GLOUCESTER, BOURTON & HOME

SEVERN BRIDGE

ST ARILDA'S CHURCH

BRIDGE OVER SHARPNESS AND GLOUCESTER CANAL AT PURTON

SLIMBRIDGE WETLAND CENTRE

WHO IS THE BIGGEST BIRD?

GLOUCESTER HIGH STREET

GLOUCESTER CANAL BASIN

CLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL

LIGHT DISPLAY IN CATHEDRAL 

ENTRANCE TO BOURTON'S MOTORING MUSEUM

FOOTBRIDGE IN BOURTON

On Thursday 20th the weather was still looking rather uncertain so we decided to take a drive along the Severn river, initially heading south to the old Severn Bridge, which is rather more attractive than the more recent 'Prince of Wales' bridge, although the latter owes its existence to the inadequacy of the older bridge to handle the volume of traffic which now crosses between England and Wales.

I was delighted that it was now free of charge to cross the bridge (the cost of the Prince of Wales Bridge having been recouped) and we parked briefly at the Chepstow services for refreshments. However, we found that an issue (breakdown?) on the return lane of the bridge prevented us from going back the same way. We thus followed the M48 until we reached the M4, then turned back at junction 23a to cross back into England via the Prince of Wales Bridge. We followed the M49 down to Avonmouth and then took the A403 back to the eastern end of the Severn Bridge which, frustratingly, was now freely flowing with traffic both ways. Ho-hum.

We continued driving generally north-east, as near to the River Severn as we could. We came across the magnificent St Arilda's Church on a hill near Oldbury-on-Severn, from which we enjoyed clear views back to Wales. Further on, we passed through Berkeley and then reached the picturesque bridges over the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal at Purton, where we stopped to enjoy a picnic lunch and a short walk. Not long after, we arrived at Slimbridge Wetland Centre, run by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and founded by Peter Scott in 1946. We didn't have sufficient time to make it worthwhile paying to enter the site, but we did manage to sneak a few photos near to the information centre. Perhaps we will return some day for a proper visit.

After a full day, it was back to the Hotel for our final night. However, we were not in any hurry to return home, so in the evening we booked to stay the following night at the Edward Hotel in Gloucester.

It didn't take long to drive to the Edward Hotel in the morning. We parked the car in their car park and were given our keys to the room, enabling us to spend the rest of the day exploring the historic city of Gloucester. Founded by the Romans in AD97, and later the site of a magnificent Norman Cathedral, there was much to see.

Gloucester is also to end-point of the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. once the broadest and deepest canal in the world. The area is now the location of shops, bars, luxury flats, and a museum illustrating the former maritime history of the area. After a pleasant (and dry) walk around the area we proceeded to the Cathedral, where we were most impressed. This was where Henry III was crowned and Edward II was buried. I (Steve) have visited many Cathedrals, including Salisbury and Winchester, but this one trumps them all. It is truly magnificent and I recommend anyone to visit. There was a light display being exhibited in the Cathedral when we passed through, and this was particularly impressive.

On the way back to the Edward Hotel we noticed a Wetherspoons pub where we could eat, so we came back here in the evening.

The following morning we headed for Bourton-on-the-Water, and parked the car at HF Holiday's Harrington House. We immediately donned our walking boots and embarked on a 6 mile loop around the area, which gave us the opportunity to appreciate the lovely town and the beautiful lakes that surrounded it. It was a great finale to our (nearly) week long break. From here it was back home and back to normality (whatever that means).

A WET WEEK IN BERKELEY

DYRHAM PARK GARDEN (photo James Dobson)

UNUSUAL PERSPECTIVE ARTWORK IN CORRIDOR

OUR HOTEL

PUDDLES!

PREPARING TO CLIMB STINCHCOMBE HILL

THE 'TOP'

WINDOW IN ST MARY'S CHURCH, BERKELEY

BERKELEY CASTLE

EDWARD JENNER'S HOME

NEWARK PARK (photo by Roy Douglas)

Monday 17th of February was the start of a surprise holiday treat booked by Rubi. She had got a good deal for a half-board stay at the Bay Price of Wales Hotel just outside Berkeley, which is close to the River Severn and half-way between Bristol and Gloucester. The intention was to do some walking in the area, although the weather was looking rather wet for the ensuing week. Not to be put off, we brought wellies and adequate wet-weather gear along with us.

It would be a 2 hour drive to the Hotel, but there was no necessity to arrive in Berkeley until late afternoon, so we decided visit somewhere else along the way. Rubi had recently enrolled us as members of the National Trust, so we obviously looked for a suitable NT property. This turned out to be Dyrham Park, around 7 miles north of Bath, where we arrived around midday.

After parking, it was a short walk down through the ancient deer park to the 17th century house itself. We enjoyed viewing the superbly decorated interiors, furnishings and art. Outside, the gardens were not at their best at this soggy time of year, but we enjoyed a walk around the ponds and were permitted to eat our picnic lunch in the canteen.

By late afternoon we were continuing our way to Berkeley, avoiding the M4 so that we could travel slower and enjoy the views along the minor roads. On arriving at the Hotel, we had time to shower and rest before supper. The menu was limited as one might expect for a half-board arrangement, but the food was very acceptable. The restaurant was full of guests who had arrived by coach, courtesy of Shearing's Holidays, who apparently use this hotel frequently. The older couple on the next table to us were quite chatty and had stayed at the hotel several times before.  

The weather was wet and dreary the following day, but we were determined to get outdoors. I devised a walking route that would take us to Dursley, a place I (Steve) had visited before when I walked the Cotswolds Way. We immediately encountered deep puddles and, although following a public footpath, soon found our progress thwarted by brambles so thick that we had to turn back.

After a bit of road walking we regained the footpath and eventually arrived at Dursley town where we sheltered in an old market building to enjoy our picnic lunch. This building happened to be on the Cotswold Way route so, afterwards, we following it up onto Stinchcombe Hill, walking anticlockwise around the elevated golf course. From the trig point, we descended west, passing  through Stinchcombe village on the way back to our Hotel. The route turned out less straightforward than expected when another blocked footpath was encountered, requiring yet more deviation. The day's drizzle had been relentless, so it was a race to be first in the shower when we finally got back to our room.

Wednesday's plan was initially to visit the house of Edward Jenner, considered to be the father of vaccination although not necessarily the originator of the idea. In 1796 he found that individuals injected with the pus from a cowpox blister did not develop smallpox, which was a common and deadly disease at the time. It seems odd writing about this now whist under 'lock-down' at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. A vaccine is desperately required to bring this particular disease to a halt.

We arrived early, so while we were waiting to enter the house we took a look at St Mary's Church nearby, with it's magnificent window, and Berkeley Castle which, from the scaffolding in evidence, seemed to be undergoing renovation at the time.

In the afternoon we drove to Newark Park, near Wooten-under-Edge. another National Trust property. This was originally a Tudor hunting lodge, but was enlarged over the years until eventually being given to the NT in 1949. The Trust let the house out as a nursing home, but by 1970 it had fallen into a state of disrepair. It was at this point the American Architect Robert Parsons took over the tenancy and restored it to it's present condition. Although the wet weather prevented us exploring the full extent of the grounds, the history was certainly fascinating.

COSFORD & MANCHESTER

AT CHIPMUNK AT COSFORD MUSEUM

GRANDAD MIGHT HAVE WORKED ON THIS TIGER MOTH

RUBI FLANKED BY NOAMI & SCOTT

EXTINCTION REBELLION PROTESTING IN MANCHESTER

'DRUM MACHINE'

THE CROWD WERE INVITED TO JOIN IN

Saturday 31st August, and it rained heavily in the morning. We left our Capel Curig bunkhouse at around 10.30pm to make our way back to the RAF Museum at Cosford, arriving 2 hours later. We had visited the museum on the first day of our holiday, but it was so large and there were so many aircraft that more time was needed to see it all. We had just about covered it all by closing time at 5.00pm.

Next, we drove to nearby Roden, just east of Shrewsbury, where Hil and Steve had their permanent abode, a charming old cottage that had been tastefully renovated whilst retaining the charm of some of the original features. Hil cooked a lovely meal and we all chatted until late. It was a pleasure staying with them.

Next morning we said our farewells and navigated a route to Manchester to see Rubi's daughter Naomi and her boyfriend Scott. Arriving shortly after midday, we took the train into the city to enjoy dim sum at an excellent restaurant in Manchester's Chinatown. We had intended to visit the Science and Technology Museum afterwards, but time was short so we visited the markets and the shops instead. We could hear loud drumming as we approached the city centre and learned the Extinction Rebellion were holding an organised demonstration. The drumming was from a group called 'Drum Machine' and they gathered a significant audience, some of whom were invited to participate in the drumming. Like African drumming, the rhythm was compelling and many people were inspired to dance.

A cancelled train meant that we had a wait a while at Manchester Picadilly station before we could get back to Naomi and Scott's rented cottage. When we did get there, we ended up watching episodes of Gavin & Stacey on Netflix until we were tired. We had brought with us sleeping bags, blankets and pillows, so were able to enjoy a reasonably comfortable night on the lounge carpet.

Scott was away to work early on Monday morning and Naomi not much later. After packing our bags into the car we closed the door and commenced our long, but otherwise uneventful, car journey home. It had been a hectic couple of weeks and we were both looking forward to a quiet, relaxing evening and lie-in in the morning.

SUMMER IN SNOWDONIA

LEADING HF GUESTS THROUGH ENTRANCE TO NANNAU ESTATE

NATASHA AND HELEN SUMMIT CADER IDRIS

JELLYFISH ON BEACH NEAR HARLECH

HARLECH CENTRE

RUBI WITH SNOWDON IN BACKGROUND

OUR BUNKHOUSE AT BRYN TYRCH

COMFORTABLE INSIDE

HIMPSHIRE HIKERS MEMBER OUTSIDE CAFE SIABOD

RESTING ON CLIMB OF MOEL SIABOD

BY ADAM & EVE ON TRYFAN

ON THE CANTELEVER BY GLYDER FACH

The HF programme of walks continued with me leading a trek up to Rhobell Fawr on Wednesday, which Rubi joined. Thursday's weather was very wet and windy, and probably close to the limit of safety for taking guests on my allocated walk, which was to the summit of Cader Idris via the Minfordd path, and back down via the Pony track. Another leader was expected to continue further across the wind and rain-swept mountain, but opted to curtail his walk and join me for the quicker route down. Conditions were much improved at the lower altitude. Not far from our coach pick-up point, a couple of casually dressed ladies pushing children in push chairs enquired how long it would take them to get to the summit. We explained the realities to them. Some folk have no idea.

Rubi was undoubtedly pleased that she had opted for a lower level walk that day, but she made up for it the next day by by ascending Rhinog Fawr whilst I led a low level but picturesque walk from Llanbedr to Harlech.

Although the weather had been poor at times, we enjoyed our week and said farewell to the guests on Saturday morning with a degree of sadness.

Car loaded, we next headed for Capel Curig in northern Snowdonia, from where we would spend a further week leading walks, this time for members of the Hampshire Hikers meetup group. I had entitled the week SUMMER IN SNOWDONIA, and the improving weather certainly looked like it would justify the description for the eleven walkers who would be joining us.

We had booked a bunkhouse on Bryn Tyrch Farm in Capel Curig for the week, but before we got there we checked the parking situation for walks to Snowdon and Tryfan, two of our target summits for the week.

Actually getting into our bunkhouse turned out to be problematic as the farmer wasn't at home, but after some phone calls from Rubi, we ended up in room 5, which was probably the best room on the site. Whilst all the rooms were a bit basic, grubby and cobwebby, we did get a double bed, a sink, 13A sockets and electric lights. At £98 for the week we weren't complaining.

Richard, Lesley Ann, Vic, Dana, Oliya, Sean, Linda, Bob and Graham arrived on the same day, so we took them on a local walk and explained plans for the following day's walk, which would be to Moel Siabod.

Sunday's weather was glorious as we started our climb to the summit of Siabod. The heat of the sun was probably a little too much, since a couple of hours later Vic started to flag as we commenced a particulaly steep section of the walk. He had not brought sufficient water and was dehydrated. Concluding that it was better to continue to the top for the easy descent rather than turn back, Sean gallantly ran up the slope to refill Vic's water bottles from streams. By the time Vic got to the top he had largely recovered and the rest of the day went smoothly.

Supper was enjoyed in the Cafe Siabod close to our bunkhouse. Their excellently priced goulash with large chunks of bread was both tasty and abundant.

Tuesday's walk took us up to Tryfan and the Glyders. Lesley Ann looked after our rucksacks as the rest of us made our way to the summit of Tryfan. The scramble was easier than anticipated, and soon we were taking photographs by 'Adam and Eve', the two distinctive rocks on the top.

Many more photographs were taken when, a while later, we arrived at 'the cantilever' atop Glyder Fach. Posing on the, apparently, precariously balanced slab of rock looked extremely daring, but it was easy enough for everyone to have a go. Afterwards, we had a long and tough walk back to Capel Curig along the eastern ridge. We were out for 9 hours altogether, and had covered ten miles in that time.

Chris and Martin joined us in the evening in readiness for Tuesday's walk. In fact there were three walks available on that day. Richard and Lesley Ann offered a low level walk in the shadow of Crimpiau which was joined by Vic, Bob and Graham. Sean took Oliya, Dana, Rubi and Linda up to the summit of Snowdon from Pen y Pass. Finally, I took Chris and Martin to Snowdon summit via the Watkin path.

Everyone expressed satisfaction with their day as we met for supper at the Tyn y Coed hotel just along the road from Capel Curig.

Wednesday was a 'free' day for everyone. Rubi and I took to the road, initially towards Bangor, but then turning right along the coast road to Conwy. There, we spent the afternoon viewing Plas Mawr (a restored Tudor house) and Conwy Castle. We ate at the Stable Bar in Betws y  Coed on the way back to the bunkhouse.

Thursday and Friday's weather was drizzly compared to our first three days of walking. On Thursday we enjoyed a river walk from Capel Curig to Betws y Coed via Swallow Falls, returning along the other side of the river. Friday involved a very windy six mile circuit up to Llyn Cowlyd and back, joined by Vic, Bob and Rubi, everyone else having gone home by now.

Our SUMMER IN SNOWDONIA TRIP had been a success and, after a final meal with Vic in the Cafe Siabod, we readied ourselves to leave the bunkhouse in the morning.

COSFORD, BARMOUTH & DOLGELLAU

AERO ENGINES AT RAF COSFORD

NICE PAINT JOB ON
JAGUAR AT RAF COSFORD

LIGHTNING & JAVELIN (IN BACKGROUND) AT COSFORD MUSEUM

RUBI WITH FRIENDS STEVE & HIL

HF DOLSERAU HOUSE

OUR EXCELLENT SUITE IN DOLSERAU HOUSE

SCULPTURE OF FALCON SEEN ON WALK

VIEW FROM ARENIG FAWR

LUNCH ON ARENIG FAWR SUMMIT

Thursday 15th August and we were on our way to Snowdonia where I (Steve) would be walk-leading for HF Holidays from their house in Dolgellau, named Dolserau Hall. On the way, however, we visited the RAF Museum at Cosford, arriving at the around midday. As well as looking around the aircraft on display, Rubi had arranged for me to visit RAF Cosford air base itself where they train aircraft technicians using retired Jaguar and Tornado aircraft to practise on.

The museum closed at 5.00pm, although we could easily have spent longer there. Continuing our drive into Wales, we headed to Barmouth where we would stay with friends Hil and Steve in their static caravan for two nights before starting at HF Dolgellau. Having not seen them for two years, we had lots of catching up to do. High winds and heavy rain kept us indoors for most of the following day, but we enjoyed a round of Scrabble (won by Hil's Steve). In the evening we ate at 'The Captain's Table' restaurant in Barmouth.

Saturday morning we drove to HF Dolgellau in time for the usual 12.30pm pre-holiday meeting. The guests started to arrive mid-afternoon and the walk programme commenced the following day. The weather was dry and I took ten guests on a level walk around the Mawddach Estuary whilst Rubi took to the hills overlooking the estuary with another leader (also called Steve). Dinner at the house was of the usual high standard and third leader, Roger, organised a music quiz.

On Monday the weather was drizzly in the morning but improved as the day progressed. I led three guests, including Rubi, up Arenig Fawr where we enjoyed lunch and spectacular views out of the wind in the stone shelter at the top. Our evening dinner back at the house was an excellent 7-course taster menu comprising local dishes.

Tuesday was a rest day from HF leading. Hil and Steve visited us at Dolserau Hall and, after showing them around the house, we all took a walk to Dolgellau town where we had a picnic lunch.

We were back at the house by 4.00pm so that I could prepare for the following day's walks. We arranged to see Hil and Steve again before we headed home.

CHANIA CHILL OUT & HOME

RUBI'S TREAT FROM THE APARTMENT OWNERS

CHILLING OUT ON THE APARTMENT BALCONY

A RARE WHITE PEOCOCK IN THE MUNICIPAL GARDENS

A SUBMARINE IN THE VENETIAN HARBOUR

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

NEA CHORA BEACH

EASTERN END OF NEA CHORA BEACH

NARROW STREETS IN THE TOWN

OUR APARTMENTS FROM THE BUS STATION

APPROACHING GATWICK

After 5 tough walks in the White Mountains on 5 consecutive days, we were due a rest. Besides, it was Rubi's birthday. After enjoying our last breakfast at the Neos Omalos Hotel, we said goodbye to George and the Hotel staff and waited outside for the 9.00am bus to collect us take us back to Chania. The views out of the bus window as we drove down from the mountains were stunning.

By 10.30am we were back at our earlier lodgings at Alena Apartments. Not surprisingly, the room wasn't ready for us at that time, but we were able to leave our bags while we walked around the town. The sunshine was out and it was warm and sunny. We wandered through the Old Town, then down to the Venetian Harbour where we visited the Nautical Museum, which also included the Battle of Crete Museum. The latter described how German paratroopers invaded the island in 1941 and, in spite of fierce resistance, were able to occupy it until 1944.

I had mentioned to the staff at Alena Apartments that it was Rubi's birthday, so when we got back there we were delighted to see that they had left a bottle of wine and a bowl of fruit out for Rubi which, of course, we both shared.

In the evening I treated Rubi to a mixed seafood supper. The restaurant gave her such a large plateful that she was unable to eat it all. I had a small vegetarian platter.

We had a lazy start on Tuesday and took a walk to the Municipal Garden, to the west of our apartment, where we saw goats, peacocks and other birds. We continued on to Irinis & Filias Parks before proceeding to Koum Kapi Beach for a drink and to eat our picnic lunch. After, we walked along the harbour wall to the Venetian Lighthouse and back, and then explored the covered market.

On Wednesday we visited the outdoor 'flea' market near Georgiadis Park and then walked to Nea Chora Beach to eat. We returned along the waterfront to the Old Town to do some last minute shopping. We had pizza and pasta to eat that evening (and no raki).

Thursday 6^th June, and all too soon the holiday was over and it was time to pack our bags. We had enjoyed exploring Crete. The people were friendly and we would certainly consider coming again. Our flight left mid-afternoon and by early evening we were back in the UK driving home. D-Day celebrations would be going on in Portsmouth during the coming weekend.