Pottering About in Winchester

Can you think of a nicer way to spend an afternoon than browsing through secondhand books underneath cathedral arches, having lunch in  a 250 year old pub, or wandering around the streets where Jane Austen lived - and died?

This is how Alec and I spend an afternoon when we want comfortable familiarity rather than adventure. We quite happily do the same things most times that we visit - first a look around the open air market, then a visit to the Oxfam bookshop.

On to the Cathedral Green, through the arches and the Cathedral precincts to the Wykham Arms, where the menu is always wonderful and the atmosphere embracing and courteous.

Until the rains of Autumn come, there is also an ongoing book sale underneath the arches at the back of the cathedral - so we always sit down to lunch with a pile of books to browse through. (It's a tough old life - but somebody has to do it!)

Nelson said that "England expects every man to do his duty" - you can see that such are the temptations on the menu at the Wykham Arms, that Alec is still carrying out his expectations - by eating - TWO puddings - for England!

While just around the corner from "The Wyk", I take a stroll (to walk OFF the pounds) past the very modest house where Jane Austen spent her last days.

O. lovely autumn afternoon, in this most lovely English cathedral city - am I not blessed with great good fortune to be so near to these delights, Gentle Readers?

Comments

[Britt-Arnhild]

Well, the next best way to spend the same afternoon must be exploring Botticelli in the Norwegian artic city Bodø, getting an sms from you :-) (see my blog about Botticelli)

[Rowan]

A picture of Jane Austen's house is due to appear on my blog shortly but it isn't as good as yours - I should have crossed the road! Didn't know about the second-hand books, just as well really as I wouldn't have seen anything else in Winchester.

[Mary Osborn]

Winchester has so much history. I hadn't really investigated it much until out Canadian friend came over.