We left at 6.30 as the sun was rising for the long drive north up to Keele. Leaving early meant the roads were fairly clear and we got there in 3 1/2 hours. Romas couldn't return to his university accommodation as it won't be open till the 1st May so our first stop was to Morrisons (large supermarket) to have coffee (me) and a large breakfast (Romas), do some shopping and fill up with diesel. Romas was in touch with his girlfriend Vicky who had finally returned from an extended holiday in Jamaica but she wouldn't be back at her flat for a few more hours. Instead we dropped all Romas' belongings off at a friend's house and then I drove Romas up to the campus as he had work to do. 
Before going our separate ways Romas took me on a walk around the lakes and woods in the campus.
The landscaped grounds around the Hall are full of magnificent specimen trees and there are many paths through the semi-wild woods. While we were there we passed several people who had come there to walk their dogs.
The paths meander around a number of small man made lakes with a few ducks and geese on them.
As well as the landscaped woods there are more wild wooded areas beyond the university buildings. Romas tells me that there is plenty of dead wood around so he has been building his own barbecues. 
Leading up to the Hall are large lawns which in term time become covered with students studying? and relaxing.
Many of the large bushes are rhododendrons only some of which have started to flower but are obviously going to make a magnificent display in a few weeks time.
There are more formal lawns and gardens in front of the Hall which besides being used as a conference centre is also a wedding venue.
The whole combination of formal landscaping, woods and the many trees around all the buildings make the campus a very pleasant environment to live and work in.
Keel Hall itself is a listed building, it was built in the 19thC to replace the Tudor house that was built in 1580.
Before going our separate ways Romas took me on a walk around the lakes and woods in the campus.
The landscaped grounds around the Hall are full of magnificent specimen trees and there are many paths through the semi-wild woods. While we were there we passed several people who had come there to walk their dogs.
The paths meander around a number of small man made lakes with a few ducks and geese on them.
As well as the landscaped woods there are more wild wooded areas beyond the university buildings. Romas tells me that there is plenty of dead wood around so he has been building his own barbecues. 
Leading up to the Hall are large lawns which in term time become covered with students studying? and relaxing.
Many of the large bushes are rhododendrons only some of which have started to flower but are obviously going to make a magnificent display in a few weeks time.
There are more formal lawns and gardens in front of the Hall which besides being used as a conference centre is also a wedding venue.
The whole combination of formal landscaping, woods and the many trees around all the buildings make the campus a very pleasant environment to live and work in.
Keel Hall itself is a listed building, it was built in the 19thC to replace the Tudor house that was built in 1580.Having had a good stretch of the legs walking around the grounds I drove back home down to Devon. The roads were a bit busier and with the several miles of roadworks around Birmingham it took me 4 hours. At home I had discovered that there was a virus on my pc (thanks Romas) and it has taken until this morning to scan the system and clear all unwanted stuff.
