Posted in bird of prey, birds, charity walk, Chieveley, Christmas decorations, Christmas lights, family, Henley-on-Thames, history, hotel, mental health, national trust, Nature, Photography, the beatles, travelodge, walking, walking with the wounded, wellbeing, Wildlife, writing, ww2

Day 2

Wow wow wow! Its like a red kite AGM here in Berkshire and I love it! Sadly I made the decision to leave camera at home because of the weather so I make no apology for the shite photos! Taken on my mobile through a car windscreen and snow!

We went to Greys Court which is a small National Trust property with extensive grounds (to walk when the weather is better!!) its a tudor property with a lot of charm and has been used as a filming location…

The house appeared in a series 3 (2012) episode of Downton Abbey when Crawley family visit the property, known to them as Eryholme. The house was used by the Dowager Countess’ late husband as a hunting lodge. Robert, the Earl of Grantham, was considering moving there with his family as he was about to lose Downton to debt and taxes.

It also appeared in the ITV series Agatha Christie’s Poirot in 2013. In the adaptation of Elephants Can Remember it is used as the home of one of the people Ariadne Oliver visits while investigating the case. The episode was screened on 9 June 2013.

Greys Court also appeared for external shots as “Midsomer Priory” in the Midsomer Murders Series 14 episode entitled “A Sacred Trust – Taken from Wikipedia

We also took a drive upto Danesfield House which has a very chequered and varied history that would take me forever to write up. It is now a Hotel and Spa, however it played a huge part in WW2

In April 1941, an RAF photographic interpretation unit (PIU) moved to Danesfield House, Medmenham, as its previous location at Wembley was short of space,and was renamed the Central Interpretation Unit (CIU). Later that year the Bomber Command Damage Assessment Section was absorbed, and amalgamation was completed when the Night Photographic Interpretation Section of No 3 Photographic Reconnaissance UnitRAF Oakington, was integrated with CIU in February 1942 and the base was assigned the motto Serve and Support.

During 1942 and 1943, the CIU gradually expanded and was involved in the planning stages of practically every operation of the war, and in every aspect of intelligence. In 1945, daily intake of material averaged 25,000 negatives and 60,000 prints. By VE-day, the print library, which documented and stored worldwide cover, held 5,000,000 prints from which 40,000 reports had been produced.

American personnel had for some time formed an increasing part of the CIU and on 1 May 1944 this was finally recognised by changing the title of the unit to the Allied Central Interpretation Unit (ACIU). There were then over 1,700 personnel on the unit’s strength. The title of the unit reverted to Central Interpretation Unit when the Americans returned home in August 1945. – taken from Wikipedia

We also took a drive through Marlow and Henley-on-Thames.

Nuthatch on inlaws feeder
Peek-a-boo
Greys Court
Greys Court
Greys Court
Greys Court
Danesfield House
Danesfield House
One of Tom Kerridges places The Hand and Flowers in Marlow
Red kite and roadkill
Red kites
Red kites
More red kites
George Harrisons pile at Henley-on-Thames

Oh, and I forgot to tell you yesterday that when we spoke to reception about the lack of cleanliness in the room, she said all the rooms were like it as they were short staffed!!!

Posted in Chieveley, hotel, moto services, steps, travelodge

Day 1

Well we have arrived at step 1.. We took the country roads across from Norfolk to Chieveley, saw some lovely villages and lots of red kites, buzzards and kestrels.

Then we arrived at Travelodge Chieveley!

We got parked and booked in, were given room 197 upstairs with no lift.

Then we opened the door!!

Here are some photos

This is coffee on the heater
An extra guest
Handsoap in bathroom
Bathroom door inside
Tile in the bathroom, not going close enough to find out!

As if that wasn’t bad enough, we went to the toilet this morning to find a poo sitting in the bottom, its not ours!!

We asked the receptionist last night for some cleaning stuff and explained why, she offered us two breakfast boxes which I cant eat, but we have cleaned.

Not sure what we are doing today but heading to inlaws, should be nice, and we are at a nicer hotel from Monday, to see Steps!!

Posted in anxiety, art, Beach, birds, Charity, charity walk, Christmas decorations, Christmas lights, colours, covid 19, Cromer, family, fauna, flora, flowers, fossils, mental health, Nature, needle felting, norfolk, Pets, Photography, smile, sunset, taverham, drayton and thorpe marriott Christmas lights trail, walking, walking with the wounded, wellbeing, west runton, Wildlife, writing

It’s been a while

Its been a little while since I’ve put anything on here, haven’t really been myself to be honest. Its been tough losing 4 pets, and then losing a surrogate pet as well on top of that. Plus friends passing away and family members, didnt do much good for my mental health!

Am working on a piece so be patient with me. Until then here is my fundraising page and some of my pics

Sue’s Walking Home For Christmas Page

Beaver Moon in November, Cromer
Beaver Moon across the North Sea at Cromer
Sunset at West Runton
Sunset at West Runton
Sunset at West Runton
Sunset from the cliffs at West Runton
Peacock at Alby Crafts
California poppy
Needle felting for a friend
To those who died so I could live
Needle felted gonk
Needle felted penguin
The gang