Where Do You Get The Ferry?

This morning we were entertained by pouring rain. Paths like steams and in danger of being washed away by great gouts of water from passing traffic. Not to be put off by such inclemency, we donned out wet gear and strode forth into the waterfall. Everyone else abroad seemed to be intent on poking at least one eye out of the nearest individual with a prong of their umbrella. We strode on, our heads doing a fine impression of a Kung Fu expert ... missing this and blocking that pronged attack.

After a brief duck underground we surface at the door of probably that biggest book store we've seen. A sign from the immortals showed the way to the stores' coffee shop. We paid homage to the immortals and bought a Korean-English dictionary ... more of that later.

Onwards unbowed by the maelstrom, we continued the expedition into the unknown. The Lotte department store loomed through the downpour. With the promise of an extensive food court and supermarket our spirits soared. In we went and dis-waterproofed. Down in the basement we found "The El Dorado of Gastronomic Delights". OMG! Slaveringly magnificent! Where, oh where, to begin? The sight was so delicious that I almost had heartburn of the eyes!

We wanted some dried fruit for the most mundane of  reasons that only a hardened traveller can understand. This is where the point-at-the-book language technique come into it's own. Smile at the woman ... point at the words "dried" and "fruit" ... wait for a reaction. After a short time she took use to three charming young women, one of which produced her iPhone-thingy. I typed "dried fruit". Bingo! All of us understood. She pointed, we selected and paid. Problem solved ... bowels no doubt will smile in appreciation in due course ...

To lunch and don't spare the chopsticks! What to eat? After  several circuits through and around the many options, we settled down to an excellent lunch. The place buzzed with folk enjoying themselves. Totally brilliant ...

Re-waterproofing we returned to the downpour and wandered our way back to the hotel just to get completely dry.

Its mid-afternoon as I type ... its still hissing down!

JAL Does It Again ... It's Good For The Soul

Up at 5.30 AM ... not what we're fond of doing. Shuttle to Narita airport and off to Seoul for lunch. The flight? What can I say other than it was JAL? Excellent Japanese lunch on the flight:

Flying Fish Roe and Japanese Hornwort, Egg Thread, Pickled Ginger and Sakura Rice.
Flower Shaped Meat Dumpling
Simmered Taro Potato and Carrot
Marinated Komatsuna
Egg Omelette
Grilled Jack Mackerel
Five Coloured Pickles
Puff Pastry with Vanilla Cream

Washed down with an excellent Japanese malt beer.

The train/tube from Incheon airport took about 1 hour to get us to Jongno-sam-ga with a change at Gongdeok. Surprisingly, there are no lifts; only stairs. That was a bit of a struggle for two old crinklies. There seemed to be many down-and-outs (D-A-Os) ... maybe just oldies ... hanging about in the subway station at Jongno-sam-ga. One good thing is there is no ticket litter because you get the ticket with a refund once you put the ticket into the machine after travelling.

I got us a bit lost - went too far down the street. A friendly shopkeeper put us right and we found the Amare Hotel Jongno with little trouble. The room is all high-tech: two, yes two, computers plus WiFi, a huge plasma TV with G knows how many channels, air-con, sound system (I'll be leaving that off), monster sized spa-bath, several remote controls that switch-adjust everything except the all-singing-and-dancing loo.

The local street is very busy with food stalls as well as loads of restaurants - and loads of  D-A-Os.

Looks like we'll be exploring ...

Wandering Sakura

We took the train to Sakura and visited the National Museum of Japanese History. The building is a sculpture set in manicured grounds; modern architecture unafraid of using minimalist design and modern materials. We particularly liked Gallery 1 which had exhibits from Paleolithic age to the time of the Nara court in the eighth century. You would need hours to view all of the museum because it is vast in content. An Englich audio guid is available free - we didn't else we would still be there!

Lunch at a modern Japanese fast-food restaurant proved to be very tasty and coffee kept the energy levels sufficient for wandering about town gawking at buildings and the odd temple.

Back at the U-City Narita we started to re-pack for tomorrows travels ... once we were fortified by an excellent beer ..

Sleep ... Not Until Bed Time

The flight from LHR to Narita was excellent. Especially since, unusually, I slept for 8 hours after the dinner was served. Maybe it was the two double G and T's plus a belt of sake ...

The U-City hotel Narita is as pleasant as ever and ideally located ... the shuttle service makes for an easy transfer from the airport.

We wandered down to the main temple complex and gardens in warming sunshine. What a change from the pouring rain that greeted us at the airport.

Keeping awake seems to be the main problem after the 12 hour flight but, a couple of coffees seems to help ... plus a steady wandering pace from place to place. No doubt we'll be time-adjusted tonight.

The Art Of Waiting

Some folk think that it's all go when you travel. We'l no. It's a waiting game. Today was one of those when the only thing to do is drink tea, coffee or sparking water sopped up by the intermittent application of sandwiches, bagels and small meals of dubious parentage. The inevitable outcome is an intimate exploration of various plumbing facilities available at the time. Now you might think that travelling business or first class changes these activities ... not the case. The exorbitant price of those tickets include a regular supply alcohol and more exotic feeds but, the inevitable plumbing experience is the same.

So there you are ... exciting ... annoying ... essential ... so my advice? Don't travel if you haven't mastered "The Art of Waiting"

Change, Change, Change

We're all packed and stored  ... and knackered by the effort. It's of to the Premier Inn tomorrow and then down to Heathrow Premier Inn for a night-over rest ... rest? Er, sort of until we fly out to Narita on Monday. Fingers crossed as always.

A few days there will get us over the jet-lag and allow us to re-visit places we know and like in the area.

Then? ... let's leave that till it's time to tell ...

Countdown Begins

Here we are at the last week of  Sunny Sheffield. A week of packing and "we should have visited". All has been well worth the time, effort and spondulicks. Where to next ... well stay tuned and find out!

Rain Didn't Stop Enjoyment

We've been out-and about for a few days and the rain didn't put us off enjoying the several places we visited.

Lincoln Cathedral, as always, provided a splendid lunch and afternoon. Some of the new sculptures produced buy the current stone masons look fantastic.

A visit to St Andrew's church in Cranwell proved to be a great surprise. The Vicar is a woman who went to junior and high schools with the memsahib; not only that, they both were in the Brownie Troop which met in the church hall at the end of the road where the memsahib lived when she was a child. Spooky ...

While we were there I had the pleasure of see a Dakota aircraft doing circuits; the pilot was getting his hours in.

We sped south to Bottesford where we visited the church of St Mary the Virgin which has the tomb of  the Earl of Rutland - local witch catcher ... a vile fellow if ever there was one. The witches' tale is a local attraction. Just for interest: The three sisters were hung at Lincoln Castle, the gibbet, it is said, was placed on the wall directly opposite the junior school I attended. The church as several post 14C tombs which are probably the finest I've seen; excellent in every respect. The chancel is truly spectacular. Here's a taste ...

After a swift pint we went north to St Mary's church at Staunton-in-the Vale. The graveyard has a memorial to a Lancaster crew who were kill when the aircraft crashed. The youngest member was only 19 ... sad indeed.

On to St Michael's church at Cotham. We had to brave the killer donkeys when we walked across the field to the church. Rain had stopped for a short time.

Last stop for the day was All Saints church at Elston.

The day finished, in the rain, with a drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic for what seemed like hours. We do like good roads so there was no point in moaning about it ...

Industrial Hamlet - Sheffield

A windy day with the ever present threat of rain but, we ventured forth to take some photo's of industrial bits-and-pieces.

I think this one will make a reasonable lithograph

A Day Trip To Melbourne

Taking advantage of the summer weather, yes summer weather, we flew south to Melbourne. That's the original place not the colonial namesake.

The Norman church of  St Michael with St Mary is absolutely spectacular. The adjacent architecture and lake are, in themselves, worth a visit.

Lunch at a pub followed by the essential coffee and Victoria Sandwich rounded out the visit. The drive north along the A515 provided extensive views of Derbyshire which capped-off a delightful day.

Sheffield Cathedral ... Again

Out and about with the camera again ... HDRs seem to do the place justice.

Sheffield Cathedral ... Out Of The Rain

I wanted to test a new camera (Sony A65V) so took shelter in the cathedral between showers. This is a HDR image I made after getting home. The original bracket of images were take "hand held". The verdict ... I'll keep the camera.

Not Singing In The Rain

Another day another downpour. What has happened to the summer? Thank G for a large, stout umbrella, gum boots, North Face wet gear and webbed-feet attachments and the emergency water-wings. No wonder we Poms have skin that looks like rain washed ivory. No wonder, at the slightest hit of Sol raising a smile, we strip in anticipation of  a lobsterine tan. As you can guess we are going a bit stir-crazy at the moment ... thank G, again, for "other interests" which don't require expeditions into the maelstrom.

Out And About ... Phew ... TG For Pubs

We've been burning up the roads yet again in search of the Holy Grail; maybe that's taking things too far into the realms of nonsense.

St Peters church at Edensor may be quite modern (mid 1800s) but it has some lovely features which are well worth a visit. Edensor village is sited in Chatsworth Estate and was re-designed in the mid 1800 to create a "model" village to suite the tastes of the 6th Duke of Devonshire. The present church is on the same site as the medieval church. A fabulous early 17C monument to two of  Bess of Hardwick's sons was dismantled and rebuilt in the present church ...

On to Great Longstone where we visited St Giles Church and had an excellent lunch in The White Lion pub. The church has wall dating from the 13C and the village is mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086).

Next day it was Cheadle ... and the Pugin designed RC church of St Giles. Nothing can prepare you for the visual onslaught as you first enter the church. Every mm of the place is decorated! Totally amazing ... if a bit too much. Looking at the frenetic decoration it should be no surprise that Pugin died at the tender age of 39, no doubt worn out by his manic activity and the energy that three wives demanded ...

Lunch was provided in a traditional cafe the building of which was predominantly Elizabethan.

Out And About After Too Much TV

The Olympics are over ... the local athletes seem to have done well ... It's time to get up off the sofa and go abroad ...


Great Hucklow well dressing was the first place we visited ... for the tea and cakes; no need to ask why. We had an informative conversation with one of the matrons from the WI; the village has a remarkable history especially in providing holiday breaks for the less fortunate kids from Manchester and Sheffield. This was started off by Charles Peach and Lawrence Scott. The Unitarian church dates from the latter part of the 17C and is still going strong,

Onward to Taddington and an excellent lunch with probably the best Victoria Sandwich to date. We walked up the hill to a second well dressing which lead to some delightful conversations about life the universe and the price of tea in China; this while looking out over the lovely, sunlit Derbyshire countryside.

A quick half at the local and we sped off to Chrome Hill. Weather wise it seemed unwise to start walking the 10 miles to cover the circuit so we sped on further down a one lane lane ... not really a "road" ... until we came to the A53 at Axe Edge. This is good road to travel if you want to see the wide vistas of the SW part of the Peak District National Park. The road is a Roman Road ...

Turning south we went towards The Roaches where, until 2000, there were several wallabies. Ramshaw Rocks were spectacular enough for us to stop and have a bit of a wander so The Roaches will have wait for another day.

After some excellent back-lane navigation we got back to the cottage having had an great day out and in time for a fine dinner ... Brilopads!

OMG! How Do They Do IT?

Oh Limp Picks? I don't do sport ... err, that's didn't ...

It must be something in the water. We've spent an unbelievable amount of time watching the London Olympic Games. Track, 'bikes, rowing, show jumping, tennis, badminton and especially gymnastics. How on earth can a human do all that twisting, bouncing, swinging, jumping and generally defying gravity? Amazing!

The BBC coverage has been exceptional. Even the commentators make sense ... unbelievable! The BBC web site is first class use of the technology ... totally what the web should be.

What a shock to our systems ... we watched sport ...

Saxon And Norman Splendour

Another lovely summer day.

The small village of Stow-In-Lindsey sites one of the most surprising of the ancient churches in Lincolnshire. St Mary's Minster is a monolithic building which is in magnificent condition. Entering the Saxon doorway into the nave takes you completely by surprise. The interior is massive both in size and structure. The crossing has two sets of Saxon arches of different ages. The Victorian restoration is said to be as near to the original Saxon/Norman design as possible. This is the "mother" church to Lincoln Cathedral.

The Cross Keys Inn was an ideal place to have lunch.

We went on to find St Edith's church in Coates by Stow which has 12C  Norman features - we failed; Coates is for another day ...

Expect The Unexpected

Another sunny day with big skies and vast landscapes.

The village of Spalding promised some interesting architecture. The church of St Mary and St Nicholas turned out to be a gem. It is a huge building and the interior splendidly maintained. Meeting one of the organists was a great stroke of luck. He was a delight to talk to and, to my great surprise, was happy to explain to me the very complex workings of the keyboards, stops and peddles. This took the best part of an hour and the church reverberated and sang as he demonstrated voice after voice. He finished with a resounding Jerusalem - what a fantastic experience!

A cafe in the town square provided a good lunch and coffee served by a woman from Rome - my dreadful Italian took a severe beating ...

The biggest shock was the number of passers-by who spoke Polish ... particularly noticeable among the groups of teenagers ... the UK has the most advantageous state support systems of the EU which could contribute to the situation ... 

Lincoln ... Again

We decided to spend a day in and around Lincoln castle and cathedral.

We started the day with the obligatory visit to a cafe for coffee and cakes - there are several to choose from in the area around Castle Square.

Since the sun had put in an appearance we decided to start with a visit to the castle. Walking the walls gave excellent views across the Trent Valley and the city itself. Sadly some of the parts of the castle were closed for renovation and, I suspect, modern rule dealing with the "safety" of visitors. Two of the towers were closed as was the main part of the Georgian prison.















Next: the cathedral. All the seats had been removed so that we could see the magnificence of the nave. Sun streamed through the stained glass and produced bright cloured patterning on the nave floor. The whole place seemed filled with light so that the cream coloured limestone seemed to glow. We never tire of the place ...

The cathedral cafe provided an adequate lunch and the chance to enjoy the cloister again.

A short drive south along the Lincoln Ridge, on the A607, took us through some very pretty villages - Oolitic Limestone cottages looked cream coloured making a contrast to Georgian brick and new builds. Navenby, Coleby and Welbourn both have pleasant churches. Welbourn boasts the site of a pre-1400 castle.

Never Stumpted ...

The promise of a rainy day didn't materialise. We sped east to Boston - not of Tea Party fame, but the start of the Protestant migration to what has become the USA; that wasn't because they were being persecuted but, they thought Jolly England was too jolly and depraved for their version of religion. We were jolly when we saw St Botolph's church - Boston Stump to the locals. A really beautiful building adjacent to the market square. The market was heaving with folk; it is a place well known for stalls selling fake named brands at basement prices.

Once we had wandered, goggle-eyed, around the church we indulged with slices of home made cake served at the church cafe; real Victoria sandwich and fruit cake - none of your cheap, shop bought muck.

Our next stop was Spilby and St James church - which was closed due to, like nearly everywhere else, the high level of theft and vandalism - sad but true. Always ready to taste local fayre, we had coffee and goodies at Matt's Deli - I'd drop in if you're passing through the village and buy some delicious bread or, my favourite, pork pie.

On the way back to the hotel we spotted St Helens church in West Keal. The view from the church yard towards Boston was excellent which is why the ancestors had the common sense to site their hill forts and settlements on such ridges.

So ended a rain free day.