Loved the sunny patio. Looking after Mimi the cat and bbqs were enjoyable chores, during our week’s stay in Berkhamsted ; residing at our daughter-in-law’s sister’s house. Normally, stays in Berko are taken up with looking after Tom and Jake. But this time we had three days to explore Herts and nearby Bucks and Beds.
Lunch in Marlow, at the invitation of very old friends. In the evening, we had aperitifs at Porters, a trendy bar on Berko High St. Then back for a somewhat gargantuan BBQ, some of which made for lunch, the next day.
Tuesday was taken up with a ten mile circular walk, along the Grand Union Canal to Tring Station, then on into the quintessential , English village of Aldbury – Post Office and two pubs, not too chocolate boxy. We loved its old cottsges and duck pond. Not to mention the Victorian Stocks.
Returned by way of Ashridge in ever glorious sunshine, rejoining the canal at Northchurch, which has a first class, cricket ground. Next day, by car to Ascott House, via College Lakes, with a brief stop at Aylesbury. Our second visit to the Lakes and we circled the former quarries, finishing with coffee in the Information Centre.
A slight detour to Aylesbury, whose unprepossessing outer areas gave way to the Old Town and a flourishing Market Square, over which presided a statue of Benjamin Disraeli. Aylesbury takes great pride in the fact it is the birthplace of the ParaOlympics, which is nicely topical.
Ascott House, a Rothschild residence, was in a jewel of a setting, with interestingly landscaped features. The collections in the house, were mainly made up of collections of Chinese ceramics and portraits by Gainsborough and Hogarth.
Thursday and Friday were spent enjoyably with Tom and Jake, including walks to the park and a train ride to Watford. The boys loved the Lego shop in Watford’ s state of the art shopping mall ( it was raining! ). And we enjoyed two very pleasant dinners with Dan & Nellie. Many thanks to Ali and Jon, having a great time in Majorca. Loved our temporary residence and the artworks.
Anyone in need of House-Sitters? Please get in touch, distance no object.
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