A Tiny Bit of UK

Our Notting Hill VRBO flat did not measure up to the rave reviews it garnered on line. Oh. Well. On to pick up the car. Dad asked if I’d be driving any. Nope. Greg & I have a working understanding—overseas he’s the driver; I’m the navigator. Out of London (quite a feat—narrow roads, driver on right, shifting and driving on left), plug in ‘no highways’ into Garmin, away we go a wandering the English countryside!

First stop: Stonehenge. Situated in the middle of an open field, choices are shuttle or hike. Dad passed. Greg said he wasn’t paying to walk the circle. I took off solo. As I walked across the first field I contemplated the scores of women who had trekked before me. What were their worries and concerns? What were their celebrations and joys? Are emotions a luxury of not having to constantly be concerned and working toward survival? Arrival at Stonehenge proper actually felt a bit like time travel. What. a. charge. 

Greg showed up. Said he decided that if someone ever asked if he had been to Stonehenge, he didn’t want to say, I was close. We walked back together and found dad resting.  On to the edge of the Cotswolds District where we stopped at a lovely old hotel in the former rectory of adjoining church. Pampered & posh, perfect libations and victuals, a gem we all decided would be a favorite of the trip. 

Day started with full English breakfast: fried eggs, black pudding, banger & bacon, mushrooms, roasted tomato, and fried bread. And of course, tea...even tried a spot of cream in it and was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed.

First on agenda: Cotswolds District, the old stone abodes read about in English literature. Stopped in a small village and wandered to an old mill before checking off our list. Farms, sheep, hamlets, horses and LOTS of roundabouts. Near Birmingham we got back on highways (similar to interstates—traffic congestion/main arteries) to make some time on our way to Hollingworth, English town where our genealogy has been traced back to 1022.

About the time we left there I had an ‘ah-ha’ moment. I THOUGHT we had the car for three days in England/Scotland; in reality it was part of one, full day, part of another. There was no way we were going to see all I had hoped to. I often have to adjust my expectations on trips 🙃

Can’t post pictures in the blog but here’s a link to a few more here.