Monday ... and it’s raining even more.
Had plans to all head off to Tintern Abbey (Liz would lead us down and then head back home) but woke to more rain. Decided that we’d just leave from The Glen Farm and say our farewells. Liz has been a wonderful host and something to aspire to. Opening her home and welcoming a family of five to come and stay must have been quite an imposition! We did have a wonderful stay and will hope that Liz might come back to Australia so we can return the favour - would love to show her around Cape Otway.
We headed from Liz’s down the Wye valley and stopped at Tintern Abbey and had a wander around the outside. Amazing to be driving along and suddenly come upon these wonderful old ruins that Wordsworth imortalised. Some restoration work going on (as is just about everywhere in Europe...) and it’s still raining. Then back across the Severn and bypassed Bristol to get to Bath. Had a walk around for a few hours and saw some of the highlights. Not enough time to do any tours or see inside the roman baths (not to worry, saw them on Getaway only a couple of months ago!)
Then it was back to the M4 and all the way back to Budget to drop the MPV off. Everybody had a powernap (except me - I was driving the three lane highway!) during the 120 miles back. fairly uneventful except for the stops once we got closer to London (did I mention it’s a lot like the Westgate?). Lot’s of nice cars zooming past going faster than the 75 mph I was doing. The 2.9 ltr diesel auto coped well with the trip and we did 654 miles and spent about 90 pounds on fuel (a bit over $2 a liter so not too bad). All up, hiring the car was a successful venture.
Got to the backpackers just before 8 and had to wait while a big school group checked in before us - very glad we booked! Had to walk up to the 4th floor to register and hand over the cash and receive our linen and the swipe card for room 412. We were in a dimly lit room with three double bunks, a few lockers built into the wall, no fan (it was warm and even though the window was set open it was a bit stuffy), a sink that was semi blocked, no chairs or table, and a South African guy called Clive. Settled in and went out to see the lights of Piccadilly Square. One good thing about the hostel is that it’s very central.
We then wandered down through Trafalgar Square (lots of people and pigeons about) and down to the river. Wandered along to the North bank of the Thames and then crossed over on the bridge. Noticed that there were these cast steel statues on the bridge and then on the top of buildings on both sides of the river. Amazing must have been able to see about 20 of them!
Then along the South bank and towards the BA London Eye. Had a great view of the city in the twilight and s it got darker and the lights came on, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament/Westminster Abbey. Heard the big clock strike 10 pm! Felt very tired at the end of the day and looked forward to lying down and closing my eyes.
Got woken by a fire alarm at 12:45 halfway into a deep sleep. Didn’t panic (been through too many false alarms at Deakin - but still a bit scary) but we all had to evacuate out on the cold windy street (grabbing some essentials on the way out). Spent about 30 minutes outside with a hundred other people and the fire truck with it’s flashing blue light before we could go back inside and back to sleep.
Had plans to all head off to Tintern Abbey (Liz would lead us down and then head back home) but woke to more rain. Decided that we’d just leave from The Glen Farm and say our farewells. Liz has been a wonderful host and something to aspire to. Opening her home and welcoming a family of five to come and stay must have been quite an imposition! We did have a wonderful stay and will hope that Liz might come back to Australia so we can return the favour - would love to show her around Cape Otway.
We headed from Liz’s down the Wye valley and stopped at Tintern Abbey and had a wander around the outside. Amazing to be driving along and suddenly come upon these wonderful old ruins that Wordsworth imortalised. Some restoration work going on (as is just about everywhere in Europe...) and it’s still raining. Then back across the Severn and bypassed Bristol to get to Bath. Had a walk around for a few hours and saw some of the highlights. Not enough time to do any tours or see inside the roman baths (not to worry, saw them on Getaway only a couple of months ago!)
Then it was back to the M4 and all the way back to Budget to drop the MPV off. Everybody had a powernap (except me - I was driving the three lane highway!) during the 120 miles back. fairly uneventful except for the stops once we got closer to London (did I mention it’s a lot like the Westgate?). Lot’s of nice cars zooming past going faster than the 75 mph I was doing. The 2.9 ltr diesel auto coped well with the trip and we did 654 miles and spent about 90 pounds on fuel (a bit over $2 a liter so not too bad). All up, hiring the car was a successful venture.
Got to the backpackers just before 8 and had to wait while a big school group checked in before us - very glad we booked! Had to walk up to the 4th floor to register and hand over the cash and receive our linen and the swipe card for room 412. We were in a dimly lit room with three double bunks, a few lockers built into the wall, no fan (it was warm and even though the window was set open it was a bit stuffy), a sink that was semi blocked, no chairs or table, and a South African guy called Clive. Settled in and went out to see the lights of Piccadilly Square. One good thing about the hostel is that it’s very central.
We then wandered down through Trafalgar Square (lots of people and pigeons about) and down to the river. Wandered along to the North bank of the Thames and then crossed over on the bridge. Noticed that there were these cast steel statues on the bridge and then on the top of buildings on both sides of the river. Amazing must have been able to see about 20 of them!
Then along the South bank and towards the BA London Eye. Had a great view of the city in the twilight and s it got darker and the lights came on, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament/Westminster Abbey. Heard the big clock strike 10 pm! Felt very tired at the end of the day and looked forward to lying down and closing my eyes.
Got woken by a fire alarm at 12:45 halfway into a deep sleep. Didn’t panic (been through too many false alarms at Deakin - but still a bit scary) but we all had to evacuate out on the cold windy street (grabbing some essentials on the way out). Spent about 30 minutes outside with a hundred other people and the fire truck with it’s flashing blue light before we could go back inside and back to sleep.
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