Stoke Lyne Jubilee Walk

Today Jennifer and I took a walk on the Stoke Lyne Jubilee Trail. A complete circuit on the trail is 9 miles but we didn't complete the entire trip. We walked through two small towns on the walk: Stoke Lyne and Hardwick.

The village church in Hardwick, St. Mary's, was built in the 12th century. The name "Hardwick" means "dwelling place for flocks or herds" in Old English.

In Old English, the work "Stoke" means "cattle farm." Before the Norman Conquest the manor of Stoke was held by Tostig, the Earl of Northumbria, who died died fighting against hos brother, King Harold, at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066.

Part of the path took us through Tusmore Eastate and Park. Tusmore, in Old English, means "haunted lake." The present house was built in 2001-2003 is the 5th house to stand on the estate

Picture Web Site change

I have moved the pictures from our local server to Snapfish. If you would like access please email me at bob @ pack . org (remove the spaces) and I will add you to the access list. From this site you will be able to order prints, etc. Much easier and faster plus the pictures are at full resolution.

Guy Fawkes Day at Beachborough

Yesterday was Guy Fawkes' Day in England. The children's school, Beachbourgh held their own festivities. We go there around 5:45 PM when, at this time of year, it's already dark. There was soup and drinks. Shortly after, there was a very nice fireworks display which were set off from the football/rugby pitch. After the fireworks, there was a big bonfire on top of which were burned effigies of Guy.

The word bonfire is from the Old English bonefire. In the 1500-1600's, bodies in cemetaries would be bug up after 30 years or so in order to make room for more bodies. The bones would then be burned.