Christmas, Chenies and Goodbye...for now

The last few days have been so much fun. After London I went to Chenies and had a relaxing few days with Robyn and Terence. This was mostly sleeping in, going for walks, reading, having coffee in the local village and winding down. After this I had Christmas with the Crawleys and Jack (picture below). Christmas in the UK just makes sense. The cold weather, the Christmas lights all just work. It was a special celebration and a really fun time. We also fitted in a day trip to Chipping Campden and I have decided that the Cotswolds is one of my favourite places to visit. After Boxing Day, Jack and I negotiated cancelled trains to return to London. We had a final pub lunch, said our goodbyes and I returned to Chenies. For my last full day overseas, Robyn and I went to Oxford and tonight we will have a celebratory dinner. I have a VERY early flight tomorrow so I am now in the process of packing and working out what to leave here. I am the eternal optimist but I am expecting that I will have to pay an excess baggage fee for my suitcase!

As this is my last post, I feel like I should say something deep and meaningful. Thank you to those who have been reading this and messaging me about it. I forget that people are reading it! This trip has been incredible. I not only appreciate what an opportunity this has been to be able to travel for six months but I am also very grateful for what I have learned in my travels. I have renewed friendships, made new friendships and met amazing people. I feel that every person I have met has taught me something about their culture, their country or more personally has taught me something about myself. Before I left, some people called this a trip of a lifetime, those who know me well know that I have travelled and will continue to travel so it is not a trip of a lifetime but it has been a precious experience. I am looking forward to the adventures that wait for me back in Australia and look forward to my next trip overseas.

Back in London (via Windsor)

I stayed in Windsor overnight. It was a quick trip but I was really keen to see Windsor Castle and I am pleased I made the effort I don't have many photos because you weren't allowed to take photos inside but it is a beautiful place and really interesting to see all the rooms. There were moments of discomfort (the whole colonial domination) but overall it was a really impressive and beautiful place to visit.

After Windsor I caught the train to London. I was in London at the start of my trip and it was nice to return and see it in full Christmas mode. I had forgotten how busy London is but it was worth battling the crowds to see the amazing Christmas lights. These last few days have been a bit random. Some of the things I had organised in advance were seeing a play with the Crawleys which was lots of fun, having a meal at an Ottolenghi restaurant which was one of the most beautiful meals I have ever had, going to an immersive AI exhibition and seeing the amazing artwork of Bob Dylan. I sort of watched the changing of the guard. I didn't get the full experience because the crowds were crazy so I barely saw anything and didn't stay for the whole thing. Other things I have managed to do is visit some Christmas markets, explore the streets and also visit the National Gallery which was fantastic. 

Bath and the irony of bad timing

I chose to go to Bath, as I made my way back to London, for a couple of reasons but one of the main ones was to see the famous Bath Christmas Market. This market was supposed to be amazing and I was excited. I arrived in Bath and quickly dropped off my luggage to find this famous market only to discover that the final day was the day before I arrived! It closed on the 10th to then move on to another town. It wasn't just closed but because it had been such a thing, there weren't many other decorations up. There was definitely a beautiful tree and some lights up but it wasn't what I was expecting. I have been spoiled so far in what I have seen in terms of Christmas decorations so I can't complain but it changed my plans a little. Bath is a beautiful city and is a UNSECO World Heritage Centre which has protected it from development. I spent my days exploring the Abbey, touring the Assembly Rooms and walking around the city and then walking further afield along the Kennet and Avon Canal to enjoy the natural landscape and see all the narrow boats along the banks. It was a restful couple of days and nice to return to such a beautiful city, even without the Christmas mayhem. I did learn a fun fact...the word "Cheerio" comes from the Georgian times when people would call for their sedan chair to take them home and they would call out "Chair Ho!". This is a classic fun fact - not terribly useful but I thought it was interesting!

The border of Wales and England and then to the Cotswolds

In the next part of my trip I went a little further north (only slightly) to very close to the border of Wales and England and then to the Cotswolds. I have decided to talk about these two places together because it was one of contrasts. When I was in Cardiff, I met some people from Swansea and when I told them I was going to Hereford, they simply nodded politely. This wasn't a good start and I have to say that I understand why. It is not a bad place but it wasn't a highlight. I kept losing things (I almost lost my backpack and I lost my hat and gloves) and the place I was staying in felt more like an awkward shared house. There were some highlights, such as using the opportunity to have some calls with people and visiting Hay-on-Wye to enjoy a village famous for its bookshops, however it wasn't an easy part of my trip overall. 

I was in Hereford for a few days and then travelled to the Cotswolds to stay in Bourton-on-the-Water which had the complete opposite effect. The Cotswolds are generally so picturesque and I was fortunate enough to find an amazing B&B which was in a heritage building. My attic room was snug in the storms and the two days I spent there were like a balm for my soul. I did a long walk in the rain but coming home muddy and wet just didn't matter. I also had some really interesting conversations with people.

Travel can be like this. There are moments which aren't as easy but these make the other moments a little more special. I don't regret going to Hereford at all (even though I do miss my gloves!) but I certainly loved the Cotswolds and it wasn't just seeing a Christmas Tree in the middle of the river (see the photo below).

Hereford:

  

Bourton-on-the-Water:

Wales - Wonderful and Wet!

Wales is a beautiful country. Do I say this about every place I visit? I won't check because I think I probably do say this about each place. What makes Wales stand out for me is the countryside. It is definitely cold (a top of 5 degrees!!?) and I had to buy a beanie and gloves but it is stunning. I haven't done a great deal of moving around while I have been here. I based myself in Tenby and spent a few days walking up and down the coast and then visited Cardiff for a more 'city' experience. The coast was stunning with cliffs, green pastures and lovely little towns dotted around. When I got to Cardiff, I was going to do a day trip but on my first day it was raining so heavily that I decided to spend an extra day in the city exploring. It is raining heaps here - probably every second day - but that's ok because I have an umbrella and I can still explore. I want to see more of Wales but I am also aware that I am getting a little tired from all the travel and so spending extra days getting to know a place has been good. What has really stood out to me is how proud the Welsh are of their heritage. This seems to have emerged more in the 1970s but there is a sense of wanting to distinguish themselves from England which I have appreciated. As Christmas gets closer I have been able to enjoy the Christmas lights in each place so I have included a photo of some of the Christmas lights. It gets dark by about 4.30 pm so it has limited some of my exploring but that's just part of the travel adventure. The photos below are a mix of Tenby and Cardiff before I head north to Hereford (still Wales).

Farewell to Ireland

My last few stops in Ireland were Killarney, Cork and Rosslare. Killarney was a lovely little town and from there I went on a tour of the Ring of Kerry. Apparently people hike the circuit and I would love to come back and do that in summer. The scenery was amazing. I decided to do a tour and I didn't realise it would be a bus tour. I was initially disappointed but I met some lovely people and the guide was really interesting. The person I sat next to was a German girl and she was really nice and didn't mind me quizzing her on some of the contradictions in the German language that I have discovered in Duo Lingo. On one of the days that I was in Killarney they were holding a Christmas parade. Apparently this is a thing in anywhere other than Australia (is it a thing in Australia and I have just missed it??) and it was worth the wait. There was a parade of tractors covered in tinsel and lights and then various floats. The highlight was Santa and the kids went crazy as he passed by. The advantage of a local festival was that 'Santa' knew the kids and said hello to many of them by name. It was lots of fun.

After Killarney, I visited Cork. This was a bigger city and it was fun to walk around and explore the town, the street art and once again enjoy the Christmas lights. Rosslare, my final stop. was just a stop over to catch the ferry to Wales. I got off at the wrong station but the guy at the hotel picked me up and organised a taxi for the next morning. I felt so looked after and I have to say that the Irish people have all been so nice. They are loud, crazy and so lovely. I am really pleased that I was able to include Ireland in my trip but I also know that there is so much to see. Next time I want to visit the north of Ireland. It is a truly beautiful, green, rich and troubled country. I love it.

Killarney:

Cork: