Salisbury Cathedral and Magna Carta

On our way back from Somerset in June we had planned to visit Highclere Castle the location for Downton Abbey.
It was closed Saturdays for weddings so we decided to visit Salisbury instead.

We walk through the gate into the cathedral close

Where some are taking a rest

This 13th century cathedral boasts Britain's tallest spire (404 feet)

and Britain's largest cloisters

and in the Chapter House with it's beautiful fan ceiling (which I forgot to photo) is the home of the best preserved of the 4 surviving original 1215 Magna Carta.

It's significance spans the democratic world, inspiring important texts from the United States constitution to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is seen as one of the foundation stones of modern civil liberties. In August 2009 the worldwide stature of Magna Carta was recognised when it was inscribed in the UNESCO 'Memory of the World' register.

We were not able to take photographs as there was a service in the cathedral so we sat for a while and took part instead

Do double click if you want to enjoy the architecture

Salisbury has the largest cathedral close in the country with many interesting buildings surrounding it

We will visit some of these in the next post.

Those Sometimes Infuriating Little Monsters do Grow Up

Had a lovely time last evening. Our son took us out to dinner and we were thinking it was because of Alan's upcoming 80th birthday next month when Peter would be away. Not so, he just wanted to take us out before he went off to South Africa on safari.


Don't know what it is with me though when it comes to teeth, holidays and meal out treats.
A few hours before our meal 2 front teeth broke off my part denture. I was determined to manage! 

I have posted on this historic Tudor Manor House before so will just show you the grand Baronial Hall again, part of the original 

16th century building

The men both chose Fillet of Beef with Morel mushrooms, baby onion and Dauphinoise potatoes with Truffle Jus

and I chose Wild Sea Bass with Butternut Squash and Salisfy (looking here a bit like upside-down mushrooms!) Shallot Compote and Pistachio oil. Was delicious.

Unusually we all chose the same dessert. 

Mango & Passion fruit mousse, mint jelly, and yoghurt sorbet wrapped Croustillant with Muscat.

Equally delicious

I forgot to photograph the chef's complimentary dishes

Soup in a miniature cup with smoked salmon and pate 

whilst waiting and

Frangipan with real vanilla ice-cream between courses

Must get back to my Summer postings and visiting you all again

Looking after Rebekah all day Friday and Oliver after school while Janie spends a day alone in London replenishing her Winter wardrobe so probably won't be before the weekend. 

Short, Sweet & Precious

What a sweet and precious visit we had with

Joyce a blogging friend from Louisiana

Joyce and her husband Don managed 24 hours at our home while in the UK this weekend

While here Joyce and Don were keen to experience house church and we too were blessed to have them with us

After Sunday lunch it was off to Greensted to show them the oldest wooden church in the world. I have posted several times on this church but for newcomers, it dates back to the Fifth century and here we see the original tree trunks from nearby Epping Forest

In front of the church we see the grave of a Crusader

Joyce and Don had the added advantage of chatting with one of the warden 's who was there clearing up after Harvest Festival

She shared lots of history and even some facts that we did not know

While out Don said that although we had met for the first time only this morning, it felt like we had always known each other

We agreed entirely as we have always found that when there is a spirit connection there is that instant bonding

Having such a short time together and with so much to share with each other we talked and fellow shipped till 1.0 am

with a break for the current episode of

Downton Abbey in the middle 

It seems ages since I posted from Barbara's kitchen so included here, the cake we all enjoyed at tea time

Crunchy Lemon Drizzle Cake

Cake Mix                                              Topping

250g butter                                            Juice of 1 medium lemon

200g caster sugar                                  Granulated sugar

250g self-raising flour

4 large free-range eggs

1 tspn baking powder

zest & juice of 1 medium lemon

1. Select a suitable loaf tin (about 1.3-litre capacity) and line the base with slightly greased baking paper. Pre-heat oven to 170C/350f/gas 3.

2. In a food processor, cream together the butter and sugar. Add half the flour together with the eggs, and blend. Add the rest of the flour, the baking powder, and finally the lemon zest and juice and whiz everything together until smooth.

3. Pour the mixture into lined loaf tin and bake in pre-heated oven for around 50 minutes.

4. Allow to cool in tin. While cake is cooling, blend the lemon juice for the topping (about 3 tablespoons) with sufficient granulated sugar (about 3 tablespoons) to form a syrup.

5. Take out the cake while a little warm and spoon topping mix liberally over the top.

Using the Railway Line & with History

Before leaving Somerset entirely behind let me share with you the current use of this disused railway station just a few hundred yards from where we were staying.
It's 8.30 in the evening and the light reflects that

Many of our local railways were closed down in the 60's and quite a number are now used as walking or cycling paths

This one at Donyatt Halt has a little added interest

See the war time Pill Boxes behind the station

This statue is in memory of all the children that were evacuated to this area during the second world war

They would have arrived at this station carrying a small bag or suitcase not knowing when or if they would see their parents again

My husband was one of them at just 8 years old although living in the North he was evacuated to Yorkshire

For myself, I was just a baby so was evacuated to Wales along with my Mother and Grandmother

Here on the station we can read Doreen's story (one of the children who arrived here) by clicking until you have a full screen

The Mother's letter is heart breaking

It begins - At 11.0 am on 3rd September 1939 Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announced  on the wireless the dreadful words, "Britain is now at war with Germany"

Immediately a long planned Government Evacuation Scheme sprung into action.

3,000,000 people, mostly children were evacuated....

and finishing on a lighter note, Somerset being Cider country, this was a hospitality gift left for us at the cottage

Leigh-on-Sea in an Autumn Heatwave

It's Saturday 1st October and we are sizzling in  86f heat, far hotter than anything we had in the Summer

Wednesday of last week we decided to go out to Leigh, have a walk and enjoy some sunshine. Being the middle of the week we were amazed at how many other people were out too

For newcomers to my blog I have done many posts on different aspects of this town as you will see from the sidebar

It is not far from home and sits on the Thames Estuary

Today we are walking along the front which is dominated by the fishing industry

We began with a picnic sitting at the tops of the cliffs where all the vegetation is definitely in Winter mode

before finishing off with a nice pot of tea here looking down over the sea

We then walk back to the top of the cliffs and make our way down

I don't think Alan is flirting, he is helping someone with the car parking machine

We will walk along taking some random pictures on the way

A seafood restaurant right next to the unloading quay

 People eating all kinds of shellfish next to the kiosk

and sitting drinking beer 

and tea for some

lunch for others

tea and cakes or ice-cream for others

as we had already lunched we had ice-cream

A walkway down to a restaurant deck

Sea Scouts boathouse

till we come to the beach

I put my camera away at this point and we take a good walk until it is time to turn around

We do not stop again for tea but visit the wife of our dear friend who passed away this summer and take tea with her

I can only imagine what it is like this weekend!!!