1st May till Sat 14th May

I am very behind with the blogging, sorry.
Day 2 at Chester we travelled to Liverpool and stopped along the way at a National Boat Museum(there are several) This one was about the immediate area around Ellesmere and was about the canals and canal boats. It was very good and we spent a bit of time there.
Then it was on to cross the Mersey (remember the song "ferry cross the Mersey" Gerry and the Pacemakers). Well we didn't cross by ferry but went through the tunnel under the Mersey.

We drove around for a while and ended up in a car park somewhere on the edge of the city and walked through the mall down toward the dock area. There was a spring festival on and lots of people, boats, displays etc. We had a walk around and then did a boat cruise of the quay and then went on the hop on hop off bus to have a look at Liverpool.
Drove back to Chester via the old tunnel under the Mersey and out to a popular pub for dinner where we had Sunday roast with the biggest Yorkshire puddings I have ever seen. (at least five or six inches in diameter).

Day 3 saw us have a leisurely breakfast and check out as Stew's train wasn't until 11.30. We left him at approx 11 to go on our way to Sheffield.

We had 2 nights in Sheffield having a look around and going to a couple of museums but it isn't really a tourist place as such.

Then we went to Derby to Owen's cousin. We arrived too early so left our car at the park and ride and went into the main town and had a walk around but it wasn't all that big so got back and had some time to kill before Cath got home around 4.15.
It didn't seem like 2 years since we were there last and they thought it was only 1 year.
We just picked up where we left off from their family came around for dinner which was really nice.
Next day we travelled into the Peak district and went to Crompton Mill, and a flour mill and looked at canals. Also went to a tram museum and had a ride on a double decker old tram. Then on to our accommodation for then night in a pub in Ashton in the Water. It was better than we had expected for a pub and the meal was great.

Next day we went to see Chatsworth House where the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire reside. Very impressive from the outside and the estate was fabulous. The house was very impressive and very ornate, lots of painted ceilings and just so happened there was a floral display for 3 days and that was great. Lots to look at inside and out. Lots of tulips in and around the garden. Back to the pub for another lovely meal.
Next day went to an area where there are lots of caves and can't think of the name of it at the moment. Woke up to rain today but not cold. Went down into a huge cavern and cave. People used to live and work making rope in the cavern. The stench must have been awful.
We then went on to Bakewell and for walk around and then back to Derby for a leisurely afternoon before heading out for dinner.
Paul had promised us a splendid Sunday roast and he delivered. I got a lesson on making Yorkshire pudding and then we left them around 2.30 to head south towards Exeter and we stayed the night at a hotel half way.
Unfortunately the hotel had a wedding on in a marqee and they had loud music and then a family above us were running and jumping around at 1 or 2am so not a great night's sleep.

We were up and out of the hotel just after 8am so decided to go to Plymouth on the coast before arriving at Owen's other cousin's house.
Got down to Plymouth and had a drive around then parked the car and started to walk towards a quay area and saw a sign for a cruise in half an hour. It only cost 6pound which we thought was ok and went around the docks and into the Tamar river. The weather today was overcast and windy. Well that was 6pound well spent it was a lengthy cruise and we would never have seen it all from the road. What a huge area and also the biggest Naval dock area although not many ships as they are all deployed. We then headed off to Topsham arriving around 2.30pm.

Had a lovely dinner and next day we went off on the train to ride up the coast to Teignmouth and Torquay on a train that runs right beside the water. It wasn't rough so no splashing up onto the train. Got back to Topsham around 3 and went out for dinner to an Italian place. It was good to catch up with Sheila and Ted as they had come up to London for the wedding but we hadn't been able to spend a lot of time with them.

Wed 11th we travelled back up to London to Matt and Jana's flat. We met up with Stew and had dinner at his flat (oh my goodness, can't believe what he is paying for one bedroom which is tiny)
Then back to Matt and Jana's for bed.
Next day(Thurs) we took the car back and went into Kingston and did some shopping and then home to cook dinner. Stew also came for dinner.

Friday we went into London to catch a boat to Hampton Court Palace. It was a good cruise, long and got a little chilly but no rain. It took over 3 hrs and we went through 1 lock. We then bussed it back into Kingston to make some enquiries re something we had purchased and eventually got back to the flat around 5.30pm.
Matt and Jana's wedding gifts arrived from their registry so it was unnpacking time. We then went out to a Brazilian place for dinner very late. We are not used to eating so late at night and we were so full.

Well only 2 whole days left and then an afternoon flight out on Monday. So will be back to Aus in 4days. I think I am just about ready.