The Chew Valley

Kristi Sez: Today we drove to the Chew Valley which is approx 1 1/2 hours from our home. This was literally a trip back in time, as we drove through the little towns where some of the Chew's originated from. I'm sure Stan will have much more to share on this topic, as this trip was near and dear to his heart.

Stan Sez: Kristi knows me so well......So here goes......My mom married my dad when I was five which makes me a step son. But being five, my dad is my dad....he is all I have known and I carry his name. I remember being somewhat enthralled by this "new guy" and I asked him questions that must have tried his patience (which was pretty short). One of the questions was about my new name - where did it come from? Later in life, whilst growing up in Asia with a last name like Chew, knowing the history became pretty damn important.

As my dad told me, the Chew family in America was spawned by the coming of three sons from the Chew Valley in England to the colonies. One moved to Pennsylvania (which was really northern Maryland, up to Philly in the 1600's), one to Maryland and one to Georgia - I guess the first two sons didn't like the third. And - they prospered, sort of. Clearly, they didn't procreate like rabbits because there are not a ton of Chew's but - they prospered. From what I can gather, the first Chew in Maryland was Samual Chew.....interesting - that is my daughter's name, Samantha Chew.

Well in England , the Chew's prospered. The Chew Valley is - in a word - remarkable. It is an ancient place situated to the south of Bristol and running to Bath - these are two historic and important places in England . I can understand how a son of this family could go off to the "New World" as Bristol was literally just over the ridge and one of England 's most important ports - it still is today. Access to the America 's was close at hand. But he would have left one of England's hidden wonders - the Chew Valley is beautiful.

The first village we visited was Chew Magna - which is a studdley name - perfect for the Chew sons of today. We stopped at the Church and wandered, looking at old graves and I was hoping to come across a "Chew". Instead, we found some beautiful Galic crosses - check out the pictures in the album.

We drove on to Chew Stoke, which for my brother Tim and me is perfect given we are surfers to the core. Having a town that your blood comes from with a subfix of "Stoke" is just beyond bitchen.......Tim will understand. This town is way cool and I wish we had spent more time with pictures. But I was eager to get to the next place..........

I remember my dad saying our family was from "Chewton". We went to Chewton-Mendip and on the top of the hill was the St. Mary Magdalene, the tallest church in Somerset , the county where this town is. Same deal - we wandered the grounds for a while looking at graves. I saw an older gentlemen come up the hill and I stopped him to ask some questions. He was floored when I told him I was a "Chew" and on a quest. His name was Jack Smoot - a grand English fellow. He told me he knew no "Chews" but showed me the Church's origins, being a Saxon door - dating this to pre-1066. We parted with a "Cheerio" and then Kristi and I, within 60 seconds came upon it......... A grave marked "CHEWTON”! My blood chilled and I thought of the possible ties to my father's family. We then went into the church and there.....at the entrance....was a stone marked Chewton - UNREAL. Check out the fotos people!

We went inside this ancient Church on this hill, pre-dating my family coming to America by at least 400 years - and I thought of my brother John, my sister Candy and with great reverence, I thought of my dad. I also thought of my own brother and sister. Families are a mystery....regardless of time or circumstance or good time and bad - they are a simply a family. But standing there, in the land of Chews , in this ancient church where my father's family once stood and prayed - I have never felt more a part of a clan and better for it.
Kristi and Stan September 22, 2007

London September 2007

Stan Sez: I have not been the best possible traveler for Kristi as I have not made London happen earlier - sort of like Paris - she has yet to go there and it has been over 3 years in UK/Europe!!! But FINALLY, we went to London on a beautiful sunny day. What didcha think Sweetie???

Kristi Sez: London was MORE than I had anticipated. Upon our arrival into the Waterloo Train station we did the following things. First off was Westminster Abbey, next a London 2 hour bus ride - seated on top deck in the open air, followed by a sushi lunch overlooking the Thames and to finish off, a trip on The London eye....whew....

Stan Sez: Also, there was a festival on the Thames River that was in full swing. Lets face it- Brits know how to party - they invented having a great time and it was fun being there. The whole day was a perfect "lets go to London " day and my baby can now stick the pin in that map.

Kristi Sez: It was an incredible day and everything we did was an event to remember. Westminster is a place everyone must see, not even sure I could come up with words to describe it. The bus ride was a hoot; our announcer was one of the best, very entertaining and funny. The London eye, which I must admit had me fighting a panic attack at first is certainly a must do. The views were amazing and the ride incredibly smooth. There is so much more than this to see in London and I imagine it would take days to visit it all, but we gave it a 100% Chew effort today.

Kristi and Stan September 15, 2007

Lynmouth and The Exmoor September 2007

Kristi Sez: First off, the drive to the Exmoor was starting to wear on my patience.....BUT when we finally reached the most beautiful parts of the drive, it was well worth the wait. We took this path through the Exmoor National Park on our way to Lynmouth, which by far, has become my most favorite town.

Stan Sez: Kristi is a wuss. Long drives are cool and I love them and you don't get to great things in life without hard work and occasionally, a long drive....she hasn't even been to Land's End yet. I discovered Lynmouth through chasing surf and reading about it in the Storm Rider's Surf Guide to Europe . The first time I came upon it, I was stunned by how beautiful the town was.........then I saw a left rifle down the line for 200 yards..... perfect.....and I was Whoaaaaaa! Lynmouth breaks so good it really should be called "Lyndoneasia".

Kristi Sez: One could say "Cute" a bazillion times when describing the many towns we have seen, but I must admit, it really is "Cute" and "Lovely". We had a great day here visiting the shops and surf, and then finished it off with a fabulous Pasty, Flat White Coffee and Carrot Cake to die for.

Stan Sez: Kristi really liked the beer at the Rising Sun best. This is a 14th century pub that overlooks the harbor and the reef....too too cool. I knocked down a few last winter after a good surf with some guys and the place is CLASSIC. When we left the place, we drove to Porlock and on the way we saw.........EXMOOR PONIES!!!! Rare, nearly extinct and very cool. One of the oldest breeds there are. Kristi says that just because the Celtics wrote about them 10,000 years ago, they are no older than that - whaaaa......these guys go back to the dinosaur days and out ran T-Rex!

Kristi and Stan September 9, 2007

Henley-on-Thames September 2007

Stan sez: I heard about Henley from my friend Jonathan suggesting a nice cool lager, swilled in a beer garden over looking the Thames on a warm day during the British Summer Time (BST) as the "way to go". Jonathan actually works for me and was angling to get out of work. BUT - he is right, Henley is all about downshifting into a nice mellow town that is home to the Henley Regatta that started as a joke back in the 1800's and is now serious rowing.

Kristi Sez: I'm starting to wonder why so many of the towns here are hyphenated with the bodies of the water they sit on. When we return, I am going to propose that Stillwater adopt a new name...."Stillwater-on-the-St. Croix". Sounds British don't you think?

Stan Sez: The Rugby world cup had just started and I wanted to see the US get smashed by the UK - we didn't last long but we enjoyed Henley - after all, it is a quick 20 minutes from our house.

Kristi Sez: It was a lovely town and I look forward to going back again. I took a special photo of "The Angel" for our good friend Angie back at home....she knows why.

Kristi & Stan September 8, 2007

Bourton-on-the-Water August 2007

Stan sez: Kristi must be getting tired of me dragging her all over the place but........we had to do the Cotswolds.

Kristi sez: This weekends adventure took us to a place called "The Cotswalds" which are famous picturesque villages made from the golden local stone. The village we chose to visit today is Bourton-on-the-Water, A village often called "The Venice of the Cotswold" and a tourist favorite judging by the crowds we saw today.

Stan sez: The place is so picturesque it makes your teeth hurt. Looks like a Thomas Kinkade painting. We hit three trolls on the way home...........

If you would like to see more photos of this area please check out this link. http://www.picturesofengland.com/England/Gloucestershire/Bourton_on_the_Water

Kristi & Stan August 2007

Stonehenge July 2007

Today after sleeping in until 12:30 trying to crack the jetlag barrier, we took our first adventure going to the English Heritage site, Stonehenge.

Stonehenge is 1 hour from our home in Wokingham. This prehistoric monument dates back 5,000 years. Stan says the site is guarded by Stonehenge sheep, which are fanged, ferocious animals. I've included a photo, I was brave enough to capture them in the natural surroundings but I think they knew I was photographing them, for they took on a very mellow and docile disguise.

The place is surprising because the stones are much smaller than National Geographic would have you believe. None the less.........a cool place to go. Check that one off the list!

Kristi and Stan, July 29, 2007

Corfe Castle July 2007

After our tour of Stonehenge we hopped back into the car and headed for Corfe Castle. Corfe lies at the heart of an area known as The Isle of Purbeck.

Stan Sez: I stumbled upon Corfe Castle last winter while looking for surf around Kimmeridge Bay. The surf was down and I saw a sign for it and thought "cool - a castle".......then I got there and went Whoa.......

Kristi Sez: I was tired from our tour of Stonehenge and was thinking that I may not have enough energy for another hour drive to this castle. BUT Stan (energy man) convinced me we should go. Once we arrived, we immediately hit a restaurant called "The Greyhound" and I had the best fish and chips of my life! Now with full tummy we ventured to the castle. Unfortunately by the time got there, access into the castle grounds had closed, but non the less, it was spectacular view! One of the coolest things I have been to.

Stan Sez: This place should be the set for some movie about really nasty wizards, dragons and children hooked on video games. The place is over the top, with a massive ruin of a castle leaning over an ancient village where the doors are only tall enough for people under 4 feet to slip through. If you go to the UK - go to Corfe Castle.

Currently they are trying to stabilize what still remains standing, but here's a link to their website where you can see it without the scaffolding. If you scroll down this page there are some really great photo's http://www.corfe-castle.co.uk/gallery.asp

Kristi and Stan, July 29, 2007