Day 07 - Warkworth

Well another sunny day and a great day for a walk around York, so off into the morning air we go heading for the Minster. It is a short stroll to get there and the minster is still undergoing it's restorations, after a lap around the minster we head into the twisting streets for a quick explore before heading to the Mickelgate entrance to the wall. York is one of the only towns left where you can still walk around the complete walls of the city. The height of the walls gives great views over the city and is really easy strolling.
With York covered it is off to Gothland, or should I say Aidensfield, yes it is up on the Yorkshire moors to take a look at where the filming of the tv show Heartbeat was filmed, as expected it has become very touristy. Next stop Whitby for a look at the Abbey and the harbor, followed by a nice drive to Gateshead to see the Angel of the North, by the time we get to Gateshead it is late in the afternoon, but there is just enough light to take some photos.
Next stop is Warkworth, castles, rolling Northumberland countryside, but that's for tomorrow.

Day 06 - York

After spending the morning continuing our look around Lincoln it is time to hit the road again this time bound for York. I have decided to take a slightly indirect route so as to drive over the Humber bridge. The first surprise is the Humber bridge is a toll bridge, so it is a scramble for coins, turns out the toll is 2.70.
The bridge looms large as you drive around the sweeping bend, a very impressive sight. It is 2.2 klm long and is currently the 5th longest single span suspension bridge in the world, you get a fantastic view over the river as you drive across.
After crossing the bridge it is a short drive to York, our hotel is within easy walking distance of the center of town and a short walk to find an Irish pub for a meal and a pint. The light are on and they shimmer on the river Ouse as we walk back to the hotel.

Day 05 - Lincoln

Well today finds us heading to Lincoln, first stop is Kings Lynn a small village at the mouth of the Ouse river, the town has a nice church and the river is very wide and largely tidal. After a quick look around it is off on the road to Lincoln, Lincoln has the 3rd largest cathedral in the country and it doesn't disappoint it has towers climbing to 252 feet and it use to have a wooden spire topping out at over 500 feet, this made it the tallest building in Britain until 1965.

Lincoln also has a nice mot and bailey castle and the guided tour was very well conducted. The hotel that we stayed in was directly across from the castle and very close to the cathedral as well, this made for an easy walk. Tomorrow finds us heading for York.

Day 04 - Bury St Edmunds

Well today is Saturday and it is our fist day without definite accommodation for the night, I am hoping for a cancelation and I have arranged to be able to leave the car in the car park for the morning, time will tell if we are lucky, but maybe the title gives the answer away. We have booked in to do the tour of the cathedral, our plans are changed when our 10:45 tour turns into a 12:00 tour. It turns out to be friends day at the cathedral and there are lots of things going on, a special concert by a string section, catered lunch for invited guests and an early service. Turns out Saturday is also market day and the high street is closed to traffic, it is all go as the traders sell there wares from under colorful canvas tents.

1 pm arrives and my hopes for a late cancellation are dashed, turns out there is an RAF reunion so it is off to Wickhambrook for a look around, a quick check of the map shows us the Bury St Edmunds is a likely place for a room for the night, we consult a local who offers to show us how to get to a hotel, again it is market day and a lot of the streets are closed in town. It proves to be a good tip as a nice room is available. After securing a room it is off for a bit of exploring, turns out there is a very nice cathedral in town as well as the ruins of the original abbey. Bury St Edmunds turns out to be a very nice town which, unlike some towns is flourishing.

Day 03 - Ely

Well our time in London is over and so it is off into the country side we drive. After a slight hassle getting our hire car we leave the busy city, drive past lords cricket ground and out along the motorway to the north.

First stop is Cambridge, for a look at the many colleges. The sun is out as we make our way from the car park to the small town market, I get a chance to buy and try my first local cox apple. It has been the best apple season here for many years and although a little flowery the apple does taste delicious. We have a look around kings college and then move onto Clare college, nice to think of walking the same paths as Steven Fry. After taking a few shots of the punters on the river we are back in the car and on our way to Ely.

Ely looks splendid in the afternoon light, the sun is shining, giving the cathedral a golden glow. The Lamb hotel has had a major upgrade since I was here last year, lots of structural changes and the rooms have all been fixed up, but the food is still as I remember. After an afternoon off wondering around it is time for a meal and a pint before retrying for the night.

Day 02 - London

Sunshine greats us after a good night, another great escape from jet lag. Breakfast is taken in the refurbished dinning area, and the hash browns, eggs and beans are a welcome start. Today is a day to explore the centre of London so it is a nice stroll through Hyde park and down monument avenue to Buckingham palace, we arrive just in time for the changing of the guards, So along with thousands of other tourists we take in the pomp and ceremony of the occasion.

After the guards have changed we take a stroll down the Mall to Trafalgar Square. The square is busy with tourists taking in the street performers and we wander into the national gallery for a quick look at the art. 2 hours later we are off down Whitehall St to parliament and Westminster Abby, then a walk over the bridge to take in the London Eye.

After strolling back across the bridge it is a tube ride back to the hotel, unfortunately it is home time and the tube trains are packed, luckily we do not need to go to far.

After another nice tea and a couple of pints it is time to turn in, tomorrow begins our journey into the country side.

Day 01 - London

Well kick off day one and it is an early start at 5:10 am touch down in Heathrow, day finds us touching down in the dark on a drizzly and cold morning, only 7 deg for a starter. After picking up our bags and breezing through customs, easy when you are the first international flight to land, it is of for a tube ride to Marble arch. 3 station changes later we arrive and it is a short walk to the hotel.

After dropping off the bags it is off for a quick explore to get some grocery supplies and a few sandwiches for lunch. With the day improving and a chance of some sunshine we venture out for another tube ride to St Paul's cathedral followed by a walk over the millennium bridge.

After a full day it is off to get a meal of fish and chips and a pint, nice way to end the day.

One more night

Well only one more night to go till grand tour two kicks off. I will be bloging to my home site, http://Ely.mine.nu and the intension is to only use my iPad or phone. Will be interesting to see if my daily journal is as easy to do as last years trip.