York to London

 Wednesday 21st April, 1982                  camping York             fine and sunny

Lazy morning - up into town - some to see the museum and Minster.  I walked around shops and visited the museum.  The camp is right near town on the banks of the “Ouse” so it's only a short and pleasant walk to town centre - pity the new owner wasn't as pleasant - he wouldn't let the kids play ball, gave them lectures - no washing.  The camp looked like an army camp -all lined up like tanks - patrons comfort forgotten.  Glad to see last of him.  Across country, past Selby to Lincoln where we found the Caraville which has about six plots for transits - the funniest washing facilities - one toilet - the slowest washing machine, but quickest dryer.  The people were nice - we had drinks and Sandra went to bed - we all read for awhile then followed Marie and Lee, having to wait for the slow washer, walked up to pub.  Sandra not too well - Sean improving.

Thursday 22nd April, 1982                 camping Lincoln                     overcast

Slept in till 8:30 a.m. then up and off this a.m. early, as water was too cold to shower.  On past the Boddington airbase were lots of activity spells possible war.  Then on through Spalding where acres and acres of tulips lined the road side - more than we saw in Holland.

We lunched in Spalding - a nice town - then on through St Ives where Oliver Cromwell was born, past another airbase and on to Cambridge.  A lovely camp, the nicest facilities we have seen - in a huge paddock - kids are running wild.

Friday 23rd April, 1982               camping Cambridge                fine and cold

Up and lazily packed ready to leave.  We hate to leave this Caraville - lovely facilities, washing machine, dryer - small personal cubicles.  On to the War Museum at Duxford - too early so we went into a nearby village of Thriplow - a lovely little one-shop village with lovely people.  The 10 of us took it over, the Post Office wasn't big enough to take parcels.  Back at 11 a.m. to Duxford War Museum - very well done.

Luxford air museum, UK

We inspected the Concord - won't be flying in one.  Too narrow!  Spent two hours there - loved the old posters put out during World War II.

Arrived at Saffron Walden for lunch - lovely little village - sent 2 parcels - books, crochet rug, tablecloths and Koblenz in one and a Cuckoo clock in other £32 - wow!  

Saffron Walden, UK

Off then down to Audley End to view the Castle which belonged to Lord Audley who was given it by old Henry VIII -a lovely old home and the gardens were magnificent with a tree 440 years old - beautiful! 

Audley End, UK

On then to visit Trudy and Brian - we had passed Beckett's farm when Brian jumped out on Lee so we had to backtrack.  Live in a lovely area.  Anhesden, in Saffron Walden spent a pleasant couple of hours, then along through lovely country to Duddenhoe End where we spent the night at the "Woodman" camping behind a pub.  Had a nice evening in the pub.  Rae lost watch - the ablutions were clean but antiquated - the doors were like stable doors.  Two weeks to D Day.

Saturday 24th April, 1982            fine but cool

Up and on winding country roads through small villages - Linton - brought food - had a lovely pub meal at  "The Duck and Dog" on then to Bumpstead - lovely but no Park - on to Bumpstead South - no Park - so through green country to Finchingfield a village with a village green, a typical one that you read about in books, a pond with ducks, the bridge, children playing on the green and people picnicking.  

 

Finchingfield, UK

We had lunch, then walked around and then headed for Thaxted - a nice little town with an old Guildhall built in 1300 and a mediaeval church being restored to its beauty.  

Thaxted, UK

Sandra saw a lovely set of Punch Books for £18 in Mary Poole's bookstore, a lovely windmill.

Essex is lovely, so green.  We came to Dunmow and spent a bit of time browsing through antique shops and lovely streets.  They have a pub called " Kicking Dickie", lovely English name.

Then through High Roding, Anythorpe Roding - where windmills lined the road side, then Leaden Roding on then to Chigwell and Grange farm camping area.  Next door is Spanish Circus the first one to visit -English - washing on after a lovely hot shower - a wind blows over the green.  Sandra found Rae's watch.

York to Chigwell UK

Yorkshire to Richmond

 Saturday 22nd of August, 1981

After breakfast we were off and eager to see the rest of York.  All slept well despite all our ghost stories and visits to mysterious churches, medieval Saxon and Roman haunts.  

The camp is situated on the banks of the Ouse, a short walk to town through the wall.  York is a city full of English history; the town centre is still full of times gone by.  It is surrounded by a wall built in the 13th century.  Buildings have been discovered to prove Romans occupied Eboracum in 71 AD.  In the seventh century Saxons settled within the fortress walls.  The little wooden church built on the site was the first York Minster.  In 867 AD York fell to the Danish invaders, some old streets and their names date from this era.  Goodramgate Street, Shamblesgate.  Danish kings of York reigned till 944 AD.  In 1066 AD William the Conqueror came north to subdue the rebellion in York.

Stone city walls and gates were built in the 13th century.  Medieval streets and shops still are preserved in the city centre.  The present Minster was begun by Archbishop Grey in 1220 but was finished in 1472.

York Minster is the largest one in the United Kingdom and second-largest in the whole of Europe.  Great spires reach high into the air, dwarfing large buildings beside it.  Built of white stone the carving in both wood and stone is only a small insight into the magnificent craft of the tradesmen.  It is just too awesome to believe that this building has stood for 600 years with only minor restoration.

After tea we showered then went for a walk around the city wall, 4.35 miles and we did it in an hour. 

York Minster at night from the wall

So much to see and do in this grand city but tomorrow we move on towards Richmond.

 

Sunday 23rd of August, 1981

We broke camp and were on the road by 8:45 a.m.  The streets were deserted this early but will probably throb with people later on.  Took a last film of Micklegate.

York, UK

Then headed for the Yorkshire Dales - no doubt a Sunday drive for most Britons, but a long 116 miles day-long tour across Dales for us.  Scenery was out of this world and so were we quite a few times when we were nose to nose with another vehicle in the narrow lanes.  Tempers flared?  Most lanes were lined with stone fences - all the paddocks were divided also with stone divides and wooden gates.  Heather coloured, the top of the Dales in deep mauve and the grass is greener here than anywhere seen so far.

We stopped at Applewick a very small village which has a lovely little pub and a river ran through the centre.  Slowly made our way to Thresfield where we had our lunch outside a 1506 Church - all the villages have used gray brick locally quarried I have found.

We drove through the national park - beautiful countryside.  The river Ure runs over cobbled river bed, people laze on the grassy slopes.  I think all of England is out in these moors today and why not, the sun is shining and though the locals strip to idolise the Sun, God we have long sleeves on.  We stopped at Arncliffe but didn't stay - an ugly little village - decay and neglect everywhere, the first one we have seen like this!

With great delight we came down out of the moors and Dales into Hawes, a fertiliser smell pervaded the car.  Sean said it was the drivers of the cars we had held up for so long coming down narrow lanes who had dirtied their pants.  Hawes is a clean town - everyone we have met have been so helpful and interested in our trip and Australia.  Found a park at Swale outside of Richmond and settled.  Then went into town and found a delightful cafe that served high tea.  Fish and chips or salad, apple pie and cream, B and B and a big pot of tea for £2 a head - and very satisfying!  A walk around the Market Square and home to bed to read and sleep. 

Monday the 24th August, 1981

The day dawned sunny and clear, not a cloud in the sky - the area the camp is in has the river Swale trickling through it, also Brompton on Swale where we are booked into tonight.  Cobblestones line river bed as the river passes by it is very low-rainfall, hasn't been up to normal this summer.  We had breakfast, showered and drove the 3 miles into town.  It is hard to rethink imperial system.  Two hours at laundromat (mundane things must be done) a walk around the antique shops, obtaining nice bargains in some plates, a seat in the sun at the obelisk.  

Brompton on Swale caravan park

The Market Square is cobblestones all the way, parking in centre, a large obelisk stands majestically in the centre - the ruins of Richmond Castle forms part of the town.  It has a history of William the Conqueror building it as a fortress in 1069.  It has not been preserved as well as other castles.

In the afternoon we visited friends of San and John - Enid and George Shaw, a delightful couple who have a brother living in Coffs Harbour.  Their daughter Liz & niece Jackie from America came to tea and we had a delightful evening not wanting to come home but Rachelle set the pace when she fell asleep at midnight.  Splendid!

Today we are having another trip into town and George is taking us for a drive.

York to Richmond UK