Could you survive in a hire car for two and a half weeks with your inlaws? I did. England and Wales

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Tour of the British Isles including Ireland…

As mentioned previously we have just spent the last two and a bit weeks with Stephen’s parents travelling around the UK and Ireland.

This blog will be brief but we will share a few photos with you.

The trip began on the 22nd of September when we managed to drive out of central London and make our way to Stonehenge. This was Jan and Pauline’s first example of Prehistoric ruins and let me say now it was not the last. From there we drive to Avebury, which is the location of the mightiest megalithic complex to have ever been constructed in Britain. Avebury has a henge, that with its enormous ditch, bank, stones and avenues survives in a much depleted state, but the nearby Silbury Hill which is the largest man-made mound in pre-industrial Europe still dominates the surrounding landscape. Don’t I sound knowledgeable! The next driving adventure was going to Bath and finding our hostel in the dark!! It was challenging to say the least, no map, loads of arguing, and me trying to drive a manual after so long without a car. We arrived and it was time for Jan and Pauline to experience their first hostel. It would have been fine if it wasn’t for the dance group from Germany, yelling and screaming and practicing for the German version of High School Musical 4!! But they survived the night in bunks and we went off to explore Bath.

I had previously been to Bath, but never into the Roman Baths, Jane Austin’s house seemed more important then don’t you think Mum? But this time we went through and with free audio guides too, thanks to Bill Bryson’s useless points of information we learnt just a little extra. If you want to know if the water was hot you’ll have to ask Pauline for that everyone else abided by the sign - 'No touching the water'. From there Jan and Pauline went to the Bath Cathedral and Stephen and I went fudge tasting. You’ll be surprised how many shops offer free tasting. Next we were off to find the ‘Little Ponte Vecchio’ of Bath; Pultney Bridge. Let me just say NOTHING like it at all. And on we went to Wales.

Did you know you have to pay to get into Wales, but not out? The Welsh think very highly of themselves and everyone else takes the piss. While trying to take a photo of the amazing bridge and ‘Welcome to Wales’ sign, we grabbed the attention of passer by on a motor and he clearly wanted to be part of the photo too. I don’t think so. We arrived in Cardiff and found our next hostel much easier. And no so many steps compared to the last one. We headed into town to see the Cardiff Castle, we were given a £2.00 discount because we arrived at 4pm, and were told to head up for a tour. The Cardiff Castle’s exterior has been greatly redesigned to fit the fantasies of two remarkable 19th century medievalists: the 3rd Marquess of Bute, John Patrick Crichton-Stuart, and his whimsical architect, William Burges. But still maintains it ties to its Norman history with the great Keep still very much intact. From there is was time to find a Tesco for some food shopping; dinner, lunch and the all important dessert, I assure you the Mars Bars were on sale! After Stephen and I whipped up a huge meal in the hostel kitchen. We educated Jan and Pauline on how cheaply you really can travel; there is no need for any stars. The next day we enjoyed one of the best hostel breakfasts we have ever had. It was a cooked breakfast and was included in the room price which was £40.00 for the four of us!! Bargain. It filled us before we went on the hunt for a Wales mug for Pauline, who has started collecting mugs from each country she visits.

Once we achieve this goal we were on the road again to Tintern Abbey which is a Cistercian Abbey considered one of the greatest monastic ruins of Wales. It was only the second Cistercian foundation in Britain, and the first in Wales, and was founded on 9 May 1131 by Walter de Clare, lord of Chepstow. Tintern's crowning glory, its great church, was built between 1269 and 1301. It stands today much as it did then, apart from its lack of a roof, window glass and internal divisions. In the 1500s monastic life in England and Wales was brought to an abrupt end by the political actions of King Henry VIII. The Dissolution of the Monasteries was part of the king's policy to establish total control over the church in his realm and left the abbey without a roof.

We left the Wey Village which Wadsworth wrote for lovingly about and headed towards the Cotswolds. On our way we stumbled over the Raglan Castle. It was certainly a lucky find and one of the benefits of having a hire car. The castle remains of impressive fifteenth-century castle built by Sir William ap Thomas and his son William Herbert, remodelled by William Somerset, third earl of Worcester, 1549-89. Despite demolition attempts during the Civil War, much of the hexagonal-shaped Great Tower and lavish suites of state apartments still survive. It was such an amazing place to visit, a REAL castle. What I wanted to see. Everyone was taken with the castle, we enjoyed our sandwiches and the sunshine in the car park before heading back to England and onto Broadway, nestled in the Cotswolds.

We arrived in Broadway in the afternoon, just in time for afternoon tea in one of the many tea rooms in Broadway. Broadway is a lively and vibrant village steeped in history with its origins dating back to Roman times. In the 1600s it was a major stopping place for the stage coaches that travelled between Worcester and London. For us we had the delightful pleasure of staying at the Crown and Trumpet Inn; after one night here Stephen learnt to mind his head. The inn was a traditional English pub, complete with local cocky (farmer) and his two dogs drinking his Guinness in HIS glass. We enjoyed a lovely dinner and Jan got to try local ale, didn’t like it and decided to stick with his half pints. Stephen and I took advantage of the local Cotswold Ales and tried two and liked them both. The next day we wandering around Broadway, and explored the township of Stratford-upon-Avon, the home of William Shakespeare. We walked the town, crossed the river Avon by a foot ferry, saw Shakespeare’s grave, his birthplace and his wife Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. It is the quintessential example of a thatched roof cottage and lovely garden. Then off to the Lakes Distance and the town of Windermere.

Since we had two nights in Windermere there was no rush and we were able to relax and enjoy the guest house we had booked. We spent the next day enjoying the Lake, wandering around Grasmere, brought gingerbread; saw the grave of Wordsworth and his school. We like many others then briefly explored the countryside, walking around the lake for a little and taking in the green paddocks. We when drove to Ambleside for a quick bite to eat before heading to The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere. For me it was fantastic, definitely one of the highlights of the trip so far. The World of Beatrix Potter includes all 23 Tales by Beatrix Potter, brought to life in a magical indoor recreation of the Lakeland countryside, complete with sights, sounds and even smells. So you can meet Peter Rabbit in Mr. McGregor’s garden, discover Jemima Puddle-duck in the woodland glade and visit Mrs. Tiggy-winkle in her kitchen. The Miss Potter Room explores the life of Beatrix Potter with a unique Virtual Walks display, short film presentation and innovative exhibits about Beatrix Potter and her pioneering life. I was in my element as a fan of 26 years. They really did include all the stories including my favourite 'The Tale of Samuel Whiskers or Roly-Poly Pudding’. After here we headed back to the Craig Manor House, and relaxed for a bit before we met for dinner.

Stephen and I decided to explore the countryside near the hotel, he had read somewhere that there was meant to be an amazing look out close by. Now I’ve learnt lookout means hills. It was fairly steep but we somehow found ourselves on right track for the Knott Post Walk. We crossed over a stone fence and went up another hill, through the sheep and their poo and found this amazing view. You could see the whole lake from up there it was so beautiful.

The next day, after we had found out that Hawthorn had won the AFL Grand Final, we went to Hill Top Farm, and the home of Beatrix Potter, except it was closed; the closest we got was the sign. From there Stephen was on the hunt for Hadrian’s Wall and Roman Ruins. It was lucky for him that our map gave us all the good spots to see the wall and the ruins. Stephen was in his element; sadly his excitement was lost on the rest of us. From there we made our way to Edinburgh, we stopped only to take some fun photos at the border.

Stay tuned for Scotland.

Love Michelle and Stephen.

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Photos

Michelle and the Roman Baths
Everyone was given a comp audio guide which was great. Everyone else listened to the adult ones, I listen to the kids option!

Norman Keep
This keep is located inside the walls of the Cardiff Castle.

Jan and Stephen
View from the top of the Keep, surprisingly high.

Michelle and the Tintern Abbey
Located in the Wye Valley, Wales.

Raglan Castle
Its origins lie in the 12th century but the ruins visible today date from the 15th century.

Crown and Trumpet Inn
This was our accommodation while in Broadway, the Cotswold area.

Pauline and the Foot Ferry
We paid 50p to cross the Avon river to get to Shakespeares grave.

Knott Post Walk
Here I am walking over a farmer's fence, not like home at all.

On top of the World
From the top of the hill on Knott Post Walk, there were amazing views.

Hill Top
For those who don't know it was Beatrix Potters Farm in the Lake District.

The World of Beatrix Potter
It was amazing to be inside all her stories brought to life.