Spent a glorious afternoon at Dunham Massey, here in the North of England. By the time we arrived back at our base, Moreton, nobody wanted to prepare a meal. So we took off down to West Kirby, where we picked up some Fish n Chips. Then headed down to the promenade to eat them. What could be better on a warm evening than taking in the views, looking towards North Wales over marine lake and the Dee estuary.
There were many sail boats on the lake, which was about as flat as a mill pond.
And with little wind it made for a very tranquil scene.
Sadly the Welsh coastline was obscured by mist with just a few twinkling lights managing to break through the murk.
As for the Fish n Chips, they were superb. We got them from Marigolds in West Kirby
The morning started with heavy rain and thunderstorm surrounding the gite. With breakfast and the storm all done by 09:15, and with the sky brightening, we took to the car and set off. Todays target was Bort des Orgues but as usual we made detours or stopped off en route.
After filling up the fuel tank at Bugeat we pulled over to take in the beautiful vista that is le Lac de Viam. This is an artificial lake which now provides beaches from which many water based leisure activities are launched. And, as well as a feast for the eyes, the lake is an integral part of the French hydro-electricity network.
le Lac de Viam, Correze, France
After enjoying the view we continued on our way, but not for long. Another small detour took us to Le Mont-Bessou just north of the town of Meymac.
Here we climbed the viewing tower
Viewing Tower, Le Mont-Bessou, Correze, France
which I have since discovered
is built of Douglas fir, braced with steel cables, and is triangular in plan. 188 steps and six intervening landings, take the visitor to the main viewing platform, which is 26 metres (85 ft) above the ground.
Which probably explains why I came close to being seasick so far away from the sea. The tower resonates with every step as you ascend and never quite seems to settle, never quite stationary. Presumably that is why they have this mounted on the top deck in the middle of the floor.
Swing-O-Meter, Viewing Tower, Le Mont-Bessou, Correze, France
I’m pleased to say that I did not see the pendulum swing out of the center circle.
All that aside, the views were, despite the clouds, spectacular.
View from viewing tower, Mont-Bessou, Correz, France – Looking towards Meymac
View from viewing tower, Mont-Bessou, Correz, France
All the fresh air, scenery and climbing the tower had made us hungry. So on we travelled to Bort des Orgues where we sat on the terrace of the Central Hotel overlooking the river and ate a superb lunch.
NB: I just discovered this post, in draft state. I don’t feel it is complete but have submitted it as is because my memories of that day are truly hazy.
Petersfield is a market town in Hampshire, England. It is 17 miles north of Portsmouth.
Petersfield Heath Lake is a popular spot for mums and their kids as there are playgrounds and a cafe along with nice walks around the shoreline. Boats can be hired and the lake is also popular with fishermen.
Earlier in the year, we had the rellies over from Oz. During their stay we traveled up to visit Blenheim Palace, stayed overnight in Woodstock and did a small vaguely Downton Abbey related tour of the locale. The following are a few photo’s taken over the weekend.
Blenheim Palace – Winston Churchill – No visit to Blenheim is complete without an acknowledgement to the great man himself.
Blenheim Palace – Water Gardens
Blenheim Palace – Main Entrance
Blenheim Palace – The view below the Water Gardens
Blenheim Palace – Tranquility
Blenheim Palace – Rose Gardens, a blousy pink.
Blenheim Palace – Rose Gardens, I can still smell the scent.
Blenheim Palace – Rose Gardens, a luscious red, which is just how I like my wine.
Blenheim Palace – Rose Gardens, for shear exuberance. Reminds me of the Can Can
Blenheim Palace – towering, or is that lurking, above The Boat House
Blenheim Palace – Hidden Treasure
Blenheim Palace – Dainty
Blenheim Palace – view of the lake, from The Boat House
Blenheim Palace – Butterfly House, resident.
Blenheim Palace – Butterfly House, fancy some fruit ?
Blenheim Palace – Butterfly House, cheeky chappy.
Blenheim Palace – Butterfly House, this cheeky chappy followed us around and harangued us from every perch.
Bampton
Bampton in Oxfordshire is the “real” name of Downton, a name familiar with all Downton Abbey fans. As one would expect the real thing looks very different to the images presented on screen.
Bampton – Church View appears regularly in the series. It is here that two pubs, The Grantham Arms & The Dog and Duck are located.
Bampton – Church View – Apparently No. 2 gets quite a makeover to become a pub in the series.
Bampton – Church View – A real cottage garden.
Bampton – The old Grammar School building, which now houses Bampton Community Archive, served as ‘Downton’ hospital. Unfortunately closed when we were there.
Bampton – St Mary’s Church, renamed for the series as St Michael and All Angels
Bampton – Cottages
Burford
Burford is a small town on the River Windrush in the Cotswold hills in west Oxfordshire, England, about 18 miles west of Oxford, 22 miles southeast of Cheltenham and only about 2 miles from the Gloucestershire boundary.
Burford – With a name like Huffkins and the crooked windows this place looks like something out of a Harry Potter film.
Burford – Going down to the shops is a doddle. Coming back is the real issue.
Burford – Just popping out to the shops is part of the local fitness regime.
Burford – Alms Houses, Founded in 1457 by Richard Earl of Warwick. Rebuilt in 1828.
Burford – Nearly at the summit. The locals must feel like planting a flag each time they make it to the top.
Burford – Minutes just fly by here. So much so that the minute hand has flown away. Obviously the right place to sit and while away the hours.
Burford – Hope you have left the handbrake on.
Burford – I wonder what’s down there ?
Burford – Something quaint and interesting round every corner.
Burford – Nothing is straight.
Burford – Hidden charm.
Burford – More Wonky Windows
Burford – I was holding the camera straight, honest I was.
