England 2017

We stopped a few times for pictures as we drove through the Lake District, and down the side of Lake Windermere.

Really nice little Motor Museum, with loads of historic automotive trivia and bric-a-brac. Features a very cool Donald Campbell Speed Record display in a separate building.

An overnight at this beautiful Manor was very pleasant. Bit difficult to find, GPS was confused.

We encountered a 'little bit' of fog driving through the Dales, which meant we saw nothing :(

Long time fans of the writings and TV shows of the legendary James Herriot, we couldn't possibly pass up on the opportunity to visit this tribute to his life and work. We were NOT disappointed, it was very cool!

One of the largest and most important Cathedrals in Europe, York MInster is definitely worth a look around for the beautiful architecture and art.

Another place of Legend, we all grew up hearing tales of Robin Hood and his home in Sherwood Forest. The tree reputed to be the meeting spot for Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men still stands in the forest, which is a really serene and beautiful spot.

A few pictures taken during a half day at the British Motor Museum, which is a really great exhibition that includes the Jaguar Collection and Lady Penelopes' Thunderbird Car!

A visit to the Donington F1 Collection proved much more interesting than I expected, as the collection contains MUCH more than F1 cars. Very much worth a look!

Overnighting at a B&B in a town called Woolavington, we awoke to a view of beautiful church and graveyard.

We stopped at Minehead and took a look at the historic Train Station there.

Next, we drove down to the deep south of Cornwall, the delightful Penzance. We didn't get a lot of time to explore, unfortunately.

Advertised as the most haunted Jail in Britain, Bodmin is more a tourist experience than an authentic one.

Another stop at a delightful Seaside town, and Dani finally got to sample Cockles, which she loved!

And on to Torquay, home of Fawlty Towers! We arrived late and with awful weather, so didn't get to see too much.

Unfortunately we were (again) pushed for time, so weren't able to explore the complex at Beaulieu, which looked pretty interesting. The village is just georgeous, however!

Another overnight, in Portsmouth this time. Seems like a really nice place, we liked it!

First stop for the day was Bognor Regis, another famous holiday destination. It was pretty much deserted, but would have been swarming with holiday-makers just a few weeks earlier.

The day we arrived in Kent there were high wind warnings, and it was blowing a gale! All the sea frontage walk ways were closed, and we were just about the only people silly enough to be out. The ocean breaking over the sea walls and the Channel Tunnel was just spectacular!

Back-tracking a few miles, we stayed overnight in a little Inn in Folkestone. Very quaint, especially the bathroom! A drive down to the harbour and a walk out on the ferry terminal gave us the opportunity to view the cliffs of Dover from a distance, and take some great pictures of the angry seas!

Deal is a little fishing town just east of Dover where I used to go fishing with my Dad as a teenager. It has hardly changed, and brought back many memories for me. We would have stopped for a look in the castle, but sadly Deal suffers the same fate as most english towns, in that parking is next to impossible. It must cost them billions in lost tourism.

As we turned north and started to make our way back up, first stop was Ramsgate. Again, we couldn't find anywhere to park or we would have explored and stayed for lunch. It looked to be a very pretty town.

We stopped by Canterbury to see the Cathedral, but it was covered in scaffold :( We walked around the town a little, very attractive place.

A quick trip through the Dartford tunnel under the Thames, and we header towards Clacton-on-Sea to visit some relatives! Clacton is a brilliant little spot!

A day out on the Norfolk Broads was an absolute delight. Luckily we took Captain Arnie (The Staffordshire Terrier) along to navigate the perilous waterways! A very memorable day with great friends Jeanette and Colin (and Arnie!)

Next stop was a couple of days with the very hospitable and thoroughly loveable Beth and Ash at Walton-on-the-Naze, where we enjoyed some long walks, and brilliant ecology experience in the bays off Walton, and even went 10-pin bowling!

Pictures taken on the afore-mentioned ecology trip. Watch out for the Seals!

Next was a visit to cousin Jacqui and her husband Terry, who we had a fantastic time with! We visited an uncle (Clive) who is 93, and absolutely amazing! A quick trip past the house where our family lived before coming to Australia was a blast too!

A trip with Jacqui and Terry to Old Leigh-on-Sea (which I often visited on my Pushbike as a kid) showed us that the place has changed very little over the last 50 years, and is still a really pretty spot.

A walk along the sea-front at Southend, however, showed lots of changes. Some major landmarks (like the Golden Hind!) were gone, and only a small strip of amusement arcades remains. The Kursaal is still there, but is now a 10-pin bowling alley. Still loads to see and do there though, and we enjoyed a sea-food platter for lunch - just brilliant!

After a teary farewell to Jacqui, we hit the road again again for our final drive - into the heart of London where we would spend our last few days in the U.K. We dropped our luggage at our hotel in Bayswater, then returned the hire car. It was a lovely day, so we took a leisurely stroll back to the hotel via Hyde Park. That such a huge and beautiful park can still exist in the middle of London is just gob-smacking.

Leaving Hyde Park, we entered the streets of London and the famous Sloane Square, where we stopped for a breather!

A few pictures taking whilst walking between destinations in London. London truly is one of the greatest cities in the world, it has it all!

We missed out on a visit to the London Eye last year as we ran out of time - so we got in early this trip! AMAZING views of London from the eye, and it was eerily quiet and smooth. Great experience!

A half day in the famous Covent Garden Markets was well spent. Fantastic atmosphere, loads to see and do. We even stumbled across the East India Company!

Passing by the Supreme Court Building, we noticed that visitors were allowed, so we went in for a look!

Our visit to the beautiful Westminster Abbey was cut short when we discovered that visitors weren't allowed to take photographs. Considering they charge a heap to go in anyway, this is just nonsense.

Took a few shots of the Houses of Parliament as we walked past.

Same story as Westminster, no photos allowed. I was also surprised to discover that what used to be a mausoleum (if memory serves me correctly) underneath St Pauls has now been turned into a Cafe and Gift Shop??? Doesn't sound very sacred to me..

The British Museum is a wonderland, where we spent a day walking back into history. A really amazing and deeply interesting place.

We finally made it to the Palace and a Changing of the Guard! What happened to all their pretty red coats, I ask? The place was packed, can only imagine how busy it would be in peak tourist season! Very cool!

After watching the Changing of the Guard we walked back into the city through St James Park, which is just beautiful. We couldn't believe the size of the Ducks, they must eat well!

Whilst in London we stayed in Bayswater, which turned out to be a brilliant spot. Lots of great restaurants, close to the tube etc..

I grabbed a few shots of the amazing London Underground!