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Margaret Jenkins

June - July 2018
Seeing family in England Read more
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  • TravelerMargaret Jenkins
    Day 3

    Ascot Races

    June 22, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Trip from Benalla to Heathrow went well. Thanks to David for driving to Seymour, then train to Broadmeadows, bus to Melbourne airport and two Singapore airline flights to Heathrow. Anita kindly provided transport from Heathrow to Ascot.
    We passed through Dachet, which had several large hanging baskets full of spring flowers. These were also very visible in Ascot. We saw the footbridge over the high street in Ascot which takes the race goers from one of the largest car parks to the race course.
    Later in the day we went to Watersplash lane which the Queen passes through on her way to Ascot races. There were about 200 locals within 100m. Including two groups of school children in uniform. There was also a significant police presence.
    Pictures include hanging baskets outside a pub in Dachet, flowers above a garbage container, two carriages in the royal procession and Anita and Anna in the back yard.    Read more

  • TravelerMargaret Jenkins
    Day 3

    Picnic at the races

    June 22, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    We decided today to have a picnic at the Ascot races. There is an enclosure for the locals, where they show their Heath Pass and they are allowed in free. We packed eats and drinks, arrived early and got a spot on the fence. Was a bright sunny day with a few light clouds. Had used plenty of sunscreen. The area filled up but nowhere as many people as on the other side of the track.
    The carriages came down the straight at 2pm, the band struck up God Save the Queen and the crowd sang loudly. Quite an impressive moment.
    First race was at 2.30pm. There is quite a rise in the track coming up to the finish. The horses thundered past us about 3 metres away. It was certainly a different experience and one to remember for a long time.    Read more

  • TravelerMargaret Jenkins
    Day 5

    A Day in Bath

    June 24, 2018 in England ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Yesterday we set out for a day in Bath or Bath Spa as the Brit Rail calls it. It was the final day of Ascot races so Anita drove to Martins Heron. Some of the names for these places are hard to understand. However, the train took us from Martins Heron to Reading where we got our Rail Cards stamped. Then caught the train to Bath Spa. Train was impressive as it was 99% full, passed other trains in places and got up to probably 120 kph. And was a very smooth ride.
    First place we visited was the Roman Baths which is a World Heritage attraction. Stood in the queue outside for 15 minutes, then the inside queue for roughly the same time. There were about 25% more people inside than I remember last time. However the size and complexity of it made it well worthwhile for a second visit. Took some photos on the tablet. However found the camera much easier in the bright sunlight.
    After lunch went on two bus tours of Bath. First one included The Cresent and The Circle. The use of local stone in the buildings is very evident, and the age of many buildings is demonstrated by the huge number of chimney pots.
    At Ascot everyone was home for dinner including Paul, Anna and Matilda. Matilda had come home from a Biology camp in Wales.    Read more

  • TravelerMargaret Jenkins
    Day 5

    Windsor Great Park

    June 24, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Yesterday we did a small walk in the Windsor Great Park. The weather has been very sunny each day and the temperature is in the mid 20 deg C. The Great Park is very manicured with a large number of mature trees of many varieties. There were many cyclists as well as people walking along the paths.
    When we came home Matilda persuaded Anita to finish a skirt she is wearing to a Headmasters luncheon later this week. Matilda is completing year 12 this week, and only has one more year at Reading Blue Coat.
    This morning Anita drove us to Sonning which is where Matilda's school is located. We had a look at both the front of the school and also at the Boat Shed as both girls have been involved with the rowing teams.
    We walked a very short section of the Thames path, saw the lock operating at Sonning, and enjoyed a cup of tea overlooking the Thames. The family are very fortunate to live in such a scenic area.    Read more

  • TravelerMargaret Jenkins
    Day 8

    At Windermere

    June 27, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Yesterday was spent travelling from Ascot to Windermere. There were train changes at Reading, Manchester, and Preston . Then at Oxenholme the train was replaced by a bus to Windermere. The train service is very efficient.
    In Windermere we met Beryl and Keith. Beryl and I have a connection through both being descendents of the Higginbottom family. It is four years since Beryl and Keith drove from Canberra to Benalla to meet us, so there was lots to catch up on.
    As soon as we left the rail station at Oxenholme it became apparent that there was an abundance of stone in this area. There are many dry stone fences all impeccably built. But what is more impressive is that the buildings are also built using these stones. Unfortunately I did not take the tablet to dinner last night so photos of these buildings will have to come with the next installment.
    Included here is a church at Sonning built of flint which is prevalent there. Anita said this is the church Theresa May attends. Also a photo from the hotel window at Windermere. Next the boat house at Blue Coat and a tub of flowers near the loch at Sonning.    Read more

  • TravelerMargaret Jenkins
    Day 8

    On Lake Windermere

    June 27, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Today we travelled on Lake Windermere to Lakeside where we changed boats. After the
    Very pleasant boat rides in ideal conditions we had a vintage train ride which took us to Haverthwaite. This was a tourist destination. On the platform there was a guy with his four owls which were chained to their poles, but were tame enough for some people to pat them.
    According to information given to us on the train it was supposed to be 150 yards to a lookout. The 150 yards may have been a vertical measurement, and it would not be classified as an easy walk. But the view was excellent. After that feat we treated ourselves to Thunder and Lightening icecreams. By this stage the temp was approaching 30 deg c.
    On the return leg via Bowness we saw a large number of swans, geese and other birds waddling around in the shallow water. A bit further on we met a retired pilot who was quite a character. During the day we saw four aircraft doing low runs over Lake Windermere. Keith seemed to know quite a bit about these exercises.
    In summary a delightful day with wonderful scenery and weather and good company.    Read more

  • TravelerMargaret Jenkins
    Day 9

    An evening at Grasmere

    June 28, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Last night after dinner Keith kindly drove us to Grasmere. This is where William Wordsworth lived for a significant portion of his life, and where he is buried. It is light here until 10pm so we were able to have a good look around without the crowds of people which we would have joined if we had visited during the day.
    We visited the area adjacent to the churchyard where there are approx 3000 inscribed pavers. The people who subscribed about £100 for each paver wanted to be part of this scheme which as well as commemorating William Wordsworth also contributes to the upkeep of the church grounds.
    Keith also drove us to see Dove Cottage which is where Wordsworth lived. It is a white washed building adjacent to a cottage with very unusual chimney pots. By turning 90 deg on the same spot you can see the Fells which surround Grasmere. These substantial hills rise to over 1000 feet, and provide a photographic backdrop to Grasmere.    Read more

  • TravelerMargaret Jenkins
    Day 9

    Beatrix Potter's Cottage

    June 28, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Thank you Jenny for suggesting that it was worthwhile visiting Beatrix Potter's cottage. Beryl and Keith kindly drove us there this morning. It was another sunny day but a couple of degrees cooler which was good. We got there early and got ahead of the coach loads of tourists which arrived later in the morning. There can be up to 800 people visiting each day.
    The house was furnished with furniture of the era and had been left to the National Trust together with several farms and houses which the author had acquired during her lifetime. Drawing and painting had apparently run in the family as there were a series of plates which her father had painted. There were also some large paintings hanging on the wall which had been done by her brother.
    The garden was full of swathes of bright flowers whilst the vegetable garden had huge beds of rhubarb and strawberries. There were also gooseberries, beans, radishes etc.
    One interesting thing we saw during the morning was the dry stone wall opposite Hill Top cottage, which is what the house was called, beng repaired. I asked the guy for permission to photograph the process which was quite different.    Read more

  • TravelerMargaret Jenkins
    Day 10

    Coniston and Amberside

    June 29, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    After the visit to Beatrix Potter's home we visited the Ruskin museum in Coniston. This museum contains information about Donald Campbell and the Bluebird, a replica of the remains of the Bluebird being displayed in a glass cabinet. There was also a video of Donald Campbell's life and various attempts at speed records.
    Afterwards we went to the shore of Lake Coniston where we enjoyed lunch. There were lots of people around with many boats in the water. Probably very similar to inland lakes in Australia except that the sand was a bit coarser. We sat and relaxed and watched the crowds.
    On the way home Keith kindly stopped at Amberside where there is the smallest National Trust house in England. The dry stone bridge on which the house was built was constructed in approx 1500. The house was built slightly later and has a kitchen with a stove and is approx 2m x 3m in area. If you climb some very steep stairs outside there is another room on top of the kitchen roughly the same size. The National Trust rep told us that it had been used as commercial premises for various trades including shoe repairs. One of the photos shows Beryl and Keith in the small kitchen.    Read more

  • TravelerMargaret Jenkins
    Day 12

    At the Regatta

    July 1, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    On Friday Keith and Beryl drove us to Oxenholme and put us on the train to Wolverhampton. From there we caught a connection to Reading, and from Reading to Ascot. It was a very memorable time we had in the Lakes District, and our thanks to Keith and Beryl for showing us so many great attractions set amongst great scenery.
    On Saturday afternoon Matilda was rowing in a regatta at Sonning. Paul and Anita took us there for a couple of hours and set us in comfortable chairs on the banks of the Thames. There were squads there from Australia, the United States as well as many school rowing crews and University squads.The reason for the international competitors was that it was excellent practice for the regatta at Henley which is in a week's time.
    Matilda was part of a double sculls team with her friend Jess. They came second out of three competitors. There was much encouragement from the spectators as they went past. It was avery much a social event for the parents and friends.    Read more

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