Week 21 May to 27 May
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| Paul and Caroline on the banks of River Torridge, Bideford |
Westward Ho! is a smallish beach community in North Devon, and looks out into the Atlantic Ocean. It has a very large golden sandy beach, and it is clear by the camping grounds, the caravan parks and the very small “baches” that many visit this area in the summer.
The timing of our visit to Devon was truly amazing, and was another reminder how the Lord was ordering our steps. We had absolutely no idea, but the following morning, 22nd, the Olympic torch was due to pass through Bideford which was very close to where we were staying. So we got to join in on the excitement with the crowds lining the street. It was a stunningly beautiful day.
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| This guy wanted 10% in royalties from our income for selling the picture on e-Bay! |
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| The Olympic Torch |
After the event, Paul and Caroline took us to Clovelly – a quaint little fishing village with cobbled streets. It is claimed to be the only carless village in England. The residents bring their supplies in by sleds on the cobbled streets.
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| Karen about to sled Rod down the cobble stones! |
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| Looking down the "main street" of Clovelly |
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| Another view down the "main street". |
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| Overlooking the bay |
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| Coming down to the bay |
Having said our farewells to Paul and Caroline, we set out on a rather uneventful 220 mile journey from Westward Ho! to London to stay with Vanessa and Andrea for the closing time in the UK. When we were in London at the start of our UK time, we did not get to see the sights – the weather was cold, wet and miserable anyway. This time, the fine weather continued and at 9.30 the next morning we took the underground railway to the centre of London. The day turned out to be very hot.
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| The clown at Picadilly Circus |
Having linked up with a tour company we went on a walking tour to see changing of guards and Buckingham Palace, then got onto a bus to tour the sights.
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| What Christopher Robin and Alice went to see |
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| Big Ben through the London Eye |
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| Crossing the Tower Bridge |
The traffic was very slow in central London and at times it would have been quicker to walk. We stopped off at the Tower, and had a tour with a Yeoman guide. Amongst other things we saw the crown jewels.
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| Inside the Tower Castle walls |
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| As close as we could take the camera |
The Tower was followed by a river cruise down the Thames from Tower to Westminster. We arrived back at the house around 8 pm very tired.
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| Taking Andrea's dogs for a walk in Osterley Park |
On Thursday we said goodbye to our lovely hostesses, Vanessa and Andrea, set off at 6 am to catch the plane to Munich. Upon arriving at Munich, we found that Rod had booked a rental car for the wrong airport! This was eventually sorted and we were given a virtually brand new car with only 1800 km on the clock. We took an hour’s trip to a place called Augsburg. There we met up with Jutta, whom Karen had met on her world trip 30 years ago. At that time Jutta had “rescued” Karen from a potentially dangerous situation and she took Karen into her home for a few days.
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| With Jutta at the Fuggerei |
We were warmly welcomed by Jutta and her precious family, who introduced us to many aspects of Bavarian culture – the food, the music, the feasting!!
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| Being treated to music from a Bavarian band at Andechs |
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Try this pretzel for size!
And the half leg of pork with sauerkraut! |
We were also introduced to the autobahns! On a trip (where Rod was not driving) we were travelling around 160 km/h and as a Porsche passed us, the wind from the car buffeted the one we were in. That Porsche must have been approaching 300 km/h.
Jutta is a tour guide, so we had our own personal guided tour around the sights of Augsburg, a very old city, which dates back to the days of the Roman Empire.
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| On the steps outside the church of St Ulrich and Afra, Augsburg |
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| The Mansion House Augsburg |
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| A visit to a garden show |
