sleepy tiger

One of our main reasons to come back to Shropshire was to visit Wenlock Priory, which was closed when we visited in 2009. We took the No.426 bus from Abbey Foregate on 21 May. As we got off the bus on the Kings Street, we headed for Wenlock Priory. We showed our English Heritage Membership cards at the reception and were offered free audio guides. The laurel hedge path led us to the site of the beautiful and peaceful ruins of Wenlock Priory. Our own guided tour started from the nave length of which is 107m, which is thought to be the longest church on the 7th century. We firstly saw the remains of St Milburge’s church, which was built around 680. The audio guide suggested strolling through the former cloister. There were lines of laurel ... read more

We enjoyed staying in Shrewsbury and visiting Ironbridge and Much Wenlock a few years ago. Our happy memory brought us back to Shrewsbury in May 2012. Mark had arranged for us to get on the tilting train between London Euston and Birmingham New Street and the local train between Birmingham New Street and Shrewsbury on 19 May. He had booked the same hotel as we stayed in 2009. After leaving the station, we took the backstreet off Castle Street, and the little lane of St Mary’s Water Lane leading to the riverside walk. We climbed on the step as we reached English Bridge. We walked on Abbey Foregate towards Abbey Court Hotel. After having a rest, we headed for the town centre via Wyle Cop and High Street and popped in some of the charity shops ... read more

We had recently read the book of history of Nymans Garden written by Shirley Nicholson, and have been inspired to come back there in autumn in 2011. Dense fog was spread through the ground and the misty horizon was appearing when we arrived at Pinetum on 19th November. As we walked down, we found a clump of bamboo shrubs, the wooden sculptures of panda, and winding boardwalk, which attraction had been added recently. All of the garden ornaments like fountains or lanterns were covered up by green clothes and just a few flowers and roses remained flowering. Many shrubs and trees’ foliage had turned gold, red, orange, and yellow and brownish leaves were falling on the ground. As planned, we entered the Wild Garden, opposite to the formal garden. We saw a number of crimson and ... read more

There has been more variety of walks added recently. We were interested in the walk of Old Marylebone yesterday from Bond Street starting from Bond Street. After leaving the bustling Oxford Street, we were taken to the little lane lined with charming individual shops and stylish restaurants, which is one of the features of Marylebone village. Before arriving at the Wallace Collection, we saw the very distinctive mustard coloured building, i.e. the very famous Methodist Church on Hinde Street. The walk included the guided tours of Wallace Collection’s highlight paintings. We were given the interpretation of the famous paintings, French furniture, etc. Afterwards, we walked northwards and were shown the back and face of St James Roman Catholic Church, the design of façade looked similar to one I visited in southern France several years ago. Marylebone ... read more

As London residents, we both look forward to the London Olympics in 2011. We decided to do the Olympic Walk on Thursday, 22 September. The walk was due to start from West Ham station. Many people were waiting at the station when we arrived. The London, Guide, Harry, started collecting the money at 2:15. There weren’t very many shops around West Ham station. And, the only public toilet was out of order. He told us that West Ham Station will be the gateway station for the Olympic spectators as well as Stratford, and that’s why he decided West Ham was the gathering point for the walkers. After strolling through the residential areas of Newham Borough, he took us to the footpath leading to Olympic stadium. The foot path is the route where the Olympic spectators will ... read more