A few things I found to be interesting…

The Bear Hotel – where we stayed – built in the 1100s.

Avebury is the largest stone circle in Europe. Hundreds of sarsen stones from the downland around, often weighing over 20 tons, were used in the construction of the site, some 2500 – 2000BC. It is thought that the circles may have taken centuries to complete.

Our “tour guide” Belinda took this pic of us.

Dear friend, Belinda and me. John & Belinda are our biggest reason for visiting England 💕

Took a train to Newbury where we saw this sculpture. Love it!!!

We’ve all seen these pokey things on buildings to keep birds off, Yes? Ha, these pigeons are having no problem camping out amongst all the “barriers”! 😃

Loved this gate leading to the church in Newbury.

These next 3 pics are of locks along the Kennett Avon canal and it was great entertainment to watch the boats coming and going.

Typical scene. Kathy Dailey will know why I’ve chosen this photo in particular!💕

The beauty of Britain

Wiling away a day in Wiltshire

Walking along the tow path on the Kennett Avon canal we spotted St Lawrence Church and went in for a closer look.

This effigy in the church was sculpted in 1325.

These kneeling pads were embroidered by individual parisheners. Lots of personally and hundreds of stories being told.

Back to the path to enjoy a perfect day. Breezy and mild!

And off we go…

After a three week heat wave in England we arrive to rain. But, hey it IS England.

Along with the rain comes some pretty fasinating history. This plaque is on the hotel that will be our home for the next four nights in Hungerford.

Walking through the village we passed the Forge Cottage along the River Dun. Very pretty!

Complete with appropriate weather vane.

Could not walk by this swan family without a picture to share.

Practice run

1564419038281_IMG_1484 — This little project of mine took 2 1/2 years, from planting to plate!

Small in size…

But huge in flavor (flavour for Belinda & Nathan)!!!

Harvest time!

I’m only planning to post big events so I couldn’t resist sharing pics of this year’s crops. No potato famine in our household!

After a very wet fall I was afraid I’d find a bunch of mush when I dumped out the containers that I planted last May. I probably spent $20 on potting soil but the experience of sifting through it and finding the buried potatoes is priceless!!!

End of the road – thanks for joining us!

“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step into the road, and you never know where you’ll be swept off to!”

Heavenly Haarlem

Layer up – we’re not in Croatia anymore!

Nope, not the Adriatic.

So pastoral riding along the dykes.

Uh oh, looks like fall is coming.

Helping me get my bike over this bridge. Thank you very much!

Today’s windmills are also graceful.

Biked to the North Sea – a bit colder than Dubrovnik! And SO windy!

Had to stop for soup to warm up.

Loved this living roof on a house we passed.

And the bus taking up the entire bridge!

Love the option to squeeze and bottle your O.J.

Murph mapped out a beautiful two days of biking. Great time!

Soft landing to Earth

A bit of a change in scenery – Haarlem, Netherlands.

Beautiful town square, complete with this 1700s church.

Typical street scene.

Oh, and our room looked like a palace! Seriously…

Murph pretending to be king!

And our breakfast was delivered on a trolley in the morning. WHAT!?!?

Doors so big I could barely open them.

Anyone who knows us, know we love to bike and biking here is sheer joy! The bikers have their own lanes, often wider than what the cars have. And the bikes definitely have the right of way. So much safer here than most places in the world, I think.

Beautiful forests

and canals.