July 27: Winchester

I spent a quiet morning as I waited for the skies to clear, ran a few errands — had to buy some Wellington boots for my remaining time in the English countryside. While walking through town I discovered the Oldest Bar in Englands — The Royal Oak and the City Cross, from the 14th C. Locally known as the Butter…

July 26: Winchester

The sun disappeared again behind low gray clouds heavy with rain. Makes me sorta miss gray May and June gloom in Los Angeles (which I truly dislike, but is better than this). I set off at midday, when the rain had lessened a bit, to meet a friend I’d met in Australia for lunch. For those of you who have…

July 25: Winchester

At last the sun overpowered the clouds this morning, at least for awhile. It even caused me to remove a layer of sweaters! My destination today — Winchester Cathedral and other historic sights in the town center. The Cathedral is significant to the town’s history: The seat of the Bishop was moved to Winchester from Dorchester-on-Thames in 676, and around…

July 20 & 21: Village Life

I failed to post yesterday because I didn’t really do anything worth noting. My hosts had a funeral to attend and it was raining pretty much all day, so I did some reading and relaxed at Lees Farm. In the afternoon Keith and Lynn taught me how to play Mah Jong, which is more complicated and takes more brain cells…

July 16: A Sunday in London

I set off a bit late this morning, with a vague plan of heading towards the National Gallery and found myself wandering some parts of town I hadn’t yet been to. Leicester Square was like Times Square — many of the same shops and street performers all working the crowds. (With all the American brands on display it made me…