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The Gerrard Chronicles 2020 - Traveller's Tales |
A Xmas Cruise to the Canary Isles December 22nd 2019 to January 6th
Fully reported on this link.
Not at all to our surprise, the other cruises booked for 2020 were cancelled.
Visiting Elizabeth-Jane on Dartmoor August 21st - 24th
E-J, as Ken calls her, is some sort of cousin Ken met, when he was setting up the Baldry Family History Society at the end of 2000. She play the Harp for a living & did so at Ken's 60th & 70th birthday parties. We see her infrequently but keep closely in touch. Despite the Covid restrictions having been eased somewhat, we could not visit Avis' sister Alyson, who was shielding her multiple health problems, so we took advantage of the time to visit E-J in the enchanting village of Chagford on Dartmoor, where, to her delight, Ken describes her as the Village Earth-Mother.
The New Forest & Ringwood
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We did not go straight to Dartmoor but had a look round the New Forest first & stayed overnight at the Original White Hart at Ringwood. comfortable but with mediocre pub food for dinner. |
The original White Swan |
Ringwood |
Tolpuddle
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The stop also gave us time to visit Tolpuddle for the Martyrs of 1834. These were early trades unionists accused of forming a trades union. They were transported to Australia but agitation for their return soon started up & they were back by 1837 |
The Tolpuddle Martyrs' Memorial |
Chagford & Dartmoor
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When we got to Chagford, we booked another night at the Hotel, which was “ Ring O‘ Bells”, so we could have a
whole day with E-J. Then, we went round to her normally cosy little nest of a house but she had had a flood, so the harps were standing on dustbin bags.
E-J was her usual bubbly self, though & we arranged to have dinner in the “ Globe”, where we had stayed before. |
The Hotel in... |
...The Square, Chagford |
Avis & Elizabeth-Jane |
Drewsteignton Church |
The church interior |
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Then, to Fingle Bridge, a noted local beauty spot but since it was a Sunday, everyone else was there, too. The bridge is medieval & clowns in cars found out the hard way how narrow it is! |
From the bridge |
From the bridge |
We passed under Castle Drogo, a fake built by Lutyens. At a crossroads (appropriately) we saw the grave of Jay, who was seduced & committed suicide about 1800. There are always flowers on this grave & no one knows who puts them there. After passing impressive rocks, which reminded us of Torcal in Spain, on our way to....
Castle Drogo |
Jay's Grave |
Just rocks |
...Widdecombe, we stopped for lunch. On to Dartsmeet, where the two Rivers Dart, meet. There was half a clapper bridge there but at Postbridge, there was a complete one.
Widdecombe Church |
Dartsmeet |
Postbridge |
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Finally, we went to Bennet's Cross, which appears to be a Neolithic Standing Stone that someone
has attempted to hack into a cross. It stands high up in Dartmoor. Then, fond farewells with virtual hugs only & the next day, straight back home. |
Bennet's Cross in situ |
Bennet's Cross |
Contact: Ken Baldry or Avis Saltsman, 17 Gerrard Road, Islington, London N1 8AY +44(0)020 7359 6294 or e-mail him or her
This page's URL: http://www.art-science.com/Xmas2020/travel.html Last revised 1/12/2020 ©Ken Baldry 2020 All rights reserved but print it off if you want to.