Backpackering 13 - Day 6

     

Waking to a fiery sunrise 

and after a standard English breakfast at the Blue Bird Tearoom 

a stroll down to Great Malvern's railway station

to sit and await our transport home, admiring the 1863 stations Gothic architecture done in Malvern stone with added sculptures and pretty flowers cast in iron.

Backpackering 13 - Day 5

A quirky cobbler greeted us on our walk into Ledbury town centre

passing the Poetry House built to commemorate the 19th century poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 

and the 17th century Market House.

Why the Prince of Wales is featured here on a 16th century street is a puzzle.

Around the corner, the Painted Room, where the 16th century walls were done to imitate leather wall hangings and tapestries. 

Five centuries later they were uncovered during resortation work started in 1988. Analysis of the paints used enabled an idea of how they may have looked back then.

Spotted,  a happy chappy  driving a not quite as ancient 1960s Triumph TR5 Sports car,

followed, would you Adam and Eve it, by a MORGAN!

Enough excitement for the day, time to go back to our accom for night. 

Backpackering 13 - Day 4

 

An afternoon visit to Worcester for a stroll along the River Severn, some 50 miles upstream from Penarth,  

passing locks onto the Birmingham Worcester Canal

crossing the Severn's own locks 

 

for refreshments at the Diglis Island Cafe.

Crossing the river

to get a view of the weir before returning back up the river.

Backpackering 13 - Day 3

 

Our friendly tour guide, Martin, for our factory visit.

So different since my first visit,  49 years ago. Aluminium frames now are the cars strength, long gone the steel girder chassis of old. Alot of wiring needed for todays technology. 

To these frames are mounted the bodywork design to the customers specification,

together with the Morgan's iconic wings.

Finally, the trimming area

with this stand out car bound for Japan.

A happy pair after a happy visit.

Backpackering 13 - Day 2

Being the beginning of my 8th decade on planet Earth

Ann's Well Cafe 

a challenge had to be met - walk up 600+ feet to Malvern's Sugerloaf Hill

North Hill 

No not this one,  too high.

"Where you going? Wait for me!"

Extraordinary 180 deg views towards Wales, 50 miles away.

And there it is Sugerloaf. 

The decent passed the local residents 

for a well deserved lunch, you have to agree,, me thinks.

Backpackering 13 - Day 1

 

Following a train stop in Hereford for lunch

arrived at Malvern accom with a view.

Autumn Leaves

 

Dancing in the breeze, reluctant to leave.

Another first for Gek.

Another use for a needle, felting. 

Queen Anne

 

Oval Table, another one done from Norman's book.

Portrait Paintings.

 

Not AI, honest, brushed by Gek

Using water colour

on A4 paper.

Travel Artifacts at the Gek Contemporary

 

The next Gek Contemporary exhibition from 13 countries.

To entry, follow,

http://www.gekart.net/Contemporary/Woodcuts.html

The Gallery is Open

It's ok, they are harmless 

Ground floor mixture of classics, oil on linen canvas.

Up the staircase, Chinese brush paintings ink on rice paper.

Next room, Degas ladies, oil on canvas.

Down stairs again,  the Mackintosh Tea Room 

next to the house's kitchen.

Back to the Machines

 

Porringer-Top Table

The design from Norman Vandals Queen Anne furniture book.  They were perhaps used as a  gaming table back in the 18th century. 

Cosmeston Again

 

Our first wander out after our return. 

Rest before the 1.6 mile walk back home.

Backpackering 12 - Day 10

 

On the way again, Geneva Airport, 

90 mins from taking off, landing at Heathrow