Through the Midlands to the South

Tuesday, 24^th Sept. :  The heavy mist which rolled in over the hills last night lingered on this morning and was still hanging around when we left Hawes at midday to head east towards York, a slow journey because of the narrow, winding roads along the way, causing several stops to pull off to the side to enable oncoming traffic to pass.  The caravan park almost in the centre of York, where we had hoped to stay, was full but the lady at reception gave us details of 3 others in the area, we chose one about 5 miles south and booked in.  After choosing our site we took a bus ride into the city where we visited Clifford’s Tower, the York Minster, The Shambles and walked along the River Ouse, stopping at a pub for that elusive beer, the one that Mike can’t drink! (He hasn’t found it yet!) Because we missed the last bus back to camp, we took a taxi ride costing 10 pounds, not much more than bus fares for two people!

Another slow morning on Wednesday 25^th, not getting out of bed until 9am!  We’re beginning to wind down now as our travels with Boris are nearing an end for 2013.  After showers and breakfast we strolled down to the river, just behind the caravan park to have a look at the lock.  There is a boat cruise which goes into York from the lock but unfortunately it only operates on weekends.  Still, we’d had a pleasant visit the previous afternoon/evening so weren’t too disappointed in missing out on the cruise. 

Leaving at about 11.30am we headed south to visit the magnificent Brodsworth Hall & Gardens in South Yorkshire.  Built in the 1860s by the fabulously wealthy Charles Thellusson and occupied by his family for over 120 years, the house was left to English Heritage who took the bold decision to conserve the interiors as they were found, rather than restoring them.  It was requisitioned by the army during WWII, the lady of the house was a volunteer nurse in both world wars as was her daughter in the second world war and there are many similarities between the lives of the household and those at ‘Downton Abbey’.  I wonder if the creator of ‘Downton’ was inspired by Brodsworth and/or similar stately homes? 

As has been the case at other attractions, photos are actively discouraged but we compensated by taking zillions of snaps of the glorious gardens.  Definitely a highlight!

After a two hour visit which could easily have taken a lot longer, we hopped on to the motorway for the journey to Hulme End, near Buxton in the Peak National Park.  A heavy haze enveloped us for most of the way which was a pity as once we left the motorway, we drove through stunning scenery which was almost obscured by the haze.  We stayed the night on a farm which caters for campers so apart from the occasional baaa from the resident sheep and moooo from the cattle, it was a very peaceful night.

Thursday, 26^th dawned bright and clear, no sign of haze or mist and the sun shone.  We set off reasonably early to drive through the Peak National Park and stopped at Blaze Farm, a sheep and dairy farm overlooking Wildboarclough Valley, where we had morning tea and sampled their home made yummy, creamy icecream.

It was a long drive then through a couple of counties to Kenilworth in Warwickshire, and a visit to Kenilworth Castle,

whose buildings span more than five centuries and was gifted to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester by Queen Elizabeth 1.  Dudley created a fabulous garden especially for his Queen’s 1575 visit which has been recreated after extensive excavations, research and development.  We stayed there until almost closing time, then went looking for an overnight stopping spot which we have found in Hockley Heath, at a pub in the rear of their very large car park.  As there is no charge to stay here, we thought it only fair that we should take advantage of their two for one meal deal!

Friday, 28^th :  A lot of travel today and a 3 hour visit to the Heritage Motor Centre in

Gaydon, Warwickshire which houses a priceless exhibition of motor cars and provides an insight into the history of Britain’s motor industry.  Mike partook of the Land Rover Experience Demo Ride and was absolutely overawed by it. 

On to the motorway again to Gloucestershire for a visit to Hailes Abbey, a Cistercian Abbey founded in 1246 by Richard Earl of Cornwall, King Henry 111’s brother and Dissolved on Christmas Eve, 1539.

After a wander through the ruins, it was back on the motorway for part of the way to Cheltenham and our overnight camping stop at a top caravan park.  Arriving about 2 seconds after us was a Hampshire couple who’d just taken delivery of their new secondhand motorhome, so we were able to give them lots of friendly advice which they actuall seemed to appreciate! 

It’s Saturday morning now, the 29^th and we’ve just heard the

the very sad news that our AFL football team, the Fremantle Dockers, have lost the Grand Final to Hawthorn …disappointing!!!  Shortly we’ll be heading into Wiltshire to visit friends, staying overnight and tomorrow we will take

Boris to Somerset, where by the end of the week he will go to his winter home to have

A long rest before he does it all again next year.  We’ll be staying with our good friends M & M and after all these months, looking forward to seeing them again.

More to come…..