Date: 9-15th October 2023
Travelled: 80 kms from Birmingham to Staffordย
Visited: Stafford, Shrewsbury and Gnosall ย
Stayed: Ladybirch Motorhome Park, ยฃ25, N52.80810, W02.18330ย ย
Budget: 144 days @ โฌ96 per day
We departed Lyonโs Boatshed in Birmingham into the morning traffic. Itโs a slow run but once where on the Wolverhampton side of the city things move quickly enough. The rest of the drive is the M4 which seems fairly quiet today.
We are booked into Ladybirch Motorhome Park, itโs a mile or so from Stafford. Surrounded by farmland the owners have built an aire in their backyard. It has all the usual services and ammenities, plus a games room which we take advantage of .
Where here for 6 nights to clean up, pack up, organise an MOT and hand over the Hymer to the agent who is selling it on our behalf. We hire a car for a few days to escape Lady birch and for the trip to Heathrow. But in the meantime we explore Stafford, Shrewsbury and Gnosall.
Some scenes from Stafford below.
Another day another adventure. Shrewsbury is just across the border in Wales. Itโs only 40 miles away, so why not. Mind you it drizzled all day. Our guide book describes Shrewsbury as a historic Market Town with both an English and Welsh heritage.
Parking is ยฃ3 per hour which isnโt a great start to our visit.
Saint Michaelโs Church is a great spot to escape the drizzle. We are lucky enough to get a guided tour by one of the church wardens. Its 500 year old spire is one of the tallest in Britain.
Finally after 4 days of cold and drizzle we get some sun. Someone has recommended Gnosall and lunch overlooking the canal. Cross country via the lanes Gnosall is less than 10 miles away. We spend a memorable couple of hours enjoying lunch watching the narrow boats negotiate bridge No35.
After 10 years of adventures wandering Europe, with a bit of Asia and Africa thrown in, our beloved Hymer has new owners. Itโs a sad goodbye but all things come to an end and we thought its best to say goodbye on our own terms. Handing over the keys we wished Mark and Tracey best of luck in their travels.
We point the hire car towards Heathrow and start the long journey back to Aus.
Michael and Pam
7 thoughts on “Done and Dusted, England ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ 2023”
Mike and Pam,
Thank you for a wonderful blog. I know how much time it takes – especially to make it so readable. Well done.
Your adventures in 2023 look wondrous. I cant wait to take some hints from it next year for us.
Mark and Bev
Well what an amazing journey you had.
I just know that feeling saying goodbye to an old friend who carried you through many places and memories.
Safe journey ๐ home.
Much love
Johannes and Joy
Great trip guys. I loved your stories even about places where I’ve been. The french villages guidbook journey was inspired and very interesting. The Hymer has been a great vehicle for you both.
Safe travels home, catch up soon.
Hi guys, WOW!!!! you’ve finally done it – passed the keys to the Hymer onto someone else. How many klms had she done?? Onto the next adventure. Safe travels home – catch up soon <3 ๐
Well Iโve really enjoyed following you around Europe over the last couple of years. Thank you for sharing your travels. Best wishes Martin (from Wales, currently in Greece in our Hymer)
Thank you for all of your efforts with keeping the blog and helping us to all stay in touch while you traveled. Safe travels back to Oz.
Hi, I missed a few posts, so you selling your Hymer id news to me… Even from afar and only intermittently, I have grown fond of your carriage. Does that mean your overseas travel adventures are over?
๐ป Rita