Elegant bridge over the Severn River entering us into England.
Bad photo of really cool straight Capability Brown designed 4 mile road through 180 acred Savernake Forest. Seymours were wardens of Savernake, a royal hunting forest, 600 years ago. Immense trees, some 1,000 years old, held together by metal corset. Diverse forest. Hazel, oak, pines, etc. It was dizzling so we didn't get out and walk. Plus I couldnt find the car park I wanted.
St Mary's, Great Bedwyn. From 1200's.
They were setting up for an afternoon tea. The tomb at back right is from 1313, a crusader knight effigy on top. Folding table set up right next to it.
Window brought from Wolfhall. Queen Jane Seymour's badge on bottom... feathers under castle under crown. Top one is Henry the 8's, with Tudor Rose.
With my 14th great grandfather Sir John Seymour. Can you imagine going to church with your ancestor entombed next to the altar?
We found lunch.
Who says British food isn't good? That's a Scotch egg ( soft boiled egg wrapped in homemade sage pork sausage then in panko crumbs and quick fried.) True minty Pea soup. Each meal's better than the last.
Mike ran to get the car. Spitting rain again.
Narrow roads, on way to where Wolf Hall was.
Wolfhall was on top of a hill. It's difficult to photograph. Sweeping farmland now all around it, with majestic trees on the top. Now the Wolfhall itself is all torn down, a farm has taken over.
Seymour Pond in Burbage, a true disappointment. Stinky too.
Home for the night, Dundas Arms in Kintbury. Charming. Right on Avon Kenet Canal. Great for walking. Difficult to get lost.
Now that's what I call a Tomato Tart.
We are learning the systems. At a pub, you go to the bar order drinks and maybe even the food. At a small inn or B and B with dining, you check in at the bar. Basically the bar is the brains of it all.
It spits rain on and off most days. Standing under a tree, you don't get wet.
Navigating, they use names of towns to choose roads, not "east" or "west." Some roads don't have names. Large roads.
Huge breakfasts with eggs, ham, sausages, tomato, beans and toast. Mike sticks to Weetabix. Lunch early afternoon never before noon. Tea or drinks about 4 or 5, dinner seven at the earliest, more like eight or nine.
Haven't yet seen a showerhead fixed on the wall. Whoops, theres one in this room!
British aren't into showy perfection. You live amongst a thousand years of people living and gone. The perfection chips. The important stuff carries on.
Love it here. Feel so comfortable.
John Seymour is my 13th great grandfather; thanks for posting the photos!
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