From Windsor, it is a very straightforward 20 minute drive to Heathrow Airport. We drop off our rental car, and prepare for the 12 hour flight to Shanghai. We have a 24 hour stopover. A chance to stretch the legs and have a night in a comfy bed. We have been to Shanghai before, and are not particularly excited about returning. It is a huge modern city, full of high rises and teeming with humanity.
After an uneventful flight, we check into our hotel, the Pudong Shangri-La, get changed and go exploring. Although weary, we continue on for as long as we can, before heading back to our hotel. Talking of which, it is very comfortable, with afternoon tea, happy hour with food and breakfast all inclusive.
After a long relaxing sleep, we head down to the breakfast buffet. It is outstanding.. every breakfast food item you could think of!
Back out to the Airport, and Air New Zealand home to New Zealand. A time to reflect on what was a great family holiday. A trip of a lifetime!
We have had three very enjoyable days in the Wye Valley, and now to our final England destination, Windsor. This is an easy two and a half hour drive, and we stop on the way for a coffee in Criclade.
We arrive in Windsor too soon to check in to our accommodation, so have lunch at a Japanese restaurant, Ichiban. Very nice. We then have a wander around Windsor and Eton, before moving into our digs, which suits us perfectly . Tomorrow we will explore Windsor Castle and surrounds.
Dinner is at a nearby Middle Eastern restaurant, Best Meze Grill. We were all very happy with our meals, with the meat kebab choices cooked to perfection.
With Scott and Eva heading into London to catch up with friends, the Old Pharts are to explore town centre, Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park. An overcast and drizzly day, but this doesn’t deter them. An easy walk into the town centre from their apartment, and morning coffee on the way at Gail’s Bakery.
After wandering into the town centre to watch the Christmas lights being turned on, it was on to our final dinner in England. We chose the Japanese restaurant Misugo. The group all love Japanese food, and Misugo didn’t disappoint.
So the Finlayson group family UK travels comes to its conclusion. It has been a wonderful travel experience.. a trip of a lifetime! An overnight stopover in Shanghai before flying home.
After six enjoyable and relaxing days at Cricket St Thomas, we loaded up the cars and motored back to Bristol. Andrew and Neethd are leaving the group to move into their flat in Brislington, Bristol. A farewell lunch at the Knowle, and on to Newland, Wye Valley for the remaining four. We settled into our accommodation in Rose Cottage, then dined at Amici in Coleford. Excellent Italian food and service.
The day dawned fine, so an opportunity to explore one of the many walks in the area. We chose the King Arthur’s caves circular, featuring Symonds Yat. All up, about 11kms. Dinner for the evening was just down the road in the Newland village pub, the Ostrich Inn. A classic old pub, with a log fire and excellent food.
Our final day in the Wye Valley, and with the agreeable weather forecast, we come up with a cunning plan. Firstly, Tintern Abbey and some morning tea, then on to Monmouth for lunch, then an afternoon walk.
Lunch in Monmouth was at the popular Estero Lounge, and we were all very happy with our lunch choices. It was then time to burn off the lunch excesses, with the 6km Monmouth and King’s Wood trail. The terrain was a mixture of lanes, fields and woodland. It was at times heavy underfoot, and took us almost two hours.
For dinner, back to Coleford and our friends at Amici Italian restaurant. We enjoyed it so much the first time, we just had to go back. It didn’t disappoint!
About an hour south of Bristol, and 10 minutes out of Chard is Monks Yard and Jordan’s Courtyard. This was to be our lunch stop. The cafe at Monks Yard was very busy, so we ambled around to Jordan’s Courtyard. Plenty of room, with a more upmarket lunch menu. After a bit of a wait, the food was served. Delicious and well worth the wait.
On to our accommodation, Swandown Lodges at Cricket St Thomas, about 4 miles east of Chard. A spacious, warm, modern villa with the added bonus of a hot tub! Dinner is at the Windwhistle pub, an easy walk down the road. The food was fine .. classic pub grub.
Day 2 in Chard, and we walked from our villa to the nearby Warners Hotel, and Cricket House. Our accommodation enables access to their gym and swimming pool. Later in the morning, we drove down to the Dorset coast and Lyme Regis. A walk along the Cobb and beach, lunch, then a play in the Entertainment Arcade.
Dinner was provided by Scott and Eva, with Burritos filled with their bean, lentil and mushroom mix. Restaurant quality!
The next morning we were greeted by rain, but it quickly cleared away, enabling our walking excursion. This is to be from Beer to Branscombe, with lunch at the Masons Arms. A great walk and lunch!
Saturday in Chard, and it’s Remembrance Day. The lads pop down the road to the Cricket St Thomas golf club driving range, and play the par 3 pitch and putt. They have a round of golf teed up for Monday.
In the afternoon, Sue drives the group to Yeovil to watch a football match, Yeovil Town v Dover. The home team win 2-0. Blair stays back and walks down to Cricket House and back. Neethd and Andrew provide dinner .. top quality!
Sunday, and time to try the Roast lunch menu at Cricket St Thomas golf club. Absolutely superb, with large portions and ample vegetables,potatoes and gravy. We then went on to Sue’s brother Jim and his wife Nicky for a family catch-up. Great to see them all.
The next day, Sue’s other brother Sean organised for the lads to play golf at Cricket St Thomas golf club. We were joined by club member and old family friend Mark Barry, and had a really enjoyable round. It was windy and the course was damp underfoot, but no problems for Blair, who gave Scott and Andrew a golfing lesson!
With Andrew and Neethd securing a room in a flat in Bristol, it is an opportunity for the group to check out this highly rated city. They are moving in with other Kiwis, with the plan of commencing the working part of their overseas experience.
Dinner for the evening was a Japanese restaurant on Gloucester Road, Ramen Ya. Absolutely delicious, and very good value.
The next morning, Neethd and Andrew head off with Sue to buy homewares for their Bristol flat. Blair, Scott and Eva walk into Bristol Central for an explore. The inner city turns out to be vibrant, with interesting areas and “nooks and crannies.”
Dinner that evening was at La Florentino Italian restaurant on Gloucester Road. Excellent food!
The next morning, we drove 30 miles south to the Village of Winscombe. The purpose was to meet up with Sue’s Aunt Joan, cousin Sally and her husband George. We met at the local pub for lunch, then back to Sally and George’s rural property for a walk.
We decided to dine in, with Thai takeaways on the menu. It looked like plenty of food, but there wasn’t much left by the time we finished!
Our final day in Bristol, so we visited Clifton, the “upmarket” area of Bristol. It also features the Clifton Suspension Bridge, spanning the Avon gorge and River Avon.
After two most enjoyable days in York, the Kiwi travellers are up and off to Sheffield. This large South Yorkshire city is on the edge of the Peak District. This is a place of wild peaks and rugged moorland with views that stretch forever. After stopping for a coffee in Hathersage, we begin a loop walk in nearby Stanage Edge. A vigorous three hour walk, with muddy tracks due to heavy recent rains.
Dinner that evening for Blair and Sue was Engin’s Turkish restaurant, just a gentle stroll up the road. The rest of the group went to a fireworks display in the Gardens in the city.
The next morning was cold, grey and damp, but the two seniors decided to head into town, then out to Chatsworth House, where the Xmas Market had commenced. A big crowd at the markets, undeterred by the constant heavy drizzle.
After a most enjoyable three days in Kirkby Lonsdale, the Kiwi travellers were off to York. On the way, a brisk walk in the Yorkshire Dales, at the spectacular Malham. This walk featured Malham Cove, Janet’s Foss and Gordale Scar.
And so on to York for two nights. Our accommodation is very central, a three bedroom apartment in what was an old schoolhouse. That evening we walked into town, and had a good look around the area within the old city wall. Dinner was at the popular Wagamama.
The next morning, we walked into town, and did the wall walk around the city. We also went into the very impressive Minster. York is a great place to walk around and take in the sights. The “Shambles” is a very popular area, and a great insight into England from yesteryear
Departing Liverpool, we head 90 minutes north to Kirkby Lonsdale, This pretty market town is within easy reach of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. Our accommodation is in a delightful Mews, close to all the amenities.
For our first day in the area, Scott has selected a 4 hour walk for us, near Ambleside in the Lake District. Due to road works near Windermere, a simple 20 mile drive took quite some time!
After our big day yesterday, we decided to have a quiet day in and around Kirkby Lonsdale. A very pleasant small town, with an abundance of pubs, cafes and shops.
After a very pleasant three days in Bath, the travellers were off to Liverpool. On the way, they made a detour to Macclesfield to catch up with Sue’s niece Vicki, her partner Chris and children Maisey and Wesley.
On to Liverpool, and our accommodation, which turns out to be rather disappointing. A terrace home in a rather “scruffy” part of town, so we decide to stay for 2 nights, instead of our original 3.
A must visit is the Beatles Experience, at the Royal Albert Dock. An interesting and informative exhibition, including a mock Cavern and Abbey Road studios.
The next day is Scott’s birthday, and the Rugby World Cup final, with New Zealand playing South Africa. We sort out a venue, “The Long Shot Bar”, to watch the big game.
The rugby result was disappointing for the Kiwis! However, the next morning, whilst the youngsters had a sleep in, Sue and Blair headed into town for a Beatles bus tour. This 90 minute guided tour included a drive through the city, then out to the area where the Beatles grew up, their childhood homes and iconic sites. A great tour!
After a pleasant flight, the Pharts are met at the Airport by Scott, Eva, Andrew and Neethd. Two rental cars are collected, and it’s off to their Air BnB in Bath. Sue went to University in Bath, so a trip down memory lane for her. The accommodation is ideal, and just a short walk down the hill to the city centre. We have a good look round the town, and are most impressed.
The next day, it is to be another trip down memory lane with a visit to Wells and Cheddar. Sue’s parents went to school in Wells, and she spent a lot of her childhood on the Mendip Hills. Before the drive to Wells, Sue and Scott trek the short distance to Bath University, so Sue can once again relive old memories.
That evening, we dined at a restaurant recommended by our Airbnb hosts. Chez Dominique, a French bistro near the Pulteney Bridge. Excellent!
