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Our intrepid driver
Let's just say I don't think I could live and drive in the U.K.Some streets are so narrow, there is a holding area for the oncoming traffic. People parallel park on hills in tiny spaces-not for the faint of heart!The rain stopped today- at least the downpouring did. There was the occasional sprinklw, wherein the clouds did their just diligence to remind us mortals that they still had the power to drench, soak and wet to the bone!!!! Our adventuring took us into the New Forest, which as Gunther remarked, may have been new several hundreds of years ago. Today, it seems to me more like a large forest preserve where the land is maintained in a more natural state and livestock and horses left to wander....as we drove along, there were multiple congregations of said beasts- some just cows, some just horses, others groups which included both....all right along the road-or, in one or two cases, slowly meandering across the road!!! Their were foals in evidence a-plenty. No photographic evidence though- sorry!
Our first stop was a lavender garden. Sala-Joy, my niece, for those who did not know, is visually impaired. She enjoys being able to finger and touch things and smell whatever she can discern smell from. She had a ball sniffing a variety of lavender plants as well as identifying herbs like Rosemary and Thyme. (Didn't see any sage and don't think parsely has a smell-for
The lavender in bloom
I had no idea that this many varieties of lavender existed! the Beatles fans among us...this is England, after all!)
Our last stop were the ruins of a Roman villa at Rockbourne. This archeological site dates back a few thousand years in the artifacts that were excavated but the most "recent" excavation on show was of a Roman villa, apparently around AD53 or so. We were amazed at the underfloor heating and multitude of bathing areas that were present- of course, reminded of the fact that it took many slaves to keep said house and amenities operational....
For supper, I indulged in fish and chips. For those who have never eaten chips- they are potato wedges that are doused in vinegar and salt and as a result aren't crisp but warm, a little soggy and delicious. I know that neither description nor probably the photo will do it justice but trust me when I say it was oh so good!
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Mrs Meltesen
Bridget Meltesen
Lavender Anyone?
Thanks for sharing your travels with me! And, as you know, lavender is one of my favorites. The place we stayed in California last year had a lavender garden in the back and that was the first time I discovered the many varieties that exist :) Ooh - and the vis en skyfies look lekker!! Happy Travels my friend!