We once again left Heinz and Martina's on the 2nd to go visit friends we met in Macedonia last summer (remember the friends of our friends Neil and Jill in Peachland?). Denis and Jasmyn opened their home to us and we enjoyed a campfire Holland style and a great meal. We wished we had more time to visit them and other friends in the area but we are on a rather tight schedule this trip. A quick ride the next morning to Calais in France where we caught a ferry to Dover in England, a very smooth sailing and off we went.
The 'Cliffs of Dover' were magnificent in the afternoon sun and we continued on down the coast to 'Beachy Head' and on to a campsite on the other side of Eastbourne. So far so good for the weather, lots of sunshine even though a little cooler and breezier. Spring here is beautiful lots of flowers and everythng is GREEN!
The next day it was off the Swanage to visit Andy and Simone whom we met in Ho Chi Minh city in January. We turn down an invite don't you know! Andy was a host with the most (Simone was away for the weekend) showing us around the area to some of the top places to see in the area. Andy was a great guide and a colourful character, he owns the local pitch 'n put and dabbles in acting and politics. We visited Swire Head, Harry's Rocks, Curfe Castle and a few locals pubs for a pint or two.
From Swanage it was off to Stone Henge, something everyone has to do when in England, then on to the nearby village of Devizes. Ken's grandfather immigrated from this village in 1911 when, as we found out by talking to a elderly couple, local factories were closing down.
The area was beautiful but we got word that the weather was about to change on us (and not for the good) so we decided to head for the hills of Brecon Beacon National Park. We stayed in an old farm campground for two nights and did a day hike to the top of Sugarloaf Mountian, where we had beautiful views of the farms and hills around. After the second night we awoke to rain, packed up and headed to Saundersfoot and treated ourselves to a cosy B&B, Jubilee Guest House, close to the sea. What a treat!
In the evening we sat around a fire-pit and enjoyed a little travel talk with Denis and Jasmyn, near Heerland.
On the ferry from Calais, France to Dover, England we were given priority and were able to board first, before the other vehicles. We couldn't believe our luck purchasing our e-boat tickets for 11 Euros, if we would have waited and bought them at the port it would have been 66 Euros!
The Cliffs of Dover from the boat as we prepared to dock at 3:30 pm, the sun was perfect.
Thanks to the Deiterings we made a stop off at Beachy Head for another spectacular view of the white cliffs.
Sheep, sheep and more sheep!
The view from the top of Swire Head as we hiked along the ridge at sunset.
Andy enjoys a glass of the local beer and the Square and Compass pub (one of his favourites). The gent in the back has dressed for the night out.
Small beach cabins line the beach at Swanage, a summer tourist village.
Harry's Rocks on the coastal trail just out of Swanage.
Andy and I looking over Corfe Castle, a little BBQ, wine and a beautiful sunset.
We were lucky to arrive at The Greyhound Pub just in time to see the fireworks at a medieval folkfest on a long bank holiday weekend.
Stone Henge..need I say more?
We visited the small village of Devizes where Ken's grandfather immigrated from in 1911.
The top of Sugarloaf Mountain in Brecon Beacon National Park in Wales.
Welsh is a very difficult language...you judge for yourself, can you pronounce this sign printed in the Welsh language?
It was fun having you guys over!!!!
ReplyDeletew'll meet again
D&J