Our Oxford Odyssey

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We traveled about 60 miles Saturday to see our dear friend, Jenny Harmes who has moved here from New Zealand. This area is called the Chilterns and it was quite different from the Cotswolds. We were much closer to London and some of the towns were very new and very big. The countryside though was delightful. Rolling hills with each field marked by hedges. The villages charming with their old churches and usually a pub being the center of the village. Jenny took us for a scenic drive at the Ashridge Estate which is now a National Trust reserve of over 5000 acres of woodland, walking paths and cycling paths. We saw one small herd of deer. It was just about the coldest day, so we were happy to look from the car. The view of "The Chalk Lion" was at the highest point in the estate and was created in 1933 to call attenion to The Whipsnade Wild-life Park above it. The hills are made of chalk and they just scrape off the vegetation in a pattern. Sounds simple, but looks very impressive in person.

Jenny had just shifted(moved) to her house in Hemel Hempstead in the old town section. So she was in the midst of renovating and painting as we saw her. She was a very gracious hostess and guide through the area. We so enjoyed being with her for the day.

Happy Easter! He Is Risen!

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Photos

Old Friends
Chrissy & Jenny enjoying each other. Our daughter, Peggy, was 8 and Jenny was 10 when we moved to NZ.

The Artist
Jenny is an artist and loves doing flowers in great detail. She actually works in marketing and designing for some high-end fabric designers

Fireplaces
Every room had a fireplace. The house was built in the late 1800's. Very structurally sound.

Back Garden
Jenny's backyard from up above. Mainly potted plants, but too early to be doing too much outside.

The Kitchen
It had a very large kitchen for an English house.

My Favorite Picture
This iris has always been one of my favorites of her pictures.

Aldbury
Thatched cottage in Aldbury

Another old home
Lovely old place in Aldbury

The Greyhound Inn
Where we had lunch

The Chalk Lion
On top of Ivinghoe Beacon, looking across to the lion and Whipsnade animal park.

An early bluebell
We stopped at a very ancient forest that will be covered in bluebells soon.

Bluebells again.
In the next week or two, the whole area that is green will be covered with the bluebells blooming.

Bluebells and sheep
They have farms that are owned by the National Trust on the Estate.

Saying good=bye
Jenny in front of her house hugging Chrissy good-bye

Jim & Jenny
Great time with old memories and new expectations.