Our converted barn in Henwood Uk was lovely. we stayed a week and spent time with Tully, Ed, Izzy, Elsa and baby Sebastian. they live in an old cottage looking out to the fields and they have horses, chickens, rabbit, guinea pigs, dog and cat. The road to their place is very narrow and the local sheep, lambs and horses roam free.

Unfortunately I developed a really severe flu here and was a little under the weather, but our cottage and environment made it bearable.

While we were in this part of the Uk we decided to visit Brian. Brian was an icon of Katoomba with his book shop. He has retired and is now 81 and still nimble in mind and body. It was great to see him.

So we are coming to the end of our Uk part of the trip and handing over our shiny red car today in Bristol then off to Paris.
Last post I see we were still in Ludlow. Well our next stop was in wales at Tintern, a sleepy little place on the Wye river in the Wye valley in Wales. We stayed at the Rose and Crown in a comfy room with a lovely view.

We got up and faced another English breakfast before heading down the road to see the ruined Tintern abbey which started in the 11th century and trashed by Henry early 15th century.

We decided we have come all this way so we couldn't miss a chance to visit more expats from Katommba so we headed off to Wooton under edge near Gloustershire to see Glendon and Catherine and their 3 children who we havn't seen in 10 yrs. 

We arrived and it was Eurovision party night so costumes had to be found.

Said our good byes and hoped it won't be another 10years before we see them again and headed for our cottage stay in Cornwall . detoured to Glastonbury and found a good coffee in the medieval town full of 70's dated magic shops!!!

Onwards to Henwood where we are staying for the next week in a converted barn. What a charming corner of the world.

We came here to visit Mark's daughter and 3 children. What a delight!!!

Off we go!!!! Picked up our shiny red hire car in Manchester. What a lark when you are use to driving older cars and find yourself in a brand new no key technology vehicle. Luckily there was a fellow standing by who showed us how to start the car and get us on our way.
A brief stop at sainsburys to pick up some food stuffs for the journey and OH!! we can't find reverse!!! So we sat in the car until someone driving the same car parked and we asked them if they could show us. He looked at us like we were from a different planet but still assisted us.
Now we are on our way. So we head for Ludlow as we have some friends from our home town who have purchased a house there.

We arrive in Ludlow and fall in love instantly. Ludlow is steeped in history with a medieval castle, a wealth of Tudor timber framed buildings as well as Georgian & Regency architecture. Lots of narrow lanes, small and interesting shops, markets and courtyards.
We find our friend Di and she takes us to see their three storey Georgian place they are renovating. It is right in the market square and looks awesome.

 Di takes us to the pub next to her accom which is the wheatsheaf Inn was built in 1668 and was first licensed as guest house in 1753 and has remained one ever since. It adjoins the towns historic 13th century broad gate. Our room is cosy and warm and we have to duck the broad centuries old beams.

We spent the next day exploring Ludlow, a walk by the river, climbed the 200 steps to the top of the church tower for a fantastic 360 view of Ludlow.

                                      

Could have spent so much more time here but as a visitor our time is limited and we made contact with some more escapees from Katoomba so decided to move on.

Well for the last few days we have continued visiting places around Manchester UK. Yesterday we were at Chatsworth which I prefer to call Pemberly. Yes, Pemberly from Pride & Prejudice. the movie made in 2005 was filmed here but I do prefer the BBC series. As we approached I exclaimed "It's Pemberly!!!"

I can see how Elizabeth fell for Mr Darcy after visiting Pemberly. The wealth this took to create is unimaginable.

Such oppulence, Such decadence, such lusiousness. One of my favourite rooms was the library

But the guest bedrooms OMG. Canopy beds with hand painted wall papers from China, sent over in the height of chinsoire in the late 1800's.

This place has been through so many centuries from extreme wealth and oppulence, to a girls school during the war, almost loss due to taxes and returned to it's former glory for the public to enjoy by hard working people and volunteers. The vast gardens and lands are so manicured yet inviting.

Another site well worth visiting if you are in this part of the world.

A DAY IN MANCHESTER

Had a day in Manchester today. Went on a walking tour which was most informative. We visited the immense Gothic town hall, the Rylands library, lunch in an old 15th century pub. So much history just walking around in wonder and awe of this city. Most of the world's cotton was woven here and that is why in Australia we call linen products like sheets manchester.

Another afternoon walking the lochs and canals in nearby Marple and Tameside

ALL ROADS LEAD TO BERLIN

Well that is our destination but a few stops along the way. First leg of the journey has brought us to Abu Dhabi  to break up the long flight. Tired and worn we arrive at the Traders hotel via taxi and fall into a comfy bed for much needed sleep.
Time to look around town with some brekky. We enter one of the many malls around town and end up here for brekfast.

Good coffee, great service then off for an amazing view from up in the tower behind the cafe. 

The jet lag is starting to set in now and can feel my feet dragging and my mind in neutral. I need to see something other than chain stores. A mall is a mall is a mall no matter what country you are in. Sorry but they are just plain boring!!!!!

So time for a bit of culture so we head off to the QASR AL HOSN the most iconic building in Abu Dhabi where life unfolded in the days before oil. Unfortunately it was under maintenance construction so we had to be satisfied with an historical exhibition. 

So the next most famous site is SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE. So we jumped into a taxi and headed out to this most wondrous site. One thousand gilt topped, marble columns designed to represent the cherished date palm. Intricate floral patterns meticulously crafted from semi precious stones and mother of pearl. Minarets topped with 24 carat gold and finest white marble throughout.

At the centre of the main prayer hall is is the world's largest crystal chandelier, one of seven, it measures 10 metres in diameter, 15 metres tall and weighs approx 9 tonnes.

The carpet in the main hall of the Grand Mosque is the world's largest hand woven carpet measuring 5,700 square metres and was created in Iran by a team of 1,300 weavers. Truly awesome and not to be missed by anyone visiting Abu Dhabi.

The view from our hotel room over flat roofs and out to the beach. Calling this a beach to an Australian is like calling a mud hole to a lake. It was like someone had made a pretend beach on the Parramatta river. I decided to stay in the shade of my Arabian tent.

 

May 3rd

Fly to Manchester UK where we are greeted by friends Alice & Helen. We arrive at their lovely home set up high on a hill overlooking rolling fields, bunnies romping in the fields, a young foal cantering here and there. So story book english.