Cotswolds, Part Two

So we basically spent yesterday lazing around the cottage and taking it easy. Tamsin cooked us a fantastic breakfast and then we played Articulate and Cranium for most of the afternoon (and drank of course!). Oh, I got a birthday present as well! While in town yesterday Tamsin grabbed me a red and green solar powered plant. It is plastic and its leaves rock up and down when there is sunlight around! It is probably to make up for the fact I have killed most of her live plants here!

Today we packed up the cottage and headed over to Berkeley Castle to look around. They were filming some history documentary in part of the grounds which was pretty cool! The castle itself was interesting although you could not see much of the interior.

It turns out that the Berkeley family (it is pronounced Barkeley in case you were wondering) was quite famous and that is who the Berkshire County (pronounced Barkshire naturally) and the city of Berkeley in California are named after!

Anyway after we finished at the castle and checked out the attached butterfly enclosure (boring!) we headed over to Rose & Crown in a little village called Nympsfield for lunch. It seemed like everyone else in the area had the same idea as we could not get a seat inside. We decided to sit outside but it was too cold for Suzie so she sat in the car while we ate.

We then drove over to Woodchester Mansion. The car park was about a mile from the house itself and Suzie and Tamsin did not feel like walking down. So we left them in the car while we went to look.

The house itself was never finished. The owner ran out of money, but what he had done was pretty impressive. It was supposed to be a religious place, but he ended up going broke....

The tour took ages, so it took us a while to get back to the car. I don't think Suzie and Tamsin were too impressed!

In the end though I think we all had a great time. It was a fantastic break and was nice to have the others around!


The documentary being filmed.


Castle protection (they made sure we paid to get in!)


The castle


More of the castle.


Woodchester Mansion


The grounds around the mansion.

Cotswolds, Part One

So we arrived in the Cotwolds last night. It is the early May bank holiday weekend and Tamsin, Suzie, Jules, Peter and I have rented a cottage in the Cotswolds. The cottage is in a little village called Wotton-Under-Edge and it is very English. We are staying on a farm (you can here the cows mooing) which is pretty cool, although they really need to update the beds!

Anyway, we arrived last night, grabbed some food and sat up drinking to god knows what time. Today we headed over to Bourton-on-the-Water to have a look around. It is a picturesque village and also one of the most popular in the region (although we were lucky and it was not too busy).

Peter had his walk book and convinced (or perhaps told, it has been a while now!) us to do a walk in the area.

Tamsin turned back after about thirty mins (she wanted to see the village a bit more), but she was with us long enough to get an ice cream. Peter got a brown bread flavoured one which was interesting.

Anyway, the rest of us continued on and really enjoying the walk. Until, that is, we find that Peter has got us lost (it turns out that he had done this walk before and made the same mistake as well).

We eventually made our way to a pub in a quiet little village and had a break before continuing back to Bourton-on-the-Water. I think Tamsin was about to send out a search party for us!

We then headed to the Wild Duck for a fantastic dinner and then back to the cottage for some more drinks!

(Sorry about the photos. I have been wrestling with blogger for a week now!)


Bourton-on-the-Water village green


On the road....


A lock


Nice wild flowers!


A cool water wheel!


Ice cream time!


Fences...


Idylic setting.


Time for a beer!


On the way back to Bourton

Amsterdam, Part Three

For our final day in the city we decided to hire bikes and ride around. The city (well the entire country really) is perfectly suited to this because it is flat and has so many bike lanes going just about everywhere.

Anyway we first hit the Jordaan area, which is an alternate kind of area and pretty cool! We then headed to the harbour (on the river Ij) and rode around there (even across the huge bridge - the wrong way though) before heading to the Nemo - which is a funky science museum with fantastic views across the city!

We then headed back into the city centre. Claire led the way and was an absolute demon on the bike. If anyone was going too slow they got a beep (well a bell!) or if any pedestrian even looked like stepping out onto the bike path they got a beep as well!

We made our way to a recommended frites shop near Spui (I think) and had some fantastic frites (with Pinda Saus). Tamsin then looked around in the shops, which Ben, Claire and I grabbed some souvenirs!

We then rode back to the hotel (where we had to drop the bikes off), but unfortunately Claire took a wrong turn. It all worked out okay though, so we dropped off the bikes and had a drink before grabbing some Wok To Go for dinner. We then headed out to the airport for our flight back home!

What a great weekend - good company, fantastic city and lovely food. I dont think you really need much more!



More Canals


Tamsin and Claire


Funky Canal Houses


A cool music hall


View from Nemo


More view from Nemo


Nemo steps


Nemo steps


Watch out!

Amsterdam, Part Two

After grabbing breakfast at the hotel, we hit the streets again! This time we headed down to the Van Gogh Museum. We were smart and bought a two in one ticket at the Rijksmuseum, so we were able to avoid the (very long) queue and walk right in!

It was an interesting museum and there is no doubting that the man had talent, but I must admit he is not my favourite painter. There were a few standouts though. One painting of his bedroom and another of a Japanese bridge - I thought both of those were quite cool.

We then all decided it was time to hit a "coffee shop". So we first tried Dampkring (as featured in Oceans Twelve), but it was way too busy, so we then headed to Abraxas. It was quite trendy and definitely catered to a younger more hip scene, but we went in anyway. Not being a smoker myself, I just had a Brownie (like Kearns). Tamsin was a bit more adventurous and tried a mint tea (with weed of course). Claire just sat back laughing at us!

Anyway, after we finished we went and had a drink in the Nieuwmarkt and that is when the Brownie hit me (and Kearns as well!). So rather then make fools of ourselves we headed back to the hotel to have a nap (and very strange dreams!).

Afterwards we headed to a funky restaurant for dinner. Ben was still feeling the effects of the Brownie, so he was not very interactive, but the rest of us all enjoyed it! Ben then headed back to the hotel while Claire, Tamsin and I went and had Pannekoeken and a drink to round off the day!

The next day we decided to leave the city and head to Haarlem for a look around. Before any of you get too worried (Mum!) this Haarlem is considerably safer then its namesake in New York. Anyway, after a quick train ride we were walking around the small town. It was typically Dutch - noone closes the curtains in the windows and noone cares if you look in - and being a beautiful day it was nice to just wander around.

After having a coffee at a great place over looking one of the canals we headed into an old (well so we thought) Dutch Windmill to look around. Unfortunately it was just built to look traditional, it was in fact only four years old, but then there was an old windmill on the site before that, so I guess it is okay.

Anyway, we got a tour from a guy who knew way too much about windmills, but he was still interesting to listen to. It took close to two hours, and unfortunately I have forgotten most of what I learnt, but if you are ever in Haarlem the windmill tour and recommended!

We headed back to the city centre for a late lunch and a carnival had popped up in the four hours since we had been there! So while it was noisy, it was nice to sit back and soak up the atmosphere!

We then jumped on the train and headed back to the city. The weekend was catching up with us, so we went and had a drink and then a nap before heading out to a dutch restaurant - De Roode Leeuw (Red Lion) for dinner. Tamsin made up some story about wanting to take some photos around the red light district (although I think that was just an excuse to go back there!) so we headed over there before heading back to the hotel!



More Canals


Haarlem


Haarlem


The Windmill


More Windmill


Carnival Rides!


Carnival Rides!

Amsterdam, Part One

Some friends of mine from Oz, Ben and Claire, were visiting and we all decided to spend Easter in Amsterdam (yes, I know life is tough). Tamsin decided she would tag along as well, so after picking Ben and Claire up from the bus station (yes, they came direct from Heathrow) we headed out to Bournemouth to catch our flight.

We must have landed in Belgium because it took up about 20 minutes to taxi to the terminal, it was longer then the time we spent in the air! Anyway, we were now in Holland.

Most of you should know by now how much I love the country. So it was great to be back. We jumped on a train and headed for the city centre and then down to the hotel (which was only about a 15 minute walk from Centraal Station).

By the time we arrived Ben and Claire were stuffed (which was not a surprise considering they had not slept for about 30 hours). So they headed off to bed and Tamsin and I went to have a look around. It was three years since I was last in Amsterdam, but I still remembered my way around! We stopped to grab some food at Wok To Go (very cool!) and then just wandered through the old city. Eventually we ended up in the Red Light District (much to Tamsin's shock) - which was still an eye opener!

We eventually made our way back to the hotel (via the bar across the road) and went to bed!

The next morning Ben and Claire looked a little bit more alert! So we headed down towards the Rijksmuseum via the Begijnhof. This was an enclosed garden and once you entered it was like the city did not exist. It was so quiet and peaceful inside!

The line for the Rijksmuseum was huge (it pays to book ahead - then you can wander straight in!). But we stuck with it. Unfortunately most of the museum was closed for renovation, but the small exhibition they kept was interesting and we still got to see Rembrandt's Nachtwacht.

We then had a spot of lunch before jumping on a canal boat for a tour of the city. This is something I had not done before, so it was different to see the city from a different angle!

Afterwards Tamsin went back to the hotel to have a nap while Ben, Claire and I sat down and had a drink. We then headed over to the Anne Frank Huis (another place I had not been before) which was quite heavy going. Luckily we arrived late enough in the day that it was not too busy.

We then headed to an Argentinean Steakhouse (which seemed to be all the rage) for dinner, before giving Ben and Claire a tour of the red light district (Tamsin was an expert now after her visit the night before). It is interesting (or a shame depending on how you look at it), that the district is in one of the nicest parts of the city.

Anyway, Ben and Claire seemed to enjoy it (well Claire especially! ;-)) which was good. So after a quick drink we then headed back to the hotel!



The Begijnhof


Canal View


Crooked Canal House


The Rijksmuseum


Canal


Canal Houses


Claire, Tamsin and Ben (Kearns)


More Canal


More Canal


A 3D Nachtwatch


Canal Crossroads!

Romsey Walk

Tamsin's sister - Polly - was over for the weekend, so we decided it might be nice to go for a walk somewhere. So we chose a nice walk (with a pub in the middle of course) in Romsey, which is not too far from Southampton.

Tamsin decided Polly could direct us (which was probably a good decision considering her past record), so we drove over to Romsey and started the walk.

The town itself it quite small, but old - it was pretty funky actually. We had a bit of a look around before starting on the walk.

The first stop was the pub (naturally). It was called the Dukes Head and even though they stuffed Polly's order up, it was still alright. They had pictures of different dukes on the walls as well.

We then walked through some trees and along streams. For an early April day the weather was not too bad. We stumbled across a huge paddock of pigs (man they were big).

After a while, however, we realised that we were lost (perhaps letting Polly direct was not the best idea after all...). So we kept on walking and walking until we finally found someone to ask directions off. He basically told us we were lost (which we already knew) but told us the best way to get back to Romsey. So we headed off again, this time walking along a busy A road (instead of the lovely quite country roads we had been on), but sure enough after about another ninety minutes of walking we made it back into Romsey proper.

So all up we probably walked about 12 miles, which is not too bad considering the walk was only supposed to be 6!



Romsey Scenes


Tamsin (and Polly in the distance)


Romsey Views


Foot and Mouth!


Pigs!


Romsey in the distance


Romsey Views


Romsey Views