With a week to fill between our month in Deal and our next commitment in London, we were lucky enough to book a house sit for 5 nights in Waterbeach, a bedroom community just outside of Cambridge. That left us with only 1 night on either end of the sit for which to arrange accommodation.... Continue Reading →
Deal: Castles, cathedrals and sandwiches
Mostly, we are relaxing here in Deal. We walk to the beach frequently, take Coco for a swim, and occasionally stop for a coffee or drink at a seaside cafe. The larger grocery stores and shops of High Street are close to the beach, so a seaside walk also gives us a chance to restock... Continue Reading →
Deal: Sea swap
Having enjoyed the warmth and ocean of coastal Cyprus so much, we were a bit apprehensive about heading back to the UK in April. Pre-booked flights and train trips, and a committed house sit (not to mention the lack of accommodation elsewhere), won out and we set off for our next adventure. And here we... Continue Reading →
Huntingdon: One more day out
As we came to the end of our time in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, we took a quick car trip to Peterborough, about 30 minutes north. We weren't disappointed. The enormous St. Pete's cathedral is right in the town center, allowing for a visit to this historic beauty along with a stroll around the large pedestrian plaza.... Continue Reading →
Huntingdon: Exploring Cambridgeshire
We are in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, UK for 2 weeks. We are house sitting here, and taking care of 6 critters: 2 dogs - a 10-year-old Staffordshire Terrier cross (Tia) and a 6-month old Chihuahua (Dobby); 2 cats - one grey (Scampi), one calico (Rug Rat); 1 bearded dragon (Kai); 1 hamster (Little Vamp). Quite a menagerie! As we did... Continue Reading →
Melksham: Last words
We are on the train, having just said goodbye to our 3 doggie friends for the last 5 weeks, and their lovely parents, homeowners of the house we were sitting at. Having planned very little before we arrived, we were constantly surprised by how much there is to see in this area (Wiltshire, UK), and... Continue Reading →
Melksham: Waterways, cathedrals, and horses
Another week, another batch of beautiful and historic sites. Bristol We took our Melksham neighbour's advice, and drove to the Brislington park and ride where we picked up a double-decker bus (they are all double-decker buses) for the ride into town. The drive and bus ride were so exhausting, we had to stop for a beer... Continue Reading →
Melksham: Castles, baths and more stones
This week, we continued dropping into nearby communities and sites. Farleigh Hungerford Castle We started with a visit to the medieval Farleigh Hungerford Castle, 14th century ruins in Somerset, which borders Wiltshire, where we are staying. Avebury Avebury henge and stone circle and Stonehenge (see Melksham: Sticks and stones), together, form a World Heritage Site. Originally... Continue Reading →
Melksham: Sticks and stones
For the last 10 days or so we have been taking short driving trips from our temporary home in Melksham, Wiltshire County, to explore the little towns and villages that surround us. On some of our outings, we take our 3 canine charges with us and give them a good walk in parks or fields,... Continue Reading →
Melksham: Trains, locks and Jacks
We have arrived in Melksham, Wiltshire, UK. We took a direct Vancouver to London flight followed by three trains, and arrived at the Melksham station mid-afternoon the following day. Though we struggled to stay awake to avoid missing our stop, we were delighted to be met with a cheerful smile and big hugs from Barbb,... Continue Reading →
What’s next: UK and Europe
We have had a wonderful summer, bopping around British Columbia and Alberta in Canada, and Washington in the USA. But we are really looking forward to the next leg of our nomadic life, this time overseas. So far, we have booked house sits in the following locations: Melksham, England (5 weeks) Huntingdon, England (2 weeks)... Continue Reading →