Dear All,
We have had some wonderful musical treats since last blogging. I now have access to a computer at our delightful guest house overlooking St.Aubin's Bay. I don't even need to find the library or an expensive Internet cafe. There is much to report.
Roger and I both loved York. After my blogging experience at the library we decided to do the gallery first as it was just around the corner. Was not expecting much of a Regional Gallery so was pleasantly surprised. The current exhibition on Chinese art- China: Journey to the East linked historic ceramic with contemporary works in particular that of a photographer of Chinese descent working in York. The permanent collection was arranged thematically and though it didn't have a huge number of well known works it had some paintings of major UK artists from the present and past including several Hogarth paintings and Henry Moore landscapes. They also had a high keyed French landscape of Charles Conder who they said went to school in Australia - I don't think they quite understood The Heidelberg School. Afterwards we intended going to The Railway Museum on the bus and assumed that the bus on the other side of the road would take us back where we started. The driver said that this wasn't so but told us if we stayed on her bus it would eventually take us there. We decided to
do this and rested on a tour of suburban York - a very attractive city with recently built house like those in Country Life as well as historic buildings. Roger wasn't all that keen on doing the Railway Museum but as I had expected - he really enjoyed it when there. The steam trains are so massive and they also had a Japanese Bullet train and the Eurostar train of our trip across the Channel. The Royal carriages were also beautifully fitted out - palaces on wheels. Afterwards we went to The Jorvik Centre which showed evidence of Viking history including finds from architectural digs. They have also recreated a Viking town. You ride on a cable car type vehicle that takes you on a tour of the village. We enjoyed the experience and it was also good to sit. We then wandered around York and had an early tea so that we could queue for the best seats for the concert at York Minster. The day before we were only able to purchase unallocated seats so it was first in for best seats in the side aisle. We managed to get front row seats with limited vision of the choir but at least I was able to see the conductor and the sopranos and hear the wonderful music. This was one of the most marvellous concerts I have ever heard. I was unfamiliar with their work but apparently The Sixteen directed by Harry Christophers are world renowned in Early Music circles and have performed everywhere including Sydney Opera House. Their sound was just thrilling it was so clear and beautiful and appeared to float to heaven in the acoustics of the magnificent cathedral. The programme The Choral Pilgrimage is performed in several of UK's major cathedrals and features music of the Tudors. They performed works by Byrd, Tallis and Sheppard. We sat next to two lovely couples. We chatted to one who had worked in Australia in the 70s. before the concert. At interval the other lady next to us offered to give us her slightly better seats as she was a local. People have just been so kind. As well as the brilliant singing there was a fellow who was signing the concert for the deaf and it was almost as if he was performing a dance and was fascinating to watch. It still stays light till very late so walked through the attractive streets across the bridge over the river through the walls of the old city to the station bus stop that took us to our excellent hotel. We then packed for our early morning trip to London.
After breakfast we caught the bus to the station. We arrived earlier than expected so managed to get on an earlier train than we had booked. We were fine getting seats. First class is the way to go! It is so good to be a Senior! Once again chatted to interesting people, a couple, the husband was studying environmental science and his wife an archaeaologist and they were off to London for an engagement party.
After arriving at Kings Cross, we walked to near by St.Pancras and picked up our luggage from left luggage.This was an expensive act but saved us must energy. We took a taxi to Waterloo station for our train to Salisbury. Once again by chance arrived just in time for the train. We arrived at Salisbury about 2pm. Took a taxi to The Old Rectory B and B. This was a lovely place but a little bit away from the centre of town. Our room was upstairs so decided to leave our big cases down stairs and spend another day living out of our cabin bags. (Thanks Julie for the excellent training when I travelled with you and Sue for 10 days on the school trip through Japan with a smallish back pack, though wheelie cabin bags are even better.) I guess we were lucky that the weather up north was relatively cool. Salisbury was warmer but we needed all our winter clothes by the end of the concert at Wilton House. We walked to the Cathedral which was quite a long walk. The cathedral is the tallest in Northern Europe. Although plainer than York it had several contemporary additions that added to the Gothic structure . It had an eternity baptismal font with the flat water beautifully reflecting the vaulted ceiling. There was also a vibrant blue stained glass windows behind the altar that was designed in 1980. This was a Prisoners of Conscience Window and an Amnesty candle always burns in the corner of this Trinity Chapel. We also viewed the Magna Carta 1215 in the Chapter House. After the Cathedral I shopped at Marks and Spencers for our picnic tea while Roger waited in The Mall. Our landlady had offered us folding chairs to take to the concert in the grounds of Wilton House owned by The Earl of Pembroke. I was exhausted but knew Roger was worse. I left Roger with our picnic goodies at the bus stop and I walked back for the chairs. I returned in time for a local bus to take us to Wilton House. There were several others obviously going too. We were so lucky not only that this coincided with our one night in Salisbury but because the concert on the night before had practically been washed out and our landlady who had tickets decided not to go. It was a longish way to Wilton House, a huge historic house with a beautiful Palladian villa set in the vast estate. We were glad of the chairs. There was a huge crowd at this Classical Extravaganza by The Bournemouth Symphony. They performed in a temporary Sound Shell structure but the sound was good. The conductor Michael Woods was an Australian who had studied in Sydney. ( I hope that name is correct as I have mislaid the programme. ) The compare and soloist was Stephen and his wife Clare Rutter also sang duets and solos. Both were excellent. The orchestra performed popular classical works by themselves or with the singers. The last works were choreographed with lighting dancing on the trees and an impressive fireworks show. The fireworks accompanied the music rather than being an additional finale as at The Myer Bowl. We were cold but had a wonderful experience. We caught the bus back with many others, thankfully avoiding a very expensive taxi fare. This was another wonderful experience for us. The landlady said that we were the first tourists that had stayed with her who had managed to get tickets for the annual concert. Coincidently, the landlady came from Freemantle and her children still live Australia
Next morning we caught a taxi to the station, it cost £4 but saved a lot of effort with our big cases. The train trip was good though Roger was in the toilet when the train pulled into Southampton so we just managed to get off in time. We caught the train to Weymouth - our last Britrail journey. This was a great way to travel. Was so relieved that this leg of our journey worked out so well. It took hours of planning but would go this way again. Our accommodation at Weymouth was excellent. Alendale Guest House has won awards in the three star category.Weymouth is a very pretty seaside town and once again we did lots of walking. At the beach on flag poles were two Austalian flags (we could have done with them at the concert the night before). Don't know why they were there. We visited a museum at an old brewery but it was its quality as a typical seaside town with its Punch and Judy and stalls that made it so enchanting. We had a late Sunday lunch in a pub by a little harbour and were rowed to it in a little row boat - this saved a longer walk. Had an Italian meal near our guest house and an early night. We enjoyed a gourmet breakfast mostly with local Dorset fare. The couple had lived in Sydney in the 70s so we had vegemite on our toast for the first time in five weeks.
We caught a taxi to the Ferry Terminal for a pleasant, smooth crossing to Jersey. We stopped at Guernsey but we did not get off as our cases were headed to Jersey. The car was there waiting. I now have to get used to those dreadful wipers being on the wrong side - had forgotten about that nuisance - wouldn't you think they could have made this uniform on all cars. Anyway have found our guest house without too much difficulty. It overlooks St. Aubin Bay though we have a quiet room at the back. The landlady is lovely and the guest house is perfect for us . Our room is up several flights of stairs but will be fine until we have to take our cases down. We have had our exercize for today. Anyway we achieved that task and have also done lots of washing. Had a beautiful fish tea in a little restaurant,overlooking a picturesque harbour. The tides are huge here so this time it was without water. Roger and I walked to the cafe on a path above the beach. Roger is in bed now while I finish this. I think the time may have changed by an hour- if the computer is right so will have to check tomorrow. We do not wan't to miss breakfast.
Hope to get out the paints soon though have had difficulty contacting people but will ask the landlady about local telephone codes etc.
Am now up to date except for several days including my favourite gardens on our grand tour.
See you soon (just over a week, all being well)
Hope all is OK in Australia
Glad to be missing some of the pre election happenings
Love to all
Jo and Rog
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