Lake District, Cockerham - Wales, Langollen

 Thurnham Hall, Cockerham was a great place to rest . .  again, sad to leave.

 Great places to sit and read.

Drove on down through to Manchester, staying overnight, so that Arron and Cameron could visit Science and Industry Museum and I could visit the Manchester Art Gallery. I was impressed, but the boys were disappointed. None of us were impressed with Manchester. It appears a very dirty city and not too safe. Bit like the Valley in 
Brisbane but dirtier. 

Then drove across to Llangollen (Welsh pronunciation:  [ɬaŋˈɡɔɬɛn] with a guttural spitting competition mid pronunciation!) It is a small town and community in Denbighshire, north-east Wales, on the River Dee at the edge of the Berwyn mountains and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley. Staying in the historical Hotel,   The Royal Hotel, Llangollen for 2 nights. I loved this place.

Great places to sit and read with views to river.

Our Hotel.  

We had an extremely enjoyable trip on a long barge.The engineering behind the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is pure genius and was a symbol of the might of the industrial revolution, when it was constructed at the beginning of the 19th century. The boat slowly travels along a canal that is suspended in the middle of the air, 40 metres above the ground, with nothing but a thin tub like canal made of cast iron and a very long drop beneath it. . .  scenery is spectacular.

It is worth going just-off season as there are far fewer tourists. Had the top viewing platform to ourselves, with the captain, most of the way.

Another walk through the town looking at all the quaint shops, an enjoyable meal and another good nights sleep. I Love listening to the river roaring under our window. 

Woke to a day which could not decide if it was raining, sunny or both . . . so decided to spend the day on an old steam train. It was delightful. Traveled through the countryside - saw rabbits, quail, pheasants and lots of sheep  . .  and a few squirrels.  

The boys walked back to the town, through the countryside and along the canal, popping into a church and car museum.

 I went back by train and did some shopping. Saw a variety of creative ceramics. 

Look above the door - Welsh Names are incredibly long and impossible to pronounce. Had meal in hotel restaurant and then sat in bar listening to live entertainment. Hearing the singing and talking in Gaelic is entertaining. Though funny how the swear words are usually in English. 

I do like Wales and the Welsh. . . love to stay here longer and explore further.

Another night with the river Dee as our Lullaby/backdrop and then tomorrow we make our way across to the Cotswold's, stopping in to see Blenheim Palace.. 

Scarborough, Robin Hood Bay, Whitby

Scarborough intrigued us all. Lots of evidence of great wealth and times busy and industrious. Walked to cliffs and had breakfast in old Spa house before walking along the promenade to take a bus to the esplanade where there are loads of amusement houses and food outlets.

Played a few games - I put in a penny and won two pounds straight away, which kept us amused for awhile longer and then had a good look at all the shops prior to moving on up the coast to Robin Hood Bay.

 I sat in this gorgeous sun room while the boys strolled down and back up the very steep roads Of Robin Hood Bay. Had a lovely feed of scones, jam and clotted cream while the waitress told me about Summer Bay and Neighbors!! She was horrified when I told her I had never watched either . .

 Drove around the coast and then inland as we had a few miles to cover to reach Whittington in Northumberland. 



Our accommodation here is in an AirBnB with gorgeous views across extensive countryside - which is all lush and green. The property has a sun room which overlooks the landscape and it is a delight to sit in, to watch the birds and see the rascally rabbits . . . and unfortunately a cat or two.
Boys are walking Hadrians wall today. A 11 mile trot which starts at a museum and Pub and ends at one. I am having a day off. Watching TV, reading, catching up with the washing and doing this blog . . .  nice to have a quiet day . . .

 Beds are so VERY comfortable, with lovely views.

Morning started off looking as if it would rain, but even before the boys took off for their LONG walk it was looking promising - sunny and warm.

Tomorrow  we are off to visit Alnwick castle and gardens with the largest tree house with a restaurant. Then it is to Bramburg castle and the Holy Islands . . . . .  will then make our way back down towards Wales. It is all so very exciting, interesting, educational and FUN!!!!! 

(Now for a cuppa, nougat and a long bubble bath to read my latest book before the boys return. Out to local pub this evening for a meal . . .)

Nottingham

Can not say we saw much of Nottingham. Though I do not feel we missed too much which would interest us. Museum and Castle are closed until 2020 for renovations.
Aimed for the War Hammer outlet and spent the morning through to lunchtime. Impressive and extremely popular place.

 Cameron and I sat in the Cafe reading, drinking Hammer coffee in front of a roaring fire. All good!!!

After lunch we drove through Nottingham and then out towards Cromford Mills to have a ride on the aqueduct in a very old, refurbished barge. It was a two hour trip which was thoroughly enjoyable.

At the end you could get off and walk across to the other side of the river while they turned the Barge around for the return trip. At the mill there were antique, gift, woven fabric, garden and food shops.

 At closing time we drove through high into the hills of the Peak district. It is certainly beneficial having another person to share the driving as it is another stretch of winding, narrow roads. Arrived at Lady Bower Inn in time to order a Cider and a meal. Fantastic meals. The chef is incredible.

It was my turn to drive from the mountain down to Chatsworth house and gardens . . . scarry, but we survived. I admire the mens staunch support of my efforts to stay on the road without hitting on coming cars.
CHATSWORTH HOUSE   
What a treat. 16 generations held by the one family. We all enjoyed the tour, wandering the gardens and having a stroll through shops and enjoying lunch at Cafe. Well worth the four hour visit.

 The architecture, frescoes, tapestries, paintings, sculptures and art works are fascinating.
Museum quality.

 

 Library . . . the walls are lined with thousands of leather bound volumes and comfy sofas.

 Shops and cafes throughout the house and gardens. Went on a ride on a tractor drawn carriage through gardens. I sat in cafe people watching while the boys explored further and walked the maze. Last look at some antiquities and we had to move on . . .

Afternoon drive through to Scarborough was uninteresting and uneventful . . . arrived at Hotel near waterfront. The Victorian architecture is impressive. You can see the opulence of the past everywhere. Cliff in places has eroded and there is a lot of work being done to fix and  re-gentrify. Saw a squirrel in gardens opposite. Booked in and walk along ocean front and into a local Pub for evening meal. They were all there to have a trivia night and we were invited to stay and partake, but I said we did not know our own trivia, let alone the UK stuff!!! 
Will venture down the hill in Victorian contraption to Spa on the waterfront for breakfast, have a walk along the shops and then start our drive up towards Northumberland. Will pop into Robin Hood Bay and other small villages and expect to arrive at out AirBnB cottage tonight, where we stay the next four days.
Can hear the sea gulls and the water rushing at the cliffs. Must away. Let the adventures continue . . .
(Ha! Sea gulls just landed on our window sill. Bloody Huge birds. )