Photos to Tempt You to the Lovely St Vaast La Hougue Normandy Region of France

To be perfectly honest with you it is a few years since we visited this lovely place in France.

We were first invited there by some friends who then had a house very close by.  They have now moved to their UK home, but we have many happy memories of this beautiful place.

And although I don't really know much about the history I do know that it is situated in the North of France in the Manche Normandy Region.

And a little more info taken from Wikepedia 

'Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue is situated in the Manche département, in the Basse-Normandie région. It is in the Quettehou canton, of the Cherbourg arrondissement. The town had a population of 2,097 in 1999. The island of Tatihou forms part of the Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue commune'
So now you know and so do I :)  Actually if you are interested in history, there is quite a bit that may well interest you here

I didn't know that St Vaast La Hougue is twinned with Bridport in Dorset, which isn't far from us in The New Forest.

Good weather always helps

On the occasions we visited, we were lucky enough to have good weather.

At least it meant as we wandered around we could take some photos without getting wet or blown away.

A great place to visit for a short break and if you go for a longer break, there are many places to visit close by like Barfleur.  According to the Travel Guide there are plenty of tours you can do too.

Now some photos to tempt you to visit the pretty St Vaast La Hougue

Ooh think I may well have tempted myself.  We may have to go back for another look.

Thanks again for visiting.... and remember you can feature here.

Until next time, safe travels. 👜📷💼

Photographs Open Doors Into the Past ... Which Reminds Me ....

I'm really not sure why my mind went back to this ... but it did and I'm glad it did because I would have hated not to tell you about this fabulous place.

Marsascala (or Marsaskala)

Actually whilst in Malta for 5 days, we kind of wanted to see as much as we could but what we thought would be the most interesting.

So on day 4 we did a touristy thing and got out the guide book. We liked the sound of this....

'Marsascala is an ancient fishing village in Malta, with a picturesque bay, located in the southeast corner of the island'.

And that's where we ended up!

A walk to the headland

It was a beautiful sunny day so we found somewhere to park the car and went for a walk along the promenade. 

 and looking across the water it looked so pretty.

this is such a beautiful place.  Once we had walked to the headland, we would just have to get over to the other side for a little light refreshment.  Of course, we always have to sample the local food and drink!  More later.

We stood for a while and watched the locals fishing.  It seems to be just a normal everyday thing to do here.

Ah yes, and that brings me to the ....

Salt Pans: 

As you look down from the promenade to the shore you will see the beautiful saltpan system.  It is still being used today.

A little history for you

According to remains found in the area, Marsascala was inhabited thousands of years ago.  Roman baths as well as Christian catacombs found kind of suggest that it was once a Roman port.

New houses

Apparently, Marsascala is very popular with the Maltese and many of them have holiday homes here.  This is evident from some of the newbuilds.

And this property certainly wouldn't be out of place in Sandbanks in the UK.

And here right on the edge a surprise indeed.

As we walk further around the headland we got the surprise of our life and spent ages just taking it all in.

Eeek ..... spooky.

On closer encounter we find it's a derelict hotel.  What a shame.

Lots of graffiti, which actually is incredible considering the size of it .... and how on earth do they do it?

On returning to the Hotel we did a little online research on the iPad and found some information on Wikapedia.

Abandoned Jerma Palace Hotel

This had been the largest hotel in the south of Malta.

When it opened it contributed to transforming Marsascala from fishing village to resort.

It closed down in March 2007.  Sold to Jefpet Ltd in 2008 for 18.6million euros. Wow!

In 2009 the Tumas and Gasan Group wanted to transform the hotel but didn't come to fruition.  Then the Montebello brothers planned to turn the former hotel into apartments, yacht marina and 5 Star Hotel.

On 20th August 2016, requested by the Marsaskala Council, an enforcement notice was issued ordering the hotel owners to demolish the building.  On the very same day the building caught fire and was put out by the Civil Protection Department.

I believe the derelict building was sold at auction in October 2016.

The demolition of the dilapidated hotel buildings is to cost around €1.5 million.

Please don't quote me on any of this information, as I say I gleaned it all from online research.

I'm sure there's more to tell on the story of what used to be a beautiful hotel and when we find out you'll be the first to know. :)

Now for some sustenance

After all that excitement, we head back to try the local food ... and drink of course :)

It's still a beautiful day so we should be able to find somewhere to sit outside.

Oh yes, indeed, The Stuffed Olive looks perfect.

To be honest with you, I felt stuffed!  Such fabulous breakfasts always at Corinthia Palace Hotel I really thought I ought to have something light.  So I chose a green salad and Malcolm went for the fish option. Delicious on both counts.  Great food and really friendly staff too.  

Sorry you'll need to use your imagination on this occasion.  No pictures taken.  Think I was still getting over the scary eyes peeping out of that building.

So, yes, indeed, photographs open doors into the past, whether that be yesterday, weeks, or years images are reminders of what used to be.

So until next time Ċaw għalissa - bye for now 😉

Beer or Ale What's the Difference - A Day at Hall and Woodhouse Brewery

A brewery tour?  Yes, I know, not really one you'd think I even think about let alone enjoy.

The first thing you see when you step downstairs .....

Yes ... indeed Malcolm's kind of chandelier 😃

'Chandelier' meaning of: 

a large, decorative hanging light with branches for several light bulbs or candles.  Well the light bulbs were there lighting up the beer bottles!  

Early arrival

We arrive early so time for a cup of coffee.  Good coffee and a cuppa served very stylishly!  Ooh shortbread biscuit and fudge too.  Never mind the beer, that'll do nicely.

Hall & Woodhouse heritage

The tour began with the history of the brewery, told by Eddie our tour guide.

Before I go on .... my history teacher would have been so proud of me right now, listening to history, but Eddie was engaging and incredibly knowledgeable it was hard not to enjoy what he was saying (doesn't say a lot for my history teacher!) 

The Ansty brewery was founded by a Dorset farmer, called Charles Hall way back in 1777 and expanded rapidly.

In 1847 the founder's son, Robert, took a partner on board.

The niece got married

George Woodhouse married into the family by marrying Robert's niece and Robert went into partnership with George in 1847, hence the company name Hall and Woodhouse.

The Badger logo was adopted in 1875 which makes it one of the oldest marks on record.

A new brewery was built at Blandford St Mary in 1899,  In 2012 a state of the art brewery was built next to the original Maltings.  Now the shop and Brewery Tap.

From here we were taken on a tour around the brewery...

A little malt tasting took place, which was different and interesting.

Any photos taken inside the brewery are not allowed to be published. I really do recommend you go along if you can, soak up the atmosphere of a working brewery and see how the brews are made.

Tours are available all year round. The cost of your ticket includes a drink in the Brewery Tap.  If you're driving you can take a bottle home with you or if you prefer a glass of wine, that's ok too.  Yes, I did have wine. :)

And if you have the time, stay and eat!  We can recommend the Steak and Ale pie!

Delicious.

A family business 

This is still well and truly run as a family business and I found myself wanting to try the beer ..... well I may do soon .... but not yet  .... until that day I have, of course, got a chief beer taster!

How many people know this?

Hall and Woodhouse do an incredible amount of charity fund raising  

And every two years they nominate a charity to support.

And we were totally bowled over by how happy all the staff were. Obviously this is a great place to work.

What do you do with your empty beer barrel?  

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Hall and Woodhouse brewery. 

Malcolm, of course enjoyed the tour and the beer .... as you can see
and ......

it goes without saying .... he took some home!

So, beer or ale?  What's the difference?

Do you know?

Join us on our distillery tour here

If you'd like to be featured on our blog get in touch now.

Day Trip to Cowes on the Isle of Wight

Malcolm says 'I have an appointment in Cowes.  Why don't you come with me and you can take a few pics for the Travel Blog?'

Malcolm knows he's on to a winner with that offer.  Cowes is one of my favourite places and always visiting puts a smile on my face.

Sailing weeks ...

We have spent many weeks on the Isle of Wight for Cowes week or the Swan Europeans, me watching and Malcolm, of course, sailing.

I also have fond memories of spending time with Dad there too.

I look at my diary!  No, seem to be free enough for Monday and I jump at the offer of tagging along for a day.

Ah .... just one thing  ..... looks like photographs might be off the agenda then!

Actually it looks like the trip might be off!

The ferry has been delayed ... are you sure delayed and not cancelled?

Ah ok well it looks a little clearer towards the land.  But that's not the way we're going!

Listen ...

Captain says it's safe to continue.  Now who are we to argue, guess he knows the way.  Just hope no-one else is braving it on the water today.

Eeek!  Think I may just have that coffee we didn't have time for before we left home and settle down for a maybe longer than normal journey from Lymington to Yarmouth.

Whew, we made it.

Now safely in Yarmouth, we disembark and have a stress free journey to Cowes.  In plenty of time for Malcolm's appointment too.

Any chance of breakfast?

Once in Cowes, we decided we had enough time to grab something to eat and found a great place in Gurnard.

Note to self:  Must go here again!

Well, you would, wouldn't you?  Just look at the bacon bap you get at Waters Edge Beach Cafe  That's worth travelling through thick fog for isn't it?  

Oh and I think the waitresses may just put a smile on a man's face too!

Hold on!  That's what Malcolm was smiling at and I thought it was because of all the bacon and two eggs in his roll.

Now it's foggy and raining ...

I decide not to wander around with my camera just yet, as it is now raining as well as foggy.  It's ok I bought my book with me.....but actually these cute kids caught my eye, so I bravely wound the window down and took a snapshot.

Bless them.  Peering through the balustrades but seriously no way are they going to catch a glimpse of anything even if anything is there?

It is still really foggy and now very wet.....but their teacher still turns for a picture with her iPad.  Oops d'you think she has a picture of me?

Cowes High Street here we come

Husband returns and the weather seems a little clearer so we brave the High Street.

I love Cowes High Street.  It feels a little like going back in time.

Look at this fabulous green grocers.  It must take ages to put all that outside every day?  Epic, as my grandson would say.  It looks amazing.

And oh my word I've just visited their website Rosalies of Cowes incredible.  It's so much more than a greengrocers!  I wish we'd gone inside now.  Go on over and take a look.  

And then Live Like This just entices you inside ..... but not today ... another day when I'm shopping on my own :)

Looks pretty doesn't it.

However, I did manage to entice my husband into this shop.

and just look what happened next .....

a purchase is being made!  Yep ... that's for the hall ....shelf with coat hooks which we so badly need.  Fortunately Malcolm thinks so too.

Thank you so much Staples and Green and I think I may be able to persuade Malcolm to come back as there's lots of things we like here.

Tour of the island?

We did have on the agenda for today a little tour of the island.  Sadly the weather is really not on our side so we decide to take an earlier ferry home.  

Thirsty work

All that shopping in Cowes was thirsty work so we'd better stop at The Kings Head before we head back.

A very friendly welcome here too.

Ah and there in the harbour is Malcolm's rescue boat - but that's another story and glad to say he is still here to tell the tale.  

Just a quick picture to remind us how lucky we are to have an amazing RNLI.

Just before I go ... this man wanders over to sit on the bench and eat his lunch (actually a bit late for lunch but who knows?) 

The seagulls obviously thought they were in for a treat too ....

but not if the crows had anything to do with it!

I have to tell you, there's no way I would have continued to sit on that bench eating with those crows so close by!

Well, that's our day trip to Cowes done for another day.  

Foggy it was, but I always enjoy Cowes and can't wait for the next time.

See you next time .....and remember if you'd like to feature here 

DROP US AN EMAIL and we'll tell you how.