Fwd: [MCINERNEY] An update from July 14 -18

this was meant for the blog!

Sorry about the gap in communication but we have been so busy - we never seem to sit still so that by the time we get home from all day excursions, I am too tired to concentrate on writing. My apologies!

So from July 14 which was last Tuesday week, we have done a few things. We walked from our house to Wicken Fen which was about 6ks and then back again. The Fens are what East Anglia is all about - they are marshes - good places to bury bodies. Daniel reminded me of this - something you read in novels when you wanted to dispose of a body, throw it in the fen, it would sink and that would be the end of it - nice. Through the area we were staying there were lots of man-made canals and they drained the land for agriculture so it was interesting to go for a walk - with a pamphlet in hand, of course.

In the afternoon, we went off to visit another old house - Ickworth House - and Italianate property with a Rotunda as the main part of the house - magnificent as usual with beautiful furniture and the rest. They all have these amazing libraries with thousands of books and beautiful desks and lounges in the room where you can loll around and read. I am not sure whether you lolled in those days…After that we drove a bit further to visit a town called Lavenham which was full of medieval houses. It was a market town so quite spread out but the houses were so interesting and well-kept. And that was it and then home for tea after the visit to the pub to use the wifi.

We found not having wifi access a bit of a nuisance so will always check for that when we book accommodation.

July 15 - We drove to Nottingham for Emma’s grandmother’s funeral and then had lunch at Bottesford where she had lived with Emma’s family. It was good to catch up with Liz and Paul although the circumstances were sad for the family.

July 16 - Thursday today and Dad went off to play golf in Ely - about half-hour away - and I caught the bus into Cambridge and walked around for a few hours. It was great, catching a bus is always interesting as it takes you through villages you wouldn’t drive through normally. My walk around Cambridge was interesting as well as there are all these amazing buildings. A lot of the colleges weren’t open as it is the end of the school year here but I did visit the Wren Library where I had to line up for 20minutes to get in but it was worth it. Besides being a marvellous room, there were all these old books under covers such as the original handwritten manuscript of Winnie the Pooh (not old but interesting to see the handwriting and notations where he made changes), an 8th century psalter, a lock of Isaac Newton’s hair?? as well as his own edition of Principia Mathematica. There was an 8th century copy of St Paul’s epistles, a page from the first Gutenburg bible, Brothers Grimm books and 8th,12th and 14th century books. The books were in glass cases and you had to lift the red covers to see them - from whence came the saying ‘ to keep things under wraps - what do you think? There was also this huge life-size statue of Byron carved in marble meant for Westminster Abbey but was rejected by them and ended up in the library here. I think they might have liked to have it as they had the first letter ever written by Byron at the age of 10 - the handwriting was perfect.

After my walkabout, I took the train to Ely and met Dad. We had a bit of a walk and then visited the Ely Cathedral which is jaw-droppingly large and stayed for a bit of the Evensong. There was an American choir visiting and the singing was beautiful in that environment.

July 17 - Today we started off at 7.00 to visit Newmarket to see the horses walking through the town to the training grounds. It was only 20 minutes away but when we got there was not a horse in sight wandering the town although there are 2 race tracks and is surrounded by green fields with training tracks. We did find them eventually after a few enquiries just on the edge of town and there were hundreds of horses going in and out of stables for a run so the trip was not in vain.

We then went on for a drive along the Norfolk coast. We stopped at a delicious deli and bought pork pies for lunch and sat on the Norfolk Coastal Path looking out over the reeds and a windmill in the distance. Windmills are another feature of the area - a bit different to our steel windmills - they have a brown wooden base and large white wing-things. We also visited another mansion called Oxburgh Hall- it had a moat. The reason we are visiting all these places is that we have the National Trust and Historic Houses Association memberships so we are making sure we get value from them!

After the long day, we visited our favourite pub to use the wifi and have tea. The meal lived up to our expectations.

July 18 - Saturday was our long trip up to Blairgowrie to meet up with Claire, Andy and Abigail. The house is fabulous - we have been lucky with our accommodation so far. and this one has wifi!

Love to all. I will stop here and do the same thing for our trip to Scotland.

Mum xxx

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Mum sitting still

But it's because she has sprained her ankle which is not good. A couple of days of rest and it should be better.

Claire

Day of firsts!

G slept in her cot in the other room last night! I seemed more torn than she did!

And she is going out today with her trendy nikes on- thanks dom and Em!

Monica 0423 290 494

Jun - off to summer school!

Jun is off to ISAK's summer school for two weeks!

Sam's birthday

Hi All

Despite the rain Sam had a terrific birthday on the weekend. Thanks to those that could make it to and join in the fun. Bit of Octonauts bingo and pin the eye patch on Kwazii for entertainment, always fun!

Take care Matt

Monday June 13

Today we went for a walk around the town and discovered an interesting church and some pretty streets and walking paths which weren't obvious at first sight. After breakfast, we drove to the parknride and took the bus into Cambridge where we met Paul who is in town for a McKinsey training/induction session. There are 800 McKinsey people attending

We went for a punt on the river which was very pleasant except for the rain! Not so good. After that we left Paul and went for a drive into the countryside to visit another large house. We decided we might as well wander around inside a house than walk in the rain.

This time we visited Wimpole Estate, a huge iltalianate house built in early 18th century. Boy, people were rich in those days and did they have delusions of grandeur!! The house was finally bought from some broke duke in the 30's by the daughter of Rudyard Kipling who was very rich due to the sales and royalties from her father's books.

This is the library - I really fancy it.

After that, we drove to a town called Saffron Walden as it was supposed to be a pretty village - a bit underwhelming. It was time to go home and on the way we visited a pub in the next village to ours. And that was our day. Tina

Teeth!

Claire

Sunday July 12n

Hi from Cambridge

Today we travelled from Romsey to Cambridge via Blenheim Palace. This is where Winston Churchill was born and raised. It was a veritable palace built in 1705, so magnificent and with beautiful furnishings and contents. There was an interesting exhibition on the history of the house. After that visit, we called in to Cambridge briefly and then drove on to burwell 10 miles further on. We are staying in an apartment here.

The apartment is very comfortable. I thought the town was a bit ordinary but when you walk around he back streets and along the country footpaths, it is more interesting.

We visited the local pub for a drink and the supermarket for supplies.

Here are today's photos:

Does anyone want us to bring back a used baby cradle?

Sent from tony iPhone

new business

Sent from tony iPhone

Fwd:

Hi there. We had a lovely day today at the Beggars Fair. A long time ago,the beggars were allowed into town on one day of the year to sell there wares and sing songs. Today they have lots of food stalls and there are heaps of bands at venues around the town. We had a lovely lunch at a French restaurant with a group of Claire and Andy's friends then we all went to a pub to watch bands. We went home around 4.30 for Abigail to have tea. Claire and Andy went back into town after Abigail had gone to bed. It was very interesting to see the crowd in the Townsend we met some lovely friendly people.

The photos are: 1- an old car 2- the bandstand in the Abbey Square- fabulous building 3- king Johns house 4- English country garden. The flowers here are very impressive.

Tina

Bath time is hilarious!

Claire

Friday july10

Quiet day for me anyway. Big day for Dad who joined the Golf Club so he is in! Seems it is only special dayside when you are expected to wear jacket and tie so that is a relief Claire had a haircut this morning while I babysat the baby who slept the whole time I did my sewing and have made good progress. Dad also bought a pair it rain pants with braces. I will send a photo. The other photo is of the post box and the day thing.

Tina

Thursday July 9

Hi there

A day out today. Claire had an interview for her job down at Portsmouth so dad and I took both Claire and Abigail down there. Claire went off for her interview whilst dad and I went to Gunwharf Quays which is a shopping outlet. Dad walked around with Abigail whilst I popped in and out of the shops. We met Claire after the interview and did another little stint. I bought a few things including a pair of waterproof pants as the day before when we for a walk we were soaked. The rain wasn't pelting down but it was very fine and constant. I think I might get a bit of use from them.

And that is about it. Oh yes, dad did go to his favourite pub 'the old house at home'. It is very dark and low inside and has a thatched roof.

Here is a picture of our bedroom. It is my knitting and sewing on the bed!

Sent from my iPad

Wednesday, July 8

A quiet day today. Did a spot of babysitting whilst Abigail was asleep so I did some sewing. I have had Claire's sewing machine out to sew my wedding dress. Tony went off to try out Romsey Golf Club - do you notice the club has the same initials as Riversdale? He had a free game to try out the course before he joins. Said it was good except the fairways aren't as good as at Riversdale.

Claire went off to the weighing day for babies and then met some other mothers at Costa coffee shop. I went along for the coffee. Lovely mothers.

I am sending one photo of dad posting a letter in the quaint letter box - it was a quiet day....do you see the little white square at the top that is metal and it has the day engraved on it. We were posting the letter very early so I presume they change it after the mail is collected the day before and put in another square with next day on which the mail will be collected! Amazing....

Sent from my iPad

And here is the other photo

I managed to send the first bit before I meant to!

Sent from my iPad

The last 3 days

To continue:

Sunday was a very lovely day with a visit to an historical home- Avington Park - it was quite old originally mentioned in the Domesday Book. Guides at old houses often make this statement but I have never checked it out but it did mean that it was the house was around in the 11th century but I am sure it has been renovated quite a lot, especially when Charles 2nd and George 4th came to stay with their mistresses. I think Henry 8th called in too. It was very beautiful with murals and magnificent furniture.

Solomon came with us then we met Claire, Andy and Abigail at a pub in a village down the road and had early tea.

The last 2 days have been quieter beginning with Dad and I going for a walk then popping into town with Claire and Abigail. Yesterday we went to Winchester about half hour drive away and had a walk around there. It is a bigger town with a great Cathedral and there is a big round table in a hall which is supposed to be the Round table but I think there is some doubt about the truth of that.

Here are a couple of photos of the house:

Sent from my iPad

Thanks Japan macs!!

Super cute bibs, and rattles (Tessa's is on her pram!) xo

Monica 0423 290 494

Saturday, July 4

I am not sure whether I will keep this up but I will see how I go. It is more for me - i wondered if I coup put it into some of sort album and print it, Matthew?

Today we went to Brighton to see Emma and Dominic. There was a big fair - an event called Paddle round the Pier. Dominic was to row a kayak in the event on Sunday. Claire, Abigail and Solomon came with us. Andy was at another village fair doing something for Solomon's school. We stayed a couple of hours, had lunch there and the little boys had a couple of rides- they loved that. Here is a group photo - as you can see, Sarah and Toby were there too. (Toby helps organise things)

And that was that day.

Love mum x Sent from my iPad

Finishing Friday.

Here are 2 photos from Friday's March that I forgot to include:

Sent from my iPad