London, England. 2013 🇬🇧

A busy but enjoyable first week. The flight was long but we managed a few sleeps along the way. Our driver was waiting and we were soon at Wildhill catching up with Noreen and Swaraj.

Up early for a walk, breakfast and off to Chichester via London to pick up the Hymer. Pam and I both nervous and excited. We lunch with Terry and Leila before the unveiling.

The Hymer is exactly as we hoped, perhaps even more. It’s a long drive to Wildhill, in the dark on the A this and the M that. It pours rain most of the way, so we very relieved to see the driveway.

Our next day is sightseeing in London. We catch the express from Potters Bar to Kings Cross, then the 91 bus to Charing Cross. From there it’s a short walk to Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, and Westminster Bridge. We take a tour of Westminster Abbey.  We enjoy fish and chips in a little pub on our way back to the tube.  After a day of shopping for bits for the Hymer, we say goodbye and head north on the A1(M). We stop at Market Harborough, a French market is being held in the Square, so we stock up for lunch a little later. Next stop Foxton Locks, a series of 10 locks on the canal. A large narrows barge is moving through just as we arrive. Our thoughts wander to the Canal de Midi ?

Passing Rutland Water, we are now in the Mid-lands. Within the hour we arrive at David and Iris’ beautiful home in Upper Saxondale, a short distance from Nottingham and Sherwood.

We are off early to Manchester, David and I to Old Trafford for MU v Crystal Palace, the girls shopping. After the game we start the long trip home. Our next stop at the Chatsworth Estate, to walk the magnificent gardens before heading of for Dinner at Rowley’s in Baslow. The mid-lands are a post card of stone walls, magnificent estates and warm little pubs with wonderful food.