Canterbury - Saturday 12Jul08

Well today it was a train ride to the town of Canterbury a quaint town. The Canterbury Cathedral was the highlight, it is well hard to put into words. Very impressive, it is a massive Cathedral the inside is huge and beautiful and the grounds are extensive. They had an evensong (service) while inside, they walked thru the cathedral singing and doing prayer, very interesting. The site where Thomas Beckett was martyred is marked with a burning candle. They have a crypt area, many small chapels, lots of stained glass windows and gardens, it all was very fascinating. Wondered around the town which was pedestrian friendly with lots of shops and alley ways to explore. Went into The Eastbridge Hospital and the Canterbury Castle (what is left of it). Was a pleasant day and the weather wasn't to bad, I didn't get rained on! When I went to the station to return it was closed - um..they had a replacement bus which took us to Faversham and then boarded a train to Victoria Station - saw something different countryside on the way back.

The Cotswold

Took a tour today to Blenheim Palace and the Cotswold. The Palace was unbelievable, great display, the east wing is still lived in my the Duke of Marlborough. It is a huge place with the Palace and grounds. This was the birth place of Winston Churchill. The grounds and Palace were worth the visit. Lunch at the Duke of Marlborough Pub. Then to Burford, Burton on the Water and Stow on the Wold. Three villages, they were all similar, but different, very pretty situated on the river and typical English villages. Enjoyed the scenery and the quaint little shops. We started the day by sitting on the motorway for a hour due to a wreck, it did rain, but most of the rain was while on the bus, the sun came out when we got to the villages. It was nice it co-operated with our schedule.

Out on the Town

Saturday - went out to a town called Royal Tunbridge Wells. It was approximately 50 minutes on the Southeastern train in to the area of Kent. Walked around town, did a little shopping, had lunch, and visited the historical area of town called the Pantiles. This is now mostly shops and out door seating of eating places. Enjoyed the day, the sun came out so made a nice day to wonder around. Bumped into one of the guys that work in the office - that was a surprise, he lives in that area. Returned to London Charring Cross station, so checked out the Gay, Lesbian, Trans activity that was going on in Trafalgar square - see the pictures it looks lots different packed with people than the previous pictures I had taken there. Look closely for the cross dresser as there a few in the pictures. Lots of people and police.

04Jul - Friday night a bunch of us from work went to the Bavarian Beer House. Interesting evening. Four of my agents are from Germany and speak it fluently. They all dressed for the occasion by doing their hair with braids and kerchiefs and Steffi dressed in the country dress, she was really cute. See the pictures. Big heavy steins of beer and lots of good food. There was approx 30 of us that went and everyone had a good time, especially after one of those beers.