Around Houten

I have a new camera, a Samsung WB800F, with wifi and a touch screen.   It has lots of options, and easy to use.   An explanation pops up when you touch an option.   One cannot go wrong with this camera.   I like that fact that I can now take photographs inside, and they come out perfectly, without even using the flash.

So I tried out the camera, around Houten, in order to get used to it.  

Raphy riding his Scoot, very quickly, so I used the 'action freeze' option.

The canal, using the 'landscape' option.

 Mia and Abi standing in a shop, using the 'auto' option.

 Mia, Abi and Raphy being a bit silly.   The woman passing us is also laughing.

 I have managed to photograph a nearly straight Dom.    Getting better!

 Mia, Abi and Raphy standing on a 'rock platform'.   This was an amazing 3D painting on the pavement in Houten.

 My new fur scarf, bought at the material market in Utrecht.   But will I ever get a chance to wear it, seeing that we spend most of our winters in Australia.

I love my new camera.

Out and about with grandchildren

It has been lovely having Mia and Abi stay with us for the week, and this weekend they were joined by their three cousins.   So it has been busy, busy, busy.   But fun!

On Thursday I took Mia and Abi to see Charles Darwin's home, Down House, near Downe.   An English Heritage property and only 10 minutes drive from Bromley.     

 The girls were fascinated by the displays, showing Darwin's studies, and findings, his early childhood, his voyage around the globe and his family.   There were many activities to do in the old nursery, and not enough time to complete them all.   Abi was making a face in the picture below.

 After we left Down House, we collected Isabel from her school, and had a look at her classroom, which was full of interesting displays.

After taking Mia and Abi swimming on Friday, we collected Isabel and Jackson and took them home for the weekend.  The girls having a nail painting session.   Very patient and creative also.  

 Jackson decided nail painting was a bit naff, and spent the time on the computer in the study.

 Lucy arrived by train late in the afternoon.   A long trip for her, all the way from Tring, but she negotiated the timetables, and underground, very well.    After home made pizza (Walter's speciality) they all retired to bed very early, and were asleep quickly, even though the four girls were in one room, and two of them had to sleep on special mats on the floor.

After a slow start this morning, we set off to walk the Faesten Dic path in Joyden's Wood.   Footwear was a bit of a problem, so we came up with the bright idea of putting plastic bags over shoes.  This worked very well at first, until the plastic bags developed large holes.

The intrepid five, all ready for their walk.

 The autumn leaves were already covering the ground, very pretty.

 After reading the information  about the Faesten Dic, the children discovered a swing that someone had made over the dyke.   Much more interesting I think.   They spent some time, swinging on the rope.

 The Saxon warrior, which fascinated all of them.

 And finally I found the wooden replica of the plane that crashed in the wood.   Well the children found the replica.   More alert eyes I think.   Although the pilot of the plane survived this crash, he sadly died in another crash not long afterwards.

 The pond was a source of fascination, for the two children with wellingtons.

A long walk, but rewarded with lunch when they returned, and off to the playground for a few hours.

Dover Castle

A trip to Dover castle, on a very windy day.   Thank goodness it was open, as the castle and surrounding areas are often closed in very windy weather.   It was very exciting walking up the hill towards the castle, with the wind blowing our hair all over the place.

Henry II had the castle built to accommodate his guests from France, especially those on pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral.    No doubt Henry also had a guilty conscience, as he gave the order to kill Thomas Becket. the Archbishop of Canterbury.    Thomas then became a martyr, and was cannonized in 1173. He became St Thomas Becket, and consequently there was a rush of pilgrims to the church.   As Henry did not want the rich pilgrims staying in tents in Dover, he ordered a castle to be built on the hill overlooking Dover.
Mia and Abi listening and watching the film about Henry II.

The castle has been furnished as it would have been in the 12th century.   Everything has been made according to paintings and descriptions in books, and where possible authentic materials were used.    It was all paid for by a Lottery grant.

The kitchen area, with clothes drying and plenty of items to touch and look at.   The blood from the meat looked very real.

The chain mail garment was very heavy.   Only for very strong people.

The colours are vibrant, as they would have been in the 12th century.   We learnt that people sat up in bed to sleep, so that they did not need long beds.   These two beds looked like they were for very short people.  The dwarfs from Snow White I think.

The dining hall.   What a place for a banquet.

The loo!

Mia and Abi sitting on the King and Queen's chairs.   The blue paint was expensive in the 12th century, and only used by the extremely wealthy people.  Prestige.

A fire burning brightly and the chess set all ready for the players.

 The double bed came equiped with a squirrel blanket, so soft and warm.   Children, and adults too, are allowed to touch all the items displayed, which gave the castle and furnishings real meaning.

King Henry giving us a lecture.

And finally back out through the front door.   Some front door.

Lunch in the car.

We then went off to see the WW2 tunnels, which were quite a contrast to the castle.    No photographs allowed unfortunately.    We went on two tours, the first one, called Operation Dynamo, which described the events that lead up to the evacuation of Dunkerque. The next one was the hospital tour, complete with sound effects and smells.  I think the girls learnt quite a bit about how the tunnels were used during WW2, once they got over being scared of the gloomy tunnels.

Afternoon tea, in a room that was originally part of the tunnel system.

But what a fantastic view of the sea and port.   And such a sunny day too.

We tried on the Wren's jackets.   Very smart, a pity that the trousers did not match the jackets.

Altogether a very interesting and informative day.

British Museum

A visit to the British Museum, the home of the artifacts acquired by this country, in the days when England believed it owned much of the world.   

But first a trip on the underground, and an opportunity for the girls to learn how to read the maps, and find the right platform.   A ride down the escalator, making sure to stand on the right hand side, so that the very keen can run past quickly.  But hold on tightly.

 A walk along the passageways between platforms.   Will they never end!

 We finally arrived at Holborn, the nearest underground railway station.

What is this?  A fold up bicycle shop.  Just a little diversion on the way to the British Museum.    The foldup bicyles were displayed in the small glass cabinets at the back of the shop.  Fascinating.

 Finally we arrived at the British Museum.   And I did not get lost walking there.  Amazing.

 Mia and Abi standing in the giant entrance hall, which connects all parts of the museum together. Free entrance to London museums.   The girls were most impressed by this.

 But first lunch, most important.   I was impressed with the casual arrangement, where it was possible to eat your packed lunch, as well as purchase items from the two cafes.  Great for families or people on a budget.  There was even fresh water, with ice, and cups, available on the table behind the girls.

 Looking down from the second level, towards some of the tables, with totem poles standing straight and tall.

 The girls studying the stone wall in front of them.

 A room full of mummies.   I think many pyraminds must have been emptied to provide the exhibits here.  The display was huge.   The girls were not impressed with this part of the museum.   Too eerie.

 The ancient scripts were fascinating.   Mia was able to identify some of the pictures.   I was most impressed.

A Roman Temple?   This was certainly one of the larger articfacts.

 Mia and Abi thought these two bumps were put in the end of the sarcophagus to cater for an extra tall person.   They were actually the handles of the lid.   But only for extra strong people to lift, as it was made of stone.

 A very fine articfact, and small too.

And to continue the horse theme.   This was a gigantic white marble horse.   It looked very real.  A phantom horse?

 A flying red horse, with a skeleton rider!

There was so much to see, and we only really looked at a few rooms, but it was enough for two little girls.  So off we went back to Holborn station, where we caught the train to Covent Garden, for refreshments at a cafe and a quick look at the market area.    The girls were intrigued by this performer.  How did he manage to sit in the air and hold a pole?

Finally we went back to Charing Cross and caught the train home.   Abi concentrating on a game on my telephone.

Two tired girls and a tired Oma.