A new computer finally and time to recap! In late 2019 as our time in the UK came to a close we took a weekend trip to historic Oxford and surrounds with our first stop at England's Venice, Burton on the Water - thanks for the recommendation, Sandra!
We enjoyed strolling around the village and took a small stop to the mini-village.
We discovered this little gem, BoW Motor Museum. Dad would have loved this place.
Old New Inn
A stop for lunch and tea and scones.
There were many highlights of the weekend and included was a visit to the birthplace of Winston Churchill, World Heritage Site, Blenheim Palace.
Built between 1705 and 1722 in the English baroque style, Blenheim Palace is the only non-royal country house in the country to be called a palace.
This was to be our Christmas lights and decoration viewing for this year, as we were without our own belongings, which were believed to be somewhere in transit between Kuwait, Netherlands, Uk or Azerbaijan!
With it's ornate plaster ceilings and alcoves, lush hand painted silk wall papers and lavish trinkets, Blenheim Palace was a feast for the eyes. Topped with the chocolate-box picturesque surrounds, this was a perfect way to spend an autumn afternoon.
A few minutes walk from our accommodation, we found St Martin's church in Bladon which is Churchill's final resting place.
Sir Winston died exactly 70 years to the day his father died and was laid to rest following a public state funeral and private burial. It was his wish to be buried in this country churchyard, near Blenheim Palace.
A stroll through the nearby church and grounds of St Martin's. The first church on the current site was probably built in the 11th or 12th century however the is no record of the church being built until 1802.
Over the weekend we took a wander around Oxford and University area.
Homelessness hits every city.
Time for a bite to eat in the big indoor city centre market.
A real highlight of time in the UK was meeting up with Kerry, an old friend from midwifery training days at St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey. We hadn't seen one another for almost 26 years so we filled in the gaps during a hearty farmland walk and hours of chatting. Plus there was a bonus in getting my doggie fix with these two beauties, Bertie and Margot.
Back to Wraysbury Hall and Charlie.
Charlie checking out the Runnymede Hotel opposite where we live.
Wraysbury Hall, home for not much longer. Enjoy the outdoor freedom, Charlie.
A lost goat on our long narrow driveway home.
This art installation is called 'The Jurors' by Hew Locke. The intricate detail on the 12 bronze chairs depict current and past struggles of democracy and freedom.
Other visits were to Strawberry Hill House, a gothic revival villa built in Twickenham by Horace Walpole. I loved this crazy place - Sue would too!
We also took an afternoon visit to nearby Windsor Castle. The Illuminations projected onto the Castle were stunning - not a great shot but you get the idea.
This little fella, Boris, remembered me from Angola days. How heartwarming to see him again! RIP to Felix, his big bin-kitty from Oman brother.
Look away if you're squeamish...the pins had been cut down and needed to be protected before being removed 2 weeks after surgery.
And it's finally almost time to leave the UK. But first, Christmas. Not being able to walk far, my caring nurse made a secret trip to town to get us some decorations.
and some fine Welsh Whisky...Penderyn. Nice. Lechyd da, Guto!
Christmas and New Year were very quiet affairs. Mid-January and it's time to pack up again and fly to Baku.
We enjoyed strolling around the village and took a small stop to the mini-village.
We discovered this little gem, BoW Motor Museum. Dad would have loved this place.
A stop for lunch and tea and scones.
Built between 1705 and 1722 in the English baroque style, Blenheim Palace is the only non-royal country house in the country to be called a palace.
This was to be our Christmas lights and decoration viewing for this year, as we were without our own belongings, which were believed to be somewhere in transit between Kuwait, Netherlands, Uk or Azerbaijan!
Sir Winston Churchill's uniform. In a poignant reminder to us all that we must pick ourselves up after tragedy or hard times, Churchill took to painting following the tragic fallout following his order give to attack at Gallipoli. His consequent demotion and resignation saw Churchill's anxiety led him to announce that 'Painting came to my rescue in a most trying time'. He went on to create over 550 paintings and perhaps aided him when he furthered his career.
It is said that brilliant colours delighted Churchill, a man after my own heart! 'I cannot pretend to feel impartial about the colours - I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor brown ones'.
A few minutes walk from our accommodation, we found St Martin's church in Bladon which is Churchill's final resting place.
Sir Winston died exactly 70 years to the day his father died and was laid to rest following a public state funeral and private burial. It was his wish to be buried in this country churchyard, near Blenheim Palace.
A stroll through the nearby church and grounds of St Martin's. The first church on the current site was probably built in the 11th or 12th century however the is no record of the church being built until 1802.
Time for a bite to eat in the big indoor city centre market.
A real highlight of time in the UK was meeting up with Kerry, an old friend from midwifery training days at St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey. We hadn't seen one another for almost 26 years so we filled in the gaps during a hearty farmland walk and hours of chatting. Plus there was a bonus in getting my doggie fix with these two beauties, Bertie and Margot.
Charlie checking out the Runnymede Hotel opposite where we live.
Wraysbury Hall, home for not much longer. Enjoy the outdoor freedom, Charlie.
A lost goat on our long narrow driveway home.
We took several more walks around our area.
Below, we took ourselves on a very muddy walk around Runnymede, thought to be where the Magna Carta was signed.
This art installation is called 'The Jurors' by Hew Locke. The intricate detail on the 12 bronze chairs depict current and past struggles of democracy and freedom.
This little fella, Boris, remembered me from Angola days. How heartwarming to see him again! RIP to Felix, his big bin-kitty from Oman brother.
and some fine Welsh Whisky...Penderyn. Nice. Lechyd da, Guto!
Christmas and New Year were very quiet affairs. Mid-January and it's time to pack up again and fly to Baku.
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