Rambling around England.

[drron]

Walking around the circus.




It then started to pour so we hid in the shop of the museum at 1 Royal Circus; After caught a bus to the second last stop and wandered the shops.
.

Passed a butcher shop.


Ended up in Morrisons to use the conveniences again whilst it rained. But did wander and interested in some of their stock.




Then did the Skyline loop on the bus,

 

[Port Power]

That particular Four Pillars gin (at usual GBP price) equates to AU$59. Same size sells in Dan's for $89. Not fair!
But loving the trip report, @drron.

 

[drron]

A pretty route but unfortunately trees mainly obscure views over Bath.

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

Back in the City and time for a late lunch. Chose the Square Bar and Grill and it was good,




Mrsdron had the entree Moules et frites and then the entree scallops. I had the entree scallops and the Mains Moules et frites. The mussels were excellent.
A cab back to the hotel. One arrived at the rank just as we got there.

We weren't hungry that night so just shared some calamari and a couple of drinks in the bar. It was the night of ger Majesties passing so the only people in the bar were us,a Canadian couple and a Texan couple. The Canadians kept to themselves but we got on well with the Texans. He was a United Captain laid off in early 2021. His most frequent route was IAH-SYD. Lots of stories.

 

[drron]

Next morning I decided to have the 3 egg omelet for breakfast, It was huge but quite nice.


We then set off for Woolacombe. Backtracking but to stay at a hotel that wouldn't refund all that we had paid in April 2020. Kept a "deposit" that could be used for a future stay. So this was the future, We went via the Malverns and passed Chew valley Lake a part of Bristols water supply. Masses of waterbirds.










I think I saw every one of the ducks.

 

[drron]

A little further along we stopped at Harptree west as it said it had a Post office that could do currency change. Sadly just a place you could buy stamps and post your mail at the Genera store, But a pleasant little village.





Fortunately on our way to Woolacombe we detoured via Bideford to go to the Factory outlets. Unfortunately had gone downhill since our last visit. Fortunately was able to swap my left over Euros for some GBP as I had run out of cash.

 

[oznflfan]

Start my trip to London this afternoon with my son, can't wait. Be there on Monday to farewell the Queen. Poland after.

 

[drron]

We finally made it to the Watersmeet hotel in Woolacombe. The last half mile was on a very narrow and winding road. Met 6 cars coming the other way and they all insisted I had to back back to a slightly wider section. The hotel does have a great position an d views. The bedroom though was rather small and probably not what we had booked with only a double bed and no bath just a shower.



But nice views from our room.



And from the dining room.


.

 

[drron]

Even though it was cold,strong winds and a few showers I went and walked around Woolacombe. Most of the buildings are holiday apartments. Behind the hills there are several camping/caravan parks. So a few days before we arrived it was probably bedlam. Now nearly deserted.






Even a bus service. Glad I didn't meet that on the narrow section of road.



And in the distance the isle of Lundy.


A caravan that has seen better times.


A beach that only an Englishman would venture onto on this day.


But in summer there is a cafe on the beach.

 

[drron]

Some nice old buildings.





And a momument I looked at on my return journey.


I got to the main beach just as a rubber ducky was returning to the beach after a rescue. But in the cold there were a couple of occasions my camera didn't work. This wasn't the worst example that was when I was helping myself to some blackberries and a bed came down and did the same less than 2 feet from me. Damn Apple technology.
But here are shots of the beach.

 

[drron]

The far side of Woolacombe bay.




But in the Early 40s last century the beaches looked a lot different.

 

[drron]

The last of the walk.

 

[drron]

Dinner was at the hotel. The view was nice.


I started with the heirloom tomato salad with very few tomatoes Mrsdrron started with the small serving of mussels.



And of course a bottle of wine


For mains I had the large serving of mussels and Mrsdrron the mushroom pasta.

 

[drron]

The view during dinner with a half decent sunset.

 

[drron]

The weather was much better in the morning.


Breakfast was reasonable but then the hotel delivered us another blow. Went to pay the bill but told they don’t take Amex and never have. But our 2020 booking was prepaid using my Amex card. They were insistent so cash it was. So of the cash I had changed the day before I had just 3.60 GBP left and it was the weekend.

We were now headed for Newport Wales and I needed to fill up. It was the 4th petrol station I tried that would take Amex.

We reached Minehead just before midday and although the post office said it was open until midday and I walked in to the supermarket that it was in with 4 minutes to spare it was closed and roped off.

At least some nice scenery along the Devon coast and Exmouth there were few places that you could stop to take pictures.

 

[drron]

So the Newport HIE. They have been all the same small rooms with a double bed.



Tiny bathroom with the door a 2 way with a lock that I have never seen in a hotel room before.



Plus a beautiful car park view.


Did acknowledge status. Went for the drink coupon but they would only give 1. Got the 300 points as well though so OK.

Had to pay for 1 drink. Mrsdrron had a medium glass of Sav Blanc and I had a beer which was cheaper.

 

[craven morehead]

Dinner was at the hotel. The view was nice.
View attachment 293237

I started with the heirloom tomato salad with very few tomatoes Mrsdrron started with the small serving of mussels.
View attachment 293238
View attachment 293239

And of course a bottle of wine
View attachment 293240

For mains I had the large serving of mussels and Mrsdrron the mushroom pasta.View attachment 293241
View attachment 293242

Definitely a great view from the restaurant @drron

 

[drron]

The hotel restaurant was closed due to lack of staff. There was a pub next door so it was off to dinner.


The view from our table. A motorway behind the hedge.


The menu.





I had the maple glazed chicken wings and then the beef rib.



Mrsdrron had the scallops and prawns then the mushrooms.



It was OK but not a place you would rush back to. I did confirm that they took Amex before we sat down.

 

[drron]

A just adequate breakfast and then we were up the Wye Valley with a detour to Berrington Hall which has the last garden designed by “Capability” Brown.
Lovely countryside.



The wall of the walled garden at Berrington.









Lots of apples.