Oakthorpe Hotel
Lake District, Windemere
CUMBRIA, England, UK
Day 110
Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth are the two English writers i most admire. Well, that is, apart from Dickens, Hardy, Chaucer, Bronte's and others..Ok, there are lots...but as far as the Lake District authors these two would have to be the most colorful. There are others..ie Elizabeth Gaskill lived here too...(she wrote the autobiography of Emily Bronte)..
But Beatrix Potter has been a long time favourite..remembering as a child her Tales of Peter Rabbit and Flopsy Bunnies, Benjamin Rabbit and Mrs Tittlemose! As has Wordsworth (because of his Daffodil poem...'Ten thousand saw i at a glance'..which was written about daffodils in Gold Barrow Park in Oldswater, and not Grasmere, as it turns out!)
And we were privileged to have seen where both lived, and where both wrote...
First was William Wordsworth.
He has a history that unless the 'insider's' tell you about, you'd probably never know. That is according to them anyway. He had a child in France, when he lived there in his youth. And before he came back to the Lake District to wrote about daffodils and other things of beauty...a very renowned poet of his time, and lesser known now, in our time, but no less worthy.
He was born in Grasmere. A village not far from Windemere and considered to be part of Windemere. And he died there, and was subsequently buried there. We saw where he was laid to rest, he and his wife and family.
The plot is next to a church and a daffodil park. My favourite flower....one that Grandpop used to grow and nurture in our garden when we were kids..(there are daffodils still there in Wordsworth's garden that we photographed...
We also saw the Gingerbread Cottage that is next door as well...this was originally a school house where William Wordsworth and his wife Mary used to teach..which became a place where they produced Gingerbread..and still do today...and let me tell you...it IS delicious. We bought some and nibbled it all the way back home that night after we bought it!
Then was Beatrix Potter.
We headed on to Hilltop where Beatrix Potter lived after she moved out from her parents home in London...when she was about 37 i might add. What a gorgeous little English house this is, made more famous by the recent movie called, 'Miss Potter'. (although Hilltop was not used in the movie, a local cafe that was also part of the National Trust was used for the shoot as too many tourists were wanting to go to Hilltop).
At Hilltop, i bought a rabbit, Peter Rabbit. I had been thinking how boring it is to have only Greg and i in all our photos...and that it might be better to have something else to take the attention of us, so this is it...Our own baby...aww...Peter Rabbit!!!!
And no, I'm not going crazy...i was inspired by learning that Beatrix Potter used to put her characters into real settings, in her books, and then publish them...(in her house at Hilltop there are examples of these inanimate objects such as dressing tables, her bed, ornaments etc..and also scenes, in books that are displayed for the public to see)...
And i also remembered Cazza putting Noddy into some of her pictures..and thought...yes, that's what we can do. Put our Peter Rabbit into our pictures, instead of us, boring ourselves, with pictures of us!!
By the way...just wanted to say...we're in an internet cafe down the street from our hostal..and Robbie Williams' song..Sin, Sin, Sin, is blaring out....oh it sounds SO GOOD!
About Beatrix Potter...
She was an amazing lady. She married quite late...in her forties, at about 47 i think it is. And she married a lawyer who worked in Grasmere. She kept Hilltop, her first farm purchase in the Lake District and together with her husband bought anther property to live in after they were married.....
Then, due to her books being so popular and successful, she later bought 14 properties in the area. Mainly because she didn't want other people to buy the propery...and to exploit the area...and partly because she wanted to protect the Lakeland sheep in the area.
When she died, she bequeathed all the properties to the National Trust. Excluding her marital home which she bequeathed to her husband. He later died (only 5 years after her even though he was a bit younger than her) and he also bequeathed that property to the National Trust. They had no children.
The properties are just beautiful. She wanted them all to remain as she left them, but apparently the National Trust has rented out some and gone against her wishes which some are protesting to this day.
We learned so much about this remarkable farming lady.....
But, there was another surprise...
We caught a little boat over the lakes, to John Ruskin, the writer and philosopher's, home..
And that was JUST GORGEOUS.
He was the man who literally invented libraries.
What a wonderful day...
We got back to Windemere in the evening, and decided to venture out..and found a cute litte bar..that served....Roast and Yorkshire pudding...(this time, no gravy for me!)
Our last English meal before Scotland..
PS William Wordsworth's poem
'I wandered lonely as a Cloud' , written in 1807. He later altered it, and his second version, published in 1815, is the one widely known today.
'I wandered lonely as a Cloud' by William Wordsworth
I wandered lonely as a Cloud
That floats on high o'er Vales and Hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:-
A poet could not but be gay
In such a jocund company:
I gazed-and gazed-but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude,
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the Daffodils
Monday, 18 June 2007
WHY?
Ok.
I asked the question why. Why are we doing this? Travelling around the world for a year?
Because it broadens and expands our horizons. Allows us to experience the world. See how other cultures live.
In a way, being away like we are is a huge challenge. And different to travelling abroad and working in a country, and living in that culture, experience that way of life (which we'd love to do after this 'reconnaiscence'.
We've had to adjust to each other's ideas and ideals about travelling and what we expect and want out of this trip.
We've also had to adjust to each other's nuiances and habits as well. We're together 24/7 and this can be a challenge for couples. So far, we've been very fortunate to be able to accomodate each other's wishes and needs and have been flexible enough to be able to be sensitive to the other.
It could be quite a test of a relationship. And it has been. We've negotiated our differences from the outset. Constantly reevaluating our relationship and how we manage things. Each time a new challenge arises we're able to talk and discuss it and compromise. Which has been good.
Funny how the little things become important when you're travelling. Like laundry, food, sleep, what to see, what not to see, where to travel next, what to miss out and what to include. Even thing like reading and internet use have to be negotiated with each other. What happens when one wants to read, and the other wants the light off?
We've had to adapt to being in confined spaces together, all the time. On buses, trains, in hotel rooms, on tours. And adjusting to not having friends and family to discuss issues with and mull things over with.
I am very aware that not one person can have all the qualities that we need, that we have friends of all types of personalities that 'give' us the things we 'need' to grown as people.
We've had to rely on each other and to know when the other needs space as well.
As time goes on, and as we're travelling together on this journey, i'm still constantly amazed that two people can spend so much time together, and yet in that togetherness, know when to be apart.
It's a good feeling.
But as to the 'why' of this adventure...
I thought i had the answer to that when we started..and yet, now as we're only a quarter of the way through, i'm reassessing..and asking myself a new why....
Why indeed.
I'll have to think some more about that question!
But! I think the real answer to why we're doing this trip is...
Because we want to!
What better answer could there be than that.
:-)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I asked the question why. Why are we doing this? Travelling around the world for a year?
Because it broadens and expands our horizons. Allows us to experience the world. See how other cultures live.
In a way, being away like we are is a huge challenge. And different to travelling abroad and working in a country, and living in that culture, experience that way of life (which we'd love to do after this 'reconnaiscence'.
We've had to adjust to each other's ideas and ideals about travelling and what we expect and want out of this trip.
We've also had to adjust to each other's nuiances and habits as well. We're together 24/7 and this can be a challenge for couples. So far, we've been very fortunate to be able to accomodate each other's wishes and needs and have been flexible enough to be able to be sensitive to the other.
It could be quite a test of a relationship. And it has been. We've negotiated our differences from the outset. Constantly reevaluating our relationship and how we manage things. Each time a new challenge arises we're able to talk and discuss it and compromise. Which has been good.
Funny how the little things become important when you're travelling. Like laundry, food, sleep, what to see, what not to see, where to travel next, what to miss out and what to include. Even thing like reading and internet use have to be negotiated with each other. What happens when one wants to read, and the other wants the light off?
We've had to adapt to being in confined spaces together, all the time. On buses, trains, in hotel rooms, on tours. And adjusting to not having friends and family to discuss issues with and mull things over with.
I am very aware that not one person can have all the qualities that we need, that we have friends of all types of personalities that 'give' us the things we 'need' to grown as people.
We've had to rely on each other and to know when the other needs space as well.
As time goes on, and as we're travelling together on this journey, i'm still constantly amazed that two people can spend so much time together, and yet in that togetherness, know when to be apart.
It's a good feeling.
But as to the 'why' of this adventure...
I thought i had the answer to that when we started..and yet, now as we're only a quarter of the way through, i'm reassessing..and asking myself a new why....
Why indeed.
I'll have to think some more about that question!
But! I think the real answer to why we're doing this trip is...
Because we want to!
What better answer could there be than that.
:-)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
WHINGE and REFLECTION
Andy, just got your sms which has MADE MY DAY! A message from 'home' when i'm feeling so homesick! Thanks so much for 'being there' I really love hearing from you!! Glad you enjoyed your anniversary! xxx
**************************************************
Talking about the little things that are exciting (like being in one spot for a week)...
One little thing that was exciting was going to the hairdressers!!! I've been waiting to get it cut here in England so at least i can explain in English what i wanted. So it was exciting...to think i'll come out, feeling good, as i usually do after a good session at the hairdressers!
Well, I was feeling good...until i came out that was! I hate my hair! It's HORRIBLE. If i thought it looked bad before i went in, after not having had it cut since January (yes, you read right, it's just been growing and growning until i had to wear my headband to keep it up and out of my eyes).
I now know, it looks doubly worse, now that it's been cut! No kidding....
And for all the girls...You'll know just how i feel. You know, how it is when you've had a crap hair cut! I honestly felt miserable and teary after that....
And yet the local English girl who cut it was so gorgeous. She told me all about the Lake District and her Russian boyfriend and all the bits...and i was really enjoying it after not having any girly conversations for so long.
I politely asked Greg, when he was going to sit in on my haircut, that he'd really enjoy a walk in the park while i got my hair done..
He said, 'Oh it's ok i'll read....' Then asked how long it'd take..
And the girl said, 'Oh! Over half an hour..could be longer..'
So he went for a walk!
The girl laughed and as he walked out said, 'Men just don't understand about girls' haircuts do they!?'
I had to agree!!! A Ladies Hairdressers' are just one of those sancturies where we can go..and just dribble on about girls things and about boys....and enjoy being pampered without anyone watching.
I enjoyed that part. But not her cutting. She didn't chip the way i like, didn't do the wispy bits the way i like...didn't layer the way i liked. Just didn't cut the way i likeeeeeddddd.................(i wail).
And it doesn't help that I'm not having any colours in my hair. I really miss having colours, streaks, foils and something different.
Annie, you'd understand!!!!
Oh! I miss Sue!!! My hairdresser!!! Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh...................and she cut my hair really SHORT before i left, just so i didn't have to go through this drama!!!!! Mum, when you see her, can you tell her i can't wait to get back and have her cut my hair again!
And..i miss my BED! The one we're in at the moment is really lumpy. The springs must be almost coming through the bed! Who'd ever thought beds would be important.
And showers. Every place we go to i have to work out how on earth to use the shower. At the last place we were it was one of those electric showers where you press the button on and you press the button off. The water temperature and pressure is controlled and presto it's done. This one has a shower that you have to twist and turn to make it work. Temperature is monitored but you have to keep adjusting it to have it the way you like it.
Weird thing to stress about but when they're different every time...it can be quite a challenge.
And the hotel smells of oil. If it's not smoke, it's oil. I can't complain, most places have been ok, but it only takes one place to make you feel miserable. And although this place where we're at now is 'average' it's not homely.
And it's so expensive. I know i shouldn't be converting all the time, because it's counter productive and causes us to almost not want to eat at all, but it's quite depressing trying to travel knowing we're blowing our budget on everything - accomodation, food, tours and sightseeing.
At least this afternoon, being in the Windmere Library, it doesn't cost to read! The internet is reasonably priced, in comparison to others, at £2 (two pound) an hour. And in conversion...that's still $10 an hour!!! Ok, no conversions.
Here in England the food is smothered with GRAVY and every meal is served with CHIPS. In Europe everything was smothered with oil, here it's gravy. Grrr.
Should see my waist line. We don't have scales so can only go on the tightness of the pants i'm wearing..and at the moment, the button won't do up! So! I must have put on at least 5kgs! Just having the English breakfasts is doing it i'm sure.
And you sort of feel you should eat the breakfasts because they're included in the B&B and it saves money. And because we need to pay for 365 days of accomodation...PLUS food...we really need to eat if it's included! And then only have 2 meals a day. But fried bacon, fried eggs, fried sausages, fried bread, fried tomatoes..doesn't do much for the waist line does it?
OK. I'm having poached or boiled from now on. This can't go ON.
I can hear mum saying, 'Just enjoy yourselves and don't worry about it' But i tell you, i feel miserable that my clothes aren't fitting!!!
I'm just having a whinge. Sorry. I tell ya....it's the little things like that, that can just break the camel's back. It made me feel homesick. And i was feeling homesick before i went.
I'm having a bit of a reflection too.
Wondering what this is all about?
What purpose there is to having a year away?
Being apart from a normal existence?
Is it self indulgent?
Is there a need for this?
Are we being too industrious in thinking we can do this?
Will we survive it? What are we trying to achieve?
How can we use this experience for better good?
How will this change our thinking?
Improve our life?
Help others?
Is our time used constructively and productively?
How are we growing as people? As a couple?
Why are we doing this?
All those things...and more...are crossing my mind as we move along.
England has been good for that type of reflection.
Perhaps, inately, we need a goal? A mission that is worthwhile and productive?
And do we have that?
WHY?
**************************************************
Talking about the little things that are exciting (like being in one spot for a week)...
One little thing that was exciting was going to the hairdressers!!! I've been waiting to get it cut here in England so at least i can explain in English what i wanted. So it was exciting...to think i'll come out, feeling good, as i usually do after a good session at the hairdressers!
Well, I was feeling good...until i came out that was! I hate my hair! It's HORRIBLE. If i thought it looked bad before i went in, after not having had it cut since January (yes, you read right, it's just been growing and growning until i had to wear my headband to keep it up and out of my eyes).
I now know, it looks doubly worse, now that it's been cut! No kidding....
And for all the girls...You'll know just how i feel. You know, how it is when you've had a crap hair cut! I honestly felt miserable and teary after that....
And yet the local English girl who cut it was so gorgeous. She told me all about the Lake District and her Russian boyfriend and all the bits...and i was really enjoying it after not having any girly conversations for so long.
I politely asked Greg, when he was going to sit in on my haircut, that he'd really enjoy a walk in the park while i got my hair done..
He said, 'Oh it's ok i'll read....' Then asked how long it'd take..
And the girl said, 'Oh! Over half an hour..could be longer..'
So he went for a walk!
The girl laughed and as he walked out said, 'Men just don't understand about girls' haircuts do they!?'
I had to agree!!! A Ladies Hairdressers' are just one of those sancturies where we can go..and just dribble on about girls things and about boys....and enjoy being pampered without anyone watching.
I enjoyed that part. But not her cutting. She didn't chip the way i like, didn't do the wispy bits the way i like...didn't layer the way i liked. Just didn't cut the way i likeeeeeddddd.................(i wail).
And it doesn't help that I'm not having any colours in my hair. I really miss having colours, streaks, foils and something different.
Annie, you'd understand!!!!
Oh! I miss Sue!!! My hairdresser!!! Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh...................and she cut my hair really SHORT before i left, just so i didn't have to go through this drama!!!!! Mum, when you see her, can you tell her i can't wait to get back and have her cut my hair again!
And..i miss my BED! The one we're in at the moment is really lumpy. The springs must be almost coming through the bed! Who'd ever thought beds would be important.
And showers. Every place we go to i have to work out how on earth to use the shower. At the last place we were it was one of those electric showers where you press the button on and you press the button off. The water temperature and pressure is controlled and presto it's done. This one has a shower that you have to twist and turn to make it work. Temperature is monitored but you have to keep adjusting it to have it the way you like it.
Weird thing to stress about but when they're different every time...it can be quite a challenge.
And the hotel smells of oil. If it's not smoke, it's oil. I can't complain, most places have been ok, but it only takes one place to make you feel miserable. And although this place where we're at now is 'average' it's not homely.
And it's so expensive. I know i shouldn't be converting all the time, because it's counter productive and causes us to almost not want to eat at all, but it's quite depressing trying to travel knowing we're blowing our budget on everything - accomodation, food, tours and sightseeing.
At least this afternoon, being in the Windmere Library, it doesn't cost to read! The internet is reasonably priced, in comparison to others, at £2 (two pound) an hour. And in conversion...that's still $10 an hour!!! Ok, no conversions.
Here in England the food is smothered with GRAVY and every meal is served with CHIPS. In Europe everything was smothered with oil, here it's gravy. Grrr.
Should see my waist line. We don't have scales so can only go on the tightness of the pants i'm wearing..and at the moment, the button won't do up! So! I must have put on at least 5kgs! Just having the English breakfasts is doing it i'm sure.
And you sort of feel you should eat the breakfasts because they're included in the B&B and it saves money. And because we need to pay for 365 days of accomodation...PLUS food...we really need to eat if it's included! And then only have 2 meals a day. But fried bacon, fried eggs, fried sausages, fried bread, fried tomatoes..doesn't do much for the waist line does it?
OK. I'm having poached or boiled from now on. This can't go ON.
I can hear mum saying, 'Just enjoy yourselves and don't worry about it' But i tell you, i feel miserable that my clothes aren't fitting!!!
I'm just having a whinge. Sorry. I tell ya....it's the little things like that, that can just break the camel's back. It made me feel homesick. And i was feeling homesick before i went.
I'm having a bit of a reflection too.
Wondering what this is all about?
What purpose there is to having a year away?
Being apart from a normal existence?
Is it self indulgent?
Is there a need for this?
Are we being too industrious in thinking we can do this?
Will we survive it? What are we trying to achieve?
How can we use this experience for better good?
How will this change our thinking?
Improve our life?
Help others?
Is our time used constructively and productively?
How are we growing as people? As a couple?
Why are we doing this?
All those things...and more...are crossing my mind as we move along.
England has been good for that type of reflection.
Perhaps, inately, we need a goal? A mission that is worthwhile and productive?
And do we have that?
WHY?
THE LAKE DISTRICT
Day 108 - 109
The Lake District
Windemere
After catching four trains we finally arrived in the Lake District! The sign told us that anyway. I wasn't sure what to expect in the Lake District, with the only thing i knew being that Beatrix Potter lived her last years writing Peter Rabbit and farming here. Oh and that William Wordsworth was born here.
I'd also heard it was very, very pretty.
And had lots of very beautiful lakes!
So...when we arrived after catching the four trains i was sort of thinking it would be nice to be able to stay for a few days and just 'be' for a while. I was feeling fatigued and with all the country air feeling like i just wanted to breathe it in for a bit and enjoy being in one place for a while. Travelling can be so exhausting when you're up and going every couple of days. So I wanted to STAY once we'd arrived.
The only thing is, Windermere is only a little place. And they don't sell travel scrabble or canasta either. So i'm sort of looking forward to getting to Edinburgh....Greg's recovering slowly from his flu and sinus problems and i think needs to rest as well. He would like to stop for a while in Ireland. And it's apparently a lovely place there so we'll probably have a week in one spot there. I can't wait!!!
The little things that are exciting.....a place to call home..for a whole week!
The Lake District
Windemere
After catching four trains we finally arrived in the Lake District! The sign told us that anyway. I wasn't sure what to expect in the Lake District, with the only thing i knew being that Beatrix Potter lived her last years writing Peter Rabbit and farming here. Oh and that William Wordsworth was born here.
I'd also heard it was very, very pretty.
And had lots of very beautiful lakes!
So...when we arrived after catching the four trains i was sort of thinking it would be nice to be able to stay for a few days and just 'be' for a while. I was feeling fatigued and with all the country air feeling like i just wanted to breathe it in for a bit and enjoy being in one place for a while. Travelling can be so exhausting when you're up and going every couple of days. So I wanted to STAY once we'd arrived.
The only thing is, Windermere is only a little place. And they don't sell travel scrabble or canasta either. So i'm sort of looking forward to getting to Edinburgh....Greg's recovering slowly from his flu and sinus problems and i think needs to rest as well. He would like to stop for a while in Ireland. And it's apparently a lovely place there so we'll probably have a week in one spot there. I can't wait!!!
The little things that are exciting.....a place to call home..for a whole week!
GREG's TURKEY TRIP!
Remember i was going to tell you about Greg's experience in Turkey....the one that had him feeling very anxious about even going back there...
Well, I will. When he's here to relay what exactly happened. But for now, I'm just making a post for it.
So! Watch this space!
Well, I will. When he's here to relay what exactly happened. But for now, I'm just making a post for it.
So! Watch this space!
THE COTSWOLDS
Day 106 - 107
15/06/07 - 16/06/07
The Cotswolds, England UK
Acacia B&B Moreton-In-Marsh
Well, what a relief to leave that dingy accomodation in London. Paired with a sick Greg and a sick hotel room, I was feeling a bit sick of being in London, even though it's one of those great spots to be. The parks are great, the people are a little coolish, but the accent..oh, it's provided many hours of entertainment for Greg and I as we travel along. Reminds me of Fawlty Towers!
About Greg and his sinuses...not sure what to do about them - he won't see a doctor -and yet is suffering. His snoring has accelerated up a pace too.......
Which is making both of us very tired!
Ok, on to the Cotswolds.
We arrived in Moreton-In-Marsh after we caught the tube at Paddington Station. It took 2 hours and cost 42 pounds for the two of us. What a quaint little town. Stepping off the train at the old Moreton-In-Marsh station was like a new world, where we could breathe. Felt good inside and out. So green and pretty. It's summer here, but it's just so beautiful. Like our winter where the grass smells wet and seedy. It had that beautiful quiet and quaint english ambience.
Not really knowing where to go we just headed into the centre of the town, towards the tourist centre..and on the way there, we saw a laundry mat and a post office and opposite was a B&B in a semidetached cobble walled stone building. We enquired within and set our packs down and that's where we stayed for the next 2 nights.
Was good to get rid of some of the stuff we'd been carrying that needed posting. I had a few little things i was collecting for Elise to post as a thankyou for looking after our pussies (what a commitment - her and David looking after our cats for a year!!! I am SO appreciative of that!!!) and posted those and our trip memorbilia including some of the Gallipoli and Lemnos brochures and books. We did that while our laundry was being done. Couldn't find an internet place to complete the picture while we were waiting..so I caught up on the goss in the mags at the laundry!
I thought, i'm going to like it here! It's peaceful. Tranquil. Pretty. And the Cotswolds is Harry Potter countryside!! Isn't it?
And we did enjoy it. Just casually walking in the park was fun. We played 'pretend' soccer and basketball in the park (what else do you do when you don't have a ball?) and just wondered around the town....so english, so cute.
We ate dinner in the Bell Inn. Gamon and veges (Greg) and Vegetarian Lasagna and salad (me). I decided not to have the other menu special, 'faggots' after he told us what it was. Haggis, English style! (at first, he told us it was bull balls..hmm..English humour again!)
The bed was comfy! Surprising though seeing we were up in the attic! We hit our heads a few times on the lights..but that's ok...at least the bed was comfy! (important when you're in different beds everynight..just to have one that is comfy is a pleasure!!!)
The next day, on the Saturday, we headed up to Stow-on-the-Wold (how's the English names...cute hey? It actually means that Stow, the town, is windy!) which is a gorgeous little English village that has lots of dry stone walls, and green parks and flowers. We went to a flea market there..and bought 6 Australian state spoons that the lady 'imported' in the forties! What possessed me?
I did mentally say no to the second hand books for a pound tho..............so tempting.........they were new ones as well. I had to really convince myself it was silly to be carrying too many books around when i already have two in my pack and i will probably be able to swap those for others along the way. My book addiction really shows when i see books at bargain price.
No travelling scrabble or canasta though. Games we've decided would be good to play on the trains and busses. Hopefully we'll be able to find them..if not, we will i'm sure in Edinborough.
We actually had lunch in the church cemetery at Stow-on-the-Wold...which was different...
We headed up to Boughton-on-the-water which they say is the Venice of England! It had a water canal meandering all around the town..which was like Venice. And little bridges to cross. Three walking bridges and a car bridge. Cute.
We dismissed the motor museum and the maze as they were asking 3 pounds each..and we're still doing that conversion thing which we shouldn't..and decided it was too much as it'd be $15 for us just to see a couple of old cars!
Headed back to our 'home' and had thai for dinner. 2 dishes for £16. 2 wines for £3 each. The wine choics is mostly Australian wines here..and we found out this was because Aussie wines are more 'consistant' in their quality than French wines so they import them..and we've noticed, a lot of Jacobs Creek! From South Australia.
Watched K-Pax on telly....another movie we enjoyed after not having English tv for a few months..the things you miss..and enjoy. Simple things..
Heading up to the Lakes District next..
15/06/07 - 16/06/07
The Cotswolds, England UK
Acacia B&B Moreton-In-Marsh
Well, what a relief to leave that dingy accomodation in London. Paired with a sick Greg and a sick hotel room, I was feeling a bit sick of being in London, even though it's one of those great spots to be. The parks are great, the people are a little coolish, but the accent..oh, it's provided many hours of entertainment for Greg and I as we travel along. Reminds me of Fawlty Towers!
About Greg and his sinuses...not sure what to do about them - he won't see a doctor -and yet is suffering. His snoring has accelerated up a pace too.......
Which is making both of us very tired!
Ok, on to the Cotswolds.
We arrived in Moreton-In-Marsh after we caught the tube at Paddington Station. It took 2 hours and cost 42 pounds for the two of us. What a quaint little town. Stepping off the train at the old Moreton-In-Marsh station was like a new world, where we could breathe. Felt good inside and out. So green and pretty. It's summer here, but it's just so beautiful. Like our winter where the grass smells wet and seedy. It had that beautiful quiet and quaint english ambience.
Not really knowing where to go we just headed into the centre of the town, towards the tourist centre..and on the way there, we saw a laundry mat and a post office and opposite was a B&B in a semidetached cobble walled stone building. We enquired within and set our packs down and that's where we stayed for the next 2 nights.
Was good to get rid of some of the stuff we'd been carrying that needed posting. I had a few little things i was collecting for Elise to post as a thankyou for looking after our pussies (what a commitment - her and David looking after our cats for a year!!! I am SO appreciative of that!!!) and posted those and our trip memorbilia including some of the Gallipoli and Lemnos brochures and books. We did that while our laundry was being done. Couldn't find an internet place to complete the picture while we were waiting..so I caught up on the goss in the mags at the laundry!
I thought, i'm going to like it here! It's peaceful. Tranquil. Pretty. And the Cotswolds is Harry Potter countryside!! Isn't it?
And we did enjoy it. Just casually walking in the park was fun. We played 'pretend' soccer and basketball in the park (what else do you do when you don't have a ball?) and just wondered around the town....so english, so cute.
We ate dinner in the Bell Inn. Gamon and veges (Greg) and Vegetarian Lasagna and salad (me). I decided not to have the other menu special, 'faggots' after he told us what it was. Haggis, English style! (at first, he told us it was bull balls..hmm..English humour again!)
The bed was comfy! Surprising though seeing we were up in the attic! We hit our heads a few times on the lights..but that's ok...at least the bed was comfy! (important when you're in different beds everynight..just to have one that is comfy is a pleasure!!!)
The next day, on the Saturday, we headed up to Stow-on-the-Wold (how's the English names...cute hey? It actually means that Stow, the town, is windy!) which is a gorgeous little English village that has lots of dry stone walls, and green parks and flowers. We went to a flea market there..and bought 6 Australian state spoons that the lady 'imported' in the forties! What possessed me?
I did mentally say no to the second hand books for a pound tho..............so tempting.........they were new ones as well. I had to really convince myself it was silly to be carrying too many books around when i already have two in my pack and i will probably be able to swap those for others along the way. My book addiction really shows when i see books at bargain price.
No travelling scrabble or canasta though. Games we've decided would be good to play on the trains and busses. Hopefully we'll be able to find them..if not, we will i'm sure in Edinborough.
We actually had lunch in the church cemetery at Stow-on-the-Wold...which was different...
We headed up to Boughton-on-the-water which they say is the Venice of England! It had a water canal meandering all around the town..which was like Venice. And little bridges to cross. Three walking bridges and a car bridge. Cute.
We dismissed the motor museum and the maze as they were asking 3 pounds each..and we're still doing that conversion thing which we shouldn't..and decided it was too much as it'd be $15 for us just to see a couple of old cars!
Headed back to our 'home' and had thai for dinner. 2 dishes for £16. 2 wines for £3 each. The wine choics is mostly Australian wines here..and we found out this was because Aussie wines are more 'consistant' in their quality than French wines so they import them..and we've noticed, a lot of Jacobs Creek! From South Australia.
Watched K-Pax on telly....another movie we enjoyed after not having English tv for a few months..the things you miss..and enjoy. Simple things..
Heading up to the Lakes District next..
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