Blogs from Guildford, Surrey, England, United Kingdom, Europe

The Surrey Sports Park have helped support me on my trip to Peru. Providing me with essential equipment such as footballs, bibs, cones and t-shirts. Other parties such as Westfield football club have also shown great support by putting out press release (attached) Here is the press release link: url=http://www.surreysportspark.co.uk/news/newsandpress/2011/69758_battley_swaps_computers_for_south_america.htmhttp://www.surreysportspark.co.uk/news/newsandpress/2011/69758_battley_swaps_computers_for_south_america.htm... read more

Clandon Park First National Trust visit for Pic. Hatchlands Park Close to Clandon Park, nice grounds, interesting collections and amazing bluebell woods. Fareham Easter Folk Festival First festival for pic. Camping was very informal at the Ashcroft Arts centre that hosted a few of the events. A few minutes one way was the hotel that hosted the small concerts and the late night session. A few minutes the other way was the Ferneham Halls, where the major concerts were held. The first night concert featured Roy Bailey, who is growing on me the more I see him. ... read more

The manor house, east of Clandon village, 6 km away from Guildford, is one of the historical properties and is managed by the National Trust. The manor house was built in the 1750s and was once resided in by Admiral Boscawen. He commissioned Robert Adam to design the interior and furniture in the Drawing Room, Reception, Dining Room, Library, and Music Room, the details of which include carvings of nautical motifs such as Neptune, God of the Sea, anchor, dolphin, and mermaids. There are portraits of past residents and Reynolds’ masterpieces hanging in the Principal Rooms. The highlight of Hatchlands Park is valuable collection of 17-18th century keyboards, e.g. Square Shaped piano with signature of J.C. Bach, the earliest harpsichord manufactured in 1622, the grand piano owned by Mahler, and the grand piano which Chopin used ... read more

For those of you who have not seen the movie “The Holiday” with Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Cameron Diaz and Jack Black, you might want to stop reading now - because this the part of my trip I think I most looked forward to, yet is the least interesting for most people, which was visiting the area where they filmed in England! After doing my research (I know, I’m pathetic) I found out that the pub in the film is actually a real pub call the white horse inn in a small town called Shere in Surrey. Turns out it is just a 20 minute train ride from London! One thing that is quite popular in the UK is “rambling” groups, which are basically walking/hiking groups. England has a huge network of walking/hiking trails and you ... read more

Finally... 42 weeks 1 day and 4 1/2 hours after being in Rio de Janeiro, Mattias was born in Guildford, England on Saturday 22nd August. Here are some pictures of his first week. ... read more