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Stephen and Bronwyn Woodhead spoke about their recent trip to England, Scotland, Ireland and Paris. They attended equestrian events at Windsor Castle. Windsor sits above the village of Eton which is renowned for its public school. Windsor Castle is about half the size of Buckingham Palace at 400,000 square feet! They spent 3 days at the Royal Windsor Horse Show before going to London to visit various tourist attractions. They then travelled to Bath while attending the three days of the Badminton Horse trials. Badminton is one of the world’s top 5 * equestrian 3 day events with up to 180,000 spectators attending on the largest day. Seven New Zealanders were competing in this year’s trials and Caroline Powel, a NZer won. Bronwyn has a lifelong interest in equestrian sports so particularly enjoyed the occasion and watching a Kiwi win!!! From Badminton they travelled to Sommerset and stayed with a cousin of Stephen’s before joining a bus tour of Ireland and Scotland. While in Ireland they stayed with farming friends near Donegal who also owned sale yards and a feed business. Stephen noted the contrast between many small uneconomic Irish farms and larger successful entities. A tour around Belfast was enlightening about the “troubles”. They feel it will take another generation to pass before people can put it behind them. From Belfast they took a ferry to Scotland visiting Glasgow, the Highlands and Edinburgh. They then went back to London and then to Kent where they again stayed with Stephen’s cousin. This was in the historic town of Sandwich near remains of a 2000-year-old Roman Fort. From here they took the Euro-star to Paris which travels up to 299km/hour. Stephen commented that he had never taken a great deal of interest in history. This trip had enlightened him into the abundance of history of the places they visited . Stephen and Bronwyn gave this address at short notice and without visual support. It was an interesting and fluent talk. Thanks. |
