What I did on my summer vacation

[McClef]

You certainly covered a lot of ground!

I still haven't been to Ironbridge myself

[KFCarter]

Truly an outstanding travelogue with some very unique and fascinating highlights. In addition to the great shots of games, etc. and the countryside, particular thanks for making the Falkirk Wheel and the Ironbridge come to life!

[herminator]

Big Cadfael fan here!

So thanks for the Shrewsbury pictures!!

[The Wizard of BC]

So, let's see, where were we?

Oh yea, Bobbie and I have left Avebury and are heading SouthEast.

It's Saturday and we don't have to be in Storrington till Sunday so Bobbie and I decide to take a side trip to another place we have seen on Television.
This time the show is "Foyles War" which was filmed in the town of Hastings.

I'm not sure what I expected Hastings to be like but I've been around a lot of seaside towns. Most cater to the summer tourist trade and then in the winter they dry up and many locals have a hard time making a go.

But hey, this seaside town has perhaps the oldest Norman castle in England, the largest beach launched fishing fleet in the world, and is the home of DCS Foyle.


The part of town that dates from the Edwardian and Victorian periods is just like any other seaside town.








But if you get off "The Strip" you are rewarded with views like this.





Bobbie and I go in search of show set locations. Luckily the local Tourist office has a book about the filming of the show and more than willing to sell me a copy for £3.00.

Here is DCS Foyles house.



And a couple of other places you will recognize if you are a fan of the show.





The center of the business district is almost all pedestrian walkways.




And the "Old Town" is vibrant and booming with tourist trade.



But it's late in the day and the Kilt Kollection is calling to me.


Lat/Long of Foyles house. 50° 51' 28.37" N, 0° 35' 27.53" E

[The Wizard of BC]

Bobbie and I wind our way through the back roads of Sussex England. We say over and over to each other. "It must be here somewhere."
The SatNav has responded repeatedly to the inquiry "Navigate to Hamish's House" with "That information not available to the general public. Please contact the Royal Commissioner of Kilts."

But we drive on. We persevere. We are hungry and tired. The fuel is running low.

And finally what should appear over the hill but a small estate with a large yellow Google Earth pin sticking in the roof. We have arrived a Bicknel Grange and our quest is almost at an end.

As I alight from the car in front of these hallowed halls my heart swells with pride. My palm are sweating buckets. I can almost make out the details of the British Columbia flag flying from the pole through the tears of joy at finally beholding to home of "THE KILTED LEGEND HIMSELF".



Were sorry, but there are no coordinates available for your location.

[The Wizard of BC]

Bobbie and I are greeted on the front lawn of Bicknel Grange warmly by Himself. A servant girl is summoned to bring us Tartan slippers so that the lawn will not be harmed by our road dirtied shoes.

[The Wizard of BC]

The Gentleman notices that the pleats of my Kilt are wrinkled from the car seat and directs a footman to escort us to our cottage nestled in the trees of the estate to freshen up.



We notice a bronze plaque proclaiming "Ashton House" and we are struck numb by the generosity of this humble man.

[The Wizard of BC]

After a suitable time another servant raps lightly on the door of out cottage and inquires if we would like to take Tea with Himself in the Drawing Room.



We find that a friend and fellow admirer of Hamish, Jim, has arrived and is comfortably awaiting our arrival.

[The Wizard of BC]

During Tea our host and Jim regal us with the hardships of country life. We hear of the terrible tribulations one must endure finding good servants who can properly baste and press Kilt pleats.

[The Wizard of BC]

After Tea we are asked if we would like to tour the grounds of Bicknel Grange before dressing for dinner which we are told will be served in the Garden.

The humble staircase leading to The Weapons Room.



A small portion of the weapons which we are told are necessary to keep The Kilt Kollection safe from prying eyes.



We are getting closer to the Vaults.