Tuesday 8th September, 1981 rainy
and overcast
We had breakfast and out in the rain for a walk. We drove into Ripon to see the village by
daylight. We decided we would like to
live in Ripon. Bought lovely hot
wholemeal rolls and a cake from an old fashioned bakery. Then took to the highway again for a few
miles out of Ripon to Fountain’s Abbey - the ruins of a Cistercian order built in
the 1132 AD. Set in 600 acres of the
most beautiful gardens and lakes we have seen in England - 13 Benedictine monks
came here from York in dissatisfaction with the laxity there and the first year
sheltered under the Elm tree - in time it became a huge sheep farm. In 1768 it was united with Studley Royal and
is in the hands of the Department of the Environment. Acres of beautifully kept lawns with arbours
of trees sheltering wildlife - we saw herds of wild deer roaming freely, pheasants
and other birds pecked in the bush near the paths quite oblivious to us
intruders - with regret we left.
A quick stop in Harrogate
where a national carpet fair was being held, so consequently the old problem - no
parking - we found one within walking distance.
Had lunch in van. This brings a
few raised eyebrows mostly smiles to see these invaders sitting around eating a
meal - some even stand on tiptoe to see what is on the table (usually naught we
are too hungry).
On through Skipton, a town we had passed close by on our way
up north - "Cock a bottle Inn" tickled
my fancy. We stopped at Clitheroe after
battling the traffic on the M5 for a car park.
We don't use the main roads if possible - too much traffic. Found the dear little coffee shop "Peg's Place" in a tea house in the front rooms of a little Tudor house - home-made
scones and cakes. Clitheroe is the scene
of the Lancaster
trials where 20 were burnt at the stake for witchcraft.
Sean has decided to keep a diary on each town - giving it a
code O.G. U.S. O is okay, G. equals good, U equals unreal, S. equals
stuffed. He has gone all around the UK in his pink
board shorts, T-shirt and pink socks.
Why pink? Somewhere in some town
our washing came out pink! Continued on
till we found a camping area in Blackpool on the Irish Sea. The kids are dying to take some rides on the
much publicised pier. We had tea,
showered, and caught a bus into Blackpool Centre.
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| Blackpool, UK |
Fares are twice as dear here as Edinburgh.
Nearly died at the end of the bus ride - we drove right into the huge
depot. Blackpool
is a real union town - we asked the driver bus times - "he'll tell you” he
pointed to the Times man. The bus
terminated on the beach promenade. It
was unreal - 6 1/2 miles of pleasure activity.
Blackpool is the only place that still
has trams running, but now like the drivers were on strike, so we either had to
hire a Landau or Shanks pony. We decided
on the latter as there was so much to see.
Sean eyes just lit up with the palaces full of space invaders. Rae at the ones full of machines to challenge
anyone. There are traders selling
everything from fairy floss to meagre stuffed toys. The pleasure Beach Park
was right at the end of the promenade.
Our feet were dragging as we strolled along either side of the Irish Sea, when the lights began to come on, first the
huge tower then the promenade. It was
unreal out of this world. There were
clowns, birds in cages, flower pots, clowns and just coloured lights. Promenade illuminations bring people from
everywhere to witness this magic. We
were still a long way from our destination, the Big Dipper. So had lots to see and enjoy. At last the park. Well every ride possible and plenty of
mechanical bingo. John bought two sheets
of tickets 12 rides for £7 this was about 29p or $.48 a ride - not bad!
How they enjoyed themselves on the Big
Dipper, haunted house, water flute and a more placid Alice in Wonderland for
Sandra and I. Time was running out so
were energies. At last we were ready for
home. John shouted us our first taxi
ride, the type seen all over the UK with the little seats and
friendly driver, as soon as we hopped in he started to check us on our cricket
results. John and he had an interesting
conversation all the way home. We thought
the kids and John wouldn't settle after such an exhilarating p.m. But we all flaked.
Wednesday, 9th September, 1981 fine
and sunny
John committed the unforgivable - left "Kane and
Able" in the toilet. Had to leave
Marton Mere camping area without it.
Good-bye Blackpool and on to the M6 one
of the few times we have used this mighty road.
It is so smooth I wrote my diary.
Also we had our morning tea as we chugged along as there aren't too many
places to stop. We did see a service
area which stretches right across the road, service station, restaurant
facilities; just before we turned off to Chester
we saw an interchange highway way out in the country.
Found our camp in Chester,
our first legal car park adjoining the race course with a port-a-loo shower and
toilets.
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| Chester, UK |
It is only two minutes from the nearest pub and five into the centre, which is a mixed era. Georgian, Tudor, and Elizabethan shopfronts line
cobbled streets with the main areas being the squares. We went on a free walk with the Department of Information - it is a walled city on the Dee. We had also crossed the mighty Mersey earlier along the M6 - built by the Romans. Charles 1st is said to have stood on the wall and watched
his army defeated by Cromwell. Back home
showered, ate and to bed.
Thursday 10th September fine
and sunny
A couple of things I remembered about yesterday. We went on the free walk which was very
interesting - the guide was a farmer's wife who was very well spoken. She showed us the restored Tudor buildings; the beautiful Georgian mansions all
owned by the Earl of Westminster, Duke of Grosvenor - the third richest man in England.
We were halfway round the wall when out of the quietness of
the abbey square came this brawling couple.
The poor guide was embarrassed.
After tea Sandra and John walked the wall again and Sean
jogged.
Off on our first full tank, cheapest petrol we have seen.
£1.65. Canals line the highway. Josiah Wedgwood was responsible for the
canals from the Trent to the Dee
to transport his pottery. We had lunch
at Stoke-on-Trent, then went out to Barlaston
to the Wedgwood factory. We saw
demonstrations of the pottery being made - we also witnessed a film of Wedgwood
from his beginnings. We all bought
presents and continued here to Uttoxeter, a small market town with a beautiful pub.
We are in a race course now - snow with the wind and rain
outside. The warden is a pig - they close
down tomorrow and San says he’s cross because we are soiling his clean showers
etc. Met a nice couple at the
laundromat. Just married - the town was
dead with half day closing but they were very busy.
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| Ripon to Chester |
