Geo: 37.3833, -5.9965I should have had a Fitbit on today..... I walked the old city for about 8 hours and reckon I racked up the kilometers. First up, after successfully navigating the cobbled streets from the hotel, I joined the very knowledgable Mercedes from Sevilla Walking Tours for a few hours. This was a really great introduction to Sevilla, its fascinating history and its different barrios (districts). We discovered a lot of Santa Cruz, the former Jewish Quarter, which is one of the most picturesque and delightful parts of the city, with narrow winding cobbled streets and whitewashed houses. It's a perfect place to sit outside a bar, enjoy some tapas and watch the world go by, or wander through centuries-old gardens and relax on beautiful tiled bench.Originally the Romans governed the whole of Spain, but ... read more

Geo: 51.5002, -0.126236Not much to say about my fleeting day in London other than the traffic in the city was abominable and I had to shelter from a sudden 20 minute sleet storm! Not impressed! However my meeting and subsequent pub lunch was delightful.... read more

Geo: 51.5848, -2.0996A drive to Great Somerford, a beautiful village Wiltshire village at the southern end of the Cotswolds, to stay with my cousin Meriel and her family. A short drive away is Malmesbury, supposedly the oldest continually inhabited town in England. Modern excavations have revealed the remains of an Iron Age fort which would date it back to around 500BC, but official records can trace Malmesbury back to the 5th century.The imposing 7th century Abbey sits atop the hill and became a site of pilgrimage and learning and later in the 10th century, Athelstan, first king of (all) England and grandson of Alfred the Great made Malmesbury his capital.The medieval streets are lined with honey colored stone buildings and the marketplace in the centre of town has a magnificently preserved 15th century market cross.But what ... read more

Geo: 50.8542, -0.55393Had lunch with Pamela & Bryan (Jane's parents) at their beautiful house in Arundel. They have the quintessential English garden... rolling lawn, weeping willow, spring flowers of all colours and description in bloom.  They have put a lot of gardening hours into it - and the results are self evident. ... read more

Geo: 50.9085, -0.534013First full day in UK. After overnighting at LHR I picked up a car and drove down to Sussex, chosing the classic scenic route (via Chiddingfold, Petworth, Halnaker) which showcased England's 'green and pleasant land' with lots of spring blossom and flowers out.Staying in Felpham with Jane & Pete, Emma, Claire & Digby dog. A real treat in the afternoon - Afternoon Tea at Amberley Castle to celebrate the birthdays of both Jane and myself. Amberley Castle stands on land that was gifted to the local Bishopric in 683 AD and the Doomsday Book records that Amberley had 17 villagers and 25 smallholders at that time.The structure was originally a timber-framed hunting lodge built in 1103 by Bishop Luffa of Chichester but in 1140 it was replaced by a more elaborate stone hall. Over ... read more