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Recent Articles
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The Cross, a Delightful Bed and Breakfast in Croscombe, Somerset
Hospitality has been a long-standing tradition at The Cross in Croscombe, Somerset ever since this original medieval building was licensed as a public house in 1516. In those days it was called the Rose and Crown and retained this name until 1976 when it changed its name to the Bull Terrier. The…
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Exploring the Historic Waterways of Winchester in England
As I made my way across the water meadows of the River Itchen I found it difficult to believe I was not far from the city centre of Winchester. I was surrounded by leas of lush grass and thickets of trees. Beyond these I occasionally glimpsed the sparkle of water in the river. I was following in…
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Five Intriguing Attractions on the Isle of Wight
In the past the Isle of Wight has attracted many famous residents and visitors. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert built their family home, near Cowes. Lord Alfred Tennyson, poet laureate and the most famous Victorian was also a resident on the island. Today, its delightful old-fashioned ambience…
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Osborne: The Home that Albert Created for Victoria
Victoria was Queen of England and Albert was her Prince Consort when they decided they needed a home for their large family away from public eye. Their search took them to the Isle of Wight, a place that that Victoria already knew and liked. Improved railway communications meant it was possible…
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Lyndhurst, the Heart of England's New Forest
Lyndhurst has been the throbbing heart of England’s New Forest since William the Conqueror made it his base when he established his hunting grounds here over nine hundred years ago. Today Lyndhurst is still central to the activities in the New Forest. The road into the village snakes around the…
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Balmer Lawn Hotel - a Brockenhurst Beauty in England's New Forest
Ideally situated in the village of Brockenhurst in the New Forest the Balmer Lawn Hotel is as steeped in history as the common land,Balmer Lawn, that surrounds it. Once known as Palmers Lawn it is recorded that the waters of the Lymington River that flow past the hotel were known as Palmers Waters…
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Lymington, the Coastal Capital of the New Forest in England
Lymington in the New Forest of England has an unusually wide High Street. It was built like this to accommodate the large Charter Market that has been held here since 1250. Early every Saturday morning around one hundred market stalls are set up and line the High Street on both sides. Generally…
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Animals First in the New Forest Village of Brockenhurst
Despite the persistent drizzle I could feel the magic of the forest outside pulling me outside and away from my cosy hotel room. I was staying at the Balmer Lawn Hotel in Brockenhurst, a village in the famous New Forest. Ancient grazing rights are still upheld here and ponies, donkeys, sheep…
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Finland in the Wild
This winter I went to Narnia aka the Wild Taiga in Finland. I arrived in the early evening and was driven along snow covered roads through pools of yellow light cast by the street lights above us. After passing through the town of Kuhmo the residences thinned out quickly and were non-existent…
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Christmas December 2017 – Where did that Year Go?
I was a bit later than usual writing my Christmas letter this year. The snow arrived early in the Dolomites and the thought of skiing fresh snow in December was irresistible. I went to my favourite resort, Madonna di Campiglio where I stayed at my favourite hotel, Hotel Lorenzetti. It was…
