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Our European Adventure 2018

A 6 month trip on a shoestring Read more

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Day 70
Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 10:30 AM
⛅ 68 °F
Altitude: 43 ft
Wales Aberdulais 51.680091, -3.77756951°40’48” N 3°46’39” W
Aberdulais Tin Works, Wales
July 10, 2018 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
Wales was the leading producer of tinplate in the Victorian era (1830s-1900). We enjoyed hearing how tinplate was made: Iron is rolled into thin sheets, folded, and re-rolled several times, then cleaned with acid, dipped into tin, and finally oiled and polished.

The falls were really beautiful at one time, evidenced by paintings, but the area was dynamited to obtain stone for building a canal. It is still a pretty area, though.Read more
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Day 69
Monday, July 9, 2018 at 1:00 PM
⛅ 77 °F
Altitude: 577 ft
England Minchinhampton 51.704417, -2.18705451°42’16” N 2°11’13” W
Minchinhampton: Cotwolds Overlook
July 9, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
We can see this village on the other side of the valley from where we are staying. It has an old Market square and a church that is still in use. All along the hilltops are the Minchinhampton Commons, open pasture areas for cows and people to roam. We could see over the Cotswolds a long ways, while enjoying locally made ice cream.Read more
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Day 68
Sunday, July 8, 2018 at 2:00 PM
☀️ 82 °F
Altitude: 56 ft
England Purton 51.73664, -2.45644751°44’12” N 2°27’23” W
Purton Ship Graveyard: A New Purpose
July 8, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F
The River Severn is difficult to navigate due to tidal changes. At the area near Purton, the banks were eroding and threatening the canal walls. Between 1909 and 1965, about 30 old unneeded ships (the oldest was 1863) were beached to try to stop the erosion. They would run the ships aground during high tide and winch them further up the bank. Then when the tide receded, they would cut holes in the hulls and allow plants to grow into them. Eight of the ships were 1940s concrete freighters, designed to haul grain, but they were too damp for that purpose.Read more
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Day 68
Sunday, July 8, 2018 at 12:00 PM
☀️ 79 °F
Altitude: 69 ft
England Frampton on Severn 51.78031, -2.35704651°46’49” N 2°21’25” W
Costwold Canals, Saul Junction
July 8, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F
Canals were built in the 1700s-1800s all over England, usually to connect one river with another. The Gloucester-Sharpness canal was built to bypass a treacherous part of the River Severn. We took a cruise on a small canal boat to see a working canal and some narrow-boats. Most of the traffic is recreational now.

Most of the boats along the canal sides are treated like RVs with their own subculture. Many are being used for the whole season. They can stay for two weeks free in a spot, then they have to move, but not very far. And it's great that there are no biting bugs here!Read more
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Day 67
Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 4:06 PM
☀️ 81 °F
Altitude: 262 ft
England Nailsworth 51.695575, -2.21986651°41’44” N 2°13’12” W
1
Nailsworth Village
July 7, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
Here are some sights around Nailsworth:
-Shops
-Church
-Gunbarrel Alley

-The Copper Kettle, once the sign for the Copper Kettle Tea Shop. Capacity is 80 gallons, and the tea kettle on top of the knob is a normal sized tea kettle.Read more
Traveler We used to have an alley like this when I was growing up in Shakopee.
7/11/18Reply
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Day 67
Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 3:06 PM
☀️ 79 °F
Altitude: 262 ft
England Nailsworth 51.695575, -2.21986651°41’44” N 2°13’12” W
Wool Finishing Process: Step 3
July 7, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F
The third step is shearing the excess nap to make it an even thickness. It used to be done by Shearmen using heavy shears. This was the best paid position in the wool industry. Then a Cross-Cutter machine was developed for this process, powered by the water wheel.

Edwin Budding, a mechanic for the mills in Stroud invented the lawnmower using the same type of rotary blade used in the Cross-Cutter.

Another mill in Nailsworth, the Egypt Mill, has been converted into a popular hotel and restaurant.Read more
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Day 67
Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 2:06 PM
☀️ 79 °F
Altitude: 262 ft
England Nailsworth 51.695575, -2.21986651°41’44” N 2°13’12” W
Wool Cloth Finishing, Steps 1-2
July 7, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F
On the second tour, we learned about how cloth was finished by felting techniques using water-powered machines. There are three steps.

Step one: The material is basted together into a loop, and put through a Fulling machine. The machine soaks the cloth in water with a small amount of soap (they used Fuller's earth in the old days), and then pounds it. This shrinks, softens, and loosens the fibers, and the cloth becomes thicker.

Step 2: After the cloth is dry, the nap is raised using dried plants called teasels. It used to be done by hand, of course. Manufacturers have not found or invented anything better than the dried plant, so they are still used today.Read more
TravelerWow
7/11/18Reply
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Day 67
Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 10:06 AM
☀️ 72 °F
Altitude: 262 ft
England Nailsworth 51.695575, -2.21986651°41’44” N 2°13’12” W
2
Nailsworth: A Wool Town
July 7, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
The valleys around Stroud (just north of Nailsworth) once had about 150 woolen mills. There are a few in Nailsworth that offer tours, to show the process of making West of England woven felt, which was dyed "Stroud Scarlet" and made into military uniforms.

First we learned the how weaving was done, from using hand looms in cottages, to larger cottage looms, and finally powered looms in factories.Read more
Traveler Pretty colors
7/11/18Reply
Traveler I didn't get to pick the colors, as they were already on the loom. But it was fun to see the pattern emerge.
7/11/18Reply
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Day 66
Friday, July 6, 2018 at 4:31 PM
⛅ 79 °F
Altitude: 955 ft
England Snowshill 52.001683, -1.85457352°0’6” N 1°51’16” W
Snowshill Village
July 6, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F
The village is small, quaint, and contains a church, a pub, and not much else. It is called Snowshill because it is on a hill that receives snow.
TravelerHi Linda wonderful job your doing taking us along I thank you very much. ..... would you have Dean check the WhatsApp for a message from me thank you ever so much
7/10/18Reply
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Day 66
Friday, July 6, 2018 at 2:01 PM
☀️ 77 °F
Altitude: 955 ft
England Snowshill 52.001683, -1.85457352°0’6” N 1°51’16” W
Wolf's Cove and Snowshill Garden
July 6, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
Wolf's Cove is a miniature village in the garden, based on the Cornwall area of England.

The garden was designed as a series of outdoor rooms. There is even a windmill that is a scarecrow! All the arms move with the wind.Read more
TravelerBeautiful place, especially the gardens!
7/11/18Reply
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Day 66
Friday, July 6, 2018 at 1:01 PM
⛅ 75 °F
Altitude: 955 ft
England Snowshill 52.001683, -1.85457352°0’6” N 1°51’16” W
1
More Collections, and Wade's Actual Home
July 6, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
Charles Wade didn't live in the Manor--that was just for his collections. This is the unused kitchen in the Manor.

He lived in a small house on the property--but it had just as much stuff!
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Day 66
Friday, July 6, 2018 at 12:56 PM
⛅ 75 °F
Altitude: 955 ft
England Snowshill 52.001683, -1.85457352°0’6” N 1°51’16” W
Snowhill Displays
July 6, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
Charles Wade even displayed his toys, and named that room, "Seventh Heaven".

And here is another display room, called "A Hundred Wheels".
TravelerI could have spent days there
7/10/18Reply
TravelerIt reminded us of House on the Rock in Wisconsin, with the huge amount of things to look at!
7/11/18Reply
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Day 66
Friday, July 6, 2018 at 11:45 AM
⛅ 73 °F
Altitude: 955 ft
England Snowshill 52.001683, -1.85457352°0’6” N 1°51’16” W
Snowshill Interior
July 6, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
Some of Charles Wade's collectables. Lots of variety, filling every nook and cranny!
TravelerOf all the dumb things that go through my mind........ I’m thinking 🤔 can you imagine having to dust all that stuff????? And for me of all people to think that 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤬😂
7/10/18Reply
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Day 66
Friday, July 6, 2018 at 10:00 AM
⛅ 68 °F
Altitude: 955 ft
England Snowshill 52.001683, -1.85457352°0’6” N 1°51’16” W
Snowshill Manor
July 6, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
Charles Wade, a talented and artistic architect, was serving in WWI, but the regimented life didn't suit him. He spent time perusing Country Life magazines and decorating his living space. He saw an ad of a manor for sale, decided to look for it if he survived, and bought it shortly after the war.

Wade spent his life collecting things that he thought were skillfully made, attractive, and fun. Then he created displays of all his objects, and had friends over to see them, hear the stories, and do theater together using costumes and props he'd collected. Sounds like a fun guy!Read more
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Day 65
Thursday, July 5, 2018 at 3:30 PM
☀️ 81 °F
Altitude: 492 ft
England Beverston 51.65535, -2.18652851°39’19” N 2°11’12” W
Chavenage: Chapel and Farm
July 5, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
The original family were strong Catholics, had a priest living with them, and hid him during the time of Catholic persecution in the country.

This the chapel; it is often rented for weddings.

And here are some scenes of the working farm.Read more
TravelerWhat wonderful buildings there Looks like the weather is good for you ..... we just had a Haboob and a 1/2 hour monsoon storm go through tore up my flag but my place ok your place looks ok but the SwapMeet not so good my booth is ok but 10-12 didn’t make it ...........
7/9/18Reply
TravelerWow, Bruce-that storm sounds bad! Yes we are having unusually good weather, so everyone tells us.
7/10/18Reply
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Day 65
Thursday, July 5, 2018 at 3:00 PM
☀️ 81 °F
Altitude: 492 ft
England Beverston 51.65535, -2.18652851°39’19” N 2°11’12” W
Chavenage Tour continues
July 5, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
Here are some more rooms we saw:
-The former Ladies' room, turned into a billiard room, because the owner needed a place to put his Snooker table
-The Library, which is used as a Breakfast Room during Poldark filming
-Portraits of former owners
-The Ballroom, now a Tea Room for tour participants.Read more
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Day 65
Thursday, July 5, 2018 at 2:00 PM
☀️ 79 °F
Altitude: 492 ft
England Beverston 51.65535, -2.18652851°39’19” N 2°11’12” W
Chavenage Tour
July 5, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F
On our tour we saw the bed that Oliver Cromwell slept in, when he made a visit to the owners. During England's civil war (1642-46) between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians, Cromwell was trying to get support to have King Charles I killed.

The Cromwell bedroom is used in filming Poldark. It has wool tapestries on the walls, and they were made to fit the room.

The next bedroom has silk tapestries on its walls. It contains several military weapons and a helmet, which is surprisingly heavy! Above the fireplace is a hat cover, used to keep the hat from getting dusty when out riding. When two men on horseback met on the road, they would quickly put on their hats, and the one with the smaller hat had to give way to the other, out of respect. Wish we had some way of giving or receiving right of way on some of these narrow roads!Read more
TravelerIs that painting murals on the walls or tapestry?
7/9/18Reply
TravelerThis room is done in a wool tapestry.
7/10/18Reply
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Day 65
Thursday, July 5, 2018 at 1:00 PM
☀️ 79 °F
Altitude: 492 ft
England Beverston 51.65535, -2.18652851°39’19” N 2°11’12” W
Chavenage, of Poldark fame
July 5, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F
We haven't gotten into the TV series, Poldark, but know a lot of people are watching it regularly. This is the home used as the setting, and because of that, people like to tour it. There was quite a crowd on the day we went--it is only available on Thursday and Sunday afternoons. We enjoyed the tour especially because the house is being lived in.

The first part of the house was built in medieval times. Then in the 1500s, it was gutted, reconstructed in Elizabethan style, and added onto in front and back of the original part. The additions are done so well that the house looks like it is all from the same period. This makes it very desirable for filming.

The back of the house looks onto an unspoiled area of the country, where you don't see any evidence of modern life--so it is used to film battles, etc.Read more
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Day 64
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at 3:13 PM
⛅ 75 °F
Altitude: 377 ft
England Cirencester 51.717526, -1.96785751°43’3” N 1°58’4” W
2
Chuch of John the Baptist, Cirencester
July 4, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
Here is another beautiful church! Highlights:
Icon of St. John the Baptist
Pulpit, 1450, rare wine glass design (note sermon-timer on the wall)
Chapel with fan vaulting that was added 350 years later
Cup made for Anne Boleyn in 1535, given to her daughter, Queen Elizabeth IRead more
Wow - beautifully artistic! Posted by Sue Johnson
7/31/18Reply
Traveler Agreed!
8/2/18Reply
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Day 64
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at 12:01 PM
☀️ 70 °F
Altitude: 387 ft
England Cirencester 51.718495, -1.96824351°43’7” N 1°58’6” W
Cirencester
July 4, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
Another Cotwolds town, with an old fort/barracks, the world's tallest yew hedge, and cute shopping/eating areas.
TravelerVery cute
7/7/18Reply
Traveler😂 I love the waffles sign
7/8/18Reply
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Day 64
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at 10:52 AM
⛅ 66 °F
Altitude: 361 ft
England Tetbury 51.639295, -2.1581851°38’21” N 2°9’29” W
Tetbury Churches
July 4, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
We stopped at the Christ Church because they were having a public coffee time, and met the pastor and several other friendly people. Then we went to the Gothic Revival church, St Mary's.
TravelerDean looks so angelic sitting in that pew...... looks can so deceiving ..... 😈 😂😂😂
7/8/18Reply
TravelerDean says, it just goes to show you can't believe what you see!
7/8/18Reply
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Day 64
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at 10:01 AM
⛅ 64 °F
Altitude: 361 ft
England Tetbury 51.639295, -2.1581851°38’21” N 2°9’29” W
The Police Museum
July 4, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
The Police Museum with its old courtroom was something unusual and interesting to visit. There was a meeting going on in the Courtroom, so we couldn't go in, but I peeked in and took a quick photo from the doorway.Read more
TravelerYou are very brave
7/7/18Reply
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Day 64
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at 10:01 AM
⛅ 64 °F
Altitude: 361 ft
England Tetbury 51.639295, -2.1581851°38’21” N 2°9’29” W
Tetbury: a Market Town
July 4, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
Tetbury is one of many small, beautiful villages in the Cotswolds. It has an old Market Hall, dating from 1655 that was open. We bought a meat pie (meatloaf wrapped in flaky pastry) for lunch, and some strawberry jam to take home.

Chipping Steps goes up the hill to the market area (chipping means market), and passes by some charming 17th-18th Century homes. Almost all the buildings in the Cotswolds are made of limestone--so pretty!Read more
TravelerWhat a delightful little town! My friend, Penny whom you met, has always told me the Cotswolds were her favorite place in England.
7/8/18Reply
TravelerYes, it's wonderful. We met a couple who moved here from Scotland, and they love it here!
7/9/18Reply
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Day 61
Sunday, July 1, 2018 at 8:55 PM
☁️ 77 °F
Altitude: 217 ft
England Nailsworth 51.693878, -2.21629351°41’38” N 2°12’59” W
Housesitting in Nailsworth
July 1, 2018 in England ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F
We are in the Cotswolds now, taking care of a dog named Mavis. She is a very sweet 12 year old lurcher. We walked around the town this afternoon--there isn't much here but it is a nice little village surrounded by hills. The main industry used to be woolen mills.

Here are some views from around our neighborhood!Read more
What wonderful experiences and what a variety. Are you homesick yet? Cold rainy "summer" in Montana so far. Haven't even been in the boat. Miss the AZ sun and heat. Love and Hugs
7/2/18Reply
TravelerWe've been traveling for two months and we are not homesick!
7/2/18Reply
TravelerTake good care of Mavis! Sounds like you two are thoroughly enjoying your travels!
7/2/18Reply
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Day 58
Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 12:00 PM
☀️ 72 °F
Altitude: 184 ft
England Coton 52.217, 0.055352°13’1” N 0°3’19” E
Cambridge American Cemetery
June 28, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
This is the only US Cemetery in England. Most of those memorialized here died in the Battle of the Atlantic or in the air bombardments of NW Europe. The visitor center has a lot of photos and personal stories. Lt. Joseph Kennedy Jr. and co-pilot were killed in one of the bombing missions, in which they were to set the autopilot to make the plane crash into the target, then parachute out before the crash. The bombs detonated prematurely, well before the planned bailout. They are among those named on the Wall of the Missing.Read more
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