BATH

Traveled early to BATH. First impressions were not favorable but had a cruise on the River and I started to like it . . . then walked through the city streets and I thought it was lovely.

 

The Bath Roman baths were interesting and the Cathedral was lovely.

 Morris patterns and architecture everywhere.

 Visited Victoria art gallery

Victoria Art Gallery

Did the hop on hop off bus around the city and countryside, staying in a house on an estate surrounded by orchards and gardens . . . want more time in Bath!!!!

On way to the cotwolds again . . .  then onto Amsterdam. More water, more greenery . . 

Stoneleigh, Cotwolds

Cotwolds. What a beautiful part of the world. 

We were blessed with good weather most of the time, but did have the occasional drizzle .  . I guess that is why it is so green! We stayed in a gorgeous old cottage with thick stone walls, huge flagstone floors in kitchen and hall and stairs so steep and narrow they were almost a nightmare . . . 

It was nice to stay put in one place for a few days.

We spent an afternoon at Blenheim Palace. What a gorgeous place. 

Wish we had more time to explore the gardens.

Throughout the Cotswolds the Architecture is varied and interesting.

Spent day with my girlfriends daughter and family for a very enjoyable day. Extremely cute son and a kitten with character and a Scrumptious meal for lunch.

Another two days looking at the gorgeous countryside and dropping into all the wonderful villages full of character.

Eating all the pastries and teas with devonshire cream . . . my clothes are shrinking.

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..