Jewels in the Crown

Being able to settle into a place for a week or more at a time is a joy. It enables one, for a time, to settle in and experience the place as the locals do. Shopping in the market, establishing a favourite bar or coffee shop, the best place for bread and to see the sun either rise or set, all this and more is one can do with the benefit of time.

But along the way, in-between these times, are the one or two night stops that facilitate moving from A to B....and they too can be a joy. Sometimes these are the little jewels one discovers and each has its own particular colour and value.

White -The city of Leicester was a stronghold of the centre of the Yorkist cause and became the burial place for Richard III. The white rose of York remains prominent to this day. As I arrive the day is bright and promising and it fulfilled its promise of history and adventure. Arriving at the Cathedral, the BBC were there filming and I was able to see the historian Lucy Worsley filming a segment at the tomb of Richard III for her new series.

Leicester Cathedral

BBC at work

Lucy Worsley

Richard III tomb

As I waited for a gap in the proceedings to pay my own homage to Richard, I met the Chaplain of the Cathedral and had a lovely chat to him about Richard and the screening of the internment. A highlight however was to be introduced to the Dean who led the service and to receive his blessing!

As my own opportunity came to visit the tomb, I am struck by its monolithic simplicity and its gravitas - Richard III was the last King of England to die in battle. For years, forgotten and lying under the tarmac of the town car park, he now has a fitting monument and once more, remembered. Richard remains a controversial figure - we may never know what happened to the Princes in the Tower, but standing at the foot of his tomb, one has to acknowledge the incredible hold his story has had on the country and for those interested in history.

The display showing the archaeological process that went to discovering Richard at the nearby visitor centre was informative...and the holographic representation of where Richard was lying, captivating.

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I drove through the New Forest in Surrey towards Beaulieu - I was not expecting the expanse of wide, open space nor the wild ponies and horses which roam the area. Unafraid of traffic they stand close to the road - perhaps they have learnt that as cars slow to go past and admire them that an apple or some other appetising treat might be offered?

Through the forest to Bucklers Hard, a small luxurious hotel on the Beaulieu estate. As I approached I was struck by how green everything was, from the grass through to the miles or country road deeply shadowed by overhanging tree branches and growth.

Bucklers Hard is famous now for its yacht harbour and that Sir Francis Chichester made this place his base before heading off on his journeys. In earlier times the ships of Nelson were built here and the original working slips into the water are still evident. The workers cottages are still standing smartly and one can imagine the life going on here in those busy times. Their orchard is still bearing fruit - the ripe apples dropping easily into ones hand.

It is also a great thing to see a place from water so I had fun on the sailboat taking the half hour tour up to the mouth of the river then back. Oh, to sit on the balcony with an aperol spritz in hand and relax in the warm sunshine and admire the view. The warmth soaked into my very bones I could easily feel the peace soak in with it.