Category: UK

Manchester

A weekend in Sale. Originally to see Brentford play Man United but game moved to Monday evening.

We went anyway to explore.

Bridge water canal

Nice time other than Shaz’s trip and injuries.

Nice time along the canal in the sunshine.

Ridgeway Trail

A new walk today though one we have looked at for a while.

We started at Princes Risborough walking east towards Wendover. We did not make it that far but did a there and back of about 14 km.

We reached Chequers, not knowing that it was in the area. Slightly weird with the signs making not clear crossing fences was a criminal offence. A far few cameras on display too.

Chequers from the trail.

A beautiful area with great views in the mist early on.

Snack stop

Duomo in Florence

The day after the big athletic event was time to see some more fine architecture and art.

A climb to the top of the dome with EQ via a narrow staircase , some few hundred steps. The view was nice though not outstanding. The closer views of the painted dome were in the end no better than looking from the floor of the cathedral.

I think a representation of judgement day and a strong emphasis on the pain of hell.

The inside of the cathedral was relatively bland compared to the to some recent viewings. I appreciated the clock above the west door which shows the time since the last sunset. Clearly a measure of real local time!

The visit to the crypt was very interesting. As ever not easy to piece together the timeline of the changes but still good. Great mosaics and a partial fresco from the mid 14th century.

Mary at the side of Christ.

And part of the mosaic which was done by African migrants apparently.

A bit more South Downs

A visit to east Hampshire and the opportunity to walk parts of the walk we have not done so far.

However mistake made as we have walked from Cocking to Buriton before. This was only evident when we arrived in Buriton to walk from west to east and recognised the village. Shaz found a photograph of me at the pond from September 2020.

As we arrived the church bells were ringing. A lovely sound:

And the church:

Built about 1200

When we did find the correct track it was well work the effort.

Saturday walking eastwards was harder. More hilly especially going to Butser Hill but great views. The flint paths are tough on the feet and the blisters returned.

Final day to Berwick

Ok Walk now done. We managed to go back to the track through a safe and finally quiet route.

A few hours of more activity until we reached the end.

Three bridges

After some coffee and cake, when the bags finally arrived, we were on the train back to Newcastle.

Walking Bedford to Cheswick

A hard day that started in the rain and was due to be 22 km but became about 30km.

We missed the correct turn at St Cuthbet’s cave which lead to a few extra k and then the accommodation was a bit further away from the path than expected.

So tired feet and bigger blisters.

Definitely a stretch to see great mushrooms.

The early stretch inland was not so good but as we moved back to the coast after Fenwich things looked up. But trouble sourcing food was an issue. A late coffee and cake at Goswick golf club.

We arrived late at the b n b but the beer and sausage sandwich worked well.