Day 8: To Be or Not To Be

This morning we got up again at 5.45, no reference to shining. Tiredness proportional to days on tour. The day began with a tour around Liverpool, The Albert Dock, home to the cotton, tobacco and slave trade... Happy to know this has mostly ceased now. Also the home to White Star Lines where the plans for The Titanic were drawn up.

Some Culture: Home to the half lamb/ half banana sculpture...it's significance.. NFI. Google it, it is hideous. 

Onwards and upwards the next part of our Liverpool driving tour was dedicated to the Fab Four i.e Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields and John Lennons childhood home. It is a shame that people feel they need to deface things in order to pay their respect.

After Liverpool we headed to the home of another writer William Shakespeare at Stratford upon Avon. Shakespeare or Will (as those of us who have visited his home know him as) was also known as The Bard of Avon( the River and not the cosmetic company). Will was born in 1564 and died sometime after that, writing a few popular tales in between, Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet to name a few.

Stratford Upon Avon was wet and gloomy most of while we were there. What we did discover is that neither of us really listen to directions and we get a little lost, can't wait until we are in London or Paris.

After Stratford Upon Avon was the afternoons travel to Wales, Cardiff to be specific. We cleaned up during the afternoons bus quiz, securing us a box of Maltesers. Who knew we were now experts in British history. 

Arriving into Cardiff was like arriving into a police state, over 9000 Bobbies, that is a whole lot of police and a whole lot of Hi-Vis, turns out it wasn't for our arrival but for many of our world leaders on Friday for the NATO conference. Sandys dream came true when she got to pretend she was an extra on The Bill.

Cardiff is a very nice city with a large student population, cheap drinks and what appeared to be a lot of very young mothers ( something to do with the cheap drinks perhaps). Cardiff does have a very nice castle as well, Caerphilly Castle, note the weathers improvement.

What did Cardiff teach me? 

That Scottish people may speak funny but Welsh people spell funny as well! And if you need to leave your bike anywhere you may require more than the one lock.

Day 7: Pencils and Popstars

Yet again another early morning, we are getting up at 5.45am all mornings except for one on this bus tour so we are getting tireder by the day which is probably evident in my ravings.

We left Loch Long for Liverpool in the rain once again, mornings always seem rainy. The " comfort stop" this morning was Gretna Green, famous for lots of weddings, and I think you can get married at age 12 there, such a sensible option. Think of the benefits, no need to serve alcohol at the wedding, if you have children straight away they are off your hands by about age 30, you can celebrate your golden anniversary at 62, and let's face it who wouldn't want to be with the same person for 70+ years? 

Enough of the romance and it's back on the coach to Keswick in The Lakes District ( most visited area in the UK). Keswick is a 13th century market town famous for cheese and something called Kendal Mint Cake.

Another beautiful village with the sun shining and people with puppies everywhere, dogs were allowed in most places here, pubs, restaurants and shops, our sort of town. Once again a very hikey, mountain climbing type of place. Keeping my dream alive.

Fun Fact: The pencil was invented here, Derwent, and tell me who didn't want a set of Derwents at school?

Back on the bus and with more scenery than you could poke a HB at we headed on to Liverpool, the birthplace of The Beatles, not quite as exciting as the birthplace of the pencil but who are we to judge?

What magnificent weather Liverpool has put on, and to my surprise a very pretty city with a great dock area as well as some unique accommodation options.

Just beginning to realise that things are a little more pricey in the UK as well, i.e about $6.50 for a med coffee. I think I keep seeing the amount in £ and forget to convert to $. Royalties from my monster pics should start arriving soon and it will be first class all the way.

Today's Shoutout: All the Westie owners in the UK who let these two mad Aussie women pat their dogs.