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agosto - octubre 2016
  • Michelle Creasy
Una aventura de 61 días de Michelle Leer más
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  • Michelle CreasyMichelle CreasyEurope

    She don't know where she are...

    19 de septiembre de 2016, Inglaterra ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Apologies to Banjo Patterson for the barstadisation of the line from "Clancy of the Overflow"

    I'm back in the UK. I got to experience the "thrills" of Paris traffic for myself in the taxi to the train station to catch the Eurostar back to London.

    The British immigration officer is familiar with long service leave. He correctly guessed I was using my lsl (I had written "travelling" on the landing card under UK address). He remarked he has never come across anyone but Australians who have lsl.

    The trip itself was pretty uneventful, I managed to doze for a while.

    Today is the start of the UK part of my trip. The first step was to pick up my hire car from Enfield, which is in the north east region of London. I had no intention of driving in central London which is why I chose a suburban pick up location.
    A train from Kings Cross, then an overground train and then two buses got me there. As it not peak time it wasn't awkward with my luggage as the two train stations were step free.

    I had booked a ford focus or similar. I got a Vauxhall Mokka, a small SUV which is bigger than I asked for but small vehicles were at a premium. The guy serving me was very impressed with the small marks I found on the vehicle although I guess some reading this blog won't be.

    It took me a while to get used to the vehicle. The indicator and windscreen wiper levers are on the opposite sides to what I am used to. It took several hours to find the lights as they are a separate switch on the dash.

    My first stop was Norfolk so I set google maps for Cambridge and it took me right into the bloody middle of Cambridge. Once I got there it abandonded me, having done its job!

    I may or may not have driven in the bus only lane looking for somewhere to pull over but as far as I know I didn't drive down any one way streets the wrong way.
    The reason for going into Cambridge was to get a sat nav. Despite saying so Tesco didn't sell them but I found a camping store (Halfords) that did. I just bought a cheap one but it's much better than using my phone.

    I had wanted to stay in Downham Market but the accommodation didn't have any spare rooms so I set the gps for Kings Lynn. I had learnt my lesson though and once I got to the outskirts I pulled over to look for somewhere to stay.

    The first place looked a bit expensive (£100/night). The second looked better at £55/night. The address didn't have a number attached to it so I had to guess at the correct address as it gave me a chouce of 4 or 5. I guessed wrong.
    By this stage I had lost any sense direction that I had. All I did know was that I was close to Sandringham estate, having passed it.
    Putting the name of the pub into google maps brought me past Sandringham estate again and to the Ffolkes Arms.

    It's a charming place, an old staging inn. I still feel like I have no idea where I am.

    Photos
    Underground
    Clock at St Pancras
    The rest are of the Ffolkes arms - I didn't take many photos today.    Leer más

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  • Michelle CreasyMichelle CreasyEurope

    Old churches

    21 de septiembre de 2016, Inglaterra ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    Today I set out to explore Kings Lynn and then visit some old churches in which Creasys have been buried.

    Kings Lynn is an old town. Unfortunately I couldn't work out how to get to The Wash.

    I then followed a route from Kings Lynn to Downham Market looking at various old churches and their graveyards. Most of the gravestones I was looking at were no longer readable but it's such a nice pastime wandering around these churches and driving around the area.

    I was hoping to find an ancestor's grave in Downham but they have removed all the standing headstones and allowed the flat ones to become overgrown. While I was disappointed it has obviously given them a large grassed area and churches shoyld be for the living.
    I was happy to see one old very old church advertising Messy church.

    The area is marshland and the ploughed areas look so muddy compared to the dry paddocks of the farm. They look a lot more fertile too!

    I finished the day at Castle Rising, a medieval ruin, surprisingly small but it was used more as a hunting lodge lthan fort. I was able to climb nearly to the top.

    Photos
    Boat on river Ouse in Kings Lynn
    Inside Kings Lynn Minster
    St Edmunds church, Downham market
    Wild berries!
    Farmland
    Castle rising    Leer más

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  • Michelle CreasyMichelle CreasyEurope

    Seals and birds and boats oh my!

    22 de septiembre de 2016, Inglaterra ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    I started the day at Morston with a seal tour.
    We went out in what looked and felt like a massive lifeboat, but with a motor.
    It took us our to Blakeney point were we could get with about 2m of the shore where the seals were lolling about.
    There are two types of seals - grey and common. One type (common?) had their pups about 2 months ago so we saw babies!

    Blakeney point is a spit and the other side is the north sea. After viewing the seals we were able to land/beach/pull up/whatever it is called when a boat comes up on the beach on Blakeney point (not near the seals) and have a wander around for 45 mins. The beach is shale (smooth small stones) and I had a nice wander around although really there wasn't much there.

    From Morston I made my way around the coast to Horsey. It was such a beautiful drive, mostly on B roads I think. I hadn't gone far when I came across "Cookies", a seafood cafe/store.
    My crayfish tail salad had everything - cockles, prawns, smoked fish and tiny crayfish tails. The crayfish are about 15cm here and so the tails a bit smaller than I was expecting, although still delicious.
    The view was gorgeous with wind turbines in the distance (possibly in the ocean).

    At Horsey I went on another boat tour, of the Horsey mere and broads (I think, the terminology is a bit confusing). I saw a lot of rare birds such as marsh harrier, common crane, bitterns as well as heron, egyptian geese and swans.

    I didn't take a lot of photos as you needed a much more powerful lens than I had and I preferred to just look, use the binoculars and listen to the guide rather than wait for the perfect photo.

    From Horsey I made my way to Great Yarmouth, just because. I had a look around, the beach front is very holiday park touristy with arcades and other attractions. I did stop just north of Great Yarmouth and got to see the beach there.

    I'm currently in Drayton, just out of Norwich where I stopped for tea at a random pub. It's curry night so I had an english curry (tikka masala), another food item to check off the list.

    It's been a good day, to add local flavour I've been listening to "The Big Six" by Arthur Ransome, set in this area. I've still got about an hour to drive back to the hotel so I'll upload this while I have good wifi.

    Morston/Blakeney harbour is tidal, the cruise times depended on the tide.
    Lifeboad style tour boat
    Seals
    On Horsey mere
    Geese in flight
    Wind turbines north of Great Yarmouth    Leer más

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  • Michelle CreasyMichelle CreasyEurope

    Journey to Yorkshire

    23 de septiembre de 2016, Inglaterra ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    It was time to move on. My basic plan is to spend 3 nights in each place and no more than 4 hours drive between each place. That gives me 2 full days to explore and a whole day to travel which leaves plenty of time for detours.

    My first detour today was to have another go at finding access to The Wash national park. The gps produced a route but after many small, winding roads it ended at a private road so I turned around and set the gps for Yorkshire.

    Next detour was to Skegness. I've heard it mentioned many time, I'm just not sure in what context. Like Great Yarmouth the beach part is very touristy and very hard to actually see the beach.

    Next I stopped at Waltham at a little pub for lunch and a look at their windmill.

    I stopped to take a look at the Humber bridge before crossing it. It is a massive bridge, fortunately they still have a person accepting tolls on the northern side of the bridge.

    Pickering is a small town on the edge of the North York Moors. I stopped at the castle ruin. I'm glad I saw Castle Rising which is mainly intact (missing the roof and some upper floor floors) as it gave me an idea of what the Pickering Castle ruin may have looked like.

    I'm staying in Goatland in the North York Moors National Park. The sun was starting to set as I made my way in but it looks stunning.

    Goatland itself is a spreadout village. It is the setting of Aidansfield, of Heartbeat fame. I've been listening to one of Nicholas Rhea's books (his Constable series inspired the tv show). I'm looking forward to exploring tomorrow.

    I had dinner in one of the pubs and had my first Pims. Not quite sure what is in it but it took quite a while to make.

    Photos
    Waltham Windmill
    The Ship's Inn, where I had lunch
    Humber bridge
    Pickering Castle
    Moors
    View from my bedroom    Leer más

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  • Michelle CreasyMichelle CreasyEurope

    No words needed

    24 de septiembre de 2016, Inglaterra ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Yorkshire is beautiful. I thought Norfolk was beautiful, and it is but Yorkshire so much more.

    I started with a look around Goathland, it gives a nod to Aidensfield without being too touristy.

    I happened upon Grosmont while the steam train was there. It is one of four stations on the Pickering - Whitby line. The other is Goathland, I forgot about it so will check it out tomorrow.
    Each of the stations has been renovated to reflect a distinct time period. Grosmont is set in the 1950s.

    From there I went to the Wheeldale Roman rd.
    I went by a rather convoluted route, going yo Cropton only to do a loop. I had lunch while I was there. I've learnt to stop at the first pub I see after 12 in order to find lunch.

    The roman road was a bit underwhelming but the route there was glorious.

    I then went to Hutton le Hole which houses the Ryedale folk museum. This was fantastic, it contains houses from various eras throughout England's history all the way back to the Iron Age. The village itself is also very picturesque.

    Next onto Rieveleux Abbey. The ruins consist of all the buildings, the church, cloisters, chapter house, day room and more. The audio guide was very informative. I was there late in the day and the light was great.

    I made my way to Sutton bank but by that time the visitor centre was closed (I was hoping it would be open until 6pm).

    Last stop was to be the RAF Danby Beacon. By now my GPS had had enough and found the shortest possible route. This included some pretty dubious lanes and what I would call a track. There was no turning around so I was committed. At 6:45 I came acrods the Lion Inn and decided to call it quits. I'm having tea here and then will head back to Goathland.

    I've seen plenty of wildlife. Yesterday a small deer ran out in front of the car in front of me.
    Lots of what I think are grouse, a rabbit, a squirrel and what I assume was a hare, it was the size of a dog.

    I could have spent the day just driving across the moors and I would have been just as happy.

    Photos
    View
    Shop at Goathland
    Steam train at Grosmont
    Crofter's cottage at Ryedale folk museum
    Rieveleux Abbey
    Another view    Leer más

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  • Michelle CreasyMichelle CreasyEurope

    Bloody Beck Hill, Lousy Hill Lane ...

    24 de septiembre de 2016, Inglaterra ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    Just some of the roads I've driven on today.

    I started by checking out Goathland station, also known as Hogsmeade station. I think Grosmont is nicer.

    A short drive took me to Whitby. I was really surprised at how close it is. I started with a trip in the old lifeboat out of the harbour to a bouy in the ocean. So I've officially been out into the North Sea!

    There were a lot of families crabbing off the harbour walls. Most had little mesh bags with meat in them at the end of a hand line. Everyone seemed to be catching crabs with great regularity. They were quite small and the catching is for fun only, they throw them back.

    One if the guys on the lifeboat recommended a fish and chip shop for lunch. On the boat he was telling us as a kid they ate fish everyday and only had meat on Sundays, a bit different to mutton everyday with occasional fish for me growing up.

    The fish and chips was nice. I do find it amusing that peas are offerred/come with every meal in England. I turned down the peas, curry sauce and gravy. The tartare sauce was good though.

    Around the corner was the Captain Cook museum. There wasn't a lot of information there but it was interesting to see a shipmaster's house.

    Then up to the headland to Whitby Abbey. I do wonder what all these ruins would be like if Henry VII hadn't interfered. I am beginning to recognise the layout of an abbey now. The location is spectacular.

    Today was meant to include the whole North Yorkshire coast so Robin Hood's bay was next. It is at the top of a cliff. I tried to get down to the beach but came to a dead end about 2/3 the way down. There were lots of rocky pools and kids with nets looking for creatures.

    I could see Robin Hood's bay from Ravenscar, there isn't a lot there.

    Scarborough was interesting and I wish I could have spent much more time there. I could see signs of the magnificient spa town it must have been including a tramway and funicular to get from the top of the cliff to the beach. Robin Hood's bay could do with one of these!

    I headed back to Goathland while it was still light. Fortunately it was still light when I met a landrover on a single lane road while going uphill. I was the one who had to do the reversing.

    Tea was in the Goathland hotel (aka The Aidensfield Arms). I tried black pudding - okay but I was expecting a more salami style taste. The main of silverside of beef with yorkshire pudding produced roast beef, not what I would call silverside. It was nice with horseradish sauce.

    Photos
    Goathland station
    Whitby lighthouse
    Crab
    Whitby Abbey
    Robin Hood's bay
    Goathland Hotel    Leer más

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  • Michelle CreasyMichelle CreasyEurope

    Roman ruins

    26 de septiembre de 2016, Inglaterra ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    I was sorry to leave the North York Moors. I made my way north through the Pennines to Corbridge and Chesterswhere I looked at Roman ruins.
    They were interesting and different to the medievel ruins I seen.

    Scotland is beautiful.

    I'm in a town just outside of Edinburgh. I thought I had booked an apartment in the centre of Edinburgh but the fine print had the address in Loanhead. I'm not happy about it but short of losing my money there isn't much I can do.

    Photos
    County Durham house
    Ruins at Corbridge
    Corbridge landscape
    Ruins at Chesters
    Railwaybridge in Scotland
    Scotland view    Leer más

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  • Michelle CreasyMichelle CreasyEurope

    Riding the buses

    27 de septiembre de 2016, Escocia ⋅ 🌫 9 °C

    My enthusiasm for Edinburgh had waned due to my feelings over the accommodation. I find it hard to shrug things like this off, but that is my personality.

    I decided to start with a boat ride, you may have noticed I enjoy them 😀
    After a 45 minute bus ride into the city I bought a ticket for the bus/boat ride. The bus was a hop on hop off bus and the commentary intetesting. The boat tour went out to Inchcolm island, back and under the road bridge.
    We saw a number of seals but sadly no puffins. It's a bit late for them.
    A new road bridge is being built and we were able to see a section being raised, it was to join the south pillar to the middle pillar. A historic day according to the captain.

    After the tour I realised that all the tours were run by the same company so I upgraded my ticket to allow me to travel on all the buses.
    I made the ticket seller's day by giving her two plastic £5 notes. They apparently only came out last week and she was excited to see them.

    I went on two more bus tours, one out to the Royal Brittannia and one around central Edinburgh. The tours gave me a good overview.
    I just missed the bus to come back to the accommodation so I explored the M&S food hall and picked up some dinner. Eventually home at 7:30.

    Photos
    Houses in New town, note the different finishes on the stone on each floor level.
    Seals
    Abbey on Inchcolm island
    Firth rail bridge
    Raising the section on the new road bridge
    Walter Scott memorial    Leer más

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  • Michelle CreasyMichelle CreasyEurope

    A day of history

    28 de septiembre de 2016, Escocia ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    A bit of a late start to the day, I was trying to work out where to go next as I want to spend more time in Scotland.

    I had intended to visit the castle first but the bus I got on was going in the wrong direction so I went to the Dynamic Earth instead.
    This is an amazing place, a museum I suppose. It looks at the geology of the earth and makes it very interesting.

    I started by going back in time with their time machine and then gradually came back to the present day though a series of rooms and experiences. The temperature of the room varied according to the theme of the room. I got to experience an "earthquake", I didn't realise the ground shook from side to side rather than up and down although if I'd ever given it much thought.

    If you are in Edinburgh I recommend you visit!

    I then made my way to the castle. The area outside the castle is very interesting. I detoured to see one of the buildings restored to the Georgian era.

    It was nice to see a more or less complete castle instead of a ruin! There was so much to see and I'm sure I missed bits.

    Photos
    Edinburgh castle
    In the "time machine" at Dynamic Earth
    Saber tooth tiger
    Owl on the Royal mile
    Stained glass window in St Margaret's Chapel
    Bloke playing bagpipes on the Royal mile    Leer más

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  • Michelle CreasyMichelle CreasyEurope

    Lochs, a ladder and lots of rain

    29 de septiembre de 2016, Escocia ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    Time to move on again. Taking the advice given by Facebook friends I set out across the forth of firth bridge (or is it the Firth of Forth?) It wasn't as daunting as the Humber bridge, probably because I had done that bridge.

    I made my way to Kinross and was trying to find the ferry to Loch Leven Castle, the gps not being overly helpful. I found instead the Loch Leven Larder, one of those really nice places that sells all sorts of local food and products. I had breakfast there which included black sausage/pudding. While I don't hate it, I probably won't go out of my way to order it again. I've had it twice now, that's enough.

    I found the ferry and it took me across to the island where Loch Leven Castle is. I've now been on a loch.

    The ferry was a small boat and I was its only passenger. The people who had been on the island took my ferry back to the mainland so I had the island to myself. As I explored the island and the castle in which Mary Queen of Scots was incarcerated the "I have the island to myself" became "I'm all alone on the island".

    The castle is very small, as is the island. I went for a walk in the woods, it reminded me of walking in the rainforest in northern NSW/Queensland. I eventually realised it was because I could hear the rain on the leaves, not something I necessarily hear at home.

    The boat came back 45 minutes later and I headed off for Perth. There I explored the museum of The Black Watch.

    It was getting on for 4pm and I had more than two hours to drive so I set off for Fort William. The further I went the wetter it got. I had to pull over several times to let cars pass me as I was going too slow for them.

    I did stop at Pitcholry to see the fish ladder. It's there to assist the fish swimming upstream at the dam.

    I don't have much of an impression of Fort William yet as I couldn't see much between the twilight and the rain. I haven't even seen Ben Nevis!

    High winds are forecast for tomorrow so we will see what that brings.
    I suspect locals can easily tell who is a tourist around here. We are the ones carrying umbrellas. The locals just seem to where hoodies.

    Photos
    Loch Leven Castle
    "Mary's Spirit", the ferry
    Kinross House from the island
    Houses in Kinross
    Balhousie Castle, home of the Black Watch museum
    Fish ladder at Pitcholry    Leer más

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