Barbara's travels continue 2018

Oh dear. I have been so busy during the day and with new acquaintances from tours that I have struggled to keep up with my blog. I now find myself 4 days behind and so much seen and done. My free day in Glasgow with no tours turned out to be a lovely day of spontaneous visits around Glasgow. I had my first sleep in for ages, waking to heavy rain fall and dark skies. I was all set for an indoor day, but as I boarded the hop on hop off bus, the rain stopped and I had a beautiful day ahead.  The guide on my first bus was hilarious. His story about the Duke of Wellington was great. Apparently students put the cone on his head and each day it was removed by council workers but replaced each evening, until it was debated in council and a decision made to leave it. Funnily enough,  the next day I saw the statue, it had gone, replaced by a full, pleased to have a new perch. Not for long though, as the cone reappeared the next day! According to ou

I have to admit to finding it hard to readapt to travelling alone again after the wonderful wedding days with family all around me. But, here I am in the little town of Stoke Goulding, again with family, this time Tony, Imogen and Freya, my lovely niece's, Claire's, family. Sadly, passed away 4 years ago.  This area is famous for its Bosworth battlefield, where King Richard III was killed. Perhaps even more famous was the finding of him more than 500 years later, under a car park near Leicester cathedral. I had visited his tombstone with Claire,who proudly related how it had been to sing at his funeral! It must have been incredible. I spent hours in the Richard III museum. The above photo shows the exact spot he was found. I must see the film, the Lost King, again. As Tony was working, I took myself off the next day to the Battlefield. What a lovely walk it was along the Ashby Canal towpath. It brought back wonderful m

So, the big day has arrived, despite the day before being a huge day for me, as David and I met up with Mark and Emma at Dublin airport. The first time we've all been together for about 4.5 months. It was so wonderful to be a family again.  We had a fabulous meet up with all the family that evening. I realise more and more how much I love these chances to get together.we have such a small family in NZ, and here in Europe so many!  The wedding day was definitely one of the happiest days of my life, made all the more special by having both Mark and David with me.  Mabli and Betsy threatened to steal the show now and again see, looking so pretty alongside beautiful grandmother, my niece and great friend, Ceri!  An anxious wait for Ben, my great nephew. He did so well to control his emotions. It was such a fantastic venue and such a colourful group of guests, but a longish wait at the front. At last, the first of the bridesmaid

How strange to be home in Llantwit Major with so many of the family away. Many had already left and were enjoying a quiet time in Ireland having had a stressful departure, leaving the rest at home, racing around trying to get ready for the trip to Ireland and the wedding.  We were lucky enough to stay at my sister's house, relaxing and enjoying the wildlife in the garden. Birds galore and these cute little pests, the grey squirrel! David and I had some great walks to the beach. Gorgeous cliffs And  dark clouds above the golden corn fields.  A final meal in a very nice but empty Llantwit restaurant before our flight to Dublin where we'll meet up with Mark. I'm so thrilled at the prospect of seeing him and Emma again after 4 months.  Next stop Tipperary and Ben and Betsy's wedding. 

The majestic Wye valley, 508 metres down from Symonds Yat to the river. What a breathtaking sight. Not sure about the sign. I never saw Christchurch around here. It was very special to be able to walk to this lookout with my sister Lyn and her husband Norman. It's great they can both still get to and thoroughly enjoy such fantastic sights. The Beeches, Becky (my niece) and Alex's, Monmouth home. I was so fortunate that my itinerary plan fitted into their plans. Perfect. My room at the front, with its gorgeous yellow balcony, looked out over this magnificent viaduct. What a feast we had on the terrace,with stunning views and the beautiful sound of the Wye flowing over the little waterfall known as The Beeches. As the sun set, so the trees took on a glorious autumn hew. Next day, we headed off up a gentle forest walkway to a supposed waterfall. Weeks ago, after constant rain, this had