STAGE 1 - HONEYMOON

Stage 1: Nottingham to Camberley (Surry)

Visit to Chester – 21st July 2012

Chester is a city in Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, and was granted city status in 1541. It was founded as a Roman fort with the name Deya Victrixin the year 79 by the Romans. Chester's four main roads, Eastgate, Northgate, Watergate and Bridge, follow routes laid out at this time – almost 2,000 years ago. After the Romans left in the 5th century, the Saxons fortified the town against the Danes and gave Chester its name. 

  

 

Chester has a number of medieval buildings, but some of the black-and-white buildings within the city centre are actually Victorian restorations. Chester is one of the best preserved walled cities in Britain. Apart from a 100-metre (330 ft) section, the listed Grade I walls are almost complete

The more unusual landmarks in the city are the city walls and the black-and-white architecture. The walls encircle the bounds of the medieval city with the full circuit measuring nearly 2 miles (3 km).  On East gate is East gate clock which is said to be the most photographed clock in England after Big Ben.

 The Rows are unique in Britain; they consist of buildings with shops or dwellings on the lowest two storeys. The shops or dwellings on the ground floor are often lower than the street and are entered by steps, which sometimes lead to a crypt like vault. Those on the first floor are entered behind a continuous walkway, often with a sloping shelf between the walkway and the railings overlooking the street. Much of the architecture of central Chester looks medieval and some of it is. But by far the greatest part of it, including most of the black-and-white buildings, is Victorian.

 

 The most prominent buildings in the city centre are the town hall and the cathedral. The town hall was opened in 1869. It is in Gothic Revival style and has a tower and a short spire. The cathedral dates back to the Norman era, with additions made most centuries since. A series of major restorations took place in the 19th century and in 1975 a separate bell tower was opened.

 

Roman remains can still be found in the city, particularly in the basements of some of the buildings and in the lower parts of the northern section of the city walls. The most important Roman feature is the amphitheatre just outside the walls which is undergoing archaeological investigation.  Roman artefacts are on display in the Roman Gardens which run parallel to the city walls from New gate to the River Dee.

John 65th Birthday London trip: 6th-8th July 2012

Wellington Arch: also known as Constitution Arch or (originally) the Green Park Arch, is a triumphal arch located to the south of Hyde Park and at the north western corner of Green Park (although it is now isolated on a traffic island).

View from the arch across London to the London Eye where John and Sue were at the time, and the Shard

 

Selfridges shop displays – English theme   

Birthday meal at the Spaghetti house – with a surprise visit from my parents

 

St Pauls – The cathedral is one of the most famous and most recognisable sights of London, with its dome, framed by the spires of Wren's City churches, dominating the skyline for 300 years. At 365 feet (111 m) high, it was the tallest building in London from 1710 to 1962, and its dome is also among the highest in the world. To reach the top we had to take 500 stairs, and thanks to his new bionic hips John was able to reach the top with us.  

2^nd stage of the dome: 

The top: Photos: 

Matilda the Musical - It is based on the novel by Roald Dahl. It received its West End premiere on 24 November 2011 at the Cambridge Theatre. Matilda has received widespread critical acclaim, fast becoming one of the most successful British musicals in modern history. The show won seven Olivier Awards including Best New Musical, at the 2012 ceremony - the most awards ever won by a single show. It really was an amazing show for adults and children alike. 

Night time entertainment – the laser lights at the bar we went to were amazing

Parents BBQ Sat 16th June

The layout – location parent’s new cottage and garden

(I)                 BBQ area 

(II)               House for the comfy beds

(III)             Eating and seating area 

(IV)             The tent area 

 Nicks first attempt at a birthday cake for mum 

 Afternoon and the BBQ in action

Charlie tries to steal another beer/ or pop another pebble in the water 

 Family photos:

Charlie with his dad Tom 

Mum and Dan having a drink 

Gale and Mum with Charlie Photo 

Tom and Alfie

Mum, Kathy and Harry 

Around the camp fire in the evening 

 

Happy camppers at breakfast time