Yes I know this is late, but we have been
enjoying ourselves.
We have still had very good weather. After leaving Ulverston we were told the West
Coast of the Lakes District was worth seeing so off we went, the long way of
course North East through some more back roads before heading West. The coast wasn’t as exciting as we thought it
might be and we got to our accommodation early.
I was happy as I was feeling like a break from driving. As I was checking we discovered somebody had
left their purse somewhere. Where? No idea.
Luckily I reset the odometer every time I
fill up with fuel. As we had no idea
where or what town we had filled at, so back we drove the 25miles (1 hour) in
peakhour traffic. On the way Denise called
the place and just before we arrived they called back to say it was found. Just where somebody had left it. Then it was back for another hour in peakhour
traffic to the accommodation. As you can tell, he who thinks he is boss, had no sympathy! I was beside myself! It was one of those times when I didn’t say an
awful lot! Don’t say it
The accommodation was one of the best we
have had to date We can recommend Irton Hall (Google it). So after we finally
arrived I wandered off to take photos and explore the place. I was tempted to climb a tree but then I
remembered how clumsy I am.
The next day we headed back to Crawley one
of our daughters was arriving the following day. According to Dr Google, the drive was 338
miles and 6 hours. We (I) drove 350
miles (563kms) in 9 hrs 36 mins. The
first hour was fun as we again found some narrow, windy, steep and sometimes
rough tracks through Hardknott Pass. At
least the road was sealed. By the time
we reached the top and stopped, all I smelt was clutch. Much of the driving was in first gear with
wheels slipping on some of the tight corners.
What a blast. Then it was down
the other side which was a little less challenging, but still fun. At the bottom we turned to go across Wrynose
Pass as it looked even better on the map.
As soon as we turned there was a sign saying snow and ice ahead. I chickened out and did a four point turn and
headed for less challenging roads – they weren’t as steep.
If there are any cyclists out there looking
for a challenge, do all the backroads in the Lakes District. I have no idea what the steepest slope was
today, but the car struggled a few times, even in first gear. If you do these rides, you will definitely
enjoy the scenery. Unfortunately you
can’t let the bike freewheel downhill as the bends will require lots of brake. Maybe carry spare brakes, and wheels for
those who melt them.
My constant problem with Peter is
to get him to stop at the spots I want for the perfect photo! That’s a fib, there is never any parking and
if we stopped every time I wanted to take a photo we wouldn’t have moved out of
London!. My mission after the Hairy Cow
of Scotland, is now black faced lambs! This
has been a challenge when the rain is bucketing down and the lambs are curled
up not wagging their tails.
Once out of the Lakes area it was back to
60-70mph until we hit traffic that was stopped.
Luckily Google knew another way so off we went. This happened several times, but at one stage
there were flashing orange lights a few cars ahead of us on the motorway where
the speed limit is 70mph. The cars
started to slow to 40, 30, 20, and then stopped and forced all the traffic to
stop as well. We were 7 cars back so we could
see a little of what was happening, but had no idea why we were stopped just
before the exit we wanted to take. We
think it was to allow an accident ahead to be cleared. After about 5-10 minutes we were let loose.
For the next 20kms we passed one car as we
were doing 70mph. We were passed by all
the other traffic some I guessed were doing around 100mph or more.
We did stop and slow many times coming round
London, but eventually made it to Crawley.
Once in Crawley we have only done day
trips. We have been to London to visit
the Queen, but sadly she was out grocery shopping. I did leave a note to say to give me a call
when she returned, but the note must have got lost somehow. We happened upon Buckingham Palace by
accident as we were going in to London to catch up with friends for lunch and a
show. As we had no idea where we were
going we left a little earlier and decided to walk the last few stops.
The walk took us past Buck Palace, down to
see Big Ben (all wrapped up in scaffolding for the next x years). Next we passed Downing St to visit Theresa,
but again she wasn’t home. Probably out
grocery shopping with Liz and Phil the Greek.
When we got to Downing St it was closed off (permanently). I asked one of the policemen on guard which
one was No. 10 and he pointed it out for me.
Next it was on to Trafalgar Square where it began to sprinkle/rain so on
we went towards Leicester Square. On the
way we found the Art Gallery so ducked in to use their toilets and café. Sorry to the art lovers reading this.
While visiting the Queen, we managed to see
the changing of the guards, and later on saw the changing of the horses at some
other location - all seen by chance.
As we were to meet up with our friends in
Leicester Square to buy tickets for a show we decided to line up prior to their
arrival. It worked well. We went to see Kicking Boots (Denise says it
was Kinky Boots, but I beg to differ).
The show was watchable. Before
the show we went to a place called Sarastro for lunch. It is well worth a visit and if you do go
don’t miss the R rated toilets.
After the show we went for a drink at Gordon's
Wine Bar, another interesting location, before heading back to Crawley. We did see many more things in London, but I
wasn’t keeping a record of all of them.
Prior to London we tried seeing the Queen at
Windsor Castle, but she was visiting relatives, so instead we headed off to see
Downton Abbey (Emma’s suggestion, really Highclere Castle) which was closed so
we saw nothing there, but we were able to see the
church for Highclere Castle. Then
went down to see Stonehenge. On the way we stopped for Woodhenge, nothing I/we had ever
heard of, but it was extremely muddy and was difficult to see. Don’t go if it is wet! As it was raining we decided to just
look from the fence. I found a way to
get close without paying, although the road was a rough dirt track.
On another day we went down to Hastings for
fish and chip lunch and on the way back we went to East Grinstead to stand on the
0 Meridian line.
On the weekend I was lucky enough to go to
see Chelsea v Tottenham and Emma came as well.
Unfortunately Chelsea doesn’t play well when I’m watching and this time
they lost badly 1-3. I still can’t get
over how badly grown men, and some women, act when they are near opposing
football/soccer fans. At this game,
instead of having ten seats between opposing spectator groups there were only
four seats, and we were right beside the dividing seats.
Our hosts took us on a one day Mystery tour. We ended up at Chislehurst Caves which is an
amazing place that I had never heard of.
If you are ever in London, this is worth going a visit, although the
guides can be a little concerning (our was anyway). After that we went to see Cutty Sark and then
went up to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich to stand on the 0 Meridian line
once more. This place provided a great elevated
view of London.
We have been having a brilliant
time, catching up with Emma and our friends. We have had quite a social time. The sites around the UK having me wanting to
come again. The best thing for us has
been keeping away from the Motorways and really exploring the country side.
Sorry not so witty. I am being hurried by the boy!!!
Love you all lots
With that it’s another week (and a bit)
gone.
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