Richborough Castle

It was time to return to London and we visited Richborough Castle and Chilham on the way, reluctant to return to work. The days in Sandwich were interesting, and relaxing, and we are... READ MORE

Exploring in Sandwich!

Exploring in Sandwich was fun! It is a Mediaeval town and so the streets are higgledy-piggledy and there are surprises around every corner. Sandwich evolved from a sea port to today’s inland town... READ MORE

Guildhall in Sandwich

The Guildhall in Sandwich is a very attractive old building which also houses the museum. We started the day here before going out of the town to explore the Monks Wall Nature Reserve.... READ MORE

Alameda de Cervantes in Soria

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The Alameda de Cervantes in Soria is a beautiful park in the centre of the town and well-used by people of all ages. We arrived in Soria the previous evening and got a few essentials in the LeClerq supermarket on … Continued

The road from Lerma to Soria

posted in: Home, Spain | 3

It was a long day on the road from Lerma to Soria! The weather was good, the road was smooth and it was only a half-hour drive through farmland and gently undulating countryside to our first stop. And there were … Continued

San Pedro de Arlanza

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In its time The Monastery of San Pedro de Arlanza was one of the most important monasteries in Castile. The oldest remains date from the 11th century, but there was already a hermitage on this site in the 11th century. … Continued

Covarrubias

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Covarrubias is about 20 minutes away from Lerma, and lies between Burgos and Santa Domingo de Silos in the valley of the Arlanza River. It is thought El Cid passed this way.

Lerma near Burgos

posted in: Home, Spain | 3

Lerma near Burgos was our first stop in Spain this time and we treated ourselves to three nights in the Paradore, a spectacular Ducal palace on top of a small hill overlooking the Arlanza River. I had loved the week … Continued

Paradore of Lerma

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The heyday of Lerma was in the 16th and 17th centuries when the Duke of Lerma built his somewhat ostentatious Ducal Palace, today’s Paradore of Lerma. Francisco Gomez de Sandoval (1553-1635) was the 4th Duke of Lerma and a favourite … Continued

Off to Spain!

posted in: Europe, Home, Spain | 3

We packed the car, double-checked the ‘to-do’ list and set off at the end of another challenging week to Spain. It is going to be a big adventure of c.1100kms and we are both slightly anxious and very excited. The … Continued

Back to the UK!

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We had enjoyed ten relaxing days in Portugal’s Alentejo but now it was time to go back to the UK! We set off from Flor da Rosa on main roads to Lisbon Airport with a brief stop in Arraiolos for … Continued

A day trip from Flor da Rosa

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It was another lovely day and we decided to take a day trip from Flor da Rosa, visiting Avis, Alter Pedrosa and Alter do Chao. The countryside was pretty, with lots and lots of trees everywhere, like this little road … Continued

Evening light at Flor da Rosa

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Evening light at Flor da Rosa in the spring time is soft and golden. And it allows me to indulge myself in a few more photographs before returning to London. Wonderful!