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.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Sunday, May 01, 2011
Saturday 30th
Got up and had a big brekky and then waited for the first red hop on hop off bus just across the road. The tour went for an hour and gave us a good look at Chester then back to get the car and travelled back into Wales to find the aquaducts and viaducts (canals and train bridges) to show Stew. We went to Llangolen and that was very pretty and very busy and on to Trevor to see the aquaduct there which is 120ft high. We then found our way to Chirk to see where the aquaduct and viaduct run side by side. We had missed this one last time and Owen really wanted to see it.
Then back to Chester to catch the bus into town to have a look at the covered walkways over the shops. We also walked along part of the wall of Chester as it is a walled city like York.
We then headed back to our hotel for dinner.
Then back to Chester to catch the bus into town to have a look at the covered walkways over the shops. We also walked along part of the wall of Chester as it is a walled city like York.
We then headed back to our hotel for dinner.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday 28th and Friday 29th
We headed off for Cardiff around 9am. It was not very far and of course we used the motorway. We had arrived there by 10am too early for our hotel.
We headed into the city and found a car park and Cardiff castle. We went onto the hop on hop off bus first and that gave us a good feel for the city and then on it's return went into the castle which had had many repairs and styles.
We came out and had a quick look at a music shop but by then had to go back to our car as the time was up. We went for a drive to try to find an area I wanted to look at but ended up just driving along and found a nice coastal town and stopped for a short time and then headed back to our hotel.
Oh what a change from the one before. Lovely room, roomy, tasteful and just very nice all around. Dinner was nice too.
Friday we left again around 9am to take a leisurely drive to Chester where we are staying for 3 nights.
It was lovely just driving through the Welsh countryside and towns. Nothing stands out but it was just nice. At one stage we were up quite high and it was 9degrees but by the time we got to Chester it was 18deg.
Arrived around 3pm and came into our hotel. Interesting. Floor level in the bathroom differs by nearly 4inches. It's quite funny as they said they had upgraded us to a Superior room. Stew arrived by train around 5.20. We came up to the room and chatted and then the fire alarm went off. By this stage we had decided to go out for dinner anyway so we left.
We found a restaurant that had Thai and Japanese food. We opted to go with the Teppanyaki menu. That was a bit of fun. So now I am catching up with the blog. I might even get some pics up in the next day or so.
We headed into the city and found a car park and Cardiff castle. We went onto the hop on hop off bus first and that gave us a good feel for the city and then on it's return went into the castle which had had many repairs and styles.
We came out and had a quick look at a music shop but by then had to go back to our car as the time was up. We went for a drive to try to find an area I wanted to look at but ended up just driving along and found a nice coastal town and stopped for a short time and then headed back to our hotel.
Oh what a change from the one before. Lovely room, roomy, tasteful and just very nice all around. Dinner was nice too.
Friday we left again around 9am to take a leisurely drive to Chester where we are staying for 3 nights.
It was lovely just driving through the Welsh countryside and towns. Nothing stands out but it was just nice. At one stage we were up quite high and it was 9degrees but by the time we got to Chester it was 18deg.
Arrived around 3pm and came into our hotel. Interesting. Floor level in the bathroom differs by nearly 4inches. It's quite funny as they said they had upgraded us to a Superior room. Stew arrived by train around 5.20. We came up to the room and chatted and then the fire alarm went off. By this stage we had decided to go out for dinner anyway so we left.
We found a restaurant that had Thai and Japanese food. We opted to go with the Teppanyaki menu. That was a bit of fun. So now I am catching up with the blog. I might even get some pics up in the next day or so.
Sunday 24th to Wed 27th
Sunday we spent the day with our friends from Mill Park. We rode the buses most of the day. Twenty six pounds and it gave us 6 different bus routes to do. Just hop on and off where you want.
We did the blue one first, stopped had something to drink, onto the red route and that took ages then off again at Trafalgar Square to have another drink and thent he yellow route but we got on the wrong side of the road and ended up doing the whole thing and we didn't get off the bus until after 6pm. The weather had been great for the open top bus. It was also very busy being Easter and the coming royal wedding. We went out for dinner and finally got home at 9.10
Monday we looked after Mackenzie so that Katherine and Dave could do some shopping and mum and John also had an easy morning planned. We all went down to Wimbledon park with Mackenzie and it was very busy. She of course loved it.
Mum and John left at 2pm to go to their hotel for the night as their tour of England, Scotland and Ireland left on the Tues morning.
Matt and Jana and Stew came for dinner that night.
Tuesday saw us packing up and leaving the house. We left at 10am to go to Kingston to pick up our rental car and Katherine and co left around 10.30 to go to Stew's new house (which was Matt's old house). They stayed there for the next 2 nights until they flew out on Thursday. (they have arrived home and are now having to adjust.)
Tuesday we headed out without Jane's help and found Brookland race track and the Mercede Benz museum. We only went into the Brooklands museum which had old cars, racing cars and some of the old track. Also planes. It was quite good.
We then got out Jane (our gps) and found out we hadn't even got past Heathrow.
We travelled to Bath and found our accommodation. We had been last time but we felt we hadn't done it justice. We had two nights here. We were a bit disappointed with our accomodation. The size of the ensuite was no bigger than a wardrobe and adjusting the water was interesting.
On Wednesday we went to the American museum. It is the only wholly American museum outside of the US.
I was mainly there to see the quilts. They were great but of course we weren't allowed to take pictures and the book was very heavy so didn't buy it.
We found a Chinese buffet for dinner which was nice and when we got back someone had turned on the heater and our room was like a furnace. Glad to leave to the next morning.
We did the blue one first, stopped had something to drink, onto the red route and that took ages then off again at Trafalgar Square to have another drink and thent he yellow route but we got on the wrong side of the road and ended up doing the whole thing and we didn't get off the bus until after 6pm. The weather had been great for the open top bus. It was also very busy being Easter and the coming royal wedding. We went out for dinner and finally got home at 9.10
Monday we looked after Mackenzie so that Katherine and Dave could do some shopping and mum and John also had an easy morning planned. We all went down to Wimbledon park with Mackenzie and it was very busy. She of course loved it.
Mum and John left at 2pm to go to their hotel for the night as their tour of England, Scotland and Ireland left on the Tues morning.
Matt and Jana and Stew came for dinner that night.
Tuesday saw us packing up and leaving the house. We left at 10am to go to Kingston to pick up our rental car and Katherine and co left around 10.30 to go to Stew's new house (which was Matt's old house). They stayed there for the next 2 nights until they flew out on Thursday. (they have arrived home and are now having to adjust.)
Tuesday we headed out without Jane's help and found Brookland race track and the Mercede Benz museum. We only went into the Brooklands museum which had old cars, racing cars and some of the old track. Also planes. It was quite good.
We then got out Jane (our gps) and found out we hadn't even got past Heathrow.
We travelled to Bath and found our accommodation. We had been last time but we felt we hadn't done it justice. We had two nights here. We were a bit disappointed with our accomodation. The size of the ensuite was no bigger than a wardrobe and adjusting the water was interesting.
On Wednesday we went to the American museum. It is the only wholly American museum outside of the US.
I was mainly there to see the quilts. They were great but of course we weren't allowed to take pictures and the book was very heavy so didn't buy it.
We found a Chinese buffet for dinner which was nice and when we got back someone had turned on the heater and our room was like a furnace. Glad to leave to the next morning.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
The Church Wedding 23rd April 2011
Well apologies for not keeping up with my writing but it has been busy.
Saturday the sun was up early and it was going to be 25deg for the day, possibility of rain late afternoon.
Up early so as to be able to all get a shower in. Katherine not feeling well, Taxi arrived at 10.50 and we were in Kingston by11.20.
The church was decorated with lots of vases of flowers and white petals down either side of the aisle. It looked very pretty. The girl in charge had done a lovely job. She had been there since 6am that morning.
There was a bit of an upset with the bridesmaids dresses. A mix up with the sizes saw one girl trying to wear a 10 when she was a 12 and after alot of tooing and froing one of the girls gave up her dress and squashed herself into the 10.
Mackenzie got into her dress and thought it was great and of course she looked so pretty.(unfortunately Owen didn't manage to get a pic of her.)
The boys were there in their suits looking very spiffy or should I say "dapper"
Our friends had arrived by train before us and Owen,s cousins from Topsham also arrived. Mackenzie had on her dress and was running around. Then we found out Jana was running late. Very late.
She had said she would be there by 12.10pm but unfortunately didn't leave home till 12 and then got caught in a huge traffic jam and at least one and a half hours later finally arrived.
Anyway the wedding went off well and it was very relaxed and had light moments too.Both sets of parents were asked if they would release their son/daughter which I thought was nice.
Matt was a bit emotional and he made us all cry too.
They had written their vows to say at the church service,(and as they had had their official ceremony and signed the register on the Wednesday), they signed them instead and then had all the family members sign them also.
We then went out to the foyer area where the high tea was set up and we had the cutting of the cake and also the speeches and of course food and drink.
I think I forgot to mention there were 7, yes seven, bridesmaids and 4 groomsmen.
Also a junior bridesmaid and a flowergirl and a pageboy who got carried down the aisle.
After that we went to Richmond park for more photos. Unfortunately our taxi driver got lost and dropped us off a long way from where we had to go and by the time we got there we were very tired and the feet weren't too impressed either.
We left them in the park having even more pics taken and we got a lift to our bus stop and we headed for home. By the time the bus got to where we had to change buses, it was raining and we all got rather wet. There had been lots of thunder and dark clouds whilst we were at the park but the bridal party did not get wet.
We were all quite tired by the time we got home.
Saturday the sun was up early and it was going to be 25deg for the day, possibility of rain late afternoon.
Up early so as to be able to all get a shower in. Katherine not feeling well, Taxi arrived at 10.50 and we were in Kingston by11.20.
The church was decorated with lots of vases of flowers and white petals down either side of the aisle. It looked very pretty. The girl in charge had done a lovely job. She had been there since 6am that morning.
There was a bit of an upset with the bridesmaids dresses. A mix up with the sizes saw one girl trying to wear a 10 when she was a 12 and after alot of tooing and froing one of the girls gave up her dress and squashed herself into the 10.
Mackenzie got into her dress and thought it was great and of course she looked so pretty.(unfortunately Owen didn't manage to get a pic of her.)
The boys were there in their suits looking very spiffy or should I say "dapper"
Our friends had arrived by train before us and Owen,s cousins from Topsham also arrived. Mackenzie had on her dress and was running around. Then we found out Jana was running late. Very late.
She had said she would be there by 12.10pm but unfortunately didn't leave home till 12 and then got caught in a huge traffic jam and at least one and a half hours later finally arrived.
Anyway the wedding went off well and it was very relaxed and had light moments too.Both sets of parents were asked if they would release their son/daughter which I thought was nice.
Matt was a bit emotional and he made us all cry too.
They had written their vows to say at the church service,(and as they had had their official ceremony and signed the register on the Wednesday), they signed them instead and then had all the family members sign them also.
We then went out to the foyer area where the high tea was set up and we had the cutting of the cake and also the speeches and of course food and drink.
I think I forgot to mention there were 7, yes seven, bridesmaids and 4 groomsmen.
Also a junior bridesmaid and a flowergirl and a pageboy who got carried down the aisle.
After that we went to Richmond park for more photos. Unfortunately our taxi driver got lost and dropped us off a long way from where we had to go and by the time we got there we were very tired and the feet weren't too impressed either.
We left them in the park having even more pics taken and we got a lift to our bus stop and we headed for home. By the time the bus got to where we had to change buses, it was raining and we all got rather wet. There had been lots of thunder and dark clouds whilst we were at the park but the bridal party did not get wet.
We were all quite tired by the time we got home.
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