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The UK & Ireland experience
  • Stephen Brading

The UK & Ireland experience

Travel day has arrived. Off to the airport by train for a 3pm flight. Read more
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  • Stephen BradingThe UK & Ireland experienceTraveler
    Central Scotland detour
    Cocoa Pods and beans at the Highland ChocolatierLaggan dam with snow in the distanceLaggan dam wall

    To Fort William day 51 Tue 12 Jun 2018

    June 12, 2018 in Scotland

    Raining at 6.30am, light drizzle at 8.45. Early departure about 9.30am from Invernente bed and breakfast Callander Stirling Scotland. After a while passed by a police car with lights and siren on, then about 10am joined a traffic queue. More police cars and an ambulance with lights and sirens as well as a small plane and helicopter. At about 10.30am a man in a kilt was walking back from the incident and advised there would be a two hour wait before the road would reopen. So we detoured halfway across Scotland in order to reach Fort William. (The New Zealand road closure again). Yvonne did a magnificent job of finding a route by map alone as the GPS was just telling us to turn around for fifty miles. Abandoned my plan to visit Glen Coe and instead visited the Highland Chocolatier. Savoury muffin and chocolate cake with hot chocolate for lunch. (Sugar overload...). The on to Dewar’s Aberfeldy for a whiskey distillery tour. Learnt that barley with a small amount of yeast is fermented to produce a basic beer which is then distilled to produce whiskey. Temperature is used in the distilling process to determine which distilled alcohol is retained and which is recycled back to the first still again. Flavour is transferred from the amount of smoke when the grain is dried when the basic beer is made and from various casks used to store the whisky over many years. Yvonne purchased a 12 year old scotch. As we approached Fort William there was the odd patch of snow on the hillsides. Had to telephone the Ben Nevis Guesthouse as we were unable to find it from the information on the internet. Dinner at a restaurant down the road from the Guesthouse.Read more

  • Stephen BradingThe UK & Ireland experienceTraveler
    Glen Nevis from walking track 15 metres above sea level
    Ben Nevis walking track and looking over Glen NevisScree for over a third of the ascentGiant cairns to guide you through the cloudSnow covered track marked by the top of a cairnBen Nevis 1345 metres

    Ben Nevis day 52 Wed 13 Jun 2018

    June 13, 2018 in Scotland

    Dry start to the day. Breakfast 7.45am at Ben Nevis Guesthouse. Walked one mile to the Ben Nevis Visitors Centre and commenced the climb around 9.15am in cloudy conditions. Great track and partly because we were in shorts and T shirts arrived at the summit in cloud and strong wind two and a quarter hours later with a temperature and wind chill factor near freezing. There was a seagull in flight looking for tourist scraps. Nobody passed us on the way up. Part of the track was covered by deep snow and huge cairns guided us particularly down hill though the cloud (Ben Nevis translates to Head in the Clouds). Despite my worries Yvonne and got back down in three hours although a few people were faster. At 1330 metres and about nine kilometres one way, this is the highest vertical ascent/descent we have done. Lunch in the Ben Nevis Inn. Looked at area where Curling was played on winter ice. Curling is a bit like lawn bowls with rocks sliding on ice replacing balls on grass. Dinner in the room of Ben Nevis Guesthouse to save walking in the light rain and to rest our feet, knees and legs.Read more

  • Stephen BradingThe UK & Ireland experienceTraveler
    Jacobite Steam Engine
    Glenfinnan ViaductJacobite Steam Engine at MallaigYvonne's local crayfish pub lunchGlenfinnan Viaduct return tripInverlochy Castle ruin

    Jacobite train day 53 Thu 14 Jun 2018

    June 14, 2018 in Scotland

    Rained and windy all night. Jacobite steam train today from Fort William to Mallaig return an 84 mile trip in total. We were in the last carriage of a seven carriage train pulled by a steam locomotive similar to the 3801 in Sydney. The carriage was wooden and the seat numbers were 13f and 14f meaning we faced forward across a shared table in the direction of travel towards Mallaig. As it was raining this was a good way to spend the day. The windows were fogged up and distance views were rain obscured however the strong wind prevented any fog from forming despite the steam from the engine from giving the occasional illusion of fog. The train stopped on the Glenfinnan Viaduct so we could take photos. (In Harry Potter films). The burns and rivers were raging and the coast was windswept, waterfalls everywhere. At Mallaig we had lunch in a pub waiting for the return train. Yvonne had local crayfish. The weather improved for the return trip, and the rain stopped. We saw three deer in woodland next to the train. At Fort William we looked at the old Fort site then did a walk following the river Loch to the Inverlochy Castle ruin. Then dinner, shopping and back to the Ben Nevis Guest House.Read more

  • Stephen BradingThe UK & Ireland experienceTraveler
    View from Sligachan
    Highland viewEileen Donan CastleDriving to DunveganPath in the McLeod EstateView from Stein harbor

    To Isle of Skye day 54 Fri 15 Jun 2018

    June 15, 2018 in Scotland

    Slept in to 7.45am. Got away from the Ben Nevis Guest House Fort William before 10am just as the rain returned. Purchased petrol at Morrison’s for 125.9 GBP per litre, later passed fuel offered at 149.9 GBP the dearest yet (say AUD$3.00). Took lots of photos as we drove through the Highlands in mixed weather. Morning tea (from thermos) is with a view to Eileen Donan Castle just before the Skye Bridge. The roads on Skye are far better than the internet indicates. Lunch was at Sligachan then on through Dunvegan and checked into our accomodation at the Tables Guest House before driving on to Dunvegan Castle and gardens. Yvonne purchased some items in the shop then we followed a path in the McLeod Estate and then a smaller one near a stream where we disturbed a deer that was about three metres from the path but totally invisible until it fled across the path four metres in front of me. I could hear it moving so I stopped walking. It realised I was aware of it’s presence so it fled and so we saw it for a couple of seconds as it crossed the path right in front of me. Returning to the main path when the one we were on became boggy and followed it to a Monkey Puzzle tree. There were planting’s of possibility ash as some older pine. Returned to the car and Drove to our accommodation at Tables Guesthouse (with a view to the nearby Table Top hills. Dinner at the atmospheric Stein Inn in Stein.Read more

  • Stephen BradingThe UK & Ireland experienceTraveler
    Fairy Glen near Uig
    Harbour SealsPuffinPuffinSeal, Puffin and Porpoise watching cruise boat Radiant QueenTable Mountain from Tables Guest House Dunvegan

    Isle of Skye day 55 Sat 16 Jun 2018

    June 16, 2018 in Scotland

    Awoke to a bleak windy, wet morning in Dunvegan. As walking seemed a poor option for the morning we tried to book a boat trip to a Puffin colony. We had no mobile reception at the Tables Guest house and the landline call the owner of our accommodation made for me went to voicemail. Internet site for the boat business said they were fully booked out (the boat did not leave it’s mooring all afternoon at Uig). So first drove to Stein in pouring rain to try a dive company boat that also did puffin watching tours but nobody was there. At Uig harbour there was another company Skye Cruises who returned Yvonne’s call and offered us a place on a trip at 3.30pm. It was noon so Yvonne made a bee line to the shop and bought some items. We then drove to a spot overlooking Uig Bay the walked to the Fairy Glen (Faerie Glen), a bizarre miniature landscape and took photos. Back at the car ate lunch with a view before returning to the Uig pier. We had a three hour trip on a converted 1940’ies fishing boat. We were taken past the remains of Hugh’s Castle and on to a common seal colony (many with grey coats and they poke their heads out of the water like little Nessy monsters), then past a few grey seals (blotchy coats). Then on to Puffin colony. Puffin are similar to fairy penguins that can fly. They stay close to the water in flight and seek refuge underwater. They also nest in existing burrows like Fairy Penguins. Soon after I saw the first porpoises of the season. Dinner in the Uig hotel then drove back via the Quiraing, Staffin and past the Old Man of Storr.Read more

  • Stephen BradingThe UK & Ireland experienceTraveler
    View from Neist Point
    Neist Point LighthouseLoch NessDrumnadrochitHighland bullGreenlea bed and breakfast

    To Loch Ness day 56 Sun 17 Jun 2018

    June 17, 2018 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Slept in to 8am. Cloudy and dry. Left Tables Guest House Dunvegan Ilse of Skye around 10am. Side trip to Neist Point, the most westerly headland on Skye, along another scenic single lane road. There is excellent cliff scenery and a lighthouse. Took more photos and wandered around the point for a while. Lots of sheep so lots of poo to avoid stepping in. Drove back to the main road and had lunch at a scenic spot still on Skye. Cold wind so wore fleece and gortex while eating. Stopped and photographed a waterfall before leaving Skye. Continued on to Loch Ness and drove 10 miles along it’s length to reach the Greenlea bed and breakfast at Drumnadrochit. Yvonne booked a hour long boat trip on Loch Ness. Met Miranda and Gordon. Dinner in first hotel at 6pm with a pint of local ale, then to a second pub where Yvonne ordered a Guinness pint and scored a free one.(Good thing the room is ensuite). Photographed a Highland Bull in a field on the walk back to Greenlea bed and breakfast.Read more

  • Stephen BradingThe UK & Ireland experienceTraveler
    Urquhart Castle from Loch Ness
    31 foot work boat on Loch NessCulloden battlefield siteClava CairnsHighland Folk MuseumInside a seventeenth century village house in the Highland Folk Museum

    To Edinburgh day 57 Mon 18 Jun 2018

    June 18, 2018 in Scotland ⋅ 🌬 13 °C

    Dry and cloudy morning in Drumndrochit at Greanlea bed and breakfast. Breakfast included a true Scottish “sausage” without skin shaped like a square pattie and made of beef. Drumnadrochit has a number of short walking trails as well as long distance paths to Inverness and possibly Fort William. Enjoyed a Loch Ness boat trip on a modified 31 foot work boat that handled the metre high chop in a stiff 25 knot “breeze” with little fuss. The skipper really knew his boat and the area he was operating in. Loch Ness is 17 kilometres long and acts as a wind tunnel. The Loch is deep and is the place where two tectonic plates meet so the the land on one side is 200 million years older than the other. Took lots of photos of the Loch and the Urquhart Castle ruin dating from the twelfth century. Afterwards Yvonne purchased some more sheep oriented coasters so now we have six. Drove on to the Culloden battlefield site and walked around. Last battle fought on Scottish soil on April 16, 1746. Very sad. Lunch of a Scottish pie at the cafe.(Minced spiced beef). Yvonne found her Outlander cookbook in the shop. Then on to the nearby 4,000 year old Bronze Age Clava burial cairns each within its own standing stones circle. More photos, and on to the Highland Folk Museum. Tom Tom guided us to a boundary fence down a private road. Located the main entrance ourselves knowing where the property was. The seventeenth century village used in the Outlander series was outstanding. We left when the weather turned cold and wet. Long drive to Edinburgh and Tom Tom took us right to our accommodation at Dorstan Guest House. Yvonne helped me to reverse into a particularly difficult parking spot. Dinner in a Hotel nearby.Read more

  • Stephen BradingThe UK & Ireland experienceTraveler
    Holyroodhouse Palace
    Holyrood Cathedral ruinEdinburgh CastleEdinburgh CastleEdinburgh city to Leith and the Firth of Forth from Edinburgh CastleScottish National Monument with Calton Hill behind

    Edinburgh day 58 Tue 19 Jun 2018

    June 19, 2018 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Breakfast at Dorstan Guest House Edinburgh, then caught bus to Waverley Bridge. Picked up our bus tour tickets and took the green bus to Holyroodhouse Palace the Queen’s official Edinburgh residence. Very interesting audio tour of the historic apartments including the former rooms of Mary Queen of Scots as well as the State apartments with their fine plasterwork ceilings, tapestries and fine furnishings. The Great Gallery contained portraits of all the Kings and Queen of Scotland. We also looked at the adjacent Holyrood Cathedral ruin and the palace gardens. Then back on the green bus and hopped off at Edinburgh Castle. The seating used for the Military Tattoo was being set up probably for the Queens visit in a weeks time. (The Tattoo is held each August). Once inside the Castle beyond the area where the Tattoo is held we ate cheese, cucumber and crackers near where the one o clock cannon was fired from a modern cannon even though Queen Victoria had naval cannons installed for appearance that have never been fired. We joined a short introductory walking tour and then visited underground cells, the tower where Mary Queen of Scots was living while her husband appeared to live a floor below and the Scottish War Memorial. Back on the green bus to finish the tour, then we swapped to the red bus for another city tour. Dinner in a pub in the Lawnmarket area of Edinburgh, then Lothian bus back to Dorstan Guesthouse on Priestfield Road.Read more

  • Stephen BradingThe UK & Ireland experienceTraveler
    Royal Yacht Britannia
    Royal Yacht BritanniaForth rail bridgeRoyal Yacht Britannia at the Port of Leith Ocean TerminalArthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags from Calton HillNelson Monument Calton Hill

    Edinburgh day 59 Wed 20 Jun 2018

    June 20, 2018 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Light rain when we woke up at Dorstan Guest House Edinburgh, so took our time and left around 10am. Caught the Lothan bus into the city and swapped for the blue tour bus that transported us to the Ocean Terminal at the Port of Leith, This was designed for cruise ships but is now where the Royal Yacht Britannia is permanently berthed. Spent an hour and a half exploring the five decks with an audio guide. Afterwards had soup in the tea room on the level two deck. I then tried following the directions I had brought from Australia for the Port of Leith walk but due to constant redevelopment in the area, we ended walking to West Port of Leith picking up an Artisan Olive loaf of bread from a factory on the way. Lunch of ham and olive bread with a view of the Firth of Forth with the red Forth rail bridge in the distance. Returned to Ocean Terminal and caught the blue bus back to the city. Walked up Calton Hill a mere 69 metre ascent to provide panoramic views of Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth. Nelson’s monument with its time ball as well as an observatory and a number of monuments. Looked at what appeared to be an Egyptian Obesisk in an old graveyard and discovered it was a Scottish National Monument. Dinner in a Edinburgh pub before catching the Lothan bus back to Dorstan Hotel on Priestfield Road.Read more

  • Stephen BradingThe UK & Ireland experienceTraveler
    Innocent Railway Tunnel
    Innocent Railway Tunnel1Arthur's Seat in Holyrood ParkEdinburgh Castle with Military Tattoo stands set up in frontCalton Hill from Salisbury CragsOld town Edinburgh on the Royal Mile

    Edinburgh day 60 Thu 21 Jun 2018

    June 21, 2018 in Scotland

    Dry and windy day in Edinburgh. Tried walking to the Innocent Railway tunnel from our accommodation, however I mucked up the Google Maps directions and we walked five kilometres instead of the two kilometres needed. The key to finding this hidden gem was to get Google Maps to guide us to St Leonard’s Carpark on Parkside then on to Hermit’s Croft which became Terrars Croft. Then follow the bicycle route signs down a driveway for home units on either side and the tunnel gradually appeared. The tunnel 517 metres long was built in 1831 initially for horse drawn carriages with a steam powered rope and pulley system for negotiating the incline to the St Leonard’s terminus. At the far end we found ourselves in Holyrood Park on the opposite side of Arthur’s Seat to the city. We followed a road and then foot tracks uphill till we found ourselves on a hilltop adjacent to Arthur’s Seat. We crossed the saddle and climbed Arthur’s Seat before descending back into the saddle for blue cheese and biscuits. Descended from the saddle via a bedrock creek bed to the tourist track. We then following the tourist track past the Salisbury Crags to reach the city. Visited the Scottish Parliament building but there were no tours. We visited the public gallery of the Debating Chamber. Headed up the Royal Mile (Scottish mile is roughly 10% longer than an English) and visited the Edinburgh Museum. The fine glassware was impressive and the wooden water pipes were unusual. Continued on to the Scottish Art Gallery and saw all of the displays. Dinner in a nearby hotel and bus back to Dorstan Guesthouse.Read more

  • Stephen BradingThe UK & Ireland experienceTraveler
    Royal Edinburgh Botanic Garden
    Royal Edinburgh Botanic GardenBritains largest fossil displayed in Royal Edinburgh Botanic GardenMuseum on the Mound (Scottish Bank Museum)Inside Giles CathedralInside Giles Cathedral

    Edinburgh day 61 Fri 22 Jun 2018

    June 22, 2018 in Scotland

    Another dry and partly sunny day in Edinburgh. Late start as discovered Yvonne’s phone did not charge overnight and was at 34% ....oops. Unable to post a negative review for Ryan’s place Belfast as property is not accepting bookings and the website does not let you even email a question. Caught a number 14 Lothan bus into the city which unexpectedly turned right at Princes Street and headed up Calton Hill and continuied towards Leith. Luckily got off the bus in a reasonable spot to walk to the number 8 Lothan bus route which took us to the Royal Botanic Gardens. We paid for a Gardens tour and were guided around for an hour and a half by a volunteer. (Tour length was supposed to be one hour). Very informative but how much I will remember will probably be minimal. We then had coffee and wandered around some more. We stoped to eat our olives, sun dried tomatoes and salami. More wandering around till we caught the bus back to the Mound. (Hill in the City created from the rubble, oyster shells dirt from the construction of the New Town in the 1820’ies. Visited the Museum on the Mound (Scottish Bank Museum) Interesting that a private company ensures the the integrity of the currency of the Scottish nation. Informative display similar to the one in the Tower of London. Then visited the impressive Giles Cathedral (once inside). Yvonne took photos and we had dinner in another pub on the Royal Mile.Read more

  • Stephen BradingThe UK & Ireland experienceTraveler
    Leaderfoot rail viaduct from the old Drygrange road bridge
    Milecastle 37 Hadrian's WallHadrian's Wall snaking across the countrysideHadrian's WallSycamore Gap Hadrian's WallKnaresdale with Kirkhaugh - Slaggyford

    Hadrians Wall day 62 Sat 23 Jun 2018

    June 23, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    Cloudy day in Edinburgh. Breakfast then extracted car from difficult car park at Dorstan Guesthouse. Easy exit from Edinburgh compared to the drive in five day earlier. Stopped at viaduct viewing spot at Leaderfoot in Scotland. Next stop was the border with England. As we neared Hadrian’s Wall we stopped using the Tom Tom GPS and followed tourist signs to reach Housesteads Fort Visitors Centre. Took a picture of a pretty bridge when we joined the B6318. The carpark had a sign to pay parking fees when you leave. (Code for your number plate has been photographed... Northumberland Council). English Heritage have designed the Visitors Centre buildings to make it seem you must pay then to walk along Hadrian’s Wall when you can ignore the cash register and walk past it and through the door to access the walks and Hadrian's Wall beyond. Chose to walk to Sycamore Gap (Tree used in the film Robin Hood Prince of Thieves). The initial section of the walk allows you to walk on a restored section of the wall through woodland. At the end of the wood the restored section ended and we walked next to the wall that was built in 122AD. Passed Milecastle 37 and on to the site of Milecastle 38 with views of the wall snaking across the countryside like the Great Wall of China. Ate lunch behind a stone wall with a good view of the countryside below the cliffs we on top of but out of the cold wind. After lunch descended into the Sycamore Gap. Returned via the Military Way. Paid for the time the car was in the car park and drove to Nentall Country House Hotel using both the car GPS and Google Maps. Stopped and photographed a uniquely angled viaduct on the way. Dinner of lamb shanks in the hotel.Read more

  • Stephen BradingThe UK & Ireland experienceTraveler
    Hadrian's Wall Turret 48a
    Hadrian's WallHadrian's wall at Willowford farmNear BirdoswaldIn Alston built in 1681

    North Pennines day 63 Sun 24 Jun 2018

    June 24, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    Another fine day. Nent Hall Country House Hotel is located one and a half miles east of Alston Cumbria on the A686 in a lovely wooded and rural area. Drove to Gilsland and parked the car on arrival. I searched for signage relating to the walk information I brought from Sydney. By fluke I had parked the car opposite a hidden sign (from the direction we had driven in). So moved the car to a better spot and started the walk, following the acorn symbols of the Hadrian’s Wall Path through town to the start of the remaining Hadrian’s Wall. Searched for a stone with a latin inscription near turret 48a without success. Followed the wall to Willowford where there were the remains of the original Roman bridge built around 120AD on dry land as the Irthing River has moved about 100 metres. The acorns and track led us up to the top of the hill and milecastle 49 where we ate lunch with a nice rural view. Afterwards walked to Birdoswald Roman Fort which English Heritage charge nearly ten pounds plus timed parking to visit. Saved our money and continued across a cattle field following the route shown on my paperwork to a public path few people have used recently, descending to and across a creek before climbing to a fields we crossed on the other side. Followed roads back to the car. Beer in a local pub then drove to Alston stopping to look at the site of the Epiacum Roman Fort with its multiple ramparts. Whilst there the South Tynedale Railway train went past down in the valley. Dinner in a hotel in Alston before returning to the Net Hall Country House.Read more

  • Stephen BradingThe UK & Ireland experienceTraveler
    Val & Yvonne at Val Mayer’s house
    Kate , Ben & Val at Val Mayer’s houseHermann MayerMargarete Mayer

    To Nottingham day 64 Mon 25 Jun 2018

    June 25, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Another fine day.Slept in to 8 am, then had breakfast at Nent Hall Country Hotel and began the 186 mile road trip about 10:45 am. Very scenic landscape as we drove through the Pennines. The remainder of the drive was on motorways without anything to look at as you travel along . The Tom Tom took us directly to our accommodation in Nottingham. It was a granny flat in a concrete backyard close to the city. We managed to top up Yvonne’s phone so it could be used till the end of the trip on the way there. Drove to Val Mayer’s house for a bbq with Val, Kate and Kate’s boyfriend Ben. Lovely evening. Got back to the granny flat about 11:30 pm.Read more

  • Stephen BradingThe UK & Ireland experienceTraveler
    Nottingham Castle caves
    Nottingham Castle entrancePart of Mortimer's Hole passageway from the Castle to the brewhouse yardPart of England’s oldest inn 1189AD, cut int soft sandstone.Major Oak Sherwood ForestSherwood Forest

    Sherwood Forest day 65 Tue 26 Jun 2018

    June 26, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    Slept in to 8.45am then ate cereal we carried from London and away by 10.30am. Walked to Nottingham Castle about 2.5 kilometres away. Joined the 11.30am historical walking tour hosted by an accomplished period actor. We learnt that during the life of the original castle it was overthrown once by King Richard who then went on to reclaim his crown from his brother John. This Castle was destroying by the people of Nottingham who were loyal to the King rather than allow Cromwell to have the use of the Fort. Later a Ducal Palace was erected which in turn was destroyed by a mob angry because the owner had helped prevent the introduction of voting for the people. We then toured the underground passageway leading downhill to the Nottingham city centre. The passage was cut through soft conglomerate sandstone with windows that may have been defensive arrow slots on the original Castle. Lunch in England’s oldest inn 1189AD. Walked back to the granny flat in 29 degree heat, and then drove to the Sherwood Forest Visitor’s Centre, Walked all three of the marked trails bringing the day walking distance to over 16.5 kilometres. The Major Oak is believed to be over 1000 years old and there were many other old oaks that were regenerating. The area was full of grey squirrels. I photographed a reddish squirrel on a fence just before we left. Dinner in a pub in nearby town. Then back to Nottingham for wine with Val before returning to the granny flat.Read more

  • Stephen BradingThe UK & Ireland experienceTraveler
    Hogwarts main hall in the Balliol College
    In the Oxford Old townBalliol CollegeCommuter parking at Oxford Railway StationRemains of Oxford Castle and the prison closed 1996Randolph Hotel's Morse bar

    Oxford day 66 Wed 27 Jun 2018

    June 27, 2018 in England ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Late start after 11am from Wyville Close Nottingham, as I was editing Penguins. Long motorway drive to Oxford and we were lucky to get a space in the long stay car park when somebody left. Traffic is horrendous in Oxford with bicycles somehow not being crushed by the many buses, cars etc. Wanted to visit a college (Oxford University is a aggregation of specialised colleges), however as it was orientation day all colleges were closed to the general public with the exception of those associated with prospective students. Yvonne was advised to enter as someone representing a prospective student and so we toured the Balliol College including Hogwarts main hall on a student guided walking tour. Later rode a red city sightseeing bus around the city until the bus left us at rail station at the end of the day. Then walked back to what is left of the Castle built in 1071, and the old prison closed in 1996, which has been converted to a hotel. Dinner of pub food in the prison exercise yard. Walked to the Randolph Hotel's Morse bar, for a beer and Manhattan cocktail for Yvonne. The bar was used in both the Inspector Morse and Lewis TV programs. We caught the Park and Ride bus back to the car and drove to Lechlade Riverside Hotel accommodation before 10pm.Read more

  • Stephen BradingThe UK & Ireland experienceTraveler
    Halfpenny Bridge on the Thames at Lechlade
    Roman Baths entry hallRoman Baths at BathKing's Bath hot water springPulteney Bridge on the Avon RiverRiverside Hotel Lechlade on Thames

    Bath day 67 Thu 28 Jun 2018

    June 28, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    What a change out of bed just after 7am. Bit of packing sorting and breakfast at 8am. Away from Riverside Lechlade on Thames by 9.30am. Long drive to Bath about 50 miles and scored a park in the city long stay car park when someone left. Made our way to the Roman Baths where we took the standard audio guide tour. The Romans called the town Aquae Sulis and it is the only thermal bath in Britain. The hot water in the spring rises at a rate of 1,170,000 litres per day at a temperature of 46 degrees Centigrade. Spent two and a half hours on the audio tour, much of which is beneath the surrounding buildings in Bath as the ground level is four metres higher today than it was 2,000 years ago. Afterwards made our way to Pulteney Bridge on the Avon River built in 1774. Then back to the car passing the 1482 Sally Lynn’s house Bath’s oldest surviving house. Drove back to the Riverside Hotel in Lechlade for a delightful meal by the Thames River beside the Ha’penny Bridge and opposite the Thames path.Read more

  • Stephen BradingThe UK & Ireland experienceTraveler
    Warden’s Way next to the River Eye Lower Slaughter
    In the River Eye Lower SlaughterLower Slaughter (derived form old English meaning muddy place)Lower SlaughterPart of the old mill in Lower SlaughterDriving out of Lower Slaughter

    To Heathrow day 68 Fri 29 Jun

    June 29, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Breakfast at 8.30am and away from Riverside Lechlade just after 10am. Drove to Bourton on the Water but the place was too large so continued on to the pretty Lower Slaughter. Lucky to park as someone left a roadside space as we entered town. Walked a short way along the Warden’s Way then wandered around the village. Beer in the pub garden. Left about 12.45pm for a 50 odd mile drive to return the car to Avis in Northrop Road in Heathrow. However the traffic around Oxford was horrendous. Followed a day tour bus going to London in the right hand lane saving maybe half an hour as the traffic was practically stationary for about ten miles. Just as well as we arrived at the car return at 3.20pm. Return went smoothly, photographed the exterior of the car and odometer. We drove 4,975.4 miles in the hire car. Shuttle bus to Terminal two where we queued to obtain the VAT refund credited to my credit card. I successfully obtained a cash refund for one Oyster card from a machine as the travel credit was under ten pounds (by seven pence), but not the other as the travel balance was ten pound and sixty pence. Drank our water and went through security where Yvonne’s arm set off the security and she got the full body scan and metal detector treatment. Plane left Heathrow T2 about 10.20pm.Read more

  • Stephen BradingThe UK & Ireland experienceTraveler
    Changi Airport

    In Transit day 69 Sat 30 Jun 2018

    June 30, 2018 in Singapore ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Arrived Changi Airport Singapore at about 6.30pm. Got some sleep on the flight from London. Consider selecting an aisle seat in future if in a three seat wide section of the plane to be able to walk around without having to climb over someone. Flight to Sydney due to leave at 8.20pm.Read more

  • Trip end
    July 1, 2018
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