There and Back

This landmark building was designed by Lord Norman Foster, the same world-renowned architect behind the UK headquarters of Willis Towers Watson, a 28 storey skyscraper situated at 51 Lime Street, London.  In 1991 it building became the first modern design to receive Grade 1 listing.  Willis Towers Watson is a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company that helps clients around the world turn risk into a path for growth. With roots dating to 1828, Willis Towers Watson has 45,000 employees in more than 140 countries. Friar Street, Ipswich is one of the Group`s largest and most established location with over 1,400 employees.  The Friar Street building in all its glory. The building is divided into three floors, each approximately 67,000 square feet with a rooftop restaurant and coffee shop. If you want some good reflection images then this is the building.  More reflections The glass wall contains 890 panels plus a further...

Our short break finished in Rye. When it was an important sea port, (the sea entrance now having silted up over the centuries) Rye was affiliated with nearby Hastings which had a status of a Cinque port. We were looking for a couple of the things on this trip, firstly was Mermaid Street, because of it being an `old world` cobbled street. We were not disappointed. Obviously named after the Mermaid pub, it was an amazing street to stroll down. A couple of photos of Mermaid Street. In an alleyway leading to the rear of the pub, I took this image and also .... .... saw this on the building at the rear. I wonder what it was saying! The Mermaid Inn is a Grade II listed historical inn. One of the best-known inns in southeast England, it was established in the 12th century and has a long, turbulent history. The current building dates from 1420 and has 16th-century additions in the Tudor style, but cellars built in 1156 survive. The inn has a strong connection ...

For some time we have said `Lets go to Hastings`, but never managed to go. So, four nights in an apartment at the Old Town end of Hastings was eagerly anticipated. With a chance to visit Battle thrown in. The journey down was reasonable in as much as traffic was light and the weather good. However, Hastings on a friday was jam packed with traffic and people. We began to wonder if we had arrived during some huge festive event. But no, the end of the holidays and a last fling appeared to be the reason. We found our apartment which was over a Fishing tackle shop, and next to what was an ancient Courthouse (Below). You can just glimpse out apartment on the right of this image. Unfortunately, the place was large, but very dated and dirty. Needless to say we ate out at every opportunity! The whole area seemed to be one large eating area of every type of cuisine possible! The Old Court House, The Bourne, Hastings  East Hill Lift  Built some ten years late...

Many moons ago I was to learn that the famous battle did not take place in Hastings after all!. I am not sure at what age I came to this knowledge, but I remember thinking "Why call it the Battle of Hastings if it was fought some miles away?" The landing by the Duke of Normandy did not even take place there, but at Pevensey Bay! Ah well! The location at Battle has been contested in recent years, but the arguments for alternative sites are extremely flimsy, whereas the evidence for the traditional site remains overwhelmingly strong.  Anyway, ` a must visit` was to the real site, at the town of Battle. The town sign as we entered the main street. The town Of Battle At the top end of the town of Battle, stands the ruins of Battle Abbey. This image was taken of the High Street, with my back to the Abbey gates. Battle stands on a hill, with the abbey being built at the top. Remember, the Battle was fought in 1066 AD with Harold encamped on top of the ...

Not far from where we were staying, the spectacular ruins of Hastings castle can be seen. From the seafront it looms over the town, perched on top of the surrounding cliffs. What a sight it must have been in its heyday! The ruins we see today are the remains of a stone fortress (built after William of Normandy's coronation) which was practically impregnable from three sides. Less than half of the original structure remains.  Hastings Castle was originally a wooden tower built on top of a man made mound or motte, which was surrounded by an outer courtyard or bailey. The bailey was enclosed by a wooden palisade. The Norman motte and bailey castle would become a common fixture across England following the conquest. After the victory at the Battle of Hastings, William was crowned on Christmas Day 1066, and had issued orders that Hastings Castle was to be rebuilt in stone.  William left the castle in the charge of one of his top commanders Humphrey de Tilleul. Aroun...