Your favourite places in England.

All because the lady loves............umm, err hates being called an American! It's just absolutely guaranteed to get Sue H going! The truth is I had forgotten your 'pet hate' until you pointed it out again Sue. But hey, what's wrong with being called American, you live in America, you married an American? What you probably really mean is that you love dear old England and that it will always be your home (in your heart anyway), so I think it's fair to say that you would rather be known as a grey haired old twitcher from Wheatley, or should that be an old 'twit' from Wheatley, gone grey? Oh dear, should I post this? Yesssss, yippeeee...now wait for it Ronnie boy!

My favourite place in England would be Godstow Nunnery on Trout Island, near Wolvercote, Oxford. Built on Trout Island in 1133 and consecrated in 1179 by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the presence of King Henry II, it can be seen from the River Thames, although you will only be able to see what remains of the Nunnery, the ruins! But in what is probably one of the most amusing (well maybe a little bit sad then) of all Oxford ghost stories, it is said that Henry II was in love with a Nun who was living at Godstow Nunnery. Her name was Rosamund the Fair. It is also said that Henry II had a secret garden where he kept his concubine protected by a labyrinth of walls and tunnels, and guarded at all times by his trusted Knights, any one of whom was instructed to hold the end of a silver thread leading to Rosamund; thus Henry II would merely follow the thread to the lady, who to this day, is said to haunt the nearby Trout Inn at Godstow!      But needless to say that when the Queen found out about Rosamund the Fair with whom her husband was so deeply in love, she was insanely jealous, and decided to take what she considered to be appropriate action. The Queen is said to have first killed the Knight on duty and then followed the thread, whereupon Rosamund the Fair was forced to drink from a poisoned chalice.     As for the Trout Inn at Godstow, well Rosamund the Fair is apparently seen as a shadowy figure and often creeping around the awnings. Wow, spooky eh? Restaurants and public houses often use ‘awnings’ to cover an outdoor area for dining, parties, or a reception by the river for example, so perhaps you won’t want to sit outside for lunch or drinks after all! In any event a great day out, and a great meal!