Touring UK With the Gnome – Pt 1

Greetings! And welcome to my “life in a suitcase”

I have been having serious internet problems out here in the middle of nowhere, usually I can’t get onto this site due to security issues, so I have just been working on drafts and keep trying. Lo and Behold! Today! On my Birthday! I can get through!

In April 2014, I took my little British Gnome (aka, my mum) to the UK after she had told me “Cathy, for all the times I have been back home, I have never seen my country”. Heartbreaking. I had planned on and had almost paid off my infamous “Walk Across UK” adventure, but I cancelled it and started on another plan. I found a tour, booked it, and the plan was set. I honestly thought I would be on a cranky old bus with cranky old people and would just suck it up and like it for the sake of my mother. But oh my……..how wrong I was!! It truly was a trip of a lifetime. And I have to break this blog into two parts there was so damn much going on!!

First stop was Ipswich, in Suffolk, our home and where I basically grew up. No rhyme or reason to the pics…..just a fun and quirky time of coastlines, trains, castles, ad of course, sailing barges……etc

 

Next stop was London. Where we would find our tour group, see the bus, get ready to take a huge trek through England, Scotland and Wales……London is one of my most favorite places. The history, the architecture, the people……and of course…..castles and King Henry VIII things in general………

Quirky London is my favorite. Locks of Love, Graveyards, tributes to my heroine, Lady Diana……and of course….the PETER PAN STATUE!!!!

Windsor is a beautiful place. The castle is magnificent, the streets are a plesure to walk, the people are friendly. During our visit, the Queen of England was there meeting with the Leader of Ireland, which is the reason for the streets being lined with both of the countries flags…..pretty cool that they were both inside of that very castle we were standing outside of!

Bath, England is extraordinary. Street performers every corner. Churches that were simply amazing to stand in front of their grand structure. Pubs, canals, and boats.

Chester, England turned out to be one of my favorite stops. The buildings and black and white went on for days! The food! The walking and finding all of these quirky and amazing buildings, peoples, street performers, etc. One place I will most definitely revisit.

Stratford Upon Avon, an authors heaven. Beatrix Potter and Shakespeare. Amazing. Simple amazing.  A hot cup of tea and a pastry – frequently if youre the gnome!!

A few more days in London, and are there ever enough! We walked literally for  miles and miles. If you have never been to London, I highly recommend that you make it a point of going. With the exchange rate the lowest it has EVER been, it is a great time to plan your trip there. The history alone is worth the trip across the pond!

Our quirky wonderful time! Just a collage of quirkiness as we continually find one adventure after another!!

Of course, this was just the England part. We did tour both Scotland and Wales as well. And that will be in an upcoming post.

I certainly apologize for the delay, but living in a hotel definitely has its challenges. Be on the lookout for ‘PART TWO”  of this amazing adventure, that I got to take with my mother. I mean……who gets to do that???

Thank you for stopping by and sharing our quirky yet amazing adventure. Please leave a comment to let me know you were here.

And as always………..be kind,

Polley93