Brittany to Britain

Boarded the ferry to the UK. We had a great room for the sailing which was good because boat made us a bit sea sick at first so we had to lie down. About 9 hours later we landed in Portsmouth, home to HMS Warrior and HMS Victory.

02/04/2011

We picked up our arranged hire car and set forth towards Exeter YHA our first stop.

We arrived quite late but in enough time to go for a walk along the river needed to stretch the legs after driving!!!

03/04/2011 We first went to check out Exmouth where we walked along the beach for awhile. Wasn't really beach weather it was a bit chilly. Brrrrrrr

On the road again to Somerset to visit a family friend Uncle Trevor. His wife Aunty Janet and my Mum became pen friends when they were about 10 years old and met each other about 50 years later and then died within 2 months of each other. Aunty Janet kept every single letter that my Mum had written to her. They were meant to be together they are probably having cups of tea up in the clouds.

Finally got to Williton after a detour caused by a marathon. It was so lovely to finally met Uncle Trevor. He is lovely and likes cuddles. After several cups of tea and cakes we set off to Exford YHA. Exford is a cute village nestled in amongst the hills. Most impressed with the YHA's, set in gorgeous old homes in amazing areas, and cheap what more could you ask for!!! We stopped briefly in the Mideaval town of Dunster and Dunster Castle. Unfortunately the castle was shut, so we had a walk around the village. The village is dotted with several cob cottages and shops, just so cute and so beautiful.

04/04/2011

In search of a much needed walk the staff at the YHA recommended a walk. It took us through farmland, lots of cow dung through an icy cold stream and magnificent views over the valley. It was great well worth the dung and freezing feet. The rolling hills are so beautiful and so lush!!! 

I think they need crutching do you think????

Exford YHA

After some pub grub we set off to a little town called Dulverton where my father worked as a young lad on a farm in the area.

Dulverton

After a look and a wonder we set off to Minehead YHA. Nestled in amongst the Exmoor National park it's a place of complete tranquility ahhh we love it!!

Minehead YHA

05/04/2011

Off on a walk by myself, when Eden heard it would take about five hours she wasn't keen to go so I left her to school work and laundry duties. Yay time to myself, space, freedom woo hoo!!!!!

The walk took me over the hill to Dunster village where I got to explore the castle this time, then along the Dunster beach and into Minehead village and back to the hostel. I did have a minor detour on the way back to the YHA to a pub called the Brittania oldest pub in Minhead. Now I wouldn't have known that if I hadn't gone in there. Mighty fine local stout too!!!!

06/04/2011

The area is so lovely we are staying an extra day. I saw my first real live grey squirrel today woo hoo. So cute!!!! Just been informed that they are introduced and they are quite viscious and they kill the red native squirrels so now I don't think they are so cute.

07/04/2011

Off to Bath and Bristol today. Bath of course is beautiful full of history and gorgeous buildings. The weather was so warm and glorious so heaps of people were about enjoying the weather and a few buskers were performing. As we walked past a busker was playing a song from a NZ band called Fat Freddie's song. How uncanny is that!!!

We only had a couple of hours to spend there so we walked around the sights and went to see the Fashion Museum which was housed in this glorious building full of spectacular chandelairs.

In Bristol we met up with one of Uncle Trevors daughters Gail and her husband David and daughter Charlotte. It was like I had always known them but had never met. They are just as lovely as I had thought.

08/04/2011

Off again to Herofordshire to see another family friend Jane Acaster. Stayed the night there. They live just out of Leominster in amongst the rolling hill and fields. We had a great meal and were well looked after. Thank you Jane and Phil for all your help and kindness.

09/03/2011

Driving again this time to the Lake District to a place called Appleby to catch up with another family friend Chris who I haven't seen since I'm was about 18. He brews his own beer called Tirril Brewery and owns a pub The New Inn in a small village called Brampton. He has let us a room to stay in while we are there. It was built in the 1700's and it's beautiful, the ceilings are covered in old wooden beams, gorgeous old fireplaces, the floors creak, it has character and atmoshere we love it. It was great to see and catch up with Chris after about 20 years.

10/03/2011

The day was so gorgeous today so I ventured out on a walk over the hills to a small village called Dufton and then over more rolling hills, babbling brooks and woodlands. I actually got a wee bit burnt.

Would you believe it I got sunburnt in the UK somehow I don't think anyone will believe me but it's true. Most of the paddocks are fenced by dry stone walls. They are incredible and there are so many of them. The labour that must of went into them is just astounding. They are truly are a work of art.

11/03/2011

After a late start we drove to Hadrians Wall built by the Romans between 122 AD and 128 AD. A spectacular 73 mile testament to ambition!!! Another amazing stone masterpiece.

12/03/2011

Beatrix Potter world today. Wow the country side is glorious. We stopped in a town called Windermere where we visited Beatrix Potter world. We walked through a maze of all the characters from her books. It was really well done. 

We then took the car across on the ferry to hilltop farm where Beatrix Potter lived.

Hilltop Farm

On our way home we stopped in at a Castlerigg Stone Circle. Built around 4,500 years ago in the Neolithic period by prehistoric farmers . Much smaller then Stonehenge but amazing and mystical perched on top of the hill with gorgeous views.  You won't see any thing like this in NZ!!!!