Sunday, 22 March 2009

Tracing my roots to Beccles


This is a special edition entry for my Mum and Dad
Once upon a time Donald Chapman and Robyn Alsop hooked up on an overseas trip, it was 1973. They hung out, spent a couple of months in a bedsit in Kensington and then decided to continue living in sin out at Beccles.

Robyn was the waitress, Dad was the barman. Kelly just a sparkle in their eye... So, I decided it was time for a trip to the place where their love blossomed because without Beccles, there would be no Chappie family.

The Waveney House Hotel still stands.

I'm assuming it still look's pretty much the same from the front?
But there's been some fancy additions to the river side..

I think this might have been where the staff quarters used to be Dad..? Replaced by a terrace garden..?

It was beautiful by the river.




And the food was excellent. Jolly good show all round we thought.



The barman wasn't excited about our heritage adventure. He wasn't even a sparkle when you guys worked there!


Some shots from around Beccles - recognise things?


A stop on the way to Beccles. Bury St Edmunds. It was a random coffee break that turned into quite an interesting stop. The site of this cathedral was first founded in 300 AD.





a few spring shots

A Saturday ride along the canals of London..

The Olympic site starting to take shape..

It's not the prettiest area leading up to the where the Olympic site is. It's a very industrial area now (will be interesting to see what it looks like by 2012)



We rode right across London to the Thames Gate. This is where they can control the sea if there's a crazy tide.



First flowers appearing in Victoria Park

The canal near Camden. The sun was out, therefore the people.

We spent a weekend out in the Cotswolds again with the Smiths. This time we had Bec accompany us for another wonderful weekend.


An old market place dating back to the 1600s (?)

Snowdrops always come out first around the UK.

So cute!!!!






Arlington Row - one of the iconic images of the Cotswolds in Bibury











Hanging out at Kate Moss's local. I reckon I looked the part..

It's been a while since we had some jumping shots. But now that spring's in the air!!




A day out in Cambridge last Sunday...






We were also due another Josh eating series portrait.

Kings College chapel.







Not a bad spot to watch the rugby of a Sunday afternoon..