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Andrew's Travels
Andrew's Travels

Andrew's Travels

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Feeding time at the Elephant Orphanage
    Feeding time at the Elephant OrphanageJeep safari around the National ParkInteresting shaped trees / First of many wild elephant sightings hereViewsLeopard print / Bee Eater / Wild BuffaloMore elephant sightingsAthgira River CampJungle lodges / Our home for the night

    Uda Walawe National Park and River Camp

    5 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka

    Uda Walawe National Park was established in 1972 and is now one of Sri Lanka's most popular parks, with a spread of 300 sq km, providing a catchment area around an enormous reservoir.

    We start our visit at the Elephant Transit Home, better known as the Elephant Orphanage; orphaned elephants are raised here until they are 4-5 years old and released into the wild. Feeding time is every 3 hours and can be watched from a viewing platform.

    We enjoy a Jeep safari around part of the park before going to Athgira River Camp to stay in a jungle lodge next to the Rajwana River.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Street market outside the hotel
    Ella Gap (cleft in the rock) / View of valley (not from the Gap)Ravana Ella FallsLowland views en routeBuduruvagalaCentral Colossus / Left hand group / Meditating Buddha on crown / Right hand groupLowland view / Typical vegetablesElephant by the electric fence keeping him inside the National ParkViews of the area's reservoir en route to park entrance

    Ella to Uda Walawe

    5 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Ella is one of Hill Country's most popular destinations and is perched above the Ella Gap, a cleft in the escarpment where the land drops 1,100m to the plains below (it is possible to walk up to the Gap for the view).

    We stop at Ella Ravana Falls (90m high) and then reach Buduruvagala; this boasts 7 colossal Buddha statues dating from the 10th century.

    We descend to the lowlands below and note the very different landscape and vegetable produce before arriving on the outskirts of Uda Walawe National Park.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    At Nanu Oya Station
    Pattipola - the highest station in Sri Lanka / First classViewsEverybody was doing this!ViewsViewsViewsViewsThe Nine Arch BridgeDinner at the famous Cafe Chill Restaurant in Ella

    Nanu Oya to Demodora by train

    4 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ 🌧 23 °C

    There is no train station at Ella, so we go to the nearby town of Nanu Oya to meet the train (which comes down from Kandy).

    It is a very pretty route passing through lovely scenery. We pass through our final destination, Ella, so that we can go over the Demodora Bridge (Nine Arch Bridge); this was built in the 1920s to take the railway line north of Ella.

    We are met at Demodora Station and taken back to Ella and our hotel. Dinner is at the Cafe Chill Restaurant; Ella is popular with young travellers, and there are many dining places.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    The Post Office
    Central MarketIn the marketIn the marketVictoria Park; Museum / View on walkWalking in the townThe Grand HotelInside the Grand HotelPictures showing the development of the Grand Hotel; 1826 / 1892 / 2004

    Nuwara Eliya

    4 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka

    The surrounding scenery and climate impressed the early British settlers after the heat and dust of Colombo, and Sir Edward Barnes, a former governor here, established his up-country retreat here as a bungalow in 1828 at what is now the Grand Hotel.

    It is a popular town, and we start our walk at the pink colonial era Post Office before heading through the covered Central Market. Then it is back to the town centre via the pretty Victoria Park. We walk by the new Bazaar to the Clock Tower and then past the Golf Club up to the Grand Hotel; we go in and are given a short tour downstairs. From the bungalow mentioned earlier, this is now a beautiful five-star hotel (costing 55,000 Rupees per night).

    The next stop is the train station....    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Tea pickers in action
    Tea pickers/ Weighing stationTea Castle St Clair / Statue of James Taylor / Outside / St Clair WaterfallThe Blackpool HotelView from hotel / Hotel garden viewsViews near the Hotel (Pedro Tea Estate)Near the HotelHotel dining; Dinner (vegetable curry) / Breakfast (egg hopper)

    En route to Nuwara Eliya

    3 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    There are great views of tea plantations and tea pickers (always women) as we head to Nuwara Eliya. We stop for lunch at Tea Castle St. Clair on the way to our hotel; lunch is good, and there is a pretty waterfall nearby.

    Nuwara Eliya is referred to as "Little England" due to its cool and unpredictable climate. The Blackpool Hotel is located in the hills around Nuwara Eliya at 1,876m on the Pedro Tea Estate and is new but built in colonial style. It is a beautiful area and a lovely hotel.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Main entrance to Adam's Peak ascent route / Shrine
    There are many stalls in places / Statues of pilgrims prayingLights showing the way up / A pilgrim / A shrineAt the summitSunriseThe sun rising in stagesDescentShrines and Adam's PeakPagoda / Main entrance / Carvings on main entrance canopyViews from the hotel

    Adam's Peak; Ascent, Sunrise, Descent

    3 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Adam's Peak (Sri Pada) is 2,243m high and makes for dramatic scenery. There is said to be a footprint of the Buddha at the top, left during one of his three visits to Sri Lanka. Pilgrims and tourists make the arduous climb by night during the pilgrimage season (Dec to May) to see it and the sun rising at dawn.

    We are up in time for a 1:30 am departure and make the 7km ascent via 5,500 steps. It takes us at least 4 hours and is hard work. It's worth it to see the sun rise; the footprint is covered, and several metres below the place you "see" it, and no photographs in the shrine area are allowed. It was a fantastic and tiring experience with excellent views on the way down.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Tea plants / Tea flowers / Tea factory
    Stages in the process of making teaWithering the tea leaves to lose some moisture contentRolling and roll breaking / DryingGradingClasses of teaViews of tea plantationsFirst view of Adam's Peak (Sri Pada)

    En route to Dalhousie

    2 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka

    From Kandy, we leave the Cultural Triangle and head to the Hill Country; this is a higher and cooler area where tea plantations stretch over rolling hills, and there are many tea factories. It was the British who spotted the potential here and helped transform Sri Lanka into the fourth largest tea producer in the world.

    Leaving Kandy, we visit a batik factory first and then drive to the Hill Country to visit a tea factory. It was interesting to see and hear about the stages in tea production (see image captions).

    We then drive through the beautiful countryside to Dalhousie (known also by its Tamil name of Nallatanniya), a popular starting place to climb Adam's Peak. It's an early start tomorrow, so it's an early meal and an early night.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Poona Dance (traditional) / Pantheru Dance (with acrobatics)
    Peacock Dance (depicting the movements of the bird) / Salupiya Dance (demons that cause ailments)Raban Dance (with flat drums on sticks) / Kulu Dance (village damsels)Ves Dance (featuring rhythmic drumming patterns)Group Dance (drummers and dancers in harmony) / Fire Walking (outside)

    Kandy 3; Kandyan Dancing Cultural Show

    1 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    We actually visited this the evening before, but it is convenient to describe it at the end of the Kandy posts.

    After a traditional welcome by the blowing of a conch shell and ceremonial drumming, the show starts and runs through several traditional dances (see captions on images); it finished with a display of fire walking outside the hall.

    It's great to see traditional Sri Lankan folk dancing, especially as I am a traditional English folk dancer myself (a Morris dancer).    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    The Temple of the Tooth and Royal Bath House
    The Great Gate entrance to the Temple with the Octagonal Tower next to itMain Tooth Relic Shrine area / Drummers play during the thrice-daily pujasThe Shrine of the Tooth is upstairs; inset shows the bejewelled gold casket in which it is keptPeople make offerings during thrice-daily pujas (when doors open to view the container)The New Shrine Room; paintings on the walls depict the story of the Tooth relicAudience Hall / King's PalaceRoyal Botanic Gardens; Cabbage Palm Avenue / Flower GardenFig tree with impressive roots / Giant BambooSuspension Bridge/ View / Lake

    Kandy 2; Tooth Temple and Botanic Garden

    1 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    The Temple of the Tooth (Dalada Maligawa) is the most important Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka as it is home to one of Buddhism's most sacred objects - the Tooth Relic. Legend has it that it was retrieved after the Buddha's cremation; it has been moved around Sri Lanka, but it has been kept in Kandy since 1592.

    It is to be found in a room above the main shrine, and the golden container that holds it can be seen three times per day as the doors are opened during the ceremonial puja. After seeing the main shrine and attending a puja, we visit The New Shrine Room, Museum, Audience Hall, Raha Tusker Museum (a stuffed elephant) and the Kings Palace, before leaving the complex.

    We visit a jewellery factory on our way to the Royal Botanic Gardens; they are the largest and finest in the country and very beautiful.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Kandy Clock Tower/ Market Entrance
    Kandy MarketKandy MarketKandy MarketQueen's Hotel / St Paul's Church (neo- Gothic)Pattini Devale; Bo Tree / StupaThe shrine at Pattini DevaleThe Royal Bath House / The City of Kandy sprawls up the hills from Kandy LakeKandy Lake; Royal Summer House / ViewsKandy Lake; View / The Temple of the Tooth

    Kandy 1; Market, Town and Lake

    1 aprile 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Kandy has a long history of political independence and was the seat of the last Sinhalese government until it succumbed to the British in 1815. Kandy is a cultural centre, and the arts and crafts capital of the island; it is also home to its most revered Buddhist temple, its most sacred relic, and has a tradition of dancing and drumming.

    We start at the Clock Tower and visit the markets opposite it (on both sides of the road) before walking back to the lake. We pass the magnificent Queen's Hotel and visit St Paul's Church; this is close to three of Kandy's four devales - each of the four Guardian Gods for Kandy has a devale (temple) devoted to it and we visit the Pattini Devale (Goddess of Chastity).

    We then walk around the lake, enjoying great views; the lake was created in the 19th century, and this very popular stroll is about 3km in length.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    A stylised image of Sigiriya in its heyday
    View of the Lion Rock from the Water GardensBoulder Arch with remains of frescoes1The Lion PlatformThe Summit; View / Remains of the PalaceThe Summit; View down to the landscaped Royal Gardens / Remains of the PalaceOn the way down / Audience Hall Rock / Cave with frescoesView up to the Victorian era spiral staircases / The sheltered recess houses The Sigiriya DamselsCobra Hood RockDown again / Cheeky Monkeys

    Sigiriya (Lion Rock)

    31 marzo 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Sigiriya (Lion Rock) is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the ancient Citadel of Sigiriya sat atop a giant gneiss Rock 200m above the plains below.

    Monks lived at the base in the third century BC, but King Kassapa put it on the map in the fifth century AD when he chose the summit for his new Royal Palace, complete with gardens and pools. The Rock was transformed into a recumbent Lion, of which only the paws remain today; unfortunately, his reign lasted just 18 years. The ruins were discovered by British archaeologists in the 20th century.

    The Lion Rock is accessed via the Water Gardens and Boulder Gardens, and the way up is via the Lion Platform. At the summit, there are the remains of the Palace and magnificent views of the countryside.

    On the way down, we pass the highly polished Mirror Wall covered with ancient graffiti and the celebrated Sigiriya Damsels; this is a mural of beautiful, bare chested women (no photographs allowed). Further down, we pass the Audience Hall Rock and the Cobra Hood Cave before getting back to the Lion Platform.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    The first part of the tour is by small tractor engine.
    The second part is accoss a small lake by boatA great view of the Sigiriya Lion RockMaking a hat from a water lillyWe visit a local house for a demonstration of food prepared from raw materialsMaking a rotiBack to the road

    Sirigiya Village Safari

    30 marzo 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    After lunch, we arrived in Sigiriya and went on a tour of the village and local area by various means of transport; these were by a small tractor engine, boat and tuk-tuk.

    There were some great views, and we enjoyed a visit to a house for a demonstration food preparation using local products (coconut, rice, vegetables, etc).Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Statue of Parakramabahu I
    Veyjanta Padada, the Royal Palace of ParakramabahuCouncil Chamber; Hall / Lion on entrance / PillarThe Quadrangle; Vatadage, a circular Shrine / Haradage, opposite itThe Quadrangle; Moonstone opposite front entrance / Buddha statue at rear entranceThe Quadrangle; ThuparamaThe Quadrangle; Bodhisattva / Lata Mandapaya /AtadageThe Quadrangle; Gal Potha (Book of Stone) with Sathmahal Pasada behind itRankot Vihara Stupa (Golden Pinnacle)Galvihara; four colossal figures carved from granite

    Polonnaruwa

    30 marzo 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Polonnaruwa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the second capital city in Sri Lanka; this was over the 11th -13th centuries, a period of flowering for Buddhist arts and architecture. It was abandoned in 1293 and excavated in the 20th century; many of the spectacular buildings and monuments still remain.

    We start start at the statue of King Parakramabahu I and move to his Royal Pakace and Council Chamber. The heart of the city is the Dalada Maluwa (Terrace of the Tooth Relic), popularly known as the Quadrangle. We see the buildings here (captions on pictures) and move north to see the to see the 12th century Rankot Vihara (Golden Pinnacle). Then it's the Gal Vihara rock sculptures, four Buddha statues hewn out of the Rock face.

    Another amazing citadel.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Aukana Buddha / Stupa
    Dambulla Caves; Granite overhang / View from terraceCave 1, the Temple of the Lord of the GodsCave 2, the Temple of Great KingsCave 2, the Temple of Great KingsCave 3, the Great New TempleCave 3, the Great New TempleCave 4, the Western TempleCave 4, the Western TempleCave 5, the Second New Temple

    Aukana Buddha and Dambulla Cave Temples

    29 marzo 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    We stop off at the Standing Buddha of Aukana on our way to Dambulla; the statue is 13m rmtall, perfectly preserved, and was built in the 5th century BC.

    The Dambulla Caves are 1st century Buddhist Cave Temples built into the Dambulla rock and characterised by a granite overhang. They were built originally by King Valagambaku I in gratitude for regaining his throne and repaired and embellished in the 17th - 18th centuries when the murals and statues were added.Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Dhatu Ghata relic house / Mihintale Tablets
    Ambasthala Dagoba; with Arahadana Gala behind it / with Mahaseya Dagoba behind itThe Buddha at MihintaleViews from the top of Arahadana GalaAt the top of Arahadana Gala, the Meditation RockPool at the base of Mahaseya DagobaMahaseya Dagoba / Reclining BuddhaBehind the DagobaView of Arahadana Gala from Mahaseya Dagoba

    Mihintale

    28 marzo 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    Mihintale is revered as the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka as it is here where the monk Mahinda (the son of Asoka) met King Devanampiyatissa in 247 BC and introduced the religion to the country.

    We start at the second flight of steps, where the Dhatu Ghara relic house and the Mihintale Tablets are located; the tablets describe the rules and regulations for life as a monk. We continue up to the Ambasthala Dagoba (Mango Tree Stupa), which was the actual meeting place between them). Then it's up to see the Buddha statue and down again to cross over to ascend the Arahadana Gala, where there are great views of the whole area.

    Down again to then climb the main stupa here , the Mahaseya Dagoba; this houses a single hair relic of the Buddha.

    Another interesting excursion.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Sri Maha Bodhi and Temple
    Brazen PalaceRuwanwelisaya (Great Stupa)Ruwanwelisaya (Great Stupa)Thuperama Stupa / Lankarama StupaMoonstone and TempleAbhayagiri StupaSamadhi BuddhaEl Pokuna, one of the Twin PondsJetavanaramaya Stupa

    Anurahadpura

    28 marzo 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ 🌩️ 28 °C

    The Cultural Triangle refers to the area between the former capitals of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kandy.

    Anuradhapura is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the first capital city in Sri Lanka; it was founded in 380 BC and abandoned in 1073 and has three of the largest stupas in the world. Tens of thousands of monks lived here in dozens of monasteries with a by-population, and many artificial reservoirs were built over this time. It was uncovered in the 19th century by British explorers. There are many small temple relics here, but we focused on selected main sites.

    The first one was the Sri Maha Bodhi or Sacred Bo Tree; possibly 2,200 years old, and grown from a sapling under which Buddha first gained enlightenment, it is now tended. Nearby is the Loda Pasada (Brazen Palace), formerly a nine storey residence for monks, but now reduced to about 1,600 pillars. The Ruwanweliseya (Maha Thupa or Great Stupa) is 55m high and constructed from over 100 million clay bricks; it is surrounded by full-size sculpted elephants. We walk around it (clockwise) and see the Buddha relics

    We see the Thuparama (the oldest stupa on site and in Sri Lanka) and the Lankarama Stupa. Then we see the Moonstone; these are placed at the bottoms of staircases to central places of worship and depict the stages of life.

    We now visit the Abhayagiri Monastery complex and see the main ruins - the Abhayagiri Stupa (the third largest here), the Samadhi Buddha, and the Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds) - before moving on to the Jetavanaramaya Stupa (the second largest on the Anuradhapura site).

    It's been a great visit!    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    View from the jeep
    EgretCrocodileView of natural lake, known as a WilluDeer grazingLangur monkeySri Lankan elephantSloth bear1Sri Lankan leopard

    Wilpattu National Park

    27 marzo 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    We arrive at Wilpatthu National Park, which is noted for its many natural lakes (Willu). Although not the largest of the Sri Lankan National Parks, it is the oldest. Our group travels in two jeeps along the many trails here, and we are extremely fortunate as we see many of the threatened species that live here (see images and captions). Seeing the leopard was amazing, and it just sat there as the jeeps started up behind each other to stop and take pictures!

    It has been a great safari trip, and we head on to our hotel in Anurahadapura for a well-deserved beer with our meal.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Coconut plantation stop-off; Trees / Toddy Tapper in action
    Toddy Tapper in actionHe's down / So is the fermented sapPrivate Hindu Temple; main entranceFigures either side of the main entranceShrine under renovationRoad sign en route / Arrival - did we or didn't we?

    En route to Wilpattu National Park

    27 marzo 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    We stop off at a small coconut plantation just outside Negombo to see a toddy tapper in action; toddy is the fermented sap taken from the stems and stalks of coconut flowers using a knife and mallet and the tapper is the man doing it (high off the ground). It is collected in a container and used to make arrack, a local spirit. The sap is OK, but the arrack (as I found out later that evening) is a lot better!

    From here, we stopped off at Madampe to see a Hindu temple built and owned by a local wealthy person; unfortunately, it was closed for renovation.

    After a stop-off for lunch (an excellent Sri Lankan curry buffet), we proceed to Wilpatthu National Park.....    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    Negombo Fish Market
    Negombo Fish MarketNegombo Fish MarketNegombo Fish MarketOutside Negombo Fish MarketFishing Village;Traditional Oruwa fishing boats1Fisshing Village; Hauling a beach net inAlmost there!Job doneThe catch from the beach

    Negombo 2; Fish Market + Fishing Village

    27 marzo 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    After a good night's sleep and breakfast, we load up the small coach and stop off at the Negombo Fish Market Complex. This is close to the vegetable market that we visited yesterday and is also extremely interesting.

    From here, we double back and leave Negombo heading north before stopping off at a local fishing village; it is no coincidence that we arrive on time to see local fishermen hauling in a catch from fixed nets on the beach. This is fantastic to see.

    From here, we head off to our next stop....    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsSri LankaViaggiatore
    The Dutch Canal
    Dutch style colonial building / St Sebastian's ChurchHindu TempleSt Martin's ChurchNegombo MarketNegombo MarketNegombo beach walkNegombo beach walkSunsetThe tour group

    Negombo 1; Old Town, Market and Beach

    26 marzo 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    We arrived at Colombo Airport after our flight from London and met our entire Explore Travel group (9 total) before transferring to our hotel in Negombo.

    Negombo is a popular start or finish place for tourists/travellers due to its proximity to the airport. It is a large fishing town with reminders of its colonial post; Portuguese, Dutch, and British Empire; in fact, we crossed the Dutch Canal on our way to town.

    After a short break, we (Helen and I) set out for a walk from the hotel to the Old Town. We see St Sebastian's Church, which is based on Reins Cathedral. Many local people in Negombo are Roman Catholic due to the activity of missionaries in the past. After passing a Hindu Temple, we visit St Mary's Church (also RC), and from here, we proceed to the vegetable market nearby.

    On the other side of the market, we reach the beach and walk back to the hotel; there are good views of local housing, distinctive fishing boats en route.

    After a rest, we meet up with the group and tour leader at our hotel rooftop bar for dinner and trip discussion.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsLincolnshireViaggiatore
    Boston Gateway Marina
    Grand Sluice LockView of St Botolph's Bridge and The Stump (from the hotel room yesterday)View of South Street from High Street, on the other side of the riverView back to town from South Terrace en route to Boston Port areaView across The Haven to QuaysideBoston Harbour railway swing bridge

    Boston 2; From the Marina to the Port

    19 febbraio 2023, Inghilterra ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    A short walk upstream from the town centre brings you to the Boston Gateway Marina and the Boston Grand Sluice Lock.  Walking back into town on the footpath on the side of the River Witham, we pass the new eliptical St Botolph's pedestrian bridge, divert around the White Hart Hotel, and rejoin at the High Street.  There are good views of South Street on the other side before we reach the bridge over the John Adams Way and cross over, and proceed along South End and then South Terrace.  There is a footpath along the outskirts of the Port of Boston Industrial Area, but only as far as the railway swing bridge here.  

    The Port of Boston handles more than one million tons of cargo per year, including the import of steel and timber and the export of grain and recyclable materials. The port is connected by rail via a railway swing bridge, which is active several times each day.

    It has been good to be close to the port area, as it is often not considered on visits to Boston.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsLincolnshireViaggiatore
    Swan House / Municipal Buildings
    The Market Place1St Botolphs Church, with a statue of Herbert Ingram beside itInside St Botolphs ChurchMaud Foster MillWar Memorial / Pescod HallShodfriars Hall / Blackfriars Arts CentreThe GuildhallFydell HouseHussey Tower

    Boston 1; The Heritage Trail

    18 febbraio 2023, Inghilterra ⋅ 🌬 11 °C

    Boston is a market town and inland port in Lincolnshire; it is situated on the River Witham and used to be the second largest port in the UK after London, but decline started when the flat countryside around the town, The Fens, started to be drained.

    We start our Heritage Trail walk at the station; close to this is Swan House - located on Trinity Street, the building has been converted into flats, but it was originally built for the processing of feathers for pillow cases.  We walk into town and pass the Municipal Buildings on West Street before crossing the Haven to the town centre, and the Market Place (the River Witham is known as The Haven on its route through Boston).  From here we cross to St Botolph's Church (aka The Stump); this is Boston's most notable landmark and the largest parish church in England - it has one of the tallest medieval towers in the country (over 266 feet) and this is visible from miles away across the surrounding flat countryside. 

    From here, we walk the length of Bargate and cross the Maud Foster Drain to see the Maud Foster Windmill, a seven-storey, five sail windmill; the tower mill and adjoining granary is a grade I listed building.  We double back into town to see the magnificent War Memorial before turning off to see Pescod Hall, originally built in 1450 and now in front of the Pescod Square Shopping Mall.  Then its back to the Market Place and along South Street towards the Cultural Quarter; here we see Shodfriars Hall, a substantial timber-framed building of three storeys, and in a road behind it is the Blackfriars Arts Centre, situated in a converted medieval friary.  Along South Street is The Guildhall, a former municipal building and now as a local museum, and next door to this is Fydell House, a Queen Anne house and open to the public for room hire, conferences and weddings.  We cross the John Adams Way to South End for the short walk past Boston Grammar School to see Hussey Tower, hidden away behind some new houses on the edge of the School playing fieds; this is a grade II listed historic tower, dating back to 1450, and the remains of a medieval brick-fortified house.  

    It has been a very interesting walk around Boston; there is more to see here than one thinks.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsCambridgeshire; South DistrictViaggiatore
    The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
    The Hare and HoundsHarlton Clunch PitBarrington Chalk PitBarrington Chalk PitViews of Barrington Chalk Pit en route to BarringtonThe Whole WayView from the top of The Whole WayLimes Farm, Harlton

    Harlton Circular

    12 febbraio 2023, Inghilterra

    Harlton is a small village 5 miles southwest of Cambridge, just off the A603.  We pass an attractive church, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the public house; the Hare and Hounds is a community owned thatched village pub that is popular in the area - so much so that the Devils Dyke Morris Men there during the Summer.

    We leave the village and walk up a ridge to Harlton Clunch pit; clunch is the traditional local term for a hardened chalk and there is a cluster of clunch pits dug into the sides of the low chalk ridges bordering the upper Cam valley and along the Fen edge towards the Suffolk border.  The village was an important source of this building material for many centuries, and clunch was sourced from here to build Cambridge Castle in 1295; the pit is now a wooded recreational area.  

    We leave the clunch pit and join an ancient track, the Mare Way, which runs along a raised ridge dividing it from Barrington.  There are good views of the Barrington Chalk Pit; this is now a disused quarry area that was originally worked for chalk and clay for cement production.  It is a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest as it is the only surviving exposure of the Cretaceous Cambridge Greensand; the quarry is currently being utilised for landfill and rehabilitation and for disposal of spoil transported by rail from High Speed 2 construction sites.  

    After a while, we turn left and head south in the direction of Barrington and enjoy views of the quarry area as we reach Wilsmere Down Farm.  We carry on into Barrington and then double back north on another footpath, eventually turning on to the Whole Way. After a while, we turn right on to the Mare Way again and then left towards Limes Farm and Harlton.     Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsImperial War Museum DuxfordViaggiatore
    Overview of the exhibition hall; all 7 Hurricanes can be seen
    Three Hawker Hurricanes on the left-hand side of the exhibition hallThree other Hawker Hurricanes on the right-hand side of the exhibition hallThe Hawker Hurricane evolved from the Hawker Nimrod and Hawker Fury biplanesHurricane Mk I (P3717); shipped to the Soviet Union after we became allies, recovered after Cold WarSea Hurricane Mk Ib (Z7015); originally a fighter-bomber, it was converted to a two-seaterHurricane Mk I (R4118); this brought down 5 enemy aircraft in 6 weeksComparison of the Hurricane and Spitfire bodyComparison of the Hurricane and Spitfire wing thickness and 4 guns on eachComparison of the Hurricane and Spitfire wheel base

    Hurricane; Unsung Hero

    6 febbraio 2023, Inghilterra ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    With 7 examples of the Hawker Hurricane under one roof for the first time (only fourteen airworthy Hurricanes remain in the world) in an exhibition running from 27 Dec 2022 to 19 Feb 2023, it seemed appropriate to make another visit to IWM Duxford.  This exhibition, in the Conservation Hall in the AirSpace super hangar, celebrates one of the Second World War’s most hard-working fighter aircraft, the Hawker Hurricane; it is often overlooked in favour of the Spitfire, yet the Hurricane accounted for sixty percent of air victories in the Battle of Britain. 

    The Hurricane's design was derived from the Hawker Nimrod and the Hawker Fury, both earlier biplane fighters that flew in the 1930s that had wood and metal framework covered in fabric. Although essentially out of date, despite later improvements, the Hurricane was a stable and rugged aircraft that could be maintained and repaired more easily than the metal bodied Spitfire.  There is a Spitfire in the hangar for comparison purposes; the Spitfire is smaller and weighs less but is more susceptible to gun damage. Other differences are shown in the pictures.

    It has been another interesting and educational visit.    Leggi altro

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  • Andrew's TravelsKentViaggiatore
    Faversham Guildhall
    Old buildings along West StreetShepherd Neame breweryViews along Faversham CreekDevelopment on the other side of Faversham CreekStandard Quay; quirky shops / Oyster Bay HouseChurch of St Mary of Charity and its flying spireChurch of St Mary of CharityInside the church; view of inside / rare medieval painted pillar

    Faversham

    15 gennaio 2023, Inghilterra ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    Faversham is the oldest market town in Kent, recorded in the Domesday Book and located on a winding creek; there are many listed and historic buildings here.  It is also home to Britain's Oldest Brewer - Shepherd Neame, which has been brewing beer since 1698.

    We start our quick walk of the town starting at the Guildhall; it is located in Market Place, stands at the very heart of Faversham, and was originally built as a market hall in 1574.  We divert down West Street to see some of the lovely old buildings there and then double back to the Guildhall to walk down Court Street and head down to the Creek - passing the Shepherd Neame Brewery on the way.

    Faversham Creek connects the town to the Swale that separates mainland Kent from the Isle of Sheppey; during Roman Britain and into the first millennium, the Faversham coast was a large estuary with peninsulas either side.  We walk along the Creek and reach Standard Quay; this was the town’s main unloading quay from the sixteenth century onwards and boasts one of the oldest warehouses in Britain, built from materials taken of the original Faversham Abbey when it was destroyed during the dissolution. On the opposite bank of the Creek to Standard Quay is a good example of regeneration; the modern apartments built along the Creek were once a part of Pollock’s shipyard.  There are several classic ships and boats at Standard Quay now, along with many unique shops and outlets; at the end is Oyster Bay House - this  was originally built to store locally-grown Kentish hops before being transported up the creek to the Hop Exchange near London Bridge (despite its name this warehouse has nothing to do with oysters but Faversham did have a great oyster trade).

    We double back to town and walk up Abbey Street past the site of the original Abbey and cut across to the Church of St Mary of Charity; reputed to be the second largest in Kent,  the church was founded in the medieval era,  but the flying spire, known as a crown or corona spire, dates to the 18th century.  The church is also noted for its rare medieval painted pillar.

    A great visit to an interesting town; I must go back (not least for a brewery trip visit or to attend the Faversham Hop Festival).    Leggi altro

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