Fifth holiday blog
Decided to write another one today so it won't take too long to finish this. On thursday we stayed in Winchester itself, this is a very old town, capital of the old saxon kingdom and very important still the first years of the norman rule. We started by walking past the guildhall to have a look at King Alfred's statue. The greatest king the saxons ever had, he brought them together and for his time he was a vey learned man. Next stop was the cathedral this one was started soon after the norman conquest and even before 1066 there was a saxon church on this site. We were able to join a tour of 50 minutes. A very enthusiastic guide who kept adding stories and making the tour longer then 50 minutes. We saw Jane Austen's grave, the many stages in build of the cathedral a very worthwhile tour. Next to the cathedral were the ruins of the old bishop's castle. Not much more then ruins remain now, yet it must have been a huge place, these priests certainly did not believe in living soberly. By now we were getting a pit peeky and visited the westcornwallpasty company to have some yummy pasties. I wish I could get those in the Netherlands, I really love these things. Now it was on to the Westgate museum, a small museum in one of the citygates from the top you also have a nice view over the city. Last stop was the great hall. What is left of Winchester's old castle. Here you can find the famous round table. Of course not the original, if that ever excisted. But still it does have it's age, it dates from Edward III's time. So it is a relic any way. I had seen it before in 1992 on my previous visit to Winchester, but it is still a nice sight.
Back home after this. Robert and Dru joined us again this evening and we made some dinner afterwards there was time for chatting and looking at photo's of the battlefield together.
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