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Published: September 29th 2015
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A chance remark by our history buff friend TK inspired us to go to Ironbridge, we really didnt know much about it at all, but it is the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. It's famous bridge was the first cast iron bridge in the world, and one of few still standing today. And a very impressive bridge it was, as was the town, a peaceful quiet place on the river Severn. Our accommodation at the Malthouse was quite unique too with different colour schemes in each room - we were in the Pink Room, which was VERY pink and rather wacky (see photo, no I am not in a brothel!)
After exploring Ironbridge, we headed across to a wee town called Much Wenlock, which had some lovely old buildings and an interesting plaque that caught our eye as it was dedicated to a William Brookes (the same name as our English ancestor). Alas, it appears he is not related, but Dr Brookes is credited as the inspiration and model for the modern Olympic Games! Much Wenlock also has a rather nice ruined abbey, one of hundreds or even thousands around Britain, courtesy of Henry the 8th.
Our digs for
the next night were in the YHA At Millers Dale in Derbyshire, a grand old house set in the heart of the dales. The next day we visited Chatsworth House, home of the Duke of Devonshire (why does he live in Derbyshire??) and one of the grandest stately homes in the country. The house was very ornate, but an interesting feature was the chairs exhibition ( those things you sit on) they had going on at the time. Blu didn't bother with the house, as he reckoned he had seen enough, but loved the extensive gardens and grounds, especially the kitchen garden which was flowers and vegetables planted together, very common in estate gardens in England.
Next stop was Manchester, where we stayed at Luther King House, a theological college down the road from Curry Mile, which was literally an entire street full of curry houses of all flavours and sizes. Had a delicious curry, and a look around the city the next day, but after picking up a parking ticket and another for driving in a bus lane (for 20 seconds), we decided to call time on Manchester and head to Doncaster to watch the ABs play South
Africa at our friend Dave's house. Spent a pleasant evening down at Dave's club playing bingo and meeting a few of the locals. And then it was off across the Yorkshire Moors to explore the "North". Called into another rather grand ruined abbey en route - Rievaulx - Henry the 8th did a great job on the Catholics - above the abbey was a neo-classical pleasure garden terrace which had an art exhibition as well. Next we headed off up through the Yorkshire Moors to Durham, popping into the Buck Inn at Chop Gate to check it out as we went past, as we will be staying there in 3 weeks time on our walk across England. The pub is run by Wolfgang, a German guy who taught at Blu's old high school in Perth ( some time after he was there). Its a small world!
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