pinkbirdflies

A lazy start to the day enjoying my lovely hotel, breakfast and then wandering the streets of this city full of character.From New Town across to Old Town with the castle dominating high up. Jane my tour guide who lives in Edinburgh suggested a few local places such as Filament coffee and Under the Stairs cafe. Passed The Elephant Cafe where J.K Rowling penned some of  the Harry Potter Novels and roamed the graveyard of Greyfriars Church where a headstone or two gave her inspiration for some character names. Went ‘Aww’ at the little Bobby monument and loved how people had left sticks and bones at the memorial in the graveyard. Walked the Royal Mile and Prices Street and did a little shopping before a cup of Scottish Breakfast tea (lovely and strong and malty) at Eteaket Tea House and dinner at Fishers in the City an Edinburgh favourite. Ventured to try the special of “Hand dived Orkney scallops and Scottish Lobster” which were delicious. Bubble bath back at Nira Caledonia. 

Travelled  via  a high pass to what is left of the great Roman wall built by Emperor Hadrian and followed it for some way. A lovely pub lunch in a pretty village and visited the house where Mary Queen of Scotts stayed in Jedburgh. Finally passed into Scotland…we might need passports next time? The referendum for Scotland’s independence from the United Kingdom was immediately in evidence with the Yes/No campaign advertised everywhere. Checked into the Nira Caledonia in the New Town part of Edinburgh city and already I’m liking the feel of the place despite the mist and drizzle which I believe is part of the character of the place, although the sun did set and shine over the chimney pots outside my window. Finally some ‘healthy’ food…Scottish salmon and green vegetables!

The Lake district…Castlerigg Stone Circle, Aira Force waterfall, Ullswater, Kirkstone Pass, Lake Windermere, Bowness, Ambleside and Tarn Hows (Beatrix Potter country), Rydal water, Grasmere (burial place of William Wordsworth) and back to Keswick on Derwent Water (I remember those ‘ Derwent Lakeland’ coloured pencils I coveted as a child but never had..Boo Mum and Dad!). Outstanding in sunshine and rain!

The Yorkshires Dales, territory of the famous Vet James Herriott and a truly outstandingly scenic place….dry stone walls, sheep, lush green pastures, clear streams, stone cottages, gorgeous churches, stone bridges, ruins of Jervaulx Abbey slowly being taken back by nature, Aysgarth waterfall and outstanding Yorkshire produce, Wensleydale Cheese. Drove over the Pennines and into the North Lakes District town of Keswick for the night in a B&B.

Spent the morning in the fascinating streets of York…didn’t know that Kit Kats and Smarties originated here as part of the cities chocolate history! Joined a ‘new’ tour and drove through the North Yorkshire Moors to theseaside town of Whitby, a bustling fishing port and tourist destination. The sun was shining and everyone was out…on the beach, crabbing, eating fish and chips, ice creams and walking the streets. I also learned that Captain Cook came from here and the Endeavour was built here so I paid homage to his statute, complete with seagull on his head! Its a fossil area and they get semi precious ‘jet’ here which is fossilised Monkey Puzzle Tree. Nice jewellery!! Robin Hoods Bay was a tiny old smuggling village further down the coast and we visited Goathland where the railway station featured in Harry Potter Movies (Hogsmeade?) and the village was that of “Aidensfield” in Heartbeat. 

York is a lovely city full of historic houses, ancient streets, Roman heritage and presided over by the Gothic York Minster, a magnificent Cathedral a masterpiece of stone and stained glass. The central town is surrounded by a large Roman wall with various gates to enter. Its a pedestrianised area full of shops and places to eat and is full of history and english character. We drove through part of the Yorkshire Dales, a collection of hills, river valleys and some moorland areas in the high ground covered with wild Heather in full bloom. Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge (oldest sweet shop in England), Harrogate, Ripon all very beautiful and sooo English!

Drove through the countryside and into the Peak district with its desolate high areas and down into the lush and fertile valleys where we wandered the lovely park at Buxton before continuing on to the Mansion house and expansive gardens of Chatsworth. Its home to the Duke of Devonshire and full of fine furniture, paintings and other excesses of British Aristocracy! 

Travelled into Wales and down the coast fringed by the Irish Sea to the village of Conwy and Conwy castle, now a ruin. Climbed the towers and strolled the waterfront and streets of this pretty place. Tried Bara Brith the welsh fruitcake before driving into Snowdonia National Park which was just beautiful…lakes, slate Quarries, rugged outcrops of  rhyollitic rock, wild purple heather, sheep, rivulets of clear water, forest and mountain streams. Truly an area of outstanding natural beauty. A stop at  a gorgeous village I can’t pronounce the name of for some fresh Welsh Cakes, which are a cross between a pikelet and a scone, before a scenic drive back to Chester to explore the old town centre. Second night at “Green Gables” B&B. 

Caught the 16 seater tour bus with a mix of travellers in London and drove through the heart of England…rolling fields, bales of hay, wheat ready to harvest, cows, black faced sheep, greenery everywhere, pretty flower baskets, canals with barges, pubs, cottages and glorious homes and gardens. Spent time at Stratford-upon-Avon  which is  truly picturesque and quintessentially english. Visited  Shakespeare’s birthplace, Halls Croft where his daughter lived and the Holy Trinity church where he was christened, married and buried. Pimms of course in a lovely Pub by the Avon river and then drove on to Ironbridge on the river Severn. The bridge is the first iron bridge in the world and is iconic in identifying the start of the Industrial Revolution. The gorge and village are very attractive now, unlike how it was in its industrial hey dey. Passed through more stunning countryside to the Heritage city of Chester near the Welsh Border. Checked into “Green Gables” B&B and headed to the local pub for bangers and mash dinner …very local, no tourists here!

After helping out Roseanne and her family for the last week after she broke her back, i have caught the train to London and checked into the Grosvenor Hotel near Victoria Station for the night. I stayed here 23 years ago on my first visit to London and of course its now renovated and modern. Had my ‘Royal Day Out’ at the Queens Gallery and Buckingham Palace. The State rooms were most impressive but the closest I got to Tea with the Queen was a scone and English Breakfast teabag! No photos in the Palace unfortunately. I did like the paintings by Reubens  and Rembrandt the best.