UK TRIP (Part One)

After arriving safely early on Monday morning (29/7), we picked up our hire car and made for our pre-booked self catering unit in Christchurch,  Dorset.  We were very fortunate that we'd found somewhere so nice to stay.  Over the next 2 days we did what we had planned and some.
Our first day was a visit to The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.  On the way we stopped in  the small village of Sway, where I picked up an interesting brochure about some of attractions of the area, but alas, time restraints meant we didn't see any.

BEAULIEU.

Not the best pic, but this is the only one we have (taken on DH's phone), as I'd misplaced the small lens for my camera and only had the lens cap on my big camera.  I was cranky with myself.  We did have a great day, saw the museum, house and abbey ruins.

BUCKLER'S HARD.
On arriving back at the car, I did find my lens, which I'd left in my ordinary handbag when I changed over to my little backpack.  On the way home we saw a sign for Buckler's Hard and decided to pay a visit.  What a gorgeous place.

This is on the Beaulieu River and ever so lovely & interesting.

I'm not going to bombard everyone with too many snaps, but just sort of catching up on where we went whilst away.

CHRISTCHURCH,
Again not too many pics as I'd not taken my camera into town, when we went in for a few provisions.
DH once again used his phone for me.

 A few photos of where we walked around the town.  It was well worth taking the time to see a little of the south which I've not been to before.
Next morning it was time to start travelling towards Northampton for our next few nights.  On the way we planned to go to Kingston Lacey, a National Trust property and it certainly didn't disappoint.

WIMBORNE MINSTER.
We passed through this lovely town & had a walk to find a coffee.  Another that captured me.

                                                     A stroll down one of the streets.

                                                         This sign "tickled" my fancy.

                  Sounded very interesting and if time had allowed would have been fun to see.

KINGSTON LACY.

                                                                  The house front.

                                                                   An amazing tree.
      Of course I can't go past a spectacular or strangely shaped tree without wanting to take a photo.
                                                    I'm sure I could do a book on trees.😊

                                         Oh, and this owl couldn't escape the camera either.

                                                 Espaliered trees against a beautiful wall.

   I also love the sumptuous hanging baskets you see in so many places.  Just a bit envious of these.

After leaving this wonderful place, we headed on to our next destination.  We were staying in Northampton for a few nights, so I could go to this..............................

I met up with another blogger & her friend & had a lovely day at the show. They took me to meet another friend who was actually working on a stand and to my amazement I knew this company very well as they are always at the Australian shows.  It happens they hail from New Zealand.  After wandering around & thinking about leaving to catch our train back to Northampton, we stopped off to say goodbye to the friend, when I suddenly went rushing up to a lady, whom had just noticed me too & as we gave each other a big hug, said in unison,"OMG, what are you doing here".  M just happens to live in the next suburb to us and used to have her own Quilt Shop, but runs it on line now, as well as doing the shows in Melbourne.......how amazing was that?

OK, enough of my rambling for today.  I'll be back on Friday with my photo hunt & hopefully next week a few more posts about UK, before getting back into some "ordinary" blogging stuff.
Thanks to those for taking the time to pop in after my few techy mishaps.
Take care all & huggles.
Susan.