Magdalen College, Oxford

Arrived London 7.30 and went straight to Chris and Kates. Kate was sleeping in after a late night. Chris, andy and I walked down to Clifton avenue - the local village, for breakfast. Everything looked great - flowers blooming, trees green, sunny day.
When Kate woke we drove to Oxford to look around. We had lunch at a cute little pub. We then went into Magdalen College - one of the most beautiful university colleges. It had fantastic old building, chapel, quadrangle and extensive grounds. There were deer in the grounds. A stream meandered through and people were punting and canoing along it. What a special time the students must have here.

New Hampshire to Vermont and Boston

Set off in beautiful sunshine and it just got hotter and hotter all day. Drove through the beautiful White Mountains across to Vermont. As we left the mountains the country opened out into rolling hills. Stopped for lunch just out of a picturesque town of Stowe - and then started the long journey home. We arrived at the airport around 5.30, flight for London leaves in an hour and a half.

Dovecote

Spied this charming dovecote on our walk.

Jackson, New Hampshire

Beautiful sunny moring so we went for a walk on a 2 hour track around the village. It was very picturesque with tsnow capped mountains in the distance. There were small mountain ponds and a waterfall tumbling into the town. We stopped in the little village for a delicious roll, then wandered back to the inn for a rest. I spied this tortoise basking in one of the ponds.

Thornbill Inn, Jackson - view through rainy window

New Hampshire

Headed off in glorious sunshine. We drove away from the coast and north out of Maine and into New Hampshire. We left behind the glorious coastal mansions and encountered some rural areas, but then quickly reached more wooded areas with lakes and connifers. Around every lake were houses going down to the water. We continued north into the White Mountains. There was still some old snow around on the road edges. A distal mountain was snow capped. We passed ski runs and lifts - all inactive now that spring is here. Settled into a fantastic lodging in Jackson called Thornhill Lodge. We fave a beautiful view back to the mountains. There is a very good chef here and we had n excellent 3 course dinner as part of the tarriff.

Maine Stay - Kennebunkport

Woke to beautiful sunshine today. Went for a walk down to the town and river. All the boats are cling wrapped for the winter. Here is a picture of the beautiful lodging we are staying in. It is surrounded by sweeping lawns - all beautifully groomed. All around the bulbs are starting to bloom. The season is a little later here further north. We have just had freshly brewed coffee, and then we will sit down to breakfast.