Floods February 2020

18th February the peak. The Avon is now over two metres above normal

The lawn has disappeared! The water is too deep for us to refill the bird feeders but the robin has learnt how to eat from this one

Going shopping

Above towards town and below towards Mitton

The lock is not visible. The Severn is to the left and the Avon to the right ahead.

The water begins to recede the daffolidils emerge with brown mud edges and the rabbits come out to play. The mallards are interested in the bird feeders but have to wait for the blue tits to drop bits of seed. Below a stormy sunset

And just when you begin to relax the wind strengthens and waves appear and the water level rises yet again.

We are now used to coping with flooding! The Avon has been in flood almost continuosly since mid September. We are fine in the Marina, attached to the floating pontoon, and maintained access to car, and getting used to when the level floods the adjacent main road. Frequently there is only one road (A38) open into Tewkesbury, and that within a few inches of being overwhelmed. We had a long diversion to get to dancing. However the High Street and all its mainly independent shops are above water and accessible with boots on. Many others relying on the riverside poles were in trouble and the house almost opposite had their small cruiser near the kitchen, over the poles!

The red spot at the top of the post indicates this winters highest river level

Ist February 2020

Dyffyn House Cardiff

An interesting NT house only partially refurbished. Superb setting and grounds, all built on the profits from coal.

Front above, and rear:

Some wonderful and ghastly fireplaces

First floor view over the formal garden

Stunning stained glass window

Gardens:

I’ve never seen or heard of this practice before.

And the obligatory sustainable statement.

A lovely day out. It has a cafe cum comprehensive bookshop so make sure you stop here. I did buy a few books…..

January 2020 Part V

What else did we do in this month?

To celebrate New Years on Ist January we went to help Will clear the mud left by the flood water off Avon Lock. It was lock keeper Nicky’s birthday.

We had a lovely Sunday visit to Ledbury. Here are a few scenes:

St Michael & All Angels

What a lovely idea

Never did find the fairies!

We continued our Volunteering at Patch Bridge on the Sharpness & Gloucester Canal on Mondays and helped ANT voluteers at Pershore Island. We were invited to a CRT Volunteers lunch at the China Garden restaurant at Whitminster. We hadn’t eaten chinese food for years and thoroughly enjoyed the food and company.

Painting the stairs at Patch

We retrieved our dance shoes from the back of the cupboard and went to tea dances in Stratford, Cheltenham and Birlingham Village Hall

Supported The Roses theatre in Tewkesbury with a visit to watch Little Women film. Pretty but no depth was my verdict – the book is so much better and was one of my childhood favourites.

Attended a morning talk at the Old Baptist Chapel entitled Tasting the Tudors and visited the John Moores museum. Enjoyed a talk at the Abbey Parish rooms about Tewkesburys past.

Took part in the great British Birdwatch on 28th. Mainly blue tits and pigeons!

Bought seville oranges and made marmalade.

31st January Brexit Day. The National Mint at Llantrisant was opening for twenty four hours to provide tours with the opportunity to mint your own Brexit coin. We booked an evening tour and a night at the local Premier Inn.

Worth checking your purse! We came away with our Brexit coins but weren’t allowed to film inside. Definitely worth a visit so much to see and learn. Here it is in presentation packaging!

January 2020 Part IV

Canterbury has an amazing bus service (frequent to many prime destinations and bang to timetable) so we went on the bus (top deck, front seat) to Dover.

We really wanted to see the castle but it was closed! No mention of that when we did our research!

A biting wind today. What motivates people to swim the Channel?

A view towards the commercial dock

A colourful subway

And an unusual War Memorial

The next day we ventured to Ramsgate but rain began and we were forced to shelter in Wetherspoons where we enjoyed a late breakfast!

Local boys visit Wetherspoons too

The Tourist Office suggested we visit St Augustines church designed and built by Pugin so we walked along the harbour.

Rather liked this at St Augustines

We made a hasty getaway in horizontal driving rain.

The rain continued all night and next day we drove to Tunbridge Wells in grey drizzle and visited Scotney Castle.

I love kitchens! Look at the oil fired Aga.

The quarry garden leads down to the old mill

And the NTs sustainable heating explained

Found our rather wet campsite at Lamberhurst and then had a delicious meal with friends Jean & Derek at St Neville Pub, Returned to Tewkesbury to find the Avon was still in flood!

January 2020 Part III

Walmer castle was fantastic! A real gem! The initial view:

Tony’s ancestor Stephen Murphy enlisted in the 52nd foot in Dublin at the age of 13 so he was interested to read this.

Beautiful wall hangings

The veg patch is always my favourite part of the garden.

Mustn’t forget the cafe! Note the EH logo!

And brownie points for this although I would prefer a china cup!

So on to Deal where we visited the castle.

A commanding view

Defensive sites on the south coast

Now to Richborough a vast Roman Site

Excellent interpretive boards

Then to finish the day a visit to Sandwich an appealing little town with an atmospheric riverside.

January Part II

Our first full day of exploring Kent and our first stop was at the Hornby Visitor Centre. Tony was overjoyed at being able to relive his boyhood. Mainly collecting Tri-ang trains, this was the original factory where they were built, amd the organisation has now encoumpassed the other favourites, Airfix and Humbrol.

And here he is with his Airfix mug!

Then on to Manston Museum where we spent such a long time. A few photos of items that interested me. My Grandfather Albert was transferred for the Navy to RNAS. so this photos caught my eye.

Above 59 men to prove the aircrafts strength! and below keeping score

Wartime rations could it be Christmas?

And more up to date, women pilots! Note the Tornado in the background from 617 (the Dambusters) squadron.

A quick dash around next door to the spitfire and hurricane museum. Not quite as interesting but a pleasant Memorial Garden.

It even had a Britstop campervan parking spot!

April 2020 Re January 2020 Part 1 Canterbury and Biggin Hill

Normally our summer cruising would begin on April 1st and I would be recounting our travelling adventures but these are not normal times.

We are safely moored up on the River Avon in Tewkesbury Marina

So what have we been doing since the beginning of the year?

In January we took Henry to Canterbury for a week and explored a part of England we were not familiar with.

Scaffolding around the cathedral and bits of building work. It costs £12.50 per person to visit and no concessions!

“Will not someone rid me of this turbulent priest?” asked Henry II.

Thomas a Beckett was kiled 29 December 1170 by four of Henry’s knights

I rather liked the Cathedral grounds with this war horse

Nice to contrast these two photos of the West Gate

We discovered a Masonic Museum close to the West Gate. I never knew there were women freemasons……… No masons I know have ever mentioned them…….

When I was about seven one of my favourite characters was Rupert Bear and I was given a RB annual for Christmas, so I was thrilled to see this display in the Canterbury Museum.

On the way to Canterbury, we just had to visit Biggin Hill. The first and biggest challenge was negotiating the entrance in Henry! Below the memorial garden and a Spitfire

Above is St George’s chapel and below a steering wheel. You know I love quirky things so why a steering wheel? Answer below

We learnt how the Spitfire got its name:

  The answer was revealed to a wider public in October 2011 with the passing of a remarkable centenarian by the name of Mrs Annie Penrose.

Her father Sir Robert McLean was Chairman of Vickers ( Aviation) Ltd, the parent company of Supermarine from 1928, who demanded that the Air Ministry dub Reginald Mitchell’s new elliptical wing fighter something venomous sounding, and because of the Supermarine sibilant it had to begin with the letter ‘S’. His choice was Spitfire, the affectionate term he used for his spirited elder daughter. 

Initially the Air Ministry had reservations about the name, as did Mitchell, who argued for calling the new aircraft the Shrew; but in the end McLean prevailed.

More of Kent to come……….