Rod made another friend in the UK- Paul

Another lovely spot in Berwick is the Doolally coffee shop. What a name for a coffee shop hey? They have the most colourful sugar sachets I've seen in the world, AND they make the best wheat-free chocolate cake I have tasted. Mandy reckons too that their carrot cake is to die for!

Then after all the excitement and family nostalgia in Berwick, we headed off and touched Scottish soil, and then headed south again to the Lake District.

On our way we got lost- I mean lost and couldn't find the exit for quite a while, in the maze at Taquiar House. Once we had laughed our way out of that maze, we found our accommodation for the night in Ambleside.

Early in the morning we took a stroll along the lake and met Paul, sitting quietly on a rock looking over the lake, watching a few ducks paddling between the yachts.

He didn't have too much to say to me, but he and Rodrigus seemed to get on well and swapped email addresses. Perhaps if you go to Ambleside too you might find him, contemplating life as he sits on his rock, and you can say "Hi!" for us! Actually if you do find him- you've got to send us a photo! Ok?

From Ambleside we went to see relatives in Warwick, and explored the Warwick castle while we were there! Geez, it was windy up on top of the wall!

Then we had our last few days in London, catching up with friends, friends, friends, and more friends. Like the Williamson-Nobles- here's Lyn with her dogs:

It was so good to see people who have been such parts of our lives at certain chapters, and to reminisce of those happy times! And catch up on what has been happening in their lives since our paths crossed so many years ago. We look forward to the next time our lives can touch yours gain for a brief, wonderful moment! And Rod enjoyed meeting you all too!

And that was our whirlwind trip to the UK.

Rod was back for just a few days when he got a call from Clint to go with him to South America! Can't wait to see those photo's and hear about his adventures there!

Till then!
Telana

The Town Hall Keeper worth meeting

The highlight of the trip was to witness the ceremony of Charlton receiving his Freemanship of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Berwick was one of the most fought after towns between England and Scotland because of it's strategic positioning, and it changed hands between England and Scotland more than 13 times. It's well known for its defensive wall around the town centre, which we walked along, and also for being the home of the original Berwick Cockle- a white and red stripped sweet with a distinct cockle-like shape.

We stayed just near the shop where the two brothers who created the Berick Cockle still live today- but they don't make the sweets any more, and rumour has it that they are in their 80's and the magical recipe is going to die with them...

Berwick is also known for its bridges, and its salmon!

But getting back to the ceremony- some time in the 17th century some dude from my family spent 7 years serving an apprenticeship to become a Freeman of Berwick. This meant that he had a few rights to land around the town, and had to look after the town and it's administration.

The Freemanship was then passed down through the generations to the first son of the Freeman and my brother was next in line to claim and receive his Freemanship. Which he did, with all the formalities that British custom can muster! He's now the youngest (as in newest) freeman to the Guild of Freeman for Berwick. A bit of my family history for you!

Best part of the ceremony though was meeting the Town Hall Keeper- aka T.H.K. – Michael. What a friendly and fascinating guy! And sorry ladies- he's taken already and has a lovely wife and family! (Rumour has it he has a single brother though!)

Michael took us on a tour of the Town Hall and its fascinating prison that was on top of the town hall and market. So the prisoners had some of the best views of Berwick!

If you ever get the chance to go visit Berwick- and you should, it's a lovely little town to explore- Rod and I highly recommend you go and knock on the Town Hall door, and ask for Michael, the T.H.K.

And then you must tell him Rodrigus the frog and the Simpson Family (Charlton Simpson the Freeman nogal!) sent you and you want to see the prison! I promise it will be worth it! Even if just to meet Michael!

You might even get him to join you for a glass of champagne in the local pub after work, as he did with us. Though he'll only have one glass as he has to cycle home- and home is up hill all the way!

MANchester to Dunstanburgh Castle

In Manchester, Rod liked this sign (click on the image if you can't read it):

We also went to the china town in Manchester, wondered around the streets and main shopping areas, and visited the town centre.

From Manchester we drove up to Berwick-Upon-Tweed, and on the way had a stop in York to see the York Cathedral, then in Durham to see the Durham Cathedral.

This is where Rod found he has some ancestors engraved on the ceiling of the cloisters, here is Rod having a closer look:

We also stopped off at the Dunstanburgh Castle right on the coast, and enjoyed the walk to the castle from the little village nearby, after so much travelling in the car.