Bayham Abbey

I wanted to visit Bayham Abbey because I had come across the Abbey when I was making Green Lewisham. The original Abbey was founded in Brockley, in Lewisham, and then moved down to... READ MORE

Bodiam Castle

We were heading back to London after a few very enjoyable days in Rye, but on the way stopped to see Bodiam Castle, and Bayham Old Abbey. They are both fascinating and it... READ MORE

Rye Harbour

We drove out or Rye, along the River Rother, and down to Rye Harbour, only about two miles outside Rye. When we left there was a seagull on the car, and yet another... READ MORE

Travel in Portugal, Day 9, Tower of Belem, Lisbon

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Our final day in Portugal and I wanted a ‘taste’ of Lisbon so we did the obviously touristy things! The Tower of Belem was commissioned by King John I in the late 15C to strengthen the defense system at the mouth of … Continued

Travel in Portugal, Day 8, Queluz

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The original building on the site of The National Palace at Queluz was the residence of the first Marquis of Castelo Rodrigo who helped the Spanish crown annex Portugal. When Portugal achieved independence in 1640 the property was confiscated and given to … Continued

Travel in Portugal, Day 7, Torres Novas to Queluz

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We left Tomar on a high, fortified by the daily coffee and pasteis de nata, and went looking for a Roman Villa at Torres Novas, the Villa Cardillo. The site was first excavated in 1962 and in my view it has been … Continued

The Monastery of Santa Maria de Flor da Rosa

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The headquarters of The Order of Malta was established in Crato in the 14C and in the 15C D. Álvaro Gonçalves Pereira (1360-1431), the Prior, established a monastery/castle in nearby Flor da Rosa. The buildings have now been restored and extended to create a … Continued