I'd Like a Sandwich Please

I have been reprimanded for not writing enough on here lately.  My only defence is that it takes me so long to upload the photos (and then put them into Mum's posts) that I am left with very little time on the computer to write much.  The last few posts I have written were more a matter of getting the pictures loaded so that I could go to bed than it was about writing down anything.  So I hope to make it up to you here.

London has been amazing.   There are so many things I have loved about this city and I wish that I could take aspects of it home with me.   The parks are my absolute favourite.   I am in awe of how many people use the local parks.  Every time we walk through one we see people walking, having picnics, playing with children, or mostly just lounging about.   There is such a lovely feel to the parks.  People just enjoying nature and the sunshine.   I also have loved the culture of this city.  Not just the museums and galleries, but there are old buildings everywhere.  Churches, statues and monuments are on every corner.  It seems one cannot turn around without finding some piece of history.   Lastly, I have loved the food.   One of the things I miss about Toronto is the ethnic restaurants and London has more than filled that void.   After our second meal at one particularly good Greek restaurant I told Mum that it was a good thing that we don't have a place like that at home because I would spend a fortune there.   Things haven't been all rosy however.   The crowds in the city have been horrid and I am looking forward to being rid of them.   

The last few days we were in Sandwich, visiting Mum's friend Clare (also the kind lady who is letting us stay in her flat in London).  It was a nice break away from the city and Sandwich was beautiful.  The town of Sandwich is unlike anything you find in Canada.  Most houses seem to be at least 100 years old and the streets are all small and winding.   You really could imagine it as an old market town.

 Tudor House

 Village Street

(There was a big golf tournament starting the day we left and the traffic cones were part of that)

 Another Tudor House

 Holy Ghost Alley

(we walked down this VERY narrow alley - it was quite quaint)

Yet Another Tudor House

(I love the fancy brickwork under the window)

While in Sandwich, Clare and her husband William showed us around the area and took us to a couple lovely old churches.

Inside St. Clements Church 

Font in St Clements 

 Mary Statue St. Clements

Stained Glass Window, St Clements

While in Sandwich we also visited the neighbouring town of Deal, which had a lovely beach.  It was a bit cloudy the day we went but it was beautiful none the less.

Deal Beach 

Deal Beach

We also went to Walmer Castle, a former residence of the Duke of Wellington.   It was a spectacular building and some of the grounds were gorgeous.   We really enjoyed wandering around and looking at all the pretty flowers in the gardens.

Walmer Castle 

(as seen from the garden) 

 Entrance to Walmer Castle

Uniform of the Duke of Wellington 

 Garden Path and Lumpy Hedges,

Walmer Castle

 Pond and Garden, Walmer Castle

Gardens, Walmer Castle

Sandwich and Deal were such picturesque communities and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. Clare and William have a beautiful 19th century home (that Dad would have loved) and they were very gracious hosts.

Love from London
Michelle