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Travels in the UK
After enjoying three weeks of lovely spring weather, predictably the weather was changing for our week's tour exploring old haunts and new. Leaving Chelmsford in the dry on 29th March, we headed north on the M25 to meet with the M4 straight to South Wales. The journey proved stress free with sporadic light storms to provide some variety. The Seven Bridge was clouded in mist and thus it remained as we travelled up the Monnow valley to Pandy, our first site. A lovely Caravan Club site perched on the bank of the river, we were soon settled in and setting out on our first short walk of the holiday. Though it was raining when we arrived, this cleared and our two mile round trip was completed in the dry. We
both agreed that it was good to get away again and whatever the weather threw at us over the next five days we would enjoy the break.The following morning we took advantage of our discretionary travel passes and caught the bus into Abergavenny. Financial constraint has determined that the once hourly service has now been reduced to two hourly but this didn't affect the efficiency of the bus company with the bus arriving on time. Abergavenny seemed a poor town but there was a fascinating antique/second hand market and the ruined castle also proved well worth a visit. Two hours passed relatively easily and after puzzling over the bus station organisation we thankfully eventually succeeded in identifying our return transport and arrived safely back at pansy for a late lunch. We followed this with a six mile walk along the lanes past the Skirrid Mountain towards Cwmyoy.
Abergavenny, Much Wenlock and Warwick March 2011
We had planned a circular tour but map reading proved something of a problem and rather than running the risk of being stranded on a Welsh mountain overnight, we eventually retraced our steps back to the site. The weather had improved throughout the day and our walk was extremely pleasant in late afternoon sunshine.
The following day we headed for Hay on Wye on a very attractive drive up the Golden Valley. It is difficult to think of a more attractive area of the country than the Borders of Herefordshire. The daffodils were resplendent and spring was very evident in the trees and hedgerows. As always, it was easy to park in Hay and the town has lost none of its charm. We enjoyed a walk down to the Warren and by the side of the Wye ending up back in the town having stopped for provisions at the Coop. Leaving Hay early afternoon, we arrived back at the site in time for a short circular walk amongst the lambs. The following morning we visited Hereford prior to heading north to Much Wenlock.
The uneventful journey took us up the A49. This road holds many memories. As teenagers we used to cycle along it to visit Dinmore; on one occasion I remember with baskets full of strawberries acquired from a local farmer. It is the one and only occasion I have been shot at with a shotgun and consequently I suspect that the strawberries were the sweetest ever tasted! The Caravan Club site at Presthope, outside Much Wenlock proved quite a find. Situated at the old railway station there is no toilet block but it has all the amenities we could wish for. It is on the side of Wenlock Edge with wonderful views across the Shropshire countryside. Most significantly, the walks from the site abound and after our usual lunch of bread and cheese, we headed up to the Shropshire Way and walked along Wenlock Edge all the way to Much Wenlock. It was a brilliant six or seven mile walk with deep quarries on one side and splendid vistas on the other. Much Wenlock is well worth a visit though our
time was limited to a locally purchased and delicious English grown apple before the walk back to the site retracing our steps. Saturday provided a misty and damp start as we drove to Blists Hill Victorian Village. It must be forty years since we last visited this site and it has certainly developed over the intervening years. At that time, simply an abandoned coal mine and a couple of restored houses, it is now a fully functioning Victorian village complete with houses, period shops and workshops all supported by knowledgeable enthusiasts dressed in appropriate costume.
Attention to detail is impressive even down to the opportunity to exchange decimal currency for pounds, shillings and pence at the Bank. Having originally intended to spend two or three hours here before moving on to see Ironbridge we found instead that the full day was barely sufficient to enjoy all the attractions and fully soak up the atmosphere. Sunday morning beckoned and after emptying the grey water in the brand new motorhome vehicle facility on the site, we set off for Ironbridge once more. The previous day we had bought their 60 Plus Passport which affords access to all the ten museum sites for one year. At a cost of £18.25 each this was excellent value. This time we headed for the Ironbridge itself and managed to find probably the only motorhome space in the car park adjacent to the Museum of The Gorge and close to the Bridge. When will Local Authorities in The UK learn that it might be to their advantage to provide some limited parking for larger vehicles?
Never mind, we were parked and able to enjoy another fascinating museum and spectacular views down the Gorge. As always, the camera was busy with pictures of the Ironbridge. After two hours or so, we moved to the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron and Enginuity. This time parking was no problem and again we were impressed with the quality of the exhibitions. This was particularly true of Enginuity. This superb
National Design and Technology Education Centre has everything to excite the engineering spirit of young and old alike though with the number of hands on displays, it is a must for the youngsters who can test themselves on an incredible collection of interactive machinery. We finished off the day with a visit to the Coalport China Museum where, again, parking was straightforward. All in all, it has proved a fascinating two days and well worth the visit. The following day we headed for Warwick to spend two days prior to returning home. The Caravan Club site on the racecourse proved easy to find and provided an excellent pitch within five minutes walk of the town. After settling in, we took a leisurely stroll to the Grand Union canal admiring the narrow boats on the way and walking as far as Hatton Locks prior to returning. The following morning we set off to Warwick Castle expecting to spend three hours or so there. After five full and enjoyable hours we eventually left the complex
at 4 o'clock! Even the hordes of schoolchildren on their obligatory outing prior to the Easter, could not spoil our pleasure at such a varied diet of attractions.
Of particular note must be the Birds of Prey display. We never fail to be impressed with the majesty and agility of these huge birds.
Leaving Warwick the trip home proved uneventful and, for once, the M25 was relatively quiet with no hold ups.