The Wallops, Hampshire 20th - 26th July

There are actually three Wallops - Nether, Over and Middle. Wallops rough translation is " valley of springing water". We are based at Over Wallop and very handy to all manner of walks, historical sites and National Trust properties.

This is the Test River running through the district. River weed is manually scythed and left there for the current to take it the 64km out at Southhampton. Trout can be seen everywhere.  Spent a morning in Stockbridge, a quintessential charming village with its independent shops - Jeff walking the dogs along the river and water meadows, posh term (we would call swampy area) while I had a necessary haircut. Here you pay a 50% deposit on booking to secure appt. £50 all up phew!! Do not do the conversion.....

Headed to Winchester known for the medieval 11th century Winchester Cathedral and the Great Hall with King Arthur's Round Table.

Winchester Cathedral houses one of the four original copies of the Magna Carta from 1215. 

This is the Winchester Guild Hall now used as a venue that can cope with 70,000 people. Originally a nunnery, destroyed by Henry V111 in 1538 then rebuilt in 1870's.

King Alfred

West gate portal

Some of the historic houses around the centre of the city

Next day we set off to Hinton Ampner, there is a National Trust country house but we were more interested in the Hinton Arms pub where we met friends for lunch. Always a reliable meal and the display of potted flowers is a standout. We had found a great 2 hour walk in the woods for after lunch, much to the joy of the two spaniels.

We do notice that there is very little birdlife, squirrels etc. The occassional deer maybe. There are plenty of woods, seeds, berries about.

Salisbury cathedral next, at least not covered in scaffolding when we visited a few years ago.

Has the tallest spire in the UK

A few of the faces on the figures have worn off over the centuries

This is the Old Sarum Hilltop Fort close to Salisbury. No JCB to dig deep trenches back then. An ideal fortified Iron Age settlement.

While on our historical bender we called into Mottisfont Abbey, now a National Trust site, with its walled garden and fabulous very old plane trees. Most National Trust sites are maintained by volunteers which is a big ask with 250,000+ hectares of land and over 500 ancient buidings including castles. Almost impossible really as always struggle for funding; our DOC but the UK version of.

Found another nice village/woodland walk at Ludgershall after which we went to "Dollies Tearoom" (I kid you not) for lunch. Got chatting to the butcher next door, as you do, where they were only taking cash as area wide internet was down. Seems to happen regularly in a lot of places. Also learned that many businesses do not take cash due to the "constant robberies" Insurance is too high for small to medium businesses so "card is king".

We spent the afternoon undertaking a tidy of the grounds we are looking after. Jeff attacked the extensive lawn area with a prehistoric mower and I tackled the weed infested "vege bed" which housed 3 courgette plants and some very sad pea plants. Looked pretty good after our efforts. Jeff is also the 'pool man' for the large swimming pool if which we are unlikely to use as 20C  air temp too low. We were spoilt in Nice.

Not sure the Forestry Commission actually manage the woods we walked at Ludgershall. Most very mature trees and/or falling over.

Remains of a castle at Ludgershall

A thatched roof with some whimsical additions by the thatcher

Big business in the UK

Yesterday we took on The Vynes; another National Trust property complete with 650 yr old oak called the Hundred Guinea Oak.  Enjoyed the wander around the grounds with the Test River running through it.

The Vynes homestead   - not occupied

Said 650yr old oak complete with a lean beside a summer house

The Bombay Sapphire Gin distilIery was nearby at Whitchurch. A massive range of  brick buildings built 1916. This was where all the UK banknotes were printed until 1963 then repurposed for the distillery - money and drink - there is something about that.  We had not booked a tour so unable to have a look through, not that we drink gin but the mechanics if it would have been interesting. We carried on to Houghton Lodge another historic garden full of old apple and pear cultivars you do not see now, one of which was espalliered 16.5m long, impressive. With the river running through the grounds, swans floating by it was idyllic. The dogs come out with us everyday and get at least two hours walking so very content.

We visited a couple who live near Oxford today who we cycled with last year on the Provence Tour, John and Madie. Both keen cyclists having been to Sri Lanka, India and throughout Europe. John had been a pediatrician (retired at 60yrs,  7 yrs ago) and regaled us with his recent delivery of a baby in the village when he was phoned in a panic by a neighbour as the ambulance was not going to get there on time. Made his day. Nice to spend sometime with them both again and we were encouraged to go on the waitlist with PeakTours for a cycle next year, Munich to Rome. 

Madie (who is called Gabby at times because she is a real chatterbox) and John.