Blogs from Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe - page 9

CHAPETER TWO: DAY ONE - LONDON to STRATFORD UPON AVON (Day 1) LUNCH WITH HARRY POTTER Well not quite, but we did visit the dining hall at Christ Church that featured in the film. The start to the day was a little chaotic; we had breakfast at The Darlington and hailed a Black Cab to drop us at the Thistle Marble Arch where our Insight Coach Tour was to start. There were 2 other Tours starting from the same place on the same day – picture around 120 slightly unsure travellers, 3 buses in a narrow back street, taxis trying to drop off/ pick up people and as you can imagine there was a fair bit of horn honking and general confusion. However eventually our Tour Director Cheryl rounded us all up got us on the ... read more

A few tears as we left Vreni & Raymond's place in Witterswil and headed to the airport. It took us an age to find the correct carpark to drop off our lease car, which eventually entailed driving back into Basel, across the border, and back to the French side of Basel-Mulhouse airport. Good thing we allowed plenty of time. We left our "Robbie" with 5,600 more km on the clock than 6 weeks earlier. A quick layover in Frankfurt, then on to Birmingham, where my brother Andy picked us up and took us back to his house in Lichfield. We received a very warm welcome from Andy, Maggie, Kate & Harriet (Jennie was still studying at Sheffield). They talk funny here - must be a new variant of Swiss-German! We had a nice day out at ... read more

We have done a fair bit of travelling since I wrote the last blog, which I was late publishing as I saved it instead of publishing! We've now finished the Tour & picked up a hire car. After Ipswich, the rest of the Tour took us to Saxon Hoo, an Anglo-Saxon burial ground; some more farms; Sandringham Estate; An organic farm with some pigs, & also did riding holidays with your own horse; Another Stately home; Then to Lincoln and to York for a few nights. Had really good indian for dinner one night in York. We went to Temple Newsame Estate now owned by Leeds Council, where they run a mixed farm of rare breeds, I really liked the Golden Gurnsey Goats. Next was a train trip from Leeds to Appleby on the Settle-Carlisle Railway. ... read more

We walked from the campsite to the station at Froghall. It was a nice walk downhill with some industrial remains and bluebells in the woods. The canal and railway swap sides in the river valley. It is remarkably quiet with few roads. One weekend a month the train is extended to Cauldon Lowe. We went straight up to Cauldon Lowe then returned to Consall for lunch at the Black Lion. It is a remarkable place with the canal and railway dominating and the road playing very much the bit part.... read more

Alton Towers and Surrounding Area by Benjamin Cox Description My family went here in 2008. The area is very neat being in the Moors. There are lots of hills and small back roads. The area has beautiful countryside with lots of things to do whether you want to be active with walks or bike rides, shopping, theme park, etc. Where we stayed We stayed at Crowtrees Farm Bed and Breakfast. Its a nice little farm in the countryside. Breakfast is taken to order. We enjoyed staying here. "Crowtrees is a working farm offering Bed and Breakfast accommodation in the Staffordshire Moorlands. The 200 year old farmhouse has views across the picturesque Churnet Valley. We have sheep and depending upon the time of year there maybe lambs to see. Come and meet the goats, Billy and Bobby." ... read more