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This Has to Stop.
  • Mark Britt

This Has to Stop.

The is absolutely, positively, most likely the last time we do this. Les mer
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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende

    Kingston Lacey Garden

    27. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    We have the:

    Formal garden
    Japanese garden
    Sunken garden
    Fern garden
    Kitchen garden

    3 obelisks one of which was shipped from Egypt in the 1850's and took eight years to arrive.
    Garden sarcophagus (this is a must on garden redesign plans.

    Quite a place.    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende

    Wimborne Minster Model Village

    27. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    So it’s 1951 and you decide to build a 1/10 model of your town.
    By the 80’s people don’t see it as the cutting edge of entertainment anymore and it’s pretty well derelict.
    They sell the land from underneath you, what do you do?
    You get someone rich to give you a field and you move it bit by bit and reopen in 1991. You cut it up with an angle grinder and hope you bring all the bits.
    Still not the cutting edge of entertainment but has a certain charm. We liked it.    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende

    Lulworth Cove

    28. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    World Heritage Jurassic coast.
    Great spot, blue and green sea, not a wave to be seen.
    Beach gives you all you could want, shingle, sand, rocks, more rocks, smaller rocks.
    Terrific bay, fishing boats, cliffs, three types of folded rocks.
    People jumping into cold water, dressed for the Arctic.

    Many intrepid walkers headed along the coast, we watched them go.    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende
    AnglicanCatholic

    Lulworth Castle

    28. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    All part of the Lulworth Estate that includes the Cove.

    Originally built as a Tudor hunting lodge by one of the endless and confusing Howard’s the place ended up in the hands of the Weld’s and all was going nicely until there was the predictable fire in 1929.

    The family built a very grand new house next door and managed a deal with English Heritage to restore it and roof it in 1998. But not the inside so it makes a very interesting place.

    Interestingly, the Welds are Catholic and have have remained so for all the years no matter how difficult or expensive that was.

    Having an Anglican Church on one side of the castle they were able to get George III to let them build a free standing catholic chapel on the other in 1778.
    It was the first one allowed to be constructed since Henry VIII. Permission was actually granted for a mausoleum, but with a bit of lateral thinking it ended up as church.
    Very nice it is to.    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende
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    The Fox Hotel

    28. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Rural Dorset is how they advertise themselves.
    The place is faithful to the advertisement.
    It is very rural up a lot of narrow lanes as opposed to narrow roads.
    Was originally built 250 years ago as the house of a successful brewer but when the pub burn down they moved it into the house.
    Brewery is now largest in Dorset and own a range of pubs.
    It’s been well renovated last year.
    Very nice although they need to either buy a vacuum cleaner or show someone how to use it.
    We are running a competition on how many times Mark hits his head getting out of bed.
    Results will be published Thursday if he recovers.
    Please leave estimate.    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende

    More reflections by Bern

    28. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    English people are unerringly polite...except if you jump a queue.

    England is the home the big breasted woman.

    Women tend to not wear jeans. They wear slacks. Often red.

    Toast is only waved over the toaster, making it more bread really.

    I love how kids call their parents mummy and daddy not mum and dad and that 12 year old boys hold hands with their dads.

    Public Gardens are used by thousands of families every weekend. Kids roll down hills, splash in the rills. Rain makes no difference.

    English couples, always have a fold up chair. Open up the boot, pour the tea from a thermos and voilà, you have a cafe. If it’s raining, there are always umbrellas.

    I have seen it all. At the Fox Inn there is a dog menu. Dogs rule.i think I have developed an allergy to dog hair.

    No other country can claim ownership of a river named Piddle which runs through Puddletown, which was originally called Piddletown. Confused?
    The towns south of the river didn’t like the connotations of the word piddle in their name, so they changed their name to Puddletown, Tolpuddle etc while towns north of the river kept the piddle in the name, Piddletrenthide and Piddlehinton. Piddle do Puddle, you choose.

    A wonderful country    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende
    1
    1

    Barrington Court

    29. august 2018, England ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    The trouble with staying in rural Dorset is that you are in rural Dorset.

    The Fox was a good price in a picturesque rural setting with absolutely shitty roads in and out.

    The road rules are:
    Tractors win, you move for them, they just keep going,
    All Audis are driven by women with a death wish and focussed vision
    Any blind corner will have a white van in the middle of the road
    Semi drivers are knights of the road and very patient with obvious tourists

    It was miles and miles of 0.5 lane hedged lanes, tractors, cars, JOGGERS and of course white vans.

    Having asked for best way out of Ansty and the way to Yeovil,the barman's reply was "I don't really really know north Dorset. "
    We were travelling about 12km form where he lives!!!!

    Eventually got to Barrington Court itself which of course was up a 4 mile lane.

    Amazing place. (Getting sick of that description yet?)

    Built as a great Tudor House built in thr 15502 with a stable block built in 1675. As these it was in very poor state by 1775 and went down from there as a tenanted farm.

    Chickens in the Great Hall, cider barrels stored in the main room and hay in master bedroom, rain and owls on the top floor.

    The newly formed National Trust were asked if the wanted it and they said yes in 1907.

    Then they got the builders report and the roof repair was more that their total assets.

    Enter Colonel Lyle.

    In 1917 he offerd to lease it for 99 years, pay 400 pound a year rent and undertake all repairs.
    It appears we was a multimillion site and spent the equivalent of 5 million pounds on the project.
    His problem was he collected architectural salvage particularly wood panelling and had ton as of the stuff in storage. A few present persons come to mind.
    First he built a house to live in, then he converted stables, then he renovated the Tudor house.
    Then he moved in with all his wall panelling.

    Glad he took it on.

    In 1991 his grandson called it a day and handed it all back to the Trust.    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende
    Just to prove She exists
    1

    Lytes Cary Manor

    30. august 2018, England ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Not far from Yeovil are four National Trust properties so there is a bit to see.
    In regards to Yeovil even the staff in the hotel keeping saying, “Why would you want to go into Yeovil?”
    Who are we to argue with local knowledge.

    Almost every town has a memorable church, castle, ruin or memorial .

    Still looking for Yeovil’s.

    Lyte family owned the Lytes Cary Manor for 500 years until they got into financial strife the 1700s. It went a bit of a ruin for 150 years until Sir Walter and Lady Flora Jenning bought the place in 1907,because everyone needs a project.
    They spent a few pounds on restoring it and the gardens which they did in the Arts and Crafts style.
    The Chapel attached to the house was built in 1348 replacing an early one! It’s good to have a Chapel.
    Very, very nice.    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende
    Called wibbly-wobbly hedge.

    Montacute

    30. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Enormous Elizabethan house.
    I know you are surprised.
    Built by a wool merchant and lawyer who was also an MP and a judge. We are sure he wasn’t status conscious.
    Was involved in the trials of Sir Walter Raleigh and the Guy Fawkes plotters. Knighted for his efforts.
    Very good guide around the property and a lot of the place makes more sense.
    150 years after the place was built the local road had changed so they bought the front from a local manor and stuck on the back to create a new front door!!!!    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende
    1Double overshot with pike.

    Dunster Castle Mill

    30. august 2018, England ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    What would a castle be without a mill.

    In fact a double overshot mill.

    Dunster of course has one (pretty silly post otherwise) and it was been restored to all it’s glory and mills flour for sale.

    Very interesting place although I have to admit that we dodged a bullet and avoided the extremely enthusiastic guide who kept telling us their was a tour soon.    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende
    1Cleopatra, in 17th Century leather wallpaper.

    Dunster Castle

    31. august 2018, England ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    We did leave Hestercombe House on the off chance that the roads would be better.

    Lost that bet.

    8 miles of lane, 3 horses, one white van and we didn’t have to back up once.

    Who is the patron saint of back lanes?

    Duster Castle was worth the drive.

    There has been a Castle is on the site since Saxon times, then the Normans, then the rest.

    During the English Civil War the castle declared for Parliament and got besieged by Royalists then declared for the King and got besieged by Parliamentarians.

    The second time they surrendered and the outer defensive walls were pulled down.
    Luckily for us just before the boys stated on the rest orders came to stop so there is quite a bit left over. Quite a bit.

    It had the usual 18th century makeover and quite a few changes inside and out. Even got a modern kitchen in the 1950s.

    Following the death of Alexander Luttrell in 1944, the family was unable to afford the death duties on his estate. The castle and surrounding lands an dvillages were sold off to a property firm, the family continuing to live in the castle as tenants. The Luttrells bought back the castle in 1954, but in 1976 Colonel Walter Luttrell gave Dunster Castle and most of its contents to the National Trust. It is a Grade I listed building and scheduled monument. (Wikipedia).

    This could all have been avoided if Alexander had handed the estate to his son John earlier but it appears he believed in “paying his way” so stiffed him with the taxes.

    We are now thinking of doing something similar with our extensive estates.

    You walk a million miles up and down but well worth it.    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende
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    White ? Hotel

    31. august 2018, England ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    We are of course staying at the White Something.
    In this case the White Horse.
    About a zillion years old the front door opens straight out on the road and the stairs up to the rooms should be in a lighthouse.

    Very nice, full of accents from everywhere. Have no idea how the barmaid manages the orders.

    We were reading the menu on the wall and were obviously standing at the Friday night drink seat of two hundred year old locals.
    They just pulled out the chairs around us and sat down. They needed a drink. Were gone in seven minutes.
    Love it.    Les mer

  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende
    Gate House
    Refrectory RoofMonk's Dormitory1Workroom

    Cleeve Abbey

    1. september 2018, England ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Literally 150 yds from where we were staying was one of the best intact examples of monastic buildings in England.

    Founed in 1198 with 12 Cistercian monks it was always a tier 2 Abbey and just plugged along for 350 years.
    The official name of the abbey was Vallis Florida, (Latin: 'Flowering Valley') but throughout its history it was generally known as Cleeve after the nearby village. Isn’t it always the same.
    In addition to various landholdings with produced rent they held the Right of Wreck, which meant they could claim shipwrecks washed up on the shore of their lands. What a bonus.

    Eventually got the chop with the Dissolution and the church was pulled down with the rest of the buildings used as a farm for 400 years or so. This actually saved it in many ways. Eventually our friends from Dunster Castle gave it to the state in lieu of death duties in 1951 and English Heritage ended up with it in 1988.

    Unusual for English Heritage as there are roves and rooms and something to walk through.

    We had the place to ourselves. The British are not early starters we have decided, especially on a Staurday.    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende

    Dyrham House

    1. september 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    A day moving.
    About an 80 miles drive north and not a back lane involved. We did do 3 different Ms and a couple of As. Had some delays near Bristol but have ended up near Bath to finish the day and spend the night.

    House is in a valley 15mins from the car park across an enormous deer park. We were looking for monster deer because if the poo size until we saw the cows. All was explained.

    Large numbers of enthusiasts with small children and strollers. We hope at least half got back up to go home. It was a struggle for the over 65s. Take the bus? Ha.

    Terrific house with church right next door. A little rundown but slowly being brought back.    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende
    Cloisters used in Harry Potter

    Lacock Abbey and Village

    2. september 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Bernadette was suffering from an extreme case of “Most Beautiful Village in England Syndrome “ and needed a fix.

    So off we went to Castle Combe.
    Named one of the 10 Most Beautiful Villages in England it was only down the road. The only problem is that it’s so beautiful that everyone else in England wants to see it as well.

    They’ve built a car park about .75 of a kilometre up the hill.
    Doesn’t sound like much except as this is the English countryside there are no gutters, footpath or clear sight lines.

    We walked back up the hill and did a drive through.

    Fantastic place that photos aren’t going do justice to so you just need to go or look it up.

     It’s good to be the National Trust.

    In 1944 Matilda Talbot gave the Lacock Abbey and the village to them.

    Matilda was the last of a long line of Talbots most notably William Henry Fox Talbot, an early pioneer of photography and at the end just gave them the lot. About 1.5 sq kilometres, Church, 2 pubs , school, shops, the lot.

    Before Henry VIII’s great real estate redistribution it had been an Augustinian Convent since 1232, then a house, then a renovated house in the 1900’s, them Matida’s great gift.

    Really an excellent place.

    Bernadette now soothed and happy we headed to Chippenham, a market town for an afternoon of grooming and our hotel.
    Two haircuts, one set of eyebrows and some restocking of toiletries and we were done.
    The Town was having a Civic Sunday and the Mayor. Counsellors, local luminaries and the usual collection of Services personnel all processed up the closed off Main Street. Watched almost entirely by Bernadette3 and Mark. Rest of population appeared to be shopping at WILKO (upmarket Reject Shop) or doing what you do on a Sunday in town.    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende

    Brouton-on-the-Water Model Village.

    3. september 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    What was it with the 1930’s.
    Entertainment was obviously lacking as all across the land people set out to immortalise their lives with model villages.

    Brouton has one as well.

    A local publican at the Old-New Hotel started a model village and as they say the rest is an interesting tourist attraction that has a toilet when in need.Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende

    Snowhill Manor

    3. september 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    This was really a bit of a fill in.
    Had some time before we could book into hotel so went a little out of way to Snowhill.

    While on the Western Front Charles Ware saw an advertisement for a manor in the Cotswolds in an old copy of Country Life.
    After the War it was still available so he bought it. He wanted somewhere to put his collection.

    An interesting fellow was young Charles. He started collecting at 7 when he saved his penny a week pocket money to buy a St Michael's Bone Box.
    After that he was off.
    It helped that his family owned sugar plantations ii one in the Caribbean.

    If he hadn't been rich unkind soles could have called him obsessive as his collection ended up having over 20,000 pieces.

    His tastes were very Catholic and he loved anything that showed craftmanship.
    I can't imagine what he would have been like in the age of carboot sales.

    He didn't live in the manor but in a cottage next door. The manor was for the collection.

    He married at 63 to a lady from the village. But that's a different tale.    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende

    Stow on the Wold

    3. september 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    We stayed at the Kings Arms in Stow on the Wold.

    It's a small market town in the Cotswolds, at the junction of six roads.

    So of course we counted at least six pubs in the market square here the Kings Arms reigns.

    Charles I stayed here before the Battle of Naseby (he lost).

    The carpark is up a lane and a walled drive that was designed for wheel barrows or double prams as we saw in the morning.

    The town is great, all Cotswold stone, designer shops, one way streets and old ladies with walkers.

    We think it’s “let’s see the Cotswolds” place for people doing tours from London.

    Excellent place although the ascent to the room waa a bit like the last stage to Everest.    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende
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    Hidecote Gardens

    4. september 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Let’s go to Hidecote Gardens, only 20mins up the road and it’s mostly road not lane.

    Ah, we have been here before. Not to worry says Bernadette I don’t remember anyway. Alas.

    Still a lovely place particularly without the heat and crowds of last time.

    School is back and the demographic has certainly changed. Average age increased by 45years and the walking aids by a hundred fold.

    The National Trust has had the property for 70 years, left to them by Lawrence Johnston who created the gardens between 1907 and 1938. A major in the army he also had the good fortune to be the son of a very rich American mother who bought him the property as a “blank canvas” and $20 million on her death.

    It’s good to be a gardener.    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende

    Upton House

    4. september 2018, England ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    There’s been something on the site for a zillion years and the property has changed hands about 8 times but the main focus is the last owner.

     In 1927 the estate was acquired by Walter Samuel, 2nd Viscount Bearsted, who owed his fortune to the fact that his father Marcus Samuel was the founder of the oil company Shell Transport & Trading. Lord Bearsted donated the house, gardens and art collection to the National Trust in 1948.

    Bit of trivia is that the name Shell came from the shells that Marcus used to collect for his father to use in decortaing boxes that he sold.

    In regards to Walter’s the art collection we are talking serious art collection. His first squash court was filled with canvases so he had to build a second. he was Chairman of Shell as well.

    It’s good to be an Oil Baron.

    Great afternoon, a bit ovewhelming with so much to see.    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende

    Voda

    5. september 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Bit of a delay this morning.

    Problems with Vodafone. Yes, we know everyone will be surprised but we obviously had that one in a million issue.

    The 30 day top up we were assured in one county store obviously doesnt work in another.
    No worries there’s another sort of on the way and only 15 mins away in Redditch.
    Off we go and even find parking and the right shopping centre. They are closed due to staff illness and will open eventually.
    No worries there’s another sort of on the way and only 15 mins away in Bromsgrove.
    Someone there. Half a success. All fixed with a muttered “F’n hell what did the sell you.”
    Have now had our fill of English High Streets. They are the home of charity shops, the new face of retailing in Britain. Counted six in Broomsgrove alone.
    Make SVdP look like pikers.

    Back on the air and away we go.    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende
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    Shugborough Estate

    5. september 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Well that was a little unexpected.
    Shugborough is a very large estate that the National Trust took control of it from Staffordshire Council authority last year.

    It’s remarkably intact, Mansion, Farm, Estate, Follies, ruins, Cat Monument, etc, etc.

    Belonging to the Anson family since 1642 (including Admiral George Anson, famous for circumnavigating the world and capturing a Spanish Silver ship in 1743.)

     He made a packet.

    The NT have start to put their stamp on the place: parking, shop, garden centre, cafe, gardens.

    For all those Women Weekly followers Patrick Lichfield, 5th Earl and the famous fashion photographer gifted the estate to the National Trust.
    Death duties are a real game changer.

    Everyone has probbaly seen his photographs, the Royals, Dianna, Mike Jagger, Lulu and all the rest.    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende
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    Quarry Bank

    6. september 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Last day of travel.
    Leaving for Berlin tomorrow which means that we have to actually pack a suitcase.
    It seems impossible that what we brought with us has reproduced as it has.
    The cleaning of the car was quite cathartic although it was sad to see those apples we bought 4 weeks ago finally hit the bin.
    Bernadette ‘s confident declaration that we’ll eat them today was wearing a bit thin.
    Ah well, can always leave some socks.

    Last site is Quarry Bank a site from the early Industrial Revolution with a textile mill and village.
    Has an apprentice house where 90 childrn under the age of 16 used to live.
    Work 6 days a week 630 to 700, church on Sunday morning (4 mile walk), school Sunday afternoon. Non paid just board and lodging. The mill was considered quite advanced as there was no corporal punishment!!!!

    Light rain, what a place in winter. As it changed over years it also incorporated, steam and hydro to power the place. it only closed in 1956 but we assume (hope) thr kids had gone by then.

    Quite different and a good finish even in the rain.    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende

    Well that wasn"t Planned

    7. september 2018, Tyskland ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Dropping the car off Friday proved one of the worst drives of the entire trip.
    Manchester Airport has two major feature; roundabouts and car parks.
    You miss a turn and it’s 4 roundabouts to get back on track. We are not talking your, “I’ll just drive over it Sydney roundabout. We are talking roundabout the size of small European countries connected by M roads that no doubt all make sense if you are on drugs or if it isn’t raining. It was raining and we definitely need an alcoholic afterwords. What was a 2 mile drive turned into an extended trip of Britain.

    Did find hotel evenetually then went to return car.

    Agreement was return car with full tank.
    Not a problem, there are two petrol stations at the airport.
    There were two petrol stations at the airport.
    Of course they are now closed and boarded, probably to build more parking

    No were not going on search of another, will just pay for tank topup.

    As the man at return said, “That’s not a good idea.”

    They charge you a premium, a 100% premium.

    So £53 poorer but much crankier all bags are packed and it only remains to be up at 4am to fly to Berlin.

    Drove about 2,150 miles and know English lanes much to well but had a great time.    Les mer

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  • Mark BrittThis Has to Stop.Reisende

    A short night and Berlin in a Fugue

    7. september 2018, Tyskland ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    640 flight from Manchester to Berlin, what could go wrong.
    Early night as we planned to be up at 3:50.
    Well for some reason it was 1:10 and then:I’ll get up soon, are you still awake as well, is it almost time to get up, is it light outside.
    Eventually 3:50 came and we went.
    Manchester Terminal 1 the home of the low cost airline was it’s usual absolutely packed self with security to match.

    Friday is national UK “lets fly to any localtion that’s not here day” and every type of citizen gets to dress inappropriately and move in swarms.
    One of the best was the collection of grannies with matching purple tee shirts and individualised texts on the front.
    The lady with “Cheeky Tits” was someones probably someones grandmother !!!!! Fortunately none of the Hens Parties were on our plane. Pity the Spanish.

    Eventually made Berlin but the day was gettinga little long.

    Mark was obviously trying to apologies for the second half of the trip as the accommodation is the size of our grannyflat and in a Newtown/Paddington cross type of area. That means quite hip but upmarket. That means bits of grot but you still pay the premium.

    Wlak around for a a couple of hours in jet lagged like fog, eat Vietnamese form across the road for a 3pm lunch, see a Church, some more walking, more fog, shop for a dinner at home and very early night.

    It is believed that Bernadette managed to sleep standing up at one stage.

    We are definitely not bouncing back these days.

    Berlin very nice, loe rise, very flat ( a good thing ) and hopefully will be clearer on Saturday.    Les mer

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