Clouds...

...with 3 fighter jets out training (I hope).

Mablethorpe

This was taken recently when we had an outing to the seaside.

You often see these jets (lower right corner) training off the coast in Lincolnshire.

They sound loud.

By the way, those clouds are a daily feature here in Coventry.
At least today we had no rain and it was actually 'warm' :).

It takes about 2 1/2 hours to drive to Mablethorpe from Coventry.

Participating in Skywatch Friday

The Shakespeare Express

Snow Hill Station

Looking up Cromwell Street, Birmingham

4965 Rood Ashton Hall Steam Train 

Built in 1929 for the Great Western Railway.

 The photo above was taken at Snow Hill Station

looking between the engine and carriage.

Below is the full view taken at 

Stratford Upon Avon Station later in the day.

On Sunday we had a fun day taking a

steam train ride from Birmingham to

Stratford and back.

Unfortunately, it rained a good portion of the day.

The couple of hours we had in Stratford was

spent taking short walks with plenty of stops for tea!

If you fancy a trip on a steam train like this,
please follow the link for The Shakespeare Express.

Participating in Our World Tuesday

Across The Street

Mill Street, Warwick

Taken last week.

These timber framed houses are lovely but what gets me

is the sight these homes have from their front doors....

...Warwick Castle.

There is a big wall between the Grade II listed homes in Mill Street

and the castle.  I did use a zoom lens here but believe me,
the castle does look that big when you are standing in Mill Street.

  Below is a photo I used in my blog
in 2012 taken from Guy's Tower (tower with flag - above) looking down to where I
am standing in the top photo.  You can see Mill Street and
a little of the timber framed buildings.

It is nice to get these three photos together on one page.

Warwick Castle is about 20 minutes from Coventry.
Well worth a visit!!!!

Participating in Our World Tuesday

Top Of The Tower

St Mary's Church

Warwick

The skyline of Warwick is dominated

by this magnificent church tower.  

For more about St Mary's Church,

please click the link HERE.

Participating in Skywatch Friday

The Royal Station - Wolferton

Wolferton Train Station is a tad over 2 miles from

Sandringham (the Queen's Country Retreat).

Between 1862 and 1911 over

600 Royal Trains arrived or departed from

the platform below.

Parts of the station are now a museum.

When you visit, you will find a guest book,

leaflets and cards at the end of the public platform

right behind where I am standing (below).

The station closed in 1962.  The tracks are gone.

The waiting rooms on the left are now a private residence.

You are free to walk up the platform on the right and 

around to the main entrance (below).

The little building (below) is full a memorabilia

including wonderful photos of the station and Royal visitors.

The Signal Box (above) is Grade II listed.

Located just across the street from the station.

Below is one more look from the street

to the main platform.

And, just to be sure you are in the right place -

have a look at this great sign up the street from the station.

The house (above) was built as the Station Master's House.

It is Grade II listed.  Built in 1897.

My husband loves the old train stations. So do I.

If ever you visit East Norfolk and Sandringham,

save and hour to visit 

The Royal Station at

Wolferton.

A Taste Of Hunstanton

Located on the East Coast of Norfolk, Hunstanton 

is the perfect seaside town to spend a day, or more.

Especially known for these unique striped cliffs (below).

You can walk down to the coast line from either end of the cliffs.

See the old Lighthouse from this angle - the town is beyond.

The cliffs are every bit as striking as they look here.

Plenty of beach, too.

The town is delightful with loads of shops,

restaurants and Victorian architecture.  

There is a wonderful walk through the gardens
along the cliffs known as The Wolf Trail.

The trail is dotted with interesting signs telling the story about

England's first patron saint, St Edmund -

a famous visitor to Hunstanton and more. (click image to make larger)

You can even stop for a cup of tea.

We did :).

(Below) Here is that lighthouse I mentioned earlier -

looking through ruins of St Edmunds Memorial Chapel

(built in 1272).

One last look at those magnificent cliffs (the town is behind me),

before we go to Fishers for fish & chip, and

then enjoy the sunset before heading back to our hotel.

Hunstanton is the only west facing town on the East Coast.  

Hope you enjoyed this brief visit to Hunstanton.  There is

so much more, like Old Hunstanton, those nature trails, etc etc.

We came here three times during our Norfolk holiday.

Participating in Our World Tuesday

Congratulations to Laura Davies

Dame Laura Davies, DBE, was inducted into the

World Golf Hall of Fame today.  This is a

wonderful achievement for a talent golfer who was born in Coventry.

Two Coventry Kids

I used this photograph back in 2012 

when my husband and I met Laura Davies at the Women's British Open

at Hoylake near Liverpool.  We have watched Laura

play golf several times here and in the USA (most recently this year in

Carlsbad, California).

Please Rest Here

Wolferton Royal Station

Between Kings Lynn and Hunstanton on the 

North Norfolk Coast.

The thoughtful sign on the bench simply reads,

'PLEASE REST HERE'.

* * * * * * * *

This station was open between 1862 and 1966 and became famous

through its association  with the Royal Family.

I'll be back here during the week to share more about

this station and places we visited on a little break not far from Coventry.

Thatched Roof Thursday #84 - Priors Hardwick

School Cottage, London End

Priors Hardwick

Pretty even in the rain.

Mid to late 18th Century, Grade II Listed building.

It has been quite a while since I added thatched roof cottages to this

series of photos.  I have to go searching for them now.

Found this one on Monday about 30 minutes drive from Coventry.

The Name Is Correct

Wells-next-the-Sea

Port on North Norfolk coast of England

To make a long story short:  

Going way back (Domesday Book - 1086) the name was 'Guella' and by 1326 is was 'Welles'. 

There were many spring-wells rising through the chalk in the area.

The present name originated in the early 19th Century,

distinguishing it from other places with the same name.  

In 1857 it became known as Wells-on-Sea.

But, in 1956 the local Council voted to re-adopt the present name.

Taken at low tide looking back where the top shot was taken.  

The big boat on right is a restaurant.

Yes, it is a pretty port but what I am not showing you is:

 - A cute miniature steam railway that transports you to the beach

(or you can walk - about 1 mile, or go by car),

- The sandy beach with charming and colorful beach huts,

- An abundance of restaurants and shops,

- Or, the fantastic ice cream cone I enjoyed :).

If you go to London, great...but get yourself on a tour of the

Norfolk Coast...it is a must!!!!

Participating in Our World Tuesday

A Royal Christening

Princess Charlotte is to be christened today.
Since we visited Sandringham earlier in the week,
this is how I think the afternoon events will unfold
(with a little help from what I have read in the local newspapers).

Sandringham House, Country Home of the Queen

Everyone will meet here and walk
along a path (on the left) from the house
to Church of St Mary Magdalene.

Gates between Church and Sandringham House

These gates will open and the Royal Party
 will walk through.

 Church of St Mary Magdalene

The path and entrance to the church is on the left (above).

Church entrance.

 Inside Church looking towards the chancel (above) and
(below) Florentine marble font.

I do not believe that this font will be used for
Princess Charlotte's christening.  Instead
a rather grand 175 year old ornate silver gilt Lily Font will be used. 
The Lily Font (not pictured) is kept in the Tower of London.

Princess Diana was christened in this church.

St Mary Magdalene Church
Plenty of silver and beautifully ornate.

After the ceremony, it is back to 

Sandringham House for tea and cakes :).

There you have it - a Royal Christening.

Sandringham is a little over 2 hours drive from
Coventry in Norfolk.  Sandringham House is open to the public
between April and October and is well worth a visit.

My Sort Of View

Brancaster, Norfolk

Royal West Norfolk Golf Club

These photos were taken earlier this week when Mr LOL and I

spent a few days in Norfolk.  The coastline is

dotted with wonderful, picturesque villages not far from the seaside.

In the photo above you can see this amazing

links course is just beyond me.  That fence runs along the top of sand dunes.

  

In the photo below you can see more of the beach and the North Sea.

The big building is the clubhouse for the golf club.

Brancaster is a good 3 hours from Coventry.

We stayed in the area for three nights.  I'll share

more photos from this area early next week.

Participating in Skywatch Friday