With Friends in Cheltenham and London

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PANORAMAS: Poppies at The Tower of London, Sarasota sunset



Our week in England was spent with friends. Bea and Vasily live in the quaint Cotswold town of Cheltenham. It was such a thrill to see them and their children. The last time we were together was five years ago in Finland. We had a great time exploring the Cotswold villages and stopping for high tea at Lords of the Manor. Saturday, we all piled into the car for a road trip to Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill. It was a lovely family day, touring the grounds, getting lost in the maze (the adults, not the children), and visiting the butterfly house.

In London, we met up with Jeanne and David from Canada and Ruth and Ray from London, who holiday on Siesta Key every year. We met in Windsor, near Ruth's childhood home, and spent the day touring the castle. What a lot of house! After several hours of walking, we headed to our favorite freehouse, Wetherspoon's. The Pimms and the Sunday Roast revived our tired souls and plans were made for our next day in London.

We met at the Paddington Bear in Paddington Station and "tubed" to The Tower of London. An installation of 888,246 ceramic poppies are surrounding the Tower for the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. It was an amazing display. Each poppy represents a British citizen that died in the war. The impact of the poppies was striking and the Tower looked like it was surrounded in a pool of blood.

Our day of walking took us to Fortum and Mason, Twinings, the Savoy, Somerset House, Trafalga Square, and the Wetherspoon's in the Temple Bar region. Being with locals gave us an off the beaten path tour of the city. And being with Ruth, Ray, Jeanne, and David is always a fun adventure.

We returned home safe and sound 10 days ago. The weather isn't too bad, for September. Our friends from Argentina were here and so the fun continued.

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Photos

In the Cotswolds
Walking from Lower Slaughter to Upper Slaughter with Bea and Vasily

Lower Slaughter
Typical Cotswold architecture

Cheltenham Spa
A mineral water spa that dates back to the Romans

Cheltenham's Lady College
The school of princess and the like

Blenheim Palace
Birth place of Winston Churchill

Comments

[June Johnson]

As Always I love your blog...but this time it was very special for me....To see so many places of my home country...and especially 'Temple Bar'....I have never visited the Cotswolds...which is a great shame.....but if you go again you might like to visit...Royal Tunbridge Wells.....where I lived before I moved here.....Best Wishes......June