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
Churches & Monasteries in Sandwich
There are three churches and a vanished monastery in Sandwich. READ MORE
River Stour nature reserves in Sandwich
We enjoyed walks in two more River Stour nature reserves in Sandwich, after we had explored the Gazen Salts nature reserve. And we were lucky with the weather too. READ MORE
Gazen Salts Nature Reserve
In Roman times, Gazen Salts Nature Reserve was the bottom of the Wantsum Channel, the channel of water which divided Kent from the Isle of Thanet. John Gason was once a leaseholder here,... READ MORE
Sandwich Town Walls
Sandwich must be one of the most complete Mediaeval towns in England and as such it would have been walled. So, we walked the line of the Sandwich town walls on successive days.... READ MORE
A few days in Sandwich
After a gruelling winter we needed a break, nothing too dramatic, but a change from the everyday, work, and responsibilities, and so decided on a few days in Sandwich on the Kent coast.... READ MORE
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Museums in the Castle, Vila Vicosa
Inside the Castle in the Mediaeval Town of Vila Viçosa are two museums which are a must-visit, and at the same time you can wander around the Castle itself.
The Castle in Vila Vicosa, Portugal
Vila Viçosa started life as a small Roman settlement which then became part of the Visigoth Kingdom, and in the 8C the Moors gained control. The Order of Avis reconquered the area in 1217 and in the early 14C King Dinis I built … Continued
Pousada do Convento das Chagas de Cristo, Vila Vicosa
The Convento das Chagas de Cristo was founded by Dom Jaime, the 4th Duke of Braganza c.1514, apparently as a house for the ladies of the Court and unmarried daughters and with a Church where the wives of the Dukes of … Continued
Montemor-o-Novo, Alentejo, Portugal
I love travelling in Portugal and set off to explore new areas and return to favoured haunts. During this visit we found that Alentejo on Foot has published brochures and a book of mapped, marked walks – I felt freer than ever to explore!
Cape Town Airport
And finally we arrived at Cape Town International Airport for the flight to Jo’burg and London. I couldn’t believe the time in South Africa was over; I was returning to greyness.
Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens
It was our last day in South Africa and we had a few hours to wander in Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens before the long flight back to the UK. The weeks had flown past, crammed with unforgettable sights and experiences – it had … Continued
Walking in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
It was our last day in Stellenbosch and we went walking in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. We bought a ticket and collected a brochure at the gate, drove down a somewhat rough dirt road, parked the car at this point, and … Continued
Spier Wine Estate
In 1683 Arnoud Jansz settled near Stellenbosch and in 1692 Simon van der Stel granted him the land which became the Spier Wine Estate. Apart from its wines, the estate is particularly known for the gables on its buildings. We visited on … Continued
Wrought ironwork in Stellenbosch
I wandered around Stellenbosch with my camera most of the days we were there – I could spend a lifetime doing this! I particularly remembered that someone had liked the broekie lace and so here is another broekie lace and wrought iron post.
The Braak in Stellenbosch
The Braak (fallow land) is a large open space in the centre of the town which originally served as a Parade Ground. Stellenbosch suffered an earthquake in 1811 and people ran on to the space, vowing to God to keep it … Continued