Since our previous trips together had been to Scotland (my ancestral stomping grounds), we decided this would be the year we
would spend the majority of our time south of the border and see Don's ancestors' homeland. There were a couple of stipulations though. I
wanted a couple of days in Wales with my girlfriend and a minimum of one night on Scottish soil. I mean, to get so close and not do that would be
blasphemous! To me anyway.
After much consternation over where to start and end the trip from, we decided on Manchester. Another first
for us was we flew Thomas Cook rather than our usual Air Transat. This was a matter of convenience only. We could fly on the days we wanted, to the
destination desired and for the right price.
Whilst staying in South Wales, we made a day trip to East Looe in Cornwall. When we told people we'd done that,
they told us we were crazy! It's really too bad I couldn't drive and take pictures at the same time. We were driving down the M5 (only
because the motorway is faster and more direct) when a helicopter swooped down out of the sky and flew toward us, snout down and close to the
road.
It was just like in the movies!!
The next day we were off to our next destination - Sulgrave - albeit by a roundabout route. We detoured down
through Somerset (I was hoping to go to Stonehenge forgetting the extra security due to the summer solstice) through some quaint towns an
villages. The Glastonbury Festival was upcoming and the radio announcer kept saying there would be tailbacks with people trying to get there. There
might have been three cars and we were one of them!
After Sulgrave, our next destination was Norwich. Again we took a scenic route and drove to Bury St Edmunds and we think
we went through Sudbury, although there was no sign saying so. We wanted to go there so we could photograph the sign. One of Don's sisters lives
in Sudbury on this side of the pond.
We didn't stay quite in Norwich but in Old Catton with family. On one of our days there, we walked into Norwich saw
the cathedral, the castle, went shopping, walked along the riverside paths before walking back "home".
The following day, we took the train to London (exactly one week before the terrorist attacks). We thought we might get rained on because the
sky was quite black off behind the Houses of Parliament but the sun stayed out bright and hot all day for us. I got sunburned and we found out later
it rained at Wimbledon wreaking havoc with the tennis tournament. We didn't see rain until we stepped outside the railway station in Norwich after
a crowded and uncomfortable ride. It teemed down. Luckily, it didn't last long and we were able to walk to the nearby pub for our supper.
The next two days were spent visiting villages, churchyards and other family members - Anmer, Dersingham, Tilney
St Lawrence, Heacham Bottom and Barroway Drove. We also drove to Ely to see the Cathedral. We managed to sneak in a back door and didn't have to
pay admission. The Cathedral didn't collapse on us nor were we struck down by lightning so I guess all was forgiven.
Our next port of call was Market Rasen. On our way there we stopped in Heckington to see the train museum, Lincoln
where we saw the cathedral, the castle and did some shopping, and Ludborough to see yet another train museum.
After one night in Market Rasen we were on our way to Whitby but first, a side trip to Goathland (setting for the TV
series Heartbeat). The village was so crowded and lack of parking made it un-user friendly for driving. We found a railway station further
along the North Yorkshire Moors Railway at Grosmont and made the trip by train. Going out, we were pulled by a diesel - coming back by steam.
At least this time whilst in Goathland, we were able to walk around and have a much more leisurely look at the shops and other buildings we'd
seen so many times on the telly. Before boarding the train, I managed to get the photographs I wanted.
We continued our drive to Whitby where we were staying two nights. Even with the detour for the train ride, we arrived early
enough we had time to tour the ruins of Whitby Abbey, and the pier among other things. On our only full day here we'd planned a day trip to the
National Rail Museum in York. The day was cool and rainy - ideal for indoor pursuits. We never did see all of the museum! It's huge! But
we'll be back.
Scotland here we come! This was it! Our next stop was near Gretna in Dumfries and Galloway with a few stops for
scenic diversions - like Hadrian's Wall - along the way. When we arrived at the guesthouse, we discovered it isn't quite in Scotland. Oh
well, it was very close and we did drive up into Dumfries - well on Scottish soil.
Our one and only night in Bonnie Scotland was bittersweet for me. I'd planted my feet on Scottish soil but it was
only one night. Hindsight says I should have arranged things slightly differently. Throughout the course of driving, we'd heard the remix of Jeff
Wayne's War of the Worlds set to music. We'd enjoyed it immensely and knew it was available at all ASDAs. Before leaving on the homeward
leg of our journey, we found out where the nearest location was and stopped in to purchase the 2-CD set.
I wasn't about to go an entire trip without seeing a stone circle and before we left Canada had planned on visiting
the Castlerigg Stone Circle in Cumbria. I wasn't disappointed.
We drove through Keswick and on to Windermere before returning to the Motorway. While in the Lake District, a military
jet swooped past us just over the water adjacent to the road. I didn't see it but I heard it and it scared the be-Jesus out me! And if
once wasn't enough? A second one did the same thing.
One thing we discovered Manchester Airport has we've never seen before is a spectator gallery. The upper level of the
car park has an area where people can come to watch the planes take off and land. We spent some time up there with other folks who came with
binoculars, lawn chairs, picnic baskets and note books. They obviously took their plane watching seriously.
The next morning, while we waited for our Thomas Cook plane to arrive, one was followed in from the runway by fire engines! Thankfully, not OUR
Thomas Cook plane. Seeing such a sight didn't produce a warm, fuzzy.
After an uneventful flight, we spent our last night in Mississauga where we'd left the car before finally coming
home.
2000 - our 25th anniversary
2005 - our 30th anniversary...
does this mean 2010 for our 35th? Time will well...
