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RuthsArc

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Tag Archives: day out

A quiet weekend – Beer and Cider

20 Tuesday Sep 2016

Posted by RuthsArc in days out

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

day out, Hobart

As well as the Quilt Expo, this weekend hosted a Micro Brew Festival.

The event showcased a variety of small boutique beer and cider producers from Tasmania. There were food stalls and live music. So many drinks to sample, so little time.

This van sold a variety of ciders… apple, pear, cherry, raspberry and quince. Very nice.

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Steam Trains and a few benches

15 Wednesday Jul 2015

Posted by RuthsArc in days out, remembering / musing

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

bench series, day out, photos, Tasmania

The West Coast Wilderness Railway links Strahan and Queenstown. Steam trains still run on the railway constructed in the 1890’s over rugged Tasmanian terrain that “was a foe to be conquered, not grand nature to be admired”. The German patented ABT rack and pinion railway system was laid and is still in use today. (Well maybe not this particular day – see below.)

At Regatta Point, Strahan, we walked onto the station platforms, admired the carriages and the track turntable at the end of the line. Across the road, engines were being cleaned, one dressed up ready for “Christmas in July”.

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We wondered about taking a trip but then saw the notice.

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It was Thursday, so no train journey for us today.

When we stopped at Queenstown on our way home, we looked in the station. This was a bigger building with a small informative museum.

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I love the original benches from both stations, the contrasting detail. A stark tree trunk bench with bolt holes, the typical benches with wrought iron arms and legs, the waiting room bench with shiny worn leather.

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For almost fifty years, the railway was the only way in and out of Queenstown until the West Coast Road was opened in 1932. It is hard to imagine the life of the early settlers and miners who ventured through the bush to form such isolated communities.

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The west coast still feels remote. There are two roads out of Strahan, one north via Zeehan and the other east via Queenstown. The owner of the woodcraft gallery in Strahan told us that the nearest traffic lights are two and a half hours drive away.

This post links with Jude’s “bench series” at https://smallbluegreenwords.wordpress.com/2015/07/12/bench-series-28/

Lakes and Central Highlands

11 Saturday Jul 2015

Posted by RuthsArc in days out, one with nature, photography

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

beach, day out, Tasmania

Wednesday was a beautiful winter day, clear skies, bright sunshine, a little chilly. The forecast for the next few days was positive, so we decided to explore further afield and head for the west coast of Tasmania.

As we drove out of the city along the Derwent River, the landscape changed from urban, to flat agricultural fields, to bush and forestry as we entered the Central Highlands.

Lake St Clair is just a few kilometres off the main road at Derwent Bridge. A perfect lake with views north towards Cradle Mountain. As with all Tasmanian National Parks, there is an informative Information Centre, a cafe, well maintained bush tracks, various levels of accommodation from camp sites to cabins, all camouflaged within the environment.

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The source of the River Derwent is here at Lake St Clair. The river is wide and fast flowing at Derwent Bridge. The river runs for two hundred kilometres and descends seven hundred meters, through Hobart before emptying into Storm Bay and the Tasman Sea.

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We drove on past various lakes and lagoons, past hills and mountains.

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At times we drove though bends in the road where the sun had not reached all day and we were greeted with amazing winter scenes of thick frost.

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We reached the west coast just before sunset and drove to the ocean beach near Strahan, rather than into the town. What a good decision. We joined several other couples, families on the beach to watch the sunset over the ocean.

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Winter Feast

19 Friday Jun 2015

Posted by RuthsArc in days out

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

day out, Hobart

We’d read about it … 60 plus food and drink stalls … capacity for 10,000 inside a wharf shed and surrounding outside area … live music … street artists.

But we weren’t expecting this…….

There were no queues. We paid $10 entry fee and wandered in. Due to rain on this opening night, it was rather quiet outside. Inside was a total wonder. A multitude of stalls bordered the space, with long tables and benches filling the central area.

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Live music added to the atmosphere and general buzz. We walked around, perused the various stalls, as we decided what we wanted to eat. There was so much choice, of produce, of cooking styles. Food and drinks were priced from $5 to $10 with a few full meal plates at $20. This made it easy to sample a variety of dishes. Between us, we had stag snags, wallaby burritos, scallop quesadillas, venison or rabbit pies and cheesecake desserts.

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I started with a warm spiced cider, much nicer than traditional mulled wine and ideal for a cold rainy winter night. We did not try the oyster shooters – bloody mary shots with an oyster in the glass!

We found a gap on a bench so sat down to eat. The atmosphere was wonderful. Everyone chatted to their neighbours. We had a three generation family on one side of us, including a six week old baby who slept through the noise and music. Two “middle aged” couples enjoyed bottles of wine on our other side. They left and a young couple nabbed the bench space as they juggled plates and drinks.

When we’d finished our food, we wandered back outside as the rain had stopped. There were bands playing under marques, benches surrounding open fires and braziers. Food cooking on huge barbecues. People were eating outside and enjoying the entertainment and fire jugglers.

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We had more drinks outside. I sampled a hot gin based tea infused with grapefruit and pepper berry. Delicious and warming. It was lovely to see so many people, kids to oldies, all enjoying themselves, all relaxed, no pushing or shoving despite the huge crowd. What an amazing experience and feast.

It feels like spring – in 100 words

05 Thursday Mar 2015

Posted by RuthsArc in 100 word challenge, days out, one with nature, photography

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100 words, day out, flowers, photos, trees

The days are stretching out, sunrise is earlier, sunset is later each day.

Although we are still waking to some frosty mornings, the sun is shining.

Green shoots and spring flowers are showing their faces. Snowdrops, crocus, primroses and the first daffodils.

Blue skies with white fluffy clouds, random raindrops fall but are soon blown away. It doesn’t actually rain today.

It is good to get out from the urban sprawl. Walks in the countryside slow the pace of life, refresh the soul, make me smile.

All is right with my world.

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Hastings – fishing boats, history and cliff railways

21 Saturday Feb 2015

Posted by RuthsArc in days out, one with nature

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

beach, boats, day out, Hastings, photos

Tuesday was a perfect winter day, cold but sunny. We drove to the south coast and spent the afternoon at Hastings.

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For us Brits, Hastings has historic significance that was drummed into us as kids… Batttle of Hastings in 1066 and William the Conqueror. We now that France is just a few miles across the English Channel.

Hastings is a modern town but has kept reminders of its history. Castle ruins sit on the cliff top, where a castle has stood since 1066. The building of the original castle is depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry.

Hastings was a popular fishing town and resort during Victorian times. These tall “net shops” are unique to this area, where Victorian fisherman stored their nets and ropes to dry out. Fisherman still sell their daily catch in huts along the back of the stone beach.

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There are numerous restaurants and cafes selling fish and chips. There are always people sitting outside eating fish and chips from paper wrappers. We sat inside in the warm but enjoyed a tasty fish dinner.

Sometimes I think I missed out by not having sons or brothers. Over the years I have dismissed some things as “boys stuff” and not taken notice, when in fact, those things are fascinating.

One such example are funicular or cliff railways. There are two at Hastings, East Hill Cliff Railway opened in 1891, currently the steepest funicular operating in the UK, and West Hill Cliff Railway opened in 1903.

As we rode the West Hill Cliff Lift, two boys got into the car along with their grandparents. One lad talked about the car, the cables, but also mentioned water used to balance the cars. I didn’t ask questions at the time but I googled it when I got home.

The East Hill Lift originally worked on this principle with two water towers built at the top of the line and tanks constructed under each car. The car at the top was loaded with water until it was heavier than the car at the bottom, causing it to descend the hill and pull up the other car. The water drained at the bottom and the process repeated with cars exchanging roles. How clever. The line was modernised in the 1970’s and converted to an electric operation.

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As with many UK seaside resorts, there is a pier at Hastings, again originating fro Victorian times. The pier was partially destroyed by a fire in 2010 and is currently being renovated.

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My Day in 100 words – Ely and Cambridge

14 Saturday Feb 2015

Posted by RuthsArc in 100 word challenge, days out, photography, remembering / musing

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100 words, architecture, Cambridge, day out, Ely, photos, WW Remembrance

A foggy morning, the turrets of Ely Cathedral are hidden in the mist.

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Through the doors, the Gothic cathedral is light and bright, with a tall nave. The centrepiece, literally, is the stunning octagon.

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Cambridge is a historic university city, with beautiful buildings, centuries old, and the picturesque “backs” of the colleges.

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The city is hectic with shoppers, tourists and students. Bicycles everywhere.

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Just out of town is the American Cemetery. Open space with just the sound of bird song and my feet crunching on the gravel paths. 3,812 WWII graves. 5,127 names on memorial wall with no known grave.

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Our journey around the Circle Line

04 Wednesday Feb 2015

Posted by RuthsArc in days out, my place

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

architecture, curiosity, day out, London

I’ve lived in London almost all of my life and have been travelling on the Underground since my teens.

Yesterday, Aussie Mate and I completed one of those long held, quirky, fascinations, to travel around the circle line, just for the sake of it, not because we had to actually get anywhere.

Back in the day, the Circle Line Challenge was a pub crawl, to have a drink at every station. But there are 27 stations on this line!

Being older and wiser (?) we created our own bespoke Circle Line Challenge, some coffee stops, some stops to take tourist photos, walking some sections, and yes, alcoholic drinks at some stations. We did exit and / or enter every station, taking a photo of the station sign as we went.

Challenge

We started at VICTORIA at 10.20 am and took the clockwise route to SLOANE SQUARE. The jewellers Tiffany and Cartier overlook the square. We began our day with a civilised breakfast and cup of English Tea in a nice French style cafe that was extremely busy at this hour of the morning. Business meetings, casual brunch gatherings. We people watched and noticed the expensive cars driving by.

Back on the westbound train, we got off at SOUTH KENSINGTON and walked above ground to the next station, GLOUCESTER ROAD. The properties in this area are blocks of five storey houses, with steps up to the front doors and steps down to the basement entrances. They reflect the historical “upstairs, downstairs” era, some down separated into flats with multiple doorbells.

The station buildings themselves are fascinating, ornate, dating back to 1868 with the opening of the Metropolitan Railway. As a modern day contrast, we looking in the window of the Lamborghini showroom opposite South Ken station.

Outside

We took the train, now heading northwards, to HIGH STREET KENSINGTON, a well know shopping street. The fashion market was a famous trend setter back in the 80’s. We found a coffee shop and stopped for a macchiato before getting back on the train.

At NOTTING HILL GATE we turned a corner into a street of antique shops, windows of ornate furniture, chandeliers. The Kensington Wine Bar beckoned to us, so at the 5th station and past midday, we had our first alcoholic drink.

Our walk to BAYSWATER was delightful. The sun came out and the wide open space of Kensington Gardens was alive with snow drops and a very tame robin, hopping on the bushes, happy to be photographed. We got back on the train to the next station.

PADDINGTON is famous for a certain fictional bear, so we wandered around the huge main line station, the city’s link to the west country of England. We found the expected references to the bear, a seat, a small statue.

But the main thing we wanted to find here, was the Statue to the Unknown Soldier, a large bronze statue of a British First World War soldier, dressed in battle gear, a helmet, woollen scarf, a greatcoat, who is looking down, reading a letter from home. This is a stunning war memorial of the Great Western Railway, for their staff who gave their lives in the Great War. In recent months it has inspired a project, where people from the UK and abroad have written letters to this soldier, as part of the WWI 100th anniversary commemorations. Thousands of letters have been received and are available to read online. Very moving.

Paddington Collage

We got back on the train, now heading eastbound, to EDGWARE ROAD. From here we walked along the busy Marylebone Road, past seven storey red brick Victorian apartment buildings, art deco blocks, offices and residential buildings. Madame Tussaud’s wax works museum has been on this road since 1835.

We detoured at BAKER STREET to find the fictional address of Sherlock Homes at 221B Baker Street. A crowd was gathered, queueing for their turn to have a photo taken in front of the front door. A Sherlock Homes Museum is next door.

An unexpected treat on Baker Street, was the window of the “Transport for London” Lost Property Office, which contained some objects left on the tube and buses over the years.

Baker St Collage

The train then took us to GREAT PORTLAND STREET. This is a unusual station, sited in the middle of a traffic island. This station opened in 1863 and is a Grade II listed building. This section of circle line between Paddington and Farringdon, is the oldest underground passenger railway in the world. Just around the corner from the station is the beautiful Georgian crescent of townhouses. Regents Park and London Zoo are across the road to the north.

Back on the train to EUSTON SQUARE, we then walked along Euston Road, past the British Library, and the recently refurbished St Pancras Hotel, where we stopped for a cocktail and snacks in the hotel bar. The bar looked out to the Eurostar platforms and the huge “Meeting Place” statue.

St Pancras Collage

KINGS CROSS ST PANCRAS is a shared tube station for the two main line stations that cover the north of England, Scotland. We’re almost half way round. This is turning into a long blog post, but please stay with me.

We got back on the train to FARRINGDON where we had a different view of the station below the exit walkways. The walk to BARBICAN was fascinating, through different eras of history. We started by walking through Smithfield Meat Market built in 1829, destroyed by bombs during the Second World War but still in use today. The iron fencing and gates are original and believed to be in original Victorian colours. Across the street is St Bart’s Hospital and church, the oldest hospital in Europe, still on the same site since 1123. The church is often used in films, including “Four Weddings and a Funeral”. We walked along backstreets that were part of Roman London to the 1960’s built Barbican of today.

City

We got off the train at MOORGATE and had a glass of wine in a pub I used to frequent regularly during my working life here in the square mile City of London. There are pubs on every corner in this part of London.

Back on the train again to LIVERPOOL STREET, (the main line station for the east of England) where we walked through Spitalfields Market, now a refurbished area of restaurants, food stalls, free staring market stalls and permanent shops. This is an interesting mix of residential area on the border of the the influential finance and city work areas. It was now dark and 6pm so we had another glass of wine and some sliders, near my old office at ALDGATE. The circle line was now heading southward.

Another hop on the train to TOWER HILL, where we had views of a full moon as we exited this station, and Tower Bridge and the Tower of London just over the road. Both iconic buildings looked great in their floodlights. At another pub, full of city workers, I opted for a coffee this time. We were now heading west again and on the last leg of our journey.

One of the exits of MONUMENT station is right beside the tower that is the monument to the Great Fire of London in 1666. It is the tallest free standing stone column in the world and when it was constructed in 1677 it was originally designed to be a telescope as well as a monument.

A short walk took us to CANNON STREET then train to MANSION HOUSE where we got out to view St Paul’s Cathedral in the night light, and had a quick stop in a pub to warm up. We were now drinking shorts, before getting back on the train.

At BLACKFRIARS we went into a pub that we have often driven past. It is called the Blackfriar and is an art nouveau pub dating back to 1905, with friars depicted in reliefs, sculptures and mosaics. A very unusual interior.

The train took us to TEMPLE station, which is to the south of the Law Courts and legal district of London. We walked along the Embankment, overlooking the River Thames, to EMBANKMENT station. We had views of the river, the London Eye. We passed Cleopatra’s Needle, an ancient Egyptian obelisk given to the UK in 1819. The needle is flanked by two sphinxes, one showing holes and damage from a First World War bomb.

Embankment Collage

At Embankment, we had another glass of wine in Gordon’s Wine Bar, a 19th century bar deep in the vaults below street level. A great atmosphere but very crowded. I’ll write a separate post about some of our favourite London bars and pubs.

We were flagging by the time we got off the train at WESTMINSTER and took the exit to get photos of Big Ben. We heard the familiar chime as the clock tower showed 9pm.

We got back on the train to ST JAMES’S PARK and had a final glass of wine and shared platters in a pub opposite the station. We relaxed for a while, knowing that we were at the end of our challenge. The pedometer on my iphone stated we had walked 33,522 paces, no wonder we felt tired.

We finally got off the train at VICTORIA, twelve hours after we started this adventure. It was a great day. We paced ourselves and enjoyed every stop, every walk. We saw some favourite spots in London and found some new ones, some unexpected treats. Our Circle Line Challenge completed with 1 cup of tea, 2 coffees, 1 cocktail, 2 malibu’s and 5 glasses of wine.

Platforms Collage

Seaside and “selfies”

01 Sunday Feb 2015

Posted by RuthsArc in days out, one with nature

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architecture, art, beach, boats, day out, Margate, photos, Whitstable

Even though we live on a small island, only an hour and twenty minutes from the coast, a trip to the “seaside” is still a novelty. I have memories of childhood holidays at beautiful beaches in Cornwall and South Wales.

As an adult we generally took holidays abroad or to scenic parts of the UK, rather than just beach holidays. In the summer months we’d make day trips to our “local” coastal towns of Brighton, Hastings, Broadstairs. We rarely went to the coast on cold, blustery, winter days.

This week we did venture to the seaside, to Margate, on the north Kent coast. Our reason for going, was to visit the Turner Contemporary Gallery which overlooks the North Sea, beside the harbour.

We left London in the rain but the promised forecast of a clear afternoon, materialised. The sky was quite spectacular as the clouds broke and the low winter sun reflected off the water.

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The gallery is currently hosting an exhibition called “Self – the changing face of self-portraiture”. It was very interesting in today’s obsession with “selfies” on social media. Over one hundred self portraits are on display, ranging from van Dyke dated 1640, through Turner, Constable, Andy Warhol, to David Hockney, Tracey Emin, Anthony Gormley, amongst others. Exhibits are in various formats, traditional paintings, sculptures, photographs, video images and a studio set up with huge mirror for a Damien Hurst self portrait. A thought provoking display.

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As it was bitterly cold day with strong offshore winds, we didn’t wait around in Margate. A coffee in the gallery and a few photos soon has us back in the warmth of the car.

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However, we took a detour on the way home and stopped in Whitstable for an hour as dusk settled.

Whitstable is another coastal town, famous for it’s oyster fisheries. It has a pebble beach, nice pubs and restaurants, quirky shops and quaint old buildings. It is an historic town, which became popular during Victorian time with the train link to London. It is one of our favourite places for a seaside day trip. We took a brief quick walk along the pebble beach, cut through lanes of old fisherman cottages, browsed the high street and warmed up in a few specific shops, before another coffee stop and the journey home. It was a lovely day out and nice to get away from the city and inland scenery for a while.

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Different bridges, different angles

27 Tuesday Jan 2015

Posted by RuthsArc in days out, photography

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Amsterdam, architecture, day out, Ireland, London, photos, Seville

Whilst looking through recent photos I realised that I have unintentionally captured a few contrasting bridges.

Tower Bridge, London opened in 1894.

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Blackfriars railway bridge, London, originally opened in 1886 but has recently been refurbished and is now the worlds largest solar powered bridge with the railway station occupying the full length of the bridge. There are stunning views from the trains. Station and bridge re-opened in 2012.

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These are just a couple of examples of London bridges.

Further afield, The Peace Bridge, Londonderry, Northern Ireland was opened in 2011.

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This version of the “Skinny Bridge”, the Magere Brug, Amsterdam, Netherlands dates back to 1871.

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Puente del Alamillo, Seville, Spain was opened 1992.

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