Autumn has arrived and we are getting spells of a looming chilly Winter and the occasional burst of a Summer gone by. To speed up our remaining time in London we have had the help of some more visitors. Bella's parents arrived on the 27th September. We spent the first week showing them around our home turf in London. They then headed off in a rental car with us joining them for the weekends to tour around the UK countryside.
The first weekend we spent in the South-East corner of Wales and the West Midlands of England. This is castle country. Each village has a pile of rocks that use to be, or still is, a castle or an old abbey. Wales did not disappoint with the weather and once again we were greeted with rain, low cloud, fog and other weather components. As soon as we crossed back into England the sun came out. Below is Chepstow castle.
We stumbled around the castle for a while and found these doors that date from around the 11th century. The oldest in Europe apparently.
We stumbled across some slightly confused Morris dancers. Normally an English tradition, but they were in Wales. Reminded me of a cross between A Clockwork Orange and the Beverley Hillbillies. I'm pretty sure the head Morris was speaking in English but I hardly understood a word he said. We were definitely in the countryside.
We stayed in a B&B that was an old corn mill. There was a choice of two pubs in the village. We chose the one located next to the driveway of our B&B. A cosy little gem with a chatty barman and locals, and served some decent pub food.
The next day we headed over to England to the town of Ludlow. Another castle and a big cathedral. But also home to an amazing bakery full of slices and most notably a creme brulee, that cost all of 1.30 and was delicious. It also has some amazingly old pubs. The one above is The Feathers from around 15th century.
The next weekend we headed to Northern Ireland and specifically to the Causeway Coast. This is the coast running from Belfast up North around to Derry. It is noted for being quite a scenic place and it did not disappoint.
We awoke on Saturday to bright sunshine and clear skies. Ireland delivers again when Wales had failed us last week.
We spent the day exploring the coast by car and by foot. The Giants Causeway was great. A great example of the strange geology in the area. Also a great legend with the giant Finn McCool fighting his enemy from Scotland here. See the album below for a photo of Finn.
Just a bunch of really strange shaped rocks.
We slowly made our way back to Belfast via the country lanes right on the edge of the coast. A great view and a great drive.
Would also be good if you were a sheep. Apart from the Winters.
Right. I'm off to bed as I have to get up way too early one last time for a weekend away in Barcelona.
Photos here.
