Hampton Court (in Herefordshire)

We had lunch at Hampden Court one sunny day while we were visiting Victoria. The castle was given leave by the king of the day to be called Hampden Court and has recently been refurbished.

This is the cafe set in a conservatory that used to house an 18C swimming pool.

Brian with Eliza in her borrowed pushchair in the grounds of Hampden Court. Our stroller vanished care of British Airways and so we made do with Felix's stroller (Felix is now studying at a London university).

Hampden Court has stunningly beautiful gardens

and a maze

Catherine standing at the top of the tower that stands in the middle of the maze. I was actually trying to work out a way out!

At home in Hereford

Brian and Victoria lunching in the garden which we did almost every day as the weather was so good. A little bit of wine and some wonderful food - I never wanted to leave !

A view of the garden from the top floor window with local town Bushbank in the background

Eliza had a wonderful time lolling about in the garden with her great (ie fantastic) aunt Victoria.

Eliza and her favourite frog. Froggie was worth its weight in gold by the end of our trip !

The lawn. They sure don't make them like this in Australia.

Maloney's wedding

We just happened to be in England on the day my friend Catherine Maloney got married so Eliza and I went along to celebrate the occasion. Brian stayed in Oxford for some boy time with friend Mark.

Eliza and Catherine waiting for the bride to arrive

A very happy bride, Catherine, and groom, James, who are expecting their first child in August 2010

Very relieved

The lovely Heather Rolinson with Eliza

The girls from front left - Heather, Eliza and Catherine the bride. Back row from left - Catherine (me), Nadene, and Clare at the reception

A day in Oxford

We visited our friend Mark Herndon in Oxford. The day heralded the beginning of summer in England. Mark took us to The Parsonage for lunch - a great spot on a sunny summer day.

Catherine, Eliza, Mark and Brian

Eliza slept through lunch at The Parsonage. I thought this was brilliant and hoped it would be repeated throughout our holiday, but alas, it was not to be.


Eliza meets her second cousin Frances who is studying at Oxford

Frances, Trish, Mark, Brian, Catherine and Eliza having tea in the sun at St Mary's in Oxford, just next to the Radcliffe Camera

Trish, Mark, Brian and Catherine at the Cherwell Boathouse that night. Eliza is actually asleep under the table in her capsule - but sleeping through dinner didn't happen again either.

Ludlow

We visited the nearby town of Ludlow which has a famous castle. The day was freezing but it was our first taste of the ancient world that modern day Britains lives amongst.

Brian in Ludlow - nice bag darling !

Ludlow Castle, the seat of the Prince of Wales during the war of the Roses

Pyon House

Pyon House - home of Victoria, Frances and Felix.

Victoria is an excellent gardener

and the gardens are stunning.

This is the view from our room early on our first morning in Herefordshire. The long summer days started very early (this was 5am) and ended very late.

Brian and Eliza chilling out in the new conservatory

Catherine and Victoria (and Two Spots the cat).

The conservatory - a new and wonderful addition to the house.

We're off on holidays ...

The first leg of a very long journey to London via Tokyo and Moscow !