Monday 22 July 2024 - Cambridge

Woke at my usual holiday wake up time, at 5:30am and went down to breakfast around 7am.  every one else must have been sleeping in, as we have a late start this morning, of 9:30am

After packing things away for the day, I went for a walk.  First up I headed for the train station, just up the road from out hotel on Station Road.  Turned left and walked for a couple of block and then turned left again and came out on Station Rd again. Turned right and then at the intersection of Station Road and Hills Rd (?) I saw that there was a memorial to the !st & 2nd World Wars, so paid a visit.  I continued on along Hills Rd for a few blocks, crossed over the road and started walking back to the hotel.  Lots of people out and about, either walking or riding bikes.  By the time I got back to the hotel, I'd already done over 3,000 steps, so a good start to the day.

Michelle picked us up at 9:30 and we were taken to the University area, to go for a punt along the Cam River, which runs through Cambridge and at the back of the various colleges.  Only the 6 of us on our punt and the young man who did the punting filled us in on various bits of local info about famous people who have attended Cambridge University, over the years, such as Sir David Attenborough.  An enjoyable excursion and so very peaceful for a while. 

After that we then visited the Kings College Chapel but didn't stay there for very long as it was so noisy.  We then, after getting mislaid a few time, visited the Wren Library.  No signposting.  

From there Rosanne & I walked back to the main part of the colleges, her to visit a bookshop and I checked out a local market behind Great St. Mary's Church.  We then decided to have an ice cream for lunch and while sitting outside, Len and Cynthia came by, so they also bouta dessert and joined us.  By then it was getting close to our departure time for heading back to the hotel, so we started walking to where we were to be picked up.  

Michelle soon arrived but Jackie & Duncan were running late.  Anyway, to cut a long story short, we were going to cop a fine for parking where the bus was but the parking inspector was originally from South Africa and spoke Afrikaans, as did Charlie, who is also originally from Sth Africa.  Anyway, the 2 of them had a lovely conversation for about 10 minutes and Jackie & Duncan arrived during that time and we didn't cop a fine. Win, win.

I think we were back at the hotel sometime around 3.  None of us could get into our rooms initially, so had to have our keycards re-set and all is well.   Dinner is at 7pm tonight but we are all meeting for a drink or 2 at 6:15.  I'll finish this off after dinner tonight.

Dinner was lovely. A drink, paid by Back-Roads and a second one on Charlies tab, was very nice and was certainly enough for me. The food was delicious too AND not too much, which has happened at other hotels, or maybe I just don't eat as much as I used to. I certainly enjoyed all 3 courses tonight.

Back in my room before 9:30 and packed what I could ready for tomorrow, even though it's another late start.  The luggage doesn't need to be out until 8:30 and we are departing at 9:30.

I'll put the TV on for a short while, to see what is happening in the world and then it will be lights out for me.  Night all.  10,081 steps today

Sunday 21 July 2024 - Lincoln to Cambridge

 5:20am Wake up

7:35am Breakfast

8:00am Bag out

8:44am Depart Lincoln

Another fine & sunny day forecast. Fairly flat countryside. The summer crops have been harvested and the winter crops.

Because we were ahead of schedule re our Burghley House visit, we stopped in Stamford to have a coffee & fill in some time.  Off again at 11:05am and arrived at Burghley House shortly after. 

A magnificent House, built by William Cecil, as home to the dynasty that he founded, Burghley is one of the largest and grandest surviving houses of the sixteenth century and a wonderful example of the great Elizabethan 'prodigy' houses, built to honour the Queen.  Conceived by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I and built between 1555 and 1587, Burghley is a testament to the ambition and vision of the most powerful courtier of the first Elizaethan reign. 

We had a couple of hours there and I spent all that time, just going through the house.  Didn't get to the gardens before we departed at 2:00pm.

We visited Ely cathedral and also the Cambridge American Cemetary & Memorial, before arriving at our hotel around 5:15.

After checking in and after the luggage was delivered, I sorted the clothes for the next 2 days, freshened up and went downstairs around 6:30, to meet up with Rosanne, Jackie & Duncan for a pre-dinner drink and then we had dinner together in the hotel.

Finally got back to my room after 10pm and updated this entry. 

I'll post some photos tomorrow morning before we head out for the day.

Goodnight from me.  8,093 steps today

Saturday 20 July 2024 - Lincoln

The alarm woke me this morning. The room has air conditioning, so it was easy to sleep last night, even though the aircon did turn off some time during the night.

I eventually went down to breakfast just before 8am and apart from Rosanne not being there, there were the Backroads group plus leader & driver and about 5 other people. The place seem deserted. I just had toast, OJ, coffee & yogurt & fruit.  I left just on 8:30 and there must be a large tour group staying, as I think the majority of them decided to have breakfast at 8:30, so the breakfast room filled very quickly.

We left on your walking tour, crossed the road and were at the Lincoln Cathedral.  Apparently Lincoln is celebrating the 1940's this weekend, so there was a display of cars and a bus from that era, just outside the Castle walls.  Many of the locals were dressed appropriately for that era.  I was almost arrested by a bobby but he decided that he needed to arrest a man, so I was saved from that ordeal.  Lots of local stalls either selling their own wares or selling on behalf of a charity.

We all visited the Castle and viewed Lincolns' copy of the 1215 signed Magna Carta. There are only 4 original copies that survive. Two are kept in the British Library (one of which was badly damaged by fire in 1731), one in Salisbury cathedral, and one here in Lincoln castle.

Rosanne and I wanted to take the hop-on hop-off bus around Lincoln but had just missed one and didn't want to wait for another hour, so to fill in the time, we visited the Cathedral and as the admission price (Charlie had bought the tickets earlier and handed them out) included a walking tour within the Cathedral, we did that, to fill in the time.  By the time that the Cathedral tour was finished we managed to get on the next hop-on hop-off bus. We only did the one loop, which took just under an hour. There was a stop conveniently outside our hotel, so that gave us time to go to our rooms, freshen up and have time to go back to the Cathedral for the Choral Evensong at 5:30pm

The choir was magnificent and I wish that I had had my phone out, so I could have recorded some of the songs.  The service lasted just under an hour and we caught up with Jackie at the end of the service.  Back at the hotel there was a wedding reception going on. I think the whole show started this morning and has been going on all day.  Anyway, Duncan came down and the 4 of us decided to have dinner in the hotel, so one of the tables in the bar area was set for 4 for dinner.  Then Michelle our tour driver arrived, so we had another seat set and the 5 of us ate dinner.  The local staff were fantastic.  We had a lovely meal. I had a Salmon starter and a 3 ice cream dessert. Rosanne & Michelle opted for the Lamb main, Jackie only wanted the 3 ice cream dessert and Duncan had the Salmon starter and I can't remember what else.  Great company and great discussions.

Back in my room around 9pm and will pack, ready for our departure tomorrow on our way to Cambridge.  Breakfast from 7:30, bag out by 8am and we depart at 9am.

That's it from me for today.  Photos posted on Flickr.  Night all and only 5,8956 steps today.

Friday 19th July 2024 - Peak District to Lincoln

Awake at 5am. Showered, dressed, sorted the luggage to put out before I went down to breakfast at 7:20. Another light breakfast and then went for a walk around the grounds.

We were all onboard and departed the hotel at 8;45, to visit the local St Mary & All Saints Church and had a photo stop to see it’s twisted spire. It is so big that it's often mistaken for a cathedral and, in fact, it's the largest church in Derbyshire. 

There is a wedding story about that.  The most popular story about the Spire is that it was so amazed to hear of a virgin being married in the Church that it twisted round to try and see such a wonder for itself.

We departed there about 9:10 on our way to Sherwood Forest, where we arrived at 9:50

We departed Sherwood Forest at 11:35, after a walk through part of the forest, on the way to our lunch stop  in Newark.

Arrived in Newark around midday. Charlie took us on an orientation tour and then left us to have lunch. We all ate at a riverside eatery next to the River Trent. It was called The Swan & Salmon (I think) I had a starter size seafood salad. Very fresh and delicious.

Back onboard at 2.30pm, for our trip to Lincoln where we are staying for the next 2 nights.

Arrived at the hotel at 3:20 ish. 

I had hand washing to do and Rosanne just wanted to rest.  We agreed to meet in the bar at 6:30pm for a drink.  A large drink. :). Were chatting away when Len & Cyndy came in.  They had changed rooms because of the state of the 1st room they were put in. Apparently Charlie took photos of their 1st room and will be forwarding to the company. Apparently an old dirty room. Mould in the bathroom, filthy carpet etc. Not nice at all. My room is dated but it is clean. Shortly after that, Duncan arrived. Jackie had gone to their room and he was in the bar to buy a bottle water. He eventually left around 9pm. I hope Jackie wasn't to thirsty.

Len, Cyndy, Rosanne & I all left shortly after. I was back in my room by 9:30 and will be heading for bed once I update this and post some photos on Flickr.

Photos posted.   Steps today 9,405.

Thursday 18th July 2024 - Chatsworth House Visit

I woke at 5am this morning and decided to get up then, as I was wide awake. Showered, washed my hair, dressed. Ran the hairdryer over the washed socks, to help dry them and then tried to find out why my photos wouldn’t sync on the MacBook. Tried a number of googled suggestions but nothing is working.

I won’t be able to post photos on my Flckr page until I find a way of getting the pics to sync or a way of getting them onto my hard drive.

Went down for breakfast around 7:15ish. Not especially hungry so just had toast, coffee & OJ. Back to my room to put things away and then left to have a quick walk around. Have found a quick way to get from my room to the outside.😁😁

We were all early today, so got away at 8:45am on our way to Chatsworth House.

We arrived at Eyam Village first up at 9:30 ish. It’s known as the Plague Village. You can read more about that here. https://www.eyamvillage.org.uk/

We departed there at 11:15 after listen to the bell ringers practicing, then had a photo stop at the Monsal viaduct and away again at 11:35.

Arrived at Chatsworth House at 11:50.

Viewed the house and finished that just before 1 pm. By then I had met up with Jackie & Duncan so we all then got on a train being pulled by a tractor that went around some of the gardens further afield. That only took about 15 minutes. We then went to a cafeteria for some  lunch. After that, they headed for one of the hothouses and I headed for the fountain.

The bus departed at 3pm for Bakewell. 30c outside according to the onboard temp gauge.

We spent about 45 mins in Bakewell and departed there at 4:35. Its their Festival week and the places is very busy. 

We should be back at the hotel around 5:20.

Dinner was at 7pm and the meal was delicious. I had Fried Seabass Filet  for the main and Chocolate Chip Brownie with vanillas ice cream for dessert.  Great company and fun conversations. finished dinner just before 9pm and headed for our rooms as the bags need to be out st 8am and we are travelling again tomorrow, leaving at 9am for Lincoln.

No more photo on Flickr yet, as I still can't get the photos to sync on my MacBook. :(

Night all.  Steps for today 14,108

EDIT UPDATE - Photos now posted

Wednesday 17th July 2020 - North York Moors to the Peak District

The alarm at 6am woke me this morning.  A nice sunny day outside. After sorting the luggage and packing everything up ready for a new day, I put the luggage outside the door and went to breakfast at 7:20. 

I was the 1st one there. Michelle arrived soon after and then Cyndy & Len.

I decided to have a hot breakfast and ordered Royale Eggs. Soft poached egg on a muffin with salmon slices. Delishes. I’ll have to start taking photos of my food.

I went back to my room and then decided to go looking for reception, as we didn’t go there when we checked in. This hotel, has various areas with rooms all over the place. To get to the. Dining room, you had to go up to the 1st floor, walk along a couple of corridors, walk through a function room, down some stairs, along another couple of corridors and there is the dining room.

Similar instructions on how to get to reception but after the last arrow, nothing. Obviously I eventually found it but boy, what a rabbit warren. Certainly walked a few steps just to check out..

We got away at 8:55am. 1st stop was at a Captain Cook memorial at 10:15. 2nd stop was at the Rievaulx Abbey, at 10am.

We departed there around 10:15 on our way to York.

We were on the outskirts of York around 11:15 and Michelle dropped us off at 11:30ish. All to meet again at 2:30pm

Charlie did an orientation walk and we then did our own thing. Duncan & Jackie, went looking for a loo. Rosanne & I tagged along. 40p to have a pee in York. 

We then went into a M & S and had lunch in their Cafe and on the way out, bought something for dinner tonight. 

Rosanne wanted to do a hop-on-hop-off tour, so I joined her on that. I had visited York back in 2000 and spent a few hours there way back then, so was happy to see other parts of the city apart from the CBD/ Shambles etc..

We were all back onboard the bus at the appointed time  and on our way to the Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa, Chesterfield.

It’s been warm today. The wind a bit brisk on occasions but no sign of rain.

According to the bus temperature weather gauge, its 14.6c inside the bus & 25c outside.

We had a quick comfort stop at a sculpture park and were back onboard and on our way again by 3:45.arrived at the hotel around 5pm. Filled in the appropriate paperwork and went to my room, 134, where the luggage had already been delivered to.

Sorted out the clothes for the next 2 days and did some hand washing. 

Rosanne & I had arranged to meet for a drink around 6:30pm before heading back to our rooms to eat dinner.  We chatted to almost 8pm then headed back to our rooms. Turns out that her room number 2xx is actually on the ground floor of the hotel.  At least my room 134 is on the 1st floor.  I'll check the grounds out properly some time tomorrow.

For some reason, none of the photos that I took today are syncing with my MacBook, so I can't post any photos on Flickr.

I'm heading for bed and keeping my fingers crossed that it will fix itself overnight. Otherwise I might not be able to post any more photos.

Night all.  Only 8,119 steps today

EDIT UPDATE.  Photos have now been posted.  I think it was an internet problem with the hotel.

 

Tuesday 16th July - Trip to Whitby and return

 My first non coughing night, so had a good nights sleep. Only had to get ups once during the night.

Finished up-dating the blog for yesterday and posted photos from yesterday too.

I had a good nights sleep with no coughing but now get a runny nose. I need to find a pharmacy today to buy more tissues.😁

We got away at 9am and it’s a wet day.

Captain Cook worked at a local drapery shop in Staithes, where he would stare out the window, longing to be out to sea. 

We arrived in Staithes around 9:30 and walked down the main narrow road to the harbour. A  very pretty coastal town.

Michelle drove the bus down the narrow road and we climbed on board around 10:15 and we were on our way to Whitby.

We arrived in Whitby around 10:30. After taking photos of the Captain Cook Memorial, then visited the Museum. The museum was quite interesting and the guy who was talking was very well informed.

After that was lunch time and back to the bus at 1:30.

A small fish & chips was still to big for me, but I have now had fish & chips in England.

We were soon at the Abbey after that and we were meeting again around 2:45.

From the Abbey we are heading through the. Moors National Park where we had a photo stop. On the road again at 3:15.

3:20 and we stopped at the heartbeat town, Aidensfield and then back to the coach after the steam train went through at 4:20pm. Back on board at 4:40 heading to the hotel.

Arrived back just before 6 pm.

Dinner is again at 8 pm and tomorrow we head for York

Breakfast at 7am, bags out at 8am and we depart at 9am.  I’ll finish this after dinner as I’m going for a walk.

Before dinner started, Charlie handed out envelopes to us all, which said that the visit to Sandringham was cancelled and we would be going to Burghley House & Gardens.  We all knew that months ago. Apparently Charlie didn't.

The food, once again was delicious but again, I could not finish the main. It was a mushroom risotto.  I don't think I'll bother with 3 course dinners again.  Far to much food for me.

Dinner finished, we all stayed talking and then looked at our watches and decided that bed was next, Got back to my room at 9:45pm.

Have posted some photos on Flickr.   Steps. 12,163

Night all