Winchester and beyond!!

We have travelled down about an hour out of London to Winchester, what a lovely place! and have been staying with friends in Bishops Waltham...also a pretty English village. So much fun, feeling very at home here!
We also had such a treat of a private tour around the Winchester Cathedral roof!!!! and bell tower!! Up these tiny winding stone staircases....90ft up! It was such an experience. i have these great photos to show you all but still can't upload photos!!! So watch this space!!

Off to Beijing tomorrow, another adventure! and only 10 hours on the plane!!!

Hmmmm...

Have lots of photos to load...but problems with site...watch this space!! Off to Winchester on the train today and a tour of the cathedral...and then a spot of shopping...!

Where has Charles been...

Well what a busy few days it has been!! Two days in Edinburgh, then up to Dunblane to meet family :) very special...a quick tour of Dunblane village and then off to Stirling to see Stirling Castle. I am loving the castles!
While we were in Edinburgh we visited a couple of old houses restored to how life was like in the 1500's and in the early 1800's.
While at Stirling Castle started to make sense of the history of Scotland...like the Battle of Stirling Bridge. saw the huge monument to William Wallace. Need to come back to learn more!!

Edinburgh Castle

People have lived on this site for thousands of years. The view over the city was amazing, explored everywhere including seeing the Scottish Crown Jewels and the dungeons under the castle. For a lot of it's life it has been a military base at one stage over 1000 soliders were stationed there.
The oldest part is St Margaret's chapel which dates back to 1036 (I think!)

The air was cold and the view was amazing!

Scotland adventures...Edinburgh

On the train! What an adventure!! Took nearly 4 hours from London but the time went fast. Saw the countryside change then the sea and there we were.

Nice cup of tea and from the buffet car helped the journey pass quickly.

Then the FABULOUS view of Edinburgh Castle and Old town as we arrive...what a place!

Thursday out and about...

The Imperial War Museum... this was a great experience.
Amazing displays of all the things involved in with war. Interesting facts, figures, pictures all to remind you of the sad side of war, but also to honour those soldiers and people who died.

As part of today we also got to see my Granddad's war diary, that was very special. A handwritten account of life as a Japanese prisoner of war.

Then off on the double decker bus and sightseeing around London!! So many things to see! so many things to do!

Inside the Palace

Inside the walls are covered with huge tapestries or fabric or fantastic paintings. Everywhere you look there is something to see!