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Andrew's Travels

Andrew's Travels

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    • Andrew's TravelsViaggiatoreCambridgeshire; East District
      Anglesey Abbey House; the entrance
      Anglesey Abbey House; rear viewThe Anglesey Abbey clock; 250 years oldPiano roomDetail of old furnitureA dramatic entranceLibraryView upstairsBedroomThe domestic wingThe domestic wingThe domestic wingThe domestic wing

      Anglesey Abbey 1; The House

      9 aprile, Inghilterra ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

      Helen and I have been members of the National Trust for a few years now and have visited Anglesey Abbey many times.

      Anglesey Abbey is in the village of Lode, 5.5 miles northeast of Cambridge; the property includes a country house, built on the remains of a priory, large gardens and landscaped grounds, totalling 98 acres, and a working mill (Lode Mill).  After an interesting history, the house was acquired by Lord Fairhaven as the last private owner of Anglesey Abbey; he made extensive additions to the house to provide room for his rapidly expanding collection of books, paintings, tapestries, clocks, furniture and objets d'art, and he left it to the National Trust when he died in 1966.  The interior is noted for its contents, as well as the beautiful rooms (see captions on photos).  

      This post describes a visit to the interior of the house that we have made previously (see captions on photos for details).      Leggi altro

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    • Andrew's TravelsViaggiatoreCambridgeshire; South District
      1Northstowe
      Northstowe (taken earlier in the year)Northstowe (taken earlier in the year)Northstowe (taken earlier in the year)Rampton; Village Sign / Village greenRampton; All Saints Church - one of two thatched Churches in CambridgeshireMedieval wall paintingNave roofThe decorated Tomb of a D'Isle in Crusader clothingGiant's Hill; the earthwork remains of a motte and bailey castle - still partly surrounded by a moatView towards NorthstoweWestwick HallRAF Oakington pillboxOakington; Village signSt Andrew's ChurchOakington Martyrs Gravestones; a memorial to non- conformist ProtestantismLongstanton; St Michael's Church, with the holy well in the foregroundSt Michael's Church; the second thatched Church in CambridgeshireEn route back to Northstowe; one of the eight cantilevered pillboxes around RAF Oakington

      Northstowe and neighbouring villages

      2 aprile, Inghilterra ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

      Northstowe is a new town in Cambridgeshire; the site covers Oakington Barracks on the former RAF Oakington, a World War II airfield.  Northstowe is now a civil parish formed from Longstanton and Oakington and Westwick in April 2021; building first started in the early 2015, is ongoing, and forecast to have 24,400 residents in 10,000 homes long term. There are many new houses, but not many amenities, and, on the outskirts, there are small lakes

      It is convenient to start a circular walk from here from the Longstanton Park and Ride site here, and I do so with the Cambridge Rambling Club Wed A group.  We set off and walk close to the Park and Ride and one of the several small lakes here before turning off towards Rampton. The village is situated on the edge of The Fens and was well populated in Roman times before vanishing and reappearing in the Anglo-Saxon period.  The attractive Church of All Saints is one of a very few English churches with a thatched roof and one of only two in Cambridgeshire.  After stopping here, we pass the earthwork remains of a castle, known as Giant's Hill, are located to the east of the village by the church; construction started about 1140, but it was never completed.

      We now head south towards the parish of Oakington and Westwick, passing Westwick Hall, before diverting to Histon (to be covered in a future FP post). Later on, we rejoin the route and carry on to Oakington.  In 1940, a Royal Air Force bomber airfield, RAF Oakington, was constructed at Oakington covering 540 acres and this is reflected in the village sign; the site of the barracks is in the process of forming part of Northstowe.  In the 17th century, Oakington was considered to be a "hot-bed of religious dissent"; behind the churchyard of St Andrew's Church, there is a private burial ground containing the graves of three vicars who helped establish the non-conformist movement and various non-conformist churches in Cambridgeshire. Ejected from their livings, persecuted and imprisoned for propagating their faith during their lives, they became known as the 'Oakington Martyrs' in death.

      We carry on to the outskirts of Longstanton; the village was transformed by the opening of RAF Oakington in 1940, resulting in the building of three new housing estates in the village and a trebling of the population.  We passed St Michael's Church, situated towards the south of the village, built around 1230 and the second rare example of a church with a thatched roof in Cambridgeshire; it is now a Grade II listed building.

      We then follow the paths back to the Park and Ride, passing a cantilevered pillbox that was part of the RAF Oakington site, before seeing a bit more of Northstowe; it has been an interesting 12.4 mile walk.      Leggi altro

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    • Andrew's TravelsViaggiatoreCambridgeshire; Cambridge City
      Spacecraft; the Museum of Technology
      Octospa; Sedgwick StreetReality Checkpoint; Parker's PieceTeloport-o-matic; Market SquareLove from above; All Saints Garden, Trinity StreetRide and Park portal; Jesus Lock footbridgeRocket Rocket; Green StreetWonder Emporium; Sussex StreetMage's Pages; Cambridge Press bookstore, Trinity StreetDinky Shrinky; Entopia Building, Parkside10 (and a quarter) Downing Street; outside The New Museum site

      Dinky Doors

      26 marzo, Inghilterra ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

      Dinky Doors are a series of miniature sculptures (with doors), lovingly made and hidden just out of plain sight in the beautiful city of Cambridge; they are intended as little portals into other worlds, made with a dollop of humour to spark imaginations and make people smile - and there is usually a story behind them.  The artists "dream of a world where the young, old, rich and poor can experience a 'jolt of joy’ or a ‘dollop of delight’ to brighten their day and momentarily forget their worries.  They were involved with "Moomoo-o-Tron III," one of the Cows about Cambridge (see other FP trip, July 2022)  which was auctioned off to raise money for charity.

      The artworks change over time and mysteriously appear in various locations; here are those that I have seen in situ:

      1.  Museum of Technology - Here, a  spaceship containing the Dinky Doors Supreme Leader has crashed into the wall.

      2.  Sedgewick Street - The Octospa artwork incorporates a bollard on the street which has been painted to look like a lighthouse; in front, there's a lighthouse keeper’s cottage (including the door) and, just outside, an octopus enjoying a spa bath in a flower bed.

      3. Parker's Piece - Situated at Reality Checkpoint, where the reality bubble of "gown" meets the reality of "town."

      4. Market Square - The Teloport-o-matic is a new and improved teleportation service costing only 3 pence.

      5. All Saints Garden - Love from above has a present on a doorstep for a demon behind the door; the present has been left by an angel on the roof above.

      6. Jesus Lock footbridge - The Ride and Park portal enables you to get a ride to Wandlebury or Milton Country Parlk, depending on your choice.

      7. Green Street - Rocket Rocket is a vehicle ror going off to find the Supreme Leader, powered by rocket (arugula).

      8. Sussex Street - Wonder Emporium is a little storefront where various knick knacks can be purchased for 3p each (genuine 3p coins only).

      9. Trinity Street - Mage's Pages outside the Cambridge Press bookstore a little book garden tended by a Bookmage and the source of all the books in the store.

      10. Parkside - Dinky Shrinky outside the Entopia Building on Regent Street next to Parkside is a solar-powered shrink ray and observation laboratory that can shrink both unhappiness and also CO2 emissions.

      11. Downing Street - 10 (and a quarter) Downing Street outside the New Museum site has a purple octopus pouring out of the door panels (perhaps from the Zoology Museum on the other side of the wall).      Leggi altro

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    • Andrew's TravelsViaggiatoreImperial War Museum Duxford
      Curtiss Hawk 75 (G-GCVH); built in the USA and used in the Battle of France
      Supermarine Spitfire Mk I (G-CFGJ); used in the Battle of BritainClose up of the Supermarine Spitfire Mk I (G-CFGJ): it is owned by IWM DuxfordA second Submarine Spitfire Mk I (X-4650); also used in the Battle of BritainHawker Hurricane Mk I (G-ROBT); used in the Battle of BritainA second Hawker Hurricane Mk I (G-HUPW); also used in the Battle of BritainBristol Blenheim Mk I (G-BPIV); it flew numerous sorties in the Battle of BritainHispanic HA-1112 M1L Buchon (G-AWHK); it has appeared in both a film and in a TV seriesMG Midget TA (GPC 671); originally owned by Douglas Bader

      Scramble! - The Summer of 1940

      13 febbraio, Inghilterra ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C

      It is that time of year again when IWM Duxford holds its winter spotlight exhibition; this year, it is "Scramble!" - the signal for RAF pilots in the Summer of 1940 during the Battle of Britain to run to their aircraft, take off, and engage the Luftwaffe in a battle for the skies. 

      The exhibition brings together some of the aircraft that actually flew during the Summer of 1940 during both the The Battle of France and The Battle of Britain campaigns; the captions on the photos describe where they were used.

      All exhibits have an interesting history. For example, the first Supermarine Spitfire Mk I (G-CFGJ) is the only airworthy aircraft in this IMW collection; it was issued to RAF Duxford in April 1940 flown by Squadron Leader Geoffrey Stephenson and was shot down in late May 1940 onto a beach near Calais - the remains were rediscovered in the 1980s; it returned to flight in 2014 and was then gifted to IWM Duxford. In addition, the Hispano Buchon was a Spanish license-built version of the Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter - it featured in the film "Dunkirk" and the TV series "SAS Rogue Heroes". Furthermore, the MG Midget TA (GPC 671) car is of interest because it was registered to Douglas Bader who led the five-squadron "Big-Wing" from RAF Duxford in Sept 1940; Bader owned it until 1946, and is now in private ownership.

      Another interesting exhibition at IWM Duxford.      Leggi altro

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    • Andrew's TravelsViaggiatoreSouthern India
      Panch Rathas; Draupad Ratha / Arjuna Ratha / Bhima Ratha / Nakul Sahdeva Ratha
      Draupad Ratha (built in the style of a thatched tribal shrine); a Durga Panel inside itPanch Rathas, viewed from the other end - Bhima Ratha / Dharmaraja RathaBhima Ratha; front / rearDharmaraja Ratha; an imposing three storey RathaDharmaraja Ratha; carved niche figuresNandi, carved out of a single rock, faces the Arjuna RathaStanding Lion / Standing ElephantThe Shore Temple; dedicated to VishnuView showing two Nandi bull statuesPeople at the Shore Temple / View of Mamallapuram from the Shore TempleArjuna's Penance; aka The Descent of the GangesSculpted relief at the sidePanch Pandava Cave Temple; unfinishedKrishna's Butter Ball; a natural boulder perched precariously on a slopeTrimurti Cave Temple; dedicated to three Gods - Shiva, Vishnu, SomaskandaSculpture showing elephants, monkey, and peacock / School group having lunchView of the Shore Temple from Mamallapuram / View of the shore from Santana RestaurantFinall group photo, including Jojan (in the centre)

      Tamil Nadu; Mahabalipuram

      8 febbraio, India ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

      Our train arrives in Chennai at 6:45 am, having left Mysore at 8 pm yesterday evening; it stopped at many places, including Bangalore. It was a second-class sleeper and a long night. From Chennai, we travel south along the shores to Mahabalipuram on the Bay of Bengal, stopping off for a well-deserved dosa breakfast.

      Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, was once a major port built in the 7th century by Mamalla, a Pallavas king; it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to masterful rock carvings from that time - these still exist today. The area is a boulder strewn landscape, and these were used for the rock carvings

      We visit Panch Rathas (Five Rathas - a Ratha is a processional chariot), a 7th century complex of monolithic rock shrines to honour the five Pandara brothers (see captions on photos for details).

      Next, we visit the Shore Temple; dedicated to Vishnu. It was built by Mamalla on a promontory by the sea; it used to be accessed by the beach, but the 2004 tsunami led to the building of walkway access. There is also a smaller shrine dedicated to Shiva that was added later.

      We then go to Arjuna's Penance, aka The Descent of the Ganges, a celebrated bas-relief carved on an immense rock with a natural vertical cleft symbolising the River Ganges; the story depicts the Sacerd River's descent from the sky, made possible by the penance of the sage Arjuna (Bhagirata).

      There are other smaller temples, monuments, and cave-temples in the area around Arjuna's Penance, and we walk around to see these.

      Later on in the evening, we walk down into Mahabalipuram to the Santana Fish Restaurant by the beach for our farewell dinner. Helen and I shared a fish curry, grilled fish with French fries, and washed it down with some British Empire beer.

      It's been a fantastic trip.      Leggi altro

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    • Andrew's TravelsViaggiatoreSouthern India
      Mahishasura, the Demon King, slayed by the Goddess Durga
      The steps to Chamundeshawi TempleOfferings for the TempleChamundeshwari Temple, dedicated to the Goddess DurgaThe festival outside; the musiciansThe festival outside; the procession with Durga in the seat of the chariot pulled by a lionMain entrance (from inside palace grounds) / Front of palaceMysore Palace; side viewSide entranceInside the Palace; Elephant Gate, the main access to the interiorPublic Durbar HallPaintings in the Public Durga HallPortraits in the Public Durga HallThrone room / detail of wooden carvingUpstairs seating gallery; columns / ceilingView out to the main entranceTeak door with ivory inlays / detailThe Private Durbar Hall

      Mysore 2; Chamundi Hill / Mysuru Palace

      7 febbraio, India ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

      We drive 13 km to the eastern outskirts of Mysore to the Chamundi Hill; at the top of the 335m high hill is the Hindu Chamundeshwari Temple dedicated to the Goddess Chamundeshwari (Durga), the patron Saint of the people and kings of Mysuru - she slayed the Demon King Mahishasura, the ruler of the hill.

      The hill can be accessed by a 1,000 step ascent, but this is done by devotees only who pat each step with a mix of red and yellow spices . We drive to the top and do a few only! We see the Temple (only Hindus can go inside) and are fortunate to see part of a festival as it leaves the Temple (good planning by our guide, Jojan).

      Later on, we return to the Mysuru Palace, also known as the Amba Vilas Palace, to see it in the daylight (there are seven palaces in Mysore); it was originally built and rebuilt (it was wooden) by the Wodeyars Dynasty, inside an old fort, but kept burning down - the current structure was constructed between 1897 and 1912 and designed by Henry Irving with a mix of architectural styles, after the Old Palace burnt down. It is the second most visited tourist attraction in India, after the Taj Mahal.

      We go in and follow the route through the downstairs interior, including the beautiful Pulblic Durbar Hall, and up to the seating gallery and the Private Durbar Hall. It is magnificent, with exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world.

      We have some downtime in the hotel lobby before going to dinner. Then it's all aboard the Mysore to Chennai overnight train.....      Leggi altro

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    • Andrew's TravelsViaggiatoreSouthern India
      Dufferin Clock Tower; named after Lord Dufferin, the Viceroy of India, 1884 to 1888
      Deveraja MarketInside the marketThe banana sectionThe banana sectionThe flower sectionView on road behind Deveraja MarketOutside Deveraja MarketOutside Deveraja MarketTrinesvaraswamy Temple, near Deveraja MarketKrishnaraja Circle; the centre of MysoreAnother Road MonumentMysore Palace; before the start of the Light and Sound ShowDuring the showDuring the showMysore Palace; the end of the Light and Sound ShowMysore Palace; the end of the Light and Sound ShowThe Explore Travel Group

      Mysore 1; Centre / Mysuru Palace (night)

      6 febbraio, India ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

      Mysore is known as the City of Palaces and is the cultural capital of Karnataka; situated at the foothills of Chamundi, it was the centre of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1947. It is now the second most populated city in Karnataka (1.3 million).

      We arrive in Mysore (Mysuru) soon after midday and visit the Deveraja Market: the Dufferin Clock Tower stands in the square outside the market's entrance. The market was constructed above the Dewan Poirnaiala Canal that supplied water to the Mysore Palace; it is bounded by walls on all four sides and has three main aisles within. There are many fruit, vegetable, flower, and spice stalls, both inside the covered market and outside. We see these and walk around the surrounding area.

      In the evening, we visit Mysuru Palace to attend the Sound and Light Show, depicting and describing the 400-year history of Mysuru City and Mysuru Palace (we visit the Palace properly tomorrow). The buildings are illuminated in coordination with the sounds and music, and there is a lovely light show at the end.

      A full day.      Leggi altro

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    • Andrew's TravelsViaggiatoreSouthern India
      Morning Safari; Indian Elephant
      Spotted DeerMongoosePeacockPainted Stork1Bengal TigerA short walk to a local community near Mangala; water towerTypical housesLocal villagersLocal villagersLocal villagerMen working in the fields / View of fieldsAfternoon Safari; Indian ElephantsLong-tailed Langur MonkeyTurtleIndian GaurMorning nature walk; viewsTiger footprint / Leopard scat

      Karnataka; Bandipur Tiger Reserve

      5 febbraio, India ⋅ 🌙 15 °C

      Bandipur National Park is also known as Bandipur Tiger Reserve (a special name to reflect this status, as there are tigers here) and the area was once the hunting ground of the Maharajahs of Mysuru (now Mysore); it became known as the Venugopala Wildlife Park in the 1930s and became part of the Tiger Project in 1983. It has an area of 874 sq km.

      We leave our accommodation in the park at 5:40 am to be in time to transfer to the Forest Safari Transport outside the park for the dawn safari back in the park!. We travel offf piste see some wonderful animals, including the Indian Elephant and, very fortunately, a Bengal Tiger!! Others included Spotted Deer, Peacock, Mongoose, Painted Stork.

      Then it's back for a late breakfast. Helen and I have a walk up to see a small local community close to the accommodation and en route to Mangala Village before it gets too hot. Then, it's back for RnR, followed by lunch.

      Later in the afternoon, we leave at 4 pm for the afternoon safari. We see more Indian Elephants, as well as Spotted Deer, Langur Monkeys, Turtle. An animal we saw yesterday, but not today, was the Indian Gaur. A short while after we get back, it's dinner.

      In the morning, before breakfast, we go on a local nature walk close to the accommodation led by a guide; it is a great way to start the day, and surprisingly chilly at the start (7:15 am).      Leggi altro

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    • Andrew's TravelsViaggiatoreSouthern India
      Statue of Ranjiv Gandi outside Ooty station
      Charring Cross, a major road intersection in Ooty; the Adams Fountain is a public display fountainStreet sceneSt Stephen's ChurchTibetan MarketEntrance Gate to the Government Botanical GardensA welcoming statue insideThe Heritage BuildingsThe Explore Travel GroupThe JJ Pillar pillar was erected to mark the centenary year of the annual flower show in 1995The Italian GardenThe Italian GardenThe Italian Garden from the other endFlower arrangementFlower arrangement; a map of India and Sri LankaTopiary in the shape of a peacockLarge CactusPlant sculptureIn the Greenhouse

      Ooty (short for Udhagamandalam)

      4 febbraio, India ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

      We walk into Ooty from the railway station. Ooty was known as the Queen of the Hill Stations and as "Snooty Ooty" because officials from the British East India Company came to rule from here in the 18th century to escape the lowland heat.

      We have a walk round, but the main focus is to visit the Government Botanical Gardens, occupying 64 hectares in a terraced layout on the lower slopes of the Doddabetta peak; they are extremely attractive; see captions on photos for details.

      We leave Ooty and drive towards Bandipur National Park (in the state of Karnataka) via the Mudumalai National Park (still in Tamil Nadu); the two parks border one another via the same forest and the two states are separated by a bridge over a small river. We do see some wild animals en route.

      We check into our lodge style accommodation near Mangala village in the Bandipur National Park and watch Sir David Attenborough's "Wild Karnataka" natual history programme (2019) before a late buffet meal.      Leggi altro

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    • Andrew's TravelsViaggiatoreSouthern India
      Nilgiri Mountain Railway; Coonoor Station Entrance
      Coonoor StationTrain exhibit"All aboard!"View of CoonoorThe trainViews en route to OotyView en route to OotyTea PlantationLocal ChurchLovedale Station; a 5 minute breakView en routeOoty Lake, also called Ooty Boathouse, was man-made by the British in 1824Ooty stationNilgiri Mountain Railway History; zoom in on the textLeaving Ooty Station

      Nilgiri Hills; Coonoor to Ooty by train

      4 febbraio, India ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

      We leave the hotel early (7:15am) to travel to Coonoor in the Nilgiri Hills. It is a spectacular drive, with many sharp hairpin turns, as we ascend the Western Ghats towards Coonoor (1,700m). Coonoor is a hill station known for its tea estates and coffee plantations.

      From Coonoor, we take the Nilgiri Mountain Railway to Ooty (another hill station); it was built by the British in the 19th century to negotiate the difficult mountain terrain and dense green forest between the two hill stations (the original train line from Mettupalayam ended at Coonoor). There are many fabulous views as we take this scenic journey to Ooty, rising from 1,700m to 2,200m above sea level and a travelling distance of 12 miles (see captions on photos for details).

      We get off at Ooty (see next post).      Leggi altro

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