Easter Weekend - Day 1 - Part 1

Easter had been planned down to the hour. First was to hire the car, And we got upgraded to a Ford Focus. Nice car and good get up andgo.

But the first place to head was High Ongar. Why, because the Wood Family line came from their.

The description was "High Ongar, South of the parish down Mill Lane, towards Hallsford Bridge, there used to be a wood yard, a mill and brickworks. These have all gone, but the old brickwork site has been"  So that was the target. Well we found Mill Lane, and the stream at Hallsford Bridge and the park.

And then to find the old Wood House, and it was till there as well.

Once we checked that out, we headed to Brantham, Suffolk. 

We got there and the town have found that most of the town was new except for the Old church on Church Lane.

 This old church was beautiful, we walked around the graveyard and as usual a lot of the stones we couldn't read.

 But I found this one, William Pannifer died in 1831 aged 27. I have no record expect lots of William Pannifer's from Brantham. One day I'll find the record.

 Then to the river Stour, This river use to be a major waterway, now it is pumped almost dry.

So then onto Bentley

Again another small town that has been replaced by Newer homes.

It was disappointing.

So we decided it was time to Flatford Mill, Home of John Constable.

 We found the site and the viewpoints of where his paintings  so off we went.

 The paintings there were all prints, not good ones either.

 The place was crowded and most of the houses were privately owned, locked up tight.

 It was pleasant their.

The dry had been restored.

The site of the Haywren.

 So after a disappointing visit. We decide to get a move on.

East Bergholt was the next place. 

This we found more interesting.

St Mary the Virgin Chapel is very old and different design.

 The doors were 400 years old.

 The is no Bell Tower, only a Bell Cage.

 The Big bells are rung every Sunday, we had heard them when we were at Flatford Mill.

The bells were very large heavy looking. when tapped they very solid. These ones were only 200 years old as the older ones were stolen in the early 1800's and sent to London.

After that we went to Hall Farm Shop just outside of Debham.

 The Shop full of goods I could have spent a fortune.

 End of Part one

Temple trip

Finally, we were lucky to the London, England Temple. We had been wanting to go for a long time. But there is no public transport and it is miles from London. But a dear member of the ward got us there. The morning started misty but cleared to be a beautiful day.

 Once we completed two sessions in the Temple, we headed out in the bright sun and the temple grounds.

We were so happy we went.

It looks like the Hamilton temple from the outside but that as close as it gets.

It was totally different on the inside. 

So we plan to get back there for sure.

Windsor Castle Visit2

This Sunday we need something quiet and local.

So Windsor Castle was the choice.  

This is Beautiful Castle - Not allowing photo's inside.

But we have a regular pass so it was free to get in it was an enjoyable day not being in a rush.

Oxford, Finally a Great City comes to life.

 Today was the target of a great city again. Oxford had been visited by us on Boxing Day but most of it was closed and Jennifer wasn't feeling well. 

So this trip was to see it again and walk beyond the Christchurch College.

So first was a walk to CalifaxTower. No, I didn't spend the money and go up the tower. But this the centre of the Tower. well sort of.

The Tower architecture was old and great.

As was the sculptures. But it was the Castle this time, to go and see.

We pre-booked to make sure we  got a place on the tour.

 The tour took about an 1 hour and was very detailed.

 But the stairs were the killer.

 But the view was worth it.

 The Basement was school, church and mortuary of the years but the stonework was still impressive.

 And the lighting made great photo's

 From the hill, we got to see the views of the tower and the town on the other side.

After this, we headed back up the road and headed tot he centre of town.

This is one very pretty town.

 It is the back street of Oxford that are just out of sight, but visible enough to show that is much to see.

So off we went to following a map of the found on the Internet.

First was the Covered Market and then back down the Cornmarket street

Check out more side streets.

  Even the side streets were of interest. so we started walking.

 Then onto Sheldonian Theatre.

Trinity College was closed due to a wedding.

but Jennifer spotted the Bodleian Library. So I went to the Science History Museum.

  I was disappointed, But Jennifer wasn't

 The Architecture of the Build was nice.

 So was it outside in the streets

 Sheldonian Theatre is a beautiful building.  front and back.

 But it took me a while to get Bodleian Library

 Past the Bridge of Sighs.

 Past New College

 Past unknown architecture.

 Past St Edmund Hall

 Past St Magdalene Chapel,
the bells were ring for 2 hours on Saturday
and they were great to hear from the gardens.

 On the botanical Gardens, 

and into the Alice Shop with Jennifer who held control and didn't spend a fortune in there.

Then the Train ride home was very tieing.