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Published: November 27th 2006
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Housteads
Very cool Hadrians Wall, long and hard work. Hi all,
Ok, so the cryptic title all relates to the fact that we are in Bath! He He!
Anyway, back to where I was up to. Edinburgh. We left Edinburgh the following day, and caught a train to Newcastle. Doesn't take very long, so not too worried. I had tried to book accommodation there previously, but nothing was very applicable, or was booked out, so we decided to wait and go to the tourist agency when we got there. So we did just that. And it is seriously the hardest tourist agency to find. We got quite lost, and ended up asking about 4 different locals directions, after walking up and down this stupid hill with our packs on. Very annoying.
So finally got to the tourist agency, and discovered why we had been having so much trouble booking accommodation. The Scissor Sisters were in town, so everyone came to see them. We ended up staying in a hotel for the night, because our plan was to head to the hills the following day to walk Hadrians Wall. Checked ourselves into our room, ate our lunch (very late), then relaxed for a while in front of the
The long walk
We walked 5 miles along the wall, hard slog, still frost at 1pm! TV. Then went out for a quick dinner at the local bar, then back to watch the Children in Need Benefit concert. Saw lots of groups, including the Sugababes, Jameraquai (sorry for the terrible spelling), and the casts of Sound of Music and Wicked and Evita! So that was cool.
Left the following morning and caught a train to Hexham, a little town outside Newcastle that the Lonely Planet had recommended to stay in if you were interested in seeing the wall. We went to the Tourist centre, and she recommended that we keep going on the train to Haltwhistle, a town which is situated only 4 miles from the wall. So we booked accommodation there, and caught the train out there. Got there and it was almost dark (it gets dark at like 4.30pm), so we relaxed some more, had dinner and an early night. Up the next morning, had yummy full english breakfast, and our land lady was kind enough to look after our bags for the day.
Caught a taxi to Housesteads, an old roman fort along the wall. We figured it was a good place to have a look around, and then walk back
Major Oak
Need I say more?! along the wall to Haltwhistle and pick up our bags. We ended up walking 15km, 20000 steps, along this wall that really felt like a lot more. Muddy, hilly (to say the least), with winds, and frost still on the ground at 1pm, we were cold and filthy when we got back at about 2pm. Had a late lunch, and then caught a train to Newcastle, and got on another train to York. Arrived filthy and exhausted to our backpackers (I'm pretty sure its where Laura and Alisa used to live), checked in, and crashed after fish and chips for dinner.
The following day we walked around York. Saw the York Minster (absolutely gorgeous, stunning stained glass windows), the walls around the city, and the Jorvik experience, a 'ride' through time during the Viking occupation of York. Really pretty town, definitely worth a visit. Had a very average dinner at a local bar, overpriced, and woeful service. Ordered nachos, but they had run out of chilli (which they told us), AND salsa (which they didn't tell us),, which are really two integral parts of nachos, but anyway. Phil was quite angry, but got over it. We had snow man shortbread to end the night on a happy note.
Left York and headed for Sherwood Forest (actually its a town called Edwinstowe, but hey). Stayed at the backpackers there. Really new, and quite nie, if basic. We had to catch a train to Nottingham, then change to a bus service. The bus station was across town, and it was raining, so we thought we'd catch a taxi. Arrived at the bus station, payed the driver, and as he drove off, I realised I'd left my Lonely Planet in the back of the car. I was really upset, to say the least, and very angry with myself, so trundled off to find the number of the cabs, to see if I could get it back. Our bus to Edwinstowe wasnt for another hour and a half, so left the bags with Phil, went into the local shopping centre next door, and went to the information desk. She recommended, after trying the taxi number in vain, to go outside to the taxi rank to see if I recognised the style of car. There, at the front of the queue, was our taxi, still with the book in the back. So I got it back! Very releaved. Grabbed some lunch, then waited around to catch the bus to the hostel.
Finally got on the bus, and in the end, another NZ couple and an aussie girl all got off at our stop, and checked into the hostel. We all went out for dinner together to a local place that had mains for £2, so that was really great. Went to bed happy and full.
Got up the following morning, and after breakfast, headed out to the forest. Had a look around at the visitors centre (which really needs to be upgraded), and then walked out to the Major Oak, which is around 600years old (I think). Tried to follow the walking path, but got a bit lost, so just walked back in the direction of the visitors centre, so saw alot. Lots of people walking around, and quite pretty with the leaves changing for autumn. Had some lunch (it started to rain as we walked in, so again lucky with the weather), then back to the town to the library to jump on the net.
Dinner again at the restaurant with cheap meals, after watching afternoon TV.
Left the following morning for Stratford upon Avon. We had to catch a bus to Nottingham, then a train to Birmingham, then another train to Stratford, but got there eventually. Again, the accommodation situation was lacking. The backpackers is way out of town, and no cheaper than a B&B, so ended up staying at a B&B in town. Quite expensive compared to what we usually pay. Checked in, and found out that the lighting of the town christmas lights and santas arrival was on that night, so walked into town for that. Sang carols in the cold (quite strange), and then avoided the crowds of kids to find a pub for dinner. Ate, and retired to our room to await the highlights of the cricket. And we weren't dissappointed! We did great!
We did the stratford experience on the following day (friday I think), so saw the Shakespeare stuff. Got a ticket which allowed the use of the hop-on-hop-off bus all day, plus extrance into 3 of the 5 shakespeare houses. So saw Halls Croft (the residence of Shakespeares daughter and her husband), Mary Ardens house (his mother) and his birthplace, which was full of information and very interesting. I feel like I'm actually more educated about Shakespeare now. Not to be missed. We also did some washing, then dinner, then went and saw the Royal Shakespeare Companys version of A Winters Tale. Our tickets cost £5, but were standing only, milling around with the actors. You basically are on stage. It was fantastic! Right up close with the actors, some of whom are quite well known faces in British movies. Very impressed! Again, watched the highlights of the cricket, and was again impressed.
Last day in Stratford, caught the bus out to Warwick castle. Absolutely gorgeous castle, in immaculate condition, just stunning. Owned (I think) by Madame Tussauds, so lots of wax figures. No jousting, but good none the less. Back to Stratford about 4pm, caught up on diaries etc, than had take away thai for dinner, watching the doco 'Touching the Void', about 2 mountain climers. Fantastic, chilling, emotional, but totally worth the look.
Left Stratford the following day for Bath. It was sunday, so they were doing rail works, so getting to Bath was a nightmare. We originally were told to go to Banbury, change trains to Oxford, change there to Bristol, then train to Bath. The lines were down to Oxford, so we ended up catching a train from Banbury to London, then a train from London to Bath. We left the B&B at 10am, and arrived in Bath at 6pm. Rediculous. Checked into our room, grabbed some food, and watched Ghostbusters on the TV, then the highlights of the cricket, then to bed.
So, thats me up to date! Finally! Only 15 sleeps to go, so slowly winding down to go home.
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