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Our European Adventure 2018
  • DeanandLindasTravels
  • DeanandLindasTravels

Our European Adventure 2018

A 6 month trip on a shoestring Read more
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  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    Cathedra is Latin for chair, where the bishop sits.

    Gloucester Cathedral

    July 12, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    The main part of the church has a fantastic altar, ceiling and floors. In the ceiling is a carved gilded image of Jesus surrounded by angels at the apexes--use your magnifier to see them!

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    King Edward II's Tomb
    Robert, eldest son of William the ConquerorAbbess KyneburgaLayered Memories of Conflict

    Monuments in the Cathedral

    July 12, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    King Edward II was an unpopular King who was murdered in 1327. His son Edward III commissioned the tomb's construction in 1330, and this spurred the reconstruction of this end of the cathedral in the new Perpendicular Gothic style. It was because Edward was a relative that King Henry VIII didn't dissolve this cathedral.

    The next monument is for Robert of Normandy, eldest son of William the Conqueror, never became king due to a rocky father-son relationship.

    Saint Kyneburga was the first abbess here, from 679-710. She governed both monks and nuns.

    The fourth memorial is for a young wife who died during or shortly after childbirth, while the family was at sea. It looks like she is rising to heaven on a wave--very poignant.

    "Layered Memories of Conflict": A sculpture about the repetition of conflict and war.

    Monument to stonemasons who worked on the cathedral. The origin is unknown, but it looks like a stonemason fell.    Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    The courtyard and tower, seen from the cloisters21Dean having fun with a "grotesque" (not a gargoyle--those are outside)

    The Cloisters

    July 12, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    If these cloisters look familiar, it's because they were filmed in scenes of Harry Potter movies.

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    Roman walls, covered by local stone in Victorian times, to protect them
    Model of the VillaWalls of houses along the side of the villaBath houseSpringsArtist's rendition of the springs, and a shrine built over it

    Chedworth Roman Villa

    July 13, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    Romans lived in this villa (rural dwelling) starting in the second century AD. It was enlarged and refined over the next two centuries, reaching its peak in the mid 300s. After the Romans left Great Britain around 410, it fell into disrepair and eventually was buried by the surrounding soil. It was discovered in1864 by a gamekeeper. Archeologists unearthed mosaic floors and walls, marking boundaries with local stone, and opened it and a museum to the public.

    There are remains of 150 Roman villas in the Cotswolds, with more in the Southeast of England. The Villa sites would have been chosen because of a natural spring or other water source.

    This is what people would have seen if visiting the site in Victorian times. The house was lived in by the curator, and part of it was the museum.

    A model of the villa: houses on each side, owners house at the far end, with bathhouses in the upper right corner.    Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    The archeology team uncovering mosaic tiles
    Artist's drawing of the tile patterns they are findingThe Grand Dining Room, where the owner entertained

    Current Archeology Work

    July 13, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    This month archeologists are unearthing some more of the mosaic floors. They strip off the sod and asphalt sidewalks, remove the layer of soil, and then carefully brush the dirt away to expose the tiles.

    The last two pictures show the beautiful mosaics in the grand dining room, and the hallway outside.    Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    Changing and Relaxing Room
    Hot Room, heated by the hot air circulating under the floorThe hottest roomCold plunge tub

    Roman Baths

    July 13, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    Romans bathed in groups, men separate from women. They went into a warm room heated by hot air under the floor. Then servants massaged them with olive oil, and they went into progressively hotter rooms, had the oil, sweat, and dirt scraped off of their skin, and plunged into a cold pool. It was social, and probably felt good, but passed germs around.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    31627 MarketThe figure on the rooftop is artificial.

    Chipping Campden: Wool Market

    July 13, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌧 73 °F

    This town was the home and marketplace of the richest wool merchants. The High Street (main street) is one of the prettiest in the Cotswolds. The old Market is dated 1627.

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler

    Taunton Housesit

    July 16, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    We moved to Taunton to care for two 5 year old cats named Darcy and Lizzie (brother and sister). They are very affectionate. We are staying in a new townhouse; the owner just moved into 2 weeks ago. We are looking forward to exploring a new area!Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    The part on the left was added in the 1800s.
    The Gate House.View from the Castle, of the Polo field and Bristol Channel

    Dunster Castle

    July 17, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F

    This National Trust property was once a castle, and has been lived in by the one family and their descendants for the last 600 years. It was remodeled and added onto in the Victorian era, making it into an elegant country home.

    The garden is terraced and planted with beautiful flowering trees, shrubs, and other plants, and overlooks the Bristol Channel and the Southern Wales coast.    Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    Dining Room CeilingLeather wall-hanging: Anthony and CleopatraThe Drawing Room

    Entertaining at Dunster Castle

    July 17, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F

    Imagine being a guest at this table! One time the host asked for the curry to be prepared very spicy, except for his. He thought it was pretty funny when everyone else except himself was gasping.

    The Cleopatra and Anthony wall hanging is made of leather, and is part of a set that tells their story. They were in the dining room, but are now displayed in a central room at the top of the stairs.

    After dinner the ladies went to the drawing room (derived from the word "withdraw") for sherry and gentile conversation, and the men to the smoking room or the billiards room, probably for other conversations!    Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    1A B&B cottage garden
    This plant is related to the rhubarb, but not edibleA Tea GardenDunster Beach Cottages

    Dunster Village

    July 17, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    The old village is bordering Dunster Castle, and was charming to walk around.

    The last picture is of some of the 250+ cottages at Dunster Beach. They look small on the outside, maybe one third of our Arizona home, but they actually have a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living/dining room, and patios front and back. This little seaside village of cottages had its start when Lady Lutrell of Dunster Castle had one built for herself in the 1920s, plus a few more to rent out,Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    Cutting the curdsShoveling drained curds into the cheddaring tableCheddaring Process: Cutting the mat of curdsCheddaring process: Stacking the curd matsCheddaring process: stacking the curd mats higher

    Cheddar, as in Cheese

    July 19, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F

    We went to the town of Cheddar, to see the cheese-making process. Cheddar cheese is named for cheddaring, an extra step in the process which was developed there.

    Unpasteurized milk is heated and rennet is added. Once curds are formed, they are cut into cubes, and when the pH is right, the whey is drained off. Then the curds are shoveled into a cooling bin, allowed to set, and then the cheddaring begins. The mats of curds are cut and stacked so more whey drains off, then they are cut and stacked some more, until the stacks are about 4 blocks high.

    It takes about 7 hours to make milk into cheese, and then it is aged. We watched a while, had lunch, and went back again to watch some more steps.    Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    Wrapping the cheese in cheesecloth. Water makes it stick better.
    The Cheese PressAging the cheesesOld Cheese Press

    Cheese Making, continued

    July 19, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F

    Next the blocks are milled (chopped) and salted. Finally the molds are filled and put into the cheese press overnight. Then cheeses are wrapped in cheesecloth, pressed again, and finally put into storage (sometimes a cave is used like in the old days, to impart a different flavor). We got to taste the different ages of cheese, and some good flavors as well. We love to see how things are made!Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    The Chapel. Note the clock--John believed in keeping sermons short and simple.
    1How the wealthy lived, vs how the poor lived, Bristol, 1700s.John rode 250,000 miles, often reading the Bible as he went.Charles was the better preacher, and was well liked. He and his family were excellent musicians.

    John Wesley Chapel, Bristol

    July 20, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    The New Room, the oldest Methodist building in the world, was built in 1739. It was too small and not well-built, so it was rebuilt and enlarged in 1748. Except for the pews, it is the same as then. At that time, men and women sat separately on benches. There was no organ, but the congregation was taught the hymns in stanzas, and then they sang with enthusiasm. In other churches singing was only done by a choir or not at all. There are no windows on the ground floor, to protect against mobs.

    Wesley promoted the idea of helping the less fortunate. The New Room was a multipurpose building with a food shelf, natural medicines, a school for children, and visits to a nearby prison were arranged. Services are still held there: we attended one that day, and thought, "This is where it all began!"

    Note: The chapel was used in filming a courtroom scene for the BBC series, Poldark, season 2.    Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    John's bedroomJohn didn't believe in sitting too much-his windowsill is a slanted writing desk.John's officeCharles, the prolific hymn composer and circuit preacher

    Wesley Museum

    July 20, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F

    The second floor of the New Room (or Wesley Chapel) had a large central meeting room for John, Charles, and other circuit preachers to meet, as well as bedrooms and offices.

    It is used now as a museum, to tell the story of John and Charles, and the Methodist movement around Britain, America, and the world.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    The new front, on the West side
    The back garden, overlooking the former road to the house, now a sheep pastureThis used to be a sunken garden, with a hill where the fountain is now.Wibbly-Wobbly Hedge--a heavy winter bent over the branches and they stayed that way.Weddings are held often at these mansions

    Montacute House

    July 21, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    Sir Edward Phelips, a member of Parliament and then Speaker of the Houses of Commons, had this house built in 1601 as a statement of his power and wealth. This is one of the best examples of Elizabethan Renaissance architecture in England,

    The original front of the house was on the East side. In 1787, a later Edward Phelips took an ornamental facade from another local 16th century house, and added it to the West side. This made a new front with a corridor inside, so rooms could have their own doors. Before this family and visitors would have to go through each other’s rooms to get from one side of the house to the other.    Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    Lord Curzon's bedroom
    Lord Curzon's bath cabinet in his roomElizabethan clothing--replicas made by a volunteer who hand sewed them.Queen Elizabeth IQueen Elizabeth of Bohemia

    Montacute House Exhibits

    July 21, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    Lord Curzon leased this house in 1915-25, and made some changes. Here is his bedroom with a bathing nook he added into it.

    The clothing for the exhibit was hand-stitched by a volunteer. The outfit in the middle would be worn by a boy until about age 6-8, when he graduated to short pants. This signified that he was becoming a man, and would be cause for celebration.

    The paintings showed how the queens dressed. These paintings are among the many displayed throughout the house, but especially in the "Long Gallery" on third floor. Another exhibit showed many intricate samplers from the 16th and 17th centuries.    Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    Countess Shrewsbury ("Bess of Hardwick")
    Old Hardwick HallNew Hardwick HallThe Entrance Hall

    Bess of Hardwick

    July 22, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    Bess of Hardwick (Elizabeth Shrewsbury) was a very wealthy countess. She rose through Elizabethan society to become the most important woman in England after the queen.

    She used her fortunes to indulge her passion for building. Her houses display her taste, wealth, and business sense. She was rebuilding the old hall, when her fourth husband died. She was then financially able to build her final house from the ground up. It was known by the saying "Hardwick Hall, more window than wall." All of the house’s towers are topped by her initials and countess’s coronet.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    Penelope was noble because of her virtues, Perseverance and Patience

    More Tapestries

    July 22, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F

    Penelope is one of a set of four large-scale embroidery tapestries entitled "Noble Women." These were designed by professional embroiderers hired by Bess. They are made of patchwork pieces cut out of medieval church vestments, obtained after King Henry VIII dissolved the Catholic Church in England.

    Here is the best guest bedroom, with more tapestries, and a beautiful inlaid wood chest of drawers, displayed in the drawing room.    Read more

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