OK, done with Wales - next stop Macclesfield in England's Peak District, just south of Manchester. A four hour drive through the back roads of Wales, up hill and down dale. Weather is still holding good. After 2 hours of winding roads, we are both growing weary of "back roads" and are looking forward to getting back onto the M6 motorway. By the time we get to the hotel, about 3pm, it's already getting dark, so there is little chance of doing any exploring u...

Today we headed for Wales. Apart from a little fog, the weather was clear and warm (balmy 8 degrees). We've decided to head to the southern coastal area of Wales, somewhere around the Cardiff area. Whilst driving, Julie is doing a search on the net for somewhere to stay. The place we decided on is in a small town/village called Porthcawl, between Cardiff and Swansea. The hotel is called the Rose and Crown, an old pub which serves beer straight from the cellar an...

Left London yesterday and headed southwest to the Salisbury, home to Stonehenge and the ancient kings of England . Salisbury is a middle sized town which has retained its "village" charm. The hotel we are staying in, Millford Hall, is a converted middle ages residence, quite charming. By the time we settled in it was time to go in search of an olde English pub for a pint and a meal. Found one called The Cloisters where they serve great food and pull beers d...

Roll up, roll up. Get ready for the Browning version of London in a day. Trafalgar Square - check Nelsons Column - check National Art Gallery (including Picasso's Sunflowers - check London Bridge - check Tower Bridge (including Tower of London) - check London Eye - check Picadilly - check Buckingham Palace - check Whitehall - check Household Guards - check Big Ben - check Westminster Abbey - check River Thames - check Leicester - check Liverpool station - check K...

Before we know it, the white cliffs of Dover are soon sliding past the ferry as we begin to pull into the port. a short wait and we're soon on the road to London, about 1 1/2 hours drive. By the time we are arriving in London, the sun is going down, so apart from a glimpse of the skyline from a distance, not much of an opportunity to wonder at the sights of the city. After we grab a bite to eat and then drop Sam off at the Contiki Hotel, it's well dark as we...