Where was i? Times online
elise
Oops! Missed it. Back there: a "ghost" station, planned as North End, but now popularly known after a famous pub hereabouts: famous thanks to a music-hall performer who commissioned new words for an old song. (Down Where the Wurzburger Flows doesn't have quite the same ring to it.) Almost a mile later, I alight at a station that is very real indeed, exit - beneath a louring sky - and consult my itinerary.
Goodness, I may have been slightly ambitious: I could walk a few hundred yards to where several famous people are buried. Among them are an artist whose works included Hadleigh Castle, and a writer, author of Captain Cook. Alternatively, I could stroll a little further to the house that was the home of a noted neurologist. He wrote Moses and Monotheism. But no, I choose to walk east, where I find a second house; the address is quite well known around here, and I cannot wait to look inside. An outstanding example of modernist architecture, it was designed by, and served as the home of, a Hungarian architect (wife: Ursula Blackwell).
When, later, I re-emerge, those sullen clouds are spitting shards of rain. Undeterred, I turn the corner for a look-see at a third, 19th-century house - home, briefly, to a poet. Here he wrote Ode to a Nightingale. Then, brolly at the ready, I turn north, making for a great open space of about 800 acres.
Soon I reach a hill whose name, according to one legend, dates back to 1605. It would have been a good place to observe the metaphoric fireworks to the south. The views would be stupendous, too - if only the descending mantle of cloud was not slowly suffocating all beneath it.
Meanwhile, further north, a fourth house - famously remodelled in the 18th century by the sometime architect to George III. These days, it is equally famous for outdoor concerts.
However, even though the weather is closing in, I stroll northwest in the hope that the view might be a little better. But I am out of luck. So, as I unfurl my brolly in a steady drizzle, I leave you with this little conundrum: at 400ft, this is the highest point I have reached. Yet I have climbed 600ft to get here. However did I manage it?
Q1: At which station did I alight?
Q2: Who was the Hungarian architect?
Haven't a clue, Sorry
elise
THE PRIZE
A week's skiing in the traditional Alpine village of Samoëns, courtesy of Peak Retreats.
Near Geneva, Samoëns village will link with 166 miles of pistes at the resort of Flaine following the opening of a high-capacity gondola service next month.
The prize includes seven nights' half-board accommodation for two at the three-star Neige et Roc, a charming hotel with a new indoor pool, two six-day Grand Massif lift passes, free ski and boot hire from Sport 2000 and Dover-Calais ferry crossings with P&O Ferries. The prize must be taken by April 2004, and is subject to availability.
For more details of Peak Retreats' winter holidays to traditional French Alpine villages, call 0870 770 0408 or visit www.peakretreats.co.uk
HOW TO ENTER
To enter, please click the "enter the competition" button above. Entries must be submitted by midnight, November 26, 2003. The winner will be first correct entrant drawn at random after that time. Winners will be announced in next week's Directions and online. Only one entry per household. Normal Times Newspapers rules apply.
Please note: Due to the provisions of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956, this competition is not open to readers in the Irish Republic.
LAST WEEK'S WINNER
Last week's answers are Paisley and David Livingstone.
The winner is S Archer of London, who wins a week in Tenerife for two people with Simply Travel (020 8541 2211).
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Elise
"elise" <elise....@ntlworld.com> wrote in message news:bpra6j$1qr526$1...@ID-173764.news.uni-berlin.de...
a_mcbride
Erno Goldfinger
Hampstead Heath
Although Storming Norm thought station might be Hampstead Underground
Station
Andrew