Today we said farewell to the Cotswolds going via Arlington Row and Castle Combe (not a castle, we knew that already).
Arlington Row is a row of quaint cottages by a river and honestly it must drive the owner/occupiers nuts with the amount of tourists walking right up to their windows (the cottages are up against the road verge). At another building of the row we saw a sign in four languages basically saying Private Property Keep Out. Following conversations with some locals in Bourton, they informed me that Asian and American tourists are the worst, they feel like the whole place is a Disneyland set they can do as they please on, opening garden gates, trespassing, even entering private homes for pictures. Some people have no respect at all.
From here we went to Castle Combe, many movies have been filmed here due to its picturesque and quintessentially classic English look and feel, no new buildings have been built since the 1600's. Dr Doolittle (1967) was filmed here. We had lunch and then wandered around, it was probably the best way to finish a holiday in the UK, just brilliant.
From there is was off the Heathrow. All good until security, I had given Lorraine all of my souvenirs without telling her what they were. Well she got stopped because one of my items was a corkscrew, my fault I should never assume she would look at what I've bought, I thought she had only packed the delicate items in carry on. Luckily they took pity on us to have it, now we just have to get through Dubai security with it.
We got here 4 hours before flight time (hire car return), so its a long wait now before we board the first leg.
2019-09-29 - Farewell Cotswolds
29 September 2019
28 September 2019
Oxford
Well today we went to Oxford and there are many reasons for both of us, but mine pre-date Lorraine's by decades. For me, my nick name in high school was Oxford, because I carried a pocket Oxford dictionary with me to every class. For Lorraine it was Harry Potter. Either way it was a mind snap of a day.
First stop was Christ Church College, a very impressive place and, to Lorraine's delight, where the Hogwarts entrance and dining hall scenes were filmed. The Great Hall was seriously impressive and the best part was that the staff were setting up for lunch. Three meals a day are provided to students, two courses each. What a great place to eat. A lot of the college was not accessible as it is a college after all, and in term, well exams were on while we were there, but we did also get to see the Cathedral and the gardens.
We then headed for the High Street and saw the Bodleian Library, Radcliffe's Camera (circular library), Sheldonian Theatre and Magdalen College. Next we went to the Natural History Museum and the Pitt River Museum (recommended by the guide on the ghost tour as it houses unusual objects). Our necks are sore from looking up all day, there was so many things to see.
Anyway, now chillaxing, and repacking cases for the trip home. We had to buy another one because we traveled light on the way here. After 3 weeks of being on the go and many times just one night in accommodation, we are looking forward to coming home. I'll be honest this has been an exhausting trip for me, up most mornings at 4am either working and/or planning the day's activities as often we would make very last minute decisions on activities, and then driving around. But in saying that it has been a pretty awesome trip!!
2019-09-28 - Bourton on the Water AM Wanderings
2019-09-28 - Oxford
First stop was Christ Church College, a very impressive place and, to Lorraine's delight, where the Hogwarts entrance and dining hall scenes were filmed. The Great Hall was seriously impressive and the best part was that the staff were setting up for lunch. Three meals a day are provided to students, two courses each. What a great place to eat. A lot of the college was not accessible as it is a college after all, and in term, well exams were on while we were there, but we did also get to see the Cathedral and the gardens.
We then headed for the High Street and saw the Bodleian Library, Radcliffe's Camera (circular library), Sheldonian Theatre and Magdalen College. Next we went to the Natural History Museum and the Pitt River Museum (recommended by the guide on the ghost tour as it houses unusual objects). Our necks are sore from looking up all day, there was so many things to see.
Anyway, now chillaxing, and repacking cases for the trip home. We had to buy another one because we traveled light on the way here. After 3 weeks of being on the go and many times just one night in accommodation, we are looking forward to coming home. I'll be honest this has been an exhausting trip for me, up most mornings at 4am either working and/or planning the day's activities as often we would make very last minute decisions on activities, and then driving around. But in saying that it has been a pretty awesome trip!!
2019-09-28 - Bourton on the Water AM Wanderings
2019-09-28 - Oxford
27 September 2019
Cotswolds
Today we decided to head north to Stratford-Upon-Avon, home of Shakespeare and to hopefully take a narrow boat cruise. The weather conspired against us of course, but we did do Henley Street, where Shakespeare was born and raised and lived. His house is still there and looks amazing. As alluded to earlier, the weather was squally, and we figured a cruise (admittedly an afterthought) was not advisable.
We then headed to Stow on the Wold. We purchased a walking tour map and set off. It was actually quite fun, so much history to be found in a small village, even a lopsided house. Unfortunately the weather set in again so it was back in the car and a trip to the Slaughters (Upper and Lower). The rain was too heavy to enjoy the villages so we will try again tomorrow.
We drove back to Bourton. Lorraine went shopping (I cannot believe I have to cajole her into buying stuff), me to to the motor museum. Lorraine came back with a trove of items (my nagging works), me I came back with my head nearly exploding. The Motor Museum was awesome. So awesome, I took no photos as I would have needed a 2nd SD card for the camera. It had so much good shit it was amazing. I now know what MG stands for. There was everything about British motoring, did you know the first BMW was actually a re-badged British car?
Whilst at the museum I saw a minor fender bender. Check out the photo of the tourist driver who left his 4WD high and dry outside the Motor Museum. Tried to avoid some tourists, and didn't feel the "bump" as the back wheel rode up the stone wall!
As I was leaving the museum one of the staff members told me about a ghost tour that starts at the war memorial at 7pm. So we decided to have an early dinner and see what it was all about. Well the rain kept everyone else away and we were treated to a personal tour by Edward. It was the best ghost tour, in fact any sort of tour we have ever done. It had everything from murders, to mystery, to history, Knights Templar, Romans. We now know where "Tom, Dick and Harry" came from, yes they were real people and they were real scumbags. Lorraine was scared witless at times, not going to give too much away, but absolutely highly recommend it if you can ever make it here, its worth it (www.bloody-bourton.co.uk). To finish off we were told that there is a ghost that lives in the guest house we are staying in, that was a nice bit of information Lorraine could have done without although it apparently lives in Room 8 and we are in 11.
2019-09-27 - Bourton on the Water AM Wanderings
2019-09-27 - Stratford, Chipping Camden, Stow (Cotswolds)
2019-09-27 - Bourton on the Water PM Ghost Tour
We then headed to Stow on the Wold. We purchased a walking tour map and set off. It was actually quite fun, so much history to be found in a small village, even a lopsided house. Unfortunately the weather set in again so it was back in the car and a trip to the Slaughters (Upper and Lower). The rain was too heavy to enjoy the villages so we will try again tomorrow.
We drove back to Bourton. Lorraine went shopping (I cannot believe I have to cajole her into buying stuff), me to to the motor museum. Lorraine came back with a trove of items (my nagging works), me I came back with my head nearly exploding. The Motor Museum was awesome. So awesome, I took no photos as I would have needed a 2nd SD card for the camera. It had so much good shit it was amazing. I now know what MG stands for. There was everything about British motoring, did you know the first BMW was actually a re-badged British car?
Whilst at the museum I saw a minor fender bender. Check out the photo of the tourist driver who left his 4WD high and dry outside the Motor Museum. Tried to avoid some tourists, and didn't feel the "bump" as the back wheel rode up the stone wall!
As I was leaving the museum one of the staff members told me about a ghost tour that starts at the war memorial at 7pm. So we decided to have an early dinner and see what it was all about. Well the rain kept everyone else away and we were treated to a personal tour by Edward. It was the best ghost tour, in fact any sort of tour we have ever done. It had everything from murders, to mystery, to history, Knights Templar, Romans. We now know where "Tom, Dick and Harry" came from, yes they were real people and they were real scumbags. Lorraine was scared witless at times, not going to give too much away, but absolutely highly recommend it if you can ever make it here, its worth it (www.bloody-bourton.co.uk). To finish off we were told that there is a ghost that lives in the guest house we are staying in, that was a nice bit of information Lorraine could have done without although it apparently lives in Room 8 and we are in 11.
2019-09-27 - Bourton on the Water AM Wanderings
2019-09-27 - Stratford, Chipping Camden, Stow (Cotswolds)
2019-09-27 - Bourton on the Water PM Ghost Tour
26 September 2019
Norwich to Cotswolds
Well we said goodbye to "The Playroom" at Brastard's, Norwich today. Check out yesterday's blog for the updated photos of our dinner. Brastard's Restaurant, No.1 Restaurant in Norwich was not open, so they referred us to The Wildebeest, Norwich's No. 2 Restaurant by awards, just behind Brastard's. Now if Wildebeest is No. 2, then we can only imagine how impressive Brastard's is. Wildebeest set a new standard in our culinary experiences. To say the food was excellent is doing it a disservice, it was simply mouth wateringly awesome.
Anyway, back to today, we set out basically on schedule with only two stops in mind. Everyday I plot out the trip and then look for POIs (points of interest) and if they do not add to much time, we via them.
We did want to go via Cambridge, but roadworks conspired us to miss the turn off so we continued to the next POI, Rugby School in Rugby, the birthplace of Rugby. We took the obligatory pics, it was damn cold and windy, and we headed off. I hope that satisfies the Rugby consortium out there, if not come here yourselves you stingy pricks.😋
From there it was off to the accommodation. Now we booked this really early, simply because in Bath I left the camera charger in the room along with the spare camera battery, so we needed a forwarding address to supply to the Hotel in Bath. At this time Lorraine did not have her Expedia Fu finely tuned so she was really worried. Previously we had booked accommodation back in London, but decided to cancel it, extend the car hire by a day and give ourselves the extra day in the Cotswolds. Well the Expedia Fu must have already been tuned, the accommodation is awesome. We have a very nice room, the only room with a private garden. I think the crowning comment was by the proprietor when he told us all of this and then looked at me and said "your gonna get some tonight, AND tomorrow morning". I'll report back on that next day. 😁 The building is 350 years old!!
The Cotswolds is everything the postcards show, well we are in Bourton on the Water, a small part of the Cotswolds, but it is picturesque. I think Lorraine's head is going to explode. It is known as 'Little Venice' because of the canal running through it. The canal is filled with ducks and has three bridges over them.
Just chillaxing now before we head out to dinner, then a quiet night before seeing the sights tomorrow.
I decided to go for a wander in the gardens. Now our staged squirrel photo looks silly because I finally captured a squirrel in the gardens. They are quick buggers, so when it sat there letting me take some pics, you can only press the button fast as you can.
2019-09-26 - Norwich to Cotswolds
Anyway, back to today, we set out basically on schedule with only two stops in mind. Everyday I plot out the trip and then look for POIs (points of interest) and if they do not add to much time, we via them.
We did want to go via Cambridge, but roadworks conspired us to miss the turn off so we continued to the next POI, Rugby School in Rugby, the birthplace of Rugby. We took the obligatory pics, it was damn cold and windy, and we headed off. I hope that satisfies the Rugby consortium out there, if not come here yourselves you stingy pricks.😋
From there it was off to the accommodation. Now we booked this really early, simply because in Bath I left the camera charger in the room along with the spare camera battery, so we needed a forwarding address to supply to the Hotel in Bath. At this time Lorraine did not have her Expedia Fu finely tuned so she was really worried. Previously we had booked accommodation back in London, but decided to cancel it, extend the car hire by a day and give ourselves the extra day in the Cotswolds. Well the Expedia Fu must have already been tuned, the accommodation is awesome. We have a very nice room, the only room with a private garden. I think the crowning comment was by the proprietor when he told us all of this and then looked at me and said "your gonna get some tonight, AND tomorrow morning". I'll report back on that next day. 😁 The building is 350 years old!!
The Cotswolds is everything the postcards show, well we are in Bourton on the Water, a small part of the Cotswolds, but it is picturesque. I think Lorraine's head is going to explode. It is known as 'Little Venice' because of the canal running through it. The canal is filled with ducks and has three bridges over them.
Just chillaxing now before we head out to dinner, then a quiet night before seeing the sights tomorrow.
I decided to go for a wander in the gardens. Now our staged squirrel photo looks silly because I finally captured a squirrel in the gardens. They are quick buggers, so when it sat there letting me take some pics, you can only press the button fast as you can.
2019-09-26 - Norwich to Cotswolds
25 September 2019
York to Norwich
So today was all about me. And by that I mean I did all the driving, Lorraine napped, possibly the biggest driving day we had in terms of no points of interest along the way, just York to Norwich, roughly 5 1/2 hours of driving in good weather and bad.
Today was totally unplanned, until last week. York was a stopover that surprised us and came about because we needed a stopping point between Edinburgh and The Cotswolds. But we also had a spare day up our sleeve, due to flight changes. In Pembroke prior to entering the castle I did a heraldry search. The lady there was a fountain of knowledge. I now have my coat arms for Harrison and a history. And it turns out we originate from near Norwich and the ancestral homelands (if I can believe what I am being told) are the Burgh Castle region. We are Anglo Saxons that defended the eastern coastline against Scots, Picts and other invaders (sorry Andy, you are now a mortal enemy 😄). Our base was Burgh Castle, a former Roman Fort from the 300AD period, and as per the records, the best preserved Roman Fort in the UK.
We arrived and toured the chapel and graveyard first, then went to the fort, Lorraine finally got to see some ruins, and it was raining, but it only added to the atmosphere. It was glorious.
From here we went to the local Village Hall for tea and cake, browsed through the bric-a-brac and then back in the car again to reach our accommodation, Brasted's. We have "The Playroom", check out the photos, awesome room. They are a very chilled bunch, no real check in, just turn up, casual chat, show us the room, they only have 5, all named, and we decided to just say screw it, and took the 2nd most expensive room that was available (1st was already booked), even then the rate was really reasonable by our standards. It is was worth it. Lorraine just said this is our third four poster bed on this trip and third in our 30 year marriage by coincidence. The hosts of Brasted's are in their 20th year and pioneered this private village made up of accommodation, restaurants, small businesses, and local farming. They do not own it but convinced the owner to created the private village, it is awesome. We walked the grounds simply being told, stay on the manicured grass, anything else could have traps in it, set by the farmer next door, so we did.
We have decided we are just exhausted and will have a quiet night relaxing, we will do the Norwich sights on the way to The Cotswolds tomorrow.
All in all, a very good day seeing some family history.
2019-09-25 - York to Norwich
PS The UCI World Champs are happening in the York area, we were fortunate to escape before any road closures took effect thankfully. Something to check in future, sporting events and how they affect your holiday. Different if you are planning your holiday around them, such as we did for TdF and The Giro, but never thought to research the Tour of Britain and UCI world champs.
Today was totally unplanned, until last week. York was a stopover that surprised us and came about because we needed a stopping point between Edinburgh and The Cotswolds. But we also had a spare day up our sleeve, due to flight changes. In Pembroke prior to entering the castle I did a heraldry search. The lady there was a fountain of knowledge. I now have my coat arms for Harrison and a history. And it turns out we originate from near Norwich and the ancestral homelands (if I can believe what I am being told) are the Burgh Castle region. We are Anglo Saxons that defended the eastern coastline against Scots, Picts and other invaders (sorry Andy, you are now a mortal enemy 😄). Our base was Burgh Castle, a former Roman Fort from the 300AD period, and as per the records, the best preserved Roman Fort in the UK.
We arrived and toured the chapel and graveyard first, then went to the fort, Lorraine finally got to see some ruins, and it was raining, but it only added to the atmosphere. It was glorious.
From here we went to the local Village Hall for tea and cake, browsed through the bric-a-brac and then back in the car again to reach our accommodation, Brasted's. We have "The Playroom", check out the photos, awesome room. They are a very chilled bunch, no real check in, just turn up, casual chat, show us the room, they only have 5, all named, and we decided to just say screw it, and took the 2nd most expensive room that was available (1st was already booked), even then the rate was really reasonable by our standards. It is was worth it. Lorraine just said this is our third four poster bed on this trip and third in our 30 year marriage by coincidence. The hosts of Brasted's are in their 20th year and pioneered this private village made up of accommodation, restaurants, small businesses, and local farming. They do not own it but convinced the owner to created the private village, it is awesome. We walked the grounds simply being told, stay on the manicured grass, anything else could have traps in it, set by the farmer next door, so we did.
We have decided we are just exhausted and will have a quiet night relaxing, we will do the Norwich sights on the way to The Cotswolds tomorrow.
All in all, a very good day seeing some family history.
2019-09-25 - York to Norwich
PS The UCI World Champs are happening in the York area, we were fortunate to escape before any road closures took effect thankfully. Something to check in future, sporting events and how they affect your holiday. Different if you are planning your holiday around them, such as we did for TdF and The Giro, but never thought to research the Tour of Britain and UCI world champs.
24 September 2019
Edinburgh to York
Today we said a sad farewell to Scotland, we are truly sad to leave as the Scots are a fierce, proud and, hospitable people. I will watch some of my favorite movies now with a new found respect and awe, especially Highlander, one of my favorite movies.
Driving to York we finally experienced the serious heavy rain but thankfully it held off when we arrived at Hadrian's Wall Fort (see then link for information), but basically Roman Emperor Hadrian had a wall built across 84 miles, coast to coast to keep the northerners out of the conquered Brittany areas. It was manned 24/7 and they controlled the commerce and travelers.
The rain were back for our drive to York. Initially we were going to drive via the York Moors, but I have to be honest, driving the back roads whilst fun, is very draining, so we opted for a more conventional route via some of the larger A roads, unfortunately though this can be a little monotonous so you need to stop and break the boredom. And then I found that while the Brits are bravely fast on their motorways in the dry, they become shrinking violets in the wet. However, if you flash your lights at them, they do pull over to the left lanes to let you pass, so some kudos to them for the road courtesy.
We arrived in York in the late afternoon. Damn we wish we were here for two nights not one, but we have already booked tomorrow's accommodation, so bugger. It is an amazing and historical place. Our accommodation is on the doorstep of the York Minster, a 13th century Cathedral. It is huge and intricately decorated. The bells toll every half hour and every Tuesday they practice the bells until 9.00 pm. Today is Tuesday!! We are also within walking distance to 'The Shambles', the street that inspired J K Rowling's, Harry Potter - Diagon Alley, it is amazing, and I am not a HP fan by any means. Lorraine loved it and walked it twice. She said it was like being in the movie.
York is encircled by a stone wall that was built by the Romans. It started to rain again so we only walked a part of it. Again, a second day here would be amazing and allow more exploring, but sometime you do not know until you get somewhere how amazing it is. York is amazing, no doubt about that.
Back to our "cosy" room, yes that is the description, it is very cosy, waiting for our dinner reservation and some well earned Z's.
2019-09-24 - Edinburgh to York
Driving to York we finally experienced the serious heavy rain but thankfully it held off when we arrived at Hadrian's Wall Fort (see then link for information), but basically Roman Emperor Hadrian had a wall built across 84 miles, coast to coast to keep the northerners out of the conquered Brittany areas. It was manned 24/7 and they controlled the commerce and travelers.
The rain were back for our drive to York. Initially we were going to drive via the York Moors, but I have to be honest, driving the back roads whilst fun, is very draining, so we opted for a more conventional route via some of the larger A roads, unfortunately though this can be a little monotonous so you need to stop and break the boredom. And then I found that while the Brits are bravely fast on their motorways in the dry, they become shrinking violets in the wet. However, if you flash your lights at them, they do pull over to the left lanes to let you pass, so some kudos to them for the road courtesy.
We arrived in York in the late afternoon. Damn we wish we were here for two nights not one, but we have already booked tomorrow's accommodation, so bugger. It is an amazing and historical place. Our accommodation is on the doorstep of the York Minster, a 13th century Cathedral. It is huge and intricately decorated. The bells toll every half hour and every Tuesday they practice the bells until 9.00 pm. Today is Tuesday!! We are also within walking distance to 'The Shambles', the street that inspired J K Rowling's, Harry Potter - Diagon Alley, it is amazing, and I am not a HP fan by any means. Lorraine loved it and walked it twice. She said it was like being in the movie.
York is encircled by a stone wall that was built by the Romans. It started to rain again so we only walked a part of it. Again, a second day here would be amazing and allow more exploring, but sometime you do not know until you get somewhere how amazing it is. York is amazing, no doubt about that.
Back to our "cosy" room, yes that is the description, it is very cosy, waiting for our dinner reservation and some well earned Z's.
2019-09-24 - Edinburgh to York
23 September 2019
Edinburgh
Today we were hitting up The Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Parking for disabled people is free for 4 hours so we were set, get in early morning, walk a bit, see Edinburgh Castle, lunch, Holyrood Palace and other sights then back to Carberry.
Driving in was easy, we were expecting traffic, parking was also easy and we scored a park right on the Mile. We headed up to Edinburgh Castle. We had to move past the entry area quickly, they
used to burn witches there and I couldn't chance Lorraine's life. 😂 It is steeped in history, too much to discuss here, the pictures tell only part of the story, suffice to say that we both agree the English were really greedy pricks in the past, the way they treated the Scots. The Scots though have their own crosses to bear in history, but I can now truly understand why the Scots are such a proud and patriotic group and I do not blame them one bit at all.
The history is truly awesome of Edinburgh Castle the way it changed hands over time and the battles fought over Scotland are truly amazing. Again too much to summarise here.
After the Castle we went into the Whiskey Experience, I had intended doing the tour but to be totally honest I am getting all toured out (famous last words, and we were close to the 4 hour parking limit). So instead I bought the last two of my 6 bottle allowance, bottles 3 and 4 were in the castle. Bottles 1 and 2 were bought over the last two days in Scotland. The Whiskey Experience has the largest collection of Whiskeys for sale in the world in one place.
Lunch was at "Whiski", which I was pleasantly surprised to see actually featured Nikka, a Japanese world award winning whiskey. nice to see the Scots are not too ashamed to realise some brewers do it well, but remember the Irish invented Whiskey, the Scots refined it and the Japanese have perfected it based on their recent and often award winning brews.
From here it was down to Holyrood Palace. To be honest we were not expecting much, but were gobsmacked. This is a working palace that only shuts for 2 weeks a year to the public when the queen is in attendance (for one week but they close for two). Any other time the royal family are there, it remains open to the public. The admission fee includes the audio tour and it was amazing, every room we visited (1st floor) is for the most part a working room where dignitaries visit and meet the queen, honours are bestowed on people, dining rooms are used, and the upper floor (2nd floor) is where the royals stay. Unfortunately no pictures are allowed inside the palace building proper, so I cannot show anything from there.
The gardens are beautiful as is the view up towards Arthur's Seat. Holyrood is a truly hidden and unknown gem, there were hardly any tourists and it was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon.
After the obligatory gift shop visit for lapel badges and fridge magnets, we were all toured out for the day. I did want to do Maid of the Forth but the thought of dealing with traffic when I could just drive back to Carberry, have a beer, and relax seemed the better option, so that is what we did.
Back at Carberry, a nice cold one in the Boar Lounge went down well, before returning to the room for some relaxation before dinner.
Another great day in Scotland. Oh and the weather was awesome, no idea what this rainy day issue is that they talk about.😋
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