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Exploring the British Isles

September - October 2018
A 42-day adventure by The Rushs Adventures Read more
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  • TravelerExploring the British Isles
    Day 2

    Singapore

    September 2, 2018 in Singapore ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Our second big adventure has begun. Left New Zealand at 10 50 am and arrived in Singapore at 5 30 (10 half hours later). Checked in at Holiday Inn, Clarke Quay and headed out. The temperature was amazing-just so warm and balmy. Wandered around Clarke Quay, enjoyed our first drink and then boarded a lovely open deck boat for the river cruise. First impressions are that Singapore is beautiful, clean and full of atmosphere.Read more

  • TravelerExploring the British Isles
    Day 3

    SINGAPORE 2

    September 3, 2018 in Singapore ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    A beautiful but exhausting day exploring Singapore. Woke early and headed out in the thunderstorms for breakfast only to find most places not opening until 12 on Sundays. Wandered all the way to Marina Bay and Starbucks for coffee. Decided to keep walking over to the Singapore Flyer (wheel). Spectacular views and rain had stopped. Caught Hop on Hop Off Bus to China Town. Explored the market and ate yummy lunch. Walked back to our hotel for a shower and a short rest which was just as well as still had heaps of sight seeing and walking ahead of us. Couldn’t believe it to find a cafe across the road based on Friends so just had to stop for a drink. David was in his element and I told him it was the treat I’d been promising him for Fathers Day. The cafe was full of memorabilia from the show, even Rachael’s wedding dress. Caught bus to Marina Bay Sands. Wandered into the hotel foyer which was amazing. Then walked down to Gardens by the Bay. The walkway in the treetops was great and the gardens were stunning and the extra money we paid for the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest was money well spent. Both were gorgeous with the most beautiful and extravagant garden displays. We left there at 6 pm and walked a very long way back to Boat Quay where we both settled for a burger and a drink before our walk back to the hotel. Finished our night sitting on the riverside steps watching another night of huge activity on the water.Read more

  • TravelerExploring the British Isles
    Day 4

    Last day Singapore

    September 4, 2018 in Singapore ⋅ 🌧 24 °C

    Another early rise. Not good at sleeping in when there is so much to see and do! Had lovely hotel breakfast before walking to the Orchard Rd district for some shopping. Mall after mall and seemed there was a huge demand for active wear judging by how many sports shops there were. Walked back to the hotel before catching taxi to the zoo which was about 40 minutes from town and involved driving through some long road tunnels. The landscape changed to thick lush bush and the zoo was set amongst it. The river cruise was cool. Went in little boats similar to those in theme parks. The commentary pointed out the animals but you did have to be quick to spot them. Then had time for a walk around and definitely the highlight was the manatees, which are huge water mammals similar to sea lions but covered In fine hair and very playful. Had a bite to eat there and then set off at 8 pm on the night safari. It was a walk all round the zoo in the dark but all set up for viewing and most animals quite active. A highlight was the pack of hyenas. Wasn’t so keen on seeing a large rat on the path though! Got the Hop on Hop Off Bus back and an unplanned tour of Singapore as it did every detour possible. Pleased to get back to the hotel as knew we would be up at 5 15 am.Read more

  • TravelerExploring the British Isles
    Day 4

    Singapore to London

    September 4, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Taxi to the airport to find plane delayed for an hour due to thunder, lightening and heavy rain. Finally left at 10am. Was pleased to get on the plane but novelty quickly wore off. 13 hour’s later we arrived at Heathrow! All went smoothly there apart from bag pick up which was chaotic as they were removing bags from the carousel and stacking them around the area to make room for more, everyone was slightly panicking and roaming around searching. Spotted ours reasonably quickly. Were on the underground in no time at all (useful to have done it before) and at Holiday Inn Kensington by 7. Quickly refreshed and out heading through lower Kensington where we shared a pizza. Wandered up to Harrods to find it still open. Spent an hour wandering around and in their souvenir shop. Saw some beautiful things and loved watching who was shopping there. Wandered back via The Stanhope Arms where we finished the night with a drink.Read more

  • TravelerExploring the British Isles
    Day 6

    London Day 2

    September 6, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    A wonderful day in London. Just love this city. Still woke early despite need for sleep! Set off for lovely walk through Hyde Park. Spent considerable time spotting squirrels which we love, so cute and friendly! Came out at Hyde corner and made our way to Buckingham Palace for our tour of the staterooms. It too was excellent. The audio guide was particularly useful and easy to navigate. It was so beautiful and finished with scone, cream and strawberries in the cafe overlooking the royal gardens. Wandered back through the gardens (more squirrels, but no royals) and headed to West Minster Abbey. That too was amazing and again the audio guide was useful. No photos allowed though but David did get one at the door. We then caught the tube back to our hotel where we had a rest before dressing up for our night out. Headed by tube to Covent Garden and looked at markets before enjoying a nice drink at bar there. We then found a great restaurant for dinner. By then the streets were becoming quite busy and the atmosphere was great. We headed round the corner to the Aldwych Theatre to see The Tina Turner musical. Wow, definitely a highlight of the trip so far. It was so good- best musical we have been to. The lead was an incredible singer and dancer and her energy was exhausting. The music was wonderful and everyone was up singing and dancing for last few songs. We made our way back by tube with no trouble and the words of “Simply the Best” buzzing in our heads.Read more

  • TravelerExploring the British Isles
    Day 7

    London Day 3

    September 7, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Headed off to the Natural History Museum which was about a 10 minute walk from the hotel. It is an incredibly huge and beautiful building and entry was free. We spent three hours here wandering the many halls looking at the exhibits. All so beautifully displayed and the atmosphere was lovely. Thousands of people but calm, quiet and families (mainly preschoolers ) everywhere. We left to catch the tube to Notting Hill and Portobello Rd. Enjoyed a drink and very small plate of fries at old pub and then looked around the quirky shops full of jewellery, antiques and souvenirs. Surprised to find the shop people not very friendly or enthusiastic. Searched for the blue door from Notting Hill movie as the book shop has gone. Found the door but can’t believe that was the one as just like any other doorway and led to an alley. Caught the tube to Bond St station and separated to look around the shops there, including Selfridges. So many people and difficult to make your way down the footpath. Decided to walk back to our hotel via Hyde Park. Turned into a very long walk due to a wrong turn but enjoyable despite a few spits of rain. Finally arrived in South Kensington just 10 minutes from the hotel. Found a very cool restaurant The Honest Burger where we ate dinner. Pleased to get back to our room and in bed by 8.30 pm.Read more

  • TravelerExploring the British Isles
    Day 8

    London to Bakewell

    September 8, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    We left our hotel and caught tube to Heathrow where we were picking up the rental. Arriving at Heathrow we navigated through numerous escalators, lifts and travelators to finally catch shuttle to Avis site. It took about an hour and was a frustrating process made more testing by some very vocal and pushy Americans. Finally drove out of Heathrow(thank goodness for the GPS) heading for Oxford. My research had already told me that it was impossible to get a park in Oxford so we located one of serval Park and Ride services. What a great set up. Parked the car for 2 pounds and then boarded a bus for the centre of town (about 15 minutes). The drive in was itself beautiful but the town was spectacular. So much amazing architecture and a lovely atmosphere due to their being few cars! We bought Pret A Manger bread rolls and sat in a church yard eating them. We wandered around until 4 when we caught the bus back to the car. So pleased we made this stop. Only surprise was that there were very few students to be seen (maybe they just didn’t look like our students or else it was the holidays). The motorway from Oxford to turn off to Bakewell (2 half hours) was horrendous as Friday night traffic had built up. It was multi-lanes and seemed to be swells of even more traffic every time we were near exits to the big cities. Traffic was almost at a standstill in some places. Took all our patience and concentration. Finally (after only one wrong turn) turned off for Bakewell and drove for another 30 miles through winding narrow roads and numerous little villages. Arrived feeling exhausted and then had to find a park. The house was up on a steep hill and all the parking was permit only. We drove further up and finally did locate a spot. Then had to walk down to Cheryl’s cottage which was gorgeous but would definitely rate as a “small house”. She was out but had recommended a pub to eat at. We found The Manners easily and had a table in the snug. Had the best meal of our trip including some beautiful fresh vegetables cooked to perfection. We really were hungry and ordered the dessert which was one of the best I’ve ever had- a hot cookie cooked in a little pan served with salted caramel ice cream. Such a treat after a long day!Read more

  • TravelerExploring the British Isles
    Day 9

    Bakewell to Whitby via York

    September 9, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Really loved our time in Bakewell. Cheryl was a friendly host and her house was so quaint. She put on a good breakfast for us and David then retrieved the car from up the hill. Packed it up and located car park in town. The town was gorgeous especially the river with its large fish, swans, ducks and two beautiful bridges. We looked around the shops and bought two small Bakewell puddings from one of several shops selling them. We then headed off towards York but following the route suggested by Cheryl which kept us off the motorway and took us past Chatsworth House. We paid to enter the grounds, but not the building as so expensive. The grounds themselves were amazing and hard to believe it is owned by a private family, the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. We carried on towards York through numerous little villages. By this time the rain had set in but luckily we were in the car! Found another park and ride at York and decided to use it. This time it was free parking with the ride into town. York was amazing even in the rain. We quickly found the Jorvik Centre (Viking Museum) and almost decided against going in as it was already 4pm and we had to queue in the rain. So pleased we persevered as once inside we boarded a ride which took us around an amazing Viking display of a town as it was. The figures, all moving, and the sounds, were so lifelike. It was just so cleverly put together. We were pleasantly surprised to find on leaving that the rain had stopped. We spent the next hour roaming around, viewing The York Minster, the wall and The Shambles. Amazing history everywhere. We were back at the car by 5 45. Headed off and again pleasantly surprised to find the motorway was small and not that busy. Our drive took us up over the Yorkshire moors with its low cloud and expansive views of the surrounding area. We arrived in Whitby at 7 and were greeted by the most amazing view of the old town as we crossed the bridge. We followed the directions for finding the house and a carpark, both with great difficulty as the street was not on the GPS since you can’t drive on it and the parking was horrendous. Paid for a 24 hour park and then dragged our luggage about 10 minutes along the cobbled street. Knew there was reason I wanted to be fit before we left! Once again the cottage is gorgeous and very small. We are very close to the main area so walked down for dinner and a wee stop at a bar on the way home. Went to bed with the sound of loud seagulls outside.Read more

  • TravelerExploring the British Isles
    11
    Day 9

    Whitby

    September 9, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    A wonderful day in Whitby. Warm and windy as we set off to locate a laundromat, due to there being no anticipated washing machine at the cottage. Walked about 25 minutes to the one we knew of and left our machine going while we had a coffee down the road. 30 minutes later and it was all done! Returned to set it up to dry before heading off for a walk up the 199 steps to the Abbey. The audio guide at the abbey was excellent and the scenery stunning. We stopped at the White Horse and Griffin for a drink before heading to the Captain Cook museum. It was in his original lodgings and very nicely laid out within the house. We left there for a fish and chip lunch (every restaurant specialises in them!) Numerous pirates were around including a couple with two brightly coloured parrots. The streets were so busy with people everywhere. We then made our way back to the cottage for a lovely rest and some downtime. We headed out again at 5 and topped our walking steps up to 20504 as we walked along the Whitby cliff tops and along the pier. Dinner was in the tiny pub at the end of our street overlooking the port. Whitby is a beautiful town, so full of character and seaside atmosphere.Read more

  • TravelerExploring the British Isles
    1
    Day 10

    Whitby

    September 10, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    Well what a bonus the extra day in Whitby was. Last night as we packed for Edinburgh we realised we had another night here! Got up a bit later and headed off in the car. Stopped for coffee and one of “ Dotty’s fruit scones’ at Staithes, a gorgeous little town on the coast north of Whitby. Best scones ever! Carried on up the coast to Middlesbrough to visit cousin Jane and her daughter. Over 30 years since I had seen her and was so pleased we went. Left there for the drive back over the North Yorkshire moors to Goathland, the location of Heartbeat and The first Harry Potter movie. The drive was up and down very narrow country roads and was very picturesque . Goathland was just beautiful with Aidensfield Hotel, complete with sheep wandering loose on the road outside, and the railway station straight from both. We were lucky to be there just as the steam train arrived. Such atmosphere! We carried on to Scarborough but it was a complete surprise, firstly because of its size( 600 000 people live there) secondly we were in the 5 pm traffic and thirdly it seemed pretty unattractive and hard to see its appeal. We drove on to another beautiful spot, Robin Hood’s Bay where we had dinner. This would be a good place to explore further in the daytime. Have re-checked our schedule and know we are off to Edinburgh tomorrow!lRead more

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