The Camel Trail

“I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?” – Piglet

On the road again. Destination – Wadesbridge, Cornwall
Oh yeah, this happened – “Hey Murph, isn’t that Stonehenge!?!” (Been there, done that)
I had to include this photo because I impressed myself with shooting this at 60 mph with my iPhone. 😎
Just a sweet mosaic of the town…
Murph had prearranged bike rentals for us so could ride this path.
So, when you travel light, all sense of fashion goes right out the window! (What little sense I have that is…🤣)
Nice, well used path heading to Padstow.
Cool estuary that empties into the Celtic Sea.
We saw several kids “fishing” for crabs in Padstow. Cute ☺️
Heading the other direction on the path was quieter and just gorgeous!

From Doc Martin to King Arthur

“The bad news is that time flies. The good news is that you’re the pilot.” – Michael Altshuler

From the car park above Port Isaac we walked past this playground and wondered: “Do the children that play here ever notice the amazing coast beyond?”
For all the Doc Marin fans (and if you’re not a fan, what are you waiting for?), you’ll probably recognize the harbor in, fictional, Port Wenn. Of course, this is where they shot most of the scenes – a village called Port Isaac.
Heading up the hill, you’ll also recognize where The Doc lived and practiced medicine. Small house with rust trim.
This is where the village pharmacist, Mrs Tiscel, entertained all of us 😂
And the school house where Louisa was head mistress.
A different doc on the porch of Doc Martin’s place.
As you can probably tell from the way we’re dress it was was not a warm day.
And yet this little local had no issues with the chilly temps. We watched her as she looked for the perfect rocks to throw into the water. She would pick one up in each hand and them give them each a toss – ambidextrous perhaps? 🤷🏾‍♀️
Up to the top of the headland for a “cows’ eye view”.
Funny, they don’t seem all that interested in their amazing surroundings! 😉
We tried to imagine what it would be like to live in this little village with its’ glorious harbor and views…
A parting glance at the harbor that we’ve seen so many times while watching Doc Martin – a kick to actually be on the “set”.

Great Bedwyn, England

Our happy place!

“In a society that has you counting money, pounds, calories and steps, be a rebel and count your blessings instead.” – Lisa Heckman

West of London lies this amazing piece of heaven.
Great Bedwyn has a wonderful history.
But it’s the towpaths that are a draw for us. This is not the usual scene – a tour boat of sorts demonstrating the towpaths of old. What a cool sight!
The Kennet and Avon canal
Close up of this permanent canal residence with its lovely garden.
Many hand – operated locks run the length of the canal.
Just another pretty picture 😊
The Wilton Windmill where it all began (story to follow).
Early one morning, Murph and I walked for 3 hours along this picturesque towpath – again, heavenly‼️
But the REAL reason we come to Great Bedwyn is to see our dear friend, Belinda. Ten years ago we were on the Chunnel train, heading to London from Paris when we met John & Belinda. The four of us talked the entire time – chatting for hours about politics, life, and “Breaking Bad” (their guilty pleasure). As we said our goodbyes, John invited us to visit them in their village. A few days later we arranged just that! We trained out to Bedwyn where they met us with their two dogs and bag lunches. We hiked together to the next village over, sat beneath the Wilton Windmill and ate our lunch.
Our friendship was cemented!
“We’ll be friends forever, won’t we Pooh?” asked Piglet ‘Even longer’ Pooh answered.”
One morning, Belinda drove us up to a favorite brail. We set out on a path through the wheat field.
Some people may think this a lovely picture (wink to Belinda).
A new bench has been installed in the last few years.
As we took turns sitting, the three of us reminisced about the travels that the four of us enjoyed — Florida, Cornwall, the Netherlands and many, many hikes in Wiltshire. ❤️
“Good friends are like stars. You don’t always see them, but you know they’re always there.”

Stunning Seven Sisters Cliffs

“I travel because it makes me realize how much I haven’t seen, how much I’m not going to see, and how much I still need to see.” – Carew Paritz

We moved on to County Sussex to see these beautiful chalk cliffs. Hiking up and down for the best view, with warnings from the locals to stay away from the ledges.
With the strong winds, hiking was a bit of a challenge.
The cliffs in the background were affectionately called the Seven Sisters by groggy sailors who gazed lustily through the mist from their ships and imagined a can-can of seven maidens lifting their petticoats. 😊
Here’s a good view of all seven!
Me: “It was SO windy…” You: “How windy was it?”
It was so windy that Murph had to use my head as a tripod!!! True story – winds were gusting at 40 mph.
This was a wonderful little, local farm-owned, ice cream stand. Most notable because the young man scooping is from Edmonton and we have a travel buddy from there. Shout out to Nathan‼️
Weather taking a nasty turn but I think it made this photo of Beachy Head lighthouse very atmospheric.
There’s no bad weather if you’re dressed appropriately ☺️
This is the Eastbourne Pier in the town where we stayed.
After leaving Eastbourne, we drove to Brighton and toured the Royal Pavilion – commissioned by King George IV in 1787. George was lively, decadent and trendsetting. He loved to vacation by the sea and host glamorous dinner parties at this palace. The exterior is an extravagant interpretation of Indian style. Inside, everything is predominantly Chinese – adorned with gilded dragons and carved palm trees. Like Brighton itself, the place smacks of faded elegance — but it was still fun to tour.
Even though it was windy & rainy we had to go see Brighton Beach,
along with their famous pier. Personally, I prefer the pier in Eastbourne🤷🏾‍♀️

It’s a Pooh thing…

“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” – Winnie the Pooh

When Murph said we were going to be nearby 100 Acre Wood and would I like to stop? —- well, “Yes, please!”
Inside the little shop were so many interesting “stories” about Winnie the Pooh. Endlessly fascinating for Pooh fans like us!
Always up for hugging Piglet.
Interesting costumes for the stage production. (Right to left: Eeyore, Christopher Robin, Piglet and Pooh)
Murph also wanted to hug them all! ❤️
We studied the map of 100 Aker Wood first,
then headed down the path.
Through farmer’s fields and
woodland. One hundred acre wood to be specific.
When we spotted this sign, we knew that we were heading in the right direction.
Destination – Pooh Bridge. Reason? – To play a game of Pooh Sticks.
We went searching for just the right sticks for the competition!
Murph testing the waters – speed of current and depth of the water.
We noted the obstacles and took them into consideration for our forthcoming battle! Sidebar – I have the bragging rights this time, winning the contest 5 – 2‼️
A.A.Milne – author of Winnie the Pooh – and father of “Christoper Robin”.
Unbelievably, this child showed us Pooh Bear, hiding along the lane. Most surprising part? His name was Christopher! Kismet ☺️

Looking out our windows…

And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.

Sittingbourne
Canterbury
Eastbourne
Near the Seven Sisters Cliffs
Castleton
Castleton – what a difference a day makes. 🧐
Pateley Bridge
Breakfast at Thornsgill B & B in Askrigg, Yorkshire.
Breakfast room at the Harlingford Hotel in London.
Colmar
Here’s a 1st for us – in Pontresina there was a window in our shower! On the left is a mural that’s in the bedroom and beyond that we could see out of the window and beyond to the mountains.
Pontresina
Lugano
Out the window of the train from Caslano to Lugano.
Mürren
Wengen
Wengen at 4 am from our terrace. May not look like much in this pic but the stars were amazing every night!

A Sign of the Times…

“If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.” – Katherine Hepburn

Basically, signs that caught my eye 😉

Too cute to ignore.
In Canterbury, this came as a bit of a surprise…
Right!?!
Well, yeah…
We say Dollar Store and here in England it’s the Pound Store. Makes perfect sense.
Irresistible
On a door at a cottage in the Cotswolds
Outside of a pub in London.
Well, yeah…
Waterstones is a popular bookshop in England.
London 🙄
London pub
Ok, I have to say I just loved this. It was often an announcement when we were waiting for the underground. I know we say “See something, say something” in our airports but there’s something about this 3 line statement in a British accent…try it – I think you’ll understand the charm!

Lovely Leeds Castle

“Better to see something once than hear about it a thousand times.” – Asian proverb

Seven different queens lived here over the centuries. In the 1920’s an Anglo- American woman named Mary Braille purchased the castle. Mary was a wealthy socialite who turned the place into “party central”. When she died in 1974 she left it to the National Trust and it is now a popular destination for locals and tourists.
Colourful gardens
Show of hands, please – who really likes a good maze? Not I !!!
Interesting birds of prey demo
Wonderfully sprawling grounds

Charming Canterbury

“Doing what you like is freedom, liking what you do is happiness.” – Frank Tyger

One of the most important churches in England, this cathedral is the headquarters of the Anglican Church. There’s been a church here since the year 597. In the 12th century, the cathedral’s archbishop, Thomas Beckett, was murdered in front of the alter. When Henry VIII broke with the Roman Catholic Church 400 years later, this cathedral became the Anglican version of St Peter’s Basilica.
This is where Thomas Beckett was martyred. A dramatic sculpture of two swords pointing to the place where he died (the shadows make it look like there are two more swords — fitting since there were four murderers.
Whenever I visit these ancient sites I have trouble wrapping my head around the actual process it took to build them.
Unusual to see modern day figures in the niches of cathedrals like Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip here!
At night this beautiful cathedral can be seen from every vantage point in the town.
Thought the base of this old tree was impressive – also gave the photographer a break from his duties 😉
The site of an old mill along the River Stour.
This is a statue honoring Geoffrey Chaucer. Around the base of the monument are characters from The Canterbury Tales — each one a portrait of a present-day resident who paid for the privilege of being depicted. 😂
We rented bikes and rode a lovely trail from Canterbury to Whitstable – called the Crab & Winkle Way.
Our first “cream tea” since arriving in England.

On the shores of Whitstable.
Back to Canterbury to visit their many gorgeous gardens, this one along the River Stour!

Sittingbourne, England

While speaking with our B&B owner I learned that the name Sittingbourne came to be because pilgrims, traveling to Canterbury, would sit and rest along side the local river – Bourne.

“To awaken in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.” – Freya Stark

First home of our journey.
Such beautiful gardens, complete with horses in the pasture beyond.
Lovely dinner at this local pub. Look at that adorable image of the “red lion”. 😊
Breakfast
Afterward we went for a walk around the village, starting at the church.
My trusty companion
I couldn’t resist taking a picture of this – every gardener’s dream.
Then we headed out across the farmers field, on a public footpath.
So many beautiful homes!
Interesting entrance
And, did I mention the flowers?
Thatched roof “cottages” are always worthy of a photograph.

Irresistible 😉