Aug – Oct 2017

Ireland and The United Kingdom

A 43-day adventure by Leanne Read more

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- Day 26
- Thursday, September 14, 2017
- ⛅ 15 °C
- Altitude: 36 m
- England Stratford-upon-Avon 52.1912, -1.70686552°11’28” N 1°42’25” W
Stratford Upon Avon, England
September 14, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Love Stratford Upon Avon such a peaceful little town with the beautiful Avon River flowing through the centre. We went on a canal boat ride along the river and visited all things Shakespeare today. He was an amazing playwright and poet producing 37 plays, 154 sonnets and 5 titled poems during his short life of 52 years. I visited his birthplace home and also the cottage of his wife, Anne Hathaway. She lived at her family farm until her marriage to William Shakespeare, she was 26 and he was 18 years of age. We also went on a walking tour taken by a very passionate 78 year old lady who had previously been the mayor of the town and also enjoyed her Theatre. She definitely made the stories come to life.Read more
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- Day 27
- Friday, September 15, 2017
- 🌧 13 °C
- Altitude: 26 m
- Wales Afon Seiont 53.14537, -4.26948453°8’43” N 4°16’10” W
North Wales
September 15, 2017 in Wales ⋅ 🌧 13 °C
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- Day 27
- Friday, September 15, 2017
- 🌧 10 °C
- Altitude: 178 m
- Wales Pass of Llanberis 53.089088, -4.0498753°5’21” N 4°2’60” W
North Wales
September 15, 2017 in Wales ⋅ 🌧 10 °C
The small snippets I see of the UK make me want to come back and stay awhile longer so I can take it all in and have time to walk around and experience each of the places. Today's drive was amazing so many great, unexpected surprises. We left Stratford-Upon-Avon headed north west to Llangollen, in North Wales we walked along the River Dee and around the village before heading through the mountains taking the Pass of Llanberis. The scenery from Betws-y-Coed to Brynrefail was magnificent. The water from the mountains was tumbling down in rivulets and small waterfalls gushing into the growing river that was bursting at its banks and escaping into the green sodden pastures. The sheep and cows were peacefully ignorant of the rain and chewing at the lush green grass. As we wind through the Pass you have a stunning view of the mountains that have crumbled away to form large land slips made up of enormous boulders. Then the hillsides change again, now the mountains are scarred, purple and black the result of slate mining. We find ourselves at the village of Llanberis at the foothill of Snowden Mountain. Snowden Mountain another area to stay and explore.

From here we travel on to Caernarfon Castle on the West Coast of Wales near Anglesey. We visited the Castle, which saw the investiture of Prince Charles to the Crown back in 1969. As we were so close we had to visit the town with the longest name in Wales, Llanfairpwllgwyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogoch. Then a quick reminiscent visit for Mim to Ruthin Castle which today is a British Hotel. Then finally onto Wrexham, Wales for our overnight stay.Read more
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- Day 28
- Saturday, September 16, 2017
- ⛅ 14 °C
- Altitude: 18 m
- England Chester 53.19146, -2.89500753°11’29” N 2°53’42” W
Trevor, Wales and Chester, England
September 16, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
We didn't have far to travel from Wrexham to Liverpool so visited the Pontsycyllte Aqueduct in Trevor, Wales. Incredible structure sitting 126 feet (38 metres) over the River Dee at its central point. The Aqueduct has a walkway and a narrow iron canal trough which is just wide enough to fit a narrow boat. We walked across the Aqueduct and watched a narrow boat and some canoes navigate there way across.

We then had a short drive to Chester, England which has the only complete Roman walled city in Britain. We walked the two miles around the red sandstone walls stopping off to have a cruise on the River Dee and watch the first race of the day at the racecourse from the city wall. The city wall overlooks the racecourse. The Chester Cathedral is an enormous building that has been enlarged over time from its original form.Read more
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- Day 29
- Sunday, September 17, 2017
- ⛅ 14 °C
- Altitude: 10 m
- England Echo Arena Liverpool 53.399498, -2.99010253°23’58” N 2°59’24” W
Liverpool, England
September 17, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
We all live in a yellow submarine ... we went to see the Beatles Story at Albert Docks, Liverpool. The retelling of the Beatles journey was really well done, it took us around two hours with our audio guides. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
We had a great time walking around the docks area and went for a cruise around the inside area of the Docks, it would have been better if there was a commentary. People were everywhere in pirate hats and costumes for the Pirate festivities that were on this weekend. The Albert Docks were brought back to life in the 1980's after a long time of sitting desolate.Read more
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- Day 30
- Monday, September 18, 2017
- ☀️ 12 °C
- Altitude: 55 m
- England Kendal 54.32163, -2.74566454°19’18” N 2°44’44” W
Worden Hall and Windermere Lake, England
September 18, 2017 in England ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C
Left Liverpool to head to the Lakes District today. On the way we stopped at Worden Hall, Leyland where the Farington family owned an estate for 25 generations until 1974. The Farington ancestry has been traced from my mother's side of the family. The estate is now an enormous parkland for the town and the buildings and Manor are partly in use by local artists and as a coffee shop.
We drove onto Bowness-on-Windermere which is on Windermere Lake, the largest natural lake in England. We had a sumptuous lunch overlooking the lake then cruised a loop from Bowness to the northern most point, Ambleside. Cruising or walking around the lake is ideal because if driving the car there are no pull over areas and the bushes are right up to the edge of the road so there is very little chance to see anything.
After a detour to the Gingerbread shop in Grasmere we had an interesting side trip through the narrow back farm lanes to get to our accommodation tonight in Kendal.Read more
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- Day 31
- Tuesday, September 19, 2017
- ☀️ 12 °C
- Altitude: 226 m
- England Ullswater 54.565468, -2.87279154°33’56” N 2°52’22” W
The Lakes District, England
September 19, 2017 in England ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C
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- Day 31
- Tuesday, September 19, 2017
- ☀️ 13 °C
- Altitude: 76 m
- England Keswick 54.596657, -3.14643154°35’48” N 3°8’47” W
The Lakes District, England
September 19, 2017 in England ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
Couldn't have asked for a better day, mild temperatures and sunny blue sky and wonderful scenery and getting to share it with a great friend. I think the photos tell most of the story. We went to Keswick, Derwentwater where we walked along a path that goes the whole way around the lake, 10 miles in total. If you get tired of walking just catch a ferry back. We only walked a little way because of the paid parking. Everywhere you have to pay for parking, occasionally you might find a spot to park for an hour but you can only use this once a day. It can become quite expensive when you are visiting various locations in one day.
Then it was onto Ullswater where we took a narrow road around tight corners and up hills to get to Martindale, supposedly to see red deer and the red squirrels. Not one red deer or squirrel, just as well the views were spectacular. Next stop Glenridding for some lunch before heading back through the Kirkstone Pass to Windermere Lake. At one section of the narrow road we had to wait at some lights because of road repairs, we were glad we did because a large bus was making its way up the hill and had a lot of trouble passing.Read more
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- Day 32
- Wednesday, September 20, 2017
- ⛅ 14 °C
- Altitude: 253 m
- England Housesteads Roman fort 55.01318, -2.33015855°0’47” N 2°19’49” W
Hadrian's Wall and Scotland
September 20, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Today we travelled from the Lakes District out to one of the best viewpoints of Hadrian's Wall at Housesteads Fort then onto Scotland. The 73 miles of wall started to be built in 117AD for the Roman Emperor Hadrian. The section we visited, Housesteads is one of the Wall’s best-preserved forts with the foundations of many of the buildings still visible.
By the time we reached Loch Lomond, Scotland the rain had set in. This didn't deter us, we drove to Balloch Castle Country Park and then drove north up the western side of Loch Lomond and then back south on the Eastern side of Loch Long, cutting across the hills to come back to Dumbarton.Read more
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- Day 33
- Thursday, September 21, 2017
- ☀️ 10 °C
- Altitude: 5 m
- Scotland Loch Aber 56.767056, -5.17572956°46’1” N 5°10’33” W
The Lochs of Scotland
September 21, 2017 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C
What an amazing day, Scotland you have really turned it on - blue sky, yes blue sky!! The start of autumn colours on the mountains and amazing reflections of the mountains in the dark waters of the Lochs. Today we again drove past Loch Lomond, with clear skies this time, then headed up the highway past Loch Awe, Loch Linnhe, Loch Lochy onto the Caledonian Canal which joins into Loch Ness. Loved the quaint town of Fort Augustus with its series of locks that enables boats to move along the canal from Loch Lochy to Loch Ness. Tonight we start our three night stay in Inverness.Read more
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- Day 33
- Thursday, September 21, 2017
- 🌧 10 °C
- Altitude: 34 m
- Scotland Fort Augustus 57.143116, -4.68295857°8’35” N 4°40’59” W
The Lochs of Scotland
September 21, 2017 in Scotland ⋅ 🌧 10 °C
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- Day 34
- Friday, September 22, 2017
- ⛅ 10 °C
- Altitude: 11 m
- Scotland River Ness 57.477543, -4.2350257°28’39” N 4°14’6” W
Inverness, Scotland
September 22, 2017 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
A relaxing wander around town today, still fine weather although a little brisk at 6°C. Maybe I should have packed some winter clothes. Off to the hairdresser for a freshen up. Still back in the 80's with the old dears having their perms. The smell of perming solution hasn't changed.Read more
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- Day 35
- Saturday, September 23, 2017
- ☀️ 15 °C
- Altitude: 10 m
- Scotland Gairloch 57.720801, -5.68655557°43’15” N 5°41’12” W
North West Highlands of Scotland
September 23, 2017 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
Off discovering the North West Highlands out to Gairloch on the coast. The Lochs didn't have the deep dark colours so no reflections but we did see waterfalls and rugged barren mountains. Once again the scenery is stunning. We decided before heading back to Inverness to go north east up to Dunrobin Castle just outside the town of Golspie. The Sutherland family live in the Castle with sections open to the Public for part of the year. There are 189 rooms within the castle, making it the largest in the northern Highlands.Read more
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- Day 35
- Saturday, September 23, 2017
- ⛅ 17 °C
- Altitude: 29 m
- Scotland Backies 57.982895, -3.94667857°58’58” N 3°56’48” W
Dunrobin Castle, Scotland
September 23, 2017 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
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- Day 36
- Sunday, September 24, 2017
- ☀️ 12 °C
- Altitude: 246 m
- Scotland Drumgask 57.014206, -4.33887957°0’51” N 4°20’20” W
Northern Highlands, Scotland
September 24, 2017 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C
We left Inverness travelling through the Northern Highlands to reach Edinburgh. We went along the 'B' roads, Mim handled the car like a rally driver over blind summits, down hidden dips, around sharp turns, watching out for oncoming vehicles in the middle of the road, not to mention the cyclists who appear from nowhere peddling like crazy on these often one lane roads.
The back roads brought us out at Crathie near Balmoral Castle. Now we knew the Queen was in residence so didn't expect to see the Castle but when we arrived at the information centre people were mulling around waiting along the fence. We then realised it was Sunday and the Queen would be going to the Sunday Church Service at Crathie Kirk across the road. So we waited too. We saw Queen Elizabeth with William in the first car and Charles and Camilla in the second car.
We then continued onto Edinburgh.Read more
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- Day 37
- Monday, September 25, 2017
- ⛅ 14 °C
- Altitude: 58 m
- Scotland Duddingston Loch 55.942451, -3.14708155°56’33” N 3°8’49” W
Edinburgh, Scotland
September 25, 2017 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Heard the rain during the night, things didn't seem promising for a sunny day for sightseeing. By the time we made it into the city the rain had lifted and only fog in the distance. Another wonderful day of exploring Edinburgh Castle, we walked the Royal Mile to Holyrood Palace. Holyrood Palace is the Scottish residence of the Queen, the Abbey Cathedral ruins are behind the Palace. Edinburgh's buildings are blackened with age but the dark lines suit the city, the darkened stone grooved buildings stand out against the grey sky.Read more
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- Day 38
- Tuesday, September 26, 2017
- ⛅ 16 °C
- Altitude: 42 m
- Scotland Edinburgh Castle 55.950287, -3.20060455°57’1” N 3°12’2” W
Edinburgh, Scotland
September 26, 2017 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Blue skies again in Edinburgh. Walked to the Royal Yacht Britannia and had a lovely couple of hours wandering around the ship. The ship was decommissioned in 1997, after 43 years service. It was nice to see the less formal furnishings on the ship. The Royal family definitely must have relaxed aboard the ship as seen in the many family photos displayed. After having luncheon in the tea room we went by bus to the city to take some time out walking around the gardens.
We walked through Princes Street Gardens then went over Dean Bridge hoping to walk along the Leith River or Dean Gardens. There was no access to these parks or Queens Park unless you lived in the catchment area and paid £115 a year for a key to unlock the gates.Read more
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- Day 39
- Wednesday, September 27, 2017
- ⛅ 14 °C
- Altitude: 69 m
- Scotland Jedburgh 55.47982, -2.55148955°28’47” N 2°33’5” W
Heading back to England
September 27, 2017 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Travelled from Edinburgh out to the small seaside village of Dunbar, then we went along the coastal road before heading inland towards Jedburgh. Jedburgh, Scotland has a magnificent Augustinian Abbey which was built around 1135, it is now partially in ruins. We continued travelling the 'B' roads towards York, in England. Not a very good day for landscape photos as it was hazy all day. Everyday more and more trees are changing to autumn colours.Read more
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- Day 40
- Thursday, September 28, 2017
- ⛅ 17 °C
- Altitude: 74 m
- England Sherwood Forest 53.165234, -1.09197953°9’55” N 1°5’31” W
Sherwood Forest, England
September 28, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
We visited Rufford Abbey, Rufford a Cistercian Monastery from around 1160. The Abbey was converted to a country house for the Earl of Shrewsbury around 1536. Today it is managed through the Shire Council. We enjoyed a walk around the lake before heading to Sherwood Forest. Sherwood Forest is where the legend Robin Hood is said to have lived. We walked through the forest to look at the Major Oak (named after Major Hayman Rooke, the man who wrote about the tree). This oak tree is supposed to be the tree where Robin Hood and his merry men met. Irrespective of the legend the tree is estimated to be 1150 years old, weighs 23 ton and measures 10 metres around its girth. A beautiful tree. We then went onto Nottingham hoping to wander around the city centre but parking was problematic with us going up bus only streets and then have a tram come towards us. Thought it was time to give it a miss, it definitely wasn't a quaint small village.Read more
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- Day 41
- Friday, September 29, 2017
- 🌧 18 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- England Crab Bay 51.133327, 1.35510151°7’60” N 1°21’18” E
White Cliffs of Dover, England
September 29, 2017 in England ⋅ 🌧 18 °C
Had another great day driving from Peterborough to Dunkirk. We drove the country roads as much as possible, it's a lot more enjoyable and relaxing winding through the narrow roads rather than racing the cars on the A1. We enjoyed seeing the autumn leaves, the ploughed fields, the crops and sheep and there were a lot of thatched cottages today when we went through some of the small villages. We drove onto Dover before going to our accommodation so we could walk along the White Cliffs of Dover. They are a stunning sight, sheer white cliffs that drop away to the sea, as the white chalk crumbles away the black flint stones fall onto the beach below. I didn't realise the magnitude of the shipping of the transport trucks that occurred in Dover harbour, the trucks went through a checkpoint then cued to get on the ferries with their goods. Whenever another ship arrived it disgorged another convoy of trucks. We also saw Dover Castle from a distance. The 11th Century Castle sits high on the hill overlooking Dover.Read more
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- Day 42
- Saturday, September 30, 2017
- ☀️ 15 °C
- Altitude: 46 m
- England Margate 51.385094, 1.38401351°23’6” N 1°23’2” E
Beaches in South East England
September 30, 2017 in England ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
A relaxed start to the day, decided to meander along the coastline to Whitstable, Recluver, and Margate enjoying the sun and beaches. Loved the beach huts at Whitstable, it was so quiet on the beach front, and you didn't have to pay for parking. We also dropped into Whitstable Castle which was a private residence for the Pearson family in the late 1790’s. I love the black flint stone in the castle tower.
We went on to Recluver to visit the ruins of the Roman Fort of Regulbium that was occupied around 200AD. St Mary's Church was built within the Fort around the 7th Century. Only the western towers remain, which are a landmark for the shipping channel. It was a little disconcerting climbing up the steps within the towers when you see the mortar holding it together is just a sandy mix and a lot of the mix has eroded away.
Margate is a larger coastal town, we parked on the pier hoping to have fish and chips for lunch. As we walked along the pier looking for lunch we both clamped our fingers over our noses. It was low tide and the smell coming from the low tide mark was a smell of acrid ammonia, like someone was being covered in perming solution, it was hard to get the smell out of your nose. Supposedly it is from the seaweed. We did manage to have a nice lunch in The Hoy Pub away from the awful smell.Read more
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- Day 43
- Sunday, October 1, 2017
- ⛅ 16 °C
- Altitude: 21 m
- England Heathrow Terminal 5 51.481339, -0.48380951°28’53” N 0°29’2” W
Heathrow, England
October 1, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Today we headed back to London after visiting Mim's friend Linda Knudsen in Petersfield, Hampshire. We have travelled 5,158 kilometres (3,205 miles) over the last 23 days throughout England, Wales and Scotland. We have been around roundabouts twice to find our exit, drove into restricted areas with a tram heading straight for us, been down lots of country roads where the cars always seem to be on your side of the lane, up lots of twisting mountain tracks, and followed too many tractors on the highways. We have seen some magnificent scenery, lots of churches, ruins, lakes, Lochs, mountains, sheep and cattle, stone walls and hedges and eaten our fair share of wild blackberries. I have loved every minute and hope to come back and take some time to walk the foreshore, Lochs, lakes and countryside. Tomorrow we are off to Rome, looking forward to our next adventure.Read more
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Trip end
October 1, 2017