England

🚣‍♀️ An Afternoon in Richmond-upon-Thames 🚣‍♀️

One sunny afternoon during our stay in England we drove to the picturesque town of Richmond. It’s long been on my list after watching the fabulous Ted Lasso and I had been urging Anthony to spend some time there.

It was a Bank Holiday Monday when we headed off and I thought I was being clever by taking a longer route from Basildon to Richmond to avoid the ULEZ (ultra low emission zones) charges! Just before entering the road to Richmond we saw the sign “you are now entering ULEZ”. Anthony said what to do? We circled the roundabout once again and drove down another road to check the map again. Sadly we were not going to get away with this. It’s a £17.50 flat rate, cheaper than the train I suppose.

It’s important to remember to check this up on your return by typing in your number plate on the ULEZ website to pay this fee. I imagine many overseas tourists get caught out by this with hire cars only to find weeks later a huge amount from the hire car company on their credit card for the charge, fine and administration fee.

Once into Richmond it was then a case of looking for a carpark, as you can imagine everyone and their dogs were out in force. Eventually we found one, worked out the meter (why can’t they all be the same) and off we went in search of lunch.

One of the main attractions of Richmond is simply the river itself and despite the grey clouds with imminent rain, there were people aplenty rowing up and down the river. We saw many cafes and restaurants but all looked to be very full. We ended up in a pub called the Pitcher and Piano for a pint and a pinot.

After this we took a leisurely stroll along the river and through one of the parks and headed to the high street, where to Anthony’s delight there were many clothes shops open. He was over the moon with some new purchases he found on sale.

We tried to eat here but they were full, looks so quaint.

Seriously! They couldn’t think of anything better. I definitely prefer Aphrodite.

As we walked away from the high street and towards the Green, I saw what I had been looking for, alas not Ted but the street where he lived and the pub where they met for drinks. Oh the excitement.

I stood here and shouted this is it, this is the place. So very satisfying!

The Crown and Anchor in Ted Lasso, in reality The Princes Head

**The Old Tower in Friars Lane, part of the site where Richmond Palace once stood**

We really enjoyed visiting Richmond and it was a gorgeous afternoon. It’s definitely worth a visit especially if you can fit in the Deer Park as well.

Environments I’ve Lived In

Throughout my life, I’ve had the opportunity to live in several different environments, each place different from the other. From bustling cities to suburban towns, each place has made me the person who I am today.

I was born in London and raised in Essex and lived there for 31 years. There are certainly parts of England that I love, London, the South West, the coastal towns. The environment is great in summer and sometimes spring and autumn, but the winters are not for me.

After living away from England for so many years, I realise I could not live there again. I’ve got too used to the wide open spaces and the sunny skies of Perth.

I enjoy a visit though!

Oceans, Rivers, Estuaries and Suburban Rooftops

Hong Kong

In my early thirties, I upped and moved to Hong Kong and it was a significant culture shock. The frenzied pace of life and the sheer number of people everywhere was overwhelming at first, especially the heat and the weight of the air, like a wet blanket over your shoulders. Anyway I soon fell in love with this City and also a few weeks later, my husband.

Hong Kong is not just a concrete jungle as many people think. There are many country parks and huge green rolling hills for hiking. Beaches on faraway islands only accessible by boat or ferry. Popular at the weekends for people to enjoy a calmer environment.

I remember when I first started work on the 37th floor of a skyscraper and travelled to work by ferry, I felt like Melanie Griffith in Working Girl!

I enjoyed 14 wonderful years here and both my children had their primary education here.

We were lucky enough to live in the countryside with views in the distance of the sea. We had six dogs, rescued by Anthony and Elena from the bins or left abandoned by the road side.

Skyscrapers surrounded by rolling green hills

Perth, Australia

Deciding to leave Hong Kong was an extremely hard decision, I think all ex-pats would agree. It was like stepping out of our comfort zone. From the moment I first visited Australia in 1988 I knew that I could live there though. We left because it was time for senior education for the children and Anthony had family in Perth. Also because Hong Kong is not a place to grow old unless you are Chinese!

Perth has to be one of the best environments in the world to live. Nearly always blue skies and warm weather. Endless coastlines and green parks and ovals only a short drive away or even on your doorstep. As much as I love to travel I always look forward to going home.

I’ve been extremely fortunate in all the places I’ve lived, but then again I always try to make the best of everything life has offered me.

A few photos below of what Perth has to offer, including a couple from my garden

Posted as part of Lens Artists Challenge – Environments.

~ Passing through Plymouth, UK ~

After checking out of our cute B and B in Hope Cove,Devon and saying goodbye to our dear friends and also Storm Eunice we headed off to Plymouth. Not before walking straight into Storm Franklin though! Below is a little video selfie on the seashore trying to get to the car.

The drive is just under an hour to Plymouth and we had planned to spend the morning there before driving onto Bath for the night. I can’t say I ever remember going to Plymouth so didn’t have any expectations. We were both pleasantly surprised by this wonderful little town so full of history and quaint cobblestoned lanes brimming with pubs and shops.

There is a dramatic looking Royal Citadel in Plymouth where we would loved to have had a wander, but we didn’t have the time to take in all the glorious detail of this gothic piece of architecture. Built in the late 1660’s to defend the coastline against marauding ships and pirates.

Above are photos of the streets and alleyways that we walked through.

Old and quirky buildings

This mural fascinated me as I could see it would have been quite stunning when first painted. It is located where the The House that Jack Built is and it is over the entrance to a wonderful selection of shops and cafes. I did some research on this mural and apparently there was one underneath this one that caused quite an outcry, showing 88 naked bodies. The mural today depicts “The Last Judgment” and “Dante’s Inferno” by an artist called Robert Lenkiewicz who has since passed away.

G and T anyone?
The Book Cupboard
Artistic Street names

I really enjoyed walking up and down these streets that didn’t seem to have changed for hundreds of years. The brickwork of the houses were so unusual.

As it was another dreary day we headed back to the car and drove out to look at the lighthouse and Drake’s Island.

Smeaton’s Tower lighthouse, originally built on the Eddystone reef in 1759, but was taken down in early 1880’s due to erosion. Most of the structure was moved stone by stone to where it stands today. It stands 72 feet high and is open to the public on weekends.

Looking over the wall down below stands the Tinside Lido. An art-deco style structure built in 1935. Apparently voted in the top ten of Europe’s outdoor pools. Only open during the summer months and is fully accessible to people of all needs. I have to say I was surprised about this little nugget of information as to me it looks quite derelict and in need of major renovation!

Drake’s Island currently uninhabited and has been since 1989. It was to open again in 2020 as a luxury holiday resort but due to Covid this has been put on hold. There is a wealth of knowledge about this island available at Drake’s Island. I would love to visit one day and soak up hundreds of years of history.

Plymouth is definitely a place I would come back to and maybe spend a night or two, have a walk around the Citadel and enjoy dinner in one of the many restaurants we passed by.

Off to Bath next!

Enjoying Essex ~ Chappel Viaduct, Wakes Colne, Colchester ~

Continuing with my trips to towns and villages in Essex, we drove out to see the viaduct at Wakes Colne. I had seen the massive brick structure on other websites and google and decided to take a look myself.

It is the largest brick structure in the country and was completed in 1849. The River Colne runs under it and trains are still crossing over it today. The line links Marks Tey in Essex to Sudbury in Suffolk.

The view is amazing as you drive around the bend into Wakes Colne and the structure seems so out of place.

Seven million bricks were used in the construction of the viaduct. It consists of 32 30-foot semi-circular spans, with tapered piers; it is 1,060 feet long and rises to a maximum height of 75 feet. Source: Wikipedia

**Outside the arch, always there seemed another arch. And beyond the remotest echo, a silence** – **E.M. Forster**

There seemed no position to take a photo from above, unless I used a drone, which I don’t have!

**One of the WWll Pillboxes that are underneath the viaduct**

A short walk from the Viaduct is the East Anglia Railway Museum. We enquired about going to look around but decided not to as we only had around an hour of daylight left and it costs £8 per head. There is a great deal to see inside with many old trains and platforms still intact and it would be a great way to spend a morning or afternoon and worth entrance fee.

🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂

Before we arrived at Wakes Colne we stopped for a bite at a very quaint tea room which was also licenced!

This place is well worth the drive out if you are interested in historical structures other than castles. It’s very picturesque and you pass through some lovely little villages along the way.

“Until the next village – Cheerio”

My A to Z Travel Challenge – L is for London, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Part One

East London and the City

London, the city I was born in, worked in and lived for a while. It is one of my favourite cities and even though there must be hundred of blogs about London, these posts are about my memories of London. We try to visit at least a few times when we go back to the UK to see my parents, either taking the train which is around a 30 minute journey or drive up.

I found a wonderful website called Just Park . It’s a site where people rent out their parking spaces for a day at a time. We have never paid more than £10 a day, which is a bargain considering the astronomic cost of parking in London. If we take the train, we buy a travel card for the day and this lets you use, trains, tube and buses. The train for us takes us into Fenchurch Street Station and from here we walk to the tube or bus stop. I have found that google maps is brilliant for telling you what number bus to take and when it will arrive.

So much has changed over the last twenty years I find it hard to know my way around like I used to. Tall architecturally designed buildings now dominate the city with centuries old churches nestled in between.

By Day

The iconic red London double decker bus is the best way to see London especially if you are at the top in the front! We did manage this during one visit only to be turfed off shortly down the road due to the “Save the Planet” protests.

By Night

Nowadays there are so many places to eat in the City, whereas many years ago it was really just pubs and cafes. The food is always good wherever you go giving London the gourmet reputation it deserves.

Brick Lane

As I’ve written before my dear hubby is mostly interested in shopping and is always on the lookout for shops that sell a particular denim or certain item of clothing that has caught his eye. Brick Lane is where his favourite shop is located, Son of a Stag. It sells mostly jeans but there are also other quirky designer items. I usually sit on the bench inside and know I’m in for a long wait, while he discusses weight and thread count with the sales assistant. We’re normally here for 45 minutes but then have to go back to collect said item after it has been altered.

Street Art around Brick Lane

The old Truman Brewery, said to be founded in or around 1666 by Joseph Truman. Now it is home to East London’s arts and media centre. Housing bars, restaurants, galleries and shops.

Back to their roots

During one of our trips up to London my mum and dad came with us to show us where they used to live. My Dad came from Bethnal Green and my Mum from Hackney. We also visited the church where they got married.

St. Leonard’s Church (also known as Shoreditch Church) dating back to approximately 1740. This church was mentioned in the nursery rhyme “Oranges and Lemons” – “when I grow rich, say the bells of Shoreditch”.

Prospect of Whitby, Wapping

Still in the East is the district of Wapping, sitting on the banks of the River Thames and near St. Katherine’s Docks and Tobacco Wharf. This area is now a much desired place to live. The Prospect of Whitby used to be one of my favourite pubs and I decided to revisit on one of our trips.

It dates back to around 1520 and is probably one of the oldest taverns in London. I don’t think anything has changed much over the years!

There is so much more to see of East London and the City especially the markets. You don’t always have to do the touristy stuff to have a good time in London.

Some of the fabulous markets to visit if you have time

Petticoat Lane
Columbia Street Flower Market
Leadenhall Market
Old Spitalfields Market
To name but a few!

I hoped you enjoyed my trip through East London

Next up – Part Two, North and West

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Entertaining ourselves in Essex!

I was born and grew up in the UK but now live in the beautiful city of Perth, WA, however we always get back to the UK at least once a year to visit my parents in Essex. As it’s normally for a month we like to travel around visiting friends and relatives. There are also some great country pubs in Essex where we go for gourmet lunches and dinners!

The Bear Inn, Stock

Rustic gastropub with timber beams and a wood burning fire. Great food and service.

The Green Man, Herongate, Essex

The Peter Boat, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, is one of our favourite pubs. Sitting on the banks of the Thames Estuary it’s a great place for lunch and then a walk through the High Street. Although there are at least four other pubs in this small street, The Peter Boat is always the most popular. I started going here when I was 17, and over 40 years later it’s still a number one choice for me!

West Mersea, Essex

We had lunch here one day at a place called The Oyster Bar. What a great find this was. A very casual cafe but serving gourmet seafood. There are some cute houses around here as well.

Hubby’s favourite – jellied eels

Fresh crab and prawn salad

Waiting for their fish and chips inside The Oyster Bar

Southend on Sea

We had been recommended the next place by my uncle who like my hubby is a great seafood eater – they see food and eat it! Sorry couldn’t resist. Anyway this “restaurant” is called Billy Hundreds and I’ve added a link as the history is fascinating. Briefly:

“Over 140 years ago my Great Grandfather William Pullum worked as a fish porter in the famous Billingsgate Market in London, his porters badge number was 100.

He was known as Billy Hundreds..” to read more click on the link above.

It’s a Spanish tapas place, just a small shack on Southend Beach and on a windy day sitting underneath the alfresco blinds you almost feel you could be blown away. The menu is adventurous specialising in fish tapas but also with many other fishless dishes. Also the wine menu is pretty decent too.

I’ve taken the liberty of adding a photo of my Auntie Val eating alfresco at this restaurant!

Auntie Val eating a yummy plate of tapas!

Tilbury Fort

Tilbury Fort is a great place to visit and somewhere I had never visited before, even after all those years living in Essex. It’s located on the Thames Estuary and was built in the reign of Henry VIII in 1539, due to international tensions between England, France and the Holy Roman Empire.