Hotel Days Inn Nuneaton

With time rapidly dwindling I went down to Banbury way this afternoon to visit my brother et famille before I leave, taking the opportunity to say goobye to two young nephews - one of whom was able to appreciate some of the implications of what I am doing, "But what if you get sick?" he asked. :-)

Back up to Stoke in the late evening. Last day of preparations tomorrow.

... golf was great. So many memories of playing around there as a junior golfer off a 21 handicap! It was so different to play this time round though! I actually shot 7 over which obviously was the best round I'd ever had there! Mat wasn't so good but did play pretty well considering he doesn't play that much anymore! So I won't bore you with the details but it was very very enjoyable!

To the girls..... They decided to head off into Leicester, or the outskirts ...

... I'm going to Weston-Super-Mare. Can anyone explain to me why you would name a city this? Because I have no freaking clue. It sounds insane. Maybe I should live there seeing as how I am also insane. I'm beginning to accept the fact that I may have to go home in a few weeks. Finding a place that will hire me with enough certainty that I will stay and not use my return plane ticket just seems unlikely to happen in the next three weeks. I guess you never know what ...

... live and work. It overlooks the plains where the Civil War was fought and was built after the war in 1750. It had a lovely lounge in which we had a drink and then drove back and did our packing.







We walked around to the local for a drink by the fire and then ordered Thai food.

Stephen drove us to Chipping Campden (20 min. away) for our 4 hour walk. It was bitterly cold as a wind was blowing but the sun was out. It was a lovely village and had a lovely open stone market hall from 1627 with an uneven stone floor.









We ...

... back to the river. We went and did a brass rubbing for 7 pounds 50p ($17) of the Earl of Warwick from 1406. We were so cold when we got home that I had to put my feet on the central heating pipes for ages. Called Lavinia in London and arranged to have dinner Monday night. Went to the local for a drink and then home for Coq au Vin.

... mouth! Because we got so damp we decided to do the 2 hour walk and not the 4 hour one. Ended up taking us 3 hours. We passed through a field of sheep – white and brown ones – and there were a lot of cute lambs and all the sheep were 'baaing’ at us.








Stratford-upon-Avon, England, United Kingdom hilaryramsey

... the two, had holes in the walls called murder holes to pour boiling water or shoot from to kill them.








We then climbed up and walked along the Ramparts and Towers along the whole front wall. It was so windy and cold. All day we were freezing and our feet were numb. It was about 2 degrees C.





Stratford-upon-Avon, England, United Kingdom hilaryramsey

... br>





We then went home and went for a drive to Bourton-on-the-Water. We paid 3 pounds to park the car for 3 hours and walked into the village called the Venice of the Cotswolds due to the number of little bridges over the shallow little stream running through the middle. Has lovely pubs and beautiful shops. Stopped for lunch and ...

Up at 6.30 am to go to airport & hostel organised a taxi to take us there for 20d ($7.50). We were flying Lufthansa this time. Bought some Calvin Klein Eternity perfume 100ml for 206d (US$57) (Aus$70). Nearly missed the plane as came out of shop and walked the wrong way. When we realised, there were only 5 mins until gates closed & we had to run & were the last on board!!!!



Stratford-upon-Avon, England, United Kingdom hilaryramsey