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Lymington.
The UK is having a big freeze and the day's max. temp was 3C. Arriving at Lymington on Saturday we Tom-Tommed our way to the Elmer's Court Manor House (and Vacation Resort) where we had been booked in for a week. Lymington is about 30 minutes drive from Southampton and is obviously a very popular holiday resort in the summer with many marinas, lots of yachts and expensive looking boats and only a short ferry ride to the Isle of Wight.
Elmer's Court - our first experience of passing through the gateway, following up the driveway of shrubs and flower beds, then coming across the high-chimney, Tudor-gabled Manor House, which dates back to the 1820's. Very comfortable with open fires, leather lounges, bat-wing chairs etc. There are plenty of amenities including a bistro, restaurant, swimming pool both indoor and outdoor, golf course and gym. It's too cold to use the facilities, unless Keith is into iced golf. Were in a 2 bed room apartment in the manor house. The original house dates back to 1668, this house has been also used as a court house, and is where the name "Elm-ers Court" originated; used as a school of delicate (asthmatics) children in the 30's; as a War Office and Electronics Communication and Spy training centre in the 40's ; "Odette" famous British spy was trained here. Maybe our bed room? There are skeletons in the closet, I hear the chains rattling.
Ben and Misato travelled from London via train and arrived at Southampton railway station at about 6.30pm were we picked them up. We returned to the resort and dined in the resort's bistro and enjoyed the meal with Misato and Ben's company.
Saturday was a sleep in, light breakfast and then of for a Pub Sunday Roast. No pub was convenient so we found a very nice restaurant in the Lymington town centre. A greatmeal. We decided to drive to Winchester and visit the Christmas markets and the cathedral. Time went very quickly and Misato and Ben returned to London while Janette and I attended a carol service at the cathedral performed by the St. Swither's school choir.Spending time with Misato and Ben was fantastic and we were grateful that they made the time coming to Lymington when they are very busy still settling in to their new situation in London. To-days max temp was 3C.
Monday we went for a walk aroundthe town and its environs. Snow, ice and wind chill. Purchased a few cold weather garments that assisted in warding of the cold. Visited a few of the local shops purchased a few groceries and headed back via the isle of Wight ferry. Max temp 1C.
Tuesday still very cold so decided to take a drive. Went to the view point for the Hurst Castle which can be visited via ferry or a walk along the beach. Both out of the questions. We calculated that with the wind chill it was about -15C. We continued a tour via car of the local area stopping for coffee and a cake at one of the local café's.
After much negotiation Janette and I decided to travel to Yeovil on Wednesday . Yeovilton is the home of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and in its grounds is the Fleet Air Arm museum. This was a great day. The museum has a wonderful exhibition of past aircraft dating back to its inception in 1912 to recent days. Aircraft include, Short bi-plane(similar looking to the Wright brothers) a Sopwith Pup, Supermarine Walrus, Supermarine Seafire, Fairey Albacore, Fairy Delta ( set world airspeed record years ago) a prototype Concorde, McDonnell Phantom, a number of Harriers including on of 6 prototypes, numerous helicopters and a host of others. Today the max was -1C.
Snow and lots of it! A fairy tale setting and it was so quiet and much warmer. The wind had stopped. We stayed in for lunch at the Manor, and watch how Britain lost the 2018 FIFA bid to Russia ans Australias lost bit in 2022 to some tiny nation that has never even qualified for FIFA, Qatar? Now that is interesting.
New forest is without a doubt a place to escape from the modern world. Remarkable that it has not changed in nine hundred years! Not since William the Conqueror. Willy named it New as a hunting ground to protect the Royal Deer. The animals are all still roaming around, protected and so the forest hourses, pigs, sheep, etc just roam around willy-nilly. Animals have the right of way, over vehicles. Rather dangerous at night we thought. It all just may look cute but were not sure how safe for either party.
We were snowed in for the rest of our time here, although we managed a ferry trip to see Is of White, it was White alright, we didnt see much because of the heavey snow there and fog. All in a day out I say.
The stay here has been rather a - winter wonderland experience.
The entire area is focused on sailing and walking, great place in the summer.
- comments
Sandy Looks like you will definitely be having a white Xmas. What a great experience for you both. Your blogs are great to read. Weather here is getting warmer 32degrees today, looks like we are in for a very hot Xmas. Wish we could be with you. Luv Sandy xx
Linda Stynes Mark is in London at the moment He enjoying his first snow experience. He's got a job and a house he moves into in January. Is Nickie in England? They will have to get together if so .Take care have fun linda