This week, our outing was to the National Museum of Computing, near Bletchley Park. It’s a separate museum with cool old working computers, like the code-breaking machines Colossus and Bombe (though Colossus was sadly off that day). They even have a recreation of the EDSAC computer from Cambridge University!
Seeing the IBM 370/165 brought back memories from my university days, writing programs on that clunky machine. I swear, it always kept me waiting with those compilation errors! And was it just me, or did Cambridge get a dud? It didn’t even have virtual storage at first, which cost a huge chunk of money to add. My next job had a smaller 370, one that actually did have virtual storage, thankfully.
After the big machines, the museum had an awesome collection of personal computers, from Sinclairs to Pets and early IBM PCs. Some were even working! They also had a cool collection of old mobile phones and organizers. It reminded me about cleaning out our office desk at work, full of outdated tech.
After the museum, we headed to IKEA for some classic Swedish meatballs, mash, and gravy. Delicious!
After a delightful dose of classic cars at the British Car Museum, we car enthusiasts (well, maybe a little obsessed!) couldn’t resist a visit to Polestar’s offices in Bicester Heritage. It wasn’t just for holiday cheer though, we were treated to a sneak peek at their mind-blowing concept car. They took the best parts of the top three design submissions and magically merged them into one incredible machine. It was a real feast for the eyes, even if its super-low front spoiler wouldn’t exactly handle Buckinghamshire’s roads with grace.
Speaking of real-world options, they also had their sporty Polestar 2 BST on display, plus a left-hand drive version of the brand new Polestar 3 SUV. I took a peek inside the 3 and let me tell you, it’s a beast. Spacious, luxurious, and unfortunately, a bit beyond my budget for now.
But the best part wasn’t the cars (although they were amazing), it was connecting with fellow car lovers from the ‘Polestar Drivers Club UK‘ Facebook Group. I even spotted Rik, the group’s resident pun king, spreading festive cheer with his hilarious wordplay. All in all, it was a fun way to celebrate ta few spare hours with fellow petrolheads (or should that be “electroheads”?).
For those who don’t know Polestar, Polestar is a Swedish electric performance car brand, known for their sleek and sustainable vehicles. Their Bicester Heritage location is a multi-purpose hub, housing their UK commercial headquarters and a “Polestar Space” showroom. A Polestar Space is where customers can experience the brand and its products firsthand, including test drives. You then configure , and order, your car on their website and it is delivered to your home.
We decided our Tuesday outing would take place on Monday, the weather being the deciding factor. It was time to see a National Trust house dressed for winter. As members we resent paying to see a dressed NT house, so that was Waddesdon off the list. In recent years we have visited most Christmas dressed NT houses in the area, so decided to go a little further afield. We chose Mottisfont Abbey, it also seemed the rest of the world had also chosen this bright sunny day to visit. The car park was almost full, there was a thirty minute wait to get into the house. In hindsight, we should have had an early lunch or elevenses, and then visited the house, the queue certainly dissipated nearer 2pm.
The house had been decorated for Christmas along the theme of letters to Father Christmas and a visit to the North Pole (including a train!) with masses of trees and letters. Santas little helpers were busy organizing the presents to be delivered, along with lists of which children had been naughty or nice. Seems Stephen had been naughty. I loved the boys room, with a wigwam tent in the middle of the floor silhouetting the boys as they plotted to wait up and see Father C, and an electric model train (R thought “0” guage? LGB?) circling the room.
The winter garden was worth a visit. The walk along the river was alas closed. The ground was a little soggy underfoot, in fact we saw many flooded fields en route and masses of Old Man’s Beard in the hedges.
For years, the signs for the British Motor Museum in Gaydon on the M40 have teased us. We’d always meant to stop, but never found the time. Finally, the day arrived, and we embarked on our automotive adventure.
The museum isn’t just one building, but two. On our visit, there was also a conference happening, adding a buzz of excitement to the atmosphere. We even arrived in our Swedish designed, Chinese Built electric car, feeling a bit unpatriotic amongst the classic British exhibits.
Stepping inside, we were greeted by a timeline of British car history, with models from the late 1800s all the way up to modern marvels. It was fascinating to see how designs evolved, from early, clunky beginnings to sleek, aerodynamic beauties. The increase in the size of cars was startling.
Another area showcased futuristic concept cars, hinting at what our roads might hold in the future. Meanwhile, a film buffs’ dream awaited: British cars used in movies, including James Bond’s trusty Land Rover from Skyfall.
Leaving the first building, we crossed over to the second, home to a dazzling array of Jaguars and Land Rovers, alongside classic cars from other British marques. Each one whispered stories of engineering prowess and design audacity.
Overall, our visit to the British Motor Museum was a real treat. We were thoroughly impressed by the collection’s breadth and fascinating stories. The best part? Our tickets are valid for a year, so we can delve deeper into the world of British motoring on another day.
So, if you’re ever near Gaydon and have a passion for cars, the British Motor Museum is definitely worth a stop. You might just be surprised by the rich history and captivating tales found within its walls.
Rosemary and I attended the Gonville and Caius Commemoration of Benefactors Chapel Service and Dinner. The event is held annually to commemorate the benefactors of the college, naming the major benefactors since the foundation of the college on the 28th January 1384 by Edmund Gonville. (John Caius, the third founder, appeared in 1557.) The Commemoration of Benefactors service took place in the college chapel at 6.00pm. The service was followed by a feast in the hall, which was arranged in accordance with the memorandum of the second founder, William Bateman, dated 6 November 1352.
The celebrations began with tea in the Fellows Combination Room, where we met up with friends Richard & Andrea.
We then heard a lecture by Ms Merryn Somerset Webb, a Bloomberg Columnist. Apparently, she is an award-winning commentator on economics, financial markets, and personal finance, as well as a popular speaker and broadcaster. Her new book, Share Power, looks at how ordinary people can use the power they already have to make capitalism work for everyone. Ms Somerset Webb studied Economics at Caius in 1989, but later changed her degree course to History, as she wanted a first-class honours degree and was not going to achieve that in Economics (her thoughts not mine). Her lecture was very contentious, and in some cases, especially about renewable electricity, extremely contentious and to my mind plain wrong. She was baiting the audience and expected some comment on her renewable stance. She then launched into monetary policy, declining birthrates, immigration, and ownership of business. Some of this I did agree with, though her contentious thoughts on renewable energy will only have us fry.
After the lecture, we attended the Chapel Service. After the service, we made our way to the Senior Combination Room for drinks, and then to the hall for supper. The feast is a several-course meal with grace, matching wines and an address from the Master. Towards the end, the Caius Choir entertained us with various songs including ‘Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da’.
Following the meal, we retired to the Fellows Combination Room where we drank AnCnoc, a highland malt, cognac, and mingled with other guests, fellows, and choir members. It was interesting talking to the choir members, undergraduates, who seemed so earnest in their studies, a far cry from my days.
Well after midnight, we enjoyed a stroll across Jesus Green, disturbing a fox who was scavenging for food. He darted away in front of us and through a fence into a garden. We made it back to the hotel after 1.00am.
The Gallery
The Choir
The Menu
Ferat Prestige
Port poached chicory & goats cheese mousse: Quince purée, Romano pepper, avocado & lime emulsion.
Bodegas Rafael Palacios ‘As Sortes Val do Bibei’ Godello, 2016
We embarked on another winter adventure, returning to the charming Portmeirion Hotel. The food is delicious, the scenery stunning, and there’s always something new to discover. While I dream of seeing the gardens in bloom or catching a ride on the mountain railway, a winter visit offers its own unique charm.
Our journey began with a quick lunch and “splash and dash” charge (electric vehicle top-up) at Tesco in Welshpool. Next stop: Porthmadog, where we parked at Tesco again for a slower, cheaper than the hotel charge. We explored the town, browsed charity shops, and enjoyed tea and cake at the Portmeirion Kitchen Shop. A visit to the Purple Moose Brewery is definitely on the list for next time!
Reaching the hotel, we checked in at Castell Deudraeth and drove to the residents’ parking. I wanted a full charge for a later outing, which slightly delayed the porter (who doesn’t love an extra task?). To my surprise, I ended up helping other residents who weren’t as prepared with charging apps as I was!
Our room, Neptune 1, felt familiar and comforting – a first for us to stay in the same room twice. That evening, we savoured a fantastic meal at the Portmeirion Hotel.
The next day, we spent the morning wandering the extensive gardens and woods – a full day adventure if you wish. In the evening, we opted for dinner at Castell Deudraeth. A buggy ride sounded tempting, but we chose to walk along the lit pathways. The roaring fire in the foyer and another excellent meal warmed us from the inside out. As we strolled back to our room under a star-studded sky, the silence and peacefulness were blissful. Who says it always rains in Wales? Despite the gloomy forecast, we were blessed with sunshine and barely a drop of rain.
Exploring the surrounding area was our plan for the third day. Blaenau Ffestiniog and Cwmorthin Waterfall were first on the list. But upon arrival, a sea of school buses and excited children convinced us to find a quieter spot. Undeterred, we attempted another waterfall, only to encounter even narrower roads. Zip World and the slate mines, promised as being open on their website, remained frustratingly closed with only a handwritten note on the actual door (several hundred yards from the entrance). Pah!
Seeking sustenance and local charm, we found ourselves at the Lakeside Cafe, bustling with friendly locals and a few tourists. Their delicious soup and bread hit the spot. Apparently, a walk to the waterfalls is possible from here, though parking for the waterfalls was forbidden.
Our afternoon drive was a scenic treat, taking us through Betws-y-Coed (outdoor gear galore!), Capel Curig, Beddgelert, Porthmadog, and back to Portmeirion. The sun peeking through the clouds cast a magical light on the extremely cold landscape.
Back at the hotel, we enjoyed a final delicious meal before charging the car for the journey home. The drive was uneventful, except for a free charge at a Starbucks in West Bromwich! My card wouldn’t work, and a kind man rescued me from my embarrassment. It turned out he was from IONITY and was maintaining the chargers.
Our winter escape to Portmeirion was a delightful mix of familiar comfort, unexpected challenges, and stunning scenery. It’s a reminder that even the “off-season” holds its own unique beauty and adventures. Until next time, Portmeirion!
With its rufous body, angled wings and forked tail, this majestic raptor is easy to identify. I was lucky enough to spot this Red Kite in our field, doing something unusual. It was splashing in a puddle, bathing itself. It stayed there long enough for me to grab my camera and capture its image and a short video.
My birthday was on the horizon, campsite had been booked, and Rosemary had been working behind the scenes organising a surprise or two for me. We then had rain, and the rain fell heavily in Norfolk and Suffolk as Storm Babet passed through. Sure enough, we received the expected call from the campsite to say our pitch was flooded. A little hasty reorganisation, and we booked a hotel for a couple of nights. The Blyth.
We set off for Southwold, making one stop at Diss to charge the car, not really needed, but if we wanted to use the car for an outing, then better safe than sorry. We arrived in Southwold, parked the car at the hotel and walked into the centre. We had a lighthouse tour booked. This was the first time in several years that tours were on offer. Adnams brewery ran the tours. We asked why, the guide said because they had the guiding resource, it had been agreed by Trinity House they could run the tours. Not surprising really, as Adnams seems to own pretty much all of Southwold.
Southwold Lighthouse was inaugurated in 1890. Since then, it has stood witness to the evolution of technology. Originally equipped with an oil lamp system, it was then modernized with electric lights with the bulbs changing over the years from filament lamps to halogen lamps and metal halide lamps. Those ended up being unreliable and a new solution was sought. Step in MSM, which provided a new light based on their MFR LED reflector, custom-made according to the specifications given by Trinity House. Its light source is composed of high-efficiency acrylic reflectors with dioptric and catadioptric elements and high intensity LED diodes, with an average life of 100,000 hours.
From near the top of the lighthouse, there were good views of Southwold itself, wind farms and Sizewell. The campsite was in full view and there appeared to be many vans parked there. Mmmm??
After the tour, we checked into the hotel, and then I went for a short walk out to the pier, and then up the north shore.
We had a small room at the top of the hotel, rather rotting windows that would not close completely, and a toilet that required a knack to flush which R never grasped.
We met up with Phil and Selina (my surpise; the other surprise being friends joining us at the campsite, but that didn’t come off obviously), they were staying in The Swan, a much more salubrious hotel where my grandmother and Great Aunt Hetty used to stay. It was here we were going to have my birthday lunch the next day. We had a drink with them at the Swan. They nobly arrived with a plate of birthday sweeties the hotel had placed in their room, thinking they were the birthday guests. After a drink, we headed out on our own for a meal; they were booked for dinner, bed & breakfast. We had spotted a nice-looking restaurant called Coasters. We should have booked, because as we walked up to it, we spied a piece of paper in the window saying, “Fully Booked'” Damn. I suggested the Sail Loft, so we headed off to that. Thankfully, as we later discovered, we were waylaid by the Red Lion and popped in there for supper. Excellent choice of good pub grub.
The next day, breakfast in the hotel and then we drove over to Covehithe to see the church and walk to the coast. The Covehithe church is a small church in the ruins of a larger older one. Some of the walls and bell tower of the original church are still used. We then walked down to Covehithe beach where there were a few people exercising their pooches. There is a small stretch of water separated from the sea by sand. Some interesting tree stumps and driftwood.
Driving back, we drove through a flooded road. We had noticed the amount of sand on the local roads, the result of Storm Babet washing off the light soil from the fields.
Back in Southwold, we dressed for lunch and met up with Phil and Selina in The Swan. A lovely lunch was eaten. We bade the others goodbye (bet they went to their room for a snooze) then had a walk to the view campsite, and decided we could probably have camped there. East Suffolk Council was being a tad too risk adverse. But the Sail Loft pub was closed, due to floods. We thought probably in the kitchen which is at the rear nearer the marshes. Walked back along the beach on a lovely starlit evening and back to the hotel.
We again met up with S&P in the evening for a drink. When the waiter came to take their dinner orders, he joked that they probably wouldn’t want much after lunch! He was correct. and we too weren’t that hungry!
The next day we checked out and drove home, stopping at Scole for a small charge, and then Ickworh House for a quick look, and lunch. The place was heaving with people, and we had to park in the reserve car park. I suddenly realised I had something rather large in my pocket. Oh. The hotel room key. Thankfully the restaurant there is well organised. We ate outside, it was so warm and dry in the sun. he next day we posted back the room key, having phoned to apologize for taking it away.
Wanting to escape the boredom of same-old, same-old days, R and I have embarked on a self-proclaimed “Odyssey.” Every week, we vow to venture out, taking turns in choosing our destination. Last week, we meandered through the tranquil hues of College Lake in Tring. This week, our second expedition on this self-imposed odyssey, we went to the grand expanse of the National Trust’s Stowe Gardens. (Usually, Stowe beckons us in early spring to view Snowdrops, but this year, that season had slipped through our fingers.)
A brisk stroll led us around the lake, past the imposing house (now a private school), viewing poignant poppy decorations, each a silent tribute to fallen soldiers in conflicts past, as well as large silhouettes of soldiers standing stoic as stark reminders of sacrifice and valour. Our exploration complete, we sought the NT cafe for lunch.
The relentless drizzle had transformed our field into a patchwork of glistening puddles. Few green blades of grass, just grey puddles reflecting the leaden sky. A new habitat perhaps?
Drawn by the waters, flocks of starlings arrived, their speckled plumage gleaming against the grey backdrop. They alighted with a flurry of wings onto the makeshift islands, their chatter livening up the drabness. Their beady eyes darted, scanning the water’s surface for morsels, their movements a blur of avian industry.
But the stars of this soggy symphony were the Egrets and Grey Herons. Tall and elegant, they stalked the flooded fields with an air of regal entitlement. Their long, sinuous necks dipped and probed, their sharp beaks spearing unsuspecting invertebrates from the murky depths. Each successful strike elicited a guttural croak, a triumphant fanfare echoing through the wet air.
Their movements were almost balletic. The Egrets, poised and delicate, walked across the water, their snowy plumage a stark contrast to the muddy green canvas. The Grey Herons, larger and more imposing, waded with measured steps, their piercing yellow eyes missing nothing.
This soggy interlude, born from the whims of the weather, has transformed our familiar field into a vibrant wetland teeming with life. It was a reminder that even the most mundane corners have the potential for unexpected beauty.
