Destination 3: England.
Post 1 On the Fens
Stardate: Monday 20th May.
Captains Log:
Friday was a travelling day. It was an easy journey by train from Marnee La Vallee to Chatellet les Halles and thence to Gare du Nord. Got a bit panicked by the crowds of commuters after Vincennes and how were we going to get through with the luggage but the train emptied out again over the next few stops and it was fine (except I got glared at by some big mama whose legs were facing out into the aisle thus I bumped them with my suitcase!)
The train to Gare du Nord left from the opposing platform so that was easy peasy and we were soon in the line for customs for the Eurostar. Ridiculously crowded waiting area with insufficient seats and toilets but not too long a wait til we were able to board.
The Eurostar is always a smooth trip reminds me of an airline really and we were soon at St Pancreas Platform 9 and there was Platform 9 1/2. Today we didnt delay however. I did lead us slightly astray as there were trains heading to the Midlands (which is where Peterborough, our destination, is but none went there). Realised we had to head outside across to Kings Cross Station, so with much head shaking from the First Officer, it was a short trip over the road and we were organised.
Expensive train tix purchased (for the same price we were going to travel all the way to Edinburgh next week!), fortified by delicious spinach and brie soup, toasted foccacia and coffee we boarded the 1.36 pm slow train to Peterborough and 1 hour 15 mins later arrived.
It was 10 degrees C and freezing! Even colder than Paris! Lucky only a short walk around the corner, over the railway bridge and there was Avis and our hire car. I navigated us successfully around the city centre and 15 mins eastwards to the village of Crowland and our self-contained unit for the weekend.
Eastside@Fenacre was wonderful. If anyone has any need (not really a tourist destination) to stay in Peterborough then stay here. It was truly a home away from home. I had been chatting via emails to the owner Julie for some months, as her brother lives near the Gold Coast and she was so lovely. We had the one bedroom unit attached to their house but they also had a second unit, I think possibly two bedroom, also attached. Here are some pics.
Lounge. As expected in most places we had free wifi here.
Kitchen/dining. You receive a starter pack of cereals, milk, bread, freshly laid eggs, tea, coffee, sugar, apple juice etc and we discovered the pantry to be well equipped (I guess by previous guests) with all sorts of sauces, vinegars, herbs, oils etc. Very handy for the transient visitor.
The best part of the unit was the conservatory. I know the Brits love these and now we know why. Saturday was cold and overcast but in the conservatory it was light and bright and so warm. We would live here all day. This one was off the bedroom.
Graham snoozing before heading out to friends Sunday.
This area is on the edge of the fens once marshland and wetlands that stretched inland from the Lincolnshire coast and were drained in the 17th C. Crowland was one of many isolated islands. It is famous for its Trinity Bridge, an unusual 3 in 1 bridge structure that until the 1800s traversed the junction of two streams.
Also known for its Abbey, once a Benedictine monastery. I was amazed by all the spring flowers that were out when it was practically summer.
There are many thatched cottages in Crowland look at the cup and saucer on the teashop
Here are some pics of Peterborough itself
Market Cross
Cathedral
Church and grounds in the village of Baston where my friends live (taken 2010)
After catching up with friends and shopping in town Saturday am we spent the afternoon eating lunch and snoozing in our warm conservatory. Sunday was spent with friends including our traditional walking the dogs over the fields after a huge, vegetarian lunch and talking non-stop.
In the morning en route to Baston, we also visited another village, Spalding, and were captivated by the tulip display outside this medieval manor house turned museum, Ayscoughfee Hall, which then drew us inside and out to its extensive gardens (all free). They had a good display on the Fens including stories and photos of how the dikes were sabotaged by locals when they were first being built as they naturally didnt want their livelihoods destroyed; how in the freezing winters they ice skated everywhere to get about; and these huge guns operated from punts that could shoot down 30 birds with one shot.
Close-up of some of the stained glass
Fen boat and gun
In the gardens
Walking the dogs
Monday we caught up with our friends daughter Demi who was taken ill with ME, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, which she developed after a bad bout of glandular fever in her 20's. She is now confined to a wheelchair except for very short distances and has ongoing health issues including her heart and spends much of her days in constant pain. Her husband who she met whilst she was sick, is a darling, taking such good care of her and so supportive. She is, however, despite all life has dealt her, incredibly optimistic, funny and a joy to be with.
We spent the day with her and her husband watching Star Trek 2 as we are all sci-fi nuts followed by a pig-out lunch at Jimmys World Grill and Bar, an all-you-can-eat international buffet. The Indian curries were very good, the Chinese and Japanese dishes also good (especially the vegetable tempura) and the Italian blah. Deserts were pretty average too but there was certainly a ton of choice for £7.99 for the lunch buffet and it was a cut above the quality at Sizzlers. I celebrated with a cocktail but it was a bit too sweet as I find most are.
After a lovely weekend it was time to head off south to our next home for the week on the outskirts of a town called Ware (source of numerous jokes/confusion i.e. immigration official where are you spending the most time in England? Ware. Yes where? Ware W.A.R.E. Sigh!) Id hate to live here permanently!
Captns highlights and lowlights of the weekend: Highs: Renewing of friendships. Wandering the Fens. Snoozing in the conservatory. Star Trek 2! (not a bad piece of fiction I suppose though I think they get the captain all wrong and I would have dealt with the threat all so differently..
).
Lows: Regretting our friends and us live continents apart so we can only catch up in 3D every 3 years or so.
PiO, Melbourne's travel ambassador, strikes again!
