Warwick and Lake District

 Lake District via Warwick

Just a couple of months back we decided to do a road trip to the Lake District from London with a stopover in Warwick. Since we were travelling with two grandchildren, we did not want to do a straight run.

Enroute to the Lake District we stopped over at Warwick, after a brief halt at RHS (Royal Horticulture Society) Garden, Wisley, which is a large and diverse garden covering 240 acres. In addition to numerous formal and informal decorative gardens, several glasshouses and an extensive arboretum, it includes a trials field where new cultivars are assessed. 

It was lovely! After admiring all the beautiful flowers, primarily tulips, on we drove to Warwick.

Warwick is a market town, civil parish and the county town of Warwickshire in the Warwick District in England. 

It has ancient origins and an array of historic buildings, notably from the Medieval, Stuart and Georgian eras. 

It was a major fortified settlement from the early Middle Ages, the most notable relic of this period being Warwick Castle, a major tourist attraction. Much was destroyed in the Great Fire of Warwick in 1694 and then rebuilt with fine 18th century buildings.

The Warwick Castle is a medieval castle developed from a wooden fort originally built by William the Conqueror during 1068. The original wooden motte-and-bailey castle overlooking the River Avon was rebuilt in stone during the 12th century.

We visited the castle mainly to attend the ‘The Falconer’s Quest’ which is the UK’s largest birds of prey display, located on the Riverside Arena at Warwick Castle. 

The spectacular, twice-daily show features over 60 free-flying birds—including massive Andean Condors and Steller's Sea Eagles—swooping directly overhead while narrating an epic medieval storyline. It is a show worth attending! It was an amazing show and the kids couldn’t stop talking about the birds of prey they had witnessed!

After a restful night in Warwick we moved on to the Lake District!

Finally fulfilled a long standing desire of visiting the Lake District. Possibly it was destined that I visit it with my wife, daughter, son in law and grandchildren though I still wish I could have visited when I was younger so that I could have gone trekking in the mountains there. Now it was different but thoroughly enjoyable too with the family. 

The weather was surprisingly great with just a few drizzles now and then hence could spend time by the Windermere Lake where there were plenty of gulls and ducks demanding attention along with the grandkids.

Apart from spending time by the lake we also visited the very well-maintained Lakeland Motor Museum and the Lakes Aquarium. Both were educative and fascinating visits.

The Lakeland Motor Museum is a museum located at Backbarrow, Cumbria, England which houses a collection of classic cars, motorcycles, bicycles, pedal cars and motoring related items and memorabilia and an exhibition dedicated to the land and water speed record activities of Sir Malcolm Campbell and his son Donald Campbell.

The Museum was established in Grange-over-Sands in 1978 as an extra attraction for the Holker Hall stately home. The museum was created by Donald Sidebottom to contain the collection of cars and related memorabilia that he had been collecting since the 1960s. In 2006, the collection was purchased by a subsidiary company of Winander Group Holdings Ltd, which also own Windermere Lake Cruises.

After more than thirty years at Holker Hall, the museum relocated to the sheds at Backbarrow in 2010. The museum features a unique collection of over 30,000 motoring related exhibits including a 1920s garage re-creation.

The Lakes Aquarium is an aquarium in the village of Lakeside on the southern shore of Windermere, Cumbria, England. It is one of the docking points of Windermere Lake Cruises and also at one end of the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway. It is the third most visited paying tourist attraction in Cumbria.

It opened in 1997 as The Aquarium of the Lakes when the displays followed the theme of a Lake District stream, flowing down into the lake and then on to Morecambe Bay. During 2008 it was re-branded as the Lakes Aquarium, with a theme of the lakes of the world. The attraction is now owned by Spanish leisure company Parques Reunidos, who own and operate 67 parks across the world.

The Lakes Aquarium contains both freshwater and salt water aquatic animals. It was fascinating to watch and learn about fishy tales and their lives.

After spending a couple of fun days in the Lake District we drove back to London without any overnight halts. 

The van was abuzz with talks of what was seen and done during the extended weekend well spent!

PapaMa's Portrait - Book review

 

PapaMa's Portrait by Snehal Amembal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rather late in writing this review but the time is ripe and sweet. It’s about the beautiful book Papama’s Portrait by my daughter Snehal Amembal, a lovely tribute to my mother, who would have been 96 today, but God had other plans and she left us six months ago. Yet am sure she is happy wherever she is and keeping everyone around her happy too! That was her innate nature.
I celebrated her birthday by rereading the book and revisiting the wonderful moments that Snehal spent with her during her growing years imbibing values of being a great human being.
Reading the book has given me new insights into how complex yet simple a relationship between a grandmother and granddaughter can be.
The beautiful essays interspersed with lovely poetry makes it a book to be cherished by all, irrespective whether you have lived with a grandparent or not.
I would like to thank Snehal for reminding all those who care to read this book of how beautiful life is living with grandparents!


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Eurodash79 - Book review

 

EURODASH79: The Quest - Inspired and Relentless Search for the True Knowledge, Culture & Values by Akhil Pandey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Just finished reading Akhil Pandey’s travelogue ‘Eurodash79’.
It is about seven colleagues riding to Europe from India in 1979 on four motorcycles, all Yezdis.
The book has been written after forty years of having Eurodashed!
A lot of details have been given regarding the planning of the road trip, right from deciding the route on paper maps, since GPS or Google maps was unheard of then, applying for visas, getting leave sanctioned, convincing family members, organising the finance, all of which makes it a good case study and used in some management classes.
Every chapter begins with a parable and sometimes a quote which sets the mood for the chapter and this would be a great read for readers interested in history as every place they visited has been described in detail not only geographically but also an in-depth historical background of the city.
At the end of the chapter there is a box which mentions the take away for the riders from the place visited.
Interestingly they did this trip on a shoestring budget of five US dollars per day per head as in those days foreign exchange was strictly regulated, which led to them sleeping on streets many a time to save precious scarce funds!
Overall, an interesting read and a must read for travellers who wish to learn how people travelled in the ‘good old days’.
This book is more by a traveller than a rider.

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A day trip to Brighton, England

Brighton, England is a vibrant seaside city located on the south coast of England, in the county of East Sussex. Known for its bohemian atmosphere, artistic culture, and diverse community, Brighton is a popular destination for both tourists and locals. 

Originally a small fishing village called Brighthelmstone, on the English Channel, it grew into a fashionable health resort in the Georgian era, attracting royal patronage and gaining fame for its sea bathing and lively atmosphere. It merged with nearby Hove in 1997 to form the City of Brighton and Hove which received official city status in 2000. 

Brighton is also home to the University of Sussex and the University of Brighton, giving it a youthful and progressive energy. Just an hour by train from London, it's a favorite escape from the capital, blending coastal charm with a cosmopolitan feel. 

We drove down from Coulsdon for a day trip to Brighton and had a wonderful day. 

The parking area is next to all the iconic sights and places to visit hence very tourist oriented. Park and play! 

Key attractions include the iconic Brighton Palace Pier, 

the Royal Pavilion—an exotic former royal residence with Indian and Chinese influences—and 

the Brighton i360, a tall, observation tower offering panoramic views of the coast. The city also boasts a lively beach, a bustling nightlife, and a strong LGBTQ+ scene. 

We spent some time on the seashore which incidentally is a pebble beach not a sandy beach. 

I thought it was unique. The children and adults enjoyed it immensely. The adults seated on the pebbles while the children enjoyed throwing pebbles into the sea. 

All the action made us hungry hence we trotted to Dishoom Permit Room for an Indian lunch in an Indian restaurant. The food was wholesome and the service excellent. 

Then it was time for the children to spend time at the Brighton pier arcade which had plenty of games to keep the children occupied for a couple of hours. 

There also is a sea aquarium but unfortunately it was shut by the time, 4 pm, that we reached there.  

That led us to the myriad souvenir shops lining the beach front for some retail therapy! 

Overall, a very satisfying day by the sea for the family! 

 

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Magical Mundane

 

Magical Mundane: My Reflections on Motherhood by Snehal Amembal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Let me at the outset state that this is a beautiful book of poetry and prose by my daughter and it makes me extremely proud to say so!
In this book she takes the reader on a magical journey of her motherhood that I had missed out due to the fact that she lived on a different continent from me but thanks to this book I had the beautiful experience of participating in the joys and fears and multiple emotions that a mother goes through while birthing and bringing up a child.
The book is highly visually and emotionally evocative and all in a matter of eighty nine pages you are on a roller coaster ride of smiles, laughter and tears!
This is a must read!

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Beer and waffles in Bruges, Belgium

We went on a day trip to Bruges from Ghent as it was just around fifty kilometres away that could be covered in an hour.

Bruges, often referred to as the "Venice of the North," is a picturesque city in Belgium known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and enchanting canals. 

Its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, features cobblestone streets, charming squares, and landmarks such as the Belfry of Bruges and the Basilica of the Holy Blood.

Bruges has a rich and complex history that dates back to the early medieval period. Originally a settlement of the Celtic tribe, it developed significantly during the 9th century as a trading post due to its strategic location near the North Sea.

In the 12th and 13th centuries, Bruges flourished as a major commercial hub in Europe, especially in the wool trade. The construction of canals facilitated trade, connecting the city to the sea and enabling it to become a vital port. This period saw the rise of powerful merchant guilds and the establishment of the Bruges Bourse, one of the first stock exchanges.

The city reached its peak in the 14th century, becoming a cultural and artistic center. Notable works from this time include the famous Flemish Primitives, such as Jan van Eyck. However, by the 15th century, Bruges began to decline due to silting in its harbor, which reduced its trading capacity.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, Bruges faced further economic challenges but managed to retain its artistic heritage. The Industrial Revolution brought some revitalization, but the city transformed into a quiet, medieval town.

Today, Bruges is celebrated for its historical significance and beauty, attracting millions of visitors each year who come to experience its rich cultural legacy. Its preservation as a UNESCO World Heritage site underscores its importance as a medieval urban center.

Our first item on the ‘to-do’ list was a boat cruise down the canal as we would manage to see most of the city without breaking into a sweat.

The cruise was wonderful with a knowledgeable boat captain who kept pointing out the various sights on the way. He had a great sense of humour too!

Next on our list was to try out the various beers of Belgium followed by a quick snack. Not to forget the ‘French’ fries that originated in Belgium and of course to satiate our sweet tooth, the world famous Belgian waffles!

Before long it was evening and time to get back to Ghent after a lovely satisfying day in Bruges, ending it on a sweet note!

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Souvenirs across countries - Book review.

 

Miniaturised Travel Stories: Souvenirs Across Countries by INDRANI GHOSE
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A unique travel book which deals with the cultures of various places via the popular souvenirs sold and bought.
Indrani has detailed different souvenirs of different countries and their history.
Each chapter is dedicated to a souvenir from a particular country like the cow bell from Switzerland. She has cleverly interlinked the different souvenirs to similar Indian objects too.
The book, like normal travelogues does not deal with travel, food and monuments but what the souvenir of that particular country represents.
This is definitely not a book to be completed in a sitting but to enjoy and relish each and every chapter.
If you like to travel and collect souvenirs this book is a must buy as a handybook to refer to, to help you decide which souvenir would be the best and why.
I bought the Kindle edition and have no regrets!
The language and narration is also wonderful and entertainingly educative.

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