Travel journal 2015

9 Aug 2015

Magnificent weather today for a 45kms ride on the Bike Friday tandem from Little Henham through the beautiful Uttlesford District of Essex to Radwinter, returning through Thaxted. Too busy enjoying the weather and scenery to take any photographs, though!

7 Aug 2015

"Large Reclining Figure", Henry Moore, 1984

Visited the Henry Moore Foundation at Perry Green in Hertfordshire. Moore was, of course, a world-renowned sculptor and artist. The exhibits and studios at Perry Green were where Moore worked and lived for the last 46 years of his life. Unusually for an artist, he became exceptionally wealthy, which enabled him to create the Foundation which continues to support education and the arts, as well as maintaining the property with about twenty of Moore's large outdoor sculptures on display.

Luckily, we had a perfect English summer day for our visit, finished off with an ale in the local pub that is part of the site.

7 Aug 2015

"Two Piece Reclining Figure: Cut" 1979-81

From another angle...

"Sheep Piece" 1971-72. Indeed; world's most expensive sheep shelter.

2 Aug 2015

On day two of London's annual, Olympics-inspired cycling extravaganza, it was time for the professionals, shown here on Hampton Court Bridge.

Averaging over 40 kph, with total race distance 240 kms.

Including Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish, there were 150 riders (25 teams of six).

2 Aug 2015

After the bikes had gone, time for a picnic opposite Henry VIII's Hampton Court Palace...

...before an easy cycle to Thames Ditton and refreshments on the green in front of the Angel Inn...

...until they came past again with 30kms left to go.

1 Aug 2015

Bicycle jam under Admiralty Arch with the streets closed to traffic on Ride London Day.

Evening entertainment under the watchful eye of Queen Victoria as the Brompton World Championship event took place.

As Bromptons are commuting folding bicycles, entrants wear outfits resembling (just) office garb.

30 Jul 2015

Great to catch up with Sam and Kelly at the end of their European jaunt. Perfect summer evening weather for a wander along the south bank of the Thames after a pub meal near London Bridge. St. Pauls in the background.

25 Jul 2015

A pleasant 95kms ride on the tandem from Thorney Lakes to England's smallest city, Wells and back. With thousands of years of history, Wells' attractions centre around its magnificent cathedral and Bishop's Palace. (See six pictures below.)

25 Jul 2015

The magnificent west front with about 300 detailed statues dating from 1209 to 1250.

When the tower was heightened in 1313 cracks began to appear. Nearly 700 years after the reinforcing inverted scissor arches designed by Master mason William Joy were installed in the 1340s they appear to be still doing the job.

25 Jul 2015

The Wells Clock, with its unusual 24 hour face and lunar month pointer, has been here since 1392! Complete with a quarter hour bell strike and rotation of model figures of jousting knights, it is believed to be the world's second oldest working clock.

Vicar's Close, with houses originally built for the choir members, is believe to be the oldest continually inhabited street of houses in Europe.

Glorious weather for the afternoon's return ride to Thorney Lakes with Glastonbury Tor visible on the horizon.

18 Jul 2015

A day off the bikes for a visit to Stonehenge.

14 Jul 2015

A welcoming ale on the Thames-side cycle path for our friends Bronwyn and David, cycling from Germany to the West Country.

Above and right: Beautiful English countryside; lovely cycling on quiet lanes during our week with B&D.

12 Jul 2015

Our last walk - out and back from Faversham - with Ric and Deanne before their return to Sydney.

A windy day by The Swale.

And the tide was well and truly out.

12 Jul 2015

Almost back at Faversham, our walk took us past this charming old church, St Mary's, Luddenham, that has been redundant for almost half a century.

Almost 1,000 years old and much modified over the centuries, we noticed Roman tiles embedded in the building structure.

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