Ardingly Reservoir 14 October 2017

This is a country that takes time to discover - not the famous spots of course, but the local special places that are hidden down that country lane. I suppose that's actually true everywhere.

Ardingly Reservoir - I wish we'd discovered this place in the summer, but all in good time.

Next summer - kayaking, canoeing, Dayne wants to try standup paddling - we're going to give it all a try. For the moment though a walk will have to be good enough because it's too darn cold to get into the water without a wetsuit. (These delicate African sensibilities you know, we only swim when the sun is shining - not really, but close). All this, less than 5 miles down the road.

The reservoir was created in 1978, is 198 acres in size and it's lovely. There is an aquatics club which is affiliated with British Canoeing and they offer all sorts of activities, though apparently not swimming.  The west bank is private property of the Balcombe Estate but the north, south and east shores have public rights of way. Fishing is also on offer - for carp, tench, pike, eel, bream, not something I'll be doing in a hurry. There are 2 bird hides as well, so the binoculars given to me by Judy for Christmas will come in handy.

 

It was quite an overcast day but not too unpleasant. There had been some rain in the past week and there was quite a lot of mud. This is not going to be place for winter walks.

Some good spots to contemplate life ...

 

   

 

Sure signs of the seasons changing.

 

 

   

I'm so glad we found this spot, we'll be back ..

 

London, passports, beheadings 5 October 2017

The process of renewing my SA passport began back in March, so it took just on seven months! A phone call to the consulate confirmed that it had arrived and a trip to London was necessary, not that that's ever a problem for me.

After having spent 5 hours on the previous trip back in March to the Consular section, I was expecting a slightly shorter visit, but 3 minutes? Well that was a pleasant surprise and then it was out into the sunshine and 'what now'?

I've spent a fair bit of time in London but not even walked down Whitehall - politics and politicians, not that interesting. But it was a lovely sunny Friday, not too many people around and this is where I ended up.

The Banqueting House. One of the quiet surprises on the Historic Royal Palaces card that I bought almost a year ago. In fact I walked past it and had to ask directions from one of the many many policemen and women in London these days. They are generally quite friendly and helpful.

Inside, quite a surprise. Spacious, light, and the most amazing ceiling.   Begun in 1619, designed by Inigo Jones, built in the Palladium style and now the only remaining component of Whitehall Palace,  where Henry the VIII entertained. It survived 2 devastating fires in the 1690s. This is where, 27 years later, Charles I was beheaded - mainly for daring to believe in the Divine Right of Kings and doing things his own way. Does anyone recall Dougray Scott in To Kill a King? Very powerful movie.

Yes, those are beanbags. How awesome is that?

The ceiling was painted by Reubens and finally installed in 1636. It's not often you can sprawl on something comfortable and look as long as you like at this kind of work of art. Of course, getting up was a whole other story!

The room itself, for those mathematically inclined, is a two-storey, double-cube room. ?? (the length of the room is 2x it's equal width and height). What appears to be a minstrel's gallery was in fact where the hoi polloi were permitted to watch the King dine.

 

Down below - James I's drinking den.

 

Moving along, past Downing Street, lots of security there.

 

 

Past the monument for the Women of World War II

Quite an interesting day, all in all, and I got my passport. I'd been holding my breath about that one.  That means a trip to SA is going to happen early next year!