Summer hols part one finished, roll on part two...

[londonronnie]

Wow, can't believe my hols finished two weeks ago! Where did that time go?

I had a really nice holiday but on reflection it might have been a mistake to split ourselves between three different locations over a ten day period. It felt as though we were just starting to settle down when we had to move on again. Nevertheless, we did enjoy the break and it was good to visit somewhere new (the Malvern Hills) as well as the old favourites (Somerset and London).



Our first visit to the Malvern Hills, and what a gorgeous place it is. I popped into the Tourist Information Office to enquire about easy walks in the hills (my dodgy knee having decided that this was a good time to play up!) and was recommended to try the walk to the cafe at St Ann's Well. Ooh, I thought, that rings a bell! Wasn't that the cafe that Martin Shaw, amongst others, campaigned to keep open when it was threatened with closure? Yep, it was! Decision made then, that would be our destination! Unfortunately we got lost and never did find the cafe! But the scenery was lovely -



Great Malvern, home of Sir Edward Elgar and the famous Malvern Water -



And the gorgeous little town of Ledbury -



We were very impressed with the Malverns and have pencilled in a return visit (and a longer stay!) sometime in the future.

Next stop on our hols was the more familiar surroundings of Exmoor, although we were staying somewhere new this time as all the holiday accommodation in our usual village was no longer available. We found a lovely cottage not too far away, in beautiful surroundings (and were welcomed by a regular visitor too!) -



It seemed as though we'd hardly arrived in Somerset before we were off again, this time to London. Being creatures of habit we tend to gravitate towards our favourite places in the capital, so I won't bore you with photos of places that I've probably posted several times before. We did visit somewhere new though - the Olympic Park! Having grown up and gone to school just a mile or so away I've been dying to explore it properly for ages and I have to admit that it pretty much took my breath away. I daresay my reaction was mostly due to the fact that I was so familiar with what was there before - dirty rundown warehouses and factories, scrap yards, timber yards and mile upon mile of dirty canals. To say that a transformation had taken place would be something of an understatement -



And here's another example of urban regeneration - Limehouse Basin, which was once one of the filthiest places in East London. I never thought in a million years that I would see a heron there! He was obviously making a point of ignoring the sign! *g*



And lastly, because no trip to London would be complete without a Pros location, here's Hurlingham Court, Putney (as seen in Rogue and Backtrack) from across the river -



So, that was part one of my hols - part two will follow in just over three weeks time when we take granddaughter Izzy to the Lake District for a week!

Comments

[caffyolay.livejournal.com]

Lovely pics! Ledbury is gorgeous... it's a super area. Glad you and JD had a such a brilliant time.

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Yes, it certainly is a lovely area, we were well impressed! We'd definitely like to go back and do a bit more exploring around there.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous pictures! I like Ledbury too, though I don't think I've been to Great Malvern (*adds to list*), which looks really pretty. Love the wee well! D'you know, it's not occurred to me to go and visit the Olympic Park either, but you've made it look really interesting and inviting. Love the heron - and the rabbit, and the cottages next to him (Larton...? *g*) Glad it was all lovely for you - and nice weather by the looks.

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Great Malvern's a lovely little town, we certainly fancy going back there again.

The Olympic Park's definitely worth a visit. The Commonwealth Games baton was due there the day we went (which we didn't realise until we got there!) so there was a lot going on, but on a quieter day it would be lovely to explore the park areas around the River Lea and the canal.

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

I'm happy you had a nice time. Great pics! I enjoy seeing the sights.

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

We did have a great time, thanks! Pleased you like the pics!

[sw33n3y.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear you had a nice time (despite the dodgy knee). Lovely photos and those locations all look quite interesting.

You'll have to tell me, what is special about Malvern water? *iz curious*

The Pros building looks like it would be fun to explore.

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

The knee wasn't too bad actually, just not up to doing anything too strenuous! Typically it's been ok since I got back home!

Malvern Water is supposed to be full of health-giving properties. Apparently the Queen swears by it, and you have to admit that she's doing pretty well for an 88 year old! *g*

Yep, it would be great to get inside that building one day!

[ali15son.livejournal.com]

You have taken some beautiful pictures thank you very much for sharing them .. Im glad you have enjoyed it , next stop my end of the country ,hope you enjoy that also xx

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Well I cannot tell a lie, it's actually my other 'alf what takes all the photos!

Yep, Lake District next stop. We've been going there for many years so I know we'll have a lovely time there too.

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

Lovely piccies, thank you.

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Thanks, pleased you liked them!

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

Lovely pictures.

I'm so glad to hear you and JD had such a lovely time.

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

Yep, it was a lovely break, just a bit frustrating that we got to spend such a short time in each place. I don't think we'll be doing that again, but you live and learn!

[moonlightmead.livejournal.com]

Where did that time go?
I wish I knew!

Lovely to have an update, and I am so glad you had a good time. Did you take a bottle with you to collect some well water? (Does that still happen? I presume so...?)

Oh, good, your picture of Ledbury is just like my imaginings - I am a big fan of the Phil Rickman books set in the area, and clearly he has described it very well :)

A heron in Limehouse? (That's a gorgeous photo, btw. Well, they're all great, but that's particularly great.) My only impressions of Limehouse are actually from Sherlock Holmes stories, so that is a shock! I'm glad that there is something left after the Olympics have gone. I remember reading about the protests of the allotment holders whose allotments were all ripped up for the Olympics, so it's nice to see living things there.

Enjoy part two of the holidays!

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Must admit I didn't think to collect any of the water, but I did drink a couple of handfuls from the well and was surprised at how palatable it was. I tried Harrogate Water once and it was revolting!

I doubt if Sherlock Holmes would recognise Limehouse nowadays! Mind you, neither would my Dad and he's a lot more recent! *g*

The Olympic Park has lots and lots of parkland and flower meadows, it really is lovely. I want to go back and explore the park area around the River Lea which we didn't get to this time.

[scherwood]

*looking at the pics and enjoying them*
thank you for posting. *happy sigh* :)

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Pleased you enjoyed looking at the pics!