Iraq al-Amir 29th September

 Today was a visit to the King Hussein Park and the Royal Automobile Museum. Hired a nice young man, Layth, with his taxi to take us out there  It is on the outskirts of Amman and popular on Fridays for family picnics. Fridays being our Saturdays in Jordan,with a visit to the mosque part of the day for men.

Car museum was packed with the late Kings toys kept in fabulous condition by many. So clean and shiny one could eat dinner off them. Some very rare models of Mercedes, Rolls Royce etc.

On to Iraq al-Amir. Very dry desperate area but ruins of an incomplete  temple that succumbed to the earthquake of 749AD. Being restored by the Dept of Antiqities. 

Amman has many many govt departments and banks for some reason. Under employment of young men.....three guys to a check out at the local store?. Population 4million on very very low income. 90% of the population smoke. Education for public schools seems to  be 5 hrs a day for children. 

We also visited a Women's collective who make paper, ceramics and cook for locals. They are all single women ...older so not desirable in a patriarchal society.

7th - 13th September Edinburgh Rothbury Ponteland Chieveley Cheltenham

 A real catch up on the blog.

Stayed with friends at Alnwick who were farming Saler cows and Romney ewes and calving/lambing outside which is very unusual in the UK, especially up north. Had a big film dinner with them which was great, 7 adults and dour children. Drove to Rothbury and caught up with more ex clients which filled the day in nicely before driving to stay at Ponteland.

The Queen died this afternoon and the mood was indeed sombre. Wall to Wall coverage and speculation as to the future. Had some Spinyback Sauv blanc by Waimea Estate at a lovely Italian restaurant and had a photo taken with the owner of the restaurant and the bottle. They are drinking our wine here.

Amman, Jordan

 Arrived yesterday after an overnight stay in Vienna. Barman at the hotel was Egyptian and we at much debate about who was best squash player in the World...Egyptian or Kiwi.

Delighted to find on arrival at our Amman hotel we are not right beside a mosque which would mean wake up calls from the Iman calls at 4am.

Walked all day taking in the sights of the city...Roman ruins , Citadel and of course the souks which are always fascinating. No too many tourist about. Especially legging it in 30C heat.

Grape leaves bottom right corner for wrapping stuff.

The cerise coloured vegetables are cauliflower

not sure about the tartan?

Second largest flag in the world...60m × 30m.

Rowlands Castle, Hampshire

A few days with friends visiting various fabulous gardens and tea shops.

The old skills of espalier fruit trees of interest at West Dean. Ancient oak planted 1100 ..yes one thousand years old. 

 Marlborough Wiltshire 

Staying in a 15th century hotel in the town of Marlborough. One of the few original buildings remaining after the big fire of 1642 which destroyed most of the town. Trick is to walk with one  foot shorter than the other slightly bent over such are the wonky floors and low ceilings.  Anything placed on a bedside table sees it slowly slide to the floor. Good fun.

Did one of our favourite walks to Wilton along the  Kennett Avon canal with lunch at “The Swan” the always reliable ploughmans and goats cheese with beetroot salad.

The English are potty about their dogs. Everywhere including pubs and  public paths. This old boy totters to the same seat each day, lifts the dog onto the  seats and proceeds to check his phone.

A day in Salisbury. Last time we were here the cathedral was covered in scaffolding as they have been renovating since1986. Cathedral foundation stone was laid in  1220 with the first annex completed 45 years later. A page of the Magna Carter is on display in the cathedral with only 4  original of the  63 clauses still in British law today.

So more walking planned today Inkpen to Coombe a circular walk. One of the delights of the English countryside is the public paths across fields through  woods everywhere.