Well, my adventure is now over and I am safely returned to my home. The drive from the London hotel to Heathrow was interesting, for want of a better word. The driver was speeding and texting at the same time, always a lethal combination. We arrived at Heathrow in record time.
The flight was delayed 45 minutes due to the backlog of flights, so we sat in the plane and waited. It was ok, as I had a great book to read and the seat was comfy.
We eventually took off and the flight to Dubai was a very bumpy one, the worst I've experienced. I felt quite ill so had the spew bag ready for deployment, but fortunately didn't have to use it. Managed to close my eyes and convince myself I was on the train.
As the flight was late leaving, we were obviously late arriving and then had to stay in a holding pattern as Dubai also had a backlog of flights trying to either land or take off. So another 30 minutes added on to the delay.
On landing, the Emirates staff organised a person to be waiting at customs, so we could whizz through and then gallop towards the gate to connect to the waiting flight. I was hoping to go to the loo, grab a drink and exchange some currency, but no chance of that. There were around 10 passengers trying to connect to the same flight and along the way most of us got separated as the Emirates staff member was powering along and wasn't waiting.
Luckily, we all made it eventually and the flight was on time. The flight from Dubai was a lot smoother, thank goodness, and of course, those wonderful seats that recline all the way to make a bed were SO good. Once again, very happy that I spent the extra money to fly business class and have now racked up some Skywards points to put towards future (if ever there will be) flights.
I managed to grab a few naps during the flight and could feel my body saying, "Hang on, it's not time to sleep" - very strange to fly from one night straight into another one!
Very happy to land in Adelaide, to pick up the duty free items I purchased on the way out of Adelaide, and make my way through customs with no trouble (no sniffer dogs, Joan...)
The Emirates valet driver was waiting and it turns out he lives in McLaren Flat so he was happy to be heading home too.
HOME!! Woohoo. Apart from some weeds (ok, a lot of them) and the musty smell in the house after being locked up for those few weeks, it was lovely, and quiet. Of course, not sleepy so unpacked, organised washing, switched the fridge on, showered, read until I felt tired and then slept...for two hours. Up at 4.30am.
Highlight of the day - picking up Maisy and Murphy from the RSPCA. They looked like Ewoks from Star Wars!!! Need to book them in for a much needed hair cut. They were a bit stand-offish at first, but since then, they have followed me everywhere and resumed their normal personalities. I gave them a bath as they were very smelly, as they do after being in the kennels.
So, to sum up the highlights and low lights of the trip:
I really enjoyed the friendliness, kindness and sense of humour of the people I met in the Cotswolds, especially the B and B owners in Heytesbury (The Resting Post), Bourton-on-the-Water (Webby's), Tetbury (Number 65), Cirencester (The Old Bungalow) and in Devizes (Rosemundy Cottage) The cyclists who went out of their way to ride with me to show me short cuts or to get me back on the right path - all great guys.
I loved the architecture and history of many of the places - the churches in particular were magical, listening to the pipe organ, or the bells ringing, simply just sitting and reflecting. Westminster Abbey - my fave place due to its history and seeing the tombs of so many kings, queens and heads of state. Awesome.
Best estate or manor - Longleat Manor. Geez, talk about extravagence and excess! But still a magnificent building. Loved it. Also the worst cycling day - 93km in hot, gusty weather and feeling like I was never going to get to the final destination.
Just cycling. Getting lost and then finding the right way again...and getting lost again.....but all part of the experience. Probably saw more of the Cotswolds than most people :)
Low points: the Iron Donkey bike - crap. There are only so many times you can happily put a chain back on a bike.
The hotels in London - they charge huge amounts of money and what do you get? An adequate room but the service is sullen (Regency Hotel - prime example of sullen and disinterested staff, only the guy carrying the bags had a smile and a laugh)
The Doc Martin lookalike in Tetbury - who asked me why I was cycling around the country when they have a perfectly adequate train and bus network. :) Kind of defeats the point of a cycling holiday, though, hey Doc?
Patting every little and not so little dog I came across, and met some lovely people in the process. Needed to have some pet therapy daily.
Lastly, those loud Spanish tourists who yell at each other, take up all of the pavement and don't move - shut up and move! :)
Would I go again? Yes. But this time I would take lots of hay fever medication and a GPS :)
Thanks for reading and coming along for the ride.
M x
Tuesday, 30 July 2013
Saturday, 27 July 2013
Last day in London
My time in London is almost over. Today I had a special task to carry out - no, not my washing (which I actually managed to do, thanks to a laundromat just one block away - should eliminate a smelly suitcase on the trip home), but to track down one of London's oldest bookstores. Thanks Gaye Briggs! It was wonderful to spend the morning wandering through a three storey book shop, surrounded by books on every topic, with cosy nooks to sit in and browse and read. Lovely! And yes, bought one or two books and was given a few book marks, so a successful morning. :)
Stopped for toast and juice at a cafe. A young boy wandered in, with a school bag and a printed sheet and a collection tin. He approached different people, asking for a donation for cancer research. Mmmm, me thinks a young scammer. He asked me for a donation, so I asked him which cancer foundation he was raising money for.
"Just cancer", he replies.
"Where's your mum or dad?"
"Home."
Mmmm, not convinced, especially as I've noticed a very shifty looking man outside, whose been waiting for 20 or so minutes.
"Is that your dad?" says I, pointing to the above mentioned shifty character.
"No..." the boys says,shuffling on the spot. I give him 50p...all in loose change :) which empties out some of those coins which are a nuisance. He gives me a funny look. I smile and say, "I hope all those people with cancer appreciate your honesty and hard work."
He says nothing.
At this point, one of the waitresses comes over to ask him what he is doing.
She falls (surprisingly) for his scam and gives him a pound.
He leaves, crosses the road, and then the shifty looking man crosses.
I said to the waitress that she has fallen victim to a scam, and she looks horrified. "But he was so cute!"
Later I cross paths with the young scammer, and he is walking with his dodgy dad.Wonder how much money they got? I smile at him, he looks away. Ahhh, the future of England - young enterprise!
So, back on the tube to go a few stops to Knightsbridge and...Harrods.
I know I vowed never to return, after making a very expensive purchase last year. Said purchase remains wrapped up in its protective case, in a wardrobe.
Anyway, quite happy just to wander around.
Until I spy some cute bracelets, at a relatively cheap-er price, so....yes, I indulged. The sales girl said the colour I chose means prosperity. I'll need it.
Purchase made, escaped back to the real world and went back to one of my favourite places in London, the V and A Museum. Still haven't visited all the galleries, but am getting close! Very relaxing just to continue to explore the rooms I haven't seen before.
Stopped for lunch then walked around Knightsbridge and surrounding posh areas.
Got the washing done, one less job for when I get home.
Tomorrow, Heathrow and the loooong journey home.
Stopped for toast and juice at a cafe. A young boy wandered in, with a school bag and a printed sheet and a collection tin. He approached different people, asking for a donation for cancer research. Mmmm, me thinks a young scammer. He asked me for a donation, so I asked him which cancer foundation he was raising money for.
"Just cancer", he replies.
"Where's your mum or dad?"
"Home."
Mmmm, not convinced, especially as I've noticed a very shifty looking man outside, whose been waiting for 20 or so minutes.
"Is that your dad?" says I, pointing to the above mentioned shifty character.
"No..." the boys says,shuffling on the spot. I give him 50p...all in loose change :) which empties out some of those coins which are a nuisance. He gives me a funny look. I smile and say, "I hope all those people with cancer appreciate your honesty and hard work."
He says nothing.
At this point, one of the waitresses comes over to ask him what he is doing.
She falls (surprisingly) for his scam and gives him a pound.
He leaves, crosses the road, and then the shifty looking man crosses.
I said to the waitress that she has fallen victim to a scam, and she looks horrified. "But he was so cute!"
Later I cross paths with the young scammer, and he is walking with his dodgy dad.Wonder how much money they got? I smile at him, he looks away. Ahhh, the future of England - young enterprise!
So, back on the tube to go a few stops to Knightsbridge and...Harrods.
I know I vowed never to return, after making a very expensive purchase last year. Said purchase remains wrapped up in its protective case, in a wardrobe.
Anyway, quite happy just to wander around.
Until I spy some cute bracelets, at a relatively cheap-er price, so....yes, I indulged. The sales girl said the colour I chose means prosperity. I'll need it.
Purchase made, escaped back to the real world and went back to one of my favourite places in London, the V and A Museum. Still haven't visited all the galleries, but am getting close! Very relaxing just to continue to explore the rooms I haven't seen before.
Stopped for lunch then walked around Knightsbridge and surrounding posh areas.
Got the washing done, one less job for when I get home.
Tomorrow, Heathrow and the loooong journey home.
Friday, 26 July 2013
Day trip to Oxford, Stratford and Warwick Castle.
An early start again although the bus was late due to traffic but I managed to get to Victoria Station before the tour left. The tour guide had an encyclopedic knowledge of all things historical.
The first stop was at Oxford. We did a walking tour around the main college, Christ Church and then through the streets around the college, looking at other parts of the colleges in Oxford, plus the original building of Oxford University Press. We didn't get much of a chance to wander around but had to stay with the guide. It would have been good to spend a bit longer to explore.
The next stop was Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare. It wasn't what I expected, yet another touristy place. I imagined it to be a smaller, quainter place. It wasn't. We lined up to get into Shakespeare's house, and of course it was crowded, so impossible to take your time to read the information and look carefully at everything.
I had time to walk along the road, which is now similar to a mall...blocked off from traffic. It had lots of shops feeding off Shakespeare and targetting tourists.
Admittedly, I was disappointed as it seems that all of these beautiful little towns and villages are more and more turning into tourist hot spots. Yes, I know...I'm a tourist too but I wonder about if turning these places into such commercial ventures
makes them less authentic. Or maybe I'm just cynical.
Warwick Castle - this was such a disappointment!!!! The Castle is over 600 years old and has been the home to royals and families attached to royality. But the last buyer of the castle is the company that runs Madame Tussauds, so they have added a theme park in the grounds of the castle, aimed at getting families and kids in. SO disappointing!! They have pretend jousting, trebuchet, face painting, fast food in the courtyard...with the castle surrounding all of this. In the actual castle, the only authentic rooms were the Chapel,Great Hall and State Rooms, which were interesting and elaborate.
A few other people on the tour were also very disappointed, not expecting such a theme park. If I had known, I would have elected to go to Blenheim or Leeds Castle instead, but...oh well....live and learn.
Weather still nice but the forecast for the weekend is rain, thunder....so will wait and see if I need to get my umbrella out.
Tomorrow, have been set a task by Briggsy to locate a certain bookstore in Piccadilly so praying that the tube lines are all running as I've been told some lines are closed for maintenance.
The first stop was at Oxford. We did a walking tour around the main college, Christ Church and then through the streets around the college, looking at other parts of the colleges in Oxford, plus the original building of Oxford University Press. We didn't get much of a chance to wander around but had to stay with the guide. It would have been good to spend a bit longer to explore.
The next stop was Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare. It wasn't what I expected, yet another touristy place. I imagined it to be a smaller, quainter place. It wasn't. We lined up to get into Shakespeare's house, and of course it was crowded, so impossible to take your time to read the information and look carefully at everything.
I had time to walk along the road, which is now similar to a mall...blocked off from traffic. It had lots of shops feeding off Shakespeare and targetting tourists.
Admittedly, I was disappointed as it seems that all of these beautiful little towns and villages are more and more turning into tourist hot spots. Yes, I know...I'm a tourist too but I wonder about if turning these places into such commercial ventures
makes them less authentic. Or maybe I'm just cynical.
Warwick Castle - this was such a disappointment!!!! The Castle is over 600 years old and has been the home to royals and families attached to royality. But the last buyer of the castle is the company that runs Madame Tussauds, so they have added a theme park in the grounds of the castle, aimed at getting families and kids in. SO disappointing!! They have pretend jousting, trebuchet, face painting, fast food in the courtyard...with the castle surrounding all of this. In the actual castle, the only authentic rooms were the Chapel,Great Hall and State Rooms, which were interesting and elaborate.
A few other people on the tour were also very disappointed, not expecting such a theme park. If I had known, I would have elected to go to Blenheim or Leeds Castle instead, but...oh well....live and learn.
Weather still nice but the forecast for the weekend is rain, thunder....so will wait and see if I need to get my umbrella out.
Tomorrow, have been set a task by Briggsy to locate a certain bookstore in Piccadilly so praying that the tube lines are all running as I've been told some lines are closed for maintenance.
Thursday, 25 July 2013
Westminster Abbey and surrounding area
What a noisy hotel...the room is close to the elevator and it ran constantly all night. Felt like putting an "out of order" sign on the doors. Anyway, eventually I feel asleep and even slept in to 7am.
I decided to head off to the subway at Kensington to travel to Westminster Abbey. Naturally there was a queue but only a little one, so was happy to wait for 20 minutes.
WOW! So glad I did, because it was spectacular, just as I had imagined. So many tombs of kings and queens, such as Richard I and II, Mary, Queen of Scots, Queen Elizabeth and her half sister, Queen Mary, Oliver Cromwell, Charles Darwin, Izaac Newton....just too many to mention. Ofcourse, the Abbey itself was amazing. The architecture mind blowing. Just loved it!
A few hours of exploring, I decided to go for another walk, across the Bridge Rd bridge, along the Embankment. I considered joining the queue to visit the Dungeons of London but no, the queue was way too long, even for me. So I crossed the next bridge, and walked back along the other side of the river. It wasn't too crowded and I enjoyed the stroll.
I then got on the hop on/ hop off bus for a few loops around the city before having enough and feeling a bit queasy, not having taken my travel sickness tabs. So back to the tube to head to Kensington and then the hotel.
Tomorrow, off to Oxford, Stratford and Warwick Castle for the day.
I decided to head off to the subway at Kensington to travel to Westminster Abbey. Naturally there was a queue but only a little one, so was happy to wait for 20 minutes.
WOW! So glad I did, because it was spectacular, just as I had imagined. So many tombs of kings and queens, such as Richard I and II, Mary, Queen of Scots, Queen Elizabeth and her half sister, Queen Mary, Oliver Cromwell, Charles Darwin, Izaac Newton....just too many to mention. Ofcourse, the Abbey itself was amazing. The architecture mind blowing. Just loved it!
A few hours of exploring, I decided to go for another walk, across the Bridge Rd bridge, along the Embankment. I considered joining the queue to visit the Dungeons of London but no, the queue was way too long, even for me. So I crossed the next bridge, and walked back along the other side of the river. It wasn't too crowded and I enjoyed the stroll.
I then got on the hop on/ hop off bus for a few loops around the city before having enough and feeling a bit queasy, not having taken my travel sickness tabs. So back to the tube to head to Kensington and then the hotel.
Tomorrow, off to Oxford, Stratford and Warwick Castle for the day.
Wednesday, 24 July 2013
Bye-bye Bath...
Today was the last day in Bath. Had a quiet night, nothing spectacular apart from repacking the ever expanding suitcase, and catching up with Iron Donkey Ian. Gave him some feedback about the bike (crap), the maps (confusing) and the B and Bs (lovely). He said they are considering having pre-set GPS so riders don't have to worry about getting lost. NOW THEY DECIDE TO DO THIS!!!! Oh grrr...anyway, he asked if I was contemplating another ride. Mmmm....maybe not.
Up next morning, packed and ready to go. Caught a taxi to the railway station and had a little wait for the train to arrive. Relaxing ride back to Paddington then a battle with the crowds once more to get a taxi to the Regency Hotel. It is a quick walk to the V and A museum and other attractions. The hotel is huge and very impersonal and it is such a contrast to those beautiful B and Bs and the friendly people. The room is nice enough and comfortable. And it has a shower...woohoo...not a bath :)
After check in I went for a walk to check out the area and to get my bearings. I went back to the V and A Museum to look at a few galleries that I hadn't looked at previously.
After a few hours I decided that I'd had enough for the day, so grabbed a salad and raspberry drink at a French bakery/ cafe then back to the hotel.
Tomorrow - not sure what I will do. On Friday I'm going to Oxford, Stratford upon Avon and Warwick Castle.Looking forward to this!!
Up next morning, packed and ready to go. Caught a taxi to the railway station and had a little wait for the train to arrive. Relaxing ride back to Paddington then a battle with the crowds once more to get a taxi to the Regency Hotel. It is a quick walk to the V and A museum and other attractions. The hotel is huge and very impersonal and it is such a contrast to those beautiful B and Bs and the friendly people. The room is nice enough and comfortable. And it has a shower...woohoo...not a bath :)
After check in I went for a walk to check out the area and to get my bearings. I went back to the V and A Museum to look at a few galleries that I hadn't looked at previously.
After a few hours I decided that I'd had enough for the day, so grabbed a salad and raspberry drink at a French bakery/ cafe then back to the hotel.
Tomorrow - not sure what I will do. On Friday I'm going to Oxford, Stratford upon Avon and Warwick Castle.Looking forward to this!!
Tuesday, 23 July 2013
Cirencester to Bath
Well, finally made it back to Bath after a long and tiring, but thankfully mostly downhill, ride back into Bath. Left a bit later than usual as it was raining when I got up so waited until it settled a bit before donning the wet weather gear for the first time and heading out.
Not an easy ride though, due to the twists and turns, taking back tracks and lanes and of course, the rain making the roads a bit slippery.
About two hours in the thunder and lightning started and I was saying a few prayers to the gods of electrocution to locate another target and my prayers were answered.
The wet weather passed and heat returned, so off came the high vis vest and a litre of water later, back in the saddle for the run down to Bath. Didn't much notice the pretty villages, do remember going through Castle Combe again, as visited on the motorbike earlier.
Arrived in Bath, one happy camper. Had a bite to eat then pushed on up the hill to Raby Place, to chain the bike, change out of the wet clothing and then head off to enjoy my final day in Bath, with the swarms of tourists, the noisy seagulls and the warm weather.
Tomorrow, train ride back to London for a few days, including a day in Oxford, Stratford and Warwick Castle, then heading on home.
Not an easy ride though, due to the twists and turns, taking back tracks and lanes and of course, the rain making the roads a bit slippery.
About two hours in the thunder and lightning started and I was saying a few prayers to the gods of electrocution to locate another target and my prayers were answered.
The wet weather passed and heat returned, so off came the high vis vest and a litre of water later, back in the saddle for the run down to Bath. Didn't much notice the pretty villages, do remember going through Castle Combe again, as visited on the motorbike earlier.
Arrived in Bath, one happy camper. Had a bite to eat then pushed on up the hill to Raby Place, to chain the bike, change out of the wet clothing and then head off to enjoy my final day in Bath, with the swarms of tourists, the noisy seagulls and the warm weather.
Tomorrow, train ride back to London for a few days, including a day in Oxford, Stratford and Warwick Castle, then heading on home.
Monday, 22 July 2013
Malmesbury Abbey
Got an early start as thunderstorms were forecast. Didn't see Gerry before she left to catch the train as she is a late starter, so assuming she got away ok. Another steamy and sweaty ride across to Malmesbury, a small village with a beautiful Abbey. Spent most of the morning just looking at the rich history associated with the Abbey which still functions as a church. Just incredible! There is a little cafe area inside the church with big comfy chairs, a great spot to have a cold drink and listen to the music played in the Abbey. I could have sat there all day. Instead I visited the most spectacular garden I have ever seen...a private garden owed by a family living in Abbey Manor. Paths, herb gardens, fruit trees, shrubs, herbs, plus meandering paths along the stream...it was massive and just beautiful.
I wandered around the village which was rather busy and visited a quirky pub called The Smoking Dog. A few people having a drink who also said I was mad to be cycling in the heat. One old fella said that storms were coming and to beware...yep, I am going to!
Back in Cirencester, the weather was turning into a very hot and thundery afternoon. Lightning around, a few spots of rain...
Decided to have fish and chips at a local takeaway for tea. The girls cooking were getting an order ready for 126 people, so were run off their feet, I was quite happy to sit and read. They were really sweet, kept on asking if I had enough food, water, etc. When I left, I gave them a big tip so they could run out and get an ice cream ! :) They were very happy about that!
So, just waiting to see what the weather does tomorrow, with rain warnings still current, they are expecting a down pour, plus thunder and lightning. It should be fine but will be ready to divert to the train station in Kemble (about 10 miles away) or hide somewhere!
Run downhill to Bath, final day!
I wandered around the village which was rather busy and visited a quirky pub called The Smoking Dog. A few people having a drink who also said I was mad to be cycling in the heat. One old fella said that storms were coming and to beware...yep, I am going to!
Back in Cirencester, the weather was turning into a very hot and thundery afternoon. Lightning around, a few spots of rain...
Decided to have fish and chips at a local takeaway for tea. The girls cooking were getting an order ready for 126 people, so were run off their feet, I was quite happy to sit and read. They were really sweet, kept on asking if I had enough food, water, etc. When I left, I gave them a big tip so they could run out and get an ice cream ! :) They were very happy about that!
So, just waiting to see what the weather does tomorrow, with rain warnings still current, they are expecting a down pour, plus thunder and lightning. It should be fine but will be ready to divert to the train station in Kemble (about 10 miles away) or hide somewhere!
Run downhill to Bath, final day!
Sunday, 21 July 2013
Cirencester
Left beautiful Bourton-on-the- Water and whizzed across to equally lovely Cirencester, built on Roman ruins and has the most amazing history and architecture. Weather ok in the morning but definitely heated up in the afternoon, hard slog!
The B and B is called The Old Bungalow and is a lovely...bungalow! It has Roman ruins underneath the back section of the house, they have some Roman coins which are valuable but it seems a lot of the town is built on Roman ruins, so they said it isn't a big deal, which is really bizarre!
After dropping stuff off at the B and B I decided to track down a laundrette to do some washing. A lovely girl doing her washing gave me some powder, chatted to me about her niece winning an award at school and wanted to know why I was cycling around the country during a heatwave!
Then an older gent turned up, missing most of his teeth and in dire need of a bath, wanted to know all about kangaroos! Absolutely fanatic about them, it seemed. Anyway, he left and I was left to get my washing done in peace. I then went to a charity shop to buy a cheap jute bag to put my washing in in case the plastic bag broke, and decided to stop for lunch at Cafe Nero.
Gerry turned up at the same place so we compared our cycling - she is heading off to Kemble tomorrow to catch the train to Bath. I then went to the Parish Chur h of St John Baptistwhich was amazing - the history of all of these places just blows me away. My 'wow' moment was seeing Anne Boleyn's cup, stored carefully in the church. Just to think, her actual cup!
I visited the museum which had the Roman artifacts found in Cirencester and a history about the area. It was surpringly good and I happily spent an hour or two wandering around, meeting some more Aussies (they were making a lot of noise) and having my photo taken with them!
Decided to head back to the B and B to discovery that most of Cirencester was now without water due to a power failure. That caused most of the businesses, esp. the food stores and restuarants to shut. Interesting! A huge truck drove around handing out packs of bottled water.
The water is back on but very poor water pressure so a piddly shower. Am missing my own spacious shower now :)
Tomorrow it hasbeen forecast for thunderstorms so hoping it passes before Tuesday as I don't fancy cycling through a storm. Even a rain warning has been issued! What is that??
So, will do some sightseeing and plan my route back to Bath.
The B and B is called The Old Bungalow and is a lovely...bungalow! It has Roman ruins underneath the back section of the house, they have some Roman coins which are valuable but it seems a lot of the town is built on Roman ruins, so they said it isn't a big deal, which is really bizarre!
After dropping stuff off at the B and B I decided to track down a laundrette to do some washing. A lovely girl doing her washing gave me some powder, chatted to me about her niece winning an award at school and wanted to know why I was cycling around the country during a heatwave!
Then an older gent turned up, missing most of his teeth and in dire need of a bath, wanted to know all about kangaroos! Absolutely fanatic about them, it seemed. Anyway, he left and I was left to get my washing done in peace. I then went to a charity shop to buy a cheap jute bag to put my washing in in case the plastic bag broke, and decided to stop for lunch at Cafe Nero.
Gerry turned up at the same place so we compared our cycling - she is heading off to Kemble tomorrow to catch the train to Bath. I then went to the Parish Chur h of St John Baptistwhich was amazing - the history of all of these places just blows me away. My 'wow' moment was seeing Anne Boleyn's cup, stored carefully in the church. Just to think, her actual cup!
I visited the museum which had the Roman artifacts found in Cirencester and a history about the area. It was surpringly good and I happily spent an hour or two wandering around, meeting some more Aussies (they were making a lot of noise) and having my photo taken with them!
Decided to head back to the B and B to discovery that most of Cirencester was now without water due to a power failure. That caused most of the businesses, esp. the food stores and restuarants to shut. Interesting! A huge truck drove around handing out packs of bottled water.
The water is back on but very poor water pressure so a piddly shower. Am missing my own spacious shower now :)
Tomorrow it hasbeen forecast for thunderstorms so hoping it passes before Tuesday as I don't fancy cycling through a storm. Even a rain warning has been issued! What is that??
So, will do some sightseeing and plan my route back to Bath.
Saturday, 20 July 2013
Bourton-on-the-Water
Had a reasonably nice meal at a Chinese restaurant last night then had a walk afterwards. The swarms of tourists had packed up their picnics and disappeared to wherever they came from, and the locals then came out to enjoy their village again. Webby's wife said the locals usually stay in during the day in summer as the village is transformed into a tourist mecca. In winter, it is very quiet. I think that would be awful...hundreds of tourists traipsing through your town. I also traipsed today, joining the other tourists! Lucky enough to see the village minus hundreds of bodies before I went walking around the village and surrounding areas.
I visitec Birdland which is a huge, shady parkland, with various types ofbirds on display, including penguins, who must hate the warm weather. Some of the walking trails were very shady, like walking through an overgrown forest.
Next stop was the Maze which is...a maze! The record time to successfully navigate the maze is 20 minutes. My navigation skills are dodgy at the best of times but the trick with mazes is to keep to the left. It worked and I was out in less than 20 minutes. The prize - a stamp on myhand. woot....
Ok, off to the Model Village which is...a miniature model of Bourton. If you have been to Cockington Green in Canberra, then this is similar. Fun to look around and it was quiet until a busload of Chinese tourists arrived, so that was my queue to leave. I wrote some postcards. posted them and then had some icecream before wandering home.
Time for a power nap before heading out to see the start of a cycling race leave from the village.
I visitec Birdland which is a huge, shady parkland, with various types ofbirds on display, including penguins, who must hate the warm weather. Some of the walking trails were very shady, like walking through an overgrown forest.
Next stop was the Maze which is...a maze! The record time to successfully navigate the maze is 20 minutes. My navigation skills are dodgy at the best of times but the trick with mazes is to keep to the left. It worked and I was out in less than 20 minutes. The prize - a stamp on myhand. woot....
Ok, off to the Model Village which is...a miniature model of Bourton. If you have been to Cockington Green in Canberra, then this is similar. Fun to look around and it was quiet until a busload of Chinese tourists arrived, so that was my queue to leave. I wrote some postcards. posted them and then had some icecream before wandering home.
Time for a power nap before heading out to see the start of a cycling race leave from the village.
Friday, 19 July 2013
From Sneezeville to Bourton-on-the-Water
Tetbury - the hay fever capital in the world. Quite pretty, a market village which is incredibly busy during the day and then quiet at night. The B and B was right on the corner of a busy road so was noisy in the afternoon but ok later on, until 6am and then it got busy again. The owners were lovely and cooked a wonderful meal at night.
Another warm day, nice breeze in the morning but that died away as the day wore on. Rode through some lovely shady lanes and through pretty villages. Decided to ride an alternative route - not the longer way, we shaved around 8 kms off but still did a pleasant 23 miles. Gerry rode quite slowly and I waited for her at each intersection which worked out well for both of us.
Have two nights here in gorgeous Bourton-on-the- Water, arrived about an hour ago and shortly heading out to celebrate Gerry's birthday, and then tomorrow a day of exploring and sight seeing, before heading off to Cirencester for two nights, then I cycle back to Bath and Gerry leaves a few days before me but she is going by train from Kemble to Bath. She said she is over riding and won't do it again. :)
The weather is still very warm and heatwave warnings are now in place.
The owner of this B and B is called Webby and we call his wife Mrs Webby which they both find hysterical. Lovely people who think this weather is wonderful. The house is lovely and my room is spacious and - thank goodness- cooler than the other places. At Tetbury, I had to have a bath which is tricky when trying to wash my hair as they didn't have a shower. Or a drain in the bathroom, in case the bath overflowed...but I guess lots of the older style houses don't.
Anyway, the people I have met on the way have been lovely and very helpful. The Tetbury people checked my bike (with lots of tsk tsk tsk about all the faults, dings and dents...um, wonder how they got there??) and tightened the seat for me.
Off soon to find a place to eat then a soak in the bath (with a shower attachment, yah! will wash my manky hair) before zzz zzzz z z zzzz time.
Thursday, 18 July 2013
Devizes to Tetbury via Lacock
Day 2 in Devizes saw a trip out to Avebury, which is home to the rock formations similar to Stonehenge but so much more interesting. These you can walk around and touch, plus there are so many more rocks and stones. Pretty amazing! Looked through the old church and then peered through the gates at Avebury Manor...which was closed. Typical. Loads of people out and about and yes, it was actually quite hot.
Back in Devizes, just pottered around, had some lunch, caught up with Gerry, the other Iron Donkey rider from New Orleans who is not having a good time!! We agreed to ride together as our routes are now the same.
A couple of Aussies from Sydney arrived, they had spent a few weeks driving around the Cotswolds and beyond. They were lovely people and we have swapped details.
The poetry night was held at a local bookstore and we went with Tony and Zita, the owners of the B and B. It was great, the people were so friendly and the readers were so expressive. Loads of wine was consumed by all. After we chatted to loads of people, then the Aussie couple and I went to an Italian restaurant for a late meal. We were offered to join some of the poetry people for a curry but we decided to go Italian. What afun night! Franco and Anna were gorgeous people and they cooked the BEST pizza I have ever tasted!! More wine, loud and noisy and then after swapping details with the Italian owners we decided to walk back. Luckily we avoided getting lost!!
Next day, after two hours sleep, time to get up and meet Gerry for our ride. She was still eating breakfast so we chatted then loaded up and off we went. The first part of the ride was along the Caen Canal, with a series of locks. A really nice ride!
Then into my very favourite little village, Lacock. Gerry needed to rest as she fell into a hedge (funny as!) but luckily she wasn't hurt.
We looked through the incredible Lacock Abbey, where some parts of Harry Potter was filmed, then a walk around the village. Wonderful!!!
Time for lunch then on to Tetbury, which is a busy town.
Unfortunately my hay fever is the worst it has ever been in MY WHOLE LIFE :( The B and B owners sent me to the GP a few minutes walk away. He looked and sounded like a thinner Doc Martin. He gave me lots of drugs,nasal spray and a few boxes if tissues :) He suggested no more riding, especially in the heat (level 3 warning which means extreme heat)
Well, Gerry and I have decided not to ride the 38 miles to Bourton-on-the-Water, but ride 18 miles to Cirencester, leave our bikes there (we are heading there after Bourton), catch the bus to Bourton and just do the walking tours. Then bus it back to Cirencester and assess whether the weather (!) will be ok to ride the 58 miles to Bath. Not sure yet.
Once back in Bath, it's all over, red rover!!
The B and B here in Tetbury is another older building. The owners are lovely, I got to spend some time with their two dogs ( missing my crazy Maisy and mad Murphy :(
We had a lovely meal at the B and B as it is also a restaurant.
Now drugged up and hoping to sleep in the hot weather before heading off early tomorrow.
Back in Devizes, just pottered around, had some lunch, caught up with Gerry, the other Iron Donkey rider from New Orleans who is not having a good time!! We agreed to ride together as our routes are now the same.
A couple of Aussies from Sydney arrived, they had spent a few weeks driving around the Cotswolds and beyond. They were lovely people and we have swapped details.
The poetry night was held at a local bookstore and we went with Tony and Zita, the owners of the B and B. It was great, the people were so friendly and the readers were so expressive. Loads of wine was consumed by all. After we chatted to loads of people, then the Aussie couple and I went to an Italian restaurant for a late meal. We were offered to join some of the poetry people for a curry but we decided to go Italian. What afun night! Franco and Anna were gorgeous people and they cooked the BEST pizza I have ever tasted!! More wine, loud and noisy and then after swapping details with the Italian owners we decided to walk back. Luckily we avoided getting lost!!
Next day, after two hours sleep, time to get up and meet Gerry for our ride. She was still eating breakfast so we chatted then loaded up and off we went. The first part of the ride was along the Caen Canal, with a series of locks. A really nice ride!
Then into my very favourite little village, Lacock. Gerry needed to rest as she fell into a hedge (funny as!) but luckily she wasn't hurt.
We looked through the incredible Lacock Abbey, where some parts of Harry Potter was filmed, then a walk around the village. Wonderful!!!
Time for lunch then on to Tetbury, which is a busy town.
Unfortunately my hay fever is the worst it has ever been in MY WHOLE LIFE :( The B and B owners sent me to the GP a few minutes walk away. He looked and sounded like a thinner Doc Martin. He gave me lots of drugs,nasal spray and a few boxes if tissues :) He suggested no more riding, especially in the heat (level 3 warning which means extreme heat)
Well, Gerry and I have decided not to ride the 38 miles to Bourton-on-the-Water, but ride 18 miles to Cirencester, leave our bikes there (we are heading there after Bourton), catch the bus to Bourton and just do the walking tours. Then bus it back to Cirencester and assess whether the weather (!) will be ok to ride the 58 miles to Bath. Not sure yet.
Once back in Bath, it's all over, red rover!!
The B and B here in Tetbury is another older building. The owners are lovely, I got to spend some time with their two dogs ( missing my crazy Maisy and mad Murphy :(
We had a lovely meal at the B and B as it is also a restaurant.
Now drugged up and hoping to sleep in the hot weather before heading off early tomorrow.
Tuesday, 16 July 2013
Salisbury to Devizes
Well, a bit of a mixed bag today. Left by 8.15am out of Salisbury, no problems. A nice ride although a few challenging hills which had me gasping for oxygen. Made it safely into Amesbury which is very close to Stonehenge. They are building a new tourist centre and parking facility. In Amesbury I tried to find the road out but was horrified to see that traffic was diverted onto the road I had to travel, called Salisbury Road. It was narrow, steep and chockers with cars, buses, lorries with virtually no room to ride a bike. Well, a bit stumped about what to do. Didn't want to risk it but couldn't turn back. So I rode back into the centre of Amesbury to the tourist information centre to see if they knew of an alternative route. The woman at the centre was very helpful and a bit concerned that I was contemplating riding up this rather steep and busy road. She said that there really wasn't any other way unless I rode on the major highway but that would be certain death.
Ok. Not what I wanted to hear. Move on to plan B...when in doubt, get a taxi. She phoned a friend of hers who agreed that cycling on this particular road was not safe, so a taxi arrived. He was also stunned to hear about the map and route needed, threw the bike in the back and off we went.
Disappointing but now I have had some time to think about it, probably the best choice on the day, despite costing a bit to go by taxi.
Tomorrow is a day in Devizes so will possibly take the public bus out to Avebury which is supposedly even better than Stonehenge.
Devizes is a relatively busy town and has a confusing road system, but I am getting expert at getting lost. I think I might stay in tonight! I can only take so much stress in one day :)
Ok. Not what I wanted to hear. Move on to plan B...when in doubt, get a taxi. She phoned a friend of hers who agreed that cycling on this particular road was not safe, so a taxi arrived. He was also stunned to hear about the map and route needed, threw the bike in the back and off we went.
Disappointing but now I have had some time to think about it, probably the best choice on the day, despite costing a bit to go by taxi.
Tomorrow is a day in Devizes so will possibly take the public bus out to Avebury which is supposedly even better than Stonehenge.
Devizes is a relatively busy town and has a confusing road system, but I am getting expert at getting lost. I think I might stay in tonight! I can only take so much stress in one day :)
Monday, 15 July 2013
Heytesbury to Salisbury
A much better ride today, thank goodness. Weather still quite warm but ok for a ride. Another Iron Donkey rider arrived, an American woman, but she didn't make it from Bath, turned back at the starting point, and caught the train instead. She was supposed to ride from Heytesbury as well but decided to catch the train again.
Anyway, I couldn't convince her to ride along with me so I left at 9.15am and managed to arrive in Salisbury by 11.15am. Easy route to follow. A bit lumpy and bumpy in places.
Spent a couple of hours at Salisbury Cathedral which was stunning! Then it was back on the bike to ride to the Byways Guest House. And wouldn't you know it??? I am on the top floor again but someone else had carried my incredibly heavy suitcase upstairs for me. Yah!!
After a much needed shower, I walked back into Salisbury to have a look around. It is anice enough place, but apart from the Cathedral, not as interesting as Bath. I visited a museum close by to look at a Whistler exhibition. Not all that wonderful.
Grabbed a bite to eat then back to the guesthouse, to plan for the ride tomorrow. All I can say is...wishme luck...bloody confusing...I will get lost Iknow but hopefully not as badly as from Bath. It's around 54km, if I don't take the long way, of course.
Hoping the weather is cooler as I am turning incredibly brown! Despite slathering on sunscreen.
Anyway, I couldn't convince her to ride along with me so I left at 9.15am and managed to arrive in Salisbury by 11.15am. Easy route to follow. A bit lumpy and bumpy in places.
Spent a couple of hours at Salisbury Cathedral which was stunning! Then it was back on the bike to ride to the Byways Guest House. And wouldn't you know it??? I am on the top floor again but someone else had carried my incredibly heavy suitcase upstairs for me. Yah!!
After a much needed shower, I walked back into Salisbury to have a look around. It is anice enough place, but apart from the Cathedral, not as interesting as Bath. I visited a museum close by to look at a Whistler exhibition. Not all that wonderful.
Grabbed a bite to eat then back to the guesthouse, to plan for the ride tomorrow. All I can say is...wishme luck...bloody confusing...I will get lost Iknow but hopefully not as badly as from Bath. It's around 54km, if I don't take the long way, of course.
Hoping the weather is cooler as I am turning incredibly brown! Despite slathering on sunscreen.
Saturday, 13 July 2013
Bath to Heytesbury day 1
OMG...the ride from hell today due to the hot windy weather and having a long ride to start off. I left Bath at 6.30am to beat some of the heat. Didn't really work as I was cycling in the middle of the day anyway.
Not a good start as the Iron Donkey (bike) isn't all that flash, so much for being an upgrade. And then the chain fell off so I had to get thebloody thing back on...grease everywhere. I should have packed afew rubber gloves as suggested by Bruce Colbert! But of course I didn't.
The route was very tricky to follow and I took quite a few wrong turns, one that tookme out onto the busy freeway which was scary and I thought I was going to get knocked off. I managed to get off the highway and back tracked.
The map and route directions didn't list all of the places and signposts were missing, which made it tricky. I was lucky to have another cyclist stop and he rode with me to show me which road to take to get to Longleat Estate (where the mad Lord Bath resides) and then another guy helped me cut through the back tracks to get into the estate. Both were very helpful and kind and I would have taken a lot longer to get there by myself.
The roads in places were quite steep which made it difficult to ride. Hopefully it will be a better ride into Salisbury on Monday. Tomorrows ride is a few choices of circuits around Heytesbury but will see what the weather is like as all the options are quite long. I may just ride to a few places and come back, just to keep my legs working.
Some of the places I did stop at include the ruins of a castle but it was closed, so I just took a few pictures then continued on.
The major stop was at Longleat. The estate has a mini zoo, a theme park for kids, magnificent gardens and grounds plus the house itself. WOW! The house was incredibly excessive - paintings, artwork, rugs..you name it, it was there. It was worth a look and I really needed to get out of the sun and have a chance to hydrate and enjoy a break.
The ride out was a hard slog and eventually the roads evened out a bit. I navigated easily the last part of the ride, thank goodness.
The owners of the B and B, called The Resting Post, are lovely and said that lots of riders get lost out of Bath as the route was very complicated. A few have even turned back and refused to go any further! I felt a bit like this too!
After a much needed shower and throwing my drenched clothing in the wash, I went down to one of two pubs for some refreshments and a meal, which was lovely.
Now to relax and hopefully sleep in and to plan my next ride. Fingers crossed it will be a better ride.
Not a good start as the Iron Donkey (bike) isn't all that flash, so much for being an upgrade. And then the chain fell off so I had to get thebloody thing back on...grease everywhere. I should have packed afew rubber gloves as suggested by Bruce Colbert! But of course I didn't.
The route was very tricky to follow and I took quite a few wrong turns, one that tookme out onto the busy freeway which was scary and I thought I was going to get knocked off. I managed to get off the highway and back tracked.
The map and route directions didn't list all of the places and signposts were missing, which made it tricky. I was lucky to have another cyclist stop and he rode with me to show me which road to take to get to Longleat Estate (where the mad Lord Bath resides) and then another guy helped me cut through the back tracks to get into the estate. Both were very helpful and kind and I would have taken a lot longer to get there by myself.
The roads in places were quite steep which made it difficult to ride. Hopefully it will be a better ride into Salisbury on Monday. Tomorrows ride is a few choices of circuits around Heytesbury but will see what the weather is like as all the options are quite long. I may just ride to a few places and come back, just to keep my legs working.
Some of the places I did stop at include the ruins of a castle but it was closed, so I just took a few pictures then continued on.
The major stop was at Longleat. The estate has a mini zoo, a theme park for kids, magnificent gardens and grounds plus the house itself. WOW! The house was incredibly excessive - paintings, artwork, rugs..you name it, it was there. It was worth a look and I really needed to get out of the sun and have a chance to hydrate and enjoy a break.
The ride out was a hard slog and eventually the roads evened out a bit. I navigated easily the last part of the ride, thank goodness.
The owners of the B and B, called The Resting Post, are lovely and said that lots of riders get lost out of Bath as the route was very complicated. A few have even turned back and refused to go any further! I felt a bit like this too!
After a much needed shower and throwing my drenched clothing in the wash, I went down to one of two pubs for some refreshments and a meal, which was lovely.
Now to relax and hopefully sleep in and to plan my next ride. Fingers crossed it will be a better ride.
Friday, 12 July 2013
Last day in Bath
Another early start to the day. Surprisingly the trains didn't really annoy me as much as I thought they would. Kind of got used to them roaring past. Breakfast then off for the day. First stop was seeing if the Theatre Royal Museum was open but no, closed on Fridays, so walked to the Fashion Museum which is in the Assembly Rooms...where the fashionable people in the late 1700s and 1800s would gather every evening. Unfortunately the Assembly Rooms were being used for a function and were closed to the public, which was disappointing, so I went to the Fashion Museum which had displays of fashion throughout the years, from impossibly impractical dress of the 1600s to famous designers and everything in between. For someone who is not fussed about clothes, it was really interesting to wander through.
Lovely weather again so I didn't mind just wandering around again. I believe I have now walked around every single street, lane, alley way and avenue in Bath :)
My next stop was to look in the Victoria Museum which had two levels of art work, most of it donated by wealthy art patrons. Only three paintings I recognised, including a portrait of Henry VIII by Holborn...but I suspect it was a copy. There were three Gainsboroughs but he lived in Bath for a time so that wasn't unusual. As well, there was a display of glass which I think Rainer would love, plus a gallery of art by local artists, some of which was great and others, well...each to their own, huh?
I walked along the canal again and returned to Raby Place to meet Ian from Iron Donkey to get my bike, maps and directions. The bike is not much of an improvement from last year, despite being an upgrade. Mmmmm, definitely not my beautiful Orbea!
The maps look suitably confusing and I fully expect to get lost and cycletwice the distances I need to! Ian did not inspire me with confidence, saying that some of the routes are not well sign posted. Great. And I'll have to navigate along one section of a major road leading into Stonehenge. Great x 2 because I know the bit he is referring to and yes, it is busy with buses and cars and trucks. I will see how that pans out when that day arrives.
So...tomorrow is cycling day 1 - Bath to Heytesbury via Bradford on Avon, which is approximately 67 kilometres. Give or take a few kilometres for getting lost. The highlight, should I find my way there, of course, is stopping at Longleat Estate, the home of the slightly eccentric Lord Bath, who has a wife and multiple mistresses and a couple of anxious sons who wish him to fall off the perch so they can take over the estate. Or so I have been informed.
Hopefully my next post will be from Heytesbury, but if you don't hear from me again, you'll know that I am lost.
Lovely weather again so I didn't mind just wandering around again. I believe I have now walked around every single street, lane, alley way and avenue in Bath :)
My next stop was to look in the Victoria Museum which had two levels of art work, most of it donated by wealthy art patrons. Only three paintings I recognised, including a portrait of Henry VIII by Holborn...but I suspect it was a copy. There were three Gainsboroughs but he lived in Bath for a time so that wasn't unusual. As well, there was a display of glass which I think Rainer would love, plus a gallery of art by local artists, some of which was great and others, well...each to their own, huh?
I walked along the canal again and returned to Raby Place to meet Ian from Iron Donkey to get my bike, maps and directions. The bike is not much of an improvement from last year, despite being an upgrade. Mmmmm, definitely not my beautiful Orbea!
The maps look suitably confusing and I fully expect to get lost and cycletwice the distances I need to! Ian did not inspire me with confidence, saying that some of the routes are not well sign posted. Great. And I'll have to navigate along one section of a major road leading into Stonehenge. Great x 2 because I know the bit he is referring to and yes, it is busy with buses and cars and trucks. I will see how that pans out when that day arrives.
So...tomorrow is cycling day 1 - Bath to Heytesbury via Bradford on Avon, which is approximately 67 kilometres. Give or take a few kilometres for getting lost. The highlight, should I find my way there, of course, is stopping at Longleat Estate, the home of the slightly eccentric Lord Bath, who has a wife and multiple mistresses and a couple of anxious sons who wish him to fall off the perch so they can take over the estate. Or so I have been informed.
Hopefully my next post will be from Heytesbury, but if you don't hear from me again, you'll know that I am lost.
Thursday, 11 July 2013
Roman Baths
So...another day in Bath. Another 6am wake up. Weather still nice, a little cooler I guess, which had lots of people wearing coats and long sleeves. Really??? It isn't cold folks. But this is said by the person who LOVES winter and enjoys a lovely brisk 11 degrees :)
My plan for today was to get into the Roman Baths before huge queues developed and I actually could walk right in and join a small line, getting in within 5 minutes. Unheard of! Once in, I spent a long time walking through all of the different areas, which was interesting...especially the ruins underneath the baths. The history behind the construction, development and building of the baths is facinating. Google it :)
A couple of hours later and it was starting to get very crowded - lots of school kids ( noooooooooo!) so that was my cue to leave.
What to do next? I decided to walk around the outskirts of Bath which took an hour or two. The buildings are amazing! With equally amazing price tags.
I had some time to kill before I had to check out so I took another open top bus tour. Nice sunny weather, fresh air...lots of medication for travel sickness and hay fever...double doses of each. Magic!
I then walked to the Holburne Museum which was holding an exhibition of Rembrandt and his contemporaries. Not a huge fan of Rembrandt or Dutch painters in general, but it was good to see some of the art work from the Royal collection.
The museum also had three floors of various pieces of art, sculpture and the personal collection from the Holburne family. Obviously a very wealthy and influential family in the 1800s.
Just across the road from here was Number 4 Sydney Place, one of the houses were Jane Austen lived.
Time to head back to Henrietta House to collect my stored luggage and walk to my next accommodation - No. 14 Raby Place. A lovely building but OMG! Try hauling a very heavy suitcase up 6 flights of stairs. No lift this time. Anyway, my gym sessions have paid off and I managed without damage to house,my knees or the luggage.
Ian, from Iron Donkey, had to change his time to catch up with me to Friday, so I will have one more day in Bath before I set off. I will visit a few more museums which I discovered on my multiple walks around.
My final walk for today was suggestec by Muriel, the elderly lady who owns this huge B&B (I wonder how she manages to climb all these stairs every day???) It was along the canal to see all of the locks and the barges that travel up and down through each lock. Amazing to see how the skippers on each barge navigate through.
My room, at high altitude, does have a lovely view but a train line runs along the back, partially obscured but still quite loud, so I have swapped screeching seagulls on steroids and loud Spanish tourists, for express trains every 25 minutes. Will let you know which one is more annoying :)
My plan for today was to get into the Roman Baths before huge queues developed and I actually could walk right in and join a small line, getting in within 5 minutes. Unheard of! Once in, I spent a long time walking through all of the different areas, which was interesting...especially the ruins underneath the baths. The history behind the construction, development and building of the baths is facinating. Google it :)
A couple of hours later and it was starting to get very crowded - lots of school kids ( noooooooooo!) so that was my cue to leave.
What to do next? I decided to walk around the outskirts of Bath which took an hour or two. The buildings are amazing! With equally amazing price tags.
I had some time to kill before I had to check out so I took another open top bus tour. Nice sunny weather, fresh air...lots of medication for travel sickness and hay fever...double doses of each. Magic!
I then walked to the Holburne Museum which was holding an exhibition of Rembrandt and his contemporaries. Not a huge fan of Rembrandt or Dutch painters in general, but it was good to see some of the art work from the Royal collection.
The museum also had three floors of various pieces of art, sculpture and the personal collection from the Holburne family. Obviously a very wealthy and influential family in the 1800s.
Just across the road from here was Number 4 Sydney Place, one of the houses were Jane Austen lived.
Time to head back to Henrietta House to collect my stored luggage and walk to my next accommodation - No. 14 Raby Place. A lovely building but OMG! Try hauling a very heavy suitcase up 6 flights of stairs. No lift this time. Anyway, my gym sessions have paid off and I managed without damage to house,my knees or the luggage.
Ian, from Iron Donkey, had to change his time to catch up with me to Friday, so I will have one more day in Bath before I set off. I will visit a few more museums which I discovered on my multiple walks around.
My final walk for today was suggestec by Muriel, the elderly lady who owns this huge B&B (I wonder how she manages to climb all these stairs every day???) It was along the canal to see all of the locks and the barges that travel up and down through each lock. Amazing to see how the skippers on each barge navigate through.
My room, at high altitude, does have a lovely view but a train line runs along the back, partially obscured but still quite loud, so I have swapped screeching seagulls on steroids and loud Spanish tourists, for express trains every 25 minutes. Will let you know which one is more annoying :)
Wednesday, 10 July 2013
Exploring Bath
Another early start - waking up at 6am is becoming a habit. After breakfast it was time to meet Nigel from Razorcat Trike Tours. He arrived on a massive bike and after introductions, getting kitted up and checking that I was good to go, off we roared. He took me around Bath before heading to the smaller towns and villages on the outskirts. We stopped at a few places on the way for a few photos and finally ended up at a pretty little village called Castle Combe. It has been used as film sets for movies like War Horse and Doctor Dolittle. A few more photos, then we started the return journey home. Nigel said he wouldn't speed...too much...it was awesome!!! Well worth the money.
Back in Bath, it was cheerio to Nigel and off I went, to do some more exploring. I was told that the walking track along the River Avon was quite pretty and it certainly was. I got distracted by a sign advertising river cruise, which was about to depart. So i paid my £8 and settledback to listen to the commentary by the guide.
Bloody hell!!! More noisy Spanish speaking people with a very loud child came on board and they didn't shut up. A wonderfully British lady with the most poshest accent turned around and said " SSSHHHHHHH" which shut them up. She then kept on glaring at them every time they dared open their mouths. She was wonderful, and we could actually hear what was being said.The cruise took about an hour - a nice change of pace.
When we got back, I walked around the walking track along the river and then crossed one of the many bridges to get back to the city centre. I discovered more streets and alley ways to explore and popped up by the Roman Baths.The line to get in was massive so didn't bother going into the main part, just stuck my head around by the restaurant to take a few pictures.
I ventured into Bath Abbey, where the lines to get in were smaller. It was really magical - the stained glass windows, the huge ceilings and the music playing. Loads of people were simply sitting and listening and enjoying. Ahhhh...nice...
Ok, back into it. I jumped on the city hop-on, hop-offbus for a circuit of the city. It was great to listen to the history of the city and the gorgeous buildings. When this tour finished, Ihopped off...and hopped on to the Skyline bus which circles the city and up into the hills, where the views were spectacular. And some of the houses were WOW...oh to be rich!!
Back into the city again, I decided that was it for the day so headed back to Henrietta for an early night.
Tomorrow - leaving Henrietta House and moving to the starting point for my cycling trip - another B&B which is not too far away so will attempt to walk there with my bulging luggage.
I will try to find a laundry to do some washing and then visit the
Holburne Museum which houses quite a few famous art works.Later in the day I am meeting Ian from Iron Donkey to get organised for the bike ride. woo!
Back in Bath, it was cheerio to Nigel and off I went, to do some more exploring. I was told that the walking track along the River Avon was quite pretty and it certainly was. I got distracted by a sign advertising river cruise, which was about to depart. So i paid my £8 and settledback to listen to the commentary by the guide.
Bloody hell!!! More noisy Spanish speaking people with a very loud child came on board and they didn't shut up. A wonderfully British lady with the most poshest accent turned around and said " SSSHHHHHHH" which shut them up. She then kept on glaring at them every time they dared open their mouths. She was wonderful, and we could actually hear what was being said.The cruise took about an hour - a nice change of pace.
When we got back, I walked around the walking track along the river and then crossed one of the many bridges to get back to the city centre. I discovered more streets and alley ways to explore and popped up by the Roman Baths.The line to get in was massive so didn't bother going into the main part, just stuck my head around by the restaurant to take a few pictures.
I ventured into Bath Abbey, where the lines to get in were smaller. It was really magical - the stained glass windows, the huge ceilings and the music playing. Loads of people were simply sitting and listening and enjoying. Ahhhh...nice...
Ok, back into it. I jumped on the city hop-on, hop-offbus for a circuit of the city. It was great to listen to the history of the city and the gorgeous buildings. When this tour finished, Ihopped off...and hopped on to the Skyline bus which circles the city and up into the hills, where the views were spectacular. And some of the houses were WOW...oh to be rich!!
Back into the city again, I decided that was it for the day so headed back to Henrietta for an early night.
Tomorrow - leaving Henrietta House and moving to the starting point for my cycling trip - another B&B which is not too far away so will attempt to walk there with my bulging luggage.
I will try to find a laundry to do some washing and then visit the
Holburne Museum which houses quite a few famous art works.Later in the day I am meeting Ian from Iron Donkey to get organised for the bike ride. woo!
Tuesday, 9 July 2013
London to Bath
Today I caught the train from Paddington to Bath. Again, another warm day with people commenting on this "hot heatwave" and the news reporting on an increase in demand for ambulance call-outs to attend heat related illness and collapse and...get this, sun-burn! Well, if whities will lay about in the sun "sun bathing", what do they expect?
It took about 1 and a half hours to get to Bath. I was planning on walking to my accommodation but wasn't sure if I would make it wheeling my suitcase across cobblestones and uphill. So took a taxi with a chatty cabbie who told me about some of the places to visit.
Henrietta House is a B & B right in the heart of Bath. It is an old four story house, decorated with older furniture, and Carole will be pleased to know, a very steep staircase :) But luckily for me, they have an elevator :) as I' m on the third floor.
After arriving, and armed with a map, I went exploring, which comprised of walking around, often in circles, down little side streets and then made my way to the Jane Austen Centre, which my sisters and I visited last year. This time I stayed for the talk and a look around the exhibition, which was very interesting. Well worth the money. Then I walked on to the Circle and the Crescent, both of which were used in my most favourite movie "Persuasion".
I visited Number 1 The Royal Crescent which was the first house built in the Royal Crescent. It has been restored to how it would have looked like in the late 1700s. Talk about amazing! In the servants' hall, there was a large wheel, resembling a giant mouse wheel, called a dog wheel. The idea was to put a dog in there, which then ran turning the wheel, which in turn, turned a cooking spit!! Very cruel but effective. Watch out Maisy and Murphy :)
From here, I took a different path back, which was confusing but all part of the adventure. There were too many people lining up to visit the Roman Baths so will leave that for another time. So I just kept on walking and checking out the shops.
Decided to have pizza for tea at an Italian (yes, odd, I know) restaurant. I got directions about how to get back to Henrietta House, and made it back in one piece.
It is still light at the moment, at 9.15pm, and my body clock still hasn't adjusted. Going to bed very late and waking by 6am. I think I will sleep well on the plane home!
It is very noisy outside - people and the loudest and biggest seagulls that I have ever seen! I would hate one of them to swoop and pinch my food!
Tomorrow I am going on a RazorCat tour - on a motor bike crossed with a trike :) This will take me on a tour to Castle Combe and the surrounding areas. Should be great fun :)
It took about 1 and a half hours to get to Bath. I was planning on walking to my accommodation but wasn't sure if I would make it wheeling my suitcase across cobblestones and uphill. So took a taxi with a chatty cabbie who told me about some of the places to visit.
Henrietta House is a B & B right in the heart of Bath. It is an old four story house, decorated with older furniture, and Carole will be pleased to know, a very steep staircase :) But luckily for me, they have an elevator :) as I' m on the third floor.
After arriving, and armed with a map, I went exploring, which comprised of walking around, often in circles, down little side streets and then made my way to the Jane Austen Centre, which my sisters and I visited last year. This time I stayed for the talk and a look around the exhibition, which was very interesting. Well worth the money. Then I walked on to the Circle and the Crescent, both of which were used in my most favourite movie "Persuasion".
I visited Number 1 The Royal Crescent which was the first house built in the Royal Crescent. It has been restored to how it would have looked like in the late 1700s. Talk about amazing! In the servants' hall, there was a large wheel, resembling a giant mouse wheel, called a dog wheel. The idea was to put a dog in there, which then ran turning the wheel, which in turn, turned a cooking spit!! Very cruel but effective. Watch out Maisy and Murphy :)
From here, I took a different path back, which was confusing but all part of the adventure. There were too many people lining up to visit the Roman Baths so will leave that for another time. So I just kept on walking and checking out the shops.
Decided to have pizza for tea at an Italian (yes, odd, I know) restaurant. I got directions about how to get back to Henrietta House, and made it back in one piece.
It is still light at the moment, at 9.15pm, and my body clock still hasn't adjusted. Going to bed very late and waking by 6am. I think I will sleep well on the plane home!
It is very noisy outside - people and the loudest and biggest seagulls that I have ever seen! I would hate one of them to swoop and pinch my food!
Tomorrow I am going on a RazorCat tour - on a motor bike crossed with a trike :) This will take me on a tour to Castle Combe and the surrounding areas. Should be great fun :)
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