Snookery Travels - London Greenwich

Easter 2015

Easter is always a busy time for us with the drama, in fact I don't think we (husband and I) have been home for it for quite a few years.  However, there are times staying in certain places that end up being a bit of a treat and so it was this Easter.  

Cutty Sark

We were put up in a hotel in Greenwich, London, which is a lovely town to explore.  Our work schedule on two of the day's was in the evenIngs, so we had a couple of days to do as we wished.  

Greenwich is where the time line runs from and has a lovely time museum with many old clocks, then there is the Maritime Museum and also the Cutty Sark in dry dock as well as the Thames River running by.  One of my favourite places here is the market which is over a hundred years old under a glass roof and small quirky shops surrounding it. Here many crafters, collectors and food stalls sell their wares and it's great to have a look around and buy something special. 

My Husband

As we arrived at the market this time, we were in for a shock.  No longer is it being kept as it is, but half of it was pulled down with the other half to follow later on.  The council had decided to update it as it had been there for 100yrs and wanted to make sure it lasted another 100yrs.  I noticed straight away that a verse of scripture on the wall overlooking the market was no longer there.  I guess it probably won't be going back up again as it comes from a different era than today!!  I look forward in seeing how it is finally finished.

Looking towards The Shard

Our best find this time was noticing the boat trips you could go on up the Thames.  What a bargain too.  If you are ever in Greenwich, do go on one.  £8 each return from Greenwich to Westminster. 

London Bridge

Tower of London

It stops at London Bridge on the way, you can get off if you wish and see the Tower of London and then catch another boat to Westminster.  

We got off at Westminster, having gone past The Shard, Tower of London, London Eye and various bridges.  About 45 mins each way and a great relaxing way to take photos too. 

 

It was a lovely day and we really enjoyed it.  If we do this again, I think I will visit the Aquarium right next to the London Eye.

Travels

Snookery Travels in February

In the course of my travels, there are times when I just so happen to come upon a surprise, which is what happened a couple of years ago.  We had travelled to N. Ireland with the drama that my husband and I do full time.  During some free time, we happened to be walking along the sea front by the beach just above Belfast in a little town called Carrickfurgus.  I so wanted to go back to this place while we were nearby in February, and so with husband in tow we endeavoured to do so.

We came across a little Courtyard, set back from the sea front where inside there were a few shops selling yarns and crafts etc., a wonderful cafe, but also a very tiny studio where a man was painting and selling his paintings.  It was here I discovered Thomas Joseph who paints so many of the whimsical designs of sheep and other farm characters with funny captions, set again the Scottish highlands, many of which have also been printed on cards.  He is known world wide for these lovely novelty pictures.  But not only does he do these, he has some amazing serious paintings of  the countryside and seascapes.  The last time I visited we didn't have a lot of money, and to get him to sign a print, you had to spend more than we had at that time.  This time I was determined to get a signed print while I had the opportunity and so decided on the print below entitled, "Family Album".

Thomas Joseph was hard at work when we arrived, and it was so lovely to talk with him and look through what he had been doing.  It is certainly an experience I shall always remember.

 

It was a beautiful day as we walked by the sea and seeing the recently painted railings, reminded me of a poem that Adrian Plass once wrote.  It's so true too, the railings are often painted blue.  Maybe in hope of blue skies and seas in the summer ahead.

Does winter end in seaside towns when      

   councils paint anew

The railings on the promenade in hopeful  

   shades of blue

And if the tide loved Brighton beach, would   

   God come down and say

With gentle hands upon the surf, 'you need 

   not turn today'

Will massive Church of England Bells have  

   faith enough to ring

And overcome their weariness, when they believe in spring

Are there machines for measuring the power of our prayers

And anyway, and anyway, and anyway who cares?

I think you care, but gently, I think because you do

The colour of my sadness is a hopeful shade of blue

                                                       "Wish Ewe Were Here"