg5Epmv23cvRSvDBDFIicrlaQHj-rPEIoVtiluUfThbdXzzjK4DF_-Fl8dSMlMLJu8vzxZJI06NAbz8GT9frwafDZGm3vMriGlQYrIgtMTkT9qjiIP8Fk0p-W94htF4SV4tyUueGrUx/s4000/20240116_103420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipn0O7jKftLF686TdZJzTr0gRW5x4n_LYKuWnh82LbAXNN5dGeIg5Epmv23cvRSvDBDFIicrlaQHj-rPEIoVtiluUfThbdXzzjK4DF_-Fl8dSMlMLJu8vzxZJI06NAbz8GT9frwafDZGm3vMriGlQYrIgtMTkT9qjiIP8Fk0p-W94htF4SV4tyUueGrUx/w640-h480/20240116_103420.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We get off at Monistrol de Monseratt to take the Rack train up the mountain.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHVvVsmeRfYjXnUc2X7Hg0kZipXzRmFtS4tynJsWQNBpAalh9eZLOGodw3nwmJ15IPfZznFsn7fHCFVaoRaqbTuLoGwNV815DQWmj9AuWI5TK0u856TOKXEmBLgrdX8aGZqmPzwTKPw_z-B8lq7FNZuxR4sHcSwWm9n7Pb3VGsCt-PwGNItxDn3iCkeQR/s3844/20240116_104914.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2883" data-original-width="3844" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHVvVsmeRfYjXnUc2X7Hg0kZipXzRmFtS4tynJsWQNBpAalh9eZLOGodw3nwmJ15IPfZznFsn7fHCFVaoRaqbTuLoGwNV815DQWmj9AuWI5TK0u856TOKXEmBLgrdX8aGZqmPzwTKPw_z-B8lq7FNZuxR4sHcSwWm9n7Pb3VGsCt-PwGNItxDn3iCkeQR/w640-h480/20240116_104914.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;">Montserrat Rack Railway is the only mode of transport that will take you to the centre of the Monastery complex in Montserrat. During the 15-minute journey, the train winds its way through the mountain’s unique skyline, offering spectacular views. Through the panoramic windows you can admire the great beauty of the landscape that surrounds you on the journey from Monistrol to Montserrat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qWV9DasLPZjm7zgQ-zBZb3ZC94NgWhICIvdS4IWEyLWppPhkbSnDKt7EgBf7jG116PLDDO-lhRZMDizqUabjybfQDomiVP7olqMwlvF5xqljFJ2dFp-qd9bHk435puN3-yr1PXCbAcBldEu_CxlTVAAy8jfkeo-gRXvwWBHdJIeNzFcUYYEavzfvxhmx/s4000/20240116_104920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qWV9DasLPZjm7zgQ-zBZb3ZC94NgWhICIvdS4IWEyLWppPhkbSnDKt7EgBf7jG116PLDDO-lhRZMDizqUabjybfQDomiVP7olqMwlvF5xqljFJ2dFp-qd9bHk435puN3-yr1PXCbAcBldEu_CxlTVAAy8jfkeo-gRXvwWBHdJIeNzFcUYYEavzfvxhmx/w640-h480/20240116_104920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The origins of Montserrat Rack Railway go back to the late nineteenth century and the need to improve access to the Monastery for worshippers and pilgrims.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Traditionally, the mountain was accessed via the road known as the Camí de Collbató. It was not until the second half of the century that a faster route was established as the result of the Ferrocarrils del Nord broad-gauge railway, which brought trains to Monistrol-Montserrat station. The opening of the railway made it possible to introduce a mail service, which took 3.5 hours to complete the route.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">However, the lack of permanent transport links and the increased number of visitors led the engineer Joaquim Carrera, a devotee of both Montserrat and the Swiss mountain railways, to convince the businessman Josep M. González to build a rack railway connecting Monistrol station to the Monastery. Thus, in 1881, the Ferrocarrils de Muntanya a Grans Pendents was created.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Montserrat Rack Railway was opened on 6 October 1892 and within a short space of time it became the most popular railway in Catalonia. The journey from Monistrol station to the Monastery took 65 minutes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Rack Railway was such a revolutionary development because, by linking up with the Ferrocarrils del Nord, it enabled visitors to travel from Barcelona to Montserrat and back in a single day. Thus, it became an economic driver for its area of influence.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMKZCsKuhHpYlRcZ_fm-8uuDQSxqzPY5t9WyBi8zPUzvbwkr13hyaq4e-CNwyN71D_Wdf-eEGSI-or7B0yxTqEyZJ4RStHa0fNqw6-ScmILbkcoRFWy-uCdm26E990PJ8UTWOamY6CSpg9n9xQ-2ChqbjF6v0h3au5Opv0v2k-yrjRNN3N7SYEPNJQwk9/s3758/20240116_105000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2818" data-original-width="3758" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMKZCsKuhHpYlRcZ_fm-8uuDQSxqzPY5t9WyBi8zPUzvbwkr13hyaq4e-CNwyN71D_Wdf-eEGSI-or7B0yxTqEyZJ4RStHa0fNqw6-ScmILbkcoRFWy-uCdm26E990PJ8UTWOamY6CSpg9n9xQ-2ChqbjF6v0h3au5Opv0v2k-yrjRNN3N7SYEPNJQwk9/w640-h480/20240116_105000.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="551" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BP9yla9iew4" width="663" youtube-src-id="BP9yla9iew4"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;">The Rack Railway’s route follows the track of the old railway for around five kilometres, four of which utilise the rack system. Between the stations of Monistrol-Vila and Montserrat, it ascends by nearly 550 metres.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The route starts at Monistrol de Montserrat station, which links to the R5 service on the FGC’s Llobregat-Anoia line. After leaving this station, the train reaches the Foradada Tunnel, where it also crosses the Centenari Bridge and the C-55 motorway before reaching the second station, Monistrol-Vila, where the rack section begins.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The route continues upwards through the Àngel Tunnel, which the old trains also used to pass through, and crosses the new bridge at the location of the old level crossing. Further on, the train crosses Guilleumes Bridge, from where you can admire the jagged profile of the mountain before going into the Apòstols Tunnel, which is the last tunnel on the line. The train then completes the final ascent up to the terminus, Montserrat station, which is located below Plaça de la Creu.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ogUeg1sj5d8xWj8YhumxdPp8x1ccmuOyDmI6Jl2J7DglT4W4EGV44QkzyIwiP9tTTa8JfitMHXgwxktRAudpFfeJwyHEDAUtxVrVCQZKId8V__83yi2vokBmtctZL9AM223s7xlG2vusMoQcIuUs3nw2EswkPYIUESmJq1fts8XmUfqZLGqkYjxFqOzL/s4000/20240116_111145.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ogUeg1sj5d8xWj8YhumxdPp8x1ccmuOyDmI6Jl2J7DglT4W4EGV44QkzyIwiP9tTTa8JfitMHXgwxktRAudpFfeJwyHEDAUtxVrVCQZKId8V__83yi2vokBmtctZL9AM223s7xlG2vusMoQcIuUs3nw2EswkPYIUESmJq1fts8XmUfqZLGqkYjxFqOzL/w640-h480/20240116_111145.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ogUeg1sj5d8xWj8YhumxdPp8x1ccmuOyDmI6Jl2J7DglT4W4EGV44QkzyIwiP9tTTa8JfitMHXgwxktRAudpFfeJwyHEDAUtxVrVCQZKId8V__83yi2vokBmtctZL9AM223s7xlG2vusMoQcIuUs3nw2EswkPYIUESmJq1fts8XmUfqZLGqkYjxFqOzL/s4000/20240116_111145.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">We get off the train and walk out into Monseratt, it's absolutely beautiful here!</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7I5-fM4PAUklO8Zo8yxAbYFjE9GFQiAxZmCywj-XR4Vbz6_h2eDi-qN1QiTm_LHrXFW9vD8Tob9R05WwarnKZisDXXoF9G80RMtC6r7Ef4COR8uf-7olII_z2ZHF2Ot3ILX7TwkMYUETnR2TKxVJjkinnYVKMpChJZkGmyshFGZ1viR5xmUT1BM87cB8/s3648/20240116_111345.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7I5-fM4PAUklO8Zo8yxAbYFjE9GFQiAxZmCywj-XR4Vbz6_h2eDi-qN1QiTm_LHrXFW9vD8Tob9R05WwarnKZisDXXoF9G80RMtC6r7Ef4COR8uf-7olII_z2ZHF2Ot3ILX7TwkMYUETnR2TKxVJjkinnYVKMpChJZkGmyshFGZ1viR5xmUT1BM87cB8/w480-h640/20240116_111345.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Montserrat is a multi-peaked mountain range near Barcelona, in Catalonia, Spain. It is part of the Catalan Pre-Coastal Range. The main peaks are Sant Jeroni (1,236 m), Montgrós (1,120 m) and Les Agulles (903 m).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is well known as the site of the Benedictine abbey, Santa Maria de Montserrat, which hosts the Virgin of Montserrat sanctuary. The stone from the mountain is also used for the construction of Sagrada Familia, though recently, the stone began to become more fragile the deeper they quarried, so an alternative source had to be found to complete the construction. In 2018, the stone type needed for the construction was found in a quarry in Brinscall, near Chorley, England.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxByF0xf9n2T9nisbSK2q7iXfBM60kO0B318gcyW-UVJZwkPoVfuDnm4MdLUhnMz65nlIh7ib4Fplp7oRGITInOQfhrxeuU0rB-0kHXc9m916JUQmGpmuUPs0ci2JziShQdkXC-fkJ1vfkwlTxsCs8Oy2K6cvmdP4Z5VjeOMM1_tZrIfxfc5YeAuqYlal3/s4000/20240116_111421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxByF0xf9n2T9nisbSK2q7iXfBM60kO0B318gcyW-UVJZwkPoVfuDnm4MdLUhnMz65nlIh7ib4Fplp7oRGITInOQfhrxeuU0rB-0kHXc9m916JUQmGpmuUPs0ci2JziShQdkXC-fkJ1vfkwlTxsCs8Oy2K6cvmdP4Z5VjeOMM1_tZrIfxfc5YeAuqYlal3/s4000/20240116_111421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxByF0xf9n2T9nisbSK2q7iXfBM60kO0B318gcyW-UVJZwkPoVfuDnm4MdLUhnMz65nlIh7ib4Fplp7oRGITInOQfhrxeuU0rB-0kHXc9m916JUQmGpmuUPs0ci2JziShQdkXC-fkJ1vfkwlTxsCs8Oy2K6cvmdP4Z5VjeOMM1_tZrIfxfc5YeAuqYlal3/w640-h480/20240116_111421.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Montserrat" literally means "serrated (like the common handsaw) mountain" in Catalan. It describes its peculiar aspect with a multitude of rock formations that are visible from a great distance. The mountain is composed of strikingly pink conglomerate, a form of sedimentary rock. Montserrat was designated as a National Park in 1987. The Monastery of Montserrat which houses the virgin that gives its name to the monastery is also on the mountain, although it is also known as La Moreneta ("the little tan/dark one" in Catalan).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EUi2NGcdqF5eBv7dMhvA3LMGYhWkV_xJ-dvaWIk7z3U9FoL6_3klabLwW9VZT4EUyfYhvDe_7_BuK-c1qj2YtD5gYIsRhrfcvO07MNSS7WebZuSZWcydgCKkDymKRLqfV0Go7K6Rt6Ic4zfQJpmMVWRiFK7pSEjJBwg6t8PQBkvrRZa_-mQnY-0puefL/s2944/20240116_111447.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EUi2NGcdqF5eBv7dMhvA3LMGYhWkV_xJ-dvaWIk7z3U9FoL6_3klabLwW9VZT4EUyfYhvDe_7_BuK-c1qj2YtD5gYIsRhrfcvO07MNSS7WebZuSZWcydgCKkDymKRLqfV0Go7K6Rt6Ic4zfQJpmMVWRiFK7pSEjJBwg6t8PQBkvrRZa_-mQnY-0puefL/w480-h640/20240116_111447.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1493, Christopher Columbus named the Caribbean island of Montserrat Santa Maria de Montserrate, after the Virgin of Montserrat. Again, in 1606, the Spanish expedition of Luis Vaéz de Torres charted Mount Ernest island in the Torres Strait as Santa Maria de Montserrate, due to its relatively high peak. Also Monserrate is a 3,152 m high mountain that dominates Bogotá's downtown which has a church built in 1650 over the ancient Muisca sacred mountain and that includes a funicular and an aerial lift similar to the ones at Montserrat.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5N1NOvKCz2Hr9a_4rAisudyfVSli61ouUJdFKMIb7La5vSIAPX9NmQ50zU5MUqfIHiQudRwMiWm9PFcTLWOW7S9g11OmGoVLBd2GU8SUjs-95G1NOVDLZ9BL1YkYqRB9E7-TbMhOsy0QuWCVDcLxAH0ruL_RBR7IRXY9Ot6oDY3DswsDrbNu-exk9XAR/s3791/20240116_111612.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2843" data-original-width="3791" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5N1NOvKCz2Hr9a_4rAisudyfVSli61ouUJdFKMIb7La5vSIAPX9NmQ50zU5MUqfIHiQudRwMiWm9PFcTLWOW7S9g11OmGoVLBd2GU8SUjs-95G1NOVDLZ9BL1YkYqRB9E7-TbMhOsy0QuWCVDcLxAH0ruL_RBR7IRXY9Ot6oDY3DswsDrbNu-exk9XAR/w640-h480/20240116_111612.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqGBFyj_Q7EuI4IhyNKAoZiCG15OABobrESp-18vZbLLuK0sn7fIk2uLG2ygqEf4zvZ_smb5ZIIRBr3ooEBpW5GNaAx7YJ6F371a0ahu7_GZ2kJCZsARo0DbT7w-MI62Dnoo1wrGpo1qBei5qkFW35m6GfvKKum3r_pbJkoOuX8Ur8sfGHzvmeQ2_QneY/s3842/20240116_112031.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3842" data-original-width="2882" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqGBFyj_Q7EuI4IhyNKAoZiCG15OABobrESp-18vZbLLuK0sn7fIk2uLG2ygqEf4zvZ_smb5ZIIRBr3ooEBpW5GNaAx7YJ6F371a0ahu7_GZ2kJCZsARo0DbT7w-MI62Dnoo1wrGpo1qBei5qkFW35m6GfvKKum3r_pbJkoOuX8Ur8sfGHzvmeQ2_QneY/w480-h640/20240116_112031.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2B5krG6swejRESz8JFnK2P8HQ4CMECbUpMPrjrIzV-Y2TLGFad6Rr3_g_iCGDORTHBBoqhWVNE3NYN3czmnY-jcbM8tWv97Mrg_b4Ki4kO7XBFQh_DpqgrL86EiPA5O2_5UMFo-RuM5gv361ryGwPIFmlmCKPdl7JjxsYrWR_Z-hwj1RVxSfSfCEtkjY/s3761/20240116_112034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3761" data-original-width="2821" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2B5krG6swejRESz8JFnK2P8HQ4CMECbUpMPrjrIzV-Y2TLGFad6Rr3_g_iCGDORTHBBoqhWVNE3NYN3czmnY-jcbM8tWv97Mrg_b4Ki4kO7XBFQh_DpqgrL86EiPA5O2_5UMFo-RuM5gv361ryGwPIFmlmCKPdl7JjxsYrWR_Z-hwj1RVxSfSfCEtkjY/w480-h640/20240116_112034.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We take the stairs up towards the Monastery.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhVPM1Wc1RjZG_uBA0_tcbqSEW5l3Z3dzXf9T8VcTDRyG554e65ytm_OsCbPH5I3YGfHfVnxRxSF2QkqjHLq5VtyGQdouIaSC_IUkJOp5Zge5QhAm6-OcArEr0vAUarx1kGWLyFWEb8xXyUPElrn_pdojZQVDoZM1OhQeVd9Xe9_yP7XHQbKDHwoKmiuH/s3648/20240116_112050.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhVPM1Wc1RjZG_uBA0_tcbqSEW5l3Z3dzXf9T8VcTDRyG554e65ytm_OsCbPH5I3YGfHfVnxRxSF2QkqjHLq5VtyGQdouIaSC_IUkJOp5Zge5QhAm6-OcArEr0vAUarx1kGWLyFWEb8xXyUPElrn_pdojZQVDoZM1OhQeVd9Xe9_yP7XHQbKDHwoKmiuH/w480-h640/20240116_112050.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4q6cj_SZfZ2JpUJ840v5bI9041GAT2H81HbSJ9Q6JchG2o3in1ZC3mOt7t7iHnodfFES-bEYdjM9jZAPX6xBP3PM64DHtae4BCLRFQ60WXc0Rud0i9m4gXmy4YLmaUt31BTSfgKFxKs3JE5Qy2CtGeO0EskqwSNmmAYhLDAlv32ZM53qFKzg1z1SDp7BX/s3822/20240116_112155.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2867" data-original-width="3822" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4q6cj_SZfZ2JpUJ840v5bI9041GAT2H81HbSJ9Q6JchG2o3in1ZC3mOt7t7iHnodfFES-bEYdjM9jZAPX6xBP3PM64DHtae4BCLRFQ60WXc0Rud0i9m4gXmy4YLmaUt31BTSfgKFxKs3JE5Qy2CtGeO0EskqwSNmmAYhLDAlv32ZM53qFKzg1z1SDp7BX/w640-h480/20240116_112155.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10u8ck8BVcDqSLp1uQffkyGEeOYzhlEFkjo9vrdKrdHyrNUNdOtcG58rjCuYWzvpgP_iCX4L-EcDJxjhoDJweg8m5wQvQOgOsztlTChOo869WN2YrY0tZUHLDmA-uldz2cUrumvzM5NZsN0voTlxGU3cYhpiPA2V7xbmba0iGP3kQt5Yn35fkIOHRNvwy/s4000/20240116_112220.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10u8ck8BVcDqSLp1uQffkyGEeOYzhlEFkjo9vrdKrdHyrNUNdOtcG58rjCuYWzvpgP_iCX4L-EcDJxjhoDJweg8m5wQvQOgOsztlTChOo869WN2YrY0tZUHLDmA-uldz2cUrumvzM5NZsN0voTlxGU3cYhpiPA2V7xbmba0iGP3kQt5Yn35fkIOHRNvwy/w640-h480/20240116_112220.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Santa Maria de Montserrat is an abbey of the Order of Saint Benedict located on the mountain of Montserrat in Monistrol de Montserrat, Catalonia, Spain. It is notable for enshrining the image of the Virgin of Montserrat. The monastery was founded in 1025 and was rebuilt between the 19th and 20th centuries, and still functions to this day, with over 70 monks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgiwt0W6j4cavwV9wciPiLHfuzpvL8fdRm_0VlLxTwBEC_5J5VeH0mauxBeAmJ8HQwiq5YW5BUkxM_4ZoLYXufWJV-CvPyY70IBYyaEcAgLu2MQpsRmIib-lTpXxDFpmeZUmgWU9zQ9GtUne6rn2o16yT6WZwyFRhEfcoK-JOiRgEAnrrGaLOQMwf0V5I/s3887/20240116_112254.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2915" data-original-width="3887" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgiwt0W6j4cavwV9wciPiLHfuzpvL8fdRm_0VlLxTwBEC_5J5VeH0mauxBeAmJ8HQwiq5YW5BUkxM_4ZoLYXufWJV-CvPyY70IBYyaEcAgLu2MQpsRmIib-lTpXxDFpmeZUmgWU9zQ9GtUne6rn2o16yT6WZwyFRhEfcoK-JOiRgEAnrrGaLOQMwf0V5I/w640-h480/20240116_112254.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-uDOlOtaGAJ_iePlzDgz8-ge5g_h8Sbw9_fibB6zQTXiSuiY_7oSxDYYWYFZ_PmP-73diMVWD0rlKvmCkp3RzJmDeyRqvVlxXQF6oxn4RgzML6gCgnslSo6Tut1cbr4vxrcqHnIwuUnYDElXkPtNW3iJCSEFNoM90zIiSZVpi0Jhw9c697zY_diwz1M0/s3796/20240116_112259.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3796" data-original-width="2847" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-uDOlOtaGAJ_iePlzDgz8-ge5g_h8Sbw9_fibB6zQTXiSuiY_7oSxDYYWYFZ_PmP-73diMVWD0rlKvmCkp3RzJmDeyRqvVlxXQF6oxn4RgzML6gCgnslSo6Tut1cbr4vxrcqHnIwuUnYDElXkPtNW3iJCSEFNoM90zIiSZVpi0Jhw9c697zY_diwz1M0/w480-h640/20240116_112259.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The monastery is 48 kilometres (30 mi) northwest of Barcelona, and can be reached by road, train or cable car. The abbey's train station, operated by FGC, is the terminus of a rack railway connecting with Monistrol, and two funiculars, one connecting with Santa Cova (a shrine and chapel lower down the mountain) and the other connecting with the upper slopes of the mountain. At 1,236 metres (4,055 ft) above the valley floor, Montserrat is the highest point of the Catalan lowlands, and stands central to the most populated part of Catalonia. Montserrat's highest point, Sant Jeroni, can be reached by footpaths leading from the monastery. From Sant Jeroni, almost all of Catalonia can be seen, and on a clear day the island of Mallorca is visible.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzhYW2v6NBE3AQ-5XlbtZNGpvyg4y-5m18vZ4T58u8hKOcIpMI0eGG5D_LjwCQpOg8FHUGUHwHV5c8WdA9WH4WVjYdStvCmCeW_m7SezPVqXXI7paURcgnZtCWRAoy01i54436E0yiOLG-XfHniXn6tLWPeoCY6uFJnekU6ob8wQ3F1yzZ7UY9f2DGGfd/s4000/20240116_112402.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzhYW2v6NBE3AQ-5XlbtZNGpvyg4y-5m18vZ4T58u8hKOcIpMI0eGG5D_LjwCQpOg8FHUGUHwHV5c8WdA9WH4WVjYdStvCmCeW_m7SezPVqXXI7paURcgnZtCWRAoy01i54436E0yiOLG-XfHniXn6tLWPeoCY6uFJnekU6ob8wQ3F1yzZ7UY9f2DGGfd/w640-h480/20240116_112402.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaU4w9RvTIdYhZlYWVy7JfJWMH_fzJvM9xyyHsWqgkGwfbwZI4N4i091kk2cF4Mfjx4Kd255kIjDgt9iunLi7WuoVoTZGBLx8txD3fibv65MRqdPOzciBewxLQq89tCgW8E8j3VILBgkdkewc_6Kry8aGvOlaJ_3-U9gO6fHMVJfu949RnqOE6UFAb81z/s3837/20240116_112427.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2878" data-original-width="3837" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaU4w9RvTIdYhZlYWVy7JfJWMH_fzJvM9xyyHsWqgkGwfbwZI4N4i091kk2cF4Mfjx4Kd255kIjDgt9iunLi7WuoVoTZGBLx8txD3fibv65MRqdPOzciBewxLQq89tCgW8E8j3VILBgkdkewc_6Kry8aGvOlaJ_3-U9gO6fHMVJfu949RnqOE6UFAb81z/w640-h480/20240116_112427.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Montserrat, whose name means 'serrated mountain', plays an important role in the cultural and spiritual life of Catalonia. It is Catalonia's most important religious retreat and groups of young people from Barcelona and all over Catalonia often make overnight hikes to watch the sunrise from the heights of Montserrat. The Virgin of Montserrat is Catalonia's patron saint, and is located in the sanctuary of the Mare de Déu de Montserrat, next to the Benedictine monastery nestling in the towers and crags of the mountain.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKVDDYsTDTeK7WulQvOZF3ek_U3EzPy-E-aLr9tYeWUbdYUOl3umd-_fU4EvT_YljME5QF8eKOw6Cxx6mIvp5wltB1BFiM4JRJsaO2VAiewqSg2oIQAugSGmkxr-KSPUVwHpuKuUmdpXME0QuZE8YWPS3obBmYCh6fYfi3dIOVPRcx0r_UsA_Z9lm06pE/s4000/20240116_112439.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKVDDYsTDTeK7WulQvOZF3ek_U3EzPy-E-aLr9tYeWUbdYUOl3umd-_fU4EvT_YljME5QF8eKOw6Cxx6mIvp5wltB1BFiM4JRJsaO2VAiewqSg2oIQAugSGmkxr-KSPUVwHpuKuUmdpXME0QuZE8YWPS3obBmYCh6fYfi3dIOVPRcx0r_UsA_Z9lm06pE/w480-h640/20240116_112439.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TI2WUZt5R4SeilmUcgDc5dl4FqR1BEPe1autzkb3AmvyhoLnEthNsc5jIs7nO19c3mvcsQs-_kPK-Tm21_onPFlajbomZjs14oN-jFHzyRG7H6RF68TzZyq4rK1Q-QIfquAzTrE76ZH097X_8qkAg8LzXcpDMDT3RJ1hkhCn15UBNp_djfuKb32scdB5/s4000/20240116_112448.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TI2WUZt5R4SeilmUcgDc5dl4FqR1BEPe1autzkb3AmvyhoLnEthNsc5jIs7nO19c3mvcsQs-_kPK-Tm21_onPFlajbomZjs14oN-jFHzyRG7H6RF68TzZyq4rK1Q-QIfquAzTrE76ZH097X_8qkAg8LzXcpDMDT3RJ1hkhCn15UBNp_djfuKb32scdB5/w640-h480/20240116_112448.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are generally about 80 monks in residence. The Escolania, Montserrat's Boys’ Choir, is one of the oldest in Europe, and performs during religious ceremonies and communal prayers in the basilica</div></div><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbrzfB_ol15yJUCtw7XGbR8wxf2iM2UemuiyMGjDrzb1LRWeUwOPZ8ArYTbbYUAICC6uOMd53CqA2CpV2SeuYDqGf4nykHQzjM8BUzbQBUgALV_0lpJ1yu_ZIHI9goxDdj22QA0_fwPNkWQrsyfqljZzWRxTclCT8ckJfcppQeDnhtuct_HiS3CHXWyyy/s4000/20240116_112456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbrzfB_ol15yJUCtw7XGbR8wxf2iM2UemuiyMGjDrzb1LRWeUwOPZ8ArYTbbYUAICC6uOMd53CqA2CpV2SeuYDqGf4nykHQzjM8BUzbQBUgALV_0lpJ1yu_ZIHI9goxDdj22QA0_fwPNkWQrsyfqljZzWRxTclCT8ckJfcppQeDnhtuct_HiS3CHXWyyy/w640-h480/20240116_112456.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcslUenxa9WtoirA2qvxPPJDLnbE7D6z3ValtzD-b8W9fgvH0NyO0x4zdshixnupFb04NVlH7KTTRgi7CRCLczRQKB_XMlERfCizd7UnOm9Z-trOiWQH3J9b6wJ747BU-AYUUxHsllcH9BCEnQSHKmbEJJeVuHwbvC8RPIlt5giCJMqwbrw51tUle4pZ1x/s4000/20240116_112541.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcslUenxa9WtoirA2qvxPPJDLnbE7D6z3ValtzD-b8W9fgvH0NyO0x4zdshixnupFb04NVlH7KTTRgi7CRCLczRQKB_XMlERfCizd7UnOm9Z-trOiWQH3J9b6wJ747BU-AYUUxHsllcH9BCEnQSHKmbEJJeVuHwbvC8RPIlt5giCJMqwbrw51tUle4pZ1x/w640-h480/20240116_112541.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The basilica houses a museum with works of art by many prominent painters. The Publicacions de l'Abadia de Montserrat, a publishing house, one of the oldest presses in the world still running, with its first book published in 1499.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1BUBZiU8sQ4" width="653" youtube-src-id="1BUBZiU8sQ4"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Initial construction of the basilica of Montserrat began in the 16th century, and its complete reconstruction began in the year 1811, after being destroyed in the Peninsular War.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1881 the Pope Leo XIII granted it the status of minor basilica. The facade was realized in 1901, work of Francisco de Paula del Villar y Carmona in Plateresque Revival style, with sculptural reliefs of Venanci and Agapit Vallmitjana i Barbany.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDc5W6xKKwjSY4nFg7WOse31Q6YbF_KPAXb-IP_C_-bj7PjMcaIXn2X0PZdQXrVJmNK0-v8Mxo030xEKGTbiDrrx6LL0Fxa3GTqPAT9kigcjNRFFIwinxtvUPmYzpHri33dNORBpNCDTnWMtestcOGYgRr_60yJLvm5n3y18dhYbTsKOUvKxsPap97xjBc/s4000/20240116_113057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDc5W6xKKwjSY4nFg7WOse31Q6YbF_KPAXb-IP_C_-bj7PjMcaIXn2X0PZdQXrVJmNK0-v8Mxo030xEKGTbiDrrx6LL0Fxa3GTqPAT9kigcjNRFFIwinxtvUPmYzpHri33dNORBpNCDTnWMtestcOGYgRr_60yJLvm5n3y18dhYbTsKOUvKxsPap97xjBc/w640-h480/20240116_113057.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After the Spanish Civil War a new façade of the church was built (between 1942 and 1968), with the work of Francesc Folguera i Grassi and decorated with sculptural reliefs of Joan Rebull (St. Benedict, Proclamation of the dogma of the Assumption of Mary by Pius XII and St. George, with a representation of the monks who died during the Spanish Civil War). Additionally, it bears the inscription Urbs Jerusalem Beata Dicta Pacis Visio ("Blessed city of Jerusalem, called the vision of peace"). At the foot of the frieze with the relief of St. George is sculpted the phrase "Catalonia will be Christian or it will not be", attributed to the bishop Josep Torras i Bages, which has been assumed as a political motto of Catholic root.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51L_EgeaIVYPKIt0tIsUm1JWSIsnVzC0CYnxD2_9W7hnzhTTTwJp76vMR8SYTuVxF955DFemjfCpSpBicldAFzPWggWbUP7XXcdHjR6VguRa-HVcXAUYOc5ik9xm4ZYJy2gxpkR0IRdpqs2ftNgbTQaKsnnG-JKTPsNM5saR_zoAfnzbr7fdt6B-skpnE/s4000/20240116_113110.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51L_EgeaIVYPKIt0tIsUm1JWSIsnVzC0CYnxD2_9W7hnzhTTTwJp76vMR8SYTuVxF955DFemjfCpSpBicldAFzPWggWbUP7XXcdHjR6VguRa-HVcXAUYOc5ik9xm4ZYJy2gxpkR0IRdpqs2ftNgbTQaKsnnG-JKTPsNM5saR_zoAfnzbr7fdt6B-skpnE/w640-h480/20240116_113110.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church is of a single nave, 68.32 meters long and 21.50 wide, with a height of 33.33 meters. It is supported by central columns, carved in wood by Josep Llimona i Bruguera, representing the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. At the head is the main altar, decorated with enamels (1928) of Montserrat Mainar, depicting various biblical scenes, such as The Last Supper, The Wedding at Cana and The Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes. The 15th century cross on the altar is the work of Lorenzo Ghiberti. On the altar there is a shrine of octagonal form. In the chancel there are various paintings by Alexandre de Riquer, Joan Llimona, Joaquim Vancells, Dionís Baixeras and Lluís Graner.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLA-4cr17v4-0ByyUS4cpycXOsnyZTk1QS03jRv8XEaghQkAbpqBNbakp9CwPPJKkfLYlBf4sbCxgk3L9oBWYvqmqdnEhzhcji-in34qMo9BlIdWCwEjdrmHK3bLBnGUt1P809oNcMhpH1Heh6B23yJHLZqlov7xc14bqxmH8-0PC6xbq9QHMrIYwnrX3/s4000/20240116_113220.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLA-4cr17v4-0ByyUS4cpycXOsnyZTk1QS03jRv8XEaghQkAbpqBNbakp9CwPPJKkfLYlBf4sbCxgk3L9oBWYvqmqdnEhzhcji-in34qMo9BlIdWCwEjdrmHK3bLBnGUt1P809oNcMhpH1Heh6B23yJHLZqlov7xc14bqxmH8-0PC6xbq9QHMrIYwnrX3/w640-h480/20240116_113220.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBupI8cQV7tmtuWNzcg5gTBs8Wfbr355M9mskuG7P7GXiizpBkUcQ6rtHN9uJnotgtB8oX9dihIIIHDPcA6Q09lo9KIhc6k-tPyfab26eWZLt4NyMfP1mpteB76PopI5oRIfY8B_78a8gZJibfWQlZz4fE74nHk_ZHB-guI1qu9dP1GdzXSci_e-OCnDc/s4000/20240116_113308.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBupI8cQV7tmtuWNzcg5gTBs8Wfbr355M9mskuG7P7GXiizpBkUcQ6rtHN9uJnotgtB8oX9dihIIIHDPcA6Q09lo9KIhc6k-tPyfab26eWZLt4NyMfP1mpteB76PopI5oRIfY8B_78a8gZJibfWQlZz4fE74nHk_ZHB-guI1qu9dP1GdzXSci_e-OCnDc/w640-h480/20240116_113308.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZTYQ31vZ12-xkD5WB8mEY3366LCod_01RFQWTpdJzxubnMXbnaWAr4CoD691UtzWZP9E-TtBlqp7f5SfWUdPKfKP81g_Xdlckob_xMWCZvuit9QK8RpBMRUyx_RRYaTb0FW8zNELwH-Z4_ypMZd8SslsrlzwKO0XM5djPaR9NNggsbmyAvfqAk5oSRyb/s3919/20240116_120632.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3919" data-original-width="2939" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZTYQ31vZ12-xkD5WB8mEY3366LCod_01RFQWTpdJzxubnMXbnaWAr4CoD691UtzWZP9E-TtBlqp7f5SfWUdPKfKP81g_Xdlckob_xMWCZvuit9QK8RpBMRUyx_RRYaTb0FW8zNELwH-Z4_ypMZd8SslsrlzwKO0XM5djPaR9NNggsbmyAvfqAk5oSRyb/w480-h640/20240116_120632.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEsFZ07OMpmuMNqgD3THYewkQNdgXFX-l4X0cJbu7Tx1-xyvzhG2o5b8MHbQVpS4I6i-4fCKDwAluYSEsRgTdMXaEbh096wqlUVLMe9TPfgLMvS-rBr6zo4HkVp0RapkhvpcLeP_R4f8RAgHizZ73A0UHKRK2mWMNgpeRfxHVf9MMOTPs_FgIVIZv1Q2A/s4000/20240116_120651.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEsFZ07OMpmuMNqgD3THYewkQNdgXFX-l4X0cJbu7Tx1-xyvzhG2o5b8MHbQVpS4I6i-4fCKDwAluYSEsRgTdMXaEbh096wqlUVLMe9TPfgLMvS-rBr6zo4HkVp0RapkhvpcLeP_R4f8RAgHizZ73A0UHKRK2mWMNgpeRfxHVf9MMOTPs_FgIVIZv1Q2A/w480-h640/20240116_120651.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CdHVQq3ENsnEmqS4vSwPYPe32rNpamvF_WPRjkqCwkIRngEr9VMkhHn4gCOdZdQwq2Fj1etbfXjhz79wEl2qUy3xBgcgZ0OfFVSuC73WH6QoNxrha1WnD55oWPYvsj8GvC2bydIdToFAkT6xDXRIdqwG9wrg7GOQ_pkadoF2rm3eLINEd7iYVcof_4wx/s4000/20240116_120751.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CdHVQq3ENsnEmqS4vSwPYPe32rNpamvF_WPRjkqCwkIRngEr9VMkhHn4gCOdZdQwq2Fj1etbfXjhz79wEl2qUy3xBgcgZ0OfFVSuC73WH6QoNxrha1WnD55oWPYvsj8GvC2bydIdToFAkT6xDXRIdqwG9wrg7GOQ_pkadoF2rm3eLINEd7iYVcof_4wx/w640-h480/20240116_120751.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The basilica of the monastery was built in the 16th century, in the transition period between Gothic and Renaissance. The Black Madonna is kept in the basilica.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Many famous people made pilgrimages to Montserrat: Pope Benedict XIII, Columbus, Cervantes, von Humboldt, Kings Fernando and Isabella, Carlos I, Felipe II and Louis XIV.</div><div style="text-align: center;">On his second voyage in 1493, Columbus named an Antilles island Montserrat.</div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1811 the monastery was largely destroyed by Napoleonic troops. The Benedictine monastery was rebuilt.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJSNkM6dP1IMidRyapsVzzFHxRdytDRcu-wW6xEvM5AZkcTrb5GsIhdPd5YGJbW88WRL4zwCqi9E26yaA0UbYYyaKmb4wSlZIqKYG5A8S7gRTfD_gjGsUwNS4t405g7m0pYHJavQNveJwozLrtEYr6trFAJtx-Q4uJAPwwjpB7hNuSMjXj9V3hDFMhHyX/s4000/20240116_120812.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJSNkM6dP1IMidRyapsVzzFHxRdytDRcu-wW6xEvM5AZkcTrb5GsIhdPd5YGJbW88WRL4zwCqi9E26yaA0UbYYyaKmb4wSlZIqKYG5A8S7gRTfD_gjGsUwNS4t405g7m0pYHJavQNveJwozLrtEYr6trFAJtx-Q4uJAPwwjpB7hNuSMjXj9V3hDFMhHyX/w640-h480/20240116_120812.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8_dg1h4tH4XJvsUj2OtWdK3kQBtF_gLiG6UPDnwpeauo6jhLcowlk0HuqE1kkX9YLFjPkjeZ81MqT9anStBjxtXPqxnj1VxrBeS0ZdQzkausKcx7vdnnulnBMyd6SyNt82-Hi4k6UQa6dSVFxBJohc5ZT_eAd90E7cm-_HlC7MT4pOR2bLUoNQjL8nyz/s4000/20240116_120914.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8_dg1h4tH4XJvsUj2OtWdK3kQBtF_gLiG6UPDnwpeauo6jhLcowlk0HuqE1kkX9YLFjPkjeZ81MqT9anStBjxtXPqxnj1VxrBeS0ZdQzkausKcx7vdnnulnBMyd6SyNt82-Hi4k6UQa6dSVFxBJohc5ZT_eAd90E7cm-_HlC7MT4pOR2bLUoNQjL8nyz/w480-h640/20240116_120914.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The monastery resisted during the Franco dictatorship. Despite the ban, Catalan was still spoken there and masses were held in Catalan. Hundreds of people persecuted by the Franco regime were hidden here. More than 20 monks were executed because of it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today, this resistance makes the monastery an important symbol of Catalan self-evidence and the fight against oppression. The Catalans are still grateful for that today.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNUxU9hYOSa3V69qAfaM7DZub3ZozVEGBCjBtGDasTxi382e1C3E0aHFjtgvOMZzlDRIiKHPBg0B9s-xvxIeq_laUhxzfHrVlUxYpX-Zd7PjrYUyRuyAg8-Gzd5WwA46rrej1bP9wZVbNRU8DSQOZSZX7a1RGul-4LMLwexZcfFH-9fpbRCKQAxJtjizb/s3756/20240116_121346.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3756" data-original-width="2817" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNUxU9hYOSa3V69qAfaM7DZub3ZozVEGBCjBtGDasTxi382e1C3E0aHFjtgvOMZzlDRIiKHPBg0B9s-xvxIeq_laUhxzfHrVlUxYpX-Zd7PjrYUyRuyAg8-Gzd5WwA46rrej1bP9wZVbNRU8DSQOZSZX7a1RGul-4LMLwexZcfFH-9fpbRCKQAxJtjizb/w480-h640/20240116_121346.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The first chapel is in honour of Saint Peter, the second is in honour of St Ignatius of Loyola, the third is on honour of St Martin, and the fourth is in honour of St Joseph Calasantius.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyxT99ZLgYiBDEopBNfCTGfPBbrN39Ouxe0jffLbd-EsON8r5R8ucXy9-mwg4ayBCS7MbCW6ksmPd-H8nhgnMzrQYWGtoQR_zKoEDA1qQheCOfZ7l_pgf_CuOWmMbCdooAyBBRms9fGd6xKKy1GkaskbAn5_bgUJallRVctroJz99oRkrkCAT_u7z_Py-/s3772/20240116_121407.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3772" data-original-width="2829" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyxT99ZLgYiBDEopBNfCTGfPBbrN39Ouxe0jffLbd-EsON8r5R8ucXy9-mwg4ayBCS7MbCW6ksmPd-H8nhgnMzrQYWGtoQR_zKoEDA1qQheCOfZ7l_pgf_CuOWmMbCdooAyBBRms9fGd6xKKy1GkaskbAn5_bgUJallRVctroJz99oRkrkCAT_u7z_Py-/w480-h640/20240116_121407.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We enter the monastery and make our way around this beautiful place.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWT0gw_r5RumYvkrliZ75s4-3B-3HeqN8g9WRwmcOxH6budOdCd3vcZJZ9LcNVKiOGFeF5ffWvecUnZ4m_ilgHyqa7IWdgKvufDKc2X4JqQ53KVQVSiOQhREyBabqUIu60Cgok4jee5fKI3J7uZGulZ_u0nmfU1ysGMxmwNQTNB7mUmbUQw06G900Pm1UL/s4000/20240116_121433.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWT0gw_r5RumYvkrliZ75s4-3B-3HeqN8g9WRwmcOxH6budOdCd3vcZJZ9LcNVKiOGFeF5ffWvecUnZ4m_ilgHyqa7IWdgKvufDKc2X4JqQ53KVQVSiOQhREyBabqUIu60Cgok4jee5fKI3J7uZGulZ_u0nmfU1ysGMxmwNQTNB7mUmbUQw06G900Pm1UL/w640-h480/20240116_121433.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAT72YLE93BrUBGZM2YWzukCpXtYglT6pmU61Z9NnP9SYQdExx2nBSpzUluEC_R4qK1z1Ae49vGWtkGKOIhRVgyAkP10k3Lohw3hysNh41qtZ6WXQ_j98AE_hl6FdVyRxg2Fcb17zxo_V6EI9kbKoNOWFkLSdzhGhbpeBzlA6aOBOddHYRIl3kIUDpiwQo/s4000/20240116_121454.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAT72YLE93BrUBGZM2YWzukCpXtYglT6pmU61Z9NnP9SYQdExx2nBSpzUluEC_R4qK1z1Ae49vGWtkGKOIhRVgyAkP10k3Lohw3hysNh41qtZ6WXQ_j98AE_hl6FdVyRxg2Fcb17zxo_V6EI9kbKoNOWFkLSdzhGhbpeBzlA6aOBOddHYRIl3kIUDpiwQo/w480-h640/20240116_121454.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfKi3ggsrpTIK_S98v_cYV-BTJd84U3l2US7xT3xHTFNpUembzsKx532qnCJ29lAbzQsgORxzZ8RmZ2ibrKrnDzGWAd_odnZFg5xRD_4cwWPtGyyU5iVKB14Bx8dAJbKXkl2sTDGiTr4aXZh1I1hUMTxw-UN2ia-bXOpfm6bYCGBMQAYsFIOQ6lpRTxg5/s4000/20240116_121908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfKi3ggsrpTIK_S98v_cYV-BTJd84U3l2US7xT3xHTFNpUembzsKx532qnCJ29lAbzQsgORxzZ8RmZ2ibrKrnDzGWAd_odnZFg5xRD_4cwWPtGyyU5iVKB14Bx8dAJbKXkl2sTDGiTr4aXZh1I1hUMTxw-UN2ia-bXOpfm6bYCGBMQAYsFIOQ6lpRTxg5/w480-h640/20240116_121908.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The amazing artwork on the ceiling was in progress of restoration by talented artists.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxztwBIPVRRLo851ajbdsM6XQD4yN6dL4BsNUqEr5IgXBLN6Y8RVT70ofEDOI7qHLfK6e77g5eGxag4TYdDt5QPpfgu2fx7hREby0DaFZL1Qm9J-Feuz1tyP4dBYPxtV8XJ0Jur3GujBF16O993gWwmi5Yc36nVEgC55xo1qCaRjaHgA_a_9wmnCdnTw06/s4000/20240116_122019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxztwBIPVRRLo851ajbdsM6XQD4yN6dL4BsNUqEr5IgXBLN6Y8RVT70ofEDOI7qHLfK6e77g5eGxag4TYdDt5QPpfgu2fx7hREby0DaFZL1Qm9J-Feuz1tyP4dBYPxtV8XJ0Jur3GujBF16O993gWwmi5Yc36nVEgC55xo1qCaRjaHgA_a_9wmnCdnTw06/w480-h640/20240116_122019.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As you enter the room where the Virgin sits, it is worth noting the doors - they are made of repousse silver and were created by Josep Obiols, Rafel Solanic and Manuel Capdevila. The Black Madonna herself sits on an incredibly ornate throne which is covered in Venetian mosaics. At either side of the Virgin, you will spot nine silver lamps - these represent the eight dioceses of Catalunya and Montserrat. Above the Virgin's head, there are Angels that were created by the sculptor Marti Llaurado.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3I2RjbNWScMBhkl5x_xQbRSaehfXjG_7dalqT2uS6sI9mqImgw_2an3rG0_KM9q6xdWJvcFtWDvJL0Ka3yGg4HiaklH7a4r-aEDg9HcFotQZ2F1uDkfE3o7owrFaOUstZZRUOzqtJ0jiuq2WTs24t7LjDDarzVUm58VVcXZA8PbunYEpi4LB8H_Qm-fY9/s4000/20240116_122041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3I2RjbNWScMBhkl5x_xQbRSaehfXjG_7dalqT2uS6sI9mqImgw_2an3rG0_KM9q6xdWJvcFtWDvJL0Ka3yGg4HiaklH7a4r-aEDg9HcFotQZ2F1uDkfE3o7owrFaOUstZZRUOzqtJ0jiuq2WTs24t7LjDDarzVUm58VVcXZA8PbunYEpi4LB8H_Qm-fY9/w640-h480/20240116_122041.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is now our turn to pay tribute to the Black Madonna.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYFhS8iMy5_-voRdpsxlTtUKHPC486f4sogIyfhYYmMGL7JObJpyc4x_3zl77ISGagoXdJqP_IVbE_m3GupSrdlNGqGcNvuHZ6z6pyVyH-2DTx34C8oXbpbQwDww2QLmQIZI8ujMnRT7gzOqWHgOZzL_6i1QhQOZ5kHaUVm4WUQTK3Am9uojSMYwozi6o/s4000/20240116_122126.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYFhS8iMy5_-voRdpsxlTtUKHPC486f4sogIyfhYYmMGL7JObJpyc4x_3zl77ISGagoXdJqP_IVbE_m3GupSrdlNGqGcNvuHZ6z6pyVyH-2DTx34C8oXbpbQwDww2QLmQIZI8ujMnRT7gzOqWHgOZzL_6i1QhQOZ5kHaUVm4WUQTK3Am9uojSMYwozi6o/w480-h640/20240116_122126.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Black Madonna is sometimes referred to by other names, including 'The Virgin of Montserrat' and 'La Moreneta'. The statue sits behind a sheet of glass. However, one of her hands that is holding a sphere (which symbolises the universe) is not behind the glass. It is tradition for you to kiss or touch the Virgin's hand whilst opening out your other hand to Jesus.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtKDtJBdg9yBJ7IqqdhnGXuWFCjfKgRZ_RXmFeFg0rM5-jNjb8DkQVKNN1blVTSkCdKs3Mcq9q8Y4Nh0HxhjmuF_T5z-9RUGzmfOd7gW3bHhIszLCUbKmtj-epOhtXp1VzhCd1u8hZBqZvnG1Rt1vWuG-48BwYys-EK6f_EUbQorOwS48zVkUJmNn5c_A/s3839/20240116_122201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3839" data-original-width="2879" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtKDtJBdg9yBJ7IqqdhnGXuWFCjfKgRZ_RXmFeFg0rM5-jNjb8DkQVKNN1blVTSkCdKs3Mcq9q8Y4Nh0HxhjmuF_T5z-9RUGzmfOd7gW3bHhIszLCUbKmtj-epOhtXp1VzhCd1u8hZBqZvnG1Rt1vWuG-48BwYys-EK6f_EUbQorOwS48zVkUJmNn5c_A/w480-h640/20240116_122201.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Black Madonna was believed to have been carved in Jerusalem at the beginning of the religion. It is a wooden sculpture. It is one of the most famous Black Madonna statues in the world, and in 1844 Pope Leo XIII declared the Virgin of Montserrat the patroness of Catalonia. Black Madonnas can be found all over the world. If you are interested in the history of the concept of the Black Madonna and its various depictions, it is worth a visit to the Montserrat Museum where there is a whole section dedicated to its art and history.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3XeMoAlblYZNyfhwVZJ8UfRrL_4i9-p2RbXudY96V2RO-4DSjODyKpFxCaJ6QiPg-yB8q8X6N7-6_4v7u9seYMwfsFVy8xVSNF7IRG1Xe4z432OOqOZTxgGzZNZDKZ5GJY_5VE7-j7phFuM3_yq9RGhR6BSJXdi39dyK39KppRnGg_RndMKzcPx6A115/s4000/20240116_122212.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3XeMoAlblYZNyfhwVZJ8UfRrL_4i9-p2RbXudY96V2RO-4DSjODyKpFxCaJ6QiPg-yB8q8X6N7-6_4v7u9seYMwfsFVy8xVSNF7IRG1Xe4z432OOqOZTxgGzZNZDKZ5GJY_5VE7-j7phFuM3_yq9RGhR6BSJXdi39dyK39KppRnGg_RndMKzcPx6A115/w300-h400/20240116_122212.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1944 it was decided that a new room, known as the 'throne room' would be built with a stairway leading to the statue. The work of sculptors, architects, artists and jewellers was recruited, and the project was headed by the architect Francesc Folguera and the painter Josep Obiols to build the room and altar in which the statue is placed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The new building work was scheduled to be completed on 27 April 1947 - a day to be known as the Enthronement. However, work finally finished in 1954.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX21FM3slsebpGWP88fAmMrL2H2cvAFmgkgFnULIgYFhPOhKKkeAipilmslOQRfxf3fwzFvYIHiyo46ZD-Y45eYtCXp5_Tzrm_kIo3XQwYKBl3Nb6d2QE6fFwV4U32OcbY3ni_sh7-jC2nvRh7L9-eYeIE-jSkuoc2fwfv7uNuy3jUoVwp-6EK8DBpTKvi/s4000/20240116_122224.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX21FM3slsebpGWP88fAmMrL2H2cvAFmgkgFnULIgYFhPOhKKkeAipilmslOQRfxf3fwzFvYIHiyo46ZD-Y45eYtCXp5_Tzrm_kIo3XQwYKBl3Nb6d2QE6fFwV4U32OcbY3ni_sh7-jC2nvRh7L9-eYeIE-jSkuoc2fwfv7uNuy3jUoVwp-6EK8DBpTKvi/w480-h640/20240116_122224.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the most common questions about the Black Madonna is why she is black. The dark colour of the Virgin's face is the reason why locals have nicknamed her 'La Moreneta' ("the little black lady"). Contrary to popular belief, she is not black due to a portrayal of a Black African Madonna. The blackness also does not come from a dark colour in the wood or from earlier coverings in the paint. It is known from historical descriptions of the Madonna that she has simply darkened over time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEH8mi8lWWim3vwkl9bE46RoLx-PbXJ4fB89tqwI2jQoLwxtnEzDKpXdv-GWwrSn5UjwgEPzG1CU0CtrHWhJLuyoN3ItPgcwy_45mQWbBnV34V6vMLCXSJx3RShk2_2uevCvqYjL1Bxl5jbCNysmwM2LwPJ7KqqrccRLU2RQTPK0AW_P8mYZppjiawIp2Y/s4000/20240116_122233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEH8mi8lWWim3vwkl9bE46RoLx-PbXJ4fB89tqwI2jQoLwxtnEzDKpXdv-GWwrSn5UjwgEPzG1CU0CtrHWhJLuyoN3ItPgcwy_45mQWbBnV34V6vMLCXSJx3RShk2_2uevCvqYjL1Bxl5jbCNysmwM2LwPJ7KqqrccRLU2RQTPK0AW_P8mYZppjiawIp2Y/w480-h640/20240116_122233.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdBArn0smw_2D1ZgAXisnLwyq0ENzpRIsD5FVXEFmioOsziVZTdrTAhEmUdX8KSHXMxG7zUohfhboTbXgsP3VJv-SYYLYKrsVduZIaE4n8VAstzQh1gFsf2sKous87PUUHpY0GyN5xtSsIPN2hhNoz2vlp44A2cNOygU-eoowy2pWE_udLRcqHgJE8lTu/s4000/20240116_122349.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdBArn0smw_2D1ZgAXisnLwyq0ENzpRIsD5FVXEFmioOsziVZTdrTAhEmUdX8KSHXMxG7zUohfhboTbXgsP3VJv-SYYLYKrsVduZIaE4n8VAstzQh1gFsf2sKous87PUUHpY0GyN5xtSsIPN2hhNoz2vlp44A2cNOygU-eoowy2pWE_udLRcqHgJE8lTu/w480-h640/20240116_122349.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSt7sdSjWUrZNN7tDI_3kf7ionIvX1Kiw7vdzNmBOZegB21U4N4i6G7id5Yi92goeq4Bhk7y9nOuvQBUQWJPeK96k5y7kLsJ3xboSGmla3uAOr7z1M6wyZlo_PZVSZrZFi6f-bjUD4MKAHTxWQ5Z6W3uIk_PCsgq6KpxE-CSl6gh95y3I9ziSUPcDDnf8n/s3806/20240116_122426.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3806" data-original-width="2855" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSt7sdSjWUrZNN7tDI_3kf7ionIvX1Kiw7vdzNmBOZegB21U4N4i6G7id5Yi92goeq4Bhk7y9nOuvQBUQWJPeK96k5y7kLsJ3xboSGmla3uAOr7z1M6wyZlo_PZVSZrZFi6f-bjUD4MKAHTxWQ5Z6W3uIk_PCsgq6KpxE-CSl6gh95y3I9ziSUPcDDnf8n/w480-h640/20240116_122426.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On leaving the area where you have seen the Black Madonna you will exit via the Cami de l'Ave Maria. This area is a moving place where you will be given the opportunity to pay homage to the statue that you have just seen. Each candle that you will see has been lit as a prayer to the Virgin Mary. An entire wall of candles is evidence of all of the people have come to ask their prayers to the Virgin Mary.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YIsfklf0pWTAZLoB-LecQvKjR6dKiGnbDuWAjVeIVALDOK-NXk8bw-MP2njnNVDa8qcTgz6sJud66kF5PWz-4wt8_CKs59OhjdcCCsQp4HgMPkOxmvB5rk8lC3_zbwZ1lEDnDFkgseGuyJgzxSr4tKoua5EWXN7cA1JnSWT06lWVXIeRg9zj1MeO784E/s4000/20240116_122434.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YIsfklf0pWTAZLoB-LecQvKjR6dKiGnbDuWAjVeIVALDOK-NXk8bw-MP2njnNVDa8qcTgz6sJud66kF5PWz-4wt8_CKs59OhjdcCCsQp4HgMPkOxmvB5rk8lC3_zbwZ1lEDnDFkgseGuyJgzxSr4tKoua5EWXN7cA1JnSWT06lWVXIeRg9zj1MeO784E/w640-h480/20240116_122434.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpbK8GRGyKFixh0TRBsMcc6xUr9e-_q3yWiVNwjsXeei5AW0qxz5P5qQdWBT3rYZHY2gSsTguPZwM_3er8FygcX1DwUsZpnTvSYxOjjL137hg5AlKDZjDGBB4l9M2c2qBfVLtbelg8vinaVM5TkYX1FCosnVvrJpQZawp58XWV7GdqaDcEVSw8jY4t0In/s4000/20240116_122543.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpbK8GRGyKFixh0TRBsMcc6xUr9e-_q3yWiVNwjsXeei5AW0qxz5P5qQdWBT3rYZHY2gSsTguPZwM_3er8FygcX1DwUsZpnTvSYxOjjL137hg5AlKDZjDGBB4l9M2c2qBfVLtbelg8vinaVM5TkYX1FCosnVvrJpQZawp58XWV7GdqaDcEVSw8jY4t0In/w480-h640/20240116_122543.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNry_QVEuT95D6tdcIvK9enzvKkE9wshKvHuFSy7osqbCdyQX_lgvDp8RPrMHn6fMdUFCvDR8BULsMGmvg_2_VU0jByAp2WPgwoMICiQg3FGXINGpNnjPic-yG8-W8488RKuMMTfS9IjsNs3ehv9Y0Cl4IsuSaHFvHSBCsZQsOQF-P0pqIrys6EyvlcS-Z/s4000/20240116_122549.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNry_QVEuT95D6tdcIvK9enzvKkE9wshKvHuFSy7osqbCdyQX_lgvDp8RPrMHn6fMdUFCvDR8BULsMGmvg_2_VU0jByAp2WPgwoMICiQg3FGXINGpNnjPic-yG8-W8488RKuMMTfS9IjsNs3ehv9Y0Cl4IsuSaHFvHSBCsZQsOQF-P0pqIrys6EyvlcS-Z/w640-h147/20240116_122549.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZexgS6n5jwpowQT3AaN15rqgbhD2mygmDAYj90y-EcloIq5D_HIhz4WHrXCkeJzPW0p-r_LBHH8fyhm6Ut-3o3po-ONFgR7we9qBTLMuNIAn9ZTW7V1vr0bGEZRAQwRwBO8PFR4I-7ORUTAPywDh3FPyUYnv-t-KF_dbhNkbqFtRzcw484W_Z_eqbvJ5/s3922/20240116_122610.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3922" data-original-width="2942" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZexgS6n5jwpowQT3AaN15rqgbhD2mygmDAYj90y-EcloIq5D_HIhz4WHrXCkeJzPW0p-r_LBHH8fyhm6Ut-3o3po-ONFgR7we9qBTLMuNIAn9ZTW7V1vr0bGEZRAQwRwBO8PFR4I-7ORUTAPywDh3FPyUYnv-t-KF_dbhNkbqFtRzcw484W_Z_eqbvJ5/w480-h640/20240116_122610.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kwgjUnEYkf96doeTlO78WJEB6jAQmdJMmTcQGfqrQkMlQNG0XNTvZX1Kpr3HgFoj8RSDziekwR7_sAEGkKUtxzulpWFm-GroEfZvryvVFmJFJgcDPvoTHhjc9QD_8cI90sTJhQ8lbUmJ-lfRYuzOuc-PPO-h-ZpY-yNI43cyb-PB0urRLB_3VzXpAT-9/s3900/20240116_122623.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2925" data-original-width="3900" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kwgjUnEYkf96doeTlO78WJEB6jAQmdJMmTcQGfqrQkMlQNG0XNTvZX1Kpr3HgFoj8RSDziekwR7_sAEGkKUtxzulpWFm-GroEfZvryvVFmJFJgcDPvoTHhjc9QD_8cI90sTJhQ8lbUmJ-lfRYuzOuc-PPO-h-ZpY-yNI43cyb-PB0urRLB_3VzXpAT-9/w640-h480/20240116_122623.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Exterior sculpture of Jesus and the twelve apostles at Santa Maria de Montserrat.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9vMteFDAGUtGFPMPt56tpdfO47rM7mQSy0SOrbubPMXZxxWNVytFPz9hWT2NSBCmcblakhwSVgJf9BqIUG4bcskcOIW18KRtnFV3ZNCcfKh6bqn6H_hIBX5FtIYW3GYqaqDUNcd-6X7k9IFownF_5oJ-wT5CQvVGpvRdbNh0yMpqegyBsUmNJQpPihNP/s3865/20240116_122713.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3865" data-original-width="2899" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9vMteFDAGUtGFPMPt56tpdfO47rM7mQSy0SOrbubPMXZxxWNVytFPz9hWT2NSBCmcblakhwSVgJf9BqIUG4bcskcOIW18KRtnFV3ZNCcfKh6bqn6H_hIBX5FtIYW3GYqaqDUNcd-6X7k9IFownF_5oJ-wT5CQvVGpvRdbNh0yMpqegyBsUmNJQpPihNP/w480-h640/20240116_122713.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the monastery and go to find the path up the mountain. Sadly the funiculars are out of action due to an annual inspection.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZ8eqv-X3hN3AMfjCtduPz1tWuhRJPsn54DZsBO_W60nR6zheHc_IJsF73dxBVfsu5YPX8aegGDY2Tby6Yli2OX9mZrd-dqcirG4cpcs0nONnaageUSwFFux3uCUcj4nc8QvmvhkycSabzcJh-1KKSutYbrL3fDIE3FHoeWZ_JyTRZj3UpzCOzrjSKem4/s4000/20240116_123438.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZ8eqv-X3hN3AMfjCtduPz1tWuhRJPsn54DZsBO_W60nR6zheHc_IJsF73dxBVfsu5YPX8aegGDY2Tby6Yli2OX9mZrd-dqcirG4cpcs0nONnaageUSwFFux3uCUcj4nc8QvmvhkycSabzcJh-1KKSutYbrL3fDIE3FHoeWZ_JyTRZj3UpzCOzrjSKem4/w640-h480/20240116_123438.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Z7udMU5XhvY2FemSKRcHhwJVgBg2rLo1nnbCBLzyMh-pCNpdajsz_B20ifhd1vqUZ27Cw0F3-j1wL0AhYmAOFzIDDwsIkO0nGk9tk1RjzCL0LkwiB2U-LztRg-fq7Gja0_j6QBAHJwlcQAn0mdYtugoJNf1JDzJFr9msOwx76N32p6c4LrCqPweN1b8P/s3540/20240116_123702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3540" data-original-width="2655" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Z7udMU5XhvY2FemSKRcHhwJVgBg2rLo1nnbCBLzyMh-pCNpdajsz_B20ifhd1vqUZ27Cw0F3-j1wL0AhYmAOFzIDDwsIkO0nGk9tk1RjzCL0LkwiB2U-LztRg-fq7Gja0_j6QBAHJwlcQAn0mdYtugoJNf1JDzJFr9msOwx76N32p6c4LrCqPweN1b8P/w480-h640/20240116_123702.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Montserrat is a multi-peaked mountain range reaching 1,236m at its highest summit, Sant Jeroni. The other two main peaks are Montgrós at 1,120m and Miranda de les Agulles at 903m.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRIjkgVWxTW8-qLmJkT8Zeiyb-XsD5yJdUYNcZwySY0fx_jcqpoWiJKNPZ5Cwqi6WhSsuOW6p2D5KK76MO0x8OEuQXB5XKVV9282WqsRBrYmmc1-iUE_OSKwQaDCAJ_Ltn79ZEPuWWd4pV9do1RJKJndz7cpY041rLozJJAmz4UDf-pS2nRh8nYVJxgKE/s4000/20240116_123757.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRIjkgVWxTW8-qLmJkT8Zeiyb-XsD5yJdUYNcZwySY0fx_jcqpoWiJKNPZ5Cwqi6WhSsuOW6p2D5KK76MO0x8OEuQXB5XKVV9282WqsRBrYmmc1-iUE_OSKwQaDCAJ_Ltn79ZEPuWWd4pV9do1RJKJndz7cpY041rLozJJAmz4UDf-pS2nRh8nYVJxgKE/w480-h640/20240116_123757.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghl5LtryaYc-ZoE9kwQre2mA-BF7k39xTlaL9EdDBazXGEXndkc4e6ruo38_Ae3e6kmLi-rsc2Y9sOhhskIQGNfhe5fTVz5cyaZ10kqyqCbSweXXy9JXrcfNxb7Rr2n7nCdkr2bncAo-EeGCM1x_-R725motnBDzr8PlRNsNc-jMNY0Jl-H2eT19cshkrF/s4000/20240116_124049.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghl5LtryaYc-ZoE9kwQre2mA-BF7k39xTlaL9EdDBazXGEXndkc4e6ruo38_Ae3e6kmLi-rsc2Y9sOhhskIQGNfhe5fTVz5cyaZ10kqyqCbSweXXy9JXrcfNxb7Rr2n7nCdkr2bncAo-EeGCM1x_-R725motnBDzr8PlRNsNc-jMNY0Jl-H2eT19cshkrF/w640-h480/20240116_124049.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">They are loads and loads of steps up the mountain side.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0fgRtxgtnjutMr7f2w8zYZrB6v8syP4N_uYwPMoEyMaWRx-zwyiv6ekDGpTCsSCbJw7ZIPxcryItc6Rx9hcAW3dhp4RHOibHkYIecMdgjpmU3KReP5RdALrPi4wf82RgQYF-J6d6ERqau1FtQ2Ft2n_g3u9lM87Tn92GcCiw0Vd01R1G_YFZavAH3Snp/s4000/20240116_124233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0fgRtxgtnjutMr7f2w8zYZrB6v8syP4N_uYwPMoEyMaWRx-zwyiv6ekDGpTCsSCbJw7ZIPxcryItc6Rx9hcAW3dhp4RHOibHkYIecMdgjpmU3KReP5RdALrPi4wf82RgQYF-J6d6ERqau1FtQ2Ft2n_g3u9lM87Tn92GcCiw0Vd01R1G_YFZavAH3Snp/w480-h640/20240116_124233.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We continue up the Sant Jeroni Path.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIDRloP8zQddjPY6E0xmaZv5HN1URkYaqYLI3O0cyNbnxMLeKOLdCB64goQYGJ1dtY2ygo1SN0QKvr7TtdTY7CZpBg0qm9A92aordiyK_AuP9RtMijqYxGjQrP3m8UJz5drxUxD_YQ3uYQM1owAVPmn2VUF9OOHZLSj0ZL6165xv02YBcxwpLHpjkTZ0D/s4000/20240116_124340.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIDRloP8zQddjPY6E0xmaZv5HN1URkYaqYLI3O0cyNbnxMLeKOLdCB64goQYGJ1dtY2ygo1SN0QKvr7TtdTY7CZpBg0qm9A92aordiyK_AuP9RtMijqYxGjQrP3m8UJz5drxUxD_YQ3uYQM1owAVPmn2VUF9OOHZLSj0ZL6165xv02YBcxwpLHpjkTZ0D/w480-h640/20240116_124340.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5fh9n61qsJPx-pTtI7ZzBUi8XBwB-ofwQZtE9_IyZ8zxXaUxQzUsNc3srvyVzhBXKqyJ0UxxVt_0BFXfITWMNZURnYd2nXIKYXLgJSAvY2w7yk3t95sEq1L9HfFE3jBqFR1WaOhLMBkzy9tcUcyFOJ3uUmkzFgNbhgHIjQoHnxjeaXjY79ac9U-KAGcB/s3879/20240116_124515.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2909" data-original-width="3879" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5fh9n61qsJPx-pTtI7ZzBUi8XBwB-ofwQZtE9_IyZ8zxXaUxQzUsNc3srvyVzhBXKqyJ0UxxVt_0BFXfITWMNZURnYd2nXIKYXLgJSAvY2w7yk3t95sEq1L9HfFE3jBqFR1WaOhLMBkzy9tcUcyFOJ3uUmkzFgNbhgHIjQoHnxjeaXjY79ac9U-KAGcB/w640-h480/20240116_124515.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are some fantastic views back down to the monastery.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58_ts04ociayoYgRAs7b16_VIn-sEH3eVu9-9x6_1zg-D9tvRqmBuq2Nr79fY9eblMms2YtBJER31_BmbiuehZvhMD3CQqnkkUgTP2R3aAAC6tSpY7ybX08kY2BigkQPCKeDaoI2iliUmLygpUVQT3zJSU5TrfKwyXO7SgZn97u-YHai6G6oMUuo3mr5a/s3648/20240116_124533.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58_ts04ociayoYgRAs7b16_VIn-sEH3eVu9-9x6_1zg-D9tvRqmBuq2Nr79fY9eblMms2YtBJER31_BmbiuehZvhMD3CQqnkkUgTP2R3aAAC6tSpY7ybX08kY2BigkQPCKeDaoI2iliUmLygpUVQT3zJSU5TrfKwyXO7SgZn97u-YHai6G6oMUuo3mr5a/w640-h480/20240116_124533.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzb0legVc2DrTeurG7VWKjP_Lq-axrdgH1DVUtVJWUoGmcLBL5-vwxx_zjV1yIXIOcFm-oJLxJZ7Pae7ZLdA0TRdZFhYSfgQs4M_Ha53dTmSkpzX8iC17702RpXVDcAGRM8oC2l8w3Jlh-2lA8QxArT1y32rBl5FJ87bLFcTyfnGhj0CFRbjLg4JJedzRb/s3826/20240116_124745.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3826" data-original-width="2870" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzb0legVc2DrTeurG7VWKjP_Lq-axrdgH1DVUtVJWUoGmcLBL5-vwxx_zjV1yIXIOcFm-oJLxJZ7Pae7ZLdA0TRdZFhYSfgQs4M_Ha53dTmSkpzX8iC17702RpXVDcAGRM8oC2l8w3Jlh-2lA8QxArT1y32rBl5FJ87bLFcTyfnGhj0CFRbjLg4JJedzRb/w480-h640/20240116_124745.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavgGugJCz2g_zqlVUZZcihiUY-pEXPFNqPu90vxGki1vIOC3_mnSYuoCKQUUIhwWyR5NzOfvfUCElHHSIlmvxuda-TWiid3kNC6i3gQykEkmjy2_rseKp2uMH6KMXF-t9Z0TZmu3UaJ3-FsPo-x4SikwfjVmWuXfjsWSVkZurbld1VeNhM-kfrfqCBgG0/s3648/20240116_124925.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavgGugJCz2g_zqlVUZZcihiUY-pEXPFNqPu90vxGki1vIOC3_mnSYuoCKQUUIhwWyR5NzOfvfUCElHHSIlmvxuda-TWiid3kNC6i3gQykEkmjy2_rseKp2uMH6KMXF-t9Z0TZmu3UaJ3-FsPo-x4SikwfjVmWuXfjsWSVkZurbld1VeNhM-kfrfqCBgG0/w480-h640/20240116_124925.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_Uol-Qq7hwBW-H3VQ3TOVrm5PARd7_H3IjISMCLL2RKK89Pr2L54FUlwkLAx_oU3FpSOU_kBLi4C-zCO4MXvjCksFVTA4Bw37fq4VJTlF42uIvDTSKDLw0fNQamwxUDRX9ue8HpBlrlYgZMd7BJZqcq7Uyj5CW0PSMoGuV0F9W5OLHcCWXK5EWg_qWiK/s4000/20240116_125310.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_Uol-Qq7hwBW-H3VQ3TOVrm5PARd7_H3IjISMCLL2RKK89Pr2L54FUlwkLAx_oU3FpSOU_kBLi4C-zCO4MXvjCksFVTA4Bw37fq4VJTlF42uIvDTSKDLw0fNQamwxUDRX9ue8HpBlrlYgZMd7BJZqcq7Uyj5CW0PSMoGuV0F9W5OLHcCWXK5EWg_qWiK/w640-h480/20240116_125310.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiX6K2HCrIv9g3ipJlu8vowBXO98t8B9uA9eya0WTBNeKVPnoGZbrUN102FPDx9VDogzbF1LT9cjKDvtxpBFw2x3mIJcymqMitR3sn4Y3U4zz6pY_KOMVQ-mpCGtvACwSZRJYKVC41JKPXi9yoCdOLFCXSnGdy2lwDcMoJaUEH5wMtT2b1XgSqvLhaA92q/s4000/20240116_125440.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiX6K2HCrIv9g3ipJlu8vowBXO98t8B9uA9eya0WTBNeKVPnoGZbrUN102FPDx9VDogzbF1LT9cjKDvtxpBFw2x3mIJcymqMitR3sn4Y3U4zz6pY_KOMVQ-mpCGtvACwSZRJYKVC41JKPXi9yoCdOLFCXSnGdy2lwDcMoJaUEH5wMtT2b1XgSqvLhaA92q/w480-h640/20240116_125440.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_nLpruLbC2T5LGtsqqqSIRchdZTlM6Spq4tHsfufTIl9BfnVSjKDSaEBsMAcFaCXauVJ9oBB3979W90gZS3hpQA8R4q-Q1SYRV6LROaIGOufsstlt84trDsDUUv3xAPVbuCYKcmeotsxII2oHjFa6T3Jm79Ug0kTgi2acE67KTfU_TIlRdYI9ligKWNo/s4000/20240116_125748.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_nLpruLbC2T5LGtsqqqSIRchdZTlM6Spq4tHsfufTIl9BfnVSjKDSaEBsMAcFaCXauVJ9oBB3979W90gZS3hpQA8R4q-Q1SYRV6LROaIGOufsstlt84trDsDUUv3xAPVbuCYKcmeotsxII2oHjFa6T3Jm79Ug0kTgi2acE67KTfU_TIlRdYI9ligKWNo/w480-h640/20240116_125748.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At 1236m Sant Jeroni is the highest point in the Montserrat massif approximately 50 km NW of Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Unlike most of the other summits in the park, Sant Jeroni is not a sharp rock pinnacle requiring rock climbing skills to attain its summit. Indeed the last 200m of vertical gain is made up a long flight of concrete steps. Nevertheless, simply because it's the highest point, you just have to bag it. If those steps compromise anyone's conscience, there's compensation enough at the summit. Northwards look down almost 1000 vertical metres to the Llobregat valley and look up to the Pyrenees over 100km away. South and east the views extend as far as the Mediterranean coast and Barcelona and even, on a clear day, the island of Mallorca.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gsplchQQKGmSe6uEw5N6yppr_Y0nJkNX58YKIVDjLp8Wq1bwGkGVPGpuIHVrZZs3tcLXi_4UAcJEIFqerTineA_qcGxqHv5zA2EctAMjApAw7IOhWZ5iNsXKv1V4YNBinJ0k_be_FHgqN_Xo9jHe_Kcezdiu86hOSgQu7ZJdKI_CNRkLtNpLKKSxQKDp/s4000/20240116_125859.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gsplchQQKGmSe6uEw5N6yppr_Y0nJkNX58YKIVDjLp8Wq1bwGkGVPGpuIHVrZZs3tcLXi_4UAcJEIFqerTineA_qcGxqHv5zA2EctAMjApAw7IOhWZ5iNsXKv1V4YNBinJ0k_be_FHgqN_Xo9jHe_Kcezdiu86hOSgQu7ZJdKI_CNRkLtNpLKKSxQKDp/w480-h640/20240116_125859.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdj-yncoK3E2vgZf_3dQFCyGWuLYXfcaHmQMwhSPr6M16hWvBfegxwvvjHt1G_Eqr5SovLchSRwDJTL7TrrWYc5H2DELoK-mCxiqwzxvkN-DyXSnV5tHXrDx6oML3whjtQMdxIewyaswIB3wN3IL38IlohMbHcMbgQfucRmGd_fBIHv0aagW_X-uVWiA0/s4000/20240116_125928.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdj-yncoK3E2vgZf_3dQFCyGWuLYXfcaHmQMwhSPr6M16hWvBfegxwvvjHt1G_Eqr5SovLchSRwDJTL7TrrWYc5H2DELoK-mCxiqwzxvkN-DyXSnV5tHXrDx6oML3whjtQMdxIewyaswIB3wN3IL38IlohMbHcMbgQfucRmGd_fBIHv0aagW_X-uVWiA0/w640-h480/20240116_125928.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPPqaxl5-zuRM7I6gBcL1ecEiuRMLYHy7HphCe2Uhk9Dj8WccsUrBAYtyVpJWTDxEe2-L2GhYvCu91_DtWzXDxrAWXA7KIByJNfI15AzU8thQ9PJnCkXVcFu41u8fpgKu9cQkMuUcVGuzn0Tkf7wjDgqrWKEVrTPHbpOhQwCseOzVlAxxCDx5DRWLiTAw/s2944/20240116_125941.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="2944" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPPqaxl5-zuRM7I6gBcL1ecEiuRMLYHy7HphCe2Uhk9Dj8WccsUrBAYtyVpJWTDxEe2-L2GhYvCu91_DtWzXDxrAWXA7KIByJNfI15AzU8thQ9PJnCkXVcFu41u8fpgKu9cQkMuUcVGuzn0Tkf7wjDgqrWKEVrTPHbpOhQwCseOzVlAxxCDx5DRWLiTAw/w640-h480/20240116_125941.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We reach so far before it was too much for Mel. She isn't a walker and full credit to her for making this far and willing to try for me.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZA2g6F8XFh8Ja5etsp7Yz2cEvowMgamuINOtgM10o2ePYr8W0W62hah4CQs5ZViEuBFTPiOLt8uTjrwPs9-cSIi9sSMXkkyucz89wAX1fp7l2jzsH4QIkvGeHKvGcy3XghZ13pIaAKaupoT-sDxc4pmLNj3r0bSpZOgyfEVHvKkifWRliaQG2wmuFOuL/s4000/20240116_130716.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZA2g6F8XFh8Ja5etsp7Yz2cEvowMgamuINOtgM10o2ePYr8W0W62hah4CQs5ZViEuBFTPiOLt8uTjrwPs9-cSIi9sSMXkkyucz89wAX1fp7l2jzsH4QIkvGeHKvGcy3XghZ13pIaAKaupoT-sDxc4pmLNj3r0bSpZOgyfEVHvKkifWRliaQG2wmuFOuL/w480-h640/20240116_130716.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Apparently another hour walking to the summit. We decide to call it a day here, and I stop to drink a can of Voll-Damm Marzen at 7.2% bought from the Monseratt Restaurant below.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Li0XkpdNje-p1mnQDqzENl9q0kRKQfNjEqXxWkLmXC9OIUuETcSVfrPNyXqYPODR7nxS9ZmMfdKV-IrvIzYz1LiNci3OjC0jTwXeB6Eihr0N5eb6GzV11QRE5ajyOqzjEyX8X2yGyk68YKZJTLLCckyu9JjgjJE-JDCxXnMFgalGoL-X2HY3Wem7Mext/s4000/20240116_130725.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Li0XkpdNje-p1mnQDqzENl9q0kRKQfNjEqXxWkLmXC9OIUuETcSVfrPNyXqYPODR7nxS9ZmMfdKV-IrvIzYz1LiNci3OjC0jTwXeB6Eihr0N5eb6GzV11QRE5ajyOqzjEyX8X2yGyk68YKZJTLLCckyu9JjgjJE-JDCxXnMFgalGoL-X2HY3Wem7Mext/w480-h640/20240116_130725.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We make it back down and take the rack train, train and Metro back into Barcelona.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EBH_DBFdjGEMRbcEL6MbMtMHdjLxevaCbmj8ZFjDJueLRyxTmltdcI6axPuP__HvYl7q6lpJpaAg9TTipXIFMDRRZa9s9xaKotU4bmWBYG-aK1p0Cdy7RdQqbGk8DKYDxdIgLMPHFoltnCzHurSqETZIAjsXaylhoh9gaU2fvByqrr6WTUHI45g8LEPC/s4000/20240116_162554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EBH_DBFdjGEMRbcEL6MbMtMHdjLxevaCbmj8ZFjDJueLRyxTmltdcI6axPuP__HvYl7q6lpJpaAg9TTipXIFMDRRZa9s9xaKotU4bmWBYG-aK1p0Cdy7RdQqbGk8DKYDxdIgLMPHFoltnCzHurSqETZIAjsXaylhoh9gaU2fvByqrr6WTUHI45g8LEPC/w640-h480/20240116_162554.jpg" width="640" /></a>Enroute back we stop to try the Chocolate Con Churros from a shop on La Rambla.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Churros con chocolate are a classic Spanish sweet snack made from a choux pastry style mix, piped with a star shaped nozzle into long straight or curled fingers, fried in oil and coated in a mix of sugar and cinnamon.</div></div></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We go back to the hotel for a snooze before going out to dinner.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4a8PFoLXjLp_vpjtepAMM6t5PxBnlFCgENSJ5E1KGMdlCoiE0hHUjAPUtQynrLcZDTd3jJRhP9wRaIlKDcuDFPuabCmopowyWanTV4yl0UXcWvfDqAeOkXTsi9uksnH1QdONqX40AgGP0Y_W7zBhLsQmevpwhn_yG3FmLHJsbOZZUCnQqh93TVwKNVxzw/s4000/20240116_193026.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4a8PFoLXjLp_vpjtepAMM6t5PxBnlFCgENSJ5E1KGMdlCoiE0hHUjAPUtQynrLcZDTd3jJRhP9wRaIlKDcuDFPuabCmopowyWanTV4yl0UXcWvfDqAeOkXTsi9uksnH1QdONqX40AgGP0Y_W7zBhLsQmevpwhn_yG3FmLHJsbOZZUCnQqh93TVwKNVxzw/w480-h640/20240116_193026.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We visit Colum on Carrer Del Escudellers, a great restaurant set on a Columbus theme.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We order a Moritz 7 Pilsner brewed by Moritz a microbrewery in Barcelona.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxgISwJoRRNaaIWGZmHE5pLFWaP5Tlro_0aNSvELRghR6cdoBvFmyubxnIdB8tPZLJXHlbyn2u9BM_UBtanq0UM-f6y-XaWiMupH8TWatbxJejb_jo8qxyxZwC9vncWxqhbpY92Ja8ZRj85tvOCMw2S3MiDtNXplQA5eYHU8OFXXiUnl4AZH-jcEYtb35/s3568/20240116_193427.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2854" data-original-width="3568" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxgISwJoRRNaaIWGZmHE5pLFWaP5Tlro_0aNSvELRghR6cdoBvFmyubxnIdB8tPZLJXHlbyn2u9BM_UBtanq0UM-f6y-XaWiMupH8TWatbxJejb_jo8qxyxZwC9vncWxqhbpY92Ja8ZRj85tvOCMw2S3MiDtNXplQA5eYHU8OFXXiUnl4AZH-jcEYtb35/w640-h512/20240116_193427.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We start with a Spanish Omelette on Tomato and olive oil toast Tapas. Very nice.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTV-DjCuF-4W8T5VqblWiS1o65iaYrDH-yq6I3wD6uxGAnm7BrcMnmL2yzeC12jB9mDhfPM5sImTdLhxaUNLz_mhYu4771IuVR-LsoW-YMptBLJ4XLHGPvSD_vt10QZqDzTjBUAeFm73uVY88Tceg8HPyGB4DdP6aRkWTLLpoAcoMrxoUFbLQTaNPGcmIs/s4000/20240116_195328.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTV-DjCuF-4W8T5VqblWiS1o65iaYrDH-yq6I3wD6uxGAnm7BrcMnmL2yzeC12jB9mDhfPM5sImTdLhxaUNLz_mhYu4771IuVR-LsoW-YMptBLJ4XLHGPvSD_vt10QZqDzTjBUAeFm73uVY88Tceg8HPyGB4DdP6aRkWTLLpoAcoMrxoUFbLQTaNPGcmIs/w640-h480/20240116_195328.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Followed by Chicken Paella, this was just amazing. Wish I could have some more right now!</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzm0LA4-GnJLphDiRnaDjlBGISFK3Ya-2GH36nEqrkQM7dF-oYURvekOnUiJwNtf5nC6syH4eHCW6rKzuTdVJoMlZYboW1MCyXxyfuL4nMzxq9kLxT_jPB_0uVi3x33UUQc0tdAda2_JOkQXXoKUdgqawYpmKnF7bfjyXimUyivHpeFPuJ5_nzZszHxv8/s4000/20240116_195331.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzm0LA4-GnJLphDiRnaDjlBGISFK3Ya-2GH36nEqrkQM7dF-oYURvekOnUiJwNtf5nC6syH4eHCW6rKzuTdVJoMlZYboW1MCyXxyfuL4nMzxq9kLxT_jPB_0uVi3x33UUQc0tdAda2_JOkQXXoKUdgqawYpmKnF7bfjyXimUyivHpeFPuJ5_nzZszHxv8/w640-h480/20240116_195331.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We then had Chocolate Brownie to finish.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQJm9WZ4qD1kI-OPuP919ZekJ-ZCLkLEjbYsQROeQkrRxqSpfA1zOx-gW3OuMLEUwvtX8n-VPxIyNTOCV5sSyPgwIZXDvTPa0UYhSgyCA6mlNQWIotqHNoY_dVmYWlasN1pOBCo7tV9czalDOwqmziELamMSQtFI6gOfuqXdaSEh3ulRZfcHKEI8atOyp/s4000/20240116_201153.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQJm9WZ4qD1kI-OPuP919ZekJ-ZCLkLEjbYsQROeQkrRxqSpfA1zOx-gW3OuMLEUwvtX8n-VPxIyNTOCV5sSyPgwIZXDvTPa0UYhSgyCA6mlNQWIotqHNoY_dVmYWlasN1pOBCo7tV9czalDOwqmziELamMSQtFI6gOfuqXdaSEh3ulRZfcHKEI8atOyp/w640-h480/20240116_201153.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The staff at the restaurant were superb and very friendly. A fantastic restaurant, in fact a queue had formed by the time we left. We head back to the hotel.</div><div><br /></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Day Three: 17th January 2024</u></b></div></b></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We woke and headed down to breakfast at the hotel before we head off out.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CMTpiG7FczV-O7mZNCSlKzZdJKgw1fvdVx71ezxqqjBCNtjBP6sUIwOFWZeJ2GZXzryRjS9etLpWNrTa_nGavtgHYW44BhXdToj6ajgiQPsh08O9KcAOD04aPaTFTAZKaj1ZjupISMvBdTvtrMWCMunOWr-hCPywMgslP_MnwcBC2IdQXz44LjG0pIiq/s3820/20240117_091931.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2865" data-original-width="3820" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CMTpiG7FczV-O7mZNCSlKzZdJKgw1fvdVx71ezxqqjBCNtjBP6sUIwOFWZeJ2GZXzryRjS9etLpWNrTa_nGavtgHYW44BhXdToj6ajgiQPsh08O9KcAOD04aPaTFTAZKaj1ZjupISMvBdTvtrMWCMunOWr-hCPywMgslP_MnwcBC2IdQXz44LjG0pIiq/w640-h480/20240117_091931.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk up La Rambla to visit Mercado de La Boqueria.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97jEr96y3RMDTocUKzaqdGt5XFR89AcGVrN5oSwfCG1JOeMe74G2BlddO_-ECXi-MC4fzBB62EVzavIz18X8p849UxEpdQvBXCdARpVU2UnQ58yB_JbQtQgpVscTc7xndv08M5wKS1zcHYwXa-mZdawppC35SAwzWbBSCn4KWFtJfIvfe5LUCRuacQhnW/s3925/20240117_091953.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2943" data-original-width="3925" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97jEr96y3RMDTocUKzaqdGt5XFR89AcGVrN5oSwfCG1JOeMe74G2BlddO_-ECXi-MC4fzBB62EVzavIz18X8p849UxEpdQvBXCdARpVU2UnQ58yB_JbQtQgpVscTc7xndv08M5wKS1zcHYwXa-mZdawppC35SAwzWbBSCn4KWFtJfIvfe5LUCRuacQhnW/w640-h480/20240117_091953.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria usually simply referred to as La Boqueria, is a large public market in the Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, and one of the city's foremost tourist landmarks, with an entrance from La Rambla, not far from the Liceu, Barcelona's opera house. The market has a very diverse selection of goods.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpnDH9RouhvicceqvJDlJszNtDlhcGU16FEyrkDsl9StNuzWL2rLJ04YcbiJwSv7V8QkdLkxr0RSTToXF676ZGadA2lJGA2i-_cEOhs1DS6w7enCH3MZQvzqgovDit03kyObPt8vI7EjkDGFTGP2VnMjbnWDPGQxPFeK1L7KJhKz7Jl0nhzcSgeq2q9jM/s3870/20240117_092023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2903" data-original-width="3870" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpnDH9RouhvicceqvJDlJszNtDlhcGU16FEyrkDsl9StNuzWL2rLJ04YcbiJwSv7V8QkdLkxr0RSTToXF676ZGadA2lJGA2i-_cEOhs1DS6w7enCH3MZQvzqgovDit03kyObPt8vI7EjkDGFTGP2VnMjbnWDPGQxPFeK1L7KJhKz7Jl0nhzcSgeq2q9jM/w640-h480/20240117_092023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The first mention of the Boqueria market in Barcelona dates from 1217, when tables were installed near the old city gate to sell meat. From December 1470 onwards, a pig market was held at this site; at this time it was known as Mercadi Bornet. Later, until 1794, it was known simply as Mercat de la Palla, or straw market. In the beginning, the market was not enclosed and had no official status, being regarded simply as an extension of the Plaça Nova market, which extended to the Plaça del Pi. The current name is believed to derive from the Catalan boc, meaning "goat", therefore a boqueria would be a place where goat meat is sold; compare also French boucherie, whence Vuccirìa, the name of a market in Palermo, Italy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadeZddKtsFccAe-P81538MqlMdJNMvx71E_SiQ6qS1Ej-zM3Boo5LuAFTc-eYZjW2AVyz33tB7o6klU8O7P8uZdy0sk0DjuZlr_gURPMFJ0mvK2n6qZGURIW53qCKRK03fHNNCfeCawSiFHFUIt3GgaKg6c_vjQM13slCvnZWSQEWege_-r2EP3-e0Crf/s4000/20240117_092117.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadeZddKtsFccAe-P81538MqlMdJNMvx71E_SiQ6qS1Ej-zM3Boo5LuAFTc-eYZjW2AVyz33tB7o6klU8O7P8uZdy0sk0DjuZlr_gURPMFJ0mvK2n6qZGURIW53qCKRK03fHNNCfeCawSiFHFUIt3GgaKg6c_vjQM13slCvnZWSQEWege_-r2EP3-e0Crf/w640-h480/20240117_092117.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Later, the authorities decided to construct a separate market on La Rambla, housing mainly fishmongers and butchers. It was not until 1826 that the market was legally recognized, and a convention held in 1835, decided to build an official structure. Construction began on March 19, 1840, under the direction of architect Mas Vilá. The market officially opened in the same year, but the plans for the building were modified many times. The inauguration of the structure finally took place in 1853. A new fish market opened in 1911, and the metal roof that still exists today was constructed in 1914.</div></div><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the market and catch the Metro from Liceu to travel to Lesseps Metro. the closest to Guell Park.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AgWnoRdkeFp7UKvNLdEt1FmRNOLgWTdlzOAjmprfBGZTJZBRBoTYDNUInNdrzbK4VETpDGfAO5xn8L-tvxeUySFR26Ar6wqj10bd0MqaNuA4p_iA-n7KxZoO0FGOqZaalTTqHrI2QN7_f2lL2RCrwG1N29Rk4IIMDObMFUVX6Wj7slt52Szvsx7ysa-J/s4000/20240117_100154.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AgWnoRdkeFp7UKvNLdEt1FmRNOLgWTdlzOAjmprfBGZTJZBRBoTYDNUInNdrzbK4VETpDGfAO5xn8L-tvxeUySFR26Ar6wqj10bd0MqaNuA4p_iA-n7KxZoO0FGOqZaalTTqHrI2QN7_f2lL2RCrwG1N29Rk4IIMDObMFUVX6Wj7slt52Szvsx7ysa-J/w640-h480/20240117_100154.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave Lesseps Metro and walk up Trav. De Dalt with its palm lined road.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANysJRs2E64h790zfv8tvDB8nbxoRrpYw9b0iEsEB6IhF8RYZugg2dzsBg7_h3cdJ9QCqNOSnYCnrdAw0UarLsAleqsYFpQuoPvgMY0nQoTPFeaulKuqTH61sf3ayXtxxrnC134ZwK2GZNBTyZyRCtsiqb3s4FkwdRjpQOXXgL4OKwmCfd13IE5xzz51F/s4000/20240117_100805.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANysJRs2E64h790zfv8tvDB8nbxoRrpYw9b0iEsEB6IhF8RYZugg2dzsBg7_h3cdJ9QCqNOSnYCnrdAw0UarLsAleqsYFpQuoPvgMY0nQoTPFeaulKuqTH61sf3ayXtxxrnC134ZwK2GZNBTyZyRCtsiqb3s4FkwdRjpQOXXgL4OKwmCfd13IE5xzz51F/w640-h480/20240117_100805.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We turn left up Carrer de Sant Cugat del Vallés, passing Kasa de la Muntanya pictured above.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf005eyt6auHU-kbw_9-LDFTkxeBt897u3mAUS1DJGcfWhNG7lBCcFJAG5O4Y2SRZTBtGd84hq-Uv7x35ezSST-cTDQyd6mA8GKev-FC8CS89XV22HtJTyU6pB0FSgdjBlB26G8746rfx_BwI1hO6G5CXwQv7kEIG514BJQBInVTEOKzEUTEFuhmgEI1fj/s4000/20240117_100908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf005eyt6auHU-kbw_9-LDFTkxeBt897u3mAUS1DJGcfWhNG7lBCcFJAG5O4Y2SRZTBtGd84hq-Uv7x35ezSST-cTDQyd6mA8GKev-FC8CS89XV22HtJTyU6pB0FSgdjBlB26G8746rfx_BwI1hO6G5CXwQv7kEIG514BJQBInVTEOKzEUTEFuhmgEI1fj/w480-h640/20240117_100908.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kasa de la Muntanya is a squatted former Guardia Civil (Civil Guard) barracks in Barcelona. It was built in 1909, by Eusebi Güell, abandoned by the police in 1983, and occupied in 1989. It became central to the squatter movement in Barcelona as a self-managed social centre. The Güell family undertook a long legal battle to regain ownership of the building and then started negotiations with the city council about its use. The council announced in 2019, a plan to buy the building and turn it into social housing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYr2pyj8knH5zWZcgjm2rY_sTiL9MlkPp9FSr_FKtEzan8FVvMar65WDFXAvaWkmZws5v-6qBnMvSCrdbWtpKmEvBNw32k_SrbO00oA2ffRWf3U8vLO12GvDyCnXR5DUWFR9JYi16511sTEHYw83kxtfeNE8ptNzpJ3rfjM8pkBv5ZCeMOtpSezYcgkiQQ/s4000/20240117_100953.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYr2pyj8knH5zWZcgjm2rY_sTiL9MlkPp9FSr_FKtEzan8FVvMar65WDFXAvaWkmZws5v-6qBnMvSCrdbWtpKmEvBNw32k_SrbO00oA2ffRWf3U8vLO12GvDyCnXR5DUWFR9JYi16511sTEHYw83kxtfeNE8ptNzpJ3rfjM8pkBv5ZCeMOtpSezYcgkiQQ/w640-h480/20240117_100953.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1909, rich industrialist Eusebi Güell built a police station in the La Salut district of Gràcia in Barcelona and handed it over to the Guardia Civil (Civil Guard), with an agreement that the building would revert to the ownership of the Güell family when the state stopped using it. The barracks were required since there were at the time many violent confrontations between trade unions and business owners in Barcelona. The 745m² building became derelict in 1983, when the Guardia Civil left after an attack by the Catalan nationalist group Terra Lliure. The Güell family attempted to reclaim the building but the Ministry of the Interior took over ownership then passed it on to the Ministry of Finance.</div></div><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCJMJsfD_eu8BhINSy9uXsHCAYPigzXtb3j0vfOj0KfFt45LdlnA-gDWDzsJXYur0KLEeN4f7Oach5GuPVn8XwNYIp3j9L4dnegMB_oxD8UNvo3rLVe3kN1qq6QQMAJ4B0ttT1YLy07Lcjy21RSjitys94CIih97rTD8eVlFmtn9ZiDhkCLTq0OErhJZP/s3716/20240117_101055.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2787" data-original-width="3716" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCJMJsfD_eu8BhINSy9uXsHCAYPigzXtb3j0vfOj0KfFt45LdlnA-gDWDzsJXYur0KLEeN4f7Oach5GuPVn8XwNYIp3j9L4dnegMB_oxD8UNvo3rLVe3kN1qq6QQMAJ4B0ttT1YLy07Lcjy21RSjitys94CIih97rTD8eVlFmtn9ZiDhkCLTq0OErhJZP/w640-h480/20240117_101055.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There great views from up here back down across the city.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2pPsYpVYD9H4mqZZWtYQt75Z-mOUSUuJcE87NubMUb8w9tFyyAweg0pO0GrASpg_pYuAya3l-HL51cT6r_sWdkrScy4gwLLZ0uYwnBcKRmGFGeaVCs5_aSZJ7dPNydnugCZ-WLz8v-OUBQfXKrjQZXUgiDmKAFj5S77HfFf5hY6xd_42h3p3yKv9tkv0/s3829/20240117_101107.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2872" data-original-width="3829" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2pPsYpVYD9H4mqZZWtYQt75Z-mOUSUuJcE87NubMUb8w9tFyyAweg0pO0GrASpg_pYuAya3l-HL51cT6r_sWdkrScy4gwLLZ0uYwnBcKRmGFGeaVCs5_aSZJ7dPNydnugCZ-WLz8v-OUBQfXKrjQZXUgiDmKAFj5S77HfFf5hY6xd_42h3p3yKv9tkv0/w640-h480/20240117_101107.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We reach the entrance to Guell Park, the office wasn't open for tickets, so again online it was, at least it worked this time. Tickets bought we entered the park.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zlX262yKdJx_kK-fT9nyxYzckiFX5Sgz8jUSP_YhgUiQDXtDPuyq70Qu39NkWRNCZJADP6T-frpP6vHe0SWr965fCKWi8-Gw9FWZL4uOw_KKZg_sHFQI4mdyVJDZUAH6D54RD317F6JINTX7hzBcCY36CisCEkzH6yXNyWTzY0NDZCFtgYDTPZRHN7e_/s3648/20240117_102232.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zlX262yKdJx_kK-fT9nyxYzckiFX5Sgz8jUSP_YhgUiQDXtDPuyq70Qu39NkWRNCZJADP6T-frpP6vHe0SWr965fCKWi8-Gw9FWZL4uOw_KKZg_sHFQI4mdyVJDZUAH6D54RD317F6JINTX7hzBcCY36CisCEkzH6yXNyWTzY0NDZCFtgYDTPZRHN7e_/w640-h480/20240117_102232.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Park Güell is a privatized park system composed of gardens and architectural elements located on Carmel Hill, in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Carmel Hill belongs to the mountain range of Collserola – the Parc del Carmel is located on the northern face. Park Güell is located in La Salut, a neighborhood in the Gràcia district of Barcelona. With urbanization in mind, Eusebi Güell assigned the design of the park to Antoni Gaudí, a renowned architect and the face of Catalan modernism.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The park was built from 1900 to 1914 and was officially opened as a public park in 1926. In 1984, UNESCO declared the park a World Heritage Site under "Works of Antoni Gaudí".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwR3BDSnWaNhQu3j-iCKZOfiBhEBhHe899Ng9fDJtrTQXx4dQYzEyPeSG2NF-vfo0OvkQpDZ5LvhfD3EK_tG7-nZ4PsHy9iV-VubtsDXLd97Pea4DwUFHLEcJ_TZUipq7aDYA9yHVloQ6EJ5xQgh68FBbyH10aeZhmt_GJImsgGcxJq_AfRqQ1LDJ3Dskm/s3861/20240117_102425.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2895" data-original-width="3861" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwR3BDSnWaNhQu3j-iCKZOfiBhEBhHe899Ng9fDJtrTQXx4dQYzEyPeSG2NF-vfo0OvkQpDZ5LvhfD3EK_tG7-nZ4PsHy9iV-VubtsDXLd97Pea4DwUFHLEcJ_TZUipq7aDYA9yHVloQ6EJ5xQgh68FBbyH10aeZhmt_GJImsgGcxJq_AfRqQ1LDJ3Dskm/w640-h480/20240117_102425.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Park Güell is the reflection of Gaudí's artistic plenitude, which belongs to his naturalist phase (first decade of the 20th century). During this period, the architect perfected his style through inspiration from organic shapes. His practice introduced a series of new structural solutions rooted in the analysis of geometry, thus, adding creative liberty and an imaginative, ornamental style. Starting from a sort of Baroquism, his works acquire a structural richness of forms and volumes, free of the rational rigidity or any sort of classic premises. In the design of Park Güell, Gaudí unleashed all his architectonic genius and put to practice much of his innovative structural solutions that would become the symbol of his organic style, and that would culminate in the creation of the Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YZq5CsAnz4BkHFPfzj04-vMifDizdHC-sRd0H04mqJSXm2OsI0Kb11DB27Ci-Rom1nooAQvGmumeekENAEaU-QZIP4JQvA0S2AMI2RU9m6uEnShSyU9rLq5UjHhYo3damJOTeTJ1ClTynyQlInFkzUm-3xuFThvX59MKErZOJ1BsOF3Gte7hmRZ_2mT9/s3347/20240117_102457.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3347" data-original-width="2972" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YZq5CsAnz4BkHFPfzj04-vMifDizdHC-sRd0H04mqJSXm2OsI0Kb11DB27Ci-Rom1nooAQvGmumeekENAEaU-QZIP4JQvA0S2AMI2RU9m6uEnShSyU9rLq5UjHhYo3damJOTeTJ1ClTynyQlInFkzUm-3xuFThvX59MKErZOJ1BsOF3Gte7hmRZ_2mT9/w568-h640/20240117_102457.jpg" width="568" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Güell and Gaudí conceived this park, situated within a natural park. They imagined an organized grouping of high-quality homes, decked out with all the latest technological advancements to ensure maximum comfort, finished off with an artistic touch. They also envisioned a community strongly influenced by symbolism, since, in the common elements of the park, they were trying to synthesize many of the political and religious ideals shared by both the patron and the architect: therefore there are noticeable concepts originating from political Catalanism – especially in the entrance stairway where the Catalan countries are represented – and from Catholicism – the Monumento al Calvario, originally designed to be a chapel. The mythological elements are so important: apparently Güell and Gaudí's conception of the park was also inspired by the Temple of Apollo of Delphi.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBLCv4vblbtSIM6YZ_6uV1bPhyphenhyphenKZappfIMYwI5KunM6sVJTmXqrsPbR6j5O892ZJ_I8oBDCSQx6CxP-v2UcaueETmd6Aw2fx2YLbd6dTrv4k9hEFtc9SOPrg_LKJWaaQxQBJJK26oZ9sVT3-LUVu_I6qihnmo4FDKdYh4SYLp6H3z79WOMBjWh26-6WjT/s4000/20240117_102625.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBLCv4vblbtSIM6YZ_6uV1bPhyphenhyphenKZappfIMYwI5KunM6sVJTmXqrsPbR6j5O892ZJ_I8oBDCSQx6CxP-v2UcaueETmd6Aw2fx2YLbd6dTrv4k9hEFtc9SOPrg_LKJWaaQxQBJJK26oZ9sVT3-LUVu_I6qihnmo4FDKdYh4SYLp6H3z79WOMBjWh26-6WjT/w640-h480/20240117_102625.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the other hand, many experts have tried to link the park to various symbols because of the complex iconography that Gaudí applied to the urban project. Such references go from political vindication to religious exaltation, passing through mythology, history and philosophy. Specifically, many studies claim to see references to Freemasonry, despite the deep religious beliefs of both Gaudí and Count Güell. These references have not been proven in the historiography of the modern architect. The multiplicity of symbols found in Park Güell is, as previously mentioned, associated with political and religious signs, with a touch of mystery according to the preferences of that time for enigmas and puzzles.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOwwjj2CKmBxv8c2mCqp9nKQm38dyERRux7YWQKyDhXkRi6PyyvxzAyfvBJDt4CG6ImOB84XlE-r1FuvLjC8cw51RqAXDtE6ltlIStcn-sr7cpLmjkpjOyOn4tkNwcNmTnQIHHZygIYZOFtPn7sPaJM25kBf2kjBaWXyGiWkIpZ8Ws6r74pEStpLfmXNC/s3982/20240117_102702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2987" data-original-width="3982" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOwwjj2CKmBxv8c2mCqp9nKQm38dyERRux7YWQKyDhXkRi6PyyvxzAyfvBJDt4CG6ImOB84XlE-r1FuvLjC8cw51RqAXDtE6ltlIStcn-sr7cpLmjkpjOyOn4tkNwcNmTnQIHHZygIYZOFtPn7sPaJM25kBf2kjBaWXyGiWkIpZ8Ws6r74pEStpLfmXNC/w640-h480/20240117_102702.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The park was originally part of a commercially unsuccessful housing site, the idea of Count Eusebi Güell, after whom the park was named. It was inspired by the English garden city movement; the original English name Park (in Catalan the name is "Parc Güell"; in Spanish, "Parque Güell"). The site was a rocky hill with little vegetation and few trees, called Muntanya Pelada (Bare Mountain). It already included a large country house called Larrard House or Muntaner de Dalt House and was next to a neighbourhood of upper-class houses called La Salut (The Health). The intention was to exploit the fresh air (well away from smoky factories) and beautiful views from the site, with sixty triangular lots being provided for luxury houses. Count Eusebi Güell added to the prestige of the development by moving in 1906 to live in Larrard House. Ultimately, only two houses were built, neither designed by Gaudí. One was intended to be a show house, but on being completed in 1904 was put up for sale, and as no buyers came forward, Gaudí, at Güell's suggestion, bought it with his savings and moved in with his family and his father in 1906. This house, where Gaudí lived from 1906 to 1926 (his death), was built by Francesc Berenguer in 1904. It contains original works by Gaudí and several of his collaborators. It has been the Gaudí House Museum (Casa Museu Gaudí) since 1963. In 1969, it was declared a historical artistic monument of national interest.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFfwkSY1b_4pGEYWkUeNmq1I_vIdK1m0veyyWQOIM54xWZrLzhBDOEaxAYVouN8OwtLxrWnXnXwDOgH6dPm7cCyf2CzTCZ6ciV1p34WHSp6qtOoBLxur0A-OvbWXAu8Iccbq3JavaSHyfCT8E3KodBONkhRN8xwSdJyXqqBQYJIlXTYZ2leEJ5oGIi7L9/s3415/20240117_102731.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2561" data-original-width="3415" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFfwkSY1b_4pGEYWkUeNmq1I_vIdK1m0veyyWQOIM54xWZrLzhBDOEaxAYVouN8OwtLxrWnXnXwDOgH6dPm7cCyf2CzTCZ6ciV1p34WHSp6qtOoBLxur0A-OvbWXAu8Iccbq3JavaSHyfCT8E3KodBONkhRN8xwSdJyXqqBQYJIlXTYZ2leEJ5oGIi7L9/w640-h480/20240117_102731.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It has since been converted into a municipal garden. It can be reached by underground railway (although the stations are at a distance from the Park and at a much lower level below the hill), by city buses, or by commercial tourist buses. Since October 2013 there is an entrance fee to visit the Monumental Zone (main entrance, terrace, viaducts, and the parts containing mosaics), so the entrance to the Park is no longer free. Limited tickets are available that often sell out in advance. Gaudí's house, "la Torre Rosa," – containing furniture that he designed – can be only visited for another entrance fee. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDX5tInMzYSaGNZLK2i8LnFPjjrCg5VpBul0mCpsc-n_mwNQpcrBwwsb8UlZiaka9DCRoI1ZWOenSD3rOZr8c6lJGqFmgRjWJ9buR1EEOuq_vq0qTl_GqilbFDmwUjTCoFkLFmZyD6kiZ7uRYhqdshnhX2PgMYAEndXQaWmAgO2ji-O-elWeyXB_3Xedy_/s3943/20240117_103112.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2957" data-original-width="3943" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDX5tInMzYSaGNZLK2i8LnFPjjrCg5VpBul0mCpsc-n_mwNQpcrBwwsb8UlZiaka9DCRoI1ZWOenSD3rOZr8c6lJGqFmgRjWJ9buR1EEOuq_vq0qTl_GqilbFDmwUjTCoFkLFmZyD6kiZ7uRYhqdshnhX2PgMYAEndXQaWmAgO2ji-O-elWeyXB_3Xedy_/w640-h480/20240117_103112.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is a walk uphill and series of steps upwards.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="538" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7PuEcNzCUvU" width="648" youtube-src-id="7PuEcNzCUvU"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk up to the lovely looking Casa Trias.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtFrwzWC05m3dUpMo5d6rF1CTBT5G1FAYKyBzZF6fZUwBq763MBLPUByXZui-EBCIotbRPzjerKgvKg5BqE47p7AP6o8QzTRg23qeNg0RGI97zXiMpwrm0Ite9sMpK4m7_q8DQjrXSvJH2EMchyphenhypheni1l3Q6MBd5kKGpdKy0hTf8C_sJkhcK_h5_0qj2t4Zy/s4000/20240117_103215.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtFrwzWC05m3dUpMo5d6rF1CTBT5G1FAYKyBzZF6fZUwBq763MBLPUByXZui-EBCIotbRPzjerKgvKg5BqE47p7AP6o8QzTRg23qeNg0RGI97zXiMpwrm0Ite9sMpK4m7_q8DQjrXSvJH2EMchyphenhypheni1l3Q6MBd5kKGpdKy0hTf8C_sJkhcK_h5_0qj2t4Zy/w640-h480/20240117_103215.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;">The house of the lawyer Martí Trias, which enjoys magnificent views of the city, was the only one built in the whole of Park Güell. Planned by Juli Batllever, it is true to the style of his master Domènech Muntaner and also of Gaudí, for whom he worked.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As fate would have it, it was the family’s son, a medical student, who examined the architect after his arrival as an unidentified person at the Hospital del Mar after being run over by a tramcar on his way to the Sagrada Família.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rsqjJTA3l8g57cv3iQJK4CHPKN03oI64SFSuUz9csHjo67G3o16_CNB0a2CeJ73Rr2Uoy0YPJuzyL80TV-Cn2eqs96IpbrXuFGoia1qgS6Gif8ERZJIVGqrDDU9l5tkAL29qKUG2AT-PthqxvpT6Rl5OUDBVDEZGQTOUO5pFKm0cov7hiGHhExDQVOGI/s3648/20240117_103355.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rsqjJTA3l8g57cv3iQJK4CHPKN03oI64SFSuUz9csHjo67G3o16_CNB0a2CeJ73Rr2Uoy0YPJuzyL80TV-Cn2eqs96IpbrXuFGoia1qgS6Gif8ERZJIVGqrDDU9l5tkAL29qKUG2AT-PthqxvpT6Rl5OUDBVDEZGQTOUO5pFKm0cov7hiGHhExDQVOGI/w640-h480/20240117_103355.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Park Güell is designed and composed to bring the peace and calm that one would expect from a park. The buildings flanking the entrance, though very original and remarkable with fantastically shaped roofs with unusual pinnacles, fit in well with the use of the park as pleasure gardens and seem relatively inconspicuous in the landscape when one considers the flamboyance of other buildings designed by Gaudí. These two buildings make up the Porter's Lodge pavilion. One of these buildings contains a small room with a telephone booth. The other, while once being the porter's house, is now a permanent exhibition of the Barcelona City History Museum (Museu d'Història de Barcelona, or MUHBA). MUHBA focused on the building itself, the park and the city.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozwg_zbzHLqKSnvVHoeBqhpKa43z19KV07Yda22CJn6IoceDzlBA-vHHZR0gk0c1PE1Uw1Yh1YXs7q9syDW3238KNXJpdv8lEZyfSm_SU5aUycN45cYprFmwfktV0fgPF0D9RtjPzWBBJfxx2MAGgwa-Zkr8ZJRRP_byFETOkJ3DdR9-PolBRHU02J1xt/s4000/20240117_103502.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozwg_zbzHLqKSnvVHoeBqhpKa43z19KV07Yda22CJn6IoceDzlBA-vHHZR0gk0c1PE1Uw1Yh1YXs7q9syDW3238KNXJpdv8lEZyfSm_SU5aUycN45cYprFmwfktV0fgPF0D9RtjPzWBBJfxx2MAGgwa-Zkr8ZJRRP_byFETOkJ3DdR9-PolBRHU02J1xt/w640-h480/20240117_103502.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYhW4_PUitgR4vAIKKKLMTnSFmrrMjLwhGiuUGl_K14IvrJAtf8hypzu9j-LHB0HRF420ULKfY3MHVI0aWg7J2vULcywvMSIadSqeMfbYn9UnKEeuJ_g9KQumiYHdiCHL2X3153iXxdu03wZRKJNnRJwcQjoPzis5PfDLeqnwGGCpCFo5M_vhmXcKZfi7/s4000/20240117_103542.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYhW4_PUitgR4vAIKKKLMTnSFmrrMjLwhGiuUGl_K14IvrJAtf8hypzu9j-LHB0HRF420ULKfY3MHVI0aWg7J2vULcywvMSIadSqeMfbYn9UnKEeuJ_g9KQumiYHdiCHL2X3153iXxdu03wZRKJNnRJwcQjoPzis5PfDLeqnwGGCpCFo5M_vhmXcKZfi7/w640-h480/20240117_103542.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casa Trias</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg074_VKASbgob0XKlKXp6l5kPeO_imYYbkcH-qSZaAkNJbRNzAYTmpXPP5Cu5BqS6AhMMynekRV3X7wx0p8RYeWqPGYJKaZmjMtLwOUbrbilJ2zt0nQu1xkeqAnqSgNCFDOc0epN0ClaFfLDhXvRAj37QOxjwoM1Lc5_2YzlnBHZRN4rgtGvocIkgVk1Cv/s3759/20240117_103715.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2820" data-original-width="3759" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg074_VKASbgob0XKlKXp6l5kPeO_imYYbkcH-qSZaAkNJbRNzAYTmpXPP5Cu5BqS6AhMMynekRV3X7wx0p8RYeWqPGYJKaZmjMtLwOUbrbilJ2zt0nQu1xkeqAnqSgNCFDOc0epN0ClaFfLDhXvRAj37QOxjwoM1Lc5_2YzlnBHZRN4rgtGvocIkgVk1Cv/w640-h480/20240117_103715.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tYYC6y4Ffk7fnDwsFjZ1eWRUjH2QZgA5o3E_9p_Ac9fz8QvOn7vWfrT1BbaixGVb1wQKs6t1Yw8o5xnaxbHYoS1zY4IpuagHiWAnLsH-cbK82dhMZtOm9Eg5miKMyhyphenhyphenIyS-TLgZC-tetnLE6cgnW41yR1pAzEdVfBjIohB3rYwMo3QSUoU2U7SY_O4-C/s3557/20240117_104059.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2668" data-original-width="3557" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tYYC6y4Ffk7fnDwsFjZ1eWRUjH2QZgA5o3E_9p_Ac9fz8QvOn7vWfrT1BbaixGVb1wQKs6t1Yw8o5xnaxbHYoS1zY4IpuagHiWAnLsH-cbK82dhMZtOm9Eg5miKMyhyphenhyphenIyS-TLgZC-tetnLE6cgnW41yR1pAzEdVfBjIohB3rYwMo3QSUoU2U7SY_O4-C/w640-h480/20240117_104059.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfBisT-p3VP0dH06Kfk_ng7riNWR8B6GjXC46wRR7g4USsCGL2rIluEP2_SUlDD7y4kOcw4BCgw6cWHxXLwgsi01Do-mRQOm6sHqYhYkWnKQRrmNMmHBKlC1DRs1HaFWxjjJdigb5fHE3iwTkDzjLZb7KPZ9Cum36qA_GR0UWx81xj-aenUgfhwlc9bxz/s3797/20240117_104118.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="3797" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfBisT-p3VP0dH06Kfk_ng7riNWR8B6GjXC46wRR7g4USsCGL2rIluEP2_SUlDD7y4kOcw4BCgw6cWHxXLwgsi01Do-mRQOm6sHqYhYkWnKQRrmNMmHBKlC1DRs1HaFWxjjJdigb5fHE3iwTkDzjLZb7KPZ9Cum36qA_GR0UWx81xj-aenUgfhwlc9bxz/w640-h480/20240117_104118.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk down to an area with an eloborate bench with fantastic views beyond.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMkDuyCAPXaamRFp5J5A9BluTtP3eS3V0dGsHokb799n9toXSh_ZEfrbjhpX1hbWwOA8lKNmjn8bvLIsmLAU6p0clcVd7BbD3epMnjj2VnGGr0RqTRTouFFkEdYjLdzv7zcyQlhfwLhayGoJsqIrQPX3CFywj5YRkQTxsnCB283-A-g972bNDm2810sk4/s3951/20240117_104521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3951" data-original-width="2963" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMkDuyCAPXaamRFp5J5A9BluTtP3eS3V0dGsHokb799n9toXSh_ZEfrbjhpX1hbWwOA8lKNmjn8bvLIsmLAU6p0clcVd7BbD3epMnjj2VnGGr0RqTRTouFFkEdYjLdzv7zcyQlhfwLhayGoJsqIrQPX3CFywj5YRkQTxsnCB283-A-g972bNDm2810sk4/w480-h640/20240117_104521.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZiFTGB9QcRTsF4_iIWNUblDxPSOjeMA6LrsBVXYvedQ9h79Qhqwk3ayTnEd0Lj8yvFJ_lgJPTpgQHt3cbu28qAZkT-o8pVapJCeQQLKSAlSGFPHdZlysbM09ULpfutgKeSZEOlsdIkv42PsFDcHFPMSgqDQe6oXDF-WeYSCkQwUTZu8OSsTgrgSVP65A/s3836/20240117_104526.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2877" data-original-width="3836" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZiFTGB9QcRTsF4_iIWNUblDxPSOjeMA6LrsBVXYvedQ9h79Qhqwk3ayTnEd0Lj8yvFJ_lgJPTpgQHt3cbu28qAZkT-o8pVapJCeQQLKSAlSGFPHdZlysbM09ULpfutgKeSZEOlsdIkv42PsFDcHFPMSgqDQe6oXDF-WeYSCkQwUTZu8OSsTgrgSVP65A/w640-h480/20240117_104526.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">An uninterrupted view of the terrace walls.</div></div><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.16px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6g7vA4nxQB8fdG5HTYzwoVIDZKytP0BY4YIJ_eL_-sCoaExvHU_ADOPIm6hah2mKYNFBKXIxWuSsZNq0eYmpZaHu5WFGh56_GAyliGkUF1QO5InpiASO6Tz5nQf4WzKQxqLzabpdQLx6oryx5wp5QJTKKlWZvPHVIjbjw7ZdKVkdN0x6ChyphenhyphenDvj5DCLbZ/s3879/20240117_104532.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2909" data-original-width="3879" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6g7vA4nxQB8fdG5HTYzwoVIDZKytP0BY4YIJ_eL_-sCoaExvHU_ADOPIm6hah2mKYNFBKXIxWuSsZNq0eYmpZaHu5WFGh56_GAyliGkUF1QO5InpiASO6Tz5nQf4WzKQxqLzabpdQLx6oryx5wp5QJTKKlWZvPHVIjbjw7ZdKVkdN0x6ChyphenhyphenDvj5DCLbZ/w640-h480/20240117_104532.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsHv2Nu84r6WWm39alTkrdeSNDHMfRWCgxtNXXhgHtJEV308cr-WGG00V2nAYVyjpp6S2KKubq71vjdmLovHmlKVWXmnjo9myowoyf41dIbzm8DMXqv_rbZkMyY9DocVHnne4tEp3whe8alifzl_6R4R9K72pjFThfnf3iV-U22bar4diVCXKdnBfndbZ/s3601/20240117_104647.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2701" data-original-width="3601" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsHv2Nu84r6WWm39alTkrdeSNDHMfRWCgxtNXXhgHtJEV308cr-WGG00V2nAYVyjpp6S2KKubq71vjdmLovHmlKVWXmnjo9myowoyf41dIbzm8DMXqv_rbZkMyY9DocVHnne4tEp3whe8alifzl_6R4R9K72pjFThfnf3iV-U22bar4diVCXKdnBfndbZ/w640-h480/20240117_104647.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;">The unique shape of the serpentine bench enables the people sitting on it to converse privately, although the square is large. The bench is tiled and in order to dry up quickly after it rains, and to stop people from sitting in the wet part of the bench, small bumps were installed by Gaudí.</div><div><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3ey4E7SItihj4A3NJ1EZOe-s0EchugFT6NwrZIGZjbUqZTKP4Nyf1CfAHPp2ST8KE1t1zM_nbZHIjmdofPwKxJB2HX6DhZRimvx9-F0J_aNbfnv7xK4ZUbQquSTwTQZxLo8Ag04B3G0XTvUwihn3I6XM2dvAmt2XLW1dLSdh9WPwIr3lcTwCow30xLDg/s3702/20240117_104657.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3702" data-original-width="2776" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3ey4E7SItihj4A3NJ1EZOe-s0EchugFT6NwrZIGZjbUqZTKP4Nyf1CfAHPp2ST8KE1t1zM_nbZHIjmdofPwKxJB2HX6DhZRimvx9-F0J_aNbfnv7xK4ZUbQquSTwTQZxLo8Ag04B3G0XTvUwihn3I6XM2dvAmt2XLW1dLSdh9WPwIr3lcTwCow30xLDg/w480-h640/20240117_104657.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgth44cXjG1h5LNHYdD1eMk9cAxrKXGGdGAOzd4HN-NDsAlnNSIZxZPzVSrlCjZZEKRmhSaeK7perTxXtR950uDvhhEBLp0cnAe6a8Bvlr1wWdzCfzHuyZxmulP_VbFb1-xgvW-Upp2jD-W_qHvzkm0ZZObmxDEXBnglpe9LC-laLScH_uJl32Bv7vWJxET/s3643/20240117_104708.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3643" data-original-width="2732" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgth44cXjG1h5LNHYdD1eMk9cAxrKXGGdGAOzd4HN-NDsAlnNSIZxZPzVSrlCjZZEKRmhSaeK7perTxXtR950uDvhhEBLp0cnAe6a8Bvlr1wWdzCfzHuyZxmulP_VbFb1-xgvW-Upp2jD-W_qHvzkm0ZZObmxDEXBnglpe9LC-laLScH_uJl32Bv7vWJxET/w480-h640/20240117_104708.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8C2x_3LYfBy21f_2hUYOuRXClSebl1DOdbZ32klFKmMZ2AFfc3GpkhVDu7Dh6lfkizs5En4H7NOA2ZQpApmkhR_c9O-1ukw9xda6R6Id6tYOUcgj2XcycPzS1doYFRTFJMdbTaCGsdSoRgjb6-USqGlw8ZX73W9xplhsnYwtbJUQsHfnoidtWW_3w1q_z/s3547/20240117_104859.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3547" data-original-width="2958" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8C2x_3LYfBy21f_2hUYOuRXClSebl1DOdbZ32klFKmMZ2AFfc3GpkhVDu7Dh6lfkizs5En4H7NOA2ZQpApmkhR_c9O-1ukw9xda6R6Id6tYOUcgj2XcycPzS1doYFRTFJMdbTaCGsdSoRgjb6-USqGlw8ZX73W9xplhsnYwtbJUQsHfnoidtWW_3w1q_z/w534-h640/20240117_104859.jpg" width="534" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The views are amazing and make for superb photo opportunities.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggaAXwKzaQ9eMXdk7gf-Q7As0ox0mss1E_NS5RPWjP6fxmO8ejchYKN2MBvPKfZyc0zayAlE3wDEQ6brf8KdOSjW5ZrSSikHVQ8dbXc66HNYruCnjtlpXHWZ4pgFlwBo2ksC5Be9vBxrDDB1g1ZdUfML-pFVpGhtcgbph2hxbgXUti0HeQlSAxkzYXEfCn/s3851/20240117_104907.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2889" data-original-width="3851" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggaAXwKzaQ9eMXdk7gf-Q7As0ox0mss1E_NS5RPWjP6fxmO8ejchYKN2MBvPKfZyc0zayAlE3wDEQ6brf8KdOSjW5ZrSSikHVQ8dbXc66HNYruCnjtlpXHWZ4pgFlwBo2ksC5Be9vBxrDDB1g1ZdUfML-pFVpGhtcgbph2hxbgXUti0HeQlSAxkzYXEfCn/w640-h480/20240117_104907.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Antoni Gaudí was a Catalan architect and designer from Spain, known as the greatest exponent of Catalan Modernism. Gaudí's works have a highly individualized, sui generis style. Most are located in Barcelona, including his main work, the church of the Sagrada Família.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6v4NDP1LOawsDyMDvbBG_bNJiixH5841ylN7BPUosIEi0CmYWIujL6-U-qbVAnRg2x7wEGqqanok9T3GLbHo9S03jVPw1KNvYVC_FAtNU_CORbXDe5d80DRV7jhsZ6rSRcUYDiGWDNhWSyjD3oPAAYWpOtBdcqzprLqKVM8tpG_rNF76Ks6BYbV1w_8uO/s3964/20240117_104928.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2973" data-original-width="3964" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6v4NDP1LOawsDyMDvbBG_bNJiixH5841ylN7BPUosIEi0CmYWIujL6-U-qbVAnRg2x7wEGqqanok9T3GLbHo9S03jVPw1KNvYVC_FAtNU_CORbXDe5d80DRV7jhsZ6rSRcUYDiGWDNhWSyjD3oPAAYWpOtBdcqzprLqKVM8tpG_rNF76Ks6BYbV1w_8uO/w640-h480/20240117_104928.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fantastic views to the Park entrance.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FPAjEEXSeqO5Cgo16ExTs0_ktK7uWHySYpbQVGoF1pcAlkMRz4mfhAt9fm7L-F7N-s4SfiLwxWXK0VVpiIjcKHe6EG8WSWC1g2mI19gMvvqVE8uiBF5autMMg8Y_gX7wCZEQu72ot46nTh0PVZItAn6Enpz0VHrQVHQBLeGOsBxxyuA11jGcLB12q3rq/s3691/20240117_104959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2768" data-original-width="3691" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FPAjEEXSeqO5Cgo16ExTs0_ktK7uWHySYpbQVGoF1pcAlkMRz4mfhAt9fm7L-F7N-s4SfiLwxWXK0VVpiIjcKHe6EG8WSWC1g2mI19gMvvqVE8uiBF5autMMg8Y_gX7wCZEQu72ot46nTh0PVZItAn6Enpz0VHrQVHQBLeGOsBxxyuA11jGcLB12q3rq/w640-h480/20240117_104959.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">To either side are the two pavilions that form the porter’s lodge. The one to the left was the one actually used as a porter’s lodge, with a waiting room and telephone booth, while the one to the right was the porter’s residence, whence the name Casa del Guarda, though it is today part of the Barcelona History Museum. Both have very beautiful roofs, built with the traditional Catalan clay tiles covered with “trencadís”, a mosaic made of tile shards.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQvS1RjsOkvfep_8bOpeHcFefvBS2I82b2VBCYh-uHVQ3k40hxACKV96u83ER_fc23ypd65pX0Q8AzF1faekILKuy7AFGTMFD64QQ5-udJjgcaY8RoHg3NPlZ2gHiNBLm-sJXil6uHjZznkHUNUPh5q87eWA23z3AmbESwx4nzrfHUvF_amcUcuS4G_Sj/s3733/20240117_105012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3733" data-original-width="2800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQvS1RjsOkvfep_8bOpeHcFefvBS2I82b2VBCYh-uHVQ3k40hxACKV96u83ER_fc23ypd65pX0Q8AzF1faekILKuy7AFGTMFD64QQ5-udJjgcaY8RoHg3NPlZ2gHiNBLm-sJXil6uHjZznkHUNUPh5q87eWA23z3AmbESwx4nzrfHUvF_amcUcuS4G_Sj/w480-h640/20240117_105012.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJlOn8CW6lIRJE9zJ6sD9aMuCLZAKb3RK753_wqRcI1U1EueBMyxbiIKUFviKpKL9YSlXOndoiPaUG2YOJ9VrYQae9vDN8GQgAlQy5iTWfnGnJczhKCqRLGKyb04Tqr3glNtqamxOsZizz1hOQfKjLcPq1-bvF3Y5Dz3b1A9gMb9mIRDaAxcKVGR2G_2q/s3953/20240117_105101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3953" data-original-width="2965" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJlOn8CW6lIRJE9zJ6sD9aMuCLZAKb3RK753_wqRcI1U1EueBMyxbiIKUFviKpKL9YSlXOndoiPaUG2YOJ9VrYQae9vDN8GQgAlQy5iTWfnGnJczhKCqRLGKyb04Tqr3glNtqamxOsZizz1hOQfKjLcPq1-bvF3Y5Dz3b1A9gMb9mIRDaAxcKVGR2G_2q/w480-h640/20240117_105101.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdDS_Ua2oiPO-ZiweFctR9SsPpJkHvGyMO9gfyCHEG-FiqjZ5SG5PVg1PjNDR7GWPWlUcnFLTHfYUvbzyxolwlMukvOErdLUBRHrm2bLPF9D6ZCIAhRL9Wv-wbnr2UkGRTAIZLp429zDivtT6TXNntasMJsjJWV-p4iC9O-_P9j6OsIfF0CbMhCPzu0BG/s3901/20240117_105115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2926" data-original-width="3901" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdDS_Ua2oiPO-ZiweFctR9SsPpJkHvGyMO9gfyCHEG-FiqjZ5SG5PVg1PjNDR7GWPWlUcnFLTHfYUvbzyxolwlMukvOErdLUBRHrm2bLPF9D6ZCIAhRL9Wv-wbnr2UkGRTAIZLp429zDivtT6TXNntasMJsjJWV-p4iC9O-_P9j6OsIfF0CbMhCPzu0BG/w640-h480/20240117_105115.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk down from up above to the columns below holding it all up.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORp3XB_iDJPTqfJov-Sjm0aaTkX11qegq_KdbZA-FLvJ3wdrEkYvdZkpzvqcgiFGQbLAX_HBug5yCwL_Gb2aumrK3xUsjGadEQ5X6p7qrfExF-dpfY4ATTyG9gaVODjTTBWhsUxkKPVZJOaVhr6R6h6n9Hn0zJyQyJJFfWwrSU7CMavp2p0w5gGYTNH_5/s4000/20240117_105241.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORp3XB_iDJPTqfJov-Sjm0aaTkX11qegq_KdbZA-FLvJ3wdrEkYvdZkpzvqcgiFGQbLAX_HBug5yCwL_Gb2aumrK3xUsjGadEQ5X6p7qrfExF-dpfY4ATTyG9gaVODjTTBWhsUxkKPVZJOaVhr6R6h6n9Hn0zJyQyJJFfWwrSU7CMavp2p0w5gGYTNH_5/w480-h640/20240117_105241.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Colonnaded footpath under the roadway viaduct, with external columns sloping to take the diagonal thrust from the vault supporting the road.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM_mF4gpRQzrjqwYb2ZMTHytK-JMDqH4Y2nRKtSrgkD0VCdnk029IIDzPLEYce3v2Iq19NzpHq633a0Qi43GljEfffAHtgQoQB0VEQ731WCVkoKfmdrPM_sdvRgah-XCgE0QyJHWOtVhRHCpzE_MWA_Ggb_jG0DD-y1IvHy0nUIvxofPHfBxPGEiczFSm/s4000/20240117_105307.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM_mF4gpRQzrjqwYb2ZMTHytK-JMDqH4Y2nRKtSrgkD0VCdnk029IIDzPLEYce3v2Iq19NzpHq633a0Qi43GljEfffAHtgQoQB0VEQ731WCVkoKfmdrPM_sdvRgah-XCgE0QyJHWOtVhRHCpzE_MWA_Ggb_jG0DD-y1IvHy0nUIvxofPHfBxPGEiczFSm/w640-h480/20240117_105307.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The 17.18-hectare park has many incredible architectural details that clearly show Gaudí's efforts to make this space unique. Look to the wavy shapes reminiscent of flowing lava, the covered walkways with columns shaped like trees, the icicle and geometric shapes, and the use of ceramic and coloured glass, to name a few characteristics that make this park like no other.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_W3CZJbnJwCDmU5DLGiuamJPtj3oo3e8_iYfpbRtyYYifFvp9nYktDqXJSZi7m2RgLJMHva5irdnArx6zIJNu6QPW42rb-SZ3IY9JMjD4iXx16hWRMW9N7bnF8h09wmxy8TZ0UqHSneB3WVKNbVNLqGv71zxdwWwCOCv_Rg7jI0nfpeXQIbLSXQ4XkAiu/s3648/20240117_105318.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2536" data-original-width="3648" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_W3CZJbnJwCDmU5DLGiuamJPtj3oo3e8_iYfpbRtyYYifFvp9nYktDqXJSZi7m2RgLJMHva5irdnArx6zIJNu6QPW42rb-SZ3IY9JMjD4iXx16hWRMW9N7bnF8h09wmxy8TZ0UqHSneB3WVKNbVNLqGv71zxdwWwCOCv_Rg7jI0nfpeXQIbLSXQ4XkAiu/w640-h444/20240117_105318.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gmGB5nM5QJTlLhCSWa5TsC0zObV1Jyhkwtp91RhqnHTG54CFFSVWcqb8eM-0uaokjvPS48fcSXWi7E5r-5IdkdXKXxqPYy5iG2l_DAa3anXcSDXFXdHobmrInWKzi2H3avGo1B5_lER2RYjHjrtU67eOxWaQ_Ethg7C_H2kOktI1BEdz9YEO1zQkvBJm/s3648/20240117_105401.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gmGB5nM5QJTlLhCSWa5TsC0zObV1Jyhkwtp91RhqnHTG54CFFSVWcqb8eM-0uaokjvPS48fcSXWi7E5r-5IdkdXKXxqPYy5iG2l_DAa3anXcSDXFXdHobmrInWKzi2H3avGo1B5_lER2RYjHjrtU67eOxWaQ_Ethg7C_H2kOktI1BEdz9YEO1zQkvBJm/w480-h640/20240117_105401.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8emcsMmqsuALYzTiX5PqXCqtdc6KosYRjhPPfkDeEioPqxvowc85ibVAoft2eV2sIEomkwvXajgexcE6Uts4_w46WEPzcZLYjvE0ZHY6a5raJS_5qK0umDUYMgNliDh9SRCdJRpa-l3FliOlcq1knSeUN4-y0C7_VntfdP0NbmaNISl5xygxmGUMSQzKl/s4000/20240117_105426.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8emcsMmqsuALYzTiX5PqXCqtdc6KosYRjhPPfkDeEioPqxvowc85ibVAoft2eV2sIEomkwvXajgexcE6Uts4_w46WEPzcZLYjvE0ZHY6a5raJS_5qK0umDUYMgNliDh9SRCdJRpa-l3FliOlcq1knSeUN4-y0C7_VntfdP0NbmaNISl5xygxmGUMSQzKl/w640-h480/20240117_105426.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gaudí sought to integrate the park into the natural surroundings; he built stone columns in the real-life shape and size of tree trunks, as well as created icicle-like formations and natural caves.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OwjCK8AufaBgKPtjDB_9B9BM5DDMLYPNH8Vhexks333NkI56SmTFW6a41q5XZnYMf4kzNgHFETswcTS3DG2neToTmBB93fZqfHqkMQ1A7B9KvMFZVO7La5VbTY_EMqgJj4FFzXOVVp5W33euBmIZeG57Tz37q9OVz8VfgUVj906x1UMoi0tZznx3Laqd/s3765/20240117_110056.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2824" data-original-width="3765" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OwjCK8AufaBgKPtjDB_9B9BM5DDMLYPNH8Vhexks333NkI56SmTFW6a41q5XZnYMf4kzNgHFETswcTS3DG2neToTmBB93fZqfHqkMQ1A7B9KvMFZVO7La5VbTY_EMqgJj4FFzXOVVp5W33euBmIZeG57Tz37q9OVz8VfgUVj906x1UMoi0tZznx3Laqd/w640-h480/20240117_110056.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk down into the Hypostyle room with its many unique roof tiles.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSOi-hYgXXy_9wchLKCLykoo8Kg2kzgSO7toh0PGd9akLA_PLJ3Dy92lRcEH9E8Pg-V2lATLgC8PJBzXRqhECqjbwJulcv3zWHwLxx_JkmkUEDcAiSXqvpGpLgBnrkGHllJdD89oRqsgNoNw1PS5m24YitWb4IriGVbttrUVcwBOATpYZf8bRrUFY9F0Q/s4000/20240117_110107.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSOi-hYgXXy_9wchLKCLykoo8Kg2kzgSO7toh0PGd9akLA_PLJ3Dy92lRcEH9E8Pg-V2lATLgC8PJBzXRqhECqjbwJulcv3zWHwLxx_JkmkUEDcAiSXqvpGpLgBnrkGHllJdD89oRqsgNoNw1PS5m24YitWb4IriGVbttrUVcwBOATpYZf8bRrUFY9F0Q/w640-h480/20240117_110107.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The great entrance stairway leads to the Hypostyle Room, which could be used as a market place for the estate. It is made up of 86 striated columns inspired in the Doric order. The outermost ones slope in an undulating movement clearly contrary to the rules of classical composition, while reinforcing a perception of their structural role. The colonnade is crowned by an architrave on which the undulating bench is placed. A conduit running inside it collects the rainwater that filters down from the square, sending it on to an underground tank, which has as the stairway dragon’s mouth as its overflow. Inside the room the absence of columns in some sections creates spaces that simulate three naves, like a great church. The ceiling is formed of small domes constructed using the traditional technique of clay bricks decorated with original tile-shard mosaics made by Josep M. Jujol, one of Gaudí’s assistants.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dQFLjKqik4QZFeexz4elh065gw0rLhoAe9UugGMzoCbMw71jR0mO2d1i7zYa3isH1V91ztphoeErEqTDiaH2bJWdPOGgIpPsYU_lyZIJm7hcAhjUErDCwDPoUX7Wr7u3dj9DHrUdVy06nTyF6EMRtGNYd8iVpK-8BdzUqYP6BmEvv7chSUdk_jZrmr70/s4000/20240117_110128.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dQFLjKqik4QZFeexz4elh065gw0rLhoAe9UugGMzoCbMw71jR0mO2d1i7zYa3isH1V91ztphoeErEqTDiaH2bJWdPOGgIpPsYU_lyZIJm7hcAhjUErDCwDPoUX7Wr7u3dj9DHrUdVy06nTyF6EMRtGNYd8iVpK-8BdzUqYP6BmEvv7chSUdk_jZrmr70/w640-h480/20240117_110128.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is a huge Octopus at the center of the Hypostyle Room on its ceiling. It is meant to represent the water system that spreads through the inside of the roof.</div></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: halyard-text, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cZHpnruB9aI_mmHSrUUjp6PKbo0BAXZnS7JkP0tfI0j0848-3CFk_xsItCmasn4iN9ewaNoQLx1UED7AYUnhLeeZsh8XJiyZMXM9rv1j_DFFiAtCcCA4fGkAMYK_mjV-sb_LyEpN6dZ8BbwLTRRuIw61DnR6Era1HyVCubrxhzWcobQAi3Ckt1QZx-4Q/s3538/20240117_110207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2654" data-original-width="3538" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cZHpnruB9aI_mmHSrUUjp6PKbo0BAXZnS7JkP0tfI0j0848-3CFk_xsItCmasn4iN9ewaNoQLx1UED7AYUnhLeeZsh8XJiyZMXM9rv1j_DFFiAtCcCA4fGkAMYK_mjV-sb_LyEpN6dZ8BbwLTRRuIw61DnR6Era1HyVCubrxhzWcobQAi3Ckt1QZx-4Q/w640-h480/20240117_110207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bEoGFWmfI_YfYfYwI0w9g0yuh8Wis5rJ-mryrtMregako86AJYZyFGQtMwkfo6vwS1dm1m5ZKDUDCIjq_kSENmfN9L8vqtgOVgMOL-cnWgS2zRvfZoKefxHy-yZOZM8251eX4rwkn6H0DhtHWMikPyUPQj3la2ob-vz2lKdv6mEM9DbzElg6o6Lvb1Dr/s4000/20240117_110213.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bEoGFWmfI_YfYfYwI0w9g0yuh8Wis5rJ-mryrtMregako86AJYZyFGQtMwkfo6vwS1dm1m5ZKDUDCIjq_kSENmfN9L8vqtgOVgMOL-cnWgS2zRvfZoKefxHy-yZOZM8251eX4rwkn6H0DhtHWMikPyUPQj3la2ob-vz2lKdv6mEM9DbzElg6o6Lvb1Dr/w640-h480/20240117_110213.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk down the steps to the Park Entrance.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfKDT7KcT9GYMMnbM4UhEjh3O45wPjux9R6K2_eValvoRG6wKWZ5p1zrqvGr02mWsAXJDZn3wjrT-c0FPaZ3anjubszy6gFO2zzWNo3qtRqE6Twnw7tOAFmKR7jJTzMi424rx4-6Dn7ip7BrRaEJ1XuxcAXeLQVlTaeUtLSbsYGLj8U3-SwzsEo6MiqtY/s3769/20240117_110222.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3769" data-original-width="2826" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfKDT7KcT9GYMMnbM4UhEjh3O45wPjux9R6K2_eValvoRG6wKWZ5p1zrqvGr02mWsAXJDZn3wjrT-c0FPaZ3anjubszy6gFO2zzWNo3qtRqE6Twnw7tOAFmKR7jJTzMi424rx4-6Dn7ip7BrRaEJ1XuxcAXeLQVlTaeUtLSbsYGLj8U3-SwzsEo6MiqtY/w480-h640/20240117_110222.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-o2s9fxoLQHf5zOZe1zXxiH8fK29B0chGYpKpK4XywLuVRJbhmU4d0ybuYvXgYNQA0mG-BcQBO72OC2zCgnW8nGRbzsZapzu1rkZhyphenhyphenvT-aHKARjpIHI8o07DmEWQk4N08Um0TKqui9OOKadulH1tbipnkNu5cKFm3a6NDPftwuYY6Dyc5zd8nZ1G6WShA/s3961/20240117_110226.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3961" data-original-width="2971" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-o2s9fxoLQHf5zOZe1zXxiH8fK29B0chGYpKpK4XywLuVRJbhmU4d0ybuYvXgYNQA0mG-BcQBO72OC2zCgnW8nGRbzsZapzu1rkZhyphenhyphenvT-aHKARjpIHI8o07DmEWQk4N08Um0TKqui9OOKadulH1tbipnkNu5cKFm3a6NDPftwuYY6Dyc5zd8nZ1G6WShA/w480-h640/20240117_110226.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EaprnvHyhKhjCmr2r8rldN_LJtpfVC5lvHV7jZce54_k1x-9VdFQYIPbxmIIYvlVjJP31M2hvHfNSkqQ9GU6BefLCJhOvfjbId-yIh0tw-vfXaC9hsbqlp_ah9wFbuf4GilBVwImgPkk6OO9hLzxSTu0X25ocAIpzCuzW0vrWP0Q0Fo6Ku4C6v0X-rDL/s3712/20240117_110419.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="2784" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EaprnvHyhKhjCmr2r8rldN_LJtpfVC5lvHV7jZce54_k1x-9VdFQYIPbxmIIYvlVjJP31M2hvHfNSkqQ9GU6BefLCJhOvfjbId-yIh0tw-vfXaC9hsbqlp_ah9wFbuf4GilBVwImgPkk6OO9hLzxSTu0X25ocAIpzCuzW0vrWP0Q0Fo6Ku4C6v0X-rDL/w480-h640/20240117_110419.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2wMAVCHD52mb0o9o9kzrGQpHZAqeG8sAWPFFlApPW6ZctG8L0iGQqsmZOcJo2vDQmLEXnhegu6axLHnUN3xIdZPn4WIWlQnkQ08-iYBAShM3LtV1Vurc5Tor2PrqJhT2HZFAkF9JF2qm_fUEy0AENCKpz1D0bFVnku3NYVzr14XjTsYJdUAd6W3Uwp4T/s3600/20240117_110434.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="2700" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2wMAVCHD52mb0o9o9kzrGQpHZAqeG8sAWPFFlApPW6ZctG8L0iGQqsmZOcJo2vDQmLEXnhegu6axLHnUN3xIdZPn4WIWlQnkQ08-iYBAShM3LtV1Vurc5Tor2PrqJhT2HZFAkF9JF2qm_fUEy0AENCKpz1D0bFVnku3NYVzr14XjTsYJdUAd6W3Uwp4T/w480-h640/20240117_110434.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZQtNz0TvHsXhyphenhyphensIc_MHphOYOjDLEBLOTTApovtnvwiKULbR9-EkrSoO9hCrfgJHwKfuEu4tLepTInDSd9sC6oY7xX6wgX5QzBJL5jnD5KEPp8RDInmxZRoAxYsPbqrh9HpTBEO706tJ8D9vUWycxOPmaKAGfP3yzrjauc46U2ekVxHuOObOSBKzQWKyQ/s3854/20240117_110450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3854" data-original-width="2890" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZQtNz0TvHsXhyphenhyphensIc_MHphOYOjDLEBLOTTApovtnvwiKULbR9-EkrSoO9hCrfgJHwKfuEu4tLepTInDSd9sC6oY7xX6wgX5QzBJL5jnD5KEPp8RDInmxZRoAxYsPbqrh9HpTBEO706tJ8D9vUWycxOPmaKAGfP3yzrjauc46U2ekVxHuOObOSBKzQWKyQ/w480-h640/20240117_110450.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6c70qvTFrgoMfw-LC0yB3c9xiF0isq6LJqO8cq49R-h85CSqRqW46b-eQrHNd_x2jvNiqSq7nQDcrJJHnahWtZLJ6LtJw40Vb9g5FJ66FB3BJ2DlzZgHDS5DUFd7GhBlU0R1ERv13-pXx3pZZWF3edMKrV2T6c4tFvJtXyima6yxpXPU0hhtaIV8NH8N/s4000/20240117_110530.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6c70qvTFrgoMfw-LC0yB3c9xiF0isq6LJqO8cq49R-h85CSqRqW46b-eQrHNd_x2jvNiqSq7nQDcrJJHnahWtZLJ6LtJw40Vb9g5FJ66FB3BJ2DlzZgHDS5DUFd7GhBlU0R1ERv13-pXx3pZZWF3edMKrV2T6c4tFvJtXyima6yxpXPU0hhtaIV8NH8N/w480-h640/20240117_110530.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the most popular highlights inside Park Guell is its colorful guardian, El Drac. While his name makes him sound like a scary Spanish mobster, this mosaic creature is a park favorite. Almost everyone who visits do not miss out on taking a picture or selfie with the iconic Park Guell Lizard. During peak hours, you might even end up waiting a while to get your picture with El Drac.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Lizard was made in collaboration with Joseph Maria Jujo, using broken shards of mosaic tiles, a style known as trencadís, which Gaudí helped pioneer. The mosaic tiles gives the salamander its colourful scales. You’ll notice different colours, shapes, and sizes of the shards, laid asymmetrically, which is a style you’ll notice throughout the park.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXvLlfiEtQauBx3VrQxlLxARNhIqleXfbmF8QXhoV01qc63dUUcdAp7QaA1_UPGMf-LVxdkytNlQUcCUhNaSn6xTbcCFPzfiHGe7r8D_1asj_yctq-FRbT7kw4zNc21U9_inV4YHo4qvzZhVjfIr4n5tzu2kgyssUJjjwmoHxppjtx554ngsrqF7irs2s/s3782/20240117_110554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2836" data-original-width="3782" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXvLlfiEtQauBx3VrQxlLxARNhIqleXfbmF8QXhoV01qc63dUUcdAp7QaA1_UPGMf-LVxdkytNlQUcCUhNaSn6xTbcCFPzfiHGe7r8D_1asj_yctq-FRbT7kw4zNc21U9_inV4YHo4qvzZhVjfIr4n5tzu2kgyssUJjjwmoHxppjtx554ngsrqF7irs2s/w640-h480/20240117_110554.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQ46OeGXy8tpBes9wECkpkqkuGE7Dt_qwL7OXpCwn6xmNi3_cUgCs4BUwV6tmb9Mkil7QQBUEaRmpZlLTStAY1mpk3li2BXSX5PmlbFssokfdpDhpoP1XYIQik6_f3Jqxo7jvkZRxqecHn4ymwuv1McxJ04zrTpP0Gd7pzzqJ5P4HAEm5rAODzL0y3K6A/s4000/20240117_110628.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQ46OeGXy8tpBes9wECkpkqkuGE7Dt_qwL7OXpCwn6xmNi3_cUgCs4BUwV6tmb9Mkil7QQBUEaRmpZlLTStAY1mpk3li2BXSX5PmlbFssokfdpDhpoP1XYIQik6_f3Jqxo7jvkZRxqecHn4ymwuv1McxJ04zrTpP0Gd7pzzqJ5P4HAEm5rAODzL0y3K6A/w640-h480/20240117_110628.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNNQYCwRTBSwV0KrNDf5p5WQX67L-A92rGwZ4ShwTP2AatOV0aM45i4QjyxlOtQoOxmcWb3SWp0lCtbPkykB9kX-KNFfW6B866E_Wo-YHViv_in9cKyz7hSqDDTO9ZKEwyi9ogTnHoUOyyf1DzWMVC5KPBIQysuKYurhBgY9EGWwmlnqh9GUc0Cx9P4pa/s3843/20240117_110632.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2882" data-original-width="3843" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNNQYCwRTBSwV0KrNDf5p5WQX67L-A92rGwZ4ShwTP2AatOV0aM45i4QjyxlOtQoOxmcWb3SWp0lCtbPkykB9kX-KNFfW6B866E_Wo-YHViv_in9cKyz7hSqDDTO9ZKEwyi9ogTnHoUOyyf1DzWMVC5KPBIQysuKYurhBgY9EGWwmlnqh9GUc0Cx9P4pa/w640-h480/20240117_110632.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">View across the the Hypostyle room.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkItg2ZuHdOZv3YY2_sFXx-V8mKbXu5M13R2SdHeesFkrpGg6iHBt43xS59N9UvUqvwTll3My1HN218yHAvoTWvAqMkZ6INT9OGmqNhSHZdmSAQYPPcnqyWAJ_xvGDGTResb1kw1tg6aLGXBijxOy1c1g9FhPWeZk-ZFpuMaRtqrIRRAzVcuUNtqCLRe3/s4000/20240117_110658.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkItg2ZuHdOZv3YY2_sFXx-V8mKbXu5M13R2SdHeesFkrpGg6iHBt43xS59N9UvUqvwTll3My1HN218yHAvoTWvAqMkZ6INT9OGmqNhSHZdmSAQYPPcnqyWAJ_xvGDGTResb1kw1tg6aLGXBijxOy1c1g9FhPWeZk-ZFpuMaRtqrIRRAzVcuUNtqCLRe3/w640-h480/20240117_110658.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDaEMlFwNwDBKKbyftRBDllIuBgd5LAiY5ZUzZkpa3pZlCoR8JnjOmjDusYCVHwSx4Q5bckB3FUDXdcqLv6vW1vAMx8pQbZGT9nUOue4xsQyM6-fk3-eGfeVoNzPWZc6AT64123bVe-FHs-nYgkdsDP4Im8XosDxrz7UqgpmI4wfCP76mI_q7lz-kQloM/s4000/20240117_110800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDaEMlFwNwDBKKbyftRBDllIuBgd5LAiY5ZUzZkpa3pZlCoR8JnjOmjDusYCVHwSx4Q5bckB3FUDXdcqLv6vW1vAMx8pQbZGT9nUOue4xsQyM6-fk3-eGfeVoNzPWZc6AT64123bVe-FHs-nYgkdsDP4Im8XosDxrz7UqgpmI4wfCP76mI_q7lz-kQloM/w480-h640/20240117_110800.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Owing to his Catalan roots, Gaudi created a decorative entrance at Park Guell with a colourful snake surrounded by the Catalan flag. Many believe that the snake represents Nejustan, the snake on the staff of Moses.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bypm2_mT6EaZPYf1iA8lobqFzpf8WXK-l3PylYEOhd_376Sa46p4zKMc0oudZ7_y7Wikp6HqsXgpPLUsIPUCcG3VxK1wrHZTt6h8gT85ghuJkkZK1wQVxq7t9xdHKO-pVzx_W0TRa7wSvRKR5cLdZFQ3siQTGOzz56HUnPTNqhWOV07lM5hG-SKraY_W/s3604/20240117_110810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3604" data-original-width="2703" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bypm2_mT6EaZPYf1iA8lobqFzpf8WXK-l3PylYEOhd_376Sa46p4zKMc0oudZ7_y7Wikp6HqsXgpPLUsIPUCcG3VxK1wrHZTt6h8gT85ghuJkkZK1wQVxq7t9xdHKO-pVzx_W0TRa7wSvRKR5cLdZFQ3siQTGOzz56HUnPTNqhWOV07lM5hG-SKraY_W/w480-h640/20240117_110810.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4itCE-RFPqT8q_uJhP4ojNzMh3hPWu3M6MW3JaBFDvjb_NLdtpy-xmWYZ1VUFkVTVgFY7ZlIsuObTeDcQeyc6nA2caEijm4J_ZJk072lctJdG5SVJtZvPfnvAZvR9prqxhCFTLPM0cdNcbPLZdzyS48LgVkeEbOJ_OcYOivTcwPMwBHth5zeWtaLmHuU_/s4000/20240117_110829.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4itCE-RFPqT8q_uJhP4ojNzMh3hPWu3M6MW3JaBFDvjb_NLdtpy-xmWYZ1VUFkVTVgFY7ZlIsuObTeDcQeyc6nA2caEijm4J_ZJk072lctJdG5SVJtZvPfnvAZvR9prqxhCFTLPM0cdNcbPLZdzyS48LgVkeEbOJ_OcYOivTcwPMwBHth5zeWtaLmHuU_/w480-h640/20240117_110829.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVsiuodhuwXvGTSYzpYf-ZteAZGtHjNVRH4Np5RUhyphenhyphenYkQZ-uc9NqIkI5C0B8JnZ4R7Vq4sLF2tQJQcA3GR7xPBrvfmt_ymzBj7vhvAPOEoAlK4r4ZGKANItvhtEuCVJDq8PdgsDQlt6qGQ37CZnMZ8nsIXY7eSoIwZwKodcpLd_CHQGIELQlvMrVigJyA/s3702/20240117_110836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3702" data-original-width="2776" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVsiuodhuwXvGTSYzpYf-ZteAZGtHjNVRH4Np5RUhyphenhyphenYkQZ-uc9NqIkI5C0B8JnZ4R7Vq4sLF2tQJQcA3GR7xPBrvfmt_ymzBj7vhvAPOEoAlK4r4ZGKANItvhtEuCVJDq8PdgsDQlt6qGQ37CZnMZ8nsIXY7eSoIwZwKodcpLd_CHQGIELQlvMrVigJyA/w480-h640/20240117_110836.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7738dZm3Ln3uIexhs9YAWWXFngAXNfT1DXrFuKjKV-jl8dJEU98NZEW-MTlDeN2tbw0FWM3V7jXFH0DdcJJXuv9GuTAxtI97jlu2wEJDeor6xKaNd5-0vhEixnAvmIX2uQuTZrKInrz8hhzaskpS6YRBH6XDxx8qElF694_VMrjIUVJS3UTSIug7H7QtO/s3719/20240117_110848.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2789" data-original-width="3719" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7738dZm3Ln3uIexhs9YAWWXFngAXNfT1DXrFuKjKV-jl8dJEU98NZEW-MTlDeN2tbw0FWM3V7jXFH0DdcJJXuv9GuTAxtI97jlu2wEJDeor6xKaNd5-0vhEixnAvmIX2uQuTZrKInrz8hhzaskpS6YRBH6XDxx8qElF694_VMrjIUVJS3UTSIug7H7QtO/w640-h480/20240117_110848.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlkoIsqmqx1urv5z7PJQM-fnENGKUx8U-eI09b4d6vDzxprUm34xzPuVBlDef6XUGeNn8jZpPVUvlnk3yKEdNYrUa14WAcUHJFR4boXNdUsfhj65W9-NMRD4n3NqbPA-IOaeR-qQpb0969uglzXqNGtKDAtYG5v0WDexgPEvTvnbHV2wJZtrJbWzgJHR7/s3398/20240117_110922.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3398" data-original-width="2548" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlkoIsqmqx1urv5z7PJQM-fnENGKUx8U-eI09b4d6vDzxprUm34xzPuVBlDef6XUGeNn8jZpPVUvlnk3yKEdNYrUa14WAcUHJFR4boXNdUsfhj65W9-NMRD4n3NqbPA-IOaeR-qQpb0969uglzXqNGtKDAtYG5v0WDexgPEvTvnbHV2wJZtrJbWzgJHR7/w480-h640/20240117_110922.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The stairway is hard to miss. Rising from the entrance esplanade, are two enormous white staircases with a magnificent scaly balustrade and numerous little nooks of shrubbery, flower beds, and trickling dragon fountains around it. The stairway is surrounded by two walls with merlons that form terraces. Under this, there are two grottos. The one to the right was used as a waiting shelter.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the first landing, you will find some creatures like goblins. Halfway through, on the second landing, you will find the emblem of Catalonia. Further up, you will find the Park Guell dragon or salamander that has grown into a defining icon of Park Güell's history. On the last flight of steps, sheltered by the hypostyle room, is an Odeon, a Greek-theatre-shaped bench.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejYLdgB76nx03Jll-0bh3Lyw_fCD_wol-iJcG7HLqyp-wD-HsKuyHe3D2uBbM-hopaWfadNCJNpKH769esL2l9bcbE-DVBihBiAJXsNLH1gUvLjbdz0-x0Gs2vzEE_FvUTeu5Pk-L1Xviv-HYJaUNXYsqqLdIE7DwCICLT2Z9uxMC5C8MIrmN96o6hVyX/s3808/20240117_111210.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3808" data-original-width="2856" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejYLdgB76nx03Jll-0bh3Lyw_fCD_wol-iJcG7HLqyp-wD-HsKuyHe3D2uBbM-hopaWfadNCJNpKH769esL2l9bcbE-DVBihBiAJXsNLH1gUvLjbdz0-x0Gs2vzEE_FvUTeu5Pk-L1Xviv-HYJaUNXYsqqLdIE7DwCICLT2Z9uxMC5C8MIrmN96o6hVyX/w480-h640/20240117_111210.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk up inside the Casa Del Guarda with views back to the park.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyXHG0s49_haz37am9WSJChK2BKLQd3jZuosOUwE7PLpTJde2JEhlUwhoHZj9yjkV3qi15izF5zwC__kFIN6HGkBJqjDnf9-96RPTpreP6b7kI-9ugni_kBFgShjG8KzwlWkhzAINNqMebvaR_NKrQyqB7x75e7igxETs46oDKpwFv331tOlTSVhjosT3/s4000/20240117_111249.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyXHG0s49_haz37am9WSJChK2BKLQd3jZuosOUwE7PLpTJde2JEhlUwhoHZj9yjkV3qi15izF5zwC__kFIN6HGkBJqjDnf9-96RPTpreP6b7kI-9ugni_kBFgShjG8KzwlWkhzAINNqMebvaR_NKrQyqB7x75e7igxETs46oDKpwFv331tOlTSVhjosT3/w480-h640/20240117_111249.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After Eusebi Güell's death in 1918, his heirs decided to sell the land to the Barcelona city hall be be turned into a public park, opening in 1926, the year of Gaudí's death. Since then, Park Güell has been one of the most important points of interest in the city of Barcelona where many shows and public events take place. It has also become a must-visit tourist attraction.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1969, Park Güell was named a Historic and Artistic Monument of National Character. In 1984, the park was added to the list of Works of Antoni Gaudí recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBQQBZE87ccKA3_Bg1tBzujEtwnD9kNP9_fp9_Z3jpxlBh8WkMUUa_jD5qUiXMqBjFbHtUnYryVcy4gcTUrdFNraFSBbVp_-kafSTHpoX2BLY9u0YAJ_OBCJCtxMOAwRGQdFdJ_6uKqqx58_9BJsgTK3_nxkGE1dfbPVDYMtFjQj-yMn5cSRZPEoIT-dh/s3751/20240117_111309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3751" data-original-width="2814" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBQQBZE87ccKA3_Bg1tBzujEtwnD9kNP9_fp9_Z3jpxlBh8WkMUUa_jD5qUiXMqBjFbHtUnYryVcy4gcTUrdFNraFSBbVp_-kafSTHpoX2BLY9u0YAJ_OBCJCtxMOAwRGQdFdJ_6uKqqx58_9BJsgTK3_nxkGE1dfbPVDYMtFjQj-yMn5cSRZPEoIT-dh/w480-h640/20240117_111309.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave Guell Park and walk back to Lesseps Metro to get the metro back to Placá de Catalunya.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We have a look around the shops here before walking back along La Rambla, we pass the road where we had the awful experience of the stalking robber. We decide it'll be okay now as its daylight and plenty of people about to go and see the El Pont Del Bisbe,</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxJTnYpVqHQTN4fOjCzPtW5Dw6VfQ5_LpOhjtj2V8-2qKI6KlDVdvJa_1f8i-pnX4SQqFkAZTDrqpEY-Tw2dGcDAwvFsy0ZOgrY5WJlIiyYmConSxp1f4l5A8uNCMOFg1agzy0Cf8jn5fqPS2bhRWGMztT2Y84-kWCNUIxLhc88U_YrXfy54yw_bxBTZc/s3832/20240117_122830.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3832" data-original-width="2874" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxJTnYpVqHQTN4fOjCzPtW5Dw6VfQ5_LpOhjtj2V8-2qKI6KlDVdvJa_1f8i-pnX4SQqFkAZTDrqpEY-Tw2dGcDAwvFsy0ZOgrY5WJlIiyYmConSxp1f4l5A8uNCMOFg1agzy0Cf8jn5fqPS2bhRWGMztT2Y84-kWCNUIxLhc88U_YrXfy54yw_bxBTZc/w480-h640/20240117_122830.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksqaLBPDgZXFCfahWSGX0quoXENpagobxs-0wry3OLxjnxj6kkprbGr_eT3fXdJ8YT-NokTsrVFxNT021HUzEbbztZ-lzNSl4jCSgZFYvgab_NmAmlTTx6UmfNpzGom6x25RfJKddK9TfN7hfzouZAQxnrCFi-BERxTlL2AYqWNMJfYZrWcRxfIGGQPW6/s3972/20240117_123331.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3972" data-original-width="2979" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksqaLBPDgZXFCfahWSGX0quoXENpagobxs-0wry3OLxjnxj6kkprbGr_eT3fXdJ8YT-NokTsrVFxNT021HUzEbbztZ-lzNSl4jCSgZFYvgab_NmAmlTTx6UmfNpzGom6x25RfJKddK9TfN7hfzouZAQxnrCFi-BERxTlL2AYqWNMJfYZrWcRxfIGGQPW6/w480-h640/20240117_123331.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the most photographed sights in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, El Pont del Bisbe (Bishop’s Bridge) was built for the Barcelona International Exposition, which took place in 1929.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The bridge was designed by architect Joan Rubió I Bellver, who suggested that all non-Gothic buildings in the immediate vicinity of Barcelona Cathedral should be demolished and replaced by new Gothic-style buildings.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fortunately, Rubió’s plan to beautify the Gothic Quarter was rejected, and only the bridge, which links the Palau de la Generalitat to La Casa dels Canonges, was built.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AY4LvZyD439F-gj_wjK-dwNvxrmozpJW3FYv5gIarPd9ocVSXAIvYwSWOLb0_-5svyQq0fWcg7x26yzXgqgiirJAtVT3NWzsJpC38OdCVfm7WP_rzu5Kyivv1UOAVHKkDniXAcRIF3mxbs9lZC-iQPJJcLxssJFoF9f3fO-Rw2yDd9XQjzdE7eNhzGsI/s3854/20240117_123337.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3854" data-original-width="2890" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AY4LvZyD439F-gj_wjK-dwNvxrmozpJW3FYv5gIarPd9ocVSXAIvYwSWOLb0_-5svyQq0fWcg7x26yzXgqgiirJAtVT3NWzsJpC38OdCVfm7WP_rzu5Kyivv1UOAVHKkDniXAcRIF3mxbs9lZC-iQPJJcLxssJFoF9f3fO-Rw2yDd9XQjzdE7eNhzGsI/w480-h640/20240117_123337.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Despite the fact that it is one of the newest buildings in the area, the neo-Gothic bridge is associated with several local legends and superstitions.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hardly surprisingly, all of the legends relate to the gruesome skull and dagger motif that decorates the underside of the bridge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSF0K2YmIJxy12j4iOWDcUZmhvPMogmFmcvxWUKDUpVSAT_KUVOTX-03VeQJ3tPEH_nL-OpLbMLkX52P0TQK49zBopehR7naVGDYjxrCsZGm0ynN9jQ0m5w4axt2NeCHKIFToEtN-RXh1RZmd5ptIlzdaBoI9dPn-11y_O9_ezFxOABSn8XKhM1B2lgaU/s3648/20240117_123456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSF0K2YmIJxy12j4iOWDcUZmhvPMogmFmcvxWUKDUpVSAT_KUVOTX-03VeQJ3tPEH_nL-OpLbMLkX52P0TQK49zBopehR7naVGDYjxrCsZGm0ynN9jQ0m5w4axt2NeCHKIFToEtN-RXh1RZmd5ptIlzdaBoI9dPn-11y_O9_ezFxOABSn8XKhM1B2lgaU/w480-h640/20240117_123456.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some say that the skull was the architect’s way of expressing his displeasure after his original plan was turned down. Others have even suggested that, rather than being a stone carving, it is in fact a real human skull!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another legend says that if the dagger which traverses the skull is ever removed then the city of Barcelona will be destroyed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On a more positive note. Another legend states that if you make a wish while walking backwards under the bridge and looking directly at the skull, then that wish will come true.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="wp-block-image size-full wp-image-8976" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; box-sizing: inherit; color: #303030; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 20px; margin-block: calc(var(--global--spacing-vertical)*1.5); margin-bottom: var(--global--spacing-vertical); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: var(--global--spacing-vertical); max-width: var(--responsive--aligndefault-width);"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkT6ejCcVJnnrFtB4SsdoJuW0F-OEmqOaW0wzyLTuzcHy-fzzQxJu0F_J-RZbw60ADMC6Id4vGvWwXnO88Z6iQB6jGSMCpOAx0GwRMs8V1Jd1k2l7usbDaBvoYRNq7bO9w6fv8OlEtm7025QY5Wveon5wi89gLOvX-astVLgCL3_ZwIrhQKUJUmrE53jPS/s3516/20240117_123524.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3516" data-original-width="2637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkT6ejCcVJnnrFtB4SsdoJuW0F-OEmqOaW0wzyLTuzcHy-fzzQxJu0F_J-RZbw60ADMC6Id4vGvWwXnO88Z6iQB6jGSMCpOAx0GwRMs8V1Jd1k2l7usbDaBvoYRNq7bO9w6fv8OlEtm7025QY5Wveon5wi89gLOvX-astVLgCL3_ZwIrhQKUJUmrE53jPS/w480-h640/20240117_123524.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on to the Barcelona Cathedral. There is an entrance charge so we gave this a miss.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoqAFlrjeygpTVGzN_JkuHEbOQwrD2tEBSjx5LVO6zQBDUsCLGPCzCSyu7I-pUI2Ig6mzEEv95GpMCknkGqTgUwAnkP0Zwh5ksDP9x-O8RzxEteFPdaDKeh2HSRFyxv6H4n-K6zuERjxsVBrsSDB8qGrUfS4Nn5Bhqp6T19vLm8be4KBZkFquOmz_NMIf/s3916/20240117_123644.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3916" data-original-width="2937" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoqAFlrjeygpTVGzN_JkuHEbOQwrD2tEBSjx5LVO6zQBDUsCLGPCzCSyu7I-pUI2Ig6mzEEv95GpMCknkGqTgUwAnkP0Zwh5ksDP9x-O8RzxEteFPdaDKeh2HSRFyxv6H4n-K6zuERjxsVBrsSDB8qGrUfS4Nn5Bhqp6T19vLm8be4KBZkFquOmz_NMIf/w480-h640/20240117_123644.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEqIk5Rz7wmrMvrS6-UBpBIFdogJp-uIyF9ywV31GDFUFFuYP_NuEs1FQRB1kDyz5I4f9LNs06iXEXIhpOfUmDwBcALZlgoFBR8aZDkzxa2P-tPna4lqMKlK1GtQx9guBr5Cv85uir-MSjNlU5eBzpME2qsdPpQZzxSWsz-q0MYEDRbh6c_ecAyU9Lo6W/s4000/20240117_123738.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEqIk5Rz7wmrMvrS6-UBpBIFdogJp-uIyF9ywV31GDFUFFuYP_NuEs1FQRB1kDyz5I4f9LNs06iXEXIhpOfUmDwBcALZlgoFBR8aZDkzxa2P-tPna4lqMKlK1GtQx9guBr5Cv85uir-MSjNlU5eBzpME2qsdPpQZzxSWsz-q0MYEDRbh6c_ecAyU9Lo6W/w640-h480/20240117_123738.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3EGVdH7KAD-nva9XI1B9fbZcm7PD-k6-O3RoADmA462_piawHAHRGAymdHJEcsRPzlTeILCjbf0uSJscTJmORaZoGLeDQBFmnZgvMq39cHIvnU5zmsAp9v7S-31-RxK5SXR9v7xiFnSz61jP6opMjPyM4PWZPbsDU65-8nWxRSTpaFelNMWk-VRapSde/s3854/20240117_123906.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2890" data-original-width="3854" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3EGVdH7KAD-nva9XI1B9fbZcm7PD-k6-O3RoADmA462_piawHAHRGAymdHJEcsRPzlTeILCjbf0uSJscTJmORaZoGLeDQBFmnZgvMq39cHIvnU5zmsAp9v7S-31-RxK5SXR9v7xiFnSz61jP6opMjPyM4PWZPbsDU65-8nWxRSTpaFelNMWk-VRapSde/w640-h480/20240117_123906.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Barcelona Cathedral or Catedral de Barcelona is in the heart of the Gothic Centre and is one of the largest and most impressive churches in Catalonia. Established in the 14th century, the Cathedral was dedicated to the city’s co-patron Saint Eulalia, a martyr who lost her life after refusing to dismiss her belief in Jesus as the son of God. The church is also the official seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona. Here’s everything you need to know about Barcelona Cathedral, including its history, architecture, highlights and more!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJqLNkGjpOA64pZ-_kCffHj8dc7gDmyItsnQqZg6-HO60vwrNgMXC-Ae4GVwKlrmXI_JCaaQti8wd9fo_pHayLAhryejqS6gp6G5Y1oV0O9eyAYCXx4uCyl1XWhpFOMqW6Eo2hBtd6EwsQybp0dykfY0-2ol0hyRx1SlTL7IzxvLhs3gaz6earNElqQeH/s4000/20240117_124005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJqLNkGjpOA64pZ-_kCffHj8dc7gDmyItsnQqZg6-HO60vwrNgMXC-Ae4GVwKlrmXI_JCaaQti8wd9fo_pHayLAhryejqS6gp6G5Y1oV0O9eyAYCXx4uCyl1XWhpFOMqW6Eo2hBtd6EwsQybp0dykfY0-2ol0hyRx1SlTL7IzxvLhs3gaz6earNElqQeH/w640-h480/20240117_124005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk along Via Laietana back to the seafront.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFvGKd3wuUtZPnI2OS3YdFpbynUFXMBZvrEQZcCyQ7DCoMidt-AjlOoCQG4WFVgEIEMDbrUq_HqqJWDuM4hb5H7f_dqkintyOXj0e1V94LbkTqZP6_Lix3zxO0bikHHIhJbWKbPxMPqtgYtk9g1fz5pNQOTxVc3bFzkcLwQxK-DtapNpmeTKM__hq_UNy/s4000/20240117_125510.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFvGKd3wuUtZPnI2OS3YdFpbynUFXMBZvrEQZcCyQ7DCoMidt-AjlOoCQG4WFVgEIEMDbrUq_HqqJWDuM4hb5H7f_dqkintyOXj0e1V94LbkTqZP6_Lix3zxO0bikHHIhJbWKbPxMPqtgYtk9g1fz5pNQOTxVc3bFzkcLwQxK-DtapNpmeTKM__hq_UNy/w640-h480/20240117_125510.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BdoZ0h0NZyI27Nq5jDj5Hh3m2di9AMXQqaNUcG4bH0yvXKlztsK6YxN0ki7SrKIKLyl42MdEaJDdWjYapMsGN3HakM9LkfTEiq4uAI3WrDDPdlMA3ERQBSo48y_kkk3UgY-hyOJLRJ0UTX9WaLPU7w4OvqD8KsQp3qMu9zkHyX6IUGFvS2LTxUFjgwJX/s4000/20240117_125526.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BdoZ0h0NZyI27Nq5jDj5Hh3m2di9AMXQqaNUcG4bH0yvXKlztsK6YxN0ki7SrKIKLyl42MdEaJDdWjYapMsGN3HakM9LkfTEiq4uAI3WrDDPdlMA3ERQBSo48y_kkk3UgY-hyOJLRJ0UTX9WaLPU7w4OvqD8KsQp3qMu9zkHyX6IUGFvS2LTxUFjgwJX/w640-h480/20240117_125526.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-yWk3E7IJff2-Hq2PMg6SgoWgS9XGOV_AZC47QZ7-O8v9a2af6dfs5v8-OGjC2OvEA8fniefkBLbzb4Ir_3TpANZc7uW-9eDuvMkN5_ve0TlihwIrPR81B3iFJuBbsdreBBwnWG2AQl-8rnG8PmdkbxyRw7MsHX9cfl4LM02lwKLsJ33RITIlzNCes3b/s3835/20240117_125615.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2876" data-original-width="3835" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-yWk3E7IJff2-Hq2PMg6SgoWgS9XGOV_AZC47QZ7-O8v9a2af6dfs5v8-OGjC2OvEA8fniefkBLbzb4Ir_3TpANZc7uW-9eDuvMkN5_ve0TlihwIrPR81B3iFJuBbsdreBBwnWG2AQl-8rnG8PmdkbxyRw7MsHX9cfl4LM02lwKLsJ33RITIlzNCes3b/w640-h480/20240117_125615.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the front here is the I Love Barcelona sculpture.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdctSzlhCXX1kzHKNv_xUONRcr8MvHRV_2mRBN5HRGVDrY_EfS-XuBxb2ELvG-RooeM_YWMcv3eHwtURyTR_KPvwhvt5cUX0jjJWbnhFXqeo1tMmDfM8QWd6xahxD1ouiHY2J6i3Ulq8kDnuqTD9rK0jPwfYA0Qd3YJtLd-9vqF1kDqYVUHniNjLqaWopc/s4000/20240117_125717.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdctSzlhCXX1kzHKNv_xUONRcr8MvHRV_2mRBN5HRGVDrY_EfS-XuBxb2ELvG-RooeM_YWMcv3eHwtURyTR_KPvwhvt5cUX0jjJWbnhFXqeo1tMmDfM8QWd6xahxD1ouiHY2J6i3Ulq8kDnuqTD9rK0jPwfYA0Qd3YJtLd-9vqF1kDqYVUHniNjLqaWopc/w640-h480/20240117_125717.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk around the marina to try and find somewhere to have lunch.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWxFGyLcEkXZtlbTD5Z-LSa9uVD0vtmJuk38xlZ2HLjSwGNoojjoovfgaNNeb06yZG30efjQZe0mxOEMlrv-Q9ajzn3DQJlGbcbLK6pTzn4WesHcGoNDThbfnvoJIHgirlNqOo_jMS5GVAwmlobGJ0btf7oJmxp7WvfD9B6E8yNle4TPa5MCeT3XpoxEt/s3964/20240117_130747.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3964" data-original-width="2973" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWxFGyLcEkXZtlbTD5Z-LSa9uVD0vtmJuk38xlZ2HLjSwGNoojjoovfgaNNeb06yZG30efjQZe0mxOEMlrv-Q9ajzn3DQJlGbcbLK6pTzn4WesHcGoNDThbfnvoJIHgirlNqOo_jMS5GVAwmlobGJ0btf7oJmxp7WvfD9B6E8yNle4TPa5MCeT3XpoxEt/w480-h640/20240117_130747.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk over towards Barcelona's Beach area still trying to find something to eat. Mel is feeling ill with a bad cold, so now its hunt come medicine from a pharmacy. Every pharmacy we went into had an old person chatting for ages, seems to a pastime here. We eventually found one where we could chat to the pharmacist and bought some medicine.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyTDP-7pkECWOuaBMxmAspUdi3_Ai_yNFwtXJqt5c64L4kojhGz0t-gIFzKE0UJMelebmpHlIStyHMbcfxJK6x17lDHv8Yo7LMH6GBgsI5GhRFsWtVE4E7L0niQ2Q_jyjeJ1Kie3okdAfXBPyrFmFJNmQK91tvqSOJKcNmxZjm3la5yQYY0yO1-i_pUMk/s3820/20240117_130825.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2865" data-original-width="3820" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyTDP-7pkECWOuaBMxmAspUdi3_Ai_yNFwtXJqt5c64L4kojhGz0t-gIFzKE0UJMelebmpHlIStyHMbcfxJK6x17lDHv8Yo7LMH6GBgsI5GhRFsWtVE4E7L0niQ2Q_jyjeJ1Kie3okdAfXBPyrFmFJNmQK91tvqSOJKcNmxZjm3la5yQYY0yO1-i_pUMk/w640-h480/20240117_130825.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8f5aXm9LSfiE7hZUzTVqf2widYnwGCVxYRCB3EH7HY05xV2we480NnSoDRXak1pDkFOvCK8JBcO4E6mzG0DBRiyn1KEMJg1_YqRSCZFvwGygwP-T5S_o2l7tefRjDQaGgbD8vfATB-HIJHMcNtIGqCG0jsJyU_rd0u-SbzYPQwCLBF3l2e9D8NNFXAlGQ/s4000/20240117_131549.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8f5aXm9LSfiE7hZUzTVqf2widYnwGCVxYRCB3EH7HY05xV2we480NnSoDRXak1pDkFOvCK8JBcO4E6mzG0DBRiyn1KEMJg1_YqRSCZFvwGygwP-T5S_o2l7tefRjDQaGgbD8vfATB-HIJHMcNtIGqCG0jsJyU_rd0u-SbzYPQwCLBF3l2e9D8NNFXAlGQ/w480-h640/20240117_131549.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We found a cafe just over from the beach where we ate before walking along the beach.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEBGaP9cazJK7Iue7ctybdshTgYw2QB402BGrWM6TJm4C8JVqX3tK36gNB3U9Kipfr7bpAaU_3qeEWItKKKIom7bQ-yXLhLTOx2tZ1QhTEunvPJ1iXHgiOmplbeZ3FLWvzenfWE2CEwm0mgDobdabfw-1RS6OmEWV4q3fY2f44KtZYBuNi6exu9LA5IIP/s3754/20240117_140534.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2815" data-original-width="3754" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEBGaP9cazJK7Iue7ctybdshTgYw2QB402BGrWM6TJm4C8JVqX3tK36gNB3U9Kipfr7bpAaU_3qeEWItKKKIom7bQ-yXLhLTOx2tZ1QhTEunvPJ1iXHgiOmplbeZ3FLWvzenfWE2CEwm0mgDobdabfw-1RS6OmEWV4q3fY2f44KtZYBuNi6exu9LA5IIP/w640-h480/20240117_140534.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Barceloneta Beach, Platja de la Barceloneta.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnDneked6cmtDMyaY8ucwvMUfYyLCU7fGTVtal4BORGrgO2Eiq69mMHO98w-qbZOfqnsMQ7BJ2h362jM-Hp9zDgjCegoWZmreSqn15GC1pBdQmugt6tYki9mLlGxlTkiXBQwqy_s1tnGoUkizc6UF2fiW2GY4XSezE3Mm-t8_A1YoNfZzRng_E8hDrczC/s3906/20240117_140555.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2930" data-original-width="3906" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnDneked6cmtDMyaY8ucwvMUfYyLCU7fGTVtal4BORGrgO2Eiq69mMHO98w-qbZOfqnsMQ7BJ2h362jM-Hp9zDgjCegoWZmreSqn15GC1pBdQmugt6tYki9mLlGxlTkiXBQwqy_s1tnGoUkizc6UF2fiW2GY4XSezE3Mm-t8_A1YoNfZzRng_E8hDrczC/w640-h480/20240117_140555.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifa5f0XV67rFdAUlLJDcA4aMy6lZ-nPwcZne08LDt3aMbgoHuHBk1ufkzAPLo8KQWnSU6g3l8qlE_B5d60yLbmyCNkjllsRFJeaNjlNYn8xA0N9EPcQIQg9oNaZ6rUGj15TUm9YUJmzqZQsJ3dUqeDTHwEiFyibC7bF9HuzAujAWYLBeEka5BtpslJPo6I/s3858/20240117_140626.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2893" data-original-width="3858" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifa5f0XV67rFdAUlLJDcA4aMy6lZ-nPwcZne08LDt3aMbgoHuHBk1ufkzAPLo8KQWnSU6g3l8qlE_B5d60yLbmyCNkjllsRFJeaNjlNYn8xA0N9EPcQIQg9oNaZ6rUGj15TUm9YUJmzqZQsJ3dUqeDTHwEiFyibC7bF9HuzAujAWYLBeEka5BtpslJPo6I/w640-h480/20240117_140626.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This beach is inextricably linked to the fishing quarter of the same name, Barceloneta, Barcelona's classic neighbourhood by the sea, where the people of Barcelona love to come and eat fish and seafood dishes and "tapas".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Located in the traditional fishing district, this is one of Barcelona's oldest and best-loved beaches. It is thought to have inspired Miguel de Cervantes as the setting for the fight between Don Quixote and the Knight of the White Moon. It was here that the knight errant was finally defeated and abandoned his quest.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-H5LLugib7p6ZBRluMsNDavSvjSlMnjTc17QUb_yI2uSbKCKqTIBoTszN_gPOVBeFrdLl87lk_j3zT8_GBIpQ6KGwC1zU75vatJ98NYoHvNVs0ZqCpsGywjTfLJ2Yoso7Fjm60ZS_bxV7A89YENJ_727dREHe9Bh8EGjoMcDjZ2swe2fVsq_yPALKvUc/s3976/20240117_140856.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2982" data-original-width="3976" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-H5LLugib7p6ZBRluMsNDavSvjSlMnjTc17QUb_yI2uSbKCKqTIBoTszN_gPOVBeFrdLl87lk_j3zT8_GBIpQ6KGwC1zU75vatJ98NYoHvNVs0ZqCpsGywjTfLJ2Yoso7Fjm60ZS_bxV7A89YENJ_727dREHe9Bh8EGjoMcDjZ2swe2fVsq_yPALKvUc/w640-h480/20240117_140856.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are numerous signs warning of a fine if you are caught buying from a blanket salesman. I thought it was just a general salesman i.e. Blanket. But here was a man selling yep Blankets!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtzFb33Z_T2kfv1KkJMAqY7vJBfHZ4_BB6vUkSJ0vUPRCuFUfedggkW_i2SQtCBCuVbILwGtABXZM5ByEnDoZAA-yP1E6D7VVmiSyNrYkOzVrldEuZg-W8Hk5gUWPf364_dVkvwyP7daGxzP7EUKktlYOI_RT2qB2zPenDj0wlDtttH85Adr9tKUNGysT/s3848/20240117_140929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2886" data-original-width="3848" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtzFb33Z_T2kfv1KkJMAqY7vJBfHZ4_BB6vUkSJ0vUPRCuFUfedggkW_i2SQtCBCuVbILwGtABXZM5ByEnDoZAA-yP1E6D7VVmiSyNrYkOzVrldEuZg-W8Hk5gUWPf364_dVkvwyP7daGxzP7EUKktlYOI_RT2qB2zPenDj0wlDtttH85Adr9tKUNGysT/w640-h480/20240117_140929.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NDKAgcBGikDBI0i2wGVnGLon-HIPpDnqAZJmSMDZAGyDCBIrjj3oxAcnUl-cD64BoNcgpxRtsNo6ylIMquiL_FfUqDgDxde4VfhUBYl4BGDPbXEIzN9EwoCvI4C3wU25iLgqtWYdxrEDz7auAnnURXT372K5HqpE-DulMhOJ93Q1ValdTNnM-W0k-E7b/s4000/20240117_141358.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NDKAgcBGikDBI0i2wGVnGLon-HIPpDnqAZJmSMDZAGyDCBIrjj3oxAcnUl-cD64BoNcgpxRtsNo6ylIMquiL_FfUqDgDxde4VfhUBYl4BGDPbXEIzN9EwoCvI4C3wU25iLgqtWYdxrEDz7auAnnURXT372K5HqpE-DulMhOJ93Q1ValdTNnM-W0k-E7b/w640-h480/20240117_141358.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back to the hotel for another afternoon siesta before going out for dinner.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSQ78Hf9Ikov9JX0QA4C4-6JKA0AePvyx_gQXssOeJzva-vJ36lN2fYKkL3Ja26T0cHXhoJoRrW0yifYmGKtQytPIzEcH174hEoSXNAwr-LfpSvuQDnuCf7MFAPXzWeIEKsAp8Aso9KgH-ezN-vGMMC2Kk-KftDY8DsEzFu4JlyyzVg72CatMnBCRGQkR/s4000/20240117_190609.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSQ78Hf9Ikov9JX0QA4C4-6JKA0AePvyx_gQXssOeJzva-vJ36lN2fYKkL3Ja26T0cHXhoJoRrW0yifYmGKtQytPIzEcH174hEoSXNAwr-LfpSvuQDnuCf7MFAPXzWeIEKsAp8Aso9KgH-ezN-vGMMC2Kk-KftDY8DsEzFu4JlyyzVg72CatMnBCRGQkR/w640-h480/20240117_190609.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We head back to Colum where again we were lucky to beat the queues, Another beer and I had Garlic Prawns tapas followed by Steak and chips.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfGX1HAErui1uptgGXCqSCGDYkrC4pae5ZqZzNC7STAW0W2m4hnTqUTY9CArJ1OE-V-9yFEIiLRWJLp5nfTN2mdaUkhvLruJ1xssuKW_cBYbGEbCvV0UbjsmRILd1slmT79Rjslbn3wkwo9ZcU7XYlxJMl8avQHYplzBjTfQlhFYHYuldmdJtJapjjX7D/s4000/20240117_191902.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfGX1HAErui1uptgGXCqSCGDYkrC4pae5ZqZzNC7STAW0W2m4hnTqUTY9CArJ1OE-V-9yFEIiLRWJLp5nfTN2mdaUkhvLruJ1xssuKW_cBYbGEbCvV0UbjsmRILd1slmT79Rjslbn3wkwo9ZcU7XYlxJMl8avQHYplzBjTfQlhFYHYuldmdJtJapjjX7D/w640-h480/20240117_191902.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From here we visited El Bosc de Les Fades, a fantasy café with cocktails and beers.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdi8p0ZaPE1WC4nnUs-ydjmI_jPykmEyaVQYasyV5IEmlSGxpy6kJHRHihftY8DCXK94kFgnNxNFhU4X9pMbDHYH9Be5zuK4Uf4VCyK2mzpbQjnD-Z5_kupTs_5i0hRCSmgRGpKXbfvy5ClpYaWSf0tTSbRxQ8Nv0O7kI8TdZypQcSQ6hB7FoQveoi8TE/s3734/20240117_194755.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3734" data-original-width="2800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdi8p0ZaPE1WC4nnUs-ydjmI_jPykmEyaVQYasyV5IEmlSGxpy6kJHRHihftY8DCXK94kFgnNxNFhU4X9pMbDHYH9Be5zuK4Uf4VCyK2mzpbQjnD-Z5_kupTs_5i0hRCSmgRGpKXbfvy5ClpYaWSf0tTSbRxQ8Nv0O7kI8TdZypQcSQ6hB7FoQveoi8TE/w480-h640/20240117_194755.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is just off La Rambla and a unique experience.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfnF8YDXvgFF3vrdiq6HZ4USzlUTvjBvC8jo4H34Pw68ceeugvF7zG__ALyTorgYQaZcrjCJ2tBeftgRDYQJBI3bY7S4GGMWGcrb7vewzfLD8EXJUmEl94-viBr8TqmsLoJt7qgnRdPs4z9cTMQNIwANR2P9kzcBwrmJdborlv90IwjbjdX8WPwE2MCdf/s3867/20240117_194824.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2900" data-original-width="3867" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfnF8YDXvgFF3vrdiq6HZ4USzlUTvjBvC8jo4H34Pw68ceeugvF7zG__ALyTorgYQaZcrjCJ2tBeftgRDYQJBI3bY7S4GGMWGcrb7vewzfLD8EXJUmEl94-viBr8TqmsLoJt7qgnRdPs4z9cTMQNIwANR2P9kzcBwrmJdborlv90IwjbjdX8WPwE2MCdf/w640-h480/20240117_194824.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtlctxjpYCTNMNXSWUMA5GODM0vn_ubIrompPfiLul7ZnB46GPrnqZ9XIUGXtZthsq_PKlSPspPkqyHY0CtIv_is9vvDNK7GTlmBMXUGDXGP9sDK1WIroZIpKtumS3ypvnbHHghGWPoE79RsyOVa1rLeEy3lXOr8vTtq-PKStXQGxyGR5hWpY4k-hJx5O/s4000/20240117_194839.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtlctxjpYCTNMNXSWUMA5GODM0vn_ubIrompPfiLul7ZnB46GPrnqZ9XIUGXtZthsq_PKlSPspPkqyHY0CtIv_is9vvDNK7GTlmBMXUGDXGP9sDK1WIroZIpKtumS3ypvnbHHghGWPoE79RsyOVa1rLeEy3lXOr8vTtq-PKStXQGxyGR5hWpY4k-hJx5O/w640-h480/20240117_194839.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84cQsDa1uf-Ukii9iKqKCxw8KvwgU-Ii8hWxw_yvh-asHF-KEkRfHprk5tLVH7mSdsG1YjMaYr8a41RWS2_8wnRyWRX-HDJul3zfa7YBy2FOySPmZlbuYVjIkV4m7-26t5MsBnGFZUdmZray1H0YukmHmI3jZVFBJcebAwh-sAvK0BRL_gc306teOtAyD/s4000/20240117_195454.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84cQsDa1uf-Ukii9iKqKCxw8KvwgU-Ii8hWxw_yvh-asHF-KEkRfHprk5tLVH7mSdsG1YjMaYr8a41RWS2_8wnRyWRX-HDJul3zfa7YBy2FOySPmZlbuYVjIkV4m7-26t5MsBnGFZUdmZray1H0YukmHmI3jZVFBJcebAwh-sAvK0BRL_gc306teOtAyD/w480-h640/20240117_195454.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qHtvE2QfblOSP_xmP8_DSOr_82Q3RpVXyoo982cXsN4hsULOXyZP3_cOvAHrvnLHizH702FjXnlbL58H5Og9NFyGIC17UlSQrV9CD09XbEU1dplNgbAfCdbcojSAGj4aPzX-SDQN0gr1fJWLX4LoHNVI1e2tIfpO6ccS1YRAjx5jfZIiIl0a28xN-eZ8/s4000/20240117_195511.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qHtvE2QfblOSP_xmP8_DSOr_82Q3RpVXyoo982cXsN4hsULOXyZP3_cOvAHrvnLHizH702FjXnlbL58H5Og9NFyGIC17UlSQrV9CD09XbEU1dplNgbAfCdbcojSAGj4aPzX-SDQN0gr1fJWLX4LoHNVI1e2tIfpO6ccS1YRAjx5jfZIiIl0a28xN-eZ8/w480-h640/20240117_195511.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqM3mlhAwDnFZzYM6rui6vtVK2aTJ7pDTqQdc_m2c5OyobMswkXuv7J2aL4DidqTaOEkLThbOvzN3MPOoYZWZKA-FzawgitqutjGDrCTrpK8j-Qqm4S64RxMnlyJcNWUDio4xjroB-B6lXXviEtaWr2nUsCvTzMXfae1PVmMUP1uqre_pObNHNr6Rcg38/s3788/20240117_195528.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3788" data-original-width="2841" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqM3mlhAwDnFZzYM6rui6vtVK2aTJ7pDTqQdc_m2c5OyobMswkXuv7J2aL4DidqTaOEkLThbOvzN3MPOoYZWZKA-FzawgitqutjGDrCTrpK8j-Qqm4S64RxMnlyJcNWUDio4xjroB-B6lXXviEtaWr2nUsCvTzMXfae1PVmMUP1uqre_pObNHNr6Rcg38/w480-h640/20240117_195528.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AywblJbMvAijQZ2garSdQPbLJubEVOC6KA2uaZnuveJRvJaPxOhNGQxWhzgLaykVnNQwWPbbth7q4TWTwYtutSskPm-IadhppzWLI49P4WBln1zvlrBclHk2aAE8WLAzVzp0Zw4gJmnYh4InR6T6T_a6yk-3ou80oqVwW_DVK0qkuQDl5-32dyy4R32e/s4000/20240117_195621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AywblJbMvAijQZ2garSdQPbLJubEVOC6KA2uaZnuveJRvJaPxOhNGQxWhzgLaykVnNQwWPbbth7q4TWTwYtutSskPm-IadhppzWLI49P4WBln1zvlrBclHk2aAE8WLAzVzp0Zw4gJmnYh4InR6T6T_a6yk-3ou80oqVwW_DVK0qkuQDl5-32dyy4R32e/w480-h640/20240117_195621.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had a Turia Marzen from Valencia and Mel asked for sex on the beach, disappointed she meant a cocktail!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVe4CjO4YSAB6NqeHEA6bjnR8GhO2aELhP5Xf2wkPhZ88yXU5pNqdve05Yg1F4PSGbmj_yOAgAvXnB1w5IJq7TJLPuijM3LmVEKyMtxom8UWV1iZ56PEJroU2iiejMSbjJoMpAzjFLeS2ux0QSRkEa12NJV6dSLf8sLbk7dxf8H80xWcqI1GJo0PRL5ErE/s4000/20240117_195646.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVe4CjO4YSAB6NqeHEA6bjnR8GhO2aELhP5Xf2wkPhZ88yXU5pNqdve05Yg1F4PSGbmj_yOAgAvXnB1w5IJq7TJLPuijM3LmVEKyMtxom8UWV1iZ56PEJroU2iiejMSbjJoMpAzjFLeS2ux0QSRkEa12NJV6dSLf8sLbk7dxf8H80xWcqI1GJo0PRL5ErE/w480-h640/20240117_195646.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgV1XClh3QMsljiZGngKGA1o5Z5z_LYb23sAwExaMFe8QLn-8y0Sk0bKnc_gxOCevV7XbLtnjZh749aX2FeDj75m8KMtFaXxZMkd7ThZHbmcBMIYTpXBDQstdPRdUjM3ZYwXDR-QAi1eaj9SIBIE8VlvNO8zWJYfmSp2Glk-h8-bmkgJjl-VEZjkXGimxD/s4000/20240117_200218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgV1XClh3QMsljiZGngKGA1o5Z5z_LYb23sAwExaMFe8QLn-8y0Sk0bKnc_gxOCevV7XbLtnjZh749aX2FeDj75m8KMtFaXxZMkd7ThZHbmcBMIYTpXBDQstdPRdUjM3ZYwXDR-QAi1eaj9SIBIE8VlvNO8zWJYfmSp2Glk-h8-bmkgJjl-VEZjkXGimxD/w480-h640/20240117_200218.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZI_hdSRoOW790wvdYD2i_qoMsomCtEjupqUbxPZNWogW2b-S4Mkxef58zC44t0R5uNfX6xFuxQAv5uHQxD9Oav2AaR9xc6-HmymmvkB3dRPjULjz9xC2D6rSszZ_aql_LxllKIToSoKf0qUAD3xPhMZ41OO0ziNr8g2TSAiWKd8zB4HdoV97McQKq3nz/s4000/20240117_200242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZI_hdSRoOW790wvdYD2i_qoMsomCtEjupqUbxPZNWogW2b-S4Mkxef58zC44t0R5uNfX6xFuxQAv5uHQxD9Oav2AaR9xc6-HmymmvkB3dRPjULjz9xC2D6rSszZ_aql_LxllKIToSoKf0qUAD3xPhMZ41OO0ziNr8g2TSAiWKd8zB4HdoV97McQKq3nz/w480-h640/20240117_200242.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The mood suddenly changed in here, the lighting changed and a thunderstorm started, amazing!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="530" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ut5hu6PIDck" width="638" youtube-src-id="ut5hu6PIDck"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walked back along La Rambla and back to the hotel.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86iVpsQtqOfaPGHevFzetL1zES5dhND9R_hO3tRDTewtfvXI5xJjN_LRTWAE_cj2KruyB_1jpi3UGUmsuM-FouZF9fimqEb4Lu4Ci2lY7_urxlw4kIFUAwxj9PrN1r3_kVuC_3rNrYDZO91U_ZAesOv-l8gVofW33tS5NA9IUhnuyi2h1vGNtIWWCep5E/s4000/20240117_201947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86iVpsQtqOfaPGHevFzetL1zES5dhND9R_hO3tRDTewtfvXI5xJjN_LRTWAE_cj2KruyB_1jpi3UGUmsuM-FouZF9fimqEb4Lu4Ci2lY7_urxlw4kIFUAwxj9PrN1r3_kVuC_3rNrYDZO91U_ZAesOv-l8gVofW33tS5NA9IUhnuyi2h1vGNtIWWCep5E/w640-h480/20240117_201947.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbSmMJyZczD3YAOxlyMqMXeAG2RuqXQ3m8SeIhn25wb6mRk1ttjsgGiel1hj9qIXijVs5z5-fijAzJSP2HH-aTmManvh6IcoFtqq6ewPsFICw5CkdJjqZHg5CN54l8qULdexfKTCOrNEt_UxznEXgKMe0m68bFo-O0KAkIK2DQCKNRrPYoFSeV6IEUvpl/s4000/20240117_202024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbSmMJyZczD3YAOxlyMqMXeAG2RuqXQ3m8SeIhn25wb6mRk1ttjsgGiel1hj9qIXijVs5z5-fijAzJSP2HH-aTmManvh6IcoFtqq6ewPsFICw5CkdJjqZHg5CN54l8qULdexfKTCOrNEt_UxznEXgKMe0m68bFo-O0KAkIK2DQCKNRrPYoFSeV6IEUvpl/w640-h480/20240117_202024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Day Four: 18th January 2024</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We got up had breakfast and then had a walk about to kill some time before our taxi picked us up for the journey back to the airport.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-hjEpTzxkFJj3tZUbUrghR0UXgXbAWd1aX1cSfQPg2riDaxaGNQunC08-JohtuZNVJvDf-fLhuEgap8DySBLXItRSq4I5Yk0HMRokSp67R1oJDAhlwXnnGleGDfkUM5Ep5Jz_646otMWRLJwwsubwShwTsda_2lO2XaA5R0LPQhYZvkK7bRs7v9xpe7w/s4000/20240118_092141.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-hjEpTzxkFJj3tZUbUrghR0UXgXbAWd1aX1cSfQPg2riDaxaGNQunC08-JohtuZNVJvDf-fLhuEgap8DySBLXItRSq4I5Yk0HMRokSp67R1oJDAhlwXnnGleGDfkUM5Ep5Jz_646otMWRLJwwsubwShwTsda_2lO2XaA5R0LPQhYZvkK7bRs7v9xpe7w/w480-h640/20240118_092141.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walked down Carrer Nou de la Rambla to see Guell Palace. It was closed but we took a look at the outside.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Guell Palace is a mansion designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí for the industrial tycoon Eusebi Güell, and was built between 1886 and 1888. It is situated on the Carrer Nou de la Rambla, in the El Raval neighborhood of Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Works of Antoni Gaudí".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The home is centred around the main room for entertaining high society guests. Guests entered the home in horse-drawn carriages through the front iron gates, which featured a parabolic arch and intricate patterns of forged ironwork resembling seaweed and in some parts a horsewhip. Animals could be taken down a ramp and kept in the livery stable in the basement where the servants resided, while the guests went up the stairs to the receiving room. The ornate walls and ceilings of the receiving room disguised small viewing windows high on the walls where the owners of the home could view their guests from the upper floor and get a "sneak peek" before greeting them, in case they needed to adjust their attire accordingly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The main party room has a tall ceiling with small holes near the top where lanterns were hung at night from the outside to give the appearance of a starlit sky.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJa-q9bOqmUL_MRCT5dQnRnATxqAhenmoQoEqh_rI9adYHAP-VNahJaOrsb_9A6qW4Hn9UGhv2A_VifxpFisZIChDptefZFes1dKKKROMMzqX-7dK_c3Z0r828nkT7-kAtEVVTQcvW2-j97H74d4u1WAfBwNgFwXy3o3R1JKJpa5vj_P9-3NVyCjDcPZAY/s4000/20240118_092157.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJa-q9bOqmUL_MRCT5dQnRnATxqAhenmoQoEqh_rI9adYHAP-VNahJaOrsb_9A6qW4Hn9UGhv2A_VifxpFisZIChDptefZFes1dKKKROMMzqX-7dK_c3Z0r828nkT7-kAtEVVTQcvW2-j97H74d4u1WAfBwNgFwXy3o3R1JKJpa5vj_P9-3NVyCjDcPZAY/w640-h480/20240118_092157.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYTXo4bTrNaqfwU8FkJx2-sALxlcOmjJM0ytF69td3LZ61K11NlxMgAPEeVmoGYguCMIPIT8YDfdaFC0N5VNX6OFXjDdblhQ7EF8wT4GPCjFwj4Go4OzSTvO2vlSwUGXzIrEg5v6qAXmMQ1t9ZfXhIOGWgdgwZovmHh95SdKC9KvHJxsq0H_oxkUqAaK3/s3809/20240118_092622.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2857" data-original-width="3809" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYTXo4bTrNaqfwU8FkJx2-sALxlcOmjJM0ytF69td3LZ61K11NlxMgAPEeVmoGYguCMIPIT8YDfdaFC0N5VNX6OFXjDdblhQ7EF8wT4GPCjFwj4Go4OzSTvO2vlSwUGXzIrEg5v6qAXmMQ1t9ZfXhIOGWgdgwZovmHh95SdKC9KvHJxsq0H_oxkUqAaK3/w640-h480/20240118_092622.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walked along La Ramba and sat by La Rambla Del Mar and the marina just relaxing in the sun and watching the boats before we go home to the cold.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp29M5DiZiDTdV3kMeD80EJwYszoPAFHeoC3jamlOcJqfK49qdS16ZJgQAJSaJtz-U8ySa8r8sMnn7UFhjrSa6fA5F7Psz-ElHkq5XVoVNU4c5a7b0d3gxqXTJmFNFSIWzV-1crQ02R5hk0lb8KYvlWcxZMJsGmPjTC2ic9tvQEYw4uGXaLOXbcKLALsaq/s3437/20240118_104449.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2129" data-original-width="3437" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp29M5DiZiDTdV3kMeD80EJwYszoPAFHeoC3jamlOcJqfK49qdS16ZJgQAJSaJtz-U8ySa8r8sMnn7UFhjrSa6fA5F7Psz-ElHkq5XVoVNU4c5a7b0d3gxqXTJmFNFSIWzV-1crQ02R5hk0lb8KYvlWcxZMJsGmPjTC2ic9tvQEYw4uGXaLOXbcKLALsaq/w640-h396/20240118_104449.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-x_er0ipsZAQcOPftkft2bYxoJ2HaEWngMuZM1nmNfJLogT18TkL7BfU0LzoJWXcWLFQ3sJHryUVoQPy4h2hpj22rb9D9Sb0ok0z6t9VuPW54SN1TESSIGKV0GLhyP9oYIRl5kOwGWtPzipGG9jJI9eA_k61xXUv6pBwH0ldPwObtpnp2GsRzBEMqtGWl/s4000/20240118_104524.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-x_er0ipsZAQcOPftkft2bYxoJ2HaEWngMuZM1nmNfJLogT18TkL7BfU0LzoJWXcWLFQ3sJHryUVoQPy4h2hpj22rb9D9Sb0ok0z6t9VuPW54SN1TESSIGKV0GLhyP9oYIRl5kOwGWtPzipGG9jJI9eA_k61xXUv6pBwH0ldPwObtpnp2GsRzBEMqtGWl/w640-h480/20240118_104524.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUfKH_7-na9wpFJ1HVLs0pXt-dVw2Pno7gZud_JuaOACBTkS65Gsn40eqN74nfSY2lb8pauL3Ttd3MGY69S4Um1Lh0lJ77ppjaFL2ZJ8Sth64-Qe4q0BigpvDe2kmuj6wLGTAjEI-CUKfolPGAeiC4I8xVnYmPT2Lq1p-daXIg23XZ0OnOosSWIF4UvT4/s4000/20240118_104707.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUfKH_7-na9wpFJ1HVLs0pXt-dVw2Pno7gZud_JuaOACBTkS65Gsn40eqN74nfSY2lb8pauL3Ttd3MGY69S4Um1Lh0lJ77ppjaFL2ZJ8Sth64-Qe4q0BigpvDe2kmuj6wLGTAjEI-CUKfolPGAeiC4I8xVnYmPT2Lq1p-daXIg23XZ0OnOosSWIF4UvT4/w640-h480/20240118_104707.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_yB2ZHnqq7v-Bo_-4Bze0ixeOPWENNcDM4EJwgYLhpqhLDx3M7HXu5axFHdX3W-LxhqnzdCsnVZzQ3W7dXoha8DbdftZrNAqhrYuxfXnQ_w05-Lx7hB8afnVp9cBw1QpmRgfJ0euGarhsvc35JkFsXli9uJX1Y7krUhmD4n1RTJsOe7Nv_0WFJfuL4pY/s3736/20240118_111252.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3736" data-original-width="2802" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_yB2ZHnqq7v-Bo_-4Bze0ixeOPWENNcDM4EJwgYLhpqhLDx3M7HXu5axFHdX3W-LxhqnzdCsnVZzQ3W7dXoha8DbdftZrNAqhrYuxfXnQ_w05-Lx7hB8afnVp9cBw1QpmRgfJ0euGarhsvc35JkFsXli9uJX1Y7krUhmD4n1RTJsOe7Nv_0WFJfuL4pY/w480-h640/20240118_111252.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Columbus Column</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0yzp7jXZOPbBONqDUMUBtvPEE7u0fGdN68T8E8iDSYoVCqNHp1ap7RYXA8rZBiYYIbjiDzO8YaFIVwEWwOax9rPnv3cIIYjpGW-AY9B-LZZwezT6TSbqUqojRz0ugc-hu8MMC16XPeBdYvKKeog11eTMibBp7yMd-7aDR87HnurrA-Lq8OYPAUi6qEn6/s3707/20240118_111545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2780" data-original-width="3707" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0yzp7jXZOPbBONqDUMUBtvPEE7u0fGdN68T8E8iDSYoVCqNHp1ap7RYXA8rZBiYYIbjiDzO8YaFIVwEWwOax9rPnv3cIIYjpGW-AY9B-LZZwezT6TSbqUqojRz0ugc-hu8MMC16XPeBdYvKKeog11eTMibBp7yMd-7aDR87HnurrA-Lq8OYPAUi6qEn6/w640-h480/20240118_111545.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKB4sSFgQMQGYXPJcTnnkHICRfWlHBssBClXsH2RmXm5pPF56krk-PckPWpQrwvgNFMdoNerul3yLeGtzIBlOqYAtLXWXJb_EhmOpzBD4IPzYkPCkZDqInpL-Pi9JYiis4-1B1eZg-xADqtzqnskO2UgoiDMtJxN89XiXFSwnb1d9o4I1KuKoWRFQ9OFD/s3648/20240118_113326.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKB4sSFgQMQGYXPJcTnnkHICRfWlHBssBClXsH2RmXm5pPF56krk-PckPWpQrwvgNFMdoNerul3yLeGtzIBlOqYAtLXWXJb_EhmOpzBD4IPzYkPCkZDqInpL-Pi9JYiis4-1B1eZg-xADqtzqnskO2UgoiDMtJxN89XiXFSwnb1d9o4I1KuKoWRFQ9OFD/w640-h480/20240118_113326.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JWA3d27v1hQWs_SRcATS64AAXrPfgGI4C2lMRf4TWwPB3dKZpAPc1ZPP0IjCeECAJBgKLjUS3LlHA6Eo3FQWh73QZiDGf8jOgR9BCGZmSDM4PrkcmrkzbCVMOhyphenhyphenj6uoxg8BUBtku9_-f8vSRxbL7zVOTJBdzVWD6DN9cbaP6zeYuRrFaNezYa6C27E_h/s3893/20240118_113506.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2919" data-original-width="3893" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JWA3d27v1hQWs_SRcATS64AAXrPfgGI4C2lMRf4TWwPB3dKZpAPc1ZPP0IjCeECAJBgKLjUS3LlHA6Eo3FQWh73QZiDGf8jOgR9BCGZmSDM4PrkcmrkzbCVMOhyphenhyphenj6uoxg8BUBtku9_-f8vSRxbL7zVOTJBdzVWD6DN9cbaP6zeYuRrFaNezYa6C27E_h/w640-h480/20240118_113506.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk along the front and then take a road that eventually leads us to Placá Reial.</div></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RTxNhQ6gzT9m-JUnXLwopuujhx3Tk6d0IFiQTY1YMOif6N8sC977h9rrA2NHAK0WsOMeBgBCDOQ1mooK-oLoLKmTSYbe1AqGtDtng1IaVWrQNdm84dFX2nf-PIVUciC_sewhJ9t9r0OeZFwRGjNAktyK7RZ1Cb5U_fUoLqoeI_izQnVsfp5Tr9JEqFLq/s4000/20240118_120702.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RTxNhQ6gzT9m-JUnXLwopuujhx3Tk6d0IFiQTY1YMOif6N8sC977h9rrA2NHAK0WsOMeBgBCDOQ1mooK-oLoLKmTSYbe1AqGtDtng1IaVWrQNdm84dFX2nf-PIVUciC_sewhJ9t9r0OeZFwRGjNAktyK7RZ1Cb5U_fUoLqoeI_izQnVsfp5Tr9JEqFLq/w640-h480/20240118_120702.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Placá Reial.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back to the hotel and wait for our taxi.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJP6p-PTc68tGvsihKR6dvHIKkTHeUxRK10ntILe_Rk7MCPR7zQDJbdGynGJvvtfHDb0DI5hNbWdut7AiihFTLU_p4GdxyMeEMnyyi-qafjhPwabOU5VmWY_iyMn-jqrEbnF1-C-NR83ZM07M48Spr1mRV0c42sVWLn5B2AM2Pq_ueh9qg6C_bVOF1sGd/s3955/20240118_143515.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2966" data-original-width="3955" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJP6p-PTc68tGvsihKR6dvHIKkTHeUxRK10ntILe_Rk7MCPR7zQDJbdGynGJvvtfHDb0DI5hNbWdut7AiihFTLU_p4GdxyMeEMnyyi-qafjhPwabOU5VmWY_iyMn-jqrEbnF1-C-NR83ZM07M48Spr1mRV0c42sVWLn5B2AM2Pq_ueh9qg6C_bVOF1sGd/w640-h480/20240118_143515.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the airport we find out our plane is delayed by half hour as its late on arrival. This then got is longer as a earlier plane was being merged with our flight and this was a lengthy process. we eventually got airborne and homeward bound.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="515" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/05jnnRNSMEs" width="636" youtube-src-id="05jnnRNSMEs"></iframe></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxNpelJyWtDsK8jJqLlS9bTe5r9iBu3KuU9mpmqCBfpvwasuyeZXiI3t95zkFwPrkBAzeL81A_-5W9nG93PPvQm8YuVI0E7JomMVIFTF-EFwLehTinDGSxM_-mRO-MBmTLKHBHGZs1WAPQ0426kJzzCeTt7D3SV_OzZOsMKUnezeNwFdni5y7i9G1wkQx/s3370/20240118_170730.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2528" data-original-width="3370" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxNpelJyWtDsK8jJqLlS9bTe5r9iBu3KuU9mpmqCBfpvwasuyeZXiI3t95zkFwPrkBAzeL81A_-5W9nG93PPvQm8YuVI0E7JomMVIFTF-EFwLehTinDGSxM_-mRO-MBmTLKHBHGZs1WAPQ0426kJzzCeTt7D3SV_OzZOsMKUnezeNwFdni5y7i9G1wkQx/w640-h480/20240118_170730.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzfiEwB6sWri_r8_FoS3t2TwxzJbh4V8-UT1F1kvt1Ya4bkZ2WreC6aUgBrP7cwAY3LnwX-g-pykoprouznDcJcYDbKqIIDFYXVCpt22DLuVrtow7lWpuJ3tiK0RGWrbJzVshcEV9y8qhV4TR1zv1JzJW-CiGBRdtw4f2oTIOS0pzJEIGP4zzXgFsOWBR/s4000/20240118_174432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzfiEwB6sWri_r8_FoS3t2TwxzJbh4V8-UT1F1kvt1Ya4bkZ2WreC6aUgBrP7cwAY3LnwX-g-pykoprouznDcJcYDbKqIIDFYXVCpt22DLuVrtow7lWpuJ3tiK0RGWrbJzVshcEV9y8qhV4TR1zv1JzJW-CiGBRdtw4f2oTIOS0pzJEIGP4zzXgFsOWBR/w640-h480/20240118_174432.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3v9rYCjMWaoXbX3Hj2OrOpEJJPR1EiMcQM9Uu5HSAUN6hadKn5lhB0LGqAvGZNZlYluapZsgMcBpW33OXSKafzE85bmzi8O3DLiKKgvE41tF7c5jTktA_z3ryjEg_N77sb_2sUtSjXxOXCU3lkU6rV9vm4DJqhUG4rZbaKsULSeBFmQQIsc4QitD-y2rh/s4000/20240118_175244.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3v9rYCjMWaoXbX3Hj2OrOpEJJPR1EiMcQM9Uu5HSAUN6hadKn5lhB0LGqAvGZNZlYluapZsgMcBpW33OXSKafzE85bmzi8O3DLiKKgvE41tF7c5jTktA_z3ryjEg_N77sb_2sUtSjXxOXCU3lkU6rV9vm4DJqhUG4rZbaKsULSeBFmQQIsc4QitD-y2rh/w640-h480/20240118_175244.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">We arrived back at Heathrow an hour later than expected and we made our way home. A great break away. Home now and its cold and icy!!</p></div></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-34074101701968056592024-01-05T20:27:00.085+00:002024-01-08T19:49:26.864+00:00Cissbury Ring, Steyning Bowl and Bramber Castle South Downs,W.Sussex Walk 5th January 2024<p> GPX File <a href="https://www.haroldstreet.org.uk/routes/download/?walk=6264" target="_blank">Here</a></p><p style="text-align: center;">On Friday the 5th January 2024 Mike and I drove the hour and a half to the Cissbury Ring in Findon West Sussex and parked up in the free car park at Storrington Rise (BN14 0HT).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_RKH3N1vMo01UXusRPqRDVUpHtGGS7A2qdUm_sP3D6Tyw-2GIXEEB6zw9MEK48F7NHyuA-3mpNM6C39pRbnu2opyvLDxhZCIG4dKmOIAtKw28QGVI9pN8HlUSZP1G2QiDAfT5qbszatnW186g8Z0YGXiIyXO9hWDnWvK4qPIEnuMJF7GnSIilj-OW8-3/s4000/20240105_093036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_RKH3N1vMo01UXusRPqRDVUpHtGGS7A2qdUm_sP3D6Tyw-2GIXEEB6zw9MEK48F7NHyuA-3mpNM6C39pRbnu2opyvLDxhZCIG4dKmOIAtKw28QGVI9pN8HlUSZP1G2QiDAfT5qbszatnW186g8Z0YGXiIyXO9hWDnWvK4qPIEnuMJF7GnSIilj-OW8-3/w480-h640/20240105_093036.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the car and immediately start to climb uphill.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PjLp_vJODUTXBfTjAZ4bzxQHYImzgjEHv-cbPI8d4U9A5hLozfGsSBBI-LYy2BnQYknjAe_n2wjqttYBfC-j1Fhz2TLC3in3SONb9bsWD4qlgNQnfg-5_IE6V6MwWYyHc3d4C7E8efN1pXMvvvfSiLpEiiY7KK5Iar_LdQ3x8M7lGzFvsq1qKukBP6ET/s3897/20240105_093912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2923" data-original-width="3897" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PjLp_vJODUTXBfTjAZ4bzxQHYImzgjEHv-cbPI8d4U9A5hLozfGsSBBI-LYy2BnQYknjAe_n2wjqttYBfC-j1Fhz2TLC3in3SONb9bsWD4qlgNQnfg-5_IE6V6MwWYyHc3d4C7E8efN1pXMvvvfSiLpEiiY7KK5Iar_LdQ3x8M7lGzFvsq1qKukBP6ET/w640-h480/20240105_093912.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We climb up to the Cissbury Ring Hillside.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2I4aBSnNipVr84_554w7-NDe9WvrRgnZhU2a8-VNu6JSjehSagKFwsUIE_A7iwqToNjJM7ViutOwRcitc3vb7x3GrgGbpoWX-xf6qhcETZVdFAszB-BbRZv5Za1HmUuJ9uWtHx3LsyOt_X6_hnbIGTMS2IPNyuR6dfYKb_Ubc0_w6G1fYosgk_34MK1gw/s2559/20240105_094059.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1919" data-original-width="2559" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2I4aBSnNipVr84_554w7-NDe9WvrRgnZhU2a8-VNu6JSjehSagKFwsUIE_A7iwqToNjJM7ViutOwRcitc3vb7x3GrgGbpoWX-xf6qhcETZVdFAszB-BbRZv5Za1HmUuJ9uWtHx3LsyOt_X6_hnbIGTMS2IPNyuR6dfYKb_Ubc0_w6G1fYosgk_34MK1gw/w640-h480/20240105_094059.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cissbury Ring is the largest hill fort in Sussex, the second largest in England and one of the largest in Europe overall, covering some 60 acres (24 hectares).The earthworks that form the fortifications were built around the beginning of the Middle Iron-Age possibly around 250 BC but abandoned in the period 50 BC - 50 AD.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCilJ-j3v7GuU3A7UF-8ngts5Sy8iYgbTlCbLo9KmBM4HQl1SGW7YkoiZ39qgxNRl9WCufpC47zdyJCpeV-_skn9qMa5gwVSJwCNdC7Tx8hrx8NpJM1fp8ugGpdWT3ExPVeIrGXWRKUxkks53y0WAt1voxpxFAUqayVt-5XT8aLYdIAVfKGHrzp3LYWnBa/s3648/20240105_094106.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCilJ-j3v7GuU3A7UF-8ngts5Sy8iYgbTlCbLo9KmBM4HQl1SGW7YkoiZ39qgxNRl9WCufpC47zdyJCpeV-_skn9qMa5gwVSJwCNdC7Tx8hrx8NpJM1fp8ugGpdWT3ExPVeIrGXWRKUxkks53y0WAt1voxpxFAUqayVt-5XT8aLYdIAVfKGHrzp3LYWnBa/w640-h480/20240105_094106.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The site of the fort contains a Neolithic mine, one of the first flint mines in Britain. Around 270 shafts were dug into Cissbury hill over around 300 years of use. Shafts were up to 12 metres (39 ft) deep with 7 metres (23 ft) diameters at the surface. Up to eight galleries extended outwards from the bottoms of the shafts, often interconnecting with one another. The site has been damaged by illicit metal detecting.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobRotPvxbJ0808DWXQe_rOntaETOJgTrkr7SO2oShwh0jfBwJ9O7YSJNJsrS2bYQLKeOkAqj12ShUvRrJcuViRucM61SYFscBIOnTdOyDuJJUjldyUyeA3rY1f87nJxBdb644t1n8Ow0emxbbr43XpFAV4Nnm-1WloZhzpgVDXRY9iYP666wqzlyc7Tld/s4000/20240105_094147.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobRotPvxbJ0808DWXQe_rOntaETOJgTrkr7SO2oShwh0jfBwJ9O7YSJNJsrS2bYQLKeOkAqj12ShUvRrJcuViRucM61SYFscBIOnTdOyDuJJUjldyUyeA3rY1f87nJxBdb644t1n8Ow0emxbbr43XpFAV4Nnm-1WloZhzpgVDXRY9iYP666wqzlyc7Tld/w640-h480/20240105_094147.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The ditches and banks are the remains of a defensive wall that enclosed 65 acres (260,000 m2) of land; the inner band of the wall is over a mile around. The ditches are said to be as deep as three metres and were filled with loosened chalk and covered with timber palisade. The 600 foot (184 m) hill is open to the public. From the top, one is able to see to the west Selsey, Chichester Cathedral, the Spinnaker Tower and the Isle of Wight. To the east, one is able to see Brighton, the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head. Cissbury Ring is the highest point in the borough of Worthing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUcWQPuoa1rnCc6WBiVhrnnKnwStABemq7qeq8b8meB4kX5ooh09lTpVtjUusQ2GOY2cEEjX4yj0r4x1IsfU1kxMA_Ti32W3YCD2AYSf6xXFfTt8fb21-XPe5hUYlBZBgO14WLVCXPFV9owM45IxYRb9PPzKw22W3o-SSS-ZYCzo4XJ0BVviMnePDyVUo/s3903/20240105_094515.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2928" data-original-width="3903" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUcWQPuoa1rnCc6WBiVhrnnKnwStABemq7qeq8b8meB4kX5ooh09lTpVtjUusQ2GOY2cEEjX4yj0r4x1IsfU1kxMA_Ti32W3YCD2AYSf6xXFfTt8fb21-XPe5hUYlBZBgO14WLVCXPFV9owM45IxYRb9PPzKw22W3o-SSS-ZYCzo4XJ0BVviMnePDyVUo/w640-h480/20240105_094515.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Several Bronze Age barrows have been found just outside Cissbury Ring. In the Romano-British period, farmers settled within the ramparts of the hill fort.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1867–8 Augustus Lane-Fox excavated part of Cissbury Ring.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjvfpBDZS6GPqe2bRykF0rJ45Xa-wD_jqEAWBGQXShEJWfo7MBYB8tPKj4CVMt8spYUNbyGHcPJJoUiOuRox0nX0ZkcoXv5KEG82eQf_31NbcbEKcb3Z8rN59d0tI7rE6Gu4KUl65mXcHU2OFOerkY0JgkaQuoypkXTLHJ1Hn_Jyz-_YTzl4EbD5kLXQC/s4000/20240105_094519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjvfpBDZS6GPqe2bRykF0rJ45Xa-wD_jqEAWBGQXShEJWfo7MBYB8tPKj4CVMt8spYUNbyGHcPJJoUiOuRox0nX0ZkcoXv5KEG82eQf_31NbcbEKcb3Z8rN59d0tI7rE6Gu4KUl65mXcHU2OFOerkY0JgkaQuoypkXTLHJ1Hn_Jyz-_YTzl4EbD5kLXQC/w640-h480/20240105_094519.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">During World War II, Cissbury Ring was used as a camp for the 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in preparation for the Normandy landings. At this time much of the fort within the ramparts was ploughed to provide food. While on manoeuvres, tanks destroyed the dew pond at the north side of the fort. A gap was made in the ramparts to accommodate a 100 lb (45 kg) gun which was used to fire at ships in the English Channel and an anti-aircraft gun was sited by the gap.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpSrLTMnTeTsgQt9txOoNylYYCQaR8Jp2QkfsBcazfhU7BmecxjLx8kjbW_Cmeybd88NSjFTHIyhTkJlufSdY6uOSRG8J22lCMbZY5NoNDgiFAoi8T4W1340hXJYFZLIl5w61McVeVWK77akchg-Sb_dACaGEdY7jb8dqOhUs_zOxc9yTT1HHhXOr1fFb/s4000/20240105_094815.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpSrLTMnTeTsgQt9txOoNylYYCQaR8Jp2QkfsBcazfhU7BmecxjLx8kjbW_Cmeybd88NSjFTHIyhTkJlufSdY6uOSRG8J22lCMbZY5NoNDgiFAoi8T4W1340hXJYFZLIl5w61McVeVWK77akchg-Sb_dACaGEdY7jb8dqOhUs_zOxc9yTT1HHhXOr1fFb/w640-h480/20240105_094815.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I kept seeing small horseshoes prints in the hillside as we climbed and I hoped to see the ponies and here they were.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqfLMqCr6OxgYpYqiSex-OLogd9aXgMbXVGrIc7pZKRUfDh9dvxOH0dGE_zDXpNSH5TLCkpud0OsfCC421t4FiU2ajA6NoaaHQjAH3QReWJ8xEDc061TFVE0TJaClU2Vd28KAIEWx8vQx-B3H1iyPQxYQ5pjYYM6itSgM9sjL8PF9WMI9fzzWKTRlzW3_/s4000/20240105_094848.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqfLMqCr6OxgYpYqiSex-OLogd9aXgMbXVGrIc7pZKRUfDh9dvxOH0dGE_zDXpNSH5TLCkpud0OsfCC421t4FiU2ajA6NoaaHQjAH3QReWJ8xEDc061TFVE0TJaClU2Vd28KAIEWx8vQx-B3H1iyPQxYQ5pjYYM6itSgM9sjL8PF9WMI9fzzWKTRlzW3_/w640-h480/20240105_094848.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">To maintain and improve the land here at Cissbury Ring hillfort,they need to control the growth of scrub. They do this with the help of human volunteers and a herd of New Forest ponies.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gaP7GxiQOKCZ6ceJGB3pfNXdI1RDUuYra1XiloeI2Vh7_rmqknxHDNlAwDn0s4dBnsBkteZdptk0xCvEIZbZmzfefWDqmKRwaDMfYDgZXQGHhyphenhyphen4-Hz2U5TQ2yr54i5zsBzJb_C5ulPragyQ76ItOy8aKk8xilFDJxC_PshiRMuJhgQLf37sSg8Q7zVne/s4000/20240105_094944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gaP7GxiQOKCZ6ceJGB3pfNXdI1RDUuYra1XiloeI2Vh7_rmqknxHDNlAwDn0s4dBnsBkteZdptk0xCvEIZbZmzfefWDqmKRwaDMfYDgZXQGHhyphenhyphen4-Hz2U5TQ2yr54i5zsBzJb_C5ulPragyQ76ItOy8aKk8xilFDJxC_PshiRMuJhgQLf37sSg8Q7zVne/w640-h480/20240105_094944.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So why clear invasive plant life here?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The shrubs and trees that colonise the old flint mines damage the archaeological stratification with their deep roots, and their shade deters sometimes rare wildflowers and mini beasts. They also provide cover for rabbits, and their burrowing activities are a further threat to the archaeological remains.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Removing some of the trees and dense vegetation also helps to create a more accessible and beautiful landscape – and conserve this historic hillfort for generations to come.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnybK9tKEuwFkn51Otum5oAWGDbrK5f5fObd21zYndQbCcJ5sxXexxfxxkR62OlOXoeXF1foBnDPiSAEz2B3VyJ9VDttCAHe-R39jlz2ooDd1OGpa3EqjaMZtjhZNUEE1ai0cbO4naRpBJ5Hoq_09S4s-0ZoBVxFyPAr8P0kYDNmD1m1gOYH7toc9JZl5/s4000/20240105_095003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnybK9tKEuwFkn51Otum5oAWGDbrK5f5fObd21zYndQbCcJ5sxXexxfxxkR62OlOXoeXF1foBnDPiSAEz2B3VyJ9VDttCAHe-R39jlz2ooDd1OGpa3EqjaMZtjhZNUEE1ai0cbO4naRpBJ5Hoq_09S4s-0ZoBVxFyPAr8P0kYDNmD1m1gOYH7toc9JZl5/w640-h480/20240105_095003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One particular pony was very friendly and wanted to be stroked and nuzzled up against me.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF07DX_8QdETAMcNtmfBep1pUI2Eyg3ufWmwoCbMTFo5i-0wiyXbmKIUL0vuj70ptjaWWzxVyl8hbJEcyaerqLaUyVtCYN9c3q4FfbVtUNUzlFn0H95G5Cj8UFlG59apXAxuQK9A7dREHxn2RZxEdD29YF86KVVb9bR2zVYVPJp-lXu-6Qt3nkAhpQVBJd/s4000/20240105_095104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF07DX_8QdETAMcNtmfBep1pUI2Eyg3ufWmwoCbMTFo5i-0wiyXbmKIUL0vuj70ptjaWWzxVyl8hbJEcyaerqLaUyVtCYN9c3q4FfbVtUNUzlFn0H95G5Cj8UFlG59apXAxuQK9A7dREHxn2RZxEdD29YF86KVVb9bR2zVYVPJp-lXu-6Qt3nkAhpQVBJd/w640-h480/20240105_095104.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Artefacts from Cissbury Ring can be found at Worthing Museum and Art Gallery, the Museum of Sussex Archaeology, Lewes and the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. Silver pennies from the reign of Ethelred II (978-1016) can be found at the British Museum.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTv8BOhc6IChPHDk_M8N0mpByr9vlzeawJlnQkIbGwhZ9DtDKoRyhSA30XcEFrD0KelQRhayprkuiipmnltLiFWEuqWn45FvrwgfyUH7J8CjOpIssD7eQL0QplhQczDYI3F9mBlFfE1Mv3sKeQQU6EN_h8SInBqAQwc-xZDSXz6Q6TN2RofYc94A-GW8q/s1920/IMG-20240106-WA0008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTv8BOhc6IChPHDk_M8N0mpByr9vlzeawJlnQkIbGwhZ9DtDKoRyhSA30XcEFrD0KelQRhayprkuiipmnltLiFWEuqWn45FvrwgfyUH7J8CjOpIssD7eQL0QplhQczDYI3F9mBlFfE1Mv3sKeQQU6EN_h8SInBqAQwc-xZDSXz6Q6TN2RofYc94A-GW8q/w640-h360/IMG-20240106-WA0008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7U7H8PCMMens48MnY5PYOmAuED2MRLhMz3-tLsE66GTsjkGCi1JOrcVdF0y3CqUBNCpPX1iqUgn491IikoNldr6ijvSI3Ame-ud4lHlzeRU4D5wDfmJ7AzWlCWJM_ocMjNXUexzpWcYq9Qr3v5oyqVFdaejhrOQCvsugclv1UWyS7eW97kNdC8hEA5Ft/s4000/20240105_095258.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7U7H8PCMMens48MnY5PYOmAuED2MRLhMz3-tLsE66GTsjkGCi1JOrcVdF0y3CqUBNCpPX1iqUgn491IikoNldr6ijvSI3Ame-ud4lHlzeRU4D5wDfmJ7AzWlCWJM_ocMjNXUexzpWcYq9Qr3v5oyqVFdaejhrOQCvsugclv1UWyS7eW97kNdC8hEA5Ft/w640-h480/20240105_095258.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The name Cissbury was traditionally taken to mean Caesar's fort (after Julius Caesar) or Cissa's fort (after Cissa, son of South Saxon king Ælle), but both theories have been discounted. In the early eleventh century in the reign of Ethelred the Unready, Cissbury was known as 'Sith(m)esteburh', which is taken to mean the 'last or the latest fort'. This may mean that Cissbury was the last fort to be refortified, after another nearby fort such as that at Burpham. It seems that the name Cissbury was altered to accommodate the legend that the fort was linked to Cissa the South Saxon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlrOyEfZf1AGjkRx83B-u-4XvdpTknccm4BcJfDrwHwPA-_6_2XgcsWFG2qVYF2s1P6V9fB8QNwjsTPMD5tVtLMLFGY6VWbt1UGbco1IEa5DxhQwGNEH4jFplq684W6OPCEbMeWxUdMcpM84T27HkaEA_dOqZteDfojiDDKcmvGKpsWnBF3Vp-nSVKQwh/s4000/20240105_095348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlrOyEfZf1AGjkRx83B-u-4XvdpTknccm4BcJfDrwHwPA-_6_2XgcsWFG2qVYF2s1P6V9fB8QNwjsTPMD5tVtLMLFGY6VWbt1UGbco1IEa5DxhQwGNEH4jFplq684W6OPCEbMeWxUdMcpM84T27HkaEA_dOqZteDfojiDDKcmvGKpsWnBF3Vp-nSVKQwh/w640-h480/20240105_095348.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We reach the trigpoint on top of Cissbury Ring, Gorse blocks views from the trig itself, but the edges of the hill provide some spectacular and expansive vistas.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenmzEHieRH6z5pV4bCYV4xS5t_5iPujxcSW2cRk21JHHvCtif8S0Zv14syINA8OLl5mErIAyL5RlaL6sDU3MfxoqNnvi1Jh6qUtY5p4FVAE_FYas60SzDFO08FOji2ok7t-3OqPNvz_w-ln7VK7H8v2qQDJ4JaJcTUDmI_Ht9a8ZzqXmhC89U9gvcczlS/s4000/20240105_095359.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenmzEHieRH6z5pV4bCYV4xS5t_5iPujxcSW2cRk21JHHvCtif8S0Zv14syINA8OLl5mErIAyL5RlaL6sDU3MfxoqNnvi1Jh6qUtY5p4FVAE_FYas60SzDFO08FOji2ok7t-3OqPNvz_w-ln7VK7H8v2qQDJ4JaJcTUDmI_Ht9a8ZzqXmhC89U9gvcczlS/w640-h480/20240105_095359.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERKVw3byHDTi_LWw-12IJ5ilNn_YXWm8GnHnzZ0RFtBY-hSCsvZj5vJSjnK64U32fHBEiqBI6T9YOMJljaIkrtERoz76QE7GnG9GOqPdjpWIehJ9NW6izCZyIKFZor4U-Br4C7NpTrglgv5E_LJ9-rcoHpBD3AP4u7UuYtZ4jSWn-ezrUjP4xYrc1uldc/s1920/IMG-20240106-WA0007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERKVw3byHDTi_LWw-12IJ5ilNn_YXWm8GnHnzZ0RFtBY-hSCsvZj5vJSjnK64U32fHBEiqBI6T9YOMJljaIkrtERoz76QE7GnG9GOqPdjpWIehJ9NW6izCZyIKFZor4U-Br4C7NpTrglgv5E_LJ9-rcoHpBD3AP4u7UuYtZ4jSWn-ezrUjP4xYrc1uldc/w640-h360/IMG-20240106-WA0007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKhPLknrdS-5jci8UoA6E05EGs3tsHhd1p6MjQdTdRLAjqCCpAShBYgB6BrbU6AthinU8KrwCW7LHe-sPCZjz_4L34XvfRw2tCoHrprH0tFyxdASCC1pDsGuLW0eS_-lq4rUknW5SZk7mpDgPC8VSkXP44dmJWOuI7qFsjxGnLpdZV34tS0XPJ0FA8dkN/s4000/20240105_095617.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKhPLknrdS-5jci8UoA6E05EGs3tsHhd1p6MjQdTdRLAjqCCpAShBYgB6BrbU6AthinU8KrwCW7LHe-sPCZjz_4L34XvfRw2tCoHrprH0tFyxdASCC1pDsGuLW0eS_-lq4rUknW5SZk7mpDgPC8VSkXP44dmJWOuI7qFsjxGnLpdZV34tS0XPJ0FA8dkN/w640-h480/20240105_095617.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The wind is strong up high.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRINMe4Q8DN_2n-yA4NW1yUPCYjK0jWxHNFpgmfX3WpYFCmwGJ_CfSbDiu8mP0iF8HSkx6P5p3H2tvYiYSzW9jsrRf8OHt8vwfCQSMOvIVaA6fDeK5kScCSw-jFUS0UYWmxmjIovqZegn7ig8Hy36yTJeHw8GYsOFuprTL1tssSukm9sAR8LhIc2tiAEf6/s3872/20240105_095628.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2904" data-original-width="3872" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRINMe4Q8DN_2n-yA4NW1yUPCYjK0jWxHNFpgmfX3WpYFCmwGJ_CfSbDiu8mP0iF8HSkx6P5p3H2tvYiYSzW9jsrRf8OHt8vwfCQSMOvIVaA6fDeK5kScCSw-jFUS0UYWmxmjIovqZegn7ig8Hy36yTJeHw8GYsOFuprTL1tssSukm9sAR8LhIc2tiAEf6/w640-h480/20240105_095628.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Views down to Worthing, Shoreham By Sea with Brighton beyond.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii37YDEubeKgYxRZw1WnLwVFA4W3MQqmEAPUSTzM2gfzT43D4lBGE8NgH6KE9vVTjQg26UOQlIPmALLCVMcb6wIANI7rLnzrqrgO0E-FlxhxtQkVTUs4yCg2yGUAvZ-KkIjKOpmXV-nd3yfZW-rxh3SoV3phXRPJfj2Ig51kzpgCIlqV0YH7P7fA82e1vR/s4000/20240105_095812.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii37YDEubeKgYxRZw1WnLwVFA4W3MQqmEAPUSTzM2gfzT43D4lBGE8NgH6KE9vVTjQg26UOQlIPmALLCVMcb6wIANI7rLnzrqrgO0E-FlxhxtQkVTUs4yCg2yGUAvZ-KkIjKOpmXV-nd3yfZW-rxh3SoV3phXRPJfj2Ig51kzpgCIlqV0YH7P7fA82e1vR/w640-h480/20240105_095812.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the ring and I struggle to find the path we need that leads down below.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnek_JF3MRu_CoaMyoev6e4p_op9DP5NM0nYw8Ygd_FLIB54oW3cVi-6sj8ZSpQZ6hTTaoU1H0Rq3H5H89jB-3vvbuxORIRiRJlaYOnY5VCKNuUcRgJmRAUqqowVK6n7GhEZxsFJ_nBpz4vtZY_5HSLWNOfa40CZx5pYs6rzCvuideox5_vzroJaz-e0UB/s4000/20240105_095844.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnek_JF3MRu_CoaMyoev6e4p_op9DP5NM0nYw8Ygd_FLIB54oW3cVi-6sj8ZSpQZ6hTTaoU1H0Rq3H5H89jB-3vvbuxORIRiRJlaYOnY5VCKNuUcRgJmRAUqqowVK6n7GhEZxsFJ_nBpz4vtZY_5HSLWNOfa40CZx5pYs6rzCvuideox5_vzroJaz-e0UB/w640-h480/20240105_095844.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVJXDYYdvQNd9RuXOIPAy9wckjvohkOTqI8tA_xjDfuEe0q-pZ6U1oUoUvCieTp1HtmqbkIWyR4IGcEXD9VfvDLdDO8ynxJ4Mv5q_kS33pRbF0kJxSE6gtb2eFvqY4bhFSmQKCnK5Wb7zH9AeCzQfeyW0q45CQoCqmGwdYwzJVQNKoD3oGx6yZzSfdPnU/s3724/20240105_095924.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2793" data-original-width="3724" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVJXDYYdvQNd9RuXOIPAy9wckjvohkOTqI8tA_xjDfuEe0q-pZ6U1oUoUvCieTp1HtmqbkIWyR4IGcEXD9VfvDLdDO8ynxJ4Mv5q_kS33pRbF0kJxSE6gtb2eFvqY4bhFSmQKCnK5Wb7zH9AeCzQfeyW0q45CQoCqmGwdYwzJVQNKoD3oGx6yZzSfdPnU/w640-h480/20240105_095924.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOVOuIbWq9Z1WaUYgXqujwN9nxVqE9b21jbsRFynP7TA3UNUP_eR8QpKFsMCv7Xhd9bKI12MSjwgH1etVQdU17vW-ZTQ0S6n5yA60JPcK7Gm4NZDsYp-eJntWX_TX84yTi2BfzX_RC1Ljj4FR8RB7ZSCJzWGu4xSEOmOyD7en0Xg3lRM9-Ux0YOmbISJF/s4000/20240105_100605.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOVOuIbWq9Z1WaUYgXqujwN9nxVqE9b21jbsRFynP7TA3UNUP_eR8QpKFsMCv7Xhd9bKI12MSjwgH1etVQdU17vW-ZTQ0S6n5yA60JPcK7Gm4NZDsYp-eJntWX_TX84yTi2BfzX_RC1Ljj4FR8RB7ZSCJzWGu4xSEOmOyD7en0Xg3lRM9-Ux0YOmbISJF/w640-h480/20240105_100605.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After a bit of walking back and forth, We find the path and head onwards.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TIPljJ-R8ly9h0Dx2q6tuTx3AlTkIIEElQiDJ8RQcUwZ0F_1xZdVNtzr_x9Onx-p_7wQaL3TICr3lsabyXsyL9qVVDw_01U24FDCJWNXiUBjL6oNBjUyXcZyvV7E2yz-mwTC5B2iV09JgdlsgzIXvzZgk2Y1GS3x4bAjworJsC0UxDV8vUXMW8WJ-mSF/s4000/20240105_100622.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TIPljJ-R8ly9h0Dx2q6tuTx3AlTkIIEElQiDJ8RQcUwZ0F_1xZdVNtzr_x9Onx-p_7wQaL3TICr3lsabyXsyL9qVVDw_01U24FDCJWNXiUBjL6oNBjUyXcZyvV7E2yz-mwTC5B2iV09JgdlsgzIXvzZgk2Y1GS3x4bAjworJsC0UxDV8vUXMW8WJ-mSF/w640-h480/20240105_100622.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Down below I could see a field of cows all lining up around the edges, I can only assume this strange behaviour was down to the farmer having put feed around the fields boundaries.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSg1n6efAyQBAHF8WAG-u141E0dd7hmLbTm9SrYEtueMcuAezKr4b6r7YFYoB4f3eOFg6tWLPDziGcGA3oyamq8eXiMFjIx7tpAW0gtgkzFhfHSoBy-nwh2200X6zfT21Qti45uq3xAUCvUbInMM6GDnk_PJIVTQGGnTSmiFxeWbdI7CsMoDCpTKEir5cb/s4000/20240105_101815.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSg1n6efAyQBAHF8WAG-u141E0dd7hmLbTm9SrYEtueMcuAezKr4b6r7YFYoB4f3eOFg6tWLPDziGcGA3oyamq8eXiMFjIx7tpAW0gtgkzFhfHSoBy-nwh2200X6zfT21Qti45uq3xAUCvUbInMM6GDnk_PJIVTQGGnTSmiFxeWbdI7CsMoDCpTKEir5cb/w480-h640/20240105_101815.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_t8sWeOtyoGoSonzX5wkfUKGPCmlkzZsNl5-bOF59H3lP0QkEKVMul98Wy8_qAUAVIkggbCBPKmJcobPtwJoWv9xHeYGFWr22XD1gN9p9cIRG56sx7_t7wVVLx5anf9XFwdbVjulrnbPIciyDF9ucFeripqp-aceHPwG_l0agoCtC57yGs9GkkWVd-Sv/s4000/20240105_102107.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_t8sWeOtyoGoSonzX5wkfUKGPCmlkzZsNl5-bOF59H3lP0QkEKVMul98Wy8_qAUAVIkggbCBPKmJcobPtwJoWv9xHeYGFWr22XD1gN9p9cIRG56sx7_t7wVVLx5anf9XFwdbVjulrnbPIciyDF9ucFeripqp-aceHPwG_l0agoCtC57yGs9GkkWVd-Sv/w640-h480/20240105_102107.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the Cissbury Ring and out onto a farm track and pass Canada Bottom.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmrXY9hjETszjyiZ2gs4P2XcGLb0J4j0jeYNXTkDKFizpxRwuV6d2MRqhtP0Y_XbjDJCd9ZrsdkzkcrghMSOYMQfjUaoeZWmVsGZoQpMqG4pfwcSxgumnnZVC4PXYF6FuKwVI5TtWJdwdq9egK98DXHMapUb3bCkGvuQuIvCwEZAy2yjL0VNF5ZhAddrF/s3897/20240105_102825.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2922" data-original-width="3897" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmrXY9hjETszjyiZ2gs4P2XcGLb0J4j0jeYNXTkDKFizpxRwuV6d2MRqhtP0Y_XbjDJCd9ZrsdkzkcrghMSOYMQfjUaoeZWmVsGZoQpMqG4pfwcSxgumnnZVC4PXYF6FuKwVI5TtWJdwdq9egK98DXHMapUb3bCkGvuQuIvCwEZAy2yjL0VNF5ZhAddrF/w640-h480/20240105_102825.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJTzzZMv04CHNnehqmpVmucbNrn9WnkPr0t7rr13ZXaLLC26GJ1z0EHW3BiRwwgEvQq6JRK_qQHniA4yxNyF9KnXveZhiFa4OXMAYut0murcdaWYoNxdVx-KDzDqYIcEXqMm1IvFAujMnCnlHuXXUsy34n9sXhnnfnUwMR96WBVXJhFz_YeC533qGyV4K/s4000/20240105_102833.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJTzzZMv04CHNnehqmpVmucbNrn9WnkPr0t7rr13ZXaLLC26GJ1z0EHW3BiRwwgEvQq6JRK_qQHniA4yxNyF9KnXveZhiFa4OXMAYut0murcdaWYoNxdVx-KDzDqYIcEXqMm1IvFAujMnCnlHuXXUsy34n9sXhnnfnUwMR96WBVXJhFz_YeC533qGyV4K/w640-h480/20240105_102833.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is so peaceful as we walk along with only the sound of the wind, there was a small drone of noise from the A road beyond however.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBd0fuGVFgSFAssqD2E0YtBEgE7Q4UNkcBcZBZJOUCg5DX0SEEx-bWQ30EJLjHGE2Upt24LHW1sNMLbUtQFreRuVw7nr3Q2aIna6vcI47gbP_TObQcI1j60GsyWKqelWJVUUZ37EY8wU0vOYKC5M1gtk3WjbgdM3FHsfAxJipHyNiIH6FKw2z_nOFlvta2/s3927/20240105_104023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2945" data-original-width="3927" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBd0fuGVFgSFAssqD2E0YtBEgE7Q4UNkcBcZBZJOUCg5DX0SEEx-bWQ30EJLjHGE2Upt24LHW1sNMLbUtQFreRuVw7nr3Q2aIna6vcI47gbP_TObQcI1j60GsyWKqelWJVUUZ37EY8wU0vOYKC5M1gtk3WjbgdM3FHsfAxJipHyNiIH6FKw2z_nOFlvta2/w640-h480/20240105_104023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the top of the track we turn left at the signpost to walk by Lychpole Bottom.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfMVzt2F4FsWfDN_4Jp42qfNkbsuR9I08VB37T5-TV7vUndT1yGh5MkqTW3jldfuOkdtvnxJ3Jp-6PUh1G4kIqsUKpSLkjZ0q-oeihs-jSFv2UoaaN48QhhUNguo54-_SYAytYyOJ__I4kMQV1N9q9HIxpPMxpZdQLWa-YjGYmSQKnsZr24LiWATIpvFW/s4000/20240105_104548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfMVzt2F4FsWfDN_4Jp42qfNkbsuR9I08VB37T5-TV7vUndT1yGh5MkqTW3jldfuOkdtvnxJ3Jp-6PUh1G4kIqsUKpSLkjZ0q-oeihs-jSFv2UoaaN48QhhUNguo54-_SYAytYyOJ__I4kMQV1N9q9HIxpPMxpZdQLWa-YjGYmSQKnsZr24LiWATIpvFW/w640-h480/20240105_104548.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here we pass the Lychpole Bottoms Dewpond that was restored back in 2014.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A dew pond is an artificial pond usually sited on the top of a hill, intended for watering livestock. Dew ponds are used in areas where a natural supply of surface water may not be readily available. Despite the name, their primary source of water is believed to be rainfall rather than dew or mist.</div></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4YEbBPakFylST5-dlmGNnX2Td9V2QdlPbbluh4E5GPGzz57a0XPaplzhBdhkQk_8W4ljcAiewWmmjx_1sHh5bT85eM9pdZPsQajTf2saiiFI48O-GTnB-LwNQaey2TN_6TAhkHsreNTt00s77EoDWRTr6gU3NRWX_7jqT35uXQ6ix2_X-uPdl6snq1MO/s4000/20240105_105855.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4YEbBPakFylST5-dlmGNnX2Td9V2QdlPbbluh4E5GPGzz57a0XPaplzhBdhkQk_8W4ljcAiewWmmjx_1sHh5bT85eM9pdZPsQajTf2saiiFI48O-GTnB-LwNQaey2TN_6TAhkHsreNTt00s77EoDWRTr6gU3NRWX_7jqT35uXQ6ix2_X-uPdl6snq1MO/w640-h480/20240105_105855.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XChxBgle7nBfMKP9N00e-Lmcm2kqP9pVAHnOwdLs9DWrtON0Fa0KLfQM5Rgpi9qHY1kIfl22rT9XuYpPLjQuXn24S4ViEXDykQ_rRgqbSbYVwsfe2BG8PWshyphenhyphen7nO0bfkoWCHjSUuiCJ4xrzhie91Yy2soxpEcGvD3HPaOEvpYCbK5eex9WauDh6L-tJe/s4000/20240105_105857.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XChxBgle7nBfMKP9N00e-Lmcm2kqP9pVAHnOwdLs9DWrtON0Fa0KLfQM5Rgpi9qHY1kIfl22rT9XuYpPLjQuXn24S4ViEXDykQ_rRgqbSbYVwsfe2BG8PWshyphenhyphen7nO0bfkoWCHjSUuiCJ4xrzhie91Yy2soxpEcGvD3HPaOEvpYCbK5eex9WauDh6L-tJe/w640-h480/20240105_105857.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on uphill along Lychpole Bottom, as we gained height again the wind returned.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqw2ouOOAVpRaGFlGgdMSAWVCRp0Wxd5_csJ3Bo5SjIYFcOerYjjPu8x63JlEAmDLUe6kHNwH2ENQd4Yoc77w7sbLMQRgEqP-1QcYYL4nHi0WNO7aRITp-jnJbWDdpGmOHP2oJGEqmSdm6_DhLQtFtD64d0M93WBLyC9hRoRFeAD2JonC5FAUk39u_tAn/s4000/20240105_110003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqw2ouOOAVpRaGFlGgdMSAWVCRp0Wxd5_csJ3Bo5SjIYFcOerYjjPu8x63JlEAmDLUe6kHNwH2ENQd4Yoc77w7sbLMQRgEqP-1QcYYL4nHi0WNO7aRITp-jnJbWDdpGmOHP2oJGEqmSdm6_DhLQtFtD64d0M93WBLyC9hRoRFeAD2JonC5FAUk39u_tAn/w640-h480/20240105_110003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As we walk we approach New Hill Barn sitting down below.</div></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhRiBuWqPNY1oWdb9TGxsMHN8NdXsD9JpttacREh-W2w5k2rxBtsmR0YSdBYYIl6wqcDfIaZWyL3SNpAZ493nKprTumw9HXGPta0f9vCdQKNcotXXXozNaX6uEV_0bZee2rQD3Vg_5Kzz_-Xf5vH4YaEExEpaKNm76rUErRM-xY0MxXzxs2cHqF2FF6pH/s4000/20240105_110011.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhRiBuWqPNY1oWdb9TGxsMHN8NdXsD9JpttacREh-W2w5k2rxBtsmR0YSdBYYIl6wqcDfIaZWyL3SNpAZ493nKprTumw9HXGPta0f9vCdQKNcotXXXozNaX6uEV_0bZee2rQD3Vg_5Kzz_-Xf5vH4YaEExEpaKNm76rUErRM-xY0MxXzxs2cHqF2FF6pH/w640-h480/20240105_110011.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Hill Barn</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBg2jlpgrUBnyfdu4iphNX-BbmjteVeQVcT7j59_2WTKGyZFclPQ4g01uW_3SzQPEGVTAooYlszbyH3x2iEpx8gEJN7vTqQ8hPlrv-3_NsJXlSQ6Kw3RSjHM6G5OVl1GgydM6MrQv2WJbQfHPo-x0dc9yJC-LTtpEXRGubm_tU71a58Wz0xbO5WZqwPj2G/s4000/20240105_110317.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBg2jlpgrUBnyfdu4iphNX-BbmjteVeQVcT7j59_2WTKGyZFclPQ4g01uW_3SzQPEGVTAooYlszbyH3x2iEpx8gEJN7vTqQ8hPlrv-3_NsJXlSQ6Kw3RSjHM6G5OVl1GgydM6MrQv2WJbQfHPo-x0dc9yJC-LTtpEXRGubm_tU71a58Wz0xbO5WZqwPj2G/w640-h480/20240105_110317.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We cross Bostal Road and onto Monarchs Way and the Steyning Bowl.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The Monarchs Way is based on the lengthy route taken by King Charles II during his escape after defeat by Cromwell in the final battle of the Civil Wars at Worcester in 1651, when for six weeks the 21-year-old was hotly pursued by Parliamentary troops. It takes in Boscobel (the Royal Oak Tree), Stratford upon Avon, the Cotswolds, Mendips and the South Coast from Charmouth to Shoreham. There are many historic buildings, features of interest and antiquity, with connections to numerous other long distance routes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYybvfGUNN_lw8iAJjcgGuP5u7woWKvut3BWhuSC5h52oIjUPtIhHwYfp8bbvleb3Fgu1EPimmvdyh5JVk2jpRF-ByKe9qwEhBWLUrw1-ZIn80lULofNkJ4ggOkAW9YyuU9XG3MHZ1qBqDG5GF-bXHNMxOE7xKvyVgeMW6vM2FWjAuq3E1GTlVxx2Gbod3/s3407/20240105_110332.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2556" data-original-width="3407" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYybvfGUNN_lw8iAJjcgGuP5u7woWKvut3BWhuSC5h52oIjUPtIhHwYfp8bbvleb3Fgu1EPimmvdyh5JVk2jpRF-ByKe9qwEhBWLUrw1-ZIn80lULofNkJ4ggOkAW9YyuU9XG3MHZ1qBqDG5GF-bXHNMxOE7xKvyVgeMW6vM2FWjAuq3E1GTlVxx2Gbod3/w640-h480/20240105_110332.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Steyning has existed since Anglo-Saxon times. Legend has it that St Cuthman built a church, at one time dedicated to him, later to St Andrew, and now jointly to St Andrew and St Cuthman, where he stopped after carrying his mother in a wheelbarrow. Several of the signs that can be seen on entering Steyning bear an image of his feat. King Alfred the Great's father, Æthelwulf of Wessex, was originally buried in that church, before being transferred to Winchester – a Saxon grave slab (possibly his) remains in the church porch.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6BoR-d0XTEWxOpGoe_Jgc1Z2b0mw9SFKaE0vnnzER_HrUuaW5oLNmu85j7yKVQTcA22-4Y70-tsDWVbsHjJk7001NbK-BY0DbwwY23upgS56Sc9_ZiqHXm3YFkCRl5olxEZTI60mn3BicQYz01p7ITo5-VJH3c_jJKb4DfbUS1p-5aw2y6wn6kwSmDge/s4000/20240105_110349.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6BoR-d0XTEWxOpGoe_Jgc1Z2b0mw9SFKaE0vnnzER_HrUuaW5oLNmu85j7yKVQTcA22-4Y70-tsDWVbsHjJk7001NbK-BY0DbwwY23upgS56Sc9_ZiqHXm3YFkCRl5olxEZTI60mn3BicQYz01p7ITo5-VJH3c_jJKb4DfbUS1p-5aw2y6wn6kwSmDge/w640-h480/20240105_110349.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8orTfEva-2UdbWkdF8F1Bx9fNtfPEO5n4Ayb4ST7DoCq5TkKh_l09zYPTC8xnxBlKJkClxlqwoGpDDgFzymmnYTsk0xBw0v0gkQiiAPrM5_j3akfwXfSdJOvS12ohsTpq-tpB64ytQ5STkfC_bG407bTzTqOCNjcDWxL4cIORWqoKHMcafcVSYaCaKCs8/s4000/20240105_110656.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8orTfEva-2UdbWkdF8F1Bx9fNtfPEO5n4Ayb4ST7DoCq5TkKh_l09zYPTC8xnxBlKJkClxlqwoGpDDgFzymmnYTsk0xBw0v0gkQiiAPrM5_j3akfwXfSdJOvS12ohsTpq-tpB64ytQ5STkfC_bG407bTzTqOCNjcDWxL4cIORWqoKHMcafcVSYaCaKCs8/w640-h480/20240105_110656.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk around the edge of the Steyning Bowl on a concrete track, with some beautiful views all around.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwqvKY4UeF8d1lWdnmUOVsMBXOefOBpFEQjrAjy3ywX6vyBuGQiv4FluhCij96_5UDMIZRlLMNyYH5VFVoL4Usl83JNLEWnqbBYVl_fve_qkxVEFSJ9ZCfzOKR3LqMDKu3Vph1EFh0m4sGCtay20mJmeecltMTSO2UVfEeF8YtM-Pcg8l81PidUbPnbMV/s2944/20240105_111056.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="2944" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwqvKY4UeF8d1lWdnmUOVsMBXOefOBpFEQjrAjy3ywX6vyBuGQiv4FluhCij96_5UDMIZRlLMNyYH5VFVoL4Usl83JNLEWnqbBYVl_fve_qkxVEFSJ9ZCfzOKR3LqMDKu3Vph1EFh0m4sGCtay20mJmeecltMTSO2UVfEeF8YtM-Pcg8l81PidUbPnbMV/w640-h480/20240105_111056.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFlago3NYNe2oKvjFjuu7cKnl5xsoa8BFprUAB1Kj5RooeGgwCgC-BD0WX_QR4iDq4uAYAe1bjNNb2mkau6JyiXLAYxs2qhBvkDm2Eu-O75dAJwcMHi0DNiLpBoCnckuteHm1isV8UHSJcfF2vFNyMHlaAHMGkpOKwG-raL7b2PzJNpHla0IPbrq6Ud26/s4000/20240105_111251.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFlago3NYNe2oKvjFjuu7cKnl5xsoa8BFprUAB1Kj5RooeGgwCgC-BD0WX_QR4iDq4uAYAe1bjNNb2mkau6JyiXLAYxs2qhBvkDm2Eu-O75dAJwcMHi0DNiLpBoCnckuteHm1isV8UHSJcfF2vFNyMHlaAHMGkpOKwG-raL7b2PzJNpHla0IPbrq6Ud26/w640-h480/20240105_111251.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcuiPJcmV6GsoqcYgD3GCu4Jr_ipWv47if4LmO-QDU7qciJzvOtkfUmaotF9wTtifHw06-SGJYcvllch6Tr4A1lr8v7R8Hnau0Ocy8TLEsgTDqmVqtQvy2pndvgwrVQFJ5dX4LE9swEv9IpZXHd9McgDDhuphTUWOXcx-m59a587T2tt_DTVOkssttr5E/s4000/20240105_111255.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcuiPJcmV6GsoqcYgD3GCu4Jr_ipWv47if4LmO-QDU7qciJzvOtkfUmaotF9wTtifHw06-SGJYcvllch6Tr4A1lr8v7R8Hnau0Ocy8TLEsgTDqmVqtQvy2pndvgwrVQFJ5dX4LE9swEv9IpZXHd9McgDDhuphTUWOXcx-m59a587T2tt_DTVOkssttr5E/w640-h480/20240105_111255.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="536" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NPKa8Nvu26M" width="646" youtube-src-id="NPKa8Nvu26M"></iframe></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDCXY6Gs59cp7iQDTjArin5t26yY4YzhFvLw8WpWAzh0OOKm5ArSIFY2OrK0qL6poaHcYSEhopcGYpHAF_5HIBmavWfRx21sFHGPFYiCrnXBlk564Ud0wrDPTSdEfq5uNUxpPKxKZGNp2ZwvJB3AjphDbqJNmWMe4VAICrBxbIgKH9gX1iYta6_mtQrL6/s4000/20240105_112234.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDCXY6Gs59cp7iQDTjArin5t26yY4YzhFvLw8WpWAzh0OOKm5ArSIFY2OrK0qL6poaHcYSEhopcGYpHAF_5HIBmavWfRx21sFHGPFYiCrnXBlk564Ud0wrDPTSdEfq5uNUxpPKxKZGNp2ZwvJB3AjphDbqJNmWMe4VAICrBxbIgKH9gX1iYta6_mtQrL6/w640-h480/20240105_112234.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We turn a corner and we are now approaching Upper Maudlyn Farm, here a friendly ginger makes it way over to Mike and I to say Hello.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQSWmC0kXeOLTaOosoyI0_Q7JQDOWsLRc4EQVvgF-KdrdlsGisdRqe1w6CvgkspmdRaid3b8tTC80-nBFj8efpq4miUYhrygu8swmUNCu1wpb0X5M4aFi6eI7dxNNCwEpkMp-mlRdxiadnYQjN4TWSnLJhHaySX9bcMJ04gKn6daiSMP_c-RxwjsX-8Cb/s4000/20240105_112420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQSWmC0kXeOLTaOosoyI0_Q7JQDOWsLRc4EQVvgF-KdrdlsGisdRqe1w6CvgkspmdRaid3b8tTC80-nBFj8efpq4miUYhrygu8swmUNCu1wpb0X5M4aFi6eI7dxNNCwEpkMp-mlRdxiadnYQjN4TWSnLJhHaySX9bcMJ04gKn6daiSMP_c-RxwjsX-8Cb/w480-h640/20240105_112420.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Originally the site of a barn in what was Sopers Bottom that has been built up after the Second World War. The farmhouse is in the trees to the right whilst the dwellings next to the barns are Steyning Bowl Cottages. Beyond is the Weald and in the far distance are the North Downs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYdCW_9OzvbI7-xVzUPP2i60LPmitpNDCFDZj2VMig9b8o9by-bT_rz7r-g4xp8SRU6IUw0Dk_H2MGKP51RchYjXwrp3NJ0bLJWo5E4-iThIzbxg-02gUe21qY20tqvNr8FN9vDnEVc_tWzhg5D05fj_QFiUKNypXNJa2Kr0PT4bJHU8rOWWL2_1dCTtY/s4000/20240105_112513.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYdCW_9OzvbI7-xVzUPP2i60LPmitpNDCFDZj2VMig9b8o9by-bT_rz7r-g4xp8SRU6IUw0Dk_H2MGKP51RchYjXwrp3NJ0bLJWo5E4-iThIzbxg-02gUe21qY20tqvNr8FN9vDnEVc_tWzhg5D05fj_QFiUKNypXNJa2Kr0PT4bJHU8rOWWL2_1dCTtY/w480-h640/20240105_112513.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk by Upper Maudlyns Farm and I stop to say Hello to a beautiful grey speckled horse in a stable before we make our way up Sopers Lane.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Further up we reach a fork in the road an I choose the wrong fork and we head down Annington Road instead of taking Maudlin Lane.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizApMlm1exJ0XMsJ6br1kMGk0p_MPUQ0sDyh2L0RbFbNV6y5T1fFDZuYyFhwKw4_HGfZuhIpEUolneUcH4g4-HlLKv5tY29ngszhPGIljovev4ulEyRhP-3GkT0ZQJDy10FXrF_XgCvB_nmtHEbJ0v6Ca_dV9sl5RQl4Hou5v827_xBP-DpJNZ8gzfaWF/s4000/20240105_114303.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizApMlm1exJ0XMsJ6br1kMGk0p_MPUQ0sDyh2L0RbFbNV6y5T1fFDZuYyFhwKw4_HGfZuhIpEUolneUcH4g4-HlLKv5tY29ngszhPGIljovev4ulEyRhP-3GkT0ZQJDy10FXrF_XgCvB_nmtHEbJ0v6Ca_dV9sl5RQl4Hou5v827_xBP-DpJNZ8gzfaWF/w640-h480/20240105_114303.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I realise my mistake and we take a footpath that leads uphill to Maudlin Lane. Annoyed with myself for added mileage and altitude!</div></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKy8-WMf5dyf_zHM752M-hDFuSywNNbYXbd26n0rb379MwkinlzKY-ApvkgUROqF_zPnWqWR0aYdQcnxOoKEY1YkgmB_ABmqBcsE5bNlbE5QIUKafSf1onGAsNIwCfleasSxKsSL4juVew5cFse_RmC3Njuvc4JDqlnOplwfHjjdTKv4KZc5a1iq5v39X/s4000/20240105_114545.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKy8-WMf5dyf_zHM752M-hDFuSywNNbYXbd26n0rb379MwkinlzKY-ApvkgUROqF_zPnWqWR0aYdQcnxOoKEY1YkgmB_ABmqBcsE5bNlbE5QIUKafSf1onGAsNIwCfleasSxKsSL4juVew5cFse_RmC3Njuvc4JDqlnOplwfHjjdTKv4KZc5a1iq5v39X/w640-h480/20240105_114545.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back downhill to Annington Road.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovoG3pqvbd7vLN7OpRXamvzBTJ1VeRCXdwQGpIWN5KcNF9T7BdL0etw4h0ckaNXTs9IMixEuuDDqNiD4HHNOpPl5o8bzeMsI5q-hotAhoxuL0IQqepol1qfChYMR3Sq47Ysxh716l6lUcmunOZyedZQBUmvbOplUm-nbVlmVH5yljwK3ujW_siblG-EPq/s4000/20240105_115617.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2928" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovoG3pqvbd7vLN7OpRXamvzBTJ1VeRCXdwQGpIWN5KcNF9T7BdL0etw4h0ckaNXTs9IMixEuuDDqNiD4HHNOpPl5o8bzeMsI5q-hotAhoxuL0IQqepol1qfChYMR3Sq47Ysxh716l6lUcmunOZyedZQBUmvbOplUm-nbVlmVH5yljwK3ujW_siblG-EPq/w468-h640/20240105_115617.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We follow a footpath off Maudlin Lane an walk into Bramber.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNP12ELuKFqBOSFdlGrhEE1JVw4UnjJZCGXh9IDDOsm7uokg_p0NYDZ7BcHaVuVlV0mtEt9bKkqPERof60YeTV3ZQLxyBcayt4ZzhwhFLow7BzWSa1DtSTT5pRmgRHIosDJT2N37lkGc4ybWONLUPU3V51Wb7clYj4A9FdntfiMVR24w7PPFltdv8mtPZ/s4000/20240105_115805.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNP12ELuKFqBOSFdlGrhEE1JVw4UnjJZCGXh9IDDOsm7uokg_p0NYDZ7BcHaVuVlV0mtEt9bKkqPERof60YeTV3ZQLxyBcayt4ZzhwhFLow7BzWSa1DtSTT5pRmgRHIosDJT2N37lkGc4ybWONLUPU3V51Wb7clYj4A9FdntfiMVR24w7PPFltdv8mtPZ/w640-h480/20240105_115805.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk pass St Nicholas Church,Bramber.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbfjWuNtL349ru6XlYvj8LScrtRQt5bf5UwOSynqdty-GOlsKgnjmerZIMXw355QJY8J7jktkAQ7HQxc_hLJ-W7jUIXGc6pTZ8T7k0RTI1AQqK6DKfgEMYer029VI4nphUylkOFrbB5ihp_J2rU70rfaq113R4ZbCKgsxbBBKXQb8Thi1xSjOlFInl2XA/s4000/20240105_115819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbfjWuNtL349ru6XlYvj8LScrtRQt5bf5UwOSynqdty-GOlsKgnjmerZIMXw355QJY8J7jktkAQ7HQxc_hLJ-W7jUIXGc6pTZ8T7k0RTI1AQqK6DKfgEMYer029VI4nphUylkOFrbB5ihp_J2rU70rfaq113R4ZbCKgsxbBBKXQb8Thi1xSjOlFInl2XA/w640-h480/20240105_115819.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Built in the later C11 for a college of priests, it was parochial by 1250. It was originally cruciform, though small for this plan, and the capitals on the western crossing arch are C11. It was ruinous in the C17, but the tower and crossing were rebuilt in the C18 as a chancel and it was again altered in 1931.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cVq2WGraHJ73RFYXlg9sUBxTid8T_IqAQxd6kZh42TyOZvC4RiqrYuHCisp9fBZgkjhyphenhyphenUxonGyQKlHCMT_fOmuBeOk96qQEg0fPv4BdfOO5kEuk7zYjVYCTNB6iqV_ILXvdDZYsfMe3UvTGHqSbqTv-htcRmzd-IFkr8eDnuHjOTS-EVKk-eFd4iFFO1/s4000/20240105_115840.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cVq2WGraHJ73RFYXlg9sUBxTid8T_IqAQxd6kZh42TyOZvC4RiqrYuHCisp9fBZgkjhyphenhyphenUxonGyQKlHCMT_fOmuBeOk96qQEg0fPv4BdfOO5kEuk7zYjVYCTNB6iqV_ILXvdDZYsfMe3UvTGHqSbqTv-htcRmzd-IFkr8eDnuHjOTS-EVKk-eFd4iFFO1/w640-h480/20240105_115840.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;">Bramber church stands on the same mound as the ruined castle and William de Braose, Lord of the Rape of Bramber, founded both. As was common in Normandy, he established in 1073 a small college of secular canons at the centre of a new settlement outside his castle, with the nearby Upper Beeding church among its endowments. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bramber Parish Church of St Nicholas was originally built as the castle chapel and is the only part of the castle site not in ruins. The church attracts large numbers of tourists, and is the oldest post-Conquest Norman church in Sussex.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdA2cWDjJSTL3KKNwMaz4zw9hoH2PNwkU1G9iGArtKq9ytmpU1tPIbc-1nqUBLXoyKtQvpp8AZJQJvcedwQ4muFustr95C8q_R6-REC_ZbT6PQ-yqidDHAJLAqH3b6Jzh_3karAV94tdrvpYkA6UnraOUz70xUDPbi0ryPI_EpHvQY7BGLe1iEqOGaGhH/s4000/20240105_115858.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdA2cWDjJSTL3KKNwMaz4zw9hoH2PNwkU1G9iGArtKq9ytmpU1tPIbc-1nqUBLXoyKtQvpp8AZJQJvcedwQ4muFustr95C8q_R6-REC_ZbT6PQ-yqidDHAJLAqH3b6Jzh_3karAV94tdrvpYkA6UnraOUz70xUDPbi0ryPI_EpHvQY7BGLe1iEqOGaGhH/w480-h640/20240105_115858.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk up the hill pass the church to reach Bramber Castle.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQc1euJ6vo3MPfnKePU6kXNOTn_qALiHR22cUABesQkhTbcXxr_kwAUsiLvtNy08I3Z8cDR9kyMbSLphxkfskURUgCfBd-qgKesxT8BefJnw1RE9g2lICzuoikn13SKL_ZXIjPg-4NvSKMxM3nsvgI3dkOMN7i8WEszbVznZIa6XQjiu_WgVW3fXyMvaPT/s4000/20240105_115908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQc1euJ6vo3MPfnKePU6kXNOTn_qALiHR22cUABesQkhTbcXxr_kwAUsiLvtNy08I3Z8cDR9kyMbSLphxkfskURUgCfBd-qgKesxT8BefJnw1RE9g2lICzuoikn13SKL_ZXIjPg-4NvSKMxM3nsvgI3dkOMN7i8WEszbVznZIa6XQjiu_WgVW3fXyMvaPT/w480-h640/20240105_115908.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bramber Castle is a Norman motte-and-bailey castle formerly the caput of the large feudal barony of Bramber long held by the Braose family. It is situated in the village of Bramber, West Sussex, near the town of Steyning, overlooking the River Adur.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVumak4LNre3GP5l_S_KpdgKRq9tyP8J5ZmG41dYXDRLltuU8PN9g22KqanfdJnwkeQKjyslqCfEoMkzOd-Rxe8odAhQ_N29DGU-fboEWwQjBYJbBMKKHy3nn_m_iUI-W1gew4GBrabsgFHs4dz8r-qIaBLVLWP8FgDFAZYg_Pzxs61uPM3rVdpJzTPQ8/s4000/20240105_115935.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVumak4LNre3GP5l_S_KpdgKRq9tyP8J5ZmG41dYXDRLltuU8PN9g22KqanfdJnwkeQKjyslqCfEoMkzOd-Rxe8odAhQ_N29DGU-fboEWwQjBYJbBMKKHy3nn_m_iUI-W1gew4GBrabsgFHs4dz8r-qIaBLVLWP8FgDFAZYg_Pzxs61uPM3rVdpJzTPQ8/w480-h640/20240105_115935.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Surveys indicate the Normans were the first to build a fortification in the area, around 1070. It served as the administrative hub of the newly created Rape of Bramber, and controlled the River Adur estuary. The castle was held by William de Braose, 1st Lord of Bramber, whose family originated from Falaise.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Except for a short period when it was confiscated by King John (1199–1216), the castle remained in the de Braose family, until the male line died out in 1326, and it passed to the Mowbrays. Bramber was one of the poorest parts of Sussex, and while it remained a centre of administration, the Mowbrays did not live there; by the 1550s, it was recorded as 'the late castle', used for grazing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZ1qCkSE-syrcFdQAFDJekj6uv3Ig8o3kIaSI2FwgwB6j2_5LTKmotj_oXHdMu-tjpNb7mb0MahyMfPxtiqKnJxO1BFi6pcwShzysmXyyTYZhtI08eysSAKhkfooKzQeaNuzOf2mmDaGzRxa-wjr66ly9-b_z0UvxOdB_0yO_rgOkxiVzYF0oBrmabKdR/s4000/20240105_120037.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZ1qCkSE-syrcFdQAFDJekj6uv3Ig8o3kIaSI2FwgwB6j2_5LTKmotj_oXHdMu-tjpNb7mb0MahyMfPxtiqKnJxO1BFi6pcwShzysmXyyTYZhtI08eysSAKhkfooKzQeaNuzOf2mmDaGzRxa-wjr66ly9-b_z0UvxOdB_0yO_rgOkxiVzYF0oBrmabKdR/s4000/20240105_120037.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZ1qCkSE-syrcFdQAFDJekj6uv3Ig8o3kIaSI2FwgwB6j2_5LTKmotj_oXHdMu-tjpNb7mb0MahyMfPxtiqKnJxO1BFi6pcwShzysmXyyTYZhtI08eysSAKhkfooKzQeaNuzOf2mmDaGzRxa-wjr66ly9-b_z0UvxOdB_0yO_rgOkxiVzYF0oBrmabKdR/w480-h640/20240105_120037.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">During the First English Civil War, Bramber was held by a Parliamentary garrison, under James Temple and Simon Lentner. In December 1643, a skirmish took place nearby, when a Royalist force unsuccessfully tried to secure the bridge over the River Adur. However, it is unclear whether the castle itself was occupied, while there is no evidence to support a local myth its associated church was used as a gun position.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphfNtvjEvRzxrfIRInNW_k3FiRDhKyt01Qf1y9O8Na8YsWi62Ofm00r-_LRFu3I-oBAuB61iVPJJQF-DMzkojBDY_2hlflnhE0JaT-eegdW-P1cWXXnq29cihPGwZAUg-_46IqyfH274xwSdf1VYuJmdqQ68nW0em15X1GAs-m2s4xDcUI3EXU3BDF_vW/s4000/20240105_120045.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphfNtvjEvRzxrfIRInNW_k3FiRDhKyt01Qf1y9O8Na8YsWi62Ofm00r-_LRFu3I-oBAuB61iVPJJQF-DMzkojBDY_2hlflnhE0JaT-eegdW-P1cWXXnq29cihPGwZAUg-_46IqyfH274xwSdf1VYuJmdqQ68nW0em15X1GAs-m2s4xDcUI3EXU3BDF_vW/w640-h480/20240105_120045.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Little survives of the original structure, as much of the stone was later used to construct the bridge, and other buildings in the village. The castle was excavated in 1966–1967, with another minor survey in 1987; these indicate most of it was built between 1073 and 1130. The addition of an outer ditch around 1209 caused the collapse of much of the original curtain wall in the early 16th century.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The most prominent remaining feature is the gatehouse tower, which still stands to almost its full height; a window, and floor joist holes are clearly visible. Beyond it are the foundations of what is believed to have been the living quarters and a guardhouse. The original gatehouse appears to have converted into a single tower at some point in the 12th century; another 3 metres were added to its height, while the entrances were blocked up. This coincides with an increased threat during the reign of John.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRz8j9DtI_9VRt_FABvsZMl45mcRRkSfcauUQX3pLbWVmHDi0cdYeEjaVBqZl_MqwSLOfJBTlYJRL9m9FRvsNmNwncppUn7mvQmDLAqxVQcz1JuHmKoj38QftjGKLvb_E4Z5HEys0GG8Q-aipIUlkV1xUCxOn6or9hD1-1chwZSLe9M1hyo19DS7IbthD/s8160/20240105_120150.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRz8j9DtI_9VRt_FABvsZMl45mcRRkSfcauUQX3pLbWVmHDi0cdYeEjaVBqZl_MqwSLOfJBTlYJRL9m9FRvsNmNwncppUn7mvQmDLAqxVQcz1JuHmKoj38QftjGKLvb_E4Z5HEys0GG8Q-aipIUlkV1xUCxOn6or9hD1-1chwZSLe9M1hyo19DS7IbthD/w640-h480/20240105_120150.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></div></div><span style="background-color: white; color: white; font-family: "Gill Sans Light";"><div style="text-align: center;">Bramber Castle was founded by William de Braose as a defensive and administrative centre for Bramber, one of the six administrative regions – each of which was controlled by a castle – into which Sussex was divided following the Norman Conquest. It was held almost continually by de Braose and his descendants from its foundation by 1073 until 1450.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCo38zvO1FG5Ot_hZu9M_nXwWOO8nP2GRKXzFLZ6IbjYtsrOSPLoJv5s4ky5b38QhcbZoBs_kS4nmqEg8fssDLRmoUjuT7ffGi8oIlW4Tubne5XHVzXfKzMTFVh8cWV20-xcvJC1oLzf81YZKNml8Jut9xnb3BFRZ_MxI5S4TURcCyp7pYU2jqUIsotIU/s8160/20240105_120235.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCo38zvO1FG5Ot_hZu9M_nXwWOO8nP2GRKXzFLZ6IbjYtsrOSPLoJv5s4ky5b38QhcbZoBs_kS4nmqEg8fssDLRmoUjuT7ffGi8oIlW4Tubne5XHVzXfKzMTFVh8cWV20-xcvJC1oLzf81YZKNml8Jut9xnb3BFRZ_MxI5S4TURcCyp7pYU2jqUIsotIU/w640-h480/20240105_120235.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of these descendants, another William de Braose, was among those barons suspected of disloyalty to King John in the early 13th century. The king demanded William’s two sons as hostages. Lady de Braose refused, saying she would not trust her sons to a man who had already murdered his own nephew. The castle was confiscated by the king and the family captured. Lady de Braose and her two sons died of starvation while imprisoned at Windsor Castle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5ofMi94NtGSouKE8J7z2GxJITZpZHP77unOS_XwsEEgsHOK9nwSGbcInEkVqzAy-z5V1NO4pZrl4Sd7DX3ibe4ffL0hisC1n0E_x25E9N-qskkRKwkSwNBSFHbmjpKSR4cfilBdOHsurLOGrwFQ_wIFhhGQLY92jaJH-5fzmQ6GRuFuyGp07dMbF20Ak/s8160/20240105_120242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5ofMi94NtGSouKE8J7z2GxJITZpZHP77unOS_XwsEEgsHOK9nwSGbcInEkVqzAy-z5V1NO4pZrl4Sd7DX3ibe4ffL0hisC1n0E_x25E9N-qskkRKwkSwNBSFHbmjpKSR4cfilBdOHsurLOGrwFQ_wIFhhGQLY92jaJH-5fzmQ6GRuFuyGp07dMbF20Ak/w640-h480/20240105_120242.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">King John held Bramber Castle only briefly but is known to have carried out repairs to the buildings. Later the castle passed back to the de Braose family, who held it until the 14th century, and then to the Mowbray family.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe13zdodmu_zk4EutCP0QKKW6ovXbC7f89ONHM1-8YnXlO6NSvPUuZj2DBwBMVwieMyHwGVPh7UjpsJ1PFVP9hhyphenhyphen8YsqXlrMZuwIfm6Po6U2Zrgka1wgVvgdAXZD0-jykc07a0bX36amjpQFlMTte6pC4q2gHCEdrJmhX3X0qoom4Y6vgoNU-rZvXPKLC-/s7897/20240105_120426.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5923" data-original-width="7897" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe13zdodmu_zk4EutCP0QKKW6ovXbC7f89ONHM1-8YnXlO6NSvPUuZj2DBwBMVwieMyHwGVPh7UjpsJ1PFVP9hhyphenhyphen8YsqXlrMZuwIfm6Po6U2Zrgka1wgVvgdAXZD0-jykc07a0bX36amjpQFlMTte6pC4q2gHCEdrJmhX3X0qoom4Y6vgoNU-rZvXPKLC-/w640-h480/20240105_120426.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Subsidence on a large scale led to the ruin of the castle during the 16th century. Its masonry was later used for building roads in the area, and it may have been occupied briefly by Parliamentarian forces during the Civil War.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQocQJNk7PHIHn19gLtgww25SuZxd3VUKnHvnGw-DlqB_Ud5kCUeT0nGrLtBCJj2R1cSXBP3z2A-t89IVwgBLp6tEGG_K0TnRmWssOqWi11soo1p5kxarrZGMUA_O4bd_wXR_MumK9sFVUzE0Y-RtAuRpK0v-CKc4F6_g0gMvbVMYUWEeyIgSl_9a4wyaV/s3642/20240105_121051.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2732" data-original-width="3642" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQocQJNk7PHIHn19gLtgww25SuZxd3VUKnHvnGw-DlqB_Ud5kCUeT0nGrLtBCJj2R1cSXBP3z2A-t89IVwgBLp6tEGG_K0TnRmWssOqWi11soo1p5kxarrZGMUA_O4bd_wXR_MumK9sFVUzE0Y-RtAuRpK0v-CKc4F6_g0gMvbVMYUWEeyIgSl_9a4wyaV/w640-h480/20240105_121051.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walked down into Bramber.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The village developed along a causeway on the old trade route that extended from Cornwall to Kent.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, GlacialIndifference, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #6b6b6b; font-size: 18px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBe3co86Rr8JrU3x6x0LgETfTpVC3Nb7yoGPnV5ewhT-8OKr9TioN5pzVS5p08VsE2vfY0aQ73fwBjJYG2cU-edOpRxIAyP_PKOXsxCaIh2_Fgd5m9_u9zaq9xH_pBXu1yEIJZkuyglyfl9Jtz4Qv_zi7YYSTgWlYflxlc30a2fGTr_OH9Vuicm1YzE2_/s4000/20240105_121108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBe3co86Rr8JrU3x6x0LgETfTpVC3Nb7yoGPnV5ewhT-8OKr9TioN5pzVS5p08VsE2vfY0aQ73fwBjJYG2cU-edOpRxIAyP_PKOXsxCaIh2_Fgd5m9_u9zaq9xH_pBXu1yEIJZkuyglyfl9Jtz4Qv_zi7YYSTgWlYflxlc30a2fGTr_OH9Vuicm1YzE2_/w640-h480/20240105_121108.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Following the Norman Conquest, William de Braose built the castle and church. Later, a toll bridge and chapel were built close to the site of the imposing Elizabethan house, St Mary’s. The castle ruins can still be seen today and are owned by English Heritage.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Although some modern developments have taken place, notably the two hotels and the famous Indian restaurant, the village has grown little over the centuries and today has a population of about 850. The centre of the village is an attractive place for walkers and other visitors to spend some time particularly when the Britain in Bloom season is with us as Bramber has won many awards over the years.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now little more than one very pretty main street, Bramber used to be a thriving port known as Portus Adurni.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bramber was served by a wharf, remains of which have been found in the grounds of St Mary’s House, which was believed to have been used to export goods such as timber, before the river Adur silted and the port declined. Records show that most of the hamlet of Bramber was destroyed by fire in 1286 – only St Mary’s, a monastic inn frequented by pimps and prostitutes, was spared from the flames.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwYE6FPc3BxVRWLqaxA29A63VWH5ml0Xed6qNPR4mMDQ-43TqH5uNgy3aNN4RqGXRdnDZaBjzIOc6iwGhY81toxl0yYjpd4ekTtHYONsOr5b4s5NkdzrVzZmOCK_-JZaQigscwdlImcwp7Tkb0Jr_TlV0wDYivsXTMAF9LiDtxN1ePKA-cDOu7jo7Dt7J/s3745/20240105_121223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2809" data-original-width="3745" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwYE6FPc3BxVRWLqaxA29A63VWH5ml0Xed6qNPR4mMDQ-43TqH5uNgy3aNN4RqGXRdnDZaBjzIOc6iwGhY81toxl0yYjpd4ekTtHYONsOr5b4s5NkdzrVzZmOCK_-JZaQigscwdlImcwp7Tkb0Jr_TlV0wDYivsXTMAF9LiDtxN1ePKA-cDOu7jo7Dt7J/w640-h480/20240105_121223.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We visit The Castle Inn for a pint of Harvey's Old Ale.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoKHwGSZlef6mpOEcdrMdxFwFSWBrBzJrxpfEsEsldSnRS9dogEzDIjwxZ2QwlL2ktUz9eSO29Bq57xfIV_BeqRfoUzkRvF0pk9m7Y_nswzpXLsvXXU1Hoc9Bak42jV3YiUlYZeWIEhUhA6KhRLYBaMfhx2kyPeS6JERNeDUlL9iIWCmhCWvx6Ltez1uY/s4000/20240105_121431.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoKHwGSZlef6mpOEcdrMdxFwFSWBrBzJrxpfEsEsldSnRS9dogEzDIjwxZ2QwlL2ktUz9eSO29Bq57xfIV_BeqRfoUzkRvF0pk9m7Y_nswzpXLsvXXU1Hoc9Bak42jV3YiUlYZeWIEhUhA6KhRLYBaMfhx2kyPeS6JERNeDUlL9iIWCmhCWvx6Ltez1uY/w480-h640/20240105_121431.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Once called The White Lion now called the Castle Hotel. It was first mentioned, as the White Lion, in Henry VIII’s time in the 16th century (1526, as ‘dispensing alcohol’) but it could go back further than that. In the ‘olden’ days, Inns took their names from the local Lords’ family crests and Bramber’s Lord after William the Conq was William de Braose (see my blog on Bramber Castle way back in April) and the crest of his son, Philip de Braose, (c 1096-1135) was a lion – but a gold one. The coat of arms of William de Mowbray (1173-1222) was a white lion and Bramber became part of the de Mowbray estate by marriage in 1298, when John de Mowbray married Aline de Braose. The two lions merged when de Mowbray became Duke of Norfolk in 1397, so the pub could date back to sometime then.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRD03OozjbxcRXAuKGbebQHuQcBt7ogJEO_9c2FlW9GW_mDs22LCvsW8a9XnLh-vXsVvyEdzMumsuONpa5F-YkM4-Ip7o9eU9S2H3S-gJeqDPsn6Xxjt9psyktfFxH-489nseAUMb9EGcCrANFAvgSO7nkRycUtvJJmVU098Qr4RZUJc2Dl3aGfvkf-Vrz/s4000/20240105_123708.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRD03OozjbxcRXAuKGbebQHuQcBt7ogJEO_9c2FlW9GW_mDs22LCvsW8a9XnLh-vXsVvyEdzMumsuONpa5F-YkM4-Ip7o9eU9S2H3S-gJeqDPsn6Xxjt9psyktfFxH-489nseAUMb9EGcCrANFAvgSO7nkRycUtvJJmVU098Qr4RZUJc2Dl3aGfvkf-Vrz/w640-h480/20240105_123708.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Walking back out of Bramber we passed this house with an amazing quirky garden. I love it!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ukdzdLQ9axZ63cICoErjm6pS5Bn966ZasR7Ry9HWMLa3vyijFGAF16_9932v58hcROc5uA1XKKURriBJfCJLyH8hPXFK_HWYVwIhaneTyfbyG5wCXy5-vBBrLT5peQbb9HBD638hleedW80N2sPk5Luv7MrKRZ4g6DXlTgzwJ3HgptubnuZCJh7Yosx1/s4000/20240105_123719.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ukdzdLQ9axZ63cICoErjm6pS5Bn966ZasR7Ry9HWMLa3vyijFGAF16_9932v58hcROc5uA1XKKURriBJfCJLyH8hPXFK_HWYVwIhaneTyfbyG5wCXy5-vBBrLT5peQbb9HBD638hleedW80N2sPk5Luv7MrKRZ4g6DXlTgzwJ3HgptubnuZCJh7Yosx1/w480-h640/20240105_123719.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItD7hDlvaShY8xR1d2fN4QP8aqfDff0lZ44vfcWUoxHtKJcXJd7xq4TjBojHTMbFUmd4YAmsrN0iEIp28FU3R8Fyj7C_8A60BQXGwfM30_SgwV5emLqAsGkaj6Tn_Y61wFwHm1wYlNOqEG4ARn2IS3GlNQ-QS-H1jGOEhlVBEIHK_lSQMnLkbpARSteZH/s3795/20240105_123742.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2847" data-original-width="3795" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItD7hDlvaShY8xR1d2fN4QP8aqfDff0lZ44vfcWUoxHtKJcXJd7xq4TjBojHTMbFUmd4YAmsrN0iEIp28FU3R8Fyj7C_8A60BQXGwfM30_SgwV5emLqAsGkaj6Tn_Y61wFwHm1wYlNOqEG4ARn2IS3GlNQ-QS-H1jGOEhlVBEIHK_lSQMnLkbpARSteZH/w640-h480/20240105_123742.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHIY7RSnBhWDudUXs0uU0kuf07K-vkUJi_NZjO1iAHF1s94zMpiucFm2_xOk6UHTgBw_6UTOeQKyPeoPZ0rKfKYcprvxrbcrfRcA6tDNfjyJ6CQWsGjT58HVyyhVL0mQTXMGJv_Kav09cJeHv0Hym1Gg8eKuX0MzEoNcdYsnInC8mZk9LKuEtVGWMP7Xi/s3845/20240105_123748.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2884" data-original-width="3845" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHIY7RSnBhWDudUXs0uU0kuf07K-vkUJi_NZjO1iAHF1s94zMpiucFm2_xOk6UHTgBw_6UTOeQKyPeoPZ0rKfKYcprvxrbcrfRcA6tDNfjyJ6CQWsGjT58HVyyhVL0mQTXMGJv_Kav09cJeHv0Hym1Gg8eKuX0MzEoNcdYsnInC8mZk9LKuEtVGWMP7Xi/w640-h480/20240105_123748.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0Ac33wgRkx4uNgYbupsevmRVoKxcgey6seQBmRkJGFv1YJ_XgBae2ZgpEpuTvDlGBZQ8E6mVXfq4FNg7p0pbwMGms8O_egGnctQw3Hxf1RnAFtl0W2N3VSY0m8fwUxHmxU3lJDZaCei5nukz9bQBviPgatCjZ7VepmqgHYv4ytJF8cqt1Yw4EiLTkx6h/s4000/20240105_123805.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0Ac33wgRkx4uNgYbupsevmRVoKxcgey6seQBmRkJGFv1YJ_XgBae2ZgpEpuTvDlGBZQ8E6mVXfq4FNg7p0pbwMGms8O_egGnctQw3Hxf1RnAFtl0W2N3VSY0m8fwUxHmxU3lJDZaCei5nukz9bQBviPgatCjZ7VepmqgHYv4ytJF8cqt1Yw4EiLTkx6h/w640-h480/20240105_123805.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQcDvt86I9TUxlgtYdzgM7kCa2AFlGSz_B-ndND3d29VTA2qZS-gyKaxTQRkw9wcqa-Ld6xEggWZeWSnEsP2p1an88lb_aHgO8e3uYBjcFjgU5lO1vGUcXnPpgFUL66z1ya-yI7smjKKztDuB0HIZ6nw5fGGOpAJqu_WPaXzf7g-J0MX9SBhrrKvSsKhV/s4000/20240105_123823.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQcDvt86I9TUxlgtYdzgM7kCa2AFlGSz_B-ndND3d29VTA2qZS-gyKaxTQRkw9wcqa-Ld6xEggWZeWSnEsP2p1an88lb_aHgO8e3uYBjcFjgU5lO1vGUcXnPpgFUL66z1ya-yI7smjKKztDuB0HIZ6nw5fGGOpAJqu_WPaXzf7g-J0MX9SBhrrKvSsKhV/w480-h640/20240105_123823.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave Bramber and walk up alongside the busy Clays Hill until we reach Bostal Road, which we follow up and this quickly becomes a long and very steep climb up.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_L6NXeFIFmYn5KT8oNOS02_yHLQpD2kN-St6W-TiDjRYTgB8VryJxHYTvuD9QXFqQjUhdNfH_C_JfKefHS2pReVk8BI3hitngMKV3geI-abFzqTGBrBukDZ1YFwVxGy-ReHv9vKihoHJYYH8b09MQjz7mqehrp6sjv7K_aKew6Ies_Tg0bAl3NN8RP1B/s3648/20240105_125219.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_L6NXeFIFmYn5KT8oNOS02_yHLQpD2kN-St6W-TiDjRYTgB8VryJxHYTvuD9QXFqQjUhdNfH_C_JfKefHS2pReVk8BI3hitngMKV3geI-abFzqTGBrBukDZ1YFwVxGy-ReHv9vKihoHJYYH8b09MQjz7mqehrp6sjv7K_aKew6Ies_Tg0bAl3NN8RP1B/w640-h480/20240105_125219.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the point where Bostal Road meets Newham Lane we take a footpath that continues to climb steeply upwards.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSUDBiHCyQqhUVc2KumMwkOkeDfmb1kRshU9cU6Unvp4yLsBHzQLHySiuyz41VFa7Gp25HofxVUU6x1vVBKlt_9FuYZDdJ9UUw4OIFhj9_KyUA6-m3zddDE6dr8Bw57r9lYIV_fUuWiqtDmfhZIWY1faqAiHN6zIZY9BCG0rY3LQUGenkpeJP7mSzZery/s4000/20240105_131122.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSUDBiHCyQqhUVc2KumMwkOkeDfmb1kRshU9cU6Unvp4yLsBHzQLHySiuyz41VFa7Gp25HofxVUU6x1vVBKlt_9FuYZDdJ9UUw4OIFhj9_KyUA6-m3zddDE6dr8Bw57r9lYIV_fUuWiqtDmfhZIWY1faqAiHN6zIZY9BCG0rY3LQUGenkpeJP7mSzZery/w480-h640/20240105_131122.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBVW5WX-J0eJE_nhoqJ1eKkg2ZnJ1KldDAKnaOvb-96ux15vvpO1R7Z6J7XYhk8MdMom85Zv9h9G0pR0fIH-shwxObS45hauBEqY3V8wH-71LIWFjrH-TJSLOqYGBBpGByFuJMAp-hCT03S24VAscb4IEtr47HI8NKZ1oDJAwsMl4LddX-VW7MNsgKi1d/s4000/20240105_131131.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBVW5WX-J0eJE_nhoqJ1eKkg2ZnJ1KldDAKnaOvb-96ux15vvpO1R7Z6J7XYhk8MdMom85Zv9h9G0pR0fIH-shwxObS45hauBEqY3V8wH-71LIWFjrH-TJSLOqYGBBpGByFuJMAp-hCT03S24VAscb4IEtr47HI8NKZ1oDJAwsMl4LddX-VW7MNsgKi1d/w640-h480/20240105_131131.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We climb up and up with views down to Steyning and beyond.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELrlKEwGiezBRduCz2j95UpjtIpI7Qt4Vu0uqx3JJk2P379vxvyWm7ENz0bH7G2ByM2v7z63k9PzFhjzNQP3d98_0Y8_rvgVWDFLrbm-W6ARln3JUlMcrm8XjgrPBssvlTwtwz5jM-uInNOGnAo0yAlTlU3ggv-VvRZcXYYEMDRNkRhrMBFypnN_2ltSl/s3780/20240105_131340.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2835" data-original-width="3780" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELrlKEwGiezBRduCz2j95UpjtIpI7Qt4Vu0uqx3JJk2P379vxvyWm7ENz0bH7G2ByM2v7z63k9PzFhjzNQP3d98_0Y8_rvgVWDFLrbm-W6ARln3JUlMcrm8XjgrPBssvlTwtwz5jM-uInNOGnAo0yAlTlU3ggv-VvRZcXYYEMDRNkRhrMBFypnN_2ltSl/w640-h480/20240105_131340.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXJavXnoEyjoZ8VHB6QRfqNDOVi64f6-EUihbOygCUA3DkU7tmmJ3Otm_RiSFq-Kb6T5rdmyQqnyVsr_isGx8-AI1an4bGCFtHniszGXyFFPBkt-GcRcKzv5J3gFADDZDEHvyx0NicU0hiql5kVMW0yiCiQnjhEAjyB6WMkn_36xcUncYngwGRC2wLe55/s3849/20240105_132304.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2887" data-original-width="3849" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXJavXnoEyjoZ8VHB6QRfqNDOVi64f6-EUihbOygCUA3DkU7tmmJ3Otm_RiSFq-Kb6T5rdmyQqnyVsr_isGx8-AI1an4bGCFtHniszGXyFFPBkt-GcRcKzv5J3gFADDZDEHvyx0NicU0hiql5kVMW0yiCiQnjhEAjyB6WMkn_36xcUncYngwGRC2wLe55/w640-h480/20240105_132304.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the top, we have a short break on a bench before taking the path on our left and following the Monarchs Way again.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTx6pbcx8qMhb64rpG28O6AzuItZ0AyRBDXjafvLK7LK7UMdbYBgu_xOKxPtFcH9clbPm5swrKkXDb5mSTpfotzoDg3PGHDpIgl8iWvThuSDWIl19oCrpeg-wRuN6wgazdNo_YD_5kiEOfL-IEmXoL6myo5OZDmBP1_QZVj5Ealj1irH5b39mY7MBzcorc/s4000/20240105_132329.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTx6pbcx8qMhb64rpG28O6AzuItZ0AyRBDXjafvLK7LK7UMdbYBgu_xOKxPtFcH9clbPm5swrKkXDb5mSTpfotzoDg3PGHDpIgl8iWvThuSDWIl19oCrpeg-wRuN6wgazdNo_YD_5kiEOfL-IEmXoL6myo5OZDmBP1_QZVj5Ealj1irH5b39mY7MBzcorc/w640-h480/20240105_132329.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXmdF-6eisEzhtB7iG4EXfMos1rcYVoa0qPKzXKiFUSVS-dPO_72246xeEST651jARIFEhiqpGK4IbVO0jcke8lQcXjk6XotPlQHtmJ-yBcQ7Ddst_kR_uBNCS1_k_mkQbgCXNpdQDggka8U4VpO9aR9uutII7j-Hd5ZMyOSO8xHx5t_5n9do9uFeigm1/s3845/20240105_132400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2884" data-original-width="3845" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXmdF-6eisEzhtB7iG4EXfMos1rcYVoa0qPKzXKiFUSVS-dPO_72246xeEST651jARIFEhiqpGK4IbVO0jcke8lQcXjk6XotPlQHtmJ-yBcQ7Ddst_kR_uBNCS1_k_mkQbgCXNpdQDggka8U4VpO9aR9uutII7j-Hd5ZMyOSO8xHx5t_5n9do9uFeigm1/w640-h480/20240105_132400.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here were some lovely looking cattle, would love to know the breed.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwTSaHyjtK2H-b8qIt0JPj0ZgRkT0bSshfIf_LUKR0Eoaz7O-fm-Q0pwpQz0OpHFt1D2qxrCgyekwZzLPHXAB8NAQ9EmiYkicjlstAmUyXiK-TlJI2KYZ38IpmEAwDKRKPVRG66NIFlDY6gdQ3SOMcLfRmCsDsgMs-Mw_1iXBq8549G77MwBYGavzzs1V/s4000/20240105_132536.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwTSaHyjtK2H-b8qIt0JPj0ZgRkT0bSshfIf_LUKR0Eoaz7O-fm-Q0pwpQz0OpHFt1D2qxrCgyekwZzLPHXAB8NAQ9EmiYkicjlstAmUyXiK-TlJI2KYZ38IpmEAwDKRKPVRG66NIFlDY6gdQ3SOMcLfRmCsDsgMs-Mw_1iXBq8549G77MwBYGavzzs1V/w640-h480/20240105_132536.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We follow this along and now are walking on the path above New Hill Barn that we saw earlier. Here is a stone memorial to a deceased farmer.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKabIL5aTnug4YAnTIrNyAqX3QVceuTLuY1px8jhTXF4_0vE-nyp3x30NrOjeKTavsuX9JhNcehTnw9DxdmYUoNakFpd_CABtJIMbUgMNbfEczpwu0rp59O3kVN8iT54REF0pqSvjPKMnNjzHy3mTOvcfVN6MaATZ6EiNq5OU-ldC1mAWY7borBrcHbaD8/s4000/20240105_133133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKabIL5aTnug4YAnTIrNyAqX3QVceuTLuY1px8jhTXF4_0vE-nyp3x30NrOjeKTavsuX9JhNcehTnw9DxdmYUoNakFpd_CABtJIMbUgMNbfEczpwu0rp59O3kVN8iT54REF0pqSvjPKMnNjzHy3mTOvcfVN6MaATZ6EiNq5OU-ldC1mAWY7borBrcHbaD8/w640-h480/20240105_133133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdhENqgwb6DppzVehVwijc3zwX_ChrVIkpfM3h4LhLcBEN_C_E581xaYQ3mS16RtRHc2A19iSI0pLqxtlLFigR96YN38SGL2M1llpCexmxHJAhRE86SLjgD4ZFGe5cKaU5_8clguQgBCuzIJZTaE7VeD_JY9Q927jE3ze4F8j8xHVC2xavPsxjvVvl27Y/s4000/20240105_133141.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdhENqgwb6DppzVehVwijc3zwX_ChrVIkpfM3h4LhLcBEN_C_E581xaYQ3mS16RtRHc2A19iSI0pLqxtlLFigR96YN38SGL2M1llpCexmxHJAhRE86SLjgD4ZFGe5cKaU5_8clguQgBCuzIJZTaE7VeD_JY9Q927jE3ze4F8j8xHVC2xavPsxjvVvl27Y/w640-h480/20240105_133141.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on and the way looks like it may stay level, but then we start to descend and can see another climb ahead.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzc8HO0RLN7pdZFt3af_5GJH7MId2MfXuyImCXvTsrhHMPXppuy1WtP7vntrJKZ1rX-hpk78G2-CKgP3g0N5KE-NorfdyyK0moTX7E97d71lVLL1V183pgbwdjt6Ds0w1kyaMDAzbWVJObs468biwWip2ixV_0zoGIy6K8i3w8Ca8kt2afNcZvt8Y-MiPQ/s4000/20240105_133632.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzc8HO0RLN7pdZFt3af_5GJH7MId2MfXuyImCXvTsrhHMPXppuy1WtP7vntrJKZ1rX-hpk78G2-CKgP3g0N5KE-NorfdyyK0moTX7E97d71lVLL1V183pgbwdjt6Ds0w1kyaMDAzbWVJObs468biwWip2ixV_0zoGIy6K8i3w8Ca8kt2afNcZvt8Y-MiPQ/w640-h480/20240105_133632.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jtImw_Bvc7szknfAnGqHRgU7BsvSpaAQK4xNv9Zqx1aJoGGFsIWF7WlLg5zI6CSdmQy5FXqtDv5L4O65FsvxtVuZOoB5QkP_dn0AyZcU5u8wd1_1oO6zGcUpA9Ory-FdZamHStjDSBq7MQb7pt4K_atcRfBe7_CfWWR8xgDA_x-gwqIzvl53FezlRWXo/s3648/20240105_133744.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jtImw_Bvc7szknfAnGqHRgU7BsvSpaAQK4xNv9Zqx1aJoGGFsIWF7WlLg5zI6CSdmQy5FXqtDv5L4O65FsvxtVuZOoB5QkP_dn0AyZcU5u8wd1_1oO6zGcUpA9Ory-FdZamHStjDSBq7MQb7pt4K_atcRfBe7_CfWWR8xgDA_x-gwqIzvl53FezlRWXo/w640-h480/20240105_133744.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgkRZ5BQQaXFyhn_Ta6K8XEya7uSSbGAPQu6I1r6punng4A29h_RH10b0E_LZUJb1PB0kQq16yK20pK-qWmv3jBOEbnyDlKO2mUm68yiKzPiUY1G9MiBph2TR8qErPyxTN1SfjxhiISEdaSw9blE1MNclMBcfWnsq4U3qTniTilSuWWcAMk04qAdyqS99/s4000/20240105_134141.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgkRZ5BQQaXFyhn_Ta6K8XEya7uSSbGAPQu6I1r6punng4A29h_RH10b0E_LZUJb1PB0kQq16yK20pK-qWmv3jBOEbnyDlKO2mUm68yiKzPiUY1G9MiBph2TR8qErPyxTN1SfjxhiISEdaSw9blE1MNclMBcfWnsq4U3qTniTilSuWWcAMk04qAdyqS99/w640-h480/20240105_134141.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">We come to where the path forks at Stump Bottoms by No Mans Land. We walk on ahead on the left path. Hey we can say we've actually been in No Mans Land!! Ha ha.</div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5D2XgWotPQQ25Hxy4_tqhZzFUzZKjs5IsIeeuTcct7I1PTOEE8bG8NrYgG9qb3w96hHaTPs8p4TyiUkwdoyLjzpCVqpkeDhbK60a2jkp1aTMu9jL0qLRKdN3_SbGgfl4MxtSi0sSu_tj6bQS9ZSnRqJhCThgFzAs2XhQ2u_TRxH6sp0psPmxYdntEgTpO/s4000/20240105_135138.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5D2XgWotPQQ25Hxy4_tqhZzFUzZKjs5IsIeeuTcct7I1PTOEE8bG8NrYgG9qb3w96hHaTPs8p4TyiUkwdoyLjzpCVqpkeDhbK60a2jkp1aTMu9jL0qLRKdN3_SbGgfl4MxtSi0sSu_tj6bQS9ZSnRqJhCThgFzAs2XhQ2u_TRxH6sp0psPmxYdntEgTpO/w640-h480/20240105_135138.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The path now is very muddy and slippery, we make slow progress upwards.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9b9QvGEkpkA5I5ul_FBpnOB1cmfpUY1Sy5mNbgKEpVGtCuC6PvCVXIA6FBSND-b57xEwGIBDI6eDffaTBbjsTR9jhQJw6OnRUHUhS-jcD-j58eFKAWLRqBl8Wvf9wgNsoUB8d-hgho_Ilq4Aq-rDq2q9jWWGoRvZD_CinyL0A6OyBAgo5ykOFAB4Gstky/s4000/20240105_135941.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9b9QvGEkpkA5I5ul_FBpnOB1cmfpUY1Sy5mNbgKEpVGtCuC6PvCVXIA6FBSND-b57xEwGIBDI6eDffaTBbjsTR9jhQJw6OnRUHUhS-jcD-j58eFKAWLRqBl8Wvf9wgNsoUB8d-hgho_Ilq4Aq-rDq2q9jWWGoRvZD_CinyL0A6OyBAgo5ykOFAB4Gstky/w640-h480/20240105_135941.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vps0iaD98VndFdxyUoKv7ek5pdO0KlhnINYdKXwB_w-fFNT6Qntdg3XzRrtFr8xlNtPsg5woo91eqT2nbcaC2WMYqhDy1pjYypxLDRiJlFnS2yozkHPIVNeSk-Vq3j3D9uMVQZvdlYgEPjPR6Wt4bwWl_Gh1nAn_R0dEdz2HsMi8eerwFVb9I3ZTZOm0/s4000/20240105_140141.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vps0iaD98VndFdxyUoKv7ek5pdO0KlhnINYdKXwB_w-fFNT6Qntdg3XzRrtFr8xlNtPsg5woo91eqT2nbcaC2WMYqhDy1pjYypxLDRiJlFnS2yozkHPIVNeSk-Vq3j3D9uMVQZvdlYgEPjPR6Wt4bwWl_Gh1nAn_R0dEdz2HsMi8eerwFVb9I3ZTZOm0/w640-h480/20240105_140141.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We turn left onto another path that leads us to a car park at the foot of Cissbury Ring.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOBak9lNu2uDb2l_hmHhaPtPuEHxa5b_IPWiXyWI9Q46k9cMusjRlwy8TnmKHLkDrkTKuO84-j8GeSMegPsVG_mZx9qLFhvuOZVt72d4WWgECPlqix1SOsKTakVi1w4NiOxr0lHuUMqXD0zFzPcdge-0tHN3TcNMFjbgKPucF1bVzMVebWmGJbFKmCwCC/s4000/20240105_142442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOBak9lNu2uDb2l_hmHhaPtPuEHxa5b_IPWiXyWI9Q46k9cMusjRlwy8TnmKHLkDrkTKuO84-j8GeSMegPsVG_mZx9qLFhvuOZVt72d4WWgECPlqix1SOsKTakVi1w4NiOxr0lHuUMqXD0zFzPcdge-0tHN3TcNMFjbgKPucF1bVzMVebWmGJbFKmCwCC/w640-h480/20240105_142442.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now we start to climb back up Cissbury Ring and I meet the same friendly Pony I saw earlier who came over again for another stroke and was brushing himself up against me.</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhi6KZB8R67XNI-LNR3lPEkPbTQky93cjmiPSVX1sZfN3D7zYkGvvSDrD0ctRdeALeG75oIvJArkhSGKqkx0Hpq7t-5glrSexg5pEfIDqoRLV0aDZxb3OmjMFdZyYS5-fRnVdytvC8u-xJOxN7d0JRd7ApG8VY4Miy2G4XDVURr4Dwlyp_6MPZ69ydi4I/s1920/IMG-20240106-WA0009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhi6KZB8R67XNI-LNR3lPEkPbTQky93cjmiPSVX1sZfN3D7zYkGvvSDrD0ctRdeALeG75oIvJArkhSGKqkx0Hpq7t-5glrSexg5pEfIDqoRLV0aDZxb3OmjMFdZyYS5-fRnVdytvC8u-xJOxN7d0JRd7ApG8VY4Miy2G4XDVURr4Dwlyp_6MPZ69ydi4I/w360-h640/IMG-20240106-WA0009.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlusIqe58QrpedDutBzieFslSgremPpRX_3vVFa1XCghNx_N6LAfRuN1z1UbSiv9V4FHzZ-KCwnbVcUmqrufd60W2_eiTA0Ghqa3tS9rigCKbRoeSama9rfvko66RUVebG6WDyi9veXhqpaNoi0S6B4P8YwXnhVoMusqZYF2CjkYzZN00UGzk0KDnEjWG/s4000/20240105_142513.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlusIqe58QrpedDutBzieFslSgremPpRX_3vVFa1XCghNx_N6LAfRuN1z1UbSiv9V4FHzZ-KCwnbVcUmqrufd60W2_eiTA0Ghqa3tS9rigCKbRoeSama9rfvko66RUVebG6WDyi9veXhqpaNoi0S6B4P8YwXnhVoMusqZYF2CjkYzZN00UGzk0KDnEjWG/w640-h480/20240105_142513.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We follow along the path at a lower level than we were earlier in the day.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBAY3jJ3P3L4z_ECUjdCzOb5NdLzs2sI1u0NPcUejT5_nZjd0oMve-AyrDf85kaizdMBPyW3a-o5ZSlhB-aKn7XJYx_qdgr0lf0LT_A0f_sP7jHxRuZZ_NIpUsLCoJMPSio5ryCDZjmehQdrRQbOjF-aoce_24uo0xcP3sJnYdgUkNjAAmxyp8ra6wVJF/s4000/20240105_142736.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBAY3jJ3P3L4z_ECUjdCzOb5NdLzs2sI1u0NPcUejT5_nZjd0oMve-AyrDf85kaizdMBPyW3a-o5ZSlhB-aKn7XJYx_qdgr0lf0LT_A0f_sP7jHxRuZZ_NIpUsLCoJMPSio5ryCDZjmehQdrRQbOjF-aoce_24uo0xcP3sJnYdgUkNjAAmxyp8ra6wVJF/w640-h480/20240105_142736.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We now start the descent back down to the car.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQcd_gh2bEc_1acncpDTQX5-0VNpwnBTd_bZkfoz13f9_JbRhRn1hiN941SFhGytRsJQIrntstecCBmXA4xAKQoNflnzIl-mQ4z7Tw8zKTnZ_NIOBq2KjmCkCMo5Dxp4o33wqv67oy68OFqXBqbmOfyYGcrRcOC7K9VVgySBznP0QvggoyVWqvDdm46UH/s3736/20240105_143851.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3736" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQcd_gh2bEc_1acncpDTQX5-0VNpwnBTd_bZkfoz13f9_JbRhRn1hiN941SFhGytRsJQIrntstecCBmXA4xAKQoNflnzIl-mQ4z7Tw8zKTnZ_NIOBq2KjmCkCMo5Dxp4o33wqv67oy68OFqXBqbmOfyYGcrRcOC7K9VVgySBznP0QvggoyVWqvDdm46UH/w640-h514/20240105_143851.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back at the car after a great but tiring walk, first hills in ages!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzz8B0eO_WV4zPU0KD5FbeiAsX6BFLHRDGAAwQvFLB3LzNcqdna5crGUONZHdRGJXaqHTeTXPecEz6iue-VIXfprRUCqvmDxARWEulJv_IhDP_WVRDnPwv1jUAMc-fiTTLjbEdfkFD_YHQI4_9gduKFQzgV368ka1994miTcoFgDOzY3Tb4yjCEpQMwoJX/s1903/Cissbury.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="1903" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzz8B0eO_WV4zPU0KD5FbeiAsX6BFLHRDGAAwQvFLB3LzNcqdna5crGUONZHdRGJXaqHTeTXPecEz6iue-VIXfprRUCqvmDxARWEulJv_IhDP_WVRDnPwv1jUAMc-fiTTLjbEdfkFD_YHQI4_9gduKFQzgV368ka1994miTcoFgDOzY3Tb4yjCEpQMwoJX/w640-h252/Cissbury.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-71071518782705993642023-12-10T18:59:00.141+00:002023-12-15T21:07:19.679+00:00TSE Meet:Roman London walk 10th December 2023<p style="text-align: center;">On Sunday the 10th December 2023 I made my way up to Tower Hill in London for a Team South East group walk. I haven't walked with these since June 2019 on the Pin Mill Walk. Was really good to see my old friends again.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I met David outside Tower Hill Station who is leading the walk, a trial run as he's training to be a Blue Badge London Guide. The rest of the group gradually arrived, ten of us in all, then we made our way over to the Roman wall by the station.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3cq9FJebLevIv73h7br8yNetF2xYspifDefXTVNkyLoW-K_PaHsHoLL1s__05oj-NL7PWxnC8_nflpqg0wSzlo7v7_JBoedEE7AFgN0mRxLAuiWZ1siTugGlfw-sxPhLr9Kh0mYUb6ojTqnZm2qWrWthSDIzVbz4d_tzteId3beJF8DMi5fpxLMRheLY/s4000/20231210_092221.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3cq9FJebLevIv73h7br8yNetF2xYspifDefXTVNkyLoW-K_PaHsHoLL1s__05oj-NL7PWxnC8_nflpqg0wSzlo7v7_JBoedEE7AFgN0mRxLAuiWZ1siTugGlfw-sxPhLr9Kh0mYUb6ojTqnZm2qWrWthSDIzVbz4d_tzteId3beJF8DMi5fpxLMRheLY/w640-h480/20231210_092221.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the most impressive sections of London's Roman City wall can be found just outside the entrance to Tower Hill Underground Station.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It stands 35 feet (10.6 metres) high, albeit only the first 14 feet (4.4 metres) is, in fact, Roman, the upper 21 feet (6.4 metres) consisting of medieval additions plonked on top of the Roman remains at various stages between the 12th and 17th centuries.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbmrRT8quyz-r1-yIgkHjMBoCUo9hDnQABa3QcOH17H6y5kZwOQsYgckDSqOZml973oG2v832mopljs1MwLhtK2b8Ccf2frkGMDLiZ7yzox2q6Gy76pG9NPkgyv90_srNho_R-HfXaZygJNnwBV_tBxryBbzAK3PAlBTjNl8IP9gKpRkrKEwx61zDNmj0/s3985/20231210_092239.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2089" data-original-width="3985" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbmrRT8quyz-r1-yIgkHjMBoCUo9hDnQABa3QcOH17H6y5kZwOQsYgckDSqOZml973oG2v832mopljs1MwLhtK2b8Ccf2frkGMDLiZ7yzox2q6Gy76pG9NPkgyv90_srNho_R-HfXaZygJNnwBV_tBxryBbzAK3PAlBTjNl8IP9gKpRkrKEwx61zDNmj0/w640-h336/20231210_092239.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; text-align: center;">It was the Roman's who founded what is now the City of London - albeit, they didn't actually call it London, preferring, instead, the more exotic sounding Londinium.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6MCJETr4KJUobmCR2Ixck8KDPVrStzGnu2y0fVB5yBPWDYJdXbahGA8sUqH9Z2Sqw5M7LeCjI3Km2uksfU5tdHTm_ACy_Xes4UGmewXmkglFlX7-KVCsi4JEEkHWz0fEi66hocLC1MpQXreqX8Px8JmZB6X4MbaQBpaxChqOsFT5ZxQ6w9KyNGYsvePA/s3675/20231210_092243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2404" data-original-width="3675" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6MCJETr4KJUobmCR2Ixck8KDPVrStzGnu2y0fVB5yBPWDYJdXbahGA8sUqH9Z2Sqw5M7LeCjI3Km2uksfU5tdHTm_ACy_Xes4UGmewXmkglFlX7-KVCsi4JEEkHWz0fEi66hocLC1MpQXreqX8Px8JmZB6X4MbaQBpaxChqOsFT5ZxQ6w9KyNGYsvePA/w640-h418/20231210_092243.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In around the year AD200, Londinium had become such an important city that they decided to surround it with a protective wall.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">To this end, they shipped more than one million blocks of ragstone, quarried near Maidstone, in Kent - amounting to some 1750 boatloads - up the Thames, and set about building a massive wall around their city.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This wall encircled Londinium for one square mile (almost 3 Kilometers), and for the next 2,000 years it shaped the layout of the City of London - and, to a large extent, it still does.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a truly impressive accomplishment, and was easily one of the largest building projects ever undertaken in Roman Britain.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoIOkkuhhSRdh6cMSRzzr-N3GkukF8ZKIZ-14LJGqPuTn9YeZDR3h25NRXHxwytLJVwb1pkPTqIZNAn1T2wB1yfBgkT6KYjXZCWAMdbQNHGeEQ1oY7bjfqcErsjpEIe8oWXOhnSQS5_sZ0HpfckgXMXeEtrE6bVwmoxTQVRO5HgV_iVDXSGU2mL6TygFD/s2949/20231210_092247.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2514" data-original-width="2949" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoIOkkuhhSRdh6cMSRzzr-N3GkukF8ZKIZ-14LJGqPuTn9YeZDR3h25NRXHxwytLJVwb1pkPTqIZNAn1T2wB1yfBgkT6KYjXZCWAMdbQNHGeEQ1oY7bjfqcErsjpEIe8oWXOhnSQS5_sZ0HpfckgXMXeEtrE6bVwmoxTQVRO5HgV_iVDXSGU2mL6TygFD/w640-h546/20231210_092247.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The finished article was 20 feet (96 metres) in height, around 8 feet (2.5 metres) thick, there were 22 towers spaced out at intervals around its circumference, and the outer wall had a ditch, or a fossa, in front of it that was almost 7 feet deep and 16 feet wide.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyone approaching the wall with evil intent would have simply taken one look at the mighty bulk looming menacingly before them and decided they're not getting over that and turned to run.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhnEbzgj2iXuH42fSgWLxtCWU-5aH7zu8Xm34OekSZXClfl55-XH0lOE_ahVXEmV_S1rXbNDylqvrzwpwvBi03O1f9E-AVZrVI7fDhLmzBOU8hut2wtjO3_DCfRSn0pWmBjNaFh4Yptmn1A5fvB2pWUStddN94208aiQVAc7g_YmMbyZkB0wO0-8Y6xyv/s3125/20231210_092256.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhnEbzgj2iXuH42fSgWLxtCWU-5aH7zu8Xm34OekSZXClfl55-XH0lOE_ahVXEmV_S1rXbNDylqvrzwpwvBi03O1f9E-AVZrVI7fDhLmzBOU8hut2wtjO3_DCfRSn0pWmBjNaFh4Yptmn1A5fvB2pWUStddN94208aiQVAc7g_YmMbyZkB0wO0-8Y6xyv/s3125/20231210_092256.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3125" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhnEbzgj2iXuH42fSgWLxtCWU-5aH7zu8Xm34OekSZXClfl55-XH0lOE_ahVXEmV_S1rXbNDylqvrzwpwvBi03O1f9E-AVZrVI7fDhLmzBOU8hut2wtjO3_DCfRSn0pWmBjNaFh4Yptmn1A5fvB2pWUStddN94208aiQVAc7g_YmMbyZkB0wO0-8Y6xyv/w614-h640/20231210_092256.jpg" width="614" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Roman's departed these shores in the year AD410 and, over the next 1600 years, the wall enjoyed mixed fortunes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">During the Saxon period it fell into decay. The Normans, recognising its strength and importance, rebuilt and heightened large sections of it, adding numerous gates to allow ingress and egress through its mighty bulk, and this pattern of heightening and repairing continued, unabated, between the 12th and 17th centuries, until, from the late 17th century onwards, London began to expand beyond the corset of the old wall, and a period of relative peace and tranquility meant that London no longer needed to be defended from nefarious sorts lurking without the City walls.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bit by bit, the wall began to disappear and, by the 19th century, very little of it remained; or, to be more precise, very little of it remained visible to the casual stroller going about their everyday business.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy134ctJejBsGYaDv-gE0V_wzR1Fk8AAuNlgVITZ45_A4hBmt2z026qhTmJ_G31gWmvOn431uBp2LdPapKIKHbFqxmboB2Cm3ghoWUjwy_NyUjRNI-I2Z0BXrWV6YIrruCtiS9nOeZstvaSK90muKNIE6HpEapnvAGxY1DA-tSAZ_7zc170RwXoVicS-IZ/s3610/20231210_092314.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2707" data-original-width="3610" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy134ctJejBsGYaDv-gE0V_wzR1Fk8AAuNlgVITZ45_A4hBmt2z026qhTmJ_G31gWmvOn431uBp2LdPapKIKHbFqxmboB2Cm3ghoWUjwy_NyUjRNI-I2Z0BXrWV6YIrruCtiS9nOeZstvaSK90muKNIE6HpEapnvAGxY1DA-tSAZ_7zc170RwXoVicS-IZ/w640-h480/20231210_092314.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you look at the wall you will notice several layers of red tiles spaced at intervals up the wall.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The highest one of these layers marks the surviving section of the Roman wall. All the stone above this layer is medieval.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, if you focus on the lower section of the wall, you can see the rough Kentish ragstone that was used on each outer face of the wall.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The core of the wall would have consisted of rubble and mortar, and I do recall reading somewhere that the rubble and mortar would have been mixed with olive oil and/or fats to afford some semblance of waterproofing and to prevent frost forming in the core during the cold winter months.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This inner core would then have been sandwiched between the blocks of ragstone, and the red tiles would have been laid across the completed sections at regular intervals to provide extra strength and stability, and to prevent the ingress of water into the core on those rare occasions when it would have rained in Londinium.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The section above the third layer of red tiles dates from the heightening and repairing of the wall that took place from the medieval period onwards, and this would have continued until, in the 18th century, there being no longer a need for a defensive wall around the City of London, the majority of the wall was either demolished or else incorporated into buildings that were erected around and next to it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyoPnW11epvr7x68Ou3RRzywTZnpGZVV8mxCURkpPivGvuspuzqQzMGEEwMV_uIDFMhB6bbgwGaUJ4XU8R_2-HF8yUHExdeyil0T1oTW-mqc6tWpv2HbUe_vvMzq-_KxgH_jVMw8gRmQWAKIcIfqfwq6Ph0iWLoukQ9geCNNkvuMxJf6gPxSV7uPr-u9tZ/s3831/20231210_092721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3831" data-original-width="2873" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyoPnW11epvr7x68Ou3RRzywTZnpGZVV8mxCURkpPivGvuspuzqQzMGEEwMV_uIDFMhB6bbgwGaUJ4XU8R_2-HF8yUHExdeyil0T1oTW-mqc6tWpv2HbUe_vvMzq-_KxgH_jVMw8gRmQWAKIcIfqfwq6Ph0iWLoukQ9geCNNkvuMxJf6gPxSV7uPr-u9tZ/w480-h640/20231210_092721.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the most prominent features of the garden, aside from the wall itself, is the rather splendid statue of Emperor Trajan (AD 98- 117).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The statue is of a more modern (ish) age, and was discovered in a Southampton scrapyard in the 1950's by The Reverend Philip Thomas Byard ("Tubby") Clayton (1885 - 1972), the former rector of the nearby church of All Hallows Barking.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Following his death, in 1972, in accordance with his wishes, the Tower Hill Improvement Trust placed the statue here in 1980.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trajan presided over the second-greatest military expansion in Roman history, after Augustus, leading the empire to attain its maximum territorial extent by the time of his death. He never himself visited Britain.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xvIxH90wnKhBGk-2lRCZSAEkSD0btGmiMmZIpeemfBGTWoAwNlmixlsH4ria9MZx6xYAQLk4COCwoghjj2BaBpbhg9YJstZWeaWwOJVj65197W3Fw8SHRZ8eowE6Q2cqYhWdt7ESxuE_LlniY-NJ1sMI1hSQ0Dv_lt3b1X00TlCTLhnkZhW_-28LRzeo/s4000/20231210_092850.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xvIxH90wnKhBGk-2lRCZSAEkSD0btGmiMmZIpeemfBGTWoAwNlmixlsH4ria9MZx6xYAQLk4COCwoghjj2BaBpbhg9YJstZWeaWwOJVj65197W3Fw8SHRZ8eowE6Q2cqYhWdt7ESxuE_LlniY-NJ1sMI1hSQ0Dv_lt3b1X00TlCTLhnkZhW_-28LRzeo/w640-h480/20231210_092850.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From Tower Hill I can see across to The Tower of London.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Tower of London is an internationally famous monument and one of England's most iconic structures. William the Conqueror built the White Tower in 1066 as a demonstration of Norman power, siting it strategically on the River Thames to act as both fortress and gateway to the capital.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75ohzyn8WnFWKs8EKOo_tfHKI3big7lwGK6bnTpPL5ScLzeLTCLPDjP0O0ru0-T6gA9RevHIghYpgiULh63bWtqG8kYmN0_V_AWLZoU2AiEnEbixWf2ZOmm5T5s2bdXp85Kwn0_awb7OuQ9C3c8VHTBhUVZnvhuXEcNPYAhmSDADmDWsadhJGc7RvuyTq/s4000/20231210_102826.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75ohzyn8WnFWKs8EKOo_tfHKI3big7lwGK6bnTpPL5ScLzeLTCLPDjP0O0ru0-T6gA9RevHIghYpgiULh63bWtqG8kYmN0_V_AWLZoU2AiEnEbixWf2ZOmm5T5s2bdXp85Kwn0_awb7OuQ9C3c8VHTBhUVZnvhuXEcNPYAhmSDADmDWsadhJGc7RvuyTq/w640-h480/20231210_102826.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our group walk on from the station passing Trinity House.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trinity House is the official authority for lighthouses in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trinity House is also a maritime charity, disbursing funds for the welfare of retired seamen, the training of young cadets and the promotion of safety at sea; for the financial year ending in March 2013 it spent approximately £6.5 million in furtherance of its charitable objectives.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Funding for the work of the lighthouse service comes from "light dues" levied on commercial vessels calling at ports in the British Isles, based on the net registered tonnage of the vessel. The rate is set by the Department for Transport, and annually reviewed. Funding for the maritime charity is generated separately.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCLzvAIjNsDChFQGh8BjZM724HCWnGJ460B5vNr-hppX4tEGwtwdajZ5DaBOq9IkES7DxBzDZBu1w5K0jXONtndxoModR54s_kI3OgEOPgDRstFDAWTWSgAeUSya_7QGuxoApqVU9V1z3WNWGfvcLzg5JftOpluDJBr_qspqs0beDzuIeaZ4WUZfg9ynp/s3727/20231210_103051.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3727" data-original-width="2795" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCLzvAIjNsDChFQGh8BjZM724HCWnGJ460B5vNr-hppX4tEGwtwdajZ5DaBOq9IkES7DxBzDZBu1w5K0jXONtndxoModR54s_kI3OgEOPgDRstFDAWTWSgAeUSya_7QGuxoApqVU9V1z3WNWGfvcLzg5JftOpluDJBr_qspqs0beDzuIeaZ4WUZfg9ynp/w480-h640/20231210_103051.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;">Just over the road on Trinity Square is Four Seasons Hotel. This was formerly the Headquarters of The Port of London Authority.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Steps from the River Thames, the gentle hillside where Ten Trinity Square now stands was first populated more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, who formed the settlement of Londinium. This was the centre of the city, around which the great capital has grown.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Recognising the significance of this point on the river, William the Conqueror built the Tower of London nearby after his invasion of England in 1066. Today there is a sign in the lobby marking the distance of an arrow’s flight – the boundary where people had to stop or risk being shot by archers on the Tower.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">During the Middle Ages, this became one of London’s most important neighbourhoods. As a royal residence, the Tower attracted the nobility and gentry to the surrounding area. With the city’s ongoing growth, this riverside location became the province of medieval merchants who set up their guilds to look after the interests of tradesmen and their families.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1666, much of the city was destroyed by the Great Fire of London, which started just west of the Ten Trinity Square site. The fire was witnessed by Samuel Pepys, the great diarist, who worked in the Navy Office adjoining the property and lived in the adjacent street, now Pepys Street. It is said that he rushed outside to bury his highly prized Parmesan cheese to protect it from the approaching fire, while Sir William Penn (later the founder of Pennsylvania) buried a bottle of wine. The location was the site now occupied by Seething Lane Gardens.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After the fire, London was rebuilt and the port extended downstream to the east. By the 19th century, London had become the beating heart of world trade, as ships offloaded their cargo. The docklands grew into a major source of wealth and power. Tea and pottery arrived from China, silks from Arabia, and coffee and spices from the East Indies.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The docks were being run by private enterprises, leading to many conflicting interests. In 1908, full control of the River Thames and docking management was given to the Port of London Authority, created by Prime Minister David Lloyd George.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The headquarters of the Port of London Authority was opened in 1922 at Ten Trinity Square. Designed by renowned architect Sir Edwin Cooper – who won the project through a design competition – the building was constructed at a then-astronomical cost of EUR 1 million.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Built in the Beaux-Arts style, which was fashionable for civic buildings in the Edwardian era, the quality of Ten Trinity Square represented the status of the organization. Its majestic façade hints at trade links going back to Roman times, while the original central rotunda was topped by a magnificent glass dome, created to emulate that of nearby St. Paul’s Cathedral. Rising atop the building at the front entrance, a sculpture of Old Father Thames stands proudly, holding his trident and pointing east, paying homage to the trade between nations.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the peak days of the Port of London Authority, more than 1,200 people each day came to the rotunda to pay port dues for all the boats that were arriving in London. Such was the importance of the building that, in 1946, the General Assembly of the United Nations held its inaugural reception here, in what is now known as the UN Ballroom.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A key feature of the building is its view of the lush greenery of Trinity Square Garden, laid out in 1795 as the setting for Trinity House. Ringed with pieces of the wall from the ancient Roman settlement, the garden was preserved as open space under a Special Act of Parliament in 1797. This unique sunken garden now features the Tower Hill War Memorial, including the WWI Mercantile Marine Memorial and the WWII Merchant Seamen’s Memorial.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">During the Blitz in World War II, Ten Trinity Square was badly damaged by enemy bombing and the domed rotunda was destroyed. In the 1970s, after the Port of London Authority moved to its current location in Tilbury, the building was renovated and the central courtyard was filled in with office space. The building was then occupied by the European headquarters of the insurance broker Willis Faber Limited and continued to serve as offices until 2008. When Willis Faber moved on to a new location, the building lay vacant for several years.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCHnzTZuyHSArbhcKuqWXxz-hpdNZstDsjBocaFwGxYKQzKkew2aTai6BWLSPhB3KkLGEM4fdJ-kFnhTSLTmwxc6IUSCtnusMQspFFELh-GNSL7X9ug1Pqvmnu1_T5gjCaM4JLa0W2_EK5wvDGj7cVa1flYuIofikY8Nzbs3AqPddlZdi_qITBSdlRvHB/s3821/20231210_103145.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2866" data-original-width="3821" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCHnzTZuyHSArbhcKuqWXxz-hpdNZstDsjBocaFwGxYKQzKkew2aTai6BWLSPhB3KkLGEM4fdJ-kFnhTSLTmwxc6IUSCtnusMQspFFELh-GNSL7X9ug1Pqvmnu1_T5gjCaM4JLa0W2_EK5wvDGj7cVa1flYuIofikY8Nzbs3AqPddlZdi_qITBSdlRvHB/w640-h480/20231210_103145.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCHnzTZuyHSArbhcKuqWXxz-hpdNZstDsjBocaFwGxYKQzKkew2aTai6BWLSPhB3KkLGEM4fdJ-kFnhTSLTmwxc6IUSCtnusMQspFFELh-GNSL7X9ug1Pqvmnu1_T5gjCaM4JLa0W2_EK5wvDGj7cVa1flYuIofikY8Nzbs3AqPddlZdi_qITBSdlRvHB/s3821/20231210_103145.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">Walking around the square a little further we come across the site of the Tower Hill Scaffold Site.</div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUEogQe8zBxq8UVseNfMf-1gz-QeqHMPtRvAhFWe2RgaDegDrXpgYckQZzl61XkDR59I3ng3HC64uVw8PcSv9DN80cAwx5-yddA1Pt8DKqg4-ORLAI0A2JwdUevKPU74bcPcGZCx7P8e3BcWlgukT-nWk3dfU6Fgka6LBMqz0I03IfIxvBmzd2cTxBPVh/s4000/20231210_103153.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUEogQe8zBxq8UVseNfMf-1gz-QeqHMPtRvAhFWe2RgaDegDrXpgYckQZzl61XkDR59I3ng3HC64uVw8PcSv9DN80cAwx5-yddA1Pt8DKqg4-ORLAI0A2JwdUevKPU74bcPcGZCx7P8e3BcWlgukT-nWk3dfU6Fgka6LBMqz0I03IfIxvBmzd2cTxBPVh/w640-h480/20231210_103153.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Visitors to the Tower of London can vary from several hundred to well into the thousands. Many come seeking to get a glimpse of the Crown Jewels or perhaps they desire to witness the location of where executions took place first-hand. What the latter may not be aware of, is the vast majority of public executions took place outside the walls of the tower, just a few yards away, on a grassy knoll near Tower Hill Underground Station.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Less than two dozen individuals met their maker at the end of the executioner’s axe on Tower Green. These included the two wives of King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and Catherine Howard, as well as Lady Jane Grey, who was Queen of England for only nine days. As compared to the estimated 125 mortals who lost their lives across the road on Tower Hill. The disparity in numbers is because executions at the Tower of London were reserved for individuals of high rank or who possessed popular support.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfkseH6hbxo2X79JA8t96dBZYnbus5uwT4IT0umarHYOFpEYs65H-kolXJ-F76IoL5c3iQSOsCBx04PDt2SSKS5q12HIM6kLKq_OV-dDD9sfTcd7-IeJrxhy1Xtk0DlX0_d627vB9ATGXtEHlzS2qCXCdlaFVUKs4PdYPW8NyJsXKZt3JChEcLvWhr-ob/s3897/20231210_103225.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1951" data-original-width="3897" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfkseH6hbxo2X79JA8t96dBZYnbus5uwT4IT0umarHYOFpEYs65H-kolXJ-F76IoL5c3iQSOsCBx04PDt2SSKS5q12HIM6kLKq_OV-dDD9sfTcd7-IeJrxhy1Xtk0DlX0_d627vB9ATGXtEHlzS2qCXCdlaFVUKs4PdYPW8NyJsXKZt3JChEcLvWhr-ob/w640-h320/20231210_103225.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the western edge of a green space known as Trinity Square Gardens, a scaffold was erected from the 15th century to dispatch of individuals who held an air of status and were found guilty of high treason or other offenses against the crown. It operated for nearly four hundred years, with the last public execution taking place in 1747, that of Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat, a supporter of the Stuart family’s right to the throne.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today, visitors can find a small cordoned-off area, just to the left of the Grade I-listed Merchant Navy Memorial, First World War Section. Here, you’ll find a list of names, beginning in 1381 and ending in the mid-1700s. These include participants in the following rebellions: Peasants’ Revolt, War of the Roses, English Reformation, as well as the Jacobite Uprising. Thousands of eager onlookers would gather to witness these public displays of execution.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb57v5wQqyrUNyCMhX8fvMGYx8MqrlslGZ5Az3NAvlEcltURpMV3U1zYc-_eyhthI-IltaFfl-pQYM4BJSPVw_nxlIDcQx8N1L6tIxsBOWTeddTYef8Unw5Lu9lMdkTLXEGOSuec9G7IEJpUPukKJtqZv-cSQzAH1mVXFM7U31iWADU6o56kjARatOYuDI/s3880/20231210_103424.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2910" data-original-width="3880" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb57v5wQqyrUNyCMhX8fvMGYx8MqrlslGZ5Az3NAvlEcltURpMV3U1zYc-_eyhthI-IltaFfl-pQYM4BJSPVw_nxlIDcQx8N1L6tIxsBOWTeddTYef8Unw5Lu9lMdkTLXEGOSuec9G7IEJpUPukKJtqZv-cSQzAH1mVXFM7U31iWADU6o56kjARatOYuDI/w640-h480/20231210_103424.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is also the Merchant Navy WWI memorial and in front of that a memorial to WWII.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0OOq903RDcT2Wc3UiZlgAqMlOytyPybnfb5FPO_NjqadVCqP_zNC-fyWXk1m_KOFgTBkuGJyux3L-1xAdTbtVP4iHxNphoiWELiAPURNZnKt8mfw1UXIm7PSkhgpfTHMYiE6s7Eq0sIgJbhqMy_NtrpbrZcOLCSBMsH5xRRQAg9M_GarKSixRE2-LfNs/s3571/20231210_103738.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2907" data-original-width="3571" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0OOq903RDcT2Wc3UiZlgAqMlOytyPybnfb5FPO_NjqadVCqP_zNC-fyWXk1m_KOFgTBkuGJyux3L-1xAdTbtVP4iHxNphoiWELiAPURNZnKt8mfw1UXIm7PSkhgpfTHMYiE6s7Eq0sIgJbhqMy_NtrpbrZcOLCSBMsH5xRRQAg9M_GarKSixRE2-LfNs/w640-h520/20231210_103738.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We cross Tower Hill and over to All Hallows by the Tower. <br /><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">It is "the oldest church in the City of London" and was founded in AD 675, although recent research has questioned these claims. The church survived the Great Fire of London in 1666, but was badly damaged during the Blitz in World War II. Following extensive reconstruction, it was rededicated in 1957. From 1922 until 1962 the vicar was Tubby Clayton, and the church is still the guild church of Toc H, the international Christian organisation that he founded.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJbuYbB1wWJYdWnA5qXCP3sBQrC9vau7wslI7wGwGcLcvUka2BuSC5tnE82ExtM-O_x-AbeGkpm0-o-D5086yfjqzVq49sjKk0Q-L7BQM5_C4a7LuJ4lGcWrC2mHQW257YTstSgPlnAIXgDokdCGRYAbPOye5LwDU46dcpk3stnG6BIBftUKsNIDINpLe/s4000/20231210_103950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJbuYbB1wWJYdWnA5qXCP3sBQrC9vau7wslI7wGwGcLcvUka2BuSC5tnE82ExtM-O_x-AbeGkpm0-o-D5086yfjqzVq49sjKk0Q-L7BQM5_C4a7LuJ4lGcWrC2mHQW257YTstSgPlnAIXgDokdCGRYAbPOye5LwDU46dcpk3stnG6BIBftUKsNIDINpLe/w480-h640/20231210_103950.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The origin and early history of All Hallows-by-the-Tower church are obscure. At the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 the church belonged to Barking Abbey, a wealthy Benedictine nunnery in Barking, Essex, originally established in the 7th century. The association with Barking was a long one, and All Hallows church was already known as "Berkyncherche" in the 12th century. According to Domesday Book in 1086, Barking Abbey possessed "28 houses and half a church" in London: although the church is not named, it is usually identified with All Hallows.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The original Anglo-Saxon abbey of Barking was founded by Earconwald or Erkenwald, along with Chertsey Abbey, before he became Bishop of London in 675, and it has been claimed that the land on which All Hallows stands was granted to the abbey, under Abbess Æthelburh (Ethelburga), Erkenwald's sister, at that time. A charter dated to 687, listing properties belonging to Barking Abbey, includes two pieces of land in or near London. One of these was simply described as "iuxta Lundoniam", near/next to London, the other as "supra vicum Lundoniae", that is, in "Lundenwic", the Anglo-Saxon town that had grown up in the area of the Strand, a mile to the west of the old Roman city of Londinium; neither of these, though, accurately describes the location of All Hallows church, inside the wall of the Roman city on the eastern side.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1940, during World War II, the clearance after destruction caused by bombing revealed an archway built of reused Roman tiles and stonework, set in a surviving wall of the medieval church. The reuse of Roman building materials, and comparison with arches in the early Anglo-Saxon church at Brixworth, Northamptonshire, suggested that the All Hallows arch was very early in date, and that an original church could have been built as early as the 7th century. This seemed to confirm the belief that the church had been founded as a daughter church of Barking Abbey at about the same time as the abbey itself was established, although it is doubtful that the first construction on the site would have been in stone. It is more likely that the stone church, of which the arch is a remnant, superseded an earlier wooden building. Recent research, and archaeological evidence that Roman tiles and stone were being used in the construction of other London churches as late as the 11th century, suggest that the arch could have been constructed at any time between the 7th century and the arrival of the Normans. Fragments of three 11th-century stone crosses also found during archeological work in the 1930s and clearance works after the bombing, now displayed in the crypt, also date from this first church.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church was expanded and rebuilt several times between the 11th and 15th centuries, with various elements of the Norman, 13th-century and 15th-century constructions still visible today.Its proximity to the Tower of London meant that it acquired royal connections, with Edward IV making one of its chapels a royal chantry and the beheaded victims of Tower executions being sent for temporary burial at All Hallows, Sir Thomas More being one of the most eminent of these.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church was badly damaged by an explosion in 1650 caused when some barrels of gunpowder being stored in a warehouse adjacent to the church exploded; its west tower and some 50 nearby houses were destroyed, and there were many fatalities. The tower was rebuilt in 1658. It only narrowly survived the Great Fire of London in 1666 and owes its survival to Admiral William Penn, father of William Penn of Pennsylvania fame, who had his men from a nearby naval yard blow up the surrounding buildings to create firebreaks. During the Great Fire, Samuel Pepys climbed the church's tower to watch the progress of the blaze and what he described as "the saddest sight of desolation".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Restored once more in the late 19th century, All Hallows was gutted by German bombers during the Blitz in World War II and required extensive reconstruction, and was rededicated in 1957.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Many portions of the old church survived the War and have been sympathetically restored. Its outer walls are 15th-century, with the Anglo-Saxon arch doorway surviving from the original church. Many brasses remain in the interior. (The brass rubbing centre which used to be located at All Hallows is now closed). Three outstanding wooden statues of saints dating from the 15th and 16th centuries can also be found in the church, as too an exquisite Baptismal font cover which was carved in 1682 by Grinling Gibbons for £12, and which is regarded as one of the finest pieces of carving in London. The main-altar's reredos mural is a post-war work by Brian Thomas.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1999 the AOC Archaeology Group excavated the cemetery and made many significant discoveries.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church has a museum in its crypt, containing portions of a Roman pavement which together with many artefacts was discovered many feet below the church in 1926/27. The exhibits focus on the history of the church and the City of London, and include Anglo-Saxon and religious artefacts as well as the 17th-century church plate. Also on display are the church's registers dating back to the 16th century, and notable entries include the baptism of William Penn, the marriage of John Quincy Adams, and the burial Archbishop William Laud. Laud remained buried in a vault in the chapel for over 20 years; his body was moved during the Restoration to St John's College, Oxford. The crypt also houses the church's chapels dedicated to St Francis (14th century) and St Clare (early 17th century) as well as the columbarium, created in 1933.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The altar in the crypt is of plain stone from the castle of Richard I at Athlit in The Holy Land.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPrDm_4yl_Y30l8qKJ6F93maaH1AJOh2TXxkYYsbG816Uqw0Iycw-PwQ3SzOF0z_z1ZaN1chmk4dtZvINHG03fKM-jpRPTx5BRdgpCPZLJcG-EG6UNONkVhxyywXI8rX6p29QsDGgYR4zS-YYiJ1kCvyyobT_gcogRPaaFt_bV3ZiUSvBTWDEBbEGPN7C/s3776/20231210_104044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="3776" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPrDm_4yl_Y30l8qKJ6F93maaH1AJOh2TXxkYYsbG816Uqw0Iycw-PwQ3SzOF0z_z1ZaN1chmk4dtZvINHG03fKM-jpRPTx5BRdgpCPZLJcG-EG6UNONkVhxyywXI8rX6p29QsDGgYR4zS-YYiJ1kCvyyobT_gcogRPaaFt_bV3ZiUSvBTWDEBbEGPN7C/w640-h480/20231210_104044.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As it was Sunday a service was about to start and we weren't able to visit the museum in the Crypt. Another time maybe!</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPMurUDWzPYLrs0A0Px-NmSXdrE22RYzaBkI4nMlxMyF3kSuikvoB3gcPk5xnBxRO4Kx-dxOZrjZNWTzTu0oVh9GYTpuBgu2USTyVz9W2lRcoE4Lv7qMwEEeY2ORxaCPS16gAH5tKuW_ufOXeh11u3ZC1YrQYLsOTc1TXALue7dtYIY1vjot0pkTZzWQp/s4000/20231210_104104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPMurUDWzPYLrs0A0Px-NmSXdrE22RYzaBkI4nMlxMyF3kSuikvoB3gcPk5xnBxRO4Kx-dxOZrjZNWTzTu0oVh9GYTpuBgu2USTyVz9W2lRcoE4Lv7qMwEEeY2ORxaCPS16gAH5tKuW_ufOXeh11u3ZC1YrQYLsOTc1TXALue7dtYIY1vjot0pkTZzWQp/w480-h640/20231210_104104.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave All Hallows and walk up Lower Thames Street and cross the road into Cross Lane and arrive at St Dunstan in The East Garden.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtqUm8OFTpiKx3VPG-4jsQidtmY4lx9Nf8ogWfZfBdH-IOyOH4_1Pm-K3J9poKY0HBNovcqKpO-Y0i5axuC7t5S5JLC8sa2rl5Rg0KhGql72gOd-bHqOV1o6y4usXqCaeZH-7_HKMFyo4GYYCxM8LRkUrEVDpMbGDwXoK-2J5k1p9DJRYpCzY7gUOKS3w/s4000/20231210_104917.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtqUm8OFTpiKx3VPG-4jsQidtmY4lx9Nf8ogWfZfBdH-IOyOH4_1Pm-K3J9poKY0HBNovcqKpO-Y0i5axuC7t5S5JLC8sa2rl5Rg0KhGql72gOd-bHqOV1o6y4usXqCaeZH-7_HKMFyo4GYYCxM8LRkUrEVDpMbGDwXoK-2J5k1p9DJRYpCzY7gUOKS3w/w480-h640/20231210_104917.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church was originally built in about 1100. A new south aisle was added in 1391 and the church was repaired in 1631 at a cost of more than £2,400.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was severely damaged in the Great Fire of London in 1666. Rather than being completely rebuilt, the damaged church was patched up between 1668 and 1671. A steeple was added in 1695–1701 to the designs of Sir Christopher Wren. It was built in a gothic style sympathetic to main body of the church, though with heavy string courses of a kind not used in the Middle Ages. It has a needle spire carried on four flying buttresses in the manner of that of St Nicholas in Newcastle.The restored church had wooden carvings by Grinling Gibbons and an organ by Father Smith, which was transferred to the abbey at St Albans in 1818.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGm5W9FhME52XPPIrZuhNY3fj8hKoNPjGYuie9H07eRnA0ZVWVlNbn4bIgooTjqQCeh_DF9djXpQbxEgaJwIqH_CCI6egRv0he7AaXACasuw1BlH-5FYkAJnbPCO82APLpCzNgmQcFZyNf0inQbtFYxuYjRm2vPrAeUe8rQDEGelhBVKfIiDYGQtfZ__56/s3739/20231210_105116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3739" data-original-width="2804" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGm5W9FhME52XPPIrZuhNY3fj8hKoNPjGYuie9H07eRnA0ZVWVlNbn4bIgooTjqQCeh_DF9djXpQbxEgaJwIqH_CCI6egRv0he7AaXACasuw1BlH-5FYkAJnbPCO82APLpCzNgmQcFZyNf0inQbtFYxuYjRm2vPrAeUe8rQDEGelhBVKfIiDYGQtfZ__56/w480-h640/20231210_105116.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1817 it was found that the weight of the nave roof had thrust the walls seven inches out of the perpendicular. It was decided to rebuild the church from the level of the arches, but the state of the structure proved so bad that the whole building was taken down. It was rebuilt to a design in the perpendicular style by David Laing (then architect to the Board of Customs) with assistance from William Tite. The foundation stone was laid in November 1817 and the church re-opened for worship in January 1821. Built of Portland stone, with a plaster lierne nave vault, it was 115 feet long and 65 feet wide and could accommodate between six and seven hundred people. The cost of the work was £36,000. Wren's tower was retained in the new building.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church was severely damaged in the Blitz of 1941. Wren's tower and steeple survived the bombs' impact. Of the rest of the church only the north and south walls remained. In the re-organisation of the Anglican Church in London following the War it was decided not to rebuild St Dunstan's, and in 1967 the City of London Corporation decided to turn the ruins of the church into a public garden, which opened in 1971. A lawn and trees were planted in the ruins, with a low fountain in the middle of the nave. The tower now houses the All Hallows House Foundation.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The parish is now combined with the Benefice of All Hallows by the Tower and occasional open-air services are held in the church, such as on Palm Sunday prior to a procession to All Hallows by the Tower along St Dunstan's Hill and Great Tower Street. The ruin was designated a Grade I listed building on 4 January 1950.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27V-8QkmI8afU2P-M43sfMwWY_ss38uOuczYUXnGNCp8vnpymcLQgxIT7elFgI73Sed_Q4anw4USvhGWh-oOkESeQtZL0mP74dLqINtD_DB-JCqabRAHt49y8IM-WtcF03zfoN287EwJEdQPsB0-Csk0ReNY5rQ0qiGZk8wYjBC-7geD-QQWElK3eLW8X/s4000/20231210_105122.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27V-8QkmI8afU2P-M43sfMwWY_ss38uOuczYUXnGNCp8vnpymcLQgxIT7elFgI73Sed_Q4anw4USvhGWh-oOkESeQtZL0mP74dLqINtD_DB-JCqabRAHt49y8IM-WtcF03zfoN287EwJEdQPsB0-Csk0ReNY5rQ0qiGZk8wYjBC-7geD-QQWElK3eLW8X/w640-h480/20231210_105122.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83ar9M9S2Zz4SCW-K12wKm-3Jx4Z3wj7DxxQ8z9IyFzTNT2bdOOst3rkp6qLLON6SwOs_8GXa9TVAfq4KNObTTQEkJlrM93dMGWoP9IdsGtr75VUAW9BeBYDJJbuqDNwBOhHb1Wd3UgrliNerQYC6mmB2o2qit8ptWFe_1q_D_mml6r0E2j1E1VvPLmTa/s4000/20231210_105351.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83ar9M9S2Zz4SCW-K12wKm-3Jx4Z3wj7DxxQ8z9IyFzTNT2bdOOst3rkp6qLLON6SwOs_8GXa9TVAfq4KNObTTQEkJlrM93dMGWoP9IdsGtr75VUAW9BeBYDJJbuqDNwBOhHb1Wd3UgrliNerQYC6mmB2o2qit8ptWFe_1q_D_mml6r0E2j1E1VvPLmTa/w640-h480/20231210_105351.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfrRP33x41jsvPfLO0Znc8EeAhnA13ptywGaD4GTc7j-uEno9C_XdvuvodLnpesTon0dQDYig8PnXF2eKN5-JAXf3DOxoCpPX_doDFX8YI10D_mIpkO89ktV0XJoYr6O-mkzTpwBFl1Fhb9xH-j8-rNaR9gjZiv_neIGszivL5MIQlx2ENsUrprtXh6NX/s4000/20231210_105401.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfrRP33x41jsvPfLO0Znc8EeAhnA13ptywGaD4GTc7j-uEno9C_XdvuvodLnpesTon0dQDYig8PnXF2eKN5-JAXf3DOxoCpPX_doDFX8YI10D_mIpkO89ktV0XJoYr6O-mkzTpwBFl1Fhb9xH-j8-rNaR9gjZiv_neIGszivL5MIQlx2ENsUrprtXh6NX/w480-h640/20231210_105401.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Moving on we leave the peace and quiet of the garden and walk on down St Dunstans Lane and turn left into St Mary at Hill.</div></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOgF0A5iKXr3q-KCrQ7g5SpN1tqigQ6-4_XjCyzp32de9TaNWlBgTR4DLbbLlgx0LbmhOOGcu6MReaseeMhdz_f8chRnJmWyinEc3WEPrEij-w6yuWL41AwbCrFpKsf8QeWdNAPhii6AforDlXSEL2rd7qbiL4L4hVk4FKGLmpmiFusZtlJNdAKeOmtlZ/s4000/20231210_105623.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOgF0A5iKXr3q-KCrQ7g5SpN1tqigQ6-4_XjCyzp32de9TaNWlBgTR4DLbbLlgx0LbmhOOGcu6MReaseeMhdz_f8chRnJmWyinEc3WEPrEij-w6yuWL41AwbCrFpKsf8QeWdNAPhii6AforDlXSEL2rd7qbiL4L4hVk4FKGLmpmiFusZtlJNdAKeOmtlZ/w480-h640/20231210_105623.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View back to the Walkie Talkie building and its Sky Gardens up top that we visited on a walk we had done previously.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yn9UwpVSu_ODzqRqfQMalzikeuy9AbzOkB868UgeBsgYjUVfyxgLQUXNzdeo-7QErVEW9XQrnQtdGtIJ4EhOIfeo3nG6XVhTiAwGUuIMpWjFWY39I-tTUPMbSWxD-H6acVuDipkep2qtZp0lxEdKp2HySs7z0jXSWkQOvgfu-mCDeHnjFnOHzjZhF6zV/s4000/20231210_105800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yn9UwpVSu_ODzqRqfQMalzikeuy9AbzOkB868UgeBsgYjUVfyxgLQUXNzdeo-7QErVEW9XQrnQtdGtIJ4EhOIfeo3nG6XVhTiAwGUuIMpWjFWY39I-tTUPMbSWxD-H6acVuDipkep2qtZp0lxEdKp2HySs7z0jXSWkQOvgfu-mCDeHnjFnOHzjZhF6zV/w480-h640/20231210_105800.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the end of the road is a building that used to be the Coal Exchange from 1769 to 1963.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUh1uF0MoCmqOFx_FkoqVwWk49yKLRXVgq1ztMhUpUReZZyti84bR6oGKv8klLaBco3TmA_TxUtDH1OBf2wuQ-yNcDq0kRSUEu1Ib8y7l5M8Q8PtvyuPFtejpL8-6wC0cIuNkMyFVm3JCMcJnDNYfSAZjBDrWXf98bM9ANVP42mc_45rjSalkItixd3jG/s3522/20231210_105810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3522" data-original-width="2516" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUh1uF0MoCmqOFx_FkoqVwWk49yKLRXVgq1ztMhUpUReZZyti84bR6oGKv8klLaBco3TmA_TxUtDH1OBf2wuQ-yNcDq0kRSUEu1Ib8y7l5M8Q8PtvyuPFtejpL8-6wC0cIuNkMyFVm3JCMcJnDNYfSAZjBDrWXf98bM9ANVP42mc_45rjSalkItixd3jG/w458-h640/20231210_105810.jpg" width="458" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Across the road from here is what was the original Billingsgates Fish Market.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Old Billingsgate Market is the name given to what is now a hospitality and events venue in the City of London, based in the Victorian building that was originally Billingsgate Fish Market, the world's largest fish market in the 19th century.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The first Billingsgate Market building was constructed on Lower Thames Street in 1850 by the builder John Jay, and the fish market was moved off the streets into its new riverside building. This was demolished in around 1873 and replaced by an arcaded market hall designed by City architect Horace Jones and built by John Mowlem & Co. in 1875, the building that still stands on the site today.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1982, the fish market itself was relocated to a new site on the Isle of Dogs in east London. The 1875 building was then refurbished by architect Richard Rogers, originally to provide office accommodation.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now used as an events venue, it remains a major London landmark and a notable Grade II listed building.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgN_kEzSQou8D1CwUSBULSIhRQeJt0AMi6aTylgXylIgI0LIgNOrSemSDIbkCfdkr_e2R69FnCzlN01MXs2cA6P6fhxIoRTZIMflo9SKeuaYi_E33p0InMngqfwxN31D_IKr6T3IX7nB3bcRvX3So1F6Z7xPh7d0SmwmPdXJ5ZvGXyLfT_Fd8sMBUCmLmw/s4000/20231210_105851.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgN_kEzSQou8D1CwUSBULSIhRQeJt0AMi6aTylgXylIgI0LIgNOrSemSDIbkCfdkr_e2R69FnCzlN01MXs2cA6P6fhxIoRTZIMflo9SKeuaYi_E33p0InMngqfwxN31D_IKr6T3IX7nB3bcRvX3So1F6Z7xPh7d0SmwmPdXJ5ZvGXyLfT_Fd8sMBUCmLmw/w640-h480/20231210_105851.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Billingsgate Market</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TypzkhXU54zW11sa9ItH0I23FQjnU98yRC_i9TsGOEHdclt95PbO5ZEl-dbgR3_XzrL2vrRRNGlM3_xKQrgjwZDTA8KmACc8X-E_vUn1FIDdupzZk7P4lHeA_hHa53Ca9hxiWVUQZJKov-NgF_mEzX6Pdq6PFMATQGh-0Yh9UD-ymFWOWSHk-j_uDXsN/s3787/20231210_110033.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3787" data-original-width="2840" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TypzkhXU54zW11sa9ItH0I23FQjnU98yRC_i9TsGOEHdclt95PbO5ZEl-dbgR3_XzrL2vrRRNGlM3_xKQrgjwZDTA8KmACc8X-E_vUn1FIDdupzZk7P4lHeA_hHa53Ca9hxiWVUQZJKov-NgF_mEzX6Pdq6PFMATQGh-0Yh9UD-ymFWOWSHk-j_uDXsN/w480-h640/20231210_110033.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on up Monument Street and in front of us is the Monument to the Great Fire of London, which started on 2nd September 1666.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The splendid free-standing column was designed by Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke to commemorate the blaze. It became one of London's earliest tourist attractions, and still opens its door to any visitors willing to climb the 345 steps to the viewing gallery.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">At 62 metres (202 feet) the Monument was briefly London's tallest structure (if the burned out shell of Old St Paul's is excluded). The height is deliberate. If laid down flat, the column would reach precisely to the place where the Great Fire started.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbkljBbbf7W2yiDL1EzhbTY4m2vRL2CzpkmIeWyvKKXaTNH31w3667U3pK-YB3Q-ohC4eYAqsGFmyrT7MxxsWnPmNIF9ELpFIIQYdE6JbS9U1LlhpbmjjyowutKfwjThXw8kKVJ2vvSzOjTY9IcSqLFnA29hkR4GLfYylfzv4PapGaGVF3W5XaHDm4BYx/s4000/20231210_110153.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbkljBbbf7W2yiDL1EzhbTY4m2vRL2CzpkmIeWyvKKXaTNH31w3667U3pK-YB3Q-ohC4eYAqsGFmyrT7MxxsWnPmNIF9ELpFIIQYdE6JbS9U1LlhpbmjjyowutKfwjThXw8kKVJ2vvSzOjTY9IcSqLFnA29hkR4GLfYylfzv4PapGaGVF3W5XaHDm4BYx/w480-h640/20231210_110153.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The plaque in Pudding Lane says only that it's "near" the spot. Taking measurements from the Monument and using old maps, historians now think that Farriner's oven was just around the corner on what is now Monument Street. Look carefully in the roadway and you'll find this newer plaque, which corresponds more closely to the deduced location.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8ejq4fAz0hU-HseJG1CTDQHTJSRa3L06BX8g8TyIWWXejkd9c3yuSeXFv3RFZfg6B8AdYai5i4k1Zb6wm02ViZjUM-jQezq-IIu6IwSoamMBw8Tn2gS4PXd5vx16Avgh_hsaEeDh0V6YjaODTR3oRkNOupsFYxALZxYpy2XQN41hwiFKkszjmR4GiDYu/s1842/20231210_110213.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1588" data-original-width="1842" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8ejq4fAz0hU-HseJG1CTDQHTJSRa3L06BX8g8TyIWWXejkd9c3yuSeXFv3RFZfg6B8AdYai5i4k1Zb6wm02ViZjUM-jQezq-IIu6IwSoamMBw8Tn2gS4PXd5vx16Avgh_hsaEeDh0V6YjaODTR3oRkNOupsFYxALZxYpy2XQN41hwiFKkszjmR4GiDYu/w640-h552/20231210_110213.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back down to Lower Thames Street and cross to visit the Church of Saint Manus-the-Martyr.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKYIWFE-ATJrIxbFvYSyH1SdJZnsEhYP0llNhGz8vPxgJwCkd5u5UoLdpOws8CGupg6n8gCeJtqsF5qLu_SQIrh1pN-YM7vDGtrrMn768-d-vL5fjLYuBhe0Ie-Fei8BE_ikrUwFUl8tW_QUAiDIFErVbpUvocK4mksrsSBsTFKLHJc4VH0WFEqMu1K2i/s4000/20231210_110814.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKYIWFE-ATJrIxbFvYSyH1SdJZnsEhYP0llNhGz8vPxgJwCkd5u5UoLdpOws8CGupg6n8gCeJtqsF5qLu_SQIrh1pN-YM7vDGtrrMn768-d-vL5fjLYuBhe0Ie-Fei8BE_ikrUwFUl8tW_QUAiDIFErVbpUvocK4mksrsSBsTFKLHJc4VH0WFEqMu1K2i/w480-h640/20231210_110814.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">St Magnus lies on the original alignment of London Bridge between the City and Southwark. The ancient parish was united with that of St Margaret, New Fish Street, in 1670 and with that of St Michael, Crooked Lane, in 1831. The three united parishes retained separate vestries and churchwardens. Parish clerks continue to be appointed for each of the three parishes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">St Magnus is the guild church of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers and the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, and the ward church of the Ward of Bridge and Bridge Without. It is also twinned with the Church of the Resurrection in New York City.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Its prominent location and beauty have prompted many mentions in literature. In Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens notes how, as Nancy heads for her secret meeting with Mr Brownlow and Rose Maylie on London Bridge, "the tower of old Saint Saviour's Church, and the spire of Saint Magnus, so long the giant-warders of the ancient bridge, were visible in the gloom". The church's spiritual and architectural importance is celebrated in the poem The Waste Land by T. S. Eliot, who wrote, "the walls of Magnus Martyr hold/Inexplicable splendour of Ionian white and gold". He added in a footnote that "the interior of St. Magnus Martyr is to my mind one of the finest among Wren's interiors". One biographer of Eliot notes that at first he enjoyed St Magnus aesthetically for its "splendour"; later he appreciated its "utility" when he came there as a sinner.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJM3F79GL1SbiUFnHopY7bVEB6fjhpbh4_ioB31n5IhxqZXqjelS22eOVsz6LlzOdDPtIgP1N6XplCABMbWodW-SmgEgDCs3fll2dIJ3YEv6W4hhp68pbH8T-Ws7O9uBku1DNv6S58Y0yshP_XokR6fVfBixscl1v9vH_NRsNgnuzJPQdeYqjL1QDypOh/s4000/20231210_111020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJM3F79GL1SbiUFnHopY7bVEB6fjhpbh4_ioB31n5IhxqZXqjelS22eOVsz6LlzOdDPtIgP1N6XplCABMbWodW-SmgEgDCs3fll2dIJ3YEv6W4hhp68pbH8T-Ws7O9uBku1DNv6S58Y0yshP_XokR6fVfBixscl1v9vH_NRsNgnuzJPQdeYqjL1QDypOh/w480-h640/20231210_111020.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There have been many reincarnations of London Bridge since the original Roman crossing in AD50. The most famous and longstanding of these was the “Old” Medieval bridge, finished in 1209 during the reign of King John.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For over 600 years this bridge was the key crossing point of the Thames in London, ferrying people, goods and livestock across the river. With its shops, houses, churches and gatehouse, it was an iconic feature of the City of London.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately, by the early 19th century the bridge was showing serious signs of wear and tear. Although the buildings that had once adorned its top had long been demolished, the crossing was still far too narrow and the arches that supported the bridge were a serious hindrance for ships passing underneath.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkg_kpZFEWeV9KwwOQSvMIPBbD1FZnQ6d80xKJqieMaJwLhEc-yTH_CvTHmzyurnzd1hZzGMs5tFi1EKDV7H33ohZxy_ygL_WAGa5_ye5PFliM0fAT37mdK7CAodPf2Qp3Je82TacIj8p89T5fc5cNKodyX6hxHPY-1hRWjhMg5z35D_tWvDlekurVHYvr/s1920/london%20bridge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1920" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkg_kpZFEWeV9KwwOQSvMIPBbD1FZnQ6d80xKJqieMaJwLhEc-yTH_CvTHmzyurnzd1hZzGMs5tFi1EKDV7H33ohZxy_ygL_WAGa5_ye5PFliM0fAT37mdK7CAodPf2Qp3Je82TacIj8p89T5fc5cNKodyX6hxHPY-1hRWjhMg5z35D_tWvDlekurVHYvr/w640-h330/london%20bridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was therefore decided in 1799 that a new, larger bridge should be built in its stead. To minimise any disruption to traffic, the new bridge was to be build 30 metres upstream of the old crossing, therefore allowing the Medieval bridge to function until the latter was opened in 1831.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Once this was completed, the old bridge was quickly dismantled and lost into the annals of history.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are, in fact, a few lasting remnants of the old London Bridge, and one of which is built into the tower of St Magnus the Marytr’s Church on Lower Thames Street.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMe4E2aS5wzNwx4oF4HWVfRJreTvNrhHBxnYzr7FwQqXLVq02-FNWhqZXWI4beenfYj40rgkm6RO6wowOy6JhOdyxaXy8Szbvc6oJoCcpdQDC-DvYzyGf9rdNr_4xlGMDaWBl2eYYMQsNfYpGUeaso5e1aRzbQrmvQXmBJIIBIurhxKk1QG01tYjhpca8/s480/martyr%20church.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="314" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMe4E2aS5wzNwx4oF4HWVfRJreTvNrhHBxnYzr7FwQqXLVq02-FNWhqZXWI4beenfYj40rgkm6RO6wowOy6JhOdyxaXy8Szbvc6oJoCcpdQDC-DvYzyGf9rdNr_4xlGMDaWBl2eYYMQsNfYpGUeaso5e1aRzbQrmvQXmBJIIBIurhxKk1QG01tYjhpca8/w418-h640/martyr%20church.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Again the church was busy with a service, so visit to the inside!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpeHSzuY0daeYNP9BodF2-tYkk5pJcB8CqgUeLYnqs7icdkOqIlMoGZx1TpYDnpAdRPBRvGnTOfnJiFjR2M0Sg1nyHGbnLDSeFCvhR9zp6ZLBY1463bkpUHxVrBYZtRiaaaaZ_1yRm1W94D6mt7dImgv-XItlfxBDqUUHoNPwFh3IFJkvkbPDqjyMUiUP/s4000/20231210_111118.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpeHSzuY0daeYNP9BodF2-tYkk5pJcB8CqgUeLYnqs7icdkOqIlMoGZx1TpYDnpAdRPBRvGnTOfnJiFjR2M0Sg1nyHGbnLDSeFCvhR9zp6ZLBY1463bkpUHxVrBYZtRiaaaaZ_1yRm1W94D6mt7dImgv-XItlfxBDqUUHoNPwFh3IFJkvkbPDqjyMUiUP/w480-h640/20231210_111118.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Piling from the Roman river wall dating to about AD 75</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQw___2tuU0AozPELPbLeTF9heRXFgNMurUD-LCRYIfFWV6I3r7CXbZIRttCCue6lG-1nPGfUWoQyj4FqiEqsrAFGqAONgZ6UWHZjHHnanpzQrps6ituOEl2jDUqvrohbQOgCYHqHnDv6K6Yp-Q0Y_0E0YDYEt69-8SzdQHeBeWEYRgKH4CH-43xSIZ8h2/s4000/20231210_111614.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQw___2tuU0AozPELPbLeTF9heRXFgNMurUD-LCRYIfFWV6I3r7CXbZIRttCCue6lG-1nPGfUWoQyj4FqiEqsrAFGqAONgZ6UWHZjHHnanpzQrps6ituOEl2jDUqvrohbQOgCYHqHnDv6K6Yp-Q0Y_0E0YDYEt69-8SzdQHeBeWEYRgKH4CH-43xSIZ8h2/w640-h480/20231210_111614.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We walked on up Upper Thames Street and crossed over into Laurence Poultney Lane.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxOmNgirGiXE-TMBfzV9NQ7xonyoQI5eQnIDtrxCcHpIbTKqIbqMi2hvZr8_t_4fjN4hT4BR9sDAqKJU_DSUcBT5iEfNA1MDQVgZAPWx9HJHvub_gg2vnrjRm8kjsG1vQUvz9O3ZZQ7E8qGlP1WXGaIqgfrFD5eqwE5pR8uN0CDz6ehMsRF44sHamC5oE/s4000/20231210_111907.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxOmNgirGiXE-TMBfzV9NQ7xonyoQI5eQnIDtrxCcHpIbTKqIbqMi2hvZr8_t_4fjN4hT4BR9sDAqKJU_DSUcBT5iEfNA1MDQVgZAPWx9HJHvub_gg2vnrjRm8kjsG1vQUvz9O3ZZQ7E8qGlP1WXGaIqgfrFD5eqwE5pR8uN0CDz6ehMsRF44sHamC5oE/w480-h640/20231210_111907.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walked up and turned left into Laurence Poultney Hill.</div><br /><br />This is a side alley that includes an old church, a Roman palace, and enough stucco carving to fill a small mansion house.<br /><br /><br />St Laurence Pountney was a Church of England parish church in the Candlewick ward of the City of London. It was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666, and not rebuilt.<br /><br /><br />St Laurence's was destroyed in the Great Fire of London of 1666. An eye-witness told the Government inquiry into the fire that he "saw the Fire break out from the inside of Lawrence Pountney Steeple, when there was no fire near it", implying the possibility of arson. The church was not rebuilt. Instead the parish was united to that of St Mary Abchurch. The old churchyard, which lay to the south side of the church continued to be used for burials; in the 1850s it was converted into the garden of a neighbouring house, then occupied by the architect Edward I'Anson. This 17th century building, which still exists, is now numbered as 7a Laurence Pountney Hill. The site of the church itself, which became known as the "Church Ground", was used as an additional burial ground following the Great Fire, and is now also a privately owned garden.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgElZtzkLjTRdTMH_H4dWQiy_N4nCByqZzzjXJ7WlriHaA8HVdLKDyAsyo3sfbhDJ3IpQqWFdfdYC4eYbVHIq0kpsaemDUW-drkSyTHJnCQnExsVvA3wT-ERyTHE_02_siferTb-d6zZoDaARuv2q52V6HG0HFtFchhjrFhvFtGrH5AFnXfo_Qa2FCu8H/s4000/20231210_112340.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgElZtzkLjTRdTMH_H4dWQiy_N4nCByqZzzjXJ7WlriHaA8HVdLKDyAsyo3sfbhDJ3IpQqWFdfdYC4eYbVHIq0kpsaemDUW-drkSyTHJnCQnExsVvA3wT-ERyTHE_02_siferTb-d6zZoDaARuv2q52V6HG0HFtFchhjrFhvFtGrH5AFnXfo_Qa2FCu8H/w640-h480/20231210_112340.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Much of the area to the south was badly damaged during WW2, but the building that occupies the site today, Governors House, is more recent, dating to the mid-1990s. Sadly, the construction of that building also demolished an alley that ran through the middle of the site – the marvellously named Ducks Foot Lane.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The demolition of the old buildings though uncovered more of the remains of the Roman Governor’s palace including Roman flooring, walls, and an area of Roman painted wall plaster hence the name of the current building. The ground level of Governor’s House is collonaded in a mock classical manner with Portland Stone fitted over pre-cast concrete.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMMB_4CpGMTYdfkSR4dMfu6J0L9niD1eKzObJ1mQUARLEIR48bvwUAeuP0KAYs4rFp1BbNO3ZrrW-IGiJwWjPW7JJoKCgVfM4c49myyP2KuvgFAebYOdyyAVi5-12P9cyNV2sP52FShPD80ogcgr-vWu9yq1iWKnndBitdVxJ6F1ewu-EwhfsVPIxx3FK/s2788/20231210_112605.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMMB_4CpGMTYdfkSR4dMfu6J0L9niD1eKzObJ1mQUARLEIR48bvwUAeuP0KAYs4rFp1BbNO3ZrrW-IGiJwWjPW7JJoKCgVfM4c49myyP2KuvgFAebYOdyyAVi5-12P9cyNV2sP52FShPD80ogcgr-vWu9yq1iWKnndBitdVxJ6F1ewu-EwhfsVPIxx3FK/w640-h564/20231210_112605.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on turning right into what was once called Green Lettuce Lane.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Green Lettuce Lane is nothing to do with grocery, and a misspelling of Green Lattice Lane, after an ornamental gate that used to close the alley off from Cannon Street.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are some marvellous buildings with ornate decoration on the outside.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>On the corner is Vestry House, a 19th-century building in red brick and stone, with ornate carving over the door and 1st-floor lintels. Next to it is Pountney Hill House, also 19th century and also has ornate stonework around the ground floor windows and door, and just look at the angels above each window.</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZF0qBgsovdc_1RLoXTTPsQbqrQW6t6tNxHX2ylsfNuVz4Z0FUR-PEHEV2ouQSbc1IG8fPZwGQgUzYzvmfXF61-FIKr-tZkSsL9dqw9yMkN5QKmIe3Qr04lLHbcFPWVexF5_DJaEjQMqMmLx9YFlVK4UKEm9ekXffMbO5MyqA3k8a2_sJu3XX8uhUW9vl/s4000/20231210_112758.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZF0qBgsovdc_1RLoXTTPsQbqrQW6t6tNxHX2ylsfNuVz4Z0FUR-PEHEV2ouQSbc1IG8fPZwGQgUzYzvmfXF61-FIKr-tZkSsL9dqw9yMkN5QKmIe3Qr04lLHbcFPWVexF5_DJaEjQMqMmLx9YFlVK4UKEm9ekXffMbO5MyqA3k8a2_sJu3XX8uhUW9vl/w480-h640/20231210_112758.jpg" /></a></div>Further up the alley are a pair of houses dating to 1703, built by Thomas Denning. They are considered to be finest surviving houses of this period in the City with elaborately carved foliage friezes around the doors and cornice above and ornate shell-hoods over the doorways.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfNEocBE-cq2w6789Cpq577YWKw1T56zXfJphFvXnHMl5KV_lYCKdkuAanp2BO8uGYeCx93tBcez6YN_HxszXUgeOESYz9aCi86gyRz1TI8RKIE_EEVJMoAs1LE7_o3K6AQSsI66LNpBB8dstvDkMerYXHKCZD0K-kr4FlSFB8zSY_X-CHJKK84K7xjX8/s4000/20231210_113201.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfNEocBE-cq2w6789Cpq577YWKw1T56zXfJphFvXnHMl5KV_lYCKdkuAanp2BO8uGYeCx93tBcez6YN_HxszXUgeOESYz9aCi86gyRz1TI8RKIE_EEVJMoAs1LE7_o3K6AQSsI66LNpBB8dstvDkMerYXHKCZD0K-kr4FlSFB8zSY_X-CHJKK84K7xjX8/w480-h640/20231210_113201.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk out into Cannon Street and we pass the remains of the London Stone.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The present London Stone is only the upper portion of a once much larger object. The surviving portion is a block of oolitic limestone approximately 53 cm wide, 43 cm high, and 30 cm front to back (21 × 17 × 12 inches). A study in the 1960s indicated that the stone is Clipsham limestone, a good-quality stone from Rutland transported to London for building purposes in both the Roman and medieval periods. More recently, Kevin Hayward has suggested that it may be Bath stone, the stone most used for monuments and sculpture in early Roman London and in Saxon times.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Stone is located on the north side of Cannon Street, opposite Cannon Street station, in an aperture in the wall of 111 Cannon Street (EC4N 5AR), within a Portland stone casing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42nGiE3HUBCCDXkXW_DGynDaX5EPkKRkw8oNXIazrzFrs7mAkzClSqwdwkkOl6yIw2FKD1XJClfoaI3IatCcWlfqDSmHyxtysBZyfU2-0QK_377TvBSHdpc2Od2mHIKVPQ0dI50uck5DQd-C5iZeR71z6n63R_i67hvZOV8GgpC0AAEx5gOv0ZNEXqwGI/s2763/20231210_113207.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42nGiE3HUBCCDXkXW_DGynDaX5EPkKRkw8oNXIazrzFrs7mAkzClSqwdwkkOl6yIw2FKD1XJClfoaI3IatCcWlfqDSmHyxtysBZyfU2-0QK_377TvBSHdpc2Od2mHIKVPQ0dI50uck5DQd-C5iZeR71z6n63R_i67hvZOV8GgpC0AAEx5gOv0ZNEXqwGI/w468-h640/20231210_113207.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When London Stone was erected and what its original function was are unknown, although there has been much speculation.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Stone was originally located on the south side of medieval Candlewick Street (afterward widened to create modern Cannon Street) opposite the west end of St Swithin's Church, and is shown in this position on the "Copperplate" map of London, dating to the 1550s, and on the derivative "Woodcut" map of the 1560s.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1940 St Swithin's church was burnt out by bombing in the Blitz. However, the outer walls remained standing for many years, with London Stone still in its place in the south wall. In 1962 the remains of the church were demolished, and replaced by an office building, 111 Cannon Street, which originally housed the Bank of China; London Stone was placed without ceremony in a specially constructed Portland stone alcove, glazed and with an iron grille, in the new building. Inside the building it was protected by a glass case. The stone and its surround, including the iron grille, were designated a Grade II* listed structure on 5 June 1972.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAvtPwNfIWsv-fCS2VbzQgmy2mAtt-Q7YZ_OR18pRT9AUnTsV3sx18vvfNNimqQqcc5eHhb3qkpTI4tyVS7awWU7Wdif_KEHOnDfQtTa6b97kOEeEP-GIV9hqdR6bSXo8RMe3EIuEWZXNeEoiw6cp2DwYN066uETjsufPVwPmy71g86T1cZW-tknGOyWP/s4000/20231210_113534.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAvtPwNfIWsv-fCS2VbzQgmy2mAtt-Q7YZ_OR18pRT9AUnTsV3sx18vvfNNimqQqcc5eHhb3qkpTI4tyVS7awWU7Wdif_KEHOnDfQtTa6b97kOEeEP-GIV9hqdR6bSXo8RMe3EIuEWZXNeEoiw6cp2DwYN066uETjsufPVwPmy71g86T1cZW-tknGOyWP/s4000/20231210_113534.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAvtPwNfIWsv-fCS2VbzQgmy2mAtt-Q7YZ_OR18pRT9AUnTsV3sx18vvfNNimqQqcc5eHhb3qkpTI4tyVS7awWU7Wdif_KEHOnDfQtTa6b97kOEeEP-GIV9hqdR6bSXo8RMe3EIuEWZXNeEoiw6cp2DwYN066uETjsufPVwPmy71g86T1cZW-tknGOyWP/w640-h480/20231210_113534.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on a bit further along Cannon Street we reach installation by artist Cristina Iglesias, ‘Forgotten Streams’ which is located at Bloomberg’s new European Headquarters in London. The revelatory landscape is woven through three different plaza spaces, evoking the Lost Rivers of London, namely the Walbrook.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZajeie0Pz4oCec4nIoc_Bz9yZtHz0NvQ6lDyal__wdgAg9E807UYN5Is43ZlaKaAJvTV6F_m-CRYA_poyoHQmygW9WTIuTK6tGel9la4-bKDPynaou0LGpE0IqelVitA_YC5emTU9qeQ7_EK77ocGOjT552dndJU8f8dnTSwk97ySuXNLar3DgGW3Dtob/s4000/20231210_113601.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZajeie0Pz4oCec4nIoc_Bz9yZtHz0NvQ6lDyal__wdgAg9E807UYN5Is43ZlaKaAJvTV6F_m-CRYA_poyoHQmygW9WTIuTK6tGel9la4-bKDPynaou0LGpE0IqelVitA_YC5emTU9qeQ7_EK77ocGOjT552dndJU8f8dnTSwk97ySuXNLar3DgGW3Dtob/w640-h480/20231210_113601.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Walbrook is a subterranean river in London. It gives its name to the Walbrook City ward and to a nearby street. It played an important role in the Roman settlement of Londinium.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGgrzHRl01o6o_1MtzDF1X8e_lTjGLiIR09hQuoxm2Cw66eUaEwQ9aLGRxjneWV9X4OoRJxl3_iMkA8DXmBbQthRghAF5UgURqAboG9O-ngdTFRnhe1AGmDcEOpAjYq0Tvb921oJaWTMke1hZ5wdAHJcPEvP5BIncGk9jB7ln7T_WC5P9txk-nw5h45sR/s4000/20231210_113841.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGgrzHRl01o6o_1MtzDF1X8e_lTjGLiIR09hQuoxm2Cw66eUaEwQ9aLGRxjneWV9X4OoRJxl3_iMkA8DXmBbQthRghAF5UgURqAboG9O-ngdTFRnhe1AGmDcEOpAjYq0Tvb921oJaWTMke1hZ5wdAHJcPEvP5BIncGk9jB7ln7T_WC5P9txk-nw5h45sR/w480-h640/20231210_113841.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We turn right up Walbrook and pass London Mithraeum museum which was still closed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hoRBiVK0V4JkPeScTLja97KWJnR3VlfHSQ1i_C9956LKfyk6ARfZA8ImbaPuoT0WyO3tNcPLzdKY3PGOm6n_Y3y0Im34EbEAaYw64_V8Xj8k2WsWV2_Ju1WhIn39gusKm0zQ8Ro03UMmgXUjYIdyt0PUjTa4ElkGVYVwdq37iSTd3OPJw1sgetOdgmzX/s4000/20231210_114122.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hoRBiVK0V4JkPeScTLja97KWJnR3VlfHSQ1i_C9956LKfyk6ARfZA8ImbaPuoT0WyO3tNcPLzdKY3PGOm6n_Y3y0Im34EbEAaYw64_V8Xj8k2WsWV2_Ju1WhIn39gusKm0zQ8Ro03UMmgXUjYIdyt0PUjTa4ElkGVYVwdq37iSTd3OPJw1sgetOdgmzX/w480-h640/20231210_114122.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk up passing St Stephen Walbrook Church and stop at the top of the road, where we contemplate going back to the museum and would they let all ten of us in?</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px 1em;"></p><div style="text-align: center;">The original church of St Stephen stood on the west side of the street today known as Walbrook and on the east bank of the Walbrook, once an important fresh water stream for the Romans running south-westerly across the City of London from the City Wall near Moorfields to the Thames. The original church is thought to have been built directly over the remains of a Roman Mithraic Temple following a common Christian practice of hallowing former heathen sites of worship.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church was moved to its present higher site on the other side of Walbrook Street, still on the east side of the River Walbrook (later diverted and concealed in a brick culvert running under Walbrook Street and Dowgate Hill on a straightened route to the Thames), in the 15th century. In 1429 Robert Chichele, acting as executor of the will of the former Lord Mayor, William Standon, had bought a piece of land close to the Stocks Market (on the site of the later Mansion House) and presented it to the parish. Several foundation stones were laid at a ceremony on 11 May 1429, and the church was consecrated ten years later, on 30 April 1439. At 125 feet (38 m) long and 67 feet (20 m) wide, it was considerably larger than the present building.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. It contained a memorial to the composer John Dunstaple. The wording of the epitaph had been recorded in the early 17th century, and was reinstated in the church in 1904, some 450 years after his death. The nearby church of St Benet Sherehog, also destroyed in the Great Fire, was not rebuilt; instead its parish was united with that of St Stephen.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The present domed building was erected to the designs of Sir Christopher Wren following the destruction of its medieval predecessor in the Great Fire of London in 1666. It is located in Walbrook, next to the Mansion House, and near to Bank and Monument Underground stations.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back and we were asked if we had a booking, but to our surprise the museum let all ten of us in!</div><p></p></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1_mm1dYnwWvxHaow7C_zmgp03lfocPvTA1EWPWI8X84DuProet2qCfT7u-vzDBW1FnIBLYENiH6fGQ1aPJqn5Ty2NjVmwAOHo41-c64EIsC6KVp8WbM8sZtMA389GUezPoLbVprcT6d1KcSaShBmitnQZciSvDSvGxegzRpowdFIv5QBy2HadTXfPOnR/s4000/20231210_120313.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1_mm1dYnwWvxHaow7C_zmgp03lfocPvTA1EWPWI8X84DuProet2qCfT7u-vzDBW1FnIBLYENiH6fGQ1aPJqn5Ty2NjVmwAOHo41-c64EIsC6KVp8WbM8sZtMA389GUezPoLbVprcT6d1KcSaShBmitnQZciSvDSvGxegzRpowdFIv5QBy2HadTXfPOnR/w480-h640/20231210_120313.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The London Mithraeum, also known as the Temple of Mithras, Walbrook, is a Roman Mithraeum that was discovered in Walbrook, a street in the City of London, during a building's construction in 1954. The entire site was relocated to permit continued construction and this temple of the mystery god Mithras became perhaps the most famous 20th-century Roman discovery in London.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUPR9gHZ53lpx4AdBLr1LEZuZs-8oTBe7s7639yn8LO9UIMHw6QqdI2B_Geg1I7OTRjanWwzXUu_obwoRtg3Ymo9wBwZrFsSBJIHCInR2w1qO1rWtPwzJ5acTcTi2UPjWTdp3Cy1WBgH_ZhSm0ZT_FlY7G4rlf7kLpMt4ZJBLFQRwcWRBym5InONtSxf2/s4000/20231210_120314.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUPR9gHZ53lpx4AdBLr1LEZuZs-8oTBe7s7639yn8LO9UIMHw6QqdI2B_Geg1I7OTRjanWwzXUu_obwoRtg3Ymo9wBwZrFsSBJIHCInR2w1qO1rWtPwzJ5acTcTi2UPjWTdp3Cy1WBgH_ZhSm0ZT_FlY7G4rlf7kLpMt4ZJBLFQRwcWRBym5InONtSxf2/w480-h640/20231210_120314.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The site was excavated by W. F. Grimes, director of the Museum of London, and Audrey Williams in 1954. The temple, initially hoped to have been an early Christian church, was built in the mid-3rd century and dedicated to Mithras or perhaps jointly to several deities popular among Roman soldiers. Then it was rededicated, probably to Bacchus, in the early fourth century. Found within the temple, where they had been carefully buried at the time of its rededication, were finely detailed third-century white marble likenesses of Minerva, Mercury the guide of the souls of the dead, and the syncretic gods Mithras and Serapis, imported from Italy. There were several coarser locally-made clay figurines of Venus, combing her hair. The artefacts recovered were put on display in the Museum of London.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Among the sculptures the archaeologists found was a head of Mithras himself, recognizable by his Phrygian cap. The base of the head is tapered to fit a torso, which was not preserved.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gs7MMj3VXmmSH4jWDYg2d3SO0Lwl7HtP-k63aibMq0VAp2r-YT-A4Xy4Lmj2qJkc90nKIcGGz7U01j7v79n1SfJJo8kNM8P8b_QTvJXpzJY1JyXT2qBXawM1UCq4vUhVUYiDI5vAIr-h3jOMY2JUfpLUQKimxTM-5EqzRIQIeEfeTMngh3qT2o2ifv8a/s4000/20231210_120529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gs7MMj3VXmmSH4jWDYg2d3SO0Lwl7HtP-k63aibMq0VAp2r-YT-A4Xy4Lmj2qJkc90nKIcGGz7U01j7v79n1SfJJo8kNM8P8b_QTvJXpzJY1JyXT2qBXawM1UCq4vUhVUYiDI5vAIr-h3jOMY2JUfpLUQKimxTM-5EqzRIQIeEfeTMngh3qT2o2ifv8a/w640-h480/20231210_120529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Artefacts found in Walbrook in 1889 probably came from the Mithraeum, according to the archaeologist Ralph Merrifield, although this was not identified at the time. One was a marble relief, 0.53 m tall, of Mithras in the act of killing the astral bull, the Tauroctony that was as central to Mithraism as the Crucifixion is to Christianity. On it Mithras is accompanied by the two small figures of the torch-bearing celestial twins of Light and Darkness, Cautes and Cautopates, within the cosmic annual wheel of the zodiac. At the top left, outside the wheel, Sol–Helios ascends the heavens in his biga; at top right Luna descends in her chariot. The heads of two wind-gods, Boreas and Zephyros, are in the bottom corners.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5pgkRXMGNU-ettqIYQA44FF-K5LvtVXXrkmNJ_nai2bgpsLZROWLntFnqpNlmuvaDqxvhyphenhyphenOI1mHtHTUWKjGYdpFMZPbYuRq0VsYpakqdythaT-vOxfPJwcSu0tD57-_ZHUkKHRUiwbP2VjqXdu4CMe4ALRo5kNPCYmhxIVwE8UqdKCKUkYwih7QrQ-KU/s4000/20231210_120549.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5pgkRXMGNU-ettqIYQA44FF-K5LvtVXXrkmNJ_nai2bgpsLZROWLntFnqpNlmuvaDqxvhyphenhyphenOI1mHtHTUWKjGYdpFMZPbYuRq0VsYpakqdythaT-vOxfPJwcSu0tD57-_ZHUkKHRUiwbP2VjqXdu4CMe4ALRo5kNPCYmhxIVwE8UqdKCKUkYwih7QrQ-KU/w640-h480/20231210_120549.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Roman temple, when it was originally built, would have stood on the east bank of the now covered-over River Walbrook, a key freshwater source in Roman Londinium. Nearby, in its former streambed, a small square hammered lead sheet was found, on which an enemy of someone named Martia Martina had inscribed her name backwards and thrown the token into the stream, in a traditional Celtic way of reaching the gods that has preserved metal tokens in rivers throughout Celtic Europe, from the swords at La Tène to Roman times. The temple foundations are very close to other important sites in the city of London including the historic London Stone, the Bank of England and London Wall. The original Mithraeum was built partly underground, recalling the cave of Mithras where the Mithraic epiphany took place.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcUDsUCHft684ZRc5aOZ2Wud7zGO-mEMhyphenhyphenSZF31qAIY5aTUJ1Z0FBtjetzW6y3I_OxQIKUhoEJK8ffZeSzfCBa6GyD06pLFJsaTPUpjMtPwC4SiiJIN8nbsMV_hb3I7oONggzXYHYYniGKDr3vO6FOy6y2r3p1N7CT-IcF_jlqCKOtbGE_yz7XPBo6ipE/s4000/20231210_120624.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcUDsUCHft684ZRc5aOZ2Wud7zGO-mEMhyphenhyphenSZF31qAIY5aTUJ1Z0FBtjetzW6y3I_OxQIKUhoEJK8ffZeSzfCBa6GyD06pLFJsaTPUpjMtPwC4SiiJIN8nbsMV_hb3I7oONggzXYHYYniGKDr3vO6FOy6y2r3p1N7CT-IcF_jlqCKOtbGE_yz7XPBo6ipE/w640-h480/20231210_120624.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The temple site was uncovered in September 1954 during excavation work for the construction of Bucklersbury House, a 14-storey modernist office block to house Legal & General. As a compromise between redesigning the new building and abandoning the archaeological site, the ruin was dismantled and moved 100 metres to Temple Court, Queen Victoria Street, where in 1962 the foundations were reassembled at street level for an open-air public display. The reconstruction was not accurate and drew criticism for the materials used.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEmvT5IVf0UpqGxFGH6rtAw0tWVzRIXsUD6tM3gC7Hs415KKGTD-FI3TN-yCP6Xwav5O44Uk76_oY1YzGPvoQgTPBnZFOumq4Q5-LH5Y23NtxUFfxFHL3U-v30_sG-py_T_K4snwNstt9EJlUSouCCBG4yCytFxAqW5lLnD7SCzaBXZiJnz8JbedLVkM5/s4000/20231210_120635.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEmvT5IVf0UpqGxFGH6rtAw0tWVzRIXsUD6tM3gC7Hs415KKGTD-FI3TN-yCP6Xwav5O44Uk76_oY1YzGPvoQgTPBnZFOumq4Q5-LH5Y23NtxUFfxFHL3U-v30_sG-py_T_K4snwNstt9EJlUSouCCBG4yCytFxAqW5lLnD7SCzaBXZiJnz8JbedLVkM5/w640-h480/20231210_120635.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 2007 plans were drawn up to return the Mithraeum to its original location, following the demolition of Bucklersbury House and four other buildings in the block for the planned creation of a new Walbrook Square development, designed by Foster and Partners and Jean Nouvel Architects. However, redesigns and disputes between freeholders Legal & General and Metrovacesa, who had agreed to buy the project, resulted in the Walbrook Square project being put on hold in October 2008, when Bovis Lend Lease removed their project team. Metrovacesa left the project in August 2009. In May 2010 the Mithraeum remained in situ at Temple Court, though in the same month there was talk of reviving the Walbrook Square project.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Walbrook Square project was purchased by the Bloomberg company in 2010, which decided to restore the Mithraeum to its original site as part of their new European headquarters. The new site is 7 metres (23 ft) below the modern street level, as part of an exhibition space beneath the Bloomberg building. The temple was moved a little west of its original position to preserve parts of the walls that were not uncovered in 1952–54 and are too fragile to display today.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pdTOnB9rsbj_mIoxbTWWqKXjbrN0TqMfh5BWl9SxIpxz2aG69676PrGsvamWlM47Wlo_RKt69VkZajoldh_AmU5g98a2k3isiEpb0e8Vrn4homEsVDiG9fTx2fTSkJKjKdIZG1OdoXz8HvAX58MmsugukAEWefgcADglcYr-zP4x62LkmWI3_KdvmmDT/s4000/20231210_122353.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pdTOnB9rsbj_mIoxbTWWqKXjbrN0TqMfh5BWl9SxIpxz2aG69676PrGsvamWlM47Wlo_RKt69VkZajoldh_AmU5g98a2k3isiEpb0e8Vrn4homEsVDiG9fTx2fTSkJKjKdIZG1OdoXz8HvAX58MmsugukAEWefgcADglcYr-zP4x62LkmWI3_KdvmmDT/w640-h480/20231210_122353.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The ruins are reconstructed as they appeared at the end of the excavation in October 1954, reflecting the first building phase of around AD 240 without any later Roman additions to the site. A large majority of the stones and bricks are original. The wood, render and lime mortar are new, but based on mortar samples from contemporary Roman London structures. The temple is displayed with a selection of artefacts found on the site.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLE5vgYwVKyurL9CLF8dTPTqpk_k29FjX-v4xFpMuh1Clb2DTBGg8nY-ONAcoX1AwVROxCg8O3T_oQgQLcwCeuGPn0VS3Z1cCLk69RVgyYuMeaUTt0gxFi7u9GD4y6iVm2s8ffBbaKuooYYRDhHZzdC-qoI0UCxil0wNrIENRumi8iui6ne79votm0vfh/s4000/20231210_122414.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLE5vgYwVKyurL9CLF8dTPTqpk_k29FjX-v4xFpMuh1Clb2DTBGg8nY-ONAcoX1AwVROxCg8O3T_oQgQLcwCeuGPn0VS3Z1cCLk69RVgyYuMeaUTt0gxFi7u9GD4y6iVm2s8ffBbaKuooYYRDhHZzdC-qoI0UCxil0wNrIENRumi8iui6ne79votm0vfh/w640-h480/20231210_122414.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mithraism, also known as the Mithraic mysteries or the Cult of Mithras, was a Roman mystery religion centred on the god Mithras. Although inspired by Iranian worship of the Zoroastrian divinity (yazata) Mithra, the Roman Mithras is linked to a new and distinctive imagery, with the level of continuity between Persian and Greco-Roman practice debated. The mysteries were popular among the Imperial Roman army from about the 1st to the 4th century CE.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="522" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rDssnOcfNkM" width="628" youtube-src-id="rDssnOcfNkM"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">Worshippers of Mithras had a complex system of seven grades of initiation and communal ritual meals. Initiates called themselves syndexioi, those "united by the handshake". They met in underground temples, now named Mithraea (singular mithraeum), which survive in large numbers. The cult appears to have had its centre in Rome, and was popular throughout the western half of the empire, as far south as Roman Africa and Numidia, as far east as Roman Dacia, as far north as Roman Britain, and to a lesser extent in Roman Syria in the east.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3E2_fMamOfply-vidPWFJpiocDWdB0F9OBo47GFYX7eDzTNJgwZ2xK54OszN9sboxUjSfOLoxHEIhHGSAPdCUX571thuBE82pgbb6gyqfY_7AGPCtitVi8LlvI_o74-9xCKBGed3oCcDPhdT9qjU3IrBKsR8QQloTsqy1JmRhXbfdYV9uXArMbZz-C2V/s4000/20231210_122446.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3E2_fMamOfply-vidPWFJpiocDWdB0F9OBo47GFYX7eDzTNJgwZ2xK54OszN9sboxUjSfOLoxHEIhHGSAPdCUX571thuBE82pgbb6gyqfY_7AGPCtitVi8LlvI_o74-9xCKBGed3oCcDPhdT9qjU3IrBKsR8QQloTsqy1JmRhXbfdYV9uXArMbZz-C2V/w640-h480/20231210_122446.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mithraism is viewed as a rival of early Christianity. In the 4th century, Mithraists faced persecution from Christians, and the religion was subsequently suppressed and eliminated in the Roman Empire by the end of the century.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="530" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qxT7KGRDN9E" width="638" youtube-src-id="qxT7KGRDN9E"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mithraism is viewed as a rival of early Christianity. In the 4th century, Mithraists faced persecution from Christians, and the religion was subsequently suppressed and eliminated in the Roman Empire by the end of the century.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgJ4GtFnzT53YIERHOngI0741Dw2Ur5MXnSKoY-q4JZP35FaXgVleHsC2ugYQ6EJwSQzprfTJ1Cr_WpHOWyUxreFydNvf03cz-B-BOaWk5bn4Azwxr2cpYacaUKNag4UxJHEQKCM0fCce9jeJ7mksPUBHncO8inLhzn5uTJ9WSJa2HfVACxzNt0NNp0fk/s4000/20231210_122642.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgJ4GtFnzT53YIERHOngI0741Dw2Ur5MXnSKoY-q4JZP35FaXgVleHsC2ugYQ6EJwSQzprfTJ1Cr_WpHOWyUxreFydNvf03cz-B-BOaWk5bn4Azwxr2cpYacaUKNag4UxJHEQKCM0fCce9jeJ7mksPUBHncO8inLhzn5uTJ9WSJa2HfVACxzNt0NNp0fk/w640-h480/20231210_122642.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Numerous archaeological finds, including meeting places, monuments, and artifacts, have contributed to modern knowledge about Mithraism throughout the Roman Empire. The iconic scenes of Mithras show him being born from a rock, slaughtering a bull, and sharing a banquet with the god Sol (the Sun). About 420 sites have yielded materials related to the cult. Among the items found are about 1000 inscriptions, 700 examples of the bull-killing scene (tauroctony), and about 400 other monuments. It has been estimated that there would have been at least 680 mithraea in the city of Rome. No written narratives or theology from the religion survive; limited information can be derived from the inscriptions and brief or passing references in Greek and Latin literature. Interpretation of the physical evidence remains problematic and contested.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmt15_rFYLSkgTGyciupz0LSf_xZxYwdy30ynrL8ZPC_CqJ7VLV8PUji-PZPyUqzjtd8ufHJcDgMY0w4LXN7uBpJLixj7hSJLO7JyTTA_lRwZudeCsdK7cdiuS7YcOSsCrZ7cZGpFK2iw8_WkqffeEToWvYftiPj4e74sAjwxgfCK6WfT3DqUaJQiTnQFv/s3772/20231210_122728.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2829" data-original-width="3772" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmt15_rFYLSkgTGyciupz0LSf_xZxYwdy30ynrL8ZPC_CqJ7VLV8PUji-PZPyUqzjtd8ufHJcDgMY0w4LXN7uBpJLixj7hSJLO7JyTTA_lRwZudeCsdK7cdiuS7YcOSsCrZ7cZGpFK2iw8_WkqffeEToWvYftiPj4e74sAjwxgfCK6WfT3DqUaJQiTnQFv/w640-h480/20231210_122728.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7A4RVn8ImyYPl1U8J0GibG5jvm069H8mS2PfyrQLOnI6eAB-O7DsLup_X42zmpoxOSpxROJvWfoZBia3LutzEnDd2ixS7S9fbEuO4nX5Hk5xGDrD8TZFMBAFw8K76O2s73uMdl4tfZRzQUPSVuREeou34WvCYPEeV6D-e0gK63yMI8-jcXepYskzFoUc/s3793/20231210_122859.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2845" data-original-width="3793" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7A4RVn8ImyYPl1U8J0GibG5jvm069H8mS2PfyrQLOnI6eAB-O7DsLup_X42zmpoxOSpxROJvWfoZBia3LutzEnDd2ixS7S9fbEuO4nX5Hk5xGDrD8TZFMBAFw8K76O2s73uMdl4tfZRzQUPSVuREeou34WvCYPEeV6D-e0gK63yMI8-jcXepYskzFoUc/w640-h480/20231210_122859.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the Museum and make our through various streets to The Guildhall.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUWOs8zPnLwHt3_Z1wUraIF5t5L9kXvTD9bON4fG8WQM3DNWM0W5h5ydMDxLgnUxvbR3Bjejvcv_HNGaueXbA0VHvh-KV4yJyR-_mzdRWf4MamiLfYcSqYX8ozRrPy4_lTXxWxsNtcZYkwatOXHl5Bd72h4QOXMOmW0zy19NRePKeZ9nQOLjR6HdMwE29/s3732/20231210_124607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2799" data-original-width="3732" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUWOs8zPnLwHt3_Z1wUraIF5t5L9kXvTD9bON4fG8WQM3DNWM0W5h5ydMDxLgnUxvbR3Bjejvcv_HNGaueXbA0VHvh-KV4yJyR-_mzdRWf4MamiLfYcSqYX8ozRrPy4_lTXxWxsNtcZYkwatOXHl5Bd72h4QOXMOmW0zy19NRePKeZ9nQOLjR6HdMwE29/w640-h480/20231210_124607.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The current building dates from the 15th century; however documentary evidence suggests that a guildhall had existed at the site since at least the early 12th century. The building has been used as a town hall for several hundred years, and is still the ceremonial and administrative centre of the City of London and its Corporation. It should not be confused with London's City Hall, the administrative centre for Greater London. The term "Guildhall" refers both to the whole building and to its main room, which is a medieval great hall. It is a Grade I-listed building.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkboiiNbg4H0SZI6h0UThcKpsUsWLKOk1GfM9asgjuYUgaXZ48FTMrJXV0yBXDbRCtZ33qkWLSXlswgxiVeEm1UDqy8bblf7BoJGqWlqbPmqChw4a3K58IC86sR7etIfiGW19nbkOA8jKQO0H7DywwTLkgONuTYM1DSbOtFI6Ejg7OS-j0jQdQUJDB0T2z/s3243/20231210_124958.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2833" data-original-width="3243" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkboiiNbg4H0SZI6h0UThcKpsUsWLKOk1GfM9asgjuYUgaXZ48FTMrJXV0yBXDbRCtZ33qkWLSXlswgxiVeEm1UDqy8bblf7BoJGqWlqbPmqChw4a3K58IC86sR7etIfiGW19nbkOA8jKQO0H7DywwTLkgONuTYM1DSbOtFI6Ejg7OS-j0jQdQUJDB0T2z/w640-h560/20231210_124958.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">During the Roman period, the Guildhall was the site of the London Roman Amphitheatre, rediscovered as recently as 1988. It was the largest in Britannia, partial remains of which are on public display in the basement of the Guildhall Art Gallery, and the outline of whose arena is marked with a black circle on the paving of the courtyard in front of the hall. Indeed, the siting of the Saxon Guildhall here was probably due to the amphitheatre's remains. Excavations by Museum of London Archaeology at the entrance to Guildhall Yard exposed remains of the great 13th-century gatehouse built directly over the southern entrance to the Roman amphitheatre, which raises the possibility that enough of the Roman structure survived to influence the siting not only of the gatehouse and Guildhall itself but also of the church of St Lawrence Jewry whose strange alignment may shadow the elliptical form of the amphitheatre beneath.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLURKad5FFxQhfEjxCsyCaQB4j3M2kGvxah0EzPOs9mPLAOIgJzAgbOT1Hgx7VxcD_56Is8pLC5ycgD2VzCmqbb0Dj0Lj3QhXJB1LNhqZvOXP8hqQ7Q-TWFYq-JG9aW6r2SmgpZqrj_ukESUjvbnaQBwzodfdVT1e2CMTGZ7wiCGk5Q3x7rXdBz1h9EPB/s3832/20231210_125853.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2874" data-original-width="3832" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLURKad5FFxQhfEjxCsyCaQB4j3M2kGvxah0EzPOs9mPLAOIgJzAgbOT1Hgx7VxcD_56Is8pLC5ycgD2VzCmqbb0Dj0Lj3QhXJB1LNhqZvOXP8hqQ7Q-TWFYq-JG9aW6r2SmgpZqrj_ukESUjvbnaQBwzodfdVT1e2CMTGZ7wiCGk5Q3x7rXdBz1h9EPB/w640-h480/20231210_125853.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The first documentary reference to a London Guildhall is dated 1127 or 1128; archaeologists have also discovered foundations dating to around that time. Legend describes the Guildhall site as being the location of the palace of Brutus of Troy, who according to Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae (1136) is said to have founded a city on the banks of the River Thames, known as Troia Nova, or New Troy.</div></div><div><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxjBtCW0k5CPIhDspMhJciVc03yum6dDazMZisEKkq9mfte9qm4cNNQM-jvV-GYA9w29U1QhKjn_MgiC5hh6uc7aE8fHHSddrVEHj7jBaDDxQokfAo9l0D-GeNy4oTi55lpgrHCagJ1wty8F4EyrfPFbBUxhTt8INCmWXMbIs7OCmhFIwLsybaY5OdQJT/s4000/20231210_125906.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxjBtCW0k5CPIhDspMhJciVc03yum6dDazMZisEKkq9mfte9qm4cNNQM-jvV-GYA9w29U1QhKjn_MgiC5hh6uc7aE8fHHSddrVEHj7jBaDDxQokfAo9l0D-GeNy4oTi55lpgrHCagJ1wty8F4EyrfPFbBUxhTt8INCmWXMbIs7OCmhFIwLsybaY5OdQJT/w480-h640/20231210_125906.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The great hall is believed to be on a site of an earlier guildhall (one possible derivation for the word "guildhall" is the Anglo-Saxon "gild", meaning payment, with a "gild-hall" being where citizens would pay their taxes). Possible evidence for this derivation may be in a reference to John Parker, the sergeant of "Camera Guyhalde", London, in 1396.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlQudPzRo8nkvN2gBi4n-UeqMfhH6m_q8KJVVLqtvxU6aa9QxhVfSZ03Jp6cQnrOWW_DPzzme9ULlfhk2fPkB6ND5NfFwuqHzokwktePp_t-8m7vF5D9VmDof4oLn2-pSKXe_iMSl_QXawrrPczHR7qggpJBnuIjxoBrbj8aPaFZbVI_W9jnBMu5DPYRD/s4000/20231210_125934.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlQudPzRo8nkvN2gBi4n-UeqMfhH6m_q8KJVVLqtvxU6aa9QxhVfSZ03Jp6cQnrOWW_DPzzme9ULlfhk2fPkB6ND5NfFwuqHzokwktePp_t-8m7vF5D9VmDof4oLn2-pSKXe_iMSl_QXawrrPczHR7qggpJBnuIjxoBrbj8aPaFZbVI_W9jnBMu5DPYRD/w640-h480/20231210_125934.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lost for centuries, the original circular walls of the Amphitheatre were rediscovered by archaeologists working on the site of the new Guildhall Art Gallery building in 1988. Visitors can now step into these well-preserved Roman ruins in which crowds would once have gathered to watch wild animal fights, public executions and gladiatorial combats.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMi150rMGU6Whhd9rcTFJXGUBmdV_Gp2_DNyCK-4eq-5cLHuWy6Zz26Jq345TGnJWURGHmuBepuIq0GtHsCRIW7xej-oV5afBWbFpmLwhLYuUrAlnSK3XlwcxUE6nKmGwDslw8UUY7Cuf0_aDHH4dNGCarltKkcK6xnfUyi6qBEE_H5ZicS8wzF24HQFq/s4000/20231210_125957.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMi150rMGU6Whhd9rcTFJXGUBmdV_Gp2_DNyCK-4eq-5cLHuWy6Zz26Jq345TGnJWURGHmuBepuIq0GtHsCRIW7xej-oV5afBWbFpmLwhLYuUrAlnSK3XlwcxUE6nKmGwDslw8UUY7Cuf0_aDHH4dNGCarltKkcK6xnfUyi6qBEE_H5ZicS8wzF24HQFq/w640-h480/20231210_125957.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBJoimx58N5IK6rXHLw1fod1fPd7MvSx1M35kkBeUAxhVtZVYosRHo0o0ki8MAgLaFQWtWpg-Hyhiv9r2pOstnPEZKFqybpI14y0Pk4LbFyKegcOq6N4oLbdACmW8emLNZh_N7NnCFas7UC9GiX3jPtGEnRXN0VvWDf796IlFL1r64tuYmMP-dlBTDHA5/s4000/20231210_130816.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBJoimx58N5IK6rXHLw1fod1fPd7MvSx1M35kkBeUAxhVtZVYosRHo0o0ki8MAgLaFQWtWpg-Hyhiv9r2pOstnPEZKFqybpI14y0Pk4LbFyKegcOq6N4oLbdACmW8emLNZh_N7NnCFas7UC9GiX3jPtGEnRXN0VvWDf796IlFL1r64tuYmMP-dlBTDHA5/w640-h480/20231210_130816.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP07PpL6PyLvYkJLF3p-DkumGUohY33T6oelVUfH6XSbWn2eTnR5JRn7fEQBO1kpheeb64HWA2gP1vWzWq6J5cb3viUO60uAQyIv6e1LpusjsNYvLYUrSD9jXKIn7_cIDNvvNX9RWPMxzYXIXyd3Ze9DxlZo_vdEFdh-l-BbfCeKTmR9qKKl3SCax719bu/s4000/20231210_132826.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP07PpL6PyLvYkJLF3p-DkumGUohY33T6oelVUfH6XSbWn2eTnR5JRn7fEQBO1kpheeb64HWA2gP1vWzWq6J5cb3viUO60uAQyIv6e1LpusjsNYvLYUrSD9jXKIn7_cIDNvvNX9RWPMxzYXIXyd3Ze9DxlZo_vdEFdh-l-BbfCeKTmR9qKKl3SCax719bu/w640-h480/20231210_132826.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the Amphitheatre and the Guildhall and walk on and cross London Wall.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPhgboIQJY2uSkKGXNIIVBsFoZ_uUsuJfTA_o2G_Oq1j8gK0wPhdstVlMWM7ShZRvaS7rq6N9Xtkjmm_VN6HkPm1CW7TzTcR85oF5MP7ZqHikCEmelNBi2VgFIcAQzMw7qyqkOEtsvWD1Rh5dYbXbACnyTaOCiNOb01jsPMqbJSoN5cVuPV8aUI8uoEmL/s4000/20231210_133834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPhgboIQJY2uSkKGXNIIVBsFoZ_uUsuJfTA_o2G_Oq1j8gK0wPhdstVlMWM7ShZRvaS7rq6N9Xtkjmm_VN6HkPm1CW7TzTcR85oF5MP7ZqHikCEmelNBi2VgFIcAQzMw7qyqkOEtsvWD1Rh5dYbXbACnyTaOCiNOb01jsPMqbJSoN5cVuPV8aUI8uoEmL/w480-h640/20231210_133834.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Crossing London Wall we reach Cripplegate, one of the seven gates in the Roman Wall.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">(Aldgate, Bishopsgate, Moorgate, Cripplegate, Aldersgate, Newgate and Ludgate).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPURFNJeIMcP52YRLTLJtDRvX0cVq4s7Ll4ZEDrzcES7wFD_Br_s6nL_VXpmJ5aIYbiBByEvv1KbPnkqQ_YkQiAEvhyphenhyphenpPMA_n6uVxa2bULAlZyDDcgfVManU-YEcuV80wxEsoNkgdWHvZ8qEG4-S0n8crodJvzE9ZnhjOEuH1WU0me7zGu3w2gw0ofUaGq/s4000/20231210_134243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPURFNJeIMcP52YRLTLJtDRvX0cVq4s7Ll4ZEDrzcES7wFD_Br_s6nL_VXpmJ5aIYbiBByEvv1KbPnkqQ_YkQiAEvhyphenhyphenpPMA_n6uVxa2bULAlZyDDcgfVManU-YEcuV80wxEsoNkgdWHvZ8qEG4-S0n8crodJvzE9ZnhjOEuH1WU0me7zGu3w2gw0ofUaGq/w480-h640/20231210_134243.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The origins of the gate's name are unclear. One theory, bolstered by a mentioning of the gate in the fourth law code of Æthelred the Unready and a charter of William the Conqueror from 1068 under the name "Crepelgate", is that it takes its name from the Anglo-Saxon word crepel, meaning a covered or underground passageway.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another unsubstantiated theory suggests it is named after the cripples who used to beg there. The name of the nearby medieval church of St Giles-without-Cripplegate lends credence to this suggestion as Saint Giles is the patron saint of cripples and lepers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was initially the northern gate to the Roman city walls, built around AD 120 or 150, eighty years before the rest of the wall was completed. It appeared to have been used as part of the Roman city walls until at least the 10th-11th centuries. Cripplegate was rebuilt during the 1490s and was unhinged and fortified with a portcullis after Charles II became king in 1660. It was eventually demolished in 1760; much of Cripplegate was gone by the 19th century and only small fragments of it survive today.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJNBnpTxvh5wNMJ9l97bW-6rkGzP1qd5UOVedyErrODPw04a3-av7BKQ7pIncseUXhu7JgSQ4MuNkpHby1F4TGEsggWs84otRMSbYYBbtFM2VHXpDYBq7CBsbNQXz4tHx8v6pSNz4pAQoOX-xgUfgN2hXB-wD0Y2E7GzFk2VOVQ4pD1oyzONhT832qL9A/s4000/20231210_134400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJNBnpTxvh5wNMJ9l97bW-6rkGzP1qd5UOVedyErrODPw04a3-av7BKQ7pIncseUXhu7JgSQ4MuNkpHby1F4TGEsggWs84otRMSbYYBbtFM2VHXpDYBq7CBsbNQXz4tHx8v6pSNz4pAQoOX-xgUfgN2hXB-wD0Y2E7GzFk2VOVQ4pD1oyzONhT832qL9A/w640-h480/20231210_134400.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on passing the remains of St Alphege Church on London Wall.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">St Alphege or St Alphage London Wall was a church in Bassishaw Ward in the City of London, built directly upon London Wall. It was also known as St Alphege Cripplegate, from its proximity to Cripplegate. It is now operated as St Alphege Gardens.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The first church was built adjoining the London Wall, with the wall forming its northern side. The churchyard lay to the north of the wall. The earliest mention of this church dates to c. 1108–25, though it is said that it was established before 1068.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church has had many variations over the years, the remains of the church were designated a Grade II listed structure on 4 January 1950. The surviving remnants of these consist of the ruin of a central tower, built of flint and rubble masonry, with arches on three sides; the south wall is missing.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hPK_eSFisv7-lOXWZetfSaErGx-_wC2phNtnrAor1jUDOPD5T3oNfoQDpjtFpu7_tnDIB4uaGXRkAxkmEV0f7utKCMNQDEJxSVIHFGgVOYMfCJ-KEg5Oy3Gf9tS2SXPdpb6KsGosnCHVfaxJ0bcmU6ptOsJCfNMYmoYmH3ZwtrJ9al24utG7kJW9Xj6y/s3691/20231210_134430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2768" data-original-width="3691" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hPK_eSFisv7-lOXWZetfSaErGx-_wC2phNtnrAor1jUDOPD5T3oNfoQDpjtFpu7_tnDIB4uaGXRkAxkmEV0f7utKCMNQDEJxSVIHFGgVOYMfCJ-KEg5Oy3Gf9tS2SXPdpb6KsGosnCHVfaxJ0bcmU6ptOsJCfNMYmoYmH3ZwtrJ9al24utG7kJW9Xj6y/w640-h480/20231210_134430.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We then crossed back over London Wall and Andrew took down into a grotty old car park, we were all wondering what's going on here then.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGUvNY5wcfur45hNxcjVRO7WG8QqAd5bOk0JEd_OKMb0PvihN35NkA4fa45BLdWeiFFXVkO_0qK3dh70pxK7mAmVoj0ISvdPaQN5ZGuz3aNVKQT6aGLElrYeCu2MoRC9RDL-Aw60iDQY15adbAcICztb_Tz0UAg5nk-Ibw-a4r3whNRSzSF1u_C20Emix/s4000/20231210_135209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGUvNY5wcfur45hNxcjVRO7WG8QqAd5bOk0JEd_OKMb0PvihN35NkA4fa45BLdWeiFFXVkO_0qK3dh70pxK7mAmVoj0ISvdPaQN5ZGuz3aNVKQT6aGLElrYeCu2MoRC9RDL-Aw60iDQY15adbAcICztb_Tz0UAg5nk-Ibw-a4r3whNRSzSF1u_C20Emix/w640-h480/20231210_135209.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">But down in the basement of this car are more remains on the Roman London Wall, we head back up to street level afterwards.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlwmWUd1psf-aHiz2q9wcVav7zYCluZR7Vg-FFZ2_gNdG6sPLKz1qbbUgltY0SvpoXQliMD6Qu3HLHWUZKW_4KMcXF6TGx2akD71SYpKOX4gQFoYadI7LSfCRyYSSRphB5-ZCFdkMES-Qgf1vUhBDcAgcOXvF8qYb1J0_BYEwMLGk6KwmRxZpf8t0Q3cV/s3946/20231210_135951.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2960" data-original-width="3946" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlwmWUd1psf-aHiz2q9wcVav7zYCluZR7Vg-FFZ2_gNdG6sPLKz1qbbUgltY0SvpoXQliMD6Qu3HLHWUZKW_4KMcXF6TGx2akD71SYpKOX4gQFoYadI7LSfCRyYSSRphB5-ZCFdkMES-Qgf1vUhBDcAgcOXvF8qYb1J0_BYEwMLGk6KwmRxZpf8t0Q3cV/w640-h480/20231210_135951.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Back up top, we head off down various streets towards The Bank of England.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSOBPyBYDNydCWsnkQ6ZOqskoUHh66eAZ2y9wV2LmnbOtJF9wQZaZ8YDyxE9sFY5FxDy9sfWCTetwbUghScfdHXG9y0eWX2ja3HobdmUne0faEH1-VtDaVh6uZqIwPSAy4vRFSwMVOtrgyJPKf6gmo9_s5d8XOJEyGVdKub6I9GcQk3eoRQX_sp4u9RaG/s4000/20231210_140458.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSOBPyBYDNydCWsnkQ6ZOqskoUHh66eAZ2y9wV2LmnbOtJF9wQZaZ8YDyxE9sFY5FxDy9sfWCTetwbUghScfdHXG9y0eWX2ja3HobdmUne0faEH1-VtDaVh6uZqIwPSAy4vRFSwMVOtrgyJPKf6gmo9_s5d8XOJEyGVdKub6I9GcQk3eoRQX_sp4u9RaG/w480-h640/20231210_140458.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We stopped outside the Royal Exchange.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2f7DQN957oCrXu9jmo4e0iYIaywNGhOMppTV2U1089yCdvtkR-SF_z8a-z-etrYhZP8w5WX0hmyZa1awEUVA7Ylp8ZxBXej-aS6tg37MVJd1jOyVxo3NzOtNFawMpicJ7UaMbhrzhadWR2I041N4gjeea5MKNuxpWwXw-LASWy9YrsE5zWZm5_BJNvax/s4000/20231210_140514.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2f7DQN957oCrXu9jmo4e0iYIaywNGhOMppTV2U1089yCdvtkR-SF_z8a-z-etrYhZP8w5WX0hmyZa1awEUVA7Ylp8ZxBXej-aS6tg37MVJd1jOyVxo3NzOtNFawMpicJ7UaMbhrzhadWR2I041N4gjeea5MKNuxpWwXw-LASWy9YrsE5zWZm5_BJNvax/w640-h480/20231210_140514.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Royal Exchange in London was founded in the 16th century by the merchant Sir Thomas Gresham on the suggestion of his factor Richard Clough to act as a centre of commerce for the City of London. The site was provided by the City of London Corporation and the Worshipful Company of Mercers, who still jointly own the freehold. The original foundation was ceremonially opened by Queen Elizabeth I who granted it its "royal" title. The current neoclassical building has a trapezoidal floor plan and is flanked by Cornhill and Threadneedle Street, which converge at Bank junction in the heart of the city. It lies in the Ward of Cornhill.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsjIc7EvGCOlnmYbZs2sxvuzBhJ3N-6Wv3T0b8S4KHw54d0dlQUSn0cIIZz2alpLzR0gh7LH_3ydYsvjTGrSkNtbHxFayVj2BdVqwtLdtGRagO4S-qhVUjLFWu5Y9C3Rw1kQVF2PjCIlqfOE4x7kBwuTrFuMoGEVbLx00YLHhyphenhyphens2pK5SwFwJ5QfEtGw4L/s3916/20231210_140529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3916" data-original-width="2937" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsjIc7EvGCOlnmYbZs2sxvuzBhJ3N-6Wv3T0b8S4KHw54d0dlQUSn0cIIZz2alpLzR0gh7LH_3ydYsvjTGrSkNtbHxFayVj2BdVqwtLdtGRagO4S-qhVUjLFWu5Y9C3Rw1kQVF2PjCIlqfOE4x7kBwuTrFuMoGEVbLx00YLHhyphenhyphens2pK5SwFwJ5QfEtGw4L/w480-h640/20231210_140529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The exchange building has twice been destroyed by fire and subsequently rebuilt. The present building was designed by Sir William Tite in the 1840s. The site was notably occupied by the Lloyd's insurance market for nearly 150 years. Today the Royal Exchange contains Fortnum & Mason The Bar & Restaurant, luxury shops, and offices.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Traditionally, the steps of the Royal Exchange are the place where certain royal proclamations (such as the dissolution of parliament) are read out by either a herald or a crier. Following the death or abdication of a monarch and the confirmation of the next monarch's accession to the throne by the Accession Council, the Royal Exchange Building is one of the locations where a herald proclaims the new monarch's reign to the public.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCd_gaQdMrd57Ud6z4lopihrRWShpAEVTtV457dc-X8TpXYWN87Kzh3I7ZQ01AUnhexHYVFNudHMJqw2Klh44J85GL-gwOKNC0nWcOew2vOJMoXMQ5RnyuzacLtPqo3wc_lOcrvdLeBSOr81zu9ysgavvh8HxOE4RofJbUm6j-kJXDAoWyMLKWr-54vr-5/s4000/20231210_141058.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCd_gaQdMrd57Ud6z4lopihrRWShpAEVTtV457dc-X8TpXYWN87Kzh3I7ZQ01AUnhexHYVFNudHMJqw2Klh44J85GL-gwOKNC0nWcOew2vOJMoXMQ5RnyuzacLtPqo3wc_lOcrvdLeBSOr81zu9ysgavvh8HxOE4RofJbUm6j-kJXDAoWyMLKWr-54vr-5/w480-h640/20231210_141058.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk down Cornhill where there is an old Victorian Water fountain and a water pump on a old well.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9M9LOen9O46ktL4jMwPYxmw3VySbn16xA8xzQW-O_zYd3jObM3wp2RZSZeSrrC4hWmZ2OzmR4pubD1FzIBIytVlX5JYEgEZ5_TS_28x68LoHl6qVE_XzmU4906V2RyJYFwRMUOrEQ3S8Vyb2Ysbn-mVU4UMjv8Crs-OvryUeexfmIgWDpX03GMcebPqh/s4000/20231210_141120.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2682" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9M9LOen9O46ktL4jMwPYxmw3VySbn16xA8xzQW-O_zYd3jObM3wp2RZSZeSrrC4hWmZ2OzmR4pubD1FzIBIytVlX5JYEgEZ5_TS_28x68LoHl6qVE_XzmU4906V2RyJYFwRMUOrEQ3S8Vyb2Ysbn-mVU4UMjv8Crs-OvryUeexfmIgWDpX03GMcebPqh/w430-h640/20231210_141120.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Cornhill Water Pump stands at the site of a water pump back in the 18th century before the days supermarket water. Today the pump is just decorative, without a water supply and therefore just for show, albeit as a historical landmark and reminder of the many water fountains, wells, pumps and conduits that helped provide water to the inhabitants of London over the centuries.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTU3u623Jhb6KqVe5ReKpQphKjwSrdmsJVGAMddndd2lYVJSymMJq7Pte4iSjHNyk5nRWuVZ-h_eYI262ybsdxq_YiqskrCAr7Bncqqz0xQhvtncrwFpIJyMc9l3vcO4siF7geZ6tUVLIEbzskR5a0_pfJM_yBf3-0cJ3dbfz7hqnMmpiHFhFralSDBWW/s4000/20231210_141129.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2241" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTU3u623Jhb6KqVe5ReKpQphKjwSrdmsJVGAMddndd2lYVJSymMJq7Pte4iSjHNyk5nRWuVZ-h_eYI262ybsdxq_YiqskrCAr7Bncqqz0xQhvtncrwFpIJyMc9l3vcO4siF7geZ6tUVLIEbzskR5a0_pfJM_yBf3-0cJ3dbfz7hqnMmpiHFhFralSDBWW/w358-h640/20231210_141129.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Walking on we turn down St Michaels Alley and pass and an old chop shop called Simpsons, dating back to 1757.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">London's oldest chophouse could be saved after the City of London passed measures to protect the pub. The Simpson's Tavern near Leadenhall Market has survived fires, wars, and epidemics in its 250-year history. But the pub is now facing the biggest threat to its survival.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The tavern first got into rent arrears during the Covid pandemic and the venue's locks were allegedly changed by the landlord last month, closing the business. The eatery has had to raise funds to reopen and keep its heritage alive, Sadly its now closed.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BxZy1XXtkPKxBNxkglAIiWv-DBLVe5QtoxqUpUj_UMiLFFuzIi0vOeEX-lkW921IoVN0V7adzveQ2jpk0J3q0geA87wVioVSbB9sE_0Vrf9idcLm_mRFUat58NVCZRAY2BewKRbre8mBLAoDXR6rQ_f744fbBbfqfUjS0CUmzSGtScDRl5u_-RqeFMqZ/s4000/20231210_141429.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BxZy1XXtkPKxBNxkglAIiWv-DBLVe5QtoxqUpUj_UMiLFFuzIi0vOeEX-lkW921IoVN0V7adzveQ2jpk0J3q0geA87wVioVSbB9sE_0Vrf9idcLm_mRFUat58NVCZRAY2BewKRbre8mBLAoDXR6rQ_f744fbBbfqfUjS0CUmzSGtScDRl5u_-RqeFMqZ/w480-h640/20231210_141429.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk around into Castle Court and pass The George and Vulture.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">“Mr. Pickwick and Sam took up their present abode in very good, old-fashioned, and comfortable quarters, to wit, the George and Vulture Tavern and Hotel, George Yard, Lombard Street. Mr. Pickwick had dined, finished his second pint of particular port, pulled his silk handkerchief over his head, put his feet on the fender, and thrown himself back in an easy-chair, when the entrance of Mr. Weller with his carpet-bag, aroused him from his tranquil meditation.” Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, 1836</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The George & Vulture is a City institution. This is a Chop House restaurant famous for the best chops and steaks. It is also open for drinks and cold platters in the evening.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqqc4shyphenhyphenVzUweHEfXXOBqzy4FfmzrlTwoggSkhFIviAGMProNQwJILi48YQmrVH5dlHCtQXhRd-EPfIkUEK8PqTt9lqAXImmMqO4QpHn-9INhQrS7kq8AL8GVgFkhRCjNRdWcYZn3qu6tlHoD25kzdW2A-KMmLpCsgF0ZJecXcHUYVJdGNwXCstBCubZY/s3663/20231210_141710.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3663" data-original-width="2748" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqqc4shyphenhyphenVzUweHEfXXOBqzy4FfmzrlTwoggSkhFIviAGMProNQwJILi48YQmrVH5dlHCtQXhRd-EPfIkUEK8PqTt9lqAXImmMqO4QpHn-9INhQrS7kq8AL8GVgFkhRCjNRdWcYZn3qu6tlHoD25kzdW2A-KMmLpCsgF0ZJecXcHUYVJdGNwXCstBCubZY/w480-h640/20231210_141710.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Almost opposite is the Jamaica Wine House, known by locals as ‘The Jampot’, The Jamaica Wine House is the historic birthplace of London’s impressive coffee house scene. It has a rich, vibrant history, stretching back hundreds of years - with visits from many important historical figures.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, The Jamaica Wine House is a Grade II listed building, hidden away in St Michael’s Alley amid a labyrinth of charming medieval courts and backstreets near Monument, and is one of the Square Mile’s most popular pubs and wine bars.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you’re looking for one of the best burgers in London, whether you’re just popping in for a drink or are looking for a bite to eat, a warm welcome awaits you at The Jamaica Wine House.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZR6M50s-CyimCC9FOu_6odM6jkQP2rJGia5A-QFp-knmjtB_uIfk8ZWyZN_rgkob6679-SOD36la1o_xijUXi-HJ0slW6eZIdzvLy3RiNYiTSs1zmg1DKHJesto-Jbg22vIUrMUiIu7NOttiAwBaxGfuTrfWjsciDYCrP3zMNG4po4BiQzjT0ipHH6wRU/s3796/20231210_142025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZR6M50s-CyimCC9FOu_6odM6jkQP2rJGia5A-QFp-knmjtB_uIfk8ZWyZN_rgkob6679-SOD36la1o_xijUXi-HJ0slW6eZIdzvLy3RiNYiTSs1zmg1DKHJesto-Jbg22vIUrMUiIu7NOttiAwBaxGfuTrfWjsciDYCrP3zMNG4po4BiQzjT0ipHH6wRU/s3796/20231210_142025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3796" data-original-width="2847" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZR6M50s-CyimCC9FOu_6odM6jkQP2rJGia5A-QFp-knmjtB_uIfk8ZWyZN_rgkob6679-SOD36la1o_xijUXi-HJ0slW6eZIdzvLy3RiNYiTSs1zmg1DKHJesto-Jbg22vIUrMUiIu7NOttiAwBaxGfuTrfWjsciDYCrP3zMNG4po4BiQzjT0ipHH6wRU/w480-h640/20231210_142025.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1652 the first coffee house in London was opened on St. Michael’s Alley, off Cornhill, set within a warren of medieval streets.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In truth, it was less coffee house and more wooden coffee shack, but it had the enviable advertising distinction of being situated below the spire of St. Michael’s Church, visible all over London.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was operated by Pasqua Rosee, a servant or possibly valet to the businessman Daniel Edwards, who was an importer of goods from Turkey that included coffee. There are two stories as to how the coffee house came to be established. One is that Rosee had a falling out with Edwards and left his employ to set up the business. Another – and probably the more likely – is that visitors to Edwards’ home to try this new and exotic drink became too many and too frequent, so Edwards helped Rosee set up as a public vendor.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There doesn’t appear to be a definitive name given for Rosee’s establishment. Some accounts refer to it as being called “The Turk’s Head,” while a plaque on display in St. Michael’s Alley today refers to it as being the site of “The Sign of Pasqua Rosee’s Head.” Indeed, it was Rosee’s own profile which graced his coffee house sign. Resplendent in a turban and sporting a twirly moustache, the image of the head of a man of Turkish origin became the default sign for all coffee houses.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It should be noted that the first coffee house to be established in England was located in Oxford. It was opened in 1651 by a Jewish man named Jacob and called the Angel. However, a pamphlet distributed by Rosee extolling the “virtue of the coffee drink” named himself as the first to make and sell the beverage in England.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sadly, despite Rosee’s being a hugely popular gathering place and a centre for creativity and communication – and spawning hundreds of rival establishments around the capital – it (and he) was short-lived.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1RDgHwhg5mYLeI5W4XGGLVr9Sbs2yWzx3r29QwRrTzFqQ_fq94E3YOLq1LHX3IhglllvAMtBfqC-OADPD8vccBDTZQFBAgZ8uMIdcKbzQ4NrzfhT8temv1YkLEr9VR32IQtJMc82RJbsxKVyuTPCuWu3NvJT9Eo4vXNMV0jyCdHEq6tA04wzZ41bTM8L/s4000/20231210_142037.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1RDgHwhg5mYLeI5W4XGGLVr9Sbs2yWzx3r29QwRrTzFqQ_fq94E3YOLq1LHX3IhglllvAMtBfqC-OADPD8vccBDTZQFBAgZ8uMIdcKbzQ4NrzfhT8temv1YkLEr9VR32IQtJMc82RJbsxKVyuTPCuWu3NvJT9Eo4vXNMV0jyCdHEq6tA04wzZ41bTM8L/w480-h640/20231210_142037.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is evidence that he intended to open another coffee house in a permanent establishment on Cornhill, “adjacent Newman’s Court,” but all historical record of Pasqua Rosee ceases from 1658. His intended Cornhill location is now, ironically, a Starbucks. And in another twist of coffee-related fate, the location of the house Rosee shared with Mr. Edwards, at 38 Walbrook, is also now occupied by Starbucks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The site of Rosee’s original coffee house was re-built after the great fire of London in 1666 and re-opened by another proprietor as the Jamaica Coffee House. Re-built again in the 19th Century, it continues serving drinks to this day under the name of the Jamaica Wine House.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMQIpn_pyZU7TYxGHS_O4bsmWVLHAg4zdt8vMp6v3NrPoA7nKe30vCYAj0tZeehhVH1y7964I8QMzagGZkvnyQ6FbCWJSv2G_b_vlHuF2kQpILRn-L9TgHEfNre1JzwwGBNYokrV4TOq6iAoHhNHvdc4JsrC9dxKDDWlbOItweRRzbEdH9U_s2xMn_NVq/s3760/20231210_142131.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3760" data-original-width="2820" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMQIpn_pyZU7TYxGHS_O4bsmWVLHAg4zdt8vMp6v3NrPoA7nKe30vCYAj0tZeehhVH1y7964I8QMzagGZkvnyQ6FbCWJSv2G_b_vlHuF2kQpILRn-L9TgHEfNre1JzwwGBNYokrV4TOq6iAoHhNHvdc4JsrC9dxKDDWlbOItweRRzbEdH9U_s2xMn_NVq/w480-h640/20231210_142131.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back out onto Gracechurch Street and to Leadenhall.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD7b76MQVaNbzfQzReJTDCz6CB3d0ZR5Fx8etjGuRzoI3f1lzpQE_YYFVc6nx68775yCefAwE5LYO79RWU8sSGDZ_WfWUOfSENE3_SbaS4gBHIPtEpqNwnD4Iry20oYLxfoMB1LWgcj8MDzNe-tOf_bCK-fpeCYhrBm3Ivjvp71Fysw5EHMqGIxM1bN5e/s3665/20231210_142420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3665" data-original-width="2749" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD7b76MQVaNbzfQzReJTDCz6CB3d0ZR5Fx8etjGuRzoI3f1lzpQE_YYFVc6nx68775yCefAwE5LYO79RWU8sSGDZ_WfWUOfSENE3_SbaS4gBHIPtEpqNwnD4Iry20oYLxfoMB1LWgcj8MDzNe-tOf_bCK-fpeCYhrBm3Ivjvp71Fysw5EHMqGIxM1bN5e/w480-h640/20231210_142420.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxeUWJl3lJvurfklZsGeh8upg2WCBvJYqe5U37E0XqFebmnlQAQZpzk7AD2Pm7DJerSRXfgnH6l16ydMvXKLeNWXVcHVOwfI4LA_mhKAKFvXVJJefjJNvJ5lVyJeRqRyNgd9JU0v7qwv_0k96FIM4_rfzmdnTQ1teRfkshosTYmzd0Ykh8cKJerMimySp/s3828/20231210_142607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3828" data-original-width="2871" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxeUWJl3lJvurfklZsGeh8upg2WCBvJYqe5U37E0XqFebmnlQAQZpzk7AD2Pm7DJerSRXfgnH6l16ydMvXKLeNWXVcHVOwfI4LA_mhKAKFvXVJJefjJNvJ5lVyJeRqRyNgd9JU0v7qwv_0k96FIM4_rfzmdnTQ1teRfkshosTYmzd0Ykh8cKJerMimySp/w480-h640/20231210_142607.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk pass 42 Bullshead Passage. At Leadenhall Market, 42 Bull’s Head Passage, the entrance of the ‘The Leaky Cauldron’ of the Harry Potter movie is located. It is located just beneath the famous Lloyd’s Building.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The scene where Harry Potter and Hagrid go shopping for wands (and where Hagrid buys Hedwig as a late birthday gift for Harry) is one of the most memorable scenes in the first Harry Potter film… and it all happened outside Leadenhall Market.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And not only was Leadenhall Market used to represent the one area of London which secretly leads magical folk to Diagon Alley (in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone), Potterheads should be able to immediately recognize the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron at 42 Bull’s Head Passage (which is now an opticians office), as its blue door was used to film scenes in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as well.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not just limited to Harry Potter, Leadenhall Market has also been used as a filming location for a handful of other movies over the years, such as Hereafter, Love Aaj Kal, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, as well as for Erasure’s 1991 music video “Love To Hate You”.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8JE2S2PWpwc9IIRtOPMLbiwTXglQ9J2QUnpKxKJfb-rNhywD6ffr4Z_BiN1x7BzI8SvI1v7EeOa2nQ4flzM73O0GNgRObReAtEzC5xiYpre208ALvAgHVW3iLt64TPxqs-Doq131BpvcXUvOuYdSYV_liPrzM4GmiMemNJyWM6d8tyYwYuyK_Eep32CM/s3818/20231210_142654.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3818" data-original-width="2863" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8JE2S2PWpwc9IIRtOPMLbiwTXglQ9J2QUnpKxKJfb-rNhywD6ffr4Z_BiN1x7BzI8SvI1v7EeOa2nQ4flzM73O0GNgRObReAtEzC5xiYpre208ALvAgHVW3iLt64TPxqs-Doq131BpvcXUvOuYdSYV_liPrzM4GmiMemNJyWM6d8tyYwYuyK_Eep32CM/w480-h640/20231210_142654.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Since as far back as the 1300s, local poulterers would venture to Leadenhall Market to sell their produce to the locals, and as a result, countless geese and chickens were slaughtered on a regular basis inside the market.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But during the early 1800s, there was one clever little goose who managed to escape his fate of being killed along with 34,000 other geese, after he somehow managing to make a “dash for freedom” when it was his turn for execution. (Word on</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">the street was that the goose actually managed to escape capture not just once, but countless times over the course of several days).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Because he was such a hard goose to catch, the market workers eventually gave up and decided to let the goose (who was eventually named Old Tom) live a life of peace and happiness inside the market, and he soon became one of Leadenhall’s most beloved residents; (so much so that market employees would often save a few scraps of food for him as well!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Old Tom managed to live to the ripe old age of 38; and after his death in 1835, he was featured in the obituary section of a local newspaper, and was even given the proper burial he deserved inside the market.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today Old Tom’s burial spot is marked by none other than the Old Tom’s Bar (at 10-12 Leadenhall Market) where visitors can enjoy traditional British cuisine and craft beers, but if you’re interested you can also check out two different representations of Old Tom on top of the old Midland Bank building, which is just near the Bank of England by the Bank tube station.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBX6bcEUGhfaWnU5C5w-BYUAeOayo39EPL1xQ22_vQ7_RpQ3L4qa5KEnAF7N3Ku0yXQQxfxRNI4HO_9qZpw3D6caOO3y9BFZ_B1xsucR38QvorNqjna-JplpVDjb7_i-dcDE8MYvezglRlsTAWzePV7GbHolxPwaj_-l-Q8FC4AhamJ-blg0mBMMc1KXp/s4000/20231210_142706.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBX6bcEUGhfaWnU5C5w-BYUAeOayo39EPL1xQ22_vQ7_RpQ3L4qa5KEnAF7N3Ku0yXQQxfxRNI4HO_9qZpw3D6caOO3y9BFZ_B1xsucR38QvorNqjna-JplpVDjb7_i-dcDE8MYvezglRlsTAWzePV7GbHolxPwaj_-l-Q8FC4AhamJ-blg0mBMMc1KXp/w480-h640/20231210_142706.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Leadenhall Market is perhaps best known as being one of the most stunning Victorian markets in London (and perhaps even the world), but turns out its history stretches well beyond the Victorian era.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">During the Roman times, Leadenhall served an important role in the Roman settlement of Londinium, and apparently the eastern portion of the area where the market now stands once held the basilica and forum of Londinium. Not only that, the area was also an important meeting place and civic administration centre, and even once had a marketplace with stalls lining the walls of an open-air square.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">However, even though Rome destroyed the buildings in 300 AD as a punishment to London for supporting Carausius (who had declared himself the Emperor of Britain), the Romans didn’t leave the area until the early 5th century after Britain was declared independent from Rome.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But surprisingly enough, Leadenhall’s Roman roots weren’t discovered until the early 1800s when the market was being remodelled, after workers discovered a section of Roman mosaic artwork about nine feet below street level. It was after this when historians were able to pinpoint that the Roman settlement around Leadenhall was established sometime around 70 AD, and was perhaps expanded to two hectares around 120 AD.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Visitors can see the original Roman mosaic artwork (which features a Bacchus riding a tiger with serpents, drinking cups and a cornucopia) in the British Museum, as well as one of the Roman Basilica arches which was discovered in the market’s north-western foundations in the basement of the Nicholson & Griffin Barber Shop in the market’s Central Avenue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKo_wmXIDeoAIPBcIcOnrropD-kqhNaOTaTp1-XdODKRXHPSiZ0monQbIpkBabpRddyiQZhEkKZHBWh1MNaapT218m1eFMAiZgKwV6EN4KDQrKWIjEYZKQYKzBRZeem2ikEE6UhnJxjzEF2HN_uBA34IihHpPlKlKHrFTEzpYEJh1RwZqRKQZDohm-w9RJ/s4000/20231210_142730.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKo_wmXIDeoAIPBcIcOnrropD-kqhNaOTaTp1-XdODKRXHPSiZ0monQbIpkBabpRddyiQZhEkKZHBWh1MNaapT218m1eFMAiZgKwV6EN4KDQrKWIjEYZKQYKzBRZeem2ikEE6UhnJxjzEF2HN_uBA34IihHpPlKlKHrFTEzpYEJh1RwZqRKQZDohm-w9RJ/w480-h640/20231210_142730.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">They were busy filming a Netflix program at the time of our visit.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-T7Vm5Ym3tnbqHJai-ttzDC6KJjXDj5JAFTDyw9NCawfTGX2tN9OGaHgeT-6k1B09GUscNfgoxLRoxMOl7k-n3R-om1HDa7kVZtHz4c29mTfPNS2aQ0g7dXbFeyBJx1UnmldxHrgcivzGXMYVh_jTUeZCEpDeT00VorT_VdIwqL-L6vehTpuf3cW_6EV/s4000/20231210_142749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-T7Vm5Ym3tnbqHJai-ttzDC6KJjXDj5JAFTDyw9NCawfTGX2tN9OGaHgeT-6k1B09GUscNfgoxLRoxMOl7k-n3R-om1HDa7kVZtHz4c29mTfPNS2aQ0g7dXbFeyBJx1UnmldxHrgcivzGXMYVh_jTUeZCEpDeT00VorT_VdIwqL-L6vehTpuf3cW_6EV/w640-h480/20231210_142749.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Leadenhall Market’s Victorian design may be famous all around the world, but what Leadenhall Market looks like today is actually a stark contrast from what it looked like before its redesign during the Victorian ages.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Originally, the market building was a lead-roofed manor house (hence its name), which was once located within London’s Lime Street Ward. Nobody knows the exact date the manor was built, but it is known that by 1309, the owner of the manor (Sir Hugh Neville) opened up the grounds to be used as a marketplace for locals.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This marketplace was eventually redesigned by John Croxton in 1449, when it was decided to expand the market into a large rectangular quadrangle shape with two stories, a small side chapel, and various storage rooms to prepare for food shortages or other types of “social unrest”.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This original Leadenhall Market building was sadly demolished in 1881 before being redesigned yet again by Sir Horace Jones, an English architect who also designed the Smithfield Market, the Billingsgate Fish Market and even the Tower Bridge; (although the bridge wasn’t completed until eight years after his death).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Horace was responsible for designing Leadenhall’s iconic wrought iron and glass roof details, and the project cost a whopping £99,000 to build, with its additional entrances costing another £148,000. It’s thanks to Jones’ redesign that helped Leadenhall Market earn its Grade II heritage-listed status in 1972, and ultimately making it one of the most recognizable architectural structures in London today.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqurzDHWhsx4gn1hH9ZcNF8d0SGuJipEV0JHmU5YHu84Nh8d_bbIE1JScPxoo_YZfkAsqPnL-UiTMazn2k1bi9j8E59x972GVbwiFZzTaXqjfKpDfdfAgYdId6vfnSMHKAd-gy51XK_vyO4ur7XWe6IZioWI-PQIy5FrCuNto99AwLML_wCGqJAApC26xO/s4000/20231210_142816.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqurzDHWhsx4gn1hH9ZcNF8d0SGuJipEV0JHmU5YHu84Nh8d_bbIE1JScPxoo_YZfkAsqPnL-UiTMazn2k1bi9j8E59x972GVbwiFZzTaXqjfKpDfdfAgYdId6vfnSMHKAd-gy51XK_vyO4ur7XWe6IZioWI-PQIy5FrCuNto99AwLML_wCGqJAApC26xO/w640-h480/20231210_142816.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85YBVOIplEHE2nvM8yxQnW7Vli5cQY3-wEje4ZTUe94YUI5eTn_hnnt8Gn23E8SmDWnTMHY8rxQKD4R1cuy6kH81j1nodWwHPgRVlslSTN25wMUtKHoMnDJpS2b-je4DKKZOpwX6ILdH7rxbOxjvNGc3-X-t6ohb9GfbNgHocwcdFS3RCayeW-36699-K/s3803/20231210_142906.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3803" data-original-width="2852" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85YBVOIplEHE2nvM8yxQnW7Vli5cQY3-wEje4ZTUe94YUI5eTn_hnnt8Gn23E8SmDWnTMHY8rxQKD4R1cuy6kH81j1nodWwHPgRVlslSTN25wMUtKHoMnDJpS2b-je4DKKZOpwX6ILdH7rxbOxjvNGc3-X-t6ohb9GfbNgHocwcdFS3RCayeW-36699-K/w480-h640/20231210_142906.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave Leadenhall and walk down St Mary Axe.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pcJAPOfdn2p-tb3OEU_n5wqJ23SqT6bnSPRW0Jd250R3ii9ESLk6l26haETeIHC8CqOypIGOAARfRLvXkNElD88uo_PV99-jmEDdhrAmu8KU3aDflNCgHiowgEiQvUy65wSrYhC2l8Dyy4-sz_l8yENIaR5TEpMZ4Q9SHH0H61F2-oUItP9GfvByNVZI/s3895/20231210_143116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3895" data-original-width="2921" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pcJAPOfdn2p-tb3OEU_n5wqJ23SqT6bnSPRW0Jd250R3ii9ESLk6l26haETeIHC8CqOypIGOAARfRLvXkNElD88uo_PV99-jmEDdhrAmu8KU3aDflNCgHiowgEiQvUy65wSrYhC2l8Dyy4-sz_l8yENIaR5TEpMZ4Q9SHH0H61F2-oUItP9GfvByNVZI/w480-h640/20231210_143116.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">St Mary Axe is a small street near Bishopsgate in the Square Mile. It's famous as the home of the Gherkin skyscraper — officially called 30 St Mary Axe. But where does this odd street name come from?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The street takes its name from the church of St Mary Axe, which stood just south of the Gherkin site. This medieval relic was pulled down in 1565 (or thereabouts) having fallen into disrepair.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But how did the church get its name? There are various interconnected theories.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The historian John Stow*, writing about the church in 1603, describes "the signe of an Axe, over against the East end thereof". It's unclear whether he is describing a pub sign or that of some other business, but such motifs were common in an age when most people couldn't read names or numbers. So the street may simply refer to a combo of the church and a nearby hanging sign.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzRij0EJre2EMeCR5PfV5IGqPCIbka8b7F97GcJdy3Mxu8_EFBbybfPeGWsR1360ZU2SCur-AgdF5kBSbEG0CLVfLn1WxzNEz0aNWS3xgTUcKWXsk9Gh4a6lo3p6AWcf0364Yuj_AZwruR7XnvsRiTfqRQtjr0PpUYxpMiv1QZVT3dDnmznFu52TdzEBO/s4000/20231210_143206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzRij0EJre2EMeCR5PfV5IGqPCIbka8b7F97GcJdy3Mxu8_EFBbybfPeGWsR1360ZU2SCur-AgdF5kBSbEG0CLVfLn1WxzNEz0aNWS3xgTUcKWXsk9Gh4a6lo3p6AWcf0364Yuj_AZwruR7XnvsRiTfqRQtjr0PpUYxpMiv1QZVT3dDnmznFu52TdzEBO/w480-h640/20231210_143206.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another theory links the church to the Worshipful Company of Skinners. Stow tells us that this trade guild owned land adjacent to the church. It's possible that their skinning knives, which look a little like axe blades, became associated with the area. The church was also known as St Mary Pellipar, a reference to the Manor of Pellipar in Ireland, owned by the Skinners.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A third idea draws on the church's full name of St Mary, St Ursula and her 11,000 Virgins. It's an intriguing, if long-winded dedication. St Ursula was (in legend) a third- or fourth-century British princess who travelled to Rome then Cologne with an unlikely retinue of 11,000 virgin handmaidens. While on her journey, the party was set upon by Huns and massacred.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A document from 1514 links Ursula's legend to the church on St Mary Axe. At that time, the church supposedly possessed one of the axes used in the massacre. Hence, the church and later the street came to be known as St Mary Axe.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, 30 St Mary Axe may well get its name from one of the most heinous and bloody crimes imagined in all European legend. Perhaps the building's owners might consider calling it the Gherkin like everyone else.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*Who, incidentally, has a unique memorial in the neighbouring church of St Andrew Undershaft.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiOax6YX6dxMaVhfi7kxsAhaoNaEWsNVTr_wvr9l4oec5dqFWrTftY7YjDGkL0helUJSxJzsFPZl-oTak5q29-lk6dO_3zO9bFFuiGtqjDocR8qk9o0LZjcQhyphenhyphenzTPAIRGME_zXOio_p0hQW0qlE3LK_PXGKMROHhO9CrIKjKvA57J4dE-J5ReGHLi2jEv/s3867/20231210_143331.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3867" data-original-width="2900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiOax6YX6dxMaVhfi7kxsAhaoNaEWsNVTr_wvr9l4oec5dqFWrTftY7YjDGkL0helUJSxJzsFPZl-oTak5q29-lk6dO_3zO9bFFuiGtqjDocR8qk9o0LZjcQhyphenhyphenzTPAIRGME_zXOio_p0hQW0qlE3LK_PXGKMROHhO9CrIKjKvA57J4dE-J5ReGHLi2jEv/w480-h640/20231210_143331.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Gherkin, formally 30 St Mary Axe and previously known as the Swiss Re Building, is a commercial skyscraper in London's primary financial district, the City of London. It was completed in December 2003 and opened in April 2004. With 41 floors, it is 180 metres (591 ft) tall and stands on the sites of the former Baltic Exchange and Chamber of Shipping, which were extensively damaged in 1992 in the Baltic Exchange bombing by a device placed by the Provisional IRA in St Mary Axe, a narrow street leading north from Leadenhall Street.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After plans to build the 92-storey Millennium Tower were dropped, 30 St Mary Axe was designed by Foster + Partners and the Arup Group. It was built by Skanska; construction started in 2001.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The building has become a recognisable landmark of London, and it is one of the city's most widely recognised examples of contemporary architecture. It won the 2003 Emporis Skyscraper Award.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0sFsTdySJWFkvIdb1WBDfBOpEA0yYYgPuTbwbRl0-tGJXZGeTeH_RfH3aQ-vcoUcNd7_PyL7LX7RhVyppJ6ncuFfLSWnFKQav26Dok4-MRPDgd7ELGeU4K7t7bSwc8KR_iSl1yTHyBOouenevz3KCxb3Vxu71kHOfGiG7i-bJE8ZWH3-dhiDgWpzOzsZ/s4000/20231210_143857.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0sFsTdySJWFkvIdb1WBDfBOpEA0yYYgPuTbwbRl0-tGJXZGeTeH_RfH3aQ-vcoUcNd7_PyL7LX7RhVyppJ6ncuFfLSWnFKQav26Dok4-MRPDgd7ELGeU4K7t7bSwc8KR_iSl1yTHyBOouenevz3KCxb3Vxu71kHOfGiG7i-bJE8ZWH3-dhiDgWpzOzsZ/w480-h640/20231210_143857.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvaHwB-7tMfNEL62sI4Eh4drK8R2ycNdurtYGcpA49seyoCPJWGCtPuc85ntaJCpybS80_sgaC-4zTUQePUMkrSDWIONWA0uFYYVtLB4Q9pbONpe07sTQvPFfssX9dOzC4ZSUdkXi-L7NmtV96lFleW4XNzxA_i4lff36CEn-ctO1OaXYvrzuZWxOf_m4/s3667/20231210_143956.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3667" data-original-width="2750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvaHwB-7tMfNEL62sI4Eh4drK8R2ycNdurtYGcpA49seyoCPJWGCtPuc85ntaJCpybS80_sgaC-4zTUQePUMkrSDWIONWA0uFYYVtLB4Q9pbONpe07sTQvPFfssX9dOzC4ZSUdkXi-L7NmtV96lFleW4XNzxA_i4lff36CEn-ctO1OaXYvrzuZWxOf_m4/w480-h640/20231210_143956.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on through to 120 Fenchurch Street where we plan to go up onto its roof for amazing views. Four of our group leave early as there is a queue and they have trains to catch back to further afield than the rest of us.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUXenMJNTNCbTPVT_-JYThMeioeyhELtY3Q5naBY4C0BrVWNqdn0wjliPBIPxfIOL0jrpQ8ZKxysO2FlZrFC6uH7l7Nb4fVl-iWDjOfcSJEWGNx79kZ4H_K_OeSgaLe_EkOnR5_IFUFA206_xmBjHnvyKbOy1S4D8lKeb9MDeaPU4Ynui_dWD-1cfAnvr/s4000/20231210_145319.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUXenMJNTNCbTPVT_-JYThMeioeyhELtY3Q5naBY4C0BrVWNqdn0wjliPBIPxfIOL0jrpQ8ZKxysO2FlZrFC6uH7l7Nb4fVl-iWDjOfcSJEWGNx79kZ4H_K_OeSgaLe_EkOnR5_IFUFA206_xmBjHnvyKbOy1S4D8lKeb9MDeaPU4Ynui_dWD-1cfAnvr/w480-h640/20231210_145319.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At 15 storeys up, The Garden at 120 offers exceptional 360-degree views of the City and greater London. Dedicated public lifts lead directly to The Garden at 120, which is an oasis in the heart of the City. The Garden, designed by German landscape architects Latz + Partner, is home to 85 Italian wisteria trees, over 30 fruit trees and a 200ft-long flowing water feature, relaxed seating and kiosk selling teas, coffees and snacks on the level below.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcnzk2-FnOWC9tWIWiVj9wA7z4-b2ZPMici0lWSDbEDtOuDZRIoW46MBbEpL1n-FETI11ZBqRnMo7Oen9nw55-sqkYfgUqmGYafflunvqIQzUlJe1aXfMnRswv0woNx9Bp8TF1LtjAL2lrZQ7nYCAaPrns0-waog6EIdd25ddwpSJocSqikd31IBJ92Kz/s3953/20231210_151239.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2965" data-original-width="3953" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcnzk2-FnOWC9tWIWiVj9wA7z4-b2ZPMici0lWSDbEDtOuDZRIoW46MBbEpL1n-FETI11ZBqRnMo7Oen9nw55-sqkYfgUqmGYafflunvqIQzUlJe1aXfMnRswv0woNx9Bp8TF1LtjAL2lrZQ7nYCAaPrns0-waog6EIdd25ddwpSJocSqikd31IBJ92Kz/w640-h480/20231210_151239.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFul4v7HfhB_rLLJUo-ALkdX1SAJOyRWvkkpbkijY_2FDlIuWaJeKzIqkGVlC2U9QSLAcMHaWrxMIq2YHeDxKpGgF-FpIzIJ_FTbmZLtDZThYC8Z5UlA-e0JzmNA2b6m8uS1bjsRnNUoNopUsVp3sIuxbh0Zwvwc73no5P5980Wt1wC_vDq3SKvvuP3DC_/s2944/20231210_151421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="2944" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFul4v7HfhB_rLLJUo-ALkdX1SAJOyRWvkkpbkijY_2FDlIuWaJeKzIqkGVlC2U9QSLAcMHaWrxMIq2YHeDxKpGgF-FpIzIJ_FTbmZLtDZThYC8Z5UlA-e0JzmNA2b6m8uS1bjsRnNUoNopUsVp3sIuxbh0Zwvwc73no5P5980Wt1wC_vDq3SKvvuP3DC_/w640-h480/20231210_151421.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A new roof garden has opened in the City of London, and what it lacks in height, it more than makes up for in width — it’s the largest roof garden in London.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What is known as “The Garden at 120” sits on top the newly opened Fen Court office building at, unsurprisingly 120 Fenchurch Street, and is dramatic in size and the views available.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fen Court is a new office block that was planned in 2008, then revised in 2011 and took over a whole block of smaller buildings, combining them into a single unit. Running through the middle is a large alley, Hogarth Court, which is in fact the same as the old alley that used to run here, and in the centre is the entrance to the roof garden.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCgwWsY8bCIx4cbV6JP2I9ckxy2PCh8dscEP1BiJ0oSwAeA7VjbTWgXS9u_x5YfF9tiImPAOKyJSL14dzP3oOdiwgeqZeBwhEfmwinCUU3EimPMIyhwxi4Skh-JKQQzZYUc71wVxJC3xVoPNe7-gn1IfPs3pzd4lo_xYzfCb9sz0BKnRX-cBbAuf6IpLI/s3708/20231210_151425.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2781" data-original-width="3708" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCgwWsY8bCIx4cbV6JP2I9ckxy2PCh8dscEP1BiJ0oSwAeA7VjbTWgXS9u_x5YfF9tiImPAOKyJSL14dzP3oOdiwgeqZeBwhEfmwinCUU3EimPMIyhwxi4Skh-JKQQzZYUc71wVxJC3xVoPNe7-gn1IfPs3pzd4lo_xYzfCb9sz0BKnRX-cBbAuf6IpLI/w640-h480/20231210_151425.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_QII4n4KLXiFV9HIxJG-InwOBhk9DOPLhqKZUDFbwbgSqIgZ6V3MJ2Rwf0yB-uqfxgfqhYXQIR7EAQjlNtFjfQwNmPMuDiheQwkf2ZuoFm2b-UHoN1XDyI9oSxGVytmn-w8FzPFWeuvwVt0F3NaVlvH3DPLfKohyT8BFpSvKIBBdRHfz_rig6bsMkaC8/s4000/20231210_151430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_QII4n4KLXiFV9HIxJG-InwOBhk9DOPLhqKZUDFbwbgSqIgZ6V3MJ2Rwf0yB-uqfxgfqhYXQIR7EAQjlNtFjfQwNmPMuDiheQwkf2ZuoFm2b-UHoN1XDyI9oSxGVytmn-w8FzPFWeuvwVt0F3NaVlvH3DPLfKohyT8BFpSvKIBBdRHfz_rig6bsMkaC8/w640-h480/20231210_151430.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Shame all the rain on the glass fence ruined getting great pictures, but still some great views!</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-plmJYOkx_Ivi6tIc0iidx0K9I4zzTu-3oPgAPh8_tQgQmMoWhGDWrXncilgmEs-cH2DFDdQGX6FR0smf28tNXiBlU8C07lUNWknm5jXOecADmUFV5K76KQNcaSY6QVZ0IIH0h1QcuM2iGZKes2IL_ycA_lhHuQxrrGXHCsZk7X32Dh7TVE8hxOkByQZ/s3757/20231210_151502.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2818" data-original-width="3757" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-plmJYOkx_Ivi6tIc0iidx0K9I4zzTu-3oPgAPh8_tQgQmMoWhGDWrXncilgmEs-cH2DFDdQGX6FR0smf28tNXiBlU8C07lUNWknm5jXOecADmUFV5K76KQNcaSY6QVZ0IIH0h1QcuM2iGZKes2IL_ycA_lhHuQxrrGXHCsZk7X32Dh7TVE8hxOkByQZ/w640-h480/20231210_151502.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipf5dj2yNzArIly8f_YJpxgrZC9c_skreMU4FyQiUufGKhwm4VdwolJXavZ6pw9uSbFcbwA4yIyMtD1LYc3dLTDO8rA_rkilDNiWPh8TFAgniMLMJTB7kwQ80a2Cc7Zj5oAoG23xoGCCMHGaz4j8ElX6r5ohfTQW9hHlcRbHHzQMdRRRmkKNiKEuyzjYqc/s4000/20231210_151545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipf5dj2yNzArIly8f_YJpxgrZC9c_skreMU4FyQiUufGKhwm4VdwolJXavZ6pw9uSbFcbwA4yIyMtD1LYc3dLTDO8rA_rkilDNiWPh8TFAgniMLMJTB7kwQ80a2Cc7Zj5oAoG23xoGCCMHGaz4j8ElX6r5ohfTQW9hHlcRbHHzQMdRRRmkKNiKEuyzjYqc/w640-h480/20231210_151545.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwa8-BaFaQHdC4UPl7kZhc4_oxi0BopMGp1VYrsByD3hmom5QPKnsko0vyj3yPA_PMTTWtlhEjsn-H0IFHN3FZ5ijjQ0ql-lKBuSEg1a04P4GWaAIgiLRLzOMJc21Lbcizxj8Ln6kea99We6wbXyLAp6JvZCfp8l3sphgWPRqANh16imC6-jFxcMhXgbG/s3952/20231210_151635.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2964" data-original-width="3952" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwa8-BaFaQHdC4UPl7kZhc4_oxi0BopMGp1VYrsByD3hmom5QPKnsko0vyj3yPA_PMTTWtlhEjsn-H0IFHN3FZ5ijjQ0ql-lKBuSEg1a04P4GWaAIgiLRLzOMJc21Lbcizxj8Ln6kea99We6wbXyLAp6JvZCfp8l3sphgWPRqANh16imC6-jFxcMhXgbG/w640-h480/20231210_151635.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-size: 15.4px;"><div style="text-align: center;">A large square space known as the Banking Hall, as it’s based on the banking hall spaces created by Sir John Soane for the Bank of England, and a roof video and audio art that’ll play during the daytime.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5orGfHydGLV6qCJm2SFxCETbEW51aqZxFrjVfl29zqOX5E9xzV85w1naWpCCunFSYyrbdWmrXxl0WQtgzr6TibZuA4QOWlWrBdCH7bQcuEl0TzD3lxhMzP2uk3LPlqwOmvA13vjy9fIDMPhCiNpoe8WpouDgtO6987OmHx6MmfwQnIrXw9yScdoXf5Blh/s3854/20231210_151721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3854" data-original-width="2890" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5orGfHydGLV6qCJm2SFxCETbEW51aqZxFrjVfl29zqOX5E9xzV85w1naWpCCunFSYyrbdWmrXxl0WQtgzr6TibZuA4QOWlWrBdCH7bQcuEl0TzD3lxhMzP2uk3LPlqwOmvA13vjy9fIDMPhCiNpoe8WpouDgtO6987OmHx6MmfwQnIrXw9yScdoXf5Blh/w480-h640/20231210_151721.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGOzCvOqmNVBz08lTWLZxPsr2J1eE4Zy5WrhLllTSn8ylZMHQPzNYbni66YSTqGWriJl3pG43hTGZWTF5Qx5RDr48eiPaeRsBxkws7iRzE3SXUE1-T93M9eZMUIj6iJarv76UZknEJKypte5NRajU5RK5PZx4L9jrJCYRn1FO9lTK99i4yt3CCBSPjVqW/s4000/20231210_151830.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGOzCvOqmNVBz08lTWLZxPsr2J1eE4Zy5WrhLllTSn8ylZMHQPzNYbni66YSTqGWriJl3pG43hTGZWTF5Qx5RDr48eiPaeRsBxkws7iRzE3SXUE1-T93M9eZMUIj6iJarv76UZknEJKypte5NRajU5RK5PZx4L9jrJCYRn1FO9lTK99i4yt3CCBSPjVqW/w480-h640/20231210_151830.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Views to 20 Fenchurch Street nicknamed the Walkie Talkie building, where we visited the Sky Gardens up above on a previous walk.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9lEK0haDFYdskkbrCUId4zj84yX9nNFP1l9A3KuKC66JcpduLtiqBe5jGOosqAH2ANbmztpN0-m92jGvfoEjuyfUJ6hS4ZL5f5V1M3VodDpEvIzJKByceWygoW8EPSYj0rStujWDYF9miVu9liO75GXu6HQBWskiR6JphWassik431yvIza1sZn9jR2C/s3820/20231210_151858.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2865" data-original-width="3820" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9lEK0haDFYdskkbrCUId4zj84yX9nNFP1l9A3KuKC66JcpduLtiqBe5jGOosqAH2ANbmztpN0-m92jGvfoEjuyfUJ6hS4ZL5f5V1M3VodDpEvIzJKByceWygoW8EPSYj0rStujWDYF9miVu9liO75GXu6HQBWskiR6JphWassik431yvIza1sZn9jR2C/w640-h480/20231210_151858.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ4VWACXaA8m3TX9pF0vBnNWKvPnWa13XlEel4cheHYXk8L6rqrKSxxycpO0A_9XdPsvyMH0PKHxASTNyiqq-Ou6uGU2wSdgMyPUn0B7wBHmrrioyKEt_5xwZSav-PHQWotrYj67c9yopHMSjNWTN4G2bnDfo5_XYQ6iHcrMcaPBoWejAuB4MBv7i6Rk6/s3895/20231210_151935.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2921" data-original-width="3895" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ4VWACXaA8m3TX9pF0vBnNWKvPnWa13XlEel4cheHYXk8L6rqrKSxxycpO0A_9XdPsvyMH0PKHxASTNyiqq-Ou6uGU2wSdgMyPUn0B7wBHmrrioyKEt_5xwZSav-PHQWotrYj67c9yopHMSjNWTN4G2bnDfo5_XYQ6iHcrMcaPBoWejAuB4MBv7i6Rk6/w640-h480/20231210_151935.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfwH6Oqf20uFAEn7UGDqsOfPp0fGtFNc1fqBS7Kh0V5sv2-WPLVIDbELgkBne298_vpXw-HsAHcCDJ26T5AuAJccMuwg7dxk2TFtIuwdfbFAGCuKW9Y7pOY_KWD9HN0kc3Ikj55z7xjS5VJtZo6vaHV1zjMpaOQDH0k3iVv_bFaijyMjgHgl9ZIou_Vo3/s4000/20231210_151941.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfwH6Oqf20uFAEn7UGDqsOfPp0fGtFNc1fqBS7Kh0V5sv2-WPLVIDbELgkBne298_vpXw-HsAHcCDJ26T5AuAJccMuwg7dxk2TFtIuwdfbFAGCuKW9Y7pOY_KWD9HN0kc3Ikj55z7xjS5VJtZo6vaHV1zjMpaOQDH0k3iVv_bFaijyMjgHgl9ZIou_Vo3/w640-h480/20231210_151941.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sky Garden is London’s highest public garden – a vibrant social space with 360-degree views of the city’s iconic skyline.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here, you can experience London from a spectacular viewpoint. Enjoy lush greenery, exquisitely landscaped gardens, observation decks, and an open-air terrace.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Access to the Sky Garden is free of charge, but spaces are limited.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nw_oLFrYgp9_AH9aNky274h4Vhw3hUxT7HSMCAbVjVfvVIVxgER4AYW8CuoC-5Pc4v8id_cLSM1MwUVJU2L2fFVNW1-9-cAycBGpRmkbI9vkuJP5T5jcfxLicWEC0D7RTJE1oDQtXnmPnVm7np5p2tZ-gJIOsaxFgBQ-D8o0ef2fyZaHqTx712N-fyn8/s3896/20231210_152009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nw_oLFrYgp9_AH9aNky274h4Vhw3hUxT7HSMCAbVjVfvVIVxgER4AYW8CuoC-5Pc4v8id_cLSM1MwUVJU2L2fFVNW1-9-cAycBGpRmkbI9vkuJP5T5jcfxLicWEC0D7RTJE1oDQtXnmPnVm7np5p2tZ-gJIOsaxFgBQ-D8o0ef2fyZaHqTx712N-fyn8/s3896/20231210_152009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2922" data-original-width="3896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nw_oLFrYgp9_AH9aNky274h4Vhw3hUxT7HSMCAbVjVfvVIVxgER4AYW8CuoC-5Pc4v8id_cLSM1MwUVJU2L2fFVNW1-9-cAycBGpRmkbI9vkuJP5T5jcfxLicWEC0D7RTJE1oDQtXnmPnVm7np5p2tZ-gJIOsaxFgBQ-D8o0ef2fyZaHqTx712N-fyn8/w640-h480/20231210_152009.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGyRwFxvFL66KNlss6uOQ62Sb8-vNPDUfGRWLi2MNw7bBR-JUt6QmDA25Esren_wa2vDMXwE948db7gDFvvVWK1wfSKgfAPiWKzUqI8UuLItvfhx-_A-JbJiJfKan7GkGu8zl5o65Bu7n9VRyAu900bhEaHzpBg5tDe-Nf6xYXFkWiITMvA2ARM2e7PFa/s2944/20231210_152025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGyRwFxvFL66KNlss6uOQ62Sb8-vNPDUfGRWLi2MNw7bBR-JUt6QmDA25Esren_wa2vDMXwE948db7gDFvvVWK1wfSKgfAPiWKzUqI8UuLItvfhx-_A-JbJiJfKan7GkGu8zl5o65Bu7n9VRyAu900bhEaHzpBg5tDe-Nf6xYXFkWiITMvA2ARM2e7PFa/w480-h640/20231210_152025.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYk_ROq6P8SUvSKEDUtXfoskqDbbEaoIQfmAw1YhLOPdrivCXZO3q0MpZRdqncIvHirsADXLx9yayyge6tysS7bh0RSmGn7f2x_AwwTDBxaBpK7BAptcg7-8qLw_AnxJ7YaWZYqEJmk61SIqaKiSs8AbVXMal8JD6u5tfP3__xiAZJ8MPc_i3_x5zBY9AV/w480-h640/20231210_152634.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRziKbit2PsjNufjOySqiNRry_IHEkbWBp-3KBfsmZSJauPVVU5Fogm4MD-7OzSRUb-_F3NZzlVre2CjQoGsfeVI2oDuQqChBf1U7fx5ir8jQlQBQlKV1vWDykptZtEHK8cNQcW0A0SRVJerwmM6IuXxsuLLRec6XHFQ_rP2oYQUWcg3ieWCvAovcw1MSW/s4000/20231210_152753.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRziKbit2PsjNufjOySqiNRry_IHEkbWBp-3KBfsmZSJauPVVU5Fogm4MD-7OzSRUb-_F3NZzlVre2CjQoGsfeVI2oDuQqChBf1U7fx5ir8jQlQBQlKV1vWDykptZtEHK8cNQcW0A0SRVJerwmM6IuXxsuLLRec6XHFQ_rP2oYQUWcg3ieWCvAovcw1MSW/w480-h640/20231210_152753.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oaEBUw0a6BV6e24cyGUPM00uWh9cpVV-g0IL85sER7VAJUz7uljqdYMxeIzBw3vRXUG-0m6jyKfAYfdB8SB5URwzs-59ROlfCgZkiFLFyeqbzcKFEiJYQUl3s31ht_Myz3Z04Yq7VLnCxJN8fdYnSWlmx0PWcL3K5Wc7bYhakLqG1cOXm_JoSH93hRBZ/s3874/20231210_153129.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2905" data-original-width="3874" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oaEBUw0a6BV6e24cyGUPM00uWh9cpVV-g0IL85sER7VAJUz7uljqdYMxeIzBw3vRXUG-0m6jyKfAYfdB8SB5URwzs-59ROlfCgZkiFLFyeqbzcKFEiJYQUl3s31ht_Myz3Z04Yq7VLnCxJN8fdYnSWlmx0PWcL3K5Wc7bYhakLqG1cOXm_JoSH93hRBZ/w640-h480/20231210_153129.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2-bgNt_TBCW75Gju9VhEHjcfYfiFzwFbozMzL32f28fGqpPIrzcnFpBIje0AcazhZhP8zU6DI1nFNqqL5W9xTZg0xPOPWnec5LM32ZFQvBq83UQl6fE4sUkUGMzhagrXte5eXAx1aHT7j46GwKRbAxrzyFB5wXz7htEVpX2gk9rMg_r-MvnqsmCH2KOV/s4000/20231210_153356.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2-bgNt_TBCW75Gju9VhEHjcfYfiFzwFbozMzL32f28fGqpPIrzcnFpBIje0AcazhZhP8zU6DI1nFNqqL5W9xTZg0xPOPWnec5LM32ZFQvBq83UQl6fE4sUkUGMzhagrXte5eXAx1aHT7j46GwKRbAxrzyFB5wXz7htEVpX2gk9rMg_r-MvnqsmCH2KOV/w480-h640/20231210_153356.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Siobhan and I left the other four to walk back to Tower Hill and we made our way over to Liverpool Street Station for our journey home. Thanks David for a great walk!</p></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-77762885839157711212023-11-24T07:36:00.158+00:002024-01-06T19:07:38.740+00:00Paris Trip 23rd to 25th November 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On Wednesday the 22nd November 2023, Mel and I travelled up to London to spend the night to make it easier to catch the Eurostar early the next morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had booked a room in the Goodwood Hotel on Tavistock Place which is very close to St Pancras Station.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphNDq-9lbGwpo2pvSGA03EbjoIA134gffDldb3v3qVf0Zm_Y_mGeOWAFGVCKm0JixrDAUnMibZc22tmJmI0Ir-et_YFfTfEk52_LJGXp5QCywbCAPqUq7hXXlm7Kzre8nOwyKHvCeuAybhnfN9LCFMcGhTtvXg16kyiG4T7XWZu5kCAwRBQeezFi4Hzff/s8160/20231122_175041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphNDq-9lbGwpo2pvSGA03EbjoIA134gffDldb3v3qVf0Zm_Y_mGeOWAFGVCKm0JixrDAUnMibZc22tmJmI0Ir-et_YFfTfEk52_LJGXp5QCywbCAPqUq7hXXlm7Kzre8nOwyKHvCeuAybhnfN9LCFMcGhTtvXg16kyiG4T7XWZu5kCAwRBQeezFi4Hzff/w640-h480/20231122_175041.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Its only a two star hotel and at £89 for the night it is cheap for this part of London. Room was okay clen enough and with a private bathroom. Its only a place to sleep for the night after all!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEZLBX2q4wHSbDSj55vGTzcMn0LgCzNad1ZVyaMS0QB43lNOqfBbJxuSNY0LRPj699sVEnATUFkQGuEJfFBsCMoW3R-0rpmKaIk8MEhlY5lIyYeEUXdeTfdHZmithq7Zp2kJGimHtDXmxPrdep0j3u5K29aTns1DWcxQPyIK064N_1KmpoK8e7u1tsywp/s8160/20231122_184848.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEZLBX2q4wHSbDSj55vGTzcMn0LgCzNad1ZVyaMS0QB43lNOqfBbJxuSNY0LRPj699sVEnATUFkQGuEJfFBsCMoW3R-0rpmKaIk8MEhlY5lIyYeEUXdeTfdHZmithq7Zp2kJGimHtDXmxPrdep0j3u5K29aTns1DWcxQPyIK064N_1KmpoK8e7u1tsywp/w640-h480/20231122_184848.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk off into Town and visit Leicester Square Christmas Market and through into Chinatown.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG98TfN4mtpcb4ZWJA4l2mUHT5BpEUqaljB3BCirPnT7X5lOg5MJhwazRfIvUxL-RcncQK2-P6vIydcNE3czrXVJ0RlT_Nf3ySCRCg6QeAA3AO0uzL7Y2FTQn4htud03u47IV-4im-C2ylkRScmA3nmz1W9YZTn1yO_3HsQDB2mOOLlSvRvzvWZ3rMa2QI/s8160/20231122_190314.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG98TfN4mtpcb4ZWJA4l2mUHT5BpEUqaljB3BCirPnT7X5lOg5MJhwazRfIvUxL-RcncQK2-P6vIydcNE3czrXVJ0RlT_Nf3ySCRCg6QeAA3AO0uzL7Y2FTQn4htud03u47IV-4im-C2ylkRScmA3nmz1W9YZTn1yO_3HsQDB2mOOLlSvRvzvWZ3rMa2QI/w480-h640/20231122_190314.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We stop off in the Montagu Pyke Wetherspoon pub in Soho for dinner and drinks before going back to the hotel.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCc-Zf8xGrIjzRorrhDyPNXpO97-afyZe8W4aCKBLtPaXW3PuPyscZUGccCACKy7uyuU1A8QabfZF07i0LVRFwPmrGhULPFx4f8pX70wr9h5cX-6mJ03nNeQ5JR0tRNf4OxbpwjNvAQkmrKbUguo1q64cZw37UjVW9wl99T9I4Pwvx9TIMu3p-CVEAvbvo/s7514/20231123_063928.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7514" data-original-width="5636" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCc-Zf8xGrIjzRorrhDyPNXpO97-afyZe8W4aCKBLtPaXW3PuPyscZUGccCACKy7uyuU1A8QabfZF07i0LVRFwPmrGhULPFx4f8pX70wr9h5cX-6mJ03nNeQ5JR0tRNf4OxbpwjNvAQkmrKbUguo1q64cZw37UjVW9wl99T9I4Pwvx9TIMu3p-CVEAvbvo/w480-h640/20231123_063928.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We get up at 5am and make our way to St Pancras for 530am as website states to arrive 60 to 90 minutes before departure. We are through Passport control quickly and are sitting in the Departure lounge for a while waiting to board. Once on board the Eurostar whizzes us to Paris in quick time hitting speeds of up to 186 mph.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYi_ciknZbNFjn1GPNaPqu143AlLRG60Xhqny3j02ijQdRdPbnbYPoULmqDNlQP_YKnKBHGPOXsmhPCqcYbXgoOudiVH662OSaNeV6ZymILZd2UuNbwctKXq3uBVjuglUz0k_6VqS8iD85CdU9K80yc-5sPz94H9UVM6BIFqv44EhoNUSKy5ijfDpqNgY/s7856/20231123_110702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7856" data-original-width="5892" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYi_ciknZbNFjn1GPNaPqu143AlLRG60Xhqny3j02ijQdRdPbnbYPoULmqDNlQP_YKnKBHGPOXsmhPCqcYbXgoOudiVH662OSaNeV6ZymILZd2UuNbwctKXq3uBVjuglUz0k_6VqS8iD85CdU9K80yc-5sPz94H9UVM6BIFqv44EhoNUSKy5ijfDpqNgY/w480-h640/20231123_110702.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We arrive at Gare Du Nord Station at 1001am and exit out onto Place Napoleon III and then onto Rue De Dunkerque. Its raining lightly but we don't have far to go to drop off own cases at the hotel. We cross over the road and turn left into Rue de Maubeuge and to the two star hotel Maison Du Pre. We leave our cases here as check in isn't until 2pm. We then walk back to Gare Du Nord and catch the Metro to Charles de Gaulle station and exit out to the Arc de Triomphe.<br /> </div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEXazGfHPMHyVKB_1xqIfXQkQLv9PBFwHSUirl2XtlWEvd5A6PQRkY6QQmmnqpGm7mxspH3Ca3mhcb-bFMAXEh-zPdnct2cn4Au4Z5Yypi-pdOXc1uDyIdlhhGQPUNWWYHNvYcDiK_mHraeo0IfFpkb_xiGYss5z1cPhC42RxphWS7Sy5pt6S3h4Ajzm5/s7954/20231123_114523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5966" data-original-width="7954" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEXazGfHPMHyVKB_1xqIfXQkQLv9PBFwHSUirl2XtlWEvd5A6PQRkY6QQmmnqpGm7mxspH3Ca3mhcb-bFMAXEh-zPdnct2cn4Au4Z5Yypi-pdOXc1uDyIdlhhGQPUNWWYHNvYcDiK_mHraeo0IfFpkb_xiGYss5z1cPhC42RxphWS7Sy5pt6S3h4Ajzm5/w640-h480/20231123_114523.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Central to Paris’s Place de l’Etoile roundabout stands the majestic Arc de Triomphe. Initially designed as a monument to Napoleon’s victorious armies (and in particular, those who fought during the Napoleonic wars), building on the monumental arch began in 1806 and completed in 1836. Inspired by the great arches found throughout antiquity, the Arc de Triomphe combines both a commemorative space with a symbolic one, and it has always played a major role in the French national republican consciousness.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLdcDeQMOPdnephsKJ6jxFt4F4739jfDXQgMMV6DBdtWj8k9jEcr4dqmpfrQByVgROooulsUeAbjYiaeyBDPlskpS3nAmTJKJPUkLe90KkUKmq8rbNWz2QdNZIhHWitGfDI3dwxIk3Tmoqu29YH3VrZyv6q0qutB3f2QC0mw_rcBE8i5Wv7guG1I4fCUf/s3402/20231123_114719.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3402" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLdcDeQMOPdnephsKJ6jxFt4F4739jfDXQgMMV6DBdtWj8k9jEcr4dqmpfrQByVgROooulsUeAbjYiaeyBDPlskpS3nAmTJKJPUkLe90KkUKmq8rbNWz2QdNZIhHWitGfDI3dwxIk3Tmoqu29YH3VrZyv6q0qutB3f2QC0mw_rcBE8i5Wv7guG1I4fCUf/w514-h640/20231123_114719.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The world's largest triumphal arch, the Arc de Triomphe was inspired by the Roman version build by Constantine, but is twice the size of the original model at 50 meters (164 feet) high and 45 meters (148 feet) wide. Bas-reliefs grace each pillar, including the Departure of Volunteers in 1792 and the Resistance of 1814, among others. The names of hundreds of generals and battles also decorate the Arc as a testimony to France's past military glory.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXcH1R0eRIhauSDZniASCvBguzXDYsPW2VrOFqtBsJeyxurEtYEvd_oylfkAiB2u0e5FtxEQm4ozzQujAAImJa9N0uCmoYXHYzMzJC-nNOg1nCVTTGNzBzeaEVy3edi2Pn8KVCC6ilpaQCwA6OQc4rc7fiWVrnKb1tIh4zq5SVQVsVNToOJge4pj5Xbi1/s8160/20231123_115031.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXcH1R0eRIhauSDZniASCvBguzXDYsPW2VrOFqtBsJeyxurEtYEvd_oylfkAiB2u0e5FtxEQm4ozzQujAAImJa9N0uCmoYXHYzMzJC-nNOg1nCVTTGNzBzeaEVy3edi2Pn8KVCC6ilpaQCwA6OQc4rc7fiWVrnKb1tIh4zq5SVQVsVNToOJge4pj5Xbi1/w480-h640/20231123_115031.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">According to the Centre des Monuments Nationaux :</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Four sculpted groups adorn the abutments of the Arc de Triomphe. These masterpieces depict The Entry of Napoleon, The Departure of the Volunteers, The Conquest of Alexandria and The Battle of Austerlitz. The most famous of them, The Departure of the Volunteers, also known as La Marseillaise, was created by the Romantic sculptor François Rude in 1792. The others were crafted by two other sculptors, Antoine Etex and Jean-Pierre Cortot.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RmLKRGB3Zvkdd-57EtzhWReisb6t7VhpIDCLutT4c-r7T6WlEigKlihAq4eVpIaGBcSTXMfFCeWiKrgkEd-SZU34-moertdaVKR0eMPPKr2q3It3qAkqUEj6SNDjKQqz-HGSjm8-n077KXbPf5AbzoYD5pOmupDvhDooF5y6LkE7tQoS3u9A4Uyu0mwq/s7842/20231123_115145.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7842" data-original-width="5882" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RmLKRGB3Zvkdd-57EtzhWReisb6t7VhpIDCLutT4c-r7T6WlEigKlihAq4eVpIaGBcSTXMfFCeWiKrgkEd-SZU34-moertdaVKR0eMPPKr2q3It3qAkqUEj6SNDjKQqz-HGSjm8-n077KXbPf5AbzoYD5pOmupDvhDooF5y6LkE7tQoS3u9A4Uyu0mwq/w480-h640/20231123_115145.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1921 the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was incorporated into the monument, and today the tomb’s flame is rekindled every evening at 6.30 p.m. as a symbol of the enduring nature of the commemoration and respect shown to those who have fallen in the name of France. An annual event is held here to remember the 1918 Armistice of World War I.</div></div><div><span style="color: #5c6168; font-family: Source Sans Pro;"><span style="font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0.5175px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBrXIEgjPK-LbQsVsu0Eyey5VrIJ7cSPzTZWYw4DrVWfJ4OviYEhrXpwNskSahMEPtuwNZSmTrV-F9q4wx986O6gfhe6otNPKMLoTnj5cjBPbsFc2xcHtp04Lz-_gISlPLqyGyWuCCV_P2rw3fWraVBHlwovTem95LaQGXMqAmjc8-05MxA8AgLoBsqMQ/s8160/20231123_115200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBrXIEgjPK-LbQsVsu0Eyey5VrIJ7cSPzTZWYw4DrVWfJ4OviYEhrXpwNskSahMEPtuwNZSmTrV-F9q4wx986O6gfhe6otNPKMLoTnj5cjBPbsFc2xcHtp04Lz-_gISlPLqyGyWuCCV_P2rw3fWraVBHlwovTem95LaQGXMqAmjc8-05MxA8AgLoBsqMQ/w480-h640/20231123_115200.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We were hoping to climb the steps up to the top of the arc for the views down but it wasn't open until 6pm sadly.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsNR5dsz0xNakEFD2c4RqcFhIm4hESCoHwk9PXyFJXTHcWzB-WUmBwX0orjLt2Lf2QyODtuxpGILIj20zjQoN5lH-N4GeE5eJcGaTZYVZQQNxBTqaYczkDEXepUDqiow9D6MIFaaDf_HoaBaSFDbaSrnu4bUFIpVXnOS3ICe-BlDLS5ekPsUxpuxe4V7h/s2944/20231123_115207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsNR5dsz0xNakEFD2c4RqcFhIm4hESCoHwk9PXyFJXTHcWzB-WUmBwX0orjLt2Lf2QyODtuxpGILIj20zjQoN5lH-N4GeE5eJcGaTZYVZQQNxBTqaYczkDEXepUDqiow9D6MIFaaDf_HoaBaSFDbaSrnu4bUFIpVXnOS3ICe-BlDLS5ekPsUxpuxe4V7h/w480-h640/20231123_115207.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Edgar Brandt, a wrought iron craftsman, was selected to execute the torch, designed by architect Henri Favier: a circular bronze shield at the centre of which opened a cannon muzzle from which radiated a frieze of swords. On 11 November 1923, surrounded by a multitude of former combatants, Maginot ignited the flame for the first time. Since that moment, the flame has never been extinguished.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A daily ritual pays tribute to the Great Dead: each evening, at six-thirty, a flame is rekindled by one of the nine hundred associations of former combatants regrouped under the association La Flamme sous l’Arc de Triomphe. During the Occupation, this daily kindling rite was performed unperturbed. On 26 August 1844 at three o’clock in the afternoon, before descending triumphantly down to Champs-Elysees within liberated Paris, general Charles de Gaulle came to lay down the white-flowered Cross of Lorraine on the Tomb of the unknown Soldier. Since then, the Arc de Triomphe has provided the framework for all great national celebrations: 11 November, 8 May, and, of course, the national fete of 14 July.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yrQ7IGy2-BVyJ4EWCFJIW6lNI_FSS6u6pZnVWXeHKjZykeclU-Q-lNRVK0KoIGxWpOyuF23kgBlfRFRFB-2j7ILNIeEdG257jV0ReKx7hRLAJr4fVC5hwa7loOTlPkOm1ecRlK27OjYVjIWLLRXYNLXDd8nkjpsaxODdvd5DCFD2wXCe4G3LJgIIzZgA/s7817/20231123_120050.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="5863" data-original-width="7817" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yrQ7IGy2-BVyJ4EWCFJIW6lNI_FSS6u6pZnVWXeHKjZykeclU-Q-lNRVK0KoIGxWpOyuF23kgBlfRFRFB-2j7ILNIeEdG257jV0ReKx7hRLAJr4fVC5hwa7loOTlPkOm1ecRlK27OjYVjIWLLRXYNLXDd8nkjpsaxODdvd5DCFD2wXCe4G3LJgIIzZgA/w640-h480/20231123_120050.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk down the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées where the Tour De France finishes and pass many top brand names shops and then cross the road and walk down Avenue Marceau.<br /></div></div><div><span face="Google Sans, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-size: 22px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenqUX8nBJ3INai3hees_zI3ZHoONpSXa-W71dUaaQIm-tkm-zY5Rog6f0F7juuQ2T4Sn1Fyk6cclcqnD8XL3heer4eXA27qGT1Wk13Ayv5EJ-zrE1czQCALXyIKAvucoky0OFnBKMsjLpTzXy_DXuqt7fDh8ePxoWRvk-Ps4GScw1cYNwpLF9cCNNSyGD/s7854/20231123_120930.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5891" data-original-width="7854" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenqUX8nBJ3INai3hees_zI3ZHoONpSXa-W71dUaaQIm-tkm-zY5Rog6f0F7juuQ2T4Sn1Fyk6cclcqnD8XL3heer4eXA27qGT1Wk13Ayv5EJ-zrE1czQCALXyIKAvucoky0OFnBKMsjLpTzXy_DXuqt7fDh8ePxoWRvk-Ps4GScw1cYNwpLF9cCNNSyGD/w640-h480/20231123_120930.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pass Saint Pierre de Chaillot Catholic Church on our right.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The parish of Saint-Pierre de Chaillot dates back to the 11th century. The historic church of the parish was entered from rue de Chaillot, with only a chapel with a brick facade opening onto avenue Marceau. That church hosted the funerals of Guy de Maupassant on 8 July 1893 and of Marcel Proust on 21 November 1922, but all that now survives of it is a statue of the Virgin Mary, the 'Vierge de Chaillot'. The present building was started in 1933 and completed in 1938. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICHcnrFmZFcWbsdc21XZBMLYviliXv11sebkDtbcCSTZrsj0b0Q26nAI8nlcNmyKg-dqSiYnMdrObTnNhQm_geGA9kFKtbDW1ulomaiF16t7b8y2WsUFfuMzDJ3UmDGLkH-qL3cOxh4e2vjx9CT4R-YYtMJhQbIZf5_-XUbQbVWmEVv0OdeyKj6EhTyi9/s7795/20231123_121706.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7795" data-original-width="5846" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICHcnrFmZFcWbsdc21XZBMLYviliXv11sebkDtbcCSTZrsj0b0Q26nAI8nlcNmyKg-dqSiYnMdrObTnNhQm_geGA9kFKtbDW1ulomaiF16t7b8y2WsUFfuMzDJ3UmDGLkH-qL3cOxh4e2vjx9CT4R-YYtMJhQbIZf5_-XUbQbVWmEVv0OdeyKj6EhTyi9/w480-h640/20231123_121706.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the end of Avenue Marceau we cross the road and walk down Avenue Du President Wilson and reach the Flame of Liberty.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The Flame of Liberty (Flamme de la Liberté) is a full-sized, gold-leaf-covered replica of the flame of the torch from the Statue of Liberty. It is located near the northern end of the Pont de l'Alma, on the Place Diana, in the 16th arrondissement.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was offered to Paris in 1989 by the International Herald Tribune on behalf of donors who had contributed approximately $400,000 for its fabrication. It represented the culmination of that newspaper's 1987 celebration of its hundredth anniversary of publishing an English-language daily newspaper in Paris. More importantly, the Flame was a token of thanks for the restoration work on the Statue of Liberty accomplished three years earlier by two French businesses that did artisanal work on the project, namely Métalliers Champenois, which did the bronze work, and the Gohard Studios, which applied the gold leaf. While the gift to France was prompted by the centennial of the newspaper, the Flame of Liberty, more broadly, is a lasting symbol of the friendship uniting the two countries, just as the statue itself was when it was given to the United States by France.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This project was overseen by the director of the French craft unions at that time, Jacques Graindorge. He foresaw an installation of the Flame of Liberty in a public square called Place des États-Unis (United States Square) in the 16th arrondissement, but the mayor of Paris at the time, Jacques Chirac, was opposed to it. After a protracted period of negotiations, it was decided that the Flame would be placed in an open area near the intersection of l'Avenue de New-York (New York Avenue) and the Place de l'Alma. The monument was dedicated on 10 May 1989 by Chirac.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Flame of Liberty became an unofficial memorial for Diana, Princess of Wales, after her 1997 death in the tunnel beneath the Pont de l'Alma. The flame became an attraction for tourists and followers of Diana, who fly-posted the base with commemorative material. Anthropologist Guy Lesoeurs said, "Most people who come here think this was built for her." Since 2019, the site has been officially named Place Diana.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDvGCu69WvpbHkxHOhpf8OHuhHktrcRG7gC5N7cobbBDYwwx1VLlWZXDkxOsktWEWa_UvPj0QDdsncF6RIdIOXRlI48RhhV1LdTg9ZYcjNAyI7bZwtUIRTwQzkGp1AudlzxQ30Euipybih1gdflnCf_ZlVJEEDsGZcx-LE9-qGlBVakAXw7QwvdcMK8fb/s3126/20231123_121828.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3126" data-original-width="2478" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDvGCu69WvpbHkxHOhpf8OHuhHktrcRG7gC5N7cobbBDYwwx1VLlWZXDkxOsktWEWa_UvPj0QDdsncF6RIdIOXRlI48RhhV1LdTg9ZYcjNAyI7bZwtUIRTwQzkGp1AudlzxQ30Euipybih1gdflnCf_ZlVJEEDsGZcx-LE9-qGlBVakAXw7QwvdcMK8fb/w508-h640/20231123_121828.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We cross the bridge named Pont De L'Alma This slender bridge on the River Seine was named to commemorate a victory in battle over Russia. We take a picture of the Eiffel Tower beyond which is our next visit place.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Battle of Alma, (September 20, 1854), victory by the British and the French in the Crimean War that left the Russian naval base of Sevastopol vulnerable and endangered the entire Russian position in the war. It is generally considered the first battle of the Crimean War.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> We walk along Avenue Rapp.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIB09RY9e-A2Kf7y4X64dOUsF3I_dtc_NFAjyLg87gm3uWE_6WTfCR8rkYyYiDaxM707OkQkMA315tWcv2uIZe8Ax1blH6FZ6s1kt1rac9b0cokmn-RdcCeHZUMvwFIlLYMbh0GrSPwlBoMIA9FEyecN315lcmQbb6BlWvD3KCG4mnZB9TgmiQ1ppXcHne/s8160/20231123_122631.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIB09RY9e-A2Kf7y4X64dOUsF3I_dtc_NFAjyLg87gm3uWE_6WTfCR8rkYyYiDaxM707OkQkMA315tWcv2uIZe8Ax1blH6FZ6s1kt1rac9b0cokmn-RdcCeHZUMvwFIlLYMbh0GrSPwlBoMIA9FEyecN315lcmQbb6BlWvD3KCG4mnZB9TgmiQ1ppXcHne/w480-h640/20231123_122631.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We turn right onto Rue de Monttessuy and walk towards the Eiffel Tower.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZfy0wio3XJWeeKir2qgJcrgsOFoisoC-tP-kTak4iImIZI1mwyufvUDqroEIWY3NLX1p7xpm81XHMOAKPRa8xcGFgyQFZgXtWg_V2cpX2pT3a_-qoYSguUv_ZuIw1cQFWb3LW2mFxDhMoX99wTZoTzpKfVyGRMC7dqz9Cer2B0ySF88naedto4uMVtTj/s3416/20231123_122649.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3416" data-original-width="2562" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZfy0wio3XJWeeKir2qgJcrgsOFoisoC-tP-kTak4iImIZI1mwyufvUDqroEIWY3NLX1p7xpm81XHMOAKPRa8xcGFgyQFZgXtWg_V2cpX2pT3a_-qoYSguUv_ZuIw1cQFWb3LW2mFxDhMoX99wTZoTzpKfVyGRMC7dqz9Cer2B0ySF88naedto4uMVtTj/w480-h640/20231123_122649.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Crossing Ave de la Bourdonnais we walk onto Av. Silvestre de Sacy and into Jardin De la Tour Eiffel.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSMFrYw1q31qkW41SABFdJ215KqCORfMIzcnlTJvQMzqPRXl6ttQMVgZpNX9FR4uzYG5HjLoupZN_d1Z1NPD58BXrREK-QSy9nMJnt5uyjqGyntizlPQQnEE-Tu4skc_wRFHpGlQhYB54PGtW7hW_ZhL8K7JWqbT3uTJcCFi0owbnJi9W77fL7IbdjYi6/s8160/20231123_123102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSMFrYw1q31qkW41SABFdJ215KqCORfMIzcnlTJvQMzqPRXl6ttQMVgZpNX9FR4uzYG5HjLoupZN_d1Z1NPD58BXrREK-QSy9nMJnt5uyjqGyntizlPQQnEE-Tu4skc_wRFHpGlQhYB54PGtW7hW_ZhL8K7JWqbT3uTJcCFi0owbnJi9W77fL7IbdjYi6/w480-h640/20231123_123102.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here there are loads of unofficial street vendors selling mini Eiffel Towers and other tourist gifts.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhind6R1As16rGARY_UqcGPD62aikqHxedVfUImjc2R376M3__6F58vzwHHAqAfl_61QJ8nLCvB9iLlks4W1om0HwPl1Rs5Ob5W5OTnUTXLTTX0Mu-6ilrHDXvKxIqxoFZArA6cBCmeoNxhQ6izTiRYOuPd2-eCdVea2hgI6-Sym5QRBnjhLRZZUsr6ZVnp/s8160/20231123_123231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhind6R1As16rGARY_UqcGPD62aikqHxedVfUImjc2R376M3__6F58vzwHHAqAfl_61QJ8nLCvB9iLlks4W1om0HwPl1Rs5Ob5W5OTnUTXLTTX0Mu-6ilrHDXvKxIqxoFZArA6cBCmeoNxhQ6izTiRYOuPd2-eCdVea2hgI6-Sym5QRBnjhLRZZUsr6ZVnp/w480-h640/20231123_123231.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Eiffel Tower is a wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower from 1887 to 1889.</div></div><div><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FrFXBhkufcHKFRX2RkzRQCHcXvxeAnPvuNZ6OG6h6ub9onpkDuw1YzR0q6O9URk5gwAcLd-KQYVtTRqHcbliFdkYpYpC1KSl8Bh_odXxwzkpN3i8MHZZixElWOmn577z839MxPvlijD0v1TuEQWae9VUEd7KX0ZPnoPwHgLv1rWbVJwfJscfTCJJGMvn/s8138/20231123_123431.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8138" data-original-width="6103" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FrFXBhkufcHKFRX2RkzRQCHcXvxeAnPvuNZ6OG6h6ub9onpkDuw1YzR0q6O9URk5gwAcLd-KQYVtTRqHcbliFdkYpYpC1KSl8Bh_odXxwzkpN3i8MHZZixElWOmn577z839MxPvlijD0v1TuEQWae9VUEd7KX0ZPnoPwHgLv1rWbVJwfJscfTCJJGMvn/w480-h640/20231123_123431.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Locally nicknamed "La dame de fer" (French for "Iron Lady"), it was constructed as the centerpiece of the 1889 World's Fair, and to crown the centennial anniversary of the French Revolution. Although initially criticised by some of France's leading artists and intellectuals for its design, it has since become a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognisable structures in the world. The tower received 5,889,000 visitors in 2022.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_SuNrrkS90x_Y4JHVqgJqAIL9_xHPpVh9eiUfPUsoYBMvHR0z5Mf6XJvBACYcZWYYxroJB-nfHeQ0X7_pdeyn20OkNHM_Lj9xs_myVHGjWV1FRhA-c9te0nYaDXVS1ea3ohZSmqeS0l7FlsJnAWYIZINTKePOvO9kjHiM7BkfVHt7ngI8C67x7vZEHWx/s3648/20231123_124314.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_SuNrrkS90x_Y4JHVqgJqAIL9_xHPpVh9eiUfPUsoYBMvHR0z5Mf6XJvBACYcZWYYxroJB-nfHeQ0X7_pdeyn20OkNHM_Lj9xs_myVHGjWV1FRhA-c9te0nYaDXVS1ea3ohZSmqeS0l7FlsJnAWYIZINTKePOvO9kjHiM7BkfVHt7ngI8C67x7vZEHWx/w480-h640/20231123_124314.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The tower is 330 metres (1,083 ft) tall, about the same height as an 81-storey building, and the tallest structure in Paris. Its base is square, measuring 125 metres (410 ft) on each side. During its construction, the Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument to become the tallest human-made structure in the world, a title it held for 41 years until the Chrysler Building in New York City was finished in 1930. It was the first structure in the world to surpass both the 200-metre and 300-metre mark in height. Due to the addition of a broadcasting aerial at the top of the tower in 1957, it is now taller than the Chrysler Building by 5.2 metres (17 ft). Excluding transmitters, the Eiffel Tower is the second tallest free-standing structure in France after the Millau Viaduct.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdx04HuZh5_XVQZpStN37BIZ0XP4qKcOjsIZHmYL5Wiso3yfl72iAvhWRIbNmCqui5Qdjo-OzvFuRJYtMaFb1KIDYYMCOZdBFpYX_Jkr39UKlrCVrBFq9hjBmUf55XI1SYGkFmCvsqkwazcabSvqpkn8lIRlani2CUa3GDd0Z9NvY8wovQEhdv-u2irNkZ/s8160/20231123_124549.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdx04HuZh5_XVQZpStN37BIZ0XP4qKcOjsIZHmYL5Wiso3yfl72iAvhWRIbNmCqui5Qdjo-OzvFuRJYtMaFb1KIDYYMCOZdBFpYX_Jkr39UKlrCVrBFq9hjBmUf55XI1SYGkFmCvsqkwazcabSvqpkn8lIRlani2CUa3GDd0Z9NvY8wovQEhdv-u2irNkZ/w640-h480/20231123_124549.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The tower has three levels for visitors, with restaurants on the first and second levels. The top level's upper platform is 276 m (906 ft) above the ground – the highest observation deck accessible to the public in the European Union. Tickets can be purchased to ascend by stairs or lift to the first and second levels. The climb from ground level to the first level is over 300 steps, as is the climb from the first level to the second, making the entire ascent a 600 step climb. Although there is a staircase to the top level, it is usually accessible only by lift. On this top, third level is a private apartment built for Gustave Eiffel's private use. He decorated it with furniture by Jean Lachaise and invited friends such as Thomas Edison.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeQt6en1IDHanCpm727eadrN_jK3bNikLgMkMMQKyt_FerFCINJVJg8YA_ktpYS300JVE4LoQ1lParNo4VOEO8pECkktYd18TRWXmXpciNXZQnU_Fyhh6BXfppdzb2Up36KzKiEQLzwLcSHr0gIRaOxcSIqWZjZR87Frx85gcOqz7Jgf4VIK7-V6ZBRk-/s3648/20231123_124646(0).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeQt6en1IDHanCpm727eadrN_jK3bNikLgMkMMQKyt_FerFCINJVJg8YA_ktpYS300JVE4LoQ1lParNo4VOEO8pECkktYd18TRWXmXpciNXZQnU_Fyhh6BXfppdzb2Up36KzKiEQLzwLcSHr0gIRaOxcSIqWZjZR87Frx85gcOqz7Jgf4VIK7-V6ZBRk-/w480-h640/20231123_124646(0).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Eiffel had a permit for the tower to stand for 20 years. It was to be dismantled in 1909, when its ownership would revert to the City of Paris. The city had planned to tear it down (part of the original contest rules for designing a tower was that it should be easy to dismantle) but as the tower proved to be valuable for many innovations in the early 20th century, particularly radio telegraphy, it was allowed to remain after the expiry of the permit, and from 1910 it also became part of the International Time Service.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicsI8HfIWpIA590KPt_coidNi7aXiHu-eBenspnOokOeXCAuaBwIaLrBtRNUVWc7pb4pBA49_L2qSYRKAZ8NalDINFC_yYSvo4xX6xKVp2GBWz9ZBcRazx1HmTH6dHV3Pypx8aBQR9OnMCIlvJAKYK6ow29wjEinu52tFe0MAXxLE6JhM7eG9qCF776Yl/s3512/20231123_124646.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3512" data-original-width="2634" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicsI8HfIWpIA590KPt_coidNi7aXiHu-eBenspnOokOeXCAuaBwIaLrBtRNUVWc7pb4pBA49_L2qSYRKAZ8NalDINFC_yYSvo4xX6xKVp2GBWz9ZBcRazx1HmTH6dHV3Pypx8aBQR9OnMCIlvJAKYK6ow29wjEinu52tFe0MAXxLE6JhM7eG9qCF776Yl/w480-h640/20231123_124646.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Upon the German occupation of Paris in 1940, the lift cables were cut by the French. The tower was closed to the public during the occupation and the lifts were not repaired until 1946. In 1940, German soldiers had to climb the tower to hoist a swastika-centered Reichskriegsflagge, but the flag was so large it blew away just a few hours later, and was replaced by a smaller one. When visiting Paris, Hitler chose to stay on the ground. When the Allies were nearing Paris in August 1944, Hitler ordered General Dietrich von Choltitz, the military governor of Paris, to demolish the tower along with the rest of the city. Von Choltitz disobeyed the order. On August, before the Germans had been driven out of Paris, the German flag was replaced with a Tricolour by two men from the French Naval Museum, who narrowly beat three men led by Lucien Sarniguet, who had lowered the Tricolour on 13 June 1940 when Paris fell to the Germans.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcH-vxzxYFv4SLeQhQdQ3o9s4QKzeRI9AUxnyGcnW-oWDljhqz9tlyVE4zF_XOZ8zdFiopm2EXXRmOaVBCQVfoTRFdn0Do-w9r0uDK78methy9IFYMys5mtNGlgPaoXnt3mbG3m6apuRe3xqCQ6cYucyf9t8meGh7o2lB_o3Jp0fC0LdUjXrMtPACEbyp/s7695/20231123_124706.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7695" data-original-width="5771" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcH-vxzxYFv4SLeQhQdQ3o9s4QKzeRI9AUxnyGcnW-oWDljhqz9tlyVE4zF_XOZ8zdFiopm2EXXRmOaVBCQVfoTRFdn0Do-w9r0uDK78methy9IFYMys5mtNGlgPaoXnt3mbG3m6apuRe3xqCQ6cYucyf9t8meGh7o2lB_o3Jp0fC0LdUjXrMtPACEbyp/w480-h640/20231123_124706.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gustave Eiffel engraved on the tower the names of 72 French scientists, engineers and mathematicians in recognition of their contributions to the building of the tower. Eiffel chose this "invocation of science" because of his concern over the artists' protest. At the beginning of the 20th century, the engravings were painted over, but they were restored in 1986–87 by the Société Nouvelle d'exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, a company operating the tower.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85kawuE2HVub5r0IBZBEDbRSo1muEFuTRAXzKvQ4FkNkiF3AwOk6dPvw7SYl1yPp_Y7OHkBRQ5HCYdATxwWup906wKOqmSE284QeDzRCgOc5mtvBVijqnaOKZn_fPWRLIswMjhm2nAy_TXTBcdfJvZlDcuM2HiK2xoBhnGOzFHKCYc-skJEwB-k6Y_exu/s8037/20231123_124858.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8037" data-original-width="6028" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85kawuE2HVub5r0IBZBEDbRSo1muEFuTRAXzKvQ4FkNkiF3AwOk6dPvw7SYl1yPp_Y7OHkBRQ5HCYdATxwWup906wKOqmSE284QeDzRCgOc5mtvBVijqnaOKZn_fPWRLIswMjhm2nAy_TXTBcdfJvZlDcuM2HiK2xoBhnGOzFHKCYc-skJEwB-k6Y_exu/w480-h640/20231123_124858.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We cross the 19th century Bridge named Pont D'Lena to Voie Georges Pompidou.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDIBAd2H5Lc8roz4qEBY-QJiU4Wz41kjVFTwGf9gO188Zb-TGGNbtjA2tRtLdVKVpf3dGnBjjfW3hg40VuAWZp7GPJOeyEGpKeEqBYCJbt0tvoPmA-8t7yt0Kx4nLf-8Qvkv5HuQBcwkjAuAxzr_cFpzl9f8nKhjZkjvLhf92SOJ3NLsCqht8b8Q8FXO_/s7711/20231123_124945.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7711" data-original-width="5783" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDIBAd2H5Lc8roz4qEBY-QJiU4Wz41kjVFTwGf9gO188Zb-TGGNbtjA2tRtLdVKVpf3dGnBjjfW3hg40VuAWZp7GPJOeyEGpKeEqBYCJbt0tvoPmA-8t7yt0Kx4nLf-8Qvkv5HuQBcwkjAuAxzr_cFpzl9f8nKhjZkjvLhf92SOJ3NLsCqht8b8Q8FXO_/w480-h640/20231123_124945.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Maintenance of the tower includes applying 60 tons of paint every seven years to prevent it from rusting. The tower has been completely repainted at least 19 times since it was built. Lead paint was still being used as recently as 2001 when the practice was stopped out of concern for the environment.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-Zn77nsbeJZFrFzJsbQ_ZaCB-O9tbizcBa1kJXDOoG84gx3ZE6jk10jAw_UN2d7yQR8QHEbW0syO2VNL0w_h05m5to5EL-yoaTD6mH4LGSnH6xeDagd_PeN9OWcFviEeXF-sRHp7HxEJdkqHbVGxHBVc1CYlIYNZZZVAN8ElSZ_cICHFLoFfP1MEO26V/s8100/20231123_125458.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8100" data-original-width="6075" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-Zn77nsbeJZFrFzJsbQ_ZaCB-O9tbizcBa1kJXDOoG84gx3ZE6jk10jAw_UN2d7yQR8QHEbW0syO2VNL0w_h05m5to5EL-yoaTD6mH4LGSnH6xeDagd_PeN9OWcFviEeXF-sRHp7HxEJdkqHbVGxHBVc1CYlIYNZZZVAN8ElSZ_cICHFLoFfP1MEO26V/w480-h640/20231123_125458.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We cross over into Jardins du Trocadero.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgNI_1vhIOTQwfkKxBgVBbdH6Qyp9OEEAVPcycmHQOE9qdubBo6wsCi82dVlhIOVxuWTANKU4lidq8JRk91Jkz2-OZjlOHDLrMBfQ7KSPr8falq1R37w6e9nvOMUM-rAU4LPwTvfTJvsQ5JA5DAD33thExakm7cSpL1AgJGXqJua6t5fvRW2O8fSfyrqw/s2819/20231123_125518.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2819" data-original-width="2114" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgNI_1vhIOTQwfkKxBgVBbdH6Qyp9OEEAVPcycmHQOE9qdubBo6wsCi82dVlhIOVxuWTANKU4lidq8JRk91Jkz2-OZjlOHDLrMBfQ7KSPr8falq1R37w6e9nvOMUM-rAU4LPwTvfTJvsQ5JA5DAD33thExakm7cSpL1AgJGXqJua6t5fvRW2O8fSfyrqw/w480-h640/20231123_125518.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The main feature, called the Fountain of Warsaw, is a long basin, or water mirror, with twelve fountain creating columns of water 12 metres high; twenty four smaller fountains four metres high; and ten arches of water. At one end, facing the Seine, are twenty powerful water cannons, able to project a jet of water fifty metres. Above the long basin are two smaller basins, linked with the lower basin by cascades flanked by 32 sprays of water four meters high. These fountains are the only exposition fountains which still exist today, and still function as they once did. In 2011, the fountain's waterworks were completely renovated and a modern pumping system was installed. Sadly all the fountains in Paris are drained at this time of year, I assume to prevent damage from freezing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOII2xF0W07ffiXEzhL001JDrsbVxmvGJe0P4SIM4wseR7xzKjK47H18gN7X1qCpJdydTA2_MF7mxPUTSiJyjXgMAuio2pEaZpmR1dZlbNIsfbtSK8NPnAVI8VYZmrsNuJxkS4jUJZyCf3hqbaLuKyHxmu_D42GXc1Rhq3ucItXI-BAm6qscpMiCCQSc4H/s7818/20231123_125538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5864" data-original-width="7818" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOII2xF0W07ffiXEzhL001JDrsbVxmvGJe0P4SIM4wseR7xzKjK47H18gN7X1qCpJdydTA2_MF7mxPUTSiJyjXgMAuio2pEaZpmR1dZlbNIsfbtSK8NPnAVI8VYZmrsNuJxkS4jUJZyCf3hqbaLuKyHxmu_D42GXc1Rhq3ucItXI-BAm6qscpMiCCQSc4H/w640-h480/20231123_125538.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The entire site was formerly the garden of the original Trocadéro Palace, laid out by Adolphe Alphand for the Exposition Universelle (1878).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The present garden has an area of 93,930 m2, and was created for the Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne (1937). This was the design of Parisian architect Roger-Henri Expert. During the exposition in 1937, the pavillons of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union were facing each other on opposite sides of the Jardins du Trocadéro.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The grounds will host the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKXxxMikeFGMNXRQWkhgBl9Xj8beGzLO5tt19txWlrbFL_CkwLvE-n8wpYVKbI5g1VbsxfB4R2jlzL40nUtIHKZwLm19gSTIoxUi3FyG7JqPz1uUA4W3DtnnKZONIsxWnp1t0JeKZuXf5ysZeSMmMKlo_SyadSEmc-UxKW__6DHQTtLNf1JpRQ-8SiL5i/s7933/20231123_125756.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7933" data-original-width="5949" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKXxxMikeFGMNXRQWkhgBl9Xj8beGzLO5tt19txWlrbFL_CkwLvE-n8wpYVKbI5g1VbsxfB4R2jlzL40nUtIHKZwLm19gSTIoxUi3FyG7JqPz1uUA4W3DtnnKZONIsxWnp1t0JeKZuXf5ysZeSMmMKlo_SyadSEmc-UxKW__6DHQTtLNf1JpRQ-8SiL5i/w480-h640/20231123_125756.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwFFVWeZD1m7GdqQst4Ml7gH6gP_jrVfo2LVQIwsoJdp09ZC2nlBIpun4mQSLrQDa-WiwrvdrVCH2_OJhtAW2sON77TT9ABeomNdd3-OBBWG85vh7oQYUZZel1yA-sjhuyuZkPHRk2vHU1hyphenhyphenC5EeruQvcwdW5lPkDzie5vdsJYMfoWBZrMF3LLdMZa-11/s3395/20231123_125811.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3395" data-original-width="2547" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwFFVWeZD1m7GdqQst4Ml7gH6gP_jrVfo2LVQIwsoJdp09ZC2nlBIpun4mQSLrQDa-WiwrvdrVCH2_OJhtAW2sON77TT9ABeomNdd3-OBBWG85vh7oQYUZZel1yA-sjhuyuZkPHRk2vHU1hyphenhyphenC5EeruQvcwdW5lPkDzie5vdsJYMfoWBZrMF3LLdMZa-11/w480-h640/20231123_125811.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkNxk9WEjSxI54A-VUOiymoOn5HstRS0aBEqy-mALoPqTcGrDaa5GRHgiVy3QICtmEJj9ZqQSxGy3dUfqlmteU5P3Qd_jScL1TEPCobIthkc8S1l10VifRQ0xgx73WuMxfs5gEVPIt1L9vovSGetyNhptRK_PM9PUci0zr11T0QXK3JOQjULBOp0jLe4i/s7974/20231123_125907.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7974" data-original-width="5980" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkNxk9WEjSxI54A-VUOiymoOn5HstRS0aBEqy-mALoPqTcGrDaa5GRHgiVy3QICtmEJj9ZqQSxGy3dUfqlmteU5P3Qd_jScL1TEPCobIthkc8S1l10VifRQ0xgx73WuMxfs5gEVPIt1L9vovSGetyNhptRK_PM9PUci0zr11T0QXK3JOQjULBOp0jLe4i/w480-h640/20231123_125907.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvHGZkga-CqorCu22E8OVvtE2x6Y-Ete2Oxm66WEABphyphenhyphenbN0mLOhTjUZNSyvK67M5MR0FC52bwUt08d9YwPUAdfG58MXlYXw6eOmkporhnPjJxR6K3uQfaVLrg7HaVMvTzPTYl_5ICz-jLL3Mkl-8VJRgC432o8hpzOlxx2Jul2ZIoyM_pAhYtuPEG-Tz/s3436/20231123_130006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3436" data-original-width="2194" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvHGZkga-CqorCu22E8OVvtE2x6Y-Ete2Oxm66WEABphyphenhyphenbN0mLOhTjUZNSyvK67M5MR0FC52bwUt08d9YwPUAdfG58MXlYXw6eOmkporhnPjJxR6K3uQfaVLrg7HaVMvTzPTYl_5ICz-jLL3Mkl-8VJRgC432o8hpzOlxx2Jul2ZIoyM_pAhYtuPEG-Tz/w408-h640/20231123_130006.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3SIks9t-zHDNLzrExpwc33UzPeLtiGYAzcBtJRO0A0MOq3TO-MANGVoGQamE_NCL0yGVYFMM5_Qc2v6-NP4w_mOAt_wj7SHOqXu7hpxn8YuB_dw_Syg8sRtCepOZ8eYDfdnovll3iw2Csm4IX-lu93EbbMF3R4RKiEU7GVhS0nLi0GYKZiI5w0okr4Rv/s8160/20231123_130013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3SIks9t-zHDNLzrExpwc33UzPeLtiGYAzcBtJRO0A0MOq3TO-MANGVoGQamE_NCL0yGVYFMM5_Qc2v6-NP4w_mOAt_wj7SHOqXu7hpxn8YuB_dw_Syg8sRtCepOZ8eYDfdnovll3iw2Csm4IX-lu93EbbMF3R4RKiEU7GVhS0nLi0GYKZiI5w0okr4Rv/w480-h640/20231123_130013.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGy9ZMpSmu181LWU91IusAUlt_h67JOAwjiLKARD59ZxAY-vNhibzbhgW169KQilk_3ZvFqBH7HFDqqVDPTB5lp-htfTrhyphenhyphenjGpX56J0F0Cw0Tm0NynDy8GvFenSItiCKMKjeWdYcmibja8Nk9tH9doT7L1RZ-yU8Ddyu1-ruaWomOl6R5SaOeDKepnHCNI/s8160/20231123_130213.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGy9ZMpSmu181LWU91IusAUlt_h67JOAwjiLKARD59ZxAY-vNhibzbhgW169KQilk_3ZvFqBH7HFDqqVDPTB5lp-htfTrhyphenhyphenjGpX56J0F0Cw0Tm0NynDy8GvFenSItiCKMKjeWdYcmibja8Nk9tH9doT7L1RZ-yU8Ddyu1-ruaWomOl6R5SaOeDKepnHCNI/w480-h640/20231123_130213.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Up high here is probably one of the best places for views to the Eiffel Tower.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNlqXDFofTlfdn_MHvZak24KQkeHG-oUkmhE1AWcga4UtmLTJmoT-8GoNCDbldku8Dd1WSxD5bleJzxVK_Uw_oUL5nzA8EHtQW3SNT4qL4ZwY_PS4RjwRbuGE-zpnNINKggQpLcr2rrj6QfrUdIGE8IcDSdzRSNqEvnjnaBPdQyrCGjfgAh9mQpZBWa4S/s8067/20231123_130319.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6050" data-original-width="8067" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNlqXDFofTlfdn_MHvZak24KQkeHG-oUkmhE1AWcga4UtmLTJmoT-8GoNCDbldku8Dd1WSxD5bleJzxVK_Uw_oUL5nzA8EHtQW3SNT4qL4ZwY_PS4RjwRbuGE-zpnNINKggQpLcr2rrj6QfrUdIGE8IcDSdzRSNqEvnjnaBPdQyrCGjfgAh9mQpZBWa4S/w640-h480/20231123_130319.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk out to Trocadero and catch the Metro from the Trocadero station to Franklin D Roosevelt station so we can see more of the Champ Elysees.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7Zb-VvUL9WPZTjvTm940BXbpCssyjhLaiAWMGAHCpGU85ejAsCtn2NtlP7q_vMxJXi93NxcFcrERLx-42kpWIQ9B4zv3QN8z8gmudzoiA_bfDalPYME36SRl0adVd5N_80wAyBSVklu2x78rkYPr5PS8ItrJLDlvRw3f9VUYWkLI6LKnXbGmJYX1HRBY/s8160/20231123_132817.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7Zb-VvUL9WPZTjvTm940BXbpCssyjhLaiAWMGAHCpGU85ejAsCtn2NtlP7q_vMxJXi93NxcFcrERLx-42kpWIQ9B4zv3QN8z8gmudzoiA_bfDalPYME36SRl0adVd5N_80wAyBSVklu2x78rkYPr5PS8ItrJLDlvRw3f9VUYWkLI6LKnXbGmJYX1HRBY/w480-h640/20231123_132817.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk along the Champ Elysees.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is 1.9 kilometres (1.2 mi) long and 70 metres (230 ft) wide, running between the Place de la Concorde in the east and the Place Charles de Gaulle in the west, where the Arc de Triomphe is located. It is known for its theatres, cafés, and luxury shops, as the finish of the Tour de France cycling race, as well as for its annual Bastille Day military parade. The name is French for the Elysian Fields, the place for dead heroes in Greek mythology. It has been described as the "most beautiful avenue in the whole world".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUa35jw_qYGnJdL4zIowlvijqGa0nx0UK0LMvMoZMudGOys74ejR_69o0B2T3j0gaYCS2x4rYjte5p4iRiF8vuXynf4DCvKqp8jbcV_NjvF6tTe2FGBit7F1q7adNcWn285XTuMM0sSlQnbs343lUZz3mCYZLrup5VXBxmS48gnVJDBCW7wpnQcbOWLyQm/s8160/20231123_133214.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUa35jw_qYGnJdL4zIowlvijqGa0nx0UK0LMvMoZMudGOys74ejR_69o0B2T3j0gaYCS2x4rYjte5p4iRiF8vuXynf4DCvKqp8jbcV_NjvF6tTe2FGBit7F1q7adNcWn285XTuMM0sSlQnbs343lUZz3mCYZLrup5VXBxmS48gnVJDBCW7wpnQcbOWLyQm/w480-h640/20231123_133214.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I wanted to visit the Galleries Lafayette store to see their amazing Christmas display, we walk into Gallerie Lafayette Champs-Elysees. While this is a beautiful store and lovely Christmas tree, this isnt the one I wanted to visit. A look at the map shows its Gallerie Lafayette Haussmann which is some distance away.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9ExbKH_EEfKFw5RiVjK6SlcStD8YZyCad_QvXiXq7M8ZnYlfiJXzSbbudAFwm5pBDP-EQwX64nV9cgtB-9mZbLKFMYThQ0BKrvZOElSiqy4eTxuk4iAnOJuRIsN-hFWe7FPTOBFCr80esc4BdCwueG13rPZJTbkgiHRBDMayfarUWy13Y9D9hyD4ygh9/s7922/20231123_134811.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5941" data-original-width="7922" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9ExbKH_EEfKFw5RiVjK6SlcStD8YZyCad_QvXiXq7M8ZnYlfiJXzSbbudAFwm5pBDP-EQwX64nV9cgtB-9mZbLKFMYThQ0BKrvZOElSiqy4eTxuk4iAnOJuRIsN-hFWe7FPTOBFCr80esc4BdCwueG13rPZJTbkgiHRBDMayfarUWy13Y9D9hyD4ygh9/w640-h480/20231123_134811.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking at the map, nothing looks that far away, but believe me it is! We walk along the Champ Elysees to Place De La Concorde.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcp_Nmus8B-K1fVEspN0uSceJutYC6l-QpHtCVL4PujyfKDMEfP6INYiW7-guaCRicmYlXGj_b0XrTkkwWBF-byzqd-KoB1E_mk8wUsPLqx6wi2DMIolYcJG2h5Il8XjpBvlLAjJjPfqwTJJLwlEnpykMevbToMS7c2M637EeDkdVynUtq-Czzs0Cm_rQ/s8160/20231123_135755.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcp_Nmus8B-K1fVEspN0uSceJutYC6l-QpHtCVL4PujyfKDMEfP6INYiW7-guaCRicmYlXGj_b0XrTkkwWBF-byzqd-KoB1E_mk8wUsPLqx6wi2DMIolYcJG2h5Il8XjpBvlLAjJjPfqwTJJLwlEnpykMevbToMS7c2M637EeDkdVynUtq-Czzs0Cm_rQ/w640-h480/20231123_135755.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Place de la Concorde is one of the major public squares in Paris, France. Measuring 7.6 ha (19 acres) in area, it is the largest square in the French capital. It is located in the city's eighth arrondissement, at the eastern end of the Champs-Élysées.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was the site of many notable public executions, including those of King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and Maximilien Robespierre in the course of the French Revolution, during which the square was temporarily renamed the Place de la Révolution ('Revolution Square'). It received its current name in 1795 as a gesture of reconciliation in the later years of the revolution.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The square was originally designed to be the site of an equestrian statue of King Louis XV, commissioned in 1748 by the merchants of Paris, to celebrate the recovery of King Louis XV from a serious illness. The site chosen for the statue was the large esplanade, or space between the revolving gate the Tuileries Gardens and the Cour-la-Reine, a popular lane for horseback riding at the edge of the city. At the time, the Concorde bridge and the Rue de Rivoli did not exist, and the Rue Royale was a muddy lane that descended down to a marsh beside the Seine.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel made a plan for the site and the square was finished by 1772. It was in the form of an octagon, bordered by a sort of moat twenty metres wide, crossed by stone bridges, and surrounded by a stone balustrade. At the eight corners Gabriel placed stone stairways to descend into the square, which was divided into flowerbeds. In the centre of the gardens was the pedestal on which the statue stood. The statue, by Bouchardon, depicted the King on horseback as the victor of the Battle of Fontenoy, dressed as a Roman general, with a laurel wreath on his head. On the four corners of the pedestal, designed by Jean Chalgrin, are bronze statues by Jean-Baptiste Pigalle, depicting the virtues of great monarchs; Force, Justice, Prudence, and Peace.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The statue was dedicated on 20 June 1763, but by this time the King had lost much of his popularity. A few days after its dedication, someone hung a placard on the statue, proclaiming: "Oh, the beautiful statue! Oh, the fine pedestal! The Virtues are under the feet, and Vice is in the saddle!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the north side of the square, between 1760 and 1775, Gabriel planned and built two palatial buildings with identical facades. The classical facades were inspired by those created by Charles Perrault, the royal architect, for the facade of the Louvre. They were originally intended to be occupied by embassies, but in the end the east building became a depot for the Royal furnishings, then the headquarters of the French Navy, the Hôtel de la Marine. The west building was divided into individual properties for the nobility.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXtTMJt448g0Y59LFw7k8DzQ8SwidtpG_OXX347vaBYPopu5swNvgq8xnQ2xEnAtGGlSfB0MmFMdVkVKdLPZtITqi6s9hxpSk7Z_VIYdKnr0JxBpjHXwUzLn2431O0XgseZRnJQuIKIT3Aboh-8I_ijLLkANbPk5ri0__l17UB-TZwALOZpb6F-zRBxwo/s7676/20231123_135914.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7676" data-original-width="5757" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXtTMJt448g0Y59LFw7k8DzQ8SwidtpG_OXX347vaBYPopu5swNvgq8xnQ2xEnAtGGlSfB0MmFMdVkVKdLPZtITqi6s9hxpSk7Z_VIYdKnr0JxBpjHXwUzLn2431O0XgseZRnJQuIKIT3Aboh-8I_ijLLkANbPk5ri0__l17UB-TZwALOZpb6F-zRBxwo/w480-h640/20231123_135914.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Luxor Obelisks are a pair of ancient Egyptian obelisks, over 3,000 years old, carved to stand either side of the portal of the Luxor Temple in the reign of Ramesses II (c. 1250 BC). The right-hand (western) stone, 23 metres (75 ft) high, was moved in the 1830s to the Place de la Concorde in Paris, France, while the left-hand (eastern) obelisk remains in its location in Egypt.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Luxor Obelisk in Paris was classified officially as a monument historique in 1936.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8wj5fOm9v8MDnri0JUW4kr6Ty4OStKTy6QjbQ5fwfEUf4hDoqzFRlKBfZ_Hrc7riB0S2dUFU0MwBd-sQUH9ysK-du_JXkPcW0LKi5JaO8zXHr0towAHUqoQClbABGGazrevVJQeOrV7Qa53v8WIG3Bzsv9dQCHHB41Eld46KwXN3eyUNEerc-tLeZ0OX/s7806/20231123_135941.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7806" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8wj5fOm9v8MDnri0JUW4kr6Ty4OStKTy6QjbQ5fwfEUf4hDoqzFRlKBfZ_Hrc7riB0S2dUFU0MwBd-sQUH9ysK-du_JXkPcW0LKi5JaO8zXHr0towAHUqoQClbABGGazrevVJQeOrV7Qa53v8WIG3Bzsv9dQCHHB41Eld46KwXN3eyUNEerc-tLeZ0OX/w502-h640/20231123_135941.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the Place de la Concorde and walk up Rue Royale.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFqdDfnB43D2zv5THjerAcd4Qyop_YfuquDvL8F9vlI1fldnl5BBIsaSyFxitXriG9T_Bqr8jlB67UgkVLTw_09cjARhFgPLR8uWEt158BtVN2RO_kX4G78YUqb8GtoSO78h58Uuhr570nF4P4_J1EsSfm-hsvKri5gYfiBuH9WJHgD3F-d6oWNqP5oGF/s8160/20231123_140731.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFqdDfnB43D2zv5THjerAcd4Qyop_YfuquDvL8F9vlI1fldnl5BBIsaSyFxitXriG9T_Bqr8jlB67UgkVLTw_09cjARhFgPLR8uWEt158BtVN2RO_kX4G78YUqb8GtoSO78h58Uuhr570nF4P4_J1EsSfm-hsvKri5gYfiBuH9WJHgD3F-d6oWNqP5oGF/w640-h480/20231123_140731.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the top of Rue Royale we reach the Church of Sainte-Marie Madeleine.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The Church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, or less formally, La Madeleine, is a Catholic parish church on Place de la Madeleine in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. It was planned by Louis XV as the focal point of the new Rue Royal, leading to the new Place Louis XV, the present Place de la Concorde. It was dedicated in 1764 by Louis XV, but work halted due to the French Revolution. Napoleon Bonaparte had it redesigned in the Neoclassical style to become a monument to the glory of his armies. After his downfall in 1814 construction as a church resumed, but it was not completed until 1842. The building is surrounded on all four sides by columns in the Corinthian style. The interior is noted for its frescoes on the domed ceiling, and monumental sculptures by François Rude, Charles Marochetti and other prominent 19th-century French artists.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We tur right onto Boulevard de la Madeleine and walk along we come across a McDonalds where we decide to rest our feet and have a bite to eat as we were hungry. A big selection there compared to the British Maccy D's!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCex-_uBMb6lkOB7a_Izn1-ENwNG-3fZ3FJgXUqZ6rujGwOC7Pyvdwea2BmvQjdIJ_a0zZm0HdEkoezj1aIleOlWA4-4oR6J6pAnucP7dPZK_wQF0OBNjylMCdFEHwCExeRMnQAO36TJ-Dge8fizYyFY-gZJxR1FyBB474A9AjWHFGfUhhgeTxVGvMzgW5/s8097/20231123_145746.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6073" data-original-width="8097" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCex-_uBMb6lkOB7a_Izn1-ENwNG-3fZ3FJgXUqZ6rujGwOC7Pyvdwea2BmvQjdIJ_a0zZm0HdEkoezj1aIleOlWA4-4oR6J6pAnucP7dPZK_wQF0OBNjylMCdFEHwCExeRMnQAO36TJ-Dge8fizYyFY-gZJxR1FyBB474A9AjWHFGfUhhgeTxVGvMzgW5/w640-h480/20231123_145746.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on and then walk up Rue Scribe up to Palais Garnier.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Palais Garnier also known as Opéra Garnier is a 1,979-seat opera house. It was built for the Paris Opera from 1861 to 1875 at the behest of Emperor Napoleon III Initially referred to as le nouvel Opéra de Paris (the new Paris Opera), it soon became known as the Palais Garnier, "in acknowledgment of its extraordinary opulence" and the architect Charles Garnier's plans and designs, which are representative of the Napoleon III style. It was the primary theatre of the Paris Opera and its associated Paris Opera Ballet until 1989, when a new opera house, the Opéra Bastille, opened at the Place de la Bastille. The company now uses the Palais Garnier mainly for ballet. The theatre has been a monument historique of France since 1923.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Palais Garnier has been called "probably the most famous opera house in the world, a symbol of Paris like Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, or the Sacré Coeur Basilica". This is at least partly due to its use as the setting for Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel The Phantom of the Opera and, especially, the novel's subsequent adaptations in films and the popular 1986 musical. Another contributing factor is that among the buildings constructed in Paris during the Second Empire, besides being the most expensive, it has been described as the only one that is "unquestionably a masterpiece of the first rank". This opinion is far from unanimous however: the 20th-century French architect Le Corbusier once described it as "a lying art" and contended that the "Garnier movement is a décor of the grave".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiniiGfcZ0UGpumLWftbl3rVi1WXzurJfp6aevCxEj_xkwxCKERRPc2D01ooE6cANoX9aY1gew8RgKBiJb4hMWVBz6cSiJddKdISYK4-aBWb3ugXzMBFEVGGZREiVRS-l-SPPIbxS5Jpw_1p-BjH3AMlkH-K21mwNyiEluZ9L5eClCsOohQHZPrIMVg72_/s8160/20231123_145846.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiniiGfcZ0UGpumLWftbl3rVi1WXzurJfp6aevCxEj_xkwxCKERRPc2D01ooE6cANoX9aY1gew8RgKBiJb4hMWVBz6cSiJddKdISYK4-aBWb3ugXzMBFEVGGZREiVRS-l-SPPIbxS5Jpw_1p-BjH3AMlkH-K21mwNyiEluZ9L5eClCsOohQHZPrIMVg72_/w640-h480/20231123_145846.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGn1xzwPpQa8zqjTm_HYH_ua0X8D0IDYtKhhUZn72H0uW90gRrG-Z8h9cYN8M0SIvBpQoFznrdIsw2_0I9BIwKRR51g3Ehf3zkRA-NaB2khw8vPw4Uxh7eJzYP9fCCVFvanDaGK5QDzpZmgq9JDbKW-K2NSToi-JFcGwOEcK7J70qaHM17HFBKjZulJIGZ/s8160/20231123_145936.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGn1xzwPpQa8zqjTm_HYH_ua0X8D0IDYtKhhUZn72H0uW90gRrG-Z8h9cYN8M0SIvBpQoFznrdIsw2_0I9BIwKRR51g3Ehf3zkRA-NaB2khw8vPw4Uxh7eJzYP9fCCVFvanDaGK5QDzpZmgq9JDbKW-K2NSToi-JFcGwOEcK7J70qaHM17HFBKjZulJIGZ/w640-h480/20231123_145936.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We continue up Rue Scribe and reach Gallerie Lafayette Haussmann.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJO8c6DeNGoahBzzGOEaQOs30byKUBZ2cqqYPH7QH5JGt_LlMBBLCaFa6MWF8zmY7igb6GOZ7rI9g9r_VvEf_Z-GhrbnWZwXw0x0VlJsLkF8XyXAO4CWLd7_xSCpldKsIDSPezF4Qt3Ket1Wpkr2AYVcqWVjmodfV9qvISMRD4TYw8DFO7dUHwxR8Ux5aO/s8160/20231123_150214.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJO8c6DeNGoahBzzGOEaQOs30byKUBZ2cqqYPH7QH5JGt_LlMBBLCaFa6MWF8zmY7igb6GOZ7rI9g9r_VvEf_Z-GhrbnWZwXw0x0VlJsLkF8XyXAO4CWLd7_xSCpldKsIDSPezF4Qt3Ket1Wpkr2AYVcqWVjmodfV9qvISMRD4TYw8DFO7dUHwxR8Ux5aO/w640-h480/20231123_150214.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Galeries Lafayette is an upmarket French department store chain, the biggest in Europe. Its flagship store is on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement of Paris but it now operates a number of locations in France and other countries. It is a part of the company Groupe Galeries Lafayette and has been a member of the International Association of department stores since 1960.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzggQlfmoh3_-p5eXgXlSaPwWsDAQvcVOvfh2q6vFakMbI4kseRlw9aQmy8Mg1pw8XEAxux0ytB9aR6iQ-3_zm5Wz0X-OYMCSQ2QA8oJPjikDikME2qsCBHr9Qhd7u0Rpqh75G0CqywXA2Ehkz1Lan_nYmIRXQLePXZ0OlWELZegiK-1jjylqhF8xWlq7/s8160/20231123_150235.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzggQlfmoh3_-p5eXgXlSaPwWsDAQvcVOvfh2q6vFakMbI4kseRlw9aQmy8Mg1pw8XEAxux0ytB9aR6iQ-3_zm5Wz0X-OYMCSQ2QA8oJPjikDikME2qsCBHr9Qhd7u0Rpqh75G0CqywXA2Ehkz1Lan_nYmIRXQLePXZ0OlWELZegiK-1jjylqhF8xWlq7/w640-h480/20231123_150235.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, the flagship store, is located on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, near Opera Garnier, at the corner of Rue La Fayette, close to Chaussée d'Antin – La Fayette Paris Métro station. It is a 70,000 m2 (750,000 sq ft) fashion flagship store. A wide range of brands are available at the store to suit all budgets, from ready to wear to haute couture. The architecture of the store is art nouveau, with a remarkable dome and a panoramic view of Paris that has made it a tourist attraction of the French capital city. Galeries Lafayette in Paris hosts a popular weekly fashion show for visitors.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GYtv6pY8W6pNFLofJKk1mRtYgyRzWw_36e-PEYWZx-OvmPmt5pEThhqpQl9kR2MucfJLYripfJ0PqqLHM8RfVTj_NgZvgBh85sIchA4VuqEhLCpYIJq2ACdC70nhoF3gWKrqWyCR9qmDEGRUjMLyNG8mO4F8R2U5Mu9aTZg2jk1cDuuPBhmvE_g3CBq5/s8160/20231123_150404.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GYtv6pY8W6pNFLofJKk1mRtYgyRzWw_36e-PEYWZx-OvmPmt5pEThhqpQl9kR2MucfJLYripfJ0PqqLHM8RfVTj_NgZvgBh85sIchA4VuqEhLCpYIJq2ACdC70nhoF3gWKrqWyCR9qmDEGRUjMLyNG8mO4F8R2U5Mu9aTZg2jk1cDuuPBhmvE_g3CBq5/w480-h640/20231123_150404.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's Christmas display is just wow and well worth the visit!</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl33sz9DFfsg83su9DvZj3XJMSsTzN3YUj7nrSnXObGJewGP11JY1UUfYi2QiY3zyotvu3CHpfMPJ39l6EeYTqc-Va6qng5gbKeeVKvctze6bd7xRzMPz8Xd9uJIf_BT4VKyDnydyQ0nfMpePE2m_jI_cIXVlf3xDN5xJDjWRoPAITGzr_kxY6Q81FD8wS/s8160/20231123_150409.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl33sz9DFfsg83su9DvZj3XJMSsTzN3YUj7nrSnXObGJewGP11JY1UUfYi2QiY3zyotvu3CHpfMPJ39l6EeYTqc-Va6qng5gbKeeVKvctze6bd7xRzMPz8Xd9uJIf_BT4VKyDnydyQ0nfMpePE2m_jI_cIXVlf3xDN5xJDjWRoPAITGzr_kxY6Q81FD8wS/w480-h640/20231123_150409.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASt2xcG3EK2DW1lAjyjTbZm174JTdBkIMfzc1ZdY-cBOKvhi4_dezUNOHabn3KZDyISjMHPEXJm_SZ4ijAil3XX63mvtxpV6S-f02Gej1SCOmn_l2YshcGCJ5tIkzdA_UCWZbTu4eMJz2-ttT3OshdL5xoq9TdxBl8pxNqXo1mJZhGPCpJeVE6__02XLy/s8160/20231123_150733.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASt2xcG3EK2DW1lAjyjTbZm174JTdBkIMfzc1ZdY-cBOKvhi4_dezUNOHabn3KZDyISjMHPEXJm_SZ4ijAil3XX63mvtxpV6S-f02Gej1SCOmn_l2YshcGCJ5tIkzdA_UCWZbTu4eMJz2-ttT3OshdL5xoq9TdxBl8pxNqXo1mJZhGPCpJeVE6__02XLy/w480-h640/20231123_150733.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We make our way up the travellators to each level, on one level is a platform that reaches out to the tree for you to take selfies. Looking at the queue to do so, we decided we didn't have the time!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtx-22TA1ewyVUFTVOyrSivjDP_qI7_3HnqALQuBk127TI-XWDwei588ZHTO3Gh0gaNQAUWm9CzfdFNmU3wYxtm1RsHvayrXuTXntCwxqsRipBIPnimRUP3H2ia1JjNeuKBlObCudwo_pqIpiLyx_fiCe7Y6Uv2ucrPE6RY3D-R-U3bc4l2AOAMZta_cp4/s8160/20231123_150738.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtx-22TA1ewyVUFTVOyrSivjDP_qI7_3HnqALQuBk127TI-XWDwei588ZHTO3Gh0gaNQAUWm9CzfdFNmU3wYxtm1RsHvayrXuTXntCwxqsRipBIPnimRUP3H2ia1JjNeuKBlObCudwo_pqIpiLyx_fiCe7Y6Uv2ucrPE6RY3D-R-U3bc4l2AOAMZta_cp4/w480-h640/20231123_150738.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbv-5M3M41pS8c2iQC9KA6hMCNo4mfYLkIvg2piPLqCGATth826QWqUCTKryvstSG1GZxiuZeLX9aSTBrp696A8iqqKkdF3UwVkE7hwwSCtKl3UcDHj0-VyRBBwucy0-lI1E6OH2Ebpslo-9zSI3a5W8ZZO8biz3ecL0ElQDNODRAY1oW4Xsw7dwakC4Xu/s8160/20231123_150742.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbv-5M3M41pS8c2iQC9KA6hMCNo4mfYLkIvg2piPLqCGATth826QWqUCTKryvstSG1GZxiuZeLX9aSTBrp696A8iqqKkdF3UwVkE7hwwSCtKl3UcDHj0-VyRBBwucy0-lI1E6OH2Ebpslo-9zSI3a5W8ZZO8biz3ecL0ElQDNODRAY1oW4Xsw7dwakC4Xu/w640-h480/20231123_150742.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We make our way to the rooftop for great views across the city!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeX1bNMsk7ow5uBqyZFbW2aGeg7cZ-5eXxGL-ploVauAd_tclRGDRaBe_XdmglnsgBCfa3er-Qfw1HcG9-7-qpbZP1vyih_L5g09S5FVDuzMvJh4E_sQQXQ0kpcdhCjQ1u5ygIfHjH4awp4AtmaNgiiRxKpeqHGdxq9X9Px5sbguinmMyVUCqdEWVmZxF/s7885/20231123_151137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5914" data-original-width="7885" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeX1bNMsk7ow5uBqyZFbW2aGeg7cZ-5eXxGL-ploVauAd_tclRGDRaBe_XdmglnsgBCfa3er-Qfw1HcG9-7-qpbZP1vyih_L5g09S5FVDuzMvJh4E_sQQXQ0kpcdhCjQ1u5ygIfHjH4awp4AtmaNgiiRxKpeqHGdxq9X9Px5sbguinmMyVUCqdEWVmZxF/w640-h480/20231123_151137.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmK6zy2Z02rNTXRuIy7zKxZQj5t8YBnu2f1gM0yyHQKZsNK9Q_50krqdYjMpqrjUnlO7elUbutZkQM7bWlM05F1GGuI8NFwuehZa-2b-t8oYw5S98j6tgvDfMJfbwquWHe1IJsXsBuwkvV8knc5dCl0Uz0BtG_zP6qVQAEPNT6Q_oIT66kpqNpOh_MdUz/s2740/20231123_151151.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2055" data-original-width="2740" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmK6zy2Z02rNTXRuIy7zKxZQj5t8YBnu2f1gM0yyHQKZsNK9Q_50krqdYjMpqrjUnlO7elUbutZkQM7bWlM05F1GGuI8NFwuehZa-2b-t8oYw5S98j6tgvDfMJfbwquWHe1IJsXsBuwkvV8knc5dCl0Uz0BtG_zP6qVQAEPNT6Q_oIT66kpqNpOh_MdUz/w640-h480/20231123_151151.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvkHk8JfEJYrabwRhJYJ9VyH9lU-1kMxzsXNIgemUDxKc0Pq8-i_Wgw8WCquJcum_dn_ionGXo346qpYispCEN4nVOh4_mZbE4x4vjxPllZq0T_lb1_gxwkdsjntoGeRacoNpPqQDRSCvkObzwN05tD14_pgJD06nXHNrf7HlCKkq4OJInPJEnx9ctGSF/s7911/20231123_151210.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5933" data-original-width="7911" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvkHk8JfEJYrabwRhJYJ9VyH9lU-1kMxzsXNIgemUDxKc0Pq8-i_Wgw8WCquJcum_dn_ionGXo346qpYispCEN4nVOh4_mZbE4x4vjxPllZq0T_lb1_gxwkdsjntoGeRacoNpPqQDRSCvkObzwN05tD14_pgJD06nXHNrf7HlCKkq4OJInPJEnx9ctGSF/w640-h480/20231123_151210.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsJ8Mu-r6mrjXjD7xkuv0frqA6o7nS4hGJsywA37IZrMaPYF57Kmu8gcUDQYlbGffYWS70qjHojdjbelBeWbx8QdVrXRG72-QgfLihkqfAKLx8c-ifQPwp_qR71OqtuNo9fVZoH4krrBpW7SGlWM9pt2kHyAnC4h2Iw6WekvPsUJAvJf7wifNPdz5USn-/s7972/20231123_151353.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5979" data-original-width="7972" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsJ8Mu-r6mrjXjD7xkuv0frqA6o7nS4hGJsywA37IZrMaPYF57Kmu8gcUDQYlbGffYWS70qjHojdjbelBeWbx8QdVrXRG72-QgfLihkqfAKLx8c-ifQPwp_qR71OqtuNo9fVZoH4krrBpW7SGlWM9pt2kHyAnC4h2Iw6WekvPsUJAvJf7wifNPdz5USn-/w640-h480/20231123_151353.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOkTaggop9M8Isu4CUxh9qp21-6nUoVbTVzB8oDJMU2it0M9M_8fwUwh-9NjqF3DR8qOv2Eparie-_GMezSUYjmhrGb8n_tL9dRQ1AdGPKtY0c1BBEasdf0hJLYBg0OpBEmE5l_Swa3wl7GOJv4p5I08avhGE0eqSTkYfYHO3Ecma4mYDI2VDgnpMSK_B/s8160/20231123_151438.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOkTaggop9M8Isu4CUxh9qp21-6nUoVbTVzB8oDJMU2it0M9M_8fwUwh-9NjqF3DR8qOv2Eparie-_GMezSUYjmhrGb8n_tL9dRQ1AdGPKtY0c1BBEasdf0hJLYBg0OpBEmE5l_Swa3wl7GOJv4p5I08avhGE0eqSTkYfYHO3Ecma4mYDI2VDgnpMSK_B/w640-h480/20231123_151438.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Kn5dvFsvTMAiEQEqKGNatIVkLQQ4F0Zpy4ERWjd6iySi-XdbYswKKuQyU59gX_lIeCP1sLxUzPOE9AlR-A8ihwUP9HR4QjmuA8tiRnOwIxkw1xIB8UvjzmUpMAVkkcDqwa-LusCx-zmPJoZgFhEz0WriiO1neCtYwaw3XsRPp8UqCf5U5AVXu24TUftP/s7982/20231123_151653.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5987" data-original-width="7982" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Kn5dvFsvTMAiEQEqKGNatIVkLQQ4F0Zpy4ERWjd6iySi-XdbYswKKuQyU59gX_lIeCP1sLxUzPOE9AlR-A8ihwUP9HR4QjmuA8tiRnOwIxkw1xIB8UvjzmUpMAVkkcDqwa-LusCx-zmPJoZgFhEz0WriiO1neCtYwaw3XsRPp8UqCf5U5AVXu24TUftP/w640-h480/20231123_151653.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We make our way back down to earth and exit the store and walk to the Metro. Here a homeless looking guy complete with can of beer walks into me placing hands on my chest and starts touching my backpack. Fearing he was trying to open my backpack. I shout "No! Fuck Off!" and push him away! </div></div><div style="text-align: center;">We make our way back to Gare Du Nord and back to the hotel and check in. We have a rest after a long day so far and a lot of walking.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWn3naKCunn2nVjXUDVvjo6O2t_D3YrWXkriNz6J2OUjoWbkQqixt83vfaLjq9wttK3jvRmmeOjxUButUK9QvmoWM9GGYVQkYkuNj8FceIWHa-U1zbuWrsS_daH2dD4EcERxHrJZke2kHZW-uhQErNeUQSOXFdKoRH7GI0B8EbKHDYM-peEOQhyy3n_jfa/s8160/20231123_172917.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWn3naKCunn2nVjXUDVvjo6O2t_D3YrWXkriNz6J2OUjoWbkQqixt83vfaLjq9wttK3jvRmmeOjxUButUK9QvmoWM9GGYVQkYkuNj8FceIWHa-U1zbuWrsS_daH2dD4EcERxHrJZke2kHZW-uhQErNeUQSOXFdKoRH7GI0B8EbKHDYM-peEOQhyy3n_jfa/w640-h480/20231123_172917.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Hotel Room</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVGaNZbnNq-PuxTl748ypqWNqaAcvnjqcqunPRqkSXAdwkR3YkIu2ct9raT-SCk17uiRFs3iAW5v2swKwPh2z8_nqiXYcgaE3UWaZO9-Y8gT8IrO_Y9UzQA-29Odn9gLo-Xbu7cf13uBIIuObbvB5WIRn4d8QjwwMy3JxXDbog3povsGapjVAtgsDLB6k/s8160/20231123_172948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVGaNZbnNq-PuxTl748ypqWNqaAcvnjqcqunPRqkSXAdwkR3YkIu2ct9raT-SCk17uiRFs3iAW5v2swKwPh2z8_nqiXYcgaE3UWaZO9-Y8gT8IrO_Y9UzQA-29Odn9gLo-Xbu7cf13uBIIuObbvB5WIRn4d8QjwwMy3JxXDbog3povsGapjVAtgsDLB6k/w640-h480/20231123_172948.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwe1RHMYBRFLhU38VkLZ7-l6P62ohdXmhDi3q-g-jZCi0JNTmPtxs0eL7VTJYPPI6DIao1l_vjGvpoqRL_T-NHCUvd-nzGlbhEa9bFizKWBBLuhagQuapmwJD8dTHyJyq7zhnFPnQKjm7XtmdW42ilQjD-c-0T62saMVuS91bgyrfqRZ2Ql-W1AMAiaCZg/s8160/20231123_173005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwe1RHMYBRFLhU38VkLZ7-l6P62ohdXmhDi3q-g-jZCi0JNTmPtxs0eL7VTJYPPI6DIao1l_vjGvpoqRL_T-NHCUvd-nzGlbhEa9bFizKWBBLuhagQuapmwJD8dTHyJyq7zhnFPnQKjm7XtmdW42ilQjD-c-0T62saMVuS91bgyrfqRZ2Ql-W1AMAiaCZg/w640-h480/20231123_173005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After a rest and a nap, we head back to Gard Du Nord and travel to Chatelet Les Halles Metro station to visit Notre Dame. Looking back there are closer stations that would have meant less walking. Anyway we walk along Rue des Halles after eventually finding or way out of the labyrinth of Westfields that the Metro exits out into!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhSCwOlB3RDHzMx9z9xAp9PTpGGy4uVpldeBWicj0blVyDFnQ9UtFF6buIO6M5qYdn36dzsn5eqEm75agff9wEGi6kEft6ng_0lcu5ufT_k4_keSoqQipHP0qi9K_di_p4vvjChB49FmHNflC5ddwGMAfXytk_xGfGdOT7yDgZmhPbJdez3d_CeaQ_Mfg/s8089/20231123_182801.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6066" data-original-width="8089" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhSCwOlB3RDHzMx9z9xAp9PTpGGy4uVpldeBWicj0blVyDFnQ9UtFF6buIO6M5qYdn36dzsn5eqEm75agff9wEGi6kEft6ng_0lcu5ufT_k4_keSoqQipHP0qi9K_di_p4vvjChB49FmHNflC5ddwGMAfXytk_xGfGdOT7yDgZmhPbJdez3d_CeaQ_Mfg/w640-h480/20231123_182801.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk pass the Bourse de Commerce.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Bourse de commerce (Commodities Exchange) is a building in Paris, originally used as a place to negotiate the trade of grain and other commodities, and used to provide services to businesses by the Paris Chamber of Commerce during the latter part of the 20th century. It has its origins in a circular wheat exchange built in 1763–67, with an open-air interior court that was later capped by a wooden dome replaced in 1811 with a copper one (supported by an iron skeletal structure). In a major reconstruction in 1888–89 much of the structure was replaced, although the layout remained the same and the dome was retained albeit adding glass and a mounted canvas.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Since 2021, the building has been the Parisian exhibition site of the Pinault Collection. The dome of the building is listed as a historical monument.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSco6nQTWME54s0h-krbASybKF8HKgWu5wcGr81wNrIMCWdp_Kus9KhH14e1Wm-YLf47_i3I09e6ew3O5zrr-xvLGoG_c_AZW8_fszfehjvu7NxI0QiFIh6iaw1ymiYQqYtARByYvxe2U-wvBTzLIoWUIuaMuK2svTxyMqzrLDEPUqz69w95i5BjVmIBnK/s8016/20231123_183014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6012" data-original-width="8016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSco6nQTWME54s0h-krbASybKF8HKgWu5wcGr81wNrIMCWdp_Kus9KhH14e1Wm-YLf47_i3I09e6ew3O5zrr-xvLGoG_c_AZW8_fszfehjvu7NxI0QiFIh6iaw1ymiYQqYtARByYvxe2U-wvBTzLIoWUIuaMuK2svTxyMqzrLDEPUqz69w95i5BjVmIBnK/w640-h480/20231123_183014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We make our way down a variety of avenues and pass by Tour Saint Jacques. The only remaining part of a 16th-century church that was destroyed during the French Revolution.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5I2YjJy5XhBbeRc4UHUMlHl4-P6kHwqDEyxdbx70BbVzLUIvkGWMyhVVniKcNdMJVWrk0e05KQGkdj4oyBKs96rfGedQZ8eTXxhV246eO1Tj54lqWaCfYyzQuXvVc5aNmHFDZj11jyruaK36wkUlhoIHsos0mQqxJFWCzhBmJU4RTc5ucI02CbbXUz-5z/s8160/20231123_183651.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5I2YjJy5XhBbeRc4UHUMlHl4-P6kHwqDEyxdbx70BbVzLUIvkGWMyhVVniKcNdMJVWrk0e05KQGkdj4oyBKs96rfGedQZ8eTXxhV246eO1Tj54lqWaCfYyzQuXvVc5aNmHFDZj11jyruaK36wkUlhoIHsos0mQqxJFWCzhBmJU4RTc5ucI02CbbXUz-5z/w480-h640/20231123_183651.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We now cross Pont Notre Dame, carvings of kings, saints & a Greek god adorn this arched stone bridge, which was completed in 1914. We have views up the Seine to Pont au Change.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDZ0FA9YCpf0OFkL28GMuX1pncPZP4CARcBCYy6cUC4HjTvBQ-q7E7pLYdCTP2bNf8yx_XEcmmcc1oh5JvUhBUgG21Xa8nCNytlUJpARJ61WZTXoGXnaHTA9jnilwNkQaQW17EnOOgAD_oxlUXk-7FSLuv7G1bAWBpdSGxjDilcbEqynkx_mGi1czCZ9B/s7898/20231123_184111.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5924" data-original-width="7898" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDZ0FA9YCpf0OFkL28GMuX1pncPZP4CARcBCYy6cUC4HjTvBQ-q7E7pLYdCTP2bNf8yx_XEcmmcc1oh5JvUhBUgG21Xa8nCNytlUJpARJ61WZTXoGXnaHTA9jnilwNkQaQW17EnOOgAD_oxlUXk-7FSLuv7G1bAWBpdSGxjDilcbEqynkx_mGi1czCZ9B/w640-h480/20231123_184111.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-abWh7m-M8k1qgna2Xj4I9jvsff1l7SZOucqcLQyTFR_TdmqM2qbCTt1ZLWUsNRw6Fb3F5aVC7oPtwZ4W9rgkwG8O3cKKwwqxYU1TC9GGfKKs0lntq-flq5m6GtpMGLjkUWyLbJ7PRcGGdxjVdEFaEo1cPjMiWipyguOWHhFdfKl7sI3mZNS2mfDywnm4/s7966/20231123_184114.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5974" data-original-width="7966" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-abWh7m-M8k1qgna2Xj4I9jvsff1l7SZOucqcLQyTFR_TdmqM2qbCTt1ZLWUsNRw6Fb3F5aVC7oPtwZ4W9rgkwG8O3cKKwwqxYU1TC9GGfKKs0lntq-flq5m6GtpMGLjkUWyLbJ7PRcGGdxjVdEFaEo1cPjMiWipyguOWHhFdfKl7sI3mZNS2mfDywnm4/w640-h480/20231123_184114.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pont au Change.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHM3r0WIP9-DngYme1zxw4-EjhAfKpBHpzorPH48EXMONChWEOFyIeL2DSQWM7oyJwcso5-Ier4q4m2hGOurCy7WkP6FdpjgzSaYGFB7btiFgW4a8TQIAB1qUw1RAHuz0PRzRwpx-h8ZvoB2yYu2DQR41dNIxsRwzGhB6axxreAI3C-KOiUAKNOIrHn2c/s8160/20231123_184150.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHM3r0WIP9-DngYme1zxw4-EjhAfKpBHpzorPH48EXMONChWEOFyIeL2DSQWM7oyJwcso5-Ier4q4m2hGOurCy7WkP6FdpjgzSaYGFB7btiFgW4a8TQIAB1qUw1RAHuz0PRzRwpx-h8ZvoB2yYu2DQR41dNIxsRwzGhB6axxreAI3C-KOiUAKNOIrHn2c/w640-h480/20231123_184150.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk along Rue de la Cite, passing Préfecture de Police, the Police Headquarters.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBqKQUS5geqqte_1rX_-zTZkF6cSbynDtXrIbA0ul1dQvvGw-EyPrLODhqsQYKBTw4lp1amaGb0DyOXuDk8aOlTOwFC6HRguuGeu875efSqeFEsrON1h8LreEnllZjz4rrOVXz-jhXZJK-Zqbc8nGQqJ7QONzmXAiSEXisJKV2Yrc_eAf8pu_g-gCRIpx/s7567/20231123_184606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5675" data-original-width="7567" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBqKQUS5geqqte_1rX_-zTZkF6cSbynDtXrIbA0ul1dQvvGw-EyPrLODhqsQYKBTw4lp1amaGb0DyOXuDk8aOlTOwFC6HRguuGeu875efSqeFEsrON1h8LreEnllZjz4rrOVXz-jhXZJK-Zqbc8nGQqJ7QONzmXAiSEXisJKV2Yrc_eAf8pu_g-gCRIpx/w640-h480/20231123_184606.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV599lDdSqHJt5axyft1BDBL9gUQjegwdusNUGFiHJixMSBGFkbvogT1SDCLM8KGZ2Bonf18hTaql8W7MrmUzdIcmrKEVweqWt24Pcf-G9YdJQ54CcSEb4vdWXmrUVnIfcDAvWoGYqgdwguunDgJKqhCiorVH57oGCu8rhRIsvSkjarPXo98rqdo6s2t0f/s8160/20231123_184628.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV599lDdSqHJt5axyft1BDBL9gUQjegwdusNUGFiHJixMSBGFkbvogT1SDCLM8KGZ2Bonf18hTaql8W7MrmUzdIcmrKEVweqWt24Pcf-G9YdJQ54CcSEb4vdWXmrUVnIfcDAvWoGYqgdwguunDgJKqhCiorVH57oGCu8rhRIsvSkjarPXo98rqdo6s2t0f/w640-h480/20231123_184628.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We turn left and down to Notre Dame. Shame its not open to the public after its fire but they hope its open next year for the Olympics.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61akrzCG7Ex-6Kz9yIHFr_JCIQcYY3n667alV2YmyR3U-21aBLVonWzIPWITS6ZKSMSwHpoYOnNLj3Q4dU6ztd5oa-JExAvckUUD3RBaAsjvH1YpgOsLNJTBshXVO4b4kYmoPrPYJFaElNHDDYYyBGYme0ZFcBXoyKnrmQ-57FpnpU7oTWJR6APyxjP-T/s8026/20231123_184701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8026" data-original-width="6019" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61akrzCG7Ex-6Kz9yIHFr_JCIQcYY3n667alV2YmyR3U-21aBLVonWzIPWITS6ZKSMSwHpoYOnNLj3Q4dU6ztd5oa-JExAvckUUD3RBaAsjvH1YpgOsLNJTBshXVO4b4kYmoPrPYJFaElNHDDYYyBGYme0ZFcBXoyKnrmQ-57FpnpU7oTWJR6APyxjP-T/w480-h640/20231123_184701.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Notre-Dame de Paris meaning "Our Lady of Paris"), referred to simply as Notre-Dame, is a medieval Catholic cathedral on the Île de la Cité (an island in the Seine River), in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, France. The cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. Several attributes set it apart from the earlier Romanesque style, particularly its pioneering use of the rib vault and flying buttress, its enormous and colourful rose windows, and the naturalism and abundance of its sculptural decoration. Notre-Dame also stands out for its three pipe organs (one historic) and its immense church bells.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTR6QlYNQBRPZGnrmw-uAlfNAhd5vndDVmgiTdAjv78Ecoib25rm7bakK2imyZ3n-pS4jqJHPEdSNd49ndwKU3SY3Wt8BWevwSaAf9AXZ65g8Qh108KpEsNYFHNt0BGeRa2HqvLPOd8h5MCB4S4H-CQQ3ISF5cDuh50YSqqH3tR4yS6X-hT4_R3DcIkc0/s3320/20231123_184810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3320" data-original-width="2490" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTR6QlYNQBRPZGnrmw-uAlfNAhd5vndDVmgiTdAjv78Ecoib25rm7bakK2imyZ3n-pS4jqJHPEdSNd49ndwKU3SY3Wt8BWevwSaAf9AXZ65g8Qh108KpEsNYFHNt0BGeRa2HqvLPOd8h5MCB4S4H-CQQ3ISF5cDuh50YSqqH3tR4yS6X-hT4_R3DcIkc0/w480-h640/20231123_184810.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Built during medieval France, construction of the cathedral began in 1163 under Bishop Maurice de Sully and was largely completed by 1260, though it was modified in succeeding centuries. In the 1790s, during the French Revolution, Notre-Dame suffered extensive desecration; much of its religious imagery was damaged or destroyed. In the 19th century, the coronation of Napoleon I and the funerals of many of the French Republic's presidents took place at the cathedral.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-llmzU7EAguoGohbCOk-QN5ZF7Pj-NMwxNfwjrqjYktRERZL4ks7bgRvUlHeUZYVRIJZVYkGEVNqTtM-TplYigizUk8XZwc4PpYzf1tCVXzuVAh5EtWzt3poAIfXWKd6bbwtRR9WoJ1Ide6dV4qGb5KnwMb_zSWniLbhdidbLpxtdVuCkHMrftcirl3a/s7837/20231123_185508.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5878" data-original-width="7837" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-llmzU7EAguoGohbCOk-QN5ZF7Pj-NMwxNfwjrqjYktRERZL4ks7bgRvUlHeUZYVRIJZVYkGEVNqTtM-TplYigizUk8XZwc4PpYzf1tCVXzuVAh5EtWzt3poAIfXWKd6bbwtRR9WoJ1Ide6dV4qGb5KnwMb_zSWniLbhdidbLpxtdVuCkHMrftcirl3a/w640-h480/20231123_185508.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The 1831 publication of Victor Hugo's novel Notre-Dame de Paris (in English: The Hunchback of Notre-Dame) inspired interest which led to restoration between 1844 and 1864, supervised by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. On 26 August 1944, the Liberation of Paris from German occupation was celebrated in Notre-Dame with the singing of the Magnificat. Beginning in 1963, the cathedral's façade was cleaned of centuries of soot and grime. Another cleaning and restoration project was carried out between 1991 and 2000.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The cathedral is a widely recognized symbol of the city of Paris and the French nation. In 1805, it was awarded honorary status as a minor basilica. As the cathedral of the archdiocese of Paris, Notre-Dame contains the cathedra of the archbishop of Paris (Laurent Ulrich).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On 15 April 2019, while Notre-Dame was undergoing renovation and restoration, its roof caught fire and burned for 15 hours. The cathedral sustained serious damage. The flèche (the timber spirelet over the crossing) was destroyed, as was most of the lead-covered wooden roof above the stone vaulted ceiling. This contaminated the site and the nearby environment with lead. After the fire, restoration proposals suggested modernizing the cathedral, but the French National Assembly rejected them, enacting a law on 29 July 2019 that required the restoration preserve the cathedral's "historic, artistic and architectural interest". The task of stabilizing the building against potential collapse was completed in November 2020, and reconstruction began in 2021. The government of France had said it hoped the reconstruction could be completed by Spring 2024, in time for the opening of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on 14 April 2021 that the cathedral site would be formally returned to the church on 15 April 2024, and that the first Mass since the fire would be held in the cathedral nave on that day, even if the reconstruction has not been finished.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBdZ9Vv6B2TB9DrOYdK9OTme_ntq1k0bgAQOTU9l-ytOeZgLEYurr8tRKnlAiQHNuUEyIX_bdsWM-_s7gcr4af0tucmwJLyVqxTwsACbn1zaAcDjv0WA-8kEdyN5b4sq7lr35lba4Lj4DbEmmLz-GiuLff8q2Yr25yX9oefcd4dFWTum7U7Tau5fRkfoJ/s7893/20231123_185515.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5920" data-original-width="7893" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBdZ9Vv6B2TB9DrOYdK9OTme_ntq1k0bgAQOTU9l-ytOeZgLEYurr8tRKnlAiQHNuUEyIX_bdsWM-_s7gcr4af0tucmwJLyVqxTwsACbn1zaAcDjv0WA-8kEdyN5b4sq7lr35lba4Lj4DbEmmLz-GiuLff8q2Yr25yX9oefcd4dFWTum7U7Tau5fRkfoJ/w640-h480/20231123_185515.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After having a sit down opposite the Notre Dame for a while we walked over to St Michel Notre Dame Metro station and caught the RER C line to Champs de Mars Tour Eiffel, to see the Eiffel Tower lit up at night.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrsDUG9HeNCA059B4DNTszYqkGKWyGxHGzaVJhHR_zO5wyjvLnYag0N4-4a7jDKsdknaaWB-RpZWR_EdVqfhpdkqV-pUn371yUHDa2v0BoXcLh1VxDYcN16o0Nua8ai0an14NfCgxeClRyLSxpn4fTqWNqc-VFunIZbs1ZTV2KNcCFus2yOOUKFPh9r3VA/s8160/20231123_192613.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrsDUG9HeNCA059B4DNTszYqkGKWyGxHGzaVJhHR_zO5wyjvLnYag0N4-4a7jDKsdknaaWB-RpZWR_EdVqfhpdkqV-pUn371yUHDa2v0BoXcLh1VxDYcN16o0Nua8ai0an14NfCgxeClRyLSxpn4fTqWNqc-VFunIZbs1ZTV2KNcCFus2yOOUKFPh9r3VA/w640-h480/20231123_192613.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">These double decker trains are a great idea, maybe London could do with them. But I suspect out tunnels are too small.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">As we exited the station and made our way towards the tower, I saw a young lad suddenly walking fast towards me. Fearing I may be a victim of robbery, I turned and stared at him. He stopped still and then walked off in a different direction. Was I going to be robbed? Who knows but these tourist hotspots are a robbers paradise, best to be aware of your surroundings!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9MhF0IvUZI5CJjXZcx0VFKSB0x0skSCxcK76oYay-HBjSZqwCClJEjaAuFbHbcryh_ZNnnmvOEycNXKV3A7MLi7svcx7pUK85CHgPQZ6yPgavrmj-BsDgBcewKimcWa9i8kiLYlbkVLT63tar4BFWPZqJg93-X-oyQzLB4LkFsXfipgBOZ3wtFy-00U9/s3648/20231123_193021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9MhF0IvUZI5CJjXZcx0VFKSB0x0skSCxcK76oYay-HBjSZqwCClJEjaAuFbHbcryh_ZNnnmvOEycNXKV3A7MLi7svcx7pUK85CHgPQZ6yPgavrmj-BsDgBcewKimcWa9i8kiLYlbkVLT63tar4BFWPZqJg93-X-oyQzLB4LkFsXfipgBOZ3wtFy-00U9/w480-h640/20231123_193021.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walked back to the Eiffel Tower for a lot more photos, sorry for so many!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYVtnlhkF7juN53ZKZaccCczwPyPU8PYEJuOyqTA5cTTaXETosk7b7OSaf2p6h59BFlAj4W3_ITMMPvzfXM7mhkLi-GaTYL792TieKdRPru1tj_FYmlA2c654wC3HmEo1dGQAJv3UmsELX2oQ2PKE3htCWVKYGzdkf9Tmg1D025qbzxNFXgPGD2gtf-0P/s3648/20231123_193041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYVtnlhkF7juN53ZKZaccCczwPyPU8PYEJuOyqTA5cTTaXETosk7b7OSaf2p6h59BFlAj4W3_ITMMPvzfXM7mhkLi-GaTYL792TieKdRPru1tj_FYmlA2c654wC3HmEo1dGQAJv3UmsELX2oQ2PKE3htCWVKYGzdkf9Tmg1D025qbzxNFXgPGD2gtf-0P/w480-h640/20231123_193041.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTBiTw5AlOVpUcuBMh-U9UHTmXcvwiaz_UlEONF5BIr3J9fVz86MN7Nu6A3FKe3XuXKe3L0kEvYjRyVlGaPJVdnTPglesCgzCw_Q8M7MCmqm82lDqishXjQ9dmHaHRyFvmjofdWiRS3QzJfBvF_ri0xw9-qG0h6mYc_IVgHU1sjPPyVr2AxP64hHQGiVy/s3091/20231123_193104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3091" data-original-width="2318" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTBiTw5AlOVpUcuBMh-U9UHTmXcvwiaz_UlEONF5BIr3J9fVz86MN7Nu6A3FKe3XuXKe3L0kEvYjRyVlGaPJVdnTPglesCgzCw_Q8M7MCmqm82lDqishXjQ9dmHaHRyFvmjofdWiRS3QzJfBvF_ri0xw9-qG0h6mYc_IVgHU1sjPPyVr2AxP64hHQGiVy/w480-h640/20231123_193104.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zHlSCqV_2cRqgL1UONEcDm21tqsA0PNw-yehkuTOvOw2PtSwuyDcu_zsW43o8hjqk5wfVMhM2tTHaDWPksrso2kR57O9mZAuBb4Xtz_WxGNCIfWrQw8hhfwZjF4kKc6Rlci7DOL4goPo-fe1piJ_33ZpR50SA1qOEg0cDv7prQoNKIaQ99Lt9HLDPb1Y/s7723/20231123_193125.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7723" data-original-width="5793" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zHlSCqV_2cRqgL1UONEcDm21tqsA0PNw-yehkuTOvOw2PtSwuyDcu_zsW43o8hjqk5wfVMhM2tTHaDWPksrso2kR57O9mZAuBb4Xtz_WxGNCIfWrQw8hhfwZjF4kKc6Rlci7DOL4goPo-fe1piJ_33ZpR50SA1qOEg0cDv7prQoNKIaQ99Lt9HLDPb1Y/w480-h640/20231123_193125.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrousdenUghqmL7KthLRxV_ziVZzjieXJU9_oWMdAMl9bN8fJoQlLr15NLGMmaVoHWQQMThM0vmsBw24Jc61bFBRPXaKV3C2Twd_HaCnKvS0IwfPtJ4pAHHc_9MfU2ay33txtJ-SOnY2c4fmc8ejcbgGAi9fVbWabjVrlnAHt9x1uHVa6peTm-Gq6GA4g/s8160/20231123_193225.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrousdenUghqmL7KthLRxV_ziVZzjieXJU9_oWMdAMl9bN8fJoQlLr15NLGMmaVoHWQQMThM0vmsBw24Jc61bFBRPXaKV3C2Twd_HaCnKvS0IwfPtJ4pAHHc_9MfU2ay33txtJ-SOnY2c4fmc8ejcbgGAi9fVbWabjVrlnAHt9x1uHVa6peTm-Gq6GA4g/w480-h640/20231123_193225.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAInhYbSGrBSBgdaeXZ6O0V4WrZH-IEOOjyvu8jb-Zln4F_5pTow_NFvYYjfuRMoGRkNLMFbrOKWxc9l5mgtDavPbzWIttUAiw-ySHOxIedJXOepQ27iNhMvj5hyJfPpe-YZpioYb4tplOBcYLji94ONIGmaDzK03esQSHlhmbnzUkNV0pijkV5OZR0uG/s2655/20231123_193327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2655" data-original-width="1991" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAInhYbSGrBSBgdaeXZ6O0V4WrZH-IEOOjyvu8jb-Zln4F_5pTow_NFvYYjfuRMoGRkNLMFbrOKWxc9l5mgtDavPbzWIttUAiw-ySHOxIedJXOepQ27iNhMvj5hyJfPpe-YZpioYb4tplOBcYLji94ONIGmaDzK03esQSHlhmbnzUkNV0pijkV5OZR0uG/w480-h640/20231123_193327.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In order to preserve the wrought iron from any natural elements, the tower was once given a coat of yellow paint. However, since 1968 the official color has been "Eiffel Tower Brown" with the top being somewhat darker than the bottom, giving the tower an ombre effect.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Hi2MS3LjmfWjGn10Qphnphz_DcSArjJ2GoXUr6zS1NUXjA-Ifopj_zTlZLGGRodCTlJiEaph0m9TjpCc2iiaVB1e6SLcf0sTlChVLsYVdvTPk2KPNpcFlVcLLvjNyBW5s5I-uDydEzP0V0PHrwlpS585eB6u7NpD8n0OG40sClISxLgF82bAvPbyn_mx/s3344/20231123_193423.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3344" data-original-width="2508" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Hi2MS3LjmfWjGn10Qphnphz_DcSArjJ2GoXUr6zS1NUXjA-Ifopj_zTlZLGGRodCTlJiEaph0m9TjpCc2iiaVB1e6SLcf0sTlChVLsYVdvTPk2KPNpcFlVcLLvjNyBW5s5I-uDydEzP0V0PHrwlpS585eB6u7NpD8n0OG40sClISxLgF82bAvPbyn_mx/w480-h640/20231123_193423.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Every evening for the first five minutes of every hour, the tower is lit and its beacon shines over Paris. While lit up with its 20,000 bulbs, the Eiffel Tower is a sight to see! During this daily show, many onlookers revel in its beauty while trying to capture it. Posting to your story or on your own personal page is fine, but if you are attempting to do so for commercial purposes, you will have to answer to the French authorities! The tower's light display is technically an artwork protected by copyright laws.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-vekaebbspwQP23uTEeYnlEOZBZGi6CjpDJwPHm_ARqbPQCe6kHlJkrCI0RVsC4fDQVBhR8_dNL8Wg5Co1Z_4gAzKvuGnLbJi2f_KUglPeEoW2AEsRrCKMaeRtyfbBJ4B3JbIhoTyE5982DJZx5UVZCAFW5f-8x2ADNJRQg3fQH-sqv9hRvaKuyk_kRj/s7639/20231123_193652.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7639" data-original-width="5729" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-vekaebbspwQP23uTEeYnlEOZBZGi6CjpDJwPHm_ARqbPQCe6kHlJkrCI0RVsC4fDQVBhR8_dNL8Wg5Co1Z_4gAzKvuGnLbJi2f_KUglPeEoW2AEsRrCKMaeRtyfbBJ4B3JbIhoTyE5982DJZx5UVZCAFW5f-8x2ADNJRQg3fQH-sqv9hRvaKuyk_kRj/w480-h640/20231123_193652.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The total weight of the Eiffel Tower is a whopping 10,100 tons! That would be the equivalent of 10 cargo ships altogether. In order to keep the hefty tower standing, the construction crew of 300 used 2.5 million rivets and over 18,000 iron parts. Each pillar is 82 feet wide and all four total 410 square feet.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpaJNSsg6iYu0ntG5zfiQHz8m7AP3bx6i7e3skQ_fBzyxfFnlrzokgRg9mE4ima9d6PNK7CHsV32_1TfFtmR89khStXHxAExX4q0n-61LEfy6kNGzkeEtmCVumFqPSt_Wdoxi-eXAP9mRLIgw6HUXL96Vx-aSkvNyw-E5rtaQCTFOjZS5RwLOOorCzYLy/s8160/20231123_194006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpaJNSsg6iYu0ntG5zfiQHz8m7AP3bx6i7e3skQ_fBzyxfFnlrzokgRg9mE4ima9d6PNK7CHsV32_1TfFtmR89khStXHxAExX4q0n-61LEfy6kNGzkeEtmCVumFqPSt_Wdoxi-eXAP9mRLIgw6HUXL96Vx-aSkvNyw-E5rtaQCTFOjZS5RwLOOorCzYLy/w480-h640/20231123_194006.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On Valentine's Day in 1887, the Le Temps newspaper included the vehement opposition of over 300 Parisian artists to the Eiffel Tower. The proclamation stated, "We, writers, painters, sculptors, architects, passionate lovers of the beauty, until now intact, of Paris, hereby protest with all our might, with all our indignation, in the name of French taste gone unrecognized, in the name of French art and history under threat, against the construction, in the very heart of our capital, of the useless and monstrous Eiffel Tower.” Their rantings even included that the "gigantic black factory chimney" was so appalling that "even commercial-minded America does not want" it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ30v4vJL5nHio56HFlDaZYZMIAQ3-n0fTTHAXH3LgXwao6qq8OCDrMftO4T8TS82Ewcs_j4_YM9KpszmMJbZJTll4YdGSQzztDgf1wydguv32FNzmCox74Dwnzd3ecNhpVC6ypZwNhdXd1MDVe-aAaN5uAg88E-WUqbbSPgQmAq6w9CPp84vqEFWd5TDs/s8160/20231123_194125.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ30v4vJL5nHio56HFlDaZYZMIAQ3-n0fTTHAXH3LgXwao6qq8OCDrMftO4T8TS82Ewcs_j4_YM9KpszmMJbZJTll4YdGSQzztDgf1wydguv32FNzmCox74Dwnzd3ecNhpVC6ypZwNhdXd1MDVe-aAaN5uAg88E-WUqbbSPgQmAq6w9CPp84vqEFWd5TDs/w480-h640/20231123_194125.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Eiffel installed a laboratory used by himself and 72 scientists to study astronomy, meteorology, aerodynamics and physiology. In 1909, Eiffel established a wind tunnel at the base of the tower to test aerodynamics, including tests done on the Wright Brothers' airplanes and Porsche vehicles.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="proxima-nova, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 19.2px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpAtpm_YFV3bdLXc3H_zdV3ul5T1G7Si-hRkLPF0qT-22lZqK8EGiegmn3l5ShC6K1oSKZhB4dM-JTdQUyNiqoivU65VklQozIjEkYouhVAHOachRIlNmaGmgDuWX7RkCQyR-fBVLXm3AC6yuDp2mvqmB0c97It4GZ3mhEDte4yJY-hLlTbMKrWnYcaIL/s2944/20231123_194352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpAtpm_YFV3bdLXc3H_zdV3ul5T1G7Si-hRkLPF0qT-22lZqK8EGiegmn3l5ShC6K1oSKZhB4dM-JTdQUyNiqoivU65VklQozIjEkYouhVAHOachRIlNmaGmgDuWX7RkCQyR-fBVLXm3AC6yuDp2mvqmB0c97It4GZ3mhEDte4yJY-hLlTbMKrWnYcaIL/w480-h640/20231123_194352.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1914, the tower housed a radio transmitter that jammed German radio communications and therefore impeded German advancement into Paris. French troops used the tower's wireless station to intercept enemy signals from Berlin, which is thought to have played a significant role in the Allied victory at the First Battle of the Marne.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HE_MJ0W7fzgzUhyphenhyphenk-jhc7ewkHuoTbl0hK4uAE6Lpao_jQ1CNpovuXV3IP7ZWzwOyE9X6Dv2WBawtRrTTCuSIcuz80CkLLaTA9XCpGiP70TfFCf7lcKw_AU5VSSqnz_vqGb64cErH71tHMnK9pLk6ctBjRR-qYEOkknvR4CGgZmTt1EZIicaZdmUfnf8c/s8160/20231123_194457.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HE_MJ0W7fzgzUhyphenhyphenk-jhc7ewkHuoTbl0hK4uAE6Lpao_jQ1CNpovuXV3IP7ZWzwOyE9X6Dv2WBawtRrTTCuSIcuz80CkLLaTA9XCpGiP70TfFCf7lcKw_AU5VSSqnz_vqGb64cErH71tHMnK9pLk6ctBjRR-qYEOkknvR4CGgZmTt1EZIicaZdmUfnf8c/w480-h640/20231123_194457.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNcWvd7XwJBMXiDATgniijSSl1ceX98GmKckX3WeGBdJrqkyk2ElYDkvK4z3rt-clGYXxPjSUymRfW3g3g1kXQHnmGZ9BRhiWXevjv72IMjoW7hBW9JFBpXb0nYw1owv5kNDG9GXcnSN4CfPFL2WLeeTi-XVTgLkgWZy5IoZM8UGadlhyrBhKGUO9y9dF/s8160/20231123_194540.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNcWvd7XwJBMXiDATgniijSSl1ceX98GmKckX3WeGBdJrqkyk2ElYDkvK4z3rt-clGYXxPjSUymRfW3g3g1kXQHnmGZ9BRhiWXevjv72IMjoW7hBW9JFBpXb0nYw1owv5kNDG9GXcnSN4CfPFL2WLeeTi-XVTgLkgWZy5IoZM8UGadlhyrBhKGUO9y9dF/w480-h640/20231123_194540.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNG9J-PTayHyOoN_Ef_RtroOUJXZopm5HXkv1AgXpUSMP_jhwgu17nyb5JTm4tlgQpww85Tc9bKfcYQ9QrxW9PAEQ0NIYLA01g-QF_c2-wZSkdNq8ozLiBLRfEAm12ssmLiCFgc5xM7pZ-zSWfzsYzTXNYSb5WEvVNyjx2PkVpoXGiHcxTah2AKp_73A2/s8017/20231123_195543.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8017" data-original-width="6013" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNG9J-PTayHyOoN_Ef_RtroOUJXZopm5HXkv1AgXpUSMP_jhwgu17nyb5JTm4tlgQpww85Tc9bKfcYQ9QrxW9PAEQ0NIYLA01g-QF_c2-wZSkdNq8ozLiBLRfEAm12ssmLiCFgc5xM7pZ-zSWfzsYzTXNYSb5WEvVNyjx2PkVpoXGiHcxTah2AKp_73A2/w480-h640/20231123_195543.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walked back across Pont D'Lena to try and make it up the hill to the Trocadero in time for the on the hour when the Tower sparkles.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfky7HKb1t1pLuM21M9Dn87S4sz_GP4D8_P-SOgk-JTzSYr1A1yxtT6nOz7jq1mF3XPpA5ac9fD-bXkkPjmaRT_QH4QN0TBGHOFN8ZHhSreD8HirVUQIGhWGm7D6hUVDTIpP3UhpINbBmHpPRSbALYeh0-CszGC2GMPXewtrLtux6PtioqQiFSIQSooD3/s7884/20231123_200022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7884" data-original-width="5913" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfky7HKb1t1pLuM21M9Dn87S4sz_GP4D8_P-SOgk-JTzSYr1A1yxtT6nOz7jq1mF3XPpA5ac9fD-bXkkPjmaRT_QH4QN0TBGHOFN8ZHhSreD8HirVUQIGhWGm7D6hUVDTIpP3UhpINbBmHpPRSbALYeh0-CszGC2GMPXewtrLtux6PtioqQiFSIQSooD3/w480-h640/20231123_200022.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="393" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xllh1jkrXHk" width="472" youtube-src-id="Xllh1jkrXHk"></iframe></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We made it in time, lovely to see it dazzle in the night!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaCRVZDqJ_rjOAxMgme0pe9orvDQP-0DB44DANPi2RFoFXS6wjj3B0Ze7kqmY26hzV_AtonsSYve_CjQbRmi6SOaPVQrYwS4_PdlejHzbTh9xUmwLnBljtpB2QeHDttpbl9W-rC_WzKEs3az8i_99-7p0kC5XuyiWztO3cBLXqHieYaOv8L4JG5mBWtaF/s8036/20231123_200025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8036" data-original-width="6027" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaCRVZDqJ_rjOAxMgme0pe9orvDQP-0DB44DANPi2RFoFXS6wjj3B0Ze7kqmY26hzV_AtonsSYve_CjQbRmi6SOaPVQrYwS4_PdlejHzbTh9xUmwLnBljtpB2QeHDttpbl9W-rC_WzKEs3az8i_99-7p0kC5XuyiWztO3cBLXqHieYaOv8L4JG5mBWtaF/w480-h640/20231123_200025.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="396" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zW66wb_Tnks" width="476" youtube-src-id="zW66wb_Tnks"></iframe></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIGvIZnqmhaebr-jWO_ia8fHw-7GSjIPRGhKMQ_c_Oj-NQ8eo7Gp6kgkVJb_0MO0GjUvIuO55TQTe-BMETyCN9r_2SMeqV_CaoQ_jIQk-hZwPPddPzBQwJdF4LMpUDqqZZwJNsJ_XgCD2vQJ8mY-k3_UNKCzzuYZktebxk0IEn6V_XVYyvTxxKWgyRRK2/s3304/20231123_200038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3304" data-original-width="2478" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIGvIZnqmhaebr-jWO_ia8fHw-7GSjIPRGhKMQ_c_Oj-NQ8eo7Gp6kgkVJb_0MO0GjUvIuO55TQTe-BMETyCN9r_2SMeqV_CaoQ_jIQk-hZwPPddPzBQwJdF4LMpUDqqZZwJNsJ_XgCD2vQJ8mY-k3_UNKCzzuYZktebxk0IEn6V_XVYyvTxxKWgyRRK2/w480-h640/20231123_200038.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="392" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ls-kcS75nZk" width="471" youtube-src-id="ls-kcS75nZk"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16cJnkrOoOQHvPE384YlNdot83sRxkGS_MZjFqxpXWmiwwjISFONo6KkM14_RYtEUPXuUpHL4kz71HK4hDdtuwN1ZwPqeWA9A2Rb3Et6pqqmo7ScCYVRXqZQgUl6ZflN9v4wxT86b357ctC5_XtBmOMWRfs6OorR9vPamZ-h1nrVi1xilMlohDZB30gqO/s3648/20231123_200603.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16cJnkrOoOQHvPE384YlNdot83sRxkGS_MZjFqxpXWmiwwjISFONo6KkM14_RYtEUPXuUpHL4kz71HK4hDdtuwN1ZwPqeWA9A2Rb3Et6pqqmo7ScCYVRXqZQgUl6ZflN9v4wxT86b357ctC5_XtBmOMWRfs6OorR9vPamZ-h1nrVi1xilMlohDZB30gqO/w480-h640/20231123_200603.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walked to the Metro Station at Trocadero onto line 9 and changed at St Lazare and onto the RER E line to Magenta and walked through to Gard du Nord and back to the hotel for the night. I grabbed a bottle of La Goudale Ambre from a corner shop and told to hide it as he can't sell alcohol after five!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Back to the hotel, beer drank and to get some sleep. Another big day tomorrow but hopefully not as hard. Todays steps= 51,338 ,Floors = 25, miles = 23.92.</div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u>Day Two. 24th November 2023 </u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">We woke up at 8am and went down for our continental breakfast at the hotel. Croissants with jam and baguettes and cheese. Seemed strange to having cheese rolls for breakfast!!</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzHoL7AAkmmf93gsEzx4zbN8kDw-W6cG6g0sdtajMSJ8Ywy2TuoUHrHW7o7BHCAjujvReiR_GpPKl1qKtO2lXkCrQeOsqhvId8elWWxDmAODXxyim-ttFOsar1nSoZR98z-YLECte6OQYsyT60YmNlefQbUBlWufh7JIRruDCWtwr9prD23Irm61DyXnV/s7676/20231124_100507.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5757" data-original-width="7676" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzHoL7AAkmmf93gsEzx4zbN8kDw-W6cG6g0sdtajMSJ8Ywy2TuoUHrHW7o7BHCAjujvReiR_GpPKl1qKtO2lXkCrQeOsqhvId8elWWxDmAODXxyim-ttFOsar1nSoZR98z-YLECte6OQYsyT60YmNlefQbUBlWufh7JIRruDCWtwr9prD23Irm61DyXnV/w640-h480/20231124_100507.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walked through to Montmartre and walked up Rue de Steinkerque which was full of tourist souvenir shops.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsCuegD_qSNJ3kU3mR4PmVNPqu82Q_WwAU1NQsRtIE81ZVo6hskztGrQu43wsS1hlNQhWOk2y3WJx0wzslGktNIX6zd2DTnfucAsL5_tqu50s8QOvXmSol6of2v2qIVuLv8yO2wIFHx1dWXHuwXBKqbSa-igRZc4XkHQOgcPFcx9i5net14Kvpp1eVBJu/s7701/20231124_100602.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5775" data-original-width="7701" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsCuegD_qSNJ3kU3mR4PmVNPqu82Q_WwAU1NQsRtIE81ZVo6hskztGrQu43wsS1hlNQhWOk2y3WJx0wzslGktNIX6zd2DTnfucAsL5_tqu50s8QOvXmSol6of2v2qIVuLv8yO2wIFHx1dWXHuwXBKqbSa-igRZc4XkHQOgcPFcx9i5net14Kvpp1eVBJu/w640-h480/20231124_100602.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Calibri, "sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Look back down Rue de Steinkerque.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirB5EDscPpqPYuKkXc-xOEajOcvJOeqAPBiQmmGVKnvjB308PL9DAnKgpQnzM_r9otEzQl-mHyUo1KtcJDFOMSKsn6SNQTt8k0FK9PClU5AvWvFLAhS9OvQGDKEvksY7mBWj6Rd1gLcAFMm3AvW9S186sN3wYXsTSRA32fRUGO_BN7Byq3uK0QdIpRuy0N/s7751/20231124_100722.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5814" data-original-width="7751" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirB5EDscPpqPYuKkXc-xOEajOcvJOeqAPBiQmmGVKnvjB308PL9DAnKgpQnzM_r9otEzQl-mHyUo1KtcJDFOMSKsn6SNQTt8k0FK9PClU5AvWvFLAhS9OvQGDKEvksY7mBWj6Rd1gLcAFMm3AvW9S186sN3wYXsTSRA32fRUGO_BN7Byq3uK0QdIpRuy0N/w640-h480/20231124_100722.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We climbed up the many steps towards Basilica of Sacré Coeur de Montmartre <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1fKqVHkQMkWgRuJ46_6Ez4YmyoPksXY-QQbKiUud9ibkWXbkVjXA6nyz6UZO-UmZJhFHh7Oh_zLhX7lF7uFdYUcXvPNWFPQZ8XpAd0fD5ylvU1ouVgmSRM5UJNdrT8qPBP3PmkGhyphenhyphenym5aUKdg-tTP_fQ2rWsHFsrkWrThZ6YsprH5HXluygWqOww5KHt/s3648/20231124_100728.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1fKqVHkQMkWgRuJ46_6Ez4YmyoPksXY-QQbKiUud9ibkWXbkVjXA6nyz6UZO-UmZJhFHh7Oh_zLhX7lF7uFdYUcXvPNWFPQZ8XpAd0fD5ylvU1ouVgmSRM5UJNdrT8qPBP3PmkGhyphenhyphenym5aUKdg-tTP_fQ2rWsHFsrkWrThZ6YsprH5HXluygWqOww5KHt/w480-h640/20231124_100728.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrFyagsHhWezRAHo431EdHz7Chs3sLbKPo05A7ORUws2op_p-2DiNaVDSkCMiyNkhHUWsKxKMirJyV7ys43Kzw0GPwLfqFywqGmz5XLrIVapdcXg_4x4ymfQGWTzi16AHVRYVYwp8o8nKboHWWn-lZRqhoUJgFEI8bVCjmAdB-j1gexiPdRG1MJLO3vEv/s8160/20231124_100958.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrFyagsHhWezRAHo431EdHz7Chs3sLbKPo05A7ORUws2op_p-2DiNaVDSkCMiyNkhHUWsKxKMirJyV7ys43Kzw0GPwLfqFywqGmz5XLrIVapdcXg_4x4ymfQGWTzi16AHVRYVYwp8o8nKboHWWn-lZRqhoUJgFEI8bVCjmAdB-j1gexiPdRG1MJLO3vEv/w640-h480/20231124_100958.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QQ8Hwaaeld-KCvHuAfFNVdw6KbRyt0oRPiUj_5pfkeiiEAanYZWkUaG0bHnxtURXa_WDWbX9c6JDR2-y-7qiSJi9__v57PV5VyFm5-rfykEO0bavoARoLyGn8wLq0eys_Nj90x4U8kORAlmZTsYb4zkOgBB6PkPYHH2iRReUhWc5iQjJ5VnqGW_HgE4k/s7837/20231124_101205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5878" data-original-width="7837" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QQ8Hwaaeld-KCvHuAfFNVdw6KbRyt0oRPiUj_5pfkeiiEAanYZWkUaG0bHnxtURXa_WDWbX9c6JDR2-y-7qiSJi9__v57PV5VyFm5-rfykEO0bavoARoLyGn8wLq0eys_Nj90x4U8kORAlmZTsYb4zkOgBB6PkPYHH2iRReUhWc5iQjJ5VnqGW_HgE4k/w640-h480/20231124_101205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From the top of the steps, the views across Paris began to open, but there was still more climbing to be done yet!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRi1sucgiBmMipBpM586Jl-uG3XNe6j1SR24V4HblqiNnlvD8kVqyWsBUi8vMX_Vc8iuMLhjM9j_8Sm_74AsQKZ3KwplEAblvvJWMPdIHLB8gSgrgLGvHTZrEL7I1huLiszo1zNdTGaEQCMB1YDAE5AlSZEedon5BvrdL0EMl1dhJByB_zD4wSx88bWre/s8057/20231124_101324.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8057" data-original-width="6043" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRi1sucgiBmMipBpM586Jl-uG3XNe6j1SR24V4HblqiNnlvD8kVqyWsBUi8vMX_Vc8iuMLhjM9j_8Sm_74AsQKZ3KwplEAblvvJWMPdIHLB8gSgrgLGvHTZrEL7I1huLiszo1zNdTGaEQCMB1YDAE5AlSZEedon5BvrdL0EMl1dhJByB_zD4wSx88bWre/w480-h640/20231124_101324.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We reached the Basilica of Sacré Coeur de Montmartre and it is free to enter.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSYPKYPC-GAGnRrkve8x0CHtwDq7sxG-ep6YHrnBzuvlxy6dB3bpxG7vttZNA0nOsQpFg8PMROOVdpEEOc1Z997cHyOUK-5AZkY5QwoxA5djTq4g7qBRQPHplrBBBfOCY8IN6mQkX05uR-uflLH5vfkWX2vy7N3uOCi_j_NsPFR7WgncgM6JpqlBayJ8d/s7770/20231124_101458.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5827" data-original-width="7770" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSYPKYPC-GAGnRrkve8x0CHtwDq7sxG-ep6YHrnBzuvlxy6dB3bpxG7vttZNA0nOsQpFg8PMROOVdpEEOc1Z997cHyOUK-5AZkY5QwoxA5djTq4g7qBRQPHplrBBBfOCY8IN6mQkX05uR-uflLH5vfkWX2vy7N3uOCi_j_NsPFR7WgncgM6JpqlBayJ8d/w640-h480/20231124_101458.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Basilica of Sacré Coeur de Montmartre (Sacred Heart of Montmartre), commonly known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica and often simply Sacré-Cœur is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica in Paris dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was formally approved as a national historic monument by the National Commission of Patrimony and Architecture on December 8, 2022.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7yA2bI8Rfp6FMqIsQv3VobMt5W-iq4CzdRxkg5dFA_Kq-IzYYXFTBfPTF2wDGxEUTzRUIaoIem93WvluFuS7lhrEnqZaftbq4bWBykhjXwRJKxai52Z0qkd9VBsWJdHk7XCbI5q0wvz7mtaRGscFYg2Tnfh0p_ugL_Bpt1CgiM9aNq6w0YZu3miICUfN/s8160/20231124_101604.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7yA2bI8Rfp6FMqIsQv3VobMt5W-iq4CzdRxkg5dFA_Kq-IzYYXFTBfPTF2wDGxEUTzRUIaoIem93WvluFuS7lhrEnqZaftbq4bWBykhjXwRJKxai52Z0qkd9VBsWJdHk7XCbI5q0wvz7mtaRGscFYg2Tnfh0p_ugL_Bpt1CgiM9aNq6w0YZu3miICUfN/w480-h640/20231124_101604.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sacré-Cœur Basilica is located at the summit of the butte of Montmartre. From its dome two hundred meters above the Seine, the basilica overlooks the entire city of Paris and its suburbs. It is the second most popular tourist destination in the capital after the Eiffel Tower.</div></div><div><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxgBt7pFxzNd9VfdbR3muu2TrHPa77xY6cN1_ouv_uXSRNZDK-YpqBUnVEg4l_-fzviP4YzxgCU_LRsrI2meJkOutoR24jqfyqBTKPMdg81xuOoyooWaZwKxdSFF6wFrIujQxH1o6-Azubz0GBh2jqBC93Vjb-qm04vRBBc7JFykpK6evDWsbLXN_CwaB/s8160/20231124_101743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxgBt7pFxzNd9VfdbR3muu2TrHPa77xY6cN1_ouv_uXSRNZDK-YpqBUnVEg4l_-fzviP4YzxgCU_LRsrI2meJkOutoR24jqfyqBTKPMdg81xuOoyooWaZwKxdSFF6wFrIujQxH1o6-Azubz0GBh2jqBC93Vjb-qm04vRBBc7JFykpK6evDWsbLXN_CwaB/w480-h640/20231124_101743.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The basilica was first proposed by Felix Fournier, the Bishop of Nantes, in 1870 after the defeat of France and the capture of Napoleon III at the Battle of Sedan in the Franco-Prussian War. He attributed the defeat of France to the moral decline of the country since the French Revolution, and proposed a new Parisian church dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbddp5OcclxTOxLoEFEh4kZ_jiYc3aE83W9N17856u_g1ILd51XqTen5HuUje8Nzix08XsA9TIv_RXLA65n6H2qEsTIxCjooJSdxOEjez_CKdLpcWCsDc9D1gqjzdfXpPOpzEUBWoOzhK0Fs-4CDJuEJs7WO3aJG-3kwsAWUeU3PKg6Ymj1d0zPm7MDzwo/s7687/20231124_101834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5765" data-original-width="7687" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbddp5OcclxTOxLoEFEh4kZ_jiYc3aE83W9N17856u_g1ILd51XqTen5HuUje8Nzix08XsA9TIv_RXLA65n6H2qEsTIxCjooJSdxOEjez_CKdLpcWCsDc9D1gqjzdfXpPOpzEUBWoOzhK0Fs-4CDJuEJs7WO3aJG-3kwsAWUeU3PKg6Ymj1d0zPm7MDzwo/w640-h480/20231124_101834.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The basilica was designed by Paul Abadie, whose Neo-Byzantine-Romanesque plan was selected from among seventy-seven proposals. Construction began in 1875 and continued for forty years under five different architects. Completed in 1914, the basilica was formally consecrated in 1919 after </div><div style="text-align: center;">World War I.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8zkt43YkZpnuSSTmGLRHYH9Gr2AeHKuxI0_veGrIK7ypNB0cDK2l_Ck-xbd2WklsrSGdvMPIbIhqBMbHo-jkjOXRZ4bJ8m4M5-7M2b-_8OsU6toc_lXceozTNyN0lL1wrvwPRj2yrKPV1jxoNnznhIyhHxFMWFOoSkKjZ2KPqtOeSU_D-Y55SkCIe05W/s8160/20231124_101905.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8zkt43YkZpnuSSTmGLRHYH9Gr2AeHKuxI0_veGrIK7ypNB0cDK2l_Ck-xbd2WklsrSGdvMPIbIhqBMbHo-jkjOXRZ4bJ8m4M5-7M2b-_8OsU6toc_lXceozTNyN0lL1wrvwPRj2yrKPV1jxoNnznhIyhHxFMWFOoSkKjZ2KPqtOeSU_D-Y55SkCIe05W/w480-h640/20231124_101905.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 13.16px;">"Christ in Majesty"<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Sacré-Cœur Basilica has maintained a perpetual adoration of the Holy Eucharist since 1885. The site is traditionally associated with the martrydom of Saint Denis, the patron saint of Paris.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06urO3qe9bsDADJXK9Op0W7SNXVrjhhHshSMv88wp39TlFR9l3jVMueTJwx0G9oLPfin17ZqGhO8_upgTOsvAjptx8eL4sLD_zp-tzbfOJxMncRD6M2nUcwvCvkEO1X_wNB52lAkalthj4suS1YssVdNB8tIgqj3BFoJNOZiFwAcJ1AC9-0l1m1q3sSEG/s8160/20231124_101907.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06urO3qe9bsDADJXK9Op0W7SNXVrjhhHshSMv88wp39TlFR9l3jVMueTJwx0G9oLPfin17ZqGhO8_upgTOsvAjptx8eL4sLD_zp-tzbfOJxMncRD6M2nUcwvCvkEO1X_wNB52lAkalthj4suS1YssVdNB8tIgqj3BFoJNOZiFwAcJ1AC9-0l1m1q3sSEG/w480-h640/20231124_101907.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The plan to build a new Parisian church dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was first proposed on September 4, 1870, by Felix Fournier, the Bishop of Nantes, following the defeat of France and the capture of Emperor Napoleon III by the Prussians at the Battle of Sedan in the Franco-Prussian War. Until his death in 1877, Fournier was an active builder who completed the long-delayed restoration of Nantes Cathedral. He wrote that the defeat of France in 1870 was a divine punishment for the moral decline of the country since the French Revolution.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In January 1871, Bishop Fournier was joined by the philanthropist Alexandre Legentil, who was a follower of Frederic Ozanam, the founder of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. Legentil declared that France had been justly punished for its sins by the defeat of the French Army at Sedan and the imprisonment of the Pope in Italy by Italian nationalists. He wrote, "We recognize that we were guilty and justly punished. To make honourable amends for our sins, and to obtain the infinite mercy of the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ and the pardon of our sins, as well as extraordinary aid which alone can delivery our sovereign Pontiff from captivity and reverse the misfortune of France, we promise to contribute to the erection in Paris of a sanctuary dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus." The influence of Legentil led to a successful fundraising campaign based entirely on private contributions.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnoSI28x7rm8YerE5Ubb9ZOnLScd1U6j4fWNm-Ho2d4PZZwJfB3i2iTS6JB6Ve2IEh3wMLLMwmhCKlCjixlcrRtmD6bfDcbwBvrH__-QAiKFCBnxG-apmW8uCGCUyY8OajP260xGlJYSvqbDjcQ4oPvGyZigUQmtLQ_xyc20oYRHXDL5lPK48SJljlYAy/s3826/20231124_101951.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2870" data-original-width="3826" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnoSI28x7rm8YerE5Ubb9ZOnLScd1U6j4fWNm-Ho2d4PZZwJfB3i2iTS6JB6Ve2IEh3wMLLMwmhCKlCjixlcrRtmD6bfDcbwBvrH__-QAiKFCBnxG-apmW8uCGCUyY8OajP260xGlJYSvqbDjcQ4oPvGyZigUQmtLQ_xyc20oYRHXDL5lPK48SJljlYAy/w640-h480/20231124_101951.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Montmartre was selected as the site of the new basilica due to its prominent height and visibility from many parts of the city. Since the location included land belonging to the local government as well as private owners, the French parliament assisted in securing the site by declaring that the construction of the basilica was in the national interest. In July 1873, the proposal was finally brought forward and approved in the National Assembly with the official statement that "it was necessary to efface by this work of expiation the crimes which have crowned our sorrows." The ground-breaking for the new church finally took place in 1875.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Apart from its physical attributes, Montmartre or the "Hill of the Martyrs" was also chosen for its association with the early Christian church. According to tradition, it was the place where the patron saint of Paris, Saint Denis of Paris, was beheaded by the Romans. His tomb became the site of the Basilica of Saint Denis, the traditional resting place for the kings of France until the French Revolution.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In addition, Montmartre was the birthplace of the Society of Jesus, one of the largest and most influential religious orders in the history of the Catholic Church. In 1534, Ignatius of Loyola and a few of his followers made their vows in Saint-Pierre de Montmartre, one of the oldest churches in Paris.[ The church survived the Revolution although the Montmartre Abbey to which it belonged was destroyed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOH8qQokeZIZkodCwRepzZaoUo5b6fZ_YSDW52PQwHplKvyo5G0-D_rgygF4sIyHYINQVLBaLwHNOzKl7Akp7ZT6eIdNFBhED8lIzhxhVGhuzxfzEK-Y3FWbs_Cq0AYJMZ7-HC3XKCQ1t1U6VgbA72URiD9F8Wy5ejLXvZeLvytvOyABwF_wcGBlHamur/s8160/20231124_102212.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOH8qQokeZIZkodCwRepzZaoUo5b6fZ_YSDW52PQwHplKvyo5G0-D_rgygF4sIyHYINQVLBaLwHNOzKl7Akp7ZT6eIdNFBhED8lIzhxhVGhuzxfzEK-Y3FWbs_Cq0AYJMZ7-HC3XKCQ1t1U6VgbA72URiD9F8Wy5ejLXvZeLvytvOyABwF_wcGBlHamur/w480-h640/20231124_102212.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A competition was held for the design of the basilica and attracted seventy-seven proposals. Architect Paul Abadie was selected, and the cornerstone finally laid on June 16, 1875.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The early construction was delayed and complicated by unstable foundations. Eighty-three wells, each thirty meters deep, had to be dug under the site and filled with rock and concrete to serve as subterranean pillars supporting the basilica. Construction costs, estimated at 7 million francs drawn entirely from private donors, were expended before any above-ground structure became visible. A provisional chapel was consecrated on March 3, 1876, and pilgrimage quickly brought in additional funding.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not long after the foundation was completed in 1884, Abadie died and was succeeded by five other architects who made extensive modifications: Honoré Daumet (1884–1886), Jean-Charles Laisné (1886–1891), Henri-Pierre-Marie Rauline (1891–1904), Lucien Magne (1904–1916), and Jean-Louis Hulot (1916–1924).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">During construction, opponents of the basilica were relentless in their effort to hinder its progress. In 1882, the walls of the church were barely above its foundations when the left-wing coalition led by Georges Clemenceau won the parliamentary election. Clemenceau immediately proposed halting the work, and the parliament blocked all further funding for the project. However, faced with enormous liabilities of twelve million francs from project cancellation, the government had to allow the construction to proceed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1891, the interior of the basilica was completed, dedicated and opened for public worship. Still, in 1897, Clemenceau made another attempt to block its completion in the parliament, but his motion was overwhelmingly defeated since the cancellation of the project would require repaying thirty million francs to eight million people who had contributed to its construction.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The dome of the church was completed in 1899, and the bell tower finished in 1912. The basilica was completed in 1914 and formally dedicated in 1919 after World War I.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha66OBUrtqLPO5UNfBL-ZEVo7_ytUnuN4NuTW6AyX8jMMc-Ubu7HTHrEQoseHzPKKf5GzGfvw8iDQweinNGONZKhek3ZpsOLhRtIhfwAc1tjsJmvSJituoCqBhud3DvZ3HWNbWT_HTBLG9SHvhljUFqZJ5CAHUDdHjyvDFJilgHR7IXCYTDMWyZ-4gwzvk/s8160/20231124_102232.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha66OBUrtqLPO5UNfBL-ZEVo7_ytUnuN4NuTW6AyX8jMMc-Ubu7HTHrEQoseHzPKKf5GzGfvw8iDQweinNGONZKhek3ZpsOLhRtIhfwAc1tjsJmvSJituoCqBhud3DvZ3HWNbWT_HTBLG9SHvhljUFqZJ5CAHUDdHjyvDFJilgHR7IXCYTDMWyZ-4gwzvk/w480-h640/20231124_102232.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Criticism of the church by leftist journalists and politicians for its alleged connection with the destruction of the Paris Commune continued from the late 19th century into the 20th and 21st centuries, even though the church had been proposed before the Paris Commune took place. In 1898, Emile Zola wrote sarcastically, "France is guilty. It must do penitence. Penitence for what? For the Revolution, for a century of free speech and science, and emancipated reason... for that they built this gigantic landmark that Paris can see from all of its streets, and cannot be seen without feeling misunderstood and injured."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Shortly after the completed Statue of Liberty was transported from France to the United States, opponents of Sacré-Cœur came up with a new strategy. They proposed installing a full-size copy of the Statue of Liberty on top of Montmartre, directly in front of the basilica, which would entirely block the view of the church. This idea was eventually dropped as expensive and impractical.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A bomb was exploded inside the church in 1976.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">To make their feelings about the church clear, the socialist mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoë and the mayor of the 18th arrondissement Daniel Vaillant, also member of the Socialist Party, renamed the square in front of and below the church in 2004 in honor of Louise Michel, the prominent anarchist and participant in the Paris Commune.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lionel Jospin, socialist Prime Minister between 1997 and 2002 also expressed his wish that the basilica be demolished as a symbol of "obscurantism, bad taste and reactionism."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 2021, to avoid celebrating the church's history in the same year as the 150th anniversary of the Paris Commune, leftist members of the French parliament blocked a measure to declare the church a national historic monument and postponed it until 2022.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church was finally named as a national historic monument by a unanimous vote of the National Commission of Patrimony and Architecture on December 8, 2022.This decision was immediately attacked by the leftist politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who called it "a glorification of the assassination of 32,000 Paris Communards shot in just 8 days.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wnCWHdK3ecFhyphenhyphendWvuj_hn62TdLH267IJD9SLyC6c8UI4Wmqs937j-UG4gd2LErix1HDGuCCykxkJVYHE_KuomsIbvRXr4cU3beuaqxuMLoRWvO5U1cis3-K7Lsb2k290ofyKyDRaNixHe0L-e13TV6esquRPFMJ1AWMwzvArvWFfXqZp35FdWXLGNf_g/s8160/20231124_102417.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wnCWHdK3ecFhyphenhyphendWvuj_hn62TdLH267IJD9SLyC6c8UI4Wmqs937j-UG4gd2LErix1HDGuCCykxkJVYHE_KuomsIbvRXr4cU3beuaqxuMLoRWvO5U1cis3-K7Lsb2k290ofyKyDRaNixHe0L-e13TV6esquRPFMJ1AWMwzvArvWFfXqZp35FdWXLGNf_g/w480-h640/20231124_102417.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church is 85 meters long and thirty-five meters wide. It is composed of a large central rotunda, around which are placed a small nave, two transepts, and an advance-choir, which form a cross. The porch of the church has three bays, and is modelled after the porch of Périgueux Cathedral. The dominant feature is the immense elongated ovoid cupola, 83.33 meters high, surrounded by four smaller cupolas. At the north end is the campanile, or bell tower, 84 meters high, containing the "Savoyarde", the largest bell in France.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The overall style of the structure is a free interpretation of Romano-Byzantine architecture. This was an unusual architectural style at the time, and was in part a reaction against the neo-Baroque of the Palais Garnier opera house by Charles Garnier, and other buildings of the Napoleon III style. The construction was eventually handed on to a series of new architects, including Garnier himself, who was a counsellor to the architect Henri-Pierre Rauline between 1891 and 1904,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some elements of the design, particularly the elongated domes and the structural forms of the windows on the south façade, are Neo-classical, and were added by the later architects Henri-Pierre Rauline and Lucien Magne.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLL8sAxeEl7Omb1HdsbOjZMbRe9l3aAOOSD0mZ-7L6bmnO7Or6p_Nhypg0LmE05dKng4gPmkAREmBcjKVl4Qzo3os57aESjalkOwjMRyqC3uuZ2KpTN97agAk150u0fd4D9eNgpBq7_t7dfETXnH-P8lCITD8dI-EjtyfLzbFrl7RZWSePuxikEQuhZIfl/s8160/20231124_102535.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLL8sAxeEl7Omb1HdsbOjZMbRe9l3aAOOSD0mZ-7L6bmnO7Or6p_Nhypg0LmE05dKng4gPmkAREmBcjKVl4Qzo3os57aESjalkOwjMRyqC3uuZ2KpTN97agAk150u0fd4D9eNgpBq7_t7dfETXnH-P8lCITD8dI-EjtyfLzbFrl7RZWSePuxikEQuhZIfl/w480-h640/20231124_102535.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The campanile, or bell tower, on the north front, houses the nineteen-ton Savoyarde bell (one of the world's heaviest), cast in 1895 in Annecy. It alludes to the attachment of Savoy to France in 1860.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLW6pH9ClssnbpyLT0uvAPGdHe0pO-yHm7SHNkX1pglrVqE0qQ-nuSBtaqEgJQwibDDvU_V7D5G7XhCAA0bTcUQWu7ivmjP9DE9uUSq4_3Nwmon3MGOWEScEf88AqA9-outFGf929T4jpAjQlBYrU0UafAaE2LS452FGvln0gKsGXFT7T-xyGs0_hyphenhyphenIh3b/s7605/20231124_103337.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7605" data-original-width="5703" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLW6pH9ClssnbpyLT0uvAPGdHe0pO-yHm7SHNkX1pglrVqE0qQ-nuSBtaqEgJQwibDDvU_V7D5G7XhCAA0bTcUQWu7ivmjP9DE9uUSq4_3Nwmon3MGOWEScEf88AqA9-outFGf929T4jpAjQlBYrU0UafAaE2LS452FGvln0gKsGXFT7T-xyGs0_hyphenhyphenIh3b/w480-h640/20231124_103337.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pay to walk over 300 steps up a winding staircase to the top of the dome on the Sacre Couer.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivp6Ibao0jdj0D8LEWVToZovMWs3-f0sXTXnXjDpuiB5lpEyLBFMMgQBHJHFfoVN2P0fM2QMZbpy7LUwUbTTA6jynzqOrDYkXlHkrH2LtftUUEkEZWphrTARdrOYhGYAPFk9iUhkxH52VwB74FCv3jRuEOiPllUzA1OEo1Poco_3D_ltkIYdOZLMImeAos/s3835/20231124_103525.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3835" data-original-width="2876" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivp6Ibao0jdj0D8LEWVToZovMWs3-f0sXTXnXjDpuiB5lpEyLBFMMgQBHJHFfoVN2P0fM2QMZbpy7LUwUbTTA6jynzqOrDYkXlHkrH2LtftUUEkEZWphrTARdrOYhGYAPFk9iUhkxH52VwB74FCv3jRuEOiPllUzA1OEo1Poco_3D_ltkIYdOZLMImeAos/w480-h640/20231124_103525.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After much climbing we reach the top of the dome, Mel has a dizzy spell due to the height and takes a seat whilst I walk around the dome taking in the views across Paris.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBlREqth9WHP-NFiuIVNXuQU0t_QVR4T90mGRay4WC-3sDH-PN5mZ7I3S-VM50AgwEqJ2fbniE8v1740x03lhNHx9bwHoWmpHebAZAsYaqnQ8FXQ_PomFCQ8ug6qpoAkRFE_pmC9el7Xv3KELNSXNylubEsIzBPmx1rypQDIIUfj8JsW6I2XeiJ4FTpNA/s7978/20231124_103532.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7978" data-original-width="5984" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBlREqth9WHP-NFiuIVNXuQU0t_QVR4T90mGRay4WC-3sDH-PN5mZ7I3S-VM50AgwEqJ2fbniE8v1740x03lhNHx9bwHoWmpHebAZAsYaqnQ8FXQ_PomFCQ8ug6qpoAkRFE_pmC9el7Xv3KELNSXNylubEsIzBPmx1rypQDIIUfj8JsW6I2XeiJ4FTpNA/w480-h640/20231124_103532.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">During WWII, the church was struck by thirteen bombs in 1944, but resulted in no casualties. This gave Sacre Coeur a legendary status among the people of Paris. However, the original stained glass windows didn’t survive the bombings, so the beautiful windows you can see today were restored after the war.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-ICq1XREmhOHbH3EQW7Qtl4PbqhPhi4qRSR2V7U0PC8s10MiCwo0YxAM-9haRWKYm3QWNzQn1kXk0ybl6GSAMEvvQbanpHCt8HtvrMweJHmoZ7bN4MHhhAz5cgWVy-J1EDs34gOmRWaC9b7ZYpLsgJ7k2Oup4maS8UUWqompHelxm2UHN1WaWW7udHrE/s7580/20231124_103730.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7580" data-original-width="5685" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-ICq1XREmhOHbH3EQW7Qtl4PbqhPhi4qRSR2V7U0PC8s10MiCwo0YxAM-9haRWKYm3QWNzQn1kXk0ybl6GSAMEvvQbanpHCt8HtvrMweJHmoZ7bN4MHhhAz5cgWVy-J1EDs34gOmRWaC9b7ZYpLsgJ7k2Oup4maS8UUWqompHelxm2UHN1WaWW7udHrE/w480-h640/20231124_103730.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWgfTBPNnIbH6jO77wojdUqbZ6z5aGLZZjWvd8yDLlypIqoUPDwCgft3AbenFXIlCJu9JTct-zwu-Q5So2iNXGAABWM8Kn19SmRN03tpbzngwhkFFqYSbiUFJEKEWXcgSmiDfcxN3QSQ_zGzIUT3qMyAqN-ArfY8FBK_bODJJ_AuMkU75MDO3Zh8DIsxA/s7877/20231124_103802.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5908" data-original-width="7877" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWgfTBPNnIbH6jO77wojdUqbZ6z5aGLZZjWvd8yDLlypIqoUPDwCgft3AbenFXIlCJu9JTct-zwu-Q5So2iNXGAABWM8Kn19SmRN03tpbzngwhkFFqYSbiUFJEKEWXcgSmiDfcxN3QSQ_zGzIUT3qMyAqN-ArfY8FBK_bODJJ_AuMkU75MDO3Zh8DIsxA/w640-h480/20231124_103802.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The bell of Sacre's Coeur is one of the heaviest in the world, at 19 tons. It was built in Annecy in the French Alps in 1895.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qdfr8pOUAE21Nf8F7czqVHFFWzUJVi3fbR9bZO6Ype01gRwVXs8AKIIwilYrLup_ybAAoV4ZDNZYxLGTBz6iuAj4aTRaGchNWAzCMXPcbq822gobjp-PZblQXrg10LwkKGTc_z6ewWGVa-nz22rx4QyPJzpJCAH33OiJ4zLUBTTjyDHdF8d_g7Lh1eMb/s7577/20231124_103816.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7577" data-original-width="5683" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qdfr8pOUAE21Nf8F7czqVHFFWzUJVi3fbR9bZO6Ype01gRwVXs8AKIIwilYrLup_ybAAoV4ZDNZYxLGTBz6iuAj4aTRaGchNWAzCMXPcbq822gobjp-PZblQXrg10LwkKGTc_z6ewWGVa-nz22rx4QyPJzpJCAH33OiJ4zLUBTTjyDHdF8d_g7Lh1eMb/w480-h640/20231124_103816.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The defeat of the French army during Franco-Prussian sparked a shift in Paris. The city’s socialist Communard working-class movement launched an insurrection starting in Montmartre, with an aim to separate state and church. They ruled for a very short period from March 18 to March 28 1871. When the Paris Commune government eventually fell, a local philanthropist called Alexandre Legentil campaigned for a new basilica to protect the French people, but also as a gesture to forgive the Parisians from their socialist sins. Even today, it’s still the source of great controversy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZXhyypDXIl2PD8P_2PY_E3Uv4WRc3rOCb7ZsJom5CP3LKvmCrB7iQsS4fyEFCkwltGk7F852cbalpz4vwDVkPx725wEW7hY6PVd5oBFoXgdNC_NNLbzKvXLou7_R7aZJzorFUleNqrDtCO8nVzlQPsngJ6i1JMqDDoNZVsGg2ZxvkiiCzoHV0Lc1g6jn/s7827/20231124_103945.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5870" data-original-width="7827" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZXhyypDXIl2PD8P_2PY_E3Uv4WRc3rOCb7ZsJom5CP3LKvmCrB7iQsS4fyEFCkwltGk7F852cbalpz4vwDVkPx725wEW7hY6PVd5oBFoXgdNC_NNLbzKvXLou7_R7aZJzorFUleNqrDtCO8nVzlQPsngJ6i1JMqDDoNZVsGg2ZxvkiiCzoHV0Lc1g6jn/w640-h480/20231124_103945.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsuamS-4XdwgP0_ihSxw0YMQSZ69ajcWknjkPuPOAIUHRbS59f6Rx3W3kxCrdBmanTqqij_QfkN_Lrm51M906iqSSDIrOYX9DirUoB5zsFIDomnDZG_JlFymBfbTnOu_PGbwaUB3uQt_1de8G_qnAgInCS18HLXlBDbCNPDr3e5PgwsWtKEd2eZRj4DKY/s7871/20231124_103953.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5904" data-original-width="7871" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsuamS-4XdwgP0_ihSxw0YMQSZ69ajcWknjkPuPOAIUHRbS59f6Rx3W3kxCrdBmanTqqij_QfkN_Lrm51M906iqSSDIrOYX9DirUoB5zsFIDomnDZG_JlFymBfbTnOu_PGbwaUB3uQt_1de8G_qnAgInCS18HLXlBDbCNPDr3e5PgwsWtKEd2eZRj4DKY/w640-h480/20231124_103953.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can spend the night there for free</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sacré-Cœur offers an unusual night adoration, a continuous chain of silent prayer. It’s been going since 1885. If you’re willing to give up an hour to pray, you’ll receive a night’s accommodation in a dormitory. Nuns will wake you up when it’s your turn, so you’ll want to get there early.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlWmTJk_bwpaMYpewiU1q1DeJUmIqy_RgKwdg8VR2g1WU4Ixe4V8CRuvqgD6o9bsMGtb7ouoigulIeVkql7cSVDSm8moHIyEKZyMfufbe1y-HfHAjLUm3Tyt8uWf81ZSM2yZiRglfcbkDAygW36TpcY6Tfu-ovtgPYNjOoSsk4F5lROdZifc4f8ieGpkm/s8160/20231124_104008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlWmTJk_bwpaMYpewiU1q1DeJUmIqy_RgKwdg8VR2g1WU4Ixe4V8CRuvqgD6o9bsMGtb7ouoigulIeVkql7cSVDSm8moHIyEKZyMfufbe1y-HfHAjLUm3Tyt8uWf81ZSM2yZiRglfcbkDAygW36TpcY6Tfu-ovtgPYNjOoSsk4F5lROdZifc4f8ieGpkm/s8160/20231124_104008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlWmTJk_bwpaMYpewiU1q1DeJUmIqy_RgKwdg8VR2g1WU4Ixe4V8CRuvqgD6o9bsMGtb7ouoigulIeVkql7cSVDSm8moHIyEKZyMfufbe1y-HfHAjLUm3Tyt8uWf81ZSM2yZiRglfcbkDAygW36TpcY6Tfu-ovtgPYNjOoSsk4F5lROdZifc4f8ieGpkm/w640-h480/20231124_104008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Soaring 213 metres (700 feet) high, Sacré Coeur is the second highest point in the city. It’s built on top of Montmartre hill too, which measures 130 metres (426 feet), high too – so you can expect sparkling views.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXSQEvyv54DVK2dyZJ98QBw_tSxkwhJE5L6WYZKAdf8uXK42tXl6cpwq1rak1JGhOBNeka73SRZEe-6z1Kv0Ne2o5paCzDJGijEg52K4iUXXljeZnvSsyglIgncNUi7I9nUYweSyt7-I97ZA4kHgGv6YvqjT3R8aveoLO55NvX7UDekj4-6LFr4Ynh-nh/s7967/20231124_104038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5975" data-original-width="7967" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXSQEvyv54DVK2dyZJ98QBw_tSxkwhJE5L6WYZKAdf8uXK42tXl6cpwq1rak1JGhOBNeka73SRZEe-6z1Kv0Ne2o5paCzDJGijEg52K4iUXXljeZnvSsyglIgncNUi7I9nUYweSyt7-I97ZA4kHgGv6YvqjT3R8aveoLO55NvX7UDekj4-6LFr4Ynh-nh/w640-h480/20231124_104038.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJwX2yis9pwAghIyqV2-pq8QuMexdZv1sZryaEpRBSfoxdTYAIvseNiKrEBhk9FujvqCBPYh3pCzb1nNpEgmKkpTOPZbm8BYlOCT70bJV6GcsyERD-iTCUL2ae2NBy2_xB2YO5_45AbwySwOyzS65NGNNdRDi77oWuLCP_ByKOXOsmsMNJoNS7Eti_o6w/s7524/20231124_104050.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5643" data-original-width="7524" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJwX2yis9pwAghIyqV2-pq8QuMexdZv1sZryaEpRBSfoxdTYAIvseNiKrEBhk9FujvqCBPYh3pCzb1nNpEgmKkpTOPZbm8BYlOCT70bJV6GcsyERD-iTCUL2ae2NBy2_xB2YO5_45AbwySwOyzS65NGNNdRDi77oWuLCP_ByKOXOsmsMNJoNS7Eti_o6w/w640-h480/20231124_104050.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Have you ever seen Sacré Coeur looking grubby? Incredible, isn’t it, that your newly painted white walls have fingermarks all over them, yet that 100 year old cathedral is gleaming white. There’s a reason for that. Paul Abadie, the architect, selected a special stone found in the quarries of <a href="https://www.france-voyage.com/cities-towns/souppes-sur-loing-31184.htm">Souppes</a>, in Seinne-et-Marne. It’s resistant and impenetrable by water. When it does rain, the stone releases a clever substance called ‘calcite’, which cleans the stone and keeps it white. Th Arc de Triomphe and Alexandre II Bridge both use the same stone too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRPvrbTFwpiN8ZUpYqzOcOzbAaPD1HwcZImeePiS8R1vBnaEWlh4tdN7JMXTmMZhyphenhyphenMsVvOEg02OKQnsjQ1-7xjog8pcRMosUMBF7RwILx17YQ0CaD3UrDtt1mZ_LfShoP6BZ4o2naj4P8PaXah-P5wNB2Gvqm7hbLpqZuIkCiJXv8ts3-lpXUuTNPESeE/s7736/20231124_104113.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5802" data-original-width="7736" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRPvrbTFwpiN8ZUpYqzOcOzbAaPD1HwcZImeePiS8R1vBnaEWlh4tdN7JMXTmMZhyphenhyphenMsVvOEg02OKQnsjQ1-7xjog8pcRMosUMBF7RwILx17YQ0CaD3UrDtt1mZ_LfShoP6BZ4o2naj4P8PaXah-P5wNB2Gvqm7hbLpqZuIkCiJXv8ts3-lpXUuTNPESeE/w640-h480/20231124_104113.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1T9tuFvQHFLX9x0OrBbqoTeapzNWDC9o24pw-oRbK67U8HMuqUJdsRr2T5a0zTl3o0MPwc__N9kEEHjkWEi08AB0asMHbQNXviA_RJ_XIXXoMnLAK7YBsKtV99TLGMJifbgIjr1emTQcNDQSFSm-xMcRij7oDtWRByT95c0KmYnXfa_yJ9ipQy0ZTYQDL/s7820/20231124_104123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7820" data-original-width="5865" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1T9tuFvQHFLX9x0OrBbqoTeapzNWDC9o24pw-oRbK67U8HMuqUJdsRr2T5a0zTl3o0MPwc__N9kEEHjkWEi08AB0asMHbQNXviA_RJ_XIXXoMnLAK7YBsKtV99TLGMJifbgIjr1emTQcNDQSFSm-xMcRij7oDtWRByT95c0KmYnXfa_yJ9ipQy0ZTYQDL/w480-h640/20231124_104123.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAnsaMzozv62rzvmaELF6zW5o-2nZVWOnjomUdccuZXqORmnoYUJjVWPqjkT7L05leI01aQhbwfao0USHVVYnGfuHliQ5Xi8IQNYl9HcwPGIjIPfdFGpLUpvUfz5-7F0W7o3LSfcnzb0X9CbCrNrcnkOONo7yT23NvEA-eZTu2bIKpCkB2-oZ1jve6lDR/s8160/20231124_104134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAnsaMzozv62rzvmaELF6zW5o-2nZVWOnjomUdccuZXqORmnoYUJjVWPqjkT7L05leI01aQhbwfao0USHVVYnGfuHliQ5Xi8IQNYl9HcwPGIjIPfdFGpLUpvUfz5-7F0W7o3LSfcnzb0X9CbCrNrcnkOONo7yT23NvEA-eZTu2bIKpCkB2-oZ1jve6lDR/w480-h640/20231124_104134.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Before its construction in the 19th century, the top of Montmartre Hill was already a place of worship. Pagans worshipped here, and archaeologists have found evidence of gallo-roman temples dedicated to Mercure and Mars too. It probably has something to do with the hill’s height. Believers would have felt closer to the heavens – and to their gods. The first Christian chapel was built around 270 AD to honour the first bishop in Paris, St. Dennis. He had been beheaded on the hill. Legend has it that after he was decapitated, he picked up his head and started walking while reciting a sermon. The present-day St Denys-la-Chapelle stands on the site where he fell.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3quNXzsKflUv-5iBa7oUR-Fo6dFDX_pVwi7PkAIH5fatL6i4Dr_abd8FpIPNcgXsmGmG1WomOMukFVecOwLAN01cT2RlTei_Ah5ruQjpF8EXj-gnBY9zAAD7ywexJYCnL-svgAllv59tgFzQrGrI77DPals0uXxa_Vr_ltlMRyuijHQdN8YUADBrq8g6v/s7946/20231124_104153.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5959" data-original-width="7946" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3quNXzsKflUv-5iBa7oUR-Fo6dFDX_pVwi7PkAIH5fatL6i4Dr_abd8FpIPNcgXsmGmG1WomOMukFVecOwLAN01cT2RlTei_Ah5ruQjpF8EXj-gnBY9zAAD7ywexJYCnL-svgAllv59tgFzQrGrI77DPals0uXxa_Vr_ltlMRyuijHQdN8YUADBrq8g6v/w640-h480/20231124_104153.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEo7xcgl4p59_ZfLaSNw6-5v5VGU1StvaAM1-ruhs-ChJiOhjrbs8K95jdDr1gqav7SO8olR-Pf0bGkm8VVxL5EhUTwnZOeMGFGfv6MLQav7t7tXlf9PKS1MM7OkipCVCke8kQv99L-d1eMvhfYS1SDGXPdPoKQiP1c_N8bxNj1Zx1OkY9rq_SvhKX_nZ/s7851/20231124_104208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7851" data-original-width="5889" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEo7xcgl4p59_ZfLaSNw6-5v5VGU1StvaAM1-ruhs-ChJiOhjrbs8K95jdDr1gqav7SO8olR-Pf0bGkm8VVxL5EhUTwnZOeMGFGfv6MLQav7t7tXlf9PKS1MM7OkipCVCke8kQv99L-d1eMvhfYS1SDGXPdPoKQiP1c_N8bxNj1Zx1OkY9rq_SvhKX_nZ/w480-h640/20231124_104208.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht56DhyphenhyphenX-Xdc68IwBiyh1faOFfz2N8Bbjog8h0C_VZimTeJTMak-JG3f_QqYJ1qSiKr8uHiGxedlEZ859c0Dhq-BPnb3uUtX_v39pSWrQMVWpod0rQesnaAmG6FOoL7Sg3E4yi7MNNAqzlcV-nB3QT-P6cN8htHrVpF-6lgYKM_nO6e5_o7_iyhbL3meC9/s8160/20231124_105001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht56DhyphenhyphenX-Xdc68IwBiyh1faOFfz2N8Bbjog8h0C_VZimTeJTMak-JG3f_QqYJ1qSiKr8uHiGxedlEZ859c0Dhq-BPnb3uUtX_v39pSWrQMVWpod0rQesnaAmG6FOoL7Sg3E4yi7MNNAqzlcV-nB3QT-P6cN8htHrVpF-6lgYKM_nO6e5_o7_iyhbL3meC9/w480-h640/20231124_105001.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We make our way back down, now I begin to feel a little dizzy as I wind round and round the narrow staircase.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjki-pxikSJo1ZnFZBZ7iOnw3t06KTWY3R8d4o9ovSCfo2v2VZzJqiIxd3kdxgJyqvvm0b8i-xK4dvZQSsx1i_BtDC-luRxpwT5LZTRehMvbg7NKNRCoG9Gc37WhQQKvNyhgceleFVm2uY5Gws402cLkLpr8rFl7pveKj9TumCovxlE9_DuVdbk6XlZtLLW/s7825/20231124_105020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5869" data-original-width="7825" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjki-pxikSJo1ZnFZBZ7iOnw3t06KTWY3R8d4o9ovSCfo2v2VZzJqiIxd3kdxgJyqvvm0b8i-xK4dvZQSsx1i_BtDC-luRxpwT5LZTRehMvbg7NKNRCoG9Gc37WhQQKvNyhgceleFVm2uY5Gws402cLkLpr8rFl7pveKj9TumCovxlE9_DuVdbk6XlZtLLW/w640-h480/20231124_105020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Back on the ground we walk on to explore more of Montmartre. I like it here, so much more sedate than the rest of Paris and no mad cyclists and moped riders trying to mow you down.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Gw7boo_uuSXwcjSC00oyGjBNOimkUpLT5C7DQlWuTGGPPMbre2mrcpVsViqbgHJac93ssGUiYB4fX337q38-rYrdHkNbVzFpMsSaVeeWlisiRvuNGv3BDqw1oib0BSWVm_gQdXj2sQ64J_ZLUqysKhyHKVu2b43ZDHsMQtL61DqWL_Lt46M9IUfFbstz/s7763/20231124_105603.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5823" data-original-width="7763" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Gw7boo_uuSXwcjSC00oyGjBNOimkUpLT5C7DQlWuTGGPPMbre2mrcpVsViqbgHJac93ssGUiYB4fX337q38-rYrdHkNbVzFpMsSaVeeWlisiRvuNGv3BDqw1oib0BSWVm_gQdXj2sQ64J_ZLUqysKhyHKVu2b43ZDHsMQtL61DqWL_Lt46M9IUfFbstz/w640-h480/20231124_105603.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixx8BCalDbw8fdBWL33fP24ozErAFslwWrckqyhhTV7rVaU0dgDjCfR4eGZOPjL304bZusboidFL6L2Ve37ebWd_7jrhssRreCiQdoBIpKwyS3trwMem3-VO8-QIEdjHrUt4CUJBH05T88gghiI1HjZZlxjd45zN1zja07cAv44xHyglRY3GI2jVHR88G5/s7537/20231124_110119.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5653" data-original-width="7537" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixx8BCalDbw8fdBWL33fP24ozErAFslwWrckqyhhTV7rVaU0dgDjCfR4eGZOPjL304bZusboidFL6L2Ve37ebWd_7jrhssRreCiQdoBIpKwyS3trwMem3-VO8-QIEdjHrUt4CUJBH05T88gghiI1HjZZlxjd45zN1zja07cAv44xHyglRY3GI2jVHR88G5/w640-h480/20231124_110119.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on down Rue De Chevalier-de-lar-barre and on towards Place du Terte.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRi6NwAnCqJJ7kovyiLU_CQiHFoC_KSWecZDUkWUde6NXhJjT3qQjhm1aoB82Dnyxf1We0pnXu9hDHUf-abucPdlXwPqYUH6DPT_pFuD89jyIQnzlCvSxOHbaaFsvWg2LiqIXle94ZLG7eJXhiN922LVctvDqpC2J9qn9THIEjdm_Jd4TIbtddbGSz_0aD/s7526/20231124_110422.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7526" data-original-width="5645" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRi6NwAnCqJJ7kovyiLU_CQiHFoC_KSWecZDUkWUde6NXhJjT3qQjhm1aoB82Dnyxf1We0pnXu9hDHUf-abucPdlXwPqYUH6DPT_pFuD89jyIQnzlCvSxOHbaaFsvWg2LiqIXle94ZLG7eJXhiN922LVctvDqpC2J9qn9THIEjdm_Jd4TIbtddbGSz_0aD/w480-h640/20231124_110422.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_KmhieuxDRQuaDzC2irNh4Ak2KIbhlT-AFCnDg37F4qoktM-NnGQOX1MsJjbutFFSjv8Ae0rstWj2azI6VllXhgzvojiWCvfQg_kqPg6UjJAn4YfUyjSIcR3rkAXvRvzkViraFu2aBTWE8hkDAb5hd4v5bat8Qp7MR-sScrs8tAxXeHhtv8jJcNSrTNa/s8160/20231124_110449.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_KmhieuxDRQuaDzC2irNh4Ak2KIbhlT-AFCnDg37F4qoktM-NnGQOX1MsJjbutFFSjv8Ae0rstWj2azI6VllXhgzvojiWCvfQg_kqPg6UjJAn4YfUyjSIcR3rkAXvRvzkViraFu2aBTWE8hkDAb5hd4v5bat8Qp7MR-sScrs8tAxXeHhtv8jJcNSrTNa/w640-h480/20231124_110449.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Near the end of the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th, during the Belle Époque, many artists lived, worked, or had studios in or around Montmartre, including Amedeo Modigliani, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Suzanne Valadon, Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso, Camille Pissarro and Vincent van Gogh. Montmartre is also the setting for several hit films.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkt2_FwZNaai4J7NJPPEkBW9ovDx4OGe3sSeXPzDpuJDRhYvR42HBVQq5W-C91uNyhfS8rzFgTMem_gcJeCtMySRWlAVQP8QSvm8s8cMBwx2jP5447Ya5l8D9mwBkemB_3d7NjxLsqCbSsHfD1NrqStmb001OqjixPDR1oKvpHa_ODafasCzk2xXdNO-cn/s7903/20231124_111626.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5927" data-original-width="7903" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkt2_FwZNaai4J7NJPPEkBW9ovDx4OGe3sSeXPzDpuJDRhYvR42HBVQq5W-C91uNyhfS8rzFgTMem_gcJeCtMySRWlAVQP8QSvm8s8cMBwx2jP5447Ya5l8D9mwBkemB_3d7NjxLsqCbSsHfD1NrqStmb001OqjixPDR1oKvpHa_ODafasCzk2xXdNO-cn/w640-h480/20231124_111626.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qFjmeVJCxRfQKZGM-kXkFfXj7APVauYyU1Dn4l7VwVADCz_OocvNWgh-qXrMz90JLyq4Xb_cXnTYVJTJWYmPm_QNFq4UuxuzLmnwmLpSeLfUPKo5fcGZ0UB6IX1Udi2vs-DElFnP4apcvNrS4y1RDiLeThABLMRBkZOSA61Isw4cEpLusPY0XmFNKczz/s7993/20231124_111729.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5995" data-original-width="7993" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qFjmeVJCxRfQKZGM-kXkFfXj7APVauYyU1Dn4l7VwVADCz_OocvNWgh-qXrMz90JLyq4Xb_cXnTYVJTJWYmPm_QNFq4UuxuzLmnwmLpSeLfUPKo5fcGZ0UB6IX1Udi2vs-DElFnP4apcvNrS4y1RDiLeThABLMRBkZOSA61Isw4cEpLusPY0XmFNKczz/w640-h480/20231124_111729.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGLftPpndMW9Sblm1sPusX0aOikNfIqZUgQJKuzlaS3P4zvsFn9OUdGoOuwBCY14TBau-fr2kRFEI3vztjva7gVrocrcqDz1dQC4bmT6_DmEkgMlxsSXMbdGsfVJUNM9HOQFfEJ8ffbJZqc0h0_Alja-w1LtA83I0XMOCeMq2Iggy6qV8ULDT8fqtsk4-/s7525/20231124_111834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5644" data-original-width="7525" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGLftPpndMW9Sblm1sPusX0aOikNfIqZUgQJKuzlaS3P4zvsFn9OUdGoOuwBCY14TBau-fr2kRFEI3vztjva7gVrocrcqDz1dQC4bmT6_DmEkgMlxsSXMbdGsfVJUNM9HOQFfEJ8ffbJZqc0h0_Alja-w1LtA83I0XMOCeMq2Iggy6qV8ULDT8fqtsk4-/w640-h480/20231124_111834.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">We walk into Place Du Terte, a pretty square full of artists and restaurants.</div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpy3hpOxCxeTREF1L_FBlShY2DVo9TIUGNP1woI55FWyVL-_whyphenhyphenitbcep1mtSwKJ0vHsqCEfbD5wy_D9y7WcFBJyyaCVW_rxHqreBzWlEUvdRO4R0FqhNV_5caHoJdEzy-nF92i-hMWeHFzTQ63Oexg8189NMFx1QsF24wKZE7u2nJqK7lBmzRedqpXJ2_/s8016/20231124_111952.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6012" data-original-width="8016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpy3hpOxCxeTREF1L_FBlShY2DVo9TIUGNP1woI55FWyVL-_whyphenhyphenitbcep1mtSwKJ0vHsqCEfbD5wy_D9y7WcFBJyyaCVW_rxHqreBzWlEUvdRO4R0FqhNV_5caHoJdEzy-nF92i-hMWeHFzTQ63Oexg8189NMFx1QsF24wKZE7u2nJqK7lBmzRedqpXJ2_/w640-h480/20231124_111952.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Place du Tertre was the heart of the prestigious Benedictine Montmartre Abbey, established in 1133 by King Louis VI. Montmartre Abbey thrived through the centuries and until the French revolution under the patronage of the Kings of France. Place du Tertre was opened to the public in 1635 as Montmartre village central square. From the end of the 18th century until World War One, the whole Montmartre Boheme could be seen here: painters, songwriters and poets.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4va04XK_RqjtlRzccMLni0NKQZglTtxnLkf241ugGSpzMAq8z03kR8HweFT-Hetd6-0mAeAxfNZ8QvO2Qx4Z1Xlc6UqoZaa8EYBypQJViAe0oQvKVS9OB1fW3PciJn6pDWUhE_gSRxMWAEGyoHHmeCetEcvwyxPR13Kj84CJdlieGivdganCCqlxuVIe/s7858/20231124_112115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5894" data-original-width="7858" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4va04XK_RqjtlRzccMLni0NKQZglTtxnLkf241ugGSpzMAq8z03kR8HweFT-Hetd6-0mAeAxfNZ8QvO2Qx4Z1Xlc6UqoZaa8EYBypQJViAe0oQvKVS9OB1fW3PciJn6pDWUhE_gSRxMWAEGyoHHmeCetEcvwyxPR13Kj84CJdlieGivdganCCqlxuVIe/w640-h480/20231124_112115.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Being one of the most visited squares in all of Paris, it's no surprise that competition for a space on Place du Tertre is fierce. Artists are allotted a tiny space of about 3 square feet, which must be shared between two artists on alternating days. The only kind of art allowed on the Place du Tertre are paintings (mostly of Parisian scenery), portraits, caricatures and silhouettes. Hopeful artists must apply through the town hall of the 18th Arrondissement, but they say that the waiting list is about 10 years long!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpt_H_ffp6o-nST5fsgyatWNV140Dz5W_psY-Aestb1KocqkD3KcowmmIqGyehU8X1N5nJhEpCQnV1hWftfoVzhNGuNwI2rYaj-uu26yUDCV15_WA-xgMkihuEbum0KaHv9DuwKuYpk523eGRfIp95fNQzuHVS9UksA-Voz5255B4dy6qMKOLEVru4DJe/s8160/20231124_112239.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpt_H_ffp6o-nST5fsgyatWNV140Dz5W_psY-Aestb1KocqkD3KcowmmIqGyehU8X1N5nJhEpCQnV1hWftfoVzhNGuNwI2rYaj-uu26yUDCV15_WA-xgMkihuEbum0KaHv9DuwKuYpk523eGRfIp95fNQzuHVS9UksA-Voz5255B4dy6qMKOLEVru4DJe/w640-h480/20231124_112239.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5lFx_obEuJiDcmOEcfo3m2lcNtLeRptzXfKO3Kirjbv8red5fNbJiSCYLQxt8l5ZmFl3XZ45mYOi7rZlaJqhiLrZkKTjMtgQHALv5m5UwLSTb1ZLNGr8tvnA1t8UxgpdSCDbX2vvbOUb8uUI_ZYzehb859iV-kWBc9YBPTBPx1Ze7GKj8PmvtgHbibhn/s8160/20231124_112315.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5lFx_obEuJiDcmOEcfo3m2lcNtLeRptzXfKO3Kirjbv8red5fNbJiSCYLQxt8l5ZmFl3XZ45mYOi7rZlaJqhiLrZkKTjMtgQHALv5m5UwLSTb1ZLNGr8tvnA1t8UxgpdSCDbX2vvbOUb8uUI_ZYzehb859iV-kWBc9YBPTBPx1Ze7GKj8PmvtgHbibhn/w640-h480/20231124_112315.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="401" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OUuSJ6QDamY" width="484" youtube-src-id="OUuSJ6QDamY"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We stop and have a hot chocolate (chocolat chaud) in Au Petit Comptoir and sit outside in the square watching the artists and a man on a hand organ with a black cat perched on his shoulders.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMXLX-UGquVPf3MKDfO-0c8ju8t0OSql1rskRWkUdh5RZdmeMCcmNhXi9CeDFGSGj9w1I-0J7nymVvwi5F1iHR3CzXlWWhWnfnMnuTf2TlfU6RY0-7jO41cBZgUfvlHLO8RadGgczKPO3A7H5O4S8HJV3Ef2jiXFPVTISMJCJeNnBMRb4jHn9O0t_PUbp/s7775/20231124_112553.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7775" data-original-width="5831" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMXLX-UGquVPf3MKDfO-0c8ju8t0OSql1rskRWkUdh5RZdmeMCcmNhXi9CeDFGSGj9w1I-0J7nymVvwi5F1iHR3CzXlWWhWnfnMnuTf2TlfU6RY0-7jO41cBZgUfvlHLO8RadGgczKPO3A7H5O4S8HJV3Ef2jiXFPVTISMJCJeNnBMRb4jHn9O0t_PUbp/w480-h640/20231124_112553.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcb60QyHd2fLi-7Ekuh5-ZNMru6qnodOCGp0u9co7yHAofgdV5yIy-aAXXHO7o1GHJCWqmdztMRdCi_kcnU_vZ2HQDRhMC08keahXy3mX80W6t5bFq299R09YH6RwXocjigUCYyhnbfFE_A0hrsFJ3dX8wHJVTmkj2ojtLaNDAsxPl4ufVVpdSi0tNRDAZ/s8160/20231124_112931.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcb60QyHd2fLi-7Ekuh5-ZNMru6qnodOCGp0u9co7yHAofgdV5yIy-aAXXHO7o1GHJCWqmdztMRdCi_kcnU_vZ2HQDRhMC08keahXy3mX80W6t5bFq299R09YH6RwXocjigUCYyhnbfFE_A0hrsFJ3dX8wHJVTmkj2ojtLaNDAsxPl4ufVVpdSi0tNRDAZ/w480-h640/20231124_112931.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyBPBmbAiucmvTZuaSBXy95Nzbb_a8bsWR7Lml17n0oGgkr3MOGAbXxHOvTTjEy_NoK3HGzaQFr_7iL8ue4JDeYd-XqJ-fnox_YZznlO56iwKAJ_qpd1Kkm9roU4AYo0jEO0m7zdr2IGRDfhVlaz3tClxxRcfFrs-CSxDYDPxYEJzc1oPoM3tGaqOpWbm/s7974/20231124_113536.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7974" data-original-width="5980" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyBPBmbAiucmvTZuaSBXy95Nzbb_a8bsWR7Lml17n0oGgkr3MOGAbXxHOvTTjEy_NoK3HGzaQFr_7iL8ue4JDeYd-XqJ-fnox_YZznlO56iwKAJ_qpd1Kkm9roU4AYo0jEO0m7zdr2IGRDfhVlaz3tClxxRcfFrs-CSxDYDPxYEJzc1oPoM3tGaqOpWbm/w480-h640/20231124_113536.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As we sat in the square, two Citroen 2CV's drove by, these are tours you can book to see Paris in a French icon motor.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoXxmziYmVeeMwXy4nxQMwmeaTAs-gAwonNfPPlFvwiqdNfqUIyQ-gp8s-U8rUP_0oc_IbwrtKTT-LZ5IFZhE8Iv8fXLnnSq3PqiQOFVH2OXcbCjYcg3dKv-fiHkJ1wnF1fpK2OENfolRLudzlUm1G-41-63dJfu80dJhLu0LcYy6zRjix8CYbwteX0Y0/s8160/20231124_113547.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoXxmziYmVeeMwXy4nxQMwmeaTAs-gAwonNfPPlFvwiqdNfqUIyQ-gp8s-U8rUP_0oc_IbwrtKTT-LZ5IFZhE8Iv8fXLnnSq3PqiQOFVH2OXcbCjYcg3dKv-fiHkJ1wnF1fpK2OENfolRLudzlUm1G-41-63dJfu80dJhLu0LcYy6zRjix8CYbwteX0Y0/w640-h480/20231124_113547.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKDf0CZuwKoo433d3pyxYFSeqap-PMR3DU5-c34U1eA9pzsLfJBVvut8mUofmIkX525MjsENfM1yrO5meJBmJzPARarbO6o_7uSLQ3yCEfRYzVhte8vOYz933Gp-GGtq2iqDW9U1nO8TYipMNcauUqIZP1pPVUrptQLwhI5OGDaXFzoMBJPZ1y3NoMOsd/s7407/20231124_113554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5555" data-original-width="7407" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKDf0CZuwKoo433d3pyxYFSeqap-PMR3DU5-c34U1eA9pzsLfJBVvut8mUofmIkX525MjsENfM1yrO5meJBmJzPARarbO6o_7uSLQ3yCEfRYzVhte8vOYz933Gp-GGtq2iqDW9U1nO8TYipMNcauUqIZP1pPVUrptQLwhI5OGDaXFzoMBJPZ1y3NoMOsd/w640-h480/20231124_113554.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">After finishing our Chocolat Chaud we walked on down Rue Norvins.</div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbmEv1qOn_rD12uzc84yTNzXy3g46KKTfPFa1lvSUf9TN2-xkD6vBOC-S39INeNKHGncxLgpTECd8x-vLWoMRJ0r42w_mqgqQ4VXxY3RlW5ir8A34_Xj7WfUn3O857LWQyDms3II5VU_skqr2EWfhwbF2kB4t_OskMc9PxYxLvUw3FUr9tg9RkyLvsXQP/s8160/20231124_114229.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbmEv1qOn_rD12uzc84yTNzXy3g46KKTfPFa1lvSUf9TN2-xkD6vBOC-S39INeNKHGncxLgpTECd8x-vLWoMRJ0r42w_mqgqQ4VXxY3RlW5ir8A34_Xj7WfUn3O857LWQyDms3II5VU_skqr2EWfhwbF2kB4t_OskMc9PxYxLvUw3FUr9tg9RkyLvsXQP/w480-h640/20231124_114229.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pass many shops but the macaroons in the Patisserie catch my eye. I'll have to try these before I go home!</div></div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCe1KcwNVoq0_39_RRjJEAK6qMbPjd4WKQjzdAdb66JjyIAKTsPeg5VlCW9qzPUUrlROExFFWqwPOc-_ty2zTlERji2FR5a_HTeXLUQIs61xE1Ay2IDN31i6yfsIBPvxuw4Bpd2HFxR36ZteuDpz_NbdSdiN_RNj6XteG6MyGePMs85E1epEMYSoZToWt/s8160/20231124_114348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCe1KcwNVoq0_39_RRjJEAK6qMbPjd4WKQjzdAdb66JjyIAKTsPeg5VlCW9qzPUUrlROExFFWqwPOc-_ty2zTlERji2FR5a_HTeXLUQIs61xE1Ay2IDN31i6yfsIBPvxuw4Bpd2HFxR36ZteuDpz_NbdSdiN_RNj6XteG6MyGePMs85E1epEMYSoZToWt/w640-h480/20231124_114348.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJv-SZgvsbQvnEQYekWPcDOjdRf4RFldBO4h0TrIFG10XXl0UBkL5ie7gaHQHN5kkFvZ4GVP592TEiw-0u0xgTHl7ErkbnogFJvSYY0F3rkRE0ErAW9VXHqOddx-lLR1XJRQrsaxTKARxrNFW4AGs9U0Ns76weGFJKy_Gdb_E_SHXUm7Q2-OyVagoqZQ4y/s7645/20231124_115011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5734" data-original-width="7645" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJv-SZgvsbQvnEQYekWPcDOjdRf4RFldBO4h0TrIFG10XXl0UBkL5ie7gaHQHN5kkFvZ4GVP592TEiw-0u0xgTHl7ErkbnogFJvSYY0F3rkRE0ErAW9VXHqOddx-lLR1XJRQrsaxTKARxrNFW4AGs9U0Ns76weGFJKy_Gdb_E_SHXUm7Q2-OyVagoqZQ4y/w640-h480/20231124_115011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk down Rue Norvins and into Place de Jean Baptise-Clement and then onto Rue Gabrielle where I come across Le Taverne de Montmartre. This place looks wonderful and we plan to come back later for dinner.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0VC4R9GgMB-QE7Cz6vnb56KN7vXY9QcvbnR64Iru5nISUZc5X_SitVS3JOPhnBWEuIz7IRqOkiHBOFeIuS0gN-Q3SeuOtPen_UEfLZIcUtUgY2cVrV46XNROie8EZeAxlTjDtphvfDdQNQQjrf80yGeKgJL65O_M6lAV76kXxtylcqTybY61GMvbHjtL/s8160/20231124_115025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0VC4R9GgMB-QE7Cz6vnb56KN7vXY9QcvbnR64Iru5nISUZc5X_SitVS3JOPhnBWEuIz7IRqOkiHBOFeIuS0gN-Q3SeuOtPen_UEfLZIcUtUgY2cVrV46XNROie8EZeAxlTjDtphvfDdQNQQjrf80yGeKgJL65O_M6lAV76kXxtylcqTybY61GMvbHjtL/w640-h480/20231124_115025.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7UDaavfs95NbaDsNWZQpPeZWSmc06Q_2tLhK8cYuRrwXyrI7k9ViMzj-lzS1oe8Cl9U_jE4_nQ0ouXjqiTxp48XbDQqZpXc_romnYSO3CvKiHv_pzCj5a3vMsFTuQKF2ZBdbtbpPfLGW87ZSXOcRmHsjnpdS0a12PWTmBqD2eGPFq4FPveTATVaZSF7A/s7617/20231124_115437.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7617" data-original-width="5713" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7UDaavfs95NbaDsNWZQpPeZWSmc06Q_2tLhK8cYuRrwXyrI7k9ViMzj-lzS1oe8Cl9U_jE4_nQ0ouXjqiTxp48XbDQqZpXc_romnYSO3CvKiHv_pzCj5a3vMsFTuQKF2ZBdbtbpPfLGW87ZSXOcRmHsjnpdS0a12PWTmBqD2eGPFq4FPveTATVaZSF7A/w480-h640/20231124_115437.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back up the stairs and back pass Sacre Couer.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9uvmb_2667typKrfVPK1_3XYRIYoxtoE_RIqn5barBgaRIbA99P5BwqXxJ6XDNhZkrxKzWhHyHB3WwOUIlEbnuPCbTNT1e_qyOBjbH_HtPiIyjW8lR2gHTL5TNn-5UMVu8V9P1GQkS4jP0RXU92r4J0R-okD0KU5sWi8ySq2AfbgQtca50iBJS1vNZn2/s7893/20231124_115544.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7893" data-original-width="5920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9uvmb_2667typKrfVPK1_3XYRIYoxtoE_RIqn5barBgaRIbA99P5BwqXxJ6XDNhZkrxKzWhHyHB3WwOUIlEbnuPCbTNT1e_qyOBjbH_HtPiIyjW8lR2gHTL5TNn-5UMVu8V9P1GQkS4jP0RXU92r4J0R-okD0KU5sWi8ySq2AfbgQtca50iBJS1vNZn2/w480-h640/20231124_115544.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQbWyVEvR1dKrzbKAweeVfHotA2T271sasyKYgVqZdg7HVIslNczWtHJajbD05UDbksECmvnKbUBXIE76cCS2xeu5AuP1QkUkBTaJYqD88i_qkRhBBmyJty1ddPA6PAZzbs5Jy1wcgnEHx8wWtuSP6FG6bx4uiTuswwIHDVwGCDm31LvFfMC52eLjpoXf/s8160/20231124_115611.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQbWyVEvR1dKrzbKAweeVfHotA2T271sasyKYgVqZdg7HVIslNczWtHJajbD05UDbksECmvnKbUBXIE76cCS2xeu5AuP1QkUkBTaJYqD88i_qkRhBBmyJty1ddPA6PAZzbs5Jy1wcgnEHx8wWtuSP6FG6bx4uiTuswwIHDVwGCDm31LvFfMC52eLjpoXf/w480-h640/20231124_115611.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKlEg78JXIsikUcgCGhIZKE_iC6SaSa2ZR3tTtTO6RtrxQW_3iwqg7B-TfELmvGM_MaTuYxIV4wLvesuq0i-idmqlczObEZmCm85KhyMOCsDm1QfiwEIitW1bO0HNGR3t82DoLBr9iYxX-MicwPBOUC_aKC0ZUBlGodvYUYF38Z3xvg0BI02idTwEp2G2/s8160/20231124_115726.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKlEg78JXIsikUcgCGhIZKE_iC6SaSa2ZR3tTtTO6RtrxQW_3iwqg7B-TfELmvGM_MaTuYxIV4wLvesuq0i-idmqlczObEZmCm85KhyMOCsDm1QfiwEIitW1bO0HNGR3t82DoLBr9iYxX-MicwPBOUC_aKC0ZUBlGodvYUYF38Z3xvg0BI02idTwEp2G2/w640-h480/20231124_115726.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk down from Sacre Coeur and down to a lovely drinking fountain here.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqg4HYW8DymUnxMetD4qpDDYVL-Hdzp4RlE0sddRPOh8x-PIsvTlf-UZjuFgFSs9T1GLeo8EbP-ZvNTe7n6qrdwJG1QRPdDjjvSm6ntZEo9czBGxvj8c1vIearWiy4KO2yYTegFvF3fzO4OxAlCq4jz66NaF2mRSFfyOdGr_MFVkSwVFFOBdini0kOpK0Q/s7886/20231124_120107.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7886" data-original-width="5915" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqg4HYW8DymUnxMetD4qpDDYVL-Hdzp4RlE0sddRPOh8x-PIsvTlf-UZjuFgFSs9T1GLeo8EbP-ZvNTe7n6qrdwJG1QRPdDjjvSm6ntZEo9czBGxvj8c1vIearWiy4KO2yYTegFvF3fzO4OxAlCq4jz66NaF2mRSFfyOdGr_MFVkSwVFFOBdini0kOpK0Q/w480-h640/20231124_120107.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">An English philanthropist called Richard Wallace, who was a Parisian at heart, decided to do something about the situation and came up with the idea of water fountains, which he designed and financed, and in conjunction with the city of Paris, these were put in strategic places all over Paris.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">France and especially Paris have been trying to get people back to using tap water, or fresh drinkable water from a fountain, in order to help save the environment rather than continually purchasing bottled water, because plastic bottles take hundreds of years to degrade and have become a global environmental issue affecting wildlife and marine life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vrJbCeJvQiwFaTmbhnUnwDaqi7-ThOkK5Bf8FOmrevii_sIaKRJNJVANf4PafqalAQdAXIJSnXFIfR8ti3dhW3PWdZV8B_5vZTMmtjtv5H-lYUCjsvwNzAqIVHk6m-V-8fVs3Ft-Ncgq1sDXrBmvZr8z3JeYHF-BjMtvlbsLDWIIsX27AJyuxBTb5crw/s8160/20231124_120202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vrJbCeJvQiwFaTmbhnUnwDaqi7-ThOkK5Bf8FOmrevii_sIaKRJNJVANf4PafqalAQdAXIJSnXFIfR8ti3dhW3PWdZV8B_5vZTMmtjtv5H-lYUCjsvwNzAqIVHk6m-V-8fVs3Ft-Ncgq1sDXrBmvZr8z3JeYHF-BjMtvlbsLDWIIsX27AJyuxBTb5crw/w640-h480/20231124_120202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just next to the water fountain is a dog park, it was enjoyable to see all the dogs playing and having fun.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZlss26EiPOchQSuSr3mS-tzslSlb6l5XHBWx-iVDb1-g6_4pV9sIFtR5Og-SFlcRSTRfEMnvGkKYBK-Dj9SkpnM78PJKZITeIc8S_pdinkmAO5rn4SgdTPTdlDlARRJi7hoFP8Y_Sif9FbESM-Y-ALmsmTSY1qdl3ODQytxwPQAu5Y01qa9JKSymmN1I/s7264/20231124_120220.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4157" data-original-width="7264" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZlss26EiPOchQSuSr3mS-tzslSlb6l5XHBWx-iVDb1-g6_4pV9sIFtR5Og-SFlcRSTRfEMnvGkKYBK-Dj9SkpnM78PJKZITeIc8S_pdinkmAO5rn4SgdTPTdlDlARRJi7hoFP8Y_Sif9FbESM-Y-ALmsmTSY1qdl3ODQytxwPQAu5Y01qa9JKSymmN1I/w640-h366/20231124_120220.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk behind the Sacre Couer to the Square de l Turlure and here is a free toilet that was desperately needed.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgNp_GZVG5uTAX9JhLNbI7j-iNfshRDPrAAkCdNDdYV2wQAFz-aPIr2mVQm32ZBOGBTgeU0sawztqjnkP7nSk8kFHA2IHz2W89nH1vuTrXZ1Zrrg5WD3SHnkSrFdpA0SpFpHAS5hnWQhNMqnBDW-VMjwy6KTxMwmI5lU5GJsjQcvdzEnmsmcgPCR7bLyD/s8128/20231124_121510.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8128" data-original-width="6096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgNp_GZVG5uTAX9JhLNbI7j-iNfshRDPrAAkCdNDdYV2wQAFz-aPIr2mVQm32ZBOGBTgeU0sawztqjnkP7nSk8kFHA2IHz2W89nH1vuTrXZ1Zrrg5WD3SHnkSrFdpA0SpFpHAS5hnWQhNMqnBDW-VMjwy6KTxMwmI5lU5GJsjQcvdzEnmsmcgPCR7bLyD/w480-h640/20231124_121510.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We walk back to the hotel and on the way back visit a few shops and supermarkets.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After a much needed rest at the hotel we head back out about 5ish to see the outside of the Musee de Louvre.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So back to Gare du Nord and we catch the RER B line to Chatelet Les Halles and head over to the Metro line 1. But as we got there it seemed the whole of Paris was trying to get onto this line. Apparently a line was out and everyone was switching to this one. I said to Mel lets get out of here before we are crushed, so we head out and eventually get out of the Westfield labyrinth again and onto the street.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSgXkp_Ww0heWZy9I9UQIvVTqMmm2egPAV-02ctnfTjFsYholDLLhy1UshcqjG9pkTUXddQR_r_otVF8IGNHuQ3-DM5WgwD_vj_06hdTX_qJG_VGjOUHU_ODKlioMpphMzIc45s5bWjvQqELYiUuGcyZcicMDHfc_w647zByYUNnreIznq_ZVwbUF2fr0/s6998/20231124_174111.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6998" data-original-width="5249" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSgXkp_Ww0heWZy9I9UQIvVTqMmm2egPAV-02ctnfTjFsYholDLLhy1UshcqjG9pkTUXddQR_r_otVF8IGNHuQ3-DM5WgwD_vj_06hdTX_qJG_VGjOUHU_ODKlioMpphMzIc45s5bWjvQqELYiUuGcyZcicMDHfc_w647zByYUNnreIznq_ZVwbUF2fr0/w480-h640/20231124_174111.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Tree at Westfields,Chatelet Des Halles.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8mSXqBBDCMZL2MBEl0cdEGbpaeHC0rIHUP01oUoO5PpmspUjZrEAjQ_fI-jXQN6H7sJPO2VbfSp-ru0wNQ4fF1cj0N2HEKP_f2CbajFWxVM4k8qCbL7Sghu71jsxRHM3xyJ7T_meekaanQ1-vUFSSixb8i7R1BNK070E7PJMeHACCRZlIj95gFEzRNbq/s6424/20231124_175445.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5502" data-original-width="6424" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8mSXqBBDCMZL2MBEl0cdEGbpaeHC0rIHUP01oUoO5PpmspUjZrEAjQ_fI-jXQN6H7sJPO2VbfSp-ru0wNQ4fF1cj0N2HEKP_f2CbajFWxVM4k8qCbL7Sghu71jsxRHM3xyJ7T_meekaanQ1-vUFSSixb8i7R1BNK070E7PJMeHACCRZlIj95gFEzRNbq/w640-h548/20231124_175445.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk a short way and arrive at the <span style="text-align: center;">Musee de Louvre. </span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHbikdUHA51ujWVSXVJnijlQiNN6Cvw6dBEz69aCPaU9I6vvp46ardWSFOUafvNwviYRvf0zubobRn_1dscID0Bt1Nc_ofOxZejRsqBrB3HNCNgn4wyl5E7gOxJ6Ll_cZz7JeSrW_HtTeKvcxoG1Bz3Inkyum7aBJRFpWi9wj3KTPGpkVEbBmHLZ89ufn/s8012/20231124_175840.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6009" data-original-width="8012" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHbikdUHA51ujWVSXVJnijlQiNN6Cvw6dBEz69aCPaU9I6vvp46ardWSFOUafvNwviYRvf0zubobRn_1dscID0Bt1Nc_ofOxZejRsqBrB3HNCNgn4wyl5E7gOxJ6Ll_cZz7JeSrW_HtTeKvcxoG1Bz3Inkyum7aBJRFpWi9wj3KTPGpkVEbBmHLZ89ufn/w640-h480/20231124_175840.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2z4WleDP5P_MTdQAAVga5yI7Rxv2zRswUytVzj4HuOzCAkrVjuphQqRYTsFyo9pJLg7GJBvY5-tv7mOKJMafpOt15r371xknSu9abJET0aH6DelFxaXX_pVoguT_QD-Mh6vQKT9Ius1hIajzR0POmXORNofuPTFU_6JfuL5YXsqcNIEjbeHOE-B1ynvJw/s3648/20231124_175848.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2z4WleDP5P_MTdQAAVga5yI7Rxv2zRswUytVzj4HuOzCAkrVjuphQqRYTsFyo9pJLg7GJBvY5-tv7mOKJMafpOt15r371xknSu9abJET0aH6DelFxaXX_pVoguT_QD-Mh6vQKT9Ius1hIajzR0POmXORNofuPTFU_6JfuL5YXsqcNIEjbeHOE-B1ynvJw/w640-h480/20231124_175848.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We have a look about the outside, we had no intention in joining queues and paying money to see the Mona Lisa. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6LgLyKHSA8zQmre0JQIZeaaIFzCUYA7DvtQ-7EG_puqi_MQDEZ5b1GTwWds3AnvcDxZvECXx9vWu1SrTzBGMU3bh6QFgQJjtaAhKdiEi4BxWdOfSA-ZY89mKBOLlpPijZfBB_LdHI-iwBFcX5etwUpQ8Y_Zx_JxsQdju04tvmj4DT1jGgV8eRUSL67fL/s8160/20231124_180036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6LgLyKHSA8zQmre0JQIZeaaIFzCUYA7DvtQ-7EG_puqi_MQDEZ5b1GTwWds3AnvcDxZvECXx9vWu1SrTzBGMU3bh6QFgQJjtaAhKdiEi4BxWdOfSA-ZY89mKBOLlpPijZfBB_LdHI-iwBFcX5etwUpQ8Y_Zx_JxsQdju04tvmj4DT1jGgV8eRUSL67fL/w640-h480/20231124_180036.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Louvre or the Louvre Museum iis located on the Right Bank of the Seine in the city's 1st arrondissement and home to some of the most canonical works of Western art, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. The museum is housed in the Louvre Palace, originally built in the late 12th to 13th century under Philip II. Remnants of the Medieval Louvre fortress are visible in the basement of the museum. Due to urban expansion, the fortress eventually lost its defensive function, and in 1546 Francis I converted it into the primary residence of the French Kings.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTdZx0H1uJNmrj2rZEDe10H39kekeHL_wRtZEpL7ie6jSl2mlH2Ty_q0jIcUupdam88kxP13xGHes8G3KYeJIcyrvl-h4Tc2FU4p_9bbfJkYVzwim282OAsy4K5Ruvosi2JXvsxpjWNosiegznUjeTb4TYGLzPAMCq3LWAd9alpzQl4JxCk5nI87ZNj8j/s8160/20231124_180050.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTdZx0H1uJNmrj2rZEDe10H39kekeHL_wRtZEpL7ie6jSl2mlH2Ty_q0jIcUupdam88kxP13xGHes8G3KYeJIcyrvl-h4Tc2FU4p_9bbfJkYVzwim282OAsy4K5Ruvosi2JXvsxpjWNosiegznUjeTb4TYGLzPAMCq3LWAd9alpzQl4JxCk5nI87ZNj8j/w640-h480/20231124_180050.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The building was extended many times to form the present Louvre Palace. In 1682, Louis XIV chose the Palace of Versailles for his household, leaving the Louvre primarily as a place to display the royal collection, including, from 1692, a collection of ancient Greek and Roman sculpture. In 1692, the building was occupied by the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres and the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture, which in 1699 held the first of a series of salons. The Académie remained at the Louvre for 100 years. During the French Revolution, the National Assembly decreed that the Louvre should be used as a museum to display the nation's masterpieces.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDJ9wcTBcwVpbXWMM5dOMvVCQLGusZAXbj6KvKx9UWH5Uh9cob-_CgVyEWuAtK642o6p-i6ahq3JKDuRM2MTIqK3We1TlovE67C8ZCXmfKQFnF41u35h9jUwCrhbQyeFOHe8BlN3-tZyLCihJda4JDp4GyPf3Dvy49hmxPayyqE_VwopIwdPCNYPZftoM/s3648/20231124_180105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDJ9wcTBcwVpbXWMM5dOMvVCQLGusZAXbj6KvKx9UWH5Uh9cob-_CgVyEWuAtK642o6p-i6ahq3JKDuRM2MTIqK3We1TlovE67C8ZCXmfKQFnF41u35h9jUwCrhbQyeFOHe8BlN3-tZyLCihJda4JDp4GyPf3Dvy49hmxPayyqE_VwopIwdPCNYPZftoM/w480-h640/20231124_180105.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The museum opened on 10 August 1793 with an exhibition of 537 paintings, the majority of the works being royal and confiscated church property. Because of structural problems with the building, the museum was closed from 1796 until 1801. The collection was increased under Napoleon and the museum was renamed Musée Napoléon, but after Napoleon's abdication, many works seized by his armies were returned to their original owners. The collection was further increased during the reigns of Louis XVIII and Charles X, and during the Second French Empire the museum gained 20,000 pieces. Holdings have grown steadily through donations and bequests since the Third Republic. The collection is divided among eight curatorial departments: Egyptian Antiquities; Near Eastern Antiquities; Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities; Islamic Art; Sculpture; Decorative Arts; Paintings; Prints and Drawings.</div></div><div><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1SZ11IHlhs9pF3xf4Tjj89KTdiA3M5oj7OY0lnu3cK45BYlXgVx1D0Z9gw3YaiBvGMNxM3ZYznzMau6ehWptNMbiKnwFEvCUzSb7jJNFu0ZGOVysmVH5t6Ar6QU-vxTfBGayreqcxeqo_nd1w9Kf_Po8goKucUZl56On8ZyUA4bVEx5RgctKUgRPhk8e/s8160/20231124_180133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1SZ11IHlhs9pF3xf4Tjj89KTdiA3M5oj7OY0lnu3cK45BYlXgVx1D0Z9gw3YaiBvGMNxM3ZYznzMau6ehWptNMbiKnwFEvCUzSb7jJNFu0ZGOVysmVH5t6Ar6QU-vxTfBGayreqcxeqo_nd1w9Kf_Po8goKucUZl56On8ZyUA4bVEx5RgctKUgRPhk8e/w640-h480/20231124_180133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQQOeTKFw3ir3quGUNw7QdTBOlO9Uv76jxR23GWKOHGoM4DincIjVkiao0onr9PHIQwwTs-d4ALwC2El16U_oUAahRJzjUvTS400YGYDw-x-Gn21uX5I2awVk8ZMcNM-CJOZN-XfGSPjagXc8rR88EFNq2W-JcGvs8urZB1LTlqJLaaKKID1hz5RYLFds/s8106/20231124_180640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6080" data-original-width="8106" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQQOeTKFw3ir3quGUNw7QdTBOlO9Uv76jxR23GWKOHGoM4DincIjVkiao0onr9PHIQwwTs-d4ALwC2El16U_oUAahRJzjUvTS400YGYDw-x-Gn21uX5I2awVk8ZMcNM-CJOZN-XfGSPjagXc8rR88EFNq2W-JcGvs8urZB1LTlqJLaaKKID1hz5RYLFds/w640-h480/20231124_180640.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the Louvre and walk along the River Seine. I can see a funfair and hoping it is also a Christmas Market as we hadn't able to find one yet.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YrUC1M63pC3UI2C3fQqmSiRyNx_qhHb6h1leD5dVLxdIOYgn8W_UctlqGC3MYuVcesAtPryWPCiIs3IVWWkJHhQyRLY87SIACtDCsWhtmpPozWz6dMrrqNZeoNCeWdIKGFjmiXY6dAzLewvjBdmnwNnRuMZvAQSVfEq-5aeEIgoDW3Tyi9dazoFuwbj3/s8160/20231124_181131.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YrUC1M63pC3UI2C3fQqmSiRyNx_qhHb6h1leD5dVLxdIOYgn8W_UctlqGC3MYuVcesAtPryWPCiIs3IVWWkJHhQyRLY87SIACtDCsWhtmpPozWz6dMrrqNZeoNCeWdIKGFjmiXY6dAzLewvjBdmnwNnRuMZvAQSVfEq-5aeEIgoDW3Tyi9dazoFuwbj3/w640-h480/20231124_181131.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We enter Jardin de Tuileries and it is indeed a Christmas Market! I buy some hot chestnuts (marrons Chauds) outside and walk in.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGq7hf5-g1kbAfYjN0SyYgdI-XX4Wh4zcnhoxXbwJRCzQMzyCYoykY67ehOrAAV0xBNFVQS8PRTPzPQ6JVuH-JKTDkBSqad9fh9yYF8PdsuC84wBzIdZ5PG888HIM3OjXxNCPpANnsPT5_cYqDczCuKN7kWk3LFJitwufeAjY0YuRrvIjSDPQEcByhv9i/s3648/20231124_181208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGq7hf5-g1kbAfYjN0SyYgdI-XX4Wh4zcnhoxXbwJRCzQMzyCYoykY67ehOrAAV0xBNFVQS8PRTPzPQ6JVuH-JKTDkBSqad9fh9yYF8PdsuC84wBzIdZ5PG888HIM3OjXxNCPpANnsPT5_cYqDczCuKN7kWk3LFJitwufeAjY0YuRrvIjSDPQEcByhv9i/w640-h480/20231124_181208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Faux snow and all the vin chaud, if you want to visit a Christmas market in the heart of the city, then the Jardin des Tuileries Christmas Market in Paris is the largest winter fair in the French capital.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJgpV8atG86DRRixO87zgSNxeCQn7YtdIVVasvBWdrKWN4VANAy441oVsbaXVhIo7feTxQT3pmMrm9UIsvRqh70KkuHzGB1BvNmmBAjTfYtRbQBQtwkqThy5Gob3w8M0ejjw9120VUNS9laQ6Tq6l32VmClrSw1osJd92tJSpwISiDYbzGBxT7LsHC2EC/s8160/20231124_181819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJgpV8atG86DRRixO87zgSNxeCQn7YtdIVVasvBWdrKWN4VANAy441oVsbaXVhIo7feTxQT3pmMrm9UIsvRqh70KkuHzGB1BvNmmBAjTfYtRbQBQtwkqThy5Gob3w8M0ejjw9120VUNS9laQ6Tq6l32VmClrSw1osJd92tJSpwISiDYbzGBxT7LsHC2EC/w640-h480/20231124_181819.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jardin des Tuileries Christmas Market now, and you can expect to find winter favourites such as an ice skating rink, over a hundred chalets selling all manner of French cuisine foodstuffs, gifts, and wine, as well as plenty of fairground rides. In fact, 80% of the products sold are of French origin.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMU8vz1DbXvkjHGSJANsB6oFaaT2OtLFzwxhe87PUrN3zAgI8FbdDOfSy5FI7Epzgoagu0pydU5fjRb0-TX7vxoqoRF4hQW4hRq4gc-zXK0OiSYG4TwkqKYTRZEHxHSg038QRgQbLkSkELQ_kmidxDMGlmK8nopFy95MZdIYdKctCj8xLaAYv7_ASk_EsR/s8160/20231124_182026.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMU8vz1DbXvkjHGSJANsB6oFaaT2OtLFzwxhe87PUrN3zAgI8FbdDOfSy5FI7Epzgoagu0pydU5fjRb0-TX7vxoqoRF4hQW4hRq4gc-zXK0OiSYG4TwkqKYTRZEHxHSg038QRgQbLkSkELQ_kmidxDMGlmK8nopFy95MZdIYdKctCj8xLaAYv7_ASk_EsR/w640-h480/20231124_182026.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We stop and buy some chocolate and nuts, this a little pricey as there are at these places. But wow amazing chocolate!</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzQpigqALsqgxcZBAvRcnUO-OSiTVYjg75Xeq7LfHfmyDL821sbXjT22vGKX4hJCiFpbj62G77QwcNmffti8bAeeJ6A0bcosNiJ5kjw9Acy-MfHZgMQfbZ_PZAR__9f7tOr07Q6Sfu8Oe13Ki-C617lQxJAgBi09qOte0pxNOXQuLKQP-f60FqCZTo7dV/s8160/20231124_182335.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzQpigqALsqgxcZBAvRcnUO-OSiTVYjg75Xeq7LfHfmyDL821sbXjT22vGKX4hJCiFpbj62G77QwcNmffti8bAeeJ6A0bcosNiJ5kjw9Acy-MfHZgMQfbZ_PZAR__9f7tOr07Q6Sfu8Oe13Ki-C617lQxJAgBi09qOte0pxNOXQuLKQP-f60FqCZTo7dV/w640-h480/20231124_182335.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkLdZzN0Cm4p7Vt6PSBSIoQkr6_9tSFS6QsgQqFkoQdgX4Iebv0ffmtaJh9SosWXgnwek8Jw-jxp_OuUOL6vBQU07AvXe9t1pwWghGXi9UHmHfQnD58M8Gs_IGmAIEiWcO9J6r1ZN7F-V5w6FNdWCa1gjLI-mZ830Vg_NgpLooRQSHB7ODcfTXoRFpCzi/s7448/20231124_182545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5586" data-original-width="7448" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkLdZzN0Cm4p7Vt6PSBSIoQkr6_9tSFS6QsgQqFkoQdgX4Iebv0ffmtaJh9SosWXgnwek8Jw-jxp_OuUOL6vBQU07AvXe9t1pwWghGXi9UHmHfQnD58M8Gs_IGmAIEiWcO9J6r1ZN7F-V5w6FNdWCa1gjLI-mZ830Vg_NgpLooRQSHB7ODcfTXoRFpCzi/w640-h480/20231124_182545.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4OQl1zEmLsQT6L1yBRmcur17eRVQomEF-SgV8Ek0A39LQVq68khUDYKriRqkv84lYsRVP43Jg52JqbwK6XU2hT9scWLtF9BFXPzgazMtOjbsYR0tp2yGVqnIXdVLKp_KCFcpGJU8ti8MDWrgidRBoD5VVSopn-9TsCjpN45YDCM40g2aGWecM7dv1oOt/s8160/20231124_183538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4OQl1zEmLsQT6L1yBRmcur17eRVQomEF-SgV8Ek0A39LQVq68khUDYKriRqkv84lYsRVP43Jg52JqbwK6XU2hT9scWLtF9BFXPzgazMtOjbsYR0tp2yGVqnIXdVLKp_KCFcpGJU8ti8MDWrgidRBoD5VVSopn-9TsCjpN45YDCM40g2aGWecM7dv1oOt/w640-h480/20231124_183538.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the Christmas Market and head into Concorde Metro station go one stop to Champ Elysees Clemenceau and switch to the Metro line 13 and travel to Place de Clichy where we alight and walk to see the Moulin Rouge. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4VWD5Aq9OfGQk1oSxkWZl5LoNtvr2dEhbqpK6JZ5tx9r7gHquyz_mItAwR1grDdvOll5OqIm3lvAkeq5lGm_T5GWD1Rx07UZIvR13yEQO-IqMkcZeLg7giD3YXQuwKBtp1xu0u8eFwebOE-tWoxqIAp_HmrXCqJWjKZGdY34BrNgB50ljHmwcu1S0UwN/s8160/20231124_191029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4VWD5Aq9OfGQk1oSxkWZl5LoNtvr2dEhbqpK6JZ5tx9r7gHquyz_mItAwR1grDdvOll5OqIm3lvAkeq5lGm_T5GWD1Rx07UZIvR13yEQO-IqMkcZeLg7giD3YXQuwKBtp1xu0u8eFwebOE-tWoxqIAp_HmrXCqJWjKZGdY34BrNgB50ljHmwcu1S0UwN/w640-h480/20231124_191029.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Would have loved to see a show but at about £300 for the pair of us, we gave it a miss. Maybe we will one day.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAX_qWFxj00PBgJTHC5ha3HMq6LqR43itpquUenaDmTztaFT00KtLomkJGBo9HFnjBDp3m-10MGVEgY33CnMPDUoYHAqUdL0h1MWCgDVMlRvGNmOStXCKn5Q50a0Ka6z70rA0h3ZX1SJUreagFx3fZ_qIBZRF_jZJUhFnQ0JDlE-gkVrTpUDhIKmbZMkxk/s8160/20231124_191033.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAX_qWFxj00PBgJTHC5ha3HMq6LqR43itpquUenaDmTztaFT00KtLomkJGBo9HFnjBDp3m-10MGVEgY33CnMPDUoYHAqUdL0h1MWCgDVMlRvGNmOStXCKn5Q50a0Ka6z70rA0h3ZX1SJUreagFx3fZ_qIBZRF_jZJUhFnQ0JDlE-gkVrTpUDhIKmbZMkxk/w640-h480/20231124_191033.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Moulin Rouge is a cabaret in Paris, on Boulevard de Clichy, at Place Blanche, the intersection of, and terminus of Rue Blanche.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1889, the Moulin Rouge was co-founded by Charles Zidler and Joseph Oller, who also owned the Paris Olympia. The original venue was destroyed by fire in 1915. Moulin Rouge is southwest of Montmartre, in the Paris district of Pigalle on Boulevard de Clichy in the 18th arrondissement, and has a red windmill on its roof.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmwNzKJfk6ihpI9_xBeE3phbJZ2gEB9LgHzRxSPEWGGwI6_F8M_rdtg9oKrScRmXa0u0xz4XROAdCD76GT536lAxm4TMra8ECwClKIl89UNKO6EDdHPmYaIyCtQyrshcBSdGLrh19ivSMdBw-w6UHAPeZvOIDtqjXNnUi9h4cAu1OuPtJUR-oyx3A3Ryl/s8160/20231124_191037.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmwNzKJfk6ihpI9_xBeE3phbJZ2gEB9LgHzRxSPEWGGwI6_F8M_rdtg9oKrScRmXa0u0xz4XROAdCD76GT536lAxm4TMra8ECwClKIl89UNKO6EDdHPmYaIyCtQyrshcBSdGLrh19ivSMdBw-w6UHAPeZvOIDtqjXNnUi9h4cAu1OuPtJUR-oyx3A3Ryl/w480-h640/20231124_191037.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Moulin Rouge is best known as the birthplace of the modern form of the can-can dance. Originally introduced as a seductive dance by the courtesans who operated from the site, the can-can dance revue evolved into a form of entertainment of its own and led to the introduction of cabarets across Europe. Today, the Moulin Rouge is a tourist attraction, offering predominantly musical dance entertainment for visitors from around the world. The club's decor still contains much of the romance of fin de siècle France.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsznQBsmxM6goikjh9_WYTqOdCR3gPu1KT4E6b_cjF2Hju_j5G1ZKPgT1K_oDXwxRuNfsW2Mgtky7WraSqhFwuO2zwGdmKcn1gdZZAw0dm7dxkvrNeek9GsVcrAZZI1hdOGKfudhMcXiK6nat0OvbqjwgLx4UDEQR30qDr9LaGl1Dy0gXykXNspmU1ToHL/s3308/20231124_191046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3308" data-original-width="2481" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsznQBsmxM6goikjh9_WYTqOdCR3gPu1KT4E6b_cjF2Hju_j5G1ZKPgT1K_oDXwxRuNfsW2Mgtky7WraSqhFwuO2zwGdmKcn1gdZZAw0dm7dxkvrNeek9GsVcrAZZI1hdOGKfudhMcXiK6nat0OvbqjwgLx4UDEQR30qDr9LaGl1Dy0gXykXNspmU1ToHL/w480-h640/20231124_191046.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on, we are going to Montmartre again to see it after dark.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPIbRjZcEK7UzXnkfSBFF6yAgdUQ-daE79hL2_oKkPCKhzNb_u-vziBs37xNDZlFaoINNFySwNRDxkpRruWapmM0jdVRAIGv3Oq3dxqUd_EL_exIE5GKY3voLvd51y_ta2E2eXr1hLZUr4jUomb7NRgkhN_rxdp8cStYSU5pin9Sdy4G4de_KuEt2b_KO/s8160/20231124_191149.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPIbRjZcEK7UzXnkfSBFF6yAgdUQ-daE79hL2_oKkPCKhzNb_u-vziBs37xNDZlFaoINNFySwNRDxkpRruWapmM0jdVRAIGv3Oq3dxqUd_EL_exIE5GKY3voLvd51y_ta2E2eXr1hLZUr4jUomb7NRgkhN_rxdp8cStYSU5pin9Sdy4G4de_KuEt2b_KO/w480-h640/20231124_191149.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk up Rue Lepic towards Montmartre.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgDGQAhu2Gi6iK5dcrF_ih9o7ufUuy10vBNUdsb1rl9PkgbrDDZh_CI05s2vCyJu_ZtZkG3KCKFLbnoYFG-riCZ6iRdg-X_wl7dKYlmlaPRuQ24t2wN63Y-RwjSaRkKyLsaTSebZRtWdyndHwwGCCY4o3OIX7661NM4NHcmh1fK99LQfu071avqViGO4P/s7800/20231124_191249.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7800" data-original-width="5850" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgDGQAhu2Gi6iK5dcrF_ih9o7ufUuy10vBNUdsb1rl9PkgbrDDZh_CI05s2vCyJu_ZtZkG3KCKFLbnoYFG-riCZ6iRdg-X_wl7dKYlmlaPRuQ24t2wN63Y-RwjSaRkKyLsaTSebZRtWdyndHwwGCCY4o3OIX7661NM4NHcmh1fK99LQfu071avqViGO4P/w480-h640/20231124_191249.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk along Rue Abbesses to reach a market there.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA68nOIh-Dc1-hOeJ6g-0ngSuT26-sUceTTLo4RssINnZPVi3PTwlhM8XxAUNXKXG3b_VGT2IhkU8s977oXFv-4EhFkrIA1m-0-8DutsnRcGja5X5oLm5oY5k2hc061jia_IwXjXRMGzAHkaa6AsO74gJ4hahb1k8M_ch1lRJL2cHSy_sxN8YCqK3fhJ_z/s8160/20231124_192347.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA68nOIh-Dc1-hOeJ6g-0ngSuT26-sUceTTLo4RssINnZPVi3PTwlhM8XxAUNXKXG3b_VGT2IhkU8s977oXFv-4EhFkrIA1m-0-8DutsnRcGja5X5oLm5oY5k2hc061jia_IwXjXRMGzAHkaa6AsO74gJ4hahb1k8M_ch1lRJL2cHSy_sxN8YCqK3fhJ_z/w640-h480/20231124_192347.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the tiniest Christmas markets in Paris is located at Place des Abbesses, a little square known for its iconic love wall and proximity to the butte of Montmartre.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Each festive period, a little market is erected in the square, encircling the carousel. Here’s your guide to the Abbesses Christmas market in Montmartre (Marché de Noël des Abbesses).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx14HwQRXZzjtgKryjn-sFME8LlEHPkniUlzJeOZYqd-XEqEPSWIGIkih65HmgqkT1Rd3GtV8Sz9QuZowVPQZE73H4Wj2Y87aKLcr3vOWIjKaj35F_brhLnjma1hRPSwupuKeUsEbUssLDsJr1-ZIJ7MmCO_wo9IH47TmIOFpD2aNtlOnL1BbF-604EDYg/s8160/20231124_192629.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx14HwQRXZzjtgKryjn-sFME8LlEHPkniUlzJeOZYqd-XEqEPSWIGIkih65HmgqkT1Rd3GtV8Sz9QuZowVPQZE73H4Wj2Y87aKLcr3vOWIjKaj35F_brhLnjma1hRPSwupuKeUsEbUssLDsJr1-ZIJ7MmCO_wo9IH47TmIOFpD2aNtlOnL1BbF-604EDYg/w640-h480/20231124_192629.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I buy some macaroons, I try one. They're okay but nothing to get too excited about!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGlbYrxuz-1WN51YhpXByCTJ6bplzMaVJyRg9SFjMKAmwAoQRptmGCE9iul1fWnyzPHvMjlrI69ODXc7Sryk012-uR3IzRLglozpctFzld2B7CXMcnC8X-C84b-x8_-VMxjgHERCLA9w9oLsRzUgUpxVrAB3IdlPWd_IUg-A77P_36YV0VJCsh_r4O9Pv/s8160/20231124_192752.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGlbYrxuz-1WN51YhpXByCTJ6bplzMaVJyRg9SFjMKAmwAoQRptmGCE9iul1fWnyzPHvMjlrI69ODXc7Sryk012-uR3IzRLglozpctFzld2B7CXMcnC8X-C84b-x8_-VMxjgHERCLA9w9oLsRzUgUpxVrAB3IdlPWd_IUg-A77P_36YV0VJCsh_r4O9Pv/w480-h640/20231124_192752.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;">We pass the Abbesses Metro station entrance. Abbesses is the deepest station in the Paris Métro, at 36 metres (118 feet) below ground, and is located on the western side of the butte (hill) of Montmartre. Access to the platforms is by elevator or the decorated stairs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The station's entrance, designed by Hector Guimard (1867–1942), is one of only two remaining glass-covered "dragonfly" entrances, known as édicules (the other is located at Porte Dauphine, while a replica exists at Châtelet). Though a Guimard original, the édicule at Abbesses was originally located at Hôtel de Ville and was transferred to its current location in 1974. The entrance is technically anachronistic, since line 12 of the Paris metro was built by a competing firm, the Nord-Sud Company, which did not hire Guimard but engaged other architects to design its stations and station entrances.</div></div></div><div><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhHGnbW5kuJxukE8gaEh3Yfl_4g_Dg1-Tqk_73qgpnFCld7oD4LV2xm7syQ3KHZNH5QDes3zMhR-2skTx0QsiYRXE_kvdXmAond4pcinnQbJyLkzjdd9S0he0SZkgv2rRUHm-ndBvfiftyqmDMykX1D5MkzID60PUhdVXE4QWTG8i9hpkCc4_m8MYyChR/s7922/20231124_192908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5941" data-original-width="7922" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhHGnbW5kuJxukE8gaEh3Yfl_4g_Dg1-Tqk_73qgpnFCld7oD4LV2xm7syQ3KHZNH5QDes3zMhR-2skTx0QsiYRXE_kvdXmAond4pcinnQbJyLkzjdd9S0he0SZkgv2rRUHm-ndBvfiftyqmDMykX1D5MkzID60PUhdVXE4QWTG8i9hpkCc4_m8MYyChR/w640-h480/20231124_192908.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the market and Abbesses and head along Rue La Vieuville and back up the many steps to Montmartre.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPllemzARh3ZLFOugyOp8E0qs5I8AduK0PtS6eAA4QLiPhpWc2AdigR0hNrTdbr0QlOJ2oHm5nNXcjNvo4Xps-dzj0z7fwCX-rrLvDQgulbWl-0JORCx1-gTB9gCMitQD2CYiE7oJhO7oH6eadCs6EuXBZ07TV3Dg8UpCFGnkhYqOo0OdK4B-JLZyBdWX/s8160/20231124_193633.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPllemzARh3ZLFOugyOp8E0qs5I8AduK0PtS6eAA4QLiPhpWc2AdigR0hNrTdbr0QlOJ2oHm5nNXcjNvo4Xps-dzj0z7fwCX-rrLvDQgulbWl-0JORCx1-gTB9gCMitQD2CYiE7oJhO7oH6eadCs6EuXBZ07TV3Dg8UpCFGnkhYqOo0OdK4B-JLZyBdWX/w480-h640/20231124_193633.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTAPVYVXKGw3WtMwg6zypjVHktT23Kc08GqwCZtpWCY4HYpXdldyEvqMnqSLrMFkVlPMWXYO8aH5V3oUw6TMcIi7CDYeEfr6a48G9R6CSBVcqmuX7zRn9-XxyqoZm_sPpHUSDKdm2eoooHv_j6R0IbNIIp1xA1d8rrKC1kuaR15e4tdhm3PDnIOSivACw/s3648/20231124_193838.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTAPVYVXKGw3WtMwg6zypjVHktT23Kc08GqwCZtpWCY4HYpXdldyEvqMnqSLrMFkVlPMWXYO8aH5V3oUw6TMcIi7CDYeEfr6a48G9R6CSBVcqmuX7zRn9-XxyqoZm_sPpHUSDKdm2eoooHv_j6R0IbNIIp1xA1d8rrKC1kuaR15e4tdhm3PDnIOSivACw/w480-h640/20231124_193838.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkPFoDPkyc54hH2YGKgWC8DSlw-8Ul0OBVSU1MvBtKUJvsV0xMAW0ZeKKtX8pd3wjnnHmAcd-76MpJmO7yg-0fP4__w83IaeA4GY7DDNXMUtagzcQxE-rF9Ndm1-QBq6zB80bi8S0Z33MyNJDj3yApcJmS1IVxXN7F1EO3JOjltOaKzWi7z49Zhy4_waH/s8160/20231124_194102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkPFoDPkyc54hH2YGKgWC8DSlw-8Ul0OBVSU1MvBtKUJvsV0xMAW0ZeKKtX8pd3wjnnHmAcd-76MpJmO7yg-0fP4__w83IaeA4GY7DDNXMUtagzcQxE-rF9Ndm1-QBq6zB80bi8S0Z33MyNJDj3yApcJmS1IVxXN7F1EO3JOjltOaKzWi7z49Zhy4_waH/w480-h640/20231124_194102.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sacre Couer stands out lit against a black backdrop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6sGR5OqnsF4FqiyRg3TWeL2ZbKiN85RTVG3m-bnn58zRqyBs7kbSgXcwjxG6xgJfMVsxw-M9Bt4kVB42syjmT6IBShyphenhyphenGECkUYCg-WZgKNIqYBt43bV3ni2L89alx5tAcMtsvwYQqWFhRFdIkViYywphCQjQ-blP6D7-eSDZv3LM8UVuECHFTMZB1WOvF/s8160/20231124_194217.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6sGR5OqnsF4FqiyRg3TWeL2ZbKiN85RTVG3m-bnn58zRqyBs7kbSgXcwjxG6xgJfMVsxw-M9Bt4kVB42syjmT6IBShyphenhyphenGECkUYCg-WZgKNIqYBt43bV3ni2L89alx5tAcMtsvwYQqWFhRFdIkViYywphCQjQ-blP6D7-eSDZv3LM8UVuECHFTMZB1WOvF/w480-h640/20231124_194217.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">You may recognize Paris' Sacré Coeur basilica from movies such as French Kiss (starring Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline) or French film Amélie.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="526" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LBgEiEY1cYU" width="632" youtube-src-id="LBgEiEY1cYU"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">As we climb the stairs we stop to watch a choir singing here. We recognised the tunes but not the words. Lovely to hear though and take in the views of Paris sparkling below.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="539" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DB-cnuAfzko" width="648" youtube-src-id="DB-cnuAfzko"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmzLiDDUfDT-HM-mdpuh6Hy_x5VZ_TWLOs4Pgmsj4Dyg9gdK8qVXbXTPc6PpKaX8RQLQU1RLCVkjkt_s21pZPAx46nL4cSVnv7e-A4sseJWBqv4BELGd77i7_b0Tjd21AujUCfVZ26DUkYvX6YNhyphenhyphenk48ofe9FDY0QUmq_htwMfGi8C2UfcU0htQ5St8gZ/s8160/20231124_194907.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmzLiDDUfDT-HM-mdpuh6Hy_x5VZ_TWLOs4Pgmsj4Dyg9gdK8qVXbXTPc6PpKaX8RQLQU1RLCVkjkt_s21pZPAx46nL4cSVnv7e-A4sseJWBqv4BELGd77i7_b0Tjd21AujUCfVZ26DUkYvX6YNhyphenhyphenk48ofe9FDY0QUmq_htwMfGi8C2UfcU0htQ5St8gZ/w640-h480/20231124_194907.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QqiYAl4MD66EurgDYQwvVFKOZAYMhCnNQ7No1q8Z3mboNaw-nCW2MoE8gvdGHfA65aeMj4GAKJ5PrvFSu-rdrHozmqO3fMRA17Cn1nhuVCcHCDYYMc8pQmR9DNIBzx8Wa18ekiufT1-xswShH4mHqtexXORf8UfC63dB-Hg_V0An9gmS6R1n-detcy4z/s7914/20231124_195104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5935" data-original-width="7914" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QqiYAl4MD66EurgDYQwvVFKOZAYMhCnNQ7No1q8Z3mboNaw-nCW2MoE8gvdGHfA65aeMj4GAKJ5PrvFSu-rdrHozmqO3fMRA17Cn1nhuVCcHCDYYMc8pQmR9DNIBzx8Wa18ekiufT1-xswShH4mHqtexXORf8UfC63dB-Hg_V0An9gmS6R1n-detcy4z/w640-h480/20231124_195104.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We head back through Place de Tertre and head towards La Taverne de Montmartre.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pgTObmyLUJi3HN-aDXMmhRqyFH_1EwEofpmI_CxUq371q1GD51jUwCbIuf2TCwvvHos-FUSfcHsozlBnKGYdmup5P9etgPArAQ_ufbZAIMzYnEDtrlvFioXEp-K6zjGTrxoQswHigJeRx0folDx2BWHRXMJtQj5fTKNAWDgAcirgRVHvP9XqANpXSWNc/s8160/20231124_195111.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pgTObmyLUJi3HN-aDXMmhRqyFH_1EwEofpmI_CxUq371q1GD51jUwCbIuf2TCwvvHos-FUSfcHsozlBnKGYdmup5P9etgPArAQ_ufbZAIMzYnEDtrlvFioXEp-K6zjGTrxoQswHigJeRx0folDx2BWHRXMJtQj5fTKNAWDgAcirgRVHvP9XqANpXSWNc/w640-h480/20231124_195111.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8cSWZR7BA1eYfC0ikwagWwhV8QEVx_UZBfNPuhvJfp_P0emT2ndaZfPOOUqh2CKhkTQ8Xmo-XHoeSfP0yNp8x4BBJrTnVRi1oWHvgJpi3NszuW2SZHvhWVKTpgBZb0s8JF5vIIqt1cW_140uRZZLMRwtgxSZ9wdbIsQG8AfqqeJOziADEUoMiIOy-voh/s7459/20231124_195122.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5594" data-original-width="7459" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8cSWZR7BA1eYfC0ikwagWwhV8QEVx_UZBfNPuhvJfp_P0emT2ndaZfPOOUqh2CKhkTQ8Xmo-XHoeSfP0yNp8x4BBJrTnVRi1oWHvgJpi3NszuW2SZHvhWVKTpgBZb0s8JF5vIIqt1cW_140uRZZLMRwtgxSZ9wdbIsQG8AfqqeJOziADEUoMiIOy-voh/w640-h480/20231124_195122.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGer7cuVHbfT8Lw3Wfzhr8tY1v8D0_F9VZXaM4BpZj1pMErwejns0_-YNF4iwwfE6bqFlBuzX1ScgJCG_dcPB1dK1tsoElCl3Xbudz_H7V5IrB_zDVFBXv-r9L7C91yFXjU1jicqwKed8Q7dcgLOp5DJnXOLK-BI1JNUj7KlcaDrAnV9oHZQh5oAKaWqZ5/s8160/20231124_195240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGer7cuVHbfT8Lw3Wfzhr8tY1v8D0_F9VZXaM4BpZj1pMErwejns0_-YNF4iwwfE6bqFlBuzX1ScgJCG_dcPB1dK1tsoElCl3Xbudz_H7V5IrB_zDVFBXv-r9L7C91yFXjU1jicqwKed8Q7dcgLOp5DJnXOLK-BI1JNUj7KlcaDrAnV9oHZQh5oAKaWqZ5/w640-h480/20231124_195240.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGKqyaVHuGJLNQ_yxC3Vl5BGobR2o76l_J6QFkltAwEZ_BzkqrCnYext-G2ij5VlHVCLeJQjfpdjAPJQW6sdDmBUSjQ2qoxYlBDcbiRXQdu5iFxeXmZgeN8evMxdGk2jL8XUPaLs3_QVePOuL4wkxoDuDlWamLd0czyYihw4o2TnVgSnbVMt5RhfPV9yB/s8160/20231124_195944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGKqyaVHuGJLNQ_yxC3Vl5BGobR2o76l_J6QFkltAwEZ_BzkqrCnYext-G2ij5VlHVCLeJQjfpdjAPJQW6sdDmBUSjQ2qoxYlBDcbiRXQdu5iFxeXmZgeN8evMxdGk2jL8XUPaLs3_QVePOuL4wkxoDuDlWamLd0czyYihw4o2TnVgSnbVMt5RhfPV9yB/w640-h480/20231124_195944.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sadly the Taverne was full and without a reservation we couldn't be guaranteed a table, so we head back to Place de Tertre.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4y3AMpAD8P5NITziaN-FQQlG_qaOKHOOIkzP5K0ioqU51tadEx21ICEdl8VhnrIRxTKcJ7-nVORMtWyw-DGrKeM2Hucz7U1ZHFPIYmQvH1AHgjpymiAc3axc3Em4X1XylWjFhVkfNnTHXYyZ4ZVN8ThAMMGuIPYt4gTE3C2NP98w1XweE6W3KCZ3jjg2/s7492/20231124_200506.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="7492" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4y3AMpAD8P5NITziaN-FQQlG_qaOKHOOIkzP5K0ioqU51tadEx21ICEdl8VhnrIRxTKcJ7-nVORMtWyw-DGrKeM2Hucz7U1ZHFPIYmQvH1AHgjpymiAc3axc3Em4X1XylWjFhVkfNnTHXYyZ4ZVN8ThAMMGuIPYt4gTE3C2NP98w1XweE6W3KCZ3jjg2/w640-h522/20231124_200506.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We get a table in La Cremaillere 1900 and ordered drinks and food.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPUCk94dC4piaz6DbToOQxuEiXovIr3wEdqzOtiu4cz89HJVLzl7MkAayCdesfeqo1nO-_dWp62JKVJyD2ouL8S5-Z4mLkYKGQNDUfk6Vc4sFHu1gSaEiPr2qD7G2u-2rq9912zf72VT_sHd_-6I5e3gZncqez0n5Fm2J99xM1tZ66IM66WjgUNHg1XrK/s8160/20231124_202424.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPUCk94dC4piaz6DbToOQxuEiXovIr3wEdqzOtiu4cz89HJVLzl7MkAayCdesfeqo1nO-_dWp62JKVJyD2ouL8S5-Z4mLkYKGQNDUfk6Vc4sFHu1gSaEiPr2qD7G2u-2rq9912zf72VT_sHd_-6I5e3gZncqez0n5Fm2J99xM1tZ66IM66WjgUNHg1XrK/w480-h640/20231124_202424.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="527" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9r0UVivRFmo" width="635" youtube-src-id="9r0UVivRFmo"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There was entertainment by means of a guitarist and singer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjli9k-MOWsxbSHCXEr_hdyHdkPDsRNrWfz3RYacuw60vGMAELmtjqOyCYJTXNSHtoYIacMhVsqQu836nLhZC35WjwaLWWSgdu9awBel1is2gRPA-pR81h7feyC2tnN4WYm4b2AAqb1Oi3aOMCdbbUtKxZAhPzm1QX_MWyhDfcLFxBy3yfAYPnQp629QkkK/s8160/20231124_203810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjli9k-MOWsxbSHCXEr_hdyHdkPDsRNrWfz3RYacuw60vGMAELmtjqOyCYJTXNSHtoYIacMhVsqQu836nLhZC35WjwaLWWSgdu9awBel1is2gRPA-pR81h7feyC2tnN4WYm4b2AAqb1Oi3aOMCdbbUtKxZAhPzm1QX_MWyhDfcLFxBy3yfAYPnQp629QkkK/w640-h480/20231124_203810.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had the bœuf bourguignonne which was very nice.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQnFBtYrQEpkYF2NqMIOX7I580Q14vHUVdocO4-LE6iOB4DlLEYNE0p9w3WzYjTpuFSEBNSzwY8dgWYpUA5YGz58M0lpCU4q-NS5t2tXbtJL2QiWdbLD_VP9P7saZXRfozH4NBMS-6C5lYTa9Tilbxz4Jpq4Pvu-C4iUUVthBGTfMl4LdcM-ayNcL_24_/s8160/20231124_210847.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQnFBtYrQEpkYF2NqMIOX7I580Q14vHUVdocO4-LE6iOB4DlLEYNE0p9w3WzYjTpuFSEBNSzwY8dgWYpUA5YGz58M0lpCU4q-NS5t2tXbtJL2QiWdbLD_VP9P7saZXRfozH4NBMS-6C5lYTa9Tilbxz4Jpq4Pvu-C4iUUVthBGTfMl4LdcM-ayNcL_24_/w640-h480/20231124_210847.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We leave the restaurant and walk back to the hotel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A bit less walking today;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Steps = 40,667 , Floors = 53 , Mikes = 18.34</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><u>Day Three: Going Home</u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We got up had our continental breakfast at the hotel and popped out to a G20 Supermarche to buy some French cheese to take home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We then collected our cases and sat in the departure lounge for quite a while before we could board.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2MEHEj9q75mN9Kejeb55uTF-Qox-cPR2e0NK71N07O6CEaQMR1xZbKFSu2osonLuVv6t2fEZz8b4TSnurpZSRKHqx6JVy6_KToJnS7DbrJ8YWoryrt9FP-Me7zUgBxaTZ46l5uYhOiOfAjF8SXEDDW4wxYH5YdKps0NxBpEM81JmfaDL8yk3dsT_D2Q2/s8160/20231125_104735.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2MEHEj9q75mN9Kejeb55uTF-Qox-cPR2e0NK71N07O6CEaQMR1xZbKFSu2osonLuVv6t2fEZz8b4TSnurpZSRKHqx6JVy6_KToJnS7DbrJ8YWoryrt9FP-Me7zUgBxaTZ46l5uYhOiOfAjF8SXEDDW4wxYH5YdKps0NxBpEM81JmfaDL8yk3dsT_D2Q2/w640-h480/20231125_104735.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once we were underway the driver announces we are on a longer route than usual as we are using a line that is slower and goes by Amiens.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>All was going well until we were Stuck for an hour and half on the Eurostar at Lille station due to suspect package. After an hour and a half the package was exploded and we could move again. we eventually get to Farringdon only to find out no Elizabeth line from here today. Back on the tube to Liverpool St. Nope no Elizabeth line here either. Onto Central line, struggled to get on tube due to all the poxy protesters in Central London. Eventually on tube, swap at Whitechapel to District line on way to Elm Park and bus home. Nightmare journey!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Home now though and on reflection what great few days away in Paris. Will return one day as there is so much more to see!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-81995557742766876562023-10-30T15:01:00.117+00:002023-11-05T12:07:18.679+00:00Exploring the Elizabeth Line:Farringdon to Whitechapel 30.10.23<p style="text-align: center;">On Monday the 30th October 2023 Dan and I set off to do a walk from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Exploring-Elizabeth-Line-Crossrail-Stations/dp/1846744148" target="_blank">Exploring the Elizabeth Line book</a>. We travelled to Farringdon Station, we exited the station onto Cowcross Street and walked down to Smithfield Market.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5vztbt2reiq-hUfsmScc8Fyx19NgWlkZqhuxtUOLUj0MRCET7ZwvovKVGPoMt67B0sEbQGSp-SE1T9Ex6GWM6T9pZPv8FHti_8LXlDvYwfrKlQua7dXuB6MHO-LvlnJEzmjIn26vBXS5wBUg75PHeufE-I9Ebt1nEYEtHfYZamY2wofjjHN5YxziUWcr/s7623/20231030_090512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5717" data-original-width="7623" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5vztbt2reiq-hUfsmScc8Fyx19NgWlkZqhuxtUOLUj0MRCET7ZwvovKVGPoMt67B0sEbQGSp-SE1T9Ex6GWM6T9pZPv8FHti_8LXlDvYwfrKlQua7dXuB6MHO-LvlnJEzmjIn26vBXS5wBUg75PHeufE-I9Ebt1nEYEtHfYZamY2wofjjHN5YxziUWcr/w640-h480/20231030_090512.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Smithfield has borne witness to many bloody executions of heretics and political rebels over the centuries,<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smithfield,_London#cite_note-world_and_its_people-4"></a> including major historical figures such as Scottish patriot Sir William Wallace and Wat Tyler, leader of the Peasants' Revolt, among many other religious reformers and dissenters.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Smithfield Market, a Grade II listed-covered market building, was designed by Victorian architect Sir Horace Jones in the second half of the 19th century, and is the dominant architectural feature of the area.Some of its original market premises fell in to disuse in the late 20th century and faced the prospect of demolition. The Corporation of London's public enquiry in 2012<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smithfield,_London#cite_note-6"> </a>drew widespread support for an urban regeneration plan intent upon preserving Smithfield's historical identity.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">William Wallace was hung drawn and quartered here in 1305.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwW7N7FljCUZB5vcSjCG2q4GawZsoJUWNWOBq_CLdA_bnMEMzfMzmnsVnmgfEdoVDG8veRyDlQWPo_MTazgJNr1eS9O7E_gBI49IZr03jCcprHxPztan68yfBOjM7cmhvuqEPuNAuniONUiOAqCWpM58adK2lKD7-fH8WqnwBGB51LprPQzzd53j00Zr6/s8160/20231030_090556.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwW7N7FljCUZB5vcSjCG2q4GawZsoJUWNWOBq_CLdA_bnMEMzfMzmnsVnmgfEdoVDG8veRyDlQWPo_MTazgJNr1eS9O7E_gBI49IZr03jCcprHxPztan68yfBOjM7cmhvuqEPuNAuniONUiOAqCWpM58adK2lKD7-fH8WqnwBGB51LprPQzzd53j00Zr6/w640-h480/20231030_090556.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the Middle Ages, it was a broad grassy area known as Smooth Field, located beyond London Wall stretching to the eastern bank of the River Fleet. Given its ease of access to grazing and water, Smithfield established itself as London's livestock market, remaining so for almost 1,000 years. Many local toponyms are associated with the livestock trade: while some street names (such as "Cow Cross Street" and "Cock Lane") remain in use, many more (such as "Chick Lane", "Duck Lane", "Cow Lane", "Pheasant Court", "Goose Alley") have disappeared from the map after the major redevelopment of the area in the Victorian era.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SrLSJ39A73sZOZaYgahWnUA2IBYWSPHTygafGEHezrHXC49ZSf_7ej_TWmYZ6Xcch54t1AwNIucZb-Cy_d6KBGj2h_VpPtPBbVpkaDOmXD3LvdCRuH7S7Ar9FHGqfwgfji1vcIicGFAp1Kw0_q7ZskAxIR2e-tsajFa3-OgmBQRi6V8uYKbe1_XBNKxv/s8111/20231030_090750.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6083" data-original-width="8111" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SrLSJ39A73sZOZaYgahWnUA2IBYWSPHTygafGEHezrHXC49ZSf_7ej_TWmYZ6Xcch54t1AwNIucZb-Cy_d6KBGj2h_VpPtPBbVpkaDOmXD3LvdCRuH7S7Ar9FHGqfwgfji1vcIicGFAp1Kw0_q7ZskAxIR2e-tsajFa3-OgmBQRi6V8uYKbe1_XBNKxv/w640-h480/20231030_090750.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Smithfield or, to give it its official name, London Central Markets, is the largest wholesale meat market in the UK and one of the largest of its kind in Europe.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Located within the Square Mile of the City of London it is housed in two listed buildings.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is a place packed with history there has been a livestock market on the site for over 800 years and yet is as modern as tomorrow with its state of the art facilities for the receiving, storing and despatching of meat and poultry.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ExcrEKdUHHwKKcAQEOv3KzD6gZKf47Xjlz_Qocjq_GBxYqjyKfqpvlDTsmB93dLBnXOMCUXD640_PZZ2_Qkrp3Ega_LWU0HFryw-i6FgoOgzAt4j6qKaK69a_nFMVwNpWNwPKkZCPvFWUtQFhnQdU9QSUypwjSHS7IeSqesnBgD1x0aIEtsnxNyM13Pr/s7699/20231030_090819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7699" data-original-width="5774" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ExcrEKdUHHwKKcAQEOv3KzD6gZKf47Xjlz_Qocjq_GBxYqjyKfqpvlDTsmB93dLBnXOMCUXD640_PZZ2_Qkrp3Ega_LWU0HFryw-i6FgoOgzAt4j6qKaK69a_nFMVwNpWNwPKkZCPvFWUtQFhnQdU9QSUypwjSHS7IeSqesnBgD1x0aIEtsnxNyM13Pr/w480-h640/20231030_090819.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk out of the market and down West Smithfield passing Cloth Fair. Cloth Fair is a street in the City of London where, in medieval times, merchants gathered to buy and sell material during the Bartholomew Fair.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7F7Jx8UHuYThLKyDiGNbG0stq63uVEuTolv10Ra4DZ-L7_QHn6lDV-yNEqMdx0E7-NU5D9vZhHpuquluOx7CwGu-RKXPb1UJpUq4QCLMT1NwV5k4yZ4YfYlue34PIF9wz_k-LkG2D_aUgariHmIg25gTo_rGoI9RJjZx_6PCyGmsYbjypL96vGfplJSyi/s7924/20231030_090850.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7924" data-original-width="5943" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7F7Jx8UHuYThLKyDiGNbG0stq63uVEuTolv10Ra4DZ-L7_QHn6lDV-yNEqMdx0E7-NU5D9vZhHpuquluOx7CwGu-RKXPb1UJpUq4QCLMT1NwV5k4yZ4YfYlue34PIF9wz_k-LkG2D_aUgariHmIg25gTo_rGoI9RJjZx_6PCyGmsYbjypL96vGfplJSyi/w480-h640/20231030_090850.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just pass Cloth Fair we turn left through a half timbered Tudor Gatehouse of St Bartholomew The Great.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezmSvOM2ZKpdSRHIfcqL9VxpWoRmkmCFjtJuz4LFwZHiQcNVwzCbH5RPAaxI3g3IfVjm-e7IODuEYGNaVw0xGK6mO4rL9whtAyDE2ISoUZXOJ4_MiO1cFduShChrSJkxOhuUvNw51_QKUI3EUVJi1kLWcUKcLLF24KVpDz442DeXVuXy_z3XC3NgL4A6t/s8058/20231030_090855.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8058" data-original-width="6044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezmSvOM2ZKpdSRHIfcqL9VxpWoRmkmCFjtJuz4LFwZHiQcNVwzCbH5RPAaxI3g3IfVjm-e7IODuEYGNaVw0xGK6mO4rL9whtAyDE2ISoUZXOJ4_MiO1cFduShChrSJkxOhuUvNw51_QKUI3EUVJi1kLWcUKcLLF24KVpDz442DeXVuXy_z3XC3NgL4A6t/w480-h640/20231030_090855.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great, sometimes abbreviated to Barts the Great, is a mediaeval church in the Church of England's Diocese of London located in Smithfield within the City of London. The building was founded as an Augustinian priory in 1123. It adjoins St Bartholomew's Hospital of the same foundation.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpN9y-VsjBF3QWEmHImn_0xjU0ct0RbpIVfvQMPHbVnCSSin91mLFguZR2GQuVwDevJf6qlK-xCpIxbxoGpf8NZ0nRH6b2Dp4qzy59dIzesHXmqQ__emsr92YOg6PvQCzNejmkNsLEN_U5yph-JySonlYEkE34E1yYRpcnWoGSMIqmNygl5pC4Y776uzh/s7226/20231030_090927.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7226" data-original-width="5419" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpN9y-VsjBF3QWEmHImn_0xjU0ct0RbpIVfvQMPHbVnCSSin91mLFguZR2GQuVwDevJf6qlK-xCpIxbxoGpf8NZ0nRH6b2Dp4qzy59dIzesHXmqQ__emsr92YOg6PvQCzNejmkNsLEN_U5yph-JySonlYEkE34E1yYRpcnWoGSMIqmNygl5pC4Y776uzh/w480-h640/20231030_090927.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church was founded in 1123 by Rahere, a prebendary of St Paul's Cathedral and an Augustinian canon regular. While in Italy, he had a dream that a winged beast came and transported him to a high place, then relayed a message from "the High Trinity and...the court of Heaven" that he was to erect a church in the London suburb of Smithfield. Rahere travelled to London and was informed that the area in his vision – then a small cemetery – was royal property, and that nothing could be built upon it. Henry I, however, granted the title of the land to Rahere after he explained his divine message.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rahere started construction on the building with the use of servants and child labourers, who collected stones from all over London.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The priory gained a reputation for curative powers, with many sick people filling its aisles, notably on 24 August (St Bartholomew's Day). Many miracles were attributed to occur within and without the walls of the building, including "a light sent from heaven" from its first foundation, and especially miraculous healings; many serious disabilities were claimed to be cured after a visit. Many of these cures were undertaken at the church hospital, the still existing St Bartholomew's Hospital.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The final Prior was Robert Fuller, the Abbot of Waltham Holy Cross. He was favoured by King Henry VIII, having been invited to attend the christening of Prince Edward, and did not oppose the dissolution of the Priory.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While much of the hospital survived the Dissolution of the Monasteries, about half of the priory's church was ransacked before being demolished in 1543. Having escaped the Great Fire of London of 1666, the church fell into disrepair, becoming occupied by squatters in the 18th century. W. G. Grace, however, was one famous congregant before its restoration in the late 19th century, when it was rebuilt under Sir Aston Webb's direction. During Canon Edwin Savage's tenure as rector, the church was further restored at the cost of more than £60,000. The surviving building had comprised part of a priory adjoining St Bartholomew's Hospital, but its nave was pulled down up to the last bay but the crossing and choir survive largely intact from the Norman and later Middle Ages, enabling its continued use as a parish church. The church and some of the priory buildings were briefly used as the third Dominican friary (Black Friars) of London, refounded by Queen Mary I of England in 1556 and closed in 1559. Part of the main entrance to the church remains at West Smithfield, nowadays most easily recognisable by its half-timbered, late 16th-century, Tudor frontage built on the older (13th-century) stone arch. This adaptation may originally have been carried out by the Dominican friars in the 1550s, or by the post-Reformation patron of the advowson, Lord Rich, Lord Chancellor of England (1547–51). From this gatehouse to the west door of the church, the path leads along roughly where the south aisle of the nave formerly existed. Very little trace of its monastic buildings now survive.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrT-w17sjpOlspT_KRYxYD8ZGoT3K4qMUPNLrPlZjXUXdl313JRh_r2vK9-qndATx3oZG-W_hH8PmG-xRlFhdvEqMtcXrFvlI1IXlXyru3kAUKAs-1gyQ2hsDzsV34PBSjI7hu5qwDXGJZ5xoT6979B5U5puxEQ8MfCoyIMbryWXStCvNy9FYOjuAG3rJY/s7709/20231030_091000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7709" data-original-width="5782" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrT-w17sjpOlspT_KRYxYD8ZGoT3K4qMUPNLrPlZjXUXdl313JRh_r2vK9-qndATx3oZG-W_hH8PmG-xRlFhdvEqMtcXrFvlI1IXlXyru3kAUKAs-1gyQ2hsDzsV34PBSjI7hu5qwDXGJZ5xoT6979B5U5puxEQ8MfCoyIMbryWXStCvNy9FYOjuAG3rJY/w480-h640/20231030_091000.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the church and walk down to Little Britain.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKBF5CNNf1YRDWlIYQUw8X4lWW28EX_c-_y3rixqxeEMZ4-gwhLPyb0hqhy2uBsJUcNOYxno06ssyWUSgRgBB-mrONq-OXzv9vOttVk31utsUvG_Ov2R4l-VeKKyR0idz8L39DRwhXJeOoOmey30IaH4gAuqHLPa6xIBk6NvLgzzJWChHwWPMUtoWWLdk/s7276/20231030_091355.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5457" data-original-width="7276" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKBF5CNNf1YRDWlIYQUw8X4lWW28EX_c-_y3rixqxeEMZ4-gwhLPyb0hqhy2uBsJUcNOYxno06ssyWUSgRgBB-mrONq-OXzv9vOttVk31utsUvG_Ov2R4l-VeKKyR0idz8L39DRwhXJeOoOmey30IaH4gAuqHLPa6xIBk6NvLgzzJWChHwWPMUtoWWLdk/w640-h480/20231030_091355.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Booksellers dominated the Little Britain from the mid-16th century, followed by goldsmiths and clothing trades from the mid-18th to the 20th centuries. The offices of the Daily Courant, the first British daily newspaper, in the 1700s were in Little Britain. Benjamin Franklin lived in Little Britain while working at Palmers printers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4L_H_bGgo6Gwgru5aRKZx42YDbh9hDtHsYcd9umylHexoN_d9yq3L21cS6c8vPc0hR-Szk11OQJMzZaKW2oj80s8DoBj4BDWS6zjeJcO4STZ35CDmJ0q6WRKQQUw50HH5RbaAzML3jkPnzmjxwOyyQcA0pTT4uUWaf94L_rccaj4c1fu1qcpxEiuwvxw6/s8160/20231030_091610.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4L_H_bGgo6Gwgru5aRKZx42YDbh9hDtHsYcd9umylHexoN_d9yq3L21cS6c8vPc0hR-Szk11OQJMzZaKW2oj80s8DoBj4BDWS6zjeJcO4STZ35CDmJ0q6WRKQQUw50HH5RbaAzML3jkPnzmjxwOyyQcA0pTT4uUWaf94L_rccaj4c1fu1qcpxEiuwvxw6/w480-h640/20231030_091610.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pass the Statue of Rowland Hill and along King Edward Street to reach Christchurch Greyfriars Church Garden.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRd8EeRloPm5eMRAC1v4tniGWkMxkjfIePrskBPjCnqmSeOKqMoVn9gLmRwXBdnjJpA-x2SHzfpUY2wenjn55YYGW-Pt_Ehfua5h_0_C1YvqQl_auoECX0ue_iIeHbKyMrkFRlZsy5JH7TaiLhRvIWEIvoXH8EPhLDzxthxBl1bBr8FgWJJ-YgeTebxbt/s8118/20231030_091701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8118" data-original-width="6088" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRd8EeRloPm5eMRAC1v4tniGWkMxkjfIePrskBPjCnqmSeOKqMoVn9gLmRwXBdnjJpA-x2SHzfpUY2wenjn55YYGW-Pt_Ehfua5h_0_C1YvqQl_auoECX0ue_iIeHbKyMrkFRlZsy5JH7TaiLhRvIWEIvoXH8EPhLDzxthxBl1bBr8FgWJJ-YgeTebxbt/w480-h640/20231030_091701.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the Middle Ages this was the site of a Franciscan monastery and today’s garden is on the site of the Franciscan Church of Greyfriars (1225). Following the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII, it was converted for use as a parish church. In 1429 Richard Whittington, Lord Mayor, founded a library here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Numerous well-known people, including four queens, were buried in the old church, which was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. A new church, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, was built between 1687 and 1704. The body of the Wren church was gutted by fire in 1940 during WW2 – only the west tower now stands.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A major overhaul of the gardens took place in 2011, when the garden was stripped of all its planting. Major soil improvements were carried out, along with some hard landscaping improvements. The new planting design was implemented to reflect the current trend in garden planting and to increase bio-diversity.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAhyphenhyphen3RY4saJBt94gunTN8-iUTU6EO-OauyALhoipz2QryXiQqcWCPNsLkHgTic6vrzSJ84NrOEaDpLYHJ7gXSxdWnt-5APLUNTkkRavn_2AXc8QL7AJGXL2qQV9BbRV90PMbZCSBNfYseunlCAwl3C5kGTRPmJ_-ch6fhkvk4skv58fNVAhIMst0Oe1hm/s6466/20231030_092002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6466" data-original-width="5117" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAhyphenhyphen3RY4saJBt94gunTN8-iUTU6EO-OauyALhoipz2QryXiQqcWCPNsLkHgTic6vrzSJ84NrOEaDpLYHJ7gXSxdWnt-5APLUNTkkRavn_2AXc8QL7AJGXL2qQV9BbRV90PMbZCSBNfYseunlCAwl3C5kGTRPmJ_-ch6fhkvk4skv58fNVAhIMst0Oe1hm/w506-h640/20231030_092002.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We have however walked along a little too far and we back track back up the road back past Rowland statue and into Postmans Park across the road.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCFfEakeyS6u4BkuGbwhdU2H7BQP_K8B1cRj6yXbxDZ9CjAZI6k_1wfjztaSZqIt3NvYM7RXVUXWsMTvsAZTmRvZe5rp-3LJNFa6ZRZYjvvRMffAh3MSlYgun1QTrVCtvnSDxFJoTmJMTF4gW50ziHcIsiX07EMDnhjlfGAFK70LfuA1TQmfuH8sV2RlF/s7065/20231030_092005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7065" data-original-width="5901" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCFfEakeyS6u4BkuGbwhdU2H7BQP_K8B1cRj6yXbxDZ9CjAZI6k_1wfjztaSZqIt3NvYM7RXVUXWsMTvsAZTmRvZe5rp-3LJNFa6ZRZYjvvRMffAh3MSlYgun1QTrVCtvnSDxFJoTmJMTF4gW50ziHcIsiX07EMDnhjlfGAFK70LfuA1TQmfuH8sV2RlF/w534-h640/20231030_092005.jpg" width="534" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Postman's Park is a public garden in central London, a short distance north of St Paul's Cathedral. Bordered by Little Britain, Aldersgate Street, St. Martin's Le Grand, King Edward Street, and the site of the former headquarters of the General Post Office (GPO), it is one of the largest open spaces in the City of London.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaZNmyERX2rymTi-KhoBmt1O74Yqvbw_jlMUOB6-8K16PyMLtuYCHp4uqCSyP_LuIjxrVmfO0lRQHiM72nRu91Y6nguE3I06AsJssNIWsF_z7xh8Nqt7_PdH4288p3edHI30Ug_76lMG-gn-k-N9_wUR8EPX3mmwTUWMFHD8paICwkWpMShzlWHy4o0sH/s7581/20231030_092009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7581" data-original-width="5686" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaZNmyERX2rymTi-KhoBmt1O74Yqvbw_jlMUOB6-8K16PyMLtuYCHp4uqCSyP_LuIjxrVmfO0lRQHiM72nRu91Y6nguE3I06AsJssNIWsF_z7xh8Nqt7_PdH4288p3edHI30Ug_76lMG-gn-k-N9_wUR8EPX3mmwTUWMFHD8paICwkWpMShzlWHy4o0sH/w480-h640/20231030_092009.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Postman's Park opened in 1880 on the site of the former churchyard and burial ground of St Botolph's Aldersgate church and expanded over the next 20 years to incorporate the adjacent burial grounds of Christ Church Greyfriars and St Leonard, Foster Lane, together with the site of housing demolished during the widening of Little Britain in 1880; the ownership of the last location became the subject of a lengthy dispute between the church authorities, the General Post Office, the Treasury, and the City Parochial Foundation. A shortage of space for burials in London meant that corpses were often laid on the ground and covered over with soil, thus elevating the park above the streets which surround it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5-H1fcvlCtxC50JsendYbCjMWI99ZVqVC8tqNUCPh_JxF3J8DrTfYuu1G4DE32oplqeV7V7BrAkFpn6juUcApItTjf5NkxNPydIRP7RjOmZzFUnEwFUKQuTlHNvyvoPRD69_N_2H8gB-4G646dkGeserxiE1eM3Xo42U6kpAOeeEVjJjcDlVdKj9MneB/s7639/20231030_092059.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5729" data-original-width="7639" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5-H1fcvlCtxC50JsendYbCjMWI99ZVqVC8tqNUCPh_JxF3J8DrTfYuu1G4DE32oplqeV7V7BrAkFpn6juUcApItTjf5NkxNPydIRP7RjOmZzFUnEwFUKQuTlHNvyvoPRD69_N_2H8gB-4G646dkGeserxiE1eM3Xo42U6kpAOeeEVjJjcDlVdKj9MneB/w640-h480/20231030_092059.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1900, the park became the location for George Frederic Watts's Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice, a memorial to ordinary people who died while saving the lives of others and who might otherwise be forgotten, in the form of a loggia and long wall housing ceramic memorial tablets. Only four of the planned 120 memorial tablets were in place at the time of its opening, with a further nine tablets added during Watts's lifetime. Watts's wife, Mary Watts, took over the management of the project after Watts's death in 1904 and oversaw the installation of a further 35 memorial tablets in the following four years along with a small monument to Watts. Later she became disillusioned with the new tile manufacturer and, with her time and money increasingly occupied by the running of the Watts Gallery, she lost interest in the project, and only five further tablets were added during her lifetime.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyE_Kg3OCuq9bumFrjbJzgRNbFHQ57jVGCXia7lE5NMnE9arQevdONfzA0AXwxR5fOcFTvCvQVzNHjEkJpSDWPCh6OZtXYpiYCnka30t-dJv5GgblzrZMvdjqZ2Ik4cY9hJa2jk1JyymvCVns8ncLUyLOj2KXUR64Qj2rWCxGv6ddX3jROnG2Ry842NqMe/s8160/20231030_092103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyE_Kg3OCuq9bumFrjbJzgRNbFHQ57jVGCXia7lE5NMnE9arQevdONfzA0AXwxR5fOcFTvCvQVzNHjEkJpSDWPCh6OZtXYpiYCnka30t-dJv5GgblzrZMvdjqZ2Ik4cY9hJa2jk1JyymvCVns8ncLUyLOj2KXUR64Qj2rWCxGv6ddX3jROnG2Ry842NqMe/w640-h480/20231030_092103.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: center;">I<span style="background-color: transparent;">n 1972, key elements of the park, including the Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice, were </span>Grade II listed<span style="background-color: transparent;"> to preserve their character, upgraded to Grade II* in 2018. Following the 2004 film </span>Closer<span style="background-color: transparent;">, based on the 1997 play </span>Closer<span style="background-color: transparent;"> by </span>Patrick Marber<span style="background-color: transparent;">, Postman's Park experienced a resurgence of interest; key scenes of both were set in the park itself. In June 2009, a city worker, Jane Shaka (née Michele), via the </span>Diocese of London<span style="background-color: transparent;"> added a new tablet to the Memorial, the first new addition for 78 years. In November 2013 a free mobile app, The Everyday Heroes of Postman’s Park, was launched which documents the lives and deaths of those commemorated on the memorial.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAk8roU1hlZQCHtWr0cnsauriIvNp9xUuQzfJa6rqGVvBtehXhtEcXR9UPk58pbJAQU95Grgbm3tHRs7XsAomDZQPgE4I1-TLt-MEOYRvz28UOeC_sKSsFSXUY7nezeeeBkcPKYvjuUpIcoSd2hvEawXbLCl7eMXz_4lzS-A3z0kDH7mzzVsmcAGOa_s1D/s7773/20231030_092132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5830" data-original-width="7773" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAk8roU1hlZQCHtWr0cnsauriIvNp9xUuQzfJa6rqGVvBtehXhtEcXR9UPk58pbJAQU95Grgbm3tHRs7XsAomDZQPgE4I1-TLt-MEOYRvz28UOeC_sKSsFSXUY7nezeeeBkcPKYvjuUpIcoSd2hvEawXbLCl7eMXz_4lzS-A3z0kDH7mzzVsmcAGOa_s1D/w640-h480/20231030_092132.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5HRav0lnrz4Qfi5k_t9wzZ7oqAwDqFusvSseTClPC30Gkv4__XmmNq_i2t65Y0HGAUMxG1rPvsc6P9_PDIBMwdLDbxBOxgYm0nqB5gLWZiXcXpUXo0Jq7lwMNJlDaO1ZayBLHz9cqR49UZSKiVzAbvcwDFnBmXi-AlhkNXDR3tTfV6iYpWwktO3kL_HV/s8160/20231030_092230.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5HRav0lnrz4Qfi5k_t9wzZ7oqAwDqFusvSseTClPC30Gkv4__XmmNq_i2t65Y0HGAUMxG1rPvsc6P9_PDIBMwdLDbxBOxgYm0nqB5gLWZiXcXpUXo0Jq7lwMNJlDaO1ZayBLHz9cqR49UZSKiVzAbvcwDFnBmXi-AlhkNXDR3tTfV6iYpWwktO3kL_HV/w640-h480/20231030_092230.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZZNCu1OTv4mkvqJhE0Cq_FUgypO5SUNh2iWqCq1NLI76xq86eEwLNWSwfIsB5jMx3Cj1Lj1tQ-cOWzGGOws33PYT1XqpTr_eTzemRPVYbWFA-yCpw_RstTs9cdpe_t5aooFsygE_4GNuG554raZEjfK53Q0qGFRXBKGRJh1z6nxTHNIHaMQB2jR6p3Xl/s7360/20231030_092240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4443" data-original-width="7360" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZZNCu1OTv4mkvqJhE0Cq_FUgypO5SUNh2iWqCq1NLI76xq86eEwLNWSwfIsB5jMx3Cj1Lj1tQ-cOWzGGOws33PYT1XqpTr_eTzemRPVYbWFA-yCpw_RstTs9cdpe_t5aooFsygE_4GNuG554raZEjfK53Q0qGFRXBKGRJh1z6nxTHNIHaMQB2jR6p3Xl/w640-h386/20231030_092240.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrLZgwNIlhOKREQG39gk2XEjy6e9BhfmJk-FS6C2M0p1vo5gl9bcWG6Y4aDxu5CuTYPG4aQoXDE5TiRPyW3eSz7wjQWqVfFOXCeGq4hzU2ACiPaC79AgWDIsNTyEtbtzGKcKhUjFYozv2ibiCxmGi44vdC7r1VL8iwK_lm3x8g6YbrlTGeqMZk2ZhL-b9/s8160/20231030_092306.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrLZgwNIlhOKREQG39gk2XEjy6e9BhfmJk-FS6C2M0p1vo5gl9bcWG6Y4aDxu5CuTYPG4aQoXDE5TiRPyW3eSz7wjQWqVfFOXCeGq4hzU2ACiPaC79AgWDIsNTyEtbtzGKcKhUjFYozv2ibiCxmGi44vdC7r1VL8iwK_lm3x8g6YbrlTGeqMZk2ZhL-b9/w640-h480/20231030_092306.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The severe lack of burial space in London meant that graves would be frequently reused in London's burial grounds, and the difficulty of digging without disturbing existing graves led to bodies often simply being stacked on top of each other to fit the available space and covered with a layer of earth. Differing numbers of parishioners in each parish led to burial grounds being used at different rates, and by the mid-19th century, the ground level of the St Botolph's Aldersgate churchyard was 6 feet (1.8 m) above that of the Christ Church Greyfriars burial ground, and 4 feet (1.2 m) above that of the St Leonard, Foster Lane, burial ground.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1831 and 1848, serious outbreaks of cholera had overwhelmed the crowded cemeteries of London, causing bodies to be stacked in heaps awaiting burial, and even relatively recent graves to be exhumed to make way for new burials. Public health policy at this time was generally shaped by the miasma theory, and the bad smells and risks of disease caused by piled bodies and exhumed rotting corpses caused great public concern.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A Royal Commission established in 1842 to investigate the problem concluded that London's burial grounds were so overcrowded that it was impossible to dig a new grave without cutting through an existing one. Sir Edwin Chadwick testified that each year, 20,000 adults and 30,000 children were being buried in less than 218 acres (88 ha) of already overcrowded burial grounds; the Commission heard that one cemetery, Spa Fields in Clerkenwell, designed to hold 1,000 bodies, contained 80,000 graves, and that gravediggers throughout London were obliged to shred bodies in order to cram the remains into available grave space.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrXqew-CAkL0vTdT-VJ65rS2tSDas2UaU9XVIEr40zjuDhoNZRWco_MmTeBlMIQEq6jbaUk7ZZN8i20izDG9NR0BCmt76XFYcAFzVioQJnQM7byB6cEL7gNV2MpEznGRaZCc2pvysyugwQ-sVEIkS1HHtfluIDOFQNiFv5406XLNq_au24dp1pZCth1BK/s7824/20231030_092329.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="7824" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrXqew-CAkL0vTdT-VJ65rS2tSDas2UaU9XVIEr40zjuDhoNZRWco_MmTeBlMIQEq6jbaUk7ZZN8i20izDG9NR0BCmt76XFYcAFzVioQJnQM7byB6cEL7gNV2MpEznGRaZCc2pvysyugwQ-sVEIkS1HHtfluIDOFQNiFv5406XLNq_au24dp1pZCth1BK/w640-h500/20231030_092329.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The former burial grounds were covered over, and their gravestones used to line the new park's boundary</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTE9MSyW1Z6fiZGpXrH66XpTcNMNze5YDVLZpcphyphenhyphenCtPhXiUf_GJ8HZG9gTIR9jt_QvC0nMG-Q4Lc9WgiSvUSI02AsXbCwYC7-PEHu1delA83u8KXTgYer6vB27O07CWkn1C0ChFJXzNYTOntlPQdTVDr4EaCbqJdSbrGgAryZ1hyd1VorZ-0SdZcreRnA/s7658/20231030_092404.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7658" data-original-width="5743" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTE9MSyW1Z6fiZGpXrH66XpTcNMNze5YDVLZpcphyphenhyphenCtPhXiUf_GJ8HZG9gTIR9jt_QvC0nMG-Q4Lc9WgiSvUSI02AsXbCwYC7-PEHu1delA83u8KXTgYer6vB27O07CWkn1C0ChFJXzNYTOntlPQdTVDr4EaCbqJdSbrGgAryZ1hyd1VorZ-0SdZcreRnA/w480-h640/20231030_092404.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave Postmans Park and exit onto Aldersgate Street and pass a Police Public Telephone box.</div><div style="text-align: center;">No longer in operation of course but helpfully suggests a nearby payphone.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is adjacent to a public Water Fountain, also no longer in use.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicUWCrY6dlNE6VmB86Sl679XbT2VKObOUBFCaUf28CInE2L7yDnav5PoR5aJ1tkReBrLM8C0v5JE3wCOKBL-cpbl_Zhn1CvPsAKVPo6lV-whptS1FsaFdzyBVJIWZq1brDS03Ac4qVpFFGwVjPUU_fXbe_LhyIl2Cr_iqEtPeZ5Oq5cD-r_Xyt_TtjgOBh/s7395/20231030_092555.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7395" data-original-width="5546" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicUWCrY6dlNE6VmB86Sl679XbT2VKObOUBFCaUf28CInE2L7yDnav5PoR5aJ1tkReBrLM8C0v5JE3wCOKBL-cpbl_Zhn1CvPsAKVPo6lV-whptS1FsaFdzyBVJIWZq1brDS03Ac4qVpFFGwVjPUU_fXbe_LhyIl2Cr_iqEtPeZ5Oq5cD-r_Xyt_TtjgOBh/w480-h640/20231030_092555.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pass the Bart Hospital Offices and come across a Penfold Postbox.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7iDUeQICYOOenqJOod1QOPFHj_0T8pjth6NA0oHfsDL8fG1Av4RrHaVLFwsFBYHH4GUp9vubVHnLzDMDjeJUWOeCtVPEJeqpZAJJ6hK69rxz3SU3m3aUqbwKWznCnT1a_NWaEp90G_ysp228G_PxVcx8iGSSkYySHZ-0AXWcs1VifiMwz5oxgePU6Pb7D/s8022/20231030_092710.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8022" data-original-width="4512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7iDUeQICYOOenqJOod1QOPFHj_0T8pjth6NA0oHfsDL8fG1Av4RrHaVLFwsFBYHH4GUp9vubVHnLzDMDjeJUWOeCtVPEJeqpZAJJ6hK69rxz3SU3m3aUqbwKWznCnT1a_NWaEp90G_ysp228G_PxVcx8iGSSkYySHZ-0AXWcs1VifiMwz5oxgePU6Pb7D/w360-h640/20231030_092710.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It’s a replica, but a good one and unveiled by the Prince of Wales(Now King Charles III) on 6th September 2016 — and it’s in use as a normal letter box.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFrsTP2AZmdNcw9FVadSkn1J74KlmmXMhBbIMsamLLsuGgFArsTlTlvrlJfBpFicHi6rzKjhxp-PXq8Lf-aO3pBCqG1UVlpaG74py6wdQjVpTUblZHl75LibbrQXKG1IDRHbduqbW5Q6nmA5hCazVkWhjVdZ3rccHWhewNY8-mmmXxNZYWybkc5OFPkdb/s7436/20231030_092716.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7436" data-original-width="6117" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFrsTP2AZmdNcw9FVadSkn1J74KlmmXMhBbIMsamLLsuGgFArsTlTlvrlJfBpFicHi6rzKjhxp-PXq8Lf-aO3pBCqG1UVlpaG74py6wdQjVpTUblZHl75LibbrQXKG1IDRHbduqbW5Q6nmA5hCazVkWhjVdZ3rccHWhewNY8-mmmXxNZYWybkc5OFPkdb/w526-h640/20231030_092716.jpg" width="526" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The postbox was put here in September 2016 to mark the 500th anniversary of the founding of the post office, when King Henry VIII established a “master of the posts” for his royal mail. It was a long time before ordinary folk were allowed to use the postal service, and even longer before it became affordable.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The letter box with its distinctive design, even by postbox standards, is named after the architect who designed it, John Penfold, and the first ones were installed in 1866. Thanks to their design and short production run (they finished in 1879), they are one of the more loved of the various postboxes that have been used over the past 150 odd years.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The colour is the original that would have been used on postboxes, but it was later turned to red to — depending on which story you like — make them more visible to encourage use, or to make them more visible so people stopped walking into them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The first boxes to be painted red were in London in June 1874, and it took a decade for most of the rest in the UK to be converted. In the 1930s there was an experiment with blue post boxes for air-mail, but like a London bus, generally, we’ve stuck with red.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The replica Penfold box sits on St Martin le Grand, outside the old General Post Office headquarters.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fans of Danger Mouse will be familiar with Penfold, although the letterbox on Baker Street they lived in was a later design.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIvFt7ZR8llgj0ZP9occipwxJQwgOVleABLEcAm-W7l9J1eXbkEix7uiTjRlNdxYiHgpcR7FPJpBLm-5voris4uHfGl0IynVF2RwnRiRiqFBNaIY3SKa4KDBp0RDrL96dHDmXPKeAImU4kHw2V6VOJ3TapEEmPDTLB7MbMVaSusaO1ih4QPbnbONhos4g/s7783/20231030_092818.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7783" data-original-width="5837" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIvFt7ZR8llgj0ZP9occipwxJQwgOVleABLEcAm-W7l9J1eXbkEix7uiTjRlNdxYiHgpcR7FPJpBLm-5voris4uHfGl0IynVF2RwnRiRiqFBNaIY3SKa4KDBp0RDrL96dHDmXPKeAImU4kHw2V6VOJ3TapEEmPDTLB7MbMVaSusaO1ih4QPbnbONhos4g/w480-h640/20231030_092818.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As we continue along St Martin Le Grand we get views to St Pauls Cathedral.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNjWG4-6q-M4LXqKB5gVa-106tcdYLFPQYWc99KTOVIy3ztvZ7OmBWWFtMgTIPpORhNy9kusaf8yTQN2FwN_qOxKUkjYcjvODtEpmIQ5J35MFkeZVRtA51itYr3hsIUhgewydxk5H7qR8a7R2r6T6muvw4Bz-FX1nbwjW4mtiEzSEyWhLEUCACFDsp4lL/s7607/20231030_093115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7607" data-original-width="5705" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNjWG4-6q-M4LXqKB5gVa-106tcdYLFPQYWc99KTOVIy3ztvZ7OmBWWFtMgTIPpORhNy9kusaf8yTQN2FwN_qOxKUkjYcjvODtEpmIQ5J35MFkeZVRtA51itYr3hsIUhgewydxk5H7qR8a7R2r6T6muvw4Bz-FX1nbwjW4mtiEzSEyWhLEUCACFDsp4lL/w480-h640/20231030_093115.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We cross over into Paternoster Square.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Paternoster Square is an urban development, owned by the Mitsubishi Estate, next to St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London. The area, which takes its name from Paternoster Row, once centre of the London publishing trade, was devastated by aerial bombardment in The Blitz during World War II. It is now the location of the London Stock Exchange which relocated there from Threadneedle Street in 2004. It is also the location of investment banks such as Goldman Sachs, Merrill and Nomura Securities, and of fund manager Fidelity Investments. The square itself, i.e. the plaza, is privately owned public space. In 2004, Christopher Wren's 1669 Temple Bar Gate was re-erected here as an entrance way to the plaza.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Square is near the top of a modest rise known as Ludgate Hill, the highest part of the City of London. It is characterised by its pedestrianisation and colonnades.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghI93LKRCH_YhAeSkG9AFjb2C0MqmNggPGzitM8B_ri1uq9EdHGqc0Ur1iWhDOALtxuxrmceRvYJO7hYl_i6ezvniWzFnBMi04q6T1JCg5FwAzhBx9lZXbC34SM22IKypzweHNG8fPQm1smHWh3K6sy1Dy4O6D62_a-1mV-JTD-3pgksQ4-DAHHeMfSncv/s7299/20231030_093149.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7299" data-original-width="5474" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghI93LKRCH_YhAeSkG9AFjb2C0MqmNggPGzitM8B_ri1uq9EdHGqc0Ur1iWhDOALtxuxrmceRvYJO7hYl_i6ezvniWzFnBMi04q6T1JCg5FwAzhBx9lZXbC34SM22IKypzweHNG8fPQm1smHWh3K6sy1Dy4O6D62_a-1mV-JTD-3pgksQ4-DAHHeMfSncv/w480-h640/20231030_093149.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The City of London was hit by one of the heaviest night raids of The Blitz on the night of 29 December 1940. Buildings on Paternoster Row, housing the publishing companies Simpkin & Marshall, Hutchinsons, Blackwood, Longman and Collins were destroyed. St Paul's Cathedral remained intact.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeNCwUtdfkDXiIxbpNHBVxk_m7qjJM8uMDIcXghOK117bdE3QcA9j9OjrmatpesclGgE1aWs85Eo2ZxgzcwxNlZcG71WG35SKnAmF-fnjzGSmKurDBx4259H4YY-JnMEbxdznMn1Z2oU7Oi4Sox5ET2smiK9qiKIHMmRUsjBiThg_g2r8Ho-nE9BgYGsq/s7928/20231030_093205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5946" data-original-width="7928" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeNCwUtdfkDXiIxbpNHBVxk_m7qjJM8uMDIcXghOK117bdE3QcA9j9OjrmatpesclGgE1aWs85Eo2ZxgzcwxNlZcG71WG35SKnAmF-fnjzGSmKurDBx4259H4YY-JnMEbxdznMn1Z2oU7Oi4Sox5ET2smiK9qiKIHMmRUsjBiThg_g2r8Ho-nE9BgYGsq/w640-h480/20231030_093205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: center;">A<span style="background-color: transparent;">t the north end of the square is the bronze Paternoster (also known as Shepherd and Sheep) by Dame Elisabeth Frink. The statue was commissioned for the previous Paternoster Square complex in 1975, and was replaced on a new plinth following the redevelopment. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExzvNuQZ6XWHcqX1iE_r_-K3ZSvWkVZdCU2JtlkBd6nzI0mAxuyWkHh-GXaPHFOM9dODokhMakl000k1bloVyPycF0gDFR-wNw3yPRwo9xs6vcm5rPbWuKPCB2-4Xub1URME17Qua4cKUF9Pw3igpX7AQxZfGJ-wAB3BI_xYSdo968Dyl8aCTGpIxv_BE/s8160/20231030_093223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5277" data-original-width="8160" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExzvNuQZ6XWHcqX1iE_r_-K3ZSvWkVZdCU2JtlkBd6nzI0mAxuyWkHh-GXaPHFOM9dODokhMakl000k1bloVyPycF0gDFR-wNw3yPRwo9xs6vcm5rPbWuKPCB2-4Xub1URME17Qua4cKUF9Pw3igpX7AQxZfGJ-wAB3BI_xYSdo968Dyl8aCTGpIxv_BE/w640-h414/20231030_093223.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The meaning of this statue is likely to be the religious one; especially since Jesus was called ‘the good shepherd’ and the statue is also known as ‘Shepherd and Sheep’ or ‘Shepherd with his Flock’.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8jgnP2AvOiknKIgC-K8PIE8V0AH17qF9NB5aLXUPFDC9LHppifR9H3KlQEs5hvx7Cb4J1tU7yJZ__ZPV_sqc5l7npq6XAreVkJpRXZVvrDN6mJPS-vICRqAvV2cv4HXY_-Vsw_5oUMAO0zYZk-qOrE4rDXuuI3Dmd7avwKC4OBtLgcFEM1cLIELadVWy/s8160/20231030_093228.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8jgnP2AvOiknKIgC-K8PIE8V0AH17qF9NB5aLXUPFDC9LHppifR9H3KlQEs5hvx7Cb4J1tU7yJZ__ZPV_sqc5l7npq6XAreVkJpRXZVvrDN6mJPS-vICRqAvV2cv4HXY_-Vsw_5oUMAO0zYZk-qOrE4rDXuuI3Dmd7avwKC4OBtLgcFEM1cLIELadVWy/w480-h640/20231030_093228.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcpaYjp66ySWovDjPOsfK90_21BHL9c4koy54Tv4FnQgvNJHHGsvBpD4zAUik3vPn2cekVbSfew1WRhkcK-TPndSGxYnRhkLi8Dbpb3z_P6ptqM5kB4DQ1AQmJb6dFbZ8aqNnA-KOGnAxnkfaH8D0vEygeLxY5RMavAkabyvKXtE4iUY0DHc2_X42MDCr/s8104/20231030_093236.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8104" data-original-width="6078" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcpaYjp66ySWovDjPOsfK90_21BHL9c4koy54Tv4FnQgvNJHHGsvBpD4zAUik3vPn2cekVbSfew1WRhkcK-TPndSGxYnRhkLi8Dbpb3z_P6ptqM5kB4DQ1AQmJb6dFbZ8aqNnA-KOGnAxnkfaH8D0vEygeLxY5RMavAkabyvKXtE4iUY0DHc2_X42MDCr/w480-h640/20231030_093236.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paternoster Square column</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's a vent shaft for the car park beneath, but this column, or rather the flaming urn, is apparently also a memorial to both the Great Fire of London and also the fire and destruction wrought in the area by the WW2 Blitz.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHW8_fNy_Zx1AXq8CzKh-auT9c8VGs9gqEGCWD78MivKbTkQA2hC1PVYrutHQiYK4xmaPVTnAJ-Dc1iml4p6tYUVRKjufEg_UjBiBzw4UqfShqoK7X3_q-CPwA6RDcOztud5_7GW7Nop4r3G05j21XkmG5lTQa11QdgQr4ZuGiBOuS19nS0y1zk7sSQwX/s8160/20231030_093349.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHW8_fNy_Zx1AXq8CzKh-auT9c8VGs9gqEGCWD78MivKbTkQA2hC1PVYrutHQiYK4xmaPVTnAJ-Dc1iml4p6tYUVRKjufEg_UjBiBzw4UqfShqoK7X3_q-CPwA6RDcOztud5_7GW7Nop4r3G05j21XkmG5lTQa11QdgQr4ZuGiBOuS19nS0y1zk7sSQwX/w640-h480/20231030_093349.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temple Bar with St Pauls Cathedral behind.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Temple Bar was the principal ceremonial entrance to the City of London from the City of Westminster. In the middle ages, London expanded city jurisdiction beyond its walls to gates, called ‘bars’, which were erected across thoroughfares. To the west of the City of London, the bar was located adjacent to the area known as the Temple. Temple Bar was situated on the historic royal ceremonial route from the Tower of London to the Palace of Westminster, the two chief residences of the medieval English monarchs, and from the Palace of Westminster to St Paul's Cathedral. The road east of the bar within the City was Fleet Street, while the road to the west, in Westminster, was The Strand.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the bar, the Corporation of the City of London erected a barrier to regulate trade into the City. The 19th century Royal Courts of Justice are located to its north, having been moved from Westminster Hall. To its south is Temple Church, along with the Inner Temple and Middle Temple Inns of Court. As the most important entrance to the City of London from Westminster, it was formerly long the custom for the monarch to halt at the Temple Bar before entering the City of London, in order for the Lord Mayor to offer the Corporation's pearl-encrusted Sword of State as a token of loyalty.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">'Temple Bar' strictly refers to a notional bar or barrier across the route near The Temple precinct, but it is also used to refer to the 17th-century ornamental, English Baroque arched gateway building attributed Christopher Wren, which spanned the roadway at the bar for two centuries. After Wren's gateway was removed in 1878, the Temple Bar Memorial topped by a dragon symbol of London, and containing statues of Queen Victoria and Edward VII, was erected to mark the location. Wren's archway was preserved and was re-erected in 2004 in the City, in a redeveloped Paternoster Square next to St Paul's Cathedral. In September 2022, the preserved Wren gateway and an adjacent building were officially opened by the Duke of Gloucester as the home of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqUi2wP8MHAS_0qh4uzMfLvItfxg3802TAOlN4koZjc_rRocvW66pH4PuBylzLuwkSBjWhLOzkhlUBMHDnhazvz39cwXXl4r7aCsVxs-fTECyiimkFImsVRIkw60X8PpaCUF4NV1ILXwxlZh049qBJZnJ_FiaQE7W9z6HqUM2YXWSdCR8IIWvE3uUCQH7/s7354/20231030_093426.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7354" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqUi2wP8MHAS_0qh4uzMfLvItfxg3802TAOlN4koZjc_rRocvW66pH4PuBylzLuwkSBjWhLOzkhlUBMHDnhazvz39cwXXl4r7aCsVxs-fTECyiimkFImsVRIkw60X8PpaCUF4NV1ILXwxlZh049qBJZnJ_FiaQE7W9z6HqUM2YXWSdCR8IIWvE3uUCQH7/w532-h640/20231030_093426.jpg" width="532" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk through the Temple Bar to Ludgate Hill and St Pauls Cathedral.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7J9BwP70Id4FbV6DyoIiFmzbwmVTkx4DYhZQtX9ojEdiwhjQS3lx3Ja5NHfdHnLeNK-wFyN2PInZWl97JEvud_aajf9CIrBpTW5BjyxBeO7BBUjqcAz_wblAM6lSRROWc0zpY_s4LOOmVIFG8sQsXX8L5a45eazmK4oXOYPBTBtydo7p1shq1Ht5U0Uwb/s7297/20231030_093446.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7297" data-original-width="5473" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7J9BwP70Id4FbV6DyoIiFmzbwmVTkx4DYhZQtX9ojEdiwhjQS3lx3Ja5NHfdHnLeNK-wFyN2PInZWl97JEvud_aajf9CIrBpTW5BjyxBeO7BBUjqcAz_wblAM6lSRROWc0zpY_s4LOOmVIFG8sQsXX8L5a45eazmK4oXOYPBTBtydo7p1shq1Ht5U0Uwb/w480-h640/20231030_093446.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">St Paul's Cathedral, London, is an Anglican cathedral, the seat of the Bishop of London and the mother church of the Diocese of London. It sits on Ludgate Hill at the highest point of the City of London. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The present church, dating from the late 17th century, was designed in the English Baroque style by Sir Christopher Wren. Its construction, completed in Wren's lifetime, was part of a major rebuilding programme in the City after the Great Fire of London.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0-B3R7lxhvzac1l7D0bFjgh5EraTw4gvYKo4cg973O0bg0E0120ky8gKnDHo2eLGsUBnxV3hglQswF_fnYnWKoQ5hoAujfW-iVqvKuhDtb9QC8OUawm7FaG84nz3w3dBK-USfQItCj5zkoDmrxT5HYqSnzxYjUF988RHZ56bOKTxNVfqo7O4WtLacsW5/s7846/20231030_093619.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5885" data-original-width="7846" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0-B3R7lxhvzac1l7D0bFjgh5EraTw4gvYKo4cg973O0bg0E0120ky8gKnDHo2eLGsUBnxV3hglQswF_fnYnWKoQ5hoAujfW-iVqvKuhDtb9QC8OUawm7FaG84nz3w3dBK-USfQItCj5zkoDmrxT5HYqSnzxYjUF988RHZ56bOKTxNVfqo7O4WtLacsW5/w640-h480/20231030_093619.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At 365 feet (111 m) high, it was the tallest building in London from 1710 to 1962. On 2 December 1697, only 32 years and 3 months after the Great Fire destroyed 'Old St Paul's', the new cathedral was consecrated for use.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The cathedral survived the Blitz although struck by bombs on 10 October 1940 and 17 April 1941. The first strike destroyed the high altar, while the second strike on the north transept left a hole in the floor above the crypt.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Paul%27s_Cathedral#cite_note-29"></a>The latter bomb is believed to have detonated in the upper interior above the north transept and the force was sufficient to shift the entire dome laterally by a small amount.</div><div style="text-align: center;">On 12 September 1940 a time-delayed bomb that had struck the cathedral was successfully defused and removed by a bomb disposal detachment of Royal Engineers under the command of Temporary Lieutenant Robert Davies. Had this bomb detonated, it would have totally destroyed the cathedral; it left a 100-foot (30 m) crater when later remotely detonated in a secure location. As a result of this action, Davies and Sapper George Cameron Wylie were each awarded the George Cross.</div></div><div><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMY90lWoBsRztlwzEblwFcfwJ2NKSJ9yKqCA8v3IzPmQawDgmXxdLOvG8wVD3r_oUF8mEdOdIeihEK_f9mOVX4qdBxqdoBqk52BTXuryaNHSlBlKi9LFFlSusv6-I1qMtGNI0Nc0mVRY30p3eoQXieBAm0Isip0u_9AmYt5BbO40782K4t4st0U4azDpi5/s7560/20231030_093826.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7560" data-original-width="5670" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMY90lWoBsRztlwzEblwFcfwJ2NKSJ9yKqCA8v3IzPmQawDgmXxdLOvG8wVD3r_oUF8mEdOdIeihEK_f9mOVX4qdBxqdoBqk52BTXuryaNHSlBlKi9LFFlSusv6-I1qMtGNI0Nc0mVRY30p3eoQXieBAm0Isip0u_9AmYt5BbO40782K4t4st0U4azDpi5/w480-h640/20231030_093826.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk along St Pauls Churchyard and turn right down Peters Hill with a view back to the Cathedral.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIY-C_r7-LXksrNGqieAFkC8KcIJB4ObwJCWrNgVKp7-zhVxet3I01tRpGvWXJSLotEqvm-7OjFj4DgfU38Hg6WEa2L-cGa16Zqrw9pzvPu0mtN8Lx356FPaokDR-DfXJgp_5NGSph6sd1KQ0A2L1bOIT07d2jPMYR3Ugad0YVLWyS03aYHr93rlveUUIE/s7761/20231030_094048.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7761" data-original-width="4959" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIY-C_r7-LXksrNGqieAFkC8KcIJB4ObwJCWrNgVKp7-zhVxet3I01tRpGvWXJSLotEqvm-7OjFj4DgfU38Hg6WEa2L-cGa16Zqrw9pzvPu0mtN8Lx356FPaokDR-DfXJgp_5NGSph6sd1KQ0A2L1bOIT07d2jPMYR3Ugad0YVLWyS03aYHr93rlveUUIE/w408-h640/20231030_094048.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We cross Queen Victoria Street with a view through a sculpture to the Cathedral.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-5IQGFZNzEi_tcaADZQcaB14CuiJeC-xkiOiDC9aR9QscVVlJpdikvHAu_HCfOf20AllpqGz6mCKFXCdApysclnAiLR92hIwjnRyyrkpYTYsHrnHSj5UT6UHcSlz1c9_suS8K20QgLKKyyF2e2QHxL-357TILr6jWgbPCHsShBx2QijAXPuRPme3P6Kl/s7685/20231030_094221.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7685" data-original-width="5103" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-5IQGFZNzEi_tcaADZQcaB14CuiJeC-xkiOiDC9aR9QscVVlJpdikvHAu_HCfOf20AllpqGz6mCKFXCdApysclnAiLR92hIwjnRyyrkpYTYsHrnHSj5UT6UHcSlz1c9_suS8K20QgLKKyyF2e2QHxL-357TILr6jWgbPCHsShBx2QijAXPuRPme3P6Kl/w424-h640/20231030_094221.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The guidebook says to cross the Millennium Bridge but as we approached I remembered seeing on the news it was closed for repairs. ( At the time of writing this blog it is now re-opened).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExpusWvQzmdHwhOFetVq2iLjp756Zo-cBNx8TB9lWFz-uKcpWcafkM5DSxaPZ3Djr8DiDTB3XzN4q52l8n4Lg0NnuOPJhn6mt_VaLpwnyBHtD0Ri2w6a1J6Esgd4Y3irUoh4j2vNnUYTcQzbyR6flxiBwlCekhTmLv1C7TP3oHPPxGfWODEjnpOwJ6Y0T/s8160/20231030_094322.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExpusWvQzmdHwhOFetVq2iLjp756Zo-cBNx8TB9lWFz-uKcpWcafkM5DSxaPZ3Djr8DiDTB3XzN4q52l8n4Lg0NnuOPJhn6mt_VaLpwnyBHtD0Ri2w6a1J6Esgd4Y3irUoh4j2vNnUYTcQzbyR6flxiBwlCekhTmLv1C7TP3oHPPxGfWODEjnpOwJ6Y0T/w640-h480/20231030_094322.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHPW-XpmC7oX1N2BtxR6LG5-vZRHKLgxOmNy_5srOPAiSDzbnA8NpY4sg_g6BEajIIaHE1CG1fk8M-BlBMqo-Ya0goJEZTMOckFsvcms0PVPJb8P_jgu-leZElT1nNYsYwyfU3h5flb-YWYfyx0bgubEmrXJzeILzazfjSnZ1BBjn1wOShpvvXcuBfo2b/s7628/20231030_094341.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5721" data-original-width="7628" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHPW-XpmC7oX1N2BtxR6LG5-vZRHKLgxOmNy_5srOPAiSDzbnA8NpY4sg_g6BEajIIaHE1CG1fk8M-BlBMqo-Ya0goJEZTMOckFsvcms0PVPJb8P_jgu-leZElT1nNYsYwyfU3h5flb-YWYfyx0bgubEmrXJzeILzazfjSnZ1BBjn1wOShpvvXcuBfo2b/w640-h480/20231030_094341.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTIZ7mM3xCxm5ZcxWibOdi7ntXGDBb8T-Ub7mp5MJHu2c-h5FsvaVVzvljSKj6c0gD32AjHIEGpZs_SHDacfyO18rc97lnrMzto6EqmdNxxfU4VnCHebMvRYT2ch5qNJXnOvOjX0bXMCXhfT2y3uzykHqi5CITLM31zcapxBzNI3HgvIOa5KWs_0gVsWO/s7917/20231030_094420.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5938" data-original-width="7917" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTIZ7mM3xCxm5ZcxWibOdi7ntXGDBb8T-Ub7mp5MJHu2c-h5FsvaVVzvljSKj6c0gD32AjHIEGpZs_SHDacfyO18rc97lnrMzto6EqmdNxxfU4VnCHebMvRYT2ch5qNJXnOvOjX0bXMCXhfT2y3uzykHqi5CITLM31zcapxBzNI3HgvIOa5KWs_0gVsWO/w640-h480/20231030_094420.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Millennium Bridge</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Millennium Bridge, officially known as the London Millennium Footbridge, is a steel suspension bridge for pedestrians crossing the River Thames in London, England, linking Bankside with the City of London. Construction began in 1998, and it initially opened on 10 June 2000.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Londoners nicknamed it the "Wobbly Bridge" after pedestrians experienced an alarming swaying motion on its opening day. The bridge was closed later that day and, after two days of limited access, it was closed again for almost two years so that modifications and repairs could be made to keep the bridge stable and stop the swaying motion. It reopened in February 2002.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFhmDAwwRXACiAaGx9e4vb1KyYqMZb8ED43E2HHcFNV-XNWarq8qDQwZ2nFNkJUosenjEAQe1pqb7kQOFSFuFKEeASYyiqVwSg0ekVHgboP0AD3UA-n4Opxt01-p_qL7DvG3s-IYvLh-SztlxKM08FwZwLuEr9-K-h3U_h3Lw9HL1HCxtOtl5OntJz4LZ/s8160/20231030_094423.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFhmDAwwRXACiAaGx9e4vb1KyYqMZb8ED43E2HHcFNV-XNWarq8qDQwZ2nFNkJUosenjEAQe1pqb7kQOFSFuFKEeASYyiqVwSg0ekVHgboP0AD3UA-n4Opxt01-p_qL7DvG3s-IYvLh-SztlxKM08FwZwLuEr9-K-h3U_h3Lw9HL1HCxtOtl5OntJz4LZ/w640-h480/20231030_094423.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We turn right and walk along the Thames to reach Blackfriars Bridge.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXA8xJpka0TKI3lUySHBPsOwbLIARShOuYJZE04kuxEbq-6pfCVP-ivh4zZpvYrG2h4VsSFtscPHjTSCUwkp3kTRGiYnn4SV7UsnEi8GRLZS_tibKn6t-0zvjzFAV94KssUv_MdwSLYhv05vexxttpqYUFHoqvE49M-XiSyUI1yyeKV2MaRS1mfsS0FbYQ/s7839/20231030_095516.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5880" data-original-width="7839" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXA8xJpka0TKI3lUySHBPsOwbLIARShOuYJZE04kuxEbq-6pfCVP-ivh4zZpvYrG2h4VsSFtscPHjTSCUwkp3kTRGiYnn4SV7UsnEi8GRLZS_tibKn6t-0zvjzFAV94KssUv_MdwSLYhv05vexxttpqYUFHoqvE49M-XiSyUI1yyeKV2MaRS1mfsS0FbYQ/w640-h480/20231030_095516.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We cross Blackfriars Bridge and walk pass The Tate Modern with huge crowds waiting for it to open at 10am.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZ-J8HAhUYNZzmkAWWaReO4QINFiTBduI4M8hYHDJvxW9ortCqO1vy6OK_INLAYunSmAHYTNHS7UegZDTW0RrrbvjVcUGCzCJWxrd1iKHzU6wF1vM7vmO9_Px1KHvmvepwMxaAF30RPJO6n3EMCWd-CYyRZgTckyrta8Xzu05M9Ln8Sah2sXl_yu9r2cV/s8160/20231030_095801.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZ-J8HAhUYNZzmkAWWaReO4QINFiTBduI4M8hYHDJvxW9ortCqO1vy6OK_INLAYunSmAHYTNHS7UegZDTW0RrrbvjVcUGCzCJWxrd1iKHzU6wF1vM7vmO9_Px1KHvmvepwMxaAF30RPJO6n3EMCWd-CYyRZgTckyrta8Xzu05M9Ln8Sah2sXl_yu9r2cV/w480-h640/20231030_095801.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tate Modern is an art gallery in London, housing the United Kingdom's national collection of international modern and contemporary art, defined as from after 1900, and forms part of the Tate group together with Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2iPOb9wOi8sbOUdYTgPIdN5tyhQRBGkZpBh7-L6cHl0XD4RyjiPVHU_E_PdvFEzrJ4JTnlW7lGw4P-PxZU_lYFXWV1lSmh2t11rCpf7XH8RugZ_FV_OUAn2TmM_mON3t7VM0Wnz0svorMMlKJFslCp9oJLv1qK_Re89YrEiaMfzV9F9OuZn6pdTPJKVO/s8160/20231030_100409.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2iPOb9wOi8sbOUdYTgPIdN5tyhQRBGkZpBh7-L6cHl0XD4RyjiPVHU_E_PdvFEzrJ4JTnlW7lGw4P-PxZU_lYFXWV1lSmh2t11rCpf7XH8RugZ_FV_OUAn2TmM_mON3t7VM0Wnz0svorMMlKJFslCp9oJLv1qK_Re89YrEiaMfzV9F9OuZn6pdTPJKVO/w640-h480/20231030_100409.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We continue on along Bankside passing Cardinals Wharf.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Cardinal’s Wharf isn’t usually on a tourist’s checklist of things to see in London. However, inevitably a large proportion of visitors will pass by it while on the way to the Globe or Tate Modern and be attracted to the row of 18th century terraced houses juxtaposed by 20th century architecture. Standing out amongst the three buildings is the tallest – No. 49 Bankside – a three-storey cream building with red door. If you get close enough, you’ll find a cream, ceramic plaque linking it to a very important Englishman – Sir Christopher Wren (1632-1723). Renowned as the architect of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Royal Naval College in Greenwich and many of the City of London’s churches, Wren is an important name in the history of the capital. The plaque claims: ‘Here lived Sir Christopher Wren during the building of St Paul’s Cathedral. Here also, in 1502, Catherine Infanta of Castile and Aragon, afterwards first queen of Henry VIII, took shelter on her first landing in London.’</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you stand with your back to the building, you have a lovely view of St Paul’s over the Thames. It’s easy to imagine Wren retiring with a glass of something to the first floor in the evening after a long day at work and gazing out of the window surveying the progress… however, sadly it’s not quite what happened. Wren was tasked with rebuilding a lot of the City of London after the Great Fire in 1666 and is believed to have based himself at Bankside… but at a building a few doors down from No.49, which has long been demolished.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Writer and historian Gillian Tindall uncovered the truth behind the myth of the building in her 2006 book The House By The Thames: And The People Who Lived There. It turns out No.49 was actually built in 1710 – the same year St Paul’s Cathedral was completed, so that already debunks the theory Wren was based there during the decades it took to build his masterpiece. Tindall believes the plaque stood on the actual house that Wren did live in, but a few houses east – situated where a modern block of flats stands today behind the Founders Arms pub. Her theory suggests Malcolm Munthe (1910-1995), who owned the property in 1945, retrieved the plaque when the original Wren building was demolished and placed it on No.49 to protect it from demolition. While the act may have led many to confuse fact and fiction, the plaque’s incorrect placing has managed to save the house from destruction. Bankside was heavily bombed during World War II, before there was mass demolition and redevelopment in the 1960s and 1970s, so the continued existence of these three houses in Cardinal’s Wharf is a remarkable thing. According to Nicky Haslam’s 2009 memoirs ‘Redeeming Features’, antiques dealer and ‘King of Chelsea’, Christopher Gibbs (1938-2018) lived at No.49 at some point in the 1960s. Situated next to the 1940s-built Tate Modern (formerly Bankside Power Station) and the modern reconstruction of The Globe theatre (opened 1997), Cardinal’s Wharf is a striking contrast to the modernity around it. The house used to stand a lot closer to the Thames, until the Greater London Council revised the waterline back in the 1970s, creating a larger pedestrianised area we see today. No.49 remains the oldest house on Bankside today.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is believed the name Cardinal’s Wharf comes from the Cardinal Wolsey (1473-1530), who was the Bishop of Winchester in 1529 and would have stayed at the nearby Winchester Palace when in London. While the house wasn’t lived in by the great Wren, it did serve as a home for coal merchants, an office, a boarding house, a squat during the 1970s and a private home once again. One previous resident was the late Hollywood actress Anna Lee (1913-2004) and her film director husband Robert Stevenson (1905-1986) – director of classic Disney films Mary Poppins and Bedknobs And Broomsticks -, who lived there in the 1930s before being drawn to the bright lights of Tinseltown. The house and railings outside were Grade II listed by Historic England in 1950.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Prior to being built in the early 18th century, the site was home to the Cardinal’s Hat pub – which was also reported to be a brothel – and mentioned by the diarist Samuel Pepys. Until the Civil War, Bankside was London’s Soho of the day, known for its entertainment and dens of iniquity. It’s highly likely a certain William Shakespeare may have popped in to the Cardinal’s Hat for an ale in between performances at The Rose or the original Globe, which stood around the junction of Park Street and Porter Street, on the east side of Southwark Bridge. He actually referenced the pub in Henry VI Part II. Shakespeare’s contemporary and founder of Dulwich College, the Elizabethan actor Edward Alleyn was also recorded to have dined at the pub. Today, the name of the pub lives on in Cardinal Cap Alley (the street sign on the west side of No.49), an alley which actually dates back to around 1360.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Next door, the red brick No.51 Bankside dates back to 1712 and has long ties to Southwark Cathedral. It was named as Provost’s Lodging in the 20th century, with the future Bishop of Salisbury, George Reindorp living there after the war-damaged No.50 and No.51 were purchased from Bankside power station in 1957 (who had owned them for 20 years) and knocked together. Due to its location, Bankside was not an appealing place to live in the 1960s and 1970s due to the constant humming noise from the power station. The late Dean of Southwark, Rev. Colin Slee, lived at the property in the early 21st century until his death, while No.52 was a residence for the Cathedral’s director of music. No. 51 was put up for sale for £6million by Savills in 2011. (For a photo of No.51 Bankside taken in 1940, click here). Meanwhile, on the east side of No.49 stood the house of Elizabethan theatre entrepreneur Philip Henslowe (1550-1616), who built The Rose theatre in 1587 – the first playhouse in Bankside – a three-minute walk away in Park Street. In the early 1800s, Henslowe’s house was home to the senior chaplain of St Saviour’s Church (now Southwark Cathedral, which only received cathedral status in 1905). Today the site of Henslowe’s house is the entrance to the Globe exhibition. Henslowe is buried in Southwark Cathedral.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source (https://memoirsofametrogirl.com/)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8SfJXo01MVPnXJzLKbu3n7ge4Vsn2vGDp1QA6Qp5yfhKlFJ1aEfdkOP3bFSNfnciRGJv_yvD-U-SFdZik7XNjrdMF8rssO2JREozfU_IwiCDLR8Fg_MXt2HrZcDpItQWg6n43bG199w7HNSRw8eNpfoSh8zSgsgKZ9O330rkCloj7spnpLCvgployqXM/s7074/20231030_100446.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5637" data-original-width="7074" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8SfJXo01MVPnXJzLKbu3n7ge4Vsn2vGDp1QA6Qp5yfhKlFJ1aEfdkOP3bFSNfnciRGJv_yvD-U-SFdZik7XNjrdMF8rssO2JREozfU_IwiCDLR8Fg_MXt2HrZcDpItQWg6n43bG199w7HNSRw8eNpfoSh8zSgsgKZ9O330rkCloj7spnpLCvgployqXM/w640-h510/20231030_100446.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pass the replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The original theatre was built in 1599, destroyed by a fire in 1613, rebuilt in 1614, and then demolished in 1644. The modern Globe Theatre is an academic approximation based on available evidence of the 1599 and 1614 buildings. It is considered quite realistic, though modern safety requirements mean that it accommodates only 1,400 spectators compared to the original theatre's 3,000.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The modern Shakespeare's Globe was founded by the actor and director Sam Wanamaker, and built about 230 metres (750 ft) from the site of the original theatre in the historic open-air style. It opened to the public in 1997, with a production of Henry V.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiik4igZqgTIcwaX7LufDGba-4j-B7B6bNxkIyNmR1Wy73gI-tzYKRa65MP3kzDi08u-z7rMxSnRsNSKVhiMn-RaxrC-Cqr-amt0GhsXcYJvY_wyl9X5Sgr0nfqL7-qzXKThdK9_fI3KgEXVn68KYSSzqZZEAf9SrOcLNiJOgnCD3EImNlyHmqEDexsMA/s8160/20231030_100859.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiik4igZqgTIcwaX7LufDGba-4j-B7B6bNxkIyNmR1Wy73gI-tzYKRa65MP3kzDi08u-z7rMxSnRsNSKVhiMn-RaxrC-Cqr-amt0GhsXcYJvY_wyl9X5Sgr0nfqL7-qzXKThdK9_fI3KgEXVn68KYSSzqZZEAf9SrOcLNiJOgnCD3EImNlyHmqEDexsMA/w640-h480/20231030_100859.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on under Southwark Bridge and up pass The Anchor Public House.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The current Anchor pub was built between 1770-75 on the site of an earlier inn named the Castell on the Hoop, which dates back a cool 800 years. Bustling Bankside would have been unrecognisable then: the narrow mediaeval street was lined with wharves and warehouses while the air was filled with the stench of fish and the unsettling sounds of bear-baiting arenas and brothels. Inhabitants of the latter were known locally as “Winchester Geese” because the Bishop of Winchester owned the brothels and claimed the tax revenues. A few centuries later this area was the heart of Elizabethan theatreland and Shakespeare may have been a local since this was his stamping ground. The Anchor was a haunt of river pirates and smugglers during its colourful history: when repairs were carried out in the 19th century a wealth of ingenious hiding places for stolen goods and contraband were discovered. This pub has also burnt down (twice) and rebuilt (twice). Other claims to fame are that diarist Samuel Pepys witnessed the Great Fire of London from the comfort of this pub in 1666, and that dictionary supremo Dr Samuel Johnson used to pop in for a pint when he wasn’t engaged on thinking up new words. Sometimes: “ale” and “pipe” are the only words you need.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OMfnOmL07NhwdtN5bsZr8LzNv6_4krKZkrdqmrVT6DOjj8aSkKIAItQ7WMVfeEibqULaQg5oMnLpsjdYvq3QXczsaOfHKee2RYRY8bZABFWrdiR6LPZsJqEcw3kMyDbXt7r0Kbdd3TDt7PuYLa8cVWkuYIciK4ktUHN2dg_8IAsMCME4PWgj1H7PyvoU/s8160/20231030_101009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OMfnOmL07NhwdtN5bsZr8LzNv6_4krKZkrdqmrVT6DOjj8aSkKIAItQ7WMVfeEibqULaQg5oMnLpsjdYvq3QXczsaOfHKee2RYRY8bZABFWrdiR6LPZsJqEcw3kMyDbXt7r0Kbdd3TDt7PuYLa8cVWkuYIciK4ktUHN2dg_8IAsMCME4PWgj1H7PyvoU/w640-h480/20231030_101009.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We on down Clink Street passing Dirty Lane.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The area of the development pretty much fills the site that was once occupied by Winchester Palace and its gardens. By the 1740s, the area was fully developed with a large timber yard in the middle and loads of narrow alleys and streets with wonderful names, such as Dead Mans Place, Dye House, Potts House, Dirty Lane, and Naked Boy Yard.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dead Mans Place still survives as a road but was later renamed the more polite Park Street, alas.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The current appearance of the area comes from the arrival of the railways, and the wide set of railway arches built by the South Eastern Railway (SER) when they extended their railway across the river to Cannon Street station in the early 1860s.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">That transformed the area from lots of smaller buildings into one dominated by the railway and its arches, which were rented out for warehouses, and later the railway was widened with the addition of new arches on either side. The area remained dominated by warehouses until fairly recently, when the Southbank became better known for its culture and cafes, and a large section of the arches was taken over by the wine venue Vinopolis.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYfscCzJeaM8-PwpsP-FNumdxFJueO2AAui3yzw-Aojvvvnv16D2lAm3FhlTUUm9i5mNkWb-etQhG4MfRAjOa8ZWsmtOTcYaNY9cFlxVrHjf2PGCo7okKPCDTIkUkwzmwXdQ3UnLPqPcj0UeTsR9OCIXafiHtDZKHaiU_r0ZVqLsH1yyUR9Fx-Ha4O-Cr/s8160/20231030_101037.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="5320" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYfscCzJeaM8-PwpsP-FNumdxFJueO2AAui3yzw-Aojvvvnv16D2lAm3FhlTUUm9i5mNkWb-etQhG4MfRAjOa8ZWsmtOTcYaNY9cFlxVrHjf2PGCo7okKPCDTIkUkwzmwXdQ3UnLPqPcj0UeTsR9OCIXafiHtDZKHaiU_r0ZVqLsH1yyUR9Fx-Ha4O-Cr/w418-h640/20231030_101037.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk on reaching the <a href="https://www.clink.co.uk/">Clink Prison</a>, I visited here some years ago. It is worth a visit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivL0Gxl2FqWBgnF38okjeZjIIiUsQTfYJ2_K1Oh86FN11SEAoE-zVw9HyLU86PIQvkrt7OD2x5WGUi8QJRGdykoPA8zi-T9DiAJjiiUuIGFESuzcm_AY_tLULc7Ulf4D1ev-evKrtV0YvqBhOJln1xyNuiKb3l31wMZGIGtyLsclrfOyD704shyphenhyphenMvniom3/s7851/20231030_101047.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7851" data-original-width="5889" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivL0Gxl2FqWBgnF38okjeZjIIiUsQTfYJ2_K1Oh86FN11SEAoE-zVw9HyLU86PIQvkrt7OD2x5WGUi8QJRGdykoPA8zi-T9DiAJjiiUuIGFESuzcm_AY_tLULc7Ulf4D1ev-evKrtV0YvqBhOJln1xyNuiKb3l31wMZGIGtyLsclrfOyD704shyphenhyphenMvniom3/w480-h640/20231030_101047.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The Clink was a prison in Southwark which operated from the 12th century until 1780. The prison served the Liberty of the Clink, a local manor area owned by the Bishop of Winchester rather than by the reigning monarch. As the Liberty owner, the Bishop kept all revenues from the Clink Liberty, and could put people in prison for failing to make their payments. As the Bishop, he could also imprison heretics. The Clink prison was situated next to the Bishop's London-area residence of Winchester Palace. The Clink was possibly the oldest men's prison and probably the oldest women's prison in England.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is uncertain whether the prison derived its name from, or bestowed it on, the Liberty that it served. The origins of the name "The Clink" are possibly onomatopoeic, deriving from the sound of striking metal as the prison's doors were bolted, or the rattling of the chains the prisoners wore.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The name has become slang as a generic term for prison or a jail cell.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDVJ8ejpGKclGBWFOI0ZxGCiO7epXIL3Ns8Tkd6p8Tm4nooq0nf74FUqI-u6Fi1I0BnTj0pVslwYuAHjyM_CR_GKQEXOBlRrX9AbSe9685dYzHESXGTjeNPKbZsPz5SxdRIOuixHMCNIuiIojOIA3U4oyDyqOYgOpiICDFdf_nys5t71svVFWNRmtvHI6/s8160/20231030_101206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDVJ8ejpGKclGBWFOI0ZxGCiO7epXIL3Ns8Tkd6p8Tm4nooq0nf74FUqI-u6Fi1I0BnTj0pVslwYuAHjyM_CR_GKQEXOBlRrX9AbSe9685dYzHESXGTjeNPKbZsPz5SxdRIOuixHMCNIuiIojOIA3U4oyDyqOYgOpiICDFdf_nys5t71svVFWNRmtvHI6/s8160/20231030_101206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDVJ8ejpGKclGBWFOI0ZxGCiO7epXIL3Ns8Tkd6p8Tm4nooq0nf74FUqI-u6Fi1I0BnTj0pVslwYuAHjyM_CR_GKQEXOBlRrX9AbSe9685dYzHESXGTjeNPKbZsPz5SxdRIOuixHMCNIuiIojOIA3U4oyDyqOYgOpiICDFdf_nys5t71svVFWNRmtvHI6/w480-h640/20231030_101206.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Winchester Palace was once one of the largest and most important buildings in all of medieval London. Built in the early 13th century as a home to the powerful Bishops of Winchester, the palace was mostly destroyed by fire in 1814.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEVQxjo3txHifhVvPVTaoiuphOmtXbLJOEs0S3OLoPjrMnt8CGIZvzObL4GczlZ3zMlukMMc4GAo9JiM_PaAv2ivTGkF_GyPPm-R9KV4UDmBX-pENYlDQKSIOYtEEFOlfrDVEh2O3IV0czn5yIWjfErKhzYt4-GbcGJ6HVLUuaaE6gw9j9IlQ5-rkqcTB/s7718/20231030_101303.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7718" data-original-width="5789" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEVQxjo3txHifhVvPVTaoiuphOmtXbLJOEs0S3OLoPjrMnt8CGIZvzObL4GczlZ3zMlukMMc4GAo9JiM_PaAv2ivTGkF_GyPPm-R9KV4UDmBX-pENYlDQKSIOYtEEFOlfrDVEh2O3IV0czn5yIWjfErKhzYt4-GbcGJ6HVLUuaaE6gw9j9IlQ5-rkqcTB/w480-h640/20231030_101303.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk into Pickfords Wharf and pass the Golden Hinde.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The Golden Hinde (launched 1973) is a full-size replica of the Golden Hind (launched 1577). She was built using traditional handicrafts at Appledore, in Devon. Like the original ship, she has circumnavigated the globe.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Golden Hind was a galleon captained by Francis Drake in his circumnavigation of the world between 1577 and 1580. She was originally known as Pelican, but Drake renamed her mid-voyage in 1578, in honour of his patron, Sir Christopher Hatton, whose crest was a golden hind (a female red deer). Hatton was one of the principal sponsors of Drake's world voyage.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbH4AOfwm5jFRk70BUGTl2qUKSFAUOls3UnZFeKsn3NCyxcpRZLUCiLOsFJTJxvDkhQA-Ip0dvoa6vlgGeQw5W2fjo5igz4ZzePMuVq9HlJBYWgV8eUs0D10DNrYaIH89NuxuQw6PkpL62xMXMDl8xXNeAYUY_f701_oZzyug12n_BpF2Ca5HcPTtTWT9X/s3698/20231030_101743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2774" data-original-width="3698" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbH4AOfwm5jFRk70BUGTl2qUKSFAUOls3UnZFeKsn3NCyxcpRZLUCiLOsFJTJxvDkhQA-Ip0dvoa6vlgGeQw5W2fjo5igz4ZzePMuVq9HlJBYWgV8eUs0D10DNrYaIH89NuxuQw6PkpL62xMXMDl8xXNeAYUY_f701_oZzyug12n_BpF2Ca5HcPTtTWT9X/w640-h480/20231030_101743.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on up Cathedral Street and up to Borough Market, hoping to grab a bite to eat. Sadly nothing was open yet!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Borough Market is a wholesale and retail market hall in Southwark, London, England. It is one of the largest and oldest food markets in London, with a market on the site dating back to at least the 12th century. The present buildings were built in the 1850s, and today the market mainly sells speciality foods to the general public.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The market itself claims to have existed since 1014 "and probably much earlier" as Snorri Sturluson describes Southwark as a "great market town" when describing an incident in Heimskringla dated to 1014. A market that originally adjoined the end of London Bridge was first mentioned in 1276 and was subsequently moved south of St Margaret's church on the High Street. The City of London received a royal charter from Edward VI in 1550 to control all markets in Southwark (see Guildable Manor), which was confirmed by Charles II in 1671. However, the market caused such traffic congestion that, in 1754, it was abolished by an Act of Parliament .</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A second Act that year allowed for the local parishioners to set up another market on a new site, and in 1756, it began again on a 4.5-acre (18,000 m2) site in Rochester Yard. During the 19th century, it became one of London's most important food markets due to its strategic position near the riverside wharves of the Pool of London.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">By the mid 1990s the market had declined and trustees decided to revive it as a retail rather than a wholesale market. In 1998 they invited Henrietta Green to hold a Food Lovers' Fair, which recruited several long-term traders for the market. From 1996 they let unused space to wholesale businesses such as Neal's Yard Dairy, Brindisa and Monmouth Coffee Company. The new tenants were encouraged to open their premises to retail customers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 2011, seven traders were expelled from the market for trading from their storage units at Maltby Street Market a mile away. In turn the traders criticised poor facilities at the market and a move to selling takeaway food.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the 2017 London Bridge attack, three attackers drove a vehicle over London Bridge and then ran to the area, where they stabbed and killed eight people with knives before they were shot dead by armed police. The market was then closed for 11 days following the attack.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUpQXdsSpBiZJk2NYPgvGTyb_4s_N-1fNFTj-TTBCO5gCNme3-rG8SyZRaBGBUOQWgaj2lYLLmkMFulX9ZUIpuRqAmSosDSfQVLEel83aaumrzyNdgBXCbpSQ517zcV-3_gx7CbV7w5F_POdp1OLPCWc1n-bRyNhomqHPlAaa9DRvbdL7SqGeTMLOwHd-/s7681/20231030_102058.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7681" data-original-width="5761" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUpQXdsSpBiZJk2NYPgvGTyb_4s_N-1fNFTj-TTBCO5gCNme3-rG8SyZRaBGBUOQWgaj2lYLLmkMFulX9ZUIpuRqAmSosDSfQVLEel83aaumrzyNdgBXCbpSQ517zcV-3_gx7CbV7w5F_POdp1OLPCWc1n-bRyNhomqHPlAaa9DRvbdL7SqGeTMLOwHd-/w480-h640/20231030_102058.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back up Cathedral Street and up to Southwark Cathedral that was closed due to an art installation.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">It has been a place of Christian worship for more than 1,000 years, but a cathedral only since the creation of the diocese of Southwark in 1905.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Between 1106 and 1538 it was the church of an Augustinian priory, Southwark Priory, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Following the dissolution of the monasteries, it became a parish church, with the new dedication of St Saviour's. The church was in the diocese of Winchester until 1877, when the parish of St Saviour's, along with other South London parishes, was transferred to the diocese of Rochester. The present building retains the basic form of the Gothic structure built between 1220 and 1420, although the nave is a late 19th-century reconstruction.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_T5C0T7t9bq09d3aNe-t4vV8WZ3pRkNqPn0gXMEwvPonY14qfVlsaj3jfmsTc101-5j7dUFwLup4GVI7GXqhED07uJ08PZlfCMtZiK33s_tbRuaXuZknbZSMDvYyamZveG8iGetDwT1NNaFzsWEgTENjwUTk2r7wXFjjl4J3KRG8PJ24BOGyV0K4pxQN-/s7854/20231030_102231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5891" data-original-width="7854" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_T5C0T7t9bq09d3aNe-t4vV8WZ3pRkNqPn0gXMEwvPonY14qfVlsaj3jfmsTc101-5j7dUFwLup4GVI7GXqhED07uJ08PZlfCMtZiK33s_tbRuaXuZknbZSMDvYyamZveG8iGetDwT1NNaFzsWEgTENjwUTk2r7wXFjjl4J3KRG8PJ24BOGyV0K4pxQN-/w640-h480/20231030_102231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Walking on we walk under London Bridge.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">To the left is Nancy Steps, next to the steps is a blue plaque sited next to them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The plaque has the facts wrong; in the novel Nancy is murdered in her house. It is in the 1960 musical Oliver! that she is murdered at steps leading to London Bridge. However the steps are mentioned in the novel as explained at Lost Industry.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1B7JJ26CW_VUJ19_KbaaN8khx_n0fH-y25QwIgOa6_S3QF-DY7CemUBjCh658Xz0fIZZOC1HQqFDXaauH25Ljk5RCBVtDH1PDPo6y3o00YBxvMk4CcvX0HJwLIQa20GMZsdFfAEq5LZkFmpSJ5pMbpbGYgHCjQ_siu47GOL70HOItOXY1xUL_i57AcRT/s7853/20231030_102410.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7853" data-original-width="5890" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1B7JJ26CW_VUJ19_KbaaN8khx_n0fH-y25QwIgOa6_S3QF-DY7CemUBjCh658Xz0fIZZOC1HQqFDXaauH25Ljk5RCBVtDH1PDPo6y3o00YBxvMk4CcvX0HJwLIQa20GMZsdFfAEq5LZkFmpSJ5pMbpbGYgHCjQ_siu47GOL70HOItOXY1xUL_i57AcRT/w480-h640/20231030_102410.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We poke our head into The Bermondsey Bierkeller to show Dan. I visited last month a great place for German beer and to watch sport!</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_701tP9zzWgslcZKExOS093xeg5dBiOLbS3YTWr_jNvhVSfBmnFYRb0nfakqtp-cISgAdi_ep73GxIn0LA54fPoKOPuZ37PePo6Ec2M3PmQDOqf9XV4JVWDssb34CQDN9N7QISdw3NAtd1bDEUDAzn3aUIDftr7O0UYb1U777__sP13yzBDO9UvOU4JW/s7491/20231030_102418.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5618" data-original-width="7491" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_701tP9zzWgslcZKExOS093xeg5dBiOLbS3YTWr_jNvhVSfBmnFYRb0nfakqtp-cISgAdi_ep73GxIn0LA54fPoKOPuZ37PePo6Ec2M3PmQDOqf9XV4JVWDssb34CQDN9N7QISdw3NAtd1bDEUDAzn3aUIDftr7O0UYb1U777__sP13yzBDO9UvOU4JW/w640-h480/20231030_102418.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on and pass London Bridge Station with views to The Shard beyond.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0KcCPgDgUfUY19PUJT7W-hB3ONJY3R5-R9lpjBCIgdT_8bb9sVPFgTKHHXDFfTVQy8NmP-XyN28oYBkp6B6RYs9asy6zQrgj7hKU_FPKHQSE6DmIMGwltVjahrZ61L6_qxHYPH0xKo-02roXOyc7KJ2HTDZY52-9Nm41OtuhAlm5wzvrc9shEMfer2jN/s8160/20231030_102617.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0KcCPgDgUfUY19PUJT7W-hB3ONJY3R5-R9lpjBCIgdT_8bb9sVPFgTKHHXDFfTVQy8NmP-XyN28oYBkp6B6RYs9asy6zQrgj7hKU_FPKHQSE6DmIMGwltVjahrZ61L6_qxHYPH0xKo-02roXOyc7KJ2HTDZY52-9Nm41OtuhAlm5wzvrc9shEMfer2jN/w480-h640/20231030_102617.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We turn left into Hayes Galleria.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6JrhDN4G_sesWpDJ9Fjsa-FK3pqRk_diYs4b6wjmT-_pVNXXsssMW5yKJaAXvlejVYlZshDwWfhOaJychiXYSdmWY5YCJkJ5IYPZZ70hABqyJM2XHWHXj6GQfQh6SFtOG2gqilC8JtMddUhSgL6QyOo9i0PI3Gy5DG7bpMaO5eyL2cSP2O3ql7HmW5SC/s7644/20231030_103749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7644" data-original-width="5733" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6JrhDN4G_sesWpDJ9Fjsa-FK3pqRk_diYs4b6wjmT-_pVNXXsssMW5yKJaAXvlejVYlZshDwWfhOaJychiXYSdmWY5YCJkJ5IYPZZ70hABqyJM2XHWHXj6GQfQh6SFtOG2gqilC8JtMddUhSgL6QyOo9i0PI3Gy5DG7bpMaO5eyL2cSP2O3ql7HmW5SC/w480-h640/20231030_103749.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hay's Galleria is a mixed use building in the London Borough of Southwark situated on the south bank of the River Thames featuring offices, restaurants, shops, and flats. Originally a warehouse and associated wharf (Hay's Wharf) for the port of London, it was redeveloped in the 1980s. It is a Grade II listed structure.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNJ_s7w3lPzYN620wFa97_VTjmEzMDJLsTW40XFdc-a-Y0SvOnGjWaGSCwJvM3jVyWIOG7xytA4lPMRDNU5C5hMPgd0x5gx0RqphaA3wNfVXjVIVzA3BJVm1Fecrlle1uZA1pOFGyollMGXdz3GTUqECJR2EM5RVH-iSjPu-r-nl8o-LbNCM4A6FkV5qs/s8160/20231030_103847.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNJ_s7w3lPzYN620wFa97_VTjmEzMDJLsTW40XFdc-a-Y0SvOnGjWaGSCwJvM3jVyWIOG7xytA4lPMRDNU5C5hMPgd0x5gx0RqphaA3wNfVXjVIVzA3BJVm1Fecrlle1uZA1pOFGyollMGXdz3GTUqECJR2EM5RVH-iSjPu-r-nl8o-LbNCM4A6FkV5qs/w640-h480/20231030_103847.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Navigators, 1987, a sculpture by David Kemp</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVXHt_MFx50Z7ybkdrzdogZiyOsVAGUaFtdSbzGw1HB-2-rC-Q8auhMeyLKyNBTfyCTKIeIKwAyIe-65a6Pd7HimyLpo7a6qAuqdPuLGKJO0M-XZ_ztDYsOWwVpudCYzcF4I_PQWRtOUfPcurTrDyKV0En9wIsaVI4apLJwNoK1Vqn9_3pGITuvk_d30s/s7843/20231030_103920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5883" data-original-width="7843" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVXHt_MFx50Z7ybkdrzdogZiyOsVAGUaFtdSbzGw1HB-2-rC-Q8auhMeyLKyNBTfyCTKIeIKwAyIe-65a6Pd7HimyLpo7a6qAuqdPuLGKJO0M-XZ_ztDYsOWwVpudCYzcF4I_PQWRtOUfPcurTrDyKV0En9wIsaVI4apLJwNoK1Vqn9_3pGITuvk_d30s/w640-h480/20231030_103920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hay's Galleria is named after its original owner, the merchant Alexander Hay, who acquired the property – then a brewhouse – in 1651. In around 1840 John Humphrey Jnr acquired a lease on the property He asked William Cubitt (who was father-in-law to two of Humphrey's sons) to convert it into a 'wharf', in fact an enclosed dock, in 1856 and it was renamed Hay's Wharf.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">During the nineteenth century, the wharf was one of the chief delivery points for ships bringing tea to the Pool of London. At its height, 80% of the dry produce imported to London passed through the wharf, and on this account the wharf was nicknamed 'the Larder of London'. The wharf was largely rebuilt following the Great Fire of Southwark in June 1861 and then continued in use for nearly a century until it was badly bombed in September 1940 during the Second World War.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1920, the owners of the wharf purchased the shares of Pickfords as part of their Hay's Wharf Cartage Company subsidiary. This subsidiary was sold to the Big Four railways in 1933.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The progressive adoption of containerisation during the 1960s led to the shipping industry moving to deep water ports further down the Thames and the subsequent closure of Hay's Wharf in 1970.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZ6QvLoLBq4LwKVBe0kfmPUblKv5U83jW1oI78JArkzypehtXHmUlIARmyWE9K4mfRzUVk30eDFCrJ0xKITkDVfYa8hPGvPteiTUxwTZKbS0P1YTtmdoH-xCXaoCA8Ho6hmJASrcpMe7FWHiZbjzNGulAhKfW7ABWDxaDhPl9pHj7UTVAxjG682f1oGb0/s8093/20231030_104045.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8093" data-original-width="4618" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZ6QvLoLBq4LwKVBe0kfmPUblKv5U83jW1oI78JArkzypehtXHmUlIARmyWE9K4mfRzUVk30eDFCrJ0xKITkDVfYa8hPGvPteiTUxwTZKbS0P1YTtmdoH-xCXaoCA8Ho6hmJASrcpMe7FWHiZbjzNGulAhKfW7ABWDxaDhPl9pHj7UTVAxjG682f1oGb0/w366-h640/20231030_104045.jpg" width="366" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave Hayes Galleria and back onto walking beside the Thames and psas HMS BELFAST.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7oayD4GwwF7Qlh7VS73juFRF7WGvdqADMJTyimJd2TrXZJHtPL7ZclpL6Q9Ser1_910JAbQSy9LCL6rqlx-qEK8Kxrpp1C6GxAe-H8_BGY2APc80c9SM9F4l56GOWKGS2RCS4Hi_9WAKNPhLoJea-JTM7BDvsrK0zP3PzthTlzgsgdY3Irxfx55VqaS2/s7846/20231030_104145.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5884" data-original-width="7846" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7oayD4GwwF7Qlh7VS73juFRF7WGvdqADMJTyimJd2TrXZJHtPL7ZclpL6Q9Ser1_910JAbQSy9LCL6rqlx-qEK8Kxrpp1C6GxAe-H8_BGY2APc80c9SM9F4l56GOWKGS2RCS4Hi_9WAKNPhLoJea-JTM7BDvsrK0zP3PzthTlzgsgdY3Irxfx55VqaS2/w400-h300/20231030_104145.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">HMS Belfast is a Town-class light cruiser that was built for the Royal Navy. She is now permanently moored as a museum ship on the River Thames in London and is operated by the Imperial War Museum.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Construction of Belfast, the first ship in the Royal Navy to be named after the capital city of Northern Ireland and one of ten Town-class cruisers, began in December 1936. She was launched on St Patrick's Day 1938. Commissioned in early August 1939 shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, Belfast was initially part of the British naval blockade against Germany. In November 1939, Belfast struck a German mine and, in spite of fears that she would be scrapped, spent more than two years undergoing extensive repairs. Belfast returned to action in November 1942 with improved firepower, radar equipment, and armour. Belfast saw action escorting Arctic convoys to the Soviet Union during 1943 and in December 1943 played an important role in the Battle of North Cape, assisting in the destruction of the German warship Scharnhorst. In June 1944, Belfast took part in Operation Overlord supporting the Normandy landings. In June 1945, she was redeployed to the Far East to join the British Pacific Fleet, arriving shortly before the end of the Second World War. Belfast saw further combat action in 1950–52 during the Korean War and underwent an extensive modernisation between 1956 and 1959. A number of further overseas commissions followed before she entered reserve in 1963.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1967, efforts were initiated to avert Belfast's expected scrapping and to preserve her as a museum ship. A joint committee of the Imperial War Museum, the National Maritime Museum, and the Ministry of Defence was established and then reported in June 1968 that preservation was practical. In 1971, however, the government decided against preservation, prompting the formation of the private HMS Belfast Trust to campaign for her preservation. The efforts of the Trust were successful, and the government transferred the ship to the Trust in July 1971. Brought to London, she was moored on the River Thames near Tower Bridge in the Pool of London. Opened to the public in October 1971, Belfast became a branch of the Imperial War Museum in 1978. Since 1973 she has been home to City of London Sea Cadets who meet on board twice a week.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Gyps81Bv4-cy9BsdYzCBPh-0k7EJL2YeeeFjpIqM0zwmE30aMXoMktD17jpDOjmuOc4mDMTigQvZOJAJWOnk2M_dVu2nhqwUDE8Rf1KfAvAITbqkDUHvq1zn7Y8JTiVs4dU5etsLGOQ58mUZEn9QxEZkskD1GNZBRt0JICdr1Ku6HBA4_naxx9_qsaoE/s7934/20231030_104337.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5950" data-original-width="7934" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Gyps81Bv4-cy9BsdYzCBPh-0k7EJL2YeeeFjpIqM0zwmE30aMXoMktD17jpDOjmuOc4mDMTigQvZOJAJWOnk2M_dVu2nhqwUDE8Rf1KfAvAITbqkDUHvq1zn7Y8JTiVs4dU5etsLGOQ58mUZEn9QxEZkskD1GNZBRt0JICdr1Ku6HBA4_naxx9_qsaoE/w640-h480/20231030_104337.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on with views to Tower Bridge and The Tower of London.</div></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-n0PLoj40cVdyfDEt7Is4upmk_tCGcr4pj6QkCQQzCpU_9YdiXqX2bn5nORnWYJ3s9KAhUqw20IPJ3TzBz0A4pzlDxqe4cto-zRz0ghe5GZartcLMrjniiend58zh23pgJN0GsxTTVLqcGANvb5PuuyGRqERzqTYNH0bj36GqzbmcZCSBQyxyXYrAQN1c/s7689/20231030_104502.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5767" data-original-width="7689" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-n0PLoj40cVdyfDEt7Is4upmk_tCGcr4pj6QkCQQzCpU_9YdiXqX2bn5nORnWYJ3s9KAhUqw20IPJ3TzBz0A4pzlDxqe4cto-zRz0ghe5GZartcLMrjniiend58zh23pgJN0GsxTTVLqcGANvb5PuuyGRqERzqTYNH0bj36GqzbmcZCSBQyxyXYrAQN1c/w640-h480/20231030_104502.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tower of London</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Tower of London, officially His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, which is separated from the eastern edge of the square mile of the City of London by the open space known as Tower Hill. It was founded toward the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest. The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078 and was a resented symbol of oppression, inflicted upon London by the new Norman ruling class. The castle was also used as a prison from 1100 (Ranulf Flambard) until 1952 (Kray twins),[3] although that was not its primary purpose. A grand palace early in its history, it served as a royal residence. As a whole, the Tower is a complex of several buildings set within two concentric rings of defensive walls and a moat. There were several phases of expansion, mainly under kings Richard I, Henry III, and Edward I in the 12th and 13th centuries. The general layout established by the late 13th century remains despite later activity on the site.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Tower of London has played a prominent role in English history. It was besieged several times, and controlling it has been important to controlling the country. The Tower has served variously as an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint, a public record office, and the home of the Crown Jewels of England. From the early 14th century until the reign of Charles II in the 17th century, a procession would be led from the Tower to Westminster Abbey on the coronation of a monarch. In the absence of the monarch, the Constable of the Tower is in charge of the castle. This was a powerful and trusted position in the medieval period. In the late 15th century, the Princes in the Tower were housed at the castle when they mysteriously disappeared, presumed murdered. Under the Tudors, the Tower became used less as a royal residence, and despite attempts to refortify and repair the castle, its defences lagged behind developments to deal with artillery.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The zenith of the castle's use as a prison was the 16th and 17th centuries, when many figures who had fallen into disgrace, such as Elizabeth I before she became queen, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Elizabeth Throckmorton, were held within its walls. This use has led to the phrase "sent to the Tower". Despite its enduring reputation as a place of torture and death, popularised by 16th-century religious propagandists and 19th-century writers, only seven people were executed within the Tower before the world wars of the 20th century. Executions were more commonly held on the notorious Tower Hill to the north of the castle, with 112 occurring there over a 400-year period. In the latter half of the 19th century, institutions such as the Royal Mint moved out of the castle to other locations, leaving many buildings empty. Anthony Salvin and John Taylor took the opportunity to restore the Tower to what was felt to be its medieval appearance, clearing out many of the vacant post-medieval structures.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the First and Second World Wars, the Tower was again used as a prison and witnessed the executions of 12 men for espionage. After the Second World War, damage caused during the Blitz was repaired, and the castle reopened to the public. Today, the Tower of London is one of the country's most popular tourist attractions. Under the ceremonial charge of the Constable of the Tower, operated by the Resident Governor of the Tower of London and Keeper of the Jewel House, and guarded by the Yeomen Warders, the property is cared for by the charity Historic Royal Palaces and is protected as a World Heritage Site.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlCYTRwQJ0tbduvPol2OP1XNXHR09QaqwJUkGYXZUN0PR5h91LkjNHWL2M5lrM-rv6vUskXr9n6DcbrJgZHzQk_1r6Sa33W9FFczNeV9rU9LK2oh8O5ygTCwYktU7mnq0H-RW8LbPryjFbAFbZPCa21iR4nG6pFn7uKruILaBtNeMfJOVDqicbBMDHrfJ/s8160/20231030_104740.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlCYTRwQJ0tbduvPol2OP1XNXHR09QaqwJUkGYXZUN0PR5h91LkjNHWL2M5lrM-rv6vUskXr9n6DcbrJgZHzQk_1r6Sa33W9FFczNeV9rU9LK2oh8O5ygTCwYktU7mnq0H-RW8LbPryjFbAFbZPCa21iR4nG6pFn7uKruILaBtNeMfJOVDqicbBMDHrfJ/w640-h480/20231030_104740.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City Hall</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">City Hall is a building in Southwark, London, which previously served as the headquarters of the Greater London Authority (GLA) between July 2002 and December 2021. It is located in the London Borough of Southwark, on the south bank of the River Thames near Tower Bridge. In June 2020, the Greater London Authority started a consultation on proposals to vacate City Hall and move to The Crystal, a GLA-owned property in Newham, at the end of 2021. The decision was confirmed on 3 November 2020 and the GLA vacated City Hall on 2 December 2021. The Southwark location is ultimately owned by the government of Kuwait.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesXMv1tjk9DdNe8vYjqlz3Ne8H9u0qre6jKQHf7tJjP7GBzz2RKRvAtrKulHxQ98Ds9saG2CIrEJMuaH0NmSN6jEbvzOhHURqU-7AZl0MzveK3-0FkQs-K427vH_zO-DXEAeyIGhhoG7dTMx8y8iys1eSgkCpfO5zoczJoRGvnNGhRBX4UU-xtrVEk_u3/s8160/20231030_105137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesXMv1tjk9DdNe8vYjqlz3Ne8H9u0qre6jKQHf7tJjP7GBzz2RKRvAtrKulHxQ98Ds9saG2CIrEJMuaH0NmSN6jEbvzOhHURqU-7AZl0MzveK3-0FkQs-K427vH_zO-DXEAeyIGhhoG7dTMx8y8iys1eSgkCpfO5zoczJoRGvnNGhRBX4UU-xtrVEk_u3/w640-h480/20231030_105137.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on a short way and reach Tower Bridge.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzc9B51lqsJWZyb9SB4GCWZQ6oojChWPcxSncFoamcyk2-6-pFGawhQ30uXHEjbGEC46uUz4NExVH1yHUFGJ6Lxg9lJ4nP0BT-VLE1r5539odNbblCKNK2B7bSozeOVZWJ_2pt4-gEwHdus0Al4fvK7jtpXCNHfviNlFK7mK6UwsqeDVgniNYBQMcjmrC/s3415/20231030_105201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3415" data-original-width="2561" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzc9B51lqsJWZyb9SB4GCWZQ6oojChWPcxSncFoamcyk2-6-pFGawhQ30uXHEjbGEC46uUz4NExVH1yHUFGJ6Lxg9lJ4nP0BT-VLE1r5539odNbblCKNK2B7bSozeOVZWJ_2pt4-gEwHdus0Al4fvK7jtpXCNHfviNlFK7mK6UwsqeDVgniNYBQMcjmrC/w480-h640/20231030_105201.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tower Bridge is a Grade I listed combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, built between 1886 and 1894, designed by Horace Jones and engineered by John Wolfe Barry with the help of Henry Marc Brunel.[1] It crosses the River Thames close to the Tower of London and is one of five London bridges owned and maintained by the Bridge House Estates, a charitable trust founded in 1282. The bridge was constructed to give better access to the East End of London, which had expanded its commercial potential in the 19th century. The bridge was opened by Edward, Prince of Wales and Alexandra, Princess of Wales in 1894.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The bridge is 800 feet (240 m) in length and consists of two 213-foot (65 m) bridge towers connected at the upper level by two horizontal walkways, and a central pair of bascules that can open to allow shipping. Originally hydraulically powered, the operating mechanism was converted to an electro-hydraulic system in 1972. The bridge is part of the London Inner Ring Road and thus the boundary of the London congestion charge zone, and remains an important traffic route with 40,000 crossings every day. The bridge deck is freely accessible to both vehicles and pedestrians, whereas the bridge's twin towers, high-level walkways, and Victorian engine rooms form part of the Tower Bridge Exhibition.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tower Bridge has become a recognisable London landmark. It is sometimes confused with London Bridge, about 0.5 miles (800 m) upstream, which has led to a persistent urban legend about an American purchasing the wrong bridge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ibrAcd37HRc6u_Afo3wWLyJPXQWvUqQpuaO63Fug8LrTQoUraRBO4S6OgvTFJN23_3pHrQAOWaXPaY8tYRLgvyt-0Si40LdJMuSRF64V5yMY1kGYvN6ZklthyYQJ2UfH4K0rUVsGV3Jg29Wn6d-uWR6PxW2-uRvmWl1Wa2IfKDDKhAoR4yZmu8bQaGBb/s8160/20231030_105319.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ibrAcd37HRc6u_Afo3wWLyJPXQWvUqQpuaO63Fug8LrTQoUraRBO4S6OgvTFJN23_3pHrQAOWaXPaY8tYRLgvyt-0Si40LdJMuSRF64V5yMY1kGYvN6ZklthyYQJ2UfH4K0rUVsGV3Jg29Wn6d-uWR6PxW2-uRvmWl1Wa2IfKDDKhAoR4yZmu8bQaGBb/w640-h342/20231030_105319.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk down onto Horseydown Old Stairs to get a good view of the bridge from river level.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">This was the site of the original John Smith Beer!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflCPmnI2i5N001qv-JjhZRvCtn3fskDECMDM100ceWbnc5i6PqTLqOed-fsOiqMcO7V-S4xCkBlU6kUN7Ioi7wB6XpWYwlnh1QTTULmY-e0DP43Q8DfbezrE61QwsZPc2JM37VIzKpGLHBqcY47RsnqFDqwrUKduEyjRIFJ5b2g0Ol3a8HLK8oTXMouuT/s8160/20231030_105327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflCPmnI2i5N001qv-JjhZRvCtn3fskDECMDM100ceWbnc5i6PqTLqOed-fsOiqMcO7V-S4xCkBlU6kUN7Ioi7wB6XpWYwlnh1QTTULmY-e0DP43Q8DfbezrE61QwsZPc2JM37VIzKpGLHBqcY47RsnqFDqwrUKduEyjRIFJ5b2g0Ol3a8HLK8oTXMouuT/w480-h640/20231030_105327.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6h1fpM0y-K_2zDJGqFhxPFmVuv6PQbaL22g3ComATTQyrI4-mLfuJviD9LitVSXQr5zI_aT5iys43TJBIHLg1ibEzRI1ziRi2UrSrT3fiqPKnPakuEj6MpmhrfVKKMXkFeU2CNjM59XjLAP5ruYSK3nYJhwj1-yLy4bTG-pWAanvTSwWEHvYBWEmY_tj/s7740/20231030_105449.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7740" data-original-width="5805" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6h1fpM0y-K_2zDJGqFhxPFmVuv6PQbaL22g3ComATTQyrI4-mLfuJviD9LitVSXQr5zI_aT5iys43TJBIHLg1ibEzRI1ziRi2UrSrT3fiqPKnPakuEj6MpmhrfVKKMXkFeU2CNjM59XjLAP5ruYSK3nYJhwj1-yLy4bTG-pWAanvTSwWEHvYBWEmY_tj/w480-h640/20231030_105449.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We cross Tower Bridge to drop down into St Katherines Dock.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPJ3UqQBasPCBBj4Y25GWbFAFNtrM6TLoGhVbumH9LZDCzf5I1Rn0yODOFFSBb3n4M7jV31LnFdtATHLjGgOkTYLneenBq5CBevMgn82HgLOm1CaVJjSCwiJA7xxYuQ34ZhiF2wJcz8uwnkQxf7xuifCW-rr0ovWyWs-AF4x_cNzsetBc8SLlfU5YkG8O/s7626/20231030_105916.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5719" data-original-width="7626" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPJ3UqQBasPCBBj4Y25GWbFAFNtrM6TLoGhVbumH9LZDCzf5I1Rn0yODOFFSBb3n4M7jV31LnFdtATHLjGgOkTYLneenBq5CBevMgn82HgLOm1CaVJjSCwiJA7xxYuQ34ZhiF2wJcz8uwnkQxf7xuifCW-rr0ovWyWs-AF4x_cNzsetBc8SLlfU5YkG8O/w640-h480/20231030_105916.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A mix view of new and old. Tower of London with the mix of new buildings beyond. When I took this photo I thought I'd taken a video instead as the building in the middle, has a rooftop that looks like the play button ha ha.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFDkkf0l-JUc2LeVGcFKQgNWqJMEVq_PX5EsLRtGoenb-4J0ZeY2V4HqEDvxVPTAwpiaQTd3gBkfLfWXQc5oGT9pZ-UP2yJIb2d5emTvrjF3LC4bkIfGGVoQRpQTQyNQozjYVAUrblvcDNzxvDzyoxV6iaBClkk31JXojBQZlX5cI293aDSACkDZOpt0t/s7722/20231030_110027.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7722" data-original-width="5791" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFDkkf0l-JUc2LeVGcFKQgNWqJMEVq_PX5EsLRtGoenb-4J0ZeY2V4HqEDvxVPTAwpiaQTd3gBkfLfWXQc5oGT9pZ-UP2yJIb2d5emTvrjF3LC4bkIfGGVoQRpQTQyNQozjYVAUrblvcDNzxvDzyoxV6iaBClkk31JXojBQZlX5cI293aDSACkDZOpt0t/w480-h640/20231030_110027.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk into St Katherines Dock.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTy_cqpvkS-A4O-rXJ68HRoCDAyT-ZtCnlMyHrcrLaZ_KEK9mdvZTKlUOQWWV_3hMR6HliEo8-lICaVs1OomMgpMOPKtTo3o4sbp1Sag5oohXaeC47lqXzJIEoOtpUIyxY6wZvHCMomg3HJmUBb36kUFVHSvm-tp1WxOdRWbhiaEBL7eKV2tXfaEB90QdI/s8068/20231030_110047.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6051" data-original-width="8068" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTy_cqpvkS-A4O-rXJ68HRoCDAyT-ZtCnlMyHrcrLaZ_KEK9mdvZTKlUOQWWV_3hMR6HliEo8-lICaVs1OomMgpMOPKtTo3o4sbp1Sag5oohXaeC47lqXzJIEoOtpUIyxY6wZvHCMomg3HJmUBb36kUFVHSvm-tp1WxOdRWbhiaEBL7eKV2tXfaEB90QdI/w640-h480/20231030_110047.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">St Katharine Docks took their name from the former hospital of St Katharine's by the Tower, built in the 12th century, which stood on the site. An intensely built-up area, the entire 23-acre (9.5 hectares) Precinct of St Katharine by the Tower and part of East Smithfield, was earmarked for redevelopment by an Act of Parliament in 1825, with construction commencing in May 1827. Some 1250 houses were demolished, together with the medieval hospital of St. Katharine. Around 11,300 inhabitants, mostly port workers crammed into unsanitary slums, lost their homes; only the property owners received compensation. The scheme was designed by engineer Thomas Telford and was his only major project in London. George Turnbull and James Waylen were working for Telford. To create as much quayside as possible, the docks were designed in the form of two linked basins (East and West), both accessed via an entrance lock from the Thames. Steam engines designed by James Watt and Matthew Boulton kept the water level in the basins about four feet above that of the tidal river. By 1830, the docks had cost over £2 million to build.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0DkXRJviRDuuRMIRx03zj2GM7siFisLrXRIfVmOi1QimdVylILDlxP4xtoZivb8DjkloNM1RiAKKfq_oNNv68qS_izr16rvVl8dZO3GPUGCVPL9yGBAfwK6Opuv2eeQdOeh3qJ3ijURQly873JxRAPHQupqlixUJ8LxFFelrAygVZocC4E9lHYZvxaCg/s8160/20231030_110247.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0DkXRJviRDuuRMIRx03zj2GM7siFisLrXRIfVmOi1QimdVylILDlxP4xtoZivb8DjkloNM1RiAKKfq_oNNv68qS_izr16rvVl8dZO3GPUGCVPL9yGBAfwK6Opuv2eeQdOeh3qJ3ijURQly873JxRAPHQupqlixUJ8LxFFelrAygVZocC4E9lHYZvxaCg/w640-h480/20231030_110247.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Telford aimed to minimise the amount of quayside activity and specified that the docks' warehouses (designed by the architect Philip Hardwick) be built right on the quayside so that goods could be unloaded directly into them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The docks were officially opened on 25 October 1828. Although well used, they were not a great commercial success and were unable to accommodate large ships. They were amalgamated in 1864 with the neighbouring London Docks. In 1909, the Port of London Authority took over the management of almost all of the Thames docks, including St Katharine Dock. By the 1930s the only regular use was by ships of the General Steam Navigation Company.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6npH9UOmglYrWXn4GgOYXMsouuGORxN4R80qZl0itQ3P1tBmGqlvAsW7NZWDb7OOURZLXOcvCoUm93vNGm-j40pkDJXjyvTFTlkBf7ccDqNc2tRGTTdr5bhfNVMOVTXyj7MKoK0Y_vKKjrv5xqONh2hSUSbzJTQ1_5tBQ2ssWiRLLqwc-iTwr1wKpvI5/s7374/20231030_110302.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5531" data-original-width="7374" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6npH9UOmglYrWXn4GgOYXMsouuGORxN4R80qZl0itQ3P1tBmGqlvAsW7NZWDb7OOURZLXOcvCoUm93vNGm-j40pkDJXjyvTFTlkBf7ccDqNc2tRGTTdr5bhfNVMOVTXyj7MKoK0Y_vKKjrv5xqONh2hSUSbzJTQ1_5tBQ2ssWiRLLqwc-iTwr1wKpvI5/w640-h480/20231030_110302.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">St Katharine Docks were badly damaged by German bombing during the Second World War. All the warehouses around the eastern basin were destroyed, and the site they had occupied remained derelict until the 1960s. The dock entrance lock was rebuilt in 1957 but the docks ceased commercial use in 1968. The remaining warehouses on the western side were demolished to make way for redevelopment.</div></div><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbJsC49Tsr-rquF4-zOE8J7_8KJLZzW_NjRnG_hdiOyiSEJMR2gkVMCozhwGN-nybP_qkvvxmcSC6N0rrMhlnqWNjG32JJ_kME4ePd2m6Xm7j_S3e9-TQdHjG4JV6dANaYMXtcANS2i4x6dZ3KXahGrTkeRGjADmvHN8bB7_IcvF1jAY-lDXL2SsLxtTF/s8160/20231030_110845.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbJsC49Tsr-rquF4-zOE8J7_8KJLZzW_NjRnG_hdiOyiSEJMR2gkVMCozhwGN-nybP_qkvvxmcSC6N0rrMhlnqWNjG32JJ_kME4ePd2m6Xm7j_S3e9-TQdHjG4JV6dANaYMXtcANS2i4x6dZ3KXahGrTkeRGjADmvHN8bB7_IcvF1jAY-lDXL2SsLxtTF/w640-h480/20231030_110845.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We stop for a drink at The Dickens Inn.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9WogzxXyoT4CG_ERRmqfwttaOmhb6BTCQhBtWR6GzgEwbgU-NL2xbd29z-G-7Yil86cERXt_tjlIew16YsKJEOvqf0gCazRpc9eVMjZstKeOsjjFu3uR-sMc8X-ExayhKJbgdLIbc6urFt-80uBhyphenhypheniIApAOEjAwZZSgUhn5U5Zqext9PUKO68-XbJaga/s8160/20231030_111104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9WogzxXyoT4CG_ERRmqfwttaOmhb6BTCQhBtWR6GzgEwbgU-NL2xbd29z-G-7Yil86cERXt_tjlIew16YsKJEOvqf0gCazRpc9eVMjZstKeOsjjFu3uR-sMc8X-ExayhKJbgdLIbc6urFt-80uBhyphenhypheniIApAOEjAwZZSgUhn5U5Zqext9PUKO68-XbJaga/w640-h480/20231030_111104.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Originally thought to have been either a tea warehouse (or perhaps a brewery warehouse) from the late 1700’s, The Dickens Inn has survived the threat of being demolished a number of times over the years.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This wonderfully preserved wooden structure was one of only a handful of buildings to survive in the area from the Blitz of World War 2 and was again saved from developers in an area regeneration program in the 1960’s.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7S4cJYqV0B9Agz4Evu3b_QudlwB2JSssf9SVGTW5Ani24Ap60qTZ86siHdJ6oX_zwOdqCo0Mu1ITpD8B8dMvI9khVdnYU4sBqtgEcVnfYkwxzM1H77lUDUSxE-qc2pNqmceY1w3wjyp8S_50AV6iviiYiCwX_AcR0ukgscHcYtDM7hSxZ4RewS0w0W-z/s8160/20231030_111232.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7S4cJYqV0B9Agz4Evu3b_QudlwB2JSssf9SVGTW5Ani24Ap60qTZ86siHdJ6oX_zwOdqCo0Mu1ITpD8B8dMvI9khVdnYU4sBqtgEcVnfYkwxzM1H77lUDUSxE-qc2pNqmceY1w3wjyp8S_50AV6iviiYiCwX_AcR0ukgscHcYtDM7hSxZ4RewS0w0W-z/w480-h640/20231030_111232.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We had a Dickens Gold, when I logged it in UnTappd, I see its a unlabelled Greene King Beer. Probably wouldn't have ordered it had I known. Not a fan of Greene King beers, but this one was actually okay.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGH4GKeOKXYf-9-CBjtM86elmiVU0-0uCNyEwm5r6yYtgzNSZgNs33RSGvM-D5B-r2-c0-FozustCX_BCqhhTFN5bA7QAzRZ-epB9DFLWHYlC7mP3uYBmf1qib_-sLvIuHKsvEeVlmcHSO7Vuk5Mr3O3jAlpSlDOaCAs0fpnTzcqYEHT9Y1Q53bAmEIC5E/s8160/20231030_111452.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGH4GKeOKXYf-9-CBjtM86elmiVU0-0uCNyEwm5r6yYtgzNSZgNs33RSGvM-D5B-r2-c0-FozustCX_BCqhhTFN5bA7QAzRZ-epB9DFLWHYlC7mP3uYBmf1qib_-sLvIuHKsvEeVlmcHSO7Vuk5Mr3O3jAlpSlDOaCAs0fpnTzcqYEHT9Y1Q53bAmEIC5E/w480-h640/20231030_111452.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The building itself actually had to be moved to its current position in order to evade the wrecking ball, and now stands around 70 metres east of its original location. When the move occurred the building was intentionally and carefully reconstructed to resemble a traditional three storied 18th-Century styled Inn. The hope from the council at the time was that the pub would attract tourism to the area around Marble Dock and surrounding areas.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDnXhF4a9ksTP3vFANZZ6nOwaU1pSo7RGik-6f-zuVbkVjOmnoujhMFaJS5p0v8U-HQhimhMYKyY_HVE8EaTLb4EpfhOul-DUK6wKnBb4uQfmitXgy018HPQU4pl0jar_JKRjfxY49owdnE36MbsZSn0jeEpZWBna_wly6pAC41bvLjCE98zNtwdXZQLa/s8160/20231030_111500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDnXhF4a9ksTP3vFANZZ6nOwaU1pSo7RGik-6f-zuVbkVjOmnoujhMFaJS5p0v8U-HQhimhMYKyY_HVE8EaTLb4EpfhOul-DUK6wKnBb4uQfmitXgy018HPQU4pl0jar_JKRjfxY49owdnE36MbsZSn0jeEpZWBna_wly6pAC41bvLjCE98zNtwdXZQLa/w640-h480/20231030_111500.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the pub and St Katherines Dock. Now we seem a little lost. The books directions are confusing and the small map with no road names next to useless. So we walk on knowing we have to at least reach Tobacco Dock which I know where that is.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SGgc0DWOcpJEZbF9G33Y_0uWdD3ehiDXeXD_ZeNAqxoeRtZ0lM3ASneaCfaAjJSvDr5xZ7xroY4LAjB8n0OSyQZE-5eGOi63CQpqJdmTfQABcgi7h4dzjSz6YPUoHnE6BEee0DePxFFoZ1X5LeOfNEZKsh9QUauYvZ7VOwbPQEadWw80ldb7NtOvB-ML/s8160/20231030_114504.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SGgc0DWOcpJEZbF9G33Y_0uWdD3ehiDXeXD_ZeNAqxoeRtZ0lM3ASneaCfaAjJSvDr5xZ7xroY4LAjB8n0OSyQZE-5eGOi63CQpqJdmTfQABcgi7h4dzjSz6YPUoHnE6BEee0DePxFFoZ1X5LeOfNEZKsh9QUauYvZ7VOwbPQEadWw80ldb7NtOvB-ML/w640-h480/20231030_114504.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk along the Thames Path towards Wapping. This appears wrong but I'd given up on the guidebook for now.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgYZXokjCA93TS9qBBrJ95wrlwmdNNOGvg7NGsbTOApJ6vMJN8GS95G_NJGLmLKBjyS5tZtRRD68HEmRy6hu5gy_jaUjD43SPKCS53aK2J5kODM0grxoYIeee-6YwuaSzFVSw0tfSD2jfJEEr7cV1NxRMtIR8fFgQE5AvFPc6vuz4ue3tTW0wfrS2OFeb/s7945/20231030_114621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5959" data-original-width="7945" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgYZXokjCA93TS9qBBrJ95wrlwmdNNOGvg7NGsbTOApJ6vMJN8GS95G_NJGLmLKBjyS5tZtRRD68HEmRy6hu5gy_jaUjD43SPKCS53aK2J5kODM0grxoYIeee-6YwuaSzFVSw0tfSD2jfJEEr7cV1NxRMtIR8fFgQE5AvFPc6vuz4ue3tTW0wfrS2OFeb/w640-h480/20231030_114621.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the Thames Path and Wapping High Street and walk up Garnet Street.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhez2HE9o5bkAVakGfHmwGA7hoToCF_Pt4spG6g5TWGeUyFguDK8dYs-cQOuFfAVSTfnRinwKhiZV0H3QlgCdRnDdyES0WQOuYklzaz_KHtFJ4syKL9i32zY-kNAXHz9zpNolasWU2wSSLm7ljB65CumG2svoHX4xfLEcgENMS2OiyOai6pAUARFsbRFGqg/s7975/20231030_120510.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5981" data-original-width="7975" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhez2HE9o5bkAVakGfHmwGA7hoToCF_Pt4spG6g5TWGeUyFguDK8dYs-cQOuFfAVSTfnRinwKhiZV0H3QlgCdRnDdyES0WQOuYklzaz_KHtFJ4syKL9i32zY-kNAXHz9zpNolasWU2wSSLm7ljB65CumG2svoHX4xfLEcgENMS2OiyOai6pAUARFsbRFGqg/w640-h480/20231030_120510.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We cross the Bascule Bridge on Garnet Street. This was built in the 1930s by the Port of London Authority and was restored by the London Docklands Development Corporation during their redevelopment of the site in the 1980s.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc61dsDZ8wVRbmoI47xkAs240RMTYDiCSvOfaFVybQDigzH2MLWDHIKdiDa548-m20ySEanNuF6TeBqk7xQlWD5fczUqGd11RujcbnkDdyBcPCqmKvV3bMlUKVLQ-VYLRW9KViEzg29xO-dMXVcsRTVWm-FyQJvcwB8oQ4R1L7r68DF1W7dXchoePirRAd/s7767/20231030_120627.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5825" data-original-width="7767" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc61dsDZ8wVRbmoI47xkAs240RMTYDiCSvOfaFVybQDigzH2MLWDHIKdiDa548-m20ySEanNuF6TeBqk7xQlWD5fczUqGd11RujcbnkDdyBcPCqmKvV3bMlUKVLQ-VYLRW9KViEzg29xO-dMXVcsRTVWm-FyQJvcwB8oQ4R1L7r68DF1W7dXchoePirRAd/w640-h480/20231030_120627.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;">We walk into Shadwell Basin for a quick look,. The picture above is the location from the Only Fools and Horses :He ain't heavy, he's my brother' where Uncle Albert goes missing and is found here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The London Docks expanded eastward in the 1830s with the opening of the Eastern Dock and Shadwell Basin (built 1828–32). To provide these new docks with access to the river, a new entrance at Shadwell was built. Opened in 1832, it was named Shadwell Entrance (the main entrance to the London Dock was through Wapping Entrance with a third entrance at Hermitage Basin).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">By the 1850s, the London Dock Company had recognised that the entrances at both Wapping and Shadwell were too small to accommodate the newer and larger ships coming into service. In 1854-58 the company built a new larger entrance (45 feet wide) and a new basin at Shadwell (the only element of the London Docks system to have survived redevelopment to this day) linked to the west part of the docks by Eastern Dock and the short Tobacco Dock.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The small size of the London Docks made them outdated by the early 20th century as steam power meant ships were built too large to fit into them. Cargoes were unloaded downriver and then ferried by barge to warehouses in Wapping. This system was uneconomic and inefficient and one of the main reasons that London's western docks (St Katharine Dock and the London Docks) were the first to close in the 1960s.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The London Docks complex closed to shipping in 1969. Purchased by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Shadwell Basin and the western part of the London Docks fell into a derelict state, mostly a large open tract of land and water. Acquired in 1981 by the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC), redevelopment of Shadwell Basin took place in 1987 resulting in 169 houses and flats being built around the retained historic dock.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdH9_G2uUiK7QHnia8IN6BN5GLFp7wvnPPciCTG3CIgNzvI63BEofXTBY-AobUCGTyqMbeL8NU5Gzd6C4uW7fT_vYULbJNXRwDR7_UsZXJvfVL7JUihPqCLHBMYrdgqNsCfI7pj0eS2TPN0h5SCP1xSf9fk3fFBOkblCid0GgmaoKUn-H506rywAaJ-_D3/s8160/20231030_121242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdH9_G2uUiK7QHnia8IN6BN5GLFp7wvnPPciCTG3CIgNzvI63BEofXTBY-AobUCGTyqMbeL8NU5Gzd6C4uW7fT_vYULbJNXRwDR7_UsZXJvfVL7JUihPqCLHBMYrdgqNsCfI7pj0eS2TPN0h5SCP1xSf9fk3fFBOkblCid0GgmaoKUn-H506rywAaJ-_D3/s8160/20231030_121242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdH9_G2uUiK7QHnia8IN6BN5GLFp7wvnPPciCTG3CIgNzvI63BEofXTBY-AobUCGTyqMbeL8NU5Gzd6C4uW7fT_vYULbJNXRwDR7_UsZXJvfVL7JUihPqCLHBMYrdgqNsCfI7pj0eS2TPN0h5SCP1xSf9fk3fFBOkblCid0GgmaoKUn-H506rywAaJ-_D3/w640-h480/20231030_121242.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">We cross back over the road and walk down to Tobacco Dock.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Tobacco Dock is a Grade I listed warehouse located in the East London district of Wapping, and thereby the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Part of the London Docks designed by Scottish civil engineer and architect John Rennie, the warehouse was completed in 1812 and primarily served as a store for imported tobacco, hence the name. During the early 20th century, economic activity in the area fluctuated due to World War I and World War II, and both London Docks and nearby St Katharine Docks had closed by 1969.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRvR_f8zIpQrb73NfDK56HxQqLrsWw9yDL7dzcgP3F2hw-VB-0rcJTCiYuVrHtY6zCc8uRCocz2rRkNtByJ5es6OKbhgdB5WZKFgJoQdu8uOOVUTfT2Nd1AaqJn4NmQ-QB8kfGWAU2tjO-d_n-JIfw4izXuknKujbGoDE3_kkNmjAiQB2B3vAsEj5IZCn/s8009/20231030_121309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6007" data-original-width="8009" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRvR_f8zIpQrb73NfDK56HxQqLrsWw9yDL7dzcgP3F2hw-VB-0rcJTCiYuVrHtY6zCc8uRCocz2rRkNtByJ5es6OKbhgdB5WZKFgJoQdu8uOOVUTfT2Nd1AaqJn4NmQ-QB8kfGWAU2tjO-d_n-JIfw4izXuknKujbGoDE3_kkNmjAiQB2B3vAsEj5IZCn/w640-h480/20231030_121309.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After the London Docklands ceased seaborne trade, the warehouse and surrounding areas fell into dereliction until it was turned into a shopping centre which opened in 1989. However, due to the early 1990s recession, it was forced to close two years later. In 2003 English Heritage placed it on its "at risk" register, preventing many developers from attempting a rejuvenation of the former London Docklands site. For two decades Tobacco Dock stood largely empty; it was used as a barracks for military personnel providing security to the 2012 London Olympics.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 2012 the company Tobacco Dock Ltd launched the building as an events and conferencing space for up to 10,000 people. It also houses offices and co-working spaces operated by Tobacco Dock Venue Ltd, although the site and building itself are owned by Kuwaiti investment company Messila House.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEWX1Kee1NSrGVp0HUbiyIluzq60roPdALVn9X5YmMQozp5GEQ21ErjPpr02XqjQCqpb-YQ_NR88HYegjxGTrRMsdDivwW-IKQ-VsLMWjn8ODvsS30jTnHgLl7asEWf7wBF_WfTxXbxjosKUT75V6AH2gbEZwCbFraZ6ucukFIMoYi2yHlFxTRbDISzSZ/s7221/20231030_121659.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5416" data-original-width="7221" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEWX1Kee1NSrGVp0HUbiyIluzq60roPdALVn9X5YmMQozp5GEQ21ErjPpr02XqjQCqpb-YQ_NR88HYegjxGTrRMsdDivwW-IKQ-VsLMWjn8ODvsS30jTnHgLl7asEWf7wBF_WfTxXbxjosKUT75V6AH2gbEZwCbFraZ6ucukFIMoYi2yHlFxTRbDISzSZ/w640-h480/20231030_121659.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk up Wapping Lane cross The Highway into St Georges Gardens.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eHld_hrDTXicGRzVLkCN2S6AT6Se5DyMLPylmFsETvBYuA92KKMLrBwOZ6wuHqAFZmmKM_DeDgLD8ZIVC22HB7snRPQpfEa649p3t653YyZrvqDRsFiyd_PhxkS4E73V8zxkrwO2VuKmVL7lqi76g_FJdEOZAFMtU2_s4btdN-Z8nu0XyUG-mhx47Wah/s7986/20231030_121735.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5989" data-original-width="7986" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eHld_hrDTXicGRzVLkCN2S6AT6Se5DyMLPylmFsETvBYuA92KKMLrBwOZ6wuHqAFZmmKM_DeDgLD8ZIVC22HB7snRPQpfEa649p3t653YyZrvqDRsFiyd_PhxkS4E73V8zxkrwO2VuKmVL7lqi76g_FJdEOZAFMtU2_s4btdN-Z8nu0XyUG-mhx47Wah/w640-h480/20231030_121735.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pass St George in The East Church.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church is one of six Hawksmoor churches in London, England. It was built from 1714 to 1729, with funding from the 1711 Act of Parliament. Its name has been used for two forms of parish (areas of land) surrounding, one ecclesiastical which remains and one a Civil counterpart, a third tier of local government. The latter assisted public facilities in the late 19th century but ceded its dwindling purposes to the Metropolitan Borough of Stepney so was abolished in 1927. The church was designated a Grade I listed building in 1950.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1836, the parish of St George in the East was constituted as a Poor Law parish under the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the 1850s, Archibald Campbell Tait, then Bishop of London, appointed a Low Church lecturer, which was contrary to the High Church attitude of the rector and curate. As a protest, there were catcalls and horn blowing, and some male members of the congregation went into the church smoking their pipes, keeping their hats on, and leading barking dogs Refuse was thrown onto the altar. The church was closed for a while in 1859, and the rector, owing to his poor health, was persuaded by the author Tom Hughes to hand over his duties to a locum.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church was hit by a bomb during the Second World War Blitz on London's docklands in May 1941. The original interior was destroyed by the fire, but the walls and distinctive "pepper-pot" towers stayed up. In 1964 a modern church interior was constructed inside the existing walls, and a new flat built under each corner tower.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It appeared in the 1980 film The Long Good Friday starring Bob Hoskins. It also appeared in S02E01 of Killing Eve.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgJgz5-6h9UKwCB4E7mi13IIlWov6qnwwCb_0SMkSbEQVHMEGJBtGfDOXB94kdTBBAFOqJafOv783tPmGLGYS5G3RuYOD3Oo0zJYXwC3K8s8urb0OaBf4nurlU2X6b8d5pvDITPuTdsRMqzRXdSu2XRhbczkS5qAG_ZrJj2ryarW3nIXpoJ_zLUclXeDF/s6801/20231030_121838.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6801" data-original-width="5149" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgJgz5-6h9UKwCB4E7mi13IIlWov6qnwwCb_0SMkSbEQVHMEGJBtGfDOXB94kdTBBAFOqJafOv783tPmGLGYS5G3RuYOD3Oo0zJYXwC3K8s8urb0OaBf4nurlU2X6b8d5pvDITPuTdsRMqzRXdSu2XRhbczkS5qAG_ZrJj2ryarW3nIXpoJ_zLUclXeDF/w484-h640/20231030_121838.jpg" width="484" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the park and walk onto Cable Street. Here is the mural of the Battle of Cable Street.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The Cable Street Mural was painted on the side of St George's Town Hall by Dave Binnington, Paul Butler, Ray Walker and Desmond Rochfort between 1979 and 1983 to commemorate the Battle of Cable Street in 1936. The original design was by Dave Binnington.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWGJCQAo6PxsUqBXYS5dFpbVym1S5-bzRz6xaDDq5AqjA59rsYimORPQ3Zar8ZYS2XjJcG66sGLGgiNrsZUmGB0FqF05BwxfF_m3PXDtRnViHgLcAvn6WniHeWZuWYiAKYp6pKZNXknL-Y2qdfufIq1kibawlEXqHscKUbQozNSnuk7CCIcUySLt8dyei/s8160/20231030_121900.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWGJCQAo6PxsUqBXYS5dFpbVym1S5-bzRz6xaDDq5AqjA59rsYimORPQ3Zar8ZYS2XjJcG66sGLGgiNrsZUmGB0FqF05BwxfF_m3PXDtRnViHgLcAvn6WniHeWZuWYiAKYp6pKZNXknL-Y2qdfufIq1kibawlEXqHscKUbQozNSnuk7CCIcUySLt8dyei/w640-h480/20231030_121900.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Battle of Cable Street took place on Sunday 4 October 1936 in Cable Street, as a result of opposition to a march by the British Union of Fascists led by Oswald Mosley. Anti-fascist protesters, including local Jewish, socialist, anarchist, Irish and communist groups, clashed with the Metropolitan Police, who attempted to remove the barricades erected to stop the march.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxl25o03gYybSKFrtBk1x8h47N6L46XLt2qPEHf4kVQUQ8Fo3wbz7kyCPo4x70OwlCUGw6KXSsBlWllfSuSuhS-MP4Y_-FaTk0Cw4V7TZ93IgaL7F-FdSFg6Y43Q1kxpS7Ib5yexNYxt2InT1hAQkZMoIq9F1JZ1xZmJseOWdBxig5w5nJ47esmGH6rULY/s7841/20231030_121911.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5881" data-original-width="7841" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxl25o03gYybSKFrtBk1x8h47N6L46XLt2qPEHf4kVQUQ8Fo3wbz7kyCPo4x70OwlCUGw6KXSsBlWllfSuSuhS-MP4Y_-FaTk0Cw4V7TZ93IgaL7F-FdSFg6Y43Q1kxpS7Ib5yexNYxt2InT1hAQkZMoIq9F1JZ1xZmJseOWdBxig5w5nJ47esmGH6rULY/w640-h480/20231030_121911.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk along Cable Street pass Shadwell Tube Station.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1U_Hws8_JrOJzH-UVzd4fqq3zZgPyqN27I0Jma6CypP_N1JGApTNXx1vttHgF_bqhkn4V75xo2fElhWlW7zKFWp-RFqKRbJgA9oBSk20jhY_wyu2Y_9bgfk2SIJ3XtjC2abeXJ4GUf47YuifPrUIsyT-aJl_bO1jzC84efK-lsE8KIxYYWRS0MRnOAe6j/s8160/20231030_122204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1U_Hws8_JrOJzH-UVzd4fqq3zZgPyqN27I0Jma6CypP_N1JGApTNXx1vttHgF_bqhkn4V75xo2fElhWlW7zKFWp-RFqKRbJgA9oBSk20jhY_wyu2Y_9bgfk2SIJ3XtjC2abeXJ4GUf47YuifPrUIsyT-aJl_bO1jzC84efK-lsE8KIxYYWRS0MRnOAe6j/w640-h480/20231030_122204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We turn into Watney Street and treated our selves to the finest East London Cuisine. Fired Chicken and Chips ha ha.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Walking on we pass through Watney Street Market.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEE54CZF0Xx-nNE9QprJyfy4YvzmbjorR_fRjSW5l5p14a8tOAopc8GScBFMn7-q81AawPDdeczQSTfPDzXqc06bxu9VcCMBEHAcoStIDvVgVI2gwVzlEZLx2wRbj6FranK1KqNBJRnQ-C7ShfwnjrnwmklYbmwkMC_sx5UMPW4k1eReL-vBaGG1Ktvw3k/s8160/20231030_124252.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEE54CZF0Xx-nNE9QprJyfy4YvzmbjorR_fRjSW5l5p14a8tOAopc8GScBFMn7-q81AawPDdeczQSTfPDzXqc06bxu9VcCMBEHAcoStIDvVgVI2gwVzlEZLx2wRbj6FranK1KqNBJRnQ-C7ShfwnjrnwmklYbmwkMC_sx5UMPW4k1eReL-vBaGG1Ktvw3k/w640-h480/20231030_124252.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgF1W9ZZhSYZ6z-8ptaJ6nKK7UwkavX5-Gc0m-DKUo53z4AgIDwx8lIEDpdqLYQ_N39s4aoaAO-YdQBjp8JCPDKCmLa0zlUPv-er-6uYGHofrEV9HbUbpyqYV1e2IHOKS1A0I8TLiiwXefx_ets5LkKBwyNcHtie6YOyfDh6TDijlBTKb-RpS1QieBh_PE/s7715/20231030_125556.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5786" data-original-width="7715" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgF1W9ZZhSYZ6z-8ptaJ6nKK7UwkavX5-Gc0m-DKUo53z4AgIDwx8lIEDpdqLYQ_N39s4aoaAO-YdQBjp8JCPDKCmLa0zlUPv-er-6uYGHofrEV9HbUbpyqYV1e2IHOKS1A0I8TLiiwXefx_ets5LkKBwyNcHtie6YOyfDh6TDijlBTKb-RpS1QieBh_PE/w640-h480/20231030_125556.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk out onto Commercial Road (A13) and to the end of the walk at Whitechapel Station. Guidebook says 5 miles but I suspect we did a tad more.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAikdBEWmbSj02GwyAb3ZUJzAzaS_a7jFb28Q3J24rBcGvyTGQNJhM0xrDMxhqBfyr4188lfTCOk1YhcF9x4eR7NmJg-PFCsjMAr-d0YHsM9t6DyD0XsXwhYQ2WAeW6GTiruq0t5H0btah2E5lHnzzDQPWIb1wLEDH7OBlgHzKGKck9azCKCBuPr7OHzA/s8160/20231030_125727.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAikdBEWmbSj02GwyAb3ZUJzAzaS_a7jFb28Q3J24rBcGvyTGQNJhM0xrDMxhqBfyr4188lfTCOk1YhcF9x4eR7NmJg-PFCsjMAr-d0YHsM9t6DyD0XsXwhYQ2WAeW6GTiruq0t5H0btah2E5lHnzzDQPWIb1wLEDH7OBlgHzKGKck9azCKCBuPr7OHzA/w640-h480/20231030_125727.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-36669388922377447712023-10-02T18:21:00.059+01:002023-10-11T10:35:54.076+01:00Danbury to Beesleigh Falls, Essex 2nd October 2023<p> GPX File <a href="https://www.haroldstreet.org.uk/routes/download/?walk=6160" target="_blank">Here</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">On Monday the 2<sup>nd</sup> October 2023 Sean and I drove
to Essex Outdoors Centre on Well Lane Danbury.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">The aim was to risk assess a 12 mile route I had planned for
the Police cadets Duke of Edinburgh Bronze practice.</p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">We parked up and walked up Well Lane onto Main Road and up a
footpath that takes us out to Riffhams Lane.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gGnQ_t2_oyAKlFKqGW3Frz1gKNLS_Zy2qK6-FlSHdcnseZb4JxiQNxp2m7W_btsLhJqI34xWssz0zBmgbfJ2OHzyMZAxUfo_R6wptx9amEw6nnzKEpqMZLi6VMExkK9oUXhQcgPyGYmOOw0PtO341R87YARvb8XKZnmR9MK_BP2Jx2EPXOOYcLZIpVgs/s8160/20231002_095124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gGnQ_t2_oyAKlFKqGW3Frz1gKNLS_Zy2qK6-FlSHdcnseZb4JxiQNxp2m7W_btsLhJqI34xWssz0zBmgbfJ2OHzyMZAxUfo_R6wptx9amEw6nnzKEpqMZLi6VMExkK9oUXhQcgPyGYmOOw0PtO341R87YARvb8XKZnmR9MK_BP2Jx2EPXOOYcLZIpVgs/w640-h480/20231002_095124.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On Riffhams Lane we can see Riffhams Hall.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The estate of which Old Riffhams was a capital messuage was owned by the Clerke family up until 1801. In the late C18 Martha, daughter and heiress of Robert Clerke, married Charles Phillips, who in default of heirs, left the estate to his great-nephew John Robert Spencer. On inheriting in 1809, John took the additional name of Phillips. Instead of altering the old manor house, he chose to build a new mansion on a spectacular site c 600m to the south-west of the old one. He began the house, which he called Riffhams, in 1815, the same year in which Humphry Repton (1752-1818) was called in to give advice on the grounds. Although a Red Book was not prepared, Repton advised on the location of the new house and prepared 'a panoramic sketch of the views from the site proposed for Riffham's Lodge' (Repton watercolour (copy), UEA). In 1836 Wright included an engraving in his History of Essex which shows the early C19 flower gardens and shrubberies. John Spencer died in 1874, aged eighty-seven years. The estate was inherited by his son Major John Charles Spencer-Phillips but was let to a Mrs E Kirk and then to Mr and Mrs Charles Parker in c 1904. During their tenancy the Danbury Flower Show was held in the grounds. In 1928 the house was occupied by Sir Adam and Lady Richie and in 1933 Percy Tyrell Spencer Phillips put it on the market. It was purchased by Sir Follett Holt, a railway engineer. Sir Follett's son sold Riffhams in c 1968 to the Benson family. In 1976 the estate was again put up for sale and the house and park were purchased by the Hindmarch family. The estate remains in single private ownership.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05MluhoMqGOLPKzVZ5k2FYek_oRVp8rWDPcoyjbrDql8kwQv1DEamqLT7fHyZ8cWrY-hDS44krZY7X1g0ddcFVBjO8_5vMFnvfhTswo-wEgE4UbvUPnWCp53Foo4ucoG7JTar8B1KCkdErirZc3Dg4oA4z3K9YKpr5Aovvw1aVCOnD2xMToMGtL7gCFpV/s8160/20231002_101505.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05MluhoMqGOLPKzVZ5k2FYek_oRVp8rWDPcoyjbrDql8kwQv1DEamqLT7fHyZ8cWrY-hDS44krZY7X1g0ddcFVBjO8_5vMFnvfhTswo-wEgE4UbvUPnWCp53Foo4ucoG7JTar8B1KCkdErirZc3Dg4oA4z3K9YKpr5Aovvw1aVCOnD2xMToMGtL7gCFpV/w640-h480/20231002_101505.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on up Riffhams Lane for a while before taking a footpath into the woods at Lingwood Common.</div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7vfe4iV-cypYyKeUNCDAFi6fN-sTwhX7OM0xPJooLRY4PBZ0TCcSTXMdbooMjaT2Uy4bfrbqLqeZUMV1mbU_bL0hy2dUYJ7xptHGtK-T_-KdDgORzd36QM-U3PQFFc0vZF4KuoBrVCjvT_Uql6vvbhDL9gMXLoZcaJO6wFhNECUFcJTbz_cVV8rLcEaw/s8160/20231002_101731.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7vfe4iV-cypYyKeUNCDAFi6fN-sTwhX7OM0xPJooLRY4PBZ0TCcSTXMdbooMjaT2Uy4bfrbqLqeZUMV1mbU_bL0hy2dUYJ7xptHGtK-T_-KdDgORzd36QM-U3PQFFc0vZF4KuoBrVCjvT_Uql6vvbhDL9gMXLoZcaJO6wFhNECUFcJTbz_cVV8rLcEaw/w640-h480/20231002_101731.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We emerge from the woods after a uphill stretch and cross the road into Fir Tree Road and follow this road down into woods called Poors Piece.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2S7z6e3Rs3Me9uizahmhilYxKihqo9yM1QxI0_7_Bp02w1_xtQm0txUgPZYB5_WtRzk9_rXRmQu1Op0p-mnmaxMPZ1_v4ifZqvlxRiZK3qMgbEYDrYjpS56tOjcISsaKmSboWp7IXPq0wQ3ZE0TpE2pjQcjO4j6lFZlUnrdAUod4Z995twLUWZKJJKBE/s8160/20231002_101947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2S7z6e3Rs3Me9uizahmhilYxKihqo9yM1QxI0_7_Bp02w1_xtQm0txUgPZYB5_WtRzk9_rXRmQu1Op0p-mnmaxMPZ1_v4ifZqvlxRiZK3qMgbEYDrYjpS56tOjcISsaKmSboWp7IXPq0wQ3ZE0TpE2pjQcjO4j6lFZlUnrdAUod4Z995twLUWZKJJKBE/s8160/20231002_101947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2S7z6e3Rs3Me9uizahmhilYxKihqo9yM1QxI0_7_Bp02w1_xtQm0txUgPZYB5_WtRzk9_rXRmQu1Op0p-mnmaxMPZ1_v4ifZqvlxRiZK3qMgbEYDrYjpS56tOjcISsaKmSboWp7IXPq0wQ3ZE0TpE2pjQcjO4j6lFZlUnrdAUod4Z995twLUWZKJJKBE/w640-h480/20231002_101947.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6AswVzY-mci1uBURGyVraeJJNOZYkl6FKXZ7AW_-OolorBHzmHAmaX62j0PZQP-NsXQ9EuRmKyxArZXYFOSXrv5Xx_Se3lwFPOwujH7kBtfq8JHvS6cHmewfPLou2YilsLHLovavI33-eAvFIBFp8iHzslxpiu4fV-UZjyVuabDAwl0IHogzT1TQvhqb/s8160/20231002_102044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6AswVzY-mci1uBURGyVraeJJNOZYkl6FKXZ7AW_-OolorBHzmHAmaX62j0PZQP-NsXQ9EuRmKyxArZXYFOSXrv5Xx_Se3lwFPOwujH7kBtfq8JHvS6cHmewfPLou2YilsLHLovavI33-eAvFIBFp8iHzslxpiu4fV-UZjyVuabDAwl0IHogzT1TQvhqb/w480-h640/20231002_102044.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We follow this path on into Woodham Walter Common. We reach the golf course but we need to turn before this so a short backtrack and we follow a path through the woods and out into Spring Elms Poultry Farm and out to a road at Crossways.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_D7McKyPRo2BPyERCwgwDeZav6GXRcj7tdW6UaylXel5Cv_lzGTSNnZXBVBT8ZGLumkISLAO2f4td6bNh9mrHN3RUBW_Us37A8cv-mKeWp-ULfgdF1CbL8Mz7La8wI2AHqzFJqbcchl3ORW-kTBEoyyylIsAZ-99uQZThCFFV56VdM43hpC9fgncbuxh/s8160/20231002_103321.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_D7McKyPRo2BPyERCwgwDeZav6GXRcj7tdW6UaylXel5Cv_lzGTSNnZXBVBT8ZGLumkISLAO2f4td6bNh9mrHN3RUBW_Us37A8cv-mKeWp-ULfgdF1CbL8Mz7La8wI2AHqzFJqbcchl3ORW-kTBEoyyylIsAZ-99uQZThCFFV56VdM43hpC9fgncbuxh/w640-h480/20231002_103321.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JP5kJdqWJU7CCf37a0zBUlhh3tD8LA90kMuW0kb7-NeafLbDqs73Rc4GEzCeM11ngJCMtVl87m1LtK_torrp_0UJYmBN0w-H3jBlNMccWLokNpHD8VkbAOQZ48XiSnvapCGaPSf78ulVHPCOF3KiXJIF1WCnaUA_C3bpNiuYIfejhBo7FUAVScRCh8ub/s8160/20231002_104504.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JP5kJdqWJU7CCf37a0zBUlhh3tD8LA90kMuW0kb7-NeafLbDqs73Rc4GEzCeM11ngJCMtVl87m1LtK_torrp_0UJYmBN0w-H3jBlNMccWLokNpHD8VkbAOQZ48XiSnvapCGaPSf78ulVHPCOF3KiXJIF1WCnaUA_C3bpNiuYIfejhBo7FUAVScRCh8ub/w480-h640/20231002_104504.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We take a path off the junction here across West Bowers Farm and pass an Ariel Antenna array.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckcgofkVGu3J7OvJyMPwBweFPmQ6GEo0GjTepvJMnUZbqCZbH3R0yR6bvyrTwfYUSzVbbrtHg7tsHJeXX_unJeFtC252pFA-BP9FffC9ATABO3QCjZH4Ca1MltGtE5VlNdG5gB0GvKewYMNOcYhwYylW1o9csE1-dRyfaaJZxc9s7nafvNP4rdGMdd6yK/s8160/20231002_105432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckcgofkVGu3J7OvJyMPwBweFPmQ6GEo0GjTepvJMnUZbqCZbH3R0yR6bvyrTwfYUSzVbbrtHg7tsHJeXX_unJeFtC252pFA-BP9FffC9ATABO3QCjZH4Ca1MltGtE5VlNdG5gB0GvKewYMNOcYhwYylW1o9csE1-dRyfaaJZxc9s7nafvNP4rdGMdd6yK/w640-h480/20231002_105432.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We then take a path that runs diagonally across the farm and pass some horses here, they we had to stop and say hello to.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zJyW14WZub8d4K5NVippxrOy_nOL-eU5Nt1AD3N8XduPs_3ychAMUyS1F6P3CS1uHNSZsShJIrwglnEcMXG2eHTAdXoRqBYauvHBDW_KC7b5zSBOuFdIsti_HJwyvnD9ySEJBiiUrXDQSwZX_MwaOf1qnlvuwLNw1Il5BjuPWy4Jc2eYn_iGu9uCny0u/s2944/20231002_105832.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zJyW14WZub8d4K5NVippxrOy_nOL-eU5Nt1AD3N8XduPs_3ychAMUyS1F6P3CS1uHNSZsShJIrwglnEcMXG2eHTAdXoRqBYauvHBDW_KC7b5zSBOuFdIsti_HJwyvnD9ySEJBiiUrXDQSwZX_MwaOf1qnlvuwLNw1Il5BjuPWy4Jc2eYn_iGu9uCny0u/w480-h640/20231002_105832.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO2-XWuABljk2DynrcDWn5wmpXa_sE-n1ZAwKVjY6tU-xPGd5wirQJiWdNrOw8oDHEmBsmFbVnYCMmt-mNw09ZnoyRT8p6ntnhRTIP3av3oUPeey3no9yHILApslTKCEpxNDJ2b8YmRIjbAe1SBMv8T-WprsCefQBAlly-uqFh2sHD913RiAh8BeGSh4I/s8160/20231002_105853.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO2-XWuABljk2DynrcDWn5wmpXa_sE-n1ZAwKVjY6tU-xPGd5wirQJiWdNrOw8oDHEmBsmFbVnYCMmt-mNw09ZnoyRT8p6ntnhRTIP3av3oUPeey3no9yHILApslTKCEpxNDJ2b8YmRIjbAe1SBMv8T-WprsCefQBAlly-uqFh2sHD913RiAh8BeGSh4I/w480-h640/20231002_105853.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CxrwEliAwmHoNNfFlHiaQgPBAJ2A73PrgIBjZmYFFFZb6fc5JDPHEs2C3bcCcOFtY1lzZNeAMQIQVW4wLrFahaFtXNUmELpL0F3Hh2nD6hOcx6D0qv7qnvNLjbdMeJC95i7yQyy6Kun2HKAfGNysgK77Z4f5ELwILV3RU-TeEZaNR1EfXoX_7tAnAUMx/s8160/20231002_111023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CxrwEliAwmHoNNfFlHiaQgPBAJ2A73PrgIBjZmYFFFZb6fc5JDPHEs2C3bcCcOFtY1lzZNeAMQIQVW4wLrFahaFtXNUmELpL0F3Hh2nD6hOcx6D0qv7qnvNLjbdMeJC95i7yQyy6Kun2HKAfGNysgK77Z4f5ELwILV3RU-TeEZaNR1EfXoX_7tAnAUMx/w640-h480/20231002_111023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We turn right onto West Bowers Road and walk a short way up and take another path on our left and follow this across to Little London Lane and up this road to another path and follow this down to Hoe Mill Lock.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zzvQrqvrzatsqTmHBnlTXtFhUaFrIVkcU4tEnyWtiji63TikjVIxKXo_R8xCZeq1uuZFjcRsUnA8r9OUg9WXkqMLFOleYwezXrvllqR7VVnA0UginNRFUmzr7D8L6Taz0tvK00KbVNqPFfohCc0ZB6jrUNpAKTuThjU5Z3NIILp1mRn0t1OrX_wcyEJx/s8160/20231002_111701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zzvQrqvrzatsqTmHBnlTXtFhUaFrIVkcU4tEnyWtiji63TikjVIxKXo_R8xCZeq1uuZFjcRsUnA8r9OUg9WXkqMLFOleYwezXrvllqR7VVnA0UginNRFUmzr7D8L6Taz0tvK00KbVNqPFfohCc0ZB6jrUNpAKTuThjU5Z3NIILp1mRn0t1OrX_wcyEJx/w640-h480/20231002_111701.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zzvQrqvrzatsqTmHBnlTXtFhUaFrIVkcU4tEnyWtiji63TikjVIxKXo_R8xCZeq1uuZFjcRsUnA8r9OUg9WXkqMLFOleYwezXrvllqR7VVnA0UginNRFUmzr7D8L6Taz0tvK00KbVNqPFfohCc0ZB6jrUNpAKTuThjU5Z3NIILp1mRn0t1OrX_wcyEJx/s8160/20231002_111701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">The path ahead had been ploughed and rolled and was soft underfoot going across.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoU9kk8j7jm2G8KSOiPnQLHbaj96WGbVc1cxtCspegqOUsAqN3xWY3w-8QNjt3Y1TviHLmcliZivSgvW6FpstVW7RCwO-t_YNV79auhmxNQ7Z3e3Cvn0ZzPeaPsCUn_6sWlBCIt-xBzYDw_0z8222nIctilfFc_yV2ESUpfW7cwpEPKLI09AMDmTBGnUlb/s8160/20231002_112026.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoU9kk8j7jm2G8KSOiPnQLHbaj96WGbVc1cxtCspegqOUsAqN3xWY3w-8QNjt3Y1TviHLmcliZivSgvW6FpstVW7RCwO-t_YNV79auhmxNQ7Z3e3Cvn0ZzPeaPsCUn_6sWlBCIt-xBzYDw_0z8222nIctilfFc_yV2ESUpfW7cwpEPKLI09AMDmTBGnUlb/w640-h480/20231002_112026.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We follow the road for a short way before going through a gate and following the footpath towards Hoe Mill.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOt6Ngi4j_KsaB46VQ5ga1VWdP-zrK7rViSqpKNlmFgnhZq69IU69bdD9vahwbfoWQUeoOIcUXZNADvd4WH73O7zqUk8QdcBiN_wPhtdsn187T8UluZTe1USV9SMySOKNGa3XlfsgteOSgIrTiRRcG9pZQuHtpiKTAGkxJZ5E0OKXEg9WcbLCWov89iMjU/s8160/20231002_112137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOt6Ngi4j_KsaB46VQ5ga1VWdP-zrK7rViSqpKNlmFgnhZq69IU69bdD9vahwbfoWQUeoOIcUXZNADvd4WH73O7zqUk8QdcBiN_wPhtdsn187T8UluZTe1USV9SMySOKNGa3XlfsgteOSgIrTiRRcG9pZQuHtpiKTAGkxJZ5E0OKXEg9WcbLCWov89iMjU/w480-h640/20231002_112137.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvXuhysPEr8MmDpSCSGjDFYIsWHf812rXYFR0O5RggiGrwySdhomFqdII5Li1a7l6Ko_is76-swx2D-R_ZeCp4KY0KiR-SWO-muLOJc9oClwiKn-iueAHDqOzYLSYPDndN7BHnzf7Qm_66Lni2DCHj1OZz5ixqiEMvw6wUS1hy4tfK5Kp3Q4isK4QINvN/s8160/20231002_112403.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvXuhysPEr8MmDpSCSGjDFYIsWHf812rXYFR0O5RggiGrwySdhomFqdII5Li1a7l6Ko_is76-swx2D-R_ZeCp4KY0KiR-SWO-muLOJc9oClwiKn-iueAHDqOzYLSYPDndN7BHnzf7Qm_66Lni2DCHj1OZz5ixqiEMvw6wUS1hy4tfK5Kp3Q4isK4QINvN/w640-h480/20231002_112403.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk onto Hoe Mill Lock Road and up to Hoe Mill Lock itself.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWVf-EQlpiyusAUKvRP7uA4LdLD1Q-EAolT_xSdCGLy3xB26E6DD8H553VtgJnFb5z8u5E5lDbkJ5mZv240QyACxrp3N3prp6MLAWzJd20TUdFGvnJeUr5t-VQVrVmiqSk34avMpAeN5b_04R3Kq7KdIsaoKtbprVdP0cob4Qf5upYFQ0LcMxcK16MFs5/s8160/20231002_112911.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWVf-EQlpiyusAUKvRP7uA4LdLD1Q-EAolT_xSdCGLy3xB26E6DD8H553VtgJnFb5z8u5E5lDbkJ5mZv240QyACxrp3N3prp6MLAWzJd20TUdFGvnJeUr5t-VQVrVmiqSk34avMpAeN5b_04R3Kq7KdIsaoKtbprVdP0cob4Qf5upYFQ0LcMxcK16MFs5/w640-h480/20231002_112911.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hoe Mill Lock is lock 9 of 12 on the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The navigation runs from Springfield Basin in Chelmsford to the sea lock at Heybridge Basin near Maldon. It has six bridges and drops 75 feet (23 m) through 12 locks from the basin to the sea. There is also a set of flood gates at Beeleigh, which prevents water from the River Blackwater flooding the cut to Heybridge Basin. The navigation meanders in a broadly west to east direction between Chelmsford and Maldon, through countryside which is largely arable, and although it passes near to a number of villages, all of them are set back some distance from the waterway.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlHYakYvjNroN8EBwJ0ROoBOIZVf2d-GDWwI4awAEf9t5derNOTSICmzOVHsqqqvQjnuMc6UBKCNp4wrJin4_Tnb2dBCi2LEvxLhPcwux-JOGtaghBPTXEd2PIzn60kvfkx-sJQwflamtvXe3LfS_j1kH5CHOPcTm7Yv83S4CDFgxkGx461BDVQ1l-3PR/s8160/20231002_113011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlHYakYvjNroN8EBwJ0ROoBOIZVf2d-GDWwI4awAEf9t5derNOTSICmzOVHsqqqvQjnuMc6UBKCNp4wrJin4_Tnb2dBCi2LEvxLhPcwux-JOGtaghBPTXEd2PIzn60kvfkx-sJQwflamtvXe3LfS_j1kH5CHOPcTm7Yv83S4CDFgxkGx461BDVQ1l-3PR/w640-h480/20231002_113011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hoe Mill Lock has the largest drop on the Navigation, at 8 feet and 3 inches. As a result there is a danger of swamping the boats when filling the lock, and so the lock paddles on the upper gates are located in underground side culverts. The lock is named after a corn mill which had existed near the site from Saxon times to 1914 when it was demolished. In 1795, Hoe Mill was bought by Robert Marriage. His sons, Robert and James, inherited the mill. They were both Quakers and deeply opposed to the slave trade.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They decided to build a sugar beet mill on the banks of the canal, believing that locally produced beet sugar would undermine the importation of cane sugar largely produced in the Caribbean using slave labour. Their aim was "a desire to obtain the best information and to promote the abolition of slavery, by producing an article of free labour." The mill was sited half a mile downstream from Hoe Mill, near where this walk first joins the towpath. The mill employed 30 men, women and children. The process of converting beet into sugar consisted of first rasping the sugar beet roots and then crushing the beet to a pulp which was pressed. The resulting liquor was reduced by boiling and then clarified, then finally any remaining liquid was evaporated off and the residue crystallised. The left-over pulp was used as cattle feed. Sadly the mill failed after just 2 years partly, it is believed, through the resistance of various influential businessmen who wished to continue to import from the West Indies.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItZW2LCPLePLWyB9DMxTc6JKrx0BOOTHmlh0VyMCv5GX6lfFcj6dQBgxdV4h7aRYXdx98x3AGAFuKBYUik7jzM79DTW4mWE8JokobBznBILHRfsyr7TW1XbkGW3hcfVcZPFAq0QcEwoPL_SpDreJ4XLnh_0YI-yudr6bcF-0N_22jsMFxZxNSoWqnuZc6/s8160/20231002_115401.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItZW2LCPLePLWyB9DMxTc6JKrx0BOOTHmlh0VyMCv5GX6lfFcj6dQBgxdV4h7aRYXdx98x3AGAFuKBYUik7jzM79DTW4mWE8JokobBznBILHRfsyr7TW1XbkGW3hcfVcZPFAq0QcEwoPL_SpDreJ4XLnh_0YI-yudr6bcF-0N_22jsMFxZxNSoWqnuZc6/w640-h480/20231002_115401.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We now follow the pretty Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation path, the
river is very popular with canoes, kayaks, paddleboarders and pleasure boats.</span></div>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We stop at a bench by Hoe Mill Lock for lunch before walking on.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSVYSII5L8XMX8zJChPRleUcvfitDrwTDTI-lwwWHGS_iqyhpacOxalT1_yWrdglZ-k0bG7lJ7lrr2dvXx4NIt4W2QTqK_cVLWpJUUqr7qPCSvN-TYNG9Iw6BB4WXrvSAIcA0t83V_bv2XbJcsx7ZkSDkhx6cPJnsruORj0ox3Lj9P71-E3YYf3NpsUT5/s8160/20231002_115924.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSVYSII5L8XMX8zJChPRleUcvfitDrwTDTI-lwwWHGS_iqyhpacOxalT1_yWrdglZ-k0bG7lJ7lrr2dvXx4NIt4W2QTqK_cVLWpJUUqr7qPCSvN-TYNG9Iw6BB4WXrvSAIcA0t83V_bv2XbJcsx7ZkSDkhx6cPJnsruORj0ox3Lj9P71-E3YYf3NpsUT5/w640-h480/20231002_115924.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We follow the river for quite a way now.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe21IYIkpZWwzeFcGEOveZaWRmaJUCMIcTuFkhkWJaoVJ1ag7RDCU6d7V5-ntgLIjoyfkFnXcx-Aj-OHxD2hkKkYnN5o04GurJfZTcBIvj250Am485K5dWV2kOvHRqkL6YwYcztdmH5InvDkEdDtE3XLJWCEyDlSZDhzXfm0TdRMRqv-LPToe_cR6fReBx/s8160/20231002_120004.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe21IYIkpZWwzeFcGEOveZaWRmaJUCMIcTuFkhkWJaoVJ1ag7RDCU6d7V5-ntgLIjoyfkFnXcx-Aj-OHxD2hkKkYnN5o04GurJfZTcBIvj250Am485K5dWV2kOvHRqkL6YwYcztdmH5InvDkEdDtE3XLJWCEyDlSZDhzXfm0TdRMRqv-LPToe_cR6fReBx/w640-h480/20231002_120004.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild hops growing by the riverside.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVvPmohlKtgI0dgPXV3KJnj0Ivo181YdPzchjTaKT49dTnt37KMe8m1qAqfDRz46RdXFekx4nCq7RjnGXQJs4b05hR6ofGhZItNLkQKa52-Sy-iZztRFFem0QGgWYH5bBXqhKuyWIFyWmT_NIs3wQD2zXnRDzYQAQGKTeVJL4FcYVGXT1UucEqCjAj4mQ/s8160/20231002_120129.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVvPmohlKtgI0dgPXV3KJnj0Ivo181YdPzchjTaKT49dTnt37KMe8m1qAqfDRz46RdXFekx4nCq7RjnGXQJs4b05hR6ofGhZItNLkQKa52-Sy-iZztRFFem0QGgWYH5bBXqhKuyWIFyWmT_NIs3wQD2zXnRDzYQAQGKTeVJL4FcYVGXT1UucEqCjAj4mQ/w640-h480/20231002_120129.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHh2WYGDMUc-howJ4lyMYBwYMiXETMmc_2TTP7fBzu1hjfJOCcwV2b70s3eZK-7PmHuSu-VewOG0kJLmBkKWXt4m9JrSIcFj_U_KKxCn278ZradILJK2PgMs3B7d450xQKU-jL99NXq1TCMqRok_ygfWphJLPIYqHTTy-ZWc8-5_7UFCsfwk22i_6cIStA/s8160/20231002_120329.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHh2WYGDMUc-howJ4lyMYBwYMiXETMmc_2TTP7fBzu1hjfJOCcwV2b70s3eZK-7PmHuSu-VewOG0kJLmBkKWXt4m9JrSIcFj_U_KKxCn278ZradILJK2PgMs3B7d450xQKU-jL99NXq1TCMqRok_ygfWphJLPIYqHTTy-ZWc8-5_7UFCsfwk22i_6cIStA/w640-h480/20231002_120329.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We walk under the pipe bridge that carries water from the nearby water
pumping station.</span></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4gvU0PB4fvmVKqWx71W0kPAnc6I1FfkAlFY-Jx6Nu9yKIX4QM16GSjNSJwMAExDA8R1GtTUJSdmIl6nUCK8QcibTlRZgLzpg7SVNsc2DVi1VX86ftfpNxfbCBm1wXf5qbTtiBcfzhg-Cr5orseQXa8XENPqLSUq9rJaLyXxsdGfpEZRbmDEvGxMJijvV/s8160/20231002_120452.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4gvU0PB4fvmVKqWx71W0kPAnc6I1FfkAlFY-Jx6Nu9yKIX4QM16GSjNSJwMAExDA8R1GtTUJSdmIl6nUCK8QcibTlRZgLzpg7SVNsc2DVi1VX86ftfpNxfbCBm1wXf5qbTtiBcfzhg-Cr5orseQXa8XENPqLSUq9rJaLyXxsdGfpEZRbmDEvGxMJijvV/w640-h480/20231002_120452.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil05SFRj1_dt741CubWn2azd3qrqZayKC7WWuAlS8NjZ7bm6eWomz92V7n-QBAobQW34jSrVw4CN-jG7E9qeXV71kP0_H1kX7ZOmt1iRnSU6IGy-CyVFwjZbmjfYxZjUozTSXUAqemgiwAqGD7ovfwWeqruCB8rGspLCzG4G8oLS0GiaAxrpRGRiCDKEbk/s8160/20231002_121840.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil05SFRj1_dt741CubWn2azd3qrqZayKC7WWuAlS8NjZ7bm6eWomz92V7n-QBAobQW34jSrVw4CN-jG7E9qeXV71kP0_H1kX7ZOmt1iRnSU6IGy-CyVFwjZbmjfYxZjUozTSXUAqemgiwAqGD7ovfwWeqruCB8rGspLCzG4G8oLS0GiaAxrpRGRiCDKEbk/w640-h480/20231002_121840.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7joshGBlV4xIC3pbQJP6BsJVPwWD4J4VjwYDfhjDt3fGhXTre7g-VIYxbZsY_xXflMH017fr_PYgFe6bYdm04UHV6vTF1G0v2xKOz6FrU28v6aCABKQZUDkkbpQ2r1b5yQZrRfSRIKv_TUxkvArMXtzOEbOMREXlCeXgFHoF3dCgsdgPJJUZVjXI2EQj-/s8160/20231002_121847.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7joshGBlV4xIC3pbQJP6BsJVPwWD4J4VjwYDfhjDt3fGhXTre7g-VIYxbZsY_xXflMH017fr_PYgFe6bYdm04UHV6vTF1G0v2xKOz6FrU28v6aCABKQZUDkkbpQ2r1b5yQZrRfSRIKv_TUxkvArMXtzOEbOMREXlCeXgFHoF3dCgsdgPJJUZVjXI2EQj-/w640-h480/20231002_121847.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBGgdI-BF6IQYChA4j0aF46EBiyBtGu4F_nqwDStfrpw0savCvuJwdhwdt5Ci38Oax-JepMORuzw45erP2EfOwtVhTH35U8pPMl1K0M13x1fdlFnPX7QvJPv7hEJAp9_FNb7EixR6N56FJpK5Nmxecc4VKjRfGYAi5B86kbY-xj6uERMdY916Lgsn6BQS/s8160/20231002_122310.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBGgdI-BF6IQYChA4j0aF46EBiyBtGu4F_nqwDStfrpw0savCvuJwdhwdt5Ci38Oax-JepMORuzw45erP2EfOwtVhTH35U8pPMl1K0M13x1fdlFnPX7QvJPv7hEJAp9_FNb7EixR6N56FJpK5Nmxecc4VKjRfGYAi5B86kbY-xj6uERMdY916Lgsn6BQS/w640-h480/20231002_122310.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We
reach the Beeleigh Locks and walk on by.</span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEV7b84kiAzYbgdSgJYokEMbVDzybN2SrPHj5VFIjaCdQIhcOV2v06vWFUhxT4D2qhyUJ2aWsCSgVpqOf335RyiIYT2mtusJIb6tF26xXqwfwRr9JsvnosF_cEMJodiStDqdrjEC5DmMib2gRVEdnBvrlHhNf8HHF2XzcXCpk61L_plyu4_P-ftb2v2zQ/s8160/20231002_123222.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEV7b84kiAzYbgdSgJYokEMbVDzybN2SrPHj5VFIjaCdQIhcOV2v06vWFUhxT4D2qhyUJ2aWsCSgVpqOf335RyiIYT2mtusJIb6tF26xXqwfwRr9JsvnosF_cEMJodiStDqdrjEC5DmMib2gRVEdnBvrlHhNf8HHF2XzcXCpk61L_plyu4_P-ftb2v2zQ/w640-h480/20231002_123222.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beeleigh is home to some of the falls and locks and weir on the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;">The Navigation was built in the 1790's to enable transport of goods by horse drawn barge to and from Chelmsford. The town of Maldon had opposed the canal and so the canal had to be cut by hand from here to bypass Maldon and lead to Heybridge Basin on the Blackwater estuary.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6MY9FpTufwCwkmCd84-KVOKxGPkiP4JWCeS8TUxpc2c3lg37qZMTeMT4iLl33cH7gVWxI6u_YZ2_yfbZw4uVhsZC3154_Bj1fwilIddAxFbGChNhFDPHQLDf4KxrYuMpZYwdgy-SBJAJ_RDuC2Eoivtp_l3B7e_VfC-AwBiju7Lafw40b40_CSGSxvQL/s7603/20231002_124209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5702" data-original-width="7603" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6MY9FpTufwCwkmCd84-KVOKxGPkiP4JWCeS8TUxpc2c3lg37qZMTeMT4iLl33cH7gVWxI6u_YZ2_yfbZw4uVhsZC3154_Bj1fwilIddAxFbGChNhFDPHQLDf4KxrYuMpZYwdgy-SBJAJ_RDuC2Eoivtp_l3B7e_VfC-AwBiju7Lafw40b40_CSGSxvQL/w640-h480/20231002_124209.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The main weir enabled the canal to remain at a constant height when the river was in flood and it is quite a sight when that happens with the water cascading over the weir and into the river Chelmer on it's way to the Estuary via Maldon, passing Fullbridge before reaching the Hythe where it becomes known as the Blackwater.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;">Here, the rivers Chelmer and Blackwater meet creating a very special environment.</div><br />From here, you can walk the old towpath track to Heybridge and further on to Heybridge Basin.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SVl78IVZ2ziz9j4XCEitBpy1LdPtQ2L6ucg8nVc-ZNhk-mKQdAjxxiEWDBf4m-c1mXDpG8lfJsS7tciyS0oeRsLhFMaT4iS14fOQ466tpWB373d75mqeJfWJAsN0CxQxkieohcAYb5oJ1uBP9FFtUJi5US5BT2NlpcM7YnpFZRqnhd1SYyphOt5O_VTW/s7707/20231002_124444.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5780" data-original-width="7707" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SVl78IVZ2ziz9j4XCEitBpy1LdPtQ2L6ucg8nVc-ZNhk-mKQdAjxxiEWDBf4m-c1mXDpG8lfJsS7tciyS0oeRsLhFMaT4iS14fOQ466tpWB373d75mqeJfWJAsN0CxQxkieohcAYb5oJ1uBP9FFtUJi5US5BT2NlpcM7YnpFZRqnhd1SYyphOt5O_VTW/w640-h480/20231002_124444.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We take a footpath near the lock and walk up to Beeleigh
Falls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3UJ2R6PmpLTro6CT4inzQ1vkXhSKKD5Q-LSSo26upjOxDsZQ0x74oUzfyQ_fLQaAJyXaKkTvePUiaDpmW6xU7sUiXh1RjU7mlKpApR-Les2ZmCYqSSEcUltwLx5l8a1NdIrBUv7k0WkPlmC0gO6_O6D2G-0VzQ3jYNXp9vIZmClRvCeE4znde7cx3mTs/s2868/20231002_124505.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2868" data-original-width="2151" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3UJ2R6PmpLTro6CT4inzQ1vkXhSKKD5Q-LSSo26upjOxDsZQ0x74oUzfyQ_fLQaAJyXaKkTvePUiaDpmW6xU7sUiXh1RjU7mlKpApR-Les2ZmCYqSSEcUltwLx5l8a1NdIrBUv7k0WkPlmC0gO6_O6D2G-0VzQ3jYNXp9vIZmClRvCeE4znde7cx3mTs/w480-h640/20231002_124505.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The ‘falls’ are certainly not your typical waterfall of outstanding
beauty, but there is beauty in the calm river, the sound of the water rushing
down the weir into the reeds and the contrast of man-made and natural, all in
one place.</span></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-uduPHmYGNdql259wDpwZl_ZHB40I4_hc6du5ULW9bhIB7OHhAYzD5mgtPZRfgYHiYdt9xNSXe4NDkjrTbZEXoHmL-OBufGNXYlawljv6WnL0cR7_I6-19MB37CNuucPRnlBMV1nW50oyeSgi-Nqs3RO5qELzMBDRIB9BvQBqI8_B3bkWVUHB_Ck-PQh/s3534/20231002_124524.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-uduPHmYGNdql259wDpwZl_ZHB40I4_hc6du5ULW9bhIB7OHhAYzD5mgtPZRfgYHiYdt9xNSXe4NDkjrTbZEXoHmL-OBufGNXYlawljv6WnL0cR7_I6-19MB37CNuucPRnlBMV1nW50oyeSgi-Nqs3RO5qELzMBDRIB9BvQBqI8_B3bkWVUHB_Ck-PQh/s3534/20231002_124524.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2650" data-original-width="3534" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-uduPHmYGNdql259wDpwZl_ZHB40I4_hc6du5ULW9bhIB7OHhAYzD5mgtPZRfgYHiYdt9xNSXe4NDkjrTbZEXoHmL-OBufGNXYlawljv6WnL0cR7_I6-19MB37CNuucPRnlBMV1nW50oyeSgi-Nqs3RO5qELzMBDRIB9BvQBqI8_B3bkWVUHB_Ck-PQh/w640-h480/20231002_124524.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9UEzca1LFO3RzdVwve7Oo5_rnC_hpr2SJT1h9pcKdmJuRYhy_y_PNre4GyQXwRgQ_c33Y19uExXEPW8QOUWbbmXid2JYGY_0XWpGfJSOtBy3qXTwr67-J32kKGALEMR7CyfOzOvApCg43riYBXD25rXAZ9-mAZMe1sF03tb3sKYUhQLX2fgUJ-4X-vGk/s7883/20231002_124619.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5913" data-original-width="7883" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9UEzca1LFO3RzdVwve7Oo5_rnC_hpr2SJT1h9pcKdmJuRYhy_y_PNre4GyQXwRgQ_c33Y19uExXEPW8QOUWbbmXid2JYGY_0XWpGfJSOtBy3qXTwr67-J32kKGALEMR7CyfOzOvApCg43riYBXD25rXAZ9-mAZMe1sF03tb3sKYUhQLX2fgUJ-4X-vGk/w640-h480/20231002_124619.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We walk on crossing the bridge over the falls and follow a footpath through a wooded path.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="536" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R0prrbUTWFM" width="644" youtube-src-id="R0prrbUTWFM"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"> This brings us out to a road called Abbey Turning. Here I now reach Beeleigh Steam Mill.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-tyiFW2cf1WjdVnjKyLFdlxWf3pYXQjJADlikqwXla1Sb8xWNqp06vESv6lB0t4kILTjiYMvPzi4Cj7H_01IcbDNWAZ0O9fFHsq5Wngy2GK7YDRSISEgTDV2LVVNi4s2x_93wMRIqpK3wgM4LjKfD-OfCMF896EdzqAVmXL0H4Ve3K1U9O93d9AiFdjN/s8078/20231002_125054.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6058" data-original-width="8078" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-tyiFW2cf1WjdVnjKyLFdlxWf3pYXQjJADlikqwXla1Sb8xWNqp06vESv6lB0t4kILTjiYMvPzi4Cj7H_01IcbDNWAZ0O9fFHsq5Wngy2GK7YDRSISEgTDV2LVVNi4s2x_93wMRIqpK3wgM4LjKfD-OfCMF896EdzqAVmXL0H4Ve3K1U9O93d9AiFdjN/w640-h480/20231002_125054.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beeleigh mill was a large flour mill on the river Chelmer near Maldon, Essex. It had two water wheels driving 10 stones (later 12), to which was added a separate building which housed a steam-powered beam engine driving five millstones. The main building housing the water-powered wheels burnt down in a fire in 1875.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;">The site, which is Grade II, now comprises the building housing the steam engine and the drive gearing for its millstones, the brick housing for one of the waterwheels, and the two adjacent brick-lined barge docks used for loading flour for shipment to London.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZzDpr-OAfcXw-ERGvTEmFs6WSDVyH7NESGIL6sY7U60Nc8MnPh18fQXn4LJFEtqKfmjGMb7kH_Ck1tyjxJz97xkL6kDjkvR5rwmsi-O_E7qBmyniKy9LWUwTIoROrWw6N7LnFFTh0KN0Hx98l9zDLk1aKkBaM8fY3BC0tHirjqMoQVVZVNIffB3oDzCy/s8160/20231002_125102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZzDpr-OAfcXw-ERGvTEmFs6WSDVyH7NESGIL6sY7U60Nc8MnPh18fQXn4LJFEtqKfmjGMb7kH_Ck1tyjxJz97xkL6kDjkvR5rwmsi-O_E7qBmyniKy9LWUwTIoROrWw6N7LnFFTh0KN0Hx98l9zDLk1aKkBaM8fY3BC0tHirjqMoQVVZVNIffB3oDzCy/w640-h480/20231002_125102.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The steam mill is divided into 2 rooms, separated by a brick partition. The smaller north-western part is full height and contains the complete iron, double-acting Wentworth compound steam beam engine which was installed in 1845. Alongside is an ‘Elephant’ boiler with 2 safety valves and firebox. It is the only surviving example of this type of boiler in England, though it was more popular in France and Belgium.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The ground floor of the larger room contains the drive gears including a circular-plan iron hurst with an iron upright shaft with great spur wheel, which drives each of the five pairs of stones.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;">The upper floor has the emplacements for the stones. The drive shafts are in place, but the stones themselves are no longer there.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;">Although not currently visible, a hide-out was built during WW2 under the floor of the steam mill for an auxiliary unit to hide should the enemy invade. Access was from a trapdoor in the building, with an escape route which came out in the tail-race tunnel from the nearer mill-race. After the war, this hide-out was filled in by the army.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Y3hZSYN7YPbDImVuMQRArVvZxlfLFV_YQS4b-My9Yb0KBobvhGhgy7PzLa4aWwuQtL76oaNw1ENQyOgwiiaC2L5iPPHirYCHi100dUWe6DPzQkZoPGf4ceh84GZX3APlC3FWh8wMnTVCazCNzP7aFzJtqnveUX7I2VvE6KVAiql8JaF_Hgv-PxEtrQwJ/s8160/20231002_125404.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Y3hZSYN7YPbDImVuMQRArVvZxlfLFV_YQS4b-My9Yb0KBobvhGhgy7PzLa4aWwuQtL76oaNw1ENQyOgwiiaC2L5iPPHirYCHi100dUWe6DPzQkZoPGf4ceh84GZX3APlC3FWh8wMnTVCazCNzP7aFzJtqnveUX7I2VvE6KVAiql8JaF_Hgv-PxEtrQwJ/w480-h640/20231002_125404.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now we pass Kingfisher Cottage on my right, surrounded by water. No kingfisher today, not what I could see anyway!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9B0jEA9QRFAusMwJDILm3OeOnjGQVFbeljUKv9QOrkzYIzRu_NjQxmxdN3uAOvBu3RAIphbiBZI2a-1r32UkHroOPgy1yQi_Ce4dQZjwmG8zmKFciOSBwl_QLopTMXDx4Yj9W7FdVWPEoKxHg6iuMQKpy-ESBbmQ2x617PjCrvZGaC249AnSQAQcLxC-o/s6989/20231002_125417.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5242" data-original-width="6989" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9B0jEA9QRFAusMwJDILm3OeOnjGQVFbeljUKv9QOrkzYIzRu_NjQxmxdN3uAOvBu3RAIphbiBZI2a-1r32UkHroOPgy1yQi_Ce4dQZjwmG8zmKFciOSBwl_QLopTMXDx4Yj9W7FdVWPEoKxHg6iuMQKpy-ESBbmQ2x617PjCrvZGaC249AnSQAQcLxC-o/w640-h480/20231002_125417.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ve6y9p_IXXXcBP85iqmmQSw7pHPdbQzOeSE4Ux84aZgQ5kq3o3aYWxC0lfVatBHnGpUtBZHPo-NQXDp_FshKbES0DmxsMljnne_gBE1jvkifz41oXFwhB45u6xZKSCUGrsL8i6YCl3SxAWwx1pzPEa_RBCVARGxVsZXDihsc2U-QcmDq5auI0qpSvr5E/s8160/20231002_125453.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ve6y9p_IXXXcBP85iqmmQSw7pHPdbQzOeSE4Ux84aZgQ5kq3o3aYWxC0lfVatBHnGpUtBZHPo-NQXDp_FshKbES0DmxsMljnne_gBE1jvkifz41oXFwhB45u6xZKSCUGrsL8i6YCl3SxAWwx1pzPEa_RBCVARGxVsZXDihsc2U-QcmDq5auI0qpSvr5E/w640-h480/20231002_125453.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I take a footpath across the fields of Beeleigh Grange Farm.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOiVIlMxVDghZM6KeniWwRygcA1PFS9Luzn5fdcgleM0RTzs4eNiIQGg59p-n8xjFmP0R9QKl3ky9HBQIWtG9eS9nJVXGYma0QbRPl9V3kbz3lzWF6G03OIFSpShz0ffT-fdnXbA4xKkjI26tXUC8msjvkE-fXvvcafpT8FwfwJ8NdCuEZN-I8SBft5bAU/s7942/20231002_125818.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5956" data-original-width="7942" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOiVIlMxVDghZM6KeniWwRygcA1PFS9Luzn5fdcgleM0RTzs4eNiIQGg59p-n8xjFmP0R9QKl3ky9HBQIWtG9eS9nJVXGYma0QbRPl9V3kbz3lzWF6G03OIFSpShz0ffT-fdnXbA4xKkjI26tXUC8msjvkE-fXvvcafpT8FwfwJ8NdCuEZN-I8SBft5bAU/w640-h480/20231002_125818.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFSPIUJf-scuRqybYsTkpXgKUAQ0843p2jTkLAslr7ccXEq6ZVf2ZGtdfLl9m2Rmo4hSHWdoQs8stNH9Jto2Gh1x9Ex2CFpwbzYU2_VfqWiKuynduFoQ-v2nJxhtJulsFhg8yu7KCXKiVOnyZRFaITbbFyA7EsAbmt_wsWQXU5wKJphlMJdt09K4y7fe9/s7958/20231002_130330.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5968" data-original-width="7958" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFSPIUJf-scuRqybYsTkpXgKUAQ0843p2jTkLAslr7ccXEq6ZVf2ZGtdfLl9m2Rmo4hSHWdoQs8stNH9Jto2Gh1x9Ex2CFpwbzYU2_VfqWiKuynduFoQ-v2nJxhtJulsFhg8yu7KCXKiVOnyZRFaITbbFyA7EsAbmt_wsWQXU5wKJphlMJdt09K4y7fe9/w640-h480/20231002_130330.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2tUtRNjbIvnEtR4z1r0ElFV1HRrBOTIpgcGd9AKrIo9MkdOexVZNbiXw3VZEYf39xbGvwNfdcpMdzRYAizalZU3zSnduwqauXaANAmz7IbIRjkvfOpp4mafTiByx1qCg3mxDgB1ZGHDfQpqFqmrYr3ohY-pt5xXs7ia6E29JhGLGMNt4ObFUDsFUCJwE/s7769/20231002_131428.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5826" data-original-width="7769" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2tUtRNjbIvnEtR4z1r0ElFV1HRrBOTIpgcGd9AKrIo9MkdOexVZNbiXw3VZEYf39xbGvwNfdcpMdzRYAizalZU3zSnduwqauXaANAmz7IbIRjkvfOpp4mafTiByx1qCg3mxDgB1ZGHDfQpqFqmrYr3ohY-pt5xXs7ia6E29JhGLGMNt4ObFUDsFUCJwE/w640-h480/20231002_131428.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWbQMyPp2VtzLriGhV1KRjnquLUBha5QAG7O0JLW2zJH8NJZrpdKq7t_iwG0TimboM3SfnbWJZUL5YzrVe87cMWM4WdQNbpFqv-llzFY9XVi29FvdJBQFMQBQBIU5OjnXDC5XR9EoPrMMwrzLFBK44CpYBADJFATQT0P1aSVZ-omc2IpmZi_LeXnULDh8/s7816/20231002_131454.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5862" data-original-width="7816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWbQMyPp2VtzLriGhV1KRjnquLUBha5QAG7O0JLW2zJH8NJZrpdKq7t_iwG0TimboM3SfnbWJZUL5YzrVe87cMWM4WdQNbpFqv-llzFY9XVi29FvdJBQFMQBQBIU5OjnXDC5XR9EoPrMMwrzLFBK44CpYBADJFATQT0P1aSVZ-omc2IpmZi_LeXnULDh8/w640-h480/20231002_131454.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />We pass an amazing property at Woodlands.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZfH7aOUGU0YgOi9Z_ZABpD-WF8NGlRdMTVxhPGu1370ZRurzUl63uqeED9hu8rkTjv3yB_JqtKspn0uOXcXP6NxSCjU_-FvrZezQcnFKfqYOp-0QCysRE-I1xNnGYn2KvPrKOeBhm9aPLmWAvXXpxHKOcyFW-FjzUbNs_NH2HW0W0ts3kWwIoc_BCjgN/s7870/20231002_131521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5902" data-original-width="7870" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZfH7aOUGU0YgOi9Z_ZABpD-WF8NGlRdMTVxhPGu1370ZRurzUl63uqeED9hu8rkTjv3yB_JqtKspn0uOXcXP6NxSCjU_-FvrZezQcnFKfqYOp-0QCysRE-I1xNnGYn2KvPrKOeBhm9aPLmWAvXXpxHKOcyFW-FjzUbNs_NH2HW0W0ts3kWwIoc_BCjgN/w640-h480/20231002_131521.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />We follow along Hop Gardens Lane.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPW5eHWSfTSkCPJO3o3OdFwl39WHI6kjq0jLles1JzNc64dYiYOEC5P6H6hob7siLohi8Hb-M9XaOMae-gS2gSJWVFyPq8WiXiMvLfeZKoMOeEauIRed3hjGf5WqJqilmseXG8dYJRWuHgCeQedXofy6rVV3Tw_3-HD_X-P5-x3RjLcvF8-i6GzQ1PXxIp/s7563/20231002_131828.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5672" data-original-width="7563" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPW5eHWSfTSkCPJO3o3OdFwl39WHI6kjq0jLles1JzNc64dYiYOEC5P6H6hob7siLohi8Hb-M9XaOMae-gS2gSJWVFyPq8WiXiMvLfeZKoMOeEauIRed3hjGf5WqJqilmseXG8dYJRWuHgCeQedXofy6rVV3Tw_3-HD_X-P5-x3RjLcvF8-i6GzQ1PXxIp/w640-h480/20231002_131828.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the end of the Lane we cross over onto a footpath opposite.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BVQGlo6oeDG7a-xl2XyEYuuJAxNyeHj2QZJostdpCckzr8D8pmEDjSmwQ0wpiefoheB5doDrb6YRA5-QEH7TAzyyjdim22o5QUaGNqqA5gD5soLAisitz_8AdibvnYC_WI_ebDPY1843QZwxAJjK7t5dQNU52GH698T2Kpe836WuVa38k0gaKtCTJgBt/s8160/20231002_132929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BVQGlo6oeDG7a-xl2XyEYuuJAxNyeHj2QZJostdpCckzr8D8pmEDjSmwQ0wpiefoheB5doDrb6YRA5-QEH7TAzyyjdim22o5QUaGNqqA5gD5soLAisitz_8AdibvnYC_WI_ebDPY1843QZwxAJjK7t5dQNU52GH698T2Kpe836WuVa38k0gaKtCTJgBt/w640-h480/20231002_132929.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQejvDVCH6GH-9XLcV29bIAQpHpztAVBr7XQIFdMH9wVqbslQs2Nzw6ya0zejO7PJ3MF4_xCV1Lu8HAHObKZuscrWifWvup-My9ZfqFVZx9LYH5I7Oo8-DrJ_zV0E8TwOo8LEgp5gzgaUpOFmDeVn17GCC3FJqyZl5J8TXXv6cv_yIP41V0Qapvv1xBqc/s7865/20231002_133649.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5899" data-original-width="7865" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQejvDVCH6GH-9XLcV29bIAQpHpztAVBr7XQIFdMH9wVqbslQs2Nzw6ya0zejO7PJ3MF4_xCV1Lu8HAHObKZuscrWifWvup-My9ZfqFVZx9LYH5I7Oo8-DrJ_zV0E8TwOo8LEgp5gzgaUpOFmDeVn17GCC3FJqyZl5J8TXXv6cv_yIP41V0Qapvv1xBqc/w640-h480/20231002_133649.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We follow a footpath over Whitehouse Farm and over into some woods called The Wilderness.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sean and I are really out in the Wilderness now ha ha! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlueIznaLbKjmyu35GWwYEUAPxasYuN_zHJHsbJRBDqd0hMnSOrCyhgCW4LeC4HvD3usbK4WboDrbdOIfqHcBSf2pST0i20qf7hvbZeLzT9Ev5157oQC9EM_elIRSWMTBVVe7tdUFncYTacEXUp0pf1OWuQ4dvkqO5JLbEOWXkEuI8FvVQMwe2Y0evNqgu/s8160/20231002_133856.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlueIznaLbKjmyu35GWwYEUAPxasYuN_zHJHsbJRBDqd0hMnSOrCyhgCW4LeC4HvD3usbK4WboDrbdOIfqHcBSf2pST0i20qf7hvbZeLzT9Ev5157oQC9EM_elIRSWMTBVVe7tdUFncYTacEXUp0pf1OWuQ4dvkqO5JLbEOWXkEuI8FvVQMwe2Y0evNqgu/w640-h480/20231002_133856.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43njAnxgjXJ-RcWDtmuvwSS5LzGbTgsFlcM61ZJxNg7Hxme0hzHcyCtu2qguGf5XIVLy83_ME4q6aY6VmX6PZLci3vEr0SyyJCqX7Jtt-9zwaS-XUMjkxv6LBzz1dnZsKZZBg4M9hL5dPMmd3OOdBWe8HMfqVivAT0K2q9_Sed3FMQUxcKxpdEZji8gUO/s8160/20231002_133950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43njAnxgjXJ-RcWDtmuvwSS5LzGbTgsFlcM61ZJxNg7Hxme0hzHcyCtu2qguGf5XIVLy83_ME4q6aY6VmX6PZLci3vEr0SyyJCqX7Jtt-9zwaS-XUMjkxv6LBzz1dnZsKZZBg4M9hL5dPMmd3OOdBWe8HMfqVivAT0K2q9_Sed3FMQUxcKxpdEZji8gUO/w640-h480/20231002_133950.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJ2L2IB48QMC7hgkhM-u4NWZy5gd3jceQpxm0X81Z8HWzqIQntxPlnykE_JmpLB0ZXfUCK1z4iGQN9xuyD5Pn36wi6HopIBfjDwfn5ujb11QiMs5LT0VkLQLqrgmQl5kQqiTFphFjPQPXT0_4vCb6zGYTQuMeHPLQihs77WBr_kwaFuLIytw9mX4DYJxV/s8160/20231002_134446.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJ2L2IB48QMC7hgkhM-u4NWZy5gd3jceQpxm0X81Z8HWzqIQntxPlnykE_JmpLB0ZXfUCK1z4iGQN9xuyD5Pn36wi6HopIBfjDwfn5ujb11QiMs5LT0VkLQLqrgmQl5kQqiTFphFjPQPXT0_4vCb6zGYTQuMeHPLQihs77WBr_kwaFuLIytw9mX4DYJxV/w640-h480/20231002_134446.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We emerge out onto The Street and to the Bell Pub.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcHMLCKFv2oYP40Uqp3jXYxVHm11_VLiuckRalA1H9zCR7W9dFmk7AEUnh8dRN6rftWhDNYSi4elmby_BNQEnZocXk-oHaWfL8zXrbeDpLNxRR1lJt8d3-_wpi5ZbOnZKpPGzZASOW0Vdswu6S4VThROFDheBT9zdjgUFyBf7pdmZuRzI7iG6Z734d6Tk/s8160/20231002_134531.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcHMLCKFv2oYP40Uqp3jXYxVHm11_VLiuckRalA1H9zCR7W9dFmk7AEUnh8dRN6rftWhDNYSi4elmby_BNQEnZocXk-oHaWfL8zXrbeDpLNxRR1lJt8d3-_wpi5ZbOnZKpPGzZASOW0Vdswu6S4VThROFDheBT9zdjgUFyBf7pdmZuRzI7iG6Z734d6Tk/w640-h480/20231002_134531.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sadly the pub is closed and we walk on with a major thirst.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk through the woods pass Warren Lodges Holiday Park.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGCf2nnUPA8taB6uo9EHqS52BvHhyphenhyphenMkdMfx5IBTVk8y8Urox9BP56_Z1U8qkR8XAsTo3KUBKvV74UzVH1mUSFwDGr9goS2_DWs8_S9sIft1O8qa3MbGwMLcPTyEdFSZUw7FYVJsxo10pPnWUX5ZAII3nnj99XIW3Yik4rItgmj8ZF5ZzzvrPAgkWDT12_/s8160/20231002_135005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGCf2nnUPA8taB6uo9EHqS52BvHhyphenhyphenMkdMfx5IBTVk8y8Urox9BP56_Z1U8qkR8XAsTo3KUBKvV74UzVH1mUSFwDGr9goS2_DWs8_S9sIft1O8qa3MbGwMLcPTyEdFSZUw7FYVJsxo10pPnWUX5ZAII3nnj99XIW3Yik4rItgmj8ZF5ZzzvrPAgkWDT12_/w640-h480/20231002_135005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYJjdrK5yae70nG_LYqQ6fNd25fJEjr2oMZls6VQTL3G2NPhry8LUAduShdhdvk94WIAlqFLonZyDYXu5384bCeG0bMK6kuByFKqxwUtRy-2cgK8jSA-Jt1uKH74YOeQsRoR5Dz19oP0yni0VEyxR_8tJ08r1In5oweHs_in3iOqjPN6MbzisVDetqUWA/s7780/20231002_135602.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5835" data-original-width="7780" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYJjdrK5yae70nG_LYqQ6fNd25fJEjr2oMZls6VQTL3G2NPhry8LUAduShdhdvk94WIAlqFLonZyDYXu5384bCeG0bMK6kuByFKqxwUtRy-2cgK8jSA-Jt1uKH74YOeQsRoR5Dz19oP0yni0VEyxR_8tJ08r1In5oweHs_in3iOqjPN6MbzisVDetqUWA/w640-h480/20231002_135602.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are now out onto The Warren Golf Club. As usual as per most golf courses there are very little in the way of footpath signs, other than look out for stray golf balls.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo1TCFWo2haO7jepm13dw6_m3a9JXsthW-zP0aNOhyphenhyphenZ0bcVCcdoUhry-6OV_hKQTyCu9ApCeuRuKVLz0bmDlr9tOgLHf5rCE2lrbchsyPZtc49AvQKcn-5q5erCupKbglfnGsK_uOR1OabAPsogvojzkpmRkb_b7RMkHl2lrLEdalfMfrsWOd2vjlNGcu/s8160/20231002_141523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo1TCFWo2haO7jepm13dw6_m3a9JXsthW-zP0aNOhyphenhyphenZ0bcVCcdoUhry-6OV_hKQTyCu9ApCeuRuKVLz0bmDlr9tOgLHf5rCE2lrbchsyPZtc49AvQKcn-5q5erCupKbglfnGsK_uOR1OabAPsogvojzkpmRkb_b7RMkHl2lrLEdalfMfrsWOd2vjlNGcu/w640-h480/20231002_141523.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We find our way across the golf course and out onto a place called Twitty Fee.</div></div><div><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUiwSC7aDeUmBQj21MJb5DqryWo3nPG-iFXzv1_nvrlbBzKyMY6Yw0ZMavcAHe1mFcH6unJO_mQeoOvfQVQG2SZ0CL4QCj5oV6GDcmHDehS9LxI8A-XyYCLebHq3sNrL7-s9BAdZW3dAqvoFZbc3SShqdv-vIWbXUWthoIQxLfk-duK5gH8BQZWYFkYXY/s8160/20231002_142153.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUiwSC7aDeUmBQj21MJb5DqryWo3nPG-iFXzv1_nvrlbBzKyMY6Yw0ZMavcAHe1mFcH6unJO_mQeoOvfQVQG2SZ0CL4QCj5oV6GDcmHDehS9LxI8A-XyYCLebHq3sNrL7-s9BAdZW3dAqvoFZbc3SShqdv-vIWbXUWthoIQxLfk-duK5gH8BQZWYFkYXY/w640-h480/20231002_142153.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We follow this back into Poors Piece and is now a steep climb back uphill. I thought the cadets will love this climb after a long walk.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvApa7r2B4Y9ozPBifcTPfRAb2EcUfOb6NyeN-ZLXq1BLdFUnTxBTx4It3wBbS9eAynjwqheCP8Id9MrU4U4yP-fCznRIaAPJDfeGAiicr8M_kbBAom7u4mlGiwyUPvT2Ac2fRygKx8i8Mtrku1AGdU_hbQfH1WB4gYN6iG2e87qIDRiYp6oJ7GBFVn6gH/s8160/20231002_142759.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvApa7r2B4Y9ozPBifcTPfRAb2EcUfOb6NyeN-ZLXq1BLdFUnTxBTx4It3wBbS9eAynjwqheCP8Id9MrU4U4yP-fCznRIaAPJDfeGAiicr8M_kbBAom7u4mlGiwyUPvT2Ac2fRygKx8i8Mtrku1AGdU_hbQfH1WB4gYN6iG2e87qIDRiYp6oJ7GBFVn6gH/s8160/20231002_142759.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvApa7r2B4Y9ozPBifcTPfRAb2EcUfOb6NyeN-ZLXq1BLdFUnTxBTx4It3wBbS9eAynjwqheCP8Id9MrU4U4yP-fCznRIaAPJDfeGAiicr8M_kbBAom7u4mlGiwyUPvT2Ac2fRygKx8i8Mtrku1AGdU_hbQfH1WB4gYN6iG2e87qIDRiYp6oJ7GBFVn6gH/w480-h640/20231002_142759.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrsXkvXb2fSkIjbfBs1PlIVMS_3bNEActBtH-dgb8-mdrrwSnsDosfcmjG_6AxBvcosPyBGL1YAKCZ0y9d6WcKL4Ase2r-0ezokAPieXYMGcLQAe49YIQuyIK-ckiAuZm8v8FK19PH-CGUy8u2PDxKbd4MeHezxJ-Oz988N5hZhiHorFybCuWShOH55pl/s8160/20231002_144951.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrsXkvXb2fSkIjbfBs1PlIVMS_3bNEActBtH-dgb8-mdrrwSnsDosfcmjG_6AxBvcosPyBGL1YAKCZ0y9d6WcKL4Ase2r-0ezokAPieXYMGcLQAe49YIQuyIK-ckiAuZm8v8FK19PH-CGUy8u2PDxKbd4MeHezxJ-Oz988N5hZhiHorFybCuWShOH55pl/w640-h480/20231002_144951.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We follow the path back out onto Main Road and we walk this back towards Danbury.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvWQlTrcOYDOxsr7prmc923cIbVet7fATvoMpyV7FJvqhPzoOwNTRKY2xmabD799EDGYxv09w8vKOcQ_xiyFm8sij59HHhHEnbj3-ZOwaiT8IGhOBRyrc8qDuZosGvdKXx0kVmZREH15jwZaPzc9zxUnDfWkqkPasPpETIeSbpIGQSnnT46fRM__hAMFf/s7868/20231002_145205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5901" data-original-width="7868" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvWQlTrcOYDOxsr7prmc923cIbVet7fATvoMpyV7FJvqhPzoOwNTRKY2xmabD799EDGYxv09w8vKOcQ_xiyFm8sij59HHhHEnbj3-ZOwaiT8IGhOBRyrc8qDuZosGvdKXx0kVmZREH15jwZaPzc9zxUnDfWkqkPasPpETIeSbpIGQSnnT46fRM__hAMFf/w640-h480/20231002_145205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pass the War memorial on my left by Elm Green.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of memorials erected across England. This was the result of both the huge impact on communities of the loss of three quarters of a million British lives, and also the official policy of not repatriating the dead which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One such memorial was raised at Danbury as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 24 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;">Danbury War Memorial was unveiled on 31 July 1920 by Field Marshal Sir WR Robertson. It was built to the Cross of Sacrifice design which was devised in 1919 by Sir Reginald Blomfield (1856-1942) for war cemeteries abroad, although it was also widely adopted in Britain.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The memorial consists of a c 7.3m high Portland stone Latin cross rising from an octagonal plinth on a four-stepped base. A bronze Sword of Sacrifice is fixed to the south face of the cross.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;">The south face of the plinth bears the incised inscription IN THANKFULNESS TO GOD/AND IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF DANBURY WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR MDCCCCXIV MDCCCCXVII. The names of the 24 First World War fallen are recorded on the north, east and west faces of the plinth.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9-_71Jh4KjKmNqcW3agLjV3QBLsMl4RyRBTvj6zuIng4u3WaATydM4XSciNlAgNgQOyy2jls9xtyjFuZBjnd9vTduH37Hlimvod0tXsvM-1YjDiVFfnroCPUVlGRntwyKdoJAyKmeOAIVxz2VmGcgHnpL3cjxi-HbhWn8nI6eyQB2brS3ySrO3ggNUWi/s8160/20231002_145520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9-_71Jh4KjKmNqcW3agLjV3QBLsMl4RyRBTvj6zuIng4u3WaATydM4XSciNlAgNgQOyy2jls9xtyjFuZBjnd9vTduH37Hlimvod0tXsvM-1YjDiVFfnroCPUVlGRntwyKdoJAyKmeOAIVxz2VmGcgHnpL3cjxi-HbhWn8nI6eyQB2brS3ySrO3ggNUWi/w640-h480/20231002_145520.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFP2QFGno4568exh-8aAMNhWFh2AeF5ZUZuyumJKLpqrP_qAsWy1yXodDERu2K0zu3EQ45VUI0wK3LMsSeXWOicH0caRZXBHnTBquCqM0Bm2jvIfzJx8EjYHOL2FA2KLu_NAEPTJyA8jfh7hwRJ_NZ4T66FuGvhaLft2T6KdqoDBNUm8aj5QcP2-yP304/s7451/20231002_150017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7451" data-original-width="5588" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFP2QFGno4568exh-8aAMNhWFh2AeF5ZUZuyumJKLpqrP_qAsWy1yXodDERu2K0zu3EQ45VUI0wK3LMsSeXWOicH0caRZXBHnTBquCqM0Bm2jvIfzJx8EjYHOL2FA2KLu_NAEPTJyA8jfh7hwRJ_NZ4T66FuGvhaLft2T6KdqoDBNUm8aj5QcP2-yP304/w480-h640/20231002_150017.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on and reach The Bell Pub where we stop for a drink before walking back to the car for the drive home.</div><p><br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-70726557068426948712023-09-24T17:21:00.027+01:002023-10-11T09:18:25.492+01:00Castle Combe, Wiltshire 23rd September 2023<div style="text-align: center;">On Saturday the 23rd September 2023 after a visit to Glastonbury Somerset, we drove on to Castle Combe in Wiltshire. We parked up in the visitor car park on Dunns Lane and walked down into the village. Castle Combe is a truly delightful example of the traditional English village.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5PrSU1gORYfDqqG0tN9KQnCNodDUSgyTH-7CDEYRt4Cfg3fuYipIUHQzteT8ryrDB_PcL6ZfYPRWoLreX-iLBiqw_bNwyf8L_4dyp6yKWxM2VwYZ1-HCEWHZCj6qYb8bFCgrLou4SbYyKezXgRLTh-rac7WDCFSiBeYwyR2ETfvIC0bqp3Lg-m1D-jWx/s7697/20230923_144518.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5773" data-original-width="7697" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5PrSU1gORYfDqqG0tN9KQnCNodDUSgyTH-7CDEYRt4Cfg3fuYipIUHQzteT8ryrDB_PcL6ZfYPRWoLreX-iLBiqw_bNwyf8L_4dyp6yKWxM2VwYZ1-HCEWHZCj6qYb8bFCgrLou4SbYyKezXgRLTh-rac7WDCFSiBeYwyR2ETfvIC0bqp3Lg-m1D-jWx/w640-h480/20230923_144518.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pass the 12th century Castle Inn.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-mzodbkoVp98qN4pwsRxMc20NU9MrWnXU_vQY1BC-SxcXo8YCTbCqIl7337Kh32mmFouNhHWKEb6yZOJ3V5Z1tG3wBBQWZN70WyoBPZGrwcuw2phBHXoct52A1jjRqSyqE4EKMl-Wyo1dIfBcrjkUEORjAgBbNiocVjyxBBi2_3bOa30zJp3nmpKqEGA/s8160/20230923_144556.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-mzodbkoVp98qN4pwsRxMc20NU9MrWnXU_vQY1BC-SxcXo8YCTbCqIl7337Kh32mmFouNhHWKEb6yZOJ3V5Z1tG3wBBQWZN70WyoBPZGrwcuw2phBHXoct52A1jjRqSyqE4EKMl-Wyo1dIfBcrjkUEORjAgBbNiocVjyxBBi2_3bOa30zJp3nmpKqEGA/w480-h640/20230923_144556.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next to this is the market cross.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJAggHImQKgy4NaWxzmIeWw2RSpdadKEVMuA8OHZfjNpxZfWGN9tq9KNjUES4s2RzDcp6cXQu7FvgmADimhhkHZ9duIzOyoqWxjjUOPFn5xpwLav0g2qjhECOdEWxoc_H5Nktu4BaM-lBlHIdXJDgSA0xkhSoQWOMgiucA0IThCdWIQNkv9tvkQFQkn2p/s8160/20230923_144604.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJAggHImQKgy4NaWxzmIeWw2RSpdadKEVMuA8OHZfjNpxZfWGN9tq9KNjUES4s2RzDcp6cXQu7FvgmADimhhkHZ9duIzOyoqWxjjUOPFn5xpwLav0g2qjhECOdEWxoc_H5Nktu4BaM-lBlHIdXJDgSA0xkhSoQWOMgiucA0IThCdWIQNkv9tvkQFQkn2p/w480-h640/20230923_144604.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The 14th-century market cross, erected when the privilege to hold a weekly market in Castle Combe was granted, stands where the three principal streets of the lower village converge. The Market Cross, a Scheduled Monument, reflects "the significance of the cloth industry in this area". Next to the cross is one of Castle Combe's two village pumps. Small stone steps near the cross were for horse riders to mount and dismount, and close by are the remains of the buttercross, built in the late 19th century from old masonry. This structure, "also known as Weavers’ Steps and ‘the stone’", is another Scheduled Monument.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cNyz7YhqDq0lmw2RfPuW5stSDr2c4A7vkLuZDveS6q-vnAIykx8EyQeO65fvRrkY0G-DTlKq8gpJ0LY3qlPEJUXcV7D1NqYRLKOABeyeZKN6g9n7FNVSftpQpAYvQYhUJb9JRjkYN412c1-YCTXyIIFA1hKCA0VjQioVeURK4caNG_7pvaNWSJX2JxOJ/s7630/20230923_144609.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5722" data-original-width="7630" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cNyz7YhqDq0lmw2RfPuW5stSDr2c4A7vkLuZDveS6q-vnAIykx8EyQeO65fvRrkY0G-DTlKq8gpJ0LY3qlPEJUXcV7D1NqYRLKOABeyeZKN6g9n7FNVSftpQpAYvQYhUJb9JRjkYN412c1-YCTXyIIFA1hKCA0VjQioVeURK4caNG_7pvaNWSJX2JxOJ/w640-h480/20230923_144609.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The village takes its name from the 12th-century castle which stood about 1⁄3 mile (500 m) to the north. The site where the castle once stood now only contains the old earthworks and masonry, which are estimated to date from the 12th century. It is believed that the castle was constructed as the seat of the Barony of Combe under Reginald de Dunstanville either during the reign of Henry I or his son. Reginald was thought to support Empress Matilda during the Anarchy, and the castle was constructed during the wave of castle buildings of the Anarchy period.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XwxmskUtU_NMFI7GQYShY9TCH7IZO0OS1eYNEoJwFzopcfgXpVJSgx2C0Caf1lSKeOqkJ8A4FxD0IPITC2HN4IVJP1qv9Z2Z52BWLT0WWN17JvmM-X9IMwKM-IyHe17kCO24TaTVHEHhl5wvJZ35HBAdguhPjXhWR5P9nGMhYYtM6bhBpjZgu93dIXtr/s8160/20230923_144654.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XwxmskUtU_NMFI7GQYShY9TCH7IZO0OS1eYNEoJwFzopcfgXpVJSgx2C0Caf1lSKeOqkJ8A4FxD0IPITC2HN4IVJP1qv9Z2Z52BWLT0WWN17JvmM-X9IMwKM-IyHe17kCO24TaTVHEHhl5wvJZ35HBAdguhPjXhWR5P9nGMhYYtM6bhBpjZgu93dIXtr/w640-h480/20230923_144654.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Architecturally, little has changed since the 15th century; there are no street lights or TV aerials and, as you savour the peaceful atmosphere, you will understand why it has won the coveted “Prettiest Village in England” award so many times. Castle Combe is also a favoured location for Hollywood film and television companies.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXB3ajtMWNBD3LO_295m_yp35_KM2JS51x-n7BcnguK9xjJ5j9RgGZae9B6trqoB2rZfRchvZQ_0eiPIrJFOTxOfXbXN9YuLbVr2OXdSXn-6CVyBPsJhoFAuWF5L7eDw24wYfnC-h1tBC4sgVVc5Xkw7F_iHr_d6PVPOs3Kw6gxNj93OoAEFVplovpSgGA/s7728/20230923_144703.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5796" data-original-width="7728" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXB3ajtMWNBD3LO_295m_yp35_KM2JS51x-n7BcnguK9xjJ5j9RgGZae9B6trqoB2rZfRchvZQ_0eiPIrJFOTxOfXbXN9YuLbVr2OXdSXn-6CVyBPsJhoFAuWF5L7eDw24wYfnC-h1tBC4sgVVc5Xkw7F_iHr_d6PVPOs3Kw6gxNj93OoAEFVplovpSgGA/w640-h480/20230923_144703.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The land above Castle Combe was originally home to a Roman Villa vacated in the 5th Century AD. Little happened until Reginald de Dunstanville built a Norman Castle on Castle Hill during the English Civil War of 1135-1154, so putting the 'Castle' into Castle Combe.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">By the 14th Century this Norman castle had fallen into a state beyond repair and a new Manor House was built in the shelter of the valley below. The Manor House, now our hotel, is still on the same site today though little remains of the original structure.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuJsylU1dsFRYIkD5FwZV4R-q7uQvY1RDnzcjTs_up0XqVhb42qS6HI4FwAG-on3-H3APwTUr4z7cathitBXFJg0JhDbhRXDzD6HXmUdRgO-_jVndxsMabKFur-DjPk2LlM8Cx7cIG9OyoLp2Cp3hfmmvJilCBMvpxn6jdhALMgYTA7E98ps9GPxB7U7X/s7717/20230923_144747.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5788" data-original-width="7717" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuJsylU1dsFRYIkD5FwZV4R-q7uQvY1RDnzcjTs_up0XqVhb42qS6HI4FwAG-on3-H3APwTUr4z7cathitBXFJg0JhDbhRXDzD6HXmUdRgO-_jVndxsMabKFur-DjPk2LlM8Cx7cIG9OyoLp2Cp3hfmmvJilCBMvpxn6jdhALMgYTA7E98ps9GPxB7U7X/w640-h480/20230923_144747.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Middle Ages were to be a very prosperous time for Castle Combe when much of the village as we see today was constructed; the reason for this prosperity was the growth of a thriving cloth industry. Benefiting from the wool from huge local flocks of sheep, the fast flowing Bybrook River, fullers earth and the great skill of local weavers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjgN_raf1U0o-BCpl2KRDccwBdptV7wzqAvGRbj59xld4pyrIJdAH8jhHZRWyUdtZq6DzIEFtHmFwezChT2AyNGOzptSIos0sCaJQBy5CYqpMKPhv7c8REjhqMkYwr_5viivvMiRg-rwatcQ1G67wDezTXPtvp73g2hgqG0lzLHjxCw893lVnuEQH_wgi/s8160/20230923_144814.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjgN_raf1U0o-BCpl2KRDccwBdptV7wzqAvGRbj59xld4pyrIJdAH8jhHZRWyUdtZq6DzIEFtHmFwezChT2AyNGOzptSIos0sCaJQBy5CYqpMKPhv7c8REjhqMkYwr_5viivvMiRg-rwatcQ1G67wDezTXPtvp73g2hgqG0lzLHjxCw893lVnuEQH_wgi/w640-h480/20230923_144814.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The red and white Castle Combe cloth became renowned not only in the markets of Bristol and Cirencester but also in London and abroad. With increasing size and wealth came greater stature and the right to hold a weekly market was granted by Henry VI in 1440 centred on the market cross - the focal point of the village.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2U0sbUfi8AJo2EL_ZP6BB3V6pO-J85BjMYmKp5KJ0Z0U88vWCh4NOWEv8gzujkXVuV8iUwBjWTqMy9Gpm55Kj17FVEMo81QutsBgvh1XDrFiOANiU1FT9Ox9wtyyP7UJDnk6fko919E3Y-nA2BEYp_kJp1ZnZxTASalggQAoHXo7wgwypMmG_EZuvUBif/s8027/20230923_144834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6020" data-original-width="8027" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2U0sbUfi8AJo2EL_ZP6BB3V6pO-J85BjMYmKp5KJ0Z0U88vWCh4NOWEv8gzujkXVuV8iUwBjWTqMy9Gpm55Kj17FVEMo81QutsBgvh1XDrFiOANiU1FT9Ox9wtyyP7UJDnk6fko919E3Y-nA2BEYp_kJp1ZnZxTASalggQAoHXo7wgwypMmG_EZuvUBif/w640-h480/20230923_144834.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The industry however diminished in the 16th Century with the slowing of the flow of the Bybrook, the cloth manufacture moved to other nearby areas in Gloucestershire, but not before Castle Combe was left with the buildings that make it the remarkable village it remains today.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFvZOBQJCZbZhiuKy2SFfByOihQoTEY-Xv5RUSUy4nmV3QqdJwfQCgUqRo_pN1TQ_ZY6Y8gb1yRlXGM2__HbqPEQqUD7nP6XCUMr-jArZ0QiwJBkmzuFNFZj7XBO3BYHQobPYLRRkAdOUBxyoH_DzPfP0euCCTlZA0Qux9WpnyUB0orusngjw9UI3GUiI/s8052/20230923_144843.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6039" data-original-width="8052" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFvZOBQJCZbZhiuKy2SFfByOihQoTEY-Xv5RUSUy4nmV3QqdJwfQCgUqRo_pN1TQ_ZY6Y8gb1yRlXGM2__HbqPEQqUD7nP6XCUMr-jArZ0QiwJBkmzuFNFZj7XBO3BYHQobPYLRRkAdOUBxyoH_DzPfP0euCCTlZA0Qux9WpnyUB0orusngjw9UI3GUiI/w640-h480/20230923_144843.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Castle Combe has long been a favoured location by Hollywood film, television and advertising companies. Given that there are no TV aerials or telegraph poles in sight, the whole village makes the perfect filmset.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1967 'Dr Dolittle' was filmed in the village starring Rex Harrison and Anthony Newley. Castle Combe was transformed into the seaport of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAM2GqM5uUi2BWMUrASz9zaX-NfuBDJZYkuo0cfrbLLfCHOGa1puTi81uisOXYPDM6T8iK2x1ov-ABHNHglHVQGHqG-Af1RCU4z76kchAgIXnrZpc-vEAgnLqp7wYW9GsbgQXE7yjJ9T8HCCPY5zBLDT45ry6ZkstbHDa1RKnBuy2y01SRiaSWqNnm1foc/s8160/20230923_144920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAM2GqM5uUi2BWMUrASz9zaX-NfuBDJZYkuo0cfrbLLfCHOGa1puTi81uisOXYPDM6T8iK2x1ov-ABHNHglHVQGHqG-Af1RCU4z76kchAgIXnrZpc-vEAgnLqp7wYW9GsbgQXE7yjJ9T8HCCPY5zBLDT45ry6ZkstbHDa1RKnBuy2y01SRiaSWqNnm1foc/w640-h480/20230923_144920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In recent years other major Hollywood films have been shot here such as 'Stardust' (2008), 'The Wolfman' (2009) and in 2010 Steven Spielberg shot scenes for the film adaptation of 'War Horse'. TV programmes such as 'Poirot' and 'Robin of Sherwood' have also been filmed in the village.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksqusYIqkY9PRJfijwRQBqNW0yPaSdZgNgo0BoWyjEI7-Z9HzPt3N-O9coYNOXteKb458J6H_iTl_FYnrVehHW57qUGffW5UOzBu4bOxEvi00CWVzah2bWabAEy5_OknChS529FxAhl38xPFyqpuIhjBHbuvQmCeFF2mlkRm9QEKGN60xJc12EZXlPqQs/s3648/20230923_144948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksqusYIqkY9PRJfijwRQBqNW0yPaSdZgNgo0BoWyjEI7-Z9HzPt3N-O9coYNOXteKb458J6H_iTl_FYnrVehHW57qUGffW5UOzBu4bOxEvi00CWVzah2bWabAEy5_OknChS529FxAhl38xPFyqpuIhjBHbuvQmCeFF2mlkRm9QEKGN60xJc12EZXlPqQs/w640-h480/20230923_144948.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvG0Yg-a4NnTFgQYMsDVahpKGFCNJaj32StuJ64_WtfKHqSCm1puKZi-nBeCe5rd8Dc3mE52B866vJLjKI-iXrB9vNZXjrSf8nchgJDXxA7AGDn1hFy1dY4em1i9IQqqK64HfO_rYRZDfF7RNCLls6MNGT631Z026UAzffyCMPZDTBJ1ikhWnhqO6HFVw/s8074/20230923_145028.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6056" data-original-width="8074" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvG0Yg-a4NnTFgQYMsDVahpKGFCNJaj32StuJ64_WtfKHqSCm1puKZi-nBeCe5rd8Dc3mE52B866vJLjKI-iXrB9vNZXjrSf8nchgJDXxA7AGDn1hFy1dY4em1i9IQqqK64HfO_rYRZDfF7RNCLls6MNGT631Z026UAzffyCMPZDTBJ1ikhWnhqO6HFVw/w640-h480/20230923_145028.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">We stop off at the tearoom at the old stables for tea and
cake.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPlj2vuGnLrJieXll16zokHL-obmvNyFYJvm_M9shh3OH-LM7-sQadeCeQ0nM_VarXZ339zao0d4yGxWyurYXGeNKcw8zl-0P3LnnN4WvTL1bo5Ix2Pig7e99R6MNLqH6PRIblCz3GyrjcEo7IuYbEVOBVPFGdtPJoEX5J19yUMz4njOzHPPXp8ZbCJoE/s8160/20230923_145031.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPlj2vuGnLrJieXll16zokHL-obmvNyFYJvm_M9shh3OH-LM7-sQadeCeQ0nM_VarXZ339zao0d4yGxWyurYXGeNKcw8zl-0P3LnnN4WvTL1bo5Ix2Pig7e99R6MNLqH6PRIblCz3GyrjcEo7IuYbEVOBVPFGdtPJoEX5J19yUMz4njOzHPPXp8ZbCJoE/w640-h480/20230923_145031.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">We stop off at the tearoom at the old stables for tea and
cake.</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYP8YJBS60wT3G-3B5QKUFaYhIPvsogQDSKcHd-5tplZVBu1jFaHiDmLfvrCXlaDsiHBD9Tq7Hm1DPm50xqQtk4OdVKdxDRgsNr2t20CDpBnNEu47uDBS3_Ec4MoSLGlXuSOXeSidr0hsZHTTo-MzY7h87HXJEH40AX12pyRow2KnKuixPbr5Se-avKTd/s8160/20230923_145046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYP8YJBS60wT3G-3B5QKUFaYhIPvsogQDSKcHd-5tplZVBu1jFaHiDmLfvrCXlaDsiHBD9Tq7Hm1DPm50xqQtk4OdVKdxDRgsNr2t20CDpBnNEu47uDBS3_Ec4MoSLGlXuSOXeSidr0hsZHTTo-MzY7h87HXJEH40AX12pyRow2KnKuixPbr5Se-avKTd/w640-h480/20230923_145046.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjspiGn37eH-z8aHo2MsJ83F-WgOvIhH0dhxG-qp0Wmc6E6m8YlWEt3zCJt8gH49i9zjCRh9o-EEzWCRLhNiOyMgD1U9Q8aeqHtH3uMPGc0kzGZMInxcfP4czm6SYt7z3hNx6OvBDJ38diSNAg2w8aMM9HJgIOAFxHTVpKIpsdfgjCfRQH8OhtDs0faOcE/s2888/20230923_145056.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2166" data-original-width="2888" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjspiGn37eH-z8aHo2MsJ83F-WgOvIhH0dhxG-qp0Wmc6E6m8YlWEt3zCJt8gH49i9zjCRh9o-EEzWCRLhNiOyMgD1U9Q8aeqHtH3uMPGc0kzGZMInxcfP4czm6SYt7z3hNx6OvBDJ38diSNAg2w8aMM9HJgIOAFxHTVpKIpsdfgjCfRQH8OhtDs0faOcE/w640-h480/20230923_145056.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPTr5SHNed5gFZMt1toKQJF6Lg4pIyRS2BJZBifdH9laTBDQ1zel_ZtrbsVFFOfTo-PusUMIjaBsxp0PjyW4GJYYz1_xbHULd4aAuBLlUPc7rHcHh5jd3mW6W0IHf8bw8QcE4M42fyNRNMkcG5U-xKWHcaqlX2rx9Wx_ChyKAdCaxjkQM_oDpC8UWGojd/s8160/20230923_145107.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPTr5SHNed5gFZMt1toKQJF6Lg4pIyRS2BJZBifdH9laTBDQ1zel_ZtrbsVFFOfTo-PusUMIjaBsxp0PjyW4GJYYz1_xbHULd4aAuBLlUPc7rHcHh5jd3mW6W0IHf8bw8QcE4M42fyNRNMkcG5U-xKWHcaqlX2rx9Wx_ChyKAdCaxjkQM_oDpC8UWGojd/w640-h480/20230923_145107.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back through the village.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrHbX8I5DhB5d-BhcbiPDQrS71veEC6KF_4I7wkLxo4xwsZAP7D7dl1aAg1uYiGU37sDL6GO_rcMboqUGiaD2uChPJE3w-xFw66ld2RVqlblxyxvBf1Sr6DqpkPELOsuxCy0LT6jqr0HkfdT2Bns2o4cD_qB1kIyRAQ1H2Sldz96VsRRfiiWTtT-Pb54n/s8160/20230923_145154.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrHbX8I5DhB5d-BhcbiPDQrS71veEC6KF_4I7wkLxo4xwsZAP7D7dl1aAg1uYiGU37sDL6GO_rcMboqUGiaD2uChPJE3w-xFw66ld2RVqlblxyxvBf1Sr6DqpkPELOsuxCy0LT6jqr0HkfdT2Bns2o4cD_qB1kIyRAQ1H2Sldz96VsRRfiiWTtT-Pb54n/w640-h480/20230923_145154.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwomccm-VZCqOyonUBuO4TbufhYomLWiazcIGlhPsJ9CsAIcy4pzb9Xo6jF0ydje-t38Chk9sgE-xiDb5aLgAcxwyqDf8AZR_D_94Bn1fdoEpmnXBaR8L9nN45-KL_MfZrB9I_U1K5VUWRN01wOaxA6KiYtqn-8BiRxrfywNX5ZIgHjMK8gm3j-HPtxLdj/s8160/20230923_151315.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwomccm-VZCqOyonUBuO4TbufhYomLWiazcIGlhPsJ9CsAIcy4pzb9Xo6jF0ydje-t38Chk9sgE-xiDb5aLgAcxwyqDf8AZR_D_94Bn1fdoEpmnXBaR8L9nN45-KL_MfZrB9I_U1K5VUWRN01wOaxA6KiYtqn-8BiRxrfywNX5ZIgHjMK8gm3j-HPtxLdj/w640-h480/20230923_151315.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig23tycAC-Fn8zmJE7fn5ofOTLrNWqS3XYSNi3Ky3E5M5QZt3KhNcseggZ37sCLrEsxFPstj1mObv-BwcTCGwzEGsqGigpWoMbHWER0UfEssYTpY3n1sCaIm85fN0bZjSXJBrfkI6hSzMMMxPl1K3qlTc-pn0ufryBQMU0LRcv3exDiYxlkX-DyCwGhRJ7/s8160/20230923_151423.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig23tycAC-Fn8zmJE7fn5ofOTLrNWqS3XYSNi3Ky3E5M5QZt3KhNcseggZ37sCLrEsxFPstj1mObv-BwcTCGwzEGsqGigpWoMbHWER0UfEssYTpY3n1sCaIm85fN0bZjSXJBrfkI6hSzMMMxPl1K3qlTc-pn0ufryBQMU0LRcv3exDiYxlkX-DyCwGhRJ7/w640-h480/20230923_151423.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3BHbwcgEveD3GB8JrYOsBlHXSGnEiAGm1-z7m8BE9wLV9uL6qYIzK221th9ATUg570KVLxJN5MXOVXqyGaqE4NKX6eJuAfv9XQu1iOjyOKSTTgMdXcnaT3lbm97JD8noE3J0ZEMxcyCIxtabP0sexXyIcpmnm785-Tr-bXYoDzSAxrCBEtYUIxlcjy5b/s8160/20230923_151443.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3BHbwcgEveD3GB8JrYOsBlHXSGnEiAGm1-z7m8BE9wLV9uL6qYIzK221th9ATUg570KVLxJN5MXOVXqyGaqE4NKX6eJuAfv9XQu1iOjyOKSTTgMdXcnaT3lbm97JD8noE3J0ZEMxcyCIxtabP0sexXyIcpmnm785-Tr-bXYoDzSAxrCBEtYUIxlcjy5b/w480-h640/20230923_151443.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pass St Andrews Church.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Although outwardly you can see signs of a thriving village from the medieval period (1066-1485), there were much earlier residents in this wooded valley. Long before the arrival of the Romans in Britain in 43 AD, there is evidence of an early Celtic tribe’s pagan temple where St Andrew’s now stands.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Originally founded in the 13th century, the church building has grown and evolved over the centuries. The nave was added in the 14th century and the tower completed in the 16th century. As a result of the church falling into serious disrepair, a substantial amount of rebuilding of the church had to take place in 1850-51. An annex to the north side of the church housing some modern amenities was completed in 2018.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Following the Norman invasion of England in 1066, lands of the defeated Saxon aristocracy were bestowed by King William I (the Conqueror) on his Knights. The Manor (estate) of “Cumbe”, as Castle Combe was then known, was bestowed on a nobleman, Humphrey de L’Isle. His daughter married Reginald de Dunstanville, who became the first Baron/Lord of Castle Combe. For over 850 years, Castle Combe was a barony and evidence of the Lords of the Manor and their families through this period can be found in the church and churchyard.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the north side of the church is a superb carved stone monument of a Norman Knight, Sir Walter de Dunstanville, Baron of Castle Combe, who died in 1270. Above the tomb, a stained glass window displays the coats of arms of the Scrope family (pronounced “Scroop”), who were Lords of the Manor for almost 500 years before selling the estate at auction to a member of the Lancastrian Gorst family in 1867.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The tower was started in 1434 with monies from local wealthy wool merchants and from the estate of Sir John Fastolf. The tower’s beautiful fan vault ceiling is reminiscent of Bath Abbey.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The base of the tower houses one of the oldest working faceless medieval clocks in the country.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoblhiL0K6Q5ia707Ga4i4ESmK5ouC4IHAm0TLR8StY6nugdxyRBzlHD-ZLUpM3kdgaHiZqRV1Wtfk_HhPK4cwafLc4Ah9MFIMBWLiVEWbO0-DF11ZCnFheksadaIhd-4SkU5ZqrGIgxrpL_0E6ldMD2poXciVB0T2EyTfS3qS2cSyCNcLCDp_xFrjxi54/s8160/20230923_151507.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoblhiL0K6Q5ia707Ga4i4ESmK5ouC4IHAm0TLR8StY6nugdxyRBzlHD-ZLUpM3kdgaHiZqRV1Wtfk_HhPK4cwafLc4Ah9MFIMBWLiVEWbO0-DF11ZCnFheksadaIhd-4SkU5ZqrGIgxrpL_0E6ldMD2poXciVB0T2EyTfS3qS2cSyCNcLCDp_xFrjxi54/w640-h480/20230923_151507.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7qdNsj_DI7mEG936iv-JsJCxYqwcswVxYgefirF3m3aQ3SjZE5E-e_zLx7wtOWt-Z-BI0LsmqXAIa2EJeqoV0M1HPU1Z6QEXXXwvYBKhSvvIRfeR_OhEtCic12RWvEkaXHsmUR8MfyPNszkBinV6CYt8PZgHp3Y_ZG31jql_lNHZvlxiyhePzj4VKvWY/s8160/20230923_151517.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7qdNsj_DI7mEG936iv-JsJCxYqwcswVxYgefirF3m3aQ3SjZE5E-e_zLx7wtOWt-Z-BI0LsmqXAIa2EJeqoV0M1HPU1Z6QEXXXwvYBKhSvvIRfeR_OhEtCic12RWvEkaXHsmUR8MfyPNszkBinV6CYt8PZgHp3Y_ZG31jql_lNHZvlxiyhePzj4VKvWY/w640-h480/20230923_151517.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">We return to the car to drive back to our cottage in Bradford-on-Avon.</p></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-50313305402531251062023-09-24T17:16:00.056+01:002023-10-10T10:37:21.519+01:00Autumn Equinox at Glastonbury, Somerset 23rd September 23<p style="text-align: center;">On Saturday the 23rd September 2023, after deliberating where to go today we opted for Glastonbury. Made sense to visit here, seeing as its the Autumn Equinox/Mabon. So we left Bradford-On-Avon where we were staying for the weekend and drove to Glastonbury. Mel and I arrived and parked up in St Johns Car Park.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3djkbfavwNQjRf5kGAIhQw8K1lvKLCJ1eLhnT3H1z_AUWCysuB9T6rDrzLWm0XJqlIFFHb5GPXFqT1n7MlCYtyzSki4d9WIPCaFCWBYjISQSViC2HFzzxS0KqiFRdZyI6kuNLL_f9TwC_vo4wtejSJMACykcVtPz4V36J01XBrw1VQ58yVV8TO9U4ZtP/s8160/20230923_103034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3djkbfavwNQjRf5kGAIhQw8K1lvKLCJ1eLhnT3H1z_AUWCysuB9T6rDrzLWm0XJqlIFFHb5GPXFqT1n7MlCYtyzSki4d9WIPCaFCWBYjISQSViC2HFzzxS0KqiFRdZyI6kuNLL_f9TwC_vo4wtejSJMACykcVtPz4V36J01XBrw1VQ58yVV8TO9U4ZtP/w480-h640/20230923_103034.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walked around and passed the Church of St John the Baptist.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The present church replaced an earlier one. Though documentary evidence for St John's survives only from the later 12th century, other evidence tends to suggest that a church existed on this site at a significantly earlier date. According to legend, the original church was built by Saint Dunstan in the tenth century. Recent excavations in the nave have revealed the foundations of a large central tower that possibly dated from Saxon times, and a later Norman nave arcade on the same plan as the existing one. A central tower survived until the 15th century, but is believed to have collapsed, at which time the church was rebuilt. In the north aisle, 12th-century fabric survives in the former Saint Katherine's Chapel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church was used for shelter by Monmouth's troops in June 1685 during the Monmouth Rebellion. It is also recorded that on four occasions between 1800 and 1804, French prisoners of war were locked up for the night inside the church, presumably whilst in transit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Between 1856-57 the church was restored and reseated by Sir George Gilbert Scott at a cost of £3000, and its gothic character re-emphasized. The church conforms in its entirety to a style of architecture known as Perpendicular Gothic.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church is built of Doulting stone, Street stone and the local Tor burr, and is laid out in a cruciform plan with an aisled nave and a clerestory of seven bays.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquLXRr_f6bFTXlGJ8BaR1euxi5zUBKbKJ11vs2Op6jZqaG6jy-vGveh7ZklcvhFhnUWbb93_P1EV3MVTA9jqgdIi8ZGtY7qboU-lozf2_TWrYMjjmBO1edFaFTrfBgI4342PChJLagfZ5t8elkzcFFQvEQBZUe-VKDRihdZPZkKWe7S3EWR64SV_dRc2F/s8160/20230923_103344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquLXRr_f6bFTXlGJ8BaR1euxi5zUBKbKJ11vs2Op6jZqaG6jy-vGveh7ZklcvhFhnUWbb93_P1EV3MVTA9jqgdIi8ZGtY7qboU-lozf2_TWrYMjjmBO1edFaFTrfBgI4342PChJLagfZ5t8elkzcFFQvEQBZUe-VKDRihdZPZkKWe7S3EWR64SV_dRc2F/w640-h480/20230923_103344.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk along Glastonbury's High Street and its many gothic, pagan and witchcraft type shops.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUB2vAhfjFZrnqFtVavRM09IogbT8FllAtuZCe-X7gUJ3ZWE-C9app7UeJ8VtKMptZrplSiibBFvj0nuBq9pon67t4Hhyrn8SCtgElc-86I3O3QQLGsIxd_UmkVfwTIq65KzyE9PTNk-1IykcCGSXKvezvtHcDrVqlKJQGvIsunkdgs2KnaHootDngYvm/s8160/20230923_103432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUB2vAhfjFZrnqFtVavRM09IogbT8FllAtuZCe-X7gUJ3ZWE-C9app7UeJ8VtKMptZrplSiibBFvj0nuBq9pon67t4Hhyrn8SCtgElc-86I3O3QQLGsIxd_UmkVfwTIq65KzyE9PTNk-1IykcCGSXKvezvtHcDrVqlKJQGvIsunkdgs2KnaHootDngYvm/w480-h640/20230923_103432.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Evidence from timber trackways such as the Sweet Track show that Glastonbury has been inhabited since Neolithic times. Glastonbury Lake Village was an Iron Age village, close to the old course of the River Brue and Sharpham Park approximately 2 miles (3 km) west of Glastonbury, that dates back to the Bronze Age. Centwine was the first Saxon patron of Glastonbury Abbey, which dominated the town for the next 700 years. One of the most important abbeys in England, it was the site of Edmund Ironside's coronation as King of England in 1016. Many of the oldest surviving buildings in the town, including the Tribunal, George Hotel and Pilgrims' Inn and the Somerset Rural Life Museum, which is based at the site of a 14th-century abbey manor barn, often referred to as a tithe barn, are associated with the abbey. The Church of St John the Baptist dates from the 15th century.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmZbSUXRb3swk_XUc5T9NP_G4MSV1sE7M4BgPELvNDKGOivngGQ5nLu9Yi_636Pa-h9bQMhOacsQ6MM1iK9R6dg-Uh6JuHdDRNTqeRl4BGbaDf3O98CNjhUWKTkdBX6lyTiNUe5-pByndp5OszLZy254ctM_WiSnDgU2-PWlwttG57UvSi5n1XDIlvNwL/s8160/20230923_103610.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmZbSUXRb3swk_XUc5T9NP_G4MSV1sE7M4BgPELvNDKGOivngGQ5nLu9Yi_636Pa-h9bQMhOacsQ6MM1iK9R6dg-Uh6JuHdDRNTqeRl4BGbaDf3O98CNjhUWKTkdBX6lyTiNUe5-pByndp5OszLZy254ctM_WiSnDgU2-PWlwttG57UvSi5n1XDIlvNwL/w480-h640/20230923_103610.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>The town became a centre for commerce, which led to the construction of the market cross, Glastonbury Canal and the Glastonbury and Street railway station, the largest station on the original Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway. The Brue Valley Living Landscape is a conservation project managed by the Somerset Wildlife Trust and nearby is the Ham Wall National Nature Reserve.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIl0GNkEPbgwIDXHkjUOB1CcfKabSzCCOQX-fK9MhMRQS7HSe8vSfpJeH9yQzMJNV_tZPKlEbiNxFDJg3G6HBKk7sKDOb-OrbyiQRt1fPNFAsfNRHMJ8dq4fjp8G_ANWq0NLpugE_n_zqbKYhhW0MBkBmD-0mVI0fcv4v9r4M_aD_nuVy0QtxGz_kdiL0i/s8160/20230923_103630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIl0GNkEPbgwIDXHkjUOB1CcfKabSzCCOQX-fK9MhMRQS7HSe8vSfpJeH9yQzMJNV_tZPKlEbiNxFDJg3G6HBKk7sKDOb-OrbyiQRt1fPNFAsfNRHMJ8dq4fjp8G_ANWq0NLpugE_n_zqbKYhhW0MBkBmD-0mVI0fcv4v9r4M_aD_nuVy0QtxGz_kdiL0i/w480-h640/20230923_103630.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Glastonbury has been described as having a New Age community, and possibly being where New Age beliefs originated at the turn of the twentieth century. It is notable for myths and legends often related to Glastonbury Tor, concerning Joseph of Arimathea, the Holy Grail and King Arthur. Joseph is said to have arrived in Glastonbury and stuck his staff into the ground, when it flowered miraculously into the Glastonbury Thorn. The presence of a landscape zodiac around the town has been suggested but no evidence has been discovered. The Glastonbury Festival, held in the nearby village of Pilton, takes its name from the town.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rwYLSS4uTtbIliahrVVwOXSPqoEQyIikdE033oJywD9vqxrH5KYpRSq_O8j9c4pTbAOdqMGJh7Ruhr6Y0DaZelrb8ow6r8417EafO3zs9YBXX835DWI0oR1pz11fJiivurCg5DAHHs526hu3lcFZS6TVJ2oQX8yR-ncxfzYh18Z2K5kF0YzavU1lrbwZ/s8160/20230923_103817.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rwYLSS4uTtbIliahrVVwOXSPqoEQyIikdE033oJywD9vqxrH5KYpRSq_O8j9c4pTbAOdqMGJh7Ruhr6Y0DaZelrb8ow6r8417EafO3zs9YBXX835DWI0oR1pz11fJiivurCg5DAHHs526hu3lcFZS6TVJ2oQX8yR-ncxfzYh18Z2K5kF0YzavU1lrbwZ/w640-h480/20230923_103817.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Glastonbury is notable for myths and legends concerning Joseph of Arimathea, the Holy Grail and King Arthur as recorded by ancient historians William of Malmesbury, Venerable Bede, Gerald of Wales and Geoffrey of Monmouth. Many long-standing and cherished legends were examined in a four-year study by archaeologists, led by Professor Roberta Gilchrist, at the University of Reading, who, amongst other findings, speculated that the connection with King Arthur and his Queen, Guinevere, was created deliberately by the monks in 1184 to meet a financial crisis caused by a devastating fire. Other myths examined include the visit by Jesus, the building of the oldest church in England, and the flowering of the walking stick. Roberta Gilchrist stated, "We didn't claim to disprove the legendary associations, nor would we wish to". The site of King Arthur's supposed grave contained material dating from between the 11th and 15th centuries. Gilchrist said, "That doesn't dispel the Arthurian legend, it just means the pit [20th century archaeologist Ralegh Radford] excavated he rather over-claimed." The study made new archaeological finds; its leader found Glastonbury to be a remarkable archaeological site. The new results were reported on the Glastonbury Abbey Web site, and were to be incorporated into the Abbey's guidebook; however, the leader of the study, who became a trustee of Glastonbury, said "We are not in the business of destroying people's beliefs ... A thousand years of beliefs and legends are part of the intangible history of this remarkable place". Gilchrist went on to say, "archaeology can help us to understand how legends evolve and what people in the past believed". She noted that the project has actually uncovered the first definitive proof of occupation at the Glastonbury Abbey site during the fifth century—when Arthur allegedly lived.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7YyuDFRmHxQ4951ceFZv0epq1zmYiV-CYqWQVia-hoqQIKQuhjEguP5DqoO2D0Kfs7VGE2dwbG3sTNvMLKULPtxQMakL4rTn2C8oYzIC9qhFE1hltHs7i9a-e9w08lkHf_ytWHd-6AJTp06P2bhlmJlA9KygRhyKmhZ5YnLgDsUyogyvr1WOoCJUQrPU/s8160/20230923_103846.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7YyuDFRmHxQ4951ceFZv0epq1zmYiV-CYqWQVia-hoqQIKQuhjEguP5DqoO2D0Kfs7VGE2dwbG3sTNvMLKULPtxQMakL4rTn2C8oYzIC9qhFE1hltHs7i9a-e9w08lkHf_ytWHd-6AJTp06P2bhlmJlA9KygRhyKmhZ5YnLgDsUyogyvr1WOoCJUQrPU/w480-h640/20230923_103846.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The legend that Joseph of Arimathea retrieved certain holy relics was introduced by the French poet Robert de Boron in his 13th-century version of the grail story, thought to have been a trilogy though only fragments of the later books survive today. The work became the inspiration for the later Vulgate Cycle of Arthurian tales.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">De Boron's account relates how Joseph captured Jesus's blood in a cup (the "Holy Grail") which was subsequently brought to Britain. The Vulgate Cycle reworked Boron's original tale. Joseph of Arimathea was no longer the chief character in the Grail origin: Joseph's son, Josephus, took over his role of the Grail keeper. The earliest versions of the grail romance, however, do not call the grail "holy" or mention anything about blood, Joseph or Glastonbury.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbkqxSBCpZiC47PEfOckEvDk81dCYs9Y6zGimogv2F0aAa5qD5j3YoiNeHp-wcauJZB4eTpKSNBRoRJl-ERbiGvYqy5O1wGKgkelLgnbbJboPshO5JnbqimqVi4vIp-2V_E1trAO-vBldn6UF7ViZmROLRn9Qnu5iXyyn4n-jmCgcaiPmS5Uuhf1zq7UV/s8045/20230923_104033.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbkqxSBCpZiC47PEfOckEvDk81dCYs9Y6zGimogv2F0aAa5qD5j3YoiNeHp-wcauJZB4eTpKSNBRoRJl-ERbiGvYqy5O1wGKgkelLgnbbJboPshO5JnbqimqVi4vIp-2V_E1trAO-vBldn6UF7ViZmROLRn9Qnu5iXyyn4n-jmCgcaiPmS5Uuhf1zq7UV/s8045/20230923_104033.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6034" data-original-width="8045" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbkqxSBCpZiC47PEfOckEvDk81dCYs9Y6zGimogv2F0aAa5qD5j3YoiNeHp-wcauJZB4eTpKSNBRoRJl-ERbiGvYqy5O1wGKgkelLgnbbJboPshO5JnbqimqVi4vIp-2V_E1trAO-vBldn6UF7ViZmROLRn9Qnu5iXyyn4n-jmCgcaiPmS5Uuhf1zq7UV/w640-h480/20230923_104033.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk down into Market Place and pass the Glastonbury Market Cross.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Glastonbury's cross replaced an earlier structure of early 16th century origin, described as having been "of some antiquity", octagonal with clustered pillars, a central column and a roof. It fell into a state of disrepair and was demolished around 1806. Later in the 19th century, T. Porch, the proprietor of Glastonbury Abbey, proposed that a new market cross be erected on the same site. It was erected in 1846 under the supervision of Ferrey and has most recently undergone restoration in 2005.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVdISN5lyT_btMsISt23idB9rrG2CditOuMQtQ9QNX1AsaR2h8mBh5BhPowUyaIFQMjyUqj6B3HFYQOC0UCR05_O-wq7WWMh-7nwoP9Uo37BKiGFvaJJyGiMlFpfMHHH8LW-UK25RvV8jgHfx6MCMosFQ9YNSVIPtRmNshozxde5b0U55oVSuTKYeveyg/s8160/20230923_104055.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVdISN5lyT_btMsISt23idB9rrG2CditOuMQtQ9QNX1AsaR2h8mBh5BhPowUyaIFQMjyUqj6B3HFYQOC0UCR05_O-wq7WWMh-7nwoP9Uo37BKiGFvaJJyGiMlFpfMHHH8LW-UK25RvV8jgHfx6MCMosFQ9YNSVIPtRmNshozxde5b0U55oVSuTKYeveyg/w480-h640/20230923_104055.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk into Glastonbury Abbey and didn't go any further, as I was too tight to pay the silly admission fee to see the ruins!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The abbey was founded in the 8th century and enlarged in the 10th. It was destroyed by a major fire in 1184, but subsequently rebuilt and by the 14th century was one of the richest and most powerful monasteries in England. The abbey controlled large tracts of the surrounding land and was instrumental in major drainage projects on the Somerset Levels. The abbey was suppressed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII of England. The last abbot, Richard Whiting (Whyting), was hanged, drawn and quartered as a traitor on Glastonbury Tor in 1539.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">From at least the 12th century, the Glastonbury area has been associated with the legend of King Arthur, a connection promoted by medieval monks who asserted that Glastonbury was Avalon. Christian legends have claimed that the abbey was founded by Joseph of Arimathea in the 1st century.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIABkRRVJyh7-mFYZ2CwnqyzhYn0frS5GrcD8lcpL8rALv4ZpF1IGElvNIO9IuBEmpaUmtWFbSlL-D8XWYO4ydoDqxON3MmnUK15tN0JJo1qOu5E4M-f_WsRmPDPcRQM600ix4w1-d9Q_yx0kg0huFKU5mjxFNevz4Ah3oHUupYXk-IBeLakjUlzTXC-sG/s8160/20230923_104534.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIABkRRVJyh7-mFYZ2CwnqyzhYn0frS5GrcD8lcpL8rALv4ZpF1IGElvNIO9IuBEmpaUmtWFbSlL-D8XWYO4ydoDqxON3MmnUK15tN0JJo1qOu5E4M-f_WsRmPDPcRQM600ix4w1-d9Q_yx0kg0huFKU5mjxFNevz4Ah3oHUupYXk-IBeLakjUlzTXC-sG/w640-h480/20230923_104534.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk up Magdalene Street and pop into a witchcraft market being held in the Town Hall.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave and walk on heading towards Chalice Well before onto Glastonbury Tor.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EafUiTWnSGrX-70C21UXQzXd10HYXkSEioZ2WSw93fBc6BOQHy7rxxjgkZgNoEHz1WN5fiHhDuMzUL5TVF-CJcFeFjbJ2ArjGveWXB_ZOEWX_0pO8OLxPbZ-V8w5dEK3kmsy_z0A7gEmQO2usvLHpEC9S0dRB_PSlxgou5nBNVm344JcOSoyW_PChDbT/s8160/20230923_105930.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EafUiTWnSGrX-70C21UXQzXd10HYXkSEioZ2WSw93fBc6BOQHy7rxxjgkZgNoEHz1WN5fiHhDuMzUL5TVF-CJcFeFjbJ2ArjGveWXB_ZOEWX_0pO8OLxPbZ-V8w5dEK3kmsy_z0A7gEmQO2usvLHpEC9S0dRB_PSlxgou5nBNVm344JcOSoyW_PChDbT/w480-h640/20230923_105930.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first proper view of The Tor from the Bere Lane.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Glastonbury Zodiac</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1934 artist Katherine Maltwood suggested a landscape zodiac, a map of the stars on a gigantic scale, formed by features in the landscape such as roads, streams and field boundaries, could be found situated around Glastonbury. She held that the "temple" was created by Sumerians about 2700 BC. The idea of a prehistoric landscape zodiac fell into disrepute when two independent studies examined the Glastonbury Zodiac, one by Ian Burrow in 1975 and the other by Tom Williamson and Liz Bellamy in 1983. These both used standard methods of landscape historical research. Both studies concluded that the evidence contradicted the idea of an ancient zodiac. The eye of Capricorn identified by Maltwood was a haystack. The western wing of the Aquarius phoenix was a road laid in 1782 to run around Glastonbury, and older maps dating back to the 1620s show the road had no predecessors. The Cancer boat (not a crab as in conventional western astrology) consists of a network of 18th-century drainage ditches and paths. There are some Neolithic paths preserved in the peat of the bog formerly comprising most of the area, but none of the known paths match the lines of the zodiac features. There is no support for this theory, or for the existence of the "temple" in any form, from conventional archaeologists. Glastonbury is also said to be the centre of several ley lines.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HKOoP0eRsCMGrTvbTapwBzZaKYxKzO9IYaOIrsPeZsRP1FqFh5qid5Us2tqXcVIE7Wu2zYhi8xr_Q7CBqHTW9TOii9xNVqeZEqjmjvCe75GQW7sAOWU4qqgaPUQDTPW62nDJdir4QG4IrsqrU56nzOReP5X21EezoAIJatBVTLoYDhJgtuw4Paxv3ncw/s8160/20230923_110931.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HKOoP0eRsCMGrTvbTapwBzZaKYxKzO9IYaOIrsPeZsRP1FqFh5qid5Us2tqXcVIE7Wu2zYhi8xr_Q7CBqHTW9TOii9xNVqeZEqjmjvCe75GQW7sAOWU4qqgaPUQDTPW62nDJdir4QG4IrsqrU56nzOReP5X21EezoAIJatBVTLoYDhJgtuw4Paxv3ncw/w480-h640/20230923_110931.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We enter Chalice Well and its free today until midday to allow people to pray and meditate for the Mabon/Autumn Equinox celebrations!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkTjHVWiPIqOmbM98G_b5HlC_Gr2R6g9QqwvggLMLLf_nvP_cYuJ6nQtVA6rcCBiHkORruvrFkseqYiatZ0J0OP0LoJfAa_XFIXA34jMFOYO6n7FKb8z6gk_cNRdwKYP5ZLhWrnQSRNt-NgFQeIf7kmU5wu4i1PfaMDn0iDjb1cyu-44g64x7QzP31bKj/s8160/20230923_111439.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkTjHVWiPIqOmbM98G_b5HlC_Gr2R6g9QqwvggLMLLf_nvP_cYuJ6nQtVA6rcCBiHkORruvrFkseqYiatZ0J0OP0LoJfAa_XFIXA34jMFOYO6n7FKb8z6gk_cNRdwKYP5ZLhWrnQSRNt-NgFQeIf7kmU5wu4i1PfaMDn0iDjb1cyu-44g64x7QzP31bKj/w480-h640/20230923_111439.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Chalice Well, also known as the Red Spring, is a well situated near the summit of Chalice Hill, a small hill next to Glastonbury Tor in Glastonbury, Somerset.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocgTCGxLppAjGB_4yAl5Svpc1bgHrSlMG1u6UKaPpZWRd1EM87hqgVx_IbQEr0w2kibSVTUYclS957GjZ5o5OkKiVKpHOS_Y4i3Fa_98gEbrr9qXmDglb4PdNY4mcxl-wE9C3V9PomuxqmWUO4xaXsafjdnc1EgW1jb_GWDTYyH4h6kNLi7g1piE3IfYL/s8160/20230923_111642.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocgTCGxLppAjGB_4yAl5Svpc1bgHrSlMG1u6UKaPpZWRd1EM87hqgVx_IbQEr0w2kibSVTUYclS957GjZ5o5OkKiVKpHOS_Y4i3Fa_98gEbrr9qXmDglb4PdNY4mcxl-wE9C3V9PomuxqmWUO4xaXsafjdnc1EgW1jb_GWDTYyH4h6kNLi7g1piE3IfYL/w480-h640/20230923_111642.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Archaeological evidence suggests that the well has been in almost constant use for at least two thousand years. Philip Rahtz found several dozen flints from the upper Paleolithic and Mesolithic, and a shard of Iron Age pottery nearby. Roman and medieval sherds were also found in more recent layers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Water issues from the spring at a rate of 25,000 imperial gallons (110,000 litres) per day and has never failed, even during drought. Iron oxide deposits give water a reddish hue, as dissolved ferrous oxide becomes oxidized at the surface and is precipitated. Like the hot springs in the nearby city of Bath's Roman built baths, the water is reputed to possess healing qualities.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHEQPhLQWmqxl-94N50T8y-Bpzl-yDRS8l5x8rGWRF4ADFtiCrCswEWVGA3goCXz6sXupn-GiUmjOLxPbufKUGCdQf-RvqdnlPajLU3loeV6Fv1rHOqnbQDZh3RWkJXjs0dPTqbcJvVxrDRGX8CyOh5kcBVgVhKpnjFecvoQ84HgLzfIWtThq54wJUT3W/s8160/20230923_111803.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHEQPhLQWmqxl-94N50T8y-Bpzl-yDRS8l5x8rGWRF4ADFtiCrCswEWVGA3goCXz6sXupn-GiUmjOLxPbufKUGCdQf-RvqdnlPajLU3loeV6Fv1rHOqnbQDZh3RWkJXjs0dPTqbcJvVxrDRGX8CyOh5kcBVgVhKpnjFecvoQ84HgLzfIWtThq54wJUT3W/w640-h480/20230923_111803.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wells often feature in Welsh and Irish mythology as gateways to the spirit world. The overlapping of the inner and outer worlds is represented by the well cover, designed by the church architect and archaeologist Frederick Bligh Bond and presented as a gift after the Great War in 1919. The two interlocking circles constitute the symbol known as the Vesica Piscis. In the well lid design, a spear or a sword bisects these two circles, a possible reference to Excalibur, the sword of the legendary King Arthur, believed by some to be buried at the nearby Glastonbury Abbey. Foliage represents the Glastonbury Thorn. Bligh Bond wrote that the vesica design for the well cover was "typical of many early diagrams, all having the same object – the rendering of spiritual truth by means of the purest, most intellectual system of imagery conceived by the mind, namely, truth which is ‘aeonial’ or eternal, of which geometry is the best interpreter, since it can figure for us with remarkable suggestiveness those formative principles upon which the Father has built his Creation, principles which shall endure when heaven and earth have died."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BPyBLsMuDAA" width="633" youtube-src-id="BPyBLsMuDAA"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Christian mythology suggests that Chalice Well marks the site where Joseph of Arimathea placed the chalice that had caught the drops of Christ's blood at the Crucifixion, linking the Well to the wealth of speculation surrounding the existence of the Holy Grail. The red of the water is also said by some Christians to represent the rusty iron nails used at the Crucifixion. "It is said that beneath its waters Joseph of Arimathea hid the Chalice of the Last Supper and immediately the waters flowed red. According, however, to William of Malmesbury (died 1143?), who first recorded the well, the waters gushed sometimes red, and sometimes blue." According to local lore, the waters from this well have three attributes in common with human blood: the waters are red; the water coagulates as does hemoglobin; and the water is warm. The iron content gives both the reddish color and the coagulation of rust and accumulation of ferric oxide. The subterranean water from the well is often warmer than the surface ground temperature, and even in winter roses near the well bloom when other plants and flowers further away do not. Indeed, the Holy Thorn Tree, also known as the Glastonbury Thorn (Crataegus Monogyna praecox) blooms in the Chalice Well garden every Christmas. The local legend says that this tree took root when Joseph of Arimathea drove his staff into the ground near the well.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Frequent events are held in the grounds of Chalice Well including annual celebrations for the winter and summer solstices, World Peace Day, Easter, Michaelmas and Samhain (Halloween). It is a grade I listed building.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuB_EaLzuTv0xP89oI4rlsUsZbEVWXPF2u4CAc0cIt7LFyS_NcfqqejGQxvotGDn5uMrewAqpbc0yFkWEeq5HHY65Fab3w_YbEbl-Eg-7tX3WMFCCPba7n4ibyd91FT73k9kdeAUi_6roFdNZcFIB67-Q6ZKZE400f5RQnJIVuWb-NUMGPAR8cVqSIt9j_/s7908/20230923_112100.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5931" data-original-width="7908" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuB_EaLzuTv0xP89oI4rlsUsZbEVWXPF2u4CAc0cIt7LFyS_NcfqqejGQxvotGDn5uMrewAqpbc0yFkWEeq5HHY65Fab3w_YbEbl-Eg-7tX3WMFCCPba7n4ibyd91FT73k9kdeAUi_6roFdNZcFIB67-Q6ZKZE400f5RQnJIVuWb-NUMGPAR8cVqSIt9j_/w640-h480/20230923_112100.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakeem_Noor-ud-Din">Hakeem Noor-ud-Din</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirza_Basheer-ud-Din_Mahmood_Ahmad">Mirza Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad</a> in their commentaries on the Quran considered the possibility that the story of the Seven Sleepers (from surah 18, Al-Kahf, “The Cave”) was based on the earlier legend of Joseph of Arimathea having come to Glastonbury, with the cave being a metaphor for England, though they considered the Catacombs of Rome a more likely source of the legend.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPBTTmtNUv2bfDbcqF89tQpuK8reTk6ggIy5nK_cdWy0ulhAweGdY5h3h5HEM-nycGqcm7LkQ16zhPjzGErH4qSm3VWQuPsGZ_A622S1orVhRjfEt7p1QHkSOsg7oUhux7n-24goDtK-upa9Ne1H-qJgxoQhiBeQekTAUMVMvvnMsNgOxHL_TeVqafbqU/s8160/20230923_112553.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPBTTmtNUv2bfDbcqF89tQpuK8reTk6ggIy5nK_cdWy0ulhAweGdY5h3h5HEM-nycGqcm7LkQ16zhPjzGErH4qSm3VWQuPsGZ_A622S1orVhRjfEt7p1QHkSOsg7oUhux7n-24goDtK-upa9Ne1H-qJgxoQhiBeQekTAUMVMvvnMsNgOxHL_TeVqafbqU/w640-h480/20230923_112553.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Known as the pagan Thanksgiving, Mabon marks the Autumn Equinox, when day and night are equal, making it a time of balance, equality and harmony. In ancient times Mabon was a celebration of the second harvest (Lughnasadh was the first) when farmers gathered hearty foods like gourds, pumpkins, grapes and apples.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Modern Mabon celebrations are a time to give thanks for the abundance of Mother Earth - both literally and spiritually. It’s also a good time to reflect on the Wheel of the Year, recognizing your successes and letting go of the things that did not serve you during the past twelve months.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mPYJYH09BXNP2WqnuCAqReUcIzOPN0TgFsoDJTJhJrDzHhP3_zbjYvM61yuNycMqgmE1kQlQ4gT-Le7jX_CS-_EFbDWKupikpnDmHTrRq2QXC9fOcvK_dR7_XDAtGxM5zrodedg2PK-9sEhRy4i2qScXgmhPrZARHgtYs0Q7hxmUaLdGZPGF02kLmCvV/s8160/20230923_112608.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mPYJYH09BXNP2WqnuCAqReUcIzOPN0TgFsoDJTJhJrDzHhP3_zbjYvM61yuNycMqgmE1kQlQ4gT-Le7jX_CS-_EFbDWKupikpnDmHTrRq2QXC9fOcvK_dR7_XDAtGxM5zrodedg2PK-9sEhRy4i2qScXgmhPrZARHgtYs0Q7hxmUaLdGZPGF02kLmCvV/w480-h640/20230923_112608.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chalice Well</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Modern Pagans began celebrating Mabon as the last of the eight Sabbats in the 1970s, but its roots as a harvest festival go back to ancient times.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Named after the ancient Welsh hero named Mabon ap Modron, which means Son of Mother, Mabon is the second of three harvest festivals that take place in the Wheel of the Year (Lughnasadh is the first and Samhain is the third). Similar to Apollo, the figure of Mabon was depicted as a handsome youth with a lyre. As a baby Mabon was said to have been held hostage as a baby in the underworld, similar to the story of Persephone and Demeter.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Indeed, the Greek goddess Demeter is much more closely associated with the Autumn harvest, as it was her grief at losing her daughter that turned the earth from lush abundance to barren cold.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dJBnGhhxNLaNVHI6-_VBcdEFnNJNxF3DB712zbj4UWlF3O5MJbIhiNck-SE1kMTKkWkFawOiCJLfVJphfW5SDWjcR0nbXlgZuAoYQE_vXvIOm0Gklq2-pmH4MZnxpI3hBHHbVaUMOlNI2EE1u1aid4qC9MiYzxazryiFOMYHCLPvxYuYtlGZIBnAbolD/s8160/20230923_112636.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dJBnGhhxNLaNVHI6-_VBcdEFnNJNxF3DB712zbj4UWlF3O5MJbIhiNck-SE1kMTKkWkFawOiCJLfVJphfW5SDWjcR0nbXlgZuAoYQE_vXvIOm0Gklq2-pmH4MZnxpI3hBHHbVaUMOlNI2EE1u1aid4qC9MiYzxazryiFOMYHCLPvxYuYtlGZIBnAbolD/w480-h640/20230923_112636.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As the Wheel of the year comes to an end, Mabon is a good time to set intentions that involve decrease and reduction such as ending bad relationships, unhealthy habits or self destructive beliefs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>MABON SYMBOLS</b></div><br />Symbols: Cornucopia (horn of plenty), pinecones, seeds<br /><br />Colors: Orange, red, yellow, brown, copper, dark yellow, dark green <br /><br />Foods: Corn, beans, squash, apples, pumpkins, cider, root vegetables, pomegranate, wine <br /><br />Herbs: Yarrow, rosemary, sage, mugwort, rosehips, <br /><br />Stones: Amber, citrine, cat’s eye, aventurine, sapphire, jasper <br /><br />Flowers: Sunflowers, thistle, marigolds <br /><br />Deities: Mabon, Green Man, Demeter, Persephone, Morgan, Pomona, Inanna <br /><br />Animals: Owl, stag, blackbird, salmon</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGecP6Gapk19DZ7EysvqvBaMrdqpwK42lI5rSKU4JBLFnyPnG0kdjUNo8Vb_8DhI1MLFISQMRfTz0fShGuEhzg-xYIkwbzjOONq4qgQ2bOiOqd_S-fKvwQoNOHzoYjfouX8tkWefs_sdbjwmJJzlN2If037TSutTx93f5lqSAiI2i7nkYvAfwQm3mn5N99/s8160/20230923_113042.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGecP6Gapk19DZ7EysvqvBaMrdqpwK42lI5rSKU4JBLFnyPnG0kdjUNo8Vb_8DhI1MLFISQMRfTz0fShGuEhzg-xYIkwbzjOONq4qgQ2bOiOqd_S-fKvwQoNOHzoYjfouX8tkWefs_sdbjwmJJzlN2If037TSutTx93f5lqSAiI2i7nkYvAfwQm3mn5N99/w640-h480/20230923_113042.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I leave the Chalice Well and head on up the road a short way before turning onto Wellhouse Lane.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Here on the corner is the Old Toll House, still displaying the toll prices!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSdZCOHME9hA71utmmGKx-447gLMLDFdtGxf9BeBfF5xTpGispjbXERhFDezyyK3ldMQNf36-jOVWEn1NJLo3lgMKroHncA00maUURR-KHM8rSOMdhJSJpnZ20oUVeskqwCLZsT2jboqd7zMIRM-yQiQRGkiEoulrT1bm323IwS7Zr5ADVDbDLRSBwiXo/s5534/20230923_113051.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5534" data-original-width="4081" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSdZCOHME9hA71utmmGKx-447gLMLDFdtGxf9BeBfF5xTpGispjbXERhFDezyyK3ldMQNf36-jOVWEn1NJLo3lgMKroHncA00maUURR-KHM8rSOMdhJSJpnZ20oUVeskqwCLZsT2jboqd7zMIRM-yQiQRGkiEoulrT1bm323IwS7Zr5ADVDbDLRSBwiXo/w472-h640/20230923_113051.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We take the footpath on our right and finally I am walking up to the Glastonbury Tor that has been on my to do list for years!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiny0_vvTV3dFOoJUAsnMhgcCUVevhUq278w_wH8tl-ersDnhMcb8p0jzMW6lmoHwLyRo1etiAvTaDJJwCkKkMdE6vaBaANd746-XTm0GvHkHS-akisicv64HhJNV2srTm3YXVR_iTgfqm7nSkwMfXTLiWFwmO0obyxcbZx-UyJdVEw1AMBqZHgx-dt3uQj/s7255/20230923_113255.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7255" data-original-width="5946" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiny0_vvTV3dFOoJUAsnMhgcCUVevhUq278w_wH8tl-ersDnhMcb8p0jzMW6lmoHwLyRo1etiAvTaDJJwCkKkMdE6vaBaANd746-XTm0GvHkHS-akisicv64HhJNV2srTm3YXVR_iTgfqm7nSkwMfXTLiWFwmO0obyxcbZx-UyJdVEw1AMBqZHgx-dt3uQj/w524-h640/20230923_113255.jpg" width="524" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Tor is mentioned in Celtic mythology, particularly in myths linked to King Arthur, and has several other enduring mythological and spiritual associations.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The conical hill of clay and Blue Lias rises from the Somerset Levels. It was formed when surrounding softer deposits were eroded, leaving a hard cap of sandstone exposed. The slopes of the hill are terraced, but the method by which they were formed remains unexplained.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Archaeological excavations during the 20th century sought to clarify the background of the monument and church, but some aspects of their history remain unexplained. Artefacts from human visitation have been found, dating from the Iron Age to Roman eras. Several buildings were constructed on the summit during Saxon and early medieval periods; they have been interpreted as an early church and monks' hermitage. The head of a wheel cross dating from the 10th or 11th century has been recovered. The original wooden church was destroyed by an earthquake in 1275, and the stone Church of St Michael was built on the site in the 14th century. Its tower remains, although it has been restored and partially rebuilt several times.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMS8vFrfpS8uEH_LoDHEzNXzoWiQDYBnmr7i_VN2fTswjZ5J5wqq2JyU3FnWc5eZl5x-HE9iQMuo71U1QoFQNlcuV0XEwSPVKYn-eSAq2pNbhGwmzR-9h8p6kq0Z34j_M76yKiQTTVm2Q85Bl6OOVB_X5qy1EFuC-ay9lzttBjhlrdluQwu0y5O5RRzZEM/s8160/20230923_113910.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMS8vFrfpS8uEH_LoDHEzNXzoWiQDYBnmr7i_VN2fTswjZ5J5wqq2JyU3FnWc5eZl5x-HE9iQMuo71U1QoFQNlcuV0XEwSPVKYn-eSAq2pNbhGwmzR-9h8p6kq0Z34j_M76yKiQTTVm2Q85Bl6OOVB_X5qy1EFuC-ay9lzttBjhlrdluQwu0y5O5RRzZEM/w480-h640/20230923_113910.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is a steady climb up the hill and we take our time in the heat.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8dla8vkWIHsbyff7pGC-JKVW1FbwriakHEAz4J2GMeS1Af4YLDBT3u8T-_iPtOvnWvcMh65W0DmoVQU8DT3wzYq1l5XtY2ipdV6bEC22hlz7mQSucYr19ryXs8cdHIA9JX6e5k1ryv3DbdyViW7rVlNPYOs5jFRNy9eI3aOb-atd_KIDSXnF5trcW368/s7859/20230923_113956.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7859" data-original-width="5895" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8dla8vkWIHsbyff7pGC-JKVW1FbwriakHEAz4J2GMeS1Af4YLDBT3u8T-_iPtOvnWvcMh65W0DmoVQU8DT3wzYq1l5XtY2ipdV6bEC22hlz7mQSucYr19ryXs8cdHIA9JX6e5k1ryv3DbdyViW7rVlNPYOs5jFRNy9eI3aOb-atd_KIDSXnF5trcW368/w480-h640/20230923_113956.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The origin of the name Glastonbury is unclear, but when the settlement was first recorded in the late 7th and early 8th centuries it was called Glestingaburg. Of the latter name, Glestinga is obscure and may derive from an Old English word or Celtic personal name. It may derive from a person or kinship group named Glast. The second half of the name, -burg, is Anglo-Saxon in origin and could refer to either a fortified place such as a burh or, more likely, a monastic enclosure.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tor is an English word referring to "a bare rock mass surmounted and surrounded by blocks and boulders", deriving from the Old English torr. The Celtic name of the Tor was Ynys Wydryn, or sometimes Ynys Gutrin, meaning 'Isle of Glass'. At this time the plain was flooded, the isle becoming a peninsula at low tide.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY04ntzPS6LLdaNy242Khiy0cSiMSAKqlqlSYuPbKcjP4MmCkFhreg-ziXKq7925vtMcOhqIlD46KBEgKXiHaXoJdV-98AtvF9pq7rPirAwSmdGQ_2yJKnTz39NcIeEfunPFRFPlBFjLIZN478T8Qpu83bRWVND92D_l4QPTm6qIxtUMCvwstds534Ong_/s7660/20230923_114324.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5745" data-original-width="7660" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY04ntzPS6LLdaNy242Khiy0cSiMSAKqlqlSYuPbKcjP4MmCkFhreg-ziXKq7925vtMcOhqIlD46KBEgKXiHaXoJdV-98AtvF9pq7rPirAwSmdGQ_2yJKnTz39NcIeEfunPFRFPlBFjLIZN478T8Qpu83bRWVND92D_l4QPTm6qIxtUMCvwstds534Ong_/w640-h480/20230923_114324.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Tor is in the middle of the Summerland Meadows, part of the Somerset Levels, rising to an elevation of 518 feet (158 m). The plain is reclaimed fen above which the Tor is clearly visible for miles around. It has been described as an island, but actually sits at the western end of a peninsula washed on three sides by the River Brue.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Tor is formed from rocks dating from the early Jurassic Period, namely varied layers of Lias Group strata. The uppermost of these, forming the Tor itself, are a succession of rocks assigned to the Bridport Sand Formation. These rocks sit upon strata forming the broader hill on which the Tor stands; the various layers of the Beacon Limestone Formation and the Dyrham Formation.The Bridport Sands have acted as a caprock, protecting the lower layers from erosion.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRY0wlLpg9tRvpwgIO6V_SAskhrGsZvuRKnU4NmI8DtEAd4nI_I69Rt57OLld-m8k9tdLbQcUxf2XSlmsmkZSVJjOb0lUKOD4l2JRoK9oPTWGWzJc1_85cHjUV4v0xS5v3y4me6qyu09QvKM3Ca5ksmEzLwZXak-4mH0C6s2hJiXXG0_JjNj9guDHOIxZ/s2699/20230923_114339.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2025" data-original-width="2699" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRY0wlLpg9tRvpwgIO6V_SAskhrGsZvuRKnU4NmI8DtEAd4nI_I69Rt57OLld-m8k9tdLbQcUxf2XSlmsmkZSVJjOb0lUKOD4l2JRoK9oPTWGWzJc1_85cHjUV4v0xS5v3y4me6qyu09QvKM3Ca5ksmEzLwZXak-4mH0C6s2hJiXXG0_JjNj9guDHOIxZ/w640-h480/20230923_114339.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The iron-rich waters of Chalice Well, a spring at the base of the Tor, flow out as an artesian well impregnating the sandstone around it with iron oxides that have reinforced it to produce the caprock. Iron-rich but oxygen-poor water in the aquifer carries dissolved iron "ferrous" iron, but as the water surfaces and its oxygen content rises, the oxidised iron "ferric" iron drops out as insoluble "rusty" oxides that bind to the surrounding stone, hardening it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The low-lying damp ground can produce a visual effect known as a Fata Morgana when the Tor appears to rise out of the mist. This optical phenomenon occurs because rays of light are strongly bent when they pass through air layers of different temperatures in a steep thermal inversion where an atmospheric duct has formed. The Italian term Fata Morgana is derived from the name of Morgan le Fay, a powerful sorceress in Arthurian legend.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7t2-EF3zZi9CSG7DcdrIG2ZpcZBt-A_gYMp7Yl0ih1yM9iBtSh_ekajO-1Uj0TuxiJFBNZawfYdn0xblN5KCYwc1saNqojKaLAyisqtIpymiFj95mCFoRK_c_jVyNO5G_ElUyisWPJTpWy05WfHS5e-SDDEfZqMpHCYAK_TsZ5xWVcT4J07peLets8gWz/s8160/20230923_114353.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7t2-EF3zZi9CSG7DcdrIG2ZpcZBt-A_gYMp7Yl0ih1yM9iBtSh_ekajO-1Uj0TuxiJFBNZawfYdn0xblN5KCYwc1saNqojKaLAyisqtIpymiFj95mCFoRK_c_jVyNO5G_ElUyisWPJTpWy05WfHS5e-SDDEfZqMpHCYAK_TsZ5xWVcT4J07peLets8gWz/w640-h480/20230923_114353.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sides of the Tor have seven deep, roughly symmetrical terraces, or lynchets. Their formation remains a mystery with many possible explanations. They may have been formed as a result of natural differentiation of the layers of Lias stone and clay or used by farmers during the Middle Ages as terraced hills to make ploughing for crops easier. Author Nicholas Mann questions this theory. If agriculture had been the reason for the creation of the terraces, it would be expected that the effort would be concentrated on the south side, where the sunny conditions would provide a good yield, but the terraces are equally deep on the northern side, which would provide little benefit. Additionally, none of the other slopes of the island has been terraced, even though the more sheltered locations would provide a greater return on the labour involved.</div></div><div><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jXYVdMa7VnvZ9LDgU1r14t0OgVYSWu_TdKcGJDw0AGBzQG8a6lHV6ZHjNX8zkeGGzMNnZnLMVj-Dnm71s_-LweSIg3oazqCqwDeoXoq24rpOPlnLSPoeRjuAl8Umd2OYxDygbOIC5jefSWu2aKvERpBdk9pKYJaqW54A5ovWMssE0Pd6l3y6J5cI2koD/s3440/20230923_114450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2580" data-original-width="3440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jXYVdMa7VnvZ9LDgU1r14t0OgVYSWu_TdKcGJDw0AGBzQG8a6lHV6ZHjNX8zkeGGzMNnZnLMVj-Dnm71s_-LweSIg3oazqCqwDeoXoq24rpOPlnLSPoeRjuAl8Umd2OYxDygbOIC5jefSWu2aKvERpBdk9pKYJaqW54A5ovWMssE0Pd6l3y6J5cI2koD/w640-h480/20230923_114450.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Other explanations have been suggested for the terraces, including the construction of defensive ramparts. Iron Age hill forts including the nearby Cadbury Castle in Somerset show evidence of extensive fortification of their slopes. The normal form of ramparts is a bank and ditch, but there is no evidence of this arrangement on the Tor. South Cadbury, one of the most extensively fortified places in early Britain, had three concentric rings of banks and ditches supporting an 44-acre (18 ha) enclosure.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> By contrast, the Tor has seven rings and very little space on top for the safekeeping of a community. It has been suggested, that a defensive function may have been linked with Ponter's Ball Dyke, a linear earthwork about 1 mile (1.6 km) east of the Tor. It consists of an embankment with a ditch on the east side. The purpose and provenance of the dyke are unclear. It is possible that it was part of a longer defensive barrier associated with New Ditch, three miles to the south-west, which is built in a similar manner. It has been suggested by Ralegh Radford that it is part of a great Celtic sanctuary, probably 3rd century BC, while others, including Philip Rahtz, date it to the post-Roman period and link it to the Dark Age occupation on Glastonbury Tor. The 1970 excavation suggests the 12th century or later. The historian Ronald Hutton also mentions the alternative possibility that the terraces are the remains of a medieval "spiral walkway" created for pilgrims to reach the church on the summit, similar to that at Whitby Abbey.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another suggestion is that the terraces are the remains of a three-dimensional labyrinth, first proposed by Geoffrey Russell in 1968. He states that the classical labyrinth (Caerdroia), a design found all over the Neolithic world, can be easily transposed onto the Tor so that by walking around the terraces a person eventually reaches the top in the same pattern. Evaluating this hypothesis is not easy. A labyrinth would very likely place the terraces in the Neolithic era, but given the amount of occupation since then, there may have been substantial modifications by farmers or monks, and conclusive excavations have not been carried out. In a more recent book, Hutton writes that "the labyrinth does not seem to be an ancient sacred structure"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZMhdf7OyQK16nr4TRoBwN0S68I5qm7gGAh7z6KWCEXrdGt9ZhA5Y4noQmaN8OCOGC400YwLSDGCbctic8Z0RiyYkOBarZCuAXpG2UE4_-WMHm3IlY8LXAKzg5gNKilG2-XMg1QpSzxdCw1FKSIaReSl7KhA9PwdPGvK7lcarzcSkZypvFooJJspbVfgt/s7604/20230923_114959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7604" data-original-width="5703" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZMhdf7OyQK16nr4TRoBwN0S68I5qm7gGAh7z6KWCEXrdGt9ZhA5Y4noQmaN8OCOGC400YwLSDGCbctic8Z0RiyYkOBarZCuAXpG2UE4_-WMHm3IlY8LXAKzg5gNKilG2-XMg1QpSzxdCw1FKSIaReSl7KhA9PwdPGvK7lcarzcSkZypvFooJJspbVfgt/w480-h640/20230923_114959.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We climb the final stretch up and we are now at the summit of Glastonbury Tor!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpDrGYPOsVbudcUTd-LqU1CpjnNE_ypcrL_yl2dLjsPfKaixLQN3ciSsSpxKOuwMcgs9XZwFXbzT-yugCuIXgU3r0O0-tamnSv3JNUUZeI33HDoKNjQHSrS2uMJCHyqVKo07yPJvLs_S8ZNlL8IZwXtmgN6Dype_vTlpn-I4bqvM4njFAgHds_nelpCX4/s2944/20230923_115100.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpDrGYPOsVbudcUTd-LqU1CpjnNE_ypcrL_yl2dLjsPfKaixLQN3ciSsSpxKOuwMcgs9XZwFXbzT-yugCuIXgU3r0O0-tamnSv3JNUUZeI33HDoKNjQHSrS2uMJCHyqVKo07yPJvLs_S8ZNlL8IZwXtmgN6Dype_vTlpn-I4bqvM4njFAgHds_nelpCX4/w480-h640/20230923_115100.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">During the late Saxon and early medieval period, there were at least four buildings on the summit. The base of a stone cross demonstrates Christian use of the site during this period, and it may have been a hermitage. The broken head of a wheel cross dated to the 10th or 11th century was found partway down the hill and may have been the head of the cross that stood on the summit. The head of the cross is now in the Museum of Somerset in Taunton.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The earliest timber church, dedicated to St Michael, is believed to have been constructed in the 11th or 12th century; from which post holes have since been identified.Associat ed monk cells have also been identified.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1243 Henry III granted a charter for a six-day fair at the site.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmJ6VWKYYnOrYzZfCGLG-RIkw29X24OjdCdC1B-PG2IieZwgZvLKlGF5Z1Ng9CX_jaBnWIqM_Tw22WwOGTHkXHI_IJsKUvOeFJj4UcJRPSwYNNov9KuwrNXQ9HUqw-lmo75QNB4BAHSROYzLObJcwXNO9QsdCeF43piLuBLZRP6mAIre2pBFnmVpT2RN5/s8160/20230923_115116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmJ6VWKYYnOrYzZfCGLG-RIkw29X24OjdCdC1B-PG2IieZwgZvLKlGF5Z1Ng9CX_jaBnWIqM_Tw22WwOGTHkXHI_IJsKUvOeFJj4UcJRPSwYNNov9KuwrNXQ9HUqw-lmo75QNB4BAHSROYzLObJcwXNO9QsdCeF43piLuBLZRP6mAIre2pBFnmVpT2RN5/w480-h640/20230923_115116.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">St Michael's Church was destroyed by an earthquake on 11 September 1275. According to the British Geological Survey, the earthquake was felt in London, Canterbury and Wales, and was reported to have destroyed many houses and churches in England. The intensity of shaking was greater than 7 MSK, with its epicentre in the area around Portsmouth or Chichester, South England.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A second church, also dedicated to St Michael, was built of local sandstone in the 14th century by the Abbot Adam of Sodbury, incorporating the foundations of the previous building. It included stained glass and decorated floor tiles. There was also a portable altar of Purbeck Marble; it is likely that the Monastery of St Michael on the Tor was a daughter house of Glastonbury Abbey.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">St Michael's Church survived until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 when, except for the tower, it was demolished. The Tor was the place of execution where Richard Whiting, the last Abbot of Glastonbury Abbey, was hanged, drawn and quartered along with two of his monks, John Thorne and Roger James. The three-storey tower of St Michael's Church survives. It has corner buttresses and perpendicular bell openings. There is a sculptured tablet with an image of an eagle below the parapet.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd34FE2zaOIG0sC7pJp2FoMwSofhUiGfxowLFcj6j0wj0XP7s7PlWFoK8axhKZsIl8oFc6hB0eSCLZ3A-_2-qXPtFRJaiIdjzHZbGsoFcCrXX8zBi3HhxUinxsF3ORtCxTODM2n8I8sN7hpPRowwIirXC43IdrBxDcPiKLDhq6jJXHoM0_1Dyh-K-fCryz/s7919/20230923_115138.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7919" data-original-width="5939" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd34FE2zaOIG0sC7pJp2FoMwSofhUiGfxowLFcj6j0wj0XP7s7PlWFoK8axhKZsIl8oFc6hB0eSCLZ3A-_2-qXPtFRJaiIdjzHZbGsoFcCrXX8zBi3HhxUinxsF3ORtCxTODM2n8I8sN7hpPRowwIirXC43IdrBxDcPiKLDhq6jJXHoM0_1Dyh-K-fCryz/w480-h640/20230923_115138.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1786, Richard Colt Hoare of Stourhead bought the Tor and funded the repair of the tower in 1804, including the rebuilding of the north-east corner. It was then sold to the Very Rev. Hon. George Neville-Grenville and included in the Butleigh Manor until the 20th century. The last owner of the Tor was Robert Neville-Grenville who wished to give the Tor to the National Trust along with the Glastonbury Tribunal. After his death in 1936 it was sold to The National Trust who raised money by Public Subscription for its upkeep.</div></div><div><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUdXfObhBG7jjzQdHB7wjjoi-5T2M49hhcpNgGSweBGjHrtsPPdd0cYulZsB-P531vuaOLPoX8CovVniK46VjYBHKI-3ZJfzfWauTMfXqjMDEV1ENT1Wm1M9YfP9KnspPusGB2ywk4XgfZK4I-6wQruzfDIKRR0tcKL0UmSbtRNE4IYI25pqXplqEQ9D0/s8106/20230923_115152.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8106" data-original-width="6079" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUdXfObhBG7jjzQdHB7wjjoi-5T2M49hhcpNgGSweBGjHrtsPPdd0cYulZsB-P531vuaOLPoX8CovVniK46VjYBHKI-3ZJfzfWauTMfXqjMDEV1ENT1Wm1M9YfP9KnspPusGB2ywk4XgfZK4I-6wQruzfDIKRR0tcKL0UmSbtRNE4IYI25pqXplqEQ9D0/w480-h640/20230923_115152.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The National Trust took control of the Tor in 1937, but repairs were delayed until after the Second World War. During the 1960s, excavations identified cracks in the rock, suggesting the ground had moved in the past. This, combined with wind erosion, started to expose the footings of the tower, which were repaired with concrete. Erosion caused by the feet of the increasing number of visitors was also a problem and paths were laid to enable them to reach the summit without damaging the terraces. After 2000, enhancements to the access and repairs to the tower, including rebuilding of the parapet, were carried out. These included the replacement of some of the masonry damaged by earlier repairs with new stone from the Hadspen Quarry.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A model vaguely based on Glastonbury Tor (albeit with a tree instead of the tower) was incorporated into the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. As the athletes entered the stadium, their flags were displayed on the terraces of the model.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOQ8ISdFhPcjxlXpH1O486d8hyutZmDCC0FNxZ0Sa9wP0BvJ1riazr4H303U5L7CF_COHlXo0d7fTzj4ypD6sjsZjSsRYGq32I2kYeVq5YpsDmlTjAtrK5ZZXt7ZazwK3wo78A14PPQ7D97JG9qrl67SmIpMmRcw2Se5RxBMDN62s-LLPH8u3UkmbocMs/s8160/20230923_115157.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOQ8ISdFhPcjxlXpH1O486d8hyutZmDCC0FNxZ0Sa9wP0BvJ1riazr4H303U5L7CF_COHlXo0d7fTzj4ypD6sjsZjSsRYGq32I2kYeVq5YpsDmlTjAtrK5ZZXt7ZazwK3wo78A14PPQ7D97JG9qrl67SmIpMmRcw2Se5RxBMDN62s-LLPH8u3UkmbocMs/w480-h640/20230923_115157.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Tor seems to have been called Ynys yr Afalon (meaning "The Isle of Avalon") by the Britons and is believed by some, including the 12th and 13th century writer Gerald of Wales, to be the Avalon of Arthurian legend.The Tor has been associated with the name Avalon, and identified with King Arthur, since the alleged discovery of his and Queen Guinevere's neatly labelled coffins in 1191, recounted by Gerald of Wales. Author Christopher L. Hodapp asserts in his book The Templar Code for Dummies that Glastonbury Tor is one of the possible locations of the Holy Grail, because it is close to the monastery that housed the Nanteos Cup.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With the 19th century resurgence of interest in Celtic mythology, the Tor became associated with Gwyn ap Nudd, the first Lord of the Otherworld (Annwn) and later King of the Fairies. The Tor came to be represented as an entrance to Annwn or to Avalon, the land of the fairies. The Tor is supposedly a gateway into "The Land of the Dead (Avalon)".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUB9IjUtUv0YgBIR3s0Q-IxbyqmqG4-cODr55EyHpHa71DcIEj-Kjka7VseysPt6x3hN1Vru3tiBju6cvYdeE4BUmC7VOau9pGkr7CHAtK3b6-cgqR-3n1qtfdBz3cuk_HeoyCKqvf_K04gAztvNehbyiBRqR6WmjcxTxnEOWn9BDrH1ZA1qLZiopYmB2/s8160/20230923_115203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUB9IjUtUv0YgBIR3s0Q-IxbyqmqG4-cODr55EyHpHa71DcIEj-Kjka7VseysPt6x3hN1Vru3tiBju6cvYdeE4BUmC7VOau9pGkr7CHAtK3b6-cgqR-3n1qtfdBz3cuk_HeoyCKqvf_K04gAztvNehbyiBRqR6WmjcxTxnEOWn9BDrH1ZA1qLZiopYmB2/w480-h640/20230923_115203.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A persistent myth of more recent origin is that of the Glastonbury Zodiac, a purported astrological zodiac of gargantuan proportions said to have been carved into the land along ancient hedgerows and trackways, in which the Tor forms part of the figure representing Aquarius. The theory was first put forward in 1927 by Katherine Maltwood, an artist with interest in the occult, who thought the zodiac was constructed approximately 5,000 years ago. But the vast majority of the land said by Maltwood to be covered by the zodiac was under several feet of water at the proposed time of its construction, and many of the features such as field boundaries and roads are recent.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Tor and other sites in Glastonbury have also been significant in the modern-day Goddess movement, with the flow from the Chalice Well seen as representing menstrual flow and the Tor being seen as either a breast or the whole figure of the Goddess. This has been celebrated with an effigy of the Goddess leading an annual procession up the Tor.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is said that Brigid of Kildare is depicted milking a cow as a stone carving above one of the entrances to the tower.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZc_CThSHgEC_rwEIJr290-Kd17hMaq_pcUrxL7bBhApH2prpMgtMcxtA7rKX2aunafanfAJLySXeRtXwo8GMKJzrSQCXiWlCO4Z3SoNuYpW6aHAmC-Um2UUg8yUrViqF0O2HPPYCm71ECDZruNSlIw243UFub2KiTql1bLSTOeEYJEMY6EpUrwC2IZsX/s8160/20230923_115213.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZc_CThSHgEC_rwEIJr290-Kd17hMaq_pcUrxL7bBhApH2prpMgtMcxtA7rKX2aunafanfAJLySXeRtXwo8GMKJzrSQCXiWlCO4Z3SoNuYpW6aHAmC-Um2UUg8yUrViqF0O2HPPYCm71ECDZruNSlIw243UFub2KiTql1bLSTOeEYJEMY6EpUrwC2IZsX/w480-h640/20230923_115213.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6-w-vfsphwc4LTp9BscVVe1ogLiaCbSQGbomyI0PyT6OC4BTr5QE0CpMTxpDCWqi98ULxfCJLz18D-TIKvSDxBLEjd4vc5e5q_YWWw-Sywyor1ddcVqqcQ1Qo9A6biIgKxdMfEtWYzb9i9VzPVSivghEeyUSxzeCWKE4aLsXwNySl2fa1LWi_VhRXp4D/s3439/20230923_115244.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3439" data-original-width="2580" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6-w-vfsphwc4LTp9BscVVe1ogLiaCbSQGbomyI0PyT6OC4BTr5QE0CpMTxpDCWqi98ULxfCJLz18D-TIKvSDxBLEjd4vc5e5q_YWWw-Sywyor1ddcVqqcQ1Qo9A6biIgKxdMfEtWYzb9i9VzPVSivghEeyUSxzeCWKE4aLsXwNySl2fa1LWi_VhRXp4D/w480-h640/20230923_115244.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We sit on to hill top taking in the 360 degrees views across the Somerset Levels, Dorset, Wiltshire and Wales.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnIvbAAOD33Q8VW60jCVuUoz4l76igDDXWB1pg1Mz0XiWYTJg9rjxf_uonKWQFig_W1ru828bw_v-yOxaDSD7uReOTiz8MXTgPexDcdg0-HpOWbznht6ay2D2eCVado_eKGNq3hwnVY7rNSizkADElGCxR1WO1qerDa8yFc1oEg-vtbw_-gVNqPat6yOR/s3648/20230923_115314.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnIvbAAOD33Q8VW60jCVuUoz4l76igDDXWB1pg1Mz0XiWYTJg9rjxf_uonKWQFig_W1ru828bw_v-yOxaDSD7uReOTiz8MXTgPexDcdg0-HpOWbznht6ay2D2eCVado_eKGNq3hwnVY7rNSizkADElGCxR1WO1qerDa8yFc1oEg-vtbw_-gVNqPat6yOR/w480-h640/20230923_115314.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbmXNiHQ8cMjBRao2eUs1BPBopA-hVDZispRzpQDfF58DYwkINoVVdOaD-YZAOp1lRmnD4XLCWknVlTnNqT-BFFuQQkOmDNXXL5-4HscTzMGyVWdw_wk8JbOeEPtU0XzxRjb7OWBVlGoZtsi39RTFc1xDnKXTl5pQglUZf5gpuDJSNCgmcEPdbPWs7a-0/s3537/20230923_115335.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3537" data-original-width="2653" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbmXNiHQ8cMjBRao2eUs1BPBopA-hVDZispRzpQDfF58DYwkINoVVdOaD-YZAOp1lRmnD4XLCWknVlTnNqT-BFFuQQkOmDNXXL5-4HscTzMGyVWdw_wk8JbOeEPtU0XzxRjb7OWBVlGoZtsi39RTFc1xDnKXTl5pQglUZf5gpuDJSNCgmcEPdbPWs7a-0/w480-h640/20230923_115335.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePXGy4tg4JxZSAm0JUHQllkL624LGigdjY9g1KRCgapmUTEqXlIWRJBdU2Aov6WBZXsUnanldxcc9jykFtpwRuqKbb9zUPJzvREuUYnzkqcaFxYZcnBsGPdbDkyuigifi5V9fi0Q0xlMX1a5Eqom_Yz6y4Ixhqkhbk-R9hznfO31K0vr3o7zTp8E39IBP/s3884/20230923_115451.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2913" data-original-width="3884" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePXGy4tg4JxZSAm0JUHQllkL624LGigdjY9g1KRCgapmUTEqXlIWRJBdU2Aov6WBZXsUnanldxcc9jykFtpwRuqKbb9zUPJzvREuUYnzkqcaFxYZcnBsGPdbDkyuigifi5V9fi0Q0xlMX1a5Eqom_Yz6y4Ixhqkhbk-R9hznfO31K0vr3o7zTp8E39IBP/w640-h480/20230923_115451.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLY0cUN061zt7yQ0j162Tmpi6p9z7LEwkcXswv68-BDp84-9QSMU2PG6QzCJlq007JGDysPNpNrUFoOhIz3A-rduvLlViSNz2ELCV8oJxkRbprZtcNX3XH1iKmv4b-TW54JZLLjgVx3ngKUI31eT2zgQGV9tJwqudJ4qb6Zg1wR3LaswFscfY9LBbMEoK/s3513/20230923_115500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2635" data-original-width="3513" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLY0cUN061zt7yQ0j162Tmpi6p9z7LEwkcXswv68-BDp84-9QSMU2PG6QzCJlq007JGDysPNpNrUFoOhIz3A-rduvLlViSNz2ELCV8oJxkRbprZtcNX3XH1iKmv4b-TW54JZLLjgVx3ngKUI31eT2zgQGV9tJwqudJ4qb6Zg1wR3LaswFscfY9LBbMEoK/w640-h480/20230923_115500.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We decide to take a different way back down, on hindsight there is a better way down than the steep way down the hillside we took. It was a bit slippery in places and I ended up on my arse!</div></div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5roEj9RHoKWtIx614xx0W9mdyoxmnN0hIjmZ-t7bwuEpizHq7MSybCZjsECbk2-ctKuPvOh-SdTTaZDXkDwbFl_q-KKymd_R9S3eJNDCpDthrNoO3NU5i6jwbe3HDCXSXw-LDwkQumawZOIo4m-9vinsCv0gK0t4ly0yUA1JQ-UKPk3Lh419my1fUUktj/s8160/20230923_120931.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5roEj9RHoKWtIx614xx0W9mdyoxmnN0hIjmZ-t7bwuEpizHq7MSybCZjsECbk2-ctKuPvOh-SdTTaZDXkDwbFl_q-KKymd_R9S3eJNDCpDthrNoO3NU5i6jwbe3HDCXSXw-LDwkQumawZOIo4m-9vinsCv0gK0t4ly0yUA1JQ-UKPk3Lh419my1fUUktj/w480-h640/20230923_120931.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Down at the bottom of the hill , we came across an old stone that I can find out nothing about. I'll keep looking.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNzuwl-fG4EbOswGuS8TVa_YL9bRteK-7wtye24LHDth8U4gZHVsKkHAOvYUq_QThFseGZ8iw3iwdh7LSDk4eLQ1QIlG0axdnBUjc-fZ3GkLQNlspF_OpSLMaUV6iujklPKNnEMTuC-WqMoA8reQ-mL1CovBkRKZ9lqk6Biw_6RvCfDw3owSoTxfgJHox/s8160/20230923_121722.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="5959" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNzuwl-fG4EbOswGuS8TVa_YL9bRteK-7wtye24LHDth8U4gZHVsKkHAOvYUq_QThFseGZ8iw3iwdh7LSDk4eLQ1QIlG0axdnBUjc-fZ3GkLQNlspF_OpSLMaUV6iujklPKNnEMTuC-WqMoA8reQ-mL1CovBkRKZ9lqk6Biw_6RvCfDw3owSoTxfgJHox/w468-h640/20230923_121722.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk along Wellhouse Lane with views back up to The Tor.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QASJx7OQN0l-gp1rrVgR5jdzqlQm3lBlzdEQg6vbRAHxAwwKOXru9WEzlghitu6Y9H85sSb1JzBeUikrfiGLo1-J_1iwoHcGFvEEaXz-l0gFE-6zv4OrnJIKl118NS87hwrPO1TLNFJOtanyvDngUAB-kHnah83CrXGwcnUYPHZcxmkzVxrQITE3USoZ/s8160/20230923_121850.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QASJx7OQN0l-gp1rrVgR5jdzqlQm3lBlzdEQg6vbRAHxAwwKOXru9WEzlghitu6Y9H85sSb1JzBeUikrfiGLo1-J_1iwoHcGFvEEaXz-l0gFE-6zv4OrnJIKl118NS87hwrPO1TLNFJOtanyvDngUAB-kHnah83CrXGwcnUYPHZcxmkzVxrQITE3USoZ/w480-h640/20230923_121850.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We reach The White Spring, I can see through a window into the darkness a candle little well and people praying inside. I took no photos as a sign said no photography. Really wish I had though, since when did I take notice of rules. Probably because Mel would have given me a hard time about it!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwXpahegoFETZ2qrGeX3yM2tJFjMdUHdG0u986ddbGI-xh5Fws5nXYta0mNSjXAdzawI5_2V8MeDLH37CVeAS8cTtnZHG4Qyz6kKuBaoCH0o3poQmdjjocYDhi0s7xHoyj7Tl7SCNt20JlKhpNyPGmZMwTNvvHC0O8_FZhUdC4I7S1osdRvxcg1COUtgc/s8160/20230923_122854.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwXpahegoFETZ2qrGeX3yM2tJFjMdUHdG0u986ddbGI-xh5Fws5nXYta0mNSjXAdzawI5_2V8MeDLH37CVeAS8cTtnZHG4Qyz6kKuBaoCH0o3poQmdjjocYDhi0s7xHoyj7Tl7SCNt20JlKhpNyPGmZMwTNvvHC0O8_FZhUdC4I7S1osdRvxcg1COUtgc/w640-h480/20230923_122854.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is one of the greatest mysteries of the Isle of Avalon that two different healing springs, one touched red with iron, the other white with calcite, should rise within a few feet of each other from the caverns beneath Glastonbury Tor. Both have healing in their flow.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In honour of the Spirit of the White Spring, a Temple has been created here in gratitude for the gift of pure water. A Victorian built Well House that nestles beneath Glastonbury Tor was ideal for this purpose, a blessing indeed. Cavernous and set apart, in blackness or candle lit, mysterious it remains. A wonderful contrast to the sunlit gardens of Chalice Well of the Red Spring. The interior consists of three domed vaults 16ft high, with beautiful bowed floors - like the hull of a boat moored at the portal to the Otherworld. With it's constant temperature, and the sound of the perpetually flowing water, it is a unique and sacred space.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A series of pools have been built according to the principles of sacred geometry, and simple shrines in honour of the ancient energies and spirits of Avalon have been created within the temple. All enhanced by the ley line known as the Michael line which flows through this place. We honour Brigid as guardian, Our Lady of Avalon, the King of the Realm of Faery, and their ancient presence in this sacred space.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The companions of the White Spring, men and women who give their time and expertise freely, have designed, built and created the temple and continue to care for it, inspired and greatly helped by the blessings of spirit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBYimmu133X5MwHFGnLqLhLI1_iEuo-spDTBM-z9gvHAYCbo2AOPnWeey1BGxNtIIS5pBYSEjfa1NIAjW1R1ZwawKTcdQLJWXizsp_Z4M57uyA4YJG0zjD4UKC_ar31WC1GaQAOkynQ6LWIOd-xrrJNdkFFiIjFPk7y74UBMsV0cKO-aiBoyCZJyCwQ6N/s7769/20230923_122903.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7769" data-original-width="5826" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBYimmu133X5MwHFGnLqLhLI1_iEuo-spDTBM-z9gvHAYCbo2AOPnWeey1BGxNtIIS5pBYSEjfa1NIAjW1R1ZwawKTcdQLJWXizsp_Z4M57uyA4YJG0zjD4UKC_ar31WC1GaQAOkynQ6LWIOd-xrrJNdkFFiIjFPk7y74UBMsV0cKO-aiBoyCZJyCwQ6N/w480-h640/20230923_122903.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Many groups, pilgrims, and local people - from a wide diversity of backgrounds and traditions - have come to appreciate the blessings of this sacred space. They gather together to celebrate the turning of the seasons and at the full and dark moon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW37sZdNA5QozVlp4tFzZo53hOiUzuoHHLkqhrHaqk0aBt812z_eYuugHzv09VscGDHFt3S--4PDSnA4bECp2XxozyJA2gHE2xBHZuyjYLebQ7XdwYMDzSJvSeSU0FB0Gaxg2SRFOF_5VZxynCnaWGBYLl0kqMaW6XgTHLk4nsGZYsyPnzeFB318g30ZcV/s8160/20230923_122939.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW37sZdNA5QozVlp4tFzZo53hOiUzuoHHLkqhrHaqk0aBt812z_eYuugHzv09VscGDHFt3S--4PDSnA4bECp2XxozyJA2gHE2xBHZuyjYLebQ7XdwYMDzSJvSeSU0FB0Gaxg2SRFOF_5VZxynCnaWGBYLl0kqMaW6XgTHLk4nsGZYsyPnzeFB318g30ZcV/w480-h640/20230923_122939.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back through Glastonbury down Chilkwell Street, up Wells Road into Silver Street and bacl to the Car Park.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWrF6AKiQft612Iowhr5OUieC2IHJoBKCO_fJ8U1EYr-r5xCms-5MzkjZ6MSTxM8KCRDHp1oD1kncSYy1WwTspNDXUM49rV-CHSNRZTxaKzmA4ERJXz8QDLEC-0IG5oBRln8cFNrtLMTphWr8NbtfvVnVdYYUG5I9OBf9Wq5NUK7GPt4zyuKzzorgfZrB/s7768/20230923_123245.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7768" data-original-width="5826" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWrF6AKiQft612Iowhr5OUieC2IHJoBKCO_fJ8U1EYr-r5xCms-5MzkjZ6MSTxM8KCRDHp1oD1kncSYy1WwTspNDXUM49rV-CHSNRZTxaKzmA4ERJXz8QDLEC-0IG5oBRln8cFNrtLMTphWr8NbtfvVnVdYYUG5I9OBf9Wq5NUK7GPt4zyuKzzorgfZrB/w480-h640/20230923_123245.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We jump back in the car and drive a short way to a town called Street to visit the <a href="http://www.heckscider.com/" target="_blank">Hecks Cider Farm</a>.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnDTdQNviGh5n9eCrqIKjZ4Ix7BX38JZ8BcC6rTkdSXs8ll7TB3yiqHsKDJYq0vPJjLWWFgC9blhCDWJQ5FEfWNvON_4OYSx0PPZsAoTSwvMnPv4h6dc0BXYtQU-8FzomA0kPsousTvrl7ppuoANqlW-RRaxBSq6_of8nlPKA9Ba4moKDiD9lJp-yIYaK/s8160/20230923_125938.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnDTdQNviGh5n9eCrqIKjZ4Ix7BX38JZ8BcC6rTkdSXs8ll7TB3yiqHsKDJYq0vPJjLWWFgC9blhCDWJQ5FEfWNvON_4OYSx0PPZsAoTSwvMnPv4h6dc0BXYtQU-8FzomA0kPsousTvrl7ppuoANqlW-RRaxBSq6_of8nlPKA9Ba4moKDiD9lJp-yIYaK/w640-h480/20230923_125938.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqy5rtkSQZfKfcerVDnKVBmykrdQn1mhNte2OxpXrpE93trh7BC9jPzpPMaa1oD8tnt7kctm88R7a4Wcl-0ilhGUkwV7-5rnNN3arfawA1d1UyGoOIFMgMsVp4iPItjrH41tiCL0eFg6knceLN2iGpULLv-1bMLjXSidOAgKvg4Q7J6bYgfOzf6m2jAv3I/s8160/20230923_125952.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqy5rtkSQZfKfcerVDnKVBmykrdQn1mhNte2OxpXrpE93trh7BC9jPzpPMaa1oD8tnt7kctm88R7a4Wcl-0ilhGUkwV7-5rnNN3arfawA1d1UyGoOIFMgMsVp4iPItjrH41tiCL0eFg6knceLN2iGpULLv-1bMLjXSidOAgKvg4Q7J6bYgfOzf6m2jAv3I/w640-h480/20230923_125952.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Hecks family have been making traditional farmhouse cider in Somerset for six generations, since 1841.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1896, they started to sell their cider from thier farm shop in Street.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They make their cider by blending juice from apples all grown locally in the farm’s orchards. The cider is fermented in wooden barrels and sold draught from the wood.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKK5xbbI6Qt4vkD5ZHdbIMB8WZ1vvOKwCTtELsUzj3zIdkV_QuaN-buPJWbZZY1l22Li3nkKSO_NyQghy1iKKD2g-oVdAD0q4-Uqydk_al1pA1ECnbx5nbQkeyMX-SZGdCOX7S_kJUgWTRhKjvLFgRSMPgb47w7Klu7Z36b9tX079SWJm48v--O0o1XILK/s8160/20230923_130031.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKK5xbbI6Qt4vkD5ZHdbIMB8WZ1vvOKwCTtELsUzj3zIdkV_QuaN-buPJWbZZY1l22Li3nkKSO_NyQghy1iKKD2g-oVdAD0q4-Uqydk_al1pA1ECnbx5nbQkeyMX-SZGdCOX7S_kJUgWTRhKjvLFgRSMPgb47w7Klu7Z36b9tX079SWJm48v--O0o1XILK/w640-h480/20230923_130031.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-G9RBX8AE7SpV_OUelL5yxHWZtdzquNxjPvEkxoJGOMeUCX7g64GliNGhz9AGUe5ySGodSDXg_E0jx4ciyaQy5_JaLeWZ_6z1-uCuss8Ls23OpR9LEhs_znn6P2zpXKRfHIprR0B2ASCd_fiu1KzpNOrOs9QFue2a5UTBr7f8gGRUz6dVJ44KKvbYPJyk/s8160/20230923_130034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-G9RBX8AE7SpV_OUelL5yxHWZtdzquNxjPvEkxoJGOMeUCX7g64GliNGhz9AGUe5ySGodSDXg_E0jx4ciyaQy5_JaLeWZ_6z1-uCuss8Ls23OpR9LEhs_znn6P2zpXKRfHIprR0B2ASCd_fiu1KzpNOrOs9QFue2a5UTBr7f8gGRUz6dVJ44KKvbYPJyk/w640-h480/20230923_130034.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />SINGLE VARIETY CIDERS<br /> <br />BROWN’S APPLE:<br /><br />Bred in Devon the early part of the 20th century, Brown’s has been at the fore front of the cider revival for recent years due to it’s trouble free nature. It produces a crisp, acidic cider with elderflower over-tones.<br />LOYAL DRAIN (RED JERSEY):<br /><br />Possibly the most local of ciders, Red Jersey has its roots in the Shepton Mallet area. Lots of tannin and a strong smoky aftertaste, this is a quality bittersweet cider.<br />TREMLETT’S BITTER:<br /><br />A butterscotch aftertaste is just one of the surprises of this cider from the popular Devon variety. It is sharp and dry without too much acidity, a popular choice wherever cider is made.<br />PORT WINE OF GLASTONBURY:<br /><br />True to its name, this cider has in origins in orchards below Glastonbury Tor. Easy on the palate, this is a true session cider with light effervesence and lemony tones.<br />YARLINGTON MILL:<br /><br />This is one of the most full bodied and rounded ciders, with a rich and fruity sweetness. A great partner to the classic ploughman’s lunch, a true drinkers cider.<br />SLACK-MA-GIRDLE:<br /><br />As good a cider as its name is unusual, this is one you won’t forget. A wine like cider which is fruity on the nose with an intriguing walnut aftertaste. We leave the origins of its name to the drinker’s imagination.<br />DUNKERTON’S LATE SWEET:<br /><br />Raised by Mr Dunkerton of Baltonsborough and a traditional variety for its area. This is a honeyed fruity smooth cider, perfect for that lazy hazy summers day picnic.<br />DABINETT:<br /><br />Discovered by William Dabinet of Somerset, this is one of the most popular varieties of cider apple, producing a consistently high quality and rounded cider, with a sweet fruity astringency. One for the connoisseur.<br />KINGSTON BLACK:<br /><br />The Kingston Black arose in Somerset in the late 19th Century and produces here a cider that is classic in appearance, taste and strength. It is copper coloured, rounded, almost velvety in texture and is full of flavour.<br />MORGAN SWEET:<br /><br />Arising in Somerset in the 18th Century and once common throughout Somerset, Devon and Gloucestershire the Morgan’s Sweet is an early apple and produces a refreshing and light coloured cider. Ideal for sitting with in the garden.<br />PORTER’S PERFECTION:<br /><br />Now common throughout Somerset, this apple originated in the 19th Century in East Lambrook. The cider is really unusual and surprisingly flavoured – its pinky hue the first sign that this is no ordinary cider. A very crisp taste and yet not acidic – more like wine, though it doesn’t need to be drunk that way.<br />VILBERIE:<br /><br />Originally from Brittany and later introduced to Hereford, this apple produces a dry, drinkable cider with an interesting aftertaste.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjneu6LEi_Ev0vaSBzdS5EsJmwzGi5FFZon-gkQAbMk_GFYc_mpY84Bmw9EHmdVWbgt7uIJt26y1ast3DXKzU9_uT_r2j2hl15AZwMNT0sQKdgRbYrd6y6nydB2__GDAnejpsEiiIB2nr59zqalJeylB9eabRGbe9IR-ENbrno7obP4eYk0QS78EvnNuG/s8160/20230924_113638.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjneu6LEi_Ev0vaSBzdS5EsJmwzGi5FFZon-gkQAbMk_GFYc_mpY84Bmw9EHmdVWbgt7uIJt26y1ast3DXKzU9_uT_r2j2hl15AZwMNT0sQKdgRbYrd6y6nydB2__GDAnejpsEiiIB2nr59zqalJeylB9eabRGbe9IR-ENbrno7obP4eYk0QS78EvnNuG/w640-h480/20230924_113638.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From Street we drive to the next stop today, Castle Combe in Wiltshire.</div></div><div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-13310947963226969302023-09-24T16:59:00.047+01:002023-10-02T19:09:08.004+01:00Bradford-on-Avon Wiltshire 22nd September 23<p style="text-align: center;">On Friday the 22nd September 2023 Mel and I drove to Bradford-On-Avon,Wiltshire, where we were staying at a 1 bed cottage at 10 Tory. We arrived just pass midday and walked up for free on Budbury Place.</p><p style="text-align: center;">It was too early to get into the cottage, so we went to find where we were staying before walking down into the town.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDToDXDa27twOdDR70qJh0gmRSONfqZsjQT1D63-Br7NHTRjV6SBPzbbgIs_xXhq9Sv1EQ-Ri9BjF5dxTZ_6ssTj1Q126PLD6J5M0PQ_GvqdK7CgocH6e5vtxd8TJX8jLrs-rwT0s1qz6b9OtXFQY6YJ-GW8tyPXMsKQ_QJYsxnphdeg69FJgxQeGYRy-L/s8160/20230922_115338.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDToDXDa27twOdDR70qJh0gmRSONfqZsjQT1D63-Br7NHTRjV6SBPzbbgIs_xXhq9Sv1EQ-Ri9BjF5dxTZ_6ssTj1Q126PLD6J5M0PQ_GvqdK7CgocH6e5vtxd8TJX8jLrs-rwT0s1qz6b9OtXFQY6YJ-GW8tyPXMsKQ_QJYsxnphdeg69FJgxQeGYRy-L/w640-h480/20230922_115338.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10 Tory, Bradford-On-Avon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_dNzwl607R-uN-Xz6M-frQDstaFkTs5de17_6xmM1RNY_PWfBF88RH9I4HV_3rTas6Y16YA9hOOpMyzjIRfqWceFrPx94SEGIzDVWuKZdKIAcq5wCohKImhMAa807gcEH1wtsQrseExq45sZikuEGaajasOTOSFnN5UCrBff-3O-9a7ZXFruOvoVClMX/s8160/20230922_115731.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_dNzwl607R-uN-Xz6M-frQDstaFkTs5de17_6xmM1RNY_PWfBF88RH9I4HV_3rTas6Y16YA9hOOpMyzjIRfqWceFrPx94SEGIzDVWuKZdKIAcq5wCohKImhMAa807gcEH1wtsQrseExq45sZikuEGaajasOTOSFnN5UCrBff-3O-9a7ZXFruOvoVClMX/w480-h640/20230922_115731.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Walking down Newtown we pass Priory Barn.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkfgz6EHT0TGOos6IMB2JTPjfoF2WQVEsuaNxCu_tJos_leZ-Z5LfMw1mZUV9dXjAM_ePdx-IJONRt5-GGGpCgXBD0O-60bEwck5KKtcRekK5ZbjTlQ5M3zRajBEp06HWlNMJTEOU8fv4OsWBENOHg-7Pa-nHXhEDE7JfQOAQIJwRkiTekgpZvlyU897P/s8160/20230922_120011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkfgz6EHT0TGOos6IMB2JTPjfoF2WQVEsuaNxCu_tJos_leZ-Z5LfMw1mZUV9dXjAM_ePdx-IJONRt5-GGGpCgXBD0O-60bEwck5KKtcRekK5ZbjTlQ5M3zRajBEp06HWlNMJTEOU8fv4OsWBENOHg-7Pa-nHXhEDE7JfQOAQIJwRkiTekgpZvlyU897P/w640-h480/20230922_120011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Priory Barn was built at the end of the 15th century as an outbuilding of Rogers Manor (subsequently renamed The Priory and largely demolished in the 1930s). The Barn was acquired as a wreck by Elizabeth Stephenson, a founder member, and given to the Trust for its first restoration project.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8l7CgGFuG57h4LaTXpK3qecni8xPD4zneWWe5edww1jGfST5qP0dFnYen5fZjfHNUvnnuev_V_x5AbYthjg5dl4ZNKWdI34wTvdvbMb0dm78F9xN-OXdnXmfSNcPIAqwnp9VG-_H0olBXsHpaVdcBj_YVU5BkYyYKo6JSLLUH_fFwdY0AD0nPPBNKKu3/s8160/20230922_120351.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8l7CgGFuG57h4LaTXpK3qecni8xPD4zneWWe5edww1jGfST5qP0dFnYen5fZjfHNUvnnuev_V_x5AbYthjg5dl4ZNKWdI34wTvdvbMb0dm78F9xN-OXdnXmfSNcPIAqwnp9VG-_H0olBXsHpaVdcBj_YVU5BkYyYKo6JSLLUH_fFwdY0AD0nPPBNKKu3/w640-h480/20230922_120351.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk down Market Street.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The centre of the town grew up around the ford across the river Avon, hence the origin of the town's name ("Broad-Ford").</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pE_2Cji_1t1RL9wPyECF890yT1Z-RBQouna9mIAf_dCABRJtcHUbQ6TPPKuckUdthCKdQdUra0hq_IY5ggShLadrerFZy6TsuyPcKScKsmbCrrhrb1IALzdIHh6rIJy9gJNYBI8QhmYhuqV7m_5iy-h3pSi-_Co0ZP3-w8vabqgyp-zusSbxZug7SbIX/s7577/20230922_120425.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5683" data-original-width="7577" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pE_2Cji_1t1RL9wPyECF890yT1Z-RBQouna9mIAf_dCABRJtcHUbQ6TPPKuckUdthCKdQdUra0hq_IY5ggShLadrerFZy6TsuyPcKScKsmbCrrhrb1IALzdIHh6rIJy9gJNYBI8QhmYhuqV7m_5iy-h3pSi-_Co0ZP3-w8vabqgyp-zusSbxZug7SbIX/w640-h480/20230922_120425.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then we pass onto The Shambles and out into Coppice Hill.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljHyjPZmt-QwOt9vjsGlRDa-_XSzDmOGlhlLMcbToJ-HkZaAA3OJJ9Mwc3pF6EqK7sCMqKWKX9BK2hePCFLCH7wmga_BoDpKLvVD6cQWl-KdJolvkS1CSxmzj4uj_GruRmuXOGPcNhyayEgdtHj1-EAfl4syyDKfWDS9KW1Ff_C-HPo2XGqjCL2Af2yAc/s7809/20230922_120552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5857" data-original-width="7809" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljHyjPZmt-QwOt9vjsGlRDa-_XSzDmOGlhlLMcbToJ-HkZaAA3OJJ9Mwc3pF6EqK7sCMqKWKX9BK2hePCFLCH7wmga_BoDpKLvVD6cQWl-KdJolvkS1CSxmzj4uj_GruRmuXOGPcNhyayEgdtHj1-EAfl4syyDKfWDS9KW1Ff_C-HPo2XGqjCL2Af2yAc/w640-h480/20230922_120552.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk down Sliver Street crossing the River Avon by the bridge and up to the Tearoom.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEV3Z_UItswq0JdyraTcip8kgJQ3QKV7ov7ow-nGcKXgkOuQopPNRvTfJeMaiUFYlRFDCvhT_frMCU4petEv3zU5ZHt81Voh8LuAdUFEUfIm55tStGygA3q9XcUFTrhfhQgHouMGvoNmwpzven_LBU9qDne_WXWjnYUn0s4BGtfnpnAGnZex43UJi2D3BM/s7889/20230922_120747.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5917" data-original-width="7889" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEV3Z_UItswq0JdyraTcip8kgJQ3QKV7ov7ow-nGcKXgkOuQopPNRvTfJeMaiUFYlRFDCvhT_frMCU4petEv3zU5ZHt81Voh8LuAdUFEUfIm55tStGygA3q9XcUFTrhfhQgHouMGvoNmwpzven_LBU9qDne_WXWjnYUn0s4BGtfnpnAGnZex43UJi2D3BM/w640-h480/20230922_120747.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Described as 'near perfect' by the prestigious UK Tea Guild, The Bridge Tea Rooms offers the very best in traditionally British afternoon tea, lunches, and light meals throughout the day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With delicate bone china, the finest leaf teas, and friendly staff in Victorian costumes serving homemade cakes, pastries and sandwiches, The Bridge Tea Rooms offers a quintessentially English tea room experience. Housed in a former blacksmith's cottage dating from 1502, The Bridge Tea Rooms positively oozes atmosphere, and the classical music playing gently in the background sets a tranquil tone.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzp-ZHEBWD4ZWq1WNT-hqLxRLG3jnUJLaGSvLRIm_zxmCbDrrJ7yDzGFx749HTi26VWrE0scj4YyR_CcjYFm5MF5kVxEilvrorGwP-eGT_tnNwzkCAzXNTWC69Qurr15HbiBz-4CyCBUBAm8WvWrC8PaB281ENQnEk7BEAFPKBDJJ0qfQjFSeAUl91s3t/s8088/20230922_120806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6066" data-original-width="8088" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzp-ZHEBWD4ZWq1WNT-hqLxRLG3jnUJLaGSvLRIm_zxmCbDrrJ7yDzGFx749HTi26VWrE0scj4YyR_CcjYFm5MF5kVxEilvrorGwP-eGT_tnNwzkCAzXNTWC69Qurr15HbiBz-4CyCBUBAm8WvWrC8PaB281ENQnEk7BEAFPKBDJJ0qfQjFSeAUl91s3t/w640-h480/20230922_120806.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We opt for a cream tea each, not the cheapest but what a lovely tearoom!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LCJ6KSvARFSIh5yN3_KRhim9Ukwc3jO-LUEIPtmbTdKcJ-wopCMevRyvpRfcUt8RrNFfUU1HRylQr5ttHothLWX3wGOk5p-ZE9-b4fNCnqWRwwAtxzDgtRVSZ8h_fzqI5b1ova1CrJP6OStRJZEEALZlAiCsK-O7QY0vxPV5m6R-2uk6XReRx80O7nmu/s8160/20230922_121027.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LCJ6KSvARFSIh5yN3_KRhim9Ukwc3jO-LUEIPtmbTdKcJ-wopCMevRyvpRfcUt8RrNFfUU1HRylQr5ttHothLWX3wGOk5p-ZE9-b4fNCnqWRwwAtxzDgtRVSZ8h_fzqI5b1ova1CrJP6OStRJZEEALZlAiCsK-O7QY0vxPV5m6R-2uk6XReRx80O7nmu/w640-h480/20230922_121027.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazBFFOupTTKtUwT05WELXquTOhqIAHqvv3ZlcpzgIYiBtKdlxDT5l3HUKgO-zUdhOWNyEIWh8fxVUAQZ6x5tk4yA-Zcm3QqlUTEocYuD0lxJBh4_YWh4yvMafM3FfbSs0VaI2jmotJ5xrIb-zT6hnjS5_0fJsMlLbvkiCPOcn6buWCGN8Tkv8Sk1-2dUK/s8160/20230922_121859.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazBFFOupTTKtUwT05WELXquTOhqIAHqvv3ZlcpzgIYiBtKdlxDT5l3HUKgO-zUdhOWNyEIWh8fxVUAQZ6x5tk4yA-Zcm3QqlUTEocYuD0lxJBh4_YWh4yvMafM3FfbSs0VaI2jmotJ5xrIb-zT6hnjS5_0fJsMlLbvkiCPOcn6buWCGN8Tkv8Sk1-2dUK/w640-h480/20230922_121859.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Leaving the tearoom we go and take a look at the bridge.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzD0nORa1YORP2vyk1kCEwtwaqA-TZFlYFwsCDeHaE988amZp28LS4sl57jExwwLJiW97MYzySv7qgqOvTHdlIXv9YvQ2Q6C41xkYnZduvFeKL2gCIG8wNWTQZfuYe-sxvmF6XftKHiqgxDPdJT2dUaLqjb8vybRDUZvgEBIgCb9NO6PO7259lJaDr2oq/s8160/20230922_124456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzD0nORa1YORP2vyk1kCEwtwaqA-TZFlYFwsCDeHaE988amZp28LS4sl57jExwwLJiW97MYzySv7qgqOvTHdlIXv9YvQ2Q6C41xkYnZduvFeKL2gCIG8wNWTQZfuYe-sxvmF6XftKHiqgxDPdJT2dUaLqjb8vybRDUZvgEBIgCb9NO6PO7259lJaDr2oq/w640-h480/20230922_124456.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Norman side is upstream, and has pointed arches; the newer side has curved arches. The Town Bridge and Chapel is a grade I listed building. It was originally a packhorse bridge, but widened in the 17th century by rebuilding the western side. On 2 July 1643 the town was the site of a skirmish in the English Civil War, when Royalists seized control of the bridge on their way to the Battle of Lansdowne</div><div style="text-align: center;">.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLfK6QKE1miF4QrfpRJBHxK5PEYs5DvdfZx-80rmuJzOpu9VCnk2m3bgak5-3pPdM9ukLI0x8Xa9AE6TlO6Ueybhi2-i-k8lJTeyI21KlNfEGdgXO6PiIYafwB1Gnwf7K-wEsH6j26zNBzFa5kdhygh4vijB7RKC9yyMj4AWoVx_82ZCBcjizcFoMhwUY/s7690/20230922_124652.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5767" data-original-width="7690" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLfK6QKE1miF4QrfpRJBHxK5PEYs5DvdfZx-80rmuJzOpu9VCnk2m3bgak5-3pPdM9ukLI0x8Xa9AE6TlO6Ueybhi2-i-k8lJTeyI21KlNfEGdgXO6PiIYafwB1Gnwf7K-wEsH6j26zNBzFa5kdhygh4vijB7RKC9yyMj4AWoVx_82ZCBcjizcFoMhwUY/w640-h480/20230922_124652.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the bridge stands a small building which was originally a chapel but was later used as a town lock-up. The weathervane on top takes the form of a gudgeon (an early Christian symbol), hence the local saying "under the fish and over the water"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-LrRx3dVBNFp3gmj6IVtGmkdIVM7yRPJgVx0tNWBzL0bRhBBpPcj0w8SPU6S5L4MtrZqWGz5EZP7AOjLw_ObwcVD8StLzx5Yp63m1aIpTyYP2PT_9qMHA50TQKkxaedANlbZhQslthZ1X0RinUXyoUKNLVf6G6tM7jPVws78-bNYgpxgw7ihvj7ANmIa/s8160/20230922_124716.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-LrRx3dVBNFp3gmj6IVtGmkdIVM7yRPJgVx0tNWBzL0bRhBBpPcj0w8SPU6S5L4MtrZqWGz5EZP7AOjLw_ObwcVD8StLzx5Yp63m1aIpTyYP2PT_9qMHA50TQKkxaedANlbZhQslthZ1X0RinUXyoUKNLVf6G6tM7jPVws78-bNYgpxgw7ihvj7ANmIa/w640-h480/20230922_124716.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The river provided power for the wool mills that gave the town its wealth. The town has 17th-century buildings dating from the most successful period of the local textile industry. The best examples of weavers' cottages are on Newtown, Middle Rank and Tory Terraces.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi681nBjE72vf2uQtzFsRDSVQ2QOlcxAuKsTL-1AqIeelc_gcca2Wee8pBZcJ6tX38Pc2Q_6lhKWifcZ5d5aAYE_sZULSOtbRvUVx_lj6T_OXzJmTR4av2VrMyzszqlpDd0bqf328fbmOAYgxMgmcHfvSOyLjmeCYhUIIXCF9bGgBfxnESnujraw3DWaOGK/s8160/20230922_124734.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi681nBjE72vf2uQtzFsRDSVQ2QOlcxAuKsTL-1AqIeelc_gcca2Wee8pBZcJ6tX38Pc2Q_6lhKWifcZ5d5aAYE_sZULSOtbRvUVx_lj6T_OXzJmTR4av2VrMyzszqlpDd0bqf328fbmOAYgxMgmcHfvSOyLjmeCYhUIIXCF9bGgBfxnESnujraw3DWaOGK/w640-h480/20230922_124734.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We take a walk along the riverside.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jkUuNfWyEYyCvW9otdQnDQVIBNll8ZSyLWVu1rVZQ_t9WH6HDnqDiPDnRkPnZtn8nF1ixzWstDm3zF_9IoGFMnCJXK0l_ZowgIlnMxiCLANuBuoGV18fNBG32P_5bKOMKpvuyE-m0vCd47P46w23Kp4WZFIueYugGNVFQi8fh0zYKl-I0k8eDctlIHyY/s3648/20230922_124755.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jkUuNfWyEYyCvW9otdQnDQVIBNll8ZSyLWVu1rVZQ_t9WH6HDnqDiPDnRkPnZtn8nF1ixzWstDm3zF_9IoGFMnCJXK0l_ZowgIlnMxiCLANuBuoGV18fNBG32P_5bKOMKpvuyE-m0vCd47P46w23Kp4WZFIueYugGNVFQi8fh0zYKl-I0k8eDctlIHyY/w640-h480/20230922_124755.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pass the Abbey Mill now all apartments.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgTIAuRW36GKSCCBEQo6L5ImCgdOrCp27CzHchZwm_tlSwchq-kKkYMCn1lahh-ygqcO918yiysz-tcd9QudycAMlAG1ceNHrKfiOk2JylSf5DKobd7g2SGRNPLyHOW6rP4poVf64r7VcXczfiE8p0P_oyl1oQFdmD4_UqR4AEWD-EYEEAm9PFgOwXaM0/s8160/20230922_125008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgTIAuRW36GKSCCBEQo6L5ImCgdOrCp27CzHchZwm_tlSwchq-kKkYMCn1lahh-ygqcO918yiysz-tcd9QudycAMlAG1ceNHrKfiOk2JylSf5DKobd7g2SGRNPLyHOW6rP4poVf64r7VcXczfiE8p0P_oyl1oQFdmD4_UqR4AEWD-EYEEAm9PFgOwXaM0/w640-h480/20230922_125008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The original Abbey Mill factory building in about 1850. The tall block on the left was built in the first couple of decades of the 19th century. It is said to have been visited by the Duke of Wellington in about 1820. In 1824 it was purchased by the partnership of Yerbury, Tugwell & Edmonds and from 1833 both Abbey and Church Street Mills were run in conjunction by Ezekiel Edmonds & Co. until they became bankrupt in 1862. Both mills were vacant in 1865. From 1869 t0 1898 they were run by a succession of short-lived and related partnerships: Harper & Taylor; Harper, Taylor & Willis; Ward, Taylor & Willis and H.H. Willis. The mills and their machinery were offered for auction in 1898 after the death of Willis and 1902 cloth manufacture ceased with all the plant auctioned by a Yorkshire company, followed by the closing of Greenland Mills the following year. There was a brief period in which part at least of the buildings was used by the rug company of Budbury.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nUKb3wpC5lTskD2Uxu_fkMpNWgF2H6XVwJCcl1HBbALS8M9z6FTcGu3zzE1Gaav6ZjtVl6Ss-_fhgStmpAR1uaHGDlQDno0omhWYa6tlPn8JMbmhjwh6y7Pk7CNhN7STnMMZIcKH6BpU3JLrqWxXBhO3XVbd54B3yAHnFK1L82a7Qg_NNLa6h1eValfC/s8160/20230922_125016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nUKb3wpC5lTskD2Uxu_fkMpNWgF2H6XVwJCcl1HBbALS8M9z6FTcGu3zzE1Gaav6ZjtVl6Ss-_fhgStmpAR1uaHGDlQDno0omhWYa6tlPn8JMbmhjwh6y7Pk7CNhN7STnMMZIcKH6BpU3JLrqWxXBhO3XVbd54B3yAHnFK1L82a7Qg_NNLa6h1eValfC/w640-h480/20230922_125016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">With improving mechanisation in textile manufacture during the Industrial Revolution, the wool weaving industry moved from cottages to purpose-built woollen mills adjacent to the river, where they used water and steam to power the looms. Around thirty such mills were built in Bradford-on-Avon alone, and these prospered further until the English woollen industry shifted its centre of power to Yorkshire in the late 19th century. The last local mill closed in 1905. Many have since stood empty and some became derelict.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3F02xi2Mb8uMJ17Kzlem41q3tAtO5ZGL3a04ZW1llgVxWjnjcyzpkTM8bKICJu6CQx4mLSsB4IP3qVuNdrFzg8ZWMmY1QgUv4P3uyJVXm82vfecl4JGOtWA8wQuHKns26Pc0LjAwmUib4bzeRb0_PpfmSDvZURFDb3atZ9abbpBQRK8MM0WuR1TK-aYz/s8160/20230922_125231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3F02xi2Mb8uMJ17Kzlem41q3tAtO5ZGL3a04ZW1llgVxWjnjcyzpkTM8bKICJu6CQx4mLSsB4IP3qVuNdrFzg8ZWMmY1QgUv4P3uyJVXm82vfecl4JGOtWA8wQuHKns26Pc0LjAwmUib4bzeRb0_PpfmSDvZURFDb3atZ9abbpBQRK8MM0WuR1TK-aYz/w640-h480/20230922_125231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjor82gPJEjmJ5Xo7SPF-tOzb0JUJNEEGfbBvWUHJhjMI48fcg2KpGIiJS8KYxymmbx6NYELoNxY9VoDqnrNqBYAFXXnqyUGPraeaBTT0emsd7BzhWhso9GtexBgMYzISVnQCnpuRXusNezaEu2R0Oycks7WuNz-dJCNIzPcB73FS_Wk56zciE7KsGhVc/s8160/20230922_125446.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjor82gPJEjmJ5Xo7SPF-tOzb0JUJNEEGfbBvWUHJhjMI48fcg2KpGIiJS8KYxymmbx6NYELoNxY9VoDqnrNqBYAFXXnqyUGPraeaBTT0emsd7BzhWhso9GtexBgMYzISVnQCnpuRXusNezaEu2R0Oycks7WuNz-dJCNIzPcB73FS_Wk56zciE7KsGhVc/w640-h480/20230922_125446.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The river Avon had been navigable from Bristol to Bath during the early years of the 13th century but construction of mills on the river forced its closure. The floodplain of the Avon, on which the city centre of Bath is built, has an altitude of about 59 ft (18 m) above sea level. The river, once an unnavigable series of braided streams broken up by swamps and ponds, has been managed by weirs into a single channel. Periodic flooding, which shortened the life of many buildings in the lowest part of the city, was normal until major flood control works were completed in the 1970s.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-EmboYwYE4-1s_8vQ-9AShw-eVrW6lKqI4dy90PIqbBzEqmUamvvLxCPUz5nezbYVZMKCZ0VulCLTU7y25kQJQ-y3YZSiTg3ZQ0IHfYmnR6uP3Yug7GfVLDX1DAxNQZwdV7NChkgXQ9vrANWymB3WrO5gz_1SwNzVwKKgIaSSwbR2X2jT0vAr-_CpvmR/s7528/20230922_125526.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5646" data-original-width="7528" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-EmboYwYE4-1s_8vQ-9AShw-eVrW6lKqI4dy90PIqbBzEqmUamvvLxCPUz5nezbYVZMKCZ0VulCLTU7y25kQJQ-y3YZSiTg3ZQ0IHfYmnR6uP3Yug7GfVLDX1DAxNQZwdV7NChkgXQ9vrANWymB3WrO5gz_1SwNzVwKKgIaSSwbR2X2jT0vAr-_CpvmR/w640-h480/20230922_125526.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We leave the Avon and walk back into town, through the station car park and up St Margaret's Street.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Crossing the McKeever Bridge into Church Street.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90H_0-hj2QMCDin3gl30v5HfJrwSuhMLejKhn-JiOLnROpf3rT8V1EepLICJh4Kg_CZoXrZp-JMb9GljY2hnbhT2Jv96_5U4Bj_kIBU6QFLy7zAWWOhDtbE-Ipcn4KagUoJ3XoOfih-fEaYLB1rNzutB1CSVroiPZMkaj12AetT5hRhBrqika2EhHMD6V/s7499/20230922_131114.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5624" data-original-width="7499" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90H_0-hj2QMCDin3gl30v5HfJrwSuhMLejKhn-JiOLnROpf3rT8V1EepLICJh4Kg_CZoXrZp-JMb9GljY2hnbhT2Jv96_5U4Bj_kIBU6QFLy7zAWWOhDtbE-Ipcn4KagUoJ3XoOfih-fEaYLB1rNzutB1CSVroiPZMkaj12AetT5hRhBrqika2EhHMD6V/w640-h480/20230922_131114.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1benRLltuAiZ2cXu8-0QePNCzHH53cqKCY95axLMn71dfSS7edPEFGsrrWwpo_jwhoSAQ5Oxeq4iYTnjP-qBIrlvKO0BQ0PRYVornpDNx8s8_Nm8o7qT9TCftrxeVfQxkw1d0llXnXEeWvH01seEev2P7zc2neqpRETfyAg0Mpt7TezTavKStpNtnoP4P/s7944/20230922_131153.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7944" data-original-width="5958" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1benRLltuAiZ2cXu8-0QePNCzHH53cqKCY95axLMn71dfSS7edPEFGsrrWwpo_jwhoSAQ5Oxeq4iYTnjP-qBIrlvKO0BQ0PRYVornpDNx8s8_Nm8o7qT9TCftrxeVfQxkw1d0llXnXEeWvH01seEev2P7zc2neqpRETfyAg0Mpt7TezTavKStpNtnoP4P/w480-h640/20230922_131153.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Church House is a Georgian House of fine ashlar, with Palladian-style façade featuring a neo-classical pediment and a so-called “Venetian” window (also known as a serliana, after the Italian architect Sebastiano Serlio).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was part of the Rogers Manor estate (the “Priory”), which was purchased by the Methuen family in 1657. In about 1730 a house on this spot was rebuilt by Christopher Brewer, Attorney-at-Law, the present building. It was later the home and office of another lawyer, Daniel Clutterbuck, who died in 1769.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was known as Church House by 1771, when the freehold was sold by Pawlett Wrighte, Lord of the Manor of Bradford, to Thomas Baskerville of Woolley.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">From 1821, it was occupied by the Bradford branch of the bank of the Bath firm of Hobhouse, Phillot & Lowder, until 1841-2 when it failed. Later it was owned by the maltster Thomas Wheeler, who let the ground floor to the North Wilts Bank, until they built their own building next door (later Lloyds Bank). A bank vault has been discovered in the cellar. In the 1880s and 1890s it was occupied by surgeons R.W. Collett and William John Alexander Adye.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Like other large houses, it was requisitioned in the Second World War and was then converted into five flats to accommodate people displaced by the war.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">During the 1980s part of the house was used as an art gallery and later it was the home of Lady Bremridge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was advertised for sale in September 2021 by Savills, at £2,250,000.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7RGnUTJ88sL30lyUn1YupKFJUO2fxNHkF623b1ouyECK90w0oSK-ZLXX-pwRwTxU3TIwFy72PGMAa7EzD68TPEee0a_eOuGCrDwUmTMTAywsnKgOBwf3byJ8KIAQzudfEuSpuE4-fy28rQPn4dXd-ZFfw3sLCq8qKymnkGZQn4WQ8lPcOF3kb5g2iH50/s7062/20230922_131313.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5296" data-original-width="7062" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7RGnUTJ88sL30lyUn1YupKFJUO2fxNHkF623b1ouyECK90w0oSK-ZLXX-pwRwTxU3TIwFy72PGMAa7EzD68TPEee0a_eOuGCrDwUmTMTAywsnKgOBwf3byJ8KIAQzudfEuSpuE4-fy28rQPn4dXd-ZFfw3sLCq8qKymnkGZQn4WQ8lPcOF3kb5g2iH50/w640-h480/20230922_131313.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Walking back down Church Street we come to the Saxon Church of St Laurence.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEs3Zn6Daqpyc0nebCWJAriQykpe4Xme85MTEn-aoplXWdXoH57m4s9rzHQoAxXtlAfge6AnHK6X_-oRgxquNCHoV90YEC0au0lUKiYc7PbyajtKS39SzmKfCPp-y3EHgykweTg6kplEtm3vZAI9ih-KYYBUvoyEPINll5gOJWd_KoKyw9lMtiFfVfZpaz/s8160/20230922_131422.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEs3Zn6Daqpyc0nebCWJAriQykpe4Xme85MTEn-aoplXWdXoH57m4s9rzHQoAxXtlAfge6AnHK6X_-oRgxquNCHoV90YEC0au0lUKiYc7PbyajtKS39SzmKfCPp-y3EHgykweTg6kplEtm3vZAI9ih-KYYBUvoyEPINll5gOJWd_KoKyw9lMtiFfVfZpaz/w480-h640/20230922_131422.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">St Laurence's Church, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, is one of very few surviving Anglo-Saxon churches in England that does not show later medieval alteration or rebuilding.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church is dedicated to St Laurence and documentary sources suggest it may have been founded by Saint Aldhelm around 700, although the architectural style suggests a 10th- or 11th-century date. St. Laurence's stands on rising ground close to the larger Norman parish church of the Holy Trinity.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The building was used as a combined school (nave) and cottage (chancel) for many years, both on more than one storey. It was rediscovered in 1856 by William Jones, rector of Holy Trinity, and restored between 1870 and 1880. In 1952 the church was designated as Grade I listed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJQ3uQtO8cOzIoZzb5-EoaG2NclwULgIl3zqYpUOshoSIvbwY4c87H6ayRjH5FXmDCr_Js45svCnMDAbYwqvRw5ReXaPrAVIFNy5dz3UQDvoy37vn8oowmwZb_0kppVKJwjU6Jg0K9EaDEMpehjyU01YR-S3dLOZCF9JlOuyfkI-bUGBIrlbTb9bn4C8I/s8160/20230922_131427.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJQ3uQtO8cOzIoZzb5-EoaG2NclwULgIl3zqYpUOshoSIvbwY4c87H6ayRjH5FXmDCr_Js45svCnMDAbYwqvRw5ReXaPrAVIFNy5dz3UQDvoy37vn8oowmwZb_0kppVKJwjU6Jg0K9EaDEMpehjyU01YR-S3dLOZCF9JlOuyfkI-bUGBIrlbTb9bn4C8I/w480-h640/20230922_131427.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The date of the building has been much debated. H. M. Taylor stated some 50 years ago that he believed the main fabric of the walls to their full height belongs to Aldhelm's time, after discussions with Dr Edward Gilbert. Most recent sources give a later date for all or most of the structure. It has been suggested it was built after 1001, when King Æthelred the Unready gave the site to the nuns of Shaftesbury Abbey, refugees from the Vikings. They were the custodians of the body of King Edward the Martyr, Æthelred's half-brother and already regarded as a saint, and it may have served as a mortuary chapel for him for a period, which might help explain why such a small but elaborate building was created.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is the most complete Anglo-Saxon survival from this period, and follows what seems to have been a typical monastic plan at the time, though in miniature. In particular the decoration including fragments of large reliefs gives a hint of richness which documentary remains record in monastic churches. Although the existing church seems all or almost all Anglo-Saxon, it has clearly been altered in a number of ways, apart from the modern restoration, which included removing the stairs inside and filling in windows. For its small size, with the nave only some 7.5 metres (25 ft) long and a little over 4 m (13 ft) wide, the height of the building (around 8 m (26 ft) inside the nave) is notable. A porticus to the south has been lost, but otherwise the structure of the building seems complete in its final Anglo-Saxon state.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The pair of angels flying horizontally, in relief at about half life-size, probably flanked a large sculptural group of the Crucifixion, perhaps over the chancel arch.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The arcading on the exterior walls is produced, not by incision (as thought by Jackson and Fletcher), but by setting the massive stone pilaster-strips forward from the wall-face. In this they are similar to Great Dunham and the tower of Tasburgh parish church in Norfolk, and also to the parish churches at Earls Barton and Barton-upon-Humber.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbdhPBKIoeqsyACdAOh81Hu3SRKrtPmlxyC5lVlQgIX99Dgapxy9JnP6r3cYuehQGfPx0CS3dxJhhOsWO9_Vu5WIHzklaW36SyPtAoVtHc6y2VioRIT9NVcEBpjWe5794g6gXicRxD1J0VqqjzWpiV6pRwxRR4hitXtv013KTTCSKt1jo3SLRX08OTG8C/s7764/20230922_131704.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5823" data-original-width="7764" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbdhPBKIoeqsyACdAOh81Hu3SRKrtPmlxyC5lVlQgIX99Dgapxy9JnP6r3cYuehQGfPx0CS3dxJhhOsWO9_Vu5WIHzklaW36SyPtAoVtHc6y2VioRIT9NVcEBpjWe5794g6gXicRxD1J0VqqjzWpiV6pRwxRR4hitXtv013KTTCSKt1jo3SLRX08OTG8C/w640-h480/20230922_131704.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Walking back into town we go down Bridge yard and into Weavers Walk and Lambs Yard.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUs9uNlf10ENiWFV8XSesYoqLxkLN9-gfslK5bJxQKkr6pDBIav96Z7SBSVekZ2tv4fQkPwWCTvH5p7yU5wHAWWvTEPh9GkhZ10JTlYr06DlLGL90wG5ZMsiyZmGlou5dr1s7_i-jZpb9WlLczZm8OzpqAk0hKF-lW3zG6WLZ4liYanzej4vpgtTbDUVf/s8160/20230922_132421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUs9uNlf10ENiWFV8XSesYoqLxkLN9-gfslK5bJxQKkr6pDBIav96Z7SBSVekZ2tv4fQkPwWCTvH5p7yU5wHAWWvTEPh9GkhZ10JTlYr06DlLGL90wG5ZMsiyZmGlou5dr1s7_i-jZpb9WlLczZm8OzpqAk0hKF-lW3zG6WLZ4liYanzej4vpgtTbDUVf/w480-h640/20230922_132421.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">LAMBS YARD</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A labyrinth of independent shops and delicious food and drink based in and around converted mill buildings, Including Made in Bradford, a shop devoted to selling items created by local artists, Doghouse a specialist pet shop and pet-friendly café, clothing, and accessories form shops like Piha and Sassy and Boo and a variety of restaurants including the Weaving Shed, Il Ponte, The Secret Garden Café, Coffee Etc, and Pablo’s Bistro.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">WEAVERS WALK</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Weavers Walk a little treasure trove of delight between lambs yard and silver st is home to Boundless Blooms, Cloud and Cove Gift Shop and Bradford on Avon’s only sustainable supermarket Christine’s.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, serif, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;"><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OPEo5_9cAih803HW3zuuciyaG5RrSyWy0JvY7_V49zfrdGyZPP9P691GN-jZWhSe9a-DX2yi67lBxylYIu_ySle5-4i8_a2mCrfTvFzDu5POsnuegyGObyUnWyEn8aQgwFqUCbxiIjPfe3Sed2KbvSv02TmmlRCXEhk8Ndb1ssvlPHZxjGshtE8eT28Y/s8160/20230922_132555.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OPEo5_9cAih803HW3zuuciyaG5RrSyWy0JvY7_V49zfrdGyZPP9P691GN-jZWhSe9a-DX2yi67lBxylYIu_ySle5-4i8_a2mCrfTvFzDu5POsnuegyGObyUnWyEn8aQgwFqUCbxiIjPfe3Sed2KbvSv02TmmlRCXEhk8Ndb1ssvlPHZxjGshtE8eT28Y/w640-h480/20230922_132555.jpg" width="640" /></a></p></div><div style="text-align: center;">We stop to look at the amazing bridge once more and make our way to our cottage.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakzQIsmlF2OYc_K0o2mAz9oD5n8DoGgAKa8GiYJrVQeZSWGWnS3trK1E1VY9o7PGIIzMbMJxx-LNN1tmDFwadI1jjoQ0NJPKvdbqj2IicYjlo18QaUlrznNgLUHvYIFugOmZK3QGF07D6Z0m1uYQiFafy0FM4epkIAjpiAjKuF-0Ku_ClQ1tFGz6EC0AK/s7281/20230922_133514.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5461" data-original-width="7281" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakzQIsmlF2OYc_K0o2mAz9oD5n8DoGgAKa8GiYJrVQeZSWGWnS3trK1E1VY9o7PGIIzMbMJxx-LNN1tmDFwadI1jjoQ0NJPKvdbqj2IicYjlo18QaUlrznNgLUHvYIFugOmZK3QGF07D6Z0m1uYQiFafy0FM4epkIAjpiAjKuF-0Ku_ClQ1tFGz6EC0AK/w640-h480/20230922_133514.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We climb the hill and steps up to 10 Tory, our cottage for the weekend. This was once one of a row of weavers cottages.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Booking <a href="https://www.booking.com/Share-FnPYBT8" target="_blank">here</a> if you are interested.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlJ3hLWA3lEbn3cakjWAtF5RE0sjFQKNiT3XY0x3STvudLnXvCuzwe9O7_b_Xmh4qYY4Co8K5N9VP4YyWnZ9Aq_TrAMc99weC51tWDz5L21O_6aZMPP8tpK5kireLpvjpk-XP_04dwLkD2VXitu_3Y-rEkplrgiD6Mo5_2gMFafS3_I6bAU0GjInpWi_0/s8057/20230922_140231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8057" data-original-width="6043" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlJ3hLWA3lEbn3cakjWAtF5RE0sjFQKNiT3XY0x3STvudLnXvCuzwe9O7_b_Xmh4qYY4Co8K5N9VP4YyWnZ9Aq_TrAMc99weC51tWDz5L21O_6aZMPP8tpK5kireLpvjpk-XP_04dwLkD2VXitu_3Y-rEkplrgiD6Mo5_2gMFafS3_I6bAU0GjInpWi_0/w480-h640/20230922_140231.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Old weavers’ cottages. Wool and cloth had been Bradford’s stable industry for six centuries until its demise at the beginning of the 20th century. However, when the Black Death made labour scarce in 1348 wool and cloth became even more important to the country and the town flourished. The river provided the power for the wool mills that gave the town its wealth. The decorative clothiers’ houses and the humble and functional weavers’ cottages that date back to the 17th century, which is the most successful period of the local textile industry, are a source of endless fascination for anyone with an eye for genuine old world charm. The most known examples of weaver’s cottages are Middle Rank, Newtown and Tory Terraces.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The 18th century’s Industrial revolution brought huge changes seeing the Saxon Church used as a school and a royal assent was given to construct the Kennet and Avon canal. New machinery brought cloth workers from their houses into factories – the wool weaving industry moved from cottages to purpose built woolen mills adjacent to the river where water and steam was used to power the looms. Bradford on Avon was once the home to around 30 mills prospering England’s woolen industry until the centre of power shifted to Yorkshire in the late 19th century. The last local mill closed in 1905 and many have stood empty since.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PEN42KsJVspOHZQufgyRR8U8yK98rtf75dPo94mmZs36B09yULusaHEdQzh9tCyWDaJjwwbhVJEzASat5ZK22Ty7hOAogCk3aSwzOnoKoul2gd1hYbfNWQ2hy1suYJEQExZ2b_S9ELwoui9MAflkOLfdvgKz8ESwQ2y3_NiwqMjT_rqZsgWFJPI8CVj_/s4000/20230922_140435.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PEN42KsJVspOHZQufgyRR8U8yK98rtf75dPo94mmZs36B09yULusaHEdQzh9tCyWDaJjwwbhVJEzASat5ZK22Ty7hOAogCk3aSwzOnoKoul2gd1hYbfNWQ2hy1suYJEQExZ2b_S9ELwoui9MAflkOLfdvgKz8ESwQ2y3_NiwqMjT_rqZsgWFJPI8CVj_/w640-h480/20230922_140435.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The 19th century cloth manufacture was compensated for by the growth of the rubber industry. Until 1991, Bradford on Avon was a centre of the industry, producing rubber components for Avon Rubber.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyCnJkb8mErah2Boagc5We32vrJWMsK_Hv9FeIXvxvEBlUyPFODoQmG7aZGNiykfG-Fri8D2fQXNUieSFqrAilSJnzVKYLwBvim7VkHHMek0ESTe26G3kJy5YXhKUa9MJiV4s-sznxE09w-RkDqe28QrlroxmgCjIwUHauqQlk1l8fjP_ysRq_DeFreC4/s4000/20230922_140519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyCnJkb8mErah2Boagc5We32vrJWMsK_Hv9FeIXvxvEBlUyPFODoQmG7aZGNiykfG-Fri8D2fQXNUieSFqrAilSJnzVKYLwBvim7VkHHMek0ESTe26G3kJy5YXhKUa9MJiV4s-sznxE09w-RkDqe28QrlroxmgCjIwUHauqQlk1l8fjP_ysRq_DeFreC4/w480-h640/20230922_140519.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ACOJxJhLbu5SuPEQ_Txhmjdoip1dapp33AuojZEIpmQcpbIoemcOgRQLrxJoyWs1x71wejw92jC7DD8vwx4lVEPXBVOFp2JKomnmlG8YXg2deKH8OVgidSk7o8yvj2PNtoZe2vmwhlViBZICrDyesu3Q76MT0CI_aAu-mELc9pEVBtFZCafRQQ8krVXa/s4000/20230922_140529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ACOJxJhLbu5SuPEQ_Txhmjdoip1dapp33AuojZEIpmQcpbIoemcOgRQLrxJoyWs1x71wejw92jC7DD8vwx4lVEPXBVOFp2JKomnmlG8YXg2deKH8OVgidSk7o8yvj2PNtoZe2vmwhlViBZICrDyesu3Q76MT0CI_aAu-mELc9pEVBtFZCafRQQ8krVXa/w640-h480/20230922_140529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP70s5cFApWkjKNjopxG8E67WE-2OUEVLA5opR3da1Vayc8dICl2duMsJqfTQfmzUkaBu0W_HL8Lvscpoc8uwpg-I9lPodeRhlko1Sie2q2gTwsrUuSuLzEUiv4Kxy1ctkqbh1bPzwXcyupT61BV7sXWPz4Mty9zQSwY3zJ19alvBbIh4bPVYDabAr2NkO/s4000/20230922_140547.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP70s5cFApWkjKNjopxG8E67WE-2OUEVLA5opR3da1Vayc8dICl2duMsJqfTQfmzUkaBu0W_HL8Lvscpoc8uwpg-I9lPodeRhlko1Sie2q2gTwsrUuSuLzEUiv4Kxy1ctkqbh1bPzwXcyupT61BV7sXWPz4Mty9zQSwY3zJ19alvBbIh4bPVYDabAr2NkO/w640-h480/20230922_140547.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitm6HGg-zF0KoA20msfU4k5gTk2Va3AWdScm1eLxlW9AyR1zUr7Ykv8svf9q7LC-2uZg5Y7RPcQofZujyHfkuV_Ee6YhygtGveSDk_lYzdo1p9WHJUaDM_tGz9vBPVpjCbrqz8q0sIz7uVPB4OsydJBAbbwwcmImChrsG9kfC4FO8Guxsr1vD9ppj9cSu6/s8160/20230922_141121.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitm6HGg-zF0KoA20msfU4k5gTk2Va3AWdScm1eLxlW9AyR1zUr7Ykv8svf9q7LC-2uZg5Y7RPcQofZujyHfkuV_Ee6YhygtGveSDk_lYzdo1p9WHJUaDM_tGz9vBPVpjCbrqz8q0sIz7uVPB4OsydJBAbbwwcmImChrsG9kfC4FO8Guxsr1vD9ppj9cSu6/w480-h640/20230922_141121.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_BYy9SkUuhosPd1vGZyxA5CaID5AmX5pXO8ZMJYpJ-b6zyMDMFxj6frNv3_NeP1mvbPtbV3Nb0y1tyPyvLUGw-h56lVB-QsVr6nBrQI-b8T_Ux-s7L-CY4HKmSy_u3RUZaupiL665D5TDsP1janYIKVeJ7Ys4QQNb_LU4yKq9Ts8mzLGJDgPvNZ1cOKi/s8160/20230922_173632.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_BYy9SkUuhosPd1vGZyxA5CaID5AmX5pXO8ZMJYpJ-b6zyMDMFxj6frNv3_NeP1mvbPtbV3Nb0y1tyPyvLUGw-h56lVB-QsVr6nBrQI-b8T_Ux-s7L-CY4HKmSy_u3RUZaupiL665D5TDsP1janYIKVeJ7Ys4QQNb_LU4yKq9Ts8mzLGJDgPvNZ1cOKi/w640-h480/20230922_173632.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ktvqyy7jHQyfte02n71xIYiykvzNd4qhFAfvwvRvmwS-4gjYgS5FuL1o7hkGc0TVYONDIXLzKW5RZ9n-Y8S7ahAGjfPvJLk7Uz4fnkGHu6D4C6vhlcfYoSPHaUlAdGcVFTPgvO9nsElLu32UZzlSAFe4tqDOd-xEEEE0qF_IM3uTbCkG8BJINZJ1Awoj/s8016/20230922_173659.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6012" data-original-width="8016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ktvqyy7jHQyfte02n71xIYiykvzNd4qhFAfvwvRvmwS-4gjYgS5FuL1o7hkGc0TVYONDIXLzKW5RZ9n-Y8S7ahAGjfPvJLk7Uz4fnkGHu6D4C6vhlcfYoSPHaUlAdGcVFTPgvO9nsElLu32UZzlSAFe4tqDOd-xEEEE0qF_IM3uTbCkG8BJINZJ1Awoj/w640-h480/20230922_173659.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_pYTWUDMJUWtSBLL3HQAaICYngdp61tsHZS6WF7uJkM5nvC4hjOqDtljLvbg4G-tlJH7-HzICnlPXCxi8yF28mZDofyxKE5dh4FVww0m7Db9cGwmxIHMJEQYldAVZrZbeyIJcCRF82RBgNf1RUUWUMLAYwilxOAKBA0qGdabEP7sZ4gkQkoecYYECshV/s8070/20230922_173809.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6052" data-original-width="8070" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_pYTWUDMJUWtSBLL3HQAaICYngdp61tsHZS6WF7uJkM5nvC4hjOqDtljLvbg4G-tlJH7-HzICnlPXCxi8yF28mZDofyxKE5dh4FVww0m7Db9cGwmxIHMJEQYldAVZrZbeyIJcCRF82RBgNf1RUUWUMLAYwilxOAKBA0qGdabEP7sZ4gkQkoecYYECshV/w640-h480/20230922_173809.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We left the cottage and had a few drinks in <a href="https://www.thedandylion.co.uk/index" target="_blank">The Dandy Lion</a> and watched the England Ladies football game.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9uR2l8Hs6-S30NiB4cROpBvWLwKkN4R3AMhos2WH0Ga10qC5NjPFhS5863EiO_WseNCFn3yUBoT7NX6AHjw2KElCAmnz6Izvrp56i7kJ61IBJ3CKHjTraBDpONca0gH2Hqjo85OXK11pXo2IFK1lOhCyFXJmjFCux5yIgxnklq2mRUswshqdQ4thBGt1/s8160/20230922_191021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9uR2l8Hs6-S30NiB4cROpBvWLwKkN4R3AMhos2WH0Ga10qC5NjPFhS5863EiO_WseNCFn3yUBoT7NX6AHjw2KElCAmnz6Izvrp56i7kJ61IBJ3CKHjTraBDpONca0gH2Hqjo85OXK11pXo2IFK1lOhCyFXJmjFCux5yIgxnklq2mRUswshqdQ4thBGt1/w480-h640/20230922_191021.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Dandy Lion public house in an 18th century 3 storey building on Market street Bradford on Avon.</div></div><div><span style="color: #393939; font-family: Noto Sans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLilLEA0QgvoEJNj0UkU-eKyco1mQCXuEtyTgOsk0gqkMSgXU1Okae_Vn9Z4kQrAV9E57qI6q4lN1cn5s1r7prMgZaOHsRmgyv4inJiPP9dAhSHQOn15iXK26z-iEJhHleM4cvN5tXvVcpcmqvN6dF7pMCwcDA9VAYsjLOa_qGYa_HnrC2Zg6pXYoPQyow/s8160/20230922_213925.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLilLEA0QgvoEJNj0UkU-eKyco1mQCXuEtyTgOsk0gqkMSgXU1Okae_Vn9Z4kQrAV9E57qI6q4lN1cn5s1r7prMgZaOHsRmgyv4inJiPP9dAhSHQOn15iXK26z-iEJhHleM4cvN5tXvVcpcmqvN6dF7pMCwcDA9VAYsjLOa_qGYa_HnrC2Zg6pXYoPQyow/w640-h480/20230922_213925.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbMm-6FYP_K3v1f0VkxCTktIH_h1Ut9Xg08GcO2Tid6uXGGMPIpjG6TyOHv12qpo6lhkbGUOlMQJuGfxruXK2uWlsLyK94Elig-j-XT-a8YXTjvrbYpzBv6fyUd8VhcA7X7JfIrBpBVevkZKqugT3ywIRampnNSAvs5Z-ysuniM7SeEwmaUnpsamDPYeb/s8160/20230922_214258.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbMm-6FYP_K3v1f0VkxCTktIH_h1Ut9Xg08GcO2Tid6uXGGMPIpjG6TyOHv12qpo6lhkbGUOlMQJuGfxruXK2uWlsLyK94Elig-j-XT-a8YXTjvrbYpzBv6fyUd8VhcA7X7JfIrBpBVevkZKqugT3ywIRampnNSAvs5Z-ysuniM7SeEwmaUnpsamDPYeb/w640-h480/20230922_214258.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8bZYXKqWSd8Pgzd5t4WOUet-xZA3MMwbS_xl76oZAjwlthkYN4O2JyZ4LXv5UuJQY1QwGSI-0GjekLdhcChUFjyyvxViurvuKk0UNWj8ou3k_hTafLpLgUPur6D13DXDqNeJOQOVFMBJzLfBsGxqaJxwniw8MjHNRarn34dDIbgZuNyNn3Nh4eQ-N9ue/s8160/20230922_214359.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8bZYXKqWSd8Pgzd5t4WOUet-xZA3MMwbS_xl76oZAjwlthkYN4O2JyZ4LXv5UuJQY1QwGSI-0GjekLdhcChUFjyyvxViurvuKk0UNWj8ou3k_hTafLpLgUPur6D13DXDqNeJOQOVFMBJzLfBsGxqaJxwniw8MjHNRarn34dDIbgZuNyNn3Nh4eQ-N9ue/w640-h480/20230922_214359.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back to the cottage for the night.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicI0Cz0aCBiyRO50pM7Ph9Kf0abdrCT3k0CzhOS-lgeSTEr-T5DH-K9-owUAMEViBpkiWlqm997h5H1CkeG-Ge8dnu6Y-m_tF5d2YqxzrTxKte7eYhhIYVB4BaKmRQ4sykar5DHHKWI7cLzfGF9AJYPqwLBwbPhvmFQd-UZRlAFZejP2SSToLtKwi2McA0/s8160/20230922_214510.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicI0Cz0aCBiyRO50pM7Ph9Kf0abdrCT3k0CzhOS-lgeSTEr-T5DH-K9-owUAMEViBpkiWlqm997h5H1CkeG-Ge8dnu6Y-m_tF5d2YqxzrTxKte7eYhhIYVB4BaKmRQ4sykar5DHHKWI7cLzfGF9AJYPqwLBwbPhvmFQd-UZRlAFZejP2SSToLtKwi2McA0/w480-h640/20230922_214510.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-90712572410670884532023-09-18T12:57:00.046+01:002023-10-02T19:50:24.215+01:00Havering-Atte-Bower,London Borough of Havering 19th September 23<div style="text-align: center;">So on Tuesday the 19th September 2023 its another walk on my doorstep, its just a 2 mile drive to Havering-Atte-Bower and I park up by the Horse Riding centre next to the church.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bzGtKFu9cfw2eEsU8YnyytgX0NkzuC5R2RMqslKyPTqhFU877eWqhGvsb1kMIyOOLZIc97vtqfjd2DctQnWa1_VKxYSsBJlTCu1_GHMRv0GolxZ0kOsIygadn65Bd3HykSfkauWCED_zy7wIG9q--6YQCaqJENJEpciL_jLB6ElIbInDwCbv7IY6uURR/s8056/20230918_103239.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6042" data-original-width="8056" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bzGtKFu9cfw2eEsU8YnyytgX0NkzuC5R2RMqslKyPTqhFU877eWqhGvsb1kMIyOOLZIc97vtqfjd2DctQnWa1_VKxYSsBJlTCu1_GHMRv0GolxZ0kOsIygadn65Bd3HykSfkauWCED_zy7wIG9q--6YQCaqJENJEpciL_jLB6ElIbInDwCbv7IY6uURR/w640-h480/20230918_103239.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I pull on my boots and walk over to St Johns Church.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis184AOEW0bbdCF2w1hh2tDQH0dKFyoWRdbZsAZ3L_6xj5w1r_t4u_vC36uWPX_SUvVhL-S3EgUUoGR9xcI17ttsQS0Z2v3EghHV6lryJA86SUWOAKb8zGhDpQXfWckOqFF5WQTc6TnSTgj62KAfZFRUy9kj_m7HbL6xQwFHq3brqFaEnkEJms7sZT48E9/s7959/20230918_103305.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7959" data-original-width="5969" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis184AOEW0bbdCF2w1hh2tDQH0dKFyoWRdbZsAZ3L_6xj5w1r_t4u_vC36uWPX_SUvVhL-S3EgUUoGR9xcI17ttsQS0Z2v3EghHV6lryJA86SUWOAKb8zGhDpQXfWckOqFF5WQTc6TnSTgj62KAfZFRUy9kj_m7HbL6xQwFHq3brqFaEnkEJms7sZT48E9/w480-h640/20230918_103305.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There has been a church on this particular site, since the time of Edward the Confessor. One of the pieces of evidence for this, is the 800 year old Purbeck marble font, at the back of the church. Over the years, the church has served as a chapel for the many noble and royal people, who passed by as a result of Havering Palace being in existence.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church as we know it today, was built between 1876 and 1878, after the previous building (also known as St Thomas) was demolished. The last service was held on Easter Day, April 16th 1876, after which all services and church meetings were temporarily transferred to a barn at the back of the Orange Tree public house, which is still in existence. The new church was consecrated on Saturday 13th April, 1878. During this time, there were two major benefactors, Mrs Macintosh and Anne Pemberton Barnes. Both were key to the church, and both contributed financially. For this reason, St Johns has the unusual feature of a dual entrance porch, designed, purposefully, to give equal welcome to both women, each of whom, had a house in the opposite direction to the other.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are five stained glass windows, four on the south wall, and one large one behind the altar on the east wall, which was replaced in 1946 after a stray German landmine destroyed the original during World War II. There are two war memorials located on the site. One, inside, along the south wall, is dedicated to the memory of the eleven men killed in the Great War. The other, is by the gate to the Green, and is dedicated to the five men killed in World War II. There are two war graves, situated between the church and the riding stables.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church has six bells, a treble, second, third, fourth, fifth and tenor. They were dedicated in 1897, replacing the single bell that was there before.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Parish Room (the church hall) was built in 1902, with money provided by Ann Pemberton Barnes and her son. A second, smaller Parish room was built behind the original in 1933. This building was known as the Pemberton Room (and still is!).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1997, the Church Hall, and the Pemberton Room both were connected, with a second floor added in from the high ceiling of the hall, and facilities vastly improved upon what they had been before.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhUe-t3HPQDd1_nuTGkB_I2yNwVtGZe0JPoM46bgcm0ksiSFx32emanRo_RBSAPKwSh5SJi9miY_6NQVY7BkL-evn2SkioqmuawkCJKTsZTqWinRr-_D3g4k9OjRFcOdVIj_9_eB7SI2zc6K8V0BNgQYzcGTGME9ov3OfMt47eBVvMs43qoFJi1SWLsPU/s8160/20230918_103420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhUe-t3HPQDd1_nuTGkB_I2yNwVtGZe0JPoM46bgcm0ksiSFx32emanRo_RBSAPKwSh5SJi9miY_6NQVY7BkL-evn2SkioqmuawkCJKTsZTqWinRr-_D3g4k9OjRFcOdVIj_9_eB7SI2zc6K8V0BNgQYzcGTGME9ov3OfMt47eBVvMs43qoFJi1SWLsPU/w480-h640/20230918_103420.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The village green still has on display its original village stocks, while on the opposite side of the road is a pond known as "Ducking Pond", rumoured to have been used for trials of witches. Though the name of the pond suggests such a history, hard evidence is yet to be uncovered.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The history of the area dates back to Saxon times and archaeological finds in and around Havering Country Park suggest a Roman villa or similar structure in the area.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Two particular myths arose from this time. One was that Edward was in Havering Park (backing onto the site that the church currently sits on) and the noise from the Nightingales stopped his prayers. He then prayed that there would no longer be Nightingales in the park. Apparently, since then, there indeed have not been!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The other myth is that on some occasion, Edward was in a procession, a beggar asked for money, and as Edward's almsman was nowhere near, Edward took a ring off his finger, and gave it to the man. So the legend goes, years later, two pilgrims were in the Holy Land and spoke with the same old man; who revealed he was St John the Evangelist. He gave them the ring, and asked them to return it back to Edward. Hence the name Have-a-ring Atte (at the) Bower. Who knows?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0BQlb20WBc1wIDbMKcX1VcH5Mc4LKBBd0Eqj2Rp23IgeauJfQn-bP-19FaoCflNl0woza_RBipRSQJNsMBpzC57xpN6eZgzPtt2fTiK8y8lcLGxgitVI2zBZfxak6wUJTHczo9ZlpvuC12O8b4O4nH5Gvp-fNTS5_9sOVKWBiASg4QzSlpwMDQRUkZ0L/s7778/20230918_103617.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5834" data-original-width="7778" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0BQlb20WBc1wIDbMKcX1VcH5Mc4LKBBd0Eqj2Rp23IgeauJfQn-bP-19FaoCflNl0woza_RBipRSQJNsMBpzC57xpN6eZgzPtt2fTiK8y8lcLGxgitVI2zBZfxak6wUJTHczo9ZlpvuC12O8b4O4nH5Gvp-fNTS5_9sOVKWBiASg4QzSlpwMDQRUkZ0L/w640-h480/20230918_103617.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The village is steeped in royal history. Edward the Confessor was the first royal to take interest in the area. He established a hunting lodge here, which over the years would become a palace or 'bower.' It is believed, though disputed, that he may have died in the house that he had loved so much before being buried at Westminster Abbey.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk on down the road and take a path opposite the now closed Oak Public House.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUZkqIAY0XBMWU8WazrQO5KWnQurjkkUObnw3Xzl8Th16scWQdXEzbECN3hiiJeTbQojsuaAvNhXEoh_TmABba4Pxd8zz2Giqr5SHcVA7OG60DxaLm56XVgYd6f50XM8CNMAO8vfyxBO32PQ2Qoi4H8NUL0UYwGtFNVLhIESZDs34n9EPcnKpnXVztb7O/s8160/20230918_103705.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUZkqIAY0XBMWU8WazrQO5KWnQurjkkUObnw3Xzl8Th16scWQdXEzbECN3hiiJeTbQojsuaAvNhXEoh_TmABba4Pxd8zz2Giqr5SHcVA7OG60DxaLm56XVgYd6f50XM8CNMAO8vfyxBO32PQ2Qoi4H8NUL0UYwGtFNVLhIESZDs34n9EPcnKpnXVztb7O/w640-h480/20230918_103705.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The surrounding areas, including the parishes of Hornchurch and Romford, formed the Royal Liberty of Havering from 1465 to 1892. Until the 17th century, royalty used the house of Havering Palace for various reasons, adding the architectural style of the day to the expanding palace.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another palace, east of the village, called Pyrgo, was purchased by Henry VIII to relieve the now ageing Havering Palace. By the 17th century, the Royal Palace of Havering was in decline, and it was eventually pulled down. Pyrgo was also demolished later, in the 18th century. Only one set of plans exists from the original Havering Palace, courtesy of a survey by Lord Burghley in 1578.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhAOFOG12-whn5fQkJUfJFP59dWv8k07A2pbB_67ktrb6V7SZpphWemS0hJXywiyIgPVd9-taTKDMpwTPGWe09m-BxP_7woWzjM-18AEdOVrf7NTPrdaDxTf9nVSJHxxEMRgXKTC6B5Tg_bArvs3k6sI2M6iXv3nD-OiLwRBkqu2nQ-UBEzT1Shsgqivi/s8160/20230918_103832.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhAOFOG12-whn5fQkJUfJFP59dWv8k07A2pbB_67ktrb6V7SZpphWemS0hJXywiyIgPVd9-taTKDMpwTPGWe09m-BxP_7woWzjM-18AEdOVrf7NTPrdaDxTf9nVSJHxxEMRgXKTC6B5Tg_bArvs3k6sI2M6iXv3nD-OiLwRBkqu2nQ-UBEzT1Shsgqivi/w640-h480/20230918_103832.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The village sits on one of the highest points in London, in the far north of the borough and near the M25 motorway. It is situated 344 feet (105 m) above sea level with striking views of east London, Essex and Kent. To the north is open countryside and to the south are the large suburban developments of Harold Hill and Collier Row.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPE_Mjeb-RxRcUDsLeBrJjj0ocRXdwkq6pU4GKDoTD43YXke0d7x0QI7TutcUUkBi6-S3nlI-dyWO22fnftsWC7OlzinPgi94EMaXW8zfuRsQlN216Nvyh13jI_sZxDqY-0puTDNXIZLKddTL_BexyUbyylJLJOm0Yi_3r-PAy4Mbs1eRrc7k4wbCS9Vsf/s8160/20230918_104006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPE_Mjeb-RxRcUDsLeBrJjj0ocRXdwkq6pU4GKDoTD43YXke0d7x0QI7TutcUUkBi6-S3nlI-dyWO22fnftsWC7OlzinPgi94EMaXW8zfuRsQlN216Nvyh13jI_sZxDqY-0puTDNXIZLKddTL_BexyUbyylJLJOm0Yi_3r-PAy4Mbs1eRrc7k4wbCS9Vsf/w480-h640/20230918_104006.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Along the footpath, I stop to say hello to some horses.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscSawUrxKxzIZ48i_nuURZ6DKQhGIBudZ6EySyLECZGwHt4uS9EL8fsPV1gXZTeCvNHHQz20qAxEuTK6fZl8hWZve5CnOPg886tnw8aXSWGBgOW1ed4Xgv_enb1D0Nlq3FN7JPfaEGOXqCLkiSbYs73aHrrO7Fw1FM-wb_HoESAsPKMitMc71RvVWmJtV/s3648/20230918_104022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscSawUrxKxzIZ48i_nuURZ6DKQhGIBudZ6EySyLECZGwHt4uS9EL8fsPV1gXZTeCvNHHQz20qAxEuTK6fZl8hWZve5CnOPg886tnw8aXSWGBgOW1ed4Xgv_enb1D0Nlq3FN7JPfaEGOXqCLkiSbYs73aHrrO7Fw1FM-wb_HoESAsPKMitMc71RvVWmJtV/w480-h640/20230918_104022.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oQ68um5iXvR9IySPGbZG5HiWwjUo4e_Iq6TLlfu3n9ayao4PxMXluMRk0BSAQWuQ79RAypOpmlOeNv4NkUoO1UxtjIoWBGqA1Jrq-3EJi9-VxnANIAs5drQYwKQBmyNf73Qi2Nq_eeTuzKhVYsyR_WsnSH3Wx1TJVwnrsJLaZA67PKV1LGPtujaPO9GC/s7830/20230918_104243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7830" data-original-width="5873" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oQ68um5iXvR9IySPGbZG5HiWwjUo4e_Iq6TLlfu3n9ayao4PxMXluMRk0BSAQWuQ79RAypOpmlOeNv4NkUoO1UxtjIoWBGqA1Jrq-3EJi9-VxnANIAs5drQYwKQBmyNf73Qi2Nq_eeTuzKhVYsyR_WsnSH3Wx1TJVwnrsJLaZA67PKV1LGPtujaPO9GC/w480-h640/20230918_104243.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On my right is the Water Tower. Built by the South East Essex Water Company in 1934 to help maintain water pressure to the town of Romford, some two miles distant. It is still owned by the water authority but believed to be not now required for its original purpose. With the sun shining on it, it can be seen from the top of the London Eye, seventeen miles away.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My earliest memory of this tower is my Dad trying to scare me saying its a Witches tower and I of course told my kids the same story.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwh0ts-eJFlgzqrJgQ69Giz4-WNU4IJOch--lfbjHX8uTa-p9iqspV_mOonwZR-GA1iJ13KrHNlNMQlDgVuj7wg5z5XpgKLbXslwOUlIYGdZVDkYdgbvmkKvggLa_iaVTvHz7TmwakN3HU7rP52Rg-DAxaCfAo0CShNz8xkUTfrysy5vNtcUXKiZ21y9B/s7908/20230918_104250.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7908" data-original-width="5931" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwh0ts-eJFlgzqrJgQ69Giz4-WNU4IJOch--lfbjHX8uTa-p9iqspV_mOonwZR-GA1iJ13KrHNlNMQlDgVuj7wg5z5XpgKLbXslwOUlIYGdZVDkYdgbvmkKvggLa_iaVTvHz7TmwakN3HU7rP52Rg-DAxaCfAo0CShNz8xkUTfrysy5vNtcUXKiZ21y9B/w480-h640/20230918_104250.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHqTntR3Yfjb7VmIlUAI0OwVLnalnGZdnWO2fmSfMNxEP5GI26mQR_jr2OoxKbe3YDUCyIEIjGeM2XlN2sBle0RCBSLwiG18jfrmE96BXQWhdQxBa0mh9BWKPSrhyitUXi7ndUWW14_Xd2018ekPFF42Fh9voCvSgsLzVqgk71tRMaYzF3QnzDWBbaNaO/s7585/20230918_104507.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5689" data-original-width="7585" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHqTntR3Yfjb7VmIlUAI0OwVLnalnGZdnWO2fmSfMNxEP5GI26mQR_jr2OoxKbe3YDUCyIEIjGeM2XlN2sBle0RCBSLwiG18jfrmE96BXQWhdQxBa0mh9BWKPSrhyitUXi7ndUWW14_Xd2018ekPFF42Fh9voCvSgsLzVqgk71tRMaYzF3QnzDWBbaNaO/w640-h480/20230918_104507.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44cUTDx6HNksITeglHLgkNLCc7SG8i8_6v7Rjj1DcFr9uWKYZbRGhuwhDYLz-ESzEkfNWKjPgGaBWoMk8mVF5Mtc2jMqijPzYi7LPCGAaeBUuTxnKP20yaYVqoeDa8ynsq2CICGYPvtUpcSy2Z6S8MCgs7lrOGNjge8xCnzutlwSfr-faR5OstXEAu99r/s7915/20230918_104628.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5937" data-original-width="7915" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44cUTDx6HNksITeglHLgkNLCc7SG8i8_6v7Rjj1DcFr9uWKYZbRGhuwhDYLz-ESzEkfNWKjPgGaBWoMk8mVF5Mtc2jMqijPzYi7LPCGAaeBUuTxnKP20yaYVqoeDa8ynsq2CICGYPvtUpcSy2Z6S8MCgs7lrOGNjge8xCnzutlwSfr-faR5OstXEAu99r/w640-h480/20230918_104628.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk a short way past where our walk turns right so walking back I cross a small ditch and follow the path.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnfWobSTj9267X2ECjQ-tMjb4Stv4qD4RVJ3ZbzORtdIVBlILBCZ05SWJHTWgTiPenm4RsN7HDz7Jgf6HbW0S5JdvP-rq4BjmoCR2Y3yGYHDIUXp766ZCUicasOUJdel9jtfMGGANc21psDZF5dnDd3eDDGKrbPY9GoQWVG08c1g3PxttYokEueSDBbaw/s8160/20230918_105154.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnfWobSTj9267X2ECjQ-tMjb4Stv4qD4RVJ3ZbzORtdIVBlILBCZ05SWJHTWgTiPenm4RsN7HDz7Jgf6HbW0S5JdvP-rq4BjmoCR2Y3yGYHDIUXp766ZCUicasOUJdel9jtfMGGANc21psDZF5dnDd3eDDGKrbPY9GoQWVG08c1g3PxttYokEueSDBbaw/w640-h480/20230918_105154.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here I met a young Pheasant, who I thought was rather friendly and was running alongside me. They normally fly off or runaway when you get near.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNOz30BK_vHiT91HsxS_SNYCPA_IJpyPCYlElPaIrDbCApXmUZS3Xlqo9a4cPWkqqIOcEgoXjSBSuGOR3iGH6Zm3Q5TexF_u2ouvV7KUbTlcvC0pEfF8n6ncXyx1Iuu1gKpp25J_kxj7MW-AvAow1Tkx8DxY0ldsBEYKqWSOiJBn_yYJwIgMYnb1guke0/s8160/20230918_105300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNOz30BK_vHiT91HsxS_SNYCPA_IJpyPCYlElPaIrDbCApXmUZS3Xlqo9a4cPWkqqIOcEgoXjSBSuGOR3iGH6Zm3Q5TexF_u2ouvV7KUbTlcvC0pEfF8n6ncXyx1Iuu1gKpp25J_kxj7MW-AvAow1Tkx8DxY0ldsBEYKqWSOiJBn_yYJwIgMYnb1guke0/w640-h480/20230918_105300.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyt-ulaRNyzvO34mTx6yr6yRRB8ayqI0vAoxMTlpbzPFl9QrMMLVC5E3cLHa1eo50ONuwaIp8ktFpc-qcLZcSjAzXZRnuYiixou7To8N75pjahDeW8H_M0rGu73T4ZwxBHymtf4nOgg2X26_HWvRMrmD9wU9q_vf88X60k1aeP9p9MqdLcnKa_GZMmv8j/s8160/20230918_105322.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyt-ulaRNyzvO34mTx6yr6yRRB8ayqI0vAoxMTlpbzPFl9QrMMLVC5E3cLHa1eo50ONuwaIp8ktFpc-qcLZcSjAzXZRnuYiixou7To8N75pjahDeW8H_M0rGu73T4ZwxBHymtf4nOgg2X26_HWvRMrmD9wU9q_vf88X60k1aeP9p9MqdLcnKa_GZMmv8j/w480-h640/20230918_105322.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="414" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FNfwcV43QsM" width="497" youtube-src-id="FNfwcV43QsM"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">However this was not a pleasant Pheasant at all. It pecked me and drew blood. It then started a full on attack! It was flying up in the air and flapping it wings at me. I had to kick it back a couple of times. I tried to walk away but it started to run after me. So I managed to outrun the F*cker, even though it meant a ran a distance in the opposite way I wanted to go!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I stop and look back, it's gone. So I carefully walk back the way I came, keeping an eye out for the pheasant.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2damMJBfcH6SuPpAaSEfF-glYZUV0QODBnkSwSVCcZfajrAGAmSfKQj4LTtW3kdu3XARO0CEMp8Gve9xqhPU_lKTMFjkTtJ5bUq9Dn8rPSL6ZkoFz_IhvwbbIHrPtO05V7r-KuQjz8y1qibeJy_5QX--ELRxgdl82bO110_vNkt1-MVo3YLM_4CSeC67/s8160/20230918_105540.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2damMJBfcH6SuPpAaSEfF-glYZUV0QODBnkSwSVCcZfajrAGAmSfKQj4LTtW3kdu3XARO0CEMp8Gve9xqhPU_lKTMFjkTtJ5bUq9Dn8rPSL6ZkoFz_IhvwbbIHrPtO05V7r-KuQjz8y1qibeJy_5QX--ELRxgdl82bO110_vNkt1-MVo3YLM_4CSeC67/w480-h640/20230918_105540.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Pyrgo House, Playground for Princess’s Mary and Elizabeth, daughters of Henry VIII.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the woodland's edge stands a pair of iron gateposts which once marked the entrance to the grand residence of Pyrgo. Nothing now remains of the house save this one rusting sentinel. In the 16th century, Pyrgo played an important role in determining the royal succession. Henry VIII had seen little of his second daughter, Elizabeth, since her mother's execution in 1536. In 1542, Henry VIII met her when he summoned both of his daughters to dine with him at the ancient house. Henry was impressed by Elizabeth and her sister, Mary, and decided to reinstate their place in the line of royal succession. This was confirmed by Parliament in 1544, restoring the sisters to their place after Edward thus giving England one of her finest monarchs when Elizabeth became Queen.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hEV1voWoxAJR-Lioq3N6f2iipR8xKZ_w9or-muHi1GOP4irjkpbMwHp-3yS7haz5D5nOlSOXkYRcHjZKfmpYOPNkBo60-0iyFaa4AVg3WoHLEGgJnQ8bS7FpIbG-KCmjGTms7jgKHdEJsfbHqapSul3dkyAe-QhPh0RXPs8yd6effSTQcI3NbLE_XQx8/s500/Pyro%20palace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="500" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hEV1voWoxAJR-Lioq3N6f2iipR8xKZ_w9or-muHi1GOP4irjkpbMwHp-3yS7haz5D5nOlSOXkYRcHjZKfmpYOPNkBo60-0iyFaa4AVg3WoHLEGgJnQ8bS7FpIbG-KCmjGTms7jgKHdEJsfbHqapSul3dkyAe-QhPh0RXPs8yd6effSTQcI3NbLE_XQx8/w640-h410/Pyro%20palace.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pygro Palace</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoykkCW4t5DPve6Ons3Zo4RNsKDyWcDEaki5g14LPUPP4RMKLi8yJzbzW52CaLTP3QTyvEgSs8rJ90sds9lld01llU_B5IdX6JTmaO0Bd3cTGNHK7Qw2axT80LaumwOkvUk-Qwz9LkginB_kZKi8szgbjS440G0UBNFetvZptaLfIbaSMaKjCayLImdXe/s8160/20230918_105937.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoykkCW4t5DPve6Ons3Zo4RNsKDyWcDEaki5g14LPUPP4RMKLi8yJzbzW52CaLTP3QTyvEgSs8rJ90sds9lld01llU_B5IdX6JTmaO0Bd3cTGNHK7Qw2axT80LaumwOkvUk-Qwz9LkginB_kZKi8szgbjS440G0UBNFetvZptaLfIbaSMaKjCayLImdXe/w640-h480/20230918_105937.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsbFnLVgHRc4CJN24BI-5-eRDqAHtJ93Sz4r_hrW5RIKmHpUkd5feVFNcyqzN83ErRNAsDaGxTKqfNXCctsf380VtDen3v5K8AMKAVeNLSK_N_6_trxlRBOZ310A0fYsyPgTO8IkaF_r4v429Mrhfk-o1cCeq-1LxE0JhVyxdOYd4ivk0M_JVcondQPYJ/s8160/20230918_110041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsbFnLVgHRc4CJN24BI-5-eRDqAHtJ93Sz4r_hrW5RIKmHpUkd5feVFNcyqzN83ErRNAsDaGxTKqfNXCctsf380VtDen3v5K8AMKAVeNLSK_N_6_trxlRBOZ310A0fYsyPgTO8IkaF_r4v429Mrhfk-o1cCeq-1LxE0JhVyxdOYd4ivk0M_JVcondQPYJ/w640-h480/20230918_110041.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GtWZ5SG_wQ0JTWCiPIf4j4aj7X1fphNTSngfM9rJq5KRz9D8llfnEir23OOsfxHeVHwmmDBuBrxYqH6UIr1KwfDo20ng6mLq4XHOxYRmRgrwXGXhJ-f0PoH5MUjcbxa3Oi3FiDjS2HDpugeV4QanDl59m1QRI-Q85S7wMF89Y2l2FRKXSbSobn_uul9F/s8160/20230918_110126.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GtWZ5SG_wQ0JTWCiPIf4j4aj7X1fphNTSngfM9rJq5KRz9D8llfnEir23OOsfxHeVHwmmDBuBrxYqH6UIr1KwfDo20ng6mLq4XHOxYRmRgrwXGXhJ-f0PoH5MUjcbxa3Oi3FiDjS2HDpugeV4QanDl59m1QRI-Q85S7wMF89Y2l2FRKXSbSobn_uul9F/w640-h480/20230918_110126.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSQX0cShSs5_5Pn4cg1T7u2LZyVpzYadRvOgiZcAarN6-lYuevBcQNmemiRyapCcC3o6WA28W1ZTr6dHvFEWchlamWnNpeMInjd_K_oYJUP_GI8g6eZkXVMWRnEikAmRoPpeHrTotiq3QZipyh2JBtE52C0nKz0VpkRZR8X2qR889_P6YvdTbBoRbvg4s/s8160/20230918_110336.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSQX0cShSs5_5Pn4cg1T7u2LZyVpzYadRvOgiZcAarN6-lYuevBcQNmemiRyapCcC3o6WA28W1ZTr6dHvFEWchlamWnNpeMInjd_K_oYJUP_GI8g6eZkXVMWRnEikAmRoPpeHrTotiq3QZipyh2JBtE52C0nKz0VpkRZR8X2qR889_P6YvdTbBoRbvg4s/w640-h480/20230918_110336.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxvQNYN8fUej_SFbufAIScojXE84d6MOuK7FwwFeQbX2Yj1T4W3yujo47GZ7_ArlmCQ7GvVc-eRd_h8lG4Vlz3OuEKbHsW96oTsw___PkFUcWGheVNiJdT5TFf6ULMhCceDefW5r0iFj5BXRniYD0kbTdnk7uuoe6gBiuKU7IjHwZdjC1jVptx4wDR1EI/s7778/20230918_110447.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5834" data-original-width="7778" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxvQNYN8fUej_SFbufAIScojXE84d6MOuK7FwwFeQbX2Yj1T4W3yujo47GZ7_ArlmCQ7GvVc-eRd_h8lG4Vlz3OuEKbHsW96oTsw___PkFUcWGheVNiJdT5TFf6ULMhCceDefW5r0iFj5BXRniYD0kbTdnk7uuoe6gBiuKU7IjHwZdjC1jVptx4wDR1EI/w640-h480/20230918_110447.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk on passing Home Farm, a Equestrian centre.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZDLggKyzkumS2pHKSxfcpToJjLSGJaYuJBEL3ZhTL0ykMI3-rFZqlv4Xd7FkTo-wl-68G-uf4rrczG8U1QmfkwnfbhCSQuGA-TdtCeD34eF1YG56atDcQW-4UkB6fmSK1QDbqW9IdP4JkasZmgcecMwrkUFPf3lF6iuY2wax8EkHqkGfKF_gpMT5LNUg/s8160/20230918_110518.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZDLggKyzkumS2pHKSxfcpToJjLSGJaYuJBEL3ZhTL0ykMI3-rFZqlv4Xd7FkTo-wl-68G-uf4rrczG8U1QmfkwnfbhCSQuGA-TdtCeD34eF1YG56atDcQW-4UkB6fmSK1QDbqW9IdP4JkasZmgcecMwrkUFPf3lF6iuY2wax8EkHqkGfKF_gpMT5LNUg/w480-h640/20230918_110518.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As I walk I saw a Buzzard and shortly afterwards I saw a Red Kite pictured above soaring above me.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHFcThls-1OZ8yQK9c5Z2nD7wwarfPWuvtg3LP4fs9fJW3Nc3a15X4WV3dry4YNfJYfc3GC_jXXA6BDVzSv8WohVtnwRTgcCDeaKahMxOwMqvXcK5bIods7K_S-m4upzg8coq8oO4pFHEuUP2uWCmNGRAdaH4Fr_5vLgALvKMVunTRfh826YLGaySFgIA/s8160/20230918_110603.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHFcThls-1OZ8yQK9c5Z2nD7wwarfPWuvtg3LP4fs9fJW3Nc3a15X4WV3dry4YNfJYfc3GC_jXXA6BDVzSv8WohVtnwRTgcCDeaKahMxOwMqvXcK5bIods7K_S-m4upzg8coq8oO4pFHEuUP2uWCmNGRAdaH4Fr_5vLgALvKMVunTRfh826YLGaySFgIA/w640-h480/20230918_110603.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtYSsZwtW7izSru74piNpVHW0K0KqGFfy8pf7O5LZYqvZv5NSxu_kTFT5XtR6e4Foh9KqlNAFO-tglfYTaTfaFsNmnX17k7HVZgIzO2--cH8JUmnmgF-g201urGrO76tFE42qEep8jzaJSaueHvYZbK3ud3UonXYfnuEYqcIxkzk5wLhD4E33gqFkjpN-/s8160/20230918_110659.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtYSsZwtW7izSru74piNpVHW0K0KqGFfy8pf7O5LZYqvZv5NSxu_kTFT5XtR6e4Foh9KqlNAFO-tglfYTaTfaFsNmnX17k7HVZgIzO2--cH8JUmnmgF-g201urGrO76tFE42qEep8jzaJSaueHvYZbK3ud3UonXYfnuEYqcIxkzk5wLhD4E33gqFkjpN-/w640-h480/20230918_110659.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EVusWRh5uHJDXmTy8OC6I0zvhx1nXs-UzTgAFsp0dwDygByQWD1RTuMqDQu8Iua1-AREw07v_oMg-0zQOlJ2QadqJvK7pY35Qk0Nad7lsn8HJTKXkzkjkCCDzzlD9u5WKJ3psYaY2nLpCw-VHQnabDGmp_7wucuJ7bQiNFajgSAWFP0msqXlO5tidtRd/s8160/20230918_110908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EVusWRh5uHJDXmTy8OC6I0zvhx1nXs-UzTgAFsp0dwDygByQWD1RTuMqDQu8Iua1-AREw07v_oMg-0zQOlJ2QadqJvK7pY35Qk0Nad7lsn8HJTKXkzkjkCCDzzlD9u5WKJ3psYaY2nLpCw-VHQnabDGmp_7wucuJ7bQiNFajgSAWFP0msqXlO5tidtRd/w640-h480/20230918_110908.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzyUsd0dr0NNb7mnAhzsjJLwA1pYFpLt6ED5dYPBp2fG7saWrqZG9iqpGL0a3lFRdIvkeaq2X4-bZeO_8dhxuWNn7Oj8RqGST0AAEoWXZXuhHu3p4uy6HFSl7IRdRJL4vQ2FIr6wfZGM2gk_hHb_XQnGCvPWPNJGTR-1-1RtHqz2e2oSo0osmHdIRcglM/s8160/20230918_110958.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzyUsd0dr0NNb7mnAhzsjJLwA1pYFpLt6ED5dYPBp2fG7saWrqZG9iqpGL0a3lFRdIvkeaq2X4-bZeO_8dhxuWNn7Oj8RqGST0AAEoWXZXuhHu3p4uy6HFSl7IRdRJL4vQ2FIr6wfZGM2gk_hHb_XQnGCvPWPNJGTR-1-1RtHqz2e2oSo0osmHdIRcglM/w640-h480/20230918_110958.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk through the field next to some more sweetcorn.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDwLM2wSpCgC1kTlUxKGUy3pk9UTGJQo12-AQ-a_X4RWVq31cY2pPzDUzoBbZGq5egDryKzLlfn8WRhJL7KQ9-p2Awilig-ZHRxNOBVHzz6g1kAM6Q2CxboWb_CIXJ02eodl8DrmE9GUfecUH4ob6e8jU9kHeso0L_Ir8zoo2jDCll0nUwO8fhGAZ1rmt/s8160/20230918_111302.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDwLM2wSpCgC1kTlUxKGUy3pk9UTGJQo12-AQ-a_X4RWVq31cY2pPzDUzoBbZGq5egDryKzLlfn8WRhJL7KQ9-p2Awilig-ZHRxNOBVHzz6g1kAM6Q2CxboWb_CIXJ02eodl8DrmE9GUfecUH4ob6e8jU9kHeso0L_Ir8zoo2jDCll0nUwO8fhGAZ1rmt/w640-h480/20230918_111302.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fhgmYSMs7sUpGGx8xa5ewzDUc9QLObZG5siqGR40aaagvkumxwC0iely5JYAikGuyr95n8GlN38biGxScZWcFycWkTHYDn4PAas9VAYlK17YKlmQnTkgZzmpOaUrzf6kHDATyT4UiwZwWt5kYxNq3JMSuroUMMmYclJrDY7LMXFVCJFNPOy4JujlohsX/s8160/20230918_111926.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fhgmYSMs7sUpGGx8xa5ewzDUc9QLObZG5siqGR40aaagvkumxwC0iely5JYAikGuyr95n8GlN38biGxScZWcFycWkTHYDn4PAas9VAYlK17YKlmQnTkgZzmpOaUrzf6kHDATyT4UiwZwWt5kYxNq3JMSuroUMMmYclJrDY7LMXFVCJFNPOy4JujlohsX/w480-h640/20230918_111926.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">I follow a path through a field and through a kissing gate at the bottom and into a wood.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">This path leads me out onto a track to leads to Two Oaks and Randalls Car Breakers.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwnRkvs13tJvBEzAd3-pFrofojTqKzLC3-Fy-WfPzuq_tzhbMIn8DCkqeziMfGQzoCiM5ROaAaFbjyuN1IBXHjEFgHxcvqRJB5za1U_Vn1kj2uiTKKk78xz25FPyEu6VFqma9y1Nw51EjNJ9Eqh6n-T2nrQOaCKVqfXAlW0hG-Ilud0J6DlVSL_lZGqV3/s8160/20230918_112323.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwnRkvs13tJvBEzAd3-pFrofojTqKzLC3-Fy-WfPzuq_tzhbMIn8DCkqeziMfGQzoCiM5ROaAaFbjyuN1IBXHjEFgHxcvqRJB5za1U_Vn1kj2uiTKKk78xz25FPyEu6VFqma9y1Nw51EjNJ9Eqh6n-T2nrQOaCKVqfXAlW0hG-Ilud0J6DlVSL_lZGqV3/w640-h480/20230918_112323.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I emerge out onto Broxhill Road that I follow uphill back towards Havering-atte-Bower.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-s-JnFDAZ_CFhNvT7JV7V7_xqiobl-yfe0v1l5DHPfYUE1aaP9L109424XTnC3_bGI6IsV0UkgXlS6-hetvJfU-oG9ifKUpLb7lAjHIkJfiZgepS07VzGilhxGzhIzryACIpLgNe0FxhTkKl6iojFINN79sYYO9oMly3VTg_cJS_q3eFWm5dMwQUHZiFh/s8160/20230918_112927.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-s-JnFDAZ_CFhNvT7JV7V7_xqiobl-yfe0v1l5DHPfYUE1aaP9L109424XTnC3_bGI6IsV0UkgXlS6-hetvJfU-oG9ifKUpLb7lAjHIkJfiZgepS07VzGilhxGzhIzryACIpLgNe0FxhTkKl6iojFINN79sYYO9oMly3VTg_cJS_q3eFWm5dMwQUHZiFh/w640-h480/20230918_112927.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BaUKoYBhBv4_NQCeJpiQ5PFOlcqXnU7p6B2sXcTDSIGQMuDaAHPNdJ-FAbtW6HudbJGSMLEDRsgOG4Uo7ohpKCdCec3k4grxLD6GiQQvWttIYNdVpu7eR9w_AUYnKf6Cl2tIiRZ6Pz6CQKapjfIV6ju5P0jPx3CWJkbx9L-WWVWbIZuahDpOrt1PtkUU/s8160/20230918_112948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BaUKoYBhBv4_NQCeJpiQ5PFOlcqXnU7p6B2sXcTDSIGQMuDaAHPNdJ-FAbtW6HudbJGSMLEDRsgOG4Uo7ohpKCdCec3k4grxLD6GiQQvWttIYNdVpu7eR9w_AUYnKf6Cl2tIiRZ6Pz6CQKapjfIV6ju5P0jPx3CWJkbx9L-WWVWbIZuahDpOrt1PtkUU/w640-h480/20230918_112948.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I take a path on my right off Broxhill Road and head uphill back towards the way I came across earlier.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiou7rFWG7SWLVI5WNGjcv_JqV8D4zTRyX-MU0tegTrvWElwvEqQdKDM_1cl4Sn_1Oj3FLu7WV-_FWGnkUwCu0pBjBEFcrof-X-U_QqNxZ3UA3ebnkPDdYZdKqPW0K6rc9eZSckHyG8YKeTHsz3u_711CAeUO-PUTF1XzrjKZHIVui1VKjaUpDep0Qw9wEb/s7660/20230918_113137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5745" data-original-width="7660" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiou7rFWG7SWLVI5WNGjcv_JqV8D4zTRyX-MU0tegTrvWElwvEqQdKDM_1cl4Sn_1Oj3FLu7WV-_FWGnkUwCu0pBjBEFcrof-X-U_QqNxZ3UA3ebnkPDdYZdKqPW0K6rc9eZSckHyG8YKeTHsz3u_711CAeUO-PUTF1XzrjKZHIVui1VKjaUpDep0Qw9wEb/w640-h480/20230918_113137.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQftM1E-Vi2_TuHwnQT7cFbfmWm_-JlyaYeTxbpHgo42NAz4tftWvwAZ7qD0NU3A-WOPeeupoDC_U4gojK9ERmO8szGkMR2Gxw0eyjDn3snpVuIL1v1uxagmeOUHZUeVNvH2-pLxtGJ55jKv_7tCkJtq16g4Y4BiaLdmO-vchKtIH1Xd7ANDNKx1fRIyU/s8160/20230918_113602.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQftM1E-Vi2_TuHwnQT7cFbfmWm_-JlyaYeTxbpHgo42NAz4tftWvwAZ7qD0NU3A-WOPeeupoDC_U4gojK9ERmO8szGkMR2Gxw0eyjDn3snpVuIL1v1uxagmeOUHZUeVNvH2-pLxtGJ55jKv_7tCkJtq16g4Y4BiaLdmO-vchKtIH1Xd7ANDNKx1fRIyU/w640-h480/20230918_113602.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFEfviKNwXPsuo2Uip9ffr6_pXFO8t69PbjAKNNeaFkUpsGNkPa9nNcqdxfvn66yQyZ1dcMFUiomYVOyFa778R1tRZEevS5MSsxbWxW3zYSGRc254co2rWRt65uI9cPq-XgohXj3dNWdlnkFJekYUkvMKY48xPzS2MVBypq9psJ-i4BWifc_7LvVKTW2B/s7646/20230918_113741.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5735" data-original-width="7646" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFEfviKNwXPsuo2Uip9ffr6_pXFO8t69PbjAKNNeaFkUpsGNkPa9nNcqdxfvn66yQyZ1dcMFUiomYVOyFa778R1tRZEevS5MSsxbWxW3zYSGRc254co2rWRt65uI9cPq-XgohXj3dNWdlnkFJekYUkvMKY48xPzS2MVBypq9psJ-i4BWifc_7LvVKTW2B/w640-h480/20230918_113741.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View through the corn to the Water Tower.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UCTsLm3Dmp8yK5NaexNkTXziRvEgWEfhUinuMipkmIpRnoXKIQ86pQTdSMfi4_-FcYwW2-OwS5o0JVqniccLXbZJqe4OrqR_PoPQTLNFp1WBURnRWwujHtgN10Hy5JVkRmpqcrMByBM41X_C7UWXmwOT1EXkw6-cyBtjxhFPNszv7FZzWbGroODAXzgw/s7982/20230918_114542.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5986" data-original-width="7982" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UCTsLm3Dmp8yK5NaexNkTXziRvEgWEfhUinuMipkmIpRnoXKIQ86pQTdSMfi4_-FcYwW2-OwS5o0JVqniccLXbZJqe4OrqR_PoPQTLNFp1WBURnRWwujHtgN10Hy5JVkRmpqcrMByBM41X_C7UWXmwOT1EXkw6-cyBtjxhFPNszv7FZzWbGroODAXzgw/w640-h480/20230918_114542.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I join the path where, I first met the pheasant, thankfully he isn't here.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AUeb_QR28G8dwh9YNKnGFfFlCWH4AJq3xnBNnxDrkEX6Q8F-OsAlfpdiUSJm1-gWr7PjDHfzQd6ktaSTzYCjX92fZMGCpXL3x2ubMHQkE43FCHIVs49Wg5OVc7xfjwK2fO6B-AwoxlQIK0A8OPzF59mNSVxXvMj_t32hrp4KAIF2VXhXMM7j0TvjxuYM/s8160/20230918_114545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AUeb_QR28G8dwh9YNKnGFfFlCWH4AJq3xnBNnxDrkEX6Q8F-OsAlfpdiUSJm1-gWr7PjDHfzQd6ktaSTzYCjX92fZMGCpXL3x2ubMHQkE43FCHIVs49Wg5OVc7xfjwK2fO6B-AwoxlQIK0A8OPzF59mNSVxXvMj_t32hrp4KAIF2VXhXMM7j0TvjxuYM/w640-h480/20230918_114545.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I follow my footsteps from earlier, always looks a little different from another angle.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4biXoDOoZ8NR8QGDIz0LAWDNWKMZoBgo2Ywr7mQ1v_VA8WOrxAjUT6LgdsZkuDF90EP3Huj0VnuNvvmDyrIfWnScE2HJdioosISxOkrEOPl-LD7FtZUAMfP0lCD-O0nqMlq3DwIBmRfSfPIUfklIi1ItHVWu-Ru7DttFWGdSMNC5_XdzkzY4sbJsZO2fJ/s7766/20230918_114800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5825" data-original-width="7766" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4biXoDOoZ8NR8QGDIz0LAWDNWKMZoBgo2Ywr7mQ1v_VA8WOrxAjUT6LgdsZkuDF90EP3Huj0VnuNvvmDyrIfWnScE2HJdioosISxOkrEOPl-LD7FtZUAMfP0lCD-O0nqMlq3DwIBmRfSfPIUfklIi1ItHVWu-Ru7DttFWGdSMNC5_XdzkzY4sbJsZO2fJ/w640-h480/20230918_114800.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5MFp9zCSxemoCGIcTwUm0fBLElmo0I0DFmFYgFed4qiwjgelDewG8gML3hWhyKet25AeeauV8Tx4TIxb74eMQ6yf1Mm9s2KYkz3ulalV1x_uCL4GKrBnAiHQ4B5Ap0zAkz_-fy6_aGRso0DSa9xdQNpmsUB-6BQuMlC9T7FoChpQgvI8ULAtq_rHeqoe/s8160/20230918_115120.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5MFp9zCSxemoCGIcTwUm0fBLElmo0I0DFmFYgFed4qiwjgelDewG8gML3hWhyKet25AeeauV8Tx4TIxb74eMQ6yf1Mm9s2KYkz3ulalV1x_uCL4GKrBnAiHQ4B5Ap0zAkz_-fy6_aGRso0DSa9xdQNpmsUB-6BQuMlC9T7FoChpQgvI8ULAtq_rHeqoe/w640-h480/20230918_115120.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I see the Roundhouse, that I didn't see walking down. It really does make a difference walking the same path in a different direction.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BiDVVWLIv2kfFR-GPLfDUJApvy8IPhAALGzjRY_wAerltSk7wOhIpbaT4T4ktbmdD1sHdaG6IiuayYM3GReSuVKkM2jw9r11cnjsOOHZwFuc6zjuNd_HhocePlt1X5qqgS6fKidS8Nta-R4gfyGiryo5T9Y8NOwpbma65jzTjoYq1MtAkCMAAVRFmOHW/s7867/20230918_115312.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7867" data-original-width="5900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BiDVVWLIv2kfFR-GPLfDUJApvy8IPhAALGzjRY_wAerltSk7wOhIpbaT4T4ktbmdD1sHdaG6IiuayYM3GReSuVKkM2jw9r11cnjsOOHZwFuc6zjuNd_HhocePlt1X5qqgS6fKidS8Nta-R4gfyGiryo5T9Y8NOwpbma65jzTjoYq1MtAkCMAAVRFmOHW/w480-h640/20230918_115312.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The Round House is a Grade II* listed late Georgian elliptical stuccoed villa located on Broxhill Road in Havering-atte-Bower, London. The house was built between 1792 and 1794 by John Plaw for William Sheldon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The building houses a residential recording studio called The Hideaway, created by Imogen Heap in 2006.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ba9mAzW4iidESZWtH0wUeXj6Ovz4l5e8OExjEZjMoaSH5RLM2nkwXubUUbIc7ljzYiCKBx_yZk-Sny9y5uKJIkA3GnrGAI5yooTWq8IHUHwtsmb2f-RHyAwptjypklw3fli0uRlIhMTW0n9P8RzqAC-WUDEKoPGfIuy44kL9o7ZRYOCWDFxKbT3Lhu_9/s6528/20230918_115853.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="6528" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ba9mAzW4iidESZWtH0wUeXj6Ovz4l5e8OExjEZjMoaSH5RLM2nkwXubUUbIc7ljzYiCKBx_yZk-Sny9y5uKJIkA3GnrGAI5yooTWq8IHUHwtsmb2f-RHyAwptjypklw3fli0uRlIhMTW0n9P8RzqAC-WUDEKoPGfIuy44kL9o7ZRYOCWDFxKbT3Lhu_9/w640-h600/20230918_115853.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PRuMAWbodp414ulUNHmoTpDu_OsDVjN-G2igLQFIfB1UCdlSYJ95tsN1VIOXRTSDaReV9qnVNtKxOvWqXNIF3zs2KJVsm8QSvkiyOADy9CupBJxURdBUv1CFDMjYAZBbMol1rpsG9JfU0Hlf48ihswfNVgerPBWKZKDb_DNiuhxvLSFvflal4dqRM4Vw/s7802/20230918_115918.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5851" data-original-width="7802" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PRuMAWbodp414ulUNHmoTpDu_OsDVjN-G2igLQFIfB1UCdlSYJ95tsN1VIOXRTSDaReV9qnVNtKxOvWqXNIF3zs2KJVsm8QSvkiyOADy9CupBJxURdBUv1CFDMjYAZBbMol1rpsG9JfU0Hlf48ihswfNVgerPBWKZKDb_DNiuhxvLSFvflal4dqRM4Vw/w640-h480/20230918_115918.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">I am now back at the car and a nice walk, well apart from the Pheasant attack!</p></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-79793006160109832462023-08-31T23:32:00.038+01:002023-09-02T11:57:57.846+01:00Bakewell Peak District 29.08.23 <p style="text-align: center;">On Tuesday the 29th August 2023 Mel and I drove to Bakewell in the Peak District before going onto our hotel in Matlock Bath. We arrived just after 12 and parked up at Smiths Island Car Park. We walk across The River Wye via a bridge and see huge Brown trout fighting with the geese for the food being thrown in.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="399" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lvP4PGg411I" width="480" youtube-src-id="lvP4PGg411I"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEUQpVk6aL1Jm8AaddiNlIAV45O1V7tf8OTgEdm0q0EXyaF0mk11F158L7Xqqo3TP9yVCmX7twQ8QsTMLHCYRnZqg97ADjiUqTUvEmrYzMkvLYwNLBosQS2B-Sp_t67lkM4p7T-6ESsoF3pX0gWrNG3c8rUscmWsiNXYtgggYs37eeSgPUpe7jjeH2MMJ/s3648/20230829_122329.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEUQpVk6aL1Jm8AaddiNlIAV45O1V7tf8OTgEdm0q0EXyaF0mk11F158L7Xqqo3TP9yVCmX7twQ8QsTMLHCYRnZqg97ADjiUqTUvEmrYzMkvLYwNLBosQS2B-Sp_t67lkM4p7T-6ESsoF3pX0gWrNG3c8rUscmWsiNXYtgggYs37eeSgPUpe7jjeH2MMJ/w480-h640/20230829_122329.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk alongside the River Wye and up to the Lovelocks Bridge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFwr9zWagkTTUiQecPLWPStKdSDnvyPDfvPbtoc-S5mEtS2lqxu1J-uXA6-lyskUep04O3-e6N0xHuCLdBSqY4qUTsXYflshEvzW0lsRalYLJk1ojdQKBatQo-nCYOITTU86v4Xrw-FUJ5SByxU_yFGODcZpbreQ5Fu7i8WtRHQs-zEK_hrdE8uNHa-h5/s8160/20230829_122408.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFwr9zWagkTTUiQecPLWPStKdSDnvyPDfvPbtoc-S5mEtS2lqxu1J-uXA6-lyskUep04O3-e6N0xHuCLdBSqY4qUTsXYflshEvzW0lsRalYLJk1ojdQKBatQo-nCYOITTU86v4Xrw-FUJ5SByxU_yFGODcZpbreQ5Fu7i8WtRHQs-zEK_hrdE8uNHa-h5/w640-h480/20230829_122408.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Lock locks started to appear on the Wye Bridge in 2012 and were the first to appear in Derbyshire, presently there are many hundreds now attached to the bridge. The love locks may be loved by some and hated by others however it does indicate that there is still some love in the world.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The tradition of love locks fastened to bridges is believed to have begun in Serbia during World War I, after a woman died of heartbreak when her lover deserted her for another woman he met at war. The local women, horrified at befalling the same fate, began to fasten padlocks on the bridge where the two lovers used to meet. Today, love lock bridges can be found all over the world.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANTg3OeIz3TH_gPqHo5-NzfiEXpQrEHq3i3TZhg3NAhVATq0wyiZx_QBzLAoP-jVYdnX5XNtOaQ7EBBq_yOhM9aPVHafBuDoAZR7UyckO7wNDRxdou_iSV7hlnFfI6SfpGmiGf3PnSzH_XNZLvC-4gQDYQVdPNRaxEty4jxNtzU6R2hmGulUgx_vL7Gow/s8160/20230829_122412.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANTg3OeIz3TH_gPqHo5-NzfiEXpQrEHq3i3TZhg3NAhVATq0wyiZx_QBzLAoP-jVYdnX5XNtOaQ7EBBq_yOhM9aPVHafBuDoAZR7UyckO7wNDRxdou_iSV7hlnFfI6SfpGmiGf3PnSzH_XNZLvC-4gQDYQVdPNRaxEty4jxNtzU6R2hmGulUgx_vL7Gow/w640-h480/20230829_122412.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Following the river along we reach the Bakewell bridge. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Grade I listed five-arched bridge over the River Wye was constructed in the 13th century, and is one of the few surviving remnants of this earlier period. A chalybeate spring was discovered, and a bath house built in 1697. This led to an 18th-century bid to develop Bakewell as a spa town, in the manner of Buxton. The construction of the Lumford Mill by Richard Arkwright in 1777 was followed by the rebuilding of much of the town in the 19th century.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3386Dyb5LLAihz79LLt9URvqPT5P40LNua-Pjf_FwQHe8q4X_-RRQjdEPMTTTmFx5r4nhpYUP7w_paU6-qx-q96uPDelmNyO62vkJnwWQ3pQLlS3Cleog4l1HJbmzOmD8SO7OaLZ4gkRTj6IeQR8nk7k9Pnka_xLVgJbrM9dH9ZZTq8Ov5-fbQFJbGsu8/s8160/20230829_122611.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3386Dyb5LLAihz79LLt9URvqPT5P40LNua-Pjf_FwQHe8q4X_-RRQjdEPMTTTmFx5r4nhpYUP7w_paU6-qx-q96uPDelmNyO62vkJnwWQ3pQLlS3Cleog4l1HJbmzOmD8SO7OaLZ4gkRTj6IeQR8nk7k9Pnka_xLVgJbrM9dH9ZZTq8Ov5-fbQFJbGsu8/w640-h480/20230829_122611.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We cross the bridge and walk round down Market Street and into Granby Road to use the toilets there before we walked on into Water Street.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">A market was established in 1254, and Bakewell developed as a trading centre.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaVAJSvz4_w7JysJ6r1vXCTUz4HK23Zf9_kjPVs87b-4lkuanonhZPQACXbWsjLT_LJSJ0rwG9RyyzW1wrcEljXX4SxLB88yokHu_UcoQPCPBNP8JtulFI1zsrWzSR6GA3y-WDpHqEuiyanie99DSAQTyZJFXfxVepRflMiccf5biPjQo2u2BGH6BWYHS/s8160/20230829_123716.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaVAJSvz4_w7JysJ6r1vXCTUz4HK23Zf9_kjPVs87b-4lkuanonhZPQACXbWsjLT_LJSJ0rwG9RyyzW1wrcEljXX4SxLB88yokHu_UcoQPCPBNP8JtulFI1zsrWzSR6GA3y-WDpHqEuiyanie99DSAQTyZJFXfxVepRflMiccf5biPjQo2u2BGH6BWYHS/w640-h480/20230829_123716.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pass the Bakewell Pudding Factory but I buy a Bakewell Pudding from Bloomers Bakery, no shortage of businesses cashing in on the Bakewell Pudding theme.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkiZJNsdmWBv4CVdFiJGXrMfIntlDjSNCVthNkHJ3scbk7ALb1TLw8AM6h0P3VNaNpE_i1NsusqKW3OtnDMFXHTB5iW_iKudbU2EeodT9dW-aoVEgs7XuTOGC1s7-C8YsiY1fvJPcRfrFAFTdNKYL7nZ2kAwr_ngBr3xz6uOI3MqwaIeAtN6fkBTKbhig/s8160/20230829_123920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkiZJNsdmWBv4CVdFiJGXrMfIntlDjSNCVthNkHJ3scbk7ALb1TLw8AM6h0P3VNaNpE_i1NsusqKW3OtnDMFXHTB5iW_iKudbU2EeodT9dW-aoVEgs7XuTOGC1s7-C8YsiY1fvJPcRfrFAFTdNKYL7nZ2kAwr_ngBr3xz6uOI3MqwaIeAtN6fkBTKbhig/w480-h640/20230829_123920.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">These delicious puddings were first made by accident at a local inn (the then White Horse) around 1860. It seems clear that the recipe was originally something of an accident, the result of a misunderstanding between Mrs Greaves, mistress of the inn and her cook.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Visiting noblemen ordered strawberry tart, but the cook, instead of stirring the egg mixture into the pastry, spread it on top of the jam. The result was so successful that a Mrs Wilson, wife of a tallow chandler who lived in the cottage now known as the Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop where candles were made, saw the possibility of making the puddings for sale and obtained the so-called recipe and commenced a business of her own.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bakewell Puddings, still made by hand from the secret recipe, are sent away to many corners of the globe from the world-famous bakery, as well as eaten as a sweet in our famous restaurant as they were meant to be eaten - hot with custard or cream.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcTM2mYvo1ufNybAQgx-0QEouyx3JisG7FC51eB5_3kglCrVF0uQd2my9Xmq5T8aC65hlf9aozbuz1SYIIkWhsfofnN4ZR0rKHal9QUaAG89kby0BjVJPwOe8fKdQf-hHseHk3mNKy4px8I_HoOKLiVa0iB-I-1LwXTQWXxfUOQ4cdsuszAy_jz9E3oyL/s7598/20230829_125141.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5698" data-original-width="7598" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcTM2mYvo1ufNybAQgx-0QEouyx3JisG7FC51eB5_3kglCrVF0uQd2my9Xmq5T8aC65hlf9aozbuz1SYIIkWhsfofnN4ZR0rKHal9QUaAG89kby0BjVJPwOe8fKdQf-hHseHk3mNKy4px8I_HoOKLiVa0iB-I-1LwXTQWXxfUOQ4cdsuszAy_jz9E3oyL/w640-h480/20230829_125141.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on down Bridge Street and up to Rutland Square.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVT6xTm_Vx3R_StBoG1dZc_lBsUOlPClcDtaXdbGGQ5nNAKeEbPcGO5WUM1jIcEN-tkcWVG__Ar2IN1MUsbsMqFRbbvPk0SKQwhtqjq_EZYlYZyWQjyFYnmfAfxygTgtPcjZFY5BY9HuYfDerBWkntXwjSMIQEHDlDL019qeIBYcIN5-uQ7470ItNE36HT/s8160/20230829_125218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVT6xTm_Vx3R_StBoG1dZc_lBsUOlPClcDtaXdbGGQ5nNAKeEbPcGO5WUM1jIcEN-tkcWVG__Ar2IN1MUsbsMqFRbbvPk0SKQwhtqjq_EZYlYZyWQjyFYnmfAfxygTgtPcjZFY5BY9HuYfDerBWkntXwjSMIQEHDlDL019qeIBYcIN5-uQ7470ItNE36HT/w480-h640/20230829_125218.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Although there is evidence of earlier settlements in the area, Bakewell itself was probably founded in Anglo Saxontimes, when Bakewell was in the Anglian kingdom of Mercia. The name Bakewell means a spring or stream of a man named Badeca (or Beadeca) and derives from this personal name plus the Old English wella. In 949 it was Badecanwelle and in the 11th century Domesday Book it was Badequelle. Bakewell Parish Church, a Grade I listedbuilding, was founded in 920 and has a 9th-century cross in the churchyard. The present church was constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries but was virtually rebuilt in the 1840s by William Flockton. By Norman times Bakewell had gained some importance: the town and its church (having two priests) being mentioned in the Domesday Book and a motte and bailey castle was constructed in the 12th century.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LYu7mKTSljJDjb9potHnOOteCwdQZepvJAOmA5sVGzkVfDOh5rMju5AlNBKEw03azeVVyor2GwDSwbgqaVeM6WEHJguy0Svc-IW5UmyuQr7oBxqQ8UtXs1b1RmxDH1N0Qi2DCX7Rw_l8ePcz-xFKYW23UdZPKJZoQOWl29hocPO8s3wmfrqgk5H_Bp8A/s8160/20230829_125632.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LYu7mKTSljJDjb9potHnOOteCwdQZepvJAOmA5sVGzkVfDOh5rMju5AlNBKEw03azeVVyor2GwDSwbgqaVeM6WEHJguy0Svc-IW5UmyuQr7oBxqQ8UtXs1b1RmxDH1N0Qi2DCX7Rw_l8ePcz-xFKYW23UdZPKJZoQOWl29hocPO8s3wmfrqgk5H_Bp8A/w640-h480/20230829_125632.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After turning left up Matlock Street we walk down a alleyway to the Lavender Tea Rooms where we had a Cream Tea.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oc2zta0O9z2hVoU752gCxOQALK5ZWyNkxXFeqnkAb_-ps0g1ec4cknmoZdTYNCDc7j2kwy8CoYAaoXEX5PluOVxEL_DLqDSe-sbjzLBhYAsiWDKxHGxdG50kGoiEgsDoy73_xheRGoxOUFTdUkiKTMTpV4riR16oyxzNjLK56f_6PM2SgumFaENZrw8q/s8160/20230829_130639.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oc2zta0O9z2hVoU752gCxOQALK5ZWyNkxXFeqnkAb_-ps0g1ec4cknmoZdTYNCDc7j2kwy8CoYAaoXEX5PluOVxEL_DLqDSe-sbjzLBhYAsiWDKxHGxdG50kGoiEgsDoy73_xheRGoxOUFTdUkiKTMTpV4riR16oyxzNjLK56f_6PM2SgumFaENZrw8q/w640-h480/20230829_130639.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We walk back down Granby Road and back down Water Street passing Tiroler Stuberl.<br /></div></div><div><span style="color: #202124; font-family: Google Sans, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 22px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5U7tpp7u64jnSavXlPPpG47fNz2VPhYyt8fifEJ7r3o9emVchEh184RArbOmGAQWZJ2lukHpLDVcVSTnlQw9XEfiR-fRGsR48JzpjXKKIkjd2THE6SWTJFbKqEi8dE6oKSCC-qMe6GvIBNXSpMOhJlM6Y2ovtSpFJ7_np4xrQs70-hn7ug1DU8AAo_NA/s8160/20230829_133120.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5U7tpp7u64jnSavXlPPpG47fNz2VPhYyt8fifEJ7r3o9emVchEh184RArbOmGAQWZJ2lukHpLDVcVSTnlQw9XEfiR-fRGsR48JzpjXKKIkjd2THE6SWTJFbKqEi8dE6oKSCC-qMe6GvIBNXSpMOhJlM6Y2ovtSpFJ7_np4xrQs70-hn7ug1DU8AAo_NA/w640-h480/20230829_133120.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;">Austrian Coffee Shop and Sausage Importer, They also sell Bakewell Puddings!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKJJVK3JsPpVRdur2NBygreKwQgJ7nHh0eqk1S2qNSDPJVmcIVca7XiSgLtZNhE2jn4FGBKtWVkSiIA2DueFjOBXtvk82pXBf7Oyz8PuPHTm-C9i4dSU7dyYIWyqJaKD6nRg-341dXlvEfFSZdur8826vLMX7g-yfSdBAxaS-x09w8k8H6bvPDuM68xhU/s5751/20230829_133606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5751" data-original-width="5405" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKJJVK3JsPpVRdur2NBygreKwQgJ7nHh0eqk1S2qNSDPJVmcIVca7XiSgLtZNhE2jn4FGBKtWVkSiIA2DueFjOBXtvk82pXBf7Oyz8PuPHTm-C9i4dSU7dyYIWyqJaKD6nRg-341dXlvEfFSZdur8826vLMX7g-yfSdBAxaS-x09w8k8H6bvPDuM68xhU/w602-h640/20230829_133606.jpg" width="602" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk pass the famous '<a href="https://www.bakewellpuddingshop.co.uk/">The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop</a>'. and finally back to the car.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kHG1zvJSt0LgkxxR1WFT0A8t-i2lqELyIiuad3RDAd8YhT7ze_nBTxbw1Hrpzwb3sMxPdxzQQ9FCLIw2sbZJV3bLyVcAFW0343psZY3Y8vCyCZEyd5HpwSsuSEjbr3KGIXZYEKph3xzcfHuuyov4G4qwwz6cC3hcziR7EDFIOpjr2Fnk_qd4cdaNdu7R/s8160/20230829_140706.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kHG1zvJSt0LgkxxR1WFT0A8t-i2lqELyIiuad3RDAd8YhT7ze_nBTxbw1Hrpzwb3sMxPdxzQQ9FCLIw2sbZJV3bLyVcAFW0343psZY3Y8vCyCZEyd5HpwSsuSEjbr3KGIXZYEKph3xzcfHuuyov4G4qwwz6cC3hcziR7EDFIOpjr2Fnk_qd4cdaNdu7R/w640-h480/20230829_140706.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I drive the short distance up the road to Thornbridge Brewery and its taproom.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUh-U-lPYFryk-vJFJidtcXz7g4pOuFRsND1xgRIweKUT-qVIK-gKFj7R5nONk5ZQ_Txt7N3yJPBEL5QYHCN46XPLvM_PS6VbYlpHmjuFet8LDA86TFtNPsrhMjT8dAHC-FO4-bzL5LgS6ZY9v9hnuQ7r_kefAT8oa7A-k2_jDOMggxbAppIdF6WpnRTuQ/s8160/20230829_140737.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUh-U-lPYFryk-vJFJidtcXz7g4pOuFRsND1xgRIweKUT-qVIK-gKFj7R5nONk5ZQ_Txt7N3yJPBEL5QYHCN46XPLvM_PS6VbYlpHmjuFet8LDA86TFtNPsrhMjT8dAHC-FO4-bzL5LgS6ZY9v9hnuQ7r_kefAT8oa7A-k2_jDOMggxbAppIdF6WpnRTuQ/w640-h480/20230829_140737.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love their Cocoa Wonderland Porter and others of theirs I've tried, so looking forward to tasting more.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgB-lDZ3YGqhOs5FfiFVz7xpbqTRpUdl7YI3td8Kn3lICtje1_bDicIf1OgaIWYwNNzdTSzEeCxvoXZga-8neyt_d9Rku-mTUIeF_B1hlximWeRPatty8t-CJ-3IrB7tAbbEekBytieEVS9eCDc2xz17yNDo9GBOHFCNAQCcFBxms2YV2iZ7tYT_jzSGK9/s8160/20230829_140808.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgB-lDZ3YGqhOs5FfiFVz7xpbqTRpUdl7YI3td8Kn3lICtje1_bDicIf1OgaIWYwNNzdTSzEeCxvoXZga-8neyt_d9Rku-mTUIeF_B1hlximWeRPatty8t-CJ-3IrB7tAbbEekBytieEVS9eCDc2xz17yNDo9GBOHFCNAQCcFBxms2YV2iZ7tYT_jzSGK9/w640-h480/20230829_140808.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Thornbridge story began back in 2005 when the founders Jim Harrison and Simon Webster recruited two young brewers to brew on a second hand 10-barrel kit in the grounds of Thornbridge Hall.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The brewery was originally based in the outbuildings of Thornbridge Hall, surrounded by beautiful gardens within the 100-acre estate. The buildings were renovated in 2004 in preparation for the brewery installation. Jim Harrison and Simon Webster recruited two young brewers, keen to kick-start their brewing career. Their first brew was Lord Marples, a 4% classic bitter, which went on to become a core Thornbridge beer.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Next, they were tasked with brewing something a little different, an IPA which packed a punch in terms of both flavour and ABV. In mid-2005 Jaipur was born. A 5.9% IPA packed with American hops and like nothing else in the beer industry at that time. Following an array of awards and national recognition, Jaipur catapulted Thornbridge into the spotlight, demand outstripped supply and the need for a new Brewery became clear.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 2009 a brand new state of the art brewery was built at Riverside, Bakewell to meet with demand and allow Thornbridge to develop their range of beers. Brewing still takes place today on the original kit which has been moved to beside the Taproom at Riverside, which allows us to experiment with new brews, create bespoke Hall brews, collaborations and assist the main brewery in Bakewell.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgba(18, 18, 18, 0.75); font-family: Assistant, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc37kC6MBjUwoEUd4OdcBAyUv7RSvDZHhfQLC70M1_NqP5p9E57MBVfifnC81lEMKbuhT4LrAZtlo70pImnxWp1po_r2TqFo-Ca3ijg16vVaOnu3UgCY0JZZ8lkcl6LTxAsfK3w2Zk7g0bkAUE0hQrI3pVAnwxXOasUU-d8jcKds9F1XF9doVJmYWrdUeu/s8160/20230829_140846.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc37kC6MBjUwoEUd4OdcBAyUv7RSvDZHhfQLC70M1_NqP5p9E57MBVfifnC81lEMKbuhT4LrAZtlo70pImnxWp1po_r2TqFo-Ca3ijg16vVaOnu3UgCY0JZZ8lkcl6LTxAsfK3w2Zk7g0bkAUE0hQrI3pVAnwxXOasUU-d8jcKds9F1XF9doVJmYWrdUeu/w640-h480/20230829_140846.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had a flight of Wild Swan (Pale Ale), Green Mountain (IPA Session) and a Chula Vista (Lemon and Seasalt Sour). All very nice.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDLFX8FR608N51UpMgmgyDlzGSUbwBESJK2AJok2YhcOOrGa_NONLqWj1wKeswsvFutj9oxtuELqK9y5CEm1n7CRGpHGabQxjfFfG7EpGdnOQWacYHkm8WbdefiE78A49IODUvrJrDaQr1ZzUldd47BpoD4eZL5jrh9M3l4u2zZ1P74aKlWHcARXva_oZ/s8160/20230829_141155.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDLFX8FR608N51UpMgmgyDlzGSUbwBESJK2AJok2YhcOOrGa_NONLqWj1wKeswsvFutj9oxtuELqK9y5CEm1n7CRGpHGabQxjfFfG7EpGdnOQWacYHkm8WbdefiE78A49IODUvrJrDaQr1ZzUldd47BpoD4eZL5jrh9M3l4u2zZ1P74aKlWHcARXva_oZ/w640-h480/20230829_141155.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We left the brewery and drove to our hotel in Matlock Bath, The New Bath Hotel.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkt-K9XKQ6vvNCX5fJ4WHOx3ZRDcXVUKAWwIAHvXVTzztTHR7GpNGh7ZNitlSKoqS300wwF1bSstNcCVfCFaac-75JDk3-XVET8rkq5l67HQDDudSC7dqfsnRSj1gMKAvSM1YdcwDvQTAZT3W0Y_NrK5xVj0ZzbcPyEE14bQ4MPlWGkc9XyYI8UZPeUPY9/s7727/20230829_151645.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5795" data-original-width="7727" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkt-K9XKQ6vvNCX5fJ4WHOx3ZRDcXVUKAWwIAHvXVTzztTHR7GpNGh7ZNitlSKoqS300wwF1bSstNcCVfCFaac-75JDk3-XVET8rkq5l67HQDDudSC7dqfsnRSj1gMKAvSM1YdcwDvQTAZT3W0Y_NrK5xVj0ZzbcPyEE14bQ4MPlWGkc9XyYI8UZPeUPY9/w640-h480/20230829_151645.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvBPRUHmM4mPa6KuI3X_QExDOQ1gywocBC4b7gxfUXCL3DnFtx9Llv0n0evgTZcu5xbr5GDXRGizQfW6s1GdW_8uTMVCU93LIxpOSyKW95mUNMc3APNvrmjfBbH91fqmIigwSCarBal_WRFRjEWwEowsCSca56W5PK21xXL-CnPvdVFkvwcSldnknT8Zl/s8089/20230829_152143.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6067" data-original-width="8089" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvBPRUHmM4mPa6KuI3X_QExDOQ1gywocBC4b7gxfUXCL3DnFtx9Llv0n0evgTZcu5xbr5GDXRGizQfW6s1GdW_8uTMVCU93LIxpOSyKW95mUNMc3APNvrmjfBbH91fqmIigwSCarBal_WRFRjEWwEowsCSca56W5PK21xXL-CnPvdVFkvwcSldnknT8Zl/w640-h480/20230829_152143.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The hotel has a Open Air Pool that is a natural geo-thermal spring feed enters the shallow end at a constant 19.8 degrees Celsius (around 68 degrees F). The feed is a continuous flow and therefore holds a good temperature throughout the pool but due to exposure to air temperature, the main body of water varies between 15 degrees C in the depth of winter and 23 degrees C on a very hot Summers day. The most typical range though is 17-19 degrees.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nothing added and nothing taken away. The spring water from exiting the ground is very simply gravity fed toward the shallow end and continuously flows through the pool and is then routed to the River Derwent. The perfect quality, purity and balance of the mineral rich water has been recently proven by a Doctor in Hydrogeology.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Originally constructed in 1934 with imperial measurements, the pool measures Forty yards in length by Fourteen yards in width. Length equates to approx. 36.5metres.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vELjx4HQMiH43FIjw6cfPQJKaLt8bjgocsAl2ZImN79P5WtMl659mc0TVYYnTJ9drizq-gd_1Fqhpxag9WxtyDN4X1xYzbi4u7nnAgAsIjCYcjZcRUFAFV_uJRUznvgPL-2qQJCDMCW6zVdT1_6gpb_8CEUYrzMZExlYoOqGb17rVV9qQE_j5NmGAAGG/s7800/20230829_152236.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5850" data-original-width="7800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vELjx4HQMiH43FIjw6cfPQJKaLt8bjgocsAl2ZImN79P5WtMl659mc0TVYYnTJ9drizq-gd_1Fqhpxag9WxtyDN4X1xYzbi4u7nnAgAsIjCYcjZcRUFAFV_uJRUznvgPL-2qQJCDMCW6zVdT1_6gpb_8CEUYrzMZExlYoOqGb17rVV9qQE_j5NmGAAGG/w640-h480/20230829_152236.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had a swim the next day, I'm used to wild swimming but it was a tad cold even for me !</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9yuGiPwl0T6Rtg4F_QdU-V7wpMoLOyShc1FVcQQOKQEklM0OsMcyCh9X_sU8IKSfh-C0CUVgnJh-AL_oLEmGs5zTfsJ3D809d331ayJbXsdtxajQFFRv1gL3HezA-rW-nHdXPViWJPZ7yk3PZ8hz2nWvdQv_V1K6dVn95aPuOX4zDV9rNp45uyc8VDO1/s7758/20230829_152536.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5818" data-original-width="7758" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9yuGiPwl0T6Rtg4F_QdU-V7wpMoLOyShc1FVcQQOKQEklM0OsMcyCh9X_sU8IKSfh-C0CUVgnJh-AL_oLEmGs5zTfsJ3D809d331ayJbXsdtxajQFFRv1gL3HezA-rW-nHdXPViWJPZ7yk3PZ8hz2nWvdQv_V1K6dVn95aPuOX4zDV9rNp45uyc8VDO1/w640-h480/20230829_152536.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We had the outside annexe rooms, they were a little tired but still great value for the price paid.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02NpFcuNM3ue_578870WJHmi1Eq8S2SSYqTxS2Yp7Xq0J-6O36UCDYJy7N024JG2rkFzCOCyzIEDPNdPHGlxVoLfeAWKF-ehqkQYNRCFLVvTXOf1edktGwLNnCfthYAbs65C-7uhWQDgOVVUZQepoWcCaEVBE4R53YnbsrO5luRBt3TW9XAxrXi8kN11O/s7804/20230829_152839.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5853" data-original-width="7804" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02NpFcuNM3ue_578870WJHmi1Eq8S2SSYqTxS2Yp7Xq0J-6O36UCDYJy7N024JG2rkFzCOCyzIEDPNdPHGlxVoLfeAWKF-ehqkQYNRCFLVvTXOf1edktGwLNnCfthYAbs65C-7uhWQDgOVVUZQepoWcCaEVBE4R53YnbsrO5luRBt3TW9XAxrXi8kN11O/w640-h480/20230829_152839.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walked down into Matlock Bath in the evening.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Originally built at the head of a dead-end dirt road running along the valley of the River Derwent from Matlock, the settlement developed in the 19th century as residential and a spa town which remains a tourist destination. The steep hillside restricts development with most buildings on one side of the valley and only footbridges across the river. The road was upgraded, becoming a through-way, now designated A6, avoiding the previous coaching road approach to Matlock from Cromford over very steep hills near to the Riber plateau area.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJy-M5S3wKB5frH2XOM7XaeAJ1-5Yq1JLAsVwlmnRrB7H0PZTETLGZfSSzg3uLYikB68FEsYI6Mdj6wVkBK7tYQfUS1pwxsqYEmBdjRjOGmWUbQ3AdeNpfHpl6QfBl5w9NIqxMpk4s9fgFdeqvCf-Bx7-Rj7EgytyKnhADrE_K3Nk4s6IO8aMyHPU9dE5/s8160/20230829_172027.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJy-M5S3wKB5frH2XOM7XaeAJ1-5Yq1JLAsVwlmnRrB7H0PZTETLGZfSSzg3uLYikB68FEsYI6Mdj6wVkBK7tYQfUS1pwxsqYEmBdjRjOGmWUbQ3AdeNpfHpl6QfBl5w9NIqxMpk4s9fgFdeqvCf-Bx7-Rj7EgytyKnhADrE_K3Nk4s6IO8aMyHPU9dE5/w640-h480/20230829_172027.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1698, warm springs were discovered and a bath house was built. As the waters became better known, access was improved by building the bridge into Old Matlock and in 1783, the opening of a new entrance at the south of the valley. Princess Victoria of Kent's royal visit in 1832 confirmed Matlock as a society venue of the time. Victoria's party visited a pair of museums and a petrifying well. John Ruskin and Lord Byron were visitors, Byron comparing it with alpine Switzerland, leading to a nickname of Little Switzerland. Erasmus Darwin recommended the area to Josiah Wedgwood I for its beauty and soothing waters, and members of the families vacationed and settled there. Edward Levett Darwin, son of Francis Sacheverel Darwin, lived at Dale House in Matlock Bath, where he was a solicitor.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When the North Midland Railway opened in 1840, carriages plied for hire from Ambergate station. The Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway ran a number of excursions, taking the passengers onward from Ambergate by the Cromford Canal.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Matlock Bath is a designated conservation area with an Article 4 direction in relation to properties, predominantly along North and South Parade.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAg93tXrmuA0Ef6x20nMjcuzGOJoQohOdMQSpA0fJGsBm_8DI0I2_5b3eyw-GfG1eNW1CcsmK15lSgMQXczLIS5FK89lycmfOKEvMwMwFSbe12LlSJAFgErWUKP2XhBfj-B84_JZKjq1duTWkvkopwXfgp69LcLJ8sX44Ys2SvFUO3rnaVGABmrI2inCe/s8160/20230829_172305.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAg93tXrmuA0Ef6x20nMjcuzGOJoQohOdMQSpA0fJGsBm_8DI0I2_5b3eyw-GfG1eNW1CcsmK15lSgMQXczLIS5FK89lycmfOKEvMwMwFSbe12LlSJAFgErWUKP2XhBfj-B84_JZKjq1duTWkvkopwXfgp69LcLJ8sX44Ys2SvFUO3rnaVGABmrI2inCe/w640-h480/20230829_172305.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Matlock Bath is dubbed the Seaside resort a hundred miles from the sea. It is full of chip shops, amusement arcades and candy floss.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFskBLaNmQPZNNaYuwoY4t0P18jDGm9fxf7oFrosG5HLjWcYAzWj70mP31aGH-ISV3JwghLSPDYuwCVDhSDZjqRviRzvVpeDSnoV7KGY5YhEccLrbWxBY5riYyVekmw6lBj9CAPv6nQrgNB1VKfm-Qg0DTUwjhsvvBrqE653AIinIm3lk9WEMCR9FWlQf/s8160/20230829_172449.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFskBLaNmQPZNNaYuwoY4t0P18jDGm9fxf7oFrosG5HLjWcYAzWj70mP31aGH-ISV3JwghLSPDYuwCVDhSDZjqRviRzvVpeDSnoV7KGY5YhEccLrbWxBY5riYyVekmw6lBj9CAPv6nQrgNB1VKfm-Qg0DTUwjhsvvBrqE653AIinIm3lk9WEMCR9FWlQf/w640-h480/20230829_172449.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The thermal springs were said to cure a variety of ailments and when the Old Bath Hotel opened in 1698 (on the site of what is now the Grand Pavilion’s car park), Matlock Bath became a renowned spa resort. ‘My maternal great grandfather was mad for curative waters,’ Smith says. ‘He was a self-taught chemist and built up a successful paintworks company. Using his paint-gotten gains he invested in a hydro, a spa hotel, in Matlock. My dad remembers swimming there as a boy before the war.’</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe36nPU1Z4KL7TW1rzaMrGpmC1kGTWDAgOTRwbMfS7477tNASmbvYOsDZVs2e7oyeAFJ1W0OMi0_3cGQPdYioedvHPIlbBUItDGq5jDLSnF6unvSQpXlyv022KMlXnOHMY4BFqmUHsKm1DqbPM3rLef8X-HcPyspQyfybhyI0tQI9aWP-8fyKsBgjePkEB/s8160/20230829_173647.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe36nPU1Z4KL7TW1rzaMrGpmC1kGTWDAgOTRwbMfS7477tNASmbvYOsDZVs2e7oyeAFJ1W0OMi0_3cGQPdYioedvHPIlbBUItDGq5jDLSnF6unvSQpXlyv022KMlXnOHMY4BFqmUHsKm1DqbPM3rLef8X-HcPyspQyfybhyI0tQI9aWP-8fyKsBgjePkEB/w640-h480/20230829_173647.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Besides ‘taking the waters’ many visitors took to the scenery. From Derwent Gardens the trail climbs the steep tree-lined valley. Peering down from the summit, the pastel-coloured houses and shops line the bottom like sweets in a bag. Ahead is the vast limestone crag of High Tor. At 300 feet, it’s one of England’s tallest inland cliffs. High Tor creates a dramatic, almost alpine setting. Matlock Bath’s Victorian nickname was ‘Little Switzerland’. Today, there is even a cable car, which takes visitors to the Heights of Abraham country park.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Matlock Bath’s sightseers included Lord Byron, Charles Dickens, Nathaniel Hawthorne and the then Princess Victoria. Another was Mary Shelley. Her 1818 novel Frankenstein includes a comment on the landscape: ‘The country in the neighbourhood of this village resembles Switzerland; but everything is on a lower scale.’</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dphe6XaYOxrTjO4akTeAlKZEmkxDxAXzndhfFHonYjEDiXifFm3hUFMhq87a79gjtPcjVRzIcLHVcqUs3MnmyNqUq3iKmZa0_7XPC7XFNqf7FWeGrC5ffRe9_zFtk28agd-XMLx2ygepPM5wVChjzKjoufGTc5vi44DvbVX0jFSpBXwavLq2HNRt-A4h/s8003/20230829_174817.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6002" data-original-width="8003" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dphe6XaYOxrTjO4akTeAlKZEmkxDxAXzndhfFHonYjEDiXifFm3hUFMhq87a79gjtPcjVRzIcLHVcqUs3MnmyNqUq3iKmZa0_7XPC7XFNqf7FWeGrC5ffRe9_zFtk28agd-XMLx2ygepPM5wVChjzKjoufGTc5vi44DvbVX0jFSpBXwavLq2HNRt-A4h/w640-h480/20230829_174817.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55-msRponPjyovvbjszzchz8l_oHej8TOwEkjZWcOvuCx5loV6n4miQ-zyLx77XusNG6QKLgAKEgs6WilGwIsaXVzfWRJgFno_az-K8GmZh5DjnJFvyqEVAPNmLV6RTt3-pXgjkWlZZz3V2qhdaWV1ynu3iPmmOmy_X9ufpUHYjx-Soqk4DwPgDozzEWn/s8160/20230829_175118.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55-msRponPjyovvbjszzchz8l_oHej8TOwEkjZWcOvuCx5loV6n4miQ-zyLx77XusNG6QKLgAKEgs6WilGwIsaXVzfWRJgFno_az-K8GmZh5DjnJFvyqEVAPNmLV6RTt3-pXgjkWlZZz3V2qhdaWV1ynu3iPmmOmy_X9ufpUHYjx-Soqk4DwPgDozzEWn/w640-h480/20230829_175118.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYWXlv3PDONtXCVW8QBBp1D_tnCL1tdG3pBQLV6xDxYuVxq8nF_7glCzeT1lvMaib6ZQ3Ts492N7vcCSZ51IeykN24eAdk3gNOsHWP7rC5WYg9pIfQaaxZmy573RT80h2htegfJD-LAc5W3PGDIXi_rqmPrw5mACB5XhXDWda6Yz0eweMl0SyioNfvsHe/s8160/20230829_175618.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYWXlv3PDONtXCVW8QBBp1D_tnCL1tdG3pBQLV6xDxYuVxq8nF_7glCzeT1lvMaib6ZQ3Ts492N7vcCSZ51IeykN24eAdk3gNOsHWP7rC5WYg9pIfQaaxZmy573RT80h2htegfJD-LAc5W3PGDIXi_rqmPrw5mACB5XhXDWda6Yz0eweMl0SyioNfvsHe/w640-h480/20230829_175618.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We stop in The Fishpond pub where I have a pint to Abbeydale Heathen (Pale Ale-American), the brewery is in Sheffield not too far away.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gbOvrPyHlqWXGrRZic1GFRUyWKilFaHkQ6EP5qvB_G97bFD8oG3r-HexaxyVRp3dsxKpII6wlROz-Gr5LLqpp7DZxNj3Fca8uOjj-I6IwXj8hO5X_cKkVLLK2dIg4bXBdZzvrzmzX9fXCQvno01o8ldoB5G0KHX8o3r3nEvq6iAnIT63YHDAhyAdiXR-/s8160/20230829_180614.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gbOvrPyHlqWXGrRZic1GFRUyWKilFaHkQ6EP5qvB_G97bFD8oG3r-HexaxyVRp3dsxKpII6wlROz-Gr5LLqpp7DZxNj3Fca8uOjj-I6IwXj8hO5X_cKkVLLK2dIg4bXBdZzvrzmzX9fXCQvno01o8ldoB5G0KHX8o3r3nEvq6iAnIT63YHDAhyAdiXR-/w480-h640/20230829_180614.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZ2JXX89wHCjKO31ugInso5SBQMJmYoNjFyQeiuWOFBUdyAoswIsiqLeS5HyaXDzYlxkRKKLjFfT0uQo3yF_FntGqHYgElp1MCPVwUILMT9hoJen-_0Gw-x2jeOncAFIAwSq3ZJYE40quiaD_KTrTIqzLHBjJ4cHE5HbrS2z5TWouHEDfGC_8bBtmrJsY/s8160/20230829_181240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZ2JXX89wHCjKO31ugInso5SBQMJmYoNjFyQeiuWOFBUdyAoswIsiqLeS5HyaXDzYlxkRKKLjFfT0uQo3yF_FntGqHYgElp1MCPVwUILMT9hoJen-_0Gw-x2jeOncAFIAwSq3ZJYE40quiaD_KTrTIqzLHBjJ4cHE5HbrS2z5TWouHEDfGC_8bBtmrJsY/w480-h640/20230829_181240.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeEB_2SqBzrP_CtEsEg-gVmupFUqGMf-qr4QWj84ODp7mjEyAg9L4vcRSp0Ew5zh7QEpb_W-KZw8xl7xyllt8yw72bGTEC19Y3rd681ItFnyVOtSjf-Ovg-AaK99lO9WZbJvnTEsLKg_vHAC_yaRbuko5yHGWxaD_u3nx_oLMBA-R6xagN0ftIAPgOKt9/s8160/20230829_184138.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeEB_2SqBzrP_CtEsEg-gVmupFUqGMf-qr4QWj84ODp7mjEyAg9L4vcRSp0Ew5zh7QEpb_W-KZw8xl7xyllt8yw72bGTEC19Y3rd681ItFnyVOtSjf-Ovg-AaK99lO9WZbJvnTEsLKg_vHAC_yaRbuko5yHGWxaD_u3nx_oLMBA-R6xagN0ftIAPgOKt9/w640-h480/20230829_184138.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We had a delicious burger here, before a stroll along the River Derwent and back to the Hotel.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsl8YdDQy5pe0GCqb7MNKjbHc4l0jIvGDuNJy6JMG81s87SordV2l6jOnmuT5xoxEai947e2by62biENSmOjWsS3pi-fZCqVZGjOPJwTeD0-7Tq9ZYANCnzLfanT_SfhdA2MzCHebvPerqVo_BQOJSMfv3_9NnPeexrxq2RbKgK7tlhkAE1Oqppc8DU2h/s8160/20230829_190943.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsl8YdDQy5pe0GCqb7MNKjbHc4l0jIvGDuNJy6JMG81s87SordV2l6jOnmuT5xoxEai947e2by62biENSmOjWsS3pi-fZCqVZGjOPJwTeD0-7Tq9ZYANCnzLfanT_SfhdA2MzCHebvPerqVo_BQOJSMfv3_9NnPeexrxq2RbKgK7tlhkAE1Oqppc8DU2h/w640-h480/20230829_190943.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-63975906088301499112023-08-31T23:22:00.011+01:002023-09-02T19:38:26.037+01:00Cromford and Cromford Mills Derbyshire 31.08.23 <p style="text-align: center;">On Thursday the 31st August 2023 Mel and I drove up the road to Cromford Mills in Cromford Derbyshire. I learnt about this place in history lessons at school and about Richard Arkwright and his water frame and the start of the Industrial Revolution.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVHO12KmEij0KhJoyAMN196w5ZhD-31vpsvVhKgFqS6ZDCvp9k3gtvQXlI-pOolkNQOMs9MMJZXddCdSrzJyXkK0jpX_QZbCUJCzw5psvDodsxVMlVAqcyfVXqWVoZQ8636BQ16wkfC0PxV94sbVUQaQTf2FVUJ_-YbcmfvPzDnB7anAqKeli2v9gh8j2/s8160/20230831_104907.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVHO12KmEij0KhJoyAMN196w5ZhD-31vpsvVhKgFqS6ZDCvp9k3gtvQXlI-pOolkNQOMs9MMJZXddCdSrzJyXkK0jpX_QZbCUJCzw5psvDodsxVMlVAqcyfVXqWVoZQ8636BQ16wkfC0PxV94sbVUQaQTf2FVUJ_-YbcmfvPzDnB7anAqKeli2v9gh8j2/w640-h480/20230831_104907.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We have breakfast in the café here, two amazing Sausage cobs. Cobs is what they call rolls in this part of the country.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AWPK0NM1CF7TIb5oUZpd2DXLp1rRab97HRYyHZpX5_qiuZCHoaGUL3qiSVfxTAXmOxrFOfzXdow-7NAbgCejkw3adN9LypfpbflUX-yFx5K5_HOCPJQcfc-neEw6CVe6Y2rFPKdNdHtzs3F0oEUu5d3VHCdmn8Zccf572mRSIk_OKwwnTs7JvFSPVKln/s8160/20230831_112215.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AWPK0NM1CF7TIb5oUZpd2DXLp1rRab97HRYyHZpX5_qiuZCHoaGUL3qiSVfxTAXmOxrFOfzXdow-7NAbgCejkw3adN9LypfpbflUX-yFx5K5_HOCPJQcfc-neEw6CVe6Y2rFPKdNdHtzs3F0oEUu5d3VHCdmn8Zccf572mRSIk_OKwwnTs7JvFSPVKln/w480-h640/20230831_112215.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cromford Mill is the world's first water-powered cotton spinning mill, developed by Richard Arkwright in 1771 in Cromford, Derbyshire, England. The mill structure is classified as a Grade I listed building. It is now the centrepiece of the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a multi-use visitor centre with shops, galleries, restaurants and cafes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1g65LVZl1DwYNogBstFpwmegN_cWFn5bRi8pHsaSn9gUBZwUGlwAZwsrMVl8eBBwviBW4upRLnELC1maO9Lj5_ew3IJsLdF2AEGzE1DELOzocY_5bPyty5FFGZMmWfLvffUNdf3Pz9E8fnUFoHjbFxcUXRCLxkmNHTMLetDInAvIHgyvZySuIeCxlf5dx/s8160/20230831_112726.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1g65LVZl1DwYNogBstFpwmegN_cWFn5bRi8pHsaSn9gUBZwUGlwAZwsrMVl8eBBwviBW4upRLnELC1maO9Lj5_ew3IJsLdF2AEGzE1DELOzocY_5bPyty5FFGZMmWfLvffUNdf3Pz9E8fnUFoHjbFxcUXRCLxkmNHTMLetDInAvIHgyvZySuIeCxlf5dx/w640-h480/20230831_112726.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Following the invention of the flying shuttle for weaving cotton in 1733, the demand for spun cotton increased enormously in England. Machines for carding and spinning had already been developed but were inefficient. Spun cotton was also produced by means of the spinning jenny but was insufficiently strong to form the warp of a fabric, for which it was the practice to use linen thread, producing a type of cloth known as fustian. In 1769, Richard Arkwright patented a water frame to use the extra power of a water mill after he had set up a horse-powered mill in Nottingham.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhLvxmlCVb_SfCEZUsX6u06SA1DRJ__H_692GfX7JBf58ofwskGePagDRLH_lfJXwTiO_4e8Jt0hO58uj9hFN5MdxiZXHM1zjh_mWH_c8XWESTGhUSMtJn_G3ftsFVQOki6XgnVvgpkesj41HFo1A3v5UtfpBwKYHU8LTIHui7GDJ4QFNIzXV9stW2Gcd/s8160/20230831_112829.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhLvxmlCVb_SfCEZUsX6u06SA1DRJ__H_692GfX7JBf58ofwskGePagDRLH_lfJXwTiO_4e8Jt0hO58uj9hFN5MdxiZXHM1zjh_mWH_c8XWESTGhUSMtJn_G3ftsFVQOki6XgnVvgpkesj41HFo1A3v5UtfpBwKYHU8LTIHui7GDJ4QFNIzXV9stW2Gcd/w640-h480/20230831_112829.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">He chose the site at Cromford because it had year-round supply of warm water from the Cromford Sough which drained water from nearby Wirksworth lead mines, together with Bonsall Brook. Here he built a five-storey mill, with the backing of Jedediah Strutt (whom he met in a Nottingham bank via Ichabod Wright), Samuel Need and John Smalley. Starting from 1772, he ran the mills day and night with two twelve-hour shifts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3P43I9G7vsJ1N5PYnbgezpJL3sbRq33B78-LzS7KeFUoD0jmsW3MlLarNmkvuizY2nE7oCrZRp_zxMsm1pxOko93_xIa5OH_sI1tw4c0HIKRilLTOavzLntT4x-j3kI4r5dkerLEFe-l0P4bxIX9s1b-1-edXFNNNYO2KpkBZAQYtNwGcXziTa8JqEQc/s8160/20230831_113517.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3P43I9G7vsJ1N5PYnbgezpJL3sbRq33B78-LzS7KeFUoD0jmsW3MlLarNmkvuizY2nE7oCrZRp_zxMsm1pxOko93_xIa5OH_sI1tw4c0HIKRilLTOavzLntT4x-j3kI4r5dkerLEFe-l0P4bxIX9s1b-1-edXFNNNYO2KpkBZAQYtNwGcXziTa8JqEQc/w640-h480/20230831_113517.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He started with 200 workers, more than the locality could provide, so he built housing for them nearby, one of the first manufacturers to do so. Most of the employees were women and children, the youngest being only seven years old. Later, the minimum age was raised to ten and the children were given six hours of education a week, so that they could do the record-keeping that their illiterate parents could not.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A large part of the village was built to house the mill workers. Stuart Fisher states that these are now considered to be "the first factory housing development in the world". Employees were provided with shops, pubs, chapels and a school.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The gate to Cromford Mill was shut at precisely 6 am and 6 pm every day, and any worker who failed to get through it not only lost a day's pay but also was fined another day's pay.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIiuhGw1pFVfqJxvRGK3jaGW7W1q_kWd3RG_oh6GH7qKWsGDboUwZ3fFHSaWk5-2L4soALFqWj2bmbfT0NIo5z2RhY3arHC5NXE6fSZtWq-ATlHK6FKrmGPcvzdcPMuw2hNEnmS0HUgeLgK6fne2fb5SkSxp4ITf9YT_TDSNI1dqLo4lVlercB2AkBc9J/s8160/20230831_113528.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIiuhGw1pFVfqJxvRGK3jaGW7W1q_kWd3RG_oh6GH7qKWsGDboUwZ3fFHSaWk5-2L4soALFqWj2bmbfT0NIo5z2RhY3arHC5NXE6fSZtWq-ATlHK6FKrmGPcvzdcPMuw2hNEnmS0HUgeLgK6fne2fb5SkSxp4ITf9YT_TDSNI1dqLo4lVlercB2AkBc9J/w640-h480/20230831_113528.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The cotton mill ceased operation in the 19th century and the buildings were used for other purposes, finally a dyeing plant. In 1979, the Grade I listed site was bought by the Arkwright Society, who began the long task of restoring it to its original state.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The importance of this site is not that it was the first but that it was the first successful cotton spinning factory. It showed unequivocally the way ahead and was widely emulated.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpNP_YJRKKDiXW755ZqN0McokK_9_EiSUATujfBO92CVSkOwG3mjT85Ulwe3g2e2KKAOIq7D5W7Bs6WQoCfsbqYAC1fZp5TGoiYkBmxal_QZ6tFOvLzmtoB9u0gc1SAZzTopIA_ESmpiDLSsvWXDWokDKHmh3NzLbVGZWtutaRS6ThYshFPdFaOa3cuW2/s8160/20230831_113623.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpNP_YJRKKDiXW755ZqN0McokK_9_EiSUATujfBO92CVSkOwG3mjT85Ulwe3g2e2KKAOIq7D5W7Bs6WQoCfsbqYAC1fZp5TGoiYkBmxal_QZ6tFOvLzmtoB9u0gc1SAZzTopIA_ESmpiDLSsvWXDWokDKHmh3NzLbVGZWtutaRS6ThYshFPdFaOa3cuW2/w640-h480/20230831_113623.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sluice in the mill yard used to control the water supply.</div><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.16px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KucsZTheERxrm3lE8AOIDR8HeQH2MpDeF6xZUpl8pdY1Hz3CbHWYrM7ZRSpbUpXh_8iN7t7UDM-846mD2rnMM6W40bEKBzW81TWf8jLd7YBCtU7U8mOLQT9ay6V8mrKFUH0jBf9UnmGCwl9Fagtgb7hwE4Ng2uqHl77zwJ01lMIY9mtXvW9DKc6eb0cl/s8160/20230831_114759.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KucsZTheERxrm3lE8AOIDR8HeQH2MpDeF6xZUpl8pdY1Hz3CbHWYrM7ZRSpbUpXh_8iN7t7UDM-846mD2rnMM6W40bEKBzW81TWf8jLd7YBCtU7U8mOLQT9ay6V8mrKFUH0jBf9UnmGCwl9Fagtgb7hwE4Ng2uqHl77zwJ01lMIY9mtXvW9DKc6eb0cl/w640-h480/20230831_114759.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We leave the Mills and walk pass St Marys Church down by the River Derwent.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAY12jUO8bKhQWncTUZBPLnkfOeFvTGOTfbWJ1oVuehnAKQSMwUsZyvm6z7ClpTHp2_wEMF4WRClwVQTzStVPHdIxqNxy5fqtT369Xua5CtXQqGPHdxmawHvBlsWaxS_Spjp1IZdT-CTJpSi1lTWo6SeR5neLGe3MnNOS2Any5PdYKI7RIgUnr2sc4w1f/s7746/20230831_114848.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5810" data-original-width="7746" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAY12jUO8bKhQWncTUZBPLnkfOeFvTGOTfbWJ1oVuehnAKQSMwUsZyvm6z7ClpTHp2_wEMF4WRClwVQTzStVPHdIxqNxy5fqtT369Xua5CtXQqGPHdxmawHvBlsWaxS_Spjp1IZdT-CTJpSi1lTWo6SeR5neLGe3MnNOS2Any5PdYKI7RIgUnr2sc4w1f/w640-h480/20230831_114848.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We cross the road and walk over to the Cromford Canal.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q1f1KGjv4t6PJGZLWikw_UqhGtgJ7gXWyWdu3a-YDMLow8nWexUqC5djOYR8i8Mw2zn_bThHHKGHGLRAOoFrb5ChQh_uy1Q_1ne02-qxAn25bfhndWMKL6SAwTye_x9n_0JEH_aiOTVj-17aL-vYiAJdAueCR754Roe80gYMLElPnP-8amn3ZezrQHYj/s7494/20230831_115258.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7494" data-original-width="5621" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q1f1KGjv4t6PJGZLWikw_UqhGtgJ7gXWyWdu3a-YDMLow8nWexUqC5djOYR8i8Mw2zn_bThHHKGHGLRAOoFrb5ChQh_uy1Q_1ne02-qxAn25bfhndWMKL6SAwTye_x9n_0JEH_aiOTVj-17aL-vYiAJdAueCR754Roe80gYMLElPnP-8amn3ZezrQHYj/w480-h640/20230831_115258.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Cromford Canal ran 14.5 miles (23.3 kilometres) from Cromford to the Erewash Canal in Derbyshire, England with a branch to Pinxton. Built by William Jessop with the assistance of Benjamin Outram, its alignment included four tunnels and 14 locks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">From Cromford it ran south following the 275-foot (84 m) contour line along the east side of the valley of the Derwent to Ambergate, where it turned eastwards along the Amber valley. It turned sharply to cross the valley, crossing the river and the Ambergate to Nottingham road, by means of an aqueduct at Bullbridge, before turning towards Ripley. From there the Butterley Tunnel took it through to the Erewash Valley.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">From the tunnel it continued to Ironville, the junction for the branch to Pinxton, and then descended through fourteen locks to meet the Erewash Canal at Langley Mill. The Pinxton Branch became important as a route for Nottinghamshire coal, via the Erewash, to the River Trent and Leicester and was a terminus of the Mansfield and Pinxton Railway.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A 6-mile (9.7 km) long section of the Cromford canal between Cromford and Ambergate is listed as a Biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Local Nature Reserve.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In addition to purely canal traffic, there was a lively freight interchange with the Cromford and High Peak Railway, which traversed the plateau of the Peak District from Whaley Bridge in the north west, and which descended to the canal at High Peak Junction by means of an inclined plane.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsqMaSbPyr_rA2Fz7gBBbe8wRsyYrXz9nfWyQrBkZk6IwU_qjoP9_v5MhXdH20KeH2mK2AxuNn5L1I3ts7IFmU7UlheLvtwuuhCBof2cSV2ZL44ltKwIDtykTBfUjS10dzK0BkHNL8HhoQXUEGmugMvuZ5_nWqVlYpRIS6OdvXQ0S9nOiL_zkQu4mdxEs/s7639/20230831_115519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5729" data-original-width="7639" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsqMaSbPyr_rA2Fz7gBBbe8wRsyYrXz9nfWyQrBkZk6IwU_qjoP9_v5MhXdH20KeH2mK2AxuNn5L1I3ts7IFmU7UlheLvtwuuhCBof2cSV2ZL44ltKwIDtykTBfUjS10dzK0BkHNL8HhoQXUEGmugMvuZ5_nWqVlYpRIS6OdvXQ0S9nOiL_zkQu4mdxEs/w640-h480/20230831_115519.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">We start to walk along the canal, but it doesn't look aspiring so we decide to drive to Dovedale for a walk.</p><p><br /></p></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-85653843783637280592023-08-31T23:21:00.034+01:002023-09-02T18:57:31.318+01:00Dovedale to Milldale Peak District walk 31.08.23 <p>GPX File <a href="https://www.haroldstreet.org.uk/routes/download/?walk=6081" target="_blank">Here</a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Mel and I park in the National Trust Car Park here for free as I'm a member else its £7 for the day. We leave the car and walk down alongside The River Dove.</p><div style="text-align: center;">We passed the Izaak Walton Hotel, named after the author of the book The Compleat Angler. He fished the River Dove in the mid 17th century. Bunster Hill is on our left and Thorpe Cloud is ahead of us, with the flat top.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUJQCfUVh2lEHvH00UKkG0LovuUNQrWrMTlq-30FwbtCNI1Ckg3t7kPTTZfIcjTR5JJxqrMwyUpXg3v7mgkv40eIPUYQu1QxMuFZb97q_Qf4LWKX1InbpRpfWBUvRHBXjSATUuTEQupQ59UeL-EwhN7hNdyefUY_DKgGYtTyRkkCsxBz2YbC50RJrqfK9/s7960/20230831_124847.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5970" data-original-width="7960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUJQCfUVh2lEHvH00UKkG0LovuUNQrWrMTlq-30FwbtCNI1Ckg3t7kPTTZfIcjTR5JJxqrMwyUpXg3v7mgkv40eIPUYQu1QxMuFZb97q_Qf4LWKX1InbpRpfWBUvRHBXjSATUuTEQupQ59UeL-EwhN7hNdyefUY_DKgGYtTyRkkCsxBz2YbC50RJrqfK9/w640-h480/20230831_124847.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dovedale is a valley in the Peak District of England. The land is owned by the National Trust, and annually attracts a million visitors. The valley was cut by the River Dove and runs for just over 3 miles (5 km) between Milldale in the north and a wooded ravine near Thorpe Cloud and Bunster Hill in the south. In the wooded ravine, a set of stepping stones cross the river, and there are two caves known as the Dove Holes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BLJJ5jF47Gd-x4RUZmCmV0cR2tWIDp6uXQARrSwexGCMZSkyK7J4OTcFS7z48zeTTkgLWrhPPpmivAFn546Im6A0AJvU5Bks-JxLLfXcnu1lT4JfJcLdk1n055aY-pnukSXyXrjX55DUQk0ul6F7UXMkx3zuUKkQjYiks_juxIv0V_9c6JjmKEm81i0q/s8160/20230831_125044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BLJJ5jF47Gd-x4RUZmCmV0cR2tWIDp6uXQARrSwexGCMZSkyK7J4OTcFS7z48zeTTkgLWrhPPpmivAFn546Im6A0AJvU5Bks-JxLLfXcnu1lT4JfJcLdk1n055aY-pnukSXyXrjX55DUQk0ul6F7UXMkx3zuUKkQjYiks_juxIv0V_9c6JjmKEm81i0q/w640-h480/20230831_125044.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dovedale's other attractions include rock pillars such as Ilam Rock, Viator's Bridge, and the limestone features Lovers' Leap and Reynard's Cave.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlVr9z0BOEETh_RLpMYHmY8e70uoTwleGZQcuMgrxw6DzRtu63MdCBqLgFZq-qYtH12n6Sk7IUCM0X6qZq6ZjH0RDjYskI03eEivfFuzx1mFwvnKf5jWKS5wBtqDTb8bLo5sTH_krLU2WQtuCH2955RFmNI1eW4CylW5ytsNtkxiupQyGB7q5EZHkxNik/s7611/20230831_125648.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5708" data-original-width="7611" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlVr9z0BOEETh_RLpMYHmY8e70uoTwleGZQcuMgrxw6DzRtu63MdCBqLgFZq-qYtH12n6Sk7IUCM0X6qZq6ZjH0RDjYskI03eEivfFuzx1mFwvnKf5jWKS5wBtqDTb8bLo5sTH_krLU2WQtuCH2955RFmNI1eW4CylW5ytsNtkxiupQyGB7q5EZHkxNik/w640-h480/20230831_125648.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A look back to where we walked up.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">The river marks the boundary between Derbyshire and Staffordshire.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEa7Vxn12XglVb-BBTBfxek7yTKFhULJsgOPoDAinOvbn_XZAKdDXn_Y36laFJgx01pZsI8FQON2Ke1cqlOHgp-mFD3kWN7d6QYrKyS3G0xZjjKpBH7-OyX4jM5Cbr1DNmEHiCxNQXKIe-PwuiKggOCxnaRy1HvVZDHgnJ0_xB4S5K6I8kPnO-pgD9e9xc/s7317/20230831_125716.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5488" data-original-width="7317" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEa7Vxn12XglVb-BBTBfxek7yTKFhULJsgOPoDAinOvbn_XZAKdDXn_Y36laFJgx01pZsI8FQON2Ke1cqlOHgp-mFD3kWN7d6QYrKyS3G0xZjjKpBH7-OyX4jM5Cbr1DNmEHiCxNQXKIe-PwuiKggOCxnaRy1HvVZDHgnJ0_xB4S5K6I8kPnO-pgD9e9xc/w640-h480/20230831_125716.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">We reach the Stepping stones across the River Dove, it's a lot busier than when I visited in January 2019.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDSBEgpxICF6hSaN01JofTBkv-xsC9Rg1kQu5wb6JlWquJ3jO15zp3KfVeszPQ2rUXqVxhsRgJgDm_oX46GwL6D3q5JnPAZc2Cqy02LQ0rC_3-hC8D8TCuv4G3XA7MEhFE9zqIrxnu3vmG5ddqbk2KL1yph4XmhEzT9G4nx617jwAH_AQFMJCN0YzQZyh/s8160/20230831_125724.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDSBEgpxICF6hSaN01JofTBkv-xsC9Rg1kQu5wb6JlWquJ3jO15zp3KfVeszPQ2rUXqVxhsRgJgDm_oX46GwL6D3q5JnPAZc2Cqy02LQ0rC_3-hC8D8TCuv4G3XA7MEhFE9zqIrxnu3vmG5ddqbk2KL1yph4XmhEzT9G4nx617jwAH_AQFMJCN0YzQZyh/w640-h480/20230831_125724.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Put in place in the middle of the 19th century, the stones have long been a magnet for visitors to the area. There are lots of fossils in the stones, you can spot them as you cross them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="527" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n0xw_Bn1fvQ" width="634" youtube-src-id="n0xw_Bn1fvQ"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xFaicQGfJuA3fJxd06PPpFnRIMpTgl30CkDNR-GvAp4rr8awQp00tJ06LE6W4A5HmqRaO6yLuAmc1UblJFEGFWzs4fAT1LZ1URpz0yLAFYnbtl60w8PXA5t4NAuYD07-gUleU4cUC-8jzQFpZy1T5wvitjqsys04B_nxofOW6d3riUeMz9wRCSBea7dB/s8160/20230831_130136.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xFaicQGfJuA3fJxd06PPpFnRIMpTgl30CkDNR-GvAp4rr8awQp00tJ06LE6W4A5HmqRaO6yLuAmc1UblJFEGFWzs4fAT1LZ1URpz0yLAFYnbtl60w8PXA5t4NAuYD07-gUleU4cUC-8jzQFpZy1T5wvitjqsys04B_nxofOW6d3riUeMz9wRCSBea7dB/w640-h480/20230831_130136.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The River Dove is a famous trout stream. Charles Cotton's Fishing House, the inspiration for Izaak Walton's The Compleat Angler, stands in the woods by the river. From Hartington to its confluence with the River Manifold at Ilam the River Dove flows through the scenic limestone valley known as Dove Valley, or Dovedale. From Hartington south to Ilam, a distance of eight miles (13 km), the Dove flows through Beresford Dale, Wolfscote Dale, Milldale, and then Dovedale.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1ibaUJ2igYQOEOqeeijpAIdssWNopZoM069QMN_HLUNqzByCJ-BVGkh0VHA-nLb90rXTtyeLq6trx0vI8TqmrROCGGLFPsIQy_LwpPWU664saetxVCN1DeM4aiqtLV_I88PbZ3TLA9W_62_LIiVNqnp_WWhzJ-vswuJ3CGPXfnHuvZbGyXxvfJTU25Tc/s7650/20230831_130254.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5738" data-original-width="7650" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1ibaUJ2igYQOEOqeeijpAIdssWNopZoM069QMN_HLUNqzByCJ-BVGkh0VHA-nLb90rXTtyeLq6trx0vI8TqmrROCGGLFPsIQy_LwpPWU664saetxVCN1DeM4aiqtLV_I88PbZ3TLA9W_62_LIiVNqnp_WWhzJ-vswuJ3CGPXfnHuvZbGyXxvfJTU25Tc/w640-h480/20230831_130254.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View back to the Stepping Stones with Thorpe Cloud looming above.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksopyU7b7__-fgPgsqWaYkVUqL6y9TnhRfiSuhCyk_9Zzh73iskCuQwy9kAFztYiLTeUFK6diJhX4qNMlRe-MLXOdLSLCgMaygvbvcLOmNyh88bbRqWQoKiTH0B0tLbacBNRk6xZlDwesYekM7HxkuXFM8EWvj90JlJRhgvAwMBLO9AJ-pIGb0J4oXKF1/s8160/20230831_130852.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksopyU7b7__-fgPgsqWaYkVUqL6y9TnhRfiSuhCyk_9Zzh73iskCuQwy9kAFztYiLTeUFK6diJhX4qNMlRe-MLXOdLSLCgMaygvbvcLOmNyh88bbRqWQoKiTH0B0tLbacBNRk6xZlDwesYekM7HxkuXFM8EWvj90JlJRhgvAwMBLO9AJ-pIGb0J4oXKF1/w480-h640/20230831_130852.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We now follow The River Dove towards Milldale.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't help but marvel at the sight of the Limestone gorge, its rock formations, the babbling river and the silence of it all! Heaven!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhvgdAf_Wyk3YDdXv60jteMq-Bz4E0RYXtdLkdRLinKzNK3sFpi5Mxy77Y8JhI3iaJvAN683o_KRmHTyg0wS5zo1LDutqH_5O3qeo8kAflPG_qMSW6ZPF9YiFK5iM5pOon4KdoD_40XMlUh_K6aUQ4eg-4U19FgGPKT9PjV6bhAe6z_I97n6ofCGf-q1R/s8160/20230831_131236.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhvgdAf_Wyk3YDdXv60jteMq-Bz4E0RYXtdLkdRLinKzNK3sFpi5Mxy77Y8JhI3iaJvAN683o_KRmHTyg0wS5zo1LDutqH_5O3qeo8kAflPG_qMSW6ZPF9YiFK5iM5pOon4KdoD_40XMlUh_K6aUQ4eg-4U19FgGPKT9PjV6bhAe6z_I97n6ofCGf-q1R/w640-h480/20230831_131236.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I told Mel its all nice and flat, I forgot about this steep uphill section!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpnJ1rWjtNQYMxrrAqVBpaQVbwmFWvx_IvNY-eUZG-gGxrgJFC8WMfN7tcnCyBmS-j3UThVxpE8DhQFUeoR4N3zboPQ640vjO5pei3lbK3xqZh7A--Detx29SinD2sA9RF3tad0lpyrxqbqGlG0qIM3RWfyfZY0_vxdfCVIXH24wjFLZ2VMRRNwmSZlvz/s7734/20230831_131636.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5800" data-original-width="7734" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpnJ1rWjtNQYMxrrAqVBpaQVbwmFWvx_IvNY-eUZG-gGxrgJFC8WMfN7tcnCyBmS-j3UThVxpE8DhQFUeoR4N3zboPQ640vjO5pei3lbK3xqZh7A--Detx29SinD2sA9RF3tad0lpyrxqbqGlG0qIM3RWfyfZY0_vxdfCVIXH24wjFLZ2VMRRNwmSZlvz/w640-h480/20230831_131636.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We got to the top and stop for a breather and take on some water.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvLysVtW6wupKxLrbtp_mKdQO1oT4lFHwN_b7JF043py3ZXZjctaTOz4SddelrItgo9VIZMpuL1VVQY1k8zxZmJ1nV7USgZ_QaxTNUlGKiHxTVFM5tM3W4IYKcQ9t0vKztmLSneSDPJjuuTHfYpc4C8ubyTcUqlV9N_ck4-UZrf4rGMuWgJ7I-ni_L1Cm/s8160/20230831_132043.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvLysVtW6wupKxLrbtp_mKdQO1oT4lFHwN_b7JF043py3ZXZjctaTOz4SddelrItgo9VIZMpuL1VVQY1k8zxZmJ1nV7USgZ_QaxTNUlGKiHxTVFM5tM3W4IYKcQ9t0vKztmLSneSDPJjuuTHfYpc4C8ubyTcUqlV9N_ck4-UZrf4rGMuWgJ7I-ni_L1Cm/w640-h480/20230831_132043.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dovedale is of special ecological interest for its plant life, particularly the calcareous ash woods, which are considered among the best in England.There are unusual plants such as Solomon's seal, lily of the valley, Paris quadrifolia and small and large-leaved lime trees.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A large number of Ash trees have been cut down after Ash dieback disease has hit here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriW6L45gA-qeVbPsdzsPSDFJuKcxLCdTxjvvwm3zFKkBTwD9pb95RL3k-DteBPg2V68WH2Y_YqUimb4VzdfpQCAzWQDLbtoO8e168WrJ0vHuzWBWje9TQMl-xI55Ay918VgHYONrvVOU8r4HKVxU83MY3tXyRc6zhWkOFRl2RFZfr6VU6R6Pyw0PZ7Duu/s8160/20230831_132143.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriW6L45gA-qeVbPsdzsPSDFJuKcxLCdTxjvvwm3zFKkBTwD9pb95RL3k-DteBPg2V68WH2Y_YqUimb4VzdfpQCAzWQDLbtoO8e168WrJ0vHuzWBWje9TQMl-xI55Ay918VgHYONrvVOU8r4HKVxU83MY3tXyRc6zhWkOFRl2RFZfr6VU6R6Pyw0PZ7Duu/w640-h480/20230831_132143.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The gorge towering overhead reminds me of a cartoon where Wile E Coyote throws a rock on an unsuspecting roadrunner.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZrz0tIio0BIhR04CQB5in2Xsdfl6HjOdxr_1En5T6nTgM8CIRp1vbMDq4vBek--apT6MtE-7bYhvjWHo4uoWsY_BThK2rXhA4mPs_J3JTSPyyk6lkyyecePE97CIGMOc_251_oWBNGcjE1MHyAO0eGy5dMVl8syUjwXvlvXCZsBDhauHZufdya-RgVFn/s8160/20230831_132900.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZrz0tIio0BIhR04CQB5in2Xsdfl6HjOdxr_1En5T6nTgM8CIRp1vbMDq4vBek--apT6MtE-7bYhvjWHo4uoWsY_BThK2rXhA4mPs_J3JTSPyyk6lkyyecePE97CIGMOc_251_oWBNGcjE1MHyAO0eGy5dMVl8syUjwXvlvXCZsBDhauHZufdya-RgVFn/w480-h640/20230831_132900.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJ_I334WBxq_-WYH3HkJeB_yz32HAgdCR4IMSCjkRdmovktNYYW76B8CDCa8lROy71wM6vr5W5FRNz4u45MkRCyGpihXiBeMzv8x0SeoeLts5jxwWYoJ-eVD1QCsH19b5hTYI43KeOMl0sDU8ewVQQ3c6p1nIJYZlQmVnSbmGFzGujSIO33AVBf6F93rM/s2944/20230831_133038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJ_I334WBxq_-WYH3HkJeB_yz32HAgdCR4IMSCjkRdmovktNYYW76B8CDCa8lROy71wM6vr5W5FRNz4u45MkRCyGpihXiBeMzv8x0SeoeLts5jxwWYoJ-eVD1QCsH19b5hTYI43KeOMl0sDU8ewVQQ3c6p1nIJYZlQmVnSbmGFzGujSIO33AVBf6F93rM/w480-h640/20230831_133038.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJX89dWtlCtyVX-59Z4nfR3noRF1suwqJa6S1nNOoaM5jUTf4kfxmB1rRrHBXeV9xSPcsdnIuGVT3GsJxw0t5y_v1v4PQxyl0nQTiwJZBYl8UB6bnaNa-km6lGevReEjcvx4IoP-3-NWToAwk67C2Wp8o2PJD-1Ci-RX6jQEGVkKajz0cnhgcdeFkxoEQp/s7986/20230831_133531.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7986" data-original-width="5990" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJX89dWtlCtyVX-59Z4nfR3noRF1suwqJa6S1nNOoaM5jUTf4kfxmB1rRrHBXeV9xSPcsdnIuGVT3GsJxw0t5y_v1v4PQxyl0nQTiwJZBYl8UB6bnaNa-km6lGevReEjcvx4IoP-3-NWToAwk67C2Wp8o2PJD-1Ci-RX6jQEGVkKajz0cnhgcdeFkxoEQp/w480-h640/20230831_133531.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tRZFsE4OTDB_HJDGY6inby2iMHhfyF-2r3yedplzIJjf6KQIBqzzvkqNkSOpni7QiuaJ3PfdQ-q8Zzb1Ex3z1PaI1EfTWhqAA4PuPDYB-wS7JZeLiweQt4Uai7OGtIaphp54rZbvgLJf2-EvRjLXnVuIX2TEDVC-15b85AjQb-pu30TENw0EbSHRQuZQ/s8160/20230831_133639.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tRZFsE4OTDB_HJDGY6inby2iMHhfyF-2r3yedplzIJjf6KQIBqzzvkqNkSOpni7QiuaJ3PfdQ-q8Zzb1Ex3z1PaI1EfTWhqAA4PuPDYB-wS7JZeLiweQt4Uai7OGtIaphp54rZbvgLJf2-EvRjLXnVuIX2TEDVC-15b85AjQb-pu30TENw0EbSHRQuZQ/w640-h480/20230831_133639.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We reach the bridge that leads over to Ilam Rock.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnd9uQEyqM-PrXEA6oeymMSzl2wJunBH2pijJgW7BlCZ0Cy3rijdSVO8hYjbFScxcs-3W4Nz924lbxV81jGs7ScjphQz_86hdyNWSEWgWFffhP_fggNqHcijg9np2Fc_6KjFwkZTwRVYqcZDIfnf3w0VYFXUWr92YO8zz2ILBaT6gPq_SnaYopCZecE5F/s7673/20230831_133807.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5754" data-original-width="7673" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnd9uQEyqM-PrXEA6oeymMSzl2wJunBH2pijJgW7BlCZ0Cy3rijdSVO8hYjbFScxcs-3W4Nz924lbxV81jGs7ScjphQz_86hdyNWSEWgWFffhP_fggNqHcijg9np2Fc_6KjFwkZTwRVYqcZDIfnf3w0VYFXUWr92YO8zz2ILBaT6gPq_SnaYopCZecE5F/w640-h480/20230831_133807.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The limestone rock that forms parts of Dovedale is the fossilised remains of sea creatures that lived in a shallow, tropical lagoon about 350 million years ago. During the two ice ages, the limestone was cut into craggy shapes. Dovedale is famous for its numerous limestone rock formations. Ilam rock pictured here is one of the most spectacular, standing at about 25 metres high.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AEpXk90JFP_M6JLGyX16XkGLeQ0uLSSXnQUQGKEHPmIZkWNlDilzzZxgoo4kCs6QERLxr6FjKtqrksDGfnafSo9DdOF80VhRSpRUO7Kc_dzc2TdRRe3VamzTDytNsGJd8PysJ17-mZqVGCskEVomOSk5h9Mu0HrZyd2CmlkdlmXPKxcsJVSrk5dLhLQI/s8160/20230831_134619.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AEpXk90JFP_M6JLGyX16XkGLeQ0uLSSXnQUQGKEHPmIZkWNlDilzzZxgoo4kCs6QERLxr6FjKtqrksDGfnafSo9DdOF80VhRSpRUO7Kc_dzc2TdRRe3VamzTDytNsGJd8PysJ17-mZqVGCskEVomOSk5h9Mu0HrZyd2CmlkdlmXPKxcsJVSrk5dLhLQI/w640-h480/20230831_134619.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's another mile and a quarter to Milldale, We stop for a rest on the bridge while Mel makes up her mind if she wants to turn back or crack on to Milldale.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbtNGbXaZwxVg4FTqB50WjMGyHkORX95FIgWRY4OEPt8WP5ZWXuLEI0xTCRTy9EyRydAn4Kke_gPuX88Au8fOABbRgri1d11hGs_2ZVBk9Av0UpH4yFk5nDw8_TosKaeDZIigPVEYEHZPeUw0JX5gNmQ095rEMvH8a5uO_KCLV0C5wNnD1cfDrwFe_qQy/s8160/20230831_134843.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbtNGbXaZwxVg4FTqB50WjMGyHkORX95FIgWRY4OEPt8WP5ZWXuLEI0xTCRTy9EyRydAn4Kke_gPuX88Au8fOABbRgri1d11hGs_2ZVBk9Av0UpH4yFk5nDw8_TosKaeDZIigPVEYEHZPeUw0JX5gNmQ095rEMvH8a5uO_KCLV0C5wNnD1cfDrwFe_qQy/w640-h480/20230831_134843.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mel decides she'll walk on, so we walk on towards Milldale.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinusg_k8o6vtEm2AzaWTCBFQ4qlWM8Hheh5xHNL6DNg7Ht1MctxwWSfPbMWlAdl1n2Jg_F6n8wJoDi5ZMlZO90I59KW1dsda1keMCQTvU-o0ADsoppt6SxAHJfiz2PEDOdv61cgD3Mw33h63ZKa8sfHDUpxRn3ZwPSuGPDVqpah4GKZKSPGjLtYZnTCLc7/s8160/20230831_134942.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinusg_k8o6vtEm2AzaWTCBFQ4qlWM8Hheh5xHNL6DNg7Ht1MctxwWSfPbMWlAdl1n2Jg_F6n8wJoDi5ZMlZO90I59KW1dsda1keMCQTvU-o0ADsoppt6SxAHJfiz2PEDOdv61cgD3Mw33h63ZKa8sfHDUpxRn3ZwPSuGPDVqpah4GKZKSPGjLtYZnTCLc7/w640-h480/20230831_134942.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We now reach Dove Holes, that resemble cave mouths.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUE8t_UIJnmvxs0SVkCcdSxMcbb60gywwar5sbdNAL20wp6VIn8Esk5bKFjFa548P0x9wpjwGW_HIyVGBwEvlvKJSffNC-KMg5KbI5ApyqzKR3q13x7TcsNrmJRspCA2a5jFGepnx7LrA35c7uQMrgt5UAh5OmtjRvT06p7c_qe_J2Tw8Up_xmf0RuKaQA/s7519/20230831_135113.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5639" data-original-width="7519" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUE8t_UIJnmvxs0SVkCcdSxMcbb60gywwar5sbdNAL20wp6VIn8Esk5bKFjFa548P0x9wpjwGW_HIyVGBwEvlvKJSffNC-KMg5KbI5ApyqzKR3q13x7TcsNrmJRspCA2a5jFGepnx7LrA35c7uQMrgt5UAh5OmtjRvT06p7c_qe_J2Tw8Up_xmf0RuKaQA/w640-h480/20230831_135113.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0iVE2XMVx-9HDTP-kbZod6S5oyU_F7NiEABG9mWoKIsdunkAYweUXU7ys0w7UBNXr1dpAXIgnQBmxTLZzYi9Xz_sDem0s_UDXAi8On2nrM97DUNZKV-lSD-JqNjdpJyJDOxHNNgPcE4IXuMtclFBg4-bgmRcerMm_uMka3zYAWzjTtywC9MzbXf6gpCI/s2944/20230831_135124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="2944" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0iVE2XMVx-9HDTP-kbZod6S5oyU_F7NiEABG9mWoKIsdunkAYweUXU7ys0w7UBNXr1dpAXIgnQBmxTLZzYi9Xz_sDem0s_UDXAi8On2nrM97DUNZKV-lSD-JqNjdpJyJDOxHNNgPcE4IXuMtclFBg4-bgmRcerMm_uMka3zYAWzjTtywC9MzbXf6gpCI/w640-h480/20230831_135124.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dove Holes Caves are in the valley of Dovedale in the Peak District of England. The valley was carved by the two Ice Ages and subsequently the River Dove; and stretches for just over 5 km (3 mi). These dry caves were once used by hunters as shelters around 13,000 BCE and later, (4,500 years ago) as tombs by Neolithic farmers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The caves lie beside a bend in the river Dove near Nab Dale in what is part of the Dovedale National Nature Reserve, designated in 2006 because of its diverse plant life and natural rock formations. Their oval forms were probably created by swirling meltwaters when massive glaciers filled the valley.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dove Holes Caves are very accessible to walkers passing by on the path alongside the River Dove. The larger cave has a somewhat steep rocky entrance; the smaller is somewhat shallower. However, though they are impressive to look at, they are quite shallow with no deep passages leading off to explore.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYYd1m9m_bLvpZ6I4NG_zyPgA65PEYrUoeQFpiLvnDfDS6E6YIvyDkSxwk9LuJolEdn0JvmdXpQ0ePGQF96_LIx9czHtomDh9UT-kxh2bHfAGSgAwnxk35SWjMhbkRAv96NS_D7tctpXNqz5ebptC6d0Lol6yjl3iFBSVhOSRaXBByx6n8gLpAAwWaRGe/s2048/IMG-20230831-WA0014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYYd1m9m_bLvpZ6I4NG_zyPgA65PEYrUoeQFpiLvnDfDS6E6YIvyDkSxwk9LuJolEdn0JvmdXpQ0ePGQF96_LIx9czHtomDh9UT-kxh2bHfAGSgAwnxk35SWjMhbkRAv96NS_D7tctpXNqz5ebptC6d0Lol6yjl3iFBSVhOSRaXBByx6n8gLpAAwWaRGe/w640-h480/IMG-20230831-WA0014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_1u5VXz5_AWCGTKAFhfcjABPl1ldMCMYSPBmEfejbFlLjDsyPL8sLRHa2t1IUgYlcEXFUU3axdA799o-KkpxloquNpMRLTy3nyANcbi-ioEVOE7QVTeck4V0WSBTcuSM9yNGSmMIjq_KmjFtxzMCnMVUIwONvl1k2G3y8T5IYpVsPdGuzBzI4b-_47HO/s2048/IMG-20230831-WA0013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_1u5VXz5_AWCGTKAFhfcjABPl1ldMCMYSPBmEfejbFlLjDsyPL8sLRHa2t1IUgYlcEXFUU3axdA799o-KkpxloquNpMRLTy3nyANcbi-ioEVOE7QVTeck4V0WSBTcuSM9yNGSmMIjq_KmjFtxzMCnMVUIwONvl1k2G3y8T5IYpVsPdGuzBzI4b-_47HO/w480-h640/IMG-20230831-WA0013.jpg" width="480" /></a><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGvR7lPtmNOAHWDJZOQOJZqd4SOMx_qbhPvzx6o6B0UAUmy4ut68FOKVp0wpt6wltvfQ1QAAxFQEUJipEhvRyYGqlZ8KIpC-tGl69QxgZ2iA0Bh-q-H5F2CjU3CI5E76G_ozksGmdQsw47HK25_18d1ioBI3w-aPVD5lFjRrvjCp9Ppgj_G3-O986SfQi/s7846/20230831_135508.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7846" data-original-width="5884" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGvR7lPtmNOAHWDJZOQOJZqd4SOMx_qbhPvzx6o6B0UAUmy4ut68FOKVp0wpt6wltvfQ1QAAxFQEUJipEhvRyYGqlZ8KIpC-tGl69QxgZ2iA0Bh-q-H5F2CjU3CI5E76G_ozksGmdQsw47HK25_18d1ioBI3w-aPVD5lFjRrvjCp9Ppgj_G3-O986SfQi/w480-h640/20230831_135508.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyR04WUIghaWskOXORDg4wEGFmV6IdC3pEpWFMsK2NbZhW6MauUqFc-d7xdOz9StgzA2bKlSAUXwmz0M4Fv1YsEaPalvP9p479T-MbiIXaC7wSGDdpB8s4D-GFGDyA_XEfzEUonpZ3_85oQ8pm3Sf_s7pN9Sqcyp4zFFa8VK3radrwSid9URaTIWeALl-D/s8160/20230831_135511.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyR04WUIghaWskOXORDg4wEGFmV6IdC3pEpWFMsK2NbZhW6MauUqFc-d7xdOz9StgzA2bKlSAUXwmz0M4Fv1YsEaPalvP9p479T-MbiIXaC7wSGDdpB8s4D-GFGDyA_XEfzEUonpZ3_85oQ8pm3Sf_s7pN9Sqcyp4zFFa8VK3radrwSid9URaTIWeALl-D/w480-h640/20230831_135511.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtczU7k4DXw_qkGyeSkaB3EDS7ewomEEjc62_jU5Cm_BiVhCEs967KNgUbixjULO5coWz3V3dHJ4fk7fwUURmKGjroK1EeDqMgsCAo505j_wRHyODaPlMVnNrtwgC5O8iEJHSok-0l0tgVxHz98aSkTkmC3B8QFYgywMt7BDKT00DOeouNKzfQ15Tf4Cp/w480-h640/20230831_140027.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXCA29ZezZZnhg9BvhdDQV1uU-TObu58ezKDe7IUFedepZl7GxSi_i1R5n4aNfUxlyDy9JSVSNyF99fu5RvlCroDOAVqMGphCbVr9oFU34uIvGHkOzZe4PHXSt51WefRNH1f92rg5rZ4jguFs27F6HrsFRg7RVYB1oNK-88CFNmU8WPtFx89W3ncMrQHk/s8160/20230831_140044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXCA29ZezZZnhg9BvhdDQV1uU-TObu58ezKDe7IUFedepZl7GxSi_i1R5n4aNfUxlyDy9JSVSNyF99fu5RvlCroDOAVqMGphCbVr9oFU34uIvGHkOzZe4PHXSt51WefRNH1f92rg5rZ4jguFs27F6HrsFRg7RVYB1oNK-88CFNmU8WPtFx89W3ncMrQHk/w480-h640/20230831_140044.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on following the River Dove towards Milldale.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaeDm8ZyigqQBdb4lvwI3S5L4gJWXBNbC03lFXFDEVULVbzogBAPpngArvuJTG32EI_Xyq0bUQzZxz1rjkgDPNE0KR-kUn5_v_t1mkamDjpAwO7qP8Ao9StKihS82timWeN_PgzH5ajO712L_XY-ONwkF30zhpUox0vYvQf-WiqnDemjiFVK3SlH3SpJ4/s8160/20230831_140420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaeDm8ZyigqQBdb4lvwI3S5L4gJWXBNbC03lFXFDEVULVbzogBAPpngArvuJTG32EI_Xyq0bUQzZxz1rjkgDPNE0KR-kUn5_v_t1mkamDjpAwO7qP8Ao9StKihS82timWeN_PgzH5ajO712L_XY-ONwkF30zhpUox0vYvQf-WiqnDemjiFVK3SlH3SpJ4/w480-h640/20230831_140420.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RF5atHhk-jQ8lKKnKtHfGxGhcAlFZqBYZD7boca8F3gWWNAnmQY3tdw4YghRDa1WfCjoWOGXVVI_ezacULcax4D0YTXf7iTQB-Nd196ogTTHwQAumlCPdQsxInloyeAkHqw0G4nQEYETy2YsYjEIkTSuroz7rBOT-1DbQ_iqWXeu8itXkkPVce0vN5hE/s8160/20230831_140504.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RF5atHhk-jQ8lKKnKtHfGxGhcAlFZqBYZD7boca8F3gWWNAnmQY3tdw4YghRDa1WfCjoWOGXVVI_ezacULcax4D0YTXf7iTQB-Nd196ogTTHwQAumlCPdQsxInloyeAkHqw0G4nQEYETy2YsYjEIkTSuroz7rBOT-1DbQ_iqWXeu8itXkkPVce0vN5hE/w640-h480/20230831_140504.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It seems a lot longer than I remember. I just want Milldale to appear as I feel for Mel as this is a bog walk for her.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip44dQEHS_a11tluqLVDPYjgxcZnS0Jg7spqLjdLRv2vdoND-jmIb_g_qH3DpBIDYubihd3muaHMHwstolM5d6SWJzsoddOSiY6LpiR2ARJQ-V4aMyjdPd9dWujtdEtnuxEclevmAR204nnLQ_q-3LVvWAnoLB4kONKjfqRIUhwp8sJf-7Ufe8rr_XQNOy/s8082/20230831_141248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6061" data-original-width="8082" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip44dQEHS_a11tluqLVDPYjgxcZnS0Jg7spqLjdLRv2vdoND-jmIb_g_qH3DpBIDYubihd3muaHMHwstolM5d6SWJzsoddOSiY6LpiR2ARJQ-V4aMyjdPd9dWujtdEtnuxEclevmAR204nnLQ_q-3LVvWAnoLB4kONKjfqRIUhwp8sJf-7Ufe8rr_XQNOy/w640-h480/20230831_141248.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGWHcd3LcKCxQGfUhBeF_bA3hkfigGoHczYMjGqtSsfO7AAQtYIc0RUU3nyShUXYSjEQjevKHhWNp6sAioSn3N0jwaMXGCLvX259KesT67G6nB8HIzXvQWBc2m_dxBCkN7029GYLyQQSDCye161yERHrn5GDo8ngq1qfyMQlzR2tRIBw1_bOyCZ2jPdML/s8160/20230831_141322.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGWHcd3LcKCxQGfUhBeF_bA3hkfigGoHczYMjGqtSsfO7AAQtYIc0RUU3nyShUXYSjEQjevKHhWNp6sAioSn3N0jwaMXGCLvX259KesT67G6nB8HIzXvQWBc2m_dxBCkN7029GYLyQQSDCye161yERHrn5GDo8ngq1qfyMQlzR2tRIBw1_bOyCZ2jPdML/w640-h480/20230831_141322.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Eventually Milldale appears and we walk across the Viator Bridge and to the shelter.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPtUtQGPMIU78GavgIrpa-GsAyuCUc0xV5PiLSzAlYiRUqQFOHXJJQymUE-JuAXp7rbMLbfzDUN4qbmcOPo24LmsfWXQYs49ShJ0OR-svLdCdpoqePR-PaHdRLHK9tOekBvKP5VKc2PVzwU_1TDDA1XQbVfCKBE7wBaXquG2BLA_OVgocuDBnd3PugOYc/s7941/20230831_141744.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5956" data-original-width="7941" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPtUtQGPMIU78GavgIrpa-GsAyuCUc0xV5PiLSzAlYiRUqQFOHXJJQymUE-JuAXp7rbMLbfzDUN4qbmcOPo24LmsfWXQYs49ShJ0OR-svLdCdpoqePR-PaHdRLHK9tOekBvKP5VKc2PVzwU_1TDDA1XQbVfCKBE7wBaXquG2BLA_OVgocuDBnd3PugOYc/w640-h480/20230831_141744.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The ancient, narrow packhorse bridge at Milldale originally had no side walls so that horses with panniers could cross the bridge without being impeded. Izaak Walton, who refers to himself as "Viator", which is Latin for "traveller", wrote about it in The Compleat Angler:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"What’s here, the sign of a bridge? Do you travel in wheelbarrows in this country? This bridge was made for nothing else – why a mouse can hardly go over it, tis not two fingers broad!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">From this the bridge acquired the name Viator's Bridge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The bridge has been in use since the medieval period, for packhorses transporting silks and flax from nearby Wetton and Alstonefield. It is listed as an ancient monument.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HQaOY8DVvG2BmGDDglFkfD4oGuR_Sj3XCUiEtl4qI4iwMzqydm6rS9_gBruyB6U0K_lNrK8z3LTgEqmwiDZ_H9ECqy7pITZmTOk51Z1PbUIMcZYTgRPwdgUDHAfbZ_Gxq9fM_EDuWfsZUoB2Pvy0CQxkuni5HidPRfYBexkke8gYH2H-NBUF6rVY-F2Y/s8160/20230831_141816.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HQaOY8DVvG2BmGDDglFkfD4oGuR_Sj3XCUiEtl4qI4iwMzqydm6rS9_gBruyB6U0K_lNrK8z3LTgEqmwiDZ_H9ECqy7pITZmTOk51Z1PbUIMcZYTgRPwdgUDHAfbZ_Gxq9fM_EDuWfsZUoB2Pvy0CQxkuni5HidPRfYBexkke8gYH2H-NBUF6rVY-F2Y/w640-h480/20230831_141816.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Milldale is a village of stone cottages at the northern end of Dovedale and the main access point to the dale from the north. A corn mill existed until the mid-19th century, its stables are now used as an information hut by the National Trust.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLX-Huh0OIBFYn2Eewaysx2OpD-wSGbWOLs4BMNSb9i0uWjsUV5SRX6HmtNcIOQyjJGcEcYjvSZ1_3MVWxp8YdIgT7c_HM3duql4GA1ITYbwJu39wyoRrzioboW1-T0w2rsjkpF2FePrqafiwL0reNJSWTvMW4akSB0_sNwDNHwFbbW5RtLwikcgZwYZ4/s8160/20230831_141825.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLX-Huh0OIBFYn2Eewaysx2OpD-wSGbWOLs4BMNSb9i0uWjsUV5SRX6HmtNcIOQyjJGcEcYjvSZ1_3MVWxp8YdIgT7c_HM3duql4GA1ITYbwJu39wyoRrzioboW1-T0w2rsjkpF2FePrqafiwL0reNJSWTvMW4akSB0_sNwDNHwFbbW5RtLwikcgZwYZ4/w640-h480/20230831_141825.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viator Bridge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyOde53LVU7Yjh0XuPR6vaaZvHiQR0HrESEAhTTRigRnjats9ls0t4QVZqgVQL2oe-V-PQ3Prsq4h1f9RO6cnaoE7aR_weVYGl4Z-oNBbysQT0ird3Kvf0z8qNDvAydQ3ij-TY11DZDi5hBNc0Ua3JhHu4eAfAf7Ot4wM5WOZaXaoKA-xBkQm5mLqjXGi/s8160/20230831_141836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyOde53LVU7Yjh0XuPR6vaaZvHiQR0HrESEAhTTRigRnjats9ls0t4QVZqgVQL2oe-V-PQ3Prsq4h1f9RO6cnaoE7aR_weVYGl4Z-oNBbysQT0ird3Kvf0z8qNDvAydQ3ij-TY11DZDi5hBNc0Ua3JhHu4eAfAf7Ot4wM5WOZaXaoKA-xBkQm5mLqjXGi/w640-h480/20230831_141836.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzD9lV1EmxmY1Emo8nNvIKxZR5U1NaHPCq0N8e8qluAf_s1z5pdgc6zNmjR787nG9HDaXXpA0Xds7MIZk0J4MZ0pAj0u7dXoRHDD1fxQpLyEXnJnT4mJlQoSwsMKwOau80IlU1I2AAinOXa5lrSl_HxFbY0X8Qa5-C4wgfGtkQlmywEWcPhCAMVnzGyuu/s6500/20230831_142133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5794" data-original-width="6500" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzD9lV1EmxmY1Emo8nNvIKxZR5U1NaHPCq0N8e8qluAf_s1z5pdgc6zNmjR787nG9HDaXXpA0Xds7MIZk0J4MZ0pAj0u7dXoRHDD1fxQpLyEXnJnT4mJlQoSwsMKwOau80IlU1I2AAinOXa5lrSl_HxFbY0X8Qa5-C4wgfGtkQlmywEWcPhCAMVnzGyuu/w640-h570/20230831_142133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk over to get an Ice Cream at £4 each but they are huge. Mel has Chocolate and a Cream and Raspberry ripple for me.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWojaJBIt35ZMiD4W9B4OX-Dx2qLIxkj7qQo7nP8WJtLtr8RprSpT9uUFt_kza3rx6tc9dFrmwmdA2jv8PkAkyra4Na5bqvIgKFMgF0yDlHWrVn46SbleHbGclRjiLGdAg5aJT_qQDdVMwZ_cze53ExYc_OUTOXeamMuHHk4LHl5ru883k1EJwgWEHNfF/s8160/20230831_142137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWojaJBIt35ZMiD4W9B4OX-Dx2qLIxkj7qQo7nP8WJtLtr8RprSpT9uUFt_kza3rx6tc9dFrmwmdA2jv8PkAkyra4Na5bqvIgKFMgF0yDlHWrVn46SbleHbGclRjiLGdAg5aJT_qQDdVMwZ_cze53ExYc_OUTOXeamMuHHk4LHl5ru883k1EJwgWEHNfF/w640-h480/20230831_142137.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As we sat by the river with our ice creams, it begins to rain. We stick our coats on and start the walk back.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_-3WpGqu_FJDFXSX_L9sGT9wbkyS6F6R_yGkIj4iSVhDaB3x2-mZxpMipDGKhZVxcu2i8KyOkayDvsopHa8J3IicWimLtey3NfP9adla81RfaVnDOMvIbGyFWM3fGtkHjwTWGxtF17O4IY09083K6vVv9aDIKoRm3HUMh0RpgQEWFzmrBEf1hUQ561lA/s8160/20230831_144605.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_-3WpGqu_FJDFXSX_L9sGT9wbkyS6F6R_yGkIj4iSVhDaB3x2-mZxpMipDGKhZVxcu2i8KyOkayDvsopHa8J3IicWimLtey3NfP9adla81RfaVnDOMvIbGyFWM3fGtkHjwTWGxtF17O4IY09083K6vVv9aDIKoRm3HUMh0RpgQEWFzmrBEf1hUQ561lA/w640-h480/20230831_144605.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back the way we came and the rain stops and starts several times, but its not heavy so all is okay.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7NHDkbY1rZqDsktMLa3JirJDmnUjzuOGD3DOUVlckVh-l4w_3NnjJbsfX00NGfzPZkoSoX3aS7jAJcsV62ywPU4SqDzwpS7U2V2Cs37PjQzwPepmZSnJ1-BLNRyMr3Yorny8Lp8vVNtNsJILuH88RDxRcuqzcXviNd4cpcmU9AQ7-mEhu3Zvp9q5wUuA/s8160/20230831_150003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7NHDkbY1rZqDsktMLa3JirJDmnUjzuOGD3DOUVlckVh-l4w_3NnjJbsfX00NGfzPZkoSoX3aS7jAJcsV62ywPU4SqDzwpS7U2V2Cs37PjQzwPepmZSnJ1-BLNRyMr3Yorny8Lp8vVNtNsJILuH88RDxRcuqzcXviNd4cpcmU9AQ7-mEhu3Zvp9q5wUuA/w640-h480/20230831_150003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGW9gvzIVLhr7njiWuY5REqpKZOaE2Me8Gjj53WPzyaqLz67erQaefFm--lDB2gCwjcuBy3hcqRLyOXqYggKyZtsoyysGhE5dzbIDEPHCfpzm65sHcZ7hQLRSYf3ECLJep7V82Fn6HrWaHYS0n9Nc9DPe_X9gZqHAFGvRcUENK3I0Lho4yTarwrACPPo4c/s8160/20230831_150727.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGW9gvzIVLhr7njiWuY5REqpKZOaE2Me8Gjj53WPzyaqLz67erQaefFm--lDB2gCwjcuBy3hcqRLyOXqYggKyZtsoyysGhE5dzbIDEPHCfpzm65sHcZ7hQLRSYf3ECLJep7V82Fn6HrWaHYS0n9Nc9DPe_X9gZqHAFGvRcUENK3I0Lho4yTarwrACPPo4c/w640-h480/20230831_150727.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbxNOolaQfgmPKmn22NKeksxQ39iSXWYFFe4B6RpTCfRrvgt-DPpMJ7RHXet9_wi0PxyN3BF67XxPJDo9NRvTjPdjuyTJib8JiqmEMsZhUw6_NNgQMYIQP5iAtgCnWuLejGI3bG7lpz0D24hGO8I4n6TNN-oRNdSu-5-1WPk3B5moHk-1XJkUE7eCWk3B/s8160/20230831_150745.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbxNOolaQfgmPKmn22NKeksxQ39iSXWYFFe4B6RpTCfRrvgt-DPpMJ7RHXet9_wi0PxyN3BF67XxPJDo9NRvTjPdjuyTJib8JiqmEMsZhUw6_NNgQMYIQP5iAtgCnWuLejGI3bG7lpz0D24hGO8I4n6TNN-oRNdSu-5-1WPk3B5moHk-1XJkUE7eCWk3B/w640-h480/20230831_150745.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Still a way to go and the climb back up that hill.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwy7-THpdRwSvw_tWyYxB6Nsr7ti2w9GXNLaBiJ7l6rLWerSsIATKxEya5WZjwV2mZ1DepJBHVrT91w4T6S42CAxDYcPFl3UpcSOssMnicCNka_Hl0-KxplyYfkgW57NvphnPqMgjcN8e6Oy9gv9achGoaGCy-PZlqjCzC76NNoNsnqGW4Dg73z_KEAsf/s8160/20230831_151351.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwy7-THpdRwSvw_tWyYxB6Nsr7ti2w9GXNLaBiJ7l6rLWerSsIATKxEya5WZjwV2mZ1DepJBHVrT91w4T6S42CAxDYcPFl3UpcSOssMnicCNka_Hl0-KxplyYfkgW57NvphnPqMgjcN8e6Oy9gv9achGoaGCy-PZlqjCzC76NNoNsnqGW4Dg73z_KEAsf/w640-h480/20230831_151351.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirh0Az5PHF3VWfwlTlj859WRE0MOh5S37SNGBy-xFce3x5-rrLQaPcs_Aa92YL5raO4qzAQ7hmMe2FbNdTMLKy2BuTqiu8UTicDSiR9a9gZxiIElixOvRkDjp5zXOfF3iYKiM7b_rXh3UkYgN1mPuN5nEln8KHLpHKDLQNJl9LV_jWct_3ZwVlf7fPQLY/s7885/20230831_152308.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5914" data-original-width="7885" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirh0Az5PHF3VWfwlTlj859WRE0MOh5S37SNGBy-xFce3x5-rrLQaPcs_Aa92YL5raO4qzAQ7hmMe2FbNdTMLKy2BuTqiu8UTicDSiR9a9gZxiIElixOvRkDjp5zXOfF3iYKiM7b_rXh3UkYgN1mPuN5nEln8KHLpHKDLQNJl9LV_jWct_3ZwVlf7fPQLY/w640-h480/20230831_152308.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu60yoIzfiOqBL-nJ3LbCj2hdsSUfQvlgAQpa-Xf1d9wq7TkiTWCORFiAZD06hhZtuXWGUfY5NdOYChwUbZfnwDbFM74Q4zIzTUNZ1YXMfXWba4dqhzsBGSjUOkHovmmpZnzCrJfeae9ss5i4cFzsdCoAZ5WwH9IebFuHRTq02urcFnt8fGipSjxFhyriV/s8160/20230831_152431.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu60yoIzfiOqBL-nJ3LbCj2hdsSUfQvlgAQpa-Xf1d9wq7TkiTWCORFiAZD06hhZtuXWGUfY5NdOYChwUbZfnwDbFM74Q4zIzTUNZ1YXMfXWba4dqhzsBGSjUOkHovmmpZnzCrJfeae9ss5i4cFzsdCoAZ5WwH9IebFuHRTq02urcFnt8fGipSjxFhyriV/w640-h480/20230831_152431.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Never got why people hammer coins into logs, anyway there are two here.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88KCZqsrdweczza3JRtWMgzpInVve1FlHNanjp-Le_MSyd-nhIORgu813pN5sd3JRVk9gAe7uWJd3hdFIUBqXo2jZgOKBD2KjQCd6-qAeA1wMFj4Sl8aD8871LhcJuP26aMrCoL7LSgcif-DmqbaUbxSrNIGGGr_F8DRCXsH6svEEV0rbLNIZBqnpv_z0/s8062/20230831_154240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6046" data-original-width="8062" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88KCZqsrdweczza3JRtWMgzpInVve1FlHNanjp-Le_MSyd-nhIORgu813pN5sd3JRVk9gAe7uWJd3hdFIUBqXo2jZgOKBD2KjQCd6-qAeA1wMFj4Sl8aD8871LhcJuP26aMrCoL7LSgcif-DmqbaUbxSrNIGGGr_F8DRCXsH6svEEV0rbLNIZBqnpv_z0/w640-h480/20230831_154240.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We make it back to the stepping stones, a lot quieter now that the rain has chased away the day trippers.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIt6OoW7thnMJGxOZIDDtTLHb-j_c8aTJeYymrX79oy2ZgI6zrSlPCdB9rmZ0H0VJ9GB8i3QsglYIN0WV21hcfJOl5x2VtM22fD9fCz-nCZRPFQJuv9vW1_hHA23BKKUptqx_LaDZ9rUFd1PhXnFZ_rQ8k_QUbtH23rlw5NFBVx8Zzy5kuDy7KDPiNTso/s3648/20230831_154249.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIt6OoW7thnMJGxOZIDDtTLHb-j_c8aTJeYymrX79oy2ZgI6zrSlPCdB9rmZ0H0VJ9GB8i3QsglYIN0WV21hcfJOl5x2VtM22fD9fCz-nCZRPFQJuv9vW1_hHA23BKKUptqx_LaDZ9rUFd1PhXnFZ_rQ8k_QUbtH23rlw5NFBVx8Zzy5kuDy7KDPiNTso/w640-h480/20230831_154249.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKwfioFZU7TLmEclN5XlXaiagVZMqtkT7dawh2vm55E5UrlzkP-PJ77dMJVyc6jmF__A3I-6KjglT-agzBJL0Oo6YhIYZEmyAEptMOtiq1DC2rufD_t6M98hcib_UeYN2zCCMgrMADmcBqHjltN93FBYpKtVn1GPzrCPvJnXOGn3v85hd4RNUj_uOMJdH/s3648/20230831_154355.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKwfioFZU7TLmEclN5XlXaiagVZMqtkT7dawh2vm55E5UrlzkP-PJ77dMJVyc6jmF__A3I-6KjglT-agzBJL0Oo6YhIYZEmyAEptMOtiq1DC2rufD_t6M98hcib_UeYN2zCCMgrMADmcBqHjltN93FBYpKtVn1GPzrCPvJnXOGn3v85hd4RNUj_uOMJdH/w480-h640/20230831_154355.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We cross over and walk back to he car. A 6,5 mile walk, possibly the longest walk Mel has walked.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLigKeoshQ2t-Q7dp_q9OWcXut5KhM8wsQf7ilY3dErDR1L_RYepASIcJ9ttik-2P1kwDK7iZPKmHTzYu64h-yfvNfAAWYO6GfEx2nDUiktyd_mgkUq7gL2w1pdYCXvhGQx1zaw_4oY_1TXBDTc9TEqv2fIa8f3jAPGucERimGTDJsaPsmeu4MNw8euUk/s1582/DOVEDALE%201.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1582" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLigKeoshQ2t-Q7dp_q9OWcXut5KhM8wsQf7ilY3dErDR1L_RYepASIcJ9ttik-2P1kwDK7iZPKmHTzYu64h-yfvNfAAWYO6GfEx2nDUiktyd_mgkUq7gL2w1pdYCXvhGQx1zaw_4oY_1TXBDTc9TEqv2fIa8f3jAPGucERimGTDJsaPsmeu4MNw8euUk/w640-h312/DOVEDALE%201.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsc9_f5eJhUsc7Qr47guNv71NjUTpusIouwWVbEGFXLAyU1P3GgflP1dEsnHCbbu6r2ygLyh_WVWCrfODQ9iB8tqMtHI2FmwsMkpPaLqTySD1ir-fL1nksMbNCiJCUMM5SwBeFXGmtf8XR_qyInNtQc5XsiUPX7mWxJmB01DjmNbRU3duwXcXVbMmrS9ms/s1516/DOVEDALE%202.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1516" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsc9_f5eJhUsc7Qr47guNv71NjUTpusIouwWVbEGFXLAyU1P3GgflP1dEsnHCbbu6r2ygLyh_WVWCrfODQ9iB8tqMtHI2FmwsMkpPaLqTySD1ir-fL1nksMbNCiJCUMM5SwBeFXGmtf8XR_qyInNtQc5XsiUPX7mWxJmB01DjmNbRU3duwXcXVbMmrS9ms/w640-h328/DOVEDALE%202.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ978vIH9tY55l-c9OQEKkXuuSilGvTdx1PZ5leWNshfMKzIxH_xPrCtHkUqxJ-6FyIk1js0IcoQ5NSi7tE4JI8yYy62AFG1-DdHeh0emtdZMVuO3f-V7j2VWLnJCWvXIwClV-RT_qay2WL1bYuHFlmfve6GD1ayd8SNHmcPKCQZeanV6e3umTdKewNef/s1476/DOVEDALE%203.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1476" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ978vIH9tY55l-c9OQEKkXuuSilGvTdx1PZ5leWNshfMKzIxH_xPrCtHkUqxJ-6FyIk1js0IcoQ5NSi7tE4JI8yYy62AFG1-DdHeh0emtdZMVuO3f-V7j2VWLnJCWvXIwClV-RT_qay2WL1bYuHFlmfve6GD1ayd8SNHmcPKCQZeanV6e3umTdKewNef/w640-h332/DOVEDALE%203.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-13438409223622346392023-08-31T23:02:00.008+01:002023-09-02T17:17:24.821+01:00Lumsdale Waterfall, Derbyshire 31.08.23 <p style="text-align: center;">On Thursday 31st August 2023 Mel and I drove a short way to the Lumsdale Waterfalls. The drive up Lumsdale is a narrow road and we eventually park up near the waterfalls.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHzVhZLQyGbPqrI9X1MJH4JaogaOatfb352xPAMpAN-7VV1hSpv-3tcbNhieTtfTeu8MgzBcAwvBfVnsuqK58GoPljlSHWvr_Tt28zkpnT6spxZ-zIUuFiH6riyn5n4AKAe5Cj_O5QYRMV-QpeOkULUeIqmOKj7cq78oxq3_6V6yGlrzuiH0R5u8YD6tE/s8160/20230831_101302.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHzVhZLQyGbPqrI9X1MJH4JaogaOatfb352xPAMpAN-7VV1hSpv-3tcbNhieTtfTeu8MgzBcAwvBfVnsuqK58GoPljlSHWvr_Tt28zkpnT6spxZ-zIUuFiH6riyn5n4AKAe5Cj_O5QYRMV-QpeOkULUeIqmOKj7cq78oxq3_6V6yGlrzuiH0R5u8YD6tE/w480-h640/20230831_101302.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pass buildings that are the remains of the Lower Bleach Works, built in the early 1700s as a cotton mill. A number of the bleaching vats and the smithy still survive, as does a circular trough used to cool down the large iron rims of cart wheels. The bleaching vats are believed to be the last surviving examples in the country.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="541" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fuRTitjLTLI" width="650" youtube-src-id="fuRTitjLTLI"></iframe></div>.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We climb down a a steep bank to get a better view of the falls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BiPmLL8ZOgU" width="649" youtube-src-id="BiPmLL8ZOgU"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLnD55bEOO6EXGI_cGr1XpJ9EgY42zZbnatbPAlCaILrqi7ZFdMzOGOXjT2ujXvB1XJZSkPwWVfZcE2-5BDmUMW79xbYxR_ubzz9fhhjBLXikOfxT6hmR1-nrcCpMRr3OhTdkFlCMjmgswEh_X7_iI4MRu_UyzPhh63Nwkpw4uDdW-C6hUpGu4qFTqF1c/s7553/20230831_101524.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5316" data-original-width="7553" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLnD55bEOO6EXGI_cGr1XpJ9EgY42zZbnatbPAlCaILrqi7ZFdMzOGOXjT2ujXvB1XJZSkPwWVfZcE2-5BDmUMW79xbYxR_ubzz9fhhjBLXikOfxT6hmR1-nrcCpMRr3OhTdkFlCMjmgswEh_X7_iI4MRu_UyzPhh63Nwkpw4uDdW-C6hUpGu4qFTqF1c/w640-h450/20230831_101524.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTZ5QCf9AY3ax8J5OwaR1DFDSacF57Opq1WoVV77iZJVdzgSplKIyckC_euJwVC5-5-hhPbCgugsBwBB627rSZXU-oIKDebECtRbYv_9nO2rq2D1jJX1EsLgp1EGfuPYD7W20ggJPIW2QbC3bKIAGatDauv2aoVGika0qrN-VDeMsSWAD6xEnXofms4Ip/s8160/20230831_101554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTZ5QCf9AY3ax8J5OwaR1DFDSacF57Opq1WoVV77iZJVdzgSplKIyckC_euJwVC5-5-hhPbCgugsBwBB627rSZXU-oIKDebECtRbYv_9nO2rq2D1jJX1EsLgp1EGfuPYD7W20ggJPIW2QbC3bKIAGatDauv2aoVGika0qrN-VDeMsSWAD6xEnXofms4Ip/w480-h640/20230831_101554.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rJKdOnacd0yUXxArlzhMpZh1GylWdYUUzp7HtZHiH_IW46QVSqlDS3yS0yMPBIYwa7-aEQ2ne4STIo2-_FS1sVRc-v0Fti_Dn9QNJz6w8EQvO6n7ENZxGn11iyP6SFq-woIqnyTLur40Ufl6tmZS0ax_ZA9nwZLtdoEzPJFpbkLWPw3AaRGiSxHPv_Ey/s8160/20230831_101559.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rJKdOnacd0yUXxArlzhMpZh1GylWdYUUzp7HtZHiH_IW46QVSqlDS3yS0yMPBIYwa7-aEQ2ne4STIo2-_FS1sVRc-v0Fti_Dn9QNJz6w8EQvO6n7ENZxGn11iyP6SFq-woIqnyTLur40Ufl6tmZS0ax_ZA9nwZLtdoEzPJFpbkLWPw3AaRGiSxHPv_Ey/w480-h640/20230831_101559.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We climb some stairs, where see more mill ruins, beautifully overgrown with ivy. These are part of the Upper Bleach Works, built in the early 1700s, used for bleaching cotton cloth.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OOPV_PUTFjpare-Yn5zliBjQFV4HdMHK_8fxcMicsMwpijRBUxw002rvGl6Z9r3IsHxdDOgvgceZrkteY4JsmcNnLv7C9ugDCOFi4IT9fR1nzRfV98KaWufAzYYO9mfvlv55UvCXiwsAWT5jV6P4yA6oDwLXNDsNMEUPbOFm2WV_6FCDg-wEnUI5B-l0/s8160/20230831_101718.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OOPV_PUTFjpare-Yn5zliBjQFV4HdMHK_8fxcMicsMwpijRBUxw002rvGl6Z9r3IsHxdDOgvgceZrkteY4JsmcNnLv7C9ugDCOFi4IT9fR1nzRfV98KaWufAzYYO9mfvlv55UvCXiwsAWT5jV6P4yA6oDwLXNDsNMEUPbOFm2WV_6FCDg-wEnUI5B-l0/w480-h640/20230831_101718.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEQP0Rj3mWlw3H0Bx-oj2YCLLxR2kFOAxEFjHerYYDafj2FbT26t7p41xaICUQ6K0C5GMfvGncaNQqEm5LMTxqgkqppoKeZdbHniRvET3i6qTVCLgYtLuK3QF7Zj9DsoLe-bBeEGbai3k1MGBL2fX-2kfEOGZG5UuJp4w_ADFona1mQ-udBnYzZUcUmuK/s2944/20230831_101801.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEQP0Rj3mWlw3H0Bx-oj2YCLLxR2kFOAxEFjHerYYDafj2FbT26t7p41xaICUQ6K0C5GMfvGncaNQqEm5LMTxqgkqppoKeZdbHniRvET3i6qTVCLgYtLuK3QF7Zj9DsoLe-bBeEGbai3k1MGBL2fX-2kfEOGZG5UuJp4w_ADFona1mQ-udBnYzZUcUmuK/w480-h640/20230831_101801.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hCD9Dk3duRtnoJ_WQVn-sbr7iuiG2x8M7EQNHtcno57nuGqNTweeK8eAXLgnXvwgtQWmJMXoO3txc9zaqix6sIyuO2EymKH89jbaomaPBJ6_LqGMERFdD1D_6uSsPrJfyGvjOyiQVl4fF3n0YLYcDLMIm6Bk4KrJ2CtuhCCiak-DSbMKT7nfd7OPdlxF/s8160/20230831_101917.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hCD9Dk3duRtnoJ_WQVn-sbr7iuiG2x8M7EQNHtcno57nuGqNTweeK8eAXLgnXvwgtQWmJMXoO3txc9zaqix6sIyuO2EymKH89jbaomaPBJ6_LqGMERFdD1D_6uSsPrJfyGvjOyiQVl4fF3n0YLYcDLMIm6Bk4KrJ2CtuhCCiak-DSbMKT7nfd7OPdlxF/w480-h640/20230831_101917.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Situated beside the impressive waterfall is the Grinding Mill. Built in around 1770, it was most probably a corn mill but there is evidence that it was also used in the grinding of red lead. You can still see the huge wheel pit for the Grinding Mill, and the cast iron pipe that would have fed water on to the immense wheel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfQrZPAVds95V5SreSyjNCTF0o1u23BI7tNMccncje8MXgGUBDr-9_BZpiM4v18CvdUeovb6vNRtjygAIHoY26PzHBhKaF84xwIB6roipYcyNPN92kcir2gWACN7_TsNmL9fIyPva06jd2lzYhe8EEgjHFLxuxlM87OL-10J_sQTutf1YrZQfaCBHJ_vr/s2944/20230831_102002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfQrZPAVds95V5SreSyjNCTF0o1u23BI7tNMccncje8MXgGUBDr-9_BZpiM4v18CvdUeovb6vNRtjygAIHoY26PzHBhKaF84xwIB6roipYcyNPN92kcir2gWACN7_TsNmL9fIyPva06jd2lzYhe8EEgjHFLxuxlM87OL-10J_sQTutf1YrZQfaCBHJ_vr/w480-h640/20230831_102002.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwoeWRt54YF49vJm4UFUHe34YtM9xfTXDgBjpTx4APlIOz6rIh_c0B3KM2MxWOQEJ46zBx7TbZ-vhWAjU9RJowiH96wV90dUpxz-7XBRPZGNpHADX9qapFAWxmNZ43_OjzT9CrhSLVn0rkJFce3jTIGdHmLwkNwVotWDn3hAa7ZY3MpXS7TzSG-N3mr-F/s3648/20230831_102019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwoeWRt54YF49vJm4UFUHe34YtM9xfTXDgBjpTx4APlIOz6rIh_c0B3KM2MxWOQEJ46zBx7TbZ-vhWAjU9RJowiH96wV90dUpxz-7XBRPZGNpHADX9qapFAWxmNZ43_OjzT9CrhSLVn0rkJFce3jTIGdHmLwkNwVotWDn3hAa7ZY3MpXS7TzSG-N3mr-F/w480-h640/20230831_102019.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzzuOqrUYDlFKAWOz-upiUHgt2IqoS-iSj9ecUhfpyq9ZsFYcnYvG0Au3ZrRM5NykliLnQoyg3LyK1C6kxEFiiXb-RCXRQ2DERtX2z4_mE3SuKYc5JpTV9gt_RiuAwT57qjJL-q0gkNmISJ7lGWaS4qIAEuxhGyhU6pzOkLOmT0Aqtt9Wjh1FxeiGkfE7/s8160/20230831_102259.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzzuOqrUYDlFKAWOz-upiUHgt2IqoS-iSj9ecUhfpyq9ZsFYcnYvG0Au3ZrRM5NykliLnQoyg3LyK1C6kxEFiiXb-RCXRQ2DERtX2z4_mE3SuKYc5JpTV9gt_RiuAwT57qjJL-q0gkNmISJ7lGWaS4qIAEuxhGyhU6pzOkLOmT0Aqtt9Wjh1FxeiGkfE7/w640-h480/20230831_102259.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sG36s1tpXsWqWDUvVslwpM-6l7Qzk7FXafTfxFcR_vzbZvDSUvb2mHeRMj10Wztn2OWOW-af1X9KXLTNVkYn4sUm6OqC_ccSrq1FhLLlrq7plsFsJ3OYtsFKvF29HXUxOzikffOMlNKTJP1p2HZyHhV2zpZHkDPVr6apLIX8kA9-bOoBpSV9DZLsT8Tf/s4000/20230831_102918.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sG36s1tpXsWqWDUvVslwpM-6l7Qzk7FXafTfxFcR_vzbZvDSUvb2mHeRMj10Wztn2OWOW-af1X9KXLTNVkYn4sUm6OqC_ccSrq1FhLLlrq7plsFsJ3OYtsFKvF29HXUxOzikffOMlNKTJP1p2HZyHhV2zpZHkDPVr6apLIX8kA9-bOoBpSV9DZLsT8Tf/w480-h640/20230831_102918.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The next obvious mill we find is the Paint Mill. The oldest in the Valley, it was built in the early 1600s as a very early lead smelting mill and bleaching mill. Behind the Paint Mill a large, circular stone trough can still be seen, once used for bleaching yarn.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="405" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5L_ynxdux0U" width="485" youtube-src-id="5L_ynxdux0U"></iframe></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Designated a scheduled ancient monument because of its historic importance, the Lumsdale Valley was once a bustling centre of industry, with a collection of mills all powered by water from Bentley Brook. The brook rises on Matlock Moor and has never been known to dry up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Lumsdale Valley was used for industrial purposes from as far back as the 17th Century, although it reached the height of its production in the mid 19th Century. Some mills were used for cotton spinning and bleaching, and some for grinding corn, bone and minerals. The site was used until the 1930s. The Lumsdale Valley is now one of the best examples of a water-powered industrial archaeological site in Britain, unique in such an extensive use of water power over such a small area.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back down and back to the car. There is Bentley Brook Brewing Co just up the road, sadly only open on Friday, Saturday or Sundays.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">we drive back up Lumsdale. At the top is awkward to get out, I am holding the car on a very steep incline trying to see up the road on a blind spot to pull out!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-25925675936696432552023-08-31T22:52:00.050+01:002023-09-03T11:50:33.764+01:00High Tor,Giddy Edge and Heights of Abraham Matlock Bath Derbyshire 30.08.23 <p>GPX File <a href="https://www.haroldstreet.org.uk/routes/download/?walk=6079" target="_blank">Here</a></p><p style="text-align: center;">On Wednesday the 30th August 2023 we left the New Bath Hotel in Matlock Bath and walked down into Matlock Bath.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoBXdL_TYngqdkbzgh2oL4RfUeMRCnYNt0OBrHft0FRaZSMwIZxsJP124JzOCor5ToqpU-y4wfDtZFqpnW_ugSNvEH0O2_pgZeLQkSZw-FMH5gVRcvzKnr4k53Rkx9cnnP2Kapbjt6mW-ydODU0JLpVv-XOo9ME45Jn_X8uWMuSppmALPk3MWWiEETlii/s7721/20230830_095918.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5791" data-original-width="7721" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoBXdL_TYngqdkbzgh2oL4RfUeMRCnYNt0OBrHft0FRaZSMwIZxsJP124JzOCor5ToqpU-y4wfDtZFqpnW_ugSNvEH0O2_pgZeLQkSZw-FMH5gVRcvzKnr4k53Rkx9cnnP2Kapbjt6mW-ydODU0JLpVv-XOo9ME45Jn_X8uWMuSppmALPk3MWWiEETlii/w640-h480/20230830_095918.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Originally built at the head of a dead-end dirt road running along the valley of the River Derwent from Matlock, the settlement developed in the 19th century as residential and a spa town which remains a tourist destination. The steep hillside restricts development with most buildings on one side of the valley and only footbridges across the river. The road was upgraded, becoming a through-way, now designated A6, avoiding the previous coaching road approach to Matlock from Cromford over very steep hills near to the Riber plateau area.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1698, warm springs were discovered and a bath house was built. As the waters became better known, access was improved by building the bridge into Old Matlock and in 1783, the opening of a new entrance at the south of the valley. Princess Victoria of Kent's royal visit in 1832 confirmed Matlock as a society venue of the time. Victoria's party visited a pair of museums and a petrifying well. John Ruskin and Lord Byron were visitors, Byron comparing it with alpine Switzerland, leading to a nickname of Little Switzerland. Erasmus Darwin recommended the area to Josiah Wedgwood I for its beauty and soothing waters, and members of the families vacationed and settled there. Edward Levett Darwin, son of Francis Sacheverel Darwin, lived at Dale House in Matlock Bath, where he was a solicitor.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When the North Midland Railway opened in 1840, carriages plied for hire from Ambergate station. The Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway ran a number of excursions, taking the passengers onward from Ambergate by the Cromford Canal.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkLRMPxVxvi85ISOS5dsv3j6Xol_xr3Sz8mfFcwN2dZzdqAccGsBuaIVAW8OoydDOIJ20la24J-eglUnPd1TDyf4kw3eTNIYhY6gw50QHUiPxuJRrDIELGGFwPiUnNwWdAdhipXEtwmyh8HP7Bo4y2YbPFMikZHboP1DtTEEAH6j7_yyBqdvBtNJl14Hi/s7928/20230830_100021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5946" data-original-width="7928" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkLRMPxVxvi85ISOS5dsv3j6Xol_xr3Sz8mfFcwN2dZzdqAccGsBuaIVAW8OoydDOIJ20la24J-eglUnPd1TDyf4kw3eTNIYhY6gw50QHUiPxuJRrDIELGGFwPiUnNwWdAdhipXEtwmyh8HP7Bo4y2YbPFMikZHboP1DtTEEAH6j7_yyBqdvBtNJl14Hi/w640-h480/20230830_100021.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Matlock Bath is dubbed the Seaside resort a hundred miles from the sea. It is full of chip shops, amusement arcades and candy floss.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-BlifKrw66ppgUpa_BoxQSdEOyg-yLgzYGPf3O8xcgBZKWtds3JbBYGFiIOTu11OkxpsU1CRBvWqboOfuF_GyHtidpCeucoPKiWFHwugWFEn-npEJUbJwrHZ-m0YXkdjk1_AQcDcL-YMfN1E23ddZNQ-vJBm4J3PQe2gI6DqAkfg3EePz-U7SKMc_Vge/s8160/20230830_100108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-BlifKrw66ppgUpa_BoxQSdEOyg-yLgzYGPf3O8xcgBZKWtds3JbBYGFiIOTu11OkxpsU1CRBvWqboOfuF_GyHtidpCeucoPKiWFHwugWFEn-npEJUbJwrHZ-m0YXkdjk1_AQcDcL-YMfN1E23ddZNQ-vJBm4J3PQe2gI6DqAkfg3EePz-U7SKMc_Vge/w480-h640/20230830_100108.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">We cross the Jubilee Bridge over to Lovers walks, hoping we could follow this to High Tor, but they have shut off the route as it is deemed unsafe.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyK_Q_oDaPkt3rxACwz6td8nzeU9HrDNq62ok6JD7ZxhoH242DEZwa8kTEWvdXy5ktIrs5W-PjisdGPxw7-jLIW311kh0ncLtzlExq1c26E6GfyvZ1sGuIxy9ec7vtB2Pm2Ne9Y4vwWbF11my31D8nLOoY4kj2jRJh-7dOfQR4OkI1_Y2JLs4zroQqG56x/s8015/20230830_100126.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6012" data-original-width="8015" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyK_Q_oDaPkt3rxACwz6td8nzeU9HrDNq62ok6JD7ZxhoH242DEZwa8kTEWvdXy5ktIrs5W-PjisdGPxw7-jLIW311kh0ncLtzlExq1c26E6GfyvZ1sGuIxy9ec7vtB2Pm2Ne9Y4vwWbF11my31D8nLOoY4kj2jRJh-7dOfQR4OkI1_Y2JLs4zroQqG56x/w640-h480/20230830_100126.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Lovers' Walks are a series of footpaths along the riverside and up and over the cliffs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lovers' Walks is a 'Site of Special Scientific Interest' by English Nature.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">These woodlands also form part of the Peak District Dales Woodlands 'Special Area for Conservation'. They contain habitat which is rare or threatened within a European context and known to be one of the best UK examples of 'Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes and ravines'.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Lovers' Walks link to Derwent Gardens on the opposite side of the River Derwent by a river bridge built in 1969. Derwent Gardens hosts the District Council's annual Matlock Bath Illuminations spectacular every autumn.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2C_ft-AOea5M7_lzGq_Htbpw2PQM1G8U1rbyDXqGFlNRLPTGYLEvC-ZWhgh765fIxElfICEzO1SUPw5IgECbY-oSK729DJZhn8zfduTODBiWQ0P2tcWkChhdA7Tl_V2xqZm0NK-hm4cEEov7aAiMtH9fw5d2vjd-7E1sZJyRI4sLTCYaIfsCGEHFK-tqJ/s8160/20230830_100146.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2C_ft-AOea5M7_lzGq_Htbpw2PQM1G8U1rbyDXqGFlNRLPTGYLEvC-ZWhgh765fIxElfICEzO1SUPw5IgECbY-oSK729DJZhn8zfduTODBiWQ0P2tcWkChhdA7Tl_V2xqZm0NK-hm4cEEov7aAiMtH9fw5d2vjd-7E1sZJyRI4sLTCYaIfsCGEHFK-tqJ/w640-h480/20230830_100146.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVtKI7BNaKcnUoZbAUnSe092Mjjp5JPwS_6fJbr2InRe2vHi6qbLdiD4PU7eRHP2toK2Gglt1f22tymEpt0DwwCyO8FYigb654zn19FDMz01JKKias227L3K_Ivo7zESqndsemQMYsFi--wjCuuj8xfhZ6_vBVZf6vgvAJk9X-AQphWdRTHXcR0jRyanU/s8160/20230830_100204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVtKI7BNaKcnUoZbAUnSe092Mjjp5JPwS_6fJbr2InRe2vHi6qbLdiD4PU7eRHP2toK2Gglt1f22tymEpt0DwwCyO8FYigb654zn19FDMz01JKKias227L3K_Ivo7zESqndsemQMYsFi--wjCuuj8xfhZ6_vBVZf6vgvAJk9X-AQphWdRTHXcR0jRyanU/w640-h480/20230830_100204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP51KlesSkNn1ttBNOCKvbqivFbhma8NqIrrywLAVd3jsIiAvAnhcE5vDWTsGCE2NKM-zqVHgMA_z626tTOFDAhfDHc2Ky3_gZ5hv6Ro7x_WxnURhsLDSu7ZB_PRoxN0dcHBO4-JoX0aKt7sjSSNLvduCbRMo9T8PAkTUxQbkg0Iw_viAM_BsnxZXDWoly/s7837/20230830_100322.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5878" data-original-width="7837" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP51KlesSkNn1ttBNOCKvbqivFbhma8NqIrrywLAVd3jsIiAvAnhcE5vDWTsGCE2NKM-zqVHgMA_z626tTOFDAhfDHc2Ky3_gZ5hv6Ro7x_WxnURhsLDSu7ZB_PRoxN0dcHBO4-JoX0aKt7sjSSNLvduCbRMo9T8PAkTUxQbkg0Iw_viAM_BsnxZXDWoly/w640-h480/20230830_100322.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We turn around and walk back over the Jubilee Bridge and back along the road towards the Cable Cars.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5buhTvuMV2pjKVkwww_h-dTmAI6--YOE_VFPNvStF9OWEdlVS-4iFdH_thNmZY73HEMahzIZeuKkuPgGertA6ODt5wVhNLN_-2l016esOuwgbgcHaACGnyKKkOSQ_B09Kj2Lnq2IfGoKA32QVr_be5QKTq8eIeuFHfqwL1csSfoXlSmey7poxpBsqCm6/s8087/20230830_100651.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8087" data-original-width="6065" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5buhTvuMV2pjKVkwww_h-dTmAI6--YOE_VFPNvStF9OWEdlVS-4iFdH_thNmZY73HEMahzIZeuKkuPgGertA6ODt5wVhNLN_-2l016esOuwgbgcHaACGnyKKkOSQ_B09Kj2Lnq2IfGoKA32QVr_be5QKTq8eIeuFHfqwL1csSfoXlSmey7poxpBsqCm6/w480-h640/20230830_100651.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The iron bridge was placed in position on 14 June, 1887 in time for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria eight days later. It was an immensely significant event for the village as, until then, the only access to the Lovers' Walks had been by ferry.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fjqDASKcl14rjpn93gfk_ETDaDmZYf4x784s6kjJH9B2dJuziDcaxmub4h4a3O1E1LE9jZjY_HA-O3LL0FkPAMUIoECrdpU0Eyu4OoNdULC53RSX9E_TchEhKgf7RkBQXlq_te9F9220CjbA-HKvhHTDuE70TXotKrtX2EnnuS-wlRVQFslmAXvcIoo2/s1600/IMG-20230831-WA0038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fjqDASKcl14rjpn93gfk_ETDaDmZYf4x784s6kjJH9B2dJuziDcaxmub4h4a3O1E1LE9jZjY_HA-O3LL0FkPAMUIoECrdpU0Eyu4OoNdULC53RSX9E_TchEhKgf7RkBQXlq_te9F9220CjbA-HKvhHTDuE70TXotKrtX2EnnuS-wlRVQFslmAXvcIoo2/w480-h640/IMG-20230831-WA0038.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXloyp1tIia7ILenWgQx-Iw-BGn_fsns9iEQn8Gdtdv4B7Y1mD_tn0wdim9K9310vdDohUNZiFo8H7yqMZ_PjTIM9e31jn0jDm5Hh_HBP44MCaYO_gHmwbsDWuOdiS30cwGvlvi4hO3KRxnNwEuPiRs2X49-LtQ8vB-Fbf6eF35MDLf6ivH5YgwIQH81Sx/s7859/20230830_101357.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5895" data-original-width="7859" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXloyp1tIia7ILenWgQx-Iw-BGn_fsns9iEQn8Gdtdv4B7Y1mD_tn0wdim9K9310vdDohUNZiFo8H7yqMZ_PjTIM9e31jn0jDm5Hh_HBP44MCaYO_gHmwbsDWuOdiS30cwGvlvi4hO3KRxnNwEuPiRs2X49-LtQ8vB-Fbf6eF35MDLf6ivH5YgwIQH81Sx/w640-h480/20230830_101357.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We wander about a bit trying to find the path that will lead us up to High Tor. A severe lack of signage here.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjV3uv97Q5AV2YFyavH7dQQ6mWS9hC56pvB30NeouyDSpytd_tnkezx933Gljs35PlZPof8WDsylLQqVEy5gh74o_BXOL7cusokldQciaA8T9b0DsxPli6SAWi-uquzNo9aENmrNvS-BM7B4HaSvV3pkEcKtF-xlXzMHQJ0Qz6gDDX08K9p9316xDW6i0/s8160/20230830_102004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjV3uv97Q5AV2YFyavH7dQQ6mWS9hC56pvB30NeouyDSpytd_tnkezx933Gljs35PlZPof8WDsylLQqVEy5gh74o_BXOL7cusokldQciaA8T9b0DsxPli6SAWi-uquzNo9aENmrNvS-BM7B4HaSvV3pkEcKtF-xlXzMHQJ0Qz6gDDX08K9p9316xDW6i0/w480-h640/20230830_102004.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We find it next to the entrance to the Heights of Abraham that we will visit later.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qF3lHBXTWuoqr5OB2Gug9DHc_LPpfJugY-O92TtkT81y1ub7mgiIXWZSg7wh7ImnEEFVIQQcHsXtXh6cgtjjc99mA9bdjqss9WWp4aq8nuYv9KgIXjMwx6tkyzG1_mmSjujcLBdCYebS372DCa0oHHe85trZPuWQJ1MFv2gqL_pHXy0SmIEX5GeEpFPC/s8160/20230830_102126.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qF3lHBXTWuoqr5OB2Gug9DHc_LPpfJugY-O92TtkT81y1ub7mgiIXWZSg7wh7ImnEEFVIQQcHsXtXh6cgtjjc99mA9bdjqss9WWp4aq8nuYv9KgIXjMwx6tkyzG1_mmSjujcLBdCYebS372DCa0oHHe85trZPuWQJ1MFv2gqL_pHXy0SmIEX5GeEpFPC/w480-h640/20230830_102126.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzogtnqdicfZBFmPQS8ugsjR54w4KygPhs0KZAYZSTUaNkU3trb-H1YtQr0kdJWIuuINi80wWSvDffdC6083b3tmA6fM7ZErrE42Y_2g0kn9pxGR-5LboeHOvMiNtOMisUGHjjQ8SCPIux_aiFQOjciUasxUORSD1j2uRb8zMg0iqnunxT-FFSlFdEcGtH/s8160/20230830_102250.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzogtnqdicfZBFmPQS8ugsjR54w4KygPhs0KZAYZSTUaNkU3trb-H1YtQr0kdJWIuuINi80wWSvDffdC6083b3tmA6fM7ZErrE42Y_2g0kn9pxGR-5LboeHOvMiNtOMisUGHjjQ8SCPIux_aiFQOjciUasxUORSD1j2uRb8zMg0iqnunxT-FFSlFdEcGtH/w480-h640/20230830_102250.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We start climbing the stairs and path that zig zag up the cliff side.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNiu5W4suVeT0izuSB4-Dt0k1TocqY7wKHbMWrNHfBoJPwGQ_pwLFnQqe1EtWvMz25SnKmTqErXsYBLcldIo7j0IA7wNe0Gi2qMyuJVYSMMW7TwQCsgz9kXyQlnMnTU6a9SrmAzXACjJ6X86uIgcXW-isqlpt-OuKEVj2pLROwFnY8rzDoCJR2g59uNZc/s8160/20230830_102314.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNiu5W4suVeT0izuSB4-Dt0k1TocqY7wKHbMWrNHfBoJPwGQ_pwLFnQqe1EtWvMz25SnKmTqErXsYBLcldIo7j0IA7wNe0Gi2qMyuJVYSMMW7TwQCsgz9kXyQlnMnTU6a9SrmAzXACjJ6X86uIgcXW-isqlpt-OuKEVj2pLROwFnY8rzDoCJR2g59uNZc/w480-h640/20230830_102314.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfFP3nSZteadNRTifgz0caCZLinwHt9unaPe1e4_tYc-Puobi3Rn3jE-mR0b-rUoTQWybtVSbPXJ67W7BgO5-E1v8VREQHOElUM4BQUazORE3Qv0Ke9wKX4ENUU9sJJS4JNwMDorx2bwgOAOiKrc4DofEGwxWZonpXXUhVVzq7MhUC22Ye-muS3qRewmX/s8160/20230830_103036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfFP3nSZteadNRTifgz0caCZLinwHt9unaPe1e4_tYc-Puobi3Rn3jE-mR0b-rUoTQWybtVSbPXJ67W7BgO5-E1v8VREQHOElUM4BQUazORE3Qv0Ke9wKX4ENUU9sJJS4JNwMDorx2bwgOAOiKrc4DofEGwxWZonpXXUhVVzq7MhUC22Ye-muS3qRewmX/w640-h480/20230830_103036.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From the first cliff-top viewpoint we can see down into the Derwent Gorge, across to Masson Hill and, looking east, up to Riber Castle. Go along the path, which bears left and continues up hill.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-Alwyboo-b50ewb6ycgs9ZzpFXRN-FmWdL3KtDmRHcbapqVUnV0JtOgesFiJv0KDldUuVU-uQKTzjmoZOqrKevr0lLhrbySTPMVqO9ZKnCMjo8AtrTrF7OO8CjPJ5Wokcf64sCkCdhAHefJH-Hh8BcHQ8YI1BhxWKDR0VXh_p5zmjBJpnKKBVKbTLVdI/s7333/20230830_103039.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5499" data-original-width="7333" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-Alwyboo-b50ewb6ycgs9ZzpFXRN-FmWdL3KtDmRHcbapqVUnV0JtOgesFiJv0KDldUuVU-uQKTzjmoZOqrKevr0lLhrbySTPMVqO9ZKnCMjo8AtrTrF7OO8CjPJ5Wokcf64sCkCdhAHefJH-Hh8BcHQ8YI1BhxWKDR0VXh_p5zmjBJpnKKBVKbTLVdI/w640-h480/20230830_103039.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We can see the cable cars we'll ride later.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbKDgcbtyz0yWUTPgDqDsQFHvBNVSc_l0zQ79RFshMyxiHOoff8LtBpuszrZ36CpnM2ZKerpp7dua-LiuRu-L3R4h6Q7fWD4v3sQn7Mb66JNLPIA7fJJVqqIxLhf4IPn5K7JvEV1L63r7g_qzg_cHI40SYa8HwlPiInRvrjT-Dm6IvHlXO3JnL9rZ2qA4/s3648/20230830_103102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbKDgcbtyz0yWUTPgDqDsQFHvBNVSc_l0zQ79RFshMyxiHOoff8LtBpuszrZ36CpnM2ZKerpp7dua-LiuRu-L3R4h6Q7fWD4v3sQn7Mb66JNLPIA7fJJVqqIxLhf4IPn5K7JvEV1L63r7g_qzg_cHI40SYa8HwlPiInRvrjT-Dm6IvHlXO3JnL9rZ2qA4/w480-h640/20230830_103102.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">View back down into Matlock Bath.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsOX_KKEuLB32fEujgSx861-PvFst1CJysOz3w4UVEx7yp5E8aELF5ME1fgiilBwJIsIRyGLQlzYZWXUNY3oSJam3RPkXkJXhEL1UNockgIuoLyhJ0gqV3p8crb0Hl4otuqVE21PmOW1yrZEfJs3QnXlAl4zHvU7rwqvSuETWox9YNnvOvyUKi2HLc655/s8160/20230830_103407.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsOX_KKEuLB32fEujgSx861-PvFst1CJysOz3w4UVEx7yp5E8aELF5ME1fgiilBwJIsIRyGLQlzYZWXUNY3oSJam3RPkXkJXhEL1UNockgIuoLyhJ0gqV3p8crb0Hl4otuqVE21PmOW1yrZEfJs3QnXlAl4zHvU7rwqvSuETWox9YNnvOvyUKi2HLc655/w640-h480/20230830_103407.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKb43W6-mS0x4oU03uCFLmRu8777S5kfph4Qdd8fo65tsTPlvq55wplmjzxN-kEPL1-ROklj1Se3qdUBZu6Esqn2mzWg8czDtl9knLh_pakOw1W9KdSZiV9VUvara2FP0v0Yu1nS8gVEx6BMe4h2ddhqRR9YR4kK1ZTskzUlVRdS8lRW4-QbcSxSt7YBCG/s8160/20230830_103549.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKb43W6-mS0x4oU03uCFLmRu8777S5kfph4Qdd8fo65tsTPlvq55wplmjzxN-kEPL1-ROklj1Se3qdUBZu6Esqn2mzWg8czDtl9knLh_pakOw1W9KdSZiV9VUvara2FP0v0Yu1nS8gVEx6BMe4h2ddhqRR9YR4kK1ZTskzUlVRdS8lRW4-QbcSxSt7YBCG/w480-h640/20230830_103549.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on uphill a bit more and stop on a picnic bench for a breather, here is a chasm in the hillside fenced off. These are early mining channels dating back to Roman times.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFm44rM5KAN076paSjDum70q3IGkH-tlq2144PK8HcB-nxy6JMDeUZ5Uy5jq8G7yGQ7oJU966vB0LzBP-soTSyxIKJMy4nJeOOUH3xLZyZl0ef1EN0H0-G6V5-RJGMG7r6Xzq2boQ7wZnxxgxDHS1IyLQsipqIieWVbJXAT6yugj-eVaLhERNizjn-AhUe/s8160/20230830_103704.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFm44rM5KAN076paSjDum70q3IGkH-tlq2144PK8HcB-nxy6JMDeUZ5Uy5jq8G7yGQ7oJU966vB0LzBP-soTSyxIKJMy4nJeOOUH3xLZyZl0ef1EN0H0-G6V5-RJGMG7r6Xzq2boQ7wZnxxgxDHS1IyLQsipqIieWVbJXAT6yugj-eVaLhERNizjn-AhUe/w480-h640/20230830_103704.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlnsDMbm4JeT2MEncllKCKRvpLBPXW3NtT1ujAg9dolS6uMlCIGG33OOPIXUUCTj8tt_ZhZwkJPa_rIOHgFOPG-l4U81HvNXoyRa6o7U6_yHN5-qV81kmKxZbG_kpd1ksf7b5tUVW2ZMTO77GsRsyWMvWETKNKw-gi46r24ngQLkAPEct_D4Y3o7Mo4cz/s8160/20230830_103828.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlnsDMbm4JeT2MEncllKCKRvpLBPXW3NtT1ujAg9dolS6uMlCIGG33OOPIXUUCTj8tt_ZhZwkJPa_rIOHgFOPG-l4U81HvNXoyRa6o7U6_yHN5-qV81kmKxZbG_kpd1ksf7b5tUVW2ZMTO77GsRsyWMvWETKNKw-gi46r24ngQLkAPEct_D4Y3o7Mo4cz/w480-h640/20230830_103828.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Walking on uphill we are finally reaching the summit of High Tor.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHJdknv7WjgypzOVqA7sPE8XwVPXUqWtfG5oaXqYHNhJmBO6d2v9ZG3ARnQLDaPTMmdJvzmoJ1LrRS_9Mo2Rfb-OVLXmtPTgRV3tCuh2YiW9KFRWR-q4njAR2MujAN5d_tIhUN2UP-9AA4Av4AgEi2Uz2Xl6_lad0wwz2IoE0jvtxgjzeH1SCT2K10n9G/s8160/20230830_103911.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHJdknv7WjgypzOVqA7sPE8XwVPXUqWtfG5oaXqYHNhJmBO6d2v9ZG3ARnQLDaPTMmdJvzmoJ1LrRS_9Mo2Rfb-OVLXmtPTgRV3tCuh2YiW9KFRWR-q4njAR2MujAN5d_tIhUN2UP-9AA4Av4AgEi2Uz2Xl6_lad0wwz2IoE0jvtxgjzeH1SCT2K10n9G/w480-h640/20230830_103911.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvA5DVM_EyTyd_h_OUubSM57FZ74byuyMJ4JjRY1TWMhRbhbmRsmk6UXVWVRbC8QebRWLEnSg27Gx5a4wXfdgAMKWcb9QqWbkU3c9TcF2BTCNHGBcFXdDKf3MDu0WG1YRsAtNzaTr1-T3cTxV6TfHY6GUHvjHNnIdl0Jcn56WbsbORa5-SK2BYp9Pq7pCM/s8160/20230830_104022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvA5DVM_EyTyd_h_OUubSM57FZ74byuyMJ4JjRY1TWMhRbhbmRsmk6UXVWVRbC8QebRWLEnSg27Gx5a4wXfdgAMKWcb9QqWbkU3c9TcF2BTCNHGBcFXdDKf3MDu0WG1YRsAtNzaTr1-T3cTxV6TfHY6GUHvjHNnIdl0Jcn56WbsbORa5-SK2BYp9Pq7pCM/w480-h640/20230830_104022.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From the first cliff-top viewpoint (there are some picnic tables at this point and railings at the cliff edge) wecan see down into the Derwent Gorge, across to Masson Hill and, looking east, up to Riber Castle. Go along the path, which bears left and continues up hill.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDo0iNf3qU83PpxSLOc4XzzP7EO5TyAplDP6KRXc5vfamEqFfipEzC3w4sJr51O-n_CW_d4CEnEckTeVNmrgwqrnxlDHvn6Quuk2mfKwEaTacFsAI32PfO-4g0ziC_z8vn6ypMHGw_-t3jksOGxFI0DM6PxJF5MWbfIFvXCvY2i3Rdw2Izd8utvPP8iyB/s8160/20230830_104106.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDo0iNf3qU83PpxSLOc4XzzP7EO5TyAplDP6KRXc5vfamEqFfipEzC3w4sJr51O-n_CW_d4CEnEckTeVNmrgwqrnxlDHvn6Quuk2mfKwEaTacFsAI32PfO-4g0ziC_z8vn6ypMHGw_-t3jksOGxFI0DM6PxJF5MWbfIFvXCvY2i3Rdw2Izd8utvPP8iyB/w640-h480/20230830_104106.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">High Tor, at 300 feet is one of the highest inland cliffs in England.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mrKQs_AhkfFPlqblxfxFOfVKrN0K1Xrd2Hh3eIRNjmEIqtU8CZOlHxLy8I69Ne9PGnZruae_vwzAa0qWC4zH3yVx0IKQ67b05tT4HuxxVkQ9Uz_UxFCtd00rJlpIWgtEGO2XL3suJ4JjItyoT77KEdmIrppUNrBpO-5vtOn-CRbzn81gxFy_j0FdSV4x/s8160/20230830_104111.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mrKQs_AhkfFPlqblxfxFOfVKrN0K1Xrd2Hh3eIRNjmEIqtU8CZOlHxLy8I69Ne9PGnZruae_vwzAa0qWC4zH3yVx0IKQ67b05tT4HuxxVkQ9Uz_UxFCtd00rJlpIWgtEGO2XL3suJ4JjItyoT77KEdmIrppUNrBpO-5vtOn-CRbzn81gxFy_j0FdSV4x/w640-h480/20230830_104111.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXRiJwhpPB3YCkv_2RZseziDRrGXNTdVuNTm2swMgA_AvzoYQl17bpmxpNmeeYGfJM13OOnTdYVymT1_77hvq8CMEOPa8f7beNB6pzRl93bmPccaxsD3vz5QqMXz-c_KlvMDDaI5N1U-KddXwKfYrrS18e9r8CsrPljzuEjr7kbrOUZf94Rb3L62EevyJ/s3648/20230830_104141.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXRiJwhpPB3YCkv_2RZseziDRrGXNTdVuNTm2swMgA_AvzoYQl17bpmxpNmeeYGfJM13OOnTdYVymT1_77hvq8CMEOPa8f7beNB6pzRl93bmPccaxsD3vz5QqMXz-c_KlvMDDaI5N1U-KddXwKfYrrS18e9r8CsrPljzuEjr7kbrOUZf94Rb3L62EevyJ/w480-h640/20230830_104141.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNErGNVIulAp2pG-vje34Du77Yt5AH_uYJdbue104uJM74r_786fiJvPFOBaqawdrt4pb1a_QMUpPzZVDTkQlxgLozjwCbnaiOPYkrMhSNn_-uIAwq8el5r0ymAYODWEpmmiSaZ4JEFQjHYEh7KDbnI6bUbvIaQ5_TeGgSN_wvttJEiAsma61PVkl81Fe-/s8160/20230830_104259.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNErGNVIulAp2pG-vje34Du77Yt5AH_uYJdbue104uJM74r_786fiJvPFOBaqawdrt4pb1a_QMUpPzZVDTkQlxgLozjwCbnaiOPYkrMhSNn_-uIAwq8el5r0ymAYODWEpmmiSaZ4JEFQjHYEh7KDbnI6bUbvIaQ5_TeGgSN_wvttJEiAsma61PVkl81Fe-/w640-h480/20230830_104259.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yet another viewpoint with amazing views down.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXd1FW58GK1vsefhhy6UfXbyZE531-LSvOaUwhT3b82nzRP1W7qP3UHGKoNeJJ9L8tZfHgfAHQXkvbIk0TJb-cMP6qEddKPPVU5xrBr-0hd0uNO_ugc6XOEdXAOU88DgMXTQt1GUDliNMGPiO1_phgTA62NEmqXoqFqhBaTvG92eUMueS5ItIRlSfUAUCc/s8160/20230830_104303.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXd1FW58GK1vsefhhy6UfXbyZE531-LSvOaUwhT3b82nzRP1W7qP3UHGKoNeJJ9L8tZfHgfAHQXkvbIk0TJb-cMP6qEddKPPVU5xrBr-0hd0uNO_ugc6XOEdXAOU88DgMXTQt1GUDliNMGPiO1_phgTA62NEmqXoqFqhBaTvG92eUMueS5ItIRlSfUAUCc/w640-h480/20230830_104303.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtVVjgEtPXloFHLd9f7psz7SlCekaPfcWtiUoVp_FEBB7iM-oMpBOYEuWIoJJh2vQcF_0SU11fLXQD6XXBqAS0BnTRrcI3ojql8k4UgwM97AyTFAc0x6W8WY8bHhASczeP0BO2vM_rSXyTvh81vgtXoHrXCZT5wa7sC1HKTD0z3EnfAI3QqPatBB9YnRZ/s8160/20230830_104308.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtVVjgEtPXloFHLd9f7psz7SlCekaPfcWtiUoVp_FEBB7iM-oMpBOYEuWIoJJh2vQcF_0SU11fLXQD6XXBqAS0BnTRrcI3ojql8k4UgwM97AyTFAc0x6W8WY8bHhASczeP0BO2vM_rSXyTvh81vgtXoHrXCZT5wa7sC1HKTD0z3EnfAI3QqPatBB9YnRZ/w640-h480/20230830_104308.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hqzl98kRO0TUYvNJMFQjH1QzzQJs7f_U7-n1LN22SGsrDwQX78VdhSNJuEECquMzl8icTtk_k47UTZZHcKw-SZMaHMzU7MXH-48mgbFLfrHpxtek4xMvsmHRLwKkp4GWU8cdxkWLdLplmZ-SoWHDaTrelDs5KshAZVV5u94rxOjo_Om8SQikcG-BFKT_/s8160/20230830_104328.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hqzl98kRO0TUYvNJMFQjH1QzzQJs7f_U7-n1LN22SGsrDwQX78VdhSNJuEECquMzl8icTtk_k47UTZZHcKw-SZMaHMzU7MXH-48mgbFLfrHpxtek4xMvsmHRLwKkp4GWU8cdxkWLdLplmZ-SoWHDaTrelDs5KshAZVV5u94rxOjo_Om8SQikcG-BFKT_/w640-h480/20230830_104328.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTibUDHVSCYToCUuSrtzzlZtcNZncZf9H1GQ31zmpgZkCMw_KgXe5TT7BCxt1kgHKglpX4ttmij0IUV--VTXvrd13fi2Opfy8dm_LamAKgXKpYwMvQh2JwGFTAHfpBDMmNaCBKgxua7-3-qUCxAFfEEgYPVar8h-hlpQyGKCQCOWx6GEG5-dVzehukRMdz/s7964/20230830_104506.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5973" data-original-width="7964" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTibUDHVSCYToCUuSrtzzlZtcNZncZf9H1GQ31zmpgZkCMw_KgXe5TT7BCxt1kgHKglpX4ttmij0IUV--VTXvrd13fi2Opfy8dm_LamAKgXKpYwMvQh2JwGFTAHfpBDMmNaCBKgxua7-3-qUCxAFfEEgYPVar8h-hlpQyGKCQCOWx6GEG5-dVzehukRMdz/w640-h480/20230830_104506.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkaJ6CLjHVMTLv97KwxW5YrcOIq4_PvXJ3hUkS-7v6fyvHs3V5VdiskuK-DmbN3t7mmF0yPGr2EMNth5vlN3Wpy969TFNFJICbHlDSNPqj5C2hgbQlFcoy-sPMunU4asoKBfJcWf-gTJayyEF6FayoEJ5lA0_7CAXm4xuDyL5opJlTcO_HA_ULUgwSzLu/s8160/20230830_104509.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkaJ6CLjHVMTLv97KwxW5YrcOIq4_PvXJ3hUkS-7v6fyvHs3V5VdiskuK-DmbN3t7mmF0yPGr2EMNth5vlN3Wpy969TFNFJICbHlDSNPqj5C2hgbQlFcoy-sPMunU4asoKBfJcWf-gTJayyEF6FayoEJ5lA0_7CAXm4xuDyL5opJlTcO_HA_ULUgwSzLu/w640-h480/20230830_104509.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We miss the start of Giddy Edge as it wasn't obvious and no signs mark the way, neither is it marked on the OS map. We head off downhill, thinking maybe Giddy Edge starts a little downhill.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nXfAvL-ppW69lZcxuwWRi8PcaOEYiIE7zjdCLNjjqGx5_uzAYYKVNG7R7hQHRSRGdi6zRfd4lqEOPQCc9U43lsEODLjDSUINXfSSA0gcm8MeW0RBEq8nNKrR5V-7pKRvpJlHxKuS1iuEfUdPVYe6QgTeW_kTZAI1cl3ZIyiDewUMEAn_BkR45gGDU1iD/s8160/20230830_104726.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nXfAvL-ppW69lZcxuwWRi8PcaOEYiIE7zjdCLNjjqGx5_uzAYYKVNG7R7hQHRSRGdi6zRfd4lqEOPQCc9U43lsEODLjDSUINXfSSA0gcm8MeW0RBEq8nNKrR5V-7pKRvpJlHxKuS1iuEfUdPVYe6QgTeW_kTZAI1cl3ZIyiDewUMEAn_BkR45gGDU1iD/w640-h480/20230830_104726.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgih11o4Xo5iIxkkim54i1yl2Hyd39sjyfcHaHVNfc_DdJeJ5C9zukr871SmLV5qs1kZnkWgGns5IYVAcRGDxVDrX_iruaPvS2SxJqXIhhsibyhmfRlr8XAAcJoFFONfU-8zsiRbVt2QuIa7huNFmUxeswUYg3qAtx2nm1kvG8mFBQnpoFEbIwfp6IlqUT6/s8160/20230830_105248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgih11o4Xo5iIxkkim54i1yl2Hyd39sjyfcHaHVNfc_DdJeJ5C9zukr871SmLV5qs1kZnkWgGns5IYVAcRGDxVDrX_iruaPvS2SxJqXIhhsibyhmfRlr8XAAcJoFFONfU-8zsiRbVt2QuIa7huNFmUxeswUYg3qAtx2nm1kvG8mFBQnpoFEbIwfp6IlqUT6/w640-h480/20230830_105248.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCj2FKJB1XGrEIBQWfqScEmDaon-hr6ZAF1sJGJJZgVyeDaei5bBMZRSqtgOgrcyemDMLzMpJz8UrVyoyg5hB3vT7xZwFtmE56d2K92adJSD7RJIpZkPDz-CWNK4WRTUmYMSIGMb7qY3P7Pg3fiR-r3stJpS2BakWWsd-Kwp2JqFN5ry6RqHaWkdRhwP0W/s7411/20230830_105535.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5558" data-original-width="7411" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCj2FKJB1XGrEIBQWfqScEmDaon-hr6ZAF1sJGJJZgVyeDaei5bBMZRSqtgOgrcyemDMLzMpJz8UrVyoyg5hB3vT7xZwFtmE56d2K92adJSD7RJIpZkPDz-CWNK4WRTUmYMSIGMb7qY3P7Pg3fiR-r3stJpS2BakWWsd-Kwp2JqFN5ry6RqHaWkdRhwP0W/w640-h480/20230830_105535.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riber Castle</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Riber Castle is a 19th-century Grade II listed country house in the hamlet of Riber on a hill overlooking Matlock, Derbyshire. It is built of gritstone from a local quarry which was pulled up the 200-metre (660 ft) hill by a series of pulleys.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8IXuMsOWf_wPjo9oG5M5hjaVac9MoO6lZ2q8TW1R-gtGw-uTyJju9Lvgmfy9vGcDKO_-a7hiqK-23fIhThOBw4zyMkFzbcUN9gTL1FNcu2ihAzQvJ3XAHFWRlbfl0mjs1kwoiKX4AX7a3fRoWTDMqHCr_SOI0yNhHyUarHDwF9YtKXgqBEBI5tOTQKhb/s8160/20230830_105801.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8IXuMsOWf_wPjo9oG5M5hjaVac9MoO6lZ2q8TW1R-gtGw-uTyJju9Lvgmfy9vGcDKO_-a7hiqK-23fIhThOBw4zyMkFzbcUN9gTL1FNcu2ihAzQvJ3XAHFWRlbfl0mjs1kwoiKX4AX7a3fRoWTDMqHCr_SOI0yNhHyUarHDwF9YtKXgqBEBI5tOTQKhb/w480-h640/20230830_105801.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFWlU6LMruDvQPcs5LbsMrTpYpJdfMMxnuJc8AQI6ReeDKIOcynzQXlaamH7q9A52_We3meZJn_OUdEcgUFc-OPE6ocAP9_6jraCaXeu0rgFmx0oRhZdEK-SO3Ms5xH6x71kSnfbgUEvFXdhcuQsHsc0GN3_M1obZoFXEmmKni5P3F9uBq1QlDEZTlNkU/s8160/20230830_110523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFWlU6LMruDvQPcs5LbsMrTpYpJdfMMxnuJc8AQI6ReeDKIOcynzQXlaamH7q9A52_We3meZJn_OUdEcgUFc-OPE6ocAP9_6jraCaXeu0rgFmx0oRhZdEK-SO3Ms5xH6x71kSnfbgUEvFXdhcuQsHsc0GN3_M1obZoFXEmmKni5P3F9uBq1QlDEZTlNkU/w640-h480/20230830_110523.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk so far and the path continues downward towards Matlock. I decide it definitely can't be this far down and we turn around and head back uphill.</div></div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3G-EUVy1iD11iI8t4gNgCYvzr29qJbucP97uVAk4Bl0M8r1JYruxicfO0PJ41IA_tNv07lbYs7t2tKPYJHZMoAiEcK7ssQc5X5B58UVtHt7HndnUjHANXEdGGzA_JVzZ19OO8aqXW3Ito1Z0goJCpXNlicPpCLGrXN6l9rTqxMtxj2dJEhGOates6x4M/s7861/20230830_110533.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7861" data-original-width="5896" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3G-EUVy1iD11iI8t4gNgCYvzr29qJbucP97uVAk4Bl0M8r1JYruxicfO0PJ41IA_tNv07lbYs7t2tKPYJHZMoAiEcK7ssQc5X5B58UVtHt7HndnUjHANXEdGGzA_JVzZ19OO8aqXW3Ito1Z0goJCpXNlicPpCLGrXN6l9rTqxMtxj2dJEhGOates6x4M/w480-h640/20230830_110533.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Riber Castle is locally as "Smedley's Folly" because of the difficulty of getting water to the hill summit, it was built by the industrialist John Smedley in 1862 as his private home. His wife lived in it until her death in 1892. After the death of Smedley's wife, the castle became a boys' prep school until this became financially unsustainable in the 1930s. The architectural historian John Summerson attended the school in the early 20th century. While he enjoyed his time at the school, the building's architecture had lesser appeal; he described the castle as "an object of indecipherable bastardy – a true monster". With the coming of World War II the Ministry of Defence used the site for food storage. The MoD left following the war and the castle remained unused until the 1960s.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">From the 1960s to September 2000 it was home to a wildlife park, containing British and European fauna. Riber Castle Wildlife Park, or Riber Zoo as it was known, was eventually sold by the owner. The original owners sold the wildlife Park as a going concern. The subsequent owners were criticised heavily for the treatment of the animals kept there, and the closure was not without controversy. The original owners bred lynx which were later released in a European mountain range.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Plans to turn the shell into apartments received planning consent on 15 March 2006. The castle walls have now been secured, chimneys and floors rebuilt, 119 windows replaced and a roof added. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqhQIBFc9IdfFTgN6jrJpYFFFEaWeJ8lIxEZClOYxsv4_nlnb4fzvcQpGc89PGphZ-MX816LVFPkSgHFEP0HETdIj1mWUTBky4ZEL3FK_gEZRthnIhFnAXGF6XFtVZKRfNI2V2i21Q5dgw-d59aV0x4BwsvvmvRp0XFspRjpFQ0GZ5lLjvV8fVhm6JmOM/s8160/20230830_111050.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqhQIBFc9IdfFTgN6jrJpYFFFEaWeJ8lIxEZClOYxsv4_nlnb4fzvcQpGc89PGphZ-MX816LVFPkSgHFEP0HETdIj1mWUTBky4ZEL3FK_gEZRthnIhFnAXGF6XFtVZKRfNI2V2i21Q5dgw-d59aV0x4BwsvvmvRp0XFspRjpFQ0GZ5lLjvV8fVhm6JmOM/w480-h640/20230830_111050.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We make our way back to the top of High Tor again and I find the path that leads to Giddy Edge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="537" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Al_Jr3fk0uE" width="647" youtube-src-id="Al_Jr3fk0uE"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">Giddy Edge itself is a very narrow path just below the top of a limestone cliff, and three hundred feet above the town of Matlock Bath. I’d been waiting for ages to go out and give this a go.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We arrive at the point where ‘Giddy Edge’ starts, the addition of a handrail makes it a fair bit less scary. The cliff is made out of limestone. The part where you turn the corner is probably the most scariest and then there’s a nice bench to sit on to take in the pretty awesome view off the cliff which pretty much destroys the impact of the exposure.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> We make our way back down the same path we came up and down to the entrance to the Heights of Abraham.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I had booked up on the top of High Tor as its cheaper to prebook then to pay on the door.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgge1FqkY1LW5aDurLjvJuBZUzLQZKi-wv_AUrRUaGBxoDgIm2FaVrgGxhpsGWTCoB21zKEAvDTPdToaZDB5TY8N0FN4Xa1LbxisQy5KKRs1__dJFyplbJc3qRjHCwlC2HuBZMJnWy50eoFhcYafTXMUs4_1myIg3E6i2WBLMrBNpqEIDg0QisTPIYRP61V/s8160/20230830_112935.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgge1FqkY1LW5aDurLjvJuBZUzLQZKi-wv_AUrRUaGBxoDgIm2FaVrgGxhpsGWTCoB21zKEAvDTPdToaZDB5TY8N0FN4Xa1LbxisQy5KKRs1__dJFyplbJc3qRjHCwlC2HuBZMJnWy50eoFhcYafTXMUs4_1myIg3E6i2WBLMrBNpqEIDg0QisTPIYRP61V/w640-h480/20230830_112935.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We queue and we are soon on the cable car, Mel isn't a fan and had her eyes closed the whole way. Mel says to me "Chris stop moving, the car is rocking" Another lady in the car says " Yeah Chris stop moving" clearly she isn't enjoying it either ha ha</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkEwIc67gXDNL7h8cLL0iMXQ40bucU1KG3enGM3Ri8Ik_MvZ5t1pWTLNlUxSc8-Tg-mRcl6Uekm8r64Raih1jLsdciSuu-T-GKg8o1S69pHB_52I3ETN9DKU-cV-vk6OHTZo4PBOM8Pdx4LhEna0wDbCScUaZTDYgy_Kl-o2_oOk5bCxlEeApMgLYuy5Z/s2944/20230830_114950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkEwIc67gXDNL7h8cLL0iMXQ40bucU1KG3enGM3Ri8Ik_MvZ5t1pWTLNlUxSc8-Tg-mRcl6Uekm8r64Raih1jLsdciSuu-T-GKg8o1S69pHB_52I3ETN9DKU-cV-vk6OHTZo4PBOM8Pdx4LhEna0wDbCScUaZTDYgy_Kl-o2_oOk5bCxlEeApMgLYuy5Z/w480-h640/20230830_114950.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">But I had to move a little to take in the great views and get some photos!</div></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5NiOwAmWynybzQasznQL0w-ips-SWhG_MTSAJFR4TsI88H9GgiA--IslQkxwUNQOayv8fCavAPpst4dCIbenbLzFVdoAA542hhV5y3CIy0uZBIIRb4aQSvMQl8UYQbVt_s4mcV_18xnQNkUcoEyJ1w5zOxtSy9RND8p05gSczcT_JoM5t_XCJPx9ZCYZ/s8053/20230830_114958.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6040" data-original-width="8053" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5NiOwAmWynybzQasznQL0w-ips-SWhG_MTSAJFR4TsI88H9GgiA--IslQkxwUNQOayv8fCavAPpst4dCIbenbLzFVdoAA542hhV5y3CIy0uZBIIRb4aQSvMQl8UYQbVt_s4mcV_18xnQNkUcoEyJ1w5zOxtSy9RND8p05gSczcT_JoM5t_XCJPx9ZCYZ/w640-h480/20230830_114958.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View down as we cross the River Derwent.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The cable cars were first installed in 1984 and modernised in 2004. The journey takes you over 554ft upwards to the summit, 100ft above sea level.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-K7gKPclTfiVzcIw3Uj4vu9vP3bm6RR-Qevy3Byfg9zSuhvDLmdx9drY1GYBsrN9FkN83cQ676ad2ChSG0RksWx5A_zcNl-o4AIWmACILpzu8Xmfs7JX94shGiK3EKMFy4-xTGwGRgyJBf3XnMSQmlL4KtbT-UnfvP3Y-zKJ6NNWcaXeza3G53DjdBAIm/s8160/20230830_115055.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-K7gKPclTfiVzcIw3Uj4vu9vP3bm6RR-Qevy3Byfg9zSuhvDLmdx9drY1GYBsrN9FkN83cQ676ad2ChSG0RksWx5A_zcNl-o4AIWmACILpzu8Xmfs7JX94shGiK3EKMFy4-xTGwGRgyJBf3XnMSQmlL4KtbT-UnfvP3Y-zKJ6NNWcaXeza3G53DjdBAIm/w480-h640/20230830_115055.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">Famous for its cable cars, which take visitors on an exciting flight through the scenic Derwent Valley, passing over river, road and rail before reaching the summit of Masson Hill. Once at the summit the 235-year story of the Heights springs to life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrOnBMkD_esUwO3n9DWEJeUelTNrkUsmP1ebbEscr827ElbHuYtX-AiyKlvMttp32Lr0zy7-nGpL9MnVSc_Eu7qomtfcvYmnLax1G8_TkSryScO4YrnM-TxMf0s2dJTRBEGoJ5PupmSYStzXvpB0riVzInxABijt6g1PsKs8q_RU581rnw9s8SCppmPcl/s7905/20230830_115135.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7905" data-original-width="5929" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrOnBMkD_esUwO3n9DWEJeUelTNrkUsmP1ebbEscr827ElbHuYtX-AiyKlvMttp32Lr0zy7-nGpL9MnVSc_Eu7qomtfcvYmnLax1G8_TkSryScO4YrnM-TxMf0s2dJTRBEGoJ5PupmSYStzXvpB0riVzInxABijt6g1PsKs8q_RU581rnw9s8SCppmPcl/w480-h640/20230830_115135.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We arrive at the summit. Mel is glad to be off and is a little bit wobbly from the fear.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Hb0ttXYsJKUGR4htkmQ1xHpWPqBjkoNdF5QuVc4RIuq9fcWhctpBhMPbvkhy1A9JjQt0qjtX8EsAJA4-WW0ZRo9UWWScDVIkN74JQ3Fg9GjEdKMpnsMeEnxALFaImB75wvW_Qi-sBeFDVak6mm40boDKcPFy9dhZJGqaK_fEQ7u0lIZoZoTfck_yRTR6/s8160/20230830_115718.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Hb0ttXYsJKUGR4htkmQ1xHpWPqBjkoNdF5QuVc4RIuq9fcWhctpBhMPbvkhy1A9JjQt0qjtX8EsAJA4-WW0ZRo9UWWScDVIkN74JQ3Fg9GjEdKMpnsMeEnxALFaImB75wvW_Qi-sBeFDVak6mm40boDKcPFy9dhZJGqaK_fEQ7u0lIZoZoTfck_yRTR6/w640-h480/20230830_115718.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk up and sit by he bottom of their waterfall, not very impressive but we sit and have a drink while Mel has a cigarette. The pond is full of Sticklebacks and Roach.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgji7n1akSgDW86P5bBlKvZWmmzg0lvX3mfncKjf2dLa34eeddcPN8XlMMdEDWRKge1yrmqAF3X9oxtMvfna9QhIXafYfo-zBfPJIdCp1d1_vmdwijlzoj_FfB9A0G2bcaCHH9DdXiBDV-gSUfsRo-QYMhRTYDDoxC36hR61v7jKWsUJuTY0Vk_QFDRVgmb/s8160/20230830_115733.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgji7n1akSgDW86P5bBlKvZWmmzg0lvX3mfncKjf2dLa34eeddcPN8XlMMdEDWRKge1yrmqAF3X9oxtMvfna9QhIXafYfo-zBfPJIdCp1d1_vmdwijlzoj_FfB9A0G2bcaCHH9DdXiBDV-gSUfsRo-QYMhRTYDDoxC36hR61v7jKWsUJuTY0Vk_QFDRVgmb/w640-h480/20230830_115733.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVl3DatdVEY_aRymTsjC0W6MI4F7awQdzTnJzA3LeG8bNJszmfG94x0o6HAiF-OyCdw9gbBlLPpReTswYQ8HeerN-2r1hrGAJJRr20D67yFPf0ycW5aWsYpbhgMmvHpbebtXRM4dqhfvQJCdTDY5mchawlGiLsMNAFtwN7XpcurP33aOjB2mjwyAbez0X/s8160/20230830_115739.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVl3DatdVEY_aRymTsjC0W6MI4F7awQdzTnJzA3LeG8bNJszmfG94x0o6HAiF-OyCdw9gbBlLPpReTswYQ8HeerN-2r1hrGAJJRr20D67yFPf0ycW5aWsYpbhgMmvHpbebtXRM4dqhfvQJCdTDY5mchawlGiLsMNAFtwN7XpcurP33aOjB2mjwyAbez0X/w640-h480/20230830_115739.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We look around The Long View Exhibition,tells the tale of tourism in Matlock Bath, including famous faces and how the Heights began. Upstairs in the film theatre, find out how the cable cars were built in 1984, with daring engineering and white knuckle moments!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKubMd6H0KbaGtCVKK9Q0aABztn9PVEywxEZCAfk5Whs2kDTQaU3KcYNfar3-_LYhEvfaLqtfij09Jzk_WXt5lDjOTdYHriWKzK7teZfB2jYC9TwBsdnnxgmY3Ht_xYEAHmsINHcD_5pOxv1-GfI63JjvO4Y7gGTbqVcVSnHH2VOq83NeEH52W0C-I0PJ3/s1912/long%20vioew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1912" data-original-width="1530" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKubMd6H0KbaGtCVKK9Q0aABztn9PVEywxEZCAfk5Whs2kDTQaU3KcYNfar3-_LYhEvfaLqtfij09Jzk_WXt5lDjOTdYHriWKzK7teZfB2jYC9TwBsdnnxgmY3Ht_xYEAHmsINHcD_5pOxv1-GfI63JjvO4Y7gGTbqVcVSnHH2VOq83NeEH52W0C-I0PJ3/w512-h640/long%20vioew.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We leave and queue for a tour of Great Masson Cavern. While we wait there are bird feeders full of visiting birds to watch. (Blue tits, Great tits, Coal Tits, Dunnock and Chaffinches).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are lead down into the Cavern by or guide.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-H2yMx7ixKAKWTeuQqRgmhkUygwHoafdodmM6zUYz1O8flrN-TGdiLk4L787UTAtYss-Wj1hfsXH0qQ6esnXjtyE5DXiizNtLXcrjcQVIXXqouYNQw-F5SKPEnthOhN2YjYnKPEHJ1-eOXuFjgn1N408D5MWpDWyCTT0EjIitBgnomO-2uCZeetShjuq/s8160/20230830_125529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-H2yMx7ixKAKWTeuQqRgmhkUygwHoafdodmM6zUYz1O8flrN-TGdiLk4L787UTAtYss-Wj1hfsXH0qQ6esnXjtyE5DXiizNtLXcrjcQVIXXqouYNQw-F5SKPEnthOhN2YjYnKPEHJ1-eOXuFjgn1N408D5MWpDWyCTT0EjIitBgnomO-2uCZeetShjuq/w480-h640/20230830_125529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Great Masson Cavern is notable for its lack of stalactites and stalagmites, as the cave is coated in a clay-like substance that inhibits deposition. However, it still has some rock formations such as "the Owl" and "the Rabbit". It was first opened to visitor viewing in Victorian times and had been mined for fluorspar prior to the opening to visitors.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jIOVVTF_P6zrKsffxXHwdayd_vNOE22WseyheM6ig5KbNUGuwjqmqVhM-W-qP7d9VZYgHf378fDeHIOApVf_j1i9lQga-t86j4c0F2sW_TtWKeHwMigSzcV_si7HN7urT_8s6w-JTjuS5NxQWmXsHRVwlBbnwH2U0SZIBilgoipNy-vVL75oXoBy6GZ_/s8160/20230830_130544.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jIOVVTF_P6zrKsffxXHwdayd_vNOE22WseyheM6ig5KbNUGuwjqmqVhM-W-qP7d9VZYgHf378fDeHIOApVf_j1i9lQga-t86j4c0F2sW_TtWKeHwMigSzcV_si7HN7urT_8s6w-JTjuS5NxQWmXsHRVwlBbnwH2U0SZIBilgoipNy-vVL75oXoBy6GZ_/w480-h640/20230830_130544.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mined for Lead ore and Fluorspar. It is thought that lead mining in this area began in Roman times and reached its peak in the 1700s. As deposits began to dwindle, and cheaper lead was imported in the 1800s, the miners found a far more lucrative use for the caves as tourist attractions; in the process of excavation a large network of caverns and passageways were created which wealthy visitors would now pay to see. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0BLuS226_Rj8C38SyDvNqnhz3IpsUffrUB6bWdLglMCi_X1EIhDImTpJmjKC5oN5RnKQ1rOMgDilntCXf86u-AygEDsgxUcx2QvqGXTS11XBCyjEphOfG2A38ayBdxi6zM49JbkR3lCJ6XdrznGU2ZTBarr1ds9IvF4unIrU5fTPWUm-Q2Yq5d1VTYcw/s8160/20230830_130658.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0BLuS226_Rj8C38SyDvNqnhz3IpsUffrUB6bWdLglMCi_X1EIhDImTpJmjKC5oN5RnKQ1rOMgDilntCXf86u-AygEDsgxUcx2QvqGXTS11XBCyjEphOfG2A38ayBdxi6zM49JbkR3lCJ6XdrznGU2ZTBarr1ds9IvF4unIrU5fTPWUm-Q2Yq5d1VTYcw/w480-h640/20230830_130658.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Fluorspar</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fluorspar is used directly or indirectly to manufacture products such as aluminium, gasoline, insulating foams, refrigerants, steel, and uranium fuel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-4TU2seeKI-A6Y2sHMoPvyMv_PW6bvpTC18VI-2Wrhq5k5jFaJXzMNjNeHh_du5j9Md88JzKFqMsD8tNKb0iwHzd7Fr7uT1uirouxe-KLSi6xQ9aeV-B9IXbbJ3wxaGFdcG1zl2cZqzS1any6ylpdQ48-w1DD3fm9kLdwUTAb2OiIkHob3pOypCJNJei/s8160/20230830_130744.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-4TU2seeKI-A6Y2sHMoPvyMv_PW6bvpTC18VI-2Wrhq5k5jFaJXzMNjNeHh_du5j9Md88JzKFqMsD8tNKb0iwHzd7Fr7uT1uirouxe-KLSi6xQ9aeV-B9IXbbJ3wxaGFdcG1zl2cZqzS1any6ylpdQ48-w1DD3fm9kLdwUTAb2OiIkHob3pOypCJNJei/w480-h640/20230830_130744.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGp7kAuLuuxJsBlIGfj4AbnepTiOM-7tilquKzsDvnv6naVoWNgmxM5vTHQ4W6nyZzJIOvei04GHLNxPgndv6sLAvE3GzJKiVIbug2bCWS_Bh66hGD16nNdRdBd4Lg9Bv-M3DatnhWHonxV_61q_eqFjl7Q0KtyHmtB5lYh_roq8xDrdt2-GGGnA2PqsbN/s8160/20230830_130821.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGp7kAuLuuxJsBlIGfj4AbnepTiOM-7tilquKzsDvnv6naVoWNgmxM5vTHQ4W6nyZzJIOvei04GHLNxPgndv6sLAvE3GzJKiVIbug2bCWS_Bh66hGD16nNdRdBd4Lg9Bv-M3DatnhWHonxV_61q_eqFjl7Q0KtyHmtB5lYh_roq8xDrdt2-GGGnA2PqsbN/w480-h640/20230830_130821.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After about 45 minutes we are lead out up more steps and out onto the hillside.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPUWoJoVgo2pBOPTT8TmK2MK5VBnArmCpFW7QQCzy3ThydWgcZwkJnKfba7AT4y8RoeU1urPt2u6r5M0r36PecC106jvFGrYXmQe5nNnKYFjBIAdf7gVv_eCdHGzq553j_m06EHVPg2dixKd75c28wjdtteAeTfSIzcJ6w_ApoNgYxxr34YIbPKnkLaCY/s8160/20230830_131437.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPUWoJoVgo2pBOPTT8TmK2MK5VBnArmCpFW7QQCzy3ThydWgcZwkJnKfba7AT4y8RoeU1urPt2u6r5M0r36PecC106jvFGrYXmQe5nNnKYFjBIAdf7gVv_eCdHGzq553j_m06EHVPg2dixKd75c28wjdtteAeTfSIzcJ6w_ApoNgYxxr34YIbPKnkLaCY/w640-h480/20230830_131437.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqx-x4LV5yK5fdihZJ8AMET4LzLGqAdzV6qgnTKGvkc7Yict-UoADYyK6L7WHbaNW0D7hNrjqpJQIOUCHIjKBH2ZREqmfVGEWfH-_PKP0K7Us6F5WCszbzIe-Zx9WW5Zi6qiVeUmJ2jykTy7oWB17Z2pp-yymc4dN4UxHK8uWaXJRvh1iAfwHUi6DgLxoR/s8160/20230830_131618.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqx-x4LV5yK5fdihZJ8AMET4LzLGqAdzV6qgnTKGvkc7Yict-UoADYyK6L7WHbaNW0D7hNrjqpJQIOUCHIjKBH2ZREqmfVGEWfH-_PKP0K7Us6F5WCszbzIe-Zx9WW5Zi6qiVeUmJ2jykTy7oWB17Z2pp-yymc4dN4UxHK8uWaXJRvh1iAfwHUi6DgLxoR/w640-h480/20230830_131618.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We have views back across to Riber Castle,High Tor and Giddy Edge.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7l0b83kvPMAgiXMgGo2YOUXnrk07Y31LzxOk0lss3WEyVamoP22k_PkktYoCPtlwW5WhldI9M3QLBxFwNZq92KiWz5DTXuwbS4nNmepeoWXdMDI-O1x494Z-YNvE_KRotyOtw7FISjQ46S492AsKlgM1tUS3CgR75-oBeUPAVcrra121PAzl3AkR0dzcC/s8160/20230830_131833.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7l0b83kvPMAgiXMgGo2YOUXnrk07Y31LzxOk0lss3WEyVamoP22k_PkktYoCPtlwW5WhldI9M3QLBxFwNZq92KiWz5DTXuwbS4nNmepeoWXdMDI-O1x494Z-YNvE_KRotyOtw7FISjQ46S492AsKlgM1tUS3CgR75-oBeUPAVcrra121PAzl3AkR0dzcC/w480-h640/20230830_131833.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk up to Tinkers Shaft, we were below this a short while ago.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">The Shaft was named after Mr.Tinker, who first sunk it back in the 1600s. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">There were no health and safety regulations in place back in the 1600s, so Tinker’s Shaft used to be supported by just a few wobbly stones and a couple of pieces of dampened wood. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tik8B3KJkpg2-NSpVtvbJSApgxxeVdo20Tydp1vg6N9lfIZ8GZjlwKcWWbYEdjfi7DWEetwEz9JATvOoqxhKtrIWC2OGpR39GDzPeyp_ziQNpnwiF0Z6dpvFxt0QPL1gNmV5xz0aQPJa886vBQbAAi9hVLjKG4IK8AgMn7V8zwP-mtnTNAOuCM0l1QKy/s7390/20230830_131844.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4758" data-original-width="7390" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tik8B3KJkpg2-NSpVtvbJSApgxxeVdo20Tydp1vg6N9lfIZ8GZjlwKcWWbYEdjfi7DWEetwEz9JATvOoqxhKtrIWC2OGpR39GDzPeyp_ziQNpnwiF0Z6dpvFxt0QPL1gNmV5xz0aQPJa886vBQbAAi9hVLjKG4IK8AgMn7V8zwP-mtnTNAOuCM0l1QKy/w640-h412/20230830_131844.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back downhill and pass the Punch and Judy show and playground until we reach the Victoria Prospect Tower.</div></span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrhAGG110dtGUAgsErWGxuuEnkjsYy8RTTNof77Tr8KJVBPcuEbr1317yeiundbhhjLpZGoC1EkZl26MkuHRE0hb0xJrOn5kHZ4YZAcX8cpHq_mxs_UIsepyRCk0YOam8Ml8PmQTy8Uw2kvOZW2vbTB2hHsqywbTMZKg_biaDdOJhF0Jx25fmEoVQ720G/s7953/20230830_132950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7953" data-original-width="5965" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrhAGG110dtGUAgsErWGxuuEnkjsYy8RTTNof77Tr8KJVBPcuEbr1317yeiundbhhjLpZGoC1EkZl26MkuHRE0hb0xJrOn5kHZ4YZAcX8cpHq_mxs_UIsepyRCk0YOam8Ml8PmQTy8Uw2kvOZW2vbTB2hHsqywbTMZKg_biaDdOJhF0Jx25fmEoVQ720G/w480-h640/20230830_132950.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">The Victoria Prospect Tower was built in 1844 to celebrate the reign of Queen Victoria. From the top of the tower, and from the adjacent amphitheatre, there are panoramic views of the valley of the River Derwent, the spa town of Matlock Bath and the nearby Riber Castle and Willersley Castle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcbyM5s1oOQMpRqx9Hi0aUTNqBHKU0UdoIKB-2afwQbPFwjEOb1_9fhQgLqrWSfjeIQnXqc86v147q-n5zmJAXahDkvbGxr_VaVQkWl13mq0XEhn6J1XHLCF5g2yILALvgQWtv63d8tfkwjtT3LCk-Qr3qlLJ4Nm7ps46j13wPj7jsBT3uF4vB_G6vioA/s8160/20230830_133011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcbyM5s1oOQMpRqx9Hi0aUTNqBHKU0UdoIKB-2afwQbPFwjEOb1_9fhQgLqrWSfjeIQnXqc86v147q-n5zmJAXahDkvbGxr_VaVQkWl13mq0XEhn6J1XHLCF5g2yILALvgQWtv63d8tfkwjtT3LCk-Qr3qlLJ4Nm7ps46j13wPj7jsBT3uF4vB_G6vioA/w480-h640/20230830_133011.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">Mel didn't fancy the climb up the narrow spiral staircase so I went up alone to take in the views.</div></span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmL3mRZfoBWVTRWrotRMNWKsklH0Eif6kr7U4tbnl3bm1Go0qK7v9F57YE-kd_WQaokK9_JGvQ2xZu4Z_8lYBK_31fsCIJnWO8zaWz4kYW_9B-8Dc3rGdWfxw-4r2K0KrNfDrSbhkliKKONyZ6_YUH27ovIbRWs0U6tCzh0CLNIWJaKbsOFUiA7HEPY9Z_/s8160/20230830_133110.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmL3mRZfoBWVTRWrotRMNWKsklH0Eif6kr7U4tbnl3bm1Go0qK7v9F57YE-kd_WQaokK9_JGvQ2xZu4Z_8lYBK_31fsCIJnWO8zaWz4kYW_9B-8Dc3rGdWfxw-4r2K0KrNfDrSbhkliKKONyZ6_YUH27ovIbRWs0U6tCzh0CLNIWJaKbsOFUiA7HEPY9Z_/w640-h480/20230830_133110.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYAaJmrdT_cTHBFCggsbnR9BIfsGQcqFCCMiCo6zhOVmg02h9NiylyHiSki2JfMSJ0cO_E62TVlZeWQ4ZdZ1UjMJpzEBLrH7b7dCZXYaS2SaebA_0eDHW9NRZnR9XLjSGoXVgQuQWRdBmhR6ecW8AbUsyMLz2TIK79O_oFTvf8E6xBRWC0MQYSHHBnIp3/s7994/20230830_133124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5996" data-original-width="7994" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYAaJmrdT_cTHBFCggsbnR9BIfsGQcqFCCMiCo6zhOVmg02h9NiylyHiSki2JfMSJ0cO_E62TVlZeWQ4ZdZ1UjMJpzEBLrH7b7dCZXYaS2SaebA_0eDHW9NRZnR9XLjSGoXVgQuQWRdBmhR6ecW8AbUsyMLz2TIK79O_oFTvf8E6xBRWC0MQYSHHBnIp3/w640-h480/20230830_133124.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDK4A_vtlLiqh0pz8WBfKphwG_x6_hiroSK_cYd_bU8n3UwaUc8NlxJj4xTKVNjJcsKiniM68daGM7lB0UHQk4Bx1lxZZIPu1_mNRMYpPpUieOKjsR3vVE6Ep2Rmf5mfE8i-wC00cVTN9yTk6Tqzt11w3inPeUtxSAL-Wv5nc1Y9TZkg6uq-fu61Mm-3V9/s8160/20230830_133210.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDK4A_vtlLiqh0pz8WBfKphwG_x6_hiroSK_cYd_bU8n3UwaUc8NlxJj4xTKVNjJcsKiniM68daGM7lB0UHQk4Bx1lxZZIPu1_mNRMYpPpUieOKjsR3vVE6Ep2Rmf5mfE8i-wC00cVTN9yTk6Tqzt11w3inPeUtxSAL-Wv5nc1Y9TZkg6uq-fu61Mm-3V9/w480-h640/20230830_133210.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Back down we walk further downhill pass Woodland Corner which is little more than a seating area and a few trees. We stop by a view down to the cable car route.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nV0l-fUacNeIJSuy1CoYxLRWGtJpbC3WBv9vo5kfc2sWJLhuF8yx0grbJTih1icmnpd7n5jr5SDBdqyGxemuUJ9e2j--QqaK7o3UcF1Pb1AL-3tgRbuQqjSs1F20ogOnmJtB2Y7sUOxCo4aiO_5q7DuvV7g78gNEOxfjK8AzxdD9zUuO7oDJvrpLCUE1/s8160/20230830_134153.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nV0l-fUacNeIJSuy1CoYxLRWGtJpbC3WBv9vo5kfc2sWJLhuF8yx0grbJTih1icmnpd7n5jr5SDBdqyGxemuUJ9e2j--QqaK7o3UcF1Pb1AL-3tgRbuQqjSs1F20ogOnmJtB2Y7sUOxCo4aiO_5q7DuvV7g78gNEOxfjK8AzxdD9zUuO7oDJvrpLCUE1/w640-h480/20230830_134153.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhya5JN0pwuBDT0S0tgM2e2A0lruZdmmWa4OZouWvhbZyHDlS5R8aQczi0f4hHhQ4FnvJ9szy6sep8XDgMPhsC8dGyoZ_zmZvjb3D0eEKUJ9yatxNTbfbB8kG6SpRavg-NK15eQYtefkAH_mIwScxrf5wZo-RfY2oQg0Xpx4jC803JCk0YXHPyfcqOvmQMB/s8160/20230830_134309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhya5JN0pwuBDT0S0tgM2e2A0lruZdmmWa4OZouWvhbZyHDlS5R8aQczi0f4hHhQ4FnvJ9szy6sep8XDgMPhsC8dGyoZ_zmZvjb3D0eEKUJ9yatxNTbfbB8kG6SpRavg-NK15eQYtefkAH_mIwScxrf5wZo-RfY2oQg0Xpx4jC803JCk0YXHPyfcqOvmQMB/w480-h640/20230830_134309.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Down further we reach the second of cavern tours and are lucky enough a group were going in so we jumped on the back of this.</span></span></div><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">This is the Great Rutland Cavern, a small cave consisting of a narrow passage and a chamber leading into the Nestus Grotto. Occasionally sunlight can be seen through holes in the rock, creating a pattern called 'the devil's face'. At the close of the tour is an audio visual display explaining the grim reality of mining in the 1800s.</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">It was first opened to the public in 1812 and was then known as Nestor Mine. It was then, and previously, mined for lead and various other minerals.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The guide tells us about lead mining and the early deaths that the miners and lead washers faced. However it was said a cure was available in the form of BEER!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkhjIIgsjN8Zqq9YFHSNMiXZqVXLQmi4wgucMIM1bvQrzKiH-kHW5XcoXY4j7EASi3XoIefbs9VfDTUpmHu2E1UtbJanrw6sNdy8oL7EGwc3zgov8gT9BKjcoFy5BH7SJkq1eFTtmDy1PeAodTA73ijegEVPR-AeSOMCWFQhBd4BaEkjtr5kJTJzWJ927/s8160/20230830_135446.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkhjIIgsjN8Zqq9YFHSNMiXZqVXLQmi4wgucMIM1bvQrzKiH-kHW5XcoXY4j7EASi3XoIefbs9VfDTUpmHu2E1UtbJanrw6sNdy8oL7EGwc3zgov8gT9BKjcoFy5BH7SJkq1eFTtmDy1PeAodTA73ijegEVPR-AeSOMCWFQhBd4BaEkjtr5kJTJzWJ927/w640-h480/20230830_135446.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">We left the cavern and head into the Tavern next door.</div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgpkPR4c-Kz7uYIsSLaIAxFntNuXnXOIc9Ihgf9xq2x9PoivFNfkdJ1Db8qf3qwjhwRtPlF_P2spnmn3vF4jIjW5Zxpow1YYicRzZ1hGNQ5S7b1bo9VTKynpQVDt79NWcHlZcDicmdSC3OdBdEose0HNHbR2zKA4RwCwhkq4b66_eCokhruZFCaYbCtam/s8160/20230830_140948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgpkPR4c-Kz7uYIsSLaIAxFntNuXnXOIc9Ihgf9xq2x9PoivFNfkdJ1Db8qf3qwjhwRtPlF_P2spnmn3vF4jIjW5Zxpow1YYicRzZ1hGNQ5S7b1bo9VTKynpQVDt79NWcHlZcDicmdSC3OdBdEose0HNHbR2zKA4RwCwhkq4b66_eCokhruZFCaYbCtam/w640-h480/20230830_140948.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">I opt for a 'Tinkers Tipple' by Peak Ales, in case of lead exposure of course!</span></span></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiNSy4IyCLlCZvPb6L3DuPjCZ1f7_LNnQkW7xNLuXAohzxpvUCfcDt_sztT5AHNDYLw-CtAh-SOxMlVjtFLGMv_i348T9HdHRQHzaQChxfvb1Ob8zzUMce4m3MDRsrVUce-sY418r96BSJ-82Aj8ZMfq2fwIBJ78cKm3aa1OiwRN7LJ68F5i3gqgAeaFN/s8160/20230830_141228.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiNSy4IyCLlCZvPb6L3DuPjCZ1f7_LNnQkW7xNLuXAohzxpvUCfcDt_sztT5AHNDYLw-CtAh-SOxMlVjtFLGMv_i348T9HdHRQHzaQChxfvb1Ob8zzUMce4m3MDRsrVUce-sY418r96BSJ-82Aj8ZMfq2fwIBJ78cKm3aa1OiwRN7LJ68F5i3gqgAeaFN/w480-h640/20230830_141228.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">We walk back up a steep flight of stairs through a woodland and back to the Cable Cars for our return journey.</div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTYr8JQiLQcHRN5zOs5FZgqwj4wgNJ22WZhLV9c2vevOHJ5egohGRkwMJrjpt4yo-Z54Q6Z8cer6iqmiwb-8Vne5HDAA644g8J13GKumTvD0aws1LigyPZPr-8b49dqVj4z9x7-gp7qk__CURe0EQxE-lDU_BC82XYNgh_gp24WNnsEzG6E883cqAXvFN/s8160/20230830_141356.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTYr8JQiLQcHRN5zOs5FZgqwj4wgNJ22WZhLV9c2vevOHJ5egohGRkwMJrjpt4yo-Z54Q6Z8cer6iqmiwb-8Vne5HDAA644g8J13GKumTvD0aws1LigyPZPr-8b49dqVj4z9x7-gp7qk__CURe0EQxE-lDU_BC82XYNgh_gp24WNnsEzG6E883cqAXvFN/w640-h480/20230830_141356.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14tBYbmVwljuWzY8tAIA6HEdVY3nJFcFSEXZGcg615hqimXAah0i20KqR1n4GUpTzZEHgw3tR4P-SrQzup5wZTkez1ANWZb4IZBAoe9_l0QvgEUb0sqTcdMe8rnQNZVskWlN9P5JtIc8Asba_T7cZkTwZeWL_wJemmUsRZrv2p6ikK1h9wO6g9o1XX1U1/s7268/20230830_145831.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7268" data-original-width="5451" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14tBYbmVwljuWzY8tAIA6HEdVY3nJFcFSEXZGcg615hqimXAah0i20KqR1n4GUpTzZEHgw3tR4P-SrQzup5wZTkez1ANWZb4IZBAoe9_l0QvgEUb0sqTcdMe8rnQNZVskWlN9P5JtIc8Asba_T7cZkTwZeWL_wJemmUsRZrv2p6ikK1h9wO6g9o1XX1U1/w480-h640/20230830_145831.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEG4-OJlWA_zPf4hcgngp1LWbawZDk8SYnl4t1Xm5iHzAi8Bp1w9Oy4RCnZjuZviZUknZQgxD1DvXAOcPY8YZvFVbXPYVKkZvzDH0HwxA3r7L54xldXvfmTlmpiiATGCEPhkXcMKd9_5pdUY4OBSt9htS9PqcfYNyI1yH7TD3imTH2cx-IuBxa5e3QibT/s7719/20230830_145902.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5789" data-original-width="7719" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEG4-OJlWA_zPf4hcgngp1LWbawZDk8SYnl4t1Xm5iHzAi8Bp1w9Oy4RCnZjuZviZUknZQgxD1DvXAOcPY8YZvFVbXPYVKkZvzDH0HwxA3r7L54xldXvfmTlmpiiATGCEPhkXcMKd9_5pdUY4OBSt9htS9PqcfYNyI1yH7TD3imTH2cx-IuBxa5e3QibT/w640-h480/20230830_145902.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">We get the car back down.</div></span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_S9nNd8DIzpv9UOpA6nUKZ8dBdo9WYMG7Cy2Yvx-jWgwrtyTdpRlT8P1c9BdNBYmxP3BBK4qE6jS8nwwqQbkQz1IzrBlVYPhKmZO3OJtxpNwk5Mxkz6s2-XmzVO2Nu2AVleAkR8HfCGA1jkb2EBAqka8TiU7O594okd4gTgJ_2cr4zAlwxbwt7yt4ltM/s7136/20230830_145920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5352" data-original-width="7136" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_S9nNd8DIzpv9UOpA6nUKZ8dBdo9WYMG7Cy2Yvx-jWgwrtyTdpRlT8P1c9BdNBYmxP3BBK4qE6jS8nwwqQbkQz1IzrBlVYPhKmZO3OJtxpNwk5Mxkz6s2-XmzVO2Nu2AVleAkR8HfCGA1jkb2EBAqka8TiU7O594okd4gTgJ_2cr4zAlwxbwt7yt4ltM/w640-h480/20230830_145920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipH0qc1T-ZqbAPjb3qxmkh6yiwf82BUtlpI5_UBMnsTVHuN_C2HEiEJUlE82tCXSzJrwKZZxHgWBZn-1eReV-baY13KOIT-Lz7Ru_WuFxYDgCN-rJkbD4iwE-ELutrpTKBp-OsZ1w3dedWArBeGQGmeK7sBinWfxK_o4O_IZL1u7GFLij0BCPwj_WI3-b/s7681/20230830_150018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5760" data-original-width="7681" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipH0qc1T-ZqbAPjb3qxmkh6yiwf82BUtlpI5_UBMnsTVHuN_C2HEiEJUlE82tCXSzJrwKZZxHgWBZn-1eReV-baY13KOIT-Lz7Ru_WuFxYDgCN-rJkbD4iwE-ELutrpTKBp-OsZ1w3dedWArBeGQGmeK7sBinWfxK_o4O_IZL1u7GFLij0BCPwj_WI3-b/w640-h480/20230830_150018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtk-s6Jd4aLOVGx-Um1iSZ6emMXtRhI5SwQFGF-ITMUSFJG6Rdx5w__tO2LdXBF7N3csIODgbBZZzurq16QyO-lBv25Z5DLNG6nhGfOgT-ZQlEnWifXRRO1WtQWUVSpiW7F2kJtVW6OLYPoGvSbq4I4I8B7vmjuQH5EHsKqA95wK6diAW6KJA3IC1d40Ee/s8160/20230830_150047.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtk-s6Jd4aLOVGx-Um1iSZ6emMXtRhI5SwQFGF-ITMUSFJG6Rdx5w__tO2LdXBF7N3csIODgbBZZzurq16QyO-lBv25Z5DLNG6nhGfOgT-ZQlEnWifXRRO1WtQWUVSpiW7F2kJtVW6OLYPoGvSbq4I4I8B7vmjuQH5EHsKqA95wK6diAW6KJA3IC1d40Ee/w640-h323/20230830_150047.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">Back down we walk back through Matlock Bath, we stop for some chips and ice cream before returning to the hotel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlj5o5qjvBeHyYU5edS9A7_T6CgfesJKB9YdsgAPiEtfVJ8_SCCS-QzYc_dTUiQ8g8c8xkwMt4KQ63DwSNaan0vrLzEAe4oeAOWJqd0NLRXWCUQu_UggMF0Cax5glzeTIQno5iuuuyKEfeHeB5GtDW9gS7BFhyuUZlsYYuDYiXjprZcJJcjFhA4gqVxhm/s7367/20230830_151036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7367" data-original-width="5525" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlj5o5qjvBeHyYU5edS9A7_T6CgfesJKB9YdsgAPiEtfVJ8_SCCS-QzYc_dTUiQ8g8c8xkwMt4KQ63DwSNaan0vrLzEAe4oeAOWJqd0NLRXWCUQu_UggMF0Cax5glzeTIQno5iuuuyKEfeHeB5GtDW9gS7BFhyuUZlsYYuDYiXjprZcJJcjFhA4gqVxhm/w480-h640/20230830_151036.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnlMyyoXSL8u3IzC021YUSgFgqQRbfhguC_pScm3h4qEI92olgChQWPdiFaW_iiL4znX28IwzwjgohjnZPzkofVFZegtMM5qBR66z4Q60HhTE09sq-ghRBi4bZzmC8RP4Gdnj528zpbMrwyzZCFdl1GYFX09szXCvm-StMIdxsj9WtpF9AF4Vryx6pdCp/s7734/20230830_151237.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5800" data-original-width="7734" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnlMyyoXSL8u3IzC021YUSgFgqQRbfhguC_pScm3h4qEI92olgChQWPdiFaW_iiL4znX28IwzwjgohjnZPzkofVFZegtMM5qBR66z4Q60HhTE09sq-ghRBi4bZzmC8RP4Gdnj528zpbMrwyzZCFdl1GYFX09szXCvm-StMIdxsj9WtpF9AF4Vryx6pdCp/w640-h480/20230830_151237.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAG4BfB67qFSdBEcWbJeHniJWpzwswaBYNOUD84unh3otUUwjaOHSDBisTfaHuKvQ6mg1fqu2NH29pcFi1UWTmdqlTRSw8cifULmO6eqgtbDk3LzMiNBIbU7OO8q-VXpZEmXqme7p761Jt5ih7pGnnou4IloVZne_BKyUttXHkw0-Fef0aLg5eVNfh0Csy/s1559/GIDDY%20MAP.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="1559" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAG4BfB67qFSdBEcWbJeHniJWpzwswaBYNOUD84unh3otUUwjaOHSDBisTfaHuKvQ6mg1fqu2NH29pcFi1UWTmdqlTRSw8cifULmO6eqgtbDk3LzMiNBIbU7OO8q-VXpZEmXqme7p761Jt5ih7pGnnou4IloVZne_BKyUttXHkw0-Fef0aLg5eVNfh0Csy/w640-h306/GIDDY%20MAP.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-34881355778842490492023-08-17T19:24:00.042+01:002023-09-01T15:58:12.099+01:00Danbury to Papermill Lock Essex Circular 17th August 2023<p style="text-align: left;"> GPX File <a href="https://www.haroldstreet.org.uk/routes/download/?walk=6049">here.</a></p><p style="text-align: center;">On Thursday the 17th August 2023, I drive to Danbury and park on Well Lane. I am doing a recce of a walk for the cadets to walk next week.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I Walk off up Well Lane and turn right onto Bell Hill. I pass the War memorial on my left by Elm Green.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6Z45-FKZdZaEhHTsdEGKDULj_ChMXzCNPuXcktX0bekt4XXw0V_WsV8ik-4KGTaneT7MKRXB-TgOec4fiY_aWcFL5bvTgHX6_OIaEmQ7eKD5V1DSjsLnjlofH3j6tQcnB-liryj4n4OkEAq5ge8oqpON_Wj97oKcbOy1e0AyngCL3RQ7kCKVyCFBmzef/s8009/20230817_103607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6007" data-original-width="8009" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6Z45-FKZdZaEhHTsdEGKDULj_ChMXzCNPuXcktX0bekt4XXw0V_WsV8ik-4KGTaneT7MKRXB-TgOec4fiY_aWcFL5bvTgHX6_OIaEmQ7eKD5V1DSjsLnjlofH3j6tQcnB-liryj4n4OkEAq5ge8oqpON_Wj97oKcbOy1e0AyngCL3RQ7kCKVyCFBmzef/w640-h480/20230817_103607.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of memorials erected across England. This was the result of both the huge impact on communities of the loss of three quarters of a million British lives, and also the official policy of not repatriating the dead which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One such memorial was raised at Danbury as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 24 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Danbury War Memorial was unveiled on 31 July 1920 by Field Marshal Sir WR Robertson. It was built to the Cross of Sacrifice design which was devised in 1919 by Sir Reginald Blomfield (1856-1942) for war cemeteries abroad, although it was also widely adopted in Britain.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The memorial consists of a c 7.3m high Portland stone Latin cross rising from an octagonal plinth on a four-stepped base. A bronze Sword of Sacrifice is fixed to the south face of the cross.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The south face of the plinth bears the incised inscription IN THANKFULNESS TO GOD/AND IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF DANBURY WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR MDCCCCXIV MDCCCCXVII. The names of the 24 First World War fallen are recorded on the north, east and west faces of the plinth.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyD7pvbhqCZ_DBWTR-FjmrVAG2NW8-SdeAeGmKPu6cfnUrf1fBaZzlVXRauKn7YCKu3c7p0dNc69O8LqJzFvgXNZI_qkfjA8lbYIodmVBTw74xvd84xy_oRavkAhAC-qtsM2SlFbWW7SdUdTlsT0_GpwdeIPgelQe2NmANqZGve_5vGPhIPbMj0UTLT1qt/s7954/20230817_103724.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5965" data-original-width="7954" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyD7pvbhqCZ_DBWTR-FjmrVAG2NW8-SdeAeGmKPu6cfnUrf1fBaZzlVXRauKn7YCKu3c7p0dNc69O8LqJzFvgXNZI_qkfjA8lbYIodmVBTw74xvd84xy_oRavkAhAC-qtsM2SlFbWW7SdUdTlsT0_GpwdeIPgelQe2NmANqZGve_5vGPhIPbMj0UTLT1qt/w640-h480/20230817_103724.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I turn left down Colemans Lane that becomes a bridle path, this starts to rise sharply upwards.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iGVldNBW9-SV0dkh03J6UN48ifDyeoWKtG_MpirGxycPD5a9K6t8b3AIxnoenaS4B8J2gThO4YVGc_oHgtMQk1RFQ4uwDUclnpoHBZU5b7fjHTPFOE4bybocZ9dztiWl1UmheS6qd48OBvJRztsMVzDCZYVdb9rMHCjynJ0GDctJGH9v8gOtWz7yIXtJ/s8160/20230817_104554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iGVldNBW9-SV0dkh03J6UN48ifDyeoWKtG_MpirGxycPD5a9K6t8b3AIxnoenaS4B8J2gThO4YVGc_oHgtMQk1RFQ4uwDUclnpoHBZU5b7fjHTPFOE4bybocZ9dztiWl1UmheS6qd48OBvJRztsMVzDCZYVdb9rMHCjynJ0GDctJGH9v8gOtWz7yIXtJ/w480-h640/20230817_104554.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk on through the woods on Lingwood Common.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkY-7JhNfkM8COnQgKkOO5gubVKqU_fr8_KslTrNPhXqQBTABTEuB8tfqHLP4Z_bY57G3ngmCodyjMc-aLeaG23o9D0asOsyoyG0oxPiBhH2HcLZ3Khqtbqzzee0qZmEj8uRstuLl30LkHeAzcd4yylN36iUufPi0muoVHgpcSm5XUqDL26GbYuonRyVhV/s8160/20230817_105517.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkY-7JhNfkM8COnQgKkOO5gubVKqU_fr8_KslTrNPhXqQBTABTEuB8tfqHLP4Z_bY57G3ngmCodyjMc-aLeaG23o9D0asOsyoyG0oxPiBhH2HcLZ3Khqtbqzzee0qZmEj8uRstuLl30LkHeAzcd4yylN36iUufPi0muoVHgpcSm5XUqDL26GbYuonRyVhV/w480-h640/20230817_105517.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After a pleasant climb up through the woods I emerge out onto Little Baddow Road where it meets The Ridge in Little Baddow.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-QeHX4f0J0g4Gko5EctHn4m0267n1da9WR67kjYfldhqKFDqe5oJWMBSVdnPWV4JUF6rMMkF3pvmYcfFOMuUW8Vo9xRjKUWTirJ8nyoVSrLYPPsDP-QMIA1wq-uc-enJjzD_E32ONSNQS-iJ7AYb-AyfcGTcoL_NP9iA9FzHa2Q2aK5xMVGcU7qGLz5l/s8160/20230817_105542.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-QeHX4f0J0g4Gko5EctHn4m0267n1da9WR67kjYfldhqKFDqe5oJWMBSVdnPWV4JUF6rMMkF3pvmYcfFOMuUW8Vo9xRjKUWTirJ8nyoVSrLYPPsDP-QMIA1wq-uc-enJjzD_E32ONSNQS-iJ7AYb-AyfcGTcoL_NP9iA9FzHa2Q2aK5xMVGcU7qGLz5l/w640-h480/20230817_105542.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I head straight across onto Runsell Lane. I walk down the road before turning left onto Litchborough Park and onto a track and through a wood called Poors Piece.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXbqQD9ybngombqoHpeX4shVfxADx78qDDsL1Lf1KbxTrhhGJvl5vUwkxi4AZPQlE9IH6W6vunvqFPsVOYtMk_vs2Hbvt6gQAGuY_cOEExrYBy4-HpVLV3aRBr0VxMaCQYOgAquX8AGqw_4ShbbcdTjyAcS7RvUVV4jUKihGobE4qO9PD9Q9zDD8WG29s/s8160/20230817_110356.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXbqQD9ybngombqoHpeX4shVfxADx78qDDsL1Lf1KbxTrhhGJvl5vUwkxi4AZPQlE9IH6W6vunvqFPsVOYtMk_vs2Hbvt6gQAGuY_cOEExrYBy4-HpVLV3aRBr0VxMaCQYOgAquX8AGqw_4ShbbcdTjyAcS7RvUVV4jUKihGobE4qO9PD9Q9zDD8WG29s/w480-h640/20230817_110356.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I turn right at the top of the footpath that now runs inline with Fir Tree Lane and down the path. Here there are numerous huge Wood Ant nests!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwkDg0_vIx-8qnCgqZ2keXkhogIEDH6qCj175I9YQPf3JECFa4Sjmvlafyfve7JVsINtHQ3NZ5GDPDCzP2lVU6ILg1Oj9o0tc9sFOkstdD3H-6nhXbEmLJT6Guuy16YLZuf5VMb8fgrCn8j8267F-6vJ0VkxXXwM-QJy7QFJtPXw8r1p79eAlNEunScRk/s8160/20230817_110456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwkDg0_vIx-8qnCgqZ2keXkhogIEDH6qCj175I9YQPf3JECFa4Sjmvlafyfve7JVsINtHQ3NZ5GDPDCzP2lVU6ILg1Oj9o0tc9sFOkstdD3H-6nhXbEmLJT6Guuy16YLZuf5VMb8fgrCn8j8267F-6vJ0VkxXXwM-QJy7QFJtPXw8r1p79eAlNEunScRk/w480-h640/20230817_110456.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">The southern wood ant, also known as the 'red wood ant' or 'horse Ant', is an aggressive predator, equipped with large, biting jaws and the ability to spray formic acid in defence. It feeds on a wide variety of invertebrates, which the workers collect from the area surrounding their colony. Southern wood ants build large nests out of soil, twigs, leaves and pine needles. They can be found in open, sunny spots in both coniferous and broadleaved woodland, as well as on heathland and moorland. Colonies can sometimes number up to half a million individuals comprising non-reproducing female workers, a queen (or queens) that produces eggs, and males that mate with the queen. In spring, a generation of sexual males and females is raised, which take to the air to mate. Fertilised females then shed their wings and disperse to form new colonies.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4XsXEGLnQQZcIJSjyalAxZaRdPR4EDmKZuMeijRGkVWSccjdsHfjtiFxhfx483ZpzAcVy9_F5cvRm3PSb2b12xDwuiQV6-F12G-l5JfOIKiuaaMFXayNqavzZZ0Up5wdW3xUCDaoOZCwHpYy_ikiBtDLX7NFEg01QkP44AMXElrN942wZ3ohU6uUJJmP/s4964/20230817_110503.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4753" data-original-width="4964" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4XsXEGLnQQZcIJSjyalAxZaRdPR4EDmKZuMeijRGkVWSccjdsHfjtiFxhfx483ZpzAcVy9_F5cvRm3PSb2b12xDwuiQV6-F12G-l5JfOIKiuaaMFXayNqavzZZ0Up5wdW3xUCDaoOZCwHpYy_ikiBtDLX7NFEg01QkP44AMXElrN942wZ3ohU6uUJJmP/w640-h612/20230817_110503.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjJHQqzupSWNpT-Ac1_rWmIaNMAyUjAO56B8aMW98Q_-z4wF4dGbXWJaYQByMMc3z5GAhB_dr4YQACne4JyBiJhodK7yiY5rSa_jcl0BSjYA5hk9aPnJxSdRk9yJ1LC5U72G3WoFkGVnPkIrVY7CKbLzE3zIWgPtHZCCJvnh8EWNl52PELRjSXleO09i5/s8160/20230817_110936.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjJHQqzupSWNpT-Ac1_rWmIaNMAyUjAO56B8aMW98Q_-z4wF4dGbXWJaYQByMMc3z5GAhB_dr4YQACne4JyBiJhodK7yiY5rSa_jcl0BSjYA5hk9aPnJxSdRk9yJ1LC5U72G3WoFkGVnPkIrVY7CKbLzE3zIWgPtHZCCJvnh8EWNl52PELRjSXleO09i5/w480-h640/20230817_110936.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Beefsteak Fungus, Fistulina hepatica.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This mushroom is best cooked in a creamy recipe, or mixed with other mushrooms due to the slight acidic taste. The wood of trees infected with the beefsteak fungus develops brown rot, which makes the wood richer, darker and of great interest to the furniture building trade.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcwDxHJB8FyiE6ZeO1RJT7MOA4qcQqydZMU162h8mlBJcEN1XuHgTy4Bj0qes3Bp7dAucgKTp3q1MwQEN8vE8OOZjsSoCMRMVDQN3ZXhF8pjDFy_tX4gP6nGvZD_bijQg6428aauxTNa-kSF1JstsWdBwsDfirxSh30uLPuSjpZaJHvUvIkllEhKe0V8E/s8160/20230817_111810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcwDxHJB8FyiE6ZeO1RJT7MOA4qcQqydZMU162h8mlBJcEN1XuHgTy4Bj0qes3Bp7dAucgKTp3q1MwQEN8vE8OOZjsSoCMRMVDQN3ZXhF8pjDFy_tX4gP6nGvZD_bijQg6428aauxTNa-kSF1JstsWdBwsDfirxSh30uLPuSjpZaJHvUvIkllEhKe0V8E/w480-h640/20230817_111810.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I turn left down another path that leads me through Pheasanthouse Wood.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSGsicSU4cIFrCdf3muIS8DPSr4-6NW9hzgKkMuOMLJe0T9UxEsrhqDRmV_a_4zeHWBoYvwpTWhL3J3-hhgyGoROH9FeZ3YGbGBxL3KSjSmOKokvgoIxGesj9YlY8Sfa-PCSHpXeeIQKuf8eBBh5tqyfJ2T8SURewDeDSMzzUDa8elH5CIczdmolK26Tc/s8160/20230817_112726.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSGsicSU4cIFrCdf3muIS8DPSr4-6NW9hzgKkMuOMLJe0T9UxEsrhqDRmV_a_4zeHWBoYvwpTWhL3J3-hhgyGoROH9FeZ3YGbGBxL3KSjSmOKokvgoIxGesj9YlY8Sfa-PCSHpXeeIQKuf8eBBh5tqyfJ2T8SURewDeDSMzzUDa8elH5CIczdmolK26Tc/w640-h480/20230817_112726.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The path opens up to gorgeous views across the Chelmer and beyond.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DXei1RU561OUrU2LqDCmvhOPvFZkEUkPy-QzamuO8Efz_nYH5MneTSc52kPePAF9nSGVyP2w8e5hfFp0d02FKtHUjx2otl0WSdBeQgsGymJ9CTCW7SUgdkyExB73pje8wfAJW-M71YVsc8ySP5WuIJQIeldo3KUKn9v3onF4AIaTHXj_ldpWWMgRtQFi/s8160/20230817_113325.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DXei1RU561OUrU2LqDCmvhOPvFZkEUkPy-QzamuO8Efz_nYH5MneTSc52kPePAF9nSGVyP2w8e5hfFp0d02FKtHUjx2otl0WSdBeQgsGymJ9CTCW7SUgdkyExB73pje8wfAJW-M71YVsc8ySP5WuIJQIeldo3KUKn9v3onF4AIaTHXj_ldpWWMgRtQFi/w640-h480/20230817_113325.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I turn right by The Warren Estate and out pass Tofts.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tlpZZxzUsg48RzpIZ0-BYw_gH-XiCZ_Q1P1vGFDe6CL7KnKiwqaKvJkSpz8w-iOhtIIre1uYbtJH_9KYJzib6UMJsw3ojDCB7N483oQQYNn8NYhgv3F7LaDCei_ZJ1zr1dDSvn3oCHLvhShFT7g58F7piN3OfXrOxAsT9zJ6OntwVeybX46XAtAn7RCG/s8160/20230817_113929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tlpZZxzUsg48RzpIZ0-BYw_gH-XiCZ_Q1P1vGFDe6CL7KnKiwqaKvJkSpz8w-iOhtIIre1uYbtJH_9KYJzib6UMJsw3ojDCB7N483oQQYNn8NYhgv3F7LaDCei_ZJ1zr1dDSvn3oCHLvhShFT7g58F7piN3OfXrOxAsT9zJ6OntwVeybX46XAtAn7RCG/w640-h480/20230817_113929.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I cross the road called Tofts Chase and take the path immediately opposite.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCeVkdmR-Art50cZzyyWGpe-C8KOJczTXgnuEqU7vJiOPg_FbCZgBxHoSbjPbxP9QmZZAD87r_mL2hoSKXb5JGG_GOOwFNBdblqnQGxJ5sIQEVkmffz55rQOieeqFi_tgIgqRpsvsnafFwf9-CJ0QCG1AHH6Axn7-gMygCCwILhvFQf5mhWFY3xdLi6u2/s8160/20230817_114055.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCeVkdmR-Art50cZzyyWGpe-C8KOJczTXgnuEqU7vJiOPg_FbCZgBxHoSbjPbxP9QmZZAD87r_mL2hoSKXb5JGG_GOOwFNBdblqnQGxJ5sIQEVkmffz55rQOieeqFi_tgIgqRpsvsnafFwf9-CJ0QCG1AHH6Axn7-gMygCCwILhvFQf5mhWFY3xdLi6u2/w640-h480/20230817_114055.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I follow this path alongside a field full of Sweetcorn.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaifHI4-8VdPOj21b877uKph9HQRn_zKB3qCCp_wT5wVtjCvmfs-IFaQztB72ncYqDLfx8ANWn9C-SCq6n7Ij4r-5TvXEe070sT_MN77-A5DfY1Q8EKK7qXcSINHQJVWm88ns6A7OZTNyO6gZAeU4IXfh3nAZBha3IUKB3reFEI-JSEPqrszki-U5fXu4/s8160/20230817_114314.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaifHI4-8VdPOj21b877uKph9HQRn_zKB3qCCp_wT5wVtjCvmfs-IFaQztB72ncYqDLfx8ANWn9C-SCq6n7Ij4r-5TvXEe070sT_MN77-A5DfY1Q8EKK7qXcSINHQJVWm88ns6A7OZTNyO6gZAeU4IXfh3nAZBha3IUKB3reFEI-JSEPqrszki-U5fXu4/w640-h480/20230817_114314.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The path eventually leads me down to The River Chelmer.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eeXZ88omL6szB4i-uIf2ppgyTuVLJCUcU6qWar0Fy-5i1jQz_M6JJJ-uQKx8z3EcTzvaAbRwxjlpzS0EZ1VVglT_YhOzCiOtDC09tFTJ1869GORWoCTniXguEBZb9KxF1mOjaaozgl13X_DOiib03GzFYSU0bWY0nnsTUxrPsikCtkhR6hXtUv4KFrl2/s7834/20230817_115022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5876" data-original-width="7834" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eeXZ88omL6szB4i-uIf2ppgyTuVLJCUcU6qWar0Fy-5i1jQz_M6JJJ-uQKx8z3EcTzvaAbRwxjlpzS0EZ1VVglT_YhOzCiOtDC09tFTJ1869GORWoCTniXguEBZb9KxF1mOjaaozgl13X_DOiib03GzFYSU0bWY0nnsTUxrPsikCtkhR6hXtUv4KFrl2/w640-h480/20230817_115022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBkaX2kZ21ER4JMCWlOBppqz8IRkeJIBFuyvc_Ouw2cWc9YQhRxKs-9CD7AiKoMDT1ct_2v8gYiDY5-6zblxmqJ1w7sLkpCdwmKgRprxCheW6fw3mC-i8SC1a3pxdQn-d78tW9gND0sZP-1mxRXkbq0mbMn8LYIbjw-1w5TxWp4TxRVLzXjTm5wpW1hOy/s8160/20230817_115332.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBkaX2kZ21ER4JMCWlOBppqz8IRkeJIBFuyvc_Ouw2cWc9YQhRxKs-9CD7AiKoMDT1ct_2v8gYiDY5-6zblxmqJ1w7sLkpCdwmKgRprxCheW6fw3mC-i8SC1a3pxdQn-d78tW9gND0sZP-1mxRXkbq0mbMn8LYIbjw-1w5TxWp4TxRVLzXjTm5wpW1hOy/w640-h480/20230817_115332.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTiqOJRrx79MZDYTQssOVZ91vI01TJTopmiy_j2CA-av2AXjYuXti2PTQvixm5bVde71vDnHdcCv3nGqbVNDwPDmBejQ-kW9ELGaTwO11YScN1f2m8am4whzQyzDOSeDDHnx_gTMMyOnaME_lK2us0SOr-fDlGLf_BArd_Mov0Cj0kzgv3H9pFffZZ1B9/s8160/20230817_115514.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTiqOJRrx79MZDYTQssOVZ91vI01TJTopmiy_j2CA-av2AXjYuXti2PTQvixm5bVde71vDnHdcCv3nGqbVNDwPDmBejQ-kW9ELGaTwO11YScN1f2m8am4whzQyzDOSeDDHnx_gTMMyOnaME_lK2us0SOr-fDlGLf_BArd_Mov0Cj0kzgv3H9pFffZZ1B9/w640-h480/20230817_115514.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A narrowboat full of tourists passes by.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilm8kfruWvE-PuXVG3XyrCtnXq61uS3UUFc9XEXIlxgKPIYYfwVvKpcLBUogbbyYB9e4brKCHW0G918BVQjp8k0j5OJ_1sbkMbnd97e7f4JCLjJPFQXkidaROVAppO1pkHmKH5gYkGSy4TS4WA_NFTMSiibpq82cnOhNGzXdC0Zgyo4eib-Ge1Xzno28hm/s8160/20230817_120036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilm8kfruWvE-PuXVG3XyrCtnXq61uS3UUFc9XEXIlxgKPIYYfwVvKpcLBUogbbyYB9e4brKCHW0G918BVQjp8k0j5OJ_1sbkMbnd97e7f4JCLjJPFQXkidaROVAppO1pkHmKH5gYkGSy4TS4WA_NFTMSiibpq82cnOhNGzXdC0Zgyo4eib-Ge1Xzno28hm/w640-h480/20230817_120036.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We now reach Papermill Lock with its amazing <a href="https://www.papermilllock.co.uk/">tearoom</a> that does Cream Teas and the best cake and a welcome stop!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-GPgB9XadvtUDFsITzQ-6euB6Vw-wi2YbzsLcSOJ8bN-MiHaODQQ6P0mka_tD74QqDUULjFX79PvWby-HC3ZZYPx--MXb-Wj7VTbaenEZhtCdB4rHCg7pm_Zorrn2J4mT-q1VFvda3umlioo2i9VPzMVlekdzyW7w9BHNWTianl6b7epUkUDPguf_iml/s8160/20230817_120136.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-GPgB9XadvtUDFsITzQ-6euB6Vw-wi2YbzsLcSOJ8bN-MiHaODQQ6P0mka_tD74QqDUULjFX79PvWby-HC3ZZYPx--MXb-Wj7VTbaenEZhtCdB4rHCg7pm_Zorrn2J4mT-q1VFvda3umlioo2i9VPzMVlekdzyW7w9BHNWTianl6b7epUkUDPguf_iml/w640-h480/20230817_120136.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The original water mill on the lower island at Little Baddow was built in Saxon times, and by 1573 a second mill, Huskards, had been built on the same island. Both mills were run by one John Hawes, who was fined 2 shillings because:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">'by penning of his waters above his mark hath and doth damage to all the Queen's tenants and farmers of the honour of Bewleigh in drowning the meadows and low grounds and for not drawing up his gates upon rage of waters in the hay time and also hath marred a certain highway or lane leading from Baddow bridge unto the mill called Huskardes mill which the said miller is to repair and amend for the avoidance of further inconvenience'.At that time Huskards Mill operated as both a corn mill and as a mill for fulling cloth. In the 1750's it became the first paper mill in Essex, run by Thomas Hodges and employing 3 men with papermaking skills and an apprentice. In around 1800 the mill was taken over by Benjamin Livermore who continued to operate it as a paper mill for almost another twenty years until it was re-converted for grinding flour. Following the creation of the canal in 1797 a wharf was built here, together with an overnight bothy for the bargees, stables for the horses (now the tea house), and paddocks for livestock.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdjZNYXw5akBAtUALXGOSJ1h-Cbzk94a1QUmcWC5x6pgyuOecQHdqqGy9tNUNQqIB7FOwmxoGHfwqw9OQDiSCPxODdnje5Ex3gFE2UOHeO-CcMVxFdCr_f8Aeg_g5SjPdmlVXE-yDVKLJX6q-pDGIei335xLzZBshsS9dhStxlTtR8Z-yuFcpcup55e2p/s8160/20230817_120211.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdjZNYXw5akBAtUALXGOSJ1h-Cbzk94a1QUmcWC5x6pgyuOecQHdqqGy9tNUNQqIB7FOwmxoGHfwqw9OQDiSCPxODdnje5Ex3gFE2UOHeO-CcMVxFdCr_f8Aeg_g5SjPdmlVXE-yDVKLJX6q-pDGIei335xLzZBshsS9dhStxlTtR8Z-yuFcpcup55e2p/w640-h480/20230817_120211.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In its heyday in the mid 19th century up to 60,000 tons of freight was carried along the 14 miles of the navigation, rising 77ft via 12 locks between Heybridge Basin, on the Blackwater Estuary, and Springfield Basin, close to the heart of Chelmsford. Much coal, corn and timber was transhipped in Heybridge Basin between seagoing ships and navigation barges, though local freight was carried, too, with every parish having its waterside wharf. Wood and iron was taken to Chelmsford to build the Great Eastern Railway, which, in turn, took freight away from the waterway, heralding its decline. With dwindling traffic, horse-drawn barges survived into the 1950s, and the last diesel lighter loaded timber from a Scandinavian steamer for Browns Wharf in 1972.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Soon after the last barge “Julie” took semi-retirement, the traditional passenger barge “Victoria” opened up the navigation’s tranquil waters to the public, and since the 1970s the Company has looked to leisure for its future, with moorings for private cruisers and narrowboats, canoeing, fishing and walking. The Canal Centre at Paper Mill, with its Old Stables Tea Rooms, river trips and hire boats, opened in 2002.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ouG88B4Y4JfUMF7xohhFF1nxl9EKgDnq7Bx2um2q_Iws7Ikcqe3PQqby5PzuwDtiEtuUjdqttVc6m0fMcwgMTaiMNLhLaq39iCoj8CLl1PET1i64xmhlC4KXIlw7znvfXPkPbxD8JRYRXuVJ2a1UsI-zANJNWl50FSFVPqdbYXoEtNkh0LgHdnidNZbe/s8160/20230817_121132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ouG88B4Y4JfUMF7xohhFF1nxl9EKgDnq7Bx2um2q_Iws7Ikcqe3PQqby5PzuwDtiEtuUjdqttVc6m0fMcwgMTaiMNLhLaq39iCoj8CLl1PET1i64xmhlC4KXIlw7znvfXPkPbxD8JRYRXuVJ2a1UsI-zANJNWl50FSFVPqdbYXoEtNkh0LgHdnidNZbe/w480-h640/20230817_121132.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I stop for a can of Pepsi Max and a slice of Chocolate and honeycomb cake.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAwi9e3U0u0ZurfzS2WeWYe0_OjDSJ3oFvpim7rPkOjFbLC34Z6Jy-rvYNf5SmPenni7qMkN14ndDHMcGDMSYhzElR6h0sr796Paqm5lAsXDxnCSPqj5hHepJ5IlU836l3imOu5-8BzVfxPDxiQSqFLc4zJB3CQ5ei7_T0NZhkfORwmar9e2ZJYbjctyq/s8160/20230817_121701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAwi9e3U0u0ZurfzS2WeWYe0_OjDSJ3oFvpim7rPkOjFbLC34Z6Jy-rvYNf5SmPenni7qMkN14ndDHMcGDMSYhzElR6h0sr796Paqm5lAsXDxnCSPqj5hHepJ5IlU836l3imOu5-8BzVfxPDxiQSqFLc4zJB3CQ5ei7_T0NZhkfORwmar9e2ZJYbjctyq/w640-h480/20230817_121701.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJ6GDpH6q1dC0UnD_LPpQJkQMgkkt1HcrHHPD9eTJaFjZXnwdNtyjip7j2o_lWqL5CleYqRTDU7ushby7mRv3voe4UeSjOA1NOb-yXSF9H1XT-YP9qo2zsGx0ftu590wd8vGut62De-uKfcnTk1Blj2Mrk4ENiAHUrTspS1ntYpvUTNS2S-XxodM4f5Xw/s8160/20230817_121849.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJ6GDpH6q1dC0UnD_LPpQJkQMgkkt1HcrHHPD9eTJaFjZXnwdNtyjip7j2o_lWqL5CleYqRTDU7ushby7mRv3voe4UeSjOA1NOb-yXSF9H1XT-YP9qo2zsGx0ftu590wd8vGut62De-uKfcnTk1Blj2Mrk4ENiAHUrTspS1ntYpvUTNS2S-XxodM4f5Xw/w640-h480/20230817_121849.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I set off again and continue along the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation's footpath.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUO7oO8OmoBakPkLzIovZO98ElfdQDiwMwYhmDVorVoYy-zCo4qkogtftbel23vfI_xtiVG20mEiu0iyB3gw7rMkE8EMsL1dqPpaGzde6iLyRxm4xzeVMxLNYNb0Nd56kafG1phwrcH7Pq092Vsieo1pmBuS5huq86whW0a9QR3HeIiTOFMo7dFWrnIVHR/s8160/20230817_122010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUO7oO8OmoBakPkLzIovZO98ElfdQDiwMwYhmDVorVoYy-zCo4qkogtftbel23vfI_xtiVG20mEiu0iyB3gw7rMkE8EMsL1dqPpaGzde6iLyRxm4xzeVMxLNYNb0Nd56kafG1phwrcH7Pq092Vsieo1pmBuS5huq86whW0a9QR3HeIiTOFMo7dFWrnIVHR/w640-h480/20230817_122010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIFvya5aUdbGjWNzZ3ZgVwL9v5fxM96gA5rBdZQ5FdVutBrAyUF3khGsxVkQyPcPSUcuSH6ZMD55XBkNV8q-nP_GVEr0UBRhIsOn8taw-UV0am81UEHm8q_egBOseIOBhIw60ACvJRdd0bumtQrBJ6_5oh0A6rkEIzTAEuMr9BZBONMUsWW1DAijjXi6r/s8160/20230817_122450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIFvya5aUdbGjWNzZ3ZgVwL9v5fxM96gA5rBdZQ5FdVutBrAyUF3khGsxVkQyPcPSUcuSH6ZMD55XBkNV8q-nP_GVEr0UBRhIsOn8taw-UV0am81UEHm8q_egBOseIOBhIw60ACvJRdd0bumtQrBJ6_5oh0A6rkEIzTAEuMr9BZBONMUsWW1DAijjXi6r/w640-h480/20230817_122450.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmBcdZRc-p63s3E8CU7EjZ9Gge1CVXJ3VC9d6LvZmiyN2kDfP4L71ml4WroI-IlW4t5IU5BveYNJkJbkAMHlOGe5dWZl9J8Wn60h1mAbdotkEoFfT4WnKTe4AnhgbAdohETR765aRpYoV-P_lfBg-vwQOPmcv5VgpbgTPr8SthRmAe5Na6mo1oR3Blhzm/s7844/20230817_123302.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5883" data-original-width="7844" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmBcdZRc-p63s3E8CU7EjZ9Gge1CVXJ3VC9d6LvZmiyN2kDfP4L71ml4WroI-IlW4t5IU5BveYNJkJbkAMHlOGe5dWZl9J8Wn60h1mAbdotkEoFfT4WnKTe4AnhgbAdohETR765aRpYoV-P_lfBg-vwQOPmcv5VgpbgTPr8SthRmAe5Na6mo1oR3Blhzm/w640-h480/20230817_123302.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A view across the Chelmer to a reservoir beyond.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQ82nfkkcT8i8ZgzDhse2MU-WAnXRQoDdI2OPgoELGbJ6-BsjRpN2jwIGBx6roc-agsQnLuScNjP6lU47gSOKYSiFo9k7WGXOj_w7xiZXN0P20voB5zVSp07vn3xmPFcaJMUjLwUSrFAaExGsFFhfnhaclFhVIaP6nFNhyKV_Bi8UsJcXuSp0cvJ1D4Wk/s6586/20230817_123624.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4939" data-original-width="6586" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQ82nfkkcT8i8ZgzDhse2MU-WAnXRQoDdI2OPgoELGbJ6-BsjRpN2jwIGBx6roc-agsQnLuScNjP6lU47gSOKYSiFo9k7WGXOj_w7xiZXN0P20voB5zVSp07vn3xmPFcaJMUjLwUSrFAaExGsFFhfnhaclFhVIaP6nFNhyKV_Bi8UsJcXuSp0cvJ1D4Wk/w640-h480/20230817_123624.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After about half a mile I take a footpath on our left and across farm Fields towards the Church of St Mary The Virgin.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLZz51IQw1-9Kads9aKKGJt9yt1RnU96p3jLGUZU0UeSU2soShVpM46chnKo3kN-YagZLsyme6G1hhFMgDG0k2gvtJLmwQvBZIDy0RM2D6XSINf4qYKQycBgfXjnJFq8KAnT8eRsA4tOuiLUeBrVVJQ3l_Sj_YQPUBTrx3y16xqP9m3lKM6L1RoUncAd4/s8160/20230817_123634.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLZz51IQw1-9Kads9aKKGJt9yt1RnU96p3jLGUZU0UeSU2soShVpM46chnKo3kN-YagZLsyme6G1hhFMgDG0k2gvtJLmwQvBZIDy0RM2D6XSINf4qYKQycBgfXjnJFq8KAnT8eRsA4tOuiLUeBrVVJQ3l_Sj_YQPUBTrx3y16xqP9m3lKM6L1RoUncAd4/w640-h480/20230817_123634.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvrCY7CaE22ydpGlFN9VK4Ycpz_UpD-pzC9B6wK1Vji9xeztbvk8BSLCU-A_n4dHd_ThjmFMV_dy7OAqVtQALDJXEG_pUHwJsu2jLc3OYC_5HyZWByqmTNyRYFxCA7MF6-gvgLjSiDynIaap6aszPUHdg7H2cEeq9nz0WaUGvKbxt5zLaI5re3pDPO2RJ/s7775/20230817_123908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5831" data-original-width="7775" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvrCY7CaE22ydpGlFN9VK4Ycpz_UpD-pzC9B6wK1Vji9xeztbvk8BSLCU-A_n4dHd_ThjmFMV_dy7OAqVtQALDJXEG_pUHwJsu2jLc3OYC_5HyZWByqmTNyRYFxCA7MF6-gvgLjSiDynIaap6aszPUHdg7H2cEeq9nz0WaUGvKbxt5zLaI5re3pDPO2RJ/w640-h480/20230817_123908.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church was built over a period of 400 years between 1100 and 1500, the oldest part being the Norman North wall of the nave. The nave was extended in the fourteenth century to create a chantry chapel for the Filliol family and the present chancel and tower were built at the same time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXGwspKCUSsHcjcVwIy9LUavu7o7iYENdj8zY9ScFlrPnmG4y3uHiEAAKPVCmLIjJPnwUiObc7sPjbBzQ2LD3lmEkiQ-963nSLpU_lwPXjcIfwxMxJLsYc0-cI-ZrpmEv60OHTPpDsWxa8aVJtDt0_BwjgSWPVY9fNEBLX2BWwcdgWvqhw6Z9zXCrrrDF/s8160/20230817_124307.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXGwspKCUSsHcjcVwIy9LUavu7o7iYENdj8zY9ScFlrPnmG4y3uHiEAAKPVCmLIjJPnwUiObc7sPjbBzQ2LD3lmEkiQ-963nSLpU_lwPXjcIfwxMxJLsYc0-cI-ZrpmEv60OHTPpDsWxa8aVJtDt0_BwjgSWPVY9fNEBLX2BWwcdgWvqhw6Z9zXCrrrDF/w640-h480/20230817_124307.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The porch was added in about 1400 and the tower was adapted for bells at the same time. The tenor bell, is one of the oldest in the diocese and by 1925 there was a ring of five bells. This number was increased to eight in 1986 and the bells are still rung on Sundays and special occasions.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The rood loft staircase and the priest’s door in the chancel, now plastered up, were built in about 1420.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Little Baddow like many English villages the mainly car owning population has led to a decline in the number of shops in the village. While the community once supported several businesses there are now none left. There are two pubs, The Generals Arms and The Rodney, the Elm Green Preparatory School and a village hall. There are two long established churches, the Anglican St Mary the Virgin and the United Reformed Church. Both churches are architecturally interesting and have long histories. The Church of St Mary the Virgin contains a 14th-century Devil's door, dating to the time when medieval Christians believed the North of side of a church to be the abode of the Devil.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qPFoMyXsxp_owk-SlXsMHC4eJUrFq1V45M7c5ZY8b1d9tUcYOXnDS__3MwIihU_0__5oRN5N1f4_ZGyWil7lWNV3uMza7MZH-Z_x-HTBYmE93c3-OR7Nf8K2aJfL6sw3Az1iYXEG7Fx1myDSKoXzKbG5ycAHMd9eHxiz9egMHoJjDfhsKuffeSDQix-9/s8160/20230817_124355.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qPFoMyXsxp_owk-SlXsMHC4eJUrFq1V45M7c5ZY8b1d9tUcYOXnDS__3MwIihU_0__5oRN5N1f4_ZGyWil7lWNV3uMza7MZH-Z_x-HTBYmE93c3-OR7Nf8K2aJfL6sw3Az1iYXEG7Fx1myDSKoXzKbG5ycAHMd9eHxiz9egMHoJjDfhsKuffeSDQix-9/w480-h640/20230817_124355.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnNLsbWp2NXd51FEDYTCj738AtMyffVCBHJPk2wIdazaz8iQao-mX6QDjjCQIZN2AyHB1IbnK_yPHQeCW-D2efc32y29Uy5Akt-q15yhMG_0w1o9je_DAsn6eZKjVc9MGePaKb7-IT4QoKGjzlVURI1QM_aWMD12HZZnFHdyVxa-yyR-qfpyaapJu077r/s8160/20230817_124400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnNLsbWp2NXd51FEDYTCj738AtMyffVCBHJPk2wIdazaz8iQao-mX6QDjjCQIZN2AyHB1IbnK_yPHQeCW-D2efc32y29Uy5Akt-q15yhMG_0w1o9je_DAsn6eZKjVc9MGePaKb7-IT4QoKGjzlVURI1QM_aWMD12HZZnFHdyVxa-yyR-qfpyaapJu077r/w480-h640/20230817_124400.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wall Painting in Nave of St. Christopher; 15th-century (discovered 1922).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMlPLj2EjXJ4VF8Od2A3u0zq0AHfmpOb5A6ut-85Q5fDTNYbQG6S8l58pA-2u8m3m6cqcBuUqTAvA4vcTXTnWKGr3vvanNJkVcOFbgbSwezvBm74Ye_rE0XRIu9800yCocI8B72U2-FO2vkyrcY3sdrOMjSyDZ0VjWG1KBgISFCrGvvUzHki2_VKlhlcK/s8160/20230817_124407.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMlPLj2EjXJ4VF8Od2A3u0zq0AHfmpOb5A6ut-85Q5fDTNYbQG6S8l58pA-2u8m3m6cqcBuUqTAvA4vcTXTnWKGr3vvanNJkVcOFbgbSwezvBm74Ye_rE0XRIu9800yCocI8B72U2-FO2vkyrcY3sdrOMjSyDZ0VjWG1KBgISFCrGvvUzHki2_VKlhlcK/w640-h480/20230817_124407.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I leave the church and walk on crossing Church Road.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkCinSFd3hhEI-sMt-MZyoO8L0uwnD2R0aibvVQdA-yxzpveudxHZXrHuIoHS97UIDmrfusD0EhrhcL_W7YYkQ-Ga-VDJr-1nUP1js7xjRdVXn94Z32n021q3W29pgMT0WJz3Px17s9IQmR2AeNPbbLVJ69jzQ0HCe5jgnopD0oV7QdQut48FhjlPc5OK/s7432/20230817_124512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5574" data-original-width="7432" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkCinSFd3hhEI-sMt-MZyoO8L0uwnD2R0aibvVQdA-yxzpveudxHZXrHuIoHS97UIDmrfusD0EhrhcL_W7YYkQ-Ga-VDJr-1nUP1js7xjRdVXn94Z32n021q3W29pgMT0WJz3Px17s9IQmR2AeNPbbLVJ69jzQ0HCe5jgnopD0oV7QdQut48FhjlPc5OK/w640-h480/20230817_124512.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Opposite sits Little Baddow Hall Fruit Farm.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The middle part of the house was built in the 15th century or possibly earlier, and this block was extended towards the N. about the end of the 16th century. This extension has been partly destroyed and the S. cross-wing re-built in modern times; there is also a modern addition on the W. side. On the W. side the upper storey of the original block projects. The late 16th-century chimney-stack at the N. end has grouped diagonal shafts. Inside the building the central block has an original roof of two bays with a king-post truss. There are also king-post trusses of a lighter type in the 16th-century extension and the wall between these two parts is double with a hollow between. The middle room on the ground floor has exposed ceiling-beams, one with mortices for the former braces and straining-beam.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div>I walk across the Fruit Farm following the paths pass a field full of plum trees.</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OhPrFKz50lY8kLMe1X7BdvQRWoTR8_hVeyHwAFc3ONrQXPqgP_Bd9rb6G35RbecDWzlQomH-Vluil3AEZ8GFAbgOP83-A-ia99k3w65rNvU8j27b21tgURhg2bgbjuqlOn9tnGeoLAVmZX8nM21ssJzyB9jUqACMUfcfzIhWDfdXZt8vwlb0KzAFOWmM/s8160/20230817_125431.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OhPrFKz50lY8kLMe1X7BdvQRWoTR8_hVeyHwAFc3ONrQXPqgP_Bd9rb6G35RbecDWzlQomH-Vluil3AEZ8GFAbgOP83-A-ia99k3w65rNvU8j27b21tgURhg2bgbjuqlOn9tnGeoLAVmZX8nM21ssJzyB9jUqACMUfcfzIhWDfdXZt8vwlb0KzAFOWmM/w400-h300/20230817_125431.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The path is straight across the newly ploughed and rolled field, at least it is easy to walk across.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhke7cvt8OJ4Mq4zw5l-YI77Q8yiy1pElgv92e6Mnvcx76pNsg2ogEW4l7cDSCsREzsaM_vibiUs4T8zlOoj4olfuex2wMC8zt2Py-i71GunqY2e7roghZKQyccmg1UHdmhNBNuZsfHPOsamL9tEREggtmoIxLpwLE_TNW0l7g-n7XAd0KBMYjBUyCsPqEn/s8160/20230817_125850.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhke7cvt8OJ4Mq4zw5l-YI77Q8yiy1pElgv92e6Mnvcx76pNsg2ogEW4l7cDSCsREzsaM_vibiUs4T8zlOoj4olfuex2wMC8zt2Py-i71GunqY2e7roghZKQyccmg1UHdmhNBNuZsfHPOsamL9tEREggtmoIxLpwLE_TNW0l7g-n7XAd0KBMYjBUyCsPqEn/w480-h640/20230817_125850.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I come upon a muddy boggy patch, I try to find a way around, trampling through nettles getting stung in my shorts. Nope no way around, I notice a black plastic pipe running through the bog. I step on this and leap across.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-k5USHpfx3ZKngLLlwf-Q8Ob6DXyJPVrXjd0kIcI4yCuaYMcF3xL90ZsSl7QzFa8cZTHxOtPE339VKnm5uvJFKG5jkYwIMybLUfcNhw_3xzBfb58WJ-M5Ij0ynfZE4xAPM7CR43C3xoluxoGC5_8uwAJyFlRWB0Tq07nltZx1olTXsZRamI5ByF6C01S/s7876/20230817_130038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7876" data-original-width="5907" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-k5USHpfx3ZKngLLlwf-Q8Ob6DXyJPVrXjd0kIcI4yCuaYMcF3xL90ZsSl7QzFa8cZTHxOtPE339VKnm5uvJFKG5jkYwIMybLUfcNhw_3xzBfb58WJ-M5Ij0ynfZE4xAPM7CR43C3xoluxoGC5_8uwAJyFlRWB0Tq07nltZx1olTXsZRamI5ByF6C01S/w480-h640/20230817_130038.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk out on Hurrells Lane.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzvMnGuXmlIy7OsNWYcTdEqVeJG22RUfnV_A4IEKd6vmN50-KtW5bqyj0LR61J44C9f3xa54OLeHlMVd9NVXsssATmY5OSEl4TMwdX7zXh0AzVRqQueH60wuO5zgXY3rSmEVZAFYyoj-MOTomGjaP7Zm7YLUPo9WP7RYMglJ3wBXdH9FRDCOtnB_e99Gl/s7550/20230817_130051.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5663" data-original-width="7550" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzvMnGuXmlIy7OsNWYcTdEqVeJG22RUfnV_A4IEKd6vmN50-KtW5bqyj0LR61J44C9f3xa54OLeHlMVd9NVXsssATmY5OSEl4TMwdX7zXh0AzVRqQueH60wuO5zgXY3rSmEVZAFYyoj-MOTomGjaP7Zm7YLUPo9WP7RYMglJ3wBXdH9FRDCOtnB_e99Gl/w640-h480/20230817_130051.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I turn left and follow the road to a bend where I take a footpath across a field.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicVnbJioq74qAdv7gOTnSAFodYzp-6chIfx5r8b-7ubS5HtpLwNcanWTEUmeE21m50s6FDjIpX4sK2dv3webzgyEU1vSYnC63tBUmYEpUT8rTZY81mkh6KyfFSd9wPDjoA6aTpf3BPf718XY1QMWGONnYbNDpB62QqFAnieDwTvAie2FiuFvelIErKjOB/s8160/20230817_130229.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicVnbJioq74qAdv7gOTnSAFodYzp-6chIfx5r8b-7ubS5HtpLwNcanWTEUmeE21m50s6FDjIpX4sK2dv3webzgyEU1vSYnC63tBUmYEpUT8rTZY81mkh6KyfFSd9wPDjoA6aTpf3BPf718XY1QMWGONnYbNDpB62QqFAnieDwTvAie2FiuFvelIErKjOB/w640-h480/20230817_130229.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ctEbht6HvaN_FdOopeIborQ6rzGJLrU8w6ZNNgaBatiIsSjJaMnUmzQqh9QhzRAm6qAAquPxYVJD9TONAyXzQ-7K-jSi1xaaE7zkZkd7YIqj-yjcYZZfMTnLODqR_3o1cBGGwYXrOczTf45ZNyIqTOEEsI5_oLhEUYAIDZhmO9Q4KL8OJZWGPKx-eoD2/s7955/20230817_130414.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5967" data-original-width="7955" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ctEbht6HvaN_FdOopeIborQ6rzGJLrU8w6ZNNgaBatiIsSjJaMnUmzQqh9QhzRAm6qAAquPxYVJD9TONAyXzQ-7K-jSi1xaaE7zkZkd7YIqj-yjcYZZfMTnLODqR_3o1cBGGwYXrOczTf45ZNyIqTOEEsI5_oLhEUYAIDZhmO9Q4KL8OJZWGPKx-eoD2/w640-h480/20230817_130414.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I cross the field and then cross the stream and down more paths. Past New Lodge Farm and out onto Graces Lane.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I cross over onto a path that hugs the lane.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkfY2Fv4aLxnewJ30s09npclBY1UIqPYpV2v8F_HMIgqcr3ugo9dkhMuqG5ZJeRmAgedeyKmJP3jLWa1XqDIV3bXMWkxBJD26WZgRzL_OdmG4NJxN1kOtXpA-PjgGPnXr6MF1t32BOzX7YWBsKAC0cuba1cDFKAQc45JCBLRFs78pearXILRAJyd0ABKn/s7928/20230817_130641.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5946" data-original-width="7928" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkfY2Fv4aLxnewJ30s09npclBY1UIqPYpV2v8F_HMIgqcr3ugo9dkhMuqG5ZJeRmAgedeyKmJP3jLWa1XqDIV3bXMWkxBJD26WZgRzL_OdmG4NJxN1kOtXpA-PjgGPnXr6MF1t32BOzX7YWBsKAC0cuba1cDFKAQc45JCBLRFs78pearXILRAJyd0ABKn/w640-h480/20230817_130641.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The path leads me down between Riffhams and Great Graces Farm.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzna9YqQpn10kl927U7fUKZMYpf0KOS8TGRzxReTfL8acd2vdem8XYyALjGhFqkuGb0PjKlqFb1zYrHhcHsFno8N7SVNKQSR__nklcPaokgwlDsqIVDaoLcv9iTnRC8yxLc9TjrqWtb2czFruKtoKN_AtCrBdWMp1ddq7bXuaOIgbt8hcT3qIuTqkvbuS/s7617/20230817_130838.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5713" data-original-width="7617" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzna9YqQpn10kl927U7fUKZMYpf0KOS8TGRzxReTfL8acd2vdem8XYyALjGhFqkuGb0PjKlqFb1zYrHhcHsFno8N7SVNKQSR__nklcPaokgwlDsqIVDaoLcv9iTnRC8yxLc9TjrqWtb2czFruKtoKN_AtCrBdWMp1ddq7bXuaOIgbt8hcT3qIuTqkvbuS/w640-h480/20230817_130838.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I take a path that lead me into Hall Wood.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwoWxaQQ1LVlyMFUji3zmNgj5tqP56tLqnTSl9WPGSExBQz4-zXmQUH85o1sH5QjjjR7NpvqfDGPyOHvwT4u4MAKWHUwUQecMSn6tGtqwYRuDG252Wccv7JVRINFcg_cI95apPMhE3l3of4LqHRUh_D8L2M4f5lWfAoqQdPb8fJcgtixBNXSTCvar1eJ0/s8160/20230817_130848.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwoWxaQQ1LVlyMFUji3zmNgj5tqP56tLqnTSl9WPGSExBQz4-zXmQUH85o1sH5QjjjR7NpvqfDGPyOHvwT4u4MAKWHUwUQecMSn6tGtqwYRuDG252Wccv7JVRINFcg_cI95apPMhE3l3of4LqHRUh_D8L2M4f5lWfAoqQdPb8fJcgtixBNXSTCvar1eJ0/w480-h640/20230817_130848.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyp1lX1b7UiCJKo_aOQL0CEdlq0CZZi-p9Ge1IyJsIITfK9y4t4Ci4gDIuBE1wa0i6p1fwvoUQAD6ZCOE33A_UmmqUzw0bnkcy02oQxtxoY1CVj3qqVZMy2Is_-KtzVr7A2dcVJ_an1VtLtRr7u56hg-eXmj39mS4Nv-uz5RHIGz7mBqhqXRDYo0-V1Jq/s8160/20230817_130903.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyp1lX1b7UiCJKo_aOQL0CEdlq0CZZi-p9Ge1IyJsIITfK9y4t4Ci4gDIuBE1wa0i6p1fwvoUQAD6ZCOE33A_UmmqUzw0bnkcy02oQxtxoY1CVj3qqVZMy2Is_-KtzVr7A2dcVJ_an1VtLtRr7u56hg-eXmj39mS4Nv-uz5RHIGz7mBqhqXRDYo0-V1Jq/w480-h640/20230817_130903.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KvGR9qJi5ZaUEb1uQ_dZQhJkw1gZTMZcCab93GFF8--cie0AONXP_wnjcKB9ImWWW6CFJzP_xqF37mPnMydr5vgAaoVipLdD5CYGr2wyIF2C9Rk7jmS3Uh1jwz_7wqVIhyFmIgjveghywz-jS7A9YomaI8BkDlF3kBT_PBj5W0nFMf5zfOopX8yZsbGq/s8160/20230817_131035.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KvGR9qJi5ZaUEb1uQ_dZQhJkw1gZTMZcCab93GFF8--cie0AONXP_wnjcKB9ImWWW6CFJzP_xqF37mPnMydr5vgAaoVipLdD5CYGr2wyIF2C9Rk7jmS3Uh1jwz_7wqVIhyFmIgjveghywz-jS7A9YomaI8BkDlF3kBT_PBj5W0nFMf5zfOopX8yZsbGq/w640-h480/20230817_131035.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsv1LlhzlJawEF4tEFhn63fja4Ox9NJW2vsSVuv3IAqqQCHZXgLHl_J95qzetWSnQkPmZnRYjtfSeOkmOguKa-pixUq-nvGjsH9JEVJE12GZ09CGVj8dGOSZghcl9tqb-3w6-1HpAh7nKEBpzPFMJswoC3ISf0Pu_OCdzGtiKFrm8uw0RoKWhC6UaN9_z9/s7534/20230817_131829.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5650" data-original-width="7534" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsv1LlhzlJawEF4tEFhn63fja4Ox9NJW2vsSVuv3IAqqQCHZXgLHl_J95qzetWSnQkPmZnRYjtfSeOkmOguKa-pixUq-nvGjsH9JEVJE12GZ09CGVj8dGOSZghcl9tqb-3w6-1HpAh7nKEBpzPFMJswoC3ISf0Pu_OCdzGtiKFrm8uw0RoKWhC6UaN9_z9/w640-h480/20230817_131829.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_zcBwPY343K09xvpl14db9VJbQdpM2qO3pBWbPpo_1Y9B-KugU63_H8E1FTyuA4sg3TRH73mfg1YckorvjtCntWhoBUUdZ3oOp0ooelCwzCMzK0iB-vOPgMmzGYoD4o6lUsGB2eG2kv6vxcmG9TLj458pQqnRyIvJ_HE8yrVQ_Jg0d9WpM38vS-i5JWd/s8160/20230817_131943.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_zcBwPY343K09xvpl14db9VJbQdpM2qO3pBWbPpo_1Y9B-KugU63_H8E1FTyuA4sg3TRH73mfg1YckorvjtCntWhoBUUdZ3oOp0ooelCwzCMzK0iB-vOPgMmzGYoD4o6lUsGB2eG2kv6vxcmG9TLj458pQqnRyIvJ_HE8yrVQ_Jg0d9WpM38vS-i5JWd/w480-h640/20230817_131943.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg70Jgr_5t5gxPWJdD4iFn7GHanWEEtdGtiQDU5dMTFwqd3EIVQwb356k73nJLEe1qKM_6l2MPreIlCPFduKKjdhc86JDgkJgqsoZZ1ovWafNaJP8i9ID9KjBn6bG3BtDo5t-ChRmCQqlF-uCndW0kCxCrGtfcXxXtElmkVgyLTlpRtgFh2YuqOnvPopEa/s8160/20230817_132335.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg70Jgr_5t5gxPWJdD4iFn7GHanWEEtdGtiQDU5dMTFwqd3EIVQwb356k73nJLEe1qKM_6l2MPreIlCPFduKKjdhc86JDgkJgqsoZZ1ovWafNaJP8i9ID9KjBn6bG3BtDo5t-ChRmCQqlF-uCndW0kCxCrGtfcXxXtElmkVgyLTlpRtgFh2YuqOnvPopEa/w480-h640/20230817_132335.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I climb back up out of Hall Wood into a common with a view back to Riffhams.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ12Df7nvkQD3fX7a-NsNgvtJJ4K7Djdly3q5jQlrhU10IPkOtc3UxqtVHD1QheAlR0vi-pSdwQFZ9CWH2rBRmKweuiQu5HDbeozBl7fo4yWJ9Vw3vYMjToidHbouLWH4e7rAv6SHNanAZEUVrOBRtCxzdtmiz_5qMJ1-dB87bRqQ9bjH9NyO1xCRXzYGn/s8160/20230817_132343.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ12Df7nvkQD3fX7a-NsNgvtJJ4K7Djdly3q5jQlrhU10IPkOtc3UxqtVHD1QheAlR0vi-pSdwQFZ9CWH2rBRmKweuiQu5HDbeozBl7fo4yWJ9Vw3vYMjToidHbouLWH4e7rAv6SHNanAZEUVrOBRtCxzdtmiz_5qMJ1-dB87bRqQ9bjH9NyO1xCRXzYGn/w640-h480/20230817_132343.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAxBaouk0C_4INS1cIm9eia5SgVKikSCcuXsBbvL2TbpKv8MRo-qEMNR_DLP84qbSqKaiyEqamI9Nh9LPIj01v6kJrHmqsCaS67w_kKDxx3RpQJ9xawe-ccNI269EJF_KaZoXjpZLzVLOPcEuOHUKX3BUSJce_rQ4sOcA-RLrA1Mc72L2NvFHXmwxWed3/s8160/20230817_132355.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAxBaouk0C_4INS1cIm9eia5SgVKikSCcuXsBbvL2TbpKv8MRo-qEMNR_DLP84qbSqKaiyEqamI9Nh9LPIj01v6kJrHmqsCaS67w_kKDxx3RpQJ9xawe-ccNI269EJF_KaZoXjpZLzVLOPcEuOHUKX3BUSJce_rQ4sOcA-RLrA1Mc72L2NvFHXmwxWed3/w640-h480/20230817_132355.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQt2E_RxMEtZe_IPRtBXDJGe4KNmW4MyaEUCWyHCoL0nnNme77o7UGW8vZK82ijAS-4hFEilDVqA-tYWim_od8OZClsE56G7x0uvHp8Nu99IGtFaXyy38fikzJn5eoabJDYZ0vL6PL4fI8nNgvzBPXA9UrHMZyW_16T3AMdXgCDwmFI-m_nlMCZJAs6Gm/s8160/20230817_132437.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQt2E_RxMEtZe_IPRtBXDJGe4KNmW4MyaEUCWyHCoL0nnNme77o7UGW8vZK82ijAS-4hFEilDVqA-tYWim_od8OZClsE56G7x0uvHp8Nu99IGtFaXyy38fikzJn5eoabJDYZ0vL6PL4fI8nNgvzBPXA9UrHMZyW_16T3AMdXgCDwmFI-m_nlMCZJAs6Gm/w640-h480/20230817_132437.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">An early C19 house surrounded by a park laid out in 1815 following advice from Humphry Repton.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The estate of which Old Riffhams was a capital messuage was owned by the Clerke family up until 1801. In the late C18 Martha, daughter and heiress of Robert Clerke, married Charles Phillips, who in default of heirs, left the estate to his great-nephew John Robert Spencer. On inheriting in 1809, John took the additional name of Phillips. Instead of altering the old manor house, he chose to build a new mansion on a spectacular site c 600m to the south-west of the old one. He began the house, which he called Riffhams, in 1815, the same year in which Humphry Repton (1752-1818) was called in to give advice on the grounds. Although a Red Book was not prepared, Repton advised on the location of the new house and prepared 'a panoramic sketch of the views from the site proposed for Riffham's Lodge' (Repton watercolour (copy), UEA). In 1836 Wright included an engraving in his History of Essex which shows the early C19 flower gardens and shrubberies. John Spencer died in 1874, aged eighty-seven years. The estate was inherited by his son Major John Charles Spencer-Phillips but was let to a Mrs E Kirk and then to Mr and Mrs Charles Parker in c 1904. During their tenancy the Danbury Flower Show was held in the grounds. In 1928 the house was occupied by Sir Adam and Lady Richie and in 1933 Percy Tyrell Spencer Phillips put it on the market. It was purchased by Sir Follett Holt, a railway engineer. Sir Follett's son sold Riffhams in c 1968 to the Benson family. In 1976 the estate was again put up for sale and the house and park were purchased by the Hindmarch family. The estate remains in single private ownership.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkWbyBAmPWr8Jid2aByiqGlAkF7s1I67gME9RB-YtRE-S8QwUy6z8jwjvUJnfnDiwxb4WBFqLVc93iFmYQS4qRWMzk79kUy9ZZ6vlyogmCLdqzX8auaEaL3foBsNU9VMTSIH4LkMipz5_p9UnpVqZPiWOnHGA3dQKfIg_Ri4i-uTH0ohkJBpGzkRv-Nq_/s8160/20230817_132914.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkWbyBAmPWr8Jid2aByiqGlAkF7s1I67gME9RB-YtRE-S8QwUy6z8jwjvUJnfnDiwxb4WBFqLVc93iFmYQS4qRWMzk79kUy9ZZ6vlyogmCLdqzX8auaEaL3foBsNU9VMTSIH4LkMipz5_p9UnpVqZPiWOnHGA3dQKfIg_Ri4i-uTH0ohkJBpGzkRv-Nq_/w480-h640/20230817_132914.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk out onto Riffhams Lane and up Elm Green lane and take a footpath further up on my right.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLym2EFVqqH9Vu8SrhnIcDI_ZFFA2sVjvuvzf1JfL2yCe9LJGUGbC6HBWdXE99KWuNc91GamWezQtpC_f8or3rzUavMOFQTrML2_KufhNHVQjMHSaE0QpowZOY4fVMWZojoQYI1oWp5WokTiyHNH-rWcFDD7UU18eMLiAFEVrhPrwi-gUr8hUqCLV-QO-y/s8160/20230817_133100.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLym2EFVqqH9Vu8SrhnIcDI_ZFFA2sVjvuvzf1JfL2yCe9LJGUGbC6HBWdXE99KWuNc91GamWezQtpC_f8or3rzUavMOFQTrML2_KufhNHVQjMHSaE0QpowZOY4fVMWZojoQYI1oWp5WokTiyHNH-rWcFDD7UU18eMLiAFEVrhPrwi-gUr8hUqCLV-QO-y/w640-h480/20230817_133100.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This path emerges by The Bell Public House on Bell Lane, I cross the Zebra crossing and back to the car.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNMIo11Rt-Ns2ZvcrwjWbOd-T-Au4QU_T2OCdTO_PeAGMbNW8TGT59uDA7_OmOJAfKCdG6I6bf2ec18lgsMHKMRzZUBQnLHyv_YsE9ey7owIr2CG5V2uu5JrxwWMEFUZ_uzV-52wK4mLj8JAeN1Ewwmm_5e7nrbJxwOh9JSMPJhc-YQXZZiYz8amsqDeT/s8160/20230817_133401.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNMIo11Rt-Ns2ZvcrwjWbOd-T-Au4QU_T2OCdTO_PeAGMbNW8TGT59uDA7_OmOJAfKCdG6I6bf2ec18lgsMHKMRzZUBQnLHyv_YsE9ey7owIr2CG5V2uu5JrxwWMEFUZ_uzV-52wK4mLj8JAeN1Ewwmm_5e7nrbJxwOh9JSMPJhc-YQXZZiYz8amsqDeT/w640-h480/20230817_133401.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A walk of just under 8 miles.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHiL-vsxwi_TRpeg-wPlwOytRVXKMY2UI2vkQ9LupUgeC-AWxtBJcBiclACxwqRCIR5pvCO_YLZlZeoxQ3JxALYwDwBmpTQl7FCrMM7PM3EwDF1Xe1ru4DjYQ0jPM4YUaeknpkI5_I0uFuBo9RTzTOPRqcJAky5veK6dUiMXDH9MNVB9Beb2FkIgeMvXU/s1306/Screenshot%202023-08-19%20105632.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1306" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHiL-vsxwi_TRpeg-wPlwOytRVXKMY2UI2vkQ9LupUgeC-AWxtBJcBiclACxwqRCIR5pvCO_YLZlZeoxQ3JxALYwDwBmpTQl7FCrMM7PM3EwDF1Xe1ru4DjYQ0jPM4YUaeknpkI5_I0uFuBo9RTzTOPRqcJAky5veK6dUiMXDH9MNVB9Beb2FkIgeMvXU/w640-h348/Screenshot%202023-08-19%20105632.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLouqrdAWK4HQnaXkyiPyh4wzm-MXWfYRhkYDWBCcHSvMt8F9YbkBWLvp-5DDIj3XOGlQPPrVqh4E2LNnN-RfxOQEDV4CWg8FOsn-9kEFrzegyJU0iLg6hGvgECSQpmeVze5SJOv1L1sokq8kXLRiTs7W5eSXreg_C_wDVVrJsfAKSlG1VIxP-CG-wKISX/s1118/Screenshot%202023-08-19%20105649.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="1118" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLouqrdAWK4HQnaXkyiPyh4wzm-MXWfYRhkYDWBCcHSvMt8F9YbkBWLvp-5DDIj3XOGlQPPrVqh4E2LNnN-RfxOQEDV4CWg8FOsn-9kEFrzegyJU0iLg6hGvgECSQpmeVze5SJOv1L1sokq8kXLRiTs7W5eSXreg_C_wDVVrJsfAKSlG1VIxP-CG-wKISX/w640-h320/Screenshot%202023-08-19%20105649.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-87622584274121143842023-08-07T20:11:00.088+01:002023-08-12T13:57:03.371+01:00Battle, East Sussex circular walk 7th August 2023<p style="text-align: center;">GPX File<a href="https://www.haroldstreet.org.uk/routes/download/?walk=6032" target="_blank"> here</a> </p><p style="text-align: center;">On Monday the 7th August 2023 I drove to Battle and parked up for free on Mountjoy (TN33 0EQ).</p><p style="text-align: center;">I walk down onto London Road and up to the Roundabout where a statue of King Harold is mounted on his horse.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14XWJgwmMdX58mAtJArhuKF57_9GqFDf9LbcBiNtCtGnyWSonlT8PQeUwaAtrA3EqVoChy1G_KeAQOEPj8qH0gmBtaoEXUD-ZEetse6CuzTbJA5OOpgF7ctp_01smqDw0_HvMANwDYlKn-SOMH_tU-eQQC3NovA62N5UtnGgo3lhiS7TK3pdzNaHBgxJq/s7862/20230807_092535.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7862" data-original-width="5896" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14XWJgwmMdX58mAtJArhuKF57_9GqFDf9LbcBiNtCtGnyWSonlT8PQeUwaAtrA3EqVoChy1G_KeAQOEPj8qH0gmBtaoEXUD-ZEetse6CuzTbJA5OOpgF7ctp_01smqDw0_HvMANwDYlKn-SOMH_tU-eQQC3NovA62N5UtnGgo3lhiS7TK3pdzNaHBgxJq/w480-h640/20230807_092535.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk on down High Street and reach The Almonry and Battle Museum of Local History, which is closed as its so early.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtv7aTc3gCKX9PtygBiK2mX01g1zHwpIuQir5vZTqL-B1JNc9Chm5qTfL3KfJMtxQDNbb_ZSiUUI8QBIhxPHwUuzK8hv-CiccoqtClnLUn8WkSqrBiaypMekm-35h27vP-LxJ6BaBFV8-Z9o270ukdeCO8BRLglXUpamGp4LS_HeQBYOyJqXmzDeNV608/s8160/20230807_092656.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtv7aTc3gCKX9PtygBiK2mX01g1zHwpIuQir5vZTqL-B1JNc9Chm5qTfL3KfJMtxQDNbb_ZSiUUI8QBIhxPHwUuzK8hv-CiccoqtClnLUn8WkSqrBiaypMekm-35h27vP-LxJ6BaBFV8-Z9o270ukdeCO8BRLglXUpamGp4LS_HeQBYOyJqXmzDeNV608/w640-h480/20230807_092656.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A house has most likely been on the site of what is now known as The Almonry since 1090 when the town was first laid out. The first rental, dated about 1107, is in the Battle Abbey Chronicle, an account of the Battle and the founding of the Abbey which was written by the monks and is now housed in the British Library.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It never was an Almonry but the Almoner did own land behind the present Market site and Western Avenue. The house was known from the early Middle Ages as KNIGHT’s taken from an important family which owned land in the Leuga – the one league radius round Battle which the Conqueror gave to his new Abbey.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Records show that the property was part of the Abbey Estate and had a number of tenants until it reverted to the Abbey in 1800. It was sold in about 1930 and remained in private ownership until the early 1980’s when it was acquired by the County Council. The Town Council purchased the site in 1987.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The present building is a good example of the type of oak framed timber house built after the years of decline following the black death and was originally a five bay hall house built in the C15. It has since been partially rebuilt, added to and some parts even demolished over the centuries. Most of these changes, including the addition of chimneys, took place in the C16 and C17. An unusual feature of the building is an internal courtyard which also has a well. It is set within delightful gardens which have won gold awards in the South & South East in Bloom competition.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwIPtI-QuFESGbY04AWLTg-WsEd-q99Wtw39rjDAmiIrB33Pc8KU7IDLNV9qNY_9reS2pcbtF0UMnKMdp3TPUPYvFQC0sicTBBuZAVdQBwRdYqTRsYD_VoqGyftFUkJfpjQFKyWQZHYIL0-z_6uoatnZz3OnnNzEo5X8ZGo1ZsMtiGXdF-5x1BatPVwLr/s7810/20230807_092726.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5857" data-original-width="7810" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwIPtI-QuFESGbY04AWLTg-WsEd-q99Wtw39rjDAmiIrB33Pc8KU7IDLNV9qNY_9reS2pcbtF0UMnKMdp3TPUPYvFQC0sicTBBuZAVdQBwRdYqTRsYD_VoqGyftFUkJfpjQFKyWQZHYIL0-z_6uoatnZz3OnnNzEo5X8ZGo1ZsMtiGXdF-5x1BatPVwLr/w640-h480/20230807_092726.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Museum covers 125 million years of history with displays including dinosaur footprints, artefacts from a Roman Bathhouse, a battle-axe believed to be the only relic of the battle of 1066, the oldest effigy of Guy Fawkes, domestic items from the 19th century and militaria from World Wars 1 and 2.<br /></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrkvxqI0W5p0ERu5u1eRcOQsDY5nDeOFmm5OpD8qVckGPNz5RQnpuSu9hSVgNV7FWuVUBXbYgplJQRUOXFlwWxb1aKyemR1okeqKRUpiBvwBMYoNkHzMcKGrmmOlJwfpxLxiU8XKbKm0Kg0uwtQ8gJKkKnaIMPYtqtoqTWI-HTtQTH9HfA6jYGtIMKVcy/s8160/20230807_092844.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrkvxqI0W5p0ERu5u1eRcOQsDY5nDeOFmm5OpD8qVckGPNz5RQnpuSu9hSVgNV7FWuVUBXbYgplJQRUOXFlwWxb1aKyemR1okeqKRUpiBvwBMYoNkHzMcKGrmmOlJwfpxLxiU8XKbKm0Kg0uwtQ8gJKkKnaIMPYtqtoqTWI-HTtQTH9HfA6jYGtIMKVcy/w640-h480/20230807_092844.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk on down the High Street pass many old buildings.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Battle is the site of, and named after, the Battle of Hastings, where William, Duke of Normandy, defeated King Harold II to become William I in 1066.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknIeFMrNtZUvIBUvkymC-_bAdA1EjHdTTCrzCN2fY9G11slfn81rzWmB3MCMMnwZJZz3Ny1B-uEgapwLV1_igJYxmBxRlhtpCNmkaydnShQ3_2vDow5z7VPWWF_7qYAjDw8fuUD9dRF2BDEwHL8pGMUIfdbw4rm8VOmtakiIxDIIe1itKNHfaIYjQHJe_/s7593/20230807_092948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7593" data-original-width="5695" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknIeFMrNtZUvIBUvkymC-_bAdA1EjHdTTCrzCN2fY9G11slfn81rzWmB3MCMMnwZJZz3Ny1B-uEgapwLV1_igJYxmBxRlhtpCNmkaydnShQ3_2vDow5z7VPWWF_7qYAjDw8fuUD9dRF2BDEwHL8pGMUIfdbw4rm8VOmtakiIxDIIe1itKNHfaIYjQHJe_/w480-h640/20230807_092948.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_4CdcpQfY_xdaVIzRiFIzA8gPxULTZz5ZiaXH-sAl8Xs_WX008-cuLMxF8yQhMI3w2b00xRXE_RE7ABkGdgrnBELKm7xdO9zee7784BWuKX-PYOVsg0p3gze6d9XoBdluL1oSSnYJasnArDzeaRGgsObj7RGhrzcMeaJLpInvAxMYiY4aWkUJkBHIt4h/s3816/20230807_093023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3816" data-original-width="2862" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_4CdcpQfY_xdaVIzRiFIzA8gPxULTZz5ZiaXH-sAl8Xs_WX008-cuLMxF8yQhMI3w2b00xRXE_RE7ABkGdgrnBELKm7xdO9zee7784BWuKX-PYOVsg0p3gze6d9XoBdluL1oSSnYJasnArDzeaRGgsObj7RGhrzcMeaJLpInvAxMYiY4aWkUJkBHIt4h/w480-h640/20230807_093023.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I reach the entrance of Battle Abbey, closed but I'll be visiting later. I walk on to my left. Had I bothered to check my route I could see I should turn right and pick the path up there. But I was planning a different rote earlier that would have taken me left. Anyway I found out later!</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">I have amended the GPX file so you follow the correct route and a mile less walking!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOrMGYQpubFS9bqRvSW4uKKPfwPYRqPRCvanWJ9qjikS3Hwcc6SCJOeqiWOr3qKpqHgzzYCf2knWd71EA-ply1veorf2P3poyE_3Oe6FISQnoovjLVcf1ALsdsd1IoEz-VjllQ150cLhcw-93JkPikSkmoz_u_KhJlzvh92xRvU1JnhxfbnXHupfh6lI9/s7728/20230807_093215.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5796" data-original-width="7728" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOrMGYQpubFS9bqRvSW4uKKPfwPYRqPRCvanWJ9qjikS3Hwcc6SCJOeqiWOr3qKpqHgzzYCf2knWd71EA-ply1veorf2P3poyE_3Oe6FISQnoovjLVcf1ALsdsd1IoEz-VjllQ150cLhcw-93JkPikSkmoz_u_KhJlzvh92xRvU1JnhxfbnXHupfh6lI9/w640-h480/20230807_093215.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1066, the area was known for its salt production, with today's Netherfield ward within a large wealthy ancient hundred called Hailesaltede.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The town of Battle was gradually built around the Abbey, and later developed a reputation for the quality of the gunpowder produced in the area. The first gunpowder mill in Battle was built in 1676 when John Hammond was granted permission to build a mill on land owned by the Abbey. A gunpowder works was located in Powdermill Lane – the remains of which have been converted into a hotel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKRXaqow1MQrUlQUfuwS9e5smVYuHCq_uPKcJ7kFock7-Kifi9xg0ZkEzYwfTaVuhPdXohtuQcfr2QekQBRKYrMKeYVDZkJTRdas2s9801H9rzaMEWdZfU-KrOfxCxrDWuyM-EaoQGBgT22f8OuH6xfeF-tLhMPzdjMcYWHSKoJxDIiNRBsBLmjXaxe55/s7859/20230807_093310.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5894" data-original-width="7859" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKRXaqow1MQrUlQUfuwS9e5smVYuHCq_uPKcJ7kFock7-Kifi9xg0ZkEzYwfTaVuhPdXohtuQcfr2QekQBRKYrMKeYVDZkJTRdas2s9801H9rzaMEWdZfU-KrOfxCxrDWuyM-EaoQGBgT22f8OuH6xfeF-tLhMPzdjMcYWHSKoJxDIiNRBsBLmjXaxe55/w640-h480/20230807_093310.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The local Battel Bonfire Boyes is claimed to be the oldest of the Sussex Bonfire Societies. The importance of Bonfire Night in Battle is that it is located in the wooded Weald of Sussex. Most of the area was heavily wooded, which provided oak and other timbers for Navy shipyards, power for making cannons (shipped to Portsmouth or Chatham), cannonballs and gunpowder.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-qF-sEPv-g4pz7-Xb_jrEeou99XVMqHZ3JURyavYpY2lu7vW0geEudxHtlenlAVooUG0GmG9cKUbG40474cz4aSOi-OdU0-hvHWOFBi60kEBmvc4dab652K5zUDqNXXh9oayxYG6r6Vuk0hHRZbH5en2NNV-jpHfOEgdfrJxZhIHF3tJwH9d-OkqrN_o/s8160/20230807_093329.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-qF-sEPv-g4pz7-Xb_jrEeou99XVMqHZ3JURyavYpY2lu7vW0geEudxHtlenlAVooUG0GmG9cKUbG40474cz4aSOi-OdU0-hvHWOFBi60kEBmvc4dab652K5zUDqNXXh9oayxYG6r6Vuk0hHRZbH5en2NNV-jpHfOEgdfrJxZhIHF3tJwH9d-OkqrN_o/w640-h480/20230807_093329.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDos9P1oi1GBAfMF2ef-5oeaEierf11m-pWHDYlaujKuR9ps3pPy8UoYJcvxh071s01tKRBPlGnjHtCvi2NfS88ROQVBgzOlfAGWPGWMAXV4gWy2wSZwx-EbO0sZHv8QKO2-Lk925enTS-6oQrzb3ZKkFFfX_7iEMGpsszxFj3G9Ns8nMxpItd5oZOf4Bv/s8160/20230807_093357.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDos9P1oi1GBAfMF2ef-5oeaEierf11m-pWHDYlaujKuR9ps3pPy8UoYJcvxh071s01tKRBPlGnjHtCvi2NfS88ROQVBgzOlfAGWPGWMAXV4gWy2wSZwx-EbO0sZHv8QKO2-Lk925enTS-6oQrzb3ZKkFFfX_7iEMGpsszxFj3G9Ns8nMxpItd5oZOf4Bv/w640-h480/20230807_093357.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk alongside the Abbeys Precinct Wall.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaExuJyFSXprdDZQXINgj5_5tNP_rl337SUZxD0pxKcTqX7D8dZUS68SWtu4uF3uIMlZHwN0h209Uf83scs22Cii7GAHYBH4FsRjMYYbCeWxrkHjvZqGQs2nsaj5sck0t93Hvoqn0SRwkpVt5Anp6x93gCJziNJbZRQ1hkyvUGZjqoYZHpmOlWq-zqvia/s7805/20230807_093454.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5854" data-original-width="7805" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaExuJyFSXprdDZQXINgj5_5tNP_rl337SUZxD0pxKcTqX7D8dZUS68SWtu4uF3uIMlZHwN0h209Uf83scs22Cii7GAHYBH4FsRjMYYbCeWxrkHjvZqGQs2nsaj5sck0t93Hvoqn0SRwkpVt5Anp6x93gCJziNJbZRQ1hkyvUGZjqoYZHpmOlWq-zqvia/w640-h480/20230807_093454.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I pass the 12th Century Church of St Mary the Virgin on my left.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iIYiIZmP_2QTRlqxDp_UEGD_AqtcMbI6D7iOZBRtdwriT5Wm-Wjq98pDb7fgitlQ-MN97kryS2GVTtjdpEsdHV7Per8aN3jKy2dtQtUEOb9ec2ana2Xll8NUExel7xHHP482d3AQ63uldoPPaKwhc3yjKldF_jj66yuwFYxsbkzEX2neXcrgzzUW819o/s7878/20230807_093659.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7878" data-original-width="5909" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iIYiIZmP_2QTRlqxDp_UEGD_AqtcMbI6D7iOZBRtdwriT5Wm-Wjq98pDb7fgitlQ-MN97kryS2GVTtjdpEsdHV7Per8aN3jKy2dtQtUEOb9ec2ana2Xll8NUExel7xHHP482d3AQ63uldoPPaKwhc3yjKldF_jj66yuwFYxsbkzEX2neXcrgzzUW819o/w480-h640/20230807_093659.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">14th Century timber-framed building, John Hammond, the last Abbot of Battle, lived here for eight years after the Dissolution and died here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCmw_xffm9TbLBOtWB7JGi3241qoJJ3ub0IO3VZCUfOx22FBnXzE-KkhUgjXLPSNpqep8oKd6SpSBJaDYDLvEqgDqhphfgR1FZm-Seu0-BE1R4cw00ggFc5f4EZziKI2AXiq9thY7Zxv_RQSF0HN1nwGDI2rchzv8i8mgWNoVHO9yqdGr-CbFNNCi-_QV/s8160/20230807_093715.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCmw_xffm9TbLBOtWB7JGi3241qoJJ3ub0IO3VZCUfOx22FBnXzE-KkhUgjXLPSNpqep8oKd6SpSBJaDYDLvEqgDqhphfgR1FZm-Seu0-BE1R4cw00ggFc5f4EZziKI2AXiq9thY7Zxv_RQSF0HN1nwGDI2rchzv8i8mgWNoVHO9yqdGr-CbFNNCi-_QV/w480-h640/20230807_093715.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfC1RozClPSBCdo-2U49XNd3D-Op3cHf1Admc-0povxz4c0Uncf3Ex67RT7ZLUQ8Qxax1V3vCKN1fEmyN6wXzJQNA9UdKepoV-di8_dwys-KgzNa27F6QBz94-8O48XKZc69VyrrkMx-XZeGmsEsfeRI7iYN1380j3JyISLS4u6g-PFG-V2nBnBaauuPBo/s8160/20230807_093814.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfC1RozClPSBCdo-2U49XNd3D-Op3cHf1Admc-0povxz4c0Uncf3Ex67RT7ZLUQ8Qxax1V3vCKN1fEmyN6wXzJQNA9UdKepoV-di8_dwys-KgzNa27F6QBz94-8O48XKZc69VyrrkMx-XZeGmsEsfeRI7iYN1380j3JyISLS4u6g-PFG-V2nBnBaauuPBo/w640-h480/20230807_093814.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1eM9ctZyG5yuwiY8Y2paUULAKbc4a_CIHDpYcalf1uOMr5LgPo-YLBmavzc3drpFSDyBWBoN4DKiKDH78djQnGQYOTHQnUg9NJqFP_9ASFQYpW4db_OGSvEwWfJOCHU0Afu0BR0SlGM6p9pW6jNTYJ9_dJD5oN7fypofaYt7CAKziyKCqui68_c6glT1/s8160/20230807_093830.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1eM9ctZyG5yuwiY8Y2paUULAKbc4a_CIHDpYcalf1uOMr5LgPo-YLBmavzc3drpFSDyBWBoN4DKiKDH78djQnGQYOTHQnUg9NJqFP_9ASFQYpW4db_OGSvEwWfJOCHU0Afu0BR0SlGM6p9pW6jNTYJ9_dJD5oN7fypofaYt7CAKziyKCqui68_c6glT1/w480-h640/20230807_093830.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I turn right and walk down Powdermill Lane.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFvKkyxFjC6sPIHbufBaN-lFa2oCyYc4SjDMQVoPk40vpJPKDt1IjGE_TrMXHklDuexqYXw7Gw9y17hwdv5BeyAWrZiz5LEZ010Rx9cmmx1FolW_rCvuxXyHNPhHd7hxW1VtxrEskL8EZ86-ZTyTXaxpdrqKDrVp4qFQthB_nsPda5YnnvdGijDUVGM_h/s8017/20230807_094842.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6013" data-original-width="8017" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFvKkyxFjC6sPIHbufBaN-lFa2oCyYc4SjDMQVoPk40vpJPKDt1IjGE_TrMXHklDuexqYXw7Gw9y17hwdv5BeyAWrZiz5LEZ010Rx9cmmx1FolW_rCvuxXyHNPhHd7hxW1VtxrEskL8EZ86-ZTyTXaxpdrqKDrVp4qFQthB_nsPda5YnnvdGijDUVGM_h/w640-h480/20230807_094842.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can see across the 1066 battlefield and to Battle Abbey.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">I pass Battle Railway Station and its a little further on along the busy road that I realise I've taken the wrong route. I hop over a fence and I am now trespassing in the Battle Abbeys grounds, but don't worry I pay later when I visit!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl21hs4oLWmumudSF17A6s16SeSvGcTMRGlBkp8mXIZu0VE_Bj9KecDVBnxkFje19j5rrl7dEsOgd4aRqOZSCEI0N02u6DwnzANbWjJO8woro9g0rIxM8Cy1_jVCQhqdzFCgCVuWIY1oSk40NlpIfAEvj8CHGGqwc2os7KOzIRqZOYlYbb6vOI5na6cPLp/s8160/20230807_100729.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl21hs4oLWmumudSF17A6s16SeSvGcTMRGlBkp8mXIZu0VE_Bj9KecDVBnxkFje19j5rrl7dEsOgd4aRqOZSCEI0N02u6DwnzANbWjJO8woro9g0rIxM8Cy1_jVCQhqdzFCgCVuWIY1oSk40NlpIfAEvj8CHGGqwc2os7KOzIRqZOYlYbb6vOI5na6cPLp/w640-h480/20230807_100729.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I hop over a gate at the other end and walk up and join the 1066 Country Path and I'm back on track!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGma6su7r1IAMw8Y_xH6i1YI03OPVR2NrMZ9o5AV_70tFkEgcHHVJ9xYjDaTbbtwXz4BA_6o5jFl77ecQVkGu90Ae5EKZCxPTvEVBWJHPtaP_MTJIVfnE7vNCGBug4i9G5LTrfI9KkBz97M3UUSOAdl5tenMGF_-KIhTo1zc1kno4ZOwgWNuAqMniTdeC/s8160/20230807_100935.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGma6su7r1IAMw8Y_xH6i1YI03OPVR2NrMZ9o5AV_70tFkEgcHHVJ9xYjDaTbbtwXz4BA_6o5jFl77ecQVkGu90Ae5EKZCxPTvEVBWJHPtaP_MTJIVfnE7vNCGBug4i9G5LTrfI9KkBz97M3UUSOAdl5tenMGF_-KIhTo1zc1kno4ZOwgWNuAqMniTdeC/w640-h480/20230807_100935.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrV8-dmVYHDlE6PL-QX1_lH1tpSp1rM_zObDVasNQYM6gEamRHod7_4V01N4xoZzLNm04ulYBqTz25XNQ07ymK8n61GXwmCx4Me6tyS8DUR3zHMRWFBoeQSlX8vlObgE4TgYWQbterv_U1mAsrsZ_6CX69Gtf2hNQfo1AC_VM7i6oZY3U4HQ_hIpuA8sK/s8160/20230807_101543.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrV8-dmVYHDlE6PL-QX1_lH1tpSp1rM_zObDVasNQYM6gEamRHod7_4V01N4xoZzLNm04ulYBqTz25XNQ07ymK8n61GXwmCx4Me6tyS8DUR3zHMRWFBoeQSlX8vlObgE4TgYWQbterv_U1mAsrsZ_6CX69Gtf2hNQfo1AC_VM7i6oZY3U4HQ_hIpuA8sK/w480-h640/20230807_101543.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk on and through Powdermill Wood, thankful of some shade.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Powdermill Wood is a varied, peaceful wood. It has ancient origins and once supplied charcoal to make gunpowder in nearby Battle. Today some timber harvesting takes place. The Powdermill Trust owns and conserves the wood for its interesting and varied wildlife and habitats. A large part of the reserve is alder-carr and a board walk traverses the swampy areas.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFMGkwQxMEAjt8y3ygIrM3z7QrBXbPp8X0f83gs3d1O0qIuRziBTtW7f9iDmDNtEDJgAkbmCrH9xM9BdC-KykVBVMlWXDI7FS1nCmccXxpwLBYsmcb_M00f0bRoH1HIfxV2rDY6GT4XJHtHZehrZXK0UwPWmnzYg5G7lu25GJ1StLiWfsWIlYI3sLRsWQ/s8160/20230807_103024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFMGkwQxMEAjt8y3ygIrM3z7QrBXbPp8X0f83gs3d1O0qIuRziBTtW7f9iDmDNtEDJgAkbmCrH9xM9BdC-KykVBVMlWXDI7FS1nCmccXxpwLBYsmcb_M00f0bRoH1HIfxV2rDY6GT4XJHtHZehrZXK0UwPWmnzYg5G7lu25GJ1StLiWfsWIlYI3sLRsWQ/w640-h480/20230807_103024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Leaving Powdermill Wood I cross a road into another field on my way into Catsfield.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyvYeJpgBbAEX2mJfgiG0pMS9UtqQ6vV3rita0GbeQqjSXv2KywuFnsHIa1SF8OsKt-kX9yhu-yQBw2ToE0-NTq5X_Iehgw0s52rIJoUtti87SAQlqu-QS6AWtJZFnbKaV_hsZq9YGgJHV3ECyBGtk8xeL-k5Oo4QPiauZE8SIgeVXPy67WohQwxyayDM/s8160/20230807_103133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyvYeJpgBbAEX2mJfgiG0pMS9UtqQ6vV3rita0GbeQqjSXv2KywuFnsHIa1SF8OsKt-kX9yhu-yQBw2ToE0-NTq5X_Iehgw0s52rIJoUtti87SAQlqu-QS6AWtJZFnbKaV_hsZq9YGgJHV3ECyBGtk8xeL-k5Oo4QPiauZE8SIgeVXPy67WohQwxyayDM/w640-h480/20230807_103133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdvMkHgc46NTqlvtlnFnAQr676UA5Hy16FSNoMnUfFZgyf3-5pQbma_5kwtuVmVnWlmzSK8ddDF_Gp2uyAMG65Ilj5sDelaq4psIVubS3wmMBel6CeiM508TZayt6k7ea0mmX83vJDM6_Ulz98ZZL5sC-f_w99UVIa6VxHcb3HxbF3PRRqlFLq1F7eqRq/s8160/20230807_103205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdvMkHgc46NTqlvtlnFnAQr676UA5Hy16FSNoMnUfFZgyf3-5pQbma_5kwtuVmVnWlmzSK8ddDF_Gp2uyAMG65Ilj5sDelaq4psIVubS3wmMBel6CeiM508TZayt6k7ea0mmX83vJDM6_Ulz98ZZL5sC-f_w99UVIa6VxHcb3HxbF3PRRqlFLq1F7eqRq/w640-h480/20230807_103205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I cross one last field before walking out onto Powdermill Lane and into Catsfield.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwEP6dCZ4uFo_Fguh_-eLwHmxgwwwTptW1hZHhrdlhs_fgWKpXuzJ8noTve1r-_68q1AfiR4R0-f82OueKi1ya6Kpy6Vu4RK6gEOA97AwdW2GZ_1Emft0NLxNuDTVwCqYVZQDmI8GTDU9ZZ3C-ujDSIgzhRCVWl1SHyJsa4syhfgF8p4XfPexUUyETmNM/s8160/20230807_103757.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwEP6dCZ4uFo_Fguh_-eLwHmxgwwwTptW1hZHhrdlhs_fgWKpXuzJ8noTve1r-_68q1AfiR4R0-f82OueKi1ya6Kpy6Vu4RK6gEOA97AwdW2GZ_1Emft0NLxNuDTVwCqYVZQDmI8GTDU9ZZ3C-ujDSIgzhRCVWl1SHyJsa4syhfgF8p4XfPexUUyETmNM/w640-h480/20230807_103757.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Catsfield was first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was recorded "there is a little church serving the hall". It is one of the oldest settlements in the area, with Romano British period archaeological remains.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0nb2urRr7S-2Ba2eGwgYEJHdaCg5y4-xy6EQQDo0_86ihZ_tvlZMg-eXJf2LzpwW9Ktf-5q3Jc2gzlpf9Umtm4znVdywaNYmwdh1kaLUp5KV1-f0hnHnw5UmtV80HLZo0TO_hhBm0nSqRGNxQzZg8ufXB_9XX_jeJ8qxzRv6qi3hPTKJmlpwj-OVH1Id/s7896/20230807_104342.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5922" data-original-width="7896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0nb2urRr7S-2Ba2eGwgYEJHdaCg5y4-xy6EQQDo0_86ihZ_tvlZMg-eXJf2LzpwW9Ktf-5q3Jc2gzlpf9Umtm4znVdywaNYmwdh1kaLUp5KV1-f0hnHnw5UmtV80HLZo0TO_hhBm0nSqRGNxQzZg8ufXB_9XX_jeJ8qxzRv6qi3hPTKJmlpwj-OVH1Id/w640-h480/20230807_104342.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The village once consisted of two manors: Catsfield and Catsfield Levett. Thomas Lyvet (Levett) held the lordship of the manor of Catsfield in 1445 but forfeited it, along with the lordship of Firle, for his debts. But the manor of Catsfield Levett remained in the Levett family for centuries, and in the seventeenth century a Levett heiress carried it into the Eversfield family. (Richard Lyvet of Firle was lord of the manor of Catsfield in 1431.) With a fortune built on ancestral landholdings and later on iron making, the Levetts held land across Sussex. The parish church is dedicated to St Laurence.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Mx9uptHEuGKeWzwdQEIcBXeSlBRa9KCthpzk6zO-YnY9zBi6ysJqTafs9Ptie1PamdeVe7jkOyBaL9VJS2yVGg5_cVVe-ZHR7fRdj59O-YwKCilXz9Ukkf8yno5_V-ByOIuF7pXJH94nxk-OpbVTqw6vA0sR9W-hYR0HjnVtZ_vadGAORBTWXxlnailn/s8031/20230807_104447.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8031" data-original-width="6023" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Mx9uptHEuGKeWzwdQEIcBXeSlBRa9KCthpzk6zO-YnY9zBi6ysJqTafs9Ptie1PamdeVe7jkOyBaL9VJS2yVGg5_cVVe-ZHR7fRdj59O-YwKCilXz9Ukkf8yno5_V-ByOIuF7pXJH94nxk-OpbVTqw6vA0sR9W-hYR0HjnVtZ_vadGAORBTWXxlnailn/w480-h640/20230807_104447.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I pass by a gorgeous cottage, could see myself living there!</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_yX3LNurcsO7od0znCk_nftYhmGPsmFRqHznjlFLaL2-fLwIzkIa2HL2uz1xgjN3tJXqNnrGXasrJtRppXGtzL1DX3oNqkwUeM15DwEJRGq0C5ZRVEl_0lSSpkuns5_rlbdmGZ4lteBbH7x-ZH3wYYBgqtKU2-86IYsuNkFo6XEg_KZGDtr3Yq2KjjwG/s8160/20230807_104452.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_yX3LNurcsO7od0znCk_nftYhmGPsmFRqHznjlFLaL2-fLwIzkIa2HL2uz1xgjN3tJXqNnrGXasrJtRppXGtzL1DX3oNqkwUeM15DwEJRGq0C5ZRVEl_0lSSpkuns5_rlbdmGZ4lteBbH7x-ZH3wYYBgqtKU2-86IYsuNkFo6XEg_KZGDtr3Yq2KjjwG/w640-h480/20230807_104452.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk pass the White Hart Inn and stop off at the post office and shop for a drink and a nice samosa. Next door is The Sausage Shop.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gFcOai0fwMMjNtwicmN2sXijHKewHOpmfDjxh9NqNinc8cGGc5WXfP8znr7-fUC78sfH5-oRPWw2gvDPhsQFNJNvHVP6A_mN5vZ_1P1SBGimBsYiYisKbdr6oG8cyvXpNgBAZ3h0oXNr1bFJOOVw88I_wyLrSf0ELMYAzJcQw3L8dqYTN1PCCLy-24rk/s7935/20230807_104933.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5951" data-original-width="7935" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gFcOai0fwMMjNtwicmN2sXijHKewHOpmfDjxh9NqNinc8cGGc5WXfP8znr7-fUC78sfH5-oRPWw2gvDPhsQFNJNvHVP6A_mN5vZ_1P1SBGimBsYiYisKbdr6oG8cyvXpNgBAZ3h0oXNr1bFJOOVw88I_wyLrSf0ELMYAzJcQw3L8dqYTN1PCCLy-24rk/w640-h480/20230807_104933.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I take a footpath next to the Post Office and pass the Horse Pond.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetb-BHXVU19NGz7p9f1Y3Wqgnlju-NpmLGAa75UMxhHUPmjUzFhJs9wbXAovBJdmJPMD2n9I29YBnVFu8TJyftV6xwoFeMU5b4IYvvqyvQFd3zkJB6bfXY7rOV_4jK68y4sxEnELsWBAqdedRUU_g3Gi_IhZ5o025mkLtQFHoGWIciLNZdQ8ICu8BJycd/s8160/20230807_105405.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetb-BHXVU19NGz7p9f1Y3Wqgnlju-NpmLGAa75UMxhHUPmjUzFhJs9wbXAovBJdmJPMD2n9I29YBnVFu8TJyftV6xwoFeMU5b4IYvvqyvQFd3zkJB6bfXY7rOV_4jK68y4sxEnELsWBAqdedRUU_g3Gi_IhZ5o025mkLtQFHoGWIciLNZdQ8ICu8BJycd/w640-h480/20230807_105405.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDEef3V8CJIfcpDjm_5xPCSxBuxta3L4SaddF1RWbOreMkuZsMVlH4wP2iUuXvBux6FucuPi5niZV9yK4VmHcEE_0jyOtETN_c0IA0XzLPT-VISICMKz2YrIVLrJVjfh28Ytr8PtHVSmDJ8UWUNIJG_y2JQuXOQbPsDot7iHFtLUHcy4Nf3rgTVueTPMm/s8160/20230807_105452.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDEef3V8CJIfcpDjm_5xPCSxBuxta3L4SaddF1RWbOreMkuZsMVlH4wP2iUuXvBux6FucuPi5niZV9yK4VmHcEE_0jyOtETN_c0IA0XzLPT-VISICMKz2YrIVLrJVjfh28Ytr8PtHVSmDJ8UWUNIJG_y2JQuXOQbPsDot7iHFtLUHcy4Nf3rgTVueTPMm/w640-h480/20230807_105452.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk on through Eight Acre Wood.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlLc1AZy3o7xEkW46oA6dsMgZhbQeOGmIa2s1s7L1oWKwFAZ3CvZLiEBjHBGIbgP91aA89xzntBqlZJEyZQ-uMeKcBivFrbAa4eRzFbSE304fTENFVIli4A_8XJzLXt4eRRL_a5Wdy0ozBg93kvZPNqHQU_Cpvpt7l1JnQbmIvFDJ-VTiC6e-MLdsbyiO/s8160/20230807_105622.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlLc1AZy3o7xEkW46oA6dsMgZhbQeOGmIa2s1s7L1oWKwFAZ3CvZLiEBjHBGIbgP91aA89xzntBqlZJEyZQ-uMeKcBivFrbAa4eRzFbSE304fTENFVIli4A_8XJzLXt4eRRL_a5Wdy0ozBg93kvZPNqHQU_Cpvpt7l1JnQbmIvFDJ-VTiC6e-MLdsbyiO/w480-h640/20230807_105622.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHzE3uZpFKxhOY7WgWgmpJo778kr4Nv4XBITN61xQgEX95sSGjCbK93FMwYik1Jy-db7jXgC5wYG66WL2GG38WRpcXh2W-kp5SZrKYJ8pyQuM0fAEPmDuwa0wW6zWht-owxnjP-GKjbbBKOYjbweL79vkiwVHVD63mJfJm2uVrUUY9teNdP2PfWr1JQju/s8160/20230807_110027.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHzE3uZpFKxhOY7WgWgmpJo778kr4Nv4XBITN61xQgEX95sSGjCbK93FMwYik1Jy-db7jXgC5wYG66WL2GG38WRpcXh2W-kp5SZrKYJ8pyQuM0fAEPmDuwa0wW6zWht-owxnjP-GKjbbBKOYjbweL79vkiwVHVD63mJfJm2uVrUUY9teNdP2PfWr1JQju/w640-h480/20230807_110027.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I eventually emerge onto the A271 at Steven's Crouch which I cross, the path goes to the left of the house below on the A271. I didn't see this and walk through the grounds and onto the path there.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKudvQLPJUEQc2xsBkmZOvE50KF94ifuYpeTCV5I3bqOmJUIFJUpe49RQhvcpEWg--mkT97HRnyAyvt6HJSWSnmitu9gwFpubBQW32Fy49cXHZAm0wbFEv60zxsj0n6Nq8YXPfAXlDC18OYvrVwlTIPNxr1fwMfC3CNN1EsvyC_AR-7enAv-GXD3hochs/s7856/20230807_112431.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5892" data-original-width="7856" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKudvQLPJUEQc2xsBkmZOvE50KF94ifuYpeTCV5I3bqOmJUIFJUpe49RQhvcpEWg--mkT97HRnyAyvt6HJSWSnmitu9gwFpubBQW32Fy49cXHZAm0wbFEv60zxsj0n6Nq8YXPfAXlDC18OYvrVwlTIPNxr1fwMfC3CNN1EsvyC_AR-7enAv-GXD3hochs/w640-h480/20230807_112431.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMLAB8XHNzQ4TVFFvRUa97CY5XScHNKax8FdIQiLBXVU4zaqlpfUQS0szvN8e2Sr9YwMPmZ31GB02MfWNWsM_JMZy56JNJhwe1-7c71ZXPgsLQuisG8eEFf1mH0HQn05Gq86J1caDctYG0G3c014ge9x7VnF3n-rt4k-Rf7v9Y03G2inCnKAtef9jr3Fd/s8160/20230807_112647.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMLAB8XHNzQ4TVFFvRUa97CY5XScHNKax8FdIQiLBXVU4zaqlpfUQS0szvN8e2Sr9YwMPmZ31GB02MfWNWsM_JMZy56JNJhwe1-7c71ZXPgsLQuisG8eEFf1mH0HQn05Gq86J1caDctYG0G3c014ge9x7VnF3n-rt4k-Rf7v9Y03G2inCnKAtef9jr3Fd/w640-h480/20230807_112647.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am still following the 1066 Country Walk and I walk on towards Tent Hill.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSZfDzRsIjjGQu0U8bXOcsrJI9Q8DemKZWTf3rSmGRfvGY2x-X76Fc8SCaVvN14-oQ8UPdon_um1i3a-obPOt4YQDgcVozth32OispfWHJ3T7B0iAOpys-ERlWCTUMvwJV3HP5HIb30cF_Fllp5KLbMipSfHRH7YzTQGUJZ4OWDX6CqnoDoeCdzuGZybZ/s8160/20230807_112651.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSZfDzRsIjjGQu0U8bXOcsrJI9Q8DemKZWTf3rSmGRfvGY2x-X76Fc8SCaVvN14-oQ8UPdon_um1i3a-obPOt4YQDgcVozth32OispfWHJ3T7B0iAOpys-ERlWCTUMvwJV3HP5HIb30cF_Fllp5KLbMipSfHRH7YzTQGUJZ4OWDX6CqnoDoeCdzuGZybZ/w640-h480/20230807_112651.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwtcgKE3ROUPjRYSlEvgnxQ63iBNlm-xXOhWfbDwh8AEXqC1uMW1bg2l-8iHXhzqGcc9NmFqvpWRWrEPgXOFnw09IznajvYJzfjMYLQ3uMmGQlzgbc9r3fe-4tikfJN5wES2oTyiblszQfPvt6bSOpAStsnv_HawgDycxTk6ZhtbkGJ5iVvb-B9vTKHsO/s7715/20230807_112803.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5787" data-original-width="7715" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwtcgKE3ROUPjRYSlEvgnxQ63iBNlm-xXOhWfbDwh8AEXqC1uMW1bg2l-8iHXhzqGcc9NmFqvpWRWrEPgXOFnw09IznajvYJzfjMYLQ3uMmGQlzgbc9r3fe-4tikfJN5wES2oTyiblszQfPvt6bSOpAStsnv_HawgDycxTk6ZhtbkGJ5iVvb-B9vTKHsO/w640-h480/20230807_112803.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWJFU3XEQ_Y_j-40czbH9zdPcYmP_nMcGm7W-YOgYqh5yNHdkCh_PBgjZyhaVDItWKWxN5e9DugHXRKC47llQPaLag5nx4ts2O1-cgzln8XJZiWr0hWgakjiBD-yNGI58T8hWsv_7EwMbAlD_U-hgGXoCNMiyC368h6kTSIYWTDUfWaiLlDFGpQidj4_C/s2944/20230807_113212.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWJFU3XEQ_Y_j-40czbH9zdPcYmP_nMcGm7W-YOgYqh5yNHdkCh_PBgjZyhaVDItWKWxN5e9DugHXRKC47llQPaLag5nx4ts2O1-cgzln8XJZiWr0hWgakjiBD-yNGI58T8hWsv_7EwMbAlD_U-hgGXoCNMiyC368h6kTSIYWTDUfWaiLlDFGpQidj4_C/w480-h640/20230807_113212.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjM33vEsasYymbl_bSe-RFbm5MROIf5weUvqsmnlBGKroc9stvKysVpxRbF4zqVWY3CbFqOtRrRQg7VJn-J-6m3SdRfxTGfrvCglIX9PGIGrX4sZxUOfWNf7cYnLfwbApwzpFGLu0wXzqGv6xFXyZuqsDunVph2dLbMGhLXgXStoJA3tgumVdQFFp-6VZ/s2944/20230807_113629.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="2944" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjM33vEsasYymbl_bSe-RFbm5MROIf5weUvqsmnlBGKroc9stvKysVpxRbF4zqVWY3CbFqOtRrRQg7VJn-J-6m3SdRfxTGfrvCglIX9PGIGrX4sZxUOfWNf7cYnLfwbApwzpFGLu0wXzqGv6xFXyZuqsDunVph2dLbMGhLXgXStoJA3tgumVdQFFp-6VZ/w640-h480/20230807_113629.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAB894GMzYhoXJxw-yIY6g7SHWxTuxEAQBKpu2Wn_WEpbOQNGofxGapYcyy6X3k9QmWIKq1WxjtPqFx7AydBQRyo7KCdmDvgysIzE_iuHO1ZljEJn7gRjZBx33LLROQ1aKMXzGTGsVWyRGFvwQGhdShgi7iU9qIOugZ_jxWYrAGzafKPpeazLQ08Mfhuh/s8160/20230807_114327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAB894GMzYhoXJxw-yIY6g7SHWxTuxEAQBKpu2Wn_WEpbOQNGofxGapYcyy6X3k9QmWIKq1WxjtPqFx7AydBQRyo7KCdmDvgysIzE_iuHO1ZljEJn7gRjZBx33LLROQ1aKMXzGTGsVWyRGFvwQGhdShgi7iU9qIOugZ_jxWYrAGzafKPpeazLQ08Mfhuh/w640-h480/20230807_114327.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQdGEgTv1txv_QBb0Er9O3U0_7tD-bfE6WpOTguGg5FXnMw4XF4iieaApQz332v2jEiZLqXAU2Ou7f_hR6-487IbelUcuP1PtukJd5EYfwTN08UKhq3WLZm3NtyoixsoRKiDq9GdTebslWcFdhZ2BX1G0MvjlQlk8IjJG5ClB3IFkC_WwNm452g4xLK_g/s8160/20230807_114336.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQdGEgTv1txv_QBb0Er9O3U0_7tD-bfE6WpOTguGg5FXnMw4XF4iieaApQz332v2jEiZLqXAU2Ou7f_hR6-487IbelUcuP1PtukJd5EYfwTN08UKhq3WLZm3NtyoixsoRKiDq9GdTebslWcFdhZ2BX1G0MvjlQlk8IjJG5ClB3IFkC_WwNm452g4xLK_g/w640-h480/20230807_114336.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I reach Tent Hill with amazing views across to the South Downs.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3JrDg6iEtP34MugdF2gbMzbqSmZ6W2710xfm9bVJSbGi24mYYLyeBUEwlJAuOjJfsoEVIixnZENZo2Taz7aF-B7KmbcOXAr6G5tS0j5t1z72G1DbCqNZRkg9wKK8suUN4CS-E_2HGKPBy9zwr51NMiE9KV7SRBp3y3Lwd9ctz4m0uOuO4NN1hFI-Twdo/s8160/20230807_114753.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3JrDg6iEtP34MugdF2gbMzbqSmZ6W2710xfm9bVJSbGi24mYYLyeBUEwlJAuOjJfsoEVIixnZENZo2Taz7aF-B7KmbcOXAr6G5tS0j5t1z72G1DbCqNZRkg9wKK8suUN4CS-E_2HGKPBy9zwr51NMiE9KV7SRBp3y3Lwd9ctz4m0uOuO4NN1hFI-Twdo/w640-h480/20230807_114753.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfOTesHH2jdpGSZm0Nk6LnqQFifZayumY1iALfRjNq9ycy-M-5vaKvN-izGLSSxZPg7vrB2GAdWgtaGaNkxq0q0Eu_OEipKBfjShTVYE_ZszlZEEcry21lWauxnmmwI0LocGjGJYKHZBAaj12yD__kgutA7f4wgzIwGpctTfza-3quEnH79bTcToWnTVE/s7918/20230807_114854.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5939" data-original-width="7918" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfOTesHH2jdpGSZm0Nk6LnqQFifZayumY1iALfRjNq9ycy-M-5vaKvN-izGLSSxZPg7vrB2GAdWgtaGaNkxq0q0Eu_OEipKBfjShTVYE_ZszlZEEcry21lWauxnmmwI0LocGjGJYKHZBAaj12yD__kgutA7f4wgzIwGpctTfza-3quEnH79bTcToWnTVE/w640-h480/20230807_114854.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can see Ashburnham Place sitting down below.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Ashburnham Place is an English country house, now used as a Christian conference and prayer centre, five miles west of Battle, East Sussex. It was one of the finest houses in the southeast of England in its heyday, but much of the structure was demolished in 1959, and only a drastically reduced part of the building now remains standing.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLzcF1q-4SUwZENbG1lkh9TkuJM_z_i0TxEO0QjpyXlDpvfcK2Wn3MZHjtrj3T9IlmaCneb92ch9Z45YX4AVr1v5vuVzIFpYESj8aLR1fLLd-LoiCTEHWnCMxt3R8bEJXQn8hVambPy6mrYSDkxHddO8PUzWqw0DUg7J_6JshUaUBnYxihCW6GNduoukZ/s8160/20230807_115040.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4637" data-original-width="8160" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLzcF1q-4SUwZENbG1lkh9TkuJM_z_i0TxEO0QjpyXlDpvfcK2Wn3MZHjtrj3T9IlmaCneb92ch9Z45YX4AVr1v5vuVzIFpYESj8aLR1fLLd-LoiCTEHWnCMxt3R8bEJXQn8hVambPy6mrYSDkxHddO8PUzWqw0DUg7J_6JshUaUBnYxihCW6GNduoukZ/w640-h364/20230807_115040.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The village of Ashburnham was the home of the Ashburnham family from the 12th century. The family became wealthy through their land holdings in Sussex and around Pembrey in Carmarthenshire, and later from their participation in the Wealden iron industry. Only the cellars remain from the earliest known house on the site, dating from the 15th century. This house was abandoned in the 16th century and confiscated by Queen Elizabeth I. The Ashburnham family recovered their estate under Charles I, and John Ashburnham was a loyal servant of the King. He was forced to sell the estate to the Relf family in the English Commonwealth, to pay fines levied for supporting the King. John Ashburnham recovered the estate again after the English Restoration. His grandson and namesake, John Ashburnham, was created first Baron Ashburnham in 1689. The house was largely rebuilt to designs of the neo-Palladian architect Stephen Wright and the local direction of the builder John Morris of Lewes, ca 1757–61.</div></div><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBEhCV7HxfBgI7bV7jCy7xJUI69Cj6irv-zGdr_a9CDHTsCxLQmfK8UahA5dG7BCnvtDzCsimSrtmGuM3yoLVQnSwy3HC5ob2RVfmGlAEofiZx8YJC9RdD_4dVKyb5a0l7t_mlnr69VygDiLHTh5Ii7hEmpS02QUd1rA48ZiEgAFGdr_K46amidS4ujFQ/s2944/20230807_115149.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="2944" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBEhCV7HxfBgI7bV7jCy7xJUI69Cj6irv-zGdr_a9CDHTsCxLQmfK8UahA5dG7BCnvtDzCsimSrtmGuM3yoLVQnSwy3HC5ob2RVfmGlAEofiZx8YJC9RdD_4dVKyb5a0l7t_mlnr69VygDiLHTh5Ii7hEmpS02QUd1rA48ZiEgAFGdr_K46amidS4ujFQ/w640-h480/20230807_115149.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">By the late 19th century, the family was under financial pressure, and offered to sell the library, including its collection of illuminated manuscripts, to the nation in the 1890s for £160,000. The deal did not go ahead, and the books were sold piecemeal for a total of £228,000 over the next few years. Many were acquired by the British Library, but, for example, the sixth-to-seventh-century Ashburnham Pentateuch is in the Bibliothèque nationale, Paris. The Earldom became extinct on the death of Thomas Ashburnham, 6th Earl of Ashburnham in 1924, and the house was inherited by his niece, Lady Catherine Ashburnham. The house was damaged when a fully loaded Marauder bomber crashed nearby during the Second World War, and dry rot set in.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lady Catherine was the last of this line of the Ashburnham family and the estate was inherited by Reverend John David Bickersteth (1926-1991), a great-grandson of the 4th Earl, on her death in 1953. In addition to the prospect of huge repair bills, he was also saddled with crippling death duties of £427,000. The contents of the house were sold at auction at Sotheby's in June and July 1953, and half of the estate was sold in the next few years. The house was mostly demolished in 1959, reducing the central section to two floors and the wings to a single story.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The house is Grade II listed on the National Heritage List for England and they are a Site of Special Scientific Interest.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9PFZhIIJP7CIH7owNjUUv3aaP5KVtsElSVpbD1E5NChhlUHDoFw_c2CZOwJ4D7h05YTVsfAqGrQAof-uwTOrjh8DUlHwv7sn8ttRU0kv2XZLTcRRnWsvVdjmJ46RMR9YVWZo1ykJH_zs9peXc_PGcVa9XRiconbtRtS4jO-22iItQutZWFdU3BDD9DgQ/s7543/20230807_115321.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5658" data-original-width="7543" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9PFZhIIJP7CIH7owNjUUv3aaP5KVtsElSVpbD1E5NChhlUHDoFw_c2CZOwJ4D7h05YTVsfAqGrQAof-uwTOrjh8DUlHwv7sn8ttRU0kv2XZLTcRRnWsvVdjmJ46RMR9YVWZo1ykJH_zs9peXc_PGcVa9XRiconbtRtS4jO-22iItQutZWFdU3BDD9DgQ/w640-h480/20230807_115321.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk down off Tent Hill and down to a bridge across a stream at the bottom.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCq7mZVFwuG8QJ2ksYl3zdAdMSu3E9_F2m9RPIOBMWR1qvn5wHZyfsn9iw1dTMcg9NWoFKb4nbVwg-ClLeqAgPdCliqXzyqw9W-_UlZLMJxyB92oH1th-PfFXrPeb-KL8UHhmt-BW_t9h4EF5pmendRybvX9xj3DkLeJXDQOVTX3sR9B9e9rI6J8SZdFXi/s8160/20230807_115743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCq7mZVFwuG8QJ2ksYl3zdAdMSu3E9_F2m9RPIOBMWR1qvn5wHZyfsn9iw1dTMcg9NWoFKb4nbVwg-ClLeqAgPdCliqXzyqw9W-_UlZLMJxyB92oH1th-PfFXrPeb-KL8UHhmt-BW_t9h4EF5pmendRybvX9xj3DkLeJXDQOVTX3sR9B9e9rI6J8SZdFXi/w640-h480/20230807_115743.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0UCDSlcyo0cxoUhO7oQ5W4ImXCkGrIb1-WYF0vcuAUQi1cvLfG0PafW4mhRnn4NMw4Pxk20kAEs9HblKWApJg39sZaZCruYewHeHmLhY0JUA2VkpetV4GJgtqKemkPO5zuLJuYG_w8h5dPTvRpjBZIs8QCdxVzSb25pA8h4NCydHxDgf-5WGt0s_5iaI/s8160/20230807_115830.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0UCDSlcyo0cxoUhO7oQ5W4ImXCkGrIb1-WYF0vcuAUQi1cvLfG0PafW4mhRnn4NMw4Pxk20kAEs9HblKWApJg39sZaZCruYewHeHmLhY0JUA2VkpetV4GJgtqKemkPO5zuLJuYG_w8h5dPTvRpjBZIs8QCdxVzSb25pA8h4NCydHxDgf-5WGt0s_5iaI/w640-h480/20230807_115830.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk through the area of Penhurst.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrh9DechClLCUa3R6EC6k5RXV4nis9spNh0HMD4rTGyOVMri7rAGeHfQyfupw_s9PkzvcW8quyZPcRBLEuMnXjGj_MqZCT3OpYTr1A9E1qgGvmZ8Md0o7aNYqnnVD93aPNH4U8DncQApo2Cx0oBK7fPFWAV6LmaVhHoCbrFZFYiDbOqZQ-4MSqXDMBI1M1/s8160/20230807_121820.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrh9DechClLCUa3R6EC6k5RXV4nis9spNh0HMD4rTGyOVMri7rAGeHfQyfupw_s9PkzvcW8quyZPcRBLEuMnXjGj_MqZCT3OpYTr1A9E1qgGvmZ8Md0o7aNYqnnVD93aPNH4U8DncQApo2Cx0oBK7fPFWAV6LmaVhHoCbrFZFYiDbOqZQ-4MSqXDMBI1M1/w640-h480/20230807_121820.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJep08laae9RoEE_Nhn4QwbZdoBDRZ8h7iu8K6u7wTxMzRRg9Wd95_wHAGcCeUfv0lb8dl6_INdU_Bh3F6sphhPV3x85HC8fyOtCy7VLvXBtYCUSceT3JrZgbm5qSjFCLvNKbwdTAUrJOwrV7rOz95fG3MsuMped6FMNqa8zBToqU2I1CHJpBF357bwn0/s8160/20230807_122136.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJep08laae9RoEE_Nhn4QwbZdoBDRZ8h7iu8K6u7wTxMzRRg9Wd95_wHAGcCeUfv0lb8dl6_INdU_Bh3F6sphhPV3x85HC8fyOtCy7VLvXBtYCUSceT3JrZgbm5qSjFCLvNKbwdTAUrJOwrV7rOz95fG3MsuMped6FMNqa8zBToqU2I1CHJpBF357bwn0/w640-h480/20230807_122136.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The cows ran off as I approached and didn't have to squeeze by.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcbyiD3kcaYH6DmjrMK7EoY0iveozgQrBsVsbZwowMlUD7jl_884v9y9J5yPUGeDM64WpugVapz88T5p_otbCFd-dVqjwvmzu0kWs6GEEr-5e9Jti5sSZkiDFLsoXueV5-uoi1DhQ_bAgYrBJHOm4QZFl9jDiBI_C532lmZtTpkBi-rdbRtRy9k1oZOvR/s8160/20230807_122845.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcbyiD3kcaYH6DmjrMK7EoY0iveozgQrBsVsbZwowMlUD7jl_884v9y9J5yPUGeDM64WpugVapz88T5p_otbCFd-dVqjwvmzu0kWs6GEEr-5e9Jti5sSZkiDFLsoXueV5-uoi1DhQ_bAgYrBJHOm4QZFl9jDiBI_C532lmZtTpkBi-rdbRtRy9k1oZOvR/w640-h480/20230807_122845.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I pass a blacksmith making a horseshoe and take a footpath on my right. This footpath is overgrown, full of rubble, uphill and generally heavy going. This isn't fun!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHblNjTVcJd7uf8RzfElkRDtZuTakiq9qpDX4FREJReSjocCZERgfj3akkyCm8lGC4VLkHaTEWoccjyx_EKzv1Q-lHt1RRnyugBA8yLu2KvtMBeCAmUeBGaOhIpMgMPkPRMOAH09wsniFlh9O3rTr8_HvJTBwGjb66hkyP21_e9VpDBrA4PM9FYqw_Z9q/s7897/20230807_123212.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5923" data-original-width="7897" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHblNjTVcJd7uf8RzfElkRDtZuTakiq9qpDX4FREJReSjocCZERgfj3akkyCm8lGC4VLkHaTEWoccjyx_EKzv1Q-lHt1RRnyugBA8yLu2KvtMBeCAmUeBGaOhIpMgMPkPRMOAH09wsniFlh9O3rTr8_HvJTBwGjb66hkyP21_e9VpDBrA4PM9FYqw_Z9q/w640-h480/20230807_123212.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvg6GaRoj-s7kASxTnOe6icv_0Si_4irES0gFQG14OJ1xtALikGy6GN0Fvahcp5V8GkNs0vd3zFNyzeDhe05CV8o6KOA7CZPDwVdkIqM--Zu0XrEUCqrKnWpaZYrnM7g6u_DT7lCUrCaqTtO66WCNmMvAWnsm_B4bb2BNUI7LkkMEmusjxcpB02-8R_mhk/s8130/20230807_123935.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6098" data-original-width="8130" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvg6GaRoj-s7kASxTnOe6icv_0Si_4irES0gFQG14OJ1xtALikGy6GN0Fvahcp5V8GkNs0vd3zFNyzeDhe05CV8o6KOA7CZPDwVdkIqM--Zu0XrEUCqrKnWpaZYrnM7g6u_DT7lCUrCaqTtO66WCNmMvAWnsm_B4bb2BNUI7LkkMEmusjxcpB02-8R_mhk/w640-h480/20230807_123935.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The horrible path eventually comes to an end and I am walking around the edges of farmland now.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDf2TM_dK8CgEkmIUCU5mdMS_-lixUL8awsmb-f4sb0GG9nAE3pPiKXs7etafiu_DnYU7UWb2eQaikHyUykcnJzFwP-ZMOuYGZwr8FKGJbqp9tMYf_f2r0Dw5QyLe5iQYuN1IBxG3hi9ZTNtDCYmP8AIp9O-TLWkK7Lyqm05b7Nxk5jvW38W39EFZY85Dx/s7350/20230807_124527.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5512" data-original-width="7350" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDf2TM_dK8CgEkmIUCU5mdMS_-lixUL8awsmb-f4sb0GG9nAE3pPiKXs7etafiu_DnYU7UWb2eQaikHyUykcnJzFwP-ZMOuYGZwr8FKGJbqp9tMYf_f2r0Dw5QyLe5iQYuN1IBxG3hi9ZTNtDCYmP8AIp9O-TLWkK7Lyqm05b7Nxk5jvW38W39EFZY85Dx/w640-h480/20230807_124527.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yVuTEV_TTTjLX7DYX-CrlcDmY9FxZPy4oiG87KIdL3ffokPwxTHG9RP23x6SqhHAq9LJByfT8ByDHO0hip-f5dO7B1n4pJO4AdGxOIAHTgZq_yF1HGEUxt4h4dN5S1xzjRTHr4OW_bnlPD-ZsJanwXoWfZeHHw9_BlFQB_-vd9-sPfqNOFB0AW7A7_al/s8160/20230807_124943.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yVuTEV_TTTjLX7DYX-CrlcDmY9FxZPy4oiG87KIdL3ffokPwxTHG9RP23x6SqhHAq9LJByfT8ByDHO0hip-f5dO7B1n4pJO4AdGxOIAHTgZq_yF1HGEUxt4h4dN5S1xzjRTHr4OW_bnlPD-ZsJanwXoWfZeHHw9_BlFQB_-vd9-sPfqNOFB0AW7A7_al/w640-h480/20230807_124943.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I pass through Link Wood and out across Penhurst Lane and cross Little Sprays Farm.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Fgrq8vIUpD87WpBRmMaPNtwYJMBPxgBFO_AcE3UBcHJd4g4L2WyM_VxzQ7Cy213M8veIa-LgX9AenKQt1U_9LKp_ijhmNWYznwpaRlbnCogDW9PNEJHWMzhwTE726-a782j7nSNXGL13QIR7tPNSxFzuh054RhmYaxf-ee49nTAU7oGYS3jsPvHWbOkQ/s8160/20230807_130118.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Fgrq8vIUpD87WpBRmMaPNtwYJMBPxgBFO_AcE3UBcHJd4g4L2WyM_VxzQ7Cy213M8veIa-LgX9AenKQt1U_9LKp_ijhmNWYznwpaRlbnCogDW9PNEJHWMzhwTE726-a782j7nSNXGL13QIR7tPNSxFzuh054RhmYaxf-ee49nTAU7oGYS3jsPvHWbOkQ/w640-h480/20230807_130118.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I cross Homestead Farm, where I strayed off the path due to lack of signs and end up walking through several electric fences. I thought this cant be right. A female farmer helped me back onto the track.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3MqNTTm-CQNmlc_ZMYo6Z2e2fphIWVDEkvG5IcM4RC5MIQbAAp8bW8V5ELYyUOsETCWpRwHJ9_q5KnUVgYvTmOEIsYa4fDv4Pb2sW3kzOJ2GPyayPCEZDkLIIW1GcyJ0Q4clNTT_1fMy1bfV-67ef4cTMOl4-PiEZRtXRcQLt4uZFZFFZlbAKrQlFxFU/s8160/20230807_130904.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3MqNTTm-CQNmlc_ZMYo6Z2e2fphIWVDEkvG5IcM4RC5MIQbAAp8bW8V5ELYyUOsETCWpRwHJ9_q5KnUVgYvTmOEIsYa4fDv4Pb2sW3kzOJ2GPyayPCEZDkLIIW1GcyJ0Q4clNTT_1fMy1bfV-67ef4cTMOl4-PiEZRtXRcQLt4uZFZFFZlbAKrQlFxFU/w640-h480/20230807_130904.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I make my way through another area where the path isn't clearly marked or visible and eventually walk out onto Battle Road.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRy2mJQM_tRA3eWQEV--HEQt2dKUaLacFqroVe6F2gFK3hnxTsUHFFqPwabR_30dsi5HJaCBSqnmLvHZ6JruuOTcPdj5OeERVi1oKyosXHt5REkuzf5T7XSUYJYic09_OS5c9KwE5iyC2TiOYAG8Wi6e2H4xu8kJH8ntHd1AJjJmPsxbto84zDvONHiiUZ/s8160/20230807_131927.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRy2mJQM_tRA3eWQEV--HEQt2dKUaLacFqroVe6F2gFK3hnxTsUHFFqPwabR_30dsi5HJaCBSqnmLvHZ6JruuOTcPdj5OeERVi1oKyosXHt5REkuzf5T7XSUYJYic09_OS5c9KwE5iyC2TiOYAG8Wi6e2H4xu8kJH8ntHd1AJjJmPsxbto84zDvONHiiUZ/w640-h480/20230807_131927.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk down Battle Road passing The White Hart and down into Netherfield.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBgjtu1KyAYZsImN-HUhi-C60uBM79vqIOSTGkdiU9iS159VMXo-Z0fCMm7JFpt9Hqc3sA3eQkPTjMiouby21QztyBisaqpupi3MqBQv1KcGI6h7982FhzaoiEDdELWVAbVYEzloUANXp7fOAW4wuAsZDuvScltuE2WOPmKSAKX2F1qETp88cwk7VLMba/s8160/20230807_132719.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBgjtu1KyAYZsImN-HUhi-C60uBM79vqIOSTGkdiU9iS159VMXo-Z0fCMm7JFpt9Hqc3sA3eQkPTjMiouby21QztyBisaqpupi3MqBQv1KcGI6h7982FhzaoiEDdELWVAbVYEzloUANXp7fOAW4wuAsZDuvScltuE2WOPmKSAKX2F1qETp88cwk7VLMba/w640-h480/20230807_132719.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQpH12qRpVIwPIs6xMV-L_JpvhXEjEnw4Zn8NKvUHDCcnCfONMaKwme1EjK8SXtHu_VK1j8P-KyokVzpoiANFFxaITRpI9TO4pawen8lXhAjOnh-VxxAepC5FxcgcRvQLRi-dASRI8r97BOBUEP4Yp9B00dO8UmTK84c6iYwdMttSeaYaWkYbhxzOOWVM/s8160/20230807_132842.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQpH12qRpVIwPIs6xMV-L_JpvhXEjEnw4Zn8NKvUHDCcnCfONMaKwme1EjK8SXtHu_VK1j8P-KyokVzpoiANFFxaITRpI9TO4pawen8lXhAjOnh-VxxAepC5FxcgcRvQLRi-dASRI8r97BOBUEP4Yp9B00dO8UmTK84c6iYwdMttSeaYaWkYbhxzOOWVM/w480-h640/20230807_132842.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Netherfield is a linear village, a small population spread out for over a mile along a high ridge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Towards the west of the strip of properties that line the hilltop are the post office and shop, with an adjoining café which automatically creates a nucleus to the village. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I choose to stop on a bench near the café to have my lunch before walking on down the road for some distance.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMtnSvbRxmHbASvS5n8pf-dsDgxU3E8VYqE8WKAhnAJJgOTgEbNu2PWy3kMJnkBABlG4jUZBKVNkmF72Bbo6I4RSvfEBV08WkJ96rQhtOp8MJdZa562O4PUpqZe3JP3bZiSVDEQlYPg4PhIi96jwGlwxSkt2XUtpjKZhcZPLsoQ8pSpn-q-TMR0lkU1V1/s8160/20230807_134201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMtnSvbRxmHbASvS5n8pf-dsDgxU3E8VYqE8WKAhnAJJgOTgEbNu2PWy3kMJnkBABlG4jUZBKVNkmF72Bbo6I4RSvfEBV08WkJ96rQhtOp8MJdZa562O4PUpqZe3JP3bZiSVDEQlYPg4PhIi96jwGlwxSkt2XUtpjKZhcZPLsoQ8pSpn-q-TMR0lkU1V1/w640-h480/20230807_134201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I take a path on my right across Netherfield Down.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQ1d4aGdz065A4ESaWkMPS4sGK1mbeJOc03iMkyJp9pDVTyL5CSlgUtysiFWqgAV7stzp8ULHRLuIUufHI6pZPh1XWFX58zmYCqEtxQFzSSmjG0aDVz-a-EPsC8xK4_nNyG8YOwCpW25kuZ5u8EOItfgQBxt9lh20s490yBZt8iqewSfqUt5h2iIm0Veh/s8160/20230807_134915.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQ1d4aGdz065A4ESaWkMPS4sGK1mbeJOc03iMkyJp9pDVTyL5CSlgUtysiFWqgAV7stzp8ULHRLuIUufHI6pZPh1XWFX58zmYCqEtxQFzSSmjG0aDVz-a-EPsC8xK4_nNyG8YOwCpW25kuZ5u8EOItfgQBxt9lh20s490yBZt8iqewSfqUt5h2iIm0Veh/w640-h480/20230807_134915.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I pass a pond by Toll Wood and walk on by.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIv6kIr9Cc_d5iFbCNmkADf4jQCMxIJAXSbwpfYmDYW7pUsSDZU-6FaasLD2zxdkX1iG8-0jX7z4VpN36cGGUvqqPqUW3UpaGt0WUL010HyYbnknOMs-HZejqo7ADTy4VOW3GaYlASWWK782b2Q5hfD5Q6QXrshruvXY3RITNx7xPeu80dvaVZGSizIbm/s8160/20230807_135201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIv6kIr9Cc_d5iFbCNmkADf4jQCMxIJAXSbwpfYmDYW7pUsSDZU-6FaasLD2zxdkX1iG8-0jX7z4VpN36cGGUvqqPqUW3UpaGt0WUL010HyYbnknOMs-HZejqo7ADTy4VOW3GaYlASWWK782b2Q5hfD5Q6QXrshruvXY3RITNx7xPeu80dvaVZGSizIbm/w640-h480/20230807_135201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk through Netherfield Place Farm and pass a Horsebox converted into a glamping experience.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Click below to see more about this...</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://netherfieldplacefarm.co.uk/camping-glamping/" target="_blank">Netherfield Place Farm Glamping.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQy6kLg9UXy-QaZBlyMICDh4w_FHhXSBlRJLPehIVKSUHMKuRKdRcvRkI2RkNbjoYjvNH62YdGGb11fQNwu_-jpFI5hfKU4X995mBNVYfkfsKH7RR2DR27q6YGuv-4R0Z-m257shcGSXrZj2UhbOrVuP-OrXqkpU_cGDYPe3z5-esHbICayVpk-sBAY94/s7718/20230807_135412.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5789" data-original-width="7718" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQy6kLg9UXy-QaZBlyMICDh4w_FHhXSBlRJLPehIVKSUHMKuRKdRcvRkI2RkNbjoYjvNH62YdGGb11fQNwu_-jpFI5hfKU4X995mBNVYfkfsKH7RR2DR27q6YGuv-4R0Z-m257shcGSXrZj2UhbOrVuP-OrXqkpU_cGDYPe3z5-esHbICayVpk-sBAY94/w640-h480/20230807_135412.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not sure I'd be happy having a bath outside next to a footpath though!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobCnp1y-VnEZ14Xg4PCMGNbhiqNy9M-Gx6dVIv2lORW5WsFXl7D9ugJB3LNbAGNHQbgD0in0FD5_zPxxq_xmZP9rPluNvB2kRNX0jrzAfx8v9JtvyYcJ4qzuZ6-hGV13FrTK49mfBceT-fzQrTwMVuizPfK9pkAc5z6V0S58R8i-c1IwXlupldT01YAPp/s7430/20230807_135419.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5572" data-original-width="7430" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobCnp1y-VnEZ14Xg4PCMGNbhiqNy9M-Gx6dVIv2lORW5WsFXl7D9ugJB3LNbAGNHQbgD0in0FD5_zPxxq_xmZP9rPluNvB2kRNX0jrzAfx8v9JtvyYcJ4qzuZ6-hGV13FrTK49mfBceT-fzQrTwMVuizPfK9pkAc5z6V0S58R8i-c1IwXlupldT01YAPp/w640-h480/20230807_135419.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76gQB7iZAwQKHDEy6Wcre_SME8sh6fyVqUSnd3pvIL5iVwQXwYd6OjRu1QIWo6k1f5Q9H2WjdnU1w1OFp41e0qWZ5qFyFr3HcqaEYd1IcCgrRBS_2cqfELEoM2oIaNijBxXu0aVJjE2RFrJxgi5Fpbff5xNdEeeVU4LqpmuVg2qVYaMCkCSwz_dHoMxsi/s8160/20230807_140017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76gQB7iZAwQKHDEy6Wcre_SME8sh6fyVqUSnd3pvIL5iVwQXwYd6OjRu1QIWo6k1f5Q9H2WjdnU1w1OFp41e0qWZ5qFyFr3HcqaEYd1IcCgrRBS_2cqfELEoM2oIaNijBxXu0aVJjE2RFrJxgi5Fpbff5xNdEeeVU4LqpmuVg2qVYaMCkCSwz_dHoMxsi/w640-h480/20230807_140017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk on downhill and into Ashes Wood.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdUgCkQ5-J7jShZpCzTiCqpXTmi37hOzyKD3BuwWsEXMYkpU3zcPoD0tcSQlQdPv6esAAPzZUJWYiP1WRgaILj6spWhgTAfAsEx96-UZx0CFiiEHy_955IxdwjT3nk9tGqTwomlwCkkNGR3X-vhgyfWCiPFGF3tv2PwGQid7Qt9iYZrEsIKMxR3IdLmWe/s8160/20230807_141127.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdUgCkQ5-J7jShZpCzTiCqpXTmi37hOzyKD3BuwWsEXMYkpU3zcPoD0tcSQlQdPv6esAAPzZUJWYiP1WRgaILj6spWhgTAfAsEx96-UZx0CFiiEHy_955IxdwjT3nk9tGqTwomlwCkkNGR3X-vhgyfWCiPFGF3tv2PwGQid7Qt9iYZrEsIKMxR3IdLmWe/w640-h480/20230807_141127.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAw7MFo9ACW9_Fyg2fNbX6CvSy6rzDcTonziMZgPQD7xDkyUUeNgR1EZDLYPe__rBl5KdzLKv0509isI30_jIZswA6vDQhbJf7IM1_FyCKXiVKDGWgzFmhfr2AEdLzzmgN7mMQdiU5MW8uCb2m-eCfyaAuFTg_QfjBGzhUpjOqS_URcC-6Kr8e_xc8LGwO/s8160/20230807_141435.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAw7MFo9ACW9_Fyg2fNbX6CvSy6rzDcTonziMZgPQD7xDkyUUeNgR1EZDLYPe__rBl5KdzLKv0509isI30_jIZswA6vDQhbJf7IM1_FyCKXiVKDGWgzFmhfr2AEdLzzmgN7mMQdiU5MW8uCb2m-eCfyaAuFTg_QfjBGzhUpjOqS_URcC-6Kr8e_xc8LGwO/w640-h480/20230807_141435.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I eventually emerge by Pond By at Beech Mill and an oast attached to a house here.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhSDypJc5nw0GDPy4DLGvSeFF3BwtraKCcAcOdIyJbeyOnB0u0DOJyVv1W6z9h8tVLjkBDtPGOnrNgHn6mqNKV-BW587T2E_lRaUHfsbafGMoPFDen9OV0czJn_LDEJ6eVYRxYsMPh3rYDDpBN0wfOQe9K6dkAKfWDbcNK3P6r8tyMV_mb0sWcjIHP6k9/s8160/20230807_141649.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhSDypJc5nw0GDPy4DLGvSeFF3BwtraKCcAcOdIyJbeyOnB0u0DOJyVv1W6z9h8tVLjkBDtPGOnrNgHn6mqNKV-BW587T2E_lRaUHfsbafGMoPFDen9OV0czJn_LDEJ6eVYRxYsMPh3rYDDpBN0wfOQe9K6dkAKfWDbcNK3P6r8tyMV_mb0sWcjIHP6k9/w640-h480/20230807_141649.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I pass through Beech Farm home to many units housing businesses.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO43oZM1PlAJgG6xu9VDNeuBo0jri0JqAZUh7lMClDmaAIbMWzEqw7loQ6przsX3DwxWPPKw1bLRilL9PJuiDpb20waTH_13eAjsZCHsppkh5kMOYJGoEtHhDVRxCFo3L33FoKxDqecTBzNQyPVjrunFXnmbgZICK7WZbt4AQ7UIwIbNWqD6AORRW8E-EH/s7948/20230807_142503.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5961" data-original-width="7948" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO43oZM1PlAJgG6xu9VDNeuBo0jri0JqAZUh7lMClDmaAIbMWzEqw7loQ6przsX3DwxWPPKw1bLRilL9PJuiDpb20waTH_13eAjsZCHsppkh5kMOYJGoEtHhDVRxCFo3L33FoKxDqecTBzNQyPVjrunFXnmbgZICK7WZbt4AQ7UIwIbNWqD6AORRW8E-EH/w640-h480/20230807_142503.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the hone of Battle Brewery, not open sadly.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQ6mCvyEtj7dIp6AILgTm64U-q2ZDOBX-ptPoMCYMpdKW4oLM_XoP5p627YyKeygeF5AXIfGeu2NxKZIMUFV-ujL5adg2RxXMnoEnA-a5OlgZgXBPzuJMLeH5VP14e8FNi9KKBalZntKcsXxb6_LGbdP09mGVMnv-ngHZ81uuEj8RdckGtcNHIhYoY59x/s8160/20230807_142606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQ6mCvyEtj7dIp6AILgTm64U-q2ZDOBX-ptPoMCYMpdKW4oLM_XoP5p627YyKeygeF5AXIfGeu2NxKZIMUFV-ujL5adg2RxXMnoEnA-a5OlgZgXBPzuJMLeH5VP14e8FNi9KKBalZntKcsXxb6_LGbdP09mGVMnv-ngHZ81uuEj8RdckGtcNHIhYoY59x/w640-h480/20230807_142606.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the distance I can see the windmill in Battle.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTMUq4djBGkXriLXATDmNmR0xCIOPEa5i7vNCM83gjoQP8L3mfABY9g19f-98VNE-PF2ld_nUjwlNsS2CKTb1uEggGkrUIfmEx4J3AwAdC4lXhJ4lZhvIhObs7anNLUQqr6Sfzf1GbicGA0Y9UkoQpeSp7chd9avoHszAG6UpBUlfEbtlzW5kPm2ii_tC/s8160/20230807_142751.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTMUq4djBGkXriLXATDmNmR0xCIOPEa5i7vNCM83gjoQP8L3mfABY9g19f-98VNE-PF2ld_nUjwlNsS2CKTb1uEggGkrUIfmEx4J3AwAdC4lXhJ4lZhvIhObs7anNLUQqr6Sfzf1GbicGA0Y9UkoQpeSp7chd9avoHszAG6UpBUlfEbtlzW5kPm2ii_tC/w640-h480/20230807_142751.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">King's Mead Mill (also Battle Windmill or Caldbec Hill Mill) is a grade II listed smock mill at Battle, Sussex, England, which has been converted to residential accommodation.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">King's Mead Mill was built in 1805, replacing a post mill. The mill was working until the First World War and in 1924 was stripped of its machinery and house converted. The work was done by Neve's, the Heathfield millwrights.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-nG6fxw7uLHg5E2Mm5RjikxljTFf0_2N6WjejaocHMxAItiaFtOVPqpv-arFhJJKfLLLoesaoIM6jwgrVpDeohvZ3HZoYvIDOMSsrSZeq227ebRp3uM8OmEbap-qUpUTbg39bLvT6sh-Q_hgQLHZjS12-lzrmeFgH0GbrXsDveeyLEZY436Ubd6DaDfW/s7836/20230807_142954.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5877" data-original-width="7836" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-nG6fxw7uLHg5E2Mm5RjikxljTFf0_2N6WjejaocHMxAItiaFtOVPqpv-arFhJJKfLLLoesaoIM6jwgrVpDeohvZ3HZoYvIDOMSsrSZeq227ebRp3uM8OmEbap-qUpUTbg39bLvT6sh-Q_hgQLHZjS12-lzrmeFgH0GbrXsDveeyLEZY436Ubd6DaDfW/w640-h480/20230807_142954.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk on towards Battle.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YT1chJzkRmPg4XS_HNQnyfV6LS36Jn-WTyOUe3OmSUxmgiXtf16Fnu4rvMPnVeuMC6xD8IPI4N9kG_IxZK1sEtTOmKcv8n7H30cfB6Ravqt7XSqVFilGHFKksPWSaCHoYZBFQqcmsmGrjq7z_9HeM4UxaqblLzGuGD_Qxnletkq97x7ZdgLAI2xcdoLX/s8160/20230807_143132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YT1chJzkRmPg4XS_HNQnyfV6LS36Jn-WTyOUe3OmSUxmgiXtf16Fnu4rvMPnVeuMC6xD8IPI4N9kG_IxZK1sEtTOmKcv8n7H30cfB6Ravqt7XSqVFilGHFKksPWSaCHoYZBFQqcmsmGrjq7z_9HeM4UxaqblLzGuGD_Qxnletkq97x7ZdgLAI2xcdoLX/w640-h480/20230807_143132.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpFlxNfgsnE4lc9qt8Ob8q7jqswaGK8j6J9anXrGMP884H6lDIjuKf6tWy6Aayq9wQITCy2Z-f0RXs8Kha9rxH9X21jf9FSj9Q0Het0Z6486VPwO1rv7R85CKQB86blaRhOLRN1rD_ieUm4rY6jfGkSdL7Cj4B3i3ghMHtXF8FMCEMc0FE_-zkUmHmfqC/s8160/20230807_143432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpFlxNfgsnE4lc9qt8Ob8q7jqswaGK8j6J9anXrGMP884H6lDIjuKf6tWy6Aayq9wQITCy2Z-f0RXs8Kha9rxH9X21jf9FSj9Q0Het0Z6486VPwO1rv7R85CKQB86blaRhOLRN1rD_ieUm4rY6jfGkSdL7Cj4B3i3ghMHtXF8FMCEMc0FE_-zkUmHmfqC/w640-h480/20230807_143432.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_T6u4oQJgU0ponyS9D38YLnJQn3aNGa9YzWUYGdE5u-eubchgnSf1mGUd_zAJFlKnqfDdKmmy8FLBOvSWX8pDSl6BXZlRG0jvm6iSrMz6p2npWaNRMRBA85HhYFX7_iDSZ7BwrYzNFuECQ0BaRynZu4_UoUSpQHDPA6xk-dGSg4IuQiRkStNMESgllw6d/s8160/20230807_143721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_T6u4oQJgU0ponyS9D38YLnJQn3aNGa9YzWUYGdE5u-eubchgnSf1mGUd_zAJFlKnqfDdKmmy8FLBOvSWX8pDSl6BXZlRG0jvm6iSrMz6p2npWaNRMRBA85HhYFX7_iDSZ7BwrYzNFuECQ0BaRynZu4_UoUSpQHDPA6xk-dGSg4IuQiRkStNMESgllw6d/w640-h480/20230807_143721.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now a uphill battle but the end is near.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1aHr6xqJF4HDvLHRZw3BevicMDJZBwxnQdbjFxlOoPySzjfmO9SV5avvxAj6PuWnn4yCFNjwzrF0E8lBtAdoMmZuF6_R-xYfg3SWjzPkzJdUIq9sR0La2v8AGytCwjLTGHcXl3TcTaP8iC8xv5O490vQo4hyZBkDCrYymaZABLtse9a3qQg0UQzB_LzN/s8160/20230807_143915.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1aHr6xqJF4HDvLHRZw3BevicMDJZBwxnQdbjFxlOoPySzjfmO9SV5avvxAj6PuWnn4yCFNjwzrF0E8lBtAdoMmZuF6_R-xYfg3SWjzPkzJdUIq9sR0La2v8AGytCwjLTGHcXl3TcTaP8iC8xv5O490vQo4hyZBkDCrYymaZABLtse9a3qQg0UQzB_LzN/w640-h480/20230807_143915.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I emerge onto the London Road and I walk on to visit Battle Abbey. Out the front of the Abbey was a Bride and Groom having photos taken.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit06CY0vr7sbuGo5_W6vCdFwjZctBeuCQwNRYMoNUqaEH309pkFZA5_BRANlH7b97uhh7G8YPrlvfN5mtQDBDiSq5k7EYZxckhaZFYDkw5YAGfG5CbFIka6sKs-WeBYZ3vQ7NGyEZpE2JAH-Ib9OOS6jnuxkP2fVu888ZGfbERsqG-yn2Xf_AkSG7Llz33/s8160/20230807_145534.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit06CY0vr7sbuGo5_W6vCdFwjZctBeuCQwNRYMoNUqaEH309pkFZA5_BRANlH7b97uhh7G8YPrlvfN5mtQDBDiSq5k7EYZxckhaZFYDkw5YAGfG5CbFIka6sKs-WeBYZ3vQ7NGyEZpE2JAH-Ib9OOS6jnuxkP2fVu888ZGfbERsqG-yn2Xf_AkSG7Llz33/w640-h480/20230807_145534.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Battle Abbey is a partially ruined Benedictine abbey in Battle. The abbey was built on the site of the Battle of Hastings and dedicated to St Martin of Tours.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_SFePQ_gK1Hh6DKqWPc3BHJRjRH7PGxcLB9SExOksZpSPW6pSEGmtuXiqS3m5OMu_ZjAZn_sZS2h5jfssF9ZqshoPpZwjthPC4AA1at28-aXvogBiAhRNL1wp0ERx0m0wAqLq4VzsgBeqlyZdtrp0N4m9TE2w3XeROvFh4X1KxxUWAv6RNpG9M6J27p6/s8160/20230807_145859.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_SFePQ_gK1Hh6DKqWPc3BHJRjRH7PGxcLB9SExOksZpSPW6pSEGmtuXiqS3m5OMu_ZjAZn_sZS2h5jfssF9ZqshoPpZwjthPC4AA1at28-aXvogBiAhRNL1wp0ERx0m0wAqLq4VzsgBeqlyZdtrp0N4m9TE2w3XeROvFh4X1KxxUWAv6RNpG9M6J27p6/w640-h480/20230807_145859.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The triple light window depicting the life of St John and the crucifixion of Jesus is claimed to have once adorned Battle Abbey which dates from 1045, removed during the Cromwell era to protect it from destruction. The legend goes that it was hidden for many years until it was transported to Tasmania to be fitted to the eastern end of the Buckland Church.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A quick visit to the café here to get a drink before looking about.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNL7AAByPNX9ipMp9IQ6ASbyyf8lkMmehqzQsSLxLw5wUSBeT_2p6Qa2GBuFlFNiWzvNrofs430hv45vIOwqKlfXxZjKtLs6cv6IorpSduawvsS4dH8UgqOFq0lWHV2NvjyyXSb_omxj4-mAfOH8_T8TFqp1y2v5zCCCim9gWlFEiDK8PPNEvJYgPf7knC/s8160/20230807_150137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNL7AAByPNX9ipMp9IQ6ASbyyf8lkMmehqzQsSLxLw5wUSBeT_2p6Qa2GBuFlFNiWzvNrofs430hv45vIOwqKlfXxZjKtLs6cv6IorpSduawvsS4dH8UgqOFq0lWHV2NvjyyXSb_omxj4-mAfOH8_T8TFqp1y2v5zCCCim9gWlFEiDK8PPNEvJYgPf7knC/w480-h640/20230807_150137.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I climb the stairs in the courthouse to see the view from the top.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Still dominating the town, as it was intended to, is the great gatehouse of 1338 and its adjacent precinct wall. The crenellations, arrowslits and wall-walk make the gatehouse look very defensive. The abbot of Battle had important responsibilities for the defence of the Sussex coast, especially during the Hundred Years War (1337–1453). However, the gatehouse’s defence features would have been of little practical use and the building would not have been able to sustain a serious assault. Rather than being defensive, it is much more likely that the gatehouse had ceremonial and administrative functions. The monks would also have allegorised the building as the portal of the Heavenly Jerusalem.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAnW2HD6TXd6x-Pk1qI4SPlv0DhUHLKX-C35gz9tjZgfHRAbQQ5ZS4bJ8uG9MFW0pPo_Ag8bIwtRI89FBYafdMJ2BxR4Pb1RK2EK544c0j7iq-LXGfds0RNXrC-2fQAEFBpM_FuwRTdudrSqxj9-jFyWKjTi22jS0lU87EK4mwrOh06a3zUbmX3fz1yTB/s8160/20230807_150155.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAnW2HD6TXd6x-Pk1qI4SPlv0DhUHLKX-C35gz9tjZgfHRAbQQ5ZS4bJ8uG9MFW0pPo_Ag8bIwtRI89FBYafdMJ2BxR4Pb1RK2EK544c0j7iq-LXGfds0RNXrC-2fQAEFBpM_FuwRTdudrSqxj9-jFyWKjTi22jS0lU87EK4mwrOh06a3zUbmX3fz1yTB/w480-h640/20230807_150155.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">William the Conqueror had vowed to build a monastery in the event that he won the battle. In 1070, Pope Alexander II ordered the Normans to do penance for killing so many people during their conquest of England. William the Conqueror vowed to build an abbey where the Battle of Hastings had taken place, with the high altar of the church on the supposed spot where King Harold fell in battle on Saturday, 14 October 1066.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWSZMZGvDd2Rf0NDNQAUYuNKNcsKpJZGt3Af2V2WeDoDCTqihIah1VXyLR2pL2YdORb8ZhNWUWVd8XKePzmCg3mYd4OHXnEUKUB4Dq7PuD8Xg1E5aHOGpol5T5a7DD8qX0O3xqt-CUz6iudNxUj-gSKAV0960v7XsEC-nd_NHwyYiD74D6jW7zjzfEdLx/s8160/20230807_150516.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWSZMZGvDd2Rf0NDNQAUYuNKNcsKpJZGt3Af2V2WeDoDCTqihIah1VXyLR2pL2YdORb8ZhNWUWVd8XKePzmCg3mYd4OHXnEUKUB4Dq7PuD8Xg1E5aHOGpol5T5a7DD8qX0O3xqt-CUz6iudNxUj-gSKAV0960v7XsEC-nd_NHwyYiD74D6jW7zjzfEdLx/w640-h480/20230807_150516.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Battle from the top of the Courthouse.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">William started building it but died before it was completed. The Vill survey of 1076 and early legal documents of adjoining property refer to a hospital or guesthouse which was attached to the gate of the abbey. The monastic buildings were about a mile in circuit and formed a large quadrangle, the high altar of the church being on the spot where Harold fell. The church was finished in about 1094 and consecrated during the reign of his son William II (commonly known as William Rufus). The king presented there his father's sword and coronation robes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeYKdJ5dEauTyxAPO1G5KV1oI6255qJwN_bAMcZGXq7WxizVs6JY2CKS3XCp7hQ6xulmZ88FvWGrQjN2brgUeYfAIFa3rlgn20V_a0j7Nv6proKOJLF1TcKNyYleUamfEmg0qFwlXj8tmEfdVbvsOsZOgb9u-6IomHDRjbFLMMQkVYBcQFu7FFwts-Dbb/s2944/20230807_150523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="2944" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeYKdJ5dEauTyxAPO1G5KV1oI6255qJwN_bAMcZGXq7WxizVs6JY2CKS3XCp7hQ6xulmZ88FvWGrQjN2brgUeYfAIFa3rlgn20V_a0j7Nv6proKOJLF1TcKNyYleUamfEmg0qFwlXj8tmEfdVbvsOsZOgb9u-6IomHDRjbFLMMQkVYBcQFu7FFwts-Dbb/w640-h480/20230807_150523.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The first monks were from the Benedictine Abbey of Marmoutier; the new foundation was dedicated to the Holy Trinity, St. Mary, and St. Martin. It was designed for one hundred and forty monks, though there were never more than sixty in residence at one time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrX4dQoDINA02epN288T42ewf0A2cF_g0hKi-WV3cbeUM8uKYyrgqBU6Nmqr0g-4Qo805YpDlHsb3uS9uu_C9kusaKsrzy0z_6KFrc5c9Hv-97Uh9fMrw6IMWnMJIDN4UJ6Z09AyHIewwVBp6yq8jGwRfiOg5Z2PUzKsU-P792Hquali7ivXT-Od7upMEY/s8160/20230807_150534.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrX4dQoDINA02epN288T42ewf0A2cF_g0hKi-WV3cbeUM8uKYyrgqBU6Nmqr0g-4Qo805YpDlHsb3uS9uu_C9kusaKsrzy0z_6KFrc5c9Hv-97Uh9fMrw6IMWnMJIDN4UJ6Z09AyHIewwVBp6yq8jGwRfiOg5Z2PUzKsU-P792Hquali7ivXT-Od7upMEY/w640-h480/20230807_150534.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">William I had ruled that the church of St Martin of Battle was to be exempted from all episcopal jurisdiction, putting it on the level of Canterbury. The abbey was enriched by many privileges, including the right of sanctuary, of treasure trove, of free warren, and of inquest, and the inmates and tenants were exempt from all episcopal and secular jurisdiction. It was ruled by a mitred abbot who afterward had a seat in Parliament and who had the curious privilege of pardoning any criminal he might meet being led to execution.<br /></div></div><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaa1Qx5SxG1fT2Vn_YcU8hBFecwTRQzj8ISYs4lGAQvO3g5Ae2DSlINaJSSG0mV5GRVLIpBvBVvooxlNL82BN1y_wWNsw5-ZEF3u_hTvj5tBJwarvBYqbwXTpljJwrQPCbrJZbgc32t5Hk_etBLyAiu9xhzP6RbYLWGF7h3S0DtGzKXUepjXLm4lknBqJr/s7885/20230807_150546.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5914" data-original-width="7885" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaa1Qx5SxG1fT2Vn_YcU8hBFecwTRQzj8ISYs4lGAQvO3g5Ae2DSlINaJSSG0mV5GRVLIpBvBVvooxlNL82BN1y_wWNsw5-ZEF3u_hTvj5tBJwarvBYqbwXTpljJwrQPCbrJZbgc32t5Hk_etBLyAiu9xhzP6RbYLWGF7h3S0DtGzKXUepjXLm4lknBqJr/w640-h480/20230807_150546.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Walter de Luci became abbot in 1139 and made several improvements. During the reign of Henry II of England, rival church authorities at Canterbury and Chichester unsuccessfully tested the charter. At the Abbey was kept the famous "Roll of Battle Abbey" which was a list of all those who accompanied William from Normandy. As time went on and the honour of descent from one of these Norman families was more highly thought of, unauthentic additions seem to have been made.</div></div><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6OyaeIFx579248wweJNOPegELyT308tbFaenXbAMS8mXqm2uCJOOxdkVv0pNRlFuav4Oa8fpp_zuQ-EgJF3v_NprH9MDjP7sOMcOjytKu6BtMMyXnGlv5m7MrAj7WrbqevLYMCysX9Sbm7sQ6y1KWqVVjMBQMvPY3H03PMumXQSSMlvIzEp879PHREHU/s8160/20230807_150958.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6OyaeIFx579248wweJNOPegELyT308tbFaenXbAMS8mXqm2uCJOOxdkVv0pNRlFuav4Oa8fpp_zuQ-EgJF3v_NprH9MDjP7sOMcOjytKu6BtMMyXnGlv5m7MrAj7WrbqevLYMCysX9Sbm7sQ6y1KWqVVjMBQMvPY3H03PMumXQSSMlvIzEp879PHREHU/w640-h480/20230807_150958.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk around to the Abbey Ruins.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZaxXAhaRYBCYkqVrNPnpERPgK2PCEzqCdlzTE20XVMfdzaRE3CD40tDdTuMxgnr-3_NBO6t0hUo0qi9H4Uu1QD0r_mrH5itmIYmTJ8zSAFz7sTiGvNT4JGkEFkH6_-d0hEFV_gdNJf9Duobt5wBlqRx1TtGGZFdxlrfSutHnN4qEJu5u6TdEIKkzRArrF/s7803/20230807_151048.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5852" data-original-width="7803" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZaxXAhaRYBCYkqVrNPnpERPgK2PCEzqCdlzTE20XVMfdzaRE3CD40tDdTuMxgnr-3_NBO6t0hUo0qi9H4Uu1QD0r_mrH5itmIYmTJ8zSAFz7sTiGvNT4JGkEFkH6_-d0hEFV_gdNJf9Duobt5wBlqRx1TtGGZFdxlrfSutHnN4qEJu5u6TdEIKkzRArrF/w640-h480/20230807_151048.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church was remodelled in the late 13th century, but virtually destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538 under King Henry VIII. At the time of the suppression of the Abbey (May 1538), there were seventeen monks in residence. The displaced monks of Battle Abbey were provided with pensions, including the abbot John Hamond and the prior Richard Salesherst, as well as monks John Henfelde, William Ambrose, Henry Sinden, Thomas Bede and Thomas Levett, all bachelors in theology.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The abbey and much of its land was given by Henry VIII to his friend and Master of the Horse, Sir Anthony Browne, who demolished the church and parts of the cloister and turned the abbot's quarters into a country house.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OpNZq56I08-wdWW16d5eQcQa1srviag9w_hkVIPc7-d3EAuOXLr5LpwBFmt1SEJGLU19l13J69oIxnm4qluMD7IV_8PqhUHu_Yvb6XonlQLONEtqIb_s8Xhp9p9TC1avyZ8FRCsusmcX2X1oF9_rJyC8teKWN4VGalklZlvQjskjuYKEmdEvZ3Fy4yXI/s8160/20230807_151053.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OpNZq56I08-wdWW16d5eQcQa1srviag9w_hkVIPc7-d3EAuOXLr5LpwBFmt1SEJGLU19l13J69oIxnm4qluMD7IV_8PqhUHu_Yvb6XonlQLONEtqIb_s8Xhp9p9TC1avyZ8FRCsusmcX2X1oF9_rJyC8teKWN4VGalklZlvQjskjuYKEmdEvZ3Fy4yXI/w640-h480/20230807_151053.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The abbey was sold in 1721 by Browne's descendant, Anthony Browne, 6th Earl of Montagu, to Sir Thomas Webster, MP and baronet. Webster was succeeded by his son, Sir Whistler Webster, 2nd Baronet, who died childless in 1779, being succeeded in the baronetcy by his brother. Battle Abbey remained in the Webster family until 1857, when it was sold to Lord Harry Vane, later Duke of Cleveland. On the death of the Duchess of Cleveland in 1901, the estate was bought back by Sir Augustus Webster, 7th baronet.</div></div><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CR-MNepNBEXUD67y2rRj4JLa-kvDdpmfvOyCtiqDOrvo6PEA6J9cFOPBryM-ceCuLobi_CNhQIxmQpO_U5yZdDO134YHk4PSQ4qdt9zICnFZxbgpy7q5TF7paIdeQOxemMlsAKmtZxqemWzNEjZ4za18hal_Hi40GhdE6uJdDqrsUaZ2cvrFFamQcItS/s8160/20230807_151127.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CR-MNepNBEXUD67y2rRj4JLa-kvDdpmfvOyCtiqDOrvo6PEA6J9cFOPBryM-ceCuLobi_CNhQIxmQpO_U5yZdDO134YHk4PSQ4qdt9zICnFZxbgpy7q5TF7paIdeQOxemMlsAKmtZxqemWzNEjZ4za18hal_Hi40GhdE6uJdDqrsUaZ2cvrFFamQcItS/w640-h480/20230807_151127.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51B4y01utJEBi-M4QaDoImBEzPtpU_YknqgYk3RcQykRNtXB2tt-O3LC7SucKdalOql6wc4-V2iMc95rMT95DVEniE0e4JLGlcOP_FevcwY3-uj1YK0bYi3XUKAFBc_1eP7dCP1GFpywwFCReFbWN7ocwF1kTZMbe4efuUfdzD5T1MUPBjJs_IR_8q3nC/s8160/20230807_151136.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51B4y01utJEBi-M4QaDoImBEzPtpU_YknqgYk3RcQykRNtXB2tt-O3LC7SucKdalOql6wc4-V2iMc95rMT95DVEniE0e4JLGlcOP_FevcwY3-uj1YK0bYi3XUKAFBc_1eP7dCP1GFpywwFCReFbWN7ocwF1kTZMbe4efuUfdzD5T1MUPBjJs_IR_8q3nC/w480-h640/20230807_151136.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the remarkable vaulted ground-floor rooms below the dormitory in the east range, which gives an impression of the quality of all the buildings at Battle Abbey before they were ruined. This was probably the monks' common room.</div></div><div><span style="color: #373737; font-family: Gill Sans Light, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iq417opKwtJM3Tpnwq_U2EcYBuBXns-NOnlG88H-AyOcCwkp9XWexVKuzQEiGVhEjrA9rl4cjM-vMI5mpqGBarGyz2Zx1l1roOVQG0dgDehEz1I-hH4cPxdioUgv-p-07izGmQPUBkjphQQgO5wiyxUBomY7Lt816KczJUCFr-ddoqPSrpBTGFpsH78Y/s8160/20230807_151218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iq417opKwtJM3Tpnwq_U2EcYBuBXns-NOnlG88H-AyOcCwkp9XWexVKuzQEiGVhEjrA9rl4cjM-vMI5mpqGBarGyz2Zx1l1roOVQG0dgDehEz1I-hH4cPxdioUgv-p-07izGmQPUBkjphQQgO5wiyxUBomY7Lt816KczJUCFr-ddoqPSrpBTGFpsH78Y/w480-h640/20230807_151218.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EqPUeqR6axn7k1sNxnkclhzldafZV65sH-YLP5HVkqV7XxWvgSr6W96dRTFwUAINxsZUGFG9RbaWTtORxbywnEqT0WI-9SNrI7c_7BtXC84vf3UXklBWwEyXRuizLDsIBjlV3J3jSWB4rzvMw2QZuho7vR2zWCXFMxLHTFZujkWIgO0uYgm8T9iNq5p3/s7474/20230807_151325.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7474" data-original-width="5606" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EqPUeqR6axn7k1sNxnkclhzldafZV65sH-YLP5HVkqV7XxWvgSr6W96dRTFwUAINxsZUGFG9RbaWTtORxbywnEqT0WI-9SNrI7c_7BtXC84vf3UXklBWwEyXRuizLDsIBjlV3J3jSWB4rzvMw2QZuho7vR2zWCXFMxLHTFZujkWIgO0uYgm8T9iNq5p3/w480-h640/20230807_151325.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2qVEQ1v31AblcJTGtvK0fdvUzJChiJ5q6f3zwotAgi87Mb_ASnpC9QXcOVKZhkDkFAhFnUOgZcnUUQa_1EEhybe845dvjxpdGaeSbbVvQGsSBzNTJ8KD5xqMAPuNocrNircH46m7vZkriJ5gKhdnbqoW4Ryy0eRhUwlY2eHQ0lRGen6uBnjhKvlLm4gt/s7939/20230807_151635.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7939" data-original-width="5954" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2qVEQ1v31AblcJTGtvK0fdvUzJChiJ5q6f3zwotAgi87Mb_ASnpC9QXcOVKZhkDkFAhFnUOgZcnUUQa_1EEhybe845dvjxpdGaeSbbVvQGsSBzNTJ8KD5xqMAPuNocrNircH46m7vZkriJ5gKhdnbqoW4Ryy0eRhUwlY2eHQ0lRGen6uBnjhKvlLm4gt/w480-h640/20230807_151635.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FC2gGosuJYhaZ7VmK5TXPJaT4Tkp-eNfg6YADAXh-2g190oFBDy6zygTVYOMrY9YciX1g3gcwVpyZlxtu3Te4DbWLhUMzoGy0Z6l3mdtxPz0PPq2IYEbF2YC8PJscprl7p5csUEjNOESByQ53JXe0veSl-dyMiz17iaugsLRXYlWljiEe3bUONhpYPPm/s7293/20230807_151705.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5470" data-original-width="7293" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FC2gGosuJYhaZ7VmK5TXPJaT4Tkp-eNfg6YADAXh-2g190oFBDy6zygTVYOMrY9YciX1g3gcwVpyZlxtu3Te4DbWLhUMzoGy0Z6l3mdtxPz0PPq2IYEbF2YC8PJscprl7p5csUEjNOESByQ53JXe0veSl-dyMiz17iaugsLRXYlWljiEe3bUONhpYPPm/w640-h480/20230807_151705.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfimOPtdRnpvxN6bg9jcHPo9jCz4F40uEME4Ix0H58ljBRgAdQfcv9wphj3pJ2B80QqPOA_fgiP0xvD2LmYlxtl9vVZfpUhM1p_uVhS5s1EFjVdv9y9sQv8sNAUsVWyHo2hPkwvl7vAjcrlq1jEv9uzyi4W672TBp5i3VBrV2QW0UIVoXGmrtDq5hpc6p/s8160/20230807_151912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfimOPtdRnpvxN6bg9jcHPo9jCz4F40uEME4Ix0H58ljBRgAdQfcv9wphj3pJ2B80QqPOA_fgiP0xvD2LmYlxtl9vVZfpUhM1p_uVhS5s1EFjVdv9y9sQv8sNAUsVWyHo2hPkwvl7vAjcrlq1jEv9uzyi4W672TBp5i3VBrV2QW0UIVoXGmrtDq5hpc6p/w640-h480/20230807_151912.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhov3bwXRxsBmpyTKHSyME9z16HD1-RJUfCcos0Wcvyx_aFLgB5295VdXW-0Z38N8AtQCH9_ebGybfuOnPYERSGeumSLYVFCuyyae7fyQ1Gk6iN8SeLag_KRWXm_i0t4BS9SbNvX0IbyGKOucaJGWsXJMFKckVGt2oZV6P364SCe2crfyMK69EN8xMK9Mpj/s8160/20230807_152005.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhov3bwXRxsBmpyTKHSyME9z16HD1-RJUfCcos0Wcvyx_aFLgB5295VdXW-0Z38N8AtQCH9_ebGybfuOnPYERSGeumSLYVFCuyyae7fyQ1Gk6iN8SeLag_KRWXm_i0t4BS9SbNvX0IbyGKOucaJGWsXJMFKckVGt2oZV6P364SCe2crfyMK69EN8xMK9Mpj/w640-h480/20230807_152005.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Battlefield,</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The site of the Battle of Hastings is one of the least altered of medieval battlefields. In 1066 this part of Sussex was little populated, and the battle was fought on open land immediately south of the dense Wealden forest.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The ridge was held by the Saxon army, with the Norman forces attacking from the south. With perhaps 14,000 soldiers involved, fighting is likely to have spread along the ridge, now marked to the east of the abbey by the road to Sedlescombe.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The foundation of the abbey a few years later effectively preserved most of the battlefield, although no relics of the battle have ever been found there.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The centre of the Saxon line lies under the abbey buildings and outer court, but fierce fighting also took place on the southern hillside. This became part of the abbey’s great park, maintained primarily for hunting and exercise. After the Suppression in 1538 it became the estate park, and the land was generally used for grazing.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyfAkMT625eRW7NDX9TyWgQ5WR9gb0HouNZXTqO0Q1l3EjQtDqatk_1i8hu5NYGk6HY3wbRNmcjahwNthCHbO5vsQ07FMx5YASv_U2DRYNMpKkAJQhcWAYdXF5NX8S1-WWsTFSEAs1alEFUlRTYHkn7aT3aSBe6h01MfPo7_OXbxO8EAZqMkSTda6k8fm/s8160/20230807_152036.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyfAkMT625eRW7NDX9TyWgQ5WR9gb0HouNZXTqO0Q1l3EjQtDqatk_1i8hu5NYGk6HY3wbRNmcjahwNthCHbO5vsQ07FMx5YASv_U2DRYNMpKkAJQhcWAYdXF5NX8S1-WWsTFSEAs1alEFUlRTYHkn7aT3aSBe6h01MfPo7_OXbxO8EAZqMkSTda6k8fm/w640-h480/20230807_152036.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Undercrofts</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHD8NfmJ7m8nWGJFULw-EngerDhXoQJlmToeaRoXYNPwct4Kici6GZ6n49sTwFFTNfIJcjQLZ3laZhoy8pCqCYYskVmANiwD6B_WEt05aUd5i7h7JuRJKh0UmlZZks8DYOdVCiF_MPC9iU2YrWLW5D6ADKl1gDT3DQNAv5UGSAk7tritPIjwQjIr_XeAtI/s7639/20230807_152043.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5729" data-original-width="7639" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHD8NfmJ7m8nWGJFULw-EngerDhXoQJlmToeaRoXYNPwct4Kici6GZ6n49sTwFFTNfIJcjQLZ3laZhoy8pCqCYYskVmANiwD6B_WEt05aUd5i7h7JuRJKh0UmlZZks8DYOdVCiF_MPC9iU2YrWLW5D6ADKl1gDT3DQNAv5UGSAk7tritPIjwQjIr_XeAtI/w640-h480/20230807_152043.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbVemWOBXVJFZ48zqFTxhd5kVD9Vamnp2BqQiZNDL27p4mQMSs3QZIpuz1cV-i2dmm7d5dNekYpQHdUZphiHyRO1etrIbjW8_YvzeNJS39AucMSJcymyOSCNuvtdHg9LttozlB5umshdAt7nyNGG2QWChrNDMSI0ccmao_HIgX4U40KQqvM4E2GBVkf4T/s8160/20230807_152555.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbVemWOBXVJFZ48zqFTxhd5kVD9Vamnp2BqQiZNDL27p4mQMSs3QZIpuz1cV-i2dmm7d5dNekYpQHdUZphiHyRO1etrIbjW8_YvzeNJS39AucMSJcymyOSCNuvtdHg9LttozlB5umshdAt7nyNGG2QWChrNDMSI0ccmao_HIgX4U40KQqvM4E2GBVkf4T/w640-h480/20230807_152555.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The octagonal thatched Gothic dairy, built in 1818, and an underground ice house, both survivals of the abbey’s later life as a country house.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHP3ffSoQMgixP4M6ex0O_4eplFxO6nJ13B1-rlMSw0-2ivYk_TcLJVYzHbfWaXlKajFblzZ5mhVnByedKQJcWNd7uFRJ4aeoxhXwNP_hAMHjs8hFiMDNDs3-A4apx5K91UWmazOZoN9bZD0dgkQm6dZZNVPetMeBFM88HnF1vZbM9gjZ68-DaZtrHuJN/s8160/20230807_152637.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHP3ffSoQMgixP4M6ex0O_4eplFxO6nJ13B1-rlMSw0-2ivYk_TcLJVYzHbfWaXlKajFblzZ5mhVnByedKQJcWNd7uFRJ4aeoxhXwNP_hAMHjs8hFiMDNDs3-A4apx5K91UWmazOZoN9bZD0dgkQm6dZZNVPetMeBFM88HnF1vZbM9gjZ68-DaZtrHuJN/w640-h480/20230807_152637.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWiCkRH5hK-Nbuq2UAXWhq1OoL_dkIScbot3SkMMIxgVx8P2JGujcSbLxRW9AqfQGy3IJpCkZoF0pmY95No-xUet5FRYLd2NHVRaV-gPYIJcO_45WoVh9yLopE1F4OhBJPDrKYsdqCLndjjNn2ttLvZA3ivSdPWlP6WL2bkhXpcbS2aAA3xOOZfZS3yg3/s8160/20230807_153011.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWiCkRH5hK-Nbuq2UAXWhq1OoL_dkIScbot3SkMMIxgVx8P2JGujcSbLxRW9AqfQGy3IJpCkZoF0pmY95No-xUet5FRYLd2NHVRaV-gPYIJcO_45WoVh9yLopE1F4OhBJPDrKYsdqCLndjjNn2ttLvZA3ivSdPWlP6WL2bkhXpcbS2aAA3xOOZfZS3yg3/w640-h480/20230807_153011.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Crypt</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwBBPhfwUQd2hXFXrEaT_3wavpGDSDl0WHEUUuCqwmxLetwDtaFnVhGLB5aUJXZ0L0dhN3tQzWWVfoL4qnO6ofQkXQKPaAS0XXyhwm7qgbCCTyXJpus0kgp7jrJeOWNPPwKMAJaArGxKojhmlD6c9Xq3IxkfYHM2tV5hrZlvT3QRiXXugwCrxH3fHGKUe/s8160/20230807_153027.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwBBPhfwUQd2hXFXrEaT_3wavpGDSDl0WHEUUuCqwmxLetwDtaFnVhGLB5aUJXZ0L0dhN3tQzWWVfoL4qnO6ofQkXQKPaAS0XXyhwm7qgbCCTyXJpus0kgp7jrJeOWNPPwKMAJaArGxKojhmlD6c9Xq3IxkfYHM2tV5hrZlvT3QRiXXugwCrxH3fHGKUe/w640-h480/20230807_153027.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfVXpIHh6LuBMUcwI2VQsQRwWu-NddA-aykGgja-w7NnEknBOk0aSXTRyryX5utjDrJRgsKa931yodWeKi1ifm7Pz_CmwRLjmtM-JqxyVOGTt7joF5nTJ4HFj92eH1QHyvvHBckQn4SwXKdcIIbnhITRfGSVyUbrNixwJXG75Mxo3YkEy_3v6JyQbk-Us/s7821/20230807_153058.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7821" data-original-width="5866" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfVXpIHh6LuBMUcwI2VQsQRwWu-NddA-aykGgja-w7NnEknBOk0aSXTRyryX5utjDrJRgsKa931yodWeKi1ifm7Pz_CmwRLjmtM-JqxyVOGTt7joF5nTJ4HFj92eH1QHyvvHBckQn4SwXKdcIIbnhITRfGSVyUbrNixwJXG75Mxo3YkEy_3v6JyQbk-Us/w480-h640/20230807_153058.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVDnDRhUZkLWOFzZeZXAeU2CszzN2l-9b7TUBCLUInmV5mPHimgA4ZIGBV1LJtvKVpeKRK9WYrt2qWa2IUgShVL7uHFvCTjEHunsqz-bgTayxkiIrJi6yXy04uXbXBDbgRDVZJJGcKJbUbnu-h2rdE2DLMh2ntbAqcMbapm3xYoaJfLjETnRvsPNr527v/s8160/20230807_153102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVDnDRhUZkLWOFzZeZXAeU2CszzN2l-9b7TUBCLUInmV5mPHimgA4ZIGBV1LJtvKVpeKRK9WYrt2qWa2IUgShVL7uHFvCTjEHunsqz-bgTayxkiIrJi6yXy04uXbXBDbgRDVZJJGcKJbUbnu-h2rdE2DLMh2ntbAqcMbapm3xYoaJfLjETnRvsPNr527v/w480-h640/20230807_153102.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIS542yRPEJkk5LKGoQpX92yGqSOInciedMN-VfykOV-PV5fK8dSsrnoDIRTEAPHi-eY2oDw3HHuTXUtNPxDhrKUC_lnmOjydgvesfW3dQz17Dk1sHFNyOrpp9MZkrF0G7wFx33QXzs_H4cv3pzjv2Ih0QzOrFYibNCLh38aKo7iW8WsmwW3iPEO76ajnM/s8160/20230807_153136.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIS542yRPEJkk5LKGoQpX92yGqSOInciedMN-VfykOV-PV5fK8dSsrnoDIRTEAPHi-eY2oDw3HHuTXUtNPxDhrKUC_lnmOjydgvesfW3dQz17Dk1sHFNyOrpp9MZkrF0G7wFx33QXzs_H4cv3pzjv2Ih0QzOrFYibNCLh38aKo7iW8WsmwW3iPEO76ajnM/w640-h480/20230807_153136.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the stone plaque that marks the spot where King Harold died.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVg2aUys2AuOKkBxJd71m4gQEhica40GrN6azOOY2HCOZ1S3hmif_z2tKK3c28-w0SgCUBnuiwMaRpHcdYOdJpK4DwiqN4LsWahxHMjnpPKfmoO1P_-XjDonD-4R5HvTh3YFpno9N_XV9wRyrOlovodqutL3t2ycies1WvhAygkm4HXSR5oB0UNv2m-1T/s8160/20230807_153155.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVg2aUys2AuOKkBxJd71m4gQEhica40GrN6azOOY2HCOZ1S3hmif_z2tKK3c28-w0SgCUBnuiwMaRpHcdYOdJpK4DwiqN4LsWahxHMjnpPKfmoO1P_-XjDonD-4R5HvTh3YFpno9N_XV9wRyrOlovodqutL3t2ycies1WvhAygkm4HXSR5oB0UNv2m-1T/w640-h480/20230807_153155.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">WHAT HAPPENED AT THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the early morning of 14 October 1066, two great armies prepared to fight for the throne of England. On a hilltop 7 miles from Hastings were the forces of Harold, who had been crowned king nine months earlier. Facing them on the far side of the valley below were the troops of Duke William of Normandy, who believed he was the rightful king. By the end of the day, thousands lay dead on the battlefield, and the victorious William was one step nearer to seizing the throne.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCP9z9gmExKg5QbcxiQ-na66qRgrYwARzeQfefOhbP5zcb9XVE-OlcPxOIg5nfks7BZKQdCnVlQH4oDo8HPEx7wBKhUb49XUsH9z7S7smcj3omulHUxVfozqKHmutIfAbQ7TAojKWC31AnC0vJMF5rGXoklQZSDih4R67A4zyfqofWmu4GH44QFHlQUwm9/s7871/20230807_153304.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5903" data-original-width="7871" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCP9z9gmExKg5QbcxiQ-na66qRgrYwARzeQfefOhbP5zcb9XVE-OlcPxOIg5nfks7BZKQdCnVlQH4oDo8HPEx7wBKhUb49XUsH9z7S7smcj3omulHUxVfozqKHmutIfAbQ7TAojKWC31AnC0vJMF5rGXoklQZSDih4R67A4zyfqofWmu4GH44QFHlQUwm9/w640-h480/20230807_153304.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk along the precinct wall with views into Battle and St Marys The Virgin Church.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQZEeHvmisjcdtw-ZP5SBJHfFi2c-pUQmTEH2XcYsB_LxuNM1piamYx8YWUdwu2zb-kXAzr3ZaL8Le_MhKSmDME7uQM9oKkDIkVWZ2Cf3yNA3Q7X0_nlqhHYwbvhVkFrgV3Ly5HZoSzpX_YMMTzFuD5VJKrYeIOWVjRQ5eNP4KbPERFocf5KG8M05WTKe/s7725/20230807_153308.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5794" data-original-width="7725" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQZEeHvmisjcdtw-ZP5SBJHfFi2c-pUQmTEH2XcYsB_LxuNM1piamYx8YWUdwu2zb-kXAzr3ZaL8Le_MhKSmDME7uQM9oKkDIkVWZ2Cf3yNA3Q7X0_nlqhHYwbvhVkFrgV3Ly5HZoSzpX_YMMTzFuD5VJKrYeIOWVjRQ5eNP4KbPERFocf5KG8M05WTKe/w640-h480/20230807_153308.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhph5gYVFnX-L2oxXLHxrtmEyBxmU-yupYbN6lq8cyNcO8F76oJs6JSjqI-6SQKhamWNZergXKkG0oP_TV0Oj1aR9IXMXtnSCBWFos8aHrlXu7Wki5lyyL_g6wBDLflP5S2z6RxALG5R1u6pyEd3I0kr5CIue4iafRms2C3DlpFz6IlEh-JCKOBDfWR-p4o/s8160/20230807_153347.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhph5gYVFnX-L2oxXLHxrtmEyBxmU-yupYbN6lq8cyNcO8F76oJs6JSjqI-6SQKhamWNZergXKkG0oP_TV0Oj1aR9IXMXtnSCBWFos8aHrlXu7Wki5lyyL_g6wBDLflP5S2z6RxALG5R1u6pyEd3I0kr5CIue4iafRms2C3DlpFz6IlEh-JCKOBDfWR-p4o/w640-h480/20230807_153347.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I leave the Abbey and walk back along the High Street stopping at The Battle Bottle shop and Tap room.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUox8plcZugY1HX7ljqYVk86ALatJ8_g7flHE1lFkGb02Xnxc9tOEF-XNzI6xY3jBluPRYOnhZ2GR1gdjYgmIud5m_4eo9VZaCUojxpFW9kgDa23DgaVlnYi_8fmT2BZBcCBoo-shg-fYghtd5fch-PNL4WgYbIm9cOVScELHcodBaxEz0ohPVcFWWlqG/s8160/20230807_154349.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUox8plcZugY1HX7ljqYVk86ALatJ8_g7flHE1lFkGb02Xnxc9tOEF-XNzI6xY3jBluPRYOnhZ2GR1gdjYgmIud5m_4eo9VZaCUojxpFW9kgDa23DgaVlnYi_8fmT2BZBcCBoo-shg-fYghtd5fch-PNL4WgYbIm9cOVScELHcodBaxEz0ohPVcFWWlqG/w480-h640/20230807_154349.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have a half of Battle Brewery Harolds Eye IPA.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vDZ9RjQRzwbKskOQQ8FpBhb1V6huJQno0cLxx0IlZZTuiVueDu6ouqMnQGD9hiY0dvqkJo1GjJzrFYDgxhL6s2up7hD5xyO4pne1YQCKccGuIhwAjtG3bqASevizmDKpzMJQVLZRkBiIJLFC0jOi5bwjG7H-DHn1WZ8K39SGaY9DRzOjkUAx0VpCGjZK/s8160/20230807_154355.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vDZ9RjQRzwbKskOQQ8FpBhb1V6huJQno0cLxx0IlZZTuiVueDu6ouqMnQGD9hiY0dvqkJo1GjJzrFYDgxhL6s2up7hD5xyO4pne1YQCKccGuIhwAjtG3bqASevizmDKpzMJQVLZRkBiIJLFC0jOi5bwjG7H-DHn1WZ8K39SGaY9DRzOjkUAx0VpCGjZK/w480-h640/20230807_154355.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I also try Roosters Brewing Yankee Pale Ale, I buy 4 bottles of Norman Hunts Ciders that are brewed nearby and walk back to the car for the drive home.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxP7Tl3WLnHR1Ue3milJ85630a0KwmBnYJ7bWf8lLbwjexb_blmyJL5_hO-5SgCHJR55zxk-d96idGR-1tJyrpm1ikvKSX-KJ0xftO1c7eTWrhfP0F7q_1yGO8nwnwikY33bJb4ok_VzNIfeGab1v0aN-rGKBtZAFTAPcLwPSZhNhrC87erHQyXQ-MvnN/s1298/Screenshot%202023-08-12%20095306.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="1298" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxP7Tl3WLnHR1Ue3milJ85630a0KwmBnYJ7bWf8lLbwjexb_blmyJL5_hO-5SgCHJR55zxk-d96idGR-1tJyrpm1ikvKSX-KJ0xftO1c7eTWrhfP0F7q_1yGO8nwnwikY33bJb4ok_VzNIfeGab1v0aN-rGKBtZAFTAPcLwPSZhNhrC87erHQyXQ-MvnN/w640-h316/Screenshot%202023-08-12%20095306.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-9886545184229751062023-07-22T08:54:00.065+01:002023-07-22T13:09:26.908+01:00Norfolk Coast Path Day 3: Stiffkey to Weybourne 21st July 2023<p>GPX File <a href="https://www.haroldstreet.org.uk/routes/download/?walk=6017" target="_blank">Here</a>.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I set off from home just after 530am and drove up to Woodhill Park campsite to pick up Ian where he had been staying all week. After packing everything up and loading the car we drove 25 minutes up the road to Stiffkey (pronounced Stew-Key) where we finished the path last month. We parked up at Stiffkey Saltmarshes Car park which is free parking.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6JjTvqOTOaQxw55NWXtKL-X7onw1O7xPCBfC4PxQr56L3VmpyZwpCh_4hvYCHrO0bptgYRK-i5CB85QyEfqEFWc8BlXO1UP7ipbFID2A23q9NYZC-LCPNMUa6wraHLCGvSH6DK7EAsS18zKdbhatQsaOz5YTwVHl9jxwwrl5aMC9MTz3pePJchIP7tu2/s3555/20230721_094025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2666" data-original-width="3555" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6JjTvqOTOaQxw55NWXtKL-X7onw1O7xPCBfC4PxQr56L3VmpyZwpCh_4hvYCHrO0bptgYRK-i5CB85QyEfqEFWc8BlXO1UP7ipbFID2A23q9NYZC-LCPNMUa6wraHLCGvSH6DK7EAsS18zKdbhatQsaOz5YTwVHl9jxwwrl5aMC9MTz3pePJchIP7tu2/w640-h480/20230721_094025.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We take a photo at the start and set off at 0938am along the Stiffkey Saltmarshes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmR6OqAMSFfEnQJXt8pNDc8xLeDhn54h9eMzGkqzIAsLndrGSmHerPujVco8LywcgCfXogJfcxjdI1dppUbXOPCNIcWRgGCxQJWruCzPjmpWNN0_mRNb7XL9ttSx9mH-avlH-8Ai0ukZhpioFH8z9nHgIWqsumh_5SSmTZo4sdJgiM9PNVcLPlo-APqhZ/s7890/20230721_094032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5918" data-original-width="7890" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmR6OqAMSFfEnQJXt8pNDc8xLeDhn54h9eMzGkqzIAsLndrGSmHerPujVco8LywcgCfXogJfcxjdI1dppUbXOPCNIcWRgGCxQJWruCzPjmpWNN0_mRNb7XL9ttSx9mH-avlH-8Ai0ukZhpioFH8z9nHgIWqsumh_5SSmTZo4sdJgiM9PNVcLPlo-APqhZ/w640-h480/20230721_094032.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Sea Lavender is in full bloom now and the photos really don't do it justice at how wonderful it looked!</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFz5CUgTPJNse26hG0Usx28jEJiZl-Y37EjGBbp_WAoMiIJq0xs7YAu7MAHTOSqvxW0GjG5c2A3e2aQ3Tb1cJVsnOB8-6rS0RvEPB5Ci_D34kqGiVrSbO8tG846hz8hl8p7zuqmpW0V6QZMpCTftybjH88nWjKPggTxpWzakT0ic4sBh8CiJEfTOfjiINg/s7841/20230721_094552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5881" data-original-width="7841" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFz5CUgTPJNse26hG0Usx28jEJiZl-Y37EjGBbp_WAoMiIJq0xs7YAu7MAHTOSqvxW0GjG5c2A3e2aQ3Tb1cJVsnOB8-6rS0RvEPB5Ci_D34kqGiVrSbO8tG846hz8hl8p7zuqmpW0V6QZMpCTftybjH88nWjKPggTxpWzakT0ic4sBh8CiJEfTOfjiINg/w640-h480/20230721_094552.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stiffkey is first evidenced in the Domesday Book of 1086, and means 'stump island, island with stumps of trees'.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The local historical pronunciation of the village is 'Stiff-key' and not ‘Stew-key’. The mis-pronunciation is primarily due to the underlying glauconitic clays (blue-green clays – formerly Blue Marl). In Norfolk, the Cretaceous Gault Formation becomes calcareous before passing northwards into the Hunstanton Formation ("Red Chalk"). In places thin, variable junction beds at the base include some limestones. (BGS lexicon: Gault Formationwhich belongs to the Selbourne Group).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The blue clays are known locally as 'Norfolk Stew', hence the name 'Stew-Key' [Stew-quay] as the flats there and the quays use the underlying blue clays (muds) weathered from Cretaceous bedrock. As already noted the local fauna of cockles can be stained with relation to their habitat. Glauconite is an iron- and potassium-rich mineral and the solid phase reactions can produce the iron- and potassium-rich dye Prussian blue.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The correct and locally used pronunciation is ‘Stiff-key’. In the Domesday book it is spelt ‘Stiucai’, when this was written there weren’t separate letters for ‘V’ and ‘U’. All names with a ‘V’ sound were spelt with a ‘U’. It is thought that ‘Stew-key’ arose from the mis-reading of the Domesday spelling.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYy8nTLSlgNKf3fhu62gkef1TRoJEmNGJNl0MZVlOAGWxDud6lxPjkXFX5YdwVDGthfeDm1hMUrm0C4OY4eIRJ-V3_zqUmNxgUtZ85k--HZdTlz8SoYtHKENMDZ4nbFVVcg2S7m3HnsFWWE0t853LmHP1wmupnaivsKoP9UfhLScrgeGzM5BdkKPhP_W4B/s7941/20230721_094823.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5956" data-original-width="7941" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYy8nTLSlgNKf3fhu62gkef1TRoJEmNGJNl0MZVlOAGWxDud6lxPjkXFX5YdwVDGthfeDm1hMUrm0C4OY4eIRJ-V3_zqUmNxgUtZ85k--HZdTlz8SoYtHKENMDZ4nbFVVcg2S7m3HnsFWWE0t853LmHP1wmupnaivsKoP9UfhLScrgeGzM5BdkKPhP_W4B/w640-h480/20230721_094823.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Forming part of the Blakeney Point, a National nature reserve, the Stiffkey Salt Marshes create an extensive habitat for a wide range of birds and plant life. The salt marshes which are owned and managed by the National Trust are open to the public.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErOaImiG559IIAmnjRScw5ZGo-q4YOXZ_VuVPOko5JDuWglVNMmEUhOPHX_m1yBXad4uin_Urp8Ssl3A5aeoQJbqeP97JdrCXjmuX7hDYMc2Fe-MFjqc7wWS9IPb-Jm6oBrcNl1hk1GmMGqaX_4SrQtGOlQKgPLlP7oHcXlQ9pGYnCCS1xAazN3Ux5JVt/s7962/20230721_094959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5972" data-original-width="7962" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErOaImiG559IIAmnjRScw5ZGo-q4YOXZ_VuVPOko5JDuWglVNMmEUhOPHX_m1yBXad4uin_Urp8Ssl3A5aeoQJbqeP97JdrCXjmuX7hDYMc2Fe-MFjqc7wWS9IPb-Jm6oBrcNl1hk1GmMGqaX_4SrQtGOlQKgPLlP7oHcXlQ9pGYnCCS1xAazN3Ux5JVt/w640-h480/20230721_094959.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The author Henry Williamson bought a farm in Stiffkey. The Story of a Norfolk Farm (1941) is his account of his first years of farming here. Probably better known for his 'Tarka The Otter' book.<br /></div></div><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOz5xsLbkYKF87qKQHS6nU_IoTtfdiPydCC7GqW3yYsw0NBuabi3BbKI9N5x1IyBLBdFvu2tblW6WVJqsVWjtux5i3VPy-BD9tcHPd56nC0vZoQyEL59AZEyN_3lzCLcWYzA4a5YFKbcv7b_2IUManVWrCE7Y6BEP0ZOEPow9oCKJOkZ9qM0pfDfkmG11i/s7894/20230721_100625.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5921" data-original-width="7894" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOz5xsLbkYKF87qKQHS6nU_IoTtfdiPydCC7GqW3yYsw0NBuabi3BbKI9N5x1IyBLBdFvu2tblW6WVJqsVWjtux5i3VPy-BD9tcHPd56nC0vZoQyEL59AZEyN_3lzCLcWYzA4a5YFKbcv7b_2IUManVWrCE7Y6BEP0ZOEPow9oCKJOkZ9qM0pfDfkmG11i/w640-h480/20230721_100625.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHR0MboDMG-Em1rTHEKqtgmM4DD0Mz2s3TuU9K7bgQlp3Yz9HaMfZuWBx2iSMl33N9Ko-1y089IYT9uR6gyAuvCcdb4CtY73a-pzHZgue89Ico35Kns3UoNw7NQtbSKmbTb1PSU3V6zVgTngHRshCMLUyc1nRYWP0jOiwq_k8Zxx7Mi6YdgODldCI_iEKT/s7981/20230721_101108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5986" data-original-width="7981" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHR0MboDMG-Em1rTHEKqtgmM4DD0Mz2s3TuU9K7bgQlp3Yz9HaMfZuWBx2iSMl33N9Ko-1y089IYT9uR6gyAuvCcdb4CtY73a-pzHZgue89Ico35Kns3UoNw7NQtbSKmbTb1PSU3V6zVgTngHRshCMLUyc1nRYWP0jOiwq_k8Zxx7Mi6YdgODldCI_iEKT/w640-h480/20230721_101108.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on passing Freshes Creek with a few moored boats here.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfs4TTVuW2KHDUnoJ1ILpsu2ijEmrs4gUuT9vPIXBKN4iq80a2IkZoK6behllqAg76ycFIho8x_mki_quXbYumgBJIOcmo5i4jygvhOAB8vWyuqx-3AoOHe-PhagB67TtxB-WMGqGEeZhGQuZy3JtHpAXI3XbZfl7FbYaMDdkWvH9vpQAPs5NWIzvUP8r/s7753/20230721_101230.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5815" data-original-width="7753" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfs4TTVuW2KHDUnoJ1ILpsu2ijEmrs4gUuT9vPIXBKN4iq80a2IkZoK6behllqAg76ycFIho8x_mki_quXbYumgBJIOcmo5i4jygvhOAB8vWyuqx-3AoOHe-PhagB67TtxB-WMGqGEeZhGQuZy3JtHpAXI3XbZfl7FbYaMDdkWvH9vpQAPs5NWIzvUP8r/w640-h480/20230721_101230.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCk6r54TKBFWCuu2CBZ5PdQCr8KI6sPz_A6uibw1-xQiWarjwab_tI10byBLuyvwDMk8JzyOlMjRpeH-369PyyEJIVYu_jHBbTybM3RH5TNZuALr0l09Um53dSiZtgxsrQOqH3CjLaE1Nv91dkTGvXT524_TE1UmiOaF1ay2ZRHZ2br7yRLdWMR6bfbK9p/s1395/Screenshot_20230721_101628_Gallery.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1395" data-original-width="1013" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCk6r54TKBFWCuu2CBZ5PdQCr8KI6sPz_A6uibw1-xQiWarjwab_tI10byBLuyvwDMk8JzyOlMjRpeH-369PyyEJIVYu_jHBbTybM3RH5TNZuALr0l09Um53dSiZtgxsrQOqH3CjLaE1Nv91dkTGvXT524_TE1UmiOaF1ay2ZRHZ2br7yRLdWMR6bfbK9p/w464-h640/Screenshot_20230721_101628_Gallery.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are just a few places left in Norfolk that can be described as wild; Stiffkey Freshes is one of those. If you are an early bird and you get to the dunes as dawn breaks, or you stay till dusk approaches, you will witness some impressive nature moments At these times of day you will see a great deal of bird activity, with flocks of geese and duck going to and from their feeding grounds. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_hYWwZJuQqNAJvZ8u9IbhN_vWtm26U0SCtyNAc9A_PoKWWss8SI8DBjsjyOsyywYlMlcFMr9sb_vXbloiNyDpvBfgvS1xBCUpwhsf1p4kOKupb03gyNGGz6BdGsz-R3QBXVi9uXSJvmvDdyyjbVSVRF7GCmUrngXKUB0Fvzai533_BKN2Rx03Id3xwFY/s8160/20230721_101703.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_hYWwZJuQqNAJvZ8u9IbhN_vWtm26U0SCtyNAc9A_PoKWWss8SI8DBjsjyOsyywYlMlcFMr9sb_vXbloiNyDpvBfgvS1xBCUpwhsf1p4kOKupb03gyNGGz6BdGsz-R3QBXVi9uXSJvmvDdyyjbVSVRF7GCmUrngXKUB0Fvzai533_BKN2Rx03Id3xwFY/w640-h480/20230721_101703.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9ix_2gEEoXVrrGwakJmEFL-gFmgE8oDP07rYhCffPiPnMgP7N0fVkXhOUMSyWx-v-fgy7Jqt1USm45ou09ZeHJ7BtB_djVRpIcfIoisfbY-YtDKk2d0C0-DOcimKqOrZmxNhrbpHk41mnO2amppdUIW6YNWOjbHoLZhl6BdKYye8SRz71WkVGj1B1Ml7/s7905/20230721_101713.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5929" data-original-width="7905" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9ix_2gEEoXVrrGwakJmEFL-gFmgE8oDP07rYhCffPiPnMgP7N0fVkXhOUMSyWx-v-fgy7Jqt1USm45ou09ZeHJ7BtB_djVRpIcfIoisfbY-YtDKk2d0C0-DOcimKqOrZmxNhrbpHk41mnO2amppdUIW6YNWOjbHoLZhl6BdKYye8SRz71WkVGj1B1Ml7/w640-h480/20230721_101713.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on passing an area called Morston Meals.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSM3QS5Wo_wRj8hPLoPHKMnr7OICoqx2Rlox849taG5702uPl8noaRGeka953b3jNO5Hjrwd1v2Xq1kSXLHw_93h2bW1aeARu6uhZVvU-sdr4_1KBtFZePU-nayMuS1pWVsOGzO1-5icenj0I5TEU07_tMhG2QEPKuCoc_xzxwFy_B8HuY29wStMC0H9w/s8160/20230721_102003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSM3QS5Wo_wRj8hPLoPHKMnr7OICoqx2Rlox849taG5702uPl8noaRGeka953b3jNO5Hjrwd1v2Xq1kSXLHw_93h2bW1aeARu6uhZVvU-sdr4_1KBtFZePU-nayMuS1pWVsOGzO1-5icenj0I5TEU07_tMhG2QEPKuCoc_xzxwFy_B8HuY29wStMC0H9w/w640-h480/20230721_102003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Due to the encroaching tide there is a wet area on the approach to Morston, to avoid it we detoured detour into a field, across a small muddy area and through a narrow gap through the fence.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans", serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60_6QjZJ6lfB7qUXideAlm53gzAYGCN-lzjse93VMLv21hXtdi5dS9FgUAfvINDBrUTfvLWm33svRQ9Zu6DKdpRfscfBd-vLxsphD5l5K8SYisvF4kt1qDUsOVN78o5Dw-yhhFMHAS4pBAcjug4clVc8DWXCZXr_i1ZTjrYWH-9rY4oEL6FsCl4yyLWKO/s8160/20230721_103007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60_6QjZJ6lfB7qUXideAlm53gzAYGCN-lzjse93VMLv21hXtdi5dS9FgUAfvINDBrUTfvLWm33svRQ9Zu6DKdpRfscfBd-vLxsphD5l5K8SYisvF4kt1qDUsOVN78o5Dw-yhhFMHAS4pBAcjug4clVc8DWXCZXr_i1ZTjrYWH-9rY4oEL6FsCl4yyLWKO/w480-h640/20230721_103007.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We now walk into Morston Quay.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXzx_AFoqMN1H48u4b55rzd8beHqaYH80qTwQn9sag81Kzze8EaleHScBUu7RITsQU5SFH3-bF8Bqqp4Y6yVJkP6dwYHbL_xeqVogmD34LzvIV1lCT390ZZcf0ooRTMAFiZ7UmuiKlZoIYfDSlGMa2kD1MVh4Ym3CqG6cVx4wIPObMO7QZvHyUI7XMK7J/s8160/20230721_104450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXzx_AFoqMN1H48u4b55rzd8beHqaYH80qTwQn9sag81Kzze8EaleHScBUu7RITsQU5SFH3-bF8Bqqp4Y6yVJkP6dwYHbL_xeqVogmD34LzvIV1lCT390ZZcf0ooRTMAFiZ7UmuiKlZoIYfDSlGMa2kD1MVh4Ym3CqG6cVx4wIPObMO7QZvHyUI7XMK7J/w640-h480/20230721_104450.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Morston Quay is situated just within the shelter of Blakeney Point. The point forms a wonderful backdrop to the quay area, with it's salt marshes in the foreground. Perfect for keen bird watchers, who might just catch a glimpse of brent geese, little egrets, spoonbills, marsh harriers and more. There is the opportunity to take a trip with one of the boat operators to see the seals at Blakeney Point.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTcWcn3kjxL-NPjraRci-uvW-beW6Mct--xOk_bKVisgYBe0JzEshMPJytkI3zTAKwUDUWNJ3iDp9ARYMQsGME3OGAanQ9nx1vqLYigZeyaPVfRQvFuYtmqHPEnzR1Vyk7BaVrFr18BaZEuoOFxX59ltM4_ryzifZRUuVCgRRkJFUcBWKsV5D1ZB5SxMl/s7592/20230721_104750.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5694" data-original-width="7592" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTcWcn3kjxL-NPjraRci-uvW-beW6Mct--xOk_bKVisgYBe0JzEshMPJytkI3zTAKwUDUWNJ3iDp9ARYMQsGME3OGAanQ9nx1vqLYigZeyaPVfRQvFuYtmqHPEnzR1Vyk7BaVrFr18BaZEuoOFxX59ltM4_ryzifZRUuVCgRRkJFUcBWKsV5D1ZB5SxMl/w640-h480/20230721_104750.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBdjXALjLB-SdsO5pCqqepsU3ZYK8lDGwUIm9DzFSFHnCxgSmYEhdqx_-s7OnWXGfLWaPfDpr6Nwkmt53b6PoBxwd8nFZAyl_hnQuFgWBP7hnCryRb9j8VFekfj4eDB470i0jhMAHjL3ZYTmNvJIE5EoMP4fBYm0Ujw2bJwWmIGwAs8VfhQIWzZRfEtLi/s7958/20230721_105011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5968" data-original-width="7958" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBdjXALjLB-SdsO5pCqqepsU3ZYK8lDGwUIm9DzFSFHnCxgSmYEhdqx_-s7OnWXGfLWaPfDpr6Nwkmt53b6PoBxwd8nFZAyl_hnQuFgWBP7hnCryRb9j8VFekfj4eDB470i0jhMAHjL3ZYTmNvJIE5EoMP4fBYm0Ujw2bJwWmIGwAs8VfhQIWzZRfEtLi/w640-h480/20230721_105011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is also a café , serving up hot and cold drinks, cakes, sandwiches, crisps and snacks here. With outdoors seating available.</div></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19.2px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTb0eHnZdgbj6Qrhh38Xwy0ES4NTDACmI0hI86XC4kHt6V9KypYHro8p5txKgpF-rYY0Cvrfjx--_doydtHa-PqNg0yyDSfHmND0Rxpi5UBLJ2Lo5ObeYFdvUsBN2OlM_wPIIDS8AFsQkWtATRI60QLJnlxcUiSc4RiggRRWW6-Fpe2ZnTnIltenRM1jg/s8160/20230721_105021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTb0eHnZdgbj6Qrhh38Xwy0ES4NTDACmI0hI86XC4kHt6V9KypYHro8p5txKgpF-rYY0Cvrfjx--_doydtHa-PqNg0yyDSfHmND0Rxpi5UBLJ2Lo5ObeYFdvUsBN2OlM_wPIIDS8AFsQkWtATRI60QLJnlxcUiSc4RiggRRWW6-Fpe2ZnTnIltenRM1jg/w640-h480/20230721_105021.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnArNao0valYYhM8d-YwfFPK11h-HcUy-WIkwlahjxTR7cZTXxNgRNvT9DCj5Y0sYqysdIEKG3gBQjMayQAGxOi19zqnieuv_IovViW4dExiFKyy1ACBHXbCmnzEg05jQ2rNkFUJ_zFSprZg05P0OeHb9qgu2MJ59uXcg8rpeQzMGnK3wo_VCq7om2RtiY/s2386/20230721_105027.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2125" data-original-width="2386" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnArNao0valYYhM8d-YwfFPK11h-HcUy-WIkwlahjxTR7cZTXxNgRNvT9DCj5Y0sYqysdIEKG3gBQjMayQAGxOi19zqnieuv_IovViW4dExiFKyy1ACBHXbCmnzEg05jQ2rNkFUJ_zFSprZg05P0OeHb9qgu2MJ59uXcg8rpeQzMGnK3wo_VCq7om2RtiY/w640-h570/20230721_105027.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We stop while Ian uses the toilet and I watch the people and boats go by, the marsh here is also awash with sea lavender.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewWuKlKtnzQlpi6UCAzGOKbr9A8AiSS8-xVq0bGzdYCgGbsCOruHw56EMDdONhTrBK1ZslAmF_foVXC47TH8UWiF1nW0fp5nOrbj3Cdei7UjneHI8AWqQRZLYDp5W27XoonCiDgmgkiOt83OkZ_-u8XTqDGYoOehr-V6afkKni5-f1l3yzUXKTq-44Dqo/s8160/20230721_105115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewWuKlKtnzQlpi6UCAzGOKbr9A8AiSS8-xVq0bGzdYCgGbsCOruHw56EMDdONhTrBK1ZslAmF_foVXC47TH8UWiF1nW0fp5nOrbj3Cdei7UjneHI8AWqQRZLYDp5W27XoonCiDgmgkiOt83OkZ_-u8XTqDGYoOehr-V6afkKni5-f1l3yzUXKTq-44Dqo/w640-h480/20230721_105115.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on towards Blakeney.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uw4m9ZTue_M5HgHeGWl8kMIoeL44w-k5f_k_LSsW9AzWnhVMTHflD6nYFsag4mLC1sBwmmL93pyTzFEovc9GgEknUaknwNd4Uz7E2BOyI_3r3qbWbQ35yHkzMeYB_3K1O7An2NgNR-n3BglVd0LzonwUExxnFn0CCtP1O81cAbMFdevhDNAITD1TaJrO/s8160/20230721_105710.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uw4m9ZTue_M5HgHeGWl8kMIoeL44w-k5f_k_LSsW9AzWnhVMTHflD6nYFsag4mLC1sBwmmL93pyTzFEovc9GgEknUaknwNd4Uz7E2BOyI_3r3qbWbQ35yHkzMeYB_3K1O7An2NgNR-n3BglVd0LzonwUExxnFn0CCtP1O81cAbMFdevhDNAITD1TaJrO/w640-h480/20230721_105710.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfkmc9Ow1205JgaCicC-ioCs1HKoP7bWdKZZt7jQnp27kcgxGbXRxLbcaH9v61Ed82e9MLB_qJIjZ65ABFvLo998MzbMpVosqEFqxPAsaMpKlQx_LT9OAeo21Vzgdbzs8wk9uysAdoDR2j_c5I15EfLbaFrrjXnKOPX7HacZa-5ZaRy4iDPbCVfx7Flpb/s7649/20230721_110016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5737" data-original-width="7649" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfkmc9Ow1205JgaCicC-ioCs1HKoP7bWdKZZt7jQnp27kcgxGbXRxLbcaH9v61Ed82e9MLB_qJIjZ65ABFvLo998MzbMpVosqEFqxPAsaMpKlQx_LT9OAeo21Vzgdbzs8wk9uysAdoDR2j_c5I15EfLbaFrrjXnKOPX7HacZa-5ZaRy4iDPbCVfx7Flpb/w640-h480/20230721_110016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We follow the embankment with marshes either side flanked with wild flowers.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5gEsRpOs6-D13RYbK-jlCpMDFZCPrk2GAybuv_fKzA8ogOJaU79YIsNzrl8tdAqy77xisNsKMYxBBTVWf9RJgM4yGudyGhtrdc-5YQ2imvzPFcon8Wfl3A3lQijjumol-v2HnXg4AEOS7xzUnbEBDQjs5RtXdBtYTdLKFfaVFm9HA76LImP2uO_kgYA8/s8160/20230721_110946.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5gEsRpOs6-D13RYbK-jlCpMDFZCPrk2GAybuv_fKzA8ogOJaU79YIsNzrl8tdAqy77xisNsKMYxBBTVWf9RJgM4yGudyGhtrdc-5YQ2imvzPFcon8Wfl3A3lQijjumol-v2HnXg4AEOS7xzUnbEBDQjs5RtXdBtYTdLKFfaVFm9HA76LImP2uO_kgYA8/w640-h480/20230721_110946.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As we approach we can see Higher up the village, the Church of St Nicholas has two towers: the main tower is more than 100 ft (30 m) high and a well-known landmark for miles around; the smaller tower was built as a beacon to guide boats into Blakeney Harbour.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiHB4SZPYxdqFBz-cvbkzcedUCTCxv6OmwWtsUD0Io8-CMrzsUfWcONuEgNbqbiHA9f8TvxpsgMVntLSsbPn_-DfOtIbaz3oM4yvQH63JA-PEuD82rOew0s-gIBIUi_4E6ocsdmtPLJoGCcUdWKlaCwAnyu_kX6uA5Tf0I8IgzIaakEb9ZG7yzMxfIKmi/s7829/20230721_111928.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5872" data-original-width="7829" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiHB4SZPYxdqFBz-cvbkzcedUCTCxv6OmwWtsUD0Io8-CMrzsUfWcONuEgNbqbiHA9f8TvxpsgMVntLSsbPn_-DfOtIbaz3oM4yvQH63JA-PEuD82rOew0s-gIBIUi_4E6ocsdmtPLJoGCcUdWKlaCwAnyu_kX6uA5Tf0I8IgzIaakEb9ZG7yzMxfIKmi/w640-h480/20230721_111928.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We now follow the Agar Creek into Blakeney.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWSiFzHTfvSmAI5SBkM1zaWyn2Y5hV_PxsiRXQAtmDJq5sK53lfMwfwwgxiCPnRoAXmOB3vaXVNz3g0450FWzDAw4Dpf0xBtWpKCp-7iHF1PXyHpsbMhFkSZJGVGzqDlIRCPT-W_P2zDsF7ponoj_S6NLH_O6zGZ2IULv_m3kBnMg_5_exYSafSOzh0sR/s8160/20230721_112010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWSiFzHTfvSmAI5SBkM1zaWyn2Y5hV_PxsiRXQAtmDJq5sK53lfMwfwwgxiCPnRoAXmOB3vaXVNz3g0450FWzDAw4Dpf0xBtWpKCp-7iHF1PXyHpsbMhFkSZJGVGzqDlIRCPT-W_P2zDsF7ponoj_S6NLH_O6zGZ2IULv_m3kBnMg_5_exYSafSOzh0sR/w640-h480/20230721_112010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was here with the wife back in February, what a difference some nice weather makes!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WKL7k4RxUQJCIcn3Y8IJ5F4ajVHKNa_rPDI63YjCxWL5-3uywCBH161jeftt8DFrLwNQI0BlmkayG5nct2okY1_boTAcc-z6ZP0uVhBrSY0RA_PRzkJpvBYEbAdXY16rz_v-aQ-cX6bpn3xZxvvCJs5L-hIicg2m3n-sApM2TYHW8SxmAIddtaq-J_I3/s7839/20230721_112115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7839" data-original-width="5879" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WKL7k4RxUQJCIcn3Y8IJ5F4ajVHKNa_rPDI63YjCxWL5-3uywCBH161jeftt8DFrLwNQI0BlmkayG5nct2okY1_boTAcc-z6ZP0uVhBrSY0RA_PRzkJpvBYEbAdXY16rz_v-aQ-cX6bpn3xZxvvCJs5L-hIicg2m3n-sApM2TYHW8SxmAIddtaq-J_I3/w480-h640/20230721_112115.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Blakeney was a commercial seaport until the early 20th century. Now the harbour is silted up, and only small boats can make their way out past Blakeney Point to the sea. Adjacent to the hill, at the foot of the village's High Street, is the old Guildhall with a 14th-century undercroft.</div></div><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULFRRQuZYtPC98D40FyM9amqRKZbo71INotNMgmgF0m9baAVpmVDk1UKv2n8KYTpki5AyiEcKTz5oytyOBj8kafkKLtU77SZG4lClsKHaTG1FpaPKVaNf2_HH0sYd2DYqwibN3AvReLTNyalFvnydqNd3BU34E6tzMzLuGBCjMA4iuFVsNTBXXEDzsT-h/s7554/20230721_112138.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5665" data-original-width="7554" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULFRRQuZYtPC98D40FyM9amqRKZbo71INotNMgmgF0m9baAVpmVDk1UKv2n8KYTpki5AyiEcKTz5oytyOBj8kafkKLtU77SZG4lClsKHaTG1FpaPKVaNf2_HH0sYd2DYqwibN3AvReLTNyalFvnydqNd3BU34E6tzMzLuGBCjMA4iuFVsNTBXXEDzsT-h/w640-h480/20230721_112138.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the Domesday Book of 1086, Blakeney is recorded under the name Esnuterle (later, Snitterley); the main landholders are noted as Walter Gifford and William de Noyers. The settlement first appears under the name Blakeney in a document which dates from 1340. Around the same period Edward III's wife, Queen Philippa is said to have dined on fish caught by Blakeney’s fishermen.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The village's name means 'Black island'.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkUrFhgKXjYxGtrRQFtTyRxNwTfaj_PYzAE7UHly_3EYh8zWP-lhzQ-dZXZXEYdEK1sNkvBSf9RPCsUs8u04frEBY_hl90rn-Wo37LuLBgSSmsV4UmRlZOIsy2INIF5lxARCl7M6gm-LEIMG4QQemJCGZBPXFlHelWnUPg2edUG8wkYbSAlfNVCzOdAtF/s8160/20230721_112215.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkUrFhgKXjYxGtrRQFtTyRxNwTfaj_PYzAE7UHly_3EYh8zWP-lhzQ-dZXZXEYdEK1sNkvBSf9RPCsUs8u04frEBY_hl90rn-Wo37LuLBgSSmsV4UmRlZOIsy2INIF5lxARCl7M6gm-LEIMG4QQemJCGZBPXFlHelWnUPg2edUG8wkYbSAlfNVCzOdAtF/w640-h480/20230721_112215.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Blakeney Haven was a deeper inlet on the north coast of Norfolk into which the River Glaven flowed. Sheltered behind Blakeney Point, it was a major shipping area in the Middle Ages, with relatively important North Norfolk ports at Wiveton, Cley next the Sea and Blakeney itself. Cley and Wiveton silted up in the 17th century, but Blakeney prospered, especially after the channel to the Haven was deepened in 1817. Packet ships ran from that port to Hull and London from 1840. This trade declined as ships became too large for the harbour, and it is now silted up with access only for small boats.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13mYXGc-je4IPLk8vs-in2xAy5l6MG18deAUOE8V7YXXIo-L1Y3PsOigmyeLJNbutMsdST8Jq60cSf_-_fjxtYm98D639LY3V1CmCNTBFDPtW1EnM8cp3_knJK_evl_Cn545GqjJqgrDUOrk3zeHlDpQ3Hi4x9y_7MXyoUJJm_8NYDRXKgMF_zBaD7IWf/s8160/20230721_112241.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13mYXGc-je4IPLk8vs-in2xAy5l6MG18deAUOE8V7YXXIo-L1Y3PsOigmyeLJNbutMsdST8Jq60cSf_-_fjxtYm98D639LY3V1CmCNTBFDPtW1EnM8cp3_knJK_evl_Cn545GqjJqgrDUOrk3zeHlDpQ3Hi4x9y_7MXyoUJJm_8NYDRXKgMF_zBaD7IWf/w640-h480/20230721_112241.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From the 12th century Blakeney had a reputation for acts of piracy: between 1328 and 1350 it is recorded that men of Blakeney boarded two vessels sailing from Flanders and sailed them back to Blakeney haven, where they were stripped of their cargoes. Many a foreign merchant ship which sought shelter in the haven found its cargo stolen. Such was the lawlessness of the residents that the village refused to supply a ship for the battle against the Spanish Armada.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYT62zrDr0S05mtHylbfFcsoH-8Oq1KsfCHMPWl59Y76e16LnT5Ffv63Chub8c7A-1p-5xUwBozKetKvZckCHaeLWPsfODX1fe56Bq7PWJBRUoBeB-_MppazvF3i5IenUhOmoulPfWfVtAAYGSs5bCOdwbADTO-7AtDeFT3YVr5Hx7_lHLBcXNGB2vwyPV/s2600/20230721_112313.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2600" data-original-width="1950" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYT62zrDr0S05mtHylbfFcsoH-8Oq1KsfCHMPWl59Y76e16LnT5Ffv63Chub8c7A-1p-5xUwBozKetKvZckCHaeLWPsfODX1fe56Bq7PWJBRUoBeB-_MppazvF3i5IenUhOmoulPfWfVtAAYGSs5bCOdwbADTO-7AtDeFT3YVr5Hx7_lHLBcXNGB2vwyPV/w480-h640/20230721_112313.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We stop off for some cockles from the trailer in the car park, very nice too!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmKocHdvtcydCGX5Mp6w96rewdM3EikFloUgzwqt5ZhvBSjdq0HKUAjpqAh1hj9rMTJ-zc2QEUJEyBEDwAcGJ9MnrVsRilrcW-Si6OocZiRtMN9fwHX6qvlX9Q1k43GTikqt6mOV8ow9orh-XjFSRQ1c9qMng2i0Hy29eSsUSL5YADnu-D0EZ12jyOhbI/s8160/20230721_112825.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmKocHdvtcydCGX5Mp6w96rewdM3EikFloUgzwqt5ZhvBSjdq0HKUAjpqAh1hj9rMTJ-zc2QEUJEyBEDwAcGJ9MnrVsRilrcW-Si6OocZiRtMN9fwHX6qvlX9Q1k43GTikqt6mOV8ow9orh-XjFSRQ1c9qMng2i0Hy29eSsUSL5YADnu-D0EZ12jyOhbI/w480-h640/20230721_112825.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on, now following the New Cut and the Fresh Marshes.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSJyhYhfD5igY2GnQwFXzqJKYSciCHZAM0t6_5DF04j_DJ0efskeyW2hzNHpRQQ_5BIcfo76YPLFaaX_X85KR9UsS6TkcUWjx18E6KnX6_5kKBezIG9kE9ACYtMlgDAFiGsUfTm5ds3QfOCcH1V9GYdyNHGjq05-Yts3uHyFOahH1RLqoVUvOQ1tE48E1/s8045/20230721_112908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6034" data-original-width="8045" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSJyhYhfD5igY2GnQwFXzqJKYSciCHZAM0t6_5DF04j_DJ0efskeyW2hzNHpRQQ_5BIcfo76YPLFaaX_X85KR9UsS6TkcUWjx18E6KnX6_5kKBezIG9kE9ACYtMlgDAFiGsUfTm5ds3QfOCcH1V9GYdyNHGjq05-Yts3uHyFOahH1RLqoVUvOQ1tE48E1/w640-h480/20230721_112908.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppfgCVBsKC0ae0yH_-W6N4HHahbg6qGbyjPUIqEIPa9U_Xo5pNpRcM2s05WIYLk4gtWXqpz7-jHNKatnretxfFQVgsI17L48c-9hq5I-5VZLj8ZMmO22v6jom7H5WRx0VSa1h7w42IB24qMfndbsRC4mqZN-gIXZYwdoT65_lmRzdnotAJ76z_wgoTsNZ/s8160/20230721_120603.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppfgCVBsKC0ae0yH_-W6N4HHahbg6qGbyjPUIqEIPa9U_Xo5pNpRcM2s05WIYLk4gtWXqpz7-jHNKatnretxfFQVgsI17L48c-9hq5I-5VZLj8ZMmO22v6jom7H5WRx0VSa1h7w42IB24qMfndbsRC4mqZN-gIXZYwdoT65_lmRzdnotAJ76z_wgoTsNZ/w640-h480/20230721_120603.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPwvnHE5W7npm7TRdEnvTtJ1IxfKFdYeQIG4FGrkRE_JVIm3DZ8jue2bx1iDUIf_9fXoywIjZljIStyKtBrb8EPHhGZ8kFQsZ6NEcD2_4TNJ8A1aWyjGC__xsNHxMsH6LmyDduZsdQCFJM89NilLUiLLpJyfJHd4nn21ukwlqf4me9d3NMI6um1ITn0dx/s7862/20230721_120653.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5897" data-original-width="7862" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPwvnHE5W7npm7TRdEnvTtJ1IxfKFdYeQIG4FGrkRE_JVIm3DZ8jue2bx1iDUIf_9fXoywIjZljIStyKtBrb8EPHhGZ8kFQsZ6NEcD2_4TNJ8A1aWyjGC__xsNHxMsH6LmyDduZsdQCFJM89NilLUiLLpJyfJHd4nn21ukwlqf4me9d3NMI6um1ITn0dx/w640-h480/20230721_120653.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The marsh takes a long loop around and we can see the windmill at Cley Next the Sea in the distance.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcfQhoeWfWg-5B03KlHCZDDTqMLMYeVck33pWAGdL87_idOFp7E3bBq4NKn2fp8mkPmjZ9PejZd1pF5911KTrgrZXwtZW8nL-FHwrPE0HX4DqIBlg7wy28j9TfEzNnoDh6-QpysS807ORJX6pSZHUJ3gE9nEO8rSZwdAKhwUQ9-75NEZYCidrA6uR8cfz/s2944/20230721_121856.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="2944" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcfQhoeWfWg-5B03KlHCZDDTqMLMYeVck33pWAGdL87_idOFp7E3bBq4NKn2fp8mkPmjZ9PejZd1pF5911KTrgrZXwtZW8nL-FHwrPE0HX4DqIBlg7wy28j9TfEzNnoDh6-QpysS807ORJX6pSZHUJ3gE9nEO8rSZwdAKhwUQ9-75NEZYCidrA6uR8cfz/w640-h480/20230721_121856.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After a while we eventually start the walk into Cley Next The Sea and get our first close up view of its windmill.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OLwgP-FP8dddExcZIJ9CCPLf86CIlBsXxs3urnZBveSNYLfMx0BxYpwSwBA3kwXdXIgrVHf_z2eh0JpxX2pDHRp9nCj0LM7dQnkYOwbltknU6Rvo4XMyFWdRSUyLR_2_iKV42oOlTALdxP77lM_NwPoCesWIGdSNNckNJPeRJqE8M7qac1SFfWa-Fq0v/s7874/20230721_121902.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5905" data-original-width="7874" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OLwgP-FP8dddExcZIJ9CCPLf86CIlBsXxs3urnZBveSNYLfMx0BxYpwSwBA3kwXdXIgrVHf_z2eh0JpxX2pDHRp9nCj0LM7dQnkYOwbltknU6Rvo4XMyFWdRSUyLR_2_iKV42oOlTALdxP77lM_NwPoCesWIGdSNNckNJPeRJqE8M7qac1SFfWa-Fq0v/w640-h480/20230721_121902.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCwdKlDAU-tETyjNml_ieNwDUq0jrIRvXZ_sGyL7bE5sNN47EYCBszJMgihNGoME9xZzv3Q5M89faUvssHayc4xQiFgNQ2WKGKxSU7IDgE4cwgV4rLdAGwKCbB_XaTdil_vg5D-wOM1zU2RxgDWgAKnPdLkkil0rro3jeIAvFF2lv-mRE59mOEvtaYfJJ/s8020/20230721_122135.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6015" data-original-width="8020" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCwdKlDAU-tETyjNml_ieNwDUq0jrIRvXZ_sGyL7bE5sNN47EYCBszJMgihNGoME9xZzv3Q5M89faUvssHayc4xQiFgNQ2WKGKxSU7IDgE4cwgV4rLdAGwKCbB_XaTdil_vg5D-wOM1zU2RxgDWgAKnPdLkkil0rro3jeIAvFF2lv-mRE59mOEvtaYfJJ/w640-h480/20230721_122135.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We drop down onto New Road and walk up the road visiting Picnic Fayre. Nice selection of beer and cider as well as other fresh produce. Loved to have bought some booze to take home but didn't relish the idea of carrying the extra weight!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBBiVcYG6zEMs21EqCoocIDkex0ADCiusvrKUUoucjhZgBxL0w0j_S5A7NP6XrfttZmIQXwB58XMQywAY1oajrpxKHgdo2PfAfW8c5aQHBUsGJxnilmGFfjcGtxm5vYmCJTUCMr2J-sqTpAi0Dub5L1zv1Ln5gkg_vd4j9U5XlA2i8ZCjAje_zyCj8lYA/s8160/20230721_122901.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBBiVcYG6zEMs21EqCoocIDkex0ADCiusvrKUUoucjhZgBxL0w0j_S5A7NP6XrfttZmIQXwB58XMQywAY1oajrpxKHgdo2PfAfW8c5aQHBUsGJxnilmGFfjcGtxm5vYmCJTUCMr2J-sqTpAi0Dub5L1zv1Ln5gkg_vd4j9U5XlA2i8ZCjAje_zyCj8lYA/w640-h480/20230721_122901.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The village's name is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derives from the Old English term for a settlement close to the sea with an abundance of clay.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the Domesday Book, Cley is recorded as a settlement of 38 households located in the hundred of Holt. The village formed parts of the East Anglian estates of King William I.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZV86oAbrDzEfKvQLoXkqXYA1sLDbVHORtS1eAPDj92Ig1xJlFGaQuTchnRF-qsMhP85_eTVOImgULwdeptGiBbBFT1kYtNxmnRWekodyG6SUhlplwwWznTHswaYr5NSfdMCEFaHP--xCJ8_QZhXL4JO6u77PoJz_WSPKXO2JvR_NHT7Lm5Kc5kq5wxj7v/s8160/20230721_122919.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZV86oAbrDzEfKvQLoXkqXYA1sLDbVHORtS1eAPDj92Ig1xJlFGaQuTchnRF-qsMhP85_eTVOImgULwdeptGiBbBFT1kYtNxmnRWekodyG6SUhlplwwWznTHswaYr5NSfdMCEFaHP--xCJ8_QZhXL4JO6u77PoJz_WSPKXO2JvR_NHT7Lm5Kc5kq5wxj7v/w640-h480/20230721_122919.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We stop off to look in the Cley Smokehouse, smelt amazing in there, but couldn't see the fish faring too well after a long walk in the heat, so again no purchase.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOV2ZxgosQoeFAfYOD-j_-TKUkrLoWLMkxNMFwl6BBxpdcK5-3_tY7TbV99xYb6OIi6kaQiKf3gMQ63cT3KVsEXoinqkUdBnXdUVRsKTCyayRyEcLuz3unrEMtJ6ATEvlbbNG-KNTF4vuBrVQ5Aj7DC0fXv2P0Niq4bFjlfd4FrH5XTWg2N99TLdJ9i8mj/s7542/20230721_123052.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7542" data-original-width="5657" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOV2ZxgosQoeFAfYOD-j_-TKUkrLoWLMkxNMFwl6BBxpdcK5-3_tY7TbV99xYb6OIi6kaQiKf3gMQ63cT3KVsEXoinqkUdBnXdUVRsKTCyayRyEcLuz3unrEMtJ6ATEvlbbNG-KNTF4vuBrVQ5Aj7DC0fXv2P0Niq4bFjlfd4FrH5XTWg2N99TLdJ9i8mj/w480-h640/20230721_123052.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A great looking footpath leads away from the High Street alongside some houses, but we aren't going that way.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyCcaI8IUOxLxsCVMz_djip9gM-9Qj06Jduw_mPvw6NeLQXLeusK-0Yluqiwdv0TMSbz9z4VMPNgZay7RVfQV4oNTs3ZtPJjo9_fsiWlD-z3Cpb-ZBju9NFnubMzmv_eyN7FMtcZRP-3tnnLxeL0Q49_4K1E9wnozQXHVQWIj9D1r0x02L6zndSS2mHJL/s7783/20230721_123133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5837" data-original-width="7783" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyCcaI8IUOxLxsCVMz_djip9gM-9Qj06Jduw_mPvw6NeLQXLeusK-0Yluqiwdv0TMSbz9z4VMPNgZay7RVfQV4oNTs3ZtPJjo9_fsiWlD-z3Cpb-ZBju9NFnubMzmv_eyN7FMtcZRP-3tnnLxeL0Q49_4K1E9wnozQXHVQWIj9D1r0x02L6zndSS2mHJL/w640-h480/20230721_123133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cley was once one of the busiest ports in England, where grain, malt, fish, spices, coal, cloth, barley and oats were exported or imported. The many Flemish gables in the town are a reminder of trade with the Low Countries. But despite its name, Cley has not been "next the sea" since the 17th century, due to land reclamation. Some of the buildings that once lined the quay remain, notably the 18th-century Cley Windmill. The windmill, a five-storey tower mill, was owned by the family of singer James Blunt for many decades and operated as a bed and breakfast. The mill was sold in 2006, but continues to operate as a bed and breakfast on a non-profit making basis. It was used as a backdrop of the 1949 film Conspirator with Elizabeth Taylor. Cley Mill has often been depicted by local artists and was the subject of a painting by the 20th-century English landscape artist, Rowland Hilder.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After the silting up of the port, Cley had to find another industry; in the late 19th century, it became a holiday resort. The poet Rupert Brooke was staying in Cley with classics professor Francis Macdonald Cornford and his wife, the poet Frances Cornford, early in August 1914 when news came that Britain had entered what was to become the First World War. Brooke had dreamt about the war and woke to find it a reality. He did not speak to his hosts all day until Frances Cornford said, "But Rupert, you won't have to fight?" to which Brooke replied, "We shall all have to fight".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDSvz-sXJE_yfsi2RgmZY2qeDmxs-RZuYGrlDJoTE7JoTgf9yhAYQsfRVlCnatVlWJheQKnqlZhM_N6O1rlWP92AwmDB8LMVrHtKQjVGFF9rg7VEMCsiowZP1O2J8uTugj1hK5zKe6UqADEziLXQ0Uw4x-garfKDN4RQHBTg04tH6mqBIsiMg5GiFIuKu/s7668/20230721_123154.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7668" data-original-width="5751" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDSvz-sXJE_yfsi2RgmZY2qeDmxs-RZuYGrlDJoTE7JoTgf9yhAYQsfRVlCnatVlWJheQKnqlZhM_N6O1rlWP92AwmDB8LMVrHtKQjVGFF9rg7VEMCsiowZP1O2J8uTugj1hK5zKe6UqADEziLXQ0Uw4x-garfKDN4RQHBTg04tH6mqBIsiMg5GiFIuKu/w480-h640/20230721_123154.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on a little further, a signpost marks the trail down another alleyway, we follow this and onto a nettle filled alleyway beyond, we decide this isn't much fun and return to the High Street to see more of Cley, we will re-join the path a little further up.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCtHUcpF9tJmNGfBb0culcdkyOp2QSSROHx_bMOjp9zIeMxZj1CxE8MPhSdDOuqNcUdGceM68CVb7vnsOCYXaniaWvN0byJ9RVJVAW54rJwHTFgaycuORgkfprMjOzqalOWPMiSh1-rp6bVffu4DgYd7gC_wYipMEjyLK7FIIaeDaF4ZuxKCZGZFGUE2M/s8160/20230721_123351.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCtHUcpF9tJmNGfBb0culcdkyOp2QSSROHx_bMOjp9zIeMxZj1CxE8MPhSdDOuqNcUdGceM68CVb7vnsOCYXaniaWvN0byJ9RVJVAW54rJwHTFgaycuORgkfprMjOzqalOWPMiSh1-rp6bVffu4DgYd7gC_wYipMEjyLK7FIIaeDaF4ZuxKCZGZFGUE2M/w640-h480/20230721_123351.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Further up the High Street was the George Hotel, I poked my head and and spied some nice looking beers so we popped in for a half. I had a Woodfordes Norfolk Gold and we sat in the beer garden across the road.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTridIfA92wvPyQkbM0aV93P-jre40o1UufjeomgR6KD37Nfti3gBkLnw5GbJUSGB-QAR-scx8ka00LHdmNHcZLCGOcsPyhaTa1CfJmzptq1pV5Apjrt_w5piOUEgP7_Xwm-8d6RH11yOOUt1e6oQSyD4UQMRFVcO0AdAIA3m1lZdaWPBRUZy-0axg2N8S/s8160/20230721_123647.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTridIfA92wvPyQkbM0aV93P-jre40o1UufjeomgR6KD37Nfti3gBkLnw5GbJUSGB-QAR-scx8ka00LHdmNHcZLCGOcsPyhaTa1CfJmzptq1pV5Apjrt_w5piOUEgP7_Xwm-8d6RH11yOOUt1e6oQSyD4UQMRFVcO0AdAIA3m1lZdaWPBRUZy-0axg2N8S/w480-h640/20230721_123647.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Continuing along the High Street we take the path to the Coast Path and the Cley Windmill.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAiWzLNKOILFS_lpH6SLodawDMU-5q08MbT_IZSqTAlp729RDRTGjxOj6mrf1f0fEAX-2kjgndL9QIaFMlfixkiLeNPoL4Z3pK109TA_EZcFlQqD-s6KUTaW1u1bu6IO1HcP7G1Xfp31a3CQmGRnmpbeli0xLKcuVR_EsdqOQWcbIMnGdmfirnr6gRvvQ/s8160/20230721_125209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAiWzLNKOILFS_lpH6SLodawDMU-5q08MbT_IZSqTAlp729RDRTGjxOj6mrf1f0fEAX-2kjgndL9QIaFMlfixkiLeNPoL4Z3pK109TA_EZcFlQqD-s6KUTaW1u1bu6IO1HcP7G1Xfp31a3CQmGRnmpbeli0xLKcuVR_EsdqOQWcbIMnGdmfirnr6gRvvQ/w480-h640/20230721_125209.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cley Windmill is a five storey tower mill with a stage at second floor level, twenty feet above ground. It has a dome shaped cap with a gallery which was winded by an eight-bladed fantail, ten feet six inches in diameter. The cap is now fixed and unable to turn to wind. There are four double Patent sails with a span of 70 ft, carried on stocks 56 feet (17.07 m) long. The inner pair have eight bays of three shutters and the outer pair have nine bays of two shutters and one of three shutters. In 1819 the sails powered two pairs of French burr millstones, a flour mill and jumper but by 1876 this had been increased to three pairs of stones and a smut machine had been added.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyNY760E107BhLaXSEOJ4fzFr5vvIYqktTUcgxWCUJAf0ypLxNzBLxql9Vlrp2RZJ6t9ASHgpQGGu7_YC2m74VToN5Td8UKh8F3e2_AqCN2WS_wGrbbIhCUbFeWPpZAtzhvdBOqALf0sXmhDju_MiGW4Z9KZcOz9qgWFNv7iqkOHpyZxBIIj3KAOP61Vk/s8160/20230721_125255.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyNY760E107BhLaXSEOJ4fzFr5vvIYqktTUcgxWCUJAf0ypLxNzBLxql9Vlrp2RZJ6t9ASHgpQGGu7_YC2m74VToN5Td8UKh8F3e2_AqCN2WS_wGrbbIhCUbFeWPpZAtzhvdBOqALf0sXmhDju_MiGW4Z9KZcOz9qgWFNv7iqkOHpyZxBIIj3KAOP61Vk/w480-h640/20230721_125255.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cley Windmill was built in the early 19th century. It was not marked on William Faden's map of Norfolk published in 1797. The first mention was an advert in the Norfolk Chronicle of 26 June 1819, where the mill was for sale, described as "newly erected" and in the ownership of the Farthing family. The mill was not sold and remained the property of the Farthing family, until 1875, when Dorothy Farthing, the then owner, died. The mill was bought by the miller, Stephen Barnabas Burroughes. It was worked by the Burroughes family until c. 1912, when the business was transferred to their windmill at Holt.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7WwzaxyB7tI5RavrCLuj4tMz4nQzjQMxhzg-KB4UfT84E5r10q9yso75eL5LiZ_z3ASn5N11S361UIjoT8Xw54Y13UqlWCSiNRs2bOe7_mTrfegxkEsKsk8cw1IUXC_3wvBErbPIjydp7wIZWQIf4KMUYDgYZljgQH-AF0KY5TVUDWlWJ8SnF5reZbBb/s7811/20230721_125425.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7811" data-original-width="5858" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7WwzaxyB7tI5RavrCLuj4tMz4nQzjQMxhzg-KB4UfT84E5r10q9yso75eL5LiZ_z3ASn5N11S361UIjoT8Xw54Y13UqlWCSiNRs2bOe7_mTrfegxkEsKsk8cw1IUXC_3wvBErbPIjydp7wIZWQIf4KMUYDgYZljgQH-AF0KY5TVUDWlWJ8SnF5reZbBb/w480-h640/20230721_125425.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We follow the path away and have a great view back to the windmill from creek.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Along the creek you can make out a building sitting alone in the marshes, this is is known as Blakeney Chapel; despite its name, it is in Cley parish, and probably never had a religious purpose. It is a Grade II listed building and scheduled monument which was likely an old iron smeltery.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZgLkgdqok2WtJEXNlluMZhV_GLH_Dr551ul1Aa8C6gi9hRE1jYWFC0ZRuf7IPhRKYuk7gazVj71JU_T4HjVzI1qCLiB5py9_ALsdA6afnOD0JTKIyiQTQtnSiNZ4ffNfM3bvYhWtpCipVPFD8sBA0aSqlycJIJvmv4QZ_enMfKGlchoaV5Au5ZCyb_A2/s8160/20230721_125949.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZgLkgdqok2WtJEXNlluMZhV_GLH_Dr551ul1Aa8C6gi9hRE1jYWFC0ZRuf7IPhRKYuk7gazVj71JU_T4HjVzI1qCLiB5py9_ALsdA6afnOD0JTKIyiQTQtnSiNZ4ffNfM3bvYhWtpCipVPFD8sBA0aSqlycJIJvmv4QZ_enMfKGlchoaV5Au5ZCyb_A2/w480-h640/20230721_125949.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pass an odd looking metal structure, this is a Allan-Williams Turret located on the Norfolk Coast Path near the village of Cley next the Sea, Norfolk, England. These are World War II metal turrets, which could be rotated through a full 360 degrees, set above a steel and brick-lined pit. They were designed for all types of light machine gun to be fired either through the front loophole which was further protected by shutters, or through the circular opening in the roof in a light anti-aircraft role. It could also be armed with the Boys anti-tank rifle. The army did not favour the design; most were installed at airfields. Nearly 200 Allan-Williams Turrets were made and installed, salvaging of the metal after the war means that today very few remain.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLSMP0WsiKUFATW53wKO-eRPZQGYxQAJBNIELmt0c-BqvcicdPo7qhxlUmFpPgsXoRrva3FNVo2_02OQ7jhxNZkoe7oAaSYnolnhVK_6vs1Zp8bcqfoH41V5YLcO3R2KDv6orH-GdSP_Ud5oyo-NKFMLD0RCUM-rFQDUnLoeD29gz0PiLOldPZVs-iUSL/s7813/20230721_131141.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5859" data-original-width="7813" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLSMP0WsiKUFATW53wKO-eRPZQGYxQAJBNIELmt0c-BqvcicdPo7qhxlUmFpPgsXoRrva3FNVo2_02OQ7jhxNZkoe7oAaSYnolnhVK_6vs1Zp8bcqfoH41V5YLcO3R2KDv6orH-GdSP_Ud5oyo-NKFMLD0RCUM-rFQDUnLoeD29gz0PiLOldPZVs-iUSL/w640-h480/20230721_131141.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After following the path along a seabank that followed a road we arrive at Cley Beach.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4mS6ynyjvwo6FeIZDMDrbgIPCJeqnc4t7dT1lqqGw1gT4B_Mcqtbbup5LTlid8LtrlCRjrkMTfqA_t_KdpopmMpxxM6ghDdRzDXkOZb2kWIyymy9fkQsZ4m_foDd45cXmIFtWbpu3k8higfpNQHtVQZ-UZbDvu33rjYJ26FyrHlFHWFiadxxuBTTdHBz/s7935/20230721_131228.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5951" data-original-width="7935" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4mS6ynyjvwo6FeIZDMDrbgIPCJeqnc4t7dT1lqqGw1gT4B_Mcqtbbup5LTlid8LtrlCRjrkMTfqA_t_KdpopmMpxxM6ghDdRzDXkOZb2kWIyymy9fkQsZ4m_foDd45cXmIFtWbpu3k8higfpNQHtVQZ-UZbDvu33rjYJ26FyrHlFHWFiadxxuBTTdHBz/w640-h480/20230721_131228.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are fishing boats that are launched and retrieved from the sea by tractor.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfNNwq54oQp2EdcGcguvFxJ-fjGpEbwexriN4e7n-u1eNkd8hS-tUqfJXtsbDNiakmyfpYtI2cveKK_zaaiEP9ezIEO_fWKpSf0OBuOiKOPhdd1RXRGU28fiUq1nrVyXxMcj8RF1mAnu7hghyuCT2owFYAfmDP6Ixkh8tepMlMZAy4eBwdwUJCkEKkK93/s7933/20230721_131409.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5950" data-original-width="7933" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfNNwq54oQp2EdcGcguvFxJ-fjGpEbwexriN4e7n-u1eNkd8hS-tUqfJXtsbDNiakmyfpYtI2cveKK_zaaiEP9ezIEO_fWKpSf0OBuOiKOPhdd1RXRGU28fiUq1nrVyXxMcj8RF1mAnu7hghyuCT2owFYAfmDP6Ixkh8tepMlMZAy4eBwdwUJCkEKkK93/w640-h480/20230721_131409.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The path is now following the beach along heavy going shingle, but we retreat down to next the sea where the ground is firmer and easier to walk along.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="533" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mu2vF5Ukjvg" width="641" youtube-src-id="mu2vF5Ukjvg"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">The beach is filled with the sound of the waves crashing in combined with the sound of crunching shingle underfoot.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU59cwhozq_9491KHrsfFG7mEnnEZvlusmQ2mDE2GYbDlZd_KewnxCWXsEMClGTjxLILXOcofJqLOjhwve1tU68EwbwBuze7Inlmj1NthclsQ3J9CjoNa_H1TR6HZN0wZBBTm-0jxwfodVhd3rKEY2YPjVz4Mt3hHzx3437dMNkbOLt9rv6gtbir_mYppb/s2731/20230721_131521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2731" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU59cwhozq_9491KHrsfFG7mEnnEZvlusmQ2mDE2GYbDlZd_KewnxCWXsEMClGTjxLILXOcofJqLOjhwve1tU68EwbwBuze7Inlmj1NthclsQ3J9CjoNa_H1TR6HZN0wZBBTm-0jxwfodVhd3rKEY2YPjVz4Mt3hHzx3437dMNkbOLt9rv6gtbir_mYppb/w640-h480/20230721_131521.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkucNDuYDMqKs6S3Pk_uxYgAknuiLC1R1_1-gmiikKhJIa7nl3Z_Vx5_pEP7oLMymh5OIXx4-BLUPVaVzwLomOLuAtBxmjx3CQilDStTkksiGLdRVXItOfa9sPx_C4xsWH0buYKVbdefAvdHdJOMdAuWwlnuirK4Ugy6CzSmycm6alZyvBSu-klS4KbXD/s3456/20230721_131646.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3456" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkucNDuYDMqKs6S3Pk_uxYgAknuiLC1R1_1-gmiikKhJIa7nl3Z_Vx5_pEP7oLMymh5OIXx4-BLUPVaVzwLomOLuAtBxmjx3CQilDStTkksiGLdRVXItOfa9sPx_C4xsWH0buYKVbdefAvdHdJOMdAuWwlnuirK4Ugy6CzSmycm6alZyvBSu-klS4KbXD/w640-h480/20230721_131646.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The novelty of walking by the sea soon wears off as its is relentless and our pace has slowed due to the ground beneath our feet.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">At one point I look back and see Ian has fallen over a large pebble an has blood bleeding from his knee and hand. This beach is taking its toll.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBUprBcoGVMN_g-cVIXf0LUdAG-TGnn46I2HLLhMdQOntdpqn1rVIca3gcsUqybcGVLDvr7F-UUlyBk4TLcs8o3V9xNZeGmza7pTVDd0oz0Yrs4YVgz1vSmLSNSE6gVGITVj3Kw4N-mpNBxBiST1_wDmaMk91aTB8AwEqXQvyaFuJQ8LaHkjNfY9qf0SO/s7674/20230721_133237.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7674" data-original-width="5756" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBUprBcoGVMN_g-cVIXf0LUdAG-TGnn46I2HLLhMdQOntdpqn1rVIca3gcsUqybcGVLDvr7F-UUlyBk4TLcs8o3V9xNZeGmza7pTVDd0oz0Yrs4YVgz1vSmLSNSE6gVGITVj3Kw4N-mpNBxBiST1_wDmaMk91aTB8AwEqXQvyaFuJQ8LaHkjNfY9qf0SO/w480-h640/20230721_133237.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pass Salthouse on our right but have no view across as we are down by the sea beneath a large bank of shingle. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqXAYbaQ4C2yS2LjJUgIQpTUafViCwAPy7FdNRom-fuI9ZEywkhYfy1Nun36lOCEFUtBqZPW8jB4IIRFj2tuW1-oW5CXdWeE-YcrYht6gMzsWLAIqrDnoQFoXwvzV00dA-C92No7eCYaqwpPpAUR89wTaHAQIll2IGLoa7FlijJeQIvtQT1GqdIkmOIYq/s7940/20230721_134849.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5955" data-original-width="7940" height="802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqXAYbaQ4C2yS2LjJUgIQpTUafViCwAPy7FdNRom-fuI9ZEywkhYfy1Nun36lOCEFUtBqZPW8jB4IIRFj2tuW1-oW5CXdWeE-YcrYht6gMzsWLAIqrDnoQFoXwvzV00dA-C92No7eCYaqwpPpAUR89wTaHAQIll2IGLoa7FlijJeQIvtQT1GqdIkmOIYq/w640-h802/20230721_134849.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walk on and on, we was originally thinking of finishing at Sheringham, but have decided to now finish at Weybourne. We are getting tired and time is marching on.</div></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4j_P_pMlrESPY-WpaLZy6_Qy2XFjPnK1r6FeSvdQU4Cz07XKF-rgH6Np0iHRLcZ8AzxJ3tkkJ_RGzI1NRpdt3UpXJfYpLTcCQjgjt9y7-nL6VnJVJXkFDOYxGVCcnNxHnMEVJP8PO0pnaGSxo4eK-5ctENwH8JAWjO_dPY8PYqRqUFshpVidd4fKxO8VV/s7779/20230721_140412.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5834" data-original-width="7779" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4j_P_pMlrESPY-WpaLZy6_Qy2XFjPnK1r6FeSvdQU4Cz07XKF-rgH6Np0iHRLcZ8AzxJ3tkkJ_RGzI1NRpdt3UpXJfYpLTcCQjgjt9y7-nL6VnJVJXkFDOYxGVCcnNxHnMEVJP8PO0pnaGSxo4eK-5ctENwH8JAWjO_dPY8PYqRqUFshpVidd4fKxO8VV/w640-h480/20230721_140412.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We can make out a mast on the Muckleburgh Miltary Collection, a privately owned military museum for rides on army vehicles, plus 25 tanks, artillery and uniforms.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A welcome distraction, we see a seal in the sea ahead.</div></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ay-kGOA-eLR4XNIFA02nEdJj1DPhth9Cej24oqBbQ8TFTd7SfvA5ix4bLY6jHF-syztUF7ctqh08U-VljSzNaeKX4S_SkLm6vimCGYFB1oghfzUz6nnwZ4_qSYfISz00Mvoh72pb2__GAVlG-paYJOY8IcpIIQyRUoayVR0bM7JftvgY7MFc87wGF1km/s5332/20230721_143149.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4319" data-original-width="5332" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ay-kGOA-eLR4XNIFA02nEdJj1DPhth9Cej24oqBbQ8TFTd7SfvA5ix4bLY6jHF-syztUF7ctqh08U-VljSzNaeKX4S_SkLm6vimCGYFB1oghfzUz6nnwZ4_qSYfISz00Mvoh72pb2__GAVlG-paYJOY8IcpIIQyRUoayVR0bM7JftvgY7MFc87wGF1km/w640-h518/20230721_143149.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">He wouldn't let us too near as kept diving under.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5f11VX0rsecIK1_ixwxdu8xfIa467ceI5NP1EWP80TgNK4Qaas6Y49VV_8cVI4zHLFeeoY9dE-704xDqQ0UHQl3J8tyd2mVaSZUVxqJJPSBKbsXrZdeJMasO_HHArPjHLD56ux9oy1VA7A0BnjnT88UkNh9cQagVNxmzJbQ0ZMAf77gEwlLa6zjh8TTc2/s5378/20230721_143454.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4801" data-original-width="5378" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5f11VX0rsecIK1_ixwxdu8xfIa467ceI5NP1EWP80TgNK4Qaas6Y49VV_8cVI4zHLFeeoY9dE-704xDqQ0UHQl3J8tyd2mVaSZUVxqJJPSBKbsXrZdeJMasO_HHArPjHLD56ux9oy1VA7A0BnjnT88UkNh9cQagVNxmzJbQ0ZMAf77gEwlLa6zjh8TTc2/w640-h572/20230721_143454.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I could then work out where he was as I can see fish leaping out of the water as I guess the seal was hunting beneath the waves.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0sZ6fNz522851Zd4c4AugICaNCFM61kdgI8EFuJCOFBMhwMZxiJAEgaV_PiqYuVi-df3diPU30RcRo-Or-rmuFAVQ8F2mkL2cEV1ltbBU64vjx2h5hP8tRrR6IcASJ4VBmOYnNFp7tMnMPod3C5n_0GXXLKvc380vX_c7BYV3Le6rrBze7qViYFbH_5Y/s5858/20230721_143459.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5858" data-original-width="4952" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0sZ6fNz522851Zd4c4AugICaNCFM61kdgI8EFuJCOFBMhwMZxiJAEgaV_PiqYuVi-df3diPU30RcRo-Or-rmuFAVQ8F2mkL2cEV1ltbBU64vjx2h5hP8tRrR6IcASJ4VBmOYnNFp7tMnMPod3C5n_0GXXLKvc380vX_c7BYV3Le6rrBze7qViYFbH_5Y/w542-h640/20230721_143459.jpg" width="542" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The seal matched our walking speed and kept appearing almost next to us.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQXdBEwpxf0aBY7zpg3tUkTLDSMbgHAGE0FnKE_qmQtz8B1SA-Ruh15C-0FAs_e0Wb1DRTosVpSZJ33cUeZeUfMnd_fVLVVOiaAe_pIVKYwUNUOojND4ARPlerXFQhpKOQnQ2YPdX_NTiWn-pHW9u96o-1KcOj_6KA04SiF72A-xLE4Ofi6TpguVKOI-P/s7876/20230721_144753.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5907" data-original-width="7876" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQXdBEwpxf0aBY7zpg3tUkTLDSMbgHAGE0FnKE_qmQtz8B1SA-Ruh15C-0FAs_e0Wb1DRTosVpSZJ33cUeZeUfMnd_fVLVVOiaAe_pIVKYwUNUOojND4ARPlerXFQhpKOQnQ2YPdX_NTiWn-pHW9u96o-1KcOj_6KA04SiF72A-xLE4Ofi6TpguVKOI-P/w400-h300/20230721_144753.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Along the beach was numerous fisherman casting out mackerel feathers to retrieve.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7M8TlilC1L1jsw9zUlXXkO0gyTJM1RFtPYfHj6UoDW-b9sN9wPjSo_enz2_1UBIucT6_ld9jT3198YMZyKQvKIYPrud8GVGZG_WUHrw3Nxia0jFc8sL-F30c7JNTtnhel6j7tPZg2cnYqE5RSeg4zZ_L4oRMKn_HDhylTS-N9G5uzb44or6GYZz4zsSP3/s7662/20230721_145007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5746" data-original-width="7662" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7M8TlilC1L1jsw9zUlXXkO0gyTJM1RFtPYfHj6UoDW-b9sN9wPjSo_enz2_1UBIucT6_ld9jT3198YMZyKQvKIYPrud8GVGZG_WUHrw3Nxia0jFc8sL-F30c7JNTtnhel6j7tPZg2cnYqE5RSeg4zZ_L4oRMKn_HDhylTS-N9G5uzb44or6GYZz4zsSP3/w640-h480/20230721_145007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We eventually reach the area of the beach where we head up the wall of shingle, hard work this was too as the bank of shingle moves beneath our feet.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu54ddUYS9QEAinzRIf-9TeofBVdjSGoHn31xsvBsC3CVtrMTcMFJYaGE5PV3wBYVND8Te56zC3lBBnQcxkcVd3uN8OUSx_ZbjSLZ_BBAJMDw7SywSBwn7C_eL6KTaWxAPoGWVuI-sHMCN0I6CdehsG17ZlwopcwR6nBiGfkKWnmtbiYXc5LfhdfL2XMWS/s7919/20230721_145014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5939" data-original-width="7919" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu54ddUYS9QEAinzRIf-9TeofBVdjSGoHn31xsvBsC3CVtrMTcMFJYaGE5PV3wBYVND8Te56zC3lBBnQcxkcVd3uN8OUSx_ZbjSLZ_BBAJMDw7SywSBwn7C_eL6KTaWxAPoGWVuI-sHMCN0I6CdehsG17ZlwopcwR6nBiGfkKWnmtbiYXc5LfhdfL2XMWS/w640-h480/20230721_145014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We follow Beach Lane into Weybourne.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5Mdvc5KBFHeQD0zihYRcOaFHIOmeCqdTBiTuzufTY84BpXh19cP3PWbMLK9ZwNnXtCS2HX0FsWumEEd58JfSig3HNO0HS-wQ5GypPpRxkWZ-qjY4GGhrmCxgxYzx8nviwdxyYbARhxbLosvKkVT1MMu3Sxl4VksRzunUkmb3h6i7H-3piErlXKELP8Kb/s8160/20230721_150138.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5Mdvc5KBFHeQD0zihYRcOaFHIOmeCqdTBiTuzufTY84BpXh19cP3PWbMLK9ZwNnXtCS2HX0FsWumEEd58JfSig3HNO0HS-wQ5GypPpRxkWZ-qjY4GGhrmCxgxYzx8nviwdxyYbARhxbLosvKkVT1MMu3Sxl4VksRzunUkmb3h6i7H-3piErlXKELP8Kb/w480-h640/20230721_150138.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We pass All Saints Church.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The present church grew out of a 13th century Priory of Augustinian Canons, which itself took over the site and building of an earlier church. The impressive ruins of the early Norman tower remain to the north of the present chancel and much of the outline of the Priory can still be seen. The canons added a south aisle for parish use and the present north aisle stands on the foundations of the old nave. A handsome tower with nice sound holes and flushwork was added in the 15th century, as was the porch, which has good flint and brick chequerwork and had an upper chamber used as a chapel. The nave hammerbeam roof is of similar date. Inside is a Jacobean pulpit re-mounted on a plinth of 1888 and some early 16th century re-used poppyhead benches, one with a female head as an armrest, another with a bird. Ruins of the cloister and vaulted dark entry are in the neighbouring garden to the north.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9P8_JzBGZTBkL7-cb6RfLUyhDnfmfpwYPPtkZUsd75C7V0kTm-LmFoJPZXJWwdiBEWtGmG9OXBhQnxJ05mZVc8O7xcy7s3g3WVSvrGbhDWQTX8EwC8mt82OlI12InrNSUZ4OhkrQ0xrQMRJ9hFRdcWSNwEW6vhznEls-RgDY7T33TEdpPjnou_5JaEbp/s7756/20230721_150210.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5817" data-original-width="7756" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9P8_JzBGZTBkL7-cb6RfLUyhDnfmfpwYPPtkZUsd75C7V0kTm-LmFoJPZXJWwdiBEWtGmG9OXBhQnxJ05mZVc8O7xcy7s3g3WVSvrGbhDWQTX8EwC8mt82OlI12InrNSUZ4OhkrQ0xrQMRJ9hFRdcWSNwEW6vhznEls-RgDY7T33TEdpPjnou_5JaEbp/w640-h480/20230721_150210.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Next to the church is the reamins of Weybourne Priory.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Weybourne Priory was a small Augustinian medieval monastic house in Weybourne, Norfolk, England.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was founded around 1200 AD by Sir Ralph de Meyngaren (Mainwearing). It was at first subordinate to West Acre Priory but independent from 1314.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">By 1494 only one prior and three canons lived there. At a visitation in 1514, there was only the prior and one canon. It was dissolved in 1536. Thomas Bulman, the prior, obtained a pension of £4; he was presented to the Norfolk rectory of Egmere in 1543. After its suppression, the priory was granted to John Gresham.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The standing remains of the priory are Grade I listed and the site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoM3sF2iallo__WJpFNNt1Mk5CeZV4zS9kC8tY9-OelETYJwbaKnkF3n6oVr4E9R10cR3wNrwGb_w3Xouk7BNrG9n6ac42qoJYCkU6DTeE8ssYj_XGSVXszjSQKb-ULcfoGjCF0YiBej9twEFshfVmg97KD3nKo15uyIGLBpY2TcC29HbCKvy4bZvdhRPl/s8160/20230721_150251.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoM3sF2iallo__WJpFNNt1Mk5CeZV4zS9kC8tY9-OelETYJwbaKnkF3n6oVr4E9R10cR3wNrwGb_w3Xouk7BNrG9n6ac42qoJYCkU6DTeE8ssYj_XGSVXszjSQKb-ULcfoGjCF0YiBej9twEFshfVmg97KD3nKo15uyIGLBpY2TcC29HbCKvy4bZvdhRPl/w640-h480/20230721_150251.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Across the road is the bus stop next to the Ship Inn. We have 17 minutes until the bus time for another half. We have a half of Norfolk Topper from the Barsham Brewery.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJT2U3wfwx0x31BM8ROW5mtcsYG6YHDqwIL7ZFm7HbOjvZrncfBa0icwYQGzFVIkr7dRNoM7FlZS5qN5-8G4ouNZYQ2ivYLlkQWJ5HtBbHrjT-Bd9ETgU58UKwtFLQ5pKzOdoPAP7cXDH6IkkYhbMbCrHp_iHLCxFNNSStjK9nZCeNnQ-J_b09t6H_lDKY/s8160/20230721_150523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJT2U3wfwx0x31BM8ROW5mtcsYG6YHDqwIL7ZFm7HbOjvZrncfBa0icwYQGzFVIkr7dRNoM7FlZS5qN5-8G4ouNZYQ2ivYLlkQWJ5HtBbHrjT-Bd9ETgU58UKwtFLQ5pKzOdoPAP7cXDH6IkkYhbMbCrHp_iHLCxFNNSStjK9nZCeNnQ-J_b09t6H_lDKY/w480-h640/20230721_150523.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The CH1 Coasthopper bus arrives, we ride this back to Stiffkey and walk back down the road to the car. A 13.1 mile walk, amazing views and places but that beach knocked the stuffing out of us.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now for the drive home, which was also long due to accident on the M11!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZ-DRHg_ZkEpCuZqokJLX7NOJwpNpupt17PVkU6FJgz3y5YRxOSd_XmJm2OH6cDfYfHdnqHO9hlZTiRLbdTe6pxrBiEfn8yJrs38miN0Eu9lZqEwQVvNF80-3ixUT0aoU_wPeiWr_QTR2YcCvwqKGlbBPRAoKB5Va5dTo2kCUuJF2YUOd43Ei8vgqgas_/s1902/Norfolk%20day3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1902" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZ-DRHg_ZkEpCuZqokJLX7NOJwpNpupt17PVkU6FJgz3y5YRxOSd_XmJm2OH6cDfYfHdnqHO9hlZTiRLbdTe6pxrBiEfn8yJrs38miN0Eu9lZqEwQVvNF80-3ixUT0aoU_wPeiWr_QTR2YcCvwqKGlbBPRAoKB5Va5dTo2kCUuJF2YUOd43Ei8vgqgas_/w640-h262/Norfolk%20day3.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-6254432724979886092023-07-05T21:24:00.069+01:002023-07-17T13:21:47.397+01:00South West Coast Path Sec 10: Bude to Crackington Haven 5th July 23<p>GPX File <a href="https://www.haroldstreet.org.uk/routes/download/?walk=6013" target="_blank">Here</a></p><p style="text-align: center;">On Wednesday the 5th July 2023 I drove from my Holiday site in St Ives up to Bude and parked up for free in Silverton Road EX238EY.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I walk from the car down into town and alongside the River Neet.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMyRIG7PvaulKsnUF3RQxIXFXBbiMyrXAlR1Q-m8uHzaUueDCJ4NIlS0A2B_rkkh0E7qSJC1iBhpISWaILWTtzfBJE9Ay1rTnIEksOnKLpzJECQTlQ-T34te5l6XC7Qb8za341mCcW6299_6da5sCXBZL3k247pGX0Bse3LeIt-So3kEW06M94ExVvwRI/s8160/20230705_065516.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMyRIG7PvaulKsnUF3RQxIXFXBbiMyrXAlR1Q-m8uHzaUueDCJ4NIlS0A2B_rkkh0E7qSJC1iBhpISWaILWTtzfBJE9Ay1rTnIEksOnKLpzJECQTlQ-T34te5l6XC7Qb8za341mCcW6299_6da5sCXBZL3k247pGX0Bse3LeIt-So3kEW06M94ExVvwRI/w640-h480/20230705_065516.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcz_YECOq0Z_wRfwN1wcT9p3t3RP_uIDecGkHivq2QKLy6fTVGvlyO7pF5MZ-HKGfyrIFc7WFSklqdObn0fMhRT7i7q4Z7NeqPNeNkGJH1vci2vDzTdlYs486oKxlYcbfQHjzQcS05xAPEjMrq-nzFteSdUZJUzqnliqmw-B0XQ0b1Vvai4eumUceuLOL/s8160/20230705_065819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcz_YECOq0Z_wRfwN1wcT9p3t3RP_uIDecGkHivq2QKLy6fTVGvlyO7pF5MZ-HKGfyrIFc7WFSklqdObn0fMhRT7i7q4Z7NeqPNeNkGJH1vci2vDzTdlYs486oKxlYcbfQHjzQcS05xAPEjMrq-nzFteSdUZJUzqnliqmw-B0XQ0b1Vvai4eumUceuLOL/w640-h480/20230705_065819.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I cross a bridge that takes me onto a road that leads me to the Bude Canal.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOC60f-ejuHNAW2j9x-ecCO4zoKUt8EZ1HgJe3OmpBIFqfLNZ-rQ8Z3k545jCZEHptjTDek6qzDhI7MwtyjBV-dvcX_FfdPL7l3uAou6awxS0BV6_gJApmDN6YnTFs3w-39r9eOMOi8X8-nbSXNN3r9t7qnTKu__qT8ldHJkwoVbmerb8mpAY-mnLCJCmu/s8160/20230705_070136.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOC60f-ejuHNAW2j9x-ecCO4zoKUt8EZ1HgJe3OmpBIFqfLNZ-rQ8Z3k545jCZEHptjTDek6qzDhI7MwtyjBV-dvcX_FfdPL7l3uAou6awxS0BV6_gJApmDN6YnTFs3w-39r9eOMOi8X8-nbSXNN3r9t7qnTKu__qT8ldHJkwoVbmerb8mpAY-mnLCJCmu/w640-h480/20230705_070136.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Bude Canal was a canal built to serve the hilly hinterland in the Cornwall and Devon border territory in the United Kingdom, chiefly to bring lime-bearing sand for agricultural fertiliser. The Bude Canal system was one of the most unusual in Britain.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was remarkable in using inclined planes to haul tub boats on wheels to the upper levels. There were only two conventional locks, in the short broad canal section near the sea at Bude itself. It had a total extent of 35 miles (56 km), and it rose from sea level to an altitude of 433 feet (132 m).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mh6fnPixqYE8HXAz--r9WqpSDL428caiEpnB71kg5BQ2kmHze6_sNYfsbVvaAgBNSn4dpseYWIRPmeQePYhSkX-erdR8TJlm3nPXHa7rKzF7dzMRyvOujqBHWQpwzw4cgeOQC-8L-RfN2Gta-7YBfTsxHMfh3pB1SsY1ZfUNZhbWMFsxl2i8Hv-O-SV8/s7965/20230705_070257.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5974" data-original-width="7965" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mh6fnPixqYE8HXAz--r9WqpSDL428caiEpnB71kg5BQ2kmHze6_sNYfsbVvaAgBNSn4dpseYWIRPmeQePYhSkX-erdR8TJlm3nPXHa7rKzF7dzMRyvOujqBHWQpwzw4cgeOQC-8L-RfN2Gta-7YBfTsxHMfh3pB1SsY1ZfUNZhbWMFsxl2i8Hv-O-SV8/w640-h480/20230705_070257.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51x6Ir0GRIHZNm8R6Hf1wN8GYb_Ql0I7ZKq4qw-uUV5oTLMFuMB9aEIzextSVhoFpFV3R9hXj13_gv4wNfec52lbVodupRCSXfaAQiAvWyM2WfmtGQKlvvr4Xl81x0mNbuzN2YQhZ9it5iJ3TnxEfdsf5naozw5ZKRghh6AZ1sdx3QxHBvrtxlwU1yNzj/s8160/20230705_070356.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51x6Ir0GRIHZNm8R6Hf1wN8GYb_Ql0I7ZKq4qw-uUV5oTLMFuMB9aEIzextSVhoFpFV3R9hXj13_gv4wNfec52lbVodupRCSXfaAQiAvWyM2WfmtGQKlvvr4Xl81x0mNbuzN2YQhZ9it5iJ3TnxEfdsf5naozw5ZKRghh6AZ1sdx3QxHBvrtxlwU1yNzj/w640-h480/20230705_070356.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk with views to Summerleaze Beach, tide is High this time compared to when I finished last time back in April.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JSS0II4klbRNIaVZGlrD5OGTTayQfQZT5S-YYnEus_FEKUnW6xzx6OErxQnVSqPKjtZLiqxJMEC3iK2haSBDMUULsCZ8_Y2fMeE2Kedcx5B6ODUYAfudGXMtQ_R6uor9Rfy5k8eWMme1w3xUPYJ---yutAdUhVEmUQ9jyQF56IIash7Bd0AmRr6Wf7qr/s8160/20230705_070450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JSS0II4klbRNIaVZGlrD5OGTTayQfQZT5S-YYnEus_FEKUnW6xzx6OErxQnVSqPKjtZLiqxJMEC3iK2haSBDMUULsCZ8_Y2fMeE2Kedcx5B6ODUYAfudGXMtQ_R6uor9Rfy5k8eWMme1w3xUPYJ---yutAdUhVEmUQ9jyQF56IIash7Bd0AmRr6Wf7qr/w640-h480/20230705_070450.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLhrjaqWAAuv4zzmbSn2EywBul1Qtn9G70yStFZQW8M8h_tEocwQVywGSdHd_eJzVDyoJxOpfY0j9cBj_jmG5vUf5PWriFxwNrKhGihsW5ir0v2-gbSsGUm4uCPSfmUEzC-oNndpeP1zIEc8hCRiMaL66MOv2dp0XT12df3Q84HiPWlujLyNH9jxh_n9X/s8017/20230705_070527.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6013" data-original-width="8017" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLhrjaqWAAuv4zzmbSn2EywBul1Qtn9G70yStFZQW8M8h_tEocwQVywGSdHd_eJzVDyoJxOpfY0j9cBj_jmG5vUf5PWriFxwNrKhGihsW5ir0v2-gbSsGUm4uCPSfmUEzC-oNndpeP1zIEc8hCRiMaL66MOv2dp0XT12df3Q84HiPWlujLyNH9jxh_n9X/w640-h480/20230705_070527.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Efford Cottage</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Efford Cottage is situated near the mouth of the Bude Canal overlooking Summerleaze beach. The name cottage is a bit of an understatement as this quite a substantial house.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The cottage was built in 1823 for Sir Thomas Acland as a summer residence, also responsible for the Storm Tower on the overlooking cliffs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUM25jSxKs_YCtTN27zhN1mS7kj-fTeL7c52OCXz59jtHqd5KktWWLdhZmx0M8FgJ2s9Np169ti7foFL8oNCB9bXblKUbZv_HyDMf1N3iHDGIdVI0xk1wwlOF1lcG48CFYPdbbXp_sJBA7WzdcJLmD2OIQ3p4XgJxNcQcyistOaXfxyEW4X_U7afixA8fQ/s8160/20230705_070600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUM25jSxKs_YCtTN27zhN1mS7kj-fTeL7c52OCXz59jtHqd5KktWWLdhZmx0M8FgJ2s9Np169ti7foFL8oNCB9bXblKUbZv_HyDMf1N3iHDGIdVI0xk1wwlOF1lcG48CFYPdbbXp_sJBA7WzdcJLmD2OIQ3p4XgJxNcQcyistOaXfxyEW4X_U7afixA8fQ/w640-h480/20230705_070600.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaPgxA0S-VcN4bTLwQ7cDycnLAW5qw9PqrvIOxKSlwNgp7YSvrafPLj9ZW3mTxxp2ZotzQ9b3MBIfSyqSESq1cRjJNhRFSSuLDI1zcsc5nkWrek6SSoO0bPPM5JcZCldfXoT6kP2mJDfh5drZGjc8Pt0pe3GzhWnt4aX3GW97_9vsVKx_-s7afRtuyQml/s7896/20230705_070650.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5922" data-original-width="7896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaPgxA0S-VcN4bTLwQ7cDycnLAW5qw9PqrvIOxKSlwNgp7YSvrafPLj9ZW3mTxxp2ZotzQ9b3MBIfSyqSESq1cRjJNhRFSSuLDI1zcsc5nkWrek6SSoO0bPPM5JcZCldfXoT6kP2mJDfh5drZGjc8Pt0pe3GzhWnt4aX3GW97_9vsVKx_-s7afRtuyQml/w640-h480/20230705_070650.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HGM2V5YApRibUbwc-QtVvksu4Zv6nnDaE9QYU9KqMMqnBZ0hdBKGCtWc2_QFFv09gOkww9rRxrvXqRrfFBJ1ACRjU6LgwIPDmsBywY7Ig_Lt-XeLA9496H9nDrne0p7Op2mokr7zUoMunlv_wxsE5JFePdhQRDue_AR8-3a0KO89EVH2XfJcgXH26cll/s7974/20230705_070734.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5980" data-original-width="7974" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HGM2V5YApRibUbwc-QtVvksu4Zv6nnDaE9QYU9KqMMqnBZ0hdBKGCtWc2_QFFv09gOkww9rRxrvXqRrfFBJ1ACRjU6LgwIPDmsBywY7Ig_Lt-XeLA9496H9nDrne0p7Op2mokr7zUoMunlv_wxsE5JFePdhQRDue_AR8-3a0KO89EVH2XfJcgXH26cll/w640-h480/20230705_070734.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Its just after 7am and there is quite a wind, hence the choppy sea.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FeTT5szKCTR3DTDH7VX7ILE5FdY-6gGI2z2K8SHwbxy9ZqK2aSaWUowWeQN1GgFQGWfIV-EMpooRMha7knMBgGJDfvSebp8OpTLZae9tiTdmDupk8PegUC70QMthGSuYDDQ4zU7zddm2CiFCkk4HZ9JUki9YNPETRca_V_2K1mJjiyaZh3hqemexIC8X/s7827/20230705_070906.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5870" data-original-width="7827" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FeTT5szKCTR3DTDH7VX7ILE5FdY-6gGI2z2K8SHwbxy9ZqK2aSaWUowWeQN1GgFQGWfIV-EMpooRMha7knMBgGJDfvSebp8OpTLZae9tiTdmDupk8PegUC70QMthGSuYDDQ4zU7zddm2CiFCkk4HZ9JUki9YNPETRca_V_2K1mJjiyaZh3hqemexIC8X/w640-h480/20230705_070906.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I start the climb up to Efford Beacon up the path.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gBQfbsxF2NtrnmfCyrdHgm9Kwvwk0we6WT5cygqVCXBnlUiH0lo6-via9ItMaUd1xdfY6VLIBbLiX62jacF3u56Rt3iaYze90cg5UV436NJq5LjgM5ARno9iONnmSjRiPN3qB4unnPnNZQxUgqUyRCsih_QgBMv7bYA7tiJ2k4LjSsHX0xLv6L7tmxS1/s7810/20230705_070912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5858" data-original-width="7810" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gBQfbsxF2NtrnmfCyrdHgm9Kwvwk0we6WT5cygqVCXBnlUiH0lo6-via9ItMaUd1xdfY6VLIBbLiX62jacF3u56Rt3iaYze90cg5UV436NJq5LjgM5ARno9iONnmSjRiPN3qB4unnPnNZQxUgqUyRCsih_QgBMv7bYA7tiJ2k4LjSsHX0xLv6L7tmxS1/w640-h480/20230705_070912.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwiaHScpiwTIH-jwsO1yljnEiX4TJBlD2R5bbEuKVTkc3ToKVBXvlMUqkuLqaCZT46iLu23HjrOPVLKHkGnPlK5JgEONPAI8oagetX_Wk4qd09UYon2c3UYwTf2oyID8tvKTmprD9L5XBvmhDH0V17idpgpd7MTuS2YZwd1VXM0kOUSudW7XCixIIT63w/s8160/20230705_071010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwiaHScpiwTIH-jwsO1yljnEiX4TJBlD2R5bbEuKVTkc3ToKVBXvlMUqkuLqaCZT46iLu23HjrOPVLKHkGnPlK5JgEONPAI8oagetX_Wk4qd09UYon2c3UYwTf2oyID8tvKTmprD9L5XBvmhDH0V17idpgpd7MTuS2YZwd1VXM0kOUSudW7XCixIIT63w/w640-h480/20230705_071010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVI9urA8eUV62AK7MzXKBw-OFJNpTqhaGw1M8ozogm-GoQbgXye-T6kJH2Sz97iiSwUYUmSCZvs-ndSg28aqKWHQaI2snqIKsB-h5LXp9UjjLeKPQ6fF95r0xCEqo6YGnL9a8LcW7imgvcH2WkDpv2uPtKNHaYfdYY0cuhmUjPYi8OjPpoZySUfuTvrWKJ/s8019/20230705_071015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6014" data-original-width="8019" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVI9urA8eUV62AK7MzXKBw-OFJNpTqhaGw1M8ozogm-GoQbgXye-T6kJH2Sz97iiSwUYUmSCZvs-ndSg28aqKWHQaI2snqIKsB-h5LXp9UjjLeKPQ6fF95r0xCEqo6YGnL9a8LcW7imgvcH2WkDpv2uPtKNHaYfdYY0cuhmUjPYi8OjPpoZySUfuTvrWKJ/w640-h480/20230705_071015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UOfrS03SbqqJp7O-Rwds2eUj4uzPLqLIYkBunHnRAB0JFZ0tBF32SByKziiYePqlA7c2t3B65eZsqo40XPFfRHiiITOIv3FMS-hskZP-Mit8KO7kRxcyYW3CYMS2E97ub7Lt7e0kZp7kDUFQtCRR4BJy94nL47b-IT0p6DqPD3ZEr4UDyBzwOls_9-0z/s6528/20230705_071053.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5980" data-original-width="6528" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UOfrS03SbqqJp7O-Rwds2eUj4uzPLqLIYkBunHnRAB0JFZ0tBF32SByKziiYePqlA7c2t3B65eZsqo40XPFfRHiiITOIv3FMS-hskZP-Mit8KO7kRxcyYW3CYMS2E97ub7Lt7e0kZp7kDUFQtCRR4BJy94nL47b-IT0p6DqPD3ZEr4UDyBzwOls_9-0z/w640-h586/20230705_071053.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am up on the Efford Downs now and I can see the Compass Point Storm Tower, sadly covered in Scaffolding and I am unable to walk inside.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDqLQQVuqUMvIvdb4gBEiV8OPR9q-FeZFsDyZFKehWm8Ijl9Rg40OJkNnnybcLOTufoQjy5ELUIZUOBQJRNGr1C3jDCF9zJbLXikea5vn89_zRkQf0Tp8G-NF7ztNNH2Z8k8ZUH_553y7sZK0AaATT58cJ1ls_m0cXlIemc2PdBFe5XmHTHprxAV_kOEE/s7425/20230705_071142.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5569" data-original-width="7425" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDqLQQVuqUMvIvdb4gBEiV8OPR9q-FeZFsDyZFKehWm8Ijl9Rg40OJkNnnybcLOTufoQjy5ELUIZUOBQJRNGr1C3jDCF9zJbLXikea5vn89_zRkQf0Tp8G-NF7ztNNH2Z8k8ZUH_553y7sZK0AaATT58cJ1ls_m0cXlIemc2PdBFe5XmHTHprxAV_kOEE/w640-h480/20230705_071142.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The Storm Tower at Compass Point, Bude–Stratton, Cornwall, England, is an octagonal lookout tower, modelled on the Tower of the Winds in Athens, Greece. It is known locally as the Pepperpot.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The tower was built in 1835 on the instructions of Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, 10th Baronet, to a design by George Wightwick, as a place from which coastguards could observe ships on the adjacent Atlantic Ocean.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div>As built, the tower was aligned to magnetic north, but polar drift means this is now seven degrees out.</div><div><br /></div><div>The tower sits on a sandstone and shale cliff that is described as friable and which is subject to erosion, averaging 1 metre (1.1 yd) a year, but with the potential for a 25-metre (27 yd) loss at any time. As a result, the tower had to be moved a short distance from the cliff edge in 1881. Because of the ongoing threat of erosion, there are plans to dismantle the tower and reconstruct it 100 metres (110 yd) further inland, at a cost of around £450,000, over a six-month period starting in late April 2023. Funding has been provided by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (£249,362), public crowdfunding (£58,000), Cornwall Council (£50,000) and Bude-Stratton town council (£40,000). The work is to be undertaken by specialist contractors Sally Strachey Historic Conservation.</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgyUIczmRVbIBWqFa75kI68rspKrY6iDwwZn0XaIcXlMq_pzJBw_I0n1Y4EYVeEHA2OVb1M2kMBr5DMHLjUwxklm1qJQ994o4SI4lR3TQviwUM_ch_sbTbJ4LJF9ftdvA9ugoqHS3so4FMvBqttJmXQUhWXi_qgPPC6EbA9owQaL_lpB1z8B4PyxQZ43G/s7831/20230705_072041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5873" data-original-width="7831" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgyUIczmRVbIBWqFa75kI68rspKrY6iDwwZn0XaIcXlMq_pzJBw_I0n1Y4EYVeEHA2OVb1M2kMBr5DMHLjUwxklm1qJQ994o4SI4lR3TQviwUM_ch_sbTbJ4LJF9ftdvA9ugoqHS3so4FMvBqttJmXQUhWXi_qgPPC6EbA9owQaL_lpB1z8B4PyxQZ43G/w640-h480/20230705_072041.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk on across the cliff, quite windy up here, but at least its cool.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1U3HCuJUgeaPTA2qrMBDtNtiDj7GaF8qxaLXooH2bJpscgJFlvOyBTU6xkQKCc_5hPik2Q7R0fw9X3sS3Yxr3-1Bv2a7l0aFBInv1y7uu6o7h22Oo17JV8SF6EHXYr7duJSFemyZnGbe4NmjRxZLCCNq4BMf1r_Y19s0DQl21YKAGMffuGPWWsCfLYkaB/s7967/20230705_072729.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5975" data-original-width="7967" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1U3HCuJUgeaPTA2qrMBDtNtiDj7GaF8qxaLXooH2bJpscgJFlvOyBTU6xkQKCc_5hPik2Q7R0fw9X3sS3Yxr3-1Bv2a7l0aFBInv1y7uu6o7h22Oo17JV8SF6EHXYr7duJSFemyZnGbe4NmjRxZLCCNq4BMf1r_Y19s0DQl21YKAGMffuGPWWsCfLYkaB/w640-h480/20230705_072729.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking back towards Bude.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GycXujJMKnaB2BS98dDcMcaIrc-vqjtNFkyJj5EwB5bHY3pJsx7R8nHTmHdtZxaEFpVk5eSEDjlPXfSqhPG0YhrP4AqJh2w3YkCOR6piqenY0JBInfLt6Nm2wECJxE9rbztNTKZ5DIarpVaTpwXMYVD2AqZBl-_ASZH-B7vfsQMWsFsBKAu82WaAxMj6/s7839/20230705_073118.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5879" data-original-width="7839" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GycXujJMKnaB2BS98dDcMcaIrc-vqjtNFkyJj5EwB5bHY3pJsx7R8nHTmHdtZxaEFpVk5eSEDjlPXfSqhPG0YhrP4AqJh2w3YkCOR6piqenY0JBInfLt6Nm2wECJxE9rbztNTKZ5DIarpVaTpwXMYVD2AqZBl-_ASZH-B7vfsQMWsFsBKAu82WaAxMj6/w640-h480/20230705_073118.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk pass some houses in Upton as I make my way to Widemouth Bay.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfaSiDsZq8IyubHFjYD8NtTeoaWRDgE5Pizfhm_niR0TVFUrqSvY8AkR42YQZXTecr8yHv0UVqJCYiTYKkI9jYoMcYPn1yTQVaDq1eFdOxgPqKVKQ2xZgyxP1zboWtUEJVijJrmfTDIkF0aB-VQHccH0EVcb2n0_wMzqEjilEeCDTeXdHoNB6nz1IY18E/s8160/20230705_073432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfaSiDsZq8IyubHFjYD8NtTeoaWRDgE5Pizfhm_niR0TVFUrqSvY8AkR42YQZXTecr8yHv0UVqJCYiTYKkI9jYoMcYPn1yTQVaDq1eFdOxgPqKVKQ2xZgyxP1zboWtUEJVijJrmfTDIkF0aB-VQHccH0EVcb2n0_wMzqEjilEeCDTeXdHoNB6nz1IY18E/w640-h480/20230705_073432.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As I walk down I see a couple of Peregrine Falcons and one swoops quite near for me to get a very good look at it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXbWE4jkS4_EUVU6tw_rpM0G0BkWA5nyeb_Y1HluU7jQGtnzifZRuDd-5Blntpm1O6s6FcqgC5TKuxgHB1EUxvlEakSEedSymBXZrdndhvq5WldasM1C2bDBFNkaBl0t9CXEJIE3nHT7hNWOWh0SPZ3cUzosxS8SHNOHVmi5NdVVJOs94C01S8wCnyVfc/s8160/20230705_074900.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXbWE4jkS4_EUVU6tw_rpM0G0BkWA5nyeb_Y1HluU7jQGtnzifZRuDd-5Blntpm1O6s6FcqgC5TKuxgHB1EUxvlEakSEedSymBXZrdndhvq5WldasM1C2bDBFNkaBl0t9CXEJIE3nHT7hNWOWh0SPZ3cUzosxS8SHNOHVmi5NdVVJOs94C01S8wCnyVfc/w640-h480/20230705_074900.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The guidebook say going is easy to Widemouth Bay and then gets a lot more severe again.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArcMJIt1vUFz5cVYbOGMQUSGGVV65nqBwDImICE5IbILS9czUIQUswLMUKM67la4sWBl3cK-FyDCqRujYEI2Th7ys7pkMsGHpB-uvYm7DaLfemVt8ofDwAY9Ffi34AxlQuk9P3ToT6C0S5QUC_WmtZFJjp8DZ2QelEwQYZ6xEVLyt8hDHczHH8v4hHw8U/s7815/20230705_075432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5861" data-original-width="7815" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArcMJIt1vUFz5cVYbOGMQUSGGVV65nqBwDImICE5IbILS9czUIQUswLMUKM67la4sWBl3cK-FyDCqRujYEI2Th7ys7pkMsGHpB-uvYm7DaLfemVt8ofDwAY9Ffi34AxlQuk9P3ToT6C0S5QUC_WmtZFJjp8DZ2QelEwQYZ6xEVLyt8hDHczHH8v4hHw8U/w640-h480/20230705_075432.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBzn5JlXqkLfFXgFwXbSa6t3CqYQxABzVqOZnI4c2OtlsifHIn5_3rqWyV16nKb5TzLtmuQSl9nCAvC5n6Vpe2moWvZFeRsgno18LBSvR8neWH5jZARJJLaJzf5pss5SccLEPvs-90xhnhUukC7xfK2nnRaYjbbMssT8RQcmjAaTGhLnQwdEMCy4yvPkf/s8030/20230705_080001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6022" data-original-width="8030" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBzn5JlXqkLfFXgFwXbSa6t3CqYQxABzVqOZnI4c2OtlsifHIn5_3rqWyV16nKb5TzLtmuQSl9nCAvC5n6Vpe2moWvZFeRsgno18LBSvR8neWH5jZARJJLaJzf5pss5SccLEPvs-90xhnhUukC7xfK2nnRaYjbbMssT8RQcmjAaTGhLnQwdEMCy4yvPkf/w640-h480/20230705_080001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I start the descent down into Widemouth Bay over Higher Longbeak and Lower Longbeak.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mxZYHwaj4unF62IHLqNd6d4QKAKqfvhMRjGPxB3PLGlMNV0zT-H5HBLQ9JL42fp3V0WpFX3elHQRohtbMzcZr-iXUFlHDWMuZn2BI8RgeLLLvvUnc7a35r61k8fsDhORxtnctVZHlfJW_S9NKOcPPGw-X2W6Ev2D5S6aGLnXnxopAV2SA43r2hImJOXP/s7054/20230705_080041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7054" data-original-width="5291" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mxZYHwaj4unF62IHLqNd6d4QKAKqfvhMRjGPxB3PLGlMNV0zT-H5HBLQ9JL42fp3V0WpFX3elHQRohtbMzcZr-iXUFlHDWMuZn2BI8RgeLLLvvUnc7a35r61k8fsDhORxtnctVZHlfJW_S9NKOcPPGw-X2W6Ev2D5S6aGLnXnxopAV2SA43r2hImJOXP/w480-h640/20230705_080041.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljMMSlEAC8UIxzOmr9wzogcRtsFYhZbPDh1e-3LBU4ZBE8DGVujC3uXrDWKiJy3i3V4OFawtXSvvEOwYgk5YfAXMty2pktsrxagl1SN655Y2UYwR3CSiNCABlW9iTxOzbs_P6h9mbrHsricBjFHDzx5-JshYAknffzbXI-VSjiBbWqBTsjZ4C8oFg9jz7/s8160/20230705_080355.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljMMSlEAC8UIxzOmr9wzogcRtsFYhZbPDh1e-3LBU4ZBE8DGVujC3uXrDWKiJy3i3V4OFawtXSvvEOwYgk5YfAXMty2pktsrxagl1SN655Y2UYwR3CSiNCABlW9iTxOzbs_P6h9mbrHsricBjFHDzx5-JshYAknffzbXI-VSjiBbWqBTsjZ4C8oFg9jz7/w640-h480/20230705_080355.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this fence covered in shells in Widemouth Bay.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hoEA7xXK7QaT558GWi0xeGMTDbcIpfgD_5NpiawAQ2LfL_l7eiUrFzJB8XxdW1o0Va6n3pvWmcQ9yRxenow9l3RAin8PDF73MXNTFPQjK7Emvks6qworMbNeU5E_2PEr1a_1QAJx-T9XalbWdly8W2-xhaOjP5SFY6jXJ7tb10Aw8ER2Z6tH0aJ2bRtQ/s7897/20230705_080642.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5923" data-original-width="7897" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hoEA7xXK7QaT558GWi0xeGMTDbcIpfgD_5NpiawAQ2LfL_l7eiUrFzJB8XxdW1o0Va6n3pvWmcQ9yRxenow9l3RAin8PDF73MXNTFPQjK7Emvks6qworMbNeU5E_2PEr1a_1QAJx-T9XalbWdly8W2-xhaOjP5SFY6jXJ7tb10Aw8ER2Z6tH0aJ2bRtQ/w640-h480/20230705_080642.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Its now a walk along the lovely beach of Widemouth Bay, but the soft sand makes it a little hard going.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8OIzNezgMBzp5Ao8dZHHDhXQ4nO7HAr6gomg9AaTB_fVnCktMPR7MCgWXsUXUUvGzoUrLZGx_9ScQVLoKrWc_0naC6vf3L8297ChFCe_DoEvTVq-4hDJ85Fc98yrKc_QIdY_vsjuqPcU2TI2yPB6GURcBqRYF5-OaAZXvJeX7dAJVwK8FaydN1npFr9a/s7621/20230705_080725.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5716" data-original-width="7621" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8OIzNezgMBzp5Ao8dZHHDhXQ4nO7HAr6gomg9AaTB_fVnCktMPR7MCgWXsUXUUvGzoUrLZGx_9ScQVLoKrWc_0naC6vf3L8297ChFCe_DoEvTVq-4hDJ85Fc98yrKc_QIdY_vsjuqPcU2TI2yPB6GURcBqRYF5-OaAZXvJeX7dAJVwK8FaydN1npFr9a/w640-h480/20230705_080725.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The beach is popular for surfing and swimming and is patrolled in the summer by RNLI lifeguards. Several surfing schools operate on the beach because it has relatively gentle, easy to ride waves but on the other hand there can be big waves.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="514" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DnWMJ3DnQJo" width="619" youtube-src-id="DnWMJ3DnQJo"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Widemouth Bay is visually very similar to Southerndown and Ogmore-by-Sea across the Bristol Channel in Wales; it has the same (gently sloping) hill-top location; wide, sandy beach; pounding Atlantic surf; and significantly the same carboniferous sandstone cliffs. Another significant connection is that sloops from Wales would use Widemouth as a port (in the most basic sense), unloading coal and limestone; sloops would take back to Wales Cornish wares such as granite, slate, tin, copper and even Cornish pasties.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZ3Hjy6Kq6OjCO3YyYw1YSzJQo1YMEEjDld--89mlVvX2ABXK3DUSUabeDlmeGa0Om6B4HJS_Ugojc0WT1Y5BgJMK0Spuvgaj4HSWN2ma2Cd09YjrvozzwJmdZDBfhg3ZDGWGpYRV9TGfxudILJT0HIkBK1Ws8GmihStrDbcROE6AEDE3ufTEUZQXBZdx/s8160/20230705_081241.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZ3Hjy6Kq6OjCO3YyYw1YSzJQo1YMEEjDld--89mlVvX2ABXK3DUSUabeDlmeGa0Om6B4HJS_Ugojc0WT1Y5BgJMK0Spuvgaj4HSWN2ma2Cd09YjrvozzwJmdZDBfhg3ZDGWGpYRV9TGfxudILJT0HIkBK1Ws8GmihStrDbcROE6AEDE3ufTEUZQXBZdx/w640-h480/20230705_081241.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The gentle beaches in the bay are also the landing points for many submarine cables that link the UK with other parts of the world. The proximity to the GCHQ Bude installation allows data sent on these cables to be intercepted by GCHQ.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> These cables include:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">TAT-3 (USA and UK)</div><div style="text-align: center;">CANTAT-1 (Canada and UK)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Apollo (USA)</div><div style="text-align: center;">TAT-8 (USA and France - last used in 2002)</div><div style="text-align: center;">TAT-14 (USA and Europe)</div><div style="text-align: center;">AC-2 (USA)</div><div style="text-align: center;">EIG (Europe India Gateway)</div><div style="text-align: center;">GLO-1 (UK and west Africa)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Grace Hopper (USA, UK and Spain)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIeK3pXQoH9moQn2gCw4cFJJLbewSu_BTfXTQkD7QN466uQ21Eo_-XlbhiIgrNhXQRk3KT1qJ4Zv5VcULX4vUG0Y-Ye0fXAKwr3MSzEY4r9wc4JxRLT1CibZ46SJRmCRncI5xve0PpJxL7iGTo1bTTGsX_MyIj3Zwcz3yOJZHfn5kSmbLyJEaax4K3SOE/s7386/20230705_081459.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5539" data-original-width="7386" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIeK3pXQoH9moQn2gCw4cFJJLbewSu_BTfXTQkD7QN466uQ21Eo_-XlbhiIgrNhXQRk3KT1qJ4Zv5VcULX4vUG0Y-Ye0fXAKwr3MSzEY4r9wc4JxRLT1CibZ46SJRmCRncI5xve0PpJxL7iGTo1bTTGsX_MyIj3Zwcz3yOJZHfn5kSmbLyJEaax4K3SOE/w640-h480/20230705_081459.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The repeater station is a cable landing station. Construction was begun in 1962 and finished during 1963. The building was specifically constructed to withstand nuclear attack, having numerous specialised features including an air filtration system, five-ton blast doors, and backup power supply systems allowing it to operate as an autonomous building. The majority of the building is constructed below ground, as is common with many blast-resistant bunkers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQZ3HMVJVCNxazh11XZsYoOLWFmdALdyiKXL7K0qacIIoFMKQBQWpFsckF_v7VynTAjCg6USiXke99lRxyox0_SrBNAbTgnQcyigwbj1upsm3zBvRAvzbK2X3BIZ6Yi0yghjhCefS3xtC-mfqVUGrMnKCXCC3qwTs7ysqno9cTnO_hdK_FTJQaEpfvHUM/s8160/20230705_081646.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQZ3HMVJVCNxazh11XZsYoOLWFmdALdyiKXL7K0qacIIoFMKQBQWpFsckF_v7VynTAjCg6USiXke99lRxyox0_SrBNAbTgnQcyigwbj1upsm3zBvRAvzbK2X3BIZ6Yi0yghjhCefS3xtC-mfqVUGrMnKCXCC3qwTs7ysqno9cTnO_hdK_FTJQaEpfvHUM/w640-h480/20230705_081646.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Was hoping a café would be open here, but I suspected not as it is still early, not even 9am yet!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBzusUKm4DXKFhPMKrLF6a3yCZqrwq2t9FdnX-bn2EPeVY_0lLHuap8xCZdUu_KwZbdBUTkF38QOfdQNOnvWHtfjdX8PTWFLmXxdMZbPfKy9mCjidwXM9IQkW-moYlV3EiLmMlU_0oK_ncfB2hqwzCeLL9umL5uvZ1bmi3IYsjKFtYJ6bs0YAddCb4n8e/s8160/20230705_081853.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBzusUKm4DXKFhPMKrLF6a3yCZqrwq2t9FdnX-bn2EPeVY_0lLHuap8xCZdUu_KwZbdBUTkF38QOfdQNOnvWHtfjdX8PTWFLmXxdMZbPfKy9mCjidwXM9IQkW-moYlV3EiLmMlU_0oK_ncfB2hqwzCeLL9umL5uvZ1bmi3IYsjKFtYJ6bs0YAddCb4n8e/w640-h480/20230705_081853.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5iqIeIkIxrmT8HyyZQXmukxnBZwQbmJIE7hXeN1V_stguZTL1JgAJ_OEZaRmWDlVAc--QSq4OyTkNpcaE92q5DIstg2MZXB-06SYCoXSU_80lKybdO0wicyHn_afgjiv6749X6rhNHctCfqwfwq3HnifPi_H52On6XbzqRfOQ0TgeZNKq1qwuK0pptEf/s8160/20230705_082014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5iqIeIkIxrmT8HyyZQXmukxnBZwQbmJIE7hXeN1V_stguZTL1JgAJ_OEZaRmWDlVAc--QSq4OyTkNpcaE92q5DIstg2MZXB-06SYCoXSU_80lKybdO0wicyHn_afgjiv6749X6rhNHctCfqwfwq3HnifPi_H52On6XbzqRfOQ0TgeZNKq1qwuK0pptEf/w640-h480/20230705_082014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk on through some sand dunes and reach the car park at Black Rock.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij71m9KRMIBdG2Y5MSCKBcdXL72Fx_u6QkhC_E8NUXI5WiEPVgPCo_Hg6OtkDBmdmE-SkhaIk_f1kqr-JnTptiDSlAnANOOnD5RaZVwP0GrHEcpa6uxSqNKJnlZUN5JCSa43UCJAwYUZF4j2K7-K-46muVQ-Al-Zh9wIwsW-3q07s-caGv4Bu4uiV3E-gt/s8075/20230705_082226.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6056" data-original-width="8075" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij71m9KRMIBdG2Y5MSCKBcdXL72Fx_u6QkhC_E8NUXI5WiEPVgPCo_Hg6OtkDBmdmE-SkhaIk_f1kqr-JnTptiDSlAnANOOnD5RaZVwP0GrHEcpa6uxSqNKJnlZUN5JCSa43UCJAwYUZF4j2K7-K-46muVQ-Al-Zh9wIwsW-3q07s-caGv4Bu4uiV3E-gt/w640-h480/20230705_082226.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipq7W9uVU2-CsHV4FAB-tXT3A0YL3jEdecyfAJ3HrwctX-FLHmlUnByO4y7HVuwOKq14EQyiz59VF-JSY6PMsnKTH81Na8H1YZu3pTU0NfOFtkojWUOaw7Vau4rGpZ_vYlOQ9uze5UvgH0wUOKgRg8iOvJ5nG7sspf-heplu4zHuMjdnOSRbihAqoWarqf/s8160/20230705_083041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipq7W9uVU2-CsHV4FAB-tXT3A0YL3jEdecyfAJ3HrwctX-FLHmlUnByO4y7HVuwOKq14EQyiz59VF-JSY6PMsnKTH81Na8H1YZu3pTU0NfOFtkojWUOaw7Vau4rGpZ_vYlOQ9uze5UvgH0wUOKgRg8iOvJ5nG7sspf-heplu4zHuMjdnOSRbihAqoWarqf/w640-h480/20230705_083041.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The path now starts to climb out of Widemouth Bay.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TTep1SRCKmNtElYa1Ea8HhI5_cKeB65RgO16QN7RH-6oaubXtqPvLTnsuT2YT7jkIYNTCWKZYWShYO1uC0REB1Al9igddvcH1_45d6MAeitgywMWgKu2RaaOX7XMj6f6nXRs01asFo-IXI5oVPJOfQLV14qiwAsx1woFumXs-E380V_v19YdJFzGt9t6/s8160/20230705_083300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TTep1SRCKmNtElYa1Ea8HhI5_cKeB65RgO16QN7RH-6oaubXtqPvLTnsuT2YT7jkIYNTCWKZYWShYO1uC0REB1Al9igddvcH1_45d6MAeitgywMWgKu2RaaOX7XMj6f6nXRs01asFo-IXI5oVPJOfQLV14qiwAsx1woFumXs-E380V_v19YdJFzGt9t6/w640-h480/20230705_083300.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I take 56 steps down and take a short diversion inland and across a wooded stream.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgo8bM7WoEN7AyVSj79xoxzINmtwKGTDc4-F4DgKVcOAL2KBIYAQXVh28zZom_mn2yIF8cmTTxct4Pzk2uCywZX29MGK3tMG3N-WgsGRdbuXz0F1wZmnf5W5Nh7JKOrV-i8wxO7q9a4M37Bq21U9FUMgYq2U2VaQv2Xx7gNCBTQYHXyajb53UMQ8aOgZf/s7942/20230705_083842.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5956" data-original-width="7942" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgo8bM7WoEN7AyVSj79xoxzINmtwKGTDc4-F4DgKVcOAL2KBIYAQXVh28zZom_mn2yIF8cmTTxct4Pzk2uCywZX29MGK3tMG3N-WgsGRdbuXz0F1wZmnf5W5Nh7JKOrV-i8wxO7q9a4M37Bq21U9FUMgYq2U2VaQv2Xx7gNCBTQYHXyajb53UMQ8aOgZf/w640-h480/20230705_083842.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The path joins a road at Wanson and I turn right and follow this road steeply uphill.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYx7O1-J_KenpfPVAeMSSTXlNMO-PVjMzI2d0W9PHA9gYiL_7hLap0qvHJjnnQqOVnbQGHpzczWFm1msA3kKf53Z-HTz8MzJqDQltEQWy5eHTe-3q5lY_ZMQU57yvZzCEos-T_ZVhbqwsqZNJsF1VEd2dXM_-3veWrC_5fpo7cgzeQiNRx1yWaw4q3A-7/s8160/20230705_083845.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYx7O1-J_KenpfPVAeMSSTXlNMO-PVjMzI2d0W9PHA9gYiL_7hLap0qvHJjnnQqOVnbQGHpzczWFm1msA3kKf53Z-HTz8MzJqDQltEQWy5eHTe-3q5lY_ZMQU57yvZzCEos-T_ZVhbqwsqZNJsF1VEd2dXM_-3veWrC_5fpo7cgzeQiNRx1yWaw4q3A-7/w640-h480/20230705_083845.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It continues very steeply up and up, passing an outdoor adventure centre.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicYH2Rw0EYUfxnPJPoqj4HshNcDXnrA8N1c-9tzKSFWOec2UiQTkpKz2rJeTLq2XP-4On9UuKF6FIF0KSTes8w3hTY2IglL_L0dyl0Pke5V3jubnUap7AzNLX9oynMdB6w4g6m2VOWhtjl_NdgUEPNYY0OzewSa1zcsWWVuoBVtFrJ1hCOHbevc71-Plv/s7915/20230705_085200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5936" data-original-width="7915" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicYH2Rw0EYUfxnPJPoqj4HshNcDXnrA8N1c-9tzKSFWOec2UiQTkpKz2rJeTLq2XP-4On9UuKF6FIF0KSTes8w3hTY2IglL_L0dyl0Pke5V3jubnUap7AzNLX9oynMdB6w4g6m2VOWhtjl_NdgUEPNYY0OzewSa1zcsWWVuoBVtFrJ1hCOHbevc71-Plv/w640-h480/20230705_085200.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Its a hard slog up Penhalt Cliff, I'm certainly warming up now!</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPypp_BNu-cMPX4yx_iQ5cISg6kfHO7l2XMiZO3zigc2B5qCSg6rVpa6wV33_zXAF-hgfp89hrhS-ooRvb8ktD9BlnRzXUm1fxbhH4LUPMNYYHAAqx-Knf5ZX8pBY_kjpxyin36l5OqM6Z1Ts9s39wF2BrZRTMeRQnYg-uf0ami_ZsTlfYklIYtZwQQTFR/s8160/20230705_085545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPypp_BNu-cMPX4yx_iQ5cISg6kfHO7l2XMiZO3zigc2B5qCSg6rVpa6wV33_zXAF-hgfp89hrhS-ooRvb8ktD9BlnRzXUm1fxbhH4LUPMNYYHAAqx-Knf5ZX8pBY_kjpxyin36l5OqM6Z1Ts9s39wF2BrZRTMeRQnYg-uf0ami_ZsTlfYklIYtZwQQTFR/w640-h480/20230705_085545.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I pass a car park and a viewpoint and I continue on along the road. The path leaves the road and then starts a steep slope down towards Millook.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmzNjajN7cBdoN38vvH6c1O-3sXdVDDNWMRgNO-pxDmdtLzPnBmu_JPxc3ck7ra9OSW_FHyApDR9BOweARSobIqUkCIghKU8Jme5Mob0EHHh7I1_dfKZxV5eB1g2uSaNPwaMUf5sawZrDjSz29toGVic_iWUp7nFdiFma4Uenk7CB6sV3xUCmxtJ-O_Nc/s7871/20230705_090054.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5904" data-original-width="7871" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmzNjajN7cBdoN38vvH6c1O-3sXdVDDNWMRgNO-pxDmdtLzPnBmu_JPxc3ck7ra9OSW_FHyApDR9BOweARSobIqUkCIghKU8Jme5Mob0EHHh7I1_dfKZxV5eB1g2uSaNPwaMUf5sawZrDjSz29toGVic_iWUp7nFdiFma4Uenk7CB6sV3xUCmxtJ-O_Nc/w640-h480/20230705_090054.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIyqwJq_CHEh3kZhX_O3t7SRssh0yqviE3wcU3BaBIAYCT7_h-G1VWWe6up5Tcd4yDN8ju5rS4MgJRXobwrzkLBWd5HhHJHHGAIj4ZiLeQKM4B0Nn0ICsciM_Z2J5vqjLpB_6Boa5TyGAes2FegIg2ScmR7j10FYdcP1B6LKZ4Dk_mG-WncQlYjy8DAPp/s8160/20230705_090057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIyqwJq_CHEh3kZhX_O3t7SRssh0yqviE3wcU3BaBIAYCT7_h-G1VWWe6up5Tcd4yDN8ju5rS4MgJRXobwrzkLBWd5HhHJHHGAIj4ZiLeQKM4B0Nn0ICsciM_Z2J5vqjLpB_6Boa5TyGAes2FegIg2ScmR7j10FYdcP1B6LKZ4Dk_mG-WncQlYjy8DAPp/w640-h480/20230705_090057.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is a very steep slope down and I can see my climb out again afterwards.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDC9_jP9WG7rxDTk7z_gDPOaugEL5PK_c1IFEe5LBS_0KWrcH_1ZKgP3JXohjYcbfDmGPl6tauKt9K3u4P_3M4LkPC80osnB5fJVoTi44lc7_8ipumRQV_qlTr3wTQ3OzWUQ2OvjNU0IytDvFxbU7ycqc0XdD-d6ul7jMaGrPGIZ4yWIkTlxtQt0qfbMIW/s7147/20230705_090139.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7147" data-original-width="5360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDC9_jP9WG7rxDTk7z_gDPOaugEL5PK_c1IFEe5LBS_0KWrcH_1ZKgP3JXohjYcbfDmGPl6tauKt9K3u4P_3M4LkPC80osnB5fJVoTi44lc7_8ipumRQV_qlTr3wTQ3OzWUQ2OvjNU0IytDvFxbU7ycqc0XdD-d6ul7jMaGrPGIZ4yWIkTlxtQt0qfbMIW/w480-h640/20230705_090139.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Down a few steps, I am now in Millook.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7hXv0y7Ah1GM98jh37Wy5VZsg2rJGmwDz_XRmRWXFxvK9E8FmPqeUSsyzv5Fbergqs9-91A4nl0ec82IyanL0dyMtOsHydwtCcoDjaR4nG-ImT2Q7oPfIz9Fc67WOpfrKe9w8sVZE_4NYxaDAW1zgU__NeUBKO0-DX23EndrNm6otpzZ0iXgwZjRtrjo/s8160/20230705_090748.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7hXv0y7Ah1GM98jh37Wy5VZsg2rJGmwDz_XRmRWXFxvK9E8FmPqeUSsyzv5Fbergqs9-91A4nl0ec82IyanL0dyMtOsHydwtCcoDjaR4nG-ImT2Q7oPfIz9Fc67WOpfrKe9w8sVZE_4NYxaDAW1zgU__NeUBKO0-DX23EndrNm6otpzZ0iXgwZjRtrjo/w640-h480/20230705_090748.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 2014 the cliffs at Millook Haven were voted by the Geological Society of London as one of Britain's top 10 geological sites, leading the "folding and faulting" category. The cliffs display an impressive series of recumbent chevron folds, in Carboniferous age killas of inter-bedded sandstones and shales, originally deposited in deep water. The stony beach is popular with surfers despite there being few parking spaces and the South West Coast Path passes through the seaward end of the valley. The ancient semi-natural woodland has been described as the best ravine wood in Cornwall and along with the coast is within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOmHIaDmwqMZldhAimLDoFYAZ4r_fWl6hWL-hDjp9GNdvoqeYMy8vtRnRDOFJg5_HQW1WiATYmWzjVVBEhZvBez_ciIfHE-541xY6Y0ViT61F24WWbNKeVgKUz7pAphRht33OFh12NBsELhl5JMHt4vxVWSmpcquFJtjdHUTH7-K89M4mbLodZ-xXShKG/s7939/20230705_090904.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5954" data-original-width="7939" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOmHIaDmwqMZldhAimLDoFYAZ4r_fWl6hWL-hDjp9GNdvoqeYMy8vtRnRDOFJg5_HQW1WiATYmWzjVVBEhZvBez_ciIfHE-541xY6Y0ViT61F24WWbNKeVgKUz7pAphRht33OFh12NBsELhl5JMHt4vxVWSmpcquFJtjdHUTH7-K89M4mbLodZ-xXShKG/w640-h480/20230705_090904.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I stop on the beach to eat my lunch and listen to the waves crashing in, as I nestle amongst the lobster pots.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TnIBEYbto0NVXGAmVfIK3B-N1tGmoTC7gN13blqpMD5GadmR131yRrTjMaRIRHbe6ulhnCKMo8OmGaWWlwPQofBwwRQgx3NQN64dhuwgQoO1tJ13cBKu4XslBJsveBRZO3OGNje9IZ5aSX_UzbK7JdAphonqOmd_6UbPbryLzFZiWPIQ2LqbzTfI9DES/s8160/20230705_090907.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TnIBEYbto0NVXGAmVfIK3B-N1tGmoTC7gN13blqpMD5GadmR131yRrTjMaRIRHbe6ulhnCKMo8OmGaWWlwPQofBwwRQgx3NQN64dhuwgQoO1tJ13cBKu4XslBJsveBRZO3OGNje9IZ5aSX_UzbK7JdAphonqOmd_6UbPbryLzFZiWPIQ2LqbzTfI9DES/w640-h480/20230705_090907.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I leave the beach reluctantly behind and follow the road upwards again.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgYd-q98FsK8ii42HI59B2H2VsAT-UVvpGdD2Vdl6NY9A01-KYTPCay08G59s_pqMQ4OnSjHNj7RBTRQQ5e-zP7MSVLoNM7wzQXdzHUpEMdSYgLevLsI4EzA-iMUP5QsRLdkLuqo6HgBdLaTWQxYGlbMdQ6FdxZf4YOtZjF9TTYbKsrInbBp0Q4pjFcJa/s7720/20230705_091837.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5790" data-original-width="7720" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgYd-q98FsK8ii42HI59B2H2VsAT-UVvpGdD2Vdl6NY9A01-KYTPCay08G59s_pqMQ4OnSjHNj7RBTRQQ5e-zP7MSVLoNM7wzQXdzHUpEMdSYgLevLsI4EzA-iMUP5QsRLdkLuqo6HgBdLaTWQxYGlbMdQ6FdxZf4YOtZjF9TTYbKsrInbBp0Q4pjFcJa/w640-h480/20230705_091837.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzTFQqORAwElOzxs8zuZ4EeWs6yKEnHhGaEoorwW19qtif7GGgVFEdU3O6quPCPvef1m6ClE4sT4Yivz2U6wz6-T1V7IMJegMNwrz6bkas1Kl_5Ea1ShlV6_JEBgazKPXnnTvpqxoXiMtK4HCXLC1YzE0S7ZfoZjYkycUm2nluDPDBZtv7ZYJha7HsJFK/s7834/20230705_092539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5875" data-original-width="7834" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzTFQqORAwElOzxs8zuZ4EeWs6yKEnHhGaEoorwW19qtif7GGgVFEdU3O6quPCPvef1m6ClE4sT4Yivz2U6wz6-T1V7IMJegMNwrz6bkas1Kl_5Ea1ShlV6_JEBgazKPXnnTvpqxoXiMtK4HCXLC1YzE0S7ZfoZjYkycUm2nluDPDBZtv7ZYJha7HsJFK/w640-h480/20230705_092539.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After much more climbing and road walking I take a path on my right.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizG1sRCY6Ue_CXaWe3-Cq35btNwvrzODScywMLJ8pM8ICqv_J33K9dMaQMEWO6lZKzO4rkOI5-JTs8qAg1YlaLozk-ZKd7uwLBY-zw2jBpiVisFzpjIvvhg7_A_NedwSxoDjmgq5UNK4DeM9YwTi0_TLuuE40Hmb2_c11-NaUplOrrp4TMShsSzjgyLUBR/s8160/20230705_093637.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizG1sRCY6Ue_CXaWe3-Cq35btNwvrzODScywMLJ8pM8ICqv_J33K9dMaQMEWO6lZKzO4rkOI5-JTs8qAg1YlaLozk-ZKd7uwLBY-zw2jBpiVisFzpjIvvhg7_A_NedwSxoDjmgq5UNK4DeM9YwTi0_TLuuE40Hmb2_c11-NaUplOrrp4TMShsSzjgyLUBR/w480-h640/20230705_093637.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The path is a little overgrown with bracken and other wild plants.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXo_ZPCeuZXhtm4FHMkkdgMesNfMVOX9u7io7VgIDyqX96NlKbhDZbH03fqaOFGy52oPyzZ5ki5iqDBcWpgbMXF4uF0XZKIPG3Pr1h7gdgtNeVjcquRLdnaBZUoiI0x6zG_8bjBEEiWHWNXEuukWZUGWl08MUITPI-ix8ZWMj6x3TQOD59iyLt_nu5bAiO/s8039/20230705_093721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6029" data-original-width="8039" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXo_ZPCeuZXhtm4FHMkkdgMesNfMVOX9u7io7VgIDyqX96NlKbhDZbH03fqaOFGy52oPyzZ5ki5iqDBcWpgbMXF4uF0XZKIPG3Pr1h7gdgtNeVjcquRLdnaBZUoiI0x6zG_8bjBEEiWHWNXEuukWZUGWl08MUITPI-ix8ZWMj6x3TQOD59iyLt_nu5bAiO/w640-h480/20230705_093721.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I continue along Millook Common and Bynorth Cliff.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgey12RkCvpCeAo59sB--t24cotDpnSAjTT1fBd27CpBQ8sVImjaZdPrwQiLuSLIEhlQVeZPbcJVqH5lLUZHQ5lBmydNMLM6bk-H3QSRYjzip2j8zQdF6GrW1JpeJvyviN9syx9zPypS0yDZ2bXA8CxaTMRhH-OBDNctlN-8mJmK9xIWyvwKISFShKjfdFM/s7944/20230705_094530.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5958" data-original-width="7944" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgey12RkCvpCeAo59sB--t24cotDpnSAjTT1fBd27CpBQ8sVImjaZdPrwQiLuSLIEhlQVeZPbcJVqH5lLUZHQ5lBmydNMLM6bk-H3QSRYjzip2j8zQdF6GrW1JpeJvyviN9syx9zPypS0yDZ2bXA8CxaTMRhH-OBDNctlN-8mJmK9xIWyvwKISFShKjfdFM/w640-h480/20230705_094530.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There's a slight descent and the path shifts onto a wooded slope by the National Trust Dizzard Sign.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFDUNvCkgc_pYdAsaTBDJy0EtT4tJtLeSucq0tUBntzvq2kKWlspiSKdvX7Em9G-UWpFlUdEJgm07bbuxCntSbTy4VBi4WyGA_0dnZrHg23bJbEI1Aib8pUbe4rFrB1e2sMRqsN6SAcSA6387Sdl3iAK8_wetN08SXR2NjOrwwFhR7PfFaK-cS05Wf9W2/s8160/20230705_094757.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFDUNvCkgc_pYdAsaTBDJy0EtT4tJtLeSucq0tUBntzvq2kKWlspiSKdvX7Em9G-UWpFlUdEJgm07bbuxCntSbTy4VBi4WyGA_0dnZrHg23bJbEI1Aib8pUbe4rFrB1e2sMRqsN6SAcSA6387Sdl3iAK8_wetN08SXR2NjOrwwFhR7PfFaK-cS05Wf9W2/w640-h480/20230705_094757.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I climb out of the Oak Wood and ghrough fields passing the highest point of Bynorth cliff at 164m.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXhgl7Z0pIINXvGKDb5t2I78LeK_z1rB73Qb_Zu84S6Ij9tnVHsBafhmy3t0tGZ8FuvEMBxw1FYrCDFpQxmGnuSPzxVDleWy1cP006P6ZTrxa7fJKDeg9OCbbUvvdU45IWqkVNvc51BJ_7WF_lDEFnYYFhv4uk9dbe0fgF4qiFKi2JNXhmeqlxqz1NXER/s7965/20230705_100123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5974" data-original-width="7965" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXhgl7Z0pIINXvGKDb5t2I78LeK_z1rB73Qb_Zu84S6Ij9tnVHsBafhmy3t0tGZ8FuvEMBxw1FYrCDFpQxmGnuSPzxVDleWy1cP006P6ZTrxa7fJKDeg9OCbbUvvdU45IWqkVNvc51BJ_7WF_lDEFnYYFhv4uk9dbe0fgF4qiFKi2JNXhmeqlxqz1NXER/w640-h480/20230705_100123.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk on along a bush covered slope crossing stiles.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6xefKLKIzsnfuYIbDm2f6MHetA7rJlhaIpeWFAEWxQxC-zeJARpz2Dcv164ZhQHe5ALyA6kq9f6F6I1ERDBrlInWAYO1h50Zhn3ZmyZkxGuRusQkFbMmNyCGPqrBvkthiLktVemoYjBYMlhbP0vbGkIU2aaxz_cTcc5wtI0dRLW-mquJU515eBcgECHr/s7910/20230705_102558.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5933" data-original-width="7910" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6xefKLKIzsnfuYIbDm2f6MHetA7rJlhaIpeWFAEWxQxC-zeJARpz2Dcv164ZhQHe5ALyA6kq9f6F6I1ERDBrlInWAYO1h50Zhn3ZmyZkxGuRusQkFbMmNyCGPqrBvkthiLktVemoYjBYMlhbP0vbGkIU2aaxz_cTcc5wtI0dRLW-mquJU515eBcgECHr/w640-h480/20230705_102558.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9XWQesWVnLWvYA4Cp3rE7iq-ESULVc2H6YVGEmUKjumpgb_LhF8lHsjnF5xpG1RDyqU8_fAp3tzVzW8VYBo_F916oakHekbdS1SfuLMJx0__jegF_wWx8af2RL5shfyvtWko6_pVHAWLHNLZQfOOE5bDWh8m19zLUeC2d3TTzrRKRdn5xmITEz_FXFgO/s7951/20230705_102625.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5964" data-original-width="7951" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9XWQesWVnLWvYA4Cp3rE7iq-ESULVc2H6YVGEmUKjumpgb_LhF8lHsjnF5xpG1RDyqU8_fAp3tzVzW8VYBo_F916oakHekbdS1SfuLMJx0__jegF_wWx8af2RL5shfyvtWko6_pVHAWLHNLZQfOOE5bDWh8m19zLUeC2d3TTzrRKRdn5xmITEz_FXFgO/w640-h480/20230705_102625.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAqzeqBgRRlQHpwhzaT5TO6bMKc5x-yXs8TSX5salL_i0B2SfYqna4yMqEu9IcHsuYgxOdHaCyhiDBgYE4rW0s8naevcivLCMmf6uAuvfry4n7p7UkQAbqTnRimtV1xfdgj0ZLse5x0_rCr3xsjbjTXTIWbFgIpQ77zXbUkRoVzP1R-5mvcilnbn4BzhS/s7657/20230705_102703.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5743" data-original-width="7657" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAqzeqBgRRlQHpwhzaT5TO6bMKc5x-yXs8TSX5salL_i0B2SfYqna4yMqEu9IcHsuYgxOdHaCyhiDBgYE4rW0s8naevcivLCMmf6uAuvfry4n7p7UkQAbqTnRimtV1xfdgj0ZLse5x0_rCr3xsjbjTXTIWbFgIpQ77zXbUkRoVzP1R-5mvcilnbn4BzhS/w640-h480/20230705_102703.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I descend down 180 steps into a steep sided Scarde Valley, right at the bottom is a waterfall and a stony beach. The path descends nearly all the way down to sea level, and straight back up the other side. This is one of the deepest and steepest valleys of the Cornish path!</div></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Bitstream Charter, serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPihpf3lb4mn6FC5Bs2icQj2xTVguUn6htpcNhmxV_NrEBwXmcKIvlajfjE-3Zkdl3C_-6ZQDZ2B2xe6BIC2_Jg8T28zMVc4Bhl2HA1n3y5-_3PkzYJ3S9wCnecIqbVIvV6VDgEF0kGCyiAiZySvtN5sgDfXjNXbSTsu6ptunFy4IuQclIgss8yZ17QTnP/s8160/20230705_102849.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPihpf3lb4mn6FC5Bs2icQj2xTVguUn6htpcNhmxV_NrEBwXmcKIvlajfjE-3Zkdl3C_-6ZQDZ2B2xe6BIC2_Jg8T28zMVc4Bhl2HA1n3y5-_3PkzYJ3S9wCnecIqbVIvV6VDgEF0kGCyiAiZySvtN5sgDfXjNXbSTsu6ptunFy4IuQclIgss8yZ17QTnP/w640-h480/20230705_102849.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4d778270_hZMqQRDIhNQdj9DbUilh_sPR3zi3w8zyTPJBOz_m5DlqfQQJAmq17S8RdKo0zs7w7drzuw90X15SJa53H1YUsrx_5QHE8vr__2hWXi5WW_aVGVUm1kOoAzp9quOcb13vdFzUaQx1MyJZVpoNpCwHkqK7hKWviOaX3_JuIFbptigp_ClXtacg/s7672/20230705_103410.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5754" data-original-width="7672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4d778270_hZMqQRDIhNQdj9DbUilh_sPR3zi3w8zyTPJBOz_m5DlqfQQJAmq17S8RdKo0zs7w7drzuw90X15SJa53H1YUsrx_5QHE8vr__2hWXi5WW_aVGVUm1kOoAzp9quOcb13vdFzUaQx1MyJZVpoNpCwHkqK7hKWviOaX3_JuIFbptigp_ClXtacg/w640-h480/20230705_103410.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YFJ4toHbH9hCSGl390s9hAWloNH1C5faaqgI_VcCpvsieWx_k-LHomioVwevtmqdAgtlQSKJjkR8rQRVg3MnKDXFo18bTga6JOiexOaGACXMaDFf2hZzC4Nq3qibftFPAYDnib3nxctKnO7uaqx1zeLb3tvXdz6gdNcYc7TJUbn0-zwyYwvzLPg2gF8o/s7785/20230705_103414.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5839" data-original-width="7785" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YFJ4toHbH9hCSGl390s9hAWloNH1C5faaqgI_VcCpvsieWx_k-LHomioVwevtmqdAgtlQSKJjkR8rQRVg3MnKDXFo18bTga6JOiexOaGACXMaDFf2hZzC4Nq3qibftFPAYDnib3nxctKnO7uaqx1zeLb3tvXdz6gdNcYc7TJUbn0-zwyYwvzLPg2gF8o/w640-h480/20230705_103414.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2Vt5JziuzJscPqW1gJXh6XN3Q0aIcsku0ODCDvxtIT8JBDX-x_siCLUG4KtDvxdx3QAPW5GjnJF0vXGPE87jvJcCVIjdZ4pe3UhU0xFwZSlV_xhY3c-5oAca-EWRRRHJNCUHkpB_Wz0Ywhze-TEZZiOhTF5h9dcEMWgMrS4LDLfAmVK8FvKNbKd1WZJ7/s8160/20230705_103421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2Vt5JziuzJscPqW1gJXh6XN3Q0aIcsku0ODCDvxtIT8JBDX-x_siCLUG4KtDvxdx3QAPW5GjnJF0vXGPE87jvJcCVIjdZ4pe3UhU0xFwZSlV_xhY3c-5oAca-EWRRRHJNCUHkpB_Wz0Ywhze-TEZZiOhTF5h9dcEMWgMrS4LDLfAmVK8FvKNbKd1WZJ7/w480-h640/20230705_103421.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCWYfwe_-YGwpoSVfQIscUpk02BTyvTjfVvogTPWTPC6nwjBxjpq6PfZe7hV-gC1MCtOhc-QTpIipDisvT-m_QrVQRSVjRSEfuQgNTAGcm1ombOU3ZS6F2rQYBRfuYBViZtgZewAlt1tT_NYJ5BooqUcC5Q33LlMfvzGgaFZ2bM1w4Yhg5TnNphFXNZtj/s7855/20230705_103735.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5891" data-original-width="7855" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCWYfwe_-YGwpoSVfQIscUpk02BTyvTjfVvogTPWTPC6nwjBxjpq6PfZe7hV-gC1MCtOhc-QTpIipDisvT-m_QrVQRSVjRSEfuQgNTAGcm1ombOU3ZS6F2rQYBRfuYBViZtgZewAlt1tT_NYJ5BooqUcC5Q33LlMfvzGgaFZ2bM1w4Yhg5TnNphFXNZtj/w640-h480/20230705_103735.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I climb the 130 steps back out of Scrade Valley.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIiQzgCUf1CgRMwm7cnmwTTZNgh0jTPPcTUF50MB0cKVSWQ8qjIaykgLNalFYRowLIpOrgrwEx0rmrKBVZA_vwBFaSdugYSxJZHhw4EndUhzDBHXFh5u6ihgkYaDnfpQRz9vpTXSm5oJlFmPmijZwkAqCFpMEFHeX7cOCyMU2530nUJgCGRooUGaLQhbA/s8160/20230705_103806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIiQzgCUf1CgRMwm7cnmwTTZNgh0jTPPcTUF50MB0cKVSWQ8qjIaykgLNalFYRowLIpOrgrwEx0rmrKBVZA_vwBFaSdugYSxJZHhw4EndUhzDBHXFh5u6ihgkYaDnfpQRz9vpTXSm5oJlFmPmijZwkAqCFpMEFHeX7cOCyMU2530nUJgCGRooUGaLQhbA/w640-h480/20230705_103806.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some easy walking along the top of gently sloping cliffs, through fields, in an area called Lower Tresmorn.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-glmnHPkWGGtjSWmlVHcgZoc9rRNotDdIPoLG3OUxmL0sPOXBmBNM9phBAEdWeq4TFLujdW7FKWnaL--k2IssMNEYYFc5orETlOuzRH7g01V2yykhGkrOnec6cyFv69b4Itc34FTbWSV6PIjEWETO2bOroCtxxR3CND5KW_4eTy4TDQXvboBhQv-RxzX/s8160/20230705_103812.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-glmnHPkWGGtjSWmlVHcgZoc9rRNotDdIPoLG3OUxmL0sPOXBmBNM9phBAEdWeq4TFLujdW7FKWnaL--k2IssMNEYYFc5orETlOuzRH7g01V2yykhGkrOnec6cyFv69b4Itc34FTbWSV6PIjEWETO2bOroCtxxR3CND5KW_4eTy4TDQXvboBhQv-RxzX/w480-h640/20230705_103812.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The path descends again towards the sea at Cleave.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4n3sa9drzM33n63YbzPTF0WVCJ1cpKRyFSddXrTHsUwpgPnbquPI0ipkD1sAtwFHWlafufmA3nEW08WvP1RZSCbMSE1aKAICl6WPzOLiu2UH5aE2uJboS-sTjPYS9AbE8vvy8VU8fhndGbZCrr6CVqFF8qrykXnZZbH1Sw6VjuWMZdsWu3Wyny3lzTja/s8160/20230705_103929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4n3sa9drzM33n63YbzPTF0WVCJ1cpKRyFSddXrTHsUwpgPnbquPI0ipkD1sAtwFHWlafufmA3nEW08WvP1RZSCbMSE1aKAICl6WPzOLiu2UH5aE2uJboS-sTjPYS9AbE8vvy8VU8fhndGbZCrr6CVqFF8qrykXnZZbH1Sw6VjuWMZdsWu3Wyny3lzTja/w480-h640/20230705_103929.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking back to the descent, in the time it took me to get down a trail runner ran up and down 4 or 5 times. She then passed several times on my ascent on the other side before running off. Mad these trail runners but super fit. I puff my way up slowly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3T0vGH1d3yU1ap2Y3fa6_GMbjlvX3hRg-rXPbpbaZjwAcB9nbUi3OR67aXE7K1WGwIzRiEQGoKOw453CnCifDDmM1JzEoExSIY3k7lqbdDp24tR75YMQGVt1Shez2wtqdBTwNY2JJxPuEfh-nT8WGlEB2MYQMYm70ArP-8bjRMm59LZe7SUtKcRUz4095/s7660/20230705_104635.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7660" data-original-width="5745" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3T0vGH1d3yU1ap2Y3fa6_GMbjlvX3hRg-rXPbpbaZjwAcB9nbUi3OR67aXE7K1WGwIzRiEQGoKOw453CnCifDDmM1JzEoExSIY3k7lqbdDp24tR75YMQGVt1Shez2wtqdBTwNY2JJxPuEfh-nT8WGlEB2MYQMYm70ArP-8bjRMm59LZe7SUtKcRUz4095/w480-h640/20230705_104635.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some steep steps out of Cleave Strand! Guidebook say 50 of them but I'm sure there's more!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcztaylRCknuj1Md2OKduyEhs_gNlGML0lubkHWXcOjve5wqFeOLvnZja4HyhWsLsJo6pJJsKXD5YD9LNtv807dN5jHXtTk_djLsOxTOfydD8iVRZ6prqT7TCAbd7vnNiXV8D6Tg4UkPkemIcUbYnDRZCqksfnPQxtXhZX3GJ2bg_3sTY2TW2bvk3mN86/s8010/20230705_104913.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8010" data-original-width="6007" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcztaylRCknuj1Md2OKduyEhs_gNlGML0lubkHWXcOjve5wqFeOLvnZja4HyhWsLsJo6pJJsKXD5YD9LNtv807dN5jHXtTk_djLsOxTOfydD8iVRZ6prqT7TCAbd7vnNiXV8D6Tg4UkPkemIcUbYnDRZCqksfnPQxtXhZX3GJ2bg_3sTY2TW2bvk3mN86/w480-h640/20230705_104913.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnP7CUR5_10YYc1_7UxM0GLNWBaWIv5eeEqK-9-gKeM7gYNzPsMa4fIDvOixYGgsS39ev1tSCP6qC6kgNXalkC7PY1VoZur67dNR9kToRJBgY_XNnyOQVGJwcydOoURbYdlnH3N-AW5r88JgixHYQ9H2i5mpg7v1sO0PTHCSbFWQFkaD5mv7DXmTTbLGY/s8017/20230705_105754.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6013" data-original-width="8017" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnP7CUR5_10YYc1_7UxM0GLNWBaWIv5eeEqK-9-gKeM7gYNzPsMa4fIDvOixYGgsS39ev1tSCP6qC6kgNXalkC7PY1VoZur67dNR9kToRJBgY_XNnyOQVGJwcydOoURbYdlnH3N-AW5r88JgixHYQ9H2i5mpg7v1sO0PTHCSbFWQFkaD5mv7DXmTTbLGY/w640-h480/20230705_105754.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk on passing Gull Rock.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_iKBa_VOO2q7_Kt5NhtL2J7BZeIOoDGtc4EjgdoSzdYX8ZLitdpegA8JsOjqlpEvpy3dion9jmg_dpy8IVHh7XDxjpnaGYvJjhpWuqOwJ-UBUnleIJu0bAlsk03pnbO7fgthwxgx-Ghapxxpd3z_iO5MvLaCAQ2vzCO7hYbsm4bCU-9wrKyeaoZh_UH3/s8160/20230705_105925.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_iKBa_VOO2q7_Kt5NhtL2J7BZeIOoDGtc4EjgdoSzdYX8ZLitdpegA8JsOjqlpEvpy3dion9jmg_dpy8IVHh7XDxjpnaGYvJjhpWuqOwJ-UBUnleIJu0bAlsk03pnbO7fgthwxgx-Ghapxxpd3z_iO5MvLaCAQ2vzCO7hYbsm4bCU-9wrKyeaoZh_UH3/w640-h480/20230705_105925.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87NNyZ-i6mALsC0jrL3qXp4SrRs5ZgP2F_BKFhKidTUZtF0lmoqdASxScXj-64WCM2Boinji_Q3Qp32F3w-lKtibgYTI8oxmhb4KddQk1xqVaoIfa-68er93POwBmF65bav54Wo4k4Kmb19WMYJxiNmI7IyIq69OjxlW4EYB_UPqFpV6fEdHE5yJswboY/s8160/20230705_110549.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8160" data-original-width="6120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87NNyZ-i6mALsC0jrL3qXp4SrRs5ZgP2F_BKFhKidTUZtF0lmoqdASxScXj-64WCM2Boinji_Q3Qp32F3w-lKtibgYTI8oxmhb4KddQk1xqVaoIfa-68er93POwBmF65bav54Wo4k4Kmb19WMYJxiNmI7IyIq69OjxlW4EYB_UPqFpV6fEdHE5yJswboY/w480-h640/20230705_110549.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk towards Pencannow Point.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GWz9YRy7mt4OYjhKquvdsgdeEYwRxesIYRDbGjlGAaVNqjyJqwGSZlyoMYWDpm_hjC8pN4FLxXbNZ_tdAG9rxnZo9UuNUoTt9QJ-odbfvtz5ulQnehrmt63XmBWLP4sNOzgdc-tQHi6R6od6WZi8ZsjS1WLDonUPNSO5gvgSMSgjg7tD0njG-w6qLjJ6/s8160/20230705_111126.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GWz9YRy7mt4OYjhKquvdsgdeEYwRxesIYRDbGjlGAaVNqjyJqwGSZlyoMYWDpm_hjC8pN4FLxXbNZ_tdAG9rxnZo9UuNUoTt9QJ-odbfvtz5ulQnehrmt63XmBWLP4sNOzgdc-tQHi6R6od6WZi8ZsjS1WLDonUPNSO5gvgSMSgjg7tD0njG-w6qLjJ6/w640-h480/20230705_111126.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVJ1AkCKaY8lKPXneuBhot7iAsG2dYe7mpx2hGXAw0UzNTEnDNpW_O0ZKMz0TI9cBkGLC6hXieOecOEVMiqXEuEruwm6EJmnFyhlx6eSPX3lpyo3VL5M6tBhA2c350sgv9chPmInb_HUZtXMp77D7CDRIOzncqvCMIU8sbGkOdaK83idqjwandk2O9Dfg/s7798/20230705_111317.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5849" data-original-width="7798" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVJ1AkCKaY8lKPXneuBhot7iAsG2dYe7mpx2hGXAw0UzNTEnDNpW_O0ZKMz0TI9cBkGLC6hXieOecOEVMiqXEuEruwm6EJmnFyhlx6eSPX3lpyo3VL5M6tBhA2c350sgv9chPmInb_HUZtXMp77D7CDRIOzncqvCMIU8sbGkOdaK83idqjwandk2O9Dfg/w640-h480/20230705_111317.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBQ9q0GFQ1d5oyfJmEiQghMQMMbHS48diw8y_ivZv9suIiPLaEM_ATi8zRCqa82NMjB_LzY9Aow0qK_5-O0XyWsYZ-Y5P7mdRfH4hjGczzI-oShiMPEmDUxw0gyUeeQHe5ZulKSxM8PaeGXRp1MGQAAWa0CXDcGCl_Af-u96z3Yw-Ye9CmQsJTP34qs5s/s7772/20230705_111411.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5829" data-original-width="7772" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBQ9q0GFQ1d5oyfJmEiQghMQMMbHS48diw8y_ivZv9suIiPLaEM_ATi8zRCqa82NMjB_LzY9Aow0qK_5-O0XyWsYZ-Y5P7mdRfH4hjGczzI-oShiMPEmDUxw0gyUeeQHe5ZulKSxM8PaeGXRp1MGQAAWa0CXDcGCl_Af-u96z3Yw-Ye9CmQsJTP34qs5s/w640-h480/20230705_111411.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispQOF0bfdo1Yv9-_fE5fGuf6o8FmOQvL4owQBoo035K3Uq_M2X2aAHxwFJnut7ZmXQkcPH45aqWLeukXhfKChc0qjfe_QJMaR-iTwQ2Ld4HjXyHgeeJIMOi9qm0V0lHcUF6y_4YnglfgLcYJoA-YD_KrADkqMuWpLCVqPAg6tDhqXM6aB_rDLV1rnmdYb/s7716/20230705_111804.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5787" data-original-width="7716" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispQOF0bfdo1Yv9-_fE5fGuf6o8FmOQvL4owQBoo035K3Uq_M2X2aAHxwFJnut7ZmXQkcPH45aqWLeukXhfKChc0qjfe_QJMaR-iTwQ2Ld4HjXyHgeeJIMOi9qm0V0lHcUF6y_4YnglfgLcYJoA-YD_KrADkqMuWpLCVqPAg6tDhqXM6aB_rDLV1rnmdYb/w640-h480/20230705_111804.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpb5fbxw2sQJoi9erGHiew1xvkhfj6JM5tLqRoExvnvSXO3QRZDs03eDusZgDLkebGuaO98YDry8ANKC3atFIDEDbp1UFYCj-fYLJAbyyFiw_ES97fysf-vfYJMC2tgG8TCUf6RC2D9D2hEXxrmQamb2G7nX7CL-Iq_WpcTrcvoNle-S1GzcdNxU27cCHp/s7797/20230705_111834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7797" data-original-width="5848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpb5fbxw2sQJoi9erGHiew1xvkhfj6JM5tLqRoExvnvSXO3QRZDs03eDusZgDLkebGuaO98YDry8ANKC3atFIDEDbp1UFYCj-fYLJAbyyFiw_ES97fysf-vfYJMC2tgG8TCUf6RC2D9D2hEXxrmQamb2G7nX7CL-Iq_WpcTrcvoNle-S1GzcdNxU27cCHp/w480-h640/20230705_111834.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is very pretty walking out on Pencannow Point.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCUEEY6t7vwKtq7p2NoQW_G0N57bIrjfbAPt3V9YusL3doZMwyu7pgh9iZHLYuCBggxKk1mviPoBuPkyWqwQIo2swg378WktZxKJLzKd1JnjsvxSDllpN2nExr7oMzdRBOQjc7ptmCP10RYnSygiXCe2gxjSFSDLFa50Q-octGhHSLY0-o401Zn_83KiB/s2874/20230705_112014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2156" data-original-width="2874" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCUEEY6t7vwKtq7p2NoQW_G0N57bIrjfbAPt3V9YusL3doZMwyu7pgh9iZHLYuCBggxKk1mviPoBuPkyWqwQIo2swg378WktZxKJLzKd1JnjsvxSDllpN2nExr7oMzdRBOQjc7ptmCP10RYnSygiXCe2gxjSFSDLFa50Q-octGhHSLY0-o401Zn_83KiB/w640-h480/20230705_112014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjusFHxrfyeZnl_Ct2M5ZGjMpT67F6tmgZIp4GhI2jXC7V3pDQW1Xq_Ox4pbcmPTCB01vhYg6fwBpQJgu9vJ7uWQDy2b5IZ38nMoM4i6ACsFJrVColQrcdBODYzRo_z7XKDjr-brc-HZqxhOCYbwQ2b4zd0ui_VZulyjaMI8__29UHMj1GJAwB3suHHbn/s2832/20230705_112023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2124" data-original-width="2832" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjusFHxrfyeZnl_Ct2M5ZGjMpT67F6tmgZIp4GhI2jXC7V3pDQW1Xq_Ox4pbcmPTCB01vhYg6fwBpQJgu9vJ7uWQDy2b5IZ38nMoM4i6ACsFJrVColQrcdBODYzRo_z7XKDjr-brc-HZqxhOCYbwQ2b4zd0ui_VZulyjaMI8__29UHMj1GJAwB3suHHbn/w640-h480/20230705_112023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1u3VGmdnUJxJBB6tOIrWrmqF_ygKQKjXlHbatzOXdZ4oX9Y8A6MbpCMmTGgBefPZHupot-8rE3k_bHSIOoqfAa5ubfAuYuBybRkT8VjLPI5iv68o6Jg1XjHv0dDggnW2cm046hX6hTiiVx-B2qxo6OaTaOtseaBDT2isKEOLzBR9Yd_gjm5fZ5jMVrN9/s8160/20230705_112141.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1u3VGmdnUJxJBB6tOIrWrmqF_ygKQKjXlHbatzOXdZ4oX9Y8A6MbpCMmTGgBefPZHupot-8rE3k_bHSIOoqfAa5ubfAuYuBybRkT8VjLPI5iv68o6Jg1XjHv0dDggnW2cm046hX6hTiiVx-B2qxo6OaTaOtseaBDT2isKEOLzBR9Yd_gjm5fZ5jMVrN9/w640-h480/20230705_112141.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1Ll9rA0h_zxpYFwufpWY5UKCCAhWshBxYjR3rMaSwJdFfYkFrRBUFTEkW1lF48qrNvGH4eyYiazb3L3i15vKDfCYqK2EuJ5O-ggmpwln4xOMKANQHVGz4EKzippvjknRH2LCtclJ4SfpslSOMVtm33Nw-cWvpRaqdEYajygGu8pUvkaijwmivpQuEUh9/w640-h480/20230705_112832.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_WQUanDsewxz94R92B-s1iTq_cHdUr6CtIsWoMM8wMpPXcjBNDkT-17nGHZ_U8EB3mAByVnzM1hfgWc1awPLS-llueqVcRTInnVxBIGsWi92Q5FfvKYnZEUP1rC5xfKFERv8HlhL3kgl85_jjLOqkJ7DJ-Chzmd7ScRkI1ncgU-55cPWjbU-FOzHyPPi/s3846/20230705_112924.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2885" data-original-width="3846" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_WQUanDsewxz94R92B-s1iTq_cHdUr6CtIsWoMM8wMpPXcjBNDkT-17nGHZ_U8EB3mAByVnzM1hfgWc1awPLS-llueqVcRTInnVxBIGsWi92Q5FfvKYnZEUP1rC5xfKFERv8HlhL3kgl85_jjLOqkJ7DJ-Chzmd7ScRkI1ncgU-55cPWjbU-FOzHyPPi/w640-h480/20230705_112924.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3841" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAsnT9qG-AfPgDOrDfJ0TT0a_4PE3ep5J7w39mfK_hT_XOsRXN9KIOtMMewP_ZSFAHwg9n9ci_uLiDy_0AKAopr8ce1g_p1IAPPI3ylTKUIvKL0Y907YSXSiQ9kJrSpyo7Z-NhZBnVQg3Uk4dtAHkIMspBbhB4xArBdBnt_k966AL_OMhpCgWMUI0QRHt/w640-h480/20230705_113037.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IlBvL8paIVFNvxU_FUyq0EmHrOI0ZAD2VjqoOvlPlYLS6GgjJeU9HKvLL-3ldSgpBmsCRuy9mBLb2W9nBh3syK0oe3Wn9OI4alJ8LNRJpQmt1zzsu3KGNp_1rvk4kcj5ue8T6RH9XCRmT-dQNcrVM0J6AJzwKN7uXLcmkfIWUzTkmevvLPzB-RHB7XbE/s3833/20230705_113142.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2875" data-original-width="3833" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IlBvL8paIVFNvxU_FUyq0EmHrOI0ZAD2VjqoOvlPlYLS6GgjJeU9HKvLL-3ldSgpBmsCRuy9mBLb2W9nBh3syK0oe3Wn9OI4alJ8LNRJpQmt1zzsu3KGNp_1rvk4kcj5ue8T6RH9XCRmT-dQNcrVM0J6AJzwKN7uXLcmkfIWUzTkmevvLPzB-RHB7XbE/w640-h480/20230705_113142.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCox_YxHwWuGR4foYx8_68w5_WZmZovfSpYFR7hKqRRVtRhN9OMhcP4-31NBp5O7AcMcNkclC8-_WOQ8kNoYZQBiOtxv3rAU6BQsZZplkw5G3tYlI7GaSqe6LIAjZtUofGmvF5GWyUpK9DxHkb-ReX2-OnLRtlZSPl2V65dFR1KUugFrx7akgDeE2337G/s3713/20230705_113630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2785" data-original-width="3713" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCox_YxHwWuGR4foYx8_68w5_WZmZovfSpYFR7hKqRRVtRhN9OMhcP4-31NBp5O7AcMcNkclC8-_WOQ8kNoYZQBiOtxv3rAU6BQsZZplkw5G3tYlI7GaSqe6LIAjZtUofGmvF5GWyUpK9DxHkb-ReX2-OnLRtlZSPl2V65dFR1KUugFrx7akgDeE2337G/w640-h480/20230705_113630.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">Further on I descend down 60 steps and another 40 to climb out, I keep thinking Crackington Haven can't be far now. I was going to continue to Boscastle but I'm tired and I need to be fit for the rest of my family holiday.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1a7Hq8kxHYSdaXHooPe9NTCNlEf5VGoVeXusxa6R8SX5DawK5dUJW4RNTJQ7rqgFm1qgYSnaK9WdGL8zmm5la-2Dalwu-kllXp9uLAT59os795W_Cr8_5FRyDmHA_XkVGQ-62v8Ia9TAER46YpUqKmlbhlR52bGiapWoAdajPbzAMa3Hhmg_KfLrwTOr/s4000/20230705_113849.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1a7Hq8kxHYSdaXHooPe9NTCNlEf5VGoVeXusxa6R8SX5DawK5dUJW4RNTJQ7rqgFm1qgYSnaK9WdGL8zmm5la-2Dalwu-kllXp9uLAT59os795W_Cr8_5FRyDmHA_XkVGQ-62v8Ia9TAER46YpUqKmlbhlR52bGiapWoAdajPbzAMa3Hhmg_KfLrwTOr/w480-h640/20230705_113849.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I cross a river and pass some cows that weren't the slightest bit interested in me.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3Xvi--BJFAIwKOf6fn48_BM-XfSZvNJ6yR-KJIPWEEu7I2lCczCSXuDFObtA59UW3wcc_ZuyLVwpf6iQvcCoT3LCUf_q7KJBEQzM-_ECP3TTOIynmX34RTqlD6eOLcmoIcAGRFE9ueDSBf3ekpBTea4jXrrgr-ufVHjD4SBKS1IZHVfkQvtnMqpi9LnK/s7448/20230705_113917.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5586" data-original-width="7448" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3Xvi--BJFAIwKOf6fn48_BM-XfSZvNJ6yR-KJIPWEEu7I2lCczCSXuDFObtA59UW3wcc_ZuyLVwpf6iQvcCoT3LCUf_q7KJBEQzM-_ECP3TTOIynmX34RTqlD6eOLcmoIcAGRFE9ueDSBf3ekpBTea4jXrrgr-ufVHjD4SBKS1IZHVfkQvtnMqpi9LnK/w640-h480/20230705_113917.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPb4eYcIOtJ3Yj-0IKsRehrduiMwJE4SF4wIyODn7z83U6JnJ0cFubFfemRdfGSPWXaxH4p5p-IlrRZL_7K1v1aJrUxGLgQGeUkJ0yXaCsmLGuyn6mjxzzO3Auz_I7DFYnilSMoi-t0AGIe-W43HFTkWw3g7ABTYtNAVygve2ZAzOkTcjnEyP4MeY4Rx7/s7567/20230705_115319.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5675" data-original-width="7567" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPb4eYcIOtJ3Yj-0IKsRehrduiMwJE4SF4wIyODn7z83U6JnJ0cFubFfemRdfGSPWXaxH4p5p-IlrRZL_7K1v1aJrUxGLgQGeUkJ0yXaCsmLGuyn6mjxzzO3Auz_I7DFYnilSMoi-t0AGIe-W43HFTkWw3g7ABTYtNAVygve2ZAzOkTcjnEyP4MeY4Rx7/w640-h480/20230705_115319.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvdImFBCbsAOKG8PnSf44qruwZpj0P1EkF0QHQILHSMDMhatdHdiqcw5k8KSirXEgwmYm3p_MkOxXjV3hiCbN_Y0ZitKkfGGeuigBiq9f73wCzwq2XkmTskBh76tW-ZSQmqjWLy0nvPyvzZ8TG672NukSczsYojxI1gcnc2dtFYmT_aChAhVED76SI0rU/s7862/20230705_115704.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5896" data-original-width="7862" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvdImFBCbsAOKG8PnSf44qruwZpj0P1EkF0QHQILHSMDMhatdHdiqcw5k8KSirXEgwmYm3p_MkOxXjV3hiCbN_Y0ZitKkfGGeuigBiq9f73wCzwq2XkmTskBh76tW-ZSQmqjWLy0nvPyvzZ8TG672NukSczsYojxI1gcnc2dtFYmT_aChAhVED76SI0rU/w640-h480/20230705_115704.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoYhBod5D51y3TYGvopKsjWAwqdhs8JOnB73RyrgGECyszhbwhIFkgi9soP4VxvWxAxDhzRvIq3N84sIa603WPyHJJ2Cyu154zvO98MHqjV6QhJqPRyCVhXzE6hTdeX0GWWOrd5BNJYylrYF-Op1xsUxwMayDgDpNpZCHKaoh88zT5Xm8XkjTsKbtRVCT/s8160/20230705_115706.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoYhBod5D51y3TYGvopKsjWAwqdhs8JOnB73RyrgGECyszhbwhIFkgi9soP4VxvWxAxDhzRvIq3N84sIa603WPyHJJ2Cyu154zvO98MHqjV6QhJqPRyCVhXzE6hTdeX0GWWOrd5BNJYylrYF-Op1xsUxwMayDgDpNpZCHKaoh88zT5Xm8XkjTsKbtRVCT/w640-h480/20230705_115706.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kHgflGQcxDDlZSG1lOSsbD02cfU0gAFqaE-vr1WQvhHH6eHVUH9UPjVIx2Z8_V17c5LbAPF3DXV5FawsJLODVpvLWDyFfUXRivGXES8aEAry9QL6FkiiPwKXqFFny0JKU4H1EUGTN1iAs6Zd9PkpVyeemNrto9R1bSLTQQSlnuj3vRTW2L0tn5WO9Did/s7324/20230705_115956.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5493" data-original-width="7324" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kHgflGQcxDDlZSG1lOSsbD02cfU0gAFqaE-vr1WQvhHH6eHVUH9UPjVIx2Z8_V17c5LbAPF3DXV5FawsJLODVpvLWDyFfUXRivGXES8aEAry9QL6FkiiPwKXqFFny0JKU4H1EUGTN1iAs6Zd9PkpVyeemNrto9R1bSLTQQSlnuj3vRTW2L0tn5WO9Did/w640-h480/20230705_115956.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I now make my descent into Crackington Haven, the end is near!</div></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGIPqD-8ckE-7uxLJ7Pldo-X_R6MRI65-S72UmR_3E8P9Gg1DjaeF5UkcpTpZFCSeouz394Yl2I2sUhUTxdJjzsz_Kmk_7evMtt2LVUQEwoT_bIdyBYIstenky50SjctGJo2a8LCGg5o_j2HrthED4awigToD5cjaEVMK0rOt2ZePQZRhrzho9Gu0pvdK/s8160/20230705_120445.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGIPqD-8ckE-7uxLJ7Pldo-X_R6MRI65-S72UmR_3E8P9Gg1DjaeF5UkcpTpZFCSeouz394Yl2I2sUhUTxdJjzsz_Kmk_7evMtt2LVUQEwoT_bIdyBYIstenky50SjctGJo2a8LCGg5o_j2HrthED4awigToD5cjaEVMK0rOt2ZePQZRhrzho9Gu0pvdK/w640-h480/20230705_120445.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crackington Haven</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGwtfUyw8SRN78iPfj_xVTr6WpEhlLWsUxLF0MTgyx_0Hruy8JhHUsp5sPkfhycU353gI_3L5F-TtdgMqpR0nKKZJhbWR-8ipEJ0o7ZGRdJJdw6flNQACr3i7JFywe_Lahy5PT8twHLGqa_VZ6fFh_DFkf3D8SDOZjDSlTOhzSGU_Qk4kGPSJcDoFiCj5/s7639/20230705_120448.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5729" data-original-width="7639" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGwtfUyw8SRN78iPfj_xVTr6WpEhlLWsUxLF0MTgyx_0Hruy8JhHUsp5sPkfhycU353gI_3L5F-TtdgMqpR0nKKZJhbWR-8ipEJ0o7ZGRdJJdw6flNQACr3i7JFywe_Lahy5PT8twHLGqa_VZ6fFh_DFkf3D8SDOZjDSlTOhzSGU_Qk4kGPSJcDoFiCj5/w640-h480/20230705_120448.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Crackington Haven is popular with tourists, walkers, and geology students. The surrounding cliffs are well known for their visible folded sedimentary rock formations. The village gives its name to the Crackington Formation, a sequence of Carboniferous sandstones and grey shales.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The village has two café-style tea rooms, and a pub called the Coombe Barton Inn in a building that was originally the house of a local slate quarry manager.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlrijQBhvi42en5sE7rpjaBB3Bf2G7SP7Cu-R2lIZgPBhg5qjXesG_NQVXcJyDuXpKVR3UVypUweyozYzdA9JGeADSpWlYRrY4qPQQRfM3knP39paiDowpJT5TgqPH2Brr6nrr47rq-IK5ytbOQ5-FAZP0qw0819tA8MPt_-6gqmslBoM-F-hbQaXPQjH/s8160/20230705_121553.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlrijQBhvi42en5sE7rpjaBB3Bf2G7SP7Cu-R2lIZgPBhg5qjXesG_NQVXcJyDuXpKVR3UVypUweyozYzdA9JGeADSpWlYRrY4qPQQRfM3knP39paiDowpJT5TgqPH2Brr6nrr47rq-IK5ytbOQ5-FAZP0qw0819tA8MPt_-6gqmslBoM-F-hbQaXPQjH/w640-h480/20230705_121553.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Crackington Haven has a stony foreshore but a sandy beach is revealed at low water. The local parish council has put up signs asking that people do not remove stones, and saying that people who do will be prosecuted under the 1949 Coastal Protection Act. There are toilet facilities near the beach and lifeguard cover in the summer.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5X1tOoG2v--0VN_OK9V7TIpohNKSeJMlKw3KzyilrIPzkAsjtANAOJ2ziZWKYWT2jycqGr6rxohmNE65mVzhf0rGaH_eY0V4z-nRSrJSYphsviexH0_8qSp-fL_ydR3uyI_t-GS8pgFLeo_1kA4WIlQ16lIBqTn-x7XL1BjEY0E7ZCgxVkwnxZJSwNqIG/s8160/20230705_121557.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5X1tOoG2v--0VN_OK9V7TIpohNKSeJMlKw3KzyilrIPzkAsjtANAOJ2ziZWKYWT2jycqGr6rxohmNE65mVzhf0rGaH_eY0V4z-nRSrJSYphsviexH0_8qSp-fL_ydR3uyI_t-GS8pgFLeo_1kA4WIlQ16lIBqTn-x7XL1BjEY0E7ZCgxVkwnxZJSwNqIG/w640-h480/20230705_121557.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Until the nineteenth century, Crackington Haven was a small port similar to many others on the north coast of Cornwall. Limestone and coal were imported and slate and other local produce were exported. After the railways reached the district in 1893 the village could be reached more easily (from the North Cornwall Railway station at Otterham) so holidaymaking became more common.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Crackington Haven was badly affected by the 2004 flood that damaged several other villages, notably Boscastle. The road bridge across the stream, several homes and the pub were damaged by floodwater.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSgKxAgYzF6YrLVmpKPi_OZ-I9iVrPwxcAnVhZaUHoWP_tqlf73MKUF4Szn_NWPTuUiVDEycCugziGM-jtSrUqq1dy3-dWFiBxeGSU0xOU2BBuDgIxhiCHWJHzh3Wg5jevd1PaLoTSbz8qjmIXinK5bH0CNd7G1TPlM_9ICntROojvkW5-WVswye1Soir/s8160/20230705_121629.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSgKxAgYzF6YrLVmpKPi_OZ-I9iVrPwxcAnVhZaUHoWP_tqlf73MKUF4Szn_NWPTuUiVDEycCugziGM-jtSrUqq1dy3-dWFiBxeGSU0xOU2BBuDgIxhiCHWJHzh3Wg5jevd1PaLoTSbz8qjmIXinK5bH0CNd7G1TPlM_9ICntROojvkW5-WVswye1Soir/w640-h480/20230705_121629.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMiIkqg2jY9B8C7uOE9vw4tnbkx1ffO3rsk9r73Siu1aS58nlsbjSxih12xHJAVPz0uOxM7bSRj3D8FqxlavGxqOgu5GoZVN_NtyrM7kVvZfJ6T6raQn-N2rFrKITlEO0ckEguYBa9jzuOV1a-ikkonexnuWTzuYR7Ts7RUevwEwp55BwzNudx6v7nOcNv/s7295/20230705_121637.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5471" data-original-width="7295" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMiIkqg2jY9B8C7uOE9vw4tnbkx1ffO3rsk9r73Siu1aS58nlsbjSxih12xHJAVPz0uOxM7bSRj3D8FqxlavGxqOgu5GoZVN_NtyrM7kVvZfJ6T6raQn-N2rFrKITlEO0ckEguYBa9jzuOV1a-ikkonexnuWTzuYR7Ts7RUevwEwp55BwzNudx6v7nOcNv/w640-h480/20230705_121637.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I visit the café across the road for a Cornish Pasty and a drink and settle down to wait for the 95 bus back to Bude.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OCwSbMf9bLHWbmFwOYHgFpSeyGT9X7nq9hq7wnJFc7o9kMfYuv5l92Sy6Hq7QSMX6uPqbagrumDpolBrQ26P0FJnnrO_QB91X8FKq2xpD1WnD-ZQo1v5_NncSXrAWkHuFpLtNzseKrHU-B6-Y5o_1j2VhaWUiJCvtbKa_h0A-FKfdeUqmGeYa5As1Dht/s7280/20230705_121944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5460" data-original-width="7280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OCwSbMf9bLHWbmFwOYHgFpSeyGT9X7nq9hq7wnJFc7o9kMfYuv5l92Sy6Hq7QSMX6uPqbagrumDpolBrQ26P0FJnnrO_QB91X8FKq2xpD1WnD-ZQo1v5_NncSXrAWkHuFpLtNzseKrHU-B6-Y5o_1j2VhaWUiJCvtbKa_h0A-FKfdeUqmGeYa5As1Dht/w640-h480/20230705_121944.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As I wait for the bus, a elderly in a Granny bonnet and black PVC trousers walks over. She had that look of a crazy old lady and I feared I may be right! She says that a man up the road is saying there is no buses today due to roadworks and a diversion. She say" Do you wanna share a cab to Wayne's House?" I said " I dunno where's Wayne's House, I've gotta get to Bude". Not knowing if Wayne's House is a place or it was actually Wayne's House. "Oh its up by the main road, we can get a bus from there". she says. "Can you book it, your phone is better than mine". I sit there thinking and I say hang on I'm going to check with the café. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;">I go into the cafe and ask if they know if buses are running today, I'm told some came through earlier. Another member of staff said "Hang on, Ill check on the app". She then shouts " Get back now, its just around the corner!" I leg it back across the road, and a minute later it arrives. Myself, crazy old lady and another local elderly gent board the bus.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We drive a few hundred yards up the road and the bus reaches a diversion sign, Bus driver says" Ths wasn't here earlier" and squeezes his bus pass. We drive a way up the hill before the driver jumps out and says I'll be back in a bit and he walks off. A man in the back of the bus is having a right old go shouting "I've gotta a connecting bus to catch in Bude!" and is huffing and puffing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The driver returns and says emergency water works , we gotta reverse back and go the way I came in". Cue the man at the man jumping up and down, so he reverses the bus up the road and finds a spot to turn aound. We drive back through Crackington Haven where the local elderly gent gets off again saying " No point in going Bude now!" I sit there chuckling. So the bus makes its way through the small lanes and eventually to Bude. No idea if the man got his connecting bus, but he said it was still at its stop according to an app long after it should have gone. Cornish country life and buses, strange place!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cA2FxnkKSZo-UuNcmegjDqPk6UUgh2103coQdPonkP4PU_Cj1XbSmPSoxdtvGbHjvF5vmY9aW22VkG3C--STIhZyY8yKKXiSlGKRPumeX5W4RPB0zdvmg3osOFcNHeLK5IoU5cElw9qWa7EV5Qu2TP7ZDy6fx6RPYm4Ze_z-_MJoiXrROqMwqWkVY4W5/s1666/BUDEmap1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1666" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cA2FxnkKSZo-UuNcmegjDqPk6UUgh2103coQdPonkP4PU_Cj1XbSmPSoxdtvGbHjvF5vmY9aW22VkG3C--STIhZyY8yKKXiSlGKRPumeX5W4RPB0zdvmg3osOFcNHeLK5IoU5cElw9qWa7EV5Qu2TP7ZDy6fx6RPYm4Ze_z-_MJoiXrROqMwqWkVY4W5/w640-h296/BUDEmap1.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAdDV4GrQMY_165VImMoPVivZx0hVNNAj7IG0QIawHm-rcbfsO8JhWNZOGeu-i7vN4auuIMcwrj3t5RxRgsKRyrBUAdA2sZhAXqxeysRePC6xQjFgmRPOWTcJYZyIU-5trEE-HU7MyL7xpr3AE5Tq7llkXcliYTlUWlLLn9pX6lYJ4LR6B-e4IQYJKeoC/s1782/BUDEmap2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="1782" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAdDV4GrQMY_165VImMoPVivZx0hVNNAj7IG0QIawHm-rcbfsO8JhWNZOGeu-i7vN4auuIMcwrj3t5RxRgsKRyrBUAdA2sZhAXqxeysRePC6xQjFgmRPOWTcJYZyIU-5trEE-HU7MyL7xpr3AE5Tq7llkXcliYTlUWlLLn9pX6lYJ4LR6B-e4IQYJKeoC/w640-h284/BUDEmap2.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWExPnRetTln8AT14PES5UPGoioNzwGeR1Qgiq6_cEhNw7Z8kPd8o8Xdfw1a7Ae8T0JhktMuZMc3UMXY8rE7tnfyzkhHCE7eqPT2iWI_zJIc_aKGf5uO9Ml4ZeAPRJnpcpSbL3ytTX8zWDBOLRt2d2AAA_MX_Ef7Tzp442WrmCsX2N1jKa2mJ-cyi6y52/s1906/BUDEmap3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1906" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWExPnRetTln8AT14PES5UPGoioNzwGeR1Qgiq6_cEhNw7Z8kPd8o8Xdfw1a7Ae8T0JhktMuZMc3UMXY8rE7tnfyzkhHCE7eqPT2iWI_zJIc_aKGf5uO9Ml4ZeAPRJnpcpSbL3ytTX8zWDBOLRt2d2AAA_MX_Ef7Tzp442WrmCsX2N1jKa2mJ-cyi6y52/w640-h270/BUDEmap3.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back at the car, I drive back to St Ives and the caravan park, sadly having to go through the queues at Chiverton bypass on the A30.</div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277462954263263332.post-84427860177210670752023-07-04T17:37:00.024+01:002023-07-15T10:54:47.237+01:00Trencrom Hill,Lelant Downs Cornwall 3rd July 23<p style="text-align: center;">GPX File <a href="https://www.haroldstreet.org.uk/routes/download/?walk=6012" target="_blank">Here.</a></p><p style="text-align: center;">On Monday the 3rd July 2023, I decided to drive a short distance from the St Ives Holiday Village run by John Fowler to the Trencrom Hill car park (TR27 6NP) to climb Trencrom Hill.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VnmL8SUk0fuD78yn810O95Ouace0ea0_JLlYJ1MwTS7GccuBmQApHPT67xqAIqrYGadTxorVhs2fsPfWNpTVgrs37GuuyXFFFBwgriLf2zMZ4v0R8_dA6QhliopQX5DroiURj7UYtqqSzP6TzLrtWSCVAA6zw4rs8spVhJcr0u5sE1grqWN4Z0LOrjl_/s8160/20230703_190432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VnmL8SUk0fuD78yn810O95Ouace0ea0_JLlYJ1MwTS7GccuBmQApHPT67xqAIqrYGadTxorVhs2fsPfWNpTVgrs37GuuyXFFFBwgriLf2zMZ4v0R8_dA6QhliopQX5DroiURj7UYtqqSzP6TzLrtWSCVAA6zw4rs8spVhJcr0u5sE1grqWN4Z0LOrjl_/w640-h480/20230703_190432.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was late evening so the sun was much cooler and was beginning to set, giving the area a nice glow.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEn9X_rNYobm7KUsWDv_RztCuD6Mu-vL8xMXybo-deO2Esq9VvsXO0GzCu6JUeLjpTtc98ZNlCgAemGoQ1J6pTndHRj6u5Ihx5pJyzWrNutxsnMACiOJsDjKmR5EDnVDv5qv998vSTCz2mp-Npy7haE68jnn_fnvgyPXseVCB7bvqpHZmujAReeiQxeACw/s8160/20230703_190438.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEn9X_rNYobm7KUsWDv_RztCuD6Mu-vL8xMXybo-deO2Esq9VvsXO0GzCu6JUeLjpTtc98ZNlCgAemGoQ1J6pTndHRj6u5Ihx5pJyzWrNutxsnMACiOJsDjKmR5EDnVDv5qv998vSTCz2mp-Npy7haE68jnn_fnvgyPXseVCB7bvqpHZmujAReeiQxeACw/w640-h480/20230703_190438.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trencrom Hill (or Trecrobben) is a prominent hill fort, owned by the National Trust, near Lelant, Cornwall. It is crowned by an univallate Neolithic tor enclosure and was re-used as a hillfort in the Iron Age. Cairns or hut circles can be seen in the level area enclosed by the stone and earth banks. The hill overlooks the Hayle Estuary and river, and Mount's Bay and St Michael's Mount can be seen to the south. The hill was recorded as Torcrobm in 1758 which is derived from Cornish "torr crobm", i.e. 'hunched bulge'.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPfu2NwhszdSGNT5R_6skjMBa39ajrC7CUzkVoWsaSqR3DGa9L41qxJzOzqyFdjDxcXcDpSLfccrHvl5d3C4dS4z9itg26nNqiExHY8GKWXfSufXvZX0UI-DABSbRGRSz65u4nAMXuO7c2BwfoBuXWT-Ntkv0EBNDSeyaAp85SKBj66cIxVjvLokzV4y1/s8160/20230703_190452.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPfu2NwhszdSGNT5R_6skjMBa39ajrC7CUzkVoWsaSqR3DGa9L41qxJzOzqyFdjDxcXcDpSLfccrHvl5d3C4dS4z9itg26nNqiExHY8GKWXfSufXvZX0UI-DABSbRGRSz65u4nAMXuO7c2BwfoBuXWT-Ntkv0EBNDSeyaAp85SKBj66cIxVjvLokzV4y1/w640-h480/20230703_190452.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trencrom Hill was acquired by the National Trust as freehold on 8 August 1946 from Lieutenant Colonel G L Tyringham. The freehold was 25.568 hectares (63.18 acres). On ascending the hill from the north side there is a plaque in situ in the rock facing the path. It reads:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"This property was presented to the National Trust by Lt Col C L Tyringham, of Trevethoe in March 1946 & at his wish is to be regarded as a memorial to the men and women of Cornwall, who gave their lives in the service of their country during the two world wars. 1914 – 1918, 1939 – 1945".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoq9MjSiaXT1X6VXvHYvYB9bu4ThjrOfRFcVKAe5TMLCRgNgNpwIYsKfXnpV7BoyRsgi73BWmEUGrH1RiHJ55Ttc37ZEbBZ9PBSMMZMItRWcM6wpD35zvjN57_udscFKqvz3yLkJeMLmZUPq80ikouw6YT_CrGLP83u4-BoFlE_8dXPv7bwVLTgh8i-yr/s8160/20230703_190511.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoq9MjSiaXT1X6VXvHYvYB9bu4ThjrOfRFcVKAe5TMLCRgNgNpwIYsKfXnpV7BoyRsgi73BWmEUGrH1RiHJ55Ttc37ZEbBZ9PBSMMZMItRWcM6wpD35zvjN57_udscFKqvz3yLkJeMLmZUPq80ikouw6YT_CrGLP83u4-BoFlE_8dXPv7bwVLTgh8i-yr/w640-h480/20230703_190511.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The well on the west side of the ramparts of the hill fort is known as the Giant's Well. James Halliwell-Phillipps mentioned it in 1861 in Rambles in Western Cornwall, "Outside the vallum at Trecrobben, or, as it is called by the rustics, Trancrom, is the Giant's Well". The well low down on the eastern flank of the hill is not the Giant's Well and is a disused shaft of the Praed Consols (Wheal Cherry/New Trencrom) sett, which was used as a well after the mine had flooded.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEJzHiXqo3JGQ4RkSyBnHOpfa1p9UwADRfSKzz2cbz7lKzKyBOYQf1T5aIIvy7hWpYygD1nrtU5OmmIE8U-if58Hd60MLF238x52gXVa-HtTOLOFTM1j6XlvlVZ1Df6vLAGPRtliAoyJpZbH1QZ64swDuGNiW3r0-rGnTssqVgTgLWmhbY9rPH6pVIWgm/s8160/20230703_190522.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEJzHiXqo3JGQ4RkSyBnHOpfa1p9UwADRfSKzz2cbz7lKzKyBOYQf1T5aIIvy7hWpYygD1nrtU5OmmIE8U-if58Hd60MLF238x52gXVa-HtTOLOFTM1j6XlvlVZ1Df6vLAGPRtliAoyJpZbH1QZ64swDuGNiW3r0-rGnTssqVgTgLWmhbY9rPH6pVIWgm/w640-h480/20230703_190522.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The hill began to rise a little more steeply towards the top and a little scramble up a coupe of high rocks.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJ2LvV2pH4xlBf1uSzAIKDyHMhRV8lMdeXgyUmhkIcI_0dJfeBeWe2GDXQBt0CpygJ_FvZHZveeiYMPpmJbbCk7z5hZKEv6XebfwYQ8Ky5MdfTCYe3pX9c-LIzQWu-CczT9yZh_zLhY2oMcQIHRaUIo_c1HXrtbPBRllpmQJNh8cDlVfWfrJSqczYJ_94/s8160/20230703_190525.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJ2LvV2pH4xlBf1uSzAIKDyHMhRV8lMdeXgyUmhkIcI_0dJfeBeWe2GDXQBt0CpygJ_FvZHZveeiYMPpmJbbCk7z5hZKEv6XebfwYQ8Ky5MdfTCYe3pX9c-LIzQWu-CczT9yZh_zLhY2oMcQIHRaUIo_c1HXrtbPBRllpmQJNh8cDlVfWfrJSqczYJ_94/w640-h480/20230703_190525.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sett (area) of Wheal Cherry (later known as New Trencrom Mine and Mount Lane Mine) included the summit of Trencrom Hill. Trencrom is within the granite and the sett also covered the metamorphosed killas to the east. Wheal Cherry seems to have been short-lived with £2,293 spent on the erection of a 24-inch pumping engine and 24 inch whim with stamps in 1857/58 and by September 1858 the sett and materials being offered for sale. The sale notice stated that Wheal Cherry was ″a valuable property″. There was another attempt at the start of the 20th century by the Gerry Brothers of Lelant and after five years they sold their interest in 1907. At this time a new shaft was being sunk on the eastern slope and at a depth of 7 fathoms (42 ft; 13 m) found a 2 feet (0.61 m) wide lode which yielded 60 pounds (27 kg) of black tin to the ton. Work was still continuing on Wheal Cherry in 1916. A further attempt in 1943 at the mine, now known as the Mount Lane Mine was unsuccessful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A survey in January 1996 found small scale quarrying, mostly post-medieval using drills but in some cases using wedges which may be earlier. Large parts of the granite summit have been levelled and a paved track was probably used to transport stone from the quarry face on carts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpeyUNPk-veYvZAGnZNOe6WNaAUFiExfZjWHlHo-PZHKYlUMwK_Ja4eBkqgY5AjUavZzPKeD_OhszcYsXd-2Ua5HJx_UL93_nWgetd-Njr-PseAndzSqLAwgKDYj6AU-IrARZ9wNNKPAI70PBpoaFzsz90OlcW-lBHlqTpw_OZtjX170mDoaaZIMwYcwY/s8160/20230703_190724.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpeyUNPk-veYvZAGnZNOe6WNaAUFiExfZjWHlHo-PZHKYlUMwK_Ja4eBkqgY5AjUavZzPKeD_OhszcYsXd-2Ua5HJx_UL93_nWgetd-Njr-PseAndzSqLAwgKDYj6AU-IrARZ9wNNKPAI70PBpoaFzsz90OlcW-lBHlqTpw_OZtjX170mDoaaZIMwYcwY/w640-h480/20230703_190724.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnP3WmMYrRzcretdN9anzbqXM-Fmt21lbmFburWlGzefZnlBC60mEufRYh6sVinkTop0Fp0zz3qlhnw-4JKb9AsubscWgkIbP9oFvDjzcTU2EioxNgrh4CcQbTJhKUYRuqdjFbGFyC17lHnQrXzFSrNSP6X7-qTSbdhOV0vJb6xEs7HzVXdUxQv0At--iP/s8160/20230703_190835.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnP3WmMYrRzcretdN9anzbqXM-Fmt21lbmFburWlGzefZnlBC60mEufRYh6sVinkTop0Fp0zz3qlhnw-4JKb9AsubscWgkIbP9oFvDjzcTU2EioxNgrh4CcQbTJhKUYRuqdjFbGFyC17lHnQrXzFSrNSP6X7-qTSbdhOV0vJb6xEs7HzVXdUxQv0At--iP/w640-h480/20230703_190835.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAEiWt9mWIzsSLS9QPLNds7XaY-cwe-4kHzORY-UrGvcDo5hWMBGR8rP3wHLbjs89sfnwn1m8iCdy6BOBXflFSqDafnXfCMW4bu2NFqPy3JYN6GJzAuxMk6gEhcsFgd_sM1oADT5OvTHNVrBdVlEXWxJekWQQbzjIHVRsBqvAHG9l3mISBAW_Ddno4sv8/s7938/20230703_190840.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5954" data-original-width="7938" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAEiWt9mWIzsSLS9QPLNds7XaY-cwe-4kHzORY-UrGvcDo5hWMBGR8rP3wHLbjs89sfnwn1m8iCdy6BOBXflFSqDafnXfCMW4bu2NFqPy3JYN6GJzAuxMk6gEhcsFgd_sM1oADT5OvTHNVrBdVlEXWxJekWQQbzjIHVRsBqvAHG9l3mISBAW_Ddno4sv8/w640-h480/20230703_190840.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I reach the top (175m) with views across to Carbis Bay.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_0LKrIE_TZxPxiOVW5YdeA83u5BrHYo61mDh__OXHXOGMk2vR5HWV-sZbSs80Lq5DaBKn2TjqcGRs51OtNZDllxwWRhFI2-E3h2Ufwz2ghH5lygIrHe5DvQDf0Sp3oTdUc3ZwF10UKZTwyAPVeUr7jqjB6oqwxBdko_MfdCWDFlNBk1HXBcboYOOxslr/s7865/20230703_190845.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5898" data-original-width="7865" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_0LKrIE_TZxPxiOVW5YdeA83u5BrHYo61mDh__OXHXOGMk2vR5HWV-sZbSs80Lq5DaBKn2TjqcGRs51OtNZDllxwWRhFI2-E3h2Ufwz2ghH5lygIrHe5DvQDf0Sp3oTdUc3ZwF10UKZTwyAPVeUr7jqjB6oqwxBdko_MfdCWDFlNBk1HXBcboYOOxslr/w640-h480/20230703_190845.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trecobben, the giant of Trencrom, was supposed to have killed Cormelian (wife of Cormoran) by throwing a hammer across to St Michael's Mount.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In several parts of Cornwall there are evidences that these Titans were a sportive race. Huge rocks are preserved to shew where they played at trap-ball, at hurling, and other athletic games. The giants of Trecrobben and St Michael’s Mount often met for a game at bob-buttons. The Mount was the “ bob,” on which flat masses of granite were placed to serve as buttons, and Trecrobben hill was the “mit,” or the spot from which the throw was made. This order was sometimes reversed. On the outside of St Michael’s Mount, many a granite slab which had been knocked off the “ bob ” is yet to be found; and numerous piles of rough cubical masses of the same rock, said to be the granite of Trecrobben Hill,* shew how eagerly the game was played.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trecrobben Hill was well chosen by the giants as the site of their castle. From it they surveyed the country on every side; and friend or enemy was seen at a considerable distance, as he approached the guarded spot. It is as clear as tradition can make it, that Trecrobben was the centre of a region full of giants.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij689cbV00IWXsAuR0tGYqLddtS4fY8z7hSdo4XukCY2-_XAzGP3X4qnft_AgUDotMwyWCSF7yWFDjv3WM_FmJbFKE2MZBiSSV8Z7DTHlbiJL9BN-kB7nh9u-nVY4ouhcAs41b-_Lv_iT1BoJYiDw5JPjwTgzwnGWHKH6fPTXI_VoaFLltBG9Igrz74o7Y/s8160/20230703_190902.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij689cbV00IWXsAuR0tGYqLddtS4fY8z7hSdo4XukCY2-_XAzGP3X4qnft_AgUDotMwyWCSF7yWFDjv3WM_FmJbFKE2MZBiSSV8Z7DTHlbiJL9BN-kB7nh9u-nVY4ouhcAs41b-_Lv_iT1BoJYiDw5JPjwTgzwnGWHKH6fPTXI_VoaFLltBG9Igrz74o7Y/w640-h480/20230703_190902.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View across to St Michaels Mount</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">St Michael's Mount may have been the site of a monastery from the 8th to the early 11th centuries. Edward the Confessor gave the site to the Benedictine order of Mont-Saint-Michel and it was a priory of that abbey until the dissolution of the alien houses as a side-effect of the war in France by Henry V. Subsequently, it ceased to be a priory, but was reduced to being a secular chapel which was given to the Abbess and Convent of Syon at Isleworth, Middlesex, in 1424.Thus ended its association with Mont-Saint-Michel, and any connection with Looe Island (dedicated to the Archangel Michael). It was a destination for pilgrims, whose devotions were encouraged by an indulgence granted by Pope Gregory in the 11th century. The earliest buildings on the summit, including a castle, date to the 12th century.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZ3ALQE6bL8MBEjouYHwdPtMp6SZMXzHzqN9TYsl3a4Deek0m81cWVN3K9mkYzcU6V845bSW_psNEgNswraFZ4gu48xqXlsH5a01QTrQO6TsvYihYzpkZVQBfMzpkM5nD7DGWotcgjW5DicaOLMug2p2pLTOV764KULAwRyFfAkaEaZib69SJu70MoFRU/s2869/20230703_190939.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2152" data-original-width="2869" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZ3ALQE6bL8MBEjouYHwdPtMp6SZMXzHzqN9TYsl3a4Deek0m81cWVN3K9mkYzcU6V845bSW_psNEgNswraFZ4gu48xqXlsH5a01QTrQO6TsvYihYzpkZVQBfMzpkM5nD7DGWotcgjW5DicaOLMug2p2pLTOV764KULAwRyFfAkaEaZib69SJu70MoFRU/w640-h480/20230703_190939.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdXP63g_KWUAXZ6JJBvu4CTqzvXhXWom1YQczXJgzDm1i0LKSILRT2s2GWKlrBidZuu43R6whLjsyXX1qLDG8FH3_yEZLyepsNuNg3ZS9AZNfQ1EIXyZRcGC-TWv_AiJ7wIBP2qsqmgOhTWAiKd5S2TpBtwo_1gkOcsSNnc95tjHSejV96TNW2UepogKJ/s8160/20230703_191035.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6120" data-original-width="8160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdXP63g_KWUAXZ6JJBvu4CTqzvXhXWom1YQczXJgzDm1i0LKSILRT2s2GWKlrBidZuu43R6whLjsyXX1qLDG8FH3_yEZLyepsNuNg3ZS9AZNfQ1EIXyZRcGC-TWv_AiJ7wIBP2qsqmgOhTWAiKd5S2TpBtwo_1gkOcsSNnc95tjHSejV96TNW2UepogKJ/w640-h480/20230703_191035.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are views stretching across North Cornwall to Godrevy and towards Rosewall Hill to the west.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwk0ueHaPFUUJqZWTw5ISGCli5GixRi1qKTAXj3OLfE0LXLcOaaPmGjCh3K162usEgh-1DHO_U3lYYaZwfIKdapLiUxuNk116icP1NNRPV6j80ra8EVeRODRVJtD93v8C-0ucBXR_vYE_zv0RQNJhU6oVGerhisyqoAgog2dVP-MC-qZKbEvNQeG465cu1/s2944/20230703_191046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="2944" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwk0ueHaPFUUJqZWTw5ISGCli5GixRi1qKTAXj3OLfE0LXLcOaaPmGjCh3K162usEgh-1DHO_U3lYYaZwfIKdapLiUxuNk116icP1NNRPV6j80ra8EVeRODRVJtD93v8C-0ucBXR_vYE_zv0RQNJhU6oVGerhisyqoAgog2dVP-MC-qZKbEvNQeG465cu1/w640-h480/20230703_191046.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>More Folklore,</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">THE SPRIGGANS OF TRENCROM HILL.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">IT is not many years since a man, who thought he was fully informed as to the spot in which a crock of the giant's gold was buried, proceeded on one fine moonlight night to this enchanted hill, and with spade and pick commenced his search. He proceeded for some time without interruption, and it became evident to him that the treasure was not far off. The sky was rapidly covered with the darkest clouds, shutting out the brilliant light o the moon--which had previously gemmed each cairn--and leaving the gold-seeker in total and unearthly darkness. The wind rose, and roared terrifically amidst the rocks; but this was soon drowned amidst the fearful crashes of thunder, which followed in quick succession the flashes of lightning. By its light the man perceived that the spriggans were coming out in swarms from all the rocks. They were in countless numbers; and although they were small at first, they rapidly increased in size, until eventually they assumed an almost giant form, looking all the while, as he afterwards said, "as ugly as if they would eat him." How this poor man escaped is unknown, but he is said to have been so frightened that he took to his bed, and was not able to work for a long time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7hnMfFIJjaQdHNIK-aj8zN1HoMSZsJN44LY0PlrDuwTuQKkGLB6H30-BflCY1E8Fi4PpEaKt-c1C_QpqYKbrnxmoX2pCgRWFI0jH1dBDN9zsEepLkm0vK9j8PJsyfhue8phw0jXz275ESZR-AQksHNwFap8Lald6O8KbIxk9wUiTEsDhuSehdYzQWLFa/s7655/20230703_191103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5741" data-original-width="7655" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7hnMfFIJjaQdHNIK-aj8zN1HoMSZsJN44LY0PlrDuwTuQKkGLB6H30-BflCY1E8Fi4PpEaKt-c1C_QpqYKbrnxmoX2pCgRWFI0jH1dBDN9zsEepLkm0vK9j8PJsyfhue8phw0jXz275ESZR-AQksHNwFap8Lald6O8KbIxk9wUiTEsDhuSehdYzQWLFa/w640-h480/20230703_191103.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Keep an eye out for holes in the summit's boulders. These were drilled by miners during the Victorian times and on Midsummer's Day the merrymakers would fill the holes with gunpowder and light the fuses in celebration.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAT47yYI-RktyNZCSWhixwJD4kwsB6C9iqMeLSDWPCirprL417rkL_bbCgSciR8_WNcqKYm0-xUHrEmyK--MvBiAxcT_UmHKUuCl_mGjzngGvTDcN7M1JLWuQ0NUZyjo6jdIxKxZ68yzIvCK9qg_powl15En9M20tM-014C-CPrrjOjyWil9DA0gx4Hqa/s7855/20230703_191138.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5891" data-original-width="7855" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAT47yYI-RktyNZCSWhixwJD4kwsB6C9iqMeLSDWPCirprL417rkL_bbCgSciR8_WNcqKYm0-xUHrEmyK--MvBiAxcT_UmHKUuCl_mGjzngGvTDcN7M1JLWuQ0NUZyjo6jdIxKxZ68yzIvCK9qg_powl15En9M20tM-014C-CPrrjOjyWil9DA0gx4Hqa/w640-h480/20230703_191138.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPcRVQHkpQz0JkNRXcIxlqBt-pq2cCndx4TOCPXTO0k6YM495_DILqdndBx3Rqzuukh8rwm7eVWQpGbiFUuRt0d2bUPJbE_3N_bD2_PLMBYh72FNYZimD65u8bdWe4hapPYRcjvtTYhwpSeHkM8GMXZJd91RSEn4OemiB0AWRe9IOGRrRwGR6--AdhmJp/s7676/20230703_191206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5757" data-original-width="7676" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPcRVQHkpQz0JkNRXcIxlqBt-pq2cCndx4TOCPXTO0k6YM495_DILqdndBx3Rqzuukh8rwm7eVWQpGbiFUuRt0d2bUPJbE_3N_bD2_PLMBYh72FNYZimD65u8bdWe4hapPYRcjvtTYhwpSeHkM8GMXZJd91RSEn4OemiB0AWRe9IOGRrRwGR6--AdhmJp/w640-h480/20230703_191206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">"On the largest of these cairns are some rock-basins, known respectively as the Giant's Chair, the Giant's Cradle, and the Giant's Spoon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXSVwMIp8jJqSQ3mSvZsTvP7BnFeiaDfhWoMysPQUv4fKANBw4tJb6EmYdXFsLRh8ZYyVbXR1V7m72SRLY5HOSAgqqvzAOcSngCS_s3A7KjHCZeBFy8W0_rPrYJ3g49aQIj3_q_uokyyhqJoNMwfs7RhQjZzPsBMI7uZMeKJa7CTbNkC4eVkVKlXYhbeU/s2944/20230703_191326.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXSVwMIp8jJqSQ3mSvZsTvP7BnFeiaDfhWoMysPQUv4fKANBw4tJb6EmYdXFsLRh8ZYyVbXR1V7m72SRLY5HOSAgqqvzAOcSngCS_s3A7KjHCZeBFy8W0_rPrYJ3g49aQIj3_q_uokyyhqJoNMwfs7RhQjZzPsBMI7uZMeKJa7CTbNkC4eVkVKlXYhbeU/w480-h640/20230703_191326.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSkVjzuu5zz3EVqGxljRJCJD_3w175U2tTMOp6DuatM-wV6jMh4ioNOScFpCgqF_kDxm_60Ds16LpmqvpSN_zu6gyKix4Tr92OovuFnA1_ROgK3bvoWFx0uy9JYiwXeiwpVB2e66jg0NZpdVxd7zAWFjK-GD9BNdh0G5OD7TjVllmfjIBb8ZQCXYBLmgu/s7747/20230703_191612.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5810" data-original-width="7747" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSkVjzuu5zz3EVqGxljRJCJD_3w175U2tTMOp6DuatM-wV6jMh4ioNOScFpCgqF_kDxm_60Ds16LpmqvpSN_zu6gyKix4Tr92OovuFnA1_ROgK3bvoWFx0uy9JYiwXeiwpVB2e66jg0NZpdVxd7zAWFjK-GD9BNdh0G5OD7TjVllmfjIBb8ZQCXYBLmgu/w640-h480/20230703_191612.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I descend back down to the bottom and the car.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuErC-zdsUcQRwmXYEIDZM3tHD1RcszScXwGAal7CYAjRdmyJKgX9qr-tCSWgmewjx1R2zFbBTeekBGaPVfrwMcIw9MYmO8ts5G_B7rfF2nRXXc1s2l96Yq65-4h2T40HgXXUPYRnp_f-G4h9QOD-4HD0vrTM4Q-mN7ZoYq_NpJfvlRd02BE_quXyNMJTx/s1510/Trencrom%20Hill.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1510" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuErC-zdsUcQRwmXYEIDZM3tHD1RcszScXwGAal7CYAjRdmyJKgX9qr-tCSWgmewjx1R2zFbBTeekBGaPVfrwMcIw9MYmO8ts5G_B7rfF2nRXXc1s2l96Yq65-4h2T40HgXXUPYRnp_f-G4h9QOD-4HD0vrTM4Q-mN7ZoYq_NpJfvlRd02BE_quXyNMJTx/w640-h328/Trencrom%20Hill.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Only a short walk but a great hill at sunset. I walked this again later ion the week with my kids. We walked from St Ives Holiday Village up a very busy road (Not advisable) and then after maybe a mile we took a footpath on our left and this immediately begins to climb steeply. We reach another road which we cross and walk up the path to the summit. We decide to descend the hill on the side of my previous trip and down to the car park and follow this quiet road back to the site.</p></div>Chris Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00898467075231720516noreply@blogger.com