Running late for the boat

Tommy had a really hard time in Folkestone- all the one ways, veering, roundabouts and dual to single lanes.

All in all our 40 aud hotel room, overlooking the harbour and white cliffs of Dover was an experience worth having.

Sure, the cordial being passed off as juice and the tea so black that the line between the two is blurred was demoralising, and we did not use the shower by choice. But the staff worked with what they had and for most guests their stay was special.

Rushing to the train is heart starting in the morning, but rushing to the boat to France is nail biting when your guide is cold and grumpy (Tommy that is).

Arrived in one piece, just, to navigate the many lanes (ours being lane 204) to customs and dock. The ship is like a floating hotel- one which we would have preferred to spend the night at anyway!

Nous allons a France!!!!!

Bingo!

Set out early from St Ives to the other side of England to Folkestone so that we are close to the channel ferry at Dover tomorrow morning.

On the way we walked over to St Michaels Mount at low tide just off of Marzian. Due to UK govt cutbacks the castle was not open in winter but we still got a look around the grounds and to do the causeway walk which is the best part!

A long drive followed but a stop in Devon (home of the Mandini) for a Sunday carvery lunch helped out.

Cheapest hotel booked so far tonight. $30 but we upgraded to $40 to include full brekkie for us both. Whilst Rach will be keeping thongs next to the bed for any bathroom trips the bed appears clean...

Hanging out in the front bar with the oldies for bingo. Trying our luck :) Also Miss European seems to be on here tonight, lots of glam English gals (no other EUs but maybe its the first stage) swanning about. When we say glam remember the hotel is 2 star.

Back to the sea!

The best place to have bad accommodation is St Ives- a hilly posh fishing village in the lower south west of Cornwall, England. The basin is the bedside table.

The old boats litter the beach at low tide, and the narrow cobblestoned roads with cars keep you weary.

Every tourist town in England sells fudge. In Cornwall it is pasties (although they also sell fudge here too, trying to convince Trav to try the clotted cream one). Every second store is a bakery offering many varieties. We even found a gluten free one at a health food store.

Does clotted cream fudge sound like a recipe for heart attack??

Cardiff and Cornwall

Ended up at the wrong hotel in Cardiff last night, no matter, only 5 pounds more and lux! Hit the gym and pool this morning to burn off a few English breakfasts- they have them even in Wales. No kidding.

Tried another of the UK chain restaurants last night, wagamama (Thai) before heading to the cinema to see Man on a Ledge. The name says it all and we can't tell you more without spoiling the show. Audience was laughing at the less than subtle boob shots. Funny.

Got lost on the way 'home' with a lot of development happening in the 'bay' part of Cardiff. Its potential is clearly being realized, another example of gentrification going well around a port. Over the top initial govt investment is all it takes to shift perceptions and get private investment rolling.

Today we checked out the Cardiff Bay Harbour (and another chain, cote brasserie which provided good risotto for a late lunch)- good public art and statement buildings using local natural materials (wood and slate).

Have just arrived in seaside St Ives, Cornwall, to what is our smallest room yet, up the most and narrowest stairs yet, one of the most expensive yet. White Van Drivers overtook us all the way on the road- they are insane here. Both will get us prepared for EU.

Snowdonia

After a great nights rest in a Victorian era guesthouse we went on a hill walk to a lake at the top of a mountain range.

Beautiful views, well worth the walk. We wish everyone would agree on a hiking guidance system- sometimes we take the difficult path and find it very easy, while sometimes they promote an easy walk and we end up watching every step out of fear of falling in to the gorge below.

About to set of for Cardiff now. Hopefully they have a launderette as we have a load or two that need seeing to.

The kindness of strangers...

The thoughtfulness of our guesthouse hosts in Windemere repeatedly surprised us.

-Baar-bara the sheep (on our pillow),
-Maps brought to our room when the other guests had returned them,
-Breakfast: 2 types of gf toast,
-Welcome: offered to help us with our bags late at night in pygamas,
-Box of chocolates on our bed for valentines,
-Unfinished cooked breakfast 'I noticed you did not eat all your pancakes, can I cook you something else?
-Banana cake (see pic below...)

Being away for so long, we both long for the feeling of 'home' and the familiar. Our baguette and omelette chef in NY provided this, now our hosts in Windemere.

Yesterday- Went for a 'wee fell' up a hill in Bowness. A pretty little lakeside township popular with tourists. The view was much better than the smell. Sheep roam the national trust site.

Today- Visited Chester. A lot in common with York with its walled city and medieval buildings. A little more fashionable though.

Drove to Conwy Castle in Wales- a huge medieval ruin in the middle of a sleepy fishing village. Beautiful views across the town, with the fortress winding its way through the buildings.

On the way to our accommodation in Snowdonia we drove through the town with the longest train station name: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch

Now in Betws-y-Coed in Snowdonia. A lovely Victorian era b&b. Had a great dinner at a local bistro that specializes in traditional Welsh dishes, local produce. The lamb was so sweet.

A good place to be a signwritier- all the signs in Wales are written in both the native language and English. Saw some of this in Scotland, but here they seem to be making even more of an effort to preserve the old ways.

The other West Lakes....

Left Newcastle-upon-Tyne in search of the 2000 year old Hadrians Wall.

Built to keep the 'barbarians' of the North out of the Roman conquered South, the stone wall once ran the entire width of the UK.

Nowadays it better functions as a prize in a scavenger hunt as you try and find its remains.

After a slow start we found the remains of a fortress part of the wall high up on a hill overlooking two valleys; ideal for keeping a watchful eye on invaders.

Lucky for us, it was free as the museum was being renovated (for Olympics......).

Now in a cute b&b for a couple of days in the Lakes District, west England. From what we have seen on the way in it should be called the mountain and snow district. Hopefully the Lake is easier to find than the Wall.

The toy sheep came with the room. For 8 quid you can spend the night with Baa-bara and take her home.