Manchester to Home

Manchester Canal

Manchester

Heavy traffic

Canal on the Broads

We set off early from Norwich, heading through Wroxham searching for windmills and canals on the northern Broads and up to Cromer where we encounted a swarm of small orange beetles that stopped us from leaving the car, but, we did see the North Sea. We found only one windmill with its sails with most having been removed, and managed a few stops for boats. We had great weather and really enjoyed this part of Norfolk. From Cromer we travelled west to Fring, another family history stop and then to Sandringham where sadly, Liz was out, but we stopped for cottage pie and a wander up to the church where the royals worship. After lunch we had to drive on some fast roads to make it to Manchester by 6pm. We were stopped on the motorway for some time but arrived in time to meet up with more long lost cousins. Our stay in Sale, just out of Manchester was great and I didn't want to leave. Our last days were sunny and warm and there was so much more to see and not enough time. Aren't all holidays like this? Next day we set off with cousins Val and David to walk around the city. Saw the canals and Castlefield, had lunch in a great chinese restaurant in Chinatown and looked through churches and shops. On Friday we drove over to Chester, a beautiful old city and had lunch in the open air listening to busking musicians. More shops and a walk down to the river to watch the boating. On the last day we went to Trafford Shopping Centre, a HUGE complex with everything under the one roof - shops, eateries, cinemas and a short way away an indoor ski slope! Back to finish packing and after a lovely roast dinner, we headed for the airport and back home. Flight was okay. Now in Manly and beginning to flag. David is sorting out his 650 photos. He could be days. I have really enjoyed blogging. Just wish I had been able to log on more often.

Norwich

Southwold Beach

On Dunwich Heath

On Dunwich Beach

The Broads

We have travelled up through Essex where we visited a workhouse run by another dead relative in 1839 and took lots of photos of it and nearby countryside. Then to Diss for another night in a hotel that had music until 12:45am. Not conducive for sleeping so next day we were very tired but managed to get a lot of travelling done up through Suffolk, along the coast and into Norfolk. We really enjoyed travelling through Stradbroke to Dunwich. (And you all thought we were in England!) The weather was good for another day although it was very windy at Dunwich and Southwold, where most of England were on holiday. The beach was crowded and the carpark packed. We just love the park and pay. Such a challenge to have the right money when no change is given, so I just keep supporting various councils with an extra few pence. The Broads were lovely with lots of boats and at last opportunities to stop for some photos. We arrived in Mulbarton just south of Norwich around six but still had hours of daylight to enjoy. We have had a lovely time here with Gareth and Lynn and their small daughter, Chloe. Today we visited Norwich castle which had fantastic displays and well worth a visit. Only wish we had longer in the city to explore it all. Tomorrow we are off north to the coast and then around through Sandringham for lunch with Liz, if she's in, then across the longest bridge in England to Sale, Manchester for three nights.

London to Colchester

Peking Duck in China Town

An Indian summer in Kensington Gardens

Cousins with wine

Kensington Gardens

Upsidedown tree

A few photos from our day in London and last night in South Woodford with cousins.
Now in Colchester after failing to find a room in Clacton-on-Sea. Pouring rain and miserable but now in an executive suite - the last one in town - for the princely sum of 110 pounds without breakfast! It has to be better than driving all night or camping in the car. We ate biscuits and chocolate for tea. Have I mentioned that due to an over indulgence on clotted cream, I have added about 5 kilos to my frame? David the same old fit and healthy eats everything and doesn't change. He is asleep already and it's only 10pm. The night is young but I'm not driving the car (only driving David mad with my poor sense of direction).

Leaving London today. Off through Essex to Mulbarton south of Norwich to stay with cousin Gareth on 3rd and 4th. Probably no more news until we have another connection. On Thursday we went to Amersham to see cousins Donald and Mary. Delicious lunch and a lovely long chat. We came back in time to go into London for an Italian meal and off to the theatre to see The Mouse Trap. Expensive front row balcony seats but worth it. The secret is safe with me but has already been blabbed by David. Don't ask him about it if you ever want to go! Yesterday we went into the city and after wandering around shops, we visited Kensington Gardens where we walked around the entire Serpentine and ended up in the Victoria & Albert museum. I love reading every label but David is off into the next exhibit before long so I gave up and followed him. Had a lovely time in the shop!!! No Photos. I have to wait for David to load his collection and then reduce the size. Unfortunately he is usually asleep when I'm blogging so I may not get the label right.