What a brilliant weekend - we had friends around on Saturday night for a meal. I just kept it simple with cold meat platter to start accompanied by pickles and olives. I did, however, make some home made chutney and onion relish. I didn't realise how easy it is to make. The chutney was delicious with a tangy taste as I used apples, onions and a blob of festive mincemeat from a jar. I found this recipe and did add a few twists of my own but it was really easy to do and looked so good in some kilner food preserve jars I bought online, served to the table. We had chicken casserole as a main and trifle to follow. I think it's really important when you do home entertaining to make a homely, nourishing but easy to make ahead menu. Then you can enjoy being with your guests and dining at home is relaxed and stress free. It was a lovely evening with some lovely wine, great company and a warming meal.
The menu was so simple that we even had chance to nip out to see a National Trust property. The Trust offers great days out in the UK for all visitors. They've really latched on to being family friendly over the last few years. I know when our kids were small we were definitely in the minority visitng National Trust with children in tow. They have loads more activities now for families to bring kids along for a great time. We went to Coughton Court and toured the house, which was dressed for Christmas. The theme was a simple Victorian style affair with lovely paper cones and paper chains on the trees- very effective and charming in it's simplicity. We were also treated to a display form the local ladies choir who sang beautifully well known carols but with a different arrangement to give a twist to the songs. As we stood at the top of the wooden imposing staircase gazing down over the chandeliers, stately furniture and open fire we listened to the choir. It was truly magical and again so simple yet moving. I really felt as if I'd travelled back in time to a less modern and bustling era.
On Sunday we treated my lot to a meal out. We all met up from various areas of the country for a get together and chat. It was lovely to see everyone together as with most people we're normally so busy it's hard to get everyone to meet up. The meal wasn't the best and the waiting staff were a bit ignorant but we had a great chat exchanged photos and left with promises to meet up again soon. Next time we'll book at a better venue. Can't wait for next weekend to do some more National Trust visits - they have some really lovely Christmas events on at the moment.
Showing posts with label National Trust days out. Show all posts
Showing posts with label National Trust days out. Show all posts
Monday, 5 December 2011
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Weekend at YHA Salisbury, Wiltshire
Me and the other half stayed in Salisbury the weekend, at the YHA on the very edge of the city centre. We decided to visit Wiltshire as we'd been before to Salisbury and quite liked the area. Wiltshire is not one of the areas of the UK that springs immediately to mind as a holiday destination. But perhaps we all need to think outside of the box to enjoy more of the UK. We travelled down on Friday and visited a little known spot called Maud Heath's Causeway near Chippenham. In fact you could quite easily drive down parts of the causeway without knowing it. A very tuned in lady, Maud created a pathway that was raised away from the roadway track. In an area where walking would have been difficult for pedestrians she ensured that villagers could walk safely and without strife to and from the villages hereabouts. She also left a sum each year for it's upkeep and longevity.
From here we went to Lacock Abbey, which is a National Trust property nearby. The abbey itself is charming - a great place for photos -indeed it and the village has been used for many films and TV programmes. We were lucky it was one of the quieter days and so we were able to enjoy the village and a nearby walk in relative peace. There's also a great museum onsite.
Our last stop of the day before it got dark was the canal at Devizes where the Caen Hill flight of locks is part of a string of 29 for boat users allowing them to climb the 2 mile long steep hill. This mammoth feat of engineering is impressive as each lock has a large reservoir of water to each side for berthing boats. Knowing that this can take 5 to 6 hours to navigate reinforces in my mind the tenacity of barge owners.
We stayed in the YHA at Salisbury, which was comfortable and convenient for most of the attractions hereabouts. The staff were really friendly and we met other visitors who were all sociable and had some good tales to tell.
We had a fantastic day walking from Amesbury to Stonehenge - if you get the chance do walk to Stonehenge it makes it so much more rewarding. If you haven't been to the monument it is wedged between two very busy A roads - this has been a bone of contention for many years and still looks as if a suitable solution is not close at hand. How we can have allowed the pillage of this area by creating a road network around it is beyond belief but nonetheless it exists. We followed a walk in the AA walks guide for this area, which was an excellent route but we did veer off the course to pop to see the stones up close at Stonehenge. The first view of the stone circle over the brow of the hill is enchanting and well worth the walk!
On our way back we went to Avebury and explored the stones in the low lying fog, which lent an added dimension to the walk. The whole area surrounding Avebury is splattered with prehistoric monuments,barrows, mounds and sites. In contrast to Stonehenge you can wander freely around the stones, the village and the sites hereabouts. Getting up close and personal with the stones and being able to walk into the long barrow at West Kennet is wonderful. No matter what you think these sites were used for it brings a sense of awe and wonder when you think that these monuments have been around for thousands of years and were built at a time when automation was non existent. We were extremely lucky to visit the Avebury Manor as part of the National Trust site, which reopened this weekend. It has recently had a makeover by the BBC and as such has been 'stage dressed' by them to suit various periods of the manor from history. This process is being shown by the BBC on Thursday at 9pm BBC1 and will be great to watch after visiting the actual manor. You could spend all day at Avebury, as indeed we did. The dressing of the manor, whilst not wholly authentic in age is exquisite. This should come as no surprise, knowing the resources and skills of the BBC, but it is really worth a visit. Children will love it as they can touch and sit and play snooker and even listen to a real gramophone record.
Our stay in Wiltshire was short but very enjoyable - we really must go back there's so much to do and see that really a few weeks probably wouldn't do justice to it!
From here we went to Lacock Abbey, which is a National Trust property nearby. The abbey itself is charming - a great place for photos -indeed it and the village has been used for many films and TV programmes. We were lucky it was one of the quieter days and so we were able to enjoy the village and a nearby walk in relative peace. There's also a great museum onsite.
Our last stop of the day before it got dark was the canal at Devizes where the Caen Hill flight of locks is part of a string of 29 for boat users allowing them to climb the 2 mile long steep hill. This mammoth feat of engineering is impressive as each lock has a large reservoir of water to each side for berthing boats. Knowing that this can take 5 to 6 hours to navigate reinforces in my mind the tenacity of barge owners.
We stayed in the YHA at Salisbury, which was comfortable and convenient for most of the attractions hereabouts. The staff were really friendly and we met other visitors who were all sociable and had some good tales to tell.
We had a fantastic day walking from Amesbury to Stonehenge - if you get the chance do walk to Stonehenge it makes it so much more rewarding. If you haven't been to the monument it is wedged between two very busy A roads - this has been a bone of contention for many years and still looks as if a suitable solution is not close at hand. How we can have allowed the pillage of this area by creating a road network around it is beyond belief but nonetheless it exists. We followed a walk in the AA walks guide for this area, which was an excellent route but we did veer off the course to pop to see the stones up close at Stonehenge. The first view of the stone circle over the brow of the hill is enchanting and well worth the walk!
On our way back we went to Avebury and explored the stones in the low lying fog, which lent an added dimension to the walk. The whole area surrounding Avebury is splattered with prehistoric monuments,barrows, mounds and sites. In contrast to Stonehenge you can wander freely around the stones, the village and the sites hereabouts. Getting up close and personal with the stones and being able to walk into the long barrow at West Kennet is wonderful. No matter what you think these sites were used for it brings a sense of awe and wonder when you think that these monuments have been around for thousands of years and were built at a time when automation was non existent. We were extremely lucky to visit the Avebury Manor as part of the National Trust site, which reopened this weekend. It has recently had a makeover by the BBC and as such has been 'stage dressed' by them to suit various periods of the manor from history. This process is being shown by the BBC on Thursday at 9pm BBC1 and will be great to watch after visiting the actual manor. You could spend all day at Avebury, as indeed we did. The dressing of the manor, whilst not wholly authentic in age is exquisite. This should come as no surprise, knowing the resources and skills of the BBC, but it is really worth a visit. Children will love it as they can touch and sit and play snooker and even listen to a real gramophone record.
Our stay in Wiltshire was short but very enjoyable - we really must go back there's so much to do and see that really a few weeks probably wouldn't do justice to it!
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Weekend Rest
Well what a lovely feeling I've got a long weekend this week. So I'm off on Friday to sunny Salisbury. Can't wait I'm looking forward to a rest. We're staying in the YHA in Salisbury, which is quite a charming old building with a short walk into the city. It's easy to get to Stonehenge and the Cathedral.
We're planning to see Lacock village and abbey on the way. I've never been but it looks idyllic. Owned by the National Trust it is a popular spot for filming for movies and TV. In fact Harry Potter was filmed in Lacock Abbey itself and Pride And Prejudice around the village scenery. It has not only the quaint village and Abbey but also a museum and gardens. The Fox Talbot museum exhibits work on the first known surviving negative using a camera (from 1835).
Then we want to see Devizes and the Caen Hill canal locks - quite a spectacular sight I'm told. Finally reaching our destination in Salisbury. We also hope to see Stonhenge, Salisbury Cathedral and a couple of the museums in Salisbury itself. Returning home and visiting Avebury on the way back. Another full day as me and the other half want to see Silsbury Hill and some of the Barrows around that area. Avebury looks amazing, too - obviously the stones are a must see but there's also a manor and the Keiller Museum.
Wow I'm exhausted just thinking about it - I did say I was looking forward to a rest didn't I? Still I'm excited to go I can have a rest when I come back!
We're planning to see Lacock village and abbey on the way. I've never been but it looks idyllic. Owned by the National Trust it is a popular spot for filming for movies and TV. In fact Harry Potter was filmed in Lacock Abbey itself and Pride And Prejudice around the village scenery. It has not only the quaint village and Abbey but also a museum and gardens. The Fox Talbot museum exhibits work on the first known surviving negative using a camera (from 1835).
Then we want to see Devizes and the Caen Hill canal locks - quite a spectacular sight I'm told. Finally reaching our destination in Salisbury. We also hope to see Stonhenge, Salisbury Cathedral and a couple of the museums in Salisbury itself. Returning home and visiting Avebury on the way back. Another full day as me and the other half want to see Silsbury Hill and some of the Barrows around that area. Avebury looks amazing, too - obviously the stones are a must see but there's also a manor and the Keiller Museum.
Wow I'm exhausted just thinking about it - I did say I was looking forward to a rest didn't I? Still I'm excited to go I can have a rest when I come back!
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