Rambling around England.

drron · Sep 3, 2022

Our cruise has finished and it was hectic so looking forward to some slower days and Catching up with my Sister after 3 years,
We flew from VCE to LHR and stayed at the Sofitel that night after a delayed fkight and getting to the Sofitel at ~ 2330. The next morning we caught the shuttle to the Alamo depot. Once again great service as a fellow was waiting where the shuttle pulls up to complete the paperwork -basically signing in a few places and showing my DL.
Soon off on the M24 to the M1. Took a lot longer as the combination of road works and an accident kept us well over an hour to go 5 miles. 5 ambulances at the accident scene so pretty severe.

Soon we were passing through the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield to our home for 2 nights -New Hall Hotel and Spa.

The bear cost if removed.

The view.

drron · Sep 3, 2022

A couple more pics on a walk round.

Then the menu for dinner.

drron · Sep 3, 2022

And the food. Mrsdrron had the Capaccio and then the Asparagus whilst I had the sea bass and the lamb loin. All were very good.

Mrsdrron had the rhubarb tart and I had a humongous cheese board.

drron · Sep 3, 2022

Then next morning back for breakfast. First the menu.

Mrsdrron had the waffles I the full English and we shared a fruit platter.

drron · Sep 3, 2022

We decided fortunately to have an easy day and just wander the grounds.

Our room is the bottom one of these 3.

drron · Sep 3, 2022

The function centre. They were getting ready for a wedding.

And a golf course.

drron · Sep 3, 2022

The original building is from the 1300s and is said to be the oldest moated manor still in use. But some more pics of our wanderings. Some magnificent trees though not all have survived.

And a walled garden where the wedding is obviously going to take place.

drron · Sep 3, 2022

Flotation devices near all bodies of water.

A tennis court.

The spa.

drron · Sep 3, 2022

Then watched this little fellow for a while. Totally unconcerned with our presence.

Then a relaxing wine and a Thatchers cider whilst watching other flying things

craven morehead · Sep 3, 2022

drron said:
View attachment 291401
View attachment 291402
View attachment 291403

The function centre. They were getting ready for a wedding.
View attachment 291404
View attachment 291405
View attachment 291406

And a golf course.
View attachment 291407
View attachment 291408
View attachment 291409
View attachment 291410

Very nice setting, and ...... Oh look, a golf course

drron · Sep 3, 2022

Unfortunately just after this Mrsdrron who has a known back problem got sharp severe pain in her right side. Nerve root compression so she lay down for the afternoon.

RooFlyer · Sep 3, 2022

I dare say mrs.drron wasn't too impressed with the shower-over-bath?

ellen10 · Sep 3, 2022

Love the English countryside, always so lush looking.

MattA · Sep 3, 2022

Am I the only one amused by the absolutely meaningless use of the term “hand picked” on that breakfast menu? “Hand picked… bacon… sausage” did someone just go out and grab some off the pig tree out the back?

drron · Sep 3, 2022

MattA said:
Am I the only one amused by the absolutely meaningless use of the term “hand picked” on that breakfast menu? “Hand picked… bacon… sausage” did someone just go out and grab some off the pig tree out the back?

Not meaningless as it belongs to the Hand Picked hotel group. When our April/May 2020 trip was cancelled they emailed us saying they were refunding our pre paid stays before we even asked hence we are staying at 3 of their properties this time, Expensive but worth it.

MattA · Sep 3, 2022

drron said:
Not meaningless as it belongs to the Hand Picked hotel group. When our April/May 2020 trip was cancelled they emailed us saying they were refunding our pre paid stays before we even asked hence we are staying at 3 of their properties this time, Expensive but worth it.

Ha. Doh! I get it now. I thought they were being pretentious!

SYD · Sep 3, 2022

ellen10 said:
Love the English countryside, always so lush looking.

Even in a drought!

drron · Sep 7, 2022

Back to the TR at last. But first a shower over the bath doesn't worry us. Mrsdrron only uses a shower for washinh her hair otherwise we both prefer a soak in a hot bath. When she does wash her hair I just have to get the movable shower head down to her. really easy.

After our drinks Mrsdrron got severe right sided back pain like electric shocks so a couple of panadol and bed rest was her afternoon activity. I went for another walk around the grounds includint into the neighbouring woods. Didn't see the deer or sqirrels that are reported present but it was relaxing. Magnificent trees. Two specimens of the same species.