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Tim Lynette Wilkins
Tim Lynette Wilkins

Tim Lynette Wilkins

traveled in 12 countries Read more
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  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJurassic coast and JerseyTraveler
    Now THATs a castle!
    Castle cellarsTomb, mound and chapelTomb entrance

    Castle and passage tomb

    June 19, 2021 in Jersey ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Out on a promontory on the east coast of the island , this castle was built in the 1300s as defence against the French. The English crown had lost Normandy and the French were threatening to invade. It's a huge, impressive and very fine castle that has been enlarged over the years, especially during the English civil war, when jersey stayed loyal to the crown.

    The coast of Normandy is clearly visible from the castle towers.

    Inland from the castle is a Neolithic passage tomb, dating from 4000 BC, on top of the tomb is a 40 ft high mound, where a Christian chapel was built in the 12th century, and in which frescos were painted in the 1600s.    Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJurassic coast and JerseyTraveler
    lalique altar piece
    Lalque door panelAltarBeach outside the hotelHotel from the ferryElizabeth castle off st helier

    On to Jersey

    June 18, 2021 in Jersey ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

    We woke up to heavy grey skies and a smattering of rain, and drove to Poole to get the ferry to Jersey. The arrangements all worked fine and the ferry even arrived a bit early in pouring rain. We had to complete comprehensive forms online before we left England and did PCR tests on arrival, and show our vaccination details at the hotel.

    We stopped on the way to the hotel to see a really interesting church. It's proper name is st. Matthews, but it's always known as the glass church. Originally built in the1840, it was refurbished in the 1934 by Lady Boot, widow of the founder of Boots of Nottingham in his memory, and filled with beautiful glass work by Renee Lalique, the French art nouveaux/deco designer, and one of my favourite designers.

    The hotel is wonderfully positioned right on the beach and if we get a day when it's not raining, it will be really good.    Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJurassic coast and JerseyTraveler
    Pliosaur jaw from 150 M years ago
    Pliosaur fin bones. They grew up to 50 ft long!Original victorian museum hall.Roman decorated flaskDelicate roman glass bowl, etched with figures of heroesChesil beach

    dorchester museum, dinosaurs and chesil

    June 17, 2021 in England ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    After the Roman house we visited the Dorset county museum in Dorchester which is an excellent museum covering the history and archaeology of Dorset from Neolithic times up to the present day, and a great collection of dinosaur fossils from The Jurassic coast. It is really a fine museum and we spent ages just in the Neolithic up to Roman periods. On the way home we crawled through the traffic jams to go and walk on chesil beach, which I remember going to in my youth on a family holiday. We were lucky all day with the weather. It was mostly cloudy but it only rained a bit when we were inside the museum.Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJurassic coast and JerseyTraveler
    Maiden castle
    Flocks of sheep graze on the castleRampartsUnderfloor heating in the roman houseMosaic

    Maiden castle and Dorchester Roman house

    June 17, 2021 in England ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    About half an hour's drive west of Lulworth is Maiden castle, a HUGE Iron Age hill fort. It's the biggest in Europe and so big that you really can't see it all from the ground- aerial pictures are best. It's been cloudy and a little rainy all day today but when we got to maiden castle the sun came out and it was magnificent. It was built in two phases : the first about 600 BC and covering about 16 acres, then it was tripled in size in 450 BC and covering 47 acres. After that we drove up to Dorchester to look at a well-preserved Roman townhouse with lots of nice mosaic floors, but although you can see through the windows it's closed except for pre-booked entry.Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJurassic coast and JerseyTraveler

    Corfe castle

    June 16, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    A quick 20 minute drive this morning and we were at Corfe Castle. This was built by the Normans in the 11th century, but probably on a Saxon wooden stonghold, and sits on a spectacular hill top commanding a prime pass through the downs. It's now almost completely ruined but still very much worth a visit. It's also on the the swanage and Corfe castle steam railway so that was a must visit as well. After a run down on the train from Corfe castle to Swanage, and a icecream on the front by the beach we got the train back up to Corfe castle in time for a cream tea!Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJurassic coast and JerseyTraveler
    These pretty little were everywhere along the coast - i dont know what they are!
    Rock folds near Durdle Doordurdle Door

    Durdle door

    June 15, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Feeling better today. We had a really good meal in the hotel last night and slept really well then this morning (after a full English !) We walked all morning along the Dorset coastal path to Durdle Door. It was three hours and pretty steep in places. Just reminded me how unfit I now am, but it was a good workout and although there were still hoards of people on the path and at the site, we came back on an inland path and had it to ourselves. This afternoon we just relaxed and watched the queens tennis.Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJurassic coast and JerseyTraveler
    Cafe in lulworth- but they got the spelling wrong!
    Obelisk from philae at kingston laceyLulworth cove - carefully taken so you cant see the beach full of people!

    Drive to Lulworth Cove

    June 14, 2021 in England ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    We got away in good time this morning but by the time we got near to the south coast around Southampton the traffic was crazy. Stopped on the way to visit Kingston Lacey but it took us three hours to get there. It's a huge country house now owned by the national trust, and the biggest collection of Egyptian artefacts in private hands, as well as a fine collection of paintings. There wasn't as much Egyptian stuff as I thought but what there was is very fine. Most of the paintings are not currently on display - covid you know!

    When we got to Lulworth it was just packed, I guess lots of people had the same idea. And the hotel was, shall we say not up the standard we are used to. All in all we were pretty grumpy.    Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsEmily's fourth birthdayTraveler

    Emily's birthday

    May 5, 2021 in England ⋅ 🌧 5 °C

    As it was a school day Emily just opened a couple of presents in the morning, then we went round after she was back from school. We were lucky with the weather and it was so nice being there to share it with her. She couldn't have any friends there because of the covid restrictions, but they plan to have a party later when we can.

    Our present, that we've been making for last few week is a Mud Kitchen. They have one at school and it's very popular - kids and mud!    Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsLymingtonTraveler

    Not a trip to Isle of Wight

    August 21, 2020 in England ⋅ 🌬 18 °C

    Yesterday it rained solidly all day so we stayed in during the morning. In the afternoon Natalie had booked afternoon tea for her and Lynette as part of lynettes birthday present. Andy took the kids to the playground which they enjoyed but got muddy and wet!

    Today we knew was going to be fine and sunny so we had planned to take the ferry for a day trip to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, but all the ferries were fully booked so we settled for another trip to the beach, which was fine sunny and warm, but with much more people there than on Tuesday. Andy and Natalie wanted to go out for a meal on their own tonight while we looked after Finlay and Emily, but all the restaurants in the town were booked but they got a reservation at a Thai restaurant nearby. Generally it does seem to be busy with people everywhere, i guess it's a popular holiday place anyway, but then the virus has meant that people can't go abroad either.    Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsLymingtonTraveler

    "We've had a lovely time at the beach!"

    August 18, 2020 in England ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    That was Emily's comment as we left the beach today to go to lunch.

    And she was right! It was a bit cloudy at first but slowly the clouds cleared and it was great. Splashing in the waves, flying a kite, making a sandcastle. Classic British morning at the beach.Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsLymingtonTraveler

    Kids going to see Peppa Pig!

    August 17, 2020 in England ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Peppa Pig World theme park is just off the motorway outside the new forest. It was a surprise that they told the kids about when they were in the car on the way. They spent the whole journey looking at the map of the park and devising what they wanted to go on. They were there from 10 till 5 pm and had a great time. They both went on the kids caterpillar ride and Finlay rode a grown up rollercoaster for the first. When it finished and he came off he said "again, again, againagainagain" just like his mummy and grandad!Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJerez 2020Traveler

    Going home

    February 27, 2020 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    We sat out in the plaza last night for a goodbye meal. It was quite balmy and the restaurant tables outside were packed. Today it will be 25 degrees and sunny here. There was snow in wendover yesterday and today it will be sleeting and hailing tomorrow. Welcome home. A group of people set up in the square while we were eating and gave an impromptu flamenco show.

    I'm glad to be going home, and at the same time sad to be leaving. I don't think we'll come back to the same apartment next year, we've been here three years now and it feels like home, but there are now four bars and restaurants in the street outside and it gets very noisy. We will look for somewhere quieter, but still in the middle of the city.    Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJerez 2020Traveler

    Carnival de Jerez

    February 27, 2020 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    This weekend is also Jerez carnival weekend. It's unusual, I think, that it coincides with flamenco week. We will the main events, but today was the children's parade, followed by a competition for the best costumes and then a school choir competition. We went to the parade but avoided the competitions!Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJerez 2020Traveler

    Flamenco festival

    February 26, 2020 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 14 °C

    This week is the annual flamenco festival and the city is heaving. It's full of flamenco fans from all over the world, so you can hear English, American, German accents as well as lots of people from other parts of Spain. And strangely , to me anyway, there are lots of Japanese flamenco fans. We went to a show last night in a tiny hall. In this hall alone they are doing four shows a night.Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJerez 2020Traveler

    The Alcazar

    February 25, 2020 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    The fortified central part of the city inside the moorish walls is the Alcazar (castle) and although extensively modified after the Christian reconquest, is still an interesting and beautiful building. It's quite small and I've been there many times before but it's still worth a visit.Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJerez 2020Traveler

    Oranges

    February 25, 2020 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    I'm going to miss the fresh orange juice here. Juicing oranges are 3 kg for 3 euros, 40p per pound!

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJerez 2020Traveler
    Bullring

    Sunday and monday

    February 24, 2020 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 14 °C

    Sunday evening I went to a football match at the minor club in Jerez. They are two divisions below the other club , but are at the top of the table and could go up. When we first came to stay in Jerez their pitch looked like the Sahara desert, mostly sand and covered in ruts. During our stay the council, who own it, dug it up and reseeded it and now it's wonderful! Barnet's pitch has really suffered with the weather and lots of matches have been called off as its unplayable. They would give anything for a pitch like the one here now!

    Yesterday was a walking-about day and I went past the Jerez bullring. It's all closed up now as the season doesn't start till May. In the evening we went to one of the best restaurants here, which we have been to every time we are here. They have a five course tasting menu (they are very small courses!) paired with a different fine sherries with each course. We were pleased to find it as good as always.    Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJerez 2020Traveler

    Saturday

    February 22, 2020 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    It's starting to get really hot here, and it's a beautiful morning and perfect for chorros and chocolate for breakfast. Over the last couple of days the flowers of the orange trees have opened and the air is full of the scent of orange blossom. It's also getting really busy - it's flamenco festival week, at the end of the week it's also Jerez carnival, and this weekend the city seems to have filled up with visitors and the bars and restaurant are packed to bursting.

    Nice place for peace and quiet though is the archeology museum so it was good to visit and see some of my favourite pieces again. The marble column is Neolithic deity figure and is the model of the bronze one I sculpted and had cast for a present for Lynette. The marble head is Roman and I love the detail in the girls hair braids.    Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJerez 2020Traveler
    New(er) Cadiz cathedral in the morning sun
    Old cathdralLunchFeeding the lion

    Back to Jerez

    February 20, 2020 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    This morning we had a quick visit to the old cathedral in Cadiz, which was left in place when the current cathedral was built and is now a rather nice parish church for the city. Then a walk to the central post office to post cards for Finlay and Emily in the lion-head postbox ,followed by a long lunch and the train back to Jerez.Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJerez 2020Traveler

    Sailing into Cadiz

    February 19, 2020 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    This morning started bright but with a sea mist so strong we couldn't even see Cadiz. After a lazy morning we caught the midday catamaran from Rota to Cadiz, and by the time we were half way across the bay, the clouds rolled over and there was rain along the horizon. It cleared up after an hour or so and the afternoon was clear bright and hot. There were some HUGE cruise ships in the port so the city had much more tourists than when we were here last year.Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJerez 2020Traveler
    Outside our hotel
    Rota castleView from our roomFancy a swim? Brrrrr!LumchtimeRota navy yard

    We are on holiday

    February 18, 2020 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Yesterday morning we woke up to thick fog all over Jerez. It lasted till late morning but then it was gone. Today we took the bus to Rota, a small town with an incredible beach (and Spanish/American naval port). We'll stay here till tomorrow then go on the catamaran to Cadiz for a couple of days. It was fantastic to see the beach and the ocean again and we had lunch in a restaurant overlooking the beach. Then the clouds rolled in and it stayed overcast all afternoon. The hotel room has a huge terrace overlooking the pool and sea , and we had hoped to sit with a glass of something and watch the sunset. Ah well! I did go for walk on the beach and a paddle in the waves ...the water was crazy cold, but I suppose it is the Atlantic in February!

    I have great memories of coming here with Natalie and Finlay when he was maybe six months old and they stayed with us in Jerez. I think it was his first experience of beach and sea. We had intended to come here with them all the next year but the apartment we wanted was not available so we took the one up the coast in Chipiona instead. Then we had a few glorious days before the Atlantic storm arrived and it rained rather a lot!    Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJerez 2020Traveler

    Semana Santa

    February 17, 2020 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    They are truly insane here with their preparations for Semana Santa - the big processions carrying statues of saints through the streets in Holy week. At 11.30 tonight, after Tim had gone to bed, we heard the sound of the ponderous music they march to getting louder. Opening the shutters and looking over the balcony we saw dozens of men carrying one of the platforms up our street. As it's a narrow pedestrian street with two bars at the top they had to stop whilst they moved the tables and stools out of the way. Then with a mighty heave back onto their shoulders they were off again. Crazy!Read more

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