Mansfield and District U3ANewsletter

Quiz Night: Page 4_____________________________

Established 1999HMRC Charity Registration No.: XT30525

March 2014Website: www.mansfield-u3a.org.uk

Noticeboard: http://mansfieldu3a.blogspot.com

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Welcome from your chairmanGOOD MORNING everyone.

Another few days and we will be putting our clocks forward for Springtime. According to my diarythe Vernal Equinox is on Thursday, 20 March, when Spring begins; of course we always put ourclocks forward on a Saturday evening.

So, what have we got to look forward to today. Our Speaker is David Templeman, who will be tellingus about 'Arbella – The Queen that never was'. She was the granddaughter of Bess of Hardwickand niece to Mary, Queen of Scots, so this should keep us well engrossed for an hour! Many of us,if not all, will have visited Hardwick Hall, as a National Trust member or otherwise, which was totallyrevamped not long ago. On a visit to Buxton recently it was interesting to see the replica of Mary,Queen of Scots’ writings on the windows of the Old Hall Hotel, which she scratched with her rings.She was kept under guard there by Elizabeth and not allowed to have visitors or speak to anyone.Well worth a visit!

The Quiz Night on 22 February was, as usual, a big success and was won by a team called 'TheFraud Squad'. I had to ask myself about the name though! Pauline and Ian foxed many of us withtheir rare questions and kept over 90 people thinking all evening. A “thank you” goes particularly tothe Social Committee who gave their time prior to the evening in making platters for each team. Ifthere are new members who have not experienced this occasion in the social calendar, do try andmake it next year – I can guarantee you will have an enjoyable evening.

Now the big one – 'The Crystal Ball' on 20 May. If you have not already bought your tickets, theseare still on sale – it promises to be a 'super' evening for all and not to be missed. The SocialCommittee have worked hard to organise this for our “Fifteenth Anniversary Year” and final detailswill continue to be put in place up to the actual evening. We are also honoured to have BarbaraLewis, the National Chairman from the Third Age Trust, and her husband, Stewart, staying for theBall. She will also be our speaker that day, giving a talk entitled 'The U3A and Me and The U3A andYou'.

On a different note, I was very interested recently to read the meaning of the word 'volunteer', whichmany of us are, or have been, within the U3A. It arrived in England in the early 17th Century via theFrench word 'voluntaire', which was specifically applied to those offering themselves for militaryservice. However, the meaning was soon extended to non-military contexts too. Winston Churchillsaid “We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give!” The old adage “As onesows, so shall one reap!”.

Lastly, for all the ladies, don’t forget Mothers’ Day on 30 March 2014, be it chocolates, flowers,meals out or the odd massage and facial. Enjoy!Glenis Carr______________________________________________________________________________

In this issuePage 2 Welcome.Page 3 Social Events (Coffee Morning & Anniversary Ball). Holiday Updates (Start).Page 4 Holiday Updates (End) Recent Events (Quiz Evening).Page 5 - 8 Interest Groups meetings diary.

Page 8 Book Table.Page 9 Groups News (Local History & Garden Visits – Hodsock Priory).Page 10 Groups News (Garden Visits – Harlow Carr, Art, Luncheon Club & Bowls).Page 11 Members' Contribution (The Marching Boot). England is Poetry.Page 12 Dates for your diary & Notices.

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SOCIAL EVENTSCOFFEE MORNING: 9th May at The Towers on Botany Avenue, 10.00 - 12.00. Tickets on sale now; £2 each, including a hot drink and biscuit.

This is an opportunity to meet everyone, have a chat and a drink, a flutter on the tombola, buy a cakeand plant and try your luck on the raffle.

Tombola donations are coming in well but we still need lots more so do have a look around and handthem over to members of the Social Committee asap please. (Bring your plant and cake donations onthe morning; we start to set up from 9.30.)

CRYSTAL CELEBRATION BALL: 20th May at the John Fretwell Centre, from 7pm. Tickets onsale now; £20, including food and an entertainer.

This is our 15th year of Mansfield and District U3A so we all decided to have a bit of a 'do'. Ticketsare £20 each and we like to think the entertainer is 'age appropriate'. (Can I say this? I don’t knowbut he is a very good singer!)

We have chosen THE PREMIER BUFFET which sounds and looks fabulous.

I will also be visiting other local U3A’s who began with our help as we thought it would be great ifthey could join us so that we can all celebrate together. Smart dress for this evening, please.

Tickets are going well but are still available from me. See you soon.Karen Troop – 01623 633404, karentroop@hotmail.com. Check for updates on thewebsite.______________________________________________________________________________

Holiday updatesANNUAL MANSFIELD U3A HOLIDAY AT WARNERS THORESBY HALL. (Mon. 2nd. to Fri. 6thFeb. 2015). £208pp sharing, £248 single, inc. 4 nights bed, breakfast and evening meal. Plenty ofdaytime and evening entertainment provided (from 10am to past midnight if you want it.)

This holiday is open to U3A members of any branch and friends of members are welcome too.

There are a very limited number of single rooms so if you want one you must be prepared to go intoa draw which will take place at the end of March. If you are unsuccessful your deposit cheque willbe destroyed.

Upgrades are available but again, numbers are limited.

I am closing the booking at the end of March; anyone wanting to come who has not paid a depositby then goes on the waiting list. I have to firm up numbers with Warners and pay the deposit by thefirst week in April.

I can be contacted by email on 2015@whiteheaduk.plus.com or by phone on 01623 626991.Terry Whitehead, 37 Skegby Lane, Mansfield, Notts NG19 6QS

LONDON MUSICAL, Pajama Game (10th - 11th June)Balances need to be paid no later than the April meeting. Because cheques will not be casheduntil 17th April you can pay today if you so wish. I forgot to add the driver's gratuity to the originalprice so I am using the money from the free place & also deducting 50p from your balances, now£160 (singles), £125 for theatre goers & £115 for the rest. Cheques to Mansfield & District U3A.

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LAKESIDE HOLIDAY VILLAGE, Hayling Island (23rd - 27th June.) Balances of £273, £283 or £293 according to upgrades, must be paid by the March meeting.(Cheques to Mansfield & District U3A.)

Before I hand over your packs with itineraries, coach plan, maps & luggage labels, I will need toknow how many wish to take advantage of the group booking to the various sightseeing venues.The combined price for 15+ people is approx £25. This includes a trip round the harbour, SpinnakerTower, the Victory, the Mary Rose & Museum & the Warrior.

Please come and sign up if you wish to take up this offer. If you intend to do your own thing & wantto visit single attractions, book at least 10 days before arrival & you will also get a discount. I cangive you a contact number.

THE ALGARVE, PORTUGAL (18th - 25th Sept.)Next month I shall be giving out sheets for you to fill in your passport details, which is compulsorywhenever there is a flight involved. Please read the instructions carefully since there will be moneyto pay should they need to amend any of your details once they have been submitted.

I will also announce the final balance amount in April. It will be in the region of £850 for singles and£760 for twins & doubles. These must be paid in May but I am hoping that, if numbers can bemaintained, I will use a free place to cover the driver's gratuity and deduct some more from theabove amount, so don't write your cheques out yet!Margaret Burlinson – 01623 632538, marburl@lineone.net Updates about all holidays are on the website...________________________________________________________________________________________

Recent EventsAnnual Quiz EveningTHE SANDWICHES were made, grapes counted, platters of cakes arranged, tables set, teamnames chosen and we were off.

We were 'The Top Table'; our numbers were down because of illnesses but we were eager, notnecessarily to win but to have a good time and this we certainly did.

Well done Pauline for testing our minds, making us laugh and shaking our heads in disbelief whenwe heard some of the answers. After all how can we be expected, at our ages to know the price of aprescription? And what is a Wet Nellie?

1984 in Roman Numerals? We got the first and last letters correct but not the 'middle bits'. It wouldbe interesting to know what, if anything our answer created!!

Our break for supper was most welcomed to rest our brains and have a chat. The food as ever wasvery good.

We did not need to be told the final scores, we knew we had lost. If only … if only we had gone forthe 'either' and not the 'or' we would not have been last!

Congratulations go to 'The Fraud Squad' from Sherwood U3A who won by 2 points' althoughPauline says only 4 points separated the top 4 teams.

Lots of people helped make this a successful evening: Pauline and Ian, Janet, Sue and Linda forthe food and me of course, Winifred and Len for setting tables, Jean and Elizabeth, our raffle ladies,Terry for slicing sausage rolls and everyone who helped clear up but most of all thanks to everyonewho came. See you all next year.Karen Troop Photos on the website...

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PS: A Wet Nellie is a pudding; how could you not know this Janet? (Pauline tells me there weresome funny answers but no one got the correct one!)PPS: We may have lost but we knew how to spell DIARRHOEA!

Key to Meetings details:THIS TABLE SHOWS THE DAY of the month, time and frequency using the first two letters of theday, followed by numbers 1 - 5 to represent the week number. The final letter M (or F, W or V)indicates that the group meets monthly, fortnightly, weekly or at variable intervals.

So 'Tu2, 2.30 - V M' would mean a group meeting on the 2nd Tuesday at 2.30pm Monthly but withVariable finish times.

The main Mansfield and District U3A meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of each month (except Augustand December) at the Oakham Suite, 155 Nottingham Road, Mansfield from 10 am - 12.30 pm.

All members are invited to contact the relevant Group Leader if they would like to participate in anyinterest group or attend an event. NB: * indicates a waiting list.

Interest Group Meetings Meeting Places Leader/Contact

Antiques & Collectables

Tu 2, 10 - 12 M Stanhope Centre, Bridge Street,Mansfield

Pat Blackwell01623 481745

Next Meetings: April 8th – Visit to Helmswell Antiques Centre. £7.50

Art We3, 10 - 12 M Big Barn Lane Methodist Church, Mansfield

Linda Spray 01623 795176

Next Meetings: March 19th – Any Animal; April 16th

Art Appreciation Mo1, 2.00 - 4.00 M Stanhope Centre, Bridge Street,Mansfield

Pauline Boucher01623 644798

Next Meeting: April 7th – Religious Art; May 5th – No Meeting (Bank Holiday)

Beginners' Bridge (With Ashfield U3A)

Mo, Various 6.30 - 9.00

Enviro Centre, Derby Rd College,Mansfield

Maxine Rose/Glenis Carr 01623 459081/627735

Next Meetings: March 17th; April 7th; May 12th; June 2nd & 16th (Also Acol sessions at the Mechanics Institute – Thurs 10 - 12.30 W)

Bowls Tu, 2.30 - 4.00 W Lammas Sports Centre, Sutton

Don Wright01623 628946

Next Meetings: Last Indoor Sessions on Tues 25th and Thurs 27th MarchOutdoor Sessions begin on Thursday May 1st. See web page for full details.

Caravan & M'home Rally

Various Various Terry Lammas01623 471963

Next Meetings: June 1st to 29th – France. See web page for more details.

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Chat and Stitch Mo3, 2.00 - 4.00 M St John's Centre, Mansfield

Doreen Storer01623 407731

Next Meeting: April 21st; May 20th; June 17th; No Meetings in July and August.

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Interest Group Meetings Meeting Place Leader/Contact

Current Affairs Tu2, 2.00 - 4.00 M St John's Centre, Mansfield

Norma Shillinglaw01623 466934

Next Meetings: April 8th; May 13th; June 10th; May 8th

Digital World Fri 2 & 4, 2.00 - 4.00 2/M

Stanton Hill Baptist Church, Albert St Skegby

David Ling01623 822994

Next Meetings: 14th & 28th March; 11th & 25th April

Family History Tu4, 10.00 - 12.00 M St John's Centre, Mansfield

Max Clarke01623 621744

Next Meetings: March 25th – Heirlooms and Photographs; April 22nd – Interesting Ancestors

Film Studies * We1, 1.30 - V M Joy's home Joy Crowe01623 645400

Next Meetings: 2nd April; May 7th; June 4th

Garden Visits During the Summer Various Janet Whitlam01623 635607

Next Visits: June 12th – RHS Harlow Carr. Check at desk for details.

Gardening Tu1, 10.00 - 12.00 M St Peter's Centre, Mansfield

Avril McGee01623 452688

Next Meetings: April 1st – A Vision of Roses with Stuart Dixon; May 3rd – Lilies and Chillies

Heartstart Check Day below 1.00 - 3.00

William Kaye Hall, Ladybrook Lane

Linda Leivers 01623 471963

Next Meetings: Monday March 24th. More dates later

Holidays (Home & Abroad)

Various TBA Margaret Burlinson01623 632538

Next holidays: June 23rd - 27th – Warner's, Hayling Island*; Sept 18th - 25th – Portugal; Tues Dec 3rd - Thurs 5th – Thursford Xmas Spectacular; 2015: Mon Feb 2nd - Fri 6th – Thoresby

Local History Fri1, 10.00 - 12.00 M Bridge Street Methodist Church

Bob & Sue Longden01623 486903

Next Meetings: April 4th – 200 Years of Dissent in Mansfield with John O'Neill; May 2nd – Visit to Temple Newsam. Cost £15; June 6th – Early Non-Conformists, Why Mansfield? With Rev. D. Smith

Luncheon Club Th after 3rd Tu, 12.00 - 2.00 M

Various David Ling01623 822994

Next Meetings: March 20th – Woodborough Hall; April 17th – The Earl of Chesterfield at Shelford;

Movement to Music (New)

W 10.30 - 11.30 W St Peter's Church Hall Linda Leivers 01623 471963

Next Meetings: Weekly on Wednesdays

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Interest Group Meetings Meeting Place Leader/Contact

Music Groups

Classical Music 2 Mo4, 2.00 - 4.00 M Members' homes Peter Hart01623 620940

Next Meetings: March 24th – Mozart with Mike; April 28th – Schubert with Marie

Music 2 * Mo4, 2.00 - 4.30 M Members' homes Eric Prescott 01623 631160

Next Meeting: March 24th; April tba

Popular Music Appreciation *

Tu4, 2.00 - 4.00 M St John's School, Mansfield

Peter Haynes 01623 610886

Next Meetings: March 25th; April 22nd; May 27th

Pudding Club * Tu1, 4.00 - 6.00 M Members' homes Sylvia Slack 01623 633981

Next Meetings: Alternately at Sylvia's and Janet's from March 2014

Reading 1 Th3, 2.00 - 4.00 M Peter Dawson's home Peter Dawson 01623 882191

Next Meetings: March 20th; April 17th; May15th

Reading 2 Tu3, 2.00 - 4.00 M Ravenshead Library Joan Hufton01623 557488

Next Meetings: March 18th; April 15th; May 20th

Science & Technical Tu1, 2.00 - 4.00 M(NB Change)

Stanton Hill Baptist Church, Skegby

Ian Boucher01623 644798

Next Meetings: April 1st – Volcanoes with Peter; May 6th – Renewable Energy Discussion

Scrabble * Mo2, 2.00 - 4 .00 M Brenda Thurkettle's home

Brenda Thurkettle01623 628136

Next Meetings: TBA

Singing for Fun Thur, 6.30 – 8.30 Methodist Church, Chesterfield Road

June Fell 01623 623547

Next Meeting: Thurs March 20th; Thurs April 3rd & 17th. Fortnightly until further notice. The church is just up from QE Academy on the other side of the road. Plenty of parking on side road.

Tai Chi Mo, 9.30 - 10.30 W St John's Centre,Mansfield

Cliff Laycock01623 481985

Next Meetings: Weekly from Monday Jan 6th

Theatre Visits Various Various Sheila Whalley 01623 453908

Next Meetings: Wed 16th April – Cats; Sun 27th April – Monty Don; Thurs 8th May – Paul Hollywood; Thurs 29th May – Sister Act. (See Web page for venue, time, cost and future trips)

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Interest Group Meetings Meeting Place Leader/Contact

Walking Groups

Hikers (all-day, 6 - 8 miles)

Th1 & Mo3, 9.30 - V 2/M

Tesco car park, off Oak Tree Lane

Peter Thurkettle 01623 628136

Next Meetings: Thurs. April 3rd – Chatsworth; Mon. 21st April – Hope / Edale End; Thurs May 1st – Farnsfield; Mon 19th May – Everton Mattersey; Thurs 5th June – Cromford

Shufflers(short & gentle)

V Lunchtimes Various Sylvia Slack 01623 633981

Next Meeting: Thurs. March 27th – Mansfield Manor Hotel (3pm for tea); Wed. April 23rd – Rumbles Café, Sutton Lawn (1pm)

Strollers(a leisurely 2 miles)

We2, 10.30 - V M Various Barbara Massey / Marion Thornton 01623 628357 / 01623 651528

Next Meetings: April 9th – Cresswell Crags; May 14th – Rufford Abbey; June 11th – Sherwood Pines

Walkers (an easy 4 - 5 miles)

We4, 10.30 – V M Various Joy & Nick Crowe01623 645400

Next Meetings: March 26th – Mansfield Woodhouse to Pleasley Vale; April 23rd – Teversal Bluebell Woods

Wine Appreciation 2* We3, 7.30 - V M Members' homes Mike Allen01623 653345

Next Meetings: March 19th – Cotes du Rhone with Norma; April 16th – Ron's Own Choice Whites

Wine Appreciation 3* Tu4, 7.30 - V M Members' homes Graham Allin01623 473662

Next Meetings: March 25th – Sauternes & Barsac with Barrie and Lynne; April 22nd – Thai Wineswith Colin

Writing for Pleasure * Mo2, 2.00 - 4.00 M Stanhope Centre, Bridge Street,Mansfield

Sue Ford / Hilary Miller 01623 844286 / 620067

Next Meetings: April 14th; May 12th; June 9th; July 14th

Book tableSALE of books in February raised £43.00 exactly. For the information of new members all themoney raised from this enterprise goes towards keeping YOUR subs down.

By sheer coincidence, the gentleman who drives the British Heart Foundation van lives quite near tous. He calls and picks up those books which have been on sale for more than 3 months themorning after our monthly meeting, a mutually convenient arrangement. Anyone wanting to do thesame one month for their ‘own’ charity please get in contact. And if you would like to help behind thecounter, come along any month and let one of the ‘regulars’ look at the notice boards some time. Lilian Whitehead

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Groups NewsLocal HistoryTHE LOCAL HISTORY Group was treated to a veryinformative and interesting talk by Andy Gaunt of MercianArchaeology Services on the 'Sherwood ForestArchaeology Project' on 7th February.

The project combines community archaeology, researchand outreach work enabling people from all backgroundsto become involved in the history of Sherwood Forest, itslandscape and people. Mercian Archaeology Serviceshave led community excavations at King John's Palace,Kings Clipstone and Thynghowe, the local Viking historicsite.

The Group are this year holding a members meeting concerning the First World War as it is onehundred years this year since it began. We are hoping to bring a local flavour to rememberingfamily, friends, events that happened that year 1914. Sherwood Forest was a very important site forthe training of soldiers who were going to fight for 'King and Country'. In fact the camp sawthousands of soldiers pass through and on their return at the end of the War were demobbed therein 1918/1919. So we are as a group remembering the tragic events of the time with local memories.

As we keep finding out, Mansfield is an interesting town for people, inventions, industry andreligious zealots, many of which we will be discussing in the near future, along with days out tocompliment the meetings. At this time the group has in excess of fifty members so we are askingany members of the U3A who would like to join please let Sue or I know your details and as soon aswe have a vacancy we will let you know.

Our next meeting has Ian Boucher treating us to a talk on Mansfield Drinks! Ian has given talksbefore and are always good! Don't miss it Local History!Bob & Sue Longden

Garden VisitsHODSOCK PRIORY – 24th February

Even though the day was grey, a U3A group met that day.We boarded a bus to go for a drive.

Then to a beautiful place we did arrive.Hodsock Priory was our destination.

Their carpets of snowdrops filled us with admiration.

We saw bright yellow winter aconites.And burgundy, green, pink and white.

Morning coffee with a bicky we enjoyed.Then a tour round the garden with a guide.

Next to a posh marque we went to dine.

Afterwards, to the woods where the sun did shine.There were of course plants to buy.

If I said we did not indulge it would be a lie.Yet another super U3A day.

To Janet and Karen our thanks we say.

Sheila Whalley More pictures on the website...

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HARLOW CARR – 12th JuneOur next visit will be to these lovely RHS gardens near Harrogate. I have booked a guided tour ofthe gardens to give us the insight and history of the development of these gardens and Janet hasbooked the coach. For this year, the RHS, has given reduced prices to groups belonging to the U3Aso we have got a bargain for us all to enjoy.

See Janet at the March meeting and she will give you all the details when you sign up.Karen and Janet

ArtOUR SUBJECT on the February session was'a pair of boots'; smart ladies' boots, rough & rugged ones,walking, gardening, etc. Quite a varied collection.

There were 13 members who, I am sure all enjoyed thisparticular session, once we had decided how the bootswere to be displayed.

Our next meeting will be on 19th March, the subjectmatter will be an animal.

If you want to give art a go (talented or not) please come along and join us, as you will be madevery welcome.Linda Spray

Luncheon ClubOUR FIRST visit to The Maypole at Wellow, in February, won't be our last, judging by members'feedback and the number of repeat visits I know they're planning. Pictures on thewebsite...

Our next lunch, on March 20th, will be at Woodborough Hall, near Calverton, where Alan Millerhas arranged a visit to one of the most beautiful country estate hotels in Nottinghamshire. Thevaried menu Alan has chosen will be priced at just £13.50 for 2 courses and £16.50 for 3, includingcanapé pre-starters, coffee/tea and petits fours. (Lovers of bread and butter pudding will be looking-forward to comparing their butterscotch variation with the Maypole's white chocolate andmarmalade one!)

Then, on 17th April, Sheila Whalley has arranged for us to try The Chesterfield Arms nearGunthorpe, which is gaining fame as one of the first community-run pubs in the county aftervillagers resisted the brewer's closure plans. The simple and attractive menu is priced at just £9 fortwo courses and £11.50 for three.

Please pre-book for these at the Lunch Club table or by email to dlpruk@aol.com.David Ling

BowlsOUR indoor bowls season at the Lammas Centre ends on Tuesday 25th March and Thursday 27thMarch.

The Bowls Group then moves outdoors to the Mansfield Bowling Club, Chesterfield Road,Mansfield. Commencing Thursday 1st May 1.30pm.

New members are welcome; come along and have a go, coaching and equipment is available, butbowling shoes must be worn.

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The official opening of the Green for the 2014 outdoor season takes place on Tuesday 15th April6.15 pm. Members of U3A Bowls Group (including any U3A member interested in having a go atoutdoor bowling) are invited to come along and join in the activities. Free buffet! If you require anyfurther information please contact me. Don Wright Tel: 01623 628946.

______________________________________________________________________________The Marching Boot

TRUDGE, TRUDGE, TRUDGE, how much longer, how much further will we have to go?

The noisy banter and camaraderie has ceased, and the singing and whistling gradually died away.I’m being dragged along and this poor devil can hardly lift his feet, just like all the rest. I’m sticking tothe sole of his foot and my sole is surely wearing out. My sides are splitting, my laces are shreddingand the leather waterlogged from all the mud, but he’s trying with all his might to stay in the rhythmof the march, along with the rest of them.

The smoke and the smell of gas is sometimes overpowering, and the cries and the call of menbreaks the silence that overwhelms the night, that eerie quiet that seems unreal and heightens thesenses to wait for the unexpected.

Many other boots and shoes are all around, hanging on like me, plodding and dragging along theroad, some are lying unwanted or not now needed, protruding from legs that are wounded anddying. There are those that have already reached the end.

Maybe that’ll be me soon if he hasn’t any strength left, or perhaps we’ll make it back to a clean,bright world full of hope and peace. I’ll have new laces and new soles, and maybe even shine likenewly-polished glass once more.Hilary Miller______________________________________________________________________________

England is poetry

England. Gentle undulating hills.Wild heather-covered moorlands.

Serene, shimmering lakes.And surging, silvery seas.

England. Celebrated cathedral cities.Peaceful pastoral pathways.

Flower-filled meadows.Fertile, fruitful orchards.

England. Gardens gloriously arrayed.Pansies; poppies; roses.

And rugged rambling rockeries.Of campions and sea pinks.

Overhanging the ocean.

England. Homely harbours, pristine, painted boats and wheeling white gulls.Cornfields of gold, pastures of green, sheep and cows contentedly grazing.

Children playing by village streams and quaint old bridges of rough-hewn stone.

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